Subscribe to the pod Pre-Register for Our Live Webinars

A Conversation with Dr. David Shulkin, Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

A Conversation with Dr. David Shulkin, Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

David Shulkin, MD

Former U.S. Secretary,
Veterans Affairs

Dr. Shulkin is a national thought leader on veterans’ health and patient-centered care, was appointed by President Donald Trump as the 9th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and served in the role from February 2017 until March 2018. He also served as the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health under President Barack Obama.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second-largest federal government agency, and the Secretary oversees the National Cemetery Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the Veterans Health Administration. Under Secretary Shulkin’s leadership, the Department streamlined the appeals process for veterans seeking disability benefits, made wait times more transparent, and improved mental health services.

Before his time in government, Dr. Shulkin had a long career of health care leadership and management, including at the University of Pennsylvania Health System (now Penn Medicine), as well as Temple University Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, and the Morristown Medical Center.

Dr. Shulkin is the University of Pennsylvania Leonard Davis Institute Distinguished Health Policy Fellow. He is a board-certified internist. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, his internship at Yale University School of Medicine, and a residency and Fellowship in General Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center. He received advanced training in outcomes research and economics as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

A Conversation with Dr. David Shulkin, Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Secretary Shulkin, the 9th Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shares bright spots within the Veterans Administration that may be applicable at private hospitals, health systems and health insurers. The discussion touches on topics including consumer centricity, whole-person care, digital health, mental health and innovation.

This episode is sponsored by Insignia Health

Insignia Health empowers healthcare organizations and health professionals around the world to assess patient activation and develop strategies for the efficient application of healthcare resources. As activation increases and individuals become better managers of their health, utilization costs decline and patient satisfaction improves. The Patient Activation Measure® (PAM®) and over 15 years of health activation research form the cornerstone of a complementary suite of solutions that help clinicians, coaches and population health providers improve health outcomes and lower costs. Today, Insignia Health supports the health activation efforts of more than 250 organizations touching the lives of millions of patients in dozens of countries.

David Shulkin, MD

Former U.S. Secretary,
Veterans Affairs

  • SUBSCRIBE

    to the Bright Spots in Healthcare Podcast

Excellent programming.  This was my first time attending, and I will be a regular listener. Topics are relevant and timely.

— Margot Ozyp, Vice President, Contract Operations and Performance, Equality Health

I learn something practical every time I tune in!

— Heather Peterman, Director of Healthcare Research and Quality, Minnesota Department of Health Services

These webinars are very helpful and relevant.  They are easy to listen to and have a great variety of topics, speakers and information.  The pace is really engaging.

— Michelle Nelson, Senior Director, Health Improvement, United Regional Health Care

Great conversation about real-life problems caring for real-life patients!!!

— Kim Tjanden, Medical Director, Community Health, CentraCare

Enjoy your programming. Always much needed and relevant information.

— Mary Freeman, Director, Baptist Memorial Health Care

The topics were directly aligned with our company’s missions!

— Tracy Fennessy, Senior Relationship Manager, Business Development & Community Health, Point32Health

Who knew there would be a podcast about my actual job? I appreciate hearing how others are navigating the health plan world.

— Hayley Peebles, Lead Care Manager, Network Health

The Bright Spots series is always very well organized. Provides insight and recapping of key points. Happy to never be lectured or read to, but rather a great productive conversation style.

— Marie Wendt, Director of Clinical Quality & Care Management, Great Lakes Physicians Organization, P.C.

Your programming is spot-on for presenting new and innovative ways to improve health outcomes and care to our members.

— Shelley Krawchuk, RN, CPHQ, Clinical Program Manager, Health Net, Inc

I appreciate the well-balanced nature of the presentation. It gave me great ideas that can be easily implemented.

— Eileen Esposito, Vice President, Ambulatory Clinical Practice, Catholic Health

This is a great opportunity to bring together experts and have an open conversation. There are so many questions. One whole session could be on questions about how engaging it is! Thank you!

— Tracey Greene, Vice President, Personalized Health, Aetna National Medicaid

I picked up quite a bit that I had not considered with SDoH digital divide. It was especially interesting to hear from the panelists their thoughts and the programs they have put into place to improve the member experience, as well as barriers with language and culture. Thank You!

— Jesse Stakes, Associate Director, Clinical Quality, United Healthcare

Great information! Very timely and relevant to what is happening in healthcare.

— Laurie Evans, Director, Business Analytics, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee

The session inspired ideas and initiatives to share across my team at Humana on how we can strengthen our service delivery and implement these strategies in the buildout of new lines of business.

— Nicole Bell, Senior Market Development Professional, Humana

My first time connecting with Bright Spots and I am hooked! We are all managing through uncertainty and this group has amazing thinkers in their field, living in this real healthcare world and providing clarity for the future.

— Robert Santilli, CEO, Gunnison Valley Health

Your programming provided a real-world perspective. This approach created relatability; moreover, it will be easy to apply some of the work to enhance the patient experience.

— Leslie Marsh, CEO, Lexington Regional Health Center

Excellent overview of value and importance of video marketing; as a medical director myself, it opened my eyes to various opportunities for our health system to improve.

— Gerard Isenberg, MD, Chief Medical Quality Officer, University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center

A pirate’s bounty of meaty information!

— Julianne Eckert, Director, Quality Improvement, Clover Health

Menu

Subscribe to the Pod
Pre-Register For Webinars

Secure Payment

The Medicare Advantage Leadership Council (MALC) is an invitation-only peer community for senior Medicare Advantage leaders to exchange proven strategies and real-world “bright spots” across STARS, CAHPS, HEDIS, benefit design, risk adjustment, operations, and provider partnerships.

By activating your Medicare Advantage Leadership Council (MALC) membership, you’re choosing to be part of a small, trusted peer community of leaders who believe progress happens through honest conversation, shared learning, and the willingness to challenge what’s comfortable.

If you’re here, you likely already know: doing this work well can’t happen in isolation.

Membership is limited and approved by Bright Spots Ventures.

Activate your 2026 membership

$695/yr.
Pay with Stripe

☐ I acknowledge and agree to the MALC Membership Terms & Conditions.