Becker’s Healthcare -- Cardiology + Heart Surgery Podcast

In this episode, Akhil Narang, MD, Cardiologist and Director of the Echocardiography Lab at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, and Amogh Karnik, MD, Cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, join the podcast to discuss the operational requirements for successfully implementing AI in cardiovascular care. They also explore the growing role of AI-assisted imaging technology and how it is enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving clinical workflows, and supporting better patient outcomes.

In this episode, R. Kannan Mutharasan, MD, MBA, Medical Director of Health Network Development, Sarah Plaskett, PA, Vice President of Operations, and Kaleigh Powers, MSN, RN, Director of Operations at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, join the podcast to discuss the importance of system integration in delivering coordinated cardiovascular care. They also share how AI is supporting clinical and operational teams by improving efficiency, enhancing workflows, and helping create a more connected patient experience.

In this episode, Sanjiv Shah, MD, Director of Research at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, joins the podcast to discuss strategies for improving provider satisfaction and supporting clinicians in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. He also shares why strong data infrastructure serves as the foundation for innovation, enabling organizations to advance research, improve care delivery, and drive better outcomes for patients.

In this episode, Nicolle W. Davis, PhD, RN, SCRN, FAHA, Director of the Mobile Stroke Program at UF Health, and Janice Walker, DHA, MBA-HCM, NEA-BC, BSN, RN, System Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President at UF Health, join the podcast to discuss the development of stroke protocols and the growth of innovative mobile stroke programs. They share how bringing specialized stroke care directly to patients can improve outcomes, reduce treatment delays, and strengthen coordinated care across the health system.

In this episode, Curtiss T. Stinis, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of Peripheral Interventions, Interventional Cardiology, Scripps Clinic, joins the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast to discuss the latest TAVR durability data, key differences between leading valve platforms, and what health system leaders need to understand about lifetime valve management.

This episode is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences.

In this episode, Peter George, MD, MBA, FACC, FASE, FASNC, Chief Medical Officer of Cardiovascular Services at UnityPoint Health, joins the podcast to discuss optimizing medical therapy and expanding outpatient care strategies to keep patients healthier and out of the hospital. He also shares approaches to lowering readmission rates and improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes through coordinated, proactive care.

In this episode, Jeffrey Farber, MD, President & CEO of The New Jewish Home, discusses the organization’s accredited heart failure program within a skilled nursing facility setting. He shares how specialized cardiac rehabilitation, interdisciplinary care, and close partnerships with academic medical centers are helping medically complex older adults recover safely and regain quality of life after hospitalization.

In this episode, Ian Cohen, MD, Charles and Barbara Strang Medical Director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, and Sarah Plaskett, MBA, MMS, PA, Vice President of Operations at the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, discuss how they are building advanced cardiovascular programs in community settings through intentional growth, integrated leadership, and a strong focus on quality outcomes.

In this episode, Atizazul Mansoor, MD, Chair of the Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC in Central Pennsylvania, and Samir Saba, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, join the podcast to discuss how their organization is restructuring to better meet the growing demands in cardiology. They share perspectives on reducing the length of education and training pathways to encourage more physicians to enter the field and help address workforce needs.

In this episode, Pranav Loyalka, MD - Cardiologist, HCA Houston Heart Medical Center, Medical Director of Structural Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, HCA Gulf Coast Division, discusses major advancements like transcatheter valve replacement and the evolving role of AI in cardiac care. He also shares insights on training the next generation of cardiologists, balancing specialization, and addressing gaps in access to care.