Know Scrubs Podcast

Audrey Nath, MD, PhD is a distinguished pediatric epileptologist with a wealth of expertise in neurophysiological techniques and imaging data analysis. With a strong research background in functional neuroimaging techniques and transcranial magnetic stimulation, Dr. Nath brings a deep understanding of neurological disorders to her practice. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Nath is a passionate advocate for medical justice, lending her expertise to organizations such as the Medical Justice Alliance, RAICES, and the Harris County Public Defenders office. As a national board member of Healthcare for Action and the National Grants and Charitable Giving Director for Chasing Medicine, she is dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes on both local and national levels. We are honored to have Dr. Nath share her insights and experiences with us on this podcast. Join us as we explore the intersection of medicine, advocacy, and research with Dr. Audrey Nath. Connect with Dr. Nath on Twitter/X: @AudreyNathMDPhD or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/audrey-nath-md-phd-76324529/. 

Dr. Vlad Matei is a fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon with dual board certifications in Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine. His expertise extends beyond the realms of traditional retinal diseases to encompass the intricate management of conditions in neuro-ophthalmology and uveitis. In his bustling retina practice, Dr. Matei adeptly applies a myriad of skills to cater to a diverse patient population. His proficiency in analytical problem-solving and risk-benefit assessment facilitates precise diagnosis and treatment amidst varying degrees of uncertainty. Meticulously synthesizing multiple data sources, he navigates complex decision-making processes with aplomb. With a clinic workflow characterized by prioritization and multitasking, Dr. Matei seamlessly attends to a steady stream of emergency patients while ensuring comprehensive care for all. Inside the operating room, he thrives in high-pressure environments, making swift and decisive decisions in the face of unpredictability. A collaborative approach defines Dr. Matei's patient care philosophy, as he engages with a multitude of stakeholders including referring providers, primary care physicians, specialists, and clinic staff. His adeptness in tailoring communication to suit diverse audiences fosters effective collaboration and optimal patient outcomes. Beyond his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Matei is a seasoned medical writer and educator, delivering informative lectures to both patients and fellow practitioners. His interests span a wide spectrum, encompassing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health information technology, and medical informatics. A self-taught computer programmer and avid data science enthusiast, he exemplifies a relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement. In summary, Dr. Vlad Matei is a detail-oriented, highly organized, and self-motivated professional, characterized by exceptional communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. His commitment to excellence in patient care and ongoing professional development underscores his unwavering dedication to the field of medicine. Connect with Dr. Vlad Matei on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlad-matei-6b33a01b6/.  

"Physician Money Mistakes with Varun Verma MD" is a podcast episode where Varun Verma talks about common financial mistakes made by physicians. He shares his personal experiences and provides insights on topics such as maximizing investments in retirement accounts, student loan repayment strategies, investing in unfamiliar areas, creating a budget, utilizing technology tools for financial planning, and the importance of having a written financial plan. 

Dr. Lisa Varghese-Kroll is a highly-driven, board-certified physician with extensive clinical practice, medical necessity compliance, and clinical care review experience, specializing in rehabilitation appeals. Her unique background in journalism, with degrees and hands-on experience in print and broadcast media, adds a fresh perspective to healthcare communication. A skilled communicator in both writing and public speaking, she effortlessly bridges the gap between complex medical topics and the general audience. With active medical licenses in Maryland and North Carolina, Dr. Lisa is not only a compassionate team player but also a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Join her podcast for insightful discussions that bring medicine and media together. Connect with Dr. Varghese-Kroll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-varghese-kroll/ Listen to her podcast, Home and Health with Hippocratic Hosts: https://hippocratichosts.com/ Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaVKMD 

Dr. John Mehall, a cardiac surgeon and medical advisory board member, joins Dr Varun Verma on the Andwise podcast. They discuss various topics including mentorship outside of the operating room, networking strategies, the value of an MBA for physicians, finding financial and legal professionals, the importance of taking risks in career paths. Dr. Mehall also provides advice for young physicians interested in healthcare investing and emphasizes the need for caution when investing without prior knowledge or experience. Connect with Dr. Mehall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-mehall-a8412a9/.

Cherilyn Cecchini, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician and partner at FINN Partners, a leading global marketing agency, where she manages major communications campaigns and serves as a thought partner for clients in numerous therapeutic areas. Prior to FINN, she held roles of increasing responsibility at LifeSci Communications, a boutique healthcare communications agency, where she provided strategic counsel for emerging biotech clients and co-led the medical communications division, which she founded. Dr. Cecchini is an established medical writer and medical expert who authors diverse content for GoodRx and has provided commentary for The Washington Post, Parents Magazine, Business Insider, Good Housekeeping, the Strategist, AAMC News and other outlets. Her past writing includes widely-read opinion pieces for KevinMD and Doximity. She is a former board member of the American Medical Women’s Association, having held multiple leadership roles at the local and national level. Dr. Cecchini earned her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College and completed her residency training at Children’s National Hospital. Find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Gabriella Rosen Kellerman is an author, entrepreneur, start-up executive, and Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational, change, digital health, wellbeing, and AI. Her first book, TomorrowMind, co-authored with Professor Martin Seligman, was published by Atria in January 2023. She has served as Chief Product Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at BetterUp, a transformation platform for global professionals, and as Head of BetterUp Labs, BetterUp’s research arm, which studies whole person development in partnership with labs at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, and many more.  To learn more about Dr. Kellerman, visit her website: https://www.gabriellarosenkellerman.com/ or follow her on LinkedIn. 

Join us in this episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of Ankur Gupta, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. As a forward-thinking member of the Andwise medical advisory board, Ankur brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of medicine and innovation. Ankur's passion for innovation didn't begin in medical school—it started during his undergraduate years at UC Berkeley. There, he played a pivotal role in co-founding React!, an engaging organic chemistry board game. This entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to co-found ASDRP, a distinguished pre-collegiate research and development institution that has made a significant impact. Discover how Ankur Gupta's experiences have shaped his unique approach to medicine and innovation in this engaging episode. Connect with Ankur Gupta on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankur-gupta-2386b245/ . 

Joseph Saveika, MD, is the Medical Director of Norman Regional's Inpatient Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Saveika earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Saveika was inspired to become a physician after volunteering at a hospital where he lived. He was an engineer at the time, but wanted more human interaction. One of the physicians at the hospital suggested he apply to medical school. Dr. Saveika moved to Oklahoma from Norfolk, Virginia. His hobbies include running, surfing, tae kwon do, and growing plumeria. Connect with Dr. Saveika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-saveika-md-mba-cpe-chcqm-fache-ab352a1b1/

Karim A. Elsharkawy, MD is a joint replacement surgeon. He specializes in primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. He has extensive research experience in the area of joint replacement and its effects on the geriatric population. He has also co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on hip and knee replacement. Connect with Dr. Elsharkawy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karim-elsharkawy-md-faaos-mrcs-32547950/ Dr. Elsharkawy is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship-trained in adult reconstructive surgery. He received his medical degree from the Cairo University School of Medicine in Egypt, where he graduated with highest honors. He spent six years with the program as a resident then assistant lecturer before coming to the United States. After relocating, he joined the Cleveland Clinic to complete a post-doctoral research fellowship followed by his orthopedic residency. Dr. Elsharkawy also completed the Otto E. Aufranc Fellowship in adult reconstruction at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Mass. He is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Association for Physician Leadership and Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association. Dr. Elsharkawy speaks fluent Arabic and French.

Adam Bloomfield MD FAAP is Executive Director, Rare Diseases and Pediatrics, at Premier Research, providing medical monitoring oversight, therapeutic knowledge to study programs and supporting business development and consulting activities in the fields of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, and Gene and Cell Therapy. Connect with Dr. Bloomfield on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bloomfield-md-faap-19a3056/  Dr. Adam Bloomfield, a pediatrician with extensive experience in the medical field, discusses topics such as his career journey, the importance of clinical experience, the challenges and opportunities in non-clinical roles and financial advice for physicians. Dr. Bloomfield shares insights and offers advice based on his own experiences, emphasizing the importance of caution, research, and a long-term investment strategy.

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen is a physician who is triple board-certified in Family, Diversity, & Lifestyle Medicine, with a specialized certificate in the Business of Medicine. With 6 years at the helm of Digital Health leadership and a rich background of over a decade in serving traditionally underserved communities, she brings a lens of clinical practice and risk management essential for achieving the Quadruple Aim in healthcare, aimed at cutting costs and decreasing risk. Find out more about Dr. DeRouen on her website: https://www.drerkeda.com/ or follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erkedaderouenmd/.  

Dr. Racela (or Dr. "Rikki" as patients like to call him) was born and raised in central NJ and graduated from Princeton University in 2003, majoring in Molecular Biology with Neuroscience minor. He stayed in central NJ to complete medical school training at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2007 and a year of internal medicine at nearby St. Peter's Hospital. He trained in Neurology at NYU School of Medicine, where he was pleased to serve as chief resident, and then completed a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology. He happily has returned to NJ to join Bergen Neurology Consultants here in Englewood. He is board certified in neurology and electrodiagnostic medicine. Since joining Bergen Neurology Consultants he has proudly served as stroke director at Englewood Hospital from 2014 to 2015. Connect with Dr. Racela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikki-racela-b11b6420/

Daniel Novinson, MD, MPH is passionate about improving health worldwide through tech, data, and growth. He has worked at multiple digital health startups, including Doximity. He is ex-Stanford, UCSF, CDC, and the U.S. Department of State. His LinkedIn profile can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielnovinson/

Dr. Varun Verma MD delves deep into his transformative career as a hospitalist and the intertwined financial path that accompanied it. From the early days grappling with a staggering $165K student debt, enduring the challenges of a residency in the bustling and expensive heart of NYC, to ascending the ranks as an attending physician traveling across the United States – Dr. Verma's story is a tale of tenacity, lessons learned, and invaluable experiences.

Tanya Frias, CFP®, our esteemed Director of Financial Education and Empowerment, demystifies the CFP® professional-client relationship and breaks down the various fees involved when collaborating with a financial planner. Physicians, residents, and medical students can book a complimentary financial education consultation with Tanya Frias, CFP® at https://calendly.com/tanya-sgy/consultation-tanya-frias-cfp-chsnc?month=2023-12.

Dive deep into the art of crafting a robust financial plan in this special segment of the Know Scrubs Podcast. Our Director of Financial Education and Empowerment, Tanya Frias, CFP®, unravels the essentials of effective financial planning — from mastering cash flow and setting ambitious goals to strategizing debt repayment, smart investing, and preparing for a comfortable retirement. Physicians, residents, and medical students can book a complimentary financial education consultation with Tanya Frias, CFP® at https://calendly.com/tanya-sgy/consultation-tanya-frias-cfp-chsnc?month=2023-12.