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.