Innovating Nephrology: Dr. Shannon Beardsley on Extending Dialysis Access Lifespan

In this episode of The Next Orbit podcast, host Ben Wade discusses the challenges and innovations in the field of nephrology, which accounts for a significant portion of Medicare spending annually. Dr. Shannon Beardsley, an interventional radiologist and innovator, shares his personal motivation and experiences in managing dialysis access. He introduces Ristra, a software product designed to map and improve the cannulation record, enhancing patient care and reducing complications. The conversation covers the barriers to innovation, the intricacies of the dialysis payment system, and potential cost savings from improved practices. Dr. Beardsley also delves into the potential impact of Ristra on patient outcomes, quality of life, and the importance of collaboration among healthcare teams in adopting new technologies.

00:00 Introduction to Dialysis Access

00:37 Welcome to the Next Orbit Podcast

01:14 The High Cost of Kidney Disease

02:47 Challenges in Nephrology Innovation

04:42 Dr. Shannon Beardsley's Journey

08:57 Innovative Solutions for Dialysis

12:15 Impact on Patient Quality of Life

20:20 Technology in Dialysis Management

22:39 Integrating New Tools into Dialysis Workflow

24:04 Challenges in Adoption Across Care Teams

25:09 Strategic Expansion and Integration

27:01 Cost Implications and Potential Savings

32:12 Government Programs and Reimbursement

35:02 Gathering Data and Partnering with Dialysis Centers

37:52 Engaging Technicians and Improving Workflow

43:43 Unexpected Benefits and Future Prospects

44:45 Conclusion and Future Invitations

In this episode of The Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade unpacks the recently announced $50 billion federal initiative aimed at rural healthcare transformation, launched alongside significant Medicaid cuts.

Joined by Dr. Vincent J. Thompson, MD, President & CEO of the Community Health Clinical Research Corporation, the conversation goes beyond headlines to examine where the money actually flows, why frontline clinics continue to struggle, and how sustainable solutions can be built inside community health centers.

Dr. Thompson shares firsthand insights into funding misalignment, the unintended consequences of policy decisions, and how integrating clinical research into primary care can unlock new revenue streams, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen rural health systems for the long term.

This episode is essential listening for healthcare leaders, policymakers, community health executives, and innovators working to close gaps in access and care.

00:00 – Why rural health funding is back in the spotlight

00:41 – Welcome to The Next Orbit Podcast

01:19 – Overview of the $50B rural health funding announcement

02:08 – Why rural health funding often fails at the ground level

03:35 – The real-world impact of Medicaid cuts on clinics

05:16 – How federal funds are distributed—and where they stall

09:03 – Preventive care vs. hospital-based care: a cost reality check

13:37 – The role of HRSA and its influence on community health centers

17:20 – What effective fund allocation should actually look like

23:03 – Innovative approaches to stabilizing rural healthcare

32:07 – Building sustainable funding pathways beyond grants

35:04 – Dr. Thompson’s journey into leadership in primary care

35:25 – The risks of over-reliance on Medicaid funding

35:52 – Using clinical research as a financial and care solution

37:37 – How policy changes ripple through health centers

38:51 – Founding the Community Health Clinical Research Corporation

39:49 – Realigning private-sector dollars for public health impact

40:21 – Addressing diversity gaps in clinical research

41:08 – Why research participation benefits health centers and patients

42:26 – Overcoming barriers to research adoption

42:57 – Training and support for health centers entering research

45:07 – Creating a national research cohort

48:00 – Sustaining community health centers through research models

51:12 – How health centers can get involved today

52:03 – Ethical, effective research practices explained

52:58 – Clearing misconceptions around clinical research

56:32 – Financial upside and long-term sustainability

01:02:37 – Call to action for community health leaders

In this episode of the Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade is again joined by clinical pharmacists Shelly Fortner and Sing Ping Chow, specialists in managing complex pain syndromes, for an in-depth discussion on opioid prescribing and patient safety in today’s healthcare landscape.

Through four real-world patient cases, the conversation explores how clinicians use Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to guide safer, more effective pain management decisions. The episode breaks down best practices around opioid prescribing, urine drug screening, and the importance of transparent, non-judgmental communication with patients.

The pharmacists also address common misconceptions surrounding opioid use in patients receiving Suboxone or methadone, offering practical guidance for managing pain across inpatient and outpatient settings. This discussion provides clinicians with actionable insights rooted in evidence, empathy, and clinical experience.

Whether you’re a pharmacist, physician, nurse, or healthcare professional navigating pain management, this episode delivers thoughtful perspectives on balancing relief, safety, and patient trust.

#PainManagement #OpioidSafety #PDMP #ClinicalPharmacy #healthcareleadership

Timestamps -

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:14 Meet the Guests: Pain Management Experts

02:35 Case Study 1: Latasha Salazar's Hip Replacement

06:09 Case Study 2: Luke Sadler's Metastatic Cancer

17:03 Case Study 3: Raven Johnson's Acute Pain

24:16 Case Study 4: Peggy Carter's Shoulder Surgery

27:35 Addressing Myths and Misconceptions

37:38 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

39:07 Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade is joined by Michael Lang, SVP of Sales & Marketing at BINGLI, along with co-host Mike Hunter, Health Tech Director at Leap Orbit. Together, they break down the realities of implementing AI in healthcare, far beyond the hype.

From large language models to deterministic AI, the discussion explores what responsible, effective, and clinically-safe AI adoption truly looks like. Michael shares real-world examples of AI improving patient intake, triage workflows, clinical documentation, RCM processes, and even mental health detection.

The episode also covers the essential guardrails required for AI in healthcare:

• Ethical use and human oversight

• Interoperability and emerging standards

• Data quality, safety, and model governance

• The difference between deterministic and non-deterministic AI

• How ambient AI can augment clinicians instead of replacing them

Whether you work in healthcare, health tech, or AI infrastructure, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at the future of AI-powered care delivery.

Timestamps -

00:00 Introduction to AI in Healthcare

00:42 Welcome to the Next Orbit Podcast

01:16 Meet the Guest: Mike Lang

02:48 The Hype and Reality of AI in Healthcare

04:33 Leveraging AI at BINGLI

07:27 Deterministic vs. Non-Deterministic AI

21:24 Real-World Applications of AI in Healthcare

25:27 AI in Revenue Cycle Management

39:12 A Personal Journey in Healthcare

44:32 Conclusion and Contact Information

#AIinHealthcare #HealthTech #MedicalAI #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalAI #FutureOfHealthcare #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthcareTechnology #HealthIT

In this episode of The Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade sits down with John Kansky, President & CEO of the Indiana Health Information Exchange and former Acting CEO of CSRI, to explore one of the most important shifts in modern healthcare: Health Data Utilities (HDUs).

This conversation breaks down:

• What HDUs are and why they are critical to the future of healthcare

Whether you're in healthcare IT, policy, data systems, or health innovation, this episode offers a rare, deep insight into how better data infrastructure can reshape healthcare delivery.

Follow for more conversations on health innovation, interoperability, and the future of healthcare infrastructure.

#HealthDataUtilities #HealthcareInteroperability #HealthIT #HealthData #PublicHealth #HealthcareInnovation #HIE #HDUs #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthInfrastructure #CSRI #NextOrbitPodcast #JohnKansky

In this powerful episode of The Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade sits down with clinical pharmacy specialists Sing Ping Chow and Shelley Fortner, two pioneers leading the charge in opioid stewardship and pain management innovation.

Together, they unpack the role of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), the challenges of integrating real-time data into clinical workflows, and the urgent need for cross-state interoperability.

Discover how their initiative, PainRX Consulting, is transforming pharmacy education and empowering clinicians to make safer, smarter prescribing decisions. From addressing load time issues to patient matching and data privacy, this conversation dives deep into the future of responsible, data-driven care.

If you care about technology, healthcare policy, or improving patient outcomes, this episode is a must-listen.

#HealthcareInnovation #PharmacyLeadership #OpioidStewardship #PainManagement #PDMP #HealthcareData #PharmacyPodcast #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #TheNextOrbitPodcast #PatientCare #HealthcareInteroperability

Welcome to The Next Orbit Podcast, where innovation meets healthcare.

In this inaugural episode, hosts Ben Wade and Mike Hunter, joined by producer Nick, introduce a new series dedicated to exploring how data, interoperability, and technology are transforming the future of healthcare.

They discuss:

- Why breaking down silos in healthcare data matters more than ever

- The innovators and disruptors driving ethical, compliant change

- How modern technology can unlock better patient care at scale

- Personal stories behind their passion for building a smarter healthcare ecosystem

From interoperability to innovation, this podcast dives deep into the people and ideas shaping tomorrow’s healthcare.

🎧 Join the conversation and be part of the next orbit of change.

#HealthcareInnovation #HealthTech #DataInteroperability #DigitalHealth #HealthcareTechnology #PatientCare #HealthcareData #HealthIT #HealthcareTransformation #TheNextOrbit #LeapOrbit #InnovationInHealthcare