Vital Conversations

Tim Coan, Focus Solutions

On Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with healthcare leaders to talk through the operational challenges they’re dealing with and the decisions that have actually made a difference. New episodes are out regularly. Follow and subscribe wherever you listen.

  1. How to Get Physician Buy-In When You're Leading Change in a Medical Practice

    11H AGO

    How to Get Physician Buy-In When You're Leading Change in a Medical Practice

    Getting physicians to embrace change is the hardest part of the job. Here's how Andre Beach does it. Andre Beach is the Chief Operating Officer of Denver Arthritis Clinic — Colorado's longest-standing rheumatology group. In this episode, he shares the practical, people-first framework he uses to lead change without losing his team. You'll learn: How to assess whether your team has the right tools before pushing for change Why data matters more to physicians — and how to present it in a way they'll actually act on How to handle the 'historian of record': the long-tenured physician who's resistant to every new idea Why informal authority is more powerful than any title you're given How to manage your own change fatigue tendencies so you don't drag your team behind you at 100mph Whether you're a practice administrator, COO, or physician leader, this episode gives you a real-world playbook for moving your organization forward — without breaking it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Andre's background and Denver Arthritis Clinic — 50 years, 11 physicians(00:01:03) - How a 13-year-old started at the very bottom of healthcare(00:02:33) - How to assess if your team has the tools they need before pushing change(00:04:13) - Why physicians and staff need completely different messaging(00:05:44) - Getting a practice to shift from gut-feel to data-driven decisions(00:07:20) - Navigating culture: respecting the past while building toward the future(00:08:22) - Identifying early adopters vs. the 'historian of record'(00:10:07) - Using AI to bring a resistant physician on board(00:11:04) - When the physician owner is both the champion and the obstacle(00:13:42) - Managing your key lieutenants through change — and your own pace(00:15:53) - Andre's #1 goal for his first year: earning buy-in from every corner

    18 min
  2. Bridging the Gap Between Data and Patient Care

    FEB 6

    Bridging the Gap Between Data and Patient Care

    Most clinicians don't need more data. They need data that connects to the patients in front of them. Tim Coan sits down with Dr. Jill Goldenberg, an internal medicine physician, informaticist, and value-based care leader, to talk about what actually works when presenting data to clinicians. What you'll learn: Why numbers without patient stories are "just numbers" The mistake of assuming every clinician understands your data How to present financial data without losing your clinical audience The documentation learning curve when shifting to value-based care Generational differences in how physicians engage with data Chapters: 00:55 Meet Dr. Jill Goldenberg: From hospitalist to informaticist 02:52 Speaking two languages: Clinical and data 03:35 Why numbers alone miss the mark 04:22 Don't assume every clinician reads the journals 06:08 Clinical data vs. financial data: Navigating the tension 07:51 What works in data presentation (pictures, graphs, and clear actions) 9:23 Value-based care and the data challenge for private practices 10:15 The documentation learning curve 11:51 Using data prospectively vs. retrospectively 13:49 Generational differences among physicians  Chapters (00:00:55) - Meet Dr. Jill Goldenberg: From hospitalist to informaticist(00:02:52) - Speaking two languages: Clinical and data(00:03:35) - Why numbers alone miss the mark(00:04:22) - Don't assume every clinician reads the journals(00:06:08) - Clinical data vs. financial data: Navigating the tension(00:07:51) - What works in data presentation (pictures, graphs, and clear actions)(00:09:23) - Value-based care and the data challenge for private practices(00:10:15) - The documentation learning curve(00:11:51) - Using data prospectively vs. retrospectively(00:13:49) - Generational differences among physicians

    17 min
  3. AI is Bringing Cardiac Care Closer to Patients

    JAN 9

    AI is Bringing Cardiac Care Closer to Patients

    What happens when you need a cardiac test but the nearest cardiologist is hours away? Tim Coan and healthcare consultant Ron Guillot get into the reality of cardiac care access in America and where things are headed. What you'll learn: Why 50% of U.S. counties are considered "cardiology deserts." The sonographer shortage and how it affects patient care How new tech is cutting training time from 12 months to 6 hours How to think about new clinical technology for your practice Whether you're in a rural practice or just trying to keep up with what's changing in cardiac care, this one's worth 20 minutes of your time. Chapters (00:00:00) - The state of cardiac health and access issues(00:03:02) - The role of AI in cardiac diagnostics(00:05:55) - Addressing the sonographer shortage(00:09:10) - Introducing Ultrasight: a game changer(00:11:49) - Revolutionizing cardiac echo accessibility(00:15:08) - Embracing innovation in healthcare

    19 min
  4. AI in Healthcare Billing: The Untold Challenges of Automating Revenue Cycle Management

    08/14/2025

    AI in Healthcare Billing: The Untold Challenges of Automating Revenue Cycle Management

    In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Dena Langan, VP of Revenue Cycle at Frontier Dermatology, to talk about the real-world challenges of automating healthcare RevCycle processes. From coding complexities and payer contracts to prior authorizations, denials, and reporting, Dena shares why some automation promises fall short—and where AI has real potential to make a difference. 00:00 – Welcome to Vital Conversations with Tim Coan & Dena Langan 01:00 – Dena’s background & Frontier Dermatology’s scale 02:35 – AI’s growing role in healthcare RevCycle 03:50 – The goal of automation: freeing humans from tedious tasks 04:40 – Why coding accuracy still needs human oversight 05:50 – The impact of AMA’s 2020 coding rule changes 07:10 – Could ambient listening scribes be the answer? 09:00 – Optimism for AI-driven coding improvements 09:35 – The challenge of automating contract loading 11:25 – Why eligibility & prior auth automation is still tricky 12:48 – The complexities of automating denials & appeals 14:14 – Reporting and analytics: manual bottlenecks 15:18 – Dena’s 12-month automation wish list 16:10 – Closing thoughts on the future of RevCycle automation

    17 min
  5. How Healthcare Leaders Can Use AI To Improve Productivity From A Private Equity Engagement Director

    07/22/2025

    How Healthcare Leaders Can Use AI To Improve Productivity From A Private Equity Engagement Director

    AI is changing the healthcare industry, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode of Vital Conversations, guest Jeff Freedman, Director of Private Equity Engagement at ModMed, brings his 30+ years of operational experience to the table to talk through how healthcare organizations can make smarter, more productive use of AI.

    20 min
  6. How to Avoid Revenue Leaks as a Private Equity-Backed Practice: Advice from a 30-Year RCM Leader

    07/01/2025

    How to Avoid Revenue Leaks as a Private Equity-Backed Practice: Advice from a 30-Year RCM Leader

    In this episode, host Tim Coan sits down with Pete Martinez, a Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) at National Partners in Healthcare, to unpack what happens when private equity (PE) meets healthcare operations. They explore: How private equity deals disrupt RCM processes Why RevCycle gets misunderstood as just “finance” Common mistakes made post-acquisition How front desk attrition leads to massive revenue leaks The importance of aligning operations and RCM Key KPIs CFOs and RCM leaders must track Why SOPs often fail in scaling physician practices Pete’s new training platform: AskCWS.com – built to strengthen RevCycle teams everywhere Whether you're a CFO new to healthcare, a RevCycle leader navigating PE ownership, or someone trying to stop revenue leaks, this conversation is packed with insights, strategy, and tools you can act on today.

    27 min
  7. Navigating Pediatric Leadership Challenges with the CEO of Allied Physicians Group

    06/10/2025

    Navigating Pediatric Leadership Challenges with the CEO of Allied Physicians Group

    The CEO of Allied Physicians Group, Dr. Kerry Fierstein, joins Vital Conversations host Tim Coan for a talk about the current state of pediatric care. They discuss the challenges faced by pediatricians, particularly around immunizations and the trust issues that have arisen post-COVID. Dr. Fierstein shares insights on recruitment and retention in pediatrics, the financial aspects of running a practice, and the dual roles she plays as both a practicing pediatrician and a CEO. The conversation also highlights the community impact of the Allied Foundation, which addresses critical needs such as diaper distribution and literacy programs for children.

    20 min
  8. Bringing People Together in Healthcare Leadership: Jim Haveman's Unique Healthcare Journey

    05/20/2025

    Bringing People Together in Healthcare Leadership: Jim Haveman's Unique Healthcare Journey

    In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan sits down with longtime friend and public health leader Jim Haveman for an extraordinary discussion that bridges domestic policy and international diplomacy. Jim recounts his unconventional journey from social work to leading Michigan’s $18 billion health department, and eventually serving as the acting Minister of Health in post-war Iraq. His stories go far beyond typical healthcare leadership—he shares how he rebuilt systems, empowered local leaders, and practiced humility while navigating both partisan U.S. politics and the volatile streets of Baghdad. Listeners will gain rare insights into how to unite people with opposing agendas—whether negotiating Medicaid expansion in a divided legislature or rebuilding a healthcare system with no infrastructure. Jim’s leadership lessons are laced with wit, real-world strategy, and a human-centered approach that feels especially relevant today. Tune in to hear how listening, compromise, and walking the streets—not just sitting in boardrooms—can drive lasting impact.

    18 min
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About

On Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with healthcare leaders to talk through the operational challenges they’re dealing with and the decisions that have actually made a difference. New episodes are out regularly. Follow and subscribe wherever you listen.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Coan, Focus Solutions
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Vital Conversations