COVID-19: On The Frontlines

Guest: Darilyn Moyer, MD, MACP, FRCP, FIDSA, FAMWA, FEFIM How do lived experience, community dynamics, and socioeconomic realities shape infectious disease risk and patient decision making? Dr. Darilyn Moyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American College of Physicians, explains how incorporating patient context into communication and care strategies can help us better address infectious disease threats like COVID-19.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Jonathan Li, MD, MMSc COVID-19 viral rebound infections continue to impact patients and challenge clinicians. To help us better understand why some patients experience it—and how antiviral medication plays a role—Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Jonathan Li explore COVID-19 rebound infections and antiviral treatment nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Why are we currently facing a tripledemic? Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to uncover what has led to this dramatic increase in COVID-19, RSV, and the flu—and share strategies to combat this tripledemic—is ReachMD Host Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician at Children’s Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia.

Host: Mario R. Nacinovich, Jr., MSc Guest: Siwen Wang, MD Have our patients experienced anxiety, depression, and stress following a COVID-19 infection? Joining Mario Nacinovich to dive into emerging research on post-COVID-19 psychological distress is Dr. Siwen Wang, a researcher in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: William Schaffner, MD Before recommending the new COVID-19 booster, what do we need to know about this vaccine, and which of our patients fit the criteria for it? To learn the latest on what experts have to say about the new COVID-19 booster, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Dr. William Schaffner from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Host: Peter Buch, MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP The COVID-19 pandemic has entirely transformed the educational community, especially for medical students. To find out more about this impact, Dr. Peter Buch is joined by two fourth-year medical school students, Miss Sheila Eghbali and Mr. Kyle Glose, to discuss their experiences.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare field has been hit hard—facing employment challenges, increased burnouts, and more. Yet salaries have been slow to rise, and conditions haven't improved. Dr. Thuy Nguyen from the University of Michigan School of Public Health joins Dr. Charles Turck to share how employment in the healthcare field has changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Heather Moday, MD When we say the words behavior, diet, habits, and environment, chances are you don't think of the body's immune system. But based on recent research, all of those factors play a role in influencing immune function. So how can we keep them in mind and boost our immunity in the face of prevalent diseases, including COVID-19? Find out with Dr. Charles Turck as he speaks with Dr. Heather Moday, author of The Immunotype Breakthrough: Your Personalized Plan to Balance Your Immune System, Optimize Health, and Build Lifelong Resilience.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Amy McGorry PT, DPT, MTC Guest: Catherine C. Crowley, PhD, CCC-SLP COVID-19 has led to several unexpected challenges, impacting several parts of the body, including our patients' voices. What do we need to know about these impacts to better care for our patients? To answer this question, Drs. Amy McGorry and Catherine Crowley of Long Island University in New York join Dr. Charles Turck to share their clinical experience with vocal fatigue and dysphonia related to COVID-19.

Host: Hector O. Chapa, MD, FACOG Guest: Dani Dumitriu, MD, PhD The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on all patients, especially pregnant women. Here to walk us through her research on the pandemic's impact on the psychosocial health of mothers and the neurodevelopment of their fetuses is Dr. Dani Dumitriu, a pediatrician, neuroscientist, and pediatric environmental health scientist at Columbia University in New York.

Host: John Russell, MD Guest: Benjamin Abramoff, MD, MS Once a patient is discharged from the hospital after battling COVID-19, the war they face with this disease may not be over. In fact, many patients continue to experience long-term effects, which is why some institutions have formed clinics that are solely dedicated to caring for these patients. To learn more about how one such clinic is helping patients manage these devastating effects, Dr. John Russell speaks to physiatrist Dr. Benjamin Abramoff from the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: William Schaffner, MD From widespread variants to the threat of a twindemic -- what has the COVID-19 pandemic taught us? And can we learn to coexist with this virus? Dr. Charles Turck is joined by Dr. William Schaffner from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to discuss what's on the horizon for the pandemic.

Host: Hector O. Chapa, MD, FACOG Guest: Linda Bradley, MD While many people across the country have access to COVID-19 vaccines, there are certain communities where access is not as easy. So what can we do to address the vaccination gaps and barriers to care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond? Find out with Dr. Hector Chapa as he speaks with Dr. Linda Bradley from Case Western Reserve University, who shares a brief history of the presence of social determinants of health and racial disparities across our nation and how they impact our current vaccination efforts.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are also facing high rates of HIV and AIDS prevalence. But after the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, could an mRNA vaccine for HIV/AIDS be on the horizon? Here to explore emerging research and the potential role that mRNA technology might have in battling this global epidemic is Dr. Chris Beyrer, a Professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

Guest: Jeniffer Hernandez, PhD Over 1.5 million viruses could potentially cause a future pandemic. Could antibodies be the key to neutralizing those viruses? Here to share how future vaccination efforts might incorporate neutralizing antibodies and her research on preventing future pandemics is Dr. Jeniffer Hernandez, Associate Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the Keck Graduate Institute.

Host: John Russell, MD Guest: Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS Social media and the ability to quickly spread information across the internet has allowed misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines and the disease itself to spread like wildfire. But the good news is that when armed with effective counseling strategies and data from initiatives like the COVID-19 Tracking Project, we as clinicians can help stop the spread of harmful conspiracies and myths. Joining Dr. John Russell to talk about those essential strategies and the COVID-19 Tracking Project is infectious disease epidemiologist Ms. Jessica Rivera.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Animesh Ray, PhD Getting ahead of the next pandemic may be possible thanks to deep machine learning’s ability to predict the structure of antibodies. And while that may sound like science fiction, this technology is currently being studied, which is why Dr. Animesh Ray from the Keck Graduate Institute joins Dr. Charles Turck to provide insight on where the research currently lies and what we have to look forward to.

Host: Mario R. Nacinovich, Jr., MSc Guest: Randy Young, MD Amid the surge of the Delta variant, critical care physician Dr. Randy Young is traveling to ICUs across the country to help treat patients. Tune in to hear Dr. Young share how this surge is impacting both patients infected with the variant and the healthcare professionals caring for them.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Tune in to hear pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu share what we currently know about the risks and impacts of the Delta variant on our youngest patients and perhaps even more importantly, how we can help keep them safe. Published September 23, 2021

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP School’s back in session, and that means it’s time we take a look at how we can help keep children safe and healthy both inside and outside the classroom with pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu. Published September 21, 2021

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Pradipta Ghosh, MD Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we practice medicine in a variety of ways, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, a recently developed AI model can help us predict the disease course of patients infected with COVID-19, and here to share how that model was developed based on pandemics of the past and how it can be used in the current—and even future—pandemics is Dr. Pradipta Ghosh, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Alberto Augsten, PharmD During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients turned to alcohol as a way to cope with this sudden and unprecedented global health crisis, and the rates of alcohol dependency are only continuing to rise according to recent studies. That’s why Dr. Charles Turck speaks with board-certified clinical toxicologist Dr. Alberto Augsten to help us better understand the challenges in screening patients for alcohol dependency amid the COVID-19 pandemic and how we can overcome those barriers to get our patients the best—and necessary—treatment. Published August 20, 2021

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Shantanu Nundy, MD, MBA With all of the chaos and changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be easy to focus on the negative impacts of this global health crisis. But for one physician, the same chaos and changes are exactly what forged his unique perspective: one that recognizes the benefits that has come out of the pandemic. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share why he believes the COVID-19 pandemic has changed healthcare for the better is primary care physician Dr. Shantanu Nundy, author of a recent article published in The Washington Post titled, “A Surprising Pandemic Side Effect: It Has Improved Healthcare.” Published June X, 2021

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Gail Saltz, MD The quarantine blues may have come to an end, but as the country continues to reopen, a whole new set of mental health challenges are just beginning. So how can we help our patients who found comfort in social distancing and mask-wearing mandates navigate this change and return to public places? To find out, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz, who discusses the lasting effects of the quarantine blues, how we can help patients who are suffering from anxiety, and more.

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN Guest: William W. Li, MD As the number of new COVID-19 infections continues to decrease and the United States begins to open back up, it’s important to note that there are patients who have survived COVID-19 but are still suffering. The newly coined term “COVID long-haulers” refers to those patients who continue to have symptoms even after the acute infection is resolved. Joining Dr. Andrew Wilner to share what we know so far about COVID long-haulers and how we can help them is vascular biologist Dr. William Li.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Chris H. Cooper Can new mask technology made with innovative materials better protect us from the coronavirus? Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Chris Cooper, Chief Science Officer and CEO of Airlock389, on improving mask technology after the supply shortage of masks during COVID-19.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Guest: Ramiz Kseri, MD Without an available vaccine, our pediatric patients can transmit COVID-19. With that in mind, how should pediatric practices adapt? Joining Dr. Jennifer Shu to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric care is Dr. Ramiz Kseri, a dually board-certified Internist and Pediatrician and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at Florida State University College of Medicine

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Guest: Ramiz Kseri, MD What are some factors leading to disparities in care for our LGBTQ patients, and how do we keep them safe amid the pandemic? Dr. Jennifer Shu is joined by Dr. Ramiz Kseri, an Internist and Pediatrician and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at Florida State University College of Medicine, to discuss how the LGBTQ community is affected by COVID-19 and other health risks.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Ping Zhang, PhD, FAMIA The pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, but a new deep learning computer model may have discovered ten potential treatment options to combat COVID-19. Dr. Charles Turck sits down with Dr. Ping Zhang, who leads the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Lab and a faculty member at the Translational Data Analytics Institute at The Ohio State University, to discuss his team's findings. Published March 29, 2021

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD In celebration of our “Heroes in Healthcare,” Dr. Matt Birnholz continues to commend our nominees for their valuable contributions to the field of medicine, taking strides to save lives and make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz reviews more nominees for our Heroes in Healthcare program and what their peers have to say about their efforts.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Anjali Patwardhan, MD In pediatric patients, can the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines impact the COVID-19 disease course? Dr. Jennifer Caudle joins Dr. Anjali Patwardhan, a pediatric rheumatologist at the University of Missouri Healthcare, to discuss COVID-19 in pediatric patients who’ve been vaccinated for influenza and pneumococcal. Published March 16, 2021

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD In honor of our “Heroes in Healthcare” initiative, Dr. Matt Birnholz recounts some of the many healthcare professionals nominated by their peers who’ve bravely helped their patients combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest: Abigail T. Berman, MD, MSCE The risk of COVID-19 has become a significant factor to consider when selecting between SBRT and surgery for patients with early-stage lung cancer. Dr. Abigail Berman, a radiation oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia, discusses how she works with patients to decide on the best treatment for them.

Guest: Lauren K. Brooks, MD During this unprecedented time, finding the best approach to providing treatment for patients with thyroid cancer can be a challenge. Endocrinologist Dr. Lauren Brooks of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health shares some of her approaches to this dilemma and stresses the importance of keeping up on routine practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published September 28, 2020

Guest: Ann L. Steiner, MD When it’s not safe for a patient to come into the office, what can we do to help patients manage their breast pain at home? Dr. Ann Steiner, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn Medicine, explains how COVID-19 has influenced lifestyle and dietary habits and how simple changes can go a long way in managing breast pain. Published September 23, 2020

Guest: Ann L. Steiner, MD Access to breast cancer screening and treatment can be difficult for women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, healthcare professionals are finding ways to overcome these barriers. Dr. Ann Steiner, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn Medicine, compares her practice to before COVID-19 and explains how testing for breast cancer patients has changed. Published September 23, 2020

Guest: Ann L. Steiner, MD COVID-19 has encouraged many people to adopt new habits, but some of them can take a toll on a woman’s breast health. Tune in to hear Dr. Ann Steiner, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn Medicine, share what two of those risky habits are and how women can lower their risk of breast cancer while they’re sheltering at home. Published September 23, 2020

Guest: Emily F. Conant, MD When stay-at-home orders were put into place, healthcare institutions were forced to adapt the way they screen, care for, and treat patients. With that in mind, Dr. Emily Conant, Professor of Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, explains their three-step process to keep breast cancer patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published September 23, 2020

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global concern among healthcare professionals has been the shortening supply of personal protective equipment like N95 masks. But now, that concern might become a thing of a past thanks to a recent development made by a team of researchers. To find out more about this discovery, Dr. Charles Turck joins us to discuss the innovation that could become a huge win in the battle against COVID-19. Published August, 19 2020

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Now that we’re several months into the pandemic, many states and counties are turning to the local data gathered on COVID-19 incidence to help inform their plans moving forward. But are those reports really the most accurate sources of information? To find out, Dr. Charles Turck is here to discuss a recent report discussing how disparities in access to COVID-19 testing sites may be skewing case estimates. Published August, 19 2020

Guest: Anil Agarwal, MD How can healthcare professionals at the forefront of the pandemic protect the vascular integrity of COVID-19 patients undergoing acute dialysis procedures? Here to walk us through his process step by step is Dr. Anil Agarwal from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Published August 19, 2020

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: Anil Agarwal, MD The emergence of blood clotting and clogged equipment for vascular procedures is a more recent—and troubling—phenomenon that’s emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in as Dr. Anil Agarwal from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center discusses these two challenges and strategies for overcoming them. Published August 13, 2020

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN Guest: William W. Li, MD How do the lungs of healthy patients differ from the lungs of patients with COVID-19 or the flu? That’s the exact question Dr. William Li wanted to answer, and now, he’s sharing the results of his study that was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Published August 12, 2020

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP To find out how different racial and ethnic groups are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Charles Turck joins us to analyze data that was collected by the COVID Racial Tracker. Published July 24, 2020

Guest: Gregory J Kubicek, MD When caring for patients who are at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, what extra precautions are needed to help keep them safe and healthy? That’s what staff radiation oncologist Dr. Gregory Kubicek from the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center shares with us. Published June 23, 2020

Guest: Michael Greenberg, MD The chaos and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic may make us forget the simple actions we can all do to connect with others and make the world a better place. Listen in as Dr. Michael Greenberg shares three of those simple actions. Published June 15, 2020

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, children have adjusted their schedules and way of living like everyone else, but what effects has this massive shift had on our young patients? That’s the question Dr. Jennifer Shu is here to answer. Published June 12, 2020

Guest: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP Tune in to hear Dr. Jennifer Shu describe what her life as a pediatrician is now like due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps she has taken to keep her patients and colleagues healthy. Published June 12, 2020

Host: Mario R. Nacinovich, Jr., MSc Guest: David Fajgenbaum, MD Since its founding, the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) has worked to identify an effective treatment for Castleman disease, a rare immune system disorder that leads to a cytokine storm and multi-organ failure—much like what’s being seen in COVID-19 patients. Here to review how the CDCN’s innovations are now being leveraged toward the fight against COVID-19 is the CDCN’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Dr. David Fajgenbaum.