Health Care

How Greed in our Healthcare System Can Harm Patients

 
Deborah Schwartz who has had a decades-long career as a healthcare attorney before becoming an author joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Healthcare Channels. Her new book is EmmaCare. 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Deborah Schwartz discuss the following:
Why did you write this book?
In EmmaCare, you focus on an industry you know firsthand: the healthcare industry. How did your experience as a healthcare attorney drive this story?
Can you share why you decided to write this as a work of fiction?
What do you think is the most concerning result of the healthcare industry focusing on profits?
It seems like the toll on patients isn't always understood or focused on in the media. In your book a healthcare executive is the victim of a pretty serious (though thankfully not fatal) crime. It certainly has echoes in real life. I'm certainly not condoning the crime that took place, but were you surprised by the shooting of a United Healthcare executive?
Can you talk about any situations you witnessed as a healthcare attorney that you think represent the state of the healthcare industry today?
In your book there's a powerful through-line — that even the greediest executive is capable of redemption and changing their ways. Did you create that as a reflection of hope as to what could change in the healthcare industry?
The conclusion of the book seems like a powerful, very real potential solution for righting a lot of the wrongs in the healthcare industry right now. Can you talk about how you came up with the idea of an organization focused on advocacy?
What prompted you to leave an industry behind you were in for nearly three decades, and shift gears to become an author? 
Deborah Schwartz had a decades-long career as a healthcare attorney before becoming an author. She obtained her J.D. from Boston University School of Law, a Masters in History from Columbia University, and is a graduate of Tufts. A New Yorker to the core, she reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011. Her new book is EmmaCare.
Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-schwartz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.schwartz.9  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahhschwartz  X: https://x.com/DSchwartzNY 
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The Future of Personalized Healthcare: How Concierge Medicine Is Transforming Primary Care

 
Dr. Nesreen Hermes, Medical Director at Hermes Health a primary care clinic and boutique concierge medical practice joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Nesreen Hermes discuss the following:
Can you start by telling us about Hermes Health and how your primary care model serves patients today?
What inspired you to introduce a concierge or boutique medicine program alongside your traditional primary care services?
How does the concierge model differ from what patients typically experience in a standard primary care setting?
What types of patients are best suited for concierge medicine, and what needs does it address that traditional care may not?
How does your concierge program allow for more personalized or preventative care compared to conventional models?
There’s been a lot of conversation around access to healthcare—how does concierge medicine fit into that broader discussion?
How do you balance running both a primary care clinic and a concierge program while maintaining quality care across both?
What are some of the biggest health trends you’re seeing among your patients right now, particularly in areas like preventative care or chronic condition management?
How does a more hands-on, relationship-driven approach impact patient outcomes and overall wellness
Looking ahead, how do you see concierge medicine evolving, and what role will it play in the future of healthcare? 
Dr. Hermes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from Loyola University Chicago before obtaining her Medical Doctorate from Ross University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. During her residency, Dr. Hermes developed a deep passion for both men and women’s health, as well as pediatrics, while serving as a primary care physician. She takes a holistic approach to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, exercise, sleep, emotional well-being, and carefully evaluating the use of supplements. Dr. Hermes is fluent in both Arabic and English.
Website: https://hermeshealth.com
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The Case for Healthcare Practitioners to Prioritize Digital, Curated Patient Care

 
Jesse Lipson, the Founder and CEO of Levitate, offering a Service-as-Software (SaS) model that enables healthcare providers to strengthen patient relationships, improve retention rates, and grow their practices through compliant and scalable communication tools joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Jesse Lipson discuss the following:
In a world where the majority of patients expect healthcare personalization to be equal to retail and are more likely to make a healthcare appointment if offered a personalized experience, practitioners face a unique challenge. In your experience helping healthcare providers bridge care digitally and in the office, how do you recommend they strike this balance?
What sort of digital approaches and tactics work well that help healthcare providers strengthen patient relationships and also improve how they grow their practices?
Personalization in healthcare can be tricky, given the sensitivity of personal data. How are you finding doctors deliver on that personal touch while responsibly leveraging the developments of today’s digital age, like using AI?
Healthcare teams are already stretched thin serving patients in their office, how do you propose they now address the resource challenges of time and money to invest in further communicating with patients between appointments?
E-commerce has shaped how consumers navigate the digital world from shopping to obtaining professional services. How has this shift impacted what patients expect from their doctors’ offices as well? 6. Trust seems paramount to the doctor-patient relationship. What is one tip you would like to provide our listeners today to prioritize trust even in the digital world?
Jesse Lipson is the Founder and CEO of Levitate, offering a Service-as-Software (SaS) model that enables healthcare providers to strengthen patient relationships, improve retention rates, and grow their practices through compliant and scalable communication tools.
He previously founded ShareFile in 2005, bootstrapping it to over four million users and a $93 million acquisition by Citrix in 2011, where he later served as Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Citrix Cloud Services.
A self-taught software developer, Jesse launched his first company at age 23 and earned a philosophy degree from Duke University. He co-founded Raleigh Founded, a coworking community for entrepreneurs, and started Levitate through his holding company Real Magic. In 2023, he led a successful Series C raise of approximately $14 million, scaling Levitate to more than 4,000 small business customers nationwide. In addition to his role at Levitate, Jesse serves as an independent director at Yext and is on the board of Green Places, reinforcing his leadership in both technology and community-driven ventures. He was also named Tech CEO of the Year at the 2023 NC TECH Awards, further solidifying his reputation in North Carolina’s tech ecosystem.
Website: https://www.levitate.ai Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-magic
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Revolutionizing Home Healthcare: Innovative Solutions from AideChoice for Short-Term Care Needs

 
David McDonald, Vice President of Operations at AideChoice, a consumer-facing mobile app that seamlessly connects clients needing short-term, non-medical home care with licensed agencies for convenient, on-demand services joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest David McDonald discuss the following
What are the biggest challenges facing consumers of healthcare today, and how is AideChoice's app addressing them through technology and partnerships with licensed agencies?
Based on your 30 years in healthcare, why should listeners consider selecting short-term homecare for themselves or loved ones to ensure a positive experience and better health outcomes?
How does AideChoice's platform help users maintain independence during recovery from surgery or injury, and what tips can you share for listeners to integrate home care into their overall health management plan?
Can you explain the role of non-medical support like meal prep or errands in improving patient recovery, and how listeners can use tools like AideChoice to access these services quickly to enhance their well-being?
What future trends in home healthcare do you foresee, and how is AideChoice innovating to meet evolving needs while helping users stay proactive about their health?
Tip: When planning for recovery after a medical event, prioritize short-term home care early—apps like AideChoice make it simple to connect with trusted providers, reducing stress and speeding up healing by focusing on personalized, flexible support.
David McDonald is a seasoned healthcare leader with over 30 years of experience in clinical care, business development, and customer experience strategy. Currently serving as Vice President of Operations at AideChoice, he oversees daily operations, strategic planning, marketing, and provider network expansion for the innovative app that connects clients with licensed home care agencies for short-term services.
Previously, at Main Line Health, he held roles as Manager of Business Development and Customer Experience Strategist, where he drove community engagement, referral growth, and a seamless patient journey for home health, hospice, and palliative care. As Business Manager, he achieved significant growth, including a 160% increase in private duty service hours and 130% revenue rise.
Earlier positions include Director of Marketing at Right at Home, where he expanded business and developed dementia care training programs; Marketing Representative at Mercy Home Health; and Case Manager roles at Main Line Health and Pennsylvania Hospital, focusing on care coordination, reimbursement negotiation, and patient advocacy.
David holds an MSW in Social Work from Widener University, a BS in Psychology from the University of Scranton, and is pursuing studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. His career is guided by a commitment to customer-centric innovation, blending clinical expertise with technology to enhance healthcare experiences.
Website: https://aidechoice.com 
Social Media Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidechoice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/AideChoice  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidechoice 
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How AI-Powered Physican Initiated Healthcare Platforms are Helping Patients Comply with Nutrition and Exercise Directives

Fjorino Musaku of Friska.Ai who is a health and wellness coach responsible for assessing patients’ health status, developing personalized care plans, and coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure delivery of comprehensive and integrated care joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Nutrition Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Fjorino Musaku discuss the following:
Talk about FriskaAi and your role there - along with Friska NutriAi.
Why is it important to have a lifestyle healthcare platform that leverages advanced AI technology to enhance patient care and wellness – in between doctor appointments?
How do such remote AI-powered healthcare platforms help inspire patients to comply with nutrition and exercise advice from physicians?
It’s not always about the technology – but the kind of advice and the approach – can you comment on that?
Let’s get some great advice on diet and exercise. How do you recommend people approach lowering carbs and approach a low fat diet – and how can we get people to exercise more?
Fjorino Musaku recently joined FriskaAi as a health and wellness coach responsible for assessing patients’ health status, developing personalized care plans, and coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure delivery of comprehensive and integrated care. He also provides nutritional guidance and educates patients and their families on diabetes self-management strategies for Friska NutriAi, FriskaAi’s AI-powered personalized nutrition platform.
Possessing a wealth of experience in academic, clinical, and athletic performance settings, Musaku is a professor of exercise science at Henry Ford College and a health educator with Henry Ford Health. He is also an award-winning diabetes care and education specialist, strength and conditioning expert, and ultra-distance marathon runner. Previous positions include strength and conditioning coach with 2SP Sport Performance, where he worked with Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Lions players, and health and wellness manager at Michigan Endocrine.
“Joining FriskaAi is an incredible opportunity to merge evidence-based wellness with cutting-edge technology,” said Musaku. “I’m passionate about helping people take charge of their health through personalized nutrition, movement, and education. With Friska NutriAi, we’re making expert guidance more accessible than ever and empowering individuals with chronic conditions to live healthier, more balanced lives.”
Website: https://friska.ai 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/friskaai 
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Revenue Integrity and Health Information: Building a Stronger Foundation for Financial Stability

 
Ritesh Ramesh, the CEO of MDaudit offering their flagship revenue integrity software platform, enabling organizations to reduce compliance risk, improve efficiency and retain more of their revenue stream joins eHealth Radio. and the Health News and Health Care Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Ritesh Ramesh discuss the following:
What is the “Health Information: Making Every Patient’s Story Matter” campaign and why was it important for MDaudit to participate?
How do coding accuracy and billing compliance impact patients, patient care, and hospital operations?
What does it mean to achieve revenue integrity, and why is it important in the current environment?
How are AI and automation transforming revenue cycle management, and what sets MDaudit’s approach to their integration into other technologies apart?
Why do provider organizations need to embrace AI as part of their revenue cycle strategies?
What advice do you have for providers that want to integrate AI and automation into RCM processes to avoid disaster?
As CEO of MDaudit, Ritesh Ramesh focuses on driving the company’s growth and profitability with a customer-centric vision, strong team culture, and platform innovation. Ritesh has spent his entire career at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging technologies, transforming business models across various retail and consumer-focused industries, including healthcare. He has more than 22 years of experience working for leading professional services firms.
Before joining MDaudit in 2020 as Chief Technology and Operating Officer, he held leadership positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Knightsbridge Solutions. Ritesh graduated with a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Website: https://www.mdaudit.com 
Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mdaudit-software X: https://twitter.com/mdaudit  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDauditSoftware 
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Cloudbound: Navigating the Road of EHR Migration

 
Scott Mayo, the CEO of OptaFi with a mission to modernize Healthcare environments with a secure, cloud-first, high speed and cost-controlled digital landscape joins eHealth Radio and the Health News, Healthcare and Technology Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Scott Mayo discuss the following:
Tell me about OptaFi and your relationship to Infinite.
How do you start planning for a cloud migration?
How do you assess the full impact and cost?
How do you get the entire organization trained?
How do you maintain security?
How do you ensure compliance?
Scott Mayo is the CEO of OptaFi, where he leads the company’s mission to modernize healthcare environments with secure, cloud-first, high-performance, and cost-efficient digital solutions.
OptaFi, LLC—a joint venture between Sentara Healthcare and Infinite Computer Solutions—draws on the expertise, scale, and industry knowledge of its partners to deliver transformative outcomes for clients across the healthcare spectrum.
With more than 20 years of consulting and leadership experience, Scott brings both deep technical expertise and strategic insight to every client engagement. His portfolio spans providers, payers, and life sciences organizations, with a focus on cloud transformation, operations, technology strategy, joint venture governance, and pre-/post-merger integration. This breadth of experience uniquely positions him to help healthcare leaders navigate today’s most pressing challenges.
Before joining OptaFi, Scott served as President of LeapIT, Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Impact Makers and SVP of Sales and Operations at Keane, Inc.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Susquehanna University and studied at the University of Miami Herbert Business School.
Website: https://optafi.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optafi
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The Unseen Threat to Patient Privacy: Your Printers

 
Jim LaRoe the CEO of Symphion, a software and services company specializing in print fleet cybersecurity for healthcare joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Jim LaRoe discuss the following:
Let’s talk about the original mission you set out to achieve when you created Symphion. Could you share more about the industry challenge you saw a need to solve?
What has changed since that time and what has stayed the same in terms of the printers’ vulnerabilities within healthcare and the unseen threat to patient privacy?
Securing electronic health records and medical devices are seen as positive advancements in healthcare, but why are providers still overlooking the dangerous liability of printers when they are used frequently every day?
Could you illustrate some real-world scenarios of how print-related vulnerabilities can be exploited in healthcare?
Could you share more about the approach your team takes by offering cybersecurity services to print fleets?
You provide a solution for this challenge, but as an educator, why do you think it’s important to bring light to this issue and what do you recommend healthcare leaders do to address it? 
Jim LaRoe is Symphion’s dynamic leader with a special combination of skills, experience and insight that has driven Symphion’s success since inception to the world’s leader in print fleet cyber security. With a specialty in protecting the healthcare industry, Symphion’s focus has been on continual innovation, seamless delivery, affordability of its solutions and a dedication to excellence in customer service. 
Website: https://symphion.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/symphion
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Why Facilitation is Key for Effective Telehealth

 
Michael J. Reidy, a senior consultant at Interaction Associates that has more than 25 years of experience in consulting and responding to the learning needs of individuals & groups in the healthcare, biotech, financial services, power, and service industries joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Michael J. Reidy discuss the following:
How did you come to work in the healthcare space as an educator?
What challenges have you seen arise in the digital healthcare space from the organizations you serve?
How are these challenges unique within tele-health and telemedicine in terms of building trust?
What sort of facilitation techniques are used for in-person patient care that can be adapted for the virtual environment?
What tips and strategies do you suggest for providers to train their teams at all levels to enhance connection and empathy in online care? 
Michael J. Reidy, a senior consultant at Interaction Associates, has more than 25 years of experience in consulting and responding to the learning needs of individuals & groups in the healthcare, biotech, financial services,, power, and service industries. Michael’s interest is in adult education, and his belief is that the workplace has become the ‘third place’ of learning and development for the 21st century. Michael holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the HKS, Harvard University. Interaction Associates is best known for introducing the concept and practice of group facilitation to the business world in the early 1970’s. For over 50 years, IA has provided thousands of leaders and teams with practical, simple, and effective programs, tools, and techniques for leading, meeting, and working better across functions, viewpoints, and geographies.
Website: https://www.interactionassociates.com
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How Specialists & General Providers Together Can Drive Early Detection of MASLD/MASH to Transform Patients’ Liver Health

 
Dr. Angelo Paredes, a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist joins eHealth Radio and the eHealth Radio and Health News and Liver Health Channels. His practice focuses on the management of MASLD and MASH, liver cirrhosis, and hepatitis, and he also enjoys caring for patients with the entire spectrum of digestive diseases.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Angelo Paredes discuss the following:
Tell us more about your experience and how you became involved in liver health and passionate about this area of medicine.
Can you walk us through why early detection of MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) is so critical, and why general practitioners in primary care, family and internal medicine should start assessing for this disease and not just gastroenterologists and hepatologists?
What risk factors are visible in patients who should be screened?
In your experience, when is the right moment for a primary care practitioners and endocrinologists to refer a patient with suspected or confirmed MASLD to a specialist?
What tools or screening methods do you believe should be more widely adopted in primary care/family medicine to help identify patients at risk for advanced liver disease?
How can primary care/family medicine and GI/hepatology work more collaboratively to catch MASLD earlier and prevent disease progression? 
Dr. Paredes, a Queens NY native, came to us from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, after a fourteen-year career as an Active-Duty Medical Officer in the US Army. After completing his undergraduate degree at Cornell University, he obtained his Doctor of Medicine at Georgetown University in 2006. He completed his Internal Medicine Internship, Residency training, and Gastroenterology Fellowship training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He then spent a year in the Transplant Liver Program at Virginia Commonwealth University learning to care for patients with advanced liver disease.
Following his Fellowship training, Dr. Paredes became the Hepatology Section Chief at Brooke Army Medical Center. He has an accomplished background in research, with more than 25 scientific peer reviewed publications, and more than 50 presentations at international meetings. During his time in the Army, he participated in a medical mission to Honduras (2007), and served overseas in Iraq (2009-2010). He was Honorably Discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel in January 2020.
Dr. Paredes is board certified in both Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology and is an active member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. His practice focuses on the management of liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and viral hepatitis but he also enjoys caring for patients with the entire spectrum of Digestive Diseases.
Website: https://middlesexgastro.com
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