The new covid variant omicron has quickly overtaken delta as the dominant strain of Covid-19 in multiple countries, which now includes the US. New data released Dec. 20 shows omicron is responsible for 73 percent of new Covid-19 infections nationally during the week end Dec. 18; up from just 12.6 percent for the week prior. Bruce Farber, MD , chief of public health and epidemiology, and John D'Angelo, MD , senior vice president and executive director of emergency medicine services, discuss what ...
Dec 22, 2021•21 min•Ep. 67
Today marks one year since Sandra Lindsay became the first American to receive the Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trial; catapulting the critical care nurse at LIJ Medical Center into the public eye. She reflects on the lead up to that day and challenges she's faced since. She is joined by Yves Duroseau, MD , chief of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, who received his first dose minutes after Sandra, as well as Gregory Zuckerman, who writes about that day and the decades of work t...
Dec 14, 2021•20 min•Ep. 66
A .38-caliber bullet nearly killed Joseph Sakran, MD, when he was 17 years old. Now a trauma surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Dr. Sakran has dedicated much of his "second chance" at life to advocating for gun violence prevention. In 2018 he sparked a movement that became known as "This is our Lane." On Dec. 15 he will speak at Northwell Health's Gun Violence Prevention Forum on a panel moderated by Chethan Sathya, MD . Ahead of the event, the pediatric trauma surgeon and director ...
Dec 10, 2021•23 min•Ep. 65
Pancreatic cancer survival rates have doubled in the last few years from 5 to 10 percent. This is thanks largely to clinical trials that have led to better treatments and a better understanding of how to tailor them to the individual. Despite the advancements, pancreatic cancer remains difficult to treat and long-term survival remains low. But, experts are hopeful that cutting-edge technology such as organoids — a collection of a patient’s cells that are maintained in a petri dish — will lead to...
Dec 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 64
Expectant moms dealing with high-risk pregnancies desperately need someone who can guide them through the medical system to ensure they get the right care from qualified specialists. That’s the exact job description for patient navigators, such as Jeanne Woods Ludwig, RNC, and Bernadette Smith, RNC, who work in Northwell Health's new Maternal Fetal Medicine Center. In this unique role, they improve communication between patient and clinician, break down barriers to effective care, and provide su...
Nov 30, 2021•21 min•Ep. 63
Common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. But research has revealed that a surprising number of older adults experience some atypical signs of the virus. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology. The principal investigator of that paper, Allison Marziliano, PhD , discusses her findings and their implications for older adults and clinicians. Dr. Marziliano is assistant professor in the Center for Health Innovations and Outcomes Rese...
Nov 23, 2021•20 min•Ep. 62
In the new National Geographic documentary, The First Wave , Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director Matthew Heineman captures what the COVID-19 pandemic really looked like inside the walls of one of New York City’s hardest-hit hospitals. In this 20-Minute Health Talk, Matthew reflects on what it was like to document patients fighting for their lives, as well as the frontline heroes responding to the crisis. He is joined by two nurses featured in the film: Kellie Wunsch, RN, a critical care nu...
Nov 16, 2021•21 min•Ep. 61
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine now has emergency use authorization (EUA) in kids ages 5-to-11, opening up eligibility to 28 million children in the US. Nora Gossett, 7, shares why she got the shot with her doctor dad, Jeffrey Gossett, M.D., F.A.A.P ., at Cohen Children's Medical Center (CCMC). He was one of four doctors to stand behind their children as they received their first dose Nov. 4 at CCMC in a display of confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. Like Dr. Gossett, Mundeep Kainth, DO, MPH , and So...
Nov 09, 2021•24 min•Ep. 60
Only 33.8 percent of pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 49 in the US are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And while many pregnant women are fearful of the effect that the COVID vaccines could have on them and their baby, more than 160K expectant moms have been vaccinated with no adverse pregnancy outcomes, explains Burton Rochelson, MD , chief of maternal fetal medicine, and Sarah Pachtman, MD , a maternal fetal medicine attending. Like Dr. Pachtman, Elizabeth Boyce, RN, got the COVID v...
Nov 02, 2021•27 min•Ep. 59
Thanks to improvements in breast cancer screening and treatment, more than 80 percent of patients will beat the disease. But, survivorship comes with its own health challenges — something health professionals and patients need to start planning for at diagnosis, says Catherine Alfano, PhD, an international leader in cancer survivorship and rehabilitation. She joins medical oncologist Jennifer Ligibel, MD, and integrative health and wellness coach Deborah McElligott, NP, to discuss the challenges...
Oct 26, 2021•21 min•Ep. 58
The COVID-19 vaccines have put a spotlight on the importance of clinical trials. During the early days of the pandemic in New York, researchers like John Boockvar, MD , had to shut down ongoing trials to contribute to the fight against the novel virus. Since, he has resumed his work investigating novel approaches to treating brain cancers. He has been internationally recognized for his research in brain tumors and stem cell biology throughout his 20-year career. He explains the importance of cli...
Oct 19, 2021•20 min•Ep. 57
After receiving his COVID booster shot, Lorry Rubin, MD, director of pediatric infectious diseases at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, walks us through why it's important to get the additional dose, who is eligible and how effective it is. Currently the Pfizer mRNA vaccine is the only one approved for booster shots under emergency use authorization. However, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson both are seeking emergency use authorization and the FDA's Vaccine and Related Biological Products Adviso...
Oct 06, 2021•20 min•Ep. 56
What goes on in our home, neighborhoods and community all have a major impact on our health. Chronic issues like diabetes and heart disease are more prevalent in vulnerable communities, which also tend to face more environmental challenges. Northwell is hosting the 1st Annual Raise Health Forum on Oct. 5, 2021. This free virtual event will cast a light on issues including Health Equity, Women’s Health and Environmental Health. Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, Stacey Rosen, MD, and Jacqueline Moline, MD, ...
Oct 02, 2021•21 min•Ep. 55
COVID-19 has skyrocketed rates of substance use disorder. Sandeep Kapoor, MD, joins Shatterproof executive director Stephen D'Antonio to explain how people can find resources, educate themselves, diffuse stigma and save lives. Meet the experts Dr. Sandeep Kapoor is Assistant Vice President of Addiction Services for Northwell’s Emergency Medicine Services, as well as Director of SBIRT, that’s Northwell’s Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment program. Stephen D’Antonio is the Exe...
Sep 30, 2021•20 min•Ep. 54
Approximately 93,000 drug overdoses took place in 2020, the highest number ever in a single year. Many life-saving resources are available, yet only one in 10 receive treatment. So many suffer in silence and stigma plays a major role. Stephen D'Antonio shares his experience becoming an advocate for his son, who overcame an alcohol use disorder, and partnering with other parents and health care organizations. He joins Sandeep Kapoor, MD, to discuss substance use disorders, shattering stigma and m...
Sep 30, 2021•20 min•Ep. 53
Seeking a second opinion can be the difference between a slow recovery or a positive outcome. Daniel Sciubba, MD, and Matthew Weiss, MD, explain their approach when a patient comes in asking for a second opinion. Meet the experts Daniel Sciubba, MD , is senior vice president of neurosurgery at Northwell Health; and chair of neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Matthew Weiss, MD , surgeon and deputy physician in chief at Northwell’s Cancer Institu...
Sep 20, 2021•21 min•Ep. 52
Four hundred physicians die each year by suicide, a statistic that is both tragic and personal for advocates like Corey Feist, JD, MBA. In April 2020, his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen, took her own life shortly after recovering from COVID-19. She worked in emergency medicine, which has one of the highest rates of suicide of all medical specialties. To recognize Physician Suicide Awareness Day, Corey joined Northwell's Patricia Flynn and Mayer Bellehsen, PhD, to discuss barriers to seeking help...
Sep 14, 2021•21 min•Ep. 51
Many schools across the United States have been forced to close just weeks after reopening - more than 1,000 across 31 states - as the delta variant continues to spread. But, schools can reopen safely, says David Fagan, MD, if they follow proper mitigation efforts. He joins Charles Schleien, MD, to discuss: universal masking in schools; the spike of COVID cases in children nationally; the delta variant's impact; and what health care systems can do to help schools stay open. Meet the experts Dr. ...
Sep 09, 2021•21 min•Ep. 50
In Part II of this conversation, our panel of heroes explores the mental health concerns for 9/11 first responders 20 years later, and what Northwell is doing to help them cope. The Queens World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program integrates mental health into its program, which Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc , details. Eddie Reyes, program director for Northwell Health Emergency Management, and Scott Strauss, vice president of Northwell Health Corporate Security, share their experiences coping with t...
Sep 02, 2021•21 min•Ep. 49
Retired NYPD officers Scott Strauss and Eddie Reyes spent nine months working on and in "the pile" after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Now 20 years later, both suffer from health issues related to those heroic efforts, which include a remarkable rescue famously portrayed in the Oliver Stone-directed film, "World Trade Center." Both also have found treatment -- and hope -- at Northwell Health's Queens World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Administered by th...
Sep 02, 2021•21 min•Ep. 48
“ER on Demand” is a new telehealth program that makes it easy for patients to consult an emergency medicine doctor at home, even in the middle of the night. Jonathan Berkowitz, MD, medical director of emergency medical services at Northwell Health, and John D'Angelo, Northwell's chief of integrated operations, talk launching an overnight telehealth service and making it accessible from anywhere in New York State. Read more about ER on Demand . Watch episodes of 20-Minute Health Talk on YouTube ....
Aug 25, 2021•21 min•Ep. 47
As federal officials consider COVID booster shots for all Americans, certain immunocompromised individuals began receiving a third dose of the mRNA vaccines this week following approvals from the FDA and CDC late last week. Onisis Stefas, PharmD , chief pharmacy officer for Northwell Health, explains the need for booster shots, who is eligible now and what else immunocompromised individuals can do to protect themselves against COVID-19, especially the delta variant....
Aug 17, 2021•20 min•Ep. 46
Approximately 1.4 million people in the U.S. identify as transgender or gender diverse. One of the biggest challenges to transgender individuals is acceptance in society. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a gender-affirming procedure that not only helps trans women become their authentic selves, it saves lives. The goal of FFS – which employs multiple facial procedures of the brow, nose and chin – is to ease the transwoman’s psychosocial burden. It has been associated with improved mental hea...
Aug 11, 2021•20 min•Ep. 45
New York legalized recreational cannabis in 2021, but researching its medical applications remains difficult. Diana Martins-Welch, MD , got involved with the state's medical cannabis program in 2016 and has certified more than 2,000 patients as a medical cannabis provider through her role as a palliative care expert. On this episode, Dr. Martins-Welch discusses misinformation, the effect of cannabis on cancer patients and opioid use, and the need for federal legalization. She also compares New Y...
Aug 04, 2021•21 min•Ep. 44
The medical safety net ensuring vaccine safety is historic, says Henry Bernstein, DO, MHCM, FAAP , a voting member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a professor of pediatrics at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. 00:55 - Dr. Bernstein explains his role on the ACIP 03:02 - He explains the four reporting programs they use to monitor and learn from data on possible reactions to ...
Jul 29, 2021•20 min•Ep. 43
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons Allison Spitzer, MD , and Elaine Tran, MD , explain how kids can avoid injury, and COVID-19, as they return to their favorite sports. (Recorded June 8, 2021) More from the experts: 6 tips to avoid pickleball injuries Northwell STARS Rehabilitation gets pickleball player back on the court. Read more . 4 reasons for rising ACL tears and other knee injuries...
Jul 21, 2021•20 min•Ep. 42
New York Islanders legend Bobby Nystrom teams up with Certified Athletic Trainer Roger Gerland, MSPT/ATC , to talk sport injury prevention. As a director at Northwell Health's STARS Rehabilitation , Roger treats athletes at all levels and offers tips on how to stay in the game, as well as what to look for in a doctor if you do get hurt. After his playing career, Bobby refocused his energy on bicycling, marathons and spartan races. He shares how he has adapted his training to fit his new passions...
Jul 07, 2021•20 min•Ep. 41
Shari Jardine spent the last week in Ecuador vaccinating locals as part of Northwell's Center for Global Health (CGH) and joins the podcast from one of its vaccination pods. In March 2020, COVID-19 grounded Northwell's growing Global Health program, which had developed core sites in Guyana, India, and Ecuador. Eric Cioe-Pena, MD , CGH director, explains how the team maintained their global relationships virtually, and eventually resumed travel, starting with this three-week mission. More from th...
Jul 01, 2021•20 min•Ep. 40
Designed to expose minority students to careers in medicine, the Medical Scholars Pipeline Program is now in its 12th year. Britney Nathan, MD , was among the first students to participate, and this week begins her residency as an OB/GYN at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. She joins Gina Granger , assistant director of pipeline programs at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, to discuss the value the program brings to studen...
Jun 30, 2021•20 min•Ep. 39
After his 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was killed in a school shooting in 2018, Fred Guttenberg devoted his life to gun violence prevention and firearm safety. Now, he is helping Northwell's Center for Gun Violence Prevention (CGVP) in its mission to mobilize the health care industry around this public health issue. He joins Chethan Sathya, MD , director of the CGVP and a pediatric trauma surgeon, to discuss how they plan to do that. More from the experts Dr. Sathya details why health care must ...
Jun 21, 2021•21 min•Ep. 38
