Standing with the unseen: Addiction, empathy and the power of prevention

Advancing care through ASCs - An SCA Health leader shares what works

Janie Kinsey’s career has been shaped by the rhythm of the operating room — where teamwork, precision, and patient advocacy come together in high‑stakes moments. Early in her career, she recognized a fundamental truth: clinicians aren’t the problem — the system often is. In this conversation, she shares how that realization led her into leadership and advocacy work, including national efforts to expand access to ambulatory surgery centers. Janie explains how ASCs improve access, lower costs, and create more patient‑centered experiences, while maintaining the same high standards of quality and safety. She also reflects on the growing pressures clinicians face today — not just burnout, but a gradual erosion of joy, confidence, and trust — and how thoughtful system design, scale, and support can help reverse that trend. Through real patient stories and firsthand experiences, Janie demonstrates how coordinated teams, simplified operations, and intentional culture can transform outcomes and restore meaning to clinical work. Episode Overview * Janie’s identity as an operating room nurse and leader * The gap between ideal care and real-world system constraints * What ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are and why they matter * Misconceptions about ASCs and their role in care delivery * Speaking up and driving change at the frontline * Advocacy and influencing care at scale through ASCA * Reducing administrative burden so clinicians can focus on patients * The impact of Optum scale and SCA Health’s specialty focus * Improving access, cost, and patient experience through ASCs * The importance of team-based, coordinated care * Restoring joy, trust, and purpose in clinical practice Key Topics & Time Stamps a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } 00:00–03:00 — Introduction & Janie’s OR background 03:00–07:00 — Protecting clinician capacity and purpose 07:00–11:00 — The gap between ideal care and real-world systems 11:00–16:00 — What ASCs are and why they matter 16:00–20:00 — Misconceptions about ASC care and quality 20:00–24:00 — Speaking up, leadership, and frontline change 24:00–28:00 — Advocacy, scale, and influencing care delivery 28:00–33:00 — Reducing administrative burden & partnership models 33:00–37:00 — Patient stories & real-world impact 37:00–40:00 — The future of care: access, outcomes, and clinician support Episode Highlights * The OR shaped Janie’s perspective on teamwork and patient advocacy * System inefficiencies — not lack of effort — often limit care quality * ASCs deliver high-quality care with lower costs and faster access * Speaking up (even early in your career) can change outcomes * Advocacy at scale extends the same commitment as bedside care * Simplifying administrative work restores clinician focus * Patients benefit from faster procedures and more personalized care * Optum and SCA partnership models amplify clinician voice and impact * Great care doesn’t require more complexity — just better design Resources & Links Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html Optum Care partnership: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Engineering joy in medicine: Reimagining EHRs to Bring Joy Back to Care

Dr. Kim brings together two perspectives — the engineer who sees inefficiencies and the clinician who values connection. He recounts the moment that pushed him into medicine, plus the emotional experiences that shaped his identity as a family physician. He discusses how engaging clinicians early in EHR design changed adoption, satisfaction, and retention, and how centralized call centers and enhanced workflows improved the patient experience. Dr. Kim also explains why AI Scribe has been so transformative for clinicians, giving them space to reconnect with what brought them into medicine in the first place: listening, presence, and human connection. He closes by sharing how Optum’s leadership development programs help clinicians grow in their careers and why remembering your “why” is essential in today’s value‑based world.

Clinician Real Talk Podcast Ep. 3 - From listening to lasting impact: Redefining care for older adults

Episode Notes Title: Building Better Care for Older Adults: Value-Based Innovation Guest: Martin Levine, MD Duration: ~28 minutes Theme: How Optum’s value-based care model transforms chronic care management and empowers clinicians to innovate. Episode Overview: Dr. Levine discusses his passion for improving care for older adults and the systemic changes needed to make health care more effective. He highlights the Memory Health Support Program, which helps families navigate dementia care without added cost, and shares real-world examples of how interdisciplinary teams—nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health—create better outcomes. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – 00:02:10 Dr. Levine’s background and career journey 00:03:00 – 00:06:45 Why value-based care matters for older adults 00:07:00 – 00:11:30 Memory Health Support Program: Closing gaps in dementia care 00:12:00 – 00:15:45 Engaging families and redesigning workflows 00:16:00 – 00:20:30 Empowering patients through education and self-efficacy 00:21:00 – 00:24:00 Balancing fee-for-service and value-based models 00:24:30 – 00:27:50 Why Optum is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation Episode Highlights * Innovation in action: How Optum uses value-based care to fund new services. * Family-centered care: Bringing caregivers into the process for better outcomes. * Clinician support: Reducing administrative burden and creating space for meaningful care. * Real impact: Stories of clinics embracing new models and thriving. Resources & Links * Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html * Optum Care partnership: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html * Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Standing with the unseen: Addiction, empathy and the power of prevention

Episode Notes Title: Meeting Patients Where They Are: Addiction, Obesity & Value-Based Care Guest: Lea Witt, DNP, FNP Duration: ~24 minutes Theme: Empowering clinicians to address addiction and obesity through education, trust, and value-based care. Episode Overview: Lea discusses her personal and professional journey, the importance of clinician education, and how Optum’s model supports proactive care. She shares powerful patient stories that illustrate the ripple effect of early intervention and preventative care. Key Topics & Timestamps * 00:00 – 00:01:42 | Lea’s background and transition to Optum * 00:02:15 – 00:03:07 | Why addiction care became her passion * 00:03:27 – 00:04:02 | Clinician comfort level as a barrier * 00:04:10 – 00:05:49 | Patient story: Overcoming medication dependence * 00:06:05 – 00:07:44 | Building trust through value-based care * 00:07:59 – 00:09:24 | Signs of addiction across age groups * 00:09:44 – 00:10:59 | Patient story: Gradual medication tapering * 00:11:06 – 00:11:57 | Optum resources: APC fellowship & education * 00:12:08 – 00:13:56 | Preventative care as a gateway to addiction screening * 00:14:13 – 00:16:26 | Patient story: Bariatric surgery success * 00:17:15 – 00:17:37 | Collaborative care model for better outcomes * 00:17:46 – 00:19:35 | Clinician well-being and community support * 00:21:05 – 00:21:57 | Advice for clinicians entering addiction/obesity care * 00:22:04 – 00:23:15 | Why Optum is uniquely positioned to transform care Episode Highlights * Education matters: Clinician confidence is key to addressing addiction in primary care. * Trust first: Value-based care creates space for meaningful conversations. * Early intervention saves lives: Preventative visits often uncover hidden risks. * Real impact: Stories of patients who overcame addiction and obesity through proactive care. * Support for clinicians: Optum provides resources, training, and community to combat burnout and improve outcomes. Resources & Links * Take our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23 * Optum Care partnership website: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html * Resource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

The Road to Wellness: Reimagining rural health

Episode title: The Road to Wellness: Reimagining rural health Guest: Dr. Jaren Trost Duration: ~27 minutes Theme: Purpose-driven care, clinician well-being, and the power of value-based care in underserved communities. Episode overview This episode dives deep into Dr. Trost’s journey from burnout to purpose, highlighting how Optum’s value-based care model empowered him to deliver meaningful care to rural and underserved populations. Through personal stories, he illustrates how data, leadership support, and infrastructure can transform clinician experience and patient outcomes. Key topics & timestamps 00:00–00:45 Introduction to Clinician Real Talk * Purpose of the show: authentic conversations with frontline clinicians * Focus on clarity, honesty, and real-world insights 00:45–02:04 Dr. Trost’s early career & burnout * Post-fellowship burnout * Optum’s promise of fewer patients and more time per visit * Initial signs of recovery and support 02:04–03:01 Leadership support & growth opportunities * Home visits and leadership buy-in * Sequoia Fellowship and Partnership Forums * “Happy doctor = happy patient” philosophy 03:01–05:18 Driving across New Mexico to reach patients * Using claims data to identify high-risk patients * Personal outreach and emotional home visits * Rediscovering purpose through direct patient care 05:18–07:28 Value-based care as a sustainable mission * Giving voice to voiceless patients * Emotional impact of follow-ups and personal calls * Expansion of the program with nurse practitioners and mobile vans 07:28–09:39 Solving local problems with national resources * Medicaid-heavy population in New Mexico * Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) * Opening new clinics in underserved areas 09:39–11:06 Balancing autonomy & infrastructure for contracted clinicians * Tailored support for IPA clinics * Operational best practices from employed models * Empowering clinicians to spend more time with patients 11:06–13:12 Tools that simplify practice * AI scribes to reduce documentation burden * Annual wellness visits and extended patient time * Right patient, right time, right setting model 13:12–15:29 Streamlining workflow & emotional impact * Data-driven outreach * Emotional rewards of home visits * The power of a hug and human connection 15:29–18:05 Connecting patients to resources * Optum’s infrastructure: social workers, case managers * Follow-up calls and warm handoffs * Building trust and continuity of care 18:05–21:03 Encouraging clinicians to join VBC * Invitation to shadow Dr. Trost * Leadership support and culture of listening * Grove and Sequoia leadership programs 21:03–26:36 Personal growth & patient story * A moving story of a patient needing food, not just medical care * Team response and emotional impact * Realization of purpose and commitment to Optum 26:36–27:37 Closing thoughts & call to action * Treating underserved patients with dignity * Encouragement to take the readiness quiz * Subscribe for more real clinician stories Episode highlights * Emotional storytelling: Dr. Trost’s visit to a patient who simply needed food underscores the human side of care. * Leadership development: Grove and Sequoia programs nurture clinicians into impactful leaders. * Infrastructure meets autonomy: Optum supports IPA clinics without overriding their independence. * Tech-enabled care: AI scribes and data analytics streamline workflows and improve care delivery. Resources & Links * Take our quiz [https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23]: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23 * Optum Care partnership website: [https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html]https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.html * Resource Library: [https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html]https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html