Heroes of Healthcare

From an administrative assistant to a Vice President.

In this episode, Tim talks to Elisa Arespachonga, 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. Alyssa also touches on the critical issue of healthcare worker burnout and...

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...