The American healthcare industry represents $4.5 trillion annually and accounts for nearly one-fifth of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Not only did I grow up the daughter of a doctor and social worker, but I am also the CEO of a medical center and university healthcare educator, having worked in the healthcare industry for nearly 20 years. In a weekly podcast, Working Healthcare, I will interview varied healthcare leaders with the goal of making you more aware, not angrier, by helping ...
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Ep. 50 - Peter Carbone Talks Rare Diseases: Exposing Gaps in Healthcare
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56:10Explore the hidden world of rare diseases in this in-studio interview with biotech veteran Peter Carbone. With passion and clarity, Peter explains how rare conditions—often affecting fewer than 200,000 people each—shine a spotlight on the cracks in our healthcare system. He unpacks why patients face years of misdiagnosis, endless referrals, and cos…
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Ep. 49 - Mark Craig Unpacks the Real Cost of Rural Hospital Closures
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58:02Tune in for a powerful conversation as Meredith Hirsh sits down with Mark Craig, Chief Executive of Write-Off Warrior and longtime revenue cycle expert turned national advocate. What began as a consulting career took a sharp turn when Mark watched his rural hospital clients shut their doors—not because of poor performance, but due to crippling unde…
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Ep. 48 - Mike Chavez on Mastering Connection and Reinventing Healthcare
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49:24Step into the studio with Meredith Hirsh for a candid, high-energy conversation with dynamic healthcare leader and master connector, Mike Chavez. to unpack what it really takes to lead—and thrive—in today’s complex medical landscape. At just 14, Mike learned the art of sales, and since then, he’s built national healthcare networks, launched game-ch…
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Ep. 47 - Justin Hand Unveils Insights on Healthcare's Private Equity Landscape
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1:00:24It’s been a few months since Meredith Hirsh sat down with Justin Hand, Founder and Managing Director of Westcove Partners, and after some thoughtful reflection and feedback from you all, we are finally ready to drop this interview—just in time for April 15th, Tax Day. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one! We’re diving deep into how healthcare …
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Ep. 46 - Unraveling the Funding Crisis: How NIH Cuts Threaten the Future of Healthcare with Amrie Grammer
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52:59Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down with NIH-trained Scientist-Entrepreneur Amrie Grammer to explore the alarming cuts to NIH funding and their profound implications for medical research and public health. With a staggering decline in grants impacting groundbreaking studies, Amrie sheds light on how these budget reductions threaten advancements in…
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Ep. 45 - Turning Struggles Into Success: Dr. Karleen Su's Journey to Empower Private Practice Physicians
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56:53Join Meredith Hirsh in a sit-down interview with Dr. Karleen Su, a passionate rheumatologist and advocate for private practice physicians. Karleen shares her transformative journey from struggling with burnout in the early years of her practice to becoming a powerful voice in the medical community. She opens up about the challenges of managing fina…
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Ep. 44 - Revolutionizing Healthcare: Dr. Warris Bokhari and AI-Powered Claimable
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1:00:40Explore this engaging episode of Working Healthcare as Meredith Hirsh interviews Dr. Warris Bokhari, CEO and Co-founder of Claimable. Warris shares his journey from anesthesiologist to innovator in healthcare technology, highlighting the differences between the NHS and the American healthcare system. He tackles the pressing challenges of insurance …
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Ep. 43 - Building Healthcare Equity with Dr. Jin Lee
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59:30Dive into this impactful episode with Dr. Jin Lee, a neuropsychologist and healthcare advocate, as she advocates for an urgent shift toward healthcare equity. Jin exposes how systemic biases in medical research and treatment impact anyone who is not a white male—especially women and marginalized communities. Dr. Lee highlights staggering facts: 70%…
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Ep. 42 - Exposing the Cracks: Clawbacks, Denials, and the State of Healthcare with Dr. Nathaniel Lowen and Tracy Walker
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1:00:01In this eye-opening episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh sits down for an in-studio interview with Dr. Nate Lowen and Tracy Walker to uncover the troubling realities of the American healthcare system. We delve into the controversial practices of insurance clawbacks—where insurers retroactively reclaim payments—and the widespread issue of e…
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Ep. 41 - Navigating Value-Based Care: Insights and Leadership from Eric Schwab
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58:16Join Meredith Hirsh in this inspiring episode of Working Healthcare to explore Eric Schwab’s journey into value-based care. As Chief Operating Officer of a large independent primary care group, Eric reveals the process of transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based care, highlighting both the benefits and the challenges. He tackles the contro…
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Ep. 40 - Chuck Melendi Unveils the Truth Behind Big Pharma
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56:41In this insightful episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh sits down with Chuck Melendi for his first interview since leaving Johnson & Johnson, offering a rare, insider perspective on the complex world of Big Pharma. Chuck’s 30 years' experience navigating pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology offers listeners a rare, insider p…
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Ep. 39 - Dawn Scranton Helps Healthcare Practices Access Better Financial Data, Faster!
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43:30Join Meredith Hirsh for a sit-down interview with Dawn Scranton, the Principal Owner of qbSolutioneers, about the future of healthcare finance—and it’s more exciting than it sounds! With over 30 years of experience, Dawn breaks down why so many medical practices still struggle with outdated financial systems, and how simple changes can improve ever…
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Ep. 38 - Who Should Lead Your Care? Dr. Rebekah Bernard Makes the Case for Physician-Led Healthcare
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59:35In this eye-opening episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh sits down with Dr. Rebekah Bernard, a passionate advocate for physician-led care, to challenge the growing trend of nurse practitioners and physician assistants taking the reins in primary care. Rebekah, author of Imposter Doctors and Patients at Risk, argues that the increasing reli…
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Ep. 37 - Breaking the Mold: Dr. Diana Barratt Redefines Neurology and Patient Care with Concierge Medicine
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43:49In this episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh speaks with Dr. Diana Barratt, a neurologist and sleep medicine expert who has embraced a non-traditional approach to patient care. Diana discusses her decision to opt out of Medicare and traditional insurance contracts, and the benefits of transitioning to a fee-for-service, concierge model. Wi…
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Ep. 36 - Dr. Kate Brazzale Defines Hospice and its Role in our Healthcare System
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50:58Join Meredith Hirsh for an in-studio interview with Dr. Kate Brazzale. As Chief Medical and Administrative Officer of the Hospice Division of Empath Health, Kate shares how she was drawn to hospice and palliative care. Discover how our American healthcare system manages seriously ill patients' symptoms and quality of life, known as palliative care.…
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Ep. 35 - Founders of Anatomy Finance Solve Healthcare’s Payment Posting Problem
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37:18Join Meredith Hirsh as she pulls back the curtain to expose the inner workings of healthcare’s billing world with Anatomy Finance founders Sasha and Callum King. Discover the burdensome revenue cycle management processes medical facilities confront. With Sasha’s bioengineering background and Callum’s business acumen, the Kings are a powerhouse coup…
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Ep. 34 - Vinay Patel Disrupts the PBM Industry
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54:27Join Meredith Hirsh and visionary pharmacist Vinay Patel as they uncover the complexity of healthcare’s mafia – the pharmacy benefit managers. An entrepreneur who founded MakoRx, Vinay shares how he is disrupting the PBM world. In this episode, Meredith and Vinay dissect the PBM system and the industry’s lucrative money-making schemes. Discover how…
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Ep. 33 - Executive Coach Nancy Proffitt Imparts Wisdom and Guidance for a Successful Year
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54:27Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down for an in-studio interview with her executive coach and inner-circle confidant Nancy Proffitt. Learn when to seek a therapist versus a coach and how the latter has impacted Meredith and The Hirsh Center over the past year. From Girl Scouts to CEO, discover why many top female executives were once a troop member.…
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Ep. 32 - Steffany Moonaz: a Yogi’s Guidance for the New Year
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44:19Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down with yoga therapist, health coach and research scientist Steffany Moonaz to discuss how to take better care of ourselves heading into the new year. Two-time author and Johns Hopkins trained PhD, Steffany shares what inspired her to incorporate yoga into her research. Learn more about yoga teachings and how to in…
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Ep. 31 - Dr. Marc Hirsh Examines Healthcare’s 2024 Triumphs and 2025’s Challenges
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54:49Meredith Hirsh interviews her #1 fan and a Working Healthcare podcast favorite, Dr. Marc Hirsh. In his second episode, the duo breaks down healthcare’s triumphs of 2024 and challenges for 2025. While health insurance is under increased visibility by the American public considering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, Dr. Hirsh shares his …
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Ep. 30 - Joe Goldstein Examines Cybersecurity and Technology’s Vulnerability within Healthcare
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49:52Meredith Hirsh sits down with best-selling author and cybersecurity expert Joe Goldstein. With over 30 years of IT experience, Joe shares insights into why patient health data is an enticing target for hackers and then offers tech basics for a healthcare organization to prevail. After discussing the initial goal of electronic health records, Joe gi…
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Ep. 27 - Maddie Loomis: Recruitment Insights When Hiring Millennial Providers
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51:56Meredith Hirsh interviews Maddie Loomis to provide a contrasting view to last week’s episode about how millennial physicians’ work-life balance impacts physician burnout. With the increasing physician shortage, Maddie provides tips on how to successfully recruit physicians and advanced practice providers. She shares insights on aligning with fresh-…
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Ep. 29 - Dr. Roger Duncan Champions Studying Math and Science to Open Opportunities
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55:09Join Meredith Hirsh in this straightforward Working Healthcare sit-down interview with physician hero Dr. Roger Duncan. An anesthesiologist whose parents promoted education and social justice shares how he contributes to our community. Roger is a champion for children living in low-income neighborhoods by encouraging education as a catalyst for suc…
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Ep. 28 - Dr. Jason Goldman Endeavors to Fix our American Healthcare System
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51:21Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down for an in-studio Working Healthcare interview with American College of Physicians President Elect Dr. Jason Goldman to discuss the necessary role of organized medical societies. Jason shares how he juggles his responsibilities providing patient care as the sole internist of his independent medical practice and h…
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Ep. 26 - Dr. Jefferson Vaughan: How the Millennial Physicians' Work-Life Balance Impacts Physician Burnout
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43:08Join Meredith Hirsh in this authentically no-holds-barred Working Healthcare studio interview with Dr. Jeff Vaughan about the generational differences in today’s physicians. A surgeon with 30 years’ hospital experience and a decorated Navy veteran, Jeff ultimately takes responsibility for the millennial generations’ expectations. Jeff shares his pe…
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Ep. 25 - How Can Physicians and Managers Gain the Others' Trust? Drs. Rebecca Callis, Kyle Harner and Craig Carson in a Panel Discussion
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1:00:37Meredith Hirsh moderates a physician panel at the National Organization of Rheumatology Management (NORM) annual conference. Drs. Rebecca Callis, Kyle Harner and Craig Carson each own their independent medical practice and share their unique pathway getting there. Meredith asks candid questions and the physicians respond with different perspectives…
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Ep. 24 - Loreen Wales: Is the Canadian Healthcare System a Model for the US?
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59:12Canadian healthcare leader Loreen Wales visits Meredith Hirsh in her Florida studio for a sit-down interview to discuss their two countries’ healthcare systems. Loreen provides insight into Canada’s universal public and private healthcare offerings. These two CEOs compare their countries’ healthcare options and examine if one is better than the oth…
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Ep. 23 - David Zetter Reveals the Art of Negotiating with Health Insurers
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49:40Meredith Hirsh interviews healthcare business expert and top health insurance negotiator David Zetter who shares how he found his way working in this $4.5 trillion a year sector. He divulges the possibility of negotiating with health insurers and which items are up for grabs. David then offers advice on how healthcare entities can get started in th…
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Ep. 22 - Wendell Potter: Health Insurance Insider Turned Activist
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48:46Meredith Hirsh begins by asking Wendell Potter to describe the executive-level positions he held at Humana and Cigna. Whistleblower, activist and best-selling author, Wendell sheds light on the insurance industry’s manipulative tactics. He then describes the grandiosity in which health insurance executives live and travel before he exposes strategi…
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Ep. 21 - Emily Graham: Creating Regulatory Change
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42:02In this episode, Meredith Hirsh takes a deep dive into regulatory changes within Medicare and our healthcare system. She interviews Emily Graham who works with a diverse range of medical organizations on complex challenges that impact the quality and delivery of healthcare. Emily clarifies the differences between regulatory and legislative issues. …
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Ep. 20 - Ethel Owen: History of NORM and 2024 Recap
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46:08Meredith Hirsh sits down with past president and one of NORM’s first attendees, Ethel Owen. Ethel provides insight into how CSRO and NORM were formed and the importance of joining similar types of healthcare advocacy organizations. She then shares data on NORM’s growth and its efforts to provide educational resources. Meredith and Ethel get honest …
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Ep. 19 - Matt Gracey: Detailing Medical Malpractice Insurance
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51:22Join Meredith Hirsh in the studio for a sit-down interview with Matt Gracey. Originally planning a career in law, Matt changed course and joined his family’s boutique insurance company. He delves into the nuances of medical malpractice and Florida’s unique structure. Learn from an insurance expert on required business insurances and best practices.…
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Ep. 18 - Jeremy Cohen Breaks Down Health, life and cyber insurance
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54:54Join Meredith Hirsh in the studio for an in-depth interview with Jeremy Cohen. Jeremy shares his industry knowledge of health, life and cyber insurance. With the average cost of health insurance increasing, learn what options are best. Jeremy reveals the employer’s responsibility if providing health insurance and provides insight into how employers…
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Ep. 17 - Stacey Busch Explains Health Insurance
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50:11Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down for a candid interview with Stacey Busch to dissect health insurance options. Discover the differences between Traditional Medicare and any Medicare Advantage plan. Stacey explains the difference between name brand, generic and biosimilar drugs so you can make an educated decision. Learn from a healthcare vetera…
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Ep. 16 - From Pharmacy to Public Health: Dr. Joshua Lenchus’s Journey and Insights
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51:01Join Meredith Hirsh in this episode of Working Healthcare as she dives deep with Dr. Joshua Lenchus, a pharmacist turned physician and now Medical Director at Aetna. Discover how his unique path—from community college to leading health systems—has shaped his approach to healthcare. Dr. Lenchus shares candid insights on the evolving roles in medicin…
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Ep. 15 - From Classroom to Capitol Hill: Navigating Healthcare with Brad Traverse
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44:03Meredith Hirsh sits down with Brad Traverse, a former high school teacher turned legislative aide, now a key player in healthcare policy in Washington, D.C. Discover how Brad transitioned from teaching English in Arizona to shaping healthcare policy on Capitol Hill. Learn about the inner workings of healthcare legislation, the importance of network…
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Ep. 14 - Navigating Employment Law in Healthcare: Insights from Attorney Adam Kemper
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48:20In this episode of Working Healthcare, host Meredith Hirsh dives into the complex world of employment law with guest Adam Kemper, a seasoned employment attorney with extensive experience in the healthcare sector. From understanding the implications of the EEOC, to tackling issues like social media boundaries, drug-free workplace policies, and the u…
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Ep. 13 - Behind the Scenes: A Candid Conversation with Dr. Marc Hirsh
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41:42In this special episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh flips the script and interviews Dr. Marc Hirsh, former Palm Beach County Medical Society president, Florida Medical Association PAC treasurer and practicing rheumatologist. Dr. Hirsh opens up about the challenges and intricacies of running a private practice, from the complexities of cod…
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Ep. 12 - From Cuba to Physician Leader: Dr. Martha Rodriguez's Story
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44:59In this episode of Working Healthcare, Meredith Hirsh sits down with Dr. Martha Rodriguez who shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Cuba during the Revolution to becoming a leading doctor in the U.S. Dr. Rodriguez opens up about the challenges she faced as an immigrant and foreign medical graduate, the ups and downs of running her own pra…
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Ep. 11 - Inside the Healthcare Maze: Expert Secrets with Jean Acevedo
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56:00Join Meredith Hirsh as she sits down with healthcare powerhouse Jean Acevedo in this electrifying episode of "Healthcare Navigators." Jean, a trailblazer in medical coding and billing, spills the secrets of surviving and thriving in the complex world of healthcare. From navigating Medicare madness to uncovering the realities of medical compliance, …
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Ep. 10 - Kevin Daley - Changing the Rules
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43:51Lobbyist Kevin Daley joins Working Healthcare to discuss his journey from page on the Illinois House floor to Vice President of State Government Affairs for Hart Health Strategies. Kevin reflects on his childhood when his grandmother helped drive change by fighting for seatbelt laws and how he grew up with parents who worked in politics. He discuss…
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Ep. 9 - Tamiko Yamatani – the Role of a Pharmacist and How to Make a Difference
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42:54Join Meredith in the studio for a sit-down interview with pharmacist Tamiko Yamatani. Onsite at The Hirsh Center to launch a medically integrated dispensing pharmacy, Tamiko took some time to share her insights into pharmacists’ challenges and her quest to make a difference. She walks us through her career and her different experiences working in r…
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Ep. 8 - Dr. Kenneth Homer: Final in 3-Part Series on How Doctors Help Patients Outside of the Exam Room
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53:06Join Meredith in the studio for a sit-down interview with Senior Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Kenneth Homer. As an internal medicine physician who has practiced primary care, reigned as a chief medical officer, instructed residents and medical students and directed physician advisor…
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Ep. 7 - Dr. Jim Goldenberg: Part 2 of 3 on How Doctors Help Patients Outside of the Exam Room
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41:39Join Meredith for a sit-down studio interview with Dr. Jim Goldenberg. Before moving into healthcare management full-time, Dr. Goldenberg practiced neurology for 25 years. Dr. Goldenberg takes us on his journey of practicing neurology. He gets real on why it is important to be involved in medical societies on a local, state or national level. With …
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Ep. 6 - Dr. Madelaine Feldman: Part 1 of 3 on How Doctors Help Patients Outside of the Exam Room
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53:10Join Meredith in the studio for an interview with Dr. Madelaine Feldman, an independent rheumatologist, immediate past president of CSRO and multiple accolade recipient for patient advocacy. Dr. “Mattie” reveals why she chose to become a rheumatologist after earning a theater degree. She walks us through why medications are so expensive and how tha…
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Ep. 5 - Alerie Stiles: Demystifying Pharmacy Benefit Managers
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46:35Unravel the complexities of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Alerie Stiles on Working Healthcare. Meredith Hirsh and Alerie delve into the pharmaceutical industry's intricate landscape, from Alerie’s transition from TSI Healthcare to House RX to the challenges of integrating dispensing pharmacies in medical practices. Learn how innovative tech…
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Ep. 4 - Todd Blum: Scaling Success in Independent Medical Practices
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38:46Meredith Hirsh converses with Todd Blum, CEO of ENT Allergy Associates of Florida, in this insightful episode of Working Healthcare. Todd reveals his journey from regional VP to leading a thriving 105-physician practice. Gain valuable insights on maintaining independence in medical practices, fostering internal growth, and mastering managed care co…
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Ep. 3 - Chris Clark: Mastering the Intersection of Politics and Medicine
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42:00Dive into the dynamic world of healthcare policy with Chris Clark, CEO of the Florida Medical Association, on this episode of Working Healthcare. Meredith Hirsh and Chris discuss his extensive career in legislative and political spheres, tackling pressing issues like physician shortages, residency challenges, and the vital importance of political a…
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Ep. 2 - Kelly Skidmore: Championing Healthcare from the Inside Out
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45:18Join Meredith Hirsh on Working Healthcare as she sits down with Kelly Skidmore, a dedicated advocate, CEO of Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, and a House of Representatives member in the Florida legislature. Kelly shares her personal journey with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, providing a unique perspective on healthcare policies in Flor…
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Ep. 1 - Julie Baak: Successfully Conquering Big Insurance
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42:04
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42:04Join Meredith in the studio for an interview with Julie Baak. Julie is the practice manager at Arthritis Center in Saint Louis. Julie talks about how she got into the healthcare world and how her experience navigating the Missouri educational system gave her the needed experience to steer change within healthcare. Julie discusses the hurdles enforc…
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