A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health.

The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine.

In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas
Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation

A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health.
The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine.
In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/walmart-heir-backs-new-medical-school">Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/mercy-alice-walton-philanthropies-unveil-700m-specialty-care-affiliation">Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation</a></li>
</ul>

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Whole health, whole new med school: Alice Walton’s vision comes to life in Arkansas

Since the Trump administration took office in January, healthcare policy has been moving quickly, with changes touching Medicaid funding, ACA subsidies, hospital finances and the federal government’s approach to health technology.

This week on "Podnosis," we’re bringing you a recording from a live roundtable at the Fierce Health Payer Summit on Dec. 4, where members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team unpacked the policy and funding shifts already underway. The discussion covers Medicaid cuts and coverage losses, how hospitals are preparing for reduced government funding, CMS’ new health tech ecosystem and where PBM reform stands after years of scrutiny.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Crapo, Cassidy introduce ACA subsidy plan that leans on HSAs
AHIP presses for ACA subsidy extension, further program integrity measures
Medicaid work rules exempt the 'medically frail.' Deciding who qualifies is tricky
When the hospital leaves town
Many urban safety-net hospitals threatened by OBBBA's Medicaid cuts: analysis
Industry Voices—3 major changes to Medicare Part B payment policies coming for 2026
'Come fight with me'—Oz courts physicians skeptical of Medicaid cuts, MAHA's criticisms
KFF: States brace for increasing Medicaid costs even as enrollment stays flat
All 50 states submit applications for $50B Rural Health Transformation Program
The policies top of mind for healthcare stakeholders right now
Hospital M&A continues to rebound as policy uncertainty clears

Since the Trump administration took office in January, healthcare policy has been moving quickly, with changes touching Medicaid funding, ACA subsidies, hospital finances and the federal government&rsquo;s approach to health technology.
This week on "Podnosis," we&rsquo;re bringing you a recording from a live roundtable at the Fierce Health Payer Summit on Dec. 4, where members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team unpacked the policy and funding shifts already underway. The discussion covers Medicaid cuts and coverage losses, how hospitals are preparing for reduced government funding, CMS&rsquo; new health tech ecosystem and where PBM reform stands after years of scrutiny.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/crapo-cassidy-introduce-aca-subsidy-plan-leans-hsas">Crapo, Cassidy introduce ACA subsidy plan that leans on HSAs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/ahip-presses-aca-subsidy-extension-further-program-integrity-measures">AHIP presses for ACA subsidy extension, further program integrity measures</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/medicaid-work-rules-exempt-medically-frail-deciding-who-qualifies-tricky">Medicaid work rules exempt the 'medically frail.' Deciding who qualifies is tricky</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/when-hospital-leaves-town">When the hospital leaves town</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/many-urban-safety-net-hospitals-threatened-obbbas-medicaid-cuts-analysis">Many urban safety-net hospitals threatened by OBBBA's Medicaid cuts: analysis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/industry-voices-three-major-changes-medicare-part-b-payment-policies-coming-2026">Industry Voices&mdash;3 major changes to Medicare Part B payment policies coming for 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/come-fight-me-oz-courts-physicians-skeptical-medicaid-cuts-maha-criticisms">'Come fight with me'&mdash;Oz courts physicians skeptical of Medicaid cuts, MAHA's criticisms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/kff-states-brace-increasing-medicaid-costs-even-enrollment-stays-flat">KFF: States brace for increasing Medicaid costs even as enrollment stays flat</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/cms-opens-state-applications-50b-rural-health-transformation-program">All 50 states submit applications for $50B Rural Health Transformation Program</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/policies-top-mind-healthcare-stakeholders-right-now">The policies top of mind for healthcare stakeholders right now</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/hospital-ma-continues-rebound-policy-uncertainty-clears">Hospital M&amp;A continues to rebound as policy uncertainty clears</a></li>
</ul>

A Fierce federal health policy checkup

Each year, Fierce Healthcare’s Women of Influence special report asks a simple question: Who is actually reshaping healthcare from the inside? This year brought a record number of nominations and a list that reflects how broad that influence has become, across health systems, payers, tech, policy and advocacy.

In this episode, Fierce Healthcare's Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer talk about why this recognition still matters, even as women make up nearly half of managerial and executive roles but remain scarce in CEO positions. They get into what the nomination surge tells us about where change is happening, how roles and titles are evolving and why so many of the most interesting ideas in healthcare are being led by women who are still fighting for a true share of power.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

Fierce Healthcare's Women of Influence 2025

Each year, Fierce Healthcare&rsquo;s Women of Influence special report asks a simple question: Who is actually reshaping healthcare from the inside? This year brought a record number of nominations and a list that reflects how broad that influence has become, across health systems, payers, tech, policy and advocacy.
In this episode, Fierce Healthcare's Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer talk about why this recognition still matters, even as women make up nearly half of managerial and executive roles but remain scarce in CEO positions. They get into what the nomination surge tells us about where change is happening, how roles and titles are evolving and why so many of the most interesting ideas in healthcare are being led by women who are still fighting for a true share of power.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/special-reports/2025s-women-influence">Fierce Healthcare's Women of Influence 2025</a>

Inside Fierce Healthcare's Women of Influence special report 

It’s been a buzzy few years for prescription digital therapeutics, marked by bankruptcies, reimbursement policy changes and AI advancements. 

At their best, DTx solutions can offer a more personalized, convenient and cost-effective care experience. But barriers to adoption remain. What are they, and what’s being done about them? Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya explores these questions with Joseph Perekupka, CEO of Freespira, and Andy Molnar, SVP of industry affairs for the American Telemedicine Association. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act reintroduced in Congress
How companies use scientifically informed music to impact health outcomes
CMS puts forward meager offering for digital health in final Medicare physician fee schedule rule
American Telemedicine Association's lobbying division acquires Digital Therapeutics Alliance

It&rsquo;s been a buzzy few years for prescription digital therapeutics, marked by bankruptcies, reimbursement policy changes and AI advancements.&nbsp;
At their best, DTx solutions can offer a more personalized, convenient and cost-effective care experience. But barriers to adoption remain. What are they, and what&rsquo;s being done about them? Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya explores these questions with Joseph Perekupka, CEO of Freespira, and Andy Molnar, SVP of industry affairs for the American Telemedicine Association.&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/access-prescription-digital-therapeutics-act-reintroduced-congress">Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act reintroduced in Congress</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/digital-app-spiritune-explores-benefits-therapeutic-music-recent-study">How companies use scientifically informed music to impact health outcomes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/final-digital-health-changes-pfs">CMS puts forward meager offering for digital health in final Medicare physician fee schedule rule</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/digital-health/american-telemedicine-associations-lobbying-division-acquires-digital-therapeutics">American Telemedicine Association's lobbying division acquires Digital Therapeutics Alliance</a></li>
</ul>

Whole health, whole new med school: Alice Walton’s vision comes to life in Arkansas

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