In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety.

Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability.

We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Anderson, Jill Bates, and Lisa Jentsch, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients.

Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone.

Episode Resources:

Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's Wisconsin

Dayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient care

Connect with Missy Krasner:

Missy Krasner LinkedIn

Connect with Children's Wisconsin:

Anita Anderson LinkedIn

Jill Bates LinkedIn

Lisa Jentsch LinkedIn

Children's Wisconsin Website

Children's Wisconsin LinkedIn

Children's Wisconsin Instagram

Connect with Dr. Sean Antosh:

Dr. Sean Antosh LinkedIn

Dayton Children's Hospital Website

Dayton Children's Hospital LinkedIn

Dayton Children's Hospital Instagram

Connect with us:

KidsX Website

KidsX LinkedIn

Children's Hospital L.A. Website

Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram

Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this week’s episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how health policy, public trust, and emerging technology continue to shape the future of pediatric care.

Tom Priselac reflects on decades of healthcare leadership, including his role as Chair of the American Hospital Association during the development of the Affordable Care Act. He shares how large health systems evolve, why access and quality must move together, and what remains unresolved for Medicaid, public health infrastructure, and underserved communities.Joining him is Boston Children's Hospital innovation leader John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and entrepreneur who bridges public health, data science, and digital innovation. John discusses how real-time data, scalable technology, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health.

Together, they explore how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect, and why trust, adaptability, and long-term thinking matter more than ever in healthcare.

Episode Resources:

Affordable Care Act

iCAN (International Children's Advisory Network)

Introducing OpenAI for Healthcare

MedTutor AI in Action: AI-Powered Innovation Could Transform Medical Education on Celiac Disease

Accelerating scientific breakthroughs with an AI co-scientist

Connect with Tom Priselac:

Thomas M. Priselac Linkedin

Cedars-Sinai Website

Cedars-Sinai Instagram

Cedars-Sinai LinkedIn

Connect with John Brownstein:

John Brownstein LinkedIn

John Brownstein Instagram

Boston Children's Hospital Website

Boston Children's Hospital LinkedIn

Boston Children's Hospital Instagram

Connect with us:

KidsX Website

KidsX LinkedIn

Children's Hospital L.A. Website

Children's Hospital L.A. Instagram

Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn

In this deeply moving episode of A Dose of Optimism, we explore how parents, families, children and caregivers navigate trauma, grief, and loss and what meaningful support looks like in the aftermath of a crisis.

Dr. David Schonfeld, Director at the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, shares decades of experience helping schools and communities respond to disasters, violence, and loss, emphasizing why resilience does not mean children should be left to cope alone. Emma Payne, Founder & CEO at Help Texts., reflects on how personal loss led her to create scalable, compassionate bereavement support that meets families where they are. Dr. Solfrid Raknes discusses how evidence-based digital tools, like the Helping Hand Digital Game, can help children and adolescents build coping skills, even in the most fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Together, this conversation centers on presence, care, and long-term healing, reminding us that recovery is possible when children and those who care for them are supported with intention and humanity.

Episode Resources:

Project Open Arms

The Nevada Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Wendy G Lichtenthal - Miller School of Medicine

Mary Frances O'Connor - UCLA

The Center for Good Mourning - Arkansas Children's

The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families

The Happy Helping Hand Manual - Dr. Solfrid Raknes (for teachers, psycho social staff, facilitators)

Connect with Dr. David Schonfeld:

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Website

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement LinkedIn

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Instagram

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Facebook

Dr. David Schonfeld LinkedIn

Connect with Emma Payne:

Emma Payne LinkedIn

Help Texts Website

Caregiver and Grief Support for Children's Hospitals

Help Texts Instagram

Help Texts Facebook

Help Texts LinkedIn

Help Texts TikTok

Connect with Dr. Solfrid Raknes:

Dr. Solfrid Raknes LinkedIn

Dr. Solfrid Raknes Instagram

Helping Hand Digital Game

Attensi Website

Connect with us:

KidsX Website

KidsX LinkedIn

Children's Hospital L.A. Website