Podcast 198: Standing Strong as an Independent Health System w/ Dr. Allen Smith & Dr. Sam Ash, South Shore Health

Episode Summary

Independent community health systems are under increasing pressure as health care continues to consolidate. What does it really take to remain independent while continuing to deliver high-quality care at scale?Dr. Allen Smith, President & CEO, and Dr. Sam Ash, CIO of South Shore Health join Health Care Rounds host John Marchica, to discuss maintaining independence as a community health system, building connected infrastructure across care settings, and approaching technology adoption with discipline and purpose.

Episode Notes

Independent community health systems are under increasing pressure as health care continues to consolidate. What does it really take to remain independent while continuing to deliver high-quality care at scale?

Dr. Allen Smith, President & CEO, and Dr. Sam Ash, CIO of South Shore Health join Health Care Rounds host John Marchica, to discuss maintaining independence as a community health system, building connected infrastructure across care settings, and approaching technology adoption with discipline and purpose.

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🎙 ABOUT ALLEN L. SMITH, MD, MS
Allen L. Smith is President and CEO of South Shore Health. Previously Dr. Smith was President of the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization (BWPO), a faculty practice plan for over 1,800 physicians. Earlier in his career, Dr. Smith served as Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Business Planning at Tufts Health Plan. He began his medical career as a primary care physician at North Shore Medical Center.

Dr. Smith earned his Master of Science degree in Health Administrative Medicine and Population Health from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He earned his Medical Degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He has a BA from Dartmouth College, graduating magna cum laude.

🎙 ABOUT SAMUEL ASH, MD, MPH
Samuel Y. Ash, MD, MPH is Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Technology Operations and Innovation at South Shore Health, where he also practices as a critical care physician. At Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Ash serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, blending clinical expertise with leadership in health technology. His work focuses on creating innovative solutions that enhance patient safety, improve clinician experience, and advance interoperability across care settings.

🎙 ABOUT HEALTH CARE ROUNDS
Health Care Rounds is a weekly podcast developed for health care leaders who are at the forefront of health care delivery and payment reform. Join Darwin Research Group founder and CEO John Marchica as he discusses the latest advancements in health care business news and policy developments.

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