Making Healthcare Sustainable Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/making-healthcare-sustainable Employee healthcare is at a tipping point. The costs are unsustainable. The system is overwhelming. And benefits leaders are being asked to do more — with less — for the people who count on them most. Making Healthcare Sustainable is a media experience from Lantern, spotlighting the bold thinkers, advisors, and changemakers transforming high-cost problems into life-changing outcomes. Through interviews, insights, and storytelling, we explore what it takes to deliver better care while optimizing the system and budget. This is where benefit design meets business impact. Because when healthcare works better, everyone wins. © 2026 Lantern 127d96f8-8886-5643-98bf-38612019faf1 yes 71ab77f0-0d7a-11f1-89d8-e56e8ab7ab4b en Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:06:50 -0700 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:07:06 -0700 https://lanterncare.com/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/jMWvwCi4lmjQcq7F8DVA1tzVDkOPzH7CsoYKKmDXDGQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81YmQ3/NTEyMzg0YWI2YjEw/NzUwOTFiNjRkNDJl/NWJmMy5wbmc.jpg Making Healthcare Sustainable https://lanterncare.com/ episodic Lantern Employee healthcare is at a tipping point. The costs are unsustainable. The system is overwhelming. And benefits leaders are being asked to do more — with less — for the people who count on them most. Making Healthcare Sustainable is a media experience from Lantern, spotlighting the bold thinkers, advisors, and changemakers transforming high-cost problems into life-changing outcomes. Through interviews, insights, and storytelling, we explore what it takes to deliver better care while optimizing the system and budget. This is where benefit design meets business impact. Because when healthcare works better, everyone wins. Employee healthcare is at a tipping point. cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions Lantern nancy.ryerson@lanterncare.com No No How to Influence People to Actually Use Their Benefits with Tammy Fennessy 5 5 How to Influence People to Actually Use Their Benefits with Tammy Fennessy full 17db8920-14e6-4754-9721-2c5f4d2277c8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d3532c77 Data and AI are transforming how we deliver healthcare, making it smarter, more affordable, and personalized for every employee.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, host Nancy Ryerson chats with Tammy Fennessy, Senior Director of Benefits at DICK'S Sporting Goods. They talked about how data, behavioral economics, and a sharper focus on specialty care are changing healthcare benefits and how people access them and ultimately use them. Tammy shares how DICK'S has successfully reduced costs while improving employee health outcomes, focusing on the power of personalized, data-driven communication strategies. 


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • How data and behavioral economics shape benefits strategy
  • How preventive care and better specialty care can both lower costs 
  • How AI and personalization drive employee engagement with benefits

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Tammy Fennessy

(02:48) Applying behavioral economics to drive meaningful change in benefits

(04:43) From the restaurant industry to benefits management (Tammy’s career path)

(09:55) Challenges at DICK'S Sporting Goods and the importance of analyzing data

(12:46) Utilizing data analytics and AI to improve health outcomes

(22:13) Using personal employee stories to drive benefits awareness

(26:05) Why preventive care is a top priority for DICK'S Sporting Goods

(29:12) Integrating AI into benefits communication to enhance personalization

(35:52) Interoperability and collaboration with vendors in the healthcare system

(38:19) Tammy’s prediction for the future of universal healthcare


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Tammy Fennessy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-fennessy-healthequity4all/ 

DICK’S Sporting Goods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dick's-sporting-goods/

]]> Data and AI are transforming how we deliver healthcare, making it smarter, more affordable, and personalized for every employee.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, host Nancy Ryerson chats with Tammy Fennessy, Senior Director of Benefits at DICK'S Sporting Goods. They talked about how data, behavioral economics, and a sharper focus on specialty care are changing healthcare benefits and how people access them and ultimately use them. Tammy shares how DICK'S has successfully reduced costs while improving employee health outcomes, focusing on the power of personalized, data-driven communication strategies. 


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • How data and behavioral economics shape benefits strategy
  • How preventive care and better specialty care can both lower costs 
  • How AI and personalization drive employee engagement with benefits

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Tammy Fennessy

(02:48) Applying behavioral economics to drive meaningful change in benefits

(04:43) From the restaurant industry to benefits management (Tammy’s career path)

(09:55) Challenges at DICK'S Sporting Goods and the importance of analyzing data

(12:46) Utilizing data analytics and AI to improve health outcomes

(22:13) Using personal employee stories to drive benefits awareness

(26:05) Why preventive care is a top priority for DICK'S Sporting Goods

(29:12) Integrating AI into benefits communication to enhance personalization

(35:52) Interoperability and collaboration with vendors in the healthcare system

(38:19) Tammy’s prediction for the future of universal healthcare


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Tammy Fennessy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-fennessy-healthequity4all/ 

DICK’S Sporting Goods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dick's-sporting-goods/

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700 Lantern Lantern 2413 Data and AI are transforming how we deliver healthcare, making it smarter, more affordable, and personalized for every employee.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, host Nancy Ryerson chats with Tammy Fennessy, Senior Director of Benefits at DICK'S Sporting Goods. They talked about how data, behavioral economics, and a sharper focus on specialty care are changing healthcare benefits and how people access them and ultimately use them. Tammy shares how DICK'S has successfully reduced costs while improving employee health outcomes, focusing on the power of personalized, data-driven communication strategies. 


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • How data and behavioral economics shape benefits strategy
  • How preventive care and better specialty care can both lower costs 
  • How AI and personalization drive employee engagement with benefits

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Tammy Fennessy

(02:48) Applying behavioral economics to drive meaningful change in benefits

(04:43) From the restaurant industry to benefits management (Tammy’s career path)

(09:55) Challenges at DICK'S Sporting Goods and the importance of analyzing data

(12:46) Utilizing data analytics and AI to improve health outcomes

(22:13) Using personal employee stories to drive benefits awareness

(26:05) Why preventive care is a top priority for DICK'S Sporting Goods

(29:12) Integrating AI into benefits communication to enhance personalization

(35:52) Interoperability and collaboration with vendors in the healthcare system

(38:19) Tammy’s prediction for the future of universal healthcare


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Tammy Fennessy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-fennessy-healthequity4all/ 

DICK’S Sporting Goods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dick's-sporting-goods/

]]> cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions No Specialty Care Redefined with Erin Tatar 4 4 Specialty Care Redefined with Erin Tatar full cf012a60-a33f-4aaf-b3d4-b9ebce04b3b2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2a6d59ac Specialty care serves a small group but drives 50% of employer healthcare spend, yet many benefits leaders still overlook its value.

In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson chats with Erin Tatar, SVP Consultant Relations at Lantern, about the complexities of specialty care. Erin breaks down the key components of specialty care (including plannable surgeries, cancer care, and specialty infusions), how it’s different from traditional healthcare models, and how it can be packaged to provide customers with a higher quality experience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why specialty care programs are cost-efficient
  • The importance of evaluating the appropriateness of care for any treatment
  • How benefits leaders or employers can benefit from offering specialty care programs

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Erin Tatar
(01:55) What happens when the healthcare system isn’t working
(05:05) Defining specialty care
(07:35) Specialty care as a cost-efficient approach to health programs
(08:46) Advantages of specialty care over the centers of excellence (COE) model
(11:53) Why patients need specialty care programs
(16:28) The challenges of transitioning from a pharmacy-first healthcare model
(19:49) The importance of receiving appropriate care
(24:38) Opportunities and risks in navigating specialty care
(28:29) The future of specialty care programs

Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Erin Tatar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erintatar
Lantern website: https://www.lanterncare.com 

]]> Specialty care serves a small group but drives 50% of employer healthcare spend, yet many benefits leaders still overlook its value.

In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson chats with Erin Tatar, SVP Consultant Relations at Lantern, about the complexities of specialty care. Erin breaks down the key components of specialty care (including plannable surgeries, cancer care, and specialty infusions), how it’s different from traditional healthcare models, and how it can be packaged to provide customers with a higher quality experience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why specialty care programs are cost-efficient
  • The importance of evaluating the appropriateness of care for any treatment
  • How benefits leaders or employers can benefit from offering specialty care programs

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Erin Tatar
(01:55) What happens when the healthcare system isn’t working
(05:05) Defining specialty care
(07:35) Specialty care as a cost-efficient approach to health programs
(08:46) Advantages of specialty care over the centers of excellence (COE) model
(11:53) Why patients need specialty care programs
(16:28) The challenges of transitioning from a pharmacy-first healthcare model
(19:49) The importance of receiving appropriate care
(24:38) Opportunities and risks in navigating specialty care
(28:29) The future of specialty care programs

Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Erin Tatar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erintatar
Lantern website: https://www.lanterncare.com 

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700 Lantern Lantern 1765 Specialty care serves a small group but drives 50% of employer healthcare spend, yet many benefits leaders still overlook its value.

In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson chats with Erin Tatar, SVP Consultant Relations at Lantern, about the complexities of specialty care. Erin breaks down the key components of specialty care (including plannable surgeries, cancer care, and specialty infusions), how it’s different from traditional healthcare models, and how it can be packaged to provide customers with a higher quality experience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why specialty care programs are cost-efficient
  • The importance of evaluating the appropriateness of care for any treatment
  • How benefits leaders or employers can benefit from offering specialty care programs

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Erin Tatar
(01:55) What happens when the healthcare system isn’t working
(05:05) Defining specialty care
(07:35) Specialty care as a cost-efficient approach to health programs
(08:46) Advantages of specialty care over the centers of excellence (COE) model
(11:53) Why patients need specialty care programs
(16:28) The challenges of transitioning from a pharmacy-first healthcare model
(19:49) The importance of receiving appropriate care
(24:38) Opportunities and risks in navigating specialty care
(28:29) The future of specialty care programs

Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Erin Tatar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erintatar
Lantern website: https://www.lanterncare.com 

]]> cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions No Rethinking Healthcare Quality Beyond Star Ratings with Will Bruhn 3 3 Rethinking Healthcare Quality Beyond Star Ratings with Will Bruhn full 46d84f1f-ee04-4b03-a9b9-a6cbac321081 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d33ca681 Choosing a surgeon shouldn’t feel like guessing on Google. Yet most patients make high-stakes decisions about surgery with little visibility into what actually drives better outcomes. Star ratings and hospital billboards don’t tell you whether a procedure is appropriate, how often a surgeon performs it, or what their real complication rates look like.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson sits down with Will Bruhn, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Appropriateness Measures or GAM, to unpack what quality in healthcare really means. Will shares how misaligned incentives can lead to unnecessary procedures, why appropriateness should be the first question patients ask, and how transparent data can help employers steer members toward better care.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why appropriateness of care matters as much as outcomes
  • How to evaluate surgeons beyond online reviews and hospital rankings
  • Why there is no consistent link between higher cost and higher quality


Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Will Bruhn
(01:52) Innovations in network design for specialty care
(03:00) Why a metric for appropriateness of care matters

(05:17) The biggest misconception about healthcare quality
(07:28) What finding quality care looks like today
(13:20) Why some procedures happen even when they’re not appropriate
(17:06) Real-world factors that affect appropriateness scores
20:52) The myth that higher cost equals higher quality
(22:04) The complexities of billing specialty care
(24:15) Centers of excellence vs. networks of excellence
(27:14) The quality transparency revolution


Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Will Bruhn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bruhn-md/
GAM website: http://www.gameasures.com

]]> Choosing a surgeon shouldn’t feel like guessing on Google. Yet most patients make high-stakes decisions about surgery with little visibility into what actually drives better outcomes. Star ratings and hospital billboards don’t tell you whether a procedure is appropriate, how often a surgeon performs it, or what their real complication rates look like.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson sits down with Will Bruhn, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Appropriateness Measures or GAM, to unpack what quality in healthcare really means. Will shares how misaligned incentives can lead to unnecessary procedures, why appropriateness should be the first question patients ask, and how transparent data can help employers steer members toward better care.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why appropriateness of care matters as much as outcomes
  • How to evaluate surgeons beyond online reviews and hospital rankings
  • Why there is no consistent link between higher cost and higher quality


Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Will Bruhn
(01:52) Innovations in network design for specialty care
(03:00) Why a metric for appropriateness of care matters

(05:17) The biggest misconception about healthcare quality
(07:28) What finding quality care looks like today
(13:20) Why some procedures happen even when they’re not appropriate
(17:06) Real-world factors that affect appropriateness scores
20:52) The myth that higher cost equals higher quality
(22:04) The complexities of billing specialty care
(24:15) Centers of excellence vs. networks of excellence
(27:14) The quality transparency revolution


Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Will Bruhn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bruhn-md/
GAM website: http://www.gameasures.com

]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Lantern Lantern 1712 Choosing a surgeon shouldn’t feel like guessing on Google. Yet most patients make high-stakes decisions about surgery with little visibility into what actually drives better outcomes. Star ratings and hospital billboards don’t tell you whether a procedure is appropriate, how often a surgeon performs it, or what their real complication rates look like.


In this episode of Making Healthcare Sustainable, Nancy Ryerson sits down with Will Bruhn, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Appropriateness Measures or GAM, to unpack what quality in healthcare really means. Will shares how misaligned incentives can lead to unnecessary procedures, why appropriateness should be the first question patients ask, and how transparent data can help employers steer members toward better care.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why appropriateness of care matters as much as outcomes
  • How to evaluate surgeons beyond online reviews and hospital rankings
  • Why there is no consistent link between higher cost and higher quality


Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Will Bruhn
(01:52) Innovations in network design for specialty care
(03:00) Why a metric for appropriateness of care matters

(05:17) The biggest misconception about healthcare quality
(07:28) What finding quality care looks like today
(13:20) Why some procedures happen even when they’re not appropriate
(17:06) Real-world factors that affect appropriateness scores
20:52) The myth that higher cost equals higher quality
(22:04) The complexities of billing specialty care
(24:15) Centers of excellence vs. networks of excellence
(27:14) The quality transparency revolution


Resources:
Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/
Will Bruhn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-bruhn-md/
GAM website: http://www.gameasures.com

]]> cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions No Why Many Cancer Patients Miss Better Care Options With Yousuf Zafar, AccessHope 2 2 Why Many Cancer Patients Miss Better Care Options With Yousuf Zafar, AccessHope full af0ed0dd-299a-4ecd-901e-1435ac4d98cf https://share.transistor.fm/s/8153224f Cancer care is one of the most complex and expensive parts of employee healthcare. Decisions are made quickly, often before patients understand their options.


In this episode, Nancy Ryerson speaks with Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, Chief Medical Officer at AccessHope, about where cancer care breaks down and what actually changes outcomes. They explore why even experienced oncologists struggle to stay current, why patients rarely seek out second opinions, and how access to subspecialty expertise can improve care without forcing employees to travel.


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why many patients never receive subspecialty input
  • The role expert review plays without disrupting local care
  • The connection between better care decisions and long-term cost control


Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Yousuf Zafar

(01:19) What happens when expert review changes the course of cancer treatment

(03:42) Why even experienced oncologists can’t keep up

(05:27) Community oncology vs. academic cancer centers

(07:39) How patients choose care right after diagnosis

(08:05) Bringing subspecialty expertise to local cancer care

(10:27) Why second opinions rarely happen

(12:15) What’s really driving rising cancer costs

(18:05) How better care can lower long-term costs

(34:40) Advice for benefits leaders navigating cancer care


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Yousuf Zafar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousufzafar/ 

AccessHope’s website: https://www.myaccesshope.org/

]]> Cancer care is one of the most complex and expensive parts of employee healthcare. Decisions are made quickly, often before patients understand their options.


In this episode, Nancy Ryerson speaks with Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, Chief Medical Officer at AccessHope, about where cancer care breaks down and what actually changes outcomes. They explore why even experienced oncologists struggle to stay current, why patients rarely seek out second opinions, and how access to subspecialty expertise can improve care without forcing employees to travel.


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why many patients never receive subspecialty input
  • The role expert review plays without disrupting local care
  • The connection between better care decisions and long-term cost control


Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Yousuf Zafar

(01:19) What happens when expert review changes the course of cancer treatment

(03:42) Why even experienced oncologists can’t keep up

(05:27) Community oncology vs. academic cancer centers

(07:39) How patients choose care right after diagnosis

(08:05) Bringing subspecialty expertise to local cancer care

(10:27) Why second opinions rarely happen

(12:15) What’s really driving rising cancer costs

(18:05) How better care can lower long-term costs

(34:40) Advice for benefits leaders navigating cancer care


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Yousuf Zafar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousufzafar/ 

AccessHope’s website: https://www.myaccesshope.org/

]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Lantern Lantern 2134 Cancer care is one of the most complex and expensive parts of employee healthcare. Decisions are made quickly, often before patients understand their options.


In this episode, Nancy Ryerson speaks with Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, Chief Medical Officer at AccessHope, about where cancer care breaks down and what actually changes outcomes. They explore why even experienced oncologists struggle to stay current, why patients rarely seek out second opinions, and how access to subspecialty expertise can improve care without forcing employees to travel.


In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why many patients never receive subspecialty input
  • The role expert review plays without disrupting local care
  • The connection between better care decisions and long-term cost control


Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Yousuf Zafar

(01:19) What happens when expert review changes the course of cancer treatment

(03:42) Why even experienced oncologists can’t keep up

(05:27) Community oncology vs. academic cancer centers

(07:39) How patients choose care right after diagnosis

(08:05) Bringing subspecialty expertise to local cancer care

(10:27) Why second opinions rarely happen

(12:15) What’s really driving rising cancer costs

(18:05) How better care can lower long-term costs

(34:40) Advice for benefits leaders navigating cancer care


Resources:

Nancy Ryerson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyryerson/

Yousuf Zafar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousufzafar/ 

AccessHope’s website: https://www.myaccesshope.org/

]]> cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions No Introducing Making Healthcare Sustainable 1 1 Introducing Making Healthcare Sustainable full b8d99e7f-d009-410d-8f2c-ec0d58aeeb19 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b2184ac4 Rising medical costs and mounting pressure on benefits leaders to do more with less have made employee healthcare more complex than ever before.


Lantern presents Making Healthcare Sustainable, a show and media experience that puts the spotlight on high-cost problems and life-changing solutions in specialty care.


In each episode, host Nancy Ryerson speaks to medical experts and changemakers who are witnessing the impact of better, more accessible healthcare on a small part of the population that represents a significant portion of employee healthcare spending. Through real-life stories and expert insight, this podcast explores an ideal system that delivers better care sustainably. Because when healthcare works better, everyone wins. 


Join the movement on Making Healthcare Sustainable.

]]> Rising medical costs and mounting pressure on benefits leaders to do more with less have made employee healthcare more complex than ever before.


Lantern presents Making Healthcare Sustainable, a show and media experience that puts the spotlight on high-cost problems and life-changing solutions in specialty care.


In each episode, host Nancy Ryerson speaks to medical experts and changemakers who are witnessing the impact of better, more accessible healthcare on a small part of the population that represents a significant portion of employee healthcare spending. Through real-life stories and expert insight, this podcast explores an ideal system that delivers better care sustainably. Because when healthcare works better, everyone wins. 


Join the movement on Making Healthcare Sustainable.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Lantern Lantern 55 Rising medical costs and mounting pressure on benefits leaders to do more with less have made employee healthcare more complex than ever before.


Lantern presents Making Healthcare Sustainable, a show and media experience that puts the spotlight on high-cost problems and life-changing solutions in specialty care.


In each episode, host Nancy Ryerson speaks to medical experts and changemakers who are witnessing the impact of better, more accessible healthcare on a small part of the population that represents a significant portion of employee healthcare spending. Through real-life stories and expert insight, this podcast explores an ideal system that delivers better care sustainably. Because when healthcare works better, everyone wins. 


Join the movement on Making Healthcare Sustainable.

]]> cancer, quality, specialty care, benefits, benefits programs, benefits strategies, employee benefits, surgery, infusions No