The Gustavo Franco Podcast

Gustavo Franco

A curious student's journey exploring the intersections of medicine, business, and public health.

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Episodes

#8 - Beauty Without Borders: Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Tourism
Jan 30 2024
#8 - Beauty Without Borders: Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Tourism
Explore the dynamic world of cosmetic surgery and medical tourism. Understand their profound impact on personal identity, societal norms, and global healthcare economies. We examine trends in cosmetic and plastic surgery, analyzing how the pandemic has influenced these trends. Learn about the ethical considerations and cultural shifts surrounding cosmetic procedures, and discover how medical tourism is reshaping healthcare perceptions and practices worldwide. Delve into the motivations driving individuals to seek beauty enhancements abroad and the balance between affordability, quality, and safety. Tune in to learn about the hotspots of medical tourism and their impact on the United States.Researched and produced by Asiya Said.Timestamps:(00:00) Episode Introduction(03:42) Trends in Cosmetic Surgery(06:50) Effects of COVID-19 on Cosmetic Surgery(09:04) Effects of COVID-19 on Medical Tourism(10:59) Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in the US(13:45) Ethical Issues of Cosmetic Surgery(14:20) Role of Gender in Cosmetic Surgery(16:12) Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Cosmetic Surgery(19:17) Reid Ewing’s Experience with BDD and Cosmetic Surgery(22:03) BDD, Medical Tourism, and Suzy Katz(24:13) Implications for Teenagers(26:42) Controversial Surgeries (BBLs and Leg Lengthening)(28:52) Medical Tourism Destinations: South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and Brazil(32:37) Trends in Medical Tourism(34:58) Cost of Cosmetic Surgery Abroad(37:47) Risks of Medical Tourism(39:53) Kidnapping and Fungal Infections(43:06) Regulations in Medical Tourism (“Ghost Doctors”)(46:12) Impact of Medical Tourism on the US(48:09) Conclusion(49:35) OutroContact us here.Linktree: linktr.ee/gustavofrancopod
#7 - Dr. Swaid Swaid: Private Medicine and Revolutionizing Healthcare
Jan 15 2024
#7 - Dr. Swaid Swaid: Private Medicine and Revolutionizing Healthcare
Dr. Swaid Swaid is a world-renowned neurosurgeon whose journey from Eilaboun, Galilee, to the pinnacle of neurosurgery in the United States embodies dedication, compassion, and groundbreaking medical practice. Our discussion focuses on Dr. Swaid's journey to build the Swaid Vestavia Medical Center, and how it can serve as a model to reshape private medicine -- but there is much more to the story.We explore Dr. Swaid's remarkable life story, his faith, and his cultural heritage. He shares insights about his administrative roles in hospitals, the rise and fall of HealthSouth, and the critical absence of preventative care in our healthcare system. Dr. Swaid tells me about cutting-edge surgical technologies like the Gamma Knife and CyberKnife, their impact on treating conditions such as Trigeminal Neuralgia. He also provides his perspective on private equity in medicine and offers guidance for future healthcare professionals.Timestamps:(00:00:00) Episode Introduction(00:02:13) Early Life in Israel(00:06:05) Role of Faith in Medicine(00:08:14) Swaid Family/Clan Name(00:09:32) How Olive Oil is Made(00:11:05) Defining Success(00:12:28) Administration in Hospitals and Quality Care(00:17:10) Rise and Fall of HealthSouth(00:24:12) Mergers and Acquisitions in Medicine(00:27:35) Improving Healthcare in the US(00:33:34) Failure of Preventative Care in the US(00:36:57) Ideas for Improving Preventative Care(00:47:19) Profitability and Improving Quality Care(00:49:49) Role of Motivation(00:52:03) Certificate of Need Review Board (Balancing Capacity and Utilization with Costs)(00:56:16) Gamma Knife and CyberKnife (01:03:09) Trigeminal Neuralgia(01:05:20) Model and Strategy of the Swaid Vestavia Medical Center(01:16:14) Balancing Management and Patient Care(01:18:37) Importance of Ownership(01:22:44) Building the Swaid Vestavia Medical Center(01:24:44) Private Medicine vs Hospital Employment(01:29:13) Starting a Private Practice(01:33:19) Private Equity Firms(01:36:06) Doctors Reimagining Themselves as the Pillars of Healthcare(01:43:19) Hope with Private Equity Firms(01:45:48) OutroContact us here.Linktree: linktr.ee/gustavofrancopod
#6 - Ozempic and Beyond: Changing Tides in Health, Society, and Industry
Dec 27 2023
#6 - Ozempic and Beyond: Changing Tides in Health, Society, and Industry
Join us on "The Gustavo Franco Podcast" for a riveting exploration of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, which are reshaping more than just diabetes and obesity treatment. This episode ventures beyond healthcare, revealing the profound impact of these drugs on society, economy, and even fashion and fast food industries. Engage with us as we unravel the ethical debates and lifestyle transformations stemming from this pharmaceutical phenomenon. Don't miss the chance to discover the extensive influence of Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs in an episode packed with intriguing and insightful discussions.Researched and produced by Brian Li.Timestamps:(00:00:00) - Channel Intro(00:02:00) - Episode Introduction(00:04:41) - GLP-1 Drugs(00:07:16) - Biology(00:09:39) - Pharmaceutical Development(00:15:17) - Rise to Fame (00:18:19) - Growth of Industry(00:20:14) - Ozempic’s Dual Use(00:22:02) - Wegovy for Obesity(00:24:10) - Introducing Zepbound(00:25:23) - Off-Label Use(00:27:10) - Accessibility and Inequality(00:29:02) - Employer and Government Initiatives to Improve Access(00:31:08) - Impact on Industry: Fast Food, Fashion, Air Travel(00:40:28) - Obesity Spending(00:42:44) - Economic Implications in Healthcare(00:44:56) - Medical Technology and Dieting Industries(00:48:03) - Healthcare System: Good or Bad?(00:50:31) - Health Paradigm Shift(00:52:43) - Exacerbating Social Inequalities(00:54:05) - Ethical Considerations: Root Causes, Dependency, Side Effects, Long Term Risks, Children, Consent, Autonomy, Marketing(01:04:47) - Addiction Potential(01:06:55) - Conclusion(01:09:10) - OutroContact us here.Linktree: linktr.ee/gustavofrancopod
#5 - Dr. Christopher King: Addressing Systemic Racism in Healthcare
Dec 11 2023
#5 - Dr. Christopher King: Addressing Systemic Racism in Healthcare
Dr. Christopher King is the inaugural Dean of Georgetown University’s School of Health and an associate professor whose work focuses on healthcare, public health, and racial justice. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Dr. King is a nationally recognized speaker on achieving equitable systems of care.In this episode, Dr. King helps me navigate the complex terrain of racial inequalities in healthcare. We dissect systemic racism's deep-seated roots, from institutional biases to the pressing crisis of maternal mortality among African American women. Dr. King takes me through history to understand how past injustices shape today’s healthcare landscape, especially in the context of COVID-19 and Washington, D.C. He brings forward groundbreaking strategies to dismantle these disparities, focusing on atonement, diversity in the medical workforce, and the crucial role of public awareness. We conclude with a forward-looking discussion on how philanthropy, technology, and AI might reshape the pursuit of racial equality in healthcare. Timestamps:(00:00:00) Channel Intro(00:02:00) Episode Intro(00:05:40) Defining Race in Healthcare(00:16:15) Defining Racism: Institutionalized, Personally-mediated, and Internalized(00:26:19) Evidence: Maternal Mortality and Cancer(00:32:50) Historical Context: Slavery, Jim Crow Era, Immigration, Eugenics, Sterilizations, Tuskegee Study, and Henrietta Lacks(00:50:57) COVID-19 and Reconceptualizing Race(00:54:50) Disparities in Washington D.C.(01:04:00) Proximity to Black(01:06:40) Medical Errors(01:08:36) Tackling Racial Inequalities: Atonement, Measuring Racism, Workplace Diversity, and Awareness(01:21:54) Philanthropy, Narcissism, and Social Media(01:28:11) Artificial Intelligence(01:31:04) OutroContact us here.Linktree: linktr.ee/gustavofrancopod
#4 - Beyond Medicine: How Social Determinants Shape Our Health
Nov 1 2023
#4 - Beyond Medicine: How Social Determinants Shape Our Health
Explore how social factors like education, income, race, and neighborhoods impact our health. We discuss groundbreaking studies on the hidden forces shaping our well-being.  Whether it's the challenge of food deserts or the promise of technological innovations in healthcare, this episode is packed with insights and stories that will change the way you think about health. We also talk about addressing social determinants of health with solutions through community engagement, policy advocacy, and public-private partnerships.Timestamps:  (00:00:00) Channel Intro  (00:01:44) Introduction to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) (00:10:03) What are SDOH (00:11:02) 5 Categories of SDOH (00:14:52) SDOH or Not (00:18:41) Global Perspective (00:21:32) Deep Dive Into 5 Categories (00:22:09) 1) Economic Stability (00:28:39) 2) Education (00:36:42) 3) Social and Community Context (00:42:30) 4) Health and Healthcare (00:45:28) 5) Neighborhood and the Built Environment (01:01:01) Addressing SDOH (01:02:01) 1) Community Engagement and Empowerment (01:06:12) 2) Technological Innovations (01:08:32) 3) Policy Changes and Advocacy (01:12:12) 4) Public-Private Partnerships (01:14:50) 5) Educational Initiatives (01:17:35) 6) Built Environment and Urban Planning (01:20:46) 7) Economic Interventions (01:23:52) 8) Cultural Competence in Healthcare (01:27:35) Conclusion (01:29:37) OutroContact us here.Linktree: linktr.ee/gustavofrancopod