Emotional Intelligence and Thriving in Healthcare with Dr. David Fessel

In this episode, David Fessel, MD, former University of Michigan radiologist turned author, coach, and speaker, shares how emotional intelligence drives better leadership, resilience, and relationships in healthcare. He explores practical micro practices, the power of feedback, and how awareness and positive emotions can help clinicians and executives thrive.

In this episode, Michelle McMacken, MD, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses expanding a systemwide lifestyle medicine program focused on preventing and improving chronic disease through nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and community support. She also shares how interdisciplinary care teams and group medical visits are helping patients achieve lasting health improvements.

In this episode, Salim S. Hayek, MD, Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer, and Interim Chair of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch, discusses how AI driven referral triage and operational redesign can reduce administrative burden and improve patient access. He also shares how health systems can build strong foundations for growth amid financial pressure and regulatory uncertainty.

In this episode, Bashir Agboola, DBA, MBA, MSc, CHCIO, CDH-E, Managing Partner at Interdym and former executive at Hospital for Special Surgery, discusses moving from AI experimentation to sustainable execution in healthcare. He shares insights on ambient documentation, predictive analytics, structured governance, and how disciplined strategy turns digital investments into measurable clinical and financial impact.

In this episode, Ravi K. Bashyal, MD, Vice Chairman of Patient and Provider Experience at Endeavor Health and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, shares how patient centered culture, standardized pathways, and surgical specialization have built the busiest orthopedic hospital in Illinois. He discusses outpatient joint replacement, system wide growth, and why humility and human connection remain at the core of high performance care.

In this episode, Grant Zarzour, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Founder and CEO of Sperity Health, shares how a personal family journey inspired him to build a data driven, proactive approach to reducing cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia risk.

In this episode, Rob Heiser, CEO of UGen Health, and Dr. James Voos of University Hospitals discuss how wearable movement technology and standardized data are transforming recovery, improving outcomes, and reducing administrative burden. From caring for the Cleveland Browns to leading innovation in orthopedics, they explore how objective data and research-driven rigor are reshaping the future of care.

In this episode, Daniel J. Elliott, MD, MSCE, FACP, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer of Provider Experience at Centene Corporation, discusses how payers and providers can work together to address cost pressures, workforce challenges, and care coordination. He also shares perspectives on using AI, improving data sharing, and reducing friction in processes like prior authorization to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem.

In this episode, Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Chief Medical Officer for Aetna Medicaid, discusses a new collaboration with National Association of Community Health Centers to improve hypertension control in underserved communities. She shares how data, community partnerships, and addressing social drivers of health can help reduce disparities, prevent chronic disease complications, and improve outcomes for Medicaid members.

In this episode, Karen J. McConnell, PharmD, MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Michigan Medicine, discusses building a unified pharmacy strategy across multiple campuses, launching a systemwide pharmacy and therapeutics committee, and expanding specialty and ambulatory pharmacy services. She also shares how pharmacy leaders are preparing for rapid industry changes, drug pricing policy shifts, and the growing pipeline of complex therapies.