Becker’s Healthcare -- Spine and Orthopedic Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Steven Cyr, Chief Medical Officer of Surgical Associates in Spine (SASpine) in Houston and San Antonio, discusses his approach to complex spine surgery, the challenges of independent practice, and the importance of patient centered care. He also shares insights on emerging technologies, physician workforce trends, and the future of spine care.

In this episode, Jason Scalise, MD, Chief Value Officer at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company, discusses expanding HOPCO's value-based care platform, building physician-led networks, and improving outcomes across musculoskeletal care. He also shares how analytics, collaboration, and specialty-focused strategies can help bend the cost curve.

In this episode, Meredith Warf, CPA DPT, Former Chief Executive Officer, discusses how healthcare leaders can evaluate new technologies by balancing clinical value, financial sustainability, and patient outcomes. She also shares insights on AI, robotics, revenue cycle innovation, and the future of spine and orthopedic care in the outpatient setting.

In this episode, Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS, joins the podcast to discuss redefining spine care through more personalized and evidence-based treatment approaches. He explores why treatment plans can fail, shares insights from his work on transitional reliability, and explains the importance of establishing clear rules of engagement to improve communication, decision-making, and patient outcomes.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Ben Burch, Spine Surgeon, Atlanta Spine Institute. He discusses adopting new technologies, leading organizational change through a successful EMR transition, and why maintaining a patient first mindset is essential as AI and innovation reshape spine care.

In this episode, Alejandro Fernandez, MBA, CMPE, Chief Executive Officer, Synergy Orthopedic Specialists, Inc., discusses his journey in healthcare leadership, the value of physician led organizations, and his vision for building an integrated orthopedic platform that improves care and operational excellence.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Robert Norton, Founding Partner and Spine Surgeon, Florida Spine Associates. He shares how investing in leadership, building high performing teams, and staying adaptable are helping his organization navigate workforce challenges, drive sustainable growth, and prepare for the future of spine care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. John Peloza, Physician, PelozaSpine. He discusses the growth of concierge spine care, performing complex procedures in the ASC setting, the importance of experienced teams and innovative technologies, and why patient outcomes and experience remain the foundation of a successful practice.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Clay Dorenkamp, Orthopedic Surgeon, Michigan Orthopedic Center. He discusses leveraging technology to improve patient communication, reduce administrative burdens, and support revenue cycle operations, while emphasizing the importance of leadership alignment and clinician oversight as healthcare organizations adopt new AI-driven tools.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Dominic Maggio, Owner, Chief Executive Officer and Neurosurgeon, Legacy Spine & Neurological Specialists. He shares insights on building a strong organizational culture, balancing operational efficiency with high-quality patient care, and evaluating emerging technologies while strategically growing an independent spine practice and ASC.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Leo T. Kroonen, Chief, Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente San Diego. He discusses tackling post-pandemic access challenges, redesigning care pathways through virtual orthopedics and provider collaboration, and why curiosity and openness to change are essential for healthcare leaders navigating growing patient demand.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Brian J. Cole, Chair of Orthopedics and RUSH, Managing Partner at Midwest Orthopedics, Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon, Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH. He discusses the importance of scale, culture-driven leadership, and principled decision-making as orthopedic organizations navigate growth, consolidation, and an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Akshay Yadhati, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Austin Regional Clinic. He discusses launching and scaling a spine surgery program, expanding access to advanced technologies such as robotic and endoscopic spine procedures, and creating comprehensive care pathways that improve patient outcomes while supporting ASC growth.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Kevin Bozic, Professor and Chair, Surgery and Perioperative Care Department, Dell Medical School at UT Austin. He discusses leading through rapid growth, preserving organizational culture, and why purpose, adaptability, and mission alignment are essential for long-term success in healthcare.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Gary Herschman, Healthcare Transactions Shareholder, Baker Donelson, and Dana Jacoby, President & CEO, Vector Medical Group. Here, they discuss how joint ventures and strategic partnerships are evolving across musculoskeletal care and explore the growing role of physicians, hospitals, private equity, payers, and ASC operators in shaping future care models, governance structures, and value creation strategies.This episode is sponsored by Baker Donelson.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. William Levine, Frank E. Stinchfield Professor and Chair, Orthopedic Surgery Department, Chief, Shoulder Service, and Co-Director, Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. He discusses navigating financial and operational pressures in academic medicine, expanding ambulatory care, and the leadership principles that help organizations adapt and thrive during times of constant change.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Ravi Bashyal, Vice-Chairman, Patient and Provider Experience and Director, Outpatient Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery, Endeavor Health; Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He discusses leading through healthcare consolidation, maintaining a relentless focus on patient outcomes and experience, and delivering high-value outpatient joint replacement care in an evolving healthcare landscape.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Martin Jenter, Orthopedic Surgeon, Integrowth Orthopedic Specialists and Henry Ford Health System & Medical Director, Michigan Outpatient Surgical Center ASC. He discusses the rapid growth of outpatient joint replacement, the challenges posed by health system consolidation and electronic health records, and how physician-led ambulatory surgery centers can enhance efficiency, patient experience, and clinical outcomes.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Nancy Cibotti, US CMIO, Heidi Health. Here, she discusses how AI is helping orthopedic practices reduce administrative burden, improve documentation quality, and enhance the patient experience.This episode is sponsored by Heidi Health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Nicholas Grosso, President, The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics. He discusses the launch of MedVanta, the importance of physician ownership in healthcare operations and technology, and how strong teams help organizations navigate rapid change while preserving long-term value.

In this episode, Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, Orthopedic Surgeon and Founder of the Joint Replacement Institute in Florida, joins the podcast to discuss how AI-powered chatbots can improve efficiency and streamline patient communication. He also shares his perspective on the fee-for-service model, strategies for delivering high-value orthopedic care, and efforts to limit opioid prescriptions while supporting safe and effective pain management.

In this episode, Namath Hussain, MD, MBA, Neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, discusses the future of endoscopic spine surgery, the growing role of AI in healthcare, the importance of surgeon leadership, and how mindfulness, mentorship, and continuous learning can help physicians build exceptional careers.

In this episode, Rory K.J. Murphy, MD, Board Certified Neurosurgeon, Barrow Brain and Spine, Associate Professor Barrow Neurological Institute, discusses how AI is improving clinical workflows, patient engagement, and surgical planning in neurosurgery.

In this episode, Travis Doering, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon based in Austin, Texas, discusses launching what he describes as the first AI native medical clinic in the country. He shares how local AI infrastructure, human oversight, and workflow orchestration could reshape orthopedic practice operations, patient privacy, and care delivery.

In this episode, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses balancing surgeon autonomy with the realities of modern healthcare systems, aligning academic and clinical priorities, and preparing organizations for rapid technological and operational change.

In this episode, Ronjon Paul, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Endeavor Health Medical Group, discusses developing multidisciplinary spine programs, leading within a large health system, and how AI is transforming patient care, clinical decision making, and physician workflows.

In this episode, Antonia F. Chen, MD, Chair and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern and incoming President of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and R. Michael Meneghini, MD, CEO and Founder of the Indiana Orthopedic Institute and immediate past president of AAHKS, join the podcast to discuss leadership transitions and the importance of reestablishing communication as new leaders. They also explore how AI dictation tools can reduce administrative burden and improve work-life balance, the impact of Medicaid cuts and financial pressures on orthopedic care, and the importance of supporting women in healthcare leadership and surgery.

In this episode, Edward J. Dohring, M.D., of the Spine Institute of Arizona, discusses the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, emerging innovations in spine care, and the evolving role of AI and minimally invasive approaches. He also shares insights on improving patient outcomes, balancing cost and quality, and shaping the next generation of spine leaders.

This episode features Aqib Zehri, MD, Neurosurgeon at The Oregon Clinic. Here he discusses his thoughts on access to care, exhausting non-surgical options first, what he is doing to improve quality outcomes, and more.

In this episode, Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, joins the podcast to discuss the growing role of personalization in surgery and the adoption of AI in clinical practice. He shares insights on building and scaling individual practices through patient education online, as well as the broader impact of GLP-1 medications on patient health and orthopedic outcomes.

In this episode, Leo Spector, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and CEO of OrthoCarolina, joins the podcast to discuss major industry shifts from inpatient to outpatient surgery. He shares how expanding access to care, lowering costs, and improving outcomes are shaping strategy, and offers his perspective on what success will look like for healthcare organizations in the future.

In this episode, Dr. Bradley Lamm, DPM, Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Center and Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Correction Fellowship at the Paley Institute, joins the podcast to discuss groundbreaking advancements in foot and ankle surgery. He highlights the world's first patient-specific 3D-printed procedure, explores MedCad treatment options, and shares how these innovations are driving more advanced healing and improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, Wake Radiology's President and Managing Partner Brent Townsend, MD and COO Parul Galloway discuss practical strategies to help mitigate patient access, workforce and other common challenges to successfully scale outpatient imaging. Together with Jason Weshler, VP of Outpatient Solutions at Siemens Healthineers, they explore how digitalization and AI-based tools, operational innovations, and advocacy efforts are shaping the future of patient-centered radiology care.This episode is sponsored by Siemens Healthineers.

In this episode, Samir Mehta, MD, Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Service and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of trauma care and how machine learning and AI are shaping the future of the field. He also shares practical advice for emerging leaders looking to grow and lead in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

In this episode, Dr. James Ryaby, PhD, Principal Scientific Advisor at Orthofix, shares insights from more than 30 years at the forefront of bone healing innovation. He discusses the science behind PEMF and ultrasound therapies, the clinical trials that validated these technologies, and where the future of regenerative bone healing may be headed.This episode is sponsored by Orthofix.

In this episode, Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS, Past President, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), discusses the growing role of AI in spine care and its impact on clinical decision-making, policy, and medical knowledge. He highlights the importance of physician-led governance to ensure technology enhances rather than erodes critical thinking and patient-centered care.

In this episode, Ravi K. Bashyal, MD, Vice Chairman of Patient and Provider Experience at Endeavor Health and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, shares how patient centered culture, standardized pathways, and surgical specialization have built the busiest orthopedic hospital in Illinois. He discusses outpatient joint replacement, system wide growth, and why humility and human connection remain at the core of high performance care.

In this episode, Dr. Osamah Choudhry, Co Founder and CEO of Medivis and neurosurgeon at NYU Langone Health, discusses the evolving role of artificial intelligence and augmented reality in spine and cranial surgery. He shares insights on FDA clearances, distribution strategy, and how next generation navigation technology is improving precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Mauricio Avila, Assistant Professor and Director of the Neurosurgery Spine program at Saint Louis University and SSM Health, shares how he is uniting neurosurgery and orthopedic spine teams while expanding endoscopic and robotic capabilities. He discusses the value of minimally invasive care, the promise of next generation robotics software, and the workforce and reimbursement challenges shaping spine surgery today.

In this episode, Kai Lewandrowski, MD and Morgan Lorio, MD, FACS explore how disposable HD endoscopy, predictable per case economics, and CMS rural transformation efforts can make spine surgery more viable in low volume settings while preserving local access and sustaining community based practices.

In this episode, Dr. Christian Péan, CEO and Co Founder of Revel Ai Health and practicing orthopedic trauma surgeon at Duke University School of Medicine, discusses how AI is redefining surgical readiness in ambulatory surgery centers. He explores scalable use cases in patient engagement, quality reporting, interoperability, and how ASC leaders can prepare their data, workflows, and culture for safe AI adoption. This episode is sponsored by Revel Ai.

In this episode, Matthew J. Dietz, MD, FAOA, Chair of Orthopaedics at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and WVU Medicine, discusses leading rapid departmental growth, advancing research in prosthetic joint infection, and expanding reliable orthopedic care across rural communities.