Baptist HealthTalk

Breast cancer treatment may end, but survivorship brings a new set of physical and emotional challenges. In this deeply personal conversation, host Johanna Gomez and fellow breast cancer survivor Andrea de Armas share what life after diagnosis and treatment has really looked like for them.

They talk candidly about the parts of survivorship that are often harder to see from the outside, including:

• Building a strong support system and learning not to go through cancer alone
• Being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age and confronting an unexpected future
• Speaking up, asking questions and advocating for yourself during treatment
• Anxiety, panic attacks and the emotional impact that can continue after treatment
• Body image, reconstruction and learning to feel comfortable in a changed body
• Dating, relationships and family planning after breast cancer
• Why the end of chemotherapy or radiation does not always feel like the end of the journey
• Finding perspective, confidence and hope while moving forward

Johanna and Andrea offer an honest reminder to anyone facing breast cancer: survivorship is not one single moment. It is an ongoing process of healing, adapting and learning how to live fully again.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Breast Cancer Survivor
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Andrea de Armas
Breast Cancer Survivor

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Leg pain, swelling, numbness or cold feet can be easy to dismiss — especially when you’re young and otherwise healthy. But when do those symptoms point to a circulation problem, and how early can vascular disease actually begin?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  What vascular disease is and how it affects arteries, veins and lymphatics 
•  Why vascular disease can develop silently for years before symptoms appear 
•  Warning signs such as reproducible leg cramping, swelling, numbness and cold limbs 
•  Risk factors including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and vaping 
•  How to tell everyday leg soreness from circulation-related pain 
•  What happens during a vascular evaluation and which tests may be used 
•  How exercise, medications and minimally invasive treatments can help 
•  Simple lifestyle steps that may reduce vascular risk over time 

Host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with Dr. Young Lee, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, about how to recognize vascular disease earlier and what you can do to protect your circulation for the long term.

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Young Christina Lee, M.D.
Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet the warning signs can be easy to miss or mistaken for stress, menopause or everyday fatigue. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with cardiologist Dr. Andrea Vitello about the symptoms, risk factors and life stages that can affect a woman’s heart health.

They discuss:

•  Subtle heart symptoms women should not ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, jaw pain and shoulder discomfort 
•  How pregnancy complications, menopause and autoimmune conditions can influence cardiovascular risk 
•  Why family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar matter earlier in life than many people realize 
•  The connection between chronic stress, poor sleep and heart health 
•  What early heart disease prevention and personalized cardiovascular care can look like 
•  Three everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference: healthy eating, quality sleep and regular exercise 
•  Why women should trust their instincts, advocate for themselves and ask questions when something does not feel right 

Dr. Vitello also explains how Baptist Health’s women’s heart program takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk across every stage of life.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Andrea Vitello, M.D. 
Cardiologist 
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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What does a prostate cancer diagnosis really mean — and how do you know when screening or treatment is needed? Prostate cancer is common, but not every case carries the same risk, and today’s diagnostic tools and treatment options can help men make more informed decisions while protecting quality of life.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Willard Shepard speaks with urologist and surgical oncologist Dr. Manuel Ozambela of Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and the technology changing how the disease is treated.

•  Why prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages 
•  How PSA testing works and what an elevated PSA may — and may not — mean 
•  Who may be at higher risk based on family history, genetics and race 
•  How MRI and targeted biopsy help diagnose prostate cancer 
•  How robotic surgery, HIFU and IRE are expanding treatment options 
•  How PSMA imaging helps doctors determine where cancer is located 
•  How AI is beginning to improve prostate imaging and treatment planning 
•  Why preserving urinary and sexual function is an important part of treatment 

The takeaway: knowing your personal risk, talking with your physician and staying current with screening can help detect prostate cancer earlier — when more treatment options may be available.

Host:
Willard Shepard
Award-Winning Journalist

Guest:
Manuel Ozambela, M.D.
Urologic Surgical Oncologist
Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute

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High cholesterol can start damaging your arteries long before you feel anything — and your total cholesterol number does not tell the whole story. So when should you start checking it, what do LDL and other cholesterol particles really mean, and when are lifestyle changes no longer enough?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Sanjeev Gulati about how cholesterol contributes to heart attacks and heart failure, why screening should begin earlier than many people think, and the treatment options available today.

•  Why high cholesterol is directly linked to heart attack risk 
•  Common cholesterol myths, including the idea that diet is the only cause 
•  How LDL and lipoprotein(a) contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation 
•  How uncontrolled cholesterol can ultimately contribute to heart failure 
•  Why cholesterol screening may need to begin in your 20s 
•  How family history and familial hypercholesterolemia change cardiovascular risk 
•  Lifestyle steps that can help lower cholesterol 
•  When cholesterol-lowering medication may be needed 
•  Why cholesterol control remains critical even after a heart attack 
•  How advanced lipid testing can provide a clearer picture of individual risk

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Sanjeev Kumar Gulati, M.D., 
Executive Deputy Director
System Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

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Endometrial cancer cases are rising — and abnormal bleeding is the warning sign women should never ignore. Who is most at risk, why are more women being diagnosed, and what symptoms should prompt a call to your doctor?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. John Diaz, gynecological oncologist at the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, about what women need to know about endometrial cancer, from early warning signs and risk factors to diagnosis, treatment and fertility-preserving options.

•  Why endometrial cancer cases are increasing in the U.S. and around the world 
•  How obesity and prolonged estrogen exposure can raise risk 
•  The abnormal bleeding patterns women should report — including after menopause 
•  Other warning signs such as pelvic pain, bloating and abnormal discharge 
•  Why endometrial cancer can also affect younger women 
•  How doctors diagnose endometrial cancer and why there is no routine screening test 
•  Treatment options for early and advanced disease, including immunotherapy 
•  When fertility-sparing treatment may be possible 
•  How family history and Lynch syndrome can affect risk

Host:
Sandra Peebles
Award-Winning Journalist

Guest:
John P. Diaz, M.D.
Chief of Gynecologic Oncology
Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute
Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology, FIU

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Why would a neurologist recommend an infusion instead of a pill, and what should patients expect when they arrive for treatment? Neuro infusion therapy can be used for conditions including multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease, but the process can feel unfamiliar or intimidating at first.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Janisse Marin and Leah Marcelin about how neurological infusion therapy works, why it may be recommended, and how care teams help patients through treatment.

•  What neuro infusion therapy is and how it differs from chemotherapy 
•  Why an infusion may be chosen instead of an oral medication 
•  What happens before, during and after an infusion appointment 
•  Common side effects and how patients are monitored for reactions 
•  How infusion therapy is used for multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease 
•  Why some treatments are designed to slow disease progression rather than immediately relieve symptoms 
•  How education and a coordinated care team can make treatment less overwhelming

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guests:
Janisse P. Marin RN, MSN
Chief Nursing Officer/Assistant Vice President 
Baptist Outpatient Services

Halena Leah Marcelin, PharmD
Assistant Vice President, Pharmacy Business Affairs & Development
Baptist Health

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Infusion Care for Osteoporosis: What Patients Should Know

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After a breast cancer diagnosis, what happens first—seeing an oncologist, having surgery or starting chemotherapy? And how do doctors decide between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Mehran Habibi, Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery with Baptist Health Cancer Care, to answer common questions patients search online about breast cancer surgery and treatment.

They discuss:

•  The difference between a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist 
•  Who patients typically see first after a breast cancer diagnosis 
•  How doctors decide whether chemotherapy or surgery comes first 
•  Why chemo first does not automatically mean the cancer is more aggressive 
•  Whether chemotherapy can be shortened when a tumor responds well 
•  Why second opinions and breast cancer specialists can matter 
•  The truth about the myth that surgery or biopsy can make breast cancer spread 
•  Why treatment may still be needed after a tumor is removed 
•  How doctors and patients choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy 
•  Why feeling fine is not a reason to delay recommended treatment 
•  How lymph node involvement affects staging and treatment 
•  Options for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction 
•  How AI is beginning to support breast imaging, surgical planning and treatment decisions 

Subscribe to Baptist Health for more expert conversations on health, wellness, prevention and treatment.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Mehran Habibi, M.D.
Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery 
Baptist Health Cancer Care

If you found this episode helpful, we recommend these links for additional information:

Breast Cancer in Young Women: Signs, Screenings, and When to Speak

Life After Breast Cancer: Fear, Healing, and Hope

Sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing repeatedly during the night — sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times — without you realizing it. And while loud snoring is a common warning sign, it is not the only one.

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with sleep specialist Dr. Edward Mezerhane about how sleep apnea affects the body, the symptoms people often miss, and what can happen when the condition goes untreated.

They also break down how sleep apnea is diagnosed, why weight and airway anatomy matter, what to do if CPAP is difficult to tolerate, and the other treatment options available.

•  What sleep apnea is and how common it may be 
•  Why people can stop breathing without realizing it 
•  Common and overlooked symptoms of sleep apnea 
•  The connection between sleep apnea, weight gain and heart health 
•  Whether losing weight can improve sleep apnea 
•  How sleep studies confirm a diagnosis 
•  Ways to make CPAP easier to tolerate 
•  Alternatives to CPAP, including oral appliances and surgical options 

Sleep apnea is highly treatable. If you regularly wake up exhausted, snore loudly, or a bed partner notices pauses in your breathing, getting evaluated may help improve both your sleep and your long-term health.

For more health and wellness information, visit BaptistHealth.net/News.

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Edward Mezerhane, M.D.
Sleep Medicine Physician

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Weight loss medications can bring the number on the scale down quickly—but are you losing fat, muscle or both? And why do some people feel weaker or less healthy even while the pounds are coming off?

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with clinical pharmacy specialist Erin Dorval and physician assistant Lisa Davis about what GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are doing inside the body, why muscle preservation matters and how resistance training and nutrition support healthier, more sustainable results.

They discuss:

•  Why rapid weight loss can include significant muscle loss 
•  How GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and quiet “food noise” 
•  Why resistance training should begin at the start of treatment 
•  What “Ozempic face” really is—and what causes it 
•  How protein, hydration and smaller portions may help manage side effects 
•  Why medication dosage does not always need to keep increasing 
•  The risks of rapid weight loss and unmonitored compounded medications 
•  How pharmacists, cardiology teams and other providers can work together 
•  Practical ways to build healthier habits without trying to change everything at once 

The goal is not simply to lose weight. It is to improve strength, function, metabolic health and long-term quality of life.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guests:
Erin Dorval, PharmD, CPh
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Baptist Health

Lisa K. Davis, DMSc, PA-C, CLS
Physician Assistant
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

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