Healthy with VCU Health

Join us today for the fifth episode in a series of conversations with Dr. Marcelle Davis, Vice President and Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer at VCU Health, and team members throughout our health care system on their commitment to inclusive excellence and its impact on health. Today, we are sitting down with Porsha Bennett, Manager, Workforce Development & Strategies to discuss how the workforce development initiatives have a positive influence on our workforce and community.

Join us today for the fourth episode in a series of conversations with Dr. Marcelle Davis, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at VCU Health, and team members throughout our health care system on their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and its impact on health. Today, we are sitting down with Dr. Vanessa Sheppard, Interim Founding Dean, School of Population Health to discuss how the School of Population Health's commitment to this work has a positive influence on our patients, workforce and community.

Dr. Dhiren Kumar discusses kidney transplants, the benefits of receiving a kidney from a living donor, the Hume-Lee Transplant Center, and more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, and most of the maternal deaths are preventable. This heightened risk spans all income and education levels. While multiple factors contribute to this disparity, the bottom line remains the same — we must act now to reduce this inequity. Black Maternal Health week takes place every year from April 11-17. It is an observance that strives to bring awareness to the disparity and amplify the voices and experiencers of Black pregnant individuals. Dr. Tashima Lambert Giles, an OB/GYN at VCU Health, discuss the importance of Black maternal health and what the health system — and its patients — can do to improve outcomes.

Of the more than 6 million Americans living with heart failure, about 10% have advanced heart failure and when conventional heart therapies and symptom management strategies are no longer working, you may need more advanced options. Dr. Keyur Shah discusses the options available to treat advanced heart failure.

For patients with a brain tumor diagnosis, it's important to know that there is effective individualized medical care and support focused on you. Dr. Mariza Daras discusses specializing and holistic care for people with brain tumors at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This series is designed to offer team member views on VCU Health's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to patient care, team member experience and community engagement. The series will feature guests from various departments throughout VCU Health. Guests will share their commitment to making our organization the best it can be and offer an in-depth view into our mutual human connection and how these commonalities improve successful outcomes of diversity, equity and inclusion for everyone.

Acaba de descubrir que está embarazada. Está emocionada, pero también un poco ansiosa porque no está segura de qué hacer y a dónde ir. Aunque escoger el nombre para el bebé puede ser uno de sus primeros pensamientos, hay otras decisiones importantes que tomar. ¿Quiénes quiere que forme parte de su equipo de atención médica durante su embarazo y más allá? ¿Y cuáles son algunas de las decisiones clave que necesita tomar en su primer trimestre?Meghan Noonan, enfermera partera certificada en VCU Health, le explicará las opciones de atención médica y le guiará a través de algunas decisiones para navegar su primer trimestre y embarazo. Junto con ginecólogos obstetras, enfermeras y con usted, las enfermeras parteras certificadas le empoderan para tener la experiencia de parto que desea mientras le preparan para ser una nueva madre.

This series is designed to offer team member views on VCU Health's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to patient care, team member experience and community engagement. The series will feature guests from various departments throughout VCU Health. Guests will share their commitment to making our organization the best it can be and offer an in-depth view into our mutual human connection and how these commonalities improve successful outcomes of diversity, equity and inclusion for everyone.

Since opening this year, Children's Tower is Richmond's new home for pediatric in-patient emergency and level 1 trauma care. Dr. Matt Schefft discusses how the Children's Tower is improving care for kids in Richmond and beyond.

In oncology, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is synonymous with the highest standard of cancer research in the U.S. Nearly 50 years ago, Massey Cancer Center first became an NCI-designated cancer center in 1975 and has maintained this status every five years – when the NCI evaluates Massey for its transdisciplinary research and approaches to cancer prevention and treatment. This year, the NCI declared Massey a Comprehensive Cancer Center, its highest level of recognition. In this episode, Dr. Robert A. Winn, director of the VCU Massey Cancer Center and senior associate dean for cancer innovation and professor of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine at the VCU School of Medicine, discusses Massey's latest NCI achievement, and explains the impact this accolade will have on the cancer center and its community. An NCI-designation is not just an award. It comes with an array of opportunities for cancer centers to deepen their research, recruit top-tier scientists and advance pathways for new cancer treatments.

Hearing your obstetrician, midwife or nurse practitioner say that your pregnancy may be high-risk can trigger a wave of emotions. Today, we will be talking with Dr. Whitney Bender, OB-GYN, and maternal fetal medicine specialist at VCU Health, who will share what you need to know if you have been told you have a high-risk pregnancy so you can have the healthiest and safest outcome for you and your baby.

This series is designed to offer team member views on VCU Health's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to patient care, team member experience and community engagement. The series will feature guests from various departments throughout VCU Health. Guests will share their commitment to making our organization the best it can be and offer an in-depth view into our mutual human connection and how these commonalities improve successful outcomes of diversity, equity and inclusion for everyone.

As some rural hospitals across America are closing, VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is dedicated to offering quality health care services to the people who live and work in their rural community of Southern Virginia. March is Women's History Month. Today, we are talking with a woman who is making history - Sheldon Barr is the first woman president to lead CMH. Listen as she shares how CMH is uniquely positioned to respond to today's healthcare challenges and opportunities, and what it is like to be a woman in health care leadership.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused hospitals to rethink how and where they offered care to their patients. What if you could receive the same high-quality care you'd expect from a stay at the hospital in your own home? VCU Health specialist, Dr. Julia Breton, is here today to tell us more about their Home Hospital services - the first hospital-at-home program in central Virginia.

Advance Care Planning requires those hard conversations between loved ones in order to honor wishes. Dr. Danielle Noreika, Medical Director of Palliative Care at VCU Medical Center, shares with us why open lines of communication are critical and can assist with care and treatment decisions.

Comenzar una familia debería ser emocionante, pero puede ser estresante para algunas familias, el Dr. Ronald Ramus, Profesor y Director de Medicina Materno Fetal, y Director de la Unidad de Ultrasonido, discute cómo prepararse mejor para el embarazo y el parto.

Have you experienced a traumatic injury like a motor vehicle accident or a fall and now find it difficult to return to normal life? Dr. Kathryn Maher discusses symptoms that may be a sign that you're experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, coping strategies that may help, and more.

Uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecological cancer and 4th most common cancer for women in the United States. Unfortunately, it is one of the few cancers with increasing annual diagnoses and deaths. Uterine cancer includes two main cancer types:1) Endometrial, which occurs in the lining of the uterus, or endometrium. Over 90% of all uterine cancers are endometrial cancer so the terms “uterine cancer” and “endometrial cancer” are often used interchangeable. For today's discussion, we'll be using the term endometrial cancer. 2) Uterine sarcoma is a much rarer form of uterine cancer and forms in the muscles and tissues of the uterus. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Stephanie Sullivan, about what you need to know about endometrial cancer, including symptoms, treatment, and the multidisciplinary care team at VCU Massey Cancer Center

When receiving imaging or treatment at VCU Massey Cancer Center, you can trust that you are in expert hands. Dr. Emma Fields discusses MRI-guided radiation therapy, the potential benefits for cancer patients, and more.

Organizations around the country continue to make improvements in DEI, or Diversity Equity & Inclusion, and that includes healthcare and while great strides have been made, there's still a long way to go. Joanne Harris Duff discusses how VCU Health is amplifying the voices of patients and team members through DEI efforts.

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States so what is the best way to keep your heart health in mind? Dr. Arturo Cardounel discusses the answer to this question and more about how to keep your heart healthy.

Back and spine pain can severely impact a person's quality of life. Luckily, there are nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatment options that can alleviate your pain.

Last year the number of flu infections decreased significantly due to precautions we took against COVID-19. Many schools were closed, mask mandates were in place and social distancing was practiced in most settings. As a few of these requirements have been lifted, some worry how this will affect the upcoming flu season. How do you know if you have a cold, flu or COVID-19? And how should you treat the symptoms? VCU Health infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Stevens is with us to share what you can do to stay safe during the flu season.

You just found out you're pregnant. You're excited but also a little anxious as you aren't sure what to do and where to go. While selecting baby names may be among your first thoughts, there are other important choices to make. Who do you want on your health care team for your pregnancy journey and beyond? And what are some of the key decisions you need to make in your first trimester?Meghan Noonan, a certified nurse-midwife at VCU Health, will explain your care team options and guide you through some decisions to navigate your first trimester and pregnancy. Together with OB-GYN's, nurses and you, certified nurse-midwives empower you to have the birth experience you want while preparing you to be a new parent.

Dr. Daniel Newton explains aortic disease, causes, how it's diagnosed, risk factors, and treatment options.

Dr. Robert O'Connell explains the difference between a sprain and a strain, what to do if you think you have either of these injuries and how to treat both.

Dionne Wynn-Criss is joined by Marcelle Davis DSL to talk about being a living donor.

Nicky Keller MS, BSN, RN explains what  severe alcoholic hepatitis is, and shares information on the Hume-Lee's severe Alcoholic Hepatitis Transplant Program.

Dr. Alex Krist shares the new colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

Economic and social differences can isolate people from the resources they need during public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. VCU Health's office of health equity works to ensure all communities have access to the care they need during COVID-19, including the vaccine. Today, we're talking with Byron Hunter, MPH, FACHE VCU Health director of community health initiatives, about how VCU Health is reaching those hardest hit by COVID-19.

Summer fun is here and there are more ways to get burned than you might think. Most of us think about sunburn, but grills, backyard firepits and fireworks, and even kitchens all have the potential of injuries. Today, Dr. Michael Feldman, medical director of VCU Health's Evans-Haynes burn center will help you be more aware of your surroundings and potential hazards.

Dr. Elizabeth Wolf is a pediatrician and researcher at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. She's also a mom of two young children. Dr. Wolf's recently published a research study article focused on low-value care, including overuse and over prescribing of antibiotics. She's here to tell us more about antibiotics and when your kiddos really need them, and when they don't.

Vinay Kumaran, MBBS, MS, M Ch discusses Living-Donor Liver Transplantation and How it’s Saving Lives.

Dr. Frances Casey explores pregnancy loss and ways to find solace during this hard time.

Heba Abbassy shares her first-hand account of what it's like to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Hem Bhardwaj discusses recognizing, diagnosing and treating COVID-19 in heart patients.

The risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk.  Dr. Christian Bergman – a specialist in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the VCU Health Center for Advanced Health Management in Richmond, Virginia – will share what that means for you and your loved ones in this episode of Healthy with VCU Health “COVID-19: Caring for Mom and Dad.”

Dr. Art Kellermann discusses today’s challenges and opportunities for health care and how VCU is uniquely positioned to respond.

Allison Held, Esq. explains what a medical-legal partnership is, how legal matters affect someone's health and who can access the partnership.

Dr. Danielle Gong discusses what to expect this cold and flu season amidst of the pandemic. She discusses symptoms, similarities, the flu vaccine, and when you should see your doctor.

Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough shares tips on infant sleep safety; including co-sleeping, bumpers, blankets, overdressing, and when you should consider sleep training.

Dr. Robert Winn discusses developments within cancer research, cancer disparities, and why community engagement is important.

Clinical trials give patients access to promising new therapies before they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial use. For some patients, they may offer an additional line of treatment after all other therapies have failed. In this episode, Dr. Leslie Randall, gynecologic oncologist and researcher at VCU Massey Cancer Center, discusses several promising clinical trials testing new treatments for cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.

Dr. David Bruno discusses the latest updates on liver transplants.

Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen discusses Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), who is at risk, symptoms, prevention tips, and treatment options.

When faced with a pressing medical issue, it can be tough to know where to seek medical care. Dr. Pawan Suri, Chief of the Division of Observation Medicine, discusses emergency care versus urgent care.

Mental health care is important, especially for children. Rachel Reynolds, Program Manager at Cameron K. Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center at CHoR, discusses how families and the community can help children's mental health matters.

Reproductive plans may lead you to consider vasectomy or vasectomy reversal. Dr. Luriel Smith-Harrison, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Urology, discusses what you need to know about vasectomies.

Breast cancer surgery is often followed by radiation treatment. Dr. Douglas Arthur, Chair of Radiation Oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center, discusses accelerated partial breast irradiation.