Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Happy Global POWER FOR PARKINSON’S DAY! 🟢

Guest

Nina Mosier, MD

- Wife & Mother

- Grew up in Philadelphia

- Retired physician, trained in Internal Medicine & Geriatrics

- Executive Director & Co-Founder of Power for Parkinson’s (2013)

Podcast MISSION-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system. 

1. Story (theme) Dr. Nina Mosier was a family caregiver for her father. She was a presenter at the 42nd ALCA Annual conference in Austin, Texas which raised Dr. G’s awareness about how exercise slows progression of Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Mosier’s late father could not walk nor feed himself until instituting regular exercise. (A different conference session discussed speech and swallowing struggles affect 90% of people diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. Yet only 3-4% utilize speech therapy ST https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/speak-out/?srsltid=AfmBOopMryMNavJEmAYIMY0fvzJjlTNo9DpsKRyUAVpMoAIv7QyoKPMh)

2. Educate -Teaching points: 

Dr. G’s Mnemonics from medical school (First Aid USMLE Step 1, 2013)

“Body becomes a TRAP” (Tremor at rest, cogwheel Rigidity, Akinesia or bradykinesia, Postural instability)

“Get DOPe at the PARK” (Dopamine neurotransmitter decreases from loss of substantia nigra pars compacta neurons) Also associated with Lewy Bodies

🟢 FACTS? Fastest growing neurodegenerative disease, caused by environmental & genetic factors https://www.parkinson.org/parkinsons-awareness-month

🟢Symptoms include constipation, loss of smell, anxiety, depression, apathy. EVERYTHING gets smaller (writing, walking, speaking)

🟢Diagnosed by a neurologist https://parkinsonsdisease.net/diagnosis/rating-scales-staging

🟢Treatments? medication, surgery, speech therapy, EXERCISE

🟢How exercise helps? Neuroplasticity reverses immobility. See FREE YouTube channel for classes ​⁠

3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://www.powerforparkinsons.org/

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/9uQPyO3SF-Y?si=rpS5N_OL8o3iBQx_

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #parkinsonsawarenessmonth

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest Catherine Wicker, Esq

- Founder and Principal attorney of Wicker Law

- Houston, Texas native

- Lived in Hawaii

- Masters of public health with emphasis in social determinants of health

- Based in San Diego since 2009

Previous NHDD podcasts 🔗

#NHDD2023 The Conversation Project resources https://open.spotify.com/show/2u3BXV3MNZBzhGPaQftlDs

#NHDD2024 Interdisciplinary discussion with Founder Nathan Kottkamp, Esq in collaboration with The Heart of Hospice podcast https://youtu.be/Bp0h1sDqPYs?si=gL2VvIaTWHhxKQHn

#NHDD2025 Discussed How to Age and Die in Bliss with a Healthcare RoadMap https://youtu.be/1azmcZvVlMU?si=xwXdlnkcVa4bkF5O

Mission of this podcast-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Dr. G is often called upon to evaluate individuals for capacity and write a letter of capacity when families are in crisis (needing to access funds for care, etc.). NHDD is about preserving individuals AUTONOMY with an advance directive. Let’s normalize the necessary conversations about advance care planning. Mapping the end   - CLOSLER https://closler.org/lifelong-learning-in-clinical-excellence/mapping-the-end

2. Educate -Teaching points

- What is CAPACITY?

- California's Health Care Decisions Law, Probate Code section 4600 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=PROB&division=4.7.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=&nodetreepath=7

- Framework (avenues of preserving rights to make medical decisions) POA, Healthcare proxy, conservator

- Contrast capacity with COMPETENCY (a judicial determination)

- How can individuals ensure that’s outsiders will not challenge their advance directive?

- Iron clad Advance Directive? (Date, witnessed)

- Values worksheet Source: End of Life Choices California - EOLCCA Values Worksheet https://endoflifechoicesca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CC_Values_Worksheet.pdf

- Estate Planning for the End of Life podcast: https://youtu.be/RJGlfbf8abw?si=wrgom8wTF4m0T5B5

3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://wickerlaw.com “Where Law and Healthcare Align”

This discussion is not medical or legal advice, it’s for educational purposes ONLY.

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/JNo_5jxpboI?si=PM0DIuEZxzOh1fpn

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #NHDD2026

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare 

Guest: Stefanie Elkins, MA, MM

- LA native

- 2019 FOUNDED Be Present Care https://www.bepresentcare.com

- End-of-Life Doula trained at the  University of Vermont and Bridging Transitions

- Member of the Aging Life Care Association®, Foundation for Senior Services, and Valley Chevra Kadisha, 

- Worked with Compassion & Choices

- Double MA in Management specializing in Human Services and an MA in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University

- BA in Social Relations from UC Riverside

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system. 

1. Story (theme) Stefanie’s expertise as Family Caregiver Consultant, Aging Life Care Manager & End-of-Life Doula inspired her to create Death over Draftsfor “brewing conversations and drafting a new conversation about death.” Dr. G attended her first pre-End Well DoD in 2023 with Nurse Sharon💜💕, and has since co-crafted with other community members. Enjoy the origin story of DoD🍻

2. Educate -Teaching point: Few types of DoD events can occur with the signature tools created by former NHDD 2024 podcast guest, Lisa Pahl, LCSW, APHSW-C https://thedeathdeck.com

* The Death Deck- Neighborhood

* EOL Deck- Networking for hospice care professionals or promoting advance care planning

* Dementia Deck- ALCA adjacent, memory care outreach

3. Empower -A valuable a resource (become crafters and how DoD can be utilized with or part of other events like End Well)  https://www.deathoverdrafts.com/

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/KC3yxnH1eNk?si=4C6OKwHCIeHINyF1

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #DeathOverDrafts #DeathPositive #BrewingConnection #DeathAndDying #DeathCurious

Show notes-

Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) observes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 11, 2025 ⁠

The theme for #WHPCDay25 is “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care. This theme builds on last year’s campaign where we marked 10 years since the World Health Assembly (WHO’s Governing Body)” ⁠

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest Dalyce Kelley

- Marketing Specialist

- Four time family caregiver

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Dalyce experienced three deaths in her family this year. We dedicated Season 3 to her grandmother “Mama Dee” one of the nineteen victims killed in the January 2025 Eaton Fire (see Season 3 Premiere). The second was her 44 year old sister, Ebony Williams, which hit especially hard after losing her grandmother tragically. She was only on hospice care for 2 weeks. Brother then died after being a paraplegic on long term care.

2. Educate -Teaching points

- When you or your loved one is facing a serious illness diagnosis, it may feel like there’s a fight against the clock. To optimize quality of life and maximize decision making options, advanced care planning and early palliative care are important tools. Patients and families need time to research the best hospice agency in their own neighborhoods, when no further curative treatment is available.

- Delays due to insurance authorizations, complications from disease progression and complications of treatment can make the journey even more difficult. Ask for a palliative care consult.

- These video show notes have important links:

“What do we mean by GOALS OF CARE?”

https://youtu.be/LxYfid3xZ3Y?si=nTuTT7i-H6ho1ZpA

“Five Simple Steps to Find and Choose the BEST hospice agency”

https://youtu.be/K9XNnARH5-A?si=51vT0m_Wra3z-LzV

3. Empower -A valuable a resource

New AAHPM CEO on Ensuring Widespread Access to Hospice and Palliative Care - Hospice News https://hospicenews.com/2025/09/25/new-aahpm-ceo-on-ensuring-widespread-access-to-hospice-and-palliative-care/

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/KtFaVoYZMS0?si=K5vrhhhk2XtgtISl

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #WHPCDay25

Show notes

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest Tracey Piparo, PA

- President of Physician Associates in Hospice and Palliative Medicine PAHPM

- PA for 24 years: started in ER, then became a hospitalist

- 1st PA to work in specialty palliative care

- Married to fire fighter with two children 15, 12

- From Brooklyn New York, lives in New Jersey

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1) Story (theme) PAs have been around since 1967 and were an integral part of of the healthcare team during Dr. G’s medical school training: Performing CABG with Cardiothoracic surgeon, harvesting veins for coronary artery bypass graft CABG; Rounding independently in the CABG “cabbage” patch post op

2) Educate -Teaching points

- PA Training: Follows same Medical model as MDs/DOs, graduating as generalists.

- Name changed from physician assistant to associate AAPA https://www.aapa.org/about/history/

- PA Education Association https://paeaonline.org/our-programs

- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) https://www.nccpa.net

- Scope of practice is determined at the team level and with the collaborating physician. Fellowships available for advanced training. HPM Certification established in 2023. Core Values PRACTICE https://www.nccpa.net/about-nccpa/

3) Empower -A valuable a resource https://pahpm.mypanetwork.com/

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/BtLR3V9NtIw?si=z_j3kpKLihfK3X6H #hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #RealTalk #LateStagesOfLife #PAweek #physicianassociate #physicianassistant #PAsGoBeyond

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest

Ken Gorczyca

- Veterinarian and Death Doula

- Artist https://kengorczyca.com

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Dr. Ken’s work began during the AIDS crisis. He now brings Spirit to Veterinary medicine with the movement towards in-home euthanasia. He believes in the important sacred moment of releasing our beloved animal companions at the end of their short lives. Dr. G correlates some insights to hospice care but has anxiety about this topic as a pet parent. A Clinical Ethicist Reflects on the Life and Death of a Beloved Pet - Ryan J Dougherty - ehospice https://ehospice.com/editorial_posts/a-clinical-ethicist-reflects-on-the-life-and-death-of-a-beloved-pet-ryan-j-dougherty/

2. Educate -Teaching point How in home euthanasia works.

- Before: learn love story

- During: sedation, favorite food, toys

- After: ceremonial ritual to acknowledge love. Cremation vs burial

3. Empower -Valuable resources

- Adopt an older pet https://muttville.org/

- A gentle rest https://www.agentlerest.com

- Become a pet death doula https://learn.uvm.edu/program/companion-animal-end-of-life-doula-professional-certificate-online/

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/5AF7YauCZmc?si=Flnph50F__qpbX0p#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #PetLoss #Euthanasia #Dog #Dogs #Cat #Cats

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest

David Patrick Paget

- Canadian moved to the USA as one of eight kids in 1960s

- Previously a Coca Cola truck driver

- Real estate experience from Rancho Cucamonga to French Valley in 1999

- Enjoys wine touring in Temecula https://gogrape.com

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) David is on a fixed income as a senior citizen collecting social security, he supplements by hosting wine tours. Money matters during the late stages of life. Many seniors have a nest egg built by the equity of their family home, a portion is an asset for funding care.

2. Educate (Teaching points)

- How to find brokerage

- Timing 25-30 years (small or no mortgage)

- Paid when house sells

- Home equity is paid out by investors

- Misconception you will loss your house

- If married one spouse must occupy the property

- Consider creating a living trust

- Counseling required for senior citizens, before the process begins

- Better than an equity line of credit

3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://www.c2financial.com

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/ZtMP5Of5ZS4?si=Mr_eKRonOfM27aUl #hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest

Kevin D. Stuart, MD, MS, HMDC, AGAF

- Owner and Founder of Partner For Care

- Gastroenterologist

- Palliative Care and Hospice Master of Science

- Professional Study of Narrative Medicine

- New Yorker

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Dr. G met Dr. Stuart while working in San Jose, then learned about the Partner for Care platform at the 2025 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care in Denver. He cared for his own Dad with hospice 8 years ago and realized there is a gap in understanding even as a seasoned physician and son. Hospice pamphlets and binders have limitations.

2. Educate -Teaching points

Partner For Care:

- is customized for each hospice agency, regardless of size.

- empowers family caregivers with information to navigate symptoms the patient may experience.

- is an easily accessible resource hub to help provide care at home and can improve the experience of patients and family caregivers

- could reduce hospice revocation rates

- helps improve hospice nurses’ work flow since common info is easily accessible to caregivers.

- Clarifies when to call the hospice nurse, what to expect from hospice medications, supplies

- Symptom Management: breathing, pain, anxiety, constipation, nausea, vomiting, belching, hiccups

3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://partnerforcare.com

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/NBx6cNpypsw?si=bcTGS8aaBI9A6ieF

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #CaregiverSupport #Caregiving #FamilyCaregiver

Show notes-

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest Gabriela Brown, CSA

- Certified Senior Advisor

- Referral Agency Owner/Operator of Constant Companions since 2003

- Previously worked Hospice Palliative HH

- Texas Native

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

- 1. Story (theme) Gabriela started working with seniors since first job as nursing assistant before there was a certification.

- 2. Educate -Teaching points

- People typically look for home care after a CRISIS like a FALL and out of necessity during the LATE STAGES OF LIFE

- Licensing for non-medical HOME CARE is governed by the California Department of Social Services https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care/home-care-services to provide assistance with ADLs (Six activities of daily living)

- Private pay $40-50/hour Veteran Aid & Attendance and Long Term Care Insurance

- The Home Care Services Branch (HCSB)

- Home Care Services Bureau ✔️Registered

- Franchise or Private may be a factor

- Previously minimum wage home care workers now demand more pay for their services

- Going rate for homecare $35 $40-50 (split by company who vets home care workers)

- 3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://constantcompanions.net

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/7dJsZh5DCg0?si=f16UQFNNBn9x1tab

#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #HomeCare

Show notes

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Guest:

Sonia Malhotra, MD,MS,FAAP,FACP,FAAHPM

- CONGRATULATIONS on new FACP honor!

- Wife & Mother of 3 sons

- Works at Tulane School of Medicine: Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine; Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics; Associate Section Chief, GIM, Geri, Palliative Medicine

- Grew up in “The LBC” Long Beach, California

⚠️Deadline to claim CME is 05/06/2025 Standard registration

Previous coverage:

ACP IRL #IM2023 Highlights in San Diego https://open.spotify.com/episode/73mkY1QJuqpmaF4rj6FWjA?si=nv8XoSTDTT6j9iHJCekxCA

IM2024 Highlights in Boston

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BfBzhGGSpidGyrUu6kkxO?si=1RqhXBycQHOrfe_ZP36oJQ

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Dr. G & Dr. Malhotra last saw each other in Denver at #hapc25 in February Dr. Sonia with the Palli session on Day1️⃣ “Care for the Medical Inpatient: When and How?” Symptom Management Communication, Emotional Support and Dr. G plans to join her for Mardi Gras 2026

2. Educate -Teaching points

- Wednesday Emeril’s

- Highlights: I attend updates

- Thursday Professionalism in a Time of Crisis; Convocation process of fellowship; Chapter Award

- Friday Hot Topics in Ethics (organ transplant) Plenary Networking Luncheon for Women Physicians JOMO is the Joy of Missing Out. Work-Life Balance, Integration or Rhythm?

- Saturday Judging Med Student posters of interesting case reports

- Mask at Wellness Center Love a humble life; Attitude of Gratitude

3. Empower -A valuable a resources:

- American College of Physicians Combats Medical Misinformation https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/who-we-are-what-we-do/fighting-medical-misinformation-and-disinformation

- SENIOR HEALTH https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/Pages/Senior-Health.aspx

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/dyVdZB9QhSc?si=qy1P3EKCyz-5hSAO #hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #RealTalk #LateStagesOfLife #IM2025