Better Edge : A Northwestern Medicine podcast for physicians

Eric Ruderman, MD, leads a Northwestern Medicine panel discussion with Irene Blanco, MD, Anisha Dua, MD, and Carrie Richardson, MD. Together, they dive into the latest advances in clinical trials and treatment strategies for scleroderma, vasculitis and lupus.The panel discusses the goals and complexities of contemporary clinical trials, recent breakthroughs in therapies and the innovative potential of CAR-T therapy for managing autoimmune diseases. They emphasize the significance of personalized medicine and the collaboration needed among clinicians, industry collaborators and patient advocacy groups to drive research forward.

In this episode of Better Edge, we discuss the Collaborative Advanced Reconstructive Evaluation (CARE) Clinic, a collaboration between Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, led by Julia Geynisman-Tan, MD, Julia E. Grabowski, MD, Elizabeth B. Yerkes, MD, and Dana Elborno, MD. Learn how this team uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide leading-edge reconstructive treatments for congenital anomalies and acquired genitourinary tract diseases.

In this episode of Better Edge, Sean W. P. Koppe, MD, moderates a panel of hepatologist, featuring Laura M. Kulik, MD, Andres Duarte, MD, Sarang B. Thaker, MD and Amanda C. Cheung, MD, as they discuss recent advances and challenges in liver research. The conversation addresses such key issues as the timing of immunotherapy in relation to transplants, the role of albumin management and the implications of these factors on patient outcomes. This discussion offers valuable insights to fellow researchers and clinicians navigating the complexities of liver medicine.

In this episode of Better Edge, Northwestern Medicine Neurologist Shailee Shah, MD, and Neuro-oncologist Ditte Primdahl, MD, unpack the latest advancements in paraneoplastic syndrome management, highlighted at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.   Together, they explore: The complex interplay between immune checkpoint inhibitors and autoimmune neurologic syndromes Emerging therapies, including CD19-directed CAR T-cell treatments Updates to diagnostic criteria and risk stratification using high-risk autoantibodies The role of predictive biomarkers and advanced omics in diagnosis The launch of a dedicated paraneoplastic clinic at Northwestern Medicine

In this episode of Better Edge podcast, Sri Komanduri, MD, discusses the latest advances in the screening and management of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. He highlights the significance of risk stratification to enhance patient outcomes and minimize the incidence of interval cancers. Additionally, Dr. Komanduri emphasizes the importance of improving patient access to care and the role of advocacy organizations in supporting both patients and clinicians.

In this episode of Better Edge, Baljash S. Cheema, MD, assistant professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, and Zach Miller, PhD, manager of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern Medicine, discuss the innovative use of machine learning to identify patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Emphasizing the critical collaboration between clinical experts and data scientists, Dr. Cheema and Dr. Miller explain the process of designing and optimizing AI models to better meet clinician needs and improve patient outcomes.

In this episode of Parts and Labor, Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts to discuss the PEARL Program, a multidisciplinary initiative providing comprehensive care for patients with obesity as they prepare for pregnancy. The panel covers the program's approach to lifestyle management, preconception counseling and integrating specialties to support maternal health.

Neurosurgeon Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, leads a panel discussion on the management of tumors that compress the optic nerve. He is joined by Preeti J. Thyparampil, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Adam D. Baim, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist.     The panel discusses tumors commonly associated with optic nerve compression, their impact on eye function, and the signs and symptoms that suggest a tumor is pressing on the optic nerve. They also delve into diagnostic strategies and treatment options, emphasizing key factors that determine the appropriate surgical approach.

In this episode of Better Edge, Christina E. Boots, MD, MSCI, associate professor of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the impact of obesity on reproductive outcomes and the promising role of GLP-1 agonists in treating obesity and infertility. Discover how these groundbreaking medications are reshaping reproductive health, offering hope for patients with higher BMIs. Learn about the latest insights and clinical considerations for their use in preconception care plans.

In this episode of Better Edge, a panel of ophthalmologists from Northwestern Medicine discuss their insights from the 2025 Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) Annual Conference. Nicholas Volpe, MD, president of the AUPO, joins Rukhsana Mirza, MD, and Dmitry Pyatetsky, MD, as they share their perspectives on important topics such as residency education, the future of ophthalmology and the impact of AI in the field. The panelists also explore initiatives aimed at improving faculty development and patient care, emphasizing the need for innovation and collaboration within academic ophthalmology.

In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin Y. Zhan, MD, director of the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant Program, outlines the program's multidisciplinary approach and its expanded candidacy criteria. The program now serves people with significant hearing loss who struggle with speech clarity despite using hearing aids. Dr. Zhan also shares the innovative surgical techniques and personalized rehabilitation strategies that make Northwestern Medicine a leading center for hearing restoration.

In this episode, Stuart Shankman, PhD, psychologist, and Lilian Li, PhD, postdoctoral scholar, discuss their research at the NEAR Lab on capturing aspects of mood and mental health through adolescent smartphone social communication. They explore the challenges in diagnosing and treating adolescent depression and the potential of using smartphone data to detect depressive symptoms. The conversation also addresses the ethical considerations and future implications of this innovative approach to mental health monitoring.

Defining "obesity" is not straightforward. Using body mass index (BMI) alone may miss some unhealthy individuals and mislabel others. New global clinical recommendations aim to improve the definition of obesity. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission, supported by 75 medical organizations, proposes to use objective measures of illness based on individual risk factors. Dr. Kushner states that these recommendations represent a significant advancement in recognizing obesity as a disease rather than just a risk factor, allowing clinicians to identify those in need of treatment.

Aziz Aadam, MD, interventional endoscopist, Daniel Borja-Cacho, MD, transplantation surgeon, and Ahsun Riaz, MD, vascular and interventional radiologist, discuss a complex biliary case involving a patient with advanced stage cancer. They explore the innovative, multidisciplinary approach taken to manage the patient's biliary fistula and hepatic duct obstruction. The physicians highlight the collaborative efforts and advanced techniques that led to a successful outcome and improved quality of life for the patient.

Aziz Aadam, MD, interventional endoscopist, Daniel Borja-Cacho, MD, transplantation surgeon, and Ahsun Riaz, MD, vascular and interventional radiologist, discuss a complex biliary case involving a patient with advanced stage cancer. They explore the innovative, multidisciplinary approach taken to manage the patient's biliary fistula and hepatic duct obstruction. The physicians highlight the collaborative efforts and advanced techniques that led to a successful outcome and improved quality of life for the patient.

Anita W. Asgar, MD, recently named section head of Interventional Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, introduces herself and reveals what drew her to join the team at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Dr. Asgar shares her goals for the future of the Interventional Cardiology program, her clinical and research interests in structural heart interventions and moderate secondary mitral regurgitation, and her experience working on MitraClip procedures in Canada.

Join podcast host Angela Chaudhari, MD, and a panel of experts in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery for the seventh episode of Parts and Labor. In this episode, they discuss urogynecology, complex case management, uterine-sparing surgery, the CARE Clinic for congenital anomalies, and future research areas. This episode's panel of guests include:Emi Bretschneider, MD, Division Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTeni Brown, MD, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University; Assistant Professor of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery and of Medical Education, Northwestern Medicine​Julia Geynisman-Tan, MD, Assistant Professor of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology​​​​Douglas Luchristt, MD, Assistant Professor of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Lisa J. Rosenthal, MD, discusses the recently launched Northwestern Medicine West Health Accelerator, an initiative designed to enhance access to mental health services through evidence-based collaborative care models. Learn how this program integrates psychiatric care into primary care settings, using advanced technology and data analytics to improve patient outcomes.

Join Sean W. P. Koppe, MD, and Justin R. Boike, MD, both of Northwestern Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology, as they discuss how communities are affected by the availability of expert liver care close to home. We're proud to offer liver transplant care clinics in Northern and Central Illinois and Northwest Indiana, providing essential pre-transplant services near where our patients live and work.

Join Sean W. P. Koppe, MD, and Justin R. Boike, MD, both of Northwestern Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology, as they discuss how communities are affected by the availability of expert liver care close to home. We're proud to offer liver transplant care clinics in Northern and Central Illinois and Northwest Indiana, providing essential pre-transplant services near where our patients live and work.

In this Better Edge podcast episode, Margrit Urbanek, PhD, associate professor of Endocrinology, and doctoral student Rosie Bauer discuss key insights from their recent research on the potential role of a rare genetic variation in the LMNA gene in the development of PCOS.

Immense pressure on hospitals from the COVID-19 pandemic prompted CMS to waive its three-day rule for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Effective March 1, 2020, this waiver allowed patients to transfer to SNFs without the usual inpatient criteria or a three-day hospital stay. A recent study by Northwestern Medicine published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society explores the trends in hospital discharges to SNFs during this period.Join study authors Lee A. Lindquist, MD, MPH, and Marianne Tschoe, MD, on this episode of the Better Edge podcast as they discuss their research and findings.

In this episode of the Better Edge podcast, Anjan Tibrewala, MD, discusses his paper published in Circulation: Heart Failure, “Impact of Heart Transplant Allocation Change on Waitlist Mortality and Posttransplant Mortality in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices.”The study's results found that despite the 2018 heart transplant allocation change deprioritizing patients with LVADs, patients with LVADs are living longer on the heart transplant waitlist. Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that patients with LVADs have slightly higher mortality after heart transplant following the allocation change. Dr. Tibrewala discusses recent advances in LVAD technology and what's next in advanced heart failure care.

Ziho Lee, MD, discusses how ureteral stricture disease management has evolved over the past decade, emphasizing the impact of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Lee shares insights on how his team developed a patient-reported outcome measure, detailing their approach, validation process and the potential implications for clinical practice.

Join Larissa Pavone, MD, Mary Keen, MD, and Anton Dietzen, MD, as they discuss the significance of muscle tone in young pediatric patients. They explore the causes and manifestations of high muscle tone, including hypertonia, and share insights on managing spasticity, dystonia, and rigidity. Learn about the latest diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies to support early development in children with muscle tone abnormalities. Dr. Pavone is associate chief medical officer of Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital; Dr. Keen is a pediatric PM&R specialist; Dr. Dietzen is medical director of Pediatrics at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

In this Better Edge podcast episode, a multidisciplinary panel of Northwestern Medicine experts — R. Mark Wiet, MD, otologist and neurotologist; Nicholas Hac, MD, otoneurologist; Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon; and Kevin Y. Zhan, MD, otologist and neurotologist — discusses advances in the management of acoustic neuroma. They explore detection, diagnosis and treatment options and outline the advantages of a multidisciplinary approach, while also engaging in a case-based discussion.Physicians who listen to this podcast may claim continuing medical education credit after listening to an episode of this program.

David W. Manning, MD, and Caroline P. Thirukumaran, PhD, both of Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery join the Better Edge podcast. They delve into the CMS Orthopedic Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Performance Measure for Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA).   Dr. Manning and Dr. Thirukumaran provide an in-depth discussion on these performance measures:   The benefits and challenges Integrating them into clinical practice How they may affect patient outcomes and satisfaction The future of PRO measures in orthopaedic care Anticipated advances in the reporting process

Jennifer U. Miles-Thomas, MD, explores the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder in women. She covers: • Underlying causes• Impact on quality of life• The range of treatment options Dr. Miles-Thomas highlights the importance of personalized care, shared decision-making and guidelines-based management for effective diagnosis and treatment.

In this episode of the Better Edge podcast, Bruce K. Tan, MD, associate professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, discusses his recent research study titled, “Increased Autoreactivity and Maturity of EBI2+ Antibody-Secreting Cells from Nasal Polyps,” which sheds light on the cells' role in predicting polyp recurrence after sinus surgery and the potential implications for diagnosing and treating nasal polyps. The findings also contribute to our understanding of immune response, antibodies and inflammation in respiratory conditions, highlighting the unique activation mechanisms and tissue-resident memory cells in the airway.

Quentin R. Youmans, MD, MSc, and Alyssa M. Vela, PhD, discuss a recent paper they co-authored that explores the importance of addressing the unique psychosocial and emotional challenges faced by patients with advanced heart failure.

Yvonne C. Lee, MD, shares key takeaways from her ACR Convergence presentation on sleep disturbances in patients with rheumatoid diseases. Additionally, Dr. Lee gives an overview of the meeting's standout presentations.

Yvonne C. Lee, MD, shares key takeaways from her ACR Convergence presentation on sleep disturbances in patients with rheumatoid diseases. Additionally, Dr. Lee gives an overview of the meeting's standout presentations.

Perry Xu, MD, discusses his paper, which was a retrospective analysis of HoLEP in patients who held or continued blood thinners. Dr. Xu explains: • The use of the holmium laser in the procedure• Common indications for blood thinner therapy• Intraoperative and post-op outcomes • The clinical implications of the study findings

Hiten D. Patel, MD, joins this episode of Better Edge to discuss his research on using AI to help more accurately detect and stage prostate cancer.

Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH, explores how social factors and disparities affect cardiovascular health in Asian American subgroups. He emphasizes the need to understand and address these factors in patient care.

Mary Keen, MD, a pediatric physiatrist, shares her extensive experience with rare pediatric conditions. Dr. Keen discusses the challenges of diagnosing these conditions, helpful resources for the diagnostic process, multidisciplinary approaches, innovative treatments, and the role of exercise in managing mitochondrial disorders and other rare conditions.

Surendra Basti, MD, Manjot K. Gill, MD, and Angelo P. Tanna, MD, share what you need to know from AAO 2024.

Sarah E. Chuzi, MD, and Courtney Bartelstein, PA-C, offer insights on the broad clinical and community impact of the COMPASS-HF program at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. COMPASS-HF, which stands for Comprehensive Palliative Care and Supportive Services for People with Heart Failure, seeks to support patients with advanced heart failure and their caregivers as they navigate a variety of symptoms, unique psychosocial challenges and complex decisions. 

Keith Summa, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Northwestern Medicine, explores the intricate relationship between circadian rhythms and gastrointestinal health. Discover how disruptions in sleep and circadian alignment can affect metabolic processes, intestinal permeability and overall GI function. Dr. Summa also covers the latest research findings and their implications for conditions like obesity, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Join Laura M. Kulik, MD, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine, as she explores the latest advances in liver cancer care. Dr. Kulik shares her expertise on emerging therapies and the role of collaborative management in this complex field.

Northwestern Medicine's Srikanth N. Divi, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, and Najib El Tecle, MD, a neurosurgeon, discuss the transformative impact of AI on spine surgery. They explore how AI enhances diagnostic accuracy, reduces complications and improves surgical outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Divi and Dr. El Tecle delve into the critical aspects of AI in medical applications, including machine learning and imaging analysis.Learn more or refer a patient to the Northwestern Medicine Center for Spine Health 

Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, discusses “Heart Failure in African American Individuals, Version 2.0,” his editorial recently published in JAMA. He emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic factors in predicting and managing heart failure in African American people, as well as the implications for genetic screening. Dr. Yancy highlights ways to address health disparities in cardiovascular care that Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is putting into practice.

Robert E. Brannigan, MD, expands on the American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine's 2024 amendment to the male infertility guideline. As chair of these guideline amendments, Dr. Brannigan delves into recommendation updates, as well as their effect on diagnostic processes and how male infertility is evaluated.

En este episodio de Better Edge, la Dra. Irene Blanco y la Dra. Paulina González-Latapi hablan sobre la clínica de lupus para hispanohablantes y la clínica de trastornos del movimiento para hispanohablantes en Northwestern Medicine. La Dra. Blanco y la Dra. González-Latapi ofrecen un resumen de las clínicas y cómo buscan mejorar los resultados de salud entre la población que habla español. También hablan sobre el desarrollo de cada clínica y ofrecen consejos sobre cómo brindar atención a las personas que prefieren hablar en español.

Jennifer U. Miles-Thomas, MD, a trailblazing urologist and advocate for gender diversity in the field, shares her personal journey, from her specialization in female reconstructive surgery to her recent appointments as vice chair – Regional Integration and Innovation and assistant professor of Urology at Northwestern Medicine, and as treasurer-elect of the American Urological Association. As an expert in the field, Dr. Miles-Thomas sheds light on her unique approaches to her practice and discusses obstacles that hinder gender diversity in urology. She discusses her vision for the future of gender diversity in urology and how it can positively impact patient care and outcomes.

In this episode of Better Edge, Daniela E. Matei, MD, chief of Reproductive Science in Medicine at Northwestern Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research on chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. She explains how her team discovered the role of cholesterol in cancer cell survival and the innovative use of nanoparticles to block cholesterol uptake, offering new hope for treatment. Dr. Matei also highlights the potential for combining this approach with traditional chemotherapy and immunotherapy to enhance patient outcomes.

In this 30-minute CME episode of Better Edge, Robert E. Brannigan, MD, professor of Urology at Northwestern Medicine and the guideline amendment chair at the American Urological Association, expands on the 2024 amendments to AUA's guideline for male infertility.He delves into the specific updates made to the recommendation on evaluating azoospermic patients and how these updates impact the diagnostic process. Additionally, Dr. Brannigan explains the changes in the recommendation on karyotype testing and how they contribute tothe evaluation of male infertility and explores the implications of the updates regarding the use of imaging modalities when evaluating patients.

In this Better Edge episode, Irene Blanco, MD, and Paulina Gonzalez-Latapi, MD, discuss the Spanish-speaking lupus clinic and the Hispanic movement disorders clinic at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Blanco and Dr. Gonzalez-Latapi provide an overview of the clinics and how they aim to improve health outcomes among the Spanish-speaking population. They also discuss each clinic's development and offer advice on providing care to people who prefer to speak Spanish.

In this episode of the Better Edge podcast, Anton N. Dietzen, MD, a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and fellowship-trained pediatric physiatrist at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, discusses the challenges of weight management in pediatric patients with special needs. He highlights the higher prevalence of weight issues in this population and the multifactorial causes, including medication side effects and behavioral factors. Dr. Dietzen emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving dietitians, physical therapists and psychologists, to create a comprehensive weight management plan tailored to the child's needs.

This episode of Better Edge delves into the challenges of medication management for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Rachel O'Conor, PhD, MD, associate professor of Geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine, and a health services and public health researcher specializing in community-engaged research, shares insights from a recent study involving patients and their caregivers. The discussion highlights the difficulties faced by those with changing cognitive abilities in managing multi-drug regimens and the crucial role of family members in this process. Dr. O'Conor emphasizes the importance of understanding both patient and caregiver perspectives to navigate these challenges effectively.