Raise the Line

Osmosis from Elsevier

Join host Lindsey Smith and other Osmosis team members for a global conversation about improving health and healthcare with prominent figures in education and healthcare innovation such as Chelsea Clinton, Mark Cuban, Dr. Ashish Jha, Dr. Eric Topol, Dr. Vivian Lee and Sal Khan, as well as senior leaders at organizations such as the CDC, National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, WHO, Harvard University, NYU Langone and many others.

  1. Why We Need the Independent Practice Model in Medicine: Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

    6D AGO

    Why We Need the Independent Practice Model in Medicine: Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

    We’ve spoken with many guests about clinical and technological trends impacting healthcare providers, but less so about the trends on the business side of practicing medicine.  So on this episode, we’re going to make up for that by spending our time with Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, an influential spine surgeon and president of one of the largest musculoskeletal practices in the U.S. -- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute -- which treats patients at over 40 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Florida. While Dr. Vaccaro understands the desire for financial stability that’s increasingly driving young physicians into the arms of hospital systems, he worries about what’s being lost with the resulting decline in the number of independent practices.  “If you didn't have private practice advocating for the doctor, the insurance companies would bully the healthcare profession.” Join Raise the Line host Michael Carrese for a candid and lively conversation that also covers: How physician autonomy and entrepreneurship can drive innovation; The economic and policy forces reshaping private practice medicine; The role of research partnerships between private practices and universities. Mentioned in this episode:Rothman Orthopaedics If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    29 min
  2. The Science Behind Effective Health Communication: Dr. Tesfa Alexander, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

    MAR 5

    The Science Behind Effective Health Communication: Dr. Tesfa Alexander, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

    We've had many conversations on Raise the Line about the challenges of health communication in today's world of information overload, but none of our guests have the kind of expertise Dr. Tesfa Alexander has acquired in a career that has taken him from Madison Avenue to the halls of government and academia. From guiding tobacco education research at the FDA to leading public health initiatives at MITRE, Dr. Alexander has developed a deep understanding of the science and strategy behind effective health communication. “Successful campaigns keep the long game in mind where you want to develop a lasting relationship with your target audience,” he tells host Lindsey Smith. That relationship needs to be built on understanding culture, beliefs, priorities and daily realities, and only then can you develop messaging that will resonate, he explains. Dr. Alexander also believes these relationships can be leveraged to help people sort out facts from misleading or inaccurate claims. “I strongly recommend shifting our focus from combating misinformation head on, and instead working with the communities who we are seeking to serve.” This fascinating look at communication science also covers: How stories drive belief; The importance of working with community partners who are trusted messengers;  The power of audience segmentation. Tune in as Dr. Alexander unpacks what it takes to influence beliefs, and ultimately behaviors, in an era defined by misinformation and institutional mistrust. Mentioned in this episode:Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    24 min
  3. A Personal Struggle Fuels National Advocacy for Rare Disease Patients: Shanti Hegde, Board Member of Hemophilia Federation of America

    FEB 26

    A Personal Struggle Fuels National Advocacy for Rare Disease Patients: Shanti Hegde, Board Member of Hemophilia Federation of America

    We’re marking Rare Disease Month 2026 by highlighting the powerful story of Shanthi Hegde, a young patient advocate working to transform how bleeding disorders are understood, treated, and supported. This work is fueled by her own arduous journey with two rare bleeding disorders and immune dysregulatory syndrome, and an extended diagnostic odyssey marked by dismissal, underdiagnosis, and structural bias. “I was told many times by many providers that these disorders are not common in Indians and that my bruises were there just because I'm brown.” Admirably, Shanthi pushed past this mistreatment, advocated for her medical needs, and devoted herself to tackling a range of issues confronting rare disease patients from mental health access to affordable drug pricing to research equity. In this remarkable Year of the Zebra conversation with host Lindsey Smith, you’ll also learn about: Shanti’s work with the Hemophilia Federation of America; How gaps extend beyond treatment to include insurance coverage, provider training, and substance use care; What clinicians can do to improve the work they do with rare disease patients. Join us for a conversation that connects patient voice to system change, and explores what real equity for rare disease communities will require. Mentioned in this episode:Hemophilia Federation of AmericaShanthi's LinkedIn Profile If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    45 min
  4. A Moment of Change in Public Health Policy: Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

    FEB 19

    A Moment of Change in Public Health Policy: Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

    Few issues have tested public trust in medicine as deeply as vaccines, and few individuals have influenced that dialogue more than Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a longtime member of the FDA’s Vaccine Advisory Committee. In this timely and candid interview with Raise the Line host Lindsey Smith, Dr. Offit points to this year’s severe flu season and a resurgence of measles as alarming proof points of how a changing federal perspective on vaccine policy is having a real impact on public health. “You’d like to think you can educate about the importance of vaccines, but I fear at this point the viruses themselves are doing the educating.”  In this wide ranging discussion, Dr. Offit also addresses:  The rigorous and painstaking process of developing vaccines, based on his experience co-inventing the rotavirus vaccine. Shifting levels of public trust in scientific organizations. Promising innovations in vaccine development. Don’t miss this deeply-informed perspective on the interplay of science, policy, and public education, and his encouraging message to young clinicians about managing the current challenges in public health.   Mentioned in this episode:  Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Perelman School of Medicine If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    23 min
  5. A Trusted Voice on Allergies and Asthma: Dr. Zachary Rubin, Pediatric Allergist-Immunologist at Oak Brook Allergies

    FEB 12

    A Trusted Voice on Allergies and Asthma: Dr. Zachary Rubin, Pediatric Allergist-Immunologist at Oak Brook Allergies

    “I do not believe we should be testing to test. We have to know, is this test going to change management and is it going to make a difference,” says pediatric allergist-immunologist Dr. Zachary Rubin. His knack for providing that sort of straightforward guidance explains why Dr. Rubin has become a trusted voice on allergies, asthma, and vaccines for his millions of followers on social media platforms. It’s also why we couldn’t ask for a better guide for our discussion on the rise in allergies, asthma, and immune-related conditions in children, and how families can navigate the quickly evolving science and rampant misinformation in the space. On this episode of Raise the Line, we also preview Dr. Rubin’s new book, All About Allergies, in which he breaks down dozens of conditions and diseases, offering clear explanations and practical treatment options for families.  Join host Lindsey Smith for this super informative conversation in which Dr. Rubin shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics including:  What’s behind the rise in allergic and immune-related conditions.Tips for managing misinformation, myths and misunderstandings. How digital platforms can be leveraged to strengthen public health.How to build back public trust in medicine.Mentioned in this episode: All About Allergies book Bench to Bedside Podcast Instagram TikTok YouTube Channel If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    27 min
  6. Building Climate-Ready Health Systems for a Massive Region: Dr. Sandro Demaio, Director of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health

    JAN 29

    Building Climate-Ready Health Systems for a Massive Region: Dr. Sandro Demaio, Director of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health

    “Climate change is the biggest health threat of our century, so we need to train clinicians for a future where it will alter disease patterns, the demand on health systems, and how care is delivered,” says Dr. Sandro Demaio, director of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, underscoring the stakes behind the organization’s first regionally-focused climate and health strategy. The five-year plan Dr. Demaio is leading aims to help governments in 38 countries with 2.2 billion people manage rising heat, extreme weather, sea-level change, air pollution and food insecurity by adapting health systems, protecting vulnerable populations, and reducing emissions from the healthcare sector itself. In this timely interview with Raise the Line host Michael Carrese, Dr. Demaio draws on his experiences in emergency medicine, global public health, pandemic response and climate policy to argue for an interconnected approach to strengthening systems and preparing a healthcare workforce to meet the heath impacts of growing environmental challenges. This is a great opportunity to learn how climate change is reshaping medicine, public health and the future of care delivery.  Mentioned in this episode: WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    26 min
  7. A Passion for Human-Centered Care: Negeen Farsio, Graduate Student at Brunel University of London

    JAN 22

    A Passion for Human-Centered Care: Negeen Farsio, Graduate Student at Brunel University of London

    We have a special episode of Raise the Line on tap today featuring the debut of host Dr. Parsa Mohri, who will now be leading our NextGen Journeys series that highlights the fresh perspectives of learners and early career healthcare professionals around the world on education, medicine, and the future of care. Parsa was himself a NextGen guest in 2024 as a medical student at Acibadem University in Turkey. He’s now a general physician working in the Adult Palliative Care Department at Şişli Etfal Research and Training Hospital in Istanbul.  Luckily for us, he’s also continuing in his role as a Regional Lead for the Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative (OHLI). For his first guest, Parsa reached out to a former colleague in the Osmosis family, Negeen Farsio, who worked with him as a member of OHLI’s predecessor organization, the Osmosis Medical Education Fellowship. Negeen is now a graduate student in medical anthropology at Brunel University of London, a degree which she hopes will inform her future work as a clinician. “Medical anthropology is a field that looks at healthcare systems and how human culture shapes the way we view different illnesses, diseases, and treatments and helps you to see the full picture of each patient.” You are sure to enjoy this heartfelt conversation on how Negeen’s lived experience as a patient and caregiver have shaped her commitment to mental health and patient advocacy, and how she hopes to marry humanity with medicine in a world that yearns to heal. If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

    27 min
4.9
out of 5
63 Ratings

About

Join host Lindsey Smith and other Osmosis team members for a global conversation about improving health and healthcare with prominent figures in education and healthcare innovation such as Chelsea Clinton, Mark Cuban, Dr. Ashish Jha, Dr. Eric Topol, Dr. Vivian Lee and Sal Khan, as well as senior leaders at organizations such as the CDC, National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, WHO, Harvard University, NYU Langone and many others.

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