How does someone turn personal struggles into a mission of cultural preservation and community support?

Dr. Anna Chacon, MD FAAD, welcomes world-renowned Alaskan Native ivory carver Leon Misuk Kinneeveauk from Point Hope, Alaska. Leon runs the Alaska Art Alliance nonprofit, providing space and resources for Alaskan Native artists facing challenges like homelessness and reentry from incarceration. Learning walrus ivory carving at age seven from his uncle, Leon comes from a distinguished family of carvers and has won numerous accolades at international art festivals.

This fascinating interview explores the complex world of Alaskan Native carving communities, from federal regulations that protect walrus ivory carving rights exclusively for Alaska Natives to the economic challenges threatening traditional arts. Leon discusses the declining youth participation in carving, unique regional styles across different Alaskan Native communities, and his own journey through incarceration to sobriety and community leadership. From the spiritual significance of hunting amulets to the upcoming Kivgiq festival in Barrow, Leon reveals how traditional art serves as both cultural expression and economic survival in modern Alaska.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Leon reveals the magnetic pull of walrus ivory carving

• (00:42) Meet Leon Misuk Kinneeveauk: world-renowned carver and Alaska Art Alliance founder

• (03:19) Federal regulations: exclusive walrus ivory rights for Alaska Natives

• (06:14) Declining youth participation in traditional Alaskan Native carving

• (11:01) Leon's personal journey: incarceration to community leadership

• (14:42) Alaska Art Alliance: supporting artists facing homelessness and reentry

• (17:52) International recognition and awards at art festivals

• (21:45) Regional carving styles across different Alaskan Native communities

• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Resources:
Alaska Art Alliance: https://www.facebook.com/p/Alaska-art-alliance-100068050321346/
Misuk Inupiaq Art: https://www.facebook.com/p/Misak-inupiaq-art-100077567029373/

• (00:00:00) - Alaskan Carvers
• (00:05:04) - Is walrus ivory mostly an Inupac thing?
• (00:10:07) - Carving classes for Alaska Natives
• (00:14:42) - Anchor Carving
• (00:20:26) - Carving by First cousins
• (00:22:31) - Carvers on 4th Avenue
• (00:24:28) - Alaskan Native Carvers Tell Their Story

"What happens when healthcare stops rewarding volume and starts rewarding value?"

Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and host of Skin Deep, welcomes Jonathan Gruner, CEO of Salud Healthcare. With over 15 years of healthcare experience, Gruner leads a premier Managed Service Organization supporting independent primary care physicians transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based care. This father of four married at 21 and built a 75-person company while staying true to his Orthodox Jewish values. "We are all created in God's image," Gruner explains.

Gruner breaks down fee-for-service medicine's problems and presents compelling alternatives. The conversation explores Medicare Advantage mechanics, capitation rates, and risk-sharing arrangements. How can independent physicians survive the mandated 2030 transition to value-based care? Gruner offers practical solutions, explaining how his company serves as "the backbone for primary care practices." As he puts it: "The future of healthcare must be within a value-based care setting."

Jonathan Gruner is CEO of Salud Healthcare, revolutionizing how independent primary care physicians transition to value-based care. Originally from Far Rockaway, New York, this Orthodox Jewish entrepreneur leads a 75-person team while raising four children in Miami. His leadership philosophy centers on treating all people equally, bringing both innovation and values-driven leadership to healthcare transformation.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction - the young generation, value-based care
• (01:08) Growing up in Far Rockaway and journey to Miami healthcare
• (05:13) Value-based care versus fee-for-service healthcare models
• (08:42) Understanding Medicare Advantage and Government Insurance
• (12:31) How doctors and capitation rates work in value-based care
• (17:15) Jonathan's entry into healthcare transformation
• (19:37) Orthodox Jewish values in business leadership

About Skin Deep: A podcast for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon shares insights on dermatology's future, telemedicine, and serving underserved communities.

About Dr. Chacon: Board-certified dermatologist, founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializing in remote/rural communities. First dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, licensed in all 50 states.

Resources:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gruner
Salud Healthcare: saludhealthcare.com
Dr. Chacon: drannachacon.com
Social: @miamiderm (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok)

• (00:00:00) - Skin Deep: Value-
• (00:00:58) - How Married People Balance Their Lives
• (00:05:13) - What is Value-Based Care in Healthcare?
• (00:07:50) - Medicare Advantage vs. Straight Medicare
• (00:15:27) - Health Insurance Companies' Capitations
• (00:17:11) - How Microsoft is helping primary care doctors navigate the value-based care
• (00:18:37) - How big is your team at your company?
• (00:19:37) - Importance of treating everyone equally in the workplace

How did a young man from a Cuban immigrant family in Miami navigate his way to becoming a successful medical entrepreneur in the Florida Keys?

Welcome to another episode of Skin Deep with Dr. Anna Chacon. Today we’re joined by Dr. Miguel Diaz, M.D. a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician. Today’s discussion is focused on medical practice management. Dr. Diaz shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a Cuban-American in Miami to becoming a successful multi-practice owner and family medicine residency program director. His path was anything but conventional – starting as a 16-year-old orderly in the ER, serving in the Navy, completing nursing school, and eventually attending medical school in the Dominican Republic where he met his wife. Dr. Diaz's story emphasizes the importance of having backup plans and being willing to take calculated risks, illustrated by his transition from ER medicine to private practice ownership in the Florida Keys.

You’ll hear valuable insights into the business aspects of medical practice, particularly regarding SBA loans, practice acquisition, and scaling operations. Dr. Diaz details how he grew from a small 1,000-square-foot office to managing four clinics, emphasizing the importance of keeping overhead low and reinvesting in the business. He shares candid advice about the advantages of private practice ownership over hospital employment, including greater autonomy, better work-life balance, and more financial opportunities through real estate and business expansion. The episode concludes with his perspectives on exit strategies and the importance of balancing business success with family time, offering practical wisdom for physicians considering private practice ownership.

Dr. Miguel Diaz, M.D., is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with over 11 years of experience and a passion for both healthcare and practice management. Born in Miami to Cuban parents, his early exposure to the mechanics of business and structure shaped his career. Dr. Diaz's journey into medicine began at 16, and after serving in the Navy and completing nursing school, he earned his medical degree in 2011. As an entrepreneur, he grew his practice in the Florida Keys from one to four clinics. Dr. Diaz is also the Director of the Larkin Residence Program and a strong advocate for physician-owned practices.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction of guest Dr. Miguel Diaz, his life growing up in Miami with Cuban parents who immigrated in 1962, including influence of grandfather - who participated in the Cuban Revolution
• (04:57) Dr. Diaz’ path to medicine, working in an ER at age 16, joining the Navy, attending nursing school, family pressures
• (08:06) Medical school in Dominican Republic, meeting his wife in medical school, having five children, attempting adoption, and balancing family with medical career
• (14:35) Buying & building a practice in the Florida Keys, sharing expenses with previous owner, growing the business
• (31:30) The ease of obtaining SBA loans, starting an LLC, expanding to new buildings, scaling up patient capacity, journey from teaching medical students to becoming a family medicine residency program director
• (37:00) Becoming a teacher after residency, selling a practice, growing fro...