Episode 65 : Hearts, Minds, Wallets, and Watches: A Better Framework for Healthcare Innovation with Mike Higgins

What if the secret to becoming a trusted advisor in healthcare isn’t expertise, but how well you listen, serve, and show up?

In this episode, Mike Higgins, Executive in Residence at the Health Management Academy and an advisor to several other healthcare companies, connects his leadership style to early lessons in empathy and service from his family’s funeral business, which carried into his career at The Advisory Board Company and beyond. He explains that true strategic partnerships in healthcare are built on deep listening, transparency, and a shared commitment to solving complex problems, not just delivering solutions. He highlights AI as a transformative force but emphasizes that the industry is still in a learning and experimentation phase, guided by frameworks like hearts, minds, wallets, and watches. Across it all, Higgins reinforces that trust, gratitude, preparation, and making every interaction valuable are the foundations of lasting relationships.

Tune in to hear how Mike Higgins defines true partnership in healthcare, and why service, trust, and preparation matter more than ever in an AI-driven world!

About Mike Higgins:

Mike Higgins is a seasoned healthcare executive and advisor with over 30 years of experience supporting health system leaders and organizations. He spent the majority of his career at The Advisory Board Company—later part of Optum—where he held multiple leadership roles across research, talent development, and business development, and pioneered the firm’s trusted advisor model for engaging C-suite executives.

Currently, Mike serves as an Executive in Residence at the Health Management Academy and advises companies serving healthcare providers. Known for his service-first leadership philosophy, he is deeply committed to building long-term partnerships grounded in trust, thoughtful listening, and a meaningful impact on the healthcare industry.

Things You’ll Learn:

• True strategic partnerships are built on deep, iterative listening that helps clarify problems clients can’t fully articulate.
• Trust is strengthened not by perfection, but by accountability and how organizations respond when things go wrong.
• Preparation and respect for time are critical; every interaction should deliver clear value.
• AI in healthcare will be transformative, but success depends on experimentation and shared learning across the industry.
• The best innovations align with the hearts, minds, wallets, and watches of healthcare professionals.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Mike Higgins on LinkedIn.
• Follow the Health Management Academy on LinkedIn and explore their website!