Title: Ep. 43 – A New Unfiltered Era with Dr. R. Michael Meneghini

On today’s very special episode of Transforming Healthcare, we’re thrilled to announce a new chapter for the podcast as we welcome longtime friend and orthopedic leader Dr. R. Michael Meneghini as co-host. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Meneghini is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in joint replacement. His expertise spans primary and partial hip and knee replacements, revision surgeries, and advanced computer-assisted surgical techniques. Additionally, he co-founded M2 Orthopedic Partners, a private-equity-backed orthopedic management company. Dr. Meneghini’s impressive educational journey began at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in engineering. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and pursued a fellowship in complex hip and knee replacement at the Mayo Clinic. Before founding IJRI, he led the Indiana University Health Hip and Knee Center for over a decade. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Meneghini has received numerous accolades, including the Coventry Award at the Mayo Clinic, the Early Career Achievement Award from Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Career Achievement Award from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In 2020, he attained the academic rank of Professor in Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Meneghini is also a prolific researcher, having authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His commitment to advancing the field extends to his roles on the executive boards of the Knee Society, Mid-American Orthopaedic Association (MAOA), the International Orthopedic Education Network (IOEN), and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS). Join us for this very special episode as we dive into Dr. Meneghini’s path and explore the shared commitment to health equity, caring for all patients, and elevating voices that are pushing the industry toward higher-value, more accessible care.

Ep. 42 – From Scalpel to Startup with Dr. Tom Harte and Dr. Will Briggs

On today’s episode of Transforming Healthcare with Dr. Wael Barsoum, we are excited to have two physician-turned-entrepreneurs who are redefining musculoskeletal care with digital technology and AI. Dr. Tom Harte is an orthopedic surgeon and Founder of MSK.AI, who now serves as President of HOPCo Digital. Dr. Will Briggs is a Cambridge-trained physician-scientist who is the Founder and CEO of Naitive. Both Naitive and MSK.ai are digital health startups focused on using data and technology to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Join us as we discuss building patient-facing platforms that deliver the right information at the right time, unpack the coming shift in AI, and why tackling administrative burden and interoperability may unlock the biggest gains in access, cost, and outcomes.

Ep. 41 – The Triple Threat: Clinician, Researcher, Educator with Dr. Carlos Higuera

On Today’s episode of Transforming Healthcare with Dr. Wael Barsoum, we are thrilled to have a longtime friend and colleague Dr. Carlos Higuera to discuss his journey as a true triple threat in orthopedics: clinician, researcher, and educator. Dr. Higuera is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, Chairman of the Levitetz Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida, and past president of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society. Join us as we discuss global medical training, advances in orthopedic infection care, the role of research in improving patient outcomes, and the realities of balancing an intense professional career with family life.

Ep. 40 – Supply Chain Optimization in ASC’s with Allen Passerallo

On Today’s episode of Transforming Healthcare with Dr. Wael Barsoum, we’re honored to be filming today with Allen Passerallo. Allen Passerallo is Vice President of Category Management at Vizient, where he leads contracting and category management strategies for orthopedics and neuro-physician preference items, with a focus on cost management in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). He brings extensive experience in healthcare supply chain, sourcing and value analysis, with prior leadership roles at Johns Hopkins Health System and Cleveland Clinic. Allen holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and a

Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Mercyhurst University. Join us as we discuss supply chain, performance improvement, incentivization, alignment, and ASCs.

Ep. 39 – Mutual vs. Insurance: Health Disparities, New Technology, and Improving Care with Tony Helton

On Today’s episode of Transforming Healthcare with Dr. Wael Barsoum, we’re excited to be filming for the first time and that too with an incredible leader in the payor industry, Tony Helton. Tony Helton is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Medical Mutual of Ohio. Prior to being appointed to his current role in November 2024, he was the organization’s EVP and CFO. Earlier in his career, Helton spent nearly two decades at the Cleveland Clinic in several roles, including Interim CFO and Executive Director of Revenue Cycle Management and Continuous Improvement. Helton earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from John Carroll University. Join us as we delve into what a mutual is, the differences between mutuals and insurances, and Tony’s mission for his community and his incredible journey in this industry.

Ep. 38 – Building a Practice from the Ground Up with Dr. Jason Sansone and Benjamin Jarvis

On Today’s episode of Transforming Healthcare with Dr. Wael Barsoum, we have special guests Dr. Jason Sansone and Benjamin Jarvis.

Dr. Jason Sansone, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and the President of Orthopedic & Spine Centers of Wisconsin. He specializes in spine surgery and orthopedic traumatology. A Wisconsin native, Dr. Sansone earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences from the University of Wisconsin. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and an active member of the Wisconsin Medical Society. Dr. Sansone’s specialty fellowship training includes spine surgery, enabling him to provide advanced care for conditions affecting the spine, as well as orthopedic traumatology, which encompasses both operative and non-operative care of complex fractures.

Benjamin Jarvis is the Executive Vice President of Wisconsin Operations at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Co. Benjamin previously held various administrative and managerial roles in the healthcare industry, including Administrator of Surgical Operations at SSM Health, Practice Manager at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Account Manager at Aerotek Scientific. Benjamin holds a Master of Science in Health Systems Management from RUSH University and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Join us as we talk about the successes and pitfalls of their journey to starting an orthopedic practice from scratch.