Risk Never Sleeps Podcast – Episode #176

Title: How AI Is Becoming A Survival Skill For Modern Clinicians
Host: Ed Gaudet
Guest: Dr. Kathryn Alderman (CEO and Founder of Intelligent Care Alliance)
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special live episode from the AI Med25 conference in San Diego, host Ed Gaudet speaks with Dr. Kathryn Alderman about how artificial intelligence is reshaping clinical care and why mastering AI is essential for clinicians in today’s healthcare environment. They discuss the convergence of medical and dental care, risk-taking in entrepreneurship, leadership lessons, and the urgency for clinicians to adopt AI tools—not just for efficiency, but for survival in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Convergence of Dental and Medical Practice

• Dr. Alderman’s Background and Vision

  • Clinician and dentist with 20 years of experience, focused on integrating dental and medical care for overall patient wellness.
  • Now leads Intelligent Care Alliance, which aims to bring AI-powered, 360-degree support to both dental and medical offices.

    “At this point I am using AI to bring to dental offices, to medical offices, to optimize patient care, but also to support clinicians.” (00:42, Kathryn Alderman)

• The Medical-Dental Divide

  • Persistent silos exist between dental, medical, mental health, and pharmacy specialties.
  • Upcoming summit in June 2026 in London to bridge these professional silos and foster global collaboration with AI as the catalyst.

    “We call it medical and a dental bridge. Yes. So... we are gonna be bridging medical and dental.” (03:02, Kathryn Alderman)

The Role of AI in Clinical Practice

• AI as a Survival Skill

  • AI literacy is now considered a fundamental requirement for clinicians—not just an advantage, but a necessity to remain relevant.

    “If you not use an AI, you will be replaced... You have to use AI. You have to know AI. You have to know how to choose AI, how to implement AI, how to deploy AI.” (10:48, Kathryn Alderman)

  • The conversation reflects a sense of urgency and inevitability: AI will transform every clinical specialty.

• AI Adoption and Security Concerns

  • Ed mentions excitement at the conference but notes concerns around security (e.g., prompt injections) and compliance standards.
  • Importance of giving clinicians direct access to AI tools and not being paralyzed by fear.

    “AI is moving fast. You always have to be learning. There's concerns around security... compliance standards... getting the AI to the fingertips of the clinicians.” (09:40, Ed Gaudet)

Risk-Taking and Leadership

• Entrepreneurial Mindset

  • Dr. Alderman shares her approach to risk: regularly starting new companies, innovating, and embracing failure as part of growth.

    “I do what people say is impossible... I'm not afraid of anything. I'm not afraid to fail in business. I'm not afraid to start business. I'm not afraid. I'm just not afraid.” (04:13, Kathryn Alderman)

• Family Influence

  • Her courage and drive came from growing up with a professional racer dad (risk-tolerant) and supportive, grounded mom.
  • Practicality learned from her father: having a detailed plan, taking daily actionable steps, and not letting fear block execution.

    "Even if you don't want to. You have to get up and do it... build a plan and do measurable steps every day." (05:56–07:13, Kathryn Alderman)

Music, Motivation, and Mindset

• Personal Motivation
  • Dr. Alderman shares her favorite music—ranging from “Lady in Red” to Elton John and MercyMe’s “Imagine”—which shape her daily optimism.
  • Sees each day as a blank canvas: “Let's make some magic.”

    "It's up to me what my day will look like. And it's up to me how I will paint it. So always start with Imagine me..." (08:29, Kathryn Alderman)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On AI Survival:

  “If you not use an AI, you will be replaced by somebody that does know and use AI as a clinician, as a doctor, as administration. You have to use AI.”
  (10:48, Kathryn Alderman)

• On Innovation and Risk:

  “Creating an agent is very bold. Creating, bringing innovations to doctors are scary... But here you are, I'm on a front line saying, Hey, I create AI agents and I work with AI. That's a pretty bold move to make.”
  (04:44, Kathryn Alderman)

• On Daily Success:

  "You have to build a plan and you have to do measurable steps every day. That's how you become successful entrepreneur.”
  (06:08, Kathryn Alderman)

• On Motivation:

  “Let's imagine the best day you can have. And let's go for magic. Let's make some magic.”
  (09:07–09:14, Kathryn Alderman)

Important Timestamps

• 00:42 – 01:40: Dr. Alderman’s background and vision for integrating medical/dental care with AI
• 02:00 – 03:06: Discussion of the upcoming London summit to bridge medical and dental professions globally
• 04:13 – 05:54: Dr. Alderman’s risk-taking philosophy and entrepreneurial journey
• 05:56 – 07:13: Lessons learned from family about boldness, planning, and execution
• 08:29 – 09:25: Dr. Alderman’s motivational music choices and daily mindset
• 09:40 – 10:48: AI conference highlights: security, clinician adoption, and the urgency of AI literacy
• 10:48 – 11:33: Why clinicians must master AI to remain relevant

Connect with Dr. Kathryn Alderman

• Organization: Intelligent Care Alliance
• How to Connect:
  • LinkedIn: Kathryn Alderman
  • Instagram: @intelligentcarealliance
  • Email: intelligentcarealliance@gmail.com

Dr. Alderman offers resources and an “Advantage framework” for teaching medical and dental professionals how to choose, implement, and deploy AI successfully in their practices.

Summary Tone

The episode is energetic and candid, with Dr. Alderman’s fearless and optimistic approach shining through. The conversation balances practical wisdom for clinicians with personal stories, encouragement, and a clear message: AI is not just a future tool, but a current necessity for any health professional committed to patient safety and career longevity.