The Athens Frontline

In our November episode, host Alander Rocha sits down with Missy Jackson, director of nursing at the University Health Center at UGA, to discuss the flu season and how to stay healthy during the upcoming holidays.

In our October episode, host Alander Rocha sits down with Grace Walton, news contributor and UGA freshman, to discuss her reporting on the opioid crisis in Athens. Walton shares what the community is doing to combat the epidemic and its challenges to accessing treatment in a time of increasing opioid use.  

In our season two premiere, health editor and host Alander Rocha sits down with Jeff Hogan, professor of infectious diseases at UGA's Animal Health Research Center, to discuss everything you need to know about the monkeypox virus. Hogan shares his expertise on the monkeypox virus, the vaccine, and whether we can call it an STD or not.

In our last content episode of the season, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Donald Lloyd, a triple dawg and part-time associate professor in health policy and management at the University of Georgia. Together, Simran and Lloyd discuss the status of America's health insurance, access to affordable healthcare, and differences in insurance plans.

In our fourteenth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Robin Buell, who joined the University of Georgia in 2021 as the Georgia Research Alliance eminent scholar chair in Crop Genomics in the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences and the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies. Together, Simran and Buell discuss modified plants, healthy foods and how food is medicine.

In our thirteenth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Lisa Renzi-Hammond, a triple dawg, associate professor, and neuroscientist at the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia. Together, Simran and Renzi-Hammond discuss Alzheimer's disease, overpriced drugs, support systems, stigmas, and rural vs. urban health care access.

In our twelfth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Leidong Mao, an associate professor and electrical engineer at the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia.  Together, Simran and Mao discuss the future of cancer detection, circulating tumor cells and Mao's newest patented technology.

In our eleventh episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Anumantha Kanthasamy, an internationally renowned researcher and the first chair of the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair at the University of Georgia and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Parkinson's Research. Together, Simran and Kanthasamy discuss Parkinson's disease, recent research support, and future plans.

In our tenth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Emily Rayens, corresponding author of a fungal infections study and a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.  Together, Simran and Rayens discuss the research funding, why fungal infections are important to know about, and anti-fungal resistance.

In our ninth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Christopher Corbett, ta doctor of psychology and the Director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services at the University of Georgia.  Together, Simran and Corbett discuss the availability of CAPS at UGA, pandemic-induced eating disorders, and how students can seek mental health help.

In our eighth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Alan Hart, the business owner of the Franny's Farmacy branch in Athens, GA. Bringing a tech background, a degree in agriculture, and expertise in the biochemistry of cannabis, Hart explains the difference between cannabis-based terms, why cannabis is useful in healthcare, and the discrimination that exists behind cannabis use. Together, Simran and Hart discuss the benefits of cannabis, stigmas associated with the use, and how the business works.

In our seventh episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Timothy Brown, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology in the AU/UGA Medical Partnership. Bringing in experience from a lengthy career aiming to decrease health disparities amongst the LGBTQIA+ community,  Dr. Brown explains the dynamic between patient, system, and health care provider. Together, Simran and Dr. Brown propose ideas and solutions on what needs to change.

In our sixth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Paige Cummings, the executive director of Athens Nurses Clinic about universal health care debates, the functionality of free clinics and health care being a right. The forefront challenges for Athens Nurses Clinic have been Athens-Clarke County's high poverty level, helping those who may be experiencing homelessness, unemployment or the uninsured.

In our fifth episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Jason Smith, the Chief Medical Officer at St. Mary's Hospital. They converse about the current physician shortage, the paradox between medical school and the lack of physicians, diversity in hospitals, and much more.

In this episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Vasant Muralidharan, an associate professor in the Department of Cellular Biology and Center of Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases. They explain the possibility of a next pandemic, mRNA technology, and other emerging diseases.

In our third episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Cshanyse Allen, the founder, and director of Innovative Healthcare Institute. They explain the importance of health care reparations, medical racism that still exists today, and the lack of minority representation in the health care field.   With Black History Month starting on Feb. 1, it is important to think about the injustices communities of color face every single day, especially when seeking proper health care. This episode explores these injustices and also poses resolutions that need to be implemented by education systems, communities and even the Georgia Department of Public Health.

In this episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra, talks with Dr. Nick Fox about the COVID-19 booster shot, authorizations, and why Athens residents may want to consider vaccinating against the Covid-19 virus.

In our first episode, host Simran Kaur Malhotra speaks with Dr. Angela Londoño-McConnell, licensed psychologist and President of AK Counseling & Consulting Incorporated. This episode uncovers the importance of mental health and discusses whether therapy truly works. 

The Red & Black's health editor, Simran Kaur Malhotra, is on a mission to start conversations about how the Athens and University of Georgia communities can become safer and healthier. Interviewing guests from various healthcare specialties, this podcast answers pressing questions to inform listeners about important health topics, tips and news at local and national levels. It's time to listen to Athens' frontlines.