A Dose of Optimism

Omkar Kulkarni
  • 4.9 (31)
  • MEDICINE

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. Sleep Studies... from Home?

    6D AGO

    Sleep Studies... from Home?

    Pediatric sleep care is undergoing a transformation, from hospital-based sleep labs to home-based, data-driven insights. In this episode, Dr. Eugene Kim and Conner Herman, explore how wearable technology and environmental behavioral sensors are reshaping how we understand children’s sleep. Dr. Eugene Kim shares how Apple Watch–based data collection could help identify sleep apnea risk before anesthesia, potentially reducing ICU admissions, shortening surgical delays, and improving perioperative safety. Meanwhile, Conner Herman explains how Percy uses multi-sensor fusion to objectively measure sleep behaviors at home, especially for children with autism and chronic conditions. Together, they reimagine pediatric sleep from two complementary perspectives: risk stratification before surgery and behavioral pattern detection in real-world environments The result is better data, less guesswork, fewer unnecessary medications, and earlier intervention. This episode dives into pediatric sleep innovation, anesthesia safety, behavioral health, and the future of home-based diagnostics for children. Episode Resources: Estimating Breathing Disturbances and Sleep Apnea Risk from Apple Watch American Academy of Sleep Medicine | AASM | Medical Society Connect with Dr. Eugene Kim: Eugene Kim, MD CHLA CHLA and Apple Watch Project The Division of Pain Medicine CHLA Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine CHLA Virtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (vPICU) Connect with Conner Herman: Conner Herman LinkedIn Percy Website Percy LinkedIn Percy 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 Learn more about Make March Matter: Make March Matter The 11th Annual Make March Matter Campaign Make March Matter contributors: Alfred Coffee Randy's Donuts Panda Express Katana LA Sushi Roku h.wood Group Delilah Los Angeles Nice Guy Restaurant

    26 min
  2. Moonshots in Pediatric Healthcare

    FEB 24

    Moonshots in Pediatric Healthcare

    What does a “moonshot” look like in pediatric healthcare? In this episode, three visionary leaders share how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and consumer-grade design thinking are transforming care for children worldwide. Dr. Timothy Chou introduces the Pediatric Moonshot, a global effort to deploy privacy-preserving AI across 500 children’s hospitals to reduce healthcare inequity and improve outcomes through patient digital twins. Prof Iain Hennessey explores how quantum computing could revolutionize scheduling, imaging, and diagnostics, positioning hospitals today for breakthroughs 7–10 years from now. Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Vital.io, shares how consumer product design principles are improving emergency care, eliminating friction, and transforming patient experience at scale. This conversation looks beyond incremental change, and into the future of pediatric medicine. Episode Resources: BevelCloud - Empowering the Future of Distributed AI Connect with Dr. Timothy Chou: Dr. Timothy Chou LinkedIn Pediatric Moonshot Website Pediatric Moonshot LinkedIn Pediatric Moonshot Podcast Connect with Prof Iain Hennessey: Prof Iain Hennessey LinkedIn Alder Hey Innovation Website Alder Hey Innovation LinkedIn Connect with Aaron Patzer: Aaron Patzer LinkedIn Vital.io Website Vital.io Linkedin Intuit, Inc. (Intuit, QuickBooks, QB, TurboTax, ProConnect, and Mint) Make March Matter 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

    47 min
  3. Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    FEB 17

    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
  4. Honoring the ‘12th Man’ in Pediatric Care

    FEB 10

    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
  5. Designing Comfort: Special Experiences for Kids with Sensory Needs

    FEB 3

    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
  6. Public Health: Policy, Trust, and Emerging Technology

    JAN 27

    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
  7. Trauma, Grief and Resilience

    JAN 20

    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
  8. Leading Pediatric Care Through Challenge and Change

    JAN 13

    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
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

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.” 

Information

  • Creator
    Omkar Kulkarni
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Dose of Optimism
  • Show Website
    A Dose of Optimism