Healthcare Musings

Healthcare Musings

This is the official podcast of Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, a NY Times-featured Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, Author, and Healthcare Executive. Healthcare Musings discusses healthcare delivery and policy. Healthcare Musings Substack: http://healthcaremusings.substack.com

Recent Episodes

"We The Patients" Are Really Pissed Off: My Conversation with Matthew Zachary
April 14, 2026

"We The Patients" Are Really Pissed Off: My Conversation with Matthew…

The healthcare system is supposed to be centered around just one person: the patient. According to Matthew Zachary, however, the healthcare system has failed miserably in its mission. Of all the voices that have been heard on...

Listen to the Episode
2026 Sepsis Guidelines: The 17 Strong Recommendations Everyone Needs to Know
April 7, 2026

2026 Sepsis Guidelines: The 17 Strong Recommendations Everyone Needs …

The 2026 Surviving Sepsis Guidelines were released last March in Chicago. Among the dozens of recommendations, there are 17 “strong” recommendations. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa speaks about these 17 strong recommendation...

Listen to the Episode
2026 Sepsis Guidelines: What Changed & What Has Not — Dr. Hassabolus Vindicated Again
April 1, 2026

2026 Sepsis Guidelines: What Changed & What Has Not — Dr. Hassabolus …

The new Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines were released late last month in Chicago. This week’s episode highlights the most important changes to Dr. Hassaballa. Hint: Dr. Hassabolus is vindicated again. Read the entire gui...

Listen to the Episode
The Why of CDI: Why Doctors Need to Care
March 24, 2026

The Why of CDI: Why Doctors Need to Care

Physicians’ jobs today are very hard. There are so many demands on their time, and there is not enough time in the day to do everything they need to do. So it is understandable that a busy clinician would ask “Who Cares?” Whe...

Listen to the Episode
Obesity or Malnutrition: Document It Every Time It’s There
March 16, 2026

Obesity or Malnutrition: Document It Every Time It’s There

Both obesity and protein calorie malnutrition are major comorbid conditions (MCC), and they are frequent targets of post-discharge denials by payers. In this episode of Healthcare Musings, Dr. Hassaballa explains why it is so...

Listen to the Episode
Fear and the COVID Response: A Conversation with Dr. Joseph Marine
March 10, 2026

Fear and the COVID Response: A Conversation with Dr. Joseph Marine

It has been six years, almost to the day, since I saw my first Covid patient in the ICU. So much has changed since then. In this insightful interview, Dr. Joseph Marine, a Johns Hopkins Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine,...

Listen to the Episode

Reviews

Great message

"Thank you Dr. Hassaballa for having the courage and grace to open up this dialogue!! This is such an important part of humans taking care of humans and the ability to minister to the whole person! …"

Dominic Kayatta | Dec. 23, 2024

Transparency

"I really appreciate Dr Hassaballa's openness about how he views the world around him. Whether you agree with his opinions and beliefs or not, you can't help but admire the man for his transparency an…"

William Ferguson | Dec. 25, 2024

Ran out of tissues

"I have been thinking about you and your family all day - what a beautiful tribute to your angel - she is an inspiration to us all - sending pink thoughts and vibes today and everyday"

Dominic Kayatta | Dec. 30, 2024