Within Normal Limits: Navigating Medical Risks

Ophthalmology for the Non-Ophthalmologist with Dr. Jennifer Grin

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk with ophthalmologist Dr. Jennifer Grin about a practical, high-yield approach to evaluating eye complaints, documenting findi...

An Inside Look at Today’s Medical School Environment with Brian Dwinnell

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Brian Dwinnell, Associate Dean of Student Life at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who shares his insights on medi...

A Physician’s Journey Through Injury and Return to Practice with Dr. Catrina Bubier

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome Catrina Bubier, MD, an OB/GYN physician and member of Copic’s Board of Directors. Dr. Bubier details her experience with...

Understanding the Concepts of Psychological Size and Psychological Safety

03 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode’s guest is Dr. Mark Earnest, Division Head of Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School. The conversation...

Responding to Subpoenas—Best Practices and What to Avoid

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome Dean McConnell, deputy general counsel at Copic, as this episode’s guest who shares his thoughts on handling subpoenas, especially those ...

A Conversation with Heidi Baskfield About Addressing Youth Mental Health

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk with Heidi Baskfield, the founder of Speak Our Minds, an organization dedicated to addressing the youth mental health crisis ...

The Risks and Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring Wearables

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a conversation with Kate Castells, a risk management nurse at Copic, who talks about remote patient monitoring (RPM) wearables. ...

A Discussion with Dr. Josina Romero O'Connell, Director of the Colorado Area Health Education Center

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Colorado AHEC website: https://www.cuanschutz.edu/centers/coahec Feedback or episode ideas email the show at [email protected]: Informati...

Copic Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Healing Hands Community Doula Project

19 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Darlene Turner from Healing Hands Community Doula Project, which aims to support expectant mothers, particularly in the Black co...

Addressing the Issue of Pediatric Medication Errors

29 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Medication errors are traditionally defined as an avoidable event, but they don’t just happen during the prescribing phase. In fact, it’s importan...

Copic Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Kansas Health Care Collaborative

29 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Liz Warman and Mandy Johnson from the Kansas Health Care Collaborative and focuses on the organization’s transition-in-care pr...

Executive Orders and Federal Legislation: Considerations for Healthcare Providers

22 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Matt Groves, Copic’s General Counsel, talks about the impact of recent federal executive orders and legislation on healthcare provi...

Copic Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: AIRnyc

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The episode features staff from AIRnyc—Lola Simpson, Chief Executive Officer; Kathleen Agaton, Chief Impact Officer; and Lydia Baez, Senior Outreach...

A Legal Expert’s View on Non-Compete Agreements

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode, we sit down with Copic’s General Counsel, Matt Groves, to talk about non-compete agreements in the medical field. The discussion s...

Copic Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Metropolitan State University of Denver

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Mary Tucker and Garrett Chism discussing an interprofessional education pilot program between Metropolitan State University of D...

The Value of Early Reporting of Incidents

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome Beth Chow, an occurrence nurse with Copic, who provides some great perspective about the benefits and value of early reporting of incidents...

An Expert’s Insight on Risk Management and Colorectal Cancer Screenings

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Links/ResourcesU.S. Preventive Services Task Force- https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/American Cancer Society- https://www.cancer.o...

Understanding How and When EMTALA Applies

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Herum, a nurse and patient safety and risk manager with Copic, joins us to talk about the purpose and scope of EMTALA. Amy explains the situations...

Key Considerations Before Terminating a Patient

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is Anna Barr, a patient safety and risk manager with Copic, who joins us to talk about terminating the provider-patient relationship. The di...

Managing Risks in the Perioperative Setting

03 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Renee Blattman, a nurse and risk manager with Copic, who has 20 years of experience in the perioperative environment. The discus...

Documentation—The Little Things That Make a Big Difference

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our guest is Heather Westermeyer, a Patient Safety and Risk Manager with COPIC, and the topic is documentation. Heather highlights th...

Caring for Geriatric Patients

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

LaDonna Kelley, a nurse risk manager with COPIC, is the guest for this episode, which looks at patient safety and risk management for geriatric patien...

Just Culture—A Framework that Promotes Patient Safety

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk with Carrie Beth Roddy, a COPIC Patient Safety and Risk Manager, who joins Dr. Zacharias for a conversation on Just Culture. ...

Documentation—Telling the Story of Patient Care

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features COPIC Patient Safety and Risk Manager, Amanda Heinrichs, who discusses the importance of documentation—from sharing patient in...

Retaining and Maintaining Medical Records

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

COPIC Patient Safety and Risk Manager Cindy Walsh is our guest to set the record straight on medical records retention—giving us insight into ethica...

Semaglutide Medications: Liability Issues to Consider

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Susan Sgambati, a colorectal surgeon and medical director with COPIC, is our guest on this episode that looks at the increased use of semaglutide ...

Preventing Falls in the Healthcare Setting

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pamela Johnson—a nurse and Senior Manager of Practice Quality and Facilities Risk Management at COPIC—joins us for a discussion about data around...

Ensuring Patients Make Informed Decisions Through Informed Consent

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Barr, a nurse risk manager with COPIC, joins us for this episode to talk about the benefits of using informed consent in your medical practice. A...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Children's Hospital Colorado

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: West Mountain Regional Health Alliance

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Providence Portland Medical Foundation

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Minnesota Medical Association Foundation

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

Documentation: How Much is Enough?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Documentation in medicine is no one’s favorite topic. In this episode, host Dr. Eric Zacharias aims to simplify guidance surrounding “what” and ...

Burnout, Exhaustion, and Leaving the Practice of Medicine

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by David Weill, MD, a transplant doctor and author of Exhale: Hope, Healing, and a Life in Transplant. Dr. Weill shares...

AI’s Impact on Medicine (Part Two)

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We continue the conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) in this second episode of a two-part series. Our guest is Dr. Michael Victoroff, a fam...

AI’s Impact on Medicine

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this two-part series, we look at the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and examine the potential ways it may impact medicine. Our guest is Dr. M...

Addressing the Issue of Maternity Care Deserts

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we look at a major challenge in obstetrics (OB) care with our guest, Lori Adams, who is a nurse, COPIC risk manager, and OB expert. L...

Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Medical Education

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Shanta Zimmer, associate dean for diversity and inclusion at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. ...

How You Drive May Affect Patient Care

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we’re joined by surgeon and COPIC risk manager, Dr. Jeff Varnell. Starting with the premise that, like driving, the practice of med...

Hope, Help, and Possibilities for People at Risk for Limb Loss.

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With 28 million Americans at risk for limb loss due to trauma, tumors, or infections, the nonprofit Limb Preservation Foundation is enhancing the qual...

The Nuanced Role Physicians Play with Advanced Practice Providers

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding the regulatory environment is key to managing risks associated with working with advanced practice providers (APPs), Dr. Alan Lembitz, C...

A Conversation on Risk in Urology, Including the Pandemic’s Impact on Patient Care

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The guest for this episode is Stephen Siegel, MD, a urologist in a multi-specialty group and a medical school classmate of our host. The former classm...

Fulfilling Opioid Education Training Requirements

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Dr. Alan Lembitz, Chief Medical Officer for COPIC, and focuses on uncertainty around federal and state opioid education requirem...

Physician Health Programs—Caring for Caregivers

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode’s guest is Scott Humphreys, MD, forensic psychologist and medical director of the Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP). This nonpro...

Dealing with Potentially Violent Patients

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Michael Victoroff, a family medicine physician and COPIC consultant with expertise in clinical informatics, is our guest for this episode that foc...

What I Wished I Knew When I Started Out in Medicine

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Varnell, a former surgeon and risk management consultant, reflects back on things physicians wished they would have learn...

Educating Providers About Health Care Disparities and Patients with Disabilities

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The episode’s guest is Chanda Hinton, the founder and executive director of the Chanda Plan Foundation, who also helps run the Chanda Center for Hea...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Children’s Health Fund

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Mile High Health Alliance

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

COPIC Medical Foundation Grant Recipient: Children’s National

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a special series that focuses on organizations that received grant funding from the COPIC Medical Foundation for initiatives t...

Treating Family, Friends, and Staff

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Dennis Boyle, a COPIC physician consultant and rheumatologist, is the guest on this episode which looks at the issue of treating friends, family, ...

The Ongoing Challenge of Chest Pain in Patients

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode examines patients who present with chest pain and how this can run the full spectrum of being a minor irritation to a more serious condit...

Navigating Conversations with Patients About Guns

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Due to recent active shooter situations and a renewed focus on the safety of health care providers, COPIC is re-releasing this past episode. Some prov...

Helping Kids Cope with Anxieties Around Medical Care and Pain Management

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode’s guest is Jody Thomas, PhD, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of The Meg Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower families wi...

Diagnosing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Dan Rosenquist, a family medicine physician in Nebraska and risk manager for COPIC. The focus is on Stevens-Johnson ...

A Return to Discussing Spinal Epidural Abscess

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias reexamines the issues that lead to spinal epidural abscess, a rare condition that can result in severe adverse outcomes and allegations ...

A Discussion with Dr. MeiLan Han—A Leading Pulmonologist and Author

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This special episode features Dr. MeiLan Han, a Professor of Medicine and Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Michigan and autho...

Can You Really “Clear a Patient for Surgery”?

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Dr. Jeff Varnell, a surgeon and COPIC physician risk manager, who offers some insight about the phrase of “clearing a patient ...

Managing Patients Who Bring in Wearable Device Data

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias tackles the subject of managing patients who come armed with data from wearable devices (e.g., Fitbits, Apple Watches) believing that th...

Using Ketamine to Treat Depression

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode’s guest is Dr. Will Van Derveer, a recognized leader in integrative psychiatry, who shares his insight about using ketamine to treat de...

Preventing Surgical Fires and Injuries Related to Electrical Surgical Units

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Rebecca Vogel, a general surgeon and COPIC board member, is the guest for this episode that explores key areas of risk management associated with ...

Reducing the Risk of Bile Duct Injuries During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Procedures

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sue Sgambati, COPIC’s Medical Director and a colorectal surgeon, returns to the podcast to discuss risks and guidelines associated with laparosc...

The Delicate Process of Terminating a Patient

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias is joined by Dr. Sue Sgambati, COPIC’s Medical Director, to discuss situations where a physician is thinking about terminating a patie...

Getting to the Heart of Health Care: Perspectives from an Esteemed Cardiologist

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode’s guest is Dr. Nelson Trujillo, a cardiologist out of Boulder, Colorado, who also has a background in biomedical engineering and nuclea...

Handling Unsolicited Diagnostic Tests

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on the issue of what medical practices should do when they receive clinical information (often test results) about an individual ...

Forum Panel Discussion: A Candid Conversation on the Risks We See and What You Need to Know

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taped live at the annual Patient Safety & Risk Management Forum, this episode features a panel discussion with Dr. Zacharias, Dr. Alan Lembitz, COPIC’...

When a Patient Disagrees with Your Care Recommendations: Using Informed Refusal as a Tool

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Alan Lembitz, COPIC’s Chief Medical Officer, joins us to talk about managing situations where patients make decisions about their care that you ...

Special Episode: Requirements for Nebraska Physicians Who Prescribe Opioids/Controlled Substances

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on Nebraska legislation that outlines rules for prescribing and continuing education around opioids and controlled substances. Th...

Talking with Patients Who Are Hesitant About the Vaccine

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s an issue that many physicians are facing and something that continues to be a focus in public discourse—people who don’t want to take the C...

Medication Errors: The Potential Side Effects and Risks of Prescribing

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Dennis Boyle, COPIC physician risk manager, joins the podcast again to talk with Dr. Zacharias about ongoing issues we see with medication errors....

Nonverbal Communication: How Your Body Talks and What Patients Hear

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias is joined by Dr. Dennis Boyle, a COPIC physician risk manager, to talk about key elements of nonverbal communication that occur during p...

A Conversation with the Colorado Medical Society’s President—Dr. Sami Diab

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are proud to have Dr. Sami Diab, the president of the Colorado Medical Society (CMS). Dr. Diab describes his journey into medicine...

With Power Comes Responsibility—Ethical and Legal Issues That Physicians Face

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Michael Victoroff joins the podcast again to talk about administrative or conduct issues that can create legal concerns for physicians. Many of th...

Considerations with Opioids and Pain Management—A Surgeon’s Perspective

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sue Sgambati, COPIC’s medical director and a colorectal surgeon, joins Dr. Zacharias to talk about her personal experience in balancing the prof...

Telehealth: The Evolving World of Remote Care

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias welcomes Dr. Michael Victoroff, a COPIC consultant and health information technology expert, to talk about the increased use of teleheal...

Cultivating a Culture of Safety

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Benjamin Keidan, Boulder Community Health's Chief Medical Officer, joins us to share his thoughts on how to implement and reinforce a culture of s...

An Inside Look at How the Colorado Medical Board Responds to Complaints

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias is joined by Dr. Dennis Boyle, a COPIC physician risk manager, and Dr. Donald J. Lefkowits, the current president of the Colorado Medica...

COVID-19 and Its Potential Impact on Medical Liability Issues

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias welcomes Dr. Alan Lembitz, COPIC’s chief medical officer, to talk about what we are seeing in terms of the medical liability issues th...

Using Simulation Technology to Teach the Next Generation of Medical Professionals

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we look at medical education with two representatives from Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC)—Lisa James, Executive Director of PP...

Colorectal Cancer Screenings: A Shift in Guidelines

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sue Sgambati, a colorectal surgeon and COPIC’s medical director, discusses the recent recommendation from the U.S Preventive Services Task Force...

A View from the Inside: Dr. Alan Lembitz, Chief Medical Officer at COPIC

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Alan Lembitz joins us on this episode to talk about some of his key lessons learned over the years as COPIC’s chief medical officer. In particul...

Addressing Adverse Outcomes Part II: A Deeper Dive Into Candor

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is Candor? How does it benefit patients and providers? Dr. Zacharias is joined by Dr. Sue Sgambati, the medical director at COPIC, to answer thes...

Addressing Adverse Outcomes Part I: COPIC’s 3Rs and CANDOR Programs

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jeff Varnell, a surgeon and COPIC physician risk manager, is the guest for this episode that focuses on addressing adverse outcomes through COPIC’...

Physician Leaders: A Pediatrician’s Perspective on Care Integration and Improving Patient Safety

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias welcomes Dr. Sophia Meharena, a pediatrician and member of COPIC’s Board of Directors, to talk about her personal journey into medicin...

A Brotherly Discussion on Cognitive Issues and Alzheimers

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias’s brother, Alan, is our guest, not just because he is related to our host, but because he is a neurologist and expert in cognitive imp...

Using the Mediterranean Diet as a Patient Wellness Tool

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Coming off the holidays, this episode taps into Dr. Zacharias’s knowledge as a published author on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. In a conv...

The Senior Surgeon: Assessing Skills as We Age

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we get older, there is value in the wisdom and experience we gain. However, there is also a well-documented risk for cognitive and physical decline...

Special Episode: A Good Outcome from a Patient's Perspective

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we hear from one of Dr. Zacharias’ patients who is doing well due to early recognition of an often-missed condition—epidural spin...

Navigating Conversations with Patients About Guns

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Some providers may draw a strict boundary about discussing guns with their patients (or not think about it). But research has shown there are situat...

Burnout from COVID-19: Moving Forward with Resilience

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While burnout is a long-standing issue in health care, the compounded impact of COVID-19 has heightened its prevalence and the importance of efforts t...

A Frontline Doctor’s Perspective on COVID-19

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias talks with Dr. Connor Graham, a frontline hospitalist at a critical care access hospital, about his direct experience in dealing with CO...

Informed Consent: The Joy (and Pain) of Shared Decisions

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Informed consent shouldn’t be viewed as just an obligation to get a signed form, but rather, an opportunity to engage patients in shared decision-ma...

Sepsis—A Bad Infection That Can Get Worse

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sepsis is a common syndrome, and although our knowledge of how to treat it has improved significantly, this bacterial infection can be very lethal if ...

Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Difficult Diagnosis

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zacharias switches places with his peer, Dr. Boyle, who asks questions about a classic case study that involves…you guessed it—spinal epidural...

Med Mal 101: Heads, Hearts, Bellies and Bugs

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our first episode draws upon decades of medical liability experience to distill down the key areas where we consistently see malpractice lawsuits—he...