Patients Come First

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Hugh Cline, MPAS, PA-C, NRP, a surgical physician assistant with the pediatric congenital heart surgery team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR). He joins us for a conversation about his full circle journey - he began life as a newborn at CHoR in need of extended intensive medical care and he now works with other families whose children are receiving that type...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ara Maranian, an interventional cardiologist at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas. He joins us for a conversation about his work, heart health, cardiac catheterization and STEMI procedures, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) (https://x.com/VirginiaHHA) or Instagram using...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Jessica Macalino, MSHA, President of the recently-opened Riverside Smithfield Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her path to healthcare, the undertaking of opening a new hospital, what it means for the community in terms of enhanced access to care and positive economic impact, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhh...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dave Dixon, PharmD, Chair of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and a Professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy. He joins us for a conversation about his professional path, the work of the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the recent launch of the Voices in Pharmacy Innovation Podcast, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ruth Felsen, Medical Director of Breast Surgery at CJW Medical Center. In recognition of World Cancer Day, she joins us for a conversation about the breast cancer continuum of care from risk assessment and screening through diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention strategies. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contac...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kelsey Salley, an endocrinologist who volunteers with the Health Brigade in Richmond through the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She joins us for a conversation about endocrinology as a specialty, her work and volunteerism, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or In...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia Health Catalyst Executive Director Victor McKenzie Jr. for a conversation about his professional journey and the organization’s policy priorities during the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session and beyond. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirs...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with scores of other bills impacting healthcare and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or con...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. David Bruno, a transplant surgeon and Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Under his leadership, Hume-Lee is achieving national firsts and reshaping transplant medicine through innovations like fully robotic living-donor liver transplantation, advanced options for patients with chronic pancreatitis, and a new lung transplant program. Send questions, c...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Anthony White, a hospital mechanic at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. In addition to his day job, White is also known for the colorful holiday murals he creates to brighten the halls and lift the spirits of patients and staff. This conversation covers his career, artistry, the impact of his work on the hospital community, and more. Send questions, comments, feedba...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features features Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Acute Care Market President for the Sentara Health Eastern Market. He joins us for a conversation about his work and professional journey, the Sentara’s CARES team, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using ...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Stacy Gradowski, Director of Business Development at the Michigan Health Council, who joins us for a conversation about health care workforce development, the ACEMAPP platform to support providers with clinical rotation planning and scheduling, partnering with VHHA Solutions, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or conta...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tucker Smith, a future physician and student at the VCU School of Medicine who moonlights as a high-flying acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, an international company of modern circus performers who delight and dazzle. Our conversation covers Tucker’s unique path to medicine as well as aerial acrobatics and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kim Penberthy, a clinical psychologist and professor at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Penberthy is a researcher, professor, and innovator who joins us for a conversation about her work, the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and tips for those impacted by it. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or conta...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kristin Anderson, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology at the University of Virginia, for a conversation about her research, her personal journey with cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her life and her work. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Chester Sharps, an orthopedic surgeon with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He’s with us to tell us about himself and his path to medicine, educate us about an innovative procedure known as vertebral body tethering, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #Patients...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Cooper, a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a healthcare entrepreneur. He joins us for a conversation about his new role as medical director of cardiovascular surgery at HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Center. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) o...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Martin O'Grady, Medical Director of the Trauma Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, for a conversation about the hospital recently earning a Provisional Level III Trauma Center Designation from the state, the work that went into that, and what that means for patient care. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contac...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Phlow Corp., a pioneering public benefit pharmaceutical company. Dr Edwards is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit scheduled for Nov. 5-7, 2025 in Hot Springs, VA. The conversation with Dr. Edwards covers his work as a clinician and entrepreneur, efforts to boost production of essent...