The Clinical Excellence Podcast
Episodes
Combining Patient Care and Innovation in a Medical Career
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Nundy reflects on building a career that spans patient care, health systems, and technology. He describes thinking of himself as an “accidental ...
A Career Attending to, and Teaching About, the Patient-Doctor Relationship
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Michelle Kittleson and Dr. Adam Cifu get real about the patient-doctor relationship, especially when the stakes are high and the answers are not s...
The Patient-Doctor Relationship in an Evolving Cardiology Practice
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Adam Cifu sits down with cardiologist Dr. Amber Johnson to peel back the curtain on what happens behind the clinic door. Dr. Johnson gets candid a...
How The Patient-Doctor Relationship Evolves in the Early Years of a Medical Career
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Adam Cifu talks with Dr. Tom Yates, a general internist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, about how a physician’s approach t...
The Patient-Trauma Surgeon Relationship
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Trauma surgery doesn’t end when the operation is over. Dr. Tonya Zakrison joins Dr. Adam Cifu to reflect on the patient-trauma surgeon relationship,...
How Modern Genetic Medicine Interacts with the Patient-Doctor Relationship
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Genetic information can raise the stakes of a clinical conversation in ways that go far beyond test results. Dr. Adam Cifu and Dr. Sonia Kupfer reflec...
A Conversation with the Winner of the 2025 Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute Clinical Excellence Award
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kertesz talks about the work that happens before medicine even begins. He reflects on meeting patients who arrive wary, guarded, or already disapp...
The Patient-Doctor Relationship in Hepatology
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Mary Rinella, a transplant hepatologist, talks with Dr. Adam Cifu about the human side of caring for patients with complex liver disease. She desc...
The Patient–Doctor Relationship When It Also Involves Parents, Teens, and Preteens
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Adam Cifu talks with pediatric dermatologist Dr. Sarah Stein about the tricky triangle between doctor, teen, and parent. She reflects on finding t...
Integrating the Patient’s Social and Medical Histories
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Julie Oyler talks about the art of balancing social and medical care for older patients. She reflects on how her approach has evolved, from the ea...
The Doctor–Patient Relationship in Mid-Career Primary Care
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Jason Alexander joins Dr. Adam Cifu to discuss how the doctor–patient relationship evolves once you’re no longer a new physician. He reflects ...
Exploring the Doctor–Patient Relationship in Hematology and Oncology
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a conversation with hematologist–oncologist and geneticist Dr. Michael Drazer for a wide-ranging discussion on caring for people with he...
The Doctor–Patient Relationship as Seen by a Senior Physician
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode dives into the real-life evolution of the doctor–patient relationship through the eyes of a senior physician. Dr. Alex Lickerman shares...
The Third Phase of an Academic Medicine Career
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this season finale episode, Dr. Adam Cifu sits down with transplant nephrologist Dr. Michelle Josephson to explore the unique challenges and opport...
From ER to Advanced Illness Management - A Physician's Varied Career Journey
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jennifer Brokaw about her varied and impressive career in medicine. Dr. Brokaw shares how she transitioned from eme...
Clinical Training So Far - Surgical Resident
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this installment of our series talking with medical trainees, we're joined by Dr. Ava Ferguson Bryan, a general surgery resident at the University ...
Clinical Training So Far - Chief Medical Resident
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gaining an inside look at the realities of medical training, this episode features a conversation with Layne Keating, a chief medical resident at the ...
Clinical Training So Far - Medical Resident
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our series exploring the experiences of medical trainees. Dr. Adam Cifu is joined by Arman Shahriar, MD, a third-year int...
Clinical Training So Far - Medical Student
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kicking off a series of talks with people in medical training, this episode features third-year student Nihar Rama discussing his experiences and insi...
The Cancer Journey
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Adam Cifu sits down with Dr. Chadi Nabhan—a hematologist, oncologist, author, and healthcare leader—to discuss his inspiring ...
Winner of the Bucksbaum National Award for Clinical Excellence
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dee Fenner, the first recipient of the Bucksbaum National Award for Clinical Excellence. A trailblazer in the field...
Ethical Questions in End of Life Care
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Adam Cifu sits down with Dr. Micah Prochaska to explore the intricate ethical dilemmas surrounding end-of-life care. They delve i...
Measuring Clinical Excellence and the Impact of the Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you measure clinical excellence? Host Dr. Adam Cifu welcomes guest Dr. Anna Volerman to discuss the realities of clinical excellence, diving d...
The Future of Clinical Excellence: Bridging Technology and Human Connection
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Adam Cifu chats with Dr. Wei Wei Lee about the essence of clinical excellence, which she defines as the importance of shared vuln...
Clinical Excellence in Nursing
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to practice excellent nursing in a busy primary care setting?In this insightful episode, Adam Cifu, MD, sits down with Sybil Caruthe...
Clinical Excellence in Dermatology
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Victoria Barbosa, an expert in dermatology and director of the Hair Loss Program at the University of Chicago, explores the challenges in the pati...
Clinical Excellence in Physical Therapy
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation exploring clinical excellence in physical therapy, examining its crucial role within primary care. This discussion delves into how thes...
AI in Medicine: The Present
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've all heard grand predictions about how AI will transform the future of medicine. But what about the here and now? In this episode, we dive into t...
Quality Measures in Primary Care
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lisa Vinci joins the Clinical Excellence Podcast to discuss the nuances of quality measures in primary care. Delve into the complexities of health...
The Social History
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Knowing about the patient who has a disease is as important as knowing about the disease the patient has. But how well do you need to know them?
Patient Discussion #6
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ms. Peeples shares her personal story, reflecting on her career, experiences with healthcare providers, and navigating the healthcare system. Drs. Chi...
A Life in Medicine in Chicago
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charles Martinez, a longtime physician and author from Chicago, talks about his life and career.
Graphic Medicine with MK Czerwiec
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
MK Czerwiec, a nurse, cartoonist, educator, and co-founder of the field of Graphic Medicine, discusses her work and the utility of graphic medicine.
Physician Coaching
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Rogers, a healthcare consultant and leadership coach discusses the challenges of physician coaching, emphasizing the importance of being present...
International Medicine
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cultivating a career in global health with a worldwide impact.
Patient Discussion #5
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Working with your doctor to care for your parents.
Opioids, Homelessness and Crafting a Non-Traditional Career in Academic Medicine
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kertesz discusses the winding path to a non-traditional but productive and successful career in academic medicine.
Patient Doctor Discussion #4
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The patient's side of the patient-centered longitudinal care experience.
The Bucksbaum Institute Clinical Excellence Award
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
📢 Announcing the 1st Annual Bucksbaum Institute Clinical Excellence Award
Philosophy in Medicine
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Philosophy's place in medicine, and what does it mean to find your personal “why”.
Family Planning
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The dynamics of family planning and its intricate interaction with the fields of medicine, politics, and societal forces are subjects of profound sign...
Pre Med
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is on the minds of premedical students today and how has the pandemic affected the application process?
Patient-Centered Longitudinal Experience
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can we teach medical students by teaming them up with patients?
The Family History and Social History
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Making the family and social history a meaningful part of the medical history.
Medicine as a Vocation
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many physicians perceive their profession as a vocation. In this episode we talk about how this affects our lives and our practice.
Lifestyle Medicine
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is lifestyle medicine and how can it add value to traditional primary care medicine.
Caring for Colleagues
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What needs to be considered when caring for people with whom you work.
Patient-Doctor Discussion #3
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A patient recounts years of interacting with the medical field.
Broaching Difficult Topics
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Stacy Lindau, the director of PRISM, of the Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine, talks about discussing sensitive topics with patients.
Retiring as a Physician
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Two retired internists reflect on how retirement affects one's self-image and how to succeed in retirement.
Trauma Surgery
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Selwyn Rogers, the founding director of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center, talks about trauma care and the importance of a team of ...
Non-traditional Paths Into Medicine
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A hospitalist and clinical researcher discusses her wandering path into medicine.
Education and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Bree Andrews is the Chief Wellness and Vitality Officer at the University of Chicago. She discusses how early education and training of undergradu...
Turning a Difficult Clinical Experience into Something Positive
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A patient recounts a difficult and painful experience and discusses how she turned it into something positive for herself and for medicine.
Discontinuing Cancer Treatment
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An oncologist discusses the conversation that takes place around discontinuing cancer treatment.
Direct Primary Care
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Alex Lickerman from ImagineMD talks about the direct primary care model and what it can mean for the doctor-patient relationship.
Physician Advocacy
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Physician advocacy: what's necessary, how to do it, what are the pitfalls?
Discussing, Accepting and Learning from Our Medical Errors
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Living with and learning from medical errors.
Complexity in Medicine and Medical Education
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Simple? Complicated? Complex? Complexity in Medicine and Medical Education.
Long COVID and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Karnik, who works in the University of Chicago's Post-COVID Recovery Clinic, talks about taking care of patients with persistent symptoms after CO...
Patient-Doctor Discussion #2
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A patient talks about vaccines and long-term relationships.
Graphic Medicine and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Brian Callender is interested in clinical education, global health education, clinical ethics, the patient experience, and the use of graphic narr...
Countertransference in the Patient-Doctor Relationship
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Psychiatrist Dr. Martin Greenwald talks about countertransference in the patient-doctor relationship.
Technology and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Press' work primarily focuses on improving patient-centered education for underserved patients with chronic disease and limited health lit...
Terminating a Patient-Doctor Relationship
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Unsalvageable relationships. Terminating the physician-patient relationship.
Patient-Doctor Discussion #1
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A patient talks about Dr./Pt communication.
Giving Unwanted Second Opinions
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dealing with patients who aren't happy when a second opinion turns out to be the same as the first.
Burnout for Physicians who Hate Discussing Burnout
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Physician burnout for physicians who hate hearing about burnout.
Breaking Bad News in Surgical Practice
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking bad news in surgical practice and preparing patients for the possibility of bad news.
The Clinical Excellence Podcast: Teaser
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Drs. Adam Cifu and Matthew Sorrentino discuss the new Clinical Excellence podcast. The podcast has three formats: discussions between doctors and pati...