🎧 Overall Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jackie Gerhart, VP of Clinical Informatics and Chief Medical Officer at Epic, joins Adam and Dale to discuss how Epic is transforming healthcare through generative AI, interoperability, and data-driven tools like Cosmos. She shares her journey from family medicine into health tech and offers an inside look at how Epic is using technology to reduce clinician burden, personalize care, and shape future healthcare policy.

🔹 The Person – Dr. Jackie Gerhart’s Journey to Epic (00:00–09:50)

Jackie shares her path from biomedical engineering into medicine, driven by a passion for solving problems with people rather than machines. She practiced full-scope family medicine for 7–8 years before transitioning into informatics at Epic to make broader system-level impact. She continues to practice urgent care to stay grounded in real-world clinical needs.

🔹 The Company/Product – Epic’s Physician Role, Mission, and Evolution (09:51–21:15)

Jackie outlines how Epic physicians evolved from demoing software to becoming strategic partners and informaticists influencing product development, R&D, and customer support. She emphasizes Epic’s commitment to usability, patient-centered design, and building tools that are meaningful, efficient, and clinically impactful.

🔹 Under the Hood – GenAI, Ambient Tech, and Smart Integration (21:16–35:55)

Jackie dives into how Epic is using generative AI across the healthcare stack. Applications include AI-powered ambient charting, inbasket automation, clinical summarization, and decision support. She emphasizes the need to match tech with organizational problems and to avoid jumping on “shiny object” solutions without a clear use case.

🔹 The Data Behind the Product – Cosmos and Precision Care (35:56–48:50)

Cosmos, Epic’s collaborative dataset of 293 million patient records, is now powering decision support at the point of care. Tools like Best Care Choices for My Patient and Lookalikes allow providers to tailor treatment plans or diagnose rare conditions by comparing patient-specific data to nationwide trends. Future aspirations include patient-facing tools to promote shared decision-making and personalized guidance.

🔹 Policy, Interoperability & TEFCA (48:51–56:50)

Jackie shares Epic’s historical commitment to interoperability, sparked by a tragic story that led to the creation of Care Everywhere. She explains Epic’s leadership role in TEFCA, which aims to establish common data standards across EHR systems, and how this framework will bring long-tail providers and digital health vendors into the fold.

🔹 The Future of Healthcare & What Excites Jackie (56:51–59:30)

Jackie envisions a world where empowered patients and AI-informed clinicians collaborate with precision data to make truly personalized medical decisions. She wants medical education to reflect this dynamic and constantly updated reality.

🔹 Lightning Round – Nerd Alert (59:31–End)

Jackie shares:

* Favorite productivity hack: Using ChatGPT and Copilot; clinically, she loves chart search and Epic’s secure messaging.

* Last book/podcast: Good to Great, Brotopia, and a STAT podcast on JPM 2024.

* Comfort food: Popcorn, pasta, matzo ball soup, and nostalgia for Blue Moon ice cream.

* Surprising fact: She was once bitten by a penguin in South Africa!

* Must-have tech (non-phone): Podcasts and online learning platforms—critical for lifelong learning in medicine.

In this episode, David Nussbaum, founder/CEO of Proto Hologram, joins hosts Adam Carewe and Dale Gold to explore the future of holographic communication, especially in healthcare. From beaming celebrities and doctors across the globe to integrating AI for conversational holograms, Nussbaum shares the journey and vision of making holograms a transformative technology for human connection.

Episode Breakdown & Section Summaries

1. Introduction and the Problem with Traditional Virtual Communication

⏱️ [00:00:05 – 00:01:42]

Adam and Dale introduce the podcast and set the stage by discussing the limitations of video communication in healthcare, especially during the pandemic. They reflect on how traditional virtual tools fail to replicate the presence and connection of in-person interaction.

2. Meet David Nussbaum: From Broadcasting to Holograms

⏱️ [00:01:42 – 00:04:15]

David shares how his background in broadcasting and podcasting led to the idea behind Proto. He imagined “beaming” people into each other’s homes like in science fiction and wanted to evolve communication beyond audio or video.

3. The Aha Moment and the Birth of Proto

⏱️ [00:04:15 – 00:08:40]

David recalls discovering unused Pepper’s Ghost patents, originally used for magic tricks, and adapting them to bring back late celebrities as holograms. Eventually, he shifted from resurrecting the dead to connecting the living, building Proto as a scalable, affordable solution.

4. Early Use Cases and Proto’s Entertainment Impact

⏱️ [00:08:40 – 00:11:21]

Proto gained attention through entertainment and marketing, including a breakthrough moment when Kane Brown performed as a hologram during the iHeart Music Festival. Collaborations followed with Elton John, UFC, and more.

5. How Proto Works and What It Looks Like

⏱️ [00:11:21 – 00:17:15]

David describes the Proto device as a holographic window—essentially a framed glass panel with internal lighting that creates life-size 3D visual presence. From large units to desktop models, Proto offers interactive, hyper-realistic visuals that create a sense of true presence.

6. Proto in Healthcare: Applications and Impact

⏱️ [00:17:15 – 00:24:37]

Proto’s biggest opportunity lies in healthcare. From teaching at the University of Central Florida to remote consultations at West Cancer Center, Proto is transforming patient-provider communication. HIPAA compliance and data security are top priorities.

7. Patient and Doctor Use Cases

⏱️ [00:24:37 – 00:30:44]

David discusses current deployments where clinics host the Proto units, and doctors or patients beam in remotely. He shares personal stories, including how Proto helps his own children interact with their grandparents across the country.

8. Conversational AI Integration

⏱️ [00:30:44 – 00:38:56]

David explains how Proto is evolving to support conversational AI avatars. Each avatar can be customized with specific knowledge bases and personality traits. An AWS event showcased two Proto AI avatars debating topics, offering a glimpse into collaborative AI-human interaction.

9. Future Use Cases: Wayfinding, Medical Assistants, and Multilingual Avatars

⏱️ [00:38:56 – 00:41:04]

Proto’s applications go beyond healthcare. From airport information booths (like the one in Jacksonville, FL) to hospital navigation and multilingual communication, the technology is versatile and expanding rapidly.

10. Lightning Round: Personal Stories & Influences

⏱️ [00:41:04 – 00:52:28]

David shares fun personal insights, including his love for MAD Magazine, his favorite podcast guest (Sam Simon), and his dream lunch dates: Howard Stern, Larry David, and Howie Mandel. The segment ends on an emotional note about family, podcasting, and memories.

Overall Summary

Dr. Zak Kohane, a pioneering figure in AI and biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School, discusses the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, its challenges, and its future. He highlights the inertia of the healthcare system, the impending doctor shortage, and how AI-driven innovations can revolutionize patient care and medical practice.

Episode Breakdown

Introduction (00:00:08 – 00:01:39)

Hosts Adam Carewe and Dale Gold introduce their guest, Dr. Zak Kohane, a leader in AI-driven healthcare innovation. The episode sets the stage for a deep dive into AI’s role in medicine and its impact on the healthcare system.

Zak Kohane’s Background and Mission (00:01:39 – 00:03:33)

Kohane shares his journey from a PhD student in AI to becoming a leader in biomedical informatics. He reflects on his early realization that medicine, despite its noble intent, lacked systematic scientific approaches and could be vastly improved with technology.

The Frustration with Traditional Healthcare (00:03:33 – 00:09:58)

Kohane describes the inefficiencies in medical decision-making and patient care. He compares medicine to aviation, arguing that while planes prioritize passenger safety with systematic checks, medicine often relies on outdated, inconsistent practices.

The Rise of AI and Patient-Led Change (00:09:58 – 00:11:51)

The conversation shifts to how AI is already influencing patient decisions, providing second opinions, and identifying misdiagnoses. Kohane highlights a crucial moment where the healthcare system must recognize itself as an information-processing discipline that must adapt to AI advancements.

Medical Informatics and the Evolution of EHRs (00:11:51 – 00:20:43)

The discussion delves into the history of medical informatics, explaining how AI and computer science have shaped modern healthcare. Kohane critiques the slow evolution of electronic health records (EHRs), explaining how the lack of innovation has kept healthcare technology decades behind consumer-facing industries.

Doctor Shortage and the Future of Primary Care (00:20:43 – 00:25:36)

Kohane emphasizes the impending shortage of primary care doctors, predicting a deficit of 30,000 to 80,000 physicians by 2030. He argues that AI must play a key role in flipping the traditional clinic model to accommodate the growing patient population.

AI’s Impact on Physician Workloads and Efficiency (00:25:36 – 00:29:38)

The conversation touches on AI’s ability to reduce administrative burdens, such as documentation and coding, but also warns that increased efficiency might lead to higher patient loads rather than reduced physician stress.

Consumer-Driven AI Adoption in Medicine (00:29:38 – 00:34:10)

Kohane predicts that AI-driven medical advancements will initially emerge in boutique, high-end healthcare services before becoming mainstream. He suggests that employer-driven demand for better healthcare services will push AI adoption forward.

Data Liberation and the Future of Patient-Centric Care (00:34:10 – 00:37:08)

Kohane highlights the importance of patient access to healthcare data, referencing Apple’s integration of EHR data into Apple Health. He believes that freeing patient data from legacy hospital systems will lead to personalized and AI-enhanced healthcare experiences.

Closing Thoughts and Fun Questions (00:37:08 – 00:41:30)

The hosts conclude with lighthearted questions, where Kohane shares his love for teaching, his appreciation for Boston’s academic environment, and his wish to master playing a musical instrument. He also expresses interest in hearing insights from leaders in health insurance on how they plan to integrate AI into their business models.

Guest: Dr. Stephon Proctor from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Hosts: Adam Carewe and Dale Gold

Overall Summary: In this episode, Dr. Stephon Proctor discusses his journey from clinical psychology to informatics, the implementation of AI in healthcare, and the future of technology in the medical field. He shares insights on the challenges and successes of integrating AI tools to improve efficiency and reduce clinical burden.

Section Summaries

Introduction [00:00:08]

The hosts introduce the podcast and the guest, Dr. Stephon Proctor, highlighting his role as a behavioral health clinician and informatics director at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Proctor's Journey [00:03:04]

Dr. Proctor shares his background, from his early interest in technology and psychology to his current role in informatics. He discusses his educational path and how he combined his passion for technology with his clinical work.

Informatics and Clinical Workflow [00:09:56]

Dr. Proctor explains the role of informatics in bridging the gap between clinical workflows and technology. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both the clinical and technical aspects to create effective solutions.

AI in Healthcare [00:11:23]

The discussion shifts to the implementation of AI in healthcare, specifically the use of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in the EHR system. Dr. Proctor talks about the benefits and challenges of using AI to draft patient messages and reduce clinical burden.

Pilot and Implementation [00:13:30]

Dr. Proctor describes the pilot phase of implementing AI tools at CHOP and the transition to a full-scale rollout. He shares data on adoption rates and time savings, highlighting the differences in usage between physicians and nurses.

Prompt Engineering [00:14:48]

The conversation delves into prompt engineering, where Dr. Proctor explains how instructions are given to LLMs to guide their responses. He discusses the art of creating effective prompts and the challenges of adapting to changes in AI models.

Addressing Privacy Concerns [00:18:23]

Dr. Proctor addresses privacy concerns related to AI in healthcare, particularly in pediatric settings. He explains how CHOP ensures that sensitive information is protected when using AI tools.

Future of AI in Healthcare [00:27:30]

The hosts and Dr. Proctor speculate on the future of AI in healthcare. They discuss the potential for AI to handle more complex tasks, the integration of domain-specific models, and the importance of maintaining human oversight.

Nerd Alert Round [00:37:37]

The hosts engage Dr. Proctor in a rapid-fire round of questions, covering topics like his favorite efficiency hacks, home automation, and his interests outside of work.

Closing Remarks [00:49:51]

Dr. Proctor offers advice to early-career clinicians interested in informatics and technology. The hosts thank him for his insights and wrap up the episode.

In this episode of "NerdMDs Efficiency Unlocked," hosts Adam Carewe and Dale Gold interview Adam Cherrington, Vice President of Digital Health and Patient Voice at KLAS Research. They discuss the importance of patient engagement in healthcare, the role of technology in improving patient experiences, and the future of healthcare innovation.

Introduction [00:00:12]

The hosts introduce the episode and their guest, Adam Cherrington. They discuss the importance of improving patient experiences in healthcare and set the stage for the conversation.

Adam Cherrington's Journey [00:02:42]

Adam shares his journey into healthcare technology, his passion for patient engagement, and personal experiences that shaped his career. He highlights the importance of personalized care and accessibility in healthcare.

What is KLAS? [00:09:56]

Adam explains the mission and work of KLAS, an independent research and consulting firm dedicated to improving healthcare. He discusses the company's history, its role in providing transparency in healthcare, and its impact on the industry.

Digital Health and Patient Voice [00:14:01]

Adam delves into his specific role at KLAS, focusing on digital health and patient engagement. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in patient engagement, the importance of involving patients in their care, and the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.

Patient Voice Collaborative [00:22:52]

Adam introduces the Patient Voice Collaborative, a new initiative by KLAS to include patient perspectives in healthcare IT. He shares insights from early patient interviews and discusses the potential impact of this collaborative effort on healthcare organizations.

Future of Healthcare [00:35:35]

The hosts and Adam discuss the future of healthcare, including the importance of data interoperability, better patient-provider communication, and the need for consumer-friendly healthcare solutions. They share their hopes and dreams for a more integrated and efficient healthcare system.

Nerd Alert Round [00:40:05]

The episode concludes with a fun "Nerd Alert" round, where Adam Cherrington answers light-hearted questions about his personal preferences and interests, adding a touch of humor and personality to the conversation.

In this episode, Ruben Amarasingham discusses the latest advancements at Pieces, focusing on their innovative system to classify, detect, and prevent hallucinatory errors in clinical summarization. The conversation delves into the development and impact of their proprietary Safe Read platform, the challenges faced, the October publication they released to the public, and the future of AI in healthcare.

Section Summaries

Introduction [00:00:01]

Adam Carewe welcomes Ruben Amarasingham back to the podcast, highlighting the recurring guest status and setting the stage for a discussion on the latest developments at Pieces.

Overview of Pieces' Whitepaper [00:01:40]

Adam introduces the main topic of the episode: a whitepaper by Pieces titled "A system to classify, detect, and Prevent Hallucinatory Error in Clinical Summarization." He provides a high-level summary of the paper, emphasizing the importance of addressing hallucinations in AI-generated clinical summaries.

Reuben's Insights on the Whitepaper [00:04:20]

Reuben elaborates on the motivation behind the whitepaper, explaining the significance of creating accurate and reliable clinical summaries. He discusses the challenges of hallucinations in large language models and the framework Pieces developed to classify and mitigate these errors.

Development of the Classification Framework [00:07:36]

Ruben shares the history and development process of the classification framework, highlighting the importance of inter-rater reliability and the rigorous testing involved. He introduces the Safe Read platform, which helps measure and manage hallucinations in clinical summaries.

Safe Read Platform and Its Impact [00:11:23]

The conversation shifts to the Safe Read platform, an internal tool used by Pieces to detect and address hallucinations. Ruben explains how the platform works, its components, and the continuous improvement process through adversarial AI and knowledge graphs.

Challenges and Evolution of Safe Read [00:13:38]

Ruben discusses the challenges faced in developing and iterating the Safe Read platform. He highlights the importance of human intervention in improving the system and the role of adversarial AI in detecting hallucinations.

Impact of Safe Read on Clinical Summarization [00:18:46]

Ruben talks about the positive impact of the Safe Read platform on reducing hallucinations in clinical summaries. He explains how the system has evolved to address less severe hallucinations and improve the overall accuracy and reliability of summaries.

Industry Standards and Regulatory Challenges [00:22:19]

The discussion touches on the lack of industry benchmarks for AI systems in healthcare and the role of regulatory bodies. Ruben shares insights on Pieces' interactions with the Texas Attorney General and the importance of transparency and reporting in AI development.

Future Directions for Pieces [00:33:15]

Ruben outlines the future goals for Pieces, including expanding the Safe Read platform to other forms of AI documentation and patient interactions. He discusses the potential for collaboration with other AI companies and the broader impact on healthcare.

Closing Thoughts and Nerd Alert Questions [00:42:05]

Adam wraps up the conversation with some light-hearted "nerd alert" questions, asking Ruben about his favorite ways to relax, recent books he's read, and skills he wants to master. Ruben shares his love for reading, spending time with family, and his interest in art and AI-driven creative projects.

Overall Summary

In this episode of "Efficiency Unlocked," Dr. David Canes, a board-certified urologist and founder of Wellprept, discusses his journey from experiencing burnout to creating a health technology company aimed at improving patient education and physician efficiency. The conversation covers the origins of Wellprept, its impact on both doctors and patients, and the future potential of patient education technology.

Introduction [00:00:00]

Dr. David Canes, a board-certified urologist, is introduced as the guest. He shares his passion for strategies that help doctors work more efficiently, which led him to found Wellprept, a company focused on improving patient education.

Background and Inspiration [00:02:53]

Dr. Canes talks about his background, including his upbringing and education. He explains how his experiences with repetitive tasks and burnout in his medical practice inspired him to create Wellprept as a solution to improve efficiency and patient care.

The Birth of Wellprept [00:05:46]

Dr. Canes describes the initial steps he took to develop Wellprept, starting with creating educational links for patients and evolving to recording detailed video explanations. He highlights the positive feedback from patients and the improved quality of interactions.

Expansion and Adoption [00:14:21]

The discussion shifts to the growth of Wellprept, including its adoption by other doctors and specialties. Dr. Canes explains how the platform allows for personalized patient education and the benefits it brings to both doctors and patients.

Future of Patient Education [00:23:11]

Dr. Canes shares his vision for the future of patient education, emphasizing the importance of high-touch interactions and the potential for Wellprept to improve public health outcomes by providing quality educational materials to a large audience.

Nerd Alert Round [00:40:01]

In a lighter segment, Dr. Canes answers fun and personal questions, revealing his favorite song, the animal he would like to be, and his favorite efficiency tools. He also discusses the importance of physician-led businesses in health technology.

Closing Thoughts [00:46:36]

Dr. Canes emphasizes the value of physician-led businesses in solving real problems in healthcare. He encourages physicians with entrepreneurial ideas to pursue them and highlights the potential for technology to enhance the medical profession.