UAB Med Cast
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
The official podcast of UAB Medicine, moving medicine forward.
Episodes
- Normothermic Machine Perfusion for Kidneys
Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) allows transplant teams to evaluate donor kidneys using a pump-based system that provides real-time data. This technique, explained by Dr. Jacqueline Garonzik Wang, may help utilize more donor kidneys a…
- The Never-Ending Drippy Nose: Practical Solutions for Chronic Rhinitis
UAB Med Cast episode featuring Do-Yeon Cho, M.D., details chronic rhinitis, a condition causing persistent nasal symptoms. Dr. Cho discusses allergic, non-allergic, and mixed types, alongside treatments including medications, nasal rinses,…
- Tiny Babies, Big Impact: The Golden Week Program
The UAB Medicine Golden Week program standardizes the initial care of extremely preterm infants. A dedicated team employs bundled, evidence-based practices and specific order sets to decrease variability in care, leading to reduced mortali…
- What Are the Key Factors Influencing Length of Stay in Hospitals?
Kierstin Kennedy, M.D., chief medical and quality officer at UAB Medicine, explains how standardizing care can reduce hospital delays. She discusses addressing unnecessary variation in care delivery and how standardizing 80% of care streng…
- Future Therapies in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Dr. Mridul Gupta discusses idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and often misdiagnosed lung disease. The episode covers who is affected, recognition and diagnosis, current treatment options, and the potential for future perso…
- Beyond the White Coat: Entrepreneurship in Academic Medicine
Entrepreneurship in academic medicine often means scaling solutions developed in your own clinic so that others can benefit. Ashish Shah, M.D., shares lessons from launching multiple startups while practicing at UAB. Learn how physicians c…
- Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopause care has shifted from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more individualized, risk-based model. Dr. Minakshi Shukla discusses updated guidance on hormone therapy timing and formulation; the role of non-hormonal treatment options;…
- What is Pulsed Field Ablation, and How Does It Change Atrial Fibrillation Treatment?
Treatment for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is becoming safer and more efficient with the addition of pulsed field ablation (PFA). Cardiac electrophysiologist William Maddox, M.D., explains how PFA targets cardiac tissue while sparing nearby…
- Understanding Trabecular Bone Score
Trabecular bone score (TBS) adds insight beyond bone mineral density to better assess fracture risk and guide treatment decisions. Basma Abdulhadi, M.D., discusses how TBS complements DEXA and refines FRAX estimates, especially in patients…
- The Promise of Precision: How Brachytherapy is Changing Cancer Treatment
Brachytherapy is an inside-out radiation approach to treating tumors that may offer advantages over external beam radiation in some situations. Samuel Marcrom, M.D., a radiation oncologist, discusses how brachytherapy differs from external…
- Six Steps to Improve Bedside Patient Care
In this episode, we join Steven Russell, M.D., as he outlines ways to enhance bedside interactions and improve patient outcomes. With technology playing a significant role in medicine today, it’s crucial to find a balance that keeps patien…
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Optimal Management & Treatment
Aortic aneurysms are complex and often asymptomatic, making swift monitoring and mitigation crucial. Kyle Eudailey, MD, an expert in aortic surgery, discusses the guidelines that he considers when weighing the patient-specific risks of sur…
- Procedures for Male Infertility
The most common male infertility procedures are varicocele ligation, vasectomy reversal, and sperm retrieval for IVF. Peter Kolettis, M.D., a urologist, explains the purposes and steps of each procedure. He discusses working with colleague…
- Navigating Spina Bifida Care Across a Lifetime
UAB has one of the few clinics in North America that coordinates care for adults with spina bifida. Jeffrey Blount, M.D., Daniel Harmon, M.D., and Betsy Hopson, MSHA, explain how the adult clinic builds on a continuum of care that includes…
- Reducing ACL Injury Risk and Gender Disparity in Athletes
Justin Kirk, DPT, highlights identifying and reducing risk factors for ACL injuries. He shares who is most likely to sustain an ACL injury, the movements or position that increases an athlete’s risk for injury and the importance of limb sy…
- Advances in Surgical Management of Epilepsy
Epilepsy affects up to 2% of people, and for some patients, medications are not effective. Adeel Ilyas, M.D., a neurosurgeon, explains how referral to a Level 4 epilepsy center offers hope to patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Learn ho…
- Liver Transplantation in Colorectal Liver Metastases: Evolving Evidence and Patient Selection
Liver transplantation can extend survival for some patients whose colorectal cancer has spread only to the liver. Robert Cannon, M.D., surgical director of UAB’s Liver Transplant Program, explains the selection criteria that determine whet…
- Robotic Surgery: The New Standard in Organ Transplantation
Surgeons in kidney transplantation are expanding their use of robotics, beginning with donor nephrectomy. Michael Hanaway, M.D., explains why robotic surgery will soon become the standard of care for donor nephrectomy and is expected to be…
- Managing NF and Schwannomatosis in Clinical Practice
Neurofibromatosis (NF) and Schwannomatosis can involve skin changes, hearing loss, vision issues, and nerve tumors, but may go unrecognized for years. Neuro-oncologists Katie Metrock, M.D., and Rebecca Brown, M.D., discuss how these two di…
- Navigating Tracheostomy Care
Tracheostomy complications can be dramatically reduced with structured follow-up care. Harishanker Jeyarajan, M.D., explains how a pandemic-era surge in tracheostomies prompted UAB to launch a quality improvement initiative to systematize…
- Thyroid Nodule and Cancer Risk
Thyroid nodules are common and usually benign, but deciding when and how to intervene is complex. Endocrine surgeons Andrea Gillis, M.D., and Sophie Dream, M.D., along with CRNP Kelly Lovell, explain how they distinguish low-risk cases fro…
- The Evolving Role of Primary Care Sports Medicine in Athlete Health and Performance
Primary care sports medicine has more tools than ever to keep athletes out of the operating room. Steven Brown, M.D., explains how this evolving field treats injuries, supports recovery, and helps prevent sport-specific injuries through wh…
- The Role of ECMO in Cardiac and Respiratory Care
UAB’s adult ECMO program, which offers advanced heart and lung support, continues to expand in both reach and capability. Keith Wille, M.D., medical director of the ECMO and Advanced Lung Diseases Program, discusses technology that improve…
- What is NAPRC Accreditation and Why Does It Matter?
Explore the collaborative efforts at UAB Medicine that make National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) accreditation successful. Robert Hollis, M.D., MSPH, and Ridley Brown, BSN, RN, explain how teamwork among surgeons, oncol…
- Navigating Chronic Pancreatitis: Quality of Life Considerations
Managing pancreatitis often involves complex decisions about drainage, best made by a multidisciplinary team. Sushant Reddy, M.D., a pancreatic surgeon, joins Andrew Gunn, M.D., an interventional radiologist, and Ali Ahmed, M.D., an interv…
- Evaluation and Treatment of Male Infertility
Male infertility contributes to nearly half of all infertility cases. Peter Kolettis, M.D., a urologist, explains how detailed evaluations such as semen analysis and hormone testing help identify treatable causes. He discusses the latest p…
- Partial Breast Radiation for Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Partial breast radiation has become even safer and more precise for select patients with early-stage breast cancer. Hunter Boggs, M.D., a radiation oncologist, explains how modern partial breast radiation techniques reduce side effects wit…
- Effective Therapies for Uveal Melanoma
When uveal melanoma spreads to the liver, it’s difficult to treat with systemic therapies, but percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) offers an alternative. In this panel discussion, Venkatesh Krishnasamy, M.D., kristy Broman, M.D., and John…
- Comprehensive Guide to Subperiosteal Dental Implants
Not every patient is a candidate for traditional dental implants. Michael Case, D.M.D., and Jay Ponto, D.M.D., explain how today’s subperiosteal implants offer a custom alternative for patients with reduced bone volume, past tumor resectio…
- Could PRRT Revolutionize Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy?
Neuroendocrine tumors are rare and can present with a confusing range of symptoms, which leads to frequent misattribution. Jay Bart Rose, M.D., explains how they’re also complex to treat, often requiring multiple modalities based on tumor…
- Understanding Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is common, recurrent, and often misunderstood. Urologist Jed Ferguson, M.D., and urologic oncologist Chas Peyton, M.D., explain how it differs from muscle invasive disease, why recurrence increases the ri…
- Why Multidisciplinary Care is Key for Oral Cancer Patients
Radiation therapy for oral cancer requires both precise targeting and multidisciplinary coordination. Christopher Willey, M.D., and Michael Case, D.M.D., explain how close collaboration between radiation oncology and dental care helps prev…
- Current Concepts in ACL Surgery
ACL tears are on the rise as more people remain active throughout their lives. Amit Momaya, M.D., chief of sports medicine, explains how today’s treatment approaches balance repair and reconstruction, with an emphasis on prehab, rehab, and…
- More Harm than Good? Airbag Vests in Equestrian Sports
Are airbag vests protecting young equestrians or putting them at risk? Sports medicine physician Sarah Gould, M.D., and engineering research scientist Kevin Schrum discuss unexpected injuries linked to equestrian air vests. They explain ho…
- The Rising Prevalence of Kidney Stones: What Should Clinicians Know?
Kidney stones are often more than a one-time painful event: they’re a chronic disease linked to other health issues. Kyle Wood, M.D., discusses how stone disease often coexists with conditions like hypertension, dietary imbalance, and prim…
- Why Do Women Experience Aortic Disease Differently?
Sasha Still, M.D., explains how delayed diagnosis of aortic disease among women — who often present later and experience atypical symptoms — contributes to more complications and a higher mortality rate. She also discusses what clinicians…
- What Are Disorders of Consciousness and Why Do They Matter?
For many patients, it takes time to regain full consciousness after a brain injury, and some develop a disorder of consciousness (DOC). Rachel Teranishi, M.D., a brain injury specialist, explains why up to 40% of DOC cases are misdiagnosed…
- Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Spinal cord injuries can have life-changing effects, from neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction to paralysis. Radhika Sharma, M.D., discusses the causes, complications, and rehabilitation approaches to spinal cord injury. She explains h…
- Podiatric Care: The Future of Limb Salvage at UAB
Limb salvage can prevent amputation in patients with complex lower extremity conditions, including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. Kyle Mauk, DPM, discusses how UAB’s limb salvage program integrates podiatry with vascular surgery…
- Understanding Thyroid Disease: Insights from Leading Surgeons
Advances in imaging and molecular testing are changing how thyroid diseases are diagnosed and treated. Otolaryngologists and head and neck endocrine surgeons Andrew R. Fuson, M.D., and Daniel J. Rocke, M.D., discuss the latest approaches t…
- A Surgeon's Insight into Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) occurs when blood vessels and nerves in the upper chest become compressed, leading to pain, numbness, swelling, or circulation problems in the arms. Jarrad Rowse, M.D., a vascular surgeon, explains the three…
- Infecting the lungs: Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is a chronic lung infection that’s becoming more common, yet diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. Infectious disease specialist German Henostroza, M.D., and pulmonologist Bryan Garcia, M.D…
- The Role of a Rehabilitation Psychologist on an Interdisciplinary Rehab Team
Rehabilitation psychologists help patients with disabilities and chronic health conditions maximize their health and holistic well-being. Casey Azuero, Ph.D., explains these psychologists’ unique qualifications and how they function on int…
- Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder
Functional neurological disorder (FND) results in fluctuating control of voluntary activities. Victor Mark, M.D., explains why FND has only recently begun to be acknowledged as a neurological rather than purely psychological disorder. He d…
- Understanding Provider Addiction: Why It Matters Part 2
What is the best approach to treating substance use disorders? In part two of their discussion on substance use disorders within the health care provider population, Christopher Godlewski, M.D., and Sudheer Potru, D.O., explore the often-c…
- Understanding Provider Addiction: Why It Matters Part 1
Just as many health care providers face substance use disorder (SUD) as the general population, yet they are more likely to conceal it due to a professional stigma. Christopher Godlewski, M.D., and Sudheer Potru, D.O., discuss how burnout…
- Is Your Surgical Practice Keeping Up with Atrial Fibrillation Management?
For patients with AFib, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion should now be part of any non-emergency cardiac operation, and surgical ablation should also be considered. Panayotis Vardas, M.D., discusses how he and colleagues from the Soci…
- Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound: Current Status and Future Directions
Interventional endoscopic ultrasound, once a purely diagnostic tool, has given GI specialists a minimally invasive approach to a wide range of procedures. Ramzi Mulki, M.D., guides us through the evolution of the endoscope since the 1980s;…
- Pulsed Field Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
A new type of catheter ablation called pulsed field ablation (PA) allows for a more precise and non-heated way to treat many cases of atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Tom McElderry, M.D., discusses the advantages of PA ablation as an alternati…
- Understanding Spinal Stenosis: What You Need to Know
Almost everyone with spinal stenosis will see decreased pain and other symptoms following treatment, no matter their age. Thomas Staner, M.D., a neurosurgeon, discusses how improved imaging and a multidisciplinary approach has enhanced car…