A Conversation on Call Centers

What if the path to healing burnout begins with honoring someone else's legacy?On this episode of The Breakdown, the official podcast of Rothman Orthopaedics, we sit down with Dr. Nicholas Taweel, Orthopedic Podiatrist and Division Chief of Orthopedic Podiatry at Rothman Orthopaedics, for a powerful conversation about service, purpose, and finding balance beyond the demands of medicine.Dr. Taweel is the founder of Operation Brightstone, a meaningful initiative dedicated to cleaning and restoring the headstones of local veterans while sharing the stories of the heroes behind them. With the help of his wife and sons, he brings these stories to life through video, ensuring the sacrifices and legacies of these veterans are never forgotten.But through this act of service, Dr. Taweel discovered something unexpected: the work was helping him, too. Taking time to honor others, connect with history, and give back to his community became a meaningful way to decompress and combat physician burnout.It's a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful healing happens outside the walls of the hospital.

For more than 30 years, Rothman Orthopaedics has been proud to serve as the team physicians for the Philadelphia Phillies. Now, the Phillies have given us a rare opportunity to go behind the curtain — and behind the suit.Meet Tom Burgoyne, the man behind our beloved Phanatic. On this episode of The Breakdown, Tom takes us behind the scenes of the Phanatic’s origin, the iconic skits, the injuries that come with the job, and the Rothman doctors who have helped keep him going.He also opens up about what it feels like to finally reveal the man behind the Phanatic — and what the future holds for one of Philadelphia’s most beloved icons.

Menopause and joint pain: coincidence or connection? In Part 2 of our special Menopause Meets Orthopedics series, host Lauren DeRitis sits down with Dr. Arjun Saxena, Hip and Knee Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics, to explore how menopause impacts joint health, bone density, arthritis risk, and orthopedic outcomes.Building on insights from Part 1 with Dr. Saloni Sharma, this episode takes a deeper dive into the surgical perspective on menopause and musculoskeletal health. Dr. Saxena discusses the role of estrogen in maintaining bone strength and reducing inflammation, why women are at greater risk for osteoporosis and hip fractures after menopause, and how hormone changes can affect the hips, knees, muscles, ligaments, and overall mobility.

Hot flashes are only half the story. Did you know that hip pain, frozen shoulder, and even osteoporosis can all be linked to menopause?  In our next episode of The Breakdown, we sit down with Dr. Saloni Sharma, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician at Rothman, to explore how menopause impacts the musculoskeletal system, why these changes happen, and what you can do about them.  If you're a woman in your mid-30s to 60s—or love someone who is—you won't want to miss this conversation.

The inspiration continues.Part 2 of our special on-location episode from Rothman’s Inspire: Women in Orthopedics Summit is here—because one episode just wasn’t enough!  Think leadership advice, career inspiration, and actionable takeaways for women looking to break old patterns, own their value, and lead boldly.  And for the men listening?  Plenty of insights on how to be stronger allies, more inclusive leaders, and better teammates.

In this special episode of The Breakdown, host Lauren takes the podcast on the road for the first time—recording live from the Four Seasons in Philadelphia at Rothman Orthopaedics’ 3rd Annual Women in Orthopedics Summit, which took place last Fall.Bringing together leaders, physicians, and changemakers, this event is all about empowering women with the tools, insight, and inspiration to pursue their goals—whether in orthopaedics or any field.Tune in for powerful conversations and the voices driving the future of leadership and healthcare.

Season 4 of The Breakdown is here!Host Lauren is kicking off with a spotlight on the unseen heroes of healthcare — our call center team at Rothman Orthopaedics. Patient Access Director MaryKate Wacker talks training, structure, and what great customer service looks like in healthcare. Plus, Lauren chats with Mary and Judy — two call center OGs — about 30+ years of ringing phones, office cigarettes, tales of Richard Rothman, and why they’ve never hung up on this career.

Season 3 comes full circle on The Breakdown. In this finale episode, we revisit the standout moments that defined the season. From expert insights to impactful conversations that sparked meaningful discussion.This highlight reel brings together some of our favorite clips and key takeaways, reflecting the expertise, innovation, and patient-first approach at the heart of Rothman Orthopaedics. Whether you’re catching up or reliving the best of the season, this episode celebrates what made Season 3 so memorable.And as we close out Season 3, we’re already setting the stage for what’s next—new voices, fresh perspectives, and lots more to come in Season 4.  See you in the new year!

AI has officially scrubbed in — and it’s already working behind the scenes in medicine in ways most of us don’t even realize. In this episode of The Breakdown, host Lauren sits down with Dr. Michael Rivlin, a leading hand and wrist surgeon and AI innovator, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming orthopedics — from patient care to research and beyond. Along the way, meet their AI sidekicks — “Chatty” and “Monday” — and find out whether being nice to your AI actually makes it perform better. One thing’s for sure: we’re only scratching the surface of what’s coming, and things are moving fast.

Still waiting for that MRI test to get approved? Physicians are just as frustrated as patients with the prior authorization process, and too often, they take the blame for delays caused by a system they don’t control. Tune in as Dr. Daniel Davis, Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics, explains what a prior authorization is, why it was created, who’s reviewing your requests, and what physicians can do to reduce denials. To learn more about Rothman Orthopaedics, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis, visit RothmanOrtho.com today!