Clinician Real Talk

Dr. Kim brings together two perspectives — the engineer who sees inefficiencies and the clinician who values connection. He recounts the moment that pushed him into medicine, plus the emotional experiences that shaped his identity as a family physician. He discusses how engaging clinicians early in EHR design changed adoption, satisfaction, and retention, and how centralized call centers and enhanced workflows improved the patient experience. Dr. Kim also explains why AI Scribe has been so transformative for clinicians, giving them space to reconnect with what brought them into medicine in the first place: listening, presence, and human connection. He closes by sharing how Optum’s leadership development programs help clinicians grow in their careers and why remembering your “why” is essential in today’s value‑based world. 

Episode NotesTitle: Building Better Care for Older Adults: Value-Based InnovationGuest: Martin Levine, MDDuration: ~28 minutesTheme: How Optum’s value-based care model transforms chronic care management and empowers clinicians to innovate.Episode Overview:Dr. Levine discusses his passion for improving care for older adults and the systemic changes needed to make health care more effective. He highlights the Memory Health Support Program, which helps families navigate dementia care without added cost, and shares real-world examples of how interdisciplinary teams—nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health—create better outcomes.Key Topics & Timestamps00:00 – 00:02:10Dr. Levine’s background and career journey00:03:00 – 00:06:45Why value-based care matters for older adults00:07:00 – 00:11:30Memory Health Support Program: Closing gaps in dementia care00:12:00 – 00:15:45Engaging families and redesigning workflows00:16:00 – 00:20:30Empowering patients through education and self-efficacy00:21:00 – 00:24:00Balancing fee-for-service and value-based models00:24:30 – 00:27:50Why Optum is uniquely positioned to lead this transformationEpisode HighlightsInnovation in action: How Optum uses value-based care to fund new services.Family-centered care: Bringing caregivers into the process for better outcomes.Clinician support: Reducing administrative burden and creating space for meaningful care.Real impact: Stories of clinics embracing new models and thriving.Resources & LinksTake our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.htmlOptum Care partnership: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.htmlResource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Episode NotesTitle: Meeting Patients Where They Are: Addiction, Obesity & Value-Based CareGuest: Lea Witt, DNP, FNPDuration: ~24 minutesTheme: Empowering clinicians to address addiction and obesity through education, trust, and value-based care.Episode Overview:Lea discusses her personal and professional journey, the importance of clinician education, and how Optum’s model supports proactive care. She shares powerful patient stories that illustrate the ripple effect of early intervention and preventative care.Key Topics & Timestamps00:00 – 00:01:42 | Lea’s background and transition to Optum00:02:15 – 00:03:07 | Why addiction care became her passion00:03:27 – 00:04:02 | Clinician comfort level as a barrier00:04:10 – 00:05:49 | Patient story: Overcoming medication dependence00:06:05 – 00:07:44 | Building trust through value-based care00:07:59 – 00:09:24 | Signs of addiction across age groups00:09:44 – 00:10:59 | Patient story: Gradual medication tapering00:11:06 – 00:11:57 | Optum resources: APC fellowship & education00:12:08 – 00:13:56 | Preventative care as a gateway to addiction screening00:14:13 – 00:16:26 | Patient story: Bariatric surgery success00:17:15 – 00:17:37 | Collaborative care model for better outcomes00:17:46 – 00:19:35 | Clinician well-being and community support00:21:05 – 00:21:57 | Advice for clinicians entering addiction/obesity care00:22:04 – 00:23:15 | Why Optum is uniquely positioned to transform careEpisode HighlightsEducation matters: Clinician confidence is key to addressing addiction in primary care.Trust first: Value-based care creates space for meaningful conversations.Early intervention saves lives: Preventative visits often uncover hidden risks.Real impact: Stories of patients who overcame addiction and obesity through proactive care.Support for clinicians: Optum provides resources, training, and community to combat burnout and improve outcomes.Resources & LinksTake our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23Optum Care partnership website: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.htmlResource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html

Episode title: The Road to Wellness: Reimagining rural healthGuest: Dr. Jaren TrostDuration: ~27 minutesTheme: Purpose-driven care, clinician well-being, and the power of value-based care in underserved communities.Episode overviewThis episode dives deep into Dr. Trost’s journey from burnout to purpose, highlighting how Optum’s value-based care model empowered him to deliver meaningful care to rural and underserved populations. Through personal stories, he illustrates how data, leadership support, and infrastructure can transform clinician experience and patient outcomes.Key topics & timestamps00:00–00:45Introduction to Clinician Real TalkPurpose of the show: authentic conversations with frontline cliniciansFocus on clarity, honesty, and real-world insights00:45–02:04Dr. Trost’s early career & burnoutPost-fellowship burnoutOptum’s promise of fewer patients and more time per visitInitial signs of recovery and support02:04–03:01Leadership support & growth opportunitiesHome visits and leadership buy-inSequoia Fellowship and Partnership Forums“Happy doctor = happy patient” philosophy03:01–05:18Driving across New Mexico to reach patientsUsing claims data to identify high-risk patientsPersonal outreach and emotional home visitsRediscovering purpose through direct patient care05:18–07:28Value-based care as a sustainable missionGiving voice to voiceless patientsEmotional impact of follow-ups and personal callsExpansion of the program with nurse practitioners and mobile vans07:28–09:39Solving local problems with national resourcesMedicaid-heavy population in New MexicoFederally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)Opening new clinics in underserved areas09:39–11:06Balancing autonomy & infrastructure for contracted cliniciansTailored support for IPA clinicsOperational best practices from employed modelsEmpowering clinicians to spend more time with patients11:06–13:12Tools that simplify practiceAI scribes to reduce documentation burdenAnnual wellness visits and extended patient timeRight patient, right time, right setting model13:12–15:29Streamlining workflow & emotional impactData-driven outreachEmotional rewards of home visitsThe power of a hug and human connection15:29–18:05Connecting patients to resourcesOptum’s infrastructure: social workers, case managersFollow-up calls and warm handoffsBuilding trust and continuity of care18:05–21:03Encouraging clinicians to join VBCInvitation to shadow Dr. TrostLeadership support and culture of listeningGrove and Sequoia leadership programs21:03–26:36Personal growth & patient storyA moving story of a patient needing food, not just medical careTeam response and emotional impactRealization of purpose and commitment to Optum26:36–27:37Closing thoughts & call to actionTreating underserved patients with dignityEncouragement to take the readiness quizSubscribe for more real clinician storiesEpisode highlightsEmotional storytelling: Dr. Trost’s visit to a patient who simply needed food underscores the human side of care.Leadership development: Grove and Sequoia programs nurture clinicians into impactful leaders.Infrastructure meets autonomy: Optum supports IPA clinics without overriding their independence.Tech-enabled care: AI scribes and data analytics streamline workflows and improve care delivery.Resources & LinksTake our quiz: https://lp.optum.com/value-based-care-quiz.html?!23Optum Care partnership website: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/care-partnerships.htmlResource Library: https://business.optum.com/en/providers/elevating-clinical-practice.html