Advertise on podcast: Becker’s Healthcare -- Cardiology + Heart Surgery Podcast

In this episode, Anthony J. Tortolani, MD, FACS, FACC, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the realities of declining profit margins and how leaders are balancing financial pressures with clinical excellence. He explores practical applications of AI in clinical medicine, including improvements in efficiency and less invasive surgical approaches, and shares why aligning strategic vision with day-to-day tactical planning is essential for long-term success in cardiovascular care.

In this episode, Dr. Amro Alsaid, Medical Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging, and Dr. Karim Al-Azizi, Medical Director of the Catheterization Laboratory and Structural Heart Program at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital, discuss how AI and advanced cardiac imaging are reshaping coronary diagnosis, improving precision in patient care, and optimizing workflow efficiency across cardiology programs. Visit Cleerly Health to learn more. https://cleerlyhealth.com/what-is-cleerly?utm_campaign=cleerly_brand&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=beckers&utm_content=pr-podcast-11-2025

In this episode, Dr. Tom Nguyen, Professor and Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at FIU and Chief Medical Executive at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, discusses how wearable devices, voice technology, and AI are transforming early detection, prediction, and treatment in cardiovascular care. He also shares insights on using technology to reduce disparities, enhance patient monitoring, and shape the next era of surgery.

This episode features Vinay Badhwar, MD, FACS, FACC, Executive Chair of the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute and Gordon F. Murray Professor and Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine. Dr. Badhwar discusses the importance of a strong organizational structure, shares insights into the innovative developments his team has been working on, reflects on the values that guide him as a leader, and much more.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Howley, Director of the Fetal Cardiology Program at Children’s Minnesota, discusses the biggest challenges and innovations shaping fetal and pediatric cardiology, including disparities in prenatal detection, the growing adult congenital population, and the promise of AI and telehealth in expanding access to care.

This episode features Dr. Wayne J. Franklin, Senior Vice President of the Children’s National Heart Center, as he discusses the top challenges shaping cardiology today, including workforce shortages, the evolving role of AI, and the impact of private equity on healthcare. Dr. Franklin also shares his optimism for technology-driven innovation and the importance of humanism in modern medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Gregory Mishkel, VP of Cardiology Operations and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at NorthShore/Endeavor Health, discusses the innovative approach to cardiovascular care at the Cardiovascular Institute. He highlights the challenges and successes of building a specialized care model and shares insights on exciting advancements in cardiovascular treatments, as well as the importance of leadership and education in healthcare.

In this episode, Sunita Ferns, MD, Director - Pediatric and Adult Invasive Electrophysiology, Harma Turbendian, MD - Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, & Mark Plunkett, MD - Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois discuss the groundbreaking care of a two-year-old who suffered sudden cardiac arrest. From quick parental actions to the innovative use of an adult-designed ICD in a child—the youngest ever to receive it—the team shares how collaboration, expertise, and innovation saved a life and set a precedent for future care.

In this episode, Dr. James D. Flaherty, Director of Cardiology Quality and Outcomes at Northwestern Medicine, discusses key trends in cardiology, including physician wellness, access to care, and the evolving role of technology. He shares insights into the future of heart care and the potential impact of corporatization on the medical field.

In this episode, Colleen Blackburn, Director of Cardiovascular Service Line at OSF Healthcare, discusses the evolving challenges in cardiology post-COVID. She shares insights on integrating AI, managing growing patient volumes, and making strategic decisions for expanding cardiovascular services while maintaining high-quality care.

Join us as Dr. Anthony Tortolani, a retired cardiac surgeon with over 40 years of experience, discusses the rapid advancements in cardiac care, the integration of AI, and the potential dangers of profit-driven healthcare. This insightful conversation delves into the critical issues shaping the future of cardiology.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Wessler, Cardiologist at Northwell Health & Founder and CEO of Heartbeat Health, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of cardiovascular care. He discusses the impact of decentralized diagnostics, the rise of GLP-1 medications, and the journey of building a successful virtual cardiology practice.

In this 20 minute episode we talk with Michael Twyman, MD, founder of Apollo Cardiology, about two aging-related chronic diseases; Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is a growing body of evidence linking cardiovascular health and risk factors of CVD to AD. A study published in the Journal of American Heart Association using data from over 430,000 individuals from the UK Biobank found that those who had coronary heart disease (CHD) before the age of 45 had a 13% increased risk of developing AD compared to those who did not have CHD. Tune in for more insights. This episode is sponsored by CardioDiagnostics.

Join Chris Sosa from Becker's Healthcare as he engages Dr. Hemal Gada, President of the UPMC Heart Vascular Institute at Central Pa, in a discussion on the significance of early detection of cardiovascular disease and the role of AI in aiding cardiologists. Gain insights into the AI tools utilized at UPMC and the positive patient outcomes observed through machine learning models.

Join Chris Sosa from Becker's Healthcare as he engages Dr. Amgad Makaryus, Chairman of Cardiology at Nassau University Medical Center and Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine, in a discussion about the current landscape of cardiology. Gain insights into Dr. Makaryus's background, his perspectives on the top issues in cardiology, and his vision for the future of heart care, including both excitement and concerns.