INTERVIEWS

Dr. Susan Mitmesser, VP of Science and Technology at Pharmavite, LLC, maker of Nature Made vitamins and supplements discusses a study published in MDPI that showed a significant association between the prevalence of getting less than seven hours of sleep and the inadequate intake of several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium and vitamin A, C, D, and E.

John Davenport, Chief Scientist of Energy Focus, discusses fluorescent lighting and first-generation LED lights and how the flicker can affect us and may also interfere with hospital equipment.  He discusses the recent advances in LED lighting that is flicker-free and the advantages of having fluorescent lighting retrofitted with state of the art LED lighting. The LED lighting is also poised to transform ordinary environments into smart environments as health care institutions adopt the Internet of Things (IoT) across their facilities.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Elliot Hirsch, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and The Chief of Plastic Surgery at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, discusses whether a breast cancer diagnosis will require surgery or if there are other options, current treatments, and what women and men can do to improve the healing process. He also discusses what can be done to prevent a dangerous diagnosis.

Dr. Meredith Schultz with AveXis discusses the FDA approval of Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), the first gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric patients less than 2 yrs of age.  It is given as a one-time infusion into the vein. Zolgensma was not evaluated in patients with advanced SMA.

Dr. Phil Dormitzer, VP and CSO, Viral Vaccines at Pfizer Vaccines Research and Development discusses the significance of new data presented at the 2019 IDWeek conference for a respiratory syncytial virus  (RSV) vaccine candidate. The vaccine is currently in Phase 2b trials in pregnant women in the United States and the Phase 1/2 data being presented at IDWeek show encouraging safety and immune response. No vaccine is currently licensed for use specifically in pregnant women to protect infants.

Dr. Gustavo Alva, psychiatrist, discusses mood episodes, such as depression, mixed episodes, and mania, why diagnosing bi-polar disorder remains challenging and complex, and a new option for treating bi-polar depression which can streamline a treatment decision.  Interview on behalf of Allergan.

Richard Carreon, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at ImpediMed discusses SOZO®, bioimpedance spectroscopy that enables healthcare professionals to non-invasively measure, monitor and better manage lymphedema, particularly in breast cancer surgery patients at a much earlier point.

Stacy Kaiser, celebrity psychotherapist, discusses coping with medical issues such as overactive bladder (OAB).  She talks about “Coping Confessions” a new campaign sponsored by Astellas that sheds light on when coping has gone too far and is unproductive and how to take action to prevent coping from ruling our lives.

Dr. Marcia Rabinowits with Rogers Behavioral Health in Miami, discusses the paralyzing disorder of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), what it is and how to identify its symptoms.  She also discusses how to get properly diagnosed and what treatment options are more effective.

Dr. Jayaram Thimmapuram, internist, discusses professional burnout amongst physicians and how meditation can mitigate the effects of stress and anxiety and improve personal wellness.  He also discusses a study he completed on physician burnout.