MedStar Health DocTalk

What are some of the most recent advancements in targeted treatments for patients with GI cancers?Have there been any recent advancements in how we use immunotherapy to treat GI cancers? And how do patients with localized GI cancers like rectal and pancreatic cancer benefit from having access to a multidisciplinary care team? Dr. Ben Weinberg is gastrointestinal medical oncologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital who is focused on developing new therapies for colorectal and pancreatic cancers by translating research from animal models into early phase clinical trials in humans. He also studies young patients with colorectal cancer and their microbiome in order to understand the dramatic rise in incidence of left-sided colon and rectal cancers in this population.

For interviews with Dr. Weinberg, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

Though it’s a rare type of cancer, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. That's because pancreatic cancer symptoms aren't obvious in early stages and there is no official screening for it yet. So, most people don't know they have it until it has advanced to a stage when it is challenging to treat. During this podcast, Dr. Edward McCarron, a surgical oncologist at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center with extensive experience diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer discusses the symptoms of pancreatic cancer as well as treatment options if it is found.

For interviews with Dr. McCarron, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net..

What are some of the most exciting innovations in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer? What role do lung cancer screenings play in catching lung cancer at an earlier stage? And how does our multidisciplinary team determine the best course of treatment for a patient with lung cancer? Dr. Joshua Reuss is an award-winning thoracic medical oncologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital who specializes in the treatment of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymoma. His research focuses on incorporating novel concepts and groundbreaking science to develop innovative clinical trials that advance the care of patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma. Listen to Dr. Reuss discuss why cancer death rates are falling and some of the latest innovations in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. For more information, visit medstarhealth.org/services/lung-cancer.

For interviews with Dr. Reuss, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

Who is eligible to be a living donor? What are kidney swaps and exchanges? And can someone be a living donor even if they don't have a specific recipient in mind? Dr. Jennifer Verbesey specializes in kidney/pancreas transplantation for adults and children, and live donor nephrectomies. Dr. Verbesey is director, Living Donor Kidney Transplant at the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, and surgical director, Pediatric Kidney Transplant at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Listen to Dr. Verbesey discuss the process for determining if someone is eligible to become a living donor, our participation in national paired kidney exchange, and why our donors often get as much out of the transplantation process as the recipients. For more information, visit medstarhealth.org/services/becoming-a-living-donor.

For interviews with Dr. Verbesey, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is used to treat some chronic, non-healing wounds. Initially utilized to treat decompression sickness in divers, HBOT is now used for a number of medical problems, both chronic and acute. It is a simple yet effective treatment process in which a patient breathes pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, allowing the greatest amount of oxygen to make its way into the lungs. Since the healing process is highly dependent on having enough oxygen, exposing the body to high levels of oxygen stimulates its natural healing capabilities.

For interviews with Dr. Martin, or for more information about this podcast, contact Debra Schindler, regional medical relations director at debra.schindler@medstar.net.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of those who care for their loved ones. Caregiving for an elderly adult can be rewarding but also challenging, and burnout is common. So, who is taking care of the caregiver?

George Hennawi, MD, executive director of Geriatrics and Senior Services for MedStar Health, discusses how caregivers can get their questions answered, learn about health conditions, and find resources that can make a difference in the life of their loved ones and themselves. MedStarHealth.org/DocTalk.

For more information about Geriatrics, visit MedStarHealth.org/SuccessfulAging.  

For interviews with Dr. Hennawi, or for more information about this podcast, contact Debra Schindler, regional medical relations director at debra.schindler@medstar.net.

What are the most common types of breast cancer? How do doctors decide how we treat each type? Have there been advances that allow one to be more individualized in the treatment of women with early stage breast cancer? Dr. Claudine Isaacs, Medical Oncologist, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, has over 20 years of experience treating women with all stages of breast cancer. She is also the Associate Director of Clinical Research and Leader of the Clinical Breast Cancer Program at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Listen to Dr. Isaacs discuss how different types of breast cancer affect treatment recommendations and how advancements in medicine are allowing doctors to be more individualized in their treatment recommendations for each patient.

For interviews with Dr. Isaacs, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

Who needs breast surgery? What types of surgery do patients often get for breast cancer? And what are some of the new, exciting surgical innovations in the field of breast surgery? Dr. Lucy Maria De La Cruz is Chief, Breast Surgery and Director of the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Listen to Dr. De La Cruz explain which patients with breast cancer might be a candidate for breast surgery, the different types of breast surgery offered at MedStar Georgetown, recent innovations in the field of breast surgery, and more.

For interviews with Dr. De La Cruz, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

What are the most common causes of shoulder pain? And how is a reverse shoulder replacement different from a regular shoulder replacement? MedStar Georgetown University Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Brent Wiesel and specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery. Listen to Dr. Wiesel explain when should someone seek medical attention for a shoulder issue, what are the warning signs or symptoms that a person might need care, the typical course of a shoulder injury diagnosis, and more. Dr. Wiesel is chief of the shoulder service at the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, and he performs surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

For interviews with Dr. Wiesel, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, matthew.m.holzapfel@medstar.net.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women…a fact attributed, in part, to advances in screenings. When found early, it is easier to treat successfully. That’s why mammograms, along with clinical breast exams and general breast awareness, are vital for the early detection of breast cancer.

During this podcast, Dr. Daria Abolghasemi, a breast surgeon at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus, discusses breast cancer risk factors, the importance of regular screenings, and more.

For interviews with Dr. Abolghasemi, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

The pituitary gland is the size of a pea, yet it releases many of the hormones that allow us to live our lives. From its location at the base of the skull, it controls temperature sensations, stress levels, menstrual cycles, and more. Given the gland’s small size, pituitary tumors are sometimes so tiny that an MRI doesn’t even pick them up.

Listen as neurosurgeon Dr. Jugal Shah discusses pituitary tumors from diagnosis through recovery. He’ll also explain treatment options, including how he can now operate on pituitary tumors through the nose, as opposed to through the skull.

Dr. Shah sees patients at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, and in Ellicott City, Maryland.

For interviews with Dr. Shah, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

The shoulder is the most moveable joint in the human body. But what happens when all that movement leads to instability? What are the effects of instability on shoulder function, and how can that instability be healed?

Dr. Melissa Wright, shoulder and elbow orthopaedic surgeon, discusses shoulder instability—including its risk factors, signs, and symptoms. Instability is different from arthritis, so we’ll also talk with her about shoulder dislocations and injuries, genetic predisposition towards loose ligaments, and treatment options.

Dr. Wright sees patients at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and in Westminster, Maryland.

For interviews with Dr. Wright, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of arrhythmia. In the US, it affects between 2.7 million to 6.1 million Americans, and that number is projected to rise to 12.1 million in 2030.

Dr. Sunjeet Sidhu, cardiac electrophysiologist, discusses atrial fibrillation (AFib)—including risk factors, signs, and symptoms. We’ll also talk with him about when to seek care from a specialist and the treatment options available to patients at all stages along the AFib continuum.

Dr. Sidhu sees patients at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus.

For interviews with Dr. Sidhu, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net

Does your thumb hurt non-stop? In the latest episode (direct hotlink to download) of MedStar Health's podcast, DocTalk, Ryan Katz, MD of the Curtis National Hand Center talks about one of the most commonly treated hand conditions: arthritis in the basal thumb joint. Patients with constant pain in the base of their thumb live compromised lives with loss of function and unrelenting pain. There are treatment options. And when surgery is needed, so is an expert in hand surgery.

For more information on Dr. Katz, the Curtis National Hand Center, or conditions of the hand, go to: MedStarHealth.org/locations/curtis-national-hand-center

For interviews with Dr. Katz, contact Debra Schindler, regional director of media and public relations for MedStar Health in Baltimore, 410-274-1260.

From self-driving cars to automatic vacuums, the field of robotics is exploding. This technology is also applied to healthcare, and specifically to knee and hip replacement. But how does that work? And is the robot or the surgeon in charge? On this episode of DocTalk, MedStar Health joint replacement surgeon Dr. Mark Hasenauer discusses this orthopaedic innovation. Learn more about robotic navigation, its benefits to patients, and when you should see a specialist so that you can keep moving. Dr. Hasenauer sees patients at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and in Timonium, Maryland. Dr. Hasenauer specializes in primary, partial, and revision knee replacements, as well as primary and revision hip replacements. He has a special interest and expertise in anterior total hip replacement, computer navigation, and robotic-assisted joint replacement. With so many treatment options available, Dr. Hasenauer’s philosophy of care is to ensure that each of his patients receive the right treatment at the right time, including both surgical and non-surgical options. His goal is to return patients to their desired level of movement and function.

For interviews with Dr. Hasenauer, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Every year 1 out of 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 275,000 new cases are identified annually…among both women and men. So, what happens after you’ve been told you have breast cancer? It’s complicated and depends on the type and extent of the cancer as well as a variety of other factors.

During this podcast, Dr. Maen Farha, medical director of the Breast Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, explores the various paths a patient’s breast cancer journey can take based on their specific diagnosis.

For interviews with Dr. Farha, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Most adults have suffered from back pain at some point in their lives. If you have dealt with an injury, nagging aches, or piercing, shooting pain, you probably wondered if the pain would go away on its own. When is does further treatment, or surgery, become necessary?

MedStar Health neurosurgeon Jugal Shah, MD, demystifies back pain and spine surgery on this episode of DocTalk. Learn more about spinal conditions, how and why nature designed the spine, and which symptoms are most concerning.

Dr. Shah sees patients at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Harbor Hospital, and in Ellicott City, Maryland. Dr. Shah specializes in  brain and spine disease, with a particular interest in minimally invasive and robotic spinal surgery. He treats spinal degeneration, instability, spinal cord and nerve compression, trauma, cancer, and cranial pathologies.

For interviews with Dr. Shah, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

When shoulder pain becomes so bad that you can’t sleep, put on a shirt, or work – is shoulder replacement surgery inevitable? MedStar Health shoulder and elbow surgeon Dr. Melissa Wright explains the symptoms to look for, the non-surgical options, and the wide variety of available surgical procedures on this episode of DocTalk.  Learn the differences between rotator cuff and shoulder joint pain, the qualities you should seek out when researching physicians and programs, and what to expect during recovery. 

Dr. Wright sees patients at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and in Westminster, Maryland. She is a national expert on the effect of social and environmental factors on orthopaedic outcomes.

For interviews with Dr. Wright, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Caring for aging seniors can be challenging for patients, their caregivers, as well as medical providers. These seniors can have multiple complex medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, incontinence, and memory loss. The Center for Successful Aging can help, according to George Hennawi, MD, physician executive for Geriatrics and Senior Services, chair of Geriatrics, and senior medical director for the Center for Successful Aging. This outpatient practice with two locations, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, has a team of geriatric experts that work with patients and their caregivers using a national model of care called The 4Ms: what Matters, medications, mentation (mental activity or memory), and mobility. They partner with primary care physicians to consult or treat aging seniors to help keep them at home with improved health and safety.

For details, visit MedStarHealth.org/SuccessfulAging.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer that starts in the deep layers of the skin in the cells that produce pigment. It is aggressive and potentially life-threatening. So, it’s important that it be identified early when it is most treatable. In this podcast, Dr. Edward McCarron, a surgical oncologist and specialist in the treatment of the disease, talks about what melanoma is, how it is treated, and how to prevent it by knowing the ABCDEs of melanoma.

For interviews with Dr. McCarron, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

If you’re an active person with hip pain, you may have hip impingement or a labrum tear. These conditions can be repaired with a minimally invasive, highly specialized procedure: hip arthroscopy. But what exactly is it? MedStar Health sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Tepper and DocTalk host Mike Schuh discuss this surgical repair. Learn more about the hip ball and socket, how cartilage wear and tear differs from arthritis, and when you should see a specialist so that you can keep moving.

Dr. Tepper sees patients in Pikesville, Hunt Valley, and Westminster, Maryland, and is a national expert on hip arthroscopy. He is also the medical director for athletics at Stevenson University and on the medical staff for the USA Men's U-21 lacrosse team.

For interviews with Dr. Tepper, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart condition and can affect as many as one in 500, yet it’s one we don’t hear about very often. This inherited heart condition can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity.

Dr Sandeep Jani, director of the HCM clinic at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, explains more about this condition and how its symptoms (or lack thereof) can vary greatly from person to person. He identifies the diagnostic tests to definitively determine if a patient has HCM, who should get tested if a family member has HCM, the various treatment options (depending on severity), and how patients can live this condition. We talk with him in this podcast about the unique needs of patients with HCM and the importance of ongoing care management.

Dr. Jani sees patients at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

For interviews with Dr. Jani, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

They say that time heals all wounds. But does it? For some people getting a wound to heal suffer months without change. Why? What are the risks of that, and what is happening in technology and wound care to get patients healed and back to their lives? To answer those questions and more about healing wounds, we are talking with Dr. David Zachary Martin, regional medical director of the MedStar Health Wound Healing Institute in Baltimore.

For more information, call the wound care teams at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital at 443-444-4275 or MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center at 443-777-6360.

Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure--contributes to a variety of cardiovascular conditions. In fact, having hypertension doubles the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke. Hypertension is often referred to as "THE SILENT KILLER," partly because many people have an elevated blood pressure and may not even know it because they feel fine and have no symptoms. Dr. Raymond Young breaks down the guidelines for optimal blood pressure and what constitutes elevated blood pressure and stages of hypertension. He also shares important information about modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, treatment options, lifestyle changes that everyone should make, and when you may want to see a cardiologist. Dr. Young sees patients at MedStar Good Samaritan and MedStar Union Memorial Hospitals.

Deciding to pursue a surgical solution for weight loss is not a decision you make lightly.
Weight loss surgery can change your life. It's not just about losing weight. It's about regaining your health. It's a chance to say goodbye to high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, and joint problems, so you can have a better quality of life in the future. Dr. Christopher You talks about the team approach that MedStar Health takes with Bariatric surgery and some of the valuable education and resources available about weight loss and healthy living that can benefit your entire family.