PEMBA ON-DEMAND: Real Stories from Physician Leaders

What if one of the most important moments in healthcare happens after a patient leaves the hospital? In this episode of PEMBA On Demand, Dr. Norman Chapin sits down with Dr. Tiffany Hanf, Regional Medical Director for Post-Acute Care at TeamHealth and current PEMBA student, to discuss one of healthcare’s most persistent and costly challenges: helping patients successfully transition from the hospital to post-acute care while reducing preventable readmissions. Dr. Hanf oversees post-acute care operations across nine western states and shares insights from her work leading skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation programs. At the center of the conversation is her work on an acute-to-post-acute transition program designed to improve coordination, communication, and continuity of care between hospitals and post-acute providers. She explains that one of the biggest barriers to successful transitions is the fragmentation that often exists between hospitals and post-acute facilities. Because these organizations are frequently managed by separate entities, critical information can be lost during the handoff process. Effective discharge summaries, medication coordination, and timely communication are essential to ensuring patients receive seamless care after leaving the hospital. The discussion explores how the role of physicians in post-acute care has evolved significantly over the years. Dr. Hanf explains that modern post-acute medicine requires dedicated physician leadership, advanced practice clinicians, structured rounding models, and specialty support services. The traditional model of infrequent physician visits to nursing facilities has largely been replaced by a more proactive, team-based approach focused on quality outcomes and reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. Dr. Hanf also shares lessons from a collaborative initiative with a health system seeking to address long hospital stays, discharge bottlenecks, and readmissions. Through coordinated partnerships and standardized workflows, her team has demonstrated improvements in transitions of care, reductions in readmissions, and shorter hospital lengths of stay. However, she notes that meaningful change often requires overcoming organizational silos and building trust among multiple stakeholders. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on readmissions from post-acute care settings. Dr. Hanf explains that many readmissions are driven by factors such as infections, sepsis, congestive heart failure exacerbations, falls, inadequate access to diagnostics, staffing challenges, and patient or family decisions to seek emergency care. She emphasizes that successful programs focus on identifying these drivers early and creating systems that allow patients to safely remain in the most appropriate care setting whenever possible. The episode also highlights TeamHealth’s philosophy that clinicians are the organization’s primary customer. Dr. Hanf discusses how supporting physicians and advanced practice clinicians through strong workflows, technology, communication systems, and leadership ultimately improves facility performance and patient outcomes. This clinician-first approach has become a key part of TeamHealth’s strategy for recruitment, retention, and quality improvement. Later in the conversation, Dr. Hanf reflects on her own career journey. After spending more than a decade as a hospitalist, she transitioned fully into post-acute care, drawn by the opportunity to build deeper relationships with patients while maintaining a sustainable work-life balance. She describes post-acute medicine as a unique blend of acute care complexity and long-term patient continuity. Finally, Dr. Hanf shares why she chose to pursue the Physician Executive MBA at this stage of her career. Encouraged by colleagues and mentors, she viewed the program as an opportun...

In this episode of "PEMBA On Demand," Dr. Joseph Nounou, a 2020 PEMBA graduate, shares his transition from anesthesia to founding Auros Pharma, a biotech startup tackling the opioid crisis with a novel medication. He discusses his motivations for pursuing an MBA, the challenges of launching a pharmaceutical company during COVID-19, and the personal and financial sacrifices involved. Dr. Nounou emphasizes the importance of physician leadership in drug development and his commitment to affordable, life-saving treatments, highlighting how business education empowered him to drive innovation and broader impact in healthcare. Show Highlights: Transition from clinical practice in anesthesia to entrepreneurship in biotech. Founding of Auros Pharma to address the opioid crisis with a novel medication. Motivations for pursuing an MBA to gain business knowledge. Challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on business management. Personal transformation driven by burnout and a desire for a more fulfilling career. The process of bootstrapping a pharmaceutical startup and financial realities involved. Importance of physician involvement in the pharmaceutical industry and drug development. Regulatory complexities and the FDA approval process for new medications. The role of physicians in promoting effective and cost-efficient prescribing practices. Future aspirations for Auros Pharma's medication and the impact of mentorship from the PEMBA program. Links and Resources: Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple Dr. Joseph Nounou on LinkedIn

In this episode of "Pemba On Demand," host Dr. Norman A. Chapin interviews Martie Ross, Consulting Principal at PYA and Director of the Center for Rural Health Advancement. Together, they explore the evolution and challenges of alternative payment models (APMs) in healthcare, focusing on rural settings, value-based care, and the need for payer alignment. Martie shares insights on adapting APMs for rural providers, the importance of clinical transformation, and the future of mandatory payment models. The episode concludes with practical resources for healthcare professionals navigating payment reform and emphasizes the ongoing need for collaboration and innovation in healthcare delivery. Show Highlights: Evolution of alternative payment models (APMs) in healthcare Impact of APMs on rural and safety-net providers Challenges and opportunities in implementing APMs in rural healthcare settings The role of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in transforming healthcare payment structures Differences between primary care and specialty care in APM development Importance of collaboration among healthcare providers for effective patient care The significance of accurate data and benchmarks in evaluating APM effectiveness Barriers to commercial payer engagement in APMs Future directions for APMs, including mandatory episodic payment models Strategies for physician executives to navigate the transition to value-based care Links and Resources: Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple Martie Ross on LinkedIn

In this episode of PEMBA On Demand, host Dr. Norman A. Chapin speaks with Dr. Robert Flora, Chief Academic Officer at McLaren Health Care and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Together, they explore why traditional quality improvement (QI) strategies often fall short—and what it will take to lead meaningful change in modern healthcare. Dr. Flora highlights the historical and systemic roots of today’s QI limitations, explains how rigid approaches fail to reflect the complexity of patient care, and introduces innovative frameworks like his “Nested Rapid Cycle Logic Model.” This episode empowers physician leaders with tools and insights for driving real, measurable change. Show Highlights: Why standard QI approaches are no longer sufficient Moving from binary to systems-level thinking in clinical training Integrating social and structural determinants of health into care models Embracing data-driven, team-based strategies in leadership The role of QI training in preparing the next generation of physician leaders Recognizing external influences on healthcare quality and patient outcomes Long-term outcomes vs. short-term metrics: what really matters A hopeful vision for the future of quality improvement in healthcare Links and Resources: Dr. Robert Flora on LinkedIn Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple

In this episode of "Pemba On Demand," host Dr. Norman A. Chapin interviews Dr. Lloyd Marks, a physician, engineer, entrepreneur, and alumnus of the University of Tennessee's Physician Executive MBA program. Dr. Marks discusses his transition from engineering to medicine, his motivation for obtaining an MBA, and his work in medical innovation. He highlights his development of a non-invasive device for detecting shock in patients and shares insights into the challenges of merging engineering with clinical practice. The conversation emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for physician-driven innovation in healthcare. Show Highlights: Transition from engineering to medicine and the motivations behind it Pursuit of an MBA to enhance business acumen in healthcare Development of a non-invasive device for detecting shock in patients Challenges faced in bridging engineering and clinical practice Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in medical innovation Role of mentorship and guidance for aspiring medical entrepreneurs Significance of intellectual property protection for innovators Insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare technology Emphasis on patient-centered care in medical advancements Building professional networks and relationships in the healthcare field Links and Resources: Physician Executive MBA at the University of Tennessee Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn Dr. Lloyd Marks on LinkedIn

In this episode of "Pemba on Demand," host Dr. Norman A. Chapin engages in a conversation with Zack Buck, JD, who serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. They delve into the topic of Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that permits agencies to interpret ambiguous laws, and examine its influence on healthcare regulation. Zack provides insights into the intricacies of healthcare law, discussing the balance between state and federal powers, as well as the potential implications of recent Supreme Court decisions that might restrict agency authority. The discussion underscores the significance of comprehending legal frameworks for effective healthcare leadership and the navigation of regulatory changes. Show Highlights: Chevron deference and its implications for healthcare regulation The role of administrative law in healthcare practices Health policy matrices: access, cost, quality, and choice The impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on agency authority The balance of power between state and federal governments in healthcare regulation Challenges faced by healthcare leaders in navigating legal frameworks The transition from fee-for-service to value-based care models Potential monopolistic practices resulting from regulatory interventions The relationship between regulatory compliance and ethical responsibilities in healthcare The importance of staying informed about legal developments in healthcare law Links and Resources: Physician Executive MBA at the University of Tennessee Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn Zack Buck on LinkedIn

In this episode of "Pemba On Demand," host Dr. Norman A. Chapin and guest Dr. Donald Lighter, MD discuss the critical role of physician leadership in healthcare. Dr. Lighter, a core faculty member of the Pemba program with a background in pediatrics, shares insights on the evolution of physician roles, the importance of developing soft skills, and the relevance of the Baldrige framework. They highlight the Pemba program's impact on fostering leadership skills, the significance of value-based care, and the necessity of continuous improvement in healthcare. Dr. Lighter also recounts memorable teaching moments and emphasizes the importance of networking and collaboration among physicians.. Show Highlights: Evolution of the Pemba program and its impact on physician leadership. Importance of physician leadership in enhancing healthcare systems. Development of soft skills in physicians for effective leadership. Overview of the Baldrige framework and its relevance to healthcare quality improvement. Achievements and contributions of Pemba alumni in various healthcare sectors. Challenges faced by physician leaders in maintaining patient-centered care. Shift towards value-based care and its implications for healthcare delivery. Role of teamwork and collaboration in healthcare settings. Importance of patient engagement and satisfaction in healthcare outcomes. Future trends and challenges in physician leadership within evolving healthcare landscapes. Links and Resources: Physician Executive MBA at the University of Tennessee Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn Dr. Donald Lighter on LinkedIn Books on Quality Improvement in Healthcare: Basics of Health Care Performance Improvement: A Lean Six Sigma Approach (1st Edition) – Barnes & Noble Advanced Performance Improvement in Health Care: Principles and Methods – Barnes & Noble Essentials for Quality and Safety Improvement in Health Care: A Resource for Developing Countries – Barnes & Noble Curing Health Care: New Strategies for Quality Improvement (1st Edition) – Barnes & Noble

In this episode of "Pemba On Demand," host Dr. Norman A. Chapin revisits a conversation with Dr. Bruce Meyer, Executive Vice President for Highmark Health, focusing on value-based care and healthcare transformation. Dr. Meyer shares insights from his journey, including his MBA from the University of Tennessee, and addresses systemic challenges in U.S. healthcare, such as high administrative costs and inefficiencies. He stresses the importance of transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based care, underscoring the role of non-physician providers and the necessity of structured healthcare budgeting. The episode also highlights mentorship, particularly Dr. Meyer's impact on Dr. Jason Gunderson's career. Show Highlights: Value-based care and its importance in healthcare transformation. The systemic challenges and inefficiencies in the U.S. healthcare system. The impact of healthcare costs on personal bankruptcy and financial sustainability. The role of government payers like Medicare and Medicaid in healthcare funding. The historical escalation of healthcare spending in the U.S. and its implications. The transition from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care approach. The significance of mentorship in professional development within healthcare. The cultural differences in healthcare delivery between the U.S. and other countries. The potential of non-physician providers in enhancing patient care and system efficiency. The need for collaboration between payers and providers to improve patient outcomes and manage costs effectively. Links and Resources: Physician Executive MBA at the University of Tennessee Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn Dr. Bruce Meyer on LinkedIn