The Treasure Hunt: A Healthcare Changemakers Interview Series

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Doug Riddle welcomes Afia Asamoah, a dynamic leader in healthcare innovation, policy, and equity. Afia shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a family with strong service values to pursuing a career in healthcare, not as a physician, but by shaping systems that advance access and equity.Her experiences, from grassroots public health work in Ghana to regulatory policy roles in Washington and executive leadership in technology-enabled care, reveal her commitment to breaking barriers for underserved communities.The conversation highlights Afia’s work at Waymark, a company she co-founded, dedicated to improving access and outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries amid changing policy and political landscapes. She explains how Waymark’s community-based model leverages technology and local expertise to address health-related social needs, prevent avoidable ER visits, and drive meaningful change.Afia offers insights on maintaining focus and motivation in demanding roles, emphasizing the value of celebrating progress, trusting her support network, being present, and staying grounded in gratitude and purpose.

Cynthia Barginere joins this week’s episode of The Treasure Hunt. Currently, Cynthia serves as the System Chief Operating Officer at UMass Memorial Health and as President of UMass Memorial Health Community Entities. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare leadership, Cynthia shares insights from her journey, from her early days as a nurse at the University of Alabama Hospital to her transformative roles at organizations such as Rush University System for Health and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.Cynthia discusses the principles that have guided her career, including the importance of servant leadership, the power of building lasting professional relationships, and the necessity of clarity and accountability in leading large teams. Hear her philosophy that “love is a verb” as she reflects on her commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders, with a special focus on supporting women and people of color within healthcare. 

Dr. David Blumenthal, a leader who has made significant contributions at the intersection of medicine, policy, and innovation, sits down with host Douglas Riddle on this episode of The Treasure Hunt. Cited as one of Modern HealthCare’s 100 most influential healthcare leaders and 50 most influential physician executives several times throughout his 35 year career, Dr. Blumenthal is an inspiration and mentor to many in the healthcare industry.With a career marked by groundbreaking research, renowned teaching, and pivotal roles in health policy, Dr. Blumenthal's insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare.Join us as we explore his journey from his unexpected path to medicine shaped by the Vietnam War era, to his impactful work in both clinical practice and administrative leadership. His experiences not only highlight the importance of integrating medical knowledge with policy, but also shed light on the essential role of empathy in healthcare reform. With a remarkable career that has spanned academia, government, and healthcare leadership, Dr. Blumenthal brings invaluable insights to the most pressing challenges in the healthcare system today.

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Doug Riddle talks with Monica Davy, Senior Vice President and Chief Culture of Belonging and Impact Officer at Vizient. Listen as Monica reflects on the motivations that led her to law school, including inspiration from an unlikely and unconventional source: her great-aunt’s love of soap operas.She candidly discusses the importance of self-reflection and awareness of external pressures in career choices and highlights how she encourages her own children to pursue their passions authentically.You’ll also hear about her transition from traditional legal work to conflict resolution, as well as what led to her current focus on belonging and culture.Drawing on her rich experience at the Food and Drug Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, along with her long-standing commitment to social justice, Monica emphasizes the need for fairness and equity in healthcare. She offers perspective and insight into creating a system that delivers for all stakeholders.

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Doug Riddle welcomes Dr. Joanne Conroy, the CEO and President of Dartmouth Health. With a rich background as an anesthesiologist and a remarkable leadership journey spanning several senior roles, Dr. Conroy shares her insights on navigating complex challenges in healthcare.In this candid conversation, she recounts a pivotal moment in her career when she was thrust into a leadership role to save her department from financial crisis. Discover how she tackled the issues head-on, demonstrating not only her leadership acumen but also her commitment to service and problem-solving.Dr. Conroy reflects on the importance of understanding institutional dynamics, breaking through hierarchical barriers, and embracing unexpected leadership opportunities. 

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, The Carol Emmott Foundation welcomes Darcey Lynn Cobbs-Lomax, Executive Director of the Office of Health Equity and Community Impact at Yale New Haven Health. With over 13 years of experience at Yale New Haven Health, Darcey shares her compelling journey, highlighting her commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access.Drawing from her personal history as a Black woman growing up directly following the Civil Rights Era, Darcey emphasizes how her familial experiences shaped her view on health access, education, and the broader community impact. Throughout the discussion, Darcey reflects on her early career working in a clinic in the South Bronx, where she witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies and challenges faced by patients, particularly those who were non-English speakers. This eye-opening experience ignited her passion for understanding the healthcare system and advocating for meaningful change. Listen in as Darcey shares the inspirations behind her work, the importance of lifelong learning, and her sense of obligation to continue fighting for equity in healthcare for all.

In this podcast episode from The Treasure Hunt, Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal, a seasoned pediatrician and mentor to the Carol Emmott Fellows, discusses his extensive background and experiences in pediatrics, public health, and consulting.The conversation begins with the fun exploration of Dr. Wiesenthal's time spent as a disc jockey during his college years, offering an intriguing glimpse into his diverse interests before transitioning to medicine. He shares insights into his time as an epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC, emphasizing his journey through the world of pediatric infectious diseases and the connections he formed within the medical community during the early 1980s. Dr. Wiesenthal reflects on his passion for pediatrics, rooted in his childhood experience of being hospitalized for an injury. He recalls the emotional impact of his hospital stay and how it inspired him to provide a better experience for children in healthcare settings. He highlights the significance of empathy in medicine, revealing how personal experiences can shape professional paths. 

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Doug Riddle talks with Denise Brooks-Williams, an esteemed leader and mentor on the Carol Emmott Leadership Council.Denise shares her journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Henry Ford Health System. With over 30 years of service in healthcare, Denise discusses her extensive experience leading diverse divisions within the health system and her ongoing commitment to community service.Listen as Denise reflects on her educational journey, her experiences in a diverse high school and university, and the significant role these experiences have played in shaping her mission in healthcare. She also highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and the continuous fight for equality and representation in all fields. Enjoy this insightful conversation celebrating the power of diversity and leadership in the community.

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Douglas Riddle sits down with Marna Borgstrom, the former CEO of Yale New Haven Health, who has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the healthcare needs of Connecticut. With a wealth of experience and numerous accolades, including three honorary doctorates, Marna shares her insights on the distinction between the current US "sick care" system and the potential for a truly effective healthcare system. She emphasizes the importance of investing not only in healthcare delivery but also in social infrastructure like education, housing, and community resources that can lead to healthier lives for all.Marna reflects on her initiatives at Yale New Haven Health, including efforts to provide safer housing for employees and invest in educational programs like New Haven Promise, which aims to support students from high school through college and then encourages them to serve back in their own communities. She discusses serving on various boards and how collaborating with other leaders with a shared vision helps make for a more equitable healthcare landscape.Their conversation delves into the broader implications of healthcare investment, illustrating the need for a balanced approach that addresses both medical care and social determinants of health. 

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Douglas Riddle sits down with Carolyn Carpenter, a trailblazing leader and one of the inaugural Carol Emmott Fellows. Carolyn shares knowledge gleaned throughout her journey from Duke University to her current role as president of the National Capital Region at Johns Hopkins. With helpful professional insights, she delves into the significance of community and connection among women leaders, emphasizing how the Carol Emmott Fellowship has enhanced her approach to leadership and mentorship. Throughout their conversation, Carolyn reflects on the evolution of the Fellowship program, highlighting the importance of self-exploration and personal growth. She shares how her cohort, despite being from the first class in 2017, maintains strong connections and continues to support one another in both professional and personal realms. Listeners will appreciate Carolyn's candidness about the challenges and joys of leadership as she discusses the necessity of fostering genuinely caring, trusting relationships in today's fast-paced environment. In addition, we invite you to watch Carolyn speak at the 2024 Carol Emmott Foundation Symposium. 

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Douglas Riddle welcomes Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California and Carol Emmott Fellowship Class of 2023. With an impressive background that includes leadership roles in major health institutions and a teaching position at UCLA, Monica shares her insights on the evolving role of a chief medical officer, particularly in the unique context of a state health exchange. Their conversation delves into the importance of visibility and effective communication in healthcare, discussing how Monica's experience in the Carol Emmott Fellowship has transformed her approach to leadership and public engagement. Tune in to discover how she navigates the challenges of serving a diverse population while advocating for quality and equity in healthcare.

The Treasure Hunt’s most recent episode features Kevin Mahoney, the CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Perelman School of Medicine. Alongside host Douglas Riddle, listeners will explore Kevin's impactful leadership style, emphasizing empathy as a core value in healthcare. Kevin reflects on a transformative summer during his youth that shaped his perspectives and career. He recounts pivotal experiences, including an influential conversation with a real estate developer and a serious accident that landed him in the hospital. Through these stories, Kevin illustrates the importance of resilience, teamwork, and the desire to create a better world, which have ultimately guided his approach to healthcare leadership.

In this episode, Marcia Alesan Dawkins, senior research scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership, public speaker, author of four books including Clearly Invisible, Racial Passing and the Color of Cultural Identity, expert storyteller, and regular speaker for The Carol Emmott Foundation, discusses her ideas about the meaning of identity. Marcia shares her profound take on sincerity over conformity and grapples with the notion that we don’t just have one story in life, but rather a larger culmination of stories that we present to the world. Listen as Marcia explains her personal exploration of identity and presents a provocative analysis of the connections between authenticity, identity, succession planning, and leadership development. Marcia also delves into where we belong in society from an evolutionary perspective and how the social, political, and emotional effects of conforming impact humanity.

This episode of The Treasure Hunt presents a discussion with Ruth Williams-Brinkley, a member of the Carol Emmott Leadership Council and a highly sought-after mentor for Carol Emmott Fellows. With accolades that include a top 100 most influential leader in healthcare, a top 25 woman in healthcare, and a top 25 minority executive in healthcare, Ruth has accumulated invaluable knowledge and experience throughout her many years as an industry leader.Listen as Ruth shares insights gleaned from an impressive career that began as a bedside nurse in Chicago and ended with her retirement from the Kaiser Foundation Mid-Atlantic, where she served as regional president. Hear about her people-centric approach to healthcare and how successful outcomes can be enjoyed by all stakeholders when compassion and sensible practices are accompanied by providing individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to be healthy.Ruth stresses the importance of mentors and increasing the presence of women and people of color in the healthcare space while weaving in tales of nursing, CEO life, motherhood, and how she relies on the NFL and the NBA for coaching tips.

In this episode, Mary Pittman, one of the founders of The Carol Emmott Foundation and former president and CEO of the Public Health Institute, shares highlights from her remarkable career in public health, including Carol Emmott’s influence in shaping her career trajectory. Mary talks about the importance of building a network that focuses on building social capital among peers, the value of advocacy, real life examples of mentoring other women, and personal stories of her current interests in Italy and art.