Kemal Erkan, CEO of United Medical LLC and Chairman of UMACO, achieved a significant digital milestone in 2025 by surpassing 200,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. This growth underscores an expanding effort in community outreach, patient education, and the dissemination of healthcare information through digital platforms. The channel, which more than doubled its subscriber base over the past year, has shifted toward producing structured, high-quality content aimed at empowering patients and fostering discussions on healthcare, bariatric surgery, and U.S. economics and politics.
The channel's global reach is evidenced by its most-viewed content, including Erkan's speech at the 28th Eurasian Economic Summit, which garnered over 104,000 views. This presentation highlighted a growing urgency for sustainable healthcare practices and demonstrated Erkan's influence in international forums. His role as a U.S. representative for the Marmara Group Foundation further positions him to comment on current events, bridging discussions between healthcare and broader socio-economic issues.
Throughout the year, Erkan hosted notable figures and community leaders, expanding the channel's scope and sparking conversations on pressing issues. Guests included Sarah McBride, Seema Verma, Kyle Evans Gay, and Selin Yeninci, with topics ranging from healthcare interoperability and protecting aid programs to animal rights legislation. These collaborations emphasize the importance of cross-disciplinary insights in addressing contemporary industry challenges.
In a session with Seema Verma, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Oracle Health, the discussion centered on frustrations within the U.S. healthcare industry. Following Oracle's acquisition of Cerner, Verma outlined the future direction of Oracle Health, describing a new electronic health record (EHR) system that would be AI-powered and increasingly interoperable. This initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens on providers, allowing doctors and nurses more time to spend with patients, potentially improving care quality and efficiency. More information on Erkan's work can be found at https://www.kemalerkan.com.
Erkan also addressed urgent policy issues, such as the government shutdown and its effects on healthcare affordability. In a conversation with Sarah McBride, they discussed the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits and related health insurance premium hikes. McBride emphasized the need for bipartisan collaboration and negotiation, while Erkan expressed concern over individuals facing uncertainty regarding care affordability. Facilitating these discussions helps amplify constituent voices and may influence policy changes.
The channel's recurring segment, Bariatric Friday, continued to provide valuable information for bariatric patients, featuring experienced surgeons like Dr. Isaias Irgau and Dr. Gail Wynn from CHRIAS. This segment serves as a resource for those curious about bariatric procedures or navigating post-surgery life, offering physician-led insights that support patients in achieving their weight-loss goals and feeling more confident in their healthcare journeys.
Overall, 2025 marked a year of increased community outreach, expanded digital reach, and a steadfast commitment to patient education through Erkan's YouTube channel. The milestone of 200,000 subscribers reflects a growing audience seeking reliable healthcare information and discussions, highlighting the channel's role in making complex topics more accessible and fostering informed public dialogue.
