SAGES Lead Up is a podcast from the SAGES Lead Up Task Force featuring conversations with individuals from across the healthcare landscape. Each episode explores the perspectives, priorities, and day-to-day work of professionals who collaborate with surgeons in a variety of settings. Season 1, “A Walk in the Park,” highlights voices with unique backgrounds and experiences, offering insight into how they approach their roles and what they consider when working alongside surgical teams.

Episode 1 features:
Paresh C. Shah, MD
COO of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Paresh C. Shah, MD, is executive vice president for the Eastern Market at NewYork-Presbyterian and chief operating officer of the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he oversees clinical operations, quality, and strategic initiatives across the enterprise. Prior to this role, Dr. Shah served at NYU Langone Health as surgeon-in-chief, chair of the Health System Perioperative Services Management Committee, and chief of the Division of General Surgery. He previously held leadership roles at Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health, including vice chair of surgery, chief of minimally invasive surgery, and program director of the general surgery residency. Dr. Shah is a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery and has held leadership positions in organizations including the American College of Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).

SAGES Lead Up is a podcast from the SAGES Lead Up Task Force featuring conversations with individuals from across the healthcare landscape. Each episode explores the perspectives, priorities, and day-to-day work of professionals who collaborate with surgeons in a variety of settings. Season 1, “A Walk in the Park,” highlights voices with unique backgrounds and experiences, offering insight into how they approach their roles and what they consider when working alongside surgical teams.

Episode 2 features:
Klaus Thaler, MD
CMO of for the CHI/Commonspirit Health Creighton University Academic System

Dr. Klaus Thaler currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the CHI/Commonspirit Health – Creighton University Academic System in Omaha, Nebraska. He has held Chief Medical Officer roles across several systems over the past eleven years.

Dr. Thaler is a proven executive with more than fifteen years of leadership experience, a track record of engaging teams of up to 1,000 providers, and experience leading markets within large healthcare organizations. He has successfully built and managed infrastructure that accelerated corporate performance and drove multi-million-dollar growth in complex matrix structures while maximizing profitability. His key achievements include advancements in system quality and safety, operational process efficiency, business growth, value-based purchasing, and health equity.

SAGES Lead Up is a podcast from the SAGES Lead Up Task Force featuring conversations with individuals from across the healthcare landscape. Each episode explores the perspectives, priorities, and day-to-day work of professionals who collaborate with surgeons in a variety of settings. Season 1, “A Walk in the Park,” highlights voices with unique backgrounds and experiences, offering insight into how they approach their roles and what they consider when working alongside surgical teams.

Episode 3 features:

Hamilton Clark
Senior Vice President of Hospital Operations
Jackson Health System

Hamilton Clark is responsible for the strategic and operational alignment of multiple hospitals, the ambulatory division, the Jackson Medical Group, and clinical care functions across Jackson’s vast network. Prior to this role, Mr. Clark served as the senior vice president and chief executive officer of Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he managed the day-to-day operations of one of the nation’s largest hospitals.