TCN Talks

Judi Lund Person: Unleashed

April 23, 2024 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

Judi Lund Person, former vice president of regulatory and compliance at NHPCO, shares her journey into the hospice industry and her passion for ensuring patients and families receive the care they need and want. Judi emphasizes the importance of addressing bad hospice care and uncovering fraud and abuse in the industry. She discusses the proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions, including the implementation of the HOPE tool and the revised hospice cap survey. ...

Lessons Learned with Samira K. Beckwith, one of the matriarchs of community-based Hospice

April 01, 2024 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

When Samira K. Beckwith graces our mic, you're not just hearing from a healthcare visionary; you're learning from a powerhouse who transformed her battle with Hodgkin’s disease into a beacon of hope for hospice and palliative care. Her journey, shaped by personal trials and the work of legends like Kubler-Ross and Dame Cicely Saunders, has redefined what compassionate care looks like at life's end. Join us as Samira unfolds the narrative of her life's work, mentoring future leaders and innov...

From Substitution Competition to Collaboration: Shifting our mindset from Substitution Competition to Collaboration Opportunities

March 18, 2024 19:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MB

Discover the transformative power of hospice and palliative care as Dr. Katy Lanz, a pioneer in the field, joins me, Chris Comeaux, for a riveting conversation on the industry's future. As the founder of TopSite Partners, Dr. Lanz offers her wealth of knowledge, taking us through the industry's evolution with a particular focus on how "substitution competition" is paving the way for innovative collaborative opportunities. Her insights provide a roadmap for navigating the changing tides with ...

The Future of Hospice according to Peter

February 21, 2024 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

Join us on TCNtalks as we welcome back one of the most sought after consultants in the serious illness space, Peter Benjamin, partner at the Huntington Consulting Group, for a compelling discussion on the pivotal shifts occurring in hospice care. Listen in as Peter, with his 45-year tenure mirroring the evolution of hospice in the United States, offers his seasoned perspective on how these community-based providers can navigate and flourish through the transformative years ahead. His reflec...

What’s the Diagnosis of the Problem for our Hospice and Palliative Care Movement

January 17, 2024 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MB

When the ideals of hospice care—the very essence of compassion and dignity at life's end—are at stake, it's time for a hard look at the truths we're facing. That's just what we do as I sit with Dr. Ira Byock, a visionary in hospice and palliative care, to address the heartache and hope within this critical healthcare sector. Dr. Byock, with his transformative book "The Four Things That Matter Most," guides us through the noble roots of hospice care and into the thick of its current crisis, u...

Year in Review, One Word, and an Exciting Announcement for 2024

December 27, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

Join the celebration as we mark a monumental year at TCN Talks, hitting an impressive 5,000 listeners milestone! This episode is a heartfelt thank you, packed with gratitude for your steadfast support, and a retrospective of the most powerful moments and conversations that have shaped the past year. Sheila Burke's expertise sheds light on staffing challenges within hospice care, while Peter Benjamin offers a glimpse into the future of our industry. Katie Lanz's innovative consulting work, in...

100% of Healthcare in ACO’s by 2030, what does that mean and why should we care?

December 18, 2023 17:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

Get ready to redefine your understanding of healthcare as we engage in a stimulating discussion with Bob Tavares, the Chief Commercial Officer at HealthPivots. With over 25 years of experience and a firm focus on serious illness care, Tavares enlightens us about the transformative powers of technology, particularly within the realm of hospice care. As we dissect the crucial role of data in service improvement and the importance of fostering data literacy among HealthPivots clients, you'll ga...

People Over Profits

November 29, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MB

The healthcare landscape is evolving, and at the center of this transformation is a renewed focus on that which should be most important: the patient and family we serve. This podcast episode's primary theme features Carole Fisher, President of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), and Bill Keane, Vice President and Director of Strategy at Emergence. The conversation delves into the current state of healthcare, particularly end-of-life care, and the need ...

The Future of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

November 07, 2023 20:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

In the realm of healthcare, the need for specialized care for Alzheimer's and Dementia patients has never been more pressing. As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of these conditions, innovations and shifts in care models are needed. In this podcast episode imagine a future where Alzheimer's and Dementia care is not just an afterthought but a priority. This episode will take you on an insightful journey into the world of Dementia care, spotlighting the groundbreaking work ...

Measure What Matters And What Really Matters Is The Close Of Life

October 12, 2023 16:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MB

Imagine having an intimate chat with Dr. Joan Teno, a leading adjunct professor at Brown University, and one of the long-standing researchers in the hospice and palliative care space. In this podcast we shed light based on research and data regarding quality and satisfaction in hospice. It's not every day you get the chance to dig into such a vital topic with someone of her caliber. In our candid conversation, Dr Teno shares her extensive career experiences, incredible research findings, an...

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

September 20, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

A heartfelt reunion with Julie Kennedy Oehlert, a DMP RN and Chief Experience and Brand Officer at ECU Health, sparks an illuminating discussion on love and leadership in healthcare. Having once shared the corridors of Studer Group, our professional paths converge again as we delve into Julie's profound impact on the healthcare sector. Her keynote speech at MPHI's Las Vegas summit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” forms the fulcrum of our conversation, underscoring the significance of prod...

How To Thrive No Matter What The Future Brings

September 01, 2023 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

What if you had the power to shape the future? Our latest conversation with business growth strategist, Meredith Elliott-Powell, will equip you with the insights to do just that. Meredith, a Hall of Fame speaker and award-winning author, lends her expertise on the profoundly transformative impacts of exceptional leadership. Brace yourself as we navigate the thrilling journey of leadership, its role in unlocking individuals' potential, and the courage it demands in prioritizing the wellbeing ...

Rethinking and Redesigning the Future of Hospice and Palliative Care

August 16, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey toward the future of hospice and palliative care! We're thrilled to bring you along as we chat with our distinguished guest, Marian Grant. As an accomplished palliative care nurse practitioner and consultant for industry powerhouses like C-TAC, CAPC, and NPHI, Marian has a wealth of experience and unique insights to share. First, we'll explore Marian’s fascinating career transition from the world of advertising to the front lines of nursing. Wh...

Transforming Healthcare: Exploring the ICF Framework

July 26, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

What if there was a tool that could transform the way we deliver healthcare? That’s the question we explore with Dr. Harry Feliciano and Rhonda Oaks in this riveting discussion about the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Dr. Feliciano, a seasoned geriatrician and former senior medical director, brings a rich history of experience in public health and preventive medicine to the table. He shares invaluable insights from his time on the front line of heal...

The Value of Hospice Today and into the Future

July 12, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MB

How would you feel if you had the chance to bring peace, comfort, and a sense of closure to someone at the end of their life? Join me as I sit down with Carla Davis, a senior vice president of Hospice and Palliative Care Operations and Business Development for LHC Group, who was moved by this exact idea as a teenager. Carla shares her inspiring journey to hospice care and helps us to unravel the implications of the recent acquisition of LHC by Optum Health Services for the aging U.S. populat...

Artificial Intelligence: Adoption Is Changing Rapidly

June 26, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MB

What if AI could cure healthcare of burnout? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jack Neil, CEO of HANK AI, as we uncover the incredible potential of AI and machine learning in the healthcare industry. From Jack's personal journey into this fascinating field to his favorite books that shaped his leadership style, this episode is a treasure trove of insightful information. Discover how AI is revolutionizing various aspects of healthcare, from the revenue cycle, precision medicine, ...

GROW, SOW, FLOW, NO AND R&D

June 14, 2023 03:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MB

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the challenges that come with leading hospice and palliative care programs? Join us for this episode as Chris Comeaux, TCNtalks Host, talks about passion for hospice and palliative care, and explore the complexities of leadership within this industry. With his 28 years of experience and authoring a book on leadership, tackles a unique Future External Environmental Scan (FEES) process, a sophisticated way to plot your course for the future and guide your d...

Diagnosis Hospice

May 31, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Janelle McCallum, Chief Clinical Operations Officer with TCN and Alan Seivers, Partner with B2B CFO®. Years ago, there was a great TV series called “Diagnosis Murder” with Dick Van Dyke where he, as a super sleuth, could solve any challenge, riddle, and murder. Using this as a metaphor, Chris discusses with Janelle and Alan how they use their skill set to diagnose Hospice and Palliative Care programs. Janelle and Alan share statistics, measures, and Key...

Time with Quint Studer

May 17, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Quint Studer, Co-Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group and one of Chris’ long-time and favorite mentors. Quint and Chris discuss many areas, but they start off with the recent Models of Care Insight Study that Healthcare Plus Solutions Group conducted on the workforce and staffing challenges that all of healthcare is facing. Here is a link to the outcomes of that study. The study received a response rate of almost 99% validity with over 3,300 particip...

Reading the Tea Leaves and Practical Advice for the Future

April 26, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Katy Lanz, Founder and Principal of TopSight Partners, a boutique advisory innovation partner, focusing on care at home. Dr. Lanz started out her career as a hospice nurse and helped build one of North Carolina’s first palliative care programs in the early 2000s. She later became the Chief Clinical Officer of Aspire, and led through partnerships with over 20 health plans, in 28 states. Katy has led two CMMI demonstrations, an ACO Reach practice and s...

Hospice Pharmacy Need to Know

April 12, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Mary Mihalyo, CEO & Co-founder of Delta Care RX. Mary has a rich history of teaching and helping to improve the care delivery of the hospice and palliative care segment via pharmacotherapy management, options and expertise. Mary through her expertise and then later through helping to co-found Delta Care RX has helped hospice and palliative care organizations since 1999 save dollars and at the same time improve quality hospice care. This win-win has enab...

In The Absence Of Data Any Ole Opinion Will Do, So What Does The Data Say

March 29, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Jay Cushman, President and Founder of HealthPivots, a healthcare analytics provider. Jay is trained as a physicist but has been looking at data in the hospice and palliative care segment going back to the 1990’s. In this podcast, Jay shares macro trends he sees in the data going back over these many years taking us to present day. Then Jay shares what he sees where things are headed. Chris and Jay then end with a fascinating conversation regarding how ...

A Look Back In Order To Look Forward … Really Forward

March 15, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Peter Benjamin, Partner with The Huntington Consulting Group. The themes from this podcast are Movement, Market, and Metamorphosis. Peter has a rich history in hospice having worked for the first for-profit hospice in the US and has been consulting in the hospice segment since 1996. Chris asks Peter to reflect back and name two or three things that have gotten us to where we are today for the hospice segment. Then they shift the discussion to where thing...

Black History Month and DEIB

February 15, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Marisette Hasan, CEO with Lifesprings Consulting Group. In honor of Black History month, Chris and Marisette start with why it is important for all Americans and hospice and palliative care team members to know and reflect upon Black History. Marisette then shares some of her heroes from Black History. What she shared was inspiring! Chris and Marisette discussed Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) and why hospice and palliative care orga...

Is It A Staffing Challenge Or A Staffing Crisis?

January 23, 2023 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Sheila Burke, Senior Public Policy Advisor at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, and Research Faculty / Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard University. Chris and Sheila discuss the staffing challenge and whether it is going to get better or worse during 2023. Sheila and Chris discuss a research article from a colleague of Sheila’s, Peter Buerhaus, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FAAN (article) which reviews past staffing challenges and some that were considered a staff...

Americans’ Views on the US Healthcare System, Aging and End of Life Care

January 12, 2023 16:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB

In this podcast, our first of 2023, Chris interviews Tom Koutsoumpas, President and CEO of Capital Caring Health & CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and Carole Fisher, President of the NPHI. Recently, ProPublica and The New Yorker published an article by Ava Kofman titled, “How Hospice Became a For-Profit Hustle.” This article put hospice in the news quite a bit toward the end of 2022 and unfortunately it did not differentiate the very real vari...

One Word, or Two or Three

December 14, 2022 16:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MB

In this podcast, Chris reviews the TCN Talks podcasts from over 2023. He also shares a great piece of wisdom Teleios and many of it’s members have practiced each year, “One Word.” This is a much more powerful way to set the tone and intention for your upcoming year and is much more useful than a New Year’s Resolution which seem to wane about 30 days into the New Year. TCN just released a related blog titled One Word as well. Chris also shares some wisdom called “The Rhythms Of Life And ...

The Future Serious Illness Continuum Of Care

December 09, 2022 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Cameron Muir, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Innovation Officer for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation & Principal and Founder, Cameron Muir Consulting, LLC. Chris and Dr. Muir talk about why hospices should innovate and how necessary it is today given the changes in the payer landscape and broader healthcare landscape. Dr. Muir shares two core areas, or launching pads, by which hospices must think about innovation. He then shares four s...

Giving In 2022: Positioning For Success In 2023

November 15, 2022 01:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

In this podcast, Chris Comeaux interviews Tina Gentry, Chief Administrative and Advancement Officer at Teleios Collaborative Network. As we approach the end of the year this is a great time to talk about philanthropy, but not just for end-of-year purposes. On TCNtalks, we have had several shows this past year focused on the challenges facing the hospice segment. Given the many challenges, hospices are looking for the magic bullet that can help alleviate the many other pressures. Philanth...

The Staffing Crisis That Is Probably Not Going To End

November 09, 2022 22:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Michelle Webb, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Certified Cultural Intelligence Facilitator, and Unconscious Bias Coach for Duke University School of Nursing. Chris and Michelle talk about the reality of the staffing crisis and how it is not going to improve. They discuss, given this reality and challenge, what it will require of leaders: a polarity of thinking. Think both/and, not either/or thinking. Chris draws the comparison of how polarity ...

The “Why” Behind Hospice Networks & A Unique Perspective On The Future

October 21, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Meg Pekarske, Partner with Husch Blackwell. Meg and Chris discuss a guide to Hospice Networks that Husch Blackwell put together to help guide the thinking of hospice leaders and their Boards. Meg shares some key need to know regarding why hospices should be thinking about some type of model given the challenges heading our way in the hospice and palliative care field. Meg also shares a unique perspective regarding what the future might hold for the field. ...

The “Need To Know” On Hospice Networks

September 28, 2022 21:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Gloria Brooks, founder of G. Brooks & Associates LLC. Gloria and Chris discuss some of the fascinating research Gloria has done regarding hospice networks and combinations in the nonprofit hospice space. Gloria shares 5 key competencies that she has found in her research that are critical for networks or combinations to be successful. This is a great listen and learning opportunity for staff, leaders, and Board members who want to understand, based on d...

Value Based Care and Reimbursement - where the puck is headed, and the puck is now in the arena

September 01, 2022 02:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Will Faber. Dr. Faber is a Primary Care Physician, full-time healthcare business consultant, and a TCN Board member. As healthcare accelerates towards value-based care and reimbursement, hospice and palliative care organizations are well-positioned to be part of the solution to where the puck is going. However, to be optimally positioned, we must understand what value-based care is and how it will impact all aspects of healthcare including the future o...

I’m Worried About My Staff Is There Something I Can Do?

August 12, 2022 15:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Lara McKinnis, MS, MT-BC, Music Psychotherapist and Professional Development Specialist for TCN about the alarming trend of staff exhibiting the effects of trauma due to the last two years of overwhelm largely impacted by COVID, at work and at home. In Spring 2021, TCN launched TCNtalks with a series of podcasts related to mental health and wellbeing tools for leaders and their staff. Now that we are living in a post-pandemic world with lasting implication...

The Rising Tide of NonProfit Mergers

July 27, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

In this podcast, Chris interviews Andrew Molosky and Chuck Lee regarding their recent merger of Chapters Health System and Cornerstone Hospice. Andrew is the President and CEO of Chapters Health System & Chuck Lee is the Chief Administrative Officer and President of Hospice Operations and Board Chair of all Hospice Affiliates for Chapters Health System. Andrew’s and Chuck’s organizations coming together (Chapters and Cornerstone) are early movers in what is sure to be a trend throughout th...

Episodes