Coffee Conversations with Scientists

Did you know that while genetics play a role in breast cancer, most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease? From lifestyle factors and breast density to screening recommendations and advances in early detection, understanding your risk can be one of the most powerful tools for protecting your health.

We'll chat with Caitlin Patten, MD, FACS, Oncology Surgeon and Associate Professor at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, about what every woman should know about breast cancer risk, prevention, and screening. Together, we'll separate myth from fact, examine the role of diet and lifestyle in breast health, discuss who may be at higher risk, and review the latest evidence-based recommendations for early detection.

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we sit down with Dr. Sabrina Hofmeister, DO, FAAFP, Family Medicine Doctor and Associate Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Together, we'll explore the science behind menopause, separate myth from fact, discuss evidence-based treatment options, and examine how women can navigate this important life stage with knowledge, confidence, and support.

As maternal mental health concerns continue to impact families and communities, the need for clear, science-based understanding and stronger support systems has never been more important.

We'll chat with Christina Wichman, DO, Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice Chair of Education, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about how innovative care models are transforming mental health support for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, helping providers deliver more confident, timely, and compassionate care.

Grab your coffee and join us today for our Coffee Conversations with Scientists episode: The Science Behind How Stress Impacts the Brain.

Stress doesn't just affect how you feel in the moment. It can actually reshape how your brain processes emotions, memory, and decision-making over time.

We'll chat with John Mantsch, PhD, Florence Williams Endowed Chair and Professor and Chair of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, whose research explores how stress transforms key brain circuits, shaping everything from decision-making to emotional resilience.

As chronic cough, hoarseness, and “silent reflux” continue to affect millions, the need for clear, science-based understanding of what’s really happening in the body has never been greater.

Nikki Johnston, PhD, professor of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at MCW, will chat with us about how the digestive enzyme pepsin may drive upper-airway inflammation, complicate reflux diagnosis, and open new doors for targeted therapies and cancer-related research.

Grab your coffee and join us today for our Coffee Conversations with Scientists episode: The Science Behind Pediatric Vaccines.

Pediatric vaccines are among the most effective tools in modern medicine. They help shape lifelong health through prevention, timing, and protection, yet they’re often misunderstood.

Storm Dorrough, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow at MCW, will chat with us about how pediatric vaccines work, why early prevention is so critical, and how vaccines, such as Hepatitis B, help protect children from serious disease and long-term health complications while strengthening the health of families and communities.

Grab your coffee and join us today for our Coffee Conversations with Scientists episode: The Science Behind the GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill.

GLP-1 drugs have gained widespread attention for their effectiveness, but questions remain about their long-term impact, accessibility, and what’s next. Join the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment for a virtual coffee break with Srividya (Vidya) Kidambi, MD, MS, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine and Professor of Medicine at MCW, as we explore the promise and limitations of the GLP-1 weight management pill and what future breakthroughs may hold.

Grab your coffee and join us today for our Coffee Conversations with Scientists episode: The Science Behind Glaucoma.

Joel Miesfeld, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy at MCW, will join us to discuss the different types of glaucoma and uncover how the eye’s internal cellular networks shape vision development and survival. He will also explore emerging research and the potential for regenerating damaged vision through cutting-edge science.

Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, Senior Associate Dean in MCW’s School of Medicine and Executive Director of AHW, will join us to explore how digital health solutions, including artificial intelligence, are reshaping healthcare.

The conversation will cover how technology can ease health worker burnout, improve quality of care, strengthen provider-patient relationships, and highlight why human oversight of AI tools matters, with a look ahead at how emerging innovations may shape the future of care. ☕️

Olena Klindukhova, MD, will discuss the biological connections between obesity and cancer, unpack how holiday habits may influence long-term risk, and share practical strategies for healthier nutrition, movement, and stress management.