PAMED Talks

Independent practice in Pennsylvania is under pressure, and Pennsylvania physicians are building something new to fight back. In this episode of PAMED Talks, PAMED President Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO sits down with PAMED's Director of Physician Services Amy Boyd, BSBA, CCMA to introduce two resources launching for independent practice physicians across Pennsylvania.

They walk through two major initiatives: Independent Docs PA, a brand new statewide directory that helps patients and referring physicians find independent practices across Pennsylvania, and the first ever Independent Practice Summit, a full day event scheduled for June 19th in Harrisburg focused entirely on giving independent physicians the tools, connections, and business models they need to thrive.

Independent physicians have long faced the challenge of competing with large hospital systems without the referral networks, marketing budgets, or administrative support that comes with corporate medicine. This episode makes the case that independent practice is worth preserving and shows exactly what PAMED is doing about it.

If you are an independent physician, a patient who values community based care, or just someone who cares about what medicine is becoming, this episode is for you.

Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO is the 176th President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and has nearly 27 years of experience in independent practice. Amy Boyd is PAMED's Director of Physician Services.

For updates on the directory and summit registration: pamedsoc.org/Cavale

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

What does residency actually look like from the inside? In the debut episode of our Residents & Fellows series, PAMED's Outreach Specialist Dana Lombardo sits down with Joshua Wyner, MD, internal medicine PGY-2 at Allegheny Health Network and Chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Residents & Fellows Section, for a candid conversation about life in training.

Dr. Wyner opens up about the defining moment that pushed him to pursue medicine, the unexpected emotional weight of being a young doctor giving life-altering advice, navigating burnout and physician wellness, and why he believes residents and fellows have more power than they think when it comes to healthcare advocacy. 

Whether you're a medical student mapping your path, a resident in the thick of it, or an attending who remembers those years vividly, this one's for you.

 📌 Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

To learn more about PAMED's Resident & Fellows Section and register for the monthly section meeting, visit pamedsoc.org/RFS.

The deadline to apply for the Resident & Fellows Section Trustee and Tentative AMA RFS Slotted Alternate Delegate positions is April 10, 2026! Visit pamedsoc.org/RFS to learn more. The election for both positions will take place at the RFS meeting on April 15, 2026.

Resident & Fellows Section, Early Career Physician Section, and Medical Students Section members: Don't forget to register for the May Quarterly Combined Meeting on May 26, 2026, which will feature an advocacy presentation from PAMED Past President and AMA Board of Trustees member Marilyn Heine, MD! Register now: pamedsoc.org/RFS.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us for a conversation with Edwin Kim, MD, medical director of Pennsylvania’s Physicians’ Health Program (PA PHP), as we explore how The Pitt portrays physician burnout, substance use disorder, and the critical work of the PHP in its Season 2 storyline. Through Dr. Frank Langdon’s monitored return to practice and Dr. Robby’s lingering COVID‑era PTSD and burnout, the show illuminates real challenges facing Pennsylvania’s health care workforce. We reflect on why taking a timely look at these issues is essential to advancing the PHP's mission to support safe practice and protect the public.

 To learn more about the mission and work of the PA PHP, visit https://wwfoundationpamp.org/php.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

In the first episode of PAMED Talks: The Legislative Corner, we sit down with Zachary Gates, PAMED's Senior Director of Government Relations, to break down the AMA National Advocacy Conference (NAC) and why physician advocacy has never been more important. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or a physician who's never contacted a legislator, this episode breaks down exactly how you can get involved and make your voice heard in healthcare policy.   

Pennsylvania physicians are heading to the Capitol—and you can too. Save the Date for Advocacy Day 2026 on Tuesday, September 29 in Harrisburg, PA: https://www.pamedsoc.org/news-resources/pamed-events/events/2026/09/29/default-calendar/2026-pamed-legislative-advocacy-day.

This will be an opportunity for physicians, residents, and medical students to engage directly with state lawmakers on issues impacting the practice of medicine and patient care.

📲 Stay updated on Advocacy Day registration and legislative priorities at pamedsoc.org/advocacy.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

In the final episode of The Physician's Choice series, Immediate Past President Lynn Lucas-Fehm, MD, JD, sits down with President Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO, to explore how his presidential initiative will continue the momentum of her work, focusing on advancing physician autonomy and creating conditions in which doctors can make patient-centered decisions in any practice setting.

Dr. Cavale shares insights on the challenges and rewards of independent practice, the impact of business models on patient care, and how engaging and mentoring the next generation of physicians can help build a more sustainable, high-quality healthcare system in Pennsylvania.

To learn more about Dr. Cavale and his presidential initiative, "Advancing Patient Care by Strengthening Physician Autonomy," visit www.pamedsoc.org/Cavale.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us as we sit down with Chaminie Wheeler, DO, a board-certified pediatrician, to explore the direct primary care (DPC) model and her patient-centered practice. 

Dr. Wheeler shares how her membership-based model gives patients affordable, unlimited access to care while allowing physicians the time and autonomy to focus on meaningful relationships, personalized treatment, and better health outcomes. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities of starting a DPC practice, the potential for transforming primary care, and practical advice for physicians interested in pursuing this innovative approach to healthcare.

Listen and watch the full interview at www.pamedsoc.org/PhysiciansChoice.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us as we sit down with Lindsay Goodstein, MD, an otolaryngologist and co-founder of Clarity ENT, an independent practice in Montgomery County, PA.

Dr. Goodstein shares her journey from a larger group practice to building a patient-centered clinic that emphasizes autonomy, individualized care, and strong physician-patient relationships. She discusses the challenges of starting a practice from scratch, lessons learned along the way, and the value of designing a model of care that puts patients first.

Listen and watch the full interview at www.pamedsoc.org/PhysiciansChoice.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us as we sit down with Robert McNamara, MD, FAAEM, Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, to examine the growing influence of private equity in emergency medicine. 

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience advocating for independent physician practices, Dr. McNamara discusses the history of corporate involvement in hospitals and physician groups, its effects on physician burnout and patient care, and the grassroots efforts by doctors to reclaim autonomy and safeguard quality care.

Listen and watch the full interview at www.pamedsoc.org/PhysiciansChoice.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us as we talk with Dr. Marilyn Heine, an emergency medicine and hematology-oncology physician, PAMED Past President, and AMA Board of Trustees Member. Through an experienced lens, Dr. Heine connects the gripping stories and striking realism of the Emmy award-winning HBO Max series The Pitt to the real-life challenges, teamwork, and emotional toll experienced by emergency physicians.

In this episode, we explore the authenticity of medical storytelling, highlights from the American College of Emergency Physicians conference, and how shows like The Pitt inspire change, shape public perception, and advocate for physician wellness and healthcare policy.

To find more about The Foundation’s mission, visit https://www.foundationpamedsoc.org.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more. 

Join us as we talk with Edwin Kim, MD, Medical Director for the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Peer Assistance Monitoring Program, about the unique mental health and addiction challenges physicians face and how these challenges are represented in media. This episode also talks about Dr. Kim’s experience consulting with the writers of HBO Max’s The Pitt.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of physician health programs in today’s medical landscape and how shows like The Pitt influence public perception on this issue.

To find more about The Foundation’s mission, visit https://www.foundationpamedsoc.org.

Visit www.pamedsoc.org for more.