🎙️ New Episode: Building Talent Teams That Last with Anthony Scarpino
In this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo sit down with Anthony Scarpino, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at National Health Care Associates, for a real-world look at the challenges—and opportunities—facing today’s healthcare recruiters.

🔄 From Dietitian to TA Executive: A Fresh Lens on Hiring

Anthony’s path started in clinical care and took him through leadership roles at Sodexo and Marriott. His diverse background shapes how he builds recruiting teams today—emphasizing adaptability, cross-industry learning, and the power of genuine relationship-building.

💡 “A great recruiter can recruit anywhere—as long as they’re willing to learn and connect.”

🧠 Recruiting Across the Healthcare Spectrum

In long-term care, hiring goes beyond clinical roles. Anthony and the hosts explore the challenge of sourcing for everything from CNAs to facilities managers to executives—and why mental flexibility is key in a complex, high-volume hiring environment.

🛠️ Rebuilding the TA Function from the Ground Up

When Anthony joined National, TA operations were largely manual and decentralized. He shares the ongoing journey of implementing an applicant tracking system, introducing consistency across 40+ facilities, and aligning systems with real-world workflows.

🧭 “We train toward the happy path—then guide people back to it when needed.”

💬 People Over Process: Keeping Recruiters Engaged

With change underway, how do you keep your team energized? Anthony walks through his approach:

• Restructuring the team to align closer to field operations
• Investing in team strengths and development
• Launching an incentive plan (even modest rewards matter)

💡 “What you do is valuable—and we’re going to share in the success of that outcome.”

✝️ Wisdom to Lead By

To close the episode, Anthony shares a quote that’s helped him through big transitions:
“Let go and let God.”
Sometimes leadership means trusting the process and moving forward with intention—even through uncertainty.

🎧 Tune in for:
✔️ Actionable insights on structuring TA teams
✔️ Lessons on adopting tech in legacy systems
✔️ Strategies for balancing flexibility with consistency
✔️ Real talk about recruiting burnout, pipelines, and persistence

Listen now on all major podcast platforms—and share with a fellow TA or HR leader who needs a fresh dose of inspiration.

With appreciation,
The ASHHRA Podcast Team

This episode is sponsored by RxBenefits... Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

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🎙️ This week on The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo sit down with Johnathon Bye, AVP of New Talent Strategies at Duke University Health System, to explore the intersection of hospitality, technology, and the all-important human touch in healthcare HR.

From Hospitality to Healthcare: Experience Matters

Johnathon’s journey from retail and hospitality to healthcare HR taught him one thing: experience is everything. At Duke, he leads the charge in delivering a “blue carpet experience”—a nod to classic red-carpet service with a Duke Blue twist. Whether it's a candidate, new hire, or tenured leader, every journey should feel personal and valued.

💬 “You could have the best tech stack, but if you lose that human interaction, you lose everything too.”

Tech Supports, But Empathy Leads

Technology enhances efficiency, but empathy is irreplaceable. Johnathon’s team keeps people at the center of every decision, knowing each interaction shapes both patient care and workforce culture.

🔑 Pro Tip: Help your team connect staffing work to your organization’s mission: “If you can’t staff the beds, you can’t care for the patients.”

Innovation in TA: Shadowing Builds Connection

One of Duke’s most impactful practices? Each year at the TA Summit, recruiters shadow frontline staff—walking in their shoes to better understand the roles they hire for. It builds trust with hiring managers and sparks more authentic candidate conversations.

💡 Action Idea: Have your TA team shadow for a morning—it’s low-cost and delivers big returns in empathy, engagement, and recruiting success.

Retention Through Growth

Talent hoarding blocks growth. At Duke, leaders are encouraged to support internal mobility, driving a culture of shared success. As Johnathon says: “When your team earns promotions, it’s a win for the whole organization.”

🧠 Leadership Reflection: Are you rewarding managers for developing talent—or just minimizing turnover?

Celebrate & Share the Wins

Duke’s TA Summit isn’t just strategy and metrics—it’s about recognizing wins, sharing stories, and energizing the team.

📌 Quote to Remember:
“You might not remember every positive interaction. But you’ll always remember a negative one.” — Johnathon Bye

🎧 Listen to the full episode for practical ideas, leadership insight, and a blueprint for elevating candidate and employee experience.

With appreciation,
The ASHHRA Podcast Team

This episode is sponsored by RxBenefits... Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Support the show

🎙️ New Episode: The Battle Over 340B Drug Pricing – Part 3
If you care about healthcare advocacy, pharmacy savings, and the sustainability of your hospital, this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast is a must-listen.

In the studio:
Your co-host Bo Brabo is joined again by two returning experts—Sarah Hearn of RxBenefits and Rhiannon Klein, a frontline 340B advocate—for a compelling update on where things stand with the 340B drug pricing program.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
💊 340B Basics Made Clear – Rhiannon breaks down what 340B is, why it exists, and how it keeps hospitals and clinics serving vulnerable communities.
🤝 Why HR Should Care – Sarah shares how 340B can dramatically reduce employee drug costs and why HR and pharmacy teams must work together to protect these savings.
⚖️ Current Advocacy Trends – From litigation and state legislation to industry misinformation, learn what’s unfolding behind the scenes—and what’s at stake.
🧠 Fighting Misinformation – Hear how advocates are pushing back against pharma talking points and why HR professionals should be in the loop.
🏥 Strengthening Local Ties – Ideas for building hospital-business partnerships that reinvest 340B savings into employee health and community care.
🤖 AI in Pharmacy – A forward-looking take on how artificial intelligence could shape drug claim management and advocacy work in the future.

Trusted Resources Mentioned:
📌 340B Report – Industry updates & news
📌 Apexus 340B University – Free education tools
📌 NACHC – National Association of Community Health Centers

The Big Picture:
340B isn’t just about pharmacy operations—it’s mission-critical for workforce health, HR strategy, and the financial viability of hospitals. Whether you’re in HR, operations, or advocacy, understanding 340B is essential to leading in today’s healthcare environment.

🎧 Listen now to gain the insight and tools needed to protect this vital program—and support the communities who rely on it.

📍 Haven’t heard Parts 1 and 2?
Check out episodes 133 and 135 for a deeper dive into the legislative landscape and why 340B is under fire.

This episode is sponsored by RxBenefits... Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Support the show