Frontline vs. Big Systems: Where Rural Health Funding Really Goes | Vincent J Thompson MD

ASTP 2026 Recap: Policy Shifts Reshaping Health Data

The 2026 ASTP Annual Meeting just wrapped in Washington, DC, and the energy in the room felt different this year.  Host Ben Wade sits down with Leap Orbit founding partner, David Finney, and co-host turned guest, Mike Hunter, to unpack what they actually heard on the ground at the Omni Shoreham, beyond the press releases and official sessions. This one is for anyone working at the intersection of health data policy, interoperability, and public health. 🎧 Subscribe to The Next Orbit for more conversations at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and policy.   sLrciJQTNBA641S8bhIF

Handtevy: How One Physician Turned a Critical Error into Life-Saving Innovation in Pediatric EMS | Dr. Peter Antevy

In this episode of The Next Orbit Podcast, host Ben Wade sits down with Dr. Peter Antevy, a pioneer in pediatric and EMS care, to discuss how he turned a critical medication error into a life-saving innovation: Handtevy. Handtevy is a revolutionary system designed to provide accurate medication dosing, equipment sizing, and protocol guidance during pediatric emergencies—helping clinicians act fast, reduce errors, and save lives. Dr. Antevy shares his journey from working in children’s hospital ERs to overseeing EMS for millions of people, the challenges of introducing new medical protocols, and the impact of technology in high-pressure emergency situations. In this episode, you’ll learn about: * Dr. Antevy’s pivotal early career experiences and the medication error that inspired Handtevy * How Handtevy simplifies pediatric dosing and preparation in real-time emergencies * The emotional and psychological impact of pediatric care on healthcare professionals * Transitioning from hospital emergency medicine to EMS oversight and innovation * Implementing new protocols and overcoming resistance in healthcare systems * The future of EMS innovation and integration with EMR systems Whether you’re a healthcare professional, EMS provider, or simply interested in medical innovation, this conversation highlights how preparation, technology, and innovative thinking are saving lives every day. Timestamps: 00:00 A Tragic Mistake and Realization 00:35 Introduction to The Next Orbit Podcast 01:12 Meet Dr. Peter Antevy: Pioneer in Pediatric and EMS Care 01:32 Revolutionizing EMS 02:40 Challenges in Pediatric Emergency Care 03:45 The Critical Need for Accurate Dosing 05:26 The Birth of Handtevy 12:09 The Evolution of Handtevy 21:32 The Importance of Preparation in Emergency Situations 26:46 Understanding Pediatric Weight Concerns 27:28 Analogies in Medicine: Wrestling and Two-Minute Drills 29:52 The Emotional Toll of Pediatric Care 30:37 Transitioning from ER to EMS 32:50 Innovations in EMS: Blood on Ambulances 36:39 Challenges in Healthcare Innovation 39:59 Proving the Efficacy of New Methods 51:27 Integration with EMR Systems 54:14 Future Goals and Contact Information 🎧 Listen and subscribe #PediatricCare #EMS #EmergencyMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #PatientSafety #Handtevy #TheNextOrbitPodcast

A Google Maps for the Bloodstream: Rethinking Dialysis Access in Nephrology | Dr. Shannon Beardsley

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

Frontline vs. Big Systems: Where Rural Health Funding Really Goes | Vincent J Thompson MD

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. Episode Breakdown & Timestamps 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

Managing Complex Pain in the Opioid Era: Lessons from Clinical Pharmacists | Shelly Fortner & Sing Ping Chow

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