Connected by Health is a modern healthcare podcast hosted by Krishna Vedala, MD, MPH, MBA, CPEβa board-certified Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician, healthcare executive, and innovation leader based in Oklahoma City.
This show explores the intersection of clinical medicine, physician leadership, healthcare operations, AI in healthcare, and data-driven decision-making; all with one goal: creating more connected, effective, and human-centered care.
Each episode features conversations with physicians, healthcare executives, innovators, and system leaders on:
- Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine
- AI in Healthcare & Health Data Management
- Physician Leadership & Practice Management
- Healthcare Finance, Business Intelligence & Quality Improvement
- Operational Excellence & Lean Six Sigma in healthcare
Dr. Vedala brings a rare blend of frontline clinical experience, executive leadership training, and systems-level thinking, helping listeners bridge the gap between medicine, leadership, and innovation.
π§ Connected by Health is for physicians, healthcare leaders, administrators, and anyone committed to building the future of healthcare together.
Connect with Dr. Krishna Vedala
π LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkvedala
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Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
#07 - Prevention, Policy, and People: Public Health in Practice
Monday, April 6, 2026 β’ Duration 22:16
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kerry Morgan, public health professor and health behavior researcher at the University of Central Oklahoma, to explore the foundational role of public health in shaping healthier, more resilient communities. From disease prevention and health education to burnout, research, and policy, this conversation highlights how public health operates far beyond hospitalsβimpacting every aspect of society.
We dive into the importance of investing in prevention systems like vaccination, sanitation, and disease surveillance, and how these efforts not only save lives but reduce long-term healthcare costs. Dr. Morgan also shares practical strategies for addressing burnout, improving health literacy, and making physical activity more accessibleβwhile emphasizing the critical role of research in driving meaningful, evidence-based change.
As we recognize National Public Health Week, this episode serves as a powerful reminder: the health of a society is built long before patients ever walk into a clinic. When we invest in public health, we invest in everything.
π Key Highlights & Takeaways π Public Health = Prevention First
Focuses on stopping problems before they become crises
Reduces:
Hospitalizations
Healthcare costs
Lost productivity
Example: Vaccination and surveillance systems prevent outbreaks before escalation
π‘ Health Is Shaped by More Than Medicine
Behavior, environment, relationships, and policy all influence outcomes
Public health works at the population level, not just individual care
π§ Burnout Is Both Personal AND Systemic
Individual strategies:
Identify "depleters vs energizers"
Lean into what restores energy
System-level solutions:
Flexible work environments
Protected time for decompression
Strong communication culture
π Health Education = Empowerment
Health literacy enables better decision-making
Small gaps in understanding (e.g., nutrition labels) can lead to major health impacts
Critical for:
Obesity prevention
Chronic disease management
Long-term behavior change
π Physical Activity = Underrated Medicine
Benefits go far beyond weight:
Improves mental health (anxiety, depression)
Enhances sleep and mood
Reduces chronic disease risk
Community design plays a key role in accessibility
π¬ Research Drives Everything Forward
Innovations (like GLP-1 medications) take years to decades
Requires:
Rigorous scientific testing
Replication across studies
Long-term investment
Without research β no safe or scalable solutions
π€ Community Engagement Is Essential
Trust is built through direct engagement
Policy must be:
Evidence-based
Community-informed
UCO's MPH program emphasizes real-world partnerships
Where Health, Society, and Innovation Intersect
Β
Connected by Health is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose, Connected by Health reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
π€ If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
β If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to leave a review, it truly makes a difference.
π§ And don't forget to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode when it drops.
#06 - Resilient Leadership: Building Trust, Equity, and Safety in Health Systems
Monday, March 30, 2026 β’ Duration 33:31
In this episode of Connected by Health, host Krishna Vedala sits down with healthcare administrator Adrian Francisco from Advent Aurora Health in Wisconsin to explore what it truly means to lead in today's evolving healthcare system. Drawing from his experience within one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., Adrian explains how administrative decisionsβfrom staffing models to reimbursement structuresβultimately determine what care is even possible for patients.
Set against the backdrop of a $4.5β$5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry (nearly 18β20% of GDP), this conversation examines the immense scaleβand pressureβplaced on healthcare leaders. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of administrators has shifted dramatically: from focusing on operational efficiency to leading through workforce burnout, staffing shortages, and ongoing system disruption.
The episode highlights a critical reality:
Nearly 1 in 5 healthcare workers have left their jobs since 2020, contributing to persistent workforce gaps
Clinician burnout rates remain above 45β50% nationally, directly impacting care delivery and retention
Health system consolidation continues to rise, with over 1,500 hospital mergers in the U.S. since 2000, accelerating post-pandemic due to financial pressures
Adrian challenges the common misconception that efficiency and patient-centered care are in conflict, arguing instead that inefficiency is often what harms patients most. He emphasizes that short-term cost-cutting often leads to long-term quality decline, reinforcing the need for sustainable, system-level thinking.
A major theme of the episode is psychological safety in healthcare leadership. Adrian explains that culture is not built through mission statements, but through how leaders respond when frontline staff raise concerns. Higher reporting of safety events, he notes, is often a sign of greater trustβnot worse performance.
The conversation also dives into healthcare equity, highlighting that:
#05: Education, Health, and the Future of Our Communities
Season 1 Β· Episode 5
Monday, March 23, 2026 β’ Duration 36:25
Education, Health, and the Foundation of Human Potential
Guest: Superintendent Jason Perez
Β The Big Idea of the Episode
This conversation explores how education and health are deeply connected, and why schools often serve as the front line for community wellbeing.
Jason Perez discusses how meeting students' basic human needs is essential before learning can truly happen β a concept rooted in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
The core message:
Students cannot succeed academically if their basic human needs are not met first.
Β Key Themes From the Episode 1. Maslow's Hierarchy Still Applies Today
Perez references Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1943) as a guiding principle for leadership and education.
The hierarchy shows that before higher-level goals like learning or achievement can occur, basic needs must be satisfied:
Physiological needs (food, shelter, safety)
Security and stability
Belonging and connection
Self-esteem
Self-actualization
One powerful way Perez explains it:
"Before we can enjoy a good book, be a good friend, or be a functional worker, we have to have our basic physiological needs met."
Β 2. Schools Are Now Community Support Centers
The conversation highlights how schools increasingly serve roles beyond education.
Many students rely on schools for:
Meals
Safety
Structure
Emotional support
Β 3. Leadership in Education Β 4. The Intersection of Health and Education Β The Core Takeaway
#04: The Middlemen Behind Drug Prices: What PBMs Don't Want You to Know
Season 1 Β· Episode 4
Monday, March 23, 2026 β’ Duration 37:29
Why Your Prescriptions Cost So Much: A Pharmacist Explains PBMs
Β
Why does the same medication cost dramatically less in other countries while Americans are stuck choosing between prescriptions and rent?
In this episode of Connected by Health, Dr. Krishna Vedala sits down with Alexander Vedala, a licensed pharmacist and CEO of Sooner Pharmacy and Compassionate Care Pharmacy, to expose what's really driving prescription drug prices in the U.S. and why patients feel trapped inside a system that's supposed to protect them.
As Alexander puts it, PBMs were "supposed to help reduce cost to medications"β¦ but the incentives got "tainted."
Β
You'll hear a behind-the-counter breakdown of the biggest cost drivers, including:
PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) as the "middleman" gatekeepers between manufacturers and insurers
Rebates that don't reach patients: "They don't pass that through to the patient."
Spread pricing: the insurer sees one price, the pharmacy gets another "and they're pocketing that money."
Steering patients to mail-order through higher copays at local pharmacies (often owned by the PBM)
Why independent pharmacies are being squeezed, especially in rural communities where access is already fragile
Β
And yes, they talk real numbers and real human impact.
Alexander shares a personal story that brings the entire issue into sharp focus:
"My youngest son has type one diabetes⦠and that's just not affordable for a lot of people."
Β
This isn't just a rant about what's broken. It's a roadmap for what could change.
#03: Inside the ICU During COVID: Sacrifice, Truth, and the Collapse of Trust
Season 1 Β· Episode 3
Monday, March 23, 2026 β’ Duration 43:34
A Tale of Sacrifice and Truth: The Untold Reality of Practicing Medicine During COVID When Medicine Had No Playbook
Β
What was it really like inside hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Behind the headlines, political arguments, and endless media coverage were physicians and nurses navigating a crisis that modern medicine had never faced before.
Protocols were evolving in real time. Data changed daily. And every decision carried life-or-death consequences.
As we explain in this episode:
"We were doing research on the go while taking care of patients."
Doctors were simultaneously learning about a new disease while trying to save lives; often without clear guidance and under immense pressure.
Β The Human Cost Inside Hospitals
While the public saw case counts and statistics, healthcare workers experienced something very different.
Hospitals were pushed beyond capacity. Ventilators were scarce. Physicians were forced to make rapid triage decisions about which patients were most likely to survive.
And at the same time, they carried a deeply personal fear home with them every day.
"Every day going home and every day coming to work, those decisions were things I hated."
Many healthcare workers isolated themselves from their own families to avoid spreading the virus. Some stripped off their clothes in the garage before entering their homes. Others lived in constant anxiety about infecting loved ones.
The emotional toll of those years is still unfolding today.
Β Moral Injury in Medicine
One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is moral injury β the psychological burden that comes from making impossible decisions under extreme circumstances.
Physicians weren't just treating a disease. They were confronting ethical dilemmas that most medical training never prepares you for:
Β Misinformation, Disinformation, and the Collapse of Trust Β The Reality of Medical Expertise Β Why This Conversation Matters Β
#02: The White Coat Burden: The System Is Breaking Its Healers
Season 1 Β· Episode 2
Monday, March 23, 2026 β’ Duration 23:26
300β400 Physicians a Year: The Crisis We Refuse to Fix
Β
In the United States, 300 to 400 physicians die by suicide every year. That's roughly one doctor per day.
Among male physicians, suicide rates are 40% higher than the general population. Among female physicians, the rate is 130% higher.
This isn't burnout. This isn't weakness. This is a system-level crisis hiding in plain sight.
Β
As Krishna states in this episode:
"Physician mental health is not optional. It is infrastructure."
Β
In this powerful and difficult conversation, we examine what's really driving physician mental health decline and why the language of "burnout" may actually be minimizing the problem.
Because this isn't just emotional exhaustion.
It's moral injury; being forced to act against your professional values. It's documentation overload; up toΒ two hours of charting for every one hour of patient care. It's fear of seeking therapy because of licensing repercussions. It's a culture that "rewards performance over health."
As shared in the episode:
"You can't just meditate your way out of a broken system."
This conversation moves beyond individual resilience and into the uncomfortable truth: The system designed to heal patients is quietly harming its healers.
Β
Why does this matter?
Because physician mental health is directly tied to:
Patient safety
#01: The Human Side of Healthcare: Marriage, Ambition & Big Dreams
Season 1 Β· Episode 1
Monday, March 23, 2026 β’ Duration 09:33
The Human Side of Healthcare: Marriage, Ambition & Big Dreams
Β
When we talk about healthcare, we often focus on systems, policies, and diagnoses. But behind every title and credential is a human being with vision, ambition, and deeply personal motivations.
In this episode of Connected by Health, I step outside the clinical setting and into a candid conversation at home. This is not a discussion about treatment plans or medical protocols. It is a conversation about leadership, legacy, family, and the kind of future we want to build in healthcare.
If you believe health is about more than a diagnosis, this episode will resonate with you.
In this personal and reflective dialogue with my wife, we explore the dreams and ambitions that drive us beyond our daily responsibilities. I share my long-term vision of serving at the highest levels of public health, including the aspiration to one day become Surgeon General of the United States. We discuss what retirement could look likeβnot as an escape from work, but as a season of intentional living, writing, building, and continuing to contribute.
We also examine innovation beyond medicine, including ideas around sustainable business models, leadership opportunities in emerging industries, and how entrepreneurial thinking intersects with healthcare reform.
At its core, this episode introduces something foundational to this podcast: healthcare leadership begins with clarity of purpose. It begins with values. And it begins at home.
The future of healthcare will not be shaped solely by clinical expertise. It will be shaped by leaders who are willing to think long-term, dream boldly, and build intentionally.
Β
In this episode, you will hear reflections on:
Balancing professional ambition with family life
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A patient's ZIP code can be a stronger predictor of health outcomes than genetic factors
Inequitable access leads to higher emergency department use, avoidable admissions, and increased system costs
Addressing equity is not just ethicalβit is a financial and quality strategy essential for long-term sustainability
Finally, the episode explores the future of healthcare through digital transformation, AI, and telehealth, stressing that technology must be designed with clinicians and patients in mindβor risk widening existing disparities.
At its core, this episode is about stewardship. As Adrian puts it, healthcare leaders are not just managersβthey are architects of systems that determine who gets care, how quickly, and at what quality. In a time of constraint and uncertainty, leadership rooted in clarity, courage, and consistency is what will ultimately shape the future of healthcareβand the health of our communities.
Key Episode Highlights:
Healthcare administration determines what care is possibleβnot just how it's delivered
Post-COVID leadership requires resilience, not just efficiency
Burnout and workforce shortages are among the greatest threats to system stability
Efficiency β cutting cornersβit's about removing barriers to better care
Psychological safety is built through actions, not slogans
Equity reduces cost and improves outcomesβit's a strategic priority
Technology must be implemented as a people-centered change strategy, not just an IT upgrade
Strong leadership is measured by trust, consistency, and long-term impactβnot short-term metrics
Where Health, Society, and Innovation Intersect
Connected by Health is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose, Connected by Health reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
π€ If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
β If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to leave a review, it truly makes a difference.
π§ And don't forget to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode when it drops.
Β
Stability
Perez shares a striking statistic:
About 69% of students in Oklahoma qualify for free or reduced lunch.
This means schools are often addressing basic survival needs, not just academic development.
Perez also reflects on leadership lessons learned through his career as an educator and superintendent.
Key leadership principles discussed:
Listening to communities
Understanding cultural and socioeconomic challenges
Supporting both students and teachers
Building systems that help children succeed beyond the classroom
Education leadership today requires balancing policy, community needs, and human development.
The episode ties directly into the Connected by Health mission: recognizing that health extends far beyond medical care.
Education, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and community stability all influence long-term health outcomes.
In many ways:
Healthy communities begin with supported students.
Education and healthcare are not separate systems.
They are deeply interconnected and if we want to improve the future of healthcare, we must also invest inΒ supporting students and strengthening schools today.
Β
Where Health, Society, and Innovation Intersect
Β
Connected by HealthΒ is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year; whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated; they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose,Β Connected by Health reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
π€ If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
β If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to leave a review, it truly makes a difference.
π§ And don't forget to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode when it drops.
You'll hear actionable reform ideas, including:
Moving toward transparent "cost-plus" pricing (and what Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs gets right)
Eliminating or reducing prior authorizations that delay care
Rebuilding incentives so drug pricing isn't driven by profit from inflated costs
Expanding pharmacists' role to reduce delays and expand access ("you guys know the dosing if not better than we do")
Why "provider status for pharmacists" could help patients get faster, cheaper care
Β
Alexander also makes the case for coalition-level advocacy across the healthcare team:
"We'd be much more powerful if we could get together⦠joining the fight."
Β
If you've ever wondered why your prescriptions are expensive, confusing, or delayed; this episode will give you clarity (and probably a few jaw-dropping moments).
Connected by HealthΒ is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose,Β Connected by HealthΒ reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
π€ If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
β If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to leave a review, it truly makes a difference.
π§ And don't forget to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode when it drops.
β’ Patients dying without family present β’ Delivering devastating news over the phone β’ Limited resources forcing impossible choices
These experiences left many healthcare workers emotionally exhausted and questioning the system they had dedicated their lives to serving.
Another difficult challenge during the pandemic was the rapid spread of misinformation.
The episode explores the important distinction between:
Misinformation β incorrect information shared unknowingly Disinformation β false information intentionally spread for influence or gain
Both had a profound impact on public perception of medicine.
As trust eroded, many physicians found themselves facing skepticism from the very communities they were trying to help.
One of the most striking reflections from this episode is a simple but powerful reminder about expertise.
"We should not be put on a podium⦠but when it comes to our area of expertise, we should be listened to."
Healthcare workers were never asking to be idolized. They were simply asking for the space to practice medicine in good faith during an unprecedented crisis.
This episode offers a rare and honest look at what healthcare professionals experienced behind the scenes during the pandemic.
It's not just a story about medicine.
It's a story about leadership under pressure, ethical responsibility, sacrifice, and the fragile relationship between science and public trust.
If we want to move forward as a healthcare system and as a society conversations like this are essential.
Β
ποΈ Listen now to Connected by Health and explore the truth behind one of the most challenging chapters in modern medicine.
Connected by HealthΒ is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose,Β Connected by HealthΒ reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
Connected by HealthΒ is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose,Β Connected by HealthΒ reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.
π€ If today's conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
β If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to leave a review, it truly makes a difference.
π§ And don't forget to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode when it drops.
Β
Raising children with strong values while pursuing meaningful work
The importance of setting long-term goals in public service
Why innovation requires both vision and humility
And how leadership in healthcare starts with personal integrity
Β
My hope is that this conversation encourages other healthcare professionals to think beyond their current role and consider the broader impact they are capable of making.
Because medicine is not just a career. It is a calling. And leadership is not defined by position, but by responsibility.
If this episode added value to you, I encourage you to share it with a colleague, friend, or fellow healthcare professional who is thinking about their own next chapter.
And if you are listening on Apple Podcasts, I would greatly appreciate it if you left a review and shared your biggest takeaway.
Thank you for being part of Connected by Health. Together, we can help shape a more innovative, humane, and connected future for healthcare.
Connected by HealthΒ is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut β it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.
Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year β whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease β affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated β they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.
Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.
Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose, Connected by Health reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure β because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.