A Dose of Optimism

What does it look like to meet a child where they are, not just physically, but technologically, emotionally, and clinically? In this episode, three innovators share how they are redesigning pediatric care delivery around the child rather than around the hospital.Dr. Caitlin Sayegh, clinical psychologist and researcher at CHLA and USC Keck School of Medicine, describes her work using cell phone coaching to help teenagers with chronic illness take their medications. The insight that drives it: a small dose of human accountability (a phone call or text from a coach who sees a teen as a whole person) can produce meaningful improvements in medication adherence across a wide range of conditions, from HIV to sickle cell disease to organ transplants.Taylor Beery, co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, shares how his company is delivering integrated medical, behavioral, and social support to children with complex special healthcare needs (at home, virtually, and at no cost to families) through value-based contracts with Medicaid health plans. His personal story of losing his son Walker to pediatric brain cancer, and founding Imagine Pediatrics a week after his funeral, is one of the most powerful origin stories in this podcast's history.Dr. Sassan Hashemi, Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Heart Institute, explains how virtual surgical planning (using 3D models derived from imaging data, viewed in virtual and augmented reality) is changing how surgeons prepare for complex congenital heart procedures, enabling interventions that once seemed impossible, and building toward an AI-enabled future of pediatric cardiac care.Episode Resources:▶️Randomized pilot trial of cell phone support to improve medication adherence among adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions▶️Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine CHLA▶️Kids Join The Fight: Nonprofit▶️Heart Institute | Cincinnati Children'sConnect with Dr. Caitlin Sayegh:Dr. Caitlin Sayegh LinkedInDr. Caitlin Sayegh CHLAKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California WebsiteKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California LinkedInKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California InstagramConnect with Taylor Beery:Taylor Beery LinkedInImagine Pediatrics WebsiteImagine Pediatrics LinkedInImagine Pediatrics InstagramConnect with Dr. Sassan Hashemi:Dr. Sassan Hashemi LinkedInCincinnati Children's Hospital WebsiteCincinnati Children's Hospital LinkedInCincinnati Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Twenty years ago, the HPV vaccine was approved in the United States. It is one of the most powerful cancer prevention tools ever developed, protecting against 90% of HPV-related cancers, with a safety record spanning more than 500 million doses worldwide. And yet today, only about 63% of eligible adolescents in the US are fully vaccinated.In this special anniversary episode, six voices from across the HPV prevention landscape share what 20 years of this vaccine has taught us, and what still needs to happen.Dr. Heather Brandt, Senior Director of the HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, explains what HPV is, how the vaccine works, what the science says about safety and efficacy, and how to address the most persistent myths, including the infertility myth, the promiscuity myth, and the "it's too new" myth.Antoinette Barrett, Nurse Practitioner with Cedars-Sinai's COACH for Kids mobile health program, shares 30 years of frontline experience vaccinating underserved children in Los Angeles, and how the conversation around HPV vaccination has shifted over two decades.Cynthia Au and Catherine Peters of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network discuss the policy landscape, including Guam's new school entry requirement, what states with mandates have achieved, and the full range of levers available to close the vaccination gap.Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, offers a candid reflection on where the HPV vaccine recommendation worked, what works to drive uptake, and what vaccine advocates need to do differently in an era of growing anti-vaccine sentiment.Judy Klein, founder of Unity Consortium, makes the case that framing matters enormously, that calling this a cancer prevention vaccine, not an STI vaccine, is the message that breaks through, and that community-level trust is the most powerful lever we haven't fully used.Episode Resources:20 years of HPV vaccination in the U.S. - Join us on Friday, June 12 from 12-1 pm Central TimeHistory Of HPV Vaccination - St. Jude Children's Research HospitalPrevent 6 Cancers with the HPV Vaccine - American Cancer SocietyKnow Your Vax - Recommended Vaccines Schedule for Adolescents and Young Adults, Unity ConsortiumAmanda Kanowitz FoundationConnect with Dr. Heather M. Brandt:Heather M. Brandt Faculty ProfileHeather M. Brandt LinkedinSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital WebsiteSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital LinkedInSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital InstagramConnect with Antoinette Barrett:Antoinette Barrett, RN, CPNPCedars-Sinai COACH for KidsCedars-Sinai WebsiteCedars-Sinai LinkedInCedars-Sinai InstagramConnect with Cynthia Au:Cynthia Au LinkedInAmerican Cancer Society WebsiteAmerican Cancer Society LinkedInAmerican Cancer Society InstagramConnect with Catherine Peters:Catherine Peters LinkedInAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) WebsiteAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) LinkedInAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) InstagramHawaii Cancer Action CenterConnect with Dr. Paul Offit:Dr. Paul Offit WebsiteDr. Paul Offit LinkedInDr. Paul Offit - The Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaThe Children's Hospital of Philadelphia WebsiteThe Children's Hospital of Philadelphia LinkedInThe Children's Hospital of Philadelphia InstagramConnect with Judy Klain:Judy Klein LinkedInUnity Consortium WebsiteUnity Consortium LinkedInUnity Consortium InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What if the most effective treatments for children looked nothing like traditional medicine?In this episode, three innovators share how games, biofeedback, and AI are being used to treat some of the most overlooked conditions in pediatric healthcare.Juliette Hawa, pediatric physical therapist and founder of PFRx, describes how a gamified biofeedback device is helping children with pelvic floor dysfunction (a condition affecting around 10 million kids) learn to control muscles that cause constipation, incontinence, and pain. Designed with Children's Hospital Colorado and built for home use, PFRx turns muscle training into a video game children can play from the couch.Dika Vilic, Senior Clinical Scientist in AI at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, shares what it looks like to build AI from the inside of a health system, including why pediatric AI is uniquely challenging, why children's hospitals tend to produce more innovators than adult hospitals, and what happens when a drug calculator accidentally attracts 10,000 users and has to be taken offline for regulatory compliance.Raj Amin, CEO and co-founder of Arcade Therapeutics, explains how a game called StarStarter for Anxiety is using attention bias modification (a subconscious, neuroscience-backed form of cognitive behavioral therapy) to reduce anxiety symptoms in children and adults. A published clinical study showed a 68% reduction in symptoms within 30 days. And a depression version is now in clinical trials, funded by an NIMH grant.Episode Resources:Children's Hospital ColoradoStarStarter for Anxiety, App by Arcade TherapeuticsAttention Bias Modification (ABM)Connect with Juliette Hawa:Juliette Hawa LinkedInConnect with Dika Vilic:Dika Vilic LinkedInGuy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust WebsiteGuy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust LinkedInConnect with Raj Amin:Raj Amin LinkedInArcade Therapeutics WebsiteArcade Therapeutics LinkedInArcade Therapeutics InstagramDr. Tracy Dennis-TiwaryConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Thirty episodes in, and this is a special one. Over the first 30 episodes of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni has sat down with physicians, founders, researchers, and change makers working at the edges of what's possible in pediatric healthcare. In this episode, he revisits some of the moments that stayed with him the longest, ideas that challenged conventional thinking, insights that sparked optimism, and reflections that encouraged deeper thinking about the future of children's health.Featuring standout moments from:Dr. Bimal Desai on  how digital check-ins are supporting medically complex children at home.Dr. Solfrid Raknes on how children in conflict zones describe a digital mental health game as "a school break, a break from the war."Andrew Post on the measurable impact of school-based health services: up to 11 fewer days of absenteeism, and nearly $2,800 in reduced annual healthcare costs per child served.Dr. Sucheta Joshi on the coming era of gene therapy for epilepsy, and the shift from treating symptoms to treating disease at the cellular level.John Brownstein on where AI is heading in healthcare: beyond documentation and into patient-facing equity, access, and a future where physicians can't imagine going back.Carla Small on why AI tutoring may be the most important application of AI for children, and why 98% of kids who need high-dose reading support aren't getting it.Dr. Jonathan Santoro on preventive neurology: using genetics and family risk scores to stop neurological disease before it starts.David Feinberg on why he is, by his own admission, wildly optimistic about the future of healthcare, and why that might just be a character flaw.Episode Resources:From Minecraft to Remote Monitoring: Innovating the Patient ExperienceTrauma, Grief and ResilienceSchools: A Hub for Children's HealthcarePediatrics, Everywhere: Telehealth for Rural Kids and the Future of Epilepsy CarePublic Health: Policy, Trust, and Emerging TechnologySeason 2 Premiere: Return of the Parentrepreneurs!Closing the Gap in Pediatric CareOracle Health: David Feinberg, MD→ For more episode resources, please check out our blogConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What happens when the people who need care most are also the least likely to receive it?In this episode, two innovators share how they are building solutions for populations that healthcare has consistently underserved, BIPOC mothers navigating the perinatal period, and children living with pain from complex medical conditions.Priya Iyer, Founder & CEO of Our Roots, describes how her virtual peer coaching platform is working to prevent and address perinatal anxiety and depression in BIPOC and low-income communities, where mood disorders occur at twice the rate of the general population, and where access barriers, language gaps, and a shortage of culturally concordant care mean that too many mothers never receive the help they need. With a 65% reduction in depression and anxiety scores observed among participants, and a reimbursement pathway through Medicaid, Our Roots is pioneering what virtual peer coaching in maternal mental health can look like at scale.Francesca Wuttke, CEO and Founder of nen, shares how her company has gamified cognitive behavioral therapy to help children with complex medical conditions understand and manage their pain. Children with cancer and other serious illnesses are placed on waitlists for pain psychology support that can stretch 12 to 18 months. nen is designed to fill that gap, with virtual companions, game-based CBT modules, and a clinical trial now expanding to potentially reach 80 to 90% of all children with cancer in Mexico.Episode Resources:CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal)Alameda Alliance for HealthDr Diana Ramos Surgeon General in CaliforniaFederally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)Harper Cancer Research Institute - University of Notre DameUna Nueva Esperanza A.B.P.Secretaría de Salud | Gobierno de MexicoUNICEF EspañaConnect with Priya Iyer:Priya Iyer LinkedInOur Roots WebsiteOur Roots LinkedInConnect with Francesca Wuttke:Francesca Wuttke LinkedInnen Websitenen LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Teenagers today are navigating something genuinely new, a world where the pressure to belong, the weight of social expectations, and the tools of social media and AI are all arriving at once, during the most identity-defining years of their lives. In this episode, two researchers and innovators share what the data actually shows about youth well-being, and what's being done to help.Dr. Kristine Gloria, founder of YoungFutures, describes how her organization is working to fund, connect, and amplify the community programs already helping young people build the resilience, life skills, and social connections they need, and why the narrative about technology and teens needs to make more room for solutions, not just problems.Dr. Sema Sgaier, founder of Surgo Health, shares how her team is building a behavioral intelligence layer for healthcare, and what their youth mental health research is revealing about how different groups of teens are using AI. The findings challenge the dominant narrative: AI use among youth is more a reflection of their lives and needs than a cause for alarm, and the role of parents and trusted adults turns out to be central to nearly everything.Episode Resources:Clinton Global InitiativeConnect with Dr. Kristine Gloria:Dr. Kristine Gloria LinkedInYoung Futures WebsiteYoung Futures LinkedInYoung Futures InstagramConnect with Dr. Sema Sgaier:Dr. Sema Sgaier LinkedInSurgo Health WebsiteSurgo Health LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What does it take to reach a pregnant mother in rural Kenya, and a teenager in America who's been told not to trust vaccines? In this second episode recorded at the Clinton Global Initiative, two innovators share how they are working to close two very different but equally urgent gaps in children's health.Dr. Lorraine Muluka, obstetrician and founder of Malaika, describes how her maternal health platform is bringing comprehensive, end-to-end pregnancy care to women in Kenya, using WhatsApp as the front door, AI to fill the gaps between clinical visits, and community cohorts to address the loneliness of pregnancy that even trained gynecologists often fail to see. Malaika supports mothers from pregnancy through their baby's first six months, building care that is continuous rather than fragmented, and accessible rather than aspirational.Judy Klein, founder of Unity Consortium, shares how a personal loss to cervical cancer (a disease the HPV vaccine now prevents) drove her to spend a decade fighting vaccine misinformation. Her organization's latest initiative: a national program training 10,000 teen health ambassadors who can carry science-based, empathy-driven conversations about vaccines into their own communities, one trusted relationship at a time.Together, they make the case that the future of global health runs through trust, community, and meeting people where they already are.Episode Resources:Clinton Global InitiativeConnect with Dr. Lorraine Muluka:Dr. Lorraine Muluka LinkedInMalaica WebsiteMalaica LinkedInMalaica InstagramConnect with Judy Klein:Judy Klein LinkedInUnity Consortium WebsiteUnity Consortium LinkedInUnity Consortium InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What does it take to deliver healthcare to the children who are hardest to reach, in conflict zones, refugee settlements, and communities where the health system has collapsed entirely? In this episode, recorded in the context of the Clinton Global Initiative, two innovators share how they are working to close some of the world's most urgent gaps in care for children and families.James Roberts, co-founder and CEO of mOm Incubators, shares how a collapsible, inflatable neonatal incubator (born from a design engineering student's final degree project and the personal story of his own premature mother) is now reaching babies in conflict zones, refugee settings, and healthcare deserts across seven countries. With CE mark and FDA clearance, mOm's incubators are being used in NHS hospitals in the UK, in air raid shelters in Ukraine, and in field hospitals in Gaza and Sudan.Shadi Martini, CEO of Multifaith Alliance, describes his journey from hospital manager in Aleppo to refugee to humanitarian leader, and the work his organization is doing to deliver primary healthcare, nutrition services, reproductive health, and free medication to displaced communities across Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond. In a year, MFA has reached nearly 80,000 people through its programs.Together, they offer a powerful reminder that optimism and action are possible even in the most difficult circumstancesEpisode Resources:Clinton Global InitiativeJENS - Congress of joint European Neonatal SocietiesLiverpool Women's University HospitalDr. Georgette F. Bennett Connect with James Roberts:James Roberts LinkedInmOm Incubators WebsitemOm Incubators LinkedInmOm Incubators InstagramConnect with Shadi Martini:Shadi Martini LinkedInMultifaith Alliance WebsiteMultifaith Alliance LinkedInMultifaith Alliance InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Half of children in the United States don't have easy access to quality pediatric care. And for children with epilepsy, even accessing the right diagnosis (let alone the right treatment) has until recently been out of reach for many families. In this episode, two pediatric innovators share how they are working to close those gaps.Dr. Lyndsey Garbi, co-founder of Blueberry Pediatrics, describes how her telehealth platform is bringing board-certified pediatricians directly into families' homes, complete with a diagnostic kit that includes an otoscope, pulse oximeter, and thermometer, so that a child in rural America gets the same quality of care as a child down the street from a children's hospital.Dr. Sucheta Joshi, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, reflects on a career that has witnessed one of the most significant transformations in pediatric neurology: the rise of genetic testing and gene-based therapies for epilepsy. What was once an unanswerable question (Why does my child have seizures?), now has an answer for a growing number of families. And that answer is beginning to guide not just treatment, but the prevention of harm from the wrong treatment.Episode Resources:Rural Health Transformation (RHT) ProgramConnect with Dr. Lyndsey Garbi:Dr. Lyndsey Garbi BlueberryDr. Lyndsey Garbi LinkedInDr. Lyndsey Garbi InstagramBlueberry Medical WebsiteBlueberry Medical LinkedInBlueberry Medical InstagramConnect with Dr. Sucheta Joshi:Dr. Sucheta Joshi Children's Hospital L.A.Dr. Sucheta Joshi LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What does healing look like beyond the medical chart? In this episode, two practitioners at Children's Hospital Los Angeles share how art, music, and virtual reality are playing meaningful roles in pediatric care, not as extras, but as essential parts of the patient experience.Nicole Albers, art therapist and Team Lead for the Mark Taper – Johnny Mercer Artists Program at CHLA, explains how art and music therapy meet children where they are, giving hospitalized kids a sense of power and control in an environment where almost everything else is decided for them. From lullabies customized to a parent's Spotify playlist to narrative art therapy that lets a child explore fear through a story about a tiny mouse, the work is as varied as the patients it serves.Dr. Joseph Miller, Interventional Radiologist at CHLA, shares how virtual reality is changing the procedural experience for pediatric patients, reducing the need for full anesthesia in certain procedures, easing anxiety, and allowing his team to serve patients they previously would have had to turn away.Together, they offer a picture of a hospital that treats the whole child, not just the diagnosis.Connect with Nicole Albers:Nicole Albers LinkedInMark Taper – Johnny Mercer Artists ProgramConnect with Dr. Joseph Miller:Dr. Joseph Miller CHLAConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Some of the most common conditions affecting children today remain among the most underserved, and some of the rarest are only just beginning to be understood. In this episode, four innovators share how they are rethinking the diagnosis, treatment, and access pathways for pediatric chronic conditions.Dr. Jonathan Santoro, pediatric neurologist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, shares his research on a newly identified condition in people with Down syndrome, a regression syndrome that was misdiagnosed for decades and is now showing meaningful response to immunotherapy in clinical trials.Dr. Alesandro Larrazabal and Christina LaMontagne, co-founders of Clarity Pediatrics, describe how their telehealth platform is working to close the chronic care gap in ADHD, anxiety, and pediatric obesity, conditions that affect millions of children but face severe shortages of specialist access, particularly in Medicaid communities.Matt Willis, Co-Founder of Attuned Intelligence, explains how an AI-powered voice agent is helping federally qualified health centers and safety net providers ensure that every patient call gets answered, starting with the front door of healthcare and building toward broader automation.Episode Resources:NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale—PARENT InformantEpic Integration with Attuned IntelligenceConnect with Dr. Jonathan Santoro:Dr. Jonathan Santoro LinkedInDr. Jonathan Santoro CHLAConnect with Clarity Pediatrics:Alesandro Larrazabal LinkedInChristina LaMontagne LinkedInClarity Pediatrics WebsiteClarity Pediatrics LinkedInClarity Pediatrics InstagramConnect with Matt Willis:Matt Willis LinkedInAttuned Intelligence WebsiteAttuned Intelligence LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

The neonatal intensive care unit is one of medicine's most remarkable achievements, and one of its most persistent challenges. In this episode of Dose of Optimism, three innovators share how they are working to improve care for some of the most vulnerable patients in healthcare: premature and critically ill newborns.Dean Koch, CEO at smallTalk, explains how a sensor-equipped pacifier and a speaker device are being used to explore whether contingent voice interaction, where an infant controls when they hear their parent's voice, may support early brain development in the NICU environment.Saheel Sutaria, CTO and co-founder of Gravitas Medical, describes how a sensorized feeding tube is working to address one of the most common and potentially dangerous challenges in neonatal care: safely placing and monitoring enteral feeding tubes in tiny patients.Ross Sommers, CEO and founder of Firstday Healthcare and a practicing neonatologist, shares how his company is building a tech-enabled care model that supports NICU families through the transition home, filling a gap that leaves many parents feeling suddenly alone after weeks or months of intensive hospital care.Together, they paint a picture of a field on the move, where better data, smarter devices, and more connected care models are beginning to reshape what's possible for premature babies and their families.Connect with Dean Koch:Dean Koch LinkedInsmallTalk WebsitesmallTalk LinkedInsmallTalk InstagramConnect with Saheel Sutaria:Saheel Sutaria LinkedInGravitas Medical WebsiteGravitas Medical LinkedInConnect with Ross Sommers:Ross Sommers LinkedInFirstday Healthcare WebsiteFirstday Healthcare LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Healthcare has a habit of overlooking the obvious. In this episode, three innovators share how they are addressing some of medicine's most persistent blind spots, from a vital organ that has gone unmonitored for decades, to a fragmented system failing new mothers, to the children whose voices rarely shape the digital tools built for them.Todd Dunn, CEO of Accuryn Medical, shares why the kidney remains one of the least monitored organs in acute care settings, and how better real-time data could support clinical teams managing critically ill patients. He also introduces the concept of "think flow" (understanding how clinicians think, not just how they work), as a foundation for meaningful healthcare innovation.Melissa Hanna, CEO and co-founder of Mahmee, explains how her company is working to improve the fragmented experience of pregnancy and postpartum care in the United States, where maternal outcomes remain among the worst in the developed world. From doula support to remote patient monitoring, Mahmee aims to connect the dots across an often-disjointed episode of care.Michael Preston, Executive Director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, reflects on what it means to design technology truly centered on children, including why kids themselves should have a seat at the design table, and how Sesame Street continues to help families make sense of a rapidly changing world, including AI.Episode Resources:Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer ChoiceResponsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC)LitLab.ai — curriculum-aligned decodables and fluency practice!AI and Us | Digital Well-being - Sesame Workshop YouTubeConnect with Todd Dunn:Todd Dunn LinkedInAccuryn Medical WebsiteAccuryn Medical LinkedInAccuryn Medical InstagramConnect with Melissa Hanna:Melissa Hanna LinkedInMahmee WebsiteMahmee LinkedInMahmee InstagramConnect with Michael Preston:Michael Preston - Executive Director of the Joan Ganz Cooney CenterMichael Preston LinkedInThe Joan Ganz Cooney Center WebsiteThe Joan Ganz Cooney Center LinkedInSesame Workshop WebsiteSesame Workshop InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. Instagram

Children’s mental health challenges are rising worldwide, yet access to effective care remains limited. In this episode, we explore new approaches to pediatric mental health with three leaders working to expand access and improve outcomes.Kristina Saffran, CEO of Equip, explains why eating disorders are one of the most misunderstood public health crises affecting children and adults, and how evidence-based family-based treatment can dramatically improve recovery when delivered earlier and more broadly.Dana Klein, co-founder of Gheorg, shares how a new generation of child-centered digital tools is helping children ages 7–12 build emotional resilience, develop coping skills, and identify mental health challenges before they escalate.Sophia Waitt, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, adds the perspective of a therapist working directly with teens and young adults, discussing the mental health impact of social media, identity pressure, and digital environments on developing minds.Together, the conversation explores how innovation, technology, and early intervention can help address one of the most urgent pediatric health challenges of our time.Episode Resources:National Alliance For Eating DisordersDr Louise Metcalf, Gheorg Founder & PsychologistSocial media ban in AustraliaConnect with Kristina Saffran:Kristina Saffran LinkedInEquip WebsiteEquip LinkedInEquip InstagramConnect with Dana Klein:Dana Klein LinkedInGheorg WebsiteGheorg LinkedInGheorg InstagramConnect with Sophia Watt:Sophia Waitt - Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFTSophia Waitt LinkedInKincove WebsiteKincove LinkedInKincove InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Canadian healthcare innovators are proving that optimism, data, and thoughtful technology can reshape pediatric care. In this episode, three leading physician-innovators share how digital health, artificial intelligence, and smarter care models are transforming outcomes for children and families.Dr. Shazhan Amed discusses how her startup Haibu Health is using digital health platforms and data integration to improve the lives of children living with type 1 diabetes, reduce hospitalizations, and support care across the entire lifespan.Dr. Joshua Liu, CEO at SeamlessMD, explores the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare, from the rapid rise of AI scribes to the next generation of tools focused on care delivery, workflow automation, and patient engagement.Dr. Devin Singh, Founder & CEO Hero AI, shares groundbreaking work using real-time AI models in the pediatric emergency department to accelerate diagnoses, reduce wait times, and improve care for vulnerable populations.Together, they offer an optimistic perspective on how Canada’s healthcare ecosystem is driving meaningful innovation in pediatric care.Episode Resources:Scribe - Smarter documentation software, powered by AIRevolutionize how you write text - AI SidekickConnect with Dr. Shazhan Amed:Dr. Shazhan Amed LinkedInHaibu Health WebsiteHaibu Health LinkedInDr. Shazhan Amed BC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteLive 5210 - BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteConnect with Dr. Joshua Liu:Dr. Joshua Liu LinkedInSeamlessMD WebsiteSeamlessMD LinkedInSeamlessMD InstagramConnect with Dr. Devin Singh:Hero AI WebsiteThe Hospital for Sick Children WebsiteThe Hospital for Sick Children LinkedInThe Hospital for Sick Children InstagramDr. Devin Singh LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Pediatric sleep care is undergoing a transformation, from hospital-based sleep labs to home-based, data-driven insights.In this episode, Dr. Eugene Kim and Conner Herman, explore how wearable technology and environmental behavioral sensors are reshaping how we understand children’s sleep. Dr. Eugene Kim shares how Apple Watch–based data collection could help identify sleep apnea risk before anesthesia, potentially reducing ICU admissions, shortening surgical delays, and improving perioperative safety. Meanwhile, Conner Herman explains how Percy uses multi-sensor fusion to objectively measure sleep behaviors at home, especially for children with autism and chronic conditions.Together, they reimagine pediatric sleep from two complementary perspectives: risk stratification before surgery and behavioral pattern detection in real-world environments The result is better data, less guesswork, fewer unnecessary medications, and earlier intervention. This episode dives into pediatric sleep innovation, anesthesia safety, behavioral health, and the future of home-based diagnostics for children.Episode Resources:Estimating Breathing Disturbances and Sleep Apnea Risk from Apple WatchAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine | AASM | Medical SocietyConnect with Dr. Eugene Kim:Eugene Kim, MD CHLACHLA and Apple Watch ProjectThe Division of Pain Medicine CHLADepartment of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine CHLAVirtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (vPICU)Connect with Conner Herman:Conner Herman LinkedInPercy WebsitePercy LinkedInPercy InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about Make March Matter:Make March MatterThe 11th Annual Make March Matter CampaignMake March Matter contributors:Alfred CoffeeRandy's DonutsPanda ExpressKatana LASushi Rokuh.wood GroupDelilah Los AngelesNice Guy Restaurant

What does a “moonshot” look like in pediatric healthcare?In this episode, three visionary leaders share how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and consumer-grade design thinking are transforming care for children worldwide.Dr. Timothy Chou introduces the Pediatric Moonshot, a global effort to deploy privacy-preserving AI across 500 children’s hospitals to reduce healthcare inequity and improve outcomes through patient digital twins. Prof Iain Hennessey explores how quantum computing could revolutionize scheduling, imaging, and diagnostics, positioning hospitals today for breakthroughs 7–10 years from now. Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Vital.io, shares how consumer product design principles are improving emergency care, eliminating friction, and transforming patient experience at scale.This conversation looks beyond incremental change, and into the future of pediatric medicine.Episode Resources:BevelCloud - Empowering the Future of Distributed AIConnect with Dr. Timothy Chou:Dr. Timothy Chou LinkedInPediatric Moonshot WebsitePediatric Moonshot LinkedInPediatric Moonshot PodcastConnect with Prof Iain Hennessey:Prof Iain Hennessey LinkedInAlder Hey Innovation WebsiteAlder Hey Innovation LinkedInConnect with Aaron Patzer:Aaron Patzer LinkedInVital.io WebsiteVital.io LinkedinIntuit, Inc. (Intuit, QuickBooks, QB, TurboTax, ProConnect, and Mint)Make March MatterConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

What if pediatric procedures could be less painful, less invasive, and safer for long-term health?In this episode, three leading physician-scientists from Children's Hospital Los Angeles share how breakthrough technologies are transforming children’s medicine.Dr. Jeffrey I. Gold explains how immersive virtual reality reduces pain, anxiety, and even eliminates sedation for certain procedures. Dr. John Wood discusses how low-field MRI is reducing radiation exposure and anesthesia in pediatric imaging. And Dr. James Amatruda reveals how zebrafish models are accelerating cancer research and improving outcomes for children with rare tumors.From bedside innovation to cutting-edge research labs, this conversation explores how technology is reshaping pediatric care, today and for the future.Episode Resources:MAGNETOM Free.Max (wide bore mri)CHLA Researcher Uses Low-Field MRI to Assess Lung Capacity in Children With Single Ventricle HeartsFluoroscopyMR fluoroscopyUSC Viterbi School of EngineeringKrishna Garikipati - USC Viterbi School of EngineeringChing-Ling (Ellen) Lien, PhDConnect with Dr. Jeff Gold:Jeff Gold Children's Hospital Los AngelesJeff Gold LinkedinConnect with Dr. John Wood:John Wood Children's Hospital Los Angeles Connect with Dr. James Amatruda:Dr. James Amatruda Children's Hospital Los AngelesDr. James Amatruda LinkedInAmatruda Lab Children's Hospital Los AngelesConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore how pediatric healthcare leaders are redesigning systems to prevent harm before it happens.Anne Lyren, Chief Medical and Strategy Officer of the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) Network, explains how children’s hospitals across the country collaborate to reduce serious harm through shared data, transparency, and continuous improvement.Rebecca Egger, CEO of Little Otter, brings a data and mental health lens, discussing why early childhood mental health has long been underestimated and how better data systems can surface risks earlier and more equitably.Manju Dawkins, Founder and CEO of Thimble, challenges long-standing assumptions around pain, fear, and “the way it’s always been done,” sharing how thoughtful design can transform needle procedures and raise the standard of care.Together, this conversation reframes patient safety as a systems problem, one that can be solved through collaboration, empathy, and intentional design.Episode Resources:KidsX x SPS Patient Safety Innovation ChallengeAnna Taddio, Professor - Leslie Dan Faculty of PharmacyConnect with Anne Lyren:Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety WebsiteChildren's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety LinkedInAnne Lyren LinkedInConnect with Rebecca Egger:Little Otter - a Hazel Health CompanyLittle Otter LinkedInLittle Otter InstagramRebecca Egger LinkedInConnect with Manju Dawkins:Thimble WebsiteThimble LinkedInThimble InstagramManju Dawkins LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety.Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability.We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Norton, Lisa Boettcher, and Jill Wiench, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients.Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone.Episode Resources:Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's WisconsinDayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient careConnect with Missy Krasner:Missy Krasner LinkedInConnect with Children's Wisconsin:Children's Wisconsin WebsiteChildren's Wisconsin LinkedInChildren's Wisconsin InstagramConnect with Dr. Sean Antosh:Dr. Sean Antosh LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital WebsiteDayton Children's Hospital LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how health policy, public trust, and emerging technology continue to shape the future of pediatric care.Tom Priselac reflects on decades of healthcare leadership, including his role as Chair of the American Hospital Association during the development of the Affordable Care Act. He shares how large health systems evolve, why access and quality must move together, and what remains unresolved for Medicaid, public health infrastructure, and underserved communities.Joining him is Boston Children's Hospital innovation leader John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and entrepreneur who bridges public health, data science, and digital innovation. John discusses how real-time data, scalable technology, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health.Together, they explore how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect, and why trust, adaptability, and long-term thinking matter more than ever in healthcare.Episode Resources:Affordable Care ActiCAN (International Children's Advisory Network)Introducing OpenAI for HealthcareMedTutor AI in Action: AI-Powered Innovation Could Transform Medical Education on Celiac DiseaseAccelerating scientific breakthroughs with an AI co-scientistConnect with Tom Priselac:Thomas M. Priselac LinkedinCedars-Sinai WebsiteCedars-Sinai InstagramCedars-Sinai LinkedInConnect with John Brownstein:John Brownstein LinkedInJohn Brownstein InstagramBoston Children's Hospital WebsiteBoston Children's Hospital LinkedInBoston Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this deeply moving episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how parents, families, children and caregivers navigate trauma, grief, and loss and what meaningful support looks like in the aftermath of a crisis.Dr. David Schonfeld, Director at the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, shares decades of experience helping schools and communities respond to disasters, violence, and loss, emphasizing why resilience does not mean children should be left to cope alone. Emma Payne, Founder & CEO at Help Texts., reflects on how personal loss led her to create scalable, compassionate bereavement support that meets families where they are. Dr. Solfrid Raknes discusses how evidence-based digital tools, like the Helping Hand Digital Game, can help children and adolescents build coping skills, even in the most fragile and conflict-affected settings.Together, this conversation centers on presence, care, and long-term healing, reminding us that recovery is possible when children and those who care for them are supported with intention and humanity.Episode Resources:Project Open ArmsThe Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of PediatricsWendy G Lichtenthal - Miller School of MedicineMary Frances O'Connor - UCLAThe Center for Good Mourning - Arkansas Children'sThe Dougy Center for Grieving Children & FamiliesThe Happy Helping Hand Manual - Dr. Solfrid Raknes (for teachers, psycho social staff, facilitators) Connect with Dr. David Schonfeld:National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Website National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement LinkedInNational Center for School Crisis and Bereavement InstagramNational Center for School Crisis and Bereavement FacebookDr. David Schonfeld LinkedInConnect with Emma Payne:Emma Payne LinkedInHelp Texts WebsiteCaregiver and Grief Support for Children's HospitalsHelp Texts InstagramHelp Texts FacebookHelp Texts LinkedInHelp Texts TikTokConnect with Dr. Solfrid Raknes:Dr. Solfrid Raknes LinkedInDr. Solfrid Raknes InstagramHelping Hand Digital GameAttensi WebsiteConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. Website

In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar sits down with two leaders shaping the present and future of pediatric healthcare.Paul Viviano, CEO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, shares a candid perspective on what it means to lead a children’s hospital during a period of unprecedented pressure. From workforce shortages and Medicaid uncertainty to research funding and equity in access, Paul reflects on the realities facing pediatric systems and the leadership principles required to navigate them with clarity and purpose.Kyle Horne, Project Manager for CHLA’s Literally Healing program, brings a deeply human lens to hospital care. Kyle explains how books, storytelling, and literacy support can create moments of comfort, understanding, and hope for children and families during hospitalization. His work reminds us that healing is not only clinical but emotional and developmental as well.Together, this conversation highlights how leadership, creativity, and compassion intersect to support children and families, even in the most challenging environments.Episode Resources:Medicaid - US health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resourcesMedi-Cal Insurance Coverage - California MedicaidLiterally Healing at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - an innovative reading programDrew Daywalt - American author and filmmakerBenson Shum - book author and illustratorBooks mentioned in the episode:How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear?The Little Engine That CouldGrumpy Monkey Up All NightGuess How Much I Love YouThe Day the Crayons QuitThe Book with No Pictures

We’re kicking off Season 2 by spotlighting parent-innovators who turned lived experience into action. This episode brings together founders who are reshaping pediatric mental health, literacy, and NICU care through empathy, technology, and perseverance.Hafeezah Muhammad, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, shares how her son’s mental health crisis led her to build a technology-enabled, family-centered mental health platform that serves children as young as four and supports parents, caregivers, and clinicians together. Carla Small, founder of Sprout Labs, explains how science-backed literacy tools and AI can identify dyslexia early, personalize instruction, and prevent years of academic struggle and declining self-esteem. Phil Martie, founder of Nicolette, reflects on his NICU journey as a parent of premature twins and how it inspired him to build tools that turn complex hospital data into clear, empowering insights for families navigating neonatal intensive care.Together, these conversations highlight the power of early intervention, empathetic design, and technology that meets families where they are, before crises deepen and systems fail them.Episode Resources:MedicaidOrton-Gillingham ApproachLearn more from the previous ‘’parentrepreneurs’’ episodes:The Mighty ParentrepreneursAutism: Tools to help doctors and parentsConnect with Hafeezah Muhammad:Backpack Healthcare WebsiteBackpack Healthcare FacebookBackpack Healthcare TwitterBackpack Healthcare InstagramBackpack Healthcare LinkedInBackpack Healthcare TikTokHafeezah Muhammad LinkedInConnect with Carla Small:Sprout Labs WebsiteSprout Labs LinkedInSprout Labs InstagramCarla Small LinkedInConnect with Phil Martie:Nicolette WebsiteNicolette LinkedInNicolette InstagramPhil Martie LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Pediatric healthcare is shaped by systems that are often invisible to patients and families, yet deeply influential in how care is delivered. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni is joined by three leaders working at the intersection of pediatrics, informatics, and digital transformation.Rod Tarrago, CMIO Pediatrics at Amazon Web Services, and Troy McGuire, CHIO at CHLA, share how informatics and data-driven design can reduce friction in pediatric care. Together, they discuss interoperability, clinician workflows, and the importance of building systems that support care teams without adding unnecessary burden.Shaun Miller, CHIO at Cedars-Sinai, brings a health system perspective on clinical decision support, physician wellness, and the responsible use of digital tools. He explains how thoughtful technology implementation can improve efficiency while keeping clinicians focused on patient care.This conversation highlights how careful system design, collaboration, and practical innovation can make pediatric healthcare more connected, more humane, and more sustainable for the people delivering and receiving care.Episode Resources:TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common AgreementCDEC - California Data Exchange CenterRHIO - Regional Health Information OrganizationLANES - Los Angeles Network for Enhanced ServicesK Health: 24/7 Access to High-Quality MedicineCedars-Sinai Connect - 24/7 world-class care without the waitRPM - Remote Patient Monitoring - example 1  example 2Connect with Rod Tarrago:Amazon Web Services (AWS) WebsiteAmazon Web Services (AWS) LinkedInAmazon Web Services (AWS) InstagramRod Tarrago LinkedInConnect with Troy McGuire:Troy McGuire LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. Troy McGuireConnect with Shaun Miller:Cedars-Sinai WebsiteCedars-Sinai LinkedInCedars-Sinai InstagramShaun Miller LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

Improving children’s health requires more than medical care alone. It depends on access to nutritious food, early learning support, trusted information, and healthcare systems designed around families.In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with three leaders working across different parts of the pediatric ecosystem. Sam Polk, CEO of Everytable, shares how food access and affordability shape health outcomes and why he believes nutritious meals should be available in every community. Patti Miller, Director of Too Small to Fail (Clinton Foundation), discusses the role of early childhood development, media, and caregiver support in building lifelong health and learning foundations. Laura Wood, EVP, Patient Care Operations and System Chief Nurse Executive at Boston Children's Hospital brings the perspective of a nurse leader, highlighting how care delivery models, professional practice environments, and digital tools can better support children and families.Together, they explore how cross sector collaboration can help address complex challenges in children’s health and why optimism comes from practical, people centered solutions already taking shape.Episode Resources:Compton Unified School DistrictCLA, The Laundry AssociationAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)California Department of Social ServicesRead: Early Literacy Policy StatementRead: Univision Communications, Inc. and Too Small to FailRead: Spotify launches a new Kids category with a focus on learning activities, language developmentEpic CorporationAmerican Academy of Nursing (AAN)Read: The CAMEO tool: Capturing the complex nature of pediatric nursingConnect with Sam Polk:Everytable WebsiteEverytable LinkedInEverytable InstagramFeast WebsiteFeast LinkedInSam Polk LinkedInSam Polk InstagramConnect with Patti Miller:Clinton Foundation WebsiteClinton Foundation LinkedInClinton Foundation InstagramToo Small to FailToo Small to Fail InstagramPatti Miller LinkedInConnect with Laura Wood:Boston Children's Hospital Website

Parents want fast, credible answers about their children’s health, and asynchronous care is opening a new path to get there. In this episode, Omkar Kulkarni speaks with two leaders shaping how families access pediatric care. Ellen Da Silva, Founder and CEO of Summer Health, explains how message based pediatric support can deliver answers from real physicians within minutes. She shares how parents use text, photos, and videos to get both urgent and everyday questions addressed without needing live appointments. Then, designer and digital health leader Arna Ionescu Stoll describes how Wavely Dx is turning the smartphone into a diagnostic tool, starting with ear infection detection through sound analysis and expanding to concussion screening. Together, they explore how asynchronous care can reduce unnecessary visits, improve access, and give parents confidence in moments of uncertainty.Connect with Ellen Da Silva:Summer Health WebsiteSummer Health LinkedInSummer Health InstagramEllen DaSilva InstagramEllen DaSilva LinkedInConnect with Arna Ionescu Stoll:Wavely Diagnostics WebsiteWavely Diagnostics LinkedInWavely Diagnostics InstagramArna Ionescu LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

Once a year, a very special group gathers in person: the behind-the-scenes innovators, operators, clinicians, policymakers, and digital health leaders shaping the future of children’s healthcare. This year, that group met in Chicago at the KidsX Pediatric Health Innovation Summit, and we recorded the entire experience.In this unique live episode, Omkar shares highlights from the day: inspiring stories from leaders like AVIA CEO Clay Holderman, discussions on patient experience and digital tools from Stacy Zoucha, insights into pediatric AI from Ali Nasser, and conversations about policy, innovation pathways, device development, and the role of federal agencies with Stephen Konya and Dr. Juan Espinoza.It’s a rare look at the community of “innovation enablers” working to make healthcare better for children, the people who build connections, remove barriers, and help new ideas find their way into practice.Episode Resources:Cancer Moonshot℠ - NCIMAHA reportCTIP - FDA-funded MedTech acceleratorFDA Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) Grants ProgramConnect with summit speakers:Clay Holderman - CEO at AVIAStacy Zoucha - Director of Digital Health and Innovation at Children's NebraskaAli Nasser - Manager, Insights & Advisory at AVIAStephen Konya - Chief, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesDr. Juan Espinoza - Chief Research Informatics Officer at Lurie Children’s HospitalConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInKidsX Summit was sponsored by:AVIA Health WebsiteAVIA Health LinkedInGozio Health WebsiteGozio Health LinkedInLearn more about today’s podcast episode sponsor:Q-rounds WebsiteQ-rounds LinkedInLearn more about our podcast sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

Pediatric innovation has never been static, and today, children’s hospitals across the country are adopting new tools that make care more connected, supportive, and responsive to family needs. In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, Dr. Bimal Desai of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Dr. Zafar Chaudry of Seattle Children’s share how their teams are rethinking the patient and caregiver experience through digital innovation. Dr. Desai discusses the unique realities of pediatric remote patient management, how digital check-ins are supporting medically complex children at home, and why small, high-need populations are often the biggest drivers of meaningful impact.  Dr. Chaudry then shares how Seattle Children’s is approaching AI thoughtfully (emphasizing culture, trust, and workflow) and why tools like their Minecraft hospital world are giving young patients a sense of agency during their hospital stay.Together, they offer a grounded and hopeful look at how digital health, careful design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can make care more supportive for families, while keeping clinicians at the center of decision-making.Episode Resources:Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring and Management Program (ISVMP) at CHOPCHOP Neonatal CATCH ProgramRemote patient management (RPM) at CHOPCHOP's Compass CareSeattle Children’s, Mojang Studios and Hive Games Partner to Craft Unique Minecraft World for Kids in the HospitalInside the AI-powered assistant helping doctors work faster and better at Seattle Children’s HospitalConnect with Dr. Bimal Desai:The Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaLinkedInConnect with Dr. Zafar Chaudry:Seattle Children’s HospitalLinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

When a child becomes seriously ill, parents often find themselves navigating overwhelming information, emotions, and decisions, all while trying to stay present for their families. In this episode, we meet two remarkable innovators whose ideas were born from these very moments.Aubrey Kelly, CEO of Rabble Health, shares the story of her son’s leukemia diagnosis, the emotional and logistical realities of living at a children’s hospital, and how that experience reshaped her understanding of patient support. Drawing on her biopharma background, she explains why she created Rabble Health to help families access information, resources, and shared decision-making tools when they need them most.We also meet Ella Casano, the Stanford student who invented Medi-Teddy at age 12 after seeing how intimidating IV bags looked to children receiving treatment. What began as a school project has now supported more than 15,000 pediatric patients worldwide through a nonprofit committed to making care feel a little less frightening.This conversation highlights how families, through lived experience, creativity, and determination, can drive meaningful improvements in pediatric healthcare.Connect with Aubrey Kelly:Aubrey Kelly LinkedInRabble Health WebsiteRabble Health LinkedInMyRabble AppConnect with Ella Casano:Medi Teddy WebsiteMedi Teddy InstagramElla Casano LinkedInElla Casano InstagramMake a tax-deductible donation to 501(c)3 nonprofit at www.medi-teddy.orgConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn

Food allergies affect millions of children across the U.S., but what if many could be prevented before they start?In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni speaks with Daniel Zakowski, CEO of Ready, Set, Food!, and Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac, pediatric allergist and immunologist at the Cleveland Clinic, about the groundbreaking science and strategies behind early allergen introduction.Daniel Zakowski shares how a personal family experience led to the creation of Ready, Set, Food!, a company making it simple for parents to safely introduce common allergens like peanut, egg, and milk during infancy. He explains the public health impact, from insurance coverage to Medicaid partnerships and legislative progress across states.Dr. Bjelac brings the clinical perspective, breaking down decades of research and the pivotal LEAP study that changed everything, proving that early exposure can reduce peanut allergy by more than 70%. She explains the connection between eczema and food allergies, and why empowering parents with the right information can transform lives.It’s an inspiring look at how science, innovation, and advocacy are reshaping the future of childhood health, one spoonful at a time.Episode Resources:Centene Corporation: Managed Care & Healthcare SolutionsAetna: Health Insurance PlansMedicaid: Keeping America HealthyLearning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP)Oral immunotherapy (OIT)Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT)Peanut Allergy DropAllergy Therapeutics advances peanut allergy vaccine with promising early trial dataConnect with Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac:Cleveland Clinic - Dr. Jaclyn BjelacCleveland Clinic Instagram Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac LinkedInDr. Jaclyn Bjelac InstagramConnect with Daniel Zakowski:Ready. Set. Food! WebsiteReady. Set. Food! InstagramDaniel Zakowski LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedInThe content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors o

In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni sits down with Dr. David Feinberg, Chairman of Oracle Health and one of the most influential leaders in modern medicine. From his beginnings as a pediatric psychiatrist to leading organizations like UCLA Health, Geisinger, Google Health, and now Oracle Health, Dr. Feinberg has always focused on one thing: making healthcare more compassionate, connected, and human.Together, they explore how artificial intelligence and data are transforming care, not by replacing doctors, but by empowering them. Dr. Feinberg shares how Oracle Health is building a more open, equitable system that connects patients, providers, and communities in ways that make care simpler and smarter. It’s a conversation about innovation, empathy, and the belief that better data can lead to better care, and ultimately, better lives.Episode Resources:Oracle Health EHROutlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter AttiaConnect with David Feinberg:David Feinberg LinkedInOracle Health WebsiteOracle Health LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

What does the future of diabetes and nutrition look like for kids?In this episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni speaks with two remarkable pediatricians shaping that future from different angles. Dr. Larry Deeb, a pioneer in pediatric endocrinology, looks back on five decades of diabetes care, from the days of urine glucose tests to the revolutionary technology of continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin pumps. He explains how innovation has transformed type 1 diabetes from a life-limiting illness into a manageable condition and shares what’s next in early screening and prevention. Then, Dr. Senbagam Virudachalam joins to discuss how food access and education are central to preventing chronic disease. She shares the story behind Home Plate, a six-week food-skills program that empowers parents to cook healthy meals, strengthen family connections, and build long-term health habits from a child’s first 1,000 days of life.Together, they paint a picture of a future where science, empathy, and systems-level change work hand-in-hand to help children live longer, healthier lives.Episode Resources:Home Plate: An Intervention Empowering Low-income Parents to Prepare Healthy Food at HomeWIC: USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and ChildrenSNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNAP-Ed ConnectionConnect with Dr. Larry Deeb:Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare WebsiteLife for a Child WebsiteLife for a Child InstagramDr. Larry Deeb LinkedInConnect with Dr. Senbagam Virudachalam:The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia WebsiteUniversity of PennsylvaniaDr. Senbagam Virudachalam LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

This episode of A Dose of Optimism explores how technology and compassion are reshaping the autism journey, from early diagnosis to innovative therapy.Host Omkar Kulkarni talks with Dr. Colleen Kraft, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about how pediatricians are identifying developmental differences earlier than ever. She explains how AI tools like Canvas Dx, developed by Cognoa, are helping families get answers faster and start life-changing interventions while children’s brains are still rapidly developing. Dr. Sharief Taraman, a pediatric neurologist and CEO of Cognoa, shares how technology is expanding access to care by reducing wait times and empowering more clinicians to diagnose and support children with autism.The conversation continues with Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, who describes how virtual reality is being used to teach social and life skills in a safe, immersive environment. His platform is helping children practice everything from crossing the street to making friends, turning therapy into a truly interactive learning experience.From AI to VR, these breakthroughs are giving families hope, access, and the support they need, proving that innovation in children’s health is both possible and powerful.Connect with Colleen Kraft:Colleen Kraft LinkedInConnect with Sharief Taraman:Cognoa WebsiteCognoa InstagramSharief Taraman LinkedInSharief Taraman InstagramConnect with Vijay Ravindran:Floreo WebsiteFloreo InstagramVijay Ravindran LinkedInRead:NYC autism school embraces VR to teach social skills and boost learningSchools turn to VR to develop a ‘future-ready’ neurodivergent workforceFor people with disabilities, stressful situations may be traumatic. VR can help | OpinionConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

What if every family could access nutritious food as easily as sending a text message?In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, Dr. Jessica Knurick, nutrition scientist and science communicator, and Adam Dole, co-founder and COO of Bento, explore the intersection of food, health, and equity.Jessica breaks down how food deserts, systemic policies, and income inequality affect children’s health, and why nutrition should be seen as a public health priority, not a personal choice. Adam shares how Bento, named one of TIME’s Best Inventions and a Fast Company World Changing Idea, is using technology to fight food insecurity, delivering fresh groceries to families in need while preserving dignity and privacy.🎧 Listen in to discover how innovation, empathy, and policy can create a healthier, more equitable food future for every child.Episode Resources:WIC - Women, Infants, and ChildrenNot Impossible LabsConnect with Jessica Knurick:Jessica Knurick WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookDr. Jessica Knurick SubstackConnect with Adam Dole:Bento WebsiteAdam Dole LinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

In this first episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni explores how schools are becoming powerful allies in improving children’s health and well-being.Omkar speaks with Dr. Smita Malhotra, Chief Medical Director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, who shares how her team is reimagining schools as centers for mental, dental, and medical care, bringing services directly to students and families who need them most. He’s also joined by Andrew Post, President of Hazel Health, whose company is pioneering school-based telehealth, giving students access to physical and mental health providers right from the classroom. They discuss access, equity, and the future of pediatric healthcare delivery, one that meets kids where they are, in the place they spend most of their day: school.🎧 Listen now to see how technology, compassion, and collaboration are shaping a brighter, healthier future for every child.Episode Resources:TelehealthTelemental HealthHeat IndexLos Angeles Network for Enhanced Services (LANES)MedicaidHealth Net of CaliforniaConnect with Dr. Smita Malhotra:Smita Malhotra, MD WebsiteInstagram: @drsmita_mdLinkedInConnect with Andrew Post:Hazel Health WebsiteLinkedInConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedInLearn more about our sponsor:Nabla WebsiteNabla LinkedIn“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.” 

Dose of Optimism, hosted by Omkar Kulkarni.Healthcare is full of challenges, but it’s also full of optimists.Hosted by Omkar Kulkarni, Dose of Optimism introduces you to the innovators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors who believe the future of healthcare can, and will, be brighter.Each episode shines a light on bold ideas and inspiring solutions in healthcare: from tackling mental health and food allergies to reimagining hospital care and harnessing Artificial Intelligence for better outcomes.Through authentic conversations, you’ll hear the stories of people who are not only solving today’s hardest healthcare problems but doing so with hope, creativity, and resilience.🎙️ New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe today for your regular dose of optimism.“The content, views, opinions, and information presented on this podcast do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or of the sponsors of the podcast. CHLA does not endorse the views, opinions and information presented on this podcast and CHLA specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the podcast’s content.”