On Medical Grounds

Dr. Francesca De Simone - Alzheimer’s disease: Simple blood test, diagnostic clarity (Part 2)

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 22:00:00 -0500

In part 2 of our discussion on Alzheimer's diagnostics, our host, Jane Caldwell, speaks with Dr. Francesca De Simone. Dr. De Simone is Scientific Affairs Manager for Fujirebio Diagnostics and leads the company's neurodegenerative disease program. Dr. De Simone discusses the role of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in comparison to other forms of diagnostic tests, as well as her insights on the clinical needs for Alzheimer's and current progress in the field.

Educational support provided by Fujirebio Diagnostics.

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Dr. Douglas Galasko - Alzheimer’s disease: Simple blood test, diagnostic clarity (Part 1)

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 22:00:00 -0500

Join our host Jane Caldwell for a discussion with Dr. Douglas Galasko, the Associate Director of the UC San Diego Shiley Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Dr. Galasko will discuss the recently approved pTau217/β-Amyloid 1-42 plasma ratio test, the first blood biomarker test for Alzheimer's disease. He will talk about the role of this and other diagnostic tools, and what an early diagnosis can mean for patients and their families.

Educational support provided by Fujirebio Diagnostics.

How Pharmacists Implemented a Test-and-Treat Program and Transformed Access to Care

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0500

Join our host Jane Caldwell for a conversation with pharmacists Duane Jones and Jennifer Griffin on how a pharmacy test-and-treat program can improve access to care. Duane and Jennifer share their best practice case of implementing a testing and billing workflow at the Harps Pharmacy network that improved patient care and provided needed reimbursement for pharmacy sustainability. They discuss details of their implementation and how other pharmacies can do the same. OMG has worked with Duane and Jennifer to provide resources for pharmacies who may be interested in starting their own test-and-treat programs to fill care gaps and improve sustainability.

For resources on implementing pharmacy-based test-and-treat programs, please visit:
https://cpesn.com/
https://naspa.us/
https://www.pharmacist.com/

Educational support provided by QuidelOrtho.

Medical Mystery Cases - The Over Exposure

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0500

Andre Bennett, 59-year-old photographer recently returned from Africa, shows up to his doctor with a rash, fatigue, sore throat, and headache. The location of the rash makes this case seem cut and dry... but is it? Halfway through, his doctor starts to change course. Would you?

This Medical Mystery Case is accredited for 0.5 hours of FREE continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and laboratory professionals. By the time participants have completed listening to the podcast and viewing the accompanying materials at OnMedicalGrounds.com, they will be able to address the following Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives

Assess real-life challenges with HSV/VZV diagnosis.
Integrate information on lesion analysis and improved diagnostic techniques.
Identify and describe benefits of multiplex testing to improve outcomes.

To receive credit for this program, please visit the link below, review the slides and links, and click CME/CE to fill out an evaluation and get your certificate.

The Over Exposure

This continuing medical education program was supported by QuidelOrtho.

This podcast was planned and developed by Medavera for release on the On Medical Grounds podcast.

Voice actors
Narrator: Jane Caldwell, PhD
Plane Captain: Jack Murphy
Andre Bennett: Kyle Stewart
Nurse Sam: Jesse Adam
Dr. Chandra Johnson: Indasa Butler

No voice actors, planners, or developers have disclosures to declare or mitigate for this educational program.

Dr. William Schaffner - Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, How A Virus Changed History (Part 3)

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0600

Today is part three of Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, How A Virus Changed History. Today we are speaking with Dr. William Schaffner.

Dr. Schaffner is a Professor of Preventive Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Early in his career, he was commissioned as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the CDC in Atlanta, where he investigated outbreaks of communicable diseases in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Schaffner has worked extensively for the effective use of vaccines in both pediatric and adult populations and has been a member of numerous expert advisory committees that establish national vaccine policy and is committed to public communication about medicine.

(00:18) Introduction
(02:37) Was polio still an issue in 1962?
(03:16) Dr. Schaffner was a Polio Pioneer
(05:44) Memorable encounter with a polio patient
(08:03) Growing up with those affected by polio
(09:16) Signs and symptoms of polio virus infection
(11:05) Description of an iron lung
(15:34) Story about training doctors on use of an iron lung
(18:40) Should non-medical vaccine exemptions be allowed?
(20:16) How should we talk to parents about polio and vaccines?
(21:47) What keeps Dr. Schaffner up at night?

Janice Nichols - Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, My Journey After Contracting Polio (Part 2)

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0600

Today is part two of Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, My Journey After Contracting Polio. Today we are speaking with Janice Nichols. In 1954, she was one of over 1.8 million children who participated in the Salk polio vaccine trial, dubbed the “polio pioneers.” Their study led to the successful production of the first polio vaccination. Prior to this study, Jan was diagnosed with polio as was her twin brother, Frankie. Her brother was lost to the disease while Jan survived.

(00:25) Introduction
(02:17) Jan and Frankie's story
(07:56) How was polio viewed by families?
(10:53) How was the Salk trial conducted?
(13:38) Jan describes her post-polio syndrome.
(16:30) What would Jan share with Frankie today?

Jan is the author of “Twin Voices, A Memoir of Polio, The Forgotten Killer.” You can also read a summery of her story her story and more than 100 personal accounts and case reports about vaccine preventable diseases at Immunize.org.

Dr. Paul Offit - Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, The Continued Path Toward Prevention (Part 1)

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0600

Today is part one of Polio Confidential: Stories from Those Who Lived It, The Continued Path Toward Prevention. Today we are speaking with Dr. Paul Offit about the history of polio, the polio vaccine, and the rise of the modern anti-vaccine movement.

Dr. Offit is a professor of pediatrics and attending physician at the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As director of the Vaccine Education Center at that institution, he is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of virology and immunology. Dr. Offit is a member of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee.

(00:17) Introduction
(01:54) Dr. Offit's friendship with Maurice Hilleman
(03:28) Why write?
(04:35) How does FDA and CDC decide a vaccine isn't safe?
(05:45) A bit of polio history and Dr. Offit's memories of growing up before the polio vaccine
(07:19) How as U.S. society different from today with regards to vaccines?
(08:55) The Cutter Incident
(10:32) How would the Cutter Incident be different now?
(11:12) What was the birth of the modern anti-vaccine movement?
(13:06) What motivates anti-vaxxers?
(14:23) What is the current status of polio?
(17:01) Is polio dangerous today?
(17:50) Have we forgotten polio?
(18:40) Should we be afraid of the incoming administration?
(19:45) How much can a political administration control vaccine approval and recommendations?
(20:52) If you have already had the polio vaccine, do you need a booster?
(21:11) What does Dr. Offit recommend telling a parent or patient who is vaccine-hesitant?
(22:05) What could we have done differently with COVID and COVID vaccines?
(25:00) What should we do now to promote vaccines and vaccine safety?
(25:35) What is Dr. Offit up to next?

For more from Dr. Offit, please see his website: https://www.paul-offit.com/
Books: https://www.paul-offit.com/recent-books
Shot in the Arm documentary: https://www.paul-offit.com/general-9
Newsletter: https://pauloffit.substack.com/

Whooping Cough Is On the Rise - OMG Medical Scoop

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0500

Today we are going to give you the scoop on whooping cough, also known by the less friendly name, pertussis, the infection caused by the crafty and toxin-producing bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

According to data from the CDC, rates of whooping cough are currently 3X higher than in 2023 and still climbing. Why? Listen and find out.

Bird Flu: Is It the Next Global Pandemic?

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0500

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with Dr. Matt Binnicker, Director of Clinical Virology at Mayo Clinic about bird flu. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been detected in wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and backyard flocks beginning around January 2022 in the U.S. To date, over 100,700,000 birds have been affected. Recently, cases of bird flu have been detected in 171 dairy herds, and there have been 13 reported human cases in the U.S. There have also been human cases reported overseas. Dr. Binnicker joins us to share his knowledge of bird flu, vaccines, and whether we need to be concerned about a new pandemic.

(00:09) Introduction to Dr. Binnicker
(01:12) Introduction to bird flu
(03:57) Morphology and rapid mutation of avian influenza
(06:47) The problem with pigs
(09:23) Human concerns
(11:11) Transmission through raw milk
(13:33) Developing a lab test for H5 avian influenza
(17:15) H5 vaccinations and vaccine availability
(20:33) Role of climate change in a future avian influenza pandemic
(22:27) What keeps Dr. Binnicker up at night

Measles Outbreak: How Do We Contain It?

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:00:00 -0500

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with Dr. Jon Temte about the alarming rise in measles infections in the United States. Dr. Temte is Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Back in 2000, he was part of an expert panel that concluded that measles were eliminated in the United States. That same expert panel recertified measles elimination in 2011. Dr. Temte also chaired the advisory committee on immunization practices, which issued a report in 2013 for the prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and
mumps.

We will discuss the current measles outbreak in the U.S., the scarcity of healthcare providers that have actually seen a case of measles, short and long-term complications, and some interesting information about the measles vaccine. Dr. Temte also shares his personal worries as someone who has seen both the elimination of measles and its rampant spread.

(00:12) Introduction
(01:16) CDC measles emergency warning
(02:35) Measles symptoms
(06:42) Short and long-term effects
(08:27) Children and adult vaccination status
(09:49) U.S. measles elimination status
(10:42) Eradication vs. elimination
(14:38) Herd immunity
(17:17) False sense of security
(18:23) Vaccine hesitancy and autism
(19:48) How to address vaccine hesitant patients
(21:21) Older adults needing boosters
(24:19) Dr. Temte's worries and closing thoughts

Climate Change and Health: What Can We Do?

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Today On Medical Grounds, we are speaking with Dr. Mona Sarfaty, founding Executive Director and now Emeritus Executive Director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Dr. Sarfaty is with us to discuss the effects of climate change on health. Importantly, she provides information and resources for healthcare providers, hospitals, and individuals to combat climate change both within the realm of healthcare and individually.

(01:13) Introduction to Dr. Sarfaty
(02:48) Climate change and disparities
(03:46) Individual and societal changes that can impact health
(07:51) Legislative efforts for climate change
(12:27) Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
(16:46) Hospital and institutional resources
(22:26) What can we do right now?

Everything Leads Back to the ED: STIs, Diagnostics, and Public Education

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with return guest Dr. Christopher Colbert, Emergency Medicine physician with the University of Illinois at Chicago, about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), diagnostics in the emergency department (ED), and healthcare disparities.

Active in all forms of digital media, Dr. Colbert also shares his thoughts on having a digital presence as a physician, and the use of new forms of media for medical education. In his many roles at UIC, as an Assistant Program Director for the Emergency Medical Residency Program and Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, and as Chairperson of Continuing Medical Education at the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians participating in the Virtual Grand Rounds program, Dr. Colbert has direct insight into the use of digital media to educate and raise public awareness about healthcare.

(00:07) Introduction to Dr. Colbert
(01:36) ACOEP Virtual Grand Rounds
(03:37) Osteopathic and allopathic medicine
(06:39) STIs on the rise
(08:06) STIs in the ED
(09:42) STI standards of care
(10:33) STI resistance
(13:28) STI diagnostics
(18:02) Disparities in the ED
(19:53) Role of education in STI prevention and treatment
(20:49) Role of digital media in medical education
(21:31) What is a "digital presence" for a physician?
(23:17) Staying positive in an online world
(24:50) Role of podcasts and other digital media in education
(25:38) Emerging trends in the ED, the silver lining of misinformation
(27:20) Dr. Colbert's upcoming panel on healthcare messaging

OMG Presents The Top Medical Stories Of 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

In the words of our host, Dr. Jane Caldwell, "If I were to choose two words to describe medicine in 2023, they would be REMOTE and FAST."

New drugs to slow Alzheimer’s progression, mRNA technology used in cancer vaccines, rapid point-of-care molecular testing—tests which give results while the patient is still in the clinic, and diabetes medications turned into weight loss drugs. These are some of the topics we’ll be discussing today as the top medical stories of 2023.

A Pharmacist’s Take: Pharmacy Deserts and Patient Care – Part 2

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Today On Medical Grounds we will be speaking with Dr. Heather Whitley for part two of our discussion. Dr. Whitley is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. She is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a Certified Diabetes Educator. Earlier this year, Dr. Whitley spoke with us about screening for diabetes in high-risk individuals. Dr. Whitley is well published—predominantly in diabetes related research.

In part 1 we explored options for patients with diabetes who can’t obtain their GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs due to a nationwide storage. In part 2 we expand this conversation by bringing in the concept of pharmacy deserts and the pharmacist’s role in patient care.

Dr. Whitley has provided us with two websites that can be used by patients to determine whether there is a shortage of their medications:

FDA Drug Shortages
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/drug-shortages

ASHP Current Drug Shortages
https://www.ashp.org/drug-shortages/current-shortages

(00:22) General drug shortages
(03:09) What drugs are currently in short supply?
(04:46) What can patients do about shortages?
(07:40) Ideas to boost supply
(09:34) Pharmacy deserts
(14:23) Amazon Pharmacy: friend or foe
(15:40) What can pharmacists do for patient care?

A Pharmacist’s Take: Navigating the Diabetes Drug Shortage – Part 1

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with Dr. Heather Whitley. Dr. Whitley is a clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. She is a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist and a certified diabetes educator.

Earlier this year, Dr. Whitley spoke with us about screening for diabetes in high-risk individuals. Today, she is back to talk about some new things going on in the diabetes and pharmacy world. This is part 1 of a two part series. In Part 1, Dr. Whitley will be discussing shortages in GLP-1 agonist drugs for diabetes and what pharmacists can do to address those shortages.

Dr. Whitley recently published a paper in Clinical Diabetes about this topic:
Special Report: Potential Strategies for Addressing GLP-1 and Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Shortages

(00:09) Introduction to Dr. Whitley
(01:08) Publication on strategies for GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP shortages
(02:36) GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP agonists, names, and dosing
(04:15) Why are there shortages?
(08:52) Alternatives
(10:11) What happens if a patient misses a dose?
(12:19) Re-initiation of medications
(14:51) GLP-1 agonist equivalency
(15:31) Substituting SGLT2s
(17:16) Self-sourcing or online sourcing problems
(21:51) Managing patient expectations and concerns

Are We Missing Covid? Delayed Viral Loads Impact Testing

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Wondering why you have symptoms but are still testing negative for COVID?

Today On Medical Grounds, we are speaking with Dr. Jennifer Frediani. Dr. Frediani is an assistant professor at the Nell Hodgson's Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the lead author on a recent article published in Clinical Infectious Diseases entitled, “The New Normal: Delayed Peak SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads Relative to Symptom Onset and Implications for COVID-19 Testing Programs.” Dr. Frediani is going to explain her findings and how the changes in COVID viral loads may be affecting home COVID tests. She will also tell us her ideas about what we can do to make sure we are testing the right way to catch positives.

(00:12) Introduction to Dr. Jennifer Frediani
(00:58) Dr. Frediani's study hypothesis
(01:48) Study testing
(03:08) Study population
(04:28) Study results
(05:28) Low viral loads and contagious period
(06:52) Do we need to change how we test at home?
(07:42) Expense of home tests
(08:58) Public education on viral delay and testing
(09:36) Is COVID the new normal?
(10:13) Can we handle the next pandemic?
(11:17) Lifestyle factors that affect infectious diseases

OMG Medical History - History of Influenza

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Welcome to OMG Medical History, a short podcast from On Medical Grounds where we talk about interesting topics and events in medical history. Today's episode covers the dreaded flu, also known as influenza, Plu, the Cough of Pernithus, and a pestilential catarrh, among other names over the centuries. We will discuss the earliest possible mentions of the flu all the way through the great 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and beyond. Join us to learn about how the flu was seen throughout history and how it was first discovered to be a contagious virus.

Voice/Host:
Hyda-James Hill

Medical Mystery Cases - A Bird's Eye View

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 23:00:00 -0500

Joe Sutter, an 82 year old widower, cancer survivor, and avid bird watcher, collapses at home. His daughter and son-in-law find him on the floor, mumbling, with changes to his vision. Using lab results and patient presentation, can you figure out what is wrong with Joe before the doctor does? A word of warning... it may not be as simple as you think.

This Medical Mystery Case is accredited for one hour of FREE continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and laboratory professionals. To receive credit for this program, please visit the link below, review the additional material, and then click CME/CE to fill out an evaluation and get your certificate.

https://www.onmedicalgrounds.com/PremiumContent/ABirdsEyeView

This continuing medical education program is supported by Siemens Healthineers.

Content was developed by Medavera, Inc. for distribution on the On Medical Grounds podcast.

Voice actors
Narrator: Carrie Vause
Joe Sutter: Mark Gideon
Sue Franklin: Annie Crumbaugh
Mike Franklin: Hyda-James Hill
Dr. Chen, ED physician: Keong Sim
Mia, ED Nurse: Beth Domann

Medical Mystery Cases - A Rocky Start

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Little Kemena was born early at 32 weeks via emergency C-section. At first it seemed Paul’s newborn would be okay—then the respiratory therapist asked him to move aside... Using lab values and patient presentation as clues, can you figure out what is wrong before the neonatologist does?

This Medical Mystery Case is accredited for one hour of FREE continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and laboratory professionals. To recieve credit for this program, please visit the link below, review the additional material, and then click CME/CE to fill out an evaluation and get your certificate.

https://www.onmedicalgrounds.com/PremiumContent/ARockyStart

This continuing medical education program is supported by Siemens Healthineers.

Content was developed by Medavera, Inc. for distribution on the On Medical Grounds podcast.

Voice actors
Narrator: Mark Gideon
Sofia Ramirez: Sarena Bueno
Paul Ramirez: Hyda-James Hill
ED Nurse: Carrie Vause
Dr. Simms, Ob/Gyn: Jessica Bower
Dr. Patel, Neonatologist: Yushane Lima
L&D Nurse: Annie Crumbaugh
Eve, NICU Nurse: Beth Domann

Medical Mystery Cases - A Case of Road Rash

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Join us for another Medical Mystery Case! Can you figure out what is causing Manuel's problem?

"I was pulling into the parking lot the other morning and I saw this 18-wheeler parked at the far end of the lot. My first patient that day, surprise! was a trucker, and a patient I had seen a few weeks ago...."

Women and Heart Disease: Are We Still At A Loss?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0500

“Because what happens is that the symptoms in men are presumed to be the gold standard. And the symptoms in women are considered atypical. Well, they’re not atypical. They’re typical for women. And we then have to define what is specific to women.” - Dr. Nanette Wenger

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with Dr. Nanette Wenger about heart disease in women, differences in risks, and how women talk about symptoms of heart disease differently than men. Dr. Wenger is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine. Her career is a series of firsts. She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1954 as one of their first female graduates. During her postgraduate work at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, she became the first woman to be chief resident in the cardiology department. Throughout her career, Dr. Wenger has focused on heart disease in women, despite the consensus in the medical community that this was a disease found primarily in men. In 1993, Dr. Wenger co-wrote a landmark review article that demonstrated that cardiovascular disease affects women as much as men. Prior to this point in time, women were more likely to die from the disease because their symptoms were not recognized. She also helped write the 2007 guidelines for preventing cardiovascular disease in women. As a pioneer in gender disparities in medicine, Dr. Wenger has devoted her career to understanding how coronary artery disease affects women.

For additional show notes including an infographic on the state of women in hart disease, please visit OnMedicalGrounds.com.

(00:47) Introducing Dr. Wenger
(02:23) Why cardiology?
(03:30) When did Dr. Wenger discover heart disease was different in women?
(07:41) How is heart disease different for women?
(12:36) How are we falling behind on awareness and care?

Positive Results in Alzheimer’s: Are We Now Pushing the Right Buttons?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Dr. Curtis Schreiber is the medical director at the Missouri Memory Center and was a principal investigator of a Phase III study for donanemab for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Many of his patients were enrolled in the trial and the encouraging results were recently released. Dr. Schreiber is with us today to discuss his work and the findings from this important study. The full read-out of the top line results for donanemab will be coming out on July 17 at an international Alzheimer’s conference followed by a publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) which will be linked here on release.

MISSOURI MEMORY CENTER STUDY SUMMARY:

In the phase III study, donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s. Results reported by
Eli Lilly & Co. include:

• 47% of participants on donanemab showed no decline based on a key measure of disease severity at one year compared to 29% of participants on placebo.

• Participants on donanemab had a 40% less decline in their ability to perform activities of daily living at 18 months.

• Participants on donanemab experienced a 39% lower risk of progressing to the next stage of disease compared to placebo.

Another Alzheimer's drug, lecanemab is expected to receive full FDA approval on July 6th. Phase III trial results showed that lecanemab slowed cognitive decline by 27%.

(00:48) Introducing Dr. Curtis Schreiber
(01:43) Optimizm for Alzheimer's treatment
(03:03) Statistical findings from phase III donanemab trial
(05:50) Participant recruitment and selection
(07:07) What is donanemab?
(08:05) Why does it work and how is it administered?
(09:19) Donanemab side effects
(13:58) How does donanemab compare to other drugs?
(15:14) Lifestyle of study participants
(16:30) Lifestyle modifications for Alzheimer's risk
(17:49) Alzheimer's genetics
(21:05) Why Dr. Schreiber switched from engineering to neurology
(22:30) His personal reason for studying Alzheimer's
(23:54) Hope for Alzheimer's

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2807533

SPECIAL EPISODE - Personalized Vaccines Combat Melanoma

Fri, 19 May 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Today On Medical Grounds, we will be speaking with Dr. Jeffrey Weber of Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health. He is senior investigator of a phase two clinical trial for an mRNA melanoma vaccine. This vaccine has significantly reduced the recurrence of tumors in patients when combined with an immunotherapy drug.

(00:48) Introducing Dr. Weber
(01:38) Melanoma mRNA vaccine
(04:14) How does an the vaccine work?
(06:34) First randomized trial
(07:38) Personalized medicine
(09:28) Side effects
(11:19) How is this vaccine similar to mRNA COVID vaccine?
(12:52) Bedside to bench to bedside approach
(14:34) How do patients get involved in clinical trials?
(16:23) Definition of "cure"
(17:52) Clinically meaningful endpoints
(18:49) What's next for mRNA cancer vaccines?
(19:38) Dr. Weber's personal cancer connection
(20:22) What keeps Dr. Weber up at night?

The Need for Diabetes Screening (FREE CME/CE)

Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Free CME/CE credits for physicians, nurses, and lab professionals! Click here to get your certificate.

Join us as Jane talks with Dr. Jay Shubrook, a diabetes specialist from Touro University, about diabetes, why we must diagnose earlier and how to screen.

(00:22) Introducing Dr. Jay Shubrook
(01:57) Why is diabetes moving to younger populations?
(03:13) How do you screen?
(04:16) Are patients proactive?
(05:32) Lifestyle modifications
(07:24) Benefits of excercise
(08:56) Alcohol and diabetes
(10:00) Other drinks and sodas
(11:24) Medications and FDA approvals
(12:55) Role of urgent care
(14:15) Racial disparities
(17:08) Reactive vs. proactive

Diabetes: Identifying and Educating High-Risk Individuals (FREE CME/CE)

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0500

Free CME/CE credits for physicians, nurses, and lab professionals! Click here to get your certificate.

One in three people in the U.S. have prediabetes and 17% don't know it. Dr. Whitley is a clinical professor and certified diabetes specialist and educator. She is with us to talk about screening and diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes, who should be screened, and how.

(00:14) Introducing Dr. Heather Whitley
(01:59) Dr. Whitley's research
(03:48) Bridge the gap with screening
(05:06) Screening methods for prediabetes and diabetes
(09:13) Benefits of point-of-care HbA1c
(10:40) Guidelines for community and urgent care
(13:11) Cost savings and efficiency with point-of-care HbA1c
(15:01) Dr. Whitley's point-of-care experience
(16:10) Racial and sex disparity in HbA1c, statistical vs. clinical relevance
(17:58) Use of point-of-care HbA1c in community settings to improve outcomes

STIs Are Back: Innovative Testing Is Needed

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0600

Dr. Yukari Manabe of Johns Hopkins and OMG host Dr. Jane Caldwell discuss the alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and innovative ways to improve STI testing.

(00:22) Introduction: Dr. Yukari Manabe
(01:20) STIs vs STDs
(01:35) Major drivers for increases in STIs
(02:23) Social distancing and STIs
(03:40) Classic STIs of concern
(05:29) STI diagnosis
(06:39) Rapid testing
(09:03) Multiplex testing
(10:09) Point-of-care testing
(12:01) Near-patient testing success
(12:25) STI treatments
(13:36) STI prevention
(15:42) STI screening recommendations
(16:35) Filling the gaps
(17:19) Importance of education
(18:08) Monkeypox...is it an STI?
(19:06) Syndromic management
(20:02) Dr. Manabe's concerns for global health
(20:57) Dr. Manabe's public health wish

Medical Mystery Cases - An Urgent Discovery

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

A stressed lawyer collapses in court. Not a heart attack...not COVID. Come and test your diagnostic skills with us as we get his lab results and learn more clues to the mystery.

Medical Mystery Cases - A Painful Problem

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

A college football player has an old shoulder injury and could need another surgery, but that may not be his only problem. Tune in to test your pain management skills. For additional related information and FREE CME, visit www.OnMedicalGrounds.com, listen to the podcast, and click on the CME/CE button for your certificate.

Easier to Immunize: Part 2

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Dr. O’Leary is a pediatric infectious disease specialist and professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. As director of the Colorado Children Outcomes Network (COCONet), a practice-based research consortium, he and his colleagues focus on identifying barriers to vaccination. Dr. O’Leary is with us today to talk about developing and testing interventions to address barriers to vaccinations.

(00:23) Introduction to Dr. Sean O'Leary
(00:58) August is National Immunization Month
(01:32) Reduction in vaccine orders
(02:23) Catching up children on vaccinations
(03:39) Polio cases have been reported
(05:52) Are there concerns for smallpox?
(07:27) Vaccine misinformation
(08:20) Are children missing boosters?
(09:18) Colorado Childrens Outcomes Network (COCONet)
(10:40) Barriers to vaccinations
(12:41) Vaccine interventions
(17:42) Vaccine hesitancy resources
(19:03) COVID-19 and pandemic effects on vaccination rates

Osteomyelitis: Achieving Antibiotic Penetration

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Free CME/CE CREDITS (ACCME, ANCC, ACPE)! For credit visit https://www.onmedicalgrounds.com/PremiumContent/Osteomyelitis, view the additional material, click the CME/CE button, and get your certificate.

Dr. Adam Bressler is an infectious disease specialist affiliated with Emory Hillandale Hospital and Emory Decatur Hospital. He will be joining us to discuss the role of antibiotic-resistance and other complications in current treatment regimens for osteomyelitis, developments in novel glycopeptide antibiotic treatments for Gram-positive and antibiotic-resistant osteomyelitis, and the multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis.

(00:22) CME/CE information
(01:57) What is osteomyelitis and why is it tough to treat
(02:53) Role of antibiotic or antimicrobial resistance
(03:37) Challenges of bone tissue
(04:45) Role of biofilms in osteomyelitis
(06:30) First line treatments often fail
(07:28) New antibiotics showing promise
(09:15) Need for guidelines for osteomyelitis treatment
(10:35) Glycopeptide antibiotics
(11:08) Glycopeptide antibiotic mechanisms
(11:55) Telavancin Observational Use Registry (TOUR) study
(13:03) TOUR methods
(14:04) TOUR results
(16:46) Infusion centers and pumps
(17:58) TOUR demographics
(20:20) Immunocompromised patients and other risk factors
(24:18) Multidisciplinary approach

Easier to Immunize: Part 1

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Interested in a local health department perspective on childhood immunizations? Ms. Katie Towns has been the public face of municipal support for a COVID-19 vaccination program. No stranger to vaccination rollouts, she participated in distributing influenza vaccines during the 2009 H1N1 viral outbreak and is here to speak with Jane about childhood immunizations, misinformation, and how the local Vaccine 417 program is helping in our home base, Springfield, MO.

(00:30) Introduction to Ms. Katie Towns
(01:10) A health department's role in childhood immunizations
(02:43) Reductions in childhood immunizations
(04:34) Barriers to overcome for parents
(06:12) Ways the health department deals with vaccine hesitancy
(07:50) The Vaccine417 program at Vaccine417.com
(09:48) Teen immunizations
(11:17) Reductions in teen immunizations
(13:15) What can the community do?
(14:31) Dilemmas in keeping schools safe
(16:14) What keeps Katie up at night?

Ethical Dilemmas and Healthcare Politicization

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0500

The guest for our third episode of White Coat Radicals is Dr. Mark Navin, PhD, HEC-C, Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Oakland University. His specialty is clinical and public health ethics and bioethics. Dr. Navin is here to speak with Jane about medical ethics, vaccine mandates, vaccine hesitancy, and politicized medicine.

(00:19) Introduction to Dr. Mark Navin
(00:47) Vaccine refusal
(02:22) Vaccine behaviors
(03:38) Vaccine refusal among healthcare professionals
(05:11) Ethics of encouraging vaccine refusal
(06:34) Other ethical reasons for vaccine refusal
(08:44) Ethics of unproven treatments
(10:02) Off-label use
(10:49) Medical ethics and politics
(13:16) Biggest ethical dilemmas of healthcare today
(15:03) Accountability of politicians and healthcare professionals in the media
(16:27) Medical ethics and social media

How One Nurse Called the Shots

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0500

Ms. Melody Butler, BSN, RN, CIC is the founding executive director and president of the Nurses Who Vaccinate organization. A registered nurse and infection preventionist, she is currently serving as a member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. She is here to speak with Jane about the vaccine advocacy community and how to approach colleagues who may be vaccine hesitant.

(00:13) Introducing Ms. Melody Butler
(00:44) Even nurses have questions about vaccine safety, Melody's story.
(05:53) Origins of Nurses Who Vaccinate
(08:15) Role of NWV in nursing
(10:19) Advice for fighting misinformation from colleagues
(12:04) Fighting misinformation from bosses or supervisors
(16:21) How do you help non-professionals dealing with misinformation?

Special Episode - SAVE A NURSE: Standing Up Against Violence

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0500

Our guest for this episode is Mr. Todd Haines. Mr. Haines is an emergency department nurse and will discuss his experiences with violence in the workplace, what can be done to support healthcare workers, and the Senate Bill 4182, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.

(00:15) Introduction to Mr. Todd Haines
(00:53) How often do healthcare worker assaults happen?
(03:10) Workplace violence and the pandemic
(05:10) Violence prior to the pandemic
(05:16) Workers leaving healthcare
(06:10) Effects of understaffing
(09:09) Does size matter?
(11:16) Effects of signage
(12:08) Senate Bill 4182
(15:50) Can patients help?
(16:56) De-escalation techniques
(17:41) Tulsa, OK hospital shooting

The First to Mandate Vaccines: A Hospital System’s Story

Wed, 18 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

In our new series White Coat Radicals, Jane talks to Dr. Marc Boom, the physician CEO of Houston Methodist, about vaccine mandates, politicized medicine, and the radicalization of medical professionals during the COVID pandemic.

(00:13) Introduction to Dr. Boom
(01:00) Why support the mandate?
(03:21) Why did some employees refuse?
(07:30) Town halls
(09:46) Lawsuit
(12:03) Allowed exemptions
(13:08) Science and compliance disconnect
(16:22) Misinformation consequences
(17:25) How do you fight misinformation?

Finding Polyps in a Pandemic

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0500

In our continuing series "What Are We Missing?" host Dr. Jane Caldwell speaks with Dr. David Greenwald, director of clinical gastroenterology and endoscopy at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City about about missing diagnoses in colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(00:13) Introduction
(00:49) Komodo Health study and decreased screening and diagnoses
(02:39) Types of screening, preps, and procedures
(05:08) At-home testing
(07:31) Patient history and screening types
(09:00) Colorectal cancer screening backlog
(11:58) Disparity in colorectal cancer diagnoses
(14:35) Health system screening programs
(17:39) Colorectal cancer in young adults

Medical Mystery Cases - The Preschool Puzzle

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a preschool teacher experiences symptoms of a respiratory infection but her test results are surprising. What is making this young woman so ill? Tune in to test your diagnostic skills.

(00:00) Introduction

(00:23) The Case

(01:17) The Evidence

(02:41) The Return Visit

(04:41) The Second Return Visit

(05:14) The Diagnosis

(06:09) The Preschool Problem

(07:12) The Preschool Solution

A Heart Has To Be Seen

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, On Medical Grounds host, Dr. Jane Caldwell speaks with Dr. James Januzzi, Hutter Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and staff cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. They discuss what we’ve missed in cardiac care due to pressures from the COVID pandemic, and what we can do to turn this trend around.(00:00) Introduction to Dr. James Januzzi(00:43) Fewer people seeking cardiology care in the pandemic(02:46) Data on missed cardiac surgeries(04:06) Long-term effects of delayed cardiac treatment(05:22) COVID-19 collateral damage(07:17) Heart attack symptoms(08:20) Curing hospital hesitation(09:40) Cardiac symptoms in long COVID

Pandemic Healthcare Disparities

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0600

Have you ever wondered why some patients have better access to healthcare than others? Today we’re speaking with Dr. Christopher Colbert, the assistant program director of the emergency medicine residency at the University of Illinois about healthcare disparities that affect access to care and what can be done to address this problem.

(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Chris Colbert
(01:25) Disparity in vaccinations - Chicago, IL
(04:50) Vaccine disparity accommodations - Chicago, IL
(06:26) Other ways the pandemic has affected healthcare disparity
(08:43) Number one problem
(10:50) Dr. Colbert's number one wish for healthcare
(13:18) Summary

0. On Medical Grounds

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0600

OMG is a casual, friendly place with an authentic, audible blend of timely scientific & medical knowledge.Select sponsored podcasts offer continuing medical education credits, while others are OMG originals on topics that need to be stirred. Perks include links to pertinent content so you can drink more if you choose—and we promise to keep you awake!

Medical Mystery Cases - The Baby Or The Buffet?

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:00:00 -0600

A young mother presents puzzling symptoms when she arrives at the ER. Tune in for a few minutes to test your medical diagnostic skills.(00:00) Introduction(00:22) The Case(02:23) The Evidence(03:53) The Diagnosis(04:09) The Return(04:40) Additional Evidence(05:15) New Diagnosis(05:55) But Why?

Why Can't I Recall A Recall? Food Safety Relapses

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0600

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our lives in so many ways. We have added many safeguards, yet other important practices and routines have fallen by the wayside. One of them - food safety. In this episode, On Medical Grounds host Dr. Jane Caldwell interviews Dr. Ben Chapman, a professor, food safety specialist and head of the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University on what we've been missing in the area of food safety.(00:00) Is A Decline In Recalls Due To The Pandemic?(01:17) Introduction To Dr. Ben Chapman(02:46) Plummeting Recall Numbers(05:45) What Are Reasons For Recalls In The U.S.?(08:36) Effects Of COVID-19 On Food Safety(10:16) FDA Suspension Of Foreign Food Inspection(11:50) Recommendations For Pandemic Shopping(16:01) COVID-19 In Frozen Food(18:36) Pandemic Challenges In The Food Safety Industry

Variants, Antivirals, Vaccinations & Health Literacy

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0600

The FDA has authorized two new oral antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19. But what role will these drugs play in the ongoing pandemic? And where did we go wrong in communicating the need, efficacy, and safety of COVID vaccines? Join host Jane Caldwell as she interviews Dr. Scott Ratzan, editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives on Variants, Antivirals, Vaccinations & Health Literacy.

Adnexal Mass Risk Assessments: Do Algorithms Improve Care?

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0600

FREE CME - In this episode, On Medical Grounds host, Dr. Jill Sellers interviews board eligible OB/GYN Dr. Laura Hanks on adnexal masses, the importance of proper early assessment and the likelihood of malignancy. Dr. Hanks also explains ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy) scores and how using this method can help physicians determine the best course of action for their patients.

The Path To A New Vaccine Isn't All Paved

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0600

We're talking vaccine development with the "Mother of DNA Vaccines," Dr. Margaret Liu. This episode takes a deep dive into how different types of vaccines work, how they are developed and what it takes to get approval, with a special focus on the COVID-19 vaccines. It's a must-listen episode for improving patient education on vaccines.

RSV - The OTHER Respiratory Virus (Part 2)

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0500

In Part 2 of RSV, The OTHER Respiratory Virus, we'll focus on the availability of diagnostic tools, developments on the horizon to protect against the virus and how RSV impacts older adults.

RSV: The OTHER Respiratory Virus (Part 1)

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Lately, it seems that everything health-related is revolving around COVID-19, yet another respiratory virus that is commonly overlooked has raised concerns in the medical community.Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is on the rise across the United States and surging in some locations in the South – filling up pediatric hospital wards and posing a serious risk to the children and older adults that contract it.This is the first of two episodes that will focus on RSV – the threat, the tools available to diagnose it, and developments on the horizon to protect against it.Our two guests today will focus on the pediatric side of RSV.

A Rare Disease Identified, And A Sister's Hope

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0500

A family devastated by a rare disease and a sister’s hope to find a cure.In this episode of On Medical Grounds, host Dr. Jill Sellers interviews Heidi Edwards, founder of Sisters' Hope Foundation on her family’s personal struggle with Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia, also known as ALSP. Hear how the loss of four family members to this disease has turned Heidi into an advocate for research and funding to improve treatment options and moved her to create a community of support for other families facing this dire diagnosis.UPDATE July 21, 2021:Since recording this episode, we have an update on Holly. Holly was able to achieve the goal of seeing her son, Mason, graduate from high school and they celebrated his 19th birthday this summer. In addition, she also got to celebrate her nephew Braydon’s 13th birthday on July 19, 2021, before she passed on July 20, 2021. Holly was a fighter and did all she could to hold off the inevitable. Please keep this heartbroken family in your thoughts and visit www.sistershopefoundation.org to see how you can help.

How A Hospital CEO Prepared For A Pandemic

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0500

What was going through hospital administrators’ minds as it became evident that COVID-19 was becoming a deadly global pandemic?In this episode of On Medical Grounds, find out how Steve Edwards, president and CEO of Cox Health in Springfield, Missouri, leveraged lessons from the past, social media and international connections to prepare for COVID-19’s arrival in his community.

Seven Things To Know About Treating Hyponatremia

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Free CME: Visit https://www.onmedicalgrounds.com/PremiumContent/Hyponatremia, view the additional material, click the CME/CE button, and get your certificate. Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances that clinicians find in outpatient and inpatient settings. It can be easily detected with a basic metabolic profile test. But once discovered, how do you treat it? Listen in as On Medical Grounds host Dr. Jill Sellers interviews Dr. Biff Palmer on diagnosing and treating hyponatremia and the effectiveness of conivaptan as a therapeutic strategy.

An Orthopedic Surgeon, A Bike Wreck, And Stopping The Cycle Of Opioid Use

Tue, 18 May 2021 14:35:00 -0500

Free CME: Visit https://www.onmedicalgrounds.com/PremiumContent/BikeWreck, view the additional material, click the CME/CE button, and get your certificate. Intravenous ibuprofen has emerged as an alternative to opioids for the management of peri- and post-operative pain. Listen in as On Medical Grounds host, Dr. Jill Sellers interviews Dr. Stephen Southworth about a groundbreaking study on IV Ibuprofen and how the findings have changed the way he and his colleagues are managing pain in their orthopedic surgery patients.