Welcome to another episode of Patients Win, the show where we dig deep into the realities of our healthcare system and highlight the stories and strategies that are giving patients a real voice in their care. In this episode, hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman sit down with Tiffany Ryder, whose unconventional journey spans from NFL cheerleader to PA, to her current work in journalism, to explore the systemic challenges in healthcare that keep patients from getting the care they need.

Tiffany Ryder openly shares her personal and professional evolution: from early encounters with misdiagnosed health conditions and a firsthand look at the pitfalls of the medical system, to the jarring realities she faced working in emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the moral dilemmas and contractual restrictions that prevented her from recommending more affordable or accessible care options and what ultimately drove her to step outside the system to advocate for patients through storytelling and education.

Join us as we unpack the emotional toll of working in a flawed system, the power of transparent communication, and the hope that comes from empowered patients and providers alike. Whether you're a patient, a provider, or someone invested in the future of healthcare, this conversation will give you a new perspective and maybe even a little hope that change is possible when patients win.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Unexpected Paths to Purpose"

04:04 Early Medical System Experiences

08:08 Rethinking Career in Healthcare

12:03 "Upstream Solutions for Better Care"

14:14 Primary Care Challenges During COVID

18:16 Healthcare Access and System Inefficiencies

20:25 Patients Lost in System Struggles

23:33 "Questioning a Broken Healthcare System"

28:41 "Redefining Patient-Centered Care"

32:32 Empowering Patients in Healthcare Advocacy

35:08 "Clinician's Perspective on Lifelong Learning"

39:33 Challenging Paternalism in Healthcare

42:36 Empowered Choices for Better Health

44:54 "Podcast Paused, Writing Continues"

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

On this episode of Patients Win, we’re flipping the script on healthcare with a powerful conversation about real change, resilience, and the mission to put patients first. Hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman welcome special guest Tracy Creger: a nurse, patient advocate, and president of Connect Benefits, whose personal journey from the frontline of nursing to healthcare innovation is nothing short of inspiring.

You’ll hear the remarkable story of how witnessing first-hand the devastating financial burden on insured patients fueled Tracy Creger's determination to fix a broken system. The episode dives into how direct contracting and true concierge nurse navigation are changing the game for both employers and employees. Together, the hosts and Tracy Creger explore why fear and the unknown keep many from embracing better solutions, and share compelling stories where patients not only receive needed care, but also avoid the financial ruin so many dread.

Whether you’re a provider, broker, plan sponsor, or patient, this uplifting episode is packed with actionable insights, personal breakthroughs, and a message of hope: when patients win, we all win. If you’ve ever wondered how healthcare can truly be transformed, this conversation is a must-listen.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Patients Win: Empowering Healthcare"

04:52 "Uncovering Flaws in Healthcare System"

09:00 "Cost-Saving Benefits Boost Productivity"

11:05 "When Patients Win, We Thrive"

14:03 Simplifying Healthcare Access Assistance

17:42 "Addressing Fear and Fixing Issues"

22:02 "Stopping Costs, Offering Guidance"

25:18 Seamless Collaboration for Member Care

27:26 "Healthcare Pricing System Broken"

31:48 "Continuous Growth and Education"

33:17 "Patients Win: Healthcare Redefined"

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to another episode of "Patients Win," the podcast where healthcare gets real and personal stories take center stage. In this episode, you´ll hear from Justin Shuman, a healthcare executive whose professional life has been devoted to building patient-centered solutions and navigating the complexities of population health. But everything changed when he found himself on the other side of the system, as a patient fighting to be heard, facing 712 days of misdiagnoses and dismissal despite clear signs that something was wrong.

Joined by hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman, Justin Shuman shares his deeply personal journey, the frustration and despair of feeling invisible within a system he thought he understood, and how his own experience has redefined his career and passion for advocating for the most vulnerable. Together, the group unpacks the challenges of groupthink in medicine, the gap between data and individual experience, and the enormous impact of empathy and patient-centered care.

Through honest conversation, heartfelt stories, and actionable insights, this episode is a powerful reminder that at the end of every spreadsheet and clinical guideline, there is a real person whose life hangs in the balance. If you believe healthcare should be about people first, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Healthcare Innovation and Population Gaps"

03:21 "Dismissed Symptoms, Delayed Diagnosis"

09:31 "Bias in Patient Care"

11:07 "The Power of Medical Dismissal"

16:06 "Healthcare Journey and Impact"

17:36 Balancing Healthcare Costs and Humanity

23:28 Healthcare Frustration and System Failures

24:33 "Trauma, Support, and Data Gaps"

28:56 "Healthcare Access and System Gaps"

31:48 "Healthcare: Beyond the Spreadsheets"

35:09 "Patient-Centered Care Over Payment"

40:37 "Your Story Matters, Justin"

42:54 "Embracing Life After Diagnosis"

Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/

Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/

Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/

Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”