In this episode of Life of Flow, Lucas and Miguel welcome Elaine Chan, who shares her journey from a high-stress career in trauma surgery to finding a balanced lifestyle. Elaine talks about the pivotal moment when severe stress led her to step back from her demanding job and embrace part-time work. Now based in Asheville, North Carolina, she enjoys a more fulfilling life with opportunities for travel and personal growth. Elaine reflects on her childhood and her path to building a fulfilling life. She discusses the importance of collaboration in vascular surgery and shares her experiences in hospice care, emphasizing the value of living fully. Follow Life of Flow on ⁠Twitter⁠ Follow Miguel Montero-Baker on ⁠TwitterP⁠

In this week’s episode of the Life of Flow podcast, hosts Dr. Miguel Montero-Baker and Dr. Lucas Ferrer sit down with Eloy Salazar, the first patient to undergo a deep vein arterialization (DVA) procedure by Dr. Ferrer after his fellowship in 2019. In the 5th episode in the DVA Rant series, they dive into Eloy's transformative journey from facing potential amputation to experiencing the life-saving benefits of DVA. Eloy candidly shares his initial skepticism, the emotional and physical challenges of severe peripheral arterial disease, and the critical role of patient advocacy in navigating complex medical treatments. Listeners will hear about Eloy's remarkable transformation, including his significant weight loss through a keto diet and exercise, as well as the pivotal moments post-surgery that marked his path to recovery. The conversation dissects the importance of effective communication and support networks in healthcare, with Eloy highlighting the gratitude he found for Dr. Ferrer's direct approach.

In this episode of the Life and Flow podcast, hosts Lucas and Miguel welcome Aaron Thweatt, an executive coach with experience at SpaceX, Activision Blizzard, and DoorDash. Aaron shares his insights on effective negotiation and managing critical conversations, particularly in the tech sector. He emphasizes the importance of starting salary negotiations early and understanding a company's compensation philosophy. Aaron also highlights the need for thorough preparation and understanding market value, the role, and the company's ethos. The conversation delves into the significance of executive presence, competence, and managing up. Aaron shares his experiences with unrealistic demands and the importance of clarifying expectations. The hosts discuss hiring challenges and the value of passion and alignment with the company's vision. Aaron suggests building a personal brand and fostering a community around the company’s mission to attract like-minded individuals.  Follow Aaron Thweatt on Twitter https://x.com/aaronthweatt?s=21&t=70JrYh5kQB3llpbV-qJhlQ Learn more about Aaron here https://www.resparkcoaching.com/ Follow Life of Flow on Twitter Follow Miguel Montero-Baker on Twitter

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In this episode of "Life of Flow," hosts Lucas Ferrer and Miguel Montero Baker are joined by Elliott Skrinjar and Dr. Shishir Shah to explore the integration of wound care and hyperbarics in healthcare, with a focus on limb salvage. The conversation explores Elliott's healthcare management background and Dr. Shah's journey from aerospace engineering to advanced wound care advocacy. They discuss the potential for collaboration between their teams, emphasizing passion, commitment, and innovation in improving patient care.  The episode addresses the challenges of combining wound and vascular care,highlighting the need for cohesive infrastructure and integrated systems.Shishir and Elliott emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary collaborationand the role of technology in overcoming inefficiencies. They share successstories, like negotiating with insurance companies for better patient access,and stress the importance of advocacy and effective business management. This episode envisions a future of decentralized centers of excellence providing comprehensive outpatient care. Follow Life of Flow on Twitter Follow Miguel Montero-Baker on Twitter 

In this episode of the Life of Flow Rant Series, Lucas and Miguel are joined by Brian D. Lepow, DPM, and Jill Sommerset to explore managing normal revascularization versus Distal Venous Arterialization (DVA) from a podiatrist’s perspective. They discuss the importance of verifying flow volumes in the OR to ensure optimal patient outcomes and address potential complications such as pain and hematomas. The conversation highlights the necessity of meticulous post-operative care and building strong relationships with ultrasound technicians for accurate measurements. They emphasize the challenges of integrating new methods into standard practice, with Brian discussing the difficulty in gaining colleagues' trust in new techniques. Follow Jill Sommerset on Twitter https://x.com/JillSommerset Follow Dr. Brian Lepow on Twitter https://x.com/thetoedoctor Follow Life of Flow on Twitter https://x.com/vascularpodcast Follow Miguel Montero-Baker on Twitter https://x.com/monteromiguel

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In this episode of Life of Flow, Miguel and Lucas engage in a discussion with lawyer Stuart Baugher, unraveling the intricate world of physician employment contracts. Stuart underscores the pivotal importance of comprehending every facet of these agreements, especially for those embarking on their professional journey. Transitioning swiftly to the crux of the matter, Stuart accentuates the multifaceted nature of compensation, urging physicians to look beyond mere salary figures and consider the entirety of the package. Miguel, drawing from personal experiences and observations, reinforces this notion, emphasizing the significance of evaluating contract modalities, payment mechanisms, and long-term implications. They dissect the potential ramifications of non-compete and non-solicitation clauses and the complexities inherent in navigating contractual nuances. Stuart provides practical advice on negotiation strategies, from conducting thorough research to seeking professional guidance. The episode advocates for informed decision-making and assertive negotiation, empowering healthcare professionals to chart a fulfilling career trajectory amidst the intricacies of contractual negotiations.

In this episode of Life of Flow, join Lucas and Miguel for a deep dive into the fascinating world of cold exposure alongside special guest François Haman, a prominent expert in the field. François shares his extensive research journey, stemming from his observations of the rising popularity of ice baths and their potential benefits. Drawing from his experiences working with NATO in Finland and developing resilience-building workshops, François offers insights into the physiological responses to cold, highlighting the fight-or-flight reaction and the importance of maintaining control during exposure. As the conversation unfolds, François addresses both the perceived benefits and risks of cold exposure. While acknowledging the lack of concrete scientific evidence supporting claims of immune system enhancement and inflammation reduction, he discusses the subjective feelings of well-being triggered by noradrenaline and dopamine release. However, François also warns of the potential dangers, such as non-freezing cold injuries and neurological damage, underscoring the importance of protecting extremities during exposure. Through this exploration, listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities of cold exposure and its nuanced effects on human physiology and resilience.

In this episode of Life of Flow, join Lucas and Miguel as they sit down with Dr. Jerry Kim to discuss his journey from fellowship to establishing a successful solo practice in California. Despite initial challenges in setting up contracts with insurance companies, Jerry strategically leveraged his referral network to smoothly transition into private practice, ultimately experiencing accelerated growth and success. The conversation delves into the importance of strategic planning and gaining experience before venturing into solo practice, offering valuable insights for healthcare professionals navigating the complexities of independent practice. Additionally, the episode explores the nuances of managing an outpatient-based lab (OBL), with Jerry providing valuable insights into negotiating with medical device companies and navigating revenue cycle management (RCM). Emphasizing the need for meticulous attention to financial details, Jerry's commentary adds a lively dynamic to the discussion, making this episode both informative and engaging for healthcare professionals looking to navigate the challenges of private practice.