Dr. Raj Dasgupta and Dr. Ted O’Connell join Dr. Michael Jerkins for a wide-ranging conversation on how medical education must evolve in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, shifting exam structures, and changing patient expectations.

From AI-powered learning tools to real-time evidence appraisal, the discussion explores how today’s trainees access information and how educators must adapt without compromising clinical reasoning. Dr. Dasgupta and Dr. O’Connell unpack the opportunities AI presents in both education and practice, while emphasizing the importance of teaching humility, source verification, and critical thinking in a world of instant answers.

The episode also tackles system-level questions: Has making USMLE Step 1 pass/fail helped or hurt? Do duty-hour restrictions produce better-trained physicians? And are we giving learners enough early, hands-on patient care in an increasingly team-based healthcare model?

Amid debates about automation and exam design, one theme remains constant: the human element of medicine is irreplaceable. Empathy, bedside presence, and the ability to make a patient feel seen cannot be outsourced to technology.

Internal medicine resident and AI healthcare researcher Dr. Peter Brodeur joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for a grounded, practical conversation on how artificial intelligence is actually showing up in medicine today and where it’s headed next. From AI scribes and automated workflows to clinical decision support, Dr. Brodeur breaks down what’s delivering real value versus what’s still more promise than payoff.

The discussion explores AI’s impact on physician burnout, workflow efficiency, and patient engagement, while unpacking critical concerns around safety, liability, automation bias, and the risk of deskilling clinicians. Dr. Brodeur also shares insights from recent research on where AI performs best, why “human-in-the-loop” systems matter, and how medical education may evolve alongside these tools.

Can AI truly improve care without compromising clinical judgment? And how should doctors think about adopting new technology without losing the human side of medicine?

Dr. Brodeur closes with a look at what responsible AI integration could mean for the future of healthcare and why cautious optimism, not blind adoption, is the path forward.

Practice owner and dentist Dr. ArNelle Wright joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to acquire and lead a dental practice. Drawing from her firsthand experience, Dr. Wright shares the financial surprises she encountered post-acquisition and why mental preparation is just as important as due diligence.

The discussion explores how thoughtful patient communication can make or break a transition, from personalized outreach to humanizing leadership during times of change. Dr. Wright also reflects on her commitment to mentorship, building strong team culture, and leading with intention in an increasingly corporate dental landscape. Together, they examine how legislative changes, student borrowing caps, and economic pressures are shaping the future of dentistry and why financial literacy is no longer optional for today’s doctors.

What should future dental owners know before taking the leap? And how can leadership, adaptability, and mentorship shape a more sustainable path forward?

Dr. Wright closes with reflections on her non-traditional journey into dentistry, balancing ownership with motherhood, and her vision for empowering the next generation of dental leaders.