Leading Through Change in Orthopedics and Academic Medicine with Dr. Alexander Vaccaro

In this episode, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses balancing surgeon autonomy with the realities of modern healthcare systems, aligning academic and clinical priorities, and preparing organizations for rapid technological and operational change.

In this episode, Ronjon Paul, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Endeavor Health Medical Group, discusses developing multidisciplinary spine programs, leading within a large health system, and how AI is transforming patient care, clinical decision making, and physician workflows.

In this episode, Antonia F. Chen, MD, Chair and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern and incoming President of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and R. Michael Meneghini, MD, CEO and Founder of the Indiana Orthopedic Institute and immediate past president of AAHKS, join the podcast to discuss leadership transitions and the importance of reestablishing communication as new leaders. They also explore how AI dictation tools can reduce administrative burden and improve work-life balance, the impact of Medicaid cuts and financial pressures on orthopedic care, and the importance of supporting women in healthcare leadership and surgery.

In this episode, Edward J. Dohring, M.D., of the Spine Institute of Arizona, discusses the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, emerging innovations in spine care, and the evolving role of AI and minimally invasive approaches. He also shares insights on improving patient outcomes, balancing cost and quality, and shaping the next generation of spine leaders.

This episode features Aqib Zehri, MD, Neurosurgeon at The Oregon Clinic. Here he discusses his thoughts on access to care, exhausting non-surgical options first, what he is doing to improve quality outcomes, and more.

In this episode, Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, joins the podcast to discuss the growing role of personalization in surgery and the adoption of AI in clinical practice. He shares insights on building and scaling individual practices through patient education online, as well as the broader impact of GLP-1 medications on patient health and orthopedic outcomes.

In this episode, Leo Spector, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and CEO of OrthoCarolina, joins the podcast to discuss major industry shifts from inpatient to outpatient surgery. He shares how expanding access to care, lowering costs, and improving outcomes are shaping strategy, and offers his perspective on what success will look like for healthcare organizations in the future.

In this episode, Dr. Bradley Lamm, DPM, Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Center and Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Correction Fellowship at the Paley Institute, joins the podcast to discuss groundbreaking advancements in foot and ankle surgery. He highlights the world’s first patient-specific 3D-printed procedure, explores MedCad treatment options, and shares how these innovations are driving more advanced healing and improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, Wake Radiology’s President and Managing Partner Brent Townsend, MD and COO Parul Galloway discuss practical strategies to help mitigate patient access, workforce and other common challenges to successfully scale outpatient imaging. Together with Jason Weshler, VP of Outpatient Solutions at Siemens Healthineers, they explore how digitalization and AI-based tools, operational innovations, and advocacy efforts are shaping the future of patient-centered radiology care.This episode is sponsored by Siemens Healthineers.

In this episode, Samir Mehta, MD, Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Service and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of trauma care and how machine learning and AI are shaping the future of the field. He also shares practical advice for emerging leaders looking to grow and lead in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.