Frank MacPherson on Fixing Reputation & Rethinking Search

In this episode, Frank MacPherson of ChristianaCare shares a grounded, operator-level view of what’s actually changing in healthcare marketing and what teams need to do about it. 

From the rise of zero-click search and AI-driven discovery to the reality that patients are often choosing between care and no care at all, Frank breaks down the forces reshaping patient acquisition. He also shares a practical case study on how his team transformed their online reputation, and why some of the most impactful work in healthcare marketing isn’t flashy.

This is a conversation about adapting in real time, staying focused on what matters, and building strategies that reflect how patients actually behave today. 

Takeaways

  • In addition to competing with other providers, health systems are competing with patient apathy and delayed care decisions
  • AI and LLMs are fundamentally shifting behavior toward zero-click engagement, keeping users inside platforms instead of visiting provider websites
  • Search now requires “generative optimization” alongside traditional SEO to stay visible in AI-driven results
  • Simple, operational improvements can drive massive impact, like increasing review volume to better reflect true patient experience
  • ChristianaCare improved its average rating from 2.7 to 4.5 by systematically asking for feedback
  • Reputation management is a bridge between patient experience and public perception
  • Cross-functional collaboration (marketing, clinical, IT) is critical to execute even “simple” campaigns in healthcare
  • The best marketers today are adapting in real time, “building the airplane while it’s already in the air”

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