Becker’s Healthcare -- Cardiology + Heart Surgery Podcast

In this episode, Rosy Thachil, MD, MBA, FACC, FAMWA, FACVC, Cardiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, joins the podcast to discuss why patient care cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. She shares how translation services help bridge communication gaps, and how integrating specialized, data-driven care is improving outcomes and delivering more personalized treatment for diverse patient populations.

In this episode, Vikram Kashyap, MD, FACS, Endowed Chair of the Frederik Meijer Heart and Vascular Institute and Vice President of Cardiovascular Health at Corewell Health, discusses reducing mortality through systemwide collaboration, navigating anesthesia workforce transitions, expanding into heart and lung integration, and building a unified cardiovascular strategy across the state.

In this episode, Gregg Reis, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at UPMC in Central Pennsylvania, joins the podcast to discuss how the hospital’s STEMI alert system is delivering lifesaving care to patients experiencing heart attacks. He shares insights into team preparation, rapid response coordination, and the protocols that ensure timely, high-quality STEMI care when every second counts.

In this episode, Suzette B. Graham Hill, MD, cardiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, discusses how cardio obstetrics programs, remote blood pressure monitoring, and automatic cardiology referrals are helping prevent postpartum cardiovascular deaths. She shares why coordinated care beyond the traditional six week model is essential to improving outcomes, particularly for high risk and disproportionately affected patients.

In this episode, Dr. Justin Dunn, Interventional Cardiologist and Regional Director of the Valve and Structural Heart Disease Center at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Lake West Medical Center, discusses expanding complex cardiac procedures into community hospitals to improve access and outcomes. He shares how standardizing infrastructure, training multidisciplinary teams, and launching TAVR and left atrial appendage programs locally have driven a 25% increase in volume while maintaining main campus level results.

In this episode, Dr. Norma M. Keller, Chief of Cardiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and system wide cardiovascular lead for NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses aligning prevention, innovation, and equity across the nation’s largest municipal health system. She shares insights on investing in advanced therapies like ECMO and structural heart procedures while strengthening prevention strategies and sustainable service line growth in a public health setting.

In this episode, Dr. Hal Skopicki of Stony Brook Medicine shares how an integrated institute model at the Stony Brook Heart Institute is reducing access delays, advancing lipid and imaging innovation, and driving consistent clinical excellence. He discusses empowering teams, investing in scalable programs, and creating a culture of collaboration to elevate cardiovascular care.

In this episode, Anthony J. Tortolani, MD, FACS, FACC, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the realities of declining profit margins and how leaders are balancing financial pressures with clinical excellence. He explores practical applications of AI in clinical medicine, including improvements in efficiency and less invasive surgical approaches, and shares why aligning strategic vision with day-to-day tactical planning is essential for long-term success in cardiovascular care.

In this episode, Dr. Amro Alsaid, Medical Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging, and Dr. Karim Al-Azizi, Medical Director of the Catheterization Laboratory and Structural Heart Program at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital, discuss how AI and advanced cardiac imaging are reshaping coronary diagnosis, improving precision in patient care, and optimizing workflow efficiency across cardiology programs.Visit Cleerly Health to learn more. https://cleerlyhealth.com/what-is-cleerly?utm_campaign=cleerly_brand&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=beckers&utm_content=pr-podcast-11-2025

In this episode, Dr. Tom Nguyen, Professor and Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at FIU and Chief Medical Executive at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, discusses how wearable devices, voice technology, and AI are transforming early detection, prediction, and treatment in cardiovascular care. He also shares insights on using technology to reduce disparities, enhance patient monitoring, and shape the next era of surgery.

This episode features Vinay Badhwar, MD, FACS, FACC, Executive Chair of the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute and Gordon F. Murray Professor and Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine. Dr. Badhwar discusses the importance of a strong organizational structure, shares insights into the innovative developments his team has been working on, reflects on the values that guide him as a leader, and much more.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Howley, Director of the Fetal Cardiology Program at Children’s Minnesota, discusses the biggest challenges and innovations shaping fetal and pediatric cardiology, including disparities in prenatal detection, the growing adult congenital population, and the promise of AI and telehealth in expanding access to care.

This episode features Dr. Wayne J. Franklin, Senior Vice President of the Children’s National Heart Center, as he discusses the top challenges shaping cardiology today, including workforce shortages, the evolving role of AI, and the impact of private equity on healthcare. Dr. Franklin also shares his optimism for technology-driven innovation and the importance of humanism in modern medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Gregory Mishkel, VP of Cardiology Operations and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at NorthShore/Endeavor Health, discusses the innovative approach to cardiovascular care at the Cardiovascular Institute. He highlights the challenges and successes of building a specialized care model and shares insights on exciting advancements in cardiovascular treatments, as well as the importance of leadership and education in healthcare.

In this episode, Sunita Ferns, MD, Director - Pediatric and Adult Invasive Electrophysiology, Harma Turbendian, MD - Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, & Mark Plunkett, MD - Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois discuss the groundbreaking care of a two-year-old who suffered sudden cardiac arrest. From quick parental actions to the innovative use of an adult-designed ICD in a child—the youngest ever to receive it—the team shares how collaboration, expertise, and innovation saved a life and set a precedent for future care.

In this episode, Dr. James D. Flaherty, Director of Cardiology Quality and Outcomes at Northwestern Medicine, discusses key trends in cardiology, including physician wellness, access to care, and the evolving role of technology. He shares insights into the future of heart care and the potential impact of corporatization on the medical field.

In this episode, Colleen Blackburn, Director of Cardiovascular Service Line at OSF Healthcare, discusses the evolving challenges in cardiology post-COVID. She shares insights on integrating AI, managing growing patient volumes, and making strategic decisions for expanding cardiovascular services while maintaining high-quality care.

Join us as Dr. Anthony Tortolani, a retired cardiac surgeon with over 40 years of experience, discusses the rapid advancements in cardiac care, the integration of AI, and the potential dangers of profit-driven healthcare. This insightful conversation delves into the critical issues shaping the future of cardiology.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Wessler, Cardiologist at Northwell Health & Founder and CEO of Heartbeat Health, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of cardiovascular care. He discusses the impact of decentralized diagnostics, the rise of GLP-1 medications, and the journey of building a successful virtual cardiology practice.

In this 20 minute episode we talk with Michael Twyman, MD, founder of Apollo Cardiology, about two aging-related chronic diseases; Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is a growing body of evidence linking cardiovascular health and risk factors of CVD to AD. A study published in the Journal of American Heart Association using data from over 430,000 individuals from the UK Biobank found that those who had coronary heart disease (CHD) before the age of 45 had a 13% increased risk of developing AD compared to those who did not have CHD. Tune in for more insights.This episode is sponsored by CardioDiagnostics.

Join Chris Sosa from Becker's Healthcare as he engages Dr. Hemal Gada, President of the UPMC Heart Vascular Institute at Central Pa, in a discussion on the significance of early detection of cardiovascular disease and the role of AI in aiding cardiologists. Gain insights into the AI tools utilized at UPMC and the positive patient outcomes observed through machine learning models.

Join Chris Sosa from Becker's Healthcare as he engages Dr. Amgad Makaryus, Chairman of Cardiology at Nassau University Medical Center and Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine, in a discussion about the current landscape of cardiology. Gain insights into Dr. Makaryus's background, his perspectives on the top issues in cardiology, and his vision for the future of heart care, including both excitement and concerns.

Dr. Neel Butala, Chief Medical Officer of HiLabs and Assistant Professor at University of Colorado, shares his background in cardiovascular care, issues that shaped the landscape in 2023, his excitement and concerns for the future, and skills that will empower healthcare leaders to succeed in the coming year.

Dr. Nissi Suppogu, board-certified cardiologist, MemorialCare Medical Group delves into her background, the top three challenges currently facing the field of cardiology, anticipated changes in heart care over the next 18 months, the future of cardiovascular medicine, and more!

Dr. Amanda Vest, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program, Tufts Medical Center and Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine joins the podcast to discuss her background, the biggest issues in cardiology today, how she sees heart care evolving, and more!

Join us in this informative podcast as we sit down with Dr. Engelman and Dr. Grant, esteemed members of the ERAS Cardiac Society. In this engaging interview, they introduce themselves and share insights into their backgrounds. Delving deeper, they discuss their quality improvement programs and how they're revolutionizing patient care. Discover the strategies that have proven most successful in enhancing patient care within the operating room and intensive care unit. The doctors also draw from their extensive experience in implementing Enhanced Surgical Recovery programs, offering valuable insights into the outcomes achieved. To top it off, they share expert advice for clinical leaders on making the most of ERAS, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone in the healthcare field.This episode is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences.

Welcome to the Becker's Healthcare podcast series. Today, we have a special guest, Eigil Samset, PhD, General Manager of Cardiology Solutions at GE HealthCare, who will be shedding light on the pivotal role of innovation in cardiology in shaping the future of hospital and health system technology strategies. Join us as we explore the latest trends in cardiology, their integration into broader technology strategies, and the exciting new, less invasive, and more seamlessly connected cardiology solutions transforming the field. Eigil will also share real-world examples of the benefits and outcomes organizations are experiencing through cardiology innovation, drawing from GE HealthCare's extensive portfolio that spans the full patient care pathway and helps tell the story of the heart. Plus, we'll uncover surprising findings from GE HealthCare's recent study on healthcare needs and expectations. Thank you, Eigil, for an insightful discussion, and a big thanks to GE HealthCare for sponsoring this episode.This episode is sponsored by GE Healthcare.

In this episode we are joined by Andrew Colbert, Senior Managing Director, Ziegler and a founding member of Ziegler’s Corporate Finance Healthcare practice, to discuss important trends and cardiology. Tune in to hear how technology and how systems can prepare themselves.This episode is sponsored by Ziegler.

This episode features Marc Sakwa, MD, Chief of CT Surgery, MemorialCare, Chief, CV Surgery, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute; Medical Director, Adult CV Surgery, MHVI at Long Beach Medical Center. Here, he discusses his background, top 3 biggest issues in cardiology today, how he sees heart care evolving over the next 18 months, and more.

This episode features Marc Sakwa, MD, Chief of CT Surgery, MemorialCare, Chief, CV Surgery, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute; Medical Director, Adult CV Surgery, MHVI at Long Beach Medical Center. Here, he discusses his background, top 3 biggest issues in cardiology today, how he sees heart care evolving over the next 18 months, and more.

This episode features Dr. Martin Masumura, Chief of Cardiology at Geisinger. Here, he discusses his background, the top 3 issues in cardiology he’s following today, different sources of burnout for providers, how he sees heart health evolving, and more.

Dr. Joseph Craft, Cardiologist and President of Medical Staff at St. Luke's Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss his background & pride in his organization, biggest issues he's following in cardiology today, how he sees heart care evolving over the next 18 months, current nerves and excitements, and more.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Jim Melton, Vascular Surgeon and Cofounder of the Cardiovascular Health Clinic to discuss private equity investments in healthcare and how they have skyrocketed – especially in ambulatory surgery centers. Tune in to hear about how cardiology is expected to be the next enticing investment!This episode is sponsored by Philips.

Dr. Ryan Madder, Section Chief of Interventional Cardiology & Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI joins the podcast to discuss his work in telerobotic surgery, how it could close gaps in access to care, the opportunities and risks of physicians adopting telerobotic surgery, and advice he has for surgeons who are on the fence about it.

Dr. Avni Thakore, a Cardiologist and President of Catholic Health Physician Partners, joins the podcast to discuss her background, the top 3 biggest issues in cardiology she’s keeping an eye on today, how she sees healthcare evolving over the next 18 months, and current nerves and excitements.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ed Wu, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Recora, and Terry Rogers, President of Pritikin ICR, to discuss what big challenges health system leaders are facing, where revenue and volume comes from for cardiac services, how cardiac rehabilitation fits into the cardiovascular service line and a lot more.This episode is sponsored by Recora and Pritikin ICR.

Dr. Khurram Nasir, Division Chief of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, joins the podcast to discuss his background, top 3 biggest issues in cardiology today, how heart care will evolve over the next 18 months, and today's nerves and excitements.

Dr. Gul Dadlani, the Division Chief of Cardiology at Nemours Children's Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss his background, top 3 biggest issues in cardiology today, how he sees heart care evolving over the next year and a half, and current nerves and excitements.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ralph J. Riello III, PharmD, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cardiorenal & Metabolism, Yale School of Medicine, and Dr. Nihar Desai, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine, Vice Chief, Cardiovascular Medicine, to discuss the key findings from the PROMPT-Lipid Trial.The PROMPT-LIPID trial was designed to evaluate whether automated electronic alerts with guideline-based recommendations can help improve the management of hyperlipidemia among patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at very high risk for cardiovascular events.This episode is sponsored by Amgen.

In this episode we discuss advanced heart failure and the CTVSA Heart Failure practice with Dr. William Cotts and Dr. Christopher Sciamanna. Tune in to learn about their experience caring for heart failure patients, medications used for treatment, and more.This episode is sponsored by CTVSA

This episode features Dr. Hemal Gada, President at Heart and Vascular Institute & Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at UPMC in Central PA, joins the podcast to discuss a holistic approach to managing heart health.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nezar Falluji, System Physician Vice President - National Cardiovascular Services Line at CommonSpirit Health & Medical Director - Structural Heart Program at CHI Saint Joseph Hospital, to discuss supply costs, reimbursement & staffing challenges health systems are facing today, the shift toward ambulatory surgical centers, his excitement for new innovative technologies in cardiovascular care, and more.

This episode features Lindsey Thompson, Network Director of Cardiovascular Programs at Honor Health. Here, she discusses what led her to administrative leadership, how she foresees cardiovascular care evolving in the future, the importance of personalized care, and more.

This episode features Dr. Jorge Saucedo, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Director of the Heart & Vascular Service Lines at Froedtert Health. Here, he discusses challenges surrounding labor costs & equitable access to care, how he sees heart health evolving in the months to come, innovation in cardiology, and more.

In this episode, we are joined by Gordon Wesley, DBA, FACHE, Vice President at AdventHealth Heart, Lung, & Vascular Institute, to discuss his background, his focus on increasing access to care & health equity, re establishing stability & competition coming out of the pandemic, and more.