Passionate Pioneers with Mike Biselli

Hosted by Mike Biselli

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Aug 2026

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Passionate Pioneers with Mike Biselli, a nationally ranked healthcare and innovation podcast, and a member of the Health Podcast Network, highlights the innovators, the game changers, and the pioneers who are deeply passionate and relentless in valiantly solving the problems our healthcare industry is facing.

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September 28, 202640 min

Cracking the Code on GLP-1 Therapy, One Patient at a Time

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Millions of people are prescribed GLP-1 medications only to quit within months, not because the medication doesn't work, but because standard dosing is setting them up to fail. Dr. Ian Justl Ellis, Founder, CEO, and Lead Physician at Voafit, has made it his mission to change that. As a board-certified emergency physician who personally gained sixty pounds during residency and later experienced both the promise and pitfalls of GLP-1 therapy firsthand, Dr. Ellis developed a precision-based approach that individualizes dosing down to the math. Through Voafit's proprietary MyLevel dosing engine, patients are finally achieving sustainable results without the side effects driving them away. Join us to discover how physician-supervised precision is transforming weight loss from a revolving door into a lasting breakthrough. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Dr. Ellis graduated residency 60 pounds overweight, despite decades of bodybuilding and personal training experience. Standard GLP-1 dosing causes medication accumulation, systematically overdosing patients and driving a 40 to 70 percent dropout rate. Voafit's precision MyLevel dosing engine delivered faster weight loss on less than half the standard medication dose, with zero patient dropout. One morbidly obese patient lost over 100 pounds using micro-dosed GLP-1 therapy, enabling two knee replacements and restored mobility. Dr. Ellis believes personalized GLP-1 dosing should become the standard of care, benefiting patients, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies alike. About our Guest: Dr. Ian Justl Ellis is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Physician at Voafit. He specializes in helping individuals achieve their optimal physique while maintaining balance in their family, work, and social lives. His approach focuses on creating sustainable, real-world nutrition and exercise habits that can be maintained long-term without obsessive or unhealthy behaviors. Dr. Ellis has spent much of his life addressing what he describes as the "appetite problem." As a teenager determined not to follow the path of out-of-shape adults around him, he immersed himself in athletics, amateur bodybuilding, professional dance, and became a certified personal trainer. Despite achieving the desired outward appearance, he found himself caught in cycles of restriction, bingeing, and frustration. During medical school, marriage, and raising children simultaneously, he experienced significant personal weight gain and burnout, finishing residency sixty pounds overweight. In 2022, he was introduced to GLP-1 weight management medications, which helped address persistent hunger for the first time. However, using them in standard recommended dosing approaches resulted in muscle loss, weakness, and poor nourishment. In response, Dr. Ellis developed a precision-based approach to GLP-1 therapy that combines strength training, protein-first nutrition, hydration, and individualized dosing strategies. He also incorporated advanced peptide therapies to support hormonal optimization, muscle retention, and recovery. As a board-certified Emergency Physician, Dr. Ellis observed the risks of poorly managed GLP-1 and hormone therapies in clinical practice. He founded Voafit to provide physician-supervised precision dosing combined with individualized nutrition, exercise coaching, and advanced hormonal and peptide support. Dr. Ellis earned his M.D. from the University of Colorado, completed Emergency Medicine residency training at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and a fellowship in Medical Education. His background includes studies in Athletic Training, Biology, and Psychology, graduating summa cum laude. Today, he integrates his background in medicine, performance, and fitness to help patients achieve sustainable, long-term health outcomes through patient-centered care. Links Supporting This Episode: Voafit website: CLICK HERE Dr. Ian Justl Ellis LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Voafit Instagram page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

September 14, 202634 min

Compounding Expertise, Amplifying Impact: Navigating AI's Role in the Future of Drug Discovery with Tara Austraat-Churik

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Breakthroughs in drug discovery don't come from any single discipline. They come from the rare few who have built deep expertise across multiple domains and know how to bring those layers together. Tara Austraat-Churik is doing exactly that as Partner at Blue Matter, where she leads the firm's first R&D practice at the intersection of drug discovery, clinical development, and AI-driven transformation. With a career spanning government intelligence, pharmacovigilance, IBM Watson Health, and Ernst Young, Tara has developed what she calls Compound Expertise, depth earned repeatedly across fields that compounds into judgment no single path can produce. Join us to discover how she and the Blue Matter team are helping biopharma organizations reimagine the future of R&D, navigate the AI transformation ahead, and keep the patient at the center of it all. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Tara's "compound expertise" across government intelligence, IBM, EY, and pharma fuels her unique R&D consulting approach. Blue Matter's R&D practice is built on scientific depth, AI-driven tools, and ecosystem partnerships, not generic consulting frameworks. Tara predicts R&D workforces will shrink in headcount but grow in capability, with leaders managing both humans and AI agents. The biggest AI transformation mistake: treating it as a technology problem rather than a decision-making transformation. True client partnership happens when clients call for off-scope advice, trusting your judgment beyond any formal deliverable. About our Guest: Tara Austraat-Churik is a Partner at Blue Matter, where she leads the firm's R&D practice at the intersection of drug discovery, clinical development, and AI-driven transformation. Over a twenty-plus year career, she has built expertise across government intelligence, drug safety, enterprise technology, and life sciences — serving in roles including Acting General Manager of a $6 billion IBM consulting division and Managing Director of Health, Science, and Wellness at EY. She holds an MSc in Translational Medicine from the University of Edinburgh. Tara's work is guided by what she calls Compound Expertise: depth earned repeatedly across domains, compounding into the kind of judgment no single discipline can provide. She believes the most meaningful breakthroughs happen at the intersection of fields — and that each one represents a life that might be changed. Links Supporting This Episode: Blue Matter page: CLICK HERE Tara Austraat-Churik LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Blue Matter LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

August 24, 202633 min

Bending the Cost Curve in Pediatric Healthcare with George Boghos

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Children with special healthcare needs make up just 20% of the pediatric population, yet account for nearly half of all pediatric health spending, navigating a fragmented system that too often fails them. George Boghos, CEO of Imagine Pediatrics, is on a mission to change that. As a two-time founder with deep roots in pediatric care and healthcare investing, George brings both operational grit and genuine passion to this challenge. Under his leadership, Imagine Pediatrics has grown to serve more than 78,000 children across eight states, delivering 24/7 virtual and in-home medical, behavioral, and social care through value-based partnerships. Join us to discover how this pioneering model is keeping kids out of the hospital, building caregiver confidence, and proving that aligning incentives around outcomes transforms lives. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Imagine Pediatrics serves 78,000 children with special needs, delivering 24/7 virtual and in-home integrated care. George's mother, a retiring pediatrician, sparked his lifelong passion for reimagining pediatric healthcare from childhood. Just 20% of children with special needs account for over 50% of all pediatric healthcare spending nationally. In year one, Imagine Pediatrics saved $65 million in total cost of care across two health plan partnerships. With an NPS above 87, Imagine Pediatrics builds family trust by asking caregivers simply, "What keeps you up at night? About our Guest: Mr. Boghos manages overall operations and sets strategic direction for Imagine Pediatrics. He also leads the Impact arm of our organization, helping to expand our footprint and advance our ability to create a world where every child with special health care needs gets the care and support they deserve. Prior to Imagine Pediatrics, Mr. Boghos co-founded and led AIM Clinics, a center and in-home provider dedicated to delivering evidence-based Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families who are from communities that experience health inequity. As CEO of AIM Clinics, Mr. Boghos was responsible for organizational growth and operational strategy. In four years, he led the company’s expansion from one clinic in Arkansas to more than 25 clinics spanning five states. In 2021, he oversaw AIM Clinics’ merger with Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers — where he served as Chief Strategy Officer before joining the Clinical Advisory Board in 2023. As a current member of the board, Mr. Boghos remains deeply committed to the company’s vision of ensuring that all kids have access to comprehensive autism interventions at the highest level. Before dedicating his career to reimagining pediatric health care, Mr. Boghos trained in healthcare finance and investing, spending time at Primus Capital Funds, Baird Capital, and Citadel. He earned a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University as well as an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with his family. Links Supporting This Episode: Imagine Pediatrics Website: CLICK HERE George Boghos LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

August 10, 202638 min

Disrupting the System, Defending the Dream of American Healthcare with Dr. Marschall Runge

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: American healthcare is at a crossroads, and the decisions we make now will define the health of generations to come. Dr. Marschall Runge has spent more than four decades at the center of that challenge, serving as former CEO of Michigan Medicine, Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, and EVP for Medical Affairs. A practicing cardiologist trained at Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Runge brings both the scientist's rigor and the leader's vision to one of the most urgent conversations of our time. In his Amazon and USA Today bestselling book, "The Great Healthcare Disruption," he lays out a bold prescription for reimagining American medicine through AI, innovation, and courageous systemic change. Join us to discover what it truly takes to transform healthcare from the inside out. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Dr. Runge never planned to be a CEO, initially dismissing healthcare leaders before serendipity shaped his path. His personal hospital-at-home experience after hip surgery confirmed that recovery is faster, cheaper, and better at home. Ambient AI, which auto-generates clinical notes, is the one decision at Michigan Medicine that faced almost no dissent. America's top-tier quaternary care leads the world; the real crisis is access, not quality. AI can address the clinician shortage in a year or two, something traditional training pipelines need decades to solve. About our Guest: Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., was born in Austin, Texas, and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in General Biology and a PhD in Molecular Biology. He received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was a cardiology fellow and junior faculty member at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Runge’s next position was at Emory University, where he directed the Cardiology Fellowship Training Program. He then moved to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he was Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Sealy Center for Molecular Cardiology. He joined the University of North Carolina (UNC) from 2000 – 2014, where he served as Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Chair of the Department of Medicine, President of UNC Physicians and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs. Dr. Runge is the former CEO of Michigan Medicine and Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, and a practicing cardiologist. Dr. Runge is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases and has spoken and published widely on topics in clinical cardiology and vascular medicine. At the University of Michigan, Dr. Runge began serving as the executive vice president for medical affairs in March 2015 and, in January 2016, he was also appointed as the dean of the Medical School. He is the first person to serve in this combined position created by the Regents for the purpose of strengthening the integration between the Medical School and health care delivery in our hospitals and health centers. During his tenure in these leadership roles, Dr. Runge has implemented transformative change and positioned Michigan Medicine and the Medical School for continued success. Notable achievements during this period include: a significant expansion of Michigan Medicine’s clinical network in the state, through integration of two health systems, the former Metro Health in Grand Rapids and Sparrow Health System in Lansing, multiple joint ventures with Trinity Health, launch of the Precision Health Initiative, a major research collaboration with several other U-M schools and colleges; oversight of the conclusion of the Victors for Michigan campaign which raised $1.5 billion dollars for institutional strategic priorities; and the development and implementation of Michigan Medicine’s first strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion in support of the broader university-wide DEI initiative. Under Dr. Runge’s leadership, the University of Michigan Health’s adult hospitals were ranked best in Michigan in 2023-2024 in U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” rankings, the 31st consecutive year that U-M Health has been nationally recognized for strong across-the-board performance. In Newsweek’s 2024 ranking of America’s Best Hospitals, U-M Health ranked #1 in the state and #3 in the country. Current and new initiatives under Dr. Runge’s leadership include construction of the The D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, a 12-story and 264 private room inpatient hospital; working to reduce faculty and staff burnout; executive rounding to help promote employee engagement and retention; establishment of the Heart Brain Institute and Global Health; oversight and development of the Anti-Racism Oversight Committee to help achieve an anti-racist culture; improved access and patient experience through the M2C2 Capacity Center; and the establishment of the Care at Home initiative which focuses on providing safe, hospital-level care to patients in their own home. Dr. Runge has been a physician-scientist for his entire career, combining basic and translational research with the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases and education. He is the author of over 200 publications in the field and holds five patents for novel approaches in health care. Links Supporting This Episode: Dr. Marschall Runge Website: CLICK HERE Dr. Marschall Runge LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE The Great Healthcare Disruption book link: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

July 27, 202628 min

Closing the GLP-1 Post-Prescription Gap, One Shot at a Time with Aja Beckett

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Millions of people are prescribed GLP-1 medications and then left entirely on their own, navigating confusion, stigma, and unanswered questions with no structured support in sight. Aja Beckett, Founder and CEO of Shotsy, is closing that post-prescription gap from the inside out. As both an iOS engineer and a GLP-1 user herself, Aja brings a rare combination of technical depth and lived experience to one of healthcare's most urgent challenges. Having built her career across Apple, CNN, TED, and The New York Times, she now channels that expertise into Shotsy, the number one companion app helping users turn every injection into a step toward lasting change. Join us to discover how community-driven innovation, empathy, and thoughtful technology are making the GLP-1 journey feel less lonely and more empowering. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Aja lost 90 pounds on GLP-1 medication, inspiring her to build Shotsy for others on the same journey. Shotsy filled a real gap, gaining 50 beta testers in 90 minutes and earning revenue on day one. The app normalizes the GLP-1 experience through celebratory design, reducing shame and loneliness for users. Community-driven beta testing serves as Shotsy's product team, shaping features for a truly global audience. Aja envisions Shotsy as the go-to companion for the full GLP-1 journey, prioritizing support over clinical replacement. About our Guest: Aja brings the rare perspective of being both an iOS engineer and a GLP-1 user, now leading one of the fastest-growing health apps in the space. Her journey in tech spans some of the industry's most influential companies, including Apple, CNN, TED, and The Athletic/The New York Times. As a founder, Aja created Civil, a groundbreaking platform that garnered attention from major publications like WIRED, The Guardian, and TechCrunch. Her approach to product development emphasizes community-driven innovation and user-centric design. Today, she's channeling her expertise into Shotsy, revolutionizing how people manage their GLP-1 medication journey through thoughtful technology and data-driven insights. Links Supporting This Episode: Shotsy website page: CLICK HERE Aja Beckett LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Shotsy LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

July 13, 202634 min

Unlocking Mobility for Every Body, Everywhere: Inside the HSS Vision Reshaping Musculoskeletal Health with Dr. Bryan Kelly

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Mobility is foundational to life itself, yet musculoskeletal conditions quietly rob millions of people of the very movement that makes living worthwhile. Dr. Bryan Kelly, President and CEO of HSS, is leading a bold answer to that challenge. As the steward of the world's top-ranked orthopedic institution, now embarking on what he calls a Mobility Revolution, Dr. Kelly is expanding HSS far beyond its storied Manhattan campus. Through landmark partnerships with Deerfield Management, General Atlantic, Peloton, and beyond, HSS is building a global platform to unlock mobility for everybody, everywhere. Join us to discover how Dr. Kelly and the HSS team are leveraging cutting-edge innovation, data intelligence, and how his unwavering focus on the patient are redefining musculoskeletal health for generations to come. Let's go! Episode Highlights: HSS, founded in 1863, has grown into a world-leading musculoskeletal ecosystem spanning surgery, research, and rheumatology. Dr. Kelly, originally a music major, found his calling in orthopedics and built the nation's largest hip preservation service at HSS. HSS's bold new vision, "unlock mobility for every body, everywhere," targets the full care continuum from prevention to recovery. HSS is executing a four-concentric-circle growth strategy, physical expansion and a digital platform built on deep musculoskeletal data. Dr. Kelly and Deerfield Management launched a dedicated mobility venture fund targeting $400 million to $1 billion for musculoskeletal innovation. About our Guest: Dr. Bryan Kelly is the President & CEO, Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus at HSS, which is the world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and related disciplines. At the core of HSS is Hospital for Special Surgery, the largest academic medical center specialized in musculoskeletal health, founded in 1863. US News & World Report ranks HSS #1 in Orthopedics nationwide (past 16 consecutive years) and as a national leader in Rheumatology and a Best Hospital for Pediatric Orthopedics. HSS leadership spans patient care, research, education and innovation. Dr. Kelly and his more than 5,000 HSS colleagues are dedicated to the purpose of helping people get back to what they need and love to do, better than any other place in the world. To achieve this, he is focused also on advancing HSS as the best place for specialists in musculoskeletal health and all other team members to advance their careers. A world-renowned surgeon, scientist and educator specialized in sports medicine and hip preservation, Dr. Kelly arrived at HSS in 1996 with undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University and Duke University. He completed his residency and two-year fellowship at HSS, followed by additional fellowships under the direction of Dr. Marc J. Philippon at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Dr. Herbert Resch at the Landeskliniken Hospital in Salzburg, Austria. He has spent much time collaborating with Professor Michael Leunig in Zurich, Switzerland and has established an exchange program for hip preservation trainees. Dr. Kelly completed his MBA at NYU Stern School of Business in 2019. Prior to assuming his role as President and CEO in 2023, Dr. Kelly served in several other leadership positions at HSS including Surgeon-in-Chief, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute, and Chief of the Hip Preservation Service. He has a faculty appointment as Full Professor of Orthopedics at Weill Cornell Medical College and medical staff appointments at HSS and New York - Presbyterian Hospital. He has cared for several sports teams, serving as Head Team Physician for the New York Rangers, Assistant Team Physician for the New York Giants and Orthopedic Consultant for UFC. Over the past 20 years and with over 200 peer reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Kelly has played an instrumental role in the evolution and maturation of the field of hip preservation, which helps people of all ages with non-arthritic hip disorders to maintain mobility and stability. In 2010, he started the Hip Preservation Service at HSS, which is now the nation’s largest with a 12-year record of fellowships. Dr. Kelly has a broad range of both clinical and basic science research interests including the development of a clinical outcomes registry; biomechanical studies evaluating conflict patterns in femoroacetabular impingement and techniques in labral refixation; development of synthetic scaffolds for labral reconstruction and cartilage injuries in the hip; and the development of novel surgical techniques for managing soft tissue injuries around the hip joint. More information about HSS can be found at HSS.edu. Links Supporting This Episode: HSS website: CLICK HERE Dr. Bryan Kelly LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE HSS LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

June 29, 202630 min

Closing the Gap Between Precision Testing and Better Patient Outcomes with Dr. Bill Kerr

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Precision diagnostics and precision care are not two separate steps. They are a single, continuous system, and treating them otherwise is costing health plans time, money, and patient outcomes. Dr. Bill Kerr, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalon Healthcare Solutions, has spent over a decade building the infrastructure to close that gap. With a career spanning chief medical officer roles at WellCare Health Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Bill brings rare fluency across clinical science, health plan economics, and operational complexity. Through Avalon's Diagnostic Insights Platform, his team is ensuring the right test reaches the right patient at the right time, driving smarter decisions and reducing costly waste across millions of members nationwide. Join us to discover how precision diagnostics are reshaping the future of value-based care. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Dr. Kerr founded Avalon to accelerate lab science adoption, closing the costly 20-year gap between discovery and clinical use. Lab testing is only 10% of medical spend, but drives 70% of clinical decisions, making diagnostic precision essential. In non-small cell lung cancer, only one-third of patients currently receive best-in-class, mutation-targeted treatment. Avalon now serves 30 health plans and roughly 100 million lives, expanding into diagnostic imaging with AI integration. Dr. Kerr's ask to the community: help Avalon bring diagnostic insights into the exam room without adding clinical noise. About our Guest: Before co-founding Avalon, Dr. Kerr served as the Chief Medical and Growth Officer at CareCentrix, a company focused on delivering healthcare at home. Prior to joining CareCentrix, Dr. Kerr served as the Chief Medical Officer at WellCare Health Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. Dr. Kerr was previously the Vice President of Professional Networks at Independence Blue Cross and regional medical director for several plans in Texas. Dr. Kerr holds a BA from the University of Arkansas, an MBA from the University of Houston, and an MD from the University of Arkansas. He was also a research associate in the Nuffield Department of Pathology at the University of Oxford. Links Supporting This Episode: Avalon Healthcare Solution website: CLICK HERE Dr. Bill Kerr LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Avalon Healthcare Solutions LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

June 15, 202635 min

Helping Independent Practices Compete, Scale, and Win on Their Own Terms with Paul Vigario

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Too many independent practices are being sold not because they failed, but because they never had the systems to succeed on their own terms. Paul Vigario is tackling this reality as founder and CEO of SurfCT. For over 25 years, Paul has helped more than 12,000 practices generate over $36 billion in healthcare revenue by combining visionary brand development, intelligent technology, and intentional patient experience design. His work proves that private practices don't need to consolidate to compete. They need the opportunity and guidance to modernize. From transforming a $2 million endodontics office into a $20 million national brand to helping doctors build automated, scalable legacy practices, Paul brings a blueprint for what independent healthcare can become. Join us to discover how SurfCT is redefining what's possible for private practice owners ready to think boldly and build to endure. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Paul Vigario built SurfCT from a UConn dorm room idea into a firm serving 12,000 practices globally. Independent practices can scale without selling, as ONE ENDO grew from $2M to $20M without acquisition. Doctors often operate for insurance companies without realizing it, playing the wrong game entirely. Removing front desks and automating workflows creates frictionless, high-margin practices that scale beyond the owner. The future of private practice is polarized: massive success or corporate acquisition, with nothing in between. About our Guest: Paul Vigario is the founder and CEO of SurfCT, a leading authority in healthcare practice strategy, design, and technology for private healthcare practices, known for its integrated approach to improving and modernizing operations. Over the past 25 years, he has helped more than 12,000 practices worldwide generate more than $36 billion in healthcare revenue, redefining how providers automate, scale, and grow. Widely recognized as a visionary leader and pioneer in healthcare innovation, Mr. Vigario has spent his career advancing the integration of technology, brand, and patient experience in modern healthcare through clarity of vision, purposeful design, and systems that create freedom for providers. Links Supporting This Episode: SurfCT website: CLICK HERE Paul Vigario LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE SurfCT LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

June 1, 202629 min

Strengthening Inpatient Medicine, One Community at a Time with Dr. John Birkmeyer

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Physician shortages, relentless reimbursement cuts, and rising burnout are quietly destabilizing the hospitals that communities depend on most. Dr. John Birkmeyer is confronting these challenges head-on as president of Sound Physicians, a physician-founded organization partnering with more than 400 hospitals across 45 states to deliver high-quality inpatient care. A Harvard Medical School graduate and member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Birkmeyer brings decades of health services research alongside executive leadership at Dartmouth Health to bear on the most pressing problems in hospital medicine today. Join us to discover how Dr. Birkmeyer and Sound Physicians are leveraging data-driven performance improvement, physician-led culture, and emerging AI tools to reduce burnout, navigate reimbursement pressures, and build a more sustainable future for inpatient care. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Dr. Birkmeyer joined Sound Physicians serendipitously, connecting through a headhunter after Dartmouth hospital partnerships fell through. Sound Physicians serves 400+ hospitals across 45 states, employing roughly 5,000 clinicians in hospital-based specialties. Medicare physician payment cuts of 7 to 8% follow six years of annual cuts, accelerating consolidation and threatening independent practices. Physician burnout stems not just from overwork, but from loss of autonomy and control over their daily practice decisions. AI will reduce documentation burden (25 to 30% of physician time) while hospital-at-home models represent Sound's next major growth frontier. About our Guest: Dr. John Birkmeyer leads the Sound medical group and is responsible for clinical affairs and performance across all specialties. A graduate of Harvard Medical School and member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Birkmeyer served as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Dartmouth Health. He is a nationally recognized health services researcher with expertise in understanding variation in hospital and provider performance, scalable strategies for quality improvement, and value-based reimbursement. Links Supporting This Episode: Sound Physicians page: CLICK HERE Dr. John Birkmeyer LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Sound Physicians LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE

May 18, 202633 min

Leading from the Exam Room, Boardroom, and Beyond with Dr. Patrick McGill

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HERE Episode Overview: Healthcare in America is at a crossroads, where the systems built to heal people must now reimagine what it truly means to care for an aging and increasingly complex population. Dr. Patrick McGill, Network President and CEO of Community Health Network in Indiana, is confronting that challenge head-on. A board-certified family medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. McGill has spent 15 years rising through the ranks at CHN, from practicing physician to Chief Analytics Officer to Chief Transformation Officer, and now to the top seat. Join us as Dr. McGill, who is still grounded in the exam room one day a week, shares how CHN is leading on value-based care, direct-to-employer partnerships, and AI-powered innovation to build a national-leading healthcare organization for Indiana and beyond. Let's go! Episode Highlights: Dr. McGill champions "failing intelligently," learning from mistakes and redirecting rather than fearing failure altogether. A practicing physician CEO, Dr. McGill says the exam room builds humility and credibility that no boardroom can replicate. Community Health Network sees new cancer patients within two business days, setting a bold access standard across the entire organization. Dr. McGill warns that healthcare is unprepared to support an aging population with increasingly disconnected family units. He calls on the industry to reclaim its narrative, reminding us that healthcare is still, at its core, people caring for people. About our Guest: Jason Smith is CTO of AI & Analytics at Within3, where he leads the team behind the company’s most advanced AI capabilities serving life sciences organizations. Jason is a three-time co-founder who built Cryptocybernetics, GrayArea, and rMark Bio from inception to successful exit. He was later brought in as CEO of xSides to lead its sale. Over his career, his companies have raised more than $100 million in venture and strategic capital. In addition to Within3, Jason is a Venture Fellow at MATTER, Advisor to Capita3, and a recognized thought leader in AI and Healthcare with publications and speaking engagements at HIMSS, Reuters, and leading healthcare and pharmaceutical conferences. Links Supporting This Episode: Community Health Network Website: CLICK HERE Dr. Patrick McGill LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE Mike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HERE Visit our website: CLICK HERE Subscribe to newsletter: CLICK HERE Guest nomination form: CLICK HERE