St. Joseph’s Health MedCast

Join orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brad Rayfield from St. Joseph's Health as he shares invaluable insights on how to stay safe during the winter months. Learn about the most common winter injuries and how to prevent them with simple strategies like proper footwear, awareness of icy surfaces, and warming up before outdoor activities. Don't let the winter season become injury season; tune in for expert advice! Learn more about Brad Raphael, MD

Pregnancy is a journey that begins long before conception and continues well after delivery. In this episode, certified nurse midwife Sara Donnelly, CNM, from St. Joseph’s Health shares expert insight into maternal health across every stage—before, during, and after pregnancy. From preparing your body for pregnancy and navigating prenatal care, to understanding postpartum recovery and long‑term wellness, Sara breaks down what expectant and new parents need to know to feel informed, confident, and supported. Whether you’re planning a pregnancy, currently expecting, or adjusting to life after birth, this conversation offers practical guidance, compassionate perspective, and evidence‑based care tips to support both physical and emotional well‑being. Tune in for an informative and empowering discussion focused on healthier outcomes for parents and babies—every step of the way.

Heartburn is common—but the solutions are evolving. On this episode, we’re exploring what’s new at St. Joseph’s Heartburn Center. From integrated care between gastroenterologists and surgeons to advanced techniques like transoral incisionless fundoplication, or TIF, this is care you won’t find anywhere else in Syracuse. Dr. Beata Belfield joins us to break down what these innovations mean for patients and how you can find out if you’re a candidate. Learn more about Beata Belfield, MD, FACS

In this episode, we sit down with leading medical oncologist, Dr. Haider Khadim from St. Joseph's Health, to talk about what’s new—and what’s next—in breast cancer treatment. From groundbreaking therapies to updated screening guidelines, we break down the latest advancements in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re a patient, a loved one, or just curious about the science behind the headlines, this episode is packed with insights, compassion, and clarity.

Dr. Julie Moore, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Joseph’s Health discusses the vision and impact of the Vizient Nurse Residency Program. Dr. Moore shares her insights on preparing new nurses for practice, the importance of structured support, and how the program is helping reduce turnover while strengthening the future of nursing. Tune in for an inspiring look at leadership, innovation, and the heart of nursing at St. Joseph’s. Learn more about Julie Moore, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN

Dr. Po Lam, a nationally recognized urologist and robotic surgeon affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health and Associated Medical Professionals of NY, is part of a team of surgeons who are leading the way in Central New York with the da Vinci SP (Single Port) robotic surgical system, a cutting-edge technology that allows complex procedures to be performed through a single small incision. Learn more about Po Lam, MD

Dr. Monique Winnett, a clinical psychologist with expertise in child and adolescent development, discusses practical insights on how we can support our children this school year. Learn more about Monique Winnett, PsyD

Dr. Julie Colvin, family medicine physician at St. Joseph's Health, shares her insights on understanding and managing blood pressure, offering practical advice to help you take charge of your heart health.

Dr. Haidy Marzouk, otolaryngologist (ENT) with St. Joseph’s Health, discusses what causes allergies, how to manage them, and when it's time to see a specialist.

Alexis Gantos, Life Coach for the St. Joseph’s Health Diabetes Prevention Program, discusses practical strategies for preventing Type 2 diabetes. She shares expert insights on lifestyle changes, nutrition, and sustainable habits that can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re at risk for diabetes or looking to lead a healthier life, this conversation will provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

Heartburn—it’s more than just a minor annoyance for millions of people. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beata Belfield from St. Joseph's Health, a minimally invasive general surgeon, to uncover the real causes of heartburn, when it signals something more serious like GERD, and what you can do to prevent long-term complications. We’ll explore lifestyle changes, medical treatments, and when surgery might be necessary. If you've ever dealt with that burning sensation in your chest, you won’t want to miss this expert breakdown of everything you need to know about heartburn.

Dr. Monique Winnett, Clinical Psychologist at St. Joseph's Health, explores the growing crisis of loneliness and its profound impact on both our physical and mental health. Tune in as we uncover why loneliness is a silent epidemic and what steps we can take to combat it—both individually and as a community.

Dr. Vanessa Lalley-Demong, family medicine and sports medicine specialist at St. Joseph's Health, discusses the signs/symptoms of concussions.

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases. Kassandra Foley, Regional Director of Infection Prevention for St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse and St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany, shares helpful information on what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from tick-borne illnesses.

Ryan Planer, MD, discusses the importance of water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children. It only takes a moment for a child or weak swimmer to drown. By teaming up to improve swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and assisting each other, water activities can be safer and just as enjoyable.

Dr. Brad Raphael discusses the common types of injuries - sprains, strains, fractures, broken bones and dislocations. How do you know if the pain you're feeling is serious?

St. Joseph's Health recently launched a groundbreaking Cancer Care service line, bringing exceptional oncology services to Central New York. With medical oncology provided in collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, this initiative reinforces the Hospital's commitment to providing personalized, patient-centric cancer care close to home.

St. Joseph’s Health became the first facility in Central New York to acquire da Vinci robotic surgery technology and start a comprehensive program for patient care – not long after the FDA approved da Vinci for general surgery. Surgeons performed 43 robotic surgeries the first (partial) year, nearly quadrupling that number the following year. St. Joseph’s Health has performed more than 14,000 robotic surgeries to date. Patients experience less scarring, shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries, less pain and few infections with da Vinci.

St. Joseph's Health has implemented an innovative care model that benefits patients, families, nurses, and our community. It’s called TogetherTeam Virtual Connected Care™. This new transformational team care delivery model includes an experienced virtual RN, a direct care RN and a care partner. It’s unlike any other model and we’re proud to be the first hospital in the county to implement a virtual nursing program.

How do you know if your sickness is worthy of an ED visit, urgent care or your doctor’s office? Dr. Harris Ahmed, Associate Medical Director of the St. Joseph’s Health Hospital Emergency Department has answers.