Weekly Dose of Wellness

As summer approaches, kids are spending more time outside—riding bikes, climbing on playgrounds, and walking through their neighborhoods. It’s a season full of adventure and fresh air, but it also brings a higher risk of injuries. That’s why we’re turning to Jennifer Rodriguez from Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program. In this episode, she shares practical safety tips every parent and caregiver should know. From pedestrian safety to preventing playground injuries and making sure helmets are worn correctly, Jennifer covers the essentials to help keep kids safe while they enjoy the sunshine. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or just someone who cares about the well-being of kids in your community, this is a conversation worth tuning into.

The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, not unexpected trips to the emergency room. Unfortunately, pediatric emergency departments often experience a 10% to 20% increase in visits during the weeks leading up to and following the holidays. In this podcast, Jen Rodriguez, injury prevention coordinator, will share valuable insight on how to ensure a safer holiday season when selecting gifts for children.

This podcast episode will explain the science and safety of childhood vaccines, highlighting how they prevent serious illnesses and protect individual children and the broader community. It will emphasize why timely vaccination is crucial for public health.

Leslie Young M.D. discusses when parents should take their kids to the emergency room vs. urgent care. He shares the services urgent care can provide before going directly to the emergency room. He also shares how accessible urgent care is and the ability to get in line from your phone - as well as receive virtual urgent care. He does mention immediate alarming signs for when a child should go into the emergency room.

In this episode, Phillip Yuan, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, discusses how MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is revolutionizing spine surgery with the Stryker Q Spine Guidance 5 System with Copilot. He explains how this advanced technology enhances surgical precision, improves patient outcomes, and streamlines procedures, making spine surgery safer and more efficient than ever before.

In this episode, Dr. Ioana Pal, adolescent psychologist at the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, will explore the emotional and psychological toll school shootings have on children and teens. Whether they’ve experienced a shooting directly or are affected by the constant coverage, kids today are growing up in a world where safety at school is no longer guaranteed. Dr. Pal will discuss how exposure to violence impacts mental health, what signs of trauma parents and educators should look for, and how to help children process fear and anxiety in healthy ways.

In this episode, Stephanie Davis, Speech-Language Pathologist at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, shares what every parent should know about pediatric speech therapy, from understanding what it is and how it works to knowing when it might benefit your child. Speech-language pathologists do more than help children say their first words, they support development in areas like speech sounds, language, social communication, and even feeding skills. Whether your child is a toddler who isn’t talking yet or a school-aged child facing communication challenges, this episode offers practical insights into what to watch for, what to expect from therapy, and how families can play an active role in their child’s progress.

As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, emergency departments across the country brace for one of their busiest times of the year. In this episode, Tassia Trink, Trauma Service PI Coordinator at Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, will talk about firework safety and the very real risks families face when fireworks are handled at home. From sparklers to backyard fireworks shows, no firework is truly safe, and the consequences can be life-changing. Tassia will break down the most common injuries seen in the ER and trauma department, safer alternatives for family celebrations, and what every parent should know before handing a child a sparkler.

Would you know what to do if someone was bleeding out — at school, in a car crash, or during a mass casualty event? In this eye-opening episode, Tassia Trink, Trauma Service PI Coordinator at Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, shares the vital skills behind the "Stop the Bleed" initiative. This national campaign is turning everyday people into emergency responders by teaching simple, life-saving steps that can mean the difference between life and death. Whether it’s an accident or an active shooter situation, knowing how to control bleeding can save lives in just minutes. Learn how trauma professionals are equipping communities with these critical tools, and how you can be empowered to act when every second counts.

Dr. May Nour, interventional neuroradiologist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, explores the life-saving impact of the Mobile Stroke Unit. Dr. Nour shares how this “hospital on wheels” is transforming emergency stroke care by bringing rapid diagnosis and treatment directly to patients—when every second counts.

In this episode, Dr. Torin Cunningham, medical director of the Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, will discuss scoliosis in children – a condition that, when detected early, can lead to better long-term outcomes. Dr. Cunningham will explain what scoliosis is, how to recognize early signs, and why timely screening is important. Listeners will learn about the latest technology, when to screen their children, and how families can play a key role in early intervention.

This podcast episode explores the life-saving power of clot-busting drugs in stroke treatment and why every second counts when a stroke occurs. Dr. Patel explains how these medications work, the critical time window for their effectiveness, and the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms early to seek immediate medical care.

In the episode “The Role of Occupational Therapy in a Children’s Hospital”, expert Dr. Shawna Townsend will explore the essential role of occupational therapy in children's hospitals. Listeners will discover how occupational therapists support physical, cognitive, and emotional development, collaborate with other specialists, and make a significant impact on long-term developmental outcomes for children.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should and should not be confused with a heart attack. Leading and advanced treatment can help improve the symptoms of heart failure and may help some people live longer. Dr. Yoon will explain how MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center helps those with heart failure live longer, while preserving their quality of life.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, with one person dying every 33 seconds from heart disease. To help prevent this, it’s important to get routine heart screenings to find heart disease before it escalates.

Dr. Marshall Gillette discusses palliative care, who can benefit from it, what it looks like in practice, and more.

Join pediatric psychologist Dr. Amy Morse as she offers expert advice to parents navigating the complex impact of social media on children’s mental health. From understanding social media habits to fostering healthy self-esteem, this podcast empowers parents with practical strategies to help their kids thrive in the digital world.

Dr. Asif Harsolia debunks the common misconceptions or misunderstandings of radiation treatment. By providing better understanding of what radiation treatment is and what it entails can help provide a better understanding to patients who are needing radiation treatment and put their mind at ease.

In this episode, Mitchell Tsurudome, PT, discusses common vestibular issues such as dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders, which can increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults. He highlights the specialized Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation Program at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, explaining how expert evaluation and tailored therapy can help patients regain stability, improve mobility, and enhance their overall quality of life.

This podcast will focus on the scope of practice and responsibilities of social workers in children’s hospitals, highlighting their critical role in supporting families and patients. Lori Rabner and Ana Perez Rodriguez will speak to their work in helping families navigate complex medical conditions, manage emotional and psychological challenges, advocate for the needs of children and families, and access community resources such as financial assistance and support groups.