Healthcare Marketing Predictions 2026 with Colin Hung
For the Better
What does the future hold for healthcare marketing as we head into 2026? In this episode of For the Better, Lauren Minors sits down with Colin Hung, one of the most connected voices in healthcare marketing and health IT. Colin is Editor-in-Chief of Swaay Marketing Community and Editor at Health IT Today, and he shares what he’s seeing across more than 40 conferences a year. Together, they explore the biggest healthcare marketing and digital trends of 2025—and what marketers should prepare for in 2026—including frozen budgets, smarter measurement, digital front doors, in-person events,...
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Weathering the storm: Leadership and burnout in healthcare marketing
For the Better
In this inspiring episode of For the Better, guest host Lauren Minors sits down with Amy Comeau, award-winning author, speaker, and former CMO at Emory Healthcare, to explore what it truly means to lead with authenticity—especially in times of crisis. Drawing from her acclaimed book, Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, Amy shares how a simple idea—a weekly “Friday email” to her team—became a powerful lifeline of connection and gratitude during the chaos of the pandemic. What started as a gesture of encouragement turned into a leadership ritual that fostered trust, vulnerability, and...
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Empathy meets strategy: The art of change management in healthcare
For the Better
In this episode of For the Better, Lauren Minors, Director of Partnerships and Marketing for Reason One, sits down with Maureen Li, the Digital Marketing Technology Manager at Emerson Health. They discuss Maureen's unique journey from an art history major at Tufts University to her pivotal role in healthcare marketing. Maureen delves into how her background in art and psychology equipped her with transferable skills that have driven her success and shaped her approach to the website redesign project at Emerson Health. The conversation highlights the importance of making healthcare...
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Beyond Optics: Inclusive Healthcare Marketing That Performs
For the Better
In this episode of For the Better, Ben Cash, CEO of Reason One, speaks with Melissa Fors Shackleford—founder of Shackelford Strategies and a nationally recognized leader in healthcare marketing and brand strategy. Known for her work with purpose-driven organizations like Optum, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Cigna Evernorth, Melissa helps healthcare brands clarify their message, build trust, and drive sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving landscape. “One of the things that I found at Hazelden Betty Ford was that when you dug into the data, our largest competitor wasn’t another...
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Where Bias Begins in Healthcare AI
For the Better
In this episode of For the Better, host Ben Cash, CEO of Reason One, speaks with Chris Hemphill, now Director of Modular Feedback and a Fellow at the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. At the time of recording, Chris was serving as Senior Director of Commercial Intelligence at Woebot Health. Chris shares how bias in healthcare AI doesn’t start in code—it starts in culture. They explain how healthcare marketers, IT teams, and clinical leaders can challenge those patterns by asking better questions, bringing the right people into the room, and refusing to develop in a...
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Breaking Barriers: Women Leading Healthcare
For the Better
In this episode… Tune in to this special Women's History Month episode of For the Better as Lauren Minors, Director of Partnerships and Marketing at Reason One, speaks with Jean Hitchcock, President of Hitchcock Marketing & Communications. With over 30 years of experience, Jean shares how a personal experience shaped her career and reflects on her leadership journey across healthcare systems, agencies, and tech organizations. Listen in as Jean discusses: How women are transforming healthcare leadership Balancing career ambitions with family life The power of mentorship and...
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Bridging Privacy and Marketing Gaps in Healthcare
For the Better
In this episode… With the shift to digital platforms in healthcare marketing, marketers face the daunting challenge of balancing patient privacy with effective digital marketing. Stringent regulations like HIPAA govern the use of sensitive patient data, raising the question: how can healthcare organizations continue to engage potential patients without compromising their privacy? Ray Mina, Vice President of Marketing at Freshpaint, brings his expertise in navigating privacy regulations and healthcare marketing to address these challenges. Freshpaint offers innovative solutions that securely...
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Bridging Healthcare Gaps Through Digital Transformation
For the Better
In this episode… As digital technologies disrupt every sector, the health sector stands firm yet restless against the tides of change. Innovation and tradition collide in an industry as old as time, setting the stage for a monumental paradigm shift. How can industry leaders foster transformation within this stronghold? Jared Johnson is the Chief Marketing Officer at Praia Health, the first consumer experience orchestration platform for healthcare, revolutionizing how health systems engage and retain patients. With a robust background in healthcare marketing, Jared offers a compelling look at...
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Amplifying Patient Voices in Healthcare Decision-Making
For the Better
In this episode… With the healthcare industry becoming more consumer-centric, providers face the challenge of aligning their operations with patients' real needs. Addressing patient engagement requires a multifaceted approach that involves patients in their healthcare journey, fosters shared decision-making, and enhances the overall patient experience. How can organizations ensure that their digital solutions genuinely benefit those they aim to serve? Adam Cherrington, Vice President of Digital Health and Patient Voice at KLAS Research, a healthcare IT research firm focused on improving...
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Lessons for Health Systems from a Rare Disease Patient Advocate
For the Better
In this episode… Chronic illnesses are affecting an increasing portion of the population, with nearly 50% of Americans currently managing such conditions. Despite the growing number of patients requiring long-term care, the healthcare system is still designed around acute, short-term issues, leaving those with chronic diseases feeling lost in a complex maze of care. How can the healthcare system evolve to better support patients navigating these complex, long-term conditions? With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Kristy Dickinson, the Founder and CEO of Chronically Simple, is a...
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Artificial Intelligence is swiftly becoming a game-changer in healthcare, but is it truly ready to transform the patient experience? The healthcare industry is buzzing about AI revolutionizing patient care, cost reduction, and efficiency. However, with much of the technology still labeled as potential, many wonder how much AI has impacted the consumer and patient experience. Could the fusion of technology and empathy be within our grasp?
Alan Shoebridge is the Associate Vice President of National Communication at Providence, leading a diverse, multistate communications team. With years of experience driving digital innovation in enhancing patient care, he delves into the journey of AI—from a potential concept to a practical tool reshaping patient and consumer experiences. Providence has been at the forefront of adopting AI, working under the radar to develop, test, and implement AI-based solutions for over five years. From AI-assisted referral systems to scheduling, communication, and governance structures, Alan discusses the nuanced roles AI plays in augmenting the capabilities of healthcare professionals. He shares insights from Providence's experience, revealing how AI models assist with creating a smoother operational flow and improving interaction touchpoints for patients across the care continuum, making them a crucial and beneficial part of healthcare's future.
In this episode of For the Better, Ben Cash hosts Alan Shoebridge, the Associate Vice President of National Communication at Providence, to explore how AI is transforming the healthcare industry. They discuss technology’s role in augmenting workflows and enhancing connections between patients and providers, Providence’s comprehensive AI roadmap, the critical role of governance in AI implementation, and Alan’s approach to staying updated on AI developments.