Breathe Free with Matt Ghanem

SummaryIn this episode of the Breathe Free podcast, host Matt Ghanem welcomes Dr. Kenny Iloabachie, a new physician partner, to discuss his journey to joining Breathe Free, his observations on patient care, and the importance of work-life balance. Dr. Iloabachie shares insights on the transition to a new EMR system, the positive feedback from his staff, and the significance of community engagement through charity initiatives. The conversation also touches on parenting, defining success, and a light-hearted debate on the impact of basketball legends LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Adam Pellegrine started his career with National Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers in 2020 at the Dallas location. As part of the clinical staff, he was able to develop processes in every operational aspect, from patient coordination to eventually operations management.  Empathetic patient care, unique problem solving, staff and patient education, and servant leadership have been formative guides as he has grown with the organization, leading him to his role as Director of New Clinic Operations as well as Regional Operations Manager.Experienced as a new clinic operations manager, Adam possesses a proven track record of successfully planning, managing, and overseeing new clinics from build-out to full operation. Starting with a second location for Dallas Breathe Free, he has assisted in the opening of multiple Breathe Free locations including, but not limited to, Woodbridge, West Palm Beach, Columbia, and Las Vegas, with the list only continuing to grow.Originally from Birmingham, AL, Adam received his BA in Biology and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas, Arlington. While Dallas remains his home base, Adam travels from coast to coast opening new Breathe Free clinics. In any downtime, you can catch Adam enjoying the outdoors, traveling, or spending time with his pups, Benjamin and Deloris.

Adam M. Shapiro, M.D., M.A.S. is delighted to be the newest member of the Breathe Free family, soon to be affiliated with Miami Breathe Free in Coconut Grove, Florida. He is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, a licensed pilot, a dedicated member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviation Division and an intrepid traveler. He is board certified in both Sleep Medicine and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, a Fellow of the American Rhinologic Society, and is fellowship trained with sub-specialty experience in Rhinology, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Shapiro is the founder of Aerospace Medical Sleep Consultants and has a particular interest in Human Factors and Sleep Disorders. He is also an Airline Transport Pilot, Citation Jet type rated pilot, Seaplane pilot,, FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, and an Advanced FAA HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner. He is a consultant and active participant with Space Florida. He also serves as an Aircraft Commander, and is a former Division Commander and Assistant District Flight Safety Officer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Dr. Shapiro founded Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat, P.C., the region's premier state-of-the-art otolaryngic surgical practice with offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix, as well the St. Thomas and Virgin Islands Sleep Centers, the territory's only AASM accredited sleep centers. He is also hyperbaric medicine certified and was a DAN referral physician for the Virgin Islands. In his spare time, Dr. Shapiro likes to bike, hike, snorkel, read, and learn as many languages as possible. He lives in Miami with his wife, Pamela Berkowsky, the president of Blue Sapphire Strategies, a defense resilience consulting practice. His son Benjamin, is an aerospace economist working for the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California. His daughter, Zara, is graduating from Cornell University with Honors in Linguistics and this fall will be enrolling in graduate studies at the London School of Economics. He is nearly always accompanied by Blanco Grande, his Arctic White German Shepherd.

Matt Ghanem, Todd Tomlinson and Taylor Borane discuss their thoughts and feelings on the 5th Annual Breathe Free Family Reunion in Part III of this III part reaction series.

Matt Ghanem, Todd Tomlinson and Taylor Borane discuss their thoughts and feelings on the 5th Annual Breathe Free Family Reunion in Part II of this III part reaction series.

Matt Ghanem, Todd Tomlinson and Taylor Borane discuss their thoughts and feelings on the 5th Annual Breathe Free Family Reunion in Part I of this III part reaction series.

James Osborne, DO, FACOOS, is an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat in Surprise, Arizona. Dr. Osborne has been practicing in the Phoenix valley since August of 2006. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Osborne earned his undergraduate bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from The Ohio State University in 1995. After practicing pharmacy for two years, he pursued his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2001. Dr. Osborne stayed in Erie, Pennsylvania, and completed his medical/general surgery internship at LECOM Health Millcreek Community Hospital and his dual otorhinolaryngology and facial plastic surgery residency at UPMC Hamot Medical Center (formerly Millcreek Community Hospital). He served as chief otolaryngology resident in 2005.Dr. Osborne is an adjunct clinical professor at Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. He is also a founding physician member of the Utu Humanitarian Alliance with hopes to one day take it to the next step and personally care for those patients in under-served countries. In March 2017, Honor Health Deer Valley Hospital presented Dr. Osborne with an award in honor of his Citizenship and Community Service. In his free time, he and his wife enjoy watching their children's sporting events and spending time in the great outdoors. He enjoys being an ENT physician and surgeon because he gets to care for patients young and old.

Brittany Camden is our National Authorization Director, overseeing the largest team at Breathe Free. Brittany aspires to foster a culture where each team member feels valued and has the opportunity to grow.  Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Brittany graduated from the University of Arizona and went on to receive her Master’s in Special Education. After ten years in education, she joined the Breathe Free family after learning about a new opportunity. She is passionate about advocating for patients much like she would advocate for students.  Her background in education, behavioral health, and leadership equip her to support and coach new and veteran team members.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and traveling to new places — with a special place in her heart for Alaska. 

CEO Matt Ghanem's wife, Ginna Ghanem, joins the Breathe Free Podcast to give the Breathe Free Family an opportunity to learn a little bit about their CEO.

Dr. Waters is a board certified subspecialist in the field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and her practice includes the full scope of ear, nose, and throat issues in patients of all ages. She is also Board Certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her expertise includes Rhytidectomy (Facelift), Brow Lift, Blepharoplasty and Rhinoplasty (cosmetic nasal surgery), as well as Otoplasty, skin cancer reconstruction of the face, neck, and all aspects of functional nasal surgery including Nasal Fracture repair and Septoplasty. Dr. Waters additionally has distinct knowledge in the nonsurgical management of the skin and soft tissue including the use of neurotoxins, fillers, and laser and chemical rejuvenation. Dr. Waters graduated with honors from The Ohio State University School of Medicine and Public Health and subsequently completed a residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. After completing her residency, she completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with one of the world’s leaders in the field. She is a Double Board Certified physician as a Facial Plastic Surgeon and by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.