The Pursuit of Health Podcast

A conversation with Charles Gaba“We need to find a way to make improvements to the system without hurting people in the process.”In our second collaborative episode with Doctors For America, Dr. Fethke is joined by healthcare policy and data analyst Charles Gaba. His work highlighting the numbers surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been influential, with citations by major publications like The Washington Post, Forbes and The New York Times and by policymakers in Congress.He's here today to give us an overview of the ACA, from past, to present, to future - uncovering data that speaks to the state of our healthcare system.—We spoke about how his data analysis of the ACA developed and how it is helping to influence policy, how he uses data to tell the stories of real people, why healthcare reform is like a game of Jenga, and why we need to all use our voices to speak up and fight for change.https://acasignups.net/ Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Wendell Potter“We need to get Wall Street out of control of our healthcare system.”This is the opinion of Wendell Potter, a former health insurance exec for Humana and Cigna turned whistleblower - exposing the practices of his former industry and choosing to seek change.Wendell knows first-hand how these insurers operate, how they incentivize profit, how they use their financial power to influence Congress, and ultimately - what it will take to rip up the status quo and renew our healthcare system for the benefit of the American population. —-We spoke about  how money has corrupted our democracy and specifically our health, why we should all get involved on a community level to move away from a financially motivated healthcare system, and what true Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Linda MacomberWe need a healthcare renaissance. AI could lead us there.Here to share her optimism and enthusiasm for AI as a new frontier in healthcare, is Linda Macomber.As a digital health expert with over 30 years of experience in health informatics and technology-driven healthcare solutions, Linda is best placed for informing us on the potential AI holds for improving patient experiences and optimising health outcomes.——We spoke about how Linda became interested in the intersection of healthcare and technology, the distrust some doctors feel toward AI, the numerous ways AI could transform data, the EHR and health outcomes, the democratization of health tech, and her education platform Renaissance.Health. Check out Linda's website Renaissance.Health here: https://health-it-sim-lab.weebly.com/ Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Joanne KenenIt's time to help inform the public on what's happening in healthcare today.With changes coming to the ACA's subsidies in 2025 and debates about Medicaid expansion, veteran journalist Joanne Kenen is here to help us understand what's at stake.She takes us through a history of health policy, so that we can make sense of recent instabilities, understand what the proposed changes fundamentally mean, and uncover a blueprint for value-based - not volume-based - healthcare.——We spoke about the role of media and journalism in our healthcare system, the issues of misinformation and disinformation, the role of the primary care physician in order to establish trust back in the system, and the intersection of politics and policy and how it affects healthcare.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Hugo Campos“AI can help patients make better choices about their life and about their healthcare.”Renowned patient advocate and White House Champion of Change, our guest Hugo Campos shares his personal journey into healthcare advocacy - revealing why he believes we are entering an era with huge potential for patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system as a whole.But he notes a word of caution: powerful tools like AI need to be implemented carefully, in a way that encourages collaboration, promotes patient empowerment, and above all, optimises outcomes.——We spoke about  Hugo's journey into becoming an advocate, his interest in artificial intelligence technology, the role of the patient-physician relationship, and some of the ideas for how AI could be used in healthcare in the future.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Rosie BartelNurturing the patient-physician partnership is the only way to heal healthcare.Sharing her lived experience with openness and honesty is Rosie Bartel, a patient advocate and survivor of preventable medical error. Since contracting MRSA after a routine knee replacement surgery, Rosie has channelled a hugely difficult and prolonged healthcare experience into a mission for systemic change.As she states, patient safety is a bipartisan issue, and we must ensure continued collaboration and communication between physicians, policymakers, executives and most importantly, patients themselves.——We spoke about Rosie's journey, why she believes patient advocacy is so important, the importance of breaking down silos that prevent communication, how patients can become their own advocates, and her solutions for developing relationships in healthcare that are rooted in trust.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

This episode is a collaboration with Doctors for America."This issue has been affecting my sleep. I'm not sleeping and I'm a pretty good sleeper, so this must be bothering me."In this powerful special episode of the Pursuit of Health podcast, Dr. Eric Fethke collaborates with Doctors for America to sound the alarm about the proposed $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over ten years - a cut larger than the program's entire annual budget.Using the fictional Smith family as a case study, Dr. Fethke illustrates how Medicaid is essential for everyday Americans: from a farm manager with a green card, to a mother pursuing nursing education, a son in addiction recovery, a pregnant wife with diabetes, and a grandmother with early Alzheimer's.Dr. Fethke explains that Medicaid serves as a crucial lifeline, supporting rural hospitals, covering 1 in 4 children, and providing essential care for the elderly, disabled, and those with chronic conditions. The episode features insights from Dr. Don Berwick, former head of CMS, who warns against "blaming the poor" for healthcare system issues."Medicaid is the largest single health insurance provider in the country. It's bigger than Medicare, and most people don't know that. Even doctors... 26% of all Americans receive health care through Medicaid."---As a special thank-you to our listeners, DFA is offering 35% off your first year of membership! Just use the code PURSUIT at checkout to take advantage of this exclusive offer.To learn more about DFA and how you can get involved, visit www.doctorsforamerica.org. You'll also find all the details and links in our show notes.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O1ApRxGzx2cxvxWFI_kMXP6GOvUfcJngmSZHS4IkqL0/edit?usp=sharingFollow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Abdul El-Sayed“Politics are like a kaleidoscope. If you don't like where you are, just keep turning it.”This week we are delighted to welcome physician, epidemiologist, author, and Director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Abdul El-Sayed.He shares his opinion that our healthcare system is broken because our politics is broken. The solution? Collective action, universal healthcare and persistent dialogue.——We spoke about  the corrosive influence of monetizing healthcare for profit, the concept of an epidemic of insecurity as a root cause of our inability to empathize with each other, the need to use politics as a constructive and healing force, and how we can tackle many of the root causes of our healthcare problems through ground level collaboration. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Dr. Jordi Piera JiménezOur money comes with us wherever we go, so why doesn't our health data?Sharing his innovative vision for transforming the way we use electronic health records and investing in prevention and patient empowerment, is Dr. Jordi Piera Jiménez.As Director of the Digital Health Strategy at the Catalan Health Service in Spain, Dr. Jiménez shares a blueprint for modern healthcare that unites patient data  in an open platform - ultimately unlocking its full potential.——We spoke about digital medicine and health informatics, open electronic health records, adjusted morbidity groups to guide medical and public health decision making, and the concepts of federalization or centralization of electronic health records and information.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A panel with Dr. Don Berwick, Tanya Sanderson and Ron HowrigonToday, Dr. Fethke calls on three previous guests to share their thoughts, insights, and solutions in the light of the UHC incident, a tragic murder that highlighted the scale of public anger at the state of our healthcare system.With our panel drawing from their vast collective experience at clinical, administrative and federal level, this episode serves as a vital resource for understanding how we got here, why the situation is so dire, and what we need to do to fix it.From insurance companies to pharmaceuticals, medical professionals to hospitals, the government and most importantly the public: it's time to move forward constructively, reforming American healthcare for the better.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Dr. Robert PearlPut a system in place that rewards value. Sounds simple, right? Sharing a vision for seismic healthcare reform is renowned healthcare leader, award-winning author, and plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Pearl.Dr. Pearl originally believed healthcare was a non-political space. How could medicine be political? Yet our healthcare system is on its knees, drug companies are protected by policy, patients are struggling to afford care, and our rates of chronic disease are staggeringly high - adding huge cost to the system.But wait - is there a solution? Could generative AI pave the way for a new era of medicine?——We spoke about   the broken state of the U.S. healthcare system, the history and future of healthcare technology, the role of generative AI in revolutionizing inpatient care, and the importance of cultural and systemic shifts in healthcare.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Anjana SreedharWe need to understand the past, to shape the future.Join us for an eye-opening discussion with the author of acclaimed health disparities book Health Care of a Thousand Slights, Anjana Sreedhar.The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the extent of health inequalities here in America, but Anjana has chosen to seek a solution. Via a comprehensive study of policy, structural racism, and the American identity, she presents both a sobering reflection on the state of our nation and a blueprint for action, advocacy, and empowerment.——We spoke about   the impact of historical policies on today's healthcare access, the social determinants of health, the legacy of mistrust between patient and clinician, cultural and psychosocial trauma, and women's health as a new frontier.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

A conversation with Dr. Lauren RamseyIt's time to tackle healthcare problems through innovation and invention.Bringing energy and initiative to the Pursuit of Health table this week is none other than  leading breast cancer surgeon and healthcare pioneer, Dr. Lauren Ramsey.Dr. Ramsey joins to share the lowdown on her invention of BAT, a wearable accessory  that protect healthcare professionals (particularly women) from radiation exposure. With breast cancer levels rising year-on-year in America, Dr. Ramsey drew on her personal experience of losing a colleague into deciding to seek change.——We spoke about  the topic of radiation exposure, health risks in the healthcare profession, her journey of creating BAT, the impact of her work on healthcare safety, the importance of innovation as an approach for creating preventative modalities, and the power of partnerships between clinicians, industry, medical societies, and most importantly, patients themselves. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

American medicine has a LOT to be proud of, but too many doctors are getting burnt out and thinking of quitting healthcare.Dr. Gregory Charlop, AKA Dr. Greg, is a celebrated physician and author renowned for his innovative approach to physician wellness.Having experienced burnout firsthand whilst completing years of high intensity work as a pediatric  anesthesiologist, Dr. Greg has shifted his focus towards helping other professionals manage stress and improve their life quality through better health practices and work-life balance.  ——We spoke about  how burnout ultimately impacts everyone, several provocative ideas and solutions to improve our individual and collective wellness, and the importance of each of us in taking possession and control of our own wellbeing as a priority.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

How can we practice preventative healthcare?Joining from Canada this week is Lidia Molinara, a seasoned clinical pharmacist, CEO, patient safety officer, and fervent advocate for patient safety and effective communication within the healthcare system. Recalling her earliest experiences visiting pharmacies and the influence that has held on her clinical approach, Lidia encourages a deepening of the patient-physician dynamic - building good health and quality healthcare on advocacy, communication, and education.——We spoke about the importance of safety, some of the issues that are intrinsic to our use of medications, her personal experiences encountering medical issues, and some strong and easily applicable solutions traced out through her ACE framework.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

“Together as a community, we share just one heart.”This week's episode is a treat - a deep dive into the philosophy of Dr. Jonathan Fisher, cardiologist, clinician advocate, and author of the fantastic book Just One Heart: A Cardiologist's Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness.Jonathan shares how he drew on his own experiences, of medical school burnout and inspirational parents, to encourage our healthcare system to rethink the way it looks at heart health. His vision is holistic, and in this discussion he talks passionately with our host, and fellow cardiologist, Dr. Eric Fethke.——We spoke about the long history behind the mind-body relationship as part of medicine and humanity itself, how emotional and spiritual health impacts heart health, the origins and impact of burnout in all aspects of life, the health benefits of applying emotional health and strengthening emotional IQ, and finally, how policymakers, healthcare institutions, and medical educators can and should incorporate the mind-body relationship into our healthcare system. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

In this episode of The Pursuit of Health, Dr. Eric Fethke delves into the concept of anger as a significant medical and health issue, exploring how it can harm individual and societal wellness or be transformed into a positive force. Through powerful patient stories, he highlights the impact of anger on our health and stresses the importance of choosing leaders who promote unity over division—an essential consideration for the upcoming election.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

It's time to change the way we look at medical necessity and payment policies.According to Tanya Sanderson, using AI could just be our best option.Her work with human-centred tech company Xsolis is shaking up healthcare, improving outcomes for patients, saving money, and doing away with the excess of waste in our current system. —————We spoke about the value of combining diverse experiences from the nursing, finance, legal and technology worlds to create an approach that ultimately best serves the patient, the payment denial patterns in healthcare and how they have negatively impacted patient outcomes, using AI to break down silos between payers and providers, and how everyone can best begin to access AI approaches in their own institutions and communities.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a textLike so many other aspects of our healthcare system, obesity is a health equity issue.Today we welcome Dr. Kara Mayes, Chief Medical Officer of Ilant Health, a company focused on value-based obesity management and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Mayes joins us to cast a lens on obesity in America, during a time that weight loss drugs have gained notoriety. But why do we so often fail to treat obesity like we do any other disease?Sharing an informed outlook on the scope of the problem and the different socioeconomic factors that come into play, Dr. Mayes presents her approach for a healthier America.——We spoke about the rising obesity rates in our country, her work with Ilant Health, the modern approach to obesity as a true medical condition, the role and history of pharmaceutical options for obesity such as GLP-1 medications, and why obesity really is a health equity issue - going on to uncover some of Dr. Mayes' suggestions for addressing these hurdles.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a text“Medical consumerism figures more as a problem than progress.”Today's guest is the award-winning historian, American public health expert, and author, Professor Nancy Tomes.In a discussion encompassing past, present, and future, Professor Tomes provides a unique historical lens to better understand the healthcare challenges of today, in hope of sparking solutions for an equitable system for every patient in America.——We spoke about the evolution of critical consumerism in healthcare, how that led to today's increased complexity, the role of advertising and other stakeholders in our system, the importance of primary care physicians, and how a historical approach can help us return to some of the fundamentals that made American healthcare exceptional in the first place.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a textInvestment in pediatric care is an investment in our future. So why is our system slow to change?Enter Alison Curfman, MD - co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, a value-based pediatric medical group pioneering tech-enabled care for chronically ill children.Alison is passionate about improving outcomes, reducing costs, supporting parents, and enabling young people, through an innovative blend of pediatric telehealth and virtual care.——We spoke about Imagine Pediatrics, the meaning of fee-for-service versus value-based care, encountering systemic resistance to change, unfounded concerns about telehealth, the success Imagine Pediatrics are overseeing, and a look into the future - addressing patient, family, and policymakers to seek broader change in our healthcare.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a textThe only barrier to success in the Pursuit of Health is ourselves.Joining to contribute to our ongoing healthcare conversation, is self-described “recovering managed care executive” Ron Howrigon.As President and CEO of Fulcrum Industries, Ron is in the business of helping physicians and hospitals with negotiations for managed care contracts - having chosen to leave a lucrative career in favor of seeking systemic improvement.——We spoke about his experience on “the other side of the fence”, the key factors contributing to the cost of healthcare, how to make a system that is cost-effective, and why we need to set politics aside to address the fundamental health issues affecting our nation.Ron is the author of FLATLINING: How Healthcare Could Kill the U.S. Economy and the host of The FLATLINING Podcast.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.A conversation with Dr. Christine KoMetacognition, growth mindset, compassion. How does this all tie into healthcare?Enter Dr. Christine Ko, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale University, and author of How to Improve Doctor-Patient Connection: Using Psychology to Optimize Healthcare Interactions.Drawing from her experiences as a physician, mother, and patient, Dr. Ko has developed an actionable guide that encourages physicians to step back and reflect - using psychology principles to enhance healthcare delivery.——We spoke about powerful examples of negative and positive interactions between doctors and patients, how the healthcare system itself has contributed to the problems in the patient physician interaction, how metacognition can be used as a tool to address many of these problems, and the importance of relationships.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.A conversation with Dr. Michael SmithMedication is sometimes required. But prevention starts with the patient.This is one of the core philosophies of this week's guest Dr. Michael Smith.Naturopathic physician, and founder of Focused Family Integrative Medicine, he is dedicated to preventative medicine - advocating for sleep, exercise and nutrition as foundational pillars for health, not overmedication.——We spoke about the role of naturopathy within a healthcare team, why it's not a competition between disciplines but actually an integrative partnership, the role of doctors as teachers, epigenetics, how patients can be inquisitive, and the idea of healing versus curing.See here for the paper regarding the AMA's opposition to Naturopathic Doctor Licensure.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.A conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Charles HardyThe system is not the solution, the process is the solution.In our fragmented healthcare system, how can we start thinking globally? What impact do our actions hold for the planet and all its people?Dr. Jeffrey Charles Hardy is an author, thought leader, Founder and President of Care for Peace, a nonprofit focused on international health development - the perfect guest to open our minds and present new possibilities.——Dr Fethke and Dr Jeffrey discussed siloed healthcare, our need for a “common toolset”, his time building health systems in Myanmar, how we can apply his experiences here in America, humility, and his passion for a life providing care.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.A conversation with Justin and Ashley K. GeorgeResilience is a muscle. The challenges don't get easier, we just get stronger at handling them.A couple who know this from experience are Justin and Ashley K. George.When their son Elliot was diagnosed with a heart defect, it took everything for them to stay strong amidst the crisis, counting the support they received from family, medical professionals and co-workers as essential.——We spoke about Elliot's story, the issues of navigating employment during a difficult time, the importance of community and of family, recommendations for policymakers and physicians, and Ashley's recently published children's book A Heart Warrior Blooms.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.A conversation with Dr Ellana StinsonMoney affects everything in American healthcare. And too often, it gets in the way.Taking the bull by the horns is Dr. Ellana Stinson.Having felt the frustration of cost-cutting on the frontline, she chose to do an MBA in finance - seeking to better understand how mysterious financial bodies - particularly private equity firms, are creating huge problems for our ability to provide quality care.We spoke about why she did an MBA, her advocacy, private equity, the fact that doctors don't understand the finances of medicine, and why this matters for patients. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to our third installment of our Case Studies From The Heart series.In the episode, Dr. Fethke shines a light on the topic of immigrant healthcare, by sharing his own experience successfully treating a young child from Honduras with Turner's syndrome.Immigrant healthcare can be a controversial and heavily politicized topic, with arguments from both sides about the best approach to take.Join us, as Dr. Fethke considers his own call to action - one that he believes reflects the roots of our American principles.“We should celebrate, not suppress, the diversity of our people.”Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Send us a Text Message.Is it time to revamp medical education?This week's guest, Dr. Austin Chiang, certainly thinks so.Leading an already distinguished career, Dr. Chiang is a top gastroenterologist, Chief Medical Officer of the Endoscopy division of Medtronics, Founding President of the Association for Healthcare Social Media (AHSM), and the author of recently published Gut: An Owner's Guide.In addition, his TikTok account alone hosts more than 575,000 followers - which is just one of the social media channels he uses to communicate healthcare information, straight to the people who might need it.He reflects on how COVID proved to be a turning point in the link between social media and public health outcomes, revealing how healthcare professionals can best use social platforms to create resources for patients, demonstrate the value of science-based practice, and fight misinformation.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

70% of U.S. adults have accessed health information online in the past year.A revealing statistic, highlighting the increasing reliance on digital resources for healthcare guidance.As this week's guest, Susannah Fox, illuminates, patient-led healthcare holds tremendous potential for transforming our health systems. With her extensive experience as a distinguished researcher and former Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Susannah is at the forefront of this revolution.In this episode, Susannah shares insights from her new book, "Rebel Health," an action-oriented and radically hopeful field guide to an underground, patient-led movement. She explores the roles of seekers, solvers, networkers, and champions within the ecosystem of patient-led healthcare, emphasizing the power of the internet as a place for community, collaboration, and connection.Susannah discusses how re-imagining the patient-clinician dynamic can counteract misinformation and foster better health outcomes. She highlights the importance of including patients in the development of healthcare tools, warning against repeating past mistakes.Her message is clear: technology, when used for good, can connect us in powerful ways. "You are not alone," Susannah assures. "There are people who would love to help you if only they knew how to find you."Together, we can forge new links between innovators and those in power, learn from our past, and harness technology to build a more inclusive, supportive, and effective healthcare system.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

This week's guest is in the business of maximizing outcomes.A self-described "reformed investment banker", Daniel Etra is the co-founder and CEO of Rethink, a data-driven company changing the face of neurodivergent care.He talks passionately about the vast social impact of their operations, teaching frontline clinicians, empowering caregivers, and helping neurodivergent individuals reach their potential.With their library of educational videos, cutting-edge Al tools and enormous dataset, Rethink are a modern company with global aims - centering inclusion and empowerment at the core of their ethos.Let's get started!Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

64% of U.S. adults have had adverse childhood experiences.A stark statistic, and one that we are paying the cultural and economic cost of.As this week's guest Julika von Stackelberg tells us, these experiences in our youth have a direct impact on our life expectancy and wellbeing in our lives.Through her work as a peaceful parenting advisor and educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Julika is on a mission to empower young people and parents, nurture a community-led approach to raising our children, and help us all better self-regulate our feelings and actions.She takes us through some key definitions, outlines some trauma-informed initiatives to assist young people, and centers her advocacy on the need to keep wellbeing, not profit, at the core of policymaking.Together we can make change, build resilience, and implement measures for healing.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

We have a problem with prescriptions. A major problem.We take a step back from our recent policy-focused guests, to welcome licensed pharmacist, host of Men's Health Unscripted podcast, and founder of Your Tampa Healthcare Advocate, Patrick Alonso.Patrick is on the front line with patients, and was empowered to change the tide of problematic prescriptions through first-hand family experience.The issue is polypharmacy. Multiple doctors prescribing different medications, siloed from each other, resulting in patients being put at risk. This is where his role as advocate comes in, with Patrick supporting, informing and empowering patients to know their healthcare better than anyone, and treat themselves like gold.In the face of deceptive advertising, lax food and drug policy and a dysfunctional system, Patrick provides patient-centred medicine. The medicine is a tool, but should not be a crutch!Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

It's time to get to grips with sepsis.The statistics are stark: sepsis is killing 250,000 people in our country every year - and yet we're still only getting to grips with why it happens, how we can identify it, and how we ensure effective treatment.On a mission to better our understanding is Dr. Robert Scoggins, a leading figure in pulmonary and critical care medicine who serves as Chief Medical Officer of Cytovale, a private company building cutting-edge technology to identify sepsis.He takes us through its medical definition, the huge importance of catching it early, the SEP-1 protocol, and how Cytovale's tech holds promise for the future.Screening systems are in place for heart attack and stroke - it's time we have the same for sepsis.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

“In the United States we don't ration medicine, we ration people.”We are honored this week to welcome an esteemed author, pediatrician, educator and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Dr. Don Berwick.Dr. Berwick has dedicated his career to reigniting our healthcare system, to ensure it can meet the needs of disadvantaged people, and limit the excess profits being hoarded as wealth by the powers that be.Formerly serving as the former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Barack Obama, he knows the details of our system inside out - challenging misinformation and calling out partisan refusals to collaborate for the good of everyone, not just the stakeholders.In our discussion, he shares his story, his experiences in government, common misconceptions about his philosophies, his worry at the corporatization of our system, and some seeds of hope amidst a climate of greed.“Anybody that says we can't meet the needs of the American public isn't reading the information. What they mean is, we can't meet the needs of the American public and satisfy all the greed that we've unleashed in the current system.”Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

We need to transition our industry from being about sickness, to being about wellness.Imagine a system that rewarded providers for keeping patients well; that reimbursed practices for patients with better metrics.That's the type of system dreamt of by this week's guest, Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux, Executive Director of Children's School Services team in Washington, D.C.Having come face to face with the structural issues plaguing healthcare, she chooses action: making fundamental differences for children and families in low-income neighborhoods by bringing healthcare to schools, shelters and in virtual checkups.From throwing community health fairs, to holding policy makers and stakeholders to account in finance-focused meetings, Dr. Boudreaux is creating tangible change, upholding a focus on diversity and inclusion, and incentivizing equitable access for everyone!Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

It's time to talk about rural healthcare.Enter this week's guest, Dr. David Schreiner, PhD, who is fresh off the press with his new book Be The Best Part of Their Day.As President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, David knows the intricacies of delivering healthcare in rural communities with compassion and efficacy.And it shows, with his hospital boasting some of the best stats for quality in the country - priding themselves on a system that forefronts the doctor-patient relationship, values each member of staff that makes the hospital tick and emphasizes gratitude every step of the way.A passionate community advocate, David shares openly on the daily administrative challenges, the wider reform needed to our system and the vulnerability of the rural population in our country.Join us!My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Use your voice.This is the key take-home message for physicians, medical students and residents, from Keshia Bradford.As Project Manager of Doctors for America, Keshia is on the frontline, witnessing the current state of our healthcare system in unflinching detail.In giving us a history of our healthcare and health insurance system in the U.S., Dr. Bradford reveals the urgent need to depoliticize healthcare policy, bring the patient's voice to the table, and ensure equitable access for all.A proactive, passionate, tireless educator, today's conversation is a call for advocacy.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Knowledge is power.So how can we ensure our healthcare system is empowering patients?This episode is a brilliant chat with ‘e-Patient Dave' deBronkart, a legendary advocate of participatory medicine who came into the spotlight during a battle with cancer in 2007.Dave is the living embodiment of participatory medicine, and reflects passionately on numerous inspiring examples of patient-led change: Long Covid, Parkinson's Disease, Marfan Syndrome… the list goes on.Sharing candidly on his own health battle and the preventable death of his mother due to staff shortages at a care home, it's clear Dave has always been dedicated to giving as much to life as he can. Our healthcare system is broken, the establishment is stubborn to change, but patient power will never let up - we can always take matters into our own hands!Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

This week's episode is a special retrospective: almost two years on, our guests Martha Lopez-Anderson, Melinda Murray-Nyack and Karen Acompora reconvene to reflect on the progress made over the past few years and the remaining obstacles to achieving their goal of eliminating Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death in our Youth by 2030.Sitting down at the 19th Annual National Parent Heart Watch Heart-to-Heart Conference, our guests first reflect on what they are proud of: screening numbers reaching amazing levels, legislation drafted up, mandated AEDs in New York State… real change is being enacted.Acknowledging the national focus incited by the Damar Hamlin incident just over a year ago and the extent to which it has catalyzed progress, the conversation evolves into a look into the future.Hurdles remain, SCA perception needs to change and measures must be upheld - but as Martha Lopez-Anderson says, 2024 is set to be a year to remember regarding legislation for the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest and death in the young.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Welcome back to The Pursuit of Health Podcast. This week, we sit down with Stacy Cortechine, Rachel Moyer and Dr. Mitani from Japan to discuss the cultural differences between Japan and the US in approaching primary and secondary prevention of SCA/SCD in youth.As shared in our discussion, Stacy and Rachel both lost their sons to sudden cardiac arrest, and now dedicate their efforts to raising awareness, lobbying lawmakers and screening young people through their respective work for Who We Play For and Greg Moyer AED Fund.Their work is helping to save lives, and yet so many hurdles persist: slow legislation, reluctance to purchase AEDs, misinformation and denial about the necessity of measures - the list goes on.Dr. Mitani reveals the simplicity of Japan's approach - compulsory screening, AED programs, educating primary care physicians - and their numbers show that it is working.The blueprint exists. It's time for our healthcare system to adopt it in full. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Welcome back to the Pursuit of Health Podcast.We return today with a pertinent discussion on a topic that affects each and every one of us in the United States: the issue of gun violence.Joining host Dr. Eric Fethke is fellow pediatrician and Founder/Director of Child Health Solutions Dr. Nina Agrawal, who is dedicating her voice to advocating for change.Dr. Agrawal is shocked that gun violence is affecting, and killing children in our country - and she chose to become an educator, advocate and changemaker to ensure it can never happen again.Taking us through a timeline that touches on the CDC, NRA and the role of medical research, Dr. Agrawal presents the best possible course of action: normalizing discussion. As the number one killer of children in our country, this is a public health crisis. We must strive for change.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @drfethkmd and checkout my website at www.DrFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Pediatric cardiac surgery has an incredible history, and an incredible future ahead too.Joining to share his experiences training, educating and delivering results as a heart surgeon is Dr Sameh Said from Westchester Medical Center.Dr Said uncovers his journey from Egypt to the US, drawn by a fascination with the practice - a dedication to pursuing a career that saves lives.Revealing the still relatively recent history of the field - Dr Said goes on to share how he approaches his practice, the importance of the whole surgical team and some words of advice for aspiring students.Engrossed with the ‘beauty' of his career, Dr Said is perfectly placed to share the global legacy of heart healthcare.

We need to create frameworks for culturally-competent care.Joining me today to share a discussion on the need to improve diversity awareness in our American healthcare system is Medical Student Simal Ali.Currently in her third year at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Simal is passionate about educating - using her experiences as a Muslim doctor to deliver lectures and share the tenets of her faith with the world.She reveals practical steps that we can all implement to develop more mindful care that listens to our patients' religious beliefs and ensures trust.This episode is all about reconnecting with our fundamental lesson from medical school: patient-centered care!You can follow Dr. Eric Fethke on Facebook and Instagram @drfethkemd(This episode will also available in video format on Youtube @drfethkemd).

Our host, Dr. Fethke, dedicates this episode to a remarkable college classmate and friend at a time when she needs everyone's support. This person is none other than Maria Ressa, the recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for her tireless efforts over the past three decades to champion Freedom of the Press in the face of overwhelming obstacles. In the words of the Nobel Committee, Maria Ressa received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Russia's Dmitry Muratov for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."In order to do justice to Ressa's cause, Dr. Fethke has invited a very special and highly knowledgeable guest, Professor Kathy Kiely. She is the Lee Hills Chair in Free Press Studies at the Missouri School of Journalism. She has worked more than four decades as a reporter and editor for regional and national newspapers as well as online and multimedia publications. She has been recognized for her passionate support of  transparency, free speech and education. After a long career covering politics in Washington, Kiely moved into the classroom full-time because, she says, universities are the laboratories that will discover the formula for making fact-based journalism viable again. Kiely has covered regional and national politics for a number of news outlets, including USA TODAY, the New York Daily News, the Houston Post, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Press. She served as an editor for WAMU, Bill Moyers, the Sunlight Foundation, Bloomberg Politics and helped coordinate the National Journal's campaign coverage with CBS News. She also served on the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents and on the boards of the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Daily Princetonian. She holds a master's degree from American University and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University. She is the inaugural Press Freedom Fellow for the National Press Club‘s nonprofit Journalism Institute.Prof. Kiely is a well recognized advocate of Journalistic Freedom who believes that Maria Ressa's voice is at an extremely high risk of being silenced by those in power in the Philippines who are threatened by the integrity and truth of her work. Kiely has commented that the Nobel Peace Prize given to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov is a warning that across the globe, “forces of darkness and intolerance are on the march… Journalists are the canaries in the mine shaft.In this episode, Prof. Kiely teaches us why Freedom of Speech and Health are intrinsically linked. Dr. Fethke and Prof. Kiely review the rationale behind the U.S. Consititution's 1st Amendment protecting free speech and a free press. She then clearly reviews the evolution of digital and social media, with its pros and cons. She defines the concepts of Misinformation and Disinformation, clarifying why the latter is so dangerous to us all. She explains that the Nobel Committee has specifically recognized Maria Ressa because she has led the way for us all to understand the impact of Disinformation and is actively working on solutions to regain the integrity of facts and bring the truth back to journalism. Kiely stresses that the battles that Maria Ressa and her journalist team at Rappler are fighting in the Philippines are critically relevant to the Global pursuit of democracy. As Kiely reminds us, “My father fought in WW2 to defend and help establish a free Philippines. We must never forget that Maria Ressa's defense of Freedom of the Press is a part of our fathers' legacies. To do so would be a dishonor to their cause and memory.”LINKS:House: https://www.house.gov/Senate: https://www.senate.gov/Post office (where you can look up ZIP+4 to get House member's name: https://www.usps.com/

This episode is dedicated to Dr. Fethke's father, Walter P. Fethke, in remembrance of the honorable struggle he underwent along with his loving family in the last years and days of his remarkable life.In Episode 30 of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, our host, Dr. Fethke, once again reaches across artificial boundaries to a colleague in the legal profession. His guest, Louis Pierro is an esteemed lawyer based in New York State with over 40 years experience in the field of Elder Law.  After attending college at Lehigh University and obtaining his law degree at Albany Law School, Mr. Pierro went on to become one of the pioneers in the field of Elder Law.  He shares his own personal motivations for shifting his focus from the court rooms to working with people to help make their lives better. With his colleagues, he founded Pierro, Connnor & Strauss, a law firm dedicated to estate planning and elder law. Over the years his team has extended their services beyond the New York Capital region to now encompass New York City, Florida, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Along the way he has joined policymakers and other stakeholders in addressing the issues of aging that have overwhelmed our nation and that we all will inevitably face. This has included his founding the Elder Counsel, a national membership organization of Elder Law and Special Needs law firms that supports the efforts of over 1400 firms amongst all 50 states.He also founded ApolloCare, LLC, a business venture that combines home-based Elder Care (EverHome Care Advisors) with high technology centered in peoples' homes (VivaLynx). During this episode, beginning with the mission set by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, Mr. Pierro takes us through the history of America's struggle to provide humane and high quality care services for our senior citizens. He takes us through the many forms that this journey has assumed including a clear explanation of nursing home, assisted living and home-based care models. He pulls no punches in identifying the past and current hurdles that have hindered America's progress and left us with an overwhelmingly complex and often daunting  system to deal with the ever increasing issues facing a growing population of elderly.Despite the challenges, we are so fortunate that Mr. Pierro and his colleagues continue to fight the good fight and take an offensive approach to addressing Aging in America. Through regular education, advocacy and creative business models, they have clearly begun to break through the dark clouds and let some much needed light into this vital issue that involves us all. He stresses that the task at hand is too complex and important for any one profession to deal with. Any effective effort must be a team approach with the patient truly at the center and caretakers, including, but not exclusively involving, the physicians. He adds, “Hopefully, one household at a time, we will build a consensus that will change and improve the way we care for each other as we get older.”We look forward to your feedback and comments regarding this and any other episodes of The Pursuit of Health Podcast.  We look forward to inviting back guests such as Mr. Pierro to keep up with his progress. We can be reached at drfethkemd on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as our website at drfethkemd.com.Resources:Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC - www.pierrolaw.comEverCare - Everhomecareadvisors.comVivaLynx - Vivalynx.com

On this episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast we return to the issue of healthcare economics with our guest, Ms. Andrea Zalusky. She brings over a decade of experience in the field of healthcare administration, with a particular focus as of late on the transition from a “Fee-for-Service” (FFS) to a “Value-based care” (VBC) approach to the financing of medical care. She explains that, like doctors, she has engaged in this work because she wanted to help as many people as possible become and stay healthy. With a Masters Degree in Public Health from Columbia after studying Global and Health Policy at Johns Hopkins University, Ms. Zalusky has worked in the northeast from New York to New Jersey to establish a consistent approach to healthcare. Through her work she remains intent on improving the health and well-being of the populations that live in these areas.Ms. Zalusky is  currently leading value-based care operations for Optum Care in the New York and New Jersey region, focused on supporting physicians, hospitals, and post-acute care facilities be successful in these programs.  Prior to Optum, she worked at CareMount Health Solutions where she managed operational programs focused on reducing readmissions in partnership with major hospital systems. Prior to these operations focused roles, she also had time with both Evolent Health and other consulting firms, where she  gained experience with population health program implementation and Value-based care models all across the US - working with physician groups, hospitals and Accountable Care Organizations to help them be successful in this new model of care.  Ms. Zalusky takes our audience through some of the details behind the concepts of Population Health and Value-based payment systems in a way that is enlightening and reassuring. She explains some of the hurdles and successes along the way and shares her ultimate goal of finding a balance that allows for the achievement of 4 crucial elements to a well functioning healthcare system in the U.S.. Along the way she emphasizes the sentiment that  “Our system is indeed broken and the people deserve better.” Ms. Zalusky explains that this venture towards Value-based payments has been in the works for years. It has required persistence, legislation and time to finally get off the ground. Though she is honest that we have a long way to go, she contends that there is no turning back to a Fee-for-Service system. She reassures us that the key to a successful transition from FFS to VBC over the next several years is to work in partnership with clinicians so that they can best implement their evidence-based knowledge to the betterment of everyone.We look forward to your feedback on this and any prior episodes. Dr. Fethke and the POH team can be reached on Facebook and Instagram @drfethkemd and our website at drfethkemd.com

On today's episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast, Dr. Fethke is joined by a pediatrician leader and educator who has practiced for over half a century, Dr. Gilbert Simon. Dr. Simon started his pediatric career at Columbia University's Babies & Children's Hospital during the same era as many of Dr. Fethke's most esteemed mentors. After years of working in the metropolitan northeast in a prestigious academic center, Dr. Simon made a life-changing career move to the west coast where he ultimately founded and served as the Medical Director and CEO of the Sacramento Family Medical Clinics. It was here that all his experience, including his military service in the 1960's working for a branch of the U.S. Center for Disease Control, came in handy.He ultimately ran the clinics for low income families in Sacramento California with virtually 100% Medicaid fixed resources which “lasted 26 years longer than anyone believed I could,” by identifying and decreasing wasteful healthcare expenses. In 2019 Dr Simon gathered all of his experience and lessons learned while running the California clinic and serving as a subcommittee member of California Medical Association's Medi-Cal to write an amazing and must read book - RIPPED OFF! Overtested and Overcharged, the American Healthcare Mess.During our discussion with Dr. Simon from his California home office, he shared some of the highlights from his book, including the overuse of Unnecessary Services, Inflated Prices, Fraud, Excess Administrative Costs, and the Lack of Coordination and Fragmentation. Along the way he provides some very clear and practical examples of each of these problems that combined have created the “Mess” that U.S. Healthcare finds itself in today.As with many of the wonderful clinician leaders and visionary guests on our podcast, Dr. Simon provides solutions to the myriad problems he has identified and so clearly revealed in his book for lay people, policymakers and healthcare professionals alike. Most importantly, he can back up his vision and recommendations by years of his own success facing many of these issues in his pioneering career. Dr. Simon gives us a sense of sober hope that our healthcare system can be salvaged and benefit from the exceptional work of those who have come before us and will follow in the future. We would all do well to heed his advice before it is too late. As always, we at The Pursuit of Health Podcast look forward to our audience response to this and any of our episodes. We can be reached at drfeethkemd on Facebook and Instagram and our website-drfethkemd.com.Book References:RIPPED OFF! Overtested, Overtreated and Overcharged, the American Healthcare Mess. Paper Raven Books. March 3 2020.www.gilbertsimonmd.com

On this intensely thought-proving episode of the Pursuit of Health Podcast our host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is joined by two pioneers and community advocates - Shirley Raman and Bongani Ngomane - from the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Shirley Raman has been a social worker, leader and community advocate for almost 4 decades. She has dedicated her life to helping to uplift others, and in turn, her beloved nation. She has carried out a labor of love through the era of Apartheid, HIV/AIDS pandemic and now in addressing Gender Violence. Her tireless and inspiring efforts have brought her to a collaboration with our second guest on this episode - Mr. Ngomane. He has been viewed as a visionary in the field for his focus on the role of men in Domestic and Gender Violence. Our discussion leaves no doubt that this characterization is well-deserved.Our guests begin by introducing us to some of the issues in Gender Violence that are both unique to South Africa as well as those that are shared by other countries, including our own. They explain their individual and combined contributions to this work over the years. Our audience is brought into the many complex issues they face in addressing such a difficult problem, including socio-cultural, gender role, and economic factors. As a nation reborn out of Apartheid, they are facing a many challenges, but their efforts are farsighted and their focus on future generations is inspiring.Several eye-opening paradigm shifts are brought to the forefront of this conversation including the concept of “Peace Education” and Mens forums. We invite you to be a part of what should prove to be a series of ongoing sessions with our guests as we follow their work over the coming years.We look forward to your ideas and contributions regarding this current and prior episodes as well as for future topics. We can be reached at drfethkemd in Facebook and Instagram, and on our website at drfethkemd.com.Resources: https://ecarefoundation.com/ https://www.saferspaces.org.za/understand/entry/gender-based-violence-in-south-africa https://www.saferspaces.org.za/understand/entry/positive-parenting-in-south-africa#Supportingfamiliesiskeytodevelopmentandviolenceprevention https://www.saferspaces.org.za/understand/entry/toxic-masculinity-and-violence-in-south-africa#Towardsaframeworkofpositivemasculinity https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/sa-has-a-serious-gender-violence-problem-and-alcohol-is-the-main-culprit-20201113 https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7195322/ 

On this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast Dr. Fethke is joined by a remarkable frontline colleague from the medical field of Obstetrics, Dr. Daniel Perkes. Dr. Perkes takes us through two decades of change and turmoil during which he remarkably remained focused on maintaining strong professional relationships with his patients. He emphasizes that such alliances with his patients were the backbone to his career that allowed him to navigate through all the shifts in healthcare from a private practice to corporate medicine. He shares some pearls of wisdom with us on how he was able to sustain such a remarkable following from his patients through his entire over two decades of practicing. Despite many of the initial challenges, Dr Perkes gives us some hope that larger medical practices can still maintain a patient focus if their leadership ensures open communications with their frontline physicians and seeks regular patient feedback. In a timely manner, Dr. Perkes addresses his concerns regarding the potential effects of legislative changes should Roe v. Wade be overturned. In a field already experiencing significant strains and cutbacks in access throughout many parts of the country, he worries that the situation will only get worse for women unless people advocate for women's rights and their ability to seek medical advice from the doctors that they trust. He stresses that he is not a “Pro Choice” or a “Pro Life” physician, but rather has always been a “Pro Patient” doctor. This has allowed him to tailor his medical care to the specifics of each patient, rather than taking a blanket one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Perkes finishes this valuable discussion with advice and hope for future obstetricians. Though it has not always been easy, he emphasizes, “Knowing the challenges facing young obstetricians today, I would still  do it all over again”. We look forward to your feedback on this and any of our episodes on The Pursuit of Health Podcast. We can be reached at drfethkemd in Facebook and Instagram, and our website- drfethkemd.com.

In this our fourth Take A Step Back episode we take the opportunity to look back over and comment upon Episodes 14 thru 16.  Our host, Dr. Fethke, is joined by two guests - a third year medical student, Leizer Steppa, and an experienced practicing primary care internist, Dr. Tracy Williams. Together they reflect on the lessons gleaned from these three episodes including;Ep 14 (Parts 1&2)  International Medicine and Earthquake relief in Haiti - Dr. Ronald IsraelskiInfrastructure - Resiliency and Sustainability as a goal Know the people you serve and focus on their needs, not your perceptions of their needsEp 15 (Parts 1-3)  Building a Healthcare System in South Africa: Lessons from the HIV and Covid-19 Pandemics - Sagie PillayHealthcare is a fundamental and critical factor in forming a new nationHIV experience highlighted inequities in healthcareCovid-19 - should have learned from past experiences and need to understand why we did notPolitics can support of interfere with national healthcare Ep 16 (Parts 1&2)  The Experience of a Black Physician in the U.S. - Dr. Tyree WinterStructural Racism in US creates inequities in racial distribution of physiciansPeople do better when their physician is someone they can identify withOutreach to under represented races is necessary and effective in improving the number and distribution of non-white physiciansWhen we all do better - everyone wins.This hour-long review of our prior guests foray into International Healthcare and The Racial Inequities of Healthcare at home and abroad proved to be very insightful and expanded upon these very important issues. The vantage point of combining students and practicing physicians once again has bourne fruit for our journey into several of the very relevant factors that are limiting our Global Healthcare Teams from being as effective as possible when delivering care to people. The Take-A-Step-Back format continues to move us along our journey of empowerment through knowledge and enhances our engagement in open discussion.  In the end, if we truly care about the quality of the healthcare we deliver, it boils down to some basic principles -  we must learn from our past and from each other.  In our next few episodes, the Pursuit of Health podcast will be returning to South Africa, addressing the healthcare impact of the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade with our obstetric and neonatal colleagues, and investigating the role of Universal Healthcare in addressing areas of waste in our healthcare system.Our team at The Pursuit of Health Podcast can be reached for your feedback and suggestions for future topics of interest through Facebook and Instagram @drfethkemd on our website at drfethkemd.com.