Turn on the Lights Podcast

Supporting maternal health is vital for promoting social justice in the health care system. In this episode, Neel Shah discusses the neglect of women's and family health in the US health care system and highlights the high cost of childbirth in America and the financial distress it causes for many families. He emphasizes the importance of understanding health care costs for ensuring equitable access to quality care and touches on his venture, March for Moms, an advocacy organization that supports maternal health and promotes inclusivity in health care. Tune in and learn how you can support maternal health and advocate for a more inclusive health care system! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private equity's acquisition of health care facilities prioritizes profits over patient care, raising concerns about health care standards. In this episode, Rosemary Batt, the Alice Hanson Cook Professor of Women and Work at Cornell University's ILR School, delves into the concerning influence of private equity in the health care sector, particularly its impact on patient care, worker conditions, and financial stability. She discusses how private equity firms, driven by profit motives, are acquiring health care facilities, leading to potential risks such as increased health care costs and poorer patient outcomes. Tune in and learn how we can work towards better protecting patient care, health care sustainability, and worker rights in the face of private equity's growing influence! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tailored patient engagement isn't merely about courtesy; it's a strategic necessity for fostering trust and enhancing health care results. In this episode, Rich Baron, President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine, discusses the critical role of personalized care, patient-doctor interactions, and the challenges health care systems face in implementing practices conducive to building trust. He also shares his insights on the importance of recognizing each individual at a personal level, which can be as simple as correctly pronouncing a patient's name or keeping up with their significant life events. With engaging discussion on professional education, medical debt, and the intentional efforts to discredit medical expertise, this is an episode that you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nurses, representing 60% of the health care workforce, are the primary providers of 90% of essential health services, highlighting their vital role in health care. In this episode, Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, and Deb Zimmermann, CEO of The DAISY Foundation, shed light on the critical role nurses play in health care and how to properly recognize it. They discuss the challenges nurses face and explain why The DAISY Award honors nurses' extraordinary care through patient and family nominations, recognizing their compassionate care, validating their career paths, and serving as a morale booster, crucial for combating nursing shortages and fatigue. Tune in and learn how recognizing nurses' contributions can uplift the health care workforce and improve patient care! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medical education is evolving towards a tech-driven, holistic approach, forging a skilled and patient-focused health care workforce. In this episode, Vineet Arora discusses the importance of providing medical trainees with a top-notch learning environment to enhance the quality and safety of patient care. She provides insights into the dynamic landscape of medical education, the U.S. doctor-training process, residency structures, and the impact of duty hours, emphasizing workforce challenges, particularly in primary care, and discussing opportunities for reform and adaptation to evolving healthcare needs. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the future health care workforce! Resources: Connect with and follow Vineet Arora on LinkedIn. Follow the Pritzker School of Medicine on LinkedIn. Explore the Pritzker School of Medicine Website! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Safety net hospitals like Parkland are pioneering innovative solutions to improve healthcare accessibility. In this episode, Fred Cerise talks about safety net hospitals, their role in serving under-resourced communities, the challenges they face, and innovative programs implemented to improve patient outcomes. He discusses integrated safety net systems, reimbursement challenges, and the impact of private equity in healthcare, addressing issues like Texas' high uninsured rate and the crisis of trust within healthcare institutions. Tune in to explore the role of safety net hospitals and innovative healthcare approaches with Fred Cerise! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acquisitions increase the demand for physician practices to optimize cash flow, impacting both medical expenses and service provision. In this episode, Zirui Song, Associate Professor of Health Care Policy and Medicine, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, discusses private equity's role in health care and what it means for physicians, hospitals, and the patients they serve. He brings to the table insights on the impact of debt-financed acquisitions on health care practices, cost structures, and the troubling rise in hospital-acquired conditions. Tune in to the heart of these critical issues in our health care system and stay for an enlightening conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preservation of the scientific community's integrity is vital for regaining public trust in medicine. In this episode, Professor Lewis Grossman delves into America's historical relationship with healthcare, highlighting how trust in the medical establishment has fluctuated over time. He emphasizes the importance of balancing individual choice with scientific rigor, particularly in the context of alternative medicines and clinical trials, while also addressing societal factors that influence trust, including political events and the concentration of wealth in healthcare. Tune in to gain insights into restoring trust in medicine and ensuring access to the best possible care for all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The existing healthcare system falls short for those with IDD. In this episode, Mai Pham talks about the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the existing healthcare system. She emphasizes the flaws in the current healthcare system for the 16 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, discussing the Institute for Exceptional Care's collaborative efforts and advocating for urgent systemic changes and increased primary care investment to create a more inclusive healthcare model for IDD individuals. Tune in to learn more about IEC's groundbreaking initiatives to challenge the status quo and champion a brighter future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is an urgent need for breakthroughs in the American health care system to tackle its fragmentation. In this episode, Kathleen Noonan discusses her efforts to improve health care for individuals with complex medical and social needs, emphasizing the fragmentation of the health care system and the pivotal role of community health workers. She further explores the results of a randomized control trial conducted by the coalition, highlighting mixed outcomes and calling for stronger collaborations between community-based organizations and health systems to address systemic issues in American health care. Tune in to learn about Camden Coalition's commitment to disrupting the status quo and providing personalized care for complex medical and social needs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine a unique governance structure that safeguards its mission against the volatile tides of the market. In this episode, Dan Liljenquist, the board chair of Civica Rx, joins Kedar and Don to shed light on Civica's remarkable mission of making essential generic medications both accessible and affordable to patients across the nation. Dan shares how Civica Rx has already had a profound impact, with over 125 million units of essential medicines supplied to over 1500 U.S. hospitals, and is changing the game in terms of pricing, shortages, and market stability. He explains the ethics behind Civica Rx, the non-profit model ensuring the organization's governance and its steadfast commitment to transparency in pricing, aiming at a fair, sustainable market price for all. Dan also discusses the potential expansion of this model into other areas of healthcare, the challenges posed by monopolies in the drug supply, and how Civica Rx is using its leverage to address systemic issues and stabilize a market fraught with abuse and failure. Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into Civica’s revolutionary model aiming to ensure drug availability and pricing stability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s explore initiatives committed to enriching distressed communities and the collaborative spirit that brings multiple institutions together. In this episode, David Zuckerman, president and founder of Healthcare Anchor Network, talks about the transformative power that health care institutions have to uplift and stabilize communities by becoming anchors of social justice and economic growth. He discusses how health systems can extend their influence beyond the walls of medicine and into the foundation of community health and socioeconomic development. After sharing insights from his personal journey in social justice, David elucidates why he believes in health care's power to bring systemic change. He delves deep into the concept of anchor missions and how they tackle various challenges, from sustainability to workforce shortages, and touches on the pivotal role of executive-level champions, best practices for investment strategies, and the potential for expanding these principles to for-profit entities and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that offers practical solutions for leveraging health care's role in societal transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine a tax-funded health care system, a source of national pride, providing universal coverage and free health care to 54 million people. In this podcast interview, Stephanie Willding, CEO of CommunityHealth, shares her urgent calling to offer free health care services to individuals who are unfunded or lack health insurance. Stephanie emphasizes the effectiveness of their initiative, highlighting its transformative impact on individuals receiving cost-free, high-quality care. She explores the role of volunteers, featuring inspiring stories of dedicated health care professionals. Throughout this conversation, Don and Kedar ask Stephanie about the scalability of the free clinic model in response to the evolving healthcare landscape, while her optimism shines through as she envisions a future with universal access to affordable healthcare, challenging conventional notions and advocating for a system rooted in accessibility and compassion. Get ready for an insightful discussion on the importance of giving without expecting to receive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine a tax-funded health care system, a source of national pride, offering universal coverage and free health care to 54 million people. In this episode, Helen Bevan, Strategic Adviser for the National Health Service Horizons in England sheds light on the incredible work happening within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Helen shares the concept of task shifting, where certain procedures and responsibilities are being moved from one profession to another within the health care system. She highlights the positive outcomes and better utilization of resources that can be achieved when nurses are well-trained to perform certain procedures under the supervision of doctors. Helen delves into the implementation of integrated care systems by the NHS in the UK. These systems aim to provide care closer to people's homes, support self-care, and bridge the gap between health care and social care. She is working on self-referral systems in health care. Currently, people need to go through a GP for certain services, but Helen believes patients should be able to directly access services they know they need. This empowers patients to make their own health care decisions. Get ready for an insightful discussion on the future of health care and the importance of solidarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enhancing patient care requires healthcare professionals to better understand their patients' perspectives. In this episode, Goran Henriks delves into the importance of understanding others' perspectives and how they relate to effective teamwork in various fields, including healthcare. Goran draws interesting parallels between coaching in sports and healthcare and emphasizes the need for physicians to truly understand their patients' views, just as coaches need to understand their players' perspectives. Tune in on this enlightening journey, and gain valuable insights into the world of healthcare, coaching, and the pursuit of excellence in serving others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The healthcare sector can set a powerful example for other sectors by going green. In this episode, Gary Cohen, President, and Co-Founder, of Health Care Without Harm delves into the eye-opening world of toxic chemicals and their impact on our health and discusses the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change within the healthcare sector. He examines the effects of mercury and dioxin on children, unveiling their sources and healthcare providers' advocacy for greener practices, emphasizing clinicians' role in fostering a sustainable healthcare system through emission reduction and energy efficiency. We invite you to tune in to this enlightening episode and contemplate the actions needed to protect everyone’s health and secure a sustainable future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The healthcare experience needs to be redesigned for a more inclusive future. In this episode, Kyle Christiason shares insightful stories and perspectives on the challenges faced by transgender individuals in healthcare and advocates for transgender-inclusive care. Don't miss this episode on improving healthcare experiences and creating a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system for LGBTQ individuals! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a big healthcare literacy gap in healthcare the industry should focus on bridging. In this episode, Lisa Fitzpatrick talks about her work addressing healthcare comprehension and accessibility issues, particularly among underserved communities. She addresses the emotional toll of health information misunderstanding, emphasizes her initiatives to bridge healthcare gaps, and stresses the need for empathy, patient engagement, and community-driven change. Tune in to learn some strategies for making healthcare information more relatable and understandable! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States needs to tackle a big issue surrounding the soaring price of prescription medicine. In this episode, Aaron Kesselheim talks about the high cost of prescription medicine in the United States and the various factors contributing to this issue. He discusses the financial struggles of Americans due to increased medicine costs, delves into the reasons behind these prices, and explores recent legislative changes to address the issue. Tune in to learn how the US can unravel the puzzle of high prescription medicine costs! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can US Healthcare address a problem as big as medical debt? In this episode, Noam Levey shares his perspective on healthcare issues, focusing on medical debt. He covers patient-centered reporting, medical debt's impact, global healthcare complexities, insurance models, deductible effects, solutions, bipartisan potential, and the future of American healthcare. Tune in to learn from Noam Levy about medical debt’s toll on American health! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A health system transformation that prioritizes formerly incarcerated individuals can provide valuable lessons for the broader healthcare world. In this episode, Emily Wang talks about the health and healthcare of individuals who have been incarcerated and the implications it has for the wider system. She discusses health issues among incarcerated individuals in the US within correctional facilities, better continuity of care during reintegration, and systemic changes to address disparities through enhanced access and programs like the Transition Clinics Network and Medicaid coverage. Listen to this episode and learn about the health needs of prisoners and use their experiences to drive broader healthcare system reforms! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s examine health insurance, coverage gaps, and the role of Medicare Advantage in the future of healthcare. In this episode, Sachin Jain talks about the state of healthcare, insurance, and the Medicare Advantage program. He explores SCAN's journey to Medicare Advantage, highlighting benefits and concerns while emphasizing the need for improved regulation, ethical leadership, and addressing healthcare professionals’ burnout, expressing optimism for positive change. Tune in to learn more about the complexities of balancing costs and quality in healthcare! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medical debt impacts health directly, and this company is helping millions of people by relieving it. In this episode, Allison Sesso talks about medical debt, its prevalence and impact, and how RIP Medical Debt works to bring relief to all the parties involved. She also discusses improving hospital financial assistance policies, addressing medical debt as a national issue, and supporting actions from leaders to implement systemic changes. Tune in to learn about RIP Medical Debt’s approach to relieving an issue impacting health nationwide! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Income should not be a life-or-death factor regarding people receiving the care they deserve. In this episode, Elaine Batchlor discusses health inequities and the challenges of providing healthcare to low-income communities. Elaine explains the roots of the problem and why she believes in funding community-based care and public health policymaking to provide high-quality and safe care to low-income communities. Learn about how Elaine works daily to provide healthcare to low-income communities and change the system for the better! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is America’s Healthcare System the best in the world? In this episode, Jason Leitch shares insights into how the Scottish health and care systems work, drawing comparisons with American healthcare. He also discusses how health systems around the world have many lessons to learn and share. Tune in to learn about the Scottish Health System and what we can take from it! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does more healthcare mean better care? In this episode, Vikas Saini discusses overuse in healthcare, which consists of unnecessary services that cost resources to the system and its users. He also highlights the importance of providing a space for providers to build a trusting relationship with their patients. He explains how this results in more efficient care, less overuse, and better outcomes. Tune in and learn more about how healthcare can benefit from a quality approach more than a quantity one! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Humanity has a historic opportunity to eliminate a terrible disease: Hepatitis C. In this episode, Francis Collins talks about the importance of the fight against Hepatitis C and the significance of the Human Genome Project. He also shares his thoughts on leadership, healthcare policymaking, and the potential of AI, highlighting the integration of science, truth, trust, and faith as cornerstones in his career. Tune in to this episode and strengthen your trust in the science behind the fight against Hepatitis C! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How accountable are we when it comes to injuries made by medical errors? In this episode, Sue Sheridan shares how, ever since going through family tragedies caused by medical errors twice, she’s worked to improve and ensure patient safety across the United States. Sue seeks to democratize patient safety by highlighting transparency, illustrating the magnitude of the problem, and using input from the patient community when coming up with changes or solutions. Tune in to learn more about the importance of patient safety and the actions being taken to bring it to the forefront! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Get up, it’s time to vote! In this episode, Alister Martin talks about how registering patients to vote can result in better outcomes. He also discusses Vot-ER and A Healthier Democracy, platforms from which he is leading action addressing health issues related to social and political determinants of health. Tune in to learn how politics influence the care that patients receive and why being registered to vote is the key to better outcomes! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now is the best moment to do something about medical debt. In this episode, Berneta Haynes talks about medical debt, who is affected by it, why it’s a massive issue in the United States, and what actions can be taken to start solving this problem. She explains the racial aspect of the problem, analyses its cyclical nature, and breaks down the policy changes needed to reduce debt and expand the support umbrella across the country. Tune in to learn more about the issue of medical debt and how to tackle it best! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Changing primary care is the first step to fixing the healthcare industry. Rushika Fernandopulle discusses fixing the American healthcare system in this episode, starting with reimagining the primary care delivery and business models. Rushika shares his journey of changing primary care and explains how the proposed model reduces costs for everyone and produces good health outcomes and patient experiences. Tune in to learn how healthcare can benefit from a relationship-based primary care model that actually takes care of its patients! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Turn on the Lights! Kedar Mate and Don Berwick introduce the Turn on the Lights podcast, where they help anyone understand the thorniest problems and discuss the most innovative solutions in healthcare. Tune in to this new podcast that puts a spotlight on ways to improve the US healthcare system! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this teaser episode, hosts Don Berwick and Kedar Mate introduce themselves and their roles within the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). They explain how Turn on the Lights is a thought-provoking podcast that will explore how the US healthcare system is working and not working. The podcast will feature candid conversations with healthcare workers, patients, innovators, activists, and researchers who share practical solutions and personal stories to improve healthcare delivery, equity, and quality. Topics discussed in the podcast will include improving health and healthcare delivery, health equity and quality, and social justice. The hosts encourage listeners to join the conversation and become part of the movement to improve health care worldwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices