Eugene Litvak has been on a mission to save U.S. hospitals money and improve the lives of doctors, nurses, and patients.
This podcast was released on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in KFF Health News.
What do the KGB and the former CEO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital have in common?
Eugene Litvak.
The Soviet intelligence agency and the children's hospital have each separately looked to the Ukrainian émigré with a PhD in mathematics for help. He turned down the KGB, but Litvak saved Cincinnati Children's Hospital more than $100 million a year.
For decades, Litvak has been on a mission to save U.S. hospitals money and improve the lives of doctors, nurses, and patients. He says he has just the formula to do it.
Prominent experts vouch for his model, and he has documented impressive results so far: financial savings, fewer hospital-related deaths, lower staff turnover, and shorter wait times. Still, Litvak and his allies have struggled to persuade more hospitals to try his method.
Host Dan Weissmann speaks with Litvak about his unique life story, how he found the fix that he says could revolutionize American hospitals, and why he won't stop fighting for it.
KFF Health News is a national health policy news service that is part of the nonpartisan Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Prominent experts vouch for Litvak's model, and he has documented impressive results so far.
Hospitals have seen financial savings, fewer hospital-related deaths, lower staff turnover, and shorter wait times.
Still, Litvak and his allies have struggled to persuade more hospitals to try his method.