Doctors Making A Difference

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–Dr. Josh Umbehr is a board-certified family physician who took an unconventional path—opening a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice straight out of residency.In this conversation with host Dr. Peter Crane, Dr. Umbehr breaks down why the insurance-based system is structurally broken, how DPC flips the incentives back toward patients, and why time—more than technology or paperwork—is the missing ingredient in modern medicine.Drawing from over 15 years of real-world experience, Dr. Umbehr explains how monthly membership models allow physicians to spend more time with fewer patients, dramatically lower costs for labs and medications, and reclaim professional satisfaction without compromising care.This episode is a grounded, practical look at how medicine can work again—by being simpler, leaner, and more human.Episode HighlightsWhy insurance was never designed to pay for routine primary careHow Direct Primary Care works (and how it differs from concierge medicine)The real cost of labs, medications, and procedures—without insurance markupsHow smaller patient panels lead to better outcomes and lower burnoutWhy “do no harm” must include financial harmHow DPC improves physician work–life balance without sacrificing accessThe role of HSA/FSA funds in Direct Primary CareWhy chronic burnout is an unwinnable game in insurance-based careTop 3 TakeawaysHealthcare isn’t expensive—insurance makes it expensive.Most primary care services are affordable when stripped of administrative overhead.Time is the most powerful clinical tool.Longer visits, fewer patients, and direct communication lead to better care and better outcomes.Direct Primary Care restores agency—to physicians and patients.By removing the middleman, care becomes simpler, cheaper, and more personal.About Dr. Josh UmbehrDr. Josh Umbehr is a family physician and founder of AtlasMD, a concierge-style direct primary care practice based in Wichita, Kansas. He’s passionate about reimagining how health care should feel—less bureaucracy, more humanity. Beyond patient care, Josh helps physicians transition to direct care models and is building the next-gen infrastructure (yes, software, insurance, etc.) to support them. On this podcast he’ll talk about innovation, challenges in medicine, and why he thinks health care can be better if we stop treating it like a broken machine.Websites:https://www.atlas.mdhttps://www.atlas.direct About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–When Dr. Susan Marra graduated from naturopathic school, she expected to treat the usual mix of fatigue, hormone imbalance, and stress. Instead, she walked into a wave of patients with strange, multisystem illnesses no textbook had prepared her for. Migrating joint pain. Seven-day migraines. Brain fog. Dysbiosis. Symptoms crossing multiple organ systems.Her instinct told her something bigger was happening — and she was right.That intuition led her to Dr. Bernard Raxlen, one of the earliest clinicians to recognize chronic Lyme disease. She went on to train with world experts Dr. Richard Horowitz and Dr. Charles Ray Jones, immersing herself in complex tick-borne illness long before mainstream medicine acknowledged it.And then she got infected herself.A tick — likely carried in by her yellow lab — transmitted Lyme and Bartonella. She lost vision in her right eye for six months and required IV antibiotics, steroids, and years of recovery. That lived experience, combined with decades of clinical immersion, transformed her into one of the most respected Lyme specialists in the country.Today, after treating 9,000+ patients, Dr. Marra joins Dr. Peter Crane to dismantle the myths surrounding Lyme, the limitations of standard testing, the rise of co-infections, and why so many patients with “mystery symptoms” are actually living with chronic vector-borne illness.This is an eye-opening conversation every physician should hear.HighlightsHow a wave of multisystem complaints led Dr. Marra to uncover the true prevalence of tick-borne illness.Why nine out of ten patients she tested in Connecticut were Lyme-positive.The difference between IDSA and ILADS—and why it affects diagnosis.Dr. Marra’s personal battle with Lyme & Bartonella, including temporary vision loss.The modern reality: patients rarely have “just Lyme”—co-infections are now the norm.Why standard labs miss most infections—and which specialty labs offer reliable results.Cutting-edge diagnostics: PCR, FISH testing, and antibody panels.The evolving treatment landscape: antibiotics, antiparasitics, methylene blue, Dapsone, botanical protocols, and more.The growing concern of transfusion-acquired infections and congenital Lyme.How physicians can recognize tick-borne disease in patients with long, confusing symptom lists.Top 3 Takeaways1. Multisystem symptoms should trigger suspicion.If a patient presents with a long list of symptoms across multiple organ systems, think vector-borne illness.2. Standard labs miss the majority of cases.Specialized labs (e.g., IGeneX, Armin, T-Labs) dramatically increase diagnostic accuracy.3. Co-infections—not single infections—are the new norm.The modern patient rarely presents with isolated Lyme; Babesia, Bartonella, and other pathogens are commonly intertwined.About Dr. Susan MarraDr. Susan Marra is a naturopathic physician with 27 years of experience specializing in chronic Lyme disease and complex tick-borne illness. Trained by legendary clinicians including Dr. Richard Horowitz and Dr. Charles Ray Jones, Dr. Marra blends rigorous clinical training with lived experience as a Lyme survivor. She has treated more than 9,000 patients, serves on multiple research boards, and is known for her precision-based diagnostic approach, combining specialty testing with a deep understanding of chronic infection and epigenetics.Website: drsusanmarra.comAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–When a psychologist told Dr. Kumar Ramlall that his son ranked “third worst out of 1,000,” he refused to accept the story being handed to him. That moment — that instinct to rewrite the script — became a turning point not just for his son, but for his entire career.In this powerful episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane speaks with Dr. Ramlall about a life shaped by adversity, reinvention, and an unwavering belief that outcomes are not predetermined.Raised in Guyana and once a high school dropout, Dr. Ramlall rebuilt his life to become a physician, academic leader, and founder of a provincial pediatric pulmonary service in Saskatchewan. But nothing prepared him for raising a son with severe autism. The journey to help Amit thrive led the family around the world and ultimately inspired the creation of The Chintan Project, a global human-behavior consultancy built from Amit’s own writing and thinking.That same drive to challenge conventional wisdom later led Dr. Ramlall to uncover one of medicine’s biggest hidden financial traps: the $500 billion that physicians collectively lose each year due to out-of-network underpayments and missed arbitration windows under the No Surprises Act. Through his work with CAG Recovery, he’s helping doctors recover 8–12x what insurance companies initially offer — money that keeps practices alive and independent.This episode is about more than medicine. It’s about protecting your family, your legacy, and the profession itself by learning how to fight back.HighlightsThe devastating moment a psychologist ranked his son “third worst” — and the decision to rewrite the script anyway.How a homemade letterboard helped Amit read thousands of books and write manuscripts that now power a global consultancy.Why Dr. Ramlall walked away from academia to protect his son’s intellectual property from university ownership claims.The origin story of The Chintan Project — and how a child once expected to struggle now inspires leaders worldwide.The shocking truth about out-of-network payments: 90% of eligible cases go unfiled, leaving billions on the table.How CAG Recovery has reclaimed over $1.18B for physicians through the federal arbitration process.The tight timelines and intentionally confusing processes insurers rely on to avoid paying doctors fairly.Why protecting the business of medicine is essential for protecting the practice of medicine.Top 3 TakeawaysIf you don’t like the movie, change the script.Your circumstances don’t define your ending — your decisions do.Doctors are losing staggering amounts of money without realizing it.Insurance companies leverage complex systems most physicians don’t even know exist.Protecting your financial foundation is an ethical obligation.Because when practices fail, patients lose access to care.About Dr. Kumar RamlallPhysician, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Chintan Project, Dr. Ramlall blends medical expertise with deep human-behavior insight. From building a provincial service in Saskatchewan to creating a global advisory firm rooted in his son’s extraordinary thinking, Dr. Ramlall’s mission is to help both families and physicians reclaim what’s rightfully theirs — in life, work, and purpose.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–When New York entrepreneur Joel Horowitz was diagnosed with solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in 2018, he didn’t just enter treatment — he entered the fight.In this powerful conversation, Dr. Peter Crane is joined by Joel and renowned sarcoma specialist Dr. Gina D’Amato, clinical lead of the Sarcoma Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Together, they share the story of how one patient’s passion and generosity helped ignite a groundbreaking research initiative that is already reshaping what’s possible for people living with SFT.Joel recounts his diagnosis, his exposure history as a 9/11 survivor, and the moment he realized he wanted to fund the team he believed could change the future of this disease. Dr. D’Amato shares the extraordinary progress underway — from engineered mouse models and molecular profiling to a newly launched global patient registry designed to finally bring answers to a cancer so rare that most oncologists may see only one case in their career.This episode is about science, yes — but even more, it’s about hope, human connection, and the belief that when patients, clinicians, and researchers unite, lives can change.Highlights💬 A Patient’s Mission — How Joel transformed fear into momentum, becoming a key force behind a major research initiative.🧬 Behind the Research — Dr. D’Amato explains the three-pronged strategy: molecular profiling, engineered mouse models, and a global SFT registry.🌍 Registry for the World — Why solitaryfibroustumor.org is a breakthrough moment for patients, families, and clinicians.🔥 Matching Hope With Action — Joel’s commitment to match up to $100,000 in donations to accelerate clinical trial development.🏥 The Dream Team — How collaboration across Miami, New York, Spain, and Texas is pushing SFT research into new territory.Top 3 TakeawaysConnection Changes Outcomes.Progress accelerates when patients, researchers, and clinicians move together with shared purpose.Data Is Power.The new global registry is the key to understanding SFT and developing targeted, effective treatments.Hope Requires Movement.Funding, awareness, and participation from patients and families directly shape the research that may save lives.About Joel HorowitzJoel Horowitz is a New York entrepreneur and longtime advocate for solitary fibrous tumor research. After surviving 9/11 and later receiving an SFT diagnosis, Joel chose not only to fight his own disease but also to support the scientific team he believed could change the future for others.His philanthropic leadership created the Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Initiative, funding molecular research, mouse models, and the global SFT patient registry. His commitment continues today as he pledges to match up to $100,000 in new donations to advance clinical trials.About Dr. Gina D’AmatoGina D’Amato, MD is a nationally recognized sarcoma medical oncologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. She serves as the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Treatment Unit, Assistant Director of Clinical Research, and the Administrator of the Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Initiative Fund, a program accelerating research and clinical discovery for patients living with solitary fibrous tumor (SFT).Research Fund: https://development.miami.edu/page.aspx?pid=383&id=ec01162f-1d17-4c44-89d6-addb185e07b5A University of Miami alumna from undergraduate training through medical school and residency, Dr. D’Amato completed her hematology/oncology fellowship at the Moffitt Cancer Center, where she trained under world-renowned sarcoma leaders including Dr. Trent. For more than two decades, she has led and contributed to numerous Phase 1–3 clinical trials through the National Cancer Institute and industry partners, and she remains a dedicated educator through her leadership in the Oncology Pathway at the Miller School of Medicine.Dr. D’Amato oversees multiple arms of the SFT research initiative — including molecular profiling, engineered mouse models, and the newly launched Solitary Fibrous Tumor Patient Registry, now open globally.Registry: https://www.solitaryfibroustumor.org/With more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, NIH-funded research, and deep expertise in connective tissue oncology, Dr. D’Amato is widely regarded for her scientific leadership, compassionate patient care, and commitment to advancing treatment options for individuals facing rare sarcomas.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–When headaches and dizziness sent Dr. Edmond Ghosn to the ER, he never imagined he’d wake up from brain surgery with a rare cancer diagnosis.A physician who once helped shape cancer treatment systems in the Middle East, he suddenly found himself on the other side of the equation – as a patient fighting for his life.In this episode, Edmond recounts his extraordinary journey: from his early career building electronic health records for oncology in France, to his leadership role in pharmaceutical medical affairs, and finally to facing his own diagnosis of meningeal solitary fibrous tumor, an ultra-rare form of cancer.He opens up about the emotional shock of going from doctor to patient, the challenges of finding evidence-based care for a disease with virtually no data, and the power of family, community, and mindset in healing. Edmond also shares how his wife, psychologist Yara Kamel, developed a psychosocial rehabilitation program to help cancer survivors return to work — a model inspired by their shared journey.Through honesty and grace, Edmond’s story reminds us that medicine is not only science — it’s also surrender, resilience, and human connection.Highlights💬 Doctor to Patient – How a rare tumor forced a physician to confront vulnerability and faith in others.🧠 Science Meets Humanity – What happens when the evidence runs out and judgment must take over.🌍 Healing in Community – Why asking for help early can rebuild the foundation for recovery.💪 Mind Over Medicine – How discipline, exercise, and mindset carried him through chemo and radiation.💼 Purpose Beyond Survival – The initiative Dr. Ghosn launched to help other cancer patients navigate the healthcare system.Top 3 TakeawaysControl What You Can, Release What You Can’t. Healing begins with surrender — focus on choices within your power.Ask for Help Early. Emotional, psychological, and logistical support are as vital as the medical plan itself.Transform Pain into Purpose. Adversity can become a platform for helping others and redefining meaning in life and work.Guest BioEdmond Ghosn, MD, MBA is a Lebanese-born physician and healthcare strategist based in Dubai. After earning his medical degree from St. Joseph University in Lebanon and an MBA in Healthcare Strategy from France, he joined the pharmaceutical industry, helping advance oncology research and patient access across the Middle East.In 2023, he was diagnosed with a rare meningeal solitary fibrous tumor, an experience that reshaped his view of medicine, resilience, and compassion.Today, Dr. Ghosn advocates for cancer awareness and patient empowerment through his free LinkedIn initiative that guides patients and families through diagnosis and treatment decisions.Connect via LinkedIn: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/edmond-ghosn-mdAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–Dr. Nanette Nuessle’s medical journey began with trauma and resilience—surviving severe burns as a child and finding safety in hospitals. That early experience shaped her desire to become a physician, but the reality of modern medicine brought relentless hours, administrative bullying, and emotional exhaustion.In this episode, Nan reflects on her evolution from overworked pediatrician to hospitalist and trauma coach. She shares how understanding personality types and values transformed toxic workplaces, reduced staff burnout, and restored team trust. Through her Beat Down Burnout coaching practice, Nan helps healthcare professionals reclaim their agency, heal workplace trauma, and communicate across divides with empathy and purpose.Now nearing retirement, Nan is preparing for a new chapter—building wellness programs at a luxury villa in Italy. Her story reminds us that fulfillment in medicine isn’t about quitting; it’s about rediscovering what lights you up.Highlights💬 Burnout to Breakthrough — How Dr. Nuessle turned administrative bullying and exhaustion into a mission for healing.🧠 Trauma in Medicine — Why unresolved trauma fuels burnout—and how to release it.🤝 Communication as Medicine — Learning to connect across personality types to transform team culture.🏥 From Clinic to Coaching — Why moving from pediatrics to hospitalist work reignited her joy.🌿 New Beginnings — From TEDx Italy to running a wellness program in Florence, Dr. Nuessle’s next chapter redefines balance.Top 3 TakeawaysCommunication Heals Teams. Understanding values and personality types can neutralize toxic dynamics and improve patient care.Unprocessed Trauma Fuels Burnout. Healing the healer is the foundation of restoring joy and purpose in medicine.Fulfillment Evolves. You don’t have to leave medicine to love it again—just find the role that aligns with who you’ve become.Guest BioNanette Nuessle, MD is a frontline Pediatrician providing excellent care to patients for over 35 years. She founded the coaching company Beat Down Burnout in 2020. This company coaches individuals and organizations to a higher level of communication skills, emotional intelligence, and relationship building, allowing organizations to improve staff retention, increase patient safety, and reduce risk management, and for staff to live their best life.Dr. Nuessle has been a guest on multiple podcasts, including the popular KevinMD. She has recently completed a TEDx talk on neurotransmitters and mindfulness. She holds multiple masters’ certifications, including neurolinguistic programming, root cause coaching, and the quantum energy shift.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone Direct LLC. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–As a 21-year-old music prodigy and film student, Matthew Zachary was given six months to live after being diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. Thirty years later, he’s still here—and his story has changed the landscape of cancer care.In this candid conversation, Matthew opens up about his journey from a misdiagnosed college student to a survivor, advocate, and founder of Stupid Cancer, the global movement that gave a voice to young adults facing cancer. He reflects on the lessons of empathy, shared decision-making, and why doctors must ask one key question: “What’s most important to you—besides not dying?”Matthew also shares the birth of his next mission: We The Patients, a new national movement to establish a Cancer Patient Protection Act that ensures every patient has access to advocacy, navigation, and protection from medical and financial harm.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing begins with honesty, empathy, and the courage to challenge the system—for the sake of patients and the doctors who care for them.Highlights🎹 Defying the Odds: How a 21-year-old pianist turned a six-month prognosis into a 30-year mission for change.🩺 The Empathy Gap: What happens when doctors treat data instead of people—and how that’s finally shifting.💪 Birth of a Movement: How Stupid Cancer became a global rallying cry for young adults facing cancer.📘 We The Patients: The next frontier—protecting both patients and doctors from a broken healthcare system.💬 Honesty Over Optimism: Why the most healing words can simply be, “How can I support you?”Top 3 TakeawaysEmpathy is Medicine. The difference between surviving and thriving often begins with how we’re treated as human beings, not just patients.Patient Voices Create Change. Advocacy movements like Stupid Cancer prove that systemic change begins when patients speak up.Redefine Advocacy. True reform means protecting both patients and doctors—preserving humanity in healthcare.Guest BioMatthew Zachary is a 30-year brain cancer survivor, advocate, and media pioneer. He’s the founder of Stupid Cancer, the nonprofit that launched the young adult cancer movement, and host of the award-winning podcast Out of Patients. A former concert pianist and film composer, Matthew now leads We The Patients, a national initiative to build the first cancer patient rights movement in America. His upcoming book, We The Patients, publishes in June 2025.🎙Podcast: Out of Patients🌐Website: MatthewZachary.comAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone Direct LLC. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.–When the pandemic hit, Dr. Rob Beck was already running on empty.An internist from Tennessee, Rob and his wife—also a physician—were raising three kids and juggling the pressures of modern medicine when COVID turned patient trust and hospital culture upside down. Accusations, exhaustion, and disillusionment followed.But instead of walking away from medicine, Rob decided to reinvent how he practiced it. In 2020, his family sold their home, packed their lives, and crossed the border to start over in Canada. The move wasn’t easy—bureaucracy, licensing exams, and uncertainty tested them at every turn—but it became the catalyst for change that saved his career and his sanity.Now living on Vancouver Island, Rob practices internal medicine as a specialist in a system that prioritizes patient relationships over paperwork. He shares how the Canadian model restored his sense of purpose, simplified his billing (seriously, there’s an app), and gave his family the slower, more balanced life they craved.This episode is a raw, hopeful reminder that medicine doesn’t have to break you—and that reinvention might just be one bold decision away.Highlights🌍 Crossing Borders: Why Dr. Beck left the U.S. medical system behind for a new start in Canada.🧠 From Burnout to Renewal: How self-honesty and courage helped him rediscover joy in practicing medicine.💬 The COVID Catalyst: How pandemic-era mistrust and frustration became the final push toward change.💡 A Simpler System: Inside the Canadian healthcare model—fewer authorizations, less paperwork, more patient time.🏖️ Life by the Ocean: Finding peace, perspective, and a better work-life balance on Vancouver Island.Top 3 TakeawaysBurnout Can Be a Signal, Not a Sentence.Sometimes the exhaustion isn’t failure—it’s your body and soul telling you it’s time for change.Courage Creates Possibility.Reinvention requires risk, but bold moves often lead to the breakthroughs we need most.Redefine Success.True success in medicine isn’t about prestige or position—it’s about peace, purpose, and presence.Guest BioDr. Robert Beck is an internist and public health specialist who spent nearly two decades practicing medicine in the United States before relocating with his family to Vancouver Island, Canada. A graduate of the University of Tennessee and Tulane University School of Public Health, he’s also the host of the podcast Interesting MD, where he highlights the fascinating lives and passions of physicians beyond the clinic.Having experienced burnout firsthand, Dr. Beck now advocates for physician well-being, balance, and the courage to pursue meaningful change. He continues to practice internal medicine while enjoying life by the ocean with his wife and three children.🎙️ Podcast: Interesting MDAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone Direct LLC. Lightstone Direct LLC connects you to institutional-quality real estate investments backed by a $12-billion AUM firm that co-invests alongside you—your partner in building lasting wealth. All investments involve risk. Please visit LightstoneDirect.com for a full list of disclosures.---When Gwen Orilio was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at 34—just 18 months after her daughter was born—she was told she might not live long enough to see her child grow up.Ten years later, Gwen is still teaching high school math, coaching track, raising her daughter, and flying to Boston for clinical trials that continue to save her life.In this heartfelt episode, Gwen shares how she faced her diagnosis head-on, chose immediate treatment over preserving fertility, and became one of the earliest participants in phase-one targeted therapy trials for the ROS1 mutation. She discusses the science behind her treatments, the role of persistence, and why she keeps teaching—to stay grounded and to model resilience for her students.With humor, humility, and gratitude, Gwen also opens up about parenting through uncertainty, advocating for cancer funding, and finding beauty in small moments. Her story redefines what it means to live with cancer—not just to survive, but to thrive and make memories that last.Highlights🧬 A Diagnosis Through an Eye Exam: How a simple vision check revealed a tumor that led to a life-changing discovery.✈️ Flying for Hope: Why Gwen travels monthly to Boston for cutting-edge clinical trials. 👩‍🏫 Teaching Through Treatment: Staying in the classroom helped her maintain purpose and normalcy.💪 Resilience & Advocacy: How she uses her experience to educate others about lung cancer and raise awareness for non-smoker cases.💡 Redefining the Future: Opening a Roth IRA, planning trips, and embracing life despite uncertainty.Top 3 TakeawaysScience Saves Lives. Targeted therapies and clinical trials can turn a terminal diagnosis into a manageable condition.Live While You Can. None of us know how much time we have—so spend it on memories, not regrets.Advocacy Matters. Cancer awareness and patient persistence push research and funding forward for everyone.Guest BioGwen Orilio is a high school math teacher in Clayton, North Carolina, who has been living with stage IV lung cancer for over a decade. Diagnosed at 31 with a grim prognosis, she has defied expectations—navigating years of cutting-edge treatments that have transformed her diagnosis into a chronic condition.A former collegiate track athlete, Gwen competed in the long jump at SUNY Geneseo, where she met her husband, Justin Orilio. After graduating in 2005, she began her career in education and has continued to inspire both in and outside the classroom.Gwen hasn’t let cancer slow her down. She maintains a full schedule teaching, coaching, and raising her 12-year-old daughter, while also participating in clinical trials that advance research for ROS1-positive lung cancer. With her optimism and advocacy, Gwen continues to inspire others and raise awareness about the critical need for funding and innovation in lung cancer research.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Dr. Shannon Dowler says she dives into life “feet first,” she means it. A North Carolina native with deep Appalachian roots, Shannon has spent 25 years serving her community as a family physician, educator, and advocate.In this episode, she shares her unconventional path—from cleaning cages at a veterinary clinic as a teen to leading Medicaid reform for an entire state. She reflects on the realities of rural medicine, where power outages can last for weeks, neighbors show up with pickup trucks full of supplies, and family doctors become lifelines.Dr. Dowler also opens up about the myth of “work-life balance,” her love for animals (including her goats, who double as meditation partners), and how creativity—through rap videos, writing, and laughter—keeps her grounded.Most powerfully, she discusses the urgent challenges facing family medicine today: underfunded primary care, shrinking Medicaid coverage, and the need for advocacy that starts at the grassroots. Through her lens, being a family doctor isn’t just a job—it’s an act of service, resistance, and love.Highlights🏡 Roots in Rural North Carolina: Why Shannon traded city life for “Feet First Farm and Forge,” a mountain haven with more cows than people.⚕️ Family Medicine as a Calling: From wanting to be a vet to realizing her impact would be greater caring for people.🧘‍♀️ Finding Her Balance: How goat yoga, meditation, and creativity became her antidotes to burnout.💪 The Power of Advocacy: Her time as North Carolina’s Medicaid Chief Medical Officer during COVID-19 and what she learned about resilience in crisis.🩺 Reclaiming the Narrative: How family doctors can rewrite the story of primary care—through leadership, service, and community connection.Top 3 TakeawaysThere’s No Perfect Balance—Only Presence. True peace in medicine comes not from doing less, but from being fully present where you are.Primary Care is the Backbone. Family medicine keeps communities alive, especially in rural America—and it needs to be valued as such.Advocacy is Medicine. Speaking up for patients and colleagues isn’t politics—it’s healing work.Guest BioShannon Dowler, MD is a family physician, educator, and advocate whose career reflects the true spirit of service in medicine. A proud North Carolina native, she’s spent over 25 years caring for communities across the Appalachian mountains — from rural clinics to leadership at the state level.Dr. Dowler currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and previously led North Carolina’s Medicaid program as its Chief Medical Officer, guiding the state through historic healthcare reform and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.Known for her humor, heart, and creativity, Shannon doesn’t just talk about physician wellness — she lives it. At her mountain home, affectionately named Feet First Farm and Forge, she practices goat yoga, writes, creates health-focused rap videos, and uses storytelling to reconnect physicians to their purpose.Through her leadership and advocacy, Dr. Dowler continues to champion access to care, physician resilience, and the vital role of family medicine in every community.🌐 Learn more about Dr. Dowler →About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this physician-to-physician conversation, Dr. Hinshaw traces two decades of progress in interventional oncology—from early radiofrequency ablation to modern microwave ablation and the dawn of histotripsy. He explains why indolent, chronic cancers (like many solitary fibrous tumors and neuroendocrine tumors) are especially well-suited to repeatable, organ-sparing treatments that preserve quality of life, and how multi-disciplinary care guides the “right tool for the right lesion” approach. He also previews what’s next: better targeting (e.g., cone-beam CT), safety learnings, and where histotripsy could realistically expand beyond the liver. HighlightsFrom RF to Microwave: Why microwave ablation became a turning point—larger, faster, safer zones; shorter procedures; and better consistency compared with early RF systems. Histotripsy 101: Noninvasive, ultrasound-guided, FDA-cleared (liver) therapy with a strong safety profile to date; active kidney trials and future potential in other ultrasound-accessible organs. Patient Impact: For indolent metastatic diseases, ablation can be repeated over years, controlling disease while preserving recovery time and daily life. Team Sport: When radiation, intra-arterial therapies, surgery, or ablation takes the lead—and why humility and multidisciplinary planning produce the best outcomes. What’s Next: Better targeting (e.g., cone-beam CT), workflow refinements, and continued lab/animal/patient-level research from UW’s ablation program. Top 3 TakeawaysRepeatable, organ-sparing care: Minimally invasive ablation lets clinicians control metastatic disease across years with quick recovery.  Histotripsy is promising (and young): Early clinical use shows a favorable safety profile; efficacy and targeting workflows are rapidly evolving.  Match the tool to the tumor: Outcomes improve when ablation, radiation, surgery, and intra-arterial options are chosen case-by-case via a collaborative team.  How to HelpFor clinicians: Refer appropriate patients to centers with established ablation programs; consider multidisciplinary boards for complex cases. For patients/caregivers: Ask your team whether minimally invasive ablation or clinical trials (e.g., histotripsy) are options for your tumor type and location. For researchers/industry: Collaborate on targeting, safety, and outcomes studies to accelerate adoption and guidelines. Additional ResourcesAbout UW Radiology & Interventional Programs (faculty profiles, publications). About the LMC series — candid physician–patient conversations on science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of advanced disease. About the GuestJ. Louis Hinshaw, MD is Professor of Radiology and Urology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Chief of Abdominal Imaging, and Fellowship Director. His research and clinical leadership span image-guided tumor ablation (microwave, RF, cryo) and advancing minimally invasive oncology care, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and national awards.  About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible. About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com LMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Chris Hills has taken an unconventional path in medicine. From medical school in Arizona to an Army scholarship and deployments overseas, his career in orthopedics was forged on the battlefield and refined in fellowship at Duke. Now settled in Jackson, Wyoming, he combines spine surgery with a love of the outdoors.Chris reflects on lessons from military medicine, the importance of balance in sustaining a career, and why professional detours often lead to the deepest growth. He also shares his family’s story of loss and how the Brody Hills Foundation—a program teaching mental resiliency through dirt biking and outdoor mentorship—was born.This conversation blends medicine, service, personal resilience, and the power of thinking outside the box to reach young people where they are.HighlightsMilitary track: Why Chris chose an Army scholarship, the reality of “all-expense-paid trips” to the Middle East, and how battlefield medicine shaped his skills.Training + growth: Returning to fellowship at Duke after years as a practicing Army surgeon, and why that experience sharpened his education.Work-life balance: Practicing in Jackson, WY, and making intentional choices to prioritize both family and recreation.Facing loss: How his son’s death by suicide led Chris and his family to channel grief into meaningful outreach.Wide Open: The Brody Hills Foundation: Using dirt bikes, outdoor adventure, and mentorship to give teenagers resilience, connection, and hope.Top 3 TakeawaysService shapes skill. Military medicine offers unparalleled training and perspective—preparing physicians for both clinical and leadership roles.Balance prevents burnout. Sustaining decades in medicine requires drawing boundaries, honoring family, and enjoying the place you live.Resilience is teachable. Youth can thrive when given mentors, meaningful outlets, and community—sometimes found in unexpected places, like dirt bikes.How to HelpLearn more about the Brody Hills Foundation and its mission to build resilience in youth through outdoor adventure.🌐 Website: brodyhillsfoundation.org🔎 Social Media: Search “Wide Open – Brody Hills Foundation”Additional ResourcesBrody Hills Foundation – programs, clinics, and mentorship opportunities.Veteran-to-Veteran partnerships and training for mentors.About the GuestChris Hills, MD is an orthopedic spine surgeon based in Jackson, Wyoming. After earning his MD in Arizona, he trained in orthopedics through the U.S. Army and completed fellowship at Duke University. He served nine years active duty, including deployment to Afghanistan. Today, he balances surgical practice with leading the Brody Hills Foundation, dedicated to mental health resilience in youth through motorsports and outdoor activities.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SFT is rare—~17,000 sarcomas/year vs. ~300,000 breast cancers—and SFT is only a small slice of that number. Dr. D’Amato traces her path into sarcoma, the unmet need that drew her from lymphoma research, and the mentorship network that helped her build programs at Moffitt, Emory, and now Sylvester.We talk about modeling SFT in the lab (cell lines and engineered mouse models), why NAB2-STAT6 matters, promising signals (e.g., HDAC inhibition) being vetted before a first-in-disease trial, and the new Solitary Fibrous Tumor Patient Registry—a global effort to connect patient stories, molecular profiles, and outcomes so care teams can match treatments to tumor biology.Bottom line: more data → smarter trials → targeted options. Patients and clinicians can help—by enrolling in the registry, sharing pathology reports, and amplifying the work.HighlightsOrigin story: Family experiences with cancer → oncology → pivot to sarcoma to meet a critical gap.Why SFT is hard: 100+ sarcoma subtypes; each one rare within rare. Evidence takes time.What’s new: Building SFT cell lines, NAB2-STAT6 mouse models; early drug-screen “hits” under validation; HDAC inhibitors on the shortlist for a clinical trial.Registry mission: Capture diagnosis journeys, exposures, germline testing, pathology, and treatment response to map variant → site → therapy sensitivity and guide care.Real talk on research: Slow-growing tumors = slow cell-line culture; IRB, protocols, and flyers take time; philanthropy + institutional support bridge to federal grants.Top 3 TakeawaysPrecision beats guesswork. Understanding SFT at molecular and epigenetic levels enables targeted therapy—beyond “try this, then that.”Data is the accelerator. A well-run registry connects the dots between variants (NAB2-STAT6 subtypes), sites of origin, and treatment response.Everyone can help. Patients, families, and clinicians can enroll, refer, and share records to speed breakthroughs.How to Help (Registry + Research Fund)Join or Refer to the SFT Patient Registry (University of Miami – Sylvester)Who can join: Adults (18+) diagnosed with solitary fibrous tumor or hemangiopericytoma, fluent in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole, willing/able to consent.What it involves: Short surveys about diagnosis/treatment, optional donation of blood/tissue, and sharing pathology reports.Contact: Peggy Gonzalez – 305-243-8091, pgonzalez@miami.edu.Show Notes (2)This registry helps researchers understand causes, biology, and treatment response in SFT—accelerating trials and future targeted options.Support the Horowitz Sarcoma Research Fundhttps://development.miami.edu/page.aspx?pid=383&id=ec01162f-1d17-4c44-89d6-addb185e07b5Funds support SFT research at Sylvester, including lab models, drug screening, and clinical translation.Additional ResourcesSFT Patient Registry – Sylvester (contact): 305-243-8091 | pgonzalez@miami.edu.20241120_D'Amato_Solitary Tumor…Horowitz Sarcoma Research Fund (donate): see link above.Key terms: NAB2-STAT6 fusion, HDAC inhibitors, epigenetics, sarcoma subtypes.About the GuestDr. Gina D’Amato is the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Treatment Unit, Assistant Director of Clinical Research, Sarcoma Medical Oncologist, and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.She earned her undergraduate degree in biology and her M.D. from the University of Miami, followed by internal medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital. During her fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center, she pivoted into sarcoma under the mentorship of global experts such as Dr. Jonathan Trent.Dr. D’Amato has since built sarcoma programs at Moffitt, Emory, and Sylvester, where she is Clinical Lead for Sarcoma Medical Oncology. She is extensively involved in Phase I–III clinical trials sponsored by NCI and industry partners, co-directs oncology curriculum at the Miller School, and serves as Medical Director for Sylvester patient education programs. She also administers the Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Initiative Fund.She has authored or co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications on sarcoma and connective tissue oncology, reviewed for leading journals (Cancer Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research), and received multiple NIH research grants, including a prestigious NIH Career Development Award (2002–2005).Dr. D’Amato is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Marleen Temmerman always wanted to make sure “people around the world had the same chances.” That vision carried her from early roadblocks (“But you’re a woman…”) to residency, then to Nairobi in the 1980s as HIV emerged. She helped stand up maternal–newborn research and services in high-volume public hospitals, founded NGOs advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and later served two terms in Belgium’s senate and as a department lead at the WHO.Now based in Kenya, she’s focused on durable system improvements: strengthening a major coastal referral hospital, launching a new medical school in partnership with local government and universities, expanding cancer screening/treatment, and training the next generation of Kenyan clinician-leaders. We discuss why funding shocks set programs back, how philanthropy and grant capacity can close gaps, and the practical ways physicians anywhere can contribute—through excellent local care, twinned research, mentorship, telemedicine, and targeted giving.HighlightsOrigin story: Pushing past gender barriers to train in OB-GYN and public/global health.Nairobi in the HIV era: Building perinatal research while scaling essential maternity services.From clinic to policy: Why she stepped into parliament and later the WHO to move women’s health forward.Capacity over charity: Scholarships, PhDs, and reciprocity so Kenyan clinicians lead the work.Systems work now: Upgrading a 700+ bed county hospital; standing up a coastal medical school; expanding breast/cervical cancer programs.Funding reality: Abrupt donor cuts ripple into maternal care and PMTCT; how foundations and local philanthropy can soften the blow.AI & telemedicine: Useful only when they reach public-sector patients—not just the few who can pay.Advice to trainees: Don’t take no for an answer; leave your comfort zone; aim high and build with communities.Top 3 Key TakeawaysEducation compounds across generations. Training local clinicians, researchers, and administrators is the highest-leverage intervention.Continuity matters. Gradual funding transitions preserve hard-won capacity; sudden cuts reverse progress in HIV, maternal health, and oncology.Everyone can help. Deliver excellent care at home, join twinned research/teaching projects, mentor via telemedicine, or direct donations to programs building local leadership.About the GuestProf. Dr. Marleen Temmerman is a global leader in women’s, adolescent, and child health and rights. She currently serves as Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, and holds the UNESCO Chair in Youth Leadership in Health, Education, Gender, and Sciences. She also chairs the Board of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa and is an Adjunct Professor at the Technical University of Mombasa.Previously, Dr. Temmerman directed the Department of Reproductive Health Research at the World Health Organization in Geneva, served two terms as a Senator in the Belgian Parliament, and founded the International Centre of Reproductive Health (ICRH) in Belgium, Kenya, and Mozambique. With over 600 peer-reviewed publications, she is recognized internationally for her scholarship on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, gender equity, and global health systems.She has supervised more than 60 PhD students across four continents and received numerous honors, including membership in the US National Academy of Medicine, Honorary Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellowship in both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the African Academy of Sciences, the BMJ Lifetime Achievement Award, the title of Commander in the Order of King Leopold (2024), and Kenya’s Moran of the Burning Spear (2019).About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Chrissie Ott has lived more than one medical life: nearly a decade in primary care, another in hospital medicine, and now medical director of a skilled nursing facility serving medically complex children and young adults—while moonlighting as a newborn hospitalist.In this episode, Chrissie unpacks the moment of awareness that changed everything: realizing that the “dream” solo practice she built no longer sparked joy. She explains the practical (and emotional) steps of closing a micro practice, reframing sunk costs, and embracing the belief that reinvention is a sign of aliveness.We explore why burnout is often a thought trap, how right-sizing your clinical “dose” protects your nervous system, and why coaching (not performative “resilience” lectures) can return clinicians to themselves. Chrissie also shares creative pathways to access coaching—from group models to residency-supported programs—and why financial independence should empower physicians to practice on their terms, not rush to retire.HighlightsThe awareness moment: daily meditation revealed misalignment—then gave permission to pivot.Closing a micro practice: the logistics, the losses, and the gain of personal wellbeing.“Dose makes the poison”: reshaping workload to fit a human nervous system.Coaching vs. “resilience”: action-oriented tools that change habits, not blame clinicians.The greenest growth edge: a practical lens for your next professional step.Staying in medicine: redesigning scope and schedule so joy and service can coexist.Top 3 Key TakeawaysReinvention signals life, not failure. Career chapters can evolve while your identity as a healer remains intact.Right-size your dose. Adjusting hours, setting boundaries, and redefining roles can turn exhaustion into engagement.Coaching works when it’s practical. Values-aligned goals, small experiments, and accountability outpace generic “be resilient” advice.About the GuestChrissie Ott, MD is a dual-boarded Med-Peds physician with a third certification in integrative care. She has served across primary care, hospital medicine, newborn hospitalist work, and currently leads a skilled nursing facility for medically complex children and young adults. As the leader of the Physician Coaching Summit, Dr. Ott coaches clinicians to cultivate alignment, meaning, and delight in their work.Connect: www.Chrissieottmd.com • www.joypointsolutions.comAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heather Hayenga never set out to study cancer. Her career began in cardiovascular research, fueled by the sudden loss of her father to a heart attack at just 52. But in 2013, everything changed when Heather herself was diagnosed with solitary fibrous tumor, a rare and aggressive cancer.In this powerful conversation, Heather opens up about:How personal tragedy inspired her early work in cardiovascular modelingThe pivot from heart disease to oncology after her own diagnosisDeveloping CRISPR-based, RNA-targeting, and immunotherapy approaches in her labBalancing life as a mom, professor, and patient while paving new pathways in rare cancer researchWhy she believes individualized medicine is the future of both oncology and cardiovascular careHeather’s story is one of grit, hope, and the belief that science and humanity are strongest when they work together. HighlightsFrom basketball court tragedy to a lifelong career in medical researchBuilding cardiovascular modeling tools that may soon change clinical decision-makingEngineering CRISPR and RNA-based solutions for solitary fibrous tumorNavigating the realities of rare cancer: few patients, limited data, and creative therapiesBalancing academia, motherhood, and patient life with unshakable determination Top 3 Key TakeawaysHardship fuels innovation — personal experiences can ignite a research mission that impacts millions.Rare doesn’t mean hopeless — breakthroughs in ultra-rare cancers can ripple into treatments for more common diseases.Medicine is becoming personal — the future lies in patient-specific therapies and collaborative care. About the GuestHeather Hayenga, PhD is an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her career began in cardiovascular modeling after the sudden loss of her father to a heart attack. In 2013, Heather was diagnosed with solitary fibrous tumor, a rare cancer that radically reshaped her research path.Since then, she has spearheaded efforts in CRISPR-based therapies, RNA-targeting strategies, immunotherapies, and drug repurposing—merging her expertise as a scientist with her lived experience as a patient. A devoted mother and mentor, Heather is proof that resilience and innovation can coexist even in life’s hardest battles.  About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible. About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Christina “Christy” Gomez has built a career defined not only by expertise in gastrointestinal cancers but also by her unique approach to narrative medicine. Raised in Miami by Cuban immigrant parents, she knew from childhood that medicine was her calling, even when her father reminded her of the sacrifices it would demand.In this intimate conversation with Dr. Peter Crane, Christy shares:Her early conviction to pursue medicine despite being the first in her family to do soThe lessons her patients have taught her—captured in handwritten scraps of quotes that became her book, Stopped in My TracksWhy silence, listening, and narrative medicine matter just as much as tests and treatmentsHow parenting her adopted son has deepened her perspective on healing, patience, and resilienceThis episode is a reminder that medicine is more than diagnosis and treatment—it’s about being fully present with the person in front of you, and about honoring the sacredness of their story.HighlightsTurning bedside conversations into Stopped in My Tracks—and why patients’ exact words matterNarrative medicine 101: listen first, pause before answering, reflect back stories with careTeaching trainees to keep purpose alive during residency/fellowshipFacing uncertainty with patients: naming it, walking together, and planning A/B/CParenting through a physician lens: using everyday “healing moments” to teach resilienceTop 3 Key TakeawaysMedicine is storytelling. Listening deeply—and sometimes letting silence work—creates room for healing.Honesty builds partnership. Patients want clear truth delivered with compassion and options.Choose medicine because you love it. Purpose sustains you when the work is hard and the path is uncertain.About the Guest:Dr. Christy Gomez is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist whose career blends rigorous science with the art of narrative medicine. Born and raised in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, Christy felt called to medicine from an early age, a conviction that carried her through medical school, residency, and fellowship into a field she deeply loves. Specializing in GI cancers, she pairs clinical expertise with an uncommon gift for listening—collecting patient quotes that capture the raw truths of life with cancer. These stories became the foundation for her book, Stopped in My Tracks: A Physician’s Collection of Cancer Patients’ Quotes, a work that reflects her belief that healing begins with human connection.Beyond her clinical practice, Christy is a mother, mentor, and advocate for patient-centered care. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of physicians to pause, listen, and honor the sacredness of the patient-doctor relationship. Whether through her writing, her conversations in the exam room, or her role as a parent, Christy reminds us that medicine is not only about treating disease but also about witnessing humanity and carrying patients through uncertainty with compassion.🌐 Website: christinagomezmd.com📖 Book: Stopped in My Tracks: A Physician's Collection of Cancer Patients' QuotesAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve McBee was on top of the world—literally—logging hundred-mile ultramarathons, running a successful marketing firm, and living life at full tilt. Then, a chance MRI after a minor accident revealed a tumor deep in his left temporal lobe.What followed was a series of surgeries, proton beam radiation, and 15 years of clean scans. Until, in 2021—just two days after standing on the podium at a three-day ultra—Steve learned his rare cancer had returned and spread to his pancreas, thigh, and liver.In this candid conversation with Dr. Peter Crane, Steve opens up about:The shock of moving from “cancer-free” to metastatic in a single appointmentWhy he’s turned his experience into advocacy for patients with rare cancersBuilding a “patient brand” to improve communication with care teamsThe creation of the Solitary Fibrous Tumor Foundation to unite patients, clinicians, and researchers worldwideThis is more than a story about a rare disease. It’s about refusing to be defined by it, finding purpose in the middle of uncertainty, and creating the community you wish you had when you started.Highlights include:Running a hundred miles days before a life-changing diagnosisTurning a rare, isolating condition into a connected global communityHow to prepare for medical appointments like a pro—even when you’re the patientLessons from 19 years of navigating a disease with no known cureWhy collaboration between patients and doctors is the future of rare disease careAbout the Guest:Steve McBee is a lifelong endurance athlete, entrepreneur, and rare cancer advocate. Diagnosed in 2006 with a then little-known tumor (hemangiopericytoma, now classified as Solitary Fibrous Tumor), he has undergone multiple complex surgeries—including brain, pancreatic, thigh, and liver resections—plus systemic therapy.Today, Steve is the driving force behind the Solitary Fibrous Tumor Foundation, a patient- and supporter-led nonprofit dedicated to:Connecting the global SFT communityBuilding a clinical registry and natural history studyDriving collaborative researchAdvocating for better treatments and awarenessWhen he’s not walking 5–10 miles a day in recovery, Steve is mentoring patients, building advocacy tools, and reminding the medical community that patients can—and should—help lead the way.🌐 Learn more: sftcommunity.com/newsletter💼 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevemcbeeTop 3 Key Takeaways:Build your patient brand. Clearly communicate who you are, what you value, and how you prefer to work with your medical team.Connection is treatment. Rare diseases demand collaboration—between patients, doctors, and researchers—across borders.Do hard things on purpose. Voluntarily facing challenges prepares you for life’s involuntary ones.About the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when the dream you’ve chased since childhood stops feeling like your dream?For Dr. Jordan Grumet, medicine started as a mission—a way to honor his father, who died suddenly when Jordan was just seven years old. Becoming a doctor was supposed to fix everything. But instead, years of stress, endless charts, and emotional exhaustion left him wondering if this was all there was.On this episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane sits down with Dr. Grumet to talk about:Burnout and the hidden grief that fuels itHow personal finance became his “lifeboat” out of miseryWhy chasing “Big P Purpose” can trap you—and how “little p purpose” can set you freeThe surprising way hospice care helped him fall in love with medicine againHow a blog, a podcast, and a few books ended up impacting millionsThis is more than a conversation about burnout. It’s about reclaiming your agency, finding joy in the process—not just the goal—and building a life that truly lights you up.About the GuestDr. Jordan Grumet is an internal medicine physician, hospice doctor, and the voice behind the popular Earn & Invest podcast. Known to many as Doc G, Jordan blends personal finance, purpose, and medicine into powerful lessons on living fully and intentionally.After nearly burning out early in his career, he discovered financial independence—and eventually realized that money was just one tool for designing a meaningful life. Today, he shares that message through his writing (Taking Stock, The Purpose Code), podcasting, and speaking engagements, helping thousands of professionals rethink success, purpose, and impact.📘 Learn more at: https://jordangrumet.com📖 Books: Taking Stock, The Purpose Code🎧 Podcast: Earn & InvestKey TakeawaysBurnout isn’t just about long hours—it’s about losing sight of what lights you up.Financial independence is powerful, but purpose—not money—is the real endgame.Agency is what most physicians crave—not escape from medicine.“Little p purpose” can multiply your impact far more than chasing big audacious goalsTrue success feels like joy in the process, not pressure to perform.About the HostDr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the ShowDoctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to hear more stories from doctors making a difference. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode begins 30,000 feet in the air.A man clutches his chest mid-flight. The crew calls for a doctor. And luckily, one’s onboard—with an AED, a portable ultrasound, and the exact meds needed to save a life.That doctor? Dr. TJ Trad.But the story doesn’t end there.As Dr. Trad tells it, this wasn’t luck. It was a ripple effect—set in motion by a childhood memory: a 9-year-old boy walking miles through the Lebanese countryside to a United Nations clinic for a tooth infection, where a gentle, kind doctor gave care without a word or a bill.That moment shaped his life.Today, Dr. Trad is an interventional cardiologist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But his impact stretches far beyond clinic walls. He’s the founder of Cura for the World, a nonprofit that builds sustainable medical clinics in underserved communities—and the founder of a MedTech company developing a revolutionary tool to monitor heart failure remotely.In this conversation with Dr. Peter Crane, Dr. Trad opens up about grief, grit, and the moments that change everything.This isn’t just an episode about medicine. It’s about how one doctor turned his own pain into purpose—and how we all can, too.About the GuestDr. Jawad “TJ” Trad is an invasive cardiologist, humanitarian, and founder of CURA for the World, a nonprofit building permanent, community-run clinics in underserved regions.Born in Beirut, Lebanon during the civil war, Dr. Trad grew up surrounded by both the trauma of conflict and the compassion of those who showed up anyway. After losing his father at age nine, he made a quiet vow: to one day be the kind of doctor who doesn’t look away.After moving to the U.S. as a teenager, Dr. Trad earned degrees in biochemistry, biomedical sciences, and cardiology. But his mission didn’t fully come into focus until medical service trips to Haiti and the Lebanese-Syrian border opened his eyes to the power of sustainable care. CURA for the World was born soon after.Dr. Trad’s work has impacted thousands of lives across clinics in Uganda, Tanzania, Peru, Congo, and the U.S.—and his story made national news when he helped save a man suffering a heart attack mid-flight after returning from a medical mission. Read the CNN article here.Today, Dr. Trad continues to serve as a frontline physician while building medical innovations through his startup, R Medical Technologies. His mission is simple: to heal, to educate, and to love in a world that desperately needs more of all three.Key TakeawaysYou don’t need permission to make an impact.The most powerful stories don’t start with money—they start with meaning.Medicine isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about honoring them.The ripple effect of kindness can stretch across generations.Sometimes your best invention is the life you build on purpose.About the HostDr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the ShowDoctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.