The Connected Physician – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to The Connected Physician, the podcast that explores the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and leadership. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger sits down with Dr. Victoria Menold, a seasoned family physician from Florida, to share her experiences dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as her exciting transition into concierge medicine.

Dr. Menold, who spent over 17 years serving at a VA clinic, opens up about the challenges Floridians face during hurricane season, from the psychological toll on residents to the health impacts beyond the physical injuries. She shares compelling insights into how stress, trauma, and chronic health conditions escalate after natural disasters.

Beyond her reflections on the hurricanes, Dr. Menold introduces us to her latest venture in concierge medicine. Through this innovative approach, she eliminates the barriers of insurance-based care, focusing on a more personalized, holistic experience for her patients. Her new practice incorporates acupuncture, yoga, and meditation, setting a new standard for patient-centered care.

Key takeaways include:

• The emotional and physical health effects of hurricanes, including stress-related conditions and mental health challenges.
• The shift to concierge medicine and how it improves patient care by offering extended appointments, holistic approaches, and eliminating insurance hurdles.
• How technology and AI are revolutionizing healthcare practices, from note-taking to business development, and streamlining patient care.
• Dr. Menold’s insights on the irreplaceable role of human connection in healthcare, even as AI becomes more integrated into the medical field.

If you're interested in the future of healthcare, the resilience of physicians in challenging environments, and the personalized care model of concierge medicine, this episode offers an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

• Victoria Menold on LinkedIn

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we explore groundbreaking advancements in healthcare, technology, and leadership. In this episode, host Katharina Jünger interviews Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke, a former U.S. Army Physician of the Year and current healthcare innovator.

Dr. Hoedebecke brings a wealth of experience from his 17 years in the military, where he served as the medical director for U.S. Army clinics in Korea, to his leadership roles at Oscar Health and his venture capital firm, 1836.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hoedebecke reflects on:

• The challenges of ensuring soldier readiness in diverse environments like Korea and South America.
• Optimizing healthcare delivery systems in the Army.
• Navigating the shift to tech-driven healthcare.

He also discusses how his experience at Oscar, a tech-first health insurance company, shaped his understanding of the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and highlights the role of technology in revolutionizing patient care.

• The evolution of healthcare systems in both military and civilian sectors.
• How AI, wearables, and telemedicine are set to transform patient care and diagnostics.
• The future of tech-driven solutions in healthcare investment.
• Leadership lessons from both the battlefield and the boardroom.

• Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke on LinkedIn
• 1836 Ventures
• Oscar Health

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we explore the intersection of medicine, technology, and leadership. In this episode, host Katharina Jünger is joined by Mark Shen, a distinguished healthcare leader with an impressive resume, including his roles as former president of both Walmart and Babylon Health, former hospital CEO, and associate professor at the University of Texas.

In this insightful conversation, Mark shares his journey from being a practicing physician to becoming a healthcare leader. He reflects on his experiences as a hospital CEO, the challenges of integrating clinical and administrative roles, and his pivotal work in digital health transformation at Babylon.

Mark also dives deep into the current crisis of physician burnout and how technology—particularly AI—can revolutionize the way doctors interact with patients, restoring joy and human connection to the practice of medicine.

• The critical role of human-to-human interactions in healthcare.
• The impact of technology on reducing administrative burdens for doctors.
• How AI is poised to reshape healthcare workflows without replacing physicians.
• Predictions on the future of healthcare delivery and the collaboration between doctors and AI.

• Mark Shen on LinkedIn
• Walmart Health

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we bring you closer to the people and perspectives shaping modern healthcare. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger speaks with Dr. Eugene C Santillano, a family physician with over two decades of experience and a dedicated specialist in addiction medicine. Dr. Santiago dives into the critical, often under-addressed challenges faced by Medicaid patients, shedding light on how physicians can better support these vulnerable communities.

Dr. Santiago's journey began at UC Davis, where he discovered his passion for serving underserved populations. Over the years, he has developed a unique empathy for Medicaid patients facing limited healthcare access, especially those with addiction issues. His personal connection to addiction, rooted in his own family’s experiences, has given him a profound understanding of his patients' struggles, reinforcing the importance of compassionate and stigma-free care.

Key takeaways include:

• The Realities of Medicaid: Dr. Santiago explores the unique healthcare challenges Medicaid patients face, from limited preventive care to the social pressures that make accessing healthcare difficult.
• Addiction and Empathy in Medicine: Drawing from his family's experiences with addiction, Dr. Santiago discusses how his background fuels his approach to addiction treatment and patient connection.
• Healthcare Inequities Across States: Medicaid's effectiveness varies widely across states, and Dr. Santiago explains how these disparities affect patient outcomes.
• Telemedicine and Homelessness: While telemedicine has been beneficial for some, homeless Medicaid patients face unique obstacles that require innovative solutions like mobile clinics.
• The Future of Medicaid with Technology: Dr. Santiago believes AI and automation can enhance Medicaid services, reduce physician burnout, and allow providers to focus on meaningful patient interactions.

• Eugene C Santillano on LinkedIn
• Addiction Change Experts (ACE) Medical INC.

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we delve into the evolving landscape of healthcare, technology, and innovation. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger is joined by Dr. Adama Diarra, a seasoned internal medicine physician who transitioned from traditional practice to concierge medicine after over a decade in hospitals and private practices.

Dr. Diarra shares the story behind his leap into concierge medicine, a model that is rapidly growing across the U.S., with over 20,000 primary care physicians now adopting this patient-centered approach. He explains how concierge care enables doctors to maintain a smaller patient load, allowing for more personalized, attentive care—an alternative that appeals to many doctors frustrated with the current healthcare system's inefficiencies.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Dr. Diarra describes his own experience with burnout and the growing dissatisfaction among his colleagues. This frustration, combined with his background in biomedical engineering, motivated him to explore ways technology could support a more sustainable practice model.

Katharina and Dr. Diarra dive into the intricacies of concierge care versus traditional insurance-based care. They explore how the latter's administrative demands, large patient volumes, and extensive documentation requirements contribute to physician burnout, making it difficult to provide the kind of individualized care that Dr. Diarra now prioritizes.

Dr. Diarra describes a typical day in his former practice, highlighting how juggling 15–20 patients, phone calls, emails, and billing tasks leaves little room for patient-centered care. With concierge medicine, however, he now has the time and focus needed to address each patient's unique health needs.

The conversation then shifts to technology, where Dr. Diarra shares his vision for tools that could ease the administrative burden on physicians. He imagines systems that automate documentation, process prior authorizations, and generate work accommodation letters, innovations he believes would improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

Katharina also delves into AI's role in healthcare, with Dr. Diarra offering a balanced perspective. While AI holds great promise in diagnostics and workflow efficiency, he stresses the irreplaceable value of human empathy and judgment in patient care.

A childhood dream of becoming a doctor was inspired by the movie Outbreak, which Dr. Diarra recalls as a key influence in his journey to medicine. He emphasizes that courage and compassion remain his guiding principles as he works to make a meaningful difference in his patients' lives.

Dr. Diarra concludes by recommending Outlive by Peter Attia, a book on longevity and preventive health that underscores the importance of mental well-being as a cornerstone of a long, fulfilling life.

Tune in for an enlightening discussion on the future of patient care, the challenges and rewards of concierge medicine, and the transformative potential of technology in healthcare.

Key takeaways include:

• The benefits of concierge medicine for both physicians and patients, including reduced burnout and more personalized care.
• How the current U.S. healthcare system's structure contributes to physician burnout and patient dissatisfaction.
• The role of technology in simplifying administrative tasks to allow physicians more time with patients.
• The potential of AI in healthcare and the enduring importance of human connection in patient care.
• Dr. Diarra’s inspiring journey and the influence of preventive care on his practice philosophy.

• Adama Diarra on LinkedIn

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we connect you to the groundbreaking minds reimagining healthcare delivery. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger sits down with Dr. Paul Thomas, a pioneer in the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement, as they discuss his journey from traditional healthcare to building a practice model focused on direct care, independence, and patient-centered service.

Dr. Thomas, author of Startup DPC, shares insights from his book that have guided countless physicians toward establishing their own DPC practices. The episode dives into the financial and operational challenges within the U.S. healthcare system that inspired Dr. Thomas to make this transition. He sheds light on the staggering administrative costs that inflate patient expenses and how DPC eliminates much of this overhead, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.

Key takeaways include:

• The U.S. Healthcare Landscape: Dr. Thomas contrasts the high administrative expenses of U.S. healthcare with the lower costs seen in countries like Germany, underscoring the need for models like DPC to counter the burden on patients and providers alike.
• Affordable Membership-Based Care: With a monthly fee model, often costing less than a cell phone bill, DPC covers a wide range of primary care services from chronic disease management to preventive care, allowing for more personal and barrier-free patient relationships.
• The DPC Expansion in the U.S.: Since starting his practice in 2016, Dr. Thomas has seen a significant increase in DPC adoption. He predicts that DPC will continue growing as doctors seek ways to practice autonomously while providing high-quality, affordable care.
• Overcoming the Transition Barriers: Acknowledging the financial and logistical risks involved, Dr. Thomas shares strategies for doctors to build a patient base and thrive independently, including resources from his book and online courses to guide them through the startup process.
• Who Benefits from DPC? Dr. Thomas emphasizes that DPC can succeed across diverse communities, even in lower-income areas, with adaptable pricing strategies that meet the needs of each demographic.
• Growing a Thriving Practice: Starting from zero patients, Dr. Thomas now operates five clinics serving 3,500 patients, helping thousands save on healthcare costs. His success story illustrates the tangible impact of DPC on both patient well-being and financial security.

Dr. Thomas closes by encouraging physicians to consider DPC as a way to reclaim their professional autonomy and connect deeply with their patients, with fewer administrative hurdles and more personal satisfaction.

• Paul Thomas, M.D. on LinkedIn
• Plum Health DPC

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we explore how healthcare professionals are transforming patient care through innovation and technology. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger interviews Dr. Jonathan Berkowitz, MD, MBA, an emergency physician and Medical Director of Emergency Telehealth at Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system. Dr. Berkowitz shares the groundbreaking ways Northwell Health is using telehealth to improve emergency care access and redefine patient experiences.

Dr. Berkowitz explains how he led the expansion of Northwell’s emergency telehealth service, known as “Nets,” which was initially launched to relieve the burden on emergency services during the pandemic. Created in just two weeks, Nets became the first telehealth service to support 911 calls, enabling non-critical patients to receive urgent care remotely and reducing strain on EMS teams.

In this episode, Dr. Berkowitz dives into:

• The Birth of Nets: How the pandemic-inspired program was launched at Northwell Health to meet urgent care needs and limit unnecessary ER visits.
• Telehealth Beyond EMS: The program's evolution from assisting EMS teams to serving patients with advanced illnesses and geriatric needs, creating a virtual lifeline for patients who would traditionally need in-person care.
• Integrated Telehealth Models: The importance of seamlessly blending telehealth and in-person care for enhanced continuity and better patient experiences.
• Patient Demand for Virtual Care: How telehealth is meeting the needs of patients of all ages, debunking myths about limited demand.
• The Role of Collaboration: How Northwell's telehealth success hinges on strong teamwork between emergency medicine and EMS, supported by a tech-agnostic approach focused on operations rather than specific platforms.

• Jonathan Berkowitz MD, MBA on LinkedIn
• Northwell Health

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we explore stories that bridge the gaps in healthcare through insights, innovation, and compassion. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger sits down with Dr. Tanner Moore, MD, a North Carolina-based family medicine physician and former U.S. Army brigade surgeon. Dr. Moore opens up about his journey from military medicine to founding a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, providing a model that emphasizes personalized, accessible healthcare without the complexities of insurance.

Dr. Moore’s experience in the military trained him to prioritize patient-centered care, an approach that became the cornerstone of his practice. Under his motto, “Physician versus the system,” he champions a movement where healthcare is reimagined to focus solely on patient needs rather than insurance requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• Rethinking Healthcare through Direct Primary Care: Dr. Moore’s journey reveals the flexibility of DPC, allowing physicians to focus on quality patient care while reducing administrative pressures. His transition from military to civilian medicine fueled his commitment to providing accessible care without insurance constraints.
• The Appeal of DPC for Physicians: Direct Primary Care offers more time for patients, better work-life balance, and financial viability. However, Dr. Moore shares the entrepreneurial challenges of managing marketing, hiring, and daily operations as a physician.
• Building a DPC Practice from the Ground Up: Starting a DPC practice requires patience and visibility. Dr. Moore explains how a community-based approach—like local outreach and personal engagement—helps to gain trust and attract patients to DPC services.
• Employer Partnerships for Expanded Reach: Dr. Moore finds success partnering with employers to offer healthcare directly to employee groups. This approach enhances accessibility while minimizing the marketing burden.
• Technology in DPC: While maintaining a patient-centered ethos, Dr. Moore advocates for technology’s role in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency, helping practices remain competitive without compromising personal connection.

• Dr. Tanner Moore, MD on LinkedIn

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Welcome to The Connected Physician, where we explore the future of medicine with experts at the forefront of health innovation. In this episode, host Katharina Juenger sits down with Dr. Ashley Maltz, an Austin-based integrative medicine physician, to discuss the significant growth of holistic health practices and how they’re reshaping the medical landscape.

Dr. Maltz shares her journey into integrative medicine, revealing how a personal experience with the mind-body connection sparked her passion for blending conventional and holistic care. With the U.S. functional medicine market now valued at $15 billion and growing annually, she explains why more Americans are turning to alternative therapies and lifestyle-based approaches to health.

Key takeaways include:

• The Shift Toward Holistic Health: Dr. Maltz discusses why integrative medicine, once a niche field, is gaining mainstream acceptance, with institutions like the Cleveland Clinic leading the way.
• Managing Chronic Illness: Integrative approaches are proving effective for chronic diseases where traditional treatments fall short. Dr. Maltz highlights how acupuncture, meditation, and functional nutrition play a role in healing.
• Five Pillars of Health: For lasting wellness, Dr. Maltz emphasizes small, practical changes in community, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.
• The Biohacking Trend and Longevity Movement: Dr. Maltz shares insights on the growing trend of biohacking for longevity, while also addressing the needs of patients with chronic illnesses who seek holistic solutions.
• The Promise and Perils of GLP-1 Agonists: With caution, Dr. Maltz weighs the potential of GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment, noting benefits for specific patient groups but also concerns around long-term effects.

• Ashley Maltz, M.D. on LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Connected Physician, host Katharina Juenger welcomes Dr. Andrew Koenigsberg, co-founder of Gallery 57 Dental and a pioneer in CAD/CAM dentistry, to explore the intersection of healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, and personal endurance. Based in New York City, Dr. Koenigsberg shares how his advanced dental practice delivers same-day, patient-centric care while also balancing his passion for Ironman competitions and family life.

In this episode, Katharina and Dr. Koenigsberg discuss:

✅From Columbia to Central Park – How Gallery 57 Dental became a technology-forward practice with 17 treatment rooms and an in-house lab.

✅Redefining the Patient Experience – Why prioritizing care quality over KPIs leads to natural business growth.

✅CAD/CAM Dentistry in Action – How one-visit restorations and in-house fabrication save time, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.

✅Lessons from Endurance Sports – The parallels between Ironman training and entrepreneurial leadership in healthcare.

✅The Role of Technology in Reducing Dental Anxiety – Using computer-controlled syringes and CO₂ lasers for more comfortable procedures.

✅Why Dentistry Lags Behind Medicine – The financial and structural reasons why dental innovation often trails medical advances.

✅The Invisalign Debate – Why his team continues to use branded aligners despite having in-house capabilities.

✅Flat Fees and Trust – How transparent pricing helps eliminate surprises and build stronger patient relationships.

✅Scaling with Culture in Mind – Growth strategies that maintain a family-oriented, patient-first ethos in an expanding practice.

✅What’s Next in Dentistry – The promise and limits of AI, 3D printing, and diagnostic tech in shaping the future of care.

Dr. Koenigsberg also reflects on the evolution of dentistry—from solo practices to collaborative models—and shares how personalized care combined with cutting-edge technology is paving the way for scalable, high-end dental services.

Links and Resources:

Andrew Koenigsberg - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-koenigsberg-80588826/

This podcast is brought to you by Cade Partners—helping private practices grow. If your practice generates over $10M in revenue and you're seeking capital and support to scale, reach out at https://www.cadepartners.com/connect

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Connected Physician Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on YouTube, iTunes or Spotify and leave us a review!