Difficult Conversations -Lessons I learned as an ICU Physician

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Fierce, Inc.

Fierce, Inc Newsletter sign-up

Fierce, Inc Linkedin

Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott

Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst “Best” Practices of Business Today by Susan Scott

Memorial Day Tribute May 30, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to a special Memorial Day Tribute of Difficult Conversations - Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician. This week, we will pause and take a moment to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to also remember our commitment to all of those who have served. This week I chose to replay a previous interview with the Honorable Dr. David Shulkin, who was the 9th Secretary of the US Dept of Veteran Affairs. He was nominated by President Trump to serve his cabinet. Prior to serving as Secretary of the VA, he served as Under Secretary for Health under President Obama. Dr. Shulkin represented 21 million American veterans and was responsible for the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system with over 1,200 sites of care, serving over 9 million Veterans. Prior to coming to the VA, Secretary Shulkin was a widely respected healthcare executive having served as Chief Executive of leading hospitals and health systems such as Beth Israel in New York City and Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. His book, It Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Serve Your Country: Our Broken Government and the Plight of Veterans. is one of the best books about our VA System ever written.

Dr. Orsini mentions his first encounter with Dr. Shulkin, and remembered how genuine, down to earth, extremely friendly, and very engaging he was. We find out what made Dr. Shulkin take the medicine path and what led him into the leadership role. Dr. Shulkin tells us the single most difficult conversation that he had, and he gives us advice on his approach to communicating bad news. There are so many problems with medical education training right now with communication, and Dr. Shulkin shares with us how we can fix this. Dr. Shulkin’s dedication in his book impressed Dr. Orsini, and he talks about his dad, who was a psychiatrist on an Army base, and if he influenced him in any way. We learn about when he takes on his new position as Under Secretary at the VA in 2015, and what he realized he had in front of him with the wait time issues that were going on. Also, we find how he fixed the issue so quickly. Since he served with both Trump and Obama, we find out the game plan he had to navigate through the two different environments and succeed at it. Dr. Shulkin has been called the “Champion of Patient Experience ” and he shares with us how he was able to start the Patient Experience Program at the VA. Telemedicine is discussed and whether or not it’s here to stay or if we keep doing more and more Telemedicine, if we’re going to miss that patient relationship.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Dr. David Shulkin

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

David J. Shulkin, MD Twitter

Shulkin Solutions

It Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Serve Your Country: Our Broken Government and the Plight of Veterans by David Shulkin

Burning Shield - The Story of Jason Schechterle May 24, 2021

Show notes

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Doing this podcast is one of the best decisions that I ever made because every week I get to interview some of the most incredible people in the world, leaders in healthcare and in business who have taught me so much. Every week I feel inspired and it has given me a new appreciation for the good in people and the unbreakable human spirit. The man you will meet today is going to inspire you more than ever! I met retired Phoenix police officer, Jason Schechterle, when we were both presenters recently at a TEDx Talk. When you meet Jason, you can’t help but be impressed and inspired. Jason’s journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy, and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished. Jason is the subject of the book, Burning Shield:, which we’ll talk about today, as Jason tells us his story of why he’s the luckiest person alive.

Jason tells us the incredible story of his journey to becoming a police officer and the day that changed his life forever. We learn how he suffered burns to 43% of his body, with his neck, head and face being the worst, spent two and a half months in a coma, and was not expected to survive. Jason tells us about the doctor that he called, “One of the greatest healers and lifesavers this world has ever known,” and how this doctor questioned his own reasoning behind doing the surgery. Jason had fifty-six surgeries in seven years, and he shares experiences he had with some of the doctors and nurses in the burn center, being vulnerable, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are willing to help. Amazingly, not only does Jason survive, but he ends up going back to work as a homicide detective and playing golf. He explains how in his recovery process, it was so important to tell other people that there’s nothing as powerful as a made-up mind. Throughout this process, Jason’s wife was so dedicated and the love they have for each other really showed, but there was another person in his life that really represented the friendship and camaraderie between two police officers. Learn about Brian and what he did for his family. Jason ends up sharing his story of how he worked hard to fight agains Ford Motor Company to discontinue a defective and dangerous car thereby helping and probably saving the lives of other police officers We end with Jason telling us the toughest conversations he’s had, which he credits his wife, and he shares inspirational advice with us that you really have to hear! If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Jason Schechterle

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Burning Shield

jason@burningshield.com

Burning Shield: The Jason Schechterle Story by Landon J. Napoleon

Medical Justice and Malpractice May 17, 2021

Show notes

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations -Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician with Dr. Anthony Orsini. My special guest today is Dr. Jeffrey Segal, who is the CEO and Founder of Medical Justice. He was a practicing neurosurgeon for approximately ten years, during which time he also played an active role as a participant on various state sanctioned medical review panels designed to decrease the incidence of meritless medical malpractice cases. He holds an M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. He received his B.A. from the University of Texas and graduated with a law degree from Concord Law School with highest honors. In the process of conceiving, developing, and growing Medical Justice, Dr. Segal has established himself as one of the country’s leading authorities on medical malpractice issues and internet-based assaults on reputation. As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.

Jeff shares his journey from being a neurosurgeon to a lawyer, which includes an incredible inspirational story about his brother. He explains how being open, honest, and transparent with a patient can help limit a doctor’s risk of getting sued. He shares advice about the importance of saying you are sorry when a medical error occurs , Advice he follows from a book called, Sorry Works! We hear Jeff’s opinion on why there is often a pile-on when a patient is unhappy and he gives advice on how to avoid it. Dr. Orsini tells a story about his dad and why it's important to have the right tools before you need them. Jeff explains why it’s important to be prepared and have proper communication skills before problems occur. Finally, Jeff gives advice on what to do if you’re a physician who’s done his best, followed all the advice given to him, and still gets sued. We end with Jeff telling us two difficult conversations he’s had in is life and advice on now he navigated through them. Jeff tells us how you to get a free confidential consultation at Medical Justice. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication. Go ahead and download this episode now!

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Sponsor:

The Finley Project

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Medical Justice

Sorry Works! 2.0: Disclosure, Apology, And Relationships Prevent Medical Malpractice Claims by Doug Wojcieszak, James W. Saxton, and Maggie M. Finkelstein

The Orsini Way-Podcast- Episode 102-Marcus Engel

The Orsini Way-Podcast-Episode 105-Larry Barton

Re: Invent Your Life with Kathi Sharpe Ross May 10, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, I am delighted to have as my guest, Kathi Sharpe-Ross, who is a global brand and lifestyle marketing guru, President and CEO of The Sharpe Alliance and Founder of The Reinvention Exchange. Kathi is a sought-after marketing consultant, speaker, workshop leader, and philanthropist, who has been helping brands and businesses re-invent, build, and communicate for over thirty years. She is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post and Thrive Global and interviewed on podcasts and radio. Having grown up on three different continents, Kathi learned at a young age how to adapt, try on new circumstances, make new friends, roll with the changes, and create new tools to flourish in her world. In her new book, RE: INVENT YOUR LIFE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? she isempowering people to embark on a journey toward re-invention of all shapes and sizes.

Kathi tells us about her herself and her journey. She tells us about her first entrepreneur experience that started when she was in college, and the meaning behind why she said, “Do it best, do it first, and do it loudest.” We learn how she got her first client by building a network, and the importance of practice and listening. Dr. Orsini and Kathi agree that communication techniques can be taught and how active listening is critical. Kathi tells us about her book, which contains thirty stories and twenty-six power tools. She shares her “A-ha moment” and explains why “knowing your why” is so important, which she talks a lot about in her book. We also hear an awesome story about how she got Quincy Jones to write the forward for her book. Kathi tells us about The RE: INVENTION EXCHANGE, that includes a virtual chat series, blogs, content newsletters, and a podcast she launched in January. We end with Kathi sharing with us the most difficult type of conversation that she’s had and how she navigated through it. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Kathi Sharpe-Ross

Sponsor:

The Finley Project

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:
RE: INVENT YOUR LIFE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? by Kathi Sharpe-Ross
Kathi Sharpe-Ross Twitter

The Sharpe Alliance

THE RE: INVENTION EXCHANGE

The Reinvention Exchange Twitter

The Reinvention Exchange Linkedin

Helping Parents of Premature Babies May 03, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Difficult Conversations Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician with Dr. Anthony Orsini. As a Neonatologist, I’m exposed to a world where about ten percent of all babies born in the U.S. will need to be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit. For the parents of these sick babies, their plans of having a healthy baby that they can take home with them in a few days are shattered. A majority of the babies admitted to the NICU do well, but some do not, and they spend many long days in the hospital with a series of good days and bad days, and sadly some do not make it. These parents find themselves members of a group that no one wants to be in, and nothing can prepare them for the journey they must face. I am so happy to have as my guests, two members of an incredible organization called Graham’s Foundation. Their mission is to support, comfort, inform, and guide families who experienced a premature birth. First, I have Nick Hall, who is the Founder of Graham’s Foundation. His twins, Reece and Graham, were born at twenty-five weeks and Graham sadly died after forty-five days. Also joining me is Laura Platt-Kilstein, whose son was born at twenty-six weeks and is now a high energy four-year old.

Nick shares the story of the birth of his twins, Reece and Graham, and his first experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Laura shares her story of the premature birth of her son, and the conversation she had with her own doctor when she found out she was having her baby so early. Nick talks about the difficult conversation he had with the doctors about the twins, and even more important, the emotions of the Neonatologist after the birth. We learn about the difficult decisions that Nick and his wife had to make and about Graham’s journey up to his last day. Laura tells us the amazing story of her son, Joshua, who was in the hospital for ninety-nine days. We learn about Reece’s remarkable journey, spending one hundred and nineteen days in the hospital. Nick explains his personal experience as a father, the grieving process and the team approach he felt from everyone around him. We also learn what made him start Graham’s Foundation . Find out why he says it really started the day Reece and Graham were born. Laura tells us what why she become a mentor and how she decided to get in touch with Graham’s Foundation. Nick fills us in on all the wonderful things Graham’s Foundation offers people who need help, such as the different care package programs, mentors, MyPreemie App. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes. Go ahead and download this episode now!

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guests:

Nick Hall

Laura Platt-Kilstein

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Graham’s Foundation

MyPreemie App

Graham’s Foundation Instagram

Graham’s Foundation Twitter

The Orsini Way-Podcast-Episode 104-Noelle Moore

Conversations about "Listening" with Colin Smith Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. This podcast is all about communication, and an essential aspect of good communication is listening, I believe it’s a lost art in this fast-paced world. Today, I’m excited to have as my very special guest, Colin Smith, who is commonly known as “The Listener.” Colin is one of the U.K.’s foremost listening skills specialists who works with individuals as well as teams within organizations who want to be heard, think smarter, and transform their business and personal relationships through active listening. Having a varied and successful career, Colin realized much of his success was due to his listening and connecting abilities, which led him to develop a series of programs to develop these skills and others. His inquisitive and curious mind leads him to explore unusual thought provoking, yet grounded observation and alternative approaches to business, people, systems, change, and innovations. As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.

Colin tells us about his journey, his business Dexterity Solutions, and how he became known as “The Listener.” We learn why he thinks that people are having more and more trouble listening. Dr. Orsini tells us how he teaches conflict resolution in his workshops to help with listening to words and listening to non-verbal cues, and Colin shares how we can all be better listeners. Find out what he means by, “We hear from, we listen to.” Find out the importance of eye contact, and why it is fo hard for some people. Dr. Orsini talks about multitasking in teens, adults, and physicians, and how it relates to communication and listening. Colin explains why he believes technology is to blame for the listening crisis currently happening. Also, the important thing to remember is that we all need reassurance, that we matter, and if we validate the patient, team members, or colleagues, it would make a big difference. We also learn from Colin about “survive, dive, and thrive,” Dr. Orsini and Colin talk about the importance of listening in group settings and boardrooms. We end with Colin explaining how all conversations can be difficult for different people, for different reasons, and gives great advice on how to navigate through them. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Colin Smith

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Colin D. Smith Linkedin

Dexterity Solutions

Speaking the Truth - Debriefing Nurse Leaders Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today my special guest is Lori Gunther, Chief Executive Officer at Synova Associates and a Board Member of the Patient Experience Institute. Lori became a partner at Synova in 2019, bringing twenty years of NICU and perinatal industry experience to the company. Lori is a trained professional counselor, and a nationally recognized expert in the field of patient experience, crisis intervention, PTSD, communication skills, and maternal-fetal health. She is recently published in Advances in Neonatal Care on how to improve and implement parent education in NICUs.
We start out by learning Lori’s counseling background, her years as a therapist, her journey through the March of Dimes, and how she got to Synova. Lori tells us how she got more involved in Synova, what they do, and how she thrives in chaos. She shares a story about what happened to her infant son after having surgery, which led to her wonder how can we have better conversations, listen more and think about our words. Dr. Orsini and Lori agree that the communication skills necessary for physicians and nurses to speak with patients are the same communication skills that are required for good leaders. Lori shares stories about her dad, and the mantra that she still lives by, “Don’t come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution.” She tells us how she ended up owning Synova right before the pandemic hit. Lori tells us about the Synova debriefing calls for nursing leadership and how they really help during the pandemic. Since there’s a whole area of nursing leadership that has no support, as well as for a nurse or physician who’s really not getting any support, Lori shares with us some “Drop the mic” advice. We end with Lori telling us the most difficult conversation she has had in her lifetime and some advice on how she was able to navigate through this. Also, find out what’s on the horizon for Synova, the free webinars they offer, and their 25th Anniversary event in November that Dr. Orsini will be speaking at. If you enjoyed this podcast, please follow, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Lori Gunther

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Lori Gunther Linkedin

Synova Associates

Synova Associates Facebook

Synova Associates Instagram

Synova Associates Linkedin

Advances in Neonatal Care article-“Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Parent Education in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Synova 25TH Anniversary Nurse Leadership Forum-November 14-18, 2021

Human's First with Mike Vacanti Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, my special guest is Mike Vacanti, Founder of HumansFirst and author of Believership: The Superpower Beyond Leadership. Following many years in advertising and marketing, Mike launched early stage start-ups and led merger and acquisition initiatives for publicly traded tech companies. His teams exceeded expectations, consistently beat the challenge, learned a lot, and as Mike said, “Had some fun along the way.” He believes “It’s much more than what we accomplish, it’s who we become along the journey!” His mission is to lift others, helping people discover their potential, embrace a growth mindset, and achieve at inspired levels. Mike has transformed businesses and inspired people to perform at levels they didn’t think possible. He is known as a great listener and collaborator, and a creative problem-solver. He consistently delivers on the belief that the heart of any organization is people- People drive results! As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.

Mike tells us about himself and how he went from mergers and acquisitions to transitioning into starting HumansFirst. We learn about these events, who attends them, and how his intent was to help people break patterns. Dr. Orsini and Mike have a discussion on changes in cultures in the workplace and how the younger generations are really driving change in the workplace because they want to work for companies that believe in them. We also find out Mike’s views on improving cultures in companies and why some companies are so open and some are not, He tells us how essential it is that leadership buy into it. Mike tells us about another book he wrote with Teresa Quinlan called, You Belong Here: HumansFirst Stories, which is a compilation of different people’s stories. He shares one of the stories in the book written by Claude Silver, a previous guest on this podcast. This book is full of inspiration and in a world full of so much sadness now, Dr. Orsini says, “Just read it because it will make you feel better!” Mike discusses his other book, Believership: If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the follow button.
Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Mike Vacanti

For More Information:

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources Mentioned:

Mike Vacanti Twitter

Mike Vacanti Linkedin

HumansFirst.club

Believership: The Superpower Beyond Leadership: Volume 1, The Experience by Mike Vacanti

You Belong Here: HumansFirst Stories by Mike Vacanti and Teresa Quinlan

The Orsini Way-Podcast-Episode 107-Claude Silver

Hospital Leadership During Covid-19 Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. The COVID-19 crisis has affected us all, but especially with people in leadership roles in healthcare, which is why I am so excited today to have as my guest, Dr. Noreen Bernard, RN. Noreen is currently the Chief Nursing Officer for UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital and Broomfield Hospital. She is also an adjunct faculty at University of Colorado and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She has over 25 years of executive leadership experience with an emphasis on clinical operations, nursing professional practice, professional and organizational development. She is Nurse Executive Advanced board certified, a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, and we are really lucky to have her here today. As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.

Noreen begins by telling us about her journey, She tells us some traits about her that may have helped her get this job so quickly after graduating and gives advice to young nurses or clinicians who may want to follow the path of leadership. Find out why she says, “Lean in, get a seat at the table, and say yes.” Dr. Orsini talks about the “Healthcare Heroes” and how the COVID crisis has affected the entire group, and Noreen tells us how she navigated though all the issues the pandemic brought to hospitals and healthcare workers, such as possible furloughs and the hospitals losing millions of dollars each day. Dr. Orsini shares his views on how important communication is to your professional and private life, as well as being a compassionate and an active listener. Dr. Orsini and Noreen talk about how much the doctors, nurses, therapists, housekeepers, and everyone who works in a hospital have run towards problems and not away, and how selfless they have all been during this pandemic. Patient experience is always a hot topic in medicine, and Noreen explains the four things they focus on with patient experience and a special motto they follow, “Eyes up, Energy forward.” She also shares a story about allowing a family visitation during COVID and how family and friends at the bedside really helps with the healing process. We end with Noreen telling us the most difficult type of conversation she’s had in her life and how she navigated through it. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe button, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Dr. Noreen Bernard

Sponsor:

Sponsor:
Veritus by Freedom Institute
For More Information: