A Dose of Optimism

Omkar Kulkarni

A Dose of Optimism is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of healthcare innovation and the optimists driving meaningful change.  Hosted by Omkar Kulkarni, this show shines a light on bold ideas, transformative solutions, and the passionate individuals working every day to make healthcare better for children and their families. Each episode dives into the real-world challenges facing the healthcare industry and highlights the people and organizations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From tackling mental health and food allergies to reimagining hospital care and harnessing Artificial Intelligence for better outcomes. Listeners will discover game-changing solutions, hear stories of creativity and resilience, and gain inspiration from leaders who believe in building a healthier, more hopeful future.  From medical professionals and entrepreneurs to patients and community advocates, the podcast brings together diverse voices united by a shared commitment to improving healthcare delivery. Whether you’re working inside the industry or simply curious about the innovations shaping tomorrow’s care, A Dose of Optimism offers insight, connection, and inspiration. “The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

  1. Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    -9 H

    Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    What if pediatric procedures could be less painful, less invasive, and safer for long-term health? In this episode, three leading physician-scientists from Children's Hospital Los Angeles share how breakthrough technologies are transforming children’s medicine. Dr. Jeffrey I. Gold explains how immersive virtual reality reduces pain, anxiety, and even eliminates sedation for certain procedures. Dr. John Wood discusses how low-field MRI is reducing radiation exposure and anesthesia in pediatric imaging. And Dr. James Amatruda reveals how zebrafish models are accelerating cancer research and improving outcomes for children with rare tumors. From bedside innovation to cutting-edge research labs, this conversation explores how technology is reshaping pediatric care, today and for the future. Episode Resources: MAGNETOM Free.Max (wide bore mri) CHLA Researcher Uses Low-Field MRI to Assess Lung Capacity in Children With Single Ventricle Hearts Fluoroscopy MR fluoroscopy USC Viterbi School of Engineering Krishna Garikipati - USC Viterbi School of Engineering Ching-Ling (Ellen) Lien, PhD Connect with Dr. Jeff Gold: Jeff Gold Children's Hospital Los Angeles Jeff Gold Linkedin Connect with Dr. John Wood: John Wood Children's Hospital Los Angeles  Connect with Dr. James Amatruda: Dr. James Amatruda Children's Hospital Los Angeles Dr. James Amatruda LinkedIn Amatruda Lab Children's Hospital Los Angeles Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    44 min
  2. Honoring the ‘12th Man’ in Pediatric Care

    10 FÉVR.

    Honoring the ‘12th Man’ in Pediatric Care

    In this episode, we explore how pediatric healthcare leaders are redesigning systems to prevent harm before it happens. Anne Lyren, Chief Medical and Strategy Officer of the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) Network, explains how children’s hospitals across the country collaborate to reduce serious harm through shared data, transparency, and continuous improvement. Rebecca Egger, CEO of Little Otter, brings a data and mental health lens, discussing why early childhood mental health has long been underestimated and how better data systems can surface risks earlier and more equitably. Manju Dawkins, Founder and CEO of Thimble, challenges long-standing assumptions around pain, fear, and “the way it’s always been done,” sharing how thoughtful design can transform needle procedures and raise the standard of care. Together, this conversation reframes patient safety as a systems problem, one that can be solved through collaboration, empathy, and intentional design. Episode Resources: KidsX x SPS Patient Safety Innovation Challenge Anna Taddio, Professor - Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Connect with Anne Lyren: Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety Website Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety LinkedIn Anne Lyren LinkedIn Connect with Rebecca Egger: Little Otter - a Hazel Health Company Little Otter LinkedIn Little Otter Instagram Rebecca Egger LinkedIn Connect with Manju Dawkins: Thimble Website Thimble LinkedIn Thimble Instagram Manju Dawkins LinkedIn Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    28 min
  3. Designing Comfort: Special Experiences for Kids with Sensory Needs

    3 FÉVR.

    Designing Comfort: Special Experiences for Kids with Sensory Needs

    In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety. Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability. We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Norton, Lisa Boettcher, and Jill Wiench, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients. Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone. Episode Resources: Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's Wisconsin Dayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient care Connect with Missy Krasner: Missy Krasner LinkedIn Connect with Children's Wisconsin: Children's Wisconsin Website Children's Wisconsin LinkedIn Children's Wisconsin Instagram Connect with Dr. Sean Antosh: Dr. Sean Antosh LinkedIn Dayton Children's Hospital Website Dayton Children's Hospital LinkedIn Dayton Children's Hospital Instagram Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    35 min
  4. Public Health: Policy, Trust, and Emerging Technology

    27 JANV.

    Public Health: Policy, Trust, and Emerging Technology

    In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how health policy, public trust, and emerging technology continue to shape the future of pediatric care. Tom Priselac reflects on decades of healthcare leadership, including his role as Chair of the American Hospital Association during the development of the Affordable Care Act. He shares how large health systems evolve, why access and quality must move together, and what remains unresolved for Medicaid, public health infrastructure, and underserved communities.Joining him is Boston Children's Hospital innovation leader John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and entrepreneur who bridges public health, data science, and digital innovation. John discusses how real-time data, scalable technology, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health. Together, they explore how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect, and why trust, adaptability, and long-term thinking matter more than ever in healthcare. Episode Resources: Affordable Care Act iCAN (International Children's Advisory Network) Introducing OpenAI for Healthcare MedTutor AI in Action: AI-Powered Innovation Could Transform Medical Education on Celiac Disease Accelerating scientific breakthroughs with an AI co-scientist Connect with Tom Priselac: Thomas M. Priselac Linkedin Cedars-Sinai Website Cedars-Sinai Instagram Cedars-Sinai LinkedIn Connect with John Brownstein: John Brownstein LinkedIn John Brownstein Instagram Boston Children's Hospital Website Boston Children's Hospital LinkedIn Boston Children's Hospital Instagram Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    37 min
  5. Trauma, Grief and Resilience

    20 JANV.

    Trauma, Grief and Resilience

    In this deeply moving episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how parents, families, children and caregivers navigate trauma, grief, and loss and what meaningful support looks like in the aftermath of a crisis. Dr. David Schonfeld, Director at the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, shares decades of experience helping schools and communities respond to disasters, violence, and loss, emphasizing why resilience does not mean children should be left to cope alone. Emma Payne, Founder & CEO at Help Texts., reflects on how personal loss led her to create scalable, compassionate bereavement support that meets families where they are. Dr. Solfrid Raknes discusses how evidence-based digital tools, like the Helping Hand Digital Game, can help children and adolescents build coping skills, even in the most fragile and conflict-affected settings. Together, this conversation centers on presence, care, and long-term healing, reminding us that recovery is possible when children and those who care for them are supported with intention and humanity. Episode Resources: Project Open Arms The Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Wendy G Lichtenthal - Miller School of Medicine Mary Frances O'Connor - UCLA The Center for Good Mourning - Arkansas Children's The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families The Happy Helping Hand Manual - Dr. Solfrid Raknes (for teachers, psycho social staff, facilitators)  Connect with Dr. David Schonfeld: National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Website  National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement LinkedIn National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Instagram National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Facebook Dr. David Schonfeld LinkedIn Connect with Emma Payne: Emma Payne LinkedIn Help Texts Website Caregiver and Grief Support for Children's Hospitals Help Texts Instagram Help Texts Facebook Help Texts LinkedIn Help Texts TikTok Connect with Dr. Solfrid Raknes: Dr. Solfrid Raknes LinkedIn Dr. Solfrid Raknes Instagram Helping Hand Digital Game Attensi Website Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website

    41 min
  6. Leading Pediatric Care Through Challenge and Change

    13 JANV.

    Leading Pediatric Care Through Challenge and Change

    In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar sits down with two leaders shaping the present and future of pediatric healthcare. Paul Viviano, CEO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, shares a candid perspective on what it means to lead a children’s hospital during a period of unprecedented pressure. From workforce shortages and Medicaid uncertainty to research funding and equity in access, Paul reflects on the realities facing pediatric systems and the leadership principles required to navigate them with clarity and purpose. Kyle Horne, Project Manager for CHLA’s Literally Healing program, brings a deeply human lens to hospital care. Kyle explains how books, storytelling, and literacy support can create moments of comfort, understanding, and hope for children and families during hospitalization. His work reminds us that healing is not only clinical but emotional and developmental as well. Together, this conversation highlights how leadership, creativity, and compassion intersect to support children and families, even in the most challenging environments. Episode Resources: Medicaid - US health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources Medi-Cal Insurance Coverage - California Medicaid Literally Healing at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - an innovative reading program Drew Daywalt - American author and filmmaker Benson Shum - book author and illustrator Books mentioned in the episode: How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? The Little Engine That Could Grumpy Monkey Up All Night Guess How Much I Love You The Day the Crayons Quit The Book with No Pictures

    39 min
  7. Season 2 Premiere: Return of the Parentrepreneurs!

    6 JANV.

    Season 2 Premiere: Return of the Parentrepreneurs!

    We’re kicking off Season 2 by spotlighting parent-innovators who turned lived experience into action. This episode brings together founders who are reshaping pediatric mental health, literacy, and NICU care through empathy, technology, and perseverance. Hafeezah Muhammad, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, shares how her son’s mental health crisis led her to build a technology-enabled, family-centered mental health platform that serves children as young as four and supports parents, caregivers, and clinicians together. Carla Small, founder of Sprout Labs, explains how science-backed literacy tools and AI can identify dyslexia early, personalize instruction, and prevent years of academic struggle and declining self-esteem. Phil Martie, founder of Nicolette, reflects on his NICU journey as a parent of premature twins and how it inspired him to build tools that turn complex hospital data into clear, empowering insights for families navigating neonatal intensive care. Together, these conversations highlight the power of early intervention, empathetic design, and technology that meets families where they are, before crises deepen and systems fail them. Episode Resources: Medicaid Orton-Gillingham Approach Learn more from the previous ‘’parentrepreneurs’’ episodes: The Mighty Parentrepreneurs Autism: Tools to help doctors and parents Connect with Hafeezah Muhammad: Backpack Healthcare Website Backpack Healthcare Facebook Backpack Healthcare Twitter Backpack Healthcare Instagram Backpack Healthcare LinkedIn Backpack Healthcare TikTok Hafeezah Muhammad LinkedIn Connect with Carla Small: Sprout Labs Website Sprout Labs LinkedIn Sprout Labs Instagram Carla Small LinkedIn Connect with Phil Martie: Nicolette Website Nicolette LinkedIn Nicolette Instagram Phil Martie LinkedIn Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    39 min
  8. CMIOs: Speaking Multiple Languages to Deliver Innovation

    30/12/2025

    CMIOs: Speaking Multiple Languages to Deliver Innovation

    Pediatric healthcare is shaped by systems that are often invisible to patients and families, yet deeply influential in how care is delivered. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni is joined by three leaders working at the intersection of pediatrics, informatics, and digital transformation. Rod Tarrago, CMIO Pediatrics at Amazon Web Services, and Troy McGuire, CHIO at CHLA, share how informatics and data-driven design can reduce friction in pediatric care. Together, they discuss interoperability, clinician workflows, and the importance of building systems that support care teams without adding unnecessary burden. Shaun Miller, CHIO at Cedars-Sinai, brings a health system perspective on clinical decision support, physician wellness, and the responsible use of digital tools. He explains how thoughtful technology implementation can improve efficiency while keeping clinicians focused on patient care. This conversation highlights how careful system design, collaboration, and practical innovation can make pediatric healthcare more connected, more humane, and more sustainable for the people delivering and receiving care. Episode Resources: TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement CDEC - California Data Exchange Center RHIO - Regional Health Information Organization LANES - Los Angeles Network for Enhanced Services K Health: 24/7 Access to High-Quality Medicine Cedars-Sinai Connect - 24/7 world-class care without the wait RPM - Remote Patient Monitoring - example 1  example 2 Connect with Rod Tarrago: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Website Amazon Web Services (AWS) LinkedIn Amazon Web Services (AWS) Instagram Rod Tarrago LinkedIn Connect with Troy McGuire: Troy McGuire LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Troy McGuire Connect with Shaun Miller: Cedars-Sinai Website Cedars-Sinai LinkedIn Cedars-Sinai Instagram Shaun Miller LinkedIn Connect with us: KidsX Website KidsX LinkedIn Children's Hospital L.A. Website Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

    25 min

À propos

A Dose of Optimism is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of healthcare innovation and the optimists driving meaningful change.  Hosted by Omkar Kulkarni, this show shines a light on bold ideas, transformative solutions, and the passionate individuals working every day to make healthcare better for children and their families. Each episode dives into the real-world challenges facing the healthcare industry and highlights the people and organizations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From tackling mental health and food allergies to reimagining hospital care and harnessing Artificial Intelligence for better outcomes. Listeners will discover game-changing solutions, hear stories of creativity and resilience, and gain inspiration from leaders who believe in building a healthier, more hopeful future.  From medical professionals and entrepreneurs to patients and community advocates, the podcast brings together diverse voices united by a shared commitment to improving healthcare delivery. Whether you’re working inside the industry or simply curious about the innovations shaping tomorrow’s care, A Dose of Optimism offers insight, connection, and inspiration. “The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.”