COVID-19 Episodes
Listen to episodes of Fireside Chat focused on COVID-19
Recent Episodes
39: Building a Lifetime of Health Together, with Brett McClung, President and CEO, Baptist Health
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Brett McClung, President and CEO, Baptist Health to talk about the use of predictive analytics to estimate the duration of the first COVID wave and the timing of the possible second wave, the use of AI to test the effectiveness of telehealth visits, and the new normal in terms of greater physician alignment and deeper consumer analytics.
38: Times of Stress Amplify Weaknesses and Strengths, with Terry Shaw, President and CEO, AdventHealth
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Terry Shaw, President and CEO, AdventHealth to talk about how consolidation among provider health systems will play out over the next three years, what steps CMS should take to make care more efficient and consumer-focused, the economics of AdventHealth due to COVID-19, and what personal and professional learnings he took away from the crisis.
36: A Much More Wholistic Consumer-Based Model — COVID-19 Series, with Randy Oostra, President and CEO, ProMedica
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Randy Oostra, President and CEO, ProMedica to talk about Promedica’s acquisition of HCR ManorCare and how that acquisition has benefited both companies. We also talked about social determinants of health and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
35: 30%-50% Care Through Virtual Technology–COVID-19 Series, with Timothy Pehrson, President and CEO, Integris Health.
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Timothy Pehrson, President and CEO, Integris Health to talk about the need for flexibility in cost structures to accommodate crises like COVID-19. We also discussed four key changes that will affect healthcare systems due to the pandemic. read more…
34: We Are Open for Business, with John M. Starcher, Jr., President and CEO, Bon Secours Mercy Health
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with John M. Starcher, Jr., President and CEO, Bon Secours Mercy Health to talk about the characteristics of a leader during a crisis, telehealth services and the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on economics and capital expenditures. read more…
33: Goal: One Billion Doses by the End of 2021, with Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson–COVID-19 Series
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson to talk about the company’s pursuit of a vaccine for COVID-19 and the ways Johnson & Johnson have supported the healthcare system during the crisis.
32: Our Physicians Are Our Best Advocates, With Dr. Steve Markovich, President and CEO, OhioHealth, COVID-19 Series
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Dr. Steve Markovich, President and CEO, OhioHealth to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and how OhioHealth is handling the crisis through communication, remote work and other changes in the healthcare system. read more…
31: It’s Our Duty to Find a Way, with (former) Governor Mitch Daniels, President, Purdue University
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Mitch Daniels, former governor of Indiana and President of Purdue University. In this conversation, we explore the challenges higher education is facing due to the COVID-19 crisis and what leaders can do in the days ahead. read more…
30: COVID-19: How Much of the Place Can We Change? With Dennis Murphy, President and CEO, Indiana University Health
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Dennis Murphy, President and CEO, Indiana University Health to talk about next normals of the healthcare system following the COVID-19 crisis and how IUH is navigating the challenges of the pandemic.
29: COVID-19: New Competency of Scaling Up and Scaling Down, with Kaveh Safavi, M.D., J.D., Senior Managing Director, Accenture
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Kaveh Safavi, M.D., J.D., Senior Managing Director, Accenture to talk about how healthcare systems and businesses around the world are adapting to COVID-19 and what the new normal will look like as a result of the pandemic. read more…
28: COVID-19: How We Look at the Future Has Changed Dramatically, with Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and how the crisis has changed several aspects of healthcare for the future. read more…
27: COVID-19: Loyal Relationship with Local Company that Produces PPE, with Barclay Berdan, CEO, Texas Health Resources
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Barclay Berdan, CEO, Texas Health Resources to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and how the health system is managing communication, working from home policies and PPE.
26: COVID-19: Most Significant Financial Challenge that We Will Ever Face, with Dr. Stephen Jones, President and CEO, Inova Health System
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Dr. Stephen Jones, President and CEO, Inova Health System to talk about the COVID-19 crisis, communicating with caregivers and the board of directors, financial concerns for health systems and what the new normal looks like in the days ahead. read more…
25: COVID-19: You’ve Got to Adapt, with Warner Thomas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down Warner Thomas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health to talk about communication during COVID-19 and leadership in crisis situations prior to the pandemic. read more…
24: COVID-19: There are Times When “Nothing” is the Right Answer, with Bob Kerrey, Former Governor and Senator, Nebraska and President, The New School
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Bob Kerrey, Former Governor and Senator of Nebraska and President, The New School. In this conversation, we discussed lessons learned during his time as a Governor and U.S. State Senator, the responsibilities of a lead director during a time of crisis, and how the pandemic will change our lifestyles moving forward. read more…
23: COVID-19: Innovation is Incredibly Powerful, with James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic in the twin cities, how Fairview is handling the crisis, financial implications and pressures and communication with caregivers and the board of trustees. read more…
22: COVID-19: Normal Does Not Return Until Confidence is Restored, with Joseph Impicciche, JD, President and CEO, Ascension
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Joseph Impicciche, JD, President and CEO, Ascension to talk about telemedicine, communication with the board of directors, and looking ahead and re-opening under the new normal after the pandemic. read more…
21: COVID-19: An Unprecedented Challenge for Hospitals and Physicians with Sarah Krevans, President and CEO, Sutter Health
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Sarah Krevans, President and CEO, Sutter Health to talk about telehealth medicine during the pandemic, communication with caregivers and the board of directors, overcoming financial obstacles, and working through PPE shortages during the crisis. read more…
20: COVID-19: Special Circumstances Call for Special Decisions, with Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer to talk about the development of a vaccine for COVID-19, their international and U.S. contribution to the battle against the pandemic, the five-point plan to rally the biopharma industry and their desire to collaborate on combating global pandemics and partnering with leading health systems in areas of shared interest. read more…
19: COVID-19: We Strongly Encourage CMS to Continue Waivers, with Wright Lassiter, President and CEO, Henry Ford Health System
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Wright Lassiter, President and CEO, Henry Ford Health System to talk about crisis-generated innovations and how he has encouraged his team to sustain and build on those innovations post-crisis. read more…
18: COVID-19: Committed to Purpose, Governance and the Board, with Steve Huebner, Board Chair, SCL Health and Board Member, Intermountain Healthcare
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Steve Huebner, Board Chair, SCL Health and Board Member, Intermountain Healthcare to talk about supporting management during a crisis, how he defines priorities as board chair, and tips for how to have a successful virtual board meeting. read more…
17: COVID-19: Enormous Community Spirit, with Dr. Marc Harrison, President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Dr. Marc Harrison, President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare to explore the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on healthcare, his pathway for preparation, consolidation around the challenges, communication with the board of directors, and Intermountain’s finances. read more…
15: COVID-19: This is What We Do, with Nancy Howell Agee, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Nancy Howell Agee, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic to talk about the needs of caregivers, patients and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talked about operating margins for nonprofit health systems, updating the community through live streams and news conferences and how she communicates with the board of directors during the crisis. read more…
14: COVID-19: Not everyone Uses the Same Logic, with Dr. David Callender, President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System
In this Fireside Chat, we sat down with Dr. David Callender, President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System. We talked about the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned in crisis management, the importance of communication with state and local officials, and Memorial Hermann’s growth strategy.
13: COVID-19: The Financial Stress on our Sector is Going to be Profound, with Dr. Rod Hochman, President and CEO, Providence
In this Fireside Chat, we sat down with Rod Hochman, M.D., president and CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health. We talked about the role of a leader in a crisis, the need for communication with the board of directors, flexing health delivery assets, and much more. read more…
12: COVID-19: Supporting Lives of People at Their Most Vulnerable, with Michele Baker Richardson, J.D., President, Higher Education Advocates, LLC
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Michele Baker Richardson, J.D., Board Chair-Elect, AdvocateAuroraHealth, and President and CEO, Higher Education Advocates, LLC, to discuss how healthcare boards are handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. read more…
11: Coronavirus (COVID-19): International Comparisons between Australia and the U.S., with Stewart Dowrick, Chief Executive, Mid North Coast Local Health District
Next up in our special COVID-19 series on Fireside Chat, we sat down with Stewart Dowrick, CEO of Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) in Australia. We discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, which is tracking similarly in Australia and the United States. read more…
10: Introducing the Special Series – COVID-19
Our host, Gary Bisbee, introduces a special series of Fireside Chat covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Don’t miss previous conversations with Dr. Julie L. Gerberding and Dr. Mark McClellan and stay tuned for more episodes in the future.
9: COVID-19: There is Going to be a New Normal, with Dr. Mark McClellan, Director and Professor, Duke’s Margolis Center, Former FDA Commissioner and CMS Administrator
In this episode of Fireside Chat, I sat down with Dr. Mark McClellan, Director and Professor, Duke’s Margolis Center and former FDA Commissioner and CMS Administrator to talk about containment of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and response from the federal government and the private sector. read more…
8: COVID-19: The Importance of Trust at the Local Clinical Level, with Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, EVP and Chief Patient Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. and former Director, CDC
In our latest episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, EVP and Chief Patient Officer, Merck & Co, Inc. and former Director, CDC. We talked about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the importance of trust at the local clinical level.

About Our Host
Gary Bisbee, Ph.D., is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of The Health Management Academy and the host of Fireside Chats. Gary has led a prominent and successful career that has spanned executive positions in healthcare organizations, on Wall Street, in Academia, and in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Gary is passionate about promoting thought leadership and innovation in healthcare and uses his platform to share the lessons, conversations, and ideas that will equip executives to continue growing their respective organizations.
COVID-19 Blog Posts
COVID-19: Innovation is Incredibly Powerful, with James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic in the twin cities, how Fairview is handling the crisis, financial implications and pressures and communication with...
COVID-19: Normal Does Not Return Until Confidence is Restored, with Joseph Impicciche, JD, President and CEO, Ascension
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Joseph Impicciche, JD, President and CEO, Ascension to talk about telemedicine, communication with the board of directors, and looking ahead and re-opening under the new normal after the pandemic. To listen to the...
COVID-19: We Strongly Encourage CMS to Continue Waivers, with Wright Lassiter, President and CEO, Henry Ford Health System
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Wright Lassiter, President and CEO, Henry Ford Health System to talk about crisis-generated innovations and how he has encouraged his team to sustain and build on those innovations post-crisis. Michigan is one of the...
COVID-19: Committed to Purpose, Governance and the Board, with Steve Huebner, Board Chair, SCL Health and Board Member, Intermountain Healthcare
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sit down with Steve Huebner, Board Chair, SCL Health and Board Member, Intermountain Healthcare to talk about supporting management during a crisis, how he defines priorities as board chair, and tips for how to have a successful...
COVID-19: Enormous Community Spirit, with Dr. Marc Harrison, President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we sat down with Dr. Marc Harrison, President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare to explore the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on healthcare, his pathway for preparation, consolidation around the challenges, communication with the...
COVID-19: This is What We Do, with Nancy Howell Agee, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic
In this Fireside Chat, we took some time to speak with Nancy Howell Agee, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic. As health systems, hospitals, and clinics all over the world battle COVID-19, healthcare leaders are making tough decisions daily. Many small, nonprofit...
COVID-19: Not everyone Uses the Same Logic, with Dr. David Callender, President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System
In this Fireside Chat, we sat down with Dr. David Callender, President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System. We talked about the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned in crisis management, the importance of communication with state and local officials, and Memorial...
COVID-19: The Financial Stress on our Sector is Going to be Profound, with Dr. Rod Hochman, President and CEO, Providence
In this Fireside Chat, we sat down with Rod Hochman, M.D., president and CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health. We took some time to discuss the changes to the healthcare delivery system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hochman and his team of 120,000 frontline...
COVID-19: The Importance of Trust at the Local Clinical Level, with Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, EVP and Chief Patient Officer, Merck and former Director, CDC
In this Fireside Chat, we spoke with Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, Executive Vice President and Chief Patient Officer at Merck Co., Inc. We discussed COVID-19 and the balance between the necessity of social distancing and essential health care and civic services. Dr....
Coronavirus (COVID-19): International Comparisons between Australia and the U.S., with Stewart Dowrick, Chief Executive, Mid North Coast Local Health District
Next up in our special COVID-19 series on Fireside Chat, we sat down with Stewart Dowrick, Chief Executive of Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) in Australia. We discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, which is tracking similarly in Australia and the United...