A Dose of Optimism

In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety.Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability.We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Norton, Lisa Boettcher, and Jill Wiench, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients.Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone.Episode Resources:Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's WisconsinDayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient careConnect with Missy Krasner:Missy Krasner LinkedInConnect with Children's Wisconsin:Children's Wisconsin WebsiteChildren's Wisconsin LinkedInChildren's Wisconsin InstagramConnect with Dr. Sean Antosh:Dr. Sean Antosh LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital WebsiteDayton Children's Hospital LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how health policy, public trust, and emerging technology continue to shape the future of pediatric care.Tom Priselac reflects on decades of healthcare leadership, including his role as Chair of the American Hospital Association during the development of the Affordable Care Act. He shares how large health systems evolve, why access and quality must move together, and what remains unresolved for Medicaid, public health infrastructure, and underserved communities.Joining him is Boston Children's Hospital innovation leader John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and entrepreneur who bridges public health, data science, and digital innovation. John discusses how real-time data, scalable technology, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health.Together, they explore how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect, and why trust, adaptability, and long-term thinking matter more than ever in healthcare.Episode Resources:Affordable Care ActiCAN (International Children's Advisory Network)Introducing OpenAI for HealthcareMedTutor AI in Action: AI-Powered Innovation Could Transform Medical Education on Celiac DiseaseAccelerating scientific breakthroughs with an AI co-scientistConnect with Tom Priselac:Thomas M. Priselac LinkedinCedars-Sinai WebsiteCedars-Sinai InstagramCedars-Sinai LinkedInConnect with John Brownstein:John Brownstein LinkedInJohn Brownstein InstagramBoston Children's Hospital WebsiteBoston Children's Hospital LinkedInBoston Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this deeply moving episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how parents, families, children and caregivers navigate trauma, grief, and loss and what meaningful support looks like in the aftermath of a crisis.Dr. David Schonfeld, Director at the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, shares decades of experience helping schools and communities respond to disasters, violence, and loss, emphasizing why resilience does not mean children should be left to cope alone. Emma Payne, Founder & CEO at Help Texts., reflects on how personal loss led her to create scalable, compassionate bereavement support that meets families where they are. Dr. Solfrid Raknes discusses how evidence-based digital tools, like the Helping Hand Digital Game, can help children and adolescents build coping skills, even in the most fragile and conflict-affected settings.Together, this conversation centers on presence, care, and long-term healing, reminding us that recovery is possible when children and those who care for them are supported with intention and humanity.Episode Resources:Project Open ArmsThe Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of PediatricsWendy G Lichtenthal - Miller School of MedicineMary Frances O'Connor - UCLAThe Center for Good Mourning - Arkansas Children'sThe Dougy Center for Grieving Children & FamiliesThe Happy Helping Hand Manual - Dr. Solfrid Raknes (for teachers, psycho social staff, facilitators) Connect with Dr. David Schonfeld:National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Website National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement LinkedInNational Center for School Crisis and Bereavement InstagramNational Center for School Crisis and Bereavement FacebookDr. David Schonfeld LinkedInConnect with Emma Payne:Emma Payne LinkedInHelp Texts WebsiteCaregiver and Grief Support for Children's HospitalsHelp Texts InstagramHelp Texts FacebookHelp Texts LinkedInHelp Texts TikTokConnect with Dr. Solfrid Raknes:Dr. Solfrid Raknes LinkedInDr. Solfrid Raknes InstagramHelping Hand Digital GameAttensi WebsiteConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. Website

In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar sits down with two leaders shaping the present and future of pediatric healthcare.Paul Viviano, CEO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, shares a candid perspective on what it means to lead a children’s hospital during a period of unprecedented pressure. From workforce shortages and Medicaid uncertainty to research funding and equity in access, Paul reflects on the realities facing pediatric systems and the leadership principles required to navigate them with clarity and purpose.Kyle Horne, Project Manager for CHLA’s Literally Healing program, brings a deeply human lens to hospital care. Kyle explains how books, storytelling, and literacy support can create moments of comfort, understanding, and hope for children and families during hospitalization. His work reminds us that healing is not only clinical but emotional and developmental as well.Together, this conversation highlights how leadership, creativity, and compassion intersect to support children and families, even in the most challenging environments.Episode Resources:Medicaid - US health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resourcesMedi-Cal Insurance Coverage - California MedicaidLiterally Healing at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - an innovative reading programDrew Daywalt - American author and filmmakerBenson Shum - book author and illustratorBooks mentioned in the episode:How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear?The Little Engine That CouldGrumpy Monkey Up All NightGuess How Much I Love YouThe Day the Crayons QuitThe Book with No Pictures

We’re kicking off Season 2 by spotlighting parent-innovators who turned lived experience into action. This episode brings together founders who are reshaping pediatric mental health, literacy, and NICU care through empathy, technology, and perseverance.Hafeezah Muhammad, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, shares how her son’s mental health crisis led her to build a technology-enabled, family-centered mental health platform that serves children as young as four and supports parents, caregivers, and clinicians together. Carla Small, founder of Sprout Labs, explains how science-backed literacy tools and AI can identify dyslexia early, personalize instruction, and prevent years of academic struggle and declining self-esteem. Phil Martie, founder of Nicolette, reflects on his NICU journey as a parent of premature twins and how it inspired him to build tools that turn complex hospital data into clear, empowering insights for families navigating neonatal intensive care.Together, these conversations highlight the power of early intervention, empathetic design, and technology that meets families where they are, before crises deepen and systems fail them.Episode Resources:MedicaidOrton-Gillingham ApproachLearn more from the previous ‘’parentrepreneurs’’ episodes:The Mighty ParentrepreneursAutism: Tools to help doctors and parentsConnect with Hafeezah Muhammad:Backpack Healthcare WebsiteBackpack Healthcare FacebookBackpack Healthcare TwitterBackpack Healthcare InstagramBackpack Healthcare LinkedInBackpack Healthcare TikTokHafeezah Muhammad LinkedInConnect with Carla Small:Sprout Labs WebsiteSprout Labs LinkedInSprout Labs InstagramCarla Small LinkedInConnect with Phil Martie:Nicolette WebsiteNicolette LinkedInNicolette InstagramPhil Martie LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Pediatric healthcare is shaped by systems that are often invisible to patients and families, yet deeply influential in how care is delivered. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni is joined by three leaders working at the intersection of pediatrics, informatics, and digital transformation.Rod Tarrago, CMIO Pediatrics at Amazon Web Services, and Troy McGuire, CHIO at CHLA, share how informatics and data-driven design can reduce friction in pediatric care. Together, they discuss interoperability, clinician workflows, and the importance of building systems that support care teams without adding unnecessary burden.Shaun Miller, CHIO at Cedars-Sinai, brings a health system perspective on clinical decision support, physician wellness, and the responsible use of digital tools. He explains how thoughtful technology implementation can improve efficiency while keeping clinicians focused on patient care.This conversation highlights how careful system design, collaboration, and practical innovation can make pediatric healthcare more connected, more humane, and more sustainable for the people delivering and receiving care.Episode Resources:TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common AgreementCDEC - California Data Exchange CenterRHIO - Regional Health Information OrganizationLANES - Los Angeles Network for Enhanced ServicesK Health: 24/7 Access to High-Quality MedicineCedars-Sinai Connect - 24/7 world-class care without the waitRPM - Remote Patient Monitoring - example 1  example 2Connect with Rod Tarrago:Amazon Web Services (AWS) WebsiteAmazon Web Services (AWS) LinkedInAmazon Web Services (AWS) InstagramRod Tarrago LinkedInConnect with Troy McGuire:Troy McGuire LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. Troy McGuireConnect with Shaun Miller:Cedars-Sinai WebsiteCedars-Sinai LinkedInCedars-Sinai InstagramShaun Miller LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Improving children’s health requires more than medical care alone. It depends on access to nutritious food, early learning support, trusted information, and healthcare systems designed around families.In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with three leaders working across different parts of the pediatric ecosystem. Sam Polk, CEO of Everytable, shares how food access and affordability shape health outcomes and why he believes nutritious meals should be available in every community. Patti Miller, Director of Too Small to Fail (Clinton Foundation), discusses the role of early childhood development, media, and caregiver support in building lifelong health and learning foundations. Laura Wood, EVP, Patient Care Operations and System Chief Nurse Executive at Boston Children's Hospital brings the perspective of a nurse leader, highlighting how care delivery models, professional practice environments, and digital tools can better support children and families.Together, they explore how cross sector collaboration can help address complex challenges in children’s health and why optimism comes from practical, people centered solutions already taking shape.Episode Resources:Compton Unified School DistrictCLA, The Laundry AssociationAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)California Department of Social ServicesRead: Early Literacy Policy StatementRead: Univision Communications, Inc. and Too Small to FailRead: Spotify launches a new Kids category with a focus on learning activities, language developmentEpic CorporationAmerican Academy of Nursing (AAN)Read: The CAMEO tool: Capturing the complex nature of pediatric nursingConnect with Sam Polk:Everytable WebsiteEverytable LinkedInEverytable InstagramFeast WebsiteFeast LinkedInSam Polk LinkedInSam Polk InstagramConnect with Patti Miller:Clinton Foundation WebsiteClinton Foundation LinkedInClinton Foundation InstagramToo Small to FailToo Small to Fail InstagramPatti Miller LinkedInConnect with Laura Wood:Boston Children's Hospital Website

Parents want fast, credible answers about their children’s health, and asynchronous care is opening a new path to get there. In this episode, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with two leaders shaping how families access pediatric care. Ellen Da Silva, Founder and CEO of Summer Health, explains how message based pediatric support can deliver answers from real physicians within minutes. She shares how parents use text, photos, and videos to get both urgent and everyday questions addressed without needing live appointments. Then, designer and digital health leader Arna Ionescu Stoll describes how Wavely Dx is turning the smartphone into a diagnostic tool, starting with ear infection detection through sound analysis and expanding to concussion screening. Together, they explore how asynchronous care can reduce unnecessary visits, improve access, and give parents confidence in moments of uncertainty.Connect with Ellen Da Silva:Summer Health WebsiteSummer Health LinkedInSummer Health InstagramEllen DaSilva InstagramEllen DaSilva LinkedInConnect with Arna Ionescu Stoll:Wavely Diagnostics WebsiteWavely Diagnostics LinkedInWavely Diagnostics InstagramArna Ionescu LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

Once a year, a very special group gathers in person: the behind-the-scenes innovators, operators, clinicians, policymakers, and digital health leaders shaping the future of children’s healthcare. This year, that group met in Chicago at the KidsX Pediatric Health Innovation Summit, and we recorded the entire experience.In this unique live episode, Omkar shares highlights from the day: inspiring stories from leaders like AVIA CEO Clay Holderman, discussions on patient experience and digital tools from Stacy Zoucha, insights into pediatric AI from Ali Nasser, and conversations about policy, innovation pathways, device development, and the role of federal agencies with Stephen Konya and Dr. Juan Espinoza.It’s a rare look at the community of “innovation enablers” working to make healthcare better for children, the people who build connections, remove barriers, and help new ideas find their way into practice.Episode Resources:Cancer Moonshot℠ - NCIMAHA reportCTIP - FDA-funded MedTech acceleratorFDA Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) Grants ProgramConnect with summit speakers:Clay Holderman - CEO at AVIAStacy Zoucha - Director of Digital Health and Innovation at Children's NebraskaAli Nasser - Manager, Insights & Advisory at AVIAStephen Konya - Chief, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesDr. Juan Espinoza - Chief Research Informatics Officer at Lurie Children’s HospitalConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInKidsX Summit was sponsored by:AVIA Health WebsiteAVIA Health LinkedInGozio Health WebsiteGozio Health LinkedInLearn more about today’s podcast episode sponsor:Q-rounds WebsiteQ-rounds LinkedInLearn more about our podcast sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

Dr. Zafar Chaudhry, Chief Digital/AI Officer at Seattle Children’s, and Dr. Bimal Desai, Chief Health Informatics Officer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, dive into the future of pediatric care. They discuss how a Minecraft hospital project empowers young patients and explore innovative AI tools aiding clinician workflows. Dr. Desai highlights the importance of remote patient management, showcasing successful telehealth programs that reduce readmissions. Their insights reveal how digital health enhances care and nurtures family involvement.