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The CereCore Podcast
The CereCore Podcast brings you conversations focused on the intersection of healthcare and IT. From practical advice to strategic thought leadership, hear how healthcare IT leaders are navigating the decisions, challenges and journey of delivering technology to improve healthcare in their community today and in the future.
All Episodes
The Value of Advocacy in Rural Health: A CFO’s Perspective
What happens when a hospital leader takes lessons from both the CEO and CFO seat into statewide advocacy? You get a strong advocacy voice for rural health. In this episode of The CereCore Podcast, host Phil Sobol talks with Tim Powers, Chief Financial Officer of the Idaho Hospital Association, about his 35-year journey in healthcare leadership. From turning around struggling hospitals in Idaho and Nevada to guiding 51 member hospitals today, Tim shares how advocacy, partnerships, and culture are essential to financial resiliency. He unpacks the challenges rural hospitals face from workforce shortages and labor costs to revenue cycle management and cybersecurity and explains why collaboration is the key to thriving, not just surviving. Listeners will hear stories of turnaround, mentorship, and the calling of rural healthcare leadership. In this episode: - Tim’s journey from “fix-it guy” to rural hospital CFO and CEO - How turnaround stories shaped his passion for advocacy - The value of Healthcare Business Ventures in supporting IHA members - Why Medicaid expansion, workforce culture, and cybersecurity top the financial agenda - Lessons from ransomware and EMR conversions in critical access hospitals - Advice for rural leaders: do not operate in a silo, lean on each other Whether you are a hospital executive, board member, or policy advocate, this episode offers practical perspective and inspiration on the role of advocacy and financial stewardship in sustaining rural health. Connect with - Show host Phil Sobol, Chief Commercial Officer of CereCore - Tim Powers, CFO of the Idaho Hospital Association Explore Resources CereCore® brings hospital operations experience and healthcare IT expertise together to support organizations like IHA members. From revenue cycle technology assessments and EHR optimization to managed IT services and cybersecurity, we can help you extend your team’s capacity. - Revenue Cycle Technology Adoption Model: Where does your organization stand? - Cybersecurity Assessments: Protect your data and minimize risk - IT Advisory Services: Gain an outside perspective rooted in healthcare operationsThe Value of Leadership and Optimization: A CNO to CEO Story
From the ED to the C-suite, Dr. Kathy Tussey, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital, has never stopped solving problems. Dr. Tussey shares how EHR optimization became a strategic imperative and why it’s about more than technology. In this conversation with host Phil Sobol, she discusses the ripple effect of technology on staff, patient safety, regulatory and revenue cycle. Hear how her nursing roots shaped her approach to executive leadership, why rural hospitals can’t afford to lag behind, and how partnerships like the one with CereCore are helping her team work smarter, not harder. In this episode: - How a curious nurse became a forward-thinking hospital CEO - The critical role of EHR optimization in rural healthcare - How AI and analytics can reclaim time with patients - Why partnerships are essential for transformation - Leadership lessons from a collaborative, growth-oriented leader Dr. Tussey is an encouraging leader who is dedicated to operational excellence in healthcare. Whether you’re a CNO, CIO, or aspiring healthcare leader, stream this episode and get inspired to lead with purpose, optimize your technology, and never stop learning. Connect with show host Phil Sobol, chief commercial officer of CereCore Connect with Dr. Kathy Tussey, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital Did this episode spark your interest? We'd love to hear from you. Let’s start a conversation about how we can help you improve healthcare technology for providers and staff. Need to evaluate your EHR? We can help you assess your EHR and develop a roadmap like we provided Dr. Tussey and Harrison Memorial Hospital. We can extend the capacity of your team from MEDITECH professional services to ongoing application management, IT support, infrastructure, regulatory reporting, and virtual chief information security officers.Building Trust: From Expanse Rollout to High Reliability Organization
Explore a remarkable journey of transformation, resilience, and leadership in rural healthcare. Host Phil Sobol welcomes back Lynn Falcone, CEO of Cuero Regional Hospital, and Ismelda Garza, CIO Cuero Regional Hospital and CereCore manager, for a candid conversation about their multi-year effort to implement MEDITECH Expanse and evolve into a high reliability organization (HRO). From overcoming infrastructure limitations to unifying disparate systems across hospital and clinic settings, Lynn and Ismelda share how they build trust within their teams and continue to manage change through constant communication. They discuss: - Why Cuero chose MEDITECH Expanse and how it improved patient safety and operational efficiency - The critical role of communication and governance in sustaining momentum post-go-live - How IT supports a culture of safety and continuous improvement - The realities and misconceptions of rural healthcare leadership - Practical insights on navigating AI, staffing challenges, and change fatigue Whether you're leading a rural hospital or managing enterprise-wide IT transformation, this episode offers grounded wisdom, humor, and inspiration for healthcare leaders navigating complex change. Listen to discover how Cuero Regional Hospital is redefining what’s possible in rural healthcare.
Developing a Digital Strategy for True Clinical Innovation
What happens when a former clinician becomes the architect of digital transformation? You get bold, practical innovation that actually works. In this episode of The CereCore Podcast, we talk with Julie Demaree, Executive Director of Clinical Innovation and Transformation at St. Mary’s Healthcare Amsterdam, about how she’s turning tech frustration into clinical empowerment. From rebuilding trust in the EHR to rolling out ambient AI and automation bots, Julie shares how her team is making digital tools work for—not against—providers. If you're a healthcare CIO, informatics leader, or tech strategist, this episode is your blueprint for: - Building a digital strategy that clinicians actually love - Creating governance that fuels innovation (not red tape) - Using data, AI, and automation to solve real-world problems - Bridging the gap between IT and clinical care—without burning out your teams Julie’s experience proves that clinical innovation isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about solving problems with purpose. Listen and get inspired to lead your own transformation journey.