Dr. Joe Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and Professor at TGen, takes us beyond his medical career to explore the personal experiences that have shaped his journey in oncology. Dr. Mikhael discusses the IMF’s targeted strategies for reducing health disparities among diverse ethnic and racial groups affected by myeloma, shedding light on specific initiatives aimed at improving access and outcomes. He also dives into his role in medical education, where ...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min
Tom Beer, Chief Medical Officer of the Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) program at Exact Sciences, delves into the groundbreaking science behind MCED tests, which use advanced biomarkers for early detection of multiple cancer types. He explains who may be eligible for these tests, how to interpret results to avoid unnecessary intervention from over-detection, and the varying sensitivity levels of MCED tests across different cancers. Additionally, Tom shares insights into the Falcon trial – a ...
Nov 05, 2024•54 min
In this special episode, Chadi gives up the microphone to guest host Kelly Ryerson, who takes over the show asking questions about Chadi's new book "The Cancer Journey." What inspired the book writing? What methods are used? Who is the target audience? What did the author learn? And what did he aim to achieve? Written for everyone who wants to learn more about cancer, this discussion highlights behind-the-scenes information on Chadi's latest achievement. View more and order “The Cancer Journey.”...
Oct 29, 2024•57 min
Jon Chait never thought he would get cancer, but one day he found he had it. As he navigates his journey alongside his caregiver and wife Heather, he shares with Chadi the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and what he encounters in a broken, complex healthcare system. A fitting episode as Chadi launches his book "The Cancer Journey." It is a must listen to anyone navigating the system. Is it truly patient-centric as advertised? You be the judge. View more and order “The Cancer Journey.” https...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Kathy Giusti, founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and a two-time cancer survivor, opens up about her first diagnosis and the life-changing conversation with her primary care doctor. She reflects on the overwhelming "age of information," which often leads patients to more questions than answers, and shares her strategies for dealing with the loss of control that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Kathy also talks about the importance of identifying what truly matters, placing p...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Dr. Joe Lennerz, Chief Scientific Officer of BostonGene and a pathologist by training, joins Chadi to break down next-generation sequencing (NGS) in simple terms, discussing why some patients undergo NGS while others do not, along with its advantages and limitations. He also explores the impact of NGS on treatment pathways, the practicality of minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, liquid biopsy, and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and whether immediate action should be taken after MRD detecti...
Oct 08, 2024•44 min
Dr. Sanjay Patel of Weill Cornell and Dr. Greg Goldgof of Memorial Sloan Kettering dive into the transformative role of AI in modern pathology. They discuss how large language models are enhancing diagnostic workflows, expediting report synthesis, and shaping the future of patient care. The conversation also touches on the complex training required to ready AI systems for clinical use, the areas of pathology most impacted by AI today, and how this technology is being integrated into the educatio...
Oct 01, 2024•53 min
David Canes, CEO of WellPrept and a Boston-based urologist, joins the show to share the story behind his innovative platform designed to reduce physician burnout. He explains how WellPrept empowers doctors to streamline patient education by organizing and delivering tailored materials before the first visit, allowing for more personalized and efficient consultations. David also touches on his entrepreneurial journey, the platform's future expansion beyond urology, and the broader impact WellPrep...
Sep 24, 2024•57 min
Graduating fellows Jennifer Marks and Megan Melody join the show to discuss the challenges of navigating the job search during fellowship. They share insights on when to start looking for positions, the importance of networking through mentors and conferences, and how to handle geographic limitations in the job market. The conversation also covers key interview strategies, tips for compensation negotiations, and what to do when asked to present during an interview—especially when things don't go...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr
Yelak Biru, President and CEO of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), joins the show to share his remarkable personal and professional journey. After immigrating to the US from Ethiopia, Yelak was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 26, setting him on an extraordinary path as both a survivor and a passionate advocate for myeloma patients. He discusses pivotal moments in his treatment, including seeking second opinions, utilizing groundbreaking therapies like CAR-T, and his ongoi...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Dr. Anish Koka, a cardiologist at Jefferson Health, returns to the show for the first time since the inaugural episode in October 2020. With a sharp focus on healthcare policy, he delves into the impact of the Affordable Care Act on his practice, critiques the influence of political biases in academia, and shares his bold ideas for making healthcare insurance accessible and affordable. Dr. Koka also offers insights on prior authorization alternatives, the Inflation Reduction Act, 340B, and much ...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Ziad Bakouny, MD, MSc, and Nazli Dizman, MD, return to the show to discuss the progress made for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) within the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Building on their previous conversation, they explore the origins of their initiatives at ASCO 2022, the goals for integrating IMGs into successful medical careers in the US, and the significant challenges posed by Visa constraints. Together, they expand on the unique hurdles faced by IMGs in oncology, how...
Aug 27, 2024•45 min
Chadi sits down with Russell Gong, President and CEO of Cabinet Health, and Eric Lessard, Vice President of Pharmacy, to explore their mission to revolutionize the healthcare industry with sustainable practices. They discuss the inspiration behind Cabinet Health, the significance of reducing plastic waste with their eco-friendly refillable medicine system, the startup's success metrics, their customer engagement strategies, and the unique features of their packaging. Additionally, they share ins...
Aug 20, 2024•53 min
Dr. Ishwaria Subbiah, Executive Director for Cancer Care Equity and Professional Wellness at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, joins Chadi to delve into the complexities of professional wellbeing and burnout in the healthcare field. She explores the prevalence of burnout, the concept of "learned helplessness," and effective strategies for improving organizational wellness and resilience among healthcare professionals. Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered episodes and other ...
Aug 13, 2024•57 min
Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, of Mount Sinai Medical Center, explores the science and clinical applications of liquid biopsies, including circulating tumor DNA. With Chadi, he explains how this cutting-edge approach compares to traditional tissue samples in terms of concordance, sensitivity, and specificity, and expands on the methods used to distinguish signal from noise in liquid biopsy results. Dr. Rolfo discusses which thoracic patients should receive liquid biopsies and the optimal timing withi...
Aug 06, 2024•52 min
It's July/August and this is the time when residents and fellows start their new chapter of their lives. In this special episode, Chadi tackles the fellowship application process using the "hematology/oncology" fellowship as an example, while keeping the conversation broad to most other fellowships in other disciplines. To better understand the process and the issues, he has invited a fellowship program director and a fellow applicant. Marc Braunstein, fellowship program director at NYU Langone ...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Chadi is joined by Drs. Rana McKay and Petros Grivas to discuss the latest genitourinary oncology research updates from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, covering topics such as the prognostic ability of KIM-1 in kidney cancer, patient-reported outcomes from enfortumab vedotin/pembrolizumab treatment, and the final overall survival update from the JAVELIN Renal 101 trial. The conversation also delves into studies on IO/TKI biomarkers, adaptive trials with ctDNA, and the latest findings from trials l...
Jul 23, 2024•58 min
In this exclusive interview, Chadi welcomes Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a Chinese immigrant who grew up under apartheid in South Africa and rose to become one of the world's most successful physician executives. Now the CEO of ImmunityBio, Dr. Soon-Shiong opens up about his remarkable journey. He shares what inspired him to pursue medicine, his entrepreneurial ventures, his move to the United States, and the story of his first investment. He discusses creating the groundbreaking chemotherapy drug A...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Drs. Balazs Halmos and Lecia Sequist delve into the groundbreaking updates from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. With Chadi, they reveal game-changing insights on EGFR-mutated lung cancer from the LAURA trial, small-cell lung cancer upgrades from the ADRIATIC trial, important revelations in ALK mutation research, innovative combination therapies, ctDNA results from the ADAURA trial, and conclude with the relevance of the KRYSTAL-12 study. Check out Chadi’s website for all Healthcare Unfiltered epis...
Jul 09, 2024•53 min
Vivek Subbiah, MD, Chief of Early-Phase Drug Development at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, kicks off his new series on Healthcare Unfiltered, “VIVEK’S TAKES,” in which he will provide his expert feedback on the importance and lasting effects of research presented at the top medical conferences in the world. In response to the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, Dr. Subbiah shares the themes he sees being developed in multiple cancer subspecialties, including breast, lung, and pancreatic, as well as the ...
Jul 02, 2024•30 min
Chadi is joined by Kate Dilligan, Founder and CEO of Cooler Heads Care, the manufacturer of a portable scalp cooling system authorized for adults 21 and older undergoing chemotherapy for a solid tumor. Kate shares her personal journey from being diagnosed with breast cancer to becoming an entrepreneur driven by a mission to help women undergoing chemotherapy mitigate the side effect of hair loss. Kate discusses the science behind the scalp cooling system and its effectiveness in preserving hair....
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Chadi sits down with David Krissman, a journalist and filmmaker whose passionate advocacy for kidney transplant and dialysis patients led him to create the groundbreaking podcast documentary series, "The Great Social Experiment." Krissman shares the harrowing personal story that inspired his film script, website, and podcast, exposing the stark financial incentives driving the U.S. healthcare system's approach to kidney transplantation and dialysis. Designed specifically for patients, his work o...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Ronald Chapman, LLM, Shareholder and Chairperson of White Collar Defense & Government Investigations at Chapman Law Group, delves into the intricate intersections of law and daily life, highlighting the subspecialized nature of healthcare law and his primary areas of focus within this field. He offers insights into his strategic choices between judge and jury trials, providing a nuanced perspective on opioid prescriptions, and delineates the fine line between lawful and unlawful practices. R...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Shaalan Beg, MD, MBA, FASCO, and Noelle K. LoConte, MD, FASCO, join Chadi to delve into the contentious relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer. Drawing from their expertise and insights, they navigate through the complexities of discerning causation from association in this context, shedding light on why a randomized controlled trial might never conclusively prove this link. From deciphering the threshold of alcohol intake that elevates the risk of 7 types of cancer to addressing th...
May 28, 2024•45 min
Chadi is rejoined by special guest Dr. Pamela Kunz, Editor in Chief of the groundbreaking new publication, JCO Oncology Advances. Dr. Kunz, known for her expertise in gastrointestinal cancers, shares the story of how she landed the prestigious role, offering insights into the rigorous interview process. She discusses her innovative approach to generating interest in the peer-review process and outlines the journal's ambitious goals to promote open-access publishing and collaborate closely with t...
May 21, 2024•39 min
Chadi sits down with Dr. Chandana Banerjee, a trailblazer in palliative and hospice care, serving as the Dean, Director, and Designated Institutional Official of Graduate Medical Education at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. With a remarkable career dedicated to improving end-of-life care, Dr. Banerjee shares insights on how to infuse every aspect of patient care with the same passion and hope found in palliative settings. From navigating the challenges of funding and visibility in ...
May 14, 2024•55 min
Chadi is joined by Stephanie Chuang, a remarkable patient advocate, survivor of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and the visionary behind The Patient Story, a curator of patients stories and resources for people diagnosed with cancer. Stephanie shares her journey from a surprise diagnosis to the genesis and execution of The Patient Story during her chemotherapy treatment. Learn how she garnered viewers on her website and YouTube channel, driven by her mission to curate information and resources to inspire ...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Chadi and guest Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Deputy Director, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief of Solid Tumor Medical Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, delve into the latest breakthroughs in primary brain cancers. As a distinguished expert in brain metastases and primary brain tumors, Dr. Ahluwalia provides invaluable insights into clinical trial design, enrollment challenges, and the complexities of brain tumor development. Together, they explore the landscape of surgical and therapeutic interve...
Apr 30, 2024•45 min
Chadi delves into the realm of AI and its transformative impact on drug development with Adam Petrich, MD, Chief Medical Officer of QuantHealth, who unveils the AI solutions crafted by QuantHealth, aimed at simulating and predicting clinical trial outcomes to enhance the success rates of trials. Drawing from his expertise, Dr. Petrich sheds light on the integration of AI in the clinical trial creation process, offering insights into predicting investigational treatment efficacy against standard ...
Apr 23, 2024•40 min
Dr. Aaron Goodman, who started a petition that gathered over 20,000 signatures to end the MOC back in July 2023, found himself suddenly reported as NOT CERTIFIED by the ABIM in the specialty he practices and teaches (hematology). When he called the ABIM, he was told he needed to pay thousands of dollars in back fees for the Internal Medicine Board that he did not want to keep, as he is a specialist in bone marrow transplant and hematology. The ABIM advised that unless he pays these fees, he will...
Apr 16, 2024•52 min
