Podcasts about pittsburgh school

First up on the podcast, producer Meagan Cantwell talks to Contributing Correspondent Warren Cornwall about his visit to Brazil, where he observed firsthand what it takes for researchers to understand why bird populations in the Amazon and beyond are shrinking. Next on the show, Raouf Belkhir, an M.D.-Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University, joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss his Science Advances paper on a newly refined way to map awake patients' brains during neurosurgery. This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Earl J. Campazzi is board certified and has trained and practiced at some of the finest medical institutions in the country. At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Campazzi spent several years on staff providing medical care and teaching resident physicians. He completed his medical training at The Johns Hopkins University and served as chief resident. He earned his medical doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Campazzi holds additional postgraduate degrees including a Master of Public Health with emphasis in Health Care Policy and Management and a Master of Health Sciences with emphasis in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, both from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. In 2020, he completed The Stanford Genetics and Genomics Certificate program at Stanford University. Dr. Campazzi also earned his Master of Business Administration with Health Services Management concentration from Duke University Fuqua School of Business. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at The Johns Hopkins University.Support the show

JCO PO author Dr. Foldi at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shares insights into the JCO PO article, "Personalized Circulating Tumor DNA Testing for Detection of Progression and Treatment Response Monitoring in Patients With Metastatic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast." Host Dr. Rafeh Naqash and Dr. Foldi discuss how serial ctDNA testing in patients with mILC is feasible and may enable personalized surveillance and real-time therapeutic monitoring. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Hello, and welcome to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations, where we bring you engaging conversations with authors of clinically relevant and highly significant JCO PO articles. I am your host, Dr. Rafeh Naqash, podcast editor for JCO Precision Oncology and Associate Professor at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma. Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Julia Foldi, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Magee-Womens Hospital of the UPMC. She is also the lead and corresponding author of the JCO Precision Oncology article entitled "Personalized Circulating Tumor DNA Testing for Detection of Progression and Treatment Response Monitoring in Patients with Metastatic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast." At the time of this recording, our guest's disclosures will be linked in the transcript. Julia, welcome to our podcast, and thank you for joining us today. Dr. Julia Foldi: Thank you so much for having me. It is a pleasure. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Again, your manuscript and project address a few interesting things, so we will start with the basics, since we have a broad audience that comprises trainees, community oncologists, and obviously precision medicine experts as well. So, let us start with invasive lobular breast carcinoma. I have been out of fellowship for several years now, and I do not know much about invasive lobular carcinoma. Could you tell us what it is, what some of the genomic characteristics are, why it is different, and why it is important to have a different way to understand disease biology and track disease status with this type of breast cancer? Dr. Julia Foldi: Yes, thank you for that question. It is really important to frame this study. So, lobular breast cancers, which we shorten to ILC, are the second most common histologic subtype of breast cancer after ductal breast cancers. ILC makes up about 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers, so it is relatively rare, but in the big scheme of things, because breast cancer is so common, this represents actually over 40,000 new diagnoses a year in the US of lobular breast cancers. What is unique about ILC is it is characterized by loss of an adhesion molecule, E-cadherin. It is encoded by the CDH1 gene. What it does is these tumors tend to form discohesive, single-file patterns and infiltrate into the tumor stroma, as opposed to ductal cancers, which generally form more cohesive masses. As we generally explain to patients, ductal cancers tend to form lumps, while lobular cancers often are not palpable because they infiltrate into the stroma. This creates several challenges, particularly when it comes to imaging. In the diagnostic setting, we know that mammograms and ultrasounds have less sensitivity to detect lobular versus ductal breast cancer. When it comes to the metastatic setting, conventional imaging techniques like CT scans have less sensitivity to detect lobular lesions often. One other unique characteristic of ILC is that these tumors tend to have lower proliferation rates. Because our glucose-based PET scans depend on glucose uptake of proliferating cells, often these tumors also are not avid on conventional FDG-PET scans. It is a challenge for us to monitor these patients as they go through treatment. If you think about the metastatic setting, we start a new treatment, we image people every three to four cycles, about every three months, and we combine the imaging results with clinical assessment and tumor markers to decide if the treatment is working. But if your imaging is not reliable, sometimes even at diagnosis, to really detect these tumors, then really, how are we following these patients? This is really the unique challenge in the metastatic setting in patients with lobular breast cancer: we cannot rely on the imaging to tell if patients are responding to treatment. This is where liquid biopsies are really, really important, and as the field is growing up and we have better and better technologies, lobular breast cancer is going to be a field where they are going to play an important role. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for that easy-to-understand background. The second aspect that I would like to have some context on, to help the audience understand why you did what you did, is ctDNA, tumor informed and non-informed. Could you tell us what these subtypes of liquid biopsies are and why you chose a tumor informed assay for your study? Dr. Julia Foldi: Yes, it is really important to understand these differences. As you mentioned, there are two main platforms for liquid biopsy assays, circulating tumor DNA assays. I think what is more commonly used in the metastatic setting are non-tumor informed assays, or agnostic assays. These are generally next-generation sequencing-based assays that a lot of companies offer, like Guardant, Tempus, Caris, and FoundationOne. These do not require tumor tissue; they just require a blood sample, a plasma sample, essentially. The next-generation sequencing is done on cell-free DNA that is extracted from the plasma, and it is looking for any cell-free DNA and essentially, figuring out what part of the cell-free DNA comes from the tumor is done through a bioinformatics approach. Most of these assays are panel tests for cancer-associated mutations that we know either have therapeutic significance or biologic significance. So, the results we receive from these tests generally read out specific mutations in oncogenic genes, or sometimes things like fusions where we have specific targeted drugs. Some of the newer assays can also read out tumor fraction; for example, the newest generation Guardant assay that is methylation-based, they can also quantify tumor fraction. But the disadvantage of the tumor agnostic approach is that it is a little bit less sensitive. Opposed to that, we have our tumor informed tests, and these require tumor tissue. Essentially, the tumor is sequenced; this can either be whole exome or whole genome sequencing. The newer generation assays are now using whole genome sequencing of the tumor tissue, and a personalized, patient-specific panel of alterations is essentially barcoded on that tumor tissue. This can be either structural variants or it can be mutations, but generally, these are not driver mutations, but sort of things that are present in the tumor tissue that tend to stay unchanged over time. For each particular patient, a personalized assay, if you want to call it a fingerprint or barcode, is created, and then that is what then is used to test the plasma sample. Essentially, you are looking for that specific cancer in the blood, that barcode or fingerprint in the blood. Because of this, this is a much more sensitive way of looking for ctDNA, and obviously, this detects only that particular tumor that was sequenced originally. So, it is much more sensitive and specific to that tumor that was sequenced. You can argue for both approaches in different settings. We use them in different settings because they give us different information. The tumor agnostic approach gives us mutations, which can be used to determine what the next best therapy to use is, while the tumor informed assay is more sensitive, but it is not going to give us information on therapeutic targets. However, it is quantified, and we can follow it over time to see how it changes. We think that it is going to tell us how patients respond to treatment because we see our circulating tumor DNA levels rise and fall as the cancer burden increases or decreases. We decided to use the tumor informed approach in this particular study because we were really interested in how to determine if patients are having response to treatment versus if they are going to progress on their treatment, more so than looking for specific mutations. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: When you think about these tumor informed assays and you think about barcoding the mutations on the original tumor that you try to track or follow in subsequent blood samples, plasma samples, in your experience, if you have done it in non-lobular cancers, do you think shedding from the tumor has something to do with what you capture or how much you capture? Dr. Julia Foldi: Absolutely. I think there are multiple factors that go into whether someone has detectable ctDNA or not, and that has to do with the type of cancer, the location, right, where is the metastatic site? This is something that we do not fully understand yet: what are tumors that shed more versus not? There is also clearance of ctDNA, and so how fast that clearance occurs is also something that will affect what you can detect in the blood. ctDNA is very short-lived, only has a half-life of hours, and so you can imagine that if there is little shedding and a lot of excretion, then you are not going to be detecting a lot of it. In general, in the metastatic setting, we see that we can detect ctDNA in a lot of cases, especially when patients are progressing on treatment, because we imagine their tumor burden is higher at that point. Even with the non-tumor informed assays, we detect a lot of ctDNA. Part of this study was to actually assess: what is the proportion of patients where we can have this information? Because if we are only going to be able to detect ctDNA in less than 50 percent of patients, then it is not going to be a useful method to follow them with. Because this field is new and we have not been using a lot of tumor informed assays in the metastatic setting, we did not really know what to expect when we set out to look at this. We did not know what was going to be the baseline detection rate in this patient population, so that was one of the first things that we wanted to answer. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Excellent. Now going to this manuscript in particular, what was the research question, what was the patient population, and what was the strategy that you used to investigate some of these questions? Dr. Julia Foldi: So, we partnered with Natera, and the reason was that their Signatera tumor-informed assay was the first personalized, tumor-informed, really an MRD assay, minimal residual disease detection assay. It has been around the longest and has been pretty widely used commercially already, even though some of our data is still lacking. but we know that people are using this in the real world. We wanted to gather some real-world data specifically in lobular patients. So, we asked Natera to look at their database of commercial Signatera testing and look for patients with stage 4 lobular breast cancer. The information all comes from the submitting physicians sending in pathologic reports and clinical notes, and so they have that information from the requisitions essentially that are sent in by the ordering physician. We found 66 patients who were on first-line or close to first-line endocrine-based therapies for their metastatic lobular breast cancer and had serial collections of Signatera tests. The way we defined baseline was that the first Signatera had to be sent within three months of starting treatment. So, it is not truly baseline, but again, this is a limitation of looking at real-world data is that you are not always going to get the best time point that you need. We had over 350 samples from those 66 patients, again longitudinal ctDNA samples, and our first question was what is the baseline detection rate using this tumor informed assay? Then, most importantly, what is the concordance between changes in ctDNA and clinical response to treatment? That is defined by essentially radiologic response to treatment. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Interesting. So, what were some of your observations in terms of ctDNA dynamics, whether baseline levels made a difference, whether subsequent levels at different time points made a difference, or subsequent levels at, let us say, cycle three made a difference? Were there any specific trends that you saw? Dr. Julia Foldi: So, first, at baseline, 95 percent of patients had detectable ctDNA, which is, I think, a really important data point because it tells us that this can be a really useful test. If we can detect it in almost all patients before they start treatment, we are going to be able to follow this longitudinally. And again, these were not true baseline samples. So, I think if we look really at baseline before starting treatment, almost all patients will have detectable ctDNA in the metastatic setting. The second important thing we saw was that disease progression correlated very well with increase in ctDNA. So, in most patients who had disease progression by imaging, we saw increase in ctDNA. Conversely, in most patients who had clinical benefit from their treatment, so they had a response or stable disease, we saw decrease in ctDNA levels. It seems that what we call molecular response based on ctDNA is tracking very nicely along with the radiographic response. So, those were really the two main observations. Again, this is a small cohort, limited by its real-world nature and the time points that ctDNA assay was sent was obviously not mandated. This is a real-world data set, and so we could not really look at specific time points like you asked about, let us say, cycle three of therapy, right? We did not have all of the right time points for all of the patients. But what we were able to do was to graph out some specific patient scenarios to illustrate how changes in ctDNA correlate with imaging response. I can talk a little bit about that. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: That was going to be my question. Did you see patients who had serial monitoring using the tumor informed ctDNA assay where the assay became positive a few months before the imaging? Did you have any of those kinds of observations? Dr. Julia Foldi: Yes, so I think this is where the field is going: are we able to use this technology to maybe detect progression before it becomes clinically apparent? Of course, there are lots of questions about: does that really matter? But it seems like, based on some of the patient scenarios that we present in the paper, that this testing can do that. So, we had a specific scenario, and this is illustrated in a figure in the paper, really showing the treatment as well as the changes in ctDNA, tumor markers, and also radiographic response. So, this particular patient was on first-line endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitor with palbociclib. Initially, she had a low-level detectable ctDNA. It became undetectable during treatment, and the patient had a couple of serial ctDNA assays that were negative, so undetectable. And then we started, after about seven months on this combination therapy, the ctDNA levels started rising. She actually had three serial ctDNA assays with increasing level of ctDNA before she even had any imaging tests. And then around the time that the ctDNA peaked, this patient had radiographic evidence of progression. There was also an NGS-based assay sent to look for specific mutations at that point. The patient was found to have an ESR1 mutation, which is very common in this patient population. She was switched to a novel oral SERD, elacestrant, and the ctDNA fell again to undetectable within the first couple months of being on elacestrant. And then a very similar thing happened: while she was on this second-line therapy, she had three serial negative ctDNA assays, and then the fourth one was positive. This was two months before the patient had a scan that showed progression again. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: And Julia, like you mentioned, this is a small sample size, limited number of patients, in this case, one patient case scenario, but provides insights into other important aspects around escalation or de-escalation of therapy where perhaps ctDNA could be used as an integral biomarker rather than an exploratory biomarker. What are some of your thoughts around that and how is the breast cancer space? I know like in GI and bladder cancer, there has been a significant uptrend in MRD assessments for therapeutic decision making. What is happening in the breast cancer space? Dr. Julia Foldi: So, super interesting. I think this is where a lot of our different fields are going. In the breast cancer space, so far, I have seen a lot of escalation attempts. It is not even necessarily in this particular setting where we are looking at dynamics of ctDNA, but in the breast cancer world, of course, we have a lot of data on resistance mutations. I mentioned ESR1 mutation in a particular patient in our study. ESR1 mutations are very common in patients with ER-positive breast cancer who are on long-term endocrine therapy, and ESR1 mutations confer resistance to aromatase inhibitors. So, that is an area that there has been a lot of interest in trying to detect ESR1 mutations earlier and switching therapy early. So, this was the basis of the SERENA-6 trial, which was presented last year at ASCO and created a lot of excitement. This was a trial where patients had non-tumor-informed NGS-based Guardant assay sent every three to six months while they were on first-line endocrine therapy with a CDK4/6 inhibitor. If they had an ESR1 mutation detected, they were randomized to either continue the same endocrine therapy or switch to an oral SERD. The trial showed that the population of patients who switched to the oral SERD did better in terms of progression-free survival than those who stayed on their original endocrine therapy. There are a lot of questions about how to use this in routine practice. Of course, it is not trivial to be sending a ctDNA assay every three to six months. The rate of detection of these mutations was relatively low in that study; again, the incidence increases in later lines of therapy. So, there are a lot of questions about whether we should be doing this in all of our first-line patients. The other question is, even the patients who stayed on their original endocrine therapy were able to stay on that for another nine months. So, there is this question of: are we switching patients too early to a new line of therapy by having this escalation approach? So, there are a lot of questions about this. As far as I know, at least in our practice, we are not using this approach just yet to escalate therapy. Time will tell how this all pans out. But I think what is even more interesting is the de-escalation question, and I think that is where tumor informed assays like Signatera and the data that our study generated can be applied. Actually, our plan is to generate some prospective data in the lobular breast cancer population, and I have an ongoing study to do that, to really be able to tease out the early ctDNA dynamics as patients first start on endocrine therapy. So, this is patients who are newly diagnosed, they are just starting on their first-line endocrine therapy, and measure, with sensitive assays, measure ctDNA dynamics in the first few months of therapy. In those patients who have a really robust response, that is where I think we can really think about de-escalation. In the patients whose ctDNA goes to undetectable after just a few weeks of therapy with just an endocrine agent, they might not even need a CDK4/6 inhibitor in their first-line treatment. So, that is an area where we are very interested in our group, and I know that other groups are looking at this too, to try to de-escalate therapy in patients who clear their ctDNA early on. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you so much. Well, lots of questions, but at the same time, progress comes through questions asked, and your project is one of those which is asking an interesting question in a rarer cancer and perhaps will lead to subsequent improvement in how we monitor these individuals and how we escalate or de-escalate therapy. Hopefully, we will get to see more of what you are working on in subsequent submissions to JCO Precision Oncology and perhaps talk more about it in a couple of years and see how the space and field is moving. Thanks again for sharing your insights. I do want to take one to two quick minutes talking about you as an investigator, Julia. If you could speak to your career pathway, your journey, the pathway to mentorship, the pathway to being a mentor, and how things have shaped for you in your personal professional growth. Dr. Julia Foldi: Sure, yeah, that is great. Thank you. So, I had a little bit of an unconventional path to clinical medicine. I actually thought I was going to be a basic scientist when I first started out. I got a PhD in Immunology right out of college and was studying not even anything cancer-related. I was studying macrophage signaling in inflammatory diseases, but I was in New York City. This was right around the time that the first checkpoint inhibitors were approved. Actually, some of my friends from my PhD program worked in Jim Allison's lab, who was the basic scientist responsible for ipilimumab. So, I got to kind of first-hand experience the excitement around bringing something from the lab into the clinic that actually changed really the course of oncology. And so, I got very excited about oncology and clinical medicine. So, I decided to kind of switch gears from there and I went back to medical school after finishing my PhD and got my MD at NYU. I knew I wanted to do oncology, so I did a research track residency and fellowship combined at Yale. I started working early on with the breast cancer team there. At the time, Lajos Pusztai was the head of translational research there at Yale, and I started working with him early in my residency and then through my fellowship. I worked on several trials with him, including a neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor trial in triple-negative breast cancer patients. During my last year in fellowship, I received a Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award to study estrogen receptor heterogeneity using spatial transcriptomics in this subset of breast cancers that have intermediate estrogen receptor expression. From there, I joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. So, I have been there about almost four years at this point. My interests really shifted slowly from triple-negative breast cancers towards ER-positive breast cancers. When I arrived in Pittsburgh, I started working very closely with some basic and translational researchers here who are very interested in estrogen signaling and mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy, and there is a large group here interested in lobular breast cancers. During my training, I was not super aware even that lobular breast cancer was a unique subtype of breast cancers, and that is, I think, changing a little bit. There is a lot more awareness in the breast cancer clinical and research community about ILC being a unique subtype, but it is not even really part of our training in fellowship, which we are trying to change. But I have become a lot more aware of this because of the research team here and through that, I have become really interested also on the clinical side. And so, we do have a Lobular Breast Cancer Research Center of Excellence here at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC, and I am the leader on the clinical side. We have a really great team of basic and translational researchers looking at different aspects of lobular breast cancers, and some of the work that I am doing is related to this particular manuscript we discussed and the next steps, as I mentioned, a prospective study of early ctDNA dynamics in lobular patients. I also did some more clinical research work in collaboration with the NSABP looking at long-term outcomes of patients with lobular versus ductal breast cancers in some of their older trials. And so, that is, in a nutshell, a little bit about how I got here and how I became interested in ILC. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Well, thank you for sharing those personal insights and personal journey. I am sure it will inspire other trainees, fellows, and perhaps junior faculty in trying to find their niche. The path, as you mentioned, is not always straight; it often tends to be convoluted. And then finding an area that you are interested in, taking things forward, and being persistent is often what matters. Dr. Julia Foldi: Thank you so much for having me. It was great. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: It was great chatting with you. And thank you for listening to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations. Don't forget to give us a rating or review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can find all ASCO shows at asco.org/podcasts. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.  

TWIRx – This Week in Pharmacy Episode Date: February 13, 2026 Valentine's Day Special

Big 3 stories: State Of Emergency For Pittsburgh, School Closures, & Mike McCarthy full 225 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:19:13 +0000 ja6zNqmZ9hbzT8Pswb2RdML51vwnTN80 news The Big K Morning Show news Big 3 stories: State Of Emergency For Pittsburgh, School Closures, & Mike McCarthy The Big K Morning Show 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://pl

In this episode, we're joined by Brady Bielewicz, an advanced practice clinician serving in a blended Acute Care NP and CNS role. Dr. Brady Bielewicz is a trauma ICU advanced practice nurse and Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. With nearly 15 years of hands-on critical care experience as both an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist, he brings a real-world perspective that resonates with bedside nurses and APRNs alike. His work centers on trauma education, developing confident advanced practice nurses, and shaping certification exams that truly reflect clinical practice Brady brings a unique perspective on trauma care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the critical nursing assessments and interventions that truly impact patient outcomes. This episode is called "Be the Change When Seconds Matter: The Power of Nursing in Trauma Care." Brady can be contacted on LinkedIn @BradyBielewicz BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. Scan the QR Code to sign up for Learn Updates: We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

Medical oncologist, geriatrician, and physician scientist GJ van Londen and Chief of Genetic and Genomic Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Gerald Vockley discuss the article "FDA delays could end vital treatment for rare disease patients." GJ and Gerald explore the complex regulatory impasse where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration denied standard approval for elamipretide despite a positive advisory committee vote, creating a financial crisis that threatens to cut off supply for everyone. GJ shares his personal journey from treating cancer to living with primary mitochondrial myopathy, while the conversation emphasizes the critical need for the agency to use the flexibility granted by the Orphan Drug Act to save a treatment that has already proven its worth. Join us to understand the life-or-death stakes hidden behind administrative decisions. This episode is presented by Scholar Advising, a fee-only financial advising firm specializing in providing advice for DIY investors. If you want clear, actionable strategies and confidence that your financial decisions are built on objective advice without AUM fees or commissions, Scholar is designed for you. Physicians often navigate complex compensation structures, including W-2 income, 1099 work, production bonuses, and practice ownership. Scholar's highly credentialed advisors guide high-earners through decisions like optimizing investments for long-term tax efficiency and expert strategies for financial independence. Every recommendation is tailored to the financial realities physicians face. VISIT SPONSOR → https://scholaradvising.com/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Audible Bleeding Editor and vascular surgery fellow Richa Kalsi (@KalsiMD) is joined by 4th year general surgery resident Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank), JVS editor Dr. Audra Duncan (@ADuncanVasc), and JVS-VL editor Dr. Ruth Bush (@RuthLBush) to discuss two great articles in the JVS family of journals. Today's episode hosts Dr. Lowenkamp, Dr. Sridharan (@domenickna1), and Dr. Lin. Articles: Part 1:Female patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes after acute limb ischemia (Dr. Lowenkamp & Dr. Sridharan) Part 2: Evaluation of factors underlying differences in venous thromboembolism rates between Black and White patients (Dr. Lin) Show Guests  Dr. Mikayla Lowenkamp - PGY4 Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident at the University of Pittsburgh Dr. Natalie Sridharan - Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Dr. Mary Lin - PGY3 General surgery resident at the University of Maryland School of Medicine applying into vascular surgery Follow us @audiblebleeding Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.

Vanitha Swaminathan, the Thomas Marshall Professor of Marketing and Director, Center for Branding at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business joins Enterprise Radio. … Read more The post Navigating the AI-Powered Marketing Revolution with Six Strategic Pillars appeared first on Top Entrepreneurs Podcast | Enterprise Podcast Network.

As a leader, the more you show your human side and reach out to others for help, the stronger the chance that the people around you will start to do the same. There are plenty of leadership lessons for early-career faculty and beyond in this week's Faculty Factory Podcast interview, just in time for the holidays, with our new friend Nicole Jarrett, MD, FACS. We hear about her journey and the transition from faculty member to a formal leadership role as Division Chief. Dr. Jarrett serves as Division Chief of Hand Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is also an Assistant Professor and the Hand Surgery Fellowship Director at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The confidence to ask questions is an important sign of a confident leader. We all have days when we need help, and displaying the confidence to ask questions is essential. "It's okay to ask for help. We're all going to find ourselves in situations where we feel overwhelmed or where things aren't going right, and we need support,” she said. Midway through the discussion, Dr. Jarrett talks about the art of purposeful socializing. It's crucial to allocate time for social functions in our lines of work, especially in leadership roles, and taking a very strategic and efficient approach to how we engage in these functions pays dividends. It can also save time. “It's not all fun at these parties; you have a job to do. I'm very glad someone gave me that lesson, and I'm happy to pass it along to my faculty,” Dr. Jarrett discussed.

Carranza Medina was a 42-year-old fisherman killed when the U.S. military bombed his small boat in the Caribbean off Colombia's coast on September 15, 2025, in a strike the Trump administration described as targeting drug traffickers. In this podcast, we have a conversation with human rights lawyer and author Dan Kovalik, who represents the Carranza family and has filed a petition before the Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights arguing that the United States carried out an extrajudicial killing and violated both his right to life and Colombia's sovereignty.   Kovalik discusses the escalating U.S. military intervention in the Caribbean, analyzing the blockade of Venezuela, deadly strikes on suspected drug boats, and the return of "gunboat diplomacy" under the Trump administration's new "Monroe Doctrine."   The conversation broadens to include the political struggle across Latin America, speculating why the progressive "Pink Tide" has receded and how right-wing forces have become ascendant. From the coups in Bolivia to the resilience of Cuba and Nicaragua, Kovalik draws crucial lessons for the left. Finally, the hosts confront the parallel erosion of democratic norms at home, the weaponization of the law, the dismantling of the administrative state, and the silent crisis in due process. This is a sobering yet essential analysis of modern imperialism and the urgent fight to inform and mobilize public resistance.   Dan Kovalik has taught International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he has shared his experience with students and broader audiences on labor struggles, Colombia, and international law. He has lectured internationally on human rights and U.S. foreign policy and has been active in public forums, media appearances, and conferences, including talks on Venezuela and other conflict zones. He is the author of several books, including: The Plot to Scapegoat Russia (2017), on efforts in U.S. politics to vilify Russia. The Plot to Attack Iran and The Plot to Control the World, extending his critique of U.S. foreign policy and election interference abroad. The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela: How the US Is Orchestrating a Coup for Oil, with a foreword by filmmaker Oliver Stone. No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using “Humanitarian” Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interests (co-authored, 2020). The Case for Palestine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Care (2024), with a foreword by George Galloway.     Dan Kovalik's Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Kovalik   Dan Kovalik's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dan-Kovalik/author/B06XZ9ZRSD    Greg's Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/ Pat's Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/   DanKovalik#Venezuelablockade#USinterventionVenezuela#MonroeDoctrine#extrajudicialkillings#Colombiafishermanlawsuit#Inter-AmericanCommissionHumanRights#regimechange#gunboatdiplomacy#LatinAmericapolitics#PinkTide#USLatinAmericapolicy#Trumpforeignpolicy#oilwars#politicalassassination#dueprocess#humanrightslaw#NicaraguaCuba#socialisminLatinAmerica#USimperialism##PatCummings#GregGodels#ZZsBlog#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast#zzblog#mltoday

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.  How do you rise in academic medicine without losing your sense of purpose?Dr. Bradley Block joins Dr. Joseph Losee  for a powerful conversation about the real path to academic advancement. Drawing from over two decades as a department chair, program director, and mentor, Dr. Losee reveals how saying “yes” shaped his journey from young faculty member to national leader—and why the same word must be used intentionally at different seasons of life.The discussion explores the balance between sacrifice and wellbeing, the shifting culture of academic medicine, and how meaning and mentorship sustain long-term fulfillment. Dr. Losee also shares insights on conflict resolution, leadership development, and his latest venture, Clarity Med Solutions, where he pioneers early dispute mediation to restore trust and healing between physicians, patients, and health systems.This episode is a roadmap for physicians seeking impact, growth, and balance—without losing sight of what truly matters.Three Actionable Takeaways:Say Yes With Intention: Early in your career, saying yes opens doors, builds credibility, and creates opportunities. But as your life evolves, align your yeses with your passions—and protect your energy for what truly matters.Sacrifice is the Path to Leadership: Every leader pays a price for impact. True advancement in academic medicine requires time, service, and persistence—but when rooted in purpose, those sacrifices yield meaning and legacy.Relationships Are the Real Reward: From mentoring residents to mediating patient disputes, relationships—not titles—define success. Meaning in medicine comes from connection, compassion, and helping others thrive.About the Show:Succeed In Medicine  covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Joseph Losee is Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Dr. Ross H. Musgrave Endowed Chair of Pediatric Plastic Surgery. A nationally recognized surgeon, educator, and leader, he has authored over 250 publications, edited seven textbooks, and led multiple professional societies.He co-chairs the UPMC Physician Wellbeing Initiative, teaches leadership in the Katz Graduate School of Business, and is the founder of Clarity Med Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in leadership coaching and conflict resolution.

Is it true that people with bipolar disorder have different sleep needs to maintain wellness? How many hours of sleep is optimal? Dr. Holly Swartz breaks down why sleep regularity is so essential for mood stability - and what the science actually tells us.Bipolar Explained is a new #talkBD series spotlighting expert perspectives on the history, biology, and management of bipolar disorder.--Dr. Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz's research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Behavioral health during cancer care is a critical issue. Anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis is faced with emotional, social, spiritual, familial and other issues. On top of that, for men in our society there is an expectation that vulnerability and asking for help is weakness. The non-profit organization Man Up to Cancer seeks to upend that expectation by helping men find social and emotional support from other men during their cancer journeys. MUTC has been successful at growing a community and gaining support from oncology community for its work, but no data exists to prove that peer-to-peer support for men facing cancer works. That's where a 2025 ORAU-Directed Research and Development Grant comes in. Primary Investigator Katherine Chyka, ORAU health education specialist, and Teresa Hagan Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, launched a pilot study to measure the acceptability and feasibility of peer-to-per support for men facing cancer. In this episode of Further Together, hosts Michael Holtz and Amber Davis talk to Chyka and Thomas for an early look at their research. Data analysis is still underway, but the team has already gained valuable insights. Disclosure: Holtz is chairman of the board of directors for Man Up to Cancer and proposed a study of peer-to-peer support for men facing cancer as part of a white paper he wrote in 2023. Holtz helped train navigators for the study and recruited members of the Community Advisory Board but was not involved in the study itself. The white paper and more information can be found here: https://www.orau.org/news/releases/2023/making-an-impact-on-cancer-personally-and-professionally.html To learn more about Man Up to Cancer, visit https://manuptocancer.org/ ORAU-Directed Research and Development Grants support collaborations between ORAU subject matter experts and faculty at our University Consortium member institutions. To learn more, visit https://www.orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/odrd.html

The importance of the four R's to keep top of mind as you navigate your leadership journey is presented by Joseph E. Losee, MD, MBA, FACS, FAAP, a beloved return guest, on the Faculty Factory Podcast this week. Dr. Losee is Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the Dr. Ross H. Musgrave Endowed Chair in Pediatric Plastic Surgery, a Professor and Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery, and a Professor of Business Administration at Katz Graduate School of Business. You can revisit his other episodes with us here: Embracing Resilience in Academic Medicine: https://facultyfactory.org/joseph-losee/ Examining the Need for Scientist Wellbeing Initiatives: https://facultyfactory.org/scientist-burnout/ You can also see slides from his “Four R's of Leadership” presentation here. [pdf] As discussed, leaders are often hired for their IQ but get fired for a lack of emotional intelligence (EQ). The good news? EQ can be learned, exercised, and grown. The four R's or leadership are as follows: Responsibility Regulation Resilience Relationships Recommended readings from this episode include Executive Presence 2.0 by Sylvia Ann Hewlett. How you act, speak, and appear—all matter as a leader, according to this literature, which Dr. Losee mentioned in the opening moments of the podcast. He also referenced the TEDx Talk "Let's Face It: Charisma Matters" by John Antonakis, which you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEDvD1IICfE “Charisma matters and it can be taught and learned,” as Dr. Losee told us. Other books and resources mentioned include: Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy by Amy C. Edmondson The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy C. Edmondson TED Talk: Lucy Hone — The Three Secrets of Resilient People Building a Resilience Bank Account article by Michael A. Maddaus, MD: https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(19)31352-9/fulltext Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Balance Among U.S. Physicians Relative to the General U.S. Population: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1351351

Why does bipolar disorder exist? And what if bipolar disorder isn't just an illness, but also an evolutionary adaptation? Dr. Holly Swartz reveals the evolutionary secrets of bipolar disorder - from flexible circadian rhythms that once helped our ancestors survive, to the creativity and boldness often linked with mania.(0:00) Evolution(0:22) Circadian Control in Nature(1:43) Advantages of Flexible Biological Clocks(4:48) Risk-Taking & CreativityBipolar Explained is a new talkBD series spotlighting expert perspectives on the history, biology, and management of bipolar disorder.--Dr. Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz's research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Worry seems like something most people do from time to time, but for some people, severe worry can become an overwhelming sensation, and for older adults later in life, severe worry has been associated with an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Carmen Andreescu is a professor of psychiatry and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She says mild worry is useful evolutionarily, to help us make plans or adapt behavior.Read the full study here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02193-1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we stop infectious disease transmission while patients are in the hospital? Alexander Sundermann, Dr.P.H., assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, looks into one way to do so. Since 2015, Dr. Alexander Sundermann has been part of the Microbial Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory (MiGEL) studying the impact of […]

Carla L. Spagnoletti, MD, MS, has some promotion portfolio gems of wisdom for our listeners in her return to the Faculty Factory Podcast this week. At the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Spagnoletti serves as Professor of Medicine and holds the George H. Taber Endowed Chair in General Internal Medicine. In addition, she is the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, the Associate Division Chief for Education in GIM, and the Associate Director of the Masters and Certificate Programs in Medical Education within the Institute for Clinical Research Education. As discussed in this interview, there are many reasons why clinical faculty should seek promotion. However, clinical faculty often climb the ranks more slowly than their research counterparts. While Dr. Spagnoletti concedes that this is probably due to multiple factors—such as rigorous and competing clinical duties, a lack of understanding of the process, and not always seeing tangible incentives for pursuing promotion—it became clear that something needed to be done. Therefore, Dr. Spagnoletti set out to help faculty overcome the final hurdle in promotion: building a promotion dossier or portfolio. She helped form a supportive group to assist faculty in submitting and building this portfolio so they can initiate the promotion process. At her institution, this group is called the Promotion Portfolio Club (PPC). As a true clinician-educator, she designed it as a curriculum based on a few core theories commonly used in medical education. “One of the participants in a recent club told us, ‘I'm eternally grateful, as I can only imagine this task would have been incredibly daunting had I gone it alone,' and that really captures the main reason why we started this project,” she said. Learn more: https://facultyfactory.org/ 

One of this year's most talked-about shows is The Pitt, a critically acclaimed HBO Max medical drama starring Noah Wyle of ER fame. Touted as one of the most realistic portrayals of an emergency department, the series recently earned multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Best Lead Actor.In this episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, a medical consultant for the show who helped shape key storylines. Dr. Owusu-Ansah is an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and serves as director of EMS at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host: Peter Buch, MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP Guest: David Levinthal, MD, PhD Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is often underdiagnosed in adults due to its episodic nature and symptom overlap with other conditions. Dr. David Levinthal joins Dr. Peter Buch to explore key diagnostic criteria, key differences between CVS and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), and evidence-based treatment strategies. Dr. Levinthal is the Director of the UPMC Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Peter Maurer, Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, speaks with Pitt's HexAI podcast host, JordanGass-Pooré, about the future impact of quantum sensing on biomedical research and diagnostics.Peter's research lab leverages the extreme environmental sensitivity of quantum systems to develop powerful sensors suitable for cutting-edge biological research that are optically addressable and can operate under ambient conditions. He outlines both near-term and future applications of powerful quantum sensors in pathology and laboratory medicine. He provides a key example of how these sensors could enable a new type of nanoscale NMR spectroscopy, capable of measuring magnetic fields from biomolecules to non-invasively probe their chemical information and signaling pathways. In the near future, he points to diagnostic tools, currently being developed by companies, that use the unique optical signatures of quantum sensors for highly sensitive, background-free protein detection in small volumes. For the long term, he envisions the technology as a "field opener" for studying protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.Peter outlines how AI can be applied to analyze complex data from sensors that respond to multiple environmental factors and highlights the challenge of bringing together experts from quantum technology, biophysics, and medicine who can "talk each other's language.” He also touches on how the use of synthetic data in quantum sensing is a "completely under-appreciated" area with the potential to analyze complex environmental properties that would otherwise be missed by looking at single types of measurements. To advance the field from academic proofs-of-concept to clinical tools, he stresses the need for collaboration with academic and industry partners who can help engineer robust, "turnkey" systems that can be widely tested and used.The University of Pittsburgh Health and Explainable AI podcast is a collaborative initiative between the Health and Explainable AI (HexAI) Research Laboratory in the Department of Health Information Management at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the Computational Pathology and AI Center of Excellence (CPACE), at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.Hosted by Jordan Gass-Pooré, a health and science reporter, this podcast series explores the transformative integration of responsible and explainable artificial intelligence into health informatics, clinical decision-making, and computational medicine. From reshaping diagnostic accuracy to enhancing patient care pathways, we'll highlight how AI is creating new bridges between researchers, clinicians, and healthcare innovators. Led by Ahmad P. Tafti, Hooman Rashidi and Liron Pantanowitz, the HexAI podcast is committed to democratizing knowledge around ethical, explainable, and clinically relevant AI. Through insightful conversations with domain experts, AI practitioners and students will spotlight the latest breakthroughs, discuss real-world applications, and unpack the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in responsible AI in healthcare. So whether you're a student, practitioner, researcher, or policymaker, this is your gateway to the future of AI-powered healthcare

Title: Chronic Lyme - Is This a Thing? Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: Review the definitions of Chronic Lyme vs Infection Associated Chronic Illness vs Lyme Associated Chronic Illness vs Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).   Discuss epidemiology and incidence of Lyme infections in the USA.   Discuss in detail the PTLDS and how it's defined and what the literature says about diagnosis and treatment.     Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Andrew Nowalk MD, PhD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.   Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity. Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 8/28/2025, Expires 8/28/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: Coming soon!

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Mylynda Massart, MD, PhD Given its ability to identify universal cancer signals across multiple tumor types, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing is emerging as a promising tool to complement traditional, single-cancer screening methods. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to share practical strategies for introducing MCED testing into clinical workflows and enhancing patient engagement is Dr. Mylynda Massart. Not only is she an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, but she's also the Founder and Medical Director of the Primary Care Precision Medicine Clinic and Associate Director of Clinical Services for the Institute for Precision Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Tax-exempt organizations are closely watching the Trump administration to see if it makes good on its intention to alter standards around claiming tax-free status. The IRS gave a green light to churches speaking about political campaigns and candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, while President Donald Trump publicly threatened Harvard University's tax status because of allegations of antisemitism on campus. Treasury also is considering a change to IRS policies to allow the revocation of tax-exempt status for colleges that consider race in student admissions. Nonprofits already are changing their internal policies to adhere to the administration's moves. Some universities earlier this year slashed progressive policies and scrubbed references to diversity, equity, and inclusion from their websites to avoid a clash with Trump. Churches likely will push the bounds of what type of political speech is allowed, setting up a fight about whether places of worship can endorse or raise money for political candidates, tax professionals said. Phil Hackney, a University of Pittsburgh School of Law professor and former IRS lawyer, breaks down what these changes mean for nonprofits in this week's episode of Talking Tax. Do you have feedback on this episode of Talking Tax? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

This week's special episode—produced in partnership with Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society at Georgia Tech – features two powerful stories from individuals whose lives have been shaped by brain-computer interfaces.Part 1: As his Parkinson's symptoms worsen and medications take a toll, Brandan Mehaffie faces a life-altering decision: continue down a difficult path or undergo brain surgery to implant an electrode to stimulate deep areas of his brain.Part 2: After an accident leaves Ian Burkhart with complete tetraplegia, he grapples with losing his independence — until he's offered a chance to participate in a groundbreaking clinical trial using muscle stimulation controlled by a brain implant to help restore movement.Brandan Mehaffie: Graduate University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Retired Director of Pharmacy Asset Protection Rite Aid Pharmacy. Married 25 years to wife Kelly and have two adult daughters Mae and Riley. Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2016 and recipient of deep brain stimulation surgery in 2022. I am a huge sports buff and gym rat. I enjoy spending time with and cooking for family and friends.Ian is a C5 complete tetraplegic from a diving accident in 2010. He is the founder and president of the BCI Pioneers Coalition and the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium President. After participating in a few clinical trials, he understood the need for engagement of individuals with lived experience from the start. Ian was the first person in the world to restore movement to a paralyzed limb using a BCI neuroprosthetic. He is also the Executive Director of the Ian Burkhart Foundation, which raises funds for medical equipment for other individuals living with paralysis. His research focuses on amplifying the lived experience of people with disabilities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maria Mori Brooks, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, discusses "Assessing Unexpected Circumstances That Lead to Modifications in Clinical Trial Design, Conduct, or Analysis" in the JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods series, with JAMA Statistical Editor Roger J. Lewis, MD, PhD. Related Content: Assessing Unexpected Circumstances That Lead to Modifications in Clinical Trial Design, Conduct, or Analysis

This episode is sponsored by: My Financial CoachYou trained to save lives—who's helping you save your financial future? My Financial Coach connects physicians with CFP® Professionals who specialize in your complex needs. Whether it's crushing student loans, optimizing investments, or planning for retirement, you'll get a personalized strategy built around your goals. Save for a vacation home, fund your child's education, or prepare for life's surprises—with unbiased, advice-only planning through a flat monthly fee. No commissions. No conflicts. Just clarity.Visit myfinancialcoach.com/physiciansguidetodoctoring to meet your financial coach and find out if concierge planning is right for you.———————Can faith enhance medical practice and renew purpose? Host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, for an in-depth discussion centered around his insightful book, ‘Illness to Exodus'. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of the Passover Seder, Dr. Weinkle has developed an innovative Healing Seder, a ritual designed to cultivate compassion and infuse a renewed sense of purpose into the daily lives of healthcare providers. Leveraging his deep Jewish heritage and his extensive experience teaching courses such as Death and the Healthcare Professions, he delves into the transformative potential of simple rituals, such as performing a morning Kiddush over a cup of coffee, which can elevate routine tasks into profoundly meaningful acts. This episode masterfully weaves together themes of faith, compelling storytelling, and actionable advice, providing physicians with valuable tools to rediscover their calling and maintain a purposeful approach to their practice, even amidst the monotony of repetitive patient care.Three Actionable Takeaways:Adopt a Daily Ritual – Use a morning Kiddush or similar practice (e.g., over coffee) to start your day with purpose and resilience.Embrace Patient Narratives – Listen to patients' unique stories, like a Seder tale, to reignite curiosity and care in repetitive care settings.Navigate Faith Conflicts with Empathy – Engage with patients' religious views openly to find common ground and tailor effective care plans.About the Show:PGD Physician's Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care and serves as Chief Medical Officer at Squirrel Hill Health Center in Pittsburgh. A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine graduate with a Med-Peds residency, he is a clinical assistant professor in Family Medicine and part-time instructor in Religious Studies and Conceptual Foundations of Medicine at Pitt. He teaches Death and the Healthcare Professions and Healing and Humanity, authored Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus, and runs ‘Healers Who Listen', where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once considering a rabbinical path, he now integrates faith and medicine to support physicians and patients.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032awebsite: https://healerswholisten.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healerswholisten?igsh=eXQ3a2QxMXZncTluAbout the host:Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician's Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physiciansWant to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let's grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

Daniel Kovalik is a labor and human rights attorney and author, who has taught international human rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. For over two decades he served as a counsel for the United Steelworkers and the AFL-CIO, and is best known for his cases against Coca Cola, Drummond, and Occidental Petroleum based upon human rights abuses in Colombia. He was also a recipient of a Project Censored award for his investigation into the murders of Colombian trade unionists. Dan is a graduate of Columbia Law School and received a fellowship at Stanford University's law school. He has written several acclaimed books dealing with the scapegoating of Russia, plots to attack and overthrow Iran and Venezuela,  US efforts to establish world hegemony by interfering in other nations and on Cancel Culture.  He is the author of "Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture" and "Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention and Resistance."  His articles have appeared on RT, Counterpunch, Common Dreams, Global Research and elsewhere.

One of the biggest shows so far this year is the critically acclaimed medical drama The Pitt, which stars Noah Wyle of ER fame. The HBO Max series has been called one of the most accurate descriptions of an emergency department. On today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, host J. Carlisle Larsen is joined by Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, who served as a medical consultant for the show and contributed storylines. She's an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of EMS at UPMC Children's Hospital Pittsburgh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The five keys that will lead you toward a successful clinical education career are outlined in-depth this week on the Faculty Factory Podcast, featuring our first-time guest, the amazing and encouraging Carla L. Spagnoletti, MD, MS. With the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Spagnoletti serves as Professor of Medicine and holds the George H. Taber Endowed Chair in General Internal Medicine. In addition, she is the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, the Associate Division Chief for Education in GIM, and the Associate Director of the Masters and Certificate Programs in Medical Education within the Institute for Clinical Research Education. The five tips that Dr. Spagnoletti encourages us to employ for building a successful clinical education career are as follows: Proactively develop your skills. Let your mission drive your career. Turn everyday work into scholarship. Face and embrace failure. Build and maintain relationships. Make sure to tune into today's episode for a deep dive on each of the five tips. You will also learn the story of how Dr. Spagnoletti's unique career journey led her to this wisdom.

Research in the past has indicated that neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are non-infectious. But what if it was possible to catch a brain infection? Joining us to discuss this fascinating topic is Dr. Or Shemesh, an expert working to build and utilize new technologies to study and reverse brain disease… Dr. Shemesh is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Departments of Neurobiology and Bioengineering. Here, he works in a cutting-edge field called “Counter Disease Engineering” – otherwise known as a technological approach to understanding diseases of the nervous system.  In this conversation, we cover: The major causes of inflammation. The unique connection between nervous system diseases and infectious agents.  How microbes impact our overall health.  How brain pathogens are potentially connected to Alzheimer's.  You can learn more about Dr. Shemesh and his work here! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 14- Cost Benefit, Cost Effectiveness, and Outcomes Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: •      Evaluate cost-benefit analyses and their impact on patient outcomes. •      Analyze cost-effectiveness studies and their influence on patient outcomes.   Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Lynsey Vaughan, MD — Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/15/2025,  Expires 4/15/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25797&dev=true

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 11- Measurement of association and effect (eg, correlation & causation) Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:      Review measurement of association and effect.      Review relative risk & Odds ratio.  Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Matthew Wilkinson MD, MPH - Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Dr. Wilkinson discloses that he is a consultant for Koru Medical and is a stockholder with EM Device Lab. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/15/2025,  Expires 4/15/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25794&dev=true

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 12- Regression (eg, linear, logistic, survival analysis) Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: •      Describe the concept of regression. •      Differentiate between linear and logistic regression. •      Interpret survival analysis.  Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Jenna Carlson Ph.D — Assistant Professor of Human Genetics and Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/15/2025,  Expires 4/15/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25795&dev=true

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 13-  Systematic review and meta-analysis Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians, medical students, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: •      Conduct systematic reviews and apply proper methodologies. •      Perform meta-analyses and utilize appropriate techniques.  Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Mary Lou Klem PhD, MLIS — Assistant Director for Advanced Information Support, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Health Sciences Library System No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity. Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/15/2025,  Expires 4/15/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25796&dev=true  

What is it actually like to work in an emergency room? To deal with overcrowded waiting rooms, a shortage of hospital beds, and a constant flow of life-and-death health conditions—while trying to maintain your sanity at the same time?That's the focus of “The Pitt,” a new medical drama on Max from the creators of “ER,” starring one of that show's key actors, all grown up: Noah Wyle. The first season takes place over a single shift, and each episode is one hour of that shift in real time. And medical professionals are praising the show for its accuracy.Joining Host Ira Flatow to talk about the accuracy of the show is one of its medical consultants, Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah,  associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.Universe of Art is hosted and produced by Dee Peterschmidt, who also wrote the music. Our show art is illustrated by Abelle Hayford. And support for Science Friday's science and arts coverage comes from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.Do you have science-inspired art you'd like to share with us for a future episode? Send us an email or a voice memo to universe@sciencefriday.com.

We go inside the scientifically accurate ER world created for the TV show with one of its medical consultants.What is it actually like to work in an emergency room? To deal with overcrowded waiting rooms, a shortage of hospital beds, and a constant flow of life-and-death health conditions—while trying to maintain your sanity at the same time?That's the focus of “The Pitt,” a new medical drama on Max from the creators of “ER,” starring one of that show's key actors, all grown up: Noah Wyle. The first season takes place over a single shift, and each episode is one hour of that shift in real time. And medical professionals are praising the show for its accuracy.Joining Host Ira Flatow to talk about the accuracy of the show is one of its medical consultants, Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah,  associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.Transcript for this segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

What happens when we break down communication barriers—especially for those who are speech-delayed or don't use words to speak? In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sheryl Rosin, Speech-Language Pathologist, researcher, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals. We explore how to unlock communication using a strengths-based, person-centered approach that empowers individuals across the spectrum. From augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to the importance of presuming competence, Dr. Rosin shares transformative insights for parents, professionals, and anyone who believes every voice deserves to be heard.About Dr. RosinSheryl Rosin Ph.D.,CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and Certified Autism Specialist with 28 years of experience in the field. Dr. Rosin has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to evidence-based practices in assessment and intervention for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She has been published in both national and international research journals related to ASD assessment and intervention practices. She is the founder, owner and executive director of Palm Beach Speech & OT Specialists and Play Pals Early Learning Program for preschoolers in West Palm Beach, Florida and Boston Speech & OT Specialists in Wellesley, Massachusettes. Dr. Rosin serves as adjunct professors at: 1) University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and 2) Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She is a supervisor and master trainer for The Play Project, an evidence based early intervention program for children with autism. She is also the Founder and President of Star Foundation - a 501(c)3 supporting children with autism and other related disorders living in underserved and low-resourced areas of the world. She has developed an international autism program within the Caribbean and is the Founder and Consulting Director of The St. Kitts Spectrum Services Centre in St.Kitts, the first Autism assessment and intervention clinic in the Eastern Caribbean. Dr.Rosin is the winner of the 2016 Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Clinician of the Year Award and the 2017 Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Recent Clinical Achievement from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.About TheresaA wife and a mother to two children and grandmother, Theresa Alexander Inman is a Parenting Coach, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Infant Toddler Development Specialist. She was introduced to the field of behavior analysis in 2007 after working in many capacities in the juvenile justice system.Her goal is to improve the lives of children and families by helping them strategize child develop skills to prevent or reduce the effects of possible delays while having fun! She also served as a panelist on the first annual Autism World Summit.Theresa is also an author, having published ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠“Pathways to Early Communication”⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in 2022.Connect with Theresa today!• Instagram | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theresa Inman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• LinkedIn | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theresa Inman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• BabyBoomer.org | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theresa Inman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• YouTube | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Parenting with Confidence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• Tiktok | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@parentcoachtheresa• Spotify via Anchor.fm | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Parenting with Confidence ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: https://www.theresaalexanderinman.com/About Parenting on the SpectrumRaising autistic children comes with unique joys, challenges, and learning moments. Join host Theresa as she explores the diverse experiences of parenting kids on the spectrum. Each episode features expert insights, real-life stories, and practical strategies to help you navigate this journey with understanding, compassion, and strength. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or ally, this podcast is your go-to resource for fostering connection and celebrating neurodiversity. Please share, comment, rate, and download! Be blissful! Theresa

In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO, talks with two leaders in the field of sleep medicine: Ryan J. Soose, MD, Director of the Sleep Division and Associate Professor, and Thomas M. Kaffenberger, MD, Assistant Professor, both from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The three discuss the importance and scope of sleep fellowship, the pathways to training and fellowship utilizing the resources of the International Surgical Sleep Society (ISSS), the vast possibilities and rewarding nature of sleep medicine, the practical aspects of sleep medicine in both academic and private practice, and more! This episode is sponsored by Inspire. We thank them for their support. Helpful Resources: Workforce Survey Report: www.entnet.org/workforce  International Surgical Sleep Society: www.surgicalsleep.org  ISSS Mentorship Program https://surgicalsleep.org/mentorship-program/ Inspire https://www.inspiresleep.com/en-us/ 

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 9 - Common statistical tests Part 2 (eg,  Student's T test, analysis of variance [ANOVA], chi-square, nonparametric tests)  Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review common statistical tests 2.      Review Student's T test, analysis of variance [ANOVA]. 3.      Review chi-square vs nonparametric tests). Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Philana Lin M.D., MSc, -- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics - Pediatric Infectious Disease Division Dr. Lin receives grant/research support from Pfizer (funds investigator initiated seroprevalance study on invasive pneumococcal infection), and NIH (Investigator initiated research on tuberculosis). Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/5/2025,  Expires 4/5/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25774&dev=true

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 10- Measurement of association and effect (relative risk & odds ratio) Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review measurement of association and effect. 2.      Review relative risk & Odds ratio.  Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Matthew Wilkinson MD, MPH - Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Dr. Wilkinson discloses that he is a consultant for Koru Medical and is a stockholder with EM Device Lab. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 4/5/2025,  Expires 4/5/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below:

With over 44 years as a holistic clinical pharmacist, Susan Merenstein has dedicated her career to blending modern medicine with holistic healing. She founded Murray Avenue Apothecary in 2007 and expanded her vision in 2018 with LabNaturals, Inc., offering pharmacist-developed skincare, CBD products, and curated supplements for humans and pets. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (1981), Susan began her journey in her family's pharmacy in Washington, D.C., and developed expertise in hormone balance, detoxification, and healthy aging. An early adopter of salivary testing and hormone consultations, she has long championed personalized approaches to health, moving beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model of care. After selling her compounding practice in 2024, Susan continues to innovate and educate through Murray Avenue Apothecary and LabNaturals, empowering clients and their pets on their health journeys. Connect with Susan via: Website: LabNaturals.com FB: Murray Avenue Apothecary/LabNaturals, Inc. LI: Susan Merenstein Subscribe to Susan's newsletter! Reach Susan at Susan@maapgh.com or 412-586-4678 Tuesdays and Thursdays. ***EDITOR'S NOTE: The quote mentioned in the episode “The dose makes the poison” is attributed to Paracelsus, not Hippocrates.*** Visit https://marinabuksov.com for more holistic content. Music from https://www.purple-planet.com. Disclaimer: Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Beth Piraino, Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM), explores the school's innovative Three Rivers Curriculum, emphasizing small-group learning, early clinical exposure, and the integration of "Streams" (special interest areas) and Threads" (core competencies like leadership and clinical reasoning). Dr. Piraino also discusses the role of secondary essays in evaluating applicants and explores why teamwork, resilience, and cultural awareness are important in the admissions process. She goes on to  highlight a common mistake applicants make in the application process.Relevant Links:University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Are You Ready to Apply Med School QuizRelated Shows:Inside Geisinger Med School Admissions with Dr. Michelle SchmudeAccepted: Your Guide to CU School of Medicine Get Accepted to Washington University School of MedicineDeep Dive into Duke Medical: An Interview with Dr. Linton YeeGet Accepted to Loyola Stritch Medical SchoolFollow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 7- Statistical Power Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review Statistical power in research, when to use it and how to interpret it.   Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Matthew Wilkinson MD, MPH - Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Dr. Wilkinson discloses that he is a consultant for Koru Medical and is a stockholder with EM Device Lab. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 3/11/2025,  Expires 3/11/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25581&dev=true

Title: Journal Club Series Episode 8 - Common statistical tests Part 1 (eg,  Student's T test, analysis of variance [ANOVA], chi-square, nonparametric tests)  Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review common statistical tests 2.      Review Student's T test, analysis of variance [ANOVA]. 3.      Review chi-square vs nonparametric tests).   Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Philana Lin M.D., MSc, -- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics - Pediatric Infectious Disease Division Dr. Lin receives grant/research support from Pfizer (funds investigator initiated seroprevalance study on invasive pneumococcal infection), and NIH (Investigator initiated research on tuberculosis). Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 3/11/2025,  Expires 3/11/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25579&dev=true

Title: Episode 5 - Bias and Confounding Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review bias in research. 2.      Review confounding in research. Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Rebekah Miller MLIS - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Research & Instruction Librarian No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 2/20/2025,  Expires 2/20/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25578&dev=true

Title: Episode 6- Hypothesis Testing (e.g. Type 1 and Type II Errors, P-values) Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Discuss the definition and relevance of p-values. 2.      Discuss type 1 vs type ii errors. 3.      Discuss statistical significance and what it means.   Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Jenna Carlson Ph.D. - University of Pittsburgh- Assistant Professor of Human Genetics and Biostatistics in school of Public Health No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 2/20/2025,  Expires 2/20/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25580&dev=true

Title: Episode 4- Incidence, prevalence & Study Definitions Target Audience This activity is directed to physicians who take care of hospitalized children, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or hospital wards. Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 1.      Review incidence in research. 2.      Review prevalence in research. 3.      Review screening and how it pertains to research. Course Directors: Tony R. Tarchichi MD — Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC.) Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine. No relationships with industry relevant to the content of this educational activity have been disclosed. Philana Lin M.D. MSc - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics - Pediatric Infectious Disease Division Dr. Lin receives grant/research support from Pfizer (funds investigator initiated seroprevalance study on invasive pneumococcal infection), and NIH (Investigator initiated research on tuberculosis). Conflict of Interest Disclosure: No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.   Disclaimer Statement: The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses. Released 2/20/2025,  Expires 2/20/2028 The direct link to the course is provided below: https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=25577&dev=true

Today we have Dr. Karl Herrup, a neurobiologist known for his investigations into the roles that DNA damage and noncoding genetic variants have in Alzheimer's disease. Joining Ken today to interview Karl is Dr. Tommy Wood, a visiting scientist here at IHMC.  Tommy also is an associate professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, where he focuses on brain health across lifespan. He has been our guest several times on STEM-Talk and we will have links to those interviews in our show notes for today's episode. After more than a century of research, the underlying cause of Alzheimer's remains a mystery. For the past few decades, the leading theory has been the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which proposes that abnormal amyloid plaques in the brain are the central cause of the disease. Today we talk to Karl about his lab and research as well as his view that the amyloid cascade hypothesis is not only flawed,  but also could be holding back research for a cure of Alzheimer's. A professor of neurobiology and an investigator in the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Herrup is the author of How Not to Study a Disease: The Story of Alzheimer's. Show notes: [00:03:50] Tommy asks Karl what he was like as a kid to open the interview. [00:04:36] Tommy asks Karl about his educational environment growing up. [00:05:10] Ken mentions that Karl went to Brandies University originally with the intent of becoming a physician and asks Karl what happened to change his mind. [00:06:14] Ken asks Karl if it is true that his father was disappointed with Karl's decision to abandon medical school in favor of genetics. [00:07:02] Tommy mentions that Karl began researching genetics in the late 1960s when researchers were just beginning to unravel the secrets of DNA. Tommy asks Karl to discuss why this was such an exciting time to study genetics. [00:08:38] Tommy asks Karl what prompted him to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. [00:11:34] Continuing on the theme of happy accidents, Ken asks if it was also an accident that led to Karl moving to Switzerland for a second post-doc. [00:12:36] Ken asks Karl to expound on his experience taking an overseas post-doc, which was not a common practice in the 1970s. [00:14:11] Ken mentions that Karl has seemed to benefit in his life from the combination of preparation and the willingness to explore opportunities that present themselves. [00:15:00] Tommy mentions that when Karl arrived back in the US from Switzerland, he accepted a faculty position at Yale and asks him to discuss this experience. [00:17:06] Tommy mentions that after Yale, Karl had several faculty appointments, including a seven-year stint in Hong Kong, and asks Karl to talk about that experience. [00:21:36] Tommy asks Karl why, in 2019, he moved back to his hometown to become a professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh and co-investigator at the university's Alzheimer's research center. [00:24:45] Ken asks Karl to talk about his lab at the University of Pittsburgh, which focuses on the biology of neurodegeneration. [00:26:32] Ken asks Karl if there was anything specific that caused him to shift his focus at this stage in his career so heavily towards Alzheimer's research. [00:28:21] Tommy comments on Karl's hypothesis of the aging brain, noting that it would make sense for the same processes involved in the developing brain to relate to what we see in the aging brain, as these processes are continuous throughout the lifespan. [00:29:54] Tommy pivots to talk about Karl's book, entitled “How Not to Study a Disease: The Story of Alzheimer's” for which Karl interviewed a number of experts and colleagues, asking each one to define Alzheimer's disease in their own words. [00:30:51] Tommy reiterates the point that we still do not have a universally accepted definition of Alzheimer's disease and asks Karl wh...