Dr. Vineet Arora is the Dean for Medical Education at the University of Chicago and one of the nation’s leading voices on equity, leadership, and physician well-being. Her groundbreaking research has exposed how gender bias and pay inequity continue to shape medicine—from how residents are evaluated to how faculty are promoted and paid. But more importantly, she’s focused on what can be done about it.On this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Dr. Arora about why women physicians still earn less than their male peers—and the systemic, cultural, and personal strategies that can finally close the gap. They discuss the hidden ways bias shows up in training and evaluations, how compounding pay inequities add up to millions over a career, and what real pay transparency should look like. Dr. Arora also shares practical advice for early-career physicians on negotiation, knowing your value, and finding professional fulfillment without burning out.This episode will challenge how you think about pay, power, and progress in medicine—and what each of us can do to make equity the norm, not the exception.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The real data behind the $2 million lifetime gender pay gap in medicine.How bias in evaluations and promotions starts as early as residency.Why pay transparency alone won’t fix inequity and what else needs to change.How fair pay connects directly to feeling valued, supported, and able to keep practicing the medicine you love.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom Mentioned in this episode:This Episode is Sponsored by AbridgeAbridge is the leading AI platform that drafts structured, clinically useful notes at the point of conversationAbridge Sponsor
Dr. Ali Chaudhary is an emergency physician, entrepreneur, and one of the leading voices helping doctors reclaim control over their careers. After leaving a traditional W-2 job, he built Locums United and LocumOS - two platforms designed to bring transparency, fairness, and autonomy to how physicians are staffed and compensated. Having lived both sides of medicine, Ali shares how locum tenens work can transform burnout into balance and turn short-term contracts into long-term career freedom.On this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Ali about what really happens when doctors leave the W-2 world, how to build stability as an independent contractor, and why locums can be the key to both financial freedom and professional fulfillment. They break down the myths that scare physicians away from 1099 work, the financial strategies that make it sustainable, and the mindset shift required to think like a business owner instead of an employee.If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to make more, work less, and still love medicine again then this episode is your blueprint.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the traditional W-2 model is burning out physicians and how locums flips the script.How to set up your locums life for stability.The real financial math behind 1099 work, and how to maximize your take-home pay.How to spot red flags in locums contracts and avoid being underpaid.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom Mentioned in this episode:This Episode is Sponsored by AbridgeAbridge is the leading AI platform that drafts structured, clinically useful notes at the point of conversationAbridge Sponsor
Dr. Alison Haddock is an emergency physician, educator, and past president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). She’s spent her career fighting for physician autonomy and building a sustainable future for emergency medicine. One where doctors aren’t just surviving shift to shift, but leading the systems that shape their work. A national voice on policy and workforce reform, Dr. Haddock has seen firsthand how crowding, violence, and financial pressure are pushing ER physicians to their breaking point and what it will take to bring them back.On this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker sits down with Alison live at ACEP to unpack what’s really driving burnout in emergency medicine, how systemic failures fuel the crisis in the ED, and why unionization and pay transparency may be the boldest tools for reclaiming control. They dive into the politics of boarding, the hidden cost of private equity in healthcare, and the urgent need to rebuild physician power from the ground up. It’s a candid, timely conversation about survival, advocacy, and the kind of leadership emergency medicine needs right now.If you’ve ever walked out of a shift wondering how much longer you can do this, or what it would take to make things better, this episode is for you!What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy burnout isn’t about resilience—it’s about control. How the loss of professional autonomy, not the lack of self-care, drives physicians out of the field.How ED boarding exposes systemic rot. Why emergency physicians are paying the price for hospital inefficiency, and what policy changes could actually fix it.The financialization of medicine explained. How profit-first strategies have warped incentives and left doctors carrying the moral and financial burden.Why unionization is gaining traction among physicians. How collective action could be the next step in protecting clinicians and reshaping the balance of power in healthcare.What ACEP is doing to fight back. Inside Dr. Haddock’s efforts to reform employment models, prevent physician exploitation, and push for meaningful change.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG
Dr. Brian Dixon is a psychiatrist, entrepreneur, and one of the boldest physician voices pushing for salary transparency and fairness in medicine. He’s the founder of Simply Psych and Mindful, and he’s built his career by pulling back the curtain on contracts, compensation, and the hidden math of how health systems profit off physicians. With radical honesty, he shares not just his wins but also his mistakes—showing doctors the real trade-offs between employment, private practice, and entrepreneurship.On this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Brian about why most contracts are designed to exploit physicians, how transparency builds trust, and what it really takes to scale a practice without burning out. They dig into the myths that keep doctors underpaid, the psychological traps that make us easy to exploit, and the lessons Brian had to buy - sometimes for $50,000 - that can save you from the same fate. If you’ve ever wondered how to get paid fairly and keep your autonomy intact, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck and wondered, “Is this really what I’m worth?”—this episode will change how you see employment, private practice, and the business of medicine.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the salary you’re offered is rarely the salary you’re actually worth—and how employers frame the numbers against you.How the culture of altruism in medicine gets exploited, leading doctors to accept less than they deserve.The three true career paths for physicians (employee, owner, or hybrid) and how to think about risk versus autonomy.Why employed physicians today may face more risk than independent ones—and how non-competes and contract language trap doctors.How to scale a private practice the right way so you don’t burn out trying to do everything yourself.Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting the podcast:Abridge - AI for clinical conversations: https://www.abridge.com/Evidently - Leading AI-powered clinical data intelligence https://evidently.com/🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn
This episode is sponsored by Abridge - the leading AI platform that drafts structured, clinically useful notes at the point of conversation.MDCalc turns 20 this year. What began as a scrappy side project in med school grew - without outside funding - into one of the most-used, most-trusted clinical references in the world. In this episode of How I Doctor, host Dr. Graham Walker sits down with his co-founder Dr. Joe Habboushe - an emergency physician, math nerd in the best sense, and relentless advocate for evidence-based care - to unpack how MDCalc was built, why clinicians trusted it early, and what comes next in the age of AI.They revisit the “slow and thoughtful, not move-fast-and-break-things” playbook that earned physician trust, the scrappy years when both were working full-time in the ED while growing the site score-by-score, and how partnering with tool creators and societies raised the bar for quality. From COVID’s chaotic first year to today’s AI hype cycle, Joe explains why guardrails matter, why calculators should augment (not replace) clinical judgment, and how MDCalc plans to lead responsibly.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow two ER docs grew MDCalc organically into a global, trusted clinical toolThe product philosophy behind MDCalc: safe, fast, trusted—and why “don’t break things” works in medicineWhy decision tools must partner with clinical judgment and not compete with “gestalt vs. calculator” false choicesHow MDCalc’s contributor model and society partnerships improved evidence quality and bedside usabilityMDCalc + AI: where responsible, physician-led guardrails can make tools powerful and safePractical advice for physician-founders: finding a complementary co-founder, building step-by-step, and choosing work that actually fits youAbout Dr. Joe HabbousheEmergency physician, co-founder of MDCalc, and long-time champion of evidence-based medicine. Joe helped design MDCalc’s contributor ecosystem, content standards, and “safe-fast-trusted” ethos that clinicians rely on at the bedside.If you’re a clinician who uses MDCalc, this conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes on how it was built for you—and how it will stay clinician-first as AI enters the workflow.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here
Ethan Nkana spent over a decade as a hospital executive negotiating contracts on behalf of health systems. He knew the inside playbook: how administrators calculated physician value, what mantras they used behind closed doors, and the quiet ways hospitals exploited physician professionalism. Then he switched sides. In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker sits down with Ethan to explore medicine’s hidden business realities. From the stigma of being called “greedy,” to why the squeaky wheel gets the raise, Ethan unpacks how contracts are really written and how doctors can speak up without jeopardizing their careers. He shares the three buckets every physician should focus on - life balance, practice support, and fair pay - and the practical strategies that turn an uneven negotiation into a fair one.He calls himself the “Jerry Maguire for physicians,” and in this conversation Ethan shares what every doctor needs to know before signing or renewing a contract.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why “greedy” is a trap word and how to reframe fair pay as part of safe patient careThe 3 contract buckets that matter most: life balance, practice support, and compensationWhat hospital executives really say behind closed doors about new physician hiresWhy the best physicians don’t always get paid the most—and who doesSimple, non-adversarial scripts physicians can use to ask for what they needAdditional Resource for Physicians:👉 Contract Negotiation Guide Before your next contract discussion, make sure you’ve gathered:Your actual weekly workload (clinical + after-hours documentation)Recent productivity metrics and patient satisfaction scoresEvidence of non-revenue work (committees, teaching, outreach)Market data for your specialty and regionA clear ask for at least one improvement in each bucket: life balance, practice support, fair pay\Find out more about Rocky Mountain Physician AgencyFollow Ethan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/physicianagency/?hl=en 🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn a...
Dr. Danielle Ofri is an internist at Bellevue Hospital, clinical professor at NYU, and one of the most widely read physician-writers of our time. Through her books, essays, and New York Times op-eds, she has given voice to the emotional realities of medical work and exposed the ways the business of healthcare exploits the professionalism of doctors and nurses. Her clarity and candor have made her a trusted guide for physicians who feel the weight of a system that too often prioritizes profit over patient care.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker sits down with Danielle to discuss medicine’s broken promises. From the erosion of trust and the exploitation of clinicians’ goodwill, to the disconnect between luxury hospitals and patient harm, they explore the hidden economy of modern healthcare and the ethical line between professionalism and exploitation. Dr. Ofri shares why nursing shortages are directly tied to patient mortality, how administrators rely on doctors “doing the right thing,” and what it will take for physicians to reclaim their voice in shaping the system.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the “professionalism” of doctors and nurses has become healthcare’s most exploited resourceHow nursing shortages directly affect patient safety and mortality ratesThe ethical and personal toll of 20-minute visits for medically complex patientsThe hidden disconnect between nonprofit hospital profits and patient careStrategies for physicians to speak up without crossing ethical or professional linesSubscribe to Danielle’s newsletter hereFollow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/danielle_ofri/ 🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Dr. Hillary Lin is a Stanford-trained internist and longevity entrepreneur who is cutting through the hype to bring evidence-based clarity to one of medicine’s buzziest frontiers. As co-founder and CEO of Carecore and host of The Longevity Show, she’s built her career at the intersection of clinical skepticism and innovation, challenging what’s real and what physicians need to know about this fast-growing space.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker sits down with Hillary to unpack the science of longevity medicine. From the pillars that actually work to the overhyped products flooding social feeds. They explore supplements, multivitamins, full-body scans, and the influencer-driven myths that confuse patients, while offering physicians a framework for counseling patients who are curious, skeptical, or already experimenting with longevity trends.💡 Want to Go Deeper?We’ve created a companion resource to this episode: Longevity Medicine Resource Guide for Physicians: Separating Fact from Fiction. Inside you’ll find curated evidence, peer-to-peer insights, and practical tools to help you counsel patients to cut through wellness industry hype and stay current on what really works.👉 Download the guide nowWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Lifestyle Pillars That Actually Extend HealthspanSupplements And Multivitamins: What’s Worth It (And What’s Not)The Most Overhyped Longevity Trends—DebunkedWhy Longevity Medicine Isn’t A Real SpecialtyThe Future: Pre-Disease Screening And At-Home TestingSubscribe to Hillary’s newsletter on evidence-based strategies for extending healthspan🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Dr. Gita Pensa is an emergency physician and nationally recognized advocate who knows firsthand the toll malpractice takes on doctors. After enduring a 12-year legal battle that included two jury trials, she emerged determined to break the silence around litigation and its hidden impact on physicians’ identity, mental health, and careers. Today, she uses her story to teach colleagues how to survive what she calls medicine’s “second trauma.”In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Gita about the day she was served, the years she spent fighting in court, and how that experience reshaped her mission. From defensive medicine to the isolation lawsuits create, Gita offers hard-earned insights and a blueprint for how doctors can protect themselves, find support, and come out stronger on the other side.The Physician’s Guide to Surviving Medical MalpracticeOffcall has created a comprehensive resource guide to help physicians navigate the realities of litigation. This guide pulls together expert advice, peer support programs, and practical strategies for what to do if you’re sued. Whether you’re early in your career or decades into practice, this guide offers the tools and community you need to protect your career, care for yourself, and move forward with confidence.👉 Read The Physician’s Guide to Surviving Medical MalpracticeWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:Common mistakes doctors make after being sued - and how to avoid themHow litigation drives defensive medicine and impacts the way we practiceWhat every physician should know about malpractice coverage including state-by-state differencesReforms that could make the system more fair for patients and doctorsWhy finding support and breaking the silence is critical for surviving litigationWatch A World of Hurt: How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok...
Dr. Paulius Mui is a family physician, technologist, and community builder who refuses to fit into a single box. Instead of choosing between clinic shifts and tech projects, he’s built a portfolio career that blends patient care, experimentation, and creativity. Most recently, Paulius is reimagining what primary care looks like by launching a direct primary care practice that lets patients pay what they can.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Paulius about why full-time primary care has become nearly impossible and why he has decided to choose mission over money for the benefit of patients and his profession. Paulius’ story offers a blueprint for fellow physicians to break the rules — and build something better.📘 Resource Guide for Primary Care PhysiciansWe’ve created a companion resource guide to this episode, including tools, communities, and references for anyone who is interested in learning more about direct primary care.Whether you’re exploring direct care models, looking for innovative tech tools, or are ready to set up a direct primary care practice of your own, this guide offers concrete next steps.👉 Download the Resource Guide hereWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why primary care has gotten so challengingHow Direct Primary Care offers a path forward for doctors who prioritize mission over moneyHow technology, community, and curiosity can help doctors build better systems instead of just fighting broken ones🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatric hospitalist, public health advocate, and U.S. Senate candidate in South Carolina taking on incumbent Lindsey Graham. Known for her unapologetic advocacy for children’s health, Annie has spent over 15 years caring for sick and injured kids, only to realize that many of their challenges stemmed from broken policies far upstream of the hospital. From gun violence prevention to protecting Medicaid, she’s made it her mission to bring a physician’s voice into the rooms where decisions are made and to speak with a candor rarely heard in politics.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Annie about why more physicians should step into public life, how to fight misinformation without losing credibility, and the communication skills doctors already have that translate to the campaign trail. They dig into the gender inequities baked into medicine and why telling patient stories matters more than citing p-values. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn clinical advocacy into real political action, Annie’s story will make the case that there’s never been a more important time for doctors to run toward the fire.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The skills every physician already has that translate to political leadershipHow to fight misinformation without sounding like you’re in an ivory towerWhy gender inequities in medicine persist even in female-dominated specialtiesThe role of storytelling in rebuilding public trust in physiciansWhat politicians would learn if they were required to spend a day in a children’s hospitalFind out more about Annie here and connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/annieandrewsmd/Watch her campaign launch video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8wMNLaSNW4 🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok
Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider is an internal medicine physician, a public health advocate, and one of the most trusted voices translating science for the real world. Whether she’s hosting th TED Health podcast, advising Netflix on end-of-life storytelling, or calling out hype and misinformation in the media, her work is reshaping how clinicians show up at the bedside and in the public square.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Shoshana about the skill every physician needs but few are taught: communication. They explore how bias shows up in clinical encounters, why doctors are often unprepared to talk about serious illness, and how media can be a tool for connection and not just distraction. If you’ve ever struggled to explain something complicated to someone who doesn’t “get it,” this conversation will remind you why curiosity, not certainty, is a clinician’s greatest asset.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why most doctors are never trained to communicate serious news, and how that’s harming patientsHow media, film, and storytelling can shift culture around end-of-life careHow unconscious bias shows up in clinical care, and what to do about itWhy misinformation spreads faster than facts and how physicians can fight back without losing trustWhy more physicians need to step into public conversations—and what’s at stake if they don’tFind out more about Shoshana here and connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/shoshanamd/Listen to the TED Health Podcast at https://www.ted.com/pages/ted-health 🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click a...
Dr. Josh Green is an emergency physician who’s done what many doctors only talk about. He’s taken a seat at the table and turned it into a platform for real change. After two decades practicing rural medicine in Hawaii and witnessing firsthand the systemic failures that lead to poor outcomes, he ran for office in his scrubs - and won. Today, as Governor of Hawaii, he’s applying the triage mindset of emergency medicine to some of the most complex public health and policy problems of our time, from homelessness and housing to climate change, Medicaid reform, and AI in healthcare.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Josh about how clinical experience shapes better leadership, why physicians need to be in public office, and what it means to build a healthcare system that actually works - especially when resources are scarce. If you’ve ever felt like your work in medicine should mean more, this conversation will show you how one ER doc turned frustration into a force for statewide change.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How ER training helps leaders make faster, better decisions during crisesWhy housing should be treated as a core public health interventionHow Hawaii’s unique healthcare model delivers lower costs and longer life expectancyWhy physicians make strong political candidates—and how to start your own campaignHow to think like a policymaker without losing your clinical instinctsHow low-resource rural practice taught him to rely on relationships and diagnostic skill, not technologyFind out more about Josh here and connect with him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/govjoshgreen/ 🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Rebecca Mitchell is a physician, product strategist, and founding partner at Scrub Capital - a new kind of venture fund built from first principles to fix what’s broken in health tech investing. Alongside her co-founders, Rebecca is working to make sure that healthcare startups aren’t just built for clinicians, they’re built with them.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Rebecca about why it’s time to give clinicians more power. Not just at the bedside, but on the cap table. They dive into how Scrub Capital is supporting over 800 physicians, nurses, and frontline leaders as active collaborators in early-stage investing. From prescribing infrastructure and fertility tech to virtual specialty care and IVF lab automation, Rebecca shares where she thinks health tech is headed and why the industry’s obsession with hype has blinded it to what actually matters in care.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why clinicians should stop waiting for a seat at the table and start investing in the companies shaping careHow Scrub Capital is building a community of over 800 clinicians to co-create the next generation of health techWhat Rebecca looks for in a founder and why “missionary, not mercenary” is her #1 investing filterWhy many health systems fail at innovation and how digital health can succeed where they don’tWhich trends in healthcare are overhyped, underhyped, or actually worth the buzz (GLP-1s? Wearables? Psychedelics?)How software, not just new hardware, is unlocking the future of innovationWhy now may be the best time to start a healthcare company - if you’ve got the right insight and a long-term mindsetFollow Rebecca Mitchell on LinkedIn and learn more about Scrub Capital at https://scrubcapital.com/ Apply to join their clinician community here Submit an investment opportunity here🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG
Attorney Dennis Hursh has reviewed more than 3,500 physician contracts and has seen the same patterns again and again - doctors being underpaid, overworked, and legally trapped by language they didn’t know to question. In this episode, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Dennis about how RVUs and non-competes are often used against physicians, and how to push back. They dive into the structural imbalance between hospitals and physicians, the myths of “standard contracts,” and the silent clauses that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.From shocking stories of RVU misreporting to seven-figure locums arbitrage, this episode unpacks how the business of medicine quietly undermines doctors’ financial stability and career flexibility. Dennis brings clarity and tactical advice for any doctor negotiating a contract. Whether you’re fresh out of residency, or already practicing and unsure if you’re getting a fair deal, there’s something in this episode for everyone.If you’ve ever felt like your compensation didn’t reflect your work. Or if you’ve been told “this is just how it’s done”. This episode will show you how to reclaim your leverage and ask the right questions before you sign.Dennis wanted to make his decades worth of knowledge available to all Offcall physicians. So he’s compiled a Contract Negotiation Guide featuring helpful negotiation resources, key questions to ask during a negotiation, and practical pointers. This is a one-of-a-kind resource and it’s free and available exclusively for Offcall physicians. Create an Offcall account (or log-in if you’ve already done so) in order to access the guide at https://www.offcall.com/learn/podcast/the-rvu-trap-physician-contract-red-flags-rvu-pitfalls-and-negotiation-tips-with-dennis-hursh What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why “standard contracts” are a trap — and how to spot the clauses that limit your freedom or earningsHow malpractice tail coverage can destroy your savings if you’re not carefulThe truth about RVU compensation and why most physicians never get the full pictureHow locums companies profit on your labor — and how to negotiate like a free agentThe Stark Law loopholes and myths that employers use to shut down fair pay discussionsWe’re excited to announce that Dennis is offering a special 10% discount for his legal services for all Offcall physicians. You can book a free consultation here, and be sure to mention “Offcall” during your appointment to claim your 10% discount!🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky
Dr. Jay Parkinson is a pediatrician and founder who’s been reinventing healthcare from the outside in for nearly two decades. From launching one of the first tech-enabled house call services in Brooklyn to pioneering virtual primary care with Sherpaa, Jay has always believed that doctors can design better systems. Now he’s back with Automate Clinic, a new venture training physicians to fine-tune clinical AI models with real-world judgment and insight.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Jay about bucking the traditional medical career path, designing more human-centered systems, and what most startups (and health systems) still don’t get about primary care. They also dive into Jay’s new work building AI you can actually trust, and why the doctors best positioned to shape its future are the ones curious enough to break stuff and ask better questions. If you’ve ever wanted more freedom, more creativity, or more control in medicine then this one’s for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Jay bet on the iPhone, and not the EMR, as the future of medicineWhat healthcare can learn from previous startups like Uber and GoogleWhy most doctor visits don’t need to happen in person and how to rethink the “front door” of careHow AI can surface consensus, not just “the right answer” and why that’s so powerful in medicineWhy design is a form of protest, and every patient deserves a more beautiful experience🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Dr. Ami DeWaters is a hospitalist, medical educator, and one of the leading voices reimagining how we prepare residents for the realities of modern medicine. She’s an associate professor at Penn State College of Medicine that’s known for her sharp insights and deep commitment to building physicians who are not just clinically excellent, but also financially, professionally, and systemically fluent.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Ami about the disconnect between what doctors are taught and what they actually need to succeed. From FTEs and RVUs to PSLF and prior auths, they unpack the hidden curriculum of becoming a practicing physician - and why not understanding how the system works is no longer an option. If you’ve ever felt like medicine handed you the keys without teaching you to drive, this episode will tell you how to take back control.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why understanding FTEs is essential for your contract, your income, and your loan forgivenessHow to negotiate your first job like a pro and the surprising reason your desk might be the first red flagThe hidden power of residents to drive change and how one radiology resident helped redesign their entire overnight workflowWhy every doctor needs to speak the language of RVUs, billing, and insurance regulation if they want to lead and not just surviveThe one lesson every intern should learn by the end of their first year🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom Article Display Title (Social)
Dr. Greg Murphy is a practicing urologist and four-term Republican Congressman representing North Carolina’s third district—and the only physician in Congress who still actively sees patients, entirely pro bono. Before entering politics, he served as an affiliate professor, urology group president, and chief of staff at a Level 1 trauma center in Greenville, NC. These days, he’s sounding the alarm about what he sees as a crisis in the medical profession: a generation of young doctors who, in his view, are losing their sense of calling.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Congressman Murphy about the tweet that sparked backlash from younger physicians and the deeper frustrations behind it. Together, they explore the erosion of autonomy, the death of private practice, and what Murphy calls “the ultimate sacrifice” that medicine requires. It’s a fiery, honest, and civil conversation that cuts across generations, full of tough questions, uncomfortable truths, and a shared commitment to fighting for the future of patient care.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Congressman Murphy believes too many doctors are using the system as an excuse to stop doing what’s right for the patient.What he means when he says medicine is “a field of sacrifice”—and why he thinks too many young physicians are prioritizing lifestyle over service.His critique of how medical schools admit, train, and prepare students—and what needs to change now.Why he thinks physicians need to give more than just their time to advocacy—and why money matters in politics.How doctors can get more engaged, whether it’s through policy, protest, or running for office themselves.If you’re a doctor questioning the future of medicine or just looking for a straight-talking take on what it means to stay in the fight this episode’s for you.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
Dr. Paul Tran is a pediatric gastroenterologist, award-winning medical educator, and the creator behind Alimentary School — an online platform using storytelling, mentorship, and dad jokes to make medicine more human. He’s on a mission to break down outdated hierarchies and rebuild medical education around trust, real-time feedback, and genuine connection.In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Paul about what’s broken in medical training and how we can actually fix it. With warmth and wit, Paul explains why seeing students as “just students” undermines patient care, how virtual interviews and pass/fail boards have reshaped the residency match, and why the way we give feedback needs to change yesterday. He also shares the killer interview question every applicant should ask, and how social media can help bridge gaps traditional training leaves wide open. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to blow up med ed and start fresh, this is the conversation for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why medical training still relies on outdated hierarchies — and how that hurts future doctors and patients alike.How the move to pass/fail Step 1 and virtual interviews is reshaping residency applications (and adding new pressures).The big flaws with “Feedback Fridays” — and Paul’s practical advice for giving and getting better feedback every day.The exact two-part question every med student should ask to uncover a residency program’s real culture.How Paul uses humor and short-form videos to make medical education more accessible, honest, and fun.🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom
The world of medicine is entering a new era. One where AI isn’t just a buzzword, but a daily presence in the lives of physicians. That’s why Offcall recently hosted a live webinar We're Sharing AI Secrets for Clinicians, featuring Dr. Graham Walker, ER physician and co-founder of Offcall, and Dr. Sarah Gebauer, anesthesiologist and founder of Valara Health. Longtime friends and Stanford med classmates.Their goal? Demystify AI for busy clinicians and provide practical tools to navigate this moment of transformation. Not in five years, but right now. Throughout the session, Graham and Sarah unpacked the real-world impact of AI in clinical practice, offering a blend of foundational education, cautionary guidance, and hands-on tips. You can watch the full video presentation at https://www.linkedin.com/events/7331694686937530368/about/Physicians, visit Offcall.com/AIGuide to download Graham & Sarah’s AI Guide.For everyone else who doesn’t have an NPI number you can download that guide at https://docsend.com/v/3t6h4/offcallwebinarWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:AI Is Already Here—You Just Might Not Know ItKnow Your AI Types: Generative vs. DeterministicUse Cases Are Expanding RapidlyAsk the Hard Questions Before You AdoptBias and Hallucinations Are Real RisksOverreliance Can Weaken Clinical JudgmentLegal and Ethical Guardrails Are Still Being BuiltClinicians Need to Lead the Conversation🩺 Offcall is more than a platform — it’s a community. Join today!📝 For a full transcript of this episode click HERE🎧 Subscribe to receive new How I Doctor episodes directly in your feed here: https://episodes.fm/1767429315👨⚕️Follow Dr. Graham Walker onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-walker-md/ IG https://www.instagram.com/ubergraham/ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/drgrahamwalker.com ✉️ Join our newsletter On/Offcall here https://offcall.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🟧 Follow Offcall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinoffcall/ IG https://www.instagram.com/offcalldotcom/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offcalldotcom