Pete Lerza, DNP

06/15/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it’s going to replace humans.

I think that’s the wrong way to think about it.

AI isn’t replacing humans.

It’s replacing tasks.

Those sound similar, but they’re very different.

When ATMs arrived, people thought bank tellers would disappear. Instead, many of the repetitive transactions disappeared, while tellers spent more time helping customers solve actual problems.

Healthcare is already showing us what this looks like.

Do I want AI diagnosing complex patients without oversight?

Absolutely not.

Do I want AI helping me summarize records, organize information, and draft documentation so I can spend more time actually talking with patients?

Absolutely.

The goal shouldn’t be replacing people.

The goal should be removing the parts of our jobs that keep us from doing the human parts.

I don’t think patients want less human interaction.

I think they want less bureaucracy standing between them and human interaction.

The future belongs to the people who learn to work alongside these tools rather than compete against them.

Use AI. Stay Human.

06/11/2026

For those who know me as a clinician, this post may seem a little different.

For those who know me well, it probably won’t.

Over the past few years I’ve become a heavy user of AI. Not because I’m obsessed with technology, but because I’m obsessed with people.

As a nurse practitioner, I spend my days helping people navigate their health. As a business owner, I spend a lot of time helping people navigate systems. As a husband, father, and human being, I spend a lot of time thinking about what actually matters in life.

AI sits at a strange intersection of all three.

I’ve seen what these tools can do today, and I have a pretty good idea of where they’re heading over the next decade. Some of it is exciting. Some of it is concerning. Most of it is misunderstood.

The conversation shouldn’t be “Will AI replace humans?”

The better question is:

How do we use AI to become more human?

How do we spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients?

Less time fighting technology and more time creating?

Less time buried in busywork and more time with our families?

Over the next several weeks I’m going to share what I’m learning as both a clinician and an everyday person using AI in the real world.

Not from the perspective of a programmer.

Not from the perspective of a tech company.

From the perspective of someone who believes technology should serve people, not the other way around.

If AI is going to change the world, I want to help people understand it, use it well, and make sure we don’t lose sight of what makes us human in the process.

Use AI. Stay Human.

05/14/2026

05/08/2026

Strong communities begin with listening, respect, and making sure every voice matters.

The Wicomico Human Rights Advisory Committee exists to help community members bring forward concerns, share experiences, and encourage meaningful change through conversation, collaboration, and action.

❤️ When people feel heard, communities grow stronger.

We are proud to support events like the 4th Annual Children’s Mental Health Awareness Family Night tonight from 5–8 PM at James M. Bennett High School. Mental health, inclusion, and community support matter for every family.

Come out, connect with local organizations, support one another, and help continue building a healthier and more connected community.

What is one thing that helps you feel more connected to your community? Share below. 👇

05/07/2026

Insurance approved it… but still wanted $160 a month.
For one medication. For heart failure. 🤯

This week, we had a patient who needed Farxiga for heart failure management. Her insurance technically “covered” it, but her out-of-pocket cost was still sky high. We checked another option: Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs.

The same medication? About $15 for 90 days — and $5 of that was shipping.

💡 Sometimes the best prescription isn’t just the medication… it’s knowing where to get it.

Healthcare has become incredibly complicated. Prior authorizations, formularies, deductibles, tier systems, “preferred” pharmacies — it can feel like patients need a law degree just to afford their medications.

🩺 Here’s the wild part:
Sometimes cash prices are cheaper than using insurance.

A quick Google search could literally save you hundreds of dollars — sometimes even more. Sites like Cost Plus Drugs, GoodRx, and independent pharmacies can occasionally beat insurance pricing by a mile.

And to be completely clear: we have absolutely no financial relationship or gain from recommending Cost Plus Drugs. We just want patients paying less and stressing less.

❤️ Healthcare should make people healthier — not financially drained trying to stay alive.

Before assuming your medication is unaffordable, shop around first. The price difference between pharmacies can be shocking.

Please remember to support our new medical group by liking 👍 and sharing ↗️ our posts. Your engagement helps us connect with even more people in our community!

⛵ Guiding You To Good Health ⛵
🖥️ Schedule online or message directly with MyChart
🌐 Schedule online at www.SailwindsMedical.com

📞 Call or text us at (443) 972-4204

05/01/2026

Consider this your weekend's soft launch.

04/20/2026

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect memory—it changes families.

For me, it’s personal.

My mother is living with Alzheimer’s, just like her mother did. We faced delays getting answers early on, and that’s something I carry with me every day in how I care for my own patients.

🧠 Early conversations matter
Because we knew our family history, my mom and I were able to have honest, meaningful conversations while she was still lucid. Those moments are something I will always be grateful for.

🩺 Early evaluation matters
Memory changes can be subtle at first. Waiting too long for answers can mean missed opportunities for planning, support, and treatment options that may help slow progression in some patients.

💡 There are more options today
We are fortunate to live in a time where advanced testing and newer therapies—like infusion treatments targeting amyloid plaques—are available. They are not cures, but they can make a meaningful difference for the right patients when caught early.

❤️ My approach is simple
My threshold to evaluate is low. I would rather see 100 normal workups than miss one person who could benefit from earlier intervention and more time with their loved ones.

📅 If something feels off, don’t wait
If you or someone you love is experiencing memory concerns, bring it up with your primary care provider. A conversation, basic labs, and imaging can either provide peace of mind—or help fast-track the care you need.

We’re here to guide you through it.

Please remember to support our new medical group by liking 👍 and sharing ↗️ our posts. Your engagement helps us connect with even more people in our community!

⛵ Guiding You To Good Health ⛵
🖥️ Schedule online or message directly with MyChart
🌐 Schedule online at www.SailwindsMedical.com

📞 Call or text us at (443) 972-4204

04/11/2026

Ever feel like you’re there… but not really there?

Life gets busy, our minds wander, and suddenly we miss the little moments right in front of us.

💡 Try this simple grounding trick
When you’re with someone—your child, partner, friend, or even a parent—pause and think:
“This is the youngest they will ever be.”

💡 Why it works
That one thought can instantly shift your focus back to the present. It adds weight to the moment and reminds you that time is moving, whether we notice it or not.

🧠 Real-life impact
When we’re overwhelmed or distracted, our brains go on autopilot. Small mental cues like this help bring us back—so we can actually experience the moment instead of just passing through it.

❤️ The takeaway
You don’t need more time—you just need more presence in the time you already have.

Take a second today to pause, look around, and truly be there.

Who in your life deserves a little more of your full attention today? Drop a comment or share this with someone who could use the reminder.

Please remember to support our new medical group by liking 👍 and sharing ↗️ our posts. Your engagement helps us connect with even more people in our community!

⛵ Guiding You To Good Health ⛵
🖥️ Schedule online or message directly with MyChart
🌐 Schedule online at www.SailwindsMedical.com

📞 Call or text us at (443) 972-4204

04/02/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ALERT 🚨

We’ve received multiple messages that a beloved internet classic has been removed from YouTube due to account termination.

Yes… that one.

Before misinformation spreads, we need our community to fact-check this immediately.

📅 Please click the link and confirm whether the video is truly unavailable: https://tinyurl.com/4ww2wm9z

No screenshots. No spoilers. Just honest reporting in the comments.

🧠 Why does this matter? Because in healthcare, we always verify before we react.

We don’t panic over headlines.
We check the source.
We look at the full picture.

💡 That same approach applies to your health.

High blood pressure? Verify it with proper monitoring.
Feeling off? Get evaluated.
Heard something online? Let’s fact-check it together.

🩺 At Sailwinds Medical Group, we believe in prevention, education, and maybe a tiny bit of harmless April Fools’ fun.

Once you’ve “investigated,” let us know what you found. And if it’s been a while since your last wellness visit, this is your real reminder to schedule one.

We promise our appointments are real. 😉

Please remember to support our new medical group by liking 👍 and sharing ↗️ our posts. Your engagement helps us connect with even more people in our community!

⛵ Guiding You To Good Health ⛵
🖥️ Schedule online or message directly with MyChart
🌐 Schedule online at www.SailwindsMedical.com

📞 Call or text us at (443) 972-4204

03/15/2026