The Journey to Better

Bill Lombardi welcomes Dr. Jasleen Tiwana , an interventional cardiologist practicing in Alaska who completed her high-risk PCI fellowship at the University of Washington, to discuss her journey from training to building a successful practice while balancing professional excellence and family life. • Dr. Tiwana's drive to become "the best" led her to pursue additional training in co...

Dr. Greg Witkop shares his journey from Army ophthalmologist to DARPA researcher, developing innovative approaches to mental health by combining neuroscience, psychology, and sleep medicine to heal trauma-affected brains. The conversation explores how trauma changes neural circuits and how we might reverse those changes to build resilience in military personnel, physicians, and first responders. •...

Primero Ng, a recent high-risk PCI graduate who trained with Bill at UW, shares his experience transitioning back to practice in Australia and the challenges of building a complex cardiac program in a different healthcare system. Their conversation explores the differences between healthcare cultures, the importance of patient-centered care, and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside...

Dr. Rhian Davies shares her journey from cardiology fellowship to becoming an interventionist specializing in complex high-risk PCIs and CTOs while balancing her passion for competitive horseback jumping. • Meeting Dr. Lombardi at a fellows course in 2018 despite initial intimidation • Transitioning from fellowship to practice and dealing with being the first female interventionist in her practice...

Dr. Jesse Kane shares his journey from interventional cardiology fellow to attending physician at the University of Vermont, exploring how his diverse training experiences shaped his approach to medicine and patient care. • Moving between different institutions exposes physicians to varying approaches and helps identify best practices • Redefining success means focusing on helping patients and bei...

After cardiology fellowship, physicians face critical career decisions balancing technical skills, personal fulfillment, and family demands that shape their professional trajectories. Dr. Amy Cheney shares her journey from UW fellowship to community practice, revealing insights about transitioning from academic to private practice settings. • COVID disruptions during fellowship created uncertainty...

Physicians aren't broken - the healthcare system is. Dr. Gabe Charbonneau joins Bill to discuss physician burnout and the hopeful path forward through solidarity, boundaries, and reclaiming joy in medicine. • Dr. Charbonneau shares his journey from rural Idaho inspiration to experiencing severe burnout in his first post-residency position • Medicine Forward was born from collaboration with Dr...

Dr. Bill Lombardi celebrates his 100th podcast episode by reversing roles, allowing his early guests Dr. Aaron Grantham and Dr. Jared Frizzell to interview him about his personal transformation and journey to better. • Discussing the "two steps forward, one step back" reality of personal growth and how to prevent falling all the way back • Recognizing physiological triggers when slipping...

Joe Green, a former Olympic pole vault hopeful, shares how his journey from ambitious athlete to purpose-driven entrepreneur taught him valuable life lessons about failure, faith, and finding peace. • Growing up in a small mountain town, Joe developed an "aggressive curiosity" that fueled his various pursuits • Joe describes how witnessing a customer die from a heart attack at 24 sparked...

Lisa Hunt shares her transformative journey on the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain that helped her shed lifelong burdens of shame and rediscover her authentic self. Her story illustrates how stepping away from modern life's shallowness and embracing vulnerability can lead to profound spiritual freedom. • Flight attendant Lisa felt called to do something deeper as she ap...

Two cardiac specialists explore the transformative power of medical collaboration, discussing how cross-specialty partnerships are revolutionizing patient care and creating space for innovation. They examine how breaking down traditional silos between cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, and interventional cardiology leads to better outcomes and professional growth. • The evolution of cardiac surger...

Sarah Samaan Sarah, MD, FACC, FACP, FASE , a retired cardiologist turned physician coach and art educator, explores how visual thinking strategies and leadership coaching can transform healthcare culture and combat physician burnout. • Completed Harvard's visual thinking strategies program using art to develop communication, collaboration, and comfort with ambiguity in healthcare • Visual thi...

Joy Glasser , a certified leadership coach with over two decades of experience, shares insights on how coaching differs from therapy and addresses the unique challenges physicians face in their professional lives. She illuminates pathways to self-awareness, better leadership, and finding balance in a demanding healthcare system. • Coaching fundamentally differs from therapy—coaches believe clients...

Samantha Propper , founder of "Don't Miss a Beat" joins Bill to discuss the challenges and solutions for creating better cath lab environments through improved communication, education, and psychological safety. • Sam's journey from cardiovascular technologist to educator and founder of educational resources for cath lab professionals • Creating visual educational resources tha...

Robert Ricker shares his transformative journey from competitive, achievement-driven professional to a leader focused on building meaningful connections through vulnerability, reflection, and authentic listening. His story illustrates how personal growth requires challenging your identity and developing new skills to create environments where others can thrive. • Transitioning from going fast alon...

Bringing to light the incredible journey of Odayme Quesada, MD, MHS, FACC FAHA, FESC, Endowed Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health, Board-Certified Cardiologist, Medical Director of The Women’s Heart Center, Physician Scientist, Assistant Professor University of Cincinnati, this episode offers a unique perspective on women's heart health and the challenges professionals face in the medical...

We sat down with the esteemed Dr. Larry Sperling from Emory University to uncover the fascinating intersections of personal stories and professional insights in medicine.  Larry's journey from his Northeast upbringing to his pivotal role in preventive cardiology at Emory is a tapestry woven with global health initiatives and familial roots tracing back to Lithuania and Ukraine. Through his na...

This episode delves into the intersection of healthcare professional experiences and patient care, as Jesse Gibson and Rebecca Gibson, PA-C share their own stories of vulnerability amidst health crises.  The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, open communication, and emotional understanding in creating a more compassionate healthcare environment, inviting listeners to reflect on their ow...

This episode dives deep into the experiences of Dr. Najah Khan and Dr. Merna Abdou , two cardiology fellows, as they discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their training and patient care. They share personal stories of trauma, the importance of spirituality in healing, and the necessity of compassion in modern medicine, urging the healthcare community to reconnect with humanity and prioritizing qualit...

Matt Bowen shares his inspiring journey of transforming his health and channeling it into honoring Gold Star families through running. He discusses the emotional ties with veterans, highlights his experiences with Operation 300, and encourages listeners to actively show compassion. • Matt's transformation from military service to medical sales • The power of fitness in regaining control over...

This episode explores the journey of redefining success and fulfillment in professional life, featuring Dr. Mark Turco as a guest. We delve into themes from Arthur Brooks' book 'From Strength to Strength', emphasizing the importance of personal definitions of success, community support, and the value of self-acceptance.  • Discussion on Arthur Brooks' 'From Strength to Str...

Discover the remarkable journey of Dr. Kris Kawamoto , an inspiring interventional cardiologist from Honolulu, as she navigates the challenging path from the University of Hawaii to the icy landscapes of Michigan. Uncover how a life-changing medical mission to the Philippines and an unexpected elective in interventional cardiology guided her career path. Kris' story takes on deeper meaning as...

Join us for an engaging conversation with the acclaimed author and journalist, Shelley Wood, as she unveils her captivating journey from Vancouver to the vibrant world of health journalism. Discover how her academic pursuits in English literature and her early work with a cardiovascular pathologist ignited her passion for cardiology, leading her to become the Editor-in-Chief at TCTMD. Shelley shar...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. PJ Flaherty, a cardiologist whose life journey is as compelling as it is instructive. From his modest beginnings in Western Pennsylvania to building a successful medical practice in Little Rock, Arkansas, PJ's path was marked by challenges, including the unique hurdles of financing medical school and serving in the Army. His experiences across...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Mark Steinbrook, the accomplished chief of police in Beverly Hills, as he shares his extraordinary journey from a young Navy recruit to a respected leader in law enforcement. Mark's career is a testament to the power of adaptability and perseverance, with experiences spanning the Navy, Marines, LAPD, and ultimately, Beverly Hills. As listeners, you&...