OUR FIRST VIDEO EPISODE!

You can’t “walk it off” after a serious burn, and you also can’t underestimate the quiet courage it takes to rebuild after one. We sit down with Nashville burn and critical care surgeon Dr. Tommy to get clear, practical answers on burn treatment, burn first aid, and what actually happens inside a burn center when the injury is easily preventable. 

Tara Brown joins us with sharp humor and real heart, tying healing to something bigger than medicine: owning your voice and showing up as yourself. She shares the story behind her TedX theme, "The Laughter Assignment," and the "purple lipstick" lesson that hits anyone who has held back because of other people's opinions.  We talk about learning to get comfortable in your own skin, why it takes time, and how comedy becomes a way to serve rooms full of strangers who need a break.  If you're navigating a career pivot, creative risk, or just trying to live more honestly, Tara Brown's approach is both funny and practical.

We break down burn degrees in plain English, from a first-degree sunburn to deep partial-thickness and third-degree burns that may require skin graft surgery. Dr. Tommy explains why cool water matters, when aloe vera is only a moisturizer, why antibacterial ointment helps replace the skin’s barrier, and how blisters can become a problem if you ignore infection risk. We also dig into skin graft options, why surgeons often harvest from the lateral thigh, how contractures affect function, and why scars and pigmentation changes can hit identity as hard as the injury itself. 

Then we look forward: AI in healthcare, camera-based burn depth assessment, and Teleburn telemedicine could help triage patients faster and cut down on expensive transfers when only 127 US burn centers cover huge regions. We close with prevention that can save real suffering: ramen noodle scald burns in kids, brush fires and gasoline, and motorcycle “second skin” gear to prevent friction burns. If you care about smart healthcare, real stories, and laughs that don’t dodge the truth, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS:

Dr Tommy: LinkedIn: tommytranmd IG @tommytranmd,  www.tommytranmd.com

Dr Tommy jumps out of plane for patient:

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/i-will-jump-for-you-burn-survivor-gets-his-doctor-to-go-skydiving

Tara Brown: IG/TT @tarabrowncomedy, X @TaraBrownComedy, FB/YT Tara Brown Comedy, www.tarabrowncomedy.com

Tara’s TEDx The Laughter Assignment:

https://youtu.be/Fjy2eQF7kcs?si=L5usforWt12v0V8B

Subscribe wherever you listen, share this with a friend and leave a review so more people can find honest conversations about burn surgery and a little comedy along the way.  These conversations help us talk about the hard stuff and learn from each other.

This episode was produced by Angie Debelak with post-production editing by Ben Hill Sound.

Thanks for listening to Dr Ben and Friends.  Laughter is the best medicine...unless you're treating bowel or bladder incontinence.  See you next time!

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DISCLAIMER: Dr Ben and Friends Podcast

Quick heads-up folks: Dr Ben and Friends is your weekly dose of laughs and stories.  We celebrate healthcare heroes and pro comics.  

This is infotainment-- think popcorn, not prescriptions or medical advice.

If you're feeling funky, see your medical professional.  Your health?  That's on you.  We'll stick to the punchlines.