The MaineHealth Podcast

Public Health Grand Rounds hosted by Dr. Dora Anne Mills with guest Joy Rhoden

Today we welcome Joy Rhoden, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Health Outcomes and Care Transformation at the American Hospital Association (AHA). Joy explains how hospitals can use standardized data, care-delivery transformation, community partnerships, and workforce activation to reduce health disparities. She highlights maternal and child health, rural innovations, telehealth, doulas and community health workers. She talks about AHA initiatives like a Commonwealth Fund grant, an EPIC postpartum hemorrhage collaborative, an upcoming Healthier Together conference, and a new economic-impact guide.

The discussion emphasizes actionable tools, peer learning, policy advocacy, and scalable practices to help hospitals move from knowing the problem to measurable improvements in health outcomes for all.

MaineHealth Public Health Grand Rounds: Join us for engaging discussions on today’s evolving public health landscape. Hosted by Dr. Dora Anne Mills, MaineHealth brings together national and local experts to explore critical public health issues impacting Maine and communities across the country.

Virtual Public Health Grand Rounds is open to anyone interested in understanding the dynamic relationship between public health and health care.

Behind the Balance Sheet: How MaineHealth is Rethinking Revenue Cycle & Payer Strategy

Working Together with Kelly Elkins, Episode 85

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores how the organization is rethinking revenue cycle and payer strategy to better support access, affordability, and long‑term sustainability. As denial rates rise, payment models shift, and administrative complexity increases, the conversation focuses on why revenue cycle can no longer be viewed as transactional—but instead as a strategic lever tied directly to quality, equity, and patient experience. The episode examines how aligning incentives, simplifying processes, and using data more proactively are helping MaineHealth balance financial stewardship with its mission to deliver high‑value care.

Guest Kelly Champney Senior Vice President of Revenue Cycle and Payer Strategy for MaineHealth shares how this evolution is taking shape across the system, including managing risk‑based arrangements, strengthening payer partnerships, and reducing friction for patients and care teams. Together, they discuss what has changed, what remains challenging, and how a more integrated, forward‑looking approach to revenue cycle positions MaineHealth to sustain care delivery while advancing affordability, access, and outcomes for the communities it serves.

Voices of Experience: 40 Years at the Bedside

Welcome to episode 3 of Vitals and Voices, a MaineHealth nursing podcast, sharing the stories, perspectives, and expertise of nurses across our system with hosts Chris & Jordan.

In this episode, long-tenured MHMMC Portland nurses Jackie and Sara reflect on 40 years of nursing—sharing early memories, patient stories, the shift from paper charts to electronic systems, and how they avoid burnout. The episode also features Holly discussing Donate Life Month, the importance of organ and tissue donation, and how donors give others a chance at new life.

How MaineHealth is Rethinking Tech-Enabled Care

Working Together with Kelly Elkins, Episode 84

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores how Technology‑Enabled Care Innovation and Transformation (TECIT) is helping the system move innovation from concept to measurable impact—improving access, reducing variation, and ensuring long‑term sustainability. As MaineHealth continues to evolve, this conversation focuses on why technology must be purpose‑driven, aligned to strategy, and designed to simplify care for patients and care team members alike. The episode examines how a system‑wide approach to evaluating and scaling innovation helps ensure new solutions deliver real value across clinical, operational, and workforce priorities.

Guest Colin FitzGerald, AI Solutions and Product Lead for MaineHealth, shares why TECIT was created, what problems it is designed to solve, and how the framework supports smarter decision‑making around technology investments. Together, they discuss how TECIT is being applied across care at home, primary care, specialty services, and beyond—and how this work positions MaineHealth to responsibly leverage innovation while advancing affordability, quality, and access for the communities it serves.

Addiction Medicine with Leah Bauer, MD and Kristen Silvia, MD

Curbside Consult, Episode 12

Together, Leah and Kristen lead the MaineHealth Medical Group’s Addiction Specialty Council. They join us to discuss the role primary care can play in treating substance use disorder (SUD) and to introduce the Stop SUD Stigma campaign, an effort to reduce the stigma that patients with substance use disorder can feel in healthcare settings.  

Curbside Consult is a podcast from the MaineHealth ACO that brings together specialists and primary care physicians to discuss clinical topics, referral management and coordination of care. Each month, family physician hosts Dr. Mike Clark and Dr. Heather Ward welcome a new specialist to share their unique insights.  

Listen to Curbside Consult here or on your favorite podcast app, or on the MaineHealth intranet home page. To stay in touch with the show, follow the MaineHealth ACO on LinkedIn. 

Operating as One - The Next Chapter for the Mountain Region of MaineHealth

Working Together with Kelly Elkins, Episode 83

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores how the Mountain Region’s updated leadership structure is designed to strengthen collaboration, streamline decision-making, and better support care team members across the region. As our system continues to grow and integrate, this episode looks at why clearer roles, aligned oversight, and more consistent organizational design are essential to improving access, quality, and the overall experience for patients and communities. They discuss how leadership alignment helps ensure the right decisions happen at the right level—and with the speed and clarity teams need.

Guest Trampas Hutches, Regional President for the Mountain Region, shares the goals behind the redesign, what responsibilities are shifting to Community Presidents, and how regional oversight of shared-service areas like Imaging, EVS, Food & Nutrition, and Therapies will work in day‑to‑day operations. Together, they discuss how this structure supports MaineHealth’s broader strategy and the biggest opportunities ahead as the region enters this next chapter of operating as one MaineHealth.

MaineHealth's Operational Transformation: Adapting to a Changing Healthcare Environment

Andy's Open Door on 03-25-26

This episode of AOD featured Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins and Chief People Officer Scott Ballard, who along with Caroline, discussed MaineHealth's operational transformation, covering regionalization, efficiency improvements, automation and AI, workforce tools, and how changes affect care teams and patient safety. They discussed where we are in the operational transformation process and where we are headed as we adapt and grow in a changing health care environment.

The episode also highlights the launch of the Our Place employee giving program, answers care team questions about scheduling systems, policy updates, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

Why Care Navigation Matters: Introducing MaineHealth Care Solutions

Working Together with COO Kelly Elkins, episode 82

In this episode, MaineHealth Chief Operating Officer Kelly Elkins explores why care navigation has become a critical need for our employer community and care team members—and how MaineHealth is responding through MaineHealth Care Solutions. As rising costs, access challenges, and complexity continue to affect care team members, patients and families, this episode takes a closer look at how improved navigation can reduce frustration, support better health outcomes, and strengthen trust in care. They discuss the role of navigation in getting the right care at the right time and place.

Guests Bill Whitmore, MaineHealth Vice President of Business Transformation, and Beth Ray, MaineHealth Manager of Clinical Care Navigation, share why the program was created, who it serves, and what care team members can expect when they reach out for support. Together, they discuss how MaineHealth Care Solutions fits into MaineHealth’s broader strategic goals and what success looks like in the program’s first year and beyond.

 

Talking Certification: How Nursing Certifications Boost Confidence & Care

Welcome to episode 2 of Vitals and Voices, a MaineHealth nursing podcast, sharing the stories, perspectives, and expertise of nurses across our system. 

In this episode, Chris and Jordan talk with Clinical Nurse Educator Angela Cyr as she explains what nursing certifications are, why they matter, how they support career advancement and patient care, and which resources MaineHealth offers to help nurses pursue certification.

The episode also features a spotlight on Vocational Rehabilitation Services during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Chris has a conversation with Jessica Minor to talk about how someone with developmental disabilities could be an asset to your workforce.

Thriving Together: MaineHealth’s Wellness Journey

Episode 81: Thriving Together: MaineHealth’s Wellness Journey 

At MaineHealth, wellness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a commitment woven into the fabric of our culture. We are creating a holistic approach to health that empowers every team member to live well—at work and beyond.

In this episode, Christine Hein, MD, Chief Wellness Officer, and Tom Kivler, Director of Care Team Wellness discuss the programs and strategies that help our providers and care team members thrive.

They discuss real examples—team huddles, peer support, night‑shift initiatives, and G.R.O.S.S. projects—along with the key metrics (safety, retention, engagement) and bold pilot ideas to reduce burnout and strengthen team resilience.