Core Conversations with Natalie Baggio

Core Conversations welcomes Moniica Woods, a certified surgical technologist at Corewell Health, for a conversation about the vital role surgical technologists play in patient care. Moniica shares how a personal loss inspired her career in healthcare, what it's like to work in the operating room, and how education, mentorship and innovative training programs are helping build the next generation of healthcare professionals. Discove...

How do physician residency programs help strengthen health care in Southwest Michigan? In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio sits down with Dr. Maddie Massa, an emergency medicine physician at Corewell Health, to discuss her journey from medical student to residency graduate and now faculty mentor. Dr. Massa shares why she chose to build her career in Southwest Michigan, the value of hands-on residency training, phy...

Corewell Health's Natalie Baggio sits down with Dr. Kourosh Baghelai, cardiothoracic surgeon, to discuss how Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan is providing nationally recognized heart care close to home. Dr. Baghelai shares what it takes to build a world-class cardiothoracic surgery program, the importance of teamwork in achieving exceptional patient outcomes and what it means for the program to earn the prestigious three-star ...

What does it take to change careers and become a nurse later in life?

On this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio sits down with Jeanine Bussa, a graduate of the Student Nurse Apprenticeship Program at Corewell Health. Jeanine shares how she pursued her lifelong dream of nursing at age 55 while balancing work, school and family. She discusses the support that helped her succeed, the i...

In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio sits down with ER nurse Gabby Stover to discuss her journey from growing up in Southwest Michigan to building a career caring for the community she calls home. Inspired by her parents, both ICU nurses, Gabby shares how Corewell Health's Student Nurse Apprentice Program gave her valuable hands-on experience and helped prepare her for a succes...

In this special episode of Core Conversations, the microphone is flipped as Corewell Health Southwest Michigan President Natalie Baggio answers some of the most common questions and misconceptions circulating throughout the community. From physician recruitment and appointment access to labor and delivery services, radiology wait times, and future investments in local health care, Natalie provi...

In the kickoff to Series 3 of Core Conversations, the mic is flipped as Sarah Cavanaugh sits down with Corewell Health President Natalie Baggio to discuss the future of health care careers in Southwest Michigan. Together, they explore how career pathway and pipeline programs are helping address workforce shortages by creating new opportunities for students, team members, and community memb...

In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio sits down with Dr. Max Schaefer of Corewell Health to discuss the growing need for accessible substance use treatment and the evolving field of addiction medicine across Southwest Michigan. Dr. Schaefer shares his personal journey into this work, the inspiration behind launching a dedicated substance use clinic, and how a compassionate, team-based approach is helping patients fr...

In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio sits down with Dr. Tom Birris, a gastroenterologist serving Southwest Michigan, for an informative discussion on digestive health, preventive screenings, and the growing importance of early colon cancer detection.

Dr. Birris shares why colon cancer screening now begins at age 45, discusses common symptoms that should prompt a conversation wi...

In this special episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio revisits meaningful conversations that highlight the power of compassionate care, quick action, and community-focused health care. From a patient's unexpected journey through emergency cardiac bypass surgery to stories showcasing life-saving interventions and teamwork, these moments demonstrate the impact health care professionals ha...

In this special episode of Core Conversations with Natalie Baggio, we look back at meaningful conversations with Corewell Health leaders about the future of health care, innovation, mentorship, and compassionate leadership. From AI and virtual medicine to developing the next generation of nurses and providers, these insights showcase the people and ideas shaping health care across Southwes...

General surgery is rapidly evolving in Southwest Michigan — and patients are seeing the impact. In this episode of Core Conversations with Natalie Baggio, Dr. Craig Klein shares how services ranging from hernia and breast surgery to trauma care, and how robotic-assisted technology is helping improve outcomes with smaller incisions, less pain, and shorter hospital stays.

Dr. Klei...

A newly redesigned behavioral health unit in St. Joseph is helping reshape the care experience for patients across Southwest Michigan—featuring natural light, comfort-centered design, and a more compassionate healing environment.

In this episode of Core Conversations, Dr. Sonia Motin shares the personal experiences that shaped her path in behavioral health and her commitment to helping patients feel seen, supported, and ...

Women’s health care is evolving in Southwest Michigan and it’s all about keeping care close to home.

In this episode of Core Conversations with Natalie Baggio, Women’s Services and OB Director Amy Knauf shares how her 26-year journey in nursing is shaping the future of care for moms and families in our community.

From meaningful birth stories to new innovations ...

Stroke care is closer than ever in Southwest Michigan - And that means more lives saved, closer to home.

In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio and Dr. Amrinder Singh discuss how Corewell Health’s Neurointerventional Program is delivering 24/7, advanced stroke care locally, helping patients recover faster while staying connected to the people and places they love.

Learn wha...

In this episode of Core Conversations, Natalie Baggio is joined by Dr. John Froggatt to highlight how Corewell Health is advancing cardiology care for the people of Southwest Michigan. From new treatments for irregular heart rhythms, to expanded access through additional specialists and leading-edge technology, this conversation showcases how heart care in our region is becoming more advan...

In this episode of Core Conversations with Natalie Baggio, Scott Nolte, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Corewell Health, discusses how rehabilitation care is becoming more accessible across Southwest Michigan. With new and expanded clinic locations, patients can more easily access the care they need—close to home.

From treatment for common back, shoulder, and knee pain to...

In this episode of Core Conversations, host Natalie Baggio talks with Connie Harmon, Chief Nursing Officer for Corewell Health in Watervliet. Connie shares her 40+ year journey in health care and discusses the services available locally, including cardiology care, outpatient surgery, lab and diagnostic testing, and the walk-in clinic, open seven days a week.

They also talk about Corewell Healt...

In this episode of Core Conversations, host Natalie Baggio sits down with Andrea Baumann, Senior Director of Inpatient Care Services for Corewell Health South, to talk about cancer care services available right here in Southwest Michigan. Andrea discusses the importance of prevention and screenings, how early detection improves outcomes, and the role primary care providers play in helping patie...