Patient Innovations

About Patient Innovations

Patient Innovations explores the connections between patients receiving treatment for a variety of serious health conditions, the caregivers working directly in the field and the innovators working to solve these life altering issues. Patient Innovations brings to life the very real struggles and triumphs happening right now in the world of healthcare. Brought to you by the nonprofit Healthcare.MN, join us each month for a new exploration into a different condition and the people working to make a change.

Publisher

Patient Innovations

Category

business · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Mar 2024

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Pain You Cannot See: A Patient, a Physician, and a New Model of Care

   Chronic pain affects roughly 1 in 4 adults, yet most people who live with it spend years being doubted, dismissed, and handed treatments that do not work. In this conversation, Jolly Nanda, founder of Althea and a patient living with mixed connective tissue disease, shares her search for answers, family physician Dr. Chris Thiessen explains the science of how pain becomes chronic, and Dr. Eric Anderson, Chief Medical Officer at Lin Health, describes a virtual model built around retraining the nervous system. Together they show what becomes possible when care finally treats the whole person and when patients are believed. Top learnings Why chronic pain is a symptom of underlying conditions rather than a single diagnosis, and why finding the root cause can take years. How autoimmune diseases like mixed connective tissue disease manifest differently from person to person, making them difficult to diagnose with any one clear test. Why symptoms in new mothers and women in their 40s are often dismissed and blamed on motherhood or perimenopause. How keeping a longitudinal record of your own symptoms, photos, and test results can help physicians reach an accurate diagnosis, especially since flares rarely happen during appointments. What happens in the body and brain when pain becomes chronic, including how pain thresholds get lowered so that even a hug can hurt. How fibromyalgia was reframed from a suspected muscle problem into a nerve and central nervous system condition after certain nerve medications proved helpful. Why gabapentinoids like gabapentin and SNRIs like duloxetine became recognized treatments for chronic pain, sometimes through serendipitous discovery. Why opioids tend to cover up chronic pain rather than treat it, and how opioid hyperalgesia can actually increase pain over time. How functional MRI studies show chronic pain shifting from the somatosensory cortex to the limbic system, the area tied to emotion and memory. Why hearing pain is in your head does not mean it is imaginary, and how central sensitization turns up the body's pain alarm like a smoke detector that goes off at burnt toast. How behavioral health approaches such as pain reprocessing therapy, CBT, and ACT are considered first-line treatment for chronic pain by the CDC, ACP, and American Academy of Neurology. What outcomes a virtual pain recovery model can achieve, including the Boulder Back Pain Study finding that 66% of people with a decade of chronic back pain reached essentially no pain. Featured guests Jolly Nanda, founder of Althea, a digital health startup focused on whole-person care, with a background in healthcare technology and operations, who built the platform after navigating her own chronic pain and mixed connective tissue disease diagnosis. Dr. Chris Thiessen, family physician practicing in Moose Lake, Minnesota, a graduate of Harvard undergraduate in mathematics and Harvard Medical School who completed his residency at Duluth Family Medicine and chose rural generalist care to make a broader difference. Dr. Eric Anderson, Chief Medical Officer at Lin Health, a neurologist with a PhD in neurophysiology and fellowship training in epilepsy who has spent 15 years leading remote specialist care and telemedicine to bring hard-to-find services to underserved areas. Hosted by Rashmi Kandwal Colleen Rogers Resources Chronic Pain Care Lin Health: lin.health (https://www.lin.health) Connect with Patient Innovations Email: hello@healthcare.mn (mailto:hello@healthcare.mn) #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN #ChronicPain #PainScience #Fibromyalgia #AutoimmuneDisease #WholePersonCare #Neurology #Telehealth #HealthcareInnovation #PatientAdvocacy #RuralHealthcare

2. 

   27 Aug 2026

   Liver Disease, Organ Donation & the Future of Transplantation

   Liver Disease, Organ Donation & the Future of Transplantation Liver disease often progresses quietly—and too many people do not know they are at risk until the disease is advanced. In this episode of Patient Innovations, hosts Rashmi Kandwal and Shannon Stauff bring together the human, clinical and innovation sides of liver disease and transplantation. Transplant recipient MacGregor Nestler shares the experience of becoming critically ill, waiting for a donor liver and rebuilding his life after transplant. Bubu A. Banini, MD, PhD, of Yale School of Medicine and the American Liver Foundation explains the many causes of liver disease, the importance of earlier awareness and how trusted support can help patients and families navigate an overwhelming diagnosis. M. Zeeshan Akhtar, MD, PhD, of the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute at Mount Sinai explores how machine perfusion, research collaboration and artificial intelligence may help make more donated organs available for lifesaving transplantation. The conversation also makes the case for a Minnesota Liver Health Day: a focused opportunity to increase awareness, encourage people to understand their liver health and connect Minnesotans with credible education, screening conversations and support. In This Episode MacGregor's journey from serious liver disease through transplant and recovery Why liver disease is often misunderstood—and why stigma can delay care The many conditions that can lead to liver damage, failure and transplantation How the American Liver Foundation helps patients and families find education, support and practical guidance Why Minnesota needs greater public awareness of liver health and organ donation Why people should discuss liver-related lab results and risk factors with a healthcare professional How organ donation gives patients a second chance at life How machine perfusion can preserve and evaluate donated livers and potentially expand the number of organs available for transplant The emerging role of artificial intelligence in transplantation What gives patients, advocates and clinicians hope for the future The Blavatnik Family Foundation's Support The Blavatnik Family Foundation (https://blavatnikfoundation.org/) made a $5 million gift, pledged over five years, to the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute at Mount Sinai to expand its organ-perfusion platform. The funding supports new technologies designed to preserve donated organs longer, improve their function and viability, and potentially recover organs that might previously have been considered unsuitable for transplantation. It also supports continued research, an international organ registry and the future use of artificial intelligence to help assess organ quality. Learn more about the Blavatnik Family Foundation's support for Mount Sinai's organ-perfusion work. (https://blavatnikfoundation.org/mount-sinai-researchers-receive-5-million-gift-from-the-blavatnik-family-foundation-to-expand-revolutionary-organ-perfusion-platform/) Meet the Guests MacGregor Nestler MacGregor is a liver transplant recipient who shares a firsthand account of serious liver disease, the uncertainty of waiting for a donor organ and life after transplantation. His story brings the patient and family experience to the center of the conversation. Bubu A. Banini, MD, PhD Dr. Banini is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Digestive Diseases at Yale School of Medicine, Vice Chief for Clinical Research in Digestive Diseases, Translational Research Director of the Metabolic Health and Weight Loss Program and Associate Director of the Clinical and Translational Core at the Yale Liver Center. A transplant-trained hepatologist and physician-scientist, she earned both her MD and PhD in genetics and molecular biology. She also serves on the American Liver Foundation's National Medical Visionary Board. In this conversation, she helps listeners understand the broader liver-health landscape and the importance of prevention, earlier identification, advocacy and support. M. Zeeshan Akhtar, MD, PhD Dr. Akhtar is an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Liver Transplant, and of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is an attending liver transplant and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon at the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute and Principal Investigator of the PUMP Consortium. His clinical practice includes liver transplantation, living-donor liver transplantation and advanced hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. His research focuses on machine perfusion and ex vivo organ reconditioning to improve organ preservation, expand access to transplantation and help more donated organs become viable for transplant. Resources American Liver Foundation (https://liverfoundation.org/) American Liver Foundation Help Center (https://liverfoundation.org/resource-center/help-center/) — education, support groups, resource navigation and the national helpline at 1-800-465-4837 Donate Life America (https://donatelife.net/) — organ, eye and tissue donation information and registration Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Patient Resources (https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/patients/) Mount Sinai Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute (https://www.mountsinai.org/care/transplant) Blavatnik Family Foundation (https://blavatnikfoundation.org/) Minnesota Department of Health (https://www.health.state.mn.us/) HealthcareMN (https://healthcaremn.org/) About Patient Innovations Patient Innovations, presented by HealthcareMN, explores health conditions through the voices of patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates and innovators. Each episode begins with lived experience and asks what becomes possible when healthcare listens closely to the people it serves. Listen and subscribe: https://healthcare.mn/podcast Contact: hello@healthcare.mn #PatientInnovations #LiverHealth #LiverTransplant #OrganDonation #Liverdisease #HealthcareInnovation #MachinePerfusion #PatientVoice #BlavatnikFamilyFoundation.

3. 

   18 Jun 2026

   Natural Doesn't Mean Easy: The Truth About Breastfeeding

   In this episode of the Patient Innovations Podcast, hosts Rashmi Kandwal and Colleen Rogers explore breastfeeding from three perspectives: lived experience, clinical medicine, and maternal health innovation. New mom and content creator Brittany Runck opens up about her fertility journey, a NICU stay with her son Briggs, and what she calls the "middle ground" that doesn't get talked about enough. Dr. Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, IBCLC — founder of Fourth Trimester Doc — brings clinical precision to the question of why postpartum care in America is failing mothers, and what it looks like to actually fix it. And Ashley Mooneyham, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Momease Solutions, shares the research behind a 97% dissatisfaction rate with breast pumps — and the startup she built to do something about it. Every feeding path is real. Every mother deserves support. Top Learnings From This Episode What the "fourth trimester" is and why it matters for maternal health Matrescence: the birth of a mother, and why it deserves the same attention as adolescence Why 60% of maternal deaths happen postpartum — and 85% are considered preventable The connection between lactation and maternal mental health Why breastfeeding reduces long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers New clinical data: 10-20% of mothers physiologically cannot fully breastfeed New treatment guidelines for mastitis (it's inflammatory — not always bacterial) What's wrong with the standard six-week postpartum visit, and what better care looks like Why 97% of mothers surveyed were dissatisfied with their breast pump experience Supporting pumping moms in the workplace: rights, tools, and what employers can do The NICU experience and the unique breastfeeding challenges NICU families face Featured Guests Brittany Runck — Content creator and new mom sharing her fertility journey, NICU experience with her son Briggs, and the realities of early motherhood. Instagram and TikTok: @BrittanyRunck Dr. Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, IBCLC of Fourth Trimester Doc — Physician board-certified in family medicine, integrative medicine, and lactation, providing in-home postpartum medical care for mothers and newborns. Currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Ashley Mooneyham, PhD of Momease Solutions — Co-founder and CEO of a maternal health startup built on the voices of over 2,000 mothers. 2024 Minnesota Cup Grand Prize winner and 2025 HealthcareMN Startup of the Year. Hosted By Rashmi Kandwal Colleen Rogers Connect With Our Guests Brittany Runck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanyrunck Fourth Trimester Doc: https://fourthtrimesterdoc.com Momease Solutions: https://momease.com Petal Soft Breast Flange on IndieGoGo (launching summer 2026): https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/momease Resources From This Episode Find Lactation Support ILCA Lactation Consultant Directory: https://www.ilca.org/why-ibclc/falc La Leche League International: https://www.llli.org La Leche League of MN and the Dakotas: https://www.lllofmndas.org Minnesota WIC Breastfeeding Hotline (free): 1-800-708-9010 | https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/bf/index.html Maternal Mental Health Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net PSI Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 | Text: 503-894-9453 PSI Minnesota Chapter: https://psichapters.com/mn Mothers on Edge: https://www.mothersonedge.org Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance: https://www.mmhla.org NICU Family Support Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest: https://rmhc-uppermidwest.org Everyday Miracles (MN): https://www.everyday-miracles.org Workplace Pumping PUMP Act / FLSA Break Time for Nursing Mothers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/73-flsa-break-time-nursing-mothers Business Case for Breastfeeding (employer toolkit): https://womenshealth.gov Mamava: https://www.mamava.com MilkMate: https://milkmate.com Feeding Equity and Advocacy Fed Is Best Foundation: https://www.fedisbest.org Black Mamas Matter Alliance: https://blackmamasmatter.org Minnesota Perinatal Network: https://www.mnperinatal.org Find a Doula DONA International: https://www.dona.org/find-a-doula About the Patient Innovations Podcast The Patient Innovations Podcast brings together patients, clinicians, innovators, and healthcare leaders to explore how lived experience and human-centered innovation are reshaping healthcare. Listen and subscribe: https://healthcare.mn/podcast Contact: hello@healthcare.mn #PatientInnovations #Breastfeeding #MaternalHealth #FourthTrimester #BreastfeedingSupport #NICU #PostpartumCare #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareMN

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.