
Advertise on podcast: Branch Out
Rating
5from
This podcast has
88 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Sycamore Independent PhysiciansExplicit
No
Date created
2020/11/06
Latest episode
2026/10/15
Average duration
45 min.
Release period
104 days
Description
We chat with healthcare professionals about broad-reaching topics like their careers in medicine, hobbies, and pursuits outside the hospital and everything in between. New episode every Thursday!
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Check latest episodes from Branch Out podcast
#89: Building Lasting Relationships w/ Dr. Alexander Palma
2026/10/15
Dr. Alexander Palma works as a locum tenens doctor and has nearly two decades of medical experience without any malpractice claims. He has found ways to make fantastic experiences for both the hospitals and the patients he serves.
In this episode, Larson Hicks and Dr. Palma give practical tips on how to be an excellent locum tenens doctor and give some classic blunders that doctors make.
Top things to learn:
● How to make a good impression at each hospital (with both the staff and the patients)
● How to get asked back
● A few things to never neglect as a locum tenens doctor
Links:
Dr. Palma’s LinkedIn
Books Mentioned:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
#88: Why Free Market? w/ Dr. Keith Smith [Sapling Edition]
2026/09/15
Since 1997, Dr. Keith Smith has been pushing back against the status quo by creating America’s first free market surgery center (The Surgery Center of Oklahoma) and founding the Free Market Medical Association, with more than 30 chapters throughout the country.
Dr. Smith’s convictions for transparency and integrity caused him to thoroughly examine the “system” he was a part of and make changes where he could – even if that meant leaving modern medical practice to pursue a different ideal.
Join us for this episode of Branch Out, as Dr. Smith and Larson (possibly Dr. Smith’s biggest fan) discuss the important ideologies behind direct care and physician independence.
Top things to learn:
The golden rule in an economic exchange The options doctors have in regards to accepting government money What it takes to start/run a free market medical centerTop things from his story:
Former concert pianist turned anesthesiologist Strong philosophical, ethical convictions led to changing the way he approached medicineLinks:
Find the video version of this episode on Youtube! https://youtu.be/k1hm-l9YZCkDr. Smith's Website surgerycenterok.comBooks Mentioned:
Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel Principles of Economics by Carl Menger
#87: Making a Responsible Reputation
2026/08/31
In this episode of Branch Out, Dr. Patten and Larson Hicks discuss how to be in good standing with hospitals. They go over the ideal number of hospitals to partner with, good relationships, and long term strategies to make sure you’re a dependable doctor.
#86: A Word on Malpractice w/ Dr. Philip Ovadia
2026/08/18
In this episode, Dr. Ovadia (a cardiologist), Larry Hicks (a malpractice lawyer), and Larson Hicks discuss the benefits of being an independent physician and the cons of having to work in a system with malpractice agencies enforcing a restrictive definition of “normal medicine.”
Join them today to hear how malpractice agencies have missed the mark while independent physicians are working out the causes of heart disease!
Catch us on your favorite podcast streaming service!
#85: Strategy For Steady Locum Tenens
2026/08/04
Welcome to the “Sapling Series: Locums Done Right,” with our hosts, Larson Hicks and Dr. Jason Patten! We will be posting a new episode once a month along with the mini version of a previous “Branch Out” episode.
Before taking up medicine, Dr. Jason Patten piloted for the Air Force and worked as a firefighter. But after a few years in the healthcare industry, he founded his own successful locum tenens business. Today, he shares his secrets on how to gain flexibility while working at a hospital and how to become indispensably helpful by playing to your strengths (whether they are soft skills or extreme productivity).
Want to know more? Check out our website: https://sycamoredocs.com/
#84: No Frills Quality Healthcare w/ Dr. Gilbert Simon [Sapling Edition]
2026/07/21
In this new series, both old and new interviews will appear in bite-sized chunks! In under 20 minutes, you can get a great story and expert insight into the medical world. Join us for these Sapling episodes every other Tuesday!
Begging for more? Check out the full version on our website! https://sycamoredocs.com/podcast/83-no-frills-quality-healthcare-w-dr-gilbert-simon
Dr. Gilbert Simon has been a practicing physician for over 50 years. Through the establishment of clinics serving low-income families, Dr. Simon learned how to operate a successful practice on a shoe-string budget. He joined Branch Out to share his ideas on how the healthcare system can change its practices to reach more people and eliminate wasteful spending. Tune in to hear this lively conversation regarding overtesting, overtreating, and overcharging, as he and Larson encourage physicians to remember their original oaths and callings.
#83: No Frills Quality Healthcare w/ Dr. Gilbert Simon
2023/03/07
Dr. Gilbert Simon has been a practicing physician for over 50 years. Through the establishment of clinics serving low-income families, Dr. Simon learned how to operate a successful practice on a shoe-string budget. He joined Branch Out to share his ideas on how the healthcare system can change its practices to reach more people and eliminate wasteful spending. Tune in to hear this lively conversation regarding overtesting, overtreating, and overcharging, as he and Larson encourage physicians to remember their original oaths and callings.
If you'd like to learn more, visit Dr. Simon's website: https://nofrillsqualityhealthcare.com/
#82: Yale, Pain Management & Global Missions w/ Dr. Donna-Ann Thomas
2023/02/23
Dr. Donna-Ann Thomas, Yale University’s Division Chief of Pain Management and Anesthesiology, migrated from Jamaica as a young adult and found herself in a life-changing accident that would alter the trajectory of her life and career. Believing that things don’t just happen by chance, Dr. Thomas has committed her life to taking care of others through medicine and service-based missions around the globe. Her story is unique, uplifting and engaging, tune in now!
#81: How to Build Your Personal Brand w/Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez
2023/02/09
It’s never been easier to start building your personal brand as a physician and to take the steps towards financial freedom and career autonomy. Join Branch Out’s host, Larson Hicks, as he sits down with Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez, who coaches other physicians into monetizing their expertise and building a lucrative side gig. This episode is one you do NOT want to miss!
In 2018, Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez left medicine to fully invest in his own company. He now coaches physicians in medical marketing and business development – helping burnt out doctors build a personal brand and monetize their expertise. His pursuit of a healthy work-life balance has given him a wealth of knowledge he now shares with others. He believes physician-entrepreneurs are the future of a healthy medical system and they simply need to take the first step to see where it will lead!
#80: Why Free Market? w/ Dr. Keith Smith
2023/01/26
Since 1997, Dr. Keith Smith has been pushing back against the status quo by creating America’s first free market surgery center (The Surgery Center of Oklahoma) and founding the Free Market Medical Association, now with more than 30 chapters throughout the country. Dr. Smith’s convictions for transparency and integrity caused him to thoroughly examine the “system” he was a part of and make changes where he could – even if that meant leaving modern medical practice to pursue a different ideal. Join us for this episode of Branch Out, as Dr. Smith and Larson (possibly Dr. Smith’s biggest fan) discuss the important ideologies behind direct care and physician independence.
#79: Meet the Rheumatologist On Call w/Dr. Diana Girnita
2023/01/12
Like many other doctors we have interviewed, Dr. Diana Girnita's journey to become a physician began during her hospital stay as a young child. The compassion and care she received during that time translated into years of dedicated research, education and excellence in patient care. Ultimately, Dr. Girnita established Rheumatologist OnCall in 2019, a telemedicine Rheumatology DPC that is expanding across the country. She joins Branch Out to share her story and the principles behind Rheumatologist OnCall that make her a truly unique physician!
#78: Taking Risks With Alacrity w/ Dr. Travis Manasco
2022/12/15
Dr. Travis Manasco may be newer to the scene than most, but he has already made more strides in pursuing entrepreneurship and technology in the medical field than many seasoned professionals. Tune in as Larson Hicks sits down with this future changemaker as he recounts the tips and tricks of entrepreneurship he is picking up along the way. If you’re not sure what to do with the innovative ideas you’ve had, let this episode motivate you to take the first steps and go for it!
#77: The Importance of Physician-Led Innovation w/ Dr. Uli K. Chettipally
2022/11/28
Dr. Uli K. Chettipally joins Larson Hicks in the newest episode of Branch Out. Dr. Chettipally began InnovatorMD with the vision to empower physicians to pursue technology and innovation in healthcare... believing that physicians could (and should) lead the way in advancing medicine on all fronts. He and Larson discuss how physicians are uniquely qualified to use their experiences in order to develop solutions to the challenges facing healthcare today. Moreover, they discuss how stepping into this space can often reignite a physician’s love for the field and breathe new life into one’s career.
InnovatorMD offers regular workshops, meetups, and networking opportunities in addition to their semi- annual physician summits, the next of which will be held in January! Tune in to learn more about the work Dr. Chettipally and his team are doing!
#76: The Unexpectedly Relatable Tale of Rapid Ruby the Tortoise w/ Dr. Diana Londoño
2022/11/10
Sycamore’s host, Melissa Bain, is joined by Urologist, Dr. Diana Londoño, in this episode of Branch Out. Dr. Londoño has written for a number of websites and publications within the medical community with messages of self-awareness and hope to directly battle burnout. As a physician coach, her approach is straightforward - quickly challenging people to confront their reality and turn it into something positive. She’s used her personal bouts with burnout to create a company (and more importantly a community) of physicians helping each other through the trenches and demands of the job. Tune in as she and Melissa discuss some very real topics (and tell a few inappropriate jokes!)
_________________________________
Guest Bio:
Dr. Diana Londoño is a board-certified Urologist from the L.A. area. She completed her Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Biology from Claremont McKenna College. She attended medical school at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Her 6-year Urology residency was well-spent at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. Dr. Londoño’s compassionate focus makes her the best advocate for her English and Spanish-speaking patients as they work together to find the best solutions for their health. Knowing how hard it is to be a healthcare provider, Dr. Londoño started Physician Care Support where medical professionals from all fields can reach out for support with stress, anxiety, and depression. She is also a proud mother to two girls.
Top Things We Discuss:
You’re right where you’re supposed to beTake the time for self-care so you don’t burnoutDidn’t see burnout coming and it took a huge toll on her physically as well as mentally Physician Coach Support has a mission to reach those doctors struggling with depresion and suicide. It is a network of physicians, for physicians. About Dr. Londoño:
Embraces the challenge of being a Latiño woman in a male-dominated field Takes a great interest in human nature Allowed her story and compassion for other struggling physicians to change the trajectory of her life in a positive way Links and Mentions
Website:
Dr. Diana Londoño's Website
Physician Coach SupportSocial Media:
SoMe Docs Profile
LinkedIn
#75: Finding Joy and Fulfillment in Pursuing Your Hobbies w/ Dr. Candice Williams
2022/10/27
Amidst L.A. shutting down during the pandemic, Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Doctor, Candice Williams, left full-time practice and took a leap of faith to pursue her first love – music. Such a transition was not without pain or fear but Dr. Williams knew that at the end of the day, it is what she needed to do.
Join Sycamore CEO, Larson Hicks, as he and Dr. Williams walk through a variety of subjects including physician independence, pursuing hobbies, and walking by faith in a world that says security is everything.
Podcast reviews
Read Branch Out podcast reviews
Paramesh Bala 2021/05/20
Highlighting physician stories
Love the stories of physicians that inspire us to do more .. thank you for the great platform
matthew719 2021/05/11
Phenomenal
This is my new favorite listen. Such great topics and wisdom in each individual. I have learned so much, and am always excited to hear who is next!
Larbone 2021/05/09
Killer podcast
If you’re a doctor and need some encouragement and inspiration - this podcast is just the prescription.
fortherecord88 2021/04/14
Check this out!!
These podcasts are awesome! Love the casual format. Great host, insightful coversations--such a wide array of topics. Check it out today!!
CAmerdi 2021/04/13
More than doctors
This podcast is great because you get to hear doctors talk about their lives in *and* outside of their career in medicine. The diversity of experience...
MelissaDBain 2021/04/12
Loving this podcast!
Really enjoying getting to hear these physicians’ stories and perspectives! The host is engaging, the guests are interesting; it’s a different type of...
hereforthepods 2021/04/09
Incredible stories
Getting to know the doctors under the white coats and hearing their stories and lives and how they came to be where they are is absolutely fascinating...
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