In this episode of Avarion Insights, host Patti Strohla kicks off a two-part series on Healthcare Governance. One of the most misunderstood (and most powerful) drivers of transformation and breaks down what governance really is and why it doesn’t have to slow change down.

Madelaine Yue is a healthcare strategist and trusted advisor to health system leaders who specialize in helping organizations navigate complex transformation. In this conversation, she breaks down governance in a way that feels practical and immediately relevant, defining it as the structure that clarifies decision rights, accountability, and who truly owns what across an organization.

She explains why this clarity is essential in healthcare, where teams are tightly connected around the patient journey, and how unanswered questions like who owns data quality quickly create confusion, delays, and risk. Governance, when done well, is the mechanism that brings order to that complexity.

Enjoy Part 1 of a two-part conversation on Understanding Governance with Avarion Insights and Madelaine Yue.

Southwest General may be a long-standing community hospital, but its AI program is years ahead. In this episode, Aaron Wootton sits down with Jae Zayed from Southwest General to unpack how a small, independent health system is using AI to reduce readmissions and no-shows, streamline pre-registration and radiology scheduling, and free clinicians to focus on patients instead of paperwork. You’ll hear how they embedded AI into their corporate strategy, chose the right partners, branded AI “agents” like HOPE and AVA to build trust, and created a culture where staff see AI as a teammate—not a threat.

In this episode, Nancy Ripari (Executive VP and Managing Partner, Huntzinger Management Group) hosts a conversation with Mark Nantz (President and CEO, Valley Health). Together, they discuss the most pressing challenges in healthcare today — from regulatory pressures and workforce shortages to the role of technology in shaping the future.

Mark shares how leaders can adapt to changes in the healthcare landscape, particularly in rural areas, and why CEOs must lead with purpose and keep people at the center. He also offers valuable insights on the future of consulting in healthcare and advice for emerging leaders navigating the industry.

Listen today for more insights and perspective from this engaging conversation.