Heroes of Healthcare

From an administrative assistant to a Vice President.

In this episode, Tim talks to Elisa Arespacochaga, the Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Workforce for the American Hospital Association (AHA). Elisa shares her journey from starting as a secretary at the AHA to holding a significant leadership position, where she now focuses on improving the healthcare system across the U.S. She discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare, the challenges of workforce shortages, and the importance of creative solutions to maintain high standards of patient care. Elisa also touches on the critical issue of healthcare worker burnout and t...

Transforming adversity and loss into a powerful force for change in cancer advocacy, we sit down with Andrea Wilson Wood, Founder of Blue Faery. 

Andrea shares some powerful stories of overcoming personal and familial adversity, including childhood trauma, addiction, raising her sister, and the challenges of managing a serious illness. She reflects on her experiences with resilience and humor, especially through her sister Adrienne’s battle with liver and lung cancer.

Andrea shares the profound impact of Adrienne’s cancer diagnosis on her family, the importance of collaboration in her treatment, and the ongoing efforts of Blue...

Is our healthcare system failing older adults? 

In this eye-opening episode, we talk with Dr. Sally Brooks to uncover the hidden challenges of geriatric care and physician burnout. She explains the urgent need for better support in internal and family medicine, with an emphasis on the unique needs of older patients. Our conversation tackles burnout, work-life balance, and the importance of prioritizing patient care over administrative tasks. We also take a look at transitioning into healthcare leadership roles to advocate for effective changes in our healthcare system to better serve our older population.

Key Topics Discussed:

In this episode, Tim talks with Dr. Anna Legreid Dopp, the Senior Director of Government Relations at ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists), to discuss the vast world of pharmacy. Anna shares how she got into the profession, the pivotal role a community pharmacist plays as an access point to healthcare, and how improvements are being made for patient relations and the well-being of pharmacists. Dive in to learn about the pharmacist's multi-faceted role in healthcare and the need for continued support.

How pharmacies are a healthcare access point to all communities, small and large The way to b...

In this episode, Tim sits down with Dawn Morton-Rias, President & CEO of the NCCPA, to talk about the evolving world of being a PA (Physician Assistant/Associate). Dawn shares her journey of how she began in the PA field when it was first established and breaks down the vital need for PAs in the current healthcare field to fill the missing gaps. Learn about the issues facing the industry, the process of becoming a PA, the importance of provider self-care, and the impact that PAs provide to patients across the country.   

We discuss:
How the PA industry can...

Tim sits down with Sharon Woodworth, a healthcare architect, to discuss the importance of designing healthcare facilities that can adapt to changing patient needs and technologies, emphasizing the need for flexibility in space usage, collaboration between architects and clinical staff, and the collection of data to inform design decisions. Sharon highlights the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare architecture, including staff shortages, delayed care, and the need for infrastructure upgrades to support new technologies.

Join us as we discuss:Sharon’s career path from Nurse to ArchitectDesigning hospitals, emergency rooms, and facilities for optimal patient careDesigning healthcare facilities for fl...

How can one care for others when they are not okay themselves?

This question has resonated throughout the life of our guest today, Dr. Natalie Dougé, a provider in the Department of Medicine at Montefiore Einstein, specializing in Internal Medicine.

Born and raised in the Bronx as a first-generation American, Dr. Dougé recounts her frontline experiences during the initial COVID-19 outbreak and the profound impact it had on her professional and personal life. This led her to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-care after experiencing burnout, becoming a locum tenens doctor to continue sharing he...

In this episode, Dr. Earley shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a medical family in Cincinnati to becoming a prominent addiction medicine physician. He discusses the personal trials that led him to his career, including his battle with addiction and how it shaped his compassionate approach to patient care. Dr. Earley also elaborates on his role at the Georgia Professional Health Program and the challenges physicians face today, emphasizing the importance of supporting healthcare providers' well-being.

We'll Discuss...
The importance of compassion in healthcare and how personal experiences can deepen empathy and improve patient care...

In this episode, Dr. Gregory Charlop, MD shares his journey from an aspiring rock star to becoming a pediatric anesthesiologist. 

Listeners will learn about…
How passions and interests can influence career choices.The rigorous pathway to becoming a physician, including the realities of medical school, residency, and the optional fellowship training.The benefits of alternative career models like locum tenens for achieving work-life balance and greater control over personal schedules.Effective strategies for preventing burnout and enhancing quality of life.

In this episode, Tim is joined by Anne Anderson, a seasoned expert in the locum tenens industry, to explore the world of temporary healthcare staffing. With over three decades of experience, Anne delves into how locum tenens has reshaped the healthcare landscape, offering flexibility to healthcare professionals and ensuring communities receive the care they need.

Tim and Anne also discuss:
 Anne's unexpected journey from an office manager to a leading figure in healthcare staffingThe evolution of locum tenens from a niche solution to a vital component of healthcare deliveryThe importance of adaptability and work-life balance in healthcare f...

In this episode, we explore the significant challenges and strategies in physician recruitment with Carey Goryl, CEO of AAPPR. The discussion focuses on AAPPR's efforts to support healthcare organizations in finding, onboarding, and keeping the best physicians. Listeners will learn about:
AAPPR's key role in tackling the physician shortage and ensuring healthcare organizations have access to talented professionals.The impact of physician shortages on healthcare, including the effects on patient care and the need for a diverse healthcare workforce.Carey’s insights on leadership and culture within healthcare organizations, and their influence on recruitment and retention efforts.

We need to make sure our physicians are qualified, but there’s always room for ensuring that the certification process honors the needs and realities of today’s medical and healthcare landscape.

This week, Tim Fischer speaks with Karen Schatten, Associate Director of the National Board of Physician and Surgeons. Karen brings a sincere passion for addressing physician burnout, dissatisfaction with traditional certification pathways, and supporting the goal of lifelong learning among all healthcare professionals. She delves into how patients across the country are affected by a status quo that too often fails to keep physicians focused on thei...

A pediatric neurosurgeon, his young patients, and their stories of grace and resilience.

Olivia Reed sits down with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Jay CWellons to discuss his book “All That Moves Us” and his deeply moving personal experiences caring for children. Today Dr. Jay shares stories from his 21 years in the field and the resilience he has witnessed in his young patients.

Olivia and Jay Discuss: Dr. Wellons' journey to writing "All That Moves Us" after experiencing his own medical crisis, a memorable emergency helicopter transport that saved a young girl's life, and the emotional highs and lows...

In this episode, Ted dives deep with special guest Corey Feist, and Dr. Stefanie Simmons, from the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, and Tim Fischer of Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens to talk about their new partnership. They also focus on the critical issue of mental health and well-being in the healthcare industry, which boldly addresses these challenges through awareness, advocacy, and innovative solutions.

Ted, Corey, Stephanie, and Tim also discuss…
The tragic inspiration behind the Foundation's missionThe importance of shifting from a transactional approach to a supportive relationship with healthcare workersThe impact of leadership on workforce well-being and...

“It seemed like the vagina was an organ that no one even thought of as an organ, just a big black box.”

In this episode, Olivia Reed sits down with Dr. Golnoush Golshirazi CEO & Co-Founder at ScreenMe. They discuss the shortcomings in women’s intimate health and the different challenges faced when it comes to academic education and educating women overall. Dr. Golnoush shares her own personal experience being diagnosed with endometriosis and how she is helping to fill the gap in women’s intimate health through ScreenMe.

Olivia and Dr. Golnoush Golshirazi discuss: Dr. Golnoush’s Personal...

Have you ever felt stuck in your career unable to escape daily frustrations? Unable to find long term work-life balance? For many physicians, they may have found another way.

In this episode, Olivia Reed is joined by Andrew Wilner, Associate Professor of Neurology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. They discuss Andrew’s experience as a locum tenens physician and the different challenges faced within his and others experiences. They also identify the benefits of locum tenens work, addressing shifts in medical practice, work-life balance, and the personal experiences of physicians who have successfully balanced clinical wo...

Do you really know what a Physician's Assistant (PA) job entails? How they trained and why should you trust them with your care? Too often PA’s are not given the credit and acknowledgement of the critical work they do. Our guest is here to debunk these misconceptions for you.

Leslie Schlachter, Neurosurgery Clinical Director and Chief PA. Assistant Site Director of PA Services, Mount Sinai Hospital, joins our host,Ted Weyn, to talk about the dynamic landscape of patient care, from referrals to surgical appointments. Leslie shares her personal journey, and insights into the evolving role of ph...

There is a crucial dialogue happening on patient-centered care and healthcare advocacy, and the intricate dance between policy changes and individual well-being.

Dr. David Charles, Chief Medical Officer at Alliance for Patient Access, joins the show to detail the challenges and triumphs of patient-centered care, sharing personal anecdotes and insights into the Alliance's tireless advocacy against abusive utilization management techniques within the healthcare system. Amidst the various healthcare policy debates, Dr. Charles focuses on something that cuts across them all: the crucial role physicians play in shaping policies that prioritize individualized treatment plans.
Join us as we...

As we near the end of 2023 our hosts Ted Weyn and Olivia D’Angelo look back at what made this an exceptional year in the healthcare industry. They also revisit some standout interviews with guests on the cutting edge of advancements made in cancer cell treatment, how AI is a new potential upending and advancements in the field of women’s health. They also discuss the human side of the industry and the greater awareness and attention being given to physician well-being.

Join Ted and Olivia as they discuss: Innovations That Shaped 2023- the most impactful healthcare innovations, incl...

What is the right balance between the pivotal role of data in personalizing healthcare experiences and the significance of prioritizing the human element in pharmaceutical development?

Amy West, Head of US Digital Transformation and Innovation for Novo Nordisk, shares her recent work and perspective on leveraging technology and data to revolutionize patient care and customer engagement in the US market.

Amy shares the experience of Novo Nordisk's internal innovation incubator, as they unravel the intricacies of digital transformation, patient experience, and the delicate balance between ethics and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. She sheds light on...

Ever wonder just how much alternative medical models could revolutionize healthcare? The ability to provide better care at lower costs is a tangible reality that the industry might want to start paying more attention to.

Healthcare expert Dr. Jack Cappitelli, Chief Medical Officer NJ Region Summit Health, discusses his experience with alternative medical models and the transformative impact of empathetic leadership during the COVID-19 era. He discusses how new models can help modernize a multitude of major issues, from cost-effective multi-specialty practices to the challenges of rapid expansion and physician burnout.

Join us as Dr. Cappitelli...

These days we certainly don’t think much about meeting with a doctor or nurse practitioner online if we don’t need to see them in-person. But if you live in a rural area the recent advancements in telemedicine and healthcare access are life-saving.

This new unprecedented access to doctors, not just remotely but across state lines, is due to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). This initiative has had a transformative impact on healthcare access, telemedicine, patient care and for those working as and with locum tenens.

In this episode Marschall Smith, Executive Director at Inte...

When patients receive a life-changing diagnosis, they can feel as if there is nowhere to turn for quality, timely answers to their questions and concerns. At the same time, providers are spending more of their day charting information and handling back-of-office tasks than they are spending caring for patients — leading to burnout.

Manav Savek, CEO of Memora Health, is here to offer a solution. Memora’s ability to automate tedious back-of-office tasks allows a new sense of freedom for providers to focus on patient care and well-being. By utilizing emerging technologies, communications are streamlined, meaning providers are able to q...

Cancer comes in many forms, each requiring a specific treatment approach. In addition, based on a patient’s genetics, cancer can be difficult to eliminate with concerns such as treatment ineffectiveness and negative immune responses. Another major challenge: many patients are on borrowed time, limiting the options for various treatments.

Ishani Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer at Carcinotech Ltd. plays a role in an innovative solution. By 3D printing tumors using a single patient biopsy, the team can account for cancer cell makeup, genetics, and patient-specific immune responses in a matter of days. Shifting treatment testing from humans to th...

70% of medical professionals wouldn’t recommend the profession to others — a glaring red flag that’s the result of a broken system where health practitioners can’t serve patients in a way they like.

Dr. Kristin Jacob, Medical Director, Office of Physician and APP Fulfillment at Corewell Health West has dedicated her career to switching the narrative and rebuilding healthcare culture so that professionals and patients alike can embrace the full benefit of top-notch care provided by physically and mentally resilient practitioners — something only possible with a resounding culture of wellness.

Join us as we discuss:Balancing...

In the face of a global pandemic, people fought and won the battle. Their weapon of choice to go faster and be better? Data and artificial intelligence.

Tom Lawry, Former National Director for Artificial Intelligence of Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft and author of Hacking Healthcare joins us to discuss what the healthcare industry learned from the pandemic and how those lessons can translate into a better, more efficient future of the industry. Where current efforts are somewhat stalled — the opioid crisis, chronic disease, cancer — AI and tech can be leveraged for innovation and rapid progress.

Healthcare workers are suffering in silence from burnout and poor mental health.

Dr. Olivia Ong, speaks to us about overcoming a life-changing car accident and struggling with the stresses of being a physician. Healthcare is undeniably a field that requires its workers to be strong, both physically and mentally. Yet, countless employees are suffering from burnout because of the stigmas around seeking help or appearing weak. This leads to even larger mental health problems over time. Dr. Ong, Founder and Director of The Heart-Centered Method Institute Pty Ltd, aims to change that narrative. By offering support and raising...

There are only a handful of people in the world who get the opportunity to work directly with the country’s leaders to influence the public health of the United States. The insights and experiences gained by these industry leaders are invaluable.

Returning to the podcast, Sandra Elizabeth Ford, Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science at The White House, joins to discuss her experiences in her role in the capital. Her work to support communities and frontline healthcare during the pandemic has been astronomical. By addressing the need for quality local health clinics an...

One in three women experiences abnormal uterine bleeding and pain. What’s worse — it’s normalized. Symptoms leave women struggling in silence, options limited to ineffective hormonal therapies, expensive and invasive surgeries or continual suffering.

Keren Leshem, Chief Executive Officer at OCON has set out to make a change in women’s health. The development and launch of innovative products like the IntraUterine Ball (IUB) embrace modern science and offer non-invasive, affordable alternative solutions to women worldwide. But these developments don’t come quickly — they take the investment of time, resources and dedication from professionals around the world, with women l...

Poverty and healthcare are deeply intertwined in Brazil, creating a vicious cycle of hospitalization, rehospitalization, and poor health outcomes. Without intentional intervention and innovative solutions that reach beyond the hospital setting, overall well-being will never improve.

Dr. Vera Cordeiro, Founder and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Dara Institute is on a mission to spearhead the social change on a global scale necessary to enable equitable access to healthcare using perhaps the most powerful tool available: data.

Join us as we discuss:Interconnectedness of poverty and healthcare (and how we can change both)Social entrepreneurship...

56% of women get turned away from emergency rooms when presenting with symptoms of an active heart attack. Across 700 different diseases, women get diagnosed later than men. These are just a few detrimental results of the existing gender gap in healthcare.

In this episode of Heroes of Healthcare, we speak with Valentina Milanova, Founder and CPO of Daye about the groundbreaking ways Daye has been ramping up the innovation in women’s healthcare that has been sorely lacking for far too long.

Join us as we discuss:
Addressing gender bias and advocating for women’s healthInnovation for...

The passion that drives any real innovation is the passion to do something better.

When Dr. Toby Hamilton began his journey in medicine he noticed a disconnect in emergency care — by the time he saw a patient they were already upset with him. Instead of digging into treatment, staff had to focus on regaining patient trust. These inefficiencies and frustrations led Dr. Hamilton and several partners to develop their own systems and open a hospital with a promise to improve patient care and medical professional experience. Founder and Executive Director of Healthcare Innovators Professional Society (HIPS) and Board Me...

We are ready to revolutionize healthcare — and the system needs it.

Through cultural changes and diversity, we can create an atmosphere for compassionate care that leads to improved mental health of providers and decreased provider burnout. Today we speak with Dr. Dhaval Desai, Director of Hospital Medicine, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, Inc about how we can lead the driving change to shape the future of healthcare for patients and professionals.

Join us as we discuss: Diversity and Culture Changes as a force to improve patient carePrioritizing compassionate care for improved experience for providers and pa...

Radiology is one of the most technologically innovative medical specialties — it is in a constant state of change and evolution. As AI blazes through industries, upending how things are done and understood, radiology is not immune to AI’s sweeping impact.

But, as our guest Dr. Nina Kottler, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Clinical AI at Radiology Partners, explains — radiology is utilizing AI in ethical ways to improve treatment, efficiency, patient outcomes and experience. But while AI will help revolutionize radiology, and arguably, the entire medical field, fear not — the need for humans will not dissipate any time soon.

We live in an age with ever-advancing psychiatric treatments for mental health and addiction, yet the opioid epidemic continues to rage unabated.

With all these modern tools at our disposal, why is our approach to addiction treatment still failing?

Our latest guest in our 3 part Opioid Crisis Series, Dr. Michael Genovese, Chief Medical Officer at Acadia Healthcare, joins the show to examine what’s missing from today’s addiction toolkit — and what can be done to fill the gaps.

We discuss:The stigma of addiction and lack of doctors specializing in its treatment The medica...

Workers in neurocritical care have an incredibly demanding job, but — as the pandemic revealed — one that is absolutely vital in supporting societal wellbeing.

But are we doing everything we can to support their wellbeing?

In this episode, Dr. Sasha Yakhkind, Neurocritical Care Physician at Tufts Medical Center, joins to discuss the ongoing burnout crisis and what can be done to prevent it.

Join us as we discuss:
The ways in which the pandemic showed the important role neurocritical care playsWhy crossovers in clinical specialties matters more than everBurnout, its dangers and how hospitals can...

The pharmaceutical industry is the least trusted by the public — and it’s not hard to see why. The rise of OxyContin and the ensuing opioid crisis is one of the greatest preventable tragedies of our times, touching almost everyone.

But if we failed to prevent bad incentives from reigning supreme in the marketing of OxyContin, how can we stop something similar from happening next time?

In this episode, Dr. William Soliman, Founder and CEO of Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), takes a hard look at the issue — how we got here and how to preven...

With a perpetuating labor shortage resulting in healthcare facilities reporting continued losses year-over-year, healthcare professionals are desperate for reprieve. While there is no impending wave of new professionals to hit the workforce any time soon, the world has begun to see a wild jump in the development of AI.

On this episode, we’re joined by Ken Perez, Vice President of Healthcare Policy and Government Affairs at Omnicell — an organization at the heart of the future of pharmacy. With promising developments emerging, Ken offers a glimmer of hope for healthcare facilities and pharmacy techs worldwide.

Join us a...

This is the first episode in a special three-part series on OxyContin and the opioid crisis. The next episode will be live on 4/11/23.

At some point, the opioid epidemic has touched nearly everyone’s life in this country. That makes it one of the few issues that cut across every demographic and political line.

The people want the corporations held responsible for their part in the epidemic, but that’s no easy task when it means taking on some of the world’s most powerful corporations.

Today’s guest not only had the courage to take...

Headlines, studies and endless social media posts remind us that occupational burnout is more widespread than ever — but how exactly do we define burnout? And more importantly, how do we prevent it?

This week we are joined by Ginny Bonner, Senior Consultant of Physician, APP and Nursing Experience, Development and Well-Being at Banner Health. Ginny defines occupational burnout as a syndrome characterized by a high degree of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a low sense of personal accomplishment — but it goes far beyond this.

Join us as we discuss: The causes and effects of burnoutBanner Health’s role i...