In this episode, we dig into a problem I’ve seen repeatedly over the years: healthcare companies that either have a strong clinical mission but fail to scale it—or scale aggressively without the clinical substance to support long-term success. Vasanta explains why neither approach works, and why sustainable growth requires intentional alignment between clinical vision, operations, marketing, leadership, and governance.
In this week’s episode of the Healthcare Success Podcast, I sat down with Michael Baer (TechCXO) to talk about two ideas that are especially relevant for healthcare and healthcare-adjacent companies right now: the rise of the fractional Chief Marketing Officer and Michael’s concept of “stratecution”—the inseparable pairing of strategy + execution.
Explore how doctors can take advantage of free and low-cost marketing strategies with tips from Stewart Gandolf, CEO, and Kathy Gaughran, Senior Marketing Strategist, at Healthcare Success.
Explore the real drivers of hospital safety today—and why some organizations consistently outperform when patients’ lives are on the line.
How Justin Gardner built Active Skin Repair into a leading healthcare consumer brand, combining innovation, data-driven strategy, and authentic storytelling to disrupt a legacy market
How understanding healthcare’s core terminology empowers marketers and leaders to communicate more effectively, align strategy, and drive clarity across complex systems.
How can health systems expand access, improve quality, and reduce costs at the same time? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf talks with Dr. Lyle Berkowitz, Founder and Executive Chairman of KeyCare, about building a national “virtualist” medical group on Epic, aligning incentives for physicians, and using AI to amplify, not replace, clinical care. Why Listen? […]
What does it take to truly win the hearts and minds of healthcare professionals in an increasingly complex industry? In this week’s podcast, I sit with Ajoy Mahtab, Founder and Partner at Strategility Consulting, to explore how genuine curiosity, empathy and purpose can transform healthcare sales and marketing. With more than 25 years of leadership […]
How can marketing, innovation, and AI transform patient care while supporting the unique mission of an academic medical center? Ahead of his keynote presentation at the Healthcare Interactive Conference (HCIC) in Las Vegas, David Feinberg, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Mount Sinai Health System and Dean for Marketing and Communications at the […]
How can healthcare leaders address burnout while driving operational efficiency and scalable growth? In this week’s podcast, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Edisa Shirley, Chief Mental Health Officer at ClinicMind, to explore the intersection of mental health, leadership, and operational efficiency in modern healthcare practices. Together, they discuss the systemic challenges of provider burnout, strategies […]
How can healthcare leaders and marketers build trust and meaningful connections with rare disease patients and caregivers? In this week's episode, I sit down with Sugata Biswas, Co-Founder & Managing Principal, and Emily Anderson, Associate Director of Patient-Centered Research at Cadence Communications & Research, to explore their human-centered approach to rare disease research and patient […]
What does it take for healthcare leaders to market stigmatized services with trust, transparency, and measurable results? In this week’s podcast, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Neil Walker, VP of Growth at Oar Health, to explore strategies to effectively market telehealth services for stigmatized healthcare conditions and treatments (e.g., alcohol use disorder, GLP-1, low T, […]
How can health systems use storytelling to cut through the noise and build real patient connections amid a push for AI-driven, digital-first marketing? In this week's episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Skip Hidlay, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, to discuss how storytelling, search and smart use […]
How can healthcare organizations authentically showcase their employee experience online to win the talent war? In my latest podcast, I sit down with Cynthia Newton, President and Founder of Cynthia Newton Consulting and a healthcare brand strategist with 25+ years of experience. Cynthia has earned an excellent reputation helping health systems manage and scale both […]
How is AI transforming healthcare marketing, and what can leaders expect at HCIC 2025? Healthcare marketing is evolving at a breakneck speed. From AI reshaping SEO to new expectations for patient engagement, leaders face both challenges and opportunities. To get a preview of what’s ahead, and what the big conversations will be at this year’s […]
How can pharmaceutical and healthcare brands most effectively reach doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in the changing media landscape? In this episode, I sit down with Walt Steenbergen, President of CWG, Inc., for a candid conversation about how publications, associations, and digital platforms continue shaping healthcare professional (HCP) marketing. Walt shares his insider perspective […]
What separates healthcare organizations that use CRM from those that truly leverage it? In this episode, I sit down with Laura Lee Jones, Founder and CEO of LionShare, for a candid conversation about what healthcare CRM looks like when it’s done right. Laura Lee brings decades of experience guiding hospitals and health systems through CRM […]
How can reimagining oral care and patient engagement disrupt a market? In this episode, I sit down with Hans Kaspersetz, CEO of Oralucent, to explore how his medical device company is redefining a common consumer product—the toothbrush—into a wellness-driven, data-backed health device. But this conversation isn’t just about oral care. It centers on what happens […]
How can today’s pediatricians truly connect with time-crunched, digitally-savvy parents and build lasting loyalty? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Klein, Principal of Klein and Partners, to unpack the findings from his 2025 National Consumer Insights Study (NCIS) – Peds Edition. Rob’s research offers an unfiltered look at what’s shaping parental decision-making, what’s […]
How do you redesign specialty care delivery when geography, workforce limitations, and infrastructure stand in the way? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Paul Rosen, MD, MPH, MMM, Professor of Pediatrics at West Virginia University, a former official at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the first pediatric rheumatologist to […]
With digital noise at an all-time high, how can healthcare leaders stand out and make meaningful connections? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Founder of Rise25.com, to explore how podcasting can become your most powerful tool for building trust, authority, and lasting business relationships. Why This Conversation MattersPodcasting is a […]
How can an established healthcare leader harness AI to drive innovation, growth, and lasting competitive advantage? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Michael Krachon, President of Theragenics, to discuss how Theragenics is transforming its operations through enterprise-wide AI adoption. This includes everything from enhancing marketing and customer service operations to streamlining clinical and […]
In a world that’s chasing the latest AI innovation, how do product leaders stay focused on building tools that truly help people? For healthcare product managers, answering this question is especially urgent. Great product managers are the voice of their audience. They advocate for clinical users and end consumers, translating their needs into thoughtful, effective […]
As marketers and communicators, we understand the power of brand. We build them for our organizations every day. But what about your own brand? Is it strong? Does it matter? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Alan Shoebridge, Associate Vice President of National Communications at Providence Oregon, to unpack personal branding: what it […]
Are you delivering the experience today’s healthcare consumers actually want?You might be surprised. In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Aaron Clifford, Vice President of Consumer Experience at Press Ganey, to explore how the patient journey is evolving and how today’s healthcare consumers find, evaluate, and choose providers. Drawing from Press Ganey’s latest Consumer […]
How can healthcare leaders tackle high turnover rates and build a culture that retains top talent? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf talks with Kristin Baird, President and CEO of Baird Group, to explore what it really takes to retain great talent in healthcare, starting with leadership. Drawing from her experience and her course,Be the Leader […]
How do you build lasting influence in healthcare? In this episode, healthcare marketing expert Stewart Gandolf sits down with Scott Becker, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP and Founder of Becker’s Healthcare, for a candid, strategic conversation on what it takes to build trust, authority, and long-term success in healthcare. Scott shares the real-world principles that shaped […]
How do you market sensitive women’s health products when advertising platforms won’t let you talk about them? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf and Debbie Donovan, Head of Commercial Operations at Materna Medical, explore the unique challenges of marketing products that address women’s health issues, such as vaginal muscle tightness, pelvic organ prolapse, and painful sex. […]
How can physicians move beyond generic nutrition advice and deliver personalized plans that truly impact health and revenue? In this episode, Stewart Gandolf and Mark J. Tager, MD, CEO at ChangeWell, Inc., discuss how healthcare providers can confidently bring personalized nutrition into their practices. Dr. Tager shares how to create tailored nutrition plans using genetic […]
Video isn’t just another healthcare marketing tool—it’s rocket fuel for engagement, trust, and conversions. According to our recent podcast guest, Tony Gnau, Founder and Chief Storytelling Officer at T60 Health, “video can boost website conversions by 66% and email click-through rates by up to 300%,” making it a key lever for strategic growth. In this […]
Is traditional media dead? Not even close. In this episode, Stewart Gandolf and Charlie DeNatale, Media Buyer at Healthcare Success, discuss the resilience of traditional media and its evolving role in healthcare marketing. Despite the rise of digital, marketers spend billions yearly on traditional advertising including TV, radio, and out-of-home advertising. Charlie shares why these […]
Is your digital marketing strategy wasting budget on ads that don’t convert? In this week's episode, Stewart Gandolf talks with Brian Massey, Founder and Conversion Scientist at Conversion Sciences. Together, they explore the power of conversion rate optimization (CRO) to lower your cost per acquisition (CPA). They discuss how optimizing landing pages, refining messaging, and […]
Do you remember choosing between two types of COVID tests? PCR tests were highly accurate but took several days to get results. Meanwhile, antigen-based “rapid tests” offered results within minutes, but were far less accurate. In this week's episode, Stewart Gandolf speaks with Martin Price, CEO of HealthTrackRx, to explore how an innovative business model, […]
How can multilocation specialty practices overcome the barriers to earning critical doctor referrals? With tighter alignments between doctors and health systems, increased consolidation, and pressure to stand out, physician liaisons must take a more strategic and data-driven approach than ever before. In this week's episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Susan Boydell, Principal at Barlow […]
Struggling to gain traction with your healthcare brand? In this week's podcast, Stewart Gandolf speaks with Ben Reynolds, Associate VP of CureMD’s Oncology Division (Oncentric), about a transformative branding journey. Facing low brand awareness (only 6% of community oncologists knew they had an oncology-specific offering), CureMD knew it needed a shift. Ben walks us through […]
Forward by Stewart Gandolf, Chief Executive Officer In my latest podcast, I sit down with our own Senior Director of SEO Strategy and Growth, Brandon Schakola, to discuss the growing impact of zero-click search and its effect on healthcare marketers. As AI reshapes search, traditional SEO strategies face new challenges. While I strongly encourage you […]
This week's podcast dives into successful sales leadership and is relevant to most healthcare verticals, including B2B sales in SaaS, pharmaceuticals, medical device, hospitals, etc. It also applies to high-value B2C sales, e.g., elective surgeries, orthodontics, senior care, and residential treatment centers. My guest, Chris Jennings, CEO of Chris Jennings Group, reveals the essential traits […]
Can social media influencers really drive results for medical device companies? In this episode, Wendy Suljak, VP of Consumer and Practice Marketing at NeuroStar, reveals how even smaller influencers can have a big impact on your social media and brand. She shares key takeaways from her recent medical device conference presentation, diving into how to […]
How do you market healthcare when there is limited physician access—and the focus is on managing care, not increasing patient volume? Health systems must rethink how they engage and direct patients—ensuring they get the right level of care in the most efficient and cost-effective way. In this episode, Dennis Jolley, System VP of Strategy and […]
In this episode, Melissa Fors Shackelford, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Let's Get Checked and I explore the powerful role of inclusive hospital marketing in healthcare. We discuss key strategies like diverse imagery, ADA compliance, and accessible communication methods (e.g., closed-captioning and Telehealth) and why they are essential for reaching a wide audience and […]
How can you navigate the evolving Medicare Advantage market, attract new members, and keep your current beneficiaries engaged? I recently invited Doug Sprague to join me on our podcast to explore the current state of Medicare Advantage and how new CMS proposals and physician payment cuts are shaping the industry. In addition to being our […]
How can healthcare marketers and executives engage doctors in impactful storytelling to improve patient outcomes? In this podcast, Dr. Douglas Flora, Executive Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, shares actionable strategies to overcome doctor reluctance and create powerful, doctor-driven marketing programs. Dr. Flora explains how he aligns marketing with what motivates his doctors […]
How can healthcare companies use marketing and branding to drive growth and reduce risks in preparation for mergers and acquisitions (M&A)? In this podcast, Victora Shepherd and I explore the critical role of brand integration throughout the M&A lifecycle, with a focus on private equity-backed healthcare companies. We discuss why marketing and brand strategy are […]
Are the digital tracking technologies you use for your website and healthcare marketing practices fully compliant with HIPAA regulations and digital tracking standards? You might think so, but even “industry standards” like the Google Analytics (G4) and Meta pixels are not compliant. To understand these issues better, I invite you to listen to my recent […]
What does it really take to stay ahead in healthcare? The answer is thought leadership. Here’s why: It’s about more than just quick wins—it’s a long-term strategy. Collaborating with the right experts and crafting a powerful network of insights can pave the way for lasting brand awareness, credibility, trust, and sustainable growth. Together, these can […]
Did you know Google changes its algorithm up to 200 times a day? Yet many healthcare organizations still rely on SEO strategies and tactics that were "best practices" a decade ago. It’s no surprise that countless healthcare providers and other businesses are seeing drops in rankings and traffic after Google's Helpful Content Update. To help […]
How are Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) shaping the future of healthcare, and what role—if any—does value-based care still play? In this episode, I sit down with John Marchica, CEO of Darwin Research Group, to discuss how IDNs are transforming patient care. We also examine the ongoing challenges of value-based care and why it continues to […]
Could direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare marketing be the key to building deeper patient connections and driving growth in your organization? Find out in our latest podcast featuring Breanna Hunt, Founder Partner at HealthReach, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare patient activation strategies for medical devices. Together, we explore how medical device and other healthcare organizations […]
Our Senior Marketing Strategist, Kathy Gaughran, recently shared invaluable insights at the 2024 Mental Health Marketing (MHM) conference about how to reach consumers during their healthcare journey. Since her session wasn’t recorded at the venue, I interviewed Kathy on our podcast so we could share her insights with our wider audience. Whether your healthcare business […]
The stigma surrounding behavioral health is finally fading, consumers are seeking help, and all types of behavioral health businesses are booming. Our Senior Account Director Paul Knipe, Josh Weum, and I were among the presenters at this year’s INVEST Conference, where we shared pivotal strategies to reshape your marketing approach—emphasizing the critical role of authentic […]
