The Journey to Better

Interventional Cardiologists Dr. Michael Chan and Dr. Daniel Menees asked to join Bill for a week in the cath lab and sat down to discuss the impacts of asking for help.   The heart of our exchange beats around the courage to be vulnerable and the strength found in community. There's a raw honesty in admitting that sometimes, despite all our expertise, we need to reach out for help.  Michael...

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads between what you've always done and the potential of what you could do?  This episode offers a glimpse into the heart of medicine with Dr. Tariq Salman , an interventional cardiologist whose own pivot from academic medicine to private practice exemplifies the essence of adaptability and continuous growth. We share stories and insights on the art of...

Bill and Scott Nelson , the CEO of FastWave Medical and Medsider, discussed the complexities of balancing shareholder value and the interests of their physician customers and patients in the medical technology industry.  They also shared their insights on the role of a CEO in a startup, the importance of emotional strength and mindfulness in decision-making, and the challenges and opportunities of...

Bill hosts Dr. Kate Kearney , Dr. Rhian Davies , and Dr. Kathryn Dawson to discuss the challenges faced by women in interventional cardiology, including gender discrepancies, assumptions about professional abilities, and experiences of imposter syndrome. They also explored the importance of creating supportive communities, mentorship, and training opportunities to empower women in these roles.  La...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Stephanie Patterson BSN, RN, dipACLN , who transformed her career as a critical care nurse into a mission for wellness through lifestyle medicine.  Her candid insights reveal the stark realities of burnout in high-stress healthcare roles and the revival of her spirit through embracing a new approach to health. Together, we traverse the emotional landscapes t...

Dr. Marty Leon candidly shares his trajectory, rife with both personal and professional milestones, we traverse the ethics of patient care, the challenges in achieving medical excellence, and the evolving landscape of healthcare technology. Our heartfelt discussion doesn't shy away from the complexities that come with striving for innovation in cardiology. The formation of the Cardiovascular...

When the weight of a lead apron threatens to end a career, what does a pioneering cardiologist do?  Dr. Bob Foster , a beacon in the field of cardiology and peripheral intervention, wasn't ready to hang up his stethoscope. Journey with him as he defies the odds, crafting a legacy that intertwines medical innovation with personal triumph over adversity. From his upbringing in hospital corridor...

Jennifer Frampton, DO, MPH , is an interventional cardiologist at Yale Medicine developing a CTO program.  She is stepping out of her comfort zone to ensure she is prepared for the challenges ahead.   Send us Fan Mail

 Bill and Dr. Allison Hall discussed her journey through her training experiences, the challenges she faced, and the benefits of competition in the medical field.  They also explored the importance of collaboration, self-confidence, and creating inclusive environments in their profession.  Reflection on effective communication, the importance of speaking up, and the value of internal validation in...

Bill and Brian discussed the importance of wealth management and financial planning, emphasizing the need for individualized goals and adaptable plans. They explored the challenges retirees face, the importance of social support and enjoyable activities, and the role of a trusted team in financial decision making. They also discussed the idea of leaving a trust for the benefit of others and the im...

Bill and Dr. Richard Shlofmitz shared his life story, medical career journey, and experiences with new technologies in medicine. He emphasized the importance of humility, education, and collaboration in the medical field. He also discussed his personal life and his drive to always be the best.  Richard and Bill have a wide-ranging discussion about the importance of self-reflection, the role of ind...

Bill Lombardi and Dr. Robert Federici discuss Dr. Federici's background and experiences in Albuquerque.  They also explored Dr. Federici's journey into CTOs, his emotional experiences, and the role of faith and spirituality in navigating challenging situations. The conversation also touched on the importance of balance, humility, and gratitude, and the role of competition and compassion...

Bill and Cynthia Rutzick, Bill's sister, discussed their respective career paths in the healthcare industry, with Cynthia's legal focus on supporting physicians.  They delve into the importance of legal representation in contract negotiations, particularly in the medical field. They emphasized the need for physicians to ask questions and express their expectations to ensure a good match...

After a week in the lab with Bill, Dr. Tony Cedrone sits down to discuss his journey in medicine and faith.  They discuss how faith plays a role in imposter syndrome, confronting negativity and fear. Send us Fan Mail

Ron Hentges , previously a cardiovascular technician, discuss his extensive experience in the medical field, including his time with the Navy and teaching new technologies as Director of Marketing & Education at Asahi Intecc USA, Inc.  They emphasized the importance of effective communication and feedback loops, as well as the need for empathy towards operators in the cath lab.  The conversati...

Bill and Dr. Jonathan Hill had a conversation about Jonathan's professional journey in the medical field, including his experiences training in Scotland, London, and the US. They discussed his current focus on molecular biology and stem cell research, his interest in treating patients with CTO's, and his research on angiogenesis. They also talked about Jonathan's shift from stem cel...

Dr. Lindsey Cilia provides a candid look into her career and how it has effected her personal life.   She emphasized the importance of having a supportive environment during her transition from training to her first job and the challenges of managing a personal life alongside a professional career in medicine.  Send us Fan Mail

Bill and Dr. Brian Whisenant , Medical Director, Heart Valve and Structural Heart Disease at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, shared their personal experiences, emotions, and challenges related to their profession, including dealing with the loss of a mentor and cultural differences on a team. They emphasized the significance of teamwork, trust, and support, especially in the context...

To kick off 2024, Bill is joined on the Journey with Dr. Jennifer Tremmel, a Mid-westerner living on the west coast as an interventional cardiologist at Standford. She draws on her experienceas an avid runner and a motto "don't think, just run" that translates to other aspects of her life to help push forward through the mental barriers and accomplish her goals. Send us Fan Mail

Bill is joined by Dr. Babak Nazer the first Electrophysiologist on the podcast and his colleague at UW Medicine Heart Institute specializing in complex ablation of arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia.  In addition to clinical work he has garnered a lot of news around a device in development in his research lab on campus. Dr. Nazer directs the UW Translational Electrophysiology Laboratory,...

Drs. Pranaychan Vaidya , Ankitkumar Patel , and Haroon Faraz are an interventional team in Hackensack, NJ building a high risk PCI program.   They visited UW Heart Institute for a two day live case course  with Bill and his team, Drs. Kate Kearney and Lorenzo Azzalini, to focus on their skill development and decision making.   Special thanks to Medtronic for supporting the visit. Send us Fan Mail

Bill talks with Isa Rizk about his journey through the medical industry and excitement for the next year with first-in-human trials planned. Isa co-founded Reflow Medical Inc. and is Chief Executive Officer for the Company. Prior to founding ReFlow Medical, Isa helped found and manage several companies in addition to key roles in Research and Development Send us Fan Mail

Bill talks with Chad Kugler about the world behind the curtains of the medical device industry.  He is undoubtedly an expert of swimming with sharks and finds joy in navigating that journey. Chad Kugler, President and CEO of Seigla Medical, is an engineer turned serial entrepreneur with significant experience inventing technologies including sixty-eight granted patents, developing new markets, and...

Bill chats with Dr. Emmanouil (Manos) Brilakis about his career, perspectives on working hard and his own challenges with burnout. Emmanouil Brilakis MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, FSCAI is Director of the Center for Complex Coronary Interventions at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and Chairman of the Center for Coronary Artery Disease at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Yonatan (Yoni) Buber joins the podcast to discuss how his upbringing in Israel and training internationally have contrasted from the US but also the lessons that have benefited his current clinical role in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease service at UW Medicine Heart Institute. With current events in Israel, we couldn't avoid the topic.  Dr. Buber vulnerably navigates his emotions while...