Dr. Kim brings together two perspectives — the engineer who sees inefficiencies and the clinician who values connection. He recounts the moment that pushed him into medicine, plus the emotional experiences that shaped his identity as a family physician.

He discusses how engaging clinicians early in EHR design changed adoption, satisfaction, and retention, and how centralized call centers and enhanced workflows improved the patient experience. Dr. Kim also explains why AI Scribe has been so transformative for clinicians, giving them space to reconnect with what brought them into medicine in the first place: listening, presence, and human connection.

He closes by sharing how Optum’s leadership development programs help clinicians grow in their careers and why remembering your “why” is essential in today’s value‑based world. 

Episode Notes

Title: Building Better Care for Older Adults: Value-Based Innovation
Guest: Martin Levine, MD
Duration: ~28 minutes
Theme: How Optum’s value-based care model transforms chronic care management and empowers clinicians to innovate.

Episode Overview:
Dr. Levine discusses his passion for improving care for older adults and the systemic changes needed to make health care more effective. He highlights the Memory Health Support Program, which helps families navigate dementia care without added cost, and shares real-world examples of how interdisciplinary teams—nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health—create better outcomes.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – 00:02:10
Dr. Levine’s background and career journey
00:03:00 – 00:06:45
Why value-based care matters for older adults
00:07:00 – 00:11:30
Memory Health Support Program: Closing gaps in dementia care
00:12:00 – 00:15:45
Engaging families and redesigning workflows
00:16:00 – 00:20:30
Empowering patients through education and self-efficacy
00:21:00 – 00:24:00
Balancing fee-for-service and value-based models
00:24:30 – 00:27:50
Why Optum is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation

Episode Highlights

• Innovation in action: How Optum uses value-based care to fund new services.
• Family-centered care: Bringing caregivers into the process for better outcomes.
• Clinician support: Reducing administrative burden and creating space for meaningful care.
• Real impact: Stories of clinics embracing new models and thriving.

Resources & Links

• Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html
• Optum Care partnership: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html
• Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Episode Notes

Title: Meeting Patients Where They Are: Addiction, Obesity & Value-Based Care
Guest: Lea Witt, DNP, FNP
Duration: ~24 minutes
Theme: Empowering clinicians to address addiction and obesity through education, trust, and value-based care.

Episode Overview:
Lea discusses her personal and professional journey, the importance of clinician education, and how Optum’s model supports proactive care. She shares powerful patient stories that illustrate the ripple effect of early intervention and preventative care.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• 00:00 – 00:01:42 | Lea’s background and transition to Optum
• 00:02:15 – 00:03:07 | Why addiction care became her passion
• 00:03:27 – 00:04:02 | Clinician comfort level as a barrier
• 00:04:10 – 00:05:49 | Patient story: Overcoming medication dependence
• 00:06:05 – 00:07:44 | Building trust through value-based care
• 00:07:59 – 00:09:24 | Signs of addiction across age groups
• 00:09:44 – 00:10:59 | Patient story: Gradual medication tapering
• 00:11:06 – 00:11:57 | Optum resources: APC fellowship & education
• 00:12:08 – 00:13:56 | Preventative care as a gateway to addiction screening
• 00:14:13 – 00:16:26 | Patient story: Bariatric surgery success
• 00:17:15 – 00:17:37 | Collaborative care model for better outcomes
• 00:17:46 – 00:19:35 | Clinician well-being and community support
• 00:21:05 – 00:21:57 | Advice for clinicians entering addiction/obesity care
• 00:22:04 – 00:23:15 | Why Optum is uniquely positioned to transform care

Episode Highlights

• Education matters: Clinician confidence is key to addressing addiction in primary care.
• Trust first: Value-based care creates space for meaningful conversations.
• Early intervention saves lives: Preventative visits often uncover hidden risks.
• Real impact: Stories of patients who overcame addiction and obesity through proactive care.
• Support for clinicians: Optum provides resources, training, and community to combat burnout and improve outcomes.

Resources & Links

• Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23
• Optum Care partnership website: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html
• Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Episode title: The Road to Wellness: Reimagining rural health

Guest: Dr. Jaren Trost
Duration: ~27 minutes
Theme: Purpose-driven care, clinician well-being, and the power of value-based care in underserved communities.

Episode overview

This episode dives deep into Dr. Trost’s journey from burnout to purpose, highlighting how Optum’s value-based care model empowered him to deliver meaningful care to rural and underserved populations. Through personal stories, he illustrates how data, leadership support, and infrastructure can transform clinician experience and patient outcomes.

Key topics & timestamps

00:00–00:45

Introduction to Clinician Real Talk

• Purpose of the show: authentic conversations with frontline clinicians
• Focus on clarity, honesty, and real-world insights

00:45–02:04

Dr. Trost’s early career & burnout

• Post-fellowship burnout
• Optum’s promise of fewer patients and more time per visit
• Initial signs of recovery and support

02:04–03:01

Leadership support & growth opportunities

• Home visits and leadership buy-in
• Sequoia Fellowship and Partnership Forums
• “Happy doctor = happy patient” philosophy

03:01–05:18

Driving across New Mexico to reach patients

• Using claims data to identify high-risk patients
• Personal outreach and emotional home visits
• Rediscovering purpose through direct patient care

05:18–07:28

Value-based care as a sustainable mission

• Giving voice to voiceless patients
• Emotional impact of follow-ups and personal calls
• Expansion of the program with nurse practitioners and mobile vans

07:28–09:39

Solving local problems with national resources

• Medicaid-heavy population in New Mexico
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
• Opening new clinics in underserved areas

09:39–11:06

Balancing autonomy & infrastructure for contracted clinicians

• Tailored support for IPA clinics
• Operational best practices from employed models
• Empowering clinicians to spend more time with patients

11:06–13:12

Tools that simplify practice

• AI scribes to reduce documentation burden
• Annual wellness visits and extended patient time
• Right patient, right time, right setting model

13:12–15:29

Streamlining workflow & emotional impact

• Data-driven outreach
• Emotional rewards of home visits
• The power of a hug and human connection

15:29–18:05

Connecting patients to resources

• Optum’s infrastructure: social workers, case managers
• Follow-up calls and warm handoffs
• Building trust and continuity of care

18:05–21:03

Encouraging clinicians to join VBC

• Invitation to shadow Dr. Trost
• Leadership support and culture of listening
• Grove and Sequoia leadership programs

21:03–26:36

Personal growth & patient story

• A moving story of a patient needing food, not just medical care
• Team response and emotional impact
• Realization of purpose and commitment to Optum

26:36–27:37

Closing thoughts & call to action

• Treating underserved patients with dignity
• Encouragement to take the readiness quiz
• Subscribe for more real clinician stories

Episode highlights

• Emotional storytelling: Dr. Trost’s visit to a patient who simply needed food underscores the human side of care.
• Leadership development: Grove and Sequoia programs nurture clinicians into impactful leaders.
• Infrastructure meets autonomy: Optum supports IPA clinics without overriding their independence.
• Tech-enabled care: AI scribes and data analytics streamline workflows and improve care delivery.

Resources & Links

• Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23
• Optum Care partnership website: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html
• Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html