The Journey to Better

Imagine a world where late-career physicians are equipped with tools just as precise as those used in aviation. Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Andrew White , a visionary in internal medicine and clinical informatics, as he unveils the transformative power of electronic health records (EHRs) in enhancing patient safety. Through Andrew's unique career path from molecular biology...

Discover the remarkable journey of Dr. Tara Jones , an interventional cardiologist who has navigated the demanding landscapes of medical training and motherhood with grace and determination. This episode of "Journey to Better" unveils Tara's experiences from South Dakota to Utah, highlighting her triumphs and challenges as a female physician. With candid insights, Tara sheds light o...

Guenter Haines , the Senior Vice President of US Commercialization at Reflow Medical, shares invaluable insights on the transformative power of authentic leadership and strategic communication. With over 25 years in the medical device industry, Guenter explores the subtle yet significant differences between managing and leading teams. Inspired by Simon Sinek, he champions the concept of servant le...

What happens when a physician becomes a patient, facing life-altering health challenges? Alex Van Dyke's journey through the healthcare system is both harrowing and inspiring. Her story, marked by childhood illnesses and a critical heart condition, not only fueled her passion for medicine but also reshaped her understanding of patient care. Join us as Alex shares her experiences from medical...

What happens when a promising tennis career evolves into a profound journey through the realms of pharmacy and interventional cardiology? Join us as Dr. George Touma , a distinguished cardiologist from Sydney, Australia, shares his compelling story filled with unexpected twists and invaluable life lessons. From the cutthroat world of competitive sports to the equally demanding field of medicine, G...

Ever wondered how major career shifts and cultural backgrounds shape relationships? Join us on Journey to Better as we unravel the fascinating stories of Dr. Abdallah Bitar , his wife Karen Chiang , and my wife Erika Lombardi . From Erika’s transition from nursing to medical device sales, balancing a demanding career with family life, to Karen’s journey as a Taiwanese immigrant’s daughter navigati...

Dr. Robert Mentz from Duke University shares his fascinating career journey in this episode of "Journey to Better." From his humble beginnings in Wisconsin to becoming a standout heart failure cardiologist and clinical trialist, Robert offers deep insights into his educational experiences at Emory and Brigham, and the mentors who have significantly influenced his path. Listeners will gai...

Jason Fontana , Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Medtronic, shares his journey from a biology degree and a PhD in pharmacology to a leadership role in the groundbreaking field of renal denervation. With over two decades at Medtronic, Jason's story illustrates the powerful blend of hard work, strategic relationships, and personal passion that has fueled his career. We explore how hi...

Ever wondered how a career journey with multiple pivots can shape a person's professional and personal growth? Join us as we catch up with my old friend Kevin Beedon , whose career path has been anything but linear. Kevin's transition from an aspiring interventional cardiologist to a chemical engineer, and eventually into global marketing, offers a rich tapestry of experiences. He opens...

Discover the transformative career moves that shaped Tim's approach to clinical practices and lifesaving innovations. We discuss his experiences at Hennepin County with carbon monoxide poisoning cases and how a serendipitous discovery led to groundbreaking research publications. Learn how Tim's visionary mentorship at Minneapolis Heart contributed to the development of a pioneering STEMI...

In a profession where the stakes are incredibly high, how can collaborative platforms reshape the practice of medicine? This episode also explores the creation of Murmur, a specialized social media app for interventional cardiologists, co-founded by Dr. Joseph Walsh and Dr. Aidan Raney. We discuss the unique challenges faced by interventional cardiologists transitioning from fellowship to practice...

Can gratitude really transform anxiety into a powerful tool for healing? Dr. Tyra Fainstad , an insightful internist from the University of Colorado, takes us through her intense battle with burnout. Hear about her residency at the University of Washington, where she became hooked on external validation, and how the lack of feedback post-residency drove her to feelings of inadequacy, further compl...

Ever wondered what it takes to defend a healthcare professional's reputation amidst a storm of malpractice allegations? This week on Journey to Better, we have the privilege of talking to Elizabeth "Liz" Leedom , a formidable trial lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice defense.  Liz unravels her fascinating path from childhood dreams to championing doctors, hospitals, and nu...

Pioneering medical procedures and the emotional resilience required in cardiology is the topic as we sit down with Dr. Zach Steinberg from the University of Washington. With his roots on the East Coast, Zach has carved out a remarkable career in adult congenital intervention and pulmonary balloon angioplasty. You'll follow his educational journey and see how he helped shape new procedural gui...

What if the future of healthcare lies in the untold stories of those working behind the scenes? Join us as we sit down with John Michael Maier, the innovative mind behind "Journey to Better," who takes us on a journey from roles at Covidien to promoting University of Washington's Heart Institute. John Michael discusses the intersection of surgical devices, community building, and th...

  Dr. Ed Tuohy joins us to help understand physician reimbursement and hospital finance.  Dr. Tuohy sheds light on the importance of relative value units (RVUs), how they affect both physician paychecks and hospital margins, and the necessity for accurate surveys to ensure fair compensation. We discuss the pros and cons of different payment models, such as salary-based versus RVU-based systems, an...

Have you ever wondered how a Ph. D. poet could end up shaping the future for a global oil giant? Join us as we chat with the extraordinary Betty Sue Flowers, who shares her transformative journey from academia to strategic foresight planning at Royal Dutch Shell. Betty Sue reveals how being open to possibilities can help us transcend conventional roles and narratives, and why holding multiple futu...

Unlock the secrets of balancing a high-stakes career with a competitive spirit as we chat with Dr. Eric Rothstein , a former D1 tennis star turned interventional cardiologist. Eric reveals his unique journey from the tennis courts to the catheterization lab, sharing how his passion for sports initially led him to orthopedics before pivoting to the demanding field of cardiology. Discover his insigh...

What happens when a heartfelt friendship of 18 years becomes the catalyst for incredible change in the lives of many? Join us as we take you on a journey with Steve Keene, from his roots in Lincoln, Nebraska, to his remarkable work in the healthcare industry and, more importantly, his transformative efforts in addiction recovery. Hear about our memorable taxi ride in London and how these shared ex...

Dr. Drew Klein joins to dig into the pressing mental health issues facing the healthcare profession today.   Dr. Klein, who has a robust background in interventional cardiology and is a critical player in the Physician Wellness Task Force for SCAI, shares his invaluable insights and personal experiences, highlighting the urgent need for the medical community to support its members on their mental...

I sit down with Dr. Sanjog Kalra , as we explore the motivations and challenges behind working with high-risk patients, the vital role of mentorship, and the collaborative decision-making processes that help navigate uncertain outcomes. Our conversation sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional toll that invasive specialists endure while striving for excellence in patient care. Sanjog and I al...

What if slowing down is the secret to achieving more? Join us as we sit down with retired cardiologist Sarah Samaan , MD, FACC, FACP, FASE, whose journey from Vanderbilt Medical School graduate to a thriving multi-passionate retiree is nothing short of fascinating. Sarah shares her unique transition from a high-stress medical career to a fulfilling life as a medical writer, competitive equestrian,...

What if feeling like you don’t belong is actually the key to your success? Join us for a compelling conversation with Hannah Chaudry , CHIP Interventional Cardiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center, as she opens up about her journey through imposter syndrome and her determination to excel in the male-dominated field of interventional cardiology. Growing up in an immigrant family...

Join us as we sit down with Mike Minogue , whose story is as impactful as it is instructional.   He is the President and CEO of Minogue Consulting, LLC .  He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abiomed, Inc., for 18 years until its acquisition in December 2022 by Johnson & Johnson.   From his early days as a "punk kid" to the boardrooms of medical technology...

Prepare to have your perspective on the interplay between industry-sponsored clinical trials and physician decision-making profoundly expanded.  Esteemed interventional cardiologist Hemal Gada, MD joins me to scrutinize the nuanced influence of industry partnerships in healthcare and the ethical quandaries they pose. Our conversation promises to equip you with an understanding of how these relatio...