INTERVIEWS

Over three million adults in America are affected by bipolar I disorder. While some mental illnesses have recently become more actively discussed and normalized with the public, bipolar I disorder remains one of the most polarizing mental illnesses. Julie Adams, Executive Medical Director and Global Development Lead of Psychiatry at AbbVie, discusses the need for more realistic, accurate representations of mental health disorders like bipolar I disorder in media and entertainment, to avoid negative stereotypes. The campaign “Lights, Camera, Advocacy for Bipolar I” brings together mental health advocates and leading storytellers to raise awareness and help lift the stigma associated with bipolar I disorder in Hollywood. More information and resources can be found at LightsCameraAdvocacy.com.

Michelle Slater, PhD, discusses her forthcoming book, “Starving to Heal in Siberia: My Radical Recovery from Late-Stage Lyme Disease and How It Could Help Others” (Sep 2022). She shares her experience and talks about dry fasting and how it can help sufferers of Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders, the link between suicide and chronic illness, and the challenge of autophagy in a chemical world.

Olga is a special education teacher from California living with a rare, inherited, rapidly progressive disease called hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, also known as hATTR amyloidosis. Olga will discuss the impact the disease has had on her family’s life, as well as her experience living with it, including her participation in a clinical trial for AMVUTTRA (vutrisiran), a new treatment recently approved by the U.S. FDA to treat the polyneuropathy of hATTR amyloidosis in adults.

Dr. Eytan M. Stein, Hematologic Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses the current state of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the importance of testing for genetic mutations, and the emergence of targeted treatments. He is joined by Shirley, a patient living with IDH1-mutated AML.

Ronan Rogers, Senior R&D Director at Medtronic discusses the ​newest drug-eluting coronary stent, the Onyx Frontier™ drug-eluting stent (DES)​. ​Onyx Frontier DES includes an enhanced delivery system designed to improve deliverability and increase acute performance in the most challenging cases of patients with coronary artery disease.

Dr. John Pandolfino, M.D., Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Northwestern Medicine discusses the importance of identifying the causes of GERD and gives tips to help treat the condition.

Returning guest, Dr. Gregg Sylvester, Chief Health Officer at CSL Seqirus, one of the world’s largest influenza providers, discusses the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vote around preferred flu vaccines for adults 65+. The vote included CSL Seqirus’ FLUAD ® Quadrivalent as a preferentially recommended seasonal influenza vaccine based on the clinical benefits compared to standard egg-based influenza vaccines. He talks about the implications of this recommendation and how it may translate into improved outcomes for adults 65+, as well as lessen the burden on healthcare systems, expectations for the 2022/23 flu season, choosing a vaccine, and best practices.

Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a board-certified urologist and co-author of a recent consensus statement on saw palmetto extract published in the journal “Uro” discusses enlarged prostate and the role of saw palmetto extract in supporting prostate health.

Kyle Kiser, CEO of Arrive Health, a technology partner for health systems, pharmacies, and insurers that provides drug pricing and insurance coverage data, discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) enforcement of the Hospital & Health Plan Price Transparency Bills and why the legislation is just a starting point for making healthcare pricing less opaque. He talks about the next steps care providers can take beyond the transparency bills to change physician/pharmacist/patient behaviors and drive more affordable care. 

Dr. Gregg Miller, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Vituity,  a national physician staffing organization shares his insight on the current hospital and emergency department landscape amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and newly introduced monkeypox.  He talks about what the public needs to know  to be prepared when visiting the hospital/emergency room and how they’re handling staffing issues and burnout as these issues continue to be prevalent.