#200 - Our 200th Episode... Healthcare HR in2026

We made it to Episode 200, and this milestone edition of The ASHHRA Podcast could not be more timely.

Kicking off 2026, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan are joined by Jeremy Sadlier for a wide-ranging Monday News Drop that examines the forces reshaping healthcare HR, workforce strategy, and hospital operations right now—and what leaders must prepare for next.

What’s Inside Episode 200:

Workforce Shortages Are Structural, Not Cyclical
The conversation opens with a hard truth: healthcare workforce shortages are no longer temporary. Leaders must move beyond short-term hiring fixes and focus on long-term workforce redesign, redeployment, and internal talent mobility.

Burnout Is an Organizational Risk
Burnout is no longer framed as an individual resilience issue. The team discusses why burnout is increasingly viewed as a system failure—one that impacts safety, engagement, retention, and financial performance across health systems.

Upskilling Is the New Retention Strategy
Degree pathways, certifications, and employer-funded education are emerging as the most powerful retention tools. Developing internal talent is no longer optional—it’s essential to sustainability.

AI in Healthcare HR Is Moving Faster Than Governance
From recruiting and scheduling to workforce analytics and productivity modeling, AI adoption is accelerating. The challenge? Governance, bias controls, and leadership readiness are lagging behind the technology.

The Expiration of ACA Subsidies and Its Ripple Effects
One of the most urgent discussions centers on the recent expiration of ACA subsidies. The group breaks down what this means for hospital finances, emergency department utilization, workforce planning, and HR budgets in 2026 and beyond.

Why This Episode Matters

This isn’t just a look back—it’s a clear-eyed look forward. Episode 200 challenges healthcare HR leaders to think systemically, plan strategically, and step confidently into their role as operational leaders during a time of unprecedented change.

Whether you’re focused on workforce planning, employee engagement, AI strategy, or healthcare policy impacts, this episode delivers perspective you can use immediately.