The Power of Independence: How One Specialist is Beating the System with Common Sense

What if high-quality care didn’t have to mean high-cost care? What if innovation in medicine wasn’t born in big hospitals but in small, independent practices? In this episode of Curbside HealthCast, Dr. Brady Steinich sits down with Dr. Nash Gabriel, a pioneering heme-onc specialist in Canton, Ohio, who’s proving that you don’t need a massive institution behind you to radically transform patient care.

Dr. Gabriel shares how his independent practice has outpaced larger systems in both patient access and clinical trial volume, enrolling over 6,000 patients across 650 trials. More than stats, though, this episode is a look into a culture built on availability, empathy, and purpose. From giving patients his personal cell number to building a self-directed research team, Dr. Gabriel’s story is a blueprint for compassionate, efficient, and patient-first care.

Together, Brady and Nash explore what’s broken in healthcare—and what’s working when doctors are empowered to innovate.

Key Takeaways:

Independent practices can offer faster, more personalized care than many hospital systems.

Clinical research doesn’t have to be tied to academia—it thrives where there’s vision and freedom.

Culture matters more than policy. When your “why” is clear, innovation follows.

Bureaucracy is often the enemy of timely, effective care.

Autonomy and trust within a team can scale impact far beyond what hierarchy allows.

 “People can only innovate if they have free hands to innovate.”

Call to Action: If this episode inspired you, subscribe, share with a colleague, and take 5 minutes to reflect: How can I help shift the culture of my practice toward real, patient-centered care?