A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health.

The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine.

In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas
Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation

A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health.
The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine.
In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/walmart-heir-backs-new-medical-school">Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/mercy-alice-walton-philanthropies-unveil-700m-specialty-care-affiliation">Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation</a></li>
</ul>

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Whole health, whole new med school: Alice Walton’s vision comes to life in Arkansas

Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 is one of our favorite projects each year. Now in its eighth year, the list highlights companies bringing new ideas and innovation to some of healthcare’s most persistent challenges.

In this episode, members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team discuss the Fierce 15 of 2026 and the trends shaping this year’s honorees—from AI-powered clinical tools to companies tackling insurance denials, behavioral health integration and early cancer detection.

The conversation also looks at what these companies reveal about the direction of healthcare, including the growing role of AI, the push for accountability across the system and the different paths startups are taking to build sustainable businesses.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2026
Fierce Healthcare highlights Fierce 15 of 2026 honorees at NYSE

Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 is one of our favorite projects each year. Now in its eighth year, the list highlights companies bringing new ideas and innovation to some of healthcare&rsquo;s most persistent challenges.
In this episode, members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team discuss the Fierce 15 of 2026 and the trends shaping this year&rsquo;s honorees&mdash;from AI-powered clinical tools to companies tackling insurance denials, behavioral health integration and early cancer detection.
The conversation also looks at what these companies reveal about the direction of healthcare, including the growing role of AI, the push for accountability across the system and the different paths startups are taking to build sustainable businesses.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/special-reports/fierce-healthcares-fierce-15-2026">Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/fierce-healthcare-highlights-fierce-15-2026-honorees-nyse">Fierce Healthcare highlights Fierce 15 of 2026 honorees at NYSE</a></li>
</ul>

The Fierce Healthcare team on the Fierce 15 of 2026 

Healthcare earnings season is offering a mixed picture of the industry. 

In the latest episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare's Dave Muoio and Paige Minemyer break down the highlights from fourth-quarter earnings, where providers signaled growth while payers warned of financial headwinds amid a shifting policy landscape.

The episode also features an interview from the Lake Nona Impact Forum, where Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spoke with Jeff DiLullo, head of Philips North America, about how health systems are thinking about AI, technology and the push to bring care closer to home.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
UnitedHealth Group was the most profitable payer in a difficult 2025 for the industry
After 2025's volumes shortfall, Universal Health Services says capacity, headcount investments will pay off in 2026
Community Health Systems' hospital divestiture streak likely isn't over
Tenet Health outperforms in Q4, projects solid 2026 despite ACA exchange headwinds
HCA Healthcare unveils bullish 2026 guidance despite $600M-$900M ACA exchanges hit
Lake Nona Impact Forum: There can't be longevity without tech
Philips to invest $150M in US manufacturing base, including ultrasound site expansion
Philips rolls out major AI upgrades for cardiac ultrasound platforms
Philips launches new point-of-care ultrasound system for critical care

Healthcare earnings season is offering a mixed picture of the industry.&nbsp;
In the latest episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare's Dave Muoio and Paige Minemyer break down the highlights from fourth-quarter earnings, where providers signaled growth while payers warned of financial headwinds amid a shifting policy landscape.
The episode also features an interview from the Lake Nona Impact Forum, where Fierce Healthcare&rsquo;s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spoke with Jeff DiLullo, head of Philips North America, about how health systems are thinking about AI, technology and the push to bring care closer to home.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-group-was-most-profitable-payer-difficult-2025-industry">UnitedHealth Group was the most profitable payer in a difficult 2025 for the industry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/universal-health-services-projects-more-revenue-earnings-gains-2026">After 2025's volumes shortfall, Universal Health Services says capacity, headcount investments will pay off in 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/community-health-systems-wraps-2025-narrow-gains-flagging-same-store-volumes">Community Health Systems' hospital divestiture streak likely isn't over</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/tenet-health-outperforms-q4-projects-solid-2026-despite-aca-exchange-headwinds">Tenet Health outperforms in Q4, projects solid 2026 despite ACA exchange headwinds</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/hca-healthcare-unveils-bullish-2026-guidance-despite-600m-900m-aca-exchanges-hit">HCA Healthcare unveils bullish 2026 guidance despite $600M-$900M ACA exchanges hit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/lake-nona-impact-forum-tech-key-longevity">Lake Nona Impact Forum: There can't be longevity without tech</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/philips-invest-150m-us-manufacturing-base-including-ultrasound-site-expansion">Philips to invest $150M in US manufacturing base, including ultrasound site expansion</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/philips-rolls-out-major-ai-upgrades-cardiac-ultrasound-platforms">Philips rolls out major AI upgrades for cardiac ultrasound platforms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/philips-launches-new-point-care-ultrasound-system-critical-care">Philips launches new point-of-care ultrasound system for critical care</a></li>
</ul>

Healthcare’s mixed Q4, plus insights from the Lake Nona Impact Forum

In five to 10 years, a hospital room could look very different. Advocate Health is beginning to build that room of the future today. The concept integrates advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, virtual nursing and audio, video and sensor data for intelligent patient monitoring, creating an extra set of eyes and ears for care teams. Nurses and clinicians can respond more quickly and proactively, while patients receive real-time assistance. Virtual technology also allows family members to participate in care from outside the room.

Advocate Health is piloting the room of the future at two hospitals in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fierce Healthcare got a firsthand look at the initiative. On site, Executive Editor Heather Landi spoke with Molly McColl, Advocate Health’s vice president of virtual health and clinical transformation, about how the tech-enabled hospital room supports care teams, improves the patient experience and expands access to care, particularly in rural communities.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
A conversation with Eugene Woods, the architect of 'Applied Hope'

In five to 10 years, a hospital room could look very different. Advocate Health is beginning to build that room of the future today. The concept integrates advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, virtual nursing and audio, video and sensor data for intelligent patient monitoring, creating an extra set of eyes and ears for care teams. Nurses and clinicians can respond more quickly and proactively, while patients receive real-time assistance. Virtual technology also allows family members to participate in care from outside the room.
Advocate Health is piloting the room of the future at two hospitals in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fierce Healthcare got a firsthand look at the initiative. On site, Executive Editor Heather Landi spoke with Molly McColl, Advocate Health&rsquo;s vice president of virtual health and clinical transformation, about how the tech-enabled hospital room supports care teams, improves the patient experience and expands access to care, particularly in rural communities.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/conversation-eugene-woods-architect-applied-hope">A conversation with Eugene Woods, the architect of 'Applied Hope'</a></li>
</ul>

Whole health, whole new med school: Alice Walton’s vision comes to life in Arkansas

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