Baptist HealthTalk

Heart health is brain health. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar don’t just affect your heart—they can also increase stroke risk and impact memory and long-term brain function.

In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. Marcus St. John, interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Nestor Beltre, neurologist and movement disorder specialist, about how shared risk factors connect heart disease and cognitive health. They explain why keeping blood pressure in a healthy range may lower the risk of cognitive impairment, why exercise is truly “fertilizer for the brain,” and how the Mediterranean lifestyle supports both heart and brain health.

The doctors also address common misconceptions about supplements and explain how stress and depression can mimic memory problems—often mistaken for early dementia. Learn practical, evidence-based steps you can take today to protect both your heart and your brain.

Host:
Sandra Peebles
Award-Winning Journalist

Guests:
Marcus St. John, M.D.
Interventional Cardiologist
Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Nestor Beltre, M.D.
Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist
Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

If you’ve been putting off your annual checkup or aren’t sure what should happen during your primary care visit, this conversation breaks it all down. 

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, chief of surgery for Baptist Hospital of Miami and Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Baptist Health, sits down with Dr. Ravindra Ganesh, internal medicine physician with Baptist Health Concierge Medicine, to explain why primary care is the foundation of long-term health. 

They discuss what screenings and labs actually matter, how age and family history guide preventive care, and why things like blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, and lifestyle habits shouldn’t be ignored. Dr. Ganesh also clears up common myths around supplements, vaccines, and testing—helping patients feel more confident and informed about their health decisions. 

Watch now to learn how a proactive primary care approach can help catch problems early and keep you healthier all year long.

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

Guest:
Ravindra Ganesh, M.D.
Internal Medicine Physician 
Baptist Health Concierge Medicine

What does it take to stay healthy through the most demanding hockey seasons?
 
In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk joins broadcaster Steve Goldstein and Dr. Gautam Yagnik, team physician with Baptist Health, for an inside look at elite athlete recovery and performance.
 
Tkachuk shares how his approach to recovery has evolved—from post-game routines and cold tubs to nutrition, sleep optimization, and mental preparation. Dr. Yagnik explains how Baptist Health supports professional athletes behind the scenes and how the same principles used in elite sports medicine can benefit everyday people.
 
This conversation explores:
Why sleep is now a top performance priority
How recovery starts immediately after competition
The role of nutrition, hydration, and mental health
What non-athletes can learn from elite hockey care
 
Whether you’re an athlete or simply focused on staying active and healthy, this episode highlights how Baptist Health’s sports medicine expertise helps people perform at their best—on and off the ice.

Host:
Steve Goldstein
Television Play-by-Play Broadcaster
Florida Panthers 

Guests:
Matthew Tkachuck
Left Wing
Florida Panthers

Gautam Yagnik, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon and Florida Panthers Team Physician
Baptist Health Orthopedic Care

Diabetes often develops silently, and by the time symptoms appear, it may have already been there for years. 

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Pascual DeSantis, Chief of Endocrinology, and Dr. Paolo Carvalho, Geriatric and Family Medicine Physician at Baptist Health, to break down what diabetes really is and why so many people miss the early warning signs. 

The experts explain the differences between type 1, type 2, and pre-diabetes, common symptoms people brush off, and how lifestyle, genetics, and age all play a role. They also discuss what’s happening inside the body, why follow-up care matters, and how uncontrolled blood sugar can affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, and vision. Watch now to learn what signs to look for—and when it’s time to talk to your doctor.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guests:
Pascual De Santis, M.D. 
Chief of Endocrinology 
Baptist Health

Paulo Carvalho, M.D.
Geriatric Medicine & Family Medicine Physician
Baptist Health Concierge Medicine 

If you’re confused by weight loss medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, diet trends, or bariatric surgery options, you’re not alone. 

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, chief of surgery for Baptist Hospital of Miami and Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Baptist Health, sits down with Dr. Timothy Nowack, a general and bariatric surgeon, to separate fact from fiction and explain what actually works for long-term weight loss. They break down how GLP-1 weight loss medications work, who they’re for, what kind of results are realistic, and why obesity is a chronic disease—not a personal failure. 

The conversation also explores when diet and lifestyle changes may be enough, when medications can help, and when weight loss surgery becomes an important option. 

If you’re trying to make safe, informed decisions about your health without the hype, this episode provides clear, expert guidance. Watch now to learn which weight loss path may be right for you.

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

Guest:
Timothy Nowack, M.D.
General Surgeon
Baptist Health

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and when caught early, it’s often highly curable. In fact, reports say Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. However, many women still have unanswered questions about symptoms, screening and what a diagnosis really means. 

In this Baptist HealthTalk episode, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Ryan Kahn, a gynecologic oncologist with Baptist Health Cancer Care, to answer the most searched questions women have about cervical cancer. 

They cover why early stages are often symptom-free, the warning signs to watch for, how survival rates change by stage and what treatment can look like (surgery, chemo, radiation and newer targeted therapies). 

Dr. Kahn also clears up common misconceptions about HPV, the HPV vaccine and how often you actually need a Pap/HPV test. 

Listen now for clear, practical guidance to help you protect your health.

If you’re due for screening, or noticing changes, this episode helps you know what to do next.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Ryan Kahn, M.D. 
Gynecologic Oncologist
Baptist Health Cancer Care

If you’re starting new year fitness goals and feeling pressure to change everything FAST, you’re not alone. 

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Steven Hale, a primary sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, to break down how to start exercising the right way without burning out or getting injured. 

They discuss why so many people quit by the end of January, how starting too fast can lead to common sports injuries, and why the “no pain, no gain” mindset can actually do more harm than good. Dr. Hale explains the importance of starting slow, progressing by just 5–10% per week, and focusing on consistency over quick results. 

You’ll also learn how exercise supports both physical and mental health, and how small, realistic changes can help you build habits that actually last. Watch now to learn how to create a safe, sustainable fitness routine that works with your body—not against it.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Steven Hale, M.D.
Primary Sports Medicine Physician 
Baptist Health Orthopedic Care 

¿Andas con ansiedad, cambios de humor, niebla mental o cansancio extremo? No estás sola.

En este episodio de Baptist HealthTalk, la Dra. Rachel Rohaidy de Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute y la presentadora Anabelle Blum explican qué pasa realmente en tu cerebro durante la perimenopausia y la menopausia, por qué te puedes sentir “apagada” o “no como tú misma” y qué herramientas existen para recuperar claridad y bienestar.

Hablamos de salud mental, hormonas, familia, cultura y cómo pedir ayuda sin tabúes — especialmente en nuestra comunidad hispana.


Presentadora:
Anabelle Blum

Experta:
Rachel Rohaidy, M.D.
Psiquiatra
Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

Heart attack prevention and heart health start with small, consistent changes. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Sandra Peebles sits down with cardiologist Dr. Sergiu Darabant of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care to explain how everyday choices—from diet and exercise to screenings and family history—can help prevent heart disease before it starts.

You’ll learn:
• How to know if your heart is truly healthy
• The truth about heart-healthy diets like Mediterranean and DASH
• Why women and men experience symptoms differently
• The role of exercise and what “Zone 2" really means
• One simple change you can make today to protect your heart

It’s never too early—or too late—to invest in your heart health.

Subscribe for more expert conversations on prevention and wellness from Baptist Health.

Host:
Sandra Peebles
Award-Winning Journalist

Guest:
Sergiu Darabant, M.D.
Cardiologist
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

If you take daily medications or supplements, you may be surprised to learn how much your everyday foods can affect them. 

Host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Emilie Collongette, a primary care clinical pharmacy specialist at Baptist Health, to break down the most common—and most surprising—food-drug and supplement-drug interactions. 

From grapefruit and leafy greens to collagen, turmeric, calcium, and herbal remedies like St. John’s wort, Dr. Collongette explains how these everyday items can impact safety, absorption, and effectiveness. 

You’ll also learn why timing matters, how to read warning labels, and what questions to ask your pharmacist or provider to stay safe. 

Listen now to understand how to make your medications work with you, not against you.

Host:
Johanna Gomez
Award-Winning Host & Journalist

Guest:
Emilie Collongette, Pharm.D. 
Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Baptist Health