The Hard Things About Healthcare by Honey Health

On today’s show, we welcome Dr. Robert Gabbay. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard and an internationally recognized leader in diabetes care, research, and innovation. Formerly Chief Medical Officer of the Joslin Diabetes Center and Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Gabbay is dedicated to transforming chronic disease management and improving the lives of people living with diabetes and obesity worldwide.

In this episode of The Hard Things About Healthcare, Casey Halpern, Chief of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Penn and co-founder of SynchNeuro, speaks with Ginger Vieira on the uphill battle of introducing innovation in medicine.Dr. Halpern is developing a brain-based glucose monitor that behaves like a Dexcom—familiar functionality, FDA clearance on the horizon, and yes, still billable.

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Nana-Hawa Yayah Jones, MD, a Pediatric Endocrinologist and Associate Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center who works to improve care for children with type 1 diabetes and other endocrine conditions while addressing health inequities. Through her clinic’s participation in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative, she and her team work to drive real-world change in the use of glucose-monitoring technology among underserved groups and examine how social determinants of health affect diabetes outcomes.

In this episode of The Hard Things About Healthcare, we sit down with Dr. Qudsia Hussain, a board-certified endocrinologist dedicated to improving diabetes care. With a background in public health and extensive clinical experience, Dr. Hussain shares her insights into the complexities of modern diabetes management, including the overwhelming demand for endocrinologists, the impact of new technology, and the hidden burdens of administrative tasks.Key topics include:The growing diabetes epidemic and the urgent need for specialized careBalancing advanced diabetes technology with the human touch in patient careThe importance of patient education in managing overwhelming health dataHow administrative burdens impact clinicians and delay patient careDr. Hussain also discusses the deeply rewarding aspects of her work—helping patients improve their A1C, cholesterol, and overall well-being through education, support, and cutting-edge treatment approaches.Stay tuned for more episodes featuring top voices in healthcare, tackling the challenges of patient care, technology integration, and systemic change in medicine.👉 For more information, visit joinhoneyhealth.com

In this episode of The Hard Things About Healthcare, we sit down with Dr. Stephen Ponder, a renowned pediatric endocrinologist, diabetes care innovator, and author of Sugar Surfing. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Ponder shares his journey as both a clinician and a person living with type 1 diabetes, offering a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of diabetes management.Key topics include:How personal experiences shaped Dr. Ponder’s approach to diabetes care.The evolution of diabetes technology—from early pumps to hybrid closed-loop systems.Balancing data overload with effective patient care.Motivating young patients and empowering families to manage diabetes.The emotional toll of diabetes and how to avoid burnout for patients and caregivers.Dr. Ponder also shares insights into the philosophy of “sugar surfing,” a real-time, pattern-based approach to managing blood sugars that emphasizes human decision-making alongside technology.Stay tuned for more episodes featuring leading voices in healthcare, tackling the challenges of patient care, technology integration, and innovation in the medical field.👉 For more information, visit joinhoneyhealth.com.

In this episode of The Hard Things About Healthcare, we speak with Dr. Nestoras Mathioudakis, a renowned endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.Dr. Mathioudakis shares his inspiring journey into endocrinology, discusses health disparities in diabetes technology access, and explores the transformative role of AI in clinical practice.Key topics include:Addressing racial disparities in diabetes technology adoption, including CGMs and AID systems.The evolution of practice guidelines and barriers to equitable care.Leveraging AI to enhance clinician efficiency, patient outcomes, and diabetes prevention programs.Innovations in diabetes technology integration within EMR systems.Exploring the future of personalized medicine through AI and CGM data.Stay tuned for more episodes delving into the challenges physicians face in navigating healthcare complexities, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional patient care.👉 For more information, visit joinhoneyhealth.com

In this episode of The Hard Things About Healthcare, we speak with Dr. Halis Kaan Akturk, a leading endocrinologist at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado. Dr. Akturk shares his journey into diabetes care, explores the latest advancements in diabetes technology, and highlights the challenges of integrating tools like CGMs and AID systems into clinical practice.Key topics include:The evolution of diabetes technology and its impact on patient care.The benefits of early CGM adoption.Managing data overload in diabetes care.The role of education for patients and providers using advanced systems.Overcoming barriers like insurance and access.Stay tuned for more episodes exploring the challenges physicians face while navigating complex healthcare systems, advancing patient care, and leveraging innovative technologies.👉 For more information, visit joinhoneyhealth.com.