Designing Healthcare that Cares Podcast

Doctor Podcast Network, Dr. Laura Suttin
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Clinician turnover costs health systems $500,000 to $1 million per departure. Most organizations are managing the symptoms. This show diagnoses the structural conditions behind them. Designing Healthcare That Cares is hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, a board-certified family physician, former healthcare executive, and organizational consultant who works with health system leaders to fix the structural conditions driving clinician attrition. Each episode gives healthcare executives a clearer view of the organizational design problems that produce turnover, and what it actually takes to correct them. Guests are clinician leaders, health system executives, and organizational experts whose experience translates directly to the boardroom. If you lead a health system, a medical group, or a clinical division, and you are tired of watching good clinicians leave, this show is for you.

  1. 1d ago

    Healthcare Disrupted: How AI, Leadership, and Medical Education Can Transform Care | Ep70

    What if the biggest opportunities to transform healthcare are hiding in the systems physicians work within every day? Dr. Laura Suttin sits down with Dr. Marschall Runge, former CEO of Michigan Medicine and Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, to explore the challenges facing physicians and the disruptive ideas that could make healthcare more effective, sustainable, and human-centered. From administrative burden and electronic medical records to physician burnout and primary care shortages, Dr. Runge shares lessons from decades of practicing medicine and leading one of the country's major academic health systems. The conversation explores the promise and limitations of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. Runge discusses ambient AI, AI assistants, pharmacogenomics, and the potential for technology to reduce cognitive fatigue rather than simply increase physician productivity. They also examine why interoperability remains such a persistent problem and why AI must be designed around the needs of patients and physicians, not simply billing, coding, or revenue optimization. Dr. Runge and Dr. Suttin also examine the future of medical education, arguing for more meaningful clinical experiences, greater emphasis on leadership and critical thinking, and less reliance on memorization that may no longer serve modern physicians. They discuss medical homes, federally qualified health centers, primary care, physician wellbeing, and what healthcare can learn from models where clinicians have the time and resources to focus on their mission. Ultimately, this episode is a conversation about disruption with purpose: how physicians, educators, healthcare leaders, and communities can challenge outdated systems and help create a healthcare system that works better for everyone. Three Actionable Takeaways: Use AI to reduce cognitive burden, not simply increase productivity: Look beyond documentation and billing applications. AI can potentially help physicians synthesize complex medical histories, identify medication interactions, recognize care gaps, support clinical reasoning, and give clinicians more time to connect with patients. Rethink what physicians need to learn: Medical education should prioritize critical thinking, clinical reasoning, leadership, communication, resource stewardship, and meaningful patient interaction alongside foundational medical knowledge. Reducing unnecessary memorization could create more room for skills physicians actually need throughout their careers. Design healthcare around the mission of caring: Medical homes, integrated teams, and community-based models can give physicians access to the resources their patients need while reducing administrative friction. Healthcare transformation starts by identifying what isn't working and speaking up about how those systems can improve. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Marschall Runge is a physician-scientist, cardiologist, author, and healthcare leader who served as CEO of Michigan Medicine and Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School. He earned his PhD in molecular biology from Vanderbilt University and his MD from Johns Hopkins University, completing residency at Johns Hopkins and cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. A career-long physician-scientist, Dr. Runge has authored more than 250 publications and holds five healthcare-related patents. He is also a Global Book Awards gold medalist and the author of The Great Healthcare Disruption and the medical thriller Coded to Kill. About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/drlaurasuttin 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlaurasuttin 📸 Facebook: facebook.com/drlaurasuttinmd Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.drlaurasuttin.com/courses   The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Healthcare Disrupted: How AI, Leadership, and Medical Education Can Transform Care | Ep70

  2. Aug 24

    AI in Healthcare: How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Patient Care & Reducing Physician Burnout | Dr. Terry Adirim

    Artificial intelligence is changing healthcare faster than ever, but what does that really mean for clinicians, patients, and the future of medicine? In this insightful episode, Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Dr. Terry Adirim, for a conversation about the opportunities and realities of AI in healthcare. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in academic medicine, federal leadership, the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and digital health innovation, Dr. Adirim explains how AI can reduce administrative burden, improve clinical workflows, and strengthen, not replace the relationship between clinicians and patients. Together, they discuss: Why ambient AI scribes are transforming clinician documentation Lessons healthcare learned from the rapid expansion of telemedicine during COVID-19 How AI can improve patient access through digital front-door technology The importance of designing technology around clinicians—not billing systems Why patients should become informed healthcare consumers The future of clinical decision support and responsible AI adoption The hidden complexity of navigating insurance, billing, and healthcare costs Dr. Adirim also shares insights from her upcoming book, The Prepared Patient, offering practical advice to help individuals better understand health insurance, advocate for themselves, and confidently navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. Whether you're a healthcare leader, clinician, policymaker, or patient, this conversation provides a thoughtful look at how technology can improve care while keeping humanity at the center of healthcare. Three Actionable Takeaways: Let AI eliminate administrative burden, not human connection: Use AI-powered documentation, scheduling, and workflow tools to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks so clinicians can focus on meaningful patient interactions instead of computer screens. Become an informed healthcare consumer: Understanding your insurance coverage, medical bills, prior authorizations, and healthcare rights allows you to make better decisions and avoid unnecessary financial surprises. Keep humans in the loop: AI is an incredibly powerful assistant, but clinical judgment, empathy, context, and trust remain essential parts of healthcare that technology cannot replace. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Terry Adirim is a board-certified emergency physician, physician executive, and healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience in academic medicine, federal health leadership, health policy, and AI in healthcare. She is the author of The Prepared Patient and a recognized expert in digital health, healthcare transformation, and innovation. Connect with Dr. Terry Adirim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryadirim Book: , The Prepared Patient: Your Guide to Surviving the Healthcare System About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurasuttin/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasuttin/ 📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlaurasuttinmd/ Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.drlaurasuttin.com/courses The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Aug 10

    A Surgeon’s Journey Through Loss, Resilience, and Better Leadership | Ep68

    What if the most powerful leadership skill in medicine isn’t technical excellence, but the courage to be vulnerable? Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Dr. Daniel Eiferman, tenured professor of surgery at The Ohio State University and author of Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth. Together they explore the hidden gaps in medical training, the isolating impact of complications, and the real tools that help clinicians recover and lead more effectively. Dr. Eiferman shares his own story of a major surgical complication, the negative spiral of the “three P’s” (personalization, pervasiveness, permanence), and how peer support, an inner circle, and self-compassion helped him rebuild. The conversation highlights why vulnerability builds trust faster than anything else and how clinician leaders can create high-functioning teams by modeling humanity instead of perfection. This episode offers powerful insights for any healthcare professional struggling with imposter syndrome, burnout, or the emotional weight of high-stakes medicine. Three Actionable Takeaways: Build an inner circle: Cultivate a small group of trusted peers or mentors who truly have your best interests at heart and are willing to give honest feedback, especially after difficult outcomes. Talk to yourself nicely: When facing complications or mistakes, recognize the “three P’s” (personalization, pervasiveness, permanence) and intentionally reframe your thoughts to focus on learning, growth, and the positive impact you’ve made. Lead with vulnerability: Drop your guard first to build trust. Sharing your own struggles openly creates connection and psychological safety that leads to stronger teams and better patient outcomes. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Daniel Eiferman is a tenured professor of surgery at The Ohio State University, a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and a practicing trauma and acute care surgeon. Known for his candid teaching style, he helps clinicians build resilience, lead teams, and navigate the emotional realities of high-stakes medicine. He is the author of Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth. He is most proud of his marriage to his wife Alyssa and his relationship with their three children, Julia, Jeffrey, and Abby. Dr. Daniel Eiferman’s Book: Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth Website: https://integritysurgery.org About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    A Surgeon’s Journey Through Loss, Resilience, and Better Leadership | Ep68

  4. Jul 27

    Sleep Is Not Selfish: Helping Clinician Leaders Rest, Recover, and Lead Better | Ep67

    What if better sleep was one of the most powerful leadership tools available to clinicians? Dr. Laura Suttin sits down again with Dr. Melissa Milanak to explore the unique sleep challenges faced by clinicians, healthcare executives, and physician leaders. Together, they unpack how leadership responsibilities, isolation, confidentiality burdens, perfectionism, and multiple competing roles can keep clinicians trapped in a chronic state of stress. Dr. Milanak explains why many leaders operate in a constant state of "simmering" rather than true recovery and offers evidence-based tools to help clinicians reclaim restorative sleep. This discussion examines why clinician leaders face worse sleep than frontline clinicians, linking perfectionism, over-functioning, and self-sacrifice to chronic stress, burnout, and rest. Dr. Milanak shares PMR techniques, bedtime routines, sleep triggers, personal sleep windows, and wearable tech strategies to restore restorative rest. This episode provides actionable strategies for healthcare professionals who want to protect their well-being, improve resilience, and lead more effectively by prioritizing one of the most overlooked pillars of health: sleep. Three Actionable Takeaways: Create intentional sleep triggers: Establish a consistent bedtime routine using strategies such as progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, or breathing exercises to help your body recognize when it is time to rest. Protect your sleep environment: Reserve your bed for sleep and intimacy whenever possible. Avoid working, scrolling, or watching television in bed to strengthen your brain's association between bed and sleep. Find your sleep sweet spot: Determine your ideal sleep window by identifying how much sleep you're currently getting and gradually adjusting your schedule until you consistently fall asleep quickly, sleep through the night, and wake feeling rested. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Melissa Milanak is a licensed clinical psychologist, sleep expert, founder of Mind Impact Consulting, LLC, and professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. She specializes in helping healthcare professionals, executives, and high-achieving individuals improve sleep, manage stress, and optimize performance through evidence-based behavioral strategies. Website: melissamilanak.com About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Sleep Is Not Selfish: Helping Clinician Leaders Rest, Recover, and Lead Better | Ep67

  5. Jul 13

    Why Great Doctors Struggle to Lead and How to Change It | Dr. Lee Scheinbart | Ep66

    Can leadership be taught, or is it something physicians must intentionally pursue? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Dr. Lee Scheinbart, drawing from decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare leadership, Dr. Scheinbart shares his journey from hematology-oncology physician to physician leadership advocate. Together, they unpack the misconceptions surrounding physician leadership, challenge the notion that all physicians are leaders, and examine why many physician executives are expected to "figure it out" without proper preparation. They explore: Why physicians are often selected for leadership without formal training The mindset shifts required to transition from clinician to leader How physician training can unintentionally reinforce behaviors that hinder leadership success The evolution of the Chief Medical Officer role over the last three decades Why leadership education may be most impactful during residency training The need for a modernized medical education system that incorporates human-centered skills alongside clinical excellence This conversation offers valuable insights for physicians, healthcare executives, educators, and anyone interested in building stronger healthcare leadership pipelines. Three Actionable Takeaways: Leadership must be intentional: Leadership isn't simply holding a title. Focus on developing others, mentoring colleagues, and creating future leaders within your organization. Recognize and challenge physician conditioning: Traits such as perfectionism, over-functioning, and self-sacrifice can support clinical success but may limit leadership effectiveness. Learning when to adapt these behaviors is critical. Invest in leadership development early: Residency and early career transitions may provide the best opportunities to introduce leadership principles, emotional intelligence, and organizational awareness. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Lee Scheinbart is a former Chief Medical Officer, physician executive, educator, and leadership strategist. He currently serves as Chief Health Affairs Officer and Assistant Professor of Leadership Development at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is the principal instructor for the American Association for Physician Leadership's Chief Medical Officer Academy and the founder of The CMO Group, a physician-led advisory and leadership development organization focused on preparing the next generation of healthcare executives. He is also the creator and host of The Fire Chief Podcast, dedicated exclusively to the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers. Website: chiefmedicaloutlook.com Podcast: The Fire Chief Podcast LinkedIn: Dr. Lee Scheinbart About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses   The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Why Great Doctors Struggle to Lead and How to Change It | Dr. Lee Scheinbart | Ep66

  6. Jun 29

    Patient Safety Starts with Speaking Up: A Conversation with Dr. Julie Siemers | Ep65

    What if one question, one observation, or one conversation could prevent a medical error and save a life? In this eye-opening episode of Designing Healthcare That Cares, Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes for a candid discussion about one of healthcare’s most important and under-discussed issues: preventing patient harm. Drawing from more than four decades of nursing experience and years of patient safety research, Julie explains why medical errors continue to occur despite advances in technology and healthcare delivery. She shares how communication breakdowns, systems failures, cognitive biases, and a lack of transparency contribute to preventable harm in hospitals and clinics every day. Laura and Julie discuss the critical role patients and families play in recognizing changes in condition, asking questions, and becoming active participants in care. They also explore how healthcare organizations can create safer systems through better communication, psychological safety, root cause analysis, and stronger interdisciplinary collaboration. This conversation is a powerful reminder that safer healthcare begins when everyone (patients, families, clinicians, and leaders) works together. Three Actionable Takeaways Become an active participant in your healthcare: Ask questions, understand your treatment plan, and never hesitate to speak up if something feels different or concerning. Focus on communication before technology: Most patient harm events involve communication failures. Strong communication between providers, patients, and families remains one of the most effective safety tools available. Look beyond individual mistakes and fix systems: Healthcare leaders should investigate why errors happen, identify system vulnerabilities, and address root causes to prevent future harm. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Julie Siemers is a nurse educator, patient safety advocate, author, and founder of LIFEbeat Solutions. With more than 45 years of healthcare experience, she is dedicated to preventing patient harm through education, awareness, and patient empowerment. Her work focuses on helping patients, families, nurses, and healthcare organizations recognize early signs of deterioration, improve communication, and create safer care environments. She is the author of Surviving Your Hospital Stay and a passionate advocate for transparency in healthcare. 🌐 Website: drjuliesiemers.com About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses   The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Patient Safety Starts with Speaking Up: A Conversation with Dr. Julie Siemers | Ep65

  7. Jun 15

    Adaptive Resilience: Finding Clarity Under Pressure with Savio Clemente | Ep64

    What happens when a life-threatening diagnosis transforms the way you lead, think, and care for others? In this deeply reflective episode of Designing Healthcare That Cares, Dr. Laura Suttin speaks with Savio Clemente, about resilience, healing, and what healthcare leaders can learn from navigating adversity firsthand. Savio shares his personal cancer journey, from an unexpected lymphoma diagnosis and emergency hospitalization to relapse, stem cell transplant, and recovery. Through those experiences, he discovered the importance of adaptive resilience; the ability to remain flexible, self-aware, and emotionally grounded while moving through uncertainty. Together, Laura and Savio explore the immense cognitive and emotional demands placed on healthcare workers, the loss of agency many clinicians experience during training, and why leadership begins with self-awareness and human connection rather than titles or hierarchy. Savio also introduces his “ALOHA” framework; a practical resilience tool designed to help leaders reconnect with themselves during moments of overwhelm and disruption. This episode is a powerful reminder that resilient leadership begins internally, and that clarity, compassion, and human connection remain essential in modern healthcare. Three Actionable Takeaways Practice psychological distancing, not detachment: Step back from stressful situations just enough to gain perspective without emotionally disconnecting. This helps leaders respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Use the ALOHA framework during moments of overwhelm: Acknowledge where you are, Listen inwardly, Open yourself to insight, Harness what you learn, and Act intentionally. Small pauses can dramatically improve clarity and decision-making. Prioritize stillness and nervous system regulation: Simple practices like deep breathing, reflection, prayer, or meditation can reduce cognitive overload and improve emotional resilience in high-pressure environments. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Savio Clemente is a board-certified health and wellness coach, journalist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author focused on resilience, cognitive performance, and leadership under pressure. As a two-time lymphoma survivor, he combines lived experience with research-backed strategies to help leaders navigate stress, uncertainty, and high-stakes environments with clarity and purpose. Through his TEDx talk, writing, and speaking engagements, Savio empowers audiences to rethink resilience, reconnect with themselves, and lead from a place of presence and humanity. 🌐 Website: saviopclemente.com About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses   The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Adaptive Resilience: Finding Clarity Under Pressure with Savio Clemente | Ep64

  8. Jun 1

    The Power of Empathy in Healthcare with Chantal Lorio | Ep63

    How can healthcare professionals create stronger patient connections without adding more stress or time to their already demanding workdays? In this episode of Designing Healthcare That Cares, Laura sits down with Dr. Chantal Lorio to discuss the transformative role empathy plays in healthcare. Drawing from over 30 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Chantal explains how small moments of intentional connection can dramatically improve trust, communication, patient safety, and clinician wellbeing. The conversation explores the distinction between empathy and compassion, why patient experience is far more than satisfaction scores, and how emotional connection directly impacts honesty, compliance, and outcomes. Dr. Chantal also shares stories from her work coaching physicians and healthcare teams, revealing how empathy creates safer healthcare environments by encouraging patients to speak openly about their concerns. Together, they discuss burnout, emotional exhaustion, communication training in medicine, and why human connection may become healthcare’s most valuable skill in the age of artificial intelligence. Centered around Dr. Chantal’s new book I Get You. I Got You., this episode offers practical and hopeful strategies for helping clinicians reconnect with purpose while delivering care that truly heals. Three Actionable Takeaways: Empathy and Compassion Are Not the Same Thing: Dr. Chantal explains that compassion focuses on fixing problems, while empathy focuses on helping patients feel understood. Clinicians often rush into solving medical issues without first acknowledging patients’ emotional experiences. Even a brief empathic connection can build trust and dramatically change the entire healthcare encounter. Trust Improves Safety, Honesty, and Outcomes: Patients are more likely to follow recommendations and share important information when they trust their healthcare providers. Through real-world stories from patient safety rounds, Dr. Chantal demonstrates how empathy encourages patients to speak openly about concerns they otherwise might withhold, directly improving healthcare quality and safety. Human Connection Will Always Matter in Healthcare: As AI and automation continue transforming healthcare, Dr. Chantal believes empathy and humanity will become even more important. Technology may enhance diagnosis and efficiency, but it cannot replace genuine human connection. Clinicians who strengthen communication and empathic skills will play a critical role in the future of patient care. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Chantal Lorio is a physician leader, executive coach, and patient experience expert with more than 30 years of healthcare experience. She has spent her career helping clinicians strengthen communication, build trust with patients, and improve healthcare outcomes through empathy-centered care. A professional certified coach with master’s degrees in leadership and healthcare management, Dr. Chantal previously served as Medical Director of Patient Experience and has coached physicians and healthcare teams across multiple organizations. She is the author of I Get You. I Got You.: The Secret to Creating an Empathic Connection with Every Patient Every Time. 🌐 Website: https://drchantallorio.com  🔗 LinkedIn: Chantal Lorio, DPM, MSHCM, MSLOD, FASCHE, PCC 📚 Book: I Get You. I Got You. About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. 🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/  📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses   The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Power of Empathy in Healthcare with Chantal Lorio | Ep63
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5
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About

Clinician turnover costs health systems $500,000 to $1 million per departure. Most organizations are managing the symptoms. This show diagnoses the structural conditions behind them. Designing Healthcare That Cares is hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, a board-certified family physician, former healthcare executive, and organizational consultant who works with health system leaders to fix the structural conditions driving clinician attrition. Each episode gives healthcare executives a clearer view of the organizational design problems that produce turnover, and what it actually takes to correct them. Guests are clinician leaders, health system executives, and organizational experts whose experience translates directly to the boardroom. If you lead a health system, a medical group, or a clinical division, and you are tired of watching good clinicians leave, this show is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Doctor Podcast Network, Dr. Laura Suttin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Designing Healthcare that Cares Podcast
  • Show Website
    Designing Healthcare that Cares Podcast