Episodes

  • Bonus: 13 Leaders, One Big Question

    Bonus: 13 Leaders, One Big Question
    Jan 8 2025
    We're doing something a little different this week on The Backstory. We're two-thirds of the way through this series and has talked to 13 incredible leaders. So, we wanted to take a moment for host Anne Hancock Toomey to reflect on one of the questions that she asks each guest. That is, "What are the three characteristics of the most effective leaders?" Every one of the leaders interviewed has a unique story. At the same time, they have certain things in common. They are successful because of who they are and how they lead. And so the hope in asking this question, which always comes near the end of the conversations, is to get at those ingredients to their secret sauce. The question isn't "What makes you successful?" It's pointed away from the guest and towards successful leaders in general. But interestingly, to a person, all 13 ended up describing how they've learned to lead. The guests are: Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health Chris Roth, President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System Sheri Shapiro, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CommonSpirit Health Bill Southwick, former CEO of QualDerm Partners Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist Phil Roe, former CEO and current Senior Advisor of Martin Ventures Joann Anderson, Former President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth Rhonda Brandon, Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System David Jarrard, Founder and Executive Chairman of Jarrard Inc. Tim Johnsen, SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services Ken Graboys, CEO of Chartis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • 13. From Peace Corps to Healthcare Industry Change Agent, with Ken Graboys

    13. From Peace Corps to Healthcare Industry Change Agent, with Ken Graboys
    Dec 18 2024
    From rural Rhode Island to founding and leading one of the country’s top consultancies and one of healthcare’s most respected organizations, Ken Graboys’ story is anything but ordinary. In this episode of The Backstory podcast, host Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Graboys, CEO of Chartis (Jarrard Inc.’s parent company), to discuss moments that shaped his journey. From selling seeds door-to-door, to adventures in Alaska and the Peace Corps to founding Chartis, Graboys shares how early life experiences and a heart-centered approach to business laid the foundation for lasting success. The conversation explores his leadership philosophy, the role of mentorship and the values that guide him—authenticity, generosity and a relentless focus on making healthcare better. Plus, Graboys gets personal, reflecting on balancing family and career, learning from mistakes and the power of gratitude. 01:29 Intro and Connection Between Chartis, Jarrard 03:50 Graboys' Early Life and Formative Jobs 12:28 Leadership Lessons from the Peace Corps 21:52 Founding Chartis and the Turning Point 24:43 Overcoming Challenges and Defining Success 28:03 Balancing Family, Work, and Growth 39:35 Lightning Round: Quickfire Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • 12. From Life Flight Nurse to the Healthcare C-Suite, with Tim Johnsen

    12. From Life Flight Nurse to the Healthcare C-Suite, with Tim Johnsen
    Dec 4 2024
    Anne Hancock Toomey dives deep into the inspiring journey of Tim Johnsen, a seasoned healthcare leader and current SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Tim’s story takes us from his early days as a guitar instructor in St. Louis to a transformative career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he shares personal anecdotes, like how his father’s sudden passing shaped his career choice and his frontline experiences as a critical care and flight nurse. This episode explores pivotal moments, including Tim’s transition to administrative leadership, his approach to balancing personal and professional priorities and the lessons learned from successes and setbacks – like handling a radioactive incident. Johnsen also reflects on building strong teams, navigating leadership in rural vs. urban settings and maintaining well-being in a demanding career. Stick around for the lightning round, where Tim shares quick takes on leadership, growth and life outside the office. 03:07 Early Life and Influences 09:56 A Pivotal Moment: Choosing Healthcare 17:27 Transition to Administrative Leadership 22:50 Balancing Leadership in Rural and Urban Areas 27:58 Building Strong Teams and Lifelong Connections 29:12 Learning from Mistakes: A Radioactive Incident 34:20 Effective Leadership Traits 36:02 Areas for Improvement in Leadership 37:42 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • 11. From Journalist to Foremost Healthcare Communications Guru, with David Jarrard

    11. From Journalist to Foremost Healthcare Communications Guru, with David Jarrard
    Nov 13 2024
    In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with her longtime colleague and co-founder David Jarrard, a former journalist, public affairs counselor and founding CEO, now serving as executive chairman of Jarrard Inc. David shares his unique journey from growing up in East Tennessee and working the police and theater beats as a reporter to becoming one of the most influential communications leaders in the healthcare industry. He delves into his early career in journalism, lessons learned from leaders and his parents and how these experiences shaped his visionary leadership style. David reflects on the importance of an integrated life, his passion for team synergy and the need to have balance between humility and confidence for effective leadership. The conversation concludes with a lightning round, offering personal insights and a glimpse into David's life outside of work. 02:44 Early Life and Influences in East Tennessee 05:11 Lessons from Journalism and Early Career 07:10 Transition to Corporate Communications 16:57 Reflections on Career Choices and Leadership 23:26 Founding Jarrard, Phillips, Cate and Hancock 26:03 The Importance of Relationships and Team Chemistry 28:11 Leadership Philosophy and Values 31:44 Balancing Work and Personal Life 35:52 Recognizing and Addressing Weaknesses 37:22 Healthy Habits for Effective Leadership 38:56 Lightning Round: Personal Insights 42:25 Final Thoughts on Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • 10. From the Broadcast Booth to Duke Health HR Leader, with Rhonda Brandon

    10. From the Broadcast Booth to Duke Health HR Leader, with Rhonda Brandon
    Oct 23 2024
    In this week’s episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Rhonda Brandon, the dynamic Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System. Rhonda’s unconventional and remarkable journey takes us from her roots in Richmond, Virginia, through pivotal roles at IBM, Nike and Colonial Pipeline, to her transformative work at Duke Health. With humor and heart, Rhonda reveals how faith, family and fierce determination shaped her career, highlighting key moments such as a game-changing revelation at IBM, balancing burnout at Nike and navigating change management at Duke University Health System. Through personal anecdotes, Rhonda emphasizes authenticity and the necessity of nurturing one’s spirit. The episode concludes with a fun lightning round, providing a glimpse into her personal quirks and inspirations. Tune in for laughs, leadership lessons and a lot of heart! 03:44 Lessons from Parents and Early Career 06:04 First Job Experiences 09:40 Defining Moments at IBM 13:19 Career at Nike and Burnout 18:26 Joining Colonial Pipeline 21:29 Transition to Healthcare 25:28 Building a Cohort and Embracing Change Management 27:15 Key Principles of Change Management 29:13 The Call from Duke and Defining the Job 36:16 Family, Faith, and Personal Reflections 44:17 Lightning Round: Fun and Personal Insights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • 09. From Tossing Dough to Leader of Leaders, with Michael Wiechart

    09. From Tossing Dough to Leader of Leaders, with Michael Wiechart
    Oct 9 2024
    In this power-packed episode of The Backstory, Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth, opens up about his journey from small-town Ohio to becoming a healthcare leadership powerhouse. Mike’s story is anything but ordinary – from almost becoming a priest to working at – and quickly getting fired from – a family-owned pizza joint before taking the fast track to healthcare. By just 26 years old, Mike was already a CFO, navigating the complexities of major healthcare systems like Lifepoint Health and overcoming the tough moments of two CEO losses. Tune in to hear about his authentic leadership approach, lessons that shaped his career and his personal favorites – from influential books to memorable experiences. 02:25 Early Career and Influences 03:59 First Job and Professional Growth 09:03 Transition to Healthcare Leadership 14:30 Challenges and Tragedies at LifePoint 18:56 Joining Team Health 21:00 Reflections and Accomplishments 22:09 The Unforeseen Crisis 24:49 Reflecting on Mistakes 28:21 The Role of Faith in Leadership 30:15 Balancing Career and Personal Life 33:30 Leadership Qualities and Challenges 37:37 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • 08. From Private to Public to Non-Profit Visionary, With Van Ton-Quinlivan

    08. From Private to Public to Non-Profit Visionary, With Van Ton-Quinlivan
    Sep 25 2024
    In this episode of The Backstory, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health, for a wide-ranging conversation on workforce development and leadership. Van takes us through her incredible journey, starting with her escape from the Vietnam war and growing up in Hawaii, and into her career that has spanned education, government and healthcare. She highlights the art of building coalitions, the importance of lifelong learning and the power of unlocking doors for others. To top it off, the episode wraps with a fast-paced lightning round, where Van shares personal habits, new projects and sharp advice for future leaders. 01:13 Van's Podcast: Workforce Rx 05:54 Career Beginnings and Mentorship 09:39 Workforce Development at Pacific Gas &Electric 12:52 Public Sector Leadership and Workforce Initiatives 15:57 Founding Futuro Health 18:50 The Highs & Lows of Futuro Health 20:39 Leadership Insights and Personal Reflections 24:27 Family and Work-Life Balance 33:05 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • 07. From Appalachian Roots to Rural Healthcare Champion, with Joann Anderson

    07. From Appalachian Roots to Rural Healthcare Champion, with Joann Anderson
    Sep 11 2024
    In episode 7 of the Backstory, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Joanne Anderson, a 45-year veteran in healthcare leadership and a relentless advocate for rural healthcare. Anderson shares her journey from growing up in forest of rural Kentucky to becoming a bedside nurse. She describes her rapid ascent through the ranks of major healthcare organizations like Humana and HCA, eventually becoming President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern. Anderson reflects on her roots and the influence of the Frontier Nursing Service, which ignited her passion for healthcare. She discusses key leadership lessons, the importance of resilience, community engagement, and the values instilled in her by her family. These lessons came into play during a devastating fire at her organization’s cancer center and, later, as she guided Southeastern through the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation wraps up with a lightning round of personal insights, revealing Anderson's favorite books, athletes, and recent endeavors in the culinary world. Join in for an enriching conversation filled with wisdom on effective leadership and the relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence in rural communities. 02:11 Early Life in Rural Kentucky 05:38 First Job as Switchboard Operator and Early Career Influences 07:41 Lessons in Leadership and Communication 13:03 Rapid Rise in Healthcare Leadership 20:25 Executive Team Decisions 22:04 Relocating for Career Growth 24:44 Proud Achievements and Challenges 29:49 Balancing Family and Career 33:15 Effective Leadership Traits 34:31 Maintaining Personal Well-being 36:17 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins