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PODCAST · health

Patients Come First

by Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

The Patients Come First Podcast is presented by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Each episode will feature people in the health care community whose work is focused on enhancing patient experience, whether through direct care, medical research, or other efforts. Send questions, comments, or feedback to [email protected] or contact us on our social channels @VirginiaHHA using the hashtag #PatientsComeFirst.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 5, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Patients Come First Podcast - Kevin Key

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kevin Key, a Virginia man who received a life-saving living-donor kidney transplant at VCU Health's Hume-Lee Transplant Center. The conversation covers Kevin's history with kidney disease, a frightening health crisis that landed him on...

  2. Patients Come First Podcast - Allison Held

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Allison Held, Director of the VCU Health Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP). She joins us for a conversation about the work of the MLP at the intersection of health care and legal services to help patients navigate address legal issues that...

  3. Patients Come First Podcast - Boryana Peeva

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Boryana Peeva, an intensive care unit nurse at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and a lifelong adventurer. She joins us to discuss a personal journey that’s taken her from her homeland in Southeastern Europe to a clinical career…

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  4. Patients Come First Podcast - Leora Brown

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Leora Brown, BSN, RN, CNOR, Program Manager for Product Implementation at Sentara Health. She joins us for a conversation about her work on the successful advocacy effort that resulted in a state law being passed to require surgical…

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  5. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Josue Chery

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Josue Chery, Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation at the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center, for a conversation about heart surgery, organ transplantation, and how his lifelong passion for painting informs his approach to...

  6. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. John Muse

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. John Muse, MD, MBA, a neurosurgeon with Mary Washington Healthcare, for a conversation about his professional journey, treatment for patients who experience a stroke, brain aneurysm, or other neurological conditions, the recent…

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  7. Patients Come First Podcast - Andre Tolleris

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Andre Tolleris, VHHA Director of Data Analytics, for a conversation about leveraging hospital and healthcare data to provide actionable insights that member organizations can operationalize, VHHA data tools, and the public health...

  8. Patients Come First - Nedra Moncrief-Craig

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Nedra Moncrief-Craig, PhD, Commissioner of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). She joins us for a conversation about the work of DARS in support of individuals with physical and behavioral health service...

  9. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Richard Sterling

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Richard Sterling, Chief Clinical Officer for the VCU Health Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health. He joins us for a conversation about the importance of liver health, the development of the FIB-4 index…

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  10. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. John Alex

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Dr. John Alex, an emergency physician with Riverside Health, who joins us for a conversation about his military service, his work in medicine, and simulation education. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest...

  11. Patients Come First Podcast - David Knight

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with David Knight, PhD, a biology and anatomy professor at Christopher Newport University, who joins us for a conversation about an unexpected cancer diagnosis, how the treatment he received at Sentara Health inspired him…

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  12. Patients Come First Podcast - Nancy Gee

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Nancy Gee, PhD, Director of the VCU Center for Human-Animal Interaction. She joins us for a conversation about her work, the impact of therapy dogs in mental health, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback…

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  13. Patients Come First Podcast - Melissa Little

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Melissa Little, PhD, Director of the Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Research at the UVA School of Medicine. She joins us for a conversation about her work, attitudes towards smoking among Gen Z, how those trends may...

  14. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Robert Hong

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Dr. Robert Hong, a physician with VHC Health, about emerging trends in rheumatologic care, advancements in treatment and diagnostics, and how evolving therapies improve outcomes for patients with chronic joint…

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  15. Patients Come First Podcast - Shannon Roberts

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Shannon Roberts, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, about support services for new moms and babies, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to...

  16. Patients Come First Podcast - Mark Nantz

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Valley Health President and CEO Mark Nantz that covers how the health system recently won prestigious recognition as one of the top 15 systems in the nation, reflections on his tenure as VHHA Board Chair, how Valley…

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  17. Patients Come First Podcast - Terry Thompson

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Terry Thompson, an acute care nurse practitioner who serves as Senior Director of Advanced Practice Providers and Director of RMG Fellowships at Riverside Health. She joins us for a conversation about her professional journey, the role…

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  18. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Surbhi Bansal

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Surbhi Bansal, a glaucoma specialist at VCU Health, who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey as well as the process of becoming an author and working on her recently published novel: “Do Not Follow." Send...

  19. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Amir Eslami

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Amir Eslami, an interventional cardiologist with Sentara RMH Medical Center, who joins us for a conversation about facing his own health challenges while caring for patients, the importance of vulnerability in medicine, taking...

  20. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. William Lunn

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Lunn, President of HCA Healthcare Capital Division and the current Chair of the VHHA Board of Directors. Dr. Lunn joins us for a conversation about his professional journey, his thoughts on leadership and inspiration for...

  21. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Cameron Webb

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. B. Cameron Webb, who joins us for a conversation about his professional journey, his vision for public health in the Commonwealth as leader of the state health agency, challenges and opportunities...

  22. Patients Come First Podcast - Ed Markowski

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Ed Markowski, Director of Threat Assessment at the University of Virginia, who joins us for a conversation about his work, the application of behavioral health threat assessment and management concepts to keep staff and patients safe, a...

  23. Patients Come First Podcast - Mary Morin

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Mary Morin, Chief Nursing Officer with Andor Health. Morin is an experienced hospital nursing leader who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey, the work of Andor Health, the applications for its ThinkAndor agentic AI...

  24. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Cameron Roberts

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Cameron Roberts, DDS, Dental Director for the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic that provides oral healthcare to underserved individuals in the Shenandoah Valley, and a practitioner with Dental Health Associates. He joins us for a...

  25. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Jane Russell

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Jane Russell, PharmD, MBA, FACHE, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, VA. She joins for a conversation about her professional journey, the work of Bath Community Hospital as a rural,...

  26. Patients Come First Podcast - Erin Martin

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Erin Martin, Manager of Behavioral Health with Sentara Health, who joins for a conversation about her work, the Justice Care Coordination program at Sentara Health, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to...

  27. Patients Come First Podcast - Alyssa Leimberger

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Alyssa Leimberger, Magnet Program and Nursing Professional Practice Manager at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her background, the importance of CPR, a holiday miracle where she helped to save a…

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  28. Patients Come First Podcast - Daryl Washington

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Commissioner Daryl Washington, the recently appointed leader of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). He joins us for a conversation about his career in community-based behavioral health, public...

  29. Patients Come First Podcast - Lawrence Tan

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Lawrence "Larry" Tan, JD, NRP, the System Safety Officer at ChristianaCare Health Services in Delaware. He joins us for a conversation about his career in public safety and emergency response, facility and contingency planning in...

  30. Patients Come First - Dr. Amita Sudhir

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Amita Sudhir, an emergency medicine physician at UVA Health and the inaugural director for global health training at the University of Virginia’s Center for Global Health Equity, where she’s helping build international clinical...

  31. Patients Come First Podcast - Elizabeth Cintron

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Elizabeth Cintron, Program Director for the new Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey and what the new unit means for the hospital and...

  32. Patients Come First Podcast - Tammy Albright

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tammy Albright, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for Behavioral Health Services at Ballad Health. She joins us for a conversation about the work to enhance access to behavioral health and substance use treatment across the...

  33. Patients Come First Podcast - Hugh Cline

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Hugh Cline, MPAS, PA-C, NRP, a surgical physician assistant with the pediatric congenital heart surgery team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR). He joins us for a conversation about his full circle journey - he began life…

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  34. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Ara Maranian

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ara Maranian, an interventional cardiologist at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas. He joins us for a conversation about his work, heart health, cardiac catheterization and STEMI procedures, and more. Send…

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  35. Patients Come First Podcast - Jessica Macalino

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Jessica Macalino, MSHA, President of the recently-opened Riverside Smithfield Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her path to healthcare, the undertaking of opening a new hospital, what it means for the community in terms of...

  36. Patients Come First - Dave Dixon

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dave Dixon, PharmD, Chair of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and a Professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy. He joins us for a conversation about his professional path, the work of the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the...

  37. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Ruth Felsen

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ruth Felsen, Medical Director of Breast Surgery at CJW Medical Center. In recognition of World Cancer Day, she joins us for a conversation about the breast cancer continuum of care from risk assessment and screening through…

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  38. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Kelsey Salley

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kelsey Salley, an endocrinologist who volunteers with the Health Brigade in Richmond through the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She joins us for a conversation about endocrinology as a specialty, her work and...

  39. Patients Come First Podcast - Victor McKenzie Jr.

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia Health Catalyst Executive Director Victor McKenzie Jr. for a conversation about his professional journey and the organization’s policy priorities during the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session and beyond. Send...

  40. Patients Come First Podcast - Julie Dime

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with...

  41. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. David Bruno

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. David Bruno, a transplant surgeon and Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Under his leadership, Hume-Lee is achieving national firsts and reshaping transplant medicine through innovations like fully robotic...

  42. Patients Come First Podcast - Anthony White

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Anthony White, a hospital mechanic at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. In addition to his day job, White is also known for the colorful holiday murals he creates to brighten the halls and lift the spirits of patients and staff....

  43. Patients Come First Podcast - Kapua Conley

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features features Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Acute Care Market President for the Sentara Health Eastern Market. He joins us for a conversation about his work and professional journey, the Sentara’s CARES…

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  44. Patients Come First Podcast - Stacy Gradowski

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Stacy Gradowski, Director of Business Development at the Michigan Health Council, who joins us for a conversation about health care workforce development, the ACEMAPP platform to support providers with clinical rotation planning and...

  45. Patients Come First Podcast - Tucker Smith

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tucker Smith, a future physician and student at the VCU School of Medicine who moonlights as a high-flying acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, an international company of modern circus performers who delight and dazzle. Our conversation…

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  46. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Kim Penberthy

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kim Penberthy, a clinical psychologist and professor at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Penberthy is a researcher, professor, and innovator who joins us for a conversation about her work, the condition known as seasonal affective...

  47. Patients Come First Podcast - Kristin Anderson

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kristin Anderson, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology at the University of Virginia, for a conversation about her research, her personal journey with cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her...

  48. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Chester Sharps

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Chester Sharps, an orthopedic surgeon with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He’s with us to tell us about himself and his path to medicine, educate us about an innovative procedure known as vertebral body tethering, and more....

  49. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. William Cooper

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Cooper, a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a healthcare entrepreneur. He joins us for a conversation about his new role as medical director of cardiovascular surgery at HCA...

  50. Patients Come First Podcast - Dr. Martin O'Grady

    This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Martin O'Grady, Medical Director of the Trauma Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, for a conversation about the hospital recently earning a Provisional Level III Trauma Center Designation from the state, the work that went...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Patients Come First Podcast is presented by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Each episode will feature people in the health care community whose work is focused on enhancing patient experience, whether through direct care, medical research, or other efforts. Send questions, comments, or feedback to [email protected] or contact us on our social channels @VirginiaHHA using the hashtag #PatientsComeFirst.

HOSTED BY

Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Patients Come First have?

Patients Come First currently has 200 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Patients Come First about?

The Patients Come First Podcast is presented by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Each episode will feature people in the health care community whose work is focused on enhancing patient experience, whether through direct care, medical research, or other efforts. Send questions,...

How often does Patients Come First release new episodes?

Patients Come First publishes regularly with 200 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Patients Come First?

You can listen to Patients Come First on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Patients Come First?

Patients Come First is created and hosted by Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.
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