In this episode of The HealthCast, host Phil Zappone sits down with the team behind Silo Med, a platform creating AI-powered patient simulations for medical education.
Dr.
Richard Selinfreund, Andrew Primous, and Elijah Meldrim explain how clinical expertise, storytelling, software engineering, and generative AI come together to create realistic virtual patients that medical students and residents can interview, diagnose, and learn from in a safe environment.
The idea began with a failed attempt to build a traditional medical video game. The team quickly discovered that preprogrammed simulations could not anticipate every question, decision, or mistake a learner might make. The emergence of generative AI changed that by allowing virtual patients to respond dynamically and adapt to each conversation.
The result is a training platform designed to identify both knowledge gaps and behavioral gaps before learners begin treating real patients.
The team explains why medical education should evaluate more than whether a learner reaches the correct diagnosis. Strong clinicians must also build trust, recognize when patients are withholding information, respond to emotional concerns, and maintain the human relationship at the center of care.
Phil and the Silo Med team also discuss accessibility, real-time scoring, responsible AI, accreditation, global medical education, veterinary applications, and the challenges of earning trust in a crowded AI market.

Episode Chapters
00:47 – Meet the Silo Med team
01:42 – What Silo Med does
02:27 – How clinicians traditionally learned
03:00 – The failed video game that led to an AI breakthrough
04:36 – Building the first virtual patient
05:33 – Expanding simulations across medical specialties
05:58 – How storytelling brings virtual patients to life
08:13 – Real-time scoring and software development
09:48 – Why Silo Med has not moved into virtual reality
10:23 – Turning an academic project into a business
11:37 – Expanding access to medical education globally
12:43 – Why simulated patients should mislead or withhold information
14:58 – Designing a patient’s backstory and emotional state
15:39 – Silo Med’s mission and the team’s individual purpose
18:18 – Measuring knowledge and behavioral gaps
20:07 – Teaching empathy during difficult diagnoses
21:04 – The responsible use of AI
21:59 – Building trust with medical institutions
23:06 – Early exploration of veterinary medicine
24:42 – Validation and the future of accreditation exams
26:18 – Integrating simulations into medical curricula
27:08 – How Silo Med defines success
28:07 – Funding and adoption barriers
28:48 – Letting the technology speak for itself
29:10 – Where to learn more about Silo Med

Episode Resources:
Website | https://silomed.ai/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/silomed/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/silomedai/
Email | sales@silomed.ai

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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In this episode of The Healthcast, host Phil Zappone speaks with Shlomit Liberty, founder of Patient Path NYC, about helping patients and families navigate some of the most overwhelming and confusing moments in healthcare.
Shlomit began her career as a medical speech-language pathologist, specializing in swallowing disorders, communication, and cognition in adults recovering from serious illness, surgery, and acquired brain injuries. Her work placed her at the center of complex medical decisions involving nutrition, rehabilitation, discharge planning, and collaboration across specialties.
Over time, she noticed a recurring problem: patients and families were often surrounded by highly skilled clinicians but still did not understand what was happening, what their options were, or what questions they needed to ask.
That realization led Shlomit to become a board-certified patient advocate and launch Patient Path NYC.
She describes her role as medical crisis management—serving as a bridge between patients, families, and hospital teams. By reviewing medical records, attending conversations, translating clinical language, tracking recommendations, and helping coordinate communication, she works to ensure that important information does not fall through the cracks.
Phil and Shlomit discuss the emotional importance of eating and swallowing, the difference between educating patients and policing their decisions, and why informed consent requires more than quickly asking, “Do you have any questions?”
The conversation also explores discharge planning, rehabilitation options, conflicting medical recommendations, medication timing, independent versus hospital-employed advocates, and the potential for technology and AI to help patients become more informed participants in their care.

Episode Chapters
00:50 – What a medical speech-language pathologist does
02:01 – Diagnosing swallowing disorders through imaging
04:35 – How speech pathology connects across medical specialties
06:10 – The emotional meaning of food and swallowing
06:58 – Advocating for informed patient decisions
08:18 – Shifting from judgment to education
09:40 – Why families struggle to ask questions in the hospital
10:05 – Translating medical language after clinicians leave
13:23 – The idea behind Patient Path NYC
15:48 – Who typically needs hospital-based advocacy
17:56 – Why families often seek help later than they should
20:40 – Medical crises and communication breakdowns
22:58 – Building relationships with the full care team
24:02 – Translating the medical chart into plain language
25:00 – Keeping families informed and aligned
26:18 – Tracking tests, medications, and conflicting recommendations
29:41 – Why patient advocacy remains unfamiliar
32:00 – How AI can help patients advocate for themselves
35:15 – AI-assisted medical imaging and swallowing assessment
37:52 – Growing a high-touch patient advocacy business

Episode Resources:
Website | https://patientpathnyc.com/
LinkedIn | http://linkedin.com/in/shlomit-liberty-28a221113/
Email | shlomit@patientpathnyc.com

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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In this episode of The Healthcast, host Phil Zappone speaks with Dr. Kristi Reguin-Hartman, President of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, about nursing leadership, clinical transformation, healthcare technology, and the future of medical-surgical nursing.
Dr. Reguin-Hartman shares the experience that first inspired her to pursue nursing: caring for a college student who had become paralyzed after a traumatic hockey injury. A single line he later wrote—“In the mornings, it was better”—showed her how meaningful it could be to make even a small difference in someone’s life.
She reflects on her journey from earning an ADN to completing a DNP, the mentors who encouraged her to accept opportunities before she felt fully prepared, and the philosophy that has shaped her career: say yes.
The conversation also examines some of the most urgent challenges facing nurses today, including unsafe staffing levels, excessive workloads, limited autonomy, difficult work environments, and the continued misconception that medical-surgical nursing is simply a starting point rather than a complex specialty.
Phil and Dr. Reguin-Hartman discuss why nurses must be included in healthcare technology design from the beginning, how health systems can improve technology adoption, and why clinical workflows should be built around the people who will actually use them.
The episode closes with a look at the future of nursing, from virtual and corporate nursing roles to AI, advocacy, professional recognition, and the importance of ensuring that the best voices—not simply the loudest—shape healthcare’s next chapter.

In This Episode
- How staffing, workload, acuity, and payment models intersect
- The risks of assigning one medical-surgical nurse too many patients
- AMSN’s fellowships, awards, education, publications, and advocacy
- How AI and rapid innovation may reshape healthcare
- Why healthcare cannot always put money first

Episode Chapters
00:53 – The experience that inspired a career in nursing
03:41 – Learning to care for a patient with complex needs
05:02 – A defining moment in nursing leadership
07:10 – How saying yes shaped Dr. Reguin-Hartman’s career
10:10 – Helping nurses understand that they have a voice
11:27 – When nursing becomes part of your identity
13:09 – Bridging healthcare technology and nursing leadership
14:23 – Why healthcare technology implementations struggle
15:26 – Rethinking staffing, workload, and patient outcomes
17:48 – The biggest issues facing medical-surgical nurses
19:50 – Nursing attrition and evolving career paths
21:34 – Workflows that create the most friction for nurses
22:51 – How AMSN chooses programs and initiatives
23:17 – Fellowships, health equity awards, and professional recognition
24:36 – Expanding recognition beyond traditional medical-surgical units
25:22 – Education, publications, and member resources
26:40 – The greatest opportunities and challenges ahead
28:40 – Where listeners can learn more about AMSN

Episode Resources:
Website | https://amsn.org/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-reguin-hartman/

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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In this episode of The Healthcast, host Phil Zappone speaks with geriatrician Dr. Emily Coskun about how healthcare can better serve one of the country’s fastest-growing and most medically complex populations: older adults.

Dr. Coskun shares how caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the direction of her career and ultimately led her to geriatrics. She also reflects on the mentors and patients who shaped her approach to medicine, including the responsibility physicians have when guiding people through serious diagnoses, cognitive decline, end-of-life decisions, and other defining moments.

The conversation explores what makes geriatric medicine different from traditional adult medicine, including the Four M’s of age-friendly care: what matters most, medications, mobility, and mind. Dr. Coskun explains why deprescribing, fall prevention, cognitive screening, social connection, and care planning are essential to helping older adults maintain their independence and quality of life.

Phil and Dr. Coskun also discuss ageism, the shortage of geriatricians, gaps in long-term care coverage, caregiver burden, and the growing need for home-based services. They examine practical programs that can improve outcomes and reduce costs, including adult day services, comprehensive geriatric assessments, frailty screening, hospital-at-home models, and the Hospital Elder Life Program.

The episode closes with a look at how technology—including telemedicine, point-of-care ultrasound, fall-detection wearables, and AI—can support the deeply human side of geriatric care.

Episode Chapters
00:43 – How Dr. Coskun found her calling in geriatrics
02:18 – A personal example of aging in place
03:47 – The mentor who became her professional North Star
05:10 – The national shortage of geriatricians
06:45 – Ageism and how society values older adults
08:01 – Handling difficult diagnoses and defining moments
09:43 – What older patients teach us about life
11:12 – Understanding the Four M’s of geriatric care
13:51 – Why good physicians know when to stop medication
15:10 – Evidence-based approaches to longevity
16:47 – The greatest gaps in outpatient and home care
17:44 – The cost of long-term care and caregiver burden
19:37 – Adult day services, socialization, and cognitive health
20:57 – Misconceptions about the cost of geriatric care
23:04 – Rising hospital demand and patient complexity
25:05 – Rural healthcare shortages and specialty access
26:57 – Telemedicine and consultative geriatric care
27:40 – Comprehensive assessments and frailty screening
29:38 – A high-impact investment for hospital leaders
31:06 – Point-of-care ultrasound for older adults
32:42 – Wearable technology and fall detection
33:39 – Opportunities to reduce readmissions and costs
35:25 – Hospital-at-home and remote monitoring
38:52 – Combining high-touch care with high-tech tools
40:11 – The exercise shown to reduce fall risk

Episode Resources:

Website | https://xacweillcornell.org/emily-brooke-coskun-md

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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In this episode of The Healthcast, host Phil Zappone sits down with Dr. Bei Zhang, an MD-PhD educator working at the intersection of pathology, medical education, and healthcare innovation.

Dr. Zhang shares how a lifelong curiosity about living things led her to pathology—a field where biology and detective work come together to uncover how and why disease develops. She also reflects on her early passion for teaching, the mentors who shaped her career, and why she views education as both a privilege and a responsibility.

The conversation explores where traditional medical education is struggling to keep pace with a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Dr. Zhang explains why future physicians need more than clinical knowledge: they must learn how to filter overwhelming amounts of information, understand emerging technologies, collaborate across disciplines, and apply what they learn in authentic patient-care settings.
Phil and Dr. Zhang also discuss online education, virtual patient simulations, barriers to innovation within academic medicine, and the importance of introducing patient-centered learning from the beginning of medical school.

When it comes to artificial intelligence, Dr. Zhang describes AI as a powerful but “wild horse”—capable of taking healthcare and education to extraordinary places, but only when both the technology and its users are properly trained. She shares how she incorporates AI into learning sessions with her students to strengthen their questioning skills and critical thinking rather than allowing the technology to replace the learning process.

Episode Chapters
00:48 – What drew Dr. Zhang to medicine and pathology
01:34 – Discovering a passion for teaching and innovation
04:42 – The teachers and mentors who shaped her career
07:35 – Why pathology is essential to patient care
08:51 – Finding personal purpose through teaching
11:50 – Where traditional medical education is falling behind
12:49 – Building a strong foundation for future physicians
15:06 – The skills today’s medical students need
17:19 – The lasting impact of online medical education
19:08 – AI as a powerful but “wild” tool
21:01 – The biggest barriers to educational innovation
23:24 – Bridging classroom learning and clinical practice
25:14 – Virtual patients and practice-based learning platforms
27:17 – Redesigning physician training around the patient
31:13 – Why medical schools must invest more in educators
32:43 – The greatest opportunity and challenge facing healthcare education
33:56 – Bringing students, teachers, and AI into the same learning session

Episode Resources:
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bei-zhang-96235b3a/

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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On this episode of The HealthCast, Phil Zappone sits down with Bill Zagorski, CEO of Centennial Adultcare Center, to explore one of healthcare's most overlooked solutions: adult day services. Bill shares his journey from scientific research into healthcare leadership and discusses how adult day programs improve quality of life for seniors while reducing caregiver burden. They explore person-centered care, aging in place, healthcare innovation, AI applications, and why adult day services may be the missing piece in addressing America's growing caregiver crisis.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:
How Bill transitioned from scientific research to healthcare leadership
The origins and growth of Centennial Adultcare Center
Why adult day services remain underutilized nationwide
The impact of person-centered care on seniors and caregivers
How transportation improves access to care
The role of AI and technology in adult day healthcare
Why caregiver support is critical to long-term health outcomes
How therapeutic programming improves engagement and quality of life
The future of value-based care and community-based healthcare

Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Meet Bill Zagorski
00:35 From Scientific Research to Healthcare Leadership
02:05 Early Lessons Running a Healthcare Business
03:57 Why Person-Centered Care Matters
04:19 Centennial's First VA Contract & Expanding Care for Veterans
06:50 What a Typical Day at Centennial Looks Like
08:46 Adult Day Services vs. In-Home Care
09:54 Expanding from One Location to Three
12:31 The Critical Role of Transportation in Healthcare Access
13:49 What Makes Adult Day Services Successful?
15:45 Why Adult Day Care Remains Underutilized
21:06 The Biggest Challenge: Awareness
23:40 Understanding Caregiver Burnout
26:56 AI, Technology & Healthcare Innovation
30:24 Growth Plans for Centennial Adultcare Center
33:00 Measuring Outcomes Through Art, Music & Movement Therapy
35:58 Advice for Families Considering Adult Day Services
37:46 Where to Learn More About Centennial Adult Care Center
39:19 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

Episode Resources:
Website | https://centennialadultcare.com
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-zagorski-5a158a8/

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

Thank you for watching, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe!

#HealthCast #HealthcareInnovation #SeniorCare #AgingInPlace #CaregiverSupport #AdultDayServices #HealthcareLeadership #ValueBasedCare #HealthcareTechnology #AIinHealthcare #LongTermCare #SeniorHealth #HealthyAging #CaregiverBurnout #HealthcarePodcast #PatientCenteredCare #HealthcareBusiness #HealthTech #InnovationInHealthcare #AgingWell #CommunityCare #HealthcareTransformation #DementiaCare #AlzheimersCare #Caregiving #HealthcareEducation #MedicalInnovation #PodcastInterview #NXAIHealth #HealthcareFuture

What if doctors could predict pregnancy complications months before they happen?
On this episode of The Healthcast, Phil Zappone sits down with Robert Bunn, Founder and CEO of Ultrasound AI, to discuss how a personal family experience led him to develop groundbreaking AI technology that is changing maternal healthcare.
After leaving the oil industry, Robert set out to solve one of medicine's most challenging problems: predicting miscarriages and preterm births before they occur. Despite years of skepticism from clinicians, researchers, and investors, his team developed an AI system capable of analyzing routine ultrasound images to predict delivery timing and identify risks long before traditional methods.
Now, following FDA De Novo approval, Ultrasound AI is poised to transform pregnancy care, helping clinicians move from reactive treatment to proactive intervention.

In this episode, you'll learn:
How AI can predict preterm births from ultrasound images
The breakthrough discovery that changed everything
The FDA approval journey and what it means for healthcare
How predictive medicine could reshape patient care
The future of AI-powered diagnostics and maternal health
Lessons on perseverance, innovation, and building a healthcare startup
Whether you're interested in healthcare innovation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, or maternal health, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the future of medicine.

Chapters
00:17 Introduction to Robert Bunn & Ultrasound AI
00:53 The Personal Story Behind Ultrasound AI
03:37 Building AI to Predict Preterm Births
06:25 The Breakthrough Discovery
07:22 Understanding the AI Experiment
11:51 What Ultrasound AI Actually Analyzes
14:38 FDA De Novo Approval Explained
15:59 Life After FDA Approval
18:26 Perseverance Through Setbacks
19:47 The Mission Behind the Technology
21:00 Scaling a Healthcare AI Company
23:28 Real-World Adoption & Global Expansion
24:39 Beyond Pregnancy: Future Applications of AI
25:51 Growth, Funding & IPO Plans
27:46 The Vision for Predictive Medicine
28:45 Where to Learn More About Ultrasound AI

Episode Resources:
Website | https://ultrasound.ai
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbunn/

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

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#Healthcare #ArtificialIntelligence #MaternalHealth #Pregnancy #UltrasoundAI #HealthTech #MedicalInnovation #TheHealthCast #NXAIHealth #FDAApproval

Today's guest is Dr. Anthony Evans, founder of Align for Life. He shares his journey from childhood fascination with anatomy to founding Align for Life, emphasizing root cause health solutions, patient empowerment, and the need for systemic reform in healthcare. Discover insights on personalized care, the pitfalls of symptom management, and the future of integrative health.

Key Topics
Root cause health solutions
Patient empowerment and education
Systemic issues in healthcare and reform
Integrative and functional medicine approaches

Chapters
01:52 Values and Purpose in Patient Care
04:47 Evolution of Practice: From Chiropractic to Functional Medicine
07:28 Empowering Patients: Education and Long-term Health
09:46 Critique of Traditional Healthcare Models
12:40 Navigating the Healthcare Landscape
15:30 Collaboration in Healthcare: Bridging Gaps
18:02 Transformative Outcomes in Patient Health
22:38 Overcoming Health Obstacles for Family Planning
24:28 The Pursuit of Peak Health and Longevity
26:07 Challenges in Integrative Health Practices
27:46 The Importance of Mental Health in Wellness
30:41 Behavior Modification and Patient Responsibility
32:20 Future Opportunities in Healthcare
33:32 Defining Success in Health Practices
34:50 Expanding Healthcare Access and Technology

Episode Resources:
Website | https://alignforlife.com
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-evans-40807b69/

Check out what I do helping small businesses here:
Website | https://nxaihealth.com/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-zappone-647957379/

Thank you for watching, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe!

#functionalmedicine #personalizedmedicine #rootcausecare #patientcare #integrativemedicine #chronicillness #healthspan #biohacking #medicalsystem