Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: In-Depth Summary of Caleb Ashmore’s Episode

Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Mariah Muhammad converses with Caleb Ashmore, PT, DPT, the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Services Supervisor at Harris Health. Caleb delves into the transformative changes in orthopedic rehabilitation, the challenges of addressing social determinants of health, and invaluable leadership lessons gleaned from working within a safety net healthcare system.

Background and Role at Harris Health

Caleb Ashmore opens the conversation by sharing his extensive background in physical therapy and his current pursuit of an EMBA with a focus on healthcare leadership at UT Dallas. He highlights his role as a supervisor in the orthopedic rehab department at Harris Health's largest outpatient center in Bel Air, Texas. Caleb emphasizes Harris Health’s significant economic impact, citing:

“For every dollar of tax support that we get from the community, we return six. And so for every $1, we return six in economic benefit. And last year we had $5 billion return to Harris County and almost $6 billion in economic impact to the state of Texas.” (00:20)

He underscores the institution's vital role in serving 1.2 million uninsured individuals in Houston, the highest number in the U.S., with a payer mix of 50% uninsured, 20% Medicaid, 20% Medicare, and 12% private insurance.

Transformative Changes in Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Mariah Muhammad probes into the recent impactful changes in orthopedic rehabilitation. Caleb responds by outlining the shift from passive treatments to more active, evidence-based practices:

“Over the past couple of years there's been sort of a move away from a manual therapy approach and other types of passive treatment... increasing evidence-based practice by leaning into more treatments that are more active, like exercise, different tissue loading tactics.” (03:04)

He highlights the integration of telehealth, accelerated by the pandemic, as a crucial development:

“We're using it a ton... Telehealth has really helped with that. We have a pretty big push in our system to utilize this because we have Houston is so spread out... we're able to reach many more patients who have difficulty utilizing our services.” (03:04)

Caleb shares success stories such as the FAST (Fit and Strong Together) program, a 12-week course now expanded through telehealth, allowing greater accessibility and participation.

Additionally, Caleb discusses ongoing research initiatives in collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, focusing on novel procedures for treating complex fractures, aiming to contribute valuable data to the field.

Approach to Rehabilitation Amid Socioeconomic Barriers

Addressing the intersection of complex orthopedic conditions and socioeconomic barriers, Caleb elaborates on how Harris Health tackles social determinants of health:

“There's been several studies... we can only affect about 20% of a person's life. The rest of the 80% of that person's life are affected by social determinants of health.” (07:39)

He explains the institution’s comprehensive strategies, including a dedicated population health team and unique programs like hospital at home, which aims to treat patients in their residences to reduce hospital stays and infection risks.

Caleb details the challenges and innovative solutions, such as:

• Expanding Telehealth: Enhancing patient accessibility despite geographic and transportation barriers.
• Food Pharmacies: Partnering with the Houston Food Bank to provide healthy food for diabetic patients, ensuring holistic care beyond medical treatments.
• Digital Resources: Implementing technology-driven solutions like digitized lists of free and discounted local gyms to support patients' long-term wellness goals.

He emphasizes the importance of meeting patients where they are, both physically and socioeconomically, to ensure effective and sustained rehabilitation:

“We really try to put these clinics out in areas where the patients need them and so that it's more convenient for them.” (07:39)

Caleb also touches upon the inclusion of incarcerated patients through Harris Health’s role as the official medical provider for corrections facilities, highlighting the breadth of their patient demographic.

Leadership Lessons from a Safety Net System

Transitioning to leadership, Caleb shares profound insights cultivated from his experience at Harris Health. He underscores the significance of granting grace and fostering a supportive environment:

“Just consider that they're most likely doing the best they can that day... afford other people the grace that you would hope that they would afford you.” (13:33)

Caleb advocates for:

• Realistic Expectations: Avoiding the pressure of perfection and embracing human imperfection.
• Positive Intent: Assuming colleagues are acting with good intentions, even in challenging interactions.
• Inclusive Success: Promoting the idea that “when one of us succeeds, we all succeed,” fostering a team-oriented culture.

Drawing parallels from his personal life, Caleb illustrates how these principles apply beyond the workplace, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and mutual support both professionally and personally.

He also advises against comparative thinking, urging professionals to focus on personal growth and incremental improvement:

“Try to get 1% better and grow every day as a person, as a professional, as a healthcare worker...” (13:33)

Conclusion

Caleb Ashmore’s discussion offers a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of orthopedic rehabilitation within a large, safety-net healthcare system. From adopting active, evidence-based practices and leveraging telehealth to addressing deep-rooted socioeconomic challenges, Caleb highlights the multifaceted approach required to deliver effective patient care. His leadership philosophy, grounded in grace, support, and continuous personal and professional growth, provides valuable lessons for healthcare professionals navigating complex environments.

This episode serves as an insightful resource for those interested in the intersection of orthopedic rehabilitation, healthcare leadership, and the profound impact of addressing social determinants of health within a major healthcare institution.

Timestamps:

• Introduction & Background: 00:00 - 02:45
• Changes in Orthopedic Rehabilitation: 03:04 - 07:21
• Approach to Complex Conditions & Socioeconomic Barriers: 07:39 - 16:15
• Leadership Lessons: 13:33 - 16:15