Your Family's Health

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about a topic that affects millions of women but often flies under the radar: autoimmune diseases. These conditions can be life- altering—and women are far more likely to be affected. Why is that?  She speaks with Dr. Christine Stamatos, a New York-based nurse practitioner, and the Director of the Fibromyalgia Long Covid Clinic, working in the Division Rheumatology department at Northwell Health, which collaborates with the health system's Katz Women's Institute for Health, and she is an Assistant Professor at the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.  Joining Christine is Dr. Amber Garrick, a rheumatology nurse practitioner also with Northwell Health.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about eye care—specifically, cataracts and the surgical options available to restore clear vision. Learn about what causes cataracts, how they affect your sight, and what you need to know about cataract surgery.  She speaks with Dr. Daniel Charles Hamou, an Ophthalmologist at the Northwell Health Eye Institutes at Port Jefferson, Ridge and Riverhead, NY.

Many of us have been to an urgent care center, which were created to lessen the burden on local emergency rooms for every day ailments. But some of them have become expensive, and not all of them accept every insurance available. But, Harmony Healthcare Long Island provides affordable, evidenced-based, quality health services to everyone in the neighborhood, regardless of insurance status or the ability to pay.  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with David Nemiroff, the President & CEO of Harmony Healthcare Long Island.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks about autism, because a new report shows that rates of autism diagnoses have increased.  Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he was determined to find the cause of the rise, including what he calls the ”environmental exposures" behind the rise.  Jeanine talks with Raina Townsend, the CEO & Founder of AutiServe Consulting, an Educational Consulting Business based in Melville that provides support and guidance to special needs children and their families, while expanding community resources.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about children's mental health. From anxiety and depression to the impact of social media and school stress, we learn about the signs, the science, and the support systems every family should know. She speaks with Kathy Rivera, the CEO and Executive Director of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, a not-for-profit children's mental health agency on Long Island that is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children from birth through age 24 and their families.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 5-and-a-half million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US. Many of those cancers are highly preventable. In addition, though, about 100 thousand news cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year, making skin cancer the most common cancer in the US.  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Bhuvanesh Singh, surgical director of the Skin Cancer Program at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. A board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with extensive experience in oncological and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Singh has published over 190 articles in major journals, is a co-editor of two medical textbooks, and has received numerous research grants.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Elizabeth Anne Wood, a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences here at Nassau Community College. Dr. Wood is also a death doula - and unfortunately, dealing with death can sometimes be a sad reality when thinking about our health. Dr. Wood has volunteered at the Palliative Care and Inpatient Hospice Unit at her local hospital, where she is exploring the creation of including doulas on their palliative care andinpatient hospice team.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard meets Scott Reich, a father from Port Washington who had to face the horrible news that his very young son, Eli, was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that severely impacts the brain called FOXG1 Syndrome – a devastating condition caused by a mutation in the FOXG1 gene that reduces the amount of a protein critical for brain development. There's no cure. There are no clinical trials. Existing research is limited.  This is why Scott created Believe In a Cure, a non-profit foundation that is working relentlessly to find and fund a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about ways to keep our hearts beating happily - and the effect that a plant-based diet may have on our heart health.  She speaks with Dr. Harold Alberto Fernandez, a cardiac surgeon with Northwell Health, with an office in Bay Shore, Long Island, and a professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

People who smoke a half-a-pack of cigarettes each day often consider themselves to be “light” or “moderate” smokers. But like those who are “heavy” tobacco product users, they can save upwards of $2,500 a year by quitting. Although adult usage is at historic lows in New York State, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, and negatively affects nearly every organ in the body. Despite these facts, some people continue to struggle with quitting due to the product's highly addictive nature.  Dr. Jeanine Cook Garard learns about the New York State Quitline, who wants to remind you about the many free tools available to make a quit-attempt and to sustain success. She speaks with Darlene Drake, Tobacco Treatment Specialist and Senior Supervisor, and Tony Astran, PR and Communications Manager, with the New York State Quitline.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about Zumba and other new trending ways to get your body moving towards a healthier life.  She speaks with Karren Ross-Fortunet, a Public Speaker and a Certified Speech Coach who is on a mission to empower all those who are interested to become the best version of themselves. Karren is a Certified Zumba Instructor who has a passion for fitness. 

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about a condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide—epilepsy. Despite being one of the most common neurological disorders, there's still a lot of misunderstanding and stigma surrounding it. What causes epilepsy? How can it be managed? And what should you do if you see someone having a seizure?  She speaks with Lisa Burch, President and CEO, and Irene Rodgers, Chief Development & Engagement Officer, from the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies and the Epilepsy Foundation Long Island.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about the role genetics plays in determining your risk for developing and being diagnosed with cancer.  She speaks with Dr. Kevin Holcomb, the newly appointed chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, and The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in Uniondale. Dr. Holcomb is also a gynecologic cancer panelist for the Global Cancer Institute and reviewer for several medical journals.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with James Donnelly, Founder and CEO of Safe Haven Insurance Agency, located on Broadhollow Road in Melville. Their goal is to help people and families learn how to protect themselves and their families including planning for retirement, health and life insurance, estate planning, and more - and he is also an expert in Medicare.  Today, they discuss Medicare in great detail.

Sometimes, when you are diagnosed with a disease, that initial diagnosis comes from an Emergency Room Doctor. But what if that diagnosis might be cancer?  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Kerry Forrestal, who for the past twenty years has worked in trauma centers as an attending physician in the Emergency Department. He is the author of the book “Crushing Cancer: A Patient's Complete Guide to Managing A Cancer Diagnosis.”

Dr. Jeanine Cook Garard meets Carly Fauth, a triple-negative breast cancer survivor, fitness professional, host of the Chemo Coffee Talk podcast and now author of the book, Pray for the Bear: An Ordinary Person's Guide to Unlocking Extraordinary Personal Strength.  She is on a mission to turn lemons into lemonade, aimed at helping others through cancer.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about the health benefits - or concerns - concerning the use of cannabis and marijuana. She speak with Dr. Raymond Wiggins, the author of Weeding Out the Myths About Marijuana. He answers questions about the physical, mental health, and spiritual consequences of marijuana so you can make an informed decision about using it. 

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard looks at the link between nutrition and Diabetes. From the role of balanced diets in managing blood sugar levels to how certain foods can help prevent complications, Stephanie Schiff, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in the Food and Nutrition Department at Huntington Hospital, a member of Northwell Health, breaks down how what we eat impacts this common yet complex condition.

There are about 100,000 people on the kidney transplant waitlist in the United States.  But have you ever heard about being a live kidney donor? Living kidney donation helps in avoiding long wait times and leads to better outcomes in people with kidney failure. Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Libbie Binkiewicz, a licensed social worker with a background in running several social service programs at various agencies, and most recently, responsible for launching the Living Kidney Ambassador Program at Northwell Health.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about RSV and other respiratory illnesses by talking with Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., the medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about migraines: a chronic neurological disorder that causes moderate to severe headaches, often on one side of the head. According to the latest research, about 35 million people in the United States are affected by migraines this year. She speaks with Dr. Noah Rosen, a Neurologist specializing in Pain Management at the Northwell Health Physician Partners Neuroscience Institute at Great Neck.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about sleep apnea and other sleep disorders - and how we can all get a better night's sleep! She talks with Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, the director for Center for Sleep Medicine at Northwell Health and Phelps Hospital. 

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns what an orthopedist does and how they can help when you suffer an injury to your bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, or tendons. She speaks with Dr. Ajay Padaki, an orthopaedic surgeon at Northwell Health who specializes in the treatment of shoulder, hip, knee and elbow injuries. His focus is on both minimally-invasive, advanced arthroscopic treatment for joint preservation in addition to total joint replacements and fracture surgery.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about Hewlett House, a community learning resource center for cancer patients and their families here in Nassau County. They are a safe haven for cancer patients and their families, and their services are provided without the support of government or other nonprofit foundations. Hewlett House is operated by 1 in 9, a nonprofit that's been fighting breast cancer since 1990. She speaks with Geri Barish, the Executive Director of 1 in 9's Hewlett House.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard and her brother, Dr. Ian Cook, talk about Healthy Aging - including Geriatric and Palliative Care.  They talk with Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, the Chief of Division Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, and the Medical Director of Continuing Care, at Northwell Health. She is also a Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and the co-author with Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling and Charles Kenney of a book called, The Aging Revolution.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about how to care for someone suffering from dementia, and also how to care for the caregiver - something that is sometimes overlooked!  She speaks with Dr. Macie P. Smith, who is nationally known for her work on dementia-competent practices and family caregiving matters. Her work has been published in national and international professional journals. She is a Licensed Gerontology Social Worker and an Alzheimer's and dementia educator with experience coordinating care for aging and vulnerable populations. Dr. Smith is also the author of “A Dementia Caregiver Called to Action.”

No one likes to think back to the dark COVID days of 2020 - but there was one day that was brighter than others. December 14th, 2020 - the day that the first person outside of a trial got the first dose of the Covid-19 Vaccine from Pfizer. That person was Nurse Sandra Lindsay from Northwell Health - and Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with her to discuss that amazing day, as well as her brand new book called FIRST IN LINE: How COVID-19 Placed Me on the Frontlines of a Health Care Crisis.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks about suicide awareness and prevention with Dr. Vinay Saranga, a psychiatrist, and founder of The North Carolina Institute of Advanced NeuroHealth.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about sports medicine and rehabbing from sports-related injuries. She speaks with Dr. Kevin Cipriano, a specialist in Sports Medicine as well as Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He has been a team physician for the Division 1 Georgia Tech and Division 3 Emory University athletic programs, as well as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Dream. He is currently a physician at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, part of Northwell Health.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Nailah Garard, a local farmer, cultural anthropologist, and land conservationist from Long Island, NY. She recently received a Master of Arts in Religion at Yale Divinity School (YDS) and a Master of Environmental Management at Yale School of Environment (YSE). She is the founder of Succotash Gardens, a community food resilience hub on her family's church land in Roosevelt, NY where her team is developing a food forest garden and community-supported agriculture (CSA).  She is also Jeanine's daughter!  Together they talk about the importance of Environmental Health.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns how hypnosis has been found to help with various health concerns, including the ability to stop smoking, stress management, and even weight control. She speaks with Terry Biener, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, who has been helping adults, teens and children make significant life changes since 1992. She is the owner of Easy Changes Hypnosis, located in Valley Stream, NY.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about the growing popularity of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, weight loss surgical options, and what other options you might have to lose weight if you are dangerously overweight. She speaks with Dr. Charles E. Thompson, an Advanced Robotic and Bariatric Surgeon who is the Associate Program Director of the Mount Sinai South Nassau General Surgery Residency Program, and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Matthew Kenslow, a substitute teacher, popular influencer, author and juggler with more than 1.1 million Instagram followers. He also has Autism Spectrum Disorder, but he hasn't let the diagnosis hold him back. Matthew's new book, Unstoppable: How One Person With Autism Is Never Giving Up on His Lifelong Dream To Become a Teacher and Worldwide Influencer, shares his powerful true story to encourage others to pursue their goals and to spread an important message about acceptance.

Living with a chronic skin condition is more than just a physical problem. Today, Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about how to take better care of your skin and what to do if you ever discover a problem. She speaks with Dr. Raj Chovatiya, a board certified dermatologist and the Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research in Chicago. His area of clinical focus includes chronic inflammatory skin disorders.  They speak about seborrheic dermatitis and other skin disorders.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about infertility - one in six people worldwide experience infertility, and yet, many do not receive the care they need. Today she finds out what treatments are available and learns more about reproductive health. Her guests are Barbara Collura, the President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and Dr. Sasmira Lalwani, the Senior Director of Medical Affairs for Reproductive Medicine with Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about kidney stones - what they are, what causes them, and how they can be treated. My guest today is Dr. Jared Winoker, the Director, Center for Kidney Stone Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital, part of Northwell Health.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about home health care - something we may all have to consider as we age. Her guests are Jamie Matamoros and Anglie Ramessar, who are both home care case coordinators for Direct Personal Care, a New York State certified Health care agency.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about strokes - what they are, how to notice someone may be having one and what to do about it, and how to best try to prevent you or a loved one from having a stroke. She speaks to Dr. Richard Jung, the Associate Director of Neuro-endo- vascular Surgery at South Shore University Hospital and Director of Stroke at Northwell Health's Eastern Region, as well as an Assistant Professor of Neurology, at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell.

We keep hearing a lot about RSV - and now there are vaccines that can help fight it. But how safe are they? Who should get them? And what is RSV and how does it compare to the FLU and COVID? Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Matthew Harris, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine and EMS Physician who is triple-board certified in General Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and EMS/Disaster Medicine. He serves as the medical director for the Cohen Children's Medical Center Pediatric Critical Care Transport team and as Associate Medical Director for the Northwell Center for Emergency Medical Services.

Joan Buckley learns about the growing number of children and adolescents in need of mental health support. Northwell Health is investing 350 million dollars over the next five years and launching a 150 million dollar fundraising campaign to expand pediatric behavioral health services across its network that will bridge the gap between physical and mental health services for children. She speaks with Dr. Charles Schleien, Senior Vice President of Cohen Children's Medical Center & Pediatric Services, and a Professor & Chair of Pediatrics at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Do you or anyone you know suffer from allergies? Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Frank Lichtenberger, an expert in the field of allergy and immunology, and the author of “Allergic To Life: How The Human Body Rejects The Modern World.” He tells us how major changes in daily life have led to increased states of bodily inflammation and increasing cases of allergies worldwide.

Did you know that every year, thousands of American cosmetic surgery patients seek out so-called “bargains" in foreign destinations including Mexico, Central, and Latin America and elsewhere? Our guest today says that these patients do not know that having plastic surgery abroad can sometimes be a case of 'buyer beware.' Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Dan Yamini, of Visthetic Surgery Institute & MedSpa. Dr. Yemeni wants to alert all of us to the dangers of foreign cosmetic surgery versus the relatively safe and controlled surgical environment normally found in the United States.