Episode 134: Healthcare or Profit Care? Who Is the System Really Serving?

Episode 134: Healthcare or Profit Care? Who Is the System Really Serving?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/fan_mail/new] Is the U.S. healthcare system designed to help patients—or profit from them? In this episode, Sandy Kibling speaks with Adam Cunningham, founder of Sylk Health, about the soaring cost of medical care in America and why many people delay treatment, live with chronic pain, or face overwhelming medical debt. Adam shares the personal experiences that inspired him to create Sylk Health, a platform that allows patients to compare surgery prices at internationally accredited hospitals in China with prices in the United States. They discuss how procedures costing tens of thousands of dollars in the U.S. may be available for significantly less abroad, while still being performed by experienced physicians at highly accredited hospitals. The conversation also explores the realities of medical travel, including consultations, travel expenses, follow-up care, physical therapy, insurance considerations, and what happens when complications occur.  Most importantly, Adam encourages listeners to explore every available option—including patient advocates and lower-cost providers in the U.S.—so they can make informed decisions and access the healthcare they need without sacrificing their financial future. Key Topics * Cost disparities between US and Chinese hospitals * Quality and accreditation of Chinese hospitals * Process of booking surgery abroad through Sylk Health * Follow-up care and complications management * Impact of healthcare costs on patients Sound Bites * "Chinese doctors are often world-class." * "Speak with a patient advocate first." * "Your health is your most valuable asset." Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The US Healthcare Cost Crisis 01:07 Adam Cunningham's Personal Journey into Healthcare Innovation 04:15 The Inspiration Behind Silk Health 06:24 How Chinese Hospitals Offer Quality Care at Lower Costs 08:48 Addressing Patient Concerns About International Surgery 12:21 Doctor Qualifications in China vs US 13:29 Using Silk Health: Booking a Procedure Step-by-Step 17:20 Cost Comparison: US vs China for Surgery 19:47 Handling Complications and Follow-up Care 23:49 Advice for Uninsured Patients and Cost-Effective Options 26:20 Final Thoughts: The Future of Healthcare and Personal Well-being  Resources Sylk Health [https://sylkhealth.com/] Joint Commission International (JCI) [https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/] Playbook AI Partners [https://playbookaipartners.com/] Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/support]

Episode 133: When the System Underestimates You: Fighting for Inclusive Healthcare

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/fan_mail/new] What does health equity actually look like for someone living with a disability—and what happens when the healthcare system makes assumptions instead of listening?  In this episode, Sandy speaks with Daniel Hodges, attorney, healthcare administrator, disability advocate, and president and co-founder of Peaces of Me Foundation. Daniel shares his deeply personal journey of living with multiple disabilities, navigating complex medical conditions, and confronting discrimination within healthcare and other systems. Daniel recounts the painful experience of having his ability to parenting questioned while his infant daughter was receiving cancer treatment, simply because both parents were blind. He explains how bias, inaccessible facilities, inadequate training, and a lack of representation continue to create poorer healthcare experiences for people with disabilities.  Sandy and Daniel also discuss why communication, trust, and rapport with a provider can be just as important as credentials—and why patients must feel empowered to understand their conditions, ask questions, and seek care that respects their lived experience. The conversation also highlights the mission of Peaces of Me Foundation [https://www.peacesofme.org], which connects individuals, families, providers, and organizations with education, professional training, peer support, and accessibility resources.  Daniel offers a powerful message of hope: authentic inclusion is possible when we stop treating equity as a box to check and begin creating solutions alongside the people most affected.  This episode is an important reminder that accessibility is a human right, every patient deserves to be heard, and meaningful change begins by meeting people where they are. Resources: Peaces Of Me Foundation [https://www.peacesofme.org] PlaybookAIPartners - AI Solutions [https://playbookaipartners.com/] Playbook AI Partners Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playbook-ai-partners/id1878809075] Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/support]

Episode 132: Physical Therapy Without the Commute: How Virtual PT Is Changing Recovery

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Sandy speaks with Ashok Gupta, physical therapist and founder of TheraNow [https://www.theranow.com], about how virtual physical therapy is making rehabilitation more accessible, convenient, and effective.  Ashok explains how live, one-on-one care, personalized home exercise programs, and computer vision AI can help therapists measure movement, track progress, and guide patients from virtually anywhere. They also discuss how virtual PT can benefit people recovering from surgery, living in rural communities, facing transportation challenges, or simply wanting more flexibility in their care.  Listeners will learn how telehealth physical therapy works, how it may fit with insurance and hospital systems, and what patients should ask their healthcare providers when exploring virtual rehabilitation options. Key Takeaways: Virtual physical therapy can deliver strong results. With the right platform, trained clinicians, and structured care, virtual PT can be comparable to in-clinic treatment. Convenience can improve access and consistency. Patients can receive care from home, avoiding transportation challenges, long travel distances, bad weather, and mobility concerns. AI helps therapists measure progress remotely. Computer vision technology can track range of motion, movement quality, and improvement over time. Virtual PT is more than a video call. Effective care combines live one-on-one sessions, personalized exercise plans, patient education, progress tracking, and ongoing support. Patients should ask their providers about virtual options. Hospital systems and physical therapy clinics may offer fully virtual or hybrid programs that combine in-person and at-home care. Resources: TheraNow [https://www.theranow.com] Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/support]

Episode 131: From 367 Pounds to a New Life: Stanley Bronstein’s No-Shortcut Weight Loss Journey

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Sandy Kibling sits down with Stanley Bronstein, an attorney, CPA, life coach, and multi-book author who transformed his life after decades of struggling with obesity.  Stanley shares his deeply personal journey, including how the loss of his mother at age eight shaped his relationship with food, how he reached 367 pounds, and the moment he decided he did not want his story to end early.  His turning point came on February 1, 2009, a day he calls his “rebirth day.”  Stanley explains why lasting weight loss is not about another diet, quick fix, pill, or surgery, but about becoming permanently willing to make permanent lifestyle changes.  He talks about the role of mindset, self-belief, discipline, healthy nutrition, walking, and persistence in creating lasting transformation.  This conversation is an honest and motivating look at what it really takes to lose weight, reclaim your health, and stop waiting for the “perfect” day to begin. Listeners will walk away with a clear message: temporary changes create temporary results, but permanent change can create a healthier, stronger, and more empowered life. Resources: The Way Of Excellence [https://thewayofexcellence.com/] PlaybookAIPartners - Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playbook-ai-partners/id1878809075] Playbook AI Partners - AI Mini Solution Locker [https://playbookaipartners.com/] Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/support]

Episode 130: Medicine at 50 Below: Breaking Barriers in Rural Healthcare

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/fan_mail/new] In this powerful episode, Mary Ellen Doty, founder of Wilderness Medical Staffing, shares her remarkable journey from serving in remote Alaskan villages to building innovative staffing solutions for rural healthcare communities. Mary Ellen discusses the realities of healthcare deserts, provider shortages, and the challenges of delivering care in some of the most remote areas of the country.  She also explores provider burnout, the importance of autonomy, and how meaningful community connection can transform both patient care and clinician satisfaction. From building trust in Native communities to understanding leadership in small versus large healthcare systems, this conversation offers a compelling look at what it takes to bring high-quality care to places that are often overlooked. Listeners will gain insight into rural medicine, healthcare innovation, and why solving access challenges requires creativity, trust, and a deep respect for the communities being served. Key Topics * Healthcare deserts and provider shortages * Remote medicine and community impact * Provider autonomy and burnout * Innovative staffing solutions for rural areas Sound Bites * "Leadership in small vs. large healthcare systems" * "Building trust in Native communities" * "Insights from 'Medicine at 50 Below'" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Deserts 02:58 Mary Ellen's Journey in Rural Medicine 06:06 Challenges in the Lower 48 Healthcare System 08:48 Understanding the Bush and Village Healthcare 11:53 The Role of Tribal Health Care Consortia 14:49 The Disconnect in Large Healthcare Systems 17:54 The Importance of Autonomy in Healthcare 20:57 Transitioning Back to Alaska 23:54 Insights from 'Medicine at 50 Below' Resources Mary Ellen Doty Website [https://maryellendoty.com/]   Medicine at 50 Below – The Book [https://maryellendoty.com/book/] Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2054498/support]