The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya
The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya
Podcast Description
Welcome to ”The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya,” a dynamic podcast series where we delve into the minds of trailblazing healthcare industry leaders. Hosted by Dr. Ginger Raya, a seasoned expert in healthcare management and organizational leadership, this podcast shines a light on those who are driving innovation and transformation in the healthcare sector. Each episode features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts who share their unique perspectives and experiences, offering listeners a rich tapestry of insights on managing and improving healthcare systems.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, executive, student, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this podcast is designed for you. Our ideal audience includes healthcare executives, policy makers, medical practitioners, and aspiring leaders who are eager to stay ahead of industry trends, learn from real-world experiences, and be inspired by stories of change and innovation.
Why should you listen?
”The HealthSpark” is more than just a podcast—it’s a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions and actionable ideas. Tune in to discover how leading experts are navigating the complexities of healthcare, pioneering new solutions, and ultimately shaping a better future for patients and providers alike.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as healthcare management, innovation, and the application of technology in healthcare. Episodes delve into specific topics like the responsible use of AI in healthcare, effective leadership strategies, and systemic changes within organizations. For instance, Rebecca Y. Gonzales discusses the ethical implications of AI in health systems, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current challenges and opportunities.
Welcome to ”The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya,” a dynamic podcast series where we delve into the minds of trailblazing healthcare industry leaders. Hosted by Dr. Ginger Raya, a seasoned expert in healthcare management and organizational leadership, this podcast shines a light on those who are driving innovation and transformation in the healthcare sector. Each episode features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts who share their unique perspectives and experiences, offering listeners a rich tapestry of insights on managing and improving healthcare systems.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, executive, student, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this podcast is designed for you. Our ideal audience includes healthcare executives, policy makers, medical practitioners, and aspiring leaders who are eager to stay ahead of industry trends, learn from real-world experiences, and be inspired by stories of change and innovation.
Why should you listen?
”The HealthSpark” is more than just a podcast—it’s a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions and actionable ideas. Tune in to discover how leading experts are navigating the complexities of healthcare, pioneering new solutions, and ultimately shaping a better future for patients and providers alike.
Rural hospitals across the U.S. are on the brink—operating with razor-thin margins, workforce shortages, and rising uncompensated care that threaten their survival. In this episode of Healthspark, we break down an award-winning strategy developed by Syracuse University’s first-place Fleming Case Competition team that offers a bold, data-driven blueprint for rural healthcare sustainability.
Drawing on publicly available financial, population health, and broadband data, the team evaluated multiple at-risk rural regions and identified Texas’s Southeast Coastal Corridor as the strongest pilot market for transformation. Their proposed solution, the Wellness and Health Insight Model (WHIM), combines shared digital infrastructure, telehealth-enabled emergency diversion, and targeted patient engagement to reduce avoidable emergency room utilization, lower readmissions, and curb uncompensated care.
The episode explores how WHIM’s regional governance model, interoperable data systems, and five-year financial pro forma translate innovation into measurable impact—projecting more than $8.4 million in cost avoidance while positioning rural hospitals for long-term sustainability beyond federal grant funding.
This conversation is a masterclass in how strategy, technology, and regional collaboration can move rural hospitals from survival to sustainability—and how the next generation of healthcare leaders is already building scalable solutions.
Guest Bios
Zhen (Elena) Shi
Zhen (Elena) Shi is an MBA candidate at Syracuse University with concentrations in Finance and Supply Chain Management. With a background in agricultural science and applied data analytics, her work has focused on using digital tools to improve productivity and sustainability in rural systems. She brings a strong strategy and operations perspective to healthcare innovation and consulting.
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhen-shi-170666326
Alexandra Perry
Alexandra Perry is a dual M.S. in Biotechnology and MBA student at Syracuse University specializing in the intersection of clinical care, innovation, and business strategy. With hands-on experience as a medical assistant and medical scribe, she brings firsthand insight into patient workflows and healthcare operations. She plans to pursue a career in biotechnology and medical device patent law.
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-perry-1715b7220
Allison Hellman
Allison Hellman is a dual MBA and Master’s in Biotechnology student at Syracuse University focused on life science consulting and healthcare strategy. A former licensed biology educator and two-time case competition winner, she led the financial modeling and governance design for the Fleming competition–winning rural healthcare strategy.
🔗 http://linkedin.com/in/allison-hellman-6936baa2
Xiaoying Feng
Xiaoying Feng is a marketing PhD candidate at Syracuse University whose research examines consumer behavior, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. With prior training in biomedical engineering and experience analyzing large-scale emergency medical services data, she contributed behavioral science and patient engagement insights to the team’s rural healthcare solution.
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaoying-feng-b11a32192/
Celso Perez Mayo
Celso Perez Mayo is a Master of Business Analytics student at Syracuse University with a background in supply chain management and optimization modeling. His experience spans analytics consulting, cost-performance modeling, and humanitarian logistics, bringing a systems-level perspective to healthcare sustainability challenges.
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/celso-perez-mayo-b46b54262/
Podcast Credits
Host & Editor:
Dr. Ginger Raya
Founder of Healthspark and a healthcare strategy leader focused on innovation, systems transformation, and the future of care delivery.
Disclaimer
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