Explore every episode of the podcast A Dose of Optimism
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| New Behavioral Health Care Models for Kids | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:28:55 | |
Children’s mental health challenges are rising worldwide, yet access to effective care remains limited. In this episode, we explore new approaches to pediatric mental health with three leaders working to expand access and improve outcomes. Episode Resources: National Alliance For Eating Disorders Dr Louise Metcalf, Gheorg Founder & Psychologist
Sophia Waitt - Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Optimistic Canadians | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:51:24 | |
Canadian healthcare innovators are proving that optimism, data, and thoughtful technology can reshape pediatric care. In this episode, three leading physician-innovators share how digital health, artificial intelligence, and smarter care models are transforming outcomes for children and families. Dr. Shazhan Amed discusses how her startup Haibu Health is using digital health platforms and data integration to improve the lives of children living with type 1 diabetes, reduce hospitalizations, and support care across the entire lifespan. Dr. Joshua Liu, CEO at SeamlessMD, explores the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare, from the rapid rise of AI scribes to the next generation of tools focused on care delivery, workflow automation, and patient engagement. Dr. Devin Singh, Founder & CEO Hero AI, shares groundbreaking work using real-time AI models in the pediatric emergency department to accelerate diagnoses, reduce wait times, and improve care for vulnerable populations. Together, they offer an optimistic perspective on how Canada’s healthcare ecosystem is driving meaningful innovation in pediatric care.
Scribe - Smarter documentation software, powered by AI Revolutionize how you write text - AI Sidekick
Dr. Shazhan Amed BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Live 5210 - BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
The Hospital for Sick Children Website The Hospital for Sick Children LinkedIn The Hospital for Sick Children Instagram
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Season 2 Premiere: Return of the Parentrepreneurs! | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:38:55 | |
We’re kicking off Season 2 by spotlighting parent-innovators who turned lived experience into action. This episode brings together founders who are reshaping pediatric mental health, literacy, and NICU care through empathy, technology, and perseverance. Hafeezah Muhammad, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, shares how her son’s mental health crisis led her to build a technology-enabled, family-centered mental health platform that serves children as young as four and supports parents, caregivers, and clinicians together. Carla Small, founder of Sprout Labs, explains how science-backed literacy tools and AI can identify dyslexia early, personalize instruction, and prevent years of academic struggle and declining self-esteem. Phil Martie, founder of Nicolette, reflects on his NICU journey as a parent of premature twins and how it inspired him to build tools that turn complex hospital data into clear, empowering insights for families navigating neonatal intensive care. Together, these conversations highlight the power of early intervention, empathetic design, and technology that meets families where they are, before crises deepen and systems fail them.
Autism: Tools to help doctors and parents
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| CMIOs: Speaking Multiple Languages to Deliver Innovation | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:25:17 | |
Pediatric healthcare is shaped by systems that are often invisible to patients and families, yet deeply influential in how care is delivered. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni is joined by three leaders working at the intersection of pediatrics, informatics, and digital transformation. Rod Tarrago, CMIO Pediatrics at Amazon Web Services, and Troy McGuire, CHIO at CHLA, share how informatics and data-driven design can reduce friction in pediatric care. Together, they discuss interoperability, clinician workflows, and the importance of building systems that support care teams without adding unnecessary burden. Shaun Miller, CHIO at Cedars-Sinai, brings a health system perspective on clinical decision support, physician wellness, and the responsible use of digital tools. He explains how thoughtful technology implementation can improve efficiency while keeping clinicians focused on patient care. This conversation highlights how careful system design, collaboration, and practical innovation can make pediatric healthcare more connected, more humane, and more sustainable for the people delivering and receiving care.
TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement CDEC - California Data Exchange Center RHIO - Regional Health Information Organization LANES - Los Angeles Network for Enhanced Services K Health: 24/7 Access to High-Quality Medicine Cedars-Sinai Connect - 24/7 world-class care without the wait RPM - Remote Patient Monitoring - example 1 example 2
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Website Amazon Web Services (AWS) LinkedIn Amazon Web Services (AWS) Instagram
Children's Hospital L.A. Troy McGuire
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Community Health Innovations | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:32:11 | |
Improving children’s health requires more than medical care alone. It depends on access to nutritious food, early learning support, trusted information, and healthcare systems designed around families. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with three leaders working across different parts of the pediatric ecosystem. Sam Polk, CEO of Everytable, shares how food access and affordability shape health outcomes and why he believes nutritious meals should be available in every community. Patti Miller, Director of Too Small to Fail (Clinton Foundation), discusses the role of early childhood development, media, and caregiver support in building lifelong health and learning foundations. Laura Wood, EVP, Patient Care Operations and System Chief Nurse Executive at Boston Children's Hospital brings the perspective of a nurse leader, highlighting how care delivery models, professional practice environments, and digital tools can better support children and families. Together, they explore how cross sector collaboration can help address complex challenges in children’s health and why optimism comes from practical, people centered solutions already taking shape.
Compton Unified School District American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) California Department of Social Services Read: Early Literacy Policy Statement Read: Univision Communications, Inc. and Too Small to Fail Read: Spotify launches a new Kids category with a focus on learning activities, language development American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Read: The CAMEO tool: Capturing the complex nature of pediatric nursing
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| Inside the New Asynchronous Pediatrics | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:30:37 | |
Parents want fast, credible answers about their children’s health, and asynchronous care is opening a new path to get there. In this episode, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with two leaders shaping how families access pediatric care. Ellen Da Silva, Founder and CEO of Summer Health, explains how message based pediatric support can deliver answers from real physicians within minutes. She shares how parents use text, photos, and videos to get both urgent and everyday questions addressed without needing live appointments. Then, designer and digital health leader Arna Ionescu Stoll describes how Wavely Dx is turning the smartphone into a diagnostic tool, starting with ear infection detection through sound analysis and expanding to concussion screening. Together, they explore how asynchronous care can reduce unnecessary visits, improve access, and give parents confidence in moments of uncertainty.
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
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| 40 Optimists in One Room in Chicago | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:38:42 | |
Once a year, a very special group gathers in person: the behind-the-scenes innovators, operators, clinicians, policymakers, and digital health leaders shaping the future of children’s healthcare. This year, that group met in Chicago at the KidsX Pediatric Health Innovation Summit, and we recorded the entire experience. In this unique live episode, Omkar shares highlights from the day: inspiring stories from leaders like AVIA CEO Clay Holderman, discussions on patient experience and digital tools from Stacy Zoucha, insights into pediatric AI from Ali Nasser, and conversations about policy, innovation pathways, device development, and the role of federal agencies with Stephen Konya and Dr. Juan Espinoza. It’s a rare look at the community of “innovation enablers” working to make healthcare better for children, the people who build connections, remove barriers, and help new ideas find their way into practice.
CTIP - FDA-funded MedTech accelerator FDA Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) Grants Program
Clay Holderman - CEO at AVIA Stacy Zoucha - Director of Digital Health and Innovation at Children's Nebraska Ali Nasser - Manager, Insights & Advisory at AVIA Stephen Konya - Chief, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Juan Espinoza - Chief Research Informatics Officer at Lurie Children’s Hospital
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
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| From Minecraft to Remote Monitoring: Innovating the Patient Experience | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:42:01 | |
Pediatric innovation has never been static, and today, children’s hospitals across the country are adopting new tools that make care more connected, supportive, and responsive to family needs. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Dr. Bimal Desai of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Dr. Zafar Chaudry of Seattle Children’s share how their teams are rethinking the patient and caregiver experience through digital innovation. Dr. Desai discusses the unique realities of pediatric remote patient management, how digital check-ins are supporting medically complex children at home, and why small, high-need populations are often the biggest drivers of meaningful impact. Dr. Chaudry then shares how Seattle Children’s is approaching AI thoughtfully (emphasizing culture, trust, and workflow) and why tools like their Minecraft hospital world are giving young patients a sense of agency during their hospital stay. Together, they offer a grounded and hopeful look at how digital health, careful design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can make care more supportive for families, while keeping clinicians at the center of decision-making.
Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring and Management Program (ISVMP) at CHOP Remote patient management (RPM) at CHOP
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
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| The Mighty Parentrepreneurs | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:29:31 | |
When a child becomes seriously ill, parents often find themselves navigating overwhelming information, emotions, and decisions, all while trying to stay present for their families. In this episode, we meet two remarkable innovators whose ideas were born from these very moments. Aubrey Kelly, CEO of Rabble Health, shares the story of her son’s leukemia diagnosis, the emotional and logistical realities of living at a children’s hospital, and how that experience reshaped her understanding of patient support. Drawing on her biopharma background, she explains why she created Rabble Health to help families access information, resources, and shared decision-making tools when they need them most. We also meet Ella Casano, the Stanford student who invented Medi-Teddy at age 12 after seeing how intimidating IV bags looked to children receiving treatment. What began as a school project has now supported more than 15,000 pediatric patients worldwide through a nonprofit committed to making care feel a little less frightening. This conversation highlights how families, through lived experience, creativity, and determination, can drive meaningful improvements in pediatric healthcare.
Make a tax-deductible donation to 501(c)3 nonprofit at www.medi-teddy.org
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
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| Preventing Allergies Before They Start | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:32:16 | |
Food allergies affect millions of children across the U.S., but what if many could be prevented before they start? In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni speaks with Daniel Zakowski, CEO of Ready, Set, Food!, and Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac, pediatric allergist and immunologist at the Cleveland Clinic, about the groundbreaking science and strategies behind early allergen introduction. Daniel Zakowski shares how a personal family experience led to the creation of Ready, Set, Food!, a company making it simple for parents to safely introduce common allergens like peanut, egg, and milk during infancy. He explains the public health impact, from insurance coverage to Medicaid partnerships and legislative progress across states. Dr. Bjelac brings the clinical perspective, breaking down decades of research and the pivotal LEAP study that changed everything, proving that early exposure can reduce peanut allergy by more than 70%. She explains the connection between eczema and food allergies, and why empowering parents with the right information can transform lives. It’s an inspiring look at how science, innovation, and advocacy are reshaping the future of childhood health, one spoonful at a time. Episode Resources: Centene Corporation: Managed Care & Healthcare Solutions Medicaid: Keeping America Healthy Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) Allergy Therapeutics advances peanut allergy vaccine with promising early trial data
Cleveland Clinic - Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors o | |||
| Oracle Health: David Feinberg, MD | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:30:33 | |
In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni sits down with Dr. David Feinberg, Chairman of Oracle Health and one of the most influential leaders in modern medicine. From his beginnings as a pediatric psychiatrist to leading organizations like UCLA Health, Geisinger, Google Health, and now Oracle Health, Dr. Feinberg has always focused on one thing: making healthcare more compassionate, connected, and human. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence and data are transforming care, not by replacing doctors, but by empowering them. Dr. Feinberg shares how Oracle Health is building a more open, equitable system that connects patients, providers, and communities in ways that make care simpler and smarter. It’s a conversation about innovation, empathy, and the belief that better data can lead to better care, and ultimately, better lives.
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Living with Diabetes / Home Plate | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:36:21 | |
What does the future of diabetes and nutrition look like for kids? In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni speaks with two remarkable pediatricians shaping that future from different angles. Dr. Larry Deeb, a pioneer in pediatric endocrinology, looks back on five decades of diabetes care, from the days of urine glucose tests to the revolutionary technology of continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin pumps. He explains how innovation has transformed type 1 diabetes from a life-limiting illness into a manageable condition and shares what’s next in early screening and prevention. Then, Dr. Senbagam Virudachalam joins to discuss how food access and education are central to preventing chronic disease. She shares the story behind Home Plate, a six-week food-skills program that empowers parents to cook healthy meals, strengthen family connections, and build long-term health habits from a child’s first 1,000 days of life. Together, they paint a picture of a future where science, empathy, and systems-level change work hand-in-hand to help children live longer, healthier lives. Episode Resources: Home Plate: An Intervention Empowering Low-income Parents to Prepare Healthy Food at Home WIC: USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Website
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Website Dr. Senbagam Virudachalam LinkedIn
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Sleep Studies... from Home? | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:25:32 | |
Pediatric sleep care is undergoing a transformation, from hospital-based sleep labs to home-based, data-driven insights. In this episode, Dr. Eugene Kim and Conner Herman, explore how wearable technology and environmental behavioral sensors are reshaping how we understand children’s sleep. Dr. Eugene Kim shares how Apple Watch–based data collection could help identify sleep apnea risk before anesthesia, potentially reducing ICU admissions, shortening surgical delays, and improving perioperative safety. Meanwhile, Conner Herman explains how Percy uses multi-sensor fusion to objectively measure sleep behaviors at home, especially for children with autism and chronic conditions. Together, they reimagine pediatric sleep from two complementary perspectives: risk stratification before surgery and behavioral pattern detection in real-world environments The result is better data, less guesswork, fewer unnecessary medications, and earlier intervention. This episode dives into pediatric sleep innovation, anesthesia safety, behavioral health, and the future of home-based diagnostics for children. Episode Resources: Estimating Breathing Disturbances and Sleep Apnea Risk from Apple Watch American Academy of Sleep Medicine | AASM | Medical Society
The Division of Pain Medicine CHLA Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine CHLA Virtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (vPICU)
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
The 11th Annual Make March Matter Campaign
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| Autism: Tools to help doctors and parents | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:27:50 | |
This episode of A Dose of Optimism explores how technology and compassion are reshaping the autism journey, from early diagnosis to innovative therapy. Host Omkar Kulkarni talks with Dr. Colleen Kraft, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about how pediatricians are identifying developmental differences earlier than ever. She explains how AI tools like Canvas Dx, developed by Cognoa, are helping families get answers faster and start life-changing interventions while children’s brains are still rapidly developing. Dr. Sharief Taraman, a pediatric neurologist and CEO of Cognoa, shares how technology is expanding access to care by reducing wait times and empowering more clinicians to diagnose and support children with autism. The conversation continues with Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, who describes how virtual reality is being used to teach social and life skills in a safe, immersive environment. His platform is helping children practice everything from crossing the street to making friends, turning therapy into a truly interactive learning experience. From AI to VR, these breakthroughs are giving families hope, access, and the support they need, proving that innovation in children’s health is both possible and powerful.
Read: NYC autism school embraces VR to teach social skills and boost learning Schools turn to VR to develop a ‘future-ready’ neurodivergent workforce For people with disabilities, stressful situations may be traumatic. VR can help | Opinion
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Hungry Children in America | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:31:36 | |
What if every family could access nutritious food as easily as sending a text message? In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, Dr. Jessica Knurick, nutrition scientist and science communicator, and Adam Dole, co-founder and COO of Bento, explore the intersection of food, health, and equity. Jessica breaks down how food deserts, systemic policies, and income inequality affect children’s health, and why nutrition should be seen as a public health priority, not a personal choice. Adam shares how Bento, named one of TIME’s Best Inventions and a Fast Company World Changing Idea, is using technology to fight food insecurity, delivering fresh groceries to families in need while preserving dignity and privacy. 🎧 Listen in to discover how innovation, empathy, and policy can create a healthier, more equitable food future for every child.
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn
“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Schools: A Hub for Children's Healthcare | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:30:43 | |
In this first episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni explores how schools are becoming powerful allies in improving children’s health and well-being. Omkar speaks with Dr. Smita Malhotra, Chief Medical Director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, who shares how her team is reimagining schools as centers for mental, dental, and medical care, bringing services directly to students and families who need them most. He’s also joined by Andrew Post, President of Hazel Health, whose company is pioneering school-based telehealth, giving students access to physical and mental health providers right from the classroom. They discuss access, equity, and the future of pediatric healthcare delivery, one that meets kids where they are, in the place they spend most of their day: school. 🎧 Listen now to see how technology, compassion, and collaboration are shaping a brighter, healthier future for every child.
“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Welcome to Dose of Optimism: Stories of Innovation in Pediatric Healthcare | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:01:51 | |
Dose of Optimism, hosted by Omkar Kulkarni. Healthcare is full of challenges, but it’s also full of optimists. Hosted by Omkar Kulkarni, Dose of Optimism introduces you to the innovators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors who believe the future of healthcare can, and will, be brighter. Each episode shines a light on bold ideas and inspiring solutions in healthcare: from tackling mental health and food allergies to reimagining hospital care and harnessing Artificial Intelligence for better outcomes. Through authentic conversations, you’ll hear the stories of people who are not only solving today’s hardest healthcare problems but doing so with hope, creativity, and resilience. 🎙️ New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe today for your regular dose of optimism. “The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” | |||
| Moonshots in Pediatric Healthcare | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:47:21 | |
What does a “moonshot” look like in pediatric healthcare? In this episode, three visionary leaders share how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and consumer-grade design thinking are transforming care for children worldwide. Dr. Timothy Chou introduces the Pediatric Moonshot, a global effort to deploy privacy-preserving AI across 500 children’s hospitals to reduce healthcare inequity and improve outcomes through patient digital twins. Prof Iain Hennessey explores how quantum computing could revolutionize scheduling, imaging, and diagnostics, positioning hospitals today for breakthroughs 7–10 years from now. Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Vital.io, shares how consumer product design principles are improving emergency care, eliminating friction, and transforming patient experience at scale. This conversation looks beyond incremental change, and into the future of pediatric medicine.
BevelCloud - Empowering the Future of Distributed AI
Intuit, Inc. (Intuit, QuickBooks, QB, TurboTax, ProConnect, and Mint)
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:44:01 | |
What if pediatric procedures could be less painful, less invasive, and safer for long-term health? In this episode, three leading physician-scientists from Children's Hospital Los Angeles share how breakthrough technologies are transforming children’s medicine. Dr. Jeffrey I. Gold explains how immersive virtual reality reduces pain, anxiety, and even eliminates sedation for certain procedures. Dr. John Wood discusses how low-field MRI is reducing radiation exposure and anesthesia in pediatric imaging. And Dr. James Amatruda reveals how zebrafish models are accelerating cancer research and improving outcomes for children with rare tumors. From bedside innovation to cutting-edge research labs, this conversation explores how technology is reshaping pediatric care, today and for the future.
MAGNETOM Free.Max (wide bore mri) CHLA Researcher Uses Low-Field MRI to Assess Lung Capacity in Children With Single Ventricle Hearts USC Viterbi School of Engineering Krishna Garikipati - USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Jeff Gold Children's Hospital Los Angeles
John Wood Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Dr. James Amatruda Children's Hospital Los Angeles Amatruda Lab Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital L.A. Website | |||
| Honoring the ‘12th Man’ in Pediatric Care | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:28:01 | |
In this episode, we explore how pediatric healthcare leaders are redesigning systems to prevent harm before it happens. Anne Lyren, Chief Medical and Strategy Officer of the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) Network, explains how children’s hospitals across the country collaborate to reduce serious harm through shared data, transparency, and continuous improvement. Rebecca Egger, CEO of Little Otter, brings a data and mental health lens, discussing why early childhood mental health has long been underestimated and how better data systems can surface risks earlier and more equitably. Manju Dawkins, Founder and CEO of Thimble, challenges long-standing assumptions around pain, fear, and “the way it’s always been done,” sharing how thoughtful design can transform needle procedures and raise the standard of care. Together, this conversation reframes patient safety as a systems problem, one that can be solved through collaboration, empathy, and intentional design.
KidsX x SPS Patient Safety Innovation Challenge Anna Taddio, Professor - Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety Website Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety LinkedIn
Little Otter - a Hazel Health Company
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Designing Comfort: Special Experiences for Kids with Sensory Needs | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:34:39 | |
In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety. Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability. We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Norton, Lisa Boettcher, and Jill Wiench, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients. Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone.
Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's Wisconsin Dayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient care
Children's Wisconsin Instagram
Dayton Children's Hospital Website Dayton Children's Hospital LinkedIn Dayton Children's Hospital Instagram
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Public Health: Policy, Trust, and Emerging Technology | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:37:00 | |
In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how health policy, public trust, and emerging technology continue to shape the future of pediatric care. Tom Priselac reflects on decades of healthcare leadership, including his role as Chair of the American Hospital Association during the development of the Affordable Care Act. He shares how large health systems evolve, why access and quality must move together, and what remains unresolved for Medicaid, public health infrastructure, and underserved communities.Joining him is Boston Children's Hospital innovation leader John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and entrepreneur who bridges public health, data science, and digital innovation. John discusses how real-time data, scalable technology, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health. Together, they explore how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect, and why trust, adaptability, and long-term thinking matter more than ever in healthcare.
iCAN (International Children's Advisory Network) Introducing OpenAI for Healthcare MedTutor AI in Action: AI-Powered Innovation Could Transform Medical Education on Celiac Disease Accelerating scientific breakthroughs with an AI co-scientist
Boston Children's Hospital Website Boston Children's Hospital LinkedIn Boston Children's Hospital Instagram
Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn | |||
| Trauma, Grief and Resilience | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:40:58 | |
In this deeply moving episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how parents, families, children and caregivers navigate trauma, grief, and loss and what meaningful support looks like in the aftermath of a crisis. Dr. David Schonfeld, Director at the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, shares decades of experience helping schools and communities respond to disasters, violence, and loss, emphasizing why resilience does not mean children should be left to cope alone. Emma Payne, Founder & CEO at Help Texts., reflects on how personal loss led her to create scalable, compassionate bereavement support that meets families where they are. Dr. Solfrid Raknes discusses how evidence-based digital tools, like the Helping Hand Digital Game, can help children and adolescents build coping skills, even in the most fragile and conflict-affected settings. Together, this conversation centers on presence, care, and long-term healing, reminding us that recovery is possible when children and those who care for them are supported with intention and humanity.
The Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Wendy G Lichtenthal - Miller School of Medicine Mary Frances O'Connor - UCLA The Center for Good Mourning - Arkansas Children's The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families The Happy Helping Hand Manual - Dr. Solfrid Raknes (for teachers, psycho social staff, facilitators)
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Website National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement LinkedIn National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Instagram National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Facebook
Caregiver and Grief Support for Children's Hospitals
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| Leading Pediatric Care Through Challenge and Change | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:39:12 | |
In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar sits down with two leaders shaping the present and future of pediatric healthcare. Paul Viviano, CEO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, shares a candid perspective on what it means to lead a children’s hospital during a period of unprecedented pressure. From workforce shortages and Medicaid uncertainty to research funding and equity in access, Paul reflects on the realities facing pediatric systems and the leadership principles required to navigate them with clarity and purpose. Kyle Horne, Project Manager for CHLA’s Literally Healing program, brings a deeply human lens to hospital care. Kyle explains how books, storytelling, and literacy support can create moments of comfort, understanding, and hope for children and families during hospitalization. His work reminds us that healing is not only clinical but emotional and developmental as well. Together, this conversation highlights how leadership, creativity, and compassion intersect to support children and families, even in the most challenging environments.
Medicaid - US health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources Medi-Cal Insurance Coverage - California Medicaid Literally Healing at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - an innovative reading program Drew Daywalt - American author and filmmaker Benson Shum - book author and illustrator
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