The Missing Piece with April Reed

Healthcare is one of the few areas of modern life where we still accept a reactive model as normal. We push through fatigue, ignore subtle symptoms, and wait until something breaks.

In this episode of The Missing Piece Podcast, April Reed sits down with Dr. David Saintsing, emergency medicine physician, entrepreneur, and CEO of Ikigai Health Institute, to explore what modern medicine can—and should—look like.

After more than 25 years on the front lines of emergency care, Dr. Saintsing recognized a troubling reality: heart attacks, strokes, and chronic diseases rarely happen suddenly. They develop quietly over decades. The challenge isn't a lack of caring physicians—it's a healthcare system designed to treat illness rather than detect risk early and prevent disease before it begins.

In this conversation, Dr. Saintsing discusses:

• Why reactive "sick care" often misses the risks that matter most
• The genetic and metabolic blind spots traditional checkups can overlook
• What longevity medicine looks like in practice
• How Ikigai serves as a clinical framework, not just a philosophy
• The growing role of AI and wearable technology in proactive health
• The leadership challenge of balancing control and trust while building a company

Dr. Saintsing also shares his personal wake-up call as both physician and patient, and explains why extending health span—not just lifespan—is becoming increasingly important for leaders, clinicians, and individuals alike.

This episode is for healthcare professionals, founders, executives, and anyone who has ever been told, "You're fine," while knowing something felt off.

Because the future of medicine isn't just about living longer. It's about living well—with intention.

Connect with Dr. Saintsing:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-saintsing-md/

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Sponsored by EHR Concepts and Learnista.

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#Longevity #PreventiveMedicine #HealthcareLeadership #ExecutiveHealth #Ikigai #AIinHealthcare #Wearables #ChronicDisease #FutureOfMedicine #TheMissingPiecePodcast #HealthSpan #ProactiveHealth #Entrepreneurship #PhysicianLeadership #Wellness

In this episode of The Missing Piece Podcast, April Reed sits down with Dr. Amy Neal, Associate Medical Director at Capital Health Plan, board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and a physician leader deeply committed to changing healthcare from the inside out. 

Together, April and Dr. Neal explore: 

• How food access, cost, and education shape health outcomes 

• What physicians must unlearn about obesity and prevention 

• How AI is already improving documentation, access, and care coordination 

• What it means to truly partner with patients over time 

• How community transforms behavior change 

• The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

Subscribe for more conversations uncovering what healthcare is missing and how to fix it. 

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#TheMissingPiecePodcast #DrAmyNeal #ReimaginingHealth #PreventiveCare #HealthcareReimagined #PhysicianLeadership #PatientEmpowerment #Wellness2026 #CommunityHealth

Artificial intelligence has been in healthcare longer than most people realize — but only now are we seeing its true potential.

In this episode of The Missing Piece Podcast, host April Reed sits down with Nick Yaitsky, Chief AI Officer and a leading voice in healthcare digital transformation, to unpack what it really takes to turn AI ambition into measurable impact.

Together, they explore:

-Why AI is a productivity tool — not a replacement for clinicians

-The biggest mistakes healthcare organizations make when adopting AI -How to automate “digital paper” workflows that drain time and energy

-Where healthcare leaders can find the fastest, lowest-risk AI wins

-The future of transparent, ambient, and predictive healthcare technology

-How trust — not technology — determines AI adoption

Connect with Nick:

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

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Learnista - ⁠https://learnista.com⁠

#HealthcareAI #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare #PhysicianBurnout #HealthTech #HealthcareLeadership #Interoperability #PatientCare #FutureOfHealthcare

In this episode of The Missing Piece, host April Reed sits down with transformational leader George Adair — Enterprise Strategist, Founder of Keystone Technology Partners, and a visionary in healthcare IT, AI adoption, and digital transformation. 

With nearly two decades of experience modernizing infrastructures, leading high-performing teams, and delivering millions in organizational value, George reveals the missing pieces that hold healthcare organizations back — and how to fix them. 

Together, we dive into: 
-The REAL reasons healthcare systems struggle with technology and adoption 
-How standardized workflows can unlock massive efficiency and reduce burnout 
-The truth about AI in healthcare: opportunity, risk, and what leaders must do now 
-Why training is one of the most overlooked strategic levers in organizational success 
-The rise of the vCIO / Field CTO and why outside counsel is becoming essential 
-How leaders and students can stay relevant in the AI era by being curious and courageous. 

Whether you're a healthcare executive, IT leader, clinician, or rising professional, this episode will help you rethink the future of healthcare, leadership, and innovation. 

 Key Takeaways 
• Standardization isn’t optional — it’s the foundation for scalable growth 
• AI is not just hype; it's the next major revolution in operational efficiency 
• Training is the missing link between technology potential and actual outcomes 
• Every organization needs governance, guardrails, and a strategic AI roadmap 
• Being curious and courageous is the fastest way to thrive in a changing world 
• Leaders cannot do it alone — external perspective is becoming a strategic necessity 

Connect with George LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-adair-mba-3478549/

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Learnista - https://learnista.com

If this conversation inspired you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone in healthcare or technology who needs to hear it.

#TheMissingPiecePodcast #HealthcareIT #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #HealthcareLeadership #HealthcareTraining #EMR #EHR #FutureOfHealthcare #HospitalTechnology #LeadershipPodcast #TechInHealthcare #ClinicalWorkflows #HealthcareTransformation

The future of emergency medicine is being rewritten — and Dr. Lisa Birdsall-Fort is one of the leaders driving it.

In this episode of The Missing Peace Podcast, April sits down with Dr. Lisa Fort — Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer, System Chief Officer over Ochsner’s Virtual Care Center, Senior Emergency Medicine Physician, and leader in digital innovation.

From Hurricane Katrina to AI-powered virtual care, her story reveals where healthcare is headed next. You’ll learn:

-Her powerful origin story from small-town Louisiana to emergency medicine

-How Hurricane Katrina shaped her mission and passion for patient care

-Why AI is restoring trust between clinicians and technology

-What virtual nursing, virtual EDs, and ambient intelligence mean for patient care

-How EHRs and informatics transformed healthcare — and what comes next

-The real impact AI will have on care delivery in the next 12 months

-How she leads technology adoption, training, and quality improvement across teams

-The biggest problems in healthcare she’s solving next

Whether you're a healthcare leader, clinician, technologist, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the transformations happening right now.

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#emergencymedicine #HealthcareInnovation #VirtualCare #DigitalHealth #ClinicalInformatics #ArtificialIntelligence #EHR #OchsnerHealth #FutureOfHealthcare #HealthcareLeadership

In this episode, Mark Molnar shares his personal journey from banking and corporate leadership into the senior care world, revealing how a family crisis transformed his purpose — and how Senior Care Authority became a trusted guide for families navigating one of life's most emotional decisions. 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a healthcare professional, or someone supporting aging parents, this episode offers clarity, direction, and insight into one of the fastest-growing industries of 2025. 

🎙️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• How Mark transitioned from investment banking into senior care 

• Why the demand for senior care is exploding in 2025 and beyond 

• The role Senior Care Authority plays as a “quarterback” for families 

• Why emotional intelligence matters more than certifications 

• How to build a successful senior care franchise 

• The real impact of AI in caregiving (and what it can’t replace) 

• The biggest challenges facing families and caregivers today 

• Mark’s leadership lessons and advice for future senior care entrepreneurs 

💡 "You can’t replace real people making a real impact." 

📍 Chapters 

00:00 — Introduction to Senior Care with Mark Molnar  01:13 — Mark’s Journey and His Father’s Story  06:33 — Understanding Senior Care Authority  09:30 — Why Senior Care Demand Is Rising  12:22 — Training & Empowering Franchisees  16:47 — Challenges in Today’s Senior Care Landscape  21:55 — The Role of AI in Caregiving  26:32 — Future Vision of Senior Care Authority  28:27 — Operational Excellence in Franchising  33:25 — Final Thoughts & Leadership Insights 

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EHR Concepts – ⁠https://ehrconcepts.com⁠

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#TheMissingPiecePodcast #MarkMolnar #AprilReed #SeniorCareAuthority #SeniorCare #CaregivingSupport #HealthcareLeadership #FranchisingBusiness #AgingParents #DigitalTransformation #AIinHealthcare #SeniorLiving #HealthcareInnovation #CaregivingJourney #SeniorCareIndustry

In this episode, Shane Pilcher shares his unique journey from clinical care to becoming an Administrative Director, Chief Information Officer and Information Security Officer at Siskin Hospital, revealing how relationships, culture, and innovation shape successful healthcare IT.

Whether you’re a healthcare leader, a tech professional, or someone curious about the future of digital transformation, this episode is packed with insight, clarity, and direction.

🎙️What You’ll Learn in this episode:

-How Shane transitioned from clinical care into healthcare IT leadership

-Why relationships are the foundation of successful digital transformation

-How to turn IT from a “department of no” into a strategic partner

-The mindset needed to build a culture of learning and adaptability

-What it means to balance innovation with day-to-day operational excellence

-How AI is reshaping the future of healthcare IT

-Today’s biggest cybersecurity challenges

-Shane’s personal leadership lessons and advice for future leaders

💡 "Learning is a constant evolution."

📍Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Shane Pilcher's Journey

02:51 – The Importance of Relationships in Healthcare IT

05:17 – Transforming IT from a Department of No to a Team Player

07:48 – Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Adaptation

10:15 – Balancing Innovation and Operational Excellence

12:58 – Celebrating Patient Success and Impactful Leadership

15:18 – The Future of Healthcare IT and AI

18:08 – Cybersecurity Challenges in Rapidly Evolving Technology

20:26 – Personal Growth and Leadership Development

23:01 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Leaders

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#TheMissingPiecePodcast #ShanePilcher #AprilReed #HealthcareLeadershipStories #PurposeDrivenLeadership #HealthcareIT #DigitalTransformation #HealthTech #HospitalLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #CybersecurityInHealthcare #AIFuture #HealthcareAI #CIOLeadership

In this episode of The Missing Piece Podcast, April Reed sits down with Wayne Gillis to explore the future of healthcare through the lens of AI, leadership, and mentorship. Wayne shares how technology and human connection work hand in hand to drive meaningful change.

🎙️ What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How AI is reshaping podcasting and healthcare operations

- Why mentorship is key to leadership growth

- The importance of training and communication in successful transformation

- How understanding the “why” behind processes can boost engagement and compliance

- What healthcare leaders should focus on to prepare for the future of healthcare

💡 “Transforming healthcare requires more than technology—it requires people who care.”

📍 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Podcasting

03:01 The Missing Piece Podcast Concept

05:53 Wayne Gillis: A Journey in Healthcare

08:57 Leadership and Mentorship in Healthcare

11:49 Transforming Healthcare Organizations

14:51 The Role of Training in Healthcare

18:02 The Future of Healthcare and AI

20:53 Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Leaders

🔗 Follow the conversation: Subscribe for weekly episodes: ⁠https://hubs.li/Q03RJW4g0⁠

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EHR Concepts - ⁠https://ehrconcepts.com⁠

Learnista - ⁠https://learnista.com⁠

#HealthcareLeadership #AIPodcast #TheMissingPiece #EHRConcepts #FutureOfHealthcare #TrainingAndDevelopment #Mentorship #HealthcareTransformation #WayneGillis #AprilReed

Dr. Laurel Soot spent 16 years as a general surgeon before becoming Chief Medical Officer at Providence Health Plan, and throughout that entire journey, one question kept following her: why are patients still arriving in crisis for conditions the healthcare system could have caught years earlier?

In this episode of The Missing Piece, Dr. Soot shares the pivotal patient stories that changed the way she viewed medicine, the systemic failures driving preventable disease, and why healthcare must shift from reacting to illness to truly investing in prevention.

From the realities of AI in clinical settings to the financial incentives shaping modern healthcare, this conversation challenges the status quo while offering a clear vision for where the industry needs to go next.

Key Topics:
• Dr. Soot’s transition from surgeon to Chief Medical Officer — and the moment she realized she wanted to influence healthcare beyond the operating room
• Two patients in their 40s with preventable advanced cancers, and what their stories reveal about gaps in the system
• Where AI can genuinely improve care and why physician oversight remains critical
• The fee-for-service problem and how current healthcare incentives discourage prevention
• Why physicians are uniquely equipped for leadership roles within healthcare organizations

If you’re a clinician, healthcare executive, innovator, or simply someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow the conversation:

Subscribe for weekly episodes: https://hubs.li/Q03RJW4g0

Follow April on LinkedIn: / april-reed-82259711

Sponsored by EHR Concepts - https://ehrconcepts.com

Learnista - https://learnista.com

Read more insights on The Missing Piece Blog for more conversations shaping the future of healthcare: https://podcast.ehrconcepts.com/

Jane Garcia spent 43 years transforming La Clinica de la Raza from a small grassroots clinic into one of the nation’s leading community health organizations — proving that healthcare is about far more than medicine. It’s about trust, access, and community.

In this episode, the longtime CEO shares how growing up without health insurance shaped her mission, why community health workers became critical during COVID-19, and how healthcare organizations can embrace AI without losing the human connection at the center of care.

From health equity and leadership to EHR transformation and universal healthcare access, this conversation explores some of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — shaping community healthcare today, including:

• Community healthcare leadership and health equity
• How trust lowered COVID-19 death rates
• AI adoption in healthcare and protecting community impact
• The evolution of EHRs and care coordination
• Why “health for all” remains the missing piece

Read the blog for more insights from Jane Garcia’s 43-year leadership journey: https://podcast.ehrconcepts.com/blog

If you believe healthcare should be a right — not a privilege — share this episode and subscribe for more conversations on the future of healthcare, leadership, and innovation.

Follow the conversation:

Subscribe for weekly episodes: ⁠https://hubs.li/Q03RJW4g0 ⁠

Follow April on LinkedIn:   / april-reed-82259711  

Sponsored by EHR Concepts - ⁠https://ehrconcepts.com⁠

Learnista - ⁠https://learnista.com