INTERVIEWS

Guest: Jessica Ailani, MD

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Jessica Ailani, MD, is board certified in neurology, with added certifications in neurology and headache. Dr. Ailani is associate professor of neurology at MedStar’s Georgetown University Hospital and director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center. The conditions she treats include migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, post-traumatic headaches, occipital neuralgia, headache related to neck strain and concussion-related headaches. She uses a wide variety of treatment options in headache management, including Botox for migraines. Dr. Ailani’s research involves a national project focused on interventions, including nerve blocks, for headaches. She is dedicated to patient education, and recently gave a presentation on “Migraine Management: Practical Tips for an Impractical Disease” for a local family clinic.

Segment overview: Dr. Jessica Ailani, Director of the Medstar Georgetown Headache Center, explain what a migraine is, and how it’s different from a “regular” headache or chronic migraine.

Guest: Carin Willis

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Carin Willis is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain and also serves as the interim Board Chair. She has suffered from migraines, TMJ, hypermobility syndrome and IBS since childhood and in her early twenties developed Interstitial Cystitis (IC), vulvodynia and dyspareunia. She suffered with chronic pain in silence and has greatly affected her quality of life. Carin’s support website began to garner national and international attention due to its positive and educational approach to these conditions. Eventually, Carin was sought out for numerous interviews amongst doctors and experts within the chronic pelvic pain community. After three years of connecting with patients suffering chronic pelvic pain, Carin expanded the connection between chronic pelvic patients with resources, education with a hope-filled message. She began educating herself about how to serve this global community of chronic pelvic patients – spending countless hours researching the many needs of patients; meeting medical experts, patients, patient advocates and caregivers who are now an integral part of what has become Bridge for Pelvic Pain a 501 c (3) non-profit based in Colorado Springs, CO.

Segment overview: Carin Willis, Founder and Executive Director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain, talks about chronic pelvic, sexual and genital pain conditions.  

Guest: Dr. Iraj Ghadiminejad

Presenter: Tabetha Moreto   

Guests Bio: Iraj Ghadiminejad was a lecturer at the Imperial College, Medical School, University of London and worked in the Paediatrics Department at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. Whilst working at St Mary’s Hospital, he identified a compound produced by the immune system of children that essentially signals the overactive immune response to return to baseline. In 2013, he was able to find the perfect formulation to heal damaged skin. He called it ENDOR™, a topical cream that is safe and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate Eczema, Psoriasis and Rosacea. It is a soothing, soft cream that hydrates the skin, locally calms the immune response and allows the natural healing process to take effect and heal the damaged skin. To date, Iraj has developed and produced six products: ENDOR cream, ENDOR 3.5, ENDOR Dermatitis Care, ENDOR Arthritis Gel, ENDOR Exfoliant, and ENDOR Gentle Wash. He is continuously working to develop new products for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Segment overview: The number of people experiencing dermal issues is increasing. Most prescribed treatment options are steroidal-based creams and ointments, which are effective for short term use, but may lead to reduced efficacy and steroidal dependency in the long run. Returning with us in this segment is Dr. Iraj Ghadiminejad to give us some update about ENDOR™ products, which are used as alternative treatment option for autoimmune conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema, Rosacea, Atopic Dermatitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and other similar inflammatory conditions. These are over-the-counter products, guaranteed safe to use even in children.

Guest: Frankie Ann Holmes, MD

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Dr. Holmes is board certified in internal medicine and also medical oncology. My professional career has involved the treatment and research for the cure of breast cancer. At MD Anderson, I completed my cancer training and joined the Faculty of Breast Medical Oncology. At MD Anderson, I performed the first clinical trial of paclitaxel (Taxol) resulting in approval for breast cancer. After 15 years at MD Anderson, I joined Texas Oncology/The US Oncology Network and the Breast Cancer Research Committee. I was the principal investigator for the clinical trial that led to the approval of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) for prevention of low white blood cells from chemotherapy. I have continued as an active member of the Breast Cancer Research Committee with The US Oncology Network.

Segment overview: Frankie Ann Holmes, MD, discusses the latest in breast cancer research and the recently approved NERLYNX for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.

Guest: Dr Drew Dwyer

Presenter: Wayne Bucklar

Guests Bio: Dr Drew Dwyer is a Clinical Nurse Gerontologist whose interests lies in the ageing process and its impact on the individual and society. He brings a factual and humorous look at the “reality bites” of life as we age, and the transition in our life journeys. He has a particular focus on supporting the Baby Boomers. A keynote speaker, Author, educator, war veteran and Entreprenurse, he has much to offer those that seek a seat at the table of knowledge. Standing at an impressive 7ft tall, he is truly “A Big Man Talking”.

Segment overview: Dr Drew Dwyer talks about his new book, “Ageing In the New Age: A survival guide for Baby Boomers” which gives a positive approach in ageing and serves as a planning tool for baby boomers to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Guests: Dr Donna Lee Marçal

Presenter:  Tabetha Moreto

Guests Bio: Dr Donna Lee Marçal is a biochemist and a Co-founder of Dermatonics. Donna completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa. As a result of being awarded 2 different international research fellowships, her work on inflammation and how the body reacts to polyurethanes led her to conduct part of her research at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Her work on the proteomic investigation of how proteins change and are influenced by various polyurethanes interacting with inflammatory human macrophages led to further collaboration and multiple publications in highly respected research journals. She was awarded her PhD in 2007 and promptly moved to Australia to continue her work at the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (Brisbane, QLD). She was then awarded a National Science & Engineering Research Council (Canada) Post-Doctoral Fellowship and began to work with Prof Leonard Kritharides and Prof Wendy Jessup of the Macrophage Biology Group at the University of New South Wales. She continued this research into macrophages, protein secretion, cholesterol and atherosclerosis and has done so until 2016 with further publications in the field. She is now the driving force behind Dermatonics (by Sentryca Pty Ltd) and the research behind its products.

Segment overview:  Dermatonics is a creator of high quality, Australian-made, natural skin care products that are great for sensitive skin. Dr Marçal talks about how to fix skin issues, like adult acne, which may be triggered by chemicals in skin care products.

Guest: Matthew Cherian

Presenter: Tabetha Moreto

Guests Bio: Matthew Cherian has been active in the Information Technology industry since 1981. In 1985, he established Working Systems Software Pty Ltd in Perth, Western Australia. In 2002, Mr Cherian was appointed as CEO and Managing Director of the company to refocus the group in the healthcare sector. The initial phase culminated with the rebranding of the company as Global Health Limited in December 2007. Mr Cherian plays an active role in product strategy and the development of overseas markets.

 Segment overview: Global Health Limited is one of Australia’s longest established and most experienced developers of software applications for the healthcare industry. Matthew Cherian joins us to talk about some of the company’s applications such as ReferralNet, Lifecard, and HotHealth. He also talks about the developments in technology that aims to connect healthcare professionals and consumers.

Guest: Dr. Lisa Masterson  

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Dr. Lisa Masterson is a national expert in the areas of obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, adolescent gynecology and family planning. Dr. Masterson is affiliated with UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica and has 24 years of experience.

Segment overview: Lisa Masterson, MD, discusses what every woman should know about the menopause journey and treatment options available.

Guest: Beth Battaglino, RN  

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Beth Battaglino, RN, brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and, as a practicing registered nurse, medical knowledge to her role as CEO of HealthyWomen, a non-profit organization providing women with in-depth, objective, medically-approved information on a broad range of women’s health issues. Her management and marketing expertise is particularly critical as Healthy Women moves to expand its outreach to millions of women across the country through updated technology, wider program distribution and new public education and awareness efforts. Beth is responsible for setting the strategic direction of HealthyWomen and building alliances with corporations, health care professionals and consumer groups. She also serves as the organization’s chief spokesperson, regularly speaking at corporate, non-profit, community and media events. In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University and the University of Oklahoma.

Segment overview: Beth Battaglino, RN, CEO of HealthyWomen.org, discusses what the recent FDA approval of Solosec™ (secnidazole) will mean for the women’s health community.

Guest: Fauad Hasad  

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guests Bio: Fauad Hasan is the President and CEO at Bonti. He is a chemical engineer, with graduate degrees from University of Maryland, including MBA, Fauad comes with more than 17 years of experience in the Biopharmaceutical industry, Fauad Hasan is the President and CEO of Bonti, Inc. Until recently, he was the strategic and technical leader in the R&D group at Allergan, where he also served on the Global Product Development teams of top tier neurotoxins and ocular programs establishing overall drug development strategy from discovery to commercialization. This includes taking next generation Botox® molecules and ophthalmic drugs such as DARPin® through their product life cycle from proof of concept stage through late stage development and interaction with global regulatory agencies.

Fauad started his career at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, where he was part of the group that developed manufacturing processes for IL and VEGF-Trap molecules, including Eylea ($1.5B drug for AMD and DME). He moved on to Baxter International working in various roles of increasing responsibilities in the areas of process development, manufacturing, plant engineering, and project management, catering to both internal and external client projects for therapeutic proteins, that included Mabs, in addition to blood clotting proteins (FVIII and FIX). Fauad is one of the pioneers of Single-use bioreactor (SUB) for the production of therapeutic proteins. He is a co-owner of several patents related to this technology.

Segment overview: Fauad Hasan, President & CEO at Bonti, a privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company, discusses its LANTERN clinical program aimed at relieving musculoskeletal pain and reducing the use of opioids using its neurotoxin platform.