PolicyHuddle

Health occurs in the places Missourians live, work, learn and play. An important element of how hospitals create value for patients and communities is their work in identifying the drivers of poor health and working collaboratively to address barriers — both clinical and nonclinical. June 8-12 is Community Health Improvement Week. In this episode of the Missouri Hospital Association’s PolicyHuddle podcast, listeners will learn about the strategies Mercy and Citizens Memorial Hospital have implemented to connect more fully with patients and communities to improve health. Listeners will hear from the following guests. • Gavin Helton, M.D., president of Mercy Primary Care at Mercy in Chesterfield, Mo. • Jenna Hicks, director of quality and population health, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Mo.

This edition of PolicyHuddle explores the progress occurring in maternal health improvement in Missouri, including how the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative is creating opportunity for better care and health for expecting and new mothers. The episode features Dr. Karen Florio, Vice Chair of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo., Dr. Niraj Chavan, Associate Professor of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, at Saint Louis University, and Alison Williams, Division Vice President of Clinical Quality Affairs at the Missouri Hospital Association, who leads the Missouri PQC.

Leaders at the six ToRCH participating hospitals about their insights on ToRCH implementation and what challenges and opportunities may lay ahead with ToRCH Care. This includes: • Marvin Smoot, Vice President of Clinic Operations at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia • Michael Calhoun chief executive officer/executive director of Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar • Craig Thompson, CEO of Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare in Clinton • Jana Cook, senior vice president and the chief financial officer at Phelps Health in Rolla • Tim Braun, Executive Director of Population Health at Ray County Hospital and Health Care in Richmond • Brooke Bollman, CEO of Salem Memorial District Hospital

Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield), sponsor of prior authorization reform legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives, is our guest on the January 2026 edition of PolicyHuddle. During the discussion, Stinnett talks about her experiences as a provider and her work in educating her legislative colleagues about the challenges presented by the system. Stinnett has filed legislation throughout the past four sessions to adopt reforms, including “gold carding” for providers with high rates of prior authorization approval. Stinnett is joined in the episode by MHA Vice President of State Legislation, Jamey Murphy.

2025 - A Year In Review by Missouri Hospital Association

Missouri Hospital Association workforce development leaders discuss the 2025 Workforce Report and the evolution of MHA strategy to recruit and retain team members.

Learn from leaders in the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative about how better patient interactions can help improve maternal health outcomes through five questions.

Missouri Hospital Association President and CEO, Jon D. Doolittle, joins the PolicyHuddle to explain how hospitals and the health care system will be affected by the new legislation, and what MHA is doing in the near- and long-term to shape implementation.

Craig Thompson, CEO of Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare in Clinton, Mo., joins the PolicyHuddle for a discussion of the federal budget legislation and the influence of cuts to Medicaid on health and care in Missouri communities

Dr. Brian Waterman discusses the evolution of the Hospital Industry Data Institute throughout 40 years.

This edition of PolicyHuddle explores the essential contributions hospitals make to support the health care safety net and to improve health individually and broadly in the communities they serve. The episode features Mat Reidhead, Vice President of Research and Analytics, and Stephen Njenga, Director of Quality Measurement and Population Health Improvement, who discuss the tools and processes of successful community health needs assessment.

A Discussion with Jane Drummond, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations at the Missouri Hospital Association about state and federal policy in 2025

Kara Amann-Kale, Director of Hospital Preparedness Programs, and Keri Barclay. Manager of Clinical Preparedness and Coalition Liaison, join the PolicyHuddle to discuss respiratory virus illness season and what hospitals and communities can do to prepare.

Kara Amann-Kale, MHA Director of Hospital Preparedness Programs joins the PolicyHuddle to discuss challenges and opportunities in the hospital supply chain.

Jon D. Doolittle discusses the importance of participating in Missouri's Aug. 6 Primary Election and shares why MHA endorsed Mike Kehoe for Governor and Lincoln Hough for Lt. Governor.

Jill Williams, the Missouri Hospital Association's Vice President of Workforce Development, joins PolicyHuddle to discuss the 2024 MHA Workforce Report

Dr. Alison Williams explains the work being done to improve maternal health outcomes in Missouri and provides details about the launch of the state's Perinatal Quality Collaborative.