Nurse to Health

In this episode of Nurse to Health, we sit down with Amy J. Smith, DNP, a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner, nationally recognized leader in sexual assault care, and former Broadway performer. As a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and Program Director at Hofstra Northwell, Dr. Smith brings frontline insight into the often hidden—and at times suppressed—realities of domestic violence and sexual assault.We discuss how abuse presents in clinical settings—frequently in subtle or overlooked ways—and what healthcare professionals need to recognize. Dr. Smith shares personal perspectives and practical approaches to trauma-informed, culturally competent care, and explains the critical role of forensic nursing in documentation, evidence collection, and patient advocacy.This episode explores the intersection of healthcare and justice, highlighting how clinicians can better support survivors while navigating complex medical and legal systems.

Join us for an insightful and timely conversation with Dr. Tomeka M. Robinson, Senior Associate Dean of Hofstra University’s Rabinowitz Honors College and Professor of Rhetoric and Public Advocacy.With deep expertise in health communication, intercultural dialogue, and developing the next generation of leaders, Dr. Robinson shares powerful perspectives on the critical role of culture and communication in healthcare. From breaking down barriers and building authentic community to using your voice with purpose and impact, this episode dives into how rhetoric shapes culture and how we can create more inclusive, equitable spaces in medicine and beyond.We explore why bold leadership paired with humble, clear dialogue matters now more than ever — whether you’re a patient navigating the system, a provider striving for better outcomes, an educator, or someone passionate about health equity.With candid stories, thought-provoking ideas, and actionable takeaways, this conversation will challenge how you think about communication in care and inspire you to lead with both courage and empathy.

In Part II of Nurse to Health, we revisit the award-winning film Late Shift (directed by Petra Volpe)—this time through the voices of the next generation of nurses.Joined by Hofstra graduate nursing students Jessica Keenan and Aaron Mandel, we reflect on the film’s raw portrayal of a single nurse navigating the realities of modern healthcare. The conversation comes on the heels of the historic 2026 New York City nursing strike—the largest in NYC history—where approximately 15,000 members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) took action across major systems including Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian.We explore what it means to enter nursing at this moment—how frontline conditions shape training, expectations, and the future of the profession, and of healthcare itself.

In this episode of Nurse to Health, we speak with acclaimed filmmaker Petra Volpe about her powerful new film Late Shift—a gripping, unflinching portrayal of a single work shift inside the modern healthcare system.Through this lens, Late Shift captures the mounting pressures faced by nurses: understaffing, moral distress, time constraints, and the quiet, relentless demand to care—no matter the cost. Volpe shares the inspiration behind the film, her commitment to authenticity, and what she hopes clinicians, patients, and policymakers take away.This conversation goes beyond cinema. It’s about the reality behind the headlines—where patient safety, professional identity, and system design collide.A must-listen for anyone invested in the future of healthcare. In other words, everyone.

What happens when a renowned pathologist and founding educator at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell suddenly finds himself on the other side of the exam table? In this powerful episode of Nurse to Health, hosts Dr. Bob Gluck and Dr. Kareem Nugdalla sit down with Dr. David Elkowitz for an intimate conversation about his extraordinary journey from physician to cancer patient—and back to thriving advocate and mentor. Diagnosed with a rare, aggressive thymic carcinoma on the heels of his 50th birthday, Dr. Elkowitz faced uncertain odds and underwent grueling treatments including multiple cycles of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. He continued teaching and lecturing throughout, buoyed by the incredible support of his students, colleagues, and his faith. After nine months cancer-free, a recurrence appeared around the one-year mark—alongside a separate primary colon cancer. His dedicated care team coordinated a comprehensive plan to address both. Dr. Elkowitz shares raw insights on empathy in medicine, the power of multidisciplinary care, and why he’s giving back—through student scholarships and support for a new lecture series for newly diagnosed patients led by his oncologist, Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu. This episode is a moving reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the human side of healthcare. Don’t miss Dr. Elkowitz’s story of becoming a “grateful cancer patient” and the lessons that transformed his life and career.

A global look at food systems, sustainability, nutrition equity, and planetary health with David Meyer and economist Dr. Galina Hale from Food System Innovations.What will it take to build a food system that truly supports human and planetary health? In this episode, we explore that question with two leaders working at the forefront of nutrition, sustainability, economics, and global wellbeing.David Meyer, CEO and co-founder of Food System Innovations (FSI), is a mission-driven entrepreneur known for co-founding Adopt-a-Pet. He is also a multi-time world champion martial artist and host of Ageless Warrior Lab(https://www.agelesswarriorlab.com/), a podcast exploring the intersection of martial arts, growth, and longevity.Dr. Galina Hale, Chief Research Officer at FSI, is a Professor of Economics and Editor-in-Chief of the Review of World Economies. A former research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, she specializes in global finance, sustainability, and food system resilience. She is also an avid long-distance athlete.Together, David and Galina discuss the interconnected challenges facing the global food system, including:• How food systems link human health, climate, and social equity• Why economic incentives and global supply chains shape what we grow and eat• What makes healthy, sustainable choices difficult—and how to change that• How innovation and policy can improve access to nutritious foods• The role of culture, motivation, and community in shaping healthier futuresTheir work at https://fsi.org focuses on designing scalable solutions for healthier people and a healthier planet. They also recommend https://nutritionfacts.org/ as a trusted, evidence-based resource for understanding nutrition science.🎧 Listen now and explore what a healthier global food future could look like.

In this episode, we sit down with two exceptional guests: Nick Serrano and Stephanie Chong—both registered nurses who have trained and worked in some of New York City’s leading healthcare centers, and who are now advancing their careers in the highly selective dual degree NP-CRNA program at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.Coming from distinct backgrounds and life experiences, Nick and Stephanie share a common thread: remarkable intelligence, deep commitment to patient care, and an impressive work ethic. Dr. Gluck has come to know them closely through PEARLS—Patient-centered Explorations in Active Reasoning, Learning, and Synthesis—a small-group, case-based learning model that demands teamwork, critical thinking, ownership of learning, and professional self-reflection.The conversation explores:Their paths into nursing and what drew each of them toward advanced practice and future careers in anesthesia and pain management Lessons learned working in premier NYC health systemsWhy they chose Hofstra-Northwell’s NP-CRNA track and how they’re managing the rigorHow PEARLS has shaped their thinking, collaboration, and approach to patient-centered problem-solvingThe mindset required to thrive in one of the most demanding fields in healthcareThe episode highlights humility, ambition, resilience, and the evolving identity of the next generation of advanced practice nurses—an inside look at two rising clinicians who represent the best of what nursing and healthcare education can offer.

In this episode of Nurse to Health, Dr. Robert Gluck and Dr. Kareem Nugdalla speak with Maureen White, RN, MBA—one of the most influential nursing leaders in the country and a guiding force behind Northwell Health’s nursing enterprise. Over nearly 50 years with the organization, White rose from ICU and open-heart nursing to become Chief Nursing Executive for the entire Northwell system.She reflects on how large-scale nursing leadership is built on teamwork, collaboration, and humility—shaping unified standards across dozens of hospitals and tens of thousands of nurses. White shares insights on leading through complexity, strengthening education and practice, and advancing care across inpatient, ambulatory, home, and hospice settings.A concise, high-impact conversation about how grounded leadership and strong teams drive better care. Perfect for clinicians, students, and anyone interested in how nursing shapes the past, present, and future of health systems.

In this episode, Danielle Rosenberg, founder and executive director of Dyspraxia DCD America, joins the podcast with her son Gabe to share their personal journey with Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Together they discuss the challenges Gabe has faced and overcome, the persistence that defines their family’s story, and how advocacy grew from lived experience into national awareness.Their conversation highlights resilience, tenacity, and the need for greater understanding of neurodevelopmental differences too often overlooked in schools and healthcare systems. Whether you are a parent, educator, therapist, or advocate, this episode offers practical insight, empathy, and hope for anyone navigating a neurodivergent path.Released in anticipation of Hofstra University’s upcoming Dyspraxia/Apraxia Conference (December 2025), which will bring together clinicians, educators, and families to advance understanding and inclusion.

In this episode of Nurse to Health, hosts Dr. Robert Gluck and Dr. Kareem Nugdalla sit down with Dr. Kathy Gallo, Founding Dean of the Hofstra–Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies (SONPA) and recently retired Chief Learning Officer at Northwell Health.  Dr. Gallo reflects on her journey from bedside nurse to system-wide innovator, sharing insights into how visionary leadership, academic-clinical partnership, and a relentless commitment to learning have shaped the next generation of healthcare professionals. From launching SONPA to reimagining how teams train and collaborate at the Center for Learning Innovation (CLI), this conversation traces the evolution of nursing education and transformation across one of the nation’s largest health systems.

Dean Kristy Loewenstein shares her journey from psychiatric nurse to leading the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. She takes us inside a remarkable institution shaping the future of healthcare, with innovative programs for nurses, physician assistants, nurse anesthetists, and cardiac perfusionists.

In our first episode, Surgeon Dr. Bob Gluck and Cardiac Nurse Practitioner Dr. Kareem Nugdalla share their different paths into healthcare and education, reflect on training the next generation of clinicians, and explore today’s changing landscape for patients and providers. Along the way, they share a few laughs while pulling the curtain on the frontlines with Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and the manyprofessionals who keep you—and your loved ones—healthy.