The Future of Healthcare: New Technologies and Big Data are Saving More Lives

Dr. Ajay Sahajpal, Medical Director of Abdominal Transplant and Hepatobiliary Program at Advocate Aurora Health

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This episode dives into the world of healthcare, where cutting-edge technology and human compassion intersect in profound ways.

We sat down with Dr. Ajay Sahajpal, the Medical Director of Abdominal Transplant and Hepatobiliary Program at Advocate Aurora Health. Dr. Sahajpal shares his remarkable journey from Prince Edward Island to leading life-saving advancements in transplant surgery.

Ajay also offers a glimpse into the future of healthcare, where xenotransplants and 3D printing technology could save countless lives. He explores the role of artificial intelligence and big data in revolutionizing the medical field, highlighting how these innovations might soon impact your own health. Beyond medicine, Dr. Sahajpal discusses his commitment to community service and education, revealing how he's shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What you'll learn:

The groundbreaking technology that could expand the pool of transplantable organs and why it’s a game-changer.
How 3D printing and other technologies are paving the way for the future of organ transplantation.
The transformative project Dr. Sahajpal spearheaded as part of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program—and how it’s saving lives.
How big data and artificial intelligence are transforming healthcare—and what that means for you.
How Ajay is using his expertise to impact education and community health in Milwaukee.

Quotable Moments:

"Seeing someone basically going from death to life—it just was remarkable. The whole spectrum of it, from the gift of life, from the donor family grieving, to the donation, is truly inspiring."

"You're going to be able to take cells from your own body, whether it's a saliva sample, and use 3D printing or a humanized xenotransplant to grow your own organ. That's going to be the future."

"I think the biggest takeaway from the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program was the need for people to lean in and support the community. If everyone just does a little bit of something, it makes it better for everybody."

"Education is the great equalizer. If we don't educate our children, we're never going to be able to make it a better world for them."

"When I reflect back, I think the one piece of advice I’d give my younger self is always take pause and try to understand where the other person across from me is coming from before you say anything or do anything."

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

The future of organ transplantation lies in innovative technology: Dr. Sahajpal discusses how 3D printing and humanized pig organs are on the brink of transforming the field of organ transplantation. These advancements have the potential to dramatically increase the availability of transplantable organs, saving countless lives.
Dr. Sahajpal's work through the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program is making a real impact: He spearheaded a project that uses big data and electronic medical records to proactively screen and treat high-risk patients for diseases like Hepatitis C. This initiative has already prevented numerous late-stage diagnoses.
The integration of AI and big data is set to revolutionize healthcare: Dr. Sahajpal explains how these technologies will enable more personalized and predictive care, enhancing early diagnosis and treatment options. However, he also highlights the importance of protecting patient privacy as we navigate the new era of big data and artificial intelligence.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Follow Dr. Ajay Sahajpal on LinkedIn
If you'd like to volunteer with Aurora Health Care, visit this page
Learn more about Ajay's work with the Presidential Leadership Scholars program
Learn more about Milwaukee Academy of Science

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