INTERVIEWS

Courtney Bitz, LCSW, MSW, director of Clinical Social Work and Spiritual Care in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine at City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles, discusses the Couple’s Coping with Cancer Together program. She is joined by Gayle Whittemore, a breast cancer patient at City of Hope who, with her wife, raised $200,000 and collaborated with City of Hope to start a supportive care program where patients and their loved ones can learn how to go through a cancer diagnosis together. The program guides caregivers on how they could provide support and also receive the support they need so that the relationship remains strong. This program is one of the only programs of its kind and is offered as part of the normal continuum of care provided to patients and families at City of Hope. It is tailored to the unique needs of English and Spanish-speaking couples regardless of sexual orientation or relationship status. Since its inception, Couple’s Coping with Cancer Together at City of Hope has helped nearly 2,300 couples navigate a cancer diagnosis. 

Dr. Kleanthis Xanthopoulos, co-founder,  Chairman  and CEO of Shoreline Biosciences, discusses the development of genetically engineered induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived allogeneic natural killer (NK) and macrophage products that are intelligently designed for greater  specificity, potency and persistence, overcoming the limitations of early cell therapies, for use in oncology and regenerative medicine. 

Lisa Johnson-Pratt, MD, Senior Vice President, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, discusses her involvement in causes related to people of color, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and women/girls advocacy. She is a board member of Young People in Recovery and creator of Life After Abuse. 

Dr. Peter Cathcart, internal medicine specialist in Nashville, Tennessee discusses his experience using the NextGen ® Mobile app on his phone to access homeless patients’ medical records, prescription lists, appointments and detailed care plans from previous providers.

Dr. Elizabeth Nghiem, infectious disease specialist at the ETN Medical Infusion Center in Orange County, CA discusses REGEN-COV, COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy for both treatment and post-exposure prevention in people who are at high risk of progression to severe disease, including those with underlying conditions. She talks about the need for more awareness among providers and shares her experience administering this therapy. 

Dr. John McGrail, a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Self Improvement Expert discusses his book, The Synthesis Effect that aims to help people create health, wellness, personal change quickly and profoundly.

Dr. Jessica Solis-McCarthy, MD, FACEP, emergency medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio and University Hospital and spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), discusses misconceptions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine and address​es​ the most common concerns she has encountered from those hesitant to receive the​ shot. 

Dave Craig, two-time cancer survivor, co-founder and CEO of GRYT Health, a digital oncology company that empowers people to be in charge of their own health through education, engagement and support, discusses the partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb to host the third annual Global Virtual Cancer Conference (GVCC) November 11-13, 2021.   The conference is a completely free and virtual program designed to bring resources and a voice to patients regardless of their geography, finances, or treatment status.    Since its inception in 2019, GVCC had over 5,000 attendees from 50 countries, featured 200 speakers and housed 100 virtual booths from patient advocacy organizations.    He also talks about why GVCC was created and how it is transforming the way pharma listens to patients.

Dr. Jay Spence, PhD, clinical psychologist and Chief Product Officer at Uprise Health discusses why it’s so vital for employers and health plans to offer validated, timely and coordinated mental health care that’s proactive and preventative. They offer new digitally-enabled mental health services, including clinically-validated, self-guided mental health and wellbeing coaching, and chronic condition management. 

Dr. Nora Colburn, MD, MPH, an infectious disease expert and Clinical Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center discusses the lack of any evidence to support that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility or any problems during pregnancy and that it may offer pregnant women who receive the vaccine protection that’s passed along to their newborn. She debunks common vaccine myths – especially those concerning pregnant women – and talks about ways to identify credible sources of medical information.