Podnosis

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted burnout in healthcare. While not new, the challenge was compounded by the toll of caring for patients on the frontlines. Burnout rates have swelled since then, and addressing them is not simple. A recent Johnson & Johnson survey of more than 1,500 surgeons across five countries found that half experience burnout, and 43% have seriously considered leaving surgery. To understand the implications of the findings, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Africa Wallace, M.D., vice president of medical affairs, surgery and medtech at Johnson & Johnson. She also speaks with Angela Chaudhari, M.D., associate professor and vice chair of faculty affairs at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Chaudhari discusses a clinician peer support initiative she directs at Northwestern and the role it plays in mitigating burnout. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Nearly all doctors suffer burnout, survey finds, but many cautiously hopeful that AI could help 5 years later: A look back at the COVID-19 pandemic and how healthcare has changed See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rare diseases, defined in the U.S. as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people, can take years, if not decades, to diagnose. About 10,000 rare diseases affect 30 million Americans, and half of those patients are children. What if rare diseases could be identified early and treated proactively before they progress? That is becoming more possible thanks to advances in genetic testing. One company, GeneDx, is on a mission to address diagnostic challenges through faster, more affordable genome testing. To explain the evolution of this technology, how it is changing lives and where it may go in the future, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with GeneDx CEO Katherine Stueland. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  RNA sequencing spots 40% more cancer mutations in children than standard genetic tests: study Regeneron, Illumina and more back Truveta for 10M genome sequencing project Survey: Many rare disease patients struggle to navigate care See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, CVS Caremark Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Client Success Officer James Margiotta joins host Chris Hayden for an in‑depth look at the rapidly changing pharmacy benefits landscape. Drawing on more than 35 years across payer, PBM, pharmacy and healthcare delivery roles, Margiotta shares what employers and plan sponsors need most in 2026 and beyond: strategic partnership, transparency, affordability and a seamless member experience.The conversation explores how accelerating drug costs, GLP‑1 utilization, specialty spend and biosimilars are forcing a new, more integrated approach to benefit design. Margiotta highlights how CVS Caremark is leading with technology, AI, clinical rigor and deep connections to the provider ecosystem—helping plan sponsors navigate disruption while improving outcomes and reducing friction for members.Tune in to learn what meaningful transparency looks like, which cost‑management strategies actually work, and how data and digital innovation are redefining the future of pharmacy benefits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emergency departments are required by law to treat anyone who comes through the door. But the financial model behind that guarantee is under strain.  In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare and Life Sciences Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison talks with Tony Cirillo, M.D., president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, about the business of emergency medicine—who pays, how much, and what happens when the math stops working. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Without new financial support, emergency departments, physicians struggle to meet rising demand: RAND Op-ed: What if the ER is the emergency? Op-ed: Emergency physicians are holding the line, but we can't do it alone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 is one of our favorite projects each year. Now in its eighth year, the list highlights companies bringing new ideas and innovation to some of healthcare’s most persistent challenges. In this episode, members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team discuss the Fierce 15 of 2026 and the trends shaping this year’s honorees—from AI-powered clinical tools to companies tackling insurance denials, behavioral health integration and early cancer detection. The conversation also looks at what these companies reveal about the direction of healthcare, including the growing role of AI, the push for accountability across the system and the different paths startups are taking to build sustainable businesses. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2026 Fierce Healthcare highlights Fierce 15 of 2026 honorees at NYSE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff DiLullo, head of Philips North America and Lake Nona interviewee, outlines Philips' US investments and push to bring care closer to home. He discusses AI deployment across imaging and procedures. He highlights integrated platforms, interoperability with niche vendors, and shifting care to ambulatory and home settings.

Molly McColl, Vice President of virtual health and clinical transformation at Advocate Health, leads design and deployment of tech-enabled care like the 'room of the future'. She discusses integrated rooms with ambient AI, virtual nursing, sensors and video. Conversations cover patient experience changes, family participation, scaling pilots, conservative AI governance and expanding specialty access to rural communities.

Colleen Marshall, Chief Clinical Officer at Two Chairs with expertise in measurement-based care and implementation science, discusses building clinician training, creating a culture of measurement, and balancing employment models to ensure quality. She covers practical starts for measurement-based care, interpreting real-world outcomes, and using client feedback in-session to guide treatment.

Dermatology may not be a specialty traditionally associated with high costs, but that is changing, in part because of the rise of new biologic drugs. Specialty medications are rapidly driving up dermatology spending, with some estimates showing utilization growing more than 30% year over year, a pace that rivals other high-cost therapeutic areas. Could strong health outcomes be achieved with a less expensive approach? Zest Health is a value-based dermatology startup that treats skin conditions as chronic diseases and aims to align care with long-term patient needs. The company emphasizes education, lifestyle changes and over-the-counter interventions, while using high-cost biologics more selectively when clinically appropriate. To explore how dermatology arrived at this moment, and what a different model could look like, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Olivia Deitcher, founder and CEO of Zest Health. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Fueled by new launches, US drug prices poised to continue trending upward: Cowen report Championing equity in skin of color dermatology See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dual-eligible members are often described as the most complex population in health care, and many health plans continue to struggle with how best to support them. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, Darin Buxbaum, co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle, joins host Chris Hayden to discuss why traditional engagement and enrollment models frequently miss the mark. Buxbaum explains how a lack of trust, fragmented Medicare and Medicaid alignment, and broker-driven approaches contribute to high churn and poor member experiences. He also outlines why community-based, peer-led engagement can be more effective, citing published research and real-world results that show stronger retention and lower inpatient utilization. The conversation explores the growing urgency created by CMS rules requiring exclusively aligned enrollment and what those changes mean for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care organizations. Health plan leaders will gain insight into how to stabilize members, prepare them for alignment and build trust-based relationships that support better care and stronger performance. Listen to the full interview to learn how community can become a strategic advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.