Healthcare Insights
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Timely and relevant discussions about professional and public healthcare in our 17-county region of northwest North Carolina. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of the institution or its affiliates.
Episodes
- H.I. Ep. 152 - Michelle Curtin, DO - Autism Update from the Clinic
In Healthcare Insights Ep. 152, Dr. Michelle Curtin, an educator in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, shares insights on treatment approaches and advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Curtin is also an Associate Professor at Wake Fo…
- H.I. Ep. 151 - Joshua Resnikoff: Filling Gaps in Health Insurance
Joshua Resnikoff discusses the diagnostic odyssey for families with rare conditions, highlighting system inefficiencies and the potential of AI and genomics to shorten diagnosis times. He also explains Sunstone Health's employer-based, out…
- H.I. Ep. 150 - Peter Basica: Smarter Care with AI and Remote Monitoring
Peter Basica discusses challenges in the U.S. healthcare system, including trust, adherence, and costs. The episode examines how digital therapies, AI, and remote monitoring can enhance patient behavior and outcomes, potentially transformi…
- H.I Ep. 149 - Benjamin Knight Fuchs, RPh - Nutrition, Gut Health, and the Cellular Path to Thriving
In Healthcare Insights Ep. 149, pharmacist and nutritionist Ben Fuchs shares insights on an integrative approach to health, focusing on nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle for cellular thriving. The discussion covers the gut-skin-brain ax…
- H.I. Ep. 148 - Paula Yost, JD: ACE Scores, Maternal and Child Health, Emotional Maturity, and Law
In H.I. Ep. 148, Paula Yost, an attorney and author, shares insights on ACE scores, maternal and child health, and emotional maturity. She discusses navigating broken systems from her experience in legal, healthcare, and mental health fiel…
- H.I. Ep. 147 - Dr. Nelva Lee: Practical Reforms for Education, Health, and Work
Dr. Nelva Lee shares practical, leadership‑driven solutions to improve education, healthcare access, and workforce readiness. Dr. Lee emphasizes early literacy, ending social promotion without proficiency, and expanding vocational certific…
- H.I. Ep. 146 – Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), DFSVS, MAMSE
Dr. Freischlag returns to the podcast to reflect on her illustrious career spanning 5 decades. She shares stories and insights from her roles as a vascular surgeon, educator, leader of major healthcare systems, and her role as an ambassado…
- H.I. Ep. 145 - Raymond Lavine: Investing in Long Term Care Plans
Extended Benefits Adviser, author of "Emapthy and Understanding in Business," and host of the "Planning with Purpose" podcast, Raymond Lavine shares his insights for choosing a policy for long term care plan insurance. Read more about Raym…
- H.I. Ep. 144 - Sarah Matt, MD: Reimagining Care Delivery: Scaling Health Beyond Geography
Former surgeon, practicing physician , technologist, and author Sarah Matt discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare access, emphasizing the importance of her “five pillars”—geography, financial, digital, knowledge and trust, and cult…
- H.I. Ep. 143 - Jada B Charley: Maternal Support and Life Skills for At-Risk Girls and Women
Jada B. Charley, CEO of Crittenton of North Carolina, joins us for an in‑depth look at the organization’s long-standing mission to support pregnant women, young mothers, and youth in foster care. Charley shares her journey into nonprofit l…
- H.I. Ep. 142 - Jodi Scott: What Does 9/11, the Covid Pandemic, and Afghanistan have to do with Skin Care?
Jodi Scott, Co-founder of Green Goo, shares insights from her journey from pre‑med and psychoneuroimmunology to founding a plant‑based first‑aid and body care company built on botanical science and sustainable practices. We explore the dev…
- H.I. Ep. 141 - Dr. Chris Werness: From Stage 4 Cancer to Super Human
Dr. Chris Werness is a Chiropractic Physician, Author and Human Performance Consultant. He has been in practice over 27 years, helping patients recover from injuries, gain postural improvement and functional strength. He is the founder and…
- H.I. Ep. 140 - Galen Karlan-Mason: Food Choices for a Healthier Planet
Galen Karlan-Mason, MBA is the CEO and founder of GreenChoice, a company with a mission to end the health epidemic, with food as the key to health and the wellbeing of our planet. Galen shares insights on how GreenChoice is providing produ…
- H.I. Ep. 139 - Cara Lockwood: Beating Breast Cancer with Humor
Accomplished romance author Cara Lockwood joins us to share her story and insights from her battle with breast cancer. From diagnosis, to contemplating esacpe, through treatment, and now thriving, Cara brings levity and motivational pep ta…
- H.I. Ep. 138 - Theresa Lyons, MS, MS, PhD: Helping Parents Navigate Autism
Dr. Teresa Lyons, a scientist, educator, and autism advocate, to discusses the evolving landscape of autism care. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, Dr. Lyons explores the intersection of science, intuition, and a…
- H.I. Ep. 137 - Dr. Kate Lund: Resilience
Dr. Kate Lund, clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, and author shares her personal journey of overcoming childhood medical challenges and explores how resilience is more than just bouncing back—it’s a lifestyle built on self-awareness, sup…
- H.I. Ep. 136 - Cydian Kauffman: What's in your water?
Water quality expert Cydian Kauffman explores the critical connections between water safety and health. Drawing on real-world experience and technical knowledge, Cydian unpacks the complexities of municipal and well water systems, revealin…
- H.I. Ep. 135 - Neal K Shah: Insured to Death - Countering Insurance Claim Denials using AI
Discover the urgent realities and innovative solutions at the intersection of healthcare, insurance, and technology in this compelling episode of Healthcare Insights at Northwest North Carolina. Host Andrew Brewer welcomes Neil K. Shah—CEO…
- H.I. Ep. 134 - Dr. George Ibrahim: H.I. Ep. 134 - Dr. George Ibrahim: Hormones, Aging, and Evidence: Rethinking Wellness
Dr. George Ibrahim, founder of Biltmore Restorative Medicine and Aesthetics challenges conventional wisdom about hormones, aging, and wellness. Drawing on decades of experience as a surgeon and urologist, Dr. Ibrahim explores the science a…
- H.I. Ep. 133 - John Boswell, JD: Beggars to Bosses - Empowering Impoverished Youth
Discover the transformative power of empowerment in this episode as host Andrew Brewer sits down with John Boswell, Chief Operating Officer of Zoe Empowers. Learn how Zoe Empowers is revolutionizing charitable work by guiding orphaned and…
- H.I. Ep. 132 - Amber Nelms, BCBA: Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism
Discover the transformative power of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Join Amber Nelms, founder and CEO of Triangle ABA, as she shares her personal journey from parent to board-certified behavior analyst and business leader. Amber reveals…
- H.I. Ep. 131 - Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD - sun, psoriasis, and medication adherence
Our guest is a dermatologists who sees patients and does research at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, one who is internationally recognized for his work in dermatology, particularly in psoriasis and on how we…
- H.I. Ep. 130 - Dr. Kevin Tracey on Vagus Stimulation and Autoimmune Healing
Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, President and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research joins the podcasts to share his insights on the groundbreaking role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation and its implications for autoimmune d…
- H.I. Ep. 129 - Michael Morris, MD, MS: Treating cancer patients with radiopharmaceutical therapy
Dr. Morris has been treating cancer patients with radiopharmaceutical therapy for nearly ten years. He discusses this approach to personalized care for certain types of cancer, nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, and clinical informati…
- H.I. Ep. 128 - Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu: Skin, Skin Care, Aging, and Immunity
Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu is an immunologist and molecular medicine expert, and the Chief Scientific Officer and CEO of Aveseena. Dr. Karpuzoglu discusses "inflammaging," a condition where inflammation and premature aging occur simultaneously, t…
- H.I. Ep. 127 - Engaging Homeless Clients in Need
A conversation about engaging clients in need - with Karen Russell and Alice Horton of Burke United Christian Ministry providing services to the homeless in Burke County, North Carolina. This is of special interest to Peer Support Speciali…
- H.I. Ep. 126 - Gretchen Hoyle, MD - Addressing mental health with collaborative care model
Dr. Hoyle returns to provide a post-launch update of implementing a collaborative care management model in primary care practice in a large health system. The collaborative model provides continuity of care for chronic conditions such as A…
- H.I. Ep. 125 - Gerri Ashe - Serving the uninsured, homeless, and unsheltered
Gerri Ashe is a Diabetes and Health Education Specialist with Access East HealthAssist Program at ECU Health in Greenville, NC. Gerri shares stories, approaches, and insights from her 17 years as a community health worker working in a free…
- H.I. Ep. 124 - Realities of ground level support for the unsheltered in Burke County, NC
Alice Horton, Executive Director and Karen Russell, Director of the HOPE Center at Burke County Christian Ministries in Morganton, NC. They give a first hand account of the needs and issues facing those experiencing homelessness and the bo…
- H.I. Ep. 123 - Tamar Blue - Support Groups for Mental Health
Tamar Blue is Y Combinator Alum, founder and CEO of MentalHappy. Her passion for formulating mental health solutions began in high school when she started a peer support organization and now heads up a company providing online support grou…
- H.I. Ep. 122 - Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH - The Intersections of Public Health and Health Care
Dr. Evans is the CEO and co-founder of Wellness and Equity Alliance, a national alliance of public health clinicians and supporting operations committed to transforming health care delivery to vulnerable communities. He is an experienced a…
- H.I. Ep. 121 - Thomas Reid: Performance Based Communication
Thomas is a business communication consultant, coach, entrepreneur, and author of the book TASK: Performance Based Communication. He shares insights and tactics to communication effectively, to understand, and to generate positive outcomes…
- H.I. Ep. 120 - Ronny Bell, PhD, MS - Health disparities in American Indian populations
Ronny Bell, PhD, MS, is chair of the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy and the Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor. His research focuses on health disparities in cancer as well as a concentration in chronic disease dispariti…
- H.I. Ep. 119 - Barbara L. Nye, MD - Headache Treatment, Research, and Advocacy
Barbara L. Nye MD is a Board-Certified Neurologist, UCNS Board Certified Headache subspecialist. She is the Director of the Headache Fellowship at Atrium Health – Wake Forest Baptist and Associate Professor of Neurology at Wake Forest Scho…
- H.I. Ep. 118 - Andrew Smiler, PhD - Men's Health and Identity in the Modern World
Dr. Smiler returns to the podcast to discuss men's health, challenges men and boys are facing in the modern era, and what it means to be a man in America in the 21st Century. Learn more about Dr. Smiler at https://andrewsmiler.com/
- H.I. Ep. 117 - Mark Newman - Building a Better Healthcare System
Mark is the CEO and co-founder of Nomi Health, a company with a mission to fix healthcare by building better system from the ground up. Mark shares his experience as an entrepreneur and as a healthcare consumer, and provides insights into…
- H.I. Ep. 116 - Rebecca Wells, MD, MPH - Migraine Headache and the Mind-Body Connection
Dr. Wells is a professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Director of the Comprehensive Headache Program at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. She shares what she has learned in over 20 years of patient care an…
- H.I. Ep. 115 - Crystal Norman - Realities of Long Term Care
Crystal Norman is the Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman at Piedmont Triad Regional Council. She shares her experience and knowledge about navigating the realities of skilled nursing, assisted living, and long term care in our area. More ab…
- H.I. Ep. 114 - April Cook, CEO North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
April is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She shares her insights of providing care to the uninsured population in North Carolina and the challenges of providing care in the 65 c…
- H.I.. Ep. 113 - Amol Joshi, PhD - The Importance of Dreaming Big
Amol Joshi, researcher, educator, engineer, technology innovator, joins the podcast for a far ranging conversation about technology, innovation, education, artificial intelligence, and dreaming big. He shares his experience working with st…
- H.I. Ep. 112 - Michael D. Shapiro, DO - Preventive Cardiology
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Dr. Shapiro joins us to discuss the increase in cardiovascular disease mortality, the primary causes and risk factors associated with CVD, common treatment approaches, a…
- H.I. Ep. 111 - Summer McGee - Health Leadership at America's Oldest Women's College
Summer McGee, President of Salem Academy and College, returns to the podcast to give an update of progress since her arrival as President of the institution. Summer shares her insights and experience on a variety of topics including: - How…
- H.P. Ep. 110 - Katie Salmons, LCSW, LCAS, CCS - Youth Mental Health and Social Media
Katie joins the podcast to discuss the effects of social media on adolescents' mental health, including issues such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia, and discuss strategies to mitigate these effects. We talk about various coping…
- H.I. Ep. 109 - Luka Yancopoulos - Medical Supply Chain Optimization
Luka is the CEO of Grapevine, a company with a mission to transform healthcare procurement. From college dorm to medical supply chain optimization, Luka describes how he helped transform the medical supply procurement supply chain to make…
- H.I. Ep. 108 - Clarissa Jonas Diamantidis, MD, MHS - Health Disparities in Kidney Disease
Dr. Diamantidis, a research clinician in nephrology and the interim director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity (MACHE) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine - delves into the significant disparities in nephrology and disc…
- H.I. Ep. 107 - 50th Anniversary Reflections
Northwest AHEC began in 1974. In this special episode we take a moment to connect with colleagues, faculty, and partners to reflect on the many ways in which Northwest AHEC has impacted the health of the region over the past 50 years.
- H.I. Ep. 106 - Angela Sharkey, MD - Innovation in Medical Education
Angela Sharkey, MD, FAAP, is a professor of pediatrics and special advisor to the Dean for Education Innovation at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Sharkey shares her passion for teaching and learning and shares the visio…
- H.I. Ep. 105 - David Zaas, MD, MBA - Leadership Insights from a Physician Scientist
David Zaas, MD, MBA is a lung transplant pulmonologist, clinician, researcher, and professor in Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Immunologic Diseases. He is also the President of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Dr. Zaas shares man…
- H.I. Ep. 104 - Terri Yates. PhD - Accelerating education pathways for the healthcare workforce
Terri Yates, PhD is the Vice Chief Academic Officer – Health Professions for Advocate Health. Her role partners with the Deans, Department Chairs and Presidents of the education programs within Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Ca…
- H.I. Ep. 103 - Mark Shill - AI & Tech Evolution in Healthcare
Mark Shill, president of Intelligent Business Solutions, Inc., has been building tech solutions in healthcare for over 35 years. He has been involved with artificial intelligence since 1984. We talk about the evolution and adaptation of te…