Episodes

  • Part 1 : Finding the Calm in the Storm

    Part 1 : Finding the Calm in the Storm
    Sep 16 2025
    How can emergency physicians thrive amidst chaos and stress? In this Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin reconnects with Dr. Leslie Koenig, a fellow residency alum, board-certified emergency physician, and creator of the Stress Relief Survival Guide. Dr. Koenig shares her story of navigating COVID exposure, military service, and the demands of emergency medicine while raising a family. She discusses her transition to mindfulness, the power of heart rate variability (HRV) as a vital sign, and her journey to becoming a meditation teacher. From her "battery technique" for grounding thoughts to embracing meditation as a tool for neuroplasticity, Dr. Koenig offers actionable strategies for physicians to combat burnout and reclaim balance. The conversation also explores the need to view physicians as elite performers, prioritizing recovery and self-care to sustain long-term impact.You’ll hear how they:Tackle stress with simple, evidence-based techniques like the battery method to stabilize emotions in minutesUse heart rate variability to monitor and improve physical and mental resilienceReframe meditation as an accessible practice for Type-A physicians, focusing on investigation rather than clearing the mindAdvocate for a cultural shift in medicine to prioritize physician recovery, drawing parallels to elite athletesIf you’re an emergency physician or healthcare professional seeking practical tools to manage stress and prevent burnout, this episode offers a lifeline of hope and strategies for change.About the Guest“Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind—it’s about investigating what’s there.” – Dr. Leslie KoenigDr. Leslie Koenig is a board-certified emergency physician, Afghanistan combat veteran, and author of the Stress Relief Survival Guide. With experience on the COVID frontlines and a career shaped by military service, she has developed practical, research-backed techniques to manage stress in high-stakes environments. Now training to become a meditation teacher through The Path program, Dr. Koenig is passionate about helping physicians embrace mindfulness, track heart rate variability, and prioritize recovery to combat burnout.📍 Connect with LeslieWebsite: https://stressreliefsurvivalguide.comFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/stressreliefsurvivalguideInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stressreliefsurvivalguideLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliecrawfordmd📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 Stress Relief Survival Guide by Dr. Leslie Koenig 🔗 The Path Meditation Program🔗 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)🔗 Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning🔗 Wearable devices: WHOOP, Oura Ring🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysMaster Stress with Simple Tools: Use the "battery technique" to ground yourself by assigning positive and negative thoughts to a pen, fostering mindfulness and emotional stability in minutes.Track Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Monitor HRV as a vital sign of resilience using wearables like WHOOP or Oura Ring to optimize sleep, meditation, and recovery for better health.Reframe Meditation for Physicians: Embrace meditation as an investigative practice, not a quest for a clear mind, to build neuroplasticity and create space between stimulus and response.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and ...
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    27 mins
  • Dr. Gillian Schmitz Part 2: Fighting for Doctors

    Dr. Gillian Schmitz Part 2: Fighting for Doctors
    Sep 9 2025
    What happens when insurance companies and emergency physicians clash over fair payment, leaving patients caught in the middle? In this Echo Episode, part two of a two-part series, Dr. Andrea Austin talks with Dr. Jillian Schmitz about the pressing challenges in emergency medicine today.Dr. Schmitz explains the intricacies of surprise billing, where out-of-network emergency care leads to unexpected patient costs, and the No Surprises Act’s intent to protect patients by removing them from billing disputes. She highlights the implementation challenges, including insurance companies’ failure to follow regulations, skyrocketing arbitration fees, and delays in payments that threaten small practices. The conversation also explores ACEP’s advocacy efforts, the power of collective action, and an exciting initiative to accredit emergency departments to set standards for resources, staffing, and transparency.You’ll hear how they:Break down surprise billing and its impact on patients and emergency physiciansExpose flaws in the No Surprises Act’s implementation, including insurance companies’ manipulation of dispute processesAdvocate for collective action through ACEP membership, Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions, and sharing real-world storiesPropose accrediting emergency departments to ensure proper resources and fair practice environmentsChallenge misconceptions about ACEP’s ties to corporate medicine and emphasize its physician-led advocacyIf you’re an emergency physician feeling the weight of systemic challenges or seeking ways to drive change, this episode offers practical insights, advocacy strategies, and a hopeful vision for the future of emergency medicine.About the Guest:“Emergency physicians are resilient—we adapt to challenging situations with little information and make the best of it.” – Dr. Gillian SchmitzDr. Gillian Schmitz is a professor at the Uniformed Services University and an emergency physician at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. As the past president and a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), she has been a leading voice in addressing workforce challenges, burnout, and policy reform in emergency medicine. A civilian working in military medicine, Gillian’s career blends clinical practice, academic teaching, and advocacy, inspired by her commitment to serving those who serve the country. Her work focuses on fostering resilience, improving team dynamics, and advocating for systemic changes to support emergency physicians.📍 Connect with GillianLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-schmitz-b88794302/Email: jillianmd@gmail.com📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 No Surprises Act🔗 ACEP Workforce Report🔗 ACEP Advocacy Resources🔗 Dare to Lead by Brené Brown🔗 The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown🔗 Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysUnderstand and fight surprise billing: The No Surprises Act aims to protect patients, but enforcement gaps allow insurance companies to delay payments and manipulate disputes, threatening small practices. Share your stories to fuel advocacy.Join the collective: Support ACEP through membership or PAC contributions to amplify emergency physicians’ voices in Congress and drive policy changes like fair reimbursement and accreditation standards.Envision a better future: ACEP’s push to accredit emergency departments could set standards for resources, staffing, and transparency, improving practice environments and patient care nationwide.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about ...
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    29 mins
  • Leading Through Uncertainty: Unpacking EM’s Future with Dr. Gillian Schmitz

    Leading Through Uncertainty: Unpacking EM’s Future with Dr. Gillian Schmitz
    Sep 2 2025
    What does it take to lead emergency medicine through unprecedented challenges like workforce shortages and systemic burnout?In this Heartline Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin sits down with Dr. Gillian Schmitz to explore her career trajectory, from civilian roles in military medicine to becoming ACEP's past president. Gillian reflects on her path, inspired by her father's military service, and how she balanced family life with a demanding career. They discuss the hidden opportunities in government jobs like those at the VA or Uniformed Services University, the resilience of EM physicians, and the impact of events like the FM talk that reshaped her focus on advocacy.You’ll hear how they:Navigate civilian careers in military and VA settings, highlighting opportunities for academic and clinical rolesAddress burnout and moral injury in EM, emphasizing resilience, teamwork, and the need for systemic supportExplore leadership in organized medicine, from grassroots involvement to national policy influenceDiscuss evolving reimbursement models, like the shift to thought-process-based documentation for better compensationIf you’re an EM physician facing burnout or seeking ways to amplify your voice in healthcare policy, this episode offers inspiration, practical advice, and a call to action for involvement in organized medicine.About the Guests“Emergency physicians are resilient—we adapt to challenging situations with little information and make the best of it.” – Dr. Gillian SchmitzDr. Gillian Schmitz is a professor at the Uniformed Services University and an emergency physician at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. As the past president and a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), she has been a leading voice in addressing workforce challenges, burnout, and policy reform in emergency medicine. A civilian working in military medicine, Gillian’s career blends clinical practice, academic teaching, and advocacy, inspired by her commitment to serving those who serve the country. Her work focuses on fostering resilience, improving team dynamics, and advocating for systemic changes to support emergency physicians.📍 Connect with GillianLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-schmitz-b88794302/📚 Resources + Mentions· 🔗 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)· 🔗 Uniformed Services University Job Opportunities· 🔗 FM Talk by Dr. Gillian Schmitz· 🔗 Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysExplore Civilian Roles in Military Medicine: As a civilian, you can work in VA or military settings like the Uniformed Services University—ask around for openings and leverage networks for academic and clinical opportunities.Combat Burnout with Resilience and Teamwork: EM physicians thrive by adapting to challenges; focus on teamwork, advocacy, and organized medicine to address moral injury and systemic issues like workforce shortages.Embrace New Reimbursement Models: Shift to documenting thought processes and differentials for better compensation under updated guidelines, reducing unnecessary tests while improving patient care and practice sustainability.🩺 About the Host:Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the Show:Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum ...
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    33 mins
  • Taming Complexity, Healing Moral Injury: The EM Mindset Shift

    Taming Complexity, Healing Moral Injury: The EM Mindset Shift
    Aug 26 2025
    What happens when the demands of academic emergency medicine collide with personal health and family priorities? In this Heartline Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin speaks with Dr. Shannon McNamara about her transition from simulation director and ED physician to urgent care provider amid burnout, moral injury, and the pandemic.Shannon recounts her nomadic upbringing, love for emergency medicine's complexity, and challenges in dysfunctional systems—including chronic illness, night shifts, and institutional politics. She discusses stepping away from academics, embracing urgent care for autonomy and balance, and applying simulation principles like huddles and debriefs to real-world teams. The conversation explores dehumanizing healthcare conditions, the need for career mobility in EM, and redefining emergency medicine as a mindset, not a location.You’ll hear how they:Address moral injury from boarding, resource shortages, and systemic inequitiesUse complexity science to foster team communication and adaptability in high-pressure environmentsAdvocate for off-ramps in EM careers, from telemedicine to specialized outpatient practicesInspire hope through personal routines, boundaries, and upstream solutions for patient care.If you’re grappling with burnout or envisioning new paths in medicine, this episode provides honest insights and practical strategies for change.About the Guests“Emergency medicine is a mindset, not a place.” – Dr. Shannon McNamaraDr. Shannon McNamara is an emergency medicine physician, simulation educator, and writer with experience in academic centers across Philadelphia and New York. After facing burnout and long COVID, she transitioned to urgent care while maintaining her passion for humanizing healthcare through complexity principles and team dynamics. She runs the Plus Delta newsletter and speaks on resilience, career transitions, and innovative medical education.📍 Connect with ShannonNewsletter: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/shannonomac Twitter: @ShannonMc 🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysEmbrace complexity in healthcare: Use simple tools like team huddles, pre-briefs, and debriefs to adapt to constant change and reduce moral injury.Redefine your career: Emergency medicine is a versatile mindset—explore off-ramps like urgent care, telemedicine, or specialized practices for better balance and impact.Prioritize personal boundaries: Amid turmoil, ground yourself with routines like nature walks, honest family communication, and mindful media consumption to sustain joy and resilience.🩺 About the Host:Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the Show:Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart.🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting in 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 18–20, 2025⁠⁠FemInEM is leading a full day on Women’s Health. The Gala will be a can't-miss celebration of leadership and community.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠AAWEP St. Lucia Retreat | March 5–8, 2026⁠⁠For women EM physicians. Sun, connection, and reflection in a stunning setting. Details coming soon via AAWEP.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women Physicians European River Cruise | May 18–25, 2026⁠⁠A scenic and soulful journey from Amsterdam to Basel with an inspiring community.—--------...
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    49 mins
  • Money, Mindset, and Medicine: Unlocking Changemaking with Michael Swartz

    Money, Mindset, and Medicine: Unlocking Changemaking with Michael Swartz
    Aug 19 2025
    What does it take to break free from financial stress and become a changemaker in healthcare? In this episode, Dr. Andrea Austin connects with Michael Swartz, a fee-only financial planner and coach who specializes in guiding physicians from residency to retirement. Drawing from his work at Schwartz Financial Planning, and his Health and Wealthness podcast, Michael offers a roadmap for physicians to navigate financial challenges and align their careers with their purpose.They explore how the psychological weight of student loan debt can drive overwork and burnout, with Michael sharing strategies to reframe debt as an investment in future earning potential. He emphasizes the importance of a wealth-based mindset—where decisions are driven by values, not just income—and provides practical advice on balancing clinical demands with personal well-being. From empowering physicians to say “no” to toxic work environments to planning for a sustainable retirement. The conversation also covers the pitfalls of rigid financial goals, the power of coaching to shift mindsets, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive professionals who share your vision for change.If you’re a physician feeling trapped by student loans, overwork, or a misaligned career, this episode provides actionable tools and inspiration to reclaim financial and personal freedom.Together, they dive into:Reframing student loan debt as an investment in earning potential, not a burdenBalancing clinical work with personal well-being to avoid burnoutEmpowering physicians to make value-driven career decisions with financial confidencePractical retirement planning tips for high-income professionalsIf you’re a physician feeling trapped by financial pressures or seeking to align your career with your purpose, this episode offers actionable strategies to reclaim control and drive meaningful change.About the Guest:“I help physicians find clarity and confidence in their financial and personal lives.” – Michael SwartzMichael Swartz is a fee-only financial planner, coach, and owner of Schwartz Financial Planning, specializing in financial planning for physicians from residency to retirement. He is the author and host of Health and Wealthness, a book and podcast dedicated to guiding physicians through financial and life transitions. With personal insight from his wife’s career as a physician assistant, Michael helps physicians navigate student loans, career transitions, and retirement planning with a focus on empowerment and well-being.📍 Connect with MichaelWebsite: healthwealthness.comPodcast: https://healthwealthness.com/podcast Book: Health and Wealthness: The Physician’s Guide to the Retirement Journey 📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 Health and Wealthness: The Physician’s Guide to the Retirement Journey by Michael Swartz🔗 Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert🔗 The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown🔗 Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysReframe debt as an investment: Shift your mindset from seeing student loans as a burden to viewing them as an investment in your earning potential, reducing psychological stress and empowering long-term planning.Wealth is a mindset: True wealth means living aligned with your values, regardless of income, allowing you to make career decisions without financial pressure dictating your choices.Seek fee-only financial planners: Work with a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) to ensure unbiased, fiduciary advice tailored to physicians’ unique financial needs.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about ...
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    38 mins
  • Leading with Heart: Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland on Transforming Healthcare Teams

    Leading with Heart: Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland on Transforming Healthcare Teams
    Aug 12 2025
    What does it take to lead change in healthcare’s most challenging environments? In this episode, Dr. Andrea Austin connects with Stephen Berkeley, a healthcare administrator turned change facilitator, and Anne Boland, a coaching psychologist, to explore how leadership, self-awareness, and curiosity can reshape healthcare systems.Stephen shares his 35-year journey in healthcare administration, from Australia to India, and how a shift from self-focused to service-oriented leadership transformed his approach. Anne reflects on her privilege of coaching leaders who turn dysfunctional teams into thriving ones, emphasizing the power of listening and collaboration. Together, they discuss overcoming biases against administrators, the value of triads in leadership, and the importance of mindful exits when it’s time to move on.You’ll hear how they:Reframe healthcare administration as a service-driven role, not the “dark side”Use 360 evaluations and coaching to foster self-awareness and growthSupport leaders through mindful entry and exit strategiesInspire hope through their Forks in the Road podcast and retreats for healthcare professionalsIf you’re navigating leadership challenges or seeking ways to create meaningful change, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration.About the Guests“Clarity and harmony within me and around me. My body is a temple.” – Stephen Berkeley“I never know what’s really going on in the other person or the system.” – Anne BolandStephen Berkeley is a change facilitator and coach with over 35 years of leadership experience in healthcare across Australia, England, and India. A former healthcare administrator, he now helps leaders build capacity for change through curiosity and service-oriented leadership.📍 Connect with Stephen Website: flyntrok.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephenberkeleyAnne Boland is a coaching psychologist working with healthcare, education, and professional services leaders. A former national director at EY Australia, she co-hosts the Forks in the Road podcast, sharing stories of leadership and transformation.📍Connect with AnneLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anne-boland-a9130312 📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 Forks in the Road Podcast🔗 The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge🔗 Clear Leadership by Gervase Bushe🔗 The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge🔗 The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown🔗 Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysLeadership is a specialty: Whether clinician or administrator, effective leadership requires curiosity, listening, and aligning values to serve others.Self-awareness drives change: Tools like 360 evaluations, when paired with coaching and trust, help leaders grow and transform teams.Mindful exits matter: Move toward opportunities that align with your purpose and values, not away from dysfunction.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting in 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 18–20, 2025⁠⁠FemInEM is leading a full day on Women’s Health. The Gala will be a can't-miss celebration of leadership and community.•⁠...
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    44 mins
  • Advocacy That Works: How Dr. Scott Pasichow Is Reshaping Healthcare Policy

    Advocacy That Works: How Dr. Scott Pasichow Is Reshaping Healthcare Policy
    Aug 5 2025
    Ever wonder why healthcare policy feels like a maze? Or how one doctor can spark systemic change? In this episode of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Andrea Austin talks with Dr. Scott Pasichow, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a passionate advocate for equity and reform.Scott’s advocacy journey began with a personal realization: the inequities in family leave policies for residents. His push for fairer policies led to incremental changes at the ACGME and ABEM, ensuring better support for new parents. From testifying on EMS bills to representing ACEP in the AMA House of Delegates, Scott’s work spans mental health, burnout, and student loan burdens.You’ll hear how he:Turned a personal experience into a fight for equitable family leave policiesBuilds mission-driven teams by listening for dissent and fostering collaborationUses storytelling to make policy issues resonate with lawmakers and the publicFinds hope in the growing energy of physicians pushing for progressIf you’re frustrated by healthcare’s challenges or curious about advocacy, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.About the Guest“The arc of history bends toward justice—but it takes people to pull on it.” – Dr. Scott PasichowDr. Scott Pasichow is an emergency physician, assistant professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and a relentless advocate for healthcare reform. A former board member of the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA) and current representative for ACEP in the AMA House of Delegates, Scott has testified on EMS and emergency medicine bills in multiple states. His work focuses on family leave equity, physician wellness, and protecting access to care. He lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his wife, two kids, two pit-mix dogs, and a growing New York Rangers collection.📍 Connect with Scott BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/spmd16.bsky.social📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 American Medical Association (AMA)🔗 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)🔗 Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright🔗 ACGME Family Leave Policy🔑 Top 3 Key TakeawaysAdvocacy starts with listening: Building effective teams means understanding dissent and aligning on shared goals.Storytelling drives change: Data informs, but personal stories make policy issues relatable and actionable.Incremental wins matter: From family leave to Medicaid access, small steps build toward lasting impact.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting in 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 18–20, 2025⁠⁠FemInEM is leading a full day on Women’s Health. The Gala will be a can't-miss celebration of leadership and community.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠AAWEP St. Lucia Retreat | March 5–8, 2026⁠⁠For women EM physicians. Sun, connection, and reflection in a stunning setting. Details coming soon via AAWEP.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women Physicians European River Cruise | May 18–25, 2026⁠⁠A scenic and soulful journey from Amsterdam to Basel with an inspiring community.—-------------------------------🎧 ...
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    33 mins
  • From Patient to Advocate: Kim Downey’s Mission to Stand Up for Doctors

    From Patient to Advocate: Kim Downey’s Mission to Stand Up for Doctors
    Jul 29 2025
    Healthcare’s broken system hurts patients and physicians, but collective action can heal it. In this episode of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, I sit down with Kim Downey, a physical therapist, three-time cancer survivor, and Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation. Kim shares her transformative journey—facing thyroid and breast cancer, multiple surgeries, and the loss of her radiation oncologist to suicide—which sparked her mission to found Stand Up for Doctors. She discusses how gratitude, like thank-you notes, fosters connection, and how patients can advocate for physicians to improve care. Kim highlights the need for a culture shift in medicine, starting in med school, and emphasizes leadership and self-leadership to navigate toxic environments. Her upcoming 2026 retreat in New York promises community and resilience-building.You’ll hear how to:· Use gratitude to bridge patient-physician divides.· Challenge limiting beliefs to find fulfilling work environments.· Build a culture of kindness and collective advocacy in healthcare.If you’re seeking hope amidst healthcare’s challenges, this episode offers actionable inspiration.About the Guest“If your goal is to change the world in one fell swoop, you will fail. But if you brighten the corner where you are, you will succeed.” – Kim DowneyKim Downey is a physical therapist, three-time cancer survivor, and passionate advocate for physician well-being. As Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, and founder of Stand Up for Doctors, she amplifies physicians’ voices through her YouTube channel, Substack, and book White Coats, Courageous Hearts. Her journey through thyroid and breast cancer, and the loss of her radiologist to suicide, fuels her mission to foster gratitude and systemic change in healthcare.📍 Learn more at standupfordoctors.org or connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-downey-a9307b72/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StandupforDoctors📚 Resources + Mentions🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@StandupforDoctors – YouTube Channel, Substack, standupfordoctors.org🔗 https://www.amazon.com/White-Coats-Courageous-Hearts- by Kim Downey and contributors🔗 Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation – drlornabreen.org🔗 Medicine Forward – medicineforward.org🔗 Healthcare Reinvention Collaborative – healthcarereinventioncollaborative.com🔗 From Hurting to Healing by Dr. Simon Craig🔗 Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways· Gratitude, like thank-you notes, builds patient-physician connection and supports well-being.· A culture of kindness, starting in med school, can transform healthcare’s toxic environments.· Collective advocacy—patients and physicians together—creates ripples of systemic change.🩺 About the HostDr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.💫 About the ShowHeartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities🔥 ⁠⁠Recalibrate: Group Coaching for Physicians⁠⁠Starting in 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 18–20, 2025⁠⁠FemInEM is leading a full day on Women’s Health. The Gala will be a can't-miss celebration of leadership and community.•⁠ ⁠⁠⁠AAWEP St. Lucia Retreat | March 5–8, 2026⁠⁠For women ...
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    44 mins