Podcast Series: Interviews

For many, the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic, an EDI reckoning, and record levels of burnout have radically changed the way we think about our professional and personal lives. With burnout, trauma, and exhaustion still prevalent in health care and academic medicine, have we really moved past the pandemic? Can we ever return to “normal?” And what lessons have the last two-and-a-half years taught us about resiliency for individual employees and the collective workforce?

In this Conversation:
• Natasha Ovuoba, Associate Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Huntsman Cancer Institute
• Abdulkhaliq Barbaar, MSW, MBA, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at University of Utah Health
• Nafisa Masud, MS, Content Specialist at University of Utah Health

Host: Mitch Sears, Producer, The Scope Radio 

Equity, diversity, and inclusion work is never easy. It requires that we face our flaws and grapple with challenging questions. How do we foster civil discourse so that people with different viewpoints can have conversations that are healthy and productive instead of isolating and divisive? How can we break down academic siloes so that we can support one another? And whose responsibility is EDI, anyway? Three EDI leaders open up about their personal struggles, the systemic barriers they face, and their commitment to forward momentum.

In this Conversation:
• Paloma Cariello, MD, Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at University of Utah
• April Mohanty, MD, Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Department of Internal Medicine
• Quang-Tuyen Nguyen, MD, Vice Chair of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Department of Pediatrics

Host: Mitch Sears, Producer, The Scope Radio

There’s no doubt that population health is a buzz word in health care. But if we truly want to change the way we care for patients to address the specific needs of certain populations, then we also need to change the way we educate students to prepare them for this new model of care. The Population Health Scholars Program at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine does just that. By partnering with Intermountain Healthcare, the program provides medical students with foundational knowledge, practical experience, longitudinal mentoring, guaranteed work, and tuition relief. Sound too good to be true? Learn more.

In This Conversation:
• Michael Good, MD, CEO of University of Utah Health, Executive Dean, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
• Karyn Springer, MD, Assistant Dean of Intermountain Population Health Clinical Learning
• Taylor Dean, MS, Program Manager, Population Health Scholars Program

Host: Mitch Sears, Producer, The Scope Radio

Wounds can typically take anywhere from two weeks to two months to heal, depending on the type and severity of the injury. If your wound is taking significantly longer to heal than expected, it may be time to see a medical professional. University of Utah Health emergency physician Troy Madsen, MD, also cares for patients at a chronic wound center. He explains what can cause a chronic wound to not heal properly, the effective treatments available, and why professional treatment from a primary care doctor or wound care specialist is so important.

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes muscles to contract involuntarily, often leading to repetitive or twisting movements in different parts of the body. While the condition is not typically painful, the involuntary movements can really impact a person's daily life, but there are treatment options available. University of Utah Health neurologist and movement disorder specialist Panagiotis Kassavetis, MD, PhD, explains what dystonia is, the treatment options available, and why seeing a specialist or movement disorder clinic is so important to help manage dystonia.

One in five women in the U.S. will have a stroke in their lifetime, according to the American Stroke Association. That means 55,000 more women than men will suffer a stroke each year. Stroke specialist Jana Wold, MD, explains why women are more likely to experience a stroke and the steps you can take to minimize your risk.

To get the most health benefit, adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, three to five days a week. But a new study shows evidence that as little as two to three minutes of activity a day can lead to real health improvements for people currently doing little to no activity. Troy Madsen, MD, explains the research and what it could mean for patients.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world, with as many as 1 in 26 people developing it during their lifetime. Despite its frequency, many patients may not know much about the condition until they or a loved one receive a diagnosis. Amir Arain, MD, MPH, is a professor and chief of the Division of Epilepsy at University of Utah Health. He explains the most common symptoms of epilepsy, why the disease can be life-threatening without professional help, and what treatments are available to manage—and, in some cases, cure—the condition.

If you or someone you know is affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you understand how much it can impact the quality of day-to-day life. While the condition is mostly connected to aging, there are ways to prevent, treat, and slow the condition. Ophthalmologist Monika Fleckenstein, MD, is a specialist in degenerative retinal diseases with the Moran Eye Center. She explains the basics of AMD, ways to identify it early, and treatment options that can help patients with the condition enjoy a better quality of life.

Bell's palsy can be a sudden and surprising condition, rapidly causing facial weakness and muscle twitching. But understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is key to diagnosing and managing this condition. Sarah Akkina, MD, director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Utah, shares what you need to know about Bell's palsy. Discover the potential causes of the condition and learn about the importance of prompt treatment to maximize the chances of full recovery.

Listen to one patient's experience with Bell's Palsy.

Learn more about surgical options for Bell's Palsy symptoms lasting longer than 6 months.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, think about how you use the word “love” in your life. You love your significant other, your kids, your friends, and your siblings in different ways. Kirtly Parker Jones, MD, talks about the research behind these types of affection and why our loved ones make us crazy—in good ways and bad ways.

Most of us know having high cholesterol is generally a bad thing. But what exactly is cholesterol? It’s not only a major signpost for your overall health, but it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Tom Miller, MD, from University of Utah Health explains what cholesterol is, breaks down the numbers, and tells you why it matters to your and your loved ones’ health.

Your heart pumps about 100,000 times a day. It pushes your blood around 12,000 miles a day. So what do you need to know to take care of it? There are seven main features you need to consider: smoking status, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar level, diet, and physical activity. Women's health expert Kirtly Parker Jones, MD, talks to Medical Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation Lillian Khor, MD, about which of the seven she considers most important, easiest, and hardest to control, and also gives tips and suggestions to achieve your ideal heart health. To check your heart health status online, take the American Heart Association's My Life Check assessment.

There’s nothing more devastating than seeing your child suffer a painful, life-changing scalding burn injury. Most parents think it will never happen to their child. That’s what Taylor Vowles thought. Hear his story about the day his son got second-degree scald burns over 8% of his body. Listen and learn from his experience so that you can better prevent burn injuries from happening to your child.

Scalds are the most common burn injury for children under five, they are painful and can be life-changing. Unfortunately, it’s easier then you think for a child to suffer severe burns from hot drinks, bathwater, and microwave foods. Prevention is always the best first step, but if your child did get a scald injury, would you know what to do to minimize the damage and pain? Annette Matherly from the Utah Burn Center tells you about the four C’s; four steps that can really make a difference that everyone should know in case a child you love gets scalded.