Some Primary Care Physicians are trained specifically in Pediatrics to treat babies and kids; some are trained in Family Medicine to treat adolescents and adults. Med-Peds doctors like Marissa Copas Weaver, M.D., an Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Physician and Eammon Grosek, M.D., a Primary Care and Internal Medicine Physician, both of Rapid City Clinic, Flormann Street, have specific training to care for all ages, including babies. 

In this episode, the doctors explain their specific training and why being a Med-Peds physician is slightly different than the typical Family Medicine provider. They touch on the few things that are outside of their scope of practice and the importance of trust between a Med-Peds doctor and the families that they treat.

Tune in to learn more about this rare and interesting combination of skills and find out why Dr. Copas Weaver or Dr. Grosek might be the right fit for your family.

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Did you know that there are around 100 different surgeries for bunions? In this informative, interactive episode, recorded live at the Matthews Art Center in Spearfish, Colin Zdenek, DPM, FACFAS, fellowship-trained Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Podiatrist at Spearfish Clinic, North 10th Street, discusses why bunions happen and how finding the right kind of shoe can be one of the most helpful treatments.

Ankle instability and arthritis, which can be caused by a history of sprained ankles, are treatable with physical therapy and sometimes with steroid injections. However, the solution for older patients may be a total ankle-replacement (implant or fusion) procedure, called arthroscopy. Dr. Zdenek talks through what the procedure entails and how long the recovery takes. “The time to get surgery is when you stop doing the things you enjoy doing,” says Dr. Zdenek.

Dr. Zdenek also covers flat feet and how to identify it in kids, who are usually unaware that they have it and so, overcompensate for it. Since it is a deformity, basic treatments are usually orthotics and management strategies. If pain persists, however, surgery is an option. 

Other topics include plantar fasciitis, fibroma and the best way to keep your feet free of pain and healthy.

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Joint longevity is important. Fortunately, there are things we can do to keep our joints healthy well into the late stages of life. In this episode, recorded live at Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, David Woodard, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon at Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital in Rapid City, says that good cartilage health and preservation usually mean maintaining a healthy weight and consistent physical activity, such as daily walks or swims. 

Dr. Woodard discusses the effectiveness of supplements and braces and gives insight on how long to wait before making an appointment when you suspect an injury. An important piece of advice he offers is to seek help to make big changes, especially when it comes to trying to lose weight or increase your exercise frequency and intensity.

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Spider veins and varicose veins are common. However, they can be problematic and cause pain or discomfort. Recorded live in front of an audience at Matthews Opera House in Spearfish, Nicholas Czosnyka, M.D., General Surgeon at Spearfish Clinic, North Avenue, explains poor vein outflow, or venous insufficiency and how that relates to varicose veins. He gives tips on when to seek treatment and clarifies the pros and cons of the different kinds of interventions, such as compression stockings or procedures, like sclerotherapy, phlebectomy and vein ablation.

Dr. Czosnyka details how the procedures work and the goal of having them done. For example, symptoms and appearance of varicose veins can be improved, especially in severe cases. However, the issue cannot usually be entirely prevented or removed; improved blood flow is the priority. Dr. Czosnyka also relates expectations for healing, success rates and recurrence of varicose veins after a procedure.

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A special, interactive Doc Talk event recorded live in front of an audience at The Monument in Rapid City in honor of Valve Disease Awareness Day. Joseph Tuma, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist at Heart and Vascular Institute leads a discussion in which guests and audience members alike share stories of their Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures.

Don’t miss out on one of our most unique and informative Doc Talks yet. 

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Recorded live at a special Heart Month Event at Rapid City Hospital, Luis Hernandez, M.D., FACC, Cardiologist at

the Heart and Vascular Institute and Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program speaks with Renea, a patient who received a heart and kidney transplant just under a year ago.  

Renee recounts what led up to Dr. Hernandez’s recommendation for a heart transplant and what happened between that time and when she underwent the procedure. She also explains how her family helped to convince her to undergo the transplant and what she experienced during recovery.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from a patient who has experienced a life-saving procedure and is grateful for the results.

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Recorded live in front of an audience at the famous Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City. Joseph Tuma, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist at Heart and Vascular Institute, joins Mark Houston for a fascinating conversation regarding peripheral vascular disease, which is when cholesterol builds up in arteries other than those that are in the heart. Knowing the symptoms and early detection is crucial. Among those particularly at risk are people who smoke, who have high blood pressure or who have diabetes. Dr. Tuma lists common symptoms, like wounds that won’t heal, and claudication, which is cramping pain from walking that gets better when you rest. 

Dr. Tuma also covers a subtype of peripheral vascular disease, such as when there are weak spots in the arteries that begin to dilate, called aneurysmal disease, and some recent advancements in cardiovascular treatments that the HVI team has implemented. If you’re showing symptoms, Dr. Tuma also gives suggestions of how to work with your primary care provider to get screened and the kinds of tests and equipment used to detect peripheral vascular disease and other associated conditions.

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If you suffer from the mental, physical and emotionally challenging problem of restless leg syndrome (RLS), you are not alone. Catherine Fernandez Aristy, M.D., fellowship-trained Family Sleep Medicine Physician and Jessica Hutchinson, CNP, both of Monument Health Neurology and Rehabilitation in Rapid City speak with interim host Leslie Hopton about the most common sensory motor-related sleep disorder. A frustrating and uncontrollable need to move your legs, RLS is often a symptom of another sleep disorder or even iron deficiency. 

Dr. Fernandez and Jessica list possible symptoms that could lead to a diagnosis, discuss evaluation considerations, such as sleep studies and give treatment options as they pertain to sleep disorders. There are also cardiovascular consequences to untreated RLS, including high blood pressure and heart arrhythmia to consider. Lifestyle modifications can help, though prescription and over the counter medicines often have unhelpful side effects.

Listen or watch and find out how getting better sleep can help you to cope with restless leg syndrome.

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You may be ligament lax; that doesn’t mean you’re abnormal.” Eric Krohn, D.O., Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and Codi Grable, PT, CLT, Physical Therapist, both of Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital in Rapid City join interim host Leslie Hopton to inform you about ligament laxity.

Also known as hypermobility (and not to be confused with flexibility) ligament laxity can be genetic. Dr. Krohn and Codi outline techniques for testing ligament laxity, such as Beighton score, and signs that you may be suffering from it, including pain and recurrent injuries. Hypermobility can be related to bony deformity and so it’s important to know when to seek intervention and what possible treatments exist. Both members of the Hip Preservation Institute, Dr. Krohn and Codi detail how they collaborate to treat hypermobility and how “pehab” — or physical therapy before surgical procedures — helps optimize the results and ease fears a patient may have about recovery.

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