On this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, we're joined by Clara Blitch, Chief Human Resources Officer at Williamson Health, who returns to sharing the incredible journey of transforming a 60-year-old HR function into a modern, data-driven, people-first department, all without sacrificing the soul of the organization.

💡 Clara’s mission? Modernize every corner of HR, from payroll systems and compensation structures to leadership development and HR technology, while staying true to the values that make healthcare human.

🎙️ In this conversation with co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, you’ll hear:

🔹 How to lead digital transformation in HR
Clara walks us through the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from outdated systems like Meditech to cloud-based platforms like ADP Lyric, empowering HR to make data-informed decisions that drive impact.

🔹 Redefining the HR Business Partner model
Why Clara shifted from a traditional generalist structure to a strategic HRBP model that enhances leadership support, builds trust, and improves service delivery across Williamson Health.

🔹 Why empathy still matters in a digital age
As AI reshapes talent acquisition and HR service centers, Clara makes a powerful case for preserving human connection, arguing that no bot can replace real empathy, especially when employees face life’s most personal moments.

🔹 The “Ideal Team Player” framework in action
Clara reveals how she revitalized her HR team using Patrick Lencioni’s “Humble, Hungry, Smart” model, embedding these traits into hiring, performance evaluations, and leadership development.

🔹 Leadership development doesn’t have to be complicated
From book clubs to self-assessments, Clara’s refreshingly simple strategies make leadership growth accessible… and fun, for every level of the organization.

💬 Memorable quote:
“There’s a leadership lesson in everything. The key is staying self-aware and committed to your team’s success, even on the tough days.”

Whether you're leading transformation, building culture, or navigating change in your organization, Clara’s insights are a masterclass in how to modernize healthcare HR with heart, strategy, and bold leadership.

📍 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don’t forget to share this episode with your HR network.

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This week on The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo welcome Rhonda Hall, Chief Human Resources Officer for Southern California at Providence, to the mic. With a rich background in organizational development, change management, and performance excellence across highly regulated industries—from nuclear energy to healthcare—Rhonda brings a fresh, strategic lens to healthcare HR leadership.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧭 Why Words Matter in Workforce Culture
At Providence, all employees are referred to as caregivers—a conscious shift in language that builds identity, mission alignment, and a sense of belonging at every level.

📊 From Tactical to Strategic: The Evolution of the CHRO Role
Rhonda reflects on how the role of the CHRO has evolved from rule enforcer to systems thinker, change architect, and strategic advisor to the CEO. Her insight will inspire any HR leader preparing for the next step in their career.

🌟 Hire With Purpose, Coach With Consistency
Rhonda explains that behavior alignment starts at the point of hiring—bringing in people whose “why” aligns with your mission. From there, consistent coaching grounded in organizational values builds a culture that sustains itself.

🧠 Mentorship, Feedback & Self-Awareness
To get on a CHRO’s radar, Rhonda advises emerging leaders to bring thoughtful ideas, take initiative, and actively seek feedback from trusted advisors. She also shares why HR professionals must champion system alignment across hiring, goal-setting, and rewards.

🔥 Courage Over Chain of Command
In a bold take, Rhonda encourages HR professionals to break the old mold—don’t fear skip-level conversations. Leaders who block access to mentorship do more harm than good. If you can’t grow where you are, it might be time to move on.

💬 Quote to Remember:

"If you're the person taking care of the person who takes care of the patient—you are taking care of the patient."

If you’re an aspiring CHRO, mid-career HR pro, or just someone trying to lead with more purpose and alignment, this episode is a masterclass in healthcare HR leadership.

📱 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

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Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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In this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan welcome back Alyson Parker Gordon, now serving as Vice President of HR Shared Services at AdventHealth. Alyson brings fresh perspective from her new role, leading enterprise-level change across shared services, employee relations, talent, and the implementation of Workday HCM.

This conversation dives into the heart of modern HR transformation—where people, process, and technology converge to elevate the employee experience and optimize operational efficiency.

🎙️ What You'll Learn:

🔹 Why Change is the Antidote to Complacency
Alyson explains her passion for leading change at scale, and how embracing disruption keeps teams energized and future-focused.

🔹 Leveraging AI for Strategic Advantage
From piloting ChatGPT Enterprise to building AI-powered knowledge bases, AdventHealth is leading the charge in using technology to save time, reduce inefficiencies, and reimagine HR workflows.

🔹 The Human Side of AI Adoption
How Alyson’s personal journey—from resisting shortcuts to becoming a champion of AI—is reshaping how HR professionals can work smarter without sacrificing trust or empathy.

🔹 Workday Done Right
Alyson shares AdventHealth’s approach to Workday implementation, emphasizing business process redesign over “lifting and shifting” outdated practices. Discover their “Workday First” principle and how it’s helping streamline operations across 100,000+ employees.

🔹 The Future of Employee Experience
This episode makes a compelling case for why process is experience. From benefits access to internal workflows, every friction point matters. Alyson and the hosts break down how technology can automate the admin and make room for what really matters—people and relationships.

🔹 Why HR Must Be Process Literate
If you’re an HR leader, Alyson believes one of the most critical skills you need is process thinking. Knowing what adds value—and what creates waste—helps you drive meaningful, scalable change.

🔹 A Challenge for Listeners
Alyson closes with a call to action: “What’s one thing you can do differently or more effectively with technology this week?”

🎧 Whether you're preparing for a system upgrade, exploring generative AI in your org, or simply seeking to future-proof your HR strategy, this episode is packed with takeaways that will energize and inspire you.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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Back by popular demand, Bruce Mattos—Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Phoebe Putney Health System—returns to the show for a candid, high-energy conversation on one of the most frustrating issues in recruitment: candidate ghosting. But Bruce doesn’t just identify the problem—he offers practical, heartfelt strategies to elevate the entire candidate experience and drive long-term talent retention.

Whether you’re leading a TA team, managing hiring at a hospital, or just looking for ways to be more human in your hiring approach, this episode is a must-listen.

What You'll Learn:

🔹 Why Candidate Experience Is a Non-Negotiable
Bruce explains how the first impression sets the tone for retention—and how even executives will walk away from a new job if onboarding is sloppy. From interview prep to Day 1 welcome rituals, Bruce outlines how small touches make a massive difference.

🔹 Creative, Low-Cost Ways to Wow Candidates
Think favorite candy on the table, personalized music in the interview room, or a Starbucks meet-and-greet. Bruce and co-hosts Bo and Luke dive into the power of meaningful moments—and how simple, intentional hospitality can win top talent.

🔹 How to Prevent Ghosting—on Both Sides
Ghosting is rampant, but Bruce believes it’s a symptom of something deeper: a lack of value exchange. He shares how recruiters and hiring managers can maintain engagement with timely follow-ups, honest expectations, and genuine connection.

🔹 The Triangle of Trust
Bruce drops a framework that every recruiter should memorize: the triangle between candidate, recruiter, and hiring manager—with “relationship” at the center. Lose that, and ghosting becomes inevitable. Protect it, and magic happens.

🔹 Military & Sports Lessons Applied to Hiring
From college football recruitment to onboarding lessons from his time in the military, Bruce shares personal stories that reinforce a powerful truth: people remember how you made them feel. Not what you said—how you treated them.

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
Bruce’s combination of humor, heart, and hard truths will have you rethinking your recruitment approach before the episode ends. He’s a straight shooter with a servant’s heart—and he’s here to help healthcare HR pros not just fill roles, but build relationships that last.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with your fellow healthcare HR leaders.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show

In this inspiring episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan welcome Michael Sloan, CHRO at CommonSpirit Health and author of Unlocking Talent: The Hidden Strengths That Build Extraordinary Teams and Cultures. With oversight of 11 hospitals, 16 clinics, and 8,000 employees, Michael brings a bold and fresh perspective to healthcare HR leadership.

From his beginnings as a prosecutor and labor attorney to leading human resources in one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, Michael shares his unconventional journey—and how it shaped his people-first philosophy.

What You’ll Learn:

• The “IT Factor” in Talent
  Discover why subject-matter expertise isn’t enough—and how intangibles like curiosity, resilience, and humility are what truly build high-performing teams.
• Lessons from the Courtroom
  Michael explains how his litigation background taught him to read people, build trust, and resolve conflict—essential skills for today’s HR leaders.
• Redefining Leadership Accountability
  Why great leaders don’t “meet halfway”—they take 100% responsibility for the relationships they build and the teams they develop.
• How to Spot Hidden Talent
  Learn how to go beyond resumes and credentials to identify and cultivate talent in overlooked employees.
• Building Culture Through Action
  Michael unpacks the relationship between culture and strategy, explaining how leaders must create space for growth, mistakes, and meaningful contributions.
• Insights from the Book
  Unlocking Talent isn’t just another leadership book—it’s a call to recognize and elevate the unseen strengths within your organization.

Favorite Quotes:

🗣️ “People may not come to the table with everything fully developed, but it’s your job as a leader to help bring it out.”

🗣️ “If you want the best team, look beyond credentials—look for tenacity, curiosity, and people who make others better.”

🗣️ “In HR, it’s all about the human side. Relationships move the needle in healthcare.”

Perfect For:

• Healthcare HR leaders
• Hospital executives
• Talent acquisition professionals
• Leadership coaches
• Anyone striving to build extraordinary teams

🎧 Tune in now and start seeing the hidden strengths in your own team. Michael’s wisdom will challenge how you hire, lead, and think about people—whether you're in healthcare or not.

🔗 Don’t forget to check out Unlocking Talent on Amazon or wherever you buy books.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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In this powerful and candid conversation, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Billy Parsons, Chief Human Resources Officer at EyeCare Partners and a U.S. Navy veteran, to explore the real work of leading people—and the defining career moments that shape HR excellence.

From Submarines to C-Suite: Billy’s Unconventional Journey
Billy’s career path defies convention. From life in the Navy's tight quarters to HR leadership roles across healthcare, tech, and retail, he’s earned his stripes the hard way. In this episode, he opens up about the lessons he learned as an HR department of one, the power of mentorship, and why starting from the ground up gave him a PhD in leadership—without ever stepping foot in a classroom.

💡 Leadership Gold You’ll Hear:

• “Professional maturity” and why the ability to receive feedback without ego is critical to career growth.
• How to develop honest, feedback-rich cultures where both leaders and employees actually grow.
• A raw story about being “ripped to shreds” by a state inspector—and how it became Billy’s most pivotal career moment.
• Why empathy, courage, and transparency are non-negotiable in healthcare HR.
• The true value of building policy with flexibility and heart—especially when human lives are involved.

🔥 Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes really getting your rear kicked can do a lot for your career.” – Billy Parsons

Why This Episode Matters for You:
Whether you’re a one-person HR team, a tenured leader, or navigating the politics of a complex health system, Billy’s journey will hit home. His grounded, no-fluff advice reminds us that great HR isn’t about perfection—it’s about resilience, humility, and choosing growth every single time.

Thank you for listening!

Bo & Luke

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show

🎙️ New Episode: Leading from Your Best Self with Kapri Ames

In this powerful episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo sit down with Kapri Ames, Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer at Indiana University Health, to explore what it truly means to lead with self-awareness, energy, and intention.

With over two decades in healthcare—and 17 years in leadership—Kapri brings more than experience to the table. She brings heart, humility, and a bold message: you can’t lead others well until you know how to lead yourself.

🔑 Episode Highlights:

💡 Know Your Magic
Kapri challenges leaders to discover their “magic”—the unique strengths that allow them to lead with passion and clarity. From Enneagram to DISC to StrengthsFinder, she shares how self-awareness creates more effective, empathetic, and aligned leadership.

💡 Modeling Work-Life Integration
Forget work-life balance. Kapri models integration—giving her team permission to take meetings outside in the sun, adjust their schedules, and care for themselves so they can care for others. Because if leaders aren’t well, their teams won’t be either.

💡 Build Strength-Aligned Teams
Kapri is unapologetic about not managing to weaknesses. Instead, she’s built a high-performing team based on complementary strengths, open collaboration, and radical psychological safety—where people don’t compete, they multiply one another’s impact.

💡 Culture That Wins Awards
This isn’t just theory. Kapri’s leadership has helped IU Health earn its third Magnet Designation with Distinction—an elite recognition for nursing excellence, collaboration, and patient outcomes.

💡 Live for Today. Lead for Tomorrow.
Kapri leads in the moment but plans with intention. She surrounds herself with visionaries who see the road ahead—while she ensures the team is delivering excellence today. As she says: “Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow. Sufficient is the day.”

🧭 Leadership Lessons You’ll Take Away:

• Why real leadership starts with self-care and personal wellness
• How to create psychological safety by owning your strengths (and weaknesses)
• What happens when leaders give permission to unplug, recharge, and re-engage
• How to build teams that want to stay—and love coming to work

📣 Kapri’s Call to Action:
“Reflect on your own journey. Be your best self. And then look around—who can you lift up the way someone once did for you?”

🎧 Listen now to unlock a blueprint for values-driven, people-first leadership that fuels culture, performance, and joy.

The ASHHRA Podcast Team

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show

🎙️ New Episode: Building Talent Teams That Last with Anthony Scarpino
In this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo sit down with Anthony Scarpino, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at National Health Care Associates, for a real-world look at the challenges—and opportunities—facing today’s healthcare recruiters.

🔄 From Dietitian to TA Executive: A Fresh Lens on Hiring

Anthony’s path started in clinical care and took him through leadership roles at Sodexo and Marriott. His diverse background shapes how he builds recruiting teams today—emphasizing adaptability, cross-industry learning, and the power of genuine relationship-building.

💡 “A great recruiter can recruit anywhere—as long as they’re willing to learn and connect.”

🧠 Recruiting Across the Healthcare Spectrum

In long-term care, hiring goes beyond clinical roles. Anthony and the hosts explore the challenge of sourcing for everything from CNAs to facilities managers to executives—and why mental flexibility is key in a complex, high-volume hiring environment.

🛠️ Rebuilding the TA Function from the Ground Up

When Anthony joined National, TA operations were largely manual and decentralized. He shares the ongoing journey of implementing an applicant tracking system, introducing consistency across 40+ facilities, and aligning systems with real-world workflows.

🧭 “We train toward the happy path—then guide people back to it when needed.”

💬 People Over Process: Keeping Recruiters Engaged

With change underway, how do you keep your team energized? Anthony walks through his approach:

• Restructuring the team to align closer to field operations
• Investing in team strengths and development
• Launching an incentive plan (even modest rewards matter)

💡 “What you do is valuable—and we’re going to share in the success of that outcome.”

✝️ Wisdom to Lead By

To close the episode, Anthony shares a quote that’s helped him through big transitions:
“Let go and let God.”
Sometimes leadership means trusting the process and moving forward with intention—even through uncertainty.

🎧 Tune in for:
✔️ Actionable insights on structuring TA teams
✔️ Lessons on adopting tech in legacy systems
✔️ Strategies for balancing flexibility with consistency
✔️ Real talk about recruiting burnout, pipelines, and persistence

Listen now on all major podcast platforms—and share with a fellow TA or HR leader who needs a fresh dose of inspiration.

With appreciation,
The ASHHRA Podcast Team

This episode is sponsored by RxBenefits... Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Support the show