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The Exam Room brings you real conversations about value-based care, patient-centered health, and improving outcomes. Join experts and frontline leaders each week as they share strategies, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of care delivery. Perfect for providers, health administrators, and anyone passionate about healthcare transformation.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday.
33Â Episodes
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In Episode 3 of our health literacy series, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary explore what it really takes for healthcare leadership to support clear communication and meaningful behavior change. Dr. O'Leary shares why health systems often struggle to prioritize health literacy, how external experts can help overcome internal barriers, and why written materials—not just verbal explanations—are critical for safety and understanding. They discuss the realities of behavior change, the importance of starting with what patients want to do, and the need for small, achievable action steps instead of shame-based instruction. The conversation also dives into patient self-advocacy, power dynamics in the exam room, and why everyone deserves a provider they feel comfortable communicating with. Dr. O'Leary closes with a practical, high-impact recommendation: leaders should walk their own hallways with fresh eyes and evaluate whether their signage and environment genuinely help patients navigate care.
Health literacy is not about reading level, it's about relationships, understanding, and trust. In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media, discuss how true health literacy starts with empathy and communication, not handouts or digital platforms. Dr. O'Leary explains why health literacy is "a state, not a trait," and how every member of a healthcare team, from front desk staff to physicians, plays a role in building connection and understanding. The episode explores tools like teach-back, chunking, and intentional handoffs that help ensure patients leave every visit informed, confident, and cared for. You'll also hear practical advice on how to make materials more meaningful, reintroduce written takeaways, and use human-centered communication to improve outcomes and trust. Key Topics: Why health literacy is about relationships, not reading levels How technology impacts trust and patient satisfaction Simple interventions that make communication more effective The role of teach-back, chunking, and handoffs in care delivery Practical ways to make every visit more human-centered
In this first episode of our new series on health literacy, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor speaks with Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media. Dr. O'Leary shares her inspiring journey from social work and behavioral research to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to making healthcare communication clear and actionable. They discuss how communication drives behavior change, what it means to build a health literate organization, and how small shifts in language can have a big impact on cost, quality, and patient trust. From personal stories to practical takeaways, this episode shines a light on the real-world importance of making information accessible—and human.
In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Andy Mayberry joins Dr. Rhiannon Winsor to discuss what it really takes to build rapport with patients. Using his signature "dinner and a show" philosophy, Dr. Mayberry explains why medicine isn't just about getting the diagnosis right — it's also about connection, empathy, and being real. He shares stories from his 25 years in medicine, showing how humor, small talk, and remembering the little details can make all the difference in patient trust and outcomes. If you're a provider looking to improve patient relationships, or simply curious about what makes great care great, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎙️ Topics include: "Dinner and a show": blending clinical skill with bedside manner Why small talk helps build trust Reading the room and meeting patients where they are Staying authentic and human in every interaction
In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Andy Mayberry, a longtime rural family physician with Chiricahua Community Health Centers, we explore how to close care gaps and strengthen care for high-risk patients through better data, communication, and teamwork. Dr. Mayberry explains why annual wellness visits are the foundation of preventive care and how consistent provider-patient relationships drive better outcomes. From care gap reports to risk adjustment scores, he offers a clear-eyed look at the systems behind high-quality primary care—and why every health center should prioritize care coordination and chronic care management. Listeners will also hear honest insights about provider capacity, team-based care, and the fine balance between medical work and social support. Key Topics: Using data and care gaps to identify at-risk patients Why continuity and trust matter in primary care The essential role of chronic care management (CCM) Addressing non-medical barriers like transportation and medication access Building multidisciplinary teams that work at the top of their licenses
In this insightful episode, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with Dr. Andy Mayberry, a longtime family physician at Chiricahua Community Health Centers, to explore the art and science of managing high-risk patients. From chronic disease and smoking cessation to care coordination and patient follow-up, Dr. Mayberry explains how proactive communication, preventive screenings, and consistent visits can dramatically improve outcomes. He also discusses the Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score as a useful framework for identifying high-risk patients and designing visit schedules that catch problems early. Listeners will walk away with practical ideas for improving chronic care management, supporting patients with multiple conditions, and re-centering healthcare around prevention and human connection. Key Topics: Defining and identifying high-risk patients using RAF scores The long-term impact of preventive care Coordinating care among specialists Empowering patients through follow-up and advocacy The role of chronic care management programs (CCM) in improving outcomes
In this powerful follow-up episode, Christian Milaster returns to discuss the Innovation Adoption Maturity Model, a systems-level approach that helps health centers understand where they are, where they're going, and how to get there. He and Dr. Winsor dive deep into what it takes to truly adopt innovation: clinician buy-in, leadership alignment, workflow redesign, and empathetic virtual care. From "webside manner" training to uncovering hidden motivators, this episode is packed with actionable insights for any organization trying to build a culture of sustainable change.
In this episode, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor is joined by Christian Milaster, founder of Ingenium Digital Health Advisors, to explore what true innovation looks like in health care; beyond buzzwords and tech trends. Christian draws on decades of experience, from Mayo Clinic to rural health centers, to explain how FQHCs can adopt digital tools and redesign workflows without overwhelming their teams. From secret shoppers to rethinking pain clinics, this episode reframes innovation as a mindset, not a luxury, for health centers that want to survive and thrive.
Join Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Robert Babyar as they envision the health center of 2030, where integrated services, mission-driven staffing, and strong community impact define success. Learn how Adelante is working toward being Arizona's top FQHC, why value-based care remains essential, and how creative partnerships can fuel innovation. This episode is packed with ideas to help leaders plan strategically and inspire their teams.
Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Robert Babyar explore strategies for navigating change without losing sight of your mission. Topics include innovative staff communication tools like "Daily Dose," preparing for potential Medicaid changes, and finding the positives in policy shifts. Whether you're managing a rural clinic or a large urban health center, this episode offers inspiration and practical tips for staying mission-focused in uncertain times.Â
From quality metrics to community engagement, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Robert Babyar discuss how health centers can measure what truly matters. Learn why data alone isn't enough, how to build partnerships that amplify impact, and ways to align your team around a shared definition of success. Packed with real-world insights from Adelante Health Center, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to elevate outcomes in value-based care.Â
Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Robert Babyar dive into what it takes to create a health center culture rooted in mission, collaboration, and community trust. They discuss strategies for staff engagement, leadership development, and avoiding "scope creep" so health centers can stay focused on what matters most, patient care. Whether you're leading an FQHC, part of a care team, or working in healthcare strategy, you'll find practical takeaways to strengthen your organization's culture and impact.Â
In the final installment of this three-part series, Shaun Romero joins Dr. Winsor to tackle one of the thorniest problems in value-based care: delayed, disconnected data. They explore how FQHCs and ACOs can work together to reduce data latency, improve patient communication, and automate clinical insights. From forecasting trends to texting patients, Shaun offers pragmatic solutions for transforming operational chaos into coordinated care, one dashboard at a time.Â
What if every patient received value-based care, regardless of their insurance plan? Shaun Romero returns to The Exam Room to unpack the cultural and operational shift needed to make this possible. From challenging the fee-for-service "chassis" to reducing clinician burnout, Shaun and Dr. Winsor explore how standardizing care workflows can improve quality, rebuild trust, and reduce friction for overburdened providers. They discuss the human cost of fragmented care, the importance of relational trust, and the vital role of ACOs in supporting health centers with social determinants of health.Â
In this episode of The Exam Room, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with Shaun Romero, co-CEO of Medwest LLC, to explore how frontline innovation and simplified workflows are helping providers thrive in value-based care models. Shaun shares his personal journey, sparked by his wife's experience as a primary care physician, and explains how Medwest is transforming clinical data into actionable insight. Together, they discuss the challenges FQHCs face with data fragmentation, EHR complexity, and reimbursement models, and how automation and ownership of data can bridge the gap between provider intention and patient impact.
In this episode with Claudia Cometa, she and Dr. Rhiannon Winsor explore the emotional and psychological side of healthcare communication, focusing on illness identity, grey space, and how language can either empower or disempower. Claudia shares how to reframe chronic illness, promote patient resilience, and build trust using trauma-informed communication strategies. Ideal for clinicians, health center teams, and anyone working in value-based primary care, this conversation is a guide to healing beyond prescriptions. Connect with Claudia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-cometa-pharmd/ Linked to Avanti Health Consultants: https://www.consultavanti.com/ Buy her book, "Patient, Empower Thyself":Â https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Empower-Thyself-Claudia-Cometa/dp/1954676891/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8DTPOXIDKY5W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c6i9pJgO5xDqiF95Bmk5va0ElHRVYlMlsyS95bx1wXmIWWp1WcpGjOfvG6pP8K-D1w5pSLTJ1bY5Peil941ftNCtoB6oD_Bg6K-GRhzBWrI.EU8riR0S-uvFLnM4HPuf_yheVLlUl-VhYHNUbi9iqPc&dib_tag=se&keywords=patient+empower+thyself&qid=1753309900&sprefix=patient+empowe%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1
This episode of The Exam Room focuses on improving the patient experience through simple but powerful changes rooted in customer service and trust-building. Claudia Cometa shares how "unreasonable hospitality" can be a model for transforming care delivery—from warm welcomes to culturally competent staff to designing trauma-informed waiting rooms. We also explore how these changes directly support equity, access, and value-based care delivery.  Connect with Claudia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-cometa-pharmd/ Avanti https://www.consultavanti.com/ Claudia Cometa - https://claudiacometa.com/ Buy her book, "Patient, Empower Thyself": https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Empower-Thyself-Claudia-Cometa/dp/1954676891/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8DTPOXIDKY5W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c6i9pJgO5xDqiF95Bmk5va0ElHRVYlMlsyS95bx1wXmIWWp1WcpGjOfvG6pP8K-D1w5pSLTJ1bY5Peil941ftNCtoB6oD_Bg6K-GRhzBWrI.EU8riR0S-uvFLnM4HPuf_yheVLlUl-VhYHNUbi9iqPc&dib_tag=se&keywords=patient+empower+thyself&qid=1753309900&sprefix=patient+empowe%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1
In this episode, we go inside the broken healthcare system with Claudia Cometa, founder of Avanti Health Consultants. Claudia shares her journey from clinical pharmacist to full-time patient advocate, highlighting what clinicians often don't realize about patient trauma, medical gaslighting, and communication breakdowns. We discuss how empathy, trust, and shared decision-making can bridge the gap and improve outcomes across value-based and primary care models. Connect with Claudia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-cometa-pharmd/ Avanti https://www.consultavanti.com/ Claudia Cometa - https://claudiacometa.com/ Buy her book, "Patient, Empower Thyself": https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Empower-Thyself-Claudia-Cometa/dp/1954676891/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8DTPOXIDKY5W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c6i9pJgO5xDqiF95Bmk5va0ElHRVYlMlsyS95bx1wXmIWWp1WcpGjOfvG6pP8K-D1w5pSLTJ1bY5Peil941ftNCtoB6oD_Bg6K-GRhzBWrI.EU8riR0S-uvFLnM4HPuf_yheVLlUl-VhYHNUbi9iqPc&dib_tag=se&keywords=patient+empower+thyself&qid=1753309900&sprefix=patient+empowe%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1
Dr. Rhiannon Winsor in this impactful episode as she speaks with Altaf Ibrahim, Director of Quality at Sunset Health, about their remarkable success with breast cancer screenings. Learn how Sunset Health has overcome barriers like patient education, resource limitations, and cultural hesitancy to achieve outstanding performance metrics. Altaf shares actionable strategies, emphasizing empathy, community bonds, and personalized patient engagement. If you're looking for effective ways to boost preventive health outcomes, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical tips.Â
In this inspiring episode of "The Exam Room," join Dr. Rhiannon Winsor as she talks with Altaf Ibrahim, Director of Quality at Sunset Health in Yuma, Arizona. Altaf shares his remarkable journey from a plastic surgeon in Pakistan to a passionate advocate for preventive healthcare in the United States. Discover how his personal and professional experiences shaped his dedication to chronic disease management and preventive care, and hear powerful insights into overcoming healthcare disparities. This episode emphasizes the essential role of empathy, trust, and cultural understanding in achieving successful health outcomes.
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