Faisel and Friends: A Primary Care Podcast

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Sharing Care: Expanding Primary Care Delivery. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Yasir Abdul-Rahman, Physician and Innovator.Our conversation explores scaling primary care accessibility through virtual group visits, improving patient outcomes while reducing physician burnout, and building community within shared medical care.

We’re discussing More than Just Mom: the Role of Family and Community in Maternal Health! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Esa Davis from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.Our conversation revolves around providing value through continuity during and beyond perinatal care, partnering with community health professionals for holistic patient care, and considering how to utilize AI without bias.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing The Doctor Abides: Simple Rules of Family Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Kurt Stange, Director of the Center for Community Health Integration.Our conversation explores the differences between generalists and specialists, the utmost relevance of primary care in the current healthcare system, and the lasting impact family physicians can have on their patients’ quality of life as well as on their fellow physicians.

Medical students are eagerly awaiting Match Day 2026, and we’re discussing Optimizing the Match: the Residency Selection Improvement Initiative! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Karen Mitchell, Vice President at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).Our conversation revolves around improving the efficiency of the resident application process, visualizing a future where residency applicants can narrow their search by their interest and values, and closing the family medicine applicant-offer gap.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing A Call to Action: the Primary Care Triple Double. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs.Our conversation explores envisioning the next four years of advancement in primary care, breaking down the factors to achieve that vision, and identifying the outcomes of our efforts.Stay informed and learn more about Primary Care for America's triple double campaign here: www.primarycareforamerica.org/goals.

We’re discussing Rural Collective Care: Primary Care That Shows Up! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jim Lancaster, from Main Street Health.Our conversation revolves around measuring value in both quality as well as outcomes, providing patient care that goes above and beyond the clinic walls, responding to natural disasters as a team to support the community, and making the bright future of rural healthcare into a reality.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Physician as Patient: Navigating the Healthcare System in an Emergency. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Lauren Hughes: Family Physician Executive and Health Policy Leader improving Primary Care and Rural Health.Our conversation explores how Dr. Hughes managed her patient experience after a car accident: the work required to navigate insurance coverage after a medical event, the impracticality of patient responsibility in a crisis, the factors that expedited resolution, and the policy action needed to address this universal issue.

We’re discussing The Compass of Connection: Using Moral Insight to Guide Patient-Centered Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Peter Murphy, from Mountain View Direct Care.Our conversation revolves around defining what sets Direct Primary Care apart from other models, considering the moral injury of financial harm as part of patients’ health, and forging a new path based in quality relationship- and value-based care.

We’re discussing A Year in Review: Looking Forward to 2026! Faisel and Dan are reflecting on all we learned through our conversations in 2025, and projecting what’s on the horizon this year.Our conversation revolves around improving the healthcare system for all patients, expanding access to Direct Primary Care through health savings accounts, and personalizing the way we coordinate care for better outcomes.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Following the Information Blueprint: Restoring Joy in Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Karen Johnson, PhD: Vice President of Practice Advancement at the American Academy of Family Physicians.Our conversation explores reducing the burdens of practice by utilizing AI, improving information-sharing and data flow to guide impactful action, and rebuilding trust within the healthcare workforce.Read the Primary Care Information Blueprint here: https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/practice_management/payment/primary-care-information-blueprint-aafp.pdf

We’re discussing Smarter Tech, Stronger Connections! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Paulius Mui & Dr. Gina EngelOur conversation revolves around preserving human connection and clinical judgement in a digital landscape, enhancing care with responsible AI use, and treating technology as support rather than replacement.This episode was recorded live at FMX, the AAFP's premier Family Medicine conference! Learn more about FMX here: https://www.aafp.org/events/fmx/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Reclaiming the Human Interaction in The Age of AI. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Steven Waldren & Dr. Jay Lee.Our conversation explores empowering clinicians with technology, optimizing team collaboration with AI, and reclaiming the narrative around primary care physicians as trusted voices of wellness.This episode was recorded live at FMX, the AAFP's premier Family Medicine conference! Learn more about FMX here: https://www.aafp.org/events/fmx/2026.html

We’re discussing Empowering Patients to Make the Best Decisions! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Alex McDonald: Family and Sports Medicine Physician, AAFP Vaccine Science Fellow, and Immediate Past President of the California Academy of Family Physicians.Our conversation revolves around exploring vaccination options with patients, building a movement from an online immunization community, and prescribing lifestyle medicine.

We’re discussing Raising the Bar in Value Based Primary Care Payment! Faisel and Dan are joined by Purva Rawal, PhD, Former Chief Strategy Officer, CMS Innovation Center at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.Our conversation revolves around navigating changing healthcare policies, unlearning fee for service as the default, and leveraging community relationships within alternative care models.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Growth, Equity, and Alignment in Primary Care Systems. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Doug Jacobs: Executive Director of the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC).Our conversation explores caring about what’s happening in fee-for-service even if you are in a value-based model, communicating with patients about accountable care, and understanding complexities of the “efficiency adjustment” in the upcoming fee schedule.

We’re discussing Teaching Tomorrow’s Family Doctors: Residency, Resilience, and New Models of Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Makandall Saint Eloi, Dr. Christian Widder and Dr. Farah Shaukat.Our conversation revolves around training the next generation of doctors, implementing new models of care, and identifying practical applications of AI in family medicine.This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE here: https://www.aafp.org/events/future-conference/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing From Inspiration to Impact: Family Medicine at the Crossroads of Change. Faisel and Dan are talking with Shawn Martin, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and Dr. Tina Sharma, Chief Resident of Family Medicine at The University of Texas at Tyler.Our conversation explores the growing direct primary care movement, the utilization of artificial intelligence in medicine, and the bright future workforce of Family Medicine.This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE here: https://www.aafp.org/events/future-conference/2026.html

We’re discussing Direct Primary Care: a Rising Tide for American Healthcare! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jeffrey Davenport, from One Focus Medical and Direct Primary Care Alliance.Our conversation revolves around recent policy changes in favor of DPC, timely momentum in the alternative care model movement, and finding physician satisfaction after burnout.This episode was recorded live at FUTURE, the AAFP's annual conference! Learn more about FUTURE here: https://www.aafp.org/events/future-conference/2026.html

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Beyond the Copay: DPC, HSAs, and the Politics of Change. Faisel and Dan are talking with Jay Keese: CEO of Capitol Advocates and Executive Director of the Direct Primary Care Coalition (DPCC).Our conversation explores meaningful changes to healthcare delivery, groundbreaking achievements in IRS policy, and advice for leveraging law to provide more personal patient experience and better outcomes.Learn more at www.dpcare.org

We’re discussing Taking Care: of Ourselves, Each Other, and Our System! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs and Associate Professor of Medicine and Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Our conversation revolves around innovating payment models beyond units, taking responsibility for patient needs beyond clinic visits, and efficiently connecting with patients and colleagues beyond bare necessity.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Advanced Primary Care: Investing in Happier and Healthier Patients. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Jon Leizman, Chief Medical Officer at Premise Health.Our conversation explores navigating access to primary care, shifting the focus within a model of onsite employer-based healthcare, and addressing the role of policy in the future of the healthcare workforce.

We’re discussing Relationships and Community: the Fabric of Rural Health! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sonya Bruton: CEO and President of CCI Health Services, Clinical Psychologist, and Author.Our conversation revolves around the inherent link between physical and behavioral health, the necessity of physicians staying engaged with their passion for care, and the hesitancy of patients around AI in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Innovations in Primary Care: Independent & Rural Practices. Dan moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Jim Lancaster, Sonya J. Bruton, Psy.D, Tim Gronniger, and Carrie Cochran-McClain, DrPH.Our conversation explores providing important care for small communities, solving the workforce shortage in rural practices, and addressing the financial barriers that independent practices face.This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare25.

We’re discussing Addressing the Chronic Disease Crisis: The Foundation of Making America Healthy! Faisel moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Wayne Jonas, Dr. Kate Goodrich, Dr. Joseph B. Brodine, and Peter Shin, PhD.Our conversation revolves around incentivizing primary care as a viable career for physicians, optimizing processes to unburden patients, and collaborating on multidisciplinary teams for whole-person care.This conversation was recorded live at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare25. 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Back to Care: Reimagining Maternal Health. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Esa Davis: Associate Vice President for Community Health at University of Maryland School of MedicineOur conversation explores navigating challenging medical situations, creating an environment where patient voices matter, and looking towards a psychologically safe future in healthcare.Dr. Esa Davis is a Vice Chair of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the materials expressed in this podcast reflect her individual views only and do not represent the views or recommendations of the USPSTF.  The overall presentation should not be attributed to the USPSTF.

We’re discussing From Pain to Purpose: Transforming Trauma into Healing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Jeff Brenner: CEO at The Jewish Board.Our conversation revolves around the unexpected findings regarding coordinated care, the reality of medicalizing social issues, and the importance of timely empathy in mental and behavioral health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Expanding the Frontier: The Future of Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Tim Gronniger: Chief Executive Officer at Hopscotch Primary Care.Our conversation revolves around primary care in rural communities, the next generation of primary care practices, and pushing the boundaries of what primary care can be.

We’re discussing The Reality of Residency: Shaping Tomorrow’s Family Physicians! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Sarah Cole, Program Director at Mercy Family Medicine St. Louis.Our conversation revolves around workload in medical education, leadership involvement during residency, and expectations for family medicine Match 2025.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care Scorecard: The Cost of Neglect. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center at American Academy of Family PhysiciansOur conversation explores the major strains on primary care in 2025, the focus on prevention as the national healthcare strategy, and the driving factors of workforce retention and depletion.Read the full Scorecard Report here: https://www.milbank.org/publications/the-health-of-us-primary-care-2025-scorecard-report-the-cost-of-neglect/

We’re discussing Compassion in Code: Leveraging Technology for Personalized Patient Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. David Carmouche: Executive Vice President & Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at Lumeris.Our conversation revolves around industry adoption of cutting edge healthcare technologies, working with the factors that influence health equity, and AI-Physician collaboration for better health coaching.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Primary Care MVPs: Excellence in Cost and Outcomes. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Alison Huffstetler: Medical Director at the Robert Graham Center.Our conversation explores the research supporting clinicians through changing models, the dwindling primary care workforce, and the possibilities to improve retention after medical education.

We’re discussing Primary Care on the Brink: Towards a Healthier Tomorrow! Faisel and Dan are joined by Timothy Hoff, PhD: Professor of Management, Healthcare Systems, and Health Policy at Northeastern University.Our conversation revolves around collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists, opportunities in the private sector to positively impact the future of primary care in America, and the changing workforce in healthcare.

This week on Faisel and Friends, Dan and Faisel are discussing Resolution: Hope for Holistic Health in 2025.Our conversation explores what we are looking forward to in 2025, how lifestyle choices can make sustainable impact, and a focus on preventive primary care.

We’re discussing Humanity and Health in the Age of AI! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Steven Lin, Executive Director of Stanford Healthcare AI Applied Research Team (HEA3RT).Our conversation revolves around working in tandem with AI to advance family medicine, applying technology for better doctor-patient connection, and addressing social equity in population health through innovative primary care.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Connecting Hearts and Health: Creating an Empathetic EHR. Faisel and Dan are talking with Kyna Fong, PhD: CEO and Co-Founder of Elation Health.Our conversation explores the power of the human relationship in healthcare, the clinical-first philosophy behind building a new EHR, and the ability of a primary care tool to empower physicians.Learn more about Elation here: https://www.elationhealth.com

We’re discussing Primary Care Pulse Check: Transitioning in a Time of Uncertainty! Faisel and Dan are joined by Shawn Martin, CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians.Our conversation revolves around continuing to strengthen Primary Care to meet societal needs, advancing population health with upstream innovations, and getting students and residents interested in alternative care models for the future healthcare workforce in America.

We’re discussing Pursuing Equitable Access to High Quality Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Mark Gwynne, President of the University of North Carolina Health Alliance.Our conversation revolves around the core principles of providing holistic value based care, the high quality outcomes from collaborative care, and the potential to transform access to care for better population health.

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Embracing the Future of Advanced Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Vikki DiGennaro, CEO of Pioneer Physicians Network, and Dr. Kevin Spencer, Chief Clinical Officer of Agilon Health.Our conversation explores the proven outcomes of risk bearing primary care, the benefits of going into a patient’s environment to provide more personalized care, and the impact of changes to medicare advantage policy and ACO Reach.

We’re discussing Healing the Healers: Advances in Physician Wellbeing! Faisel and Dan are joined by Corey Feist, CEO & Co-Founder, and Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer, from Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation.Our conversation revolves around the ways team-based care provides lifesaving support to clinicians, the bipartisan support of policy for healthcare workers mental health, and changing the standard of well-being for people in healthcare.Learn more about the Lorna Breen Act: https://drlornabreen.org/reauthorizelba/Contact state licensure boards here: https://drlornabreen.org/contact-boards/ 

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Illuminating the Path to DPC. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. Michelle Cooke, Founder of Sol Direct Primary Care.Our conversation explores serving the community that needs care through DPC, approaching the business of alternative models within the American healthcare system, and considering the wellness of physicians as well as patients.

We’re discussing From Classroom to Clinic: Leadership in Healthcare Innovation! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Wendy Barr, Associate Dean of Education and Curriculum at UMass Chan-Lahey Regional Medical School Campus in Burlington, MA.Our conversation revolves around collaboration as the key to the future of medical education, enthusiasm for including leadership training during residency, and utilizing survey results of resident trends to better the future of healthcare. 

We’re discussing Investing in the Future: Healing Access to Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour – Director of the Robert Graham Center.Our conversation revolves around how primary care can increase life expectancy, what infrastructure changes are necessary for a healthier population, and why high-functioning care teams can lead to better outcomes.Learn more about the Primary Care workforce crisis: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org/workforce/

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Fixing the Foundation: Rebuilding with Lifestyle Medicine. Faisel and Dan are talking with Karen Johnson, PhD, Vice President of Practice Advancement at the AAFP, and Dr. Padmaja Patel, President-Elect at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.Our conversation explores addressing patient concerns through lifestyle behaviors, having policy conversations to shift the mindset away from fee-for-service norms, and providing high quality care despite misaligned quality measures.Read the paper by Johnson and Dr. Patel here!

We’re discussing Striking the Balance: Moving towards Value Based Care! Dan is joined by Michael Kopko – CEO of Pearl Health.Our conversation revolves around caring for patients beyond one-on-one office visits, lowering costs of care without sacrificing quality, and addressing panel size for overburdened physician teams.Learn more about Pearl Health at: https://pearlhealth.com

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing Resiliency, Empowerment, and the Pursuit of Rewarding Primary Care. Faisel and Dan are talking with Dr. William Fox, Chairman of the American College of Physicians.Our conversation explores a primary care physicians’s greatest tools, the support required for successful time efficiency, and some informed insights around new models of care.Learn more about Primary Care for America at: https://www.primarycareforamerica.org

This week on Faisel and Friends, we are discussing PrimaryCare24: See the Possibilities. Faisel and Dan are recapping this year’s annual Primary Care for America event.Our conversation explores supporting physician leaders in centering innovation, bright spot takeaways from the change makers in American Primary Care, and taking care of primary care workers in order to better care for our patients.Curious about what Dan and Faisel are referencing? Watch the sessions from PrimaryCare24 here!

We’re discussing Breaking Barriers in Primary Care through Innovative Models! Faisel and Dan are joined by Liz Fowler, PhD, JD – Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.Our conversation revolves around incentives to expand access and increase equity, multi-organization collaboration for healthcare policy, and public perception of Primary Care.This conversation was recorded as a live interview at Primary Care for America’s annual event PrimaryCare24.

This week on "Faisel and Friends," Dan and Faisel are discussing Primary Care Champions: Nurturing a Healthier Tomorrow.Our conversation explores the roadblocks to providing high quality care, the complex moral injury that doctors are currently feeling, and the negotiations required to maintain a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

We’re discussing ChatGPT MD: AI Empowered Medicine! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Robert Pearl: physician leader, author, and former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group.Our conversation revolves around utilizing generative AI tools in medicine, clinicians managing patient success through AI applications, and the difference between knowledge and expertise in tech-provided information.Order Dr. Pearl’s New book - Chat GPT MDRegister for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24

We’re discussing Beyond Insurance: the Assurance of Direct Primary Care! Faisel and Dan are joined by Dr. Kenneth Qiu, Founder at EuDoc Direct Primary Care.Our conversation revolves around setting up a model that allows physicians to focus more on care and less on cost, considering incentives to save money in the long run, and managing outcomes by personalizing care within the DPC model.Register for the PrimaryCare24 event at primarycareforamerica.org/primarycare24