Shows
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 26: Legislation That Hits Home - Get the Updates!Join host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO and special guest Richard Henderson, MD, FACOG, a retired and formerly board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, MSD Past President, and Chair of the MSD Government Affairs Committee for a rapid-fire update on the hottest health care Bills impacting Delaware physicians and patients. From the fight to address prior-authorizations to transparency in care titles, abortion consent laws, Tianeptine regulation, suicide prevention, and even red dye bans in schools—this episode is your fast-track briefing on what’s happening under the dome.
Catch the full list of legislative updates at www.medicalsocietyofdelaware.org.
2025-07-2554 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 25: The Truth About Corticosteroid Injections: Myths, Science, and SolutionsThink you know everything about corticosteroid injections? Think again. Join host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO and renowned Orthopaedic surgeon Michael J. Axe, MD as they bust long-standing myths, break down the science, and reveal what’s really happening inside the joint. From the truth about cartilage damage and steroid limits to the surprising effects on diabetic patients—not all injections are created equal. Wet joint vs. dry joint, Bupivacaine vs. Lidocaine, inflammation research, and why physical therapy must follow—don’t miss this eye-opening episode!
2025-07-0242 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 24: Inside MedNet: Delaware’s Trusted Network for Independent PracticesJoin host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO for an insightful conversation with Michael J. Bradley, DO, Past President of the AMA State Medical Society and the Medical Society of Delaware, and Lori Ann Rhoads, CMPE, Director of Health System Innovation at MSD.
They discuss Medical Network Management Services of Delaware, LLC (MedNet)—a subsidiary of the Medical Society of Delaware, a physician-owned and led organization supporting over 1,300 clinicians across Delaware. Since 1996, MedNet has helped independent practices thrive in a changing health care landscape, offering:
Higher reimbursements through fee-for-service contracts
Support for value-based care, quality metrics, and care coo...2025-06-2536 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 23: The Broken Health Care SystemIn this powerful three-part podcast special, host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO, takes listeners on a deep dive into the systemic flaws crippling American health care. From the vanishing number of primary care physicians and the mounting burdens that push them out, to the complex—and often opaque—ways hospitals and insurance companies generate revenue, this episode pulls back the curtain on a system in crisis.
Dr. Biasotto unpacks the forces behind physician burnout, the hospital profit machine, and how insurance companies are impacting both patients and physicians. With real-world examples, emerging legislative efforts, and potential paths forward, this...2025-06-1644 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 22: Beyond the Silos: Why Physicians Are Unionizing for ChangeJoin host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO, with two special guests from ChristianaCare: Bryan Haimes, MD, MPH, Internal Medicine Hospitalist and Pediatrician and Amber Higgins, MD, Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology physician: Together they played a pivotal role in forming the first and largest private attending, multi-specialty physicians union in the country.
In this episode, we explore what led to this historic move — from overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait times for inpatient beds to top-down decision-making that left physicians feeling unheard. We’ll also touch on the American Medical Association’s stance on unionization.
What d...2025-06-0350 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 21: LET'S GET REAL ABOUT POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)Joining host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO is special guest Ronald L. Lewis, DO, FACC, FACOI a Board-Certified Cardiologist, at ChristianaCare. We’re diving deep into a complex and often misunderstood condition affecting millions of Americans: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS - a complex condition that affects 1 in 500 Americans, primarily women, and often goes undiagnosed.
What you’ll learn:
Is POTS a heart issue—or something else?
Can autoimmune diseases trigger it?
What symptoms should raise red flags?
What must be ruled out first?
Available treatments?
Dr. Lewis explains how autonomic dysfunction drives symptoms like rapid...2025-05-2756 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 20: The Future is Here: Regenerative Medicine & PRP TherapyJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO and special guest Joseph Straight, MD, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine, First State Orthopaedics, and Medical Society of Delaware Past President, as they dive into the cutting-edge world of Regenerative Medicine, focusing on the powerful potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. From healing wounds and easing chronic pain to rejuvenating skin and restoring hair, PRP is transforming care across fields—including veterinary medicine. Already embraced around the globe, this innovative treatment is gaining momentum in the U.S. Hear why Dr. Straight says: “It’s the future.”
2025-05-0147 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 19: The Real Issues in Health Care!In this episode, host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO, and Mark B. Thompson, MHSA, Executive Director, Medical Society of Delaware, sit down to discuss the incredible momentum of the podcast and preview what’s ahead, including deep dives into POTS Syndrome and Regenerative Medicine—topics shaping the future of patient care.
Beyond the podcast, today’s conversation tackles some of the biggest issues in health care:
🔹 Prior-Authorization and its role in delaying critical patient care
🔹 Primary Care Reform Efforts and what it means for physicians and patients
🔹 Unionization & Collective Bargaining in health care
🔹 T...2025-04-091h 01
Cinemental034 The PittAlright, buckle up buttercups, because this week we're diving headfirst into the gloriously gritty (and maybe a little too real?) world of HBO's "The Pitt"! Forget your Grey's Anatomy fantasies, this show is less "McDreamy" and more "McNightmare" when it comes to the American healthcare system.
We're dissecting just how shockingly realistic "The Pitt" portrays the daily grind, the ethical dilemmas, and the sheer bureaucratic bonkers-ness that doctors and patients face. Prepare to have your faith in a smoothly functioning system thoroughly… well, not restored.
And speaking of things that do function brilliantly, let's give a massive round of applause (an...2025-04-0736 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 18 - Medical Aid in Dying: Insights From Both Sides of the StethoscopeWhat does it mean to make compassionate, informed choices at the end of life? In this powerful episode of Delaware Health Care Reality, host Nicholas Biasotto, Do, welcomes two distinguished guests to explore one of the most complex and emotional health care topics. Joining the conversation are Robert Varipapa, MD, specializing in Neurology and Sleep Medicine, advocating in favor, and Michael Vest, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, specializing in Critical Care Medicine, presenting concerns against legalization. They explore end-of-life decisions, patient autonomy, and Delaware's proposed legislation that could make it the 12th state to legalize t...2025-03-191h 08
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 17: Navigating Senior Care: It Takes a Village!Nursing homes are expensive, and in-home care isn’t always affordable. So how can families help their loved ones age in place? Join host Nicholas Biasotto, DO who sits down with Frank DeMarinis, founder of Senior Advisors of Delaware, LLC. With decades of experience in nursing homes and assisted living, Frank and his team are on a mission to help seniors stay at home through valuable services offered, available resources and nonprofit support. Tune in to learn about Miller Trusts, Conditional Medicaid, Health Care Proxies, and what federal and state programs might be available to help. Because when it co...2025-02-1840 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 16: Shaping the Future of MedicineJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, for an insightful conversation with Bhavin Dave, MD, the 179th President of the Medical Society of Delaware. Dr. Dave, a Board-Certified specialist in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, shares his forward-thinking vision for the future of medicine and health care. From ensuring cost-effective care and addressing the environmental impacts on medicine to the transformative role of artificial intelligence and legislative changes shaping the field, this episode dives deep into the pressing issues of today. Explore his perspectives on primary care reform, cost standardization for testing, prior-authorization challenges, and the potential of a one-party payer system...2025-02-0440 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 15: Sleep Apnea Effects On Your HealthJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, as we dive into the fascinating and critical world of sleep health with special guest, Anthony Vasile, DO. Dr. Vasile is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine and serves as the Medical Director of the Delaware Sleep Disorder Centers.
This episode is your gateway to understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)—two sleep disorders that can have significant impacts on your health if left untreated. Dr. Vasile will unravel the hidden dangers of these conditions, including the effects of adrenaline surges and ot...2025-01-0358 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 14: Merry Yet Melancholy - Holiday Blues Are RealJoin host Nicholas O. Biasotto, DO, as he sits down with the esteemed Carol A. Tavani, MD, MS, DLFAPA, renowned neuropsychiatrist, Executive Director of Christiana Psychiatric Services, and past President of the Medical Society of Delaware. A graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Tavani brings decades of expertise to a heartfelt and insightful conversation about mental health during the holiday season.
The holidays aren’t always merry and bright. For many, this time of year is marked by the “holiday blues,” a complex mix of emotional challenges stemming from loneliness, loss, and unmet expectations. With shorter days, limite...2024-12-1931 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 13: Hyperbaric Oxygen, An Under-Utilized Medical ModalityAre you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Join your host, Nicholas Biasotto, DO, for an engaging and insightful conversation with two exceptional experts: Zack Gaskill, DO, FUHM, Associate Program Director for the Penn UHM Fellowship, and Lesa Prichard, MSN, RN, HC-PD, Nurse Manager at ChristianaCare Wound and Hyperbaric Center. Together, they explore the science and potential of this often-underutilized medical therapy.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is and its historical roots.
The physiological benefits that make it a powerful treatment option.
How patient selection plays a...2024-11-271h 05
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 12: Bridging the Gap: DE&I in Health Care and BeyondWelcome to "Bridging the Gap," where we explore the vital conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our communities and health care systems. Join host Nicholas Biasotto, DO as he sits down with Cydney Teal, MD, a distinguished primary care physician and expert in both Internal and Family Medicine, and Jennifer Thompkins, MTS, the dynamic President and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. Together, they will unpack critical topics such as justice and access in DE&I, the complexities of wokeism and its backlash, and the historical inequities that have shaped our current landscape. Discover how generational insights...2024-10-3059 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 11: Building a Better America: Insights From a U.S. Senate CandidateIn this compelling episode, host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, sits down with Eric Hansen, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate, and a Yale School of Management graduate, to tackle the key issues facing American families today. From lowering taxes and reducing the cost of living to addressing energy concerns and setting term limits, Hansen outlines his vision for a stronger, more prosperous future. The conversation delves into the complexities of legal versus illegal immigration, the challenges in education, and his stance on the abortion ban. They also explore the critical need for veteran support, mental health resources, and how to...2024-10-2245 min
Delaware Health Care RealityPodcast Episode 10 - Health Literacy: An Epidemic of MisunderstandingIn this episode, join your host, Nicholas Biasotto, DO, as he sits down with Amanda Joie, MSN, RN, CV-BC, NPD-BC, a Nursing Professional Development Specialist at ChristianaCare. Together, they dive into the critical topic of Health Literacy—focusing on both personal and organizational health literacy.
Did you know that 9 out of 10 adults struggle to understand their health information? This episode unpacks why educating patients and using tools like the teach-back method can significantly improve patient understanding and decision-making. We’ll also explore the importance of Health Literacy Universal Precautions and how health care professionals can better equip pati...2024-10-1632 min
Delaware Health Care RealityPodcast Episode 9 - A Vision for America's Future: A Conversation with a U.S. Senate CandidateJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, for a compelling discussion with Michael S. Katz, MD, MBA, Independent candidate for U.S. Senate. With a distinguished career in medicine, including his Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital, recruited to A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children and tenure as a Delaware State Senator, Dr. Katz brings unique insights on pivotal issues facing Delaware and the nation. From addressing the economy and inflation to reforming health care, education, and immigration, and advocating for veterans, first responders, and military defense, this conversation delves into the future of Delawareans. Tune in as Dr. Katz shares his...2024-10-0328 min
Delaware Health Care RealityPodcast Episode 8 - Breaking the Silence: Addressing Physician SuicideJoin us for a critical and heartfelt conversation with host Dr. Nicholas Biasotto, DO, and special guest Katie Godfrey, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of the Center for WorkLife Wellbeing at ChristianaCare as they delve into one of the most pressing issues in healthcare: physician suicide. In this episode, we confront the silent struggle that many physicians face—the stigma surrounding seeking help, compounded by a culture that often values resilience over vulnerability.
Discover eye-opening statistics, the hidden risk factors, and why feelings of isolation, the loss of connection, and even a loss of fe...2024-09-1728 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 7 - Campaign for Kids, "IT'S OBVIOUS"Get ready for an enlightening episode as host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, sits down with Stephen Kushner, DO, FAAFP — a distinguished family medicine physician, Past President of the Medical Society of Delaware (MSD), Chair of the MSD Program Planning Subcommittee, and voted as a 2024 Delaware Top Doc. Together, they dive into the groundbreaking Campaign for Kids and its "It's OBVIOUS" initiative, tackling seven critical issues affecting Delaware's youth: Obesity, Bullying, Violence, Intelligent decisions, Opioid use, Underage drinking, and Suicide. Tune in to explore how this initiative aims to enhance communication between physicians and youth while empowering the community with vital ed...2024-09-0529 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 6 - Legislative Wrap Up, Key TakeawaysJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO for an insightful discussion with Richard Henderson, MD, FACOG, a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, MSD Past President, and Chair of the MSD Government Affairs Committee. In this episode, they expand on key takeaways from the 2024 legislative session, covering critical topics like the passage and controversy of various health care bills. From monitoring costs, access to care, and scope of practice, to truth in advertising, fiscal responsibility, insurance mandates, and more as they detail highlights leading up to the General Assembly's conclusion on June 30, 2024. Don't miss this engaging conversation that sheds light on the legislative changes...2024-09-0543 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 5 - Navigating Health Care LegislationJoin host Nicholas Biasotto, DO, as he dives into the world of health care legislation with two distinguished guests. In this episode, we welcome Richard Henderson, MD, FACOG, a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Chair of the MSD Legislative Committee, and Past President of MSD, along with Kimberly B. Gomes, MPA, Partner at ByrdGomes and a seasoned lobbyist. Together, they explore the crucial role lobbyists play in shaping health care policies in Dover and beyond.
Discover why lobbying is essential for health care professionals and patients alike and get the latest updates on pivotal legislative issues. From SB10 on...2024-08-0749 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 4 - Understanding Obesity: Health Impacts, Weight Loss Strategies & Eating with Shalini Shah, MD, MPH, ABOM, dipABLMDr. Shalini Shah, MD, MPH, ABOM, dipABLM, explores the intricate nature of obesity and its profound effects on one's well-being. In this segment, she offers a thorough examination of how obesity is diagnosed in individuals, as well as the severe health issues and shorter lifespan linked to it. Dr. Shah presents key tactics for altering behaviors to attain lasting weight loss and delves into the psychological components of managing weight. Furthermore, she assesses the wide array of dietary plans on the market today, providing audience members with valuable perspectives and practical guidance for embracing a healthier way of life...2024-07-2430 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 3 – Prior Authorizations, Where Do I Begin? | Dr. Nicholas BiasottoNicholas Biasotto, DO tackles critical issues facing health care in Delaware. In this episode, Dr. Biasotto addresses the contentious topic of prior authorization in medicine.
Prior authorization is a process requiring physicians to obtain approval from insurance companies before certain treatments, medications, or procedures can be administered or prescribed. Dr. Biasotto explores how this practice:
Challenges physician expertise by second-guessing treatment decisions
Causes significant delays in patient care
Imposes substantial administrative burdens on medical practices
Can lead to adverse health outcomes for patients due to treatment delays or denials
The discussion highlights the growing concern...2024-07-1113 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 1 - Delaware Healthcare Challenges & Solutions | Dr. Nicholas Biasotto & Dr. Robert VaripapaIn the inaugural episode of "Delaware Health Care Reality," Dr. Nicholas Biasotto, a board-certified family medicine physician and past president of the Medical Society of Delaware, delves into key issues facing healthcare in Delaware. Dr. Biasotto shares insights from his extensive experience, discusses the impact of prior authorizations and Obamacare, and highlights the importance of physician engagement in legislative matters. The episode also features an enlightening interview with Dr. Robert Varipapa, the current president of the Medical Society of Delaware, who addresses physician shortages, reimbursement challenges, and the need for educational transparency in health care.
2024-06-0736 min
Delaware Health Care RealityEpisode 2: Delaware Health Care Insights with Mark Thompson | Medical Society of DelawareIn the second episode of "Delaware Health Care Reality," Dr. Nick Biasotto welcomes Mark Thompson, Executive Director of the Medical Society of Delaware. Mark discusses his background in health care administration and his journey to becoming the Executive Director. The conversation explores the comprehensive role of the Medical Society in supporting physicians and patients in Delaware. Key topics include non-profit and for-profit initiatives, legislative advocacy, and programs like the VIP initiative for high-risk patients. The episode highlights the importance of physician engagement and the benefits of society membership.
2024-06-0734 min
The Fourth Dimension - Hidden Layers of Indian SocietyMedicine or Money: Do You Really Need Those Vitamins??Welcome to a revealing episode on "The Fourth Dimension". Today, we dive deep into a concern that's been whispered about but rarely addressed head-on: Why do some doctors prescribe vitamins and medicines that may not be truly necessary?
While many in the medical profession work tirelessly to prioritize patient health, concerns about over-prescribing, particularly for financial gain, cast a shadow on this noble field. We aim to unravel the reasons and motivations behind such practices.
It's time to have an informed discussion on medical ethics, patient trust, and the dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry. Our goal is to shed...2023-08-1639 min