A fascinating journey into the world of pulmonary medicine awaits as Dr. Neil Ettinger shares his expertise on the complexities of lung health and disease. With decades of experience as a pulmonologist and researcher, Dr. Ettinger offers valuable insights that could quite literally help you breathe easier.

We dive deep into interstitial lung disease, a condition affecting many older adults where the lungs develop progressive scarring that compromises their ability to function. Dr. Ettinger explains the difference between known causes like autoimmune disorders and occupational exposures versus idiopathic cases where the trigger remains mysterious. His optimism shines through as he discusses recent breakthroughs in treatment options, including two approved medications and a promising new drug that recently succeeded in clinical trials.

The conversation takes a crucial turn toward lung cancer screening, revealing the shocking statistic that only about 6% of eligible Americans participate in these potentially life-saving screenings. Dr. Ettinger outlines who qualifies for the annual low-dose CT scans and why catching lung cancer early makes such a dramatic difference in treatment options and outcomes. For those concerned about lung nodules found on scans, his explanation of benign nodules common in the Midwest provides reassurance about what might be normal findings versus cause for concern.

The future of pulmonary medicine looks increasingly promising as we explore emerging technologies and treatment approaches. From targeted cancer therapies that cause fewer side effects to robotic bronchoscopy systems that navigate the complex airways for precise diagnosis, medicine continues to advance. Dr. Ettinger even touches on how artificial intelligence may soon transform how we detect and diagnose lung conditions, potentially saving countless lives through earlier intervention.

Whether you're concerned about your own lung health, caring for someone with respiratory issues, or simply curious about this vital organ system, this episode offers valuable perspective from the frontlines of pulmonary care. Listen now to gain insights that could help you make better-informed decisions about monitoring and maintaining your respiratory health.

Dr. Mary Mason takes us on her remarkable journey from practicing physician to Chief Medical Officer of Centene Corporation in this illuminating conversation about the intersection of medicine and business leadership.

What happens when a physician's analytical mindset meets the corporate boardroom? Dr. Mason discovered her interest in healthcare administration during medical school, choosing to pursue an MBA while maintaining her clinical practice. This dual approach defined her career trajectory as she moved from managing complex cases for 86,000 patients to overseeing Centene's explosive growth from 800,000 to 24 million patients.

Throughout our discussion, Dr. Mason articulates the fundamental differences between medical and business decision-making cultures. Where medicine has clear hierarchies and protocols, business environments often feature ambiguous authority structures and group decision processes that can bewilder clinicians. Yet physicians bring invaluable perspectives to corporate settings - a calm, solution-focused approach captured in her memorable phrase: "Look, nobody died, okay? We can fix this."

The conversation pivots to healthcare's pressing challenges, including the corporate employment of physicians (now 75%), creating scenarios where business executives without clinical backgrounds make decisions affecting patient care. Additional concerns include hospital financial struggles, the technological complexity of modern healthcare, and the worrying trend of physician burnout leading to early retirement.

Dr. Mason's insights crystallize in her book "Think Like a Doctor, Lead Like a CEO," which encourages physicians to recognize their transferable leadership skills while helping business executives understand the value of clinical thinking in corporate environments. Her journey demonstrates how medical training provides an exceptional foundation for leadership roles where clear thinking and decisive action matter most.

Want to discover how clinical thinking can transform business leadership? Dr. Mason's book "Think Like a Doctor, Lead Like a CEO" is available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's website.

Peek behind the surgical drape in this eye-opening conversation with Jared Barton, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with an extraordinary career. Did you know that 80% of all anesthetics are administered not by doctors, but by nurse anesthetists? Barton reveals this surprising statistic while taking us through the intense world of operating room anesthesia, where life-and-death decisions happen behind a paper screen that separates the anesthesia provider from the surgical team.

Barton shares his remarkable journey through the "militant" training program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where a single mistake meant immediate expulsion, and his subsequent work in high-stakes environments including level one trauma centers. With striking candor, he discusses the reality of watching patients' vital signs "second by second by second," and the intuition that develops after years of practice – that sixth sense when something doesn't look quite right.

Perhaps most impressive is Barton's perfect track record: he's never lost a patient throughout his entire career. While he modestly attributes this to luck rather than skill, his descriptions of managing critical situations – pushing blood products with both hands during massive hemorrhages, anticipating problems before they become critical – speak to the expertise that comes only with thousands of hours of vigilant practice.

The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery, with ambulatory surgery centers creating even more demand for CRNAs, making this a highly secure career path that's unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence. For anyone curious about what really happens when you're under anesthesia, or considering a career in healthcare, this conversation offers rare and valuable insights from someone who has spent decades keeping patients alive during their most vulnerable moments.