Val-You Based Care

About Val-You Based Care

Val-You Based Care is hosted by triple board-certified physician Dr. Kimberly Ku, dedicated to exploring the human side of modern medicine. At a time when healthcare is rapidly evolving—shaped by rising patient needs, provider shortages, and the expanding role of technology—this show takes a step back to focus on something timeless: the way we communicate, connect, and care for one another. Each episode dives into conversations that challenge the traditional boundaries of clinical training by placing communication, empathy, and relational practice at the center of the dialogue. Drawing from Dr. Ku’s personal experiences in clinical research, oncology, hematology, and community-based care, the podcast shines a light on the skills, stories, and perspectives that often go untaught in medical school but are essential to delivering meaningful, patient-centered care. Listeners can expect wide-ranging discussions with clinicians, researchers, community leaders, patients, innovators, and academic partners. Topics span the future of community care, the measurable impact of empathy in clinical settings, the nuances of delivering care closer to home, and how healthcare teams can collaborate more effectively across disciplines. Episodes often explore how communication can be strengthened as a reproducible, teachable competency—and why doing so is vital to sustaining the healthcare workforce of tomorrow. Whether it’s navigating difficult conversations, understanding patient perspectives, supporting colleagues, or adapting to a changing care landscape, Val-You Based Care offers a grounded and deeply human look at what high-quality care truly requires. At its core, this podcast is about connection: seeing people fully, honoring trust, and helping one another move through uncertainty with compassion, competence, and resilience. Because in the end, we are all patients—and how we treat each other matters.

Publisher

Dr. Kimberly Ku

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Dec 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   The Patient Who Questions You Is Still Trusting You (Feat: Dr. Brian Southwell)

   Medical misinformation can be frustrating for clinicians. But what if a patient bringing questionable information into the exam room is actually a sign that something is going right? In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with communication scientist Dr. Brian Southwell for a thoughtful conversation about misinformation, trust, empathy, and the increasingly complicated information environment surrounding healthcare. Together, they explore why correcting the facts isn't always the best place to start, why patients who ask difficult questions may actually be demonstrating trust, and how curiosity can help physicians better understand what sits underneath a patient's beliefs. The conversation moves beyond misinformation into something much bigger: what it means to build trust in medicine. Dr. Ku and Dr. Southwell discuss body language, listening, silence, humility, social media, clinician burnout, the limits of expertise, and why empathy does not require agreement. They also explore the role physicians and healthcare organizations can play as trusted sources of information in an era when algorithms and AI can provide seemingly authoritative answers in seconds. Because sometimes the most important thing a physician can do isn't immediately correct the patient. It's understand why they're asking the question. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Meet Dr. Brian Southwell 01:52 – When Misinformation Is Actually a Sign of Trust 05:00 – Why More Evidence Isn't Always the Answer 08:30 – Empathy, Body Language & Staying Open 11:16 – What Actually Makes Someone Trustworthy? 14:05 – Empathy Doesn't Mean Agreement 16:15 – Why Doctors Need Better Communication Training 19:45 – Listening Before Trying to Correct 22:50 – The Power of Silence in Difficult Conversations 26:39 – Bringing Science Closer to Everyday People 29:28 – Transparency, Uncertainty & Building Trust 33:15 – Giving Patients Grace to Ask Questions 37:56 – Patients Are Experts in Their Own Experience 40:28 – How Physicians Should Approach Social Media 44:30 – Finding Credible Information in an Algorithmic World 48:03 – Healthcare Organizations as Trusted Information Sources 50:30 – Why People Still Trust Their Own Doctors 52:59 – AI, Human Judgment & Keeping Humans in the Loop 56:30 – Final Thoughts

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Giving Doctors Their Time Back (Feat: Matthew Ko)

   In this episode of Val-You Based Care, host Dr. Kimberly Ku, a triple board-certified physician with a background in clinical research, oncology, hematology, and community-based care, sits down with Matthew Ko, Founder and CEO of DeepScribe, the ambient AI platform built to give physicians their time back and help them deliver better care. Matthew shares the personal story behind DeepScribe's founding: caring for his mother through a breast cancer diagnosis, the moment she asked him a question that changed his career, and how that experience turned into one of the most trusted ambient AI platforms in oncology today. True to what this show is about, the conversation goes beyond the technology itself and into the communication and empathy behind it: what real partnership between physicians and AI actually looks like, why so many past healthcare technologies failed to deliver on their promises, and how DeepScribe is working to close the gap between what medical science knows and what actually happens at the bedside. Matthew and Dr. Ku also discuss physician burnout, the fears many clinicians carry about AI in the exam room, and what it means to hold onto the human side of medicine while embracing new tools. Whether you are a physician curious about ambient AI, a healthcare leader thinking about technology adoption, or simply interested in the future of patient care, this episode offers an honest look at where healthcare technology has fallen short and where it is headed next, and why communication and empathy remain the throughline connecting good medicine to good care. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction: Meet Matthew Ko, Founder & CEO of DeepScribe 1:20 The Question That Started It All: "Are You Lying to Me?" 10:56 Redefining Partnership Between Physicians and AI 12:37 Learning From Healthcare's History of Broken Tech Promises 21:20 What It Really Means to Care for a Patient 27:34 The Data Gap: When Patients Aren't on the Right Therapy 28:41 Inside DeepScribe's Ambient Operating System 32:01 Three Vectors for Closing the Science-to-Bedside Gap 36:06 Empathy as a Measurable, Buildable Force 39:50 The Founder Fellowship Medicine Could Learn From 41:29 The "Proven, Better, New" Product Philosophy 43:07 Addressing Physician Fears About AI in the Exam Room 45:41 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

3. 

   11 Aug 2026

   The Team We Forgot to Build: Getting Employers, Doctors, and Patients on the Same Team (Feat: Lee Lewis)

   What if some of healthcare's biggest challenges aren't clinical at all? In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku welcomes Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer of the Health Transformation Alliance, for a conversation that takes listeners beyond the exam room and into the boardroom—where many of the decisions that shape patient care are actually made. Together, they explore the often-overlooked relationship between employers, physicians, health plans, and employees, and why these groups too often operate in silos despite sharing the same ultimate goal: helping people live healthier lives. Lee offers an inside look at how employers think about health benefits, where communication breaks down between healthcare providers and those designing benefit plans, and what both sides can do differently to create better experiences for patients. Rather than pointing fingers at a broken system, this episode asks a more productive question: What would healthcare look like if everyone truly worked as one team? Whether you're a clinician, employer, healthcare leader, or simply someone who relies on the healthcare system, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on collaboration, trust, and building a better path forward. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:08 Meet Lee Lewis & the Health Transformation Alliance 3:12 Why Employers Play a Bigger Role in Healthcare Than You Think 8:21 What Business Leaders Often Get Wrong About Health Benefits 15:34 Bridging the Gap Between Physicians and Employers 24:18 Building Trust Across the Healthcare System 32:41 What Employees Really Need From Their Benefits 40:56 Why Collaboration Beats Fragmentation 48:47 A Better Vision for the Future of Healthcare 55:36 Advice for Healthcare Leaders & Final Thoughts

4. 

   7 Jul 2026

   The Digital Bridge: Why AI Still Needs a Human Voice

   Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare—but its greatest impact may not be replacing physicians. It may be helping them become better communicators. Recorded live during a Haymarket Media panel discussion, Dr. Kimberly Ku moderates a thoughtful conversation exploring how AI is reshaping the dialogue between patients and providers. Joined by Dr. Douglas Flora and Dr. Sunil Kamath, the discussion examines where artificial intelligence is already improving oncology, where caution is warranted, and why empathy, trust, and authentic communication remain indispensable in modern medicine. Together, the panel explores practical applications for AI, its influence on patient education, the ethical considerations surrounding emerging technologies, and how clinicians can embrace innovation without losing sight of the human relationships that define exceptional care. As healthcare enters a new technological era, this episode reminds us that the future belongs not to artificial intelligence alone—but to clinicians who know how to combine innovation with compassion. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome & Panel Introduction 2:07 Why AI Is Reshaping Healthcare Communication 4:05 Can AI Help Restore Empathy in Medicine? 9:28 The Workforce Crisis in Oncology 13:47 Curiosity: The Most Important AI Skill 18:12 Building Trust Through Time and Human Connection 22:34 AI Beyond the Clinic: Lessons From Everyday Life 28:06 The Risks of Relying Too Much on AI 34:21 Patients Are Using AI—Now What? 40:18 How Physicians Can Lead in the Age of AI 46:03 AI, Ethics, and the Future of Cancer Care 52:41 Final Takeaways: Keeping Humanity at the Center

5. 

   18 Jun 2026

   Why Empathy Still Matters in an AI World (Feat: Mike Graziani)

   As artificial intelligence continues to transform healthcare, one question remains: what aspects of medicine can never be automated? In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku welcomes Mike Graziani, CEO of Haymarket Media US, for a thoughtful conversation about empathy, communication, leadership, curiosity, and the future of healthcare. Together, they explore the evolving role of AI and why technological advancement should not come at the expense of human connection. From tactical empathy and active listening to the importance of seeing every patient as a unique individual, the discussion highlights the enduring skills that build trust and strengthen relationships. Dr. Ku and Graziani also discuss the power of curiosity, the value of interdisciplinary thinking, and how meaningful innovation often emerges when people are willing to challenge assumptions and engage with perspectives outside their own. At a time when healthcare is rapidly evolving, this episode offers a powerful reminder that empathy is not a soft skill—it is a critical skill. And as AI continues to reshape medicine, the providers who communicate effectively, listen deeply, and connect authentically may become more valuable than ever. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:14 Why Empathy Still Matters in an AI World 8:37 The Role of Communication in Healthcare 15:22 Curiosity as a Professional Advantage 22:45 AI and the Future of Medicine 31:18 Every Patient Is an N of One 39:56 Building Trust Through Human Connection 47:12 Final Thoughts

6. 

   27 May 2026

   Rethinking the Cancer Clinic: A Better Model for Modern Oncology (Feat: Dr. Shawn Seibert)

   In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with Dr. Shawn Seibert of Illinois CancerCare to explore what it really takes to build a better model for modern oncology. With years of experience developing and refining the community cancer clinic model, Shawn brings a grounded and practical perspective to one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: how to meet growing patient demand while navigating workforce shortages and provider burnout. Together, they examine the evolving role of oncology in coordination with hospitalists, the tension between traditional systems and emerging care models, and the importance of designing structures that actually work for both patients and providers. The conversation highlights how private and public partnerships can play a meaningful role in scaling care without sacrificing quality. Shawn’s recognition as the 2025 Cure-ageous Rock Doc of the Year reflects the values he brings to his work—commitment to community, dedication to patients, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. The episode also explores his passion for working across disciplines and mentoring the next generation of care providers. At its core, this conversation is about building something better—rethinking not just how care is delivered, but how it is experienced by those who give it and those who receive it. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - Dr. Seibert's background and growth 9:42 - The refreshing nature of his work 19:40 - Gaining traction on new care concept 26:06 - Lessons for newer physicians 37:53 - Reflecting on a successful year 32:40 - Taking initiative to create change 45:28 - Active listening in medicine 47:32 - Closing remarks

7. 

   18 May 2026

   The Future of Oncology Is Personal (Feat: Elizabeth Klumpp)

   In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with Elizabeth Klumpp, Group Editorial Director at Haymarket Oncology, for a wide-ranging conversation on some of the most important clinical trial presentations emerging from ASCO—and what they reveal about the future of cancer care. Together, they explore several groundbreaking studies reshaping oncology across pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and sarcoma. The discussion highlights how cancer treatment is increasingly moving away from one-size-fits-all approaches and toward biomarker-driven, biology-focused care. The episode examines the excitement surrounding the Rasolute 302 study in pancreatic cancer and its potential to introduce new oral treatment options beyond traditional chemotherapy. It also explores the Proteus study and the growing role of treatment intensification and multidisciplinary collaboration in localized prostate cancer care. Dr. Ku and Klumpp further discuss the Libretto 432 study and the evolution of precision oncology into earlier-stage disease settings, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive molecular testing at diagnosis. They also unpack the Sarco41 study as an example of how oncology is beginning to transcend organ-based classifications in favor of targeting shared tumor biology. Finally, the conversation turns toward the future—examining how artificial intelligence may fundamentally change clinical trial design and cancer treatment itself. From “AI twins” to adaptive treatment modeling, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where oncology may be headed next. At its core, this discussion is about possibility: how innovation, collaboration, and evolving scientific thinking may redefine what cancer care looks like in the years ahead. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:42 - The Rasolute 302 study 3:20 - Clinical signals in prostate cancer analysis 5:37 - The value of genetic testing 6:55 - The Sarco41 study 12:38 - Closing remarks

8. 

   28 Apr 2026

   Seen and Unseen: The Roles That Hold Healthcare Together (Feat: Jessica Everett)

   In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with genetic counselor Jessica Everett to explore the often unseen roles that quietly hold healthcare together. From their shared work within the PRECEDE consortium—a global effort advancing early detection for pancreatic cancer—to the evolving landscape of cancer genetics, this conversation highlights the critical contributions of professionals who spend the most time with patients, yet are often underrecognized within the system. Jessica reflects on her journey as a genetic counselor, a field that has transformed from being largely unknown to increasingly central in patient-driven care. Together, they discuss the “double-edged sword” of frontline roles—deep patient connection paired with limited visibility and mobility—and the broader implications this has on workforce sustainability. The episode also examines shifting communication dynamics, the importance of reading today’s patient audience, and the power of public-private partnerships in advancing large-scale research efforts like PRECEDE. At its core, this conversation is about partnership—what it looks like when physicians and care teams elevate one another, and how that collaboration ultimately shapes trust, innovation, and better patient outcomes. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:35 - Jessica's research with pancreatic cancer 5:56 - Past observations 15:25 - Private and public sectors working together 26:50 - The diamond in the rough 36:20 - Increasing the advocacy behind cancer research 43:25 - Helping people feel heard 47:53 - Closing remarks

9. 

   30 Mar 2026

   Protecting the Profession: Burnout, Violence, and the Future of Medicine (Feat: Dr. Noelle LoConte)

   In this deeply personal episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku reconnects with longtime colleague and friend Dr. Noelle LoConte for an honest conversation about protecting the heart of medicine. Having trained together and formed a meaningful friendship early in their careers, this discussion reflects on the conviction that sustains physicians through decades of practice. Dr. LoConte shares her vision for building intentional culture within her lab and mentoring the next generation of clinicians—creating a microcosm of care rooted in integrity, accountability, and humanity. The episode also confronts difficult realities: burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the growing concern of violence against healthcare providers. Together, they explore what it means to safeguard not just patients—but the profession itself. The conversation closes with a powerful reflection on leadership in today’s global climate and what the future of medicine demands from those willing to lead it forward. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - Working in academic medicine 6:28 - Having authentic conversations 14:45 - The polarization existing in medical care 25:35 - Bringing empathy to healthcare 35:31 - What is your leader identity? 44:26 - Doctors making poor health decisions 51:46 - When leaders aren't actually looking out for you 53:10 - Closing remarks

10. 

    10 Mar 2026

    Beyond the Referral: Building Trust Across Healthcare Systems (Feat: Dr. Justin Kline)

    In this episode of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with Dr. Justin Kline to explore what it truly means to collaborate across healthcare systems—and why trust, not transactions, is the foundation of excellent patient care. Together, they examine the space between academic medicine and community practice, highlighting how thoughtful communication between providers directly shapes the patient experience. From navigating referrals to overcoming system-level barriers, this conversation reframes collaboration as a relational responsibility rather than an operational task. The discussion also dives into innovation in lab medicine and outpatient operations, including how advanced therapies can be delivered closer to home under academic guidance. The episode closes with a forward-looking message for trainees and future healthcare leaders: build relationships, stay curious, and remember that the care patients feel most is often found beyond the chart. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - Challenging times for academic medicine 10:11 - Access to quality care 20:50 - Dr. LoConte's publication "I Want to Kill You" 28:40 - Preparing for the darker side of medicine 38:55 - Dr. Buzzkill 46:49 - Medicine teaches us to be perfect 48:27 - Advice for those in pre-medicine 52:27 - Closing remarks

11. 

    18 Feb 2026

    Leading Without Labels (Feat: Dr. Julie Chang)

    In our latest installment of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku welcomes Dr. Julie Chang of SSM Health System for a deeply reflective conversation about mentorship, authenticity, and redefining success in medicine. Dr. Chang is a leader known not for flash or charisma, but for steadiness, clarity, and core values. Throughout her career, she has mentored others with a simple but powerful philosophy: people are people—not titles, labels, or roles. Whether mother, physician, leader, or colleague, she sees individuals first and helps them grow into the best version of themselves—not into someone else’s mold. Together, Dr. Ku and Dr. Chang explore what it means to communicate directly without people-pleasing, to lead without ego, and to embrace diversity not as a slogan, but as a lived reality. Dr. Chang also shares her decision to pivot to part-time work in order to prioritize family—an honest look at the tension between ambition and presence in a profession that often feels like a treadmill. This episode is a powerful reminder that meaningful leadership isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s values-driven. And sometimes, it requires the courage to step back in order to be fully present. For anyone navigating career growth, mentorship, motherhood, or leadership in healthcare, this conversation offers grounded wisdom and practical insight for becoming a real person in a world that often pressures us to perform. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:12 - Julie's deep influence as a mentor 6:50 - Being authentically present for someone else 15:16 - Understanding people's boundaries and sense overwhelm 22:56 - Breakthroughs via community work 30:50 - The "other" part of our lives 39:15 - Leveraging AI within patient care 46:47 - Self-discovery throughout our medical journeys 49:30 - Closing remarks

12. 

    27 Jan 2026

    Beyond Guidelines: The Power of Story in Care (Feat: Dr. Chadi Nabhan)

    In Episode 3 of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku is joined by Dr. Chadi Nabhan—physician, thought leader, and host of Healthcare Unfiltered—for a wide-ranging conversation about what honest, timely communication in medicine really looks like. Dr. Ku first encountered Dr. Nabhan as a conference moderator, where his clarity, authenticity, and command of complex conversations immediately stood out. That same presence carries into this episode as the two explore how storytelling, trust, and thoughtful communication shape meaningful patient care. Together, they unpack why simply following guidelines and data isn’t enough—and how story, context, and human connection help patients understand their care in ways that numbers alone cannot. Dr. Nabhan shares patient stories, reflects on the skills that define masterful communicators in medicine, and discusses why community-based physicians often excel at forming deep, lasting patient relationships. The conversation also takes on the modern pressure of FOMA—the fear of missing anything—in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. While new tools and innovations emerge daily, Dr. Nabhan makes the case for staying grounded in what truly works: honest conversations, relational care, and earned trust. This episode is a powerful reminder that the most effective medicine happens at the intersection of expertise, authenticity, and communication—and that progress doesn’t always mean chasing what’s new, but strengthening what matters. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:39 - Honest and timely conversations in medicine 9:20 - The power of story within the medical field 17:37 - Treating communication as its own skill in medicine 24:50 - How do we quantify masterful communication? 31:53 - "To be honest" 35:44 - Being a lifelong learner 39:19 - Closing remarks

13. 

    7 Jan 2026

    When the Patient Becomes the Teacher

    In Episode 2 of Val-You Based Care, Dr. Kimberly Ku sits down with Marie—a current patient who has been courageously living with cancer for several years—for a deeply human conversation about illness, meaning, and the power of communication. Rather than centering fear or tragedy, this episode explores what happens when difficult diagnoses are met with honesty, presence, and perspective. Marie shares how she relates to her cancer without carrying it as something negative, approaching life with peace, gratitude, and openness—even as the reality of young adult cancer remains uncomfortable for many to acknowledge. Through their dialogue, Dr. Ku reflects on the evolving role of physicians—not as friends, but as trusted advisors—and how patients themselves often become teachers in moments that demand empathy, clarity, and courage. The conversation also addresses why doctors struggle with young patients, how families navigate uncertainty together, and why meaningful communication can transform moments that might otherwise feel overwhelming. When the Patient Becomes the Teacher is a powerful reminder that bedside manner is not small talk—it’s a skill, a responsibility, and a cornerstone of truly human care. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:06 - Communication with your doctors 6:32 - Marie's experience while Dr. Ku was away on maternity leave 10:40 - Marie's journey with cancer 17:38 - Dealing with a cancer diagnosis as a young person 24:28 - Medical professionals learning the skill of communication 33:20 - The importance of simply 'trying' 35:39 - Closing remarks

14. 

    7 Dec 2025

    Welcome to Val-You Based Care!

    In the debut episode of Val-You Based Care, host Dr. Kimberly Ku—triple board-certified in Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine—shares the personal journey that brought this show to life. From her beginnings in clinical research to a defining experience losing a close friend to young-adult cancer, Dr. Ku explains why she believes community-based care, authentic communication, and empathy must take a more central role in modern medicine. This episode lays out the mission of Val-You Based Care: elevating the human elements of healthcare, fostering collaboration across both community and academic settings, and exploring how empathy and communication should be treated as fundamental competencies—not soft skills. Dr. Ku reflects on the future of the healthcare workforce, the pressures ahead, and why relational practices matter more than ever in an era shaped by AI, rising demand, and provider shortages. Val-You Based Care is both an introduction and an invitation—an opening chapter for a show committed to deeper understanding, better connection, and re-imagining the way we care for one another. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:20 - Linking empathetic communication to better patient outcomes 4:40 - What it means to be a "Community Doctor" 8:10 - The collaborative nature of this show 9:16 - Closing remarks

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

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