General Medicine and Primary Care

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Marie Wood, MD Traditional cancer screening has always focused on individual organs, but now, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are changing that paradigm. By analyzing multiple biomarkers through a single blood draw, MCED testing can detect signals from a variety of cancers—many of which currently lack effective screening tools. These multi-biomarker approaches not only outperform single-marker tests, but also demonstrate scientific rigor and clinical utility. Still, challenges remain, including false positives and integration with standard screening protocols. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to explore the rationale for using a multi-biomarker approach to MCED testing is Dr. Marie Wood, Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Hereditary Cancer Program at the CU Cancer Center.

Guest: Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH Despite available options like stool-based testing and colonoscopy, colorectal cancer screening rates remain low. Blood-based testing, however, has the potential to improve adherence by offering a convenient alternative. Join Dr. Aasma Shaukat as she discusses the clinical performance of blood-based testing, its limitations, and its role in real-world settings. Dr. Shaukat is the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine and a Professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She also serves as the Director of Outcomes Research in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NYU Langone Health.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Hallie Blevins, PhD. Guest: Marlene Mimi Maeusli, PhD. With one in three eligible Americans still unscreened for colorectal cancer (CRC), there’s an urgent need for noninvasive and affordable alternatives to colonoscopy. A 2025 study published in ACS Sensors introduces a novel aptamer-based colorimetric assay that targets Parvimonas micra—a gut microbe linked to CRC. To learn more, Mr. Ryan Quigley speaks with Drs. Hallie Blevins and Mimi Maeusli about how this technology works, what sets it apart from current testing methods, and why it could play a role in improving early CRC detection.

Immune imprinting refers to how the immune system's first encounter with a virus, such as influenza, leaves a lasting imprint that shapes future immune responses. However, influenza vaccines may affect this process—particularly when egg-based ones are used. Tune in to learn about the impact of immune imprinting, the role that vaccines play in this process, and how switching to non-egg-based vaccines could help redirect immune responses and possibly create more effective defenses in people of all ages. References: Pathogens J ImmunolVaccines (Basel)J Clin Invest USA-CRP-24-0038 July 2025

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Blen Girmay, MD Because standard-dose vaccines usually produce only modest immunogenic responses in people age 65 years and older, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, as of June 2022, recommended this age group receive either an adjuvanted or higher-dose seasonal influenza vaccine. A pragmatic, head-to-head randomized study compared FLUAD and the high-dose influenza vaccine over the course of two influenza seasons. Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss this study and its findings from the first season (2023-2024) is Dr. Blen Girmay, a Johns Hopkins fellowship-trained primary care geriatrician at Inova Health System in Fairfax, Virginia. References: Influenza Other Respir VirusesMMWR Recomm Rep

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Johanna Finkle, MD, FACOG As GLP-1 therapies grow in popularity for weight management and diabetes, an unexpected consequence has emerged: a rise in unplanned pregnancies due to reduced oral contraceptive effectiveness. Dr. Jennifer Caudle sits down with Dr. Johanna Finkle, a weight loss specialist and OB/GYN at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the mechanisms behind this trend and outline practical, long-acting contraceptive alternatives that maintain efficacy during GLP-1 use.

Guest: Pedro Nascimento de Lima, PhD Conflicting colorectal cancer screening (CRC) guidelines have sometimes led to confusion over optimal starting ages and strategies. Join Dr. Pedro Nascimento de Lima as he walks through a comprehensive modeling study that tested 26 different strategies over 4,000 scenarios to test how and when it is most effective to screen. Dr. Nascimento de Lima is an Engineer at RAND, a Professor at the RAND School of Public Policy, and an investigator with the colorectal modeling group of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network.

Guest: Reid Ness, MD The NCCN Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening recently provided updates for patients at average and increased risk—most notably, lowering the recommended starting age from 50 to 45. Hear Dr. Reid Ness walk through the updates in depth, providing insight on screening protocols for different patient populations. Dr. Ness is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, faculty with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and the Chairman of the committee that developed the colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Gloria Coronado, PhD Colorectal cancer screening saw significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenge that has also been reflected during natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. Dr. Gloria Coronado joins Dr. Charles Turck to discuss how these kinds of crises impact screening rates and how a focus on community-based care, telehealth and home-based testing, and targeted efforts for underserved populations can strengthen resilience and ensure continuity of care during future disasters. Dr. Coronado is a Professor of Epidemiology and the Associate Director of Population Science for the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Rashmi B. Halker Singh, M.D. Stigma and misconceptions around migraine can lead to misdiagnosis, undertreatment, and inequitable care, especially in emergency and primary care settings. Listening to patients, validating lived experiences, and enhancing clinical training to recognize migraine as a complex neurologic disorder can help shift the narrative. Learn more as Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Dr. Rashmi Halker Singh about how we can prioritize inclusive, informed, and effective migraine management. Dr. Halker Singh is a Professor of Neurology, and she sits on the Executive Board of Directors at the American Headache Society.

Guest: Audrey Bui, DO Genetic insights are reshaping how we understand the development and comorbidities of psoriasis, as well as treatment response in patients. Hear Dr. Audrey Bui discuss how genetic variants influence risks for certain conditions, how they may predict response to therapies like methotrexate, ustekinumab, and IL-17 inhibitors, and how integrating genetic markers into clinical care can enable more targeted, effective psoriasis management. Dr. Bui is a recent graduate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and an intern at the University of Central Florida prior to starting her dermatology residency at Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Jeff Brandes By embedding evidence-based metrics directly into existing workflows, the partnership between the American Medical Association (AMA) and Azara Healthcare supports providers in proactively managing hypertension. To learn more about how integrating the AMA MAP™ Hypertension Quality Improvement Program into Azara’s population health tools empowers clinicians to seamlessly deliver guideline-driven care, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Mr. Jeff Brandes, President and CEO of Azara Healthcare.

Guest: Meena B. Bansal, MD, FAASLD Guest: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Guest: Fernando Bril, MD The epidemic of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is fully upon the US healthcare system, and it's projected to get worse. The prevalence of MASLD in the US is expected to increase from 33.7% in 2020 to 41.4% in 2050, which translates to approximately 122 million adults being affected. Our broadcast on Global Fatty Liver Day provides practical and engaging discussions to help endocrinologists and primary care providers better understand the use of noninvasive tests and biomarkers for timely screening and primary risk assessment, treatment and management of cardiometabolic risk, and assignment to the appropriate level of care for patients with MASLD/MASH.

Guest: John Golden Guest: Michael Greenberg, MD EEG-guided headphones from Vital Neuro present a new frontier in anxiety management through personalized, real-time neurofeedback and music therapy. Dr. Michael Greenberg speaks with Vital Neuro CEO John Golden about the science behind these devices, their effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms, and how they can integrate into daily life.

Guest: John Golden Host: Michael Greenberg, MD Neuro-responsive EEG headphones are helping healthcare professionals combat burnout by promoting calm, focus, and resilience. Backed by neuroscience and real-time brain monitoring, this personalized technology blends music and neurofeedback to optimize mental states and reduce stress. Hear from Vital Neuro CEO John Golden as he joins Dr. Michael Greenberg to discuss this device's impact in clinical workflows, from pre-op anxiety management to enhanced physician well-being.

Host: Peter Buch, MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP Guest: Michael Camilleri, MD GLP-1 receptor agonists are revolutionizing treatment for diabetes and obesity, but their impact on the gastrointestinal tract demands careful clinical attention. Dr. Peter Buch is joined by Dr. Michael Camilleri, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research in Rochester, Minnesota, to discuss key findings on gastrointestinal side effects, procedural risks, and the impacts of GLP-1 receptor agonists on the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA Guest: Faiyaz Syed MD, MPH The Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) recently partnered with the AMA to implement the AMA MAP™ Hypertension Quality Improvement Program at two pilot health centers. After this collaboration resulted in a 6 percent improvement in hypertension control, it’s now expanding to all other MPCA health centers and could even focus on other conditions like diabetes. Joining Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley to share his experience with the AMA MAP™ program is Dr. Faiyaz Syed, Chief Medical Officer for the MPCA.

Host: Riccardo Maria Inciardi, MD, PhD Listen to Dr. Riccardo Inciardi’s summary from the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2025 meeting, where he highlights new therapies reshaping the management of cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome and heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF). Watch as he breaks down the latest clinical trial data showing that SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the nonsteroidal MRA finerenone can meaningfully reduce hospitalizations, kidney disease progression, and cardiovascular mortality. A real-life patient case illustrates how combining these therapies—under the care of a multidisciplinary team—can transform outcomes.

Host: Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, Mphil Guest: Ty J. Gluckman, MD, MHA, FACC, FAHA, FASPC Join our experts for case-based episodes that focus on bridging the gap between rural health and cardiovascular disease. Experts will explore ASCVD prevention and treatment by reviewing patient risk factors and determining ASCVD risk reduction strategies. This activity is designed to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to make impactful decisions in cardiovascular care.

Host: Ty J. Gluckman, MD, MHA, FACC, FAHA, FASPC Guest: Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, Mphil Join our experts for case-based episodes that focus on bridging the gap between rural health and cardiovascular disease. Experts will explore ASCVD prevention and treatment by reviewing patient risk factors and determining ASCVD risk reduction strategies. This activity is designed to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to make impactful decisions in cardiovascular care.