INTERVIEWS

Beverly Taylor, Head of Global Influenza Scientific Policy at CSL Seqirus discusses Avian influenza and its typical spread during migratory seasons and the current threat to human health based on national risk assessments. She talks about a recent abstract presented at the OPTIONS XI conference, the importance of global surveillance for avian flu and other influenza strains that could spark a pandemic and why global surveillance is more robust in certain regions than others and where it can be bolstered to better prepare us in the event of a pandemic. 

Dr. Rahul Mehan, MD, Founder of East Valley Urology Center of Arizona, discusses enlarged prostate, its symptoms, and available  treatment options. He also talks about  Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy, a non-surgical treatment for men 50 years or older that can be performed in a doctor’s office.

Returning guest, Dr. Jan Wehkamp, MD, PhD, Vice President, Gastroenterology Disease Area Leader for the Immunology Therapeutic Area at Janssen Research & Development, LLC discusses new STELARA  ® (ustekinumab) lo​​ng term efficacy and safety data in ulcerative colitis (UC) and new novel guselkumab & golimumab combination therapy data in UC that was presented at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2022.

Demian Bellumio, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder at Nue Life Health, a next-gen mental wellness company that leverages the power of psychedelic drugs, discusses ketamine treatment and the newly launched Nue Care program. The program is a personalized and accessible 6-month aftercare program that focuses on treating the root causes of mental health conditions. He also expresses his concern of how the lack of aftercare options for a large part of the population who take SSRIs is harming future generations.

Kim Moran, Head of U.S. Rare Diseases at UCB, discusses the latest UCB data presented at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) annual meeting that builds the body of evidence around the complexities of Myasthenia Gravis. Patients living with myasthenia gravis continue to experience high disease and treatment burden resulting in significant impact on their daily lives.

Returning guest, Dr. Ernest Grant, President of the American Nurses Association, joins us as part of an educational flu campaign called Not Today, Flu, which empowers people to get their flu shot. Dr. Grant discusses how primary care providers can initiate conversations with patients about the importance of getting the flu shot, flu shot differences, recent CDC guidelines, combatting vaccine fatigue, and receiving COVID boosters and flu shots at the same time.

Dr. Jan Poolman, Head Bacterial Vaccine Discovery and Early Development at Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson discusses the risks and burdens associated with sepsis and the evaluation of vaccine candidates to potentially protect against life-threatening bacterial infections.

Dr.Theresa A. Hadlock, MD, Director, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Director, Facial Nerve Center, at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School discusses her research on Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Controversies in Facial Reanimation which was presented at the 2022 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) annual meeting.

Dr. Daniel Faden, MD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School discusses his research on patient knowledge and opinions of human Papillomavirus vaccination for head and neck cancer prevention which was presented at the 2022 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) annual meeting.

Regina Blye, Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Reeve Foundation, which advocates for those living with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) discusses the need for proper access to medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) and how policy can be revised to better support accessible healthcare. Examples of MDE that are currently lacking include a dearth of ramps, accessible elevators and weight scales that are designed for use while standing. The widespread absence of accessible MDE in healthcare environments, including exam rooms, must be addressed.