#31 - At the Heart of Care: The Case for Independent Physicians

In this episode of Connected by Health, Krishna Vedala welcomed Dr. Pooja Singhal, an independent, board-certified gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist practicing in Oklahoma City. Dr. Singhal shared her journey into medicine, inspired by her father's lifelong relationships with patients in India and her own passion for science, human connection, and service.

Dr. Singhal discussed her transition from academic training and eight years within a large community health system to opening her own independent practice. She explained that the desire for greater autonomy, improved communication, flexible scheduling, and more personalized patient care motivated her to take the entrepreneurial leap.

The conversation explored the important role independent physicians play in healthcare. According to Dr. Singhal, independent practices can strengthen trust, continuity, treatment adherence, early diagnosis, and personalized decision-making. They also give physicians greater freedom to collaborate with the specialists and healthcare professionals best suited to each patient's needs.

Dr. Singhal also spoke candidly about the challenges of independent practice, including financial pressures, declining reimbursement, insurance restrictions, staffing, payroll, human resources, and time management. She emphasized that physicians must develop greater financial literacy and understand the business and medical economics behind healthcare delivery.

Finally, Dr. Singhal and Krishna Vedala discussed the future of medicine, including the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence. They agreed that AI can support physicians when used responsibly, but that appropriate safeguards are essential to preserve the human element of care. Dr. Singhal's advice to aspiring physicians was simple and meaningful: remember their "why," enjoy the journey, and develop tools to manage stress and stay grounded.

Where Health, Society, and Innovation Intersect

Connected by Health is a forward-thinking podcast built on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare is not a cost to be cut — it is an investment that shapes the future of everything around us.

Millions of people struggle with healthcare challenges each year — whether it's lack of insurance, unaffordable costs, limited access to care, or managing chronic disease — affecting not only their health, but their financial stability and overall quality of life. Their stories are not isolated — they are all connected. From