ACAP Coffee Break

Adam Beam, CareSource

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray sits down with Adam Beam, vice president for corporate development at CareSource.

Martha Santana-Chin, L.A. Care Health Plan

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray sits down with Martha Santana-Chin, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan.

Ryan Steadman, CareSource

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500

In this special edition of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP VP Enrique Martinez-Vidal speaks with Ryan Steadman, senior vice president of pharmacy at CareSource.

This episode is sponsored by Rivera.

Marina Owen, CenCal Health

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Marina Owen, CEO of CenCal Health.

Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski, Community First Health Plans

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski, CEO of Community First Health Plans.

Tune in as Theresa shares her unique path to the health plan’s C-suite, beginning with her early career in the hospitality industry. She also reflects on her 30 years of experience at the Safety Net Health Plan, its growing membership, deep roots in the community, and how it continues to serve as a trusted health plan for every generation.

Patrick Curran, Health Plan of San Mateo

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In the latest episode of the ACAP Coffee Break Podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Patrick Curran, CEO of the Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM).

Listen in as Pat shares the professional journey that led him to HPSM and what he’s learned from his mentors about the importance of team building in leadership. He also discusses what lies ahead at HPSM.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Greg McCarthy, Denver Health Medical Plan

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0400

In the newest episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Greg McCarthy, CEO of Denver Health Medical Plan!

Listen as Greg shares his journey from tech to the “mission driven” field of health care. Greg shares both the hurdles and triumphs of his career from business hardships, to personal loss. Learn about the power of consistency and making difficult choices.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Christopher Koller, Milbank Memorial Fund

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Chris Koller, ACAP’s founding Board Chair and the current president of Milbank Memorial Fund.

Listen as Chris tells the story of ACAP’s founding in 2000, when 17 health plan leaders came together to form an association dedicated to health center-affiliated health plans, with a collective mission to advocate for shared priorities, shape policy, and promote best practices.

Chris also details ACAP’s growth and achievements over the past 25 years, as well as his career journey in health care and current work at Milbank Memorial Fund.

Brendan Harris, UPMC for You

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray speaks with Brendan Harris, President of UPMC Health Plan for You.

Listen as Brendan shares how mentors like John Lovelace and Estelle Richman have helped shape his career journey and influenced his work. Brendan also shares how his time working for the state, and various trainings and resources from Good Leadership have made him a better leader.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Jessica Cromer, MDwise

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray interviews MDwise CEO, Jessica Cromer. During the conversation, Cromer shares her career journey in health care, beginning with a passion for mathematics, the value of mission-focused not-for-profit health plans, and exciting new changes coming to MDwise in the new year. She also discusses her plan’s goals for improving health outcomes in Indiana.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Kevin Lewis, Community Health Options

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray talks with Community Health Options CEO, Kevin Lewis. During the conversation, Kevin shares his journey to health care, details on the health plan’s case before the US Supreme Court, Community Health Option’s chronic illness support program, the importance of APTCs, and more!

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Blair Fjeseth, Mountain Health CO-OP

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray talks with Mountain Health CO-OP CEO, Blair Fjeseth. Listen as Blair shares her unique journey to health care –including a foray into comedy. She also details the benefits of advance premium tax credits (APTCs) for enrollees, recent plan successes and challenges, and more.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Double Shot: Part 2

Wed, 22 May 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In part 2 of our special ACAP Coffee Break: Double Shot edition, tune in as Vice President for Quality and Operations, Enrique Martinez-Vidal, continues the conversation with ACAP’s 2024 Leadership Academy cohort and ACAP-member plan leaders:

Jessica Cromer, President and CEO, MDwise
Patrick Curran, CEO, Health Plan of San Mateo
Anna Dunn, President, Health Services for Children with Special Needs; Vice President, Children’s National Hospital.

Listen as Anna Dunn shares the details of a recent challenge her health plan successfully navigated and hear the panelists provide valuable insights and advice for emerging leaders.

Double Shot: Part 1

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:00:00 -0400

In Part 1 of our special ACAP Coffee Break: Double Shot edition, tune in for a panel discussion between Vice President for Quality and Operations, Enrique Martinez-Vidal, ACAP’s 2024 Leadership Academy cohort and ACAP-member plan leaders:

Jessica Cromer, President and CEO, MDwise
Patrick Curran, CEO, Health Plan of San Mateo
Anna Pilskaya Dunn, President, Health Services for Children with Special Needs; Vice President, Children’s National Hospital

Listen as the panelists share their paths to leadership, day-to-day responsibilities, and current challenges.

Sonja Bjork, Partnership HealthPlan of California

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray talks with Partnership HealthPlan of California CEO, Sonja Bjork. Listen in as Sonja shares her path to health care, starting with her role as a public interest attorney supporting children’s health issues. Sonja also discusses the recent expansion of Partnership, her work as a representative on MACPAC, her proudest achievements and current challenges.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Jim Stringham, Banner Health Plans

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray interviews Banner Health Plans CEO Jim Stringham. Tune in as Jim shares his path to leadership- beginning with studies in criminal justice & psychology. Jim also discusses Banner’s work addressing housing, the benefits of building strong community partnerships, efforts to support members amidst the unwinding and more.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Yolanda Richardson, San Francisco Health Plan

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray interviews San Francisco Health Plan CEO Yolanda Richardson. Listen as Yolanda shares her deep passion for health care and local managed care, and the work SFHP is doing to assist members throughout the unwinding, support maternal health and more.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Jarrod McNaughton, Inland Empire Health Plan

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray interviews Inland Empire Health Plan CEO Jarrod McNaughton. Listen as Jarrod shares his professional journey - including the unexpected phone call that led him back to the West Coast - and the work Inland Empire Health Plan is doing to address social determinants of health - including housing.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Rob Robinson, Alliance Health

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the ACAP Coffee Break podcast, ACAP CEO Meg Murray interviews Alliance Health CEO Rob Robinson. Listen as Rob shares a moment with a client that changed the trajectory of his professional life, work his plan does to specifically address social determinants of health, and innovative changes in the way North Carolina approaches Medicaid health coverage.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Francoise Culley-Trotman, AlohaCare

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400

AlohaCare CEO Francoise Culley-Trotman joins the ACAP Coffee Break to share her professional background, passion for addressing health equity and social determinants of health, and new initiatives at AlohaCare.

Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In a conversation recorded during ACAP's CEO Summit in June 2023, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure joins the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss her professional journey, Medicaid unwinding, supports for the dual eligible population, maternal health, and more!

Read more about the STLDI proposed rule discussed in this episode here.

Anna Dunn, Health Services for Children with Special Needs

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Anna Pilskaya Dunn joins the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss her professional journey, her inspiration for working for a plan which serves children with special needs, and her approach to leadership.

John Wendling, Parkland Community Health Plan

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0400

John Wendling, CEO of Parkland Community Health Plan, joins the Coffee Break from the a session at the ACAP Leadership Academy. He discusses his background and journey to plan leadership, the challenges of managing remote employees, and what to look for in future leaders, especially when it comes to succession planning.

Eugene Sayan, Softheon

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:00:00 -0400

Eugene Sayan of ACAP Strategic Ally Softheon joins Meg on the ACAP Coffee Break for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey through health care, the benefits of working specifically with Safety Net Health Plans, especially with respect to how being an immigrant can be an asset when it comes to entrepreneurship, how data can predict how many - and which - of a health plan's members will not renew their membership, and the benefits of meditation.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Emma DeVito, VillageCareMAX

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Emma Devito joins Meg on the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss her own journey in health care, and building from scratch a health plan that today serves more than 20,000 members, who speak 55 languages in aggregate.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

John Baackes, L.A. Care Health Plan

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500

John Baackes joins Meg on the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss his journey from a freelance graphic design business to leading a health plan. He talks about the challenges in addressing the social determinants of health, especially the challenges of meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness -- and how Buckminster Fuller helped teach him how to solve health care problems.

Want to read what ACAP's plan leaders are reading? Check out our Goodreads bookshelf at https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs.

Maya Altman, Health Plan of San Mateo

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Health Plan of San Mateo CEO Maya Altman joins Meg on the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss her journey to health care, addressing the social determinants of health. and succession planning. Find all book recommendations here: https://bit.ly/3dWnSRs

Mark Rakowski, Children's Community Health Plan

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Children's Community Health Plan COO and Chair of ACAP's Quality and Operations Committee Mark Rakowski joins the Coffee Break about why he chose Safety Net Health Plans, how his plan is preparing to rollout COVID-19 vaccines for children, and the importance of addressing social determinants of health. Find Mark's book recommendations and others here: https://www.goodreads.com/user_shelves/399314854

John Lovelace, UPMC for You

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0400

UPMC for You President and former Chair of ACAP's Board of Directors John Lovelace joins the podcast to share his journey to Safety Net Health Plans, UPMC's efforts to address the social determinants of health, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Find our Goodreads bookshelf here: https://bit.ly/3A4R2Hz

Michael Schrader, Health Plan of San Joaquin

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0400

Michael Schrader, CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin and a longtime member of ACAP, joins Meg to talk COVID-19 vaccine outreach and how he got his start with Safety Net Health Plans after beginning his career in aerospace engineering.

Doug Wirth, Amida Care

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Amida Care CEO Doug Wirth joins Meg on the ACAP Coffee Break to talk about his journey to health plan leadership, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and Amida Care's fights against the AIDS epidemic and, more recently, against the NY State drug carve out. Find Doug's book recommendations here: https://bit.ly/3BlW6Zd

Frank Dominguez, El Paso Health

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0400

In the last of three special episodes of the ACAP Coffee Break, El Paso Health President and CEO Frank Dominguez joins Meg to share leadership advice. This conversation was recorded during a session for ACAP's Leadership Academy.

Kathy Pettway, Priority Partners MCO

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0400

In the second of three special episodes of the ACAP Coffee Break, Priority Partners Senior Director (and Treasurer of ACAP's Board of Directors) Kathy Pettway joins Meg to share leadership advice. This conversation was recorded during a session for ACAP's Leadership Academy.

Liz Gibboney, Partnership Health Plan of California

Mon, 17 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400

In the first of three special episodes of the ACAP Coffee Break, Partnership Health Plan CEO Liz Gibboney joins Meg to share leadership advice. This conversation was recorded during a session for ACAP's Leadership Academy.

Eric Hunter, CareOregon

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

CareOregon President and CEO (and Secretary of ACAP's Board of Directors) Eric Hunter joins the ACAP Coffee Break to share COVID strategies and how his plan works to address SDOH needs. Find Eric's book recommendation here: https://bit.ly/3cVaAoE

Peter Marino, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island President and CEO Peter Marino joins Meg to talk COVID-19 and how NHPRI serves its community. Find Peter's book recommendation and others here: https://bit.ly/2PQtK69

Hany Abdelaal, D.O., VNSNY Choice Health Plans

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Hany Abdelaal, D.O., of VNSNY Choice Health Plans joins Meg to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the plan members and staff, and how they're working to ensure the home-based community gets access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Leanne Berge, Community Health Plan of Washington

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Leanne Berge, CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington, joins Meg to talk about her start in health care, COVID-19, and how CHPW is working to advance health equity.

John Grgurina, San Francisco Health Plan

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0500

John Grgurina, CEO of San Francisco Health Plan, joins Meg on the podcast to talk about his start in health care, how SFHP responded to the COVID-19 crisis, and how his former bosses shaped his leadership style. Find John's book recommendations here: https://bit.ly/2I1ktVb

Linda Hines, Virginia Premier Health Plan

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0500

Linda Hines, the Medicaid Plan President for Virginia Premier Health Plan, joins Meg on the podcast to talk about her start in health care as a nurse, why she chose Safety Net Health Plans, and how she has adapted her leadership to meet the challenges of both the COVID-19 crisis and the sale of Virginia Premier Health Plan. Find Linda's book recommendations here: https://bit.ly/2I1ktVb

Chris Palmieri, Commonwealth Care Alliance

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Commonwealth Care Alliance President and CEO and ACAP Chair Christopher Palmieri joins Meg for the inaugural episode of the ACAP Coffee Break to discuss his journey from aspiring law student to Safety Net Health Plan leader, how his plan has responded to the COVID-19 crisis, and what he looks for in emerging health care leaders. Find Chris' book recommendation here: https://bit.ly/38GkVTC.