Healthcare Unfiltered

Gary L. Simmons, DO, MSHA—physician and entrepreneur in a Virginia community practice—dives into the rapidly evolving world of cell and gene therapy (CGT), including bone marrow transplant, CAR-T, and TILs, and what it takes to bring these cutting-edge treatments safely into the community setting. He unpacks the operational, financial, and workforce challenges of building and scaling a CGT program outside of academia, from payer hesitancy and 340B pressures to the infrastructure and staffing required for success. The conversation also explores the future of CGT, how innovation may reshape access, and why community practices could play a critical role as demand outpaces traditional academic centers.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Returning guest Dr. Tom Beer, Chief Medical Officer for Multicancer Early Detection (MCED) at Exact Sciences, joins the show to break down the promise and complexity of MCED testing—what it is, the clinical gap it aims to fill, and how it could reshape cancer diagnostics. He explores which patient populations may benefit most, the current limitations across different cancer types, and whether MCED tests are poised to complement or replace traditional single-cancer screening approaches. The conversation also tackles key nuances like balancing sensitivity and specificity, interpreting negative results, and how clinicians and patients should think about repeat testing in an evolving screening landscape.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Dan Golden, MD, MHPE, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Rush University, to discuss his deeply personal and recently published account of physician burnout. He shares the mental and physical toll of burnout, clarifies how it differs from depression and anxiety, and reflects on the pressures of academic medicine’s “say yes to everything” culture that leaves little room for setting boundaries. From masking symptoms and navigating a job change that added stress, to ultimately taking leaves of absence and undergoing intensive therapy, Dr. Golden offers an unfiltered look at how dire things became—and why speaking out may help others facing the same struggle.Read his article on burnout.https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(25)06438-7/fulltextCheck out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Nina Sanford, MD, Chief of Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology Service at UT Southwestern, to explore the evolving landscape of radiation therapy in upper and lower GI malignancies. They discuss how advances in systemic treatments are reshaping radiation strategies, current standards of care in colorectal, gastroesophageal, pancreatic cancers, and liver cancers, and the growing role of organ preservation and adaptive radiation in improving patient outcomes. Dr. Sanford also shares insights into emerging clinical trials, personalized treatment approaches, and what she is most excited about in the future of GI radiation oncology.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Amy Comander, MD, a breast cancer medical oncologist at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and author of “Paving Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond,” to discuss how patients can take control of their health and quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. She shares the inspiration behind her book and offers a practical, lifestyle medicine–focused roadmap—covering nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connection—along with her “PAVING” framework for sustainable change. The conversation also explores her perspectives on popular diets, the psychological aspects of survivorship, and the key takeaways she hopes patients and caregivers carry with them beyond treatment.View more about her book.https://healthylearning.com/paving-your-path-through-breast-cancer-and-beyond/Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down again with Dr. Urvi Shah for an in-depth, evidence-driven exploration of the often confusing relationship between food and cancer. They dive into how nutritional research is actually conducted—and why it’s so challenging—while separating widely regarded myths from what high-quality data truly support, including nuanced discussions on processed foods, red meat, plant-based diets, ketogenic diets, intermittent fasting, and alcohol use. Dr. Shah also offers practical, science-backed recommendations for cancer prevention in the general population, as well as thoughtful guidance on how patients might approach diet and lifestyle changes after a cancer diagnosis.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Dr. William “Bill” Small, Jr., a nationally recognized radiation oncologist and cancer center director at Loyola University Chicago, to explore the evolution of radiation oncology from its historical foundations to its rapidly advancing future. They discuss cutting-edge developments including proton therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, and the growing integration of molecular tumor profiling with precision radiation techniques, as well as the field’s increasing collaboration with medical oncology. Dr. Small also shares insights on mentoring the next generation of researchers, expanding clinical trials in radiation oncology, and addressing critical challenges such as overtreatment while shaping the future of the discipline.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Katherine Stueland, President and CEO of GeneDx, to explore how genomic sequencing is transforming the diagnosis of rare diseases—especially for pediatric patients who often endure years searching for answers. She discusses the company’s work analyzing the full genome to uncover gene–disease correlations, its efforts to bring advanced genetic testing directly into pediatricians’ offices through education and access initiatives, and how its massive rare-disease dataset is helping clinicians deliver faster, more precise diagnoses. The conversation also looks ahead to the expanding role of genomics in adult conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, the potential of partnerships with biopharma, and how AI-driven analysis of large genomic datasets is accelerating discovery and precision medicine.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, a pediatric emergency physician at UPMC, to discuss her role as a medical advisor for the HBO Max series “The Pitt” and how she helped bring real-world authenticity to the show. She explains how the writers first approached her and asked a key question—what stories have not yet been told on medical dramas—which led her to highlight issues such as the challenges of sickle-cell pain management and share the powerful real-life story of a 17-year-old patient that ultimately inspired a storyline in the series. Dr. Owusu-Ansah also reflects on how her own experiences, including those as a Black physician in emergency medicine, informed the perspectives she brought to the writers’ room, and she discusses what “The Pitt” portrays most accurately about life in the ER and how the show differs from traditional medical dramas in its approach to realism.Read more about Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s inspiration for “The Pitt.”https://www.health.pitt.edu/news/pitt-doctor-sylvia-owusu-ansahs-story-influenced-upcoming-series-pittCheck out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Misty Shields, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Indiana University School of Medicine, to explore the evolving translational research landscape in small cell lung cancer. Together, they discuss the pivotal shift in how small cell lung cancer is biologically classified, the modern roles of prophylactic cranial irradiation and immunotherapy, and how these approaches are being refined through ongoing research. Dr. Shields also highlights the importance of next-generation sequencing, biomarker development, and the exciting compound combinations under investigation—offering a compelling look at how today’s lab discoveries are shaping tomorrow’s clinical breakthroughs.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with award-winning legal scholar Elizabeth (Beth) Chamblee Burch to explore “The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America’s Lawsuit Factory,” her deeply reported investigation into a multilevel scam involving a pelvic mesh product that preyed on vulnerable patients and exploited mass tort litigation. Together, they discuss how she uncovered her sources and evidence, the harrowing stories of the women caught up in this web of telemarketing, shady medical referrals, and legal profiteering, and what the fallout reveals about the broader tort law system.Read more about The Pain Brokers.https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Pain-Brokers/Elizabeth-Chamblee-Burch/9781668068861Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Paolo Tarantino, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, joins Chadi for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—sometimes dubbed “super-chemotherapies.” He traces the fascinating origins of the ADC concept, including a centuries-old scientific insight that foreshadowed their development, and explains the biology behind how these targeted therapies deliver potent cytotoxics directly to cancer cells across tumor types. Dr. Tarantino also reflects on launching his career alongside the infancy of modern ADCs, explores innovations like multi-payload constructs, and weighs in on whether ADCs could ultimately replace conventional chemotherapy as research continues to push the field forward.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Nora Disis, MD—Editor in Chief of JAMA Oncology and professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center—for a candid, wide-ranging discussion on the modern state of peer review and medical publishing. Dr. Disis reflects on the founding of JAMA Oncology and her role as its inaugural Editor in Chief, then pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when a manuscript is submitted (yes, she reads every one), how impact factors shape—and sometimes distort—the field, and what truly defines a high-quality peer reviewer. From the promises and pitfalls of AI to the pressures facing academic publishing today, this is a raw, thoughtful, and at times critical look at how medical evidence gets vetted and shared with the world.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Award-winning stem cell transplant pioneer, Dr. Richard Burt, discusses his book “Kill Switch: The History of How Viruses Shaped Humanity and Led to COVID-19,” guiding listeners through the deep, often surprising role viruses like smallpox, polio, HIV, and COVID-19 have played in shaping human civilization and global health responses. With factual clarity and a historian’s eye, Dr. Burt explains the development of scientific understanding and vaccines without political agenda, offering historical perspective that sheds light on the ups and downs of vaccine innovation and what we can learn from the COVID-19 era.Find out more about the book.https://store.poisonedpen.com/item/Oz7LbGTIpIiC-va1OfEOpQCheck out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Drs. Shaalan Beg, Shruti Patel, and Emil Lou—the “Only Oncologists in the Building”—offer an in-depth, clinically focused review of the most important research presented at the ASCO GI Annual Meeting. The conversation spans the rising incidence and outcomes of early-onset colorectal cancer, survivorship considerations, and a nuanced discussion of ctDNA in the adjuvant setting for high-risk stage II disease, including whether its role has evolved from purely prognostic to truly predictive. They also critically analyze practice-defining trials such as BREAKWATER in BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, COMMIT in dMMR/MSI-H disease, upper GI studies including HORIZON-GEA-01, MATTERHORN, and ILUSTRO, along with meaningful updates in pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers—ultimately weighing which data should influence clinical practice today versus what remains on the horizon.View content from “The Only Oncologists In the Building.”https://www.youtube.com/@OnlyOncs/videosCheck out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

In this cross-collaboration episode, Drs. Sam Armstrong and Karine Tawagi—hosts of the “Two Onc Docs” podcast—join the show to share their personal journeys into oncology and the inspiration behind launching a podcast for the oncology community. The conversation then expands into a candid, practical discussion of oncology career paths, offering fellows and early-career physicians real-world guidance on choosing a first job, negotiating contracts and compensation, evaluating mentorship, and balancing professional goals with life outside of medicine. From academic practice to alternative stakeholder roles, this honest dialogue unpacks the many decisions that shape a sustainable and fulfilling career in medicine.Listen to “Two Onc Doc” episodes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-onc-docs/id1616541733Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

VK Gadi, MD, PhD, of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, joins the show for a deep dive into antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in breast cancer, tracing the history and basic science that fueled their development and early interest in the field. Dr. Gadi breaks down where ADCs currently fit in breast cancer care, including key toxicities, evolving data presented at ESMO, and findings that may support FDA approval in early-stage and neoadjuvant HER2-positive disease. The conversation also explores advances in TROP-2–expressing and HER2-low disease, along with practical insights on incorporating and sequencing these agents in earlier lines of therapy.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Returning guest Megan Melody, MD—lymphoma and CAR-T hematologist at Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida—joins the show for a practical, data-driven discussion on the evolving role of measurable residual disease (MRD) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in lymphoma. The conversation explores which lymphoma subtypes benefit most from MRD assessment, the available commercial assays and their sensitivity and specificity, how MRD and PET imaging should be used together (or not), and how to manage real-world scenarios such as PET-positive/ctDNA-negative patients at the end of therapy. Dr. Melody also reviews NCCN guidance, emerging frontline data in large B-cell lymphoma, and how both academic and community clinicians can translate these tools into everyday treatment decisions.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Returning guest Doug Flora, MD, LSSBB, practicing oncologist and healthcare innovator, joins the show to discuss his new book Rebooting Cancer Care and his pragmatic vision for how artificial intelligence is reshaping oncology today. Dr. Flora explores how AI is already being leveraged to accelerate drug discovery and development, redesign smarter clinical trials, and support more informed, efficient decision-making—while emphasizing that these tools are meant to augment and “save” the oncologist, not replace them. Written for clinicians, industry leaders, patients, and caregivers alike, his book breaks down complex technology into accessible insights, highlighting how AI can reduce burnout, restore human connection in care, and help build a more sustainable, patient-centered cancer ecosystem.View more about the book.www.dougflora.com/Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Gregory Vidal, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at the West Cancer Center, for a comprehensive, state-of-the-field discussion on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Dr. Vidal walks listeners through how TNBC emerged as a diagnosis of exclusion, who is most commonly affected, current treatment paradigms and sequencing in early-stage and metastatic disease, and key considerations around surgery, recurrence risk, and unresolved questions. The conversation also explores modern decision-making in metastatic TNBC, including PD-L1 testing, first- and second-line strategies, antibody–drug conjugates versus chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated disease, and the critical role of clinical trials in shaping the future of care.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Jonathan Chen, MD, PhD—Assistant Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics at Stanford University—joins the show and offers a pragmatic look at how data science and AI can be meaningfully integrated into everyday medical practice. He breaks down how complex clinical data can be translated into intuitive, real-world use cases, from algorithm-driven decision support in cancer diagnosis to recommendations that fit seamlessly into day-to-day clinician workflows. The conversation also explores whether these approaches can scale across specialties and procedures, while thoughtfully addressing the ethical considerations that come with deploying AI in clinical care.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Sanjay Juneja, MD—board-certified hematologist/oncologist, healthcare futurist, and physician executive—to demystify artificial intelligence and explain what it truly means for patient care today and in the years ahead. Dr. Juneja breaks down how AI is already influencing healthcare broadly and oncology specifically, from generative AI applications to emerging tools that can analyze voice patterns to estimate physiologic markers like glucose levels. They also explore where AI is headed over the next 5–10 years, the risks and potential for misuse outside of medicine, strategies to minimize AI error, and whether human experts will continue to play a critical role between AI and patients.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, ASCO President Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, looks back on the formative moments that led her to oncology and the grit required to build a thriving community-based research program while balancing the demands of leadership, motherhood, and clinical practice. She shares the path that took her from ASCO member and fellow in 1997 to the presidency, unpacking the three-pillar theme she crafted for her term and the accomplishments she’s most proud of, especially those rooted in her identity as a community oncologist connecting with colleagues nationwide. Dr. Zon also weighs in on emerging innovations like AI, the evolving realities of community practice, and the broader challenges she believes oncology and the healthcare system must confront in the years ahead.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Dr. Sairah Ahmed just ahead of the ASH Annual Meeting for a comprehensive deep dive into the state of Hodgkin Lymphoma management in 2026. Dr. Ahmed walks through how clinicians should interpret the newest data releases, revisits whether histologic subtyping still influences decision-making in an era increasingly shaped by biomarkers, and details her practical framework for approaching patients with stage I/II disease—including when and how radiation therapy still plays a meaningful role. She further explores the strength and limitations of interim PET, whether treatment should truly pivot based on those scans, and how nivolumab is now being deployed across frontline, relapsed/refractory, and post-transplant settings. Rounding out the discussion, Dr. Ahmed outlines how she manages advanced-stage disease with particular attention to insights and implications from SWOG S1826, highlights immune-related toxicities clinicians must watch for, clarifies the evolving role of autologous transplant and the preferred sequence of prior therapies, and offers an inside look at the most important agents and strategies moving through the Hodgkin Lymphoma pipeline.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Journalist Erin O’Hearn joins Chadi to share her deeply personal story as both a patient and a caregiver navigating the healthcare system for more than two decades. Drawing from her lived experiences, Erin reflects on how today’s advances in artificial intelligence could have supported her journey—easing the emotional and logistical burdens of care while improving communication and empathy between patients and providers. She offers a thoughtful and forward-looking take on the MAHA movement, as well as explores how AI should be used to enhance time spent with patients, foster genuine human-to-human connection, and help clinicians care for themselves as well as those they serve.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Dr. Debra Patt, Executive Vice President of Texas Oncology and President of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of community oncology. Dr. Patt outlines her vision for bringing innovation and artificial intelligence into routine cancer care—addressing challenges from clinical decision-making to physician burnout—while ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge treatments across all practice settings. She also discusses her leadership role on the ASCO Board, her efforts to expand clinical research opportunities to smaller community sites, and how these initiatives collectively aim to advance the global standard of oncology care.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi resumes his WCLC review with Dr. Eric Singhi of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, exploring the most significant updates in mutation-driven lung cancer presented at this year’s meeting. The discussion dives into advances in sequencing and molecular profiling to identify actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) and how these findings are transforming both early- and late-stage treatment strategies. Dr. Singhi highlights key data from the ADAURA, TARGET, and NAUTIKA1 studies, as well as the expanding role of EGFR-, ALK-, BRAF-, and KRAS-targeted therapies in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. The conversation also examines the challenges of financial toxicity, decisions around adjuvant treatment cessation, and the nuanced management of locally advanced and stage IV EGFR-positive disease in the era of precision oncology.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, thoracic oncologist at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, joins the show to break down the latest advances in non-mutation driven and small cell lung cancer presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and how they translate into everyday clinical practice. She discusses pivotal studies including the ALCHEMIST trial exploring adjuvant therapy in ALK-fusion–positive early-stage lung cancer, PACIFIC-2 assessing concurrent immunotherapy and radiation, and the FLAURA2 and MARIPOSA trials redefining targeted approaches for advanced disease. The conversation also delves into next-generation drugs transforming outcomes in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, updates in mesothelioma, and the expanding use of liquid biopsy—now a cornerstone for diagnosis, monitoring, and guiding precision therapy for all patients.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Returning guest Dr. Amer Zeidan of Yale Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital joins to discuss how clinicians should approach low-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is most often managed in community settings. He breaks down how to risk-stratify patients using molecular and prognostic markers, when to treat versus observe, and his preferred first-line therapies in today’s landscape. Dr. Zeidan also delves into the COMMANDS trial and the role of luspatercept, emerging questions shaping the future of low-risk MDS management, and offers a preview of high-risk MDS developments, including insights from the VERONA study.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Returning guest Jill Feldman, a prominent lung cancer survivor and patient advocate, shares her reflections on the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) from a patient’s point of view. She discusses how patients and advocates interpret complex scientific data, why attending conferences like WCLC is vital for bridging the gap between research and real-world experience, and how the dialogue between scientists and patients continues to evolve. Jill also highlights key takeaways from the meeting, including the growing focus on survivorship and the need for a more patient-centered lexicon when communicating about side effects and treatment outcomes.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gardiner Harris joins the podcast to dive deep into his groundbreaking book, “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson.” Harris recounts the extensive research and challenges behind uncovering how J&J—long regarded as a trusted “goliath” of American healthcare—played a far greater role in fueling the opioid epidemic than Purdue Pharma, a contribution he argues led to more than two million American deaths yet received a fraction of the public scrutiny. He discusses the pushback he faced while exposing the company’s practices, critiques how the FDA failed to act more decisively, and examines the intersection of profit, policy, and patient safety. The conversation also touches on the modern science and marketing of Tylenol, revealing how deep the influence of corporate power runs in shaping public health narratives.View more about the book.https://gardinerharris.com/Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Returning guest Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, a practicing neurosurgeon at UCSF and noted health policy commentator, takes a deep dive into the 340B Drug Pricing Program—one of the most consequential yet misunderstood mechanisms in US healthcare. He traces the program’s origins in the early 1990s, designed to help safety net hospitals stretch scarce federal resources to better serve vulnerable patients. Dr. DiGiorgio examines how, over time, many institutions have leveraged 340B as an ancillary revenue stream rather than a patient-centered support system, detailing when and how these practices emerged, the financial incentives at play, and the consequences for both physicians and patients. He also discusses current policy debates and potential reforms aimed at restoring 340B to its original mission.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Dr. Anand Patel, DO, founder of LV8 Health, walks us through the philosophy and mechanics of concierge-style longevity medicine. He explains how LV8 applies Medicine 3.0, combining precision diagnostics (DEXA, VO₂ max, resting metabolic rate, advanced blood panels) with regenerative and geroprotective therapies, nutrition, fitness, and sleep optimization. You’ll hear how he translates data from wearables and diagnostics into bespoke plans, how he helps patients sustain behavior change, and how he answers critics who question the scientific basis of his approach.View the LV8 website.https://www.lv8.health/Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. https://www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Gavin MacBeath, CEO of TScan Therapeutics, takes us inside his journey from scientist to biotech leader and what it means to build and run a therapeutic development company at the cutting edge of immuno-oncology. He breaks down how TScan’s platform works to discover and match T-cell receptors (TCRs) with their antigens, and why TCR-T therapies may provide distinct benefits over CAR-T approaches, especially when tackling solid tumors. He also discusses which diseases are most likely to respond to TCR therapies and shares the latest updates on TScan’s clinical programs, from early-phase trials to an upcoming phase III study poised to shape the future of cancer treatment.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Dr. Sameer Keole, radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona and president of ASTRO, joins the show to preview the upcoming ASTRO Annual Meeting and its key themes. He reflects on his presidential term, discussing accomplishments, lessons learned, and initiatives like his “defense to offense” vision and community outreach efforts. Dr. Keole also tackles hot-button topics in radiation oncology, including the evolving roles of proton therapy and artificial intelligence in patient care.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

In this follow-up episode, Dr. Ed Livingston—renowned surgeon, educator, researcher, and former deputy editor at JAMA—returns to discuss the latest developments in his ongoing legal battle. He reflects on what has transpired in the three months since his last appearance, offering insights into the discovery process and the legal details shaping the case as it heads toward a July 2026 trial date.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/ Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA 

Dr. Douglas Flora, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Cancer Center and Editor-in-Chief of the journal AI in Precision Oncology, shares his pragmatic perspective on how AI is reshaping cancer care today and tomorrow. He discusses real-world applications such as FDA-approved pattern recognition tools in imaging and pathology, how AI may soon integrate with ctDNA to guide treatment decisions, and the clinical trials needed to advance this field. Dr. Flora also highlights how AI can enhance decision support in community oncology, expand care access in rural areas, and what his journal is doing to engage clinicians, researchers, and innovators in this rapidly evolving space.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Monique Diaz, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at CommonSpirit Health, unpacks the intersection of big data, clinical care, and healthcare innovation. She shares how informatics transforms resource allocation, patient engagement, and system efficiency—while offering a behind-the-scenes look at the daily responsibilities of a CMIO, from EMR coding to AI integration. Dr. Diaz also explores the evolving relationship between informatics and AI, and how future advancements hinge on ethical frameworks and responsible governance.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Sandy Scheinbaum, founder of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, joins the show to break down the principles of functional medicine—a patient-centered approach that integrates lifestyle, nutrition, psychology, and mind-body practices to address the root causes of illness. She shares how her academy trains coaches to guide individuals through sustainable behavior change, explains how mental and emotional states can directly impact physical symptoms, and discusses why functional medicine is especially critical in today’s world, where chronic stress, isolation, and lifestyle-related conditions are on the rise. Dr. Scheinbaum also highlights which patients benefit most from this approach and how functional medicine empowers people to take control of their health beyond traditional medical models.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, a neurosurgeon at UCSF with a strong interest in healthcare policy, joins the show to unpack the complex and often misunderstood world of Medicaid. In a wide-ranging and nuanced discussion, he explores who qualifies for coverage, why most Medicaid spending goes to groups people don’t typically expect, and whether the system should be expanded or fundamentally reformed. Dr. DiGiorgio outlines his support for a robust safety net, emphasizing targeted subsidies over a government-run program, and offers his take on the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” currently in Congress. Along the way, the conversation touches on broader healthcare issues including the 340B drug discount program, the Affordable Care Act, and the role of the free market in ensuring access to care.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Ed Livingston, renowned surgeon, educator, and researcher, who was a former deputy editor at JAMA, found himself out of a job after a JAMA podcast he hosted with Dr. Mitch Katz that discussed, among other items, structural racism as a contributor to the high mortality in minorities from COVID. This incident led to a series of lawsuits, some of which were highly publicized.Ed shares behind the scenes events, incidents, and what transpired in 2021, and how the AMA handled the situation. In this episode, Ed shares his background, career path, passion for education and medicine, and his disappointment at how everything was handled by the AMA.This is a rare discussion with some information being shared for the first time ever with listeners and viewers.The AMA declined the request to comment and provide their side of the story.Superior court ruling Livingston v AMA (AMA declares that physicians not entitled to due process, rules that the AMA committed libel and defamation): https://rulings.law/rulings/judge-curtis-a-kin/22stcv09441-2022-10-13.htmlUnanimous Appellate decision regarding libel and defamation by the AMA, Adds an additional finding of false light and invasion of privacy https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B324638.PDFX post summarizing the Appellate decision (the court refers to the AMA as disingenuous): https://x.com/ehlJAMA/status/1852551140799291817Article summarizing the Appellate decision (““[d]rawing all reasonable inferences in his favor, Livingston has made a prima facie case that the gist or sting of the accusation in statement [that the podcast ‘denied the existence of structural racism in medicine,’ was not true.”): http://www.metnews.com/articles/2024/defamation_11042024.htmCourt orders Livingston to pay $110,000 to AMA despite his prevailing on the key allegations: https://rulings.law/rulings/judge-joseph-lipner/22stcv09441-2025-04-08.htmlArticle from the lawyer representing the AMA declaring that the process the AMA used against Livingston is abused “the widely abused anti-SLAPP statute.”: https://www.law.com/therecorder/2019/06/03/calif-high-court-ruling-good-news-for-defamation-plaintiffs/?slreturn=20250722074004X post with links to the various rulings: https://x.com/ehlJAMA/status/1913584194405425374Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Ben Casavant, co-founder and CEO of Tasso, joins the show to discuss how he transformed the idea of patient-led blood collection into a reality through devices like Tasso+. He explains how Tasso’s self-collection kits—designed to be easy, virtually painless, and used anytime at home—solve the scalability issues of mobile phlebotomy while improving patient convenience, adherence, and access to care. Casavant also details the company’s growth journey, its FDA-cleared and CE-marked products, the broad customer base that includes healthcare providers, labs, insurers, and pharma companies, and how Tasso adds value not only through affordability, but by streamlining logistics, boosting compliance, and enabling seamless integration of patient-collected data into care systems.Read more about Tasso.https://www.tassoinc.com/ Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Pallawi Torka of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center joins to share highlights from ASCO and EHA 2025 on the evolving landscape of B-cell lymphomas, including Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and follicular lymphoma. She offers in-depth insights on the STARGLO study and its recent ODAC review, the POLARGO trial, a rare T-cell leukemia (T-LGL) study, and new data supporting nivolumab-AVD in frontline Hodgkin lymphoma. Additional discussion includes the inMIND trial for follicular lymphoma, the growing role of ctDNA in managing DLBCL, advances in CAR-T cell therapy for CNS lymphoma, and how she is adapting treatment strategies based on favorable vs. unfavorable disease features.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Ben Derman of the University of Chicago Medicine joins the show to unpack major updates in multiple myeloma presented at ASCO and EHA 2025. He discusses the growing role of quadruple therapy across all patient populations and its implications for the future of autologous stem cell transplant, including insights from the MIDAS trial on MRD-guided transplant decisions. Additional highlights include MRD-negativity as a potential off-ramp for maintenance therapy, evolving data from frontline triplet vs. quadruplet studies, real-world referral trends, CARTITUDE-4 subgroup outcomes, and the expanding utility of bispecifics and trispecific antibodies, particularly for extramedullary disease.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Joe DePinto, MBA, Head of Cell, Gene & Advanced Therapies at McKesson, joins the show to discuss InspiroGene, McKesson’s end-to-end platform built to address the complex delivery, coordination, and commercialization needs of cell and gene therapies. He breaks down how InspiroGene integrates logistics, specialty pharmacy, patient support services, and real-time data tracking to close critical gaps in the CGT ecosystem—especially around why many eligible patients are still not being identified, referred, or treated. He also explores the broader vision: enabling scalable access to these therapies as they move from rare diseases to larger populations, and what it will take—from providers, payers, and pharma—to meet that future.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Chadi sits down with Lou Weisbach, entrepreneur and founder of the American Center for Cures, who shares his ambitious mission to raise $750 billion through an innovative public-private bond model to accelerate the prevention and cure of chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. Weisbach discusses how his model is designed to align incentives across government, industry, and research institutions, bridging political divides and pharmaceutical interests to focus on cure-based rather than treatment-based outcomes. He also reflects on two decades of groundwork, key milestones achieved, and how the initiative operates day-to-day, including the development of disease-specific platforms poised to transform biomedical research and public health.Find out more about his cause.https://theamericancenterforcures.org/Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dr. Vivek Subbiah returns for another edition of Vivek’s Takes, offering his expert insights on the standout science from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. He breaks down key developments including trispecific antibodies, the growing role of radioligand therapies, a new standard of care in small cell lung cancer, and paradigm-shifting data in adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. The discussion also highlights a long-term exercise intervention, adjuvant vaccine studies, ctDNA and MRD integration, resistance mechanisms, artificial intelligence, and other emerging trends shaping the future of oncology.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Dena Marrinucci, PhD, co-founder and COO of Truvian Health, joins the show to discuss her mission to transform blood diagnostics through a point-of-care device that delivers rapid, actionable results. She shares the origin story of founding Truvian in 2015—coincidentally just weeks before the Theranos exposé—and reflects on navigating industry skepticism in the post-Theranos landscape. Marrinucci also outlines the company’s FDA submission process, the importance of empowering immediate patient-provider decision-making, and what the initial panel of 30+ lab tests offers for routine care, among so much more.Read the article on the Truvian Health blood test.https://www.newsweek.com/truvian-lab-company-blood-test-device-theranos-health-care-1997422Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf returns to the show for an in-depth discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence into regulatory processes, including how AI is currently being used—and should be used—in drug and medical device approvals, the detection and review of fraudulent data, and clinical decision support systems. He also explores the boundaries between algorithmic automation and human judgment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and trust in an increasingly data-driven regulatory landscape.Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA

Last week, Chadi and researchers explored the KETO-CTA study, which investigated the effects of the ketogenic diet on coronary plaque formation in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHR), or individuals who experience significant LDL cholesterol elevations on low-carb diets.This week, the other side of the conversation is presented.A leading cardiologist joins the show to critically examine the KETO-CTA study findings, questioning their clinical significance and broader applicability. What do these results really mean for cardiovascular risk in the general population? Should elevated LDL in the context of good metabolic health be treated the same as traditional hyperlipidemia?This episode dives into the nuances of lipidology, the role of LDL in atherosclerosis, and the complexity of applying study findings to real-world patients.Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or just interested in the science behind diet and heart health, this conversation is essential listening.View the KETO-CTA study.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772963X25001036Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other content. www.chadinabhan.com/Watch all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes on YouTube. www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiJPTpIJdIiukcq0UaMFsA