The Pediatric Lounge, Where Pediatric Physicians Come to Share Their Stories and Success

Dr. George Rogu, MD, MBA and Dr. Herb Bravo
  • 4.8 (29)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into just what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

  1. Jul 21

    243 From Exam Room to Empire: How Doctors Can Build Wealth and Independence Dr. Po Raval

    From Exam Room to Empire: Building a Practice, Brand, and Wealth with Dr. Po Raval (Doc Dynasty) In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, the hosts interview Dr. Po Raval, founder of Doc Dynasty, who shares her remarkable journey from launching a solo podiatry practice to becoming a successful entrepreneur, consultant, and physician branding expert. Dr. Raval explains how a podiatrist's successful treatment of her mother's ankle injury inspired her career path. She discusses gaining valuable hands-on experience during training and opening her first practice immediately after residency by leasing an affordable office inside a health club—creating an instant referral base among athletes and active patients. As healthcare reimbursement evolved, Dr. Raval diversified her income through nursing home care, consulting, and business development. She describes how earning an MBA expanded her perspective beyond clinical medicine and led to opportunities advising New Jersey Medicaid and other healthcare organizations on practice operations and systems improvement. The conversation then shifts to the modern realities of physician entrepreneurship. Dr. Raval explains why every physician should develop a personal brand, build a strong digital presence, and consistently create educational content. She shares practical strategies for leveraging websites, search engine optimization, social media analytics, and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini to generate ideas, optimize profiles, and improve marketing efficiency. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Raval emphasizes that AI should enhance—not replace—clinical judgment. She encourages physicians to think critically, question guidelines when appropriate, maintain authentic relationships with patients, and recognize that building a successful medical practice requires both excellent clinical care and intentional business strategy. Whether you're starting your first practice, growing an established office, or exploring physician entrepreneurship, this episode provides practical advice on building a sustainable career and lasting professional legacy. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Guest Introduction01:49 – Why Dr. Raval Chose Podiatry04:04 – Understanding Podiatry Training05:29 – Building a Specialty Referral Network07:34 – Launching a Practice on a Budget11:56 – Early Growth and Marketing Strategies14:25 – Adapting to HMOs and Creating New Revenue Streams18:22 – An MBA Mindset: Consulting and Business Growth22:29 – The Modern Practice Growth Playbook26:46 – Reaching the Right Audience on Social Media31:03 – Patient Outcomes, Reviews, and Practice Growth32:35 – Creating an Effective Marketing Budget33:59 – The Story Behind Doc Dynasty37:29 – Batch Content Creation for Busy Physicians39:01 – Using AI for Hooks, Headlines, and Hashtags42:29 – Why Consistency Outperforms Viral Content44:26 – Why Marketing Is Essential for Every Practice47:52 – Patient Retention and Staying Top of Mind50:21 – Negotiation Lessons for Physicians52:33 – AI Tools Every Physician Should Know57:08 – Why AI Still Requires Critical Thinking1:02:00 – Why AI Won't Replace Great Physicians1:03:12 – Closing RemarksSupport the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  2. Jul 14

    242 AAP Essential Equipemnet for Office Emergencies

    The Pediatric Lounge PodcastEvidence-Based Pediatric Office Emergency Preparedness: Practical Implementation and Real-World Debate Hosts: Dr. Herb Bravo & Dr. George Rogu Guests: Dr. David Mathison & Dr. Seth Toback In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, hosts Dr. Herb Bravo and Dr. George Rogu welcome Dr. David Mathison, Senior Vice President of Clinical Performance at PM Pediatrics, and Dr. Seth Toback, Chief Medical Officer at ARMR Science, for a timely discussion on evidence-based pediatric office emergency preparedness. The conversation explores the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2026 Technical Report, which updates and replaces the 2007 guidance on office emergency preparedness. Together, the panel examines how pediatric practices can translate evidence into practical workflows while balancing patient safety, costs, staffing realities, and the diverse environments in which pediatricians practice. Dr. Toback also discusses the science behind ARMR Science's investigational fentanyl conjugate vaccine, its potential role in addressing the opioid crisis, and the populations that may benefit if future clinical studies prove successful. The discussion focuses on preparing pediatric practices for the emergencies they are most likely to encounter—including respiratory distress, seizures, anaphylaxis, behavioral health crises, and diabetic emergencies—while emphasizing rapid recognition, stabilization, activation of EMS, structured communication during patient handoffs, defined team roles, simulation-based training, and continuous quality improvement through post-event debriefing. The panel also explores: How evidence should guide recommendations for office emergency preparednessWhether "essential" equipment recommendations should vary by practice settingThe costs, return on investment, and potential liability associated with emergency equipmentThe role of AEDs, CPR, PALS, and ACLS training in outpatient pediatric practicesWhy simulation training may be more effective than traditional mock codesRecognition skills for front-office staff and non-clinical personnelAppropriate stocking of emergency medications, including naloxone and epinephrineInnovation gaps in pediatric emergency preparednessThe growing challenge of pediatric behavioral health emergenciesCreating practical, scalable guidance for practices of every sizeWhether you are a solo pediatrician, part of a large health system, or responsible for quality improvement within your organization, this episode provides a thoughtful discussion of how to build an emergency preparedness program that is evidence-based, sustainable, and realistic. Episode Chapters 00:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome 02:24 — Why Dr. Mathison Chose Pediatrics 04:18 — Understanding the Fentanyl Vaccine 05:56 — Dr. Mathison's Journey at PM Pediatrics 08:40 — The Biggest Challenges Facing Pediatrics Today 11:46 — Training Gaps and Effective Patient Handoffs 15:02 — Reviewing the 2026 AAP Emergency Preparedness Guidance 20:48 — The Debate: Practical Office Emergency Preparedness 32:28 — Mock Codes vs. Real-World Readiness 38:45 — Why Simulation Training Matters 40:33 — Gaps in Current Training Standards 42:15 — Teaching Front Desk Staff to Recognize Emergencies 45:10 — What Every Office Should Stock—and What It Can Skip 47:25 — Naloxone, Epinephrine, and Medication Preparedness 50:32 — AEDs: Liability, Cost, and Return on Investment 55:33 — The Public Health Role of Pediatric Practices 58:03 — Should Offices Maintain ACLS Skills? 1:03:40 — Developing Right-Sized Guidance for Every Practice 1:06:22 — Debriefing, Continuous Improvement, and Future Updates 1:10:59 — Final Takeaways Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  3. Jul 7

    241 What Have IMGs Contributed to USA

    International Medical Graduates, Community Health Workers, and Access to Care in the U.S. On The Pediatric Lounge, hosts discuss with Dr. Ilan Sharps, a pediatrician at AltaMed in California (serving about 600,000 patients across 70+ clinics), how promotores de salud/community health workers support care by translating medical information culturally and linguistically, connecting families to resources, addressing barriers like food insecurity, safe spaces for exercise, transportation, and improving outcomes and costs through programs such as CalAIM and risk-based funding. They explore follow-up challenges for asymptomatic conditions (e.g., early type 1 diabetes screening) and how telehealth and home monitoring can reduce unnecessary visits while maintaining engagement. The conversation then focuses on international medical graduates (about 25% of the U.S. physician workforce), their role in underserved primary care communities, visa and licensing barriers, discrimination in training and hiring, balancing “brain drain” concerns, and developing safe pathways that verify competency while meeting U.S. workforce needs. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest 01:12 AltaMed Role and Reach 02:37 Access and Urgent Care Options 03:45 Promotoras Explained 07:48 Funding and ROI 09:37 Lifestyle Support for Diabetes 11:53 Getting Patients to Follow Up 15:55 Telehealth and Removing Barriers 18:33 Immigrants and IMG Contributions 23:05 Brain Drain and Underserved Care 25:38 Healthier Workforce Case 27:03 IMGs Fill Primary Care 29:05 Primary Care Shortages 30:18 Public Health Models Abroad 31:57 Mexico Doctor Oversupply 33:14 Mexican Physician Program 34:50 Quality And Fair Exams 38:02 Licensing Barriers Worldwide 41:55 IMG Exploitation And Bias 45:49 Building Better Pipelines 46:37 IMGs To Admire 50:14 Parting Thoughts And Wrap Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  4. Jul 1

    250 Years of Democracy and S5 Of Free Speech

    250 Years of the USA: Democracy, Free Speech, and 250 Episodes of The Pediatric Lounge In this Season 5, Episode 250 recording dated June 30, 2026, The Pediatric Lounge marks the USA’s 250th anniversary with a large panel discussing what makes America lovable and what the podcast has meant to them. Guests highlight democracy, the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, freedom of speech, dignity, interdependence, and the opportunities America has provided—often through immigrant and military-family experiences (including escapes from Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union, and family journeys from Ireland, Italy, Romania). Several express concern about current political threats to democracy while emphasizing the country’s resilience. They credit the podcast for building a pediatric community, modeling honesty beyond “white coats,” connecting colleagues nationwide, and influencing practical work such as screening for suicidal depression and advancing Type 1 diabetes screening and DKA prevention, alongside discussions of independent practice, payment, and practice management. 00:00 Welcome to the Lounge 00:29 250 Years Theme Setup 01:22 Hershel on Democracy 03:17 Jon Founding Ideals and Humor 04:46 Kerry  on Hope and Impact 06:44 Immigration and Humanity 10:02 Susan on Pride and Community 13:18 Jeanne on Opportunity and Grit 16:07 Dan Service Dignity and Advocacy 20:33 Igor  Immigrant Gratitude and Practice 23:38 George and Herb Reflections 28:58 Farewell and Credits Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  5. Jun 23

    240 Embodiment: Why Human Connection is Pediatric Medicine's Superpower

    Embodiment and Trust: Why Human Connection Is Pediatrics’ Superpower In this Pediatric Lounge episode, hosts Herb and George welcome back Dr. Sian Jones-Jobst, MD, to discuss how, amid AI, misinformation, consolidation, and workforce shortages, the pediatrician–family relationship remains irreplaceable because pediatrics is “the embodiment business,” built on vulnerability, trust, and continuity over years. They explore how misinformation on social media drives parents to seek trusted voices, how limited visit time and EHR “mechanics” undermine relationship-building, and why adolescent care often requires more time. Dr. Sian contrasts relationship-based medical homes with transactional care, emphasizes team culture (staff introductions and continuity), and argues practices serve communities through leadership beyond the exam room. They discuss correcting misinformation through motivation, conversation, and shared decision-making, challenges around newborn vaccine consent and declining prenatal visits, burnout as broken relationships, gratitude as a leadership practice, and the need to invest in children and pediatrics for the country’s future. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:50 Why Embodiment Matters 01:40 Misinformation And Trust 04:14 Vulnerability In Care 05:39 Time Versus Mechanics 10:16 Adolescents Need Time 11:30 Continuity Superpower 14:33 When Care Turns Transactional 15:51 Team Culture And Names 18:43 Pediatrics In The Community 21:27 MBAs And Practice Survival 24:47 Rebuilding Real Community 27:24 Relationships Beat Facts 28:58 Online Echo Chambers 30:56 Trust and Media Diet 31:44 Correcting Misinformation 33:37 Shared Decisions and HPV 35:21 Personalizing Guidelines 38:27 Vaccine Conversations That Work 40:37 Newborn Consent and Humanity 44:14 Prenatal Visits and Continuity 48:05 Burnout and Broken Bonds 49:18 Joyful Practice and Gratitude 55:33 Investing in Children 57:42 Closing Thanks and Signoff Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  6. Jun 17

    239 Physician Autonomy: Why It Matters

    Dr. Steven on California’s New Laws Curbing Private Equity Control of Medical Practices In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, the hosts welcome back Dr. Steven from California to discuss two new state laws addressing private equity and the corporate practice of medicine. Dr. Steven describes his key role as a witness supporting SB 351, which strengthens enforcement against MSOs and private equity interfering with clinical judgment, physician scheduling, work hours, medical record control, and certain restrictive covenants and NDAs tied to quality and ethical concerns. He shares his own experience of alleged MSO interference, including canceled COVID vaccine clinics and loss of control of his professional corporation, now part of a lawsuit. They also review AB 1415, requiring disclosure and greater oversight of healthcare transactions, and compare similar issues in dentistry and leveraged buyouts, arguing financial incentives can harm patient care and physician autonomy while weakening relationships and access in larger systems. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:29 Catching Up in California 01:04 Surf and Wave Safety 02:20 How SB 351 Passed 03:17 Enforcing Corporate Practice 07:12 MSO Interference Examples 11:22 Noncompetes and NDAs 13:15 Deal Disclosure Law AB 1415 14:48 Dental PE and LBO Debt 17:51 Pediatrics Margins and Debt 19:44 Urgent Care and Midlevels 23:00 Who Pays the Debt 23:48 Wall Street Gambling Mindset 25:15 Money Over Patients 25:37 Recruit Then Replace 26:52 Leverage And Lending 28:40 Physician Exit Strategy 31:17 Independence Comeback 34:26 Access And Pricing Failures 36:04 Referral Barriers And Triage 40:17 Relationships Lost In Medicine 43:05 Teaching The Next Generation 44:08 Closing Thanks And Credits Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  7. Jun 9

    238 Why and How Marketing is essential to your business - Cliff James

    Four Pillars of Advertising for Pediatric Practices: Newborn ROI, TikTok, Google Maps, and Internal Outreach Hosts discuss pediatric practice marketing with repeat guest Dr. Cliff James, focusing on ROI-driven patient acquisition and replacing attrition by targeting newborns while balancing capacity and scheduling efficiency. James argues marketing spend should be measured by cost per acquired patient (nationally ~$80–$100; his ~$32), not percent of revenue, and stresses tracking “how did you hear about us” to avoid misleading metrics like clicks. He outlines advertising pillars: (1) social media content, especially TikTok, to educate pregnant/new parents and generate both patients and platform revenue; (2) hyperlocal visibility via Google Maps/Google Business and consistent listings across many directories, with mobile-optimized, content-rich websites that AI search tools can scrape; (3) targeted paid ads such as geofencing OB offices and filtering by demographics; and (4) internal “advertising” using EHR outreach to drive well visits and chronic care follow-ups. He emphasizes outsourcing execution while physicians stay involved and recommends treating the website like a revenue-producing employee. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest 01:38 Why Market to Newborns 03:23 Attrition and Growth Math 05:43 Capacity and Scheduling Limits 13:47 Walk Ins and Workflow Hacks 16:33 Marketing Spend and CPA 18:48 Modern Referral Channels 20:51 Outsource vs Be the Star 23:22 Social Media Pillar TikTok 27:59 Tracking Leads and Targeting 29:32 High Income Ad Targeting 30:10 Geofencing OB Offices 31:16 60 Second Video Strategy 32:32 Choosing Social Channels 33:14 Avoiding Link Penalties 35:29 Google Maps Over SEO 36:29 AI Search Website Pages 39:50 Reviews And Internal Outreach 48:19 Quiz Funnels For Leads 52:06 Webinars Worth It 55:36 Delegate Marketing Work 01:00:16 Website As An Employee 01:02:23 Closing And Disclaimers Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

  8. May 26

    237 How DPC is Growing in Pediatrics

    DPC Is Growing in Pediatrics: Dr. Andrew Hertz on Zest’s Expansion, Survey Findings, and the Future of Care The Pediatric Lounge welcomes returning guest Dr. Andrew Hertz, co-founder and president of the Zest Pediatric Network, to discuss the growth of direct pediatric care (DPC) and results from Zest’s national survey. Hertz reports Zest’s expansion from three Cleveland-area practices to 10 sites opening by summer, with 13 physicians across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and describes using annual surveys because pediatric DPC data was previously lacking and the movement is growing about 25% yearly. Survey findings include that pediatric DPC is largely women-led (about 90%), mid-career, mostly solo practices; most charge $100–$175 per child per month with panels under 250 patients; about 48% are AAP members; and many report improved satisfaction and less moral injury. They discuss DPC benefits such as reduced office, urgent care, and ED visits, challenges with insurance and Medicaid capitation without CPT codes, AI’s operational promise and societal risks, and employer value focused more on employee satisfaction than pediatric ROI. 00:00 Welcome Back Dr Hertz 01:30 Zest Network Growth 02:50 Why Survey DPC 03:49 Who Joins DPC 05:06 Boards and MOC Debate 09:31 AAP Membership Questions 13:54 Why DPC Is Rising 18:22 AI vs EHR Efficiency 22:03 Insurance and Capitation 25:14 Hybrid Models and Access 29:08 Costs and Who Can Afford 32:45 Medicaid Capitation Hurdles 35:06 Data Without CPT Codes 36:24 Data Without Red Tape 37:07 ICD-10 and Simple EMRs 38:23 Holistic Prevention Coaching 41:32 Defining DPC Success 42:43 Net Promoter Score Explained 46:10 NPS for Behavior Change 49:19 Storytelling to Drive Adoption 55:53 AI in Pediatrics Promise and Peril 01:03:21 Beyond DPC Payment Models 01:06:15 Employers and Care Navigators 01:09:24 Closing Thoughts and Growth 01:11:31 Podcast Outro Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this:  🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================  📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

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A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into just what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

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