STELLAR SUCCESS: Leveling Up For Medical Pros with Dr. Tudor Francu

Join Dr. Tudor Francu in a deeply reflective and insightful conversation with Dr. Art Lazarus, a physician, academic, pharma executive, and widely published writer. Dr. Lazarus opens up about his path in psychiatry, early career struggles, personal evolution, and how the “why” in medicine often comes down to relationships, love, work, and — not to be forgotten — play.
Dr. Lazarus shares candid moments about career “earthquakes,” like missing medical school acceptance on the first try and a haunting clinical experience that shifted his direction away from clinical psychiatry and toward population health. He discusses the value of narrative medicine, the emotional toll of medical practice, and why speaking out — especially for oneself — is a critical act of self-preservation.
Whether you're early in your medical career or reflecting on decades of service, this conversation will resonate on a human level. Dr. Lazarus also shares actionable wisdom for maintaining mental health and navigating career transitions with intention and compassion.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

On this episode of the Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Hardik Chodavadia, a powerhouse in the dental industry who transformed a single practice into a multi-location dental group. Hardik shares his entrepreneurial journey—from working for a large dental group to co-founding Enamel Dentistry, a thriving business with eight locations and counting.
Dr. Chodavadia opens up about the mindset shifts necessary for dentists looking to transition from employee to business owner, the importance of taking risks at the right time, and how asking "Why not?" instead of "Why?" can lead to big success. He also discusses:
The unexpected challenges of buying vs. starting a practice from scratch
The biggest mistakes he made early on and how he would do things differently
His philosophy on success, delegation, and building strong systems
How personal habits, discipline, and self-care play a role in leadership
His vision for the first autonomous dental group powered by automation
If you're a dentist looking to scale your practice, an entrepreneur in the medical field, or someone who wants to understand the business side of dentistry, this episode is packed with value.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

What does it take to build a successful healthcare startup? William Nelson, founder of Healthy Amplified, joins Dr. Tudor Francu to share his incredible journey from corporate finance to healthcare innovation. With a background in business and medical device development, William has a unique perspective on what it takes to navigate the complex world of healthcare startups.
In this episode, William shares:
His personal definition of success and the lessons he's learned along the way
How his early career in business and finance led him to the healthcare industry
The biggest challenges and setbacks he faced while building Healthy Amplified
What makes a startup truly successful—and why so many fail
The importance of time management and daily routines in driving business success
His investment strategies and financial insights for long-term wealth
Healthy Amplified is revolutionizing digital health with FDA-cleared neuropsychological testing tools used to detect early signs of cognitive conditions like dementia, ADHD, and PTSD. William shares how his company is growing, what’s next, and whether he’s considering an exit strategy.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

What if your side hustle could out-earn your day job? Dr. Gelerie Stenbakken, a successful anesthesiologist and real estate investor, joins us to share her inspiring journey from working 70+ hour weeks in medicine to achieving financial freedom through real estate.
In this episode, Dr. Stenbakken talks about:
How she transitioned from medicine to real estate investing
Overcoming setbacks, including a cancer diagnosis, to create financial security
The pivotal moments that led her to invest in short-term rentals
How she replaced her clinical income with real estate revenue
The mindset shift doctors need to break free from financial dependence on medicine
Practical advice for beginners looking to get started in real estate
Dr. Stenbakken's story is a must-listen for any medical professional seeking financial independence and a more balanced life.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of the Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu welcomes a close friend, successful dentist, and real estate investor, Dr. Casey Fines. Based in North Dakota, Dr. Fines has built an impressive real estate empire while managing a full-time dental practice.
He shares how growing up around real estate influenced his investing journey, starting with a 9-unit apartment complex and scaling up to multi-million dollar commercial properties, hotels, and office buildings. Dr. Fines also dives into the challenges of managing real estate while running a dental practice, his experience owning a gas station, and the bold move of buying a 90-room hotel—which he recently sold for a significant profit.
We also discuss:✅ The mindset required to balance a medical career with real estate investing✅ How strategic partnerships helped him scale his portfolio✅ The challenges of property management and staffing✅ Lessons from setbacks, including navigating COVID-19 as a hotel owner✅ Why time management and small, consistent actions are key to success
Dr. Fines' journey proves that with the right mindset and dedication, it's possible to excel in multiple industries. Whether you're in the medical field or interested in real estate, this episode is packed with valuable insights on wealth-building, risk-taking, and perseverance.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Stephanie Dorwart, a seasoned healthcare business consultant and CEO of Altius Healthcare Consulting Group. Stephanie shares her journey from mathematics and teaching to healthcare administration and consulting, offering insights on leadership, efficiency, and the mindset shifts necessary for success.
Stephanie discusses what it takes to be a visionary CEO, the importance of leadership in hospital efficiency, and how productivity—when done right—doesn’t have to mean layoffs. She also opens up about her entrepreneurial path, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way.
Tune in to hear Stephanie’s expert advice on:✔️ How CEOs can create meaningful impact✔️ The biggest misconceptions about productivity in healthcare✔️ The mindset shift needed to transition from employee to entrepreneur✔️ How hospitals can improve efficiency without sacrificing care✔️ Financial planning strategies for entrepreneurs
Stephanie also shares her passion for keeping community hospitals open and how leadership development plays a crucial role in healthcare transformation.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

Transitioning out of clinical practice is a major milestone for healthcare professionals, but how do you ensure a smooth and successful exit? In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Leslie Pasco, a dentist-turned-entrepreneur, to discuss the key steps to exiting a medical practice successfully.
Dr. Pasco shares her journey from aspiring cardiologist to successful dental practice owner, and how she navigated multiple practice sales and retirement from clinical dentistry. She dives deep into financial strategies, leadership, and the power of planning ahead, offering invaluable insights for medical professionals thinking about their own exit strategy.
What you'll learn in this episode:✅ How Dr. Pasco transitioned from clinician to business owner to entrepreneur✅ The five essential steps to successfully exiting a practice✅ Why planning your exit strategy early is crucial for financial freedom✅ The importance of finding the right team and systems for business success✅ Dr. Pasco’s new venture in myofunctional therapy and how she’s creating a lasting impact
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of the Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu sits down with Dr. Anjali Rajpal, a renowned cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills. Dr. Rajpal shares her unique journey of merging art and dentistry, combining her medical background with a passion for aesthetics.
She opens up about how her practice, Beverly Hills Dental Arts, is built on trust, long-term patient relationships, and cutting-edge cosmetic and biological dentistry. From discussing the evolving landscape of dental technology to navigating the challenges of running a small business, Dr. Rajpal provides invaluable insights for medical professionals and entrepreneurs alike.
Tune in to hear:✔️ How dentistry allows her to blend artistic creativity with science✔️ The importance of patient trust and long-term relationships✔️ How she built her dream private practice and overcame early career hurdles✔️ The role of technology and AI in modern dentistry✔️ Financial and business insights for healthcare professionals
Whether you're in the medical field or simply fascinated by the art of smile makeovers, this episode is full of wisdom, resilience, and practical takeaways.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast with Dr. Tudor Francu, we sit down with Dr. David Rothwell, a seasoned physician and healthcare entrepreneur, to discuss a groundbreaking approach to health insurance and patient care. With over 25 years of medical experience, Dr. Rothwell has witnessed firsthand the challenges within our current healthcare system. He now advocates for a direct patient care model that reduces costs and eliminates unnecessary insurance barriers.
Dr. Rothwell shares his journey from practicing medicine to launching a startup that provides subscription-based healthcare services. He explains how his direct primary care and specialty network model aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients and employers, while improving access to quality care.
We also dive into:✅ What success means to Dr. Rothwell and why impact matters more than income✅ The flaws in our current insurance model and how it contributes to rising healthcare costs✅ How direct patient care models can be more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective✅ The transition from clinician to entrepreneur—the challenges and mindset shifts involved✅ His vision for the future of healthcare, including the launch of his new venture, Laconic Health
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.

In this episode of The Stellar Success Podcast, Dr. Tudor Francu welcomes Dr. Sujith Krishnan, a physician-turned-entrepreneur, to discuss his journey from clinical practice to leading a digital health startup. Dr. Krishnan shares how his company, Metronomic, is revolutionizing maternity care with innovative remote monitoring and AI-driven health management solutions.
He opens up about the challenges of launching and scaling a startup, the importance of patience in the healthcare space, and the lessons he’s learned from past failures. Dr. Krishnan also shares insights on securing funding, adapting to industry shifts, and building a sustainable vision for long-term impact.
Tune in to learn from Dr. Krishnan’s experience and get inspired by his mission to improve maternal health outcomes worldwide.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a medical professional looking to share your story, insights, and strategies for achieving career, personal, and financial success? We want to hear from you! Apply to be a guest on our podcast and join the conversation with other leaders and innovators in the healthcare field https://stellarsuccesspodcast.com/guest.