In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Larissa Assam, a board-certified family medicine physician and the founder of RopheMD. Most doctors wait years to open a private practice, but Dr. Assam took the leap straight out of residency—debt-free and with almost no savings. She shares her incredible origin story, from witnessing a medical miracle in her childhood to building an agile, root-cause, and faith-driven virtual clinic.

Key Takeaways:

• A Lean Startup Approach: Dr. Assam explains how she built a debt-free practice immediately after residency by staying agile, utilizing virtual tools, and avoiding massive overhead costs like expensive office leases.
• The Patient's Honest Feedback: When patients bluntly told her they wouldn't take the blood pressure medications she prescribed in residency, it forced her to rethink conventional medicine and develop lifestyle-based root-cause protocols.
• Faith-Driven Healthcare: At RopheMD, faith is a central component. Dr. Assam incorporates dedicated intercessory prayer into her daily routine to spiritually support her patients' healing journeys behind the scenes.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://rophe.carrd.co

LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/larissa-assam-md-mph-97295640

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rophe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlarissa.md

Instagram (RopheMD): www.instagram.com/rophemd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_HODIjv1zZ8GESOBJ2lRig

YouTube (Rophe Collective): https://youtube.com/@therophecollective?si=RUGvyS5C1nR2DKwM

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

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In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Erik Lundquist, former Navy battalion surgeon and founder of the Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine. After growing disillusioned with the conventional medical model of simply masking symptoms with prescriptions, Dr. Lundquist shifted his focus to root-cause healing and comprehensive lifestyle medicine. He explains why true health is a measure of function rather than just the absence of disease, and how his clinics blend targeted nutritional therapies, advanced biomarker testing, and patient education to restore vitality from the inside out.

Key Takeaways:

• The Turning Point: Dr. Lundquist shares his frustration in conventional family practice, realizing he was forced to prescribe insulin to diabetic patients rather than having the time to address their lifestyle, which ultimately drove him to open his own integrative clinic.
• Function Over Disease: Health is not simply the absence of disease; it is the true measure of how well you function and your ability to do all the things you want to do in life.
• Reversing Hashimoto's: By focusing on the five pillars of health—physical activity, nutrition, stress management, environment, and relationships—Dr. Lundquist helped a fatigued ultramarathon runner reverse her autoimmune thyroid condition and regain her life in just a few months.
• Accessible Integrative Care: Unlike many cash-only functional clinics, Dr. Lundquist's primary clinic still accepts insurance to cast a wider net and help patients proactively treat conditions before they become desperate.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://www.tcimedicine.com/

Website: https://www.abundanth.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-lundquist-09a0496/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tcimedicine/

Podcast: https://trcbom.transistor.fm/

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

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Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

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In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Laura Fralich, a board-certified sports medicine and family medicine physician, and founder of Northwest Sports and Exercise Medicine in Spokane, Washington. With a background as a collegiate athlete, high school teacher, and hotshot wildland firefighter, Dr. Fralich brings a unique perspective to patient care.

Key Takeaways:

• Filling the Musculoskeletal Gap: Ninety percent of musculoskeletal injuries don't require surgery. Dr. Fralich explains how sports medicine physicians fill the gap between primary care and orthopedic surgery, offering specialized, non-operative treatments to keep patients active.
• Direct Specialty Care Explained: By dropping insurance contracts, Dr. Fralich's direct specialty care model eliminates hidden fees and allows her to spend an hour or more with patients. This value-driven approach restores the doctor-patient relationship and drastically improves access to care.
• Ultrasound-Guided Solutions: Using advanced point-of-care ultrasound, Dr. Fralich accurately diagnoses issues like rotator cuff tears or tendinopathy at a fraction of the cost of an MRI. This technology also enables minimally invasive procedures, like a carpal tunnel release that gets patients back to work in just three days without stitches.

Connect with our Guest

🌐 Website: www.nwsemedicine.com

🔗 LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-fralich-md-faafp-caqsm-49655a175/

🔗 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576734521369

🔗 Instagram: instagram.com/laura.fralichmd

📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@NWSEMedicine

🎙️ What's Right With Healthcare Podcast: Click Here

🎙️ To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

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🌐 Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

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In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Leah Houston, an emergency physician who practiced across the US for ten years before founding Evercred. After navigating the broken credentialing system across 11 different health systems, Dr. Houston realized that inefficient administrative processes were delaying patient care and extracting value from suffering patients.

Key Takeaways:

• The Cost of Inefficiency: Traditional medical credentialing requires manual verification that takes four to six months to complete. This friction costs hospitals an average of 1.2 million dollars per credentialing event and leads to dangerous delays in patient care.
• A Catalyst for Change: Dr. Houston was inspired to solve this problem after discovering a former hospital employer was committing Medicare and Medicaid fraud by continuing to bill under her credentials after she had left the state.
• Own Your Data: Currently, physicians must repetitively submit their credentials to different siloed software systems every time they change jobs or undergo regulatory compliance checks. Evercred provides a free digital wallet where doctors can upload and permanently own their perpetually verifiable data.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://www.evercred.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahhoustonmd/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myevercred

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/myevercred

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myevercred/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leahhoustonmd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/evercred

X/Twitter: https://x.com/evercred

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

Connect with us:

Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grro-solutions

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primehealthpodcast

In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Emily Roedersheimer, a former family practice physician and the founder of Balanced Living Functional Medicine. After suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since age 10 and relying on strong immunosuppressants for most of her adult life, Dr. Emily discovered functional medicine, became her own first patient, and completely reversed her condition. She discusses how treating the root cause through lifestyle changes, rather than masking symptoms with medications, can unlock the body's innate ability to heal.

Key Takeaways:

• The Body Wants to Heal: Your body is incredibly powerful and constantly trying to take care of you. If you provide it with the proper environment and remove stressors, it will naturally begin the healing process.
• Reversing Chronic Illness: By simply shifting her diet and managing her stress, Dr. Emily was able to stop taking one of her major medications within just 30 days, eventually living completely medication-free.
• Escaping the Bottleneck: Recognizing she could only help so many people one-on-one, Dr. Emily expanded her practice to include dedicated health coaches who guide patients through essential lifestyle modifications.
• Massive Symptom Reduction: Through her three-month Health Begins Here program, clients experience an average 63 percent reduction in symptoms using only basic, day-to-day lifestyle habits, before ever needing complex lab tests.
• The Compounding Effect of Health: You do not need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Making one tiny, positive choice each day compounds over time, exactly like financial interest, leading to massive long-term wellness.

Connect with our Guest

Website: www.balancedlivingfm.com

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-roedersheimer/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dremilyroedersheimer

Instagram: @balancedlivingfxmed

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

Connect with us:

Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grro-solutions

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrimeHealthPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primehealthpodcast

In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Rebecca Cramer, CEO of Med Spa Communications. Rebecca shares how her highly trained team helps medical spas and aesthetic practices stop losing revenue by instantly responding to patient inquiries and converting leads into booked appointments.

Key Takeaways:

• The Amazon Expectation: Patients today expect immediate responses. If a practice doesn't answer a call or message right away, the lead will simply move on, expecting instant gratification.
• Prioritize the Patient in Front of You: A busy front desk staff should prioritize the patients standing right in front of them with money in hand, rather than placing them on hold to answer ringing phones.
• The Double-Dial Strategy: Calling a lead immediately and double-dialing bypasses smartphone security features and signals urgency, drastically increasing the chances that the lead will answer the phone.
• The Agreement Drill: In sales conversations, using negative words like "no" or "but" creates friction. Training staff to use agreement phrases keeps the conversation positive and open.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://medspacommunications.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cramersays/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-communications

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/medspacommunications

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebeccaCramer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cramersays/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cramersays

Other Links: https://go.medspacommunications.com/skool

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

Connect with us:

Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primehealthpodcast

In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Rena Vanzo, a genetic counselor and founder of The Boob Bus. After realizing her home state of Utah had some of the lowest mammogram rates in the country, Rena launched the nation's only mobile mammogram clinic offering integrated genetic testing and dense breast ultrasounds. She discusses how bringing breast health screenings directly to community centers and workplaces removes the friction and fear from the process.

Key Takeaways:

• Removing the Friction: Traditional mammograms involve navigating hospital parking lots, construction, and cold waiting rooms. The Boob Bus changes the experience by allowing women to walk in from a parking lot and be done in 20 minutes, complete with a warm pink fluffy robe instead of a paper gown.
• The Fear of Finding Out: Many women skip their annual exams not because of the physical compression, but because they are afraid of the results. Rena emphasizes that early detection is not a death sentence; catching an issue before physical symptoms appear is when treatment is most successful.
• Know Your Family History: Since breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, understanding your genetic background is vital. Advanced genetic screens can help determine if you are at high risk and should begin clinical breast exams or screenings earlier than age 40.
• A Life-Saving 15 Minutes: Rena shares a powerful story of a busy single mom who hadn't had a mammogram in five years. She walked onto the bus during a local health fair, leading to an early-stage diagnosis and life-saving surgery just three weeks later.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://www.theboobbus.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rena-vanzo-18856484/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-boob-bus/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095295685764

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboobbus1/

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

Connect with us:

Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grro-solutions

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrimeHealthPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primehealthpodcast

In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Julia Holden, a functional medicine-certified health coach and personal trainer, and founder of Holden Lifestyle Health. After leaving a decade-long career in corporate healthcare marketing, Julia transitioned to functional medicine health coaching to help people achieve optimal health without feeling forced into restrictive diets or workout routines. She discusses the importance of building healthy habits around positive associations, the foundational pillars of lifestyle modification, and how combining functional coaching with personal training yields the best results.

Key Takeaways:

• Ditching the Forced Fitness Mindset: Going to the gym just to look good for a vacation isn't sustainable. Julia helps clients build healthy habits by focusing on activities they genuinely enjoy and feel good about doing consistently.
• The Functional Foundation: Before exploring complex medical interventions, it is crucial to optimize modifiable lifestyle factors—sleep, nutrition, movement, stress reduction, and social connection.
• Coaching Meets Personal Training: Knowing what to do is only half the battle. Julia recently added personal training to her services to provide safe, targeted workout programming that supports her clients' specific functional health goals.
• Empowering the Client: A great health coach listens more than they speak. By getting to know her clients' unique stories and letting them guide the conversation, Julia empowers them to take ownership of their health journey.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://www.holdenlifestylehealth.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-holden-3991703b/

LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/company/holden-lifestyle-health

Instagram: @holdenlifestylehealth

TikTok: @holdenlifestylehealth

Other Links: https://www.holdenlifestylehealth.com/sedentary-lifestyle-survey

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

Connect with us:

Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektbaron/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grro-solutions

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primehealthpodcast

In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Dr. Cheryl Mitchell, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Inspiration Physical Therapy and Consulting. After suffering a severe workplace concussion that left her with debilitating symptoms for five years due to poor medical advice, Dr. Mitchell dedicated her career to specializing in complex conditions. She discusses her holistic approach to treating post-concussion syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), explaining how specialized physical therapy can relieve chronic pain and restore function when traditional medicine falls short.

Key Takeaways:

• Surviving vs. Thriving: If you are still suffering from post-concussion syndrome months or years later, there is still hope. A specialized physical therapist can treat the lingering cognitive, vestibular, and physical impairments.
• Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: EDS is a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects collagen production, leading to hypermobility, joint dislocations, and often POTS. Dr. Mitchell emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis and kinetic chain treatment.
• The Whole Kinetic Chain: Treating a single point of pain rarely works long-term. Dr. Mitchell treats the entire body, analyzing movement patterns, compensations, and daily ergonomics to ensure lasting pain relief.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://inspirationptc.com/

LinkedIn Profile: Click Here

LinkedIn Page: Click Here

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/InspirationPTC/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5ZCMfxfLu/

Guest Podcast URL: Click Here

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Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@primehealthpodcast

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In this episode of the Prime Health Podcast, Dr. Derek Baron interviews Adina Mintz, a functional medicine physician assistant and founder of New Jersey Functional Medicine. After 17 years in conventional medicine treating over 50,000 patients, Adina realized the system was relying on band-aid solutions rather than addressing the root causes of illness. She discusses her comprehensive approach to functional medicine, combining critical lifestyle adjustments with detailed functional laboratory testing.

Key Takeaways:

• Escaping Medical Gaslighting: Women are frequently told their labs are normal despite suffering from severe symptoms. Adina explains how advanced functional testing, such as hormone cycle mapping, uncovers dysfunctions like PCOS that standard blood tests miss.
• Informed Consent and Hormones: Conventional medicine often prescribes oral contraceptives for painful periods without fully explaining risks like cancer, weight gain, or loss of libido. Adina focuses on restoring natural hormonal balance using bioidentical progesterone instead.
• Strategic Supplementation: Supplements can be dangerous if taken indiscriminately. Adina uses precise saliva, blood, and urine testing to ensure her patients only take the specific nutrients their bodies actually need.
• Healing Complex Chronic Illness: Adina shares an incredible success story of a 20-year-old nursing student who reversed debilitating SIBO, POTS-like symptoms, and tick-borne disease, dropping her medical symptom score from 170 down to 15.

Connect with our Guest

Website: https://www.njfunctionalmed.com

LinkedIn Profile: http://linkedin.com/in/adina-mintz

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-jersey-functional-medicine/

Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/njfunctionalmedicine/

Guest Podcast URL: Click Here

To be a guest or suggest an episode, email: [email protected]

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Website: https://primehealthpodcast.com/

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LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grro-solutions

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