The Pediatric Lounge, Where Pediatric Physicians Come to Share Their Stories and Success

Hosted by Dr. George Rogu, MD, MBA and Dr. Herb Bravo

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

Website RSS feed

Episodes

251

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into just what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 7, 2026Episode 752 min

241 What Have IMGs Contributed to USA

International Medical Graduates, Community Health Workers, and Access to Care in the U.S.On The Pediatric Lounge, hosts discuss with Dr. Ilan Sharps, a pediatrician at AltaMed in California (serving about 600,000 patients across 70+ clinics), how promotores de salud/community health workers support care by translating medical information culturally and linguistically, connecting families to resources, addressing barriers like food insecurity, safe spaces for exercise, transportation, and improving outcomes and costs through programs such as CalAIM and risk-based funding. They explore follow-up challenges for asymptomatic conditions (e.g., early type 1 diabetes screening) and how telehealth and home monitoring can reduce unnecessary visits while maintaining engagement. The conversation then focuses on international medical graduates (about 25% of the U.S. physician workforce), their role in underserved primary care communities, visa and licensing barriers, discrimination in training and hiring, balancing “brain drain” concerns, and developing safe pathways that verify competency while meeting U.S. workforce needs.00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest01:12 AltaMed Role and Reach02:37 Access and Urgent Care Options03:45 Promotoras Explained07:48 Funding and ROI09:37 Lifestyle Support for Diabetes11:53 Getting Patients to Follow Up15:55 Telehealth and Removing Barriers18:33 Immigrants and IMG Contributions23:05 Brain Drain and Underserved Care25:38 Healthier Workforce Case27:03 IMGs Fill Primary Care29:05 Primary Care Shortages30:18 Public Health Models Abroad31:57 Mexico Doctor Oversupply33:14 Mexican Physician Program34:50 Quality And Fair Exams38:02 Licensing Barriers Worldwide41:55 IMG Exploitation And Bias45:49 Building Better Pipelines46:37 IMGs To Admire50:14 Parting Thoughts And WrapSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

July 1, 2026Episode 630 min

250 Years of Democracy and S5 Of Free Speech

250 Years of the USA: Democracy, Free Speech, and 250 Episodes of The Pediatric LoungeIn this Season 5, Episode 250 recording dated June 30, 2026, The Pediatric Lounge marks the USA’s 250th anniversary with a large panel discussing what makes America lovable and what the podcast has meant to them. Guests highlight democracy, the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, freedom of speech, dignity, interdependence, and the opportunities America has provided—often through immigrant and military-family experiences (including escapes from Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union, and family journeys from Ireland, Italy, Romania). Several express concern about current political threats to democracy while emphasizing the country’s resilience. They credit the podcast for building a pediatric community, modeling honesty beyond “white coats,” connecting colleagues nationwide, and influencing practical work such as screening for suicidal depression and advancing Type 1 diabetes screening and DKA prevention, alongside discussions of independent practice, payment, and practice management.00:00 Welcome to the Lounge00:29 250 Years Theme Setup01:22 Hershel on Democracy03:17 Jon Founding Ideals and Humor04:46 Kerry on Hope and Impact06:44 Immigration and Humanity10:02 Susan on Pride and Community13:18 Jeanne on Opportunity and Grit16:07 Dan Service Dignity and Advocacy20:33 Igor Immigrant Gratitude and Practice23:38 George and Herb Reflections28:58 Farewell and CreditsSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

June 23, 2026Episode 559 min

240 Embodiment: Why Human Connection is Pediatric Medicine's Superpower

Embodiment and Trust: Why Human Connection Is Pediatrics’ SuperpowerIn this Pediatric Lounge episode, hosts Herb and George welcome back Dr. Sian Jones-Jobst, MD, to discuss how, amid AI, misinformation, consolidation, and workforce shortages, the pediatrician–family relationship remains irreplaceable because pediatrics is “the embodiment business,” built on vulnerability, trust, and continuity over years. They explore how misinformation on social media drives parents to seek trusted voices, how limited visit time and EHR “mechanics” undermine relationship-building, and why adolescent care often requires more time. Dr. Sian contrasts relationship-based medical homes with transactional care, emphasizes team culture (staff introductions and continuity), and argues practices serve communities through leadership beyond the exam room. They discuss correcting misinformation through motivation, conversation, and shared decision-making, challenges around newborn vaccine consent and declining prenatal visits, burnout as broken relationships, gratitude as a leadership practice, and the need to invest in children and pediatrics for the country’s future.00:00 Podcast Intro00:50 Why Embodiment Matters01:40 Misinformation And Trust04:14 Vulnerability In Care05:39 Time Versus Mechanics10:16 Adolescents Need Time11:30 Continuity Superpower14:33 When Care Turns Transactional15:51 Team Culture And Names18:43 Pediatrics In The Community21:27 MBAs And Practice Survival24:47 Rebuilding Real Community27:24 Relationships Beat Facts28:58 Online Echo Chambers30:56 Trust and Media Diet31:44 Correcting Misinformation33:37 Shared Decisions and HPV35:21 Personalizing Guidelines38:27 Vaccine Conversations That Work40:37 Newborn Consent and Humanity44:14 Prenatal Visits and Continuity48:05 Burnout and Broken Bonds49:18 Joyful Practice and Gratitude55:33 Investing in Children57:42 Closing Thanks and SignoffSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

June 17, 2026Episode 445 min

239 Physician Autonomy: Why It Matters

Dr. Steven on California’s New Laws Curbing Private Equity Control of Medical PracticesIn this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, the hosts welcome back Dr. Steven from California to discuss two new state laws addressing private equity and the corporate practice of medicine. Dr. Steven describes his key role as a witness supporting SB 351, which strengthens enforcement against MSOs and private equity interfering with clinical judgment, physician scheduling, work hours, medical record control, and certain restrictive covenants and NDAs tied to quality and ethical concerns. He shares his own experience of alleged MSO interference, including canceled COVID vaccine clinics and loss of control of his professional corporation, now part of a lawsuit. They also review AB 1415, requiring disclosure and greater oversight of healthcare transactions, and compare similar issues in dentistry and leveraged buyouts, arguing financial incentives can harm patient care and physician autonomy while weakening relationships and access in larger systems.00:00 Podcast Intro00:29 Catching Up in California01:04 Surf and Wave Safety02:20 How SB 351 Passed03:17 Enforcing Corporate Practice07:12 MSO Interference Examples11:22 Noncompetes and NDAs13:15 Deal Disclosure Law AB 141514:48 Dental PE and LBO Debt17:51 Pediatrics Margins and Debt19:44 Urgent Care and Midlevels23:00 Who Pays the Debt23:48 Wall Street Gambling Mindset25:15 Money Over Patients25:37 Recruit Then Replace26:52 Leverage And Lending28:40 Physician Exit Strategy31:17 Independence Comeback34:26 Access And Pricing Failures36:04 Referral Barriers And Triage40:17 Relationships Lost In Medicine43:05 Teaching The Next Generation44:08 Closing Thanks And CreditsSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

June 9, 2026Episode 31 hr 3 min

238 Why and How Marketing is essential to your business - Cliff James

Four Pillars of Advertising for Pediatric Practices: Newborn ROI, TikTok, Google Maps, and Internal OutreachHosts discuss pediatric practice marketing with repeat guest Dr. Cliff James, focusing on ROI-driven patient acquisition and replacing attrition by targeting newborns while balancing capacity and scheduling efficiency. James argues marketing spend should be measured by cost per acquired patient (nationally ~$80–$100; his ~$32), not percent of revenue, and stresses tracking “how did you hear about us” to avoid misleading metrics like clicks. He outlines advertising pillars: (1) social media content, especially TikTok, to educate pregnant/new parents and generate both patients and platform revenue; (2) hyperlocal visibility via Google Maps/Google Business and consistent listings across many directories, with mobile-optimized, content-rich websites that AI search tools can scrape; (3) targeted paid ads such as geofencing OB offices and filtering by demographics; and (4) internal “advertising” using EHR outreach to drive well visits and chronic care follow-ups. He emphasizes outsourcing execution while physicians stay involved and recommends treating the website like a revenue-producing employee.00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest01:38 Why Market to Newborns03:23 Attrition and Growth Math05:43 Capacity and Scheduling Limits13:47 Walk Ins and Workflow Hacks16:33 Marketing Spend and CPA18:48 Modern Referral Channels20:51 Outsource vs Be the Star23:22 Social Media Pillar TikTok27:59 Tracking Leads and Targeting29:32 High Income Ad Targeting30:10 Geofencing OB Offices31:16 60 Second Video Strategy32:32 Choosing Social Channels33:14 Avoiding Link Penalties35:29 Google Maps Over SEO36:29 AI Search Website Pages39:50 Reviews And Internal Outreach48:19 Quiz Funnels For Leads52:06 Webinars Worth It55:36 Delegate Marketing Work01:00:16 Website As An Employee01:02:23 Closing And DisclaimersSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

May 26, 2026Episode 21 hr 12 min

237 How DPC is Growing in Pediatrics

DPC Is Growing in Pediatrics: Dr. Andrew Hertz on Zest’s Expansion, Survey Findings, and the Future of CareThe Pediatric Lounge welcomes returning guest Dr. Andrew Hertz, co-founder and president of the Zest Pediatric Network, to discuss the growth of direct pediatric care (DPC) and results from Zest’s national survey. Hertz reports Zest’s expansion from three Cleveland-area practices to 10 sites opening by summer, with 13 physicians across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and describes using annual surveys because pediatric DPC data was previously lacking and the movement is growing about 25% yearly. Survey findings include that pediatric DPC is largely women-led (about 90%), mid-career, mostly solo practices; most charge $100–$175 per child per month with panels under 250 patients; about 48% are AAP members; and many report improved satisfaction and less moral injury. They discuss DPC benefits such as reduced office, urgent care, and ED visits, challenges with insurance and Medicaid capitation without CPT codes, AI’s operational promise and societal risks, and employer value focused more on employee satisfaction than pediatric ROI.00:00 Welcome Back Dr Hertz01:30 Zest Network Growth02:50 Why Survey DPC03:49 Who Joins DPC05:06 Boards and MOC Debate09:31 AAP Membership Questions13:54 Why DPC Is Rising18:22 AI vs EHR Efficiency22:03 Insurance and Capitation25:14 Hybrid Models and Access29:08 Costs and Who Can Afford32:45 Medicaid Capitation Hurdles35:06 Data Without CPT Codes36:24 Data Without Red Tape37:07 ICD-10 and Simple EMRs38:23 Holistic Prevention Coaching41:32 Defining DPC Success42:43 Net Promoter Score Explained46:10 NPS for Behavior Change49:19 Storytelling to Drive Adoption55:53 AI in Pediatrics Promise and Peril01:03:21 Beyond DPC Payment Models01:06:15 Employers and Care Navigators01:09:24 Closing Thoughts and Growth01:11:31 Podcast OutroSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

May 19, 2026Episode 150 min

236 Fixing Primary Care Shortage

Dr. Sherif Taraman on Fixing the Primary Care Shortage: Economics, Culture, Policy, and TechnologyIn a Tuesday-morning discussion, repeat guest Dr. Sherif Taraman (dual board-certified child neurology and clinical informatics; CEO of Cognoa behind FDA-authorized Canvas DX for autism) joins Herb and George to examine the U.S. primary care shortage. They argue the core driver is broken health economics: low reimbursement, outdated CPT practice-expense assumptions, high overhead, time-strapped 10–15 minute visits, and EHR-driven administrative burden that pushes volume over prevention and fuels burnout, direct-care models, and consolidation or profit-driven ownership. They discuss loss of generalist skills, outdated training and regulation, medical debt discouraging primary care, and cultural preference for quick fixes over preventive care. Potential solutions include clinician-driven tech (e.g., ambient scribes), collaborative care scaffolding with reimbursable codes, more flexible retraining and licensing reciprocity, better education in health economics/population health, and restoring patient-physician relationships to rebuild trust (e.g., vaccines).00:00 Welcome Back Sherif01:43 Why Primary Care Matters03:44 Reimbursement Drives Shortage05:29 Generalist Skills Fading07:58 Outdated Rules and Costs11:11 Practice Models Shifting13:14 Workforce and Policy Crunch14:47 Tech Incentives and Burnout17:54 Collaborative Care Scaffolding19:03 Culture Debt and Training Reform26:17 Reinventing Physician Careers27:44 Credentialing Roadblocks28:46 Regulation Versus Access29:45 Modernizing Training Models30:52 Paying Primary Care Right32:55 Telehealth Licensing Mess33:47 Learning Without Certificates34:52 Screening Belongs Upstream36:34 Workforce Fixes And Scope39:48 Guidelines And Critical Thinking42:44 Medicine As Art And Trust48:49 EHRs Billing And Burnout49:44 Closing Thoughts And ActionSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

May 5, 2026Episode 431 hr 3 min

235 Communication is our Thing with Dr. Todd Wolynn

Communication Is Our Thing: Dr. Todd Wolyn on Vaccine Misinformation, Online Attacks, and Training Trusted MessengersIn this Pediatric Lounge episode, hosts interview nationally recognized pediatrician and vaccine advocate Dr. Todd Wolyn, co-founder and former CEO of Kids Plus Pediatrics in Pittsburgh, about communication in pediatric care. Wolyn shares why he chose pediatrics, how Kids Plus grew from a small practice to three offices with expanded services like a regional breastfeeding center and the free, community-based “New Moms Coffee” support groups. He recounts creating an HPV vaccine PSA in 2017 that drew a coordinated global anti-vaccine social media attack, leading to research, a clinician toolkit, and the not-for-profit Shots Heard Around the World. The discussion critiques reliance on talking points and limited communication training, explores why vaccine concerns vary along a continuum, and introduces Wolyn’s Trusted Messenger program, including free CME and a June launch of a train-the-trainer institute using the AIMS methodology.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:55 Why Pediatrics02:25 Meeting Seth and Thinking Bigger04:42 Building Kids Plus Pediatrics05:53 New Moms Coffee Community07:56 Shots Heard Around World Origins11:54 Online Attacks and COVID Echoes15:11 HPV Uptake and Vaccine Baggage21:50 Why Communication Training Fails27:45 Curiosity With Resistant Families30:14 Vaccine Concern Spectrum32:52 Practice Policies and Trust37:24 Natural vs Liberty Beliefs40:03 Talking Points Backlash46:50 Better Vaccine Messaging49:28 Trusted Messenger Mission51:54 Scaling Trust Locally59:04 Training the Trainers01:01:57 Wrap Up and CreditsSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

April 28, 2026Episode 421 hr 5 min

234 Will AI Replace Pediatricians with Dr. Igor Trogan MD

AI Won’t Replace Pediatricians—But Pediatricians Using AI WillIn this Pediatric Lounge episode, hosts George and Herb talk with Dr. Igor Trogan about why AI is becoming essential for independent pediatric practices, emphasizing that ambient AI scribing restores eye-to-eye patient interaction, improves documentation, and enables more accurate CPT coding and billing. They discuss financial pressures from declining reimbursement and rising overhead, how EHRs were built largely for accounting and reporting, and the need to balance evidence-based pathways with clinical judgment. Dr. Igor Trogan describes using HIPAA-compliant Google Gemini agents to support coders, catch underbilling, generate rebuttals to payer downcoding, and improve care quality by finding care gaps and medication or dosing errors. He also shares using Base44 (non-HIPAA) to rapidly build custom operational apps (inventory, scheduling, command-center dashboards), plus website chatbots, insurance-card and immunization-record agents, AI-generated training materials and social media content. They conclude the best first step is adopting ambient AI.00:00 Podcast Intro and Premise01:24 Why AI Is Now Essential01:50 Ambient AI Restores Connection05:05 Billing Pressures and EHR Mandates08:15 Care Pathways vs Clinical Judgment13:05 Pediatrics Complexity and Art17:17 AI for Coding and Billing Accuracy24:15 Fighting Downcoding With AI25:50 Quality Checks and Care Gaps33:08 Clinical Safety and Error Catching34:41 Custom Apps for Operations37:03 Scheduling App Fix39:06 Vibe Coding Explained39:56 Practice Hub App40:42 War Room Dashboard42:57 Will EHRs Be Replaced47:17 Website Chatbots Agents49:53 Ambient AI Billing Boost53:49 NotebookLM For Students55:34 Care Gaps Holy Grail01:00:50 Dashboards Outreach Agents01:02:42 Marketing Training With AI01:03:54 First Step Start Today01:04:37 Closing CreditsSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

April 21, 2026Episode 4156 min

233 The Brand Is Your Doctor Now

The Brand Is Your Doctor Now: Provider-Agnostic Care and the Risk to Relationship-Based PediatricsOn The Pediatric Lounge, hosts discuss “provider-agnostic” or “physician-agnostic” care with pediatrician Dr. James Reilly, arguing corporate and private-equity models use protocols, EHR-driven algorithms, and lower-cost staffing to make clinicians interchangeable and reduce patient loyalty to individual physicians. They contrast efficient team-based support that preserves continuity with cost-cutting that sacrifices time, empathy, and physician satisfaction, and warn that “top-of-license” restructuring in psychiatry led to underfunding and a lasting mental health crisis. The conversation links critical pathways and Epic-style cognitive offloading to diminished clinical judgment, citing examples of inappropriate protocol orders, urgent-care misses, and MinuteClinic prescribing. They emphasize that longitudinal “thinking sciences” benefit from trust and wisdom that computers can’t replace, and predict worse outcomes, burnout, and access problems if relationships are replaced by brand-driven, algorithmic care.00:00 Welcome to Pediatric Lounge00:45 Meet Dr. James Reilly01:53 Why Relationships Matter03:12 What Is Provider Agnostic Care04:40 Efficiency vs Assembly Line Care07:28 Private Equity and Interchangeability10:35 Top of License Mental Health Lesson14:58 How Protocols and EHRs Started It20:33 Algorithms vs Human Wisdom26:38 Pediatrics Funding and Algorithm Upsides31:00 Pediatrics Value Gap31:36 Telemedicine Eye Miss32:53 MinuteClinic Strep Mixup35:27 Brand Versus Doctor37:07 Thinking Sciences Model43:09 Continuity Catches Problems44:24 Lipoprotein A Wisdom48:50 Medicine Art And Science50:27 Interchangeable Doctors Burnout53:46 Humans Not Algorithms55:08 Wrap Up And CreditsSupport the show🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack🎧 - PODCAST👥 - FACEBOOK🐦 - TWITTER📸 - Instagram➡️ - LinkedinThe Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.