OSF HealthCare Accelerated

Most people want to remain in the comfort of their own homes as they age, but sometimes, doing so safely requires extra support.Join us as we revisit OSF PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), a unique model that combines health care, insurance and supportive services to help older adults maintain independence and quality of life at home. Since launching in the greater Peoria area in 2024, OSF PACE has continued to grow, meeting the needs of a population that overwhelmingly prefers to age in place.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE, and Matthew Gorman, DO, medical director of Care Management at OSF HealthCare, to discuss how the program works, who qualifies and the real impact it’s having on patients, families and the health care system.Speaker highlights:Nathan PritzkerExecutive Director, OSF PACEOSF HealthCareMatthew Gorman, DOMedical Director, Care ManagementOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Heart valve disease affects an estimated 11 million Americans, with risk increasing significantly as we age.Join us as we explore how OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute is at the forefront of the latest advancements in heart valve procedures. We’ll highlight the growth of the structural heart program at OSF, including milestones in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the expansion of MitraClip procedures for mitral valve regurgitation and the recent introduction of TriClip for tricuspid valve repair — making OSF one of only two locations in Illinois offering this option.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with OSF cardiologists Ashvarya Mangla, MD, and Sudhir Mungee, MD, about common types of heart valve disease and how minimally invasive procedures can offer effective treatment with shorter hospital stays and recovery times.Speaker highlights:Ashvarya Mangla, MDInterventional and Structural CardiologistOSF HealthCare Cardiovascular InstituteSudhir Mungee, MDDirector, Structural HeartOSF HealthCare Cardiovascular InstituteConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Join us as we explore how innovation, collaboration and deep clinical focus at OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute are reshaping care for some of the most complex cancer cases. We discuss treatment of gynecologic carcinosarcomas and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers, rare and aggressive diseases that require highly coordinated care. OSF Cancer Institute is advancing treatment through specialized surgical techniques, multidisciplinary teams and research initiatives, including clinical trials. From evolving treatment approaches to what’s coming next, the episode highlights how OSF is working to improve outcomes for patients facing daunting diagnoses.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Michelle Rowland, MD, a gynecologic oncologist specializing in rare uterine cancers, and Chandler Wilfong, MD, a surgeon focused on liver, pancreas and bile duct cancers. Together, they share their expertise, reflect on what drew them to these challenging specialties and discuss the impact of having comprehensive cancer resources available for patients and providers.Speaker highlights:Michelle Rowland, MDGynecologic OncologistOSF HealthCareChandler Wilfong, MDSurgeonOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

No one likes to think about being admitted to the hospital, but OSF HealthCare is working to make that experience safer, more connected and more comfortable with new smart room technology.Join us as we discuss how OSF is bringing that vision to life through the development and rollout of next generation hospital rooms. We explore what technologies will be included and how they will work together to support patients and care teams. From expanded virtual support to upgraded entertainment and educational tools, we’ll learn how these innovations enhance the patient experience and free up providers’ time for bedside care.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Jennifer Croland, vice president and chief nursing officer at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, and Brandi Clark, vice president of Digital Care at OSF OnCall as we explore the design of these patient room upgrades.Speaker highlights:Jennifer CrolandVice President and Chief Nursing OfficerOSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical CenterBrandi ClarkVice President, Digital CareOSF OnCallConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Health care innovation works best when new solutions are proven to support patients and care teams. OSF Innovation is testing the future of inpatient care by creating an innovation smart room. This fully simulated hospital room is designed to safely test, refine and validate new technologies, workflows and care models before they ever reach a patient’s bedside.Join us as we discuss how this simulated patient room serves as a proving ground for practical, reliable and patient-centered solutions. This dedicated space allowed OSF to move away from piloting technology in active hospital rooms, which has accelerated meaningful improvements and paved the way for smart, connected inpatient care.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Becky Buchen, senior vice president of innovation and transformation at OSF HealthCare, and Kelly George, vice president of Performance Improvement at OSF HealthCare, about how this room represents a foundational step toward safer, smarter and more intentional care delivery through simulation.Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

In honor of American Heart Month, this special episode of OSF HealthCare Accelerated looks back at three powerful stories that highlight just how far cardiovascular care has come, and where it’s headed next. We revisit a conversation about the role of AI in personalized medicine, exploring how new technology is helping clinicians identify people at risk for familial hypercholesterolemia long before symptoms appear. We also return to the remarkable case of a toddler whose life was saved thanks to the groundbreaking use of the extravascular implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator — a global first that is reshaping what’s possible for young patients. Finally, we highlight the leading-edge work behind 4D beating heart models, a major advancement that gives surgeons unprecedented insight as they prepare for complex procedures. Through these stories, hosted by Shelli Dankoff, you’ll get an inside look at how innovation, collaboration and compassion continue to drive the future of heart care across OSF HealthCare.Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Millions of women in the U.S. live in areas where access to prenatal and postpartum care is limited or unavailable. These gaps in care can increase the risk of pregnancy complications and maternal mortality, especially in rural and underserved communities.Join us as we discuss how OSF OnCall offers new approaches to closing those gaps, including a mobile clinic designed to bring care directly to expectant and new mothers who may have trouble accessing traditional providers. We explore how the mobile clinic offers scheduled prenatal and postpartum services, connects patients to care teams and helps reduce barriers to access.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Kate Johnson, MSN, RN, manager of women’s services for Digital Careat OSF OnCall about how this innovative program is making it easier for mom and baby to get the care needed during and after pregnancy.Speaker highlights:Kate Johnson, MSN, RNManager of Women’s Services, Digital CareOSF OnCallConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Access to consistent, high-quality health care plays a vital role during pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery.Join us as we discuss how OSF OnCall supports moms throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Their digital program provides added support between traditional office visits, offering patients extra resources and education. We also highlight a new virtual labor and delivery monitoring program at OSF HealthCare that pairs bedside care with real-time virtual oversight to quickly identify and respond to changes.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Tarynn Appell, BSN, RN, supervisor, Clinical Digital Care at OSF OnCall, about how this innovative approach is making the pregnancy and postpartum experience safer for mom and baby.Speaker highlights:Tarynn Appell, BSN, RNSupervisor, Clinical Digital CareOSF OnCallConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois is the third-largest pediatric hospital in Illinois and the most comprehensive hospital for kids downstate. With 136 beds and more than 140 pediatric subspecialists, OSF Children’s Hospital cares for more children in Illinois than any hospital outside of Chicago.Join us as we discuss exciting changes underway to support the families of OSF Children’s Hospital. Thanks to a generous donation from John and Annette Heller, The Heller Center for Kids is expanding to offer critical, non-medical support services to all specialty areas of OSF Children’s Hospital. Their programs provide coordinated services to support children and families during and after treatment.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Meg Zakrzewski, MBA, MSN, president of OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and John Heller, the philanthropist who made the Heller Center for Kids possible. They discuss the exciting changes in store that aim to make the OSF Children’s Hospital a destination for innovative pediatric care.Speaker highlights:Meg Zakrzewski, MBA, MSNPresidentOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois John HellerPhilanthropistFounder, Heller Center for KidsConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Aortic aneurysms are often called “the silent killer” because they develop without symptoms and can be deadly if undetected. A team from OSF Innovation is working on a new project that could change how these dangerous conditions are found and monitored.Join us as we discuss the Jump ARCHES grant-funded work to use 3D modeling and automation to analyze medical images of the aorta. The goal is to make diagnosing and tracking aortic aneurysms faster, more accurate and less dependent on manual measurements. In research conducted, this tool showed that automated 3D measurements closely match those done by clinicians, paving the way for a shift from traditional 2D imaging to more advanced 3D analysis.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Matthew Bramlet, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and director of the Advanced Imaging and Modeling Lab about how this technology could help clinicians detect risks earlier and ultimately save more lives.Speaker highlights:Matthew Bramlet, MDPediatric CardiologistDirector, Advanced Imaging and Modeling LabOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Around 40,000 babies each year in the United States are born with a significant congenital heart condition. About one in four of these babies has a critical congenital heart defect that requires immediate surgical or medical intervention within the first year of life. OSF Innovation is helping surgeons at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois find new ways to bring hope for the smallest patients.Join us as we discuss the work of OSF pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Harma Turbendian, MD, who is dedicated to improving care for children with complex heart defects by advancing novel, research-driven surgical approaches. He is working on two concepts. One involves refining the Fontan procedure by incorporating a partial heart transplant to create a pulsatile conduit that could improve blood flow and reduce venous congestion. He’s also working to develop a heart simulator powered by artificial muscle technology. This device aims to better replicate the beating of a human heart, offering a more realistic and effective training tool for device testing, procedure simulation and teaching.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Dr. Turbendian about the future of these innovations and the importance of collaboration within and outside of OSF to bring new concepts like these to life.Speaker highlights:Harma Turbendian, MDPediatric Cardiothoracic SurgeonOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Nurses are the heart of health care, but the profession continues to face challenges with burnout and emotional exhaustion. At OSF HealthCare, leaders are finding new ways to support and empower nurses.Join us as we discuss the Nursing Innovation Fellowship. This three-year program equips experienced nurses to think creatively, collaborate across disciplines and lead change while staying close to the patients they serve. Fellows learn to assess their practice, identify opportunities for improvement and apply innovation in real time. Along the way, they grow from fellows to mentors to innovators, helping shape a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement across the Ministry.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Melinda Cooling, DNP, MBA, FAANP, chief nurse and advanced practice provider executive and Nikki Graham, DNP, RN, vice president of clinical excellence, about how the fellowship is helping nurses find renewed purpose and drive meaningful change that benefits both caregivers and patients.Speaker highlights:Melinda Cooling, DNP, MBA, FAANPChief Nurse and Advanced Practice Provider ExecutiveOSF HealthCareNikki Graham, DNP, RNVice President, Clinical ExcellenceOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

For more than a decade, the Advanced Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Lab at OSF Innovation has been creating 3D printed heart models to help surgeons plan complex procedures. Now, the team has taken a major leap forward, developing the nation’s only automated process for creating 4D beating heart models from CT scans. Join us as we discuss how 4D hearts are changing surgical planning, improving patient outcomes and drawing attention from hospitals across the country. Using machine learning to segment and stitch together time-sequenced 3D images, the AIM Lab has transformed static visuals into dynamic digital twins that replicate every phase of a patient’s cardiac cycle. What once took months of manual work can now be generated with a single click, giving surgeons unprecedented insight into both anatomy and function. Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Matthew Bramlet, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and director of the Advanced Imaging and Modeling Lab for OSF HealthCare, about how the technology works, the role of academic partnerships in making it possible and what the future of 4D modeling could mean for both providers and patients. Speaker highlights:Matthew Bramlet, MDPediatric CardiologistDirector, Advanced Imaging and Modeling LabOSF HealthCare Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Sometimes being innovative means reimagining everyday challenges, like finding a way for kids with central venous ports to safely stay active. That’s exactly what an exercise physiologist at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois and engineer at OSF Innovation Studio did when they created PortGuard, a breakthrough protective device designed to safeguard ports during play, sports and movement.Join us as we share the development of PortGuard, a device designed to protect medication ports so kids can stay active. For one young girl, who once had to pause her favorite activities after receiving a central venous port, PortGuard means she can safely get back to doing what she loves. Like her, many children will be able to enjoy life with fewer worries about protecting their ports when using this innovative device.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Nick Kemp, exercise physiologist at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois and Reid Jockisch, innovation engineer at OSF Innovation about their impactful work and what it means for children facing challenges with medication ports.  Speaker highlights:Nick KempExercise PhysiologistOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisReid JockischInnovation EngineerOSF InnovationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Being innovative sometimes means being willing to do something different, like using a device in a way it hasn’t been used before. That’s exactly what a team at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria did to save a young child’s life.Join us as we share the story of a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind surgery: the successful implantation of an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD) in a toddler, the youngest and smallest patient in the world to receive this device.  After suffering cardiac arrest at home, the child was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes life-threatening heart arrhythmias. The innovative procedure not only saved the child's life but also set a new global precedent for how the EV-ICD can be used in younger, smaller patients.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Mark Plunkett, MD, chief of pediatric and congenital heart surgery at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and Sunita Ferns, MD, director of pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiology at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, about the extraordinary work of their team and what this means for the future of treating pediatric arrhythmia patients.Speaker highlights:Mark Plunkett, MD,Chief, Pediatric and Congenital Heart SurgeryOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisSunita Ferns, MDDirector, Pediatric and Adult Congenital ElectrophysiologyOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Succession planning for any organization can present opportunities and, sometimes, challenges. OSF HealthCare has recently undergone leadership changes with an eye to the future.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with OSF executives Michelle Conger, president, Kirsten Largent, chief financial officer, and Emily Shields, chief strategy officer, about how they are helping guide OSF into the future, grounded in Mission and driven by innovation.Join us as we discuss their new roles at OSF, highlighting the organization's commitment to developing leaders from within. The conversation touches on each leader’s career journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, especially as women in health care, and how their personal and professional experiences shape their leadership styles. They also reflect on the inspiration drawn from the Sisters who founded OSF and share insights into balancing life beyond the workplace. As they look ahead, they discuss the challenges and opportunities facing OSF and offer advice they’d give their younger selves.Speaker highlights:Michelle CongerPresidentOSF HealthCareKirsten LargentChief Financial OfficerOSF HealthCareEmily ShieldsChief Strategy OfficerOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Relax, it’s not brain surgery.” We’ve all heard the phrase used to downplay difficulty. It’s become shorthand for tasks that don’t require extraordinary precision or have life-altering consequences, but when it actually is brain surgery, every millimeter matters.  OSF HealthCare is pioneering an innovative new way to remove brain tumors with NeuroBlate.Join us as we explore how this new, minimally invasive tool can provide ease and comfort to those experiencing brain lesions or unwanted tissue associated with tumors. Unlike traditional surgery, NeuroBlate uses an MRI-guided probe to create a small opening in the skull to robotically deliver laser light energy to destroy the affected tissue. We’ll discuss just how minimally invasive this procedure can be and what recovery looks like.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Andrew Tsung, MD, vice president at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, about NeuroBlate. They’ll explore how the new tool is transforming the landscape of safe and accessible brain surgeries.  Speaker highlights:Andrew Tsung, MDVice PresidentOSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological InstituteConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

The 17th-century proverb goes, “A stitch in time saves nine.” It’s a metaphor that suggests that addressing an issue right away can prevent it from escalating into a bigger, more costly, or more difficult problem later. It’s a reminder to be proactive and to take care of problems before they become overwhelming. That proverb is the perfect lens through which to view the pilot of DAX Copilot at OSF HealthCare.Join us as we explore how this generative AI technology is becoming an essential “stitch in time” for clinicians, easing the burden of documentation and giving time back to providers. It utilizes ambient listening to capture patient-clinician conversations, generate summaries and integrate with electronic medical records. We’ll reflect on the journey that began more than a year ago with the introduction of DAX Copilot and share early results from the pilot, including promising data on time savings and provider satisfaction.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Tyler Fitch, MD, chief medical information officer for OSF HealthCare/Pointcore, about lessons learned and next steps. We’ll also hear firsthand from two early adopters: Jenna Dionisio, DO, a primary care physician, and Ami Dose, APRN, a family nurse practitioner with OSF Medical Group – Primary Care. They discuss how DAX Copilot works during patient visits, the positive feedback they’ve received and the tangible impact it’s made on their day-to-day workflows.Speaker highlight:Tyler Fitch, MDChief Medical Information OfficerOSF HealthCare/PointcoreJenna Dionisio, DOPhysicianOSF Medical Group – Primary CareAmi Dose, APRNNurse PractitionerOSF Medical Group – Primary CareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

The medical community is connected across the country and beyond in many ways. It’s how medical innovations and advances are shared, celebrated and learned from. That’s true here in Central Illinois, a hub for groundbreaking pediatric heart care, thanks to innovative technologies and collaboration with world-class experts.Join us as we discuss pediatric heart care with two renowned pediatric cardiac surgeons. One got his start in Central Illinois; the other is sharing his talents right here at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. This episode is a compelling look at how expertise, history and forward-thinking unite to shape better outcomes for children with complex heart conditions.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Joseph Turek, MD, PhD, chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Duke Health, and Mark Plunkett, MD, chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. They discuss recent advancements at their respective institutions, including Dr. Turek’s pioneering work in performing the first living mitral valve replacement in a child, and Dr. Plunkett’s milestone as part of the first surgical team to implant an EV-ICD in a child — a device previously used only in adults. They share insights on how programs prepare for groundbreaking work and reflect on what’s ahead in the future of pediatric heart surgery, emphasizing the importance of continued innovation and collaboration.Speaker highlight:Joseph Turek, MD, PhDChief, Pediatric Cardiac SurgeryDuke HealthMark Plunkett, MDChief, Pediatric and Congenital Heart SurgeryOSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Most people now know how telehealth and virtual care have transformed health care but are you familiar with virtual nursing?Join us as we discuss what virtual nursing is (and what it isn’t) and the real benefits it’s delivering for patients, bedside nurses and the broader health care system. Using virtual nurses for admission and discharge is saving patients time, freeing up bedside nurses to focus on direct care, improving documentation and creating better patient experiences, all while helping OSF HealthCare build a more sustainable future for hospital care.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Jennifer Croland, DNP, RN, NE-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, and Brandi Clark, vice president of Digital Care for OSF OnCall, to explore this new and innovative model of care.Speaker highlight:Jennifer Croland. DNP, RN, NE-BCVice President, Chief Nursing OfficerOSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical CenterBrandi Clark, MSVice President, Digital CareOSF OnCallConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

To be innovative, by definition, is to find a new way to do things. In the health care industry, OSF HealthCare stands out as a leader, continually advancing innovative solutions that benefit both patients and providers. Join us as we celebrate and discuss OSF being named one of Fortune’s Most Innovative Companies in America for a second time. We’ll explore what it means to be truly innovative, highlighting the culture of innovation at OSF and the rigorous evaluation process that placed OSF among the 300 companies chosen for this recognition. Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Michelle Conger, president of OSF HealthCare, and Becky Buchen, senior vice president of OSF Innovation, about key projects that contributed to this recognition, the future of artificial intelligence in health care and the lessons learned in fostering innovation throughout the Ministry. Speaker highlight: Michelle CongerPresidentOSF HealthCare Becky BuchenSenior Vice PresidentOSF InnovationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Your family history could hold critical clues about your health. By combining cutting-edge technology with genetic research, OSF Innovation is empowering physicians with information that fosters a more personalized approach to care, potentially saving lives.Join us as we explore how OSF Innovation is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze medical records and identify individuals who may be at risk for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Often undiagnosed, FH is a genetic condition that causes dangerously high levels of LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, even in younger adults. For people with FH, early detection is key to preventing life-threatening complications.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Darrel Gumm, MD, vice president of OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute, and Ryan Loudermilk, a strategic program manager in Performance Improvement at OSF Innovation about how AI-driven insights are transforming the way FH is detected and managed. Learn how this innovative approach to personalized medicine is making heart health more proactive and precise than ever before.Speaker highlight:Darrel Gumm, MDVice PresidentOSF HealthCare Cardiovascular InstituteRyan LoudermilkStrategic Program Manager, Performance ImprovementOSF InnovationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., but increases in non-invasive screenings and advancements in screening technology are improving early detection. OSF Innovation worked with OSF gastroenterologist Omar Khokhar, MD, to pilot and implement GI Genius, an FDA-approved AI-powered tool that enhances physicians’ ability to detect polyps during colonoscopies, bringing cutting-edge care and detection to patients.Join us as we explore how GI Genius provides an added layer of support for physicians, improving accuracy in polyp detection. With colorectal cancer rates rising in younger adults, this innovative technology is changing the landscape of early detection.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Omar Khokhar, MD, the gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare who championed GI Genius. They’ll discuss how AI enhances colonoscopy precision and why this advancement is so important in the fight against colorectal cancer.Speaker highlight:Omar Khokhar, MDGastroenterologistOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

After a hospital stay, the last thing you want is to end up back in the hospital. Home health care plays a vital role in recovery, and OSF HealthCare is redefining it with solutions that help keep patients healthier at home and on the road to recovery.Join us as we explore OSF Enhanced Home Care, a program designed to reduce hospital readmissions by supporting complex patients after hospital discharge. This unique collaboration between OSF OnCall Advanced Care and OSF Home Care Services provides 24/7 coordinated care, remote monitoring, medication assistance and more.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Brandi Clark, vice president of Digital Care for OSF OnCall and J.J. Guedet, vice president of Operations and Strategy – Home Care for OSF HealthCare about how this innovative approach is improving patient outcomes and keeping them out of the hospital.

Developing innovative approaches to address a variety of issues facing health care requires input and cooperation from multiple sources. The Innovation Academic Incubator (IAI) at OSF Innovation helps encourage that process.Join us as we explore the IAI, a unique program at OSF Innovation that fosters collaboration between clinicians and academic institutions to develop groundbreaking health care solutions. With over 200 research projects funded, 140 publications and 12 patents, the IAI is transforming ideas into impactful solutions.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Mike Cruz, MD, chief operating officer for OSF HealthCare and John Vozenilek, MD, FACEP, vice president, chief medical officer, Innovation and Digital Health for OSF HealthCare about the program’s successes, the importance of collaboration, and what the future holds for health care innovation.Speaker highlight:Mike Cruz, MDChief Operating OfficerOSF HealthCareJohn Vozenilek, MD, FACEPVice President, Chief Medical Officer, Innovation and Digital HealthOSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Faith and innovation may seem like an unusual combination, but at OSF Innovation they come together in extraordinary ways.Join us for an inspiring conversation with two Mission Partners who also happen to be members of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. These Sisters combine their deep faith with cutting-edge roles at OSF Innovation. From performance improvement to innovation engineering, learn how their unique perspectives and faith shape their groundbreaking work.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Sister M. Maris Stella, F.S.G.M., performance improvement specialist,and Sister M. Pieta Keller, F.S.G.M., innovation engineer, to discuss how faith can inspire bold advances in health care.Speaker highlight:Sister M. Maris Stella, F.S.G.M.Performance Improvement SpecialistOSF InnovationSister M. Pieta Keller, F.S.G.M.Innovation EngineerOSF InnovationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Over 3 million Americans rely on pacemakers, with 200,000 implanted each year. These small, battery-powered devices use electrical impulses to keep hearts beating at a steady rhythm. However, pacemaker technology is advancing rapidly and there are new, innovative options available.Join us as we discuss how dual chamber leadless pacemakers are transforming heart care by offering a wireless, less invasive alternative to traditional pacemakers. This innovative device uses two small wireless implants placed directly in the heart. The device lasts longer and has fewer complications for those who are eligible to receive it.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Michael Broman, MD, PhD, the cardiac electrophysiologist at OSF HealthCare doing the procedure, and Brock Doehring, a sales representative from Abbott, the company that developed the device. They’ll shed light on how the dual chamber leadless pacemaker reduces risks, simplifies recovery and represents a major step forward in heart care.Speaker highlight:Michael Broman, MD, PhDCardiac ElectrophysiologistOSF HealthCareBrock DoehringSales RepresentativeAbbottConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

You head to your provider’s office for a visit. Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel confident they had all of the pertinent information they needed for your visit?Join us as we discuss Clinipane, an innovative solution that brings essential patient information to the forefront during appointments. With the support of a Jump ARCHES grant, this new tool leverages AI to sift through vast amounts of data in electronic medical records, presenting clinicians with real-time, relevant insights tailored to each patient’s needs.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Roopa Foulger, vice president, Digital Innovation Development, OSF Innovation and Jonathan Handler, MD, FACEP, FAMIA, senior fellow, OSF Innovation to learn how this technology is set to improve patient safety, streamline care and transform the clinical experience by reducing information overload and enhancing decision-making.Speaker highlight:Roopa FoulgerVice President, Digital Innovation DevelopmentOSF InnovationJonathan Handler, MD, FACEP, FAMIASenior FellowOSF InnovationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Fish skin, pig intestine, pig bladder, cow tendon and more – oh my! It’s not something out of Oz. These are things being used to save people from having limbs amputated.Join us as we discuss the work of an OSF HealthCare vascular surgeon to save patients from amputation through advanced regenerative reconstruction. He does it through procedures currently reserved for the most serious of cases like severe bacterial infection, traumatic crushed limbs and lower limb ulcers that have become infected and spread throughout the body. OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria is the only location in Illinois performing advanced regenerative reconstruction procedures at this level.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with this surgeon, Eric Martin, DO, chief of Vascular Surgery at OSF Saint Francis, about how he has crafted a predictable and consistent method that provides reliable outcomes for heroic limb salvage. Special guests for this episode include Jessica Collins, a surgical specialist at Kerecis, OSF patient Tim Rayner, OSF patient Katelynn Aukes, and her mother, Kristy Aukes.Speaker highlight:Eric Martin, DO, Chief of Vascular Surgery, OSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

No one wants to face the journey of cancer, especially with the added fear of breast cancer for women. But for those at high risk, there's something that can help detect breast cancer earlier.Join us as we discuss the risk assessment program for breast health at OSF HealthCare. CancerIQ is a tool OSF uses to help identify patients at a high risk of getting cancer based on their personal and family histories. As part of that assessment, some high-risk patients are identified as eligible for getting breast MRIs in addition to their annual mammograms.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Roopa Fougler, vice president, Digital Innovation Development, and Michele Settelmyer, APN, Oncology services, to discuss how this program plays a key role in early detection of breast cancer and helps patients navigate necessary follow up appointments.Speaker highlight:Roopa Fougler, Vice President, Digital Innovation Development, OSF HealthCareMichele Settelmyer, APN, Oncology Services, OSF HealthCareConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

Many people have ideas they believe can make an impact but don’t know where to start. Peoria, Illinois, has a new space to support making those ideas a reality. Join us as we discuss Distillery Labs, a startup hub dedicated to connecting people, ideas and resources to launch and grow new businesses. With a focus on innovation, inclusivity and community, Distillery Labs provides a welcoming and accessible environment where entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to economic growth.Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Doug Cruitt, executive director of Distillery Labs, and Kip McCoy, vice president, OSF Innovation Studios, to discuss the plans for this new space and its impact on the community.Speaker highlight:Doug Cruitt, executive director, Distillery LabsKip McCoy, vice president, OSF Innovation StudiosConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

77% of adults over the age of 50 prefer to age in place. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done, depending on where you live and the state of your health.Join us as we discuss a new program that helps older adults age at home. The state of Illinois and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have awarded OSF HealthCare a contract to be one of the first in the state to offer a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).Host Shelli Dankoff chats with OSF HealthCare leaders Nathan Pritzker, MBA, executive director, PACE and Matthew Gorman, DO, director, Medical Services Care Management Clinical Documentation about how PACE aims to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of being placed in a nursing home.Speaker highlight:• Nathan Pritzker, MBA, executive director, PACE• Matthew Gorman, DO, director, Medical Services Care Management Clinical DocumentationConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

When it comes to cancer, no one wants to waste time. Join us as we discuss the rapid intake system at the newly opened OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. With the capacity to treat nearly 4,000 cancer patients a year, this process starts patients on their cancer care journey as quickly as possible with prompt diagnosis and treatment.  Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Sarah Ince, RN, director of Contact Center operations at OSF OnCall, and Amanda Luczkowiak, RN, a manager of Contact Center operations at OSF OnCall, about this innovative approach to patient care and navigation. To learn more about the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute or to request an appointment, call 1-844-673-4467 or go online.Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

How do you get students excited about a career in health care? There are endless opportunities, but not every child has the chance to explore the possibilities. That’s where OSF STEAM comes in. The OSF STEAM program provides numerous opportunities for students to explore careers in science and health care. Join us as we discuss the OSF STEAM medical immersion program, a unique opportunity to engage high school students in career exploration. Host Shelli Dankoff chats with the team at OSF Innovation responsible for the program. Noël Adams, vice president, academic collaborations and operations, and Katie Smith, Innovation labs coordinator, will explain how this program is inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

The goal and focus of every health care provider is to do what is best for patients, but implementing that best practice can sometimes be a challenge. Join us as we discuss the participation of OSF HealthCare in a national initiative with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to accelerate and improve the implementation of research results in clinical care to improve patient outcomes. As part of this initiative, OSF will use its expertise to develop and implement strategies to reduce the delay in adopting proven practices. Host Shelli Dankoff chats with the following OSF HealthCare leaders about the impact of this initiative:·     Mike Cruz, MD, chief operating officer·     Ralph Velazquez, MD, chief medical officer·     Melinda Cooling, APRN, MBA, senior vice president of advanced practice and chief clinician executive of OSF OnCallConnect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

OSF OnCall has been a leader in developing innovative digital care delivery models and recently had the opportunity to showcase its groundbreaking work on a national level. In early May, OSF OnCall and OSF Innovation represented OSF HealthCare at the American Telemedicine Association’s (ATA) national conference. OSF was invited to exhibit our innovative digital care delivery models, being one of only two health care systems invited to participate. Host Shelli Dankoff speaks with Jennifer Junis, senior vice president of OSF OnCall and Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association, to discuss the conference and the opportunities it offers for future collaboration. Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

If something as simple as a blood test could help lead you to find out you have cancer earlier – increasing your chances of survival, would you take it? Join us for a discussion on improving early lung cancer detection rates through a collaborative effort between OSF HealthCare, the OSF Cancer Institute and DELFI Diagnostics. It’s an important effort, considering only 16 percent of lung cancer cases are discovered in the early stages. Host Shelli Dankoff chats with Susan Tousi, chief executive officer of DELFI Diagnostics and Mark Meeker, DO, internal medicine physician for OSF to discover how this innovative work hopes to lead to the diagnosis of lung cancer sooner and save more lives. Connect with us at www.osfhealthcare.org/accelerated

How many times have you thought to yourself, “I could fix that problem,” if only you were given the opportunity? Thanks to OSF Innovation, some nurses got a chance to do just that. Join host Shelli Dankoff along with Lori Wiegand, chief nursing officer for OSF HealthCare and Kip McCoy, vice president of the Innovation Studio for OSF HealthCare for a discussion about the Nursing Trailblazer Challenge. We’ll cover lessons learned and how they're continuing to solicit innovative ideas to transform health care. Connect with us online today!

The Sisters have always valued innovation. OSF HealthCare has a long-standing history of innovating in pediatric care, which continues today. Two of those innovators are Bill Albers, MD, a pioneering pediatric cardiologist and Tim Miller, MD, OSF HealthCare’s first neonatologist, who developed the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Both have written books capturing that history. We explore the early days (along with author Monica Vest Wheeler who spoke directly with nurses) to see how they shaped the best care for our smallest patients today and in the future.Connect with us at osfinnovation.org/healthaccelerated

The C word – Cancer. It’s something no one wants to hear. Navigating the journey can be exhausting for everyone involved, including those within the health system helping patients navigate their care. What if there was something that could help reduce the potential for burnout? Host Shelli Dankoff is joined by Dr. Jon Handler, clinical informaticist and senior innovation fellow for OSF HealthCare to discuss how OSF is leading the way in the creation of an artificial intelligence algorithm to better balance workloads for nurse navigators.Connect with us at osfinnovation.org/healthaccelerated

If you or a loved one was facing a critical medical procedure, you would want your physician to have the best information available for their decision-making, wouldn’t you? That’s where the Advanced Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Lab through OSF Innovation comes in. On this episode of the OSF HealthCare Accelerated podcast, we take a closer look at the AIM Lab and how it helps surgeons and other physicians make the best decisions for their patients thanks to its segmentation service. Joining host Shelli Dankoff for this discussion are Matthew Bramlet, MD, and Sister M. Pieta Keller, FSGM. Dr. Bramlet is a pediatric cardiologist and director of the AIM Lab at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, and Sister Pieta is an innovation engineer with OSF Innovation. You can learn more about the AIM Lab and how to request segmentation services for complex cases at www.osfinnovation.org/aim

This episode of OSF HealthCare Accelerated is real people discussing artificial intelligence, or AI. It’s increasingly prevalent in business and society, and we are hearing more and more about it when it comes to health care. Host Shelli Dankoff is joined by Dr. Tyler Fitch, director of Medical Informatics and Integration for OSF HealthCare and Dr. Mark Meeker, vice president for Community Medicine for OSF. Among the topics they tackle: How improvements in AI may help reduce provider burnout and increase patient access.

By definition… the word FAILURE means a lack of success. But is that REALLY always the case? On this episode of Health Accelerated it’s anything BUT a fear of failure! Kelly George, Vice President of Performance Improvement at OSF HealthCare and Devon Kelly, Manager of Performance Improvement at OSF, join host Shelli Dankoff talk about failure in health care and why that actually is a GOOD thing.

It’s that time of the year when it’s traditional to look back on the journey. The OSF HealthCare Media Relations has covered a wide range of topics throughout the year. On this episode of Health Accelerated, host Shelli Dankoff is joined by media relations coordinators Colleen Reynolds, Matt Sheehan, Tim Ditman, and Paul Arco for a year in review conversation about how 2023 saw a lot of growth for OSF HealthCare in innovative and exciting ways we are helping to change the delivery of health care to meet the needs of those we serve.

It’s late in the day… you’re not feeling so hot, but the last thing you want to do is haul yourself to a clinic or Urgent Care to see a provider. Thanks to technology, you may not have to. On this episode of Health Accelerated, we explore a different kind of house call from a medical provider. Susan Wolf, Clinical Director of Digital Care for OSF OnCall and Katie Hendricks, Lead Provider of Digital Care for OSF OnCall, join host Shelli Dankoff to discuss virtual urgent care.

Launched in 2022, the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital, an innovative alternative to traditional hospital care for people with certain health conditions, allows you to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of your own home. This new model has been caring for patients for a year. Dr. Matthew Gorman, chief medical officer for OSF OnCall, and Melissa Meier, the manager of digital care for the digital hospital command center join host Shelli Dankoff for a one-year check-up chat on this episode of Health Accelerated, brought to you by OSF HealthCare.

Healthcare simulations serve several purposes – education, assessment, research, and helping a health system do what’s best for patient safety. We are joined on this episode of Health Accelerated by Dr. Lisa Barker, Medical Director of Simulation and Ann Willemsen-Dunlap, Director of Educational Development at Jump Simulation & Education Center in Peoria, Ill. to look at the work they are doing to affect change in the healthcare landscape both for patients and clinicians.

When we think of being innovative in how we affect health care and what that means for patients, we often think about the means and the machines. But sometimes all of THAT requires an innovative philanthropic approach to make it happen. Tom Hammerton, President of the OSF HealthCare Foundation, and John Heller who, along with his wife Annette, established the Heller Center for Kids with Cancer at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois, join host Shelli Dankoff on this episode of Health Accelerated to talk discuss how innovative health care and philanthropy are connected.

You’ve seen the headlines: Millions of Americans are facing a mental health crisis - both adults and children. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experience mental illness each year. That number is one in six for children 6-17. On this episode of Health Accelerated, host Shelli Dankoff is joined by Dr. Samuel Sears, a psychiatrist and director of Behavioral Health Physician Services for OSF HealthCare, and Emily Shields, the Vice President Business Development for OSF to discuss this important topic and just one of the ways OSF HealthCare is looking to help.

A cancer or other life-threatening diagnosis is hard to take under any circumstance. Now imagine you are running out of treatment options, or have yet to find one that works. That’s where the OSF Breakthrough Treatment Center (BTC) comes in. On this episode of Health Accelerated, Shelli Dankoff is joined by Cosmo Smith, Origin managing partner and Ryan Luginbuhl, Director of the Oncology Service Line for OSF HealthCare to discuss what the innovative Breakthrough Treatment Center will mean for patients and the physicians who care for them.View this episode here.