Becker’s Healthcare -- Spine and Orthopedic Podcast

In this episode, Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, Orthopedic Surgeon and Founder of the Joint Replacement Institute in Florida, joins the podcast to discuss how AI-powered chatbots can improve efficiency and streamline patient communication. He also shares his perspective on the fee-for-service model, strategies for delivering high-value orthopedic care, and efforts to limit opioid prescriptions while supporting safe and effective pain management.

In this episode, Namath Hussain, MD, MBA, Neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, discusses the future of endoscopic spine surgery, the growing role of AI in healthcare, the importance of surgeon leadership, and how mindfulness, mentorship, and continuous learning can help physicians build exceptional careers.

In this episode, Rory K.J. Murphy, MD, Board Certified Neurosurgeon, Barrow Brain and Spine, Associate Professor Barrow Neurological Institute, discusses how AI is improving clinical workflows, patient engagement, and surgical planning in neurosurgery.

In this episode, Travis Doering, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon based in Austin, Texas, discusses launching what he describes as the first AI native medical clinic in the country. He shares how local AI infrastructure, human oversight, and workflow orchestration could reshape orthopedic practice operations, patient privacy, and care delivery.

In this episode, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses balancing surgeon autonomy with the realities of modern healthcare systems, aligning academic and clinical priorities, and preparing organizations for rapid technological and operational change.

In this episode, Ronjon Paul, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Endeavor Health Medical Group, discusses developing multidisciplinary spine programs, leading within a large health system, and how AI is transforming patient care, clinical decision making, and physician workflows.

In this episode, Antonia F. Chen, MD, Chair and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern and incoming President of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and R. Michael Meneghini, MD, CEO and Founder of the Indiana Orthopedic Institute and immediate past president of AAHKS, join the podcast to discuss leadership transitions and the importance of reestablishing communication as new leaders. They also explore how AI dictation tools can reduce administrative burden and improve work-life balance, the impact of Medicaid cuts and financial pressures on orthopedic care, and the importance of supporting women in healthcare leadership and surgery.

In this episode, Edward J. Dohring, M.D., of the Spine Institute of Arizona, discusses the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, emerging innovations in spine care, and the evolving role of AI and minimally invasive approaches. He also shares insights on improving patient outcomes, balancing cost and quality, and shaping the next generation of spine leaders.

This episode features Aqib Zehri, MD, Neurosurgeon at The Oregon Clinic. Here he discusses his thoughts on access to care, exhausting non-surgical options first, what he is doing to improve quality outcomes, and more.

In this episode, Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, joins the podcast to discuss the growing role of personalization in surgery and the adoption of AI in clinical practice. He shares insights on building and scaling individual practices through patient education online, as well as the broader impact of GLP-1 medications on patient health and orthopedic outcomes.