Live Greater | A University of Maryland Medical System Podcast

Learn the signs, break the stigma, and discover the support options men need to protect their mental health – and why it is important for all of us. In this episode, Ryan Barnes, DNP, CRNP, FNP-C, nurse practitioner at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Group - Primary Care at Millersville, shares what men really need to know about taking care of their mental health - from spotting the hidden warning signs to finding treatment that works.

TV shows love dramatic trauma scenes—but what’s real and what’s just Hollywood? In this episode, Christopher Michetti, MD, Chief of Trauma and Trauma Medical Director at UM Capital Region Medical Center, walks us through what actually happens when seconds count. Learn how trauma teams coordinate care, what equipment they really use and why the truth is even more impressive than what you see on screen. For more information about Dr. Michetti.

Before the whistle blows, make sure your athlete is truly game-ready. In this episode, Dr. Scott Burger, CMO of UM Urgent Care, breaks down what happens at a sports physical, when to get one and how it helps kids stay safe and strong. For more information about University of Maryland Urgent Care or to find a location, visit umurgentcare.com. Read more about preventing sports injuries on our blog at https://umms.com/Sports-Blog.

Is your young athlete ready for the season? In this episode, we cover how to avoid injuries in youth sports, the importance of pre-season physicals, safe training tips and how to spot when your athlete needs medical attention. Must-know advice from Dr. Scott Burger, Chief Medical Officer at University of Maryland Urgent Care. For more information about University of Maryland Urgent Care or to find a location, visit umurgentcare.com. Read more about preventing sports injuries on our blog at https://umms.com/Sports-Blog.

Hip and knee replacements used to mean days in the hospital and weeks in rehab. Not anymore. In this episode, an orthopedic surgeon explains how advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and recovery planning are helping many patients go home the same day—and get back on their feet faster.

Eating well with diabetes doesn’t have to feel like a burden. In this episode, Lizzy Katz, RD, CDCES, Diabetes Program Coordinator at UM Capital Region Health shares how to make smart food choices, hear realistic tips on dining out and learn how to build a nutrition plan that not only supports glucose control but fits your values, your family, and your life.

There’s more than one way to screen for colon cancer—do you know your options? In this episode, three medical experts from the University of Maryland Midtown Health Center will walk you through the latest in screening options—from colonoscopies to FIT-DNA tests—and how to choose what’s right for you. Learn the facts, understand your risks, and hear real stories of lives saved by timely screening.

Learn how non-invasive cardiology can help diagnose and manage heart disease without surgery or major medical procedures from Dipesh M. Ludhwani, MD, medical director of non-invasive cardiology at UM Shore Regional Medical Group – Cardiology.

From breakthrough treatments to life-saving transfusions, hope is no longer just a dream for people with sickle cell disease. Discover how the University of Maryland Medical System and the American Red Cross are joining forces to fight sickle cell disease - with cutting-edge care and compassion in every drop, featuring Dr. Jennie Law from the UM Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and Sherman Roy from the American Red Cross and a special guest, Dezja Marshall, who is a sickle cell patient and advocate.

Can medications, like shots or pills, help with weight loss, or is surgery the best option? Bariatric surgeons, Erik DeAngelis, MD, and Eleisha Flanagan, MD, from UM Charles Regional Medical Center, explain the pros and cons of both approaches.

Society often blames individuals for obesity, but science tells a different story. Two bariatric surgeons discuss the medical complexities of weight and how stigma affects health outcomes. Join us as we talk to Erik DeAngelis, MD, and Eleisha Flanagan, MD, bariatric surgeons at UM Charles Regional Medical Center.

No matter your age, knowing how to keep your pelvic floor healthy is essential. In this podcast, Fay Wilson, PT, DPT, CLT, a physical therapist at University of Maryland Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation Services who specializes in pelvic floor therapy, shares insights on daily habits that affect pelvic floor health, how pelvic health changes over time, and when it is time to seek help from a specialist.

Let’s face it – losing weight can be hard. And when it comes to obesity, many complex factors can cause excess weight gain and complicate a person’s ability to lose it. When traditional weight loss methods haven’t worked, it might be time to consider a new approach that marries bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes. In this episode, Alexander Aurora, MD, Director of Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatrics at UM Upper Chesapeake Health, describes good candidates for this program, what lifestyle changes are involved and what it takes to make the weight loss stick.

Beyond the doctor’s office, cancer presents emotional and social challenges that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we explore the human side of cancer with Patsy Astarita, LCSW-C, OSW-C, APHSW-C, director of oncology integrated health at UM Upper Chesapeake Health, who shares insights on managing stress, building support systems, and finding hope throughout the journey.

Empower yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about adult vaccines. Join us as we discuss with Dr. Wendie Grader-Beck, a primary care physician at UM St. Joseph Medical Group Primary Care, which vaccines are critical for adults, why they matter and how to make sure you’re covered even if insurance falls short. For more information, Dr. Grader-Beck's recommends these resources: - American College of Physicians - https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-3269 - American Academy of Pediatrics - https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/immunizations/ - CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-schedules/downloads/adults-schedule-easy-read.pdf

Learn how scoliosis is diagnosed in children, the treatment options available, and what parents can do to support their child through this journey from Dr. Julio J. Jauregui, a Spine Surgeon at University of Maryland Medical System and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and an assistant professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Learn about recovery timelines, tips, and what to expect after spine surgery from Robin Fencel, PA-C, Orthopedic Physician Assistant at University of Maryland Medical Center, and Wendy Towers, MSN, a nurse practitioner at UM Shore Medical Group – Neurosurgery in Easton, MD.

Learn expert tips to prevent back pain, injuries, and surgery through exercise, posture, and lifestyle from Dr. Justin Tortolani, spine surgeon and director of the Spine Institute at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and member of the UM Spine Network.

Pneumonia is a common diagnosis in the fall and winter, but it can be extremely serious, even deadly, for some individuals. Learn from Dr. Jeffrey Marshall, a critical care physician and pulmonologist at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, the causes, treatments and how to prevent getting this uncomfortable disease.

Learn how to develop healthy habits that support blood sugar control, reduce stress and fit into a busy lifestyle. Teri White, BS, RN, CDCES, a transitional nurse navigator and diabetes educator at UM Charles Regional Medical Center, shares her top strategies for sustainable diabetes care.