Faisel and Friends: A Primary Care Podcast

We’re discussing A Year in Review: Looking Forward to 2026! Faisel and Dan are reflecting on all we learned through our conversations in 2025, and projecting what’s on the horizon this year.

Our conversation revolves around improving the healthcare system for all patients, expanding access to Direct Primary Care through health savings accounts, and personalizing the way we coordinate care for better outcomes.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Following the Information Blueprint: Restoring Joy in Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Karen Johnson, PhD: Vice President of Practice Advancement at the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Our conversation explores reducing the burdens of practice by utilizing AI, improving information-sharing and data flow to guide impactful action, and rebuilding trust within the healthcare workforce.

Read the Primary Care Information Blueprint here: https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/practice_management/payment/primary-care-information-blueprint-aafp.pdf

We’re discussing Smarter Tech, Stronger Connections! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Paulius Mui & Dr. Gina Engel

Our conversation revolves around preserving human connection and clinical judgement in a digital landscape, enhancing care with responsible AI use, and treating technology as support rather than replacement.

This episode was recorded live at FMX, the AAFP's premier Family Medicine conference! Learn more about FMX here: https://www.aafp.org/events/fmx/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Reclaiming the Human Interaction in The Age of AI. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Steven Waldren & Dr. Jay Lee.

Our conversation explores empowering clinicians with technology, optimizing team collaboration with AI, and reclaiming the narrative around primary care physicians as trusted voices of wellness.

This episode was recorded live at FMX, the AAFP's premier Family Medicine conference! Learn more about FMX here: https://www.aafp.org/events/fmx/2026.html

We’re discussing Empowering Patients to Make the Best Decisions! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Alex McDonald: Family and Sports Medicine Physician, AAFP Vaccine Science Fellow, and Immediate Past President of the California Academy of Family Physicians.

Our conversation revolves around exploring vaccination options with patients, building a movement from an online immunization community, and prescribing lifestyle medicine.

We’re discussing Raising the Bar in Value Based Primary Care Payment! Faisel and Dan are joined by Purva Rawal, PhD, Former Chief Strategy Officer, CMS Innovation Center at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Our conversation revolves around navigating changing healthcare policies, unlearning fee for service as the default, and leveraging community relationships within alternative care models.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Growth, Equity, and Alignment in Primary Care Systems. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Doug Jacobs: Executive Director of the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC).

Our conversation explores caring about what’s happening in fee-for-service even if you are in a value-based model, communicating with patients about accountable care, and understanding complexities of the “efficiency adjustment” in the upcoming fee schedule.

We’re discussing Teaching Tomorrow’s Family Doctors: Residency, Resilience, and New Models of Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Makandall Saint Eloi, Dr. Christian Widder and Dr. Farah Shaukat.

Our conversation revolves around training the next generation of doctors, implementing new models of care, and identifying practical applications of AI in family medicine.

This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE here: https://www.aafp.org/events/future-conference/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing From Inspiration to Impact: Family Medicine at the Crossroads of Change. Faisel and Dan are talking with Shawn Martin, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and Dr. Tina Sharma, Chief Resident of Family Medicine at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Our conversation explores the growing direct primary care movement, the utilization of artificial intelligence in medicine, and the bright future workforce of Family Medicine.

This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE...

We’re discussing Direct Primary Care: a Rising Tide for American Healthcare! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jeffrey Davenport, from One Focus Medical and Direct Primary Care Alliance.

Our conversation revolves around recent policy changes in favor of DPC, timely momentum in the alternative care model movement, and finding physician satisfaction after burnout.

This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE here: https://www.aafp.org/events/future-conference/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Beyond the Copay: DPC, HSAs, and the Politics of Change. Faisel and Dan are talking with Jay Keese: CEO of Capitol Advocates and Executive Director of the Direct Primary Care Coalition (DPCC).

Our conversation explores meaningful changes to healthcare delivery, groundbreaking achievements in IRS policy, and advice for leveraging law to provide more personal patient experience and better outcomes.

Learn more at www.dpcare.org

We’re discussing Taking Care: of Ourselves, Each Other, and Our System! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs and Associate Professor of Medicine and Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Our conversation revolves around innovating payment models beyond units, taking responsibility for patient needs beyond clinic visits, and efficiently connecting with patients and colleagues beyond bare necessity.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Advanced Primary Care: Investing in Happier and Healthier Patients. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Jon Leizman, Chief Medical Officer at Premise Health.

Our conversation explores navigating access to primary care, shifting the focus within a model of onsite employer-based healthcare, and addressing the role of policy in the future of the healthcare workforce.

We’re discussing Relationships and Community: the Fabric of Rural Health! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sonya Bruton: CEO and President of CCI Health Services, Clinical Psychologist, and Author.

Our conversation revolves around the inherent link between physical and behavioral health, the necessity of physicians staying engaged with their passion for care, and the hesitancy of patients around AI in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Innovations in Primary Care: Independent & Rural Practices. Dan moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Jim Lancaster, Sonya J. Bruton, Psy.D, Tim Gronniger, and Carrie Cochran-McClain, DrPH.

Our conversation explores providing important care for small communities, solving the workforce shortage in rural practices, and addressing the financial barriers that independent practices face.

This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare25.

We’re discussing Addressing the Chronic Disease Crisis: The Foundation of Making America Healthy! Faisel moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Wayne Jonas, Dr. Kate Goodrich, Dr. Joseph B. Brodine, and Peter Shin, PhD.

Our conversation revolves around incentivizing primary care as a viable career for physicians, optimizing processes to unburden patients, and collaborating on multidisciplinary teams for whole-person care.

This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare25. 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Back to Care: Reimagining Maternal Health. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Esa Davis: Associate Vice President for Community Health at University of Maryland School of Medicine

Our conversation explores navigating challenging medical situations, creating an environment where patient voices matter, and looking towards a psychologically safe future in healthcare.

Dr. Esa Davis is a Vice Chair of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the materials expressed in this podcast reflect her individual views only and do not represent...

We’re discussing From Pain to Purpose: Transforming Trauma into Healing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jeff Brenner: CEO at The Jewish Board.

Our conversation revolves around the unexpected findings regarding coordinated care, the reality of medicalizing social issues, and the importance of timely empathy in mental and behavioral health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Expanding the Frontier: The Future of Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Tim Gronniger: Chief Executive Officer at Hopscotch Primary Care.

Our conversation revolves around primary care in rural communities, the next generation of primary care practices, and pushing the boundaries of what primary care can be.

We’re discussing The Reality of Residency: Shaping Tomorrow’s Family Physicians! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sarah Cole, Program Director at Mercy Family Medicine St. Louis.

Our conversation revolves around workload in medical education, leadership involvement during residency, and expectations for family medicine Match 2025.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care Scorecard: The Cost of Neglect. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center at American Academy of Family Physicians

Our conversation explores the major strains on primary care in 2025, the focus on prevention as the national healthcare strategy, and the driving factors of workforce retention and depletion.

Read the full Scorecard Report here: https://www.milbank.org/publications/the-health-of-us-primary-care-2025-scorecard-report-the-cost-of-neglect/

We’re discussing Compassion in Code: Leveraging Technology for Personalized Patient Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. David Carmouche: Executive Vice President & Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at Lumeris.

Our conversation revolves around industry adoption of cutting edge healthcare technologies, working with the factors that influence health equity, and AI-Physician collaboration for better health coaching.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care MVPs: Excellence in Cost and Outcomes. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Alison Huffstetler: Medical Director at the Robert Graham Center.

Our conversation explores the research supporting clinicians through changing models, the dwindling primary care workforce, and the possibilities to improve retention after medical education.

We’re discussing Primary Care on the Brink: Towards a Healthier Tomorrow! Faisel and Dan are joined by Timothy Hoff, PhD: Professor of Management, Healthcare Systems, and Health Policy at Northeastern University.

Our conversation revolves around collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists, opportunities in the private sector to positively impact the future of primary care in America, and the changing workforce in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, Dan and Faisel are discussing Resolution: Hope for Holistic Health in 2025.

Our conversation explores what we are looking forward to in 2025, how lifestyle choices can make sustainable impact, and a focus on preventive primary care.

We’re discussing Humanity and Health in the Age of AI! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Steven Lin, Executive Director of Stanford Healthcare AI Applied Research Team (HEA3RT).

Our conversation revolves around working in tandem with AI to advance family medicine, applying technology for better doctor-patient connection, and addressing social equity in population health through innovative primary care.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Hearts and Health: Creating an Empathetic EHR. Faisel and Dan are talking with Kyna Fong, PhD: CEO and Co-Founder of Elation Health.

Our conversation explores the power of the human relationship in healthcare, the clinical-first philosophy behind building a new EHR, and the ability of a primary care tool to empower physicians.

Learn more about Elation here: https://www.elationhealth.com

We’re discussing Primary Care Pulse Check: Transitioning in a Time of Uncertainty! Faisel and Dan are joined by Shawn Martin, CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Our conversation revolves around continuing to strengthen Primary Care to meet societal needs, advancing population health with upstream innovations, and getting students and residents interested in alternative care models for the future healthcare workforce in America.

We’re discussing Pursuing Equitable Access to High Quality Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mark Gwynne, President of the University of North Carolina Health Alliance.

Our conversation revolves around the core principles of providing holistic value based care, the high quality outcomes from collaborative care, and the potential to transform access to care for better population health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Embracing the Future of Advanced Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Vikki DiGennaro, CEO of Pioneer Physicians Network, and Dr. Kevin Spencer, Chief Clinical Officer of Agilon Health.

Our conversation explores the proven outcomes of risk bearing primary care, the benefits of going into a patient’s environment to provide more personalized care, and the impact of changes to medicare advantage policy and ACO Reach.

We’re discussing Healing the Healers: Advances in Physician Wellbeing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Corey Feist, CEO & Co-Founder, and Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer, from Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation.

Our conversation revolves around the ways team-based care provides lifesaving support to clinicians, the bipartisan support of policy for healthcare workers mental health, and changing the standard of well-being for people in healthcare.

Learn more about the Lorna Breen Act: https://drlornabreen.org/reauthorizelba/

Contact state licensure boards here: https://drlornabreen.org/contact-boards/ 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Illuminating the Path to DPC. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Michelle Cooke, Founder of Sol Direct Primary Care.

Our conversation explores serving the community that needs care through DPC, approaching the business of alternative models within the American healthcare system, and considering the wellness of physicians as well as patients.

We’re discussing From Classroom to Clinic: Leadership in Healthcare Innovation! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Wendy Barr, Associate Dean of Education and Curriculum at UMass Chan-Lahey Regional Medical School Campus in Burlington, MA.

Our conversation revolves around collaboration as the key to the future of medical education, enthusiasm for including leadership training during residency, and utilizing survey results of resident trends to better the future of healthcare. 

We’re discussing Investing in the Future: Healing Access to Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour – Director of the Robert Graham Center.

Our conversation revolves around how primary care can increase life expectancy, what infrastructure changes are necessary for a healthier population, and why high-functioning care teams can lead to better outcomes.

Learn more about the Primary Care workforce crisis: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org/workforce/

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Fixing the Foundation: Rebuilding with Lifestyle Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Karen Johnson, PhD, Vice President of Practice Advancement at the AAFP, and Dr. Padmaja Patel, President-Elect at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Our conversation explores addressing patient concerns through lifestyle behaviors, having policy conversations to shift the mindset away from fee-for-service norms, and providing high quality care despite misaligned quality measures.

Read the paper by Johnson and Dr. Patel here!

We’re discussing Striking the Balance: Moving towards Value Based Care! Dan is joined by Michael Kopko – CEO of Pearl Health.

Our conversation revolves around caring for patients beyond one-on-one office visits, lowering costs of care without sacrificing quality, and addressing panel size for overburdened physician teams.

Learn more about Pearl Health at: https://pearlhealth.com

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Resiliency, Empowerment, and the Pursuit of Rewarding Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. William Fox, Chairman of the American College of Physicians.

Our conversation explores a primary care physicians’s greatest tools, the support required for successful time efficiency, and some informed insights around new models of care.

Learn more about Primary Care for America at: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing PrimaryCare24: See the Possibilities. Faisel and Dan are recapping this year’s annual Primary Care for America event.

Our conversation explores supporting physician leaders in centering innovation, bright spot takeaways from the change makers in American Primary Care, and taking care of primary care workers in order to better care for our patients.

Curious about what Dan and Faisel are referencing? Watch the sessions from PrimaryCare24 here!

We’re discussing Breaking Barriers in Primary Care through Innovative Models! Faisel and Dan are joined by Liz Fowler, PhD, JD – Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

Our conversation revolves around incentives to expand access and increase equity, multi-organization collaboration for healthcare policy, and public perception of Primary Care.

This conversation was recorded as a live interview at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare24.

This week on "Faisel and Friends," Dan and Faisel are discussing Primary Care Champions: Nurturing a Healthier Tomorrow.

Our conversation explores the roadblocks to providing high quality care, the complex moral injury that doctors are currently feeling, and the negotiations required to maintain a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

We’re discussing ChatGPT MD: AI Empowered Medicine! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Robert Pearl: physician leader, author, and former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group.

Our conversation revolves around utilizing generative AI tools in medicine, clinicians managing patient success through AI applications, and the difference between knowledge and expertise in tech-provided information.

Order Dr. Pearl’s New book - Chat GPT MD

Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

We’re discussing Beyond Insurance: the Assurance of Direct Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Kenneth Qiu, Founder at EuDoc Direct Primary Care.

Our conversation revolves around setting up a model that allows physicians to focus more on care and less on cost, considering incentives to save money in the long run, and managing outcomes by personalizing care within the DPC model.

Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

We’re discussing XR Unveiled: Innovation on the Edges of Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mark Zhang: founder & president of the American Medical Extended Reality Association.

Our conversation revolves around utilizing augmented reality in healthcare, imagining accessible mental health with medical virtual reality, and advancing technological science to raise the standard of care.

Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing From Heartland to Healthcare: the Evolving Specialty of Family Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Steve Furr, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Our conversation explores utilizing the full extent of the specialty of Family Medicine, strengthening the bond between doctors and patients, and how residents can get involved with health advocacy.

We are back to announce our new partnership with Primary Care for America collaborative, or PCfA for short. Dr. Faisel and Dr. Dan will be hosting an impressive lineup of healthcare professionals, thought leaders, and innovators. Keep an eye out for the upcoming new episodes of Faisel and Friends: a Primary Care Podcast!

Visit www.primarycareforamerica.org to learn more about PCfA's impactful work.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Curiosity Curing the Cravings. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Jud Brewer: Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, Author, and Professor at Brown University.

Our conversation explores understanding how our brains form habit loops, utilizing curiosity to address cravings, and approaching behavioral change with kindness and self-compassion.

Learn more about Dr. Jud and order his new book here: https://drjud.com/the-hunger-habit/

We’re discussing Achieving Whole Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Alex Krist, from Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Andrew Bazemore, from the American Board of Family Medicine.

Our conversation revolves around providing personalized care within cultural contexts, focusing our energies and efforts on what really matters in healthcare, and investing in the whole health approach for a better system.

Read the NASEM report: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26854/achieving-whole-health-a-new-approach-for-veterans-and-the

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Faisel had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Gary Price and Stephanie Quinn discussing The Great Burnout: Who’s Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of Us?

A couple of the topics we cover are: repairing the healthcare system at a macro-scale, implementing organizational tools to support healthcare employees, and appealing future physicians to Primary Care for a more balanced medical workforce.

This week on Faisel & Friends, Dan and Faisel are discussing The Unlearning Required for Transformative Care.

Our conversation explores collaborating with colleagues for better care implementation, distilling information to document medical wisdom, and building trust with patients through caring interactions.

Read the Chen’s article here: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.23.0115

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Reflections on the Healthcare Cost Dilemma: Unveiling the Influence of PBMs. We are talking with Dr. Eric Bricker from AHealthcareZ.

We are getting in the weeds about PBMs, which is extremely important for residents and medical students to understand! Our conversation explores understanding pharmacy pricing, navigating the business scheme of healthcare, and encouraging medication adherence.

Learn more about PBMs from Dr. Bricker: https://youtu.be/P3nFoAYJlK4?si=SoImEdfn49l3ksVR

We’re discussing Dreaming of Accessible, Personalized Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Marie Ramas, Regional Medical Director at Aledade.

Our conversation revolves around making decisions that are based on both evidence and patients’ individual values, providing care that is both culturally informed and equitable, and determining actionable steps for efficient and effective care.

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Dan had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Ali Khan, Dr. Megan Mahoney, Dr. Mark Zhang, and Rene Villarreal discussing The Primary Care Vision - What Does the Future Hold?

Some of the topics covered are: delivering team-based care in the future, adopting technological advancement into healthcare, and training in a way that goes beyond the current system.

Faisel & Dan are discussing Playing the Long Game: Protecting the Patient’s Blindside on this episode of Faisel & Friends!

Our conversation revolves around dismantling the hospital systems one piece of technology at a time, utilizing tech in the homes of the patients for more accessible care, and understanding the business behind the bedside.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Leading as a Verb: Doing the Work. We are talking with Dr. Aaron Hoffman, the Chief Clinical Innovation Engineer at Atrius Health and the Harvard Center for Primary Care.

Our conversation explores leading from a place of experienced knowledge, incentivizing clinicians to transform care delivery, and defining the difference between management and leadership.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Efficient, Effective, Economical, and Equitable Healthcare. We are talking with Dr. Rohith Saravanan, the CEO of Health Impact Capital.

Our conversation explores making a positive impact on a larger community scale, engineering finances to innovate the business of medicine, and looking toward the future of care delivery by leveraging technology.

At the Reimagining Primary Care Forum, Faisel had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends on a panel with Dr. Kameron Matthews, Sheila Phicil, Dr. Valerie Stone, and Dr. Karthik Sivashanker discussing Breaking Barriers to Primary Care: Social Determinants of Health.

Some of the topics we cover are: working towards equitable outcomes, utilizing data for revolutionary healthcare, and setting patients up for success beyond the care center.

Learn more about Reimagining Primary Care here: https://www.reimaginingprimarycare.com

We’re discussing Increasing Impactful Influence through Servant Leadership on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Ankur Rana, Vice President of Medical Affairs for P3 Health Partners Arizona.

Our conversation revolves around approaching problems through a leadership lens, influencing patients with a creative approach, and changing organizational culture for sustainable well-being.

his week is the second part of a two-part conversation. We’re discussing Beyond the Walls: A Coming Renaissance in Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Zeev Neuwirth: Healthcare Executive and Author.

Our conversation revolves around understanding the digitally enabled trajectory of healthcare, improving the system to allow physicians more time with patients, and providing care within changing contextual factors.

Learn more about Dr. Zeev Neuwirth and his books at: https://www.reframehealthcare.org

This week is the first part of a two-part conversation. We’re discussing Beyond the Walls: A Coming Renaissance in Healthcare on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Zeev Neuwirth: Healthcare Executive and Author.

Our conversation revolves around understanding the digitally enabled trajectory of healthcare, improving the system to allow physicians more time with patients, and providing care within changing contextual factors.

Learn more about Dr. Zeev Neuwirth and his books at: https://www.reframehealthcare.org

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Patient Advocacy in Opposing Financial Harm. We are talking with Sandra Alvarez: director and producer of the new documentary film “InHospitable.”

Our conversation explores the complexity of critiquing the business model of life-saving hospitals, the reward that comes with political courage, and the steps people can take toward better hospital pricing.

Learn more about the film “InHospitable” at: https://inhospitablefilm.com/watch/

We’re discussing The Freedom to Care: Finding Liberation within Employer-Funded Direct Primary Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mike Willhite, Medical Director at Everside Health.

Our conversation revolves around aligning resources and incentives to care for the whole patient through Direct Primary Care, saving money through the employer-funded DPC model, and preparing for the challenges of changing the norms of the healthcare system.

This week on Faisel & Friends, Faisel & Dan are discussing PCPs: Personable, Connected, Physicians.

Our conversation explores fortifying the doctor-to-doctor relationship for better teamwork, managing patients in a way that makes them feel valued, and prioritizing open communication to find the best solutions for better patient outcomes.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Life Outside the Hospital’s Control. We are talking with Dr. Conrad Flick, Medical Director from Community Care Physician Network.

Our conversation explores building infrastructure for better managed care, incentivizing primary care presence in rural communities, and operating independent practices in our hospital-based system.

We’re discussing Unexplored Horizons: Rural Practice, AI, and Public Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mike Sevilla, from the Family Practice Center of Salem.

Our conversation revolves around using social media as a tool for better access to care, optimizing health records and recognizing patterns with artificial intelligence, and supporting small primary care practices in their move to Value-Based Care.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Cutting Costs and Cultivating Community Care. We are talking with Dr. Michael Fine: writer, community organizer, and family physician.

Our conversation explores the dire need for more primary care physicians in our country, the social movement to create a community-based healthcare system that prioritizes people over profit, and the opportunities to change the culture around care.

Learn more about Dr. Michael Fine at: https://www.michaelfinemd.com/

Dr. Faisel and Dr. Dan are discussing Empowered Choices Bridging the Gap between Clinical Guidelines and Informed Decisions on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Our conversation revolves around the structures that allow us to spend more time with patients, the need for more in-depth drug trials, and the difference between evidence-based medicine and evidence-informed care.

We’re discussing Taking the Direct Route: Pragmatic and Personalized Primary Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Paul Thomas, founder of Plum Health DPC.

Our conversation revolves around upholding the oath to do no harm with regard to financial well-being, providing the proper kind of care that a patient needs at that moment, and creating health plans that are designed for a patient’s needs and lifestyle.

Want a copy of Dr. Thomas' book, Startup DPC: How to Start and Grow Your Direct Primary Care Practice? Visit http...

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Clearing up Misconceptions about Medicare Advantage. We are talking with George Halvorson, author, and chairman of the Institute For InterGroup Understanding.

Our conversation explores myths about Medicare Advantage, different care models around the world, and changing the future of care for the better of patients and the fulfillment of care providers.

We’re discussing Assessing the Components of the Affordable Care Act on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Alison Huffstetler, Medical Director at the Robert Graham Center, and Michael LaBattaglia, Associate at King & Spalding Law.

Our conversation revolves around passing legislation to protect healthcare access, fighting for preventive primary care coverage for all, and building care teams around specific population needs.

NOTE: Here is the link to the article that Alison mentions in the episode: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01430 

This week is the second part of a two-part conversation. We’re discussing Doing Well by Doing Good: Investing in Social Determinants of Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by John Gorman, the Chairman at Nightingale Partners.

Our conversation revolves around imagining creative solutions to address homelessness, addressing basic human needs as proactive primary care, and investing in the future of community health.

This week is the first part of a two-part conversation. We’re discussing Doing Well by Doing Good: Investing in Social Determinants of Health on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by John Gorman, the Chairman at Nightingale Partners.

Our conversation revolves around imagining creative solutions to address homelessness, addressing basic human needs as proactive primary care, and investing in the future of community health.

This week on Faisel & Friends, Faisel & Dan are discussing Doctor’s Orders: Putting Away the Prescription Pad.

Our conversation explores making informed decisions about prescriptions, adjusting treatment based on patient usage and experience, and building an appropriate and effective care team.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Revolutionizing Primary Care at the Intersection of DPC, Relationships, and IT. We are talking with Dr. Sara Pastoor from Elation Health and Dr. Jonathan Bushman from Reliant Direct Primary Care.

Our conversation explores healing public trust in healthcare through relationships, using technology as an extension, not a barrier, and closing the gaps in caring for underserved populations.

We’re discussing Coaching Primary Care Patients to Success on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Paul Wallace, ChenMed physician, and former Olympian.

Our conversation revolves around coaching each person instead of each problem, building trust through frequency and rapport, and empowering patients to take action for their health.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Means that Matter: Practicing Health Equity. We are talking with Dr. Kameron Matthews, Chief Health Officer at Cityblock Health and former CMO for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Our conversation explores taking socio-economic differences into account, providing equitable care instead of equal care, and creating sustainable access to community health.

We’re discussing Primary Care: More than a Sum of the Parts on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy.

Our conversation revolves around identifying the community needs for high-value primary care, finding your path within primary care, and advocating for continuity of care to provide better outcomes.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Prevention through Personalized Primary Care. We are talking with Dr. Steven Bishop, Dean of Wellness University at PartnerMD.

Our conversation explores motivating patients through education, improving the quality of care with smaller patient panels, and providing preventative care within concierge medicine.

To learn more about Dr. Bishop and PartnerMD, visit: https://www.partnermd.com

We’re discussing Engaging with Evidence: Efficacy vs. Effectiveness on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Dr. Dan is joined by Dr. Katharine DeGeorge, Deputy Editor at DynaMed and Associate Professor of Family Medicine at UVA.

Our conversation revolves around setting up systems to stay up to date on new medical literature, making decisions that have been informed by evidence, and creating a culture of value within your care team. 

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Strength in Collaboration: Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Transforming Primary Care. We are talking with Dr. Ken White, Dean of the School of Nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital and President of the American Academy of Nursing.

Our conversation explores preparing Nurse Practitioners to step into leadership on primary care teams, moving NP training into out-patient settings, and strengthening education about intersectional care.

We’re discussing Technology & Policy: Innovating High Quality Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Aneesh Chopra, Co-Founder & President at CareJourney. Our conversation revolves around changing the culture of care through policy, integrating tech into healthcare, and the next steps for utilizing artificial intelligence in medicine.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Proactive Preventive Primary Care. We are talking with Dr. Troy Brennan, an Adjunct Professor at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.

Our conversation explores improving access to care with technology, forging intimacy and trust in different situations, and primary care outside of the hospital.

We’re discussing From the Battlefield to Value-Based Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Bryce Meyers, ChenMed’s first Transformative Care Fellow.

Our conversation revolves around transitioning from practicing within the Military to Value-Based Care, rotating through a medical fellowship, and transforming care for the future of medicine.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Earning Trust to Reduce Renal Risk. We are talking with Dr. Virginia Irwin-Scott: National Director of Nephrology at ChenMed.

Our conversation explores providing kidney care in the outpatient setting, educating patients to reduce the risk of crashing into dialysis, and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations within the full-risk model.

We’re discussing Servant Leadership: Caring from the Heart on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Vijay Jaligam, Chief Medical Officer for the division of Cardiovascular Care at ChenMed.

Our conversation revolves around the skills that set Value Base care apart from academic and hospital care models, the method of care that focuses on quality of life, and the future of medical research for prevention.

For our 100th episode, Faisel and Dan are discussing Hope for the Future of Primary Care this week on Faisel & Friends!

Our conversation revolves around identifying barriers to care and addressing them with creative solutions, understanding the basics of risk adjustment, and advocating for medically complex patients.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Caring for Colleagues: the Power of the Peer. We are talking with Dr. Mark Greenawald: founder of PeerRxMed, and Vice Chair of Family and Community Medicine at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

Our conversation explores physicians talking to our trusted others to process traumatic experiences, organizations establishing proactive peer support for workplace wellness, and colleagues uplifting each other through the “PRX 90” check-in system.

For more information about PeerRxMed please visit their website: https://www.peerrxmed.com

We’re discussing Transformative Team Training on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Leanne Chrisman-Khawam, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Program Director at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Our conversation revolves around the privilege of being a part of patients’ lives, positive changes needed in professional medical education, transformative team-based training, and focusing care on the person in front of you.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Setting the Standard for Healthcare. We are talking with Dr. Allan Goroll: Professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of the quintessential book: “Primary Care Medicine.”

Our conversation explores the concept of treating problems, not diseases, the value systems at play in healthcare today, and the ability of emerging physicians to reform healthcare for the future.

This week, Faisel & Dan are discussing the Impact of Incremental Change. On this episode of Faisel & Friends we discuss managing complex patients, making small changes for a big impact, and sharing decision making with your patients.

We’re discussing How To Be a Physician Leader on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Karen Nichols, author of “Physician Leadership: The 11 Skills Every Doctor Needs to be an Effective Leader.” Our conversation revolves around the skills required to step into physician leadership, understanding which can be directly applied and which need to be learned, and the people to choose for professional mentorship.

To learn more about Dr. Nichol's book, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Physician-Leadership-Skills-Doctor-Effective/dp/1119817544

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Shared Decision Making - Ways to Engage and Interact with Patients. We are talking with Professor Glyn Elwyn from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy. Our conversation explores how important it is for physicians to stay curious about each patient’s individual circumstances, combating burnout through the intrinsic rewards of a meaningful doctor-patient relationship, and the promising future of electronic medical records via the help of artificial intelligence from a new company called Abridge.

To learn more about Professor Elwyn's work with abridge, visit: https://www.abridge.com

We’re discussing Medical Anthropology in Primary Care on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Ashley Peterson, one of ChenMed’s Primary Care Physicians. Our conversation revolves around the many ways in which Medical Anthropology is imperative to the future of healthcare, how cultivating a caring community contributes to a patient’s well-being, and how we can learn from history and other cultures in order to inform the ways in which we practice modern medicine.

At the annual ChenMed Partner’s Weekend, Faisel had the opportunity to record a live episode of Faisel & Friends with Dr. Dike Drummond discussing Winning the Fight against Physician Burnout.

A couple of the topics we cover are: recognizing physician burnout in ourselves and our colleagues, connecting to purpose in our medical careers, and shifting the revenue model away from fee-for-service to drive both better care for patients and better experiences for providers.

This week, Faisel & Dan are discussing Healing through Trust. In this episode of Faisel & Friends, we discuss honoring each patient’s individual life experience, personalizing communication techniques, and earning our patients’ trust.

This week I am talking with Dr. Alison Huffstetler, discussing Reframing the Foundation of Primary Care. In this episode of Faisel & Friends, we chat about the impact of social engagement on primary care, the ability to find fulfillment in your practice, and the question of lowering the cost of care.

To read more about Dr. Huffstetler's research, visit: https://www.annfammed.org/content/20/5/404.abstract

We’re discussing Leaving the Healthcare System Better than We Found It on this episode of Faisel & Friends! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Elliott Fisher, Professor of Medicine and Health Policy at The Dartmouth Institute and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Our conversation revolves around how to make the American healthcare system better for patients, physicians, and the public and the fun Dr. Fisher has had getting involved with advocacy and policy change.

This week on Faisel & Friends, we are discussing Hypnotic Healing - It’s not what you think. We are talking with Dr. Steve Bierman: physician, inventor, and author. Our conversation explores practicing deliberate influence, utilizing a hypnotic technique in healing, and working with patients toward autonomous health.

This week, Faisel & Dan are discussing Managed Care: Then vs. Now. On this episode of Faisel & Friends, we discuss the history of managed care as well as: training doctors to be effective not only prescriptive, encouraging patients to engage in prevention not only intervention, and earning trust by building relationships.

In this episode, we’re discussing The Role of Infectious Disease Specialists in Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jill Howard, ChenMed’s National Director of Infectious Diseases. They're chatting about caring for different populations, providing value-based specialty care, and prioritizing covid, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.

ChenMed's very own Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gordon Chen, joins Faisel & Friends this week to discuss training physicians with humility and agility and driving toward Transformative Care. Co-author of “The Calling: A Memoir of Family, Faith, and the Future of Healthcare,” his newest book inspires physicians to work towards health equity and return back to their true calling in medicine.

To order your copy of "The Calling," visit ChenBooks.com.