Podcasts about Northwestern Medicine

Dr. Jim Adams, Chief Medical Officer at Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss various health topics: A new heart disease calculator that gives a thirty-year risk factor, a flu variant from Japan, and hand foot and mouth disease on the rise

A panel of Northwestern Medicine ophthalmologists, including Robert Feder, MD, Liza Cohen, MD, and Timothy Janetos, MD, share key highlights and clinical implications from the 2025 AAO Annual Meeting focusing on cornea and external disease, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, and uveitis — including cases associated with cataract.

Patient messaging has become more common across health systems, but few use it in a way that truly supports better health outcomes. Northwestern Medicine's Smart Outreach for Better Health is taking patient communication a step further by using automation to identify specific populations and send personalized clinically relevant messages. Our host Myesha Williams and Northwestern's Program Manager Dharmesh Patel share how this initiative bridges care gaps, boosts follow up rates and helps patients stay engaged in their own care.   Guest speaker: Dharamesh Patel Program Manager, Quality and Patient Safety Northwestern Medicine    Host: Myesha Williams SN, RN Fellow, Performance Improvement Programs Vizient   Show notes: [00:56] – Overview of the Better Health initiative and how patient messaging was deployed [01:53] – Collaboration between data and quality leaders that launched automated patient outreach [03:17] – Implementing a systemwide strategy to enhance outreach and care coordination [04:19] – Timing messages to reach patients when they're most likely to respond [06:32] – Role of patient and family advisors in driving success and credibility [07:40] – How the team increased follow-through rates, engaging 13% of patients [09:12] – Tackling challenges and leveraging EMR analyst expertise [09:54] – Addressing time constraints as a key project barrier   Links | Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Android RSS Feed  

Dr. Irfan Hafiz, Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine's Northwest region of hospitals, joins Bob Sirott to talk about how you should treat a cold versus a fever and how patients have more choices to manage high cholesterol. He also shares research about the rejection of a pig kidney in some transplant patients, a study […]

In this episode, Doug King, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Northwestern Medicine, shares how his team leverages technology and AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and create sustainable growth. He discusses the importance of thoughtful investment, collaboration, and leadership in shaping the future of digital health.

Dr. Irene Blanco, Rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss autoimmune diseases and how they disproportionately affect women.

In this episode, Doug King, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Northwestern Medicine, shares how his team leverages technology and AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and create sustainable growth. He discusses the importance of thoughtful investment, collaboration, and leadership in shaping the future of digital health.

Brian Garibaldi, MD, the founding director of Northwestern Medicine's new Center for Bedside Medicine, discusses the importance and future of bedside medicine. A renowned pulmonologist and medical educator, Garibaldi addresses how modern technology can integrate with traditional clinical skills to improve diagnosis, deepen patient relationships and reduce physician burnout. He also explains how the new center aims to train the next generation of physicians to understand and embrace the power of the physical examination and the doctor-patient relationship.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss several pharmaceutical stories. And, as always, he answers questions from listeners.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, Clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss a recall on a widely used blood pressure medication. Prazosin Hydrochloride, a medication used for blood pressure, has been voluntarily recalled by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. impacting in more than half a […]

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Kali Arduini Ihde, Director, NM Ventures and Innovation, Northwestern Medicine. She shares how her team is leveraging AI to reduce clinician burden, improve documentation accuracy, streamline prior authorizations, and foster a culture of curiosity and adaptability in healthcare innovation.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Dr. Jim Adams, Chief Medical Officer at Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss various health topics. Dr. Adams shares new information about a chip implant to restore vision for those with wet macular degeneration. He also details how high blood pressure affects the overall risk for heart disease.

Viral pneumonia can cause severe lung damage and make recovery long and life-threatening for patients. Current treatments only provide support, not repair, but Northwestern Medicine scientist Benjamin Singer, MD, wants to change that. In this episode, he details a recent discovery from his team that found laboratory-modified T-cells or induced regulatory T-cells (iTregs), can promote lung tissue repair in mice with severe influenza pneumonia. Singer discusses this breakthrough and how it could lead to an effective cellular therapy for patients with severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the future. 

From the angio suite to the boardroom, what qualities of an interventional radiologist translate into pioneering leadership? Tune in to hear from Dr. Howard Chrisman, the President and CEO of Northwestern Medicine, as he discusses his journey with hosts Dr. Sabeen Dhand and Dr. Aaron Fritts.---SYNPOSISDr. Chrisman shares his inspiring journey from a student with an initial interest in veterinary medicine to a leader in interventional radiology (IR) and healthcare administration. He recounts his pivotal experiences, including his mentorship under prominent IRs, his decision to pursue an MBA, and the importance of building trust and fostering relationships within clinical and administrative realms. He details his learnings in developing self-awareness, being open to multiple viewpoints, and amplifying your voice as an IR. The discussion touches on the future of interventional radiology, the impact of artificial intelligence on the field, and the essential qualities for leadership in healthcare. Dr. Chrisman also reflects on the significance of learning from mistakes and the role of mentorship in his career, emphasizing the value of collaboration and empathy in achieving success.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction 03:21 - Mentorship and Career Development09:55 - Balancing Bias and Decision Making18:32 - Building Trust and Value in Healthcare23:13 - The Future of Radiology and AI Integration28:48 - The Role of MBAs in Healthcare32:24 - Reflections on Leadership and Career35:43 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As Halloween is quickly approaching, Dr. Zachary Sikora, Clinical Psychologist at Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to talk about fear. Although fear is an emotion, Dr. Sikora shares how fear affects us physically as well as mentally.

Creating an international research team, virtually, is a new path for many in global health and Carolina Hurtado Montoya, MD, PhD, is leading this charge in Latin America through long COVID research. In this episode, she details her career path in global health and the virtual partnership with Northwestern Medicine scientists, which has led to the first study in Colombia and Latin America to analyze persistent neurological symptoms, cognitive function and quality of life in Long COVID patients.

From the angio suite to the boardroom, what qualities of an interventional radiologist translate into pioneering leadership? Tune in to hear from Dr. Howard Chrisman, the President and CEO of Northwestern Medicine, as he discusses his journey with hosts Dr. Sabeen Dhand and Dr. Aaron Fritts.---SYNPOSISDr. Chrisman shares his inspiring journey from a student with an initial interest in veterinary medicine to a leader in interventional radiology (IR) and healthcare administration. He recounts his pivotal experiences, including his mentorship under prominent IRs, his decision to pursue an MBA, and the importance of building trust and fostering relationships within clinical and administrative realms. He details his learnings in developing self-awareness, being open to multiple viewpoints, and amplifying your voice as an IR. The discussion touches on the future of interventional radiology, the impact of artificial intelligence on the field, and the essential qualities for leadership in healthcare. Dr. Chrisman also reflects on the significance of learning from mistakes and the role of mentorship in his career, emphasizing the value of collaboration and empathy in achieving success.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction 03:21 - Mentorship and Career Development09:55 - Balancing Bias and Decision Making18:32 - Building Trust and Value in Healthcare23:13 - The Future of Radiology and AI Integration28:48 - The Role of MBAs in Healthcare32:24 - Reflections on Leadership and Career35:43 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Sterling Elliott, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist Lead at Northwestern Medicine and Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Scott Becker to discuss advancing non-opioid pain management, the transformation of community pharmacy, and the power of communication in improving patient care and recovery outcomes.

When a child has trouble eating, gaining weight, or explaining discomfort while swallowing, it can be heartbreaking for parents and confusing for the child. These may be early signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) — a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that affects how food moves through the digestive tract. In this episode, pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Joshua B. Wechsler from Northwestern Medicine shares what families need to know about recognizing EoE early, getting an accurate diagnosis, and navigating treatment options. He also offers guidance on helping children manage EoE at school, during meals, and in social settings — so they can live healthier, happier lives. See related episode   Growing Up with EoE: A Family's Journey from Childhood to College Resources & Support: Find trusted, evidence-based information and resources on EoE at gastrogirl.com. This episode is sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron.  

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss several pharmaceutical stories. And, as always, he answers questions from listeners.

In this episode of Better Edge, Reena Dhanda-Patil, MD, a professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, discusses her journey into the field and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Dhanda-Patil emphasizes the rapid advances in sleep medicine and surgery, highlighting her commitment to integrating innovative techniques and multidisciplinary strategies to address complex health issues, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. Through her dedication to personalized treatment and collaboration, she aims to improve patient quality of life and foster clinician growth in this evolving specialty.

More than half of American adults say they aren't getting enough sleep. Beyond being tired and irritable, persistent sleep deprivation has been linked to many physical and psychological issues, from weight gain and heart disease to depression and dementia. On this episode of In the Loop we speak to Dr. Sabra Abbott, a sleep specialist at Northwestern Medicine about improving sleep hygiene. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine's Northwest Region Dr. Irfan Hafiz joins Bob Sirott to talk about the inevitable rise in children being affected by flu and spreading lice as the school season starts back up. They also look at a few body changes that may indicate liver struggles and how best to keep your […]

A retired nurse from Niles becomes the first patient at Northwestern Medicine to receive a new treatment for an advanced eye cancer. 66-year-old Bozena Wojtach was diagnosed with uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer, last year.

A retired nurse from Niles becomes the first patient at Northwestern Medicine to receive a new treatment for an advanced eye cancer. 66-year-old Bozena Wojtach was diagnosed with uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer, last year.

A retired nurse from Niles becomes the first patient at Northwestern Medicine to receive a new treatment for an advanced eye cancer. 66-year-old Bozena Wojtach was diagnosed with uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer, last year.

BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners shares BayCare's bold vision to grow the region's largest academic health system. She explains how BayCare's partnership with Northwestern Medicine is transforming access to world-class care, expanding graduate medical education, advancing research, and training the next generation of health care providers—so no patient ever has to leave West Central Florida for care.Learn more about BayCare's academic health system at BayCare.org/Academic

We go inside Northwestern Medicine's Innovation Engine to see how they are solving healthcare's biggest challenges with Kali Arduini Ihde, Director of Ventures and Innovation at Northwestern Medicine. Kali is at the forefront of bringing emerging technologies into one of the country's top academic health systems to help shape the future of patient care through innovation. She leads the Northwestern Medicine Healthcare Accelerator, which partners with AI and digital health startups to solve real, high-impact challenges in healthcare. We discuss the value of creating organized programmatic innovation to solve important problems (prior authorization, physician burden, supply chain) in a safe space that allows for co-creation to accelerate scale.

This episode was first released in June, 2024. Northwestern Medicine primary care physician Robert J. Havey, MD, has always been motivated by patient relationships. As he advanced in his career, these relationships shaped his approach to the future of global health. As both the namesake of the recently endowed Havey Institute for Global Health and deputy director for the Ryan Family Center for Global Primary Care, Havey shares insight on ensuring the longevity of global health efforts for generations to come.

Dr. Jim Adams, Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss some of the latest health headlines.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss several pharmaceutical stories. And, as always, he answers questions from listeners.

September 2, 2025 City Club event description: Join the Cancer Center Directors of the member hospitals of the Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium—a groundbreaking collaboration between University of Chicago Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine, and Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center—for a powerful conversation on how Chicago is redefining breast cancer research. Convened and […]

Dr. Kimbra Bell, MD, Medical Director for the new Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, joins John Williams to talk about the grand opening of the new facility tomorrow. Dr. Bell talks about the variety of care that will be available at the center, why this type of facility is needed in Bronzeville, how many people […]

Dr. Kimbra Bell, MD, Medical Director for the new Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, joins John Williams to talk about the grand opening of the new facility tomorrow. Dr. Bell talks about the variety of care that will be available at the center, why this type of facility is needed in Bronzeville, how many people […]

Dr. Kimbra Bell, MD, Medical Director for the new Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, joins John Williams to talk about the grand opening of the new facility tomorrow. Dr. Bell talks about the variety of care that will be available at the center, why this type of facility is needed in Bronzeville, how many people […]

Dr. Jim Adams, Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss some of the latest health headlines.

Children growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods are far more likely to be hospitalized with gun injuries than those in wealthier areas, according to a new study led by Northwestern Medicine.

Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine's Northwest region of hospitals Dr. Irfan Hafiz joins Bob Sirott to talk about when you should get your flu shot and how Omega-3 could help protect women against Alzheimer’s. He also shares a study that looks at a possible connection between colon cancer and running marathons, the FDA’s approval […]

Children growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods are far more likely to be hospitalized with gun injuries than those in wealthier areas, according to a new study led by Northwestern Medicine.

Children growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods are far more likely to be hospitalized with gun injuries than those in wealthier areas, according to a new study led by Northwestern Medicine.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss a study that tied use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy to an increased risk of blindness. Dr. Elliott says that, while there isn’t a need for those using the […]

In this episode of Better Edge, C. Charles Jain, MD, the new associate medical director for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, shares his clinical expertise and strategic vision for advancing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. Dr. Jain discusses his new role and outlines a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for ACHD. He emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and seamless transitions from pediatric to adult care, key parts of Northwestern Medicine's approach. Dr. Jain also highlights his research interests, commitment to providing whole-person care and upcoming initiatives to expand access and enhance continuity of care at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Hanson and Dr. Igor Koralnik from Northwestern Medicine share groundbreaking research uncovering a potential connection between human pegivirus and Parkinson's disease. They discuss the study's findings, the role of genetics and immune response, and how existing antiviral treatments might one day be repurposed to help patients.

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss how recent changes to federal law will delay or block Medicare drug price negotiations for some of the most expensive and widely used cancer medications. Then, Dr. Elliott answers questions about medications from […]

Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine's Northwest region of hospitals Dr. Irfan Hafiz joins Bob Sirott to talk about a trial for a pill that treats obstructive sleep apnea and three exercises that could help improve insomnia. He also shares some tips to help quit smoking for good, the severity of withdrawal from antidepressants, and […]

Dr. Igor Koralnik of Northwestern Medicine joins the Lisa Dent Show to discuss a major discovery: Researchers have found human pegivirus (HPgV) in the brains of Parkinson's patients, a potential clue to the disease's mysterious origins.

In this episode, Dr. Zachary Dietch, transplant surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, shares the remarkable case of a liver retransplant for a patient with a recent cancer history, made possible through innovative tools like organ perfusion and bypass techniques. He also discusses how Northwestern is helping to redefine transplant eligibility for cancer patients through data-driven, patient-centered decisions.

An experimental drug called NU-9 was invented at Northwestern University by Richard Silverman, PhD. It has been approved for clinical trials for the treatment of ALS and found to improves neuron health in animal models of Alzheimer's disease according to a new Northwestern Medicine study published in PNAS. This discovery is giving scientists hope that the drug could be effective in multiple neurodegenerative diseases by addressing the underlying mechanisms of these diseases. Silverman and Northwestern University Alzheimer disease expert, William Klein, PhD, discuss the potential of NU-9 in this episode.  

Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD, is an internationally recognized Ayurveda and integrative medicine practitioner, a certified yoga therapist, and a former ER doctor. Her approach brings together Western medicine with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda from her South Asian lineage. Dr. Avanti is the former co-lead facilitator at Northwestern Medicine's Osher Center for Integrative Health, hosts The Healing Catalyst podcast, and offers courses on integrative medicine. She is a sought- after speaker and advisor in the wellness community, sharing her knowledge with Fortune 500 companies, top academic institutions, and leading industry and medical conferences. She has also been featured in notable outlets such as the Huffington Post, Goop, mindbodygreen, and more. You can connect with Dr. Avanti via Instagram @avantikumarsingh, and get your own personalized box at myarvasi.com Related Episodes: Ep 289 - Niraj Naik on Efficiency with Breath Ep 288 - From the Vault: Dr. Wayne Jonas on How Healing Works If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice.  I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.