Podcasts about Veterans Health Administration

On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… The FDA approves a new indication and health benefit for Mounjaro, lots of CGM news including an update on Medicare coverage for people who don't use insulin and a new study about using CGM when you don't have diabetes, metformin and aging, statins and type 2, and did you know there was a Dolly Parton diabetes connections? That and much more... Check out all of our events like Moms' Night Out and Club 1921 here. Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… The FDA approves a new indication and health benefit for Mounjaro, lots of CGM news including an update on Medicare coverage for people who don't use insulin and a new study about using CGM when you don't have diabetes, metformin and aging, statins and type 2, and did you know there was a Dolly Parton diabetes connections? That and much more.. that's coming up right after this. (AD BREAK) Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bring you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more info for every story mentioned here in the show notes. Welcome to September! Want to let you know about a webinar I'm doing with Abbott later this month. That's Sept 23 at 7pm ET. We'll be talking about ketones, DKA and learn more about their dual CGM/ketone monitor that was just approved – more on that coming up. But please register – the link is in the show notes. So much going on over here – tomorrow night we have our Club 1921 in Charlotte, later this month Moms' Night Out Detroit/Bloomfield and in October we're going to Seattle. Please join us. More at d-c dot com slash events. Okay.. our top story this week: XX Another indication for Mounjaro – the FDA approved it to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE), including CV death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events. Mounjaro – the brand name of tirzepatide - is already approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes. The approval was based on results from the largest and longest tirzepatide study to date, enrolling more than 13,000 participants across 30 countries over more than four and a half years. In the trial, Mounjaro demonstrated non-inferiority to Trulicity (dulaglutide), a GLP-1 treatment with established cardiovascular benefit, with an 8% lower rate of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke (MACE-3). The estimated hazard ratio for time to first MACE was 0.92 (95.3% CI: 0.83, 1.01) for Mounjaro compared to Trulicity (dulaglutide). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-lillys-mounjaro-tirzepatide-to-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-302862415.html XX The FDA approves the Libre Duo – the first device designed to continuously monitor both blood sugar levels and ketone levels in people with diabetes. The Libre Duo 10-Day Continuous Dual Glucose Ketone Monitoring System is now approved for those ages 2 and older. Until now, the agency said, people had to monitor ketone levels with separate tests that only provided a single measurement at one point in time. The new system combines blood sugar and ketone tests and monitors them continuously. Readings -- and alerts in case of dangerous trends -- are sent wirelessly to a smartphone app. The FDA previously granted "breakthrough device" status to the system, which is meant to expedite the device's development and review. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/08/25/fda-oks-blood-sugar-ketone-monitor/5521787688375/ XX Diabetes tech firms Dexcom and Abbott are watching closely for a Medicare coverage expansion that could significantly broaden access to their glucose sensors. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is expected to expand Medicare coverage of continuous glucose monitors to people with diabetes who do not take insulin. Currently, coverage is limited to people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who take insulin or have a history of problematic low blood sugar. Dexcom CEO Jake Leach told investors in a late July earnings call that the company expects to hear back from the CMS before the end of the year, with coverage going into effect in mid-2027.     Dexcom presented results of a randomized, controlled trial earlier this summer at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions that it expects will support the CMS' decision. The 26-week study found that people who used a CGM had a larger hemoglobin A1C reduction than the control group and spent five more hours per day in a normal glucose range than the control group. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/dexcom-abbott-await-medicare-coverage-expansion-for-cgms/828775/ XX A new study suggests continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) may offer benefits for people with type 1 diabetes that go beyond improving blood sugar and reducing hypoglycemia.   Researchers analyzed health records from more than 8,400 adults with type 1 diabetes receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration. Over one to four years of follow-up, people who started using a CGM had a 10% to 16% lower risk of death from any cause compared with those who did not use one.   The association appeared strongest among people over age 65 and those who were not using insulin pumps. Researchers did not find meaningful differences based on A1C, race or ethnicity, or frailty.   Importantly, this was an observational study using medical records, not a randomized clinical trial, so it cannot prove that CGM use directly caused the lower death rate. But the findings suggest CGM may have important long-term health benefits beyond glucose management.https://visualize.jove.com/42319755-continuous-glucose-monitoring-initiation-is-associated-with-reduced-mortality-in-older-onset-type-1-diabetes-patients-a-target-trial-emulation-study-within-the-veterans-health-administration XX We've been talking about people without diabetes using CGMs for a long time.. now a new study weighs in. Research published in JAMA finds that this wellness trend isn't helpful for people without a diabetes diagnosis. They found that the strongest evidence for CGM use is for people who are already living with diabetes, but not for those without the condition who use them for wellness purposes. It's also worth noting, though, that this new study is a narrative review. This means that the researchers drew their conclusions from the findings reported in several other studies. More randomized controlled trials would be necessary to see whether there are any meaningful health benefits of using a CGM if you don't have diabetes.   Dower also warned that constantly monitoring your blood sugar when you don't have diabetes could lead to unintended health anxiety. In some cases, you may even make accidental lifestyle changes that could be harmful. "[Blood sugar] spikes may occur after meals, but if this leads someone to replace healthy food such as fruit with unhealthy food such as something high in fat but low in carbohydrate, the glucose information has done more harm than good," Dower said. https://www.verywellhealth.com/blood-sugar-monitor-for-people-without-diabetes-12058575   XX   Could metformin somehow influence the biological processes that drive aging? A new review found evidence that metformin may affect several key features of aging, including how cells use energy, inflammation, cellular damage and even some changes in gene activity. Animal studies have shown longer lifespans or improvements in markers of biological aging, while some human studies have also found promising results.   But researchers say there's still no proof that metformin actually slows aging or helps healthy people live longer. Most human research has involved people with diabetes or other health conditions, and one large trial found that while metformin helped prevent type 2 diabetes, it did not reduce cancer, cardiovascular disease or deaths.   Researchers say larger clinical trials in people without diabetes are needed to determine whether metformin can truly extend healthy lifespan—or whether its benefits are primarily related to preventing and treating specific diseases. https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/metformin-may-influence-longevity-through-the-gut-microbiome-and-epigenetic-changes-416035 XX More to come including more research on a spice thought to help diabetes, predictions about the number of people who may be living with type 1 in the years to come around the world, and a connection I didn't know about between diabetes and Dolly Parton.   XX A compound found in turmeric may help protect blood vessels from some of the damage caused by Type 1 diabetes. In rats, curcumin reduced inflammation, improved cellular signaling, and restored vascular health to levels resembling those of nondiabetic animals. The results hint at a possible new way to reduce the long-term cardiovascular risks of diabetes, but human trials are still needed. Curcumin, the natural compound responsible for turmeric's vivid yellow color, is widely studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065543.htm XX New research estimates the number of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) worldwide will increase by 29% from 9.4 million in 2025 to 12.1 million in 2049. This will be presented at EASD, the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2 The USA will see an increase of over half a million, going from 1,492,825 to 2,055,235. The authors suggest that the reasons for the predicted high incidence and prevalence in 2049 in countries such as Australia, US, UK are likely to be a combination of genetics, environmental triggers and also high case detection rates (due to the good health care infrastructure here and in other HIC). Unlike previous estimates, the DIAMOND-T1D model takes historical patterns of insulin availability into account and aims to provide global, regional and country-specific estimates of T1D incidence, prevalence and mortality from 1900 to 2050. Although the majority of people with T1D live in high-income countries (HIC) and middle-income countries (MIC), the largest relative increase in the T1D prevalence is expected to occur in LIC as access to insulin, glucose monitoring and survival all improve in those countries. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260828/Type-1-diabetes-cases-projected-to-increase-worldwide-by-2049.aspx XX Early initiation of statins after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was associated with a lower risk of dementia, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. According to the Lancet Commission, nearly half of dementia cases could theoretically be prevented by eliminating 14 risk factors. "Detecting and treating high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from midlife is one such highlighted risk factor," From Danish registers, researchers identified 132,585 statin-naive individuals who developed type 2 diabetes from 2006 through 2019, with follow-up until the end of 2021.   Medical records were searched for diagnoses of all-cause dementia. A clone-censor-weight design was used to analyze dementia incidence in patients with no statin initiation within five years after diagnosis, in those with early statin initiation within one year and in those with late statin initiation between one and five years after diagnosis.   https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-early-statins-diagnosis-diabetes-dementia.html   XX We are heartbroken over the loss of our friend Dolly Parton. Dolly was a beloved icon whose extraordinary generosity, warmth, and compassion touched countless lives, including those of the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes. Her support of The Carousel Ball and Carousel of Hope Ball reflected her deep commitment to helping children and families affected by type 1 diabetes. Beyond her remarkable talent, Dolly will be remembered for the kindness and joy she shared so generously with others. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who loved her as we celebrate her extraordinary life and lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed.    

Welcome back to Dr. M's Women and Children First. One of the recurring themes on this podcast is that the future of medicine won't be discovered through faster-paced healthcare alone. It will be discovered by slowing down, listening more carefully, and embracing a patient-centered approach that seeks to understand the whole person—not just the disease. Ultimately, the future of medicine begins with a better question: How do we truly hear a patient's story so that we can better serve the person sitting in front of us? Today's guest has spent his entire career helping answer that question. Our conversation today centers on one of the most overlooked aspects of healing: why so many people struggle to begin the healing process in the first place—and more importantly, how we, as clinicians, parents, and patients, can help that process finally move forward. Dr. Russell Greenfield is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine whose career has been dedicated to transforming healthcare from a disease-centered model into one focused on whole-person health. He has served as Medical Director of Integrative Medicine for major health systems, including Novant Health and the Weisiger Cancer Institute, held national leadership positions within the Veterans Health Administration's Whole Health Initiative, and continues to advise organizations across the country that are reimagining what healthcare can become. What makes Dr. Greenfield's journey especially unique is that he was one of the select physicians chosen to complete a residential fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona—the birthplace of academic integrative medicine. At a time when very few physicians were willing to challenge the traditional boundaries of healthcare, Dr. Greenfield immersed himself in a model that recognized nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, relationships, purpose, and environment as fundamental pillars of health, while embracing the remarkable advances of modern medical science. For me, this conversation is especially meaningful because many of us in medicine are asking the same question: How do we move upstream? How do we stop waiting for chronic disease to develop and instead create the conditions where health can flourish? Today we'll explore the art of becoming an experienced listener in service of the patient before us. We'll discuss why curiosity often matters more than certainty, why healing frequently begins long before the prescription pad comes out, and how understanding a person's story can unlock opportunities that laboratory tests and imaging studies alone may never reveal. Whether you're a clinician, a parent, or simply someone searching for a deeper understanding of health, I think you'll come away from this conversation with a renewed appreciation for one of medicine's most powerful tools: listening. Enjoy, Dr. M

On this week's episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we turn our attention to the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. We hear from system leadership about a recent high-level visit, welcome a new senior nurse executive with deep military roots, and get clarification on the Veterans Health Administration's 80th anniversary along with updates on ongoing outreach. […] The post New Leadership and Milestone Moments at the Minneapolis VA appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

Send us a text and chime in!Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) received funding for Non-recurring Maintenance projects in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, after receiving funds earlier in the year. The funding is part of a record .8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities in FY2026 via the Veterans Health Administration's Non-recurring Maintenance program. Funding projects for NAVAHCS in the third quarter of FY2026 are: Expand Urgent Care Repair and Resurface Roads Upgrade and Integrate Building Control Systems & Perform Retro-commissioning “This funding allows NAVAHCS to continue modernizing and improving, so our facility remains safe,...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/northern-arizona-va-gets-major-facility-upgrades/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

For many people, the FDA-approved drug class called GLP-1s has been a game changer for managing type 2 diabetes and weight loss. An estimated one in eight US adults is using this type of drug, which mimics a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar, slow stomach emptying, and suppress appetite. Researchers and the public have been scrutinizing the pros and cons of taking these drugs for many years. One critical question that remains is does the use of GLP-1s translate into lower medical expenses for consumers, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the government? Today, we're speaking with Duke University health economist Jonathan Zhang on the answer to these questions from his multi-year study of veterans who use GLP-1s. The results are surprising. Interview Summary Jonathan, first, let's talk broadly. Would you briefly describe the kinds of health benefits people are experiencing with GLP-1s, particularly in terms of changes in behavior and overall health? Yes. So GLP-1s are medications that manage body weight and improve metabolic health. The primary health benefits are via better blood sugar regulation and weight loss via reducing appetite. But there's larger health benefits that are much broader. So, trials have also shown that they lower blood pressure, reduce strokes and heart attacks, among other cardiovascular benefits. Overall also improves, so things like obstructive sleep apnea, improvements in inflammation-related measures. And recently it was FDA approved to treat MASH, which is a form of fatty liver disease. Finally, people also report feeling less hungry. They get full faster, fewer cravings, and reduction in what is often called food noise, which can potentially help people make a range of better behavior decisions and changes relating to food and perhaps even beyond food. However, the evidence on that seems to be promising, but new and less strong. Thank you for sharing those. I know a lot of our listeners have heard some of those issues and some of those points about how GLP-1s could change the way we behave, and some of the health outcomes. So, let's dig into your particular study. In your working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) you and your co-authors describe a natural experiment involving patients and doctors in the Department of Veteran Affairs, and their access to and use of GLP-1s. Would you lay out the general parameters of your study for our listeners? Yes, absolutely. So, like many medications, what we know about GLP-1s primarily comes from randomized controlled trials, which have small sample sizes and often select for quite sick patients. As GLP-1s reach a broader population, the population becomes less pro-comparable to those in trials, so the real-world impacts become less obvious. Moreover, there are some outcomes such as healthcare utilization or spending costs that are incredibly important for policy but not directly studied in trials. We were interested in studying in a very large healthcare system, that is the VA, the Veterans Health Administration, the real-world impacts of GLP-1s using readily collected data from the healthcare system and a quasi-experiment. So that is we try to emulate a real experiment where some patients get GLP-1s from their primary care doctor and others do not. And the reason one patient might get it while the other doesn't is because their doctors differ in their likelihood or propensity to prescribe these drugs. And we focus on the Veterans Health Administration, the VHA, because the veteran population is quite diverse, at least in terms of comorbidities relative to the trials per se and also in age, say, compared to Medicare. And GLP-1s are provided in the VA to eligible patients at a pretty affordable cost. So, sort of a nice policy playground for us to think about what outcomes might look like when GLP-1s become readily available and affordable to all Americans. Great. Thank you for sharing that because now we have a good sense of the quasi experiment that you all were able to exploit. That there were providers who had a high tendency to prescribe GLP-1s versus those who didn't. And looking at that difference, you were able to see how GLP-1s may have affected the outcomes that you were interested in. So now tell us a bit about the findings, and I think there's some surprising results here. So, first we replicate many of the findings from the randomized trials for this diverse, veteran population. We see reductions in body weight, we see hemoglobin A1C blood glucose levels improve and blood pressure improvements as well. Even a reduction in heart attacks and strokes for patients with existing cardiovascular conditions, and even a small reduction in moderate drinking risk as well. The trial evidence seems to hold up in this large and diverse population of we have 1.4 million patients that we're studying. Second, despite these improvements though, we do not see a reduction in healthcare spending. This is actually excluding the cost of the medication, the GLP-1. It's not because GLP-1s are expensive. We're taking that out of the equation. Over four years, this is how long we're able to track these patients for, we're able to rule out reductions of more than 7% in healthcare spending. And we see no reductions in whether that's outpatient clinic or in inpatient hospitalization. We also don't see any reductions in emergency department visits more generally, despite seeing a reduction in heart attack and strokes for those patients with existing cardiovascular condition. Jonathan, that sounds great, but it's a little hard to understand. So why is it that you're seeing no real changes in the consumer healthcare spending? What's going on? Yes, we were a little surprised as well. We think there could be a myriad of potential reasons. But first, I want to note that there's also at least three other studies that use real-world data to look at a similar question, and all the studies find no statistically significant spending reductions. And in fact, all of us, we all find a slight positive increase. I think the first explanation is that while heart attacks and strokes are very expensive and obviously, very serious events, they are still thankfully quite rare and thus are not very common in our three to five-year period in which these studies are looking at. But perhaps over ten or twenty years, you could start seeing some healthcare spending materialize. I think that's totally possible. Most cost projection models, whether that's from the CBO or other organizations, they project healthcare spending reductions to accumulate over time. But these models also project immediate spending reduction, which is not yet supported by the data. Another potential explanation is what I would call these behavioral responses. So, you can imagine that a patient sees some improvement in their health, and that changes their expectation of, "Oh, wow, I could actually make some changes to my health." And they actually go and get some more care. This can also be driven by the physician as well. So, sort of, "Look, things are working. This patient's seeing improvements. Maybe we should treat some of your other health problems and issues." This is what I would call sort of a behavioral response. A third explanation could be that some of these patients have conditions that have progressed to be irreversible even with metabolic health gains. So, for example, late-stage kidney disease would be a good example. We find some suggestive evidence that this might be happening in our study. In other words, for these patients where they have some potentially irreversible health conditions, the metabolic health improvements - that's not a primary reason for their healthcare spending. This is helpful. That explains why we're seeing some of these challenges with healthcare spending. And I appreciate your point of taking a longer view may actually reveal some differences. And also, the responses of doctors and patients to the benefits that they gain and how that might expand opportunities for healthcare. So, thank you for sharing that. I want to shift focus a little bit. And it is taking a step beyond the paper, but I think it's a natural extension of the work. As you know, I'm an agricultural economist, and I've been interested in obviously food policy issues. And the fact that we're seeing weight loss, the fact that we're seeing better management of A1C suggests that there's something probably happening with food consumption and food patterns. I'd be interested to learn from you if you have any ideas about what this work suggests about the impact of GLP-1s on consumer food choices. Yes, I think there's a fair amount of both trial and real-world grocery purchase evidence that GLP-1s are impacting consumer food choices. In the randomized trials, GLP-1s reduce, calories consumed, reduce the desire to eat sweet, salty, and savory foods and high fat fast foods in their meals. For example, these trials will look at what people eat for lunch. In real world data, there's a study out of Denmark that found that after patients' first GLP-1 prescription, their grocery store purchases went on to have fewer calories, sugars, saturated fats, carbohydrates, and more protein over the one-year period after they initiate GLP-1s. The share of ultra-processed foods also decreased. The effects were actually quite modest, so there was only about a one percent reduction in calories and a four percent reduction in sugar and a five percent increase in protein in the year after versus the year before in this Danish study. In the US, there's a similar study using kind of this transactional level data as well. And they find that households after they start GLP-1s also reduce caloric intake, fast food consumption, caloric dense processed foods. And there it's a little larger in the US by about five to ten percent. Then the question is, you know, are they shifting towards healthier foods or is it sort of a uniform reduction in calories across all different food classes? And there the evidence is a little less strong. There's some evidence that consumers are shifting towards healthier foods, but if that is the case, the shift is quite small. In both the Danish and the US study, it's roughly looking like a level shift for all different categories. And this is also in terms of not food so much anymore, but there's also been studies looking at alcohol consumption, which has been very interesting and promising. There's a phase two study pilot trial with only forty-eight participants, but the randomized control trial found that among patients with existing alcohol use disorder GLP-1s led to a reduction in the average number of drinks per day. No change in the number of days drinking, but conditional on drinking, the average number of drinks per day declines in the treatment group that get GLP-1s. And then for out of the 48 patients that are also smokers, there's also a reduction in smoking as well in that population. So, very promising early evidence there as well. Jonathan, this is critical information, and I know some colleagues in the Ag econ profession, folks like Brian Roe, Tim Richards and Glenn Townsend have also worked in this space, and some of the work is showing some issues around the quality of protein or overall food spend is going down. And the choices or the responsiveness of people to prices when it comes to proteins. There's some evidence, some causal evidence to suggest GLP-1s are changing the way people are even looking at food markets. And so that raises a really important issue. If consumers are changing when they're exposed to GLP-1s, I have got to imagine that the food industry, grocery stores, food manufacturers, restaurants are making some adjustments. What have you to say on that particular point? So, we're both economists, right? We both, of course, believe that producers and grocery stores are adjusting to demand. We do know a lot less about how the supply side is adjusting compared to the demand, and that's because there's just less data and fewer studies on patients. There's more data and more studies on patients and consumers than on grocery stores and restaurants. I've seen a lot of anecdotal evidence, often reported in the mainstream media or reports from various market research agencies that GLP-1s are having this large impact on the food industry. I've seen claims like GLP-1s are hurting Walmart sales or why are beer company sales down, like AB InBev, and range into things like why restaurants are reducing their portions or recently I actually also saw over the past couple weekends claims of why Coachella portions are smaller because everyone's on GLP-1s. So, the best estimates from last year are that one in eight Americans are using GLP-1s. And if each of these users are cutting back in consumption by 5% to 10%, as in those studies, it's totally plausible this leads to a large population reduction that the food industry just cannot ignore, right? I think it's important to note a couple things. First is that the long-term adherence of GLP-1s is generally quite low, with more than 50% discontinuing within a year in most of the studies I've seen in the US. And after discontinuation, most of these patients will gain back a large fraction of their weight. And in that US groceries transactional study I told you about, they find that after discontinuation, purchases at fast food, grocery, restaurants, et cetera, they go up beyond baseline, in fact. So, beyond six months prior to when they were on GLP-1s. It's still an open question to whether these 5% to 10% individual consumption reductions will become long-term and manifest in the population level, especially if adherence is not very high. Second is that up until very recently, there's been a very strong demographic and socioeconomic profile of these GLP-1 users, right? So, they tend to skew near elderly and also a little bit more female, and generally fall in the middle- or higher-income brackets because previously Medicaid, for example, did not cover GLP-1s, right? Until earlier this year. And it still does not cover it for many states. So, any food industry changes will likely be concentrated in the restaurants and the food chains that sort of have these consumer demographic and economic base. That's something to keep in mind. Certainly, there are examples like, you know, Smoothie King has introduced a GLP-1 smoothie. But even in these clear-cut cases where the producer is clearly trying to appeal to this demand shock, it's still very difficult to disentangle the producer's stated intent from general industry market trends, right? So, general trends like rising cost of living. There's been more demand for protein. You can see protein in everything now, right? Even water. Rise in sort of small plates or family-style tapas at restaurants. Feels like every restaurant's doing this now. Or for example, a decline in alcohol consumption or interest in alcohol consumption, especially among young people around the world. I think some of this is certainly happening. Producers are listening, but it's hard to disentangle the general trends from a specific GLP-1 impact. I'm grateful for you taking some of the hype out of this and thinking through carefully what the economic implications are of this change and recognizing that there's some real important context that people don't stay on these drugs for long. Or there are certain types of folks who are more likely to use them, and therefore we can't assume that there's this massive wave of change that's going to happen, but that there are some responses. These are important ways of framing this discussion. I have one final question. Based on what you're seeing now with the use of GLP-1s and considering their use over time, what would you say is the key takeaway for policymakers? I think there are a few takeaways. Most importantly, I think policy makers should think about the rapid change in profile of patients who are using this drug. Just because it's beneficial for sick patients doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be equally as beneficial for patients who are less sick. One of the findings in our paper is that as the veteran population that starts to initiate GLP-1s in the more recent years, these patients actually are healthier, so their treatment effects are not quite as strong as those who were initiated in the very early period who in our setting were among the sicker veterans. Policy makers shouldn't extrapolate the potential benefits to a broader population since there's so much demand for this drug, right? This also means that some of the downstream improvements like cost savings or even improved labor outcomes like absenteeism or being able to return to work, while these things might seem logical, it's not fair to assume that it's going to be automatic, especially at a population level. Related to that last point, we should encourage additional research on important socioeconomic outcome that might completely change the calculus of the cost benefit of these drugs, right? So, labor force participation, earnings, use of government transfer programs like disability insurance, even some interesting patterns of household formation and fertility. These are all fascinating and important questions. However, it is imperative to note that GLP-1s already have incredible health benefits for many people. While it's possible that these benefits might spill over to broader societal benefits, these benefits should not be presumed. And at the same time, we shouldn't be holding GLP-1s to a higher standard, say, to reduce healthcare spending or increase earnings just because we know that it does a bunch of wonderful things for a range of conditions. So, maybe it does this and this as well, and suddenly we're less excited if there's no evidence of that and that, right? These things have incredible health benefits. Let's appreciate them for that, and we shouldn't be holding them up to a higher standard just because it appears to do so many wonderful things. BIO Jonathan Zhang is a health economist at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and the Margolis Institute for Health Policy. He is a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and an evaluator at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He researches how policy can improve mental health and substance use outcomes using quasi-experimental methods.

In this episode, Amber Walsh, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, discusses the structure and scale of the Veterans Health Administration, the growing role of private providers and contractors within the VA system, and the policy and procurement dynamics shaping veteran healthcare

In this episode, Amber Walsh, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, discusses the structure and scale of the Veterans Health Administration, the growing role of private providers and contractors within the VA system, and the policy and procurement dynamics shaping veteran healthcare

Send us a text and chime in!Northern Arizona VA Health Care System received funding for Non-recurring Maintenance projects in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, after receiving funding the first quarter of the fiscal year. The funding is part of a record .8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities in FY2026 via the Veterans Health Administration's Non-recurring Maintenance program. Funding projects for Northern Arizona VA in the second quarter of FY2026 are: Medium Voltage Cable Replacements Install Fire Detection and Suppression to Buildings T6 and 159 Upgrade and Expand Patient Communication System “This funding allows Northern Arizona VA...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/northern-arizona-va-funding-for-facility-upgrades/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Content Warning: This episode is somehow even swearier than usual. War is hell. Mostly because it kills people indiscriminately and disrupts the lives of huge groups of people, but also because it costs so much money that could be spent on saving lives. Now, after a year of hearing that our country is so hard up for money that we need to make massive cuts to Medicaid and other public health programs, we're at war in the middle east AGAIN, racking up unnecessary deaths and a massive tab. Linda Bilmes at the Kennedy School said that the cost of the war would definitely reach a trillion dollars, even if it ended tomorrow – and she said that a couple weeks ago. In this episode, we’ve got Alex Lawson and Eagan Kemp here to talk about why the US is spending money on missiles but can't afford Medicare for All. PLUS, here at the pod, we’re trying out a new format to be able to bring you more up-to-date updates about what’s happening in healthcare politics in this country and the movement to change healthcare politics in this country for good! There’s so much going on right now in America’s war on our health, and between the insurance companies and congress and the MAHA crowd, it’s so hard to keep up. We, as always, want to help out with the unpleasant work of sorting through the noise and amplifying the really important stuff, so from now on, we’ll be starting out each episode with a healthcare news roundup of some of the top stories you need to know. Of course, accurate but irreverent commentary and analysis will be provided! Let us know what you think! https://www.youtube.com/live/WhpL26Zrsgk?si=905gS_V3IFb6sM-E Alex Lawson is the Executive Director of Social Security Works, the convening member of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition— a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans.  Eagan Kemp is an expert in health care policy, including single-payer systems, private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Veterans Health Administration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, social determinants of health, mental health and drug shortages. He has served as senior policy analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (Does that still exist?), but right now he's the Health Policy Advocate for Public Citizen's Congress Watch division. Thanks to political science professor Dr. Misty Parker for joining us for the news! Follow & Support the Pod! Don't forget to like this episode and subscribe to The Medicare for All Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform! This show is a project of the Healthcare NOW Education Fund! This show is a project of the Healthcare-NOW Education Fund! Chip in here to support our work!

In this episode of the DocPreneur Leadership Podcast, host Michael Tetreault sits down with Alex Muckerman, Senior Manager at ECG Management Consultants, for a candid, strategy-first conversation about how health systems are thinking about — and in some cases, finally acting on — concierge and membership-based medicine as a legitimate service line. Alex brings a rare combination of management consulting rigor and deep operational knowledge of the concierge medicine landscape. He's worked with health systems and medical groups across the country, designing and implementing customized concierge and direct primary care models that are built to last — not just to check a box. In this conversation, we cover: Why more health systems are taking concierge medicine seriously right now What a well-designed concierge medicine service line actually looks like How to align a concierge model with your organization's broader ambulatory strategy The common mistakes health systems make when entering this space What physicians inside large systems need to understand about this shift And what the evolving primary care market means for the future of relationship-based medicine Whether you're a physician entrepreneur, a practice leader, or a health system executive, this is a conversation worth your time. ABOUT ALEX MUCKERMAN Alex Muckerman is a Senior Manager at ECG Management Consultants, a national leader in healthcare business strategy and one of the most respected management consulting firms in the industry. Alex brings more than eight years of combined experience across ambulatory strategy, medical group operations, provider compensation, revenue cycle management, and concierge medicine practice model development. He specializes in conducting data-driven ambulatory enterprise performance evaluations and has led practice assessments and financial turnaround initiatives for organizations ranging from large, multispecialty health system–owned medical groups to small independent practices. He has extensive expertise in concierge medicine service line development and implementation, and is recognized for his ability to design customized concierge and direct primary care business models that meet patient demand while generating sustainable financial returns. Alex holds an MBA in Healthcare Management, Strategy, and Consulting from Washington University in St. Louis — Olin Business School, and previously served as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with the Veterans Health Administration on clinical and financial systems development. He is a thoughtful voice on how health systems can approach membership-based medicine not as a trend — but as a strategic imperative. CONNECT WITH ALEX MUCKERMAN & ECG

Overwhelm can push us to a point where the tools we normally rely on suddenly feel out of reach. In this episode, clinical psychologist and burnout expert Kerry Makin-Byrd discusses her book Start Here: A Practical Guide for the Overwhelmed, created as a simple, step-by-step guide for moments when thinking clearly feels difficult. She explains overwhelm as being outside the “window of tolerance,” when the nervous system moves into overarousal or shutdown, and everyday functioning, like sleep, mood, and decision-making, can be disrupted.Kerry introduces a three-part approach called Soothe, Transcend, Move. The idea is to regulate the body first, then shift perspective with self-compassion, and finally focus on one small action that aligns with your values. Listen and Learn: Kerry's simple illustrated guide for turning overwhelming stress into clear, actionable steps you can actually use in the momentHow overwhelm shows up in your body and mind can look completely different from others and might be quietly sabotaging your focus and energyPracticing small daily skills to train your mind to handle stress more quickly and effortlessly under pressureHow you can instantly calm your body and unlock clearer thinking using a surprising science-based “chill out” practice from the first step of a three-part emotional regulation systemHow Kerr's three-step approach can help you calm your body, shift perspective, and navigate stress more effectivelyReflective support to overcome burnout and compassion fatigue in helping professionsResources:Start Here: A Practical Guide for the Overwhelmed: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781408783221Kerry's Website: https://www.drkerrymakinbyrd.com/ Subscribe for twice-a-month field notes on overwhelm, burnout, and compassion to help you care for yourself and others: https://www.drkerrymakinbyrd.com/contact/#/portal/ Kerr's Podcast, Start Here for Helpers — with Dr Kerry Makin-Byrd: https://starthereforhelpers.substack.com/?ref=drkerrymakinbyrd.com Connect with Kerry on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/drkerrymbhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-makin-byrd-phdhttps://www.facebook.com/DrKerryMakinByrd/https://www.youtube.com/@drkerrymb About Kerry Makin-ByrdDr. Kerry Makin-Byrd is a clinical psychologist and noted burnout and well-being expert who translates science into practical non-fiction. An alum of Penn State, UC San Francisco, and the Palo Alto VA Health Care System/Stanford School of Medicine (affiliated), she was honoured with the Veterans Health Administration's Special Contribution Award for nationally impactful policy work and clinical teaching. A burnout survivor herself, Dr. Kerry is the author of the memoir The Ballad of Burnout. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, she divides her time between writing, providing trauma therapy, and mentoring doctors and therapists. Her favorite types of rest are cold swims with her family and cackling with friends.Related Episodes: 153. Healthcare Professional Wellbeing Abbie Beacham, Kerry Makin-Byrd, and Bernard Chang (Part 1) 154. Healthcare Professional Wellbeing with Abbie Beacham, Kerry Makin-Byrd, and Bernard Chang (Part 2) 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie 177. Mind-Body Practices for Stress and Overwhelm with Rebekkah LaDyne 75. Mindful Self-Compassion with Christopher Germer 199. Belonging From the Inside Out with Meg McKelvie 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz73. Essentialism with Greg McKeown See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The VA is undergoing its most significant restructuring in three decades, specifically targeting the Veterans Health Administration to eliminate "bloat" and administrative overlap. In this episode, I break down why the service networks are being cut from 18 to five and what these changes mean for your wait times and community care referrals. We're looking at a shift toward a more efficient, top-down system designed to prioritize veteran outcomes over bureaucracy.   Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:37) - Understanding the Veterans Health Administration restructuring (01:15) - Breaking down the VISN cuts from 18 to 5 (02:05) - Why internal reviews found the VA system "bloated" (03:46) - The truth about vacancies and impact on care (04:39) - Timeline: What to expect starting in early 2026 (05:07) - Massive changes to Community Care and referral contracts (06:50) - How to track your appointments and outcomes during the rollout (08:13) - Final thoughts on the future of veteran benefits   About the Show On the Military Millionaire Podcast, I share real conversations with service members, veterans, and their families. Each week, we explore how to build wealth through personal finance, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing. Resources & Links Download a free copy of my book: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/free-book Sign up for free webinar trainings: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/register Join our investor list: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/investors Apply for The War Room Mastermind: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/mastermind-application Get an intro to recommended VA agents/lenders: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/va-realtor Guide to raising capital: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/capital-raising-guide   Connect with David Pere Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/militarymillionaire YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Frommilitarytomillionaire?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frommilitarytomillionaire/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pere/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/militaryrei TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@militarymillionaire

Secretary Doug Collins is a year into his tenure at the VA. He joins me now for a look back at what he learned over the past year and how those lessons informed his plan to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration. We'll also examine how VA is making progress in benefits eligibility decisions and payments. He'll lay out what's changing and why. and what he hopes to accomplish in the year ahead. Here's my conversation with Secretary Collins.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Dr. Madeline O'Sullivan discusses her retrospective study of U.S. veterans in the Veterans Health Administration, examining outcomes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer. She explains how the cohorts were defined, how use and timing of immunosuppressive therapies were analyzed, and how mortality and cause of death were determined. Dr. O'Sullivan summarizes the patient population, cancer types represented, and key findings on survival differences between RA and non-RA groups, as well as insights from secondary analyses and important study limitations. She also reflects on balancing research with clinical training, the mentorship that supported her work, lessons learned, and practical advice for trainees aiming to complete and publish research projects. 

Law enforcement staffing at federal agencies varied between fiscal years 2020 and 2024. But a new Government Accountability Office report shows the Veterans Health Administration saw a major uptick in law enforcement staffing during that period, going from 4,699 officers in 2020 to 6,281 by the end of 2024. VHA was an outlier as most other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies either had flat workforce totals or saw varying levels of attrition. GAO's report doesn't cover the last year when the Department of Homeland Security recruited a record number of immigration enforcement and Border Patrol agents.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Friday, Jan. 23, around 50,000 people in Minneapolis, MN, engaged in a historic mass strike and day of protest to demand an end to ICE terror and President Trump's federal siege of Minnesota. Then, on Saturday, Jan. 24, an ICE agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, volunteer ICE observer and a registered union nurse who worked for the Veterans Health Administration. In this episode, we speak with Mary C. Turner, a registered nurse inn Minnesota and a member of the Council of Presidents of National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the US, which is now forcefully calling for the abolition of ICE.  Additional links/info:  National Nurses United: "Week of action in honor of Alex Pretti, RN and all others killed by ICE" National Nurses United press release (1/24/26): "National Nurses United outraged by murder of VA registered nurse by immigration agents, demand abolition of ICE" National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United website, Facebook page, Twitter/X page, and Instagram Devon Lum & Haley Willis, The New York Times, "Videos show moments in which agents killed a man in Minneapolis" Thomas Birmingham & Ari Bloomekatz, In These Times, "A staggering number of Minnesotans took to the streets Friday to demand ICE leave. The next day, ICE responded by killing another resident" Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / TRNN, "Trump plans massive military parade while cutting veteran jobs, benefits, & healthcare" Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / TRNN, "Trump cuts leave VA hospital nurses and veteran patients in a crisis" Credits: Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor

On Friday, Jan. 23, around 50,000 people in Minneapolis, MN, engaged in a historic mass strike and day of protest to demand an end to ICE terror and President Trump's federal siege of Minnesota. Then, on Saturday, Jan. 24, an ICE agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, volunteer ICE observer and a registered union nurse who worked for the Veterans Health Administration. In this episode, we speak with Mary C. Turner, a registered nurse inn Minnesota and a member of the Council of Presidents of National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the US, which is now forcefully calling for the abolition of ICE. Additional links/info: National Nurses United: “Week of action in honor of Alex Pretti, RN and all others killed by ICE”National Nurses United press release (1/24/26): “National Nurses United outraged by murder of VA registered nurse by immigration agents, demand abolition of ICE”National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United website, Facebook page, Twitter/X page, and InstagramDevon Lum & Haley Willis, The New York Times, “Videos show moments in which agents killed a man in Minneapolis”Thomas Birmingham & Ari Bloomekatz, In These Times, “A staggering number of Minnesotans took to the streets Friday to demand ICE leave. The next day, ICE responded by killing another resident”Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / TRNN, “Trump plans massive military parade while cutting veteran jobs, benefits, & healthcare”Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / TRNN, “Trump cuts leave VA hospital nurses and veteran patients in a crisis”Credits:Audio Post-Production: Jules TaylorBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Nearly 16 million veterans live in the United States, and while 9 million receive care through the Veterans Health Administration, about 40% rely entirely on civilian healthcare. That's where the challenge begins: many veterans are navigating a system that isn't designed for their unique health needs. Veterans outside the VA system often face barriers that lead to poorer outcomes—delays in diagnosis, fragmented care, and overlooked service-related conditions. The healthcare system must do better. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods talks with Optum Serve experts Christi Kruse and Christine Erspamer about what it takes to close this gap. Drawing on their in-depth ethnographic research, Christi and Christine explore why understanding the veteran patient journey is critical, how to integrate data-driven population health strategies, and the role of publicly available tools and guidelines, along with other practical solutions. The conversation doesn't stop at veterans. These insights can help healthcare leaders better serve other vulnerable populations, too. Stay tuned through the end of the episode for a special message from Optum Serve CEO Ed Weinberg, as he shares how Optum Serve is honoring the lived experiences of veterans and military families, and calls on clinical providers to lead with compassion, consistency, and purpose. We're here to help: Research Study: Caring for Veterans and Military Families Devoted to Improving Lives Across the Nation | Optum Business Military & Veteran Health Care Journey: Infographic Join us for an upcoming State of the Industry webinars, where Advisory Board experts will challenge three long-standing assumptions about the healthcare industry — and reveal the powerful new dynamics reshaping the future. Learn more about Optum Advisory: Healthcare consulting services A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

A nation's promise to those who served becomes a lesson in how health care can truly heal. In this special Veterans Day episode, Dr. David Shulkin, the ninth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Trump Administration and VA's Under Secretary of Health in the Obama Administration, talks about the mission, history, and transformation of the Veterans Health Administration, one of the nation's largest and most innovative health systems. He shares how his time leading the VA changed his perspective on what effective, compassionate care looks like, highlighting the system's holistic, population-based approach and its groundbreaking medical research. Dr. Shulkin also reflects on the challenges of government service, the importance of protecting the VA from privatization, and his continued advocacy for veterans and the workforce that serves them. Tune in to hear how the VA's model offers vital lessons for the future of American health care! Resources: Connect with and follow Dr. David Shulkin on LinkedIn. Get a copy of Dr. Shulkin's book, It Shouldn't Be This Hard to Serve Your Government, Our Broken Government and the Plight of Veterans, here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traditional prosthetic care can be labor and time-intensive, difficult to scale to all VA facilities, and challenging for some veterans to access. However, the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning is making progress in digital prosthetics. Digital innovation, AI and other technologies are allowing VA to deliver prosthetic devices to disabled veterans sooner so they can play video games, feed themselves, play sports like golf and pickleball, and more. Learn more in this week's Tango Alpha Lima podcast. Other topics in this episode include changes the Pentagon is making to MREs, Chuck Yeager's historic supersonic flight and a Vietnam veteran's journey back to school.The American Legion is proud to be an Associate Sponsor of Army-Navy Game presented by USAADr. Ripley discusses development of 3D-printed medical devicesJoin the USA 250 Challenge81-year old Vietnam War veteran graduations from Bristol CollegeRon Cabral graduation videoNew MRE options coming soonCelebrating Chuck Yeager's supersonic flight

Michael Hein, MS, MD, MHCM, Associate Certified Coach (ACC), believes that when healthcare leaders don't fully understand complexity, it leads to burnout, turnover, and poor patient care—issues he considers preventable forms of human suffering. Healthcare is more complex than ever, and traditional top-down methods often exacerbate these challenges. Success today requires leaders who adapt, absorb uncertainty, and react quickly. For many, this means embracing new leadership mindsets. With over thirty years of experience in healthcare, Michael is Senior Vice President and an executive coach at MEDI Leadership, the top healthcare coaching firm in the US. Drawing from clinical and executive roles, he helps leaders make the mindset shifts needed for success in complexity.Previously, Michael was CEO of a nonmerger hospital network and Chief Medical Officer at Catholic Health Initiatives. He led transformations at the Veterans Health Administration and cofounded KPI Ninja, a healthcare data company.Michael holds degrees from the University of South Dakota, Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and St. Cloud State University. He is a certified executive coach through the International Coaching Federation, trained at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. His experience bridges frontline care and strategic leadership, coaching leaders to drive sustainable change in complex organizations.His book, Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy: Ten Unconventional Mindsets that Help Healthcare Leaders Succeed in a Complex World, encourages a shift from outdated leadership mindsets to adaptive ones. A lifelong athlete, Michael enjoys cycling and swimming.Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Leah provides a focused breakdown of how hepatitis B and C can be service-connected for VA disability claims. She explains the basics of hepatitis, common ways veterans may have been exposed during service (such as air gun injections or pre-1992 blood transfusions), and the criteria needed for direct or secondary service connection, including the importance of a medical nexus. Leah also highlights VA rating criteria, C&P exam expectations, and useful strategies like gathering strong medical documentation, requesting nexus letters, and referencing VA fast letters. 

In this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast, host Martha Dorris sits down with Christopher Mannozzi, Director of Performance Management, and Jim Schaefer, Director of Surveys at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration (VHA).Together, they lead the Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP) program, which is transforming how the VA listens to and improves care for veterans.The conversation explores how SHEP:Uses surveys to capture veterans' experiences across all types of careAnalyzes data to highlight what's working well and pinpoint opportunities for improvementLeverages automation and monthly reports to deliver fast, actionable insightsThey also share what's ahead for the program, including:Enabling veterans to complete surveys directly from their phonesComparing VA care to community care to better understand the full patient journeyExploring AI and natural language processing for deeper analysisProviding training to staff on turning feedback into meaningful actionAt its core, SHEP's mission is simple yet powerful: to improve healthcare quality and satisfaction, helping veterans live healthier lives. By surfacing common challenges and spreading best practices, the team is driving positive change across VA facilities nationwide.Congratulations to the SHEP team on receiving the 2024 Service to the Citizen® Award!Thank you for listening to this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast! If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners! Stay Connected: Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: @DorrisConsultingInternational Twitter: @DorrisConsultng Facebook: @DCInternational Resources Mentioned: Citizen Services Newsletter 2024 Service to the Citizen Awards Nomination Form

Michael Hein, MS, MD, MHCM, Associate Certified Coach (ACC), believes that when healthcare leaders don't fully understand complexity, it leads to burnout, turnover, and poor patient care—issues he considers preventable forms of human suffering. Healthcare is more complex than ever, and traditional top-down methods often exacerbate these challenges. Success today requires leaders who adapt, absorb uncertainty, and react quickly. For many, this means embracing new leadership mindsets. With over thirty years of experience in healthcare, Michael is Senior Vice President and an executive coach at MEDI Leadership, the top healthcare coaching firm in the US. Drawing from clinical and executive roles, he helps leaders make the mindset shifts needed for success in complexity.Previously, Michael was CEO of a nonmerger hospital network and Chief Medical Officer at Catholic Health Initiatives. He led transformations at the Veterans Health Administration and cofounded KPI Ninja, a healthcare data company.Michael holds degrees from the University of South Dakota, Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and St. Cloud State University. He is a certified executive coach through the International Coaching Federation, trained at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. His experience bridges frontline care and strategic leadership, coaching leaders to drive sustainable change in complex organizations.His book, Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy: Ten Unconventional Mindsets that Help Healthcare Leaders Succeed in a Complex World, encourages a shift from outdated leadership mindsets to adaptive ones. A lifelong athlete, Michael enjoys cycling and swimming.Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Leah explains how veterans may qualify for VA disability compensation if they experience side effects from medications prescribed for service-connected conditions. She outlines what the VA recognizes under 38 CFR 3.310, provides real-world examples such as ulcers from NSAIDs, metabolic syndrome from antipsychotics, sexual dysfunction from SSRIs, and liver damage from anticonvulsants, and stresses the importance of proving secondary service connection with medical diagnoses, documentation, and nexus statements. Leah also highlights relevant medical literature, explains the potential for special monthly compensation or TDIU in severe cases, and warns about common pitfalls like failing to directly link symptoms to medications. 

Michael Hein, MS, MD, MHCM, Associate Certified Coach (ACC), believes that when healthcare leaders don't fully understand complexity, it leads to burnout, turnover, and poor patient care—issues he considers preventable forms of human suffering. Healthcare is more complex than ever, and traditional top-down methods often exacerbate these challenges. Success today requires leaders who adapt, absorb uncertainty, and react quickly. For many, this means embracing new leadership mindsets. With over thirty years of experience in healthcare, Michael is Senior Vice President and an executive coach at MEDI Leadership, the top healthcare coaching firm in the US. Drawing from clinical and executive roles, he helps leaders make the mindset shifts needed for success in complexity.Previously, Michael was CEO of a nonmerger hospital network and Chief Medical Officer at Catholic Health Initiatives. He led transformations at the Veterans Health Administration and cofounded KPI Ninja, a healthcare data company.Michael holds degrees from the University of South Dakota, Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and St. Cloud State University. He is a certified executive coach through the International Coaching Federation, trained at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. His experience bridges frontline care and strategic leadership, coaching leaders to drive sustainable change in complex organizations.His book, Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy: Ten Unconventional Mindsets that HelpHealthcare Leaders Succeed in a Complex World, encourages a shift from outdated leadership mindsets to adaptive ones. A lifelong athlete, Michael enjoys cycling and swimming.Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Michael Hein, MS, MD, MHCM, Associate Certified Coach (ACC), believes that when healthcare leaders don't fully understand complexity, it leads to burnout, turnover, and poor patient care—issues he considers preventable forms of human suffering. Healthcare is more complex than ever, and traditional top-down methods often exacerbate these challenges. Success today requires leaders who adapt, absorb uncertainty, and react quickly. For many, this means embracing new leadership mindsets. With over thirty years of experience in healthcare, Michael is Senior Vice President and an executive coach at MEDI Leadership, the top healthcare coaching firm in the US. Drawing from clinical and executive roles, he helps leaders make the mindset shifts needed for success in complexity.Previously, Michael was CEO of a nonmerger hospital network and Chief Medical Officer at Catholic Health Initiatives. He led transformations at the Veterans Health Administration and cofounded KPI Ninja, a healthcare data company.Michael holds degrees from the University of South Dakota, Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and St. Cloud State University. He is a certified executive coach through the International Coaching Federation, trained at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. His experience bridges frontline care and strategic leadership, coaching leaders to drive sustainable change in complex organizations.His book, Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy: Ten Unconventional Mindsets that HelpHealthcare Leaders Succeed in a Complex World, encourages a shift from outdated leadership mindsets to adaptive ones. A lifelong athlete, Michael enjoys cycling and swimming.Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.

In this episode, we dive into the complex topic of Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and its role in VA disability claims. Veterans experiencing chronic back pain or spinal issues may be struggling with DDD, a condition that can significantly impact daily life and work. Whether you're a veteran filing a claim or an advocate assisting others, this episode offers clarity on diagnosis, compensation, and common challenges in the VA claims process.

In this episode, we're exploring aromatherapy - something that's getting serious scientific attention. When we inhale essential oils, scent molecules travel directly to our brain's emotional center, creating real neurochemical changes. The research is compelling. Johns Hopkins found that certain essential oils can kill Lyme bacteria better than antibiotics. And lavender has particularly strong evidence - multiple studies show that it genuinely improves sleep quality by increasing restorative delta brain waves. The Veterans Health Administration reviewed 26 systematic studies and found moderate evidence that aromatherapy helps with pain, sleep quality, and stress management.  That's why we're excited to welcome Amy Jump-Long. Amy is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Clinical Aromatherapist with 15 years of experience. She is the founder of the aromatherapy and wellness business, ReNurture Therapy, and the co-author of Scripture Scents: Essential Oils in the Bible, a book that explores the biblical roots and spiritual significance of essential oils.   KEY TAKEAWAYS 1.    How essential oils can help with anxiety and depression 2.    Myths that people believe re: essential oils 3.    How to spot the fakes 4.    Do's and don'ts when it comes to using essential oils 5.    A few must-have essential oils or blends that can replace our medicine cabinet 6.    Amy's five favorite oils and why 7.    The oils that are mentioned in the bible   è You can learn more about Amy's work and shop her essential oil collection, head to at https://renurturetherapy.com/  è If you'd like to enter for a chance to win 4 x 5ml bottles of essential oil blends, head to @RonandLisa on Instagram to the first pinned post. Follow the instructions there and be sure to enter by September 5th, 2025. è As always, friends, you can find those show notes at https://ronandlisa.com/podcast/. As always, we appreciate you! Be sure to leave a review or rating – five stars are always appreciated. And, if you're not already subscribed…now is a great time!

Dr. David Rakel Talks about the connection between good medicine and the Doctor-Patient connection Bio: David Rakel, MD is professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Rakel joined DFMCH faculty in 2001. He founded the integrative health program (now known as the Osher Center for Integrative Health at University of Wisconsin-Madison) and received the Gold Foundation's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, the school's highest honor for excellence and compassion in care. His team worked with more than 50 clinical systems within the Veterans Health Administration to implement changes to make care more personalized, proactive, and patient driven. An author of both academic and popular writings, one of Rakel's missions is to communicate medical information in a way that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. He has published eleven books, including the Textbook of Family Medicine, Current Therapy, and Integrative Medicine, as well as peer-reviewed research on the impact of measures such as mindfulness meditation and the power of the therapeutic encounter. His 2018 book The Compassionate Connection focuses on how compassionate relationships can influence health outcomes.  AGENDA:  1.             This podcast today is about good medicine being rooted in the doctor-patient connection. Let's start with your study on the common cold, including the unexpected twist, which makes me cry nearly every time I tell your story.  2.             Why is the patient-doctor connection so important? What is 'the clinician effect' and its non-specific influences on health?  3.             What does the research say about this? What research should we be seeking to understand and amplify this effect further?  4.             What is the bare minimum we need to recreate this in a patient-doctor visit today? What would the ideal scenario be? Talk to us about some innovations in primary care delivery.  5.             What are the examples in which you see this working well in the world today? What's happening in the Functional Medicine world? What's been the transformation that's happened in the VA? Where else?  6.             What advice to you give patients seeking to connect with their busy doctors? What advice to you give to clinicians, new & old, who yearn or ache for this but aren't sure how to make it happen?  7.             Let's end on an optimistic note- what are some truths and magic that you've seen come out of an intact patient-doctor connection? 

   COL(R) Steven Braverman, MD takes you through his extraordinary journey from military medicine to becoming the COO of the Veterans Health Administration. Driven by a desire to fund his education through the Army's HPSP scholarship independently, Dr. Braverman chose the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), inspired by his family's medical background and his passion for sports medicine. He shares his experiences at Walter Reed, his leadership roles, and the impact PM&R has on maintaining soldier readiness and addressing musculoskeletal issues. Learn how his deployments and crisis management experiences, including the Ebola vaccine trials and the Fort Hood shooting, have shaped his career.    Explore Dr. Braverman's insightful reflections on leadership, particularly in crisis situations. The episode delves into the complexities of leadership during the first human Ebola vaccine trial and a mass casualty event at a non-trauma center in Central Texas. He discusses the critical importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and the emotional readiness of staff in navigating such crises. Dr. Braverman's experiences underscore the necessity of effective resource allocation, decision-making, and the evolution of vaccine development within the military context, while highlighting broader behavioral health challenges and advancements in medical fields like prosthetics.      Discover the dynamic collaboration between the VA, DOD, and the private sector, particularly during national emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Braverman discusses initiatives to improve the transition process for soldiers moving from active duty to veteran care and emphasizes the importance of research efforts that focus on veterans' needs. The episode paints a vivid picture of career opportunities in military medicine, showcasing the diverse roles available for young providers and the financial benefits of medical school scholarships. Dr. Braverman reflects on his legacy, expressing pride in serving a noble mission and sharing his vision for a future prioritizing nimble, high-quality care for veterans. Chapters: (00:03) Military Medicine and PM&R Exploration (09:54) Leadership Challenges in Crisis Situations (23:11) Leadership Challenges in Crisis Response (34:43) Collaboration Between VA, DOD, and Community (42:52) National Defense and Veteran Care Collaboration (49:37) Research and Operations in Veterans Healthcare (01:00:27) Career Opportunities in Military Medicine   Chapter Summaries: (00:03) Military Medicine and PM&R Exploration  COL(R) Steven Braverman, MD, shares his journey into military medicine, specializing in PM&R and discussing his leadership roles and deployments.   (09:54) Leadership Challenges in Crisis Situations Military medical professional's career journey, crisis management, Ebola vaccine trial, repurposing resources, and advancements in military medicine.   (23:11) Leadership Challenges in Crisis Response Leadership challenges during a mass casualty event at a non-trauma center, including trust, resource allocation, and mental health needs.   (34:43) Collaboration Between VA, DOD, and Community Transition from military to civilian leadership in VA, collaboration with military and private sector, and VA's four missions.   (42:52) National Defense and Veteran Care Collaboration VA plays vital role in national emergencies, partners with DOD, improves transition process, and provides quality care.   (49:37) Research and Operations in Veterans Healthcare Collaboration between VA and DOD can improve healthcare for veterans by prioritizing research based on their needs.   (01:00:27) Career Opportunities in Military Medicine Dr. Braverman shares his experiences in Army medicine, highlighting leadership opportunities and financial benefits.   Take Home Messages: The Impact of Military Medicine: The episode highlights the critical role of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) in military medicine, particularly in maintaining soldier readiness and addressing musculoskeletal issues. This specialty supports the broader mission of military healthcare by ensuring soldiers are physically prepared for their duties. Leadership in Crisis Management: The podcast underscores the importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and emotional readiness in crisis management. The discussion includes insights into managing high-stakes situations, such as the Ebola vaccine trials and mass casualty events, emphasizing the need for effective resource allocation and decision-making. Collaboration Across Sectors: A key theme is the dynamic collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DOD), and the private sector, especially during national emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership is vital for improving healthcare accessibility and quality for veterans. Advancements in Veteran Care: The episode explores initiatives aimed at improving the transition process for soldiers moving from active duty to veteran care. It stresses the importance of research focused on veterans' needs and highlights the benefits of seamless care transitions to enhance veterans' healthcare experiences. Opportunities in Military Medicine: The podcast provides an insightful look into career opportunities in military and federal medicine. It encourages young medical professionals to consider these paths, highlighting diverse roles and the financial benefits of scholarships that allow for a debt-free medical education.   Episode Keywords: Military medicine, leadership in crisis, Dr. Steven Braverman, Veterans Health Administration, physical medicine and rehabilitation, PM&R, Walter Reed, soldier readiness, musculoskeletal issues, Ebola vaccine trial, Fort Hood shooting, crisis management, adaptability, strategic thinking, VA and DOD collaboration, veteran care, COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare innovation, prosthetics, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military to civilian transition, career opportunities in military medicine   Hashtags: #MilitaryMedicine #LeadershipInCrisis #VeteranCare #DrBraverman #CrisisManagement #VAandDODCollaboration #EbolaVaccineTrial #HealthcareInnovation #VeteransHealth #MilitaryToVA   Dr. Braverman Biography: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/VR/VR03/20250212/117866/HHRG-119-VR03-Bio-BravermanS-20250212.pdf   Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission is to honor the legacy, preserve the oral history, and showcase career opportunities, unique expeditionary experiences, and achievements of Military Medicine. We foster patriotism and pride in Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoD, and Our Nation.   Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm   WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield,demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms.     Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast

Democrats are attempting to secure full collective bargaining rights for federal health care employees. A new bill from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth would allow nurses, clinicians and other professionals at the Veterans Health Administration to negotiate with management over their workforce concerns. The bill has been introduced in the past. But this time around, Duckworth says the bill is especially important given the Trump administration's efforts to broadly cancel collective bargaining across agencies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textMeasles is making a comeback, and with it comes a heated debate on vaccine mandates, public health, and personal freedom. In this episode of CareTalk, Michael F. Cannon (Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute) joins hosts, David E. Williams and John Driscoll, to debate the challenges of balancing individual rights with public safety, why vaccine mandates can backfire, and how misinformation fuels the controversy. 

This podcast is brought to you by Outcomes Rocket, your exclusive healthcare marketing agency. Learn how to accelerate your growth by going to outcomesrocket.com Early intervention and personalized virtual care can dramatically reduce amputations for high-risk diabetes patients. In this episode, Dr. Jon Bloom, co-founder and CEO of Podimetrics, discusses the devastating impact of diabetic foot complications, which cost over $100 billion annually in the US and lead to high mortality rates. Podimetrics utilizes an FDA-cleared smart mat and a nursing team to monitor patients at home, enabling early detection and intervention to prevent ulcers and amputations. Dr. Bloom emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and social determinants of health alongside physical ailments. He also notes that Podimetrics works directly with payers like insurance companies and the Veterans Health Administration, showcasing the company's commitment to serving veterans and their families.  Tune in to see how Podimetrics helps patients manage risk and live on their own terms, even with chronic conditions! Resources:  Connect and follow Jon Bloom on LinkedIn. Learn more about Podimetrics on their LinkedIn and website. Fast Track Your Business Growth: Outcomes Rocket is a full service marketing agency focused on helping healthcare organizations like yours maximize your impact and accelerate growth. Learn more at outcomesrocket.com

President Trump says that his Cabinet secretaries are actually supposed to be the ones to make staffing decisions, not Elon Musk and his DOGE entity. Also, we hear from employees at the Veterans Health Administration about how they feel about DOGE emails asking them to spell out what they did last week. Plus, a look at where things stand on the treatment of Long COVID.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

In this conversation, Dr. Ryan Vega, Chief Health Officer for Vantiq, discusses the transformative role of AI in healthcare, the innovative capabilities of the Vantiq platform, and the importance of personalized healthcare solutions. He shares insights on the transition from the Veterans Health Administration to Vantiq, the use cases for their technology, and how generative AI is enhancing clinical decision-making. Dr. Vega emphasizes the need for transparency, safety, and effective orchestration of AI systems in healthcare, as well as the importance of collaboration with systems integrators and startups to drive innovation.In this episode , they discuss: Dr. Vega emphasizes the importance of workflow customization in healthcare.Vantiq's platform allows for low-code, no-code application development.Real-time orchestration of complex healthcare systems is crucial.Generative AI can significantly enhance clinical decision-making.Vantiq focuses on creating transparency and safety in AI workflows.The platform is designed to operate securely within healthcare environments.AI can augment human capabilities in critical care settings. A Little about Dr Ryan Vega: Dr. Ryan Vega serves as the Chief Health Officer for Vantiq and is the former Chief Innovation Officer for the Veterans Health Administration where he led enterprise innovation efforts across the largest integrated health system in the United States.His work has spanned large-scale digital modernization efforts, design and deployment of innovative care and payment models, and early design and development of healthcare software focused on improving health care delivery and experience for patients and providers.Dr. Vega also currently sits as the Physician in Residence for the Digital Medicine Society and holds academic appointments as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Administration at Georgetown University as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at George Washington University. He is the recipient of many awards for his work in healthcare innovation and has published numerous articles on the topic.

With cyberthreats on constant rise, Federal Leaders consider what role automation can play in managing cloud involvement and best practices to ensure their commitment to securing the nation's data.   This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore the role of AI, governance, and collaboration in strengthening security and improving capabilities and data security.  Joseph Ronzio, Deputy Chief Health Technology Officer, Veterans Health Administration, talks about the risks of blind patching and the benefits of a hybrid approach—combining automation with manual oversight.   Brian "Stretch" Meyer, Sr. Director of Engineering, Axonius Federal, sheds light on compliance challenges, the importance of visibility and control in cloud security, and the disconnect between regulations and engineering teams.   Tune in now on your favorite podcasting platform for actionable insights on modernizing federal cloud security.      

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

The Trump administration is attempting an attack on federal workers at every agency and is allowing Elon Musk access to sensitive data. Federal workers are organizing and fighting back. In less than two months, one federal worker union, AFGE, has gained over 16,000 new members compared to 7,400 new members in all of 2024. Clearing the FOG speaks with Suzanne Gordon of the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute about what is at stake and what workers are doing to resist efforts to force them out of their jobs. Gordon also explains why the Veterans Health Administration is a model of health care for the country and the work the VA does to benefit everyone. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Learn more about Level 1 Functional Pelvic Health Practitioner programGet certified in pelvic health from the OT lens hereGrab your free AOTA approved Pelvic Health CEU course here.More about my guest:Kathryn Ellis (she/her) is an international change agent for sex and intimacy conversations in healthcare settings. She is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy and an AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor. She received the American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Fellows Distinction in 2024. Kathryn is the founder of continuing education company, the Institute for Sex & Occupational Therapy and developed the first certification program within Occupational Therapy to enhance OTPs preparedness to address sex in all clinical practice settings. Through education and building community, her mission is to dismantle the restrictive norms related to sex that restrict discussions of sex in healthcare settings. She developed the United States' military's first Occupational Therapy Sexuality Clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical. She continues to educate on veteran sexual health through her work with the United States' Veterans Health Administration and the Ukrainian Olena Pinchuk Foundation.  She is the co-editor of textbook “Sexuality and Intimacy: An Occupational Therapy Approach” and the Amputee Coalition and Veterans Health Administration's workbook “Let's Talk About It: Your Sex and Intimacy Guide.”  Kathryn has a sex therapy private practice based in Delaware.Kathryn's website.Kathryn's AOTA Press textbookAmputee Coalition book____________________________________________________________________________________________Pelvic OTPs United - Lindsey's off-line interactive community for $39 a month! Inside Pelvic OTPs United you'll find:​ Weekly group mentoring calls with Lindsey. She's doing this exclusively inside this community. These aren't your boring old Zoom calls where she is a talking head. We interact, we coach, we learn from each other.​ Highly curated forums. The worst is when you post a question on FB just to have it drowned out with 10 other questions that follow it. So, she's got dedicated forums on different populations, different diagnosis, different topics (including business). Hop it, post your specific question, and get the expert advice you need. More info here. Lindsey would love support you in this quiet corner off social media!

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Dr. Christine Going, Senior Advisor in the Food Security Office at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They discuss the barriers that can prevent veterans from seeking support, what the Veterans Health Administration is doing to help those experiencing hunger, and the innovative partnerships the Office of Food Security is developing to advance their mission. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.