We’re so excited to announce our latest episode on More health Less Healthcare! This time, Peter Boland sits down with the amazing Julie Andrieni —an inspiring leader with not just one, but multiple hats at Houston Methodist. If you’re interested in what’s working on the frontlines of healthcare transformation, especially around physician leadership and population health, you’ll love this insightful conversation.

Here are 5 keys you’ll learn in this episode:

1.     The Power of Physician Buy-In

Julie Andrieni shares exactly how involving primary care physicians from the very beginning—and giving them a voice—can spark real culture change and transform results.

2.     Data Transparency & Trust

Discover how unblinded, transparent data (yes, everyone sees everyone’s results!) has built a level of trust that helps practices improve year after year.

3.     Real Financial Incentives

It’s not all about pride (but that matters too!). Julie Andrieni breaks down how their incentive structure rewards top performers and motivates everyone to strive for better quality care.

4.     Supporting the Whole Patient

Learn how Houston Methodist partners with community organizations—like food banks and even real estate agents—to address social needs that impact patient health.

5.     Patience, Persistence & Progress

The secret sauce? It’s a long game. Julie Andrini reveals how their best results came after years of steady improvement—and why having leadership’s support from day one is non-negotiable.

Fun fact from the episode:                                                                                                                                                                                

When Houston Methodist started sharing performance data transparently at practice meetings, the initial reaction from docs was, “The data isn’t right!” But after personally sitting down to review the numbers, what did they find? The data was right—and friendly competition (with trophies and honor rolls!) went through the roof.

Julia Andrieni, MD is the Senior Vice President of Population Health and Primary Care at Houston Methodist. She is a physician executive leader with national recognition for Value-Based Care with innovative patient care models improving quality and reducing costs at a system level. Her multi-disciplinary team at Houston Methodist is responsible for over 100,000 Medicare lives and over 50,000 commercial lives. Dr. Andrieni is the Founder and CEO and President of Houston Methodist Coordinated Care (HMCC)  Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in collaboration with over 350 Primary Care providers. In 2024, HMCC ACO ranked #1 nationally for Academic Medical Center ACOs for total Savings Per Patient. HMCC ACO is also in the Top 2% nationally (476 ACOs) for Medicare Shared Savings Programs for both Quality Performance and Earned Savings. For the past 9 years, HMCC ACO has sustained 90th percentile quality performance and earned savings while taking financial risk. In 2024 and 2025, Pearl Health recognized Dr. Andrieni as one of the Top 50 Value-Based Thinkers.

We’re excited to announce that Part 3 of our podcast series is now live! In this episode, Peter Boland brings us a whirlwind tour of best practices, lessons, and case studies from some of the most forward-thinking healthcare organizations across the country.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Mission & Values Matter: Discover why having strong mission and value statements is essential for driving strategy, guiding investments, and sustaining long-term commitment. Peter Bolland dives into the importance of figuring out: are you all in, or just testing the waters?

2. Collaboration Is Non-Negotiable: Unpack how cross-cultural and cross-sector partnerships are absolutely necessary for success. No one comes to the table with a perfect record, but working together is the only way forward.

3. The Challenge of Power Sharing: Find out why sharing power between healthcare professionals, executives, and the community isn’t just nice—it’s crucial. Peter Bolland gives real-talk on why it’s one of the hardest shifts for any organization.

4. Listening to the Patient & Community Voice: Learn the art (and importance!) of deep listening—not just checking a box. Systems can only be improved when both patient and community perspectives are truly heard and valued.

5. The Pivotal Role of CHWs & Cultural Health Navigators: Get inspired by stories of Community Health Workers and Cultural Health Navigators who bridge the gap, build trust, and drive health equity—often standing shoulder to shoulder with doctors and nurses in shaping healthier communities.

Fun Fact: Did you know that at University Hospital in Kansas City, this whole movement started with just a little card table by the hospital entrance? That’s right! From those humble beginnings, their team of Cultural Health Navigators has grown, becoming an absolutely key asset, especially for serving immigrant and refugee populations.

Today's Guest is Jan Ruma, Senior Advisor at the Pathways Community HUB Institute, is a leader in community health innovation and experienced at facilitating and resourcing outcome-oriented community partnerships to measurably improve health status. Jan has firsthand experience implementing and sustaining community care hubs and contracting with payers utilizing the Pathways Community HUB Institute® Model (PCHI® Model). Jan provides guidance on all aspects of developing, implementing, and sustaining a community care hub, including partnership, fund, and community resource development; governance; payer contracting; addressing health related social needs; defining populations of focus; operations; and the value proposition.

Discover how the Pathways Community Help Institute is transforming health equity with a practical, outcomes-driven approach. Learn the essential elements that make the Pathways model a powerful tool for addressing complex health and social needs in communities.

• What the Pathways model is and how it simplifies access to health and social services
• The role of community health workers (CHWs) and why they're central to success
• How risk factors and pathways are tracked and measured for real results
• The funding, structure, and technology needed to launch a successful community hub
• The tangible return on investment (ROI) and long-term impact seen from this model

Discover the latest episode of More Health, Less Healthcare with Peter Boland—a thought-provoking journey into the urgent distinction between health and healthcare. In this episode, Peter challenges long-held assumptions by spotlighting the disproportionate investment in sickness care versus health promotion, urging a cultural shift toward prevention and wellness.

Key highlights include:

• A candid look at the cultural and financial realities driving our healthcare “sickness industry.”
• Critical examination of why the U.S. lags behind other developed nations in social health outcomes.
• Real-world case studies and health equity initiatives that prove investing in preventive health saves lives and resources.
• Insights from Peter’s 45 years as a healthcare management consultant, addressing the legacy of cost containment, wage stagnation, and rising chronic conditions like obesity and hypertension.
• A call for courageous, long-term intervention at scale—backed by data and ethical imperatives—to reshape public health for the next generation.

Tune in as Peter asks the tough questions about profit-driven healthcare practices and explores intelligent, value-centered solutions. If you’re passionate about shifting the paradigm from “sickness care” to true health—and want practical, inspiring examples—this episode is a must-listen.

Join the conversation, reflect on what it means to truly “do no harm,” and be part of shaping a healthier future!

We’ve just dropped Part 2 of our latest video on Promote Profit Publish, hosted by Peter Boland—and trust us, this one’s packed with inspiring takeaways from some of the most innovative healthcare organizations across the country!

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, advocate, or just love learning about powerful systems change, this episode is a must-watch. Here’s what you’ll learn:

5 Keys You’ll Discover in This Episode:

1. Community-Centric Change: Find out how Presbyterian Health in Albuquerque flips the traditional model by making local councils THE trusted conveners, and how bottom-up collaboration creates more equitable communities.
2. Value-Based Care Done Right: Houston Methodist's blueprint for quality improvement, monthly physician meetings, and a $50 million rebate—proving great care really can pay off.
3. Systems Change at Scale: Dive into Common Spirit’s mind-blowing Total Health Roadmap, a masterclass in how you flip an entire organization (2,200 facilities!) to drive health outcomes countrywide.
4. Functional Medicine Innovations: See how Cleveland Clinic uses shared medical appointments for high-need diabetic patients, boosting outcomes and community peer support while cutting costs.
5. The Hidden Power of Health Literacy: Vanderbilt’s team takes on the health literacy crisis with a simple screening device—showing how understanding patients’ needs leads to better, safer care.

Fun Fact: Houston Methodist’s value-based care approach not only improved patient outcomes, but in just one year, it generated a $50 million rebate for the organization! Talk about healthy profits.

In Part One, Peter Boland unpacks the high points from the first third of the book, focusing on healthcare delivery systems, and spotlights innovative, purpose-driven organizations aiming to generate more health—not just treat sickness.

Here are 5 keys you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why Our System is Stuck (and How to Get Unstuck)
2. Discover the root causes behind America's sickness-focused healthcare spending—and the insanity of pouring 97% into treatment and only 3% into prevention.
3. How Boston Medical Center Transformed Patient Care
4. Learn the inside story of their pioneering food pantry, rooftop gardens, and true “patient first” philosophy (hint: they even teach families to cook healthy meals!).
5. Breaking the Cycle with Nationwide Children's
6. Find out how this pediatric hospital in Ohio took on the audacious goal to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty through housing, workforce, education, and economic initiatives.
7. The Power of Zero Defects at Cleveland Hospital
8. Hear how a creative “fractal management” system demanded everyone—yes, everyone—be accountable for perfect care, slashing errors and saving millions.
9. Why Collaboration is Everything
10. See how the best hospitals aren’t just treating patients—they’re partnering with local communities to share power and expertise, tailoring programs to real needs.

Fun Fact of the Episode:

Did you know the Boston Medical Center’s food pantry started in one doctor’s desk drawer? Today, it distributes over a million pounds of food per year and features rooftop gardens growing fresh produce for their patients!

Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation in this week’s Promote Profit Publish episode: “More Health, Less Healthcare” featuring Brenner Williams and host Peter Boland.

In this episode, Brenner pulls back the curtain on how social determinants of health (SDOH)—factors like food access, transportation, and financial stability—shape wellness outcomes far beyond the doctor’s office. Together, Brenner and Peter break down how proactive, data-driven strategies can empower employers, health plans, and entire communities to create real change.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why quantifying social risk unlocks smarter resource allocation and cost savings.
• How an “analyze first” mindset redefines the way organizations act on data.
• Ways self-insured employers use social risk data to build benefits that truly meet people’s needs.
• A behind-the-scenes look at Socially Determined’s Socialscape platform and how it visualizes community risk in powerful new ways.
• Why evidence and integration are essential for sustainable health innovations.

Bonus insight:

You’ll also hear how Brenner’s early experiences during the dot-com boom—and even a failed startup—shaped his forward-thinking approach to healthcare technology today.

Tune in and be inspired to rethink what health really means. Whether you’re leading a business, managing a health plan, or simply passionate about innovation, this episode will leave you ready to measure smarter, act faster, and invest more wisely in better health for all.

Dr. Williams is a family physician, entrepreneur, former health system executive and consulting leader, and past founder and CEO of Clinovations, sold to the Advisory Board Company in 2014. In 2017, Dr. Williams co-founded Socially Determined to create an analytics platform that integrates the social determinants of health with clinical and claims data to quantify and visualize social risk and the specific impacts on health and healthcare outcomes. Dr. Williams’ unique perspective is formed at the intersection of healthcare and technology. He has an extensive understanding and knowledge in the implementation of healthcare technology, health plan market growth, and SDOH strategy development for leading healthcare stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and received his Medical Doctorate from Marshall University.

This episode of More Health, Less Healthcare explores how University Hospital in Kansas City is breaking barriers to health equity through innovative, on-the-ground programs that truly meet patients where they are.LinkedIn-Newsletter.docx​

Hosted by Peter Boland, with guests Gabriella Gardner, Director of Language Assistance, and Deborah Sisco, Manager of Patient Advocacy and Engagement, the conversation spotlights a powerful new hybrid role: cultural health navigators who go far beyond language interpretation to guide immigrant, refugee, and limited English proficiency patients through every step of their care. You’ll hear real stories about how understanding social determinants of health, using Plan-Study-Do-Act cycles to “fail forward,” and adapting approaches to sensitive conversations are transforming experiences across multiple clinics.

Listeners will also learn the three essential traits every cultural health navigator needs—lived experience, cultural humility, and a passion for advocacy—and why these qualities are critical in communities where more than 200 languages are spoken each year. The episode closes with an inspiring look at their emerging arts and loneliness initiative, revealing how holistic care can extend far beyond medicine to create connection, trust, and lasting impact.

Deb Sisco is the Manager of Patient Advocacy and Engagement for University Health, Kansas City’s Safety Net Hospital and the teaching hospital for the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Deb holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. She spent 25 years in the field of education, serving first as a teacher of children with behavior disorders and emotional disturbances, then as an alternative school principal. During her career in St. Joseph, MO. Deb was named Teacher of the Year, the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders Educator of the Year, and received honors from the Buchanan County Juvenile office as well as being named one of “20 Who Count” by the St. Joseph News Press.

Deb began a second career at University Health concentrating her efforts on managing special projects throughout the organization that elevate the voice of the patient and inspire compassionate, patient centered care. She manages the processes for screening and assisting patients with the Social Drivers of Health and leads the effort to elevate the voice of the patients and their families through the creation and management of a Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Gabriella Gardner is the Director of Language Access, Multicultural Health Navigation and One World Pantry at University Health. She is a professional linguist with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field as an administrator, interpreter, translator and instructor. Gabriella studied Language and Literature at Arizona State University and at Université Catholique de Lille in France. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and is an American Essential Hospitals Fellow. She is also a graduate of the first Truman Medical Centers Executive Fellowship program where she received a UMKC-Cerner Certificate for Healthcare Leadership from the Bloch School of Management. Gabriella is known for implementing high quality services and programs in multicultural healthcare environments to reduce health disparities and ensure equal access to healthcare for diverse populations. Gabriella Gardner, MBA | Director of Language Access, Multicultural Health Navigation and One World Pantry

gabriella.gardner@uhkc.org

University Health | Truman Medical Center

This episode of the “More Health, Less Healthcare” podcast features host Peter Boland in conversation with Ann Somers Hogg, Director of Health Research at the Christensen Institute, for a lively, practical look at what real innovation in healthcare takes—and why even good leaders often struggle to make it happen.

Listeners will hear how the Christensen Institute applies Clay Christensen’s innovation theories to healthcare, the core components of business model theory, and why the “Innovator’s Dilemma” keeps successful organizations from disrupting themselves when it matters most. Summers walks through a six-question test to assess whether an idea is truly disruptive, illustrates why business models—not technology alone—drive meaningful change, and shares examples like MinuteClinic to show how “good enough” solutions can transform access and convenience. The episode closes with cautious optimism about the role of generative AI in supporting clinicians and mental health through augmentation rather than replacement, offering leaders concrete ways to rethink innovation and make care better, not just more expensive.

Ann Somers is the director of health care research at the Clayton Christensen Institute where her research focuses on the structural pathways to improve health. This includes business model design, leadership approaches, customer orientation, and innovation strategy.

Prior to joining the Institute, Ann Somers worked for Atrium Health (now Advocate Health), where she served as the AVP of Strategy and Transformation. She started her career in consulting at Oliver Wyman, working to develop value-based care strategies for large payers.

Ann Somers holds an MSPH in Health Policy and Management from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two children.

Discover how Presbyterian Health in New Mexico is putting community priorities at the center of its health equity work. In this episode, Leigh Caswell shares practical insights on scaling programs, leveraging partnerships, and tracking real community impact.

• The unique “incubator” approach to developing and scaling community health initiatives
• How behavioral health became a cornerstone priority based on community data
• Defining and measuring “community health” across diverse populations and counties
• Funding strategies, sustainability challenges, and lessons learned on managing grants
• Looking ahead: plans for scaling, sustaining programs, and deepening community engagement

Tune in for real-world examples and actionable strategies to drive healthier communities beyond hospital walls.

Leigh Caswell serves as Vice President of Community and Health Equity with Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS). 

Leigh coordinates and directs initiatives, strategy, and operations that support the community health priorities and health equity strategy of the largest non-profit, integrated health system in New Mexico. This work includes systems change initiatives, building programs, convening cross sector partnerships and leveraging grant and private funds for greater collective impact on barriers to health in communities across the state.

Leigh has a B.S. in Environmental Health from Colorado State University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of New Mexico.

Today's episode feature Peter Boland and Dave Chase, CEO of Health Rosetta. This is a truly eye-opening conversation that dives deep into the crisis of healthcare costs, innovative solutions, and what organizations can actually do to create real change.

5 Keys You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Healthcare Has “Killed the American Dream”
2. Dave Chase makes a bold claim about the impact of rising health costs on the middle class—and backs it up with surprising data and insights.
3. The Health Rosetta Dividend—What Is It and How Big Can It Get?
4. Discover how some companies are saving up to 60% on healthcare, using those savings for college scholarships, daycare, solar, and much more.
5. How to Take Action as an Employer
6. Dave Chase breaks down the first steps any organization should take to radically cut costs and improve employee benefits—including contract reviews and “advanced primary care.”
7. Inside the Plan Grader Tool
8. Ever wonder how your company’s health plan stacks up? Dave Chase explains the Plan Grader, a scoring system with actionable diagnostics to transform your approach to benefits.
9. The Legal Wake-Up Call for Employers
10. Boards and executives are now directly liable for poor fiduciary stewardship. Learn how recent lawsuits and government action mean it’s time to get serious about healthcare dollars.

Fun Fact from the Episode:

Did you know a tiny Bic pen has 55,000 Amazon reviews, while healthcare plans—which represent 20% of the economy—rarely get an objective value “grade”? This wild discrepancy inspired Health Rosetta’s Plan Grader!

Ready to Make Healthcare Uncomplicated?

If you’ve ever felt stuck with rising premiums and confusing insurance processes, this episode is a must-listen. Dave Chase and Peter Boland break down complex issues in a super approachable way—with real stories and actionable solutions.

Dave Chase is the CEO and co-founder of Health Rosetta, a public benefit corporation dedicated to transforming healthcare through community-driven solutions, and Board Chair of Nautilus Health Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing open-source healthcare resources. He leads a national network of over 250 Health Rosetta Advisors who serve more than five million Americans, demonstrating that healthcare can be delivered with 20-50% cost reductions while improving benefits.

Before founding Health Rosetta in 2017, Dave worked as a revenue cycle consultant helping hospitals maximize billing. His path to healthcare reform advocacy came after losing a close friend to preventable medical system failures—an experience that transformed his career trajectory and fueled his commitment to fixing a broken system.

Dave played an instrumental role in securing healthcare benefits provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, particularly around broker compensation transparency and gag clause bans. He is the author of "CEO's Guide to Restoring the American Dream" and is currently working on "Relocalizing Health," a book focused on Community-Owned Health Plans as alternatives to traditional insurance models.

As a TED speaker and host of the "Relocalizing Health" podcast, Dave champions the principle that healthcare should serve communities rather than extract wealth from them. He draws inspiration from successful cooperative models like Rural Electric Cooperatives to demonstrate how communities can take control of their healthcare destiny. When not working to transform healthcare, Dave coaches high school cross country and track & field athletes to reach their full potential which has included state and national championships.

We’re back with an inspiring episode you won’t want to miss! This week, Peter Boland sits down with Nick Jones, Vice President of Community Wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, for a deep dive into how housing and health are more connected than you think.

5 Keys You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Housing is Healthcare: Discover why affordable housing is truly a foundational strategy for improving population health—right from the experts making it happen.
2. The 5-Pronged Approach: Get the inside scoop on Nationwide Children’s “Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families” initiative and its five core areas: housing, economic development, wellness, education, and community enrichment.
3. How to Build a Capital Stack: Learn what it takes to fund big-impact affordable housing—and how assembling the right partners (and a lot of trust) makes it possible.
4. Whole-Person, Whole-Family Care: See how wraparound services and “no wrong door” entry points are changing outcomes for families—keeping kids healthy at home, at school, and in their neighborhoods.
5. Measuring Real Results: Hear about the concrete outcomes this initiative has achieved, including higher graduation rates, increased kindergarten readiness, and millions returned to the community through tax prep assistance.

Fun Fact from the Episode: Did you know that Nationwide Children’s Hospital has helped return over $5 million to the local community just through its free tax preparation program? Talk about putting money where their mission is!

Wrapping Up This episode is packed with actionable insights if you want to help communities thrive, drive lasting change, or just get inspired by what’s possible when hospitals go “all in” on health equity. Peter Bolland and Nick Jones make a fantastic team, sharing lessons and stories that will keep you energized about your own work!

Call to Action Don’t miss out—tune in to this episode and share it with a friend who cares about healthier futures. And if you’re feeling inspired, let us know what community innovation you’d like to hear about next!

Listen now and keep making good trouble!

P.S. If this episode sparked questions or ideas, hit reply—we love hearing from you

We’ve just dropped a brand-new episode featuring an inspiring conversation with Dr. Mualik Josie, CEO of Meritus Health, hosted by Peter Boland. Trust us—you won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at the real work driving health equity and building healthier communities. Whether you’re in healthcare or just curious about innovative leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom!

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

• Turning Vision Into Reality: Discover how Dr. Mualik Josie helped launch Maryland’s first new medical school in over 130 years—and why he believes investing upstream in education pays off for community health.
• Crisis as Opportunity: Hear how Meritus Health leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic to deepen its commitment to community service, from drive-thru testing to free vaccinations and antibody treatments.
• Innovating for Equity: Learn why the Lead Council, health equity dashboards, and stratified data projects are game changers for addressing healthcare disparities.
• Social Determinants of Health in Action: Get inspired by practical solutions to loneliness, transportation, and food insecurity—plus hear about the “Care Caller” program, free van rides, and food pharmacies!
• Aligning Mission and Margin: Find out how Dr. Josie balances sustainability with bold investments, proving that money can follow when the focus is on quality and access for all.

Fun Fact:

Dr. Mualik Josie personally volunteers in Meritus Health’s “Care Caller” program, making weekly calls to uplift community members who feel lonely. One of his regulars recently turned 100—and he showed up to her birthday party with flowers!

Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., is the President and CEO of Meritus Health, Inc. Meritus Health, Inc. includes Meritus Medical Center (MMC), the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM), and Brook Lane. The mission of Meritus Health is to improve the health of the community by providing the best healthcare, health services, and medical education.

Meritus Health is an academic health system and serves as an anchor for the region with over 4,300 employees. MMC includes a 327-bed medical center, the 250-plus provider Meritus Medical Group, 65-bed Brook Lane Psychiatric hospital, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and 25% ownership of Maryland Physicians Care, a 210,000 Medicaid member health plan. MSOM is the first new medical school in Maryland in over 100 years and started its first class of 90 medical school students in 2025. Meritus Medical Center serves over 200,000 people in Western Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

Previously, Maulik was the COO and Executive Vice President at the Anne Arundel Health System (AAHS). Prior to AAHS, Maulik was at the American Hospital Association as Associate Executive Vice President and President of the Health Research and Educational Trust. Maulik has also worked at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and The HMO Group. 

Maulik has a Doctorate in Public Health and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. He was Editor-in-Chief for the Journal for Healthcare Quality. He also co-edited The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy and Tools (5th edition published in 2022) and coauthored Healthcare Transformation: A Guide for the Hospital Board Member (2nd edition published in 2024) and Leading Healthcare Transformation: A Primer for Physician Leaders (2nd edition published in 2023). Maulik has authored a combination of over fifty peer-reviewed articles, commentaries, and perspectives. Maulik is adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in the Department of Health Management & Policy, where he teaches annually and professor at MSOM.

We’ve got a truly special episode out today on the Promote Profit Publish channel! This time, Peter Boland sits down with economist and author Troy Tassier, whose book The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus has everyone talking—about pandemic fallout, social policy, and our collective future.

Whether you love big ideas about economics or just want to understand what REALLY happened during COVID, this episode is for you.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How social networks shape health outcomes – Troy Tassier explains the surprising influence of everyday connections on who gets sick and why.
• The pandemic wasn’t “the great equalizer” – We break down why COVID impacted communities so differently, and how economics and public health overlap.
• Individual choices vs. collective risk – Understand how one person’s actions (or dinner parties) can ripple out and affect the health of an entire society.
• Lessons for the next pandemic – Troy Tassier gets real about whether we’re doomed to repeat our mistakes and what it will take to avoid another disaster.
• Why social infrastructure matters – Discover why investing in healthcare access and social safety nets could inoculate us—literally and figuratively—against future crises.

Fun Fact:

Did you know the most important people to vaccinate during a hospital outbreak might not be doctors or nurses, but receptionists? According to Troy Tassier’s research, receptionists sit at the center of a hospital’s social network—interacting with everyone from patients to food service staff—making them crucial for stopping the spread. Who knew?

Troy Tassier, Ph.D., is a professor of economics at Fordham University and the author of The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks as well as the weekly Substack newsletter, At the Margin.

We’re back with a brand new episode of the “More Health, Less Healthcare” podcast! This week, Peter Boland brings the heat (and plenty of food for thought) as he digs into the BIG questions left in the wake of COVID-19—and why health equity is the conversation we can’t afford to ignore.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• The Real Lessons of COVID: Why we need to talk (and keep talking!) about what went right, what went wrong, and what it means for our choices moving forward.
• The Heroes Amidst the Havoc: How frontline healthcare workers and essential service folks truly kept the world spinning—and why they deserve more than just a round of applause.
• The Truth About Our Healthcare System: Peter Boland breaks down why our “sickness care” model is stalled out—and how it’s impacting not just today, but the prosperity of future generations.
• What Health Equity Really Means: Discover how tackling health disparities isn’t just about being “fair”—it’s about saving billions, boosting community health, and even shoring up national security.
• Hope & Real Solutions: Yes, it sounds tough, but there are organizations and communities leading the way with equity-aligned models that work. Get inspired by what’s already possible!

Fun Fact:

Did you know Peter Boland points out that, unlike other countries, the U.S. still hasn’t had a true national conversation about the good, the bad, and the lasting lessons of the pandemic? Talk about an important dinner table topic!

Thanks for tuning in and being part of this important dialogue. This episode isn’t just about what’s broken—it’s about the real steps we can all take to generate more health (and less sickness) for everyone.

We’re excited to announce the release of our newest episode, hosted by Peter Boland, where we explore Hawaii’s statewide initiative for equity and wellness. This isn't just another case study—it’s a deep dive into the challenges, traditions, and community values that shape the future of Hawaii and offer lessons for us all. So grab your headphones or settle in with your favorite tropical drink—this is an episode worth savoring!

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

• The Power of Transparency, Trust & Collaboration: Discover why these pillars are vital for achieving equity and building mutual accountability across Hawaii's diverse communities.
• Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Learn how respecting cultural traditions builds trust and leads to better outcomes in health institutions.
• Community-Driven Change: See how local leaders and anchor institutions can accelerate big changes across islands—and how partnership is the real secret sauce.
• The Deep Connection Between Water and Community: Find out why the question “Who owns water?” is key to Hawaii’s sustainability—and how water conservation could shape the islands’ future.
• Equity as a Way of Life: Hear how Hawaiian culture weaves equity, stewardship, and compassion into daily life, making health and prosperity truly sustainable.
• 
  

Fun Fact:

Did you know Hawaii is ranked #1 nationally for access to care and quality of health—but still faces major health challenges? The state’s unique history guaranteed full healthcare coverage when it joined the US, boosting its scores

We just dropped a fresh episode you won’t want to miss! This week, Peter Boland spotlights the groundbreaking work at Boston Medical Center (BMC)—a national leader in social care and health equity. If you think hospitals are just about prescriptions and checkups, think again! BMC is rewriting the playbook for what community healthcare can be.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• Food as Medicine: Learn how a simple food pantry sparked a full-fledged movement—BMC now distributes over a million pounds of healthy food each year and even grows fresh produce on its rooftop farm.
• Whole-Family Care: See how real health care means supporting the entire family, from free cooking classes for moms like Martha to programs that boost kids’ health and well-being.
• Connecting Social Needs to Medical Care: Explore how the Thrive Screener helps patients get assistance with housing, food, and even legal aid—right from their clinic visit.
• Empowering Clinicians & Leaders: Get practical takeaways for doctors and health leaders on how to make equity an everyday practice, not just a mission statement.
• Transforming Communities: Discover how hospitals can work hand-in-hand with local neighborhoods to create affordable housing, good jobs, and lasting change—not just patch up problems in the ER.
• 
  

Fun Fact:

BMC’s first “food program” was literally a few cans of vegetables tucked in a doctor’s desk drawer. Fast-forward a few years, and they now run a 2,700-square-foot rooftop farm and the nation’s first hospital teaching kitchen. Talk about a major “grow up” story!

Would you like me to adapt this version for a social media caption or podcast show notes format next?

We’re excited to share our latest episode from More Health, Less Healthcare , and this is one you don’t want to miss. We had the absolute pleasure of hosting the award-winning journalist and senior Bloomberg News editor, Jason Gale, who’s here to talk about his new book, “After COVID: Health Impacts That Last Generations.”

In this first part of our two-part series, Peter Boland and Jason Gale dive deep into the generational consequences of COVID, exploring how the story isn’t just about the acute crisis, but the long tail — Long COVID and its ripple effects on health systems and everyday lives.

Here are 5 key takeaways you’ll learn from this episode:

1.     Long COVID is a Global Challenge: No country has truly “solved” the Long COVID problem. Most health systems, from the US to Australia, are struggling to provide coordinated, effective care (Peter Boland, Jackie Lapin, and Jason Gale agree—patients are often left being their own care quarterbacks!).

2.     The Data We Don’t See: While dashboards during the pandemic tracked deaths and hospitalizations, we’re behind on tracking long-term disability, organ damage, and chronic symptoms — the “hidden pandemic” that continues for millions (Peter Boland).

3.     Mental Health & Misunderstanding: Long COVID has significant behavioral and psychiatric impacts. Many patients are wrongly told “it’s all in your head”—even though the data says otherwise!

4.     Staggering Numbers: Recent CDC estimates suggest about 7% of US adults (that’s around 18-19 million people!) may be living with Long COVID. And that number can fluctuate as definitions of Long COVID evolve.

5.     Vaccines Help, But Aren’t a Cure-All: Vaccination reduces the risk of developing Long COVID, but it’s not a silver bullet. Preventing infection remains crucial, and even vaccinated folks can experience persistent symptoms.

Fun Fact from the Episode:

Did you know some of the most insightful research about COVID’s lingering effects comes from the US Veterans Affairs Health System? Jason Gale mentions how scientists like Ziyad Al-Ali are digging through VA databases to uncover links between COVID and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems—sometimes even years after infection!

We’re excited to announce the release of Part 2 of our conversation with Jason Gale on the More Health, Less Healthcare podcast! This episode is packed with honest insights, global perspectives, and a healthy dose of optimism for tackling the chronic aftermath of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Introduction

In this episode, Peter Boland welcomes back Jason Gale, a Bloomberg News journalist with decades of experience in pandemic preparedness. Together, they dive into the controversial and often overlooked realities of Long COVID, chronic illness, and how we can build better systems (and trust!) for the future.

5 Keys You’ll Learn:

1.     Who’s Been Seen—and Who’s Been Invisible: Discover how essential workers, nursing home residents, and communities with health inequalities were disproportionately impacted, and why chronic illness still flies under the radar.

2.     Why Chronic Conditions Remain in the Shadows: Learn the surprising reasons chronic care doesn’t get the funding, media, or public interest it deserves—even as it grows.

3.     The Importance of Trust in Public Health: See how fractured trust in institutions and science became a major roadblock, and explore inspiring examples from Denmark and grassroots messengers.

4.     Lessons from Around the World: What did other countries do right? Understand Jason’s take on countries like South Korea, Denmark, and Vietnam, and why separating politics from science matters.

5.     What’s Next? Preparing for Future Pandemics: Hear Jason’s candid thoughts on why another pandemic is inevitable—and what actionable steps we can take to respond smarter, measure chronic impacts, and build unified, consistent public health funding.

Fun Fact from the Episode

Did you know the trusted messenger for health information might be your hair salon—not your clinic? Peter Boland and Jason Gale discuss how trust can be found in unexpected places, and how grassroots communication makes all the difference!

We’re excited to share a brand new episode of "More Health, Less Healthcare" with you! This week, host Peter Boland sits down with two incredible voices from the SIREN group: Andy Quiñones-Rivera and Danielle Hessler Jones. If you care about what makes social care truly effective (it’s more than just paperwork), this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Sneak Peek: What You’ll Learn

We packed this episode with actionable insights—here are 5 keys you’ll take away:

1. The True Mission of SIREN
2. SIREN stands for Social Intervention Research Evaluation Network—get the inside scoop on how they’re reshaping the way we think about social determinants of health.
3. It’s Not Just the Data—It’s the Interaction
4. Andy Quiñones-Rivera shares why the way social needs screenings are conducted can be as important—sometimes more important—than what’s actually asked.
5. Patient Experience: More Than a Number
6. Diving into real patient interviews, you’ll hear what makes social care a positive or negative experience, and why just checking a box isn’t enough.
7. Racism and Stigma in Social Care
8. The team bravely discusses how issues of race and stigma shape patient trust and engagement, with powerful patient quotes to bring these realities to life.
9. New Tools for Real Change
10. Danielle Hessler Jones unveils a new patient experience measure—designed not just to count how many screenings happen, but to help improve the quality of care across the board.

Fun Fact from the Episode!

Even when patients received material help (like a referral or resource), many said the feeling of the interaction—whether they were listened to, respected, and approached with cultural sensitivity—sometimes mattered even more than the help itself!

Listen & Be Inspired

This conversation is a reminder: social care is not about ticking boxes, but about making real, human connections that have the power to heal and build trust. Whether you’re a healthcare pro, patient, or just passionate about health equity, you’ll come away with practical ideas on how to make a difference.

Your Turn!

Ready to dive deeper? 🎧 Check out the episode and explore the full slide deck available in our show notes for even more insight. After listening, reply to this email and let us know your biggest takeaway—or tell us how YOU think we can improve social care!

Dr. Andy Quiñones-Rivera is an emergency medicine physician and the Medical Director of Acute Care Outcomes at Alameda Health System. Their work is focused on health care quality, population health, and social determinants of health. Dr. Quiñones-Rivera earned their medical degree from the UCSF School of Medicine (UCSF PRIME-US) and completed their emergency medicine residency at the Los Angeles County–University of Southern California Medical Center. 

Dr. Hessler Jones is co-Director of the Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network (SIREN) and a Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research focuses on social care delivery in the health care sector; including understanding the impact and implementation of programs aimed at screening and addressing social risks alongside programs that seek to adjust care to fit an individual’s social context. As a health psychologist Dr. Hessler Jones also brings experience in health behaviors and engagement and intersections with mental health.

We’ve just dropped a brand new episode you won’t want to miss: “More Health, Less Healthcare: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Part 2.” Hosted by Peter Boland, this episode dives deep into what happens after a health plan truly listens to its community—and why good intentions alone might not bend the cost curve for everyday families.

🌟 Here are 5 keys you’ll learn in this episode:

1.     The Power of Real Listening: Why Blue Cross MA sat down with factory workers, teachers, union stewards, and more—and what they discovered that actuarial tables miss.

2.     Beyond “Business as Usual”: How Dr. Tom Hawkins is using data (and heart) to pinpoint and close health gaps, and why insurance data just isn’t enough.

3.     Equity vs. Cost: The surprising truth about why plan premiums keep rising even as equity programs get stronger—and what needs to change for both to win.

4.     Partnerships that Work: How cross-sector collaboration (health plans, employers, hospitals, civic groups, community members) could transform the whole equation.

5.     The Moral (and Financial) Equation: Why doing the right thing for the right reason isn’t enough if the price isn’t right, and how to realign dollars and ethics for true impact.

🎉 Fun Fact from the Episode:

Did you know the community voices—teachers holding off on prescriptions, single moms managing on the edge, and union stewards juggling bills—aren’t just “data points”? Peter Boland reveals they’re the “focus group” shaping the Health Care Handbook! Their lived experiences are at the heart of real health solutions.

We're excited to share the latest episode of "More Health, Less Healthcare," where Peter Boland dives deep into the powerful (and complicated!) story of how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota turned tobacco lawsuit money into community transformation. This one really asks the big question: Are health insurers doing enough to change the game, or is it just a smarter form of PR?

 5 Keys You'll Learn in This Episode

1. The Historic Lawsuit Rewind

• Learn how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota used a $241 million tobacco settlement to launch the Center for Prevention and make a real impact in communities.

1. What Real Systems Change Looks Like

• See how moving beyond one-off projects toward policy, systems, and environmental change isn’t just about “good optics,” but about changing the rules of the game itself.

1. How a Health Plan Can Target Equity

• Find out what “targeted universalism” means—and how it drives focused investments in the communities hit hardest by health inequities.

1. If It’s All Enough

• Join Speaker A in the debate: Is this deep, structural-impact work, or are there limits when a health plan is still rooted in an extractive profit model?

1. What the Next Chapter of Health Equity Could Be

• Get a glimpse of how benefit design (think premiums, co-pays, and real access) could become the make-or-break frontier for true equity.

 Fun Fact from the Episode

Did you know tobacco prevention in Minnesota isn’t just about banning ads or funding quitlines? The Center for Prevention even backed a huge youth campaign called "Behind the Haze" and worked to make bikes a core part of daily transportation for everyone—not just weekend warriors. That’s systems change in action! 

We just launched a powerful new episode of the More Health, Less healthcare podcast—and trust us, you don’t want to miss this one! Peter Boland takes us deep into the world of nonprofit healthcare to reveal the surprising contradictions that shape the system, using Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as a live case study.

If you’ve ever wondered why “nonprofit” doesn’t necessarily mean “mission accomplished,” this conversation will challenge your assumptions and spark new ideas about what true impact looks like in community health.

What You’ll Learn: The 5 Essential Keys

• The Nonprofit Paradox Explained – Discover why nonprofit health plans, even with noble intentions, often remain tied to a model that benefits more from illness than wellness.
• What Blue Cross North Carolina Is Doing Right – Explore inspiring real-world initiatives, from multimillion-dollar investments in housing and primary care to long-term commitments through foundation work.
• How Nonprofit Plans Could Level Up – Hear bold strategies for building lasting change, like integrating social health services directly into benefits rather than treating them as side projects.
• Bringing Community Voices Into the Boardroom – Learn how health organizations can shift power by including local voices in decision-making—and even offering board seats to those most affected by poor health.
• What Real Accountability Could Look Like – Understand what happens when executive incentives and public reporting align with tangible community health outcomes.

Fun Fact of the Episode 🥳

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina invested $10 million over ten years to help communities tackle the root causes of poor health—empowering residents to define what improvement truly means for them. That’s not just philanthropy; it’s community-driven innovation in action!

We’ve just dropped a brand new episode of More Health, Less Healthcare that zeroes in on a question at the heart of American healthcare: Can nonprofit health plans truly serve their communities while operating inside a system designed to profit from sickness?

This time, Speaker A breaks down the paradox, using Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as a case study and sharing actionable insights for boards, leaders, and anyone who cares about healthier communities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Here are 5 big takeaways listeners will scoop up this week:

1. The Nonprofit Paradox: Why nonprofit health plans are mission-driven on paper, but financially plugged into an extractive system.
2. What Blue Cross NC Gets Right: Community investments in food security, housing, and rural care—and why it’s still not enough.
3. How to Move from Charity to Core Strategy: The next steps nonprofits can take to tie community health directly to their business models.
4. Accountability Starts at the Top: How boards can rewrite the “scorecard” and link executive pay to real-world community health improvements.
5. Sharing Power for Real Change: Why giving up board seats and bringing in new voices is critical for mission-driven transformation.

Fun Fact from the Episode

Did you know that Speaker A suggests tying up to 30% of CEO and C-suite bonuses to measurable community health metrics—like increasing life expectancy or reducing food insecurity? That’s flipping incentives in a big way!

We’re thrilled to feature Arlene, acclaimed author and professor at the School of Public Health in Michigan, recently honored by the National Academy of Medicine for her groundbreaking discovery of “weathering.” In this powerful conversation, Arlene unpacks the toll that chronic social stressors and systemic injustice have on physical health, regardless of individual habits or genetics.

This week on More Health, Less Healthcare, Peter explored a concept that fundamentally reshapes how we think about health, equity, and the responsibilities of systems: Weathering.

What is Weathering?

Once you hear the term, you can’t unhear it. Weathering isn’t just about stress or burnout — it’s the biological and societal toll that chronic stress, racism, economic instability, and bureaucratic barriers take on the body, particularly for women, long before they enter a clinic or hospital. Over time, these stressors literally age organs, increase risk of diseases, and set the stage for complications — especially in pregnancy and birth.

Weathering is more than a buzzword — it’s a call for accountability. Will we keep treating symptoms, or redesign systems so that simply living and working isn’t biologically expensive?

Thank you for listening. We’ll be diving deeper into these issues in upcoming episodes. If this conversation resonates with you, let it spark new questions at your workplace, clinic, or community.

Welcome back to the More Health, Less Healthcare podcast! In Episode 29, Peter Boland delivers a compelling exploration of the fundamental flaws in our current health care system—and a roadmap for a healthier, more equitable future.

He challenges us all to consider: Can health care in America shift from profiting off sickness to truly creating value from health? Can leaders build systems that invest in the conditions for people to thrive?

“The real measure of success is whether people and communities are better off as a result of all our efforts.” — Peter Boland

Stay tuned for more transformative discussions and solutions as we continue our journey for More Health, Less Healthcare.

This week on More Health, Less Healthcare, Peter Boland shines a spotlight on a concept that rarely appears in our benefit dashboards but shapes the lives of our patients, members, and colleagues daily: weathering. What is Weathering?

As Peter Boland defines, weathering is what happens when people spend years inside systems—healthcare, employment, social services—that treat their bodies as expendable while blaming them for poor outcomes. It’s the cumulative, grinding effect of:

• Racism, sexism, and poverty
• Chronic stress and bureaucratic hurdles
• Unstable housing and low-wage work

You see it in the 35-year-old who looks 50, in the Medicaid member labeled ‘non-compliant’ after years of navigating prior authorizations. This isn’t just a sad coincidence. As Peter Boland reminds us, weathering is a product of how our systems are built and run.

This weekend, wherever you work, notice one place where your organization is weathering people—a policy, a denial pattern, even a tone of voice. In your next meeting, ask: What would it take to stop? Not to pilot around it or build a workaround, but to actually stop.

It’s an uncomfortable conversation, but one that matches the stories we say about equity and health.

If you’re having these conversations—or struggling to start—I’d love to hear from you. Forward this episode to someone who sits in the rooms where decisions are made.

Let’s move from “normal collateral damage” to “completely unacceptable.”

In this thought-provoking episode of Author Podcasts, Peter Boland introduces the "More Health, Less Healthcare" series by asking a bold question: What if our healthcare system isn't truly designed to create health, but rather to respond to illness? Using maternal health as a lens, Peter Boland explores the disconnect between what we claim to value and what our system actually delivers.

• A Shortage of Health, Not Medical Care: Despite leading the world in healthcare spending, the U.S. continues to struggle with outcomes in life expectancy, chronic disease, and especially maternal health.
• Maternal Health as a Mirror: Our approach to maternal health reveals what our society truly values and exposes gaps in investment and design.
• We Know What Works: Stable housing, nutritious food, consistent maternity care, mental health support, and reliable primary care are proven solutions, yet often treated as optional rather than essential.
• A System Built for Sickness: The U.S. pays generously for complications and crisis interventions, but invests only cautiously in prevention and early, continuous support.
• The Hidden Tax on Motherhood: Many costs and stresses facing mothers and families are embedded in how we design coverage and assign accountability—not just "bad luck," but predictable outcomes of the system.
• Changing Incentives Is Key: Real change requires revisiting payment models, benefit design, and the deep incentives embedded in our health care organizations.
• From Pilots to Practice: It's not enough to run small experiments—maternal health needs to be central to the mission, operations, and leadership accountability.

Peter Boland closes with an invitation: If we can’t organize our healthcare system around something as fundamental as maternal health, how can we claim to be serious about health in any other area?

In our latest episode of More Health, Less Healthcare, Peter Boland uncovers a crucial and often overlooked issue: the “hidden tax” on motherhood. Unlike the taxes you see on receipts, this one is paid in hospital bills, lost wages, and missed life chances — with the biggest burden falling on those who can least afford it.

These costs may be invisible, but their impact is real — affecting hospital bills, lost wages, long-term health, and community stability. As Peter points out at, the system’s shortcomings disproportionately affect families with fewer resources, stretching gaps in care into dangerous and expensive hazards.

We all pay the price for a failing maternal health system, but not equally. Whether you’re a healthcare leader, employer, or policymaker, Peter calls for leadership and accountability:

• Make maternal care essential
• Prioritize prevention in benefits and policies
• Track and address outcome disparities
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As Peter closes, the real question is whether we keep ignoring this hidden tax — or decide, as a community and society, to change it.