Love Rounds

Looking Back: Our Hardest & Best Moments of the Year

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna dust off the podcast mics—this time with no guests—just space to reflect on the past year together. They explore the best and hardest moments of 2025, including meaningful personal milestones, professional growth, and moments that tested resilience across the healthcare landscape.
 
They share the joy of travel, family celebrations, and purpose-driven work. Through it all, they uncover lessons about growth in the valleys, clarity of purpose, and the power of community.

Holding Yourself During the Holidays: Navigating Grief, Tradition & Tenderness

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna welcome back their first-ever returning guest—Bryan Wright, grief care provider from the Center for Spiritual & Grief Care. As the holiday season approaches, Bryan helps us explore why this time of year can feel confusing, heavy, or lonely—and how we can meet it with honesty, compassion, and thoughtful care.

Together, they unpack themes of anticipatory grief, shifting family dynamics, and the pressure to “be joyful” when our emotions are far more complex. Bryan offers practical tools for navigating the season—like naming what’s hard, creating meaningful rituals, and leaning on trusted people who can help when we need support (or when we might need a code word: banana pudding).

The Strategy Guys: Strategy, Partnerships, and the Heart of Wellness

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Nic Covey, vice president of Strategic Relationships, and Steven Smith, vice president of Planning and Insights. Affectionately dubbed “The Strategy Guys,” Nic and Steve share their unique perspectives on building meaningful partnerships, supporting clinical teams, and aligning institutional goals with wellness and well-being.

Welcome to MBHI: Inside the Mental and Behavioral Health Institute

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Dr. Laurel Leslie, director of the Mental and Behavioral Health Institute (MBHI), and Dr. Martine Lamy, associate chief of staff for mental health. Together, they discuss how MBHI is integrating developmental, behavioral, and mental health services to better support children, families, and care teams. From building multidisciplinary collaboration to fostering reflective practices and well-being across the workforce, Laurel and Martine share lessons on meaning, purpose, and creating sustainable, purpose-driven careers in healthcare.

Building a Trauma-Informed Organization

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Dr. Robert Shapiro, director of the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Sarah Zawaly, clinical program manager. Together, they share how their teams are applying trauma-informed principles to promote psychological safety, dignity, and connection for both families and staff, and how a thoughtful approach to supervision and design choices can support organizational well-being.

Please note: This episode contains discussion of child abuse and trauma which some listeners may find difficult to hear.

Vicky Hickey on Returning to Cincinnati Children’s and Driving Change

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Vicky Hickey, DNP, assistant vice president of Patient Services Care Management & Home Care Services Administration. Vicky reflects on returning to the hospital and shares how the work in Population Health inspires her. She discusses the people, the commitment to improvement, and the use of data to drive decision-making, as well as how quality improvement has strengthened her ability to use data to advance new ideas.

Dr. Rich Falcone on Leading with Joy

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Rich Falcone, MD, MPH, chief of staff at Cincinnati Children’s. Rich reflects on his experience as chief of staff and the rewards that come from problem solving, coaching, and connecting people. He also shares the importance of taking breaks to prevent burnout, practical tools for finding joy at work, and the value of supporting one another.

Ron Moore on Keeping Cincinnati Children's Green

In this episode of Love Rounds, Rachel and Anna sit down with Ron Moore, director of Facilities & Environmental Services and Sustainability. Ron reflects on his 10 years at the hospital and shares insights on the future of its sustainability program, the new and improved recycling initiative, and how Cincinnati Children’s has reduced its environmental footprint to become a national leader in advancing sustainable practices across healthcare.