In this episode of Connected by Health, Krishna Vedala welcomed Dr. Pooja Singhal, an independent, board-certified gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist practicing in Oklahoma City. Dr. Singhal shared her journey into medicine, inspired by her father's lifelong relationships with patients in India and her own passion for science, human connection, and service.

Dr. Singhal discussed her transition from academic training and eight years within a large community health system to opening her own independent practice. She explained that the desire for greater autonomy, improved communication, flexible scheduling, and more personalized patient care motivated her to take the entrepreneurial leap.

The conversation explored the important role independent physicians play in healthcare. According to Dr. Singhal, independent practices can strengthen trust, continuity, treatment adherence, early diagnosis, and personalized decision-making. They also give physicians greater freedom to collaborate with the specialists and healthcare professionals best suited to each patient's needs.

Dr. Singhal also spoke candidly about the challenges of independent practice, including financial pressures, declining reimbursement, insurance restrictions, staffing, payroll, human resources, and time management. She emphasized that physicians must develop greater financial literacy and understand the business and medical economics behind healthcare delivery.

Finally, Dr. Singhal and Krishna Vedala discussed the future of medicine, including the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence. They agreed that AI can support physicians when used responsibly, but that appropriate safeguards are essential to preserve the human element of care. Dr. Singhal's advice to aspiring physicians was simple and meaningful: remember their "why," enjoy the journey, and develop tools to manage stress and stay grounded.

Where Health, Society, and Innovation Intersect

Connected by Health is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut — it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.

Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year — whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease — affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated — they are all connected. From economic growth and workforce productivity to education, technology, national security, and community stability, health is the thread weaving them together.

Each episode blends real-world stories with data-driven insight to show how strategic healthcare investment drives innovation, reduces long-term costs, strengthens public health infrastructure, and fuels economic resilience.

Grounded in evidence but driven by purpose, Connected by Health reframes healthcare not as a line item expense, but as foundational infrastructure — because when we invest in health, we invest in people, potential, and the strength of our entire society.

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