In this season kickoff of The MedList, we’re joined by Dr. Benjamin Schwartz—orthopedic surgeon turned physician executive and SVP at Commons Clinic—to explore what happens when specialty care is built around outcomes, not volume. We talk about the real-world shifts behind value-based care: optimizing patients before surgery, reducing complications through smarter medication strategies, and how weight loss can dramatically change joint health. Dr. Schwartz also shares how AI and simple tools like automated post-op texts can extend the doctor-patient relationship beyond the clinic—improving recovery, preventing avoidable ER visits, and bringing trust back to care.