Shows
The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp83: A New Reality? 4th July, Feds Gutting Medicaid - What Comes Next (In Collaboration with Doctors For America)This episode is a collaboration with Doctors for America. “ It's our turn to step up and speak out.”In another special episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Eric Fethke collaborates with Doctors for America to reflect on the impact of the 4th July tax bill, and the extent of its threat to our healthcare system.Calling on former guests to contribute, and through resharing pertinent snippets from previous episodes of the show, Dr. Fethke presents the stark reality of the impact these cuts will have on patients, communities, hospitals, emplo...
2025-08-121h 01The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp76: Drug Pricing, Pharmacy Access and Removing Barriers to Health w/Vinay PatelA conversation with Vinay PatelThere are too many barriers in the pursuit of health: financial, infrastructural, systematic… American healthcare is set up to fail the patients it needs to prioritize.Welcome Vinay Patel, a forward thinking pharmacist and healthcare entrepreneur who founded MakoRx, a company focused on disrupting traditional drug pricing models and improving pharmacy access.He saw a system that failed patients - charging exorbitant prices for cheaply-made drugs - until he decided to break with the status quo and set about creating a new model, rooted in transparency an...
2025-06-0451 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp75: What You Need To Know About The Affordable Care Act w/Charles Gaba and Doctors For AmericaA conversation with Charles Gaba“We need to find a way to make improvements to the system without hurting people in the process.”In our second collaborative episode with Doctors For America, Dr. Fethke is joined by healthcare policy and data analyst Charles Gaba. His work highlighting the numbers surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been influential, with citations by major publications like The Washington Post, Forbes and The New York Times and by policymakers in Congress.He’s here today to give us an overview of the ACA, fr...
2025-05-2555 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp74: Wall Street, Whistleblowers and Change w/ Wendell PotterA conversation with Wendell Potter“We need to get Wall Street out of control of our healthcare system.”This is the opinion of Wendell Potter, a former health insurance exec for Humana and Cigna turned whistleblower - exposing the practices of his former industry and choosing to seek change.Wendell knows first-hand how these insurers operate, how they incentivize profit, how they use their financial power to influence Congress, and ultimately - what it will take to rip up the status quo and renew our healthcare system for the benefit of the...
2025-05-1455 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp 73: The AI Healthcare Renaissance w/Linda MacomberA conversation with Linda MacomberWe need a healthcare renaissance. AI could lead us there.Here to share her optimism and enthusiasm for AI as a new frontier in healthcare, is Linda Macomber.As a digital health expert with over 30 years of experience in health informatics and technology-driven healthcare solutions, Linda is best placed for informing us on the potential AI holds for improving patient experiences and optimising health outcomes.——We spoke about how Linda became interested in the intersection of healthcare and technology, the distrust some doct...
2025-05-0748 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp72: Journalism, Public Awareness and the History of Health Policy w/Joanne KenenA conversation with Joanne KenenIt’s time to help inform the public on what’s happening in healthcare today.With changes coming to the ACA's subsidies in 2025 and debates about Medicaid expansion, veteran journalist Joanne Kenen is here to help us understand what's at stake.She takes us through a history of health policy, so that we can make sense of recent instabilities, understand what the proposed changes fundamentally mean, and uncover a blueprint for value-based - not volume-based - healthcare.——We spoke about the role of media...
2025-04-1846 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp 71: AI Promise, Caution and the White House Champion of Change w/ Hugo CamposA conversation with Hugo Campos“AI can help patients make better choices about their life and about their healthcare.”Renowned patient advocate and White House Champion of Change, our guest Hugo Campos shares his personal journey into healthcare advocacy - revealing why he believes we are entering an era with huge potential for patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system as a whole.But he notes a word of caution: powerful tools like AI need to be implemented carefully, in a way that encourages collaboration, promotes patient empowerment, and above all, optimises outc...
2025-04-1149 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp70: A Patient Advocacy Approach to Medical Errors, Hope and Systematic Change w/ Rosie BartelA conversation with Rosie BartelNurturing the patient-physician partnership is the only way to heal healthcare.Sharing her lived experience with openness and honesty is Rosie Bartel, a patient advocate and survivor of preventable medical error. Since contracting MRSA after a routine knee replacement surgery, Rosie has channelled a hugely difficult and prolonged healthcare experience into a mission for systemic change.As she states, patient safety is a bipartisan issue, and we must ensure continued collaboration and communication between physicians, policymakers, executives and most importantly, patients themselves.——We s...
2025-04-0454 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp69: The Devastating Impact of Proposed Medicaid Cuts - What You Need to Know Now! w/ Doctors For AmericaThis episode is a collaboration with Doctors for America."This issue has been affecting my sleep. I'm not sleeping and I'm a pretty good sleeper, so this must be bothering me."In this powerful special episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Eric Fethke collaborates with Doctors for America to sound the alarm about the proposed $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over ten years - a cut larger than the program's entire annual budget.Using the fictional Smith family as a case study, Dr. Fethke illustrates how Medicaid is essential for...
2025-03-2724 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp69: The Devastating Impact of Proposed Medicaid Cuts - What You Need to Know Now! w/ Doctors For AmericaThis episode is a collaboration with Doctors for America."This issue has been affecting my sleep. I'm not sleeping and I'm a pretty good sleeper, so this must be bothering me."In this powerful special episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Eric Fethke collaborates with Doctors for America to sound the alarm about the proposed $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over ten years - a cut larger than the program's entire annual budget.Using the fictional Smith family as a case study, Dr. Fethke illustrates how Medicaid is essential for...
2025-03-2624 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp68: Understanding the Interplay of Healthcare & Politics in America- w/ Dr. Abdul El-SayedEp68: Understanding the Interplay of Healthcare & Politics in America- w/ Dr. Abdul El-Sayed“Politics are like a kaleidoscope. If you don't like where you are, just keep turning it.”This week we are delighted to welcome physician, epidemiologist, author, and Director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Abdul El-Sayed.He shares his opinion that our healthcare system is broken because our politics is broken. The solution? Collective action, universal healthcare and persistent dialogue.——We spoke about the corrosive influence of monetizing healthcare for profit, the concept o...
2025-03-1248 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp67: Health Data, Ownership and Transparency w/Dr. Jordi Piera JiménezA conversation with Dr. Jordi Piera JiménezOur money comes with us wherever we go, so why doesn’t our health data?Sharing his innovative vision for transforming the way we use electronic health records and investing in prevention and patient empowerment, is Dr. Jordi Piera Jiménez.As Director of the Digital Health Strategy at the Catalan Health Service in Spain, Dr. Jiménez shares a blueprint for modern healthcare that unites patient data in an open platform - ultimately unlocking its full potential.——We spoke about...
2025-03-0457 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp66: In the Aftermath of the UHC Murder - Not the What & How, but WhyA panel with Dr. Don Berwick, Tanya Sanderson and Ron HowrigonToday, Dr. Fethke calls on three previous guests to share their thoughts, insights, and solutions in the light of the UHC incident, a tragic murder that highlighted the scale of public anger at the state of our healthcare system.With our panel drawing from their vast collective experience at clinical, administrative and federal level, this episode serves as a vital resource for understanding how we got here, why the situation is so dire, and what we need to do to fix it.
2025-02-2556 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp65: Generative AI, Healthcare Incentives and Politics w/Dr Robert PearlA conversation with Dr. Robert PearlPut a system in place that rewards value. Sounds simple, right? Sharing a vision for seismic healthcare reform is renowned healthcare leader, award-winning author, and plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Pearl.Dr. Pearl originally believed healthcare was a non-political space. How could medicine be political? Yet our healthcare system is on its knees, drug companies are protected by policy, patients are struggling to afford care, and our rates of chronic disease are staggeringly high - adding huge cost to the system.But wa...
2025-02-071h 00The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp64: Health Care of a Thousand Slights w /Anjana SreedharA conversation with Anjana SreedharWe need to understand the past, to shape the future.Join us for an eye-opening discussion with the author of acclaimed health disparities book Health Care of a Thousand Slights, Anjana Sreedhar.The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the extent of health inequalities here in America, but Anjana has chosen to seek a solution. Via a comprehensive study of policy, structural racism, and the American identity, she presents both a sobering reflection on the state of our nation and a blueprint for action, advocacy, and empowerment.
2025-01-2958 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp63: Partnerships, Pioneers and Protecting Patients w/ Dr Lauren RamseyA conversation with Dr. Lauren RamseyIt’s time to tackle healthcare problems through innovation and invention.Bringing energy and initiative to the Pursuit of Health table this week is none other than leading breast cancer surgeon and healthcare pioneer, Dr. Lauren Ramsey.Dr. Ramsey joins to share the lowdown on her invention of BAT, a wearable accessory that protect healthcare professionals (particularly women) from radiation exposure. With breast cancer levels rising year-on-year in America, Dr. Ramsey drew on her personal experience of losing a colleague into deciding to seek change.—...
2025-01-2349 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp62: Why Physician Wellness Matters w/ Dr GregAmerican medicine has a LOT to be proud of, but too many doctors are getting burnt out and thinking of quitting healthcare.Dr. Gregory Charlop, AKA Dr. Greg, is a celebrated physician and author renowned for his innovative approach to physician wellness.Having experienced burnout firsthand whilst completing years of high intensity work as a pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Greg has shifted his focus towards helping other professionals manage stress and improve their life quality through better health practices and work-life balance. ——We spoke about how burnout ultimately impacts everyone, several provocative ideas and...
2025-01-1050 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp61: Using Your ACE in the Hole to Prevent Medication Errors w/ Lidia MolinaraHow can we practice preventative healthcare?Joining from Canada this week is Lidia Molinara, a seasoned clinical pharmacist, CEO, patient safety officer, and fervent advocate for patient safety and effective communication within the healthcare system. Recalling her earliest experiences visiting pharmacies and the influence that has held on her clinical approach, Lidia encourages a deepening of the patient-physician dynamic - building good health and quality healthcare on advocacy, communication, and education.——We spoke about the importance of safety, some of the issues that are intrinsic to our use of medic...
2024-12-1657 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp 60: A Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness thru the Mind-Heart Connection w/ Dr Jonathan Fisher“Together as a community, we share just one heart.”This week’s episode is a treat - a deep dive into the philosophy of Dr. Jonathan Fisher, cardiologist, clinician advocate, and author of the fantastic book Just One Heart: A Cardiologist's Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness.Jonathan shares how he drew on his own experiences, of medical school burnout and inspirational parents, to encourage our healthcare system to rethink the way it looks at heart health. His vision is holistic, and in this discussion he talks passionately with our host, and fellow cardiologist, Dr. Eric F...
2024-11-1254 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp59: Case Studies from the Heart - How Anger Is Making US Sick - Dr. Eric FethkeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Health, Dr. Eric Fethke delves into the concept of anger as a significant medical and health issue, exploring how it can harm individual and societal wellness or be transformed into a positive force. Through powerful patient stories, he highlights the impact of anger on our health and stresses the importance of choosing leaders who promote unity over division—an essential consideration for the upcoming election.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Ca...
2024-11-0520 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp58: Using AI To Improve Patient Health and Save Money w/Tanya SandersonIt’s time to change the way we look at medical necessity and payment policies.According to Tanya Sanderson, using AI could just be our best option.Her work with human-centred tech company Xsolis is shaking up healthcare, improving outcomes for patients, saving money, and doing away with the excess of waste in our current system. —————We spoke about the value of combining diverse experiences from the nursing, finance, legal and technology worlds to create an approach that ultimately best serves the patient, the payment denial patterns in healthcare and how they...
2024-11-0448 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp57: Tackling Obesity Together is More Than Just a Pill - with Dr. Kara MayesLike so many other aspects of our healthcare system, obesity is a health equity issue.Today we welcome Dr. Kara Mayes, Chief Medical Officer of Ilant Health, a company focused on value-based obesity management and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Mayes joins us to cast a lens on obesity in America, during a time that weight loss drugs have gained notoriety. But why do we so often fail to treat obesity like we do any other disease?Sharing an informed outlook on the scope of the problem and the different socioeconomic factors that come into p...
2024-10-2450 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp56: The (Dangerous) History of Consumerism in American Healthcare-Prof. Nancy Tomes“Medical consumerism figures more as a problem than progress.”Today’s guest is the award-winning historian, American public health expert, and author, Professor Nancy Tomes.In a discussion encompassing past, present, and future, Professor Tomes provides a unique historical lens to better understand the healthcare challenges of today, in hope of sparking solutions for an equitable system for every patient in America.——We spoke about the evolution of critical consumerism in healthcare, how that led to today's increased complexity, the role of advertising and other stakeholders in our system, the importance of primary...
2024-10-1049 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp55: Pediatric Care: An Investment in Our Future-Dr.Alison CurfmanInvestment in pediatric care is an investment in our future. So why is our system slow to change?Enter Alison Curfman, MD - co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, a value-based pediatric medical group pioneering tech-enabled care for chronically ill children.Alison is passionate about improving outcomes, reducing costs, supporting parents, and enabling young people, through an innovative blend of pediatric telehealth and virtual care.——We spoke about Imagine Pediatrics, the meaning of fee-for-service versus value-based care, encountering systemic resistance to change, unfounded concerns about telehealth, the success Imagine Pediatrics are overseeing, and a lo...
2024-10-0348 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp54: How To Make Healthcare Affordable-Ron HowrigonThe only barrier to success in the Pursuit of Health is ourselves.Joining to contribute to our ongoing healthcare conversation, is self-described “recovering managed care executive” Ron Howrigon.As President and CEO of Fulcrum Industries, Ron is in the business of helping physicians and hospitals with negotiations for managed care contracts - having chosen to leave a lucrative career in favor of seeking systemic improvement.——We spoke about his experience on “the other side of the fence”, the key factors contributing to the cost of healthcare, how to make a system that is cost...
2024-09-2647 min
Girl Doc Survival GuideEP131: Beyond Diagnosis: Enhancing Doctor-Patient Bonds with Dr. Eric FethkeThis episode of SEE HEAR FEEL is an edited version of an episode from the podcast, The Pursuit of Health with Dr. Eric Fethke. Dr. Fethke and I talk about my journey in healthcare, professionally and personally. The discussion emphasizes the importance of improving doctor-patient connections through empathy and psychological understanding. Key topics include the impact of emotional perceptions in medical interactions, the role of metacognition in healthcare, and practical strategies for physicians to foster meaningful relationships with patients. We highlight the need for incorporating these concepts into medical education to enhance overall healthcare efficacy.00:00 Introduction
2024-09-1116 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp53: How to Improve The Doctor-Patient Connection-Dr Christine KoA conversation with Dr. Christine KoMetacognition, growth mindset, compassion. How does this all tie into healthcare?Enter Dr. Christine Ko, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale University, and author of How to Improve Doctor-Patient Connection: Using Psychology to Optimize Healthcare Interactions.Drawing from her experiences as a physician, mother, and patient, Dr. Ko has developed an actionable guide that encourages physicians to step back and reflect - using psychology principles to enhance healthcare delivery.——We spoke about powerful examples of negative and positive interactions between doct...
2024-08-2251 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp52: The Overmedication Crisis - Dr. Michael SmithA conversation with Dr. Michael SmithMedication is sometimes required. But prevention starts with the patient.This is one of the core philosophies of this week’s guest Dr. Michael Smith.Naturopathic physician, and founder of Focused Family Integrative Medicine, he is dedicated to preventative medicine - advocating for sleep, exercise and nutrition as foundational pillars for health, not overmedication.——We spoke about the role of naturopathy within a healthcare team, why it's not a competition between disciplines but actually an integrative partnership, the role of doc...
2024-08-0849 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp51: How To Create a Health System That Actually Works-Dr. Jeffrey Charles HardyA conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Charles HardyThe system is not the solution, the process is the solution.In our fragmented healthcare system, how can we start thinking globally? What impact do our actions hold for the planet and all its people?Dr. Jeffrey Charles Hardy is an author, thought leader, Founder and President of Care for Peace, a nonprofit focused on international health development - the perfect guest to open our minds and present new possibilities.——Dr Fethke and Dr Jeffrey discussed siloed healthcare, our...
2024-08-0149 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp50: How To Persevere As A Family When Faced With A Child’s Heart Defect-Justin and Ashley GeorgeA conversation with Justin and Ashley K. GeorgeResilience is a muscle. The challenges don’t get easier, we just get stronger at handling them.A couple who know this from experience are Justin and Ashley K. George.When their son Elliot was diagnosed with a heart defect, it took everything for them to stay strong amidst the crisis, counting the support they received from family, medical professionals and co-workers as essential.——We spoke about Elliot’s story, t...
2024-07-2550 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp49: Why Money Poisons Healthcare-Dr.. Ellana StinsonA conversation with Dr Ellana StinsonMoney affects everything in American healthcare. And too often, it gets in the way.Taking the bull by the horns is Dr. Ellana Stinson.Having felt the frustration of cost-cutting on the frontline, she chose to do an MBA in finance - seeking to better understand how mysterious financial bodies - particularly private equity firms, are creating huge problems for our ability to provide quality care.We spoke about why she did an MBA, her advocacy, private equity, the fact that doctors don't...
2024-07-1944 min
Men's Health Unscripted#126- Heart Health with Dr. Eric FethkeOn the latest episode of the Men's Health Unscripted Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Eric Fethke, MD, a cardiologist renowned for his dual role in patient care and healthcare policy development. Dr. Eric offers a unique perspective as a pediatric cardiologist who often continues to follow his patients throughout their lives, witnessing firsthand the evolving nature of their healthcare needs. In this episode, we delve into crucial topics such as heart health, disease prevention, and athletic preparation. Join us for an insightful discussion dedicated to keeping your heart strong and healthy for the long haul.
2024-07-1550 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp46: The Patient-Led Revolution with Susannah FoxSend us a Text Message.70% of U.S. adults have accessed health information online in the past year.A revealing statistic, highlighting the increasing reliance on digital resources for healthcare guidance.As this week’s guest, Susannah Fox, illuminates, patient-led healthcare holds tremendous potential for transforming our health systems. With her extensive experience as a distinguished researcher and former Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Susannah is at the forefront of this revolution.In this episode, Susannah shares insights from her new book, "Rebel He...
2024-07-1055 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp48: Case Studies From The Heart - Immigration & Healthcare -Dr. Eric FethkeWelcome to our third installment of our Case Studies From The Heart series.In the episode, Dr. Fethke shines a light on the topic of immigrant healthcare, by sharing his own experience successfully treating a young child from Honduras with Turner’s syndrome.Immigrant healthcare can be a controversial and heavily politicized topic, with arguments from both sides about the best approach to take.Join us, as Dr. Fethke considers his own call to action - one that he believes reflects the roots of our American principles.“We should celebrate, not supp...
2024-06-2030 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp47: How Healthcare and Social Media Unite to Create a Healthier America - Dr. Austin ChiangIs it time to revamp medical education?This week’s guest, Dr. Austin Chiang, certainly thinks so.Leading an already distinguished career, Dr. Chiang is a top gastroenterologist, Chief Medical Officer of the Endoscopy division of Medtronics, Founding President of the Association for Healthcare Social Media (AHSM), and the author of recently published Gut: An Owner's Guide.In addition, his TikTok account alone hosts more than 575,000 followers - which is just one of the social media channels he uses to communicate healthcare information, straight to the people who might need it.He...
2024-06-1348 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp46: The Patient-Led Revolution with Susannah Fox70% of U.S. adults have accessed health information online in the past year.A revealing statistic, highlighting the increasing reliance on digital resources for healthcare guidance.As this week’s guest, Susannah Fox, illuminates, patient-led healthcare holds tremendous potential for transforming our health systems. With her extensive experience as a distinguished researcher and former Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Susannah is at the forefront of this revolution.In this episode, Susannah shares insights from her new book, "Rebel Health," an action-oriented and radically hopeful field gu...
2024-05-3055 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp45: Revolutionizing Autism Care and Improving Outcomes with Daniel EtraThis week's guest is in the business of maximizing outcomes.A self-described "reformed investment banker", Daniel Etra is the co-founder and CEO of Rethink, a data-driven company changing the face of neurodivergent care.He talks passionately about the vast social impact of their operations, teaching frontline clinicians, empowering caregivers, and helping neurodivergent individuals reach their potential.With their library of educational videos, cutting-edge Al tools and enormous dataset, Rethink are a modern company with global aims - centering inclusion and empowerment at the core of their ethos.Let's get started!
2024-05-2354 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp 44: Healing, Well-Being and Adverse Childhood Experiences with Julika von Stackelberg64% of U.S. adults have had adverse childhood experiences.A stark statistic, and one that we are paying the cultural and economic cost of.As this week’s guest Julika von Stackelberg tells us, these experiences in our youth have a direct impact on our life expectancy and wellbeing in our lives.Through her work as a peaceful parenting advisor and educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Julika is on a mission to empower young people and parents, nurture a community-led approach to raising our children, and help us all better self-regulate our fe...
2024-05-1555 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp 43: Overmedicated America, Advocacy and Patient-Centred Medicine, with Patrick AlonsoWe have a problem with prescriptions. A major problem.We take a step back from our recent policy-focused guests, to welcome licensed pharmacist, host of Men's Health Unscripted podcast, and founder of Your Tampa Healthcare Advocate, Patrick Alonso.Patrick is on the front line with patients, and was empowered to change the tide of problematic prescriptions through first-hand family experience.The issue is polypharmacy. Multiple doctors prescribing different medications, siloed from each other, resulting in patients being put at risk. This is where his role as advocate comes in, with Patrick s...
2024-05-0256 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp42: Sepsis, Early Detection and Hope Through Diagnosis: with Dr. Robert ScogginsIt’s time to get to grips with sepsis.The statistics are stark: sepsis is killing 250,000 people in our country every year - and yet we’re still only getting to grips with why it happens, how we can identify it, and how we ensure effective treatment.On a mission to better our understanding is Dr. Robert Scoggins, a leading figure in pulmonary and critical care medicine who serves as Chief Medical Officer of Cytovale, a private company building cutting-edge technology to identify sepsis.He takes us through its medical definition, the huge impo...
2024-04-2351 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp41: Healthcare From The White House with Dr Don Berwick“In the United States we don’t ration medicine, we ration people.”We are honored this week to welcome an esteemed author, pediatrician, educator and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Dr. Don Berwick.Dr. Berwick has dedicated his career to reigniting our healthcare system, to ensure it can meet the needs of disadvantaged people, and limit the excess profits being hoarded as wealth by the powers that be.Formerly serving as the former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Barack Obama, he knows the details of our system...
2024-04-1147 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp40: Reversing Traditional Incentives, Access To Healthcare and Community: with Dr. Andrea J. BoudreauxWe need to transition our industry from being about sickness, to being about wellness.Imagine a system that rewarded providers for keeping patients well; that reimbursed practices for patients with better metrics.That’s the type of system dreamt of by this week’s guest, Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux, Executive Director of Children’s School Services team in Washington, D.C.Having come face to face with the structural issues plaguing healthcare, she chooses action: making fundamental differences for children and families in low-income neighborhoods by bringing healthcare to schools, shelters and in virtual checku...
2024-04-0352 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp39: Rural Healthcare, Vulnerability, and Community with Dr David SchreinerIt’s time to talk about rural healthcare.Enter this week’s guest, Dr. David Schreiner, PhD, who is fresh off the press with his new book Be The Best Part of Their Day.As President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, David knows the intricacies of delivering healthcare in rural communities with compassion and efficacy.And it shows, with his hospital boasting some of the best stats for quality in the country - priding themselves on a system that forefronts the doctor-patient relationship, values each member of staff that...
2024-03-2750 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp38: Insurance, Depoliticizing Healthcare, and Doctors For America; with Keshia BradfordUse your voice.This is the key take-home message for physicians, medical students and residents, from Keshia Bradford.As Project Manager of Doctors for America, Keshia is on the frontline, witnessing the current state of our healthcare system in unflinching detail.In giving us a history of our healthcare and health insurance system in the U.S., Dr. Bradford reveals the urgent need to depoliticize healthcare policy, bring the patient's voice to the table, and ensure equitable access for all.A proactive, passionate, tireless educator, today’s conversation is a call fo...
2024-03-1448 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp37 - Participatory Medicine, Elder Care and 'E-Patient' DaveKnowledge is power.So how can we ensure our healthcare system is empowering patients?This episode is a brilliant chat with ‘e-Patient Dave’ deBronkart, a legendary advocate of participatory medicine who came into the spotlight during a battle with cancer in 2007.Dave is the living embodiment of participatory medicine, and reflects passionately on numerous inspiring examples of patient-led change: Long Covid, Parkinson’s Disease, Marfan Syndrome… the list goes on.Sharing candidly on his own health battle and the preventable death of his mother due to staff shortages at a care home, it...
2024-03-0757 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEP 36: Addressing Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death in the U.S. Co-branded w/ Parent Heart WatchThis week’s episode is a special retrospective: almost two years on, our guests Martha Lopez-Anderson, Melinda Murray-Nyack and Karen Acompora reconvene to reflect on the progress made over the past few years and the remaining obstacles to achieving their goal of eliminating Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death in our Youth by 2030.Sitting down at the 19th Annual National Parent Heart Watch Heart-to-Heart Conference, our guests first reflect on what they are proud of: screening numbers reaching amazing levels, legislation drafted up, mandated AEDs in New York State… real change is being enacted.Acknowledging the national focus inci...
2024-02-2023 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp35 - Grief, Cultural Differences and Childhood Cardiac ArrestWelcome back to The Pursuit of Health Podcast. This week, we sit down with Stacy Cortechine, Rachel Moyer and Dr. Mitani from Japan to discuss the cultural differences between Japan and the US in approaching primary and secondary prevention of SCA/SCD in youth.As shared in our discussion, Stacy and Rachel both lost their sons to sudden cardiac arrest, and now dedicate their efforts to raising awareness, lobbying lawmakers and screening young people through their respective work for Who We Play For and Greg Moyer AED Fund.Their work is helping to s...
2024-02-1438 min
HealthCare UnToldDr. Eric Fethke, Pediatric Cardiologist and Author of The Privilege of Caring: A Doctor's Call To Heal The U.S. Healthcare SystemOur guest today is Dr. Eric Fethke, one of the country’s top pediatric cardiologists. Dr. Fethke is known for successfully treating the most difficult heart conditions in babies, children, and adults. He is also the medical director of one of the nation’s premier cardiac screening programs for children: Heart Screen New York.Dr. Fethke is the author of a new book called, "The Privilege of Caring: A Doctor's Call to Heal the U.S. Health System."His book was inspired by one of his heart patients who continued to remind Dr. Fethke over decades of t...
2024-01-0428 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp34 - Kids & Guns: A Public Health Crisis, Dr. Nina AgrawalWelcome back to the Pursuit of Health Podcast.We return today with a pertinent discussion on a topic that affects each and every one of us in the United States: the issue of gun violence.Joining host Dr. Eric Fethke is fellow pediatrician and Founder/Director of Child Health Solutions Dr. Nina Agrawal, who is dedicating her voice to advocating for change.Dr. Agrawal is shocked that gun violence is affecting, and killing children in our country - and she chose to become an educator, advocate and changemaker to ensure it can never...
2023-12-0847 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp33 - The Legacy of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr Sameh SaidPediatric cardiac surgery has an incredible history, and an incredible future ahead too.Joining to share his experiences training, educating and delivering results as a heart surgeon is Dr Sameh Said from Westchester Medical Center.Dr Said uncovers his journey from Egypt to the US, drawn by a fascination with the practice - a dedication to pursuing a career that saves lives.Revealing the still relatively recent history of the field - Dr Said goes on to share how he approaches his practice, the importance of the whole surgical team and some words...
2023-06-3055 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp32 - Islam and Medicine; Culturally-competent care with Simal AliWe need to create frameworks for culturally-competent care.Joining me today to share a discussion on the need to improve diversity awareness in our American healthcare system is Medical Student Simal Ali.Currently in her third year at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Simal is passionate about educating - using her experiences as a Muslim doctor to deliver lectures and share the tenets of her faith with the world.She reveals practical steps that we can all implement to develop more mindful care that listens to our patients’ religious beliefs and ensures trust.
2023-06-1656 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp31 - Freedom of Speech as a Prerequisite to a Healthy Society, Professor Kathy KielyOur host, Dr. Fethke, dedicates this episode to a remarkable college classmate and friend at a time when she needs everyone’s support. This person is none other than Maria Ressa, the recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for her tireless efforts over the past three decades to champion Freedom of the Press in the face of overwhelming obstacles. In the words of the Nobel Committee, Maria Ressa received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Russia’s Dmitry Muratov for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."In o...
2022-10-271h 09The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp30 - An Eldercare Lawyer’s Perspective on Aging in America, Louis Pierro Esq.This episode is dedicated to Dr. Fethke’s father, Walter P. Fethke, in remembrance of the honorable struggle he underwent along with his loving family in the last years and days of his remarkable life.In Episode 30 of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, our host, Dr. Fethke, once again reaches across artificial boundaries to a colleague in the legal profession. His guest, Louis Pierro is an esteemed lawyer based in New York State with over 40 years experience in the field of Elder Law. After attending college at Lehigh University and obtaining his law degree at Albany Law Sch...
2022-10-071h 19The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp29 - Value-Based Care is Health-Based Care, Andrea Zalusky, MPHOn this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast we return to the issue of healthcare economics with our guest, Ms. Andrea Zalusky. She brings over a decade of experience in the field of healthcare administration, with a particular focus as of late on the transition from a “Fee-for-Service” (FFS) to a “Value-based care” (VBC) approach to the financing of medical care. She explains that, like doctors, she has engaged in this work because she wanted to help as many people as possible become and stay healthy. With a Masters Degree in Public Health from Columbia after studying Global and Heal...
2022-09-161h 16The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp28 - Ripped Off by the American Healthcare System, Dr. Gilbert SimonOn today's episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke is joined by a pediatrician leader and educator who has practiced for over half a century, Dr. Gilbert Simon. Dr. Simon started his pediatric career at Columbia University’s Babies & Children’s Hospital during the same era as many of Dr. Fethke’s most esteemed mentors. After years of working in the metropolitan northeast in a prestigious academic center, Dr. Simon made a life-changing career move to the west coast where he ultimately founded and served as the Medical Director and CEO of the Sacramento Family Medical Clinics. It was...
2022-08-191h 08The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp27 - Gender-Based Violence - A Visionary Approach from South Africa, Shirley Raman and Bongani G. NgomaneOn this intensely thought-proving episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast our host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is joined by two pioneers and community advocates - Shirley Raman and Bongani Ngomane - from the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Shirley Raman has been a social worker, leader and community advocate for almost 4 decades. She has dedicated her life to helping to uplift others, and in turn, her beloved nation. She has carried out a labor of love through the era of Apartheid, HIV/AIDS pandemic and now in addressing Gender Violence. Her tireless and inspiring efforts have brought her to a...
2022-07-151h 05The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp26 - A Field in Crisis: With Roe v Wade On The Line a Retrospective Review from a Beloved Obstetrician, Dr. Daniel PerkesOn this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast Dr. Fethke is joined by a remarkable frontline colleague from the medical field of Obstetrics, Dr. Daniel Perkes. Dr. Perkes takes us through two decades of change and turmoil during which he remarkably remained focused on maintaining strong professional relationships with his patients. He emphasizes that such alliances with his patients were the backbone to his career that allowed him to navigate through all the shifts in healthcare from a private practice to corporate medicine. He shares some pearls of wisdom with us on how he was able to sustain...
2022-07-011h 02The Pursuit of Health PodcastTake a Step Back #4 - A Review of Episodes 14 to 16, Dr. Tracy Williams and Leizer SteppaIn this our fourth Take A Step Back episode we take the opportunity to look back over and comment upon Episodes 14 thru 16. Our host, Dr. Fethke, is joined by two guests - a third year medical student, Leizer Steppa, and an experienced practicing primary care internist, Dr. Tracy Williams. Together they reflect on the lessons gleaned from these three episodes including;Ep 14 (Parts 1&2) International Medicine and Earthquake relief in Haiti - Dr. Ronald IsraelskiInfrastructure - Resiliency and Sustainability as a goal Know the people you serve and focus on their needs, not your perceptions of the...
2022-05-131h 13The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp25 - Case Studies from the Heart, Healthcare DisparitiesOn this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast we return to our Case Studies From the Heart format. Our host, Dr, Eric Fethke, begins by sharing the stories of two patients - one lost tragically and the other who survived against the odds. Using these stories as a backdrop, he dives into the often frustrating issue of Health and Healthcare Disparities in the United States. This topic has been a common theme and concern of many of our podcast guests, and we thought that it deserved attention in its own right. Dr. Fethke addresses the many facets of t...
2022-04-2927 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp24 - Humanism in Healthcare, Dr. Laura VaterOn this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast we continue our investigation into the topic of Physician Burnout with Dr. Laura Vater. Dr. Vater has gained a much deserved recognition for her approach to this issue by focusing on Humanism in Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science and minor in Poverty Studies at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. She then went on to complement her skill set with a master of Public Health degree at the University of Pittsburgh where she focused on Behavioral and Community Health. She returned to Indiana to complete her residency in In...
2022-04-1557 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp23 - Healthcare Disease, Dr. Simon MaltaisThe Pursuit of Health Podcast takes a bold look at the mounting stresses that have negatively impacted the careers and lives of too many medical professionals. We have invited a remarkable guest, Dr. Simon Maltais, to help us understand the root causes, profound impact and solutions to this growing problem. Dr. Maltais is a high-powered cardiothoracic surgeon whose successful career has hit all the right marks along the way. A French Canadian who has trained and worked in some of the most reputable medical institutions in Canada and the United States, he has pioneered innovations in mechanical...
2022-04-011h 11The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp22 - The Role of the Physician Assistant: Ally or Competitor? Joseph M DaleoOn this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast we dive further into the realm of public health by pausing to learn about the invaluable role of the Physician Assistant. We are fortunate to have a frontline clinician, educator and pioneer, Joseph M. Daleo, as our guest to take us through this topic. Major Daleo is an active member of the US Army Reserve and holds a Doctorate Degree of Physician Assistant Studies from Touro University. He wears many honorable hats including an Assistant Professorship and the Directorship of Clinical Operations at NY Touro College’s Physician Ass...
2022-02-2553 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp21 - Public Health When We Need It Most, Megan Deichler from CHAHECPublic Health has become a term used repeatedly during the Covid-19 pandemic. On this episode, the Pursuit of Health Podcast is fortunate to have one of New York’s leading public health experts and educators to help us understand and appreciate the importance of a strong public health system. Megan Deichler is the Executive Director of the Catskill Hudson Area Health Education Center (CHAHEC). Ms. Deichler brings extensive global and domestic experience in population health research and strategic charity programs to her current position. Ms. Deichler explains that her focus on community health education is built upon a 5...
2022-02-1147 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp20 - Addressing Infertility: Perspectives From A Female Physician, Dr. Chrissy GuidryDuring this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast we pick up on our topic of Infertility as a Health Concern with a remarkably accomplished guest physician, Dr. Chrissy Guidry. After years of medical and surgical training in Louisiana, Ohio and California, she is now the Medical Director of the Emergency General Surgery & Advanced Trauma Life Support Service at Tulane Medical Center and the Associate Program Director of General Surgery at Tulane University. As an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Tulane School of Medicine she serves as a mentor and advocate for many young student physicians. Amongst her many...
2022-01-281h 07The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp19 - Male Infertility, Dr. Tolulope BakareAs we start 2022 we are honored to begin the second year of the Pursuit of Health Podcast with a very special guest - Dr.Tolu Bakare. She is an American Board Certified urologist with a special focus on Male Infertility. Currently she is an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern where she cares for patients, teaches students and does clinical research. She is a graduate of the medical school at Penn State College of Medicine, after which she completed her General Surgery and Urology training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and finally a Fellowship in Male Infertility...
2022-01-141h 12The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp18 (part 2) - Finding Hope with Domestic Violence, MacKenzie Bachar from Fearless!On Episode 18 Part 2 we present the final episode of our first year at The Pursuit of Health Podcast, while looking forward to much more content as we begin 2022. We continue our important discussion on Domestic Violence with our guest, MacKenzie Bachar, the Advocacy & Education Director of Fearless! in New York's Hudson Valley. Ms. Bachar works on the frontlines with survivors of Domestic Violence in all its forms and in collaboration with other community agencies such as the YWCA, legal professionals, and local law enforcement. She also focuses a significant portion of her efforts on educating our youth ab...
2021-12-3141 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp18 (part 1) - A Proactive Stance Towards Domestic Violence, MacKenzie Bachar from Fearless!On Episode 18 Part 1 we proudly and humbly present the final episode of the first year of The Pursuit of Health Podcast as we take a bold step into the emotionally packed subject of Domestic Violence. Our special guest is MacKenzie Bachar, the Advocacy & Education Director of Fearless!, Hudson Valley, New York. Ms. Bachar works on the frontlines with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence in all its forms and in collaboration with other community agencies such as the YWCA, police, and legal professionals. She also focuses a significant portion of her efforts on educating our youth about the dynamics...
2021-12-1736 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp17 - Case Studies from the Heart, An Introspective Postmortem on the COVID-19 PandemicFor our 28th broadcast and episode 17 of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, your host, Dr. Eric Fethke, introduces a new format - Case Studies from the Heart - where he takes the role of both host and commentator. In this format we ask our audience to share in the medical tradition of telling patient stories to learn and teach about illness. Dr. Fethke invites us to use these Case Studies to go beyond just the details and look at the big picture of peoples’ health conditions, including the broader implications for the complex U.S. health system. For o...
2021-12-0331 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp16 (part 2) - A Black American Physician’s Journey: The Importance of Physician Diversity, Dr. Tyree WintersFor Part 2 of Episode 16 on the Pursuit of Health Podcast, we now continue the engaging conversation with physician mentor, leader and pioneer - Dr. Tyree Winters. Dr. Winters now serves as the Residency Program and Medical Student Clerkship Director, General Pediatric Residency, as well as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead Physician (Dept. of Pediatrics) at Goryeb Hospital of the Atlantic Health System. Amongst his myriad activities, he is also known for his energetic and engaging work as Dr. Tye the Hip Op Doc to tackle obesity and improve cardiovascular fitness for his followers. He is a c...
2021-11-1945 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp16 (part 1) - A Black American Physician’s Journey: Leading the Efforts to Diversify the Face of Medicine, Dr. Tyree WintersFor this episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast we now return back to the U.S. shores from our prior journey to South Africa. We were fortunate to sit down with a wonderful physician mentor, leader and pioneer in his own right - Dr. Tyree Winters. Dr. Winters began his medical career with the foundation of a BA degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan. He then completed his medical school education at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and his pediatric training at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio. He now serves as the Residency Pro...
2021-11-0547 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp15 (part 3) - The South African Experience with COVID-19 and Commonalities with the U.S., Sagie PillayOn the final installment of this three-part special episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, we conclude our first venture outside the US. Our host, Dr. Fethke, continues the discussion with Mr. Sagie Pillay from his home office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Pillay has an extensive worldwide education in healthcare policy and administration. For over three decades he has served South Africa and the African continent through many leadership roles. He currently is the Chief Operations Officer at Wits Health Consortium, Johannesburg, South Africa. The discussion transitions from the backdrop of prioritizing the strong Dia...
2021-10-2246 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp15 (part 2) - The South African Experience with HIV, Sagie PillayOn Part 2 of this three-part special episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, we continue our first foray outside the US. Our host, Dr. Fethke, continues the discussion with Mr. Sagie Pillay from Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Pillay has an extensive worldwide education in healthcare policy and administration. He has served South Africa and the African continent through many leadership roles. He currently is the Chief Operations Officer at Wits Health Consortium, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Pillay explains that during Apartheid the arrival of HIV in the 1980’s was not a priority for the minor...
2021-10-0833 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp15 (part 1) - Building Healthcare Systems in South Africa, Sagie PillayOn this special episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast we embark on our first venture outside the US. Our guest, Sagie Pillay, comes to us from the city of Johannesburg in the amazing country of South Africa. Mr. Pillay has an extensive worldwide education in healthcare policy and administration, and has studied on almost every major continent around the globe. He notably received his Masters in Health Economics, Management and Policy from London’s University of Leeds; a diploma in Senior Executive Leadership and Strategy from Harvard’s Business School; an MBA in Finance, Leadership and Change...
2021-09-2441 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastTake a Step Back #3 - A Review of Episodes 8 to 11, Dr. Jamee Goldstein and Angela HoIn our third Take A Step Back episode we take the opportunity to look back over Episodes 8 through 11. Our host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is joined by two guests - a third year medical student, Angela Ho, and an experienced practicing pediatrician, Dr. Jamee Goldstein. Together they reflect on the lessons gleaned from these four episodes including: Ep 8 (Parts 1&2) - Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young, Parent Heart Watch Team. Awareness should not be taken for granted.It takes a multifaceted approach to address healthcare issues such as sudden cardiac death.People with passion and a commitment to ma...
2021-09-101h 02The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp14 (part 2) - International Medicine and Earthquake Relief in Haiti, Dr. Ron Israelski at Orthopedic Relief Services InternationalOn this episode we had the opportunity to continue our intense discussion about international healthcare with Dr. Ronald Israelski at the Chester, NY headquarters of Orthopedic Relief Services International (ORSI). Dr. Israelski has been an Assistant Clinical Professor at NYU for well over 20 years, and a practicing orthopedist for over 30 years. He has created a legacy of expanding both the clinical and education infrastructure of his New York community and that of the neighboring country of Haiti. Just 2 days before our session, on August 14, 2021, a large earthquake hit Haiti with a force even greater than that which de...
2021-08-2739 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp14 (part 1) - International Medicine and Earthquake Relief in Haiti, Dr. Ron Israelski at Orthopedic Relief Services InternationalOn this episode we had the opportunity to join Dr. Ronald Israelski at the headquarters of Orthopedic Relief Services International (ORSI) to discuss his work in international healthcare. Just 2 days before our session, on August 14, 2021, a large earthquake hit Haiti with a force even greater than that which devastated this already vulnerable country on January 12, 2010. During the discussion the texts and phone calls were pouring in nonstop from Haiti and Dr. Israelski’s American colleagues in their efforts to respond to the catastrophe that ORSI was specifically created to address. Dr. Israelski begins the discussion by sharing his...
2021-08-2040 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp13 (part 2) - Creating Hope Through Patient-Physician Communication, Dr. Welton M. GersonyOn Part 2 of Episode 13 of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Fethke picks up the conversation with a very special guest, his own most influential mentor, Dr. Welton M. Gersony, a pioneer and world-class Pediatric Cardiologist to further expand on his words of wisdom regarding the importance of Patient-Physician Communication. Together the doctors address the many obstacles that prevent today’s physicians from doing a thorough job. Dr. Gersony expresses his views on Over-Testing and suggests that this is not only an effective way to defend against malpractice suits, but can interfere with a productive patient-physician relationship. ...
2021-08-1332 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp13 (part 1) - The Art of Patient-Physician Communication, Dr. Welton M. GersonyOn Episode 13 of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Fethke invites his own most influential mentor, Dr. Welton M. Gersony - a pioneer and world-class Pediatric Cardiologist - to remind us all of the importance of maintaining the fundamentals of Patient-Physician Communication. Over the past 5 decades Dr. Gersony has been one of the most influential physician leaders in American Pediatrics and, specifically, Dr. Fethke’s own field of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Gersony received his medical degree at the State University of NY-Upstate Medical Center, completed his General pediatric training at Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio and h...
2021-08-0633 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp12 - Pediatric Psychiatry During Covid-19, Dr. Richard HahnOn Episode 12 of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke invites a local colleague, Dr. Richard Hahn - an experienced Pediatric Psychiatrist - to address a very important and timely issue: the Mental Health of Children during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Hahn is a graduate of several prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), NY Medical College, Cornell Medical Center, and NY-Presbyterian Hospital. For the past 25 years, he has been a Consulting Psychiatrist for the Hudson Valley NY public schools, NY’s Putnam and Northern Westchester counties' BOCES, and the NJ Child Study teams. He has be...
2021-07-3047 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp11 - Lawyers & Doctors: Allies Not Foes, Steve Tannenbaum, Esq.On this 11th episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Fethke is honored and excited to invite a dear friend and colleague, Steven Tannenbaum, Esq., to debunk the notion that doctors and lawyers are necessarily always adversaries. Our guest is a seasoned attorney with over 40 years of experience and a senior partner in Tannenbaum, Bellantone & Silver PC, a civil litigation law firm based in Lake Success, New York. He has been recognized as one of the Top Attorneys in North America, an honor bestowed to only a few American attorneys recognized for their degree of professional s...
2021-07-2346 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastTake a Step Back #2 - A Review of Episodes 4 to 7, Dr. Dominic Berlingieri and Kevin KriegeIn our second Take A Step Back episode we take the opportunity to look back over and comment upon Episodes 4 through 7. Our host, Dr. Fethke, is joined by a fourth year medical student, Kevin Kriege, and an experienced pediatrician, Dr. Dominic Berlingieri. Together, they reflect on the lessons gleaned from these four episodes, including; Episode 4 (Part 2) - Schools play a vital role as entry points into the U.S. Healthcare System and as part of the ongoing health team for children. Episode 5 (Parts 1&2) - Time is a more valuable comm...
2021-05-211h 12The Pursuit of Health PodcastEp10 - Open Up! Your Dentist May Find You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Dr. Meghna DassaniIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Meghna Dassani, a pioneer dentist in Houston, Texas who is committed to addressing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through a comprehensive approach which includes educating others about the prevalence and implications of this unrecognized and dangerous disturbance of sleep. She shares the personal journey during her training that led her to incorporate the treatment of OSA as a major component of her dental practice from day one. This has culminated in the establishment of a community of physicians and other healthcare providers that work together on behalf of their patients.
2021-05-1452 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp9 (part 2) - Let Life be a Little Messy, Dr. Maya ShetreatOn Part 2 of this episode, we continue the discussion with our special guest, Dr. Maya Shetreat, M.D., a thought leader in Medicine and a pioneer who has helped redefine how we think about health. After her conventional training as a Pediatric Neurologist she continued to grow intellectually and philosophically and is now also an herbalist and urban farmer. She is the author of the groundbreaking book, The Dirt Cure: Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from the Soil, which has been translated into multiple languages. Her work has been highlighted in The NY Times, The Telegraph, the...
2021-05-0733 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp9 (part 1) - Let Life be a Little Messy, Dr. Maya ShetreatOn this episode, our special guest is Dr. Maya Shetreat, M.D., a thought leader in Medicine and a pioneer who has helped redefine how we think about health. After her conventional training as a Pediatric Neurologist, she continued to grow intellectually and philosophically and is now also an herbalist and urban farmer. She is the author of the groundbreaking book, The Dirt Cure: Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from the Soil, which has been translated into multiple languages. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Telegraph, the Dr. Oz Show, and a m...
2021-04-3037 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp8 (part 2) - Lessons Learned from Addressing Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young, the Founders of Parent Heart WatchIn Part 2 of this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast - in a co-branded session with Parent Heart Watch, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation and the Dominic Murray 21 Memorial Foundation - Dr. Fethke continues his discussion with three thought leaders and pioneers who have spent the past two decades addressing the recognition and prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death, particularly in the young. Dr. Fethke welcomes three guests at once to inform our audience about this very important and often under recognized topic - -Martha Lopez-Anderson: Executive Director of Parent Heart Watch (PH...
2021-04-2347 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp8 (part 1) - Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young, the Founders of Parent Heart WatchIn Part 1 of this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast - in a co-branded session with Parent Heart Watch, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation and the Dominic Murray 21 Memorial Foundation - Dr. Fethke sits down with three thought leaders and pioneers who have spent the past two decades addressing the recognition and prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death, particularly in the young. For the first time, Dr. Fethke welcomes three guests at once to inform our audience about this very important and often under recognized topic - -Martha Lopez-Anderson: Executive Director of Pa...
2021-04-1650 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp7 (part 2) - Implicit Bias in Healthcare, Dr. David Loeb and Denise VelazquezOn Episode 6 Part 2 we continue to explore the concept of Implicit Bias in Healthcare with the help of two brave and remarkable healthcare professionals, Dr. David M. Loeb, M.D., PhD, who is the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Marrow and Blood Cell Transplantation at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore; and Denise Velazquez, a Senior Social Worker in the same division at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. After deciding to tackle Implicit Bias regarding race, gender and other forms of non explicit discrimination in their own work environment, our guests explained in Part...
2021-04-0942 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp7 (part 1) - Implicit Bias in Healthcare, Dr. David Loeb and Denise VelazquezOn Episode 6 Part 1 we begin to explore the concept of Implicit Bias in Healthcare with the help of two brave and remarkable healthcare professionals: Dr. David M. Loeb, M.D., PhD, who is the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Marrow and Blood Cell Transplantation at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore; and Denise Velazquez, a Senior Social Worker in the same division at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. Implicit Bias in Healthcare poses the very ominous risk of negatively impacting the patients we serve in several ways;Creating a dissociation between the ethic...
2021-04-0239 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp6 (part 2) - Lessons from a Pandemic: Longterm Eldercare During COVID-19, Ernesto ChanOn Part 2 of this episode, Dr. Fethke continues his dialogue with Ernesto Chan on the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our nation’s elderly. Mr. Chan is a Director of Nursing at a Longterm Care facility in New Jersey. Mr. Chan shares his experiences and the broader implications they provide to all of us who may be caring for our vulnerable parents and grandparents. The discussion picks up from the Summer of 2020, when there continued to be a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and continued stresses on his staff. These issues took their toll...
2021-03-2639 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp6 (part 1) - Lessons from a Pandemic: The Experience of a Nursing Rehabilitation and Eldercare Center During COVID-19, Ernesto ChanOn this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke was honored and excited to invite a dear friend and colleague, Ernesto Chan, to discuss the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our nation’s elderly. Mr. Chan is a Director of Nursing at a Longterm Care facility in New Jersey, which we have intentionally kept anonymous in order to not bias one facility or institution over another. Mr. Chan shares his experiences and the broader implications they provide to all of us caring for our vulnerable parents and grandparents. In this, the one year anniversary of C...
2021-03-1935 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp5 (part 2) - How Does the Money We Spend on Healthcare Translate to Better Care? Dr. Avi Silber & Dr. Philip D. WilkenOn this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke continues his discussion with colleagues and neighbors - Dr. Philip Wilken and Dr. Avi Silber - who also happen to be practicing pediatric physicians and administrators in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York State. In this virtual fireside chat, they expand upon the role of finances in the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in direct patient care. The doctors share their insights into the criteria that best defines the quality of a particular physician or medical facility. They ask us to look beyond the sup...
2021-03-1234 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp5 (part 1) - Does Money Always Buy Better Care? Dr. Avi Silber & Dr. Philip D. WilkenAfter a week-long break, The Pursuit of Health Podcast is back with another exciting episode. Dr. Fethke sits down with colleagues and neighbors - Dr. Philip Wilken and Dr Avi Silber - who also happen to be practicing pediatric physicians and administrators in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York State. In this virtual fireside chat they delve into the role of finances in the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in direct patient care. They tackle several important questions including; Does paying more money for medical care result in better care?Is money being wasted in c...
2021-03-0535 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastTake a Step Back #1 - A Review of Episodes 1 to 4, Dr. Emily Brown and Alyssa ShannonIn our first Take A Step Back episode, we take the opportunity to look back over and comment on Episodes 1 through 4. Our host, Dr. Fethke, is joined by a first year medical student, Alyssa Shannon, and an experienced practicing pediatrician, Dr. Emily Brown. Together, they reflect on the lessons learned from the first four episodes, including: Episode 1 - How healthcare has strayed from its original mission and an emphasis on the Patient-Physician relationship, Episode 2 - The value of Family-centered care and the need to promote creative solutions to address deficits in the healthcare system, Epis...
2021-02-1953 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp4 (part 2) - The Experience of Public School Nurse Working with America’s Immigrant Students, Dr. Elizabeth Sassi from Monroe-Woodbury Central School DistrictOn this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, we continue our visit with Dr. Elizabeth Sassi, a Nurse Practitioner on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic in a large public school system just outside New York City. As a nurse with 38 years of experience, including 20 years in critical care and a background in Epidemiology, she brings a unique perspective to the role that public education plays in balancing health and education in these difficult times. In Part 1, we followed Dr. Sassi and her colleagues through their arduous and compassionate efforts to cope with the Cov...
2021-02-1231 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp4 (part 1) - The Experience of a Public School Nurse During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr. Elizabeth Sassi from Monroe-Woodbury Central School DistrictOn today's episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Sassi, a Nurse Practitioner on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in a large public school system just outside New York City. As a nurse with over 38 years of experience - including 20 years in critical care and a background in Epidemiology - she brings a unique perspective to the role that public education plays in balancing health and education in these difficult times. She took us through her team’s and community’s experience beginning in early 2020. As information regarding the sp...
2021-02-0538 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp3 - A Living Model of a Successful Medical Home and the Journey of an Innovator in Autism, Dr. Theresa Hamlin at The Center For DiscoveryOn today’s episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke sits down with Dr. Theresa Hamlin, the Associate Executive Director at The Center For Discovery in Harris, New York. This residential facility provides for over 300 adults and children with complex developmental disabilities, including autism. The Center is a school, a day-care center, a farm, a medical clinic, a research center, and so much more. It has become a major contributor to the economic revitalization of their surrounding community, and is now a world leader in their unique and comprehensive approach to autism, HealthE6.Dur...
2021-01-2942 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp2 (part 2) - Overcoming Hurdles in the Field of Child Life, Meghan Kelly from the Children's Hospital at MontefioreOn today’s episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke continues his conversation with Meghan Kelly, the Director of the Child Life Program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. On our last episode, we introduced Meghan and her work in the field of Child Life. On this episode, we review Child Life as a field still fighting to claim its true legitimacy. We discuss disparities on where and to whom Child Life services are offered. We then focus on Child Life's mission to treat and heal everyone, as well as the role Child Life plays...
2021-01-2239 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp2 (part 1) - Child Life Through the Eyes of a Leader in the Field, Meghan Kelly from the Children's Hospital at MontefioreOn today’s episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke sits down with Meghan Kelly, the Director of the Child Life Program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. They discuss her work in the unique healthcare specialty of Child Life and its implications for our greater U.S. health system. Ms. Kelly invites us into her world and teaches us about the valuable role and evolution of this little known specialty - Child Life - that has had a major impact on the health of sick children. She explains how her team has overcome the ec...
2021-01-1530 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp1 (part 2) - Understanding the Barriers to Healthcare Access Amongst the Chronically Ill PatientDr. Eric Fethke continues his discussion of our current healthcare system from Part 1 of this first episode. With the history behind the American healthcare system explained, he now reviews the current status of our health system and explores the returns on our investment - what we are getting for our money. This episode makes an often daunting and confusing healthcare system more comprehensible by making it more relevant to our daily lives. We briefly look to other countries to see how the US compares. Dr. Fethke ultimately concludes that, whatever form our system eventually takes, it must ad...
2021-01-0839 minThe Pursuit of Health PodcastEp1 (part 1) - Welcome to the Pursuit of Health PodcastDr. Eric Fethke begins this first episode with an introduction to the mission and philosophy of The Pursuit of Health. As our host, he invites us to recognize the role that our healthcare system plays in promoting the value of every individual’s life, so that we as a people may rediscover the revolutionary principles of our founding fathers. After this introduction, Dr. Fethke kicks off the main content of the Pursuit of Health Podcast by sharing the experiences of his own patients within the current healthcare system. He tells the remarkable stories of two of his pat...
2021-01-0129 min