For the Love of Health

Every summer, emergency departments across Delaware see patients who didn't realize how dangerous the heat had become until it was too late. Yet heat-related illness is largely preventable. Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States, and the problem is getting worse: heat-related deaths among adults over 65 have increased 85% since the 1990s, with projections showing they could rise by 370% by mid-century. Delaware, one of the fastest-warming states in the country, is on the front lines.The challenge in preventing heat-related illness is recognizing the risk before it becomes an emergency. In this episode, recorded ahead of Delaware's first official Heat Awareness Week (May 18–22, 2026), we're joined by ChristianaCare environmental health and sustainability manager Deanna Benner and ChristianaCare hospitalist and board-certified geriatrician Dr. Himabindu Lanka to talk about what extreme heat actually does to the body, who's most vulnerable and what clinicians, caregivers and community members can do to stay ahead of it.Dr. Lanka walks through how to evaluate at-risk patients using a structured clinical framework, from medication reviews to subtle signs of dehydration that often get missed. Deanna shares practical guidance from her work as a women's health nurse practitioner and connects heat awareness to ChristianaCare's broader commitment to upstream, community-centered health.Whether you're a clinician, a caregiver or someone looking out for a loved one this summer, this conversation is for you.Deanna Benner, MSN, APRN, is ChristianaCare's environmental health and sustainability manager and president of the Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Climate and Health. A women's health nurse practitioner, she works to connect environmental health to clinical care and community well-being.Himabindu Lanka, MD, FACP, FHM, is a hospitalist physician at ChristianaCare with board certification in internal medicine and geriatrics. Her clinical focus is on the intersection of aging, chronic disease and environmental health threats.Links:ChristianaCare News: Don’t Go Out Without Your Water BottleDelaware Heat Awareness WeekLancet Countdown on Health and Climate ChangeHeat Waves and Annual Death Rates in Older Adults — Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthDelaware 211Delaware Aging and Disability Resource CenterThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

How's your posture? Can you turn at your hips without feeling any pain? Can you suck in your navel?Two years ago we were joined by ChristianaCare physical therapists Travis Ross and Brian Catania to discuss their nationally recognized Sling Activation Sequence for athletes. Since then, Travis and Brian have been refining their work to show how core strengthening is for everyone, from pro athletes to 77 year old grandmothers who just enjoy staying active.We discuss how pain leads in inhibition, why sitting and device posture and quietly shut down proper activities, and how the core can be reactivated with the right techniques. But this isn't just a theoretical discussion in broad generalities - we also offer specific ways to test your own core at home, as well as safe guidance on how to get your core back in shape. And in a separate video, we travel to Brian and Travis's practice in Newark to attempt some of the exercises ourselves, with tips on what to look for and how to take build on what's taught.Don't let bad posture control your life - sit up, tune in, and learn what you can do to get your core back on track.Brian Catania, MPT, SCS, ATC, is a physical therapist and site manager of ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services at Glasgow who has attracted national attention for trailblazing new types of therapy.Travis Ross, PT, DPT, is an outpatient orthopedic and sports Physical Therapist at ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware since 2006. He co-created the Sling Activation Sequence, which has been used to prevent and reduce injuries by athletes across the country.Links:Bonus Content: FTLOH Hosts Try SAS Core ExercisesChristianaCare's For the Love of Health: Strengthening the Core with Brian Catania and Travis RossChristianaCare Physical TherapyVIDEOS: ChristianaCare Sling Activation SequenceVIDEOS: ChristianaCare Standing Sling Activation Sequence Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Raising teenagers has always been difficult, regardless of the generation. But life in the modern world has introduced a whole new of challenges to navigate, for both adolescents and their parents.It's more important than ever to stay on top of your teen's mental health and wellbeing. While that may be easier said than done, ChristianaCare psychologist Dr. Narpinder Malhi joins us to share a few clear signs that tend to tell the truth fast, to help you avoid guesswork and spiraling. From getting enough sleep and developing daily routines to limiting screen time and sugar intake, Dr. Malhi walks us through a practical, evidence-informed way to understand adolescent mental health without turning your home into a therapy office.In addition to discussing six lifestyle pillars that influence mood and behavior, we also cover when to seek professional help based on impairment and duration, the warning signs parents often miss in high-functioning kids, why teen symptoms can show up as irritability or stomach aches, and how evidence-based therapy and medication can work together when symptoms are moderate to severe.If you've ever worried about stigma or wondered what's "normal teen stuff" versus a real mental health concern, this episode will give you a steadier map. Listen now for a conversation that may just help save a life.Narpinder Malhi, M.D., is director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic and Multidisciplinary Autism Program. She has authored articles in Psychiatric Times on worldwide events and its impact on psychiatrists.Links:ChristianaCare Child and Adolescent PsychiatryChristianaCare Behavioral HealthChristianaCare News: What are the Social Determinants of Adolescent Mental Health?ChristianaCare News: Nurturing Your Child's Social Health in the Digital EraChristianaCare News: From Chaos to Calm - How to Navigate Adolescent Anxiety as a Teen - or a ParentThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

You need a prescription refill or have a quick question for your primary care provider. So you send a message through your patient portal, expecting your doctor will read it between appointments.To make sure every patient gets timely, thoughtful care, primary care is no longer a solo effort. Today, doctors are supported by a full care team. And the newest member might surprise you: the Inboxologist.In this episode, we take a closer look at how modern primary care is evolving with Dr. Priya Dixit-Patel, physician executive of primary care at ChristianaCare, and Mary Goshert, a nurse practitioner at ChristianaCare's MAP2 primary care practice who serves in this innovative Inboxologist role.Mary explains what inbox management really involves - covering multiple providers, triaging urgent concerns, and reviewing charts to spot gaps in care. Dr. Dixit-Patel shares what sets ChristianaCare's model apart: experienced advanced practice clinicians dedicated to "desktop medicine," helping reduce cognitive load for physicians and speed up responses for patients.From the idea that sparked this role to real-world examples of its impact, you'll hear how Inboxologists are reshaping primary care - and improving the experience for both patients and providers, one message at a time.Priya Dixit-Patel, M.D., is the physician executive for core and advanced primary care at ChristianaCare. In this role, she oversees ChristianaCare's primary care providers and focuses on their strategic and operational success. Dr. Dixit-Patel is a family medicine physician with over two decades of experience.Links:ChristianCare Primary CareChristianaCare Patient PortalThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Spring has sprung! And while we're all eager to get outside and enjoy life in the sun again, make sure you're prepared for some seasonal concerns.On our latest live conversation with Primary Care physicians Dr. Bridget Peters and Dr. Theresa Metanchuk, we discuss seasonal allergies, what you can take to keep them under control, and how to tell the difference between them and a cold or the flu. We offer a reminder about sun safety, be it at your child's soccer meet or a spring break trip to the beach. And we offer some advice on how to avoid insect bites and stings, and what to do when the bugs win out. We also discuss how changes in seasons can affect or mental and emotional wellbeing.Through it all, we offer helpful tips on the best products to use, the ones to avoid, and when you should contact your Primary Care Provider.Before you head outside, be it for some gardening or some much-needed warm weather R&R, make sure to listen to this episode as part of your Spring activity prep!Links:ChristianaCare Primary CareChristianaCare News: Bites, Bumps, Burns and BruisesChristianaCare News: Don't Go Out Without Your Water BottleThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

When you go to a doctor's appointment, you may recognize the doctors, nurses, and medical assistants on your care team. But there's another essential role making a powerful difference behind the scenes: Community Health Workers (CHWs). In this episode of For the Love of Health, we explore how community health workers at ChristianaCare help patients navigate the healthcare system and everyday life challenges that impact health. From managing chronic conditions to accessing food, transportation, and community resources, CHWs serve as trusted guides and advocates - meeting patients where they are.Erin Ridout, Manager of Community Health Impact, and Briana Nkwenti, a Community Health Worker in primary care, share what CHWs do and why their role is critical to improving health outcomes both inside and outside the hospital walls.You'll also hear how ChristianaCare has made a significant investment in the statewide certification of community health workers, helping strengthen and grow Delaware's CHW workforce. Links:ChristianaCare Community Health Workers NEWS: ChristianaCare Invests in Certification Program to Strengthen Delaware's Community Health Workforce ChristianaCare Community Benefit ChristianaCare Needs Assessments and Implementation Plans Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The thrill of the Olympic Winter Games can make anyone believe a gold medal is just a weekend away. But before you start attempting those triple axels and backside rodeo 540s, make sure your body is ready.ChristianaCare Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Barchi encourages us to stay active and try new things while channeling that Olympic spark into a smart path. Real progress starts with a simple mantra: start low and go slow. From the first wobbly steps on skates to a clean landing on a big jump, we break down why seemingly effortless performance is the final layer built on years of form, base fitness, and mental resilience.Dr. Barchi also takes an honest look at injuries, explaining the most common weekend warrior issues—rotator cuff and elbow tendinitis, cranky knees—and how to prevent them with better mechanics, targeted strength, and realistic training loads. If you do get hurt, you’re not benched forever. We lay out the red flags that require urgent care, smart first steps like early icing, and the timeline to get evaluated so rehab can start quickly. We also discuss athlete longevity, and get practical about home safety—especially with kids—so the living room doesn’t turn into a highlight reel for the wrong reasons.The big takeaway: joy fuels consistency, and consistency builds capacity. It’s never too late to pick up a new sport, protect your body, and get better fast by mastering the basics.Elizabeth Barchi, M.D., is a sports medicine specialist who integrates a holistic approach into helping performance athletes. Dr. Barchi has an extensive history working with professional dancers. She regularly speaks to national media on ways that people can reduce their risk, and more effectively recover, from sports injuries.Links:ChristianaCare Sports & Lifestyle MedicineChristianaCare News: How Exercise Elevates Your HealthChristianaCare News: You Don’t Have to Be a Pro to Play Like OneThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Patients often face a fast-moving disease and few treatment choices.But what if you could treat lung cancer with something as simple as an inhaler? It's an option that may be closer than you think thanks to groundbreaking research from ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute.At the heart of the technique is at-home CRISPR gene editing, designed to switch off tumor resistance at its source. Drs. Eric Kmiec and Kelly Banas of the Gene Editing Institute unpack the decade-long journey from a big idea to a viable therapy. We dig into the hardest parts of genetic medicine - delivery, stability, and safety - and why inhalation could be the breakthrough. Looking ahead, the team frames this as a platform that could expand to head and neck cancers and beyond, while easing the clinical toll on patients through lower doses and at-home care.Whether your interest lies in lung cancer treatment specifically or the future of cancer therapeutics more generally, this episode provides a ray of hope for cancer patients everywhere. Listen now to find out how ChristianaCare and the Gene Editing Institute are paving the way for cancer breakthroughs.Eric B. Kmiec, Ph.D., is the Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Gene Editing Institute (GEI) at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at ChristianaCare. His research centers on understanding the process of gene repair and gene editing with a focus on CRISPR-directed genome engineering in human cells. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the fields of molecular medicine and gene editing having discovered many of the molecular activities that regulate the efficiency of human gene editing.Kelly Banas, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of Research of the Gene Editing Institute. She leads a team of researchers working to identify new clinically relevant genomic targets as well as working to understand the specificity and safety of CRISPR/Cas systems as a therapeutic modality. Her previous research has led to an innovative foundational approach to the treatment of solid tumors using CRISPR-directed gene editing, which is currently being developed for Investigational New Drug status.Links:ChristianaCare Gene Editing InstituteChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research InstituteChristianaCare News: Gene Editing Breakthrough Offers New Hope for Head and Neck Cancer PatientsChristianaCare News: CorriXR Launches Bold Collaboration to Create First Inhaled CRISPR Therapy for Lung CancerThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Resolutions feel exciting until the third week of January hits - then real life tests whether the plan can withstand stress, snow days, and scroll-bait "hacks."On this special LIVE episode of For the Love of Health, we sat down with Primary Care physicians Dr. Bridget Peters and Dr. Theresa Metanchuck to help separate what actually moves the needle from what just moves your feed. Their approach is simple: start with your goals, then design habits you can sustain. From supplements and protein to sleep, stress, and activity, we build a practical roadmap that fits your season of life.If this conversation helped you map your next step, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want tackled next.LINKSChristianaCare Primary Care ChristianaCare Wellness Blog: 5 Simple Steps to Maintain Your Healthy WeightChristianaCare Mocktail Recipes Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Do you know how to read your medical bills? Do you know what to do if you can't afford to pay your medical bills?Financial concerns shouldn't decide whether you see a doctor. On this episode of For the Love of Health, we're pulling back the curtain on hospital billing, financial assistance, and the practical steps that make care affordable - often for people who never imagined they'd qualify. ChristianaCare's Vice President of Revenue Cycle, Christina Corkery, and Health Guides supervisor, Dawn Baker walk through how to navigate coverage, who qualifies for help and how to ask for help. ChristianaCare Health Guides meet people where they are: embedded in primary care, at community events, and through inpatient referrals for those facing urgent bills. If you're staring at a statement, call the toll-free number on it, visit the ChristianaCare website to apply for assistance, or reach out to the Health Guides portal to start coverage screening for Medicaid or marketplace plans. We keep the process simple, judgment-free, and focused on getting you connected fast.Don't wait for an emergency, and don't put off care due to your financial situation - listen to this episode to find how out to make health care affordable and within reach.Links:ChristianaCare Financial Assistance ProgramChristianaCare Billing AssistanceChristianaCare Health GuidesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The concept of well-being in healthcare doesn't just refer to doctors and nurses. When caregivers feel supported and fulfilled in their work, the patient experience also improves, impacting our entire community.Dr. Maureen 'Mo' Leffler, ChristianaCare's Chief Wellbeing Officer, joins us to discuss why caregiver wellbeing matters for safety, outcomes, and trust. We discuss how burnout is an occupational injury - not a personal flaw - as well as the evidence linking clinician distress to and lower patient satisfaction, and how targeted programs and tools such as GROW (Get Rid of Waste) and WIN (the Wellbeing Integrated Network) change the story. The results of these efforts speak for themselves, as we see declining burnout trends and hear from caregivers who say these efforts are "game changers." Recognition from the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine program underscores a broader roadmap: integrate wellbeing alongside patient experience, safety, quality, and finance with the same rigor and accountability.If you care about safer, kinder, more reliable care, you'll want to hear how these approaches turn ideas into outcomes.Maureen "Mo" Leffler, D.O., MPH, serves as ChristianaCare's Chief Wellbeing Officer of ChristianaCare. In this role, Dr. Leffler leads the ChristianaCare Center for WorkLife Wellbeing and strategies to enhance the professional fulfillment and wellbeing of ChristianaCare's nearly 14,000 caregivers, overseeing advocacy programs and initiatives to optimize their experience and foster a culture of wellbeing throughout the organization. She works closely with leaders across key departments to address factors impacting caregiver wellbeing.Links:ChristianaCare Center for WorkLife WellbeingChristianaCare News: ChristianaCare Honored With Gold Level 2025 Joy in Medicine AwardChristianaCare News: Maureen Leffler, D.O., MPH, Named Chief Wellbeing OfficerMedical Grand Rounds: Physician WellbeingThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Structural heart disease is a condition that affects the heart’s structure, its valves, chambers and walls. Minimally invasive procedures are transforming treatment for these complex conditions.Many diagnoses that once required open heart surgery can now be treated with minimally-invasive procedures, resulting in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster return to the activities you love. Dr. Neil Wimmer, Medical Director of the ChristianaCare Structural Heart Program, and Interventional and Structural Cardiologist Dr. Erin Fender join us to unpack how transcatheter therapies work, why outcomes now rival open heart surgery, and what it's like to see patients go from breathless to walking the halls the next day. Along the way, we explore who qualifies, how to start with primary care or general cardiology, and what a comprehensive heart team brings to complex cases.If you've wondered whether valve disease still means a big operation, or you're caring for someone slowing down with subtle symptoms, this deep dive offers clarity and hope.Neil Wimmer, M.D., MS, is the Medical Director of the ChristianaCare Structural Heart Program and an expert in transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which enables patients who aren't good candidates for open heart surgery to receive a new heart valve inserted through a catheter. The procedure has increased in popularity in recent years.Erin Fender, MD, is board-certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. A cardiology researcher and educator, Dr. Fender is engaged in educational programs and lecture series, and has presented nationally.Links:ChristianaCare CardiologyChristianaCare Structural Heart Disease ProgramTranscatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) at ChristianaCareChristianaCare News: ChristianaCare First in Delaware to Offer Breakthrough Tricuspid Valve Disease TreatmentsChristianaCare News: A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Open Heart SurgeryThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

What if a community could turn generosity into faster answers, wider access, and life-changing research? It's a question that drives ChristianaCare's Office of Philanthropy and the subject of our conversation with Dia Williams Adams, ChristianaCare Vice President of Philanthropy, and Dr. Thomas Schwaab, Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute.On this episode of For the Love of Health, we start with the heart of philanthropy—love of humankind—and draw a clear line between traditional funding that keeps operations running and donor dollars that push care forward. From a universal mammography system that delivers results in minutes to the Moxi cobot that frees clinicians for high-touch moments, we show how gifts become tangible relief for patients.We discuss how community support sustains one of the nation’s strongest clinical trial programs, as well as initiatives beyond hospital walls, showing how these investments close the gap between what insurance covers and what healing requires. It's a conversation that unpacks how donor support creates care that is innovative, compassionate, and accessible, right where you live, and shows that no gift of time, talent, treasure, or testimony is too small. Listen now to learn how your donation may just help your own neighbor.Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D. is the Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute and leader of the Cancer Service Line, as well as an innovative and energetic board-certified urological surgeon. Dr. Schwaab provides overall direction and leadership for the Graham Cancer Center and cancer care activities. He directs community outreach and research and works to reduce the incidence, prevalence and mortality of cancer in the state of Delaware and the region.Dia Williams Adams is ChristianaCare's Vice President of Philanthropy, where she leads the development team and secures philanthropic support for the mission of ChristianaCare. Her responsibilities also include fostering a culture of philanthropy and stewardship, both internally and externally.Links:Learn about ChristianaCare Office of PhilanthropyMake a Gift Online The Junior Board of ChristianaCareHost Your Own Event Benefitting ChristianaCare ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research InstituteFriends of the Helen F. Graham Cancer CenterChristianaCare News - Lacing Up for Hope: ChristianaCare's Friends 5K Run/Walk Raises Over $300,000 to Fight CancerThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

When you have to take your child to the hospital, it's not a good day for anyone in your family. But a Child Life Specialist can help make your experience a little more positive.In this episode, we're joined by ChristianaCare's first Child Life Specialist, Shannon Taylor, who explains how fear loses power when kids have a plan, and how preparation, choice, and play can turn stressful hospital moments into manageable ones. We walk through the practical tools that make a real difference. A custom LEGO model of an MRI machine and an app with real scanner sounds help children understand what they’ll see and hear, while crafts, FaceTime, and medical dolls help children feel connected to a new sibling who may be separated from them in the NICU—and know how to safely interact when the baby finally comes home. The work stretches beyond pediatrics. When a parent or grandparent is hospitalized—or nearing end-of-life—kids need honest words, not whispers. Shannon guides families through bedside goodbyes and memory-making rituals, helping both children and adults navigate procedures and loss. Whether hospital care is needed at the beginning, middle, or end of life, a Child Life Specialist can help alleviate some of the stress for kids. Don't wait for the medical crisis to hit - listen now to learn how a Child Life Specialist can help your family.Links:ChristianaCare News: What Does a Child Life Specialist Do?ChristianaCare PediatricsChristianaCare Pediatric Care CenterThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is one of the most impactful and prevalent health challenges facing women today, highlighting the need for quality screening, diagnosis, and treatment.On this episode of For the Love of Health, we're speaking with Dr. Susan Schaffer Whiteman, medical oncologist at ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. Dr. Schaffer Whiteman shares her expertise on how to catch breast cancer early, what the different breast cancer diagnoses actually mean, and how complementary therapies such as acupuncture and proper nutrition can ease treatment side effects. We also discuss the power of comprehensive cancer centers.If this conversation helps you or someone you love feel more prepared and less alone, share it and subscribe for the next episode.Susan Whelen Schaffer Whiteman, D.O., is a board-certified Medical Oncologist, Hematologist at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, specializing in breast and neurological cancers. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her training in Delaware, Virginia, and Arizona. Dr. Whiteman has held roles as an attending physician and medical director.LinksChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research InstituteChristianaCare Breast Cancer ScreeningBreast Cancer Care at the Tatiana Copeland Breast CenterAmerican Cancer Society: Breast Cancer Facts & FiguresThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Flu is unpredictable, but your plan doesn't have to be. On this episode of For the Love of Health, we sat down with Dr. Marci Drees, Chief Infection Prevention Officer, and Cynthia Griffin, Chief Nursing Officer of Community Care at ChristianaCare, to map out a smarter way to move through cold and flu season without the stress. From vaccine timing to sick-day decisions, we break down what actually works - and what you can skip - to keep your family safer and your schedule intact.We also introduce ChristianaCare's Cough & Cold Line (302-623-7400), open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., to help you decide between watchful waiting, primary care, urgent care, or the Emergency Department.If you're ready to trade confusion for confidence this respiratory season, hit play. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a plan, and leave a review to help more listeners find evidence-based guidance when it matters most.Marci Drees, M.D., MS, DTMH, FACP, FSHEA, is the Chief Infection Prevention Officer and hospital epidemiologist for ChristianaCare. Her clinical research has covered topics such as infant mortality, flu vaccination, outpatient antibiotic use, healthcare-associated infections and disease outbreaks.Cynthia Griffin, BSN, MS, RN, is the chief nursing officer of Community Care at ChristianaCare. She oversees nursing care of Christiana Care owned and affiliated community-based primary care services.LinksChristianaCare News - Don't Let the Flu Slow You Down: Stay Prepared with ChristianaCareChristianaCare Primary CareChristianaCare Cough and Cold LineChristianaCare Center for Virtual HealthShould I Go To the Emergency Room, Urgent Care or Primary Care?Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

When’s the last time you had a headache? And when it hit, did you just down a cup of coffee or a couple pills to try to get it to pass?Almost everyone gets headaches, but not everyone really understands what that pain is trying to tell them. From simple daily tension headaches to severe and debilitating migraine, every headache tells a story. And it’s a good idea to listen to your body and get to the root cause.On this episode of For the Love of Health ChristianaCare neurologists Dr. Rami Al-Hader and Dr. Asad Fraz demystify the complex world of headaches with surprising insights that might change how you think about that throbbing in your temples.  Drs. Al-Hader and Fraz share some of the common causes of headache including weather changes, screen time, sleep patterns, and even genetics, and give tips on simple changes you can make to help minimize your symptoms.Perhaps most valuable is their expert guidance on when to seek emergency care versus when to manage symptoms at home. From the warning signs of dangerous "thunderclap headaches" to the red flags of neurological symptoms, the neurologists provide clear markers for when that pain in your head warrants immediate attention. They also debunk persistent myths and offer practical advice on hydration and the dangers of medication overuse.Whether you're dealing with occasional tension headaches or chronic migraines, this episode offers valuable insights to help you better understand and manage your symptoms. Don't suffer in silence - listen now and take the first step toward headache relief.Rami Al-Hader, M.D., is an empathetic board-certified neurologist with experience in treating a variety of neurological disorders and conditions and advanced training in treating multiple sclerosis. Dr. Al-Hader earned his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. He is widely published and received a Resident Teaching Award in 2023 from Wayne State University. Muhammad Asad Fraz, M.D., is a committed outpatient neurologist who works with adult patients on a wide range of neurological concerns including strokes, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and numerous other conditions. Dr. Fraz earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan, and has worked as a clinical observer and researcher at several academic medical centers.Links:ChristianaCare Outpatient NeurologyChristianaCare Headache and Migraine TreatmentChristianaCare News: Not every bad headache is a migraine!ChristianaCare News: My Head is Killing Me!ChristianaCare News: Top 8 Things to Do to Prevent HeadachesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to Delaware Health and Social Services, by 2030 more than 150,000 New Castle County residents will be over 60 years old. A majority of those residents are homeowners who hope to stay in their homes.As Delaware's population ages, physical barriers within their homes threaten their independence and quality of life. When stairs become mountains and bathrooms transform into hazard zones, the consequences extend far beyond inconvenience. Missed medical appointments, preventable falls, isolation, and difficulties for first responders to access patients are the hidden costs of homes that no longer serve their aging residents.Thanks to a partnership between ChristianaCare and Good Neighbors Home Repair, dozens of our New Castle County neighbors are safer and healthier in their own homes. ChristianaCare HomeHealth Senior Medical Social Worker JoAnn Bruch and Good Neighbors Executive Director Harold Naylor join us to share how their services have teamed up to reduce ER visits by 80-90% among those they've helped, delivering a six-to-one return on investment while restoring independence.With their 100th patient milestone recently celebrated, the partnership continues expanding to meet growing needs, showing that sometimes a hammer and nails can be just as powerful a tool for good health as a stethoscope. Don't wait for a crisis to consider how you might be able to age in place - start the conversation by listening today.Links:ChristianaCare HomeHealthChristianaCare News - Home Safe HomeGood Neighbors Home Repair Healthy Homes ProgramDelaware Health and Social Services Demographics ProjectionsThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest claims more lives globally than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.But if an emergency happens near you where someone needs CPR, would you be prepared? On this episode of For the Love of Health, we’re joined by Jennifer Oldham, cardiovascular quality and innovation nurse program manager at ChristianaCare.  Jennifer tells us why CPR is so vital during the first few moments after cardiac arrest, provides guidelines and tips on how to perform CPR, and talks about life-saving measures that we all should take, be it to help others or ourselves. Don’t be caught unprepared if you find yourself in a situation where someone has lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Listen now for an episode that could truly save a life. Jennifer Oldham, MSN, RN, CEN, is a cardiovascular quality and innovation nurse program manager at ChristianaCare’s Center for Heart & Vascular Health. Jennifer has dedicated the last three decades to teaching others about harnessing the power of CPR to save patients and loved ones. Links:ChristianaCare News - Jennifer Oldham Champions Life-Saving CPR CareChristianaCare Center for Heart & Vascular HealthAmerican Heart Association2025 Wilmington Heart Walk - American Heart AssociationDeputy Heart Attack program Early Heart Attack Care educational courseHands-Only CPR Instructional Video Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Back to school season is already here, and although it is just the first week of August, we know the last days of summer go fast. From sleep schedules to screen time, back to school can be overwhelming.Joining us for some Back to School Tips and Recommendations is Primary Care Provider Dr. Chelsea Hastry. She shares her guidance on how to ease into those transitions and make sure your child has a great first couple weeks back to school.Chelsea Hastry, M.D., is a dedicated and enthusiastic double certified physician in both internal medicine and pediatrics. In her role, she works with patients from babies to the elderly and is passionate about taking care of the entire family.LinksChristianaCare Primary CareChristianaCare PediatricsChristianaCare News - Keeping Student Athletes HealthyChristianaCare News - Nurturing Your Child’s Social Health in the Digital EraChristianaCare News - It's All About the BackpacksCDC FastStats: Sleep in High School StudentsCDC FastStats: Sleep in ChildrenThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

What if the hospital could come to you instead of you going to the hospital?On the first episode of For the Love of Health in 2023, we discussed ChristianaCare's Hospital Care at Home program - an opportunity for patients to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own homes. Two years after that first conversation, we're sitting down with physician Dr. Emilia Adah and paramedic Heather Orkis to discover how hospital-level care delivered at home is changing lives across Delaware.The Hospital Care at Home program has transformed from an innovative experiment to a healthcare game-changer, now having served almost 2,000 patients. The program has expanded beyond acute care to include post-acute services traditionally provided in skilled nursing facilities, creating a comprehensive home care ecosystem that meets patients where they are.From remarkably simple technology to the personal touch of in-home visits, Hospital Care at Home is providing patients with dramatically better outcomes: zero hospital-acquired infections, minimal delirium, less physical deconditioning, and readmission rates below 10%. But just as compelling as statistics are the personal stories of patients who have gone through the program (spoiler alert: grab your tissues before listening).Listen now to learn how the future of health care may be right in your own home.Links:ChristianaCare Hospital Care at HomeFor the Love of Health - Hospital Care at Home with Dr. Sarah SchenckChristianaCare News - Hospital Care at Home Honored with DAISY Team AwardChristianaCare News - Innovative ways for you to receive hospital-level care in your own homeChristianaCare News - 'Just the Best Thing Ever'-Hospital Care at Home Program Celebrates MilestoneThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Mental illness isn't always obvious. Someone suffering with anxiety or depression can still wear a smile, crack a joke and be successful. On this episode of For the Love of Health, Dr. Mustafa Mufti, Chair of the ChristianaCare Department of Psychiatry, explains how mental health should be treated the same as physical health. Mustafa Mufti, M.D., is the chair of the ChristianaCare Department of Psychiatry. In this role, Dr. Mufti focuses on fostering and maintaining a vibrant, successful psychiatry department, including physician performance, quality, research and scholarly activity as well as the administration of all departmental educational, clinical and academic programming. Links:ChristianaCare Adult Outpatient Psychiatry & TherapyChristianaCare Child and Adolescent PsychiatryChristianaCare Inpatient PsychiatryNational Institute of Mental HealthThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Our eyes are working for us every second we're awake. Yet eye health often falls at the bottom of our wellness priority lists, taken for granted until problems arise.Keeping your eyes healthy doesn't just protect your vision - it can prevent serious health problems down the road. But when you have a question about your eyesight, should you see an ophthalmologist and an optometrist? ChristianaCare ophthalmologists Dr. Benjamin Chaon and Dr. Tomilade Adepoju join us to discuss the difference between the two types of providers and when to escalate your care beyond corrective lenses. They also share important information about common eye conditions such as dry eye, inflammatory eye disease, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, along with critical warning signs that everyone should be aware of.Don't be left in the dark over what's happening with your vision. Listen now for an eye-opening conversation to protect your precious sight.Benjamin Chaon, MD, is Medical Director of the Wilmington Eye Clinic, and member of the Christiana Care Department of Ophthalmology. He specializes in the medical and surgical management of uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases, such as iritis, scleritis, retinitis, and ocular infectious diseases, as well as the medical treatment of retinal diseases, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vascular diseases. Dr. Chaon also performs both routine and complex cataract surgeries, using the latest cutting-edge technology.Tomilade Adepoju, MD, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in treating patients diagnosed with glaucoma and other related eye diseases. Her focus includes helping her patients with general ophthalmic needs, ranging from diabetic eye care to routine eye exams. She works with her patients and families to understand their eye disease diagnosis and to create a comprehensive eye care plan.Links:ChristianaCare News - Why Your Eye Health Is So ImportantChristianaCare News - Ophthalmologist or Optometrist? Keep an Eye Out.ChristianaCare OphthalmologyThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Summer is officially here, bringing with it backyard pool days, beach trips, and sunshine-filled adventures. But did you know your unprotected skin can be damaged by UV rays in as little as 15 minutes? That tanned complexion many associate with health is actually your body's response to damage!Before you head to the pool, take a moment to consider a few summer safety tips with Dr. Dylan McDivitt from ChristianaCare Primary Care at Woodstown. He shares the latest guidance on what kind of sunscreen to use and how often to apply; tips on staying hydrated through summer heat; and the best ways to avoid accidents while swimming. And don't forget the importance of getting trained in CPR!Don't let sunburn or heat stroke ruin your day at the pool - a few minutes of prep now will help you enjoy those long, lazy summer days all season long.Dylan McDivitt, D.O. is a dedicated and enthusiastic board-certified family medicine physician. In his current role, he works with adult, senior, and pediatric patients to treat their day-to-day non-emergency/primary care needs and to develop strategies for their ongoing health and wellness management. LinksChristianaCare News – Put on Your Sun Armor!ChristianaCare News – Don’t Go Out Without Your Water BottleChristianaCare News – Eight Essential Water Safety TipsCDC Sun Safety Facts ChristianaCare Primary CareThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Motherhood doesn't always match our expectations. For many new parents, the journey brings unexpected emotional challenges. In fact, CDC research shows that about 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth reported symptoms of postpartum depression. And that's just one of a multitude of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that can develop during pregnancy and persist for up to three years after delivery.That's where ChristianaCare's Center for Women's Emotional Wellness comes in. Psychologists Malina Spirito and Spencer Paige Brown join us to share their insights on the number one complication of childbirth, discussing how one parent's mental health can have a ripple effect through the entire family, along with the warning signs that family members should be on alert for.With early intervention, these issues are highly treatable. Don't wait until things feel "that bad" to seek help. Listen now to take the first step towards reclaiming the joy in your parenting journey.Malina Spirito, M.Ed., MA, is a licensed psychologist at the ChristianaCare Center for Women’s Emotional Wellness, specializing in support for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Dr. Spirito provides consultations, assessments, and treatment to women and their families regarding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.Spencer Paige Brown, Psy.D, MS, brings her passion for working with patients from marginalized backgrounds to her role as a dedicated and empathetic licensed psychologist. In her current role as a clinical psychologist at the ChristianaCare Center for Women’s Emotional Wellness, she specializes in treating and supporting adult patients with a range of mental health needs that arise before, during, and after pregnancy.Links:ChristianaCare Center for Women's Emotional WellnessChristianaCare News - Veronica’s Story: The Art of Making Moms a PriorityPostpartum Support InternationalCDC Symptoms of Depression Among WomenPerinatal Depression - National Institutes of HealthThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

At ChristianaCare, excellence is at the foundation of our nursing practice, having recently secured a fourth consecutive Magnet® designation - the gold standard and ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet designation signifies belonging to an elite group representing just 10% of hospitals nationwide, and ChristianaCare is the first health system in Delaware to achieve a four-peat.To explain the significance of this milestone, we're joined by Michelle Collins, Vice President of Nursing Professional Excellence at ChristianaCare, and Paige Merring, ChristianaCare Nursing Excellence Manager. Michelle and Paige unpack what makes ChristianaCare unique, including the use of a comprehensive system-wide approach; a transformation to a professional practice model that has led to an increased BSN rate to 83% and an increased certification rate to 65%; and a collaborative spirit that encourages teamwork across all disciplines.Ready to experience the difference nursing excellence makes? Listen now to discover how ChristianaCare is shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, advanced education, and unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.Michelle L. Collins, DNP, APRN, CNS, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, LSSBB, leads ChristianaCare's systemwide efforts to support nursing practice innovation and problem-solving. She also has led ChristianaCare to achieve its fourth Magnet designation, a preeminent excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.Paige Merring, MSN, RN, CCRN, is the Nursing Excellence Manager at ChristianaCare. In this role, she facilitates strategic planning for nursing, supports professional governance councils to empower nurses, and leads teams to improve patient experience.LinksNursing at ChristianaCareChristianaCare Magnet® DesignationChristianaCare News - Four-Peat! ChristianaCare Achieves Magnet®–the Top Recognition for Nursing Excellence–for 4th TimeAmerican Nurses Credentialing CenterThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are more than 500,000 clinical trials happening right now around the world. ChristianaCare has been nationally recognized for contributions to this work, as clinicians and scientists at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute collaborate to turn laboratory discoveries into real world therapies.On this week's episode of For The Love of Health, we're joined by Dr. Greg Masters, ChristianaCare’s National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Principal Investigator. Dr. Masters explains how these vital studies work and why they matter - from testing new medications to exploring innovative treatment combinations, each trial represents hope for patients facing difficult diagnoses.We're also joined by Robert Robinson, a prostate cancer survivor who himself participated in a clinical trial at ChristianaCare. He shares how his clinical trial not only saved his life, but sparked his mission of talking about men's health. For its excellence in clinical trials, the Delaware/ChristianaCare NCORP in 2024 earned the prestigious Platinum Award for Exceptional Achievement from the NCI/NCORP. Gregory A. Masters, M.D., has been a ChristianaCare lung cancer specialist since 2003.  In addition to his investigative work with NCORP, Dr. Masters serves as an associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School in Philadelphia, and is a highly published expert and a reviewer for many of the leading oncology clinical publications.LinksChristianaCare Cancer Clinical TrialsChristianaCare News - National Leader in Cancer Clinical Trials: ChristianaCare Advances Pioneering TherapiesNational Institute of Health Clinical Trials DatabaseHypofractionated Radiation Therapy or Conventional Radiation Therapy After Surgery in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer (Robert's clinical trial)Robert Robinson's Podcast, The Lions Den Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Have you heard of the term "health care pollution"? It refers to the waste that hospitals produce while providing patient care, as well as hospitals’ carbon emissions.Nurse Practitioner Deanna Benner and Nursing Professional Development Specialist Ashley Oncay discuss how they found ways to decrease ChristianaCare's carbon footprint. What started as a grassroots initiative has transformed into a $1 million sustainability movement. Through the Medical Supply Donation Program and the Landfill Diversion Project, ChristianaCare is helping the community while reducing waste. Whether you're a ChristianaCare caregiver or simply someone concerned about the environment, this episode offers practical inspiration showing that one person's trash truly is another's treasure.LinksChristianaCare News - Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Keep 7.7 Tons of Medical Supplies Out of LandfillsChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Team Wins Environmental Excellence Gold AwardEnvironmental effects of surgical procedures and strategies for sustainable surgeryProject CUREHabitat for Humanity ReStore Goods DonationsThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Improving quality of life is a goal in both healthcare and policing.  ChristianaCare and the New Castle County Division of Police are working together to change lives in our community. The collaboration is called the Behavioral Health Unit, a groundbreaking partnership that pairs officers with social workers to transform crisis response. When 911 calls with mental health components come in, these specialized teams respond together. Officers ensure safety while social workers conduct comprehensive assessments to determine appropriate care possibilities beyond the limited options of jail or emergency rooms.On this episode of For the Love of Health, New Castle County Division of Police Corporal Colleen Kearns and ChristianaCare Social Worker Delilah Colon describe the issues that led to the formation of the Unit, share facts and statistics about the people and families the program has impacted, and look forward to how this partnership is serving as a template for the future of policing around the state.LinksHero Help – New Castle County Division of Police Addiction & Behavioral Health UnitWilmington Police Partners in Care ProgramNewark Police Department Behavioral Health UnitDelaware Public Media, 2020: ChristianaCare to staff New Castle Co. Police Behavioral Health UnitThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. By 2050, that number is expected to grow to 13 million.As Delaware's aging population is expected to grow, the need for memory care is also increasing.On this episode, Dr. Steven Huege endowed chair of ChristianaCare's Swank Center for Memory Care reveals how a multidisciplinary approach makes all the difference for patients and their families. You'll hear about the different conditions addressed by the Swank Center, their participation in the innovative GUIDE Program to assist caregivers, and what the future holds for memory care in terms of medications and cutting-edge treatments. If you're concerned about memory changes in yourself or a loved one, this is an episode not to be missed.Steven Huege, M.D., MSEd is The Swank Foundation Endowed Chair in Memory Care and Geriatrics at ChristianaCare. He brings over two decades of experience to his clinical practice as a compassionate, dedicated board-certified geriatric psychiatrist. Dr. Huege sees older adults with behavioral and psychiatric symptoms related to neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and FTD.LinksChristianaCare Swank Center for Memory Care ChristianaCare News: Swank Center for Memory Care Will Test Groundbreaking Dementia Care ModelAlzheimer's Association Facts and FiguresAlzheimer's Association Delaware Statistics Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

ChristianaCare's Delaware Medicaid Partners Accountable Care Organization - also known as an ACO - has set the standard for innovative, high-quality care at lower costs.On this week's episode of For the Love of Health, Dr. Christine Donohue-Henry, ChristianaCare Chief Population Health Officer, and Dr. Rose Kakoza, Senior Medical Director for ChristianaCare's Medicaid ACO, share how this value-based care is changing the lives of Delaware's Medicaid population and highlight how a fundamental shift from illness treatment to disease prevention is helping to drive down costs and keeping communities healthier.Christine Donohue-Henry, M.D., MBA is the Chief Population Health Officer at ChristianaCare and the President of eBrightHealth ACO and the ChristianaCare Clinical Alliance. Dr. Donohue-Henry is responsible for value-based care within the health system and the clinically integrated network, driving clinical quality and reducing the total cost of care.Rose Kakoza, M.D., MPH serves as Senior Clinical Network Director for Population Health and Medical Director for ChristianaCare's Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (Delaware Medicaid Quality Partners). Dr. Kakoza also oversees CareVio, Population Health's case management organization supporting approximately 100,000 risk lives across the clinical network.LinksChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Reduces Health Care Costs by $6.2 Million While Improving Care for Medicaid PatientsChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Announces $1.6M Investment in 25 Nonprofits to Improve Community HealthFor the Love of Health - Why Is the Cost of Health Care So Expensive?ChristianaCare Community Health Delaware Medicaid Partners ACOCareVio Care Management ProgramDelaware Health and Social Services Medicaid ResourcesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Chronic hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be life-threatening for pregnant women. According to the National Institutes of Health, the prevalence of chronic hypertension in pregnancy in the United States doubled between 2007 and 2021.Research being done at ChristianaCare could change the lives of women around the world. Leading that research is Dr. Matthew Hoffman, the Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., Endowed Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at ChristianaCare, who joins us to talk about the results of those studies, changes in how health providers approach pregnancy care, and what the future may hold for maternal and fetal medicine.Dr. Matthew K. Hoffman, M.D., MPH is the Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., Endowed Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology for ChristianaCare. He has spearheaded national improvements in OBGYN care and has helped guide the health system to provide greater quality and value.LinksChristianaCare News - Pivotal Study of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Likely to Change Prenatal Care for Some WomenChristianaCare News - Low-dose aspirin therapy may help prevent premature birthNew England Journal of Medicine: Treatment for Mild Chronic Hypertension during Pregnancy ChristianaCare Women's HealthChristianaCare Babyscripts mobile appThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

'Tis the season... to be sick. And as we say goodbye to 2024, we want to avoid saying hello to respiratory illness.On this episode of For the Love of Health, ChristianaCare Chief Infection Prevention Officer Dr. Marci Drees gives us tips on how to keep the uninvited germs away from your holiday gatherings.Marci Drees, M.D., MS, is the Chief Infection Prevention Officer and hospital epidemiologist for ChristianaCare. Dr. Drees serves as a councilor on the Board of Trustees of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and previously served as SHEA's liaison to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). She is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.LinksMake a Plan to Get Your Flu ShowCOVID-19 - Details, Prevention and TreatmentDelaware.gov - Current Delaware Flu Infection RatesDelaware.gov - Current Delaware COVID Infection RatesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The donation of an organ or tissue is perhaps the greatest gift of life and health a person can give. More than 100,000 men, women, and children are on the national transplant waiting list right now.ChristianaCare has earned the highest level of national recognition from the US Health Resources and Services Administration for its outstanding support of organ and tissue donation. ChristianaCare's Kidney Transplant Program is the only adult transplant center in Delaware. Lead Transplant Social Worker Kealey Johnson delivers insights into the life-changing work happening with the program, while kidney transplant patient Bill Wilson shares his own personal story of going through the transplant process.Kealey Johnson, MSW, LMSW, CCM, has a strong desire to help others through challenging moments in their lives always expressed with her bright and genuine smile. As a transplant social worker, she looks forward to working with the team to serve our kidney transplant patients with care and compassion.LinksChristianaCare Kidney Transplant ProgramChristianaCare News - The Beat Goes On for Bill WilsonAmerican Kidney Fund Transplant Waiting ListUnited Network for Organ SharingDonate Life Delaware Organ and Tissue DonorsThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

If you’ve ever received medical care, you'd likely agree the cost of care can be expensive. According to the National Health Expenditure Accounts, U.S. health care spending grew 4.1% in 2022, reaching $4.5 Trillion. In this replay of one of our most popular episodes in our "The Toughest Questions in Health Care" series we're asking the question, "why is the cost of health care so expensive?" ChristianaCare Chief Financial Officer Rob McMurray and ChristianaCare Chief Population Health Officer Dr. Chris Donohue-Henry share insight on health care economics. Hear how challenges are being met with pioneering solutions to reduce cost while simultaneously boosting the quality of care. Rob McMurray is the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the direction and oversight of all financial operations at ChristianaCare. He also has oversight of supply chain operations.Dr. Christine Donohue-Henry, M.D., MBA is the Chief Population Health Officer at Christiana Care. She is also the President and CEO of eBrightHealth ACO.  Prior to her current role, Dr. Donohue-Henry was the Chief Medical Officer, Community Care at ChristianaCare from 2017 to 2019LinksChristianaCare Price TransparencyChristianaCare ChargeMaster  Delaware Medicaid Partners eBrightHealth ACONational Health Expenditure Data Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Lengthy emergency department wait times are nothing new. This has been a national issue since the 1980s. It's a challenge for every health system - a challenge with no easy solutions.ChristianaCare is home to America's 15th busiest ED, and in this replay of one of our most popular episodes, "The Toughest Questions in Health Care," Dr. Kert Anzilotti, ChristianaCare Chief Medical Officer, and Ric Cuming, ChristianaCare Chief Operating Officer, deliver insightful answers to the question, "Why can ED wait times be so long?".Together, we walk the complex maze of healthcare efficiency, examining the intricacies behind long queues. Learn how factors like hospital-wide patient volume, case severity prioritization and the ripple effects of post-acute care facility shortages contribute to a significant bottleneck. And explore a data-driven approach to improving patient flow and emergency department functionality.Finally, we provide guidance on choosing the most suitable venue of care for a variety of medical needs, a major way the public can be part of helping hospitals reduce wait times in the ED.Ric Cuming is chief operating officer of ChristianaCare. In this role, Ric oversees the delivery of efficient and fiscally responsible system operations. He also works with other leaders to ensure high-quality and safe patient care. Ric joined ChristianaCare in 2016 as the system’s first chief nurse executive.Dr. Kert Anzilotti is chief medical officer for ChristianaCare. His work focuses on the optimization of care delivery across the health care system through strategic visioning, network development, clinical technology implementation and leveraging medical informatics.LinksShould I Go To the Emergency Room, Urgent Care or Primary Care?Emergency Care at ChristianaCareER visits are getting longer amid hospital staffing shortagesThe Complexities Of Emergency Medicine And Prolonged ER Wait TimesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

While most cuts and scrapes will heal themselves, some wounds can develop into a more serious situation.In that case, you may need to see wound care specialists. Dr. Jim Ley, Medical Director of the ChristianaCare Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center, and Podiatrist Dr. Scott Reich talk to us about the kinds of wounds they see, the specialized treatments they offer such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and when to know if you might benefit from their care.LinksChristianaCare Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine CenterChristianaCare News - What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Homelessness can impact both physical and mental health, and make accessing medical care difficult. As a result, people experiencing homelessness often face higher rates of poor health outcomes than people with housing.Which leads us to the next question in our Toughest Questions in Health Care series: How can health care impact homelessness? Dr. Ben Golden, Program Director for the ChristianaCare Medical Respite Program at the New Castle County Hope Center, and Dr. Ashley Panichelli, Clinical Director for ChristianaCare Complex Primary Care share details on the difficulties that arise in providing care for patients experiencing homelessness, steps that ChristianaCare is taking to counter those issues, and their hopes for the future in this field of care.Dr. Ben Golden, M.D., completed his medical training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL where he took an interest in healthcare disparities and care for patients experiencing homelessness. As Program Director for the ChristianaCare Medical Respite Program at the New Castle County Hope Center, he provides complex primary care for the residents of the facility. Dr. Golden also continues to practice Emergency Medicine at all of Christiana's sites.Dr. Ashley Panichelli, M.D., the clinical director of Complex Primary Care and Community Medicine at ChristianaCare. Dr Panichelli is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and program development, and routinely speaks to the news media about family medicine and the importance of vaccinations. Dr Panichelli’s specific interests include inpatient medicine and safe transitions of care, residency quality and safety, Just Culture, women's health, and resident simulation curriculums.LinksChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Rolls Out New Mobile Health Services Vans Supported by BarclaysChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Talks Community Health With Wilmington, State OfficialsChristianaCare Mobile Health ServicesNew Castle County Hope CenterFriendship HouseFood Bank of DelawareThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Tremor is a neurological condition that affects approximately 1% of the population overall, and 5% of adults age 60 and over. It is expected to increasingly impact Delawareans as the state's population ages.A new treatment for people suffering from essential tremor and Parkinson's Disease is a game-changer for ChristianaCare patients. Dr. Justin Martello, Director of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Program at ChristianaCare, shares inspiring insights into MR-guided focused ultrasound, including how it works, exciting success stories, and potential uses for this technology for treating other conditions.Justin Martello, M.D., is a board certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders and Parkinson's Disease at ChristianaCare. As Director of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Program at ChristianaCare, he has developed Delaware's first and only comprehensive Parkinson's disease program.LinksChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Is First in Delaware to Offer MR-Guided Ultrasound for Essential and Parkinson’s TremorChristianaCare Parkinson's and Movement Disorders ProgramMR-Guided Focused UltrasoundHarnessing the Power of Ultrasound to Treat Essential TremorsParkinson's Disease of DelawareThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Sometimes hearing medical news and information can be difficult to wrap your head around. But understanding that information can be the difference between a good outcome and a poor outcome.Low health literacy is associated with more hospitalizations, greater use of emergency care, and higher mortality. Greg O'Neill, ChristianaCare's Patient and Family Health Education Director, and Dr. Himani Divatia, ChristianaCare's Associate Designated Institutional Official, join us to discuss the critical need for clear communication in healthcare, share examples of the Teach-Back method of understanding health instructions, and offer advice on how to better receive health information yourself.Greg O'Neill, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, leads the strategic plan for patient education and health literacy initiatives at ChristianCare as Director of Patient & Family Health Education. In this role, O'Neill has developed a team of Nursing Professional Development Specialists who champion health literacy best practices systemwide and support all manner of patient education initiatives and vendor relationships.Himani R. Divatia, DO, is an experienced internist, pediatrician, and hospitalist.  She has been with ChristianaCare since her residency in 2015.LinksChristianaCare Health LibraryChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Expands Health Literacy Partnership Through Support From Highmark HealthHealth Literacy Council of DelawareThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The world of technology has expanded rapidly over the past few years, from video chatting to generative artificial intelligence. And while it's all become part of our day to day lives, it's also directly influencing how we receive our medical care.For our 8th topic in our Toughest Questions in Health Care series we're asking - "How is technology changing health care?"  Randy Gaboriault, ChristianaCare's Chief Digital and Information Officer, and Dr. Tim Shiuh, ChristianaCare's Chief Health Information Officer discuss what it takes to utilize new and innovative technologies that positively impact patient care while also simplifying the work of those providing care.Randy Gaboriault, MS, MBA, has been dubbed an "exceedingly rare, triple threat CIO" by media. IT initiatives that Randy has spearheaded have garnered numerous distinctions, which include Information Week's "Twenty Great Ideas To Steal," Computerworld's "Premier 100 IT Leaders," a four-time awardee of CIO Magazine's "CIO 100," and one of Becker's Healthcare 20 Chief Digital Officers to Know. Timothy Shiuh, M.D., MHCDS, FACEP, leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive enterprise digital health and clinical information strategy that facilitates effective, value-based, "high tech-high touch" health care delivery across the continuum of care and promotes digitally-led clinical transformation.LinksHealth & Technology Innovation Center at ChristianaCareTransformational Leadership Awards Honors ChristianaCare for "Trailblazing" InnovationIntroducing Digital Forms, Appointment Reminders and Check-In   Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Did you know that in 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner created the world's first successful vaccine? Since then, vaccines have greatly reduced diseases that once harmed or killed babies, children, and adults. But people all over the world still become seriously ill or even die from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. Which is why it's important to stay up-to-date on vaccinations.On this episode of For the Love of Health, ChristianaCare Chief Infection Prevention Officer, Dr. Marci Drees, and Associate Infection Prevention Officer, Dr. Stephen Eppes join us to explain the necessity of continuing to discuss vaccinations as a whole, especially outside of outbreaks and pandemics.Marci Drees, M.D., MS, is the Chief Infection Prevention Officer and hospital epidemiologist for ChristianaCare. Dr. Drees serves as a councilor on the Board of Trustees of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and previously served as SHEA's liaison to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). She is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.Stephen Eppes, M.D., is the Associate Infection Prevention Officer and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at ChristianaCare. Dr. Eppes is also Co-Chair of the Immunization Coalition of Delaware.LinksChild Immunizations & ScreeningsChristianaCare News - How Vaccines Can Save Your LifeChristianaCare News - Think Vaccines Are Just for Kids? Think Again!CDC - Immunization Schedule By Age (Adult)CDC - Immunization Schedule By Age (Child & Adolescent)CDC - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)Immunize.org - National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesImmunization Coalition of DelawareThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the U.S. population age 65 and over grew nearly five times faster than the total population over the 100 years from 1920 to 2020. As the population ages, more people are worried about aging in place - and being safe, well and independent in their own homes. Since 1922, ChristianaCare HomeHealth has helped neighbors in Delaware live independently and get the care they need. On this episode of For the Love of Health, Ann Painter, President of ChristinaCare HomeHealth and Pam Szczerba, Director of Quality, Education and Risk Management for ChristianaCare HomeHealth offer valuable insights into this evolving field. Learn about the significant shift towards home-based care and the range of services ChristianaCare Home Health has perfected over a century of dedicated service, from skilled nursing to physical therapy and medical social work. Ann Painter has more than 25 years of experience in the home health care industry and has demonstrated exceptional skills as a transformational leader. Pam Szczerba is director of Quality & Risk Mangement at for ChristianaCare HomeHealth. In this role, she leads the Quality & Safety and Education departments.LinksWhy Choose ChristianaCare HomeHealth?Request a HomeHealth AppointmentChristianaCare News - The Healing Power of Home ChristianaCare News - ChristianaCare Builds One of the First Alexa Skills in the U.S. Exclusively for Home Health PatientsThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

High quality and safe care are two things you'd expect from any health care experience. ChristianaCare has achieved national recognitions, awards and accreditations for quality and safety. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Maryland as No. 1 and Delaware as No. 2 in the nation for hospital quality. What does it all mean? For our 7th topic in our Toughest Questions in Health Care series we're asking - 'Why are quality and safety so important in health care?'  Dr. Kert Anzilotti, ChristianaCare's System Chief Medical Officer and Interim President of the Medical Group, and Tim Bowers, Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness at ChristianaCare discuss the organization-wide commitment to positively impact the quality and safety of care delivered by ChristianaCare caregivers to patients and the community. Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA  focuses on the optimization of care delivery across the health care system through strategic visioning, network development, clinical technology implementation and leveraging medical informatics.Tim Bowers, MS, CIC, CPHQ is the vice president of Clinical Effectiveness at ChristianaCare, where he is responsible for overseeing programs within ChristianaCare dedicated to patient safety, including the logistics of preventing infections in patients.LinksChristianaCare 2024 Quality & Safety ReportU.S. News Best Hospitals - Quality Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer worldwide, equally affecting both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, when colorectal cancer is caught early, 91% of patients survive five years or longer... however, that percentage drops significantly if the cancer has already spread to distant parts of the body before it's found. In this episode of For the Love of Health, Dr. Bruce Boman, medical director of Cancer Genetics and Stem Cell Biology at ChristianaCare provides invaluable perspectives on his team's research focused on finding a cure for colon cancer. Whether you're a medical professional, a patient, or simply someone interested in the advancements in cancer treatment, this episode is a fascinating listen. Renowned for his work in colorectal cancer, and a cancer survivor himself since 2000, Bruce M. Boman, M.D., Ph.D., is an attending physician and director for Cancer Genetics and Stem Cell Biology for ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. He also represents the Graham Cancer Center as a scientist with the Center for Translational Cancer Research.With forward-thinking collaboration, the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research at ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute links physicians and scientific researchers under the same roof. Working side by side, together they identify needs of individual patients at the bedside, explore solutions in the lab and translate those results directly into treatment plans as unique as the individuals who will benefit from them.LinksQ&A: Research Pioneer Bruce Boman Gets 'Ever Closer' to Cure for Colorectal Cancer ChristianaCare Scientists Discover New Link to Colon Cancer Stem Cell Growth ChristianaCare Colon Cancer Research Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, from July to December of 2022, 58.5% of adults used the internet to look for health or medical information. But while most of us have done it, is it the right approach when you need medical attention?For the sixth episode of our "The Toughest Questions in Health Care" series, we're asking the question, "Can the internet replace primary care?" ChristianaCare Physician Executive for Core and Primary Care Dr. Priya Dixit-Patel and ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Melissa VanNeerden explain why the idea of a "medical home" that provides holistic support is a better approach to foster long-term well-being.  You'll also hear how technological advances are making it easier to meet health needs in the ways that work best for individual patients.Priyanka Dixit-Patel, MD is ChristianaCare Physician Executive for Core and Advanced Primary Care.  She is a family medicine physician who specializes in primary care, gynecology and women's health.Melissa vanNeerden, AGNP is an experienced Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care.  She has been in practice since 2016 focusing on disease management and prevention.LinksChristianaCare Primary CareChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

In 2023, ChristianaCare's Emergency Departments treated more than 2,000 patients who were victims of violent crimes. In situations like those, a special team of nurses called Forensic Nurse Examiners provide comprehensive, trauma- informed care. In this episode of For the Love of Health, ChristianaCare Forensic Nurse Examiner Coordinator Amy Stier and her colleague, fellow Forensic Nurse Examiner Sarah Peluso explain the vital role Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) play across the country and how ChristianaCare is setting the gold standard in the field. ChristianaCare Forensic Nurse Examiners Delaware Developmental Framework for Trauma Informed Care Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

If you've been involved in any type of fitness routine, you've likely tried exercises that focus on the body's midsection. Maybe you've tried crunches or planks, but have you heard of the Row Dog or the Upside Down Turtle?On this episode of For the Love of Health, ChristianaCare Physical Therapists Brian Catania and Travis Ross deep dive into their nationally recognized Sling Activation Sequence and why you need to be thinking about the core differently.Brian Catania, MPT, SCS, ATC, is a physical therapist and site manager of ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services at Glasgow who has attracted national attention for trailblazing new types of therapy.Travis Ross, PT, DPT is an outpatient orthopedic and sports Physical Therapist at ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware since 2006. He co-created the Sling Activation Sequence, which has been used to prevent and reduce injuries by athletes across the country.LinksVIDEOS: ChristianaCare Sling Activation Sequence VIDEOS: ChristianaCare Standing Sling Activation Sequence NFL Teams Use Exercises Developed by ChristianaCare to Protect Football Players from InjuriesNFL puts core strengthening program of Delaware therapists in its playbookThese physical therapists have a new approach for strengthening the core, and the NFL is taking noticeFor a Stable, Strong Core, Forget About CrunchesThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

If you've ever received medical care, you'd likely agree the cost of care can be expensive. According to the National Health Expenditure Accounts, U.S. health care spending grew 4.1% in 2022, reaching $4.5 Trillion. For the fifth episode of our "The Toughest Questions in Health Care" series we're asking the question, "why is the cost of health care so expensive?" ChristianaCare Chief Financial Officer Rob McMurray and ChristianaCare Chief Population Health Officer Dr. Chris Donohue-Henry share insight on health care economics. Hear how challenges are being met with pioneering solutions to reduce cost while simultaneously boosting the quality of care. Rob McMurray is the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the direction and oversight of all financial operations at ChristianaCare. He also has oversight of supply chain operations.Dr. Christine Donohue-Henry, M.D., MBA is the Chief Population Health Officer at Christiana Care. She is also the President and CEO of eBrightHealth ACO.  Prior to her current role, Dr. Donohue-Henry was the Chief Medical Officer, Community Care at ChristianaCare from 2017 to 2019LinksChristianaCare Price TransparencyChristianaCare ChargeMaster  Delaware Medicaid Partners eBrightHealth ACONational Health Expenditure Data Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported not getting enough rest or sleep every day.  Also, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders. Sleep can impact everything from mental and physical health to our social interactions. In this episode of For the Love of Health, Dr. Shilpa Kauta, Medical Director of the ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center discusses how sleep plays an active role in our health and longevity.  Dr. Kauta shares the science behind sleep's healing properties, from hormone regulation to memory consolidation, and why neglecting sleep can lead to a host of serious health issues. Join us for a conversation that could lead to your most restful nights yet.ChristianaCare Sleep Medicine New Sleep Wellness Center Opens at ChristianaCareFive sleep aid myths and facts for a good night's restThanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.