The Exam Room

What happens when digital innovation meets human-centered care?

In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with Dr. Ami Bhatt — cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology — to explore the evolving role of digital health and what it means for patients and providers alike.

Dr. Bhatt shares her journey from caring for adults with congenital heart disease to becoming an early adopter of telemedicine long before the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated virtual care. Together, they discuss how technology can bring complex care into the communities where patients live, reduce barriers to access, and empower individuals to take ownership of their health.

The conversation also dives into the concept of "prescribing time" — reframing longevity around prevention, heart health, and everyday choices that support a longer, healthier life. From wearables and remote monitoring to patient education and continuous care, this episode highlights why the future of digital health isn't separate from health care — it is health care.

If you're interested in prevention, innovation, patient agency, and the future of cardiovascular care, this episode offers thoughtful insight and practical perspective.

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Telehealth is no longer just a temporary solution—it's a permanent part of modern healthcare. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with telehealth and workflow expert Christian Milaster to explore how health centers can move beyond "bolted-on" virtual visits and build fully integrated, high-quality telehealth programs.

This wide-ranging conversation breaks down the seven core telehealth workflows—scheduling, onboarding, virtual rooming, the visit itself, follow-up, post-visit communication, and reimbursement—and explains why redesigning each one is critical for long-term success. Christian also shares real-world strategies for training clinicians, improving virtual bedside manner, increasing confidence in virtual physical exams, and creating a seamless patient experience that reduces frustration and builds trust.

You'll also hear why change management is often the biggest barrier to telehealth adoption, how leadership buy-in directly impacts success, and how telehealth plays a growing role in value-based care, chronic disease management, and access for rural and underserved populations.

Whether you're a health center leader, clinician, administrator, or care transformation professional, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you rethink telehealth as a fully integrated care delivery model—not just a pandemic workaround.

Key topics include:

• Telehealth workflow design and integration

• Clinician training and virtual exam confidence

• Patient onboarding and technology readiness

• Reimbursement challenges and value-based care

• Change management and leadership engagement

• Improving access and continuity of care through telehealth

🎧 Tune in to learn how to build telehealth programs that truly work—for both patients and providers.

In Episode 3 of our health literacy series, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary explore what it really takes for healthcare leadership to support clear communication and meaningful behavior change. Dr. O'Leary shares why health systems often struggle to prioritize health literacy, how external experts can help overcome internal barriers, and why written materials—not just verbal explanations—are critical for safety and understanding.

They discuss the realities of behavior change, the importance of starting with what patients want to do, and the need for small, achievable action steps instead of shame-based instruction. The conversation also dives into patient self-advocacy, power dynamics in the exam room, and why everyone deserves a provider they feel comfortable communicating with.

Dr. O'Leary closes with a practical, high-impact recommendation: leaders should walk their own hallways with fresh eyes and evaluate whether their signage and environment genuinely help patients navigate care.

Health literacy is not about reading level, it's about relationships, understanding, and trust. In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media, discuss how true health literacy starts with empathy and communication, not handouts or digital platforms.

Dr. O'Leary explains why health literacy is "a state, not a trait," and how every member of a healthcare team, from front desk staff to physicians, plays a role in building connection and understanding. The episode explores tools like teach-back, chunking, and intentional handoffs that help ensure patients leave every visit informed, confident, and cared for.

You'll also hear practical advice on how to make materials more meaningful, reintroduce written takeaways, and use human-centered communication to improve outcomes and trust.

Key Topics:

• Why health literacy is about relationships, not reading levels
• How technology impacts trust and patient satisfaction
• Simple interventions that make communication more effective
• The role of teach-back, chunking, and handoffs in care delivery
• Practical ways to make every visit more human-centered

In this first episode of our new series on health literacy, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor speaks with Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media. Dr. O'Leary shares her inspiring journey from social work and behavioral research to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to making healthcare communication clear and actionable.

They discuss how communication drives behavior change, what it means to build a health literate organization, and how small shifts in language can have a big impact on cost, quality, and patient trust. From personal stories to practical takeaways, this episode shines a light on the real-world importance of making information accessible—and human.

In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Andy Mayberry joins Dr. Rhiannon Winsor to discuss what it really takes to build rapport with patients. Using his signature "dinner and a show" philosophy, Dr. Mayberry explains why medicine isn't just about getting the diagnosis right — it's also about connection, empathy, and being real.

He shares stories from his 25 years in medicine, showing how humor, small talk, and remembering the little details can make all the difference in patient trust and outcomes.

If you're a provider looking to improve patient relationships, or simply curious about what makes great care great, this conversation is a must-listen.

🎙️ Topics include:

• "Dinner and a show": blending clinical skill with bedside manner

• Why small talk helps build trust

• Reading the room and meeting patients where they are

• Staying authentic and human in every interaction

In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Andy Mayberry, a longtime rural family physician with Chiricahua Community Health Centers, we explore how to close care gaps and strengthen care for high-risk patients through better data, communication, and teamwork. Dr. Mayberry explains why annual wellness visits are the foundation of preventive care and how consistent provider-patient relationships drive better outcomes. From care gap reports to risk adjustment scores, he offers a clear-eyed look at the systems behind high-quality primary care—and why every health center should prioritize care coordination and chronic care management. Listeners will also hear honest insights about provider capacity, team-based care, and the fine balance between medical work and social support.

Key Topics:

• Using data and care gaps to identify at-risk patients
• Why continuity and trust matter in primary care
• The essential role of chronic care management (CCM)
• Addressing non-medical barriers like transportation and medication access
• Building multidisciplinary teams that work at the top of their licenses

In this insightful episode, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with Dr. Andy Mayberry, a longtime family physician at Chiricahua Community Health Centers, to explore the art and science of managing high-risk patients. From chronic disease and smoking cessation to care coordination and patient follow-up, Dr. Mayberry explains how proactive communication, preventive screenings, and consistent visits can dramatically improve outcomes. He also discusses the Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score as a useful framework for identifying high-risk patients and designing visit schedules that catch problems early. Listeners will walk away with practical ideas for improving chronic care management, supporting patients with multiple conditions, and re-centering healthcare around prevention and human connection.

Key Topics:

• Defining and identifying high-risk patients using RAF scores
• The long-term impact of preventive care
• Coordinating care among specialists
• Empowering patients through follow-up and advocacy
• The role of chronic care management programs (CCM) in improving outcomes

In this powerful follow-up episode, Christian Milaster returns to discuss the Innovation Adoption Maturity Model, a systems-level approach that helps health centers understand where they are, where they're going, and how to get there. He and Dr. Winsor dive deep into what it takes to truly adopt innovation: clinician buy-in, leadership alignment, workflow redesign, and empathetic virtual care. From "webside manner" training to uncovering hidden motivators, this episode is packed with actionable insights for any organization trying to build a culture of sustainable change.

In this episode, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor is joined by Christian Milaster, founder of Ingenium Digital Health Advisors, to explore what true innovation looks like in health care; beyond buzzwords and tech trends. Christian draws on decades of experience, from Mayo Clinic to rural health centers, to explain how FQHCs can adopt digital tools and redesign workflows without overwhelming their teams. From secret shoppers to rethinking pain clinics, this episode reframes innovation as a mindset, not a luxury, for health centers that want to survive and thrive.