The Educated Patient Podcast

On the latest episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, host Mike DeMarco spoke with Maria Kyriacou, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, part of Baptist Health South Florida. Kyriacou serves as a team physician for the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Panthers and Inter Miami, and she explained that heat acclimation is a structured, progressive process, not something athletes can skip.New players arriving from cooler climates, she said, get extra attention during training camp. Teams gradually increase how long players train, how much gear they wear and how intensely they push themselves over the course of days, rather than throwing anyone into full-intensity heat exposure on Day 1.Kyriacou said the same acclimation principles apply to nonathletes, whether someone is visiting Florida from a cooler state or has lived there for years. She recommends adjusting workout intensity, duration or the time of day exercise happens rather than pushing through discomfort. Physiologically, she explained, the body redirects blood circulation toward the skin to support sweating and cooling once core temperature rises, which pulls resources away from working muscles and leads to quicker fatigue.

Cancer is an isolating experience, even with a strong medical team and devoted loved ones nearby, according to Gregory D. Blake, M.S. Ed., a licensed professional counselor and board of trustee officer at Cancer Hope Network. Blake, who switched careers after 35 years on a bond trading floor following his wife's cancer diagnosis and death, now specializes in helping patients and caregivers manage the emotional weight of a cancer journey.Blake described the caregiver role as one of advocacy rather than competition, comparing conflict between caregivers to two teammates fighting over the same basketball. The most effective caregivers, he said, focus on coordinating care and staying observant, since patients are often too overwhelmed to track every detail themselves.Managing emotion is central to that role, Blake said. He compared caregivers to lifeguards, explaining that if a caregiver becomes too overwhelmed to function, the patient loses support entirely. He encouraged caregivers to build in time for rest and connection with palliative care teams, which he said are frequently misunderstood as end-of-life resources rather than support for pain management and daily comfort.

Most people know that drinking too much is not good for them. Far fewer understand exactly what alcohol is doing inside the brain, both in the short term and over years of regular use. In the latest episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, host Mike DeMarco sits down with Enrique Diaz, M.D., psychiatrist at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, for a conversation that covers everything from neurotransmitters and blackouts to brain shrinkage, sleep disruption and the genuinely good news about recovery.

In the latest episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, host Mike DeMarco sits down with Brian Snelling, M.D., neurosurgeon and director of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery and director of the stroke program at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, for a conversation that could genuinely save a life. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of serious long-term disability. That distinction matters, and it shapes everything about how Snelling approaches stroke awareness.

As temperatures rise and outdoor activity picks up, heat-related illness becomes one of the most common (and most preventable) medical emergencies of the summer season. On a recent episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, host Mike DeMarco sat down with Juan Dangond, D.O., an urgent care physician at Baptist Health South Florida, to break down everything listeners need to know about recognizing, responding to and recovering from heat illness.

For decades, cholesterol management has largely focused on identifying problems and treating patients after cardiovascular disease has already developed. But according to Michael D. Shapiro, D.O., the inaugural Fred M. Parrish professor of cardiology and molecular medicine at Wake Forest University and a contributor to the new American Heart Association’s 2026 cholesterol guidelines, that approach is changing.The latest recommendations reflect a growing shift toward prevention, with a stronger emphasis on identifying risk factors earlier in life and tailoring treatment plans to individual patients. Advances in genetics, imaging and blood testing have helped researchers better understand who may be at risk for heart disease long before symptoms appear.

As spring break and travel season ramp up, it’s easy to focus on fun and forget about the small health habits that can make or break a trip. In this episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, Ladan Pourmasiha, D.O., known to patients as Dr. P, shares practical, real-world advice from the front lines of urgent care.Pourmasiha says travel often disrupts routines in ways that can impact health. From viral infections and foodborne illness to sunburn, dehydration and even injuries, urgent care visits tend to spike during busy travel periods. The common thread? People step outside their normal habits — sleeping less, eating differently and spending more time in the sun.

Nikolaus Pankow, M.D., breaks down how decluttering your home can reduce stress, improve sleep and support overall health.

Primary care expert Katie Horner, DMSC, MPAS, PA-C, explains how hormonal shifts during menopause can affect the brain, mood and overall health.

Shyam Prabhakaran, M.D., M.S., explains why managing blood pressure, AFib and lifestyle habits can dramatically reduce stroke risk.

Neurologist Mark Leekoff, M.D., and his father share personal and professional insights into how MS treatment and outlook have improved over time. 

Hope Barkoukis, Ph.D., RDN discusses how nutrition guidance only works when it reflects how people actually live, shop, cook and eat.

Michael Siegel, M.D., M.P.H., explains how taking a break from alcohol can quickly improve digestion, sleep, mood and mental clarity.

Michael Howell, M.D., explains how sleep disorders like sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, dementia and metabolic problems.

Jane Meisel, M.D., joins The Educated Patient Podcast to discuss early detection, treatment decisions and the essential role of trust in breast cancer care.

Alina Elperin, M.D., breaks down why obesity is a chronic medical condition — not a character flaw — and how personalized treatment can empower lasting change.

Joanne Stone, M.D., M.S., chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Mount Sinai, discusses the origins and mission of the Rainbow Clinic — a pioneering U.S. program offering compassionate, specialized care for families navigating pregnancy after loss.

Rheumatologist Saloni Mitchell, M.D., discusses how understanding and treating rheumatoid arthritis early can help patients live fuller, more active lives.

Childhood obesity is rising at alarming rates, but early prevention, family support and empowerment — not blame — are key to healthier futures.

The first episode of The Educated Patient Podcast explores what it’s like to live with and treat Type 1 diabetes through the voices of Natalie Bellini, DNP, and patient advocate Brielle Eder.