Episodes

  • What If You Didn’t Have to Choose Between Food and Medicine

    What If You Didn’t Have to Choose Between Food and Medicine
    Jul 8 2025
    You shouldn’t need a PhD in insurance billing to understand why your medication costs $600 this month and $60 the next. But for millions of Americans, that’s the reality.In this episode of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, I talk to pharmacist and startup founder Vinay Patel, whose decade-long career spans high-volume pharmacy operations, clinical program design, and now, drug pricing reform.Vinay’s origin story begins with a moral injury: watching patients forced to choose between rent and medications. Instead of accepting the system as-is, he built one that works better. From negotiating fair reimbursement rates to empowering local pharmacies and cutting out predatory middlemen, his work is restoring agency—one prescription at a time.You’ll hear how he:Turned failure and scarcity into a superpower as a founderBuilt a mission-driven team by prioritizing soft skills over perfect résumésDesigned cost-plus drug programs that serve patients firstProtects independent pharmacies while keeping GLP-1s accessibleIf you’ve ever been frustrated by opaque drug prices or systemic gridlock, this episode offers clarity… and hope. About the Guest:"Failure means you’re learning. And in healthcare innovation, learning fast is everything.” – Vinay PatelVinay Patel is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and healthcare reformer. After years running a home delivery pharmacy for 15,000+ patients a month, he founded MakoRx, a company that bypasses traditional pharmacy benefit managers to lower costs for employers and improve access for patients.Vinay’s mission is deeply personal—and systemic. His company’s cost-plus model strengthens local pharmacies, bypasses industry bloat, and brings transparency to one of healthcare’s most broken sectors.📍 Learn more at makorx.com or connect with Vinay on LinkedIn.📚 Resources + Mentions:🔗 MakeRx – Official Site🔗 Vinay Patel, Pharm.D. on LinkedIn🔗 Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban🔗 Proactive MD – Advanced Primary Care Partner 🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysDrug prices in the U.S. vary wildly depending on who’s paying—and middlemen profit from the chaos.Moral injury can be a catalyst for innovation. When we step outside our comfort zone, change becomes possible.Independent pharmacies aren’t obsolete—they’re essential. Fair reimbursement and direct contracts can keep them alive.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart. 💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart.________🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities:🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting August 2025, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 18–20, 2025⁠⁠FemInEM is leading a full day on Women’s Health. The Gala will be a can't-miss celebration of leadership and community.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠AAWEP St. Lucia Retreat | March 5–8, 2026⁠⁠For women EM physicians. Sun, connection, and reflection in a stunning setting. Details coming soon via AAWEP.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women Physicians European River Cruise | May 18–25, 2026⁠⁠A scenic and soulful journey from Amsterdam to Basel with an inspiring community._____________🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at ⁠⁠andreaaustinmd.com/...
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    37 mins
  • Elevating Healthcare Interactions Beyond Medical Jargon

    Elevating Healthcare Interactions Beyond Medical Jargon
    Jun 24 2025
    In episode 103, I sit down with Dr. Bradley Block, an ENT surgeon and host of the Physician's Guide to Doctoring podcast, to explore the art of effective communication in healthcare. Our conversation delves into the challenges physicians face when interacting with patients and offers practical strategies to enhance these crucial interactions.Dr. Block shares his journey from an "uninspiring" path to medical school to becoming a passionate advocate for better doctor-patient communication. We discuss the importance of addressing patients' underlying concerns, navigating difficult conversations, and maintaining professional boundaries while providing compassionate care.Key insights from our discussion include:The importance of identifying and addressing patients' unspoken worriesStrategies for handling patients who arrive with preconceived notions from online researchTechniques for maintaining professional boundaries when faced with inappropriate requestsThe value of self-care and resetting between patient encountersDiscover how to:Improve your communication skills to enhance patient satisfaction and reduce burnoutNavigate challenging conversations with patients more effectivelyMaintain your professional integrity while addressing patient concernsImplement simple techniques to reset and recharge between patient encountersThis episode offers invaluable insights for healthcare professionals at all stages of their careers. Whether you're a medical student, resident, or experienced physician, you'll find practical tips to enhance your communication skills and improve your interactions with patients.Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional approaches to doctor-patient communication and offers fresh perspectives on creating meaningful connections in healthcare settings.Articles and Studies MentionedPatient Trust in the Age of Misinformation (JAMA, 2022) Susannah Fox’s Rebel Health — insights into patient-led education and online advocacy About the Guest "I need to protect my own mental headspace so that I can serve my next patient better." - Dr. Bradley BlockDr. Bradley Block is a board-certified ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) surgeon, storyteller, and the voice behind the long-running podcast Physician’s Guide to Doctoring. With over a decade of clinical experience and a passion for humanizing healthcare, Dr. Block has built a platform that gives physicians the tools to communicate better—with their patients, their peers, and themselves.His journey into medicine wasn’t scripted, and neither was his evolution as a changemaker. What began as a personal quest to improve his own communication skills transformed into a community-driven resource covering everything we should have learned in med school—from patient experience and health policy to burnout and boundaries.Dr. Block is also a founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network, where he helps amplify physician voices and build community through storytelling. When he’s not in the clinic or behind the mic, he’s probably sipping hot black tea (with a splash of whole milk) between patient encounters—and thinking about what it really means to be heard.Physician’s Guide to Doctoring PodcastDoctor Podcast NetworkBradley Block, MD on LinkedInTop 3 Key Takeaways Say the thing – Patients often leave unsatisfied not because you missed a diagnosis, but because you didn’t name their fear. Address it.Boundaries protect everyone – Saying no is hard. But it’s part of keeping the profession—and yourself—intact.Invite collaboration – Patients turning to Google or ChatGPT aren’t the enemy. They’re looking for agency. Invite them into the conversation.About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.Let’s ConnectFollow the journey of changemakers in medicine and join a community reimagining what’s possible in healthcare. 🌐 Website: andreaaustinmd.com🎧 Listen + Subscribe:• Apple Podcasts• Spotify• iHeartRadio• Pandora📸 Instagram: @andreaaustinmd💬 LinkedIn: Andrea Austin, MDAbout the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, ...
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    37 mins
  • Beyond the ER: Reimagining Healthcare Through Social Prescriptions

    Beyond the ER: Reimagining Healthcare Through Social Prescriptions
    Jun 17 2025

    In episode 102, I sit down with Dr. Anita Bangale, a fellow emergency medicine physician who has expanded her career beyond the ER walls. We explore the concept of appreciative inquiry and how it can transform healthcare from within, focusing on what's going right rather than dwelling on the negatives.

    Dr. Bangale shares her personal journey of rediscovering joy in medicine after experiencing burnout. She discusses the pivotal moment when she realized the need for change and how she embarked on a path of self-discovery and career diversification.

    Key insights from our conversation include:

    • The importance of defining success on your own terms, rather than adhering to external expectations
    • How coaching education can lead to personal transformation and new career opportunities
    • The concept of "social prescriptions" and their role in healing and overall well-being
    • The power of ketamine therapy in treating severe anxiety and depression
    • Strategies for combating the loneliness epidemic, especially among healthcare professionals

    Discover how to:

    • Recognize and address burnout by listening to what it's trying to teach you
    • Create a portfolio career in medicine that aligns with your passions and values
    • Implement small, manageable changes to increase social connection and combat isolation
    • Navigate the challenges of metric-driven healthcare while maintaining personal satisfaction
    • Explore unconventional conferences and networking opportunities to spark new ideas and connections

    Dr. Bangale's journey from burnout to a thriving, multifaceted career offers inspiration for healthcare professionals seeking to practice medicine on their own terms. Her insights on social prescriptions, ketamine therapy, and the importance of community in healing provide a fresh perspective on the future of healthcare.

    "There is so much power in being able to still practice emergency medicine or any field of medicine on your terms." - Dr. Anita Bangale

    Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional career trajectories in medicine and inspires healthcare professionals to explore the full spectrum of possibilities in their field.


    Connect with Dr. Anita Bangale:

    • Website
    • Instagram: @anita_bangale_



    🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!

    Ready to take the next step in your journey as a healthcare changemaker? Dr. Andrea Austin offers personalized coaching to empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and rediscover their passion for medicine. Whether you're seeking clarity, balance, or strategies to overcome burnout, coaching with Dr. Austin can help you achieve your goals.

    🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at andreaaustinmd.com/coaching.

    Stay connected and keep making a difference:

    ✅ Subscribe to the Heartline newsletter for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system.

    📱 Follow us on social: Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

    📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on Amazon or Ingram.

    Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
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    32 mins
  • Cultivating Courage: The Key to Medical Leadership...

    Cultivating Courage: The Key to Medical Leadership...
    Jun 11 2025
    In this Heartline Echo Episode, I sit down with Sharee Johnson, a psychologist, executive coach, and author of "The Thriving Doctor," to explore the critical role of leadership in transforming healthcare. As we navigate the complexities of modern medicine, we delve into the essential skills and mindsets that can help physicians not just survive, but truly thrive in their careers. Our conversation sheds light on the pressing need for a new approach to physician leadership, one that goes beyond traditional management and embraces a more holistic, human-centered perspective. We discuss the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to challenge the status quo in healthcare. Key insights from our discussion include: The distinction between management and leadership in healthcare settingsThe vital role of self-reflection and personal growth in developing effective physician leadersStrategies for cultivating courage and resilience in the face of systemic challengesThe power of community and peer support in nurturing leadership skills Discover how to: Develop crucial interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that enhance your effectiveness as a physician and leaderNavigate the complexities of healthcare systems while maintaining your sense of purpose and agencyCultivate a leadership style that inspires and empowers your teamBalance clinical excellence with the broader vision needed to drive positive change in healthcare This episode offers invaluable insights for physicians at all stages of their careers, from residents just starting out to seasoned practitioners looking to make a broader impact. It's a must-listen for anyone in healthcare seeking to understand the transformative potential of effective physician leadership. "We need more personal boundaries and we need clarity around what we can and can't do. And we also need the capacity to adapt." - Sharee Johnson Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional notions of leadership in medicine and inspires healthcare professionals to embrace their potential as agents of positive change. Learn how developing your leadership skills can not only enhance your own career satisfaction but also contribute to creating a more sustainable and compassionate healthcare system for all. Connect with Sharee Johnson: Visit her website: Coaching for Doctors Join the international book club for doctors Explore the Recalibrate© program for comprehensive leadership development; Dr. Austin will co-facilitate the 2025 cohort. Join us! Remember, healthcare leadership isn't just about titles or positions—it's about the impact you can make every day through your actions, decisions, and interactions. Start your journey towards more effective leadership today, and be part of the movement that's reshaping the future of healthcare. 🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare! Ready to take the next step in your journey as a healthcare changemaker? Dr. Andrea Austin offers personalized coaching to empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and rediscover their passion for medicine. Whether you're seeking clarity, balance, or strategies to overcome burnout, coaching with Dr. Austin can help you achieve your goals. 🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at ⁠andreaaustinmd.com/coaching⁠. Stay connected and keep making a difference: ✅ Subscribe to the ⁠Heartline newsletter⁠ for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system. 📱 Follow us on social: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ & ⁠YouTube⁠ 📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Ingram⁠. Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Strategic Hope: Accelerating Positive Change in Healthcare

    Strategic Hope: Accelerating Positive Change in Healthcare
    Jun 2 2025

    In episode 101, I sit down with Dr. Cheryl Martin, emergency physician and host of The Mind Full Medic podcast, to explore the fascinating world of changemaking in healthcare. As we delve into the findings of my recent research, we uncover the essential ingredients that enable healthcare professionals to become effective agents of positive transformation.

    Our conversation sheds light on the delicate balance between individual agency and organizational support, highlighting how these elements intertwine to create an environment where meaningful change can flourish. We discuss the challenges faced by changemakers in healthcare and the strategies they employ to overcome them.

    Key insights from our discussion include:

    • The importance of insatiable learning and personal growth in driving change
    • How changemakers navigate the complex emotional landscape of leading transformation
    • The critical role of communication and listening in building coalitions for change
    • Organizational strategies that foster and support changemaking efforts

    Discover how to:

    • Sustain inspiration and motivation throughout the change process
    • Develop the courage and resilience needed to face setbacks and opposition
    • Leverage organizational support to amplify your impact as a changemaker
    • Build and nurture the relationships crucial for successful change initiatives

    This episode offers invaluable insights for healthcare professionals at all levels who aspire to make a difference in their organizations and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your journey in healthcare, you'll find practical strategies and inspiration to fuel your changemaking efforts.

    "Changemaking is a really big part of that pathway to keeping passionate professionals engaged in healthcare." - Dr. Andrea Austin

    Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional thinking about change in healthcare and inspires a new generation of changemakers. Learn how small acts of courage and strategic thinking can lead to significant positive transformations in our healthcare systems.

    The paper discussed in this episode can be found here.

    Connect with Dr. Andrea Austin:

    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!

    Ready to take the next step in your journey as a healthcare changemaker? Dr. Andrea Austin offers personalized coaching to empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and rediscover their passion for medicine. Whether you're seeking clarity, balance, or strategies to overcome burnout, coaching with Dr. Austin can help you achieve your goals.

    🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at andreaaustinmd.com/coaching.

    Stay connected and keep making a difference:

    ✅ Subscribe to the Heartline newsletter for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system.

    📱 Follow us on social: Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

    📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on Amazon or Ingram.

    Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
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    56 mins
  • Navigating Medical Entrepreneurship: Insights from Dr. Gina Siddiqui

    Navigating Medical Entrepreneurship: Insights from Dr. Gina Siddiqui
    May 27 2025

    In this Heartline Echo Episode, envision a transformative journey beyond the confines of clinical practice—a path where medical expertise converges with an entrepreneurial spirit! Join us in this week's episode with Dr. Gina Siddiqui as she discusses her passion for patient care and how it led her to become the founder and CEO of ⁠Carte Clinics⁠, a membership-based on-call physician service. Listen in as Dr. Siddiqui offers invaluable lessons that will leave you feeling inspired, informed, and empowered to pursue any business idea.

    There is a lot of learning that can be done independently if you follow your passion. - Dr. Gina Siddiqui


    Dr. Gina Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of ⁠Carte Clinics⁠ and a practicing emergency medicine physician, is a trailblazer in modernizing healthcare delivery. Her passion for reimagining the patient care experience has been showcased in pieces for the New York Times, TIME, Scientific American, and other prestigious outlets. With a background as the Chief Clinical Officer for Florence Labs and as a Clinical Leadership Fellow in the Office of Managed Care for New York City Health + Hospitals, Dr. Siddiqui's expertise and dedication to empowering innovation in the medical field are truly inspiring.

    In this episode, you will be able to:

    • Discover how to navigate entrepreneurship in the medical field.
    • Learn the importance of personalized healthcare for better patient outcomes


    🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!

    Ready to take the next step in your journey as a healthcare changemaker? Dr. Andrea Austin offers personalized coaching to empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and rediscover their passion for medicine. Whether you're seeking clarity, balance, or strategies to overcome burnout, coaching with Dr. Austin can help you achieve your goals.

    🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at ⁠andreaaustinmd.com/coaching⁠.

    Stay connected and keep making a difference:

    ✅ Subscribe to the ⁠Heartline newsletter⁠ for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system.

    📱 Follow us on social: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ & ⁠YouTube⁠

    📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Ingram⁠.

    Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
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    45 mins
  • Reclaiming Autonomy: Strategies for Women in Healthcare Careers with Dr. Shikha Jain

    Reclaiming Autonomy: Strategies for Women in Healthcare Careers with Dr. Shikha Jain
    May 21 2025

    In this Heartline Echo Episode, Dr. Shikha Jain discusses her journey into medicine and her multifaceted career. The conversation highlights systemic changes needed in healthcare, such as pay transparency, diverse leadership, and supporting women's career development. Dr. Jain emphasizes the importance of personal joy, career advancement, and family balance in her professional decisions, offering insights into navigating a demanding field while driving meaningful change.

    Join Dr. Shikha Jain on this inspiring journey as she shares her insights, strategies, and unwavering passion for creating a more equitable future for women in medicine. Immerse yourself in a conversation that promises to ignite your own inner fire, challenging you to embrace your authentic voice and become an agent of positive transformation.

    "We have to realize that we need to make decisions, even if people are going to keep asking us to do stuff because we're good at what we do. At some point, you have to say no because it's not worth it." -Dr. Shikha Jain

    As a GI oncologist, Director of Communication Strategy at the University of Illinois Cancer Center, and the founder of the Women in Medicine Summit, Dr. Jain has dedicated herself to a mission that transcends mere professional development. Her unwavering commitment lies in dismantling the very foundations that have hindered women's progress, paving the way for a healthcare ecosystem that truly embraces equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

    In this thought-provoking conversation, you'll discover:

    • Innovative strategies to address systemic barriers, such as pay transparency, diverse leadership pipelines, and supportive career pathways.
    • The transformative impact of the Women in Medicine Summit, a premier CME conference that equips attendees with practical skills, personal growth opportunities, and a powerful network of allies. Register here.
    • Insights into Dr. Jain's personal journey, from her early inspiration to her relentless pursuit of empowering women and driving positive change within healthcare systems.

    The Resources Mentioned in this episode are:

    • Visit Dr. Shikha Jain's ⁠website⁠ to learn more about her and to check out her ⁠podcast⁠.
    • Register for the ⁠Women in Medicine Summit⁠ occurring September 13th to 14th at the Drake Hotel in Chicago and consider attending the ⁠2025 Women in Medicine European River Retreat⁠.


    Connect with Dr. Shikha Jain:

    • ⁠X⁠
    • ⁠LinkedIn⁠
    • ⁠Facebook⁠
    • ⁠Instagram⁠


    🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare!

    Ready to take the next step in your journey as a healthcare changemaker? Dr. Andrea Austin offers personalized coaching to empower healthcare professionals to thrive in their careers and rediscover their passion for medicine. Whether you're seeking clarity, balance, or strategies to overcome burnout, coaching with Dr. Austin can help you achieve your goals.

    🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at ⁠andreaaustinmd.com/coaching⁠.

    Stay connected and keep making a difference:

    ✅ Subscribe to the ⁠Heartline newsletter⁠ for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system.

    📱 Follow us on social: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ & ⁠YouTube⁠

    📚 Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Ingram⁠.

    Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today!
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    36 mins