INTERVIEWS

Guests: Dr. Ellen Ritchie,  Finola Hughes, & “David”

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio:  

Ellen K. Ritchie, MD is the assistant professor of medicine and a member of the Leukemia Program at the Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University and the New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Dr. Ritchie graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and received her medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at New York Presbyterian Hospital on the Columbia campus.

Finola Hughes, who plays Anna Devane on ABC’s General Hospital, was born in London, England, studied and graduated from The Arts Educational School, London. Danced with the Northern Ballet Company and in 1981 originated the role of Victoria the White Catin the London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats. Joined the stage production of  Webber’s “Song and Dance” in 1982.  Starred with John Travolta in “Stayin’  Alive” in 1983 and in 1984, joined the cast on “General Hospital” and won a Daytime Emmy award in 1991.

David is a fitness enthusiast joining marathons and long distance biking. David’s life was forever changed as a result of a biking accident on February 16th of 2016. He broke his femur into half, and was rushed to the emergency room for surgery. Bewildered at David’s extremely high red blood cell count, the orthopedic surgeon asked David in the recovery room if he was taking performance enhancing drugs, and later suggested he see a primary care physician. David followed suit and saw his family care physician, followed by an oncologist, where it was confirmed that he had polycythemia vera (PV).

Segment overview: Here to bring us up to date on her many projects is actor Finola Hughes, along with Dr. Ellen Ritchie, Associate Professor or Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College to discuss Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and David, who lives with this rare blood disease.

Guest: Stewart Washer  

Presenter: Wayne Bucklar

Guest Bio: Dr Stewart Washer is the Executive Director of listed medicinal cannabis research company, Zelda Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD). With more than 25 years of leadership experience in medical and agri food biotech companies, Stewart can shed light on medicinal cannabis’ current political and scientific landscapes, both nationally and globally. Stewart is also Chairman of Orthocell Ltd (ASX:OCC), a regenerative medicine company, Founding Chairman and current Director of Cynata Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CYP) who are developing global stem cell therapies, Chairman of Minomic International Ltd, and a founder and consultant to AusCann Ltd (ASX:AC8).

Segment overview: Zelda Therapeutics works on legalizing medicinal cannabis and brings together some of the world’s leading researchers and clinicians active in the study and use of medicinal cannabis to treat complex diseases. In this interview, Dr Washer talks about the current constraints and misconceptions that are hindering the development of the medicinal cannabis sector. He also points out the difference between medicinal cannabis that is accessible through street providers, and what will be available through pharmaceutical companies.

Guest: Dr Regan Lucas Bailey

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Dr. Regan Lucas Bailey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University. Previously, Dr. Bailey was a Nutritional Epidemiologist at the Office of Dietary Supplements, Office of Disease Prevention at the National Institutes of Health. The overarching goal of her research program is to prevent or lessen the risk of chronic disease through nutrition. Dr. Bailey is a registered dietitian who completed a MS in Food and Nutrition from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her PhD in Nutrition Science from The Pennsylvania State University and her MPH from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.

Segment overview: Dr. Regan Bailey, from the Global Nutritional Health Alliance, explains why Omega-3 Fatty Acids, the “Lost Nutrient” is so important and how to make sure you’re getting enough

Guest: Aida Vazin

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Aida specializes in hypnotherapy, couples counseling, and stress management. She also works with 1st generation immigrants that are struggling to adapt to the lifestyle of the United States while trying to balance the expectations and obligations of their family. She provides high quality care with a focus on personalized navigation from difficult situations to the desired outcomes her clients are seeking. Her goal is to empower her clients with the tools they need to make lasting changes. As such, her clients view her as part of their support system and feel very comfortable with her. According to Aida, “I value the trust my clients place in me.” A strong believer in a balanced lifestyle, Aida enjoys spending time with her loved ones, exploring fitness trends, and traveling across the world. She studied at UCLA and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with emphasis in psychology, sociology and cultural anthropology. She is fluent in Farsi and Spanish.

Segment overview: Aida Vazin, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist – with GPS Counselor.  She is here to discuss 1st generation immigrants that are struggling to adapt to the lifestyle and social environment of the United States while trying to balance the expectations and obligations imposed by their family of origin.

Guest: Graham Betchart

Guest Bio: Graham Betchart, who has a master’s degree in sports psychology, is a mental skills coach who works with some of the top players in the NBA today.

Graham believes that mental skills training is just as important as physical training. And similar to physical training, there’s no quick fix in mental skills training, it’s an ongoing process. Graham also believes there’s no age that’s too young to begin meditation – especially in a time when young athletes and students are facing more pressure than ever to succeed. Graham is the Director of Lucid, a new organization that focuses on mental skills training.

Segment overview: Graham Betchart speaks on why children should consider meditation as part of their everyday routine, as well as how parents can help them get started.  He also launched a meditation app called “Lucid” which offers daily five-minute audio clips that preach meditation, visualization and positive affirmations.

Guest: Dr. Keri Donaldson

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Dr. Keri Donaldson’s work as Medical Director and CEO of Prescient Medicine is fueled by an extensive background in the fields of pathology, genomics, and diagnostics. An active ad hoc reviewer and consultant, Dr. Donaldson has earned a reputation as an innovative member of the medical community and garnered key positions within respected institutions and national committees. He was certified as a Diplomate of both the American Board of Pathology and the National Board of Medical Examiners, and holds a BS from Pennsylvania State University, an MD from Temple University School of Medicine, and a master of science in clinical epidemiology (MSCE) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Segment overview: Dr. Keri J. Donaldson, Prescient Medicine’s CEO and Medical Director, discusses the role emerging medicine can play in predicting a patient’s likelihood of addiction from opioids.

Guest: Angela Ballard, RN, EMT

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Angela Ballard has been working with the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) since its inception in 2003. As a registered nurse and emergency medical technician, Angela brings a passion for high-quality, accessible healthcare and patient advocacy to every sentence she writes. As a professional writer, she understands the importance of clear, informative communications in all avenues of life. From SweatHelp.org and theSweatSolutions newsletter to brochures and medical journal articles, Angela’s writing is an important piece of the educational and empowerment mission of the International Hyperhidrosis Society to help provide the information people need to live fuller, richer lives.

In addition to her hyperhidrosis and other health and wellness-related writing, Angela plies her pen about outdoor life. Specifically, she enjoys writing about the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) and is co-author of an award-winning hiking adventure book called A Blistered Kind of Love (Mountaineers Books, Seattle, WA).

Segment overview: Angela Ballard, RN, EMT, with the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) discusses some truths and myths about hyperhidrosis and the effect this condition can have on a person’s life.

Guest: Dr Marcus Tan

Presenter: Wayne Bucklar

Guest Bio: Dr Marcus Tan is the Founder and Medical Director of HealthEngine, Australia’s largest online healthcare marketplace. Marcus is an active contributor to innovation in the Australian health-tech industry and a strong supporter of the local startup ecosystem.  He has grown HealthEngine from 2 developers out of his lounge room to over 100 staff in 3 offices nationally since 2010.

Segment overview:  Digital technology presents a huge opportunity to enhance the relationship between patient and practitioner, as well as offering patients more control over their health and making channels of communication more efficient, transparent and accessible. Dr Marcus Tan, the Founder and Medical Director of HealthEngine, talks about his ideas on the role that technology will play in creating a health system that is more focused on the patient experience, and improve health care services.

Guest: David Cox  

Presenter: Tabetha Moreto

Guest Bio: David has the unique ability of applying clinical, governance and business metrics to the aged care environment. He has almost 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with experiences in both for-profit and not-for-profit aged care settings across Australasia.

He is the Chair of a not-for-profit provider of residential aged care and retirement living in Western Australia; a Director of one of Australia’s largest providers of not-for-profit specialist therapy services in the disability sector; and a Partner and the Head of Operational Strategy at Ansell Strategic. David is also a Registered Nurse with postgraduate clinical qualifications and an MBA. His experiences as the Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Clinical Affairs for a number of publicly listed biotechnology companies have enabled the development of unique operational, business development and consumer directed services planning skills.

Segment overview: David Cox talks about the St. Ives Home Care, their services, and how the partnership with AlayaCare can help them deliver quality care plans to their clients. St. Ives and AlayaCare plan to deliver an innovative end to end client information, health and experience management solution to private home care clients and their families

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Lucas

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Jennifer Lucas, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist on staff at the Cleveland Clinic, where she previously completed her residency in dermatology and a fellowship in Mohs surgery. She received her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio. Dr. Lucas is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American College of Mohs Surgery, and she serves on the Women’s Dermatologic Society Board of Directors. She has authored numerous publications.  

Segment overview: Dr. Jennifer Lucas discusses how unprotected sun exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer all year round.