As artificial intelligence gains an ever-widening role in the medical field, the Mayo Clinic has recently appointed a new executive to lead the health system’s efforts in that area.

Radiologist Bhavik Patel, M.D., has been named chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO) for Mayo Clinic Arizona. Before joining the clinic in 2021, Patel practiced at Duke University Medical Center and Stanford University Medical Center.

Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic Arizona, announced the hire on LinkedIn, noting the organization has only “begun to scratch the surface of AI’s potential in medicine.”

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In his new role, Patel will lead Mayo Clinic’s Advanced AI and Innovation Hub.

He’ll focus on expanding AI-based solutions throughout the organization, according to a press release.

A growing number of health care organizations are hiring individuals in high-level AI roles, said Dr. Harvey Castro, a Dallas, Texas-based emergency medicine physician and AI expert — but it could be a challenge to fill them.

“We will likely see a huge increase in these roles, but may not have enough AI doctors to fill this space,” Castro told Fox News Digital. 

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Approximately 5,000 U.S. doctors have AI and data science knowledge after undergoing formal training in these fields, he estimated.

Why is the chief AI officer role important?

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Patel described AI as a “transformative force that has the potential to revolutionize health care delivery, research and operations.”

Before joining Mayo Clinic in 2021, Patel (pictured) practiced at Duke University Medical Center and Stanford University Medical Center. (Dr. Bhavik Patel/Mayo Clinic)

Given AI’s sweeping impact and fast growth, Mayo Clinic’s new CAIO said there is a need for a dedicated leadership position to ensure “clear direction and alignment with broader organizational goals.”

The chief AI officer is also responsible for balancing the technology’s risks and benefits, Patel noted.

“The chief AI officer is not just a technocrat, but a visionary leader.”

“While AI brings forth myriad benefits, it also carries inherent risks,” he said. “A CAIO provides the necessary oversight to ensure that the implementation of AI is ethical, responsible and in line with regulatory guidelines.”

A chief AI officer also “bridges the knowledge gap,” he said, helping teams understand and harness the technology’s power.

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The role is also important in terms of maximizing the use of resources, fostering collaboration across departments and keeping up with future health tech trends, Patel added.

“Their expertise is critical in ensuring that the organization remains on the cutting edge of technological advancements while safeguarding patient welfare,” he said.

“In essence, the chief AI officer is not just a technocrat, but a visionary leader, ensuring that the organization navigates the AI-driven paradigm shift in health care with agility, responsibility and a patient-centric approach.”

Approximately 5,000 U.S. doctors have AI and data science knowledge, one expert estimated. (iStock)

Castro agreed that the importance of this role is evident as AI becomes a pivotal part of health care.

“A chief AI officer can oversee the use and development of AI technologies, ensuring that they are leveraged effectively for patient care, data management and other applications,” he said.

Daily functions of a chief AI officer

A chief AI officer has several core functions, according to Castro.

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Educating the health care community is one focus. 

“This person should ensure that staff and stakeholders are informed about AI technologies and their applications,” he said.

Developing and implementing the algorithms used in the AI solutions is also a key part of the job, said Castro.

A growing number of health care organizations are hiring individuals in high-level AI roles, said Dr. Harvey Castro, a Dallas, Texas-based emergency medicine physician and AI expert (pictured). (Dr. Harvey Castro)

The CAIO must understand and analyze data derived from AI to inform decision-making and strategy.

“This role also entails managing the use of AI across the organization, ensuring that it aligns with regulatory standards and organizational goals,” Castro said.

Strategy development is also inherent to the chief AI officer’s job.

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“This involves formulating strategies for the implementation and utilization of AI in various health care aspects, such as patient care, data analysis and operational efficiency,” said Castro.

In Patel’s case, he said the heart of his new role is to “ensure that our AI direction seamlessly integrates with and reinforces our organizational values.”

Some key uses of AI in health are improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment paths and enhancing the patient experience. (iStock)

Some of Patel’s day-to-day functions include:

• Overseeing the identification, vetting and integration of AI solutions for various clinical and administrative functions
• Using AI to improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize treatment paths and enhance the patient experience
• Engaging with stakeholders to gather insights, feedback and expertise
• Ensuring that all AI algorithms are transparent, free from biases, and designed in the best interests of patients and their communities
• Facilitating training sessions, workshops and awareness campaigns to ensure that everyone is up-to-date and empowered to harness AI’s potential

“In essence, my role as chief AI officer is both strategic and operational,” Patel (pictured here) told Fox News Digital. (Dr. Bhavik Patel/Mayo Clinic)

“In essence, my role as chief AI officer is both strategic and operational,” Patel told Fox News Digital. 

“It’s about setting a vision rooted in our values while ensuring the tactical execution of AI projects that drive value to our patients.”

One of the tech team’s biggest recent contributions is an AI model that proactively assesses a person’s risk of a heart attack, Patel noted. 

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“This model uses data from chest CT exams — often conducted for unrelated health issues, such as COVID or lung nodules — and identifies future heart disease risk, which unfortunately even expert physicians can’t discern from the scan,” he said. 

“The model helps cardiologists prevent potential heart attacks rather than treating them reactively.”

Patel said he views AI as a “powerful instrument” that helps magnify physicians’ capabilities, not replace them. (iStock)

Mayo Clinic has also developed AI models that predict the prognosis of patients with diseases such as colon cancer, detect risks of future cancers using existing medical records, and predict 30-day hospital readmission or hospital-acquired infections, Patel said. 

“AI can pinpoint details that make a significant difference in diagnosis and treatment.”

“Our focus is not only to develop these AI models, but to ensure that the benefits of these models reach patients swiftly,” he added.

Key benefits of AI in health care 

Patel said he views AI as a “powerful instrument” that helps magnify physicians’ capabilities rather than replacing them.

“One of AI’s primary strengths is its ability to recognize patterns that might escape the human eye,” he said. 

“Whether it’s intricate anomalies in medical imaging or subtle patterns in patient histories, AI can pinpoint details that make a significant difference in diagnosis and treatment.”

Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, is pictured here on May 25, 2023. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit American academic medical center. (iStock)

The technology also helps providers by sifting through and analyzing vast volumes of information, far more than what would be humanly possible, Patel said.

It also automates mundane and routine tasks, allowing health care professionals to redirect their focus to the patient, he noted. 

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Early risk detection is another key benefit.

“AI tools can predict potential health risks by analyzing a combination of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors, facilitating early interventions and potentially saving lives,” Patel said.

As well, AI can help enable the delivery of personalized medicine and proactive preventative care, he noted.

AI technology can help providers by sifting through and analyzing vast volumes of information. (iStock)

“By analyzing individual genetic makeup combined with lifestyle and environmental factors, treatments can be tailored to the unique needs of each patient,” Patel said.

“And by predicting potential health issues before they manifest, we can guide patients on preventive measures, fundamentally changing our approach from cure to prevention.”

Potential risks and limitations

AI in health care also presents challenges and limitations, Patel acknowledged.

Because AI is a branch of science, it requires rigorous evaluation before it can be applied by doctors, he said.

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“This ensures that we’re not just implementing technology for the sake of innovation, but are truly enhancing patient care in a tangible, evidence-based manner.”

AI models also run the risk of bias, he warned.

“By recognizing AI’s limitations and actively working to address them, we can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding the core values of our health care system.”

“AI models are, by nature, a reflection of the data they’re trained on,” he said. “If this data contains biases — whether racial, gender-based or from other sources — the models may perpetuate these biases.”

There is the additional risk that humans will become overly reliant on AI, leading to a phenomenon called “automation bias.”

It’s important to protect data privacy and security, Patel noted, due to the large amounts of information that must be fed to AI models. He calls for a balance of “enthusiasm and caution.” (iStock)

“Essentially, this means giving undue weight to AI-generated results without adequate human scrutiny,” Patel said. 

“In health care, understanding the ‘why’ behind a diagnosis or recommendation is as crucial as the result,” he said. “As providers, we must always contextualize AI outputs within the broader patient picture, leveraging our clinical judgment and experience.”

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It’s important to protect data privacy and security as well, Patel noted, due to the large amounts of information that must be fed to AI models.

While AI’s capabilities are “immense and ever-growing,” Patel emphasized that AI’s role is to be an ally.

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“Humans caring for humans is the bedrock of health care — AI strengthens that foundation, but doesn’t replace it,” he said.

“AI can offer insights and assist in decision-making, but human touch, intuition and empathy cannot be replicated by algorithms.”

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While AI promises a “new frontier” in health care — Patel calls for a balance of “enthusiasm and caution.”

“By recognizing AI’s limitations and actively working to address them, we can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding the core values of our health care system.”

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California recently became the sixth state to make it legal for health care providers to offer abortion, contraception and “gender-affirming” care to out-of-state patients via telehealth.

With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of SB 345, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024, people who live in other states where these services are not legal will be able to get health care and medication from a California doctor via videoconference.

Women can also have medication — including abortion pills — shipped to them from a California pharmacy, according to a press release from the California State Senate.

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The bill also protects California doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers from any criminal or civil actions — and prevents them from losing their license or malpractice insurance, the release stated.

“With SB 345, California doctors, midwives, pharmacists and others can continue to provide the essential reproductive and gender-affirming care their patients need, regardless of where their patient is located, confident that California is protecting our medical professionals from malicious prosecution,” said Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who introduced the bill.

Also last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that abortion pill prescriptions are available by telephone or online in the state.

“A full history and physical exam are necessary to ensure gestational age, pregnancy location and any pertinent medical or surgical history.”

The city has launched telehealth abortion access through Virtual ExpressCare, an online scheduling system that allows patients to speak with a health care provider by video or phone. 

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“If clinically appropriate and prescribed, patients will be able to receive a medication abortion kit at their New York City address within a few days,” stated a press release on the official New York City website.

NYC Health + Hospitals will also offer abortion medications via telehealth appointments — although patients must attest to being in New York City when requesting and taking the prescribed drugs.

NYC Health + Hospitals will also offer abortion medications via telehealth appointments — although patients must attest to being in New York City when requesting and taking the prescribed drugs. (iStock)

“Medication abortion prescribed during a telehealth appointment is available to clinically eligible patients who are up to 10 weeks into their pregnancy,” the release stated.

In a statement, Mayor Adams said the following: “Here in New York City, we will not allow the far right to continue its crusade to strip women of their reproductive rights,” in reference to the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade.

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Abortion care will now be available “from the comfort of one’s home,” he said, adding that telehealth abortion care is about “protecting the ability for women to control their own bodies, their choices and their freedoms.”

This is the most recent of several abortion-protective initiatives Mayor Adams has rolled out, including an online “Abortion Access Hub,” free abortion medications at sexual health clinics and other laws designed to protect abortion rights in the state.

An ultrasound exam ensures that the pregnancy is within the uterine cavity and not outside the uterus, which is classified as an ectopic pregnancy and can be very dangerous, an OB/GYN noted.  (iStock)

The other four states that allow practitioners to mail abortion pills are the following:

• Massachusetts
• Washington
• Colorado
• Vermont

What is abortion medication?

There are two medications that can be used to trigger an abortion: mifepristone and misoprostol, according to the Planned Parenthood website.

The first pill, mifepristone, blocks the production of the hormone progesterone, which keeps the fetus from growing.

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Next, the second medicine, misoprostol, causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. 

Planned Parenthood compares it to a “heavy, crampy period … very similar to an early miscarriage.”

Risks of telehealth abortion

Kecia Gaither, M.D., an OB/GYN and director of maternal–fetal medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, said that relying exclusively on a telehealth visit for a pregnancy termination can be “risky for several reasons.”

While these virtual visits may be appealing in terms of cost, quick access to information, flexibility of appointment times, and options for areas where there are restrictions, Gaither said, they also have several key limitations.

Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is a medication typically used in combination with misoprostol to bring about a medical abortion during pregnancy and manage early miscarriage. (Getty Images)

“A full history and physical exam are necessary to ensure gestational age, pregnancy location and any pertinent medical or surgical history, which may preclude the type of termination procedures offered,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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An ultrasound exam ensures that the pregnancy is within the uterine cavity and not outside the uterus, which is classified as an ectopic pregnancy and can be very dangerous, Gaither noted. 

There could also be data security or privacy concerns with telehealth abortion services, she said.

“A full history and physical exam are necessary to ensure gestational age, pregnancy location and any pertinent medical or surgical history, which may preclude the type of termination procedures offered,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“For some individuals, there may also be a lack of access — some households don’t have smartphones or computers, representing a health inequity,” Gaither said.

“Telehealth appointments may also appear to be a convenient way for LGBTQ patients to access care,” she added. 

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“But again, pending the medical issue presented, an in-person visit with a health provider may be warranted,” she said.

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Taking the stairs may be a smart move for your heart’s health.

A recent study published in the medical journal Atherosclerosis found that regular stair-climbing could reduce the risk of certain types of heart disease.

Specifically, the research revealed that climbing five flights of stairs per day could decrease the risk of atherosclerosis — or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) — by 20%.

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The study, conducted by researchers at Tulane University in Louisiana and Peking University in Beijing, analyzed more than 12 years of data from the UK Biobank for 458,860 adults.

The results revealed a lower risk of ASCVD, even among those who were otherwise more susceptible to the disease.

Participants who did not consistently climb stairs exhibited a higher risk of ASCVD than those who regularly did so.

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that atherosclerosis is a “common condition that develops when a sticky substance called plaque builds up inside your artery.”

About half of middle-aged Americans have the condition and are unaware of it.

Heart disease linked to ASCVD is the leading cause of death in the U.S., the NIH reported. 

About half of middle-aged Americans have the condition and are unaware of it.

Disease linked to ACVSD is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the NIH. (iStock)

The study findings support the belief that stair-climbing could be a “convenient and time-efficient way of vigorous exercise for lowering the risk of heart disease,” said Tulane University professor Lu Qi, M.D., PhD, who was one of the study authors.

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In addition to potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, climbing stairs is also an effective form of high-intensity aerobic exercise, according to Dr. Laxmi Mehta, a non-invasive cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

“Routine, short bursts of high-intensity exercise, such as climbing stairs, on a regular basis can improve heart disease risk factors with lower blood pressure and healthier weight,” she told Fox News Digital.

“Daily stair climbing is associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increase the risk of premature death,” an expert said. (iStock)

“Many people don’t participate in the recommended amount of aerobic exercise due to time commitment, lack of access to exercise equipment, costs and other reasons.”

Ten minutes of the activity burns around 100 calories, according to the American Council of Exercise.

“If someone is having heart symptoms or if they plan to do vigorous stair-climbing, they may want to check in with their doctor first.”

The benefits come from not only the extra steps, but also from the added incline.

“Compared to walking on a flat surface, climbing stairs requires people to raise their own body weight against the forces of gravity, putting extra stress on muscles and the cardio-respiratory system,” Kelly Jones, a performance dietitian and consultant in Philadelphia, told Fox News Digital in an email. 

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“Working against gravity also improves bone health, on top of muscular strength benefits,” she added.

Regular stair-climbing better equips the body to recover from added stress to “become stronger and more metabolically efficient, positively impacting health,” the doctor added.

One of the study’s authors encouraged people to use the stairs more often based on the revealed benefits.  (iStock)

“Daily stair-climbing is associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increase the risk of premature death,” Jones said. 

“This includes markers such as blood cholesterol and triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure.” 

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Experts recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, Mehta said.

“If someone is having heart symptoms or if they plan to do vigorous stair-climbing, they may want to check in with their doctor first,” she advised. “And if they develop symptoms with climbing stairs, they should stop and discuss with their doctor.”

Study’s limitations

There were some limitations to the new study. 

“This is an observational study, so the results do not derive causality,” Qi of Tulane University told Fox News Digital. 

“The information on stair-climbing is limited,” he also said. 

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

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With more than 1.9 million new cancer cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), screenings are critical to detect the disease in its early stages before symptoms appear, when the odds of successful treatment are higher.

With different screening methods used for various types of cancer, some people may be confused about which doctors to see. 

Dr. Paunel Vukasinov, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and medical director at Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, shared his insights and recommendations for annual cancer screenings. 

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“A routine cancer screening is a test to find out if someone has cancer before there are any signs or symptoms,” he told Fox News Digital. 

Screening recommendations are provided by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent group of volunteer disease prevention experts.

“Using an evidence-based approach, they provide guidance about how often different groups of people would benefit from cancer screenings,” Vukasinov said.

Breast cancer screenings

About 13% (about one in eight) of U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer sometime in their lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org.

The USPSTF now recommends that women begin talking to their primary health care providers about breast cancer screenings at age 40. 

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This change was announced in May 2023, when the recommended age was reduced from 50 to 40.

Women should begin talking to their primary health care provider about breast cancer screenings at age 40.  (iStock)

A mammogram (breast X-ray) is typically recommended every two years beginning at age 40, but this can be sooner for women with an increased risk of breast cancer, including the following groups, according to Vukasinov:

• Those with a personal or family history of breast diseases or breast or ovarian cancer
• Women who started menstruation before age 12
• Women with a known genetic mutation
• Those who have been exposed to radiation exposure
• Women with certain drug exposures and hormone therapies

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In addition to mammograms, MRI scans of the breast are sometimes used, but medical imaging is not the only form of breast cancer screening.

“Breast self-exams are one of the simplest forms of cancer screening. It’s important to be aware of what ‘normal’ means and feels like for your own body, and to consult a doctor when something doesn’t seem right,” said Vukasinov.

“A routine cancer screening is a test to find out if someone has cancer before there are any signs or symptoms.”

Although the American Cancer Society doesn’t recommend regular clinical breast exams or breast self-exams as part of routine breast cancer screening, the organization notes on its website that “women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and should report any changes to a health care provider right away.” 

Cervical cancer screenings

Each year in the U.S., there are about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer, which takes the lives of 4,000 women, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Not only is it possible to discover cervical cancer early using routine cancer screenings, but it can be found before it starts while it’s still in the “precancerous” stage, noted Vukasinov.  

Each year in the U.S., there are about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer, which takes the lives of 4,000 women, per the CDC. (iStock)

Cervical cancer screenings are performed via a Pap test, also commonly called a Pap smear.

During this test, the practitioner scrapes the cervix to collect cell samples, which are then sent to a lab to check for any abnormalities that could indicate cancerous or precancerous cells.

“These routine tests are often performed by an OB/GYN, but many doctors’ offices and clinics can also perform them,” Vukasinov said.

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Cervical cancer screenings usually begin at age 21 and continue until around age 65 for most women, the doctor noted.

Colorectal cancer screenings

Colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., the ACS states.

In 2023, experts predict there will be 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer.

Colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., the ACS states. (iStock)

These cancers usually begin with slow-growing polyps, which are small clumps of cells that collect in the colon lining. 

During routine cancer screenings, these polyps can be found and removed. 

The most common form of colorectal cancer screening is the colonoscopy.

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“A colonoscopy is generally an outpatient procedure wherein a doctor will examine the colon with a flexible instrument containing a camera,” said Vukasinov. 

“For most people, this screening begins at age 45 with a follow-up needed every five years.”

For some types of cancers, the screenings themselves haven’t shown a health benefit or could even pose more risk than the disease, according to Medical Offices of Manhattan. Yet “medicine continues to advance every day — and your doctor can help you navigate it to get the care you need.” (iStock)

Screenings for this type of cancer may be needed earlier or more frequently for people with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

That includes people with:

Lung cancer screenings

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the U.S., not counting skin cancer, the ACS website states.

In 2023, there will be 238,340 new cases and 127,070 deaths from the disease, the ACS estimates.

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Not everyone needs lung cancer screenings, but they are important for those who meet the following criteria:

• People who smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
• Those between ages 50 and 80
• People with a smoking history of 20 “pack-years” or more

“Pack-years” are a measurement of someone’s cigarette consumption, Vukasinov explained. 

A special type of X-ray scan, a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan, is used to check the lungs for signs of cancer.  (iStock)

“A single pack-year means that, on average, a person smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for one year,” he said.

“So, 20 pack-years could be a pack per day for 20 years, two packs per day for 10 years or half a pack per day for 40 years. This will vary for each individual, and even over that individual’s own lifetime.”

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A special type of X-ray scan, a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan, is used to check the lungs for signs of cancer. 

“As of today, this is the only recommended routine screening for lung cancer,” said Vukasinov.

Skin cancer screenings

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., with about 5.4 million cases diagnosed each year, according to the ACS.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., with about 5.4 million cases diagnosed each year, according to the ACS. (iStock)

Although skin cancer is often more treatable than other types, early and fast treatment is still important to improve the long-term prognosis, experts say. 

“A dermatologist can help determine the best cadence for skin cancer screenings,” said Vukasinov. 

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“This is still an active area of research, but skin cancer screenings may be especially important for people with a family history of skin cancer or with current signs of skin cancer, such as irregular or changing skin features,” he added.

Although the ACS doesn’t have any official guidance for skin cancer screenings, many doctors recommend monthly self-checks, it says on its website.

Other cancer screenings

There are over 100 documented types of cancer, but screenings aren’t recommended for all types or for all people.

There are over 100 documented types of cancer — but screenings aren’t recommended for all types or for all people. (iStock)

For some types of cancer, the screenings themselves haven’t shown a health benefit or could pose more risk than the disease, according to Medical Offices of Manhattan.

“Certain tests could be harmful, for example, if they lead to direct complication from the procedure or lead to indirect harm through false positives or false negatives.” 

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Screenings are more widely recommended for those who have a personal or family history of a certain type of cancer. 

“For anyone who’s unsure, talk to your primary care doctor,” said Vukasinov. “Share your concerns and what you hope to achieve through cancer screenings.”

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“Medicine continues to advance every day — and your doctor can help you navigate it to get the care you need.”

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