The Pursuit of Health Podcast
The Pursuit of Health is a weekly podcast dedicated to a thorough exploration of the American Healthcare System at a critical time in our nation’s history. The podcast’s creator and host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is a pediatric cardiologist and educator trained at Columbia University, with over 25 years of experience practicing medicine. Students, professionals, and everyday people alike are invited to learn from guest experts who are pursuing groundbreaking work to improve America's health. Join us on our journey towards a better healthcare!
Episodes
90 episodes
Ep72: Journalism, Public Awareness and the History of Health Policy w/Joanne Kenen
A conversation with Joanne KenenIt’s time to help inform the public on what’s happening in healthcare today.With changes coming to the ACA's subsidies in 2025 and debates about Medicaid expansion, veteran journalist Joanne ...
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46:23
Ep 71: AI Promise, Caution and the White House Champion of Change w/ Hugo Campos
A conversation with Hugo Campos“AI can help patients make better choices about their life and about their healthcare.”Renowned patient advocate and White House Champion of Change, our guest Hugo Campos shares his personal j...
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49:07
Ep70: A Patient Advocacy Approach to Medical Errors, Hope and Systematic Change w/ Rosie Bartel
A conversation with Rosie BartelNurturing the patient-physician partnership is the only way to heal healthcare.Sharing her lived experience with openness and honesty is Rosie Bartel, a patient advocate and survivor of preve...
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54:22
Ep69: The Devastating Impact of Proposed Medicaid Cuts - What You Need to Know Now! w/ Doctors For America
This episode is a collaboration with Doctors for America."This issue has been affecting my sleep. I'm not sleeping and I'm a pretty good sleeper, so this must be bothering me."In this powerful special episode of the Pursuit...
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24:58
Ep68: Understanding the Interplay of Healthcare & Politics in America- w/ Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
Ep68: Understanding the Interplay of Healthcare & Politics in America- w/ Dr. Abdul El-Sayed“Politics are like a kaleidoscope. If you don't like where you are, just keep turning it.”This week we are delighted to welcome...
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48:39
Ep67: Health Data, Ownership and Transparency w/Dr. Jordi Piera Jiménez
A conversation with Dr. Jordi Piera JiménezOur money comes with us wherever we go, so why doesn’t our health data?Sharing his innovative vision for transforming the way we use electronic health records and investing in prev...
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57:26
Ep66: In the Aftermath of the UHC Murder - Not the What & How, but Why
A panel with Dr. Don Berwick, Tanya Sanderson and Ron HowrigonToday, Dr. Fethke calls on three previous guests to share their thoughts, insights, and solutions in the light of the UHC incident, a tragic murder that highlighted the...
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56:26
Ep65: Generative AI, Healthcare Incentives and Politics w/Dr Robert Pearl
A conversation with Dr. Robert PearlPut a system in place that rewards value. Sounds simple, right? Sharing a vision for seismic healthcare reform is renowned healthcare leader, award-winning author, and plastic surgeo...
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1:00:21
Ep64: Health Care of a Thousand Slights w /Anjana Sreedhar
A conversation with Anjana SreedharWe need to understand the past, to shape the future.Join us for an eye-opening discussion with the author of acclaimed health disparities book Health Care of a Thousand Slights, A...
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58:15
Ep63: Partnerships, Pioneers and Protecting Patients w/ Dr Lauren Ramsey
A conversation with Dr. Lauren RamseyIt’s time to tackle healthcare problems through innovation and invention.Bringing energy and initiative to the Pursuit of Health table this week is none other than leading breast cancer...
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49:13
Ep62: Why Physician Wellness Matters w/ Dr Greg
American medicine has a LOT to be proud of, but too many doctors are getting burnt out and thinking of quitting healthcare.Dr. Gregory Charlop, AKA Dr. Greg, is a celebrated physician and author renowned for his innovative approach to ph...
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50:59
Ep61: Using Your ACE in the Hole to Prevent Medication Errors w/ Lidia Molinara
How can we practice preventative healthcare?Joining from Canada this week is Lidia Molinara, a seasoned clinical pharmacist, CEO, patient safety officer, and fervent advocate for patient safety and effective communication within t...
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57:52
Ep 60: A Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness thru the Mind-Heart Connection w/ Dr Jonathan Fisher
“Together as a community, we share just one heart.”This week’s episode is a treat - a deep dive into the philosophy of Dr. Jonathan Fisher, cardiologist, clinician advocate, and author of the fantastic book Just One Heart: A Cardiolo...
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54:48
Ep59: Case Studies from the Heart - How Anger Is Making US Sick - Dr. Eric Fethke
In this episode of The Pursuit of Health, Dr. Eric Fethke delves into the concept of anger as a significant medical and health issue, exploring how it can harm individual and societal wellness or be transformed into a positive force. T...
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20:08
Ep58: Using AI To Improve Patient Health and Save Money w/Tanya Sanderson
It’s time to change the way we look at medical necessity and payment policies.According to Tanya Sanderson, using AI could just be our best option.Her work with human-centred tech company Xsolis is shaking up healthcare, im...
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48:47
Ep57: Tackling Obesity Together is More Than Just a Pill - with Dr. Kara Mayes
Like so many other aspects of our healthcare system, obesity is a health equity issue.Today we welcome Dr. Kara Mayes, Chief Medical Officer of Ilant Health, a company focused on value-based obesity management and cardiometabolic health....
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50:21
Ep56: The (Dangerous) History of Consumerism in American Healthcare-Prof. Nancy Tomes
“Medical consumerism figures more as a problem than progress.”Today’s guest is the award-winning historian, American public health expert, and author, Professor Nancy Tomes.In a discussion encompassing past, present, and future, P...
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49:58
Ep55: Pediatric Care: An Investment in Our Future-Dr.Alison Curfman
Investment in pediatric care is an investment in our future. So why is our system slow to change?Enter Alison Curfman, MD - co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, a value-based pediatric medical group pioneering tech-enabled care for chronica...
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48:23
Ep54: How To Make Healthcare Affordable-Ron Howrigon
The only barrier to success in the Pursuit of Health is ourselves.Joining to contribute to our ongoing healthcare conversation, is self-described “recovering managed care executive” Ron Howrigon.As President and CEO of Fulcrum Ind...
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47:09
Ep53: How to Improve The Doctor-Patient Connection-Dr Christine Ko
A conversation with Dr. Christine KoMetacognition, growth mindset, compassion. How does this all tie into healthcare?Enter Dr. Christine Ko, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale University, and author of How t...
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51:01
Ep52: The Overmedication Crisis - Dr. Michael Smith
A conversation with Dr. Michael SmithMedication is sometimes required. But prevention starts with the patient.This is one of the core philosophies of this week’s guest Dr. Michael Smith.Naturopathic physicia...
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49:13
Ep51: How To Create a Health System That Actually Works-Dr. Jeffrey Charles Hardy
A conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Charles HardyThe system is not the solution, the process is the solution.In our fragmented healthcare system, how can we start thinking globally? What impact do our actions ...
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49:05
Ep50: How To Persevere As A Family When Faced With A Child’s Heart Defect-Justin and Ashley George
A conversation with Justin and Ashley K. GeorgeResilience is a muscle. The challenges don’t get easier, we just get stronger at handling them.A couple who know this from experience are Justin and Ashley K. G...
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50:05
Ep49: Why Money Poisons Healthcare-Dr.. Ellana Stinson
A conversation with Dr Ellana StinsonMoney affects everything in American healthcare. And too often, it gets in the way.Taking the bull by the horns is Dr. Ellana Stinson.Having felt the frustration of cost-cutting...
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44:18
Ep48: Case Studies From The Heart - Immigration & Healthcare -Dr. Eric Fethke
Welcome to our third installment of our Case Studies From The Heart series.In the episode, Dr. Fethke shines a light on the topic of immigrant healthcare, by sharing his own experience successfully treating a young child from Honduras wi...
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30:11