What does “success” look like and who gets to decide? In this episode, Dr. Lara Salyer explores how customized success metrics can revolutionize the patient and physician’s work together.   Dr. Salyer recounts a mentoring session with a healthcare practitioner who is developing a program for patient education but feels it may not be comprehensive enough. This story highlights the practitioner’s hesitation, rooted in a fear of success and the responsibilities and criticisms that come with it. Dr. Salyer reintroduces the “WARM” method—Who, Aim low, Reason, and Messy—as a tool to combat self ..read more

Finding your tribe and embracing change can enrich personal growth and lead to fulfilling life changes. In this “Friends & Family” series opener, Dr. Lara Salyer sits down with her longtime friend Jill Pyrz, mixing humor with raw truths as they look back on the moments that defined their friendship. They reflect on shared challenges in the healthcare industry and personal ventures that tested their resilience and determination.   Jill's career, spanning diverse roles from the office of a university president to various entrepreneurial endeavors, highlights her passion for people’s sto ..read more

How does one unlock a focused and stress-free mind? Dr. Lara Salyer sits down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq, a neurologist turned wellness pioneer, who brings a wealth of experience from her journey through medicine, corporate wellness, and mindfulness practice. As the author of “The Busy Brain Cure” and a recognized leader in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Mushtaq sheds light on the epidemic of "busy brain syndrome"—a cluster of symptoms including difficulty focusing, anxiety, and insomnia, which she attributes to chronic stress and neuroinflammation.   Dr. Mushtaq introduces her “brain ..read more

Pediatrics is evolving and Dr. Ellie MacGregor is at the forefront of this change, integrating functional medicine and holistic wellness practices into child care. Alongside host Dr. Lara Salyer, they explore the critical role of the vagal nerve in children's health, discussing its impact on conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADD.    After recognizing the limitations of conventional methods in addressing the root causes of health issues, Dr. Ellie transitioned from traditional pediatrics to an integrative approach. Her relocation from California to North Carolina marked the ..read more

Feeling stuck is a condition often rooted in fear, “inertia,” and a lack of support. Host Dr. Lara Salyer explores the concept of inertia, its complexities, and how it can hinder progress in various aspects of life, especially in healthcare. Drawing from personal experiences, Dr. Lara will guide you on how to overcome inertia using a method she calls “W.A.R.M.”   The W.A.R.M. method—”Who Dis,” “Aim Low,” “Reason Why,” and “Messy Moves the Needle”—offers a new perspective on overcoming the inertia that often afflicts individuals. Through sharing personal stories from her life and her mento ..read more

Technology is empowering healthcare providers to do two crucial tasks at one time - document clinical conversations in an accurate and structured way and simultaneously provide attentive patient interactions. CEO Erez Druk and Dr. Gabi Meckler, a husband and wife duo, discuss how they have developed an innovative solution to one of healthcare's most demanding tasks: charting.   It began with Erez, a software engineer, asking Gabi, a family medicine resident overwhelmed with paperwork, a simple question: “What can I do to make your life better?” Dr. Gabi expressed her wish to delegate her ..read more

Healthcare practices are ready for innovative solutions with modern technology paving the way forward. Host Dr. Lara Salyer delves into how holistic practices can benefit from smarter, technology-driven solutions with Kristen Ford, CEO and co-founder of Holistic Office. Kristen, with her solid background in finance, accounting, and operations, brings critical insights to the table for any independent medical practice looking to evolve.   Their conversation centers around  “My Holistic Office," an app designed by Kristen to meet the specific needs of holistic healthcare practitioners ..read more

"What's your experience with gratitude? Do you write thank you letters? Do you know this emotion?" These probing questions from Dr. Michelle Flowers, a board-certified psychiatrist and guest on The Catalyst Podcast, open a fascinating dialogue on the transformative role of gratitude in healthcare. Host Dr. Lara Salyer sets the stage for a deep dive into how this profound emotion can spark innovation and foster positive change within the healthcare landscape.   Dr. Flowers, an advocate for the therapeutic power of gratitude, shares the "NOW" technique, her unique approach to cultivating gr ..read more

"How can healthcare professionals turn portal messaging from a source of burnout into a tool for efficient communication?" In this compelling episode of "The Catalyst" podcast, Dr. Lara Salyer addresses the double-edged sword of portal messaging within the healthcare system. She delves into the impact of this digital communication tool, initially designed to streamline interactions but now a significant contributor to practitioner burnout.   Dr. Salyer shares actionable advice for both patients and practitioners on managing portal messages effectively. For patients, she emphasizes the imp ..read more

“Space is power,” says Sharon Woodworth, sector leader at National Healthcare Practice at Harley Ellis Devereaux, who joins The Catalyst to discuss the changing face of healthcare architectural design. With so many industries using technology to create automated experiences for patients, the healthcare industry is wise to follow suit. Sharon explains why she would like outpatient care to more resemble the Apple Genius Bar, and hospitals to have a layout like the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.    She and Dr. Lara discuss the pros and cons of what is an increasing level of standardizatio ..read more