In today's health care system, medical care often begins after people are already in pain — but research shows that medical treatment accounts for only a small fraction of what actually determines health.

In Part One of this multi-part conversation, The Exam Room welcomes Dr. Mary O'Connor, orthopedic surgeon, former Mayo Clinic and Yale faculty member, and co-founder of innovative health organizations focused on movement, prevention, and equity.

Dr. O'Connor explains why she believes we don't have a "health care system," but rather a sick care system, and why wellness and prevention must move beyond exam rooms and into communities. Together, we explore how individual behavior, social determinants of health, and access to culturally responsive support shape outcomes, particularly for underserved populations.

This episode lays the foundation for understanding why behavior change is so difficult, why traditional care models often fall short, and how community-based approaches can unlock healthier futures, not just for individuals, but for entire families and neighborhoods.

🎙️ This is Part One of a continuing series on prevention, behavior change, and community-driven health.

How do health systems move from adopting digital tools to building strategies that truly last?

In the final episode of this three-part Exam Room Podcast series, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor concludes her conversation with Dr. Ami Bhatt, cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, by focusing on sustainability, access, and the future of patient-centered care.

Dr. Bhatt explains why successful digital health adoption depends on infrastructure, communication, and shared understanding — not just technology. From front-desk staff to clinicians and patients, everyone involved in the care journey must understand how and why new tools are being used. Without clear education and alignment, even the best technology can fail.

The discussion also explores value-based care, federally qualified health centers, and new payment models that make continuous, home-based care more feasible for rural and underserved communities. Dr. Bhatt emphasizes that digital strategies must respect the realities of patients' lives — including transportation barriers, caregiving responsibilities, and work constraints — if they are to improve access and outcomes.

As the episode wraps, the conversation turns toward hope: a new generation of patients who expect partnership, transparency, and agency in their health care. Dr. Bhatt reflects on the power of long-term doctor–patient relationships and how digital tools, when designed thoughtfully, can remove noise and bring humanity back to the center of care.

This episode serves as a hopeful conclusion to the series — pointing toward a future where technology supports connection, empowerment, and better health for all.

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Is technology pulling health care away from human connection — or helping us get back to it?

In Part Two of this three-part series on The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor continues her conversation with Dr. Ami Bhatt, cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, to explore how digital tools and AI can support truly human-centered care.

Dr. Bhatt reflects on how modern health care has shifted from deeply personal relationships to time-limited, data-heavy encounters — and why neither patients nor clinicians are satisfied with that reality. She explains how thoughtfully designed digital systems can reduce administrative burden, synthesize complex data, and give clinicians the space to reconnect with patients through eye contact, conversation, and empathy.

The episode also dives into the evolving role of AI in health care: from background support that simplifies logistics and documentation, to patient-facing tools that can improve access, engagement, and even help address loneliness. The discussion emphasizes transparency, consent, and choice — allowing patients to decide when they want efficiency and when they want human connection.

Finally, Dr. Bhatt explores how generative AI may help health care move beyond surface-level data toward understanding what patients truly value, enabling more personalized, equitable, and meaningful care experiences.

This episode is a thoughtful exploration of how technology, when used intentionally, can help health care feel human again.