AI Amplified with host Dr. Heather Bassett
Season 1: Episode 7
Guest Ronald Rodriguez, MD, PhD, professor of medical education and program director for the MD/MS in Artificial Intelligence dual degree at Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
AI and Medicine Career Evolution
Ronald Rodriguez, MD, PhD, is professor of medical education and program director for the MD/MS in Artificial Intelligence dual degree at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio). During this episode, Dr. Rodriguez discusses with Dr. Bassett his career journey, highlighting his early interest in AI during his undergraduate studies at MIT and his subsequent focus on medical research and surgery. After experiencing a life-changing kidney transplant, Dr. Rodriguez shifted his focus to AI and bioinformatics, leading to the development of a dual-degree program in artificial intelligence at UT Health San Antonio. He and his colleagues worked on creating a curriculum for the program, which was initially rejected by the Regents but was later approved after being rewritten to allow for a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.
MD-AI Dual Degree Program Development
Ron and Heather discussed the development of a dual-degree program in MD and AI at UT San Antonio, which aims to prepare future physicians to lead in the AI-driven healthcare space. Ron explained that while they initially focused on biomedical sciences applications like protein folding and gene regulation, they adapted to include generative AI and LLMs as these technologies became more prominent. The program’s curriculum now encompasses both traditional AI applications in healthcare and emerging technologies like large language models, reflecting the rapidly evolving landscape of medical AI.
AI in Healthcare: Challenges and Training
Ron and Heather discussed the rapid evolution of AI in healthcare and its implications for training future leaders. They explored how AI can both support and complicate clinical workflows, with Ron emphasizing the need for thoughtful integration to avoid unintended consequences. They also discussed the economic challenges of AI implementation in healthcare, including how costs can be passed on to patients. The conversation touched on the importance of teaching students about AI’s limitations and potential biases, as well as the legal and regulatory considerations surrounding its use.
About the Show
AI Amplified: Healthcare AI Discussions with Dr. Heather Bassett
AI is here. It’s real. And it’s making a major impact. If it seems like artificial intelligence is everywhere, you’re not wrong. Dr. Heather Bassett, Chief Medical Officer at Xsolis, is at the forefront of innovation and she cuts through the noise as she speaks with industry leaders who are making a real impact in the world of healthcare AI. AI Amplified focuses on the amazing innovations in AI, challenges the industry is facing, lessons learned, and how to ensure future success to bring back the joy in medicine.