Inside U Miami Medicine
by University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
With Inside U Miami Medicine, we explore our academic medicine ecosystem. We chat with researchers making groundbreaking discoveries, changemakers toppling barriers, and physicians reimagining the future of health care. We tackle tough topics and delve into complex challenges. Join us for transformative conversations hosted by Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Episodes
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Q&A with spine surgeon Dr. Michael Wang: New technology, early intervention, healthy aging and more
For decades, spine surgeons have largely followed a familiarapproach: wait until a patient’s condition becomes severe enough to warrant an invasive operation. But what about patients, particularly younger patients, who are in pain and need relief, yet aren’t candidates for traditional surgery? On...
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Multiple sclerosis breakthrough? Inside the stem cell research that could transform MS care
For patients with aggressive, treatment-resistant Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the disease can keep progressing even as therapies improve outcomes for others. On this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, MS expert Dr. Flavia Nelson takes us inside one of the field's most promising frontiers:...
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Treatment-resistant depression: A scientist's discovery may offer hope
What if blocking a particular brain receptor could help combat treatment-resistant depression? Dean Henri Ford sits down with Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., to learn about a previously unrecognized brain receptor that may hold the key to treating major depressive disorder, including the...
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Dr. Julie Freischlag: On Resilience, Trust, and Never Wasting a Crisis
What does it take to lead and thrive in health care during one of the most transformative eras the field has ever experienced? In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dean Henri Ford sits down with Dr. Julie Freischlag, a pioneering vascular surgeon and one of the most influential leaders in...
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Stem cells restore function for locked-in patients after catastrophic stroke
What if patients trapped inside their own bodies could be brought back? In this groundbreaking episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, world-renowned stroke expert Dr. Dileep Yavagal reveals a medical first: using stem cells to restore function in patients with locked-in syndrome after catastrophic...
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Healthcare’s battle against misinformation with Dr. Geeta Nayyar
Medical misinformation is now one of the most powerful forces shaping patient decisions and outcomes. In the latest Inside U Miami Medicine episode, Dr. Geeta Nayyar – author, chief medical officer and technologist – joins Dean Henri Ford to explore how misinformation spreads, why it’s costing...
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The Neuralink Trials: Insight from a Neurosurgeon and Researcher
What if a paralyzed person could send a text, play chess, or navigate a computer using only their thoughts? In this episode, we dive into the clinical trial of Neuralink’s breakthrough investigational brain-computer interface, a wireless system designed to create a direct digital connection…
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Reengineering the heart
How does a young medical student from Bogotá, Colombia go on to co-invent a device that revolutionizes mitral valve repair, and then reshape an entire nation’s landscape of cardiac care? Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña shares the extraordinary journey that shaped his philosophy as a heart surgeon…
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Detecting Alzheimer’s disease decades early
For the first time in history, there will soon be more older adults than children in the U.S., and rates of dementia are climbing. Neuropsychologist Dr. Rosie Curiel Cid has developed a groundbreaking cognitive test capable of detecting the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease, long before...
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Microsoft Health exec on patient empowerment and AI
AI isn’t replacing doctors: It’s making them better. Find out why Microsoft's Dr. James Weinstein believes AI can empower both patients and physicians, while shaping a new era of smarter, more efficient care.
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Breaking the silence around cancer and firefighters
Firefighters sprint into dangerous situations to protect their communities. But what happens when the very act of helping others puts their own lives at risk? Dr. Erin Kobetz and Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez - leaders of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center -...
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Parkinson's disease: Can AI and stem cells transform treatment?
Neurologist Dr. Ihtsham ul Haq reveals how cutting-edge technology is reshaping diagnosis and why stem cell therapies may hold the power to slow, or even reverse, the disease. Discover the breakthroughs, the setbacks and the race to change the future of Parkinson’s.
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Reprogramming autoimmune diseases: A breakthrough approach
Autoimmune diseases like lupus and Type 1 diabetes are notoriously difficult to treat, but what if we could reprogram the immune system instead of turning it off entirely? Preeminent immunologist Dr. Thomas Malek dives into the science behind a lab-designed fusion protein that could offer a...
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Medical research at a crossroad: What’s at risk?
In this critical moment for academic medicine and scientific discovery, how can we rebuild trust in our institutions and our work? Dr. Elena Fuentes-Afflick, chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and a leading voice in support of research, joined us to...
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The power of 1%: Unlocking disease clues in our DNA
Humans share 99% of their genes but, according to JacobMcCauley, Ph.D., “that one percent can tell us a lot.” The “1%” in genetic studies refers to the miniscule fraction of DNA that differentiates any two individuals but may be the key for understanding disease susceptibility. This small…
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The mind of a spine surgeon: Trust, perception, and more with Dr. Michael Wang
Step into the mind of one of neurosurgery’s most influentialvoices: Michael Wang, M.D., M.B.A., a globally recognized spine surgeon and leader of the largest spine fellowship program in the country. Dr. Wang and Dean Henri Ford tackle some of the most pressing challenges for spine surgeons…
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Microplastics in reproductive organs & other threats to women’s health
Microplastics and their synthetic byproducts pose a majorrisk to humans through inhalation and ingestion. Could these microscopic pollutants play a role in infertility or cancer? Dr. Raveen Syan and her team are determined to find out. Dr. Raveen Syan, assistant professor of clinical urology at…
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AFib is a silent killer. Why diagnosis & treatment need an overhaul
Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, sudden death and other health problems for millions worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of AFib care — from diagnosis to treatment — remain outdated. Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he is...
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Prostate cancer overtreatment: Risks, complications and the way forward
Prostate cancer affects more than half of males by age 80. Yet, early intervention can lead to complications that profoundly reduce quality of life. In the latest episode of “Inside U Miami Medicine,” luminaries in the field of urology mull over the complex question: Does every prostate cancer...
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AI and Radiologists: Partners in progress or rivals in practice?
The field of radiology is in flux, shifting with wave after wave of advanced technology. While the public speculated whether artificial intelligence (AI) might render radiologists obsolete, the experts were already harnessing its power to optimize workflows, alleviate burnout, improve patient…
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Breaking down migraine: Exploring stigma and new treatments
The world of migraine is complex and often misunderstood, even though it’s one the most disabling neurologic disorders in the world. Despite its prevalence, this common disease remains deeply stigmatized. Teshamae Monteith, M.D., a nationally recognized headache expert, sheds light on...
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Do genetics increase prostate cancer risk?
Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in U.S. men. While initial treatments offer hope, many patients find that their cancer returns with often fatal outcomes. But what if the key to stopping this deadly progression lies in our genes? Dr. Nima Sharifi, scientific director…
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Microplastics in the brain: Exploring links to neurodegenerative diseases
Dr. David Davis, is breaking new ground in understanding how toxins, especially microplastics, may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's. In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Davis shares his journey and the groundbreaking methodologies he...
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Whole eye transplant & other visionary breakthroughs to restore sight
We’re exploring visionary breakthroughs in the field of ophthalmology with Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Alfonso has his sight set on an ambitious project - whole eye transplant. He and his team are currently exploring the use of an ECMO device to preserve a...
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From Cuban immigrant to physician: “It made me who I am”
Dr. Helen Bermudez, a gastroenterology fellow, overcame immense challenges to pursue her dream. Born in Cuba, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 15. She spoke no English but carried an unwavering dedication to help others through medicine. Tune in as we explore Dr. Bermudez’s story of resilience…
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Using viruses to kill deadly brain cancers
Dr. Ashish Shah, a neurosurgeon and brain cancer researcher at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, is weaponizing viruses to make brain cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation. It’s a delicate process that involves delivering viral-based gene therapy directly into the tumor...
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Brain cancer breakthroughs: Less toxic treatments offer hope
When the very treatment keeping a patient alive also exacts a heavy toll on lives, researchers are compelled to ask, “Is there another way?” Glioblastoma is a brutal brain cancer. It is aggressive, common and nearly always fatal. Standard treatments of radiation and chemotherapy often leave...
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Does TBI lead to dementia? Can therapeutic hypothermia help?
In the vast landscape of medical research, few areas are as intricate and nuanced as traumatic brain injury. However, amidst these profound challenges lies the relentless pursuit of understanding and innovation spearheaded by pioneers like Dr. Dalton Dietrich. Dr. Dietrich, scientific director of...
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Courage amid chaos: Inside the world of disaster response
When disaster occurs, Dr. Elizabeth Greig runs toward the chaos. She and her team follow in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes and other hazardous events to help the world’s most vulnerable communities heal and rebuild. They provide medical care and essential resources, bolster infrastructure…
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Curing Hepatitis C: The Dr. Raymond Schinazi story (part 2)
Raymond Schinazi, Ph.D., a world-renowned scientist, knows that research requires resilience. “I have file cabinets full of rejections,” he said. In the second part of our episode with Dr. Schinazi, we explore how he developed a life-saving cure for Hepatitis C, despite being denied funding from...
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Drug pioneer and trailblazer: The Dr. Raymond Schinazi story (part 1)
We’re talking to one of the most remarkable scientists of our time, Raymond Schinazi, Ph.D. Dr. Schinazi is a visionary researcher whose contributions have revolutionized the landscape of antiviral therapy. More than 94% of HIV-infected individuals in the U.S. on combination therapy take at least...
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How a medical student is tackling the loneliness epidemic
“People who have done so much and given to their community for so long, why are they lonely at the end of their lives?” It’s a question that Harsh Moolani, currently a third-year M.D./M.P.H. student, grappled with when volunteering at local hospices. The care industry didn't seem to have any...
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From DACA to MD: A medical student’s journey of resilience
Latina immigrant, DACA recipient, first-generation physician. Pia Iribarren, M.P.H, a fourth year medical student, shares how her experiences, from how immigrating to the U.S. to navigating the healthcare system as an undocumented family, motivated her to become a physician. Tune in to hear how…
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Unraveling the mysteries of ALS
Can we prevent ALS before it starts? ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a profoundly complex and destructive disease, characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which enable muscle movement. It steals the body's strength and challenges nearly every...
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Decoding virtual clinical trials and simulation-guided procedures
Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, an internationally recognized interventional cardiologist, was at a crossroads. Two of his patients presented with significant blockages in their left main coronary artery, the heart’s biggest artery that is essential to its function. Dr. Chatzizisis could opt for a...
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Blood Cancer: CAR-T Cell Therapy and Targeted Treatments
Because of complex genetic mutations, treating blood cancers is particularly challenging and requires specialized therapies. In the intricate world of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, each breakthrough achieved through clinical trials brings scientists and clinicians a step closer to transforming...
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A cancer doctor embraces vulnerability in healing
“You shouldn’t have to compromise any aspect of your humanity to be a physician.” Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, a world-renowned hematologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, is fighting for providers to preserve the vulnerability and humanity that initially inspired them to embark on their…
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How a medical student battled mental health stigma
Physician burnout has become an epidemic in the U.S., with nearly 63% of physicians reporting emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, according to the American Medical Association. This struggle often starts in medical school, where students experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and...
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Fighting the fog: Long COVID, geocoding and holistic care
When physicians haven’t be trained to tackle a disease, how do they provide the best care for patients? In the face of #LongCOVID, medical practitioners are finding themselves at a crossroads, grappling with how to effectively treat patients. In the absence of a defined roadmap, Dr. Ana Palacio,...
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Simulation, AI and the future of medical training
Cutting-edge capabilities are rapidly changing medical education. Students are no longer interested in absorbing endless hours of lectures in a classroom. They want to learn by doing. At the helm of this new era of medical training is Dr. Barry Issenberg, director of the Gordon Center for...
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Mastering medical school: Insights from two chief residents
The path to medicine is a remarkable journey, marked by challenges, triumphs and pivotal decision-making. In the latest edition of Inside U Miami Medicine, two chief residents, Dr. Sarah Sukkar and Dr. Josh Kronenfeld, open up about excelling in medical school, choosing a specialty, surviving the...
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How does HIV remain dormant in cells?
In part two of our episode exploring the latest HIV research, Dr. Mario Stevenson, an internationally recognized molecular virologist, shares why HIV remains dormant in cells, only to reemerge almost immediately when a patient stops taking antiretroviral therapy. HIV is a formidable pathogen that...
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The latest HIV cure research: Destroying a virus that hides
After more than four decades of investigation, scientists may be on the precipice of finding a cure for HIV, a virus that currently can be reduced to undetectable levels in the body but not completely eradicated. Although HIV can be suppressed using antiretroviral therapy (ART), it cannot yet be...
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The evolving culture of academic medicine and higher education
The culture of academia is dynamic and multifaceted tapestry, characterized by an intricate interplay of innovation, tradition and societal changes. In the latest edition of Inside U Miami Medicine, Alison Mincey, J.D., senior vice president and chief human resources officer for the University of...
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Stem cell-derived islet cell therapy promising for type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has long posed significant challenges for patients and researchers alike. But now, microscopic clusters of organisms are providing a glimmer of hope. Emerging as a new frontier in #T1D treatment, stem cell-derived islet cell therapy is a novel approach that may revolutionize...
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A new era in type 1 diabetes treatment
Could insulin dependency be a burden of the past for patients with type 1 diabetes? Matthias von Herrath, M.D., scientific director of the Diabetes Research Institute, is hopeful. Dr. von Herrath joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he and his teams are working on the ultimate T1D…
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AI, organoids revolutionize glioblastoma treatment
For years, doctors have used a standard course of cancer treatment for patients with glioblastoma brain tumors – a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. But the survival rate is still a dismal 6.8%, and the average patient lives only eight months after diagnosis. This issue is...
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Using big data to improve health
How can we improve community wellness with big data and innovation? While data is ubiquitous, different formats are often funneled into their own silos in academic medicine -- rendering them less effective. In part two of Dean Henri Ford’s conversation with Dr. Azizi Seixas, they speak about how...
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TikTok tics, gut bacteria and the link to Tourette’s
Can altered gut microbiota lead to tic exacerbation in Tourette Syndrome? On the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Barbara Coffey, an internationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist, talks about the potential link between altered bacteria in people’s digestive systems…
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Harnessing the amazing power of stem cells
What if doctors could mitigate the impact of strokes by regenerating neurological pathways? How about reducing the need for heart transplants, while simultaneously improving lung function? According to Dr. Joshua Hare, it all boils down to harnessing the amazing power of stem cells. On the latest...
About this show
With Inside U Miami Medicine, we explore our academic medicine ecosystem. We chat with researchers making groundbreaking discoveries, changemakers toppling barriers, and physicians reimagining the future of health care. We tackle tough topics and delve into complex challenges. Join us for transformative conversations hosted by Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Hosted by
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine