In this episode of Paradigm, host Dr. David Rallis welcomes Dr. Derek Nelson, chief resident at the University of North Carolina, to explore the early career journey of a surgeon committed to mentorship, growth, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Dr. Nelson shares his background—from immigrating from Jamaica to pursuing both pastoral work and dentistry—and reflects on how those experiences shaped his drive. The discussion covers his nontraditional path into oral surgery, how he’s maximized re...
May 15, 2025•38 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Paradigm, host Dr. David Rallis sits down with Dr. Ryan Cho, oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Asheville, North Carolina, to explore the remarkable journey from military service to launching a thriving practice. Dr. Cho recounts his experience in the U.S. Air Force, including his role during the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and how those moments shaped his approach to leadership and patient care. The conversation highlights the power of mentorship, the importance of envi...
May 15, 2025•52 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of Paradigm, host Dr. David Rallis is joined by Dr. Jai Mediratta, a Mayo Clinic oral and maxillofacial surgery resident and long-time contributor to Paradigm Oral Health. The two reflect on Jai's unconventional journey from aspiring medical student to oral surgery assistant, tech entrepreneur, and research leader. They explore the inception and evolution of Loop, a software born out of clinical necessity, and examine paradigm-shifting research in outpatient anesthesia and opioid...
Mar 27, 2025•44 min•Ep. 16
In today’s episode, David Rallis becomes the interviewee as Mike Walker takes on the guest-host role. We dive into David's personal and professional journey, revealing the experiences that have honed his approach to healthcare and leadership at Paradigm. This episode unpacks how Paradigm turns seemingly unattractive deals into golden opportunities and fosters a work culture that scores high in employee satisfaction. We discuss the strategic mergers that have catapulted Paradigm's growth across s...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 15
In this podcast episode, we explore the professional journey and contributions of Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., a vanguard in the dental field renowned for his innovative integration of technology and clinical research into dental healthcare. His foray into dentistry began at NYU Dental School, where, despite his initial lack of industry knowledge, his innate abilities to work well with people and perform intricate tasks with his hands led him towards a career in dentistry. Dr. Zucker...
Nov 22, 2023•52 min•Ep. 14
In this podcast, Karan Garg (KG) discusses his extensive experience as a leader in healthcare investment banking and how he fell into the world of dentistry. Karan began his career in investment banking right after completing his undergraduate studies, embarking on a long and successful journey in this field. He has spent 17 years in the healthcare department, with a particular emphasis on healthcare investment banking. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various aspects, including me...
Oct 12, 2023•44 min•Ep. 13
Indraneel Kanaglekar, the Global Dental President of ZimVie, offers a deep dive into the world of dentistry and its significance in the landscape of global healthcare. Under his leadership, dentistry not only serves as the linchpin for ZimVie but is also envisioned as its future growth trajectory. Background: Educational & Career Journey: Starting off as an engineer (though self-admittedly not a very good one), Indraneel pivoted to the business sector after obtaining a business degree. His e...
Sep 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 12
In this podcast episode featuring data scientist expert James Card, he is highlighted as the "most Interesting man in the world" due to his transformative work in business intelligence within the healthcare sector. When he initially joined Paradigm, it was a blank canvas, but he managed to revolutionize the use of data in healthcare by taking it to new heights. James Card's passion for artificial intelligence, science, and technology led him to pursue a master's degree in predictive analytics, w...
Sep 14, 2023•29 min•Ep. 11
In Episode 10 of the podcast, the guest is Guillaume Daniellot, the CEO of Straumann Group. Straumman Group is a pioneer in the field of dental implants and as the CEO Guillaume has been instrumental in driving research and innovation to provide better care for patients. And on this episode the conversation revolves around his journey as a leader, the importance of thinking innovatively, building a strong corporate culture, and the role of technology in dentistry. Guillaume's career trajectory s...
Aug 31, 2023•34 min•Ep. 10
Dr. Mike Walker is a successful oral surgeon who has made significant strides in his career. His journey to success began during dental school when he exhibited leadership by placing his first dental implant. This achievement not only showcased his skills but also demonstrated his dedication to advancing in the field. During this time, he began building connections with oral surgeons in his local area, which would later play a pivotal role in shaping his career. As he continued to foster relatio...
Aug 24, 2023•37 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Michael Shapiro, an oral surgeon from Ohio Dental Implants and Oral Surgery. The discussion primarily focused on Dr. Shapiro's background, his plans for the future, his practice philosophy, practice development, and his partnership with Paradigm. Dr. Shapiro began by sharing his journey in establishing the practice. He initially joined with an oral surgeon who retired, and over time, he took on the responsibility of buildi...
Aug 17, 2023•26 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Rallis speaks with "G", a former Navy Seal, who shares valuable insights on the characteristics of building high-performance teams and the significance of mental toughness in Navy Seal training. G didn't initially plan on becoming a Navy Seal. However, everything changed when the tragic events of September 11th occurred while he was in college. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a desire to serve his country, he made the decision to join the Navy Seals. Throug...
Aug 10, 2023•35 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Rallis interviews Amir Aghdaei, the CEO of Envista, a company that partners with dental professionals to provide top-notch patient care. Amir discusses his background, the key factors behind individual greatness and business success, and his journey to becoming the CEO of Envista. Amir's impressive career began with a robust engineering background that originated in Iran, where he graduated with an engineering degree. In 1982, he moved to the United States to ...
Aug 03, 2023•43 min•Ep. 6
In episode 5 of the podcast, the guest is Paul Gustavson, a business coach and mentor affiliated with the Paradigm organization. The episode focuses on discussing the crucial design elements necessary for building a top-performing organization. Paul Gustavson shares insights on leadership, organizational culture, and the commonalities found in the best companies. Paul's passion lies in creating excellent workplaces for people, and he emphasizes the essential components that great leaders and org...
Jul 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the world of oral surgery and explore the critical role that technology infrastructure plays in delivering efficient and high-quality patient care. Our special guest is Ted Timmerman, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Paradigm Oral Health. Ted stresses the need to build robust technology systems and infrastructure beyond the clinical tools. He delves into the critical aspects of infrastructure, such as disaster and cybersecurity. By implementing c...
Jul 06, 2023•25 min•Ep. 4
In this captivating episode, Dr. Steve Wiemer takes us on a journey into his remarkable success in oral surgery, attributing it all to a fundamental principle: putting the needs of the patient first. Dr. Wiemer's unwavering dedication to his patients forms the cornerstone of his practice, and he goes above and beyond to ensure that they receive the highest quality care. At the heart of Dr. Wiemer's approach lies a profound understanding of the power of data, cutting-edge technology, and medical ...
Jun 22, 2023•34 min•Ep. 3
In this captivating episode of the podcast, Dr. Yacoob shares his incredible journey of transforming his oral surgery practice from its humble beginnings to a flourishing and highly productive enterprise in less than two years. Whether you are a dental professional aiming to expand your own practice or simply seeking expert guidance and inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Yacoob delves into the challenges and obstacles he faced during the growth of his practice, providing valuable in...
Jun 15, 2023•46 min•Ep. 2
In the inaugural episode of our podcast, we had the privilege of hosting Dr. Rachel Strait, a recently graduated oral surgeon, who shared her invaluable insights and experiences with our audience. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Strait provided a fresh perspective on the significance of academics and the continuous pursuit of knowledge through interactions with both peers and experienced surgeons. One of the main takeaways from the episode was Dr. Strait's emphasis on the importance of ongoing ...
Jun 06, 2023•28 min•Ep. 1
