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Author: Conversations on Health Care

Health Disparities and the American Indian: Dr. Donald Warne on the Way Forward

Health Disparities and the American Indian: Dr. Donald Warne on the Way Forward

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Donald Warne, Director of Indians Into Medicine (INMED) at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He discusses the impact of cultural trauma on the American Indian population, strategies for addressing health disparities and the need to mentor Native youth in the health professions.

Purdue Pharma and the Opioid Epidemic: Writer Barry Meier Unveils OxyContin’s Pivotal Role

Purdue Pharma and the Opioid Epidemic: Writer Barry Meier Unveils OxyContin’s Pivotal Role

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Pulitzer Prize winning writer Barry Meier, author of “Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic,” on Purdue Pharma, makers of the narcotic OxyContin, and the pivotal role they played in “the greatest public health crisis of the 21st Century.”

Reimagining the Future of Health Care: Chief Innovation Officer of UPMC Dr. Rasu Shrestha on Design Thinking and Innovation

Reimagining the Future of Health Care: Chief Innovation Officer of UPMC Dr. Rasu Shrestha on Design Thinking and Innovation

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Rasu Shrestha, Chief Innovation Officer of UPMC and VP of UPMC Enterprises, the entrepreneurial division of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Shrestha is also Co-Chair of Health Datapalooza, and discusses the need for design thinking and building a culture of innovation to truly transform the health care system.

Smart Phones, Genomics and AI: Dr. Eric Topol on Health Care’s Next Frontier in Personalized Medicine

Smart Phones, Genomics and AI: Dr. Eric Topol on Health Care’s Next Frontier in Personalized Medicine

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Eric Topol, renowned cardiologist, geneticist, digital health advocate, and founder of the Scripps Translational Science Institute. They discuss his work developing technologies for the “All of Us” precision medicine campaign at NIH, and the efforts still needed to support true precision medicine initiatives in American health care.

Scandal in Silicon Valley: Wall Street Journal’s John Carreyrou on the Rise and Spectacular Fall of Theranos

Scandal in Silicon Valley: Wall Street Journal’s John Carreyrou on the Rise and Spectacular Fall of Theranos

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Pulitzer Prize winning Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, author of “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup,” a riveting account of the scandal he uncovered at Theranos, a health tech startup that promised to revolutionize diagnostic testing. Mr. Carreyrou uncovered company founder Elizabeth Holmes’ widespread deception that duped high level investors and put patients’ lives at risk.

Dr. David Blumenthal of the Commonwealth Fund on the HITECH Act, ACA and High Cost of American Health Care

Dr. David Blumenthal of the Commonwealth Fund on the HITECH Act, ACA and High Cost of American Health Care

This week hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. David Blumenthal, President of the Commonwealth Fund, a philanthropy dedicated to research supporting a high-functioning  health care system.  He discusses expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act, the vital role of the HITECH Act in adoption of electronic health records in the US, and the Fund’s ongoing research comparing US health costs to other countries.