The Side of Personalized Healthcare No One Talks About

In this episode of Precision Medicine Made Simple, hosts Dr. William Stanford and Taylor Cu sit down with Dr. Genise Fraiman, founder of Ascending Medicine and a trailblazer in concierge care. With over two decades of experience—from co-founding one of Cedars-Sinai’s top hospitalist groups to mentoring young physicians—Dr. Fraiman shares her personal and professional evolution toward a more human, proactive approach to medicine.

Together, they unpack the pressures of traditional practice, the emotional toll of hospital work, and Dr. Fraiman’s deeply personal experience navigating breast cancer risk without the genomic tools we now have at our fingertips. She also reveals how treating sleep apnea transformed her own health—and why even “healthy” patients shouldn’t ignore it.

This candid, wide-ranging conversation explores the promise (and pitfalls) of AI in healthcare, the art of vetting medical information, and what it really takes to start a concierge or precision-focused practice today. At its core, this episode is about reimagining the doctor-patient relationship—and reclaiming time, trust, and tailored care.

Key Takeaways

• The untold toll of hospital-based medicine—and why Fraiman finally left it behind
• What concierge care actually looks like in practice (and why it matters)
• Why time is the most underrated tool in patient care
• Dr. Fraiman’s decision to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy—and the missing genomic data that could’ve changed it all
• How sleep apnea affects even lean, fit patients—and how CPAP changed her health
• What patients should know about supplements, pseudoscience, and AI misinformation
• How to vet a personalized medicine provider—and why the right “fit” matters more than ever
• Dr. Stanford’s bold prediction: commercial health insurance will collapse within 10 years

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction and initial questions
• [00:59] Welcome to the podcast
• [01:07] Guest introduction: Dr. Genise Fraiman
• [01:55] Early career and meeting Dr. Stanford
• [04:07] Building a hospitalist group
• [04:34] Transition to concierge medicine
• [05:52] Challenges and rewards of concierge medicine
• [07:13] Personalized patient care
• [13:50] Proactive vs. reactive medicine
• [19:47] Personal health journey and genetic risks
• [29:48] Sleep study reflections
• [30:11] Challenges and adjustments with CPAP
• [31:21] Exploring alternative treatments
• [33:00] Navigating medical information and supplements
• [38:02] The role of AI in healthcare
• [42:44] Starting a concierge medical practice
• [46:58] Insurance and healthcare costs
• [52:32] Privacy concerns with genetic testing
• [55:28] Finding the right medical provider
• [57:42] Conclusion and contact information

Notable Quotes

• [07:28] "What I found is I've been on all sides. I've been the patient, I've been the physician, I've been the family member. And it's a really horrible feeling to feel helpless in any of those situations."— Dr. Genise Fraiman

• [14:33] “I think we were taught to be really great at being reactive physicians. But if we can take that same knowledge and be proactive—change the trajectory—that’s the name of the game.” — Dr. Genise Fraiman

• [24:53] “If I had the genetic information then that I have now, the decision around my mastectomy would’ve been far less agonizing.” — Dr. Genise Fraiman

• [27:50] “I failed my sleep study miserably… and I’m 5’3”, fit, and healthy. You can’t ignore the data.” — Dr. Genise Fraiman

Our Guest Dr. Genise Fraiman

Founder of Ascending Medicine, Dr.Fraiman brings...