Faisel and Friends: A Primary Care Podcast

We're discussing Relationships and Community: the Fabric of Rural Health! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sonya Bruton: CEO and President of CCI Health Services, Clinical Psychologist, and Author.Our conversation revolves around the inherent link between physical and behavioral health, the necessity of physicians staying engaged with their passion for care, and the hesitancy of patients around AI in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Innovations in Primary Care: Independent & Rural Practices. Dan moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Jim Lancaster, Sonya J. Bruton, Psy.D, Tim Gronniger, and Carrie Cochran-McClain, DrPH.Our conversation explores providing important care for small communities, solving the workforce shortage in rural practices, and addressing the financial barriers that independent practices face.This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America's annual event PrimaryCare25.

We're discussing Addressing the Chronic Disease Crisis: The Foundation of Making America Healthy! Faisel moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Wayne Jonas, Dr. Kate Goodrich, Dr. Joseph B. Brodine, and Peter Shin, PhD.Our conversation revolves around incentivizing primary care as a viable career for physicians, optimizing processes to unburden patients, and collaborating on multidisciplinary teams for whole-person care.This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America's annual event PrimaryCare25. 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Back to Care: Reimagining Maternal Health. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Esa Davis: Associate Vice President for Community Health at University of Maryland School of MedicineOur conversation explores navigating challenging medical situations, creating an environment where patient voices matter, and looking towards a psychologically safe future in healthcare.Dr. Esa Davis is a Vice Chair of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the materials expressed in this podcast reflect her individual views only and do not represent the views or recommendations of the USPSTF.  The overall presentation should not be attributed to the USPSTF.

We're discussing From Pain to Purpose: Transforming Trauma into Healing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jeff Brenner: CEO at The Jewish Board.Our conversation revolves around the unexpected findings regarding coordinated care, the reality of medicalizing social issues, and the importance of timely empathy in mental and behavioral health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Expanding the Frontier: The Future of Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Tim Gronniger: Chief Executive Officer at Hopscotch Primary Care.Our conversation revolves around primary care in rural communities, the next generation of primary care practices, and pushing the boundaries of what primary care can be.

We're discussing The Reality of Residency: Shaping Tomorrow's Family Physicians! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sarah Cole, Program Director at Mercy Family Medicine St. Louis.Our conversation revolves around workload in medical education, leadership involvement during residency, and expectations for family medicine Match 2025.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care Scorecard: The Cost of Neglect. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center at American Academy of Family PhysiciansOur conversation explores the major strains on primary care in 2025, the focus on prevention as the national healthcare strategy, and the driving factors of workforce retention and depletion.Read the full Scorecard Report here: https://www.milbank.org/publications/the-health-of-us-primary-care-2025-scorecard-report-the-cost-of-neglect/

We're discussing Compassion in Code: Leveraging Technology for Personalized Patient Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. David Carmouche: Executive Vice President & Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at Lumeris.Our conversation revolves around industry adoption of cutting edge healthcare technologies, working with the factors that influence health equity, and AI-Physician collaboration for better health coaching.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care MVPs: Excellence in Cost and Outcomes. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Alison Huffstetler: Medical Director at the Robert Graham Center.Our conversation explores the research supporting clinicians through changing models, the dwindling primary care workforce, and the possibilities to improve retention after medical education.

We're discussing Primary Care on the Brink: Towards a Healthier Tomorrow! Faisel and Dan are joined by Timothy Hoff, PhD: Professor of Management, Healthcare Systems, and Health Policy at Northeastern University.Our conversation revolves around collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists, opportunities in the private sector to positively impact the future of primary care in America, and the changing workforce in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, Dan and Faisel are discussing Resolution: Hope for Holistic Health in 2025.Our conversation explores what we are looking forward to in 2025, how lifestyle choices can make sustainable impact, and a focus on preventive primary care.

We're discussing Humanity and Health in the Age of AI! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Steven Lin, Executive Director of Stanford Healthcare AI Applied Research Team (HEA3RT).Our conversation revolves around working in tandem with AI to advance family medicine, applying technology for better doctor-patient connection, and addressing social equity in population health through innovative primary care.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Hearts and Health: Creating an Empathetic EHR. Faisel and Dan are talking with Kyna Fong, PhD: CEO and Co-Founder of Elation Health.Our conversation explores the power of the human relationship in healthcare, the clinical-first philosophy behind building a new EHR, and the ability of a primary care tool to empower physicians.Learn more about Elation here: https://www.elationhealth.com

We're discussing Primary Care Pulse Check: Transitioning in a Time of Uncertainty! Faisel and Dan are joined by Shawn Martin, CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians.Our conversation revolves around continuing to strengthen Primary Care to meet societal needs, advancing population health with upstream innovations, and getting students and residents interested in alternative care models for the future healthcare workforce in America.

We're discussing Pursuing Equitable Access to High Quality Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mark Gwynne, President of the University of North Carolina Health Alliance.Our conversation revolves around the core principles of providing holistic value based care, the high quality outcomes from collaborative care, and the potential to transform access to care for better population health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Embracing the Future of Advanced Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Vikki DiGennaro, CEO of Pioneer Physicians Network, and Dr. Kevin Spencer, Chief Clinical Officer of Agilon Health.Our conversation explores the proven outcomes of risk bearing primary care, the benefits of going into a patient's environment to provide more personalized care, and the impact of changes to medicare advantage policy and ACO Reach.

We're discussing Healing the Healers: Advances in Physician Wellbeing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Corey Feist, CEO & Co-Founder, and Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer, from Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation.Our conversation revolves around the ways team-based care provides lifesaving support to clinicians, the bipartisan support of policy for healthcare workers mental health, and changing the standard of well-being for people in healthcare.Learn more about the Lorna Breen Act: https://drlornabreen.org/reauthorizelba/Contact state licensure boards here: https://drlornabreen.org/contact-boards/ 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Illuminating the Path to DPC. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Michelle Cooke, Founder of Sol Direct Primary Care.Our conversation explores serving the community that needs care through DPC, approaching the business of alternative models within the American healthcare system, and considering the wellness of physicians as well as patients.

We're discussing From Classroom to Clinic: Leadership in Healthcare Innovation! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Wendy Barr, Associate Dean of Education at UMass Chan Lahey Medical School.Our conversation revolves around collaboration as the key to the future of medical education, enthusiasm for including leadership training during residency, and utilizing survey results of resident trends to better the future of healthcare.

We're discussing Investing in the Future: Healing Access to Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour – Director of the Robert Graham Center.Our conversation revolves around how primary care can increase life expectancy, what infrastructure changes are necessary for a healthier population, and why high-functioning care teams can lead to better outcomes.Learn more about the Primary Care workforce crisis: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org/workforce/

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Fixing the Foundation: Rebuilding with Lifestyle Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Karen Johnson, PhD, Vice President of Practice Advancement at the AAFP, and Dr. Padmaja Patel, President-Elect at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.Our conversation explores addressing patient concerns through lifestyle behaviors, having policy conversations to shift the mindset away from fee-for-service norms, and providing high quality care despite misaligned quality measures.Read the paper by Johnson and Dr. Patel here!

We're discussing Striking the Balance: Moving towards Value Based Care! Dan is joined by Michael Kopko – CEO of Pearl Health.Our conversation revolves around caring for patients beyond one-on-one office visits, lowering costs of care without sacrificing quality, and addressing panel size for overburdened physician teams.Learn more about Pearl Health at: https://pearlhealth.com

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Resiliency, Empowerment, and the Pursuit of Rewarding Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. William Fox, Chairman of the American College of Physicians.Our conversation explores a primary care physicians's greatest tools, the support required for successful time efficiency, and some informed insights around new models of care.Learn more about Primary Care for America at: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing PrimaryCare24: See the Possibilities. Faisel and Dan are recapping this year's annual Primary Care for America event.Our conversation explores supporting physician leaders in centering innovation, bright spot takeaways from the change makers in American Primary Care, and taking care of primary care workers in order to better care for our patients.Curious about what Dan and Faisel are referencing? Watch the sessions from PrimaryCare24 here!

We're discussing Breaking Barriers in Primary Care through Innovative Models! Faisel and Dan are joined by Liz Fowler, PhD, JD – Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.Our conversation revolves around incentives to expand access and increase equity, multi-organization collaboration for healthcare policy, and public perception of Primary Care.This conversation was recorded as a live interview at Primary Care for America's annual event PrimaryCare24.

This week on "Faisel and Friends," Dan and Faisel are discussing Primary Care Champions: Nurturing a Healthier Tomorrow.Our conversation explores the roadblocks to providing high quality care, the complex moral injury that doctors are currently feeling, and the negotiations required to maintain a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

We're discussing ChatGPT MD: AI Empowered Medicine! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Robert Pearl: physician leader, author, and former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group.Our conversation revolves around utilizing generative AI tools in medicine, clinicians managing patient success through AI applications, and the difference between knowledge and expertise in tech-provided information.Order Dr. Pearl's New book - Chat GPT MDRegister for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

We're discussing Beyond Insurance: the Assurance of Direct Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Kenneth Qiu, Founder at EuDoc Direct Primary Care.Our conversation revolves around setting up a model that allows physicians to focus more on care and less on cost, considering incentives to save money in the long run, and managing outcomes by personalizing care within the DPC model.Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

We're discussing XR Unveiled: Innovation on the Edges of Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mark Zhang: founder & president of the American Medical Extended Reality Association.Our conversation revolves around utilizing augmented reality in healthcare, imagining accessible mental health with medical virtual reality, and advancing technological science to raise the standard of care.Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing From Heartland to Healthcare: the Evolving Specialty of Family Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Steve Furr, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians.Our conversation explores utilizing the full extent of the specialty of Family Medicine, strengthening the bond between doctors and patients, and how residents can get involved with health advocacy.

We are back to announce our new partnership with Primary Care for America collaborative, or PCfA for short. Dr. Faisel and Dr. Dan will be hosting an impressive lineup of healthcare professionals, thought leaders, and innovators. Keep an eye out for the upcoming new episodes of Faisel and Friends: a Primary Care Podcast!Visit www.primarycareforamerica.org to learn more about PCfA's impactful work.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Curiosity Curing the Cravings. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Jud Brewer: Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, Author, and Professor at Brown University.Our conversation explores understanding how our brains form habit loops, utilizing curiosity to address cravings, and approaching behavioral change with kindness and self-compassion.Learn more about Dr. Jud and order his new book here: https://drjud.com/the-hunger-habit/

We're discussing Achieving Whole Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Alex Krist, from Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Andrew Bazemore, from the American Board of Family Medicine.Our conversation revolves around providing personalized care within cultural contexts, focusing our energies and efforts on what really matters in healthcare, and investing in the whole health approach for a better system.Read the NASEM report: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26854/achieving-whole-health-a-new-approach-for-veterans-and-the

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Faisel had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Gary Price and Stephanie Quinn discussing The Great Burnout: Who's Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of Us?A couple of the topics we cover are: repairing the healthcare system at a macro-scale, implementing organizational tools to support healthcare employees, and appealing future physicians to Primary Care for a more balanced medical workforce.

This week on Faisel & Friends, Dan and Faisel are discussing The Unlearnings Required for Transformative Care.Our conversation explores collaborating with colleagues for better care implementation, distilling information to document medical wisdom, and building trust with patients through caring interactions.Read the Chen's article here: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.23.0115Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Reflections on the Healthcare Cost Dilemma: Unveiling the Influence of PBMs. We are talking with Dr. Eric Bricker from AHealthcareZ.We are getting in the weeds about PBMs, which is extremely important for residents and medical students to understand! Our conversation explores understanding pharmacy pricing, navigating the business scheme of healthcare, and encouraging medication adherence.Learn more about PBMs from Dr. Bricker: https://youtu.be/P3nFoAYJlK4?si=SoImEdfn49l3ksVRBeing a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

We're discussing Dreaming of Accessible, Personalized Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Marie Ramas, Regional Medical Director at Aledade.Our conversation revolves around making decisions that are based on both evidence and patients' individual values, providing care that is both culturally informed and equitable and determining actionable steps for efficient and effective care.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Dan had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Ali Khan, Dr. Megan Mahoney, Dr. Mark Zhang, and Rene Villarreal discussing The Primary Care Vision - What Does the Future Hold?Some of the topics covered are: delivering team-based care in the future, adopting technological advancement into healthcare, and training in a way that goes beyond the current system.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

Faisel & Dan are discussing Playing the Long Game: Protecting the Patient's Blindside on this episode of Faisel & Friends!Our conversation revolves around dismantling the hospital systems one piece of technology at a time, utilizing tech in the homes of the patients for more accessible care, and understanding the business behind the bedside.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Leading as a Verb: Doing the Work. We are talking with Dr. Aaron Hoffman, the Chief Clinical Innovation Engineer at Atrius Health and the Harvard Center for Primary Care.Our conversation explores leading from a place of experienced knowledge, incentivizing clinicians to transform care delivery, and defining the difference between management and leadership.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Efficient, Effective, Economical, and Equitable Healthcare. We are talking with Dr. Rohith Saravanan, the CEO of Health Impact Capital.Our conversation explores making a positive impact on a larger community scale, engineering finances to innovate the business of medicine, and looking toward the future of care delivery by leveraging technology.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed. 

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Faisel had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Kameron Matthews, Sheila Phicil, Dr. Valerie Stone, and Dr. Karthik Sivashanker discussing Breaking Barriers to Primary Care: Social Determinants of Health.Some of the topics we cover are: working towards equitable outcomes, utilizing data for revolutionary healthcare, and setting patients up for success beyond the care center.Learn more about Reimagining Primary Care here: https://www.reimaginingprimarycare.comBeing a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

We're discussing Increasing Impactful Influence through Servant Leadership on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Ankur Rana, Vice President of Medical Affairs for P3 Health Partners Arizona.Our conversation revolves around approaching problems through a leadership lens, influencing patients with a creative approach, and changing organizational culture for sustainable well-being.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

his week is the second part of a two-part conversation. We're discussing Beyond the Walls: A Coming Renaissance in Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Zeev Neuwirth: Healthcare Executive and Author.Our conversation revolves around understanding the digitally enabled trajectory of healthcare, improving the system to allow physicians more time with patients, and providing care within changing contextual factors.Learn more about Dr. Zeev Neuwirth and his books at: https://www.reframehealthcare.orgBeing a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week is the first part of a two-part conversation. We're discussing Beyond the Walls: A Coming Renaissance in Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Zeev Neuwirth: Healthcare Executive and Author.Our conversation revolves around understanding the digitally enabled trajectory of healthcare, improving the system to allow physicians more time with patients, and providing care within changing contextual factors.Learn more about Dr. Zeev Neuwirth and his books at: https://www.reframehealthcare.orgBeing a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Patient Advocacy in Opposing Financial Harm. We are talking with Sandra Alvarez: director and producer of the new documentary film “InHospitable.”Our conversation explores the complexity of critiquing the business model of life-saving hospitals, the reward that comes with political courage, and the steps people can take toward better hospital pricing.Learn more about the film “InHospitable” at: https://inhospitablefilm.com/watch/Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

We're discussing The Freedom to Care: Finding Liberation within Employer-Funded Direct Primary Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mike Willhite, Medical Director at Everside Health.Our conversation revolves around aligning resources and incentives to care for the whole patient through Direct Primary Care, saving money through the employer-funded DPC model, and preparing for the challenges of changing the norms of the healthcare system.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

This week on Faisel & Friends, Faisel & Dan are discussing PCPs: Personable, Connected, Physicians.Our conversation explores fortifying the doctor-to-doctor relationship for better teamwork, managing patients in a way that makes them feel valued, and prioritizing open communication to find the best solutions for better patient outcomes.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Life Outside the Hospital's Control. We are talking with Dr. Conrad Flick, Medical Director from Community Care Physician Network.Our conversation explores building infrastructure for better managed care, incentivizing primary care presence in rural communities, and operating independent practices in our hospital-based system.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.

We're discussing Unexplored Horizons: Rural Practice, AI, and Public Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mike Sevilla, from the Family Practice Center of Salem.Our conversation revolves around using social media as a tool for better access to care, optimizing health records and recognizing patterns with artificial intelligence, and supporting small primary care practices in their move to Value-Based Care.Being a doctor is your calling because you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Let's talk about your career goals in medicine. Connect with us and tell us how you dream of practicing medicine. Want to learn more about how we do healthcare? Visit our resource center and check out how we are transforming healthcare. Don't forget to subscribe to ChenMed Rx to receive the latest news and articles from ChenMed.