Our guest is a dermatologists who sees patients and does research at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, one who is internationally recognized for his work in dermatology, particularly in psoriasis and on how well patients use recommended treatments. If you count publications, our guest may be the most productive researcher at Wake Forest. With over 1,500 Medline-referenced publications, his research spans clinical trials, behavioral economics, and public health policy. Today, we’ll dive into the risks and benefits of sun exposure, the amazing landscape of modern psoriasis treatment, and what we’ve learned about how poorly patients take their medication and whose fault it is. Welcome Dr. Steve Feldman, Professor of Dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Learn more about Dr. Feldman's background and research at https://school.wakehealth.edu/faculty/f/steven-r-feldman

Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, President and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research joins the podcasts to share his insights on the groundbreaking role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation and its implications for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Tracey explains how inflammation, while essential for healing, becomes problematic when uncontrolled—leading to chronic conditions. He introduces the concept of the “inflammatory reflex,” a neural pathway through the vagus nerve that can be harnessed to modulate immune responses. The episode highlights the FDA-approved SetPoint Therapy System, a non-drug, implantable vagus nerve stimulator that offers targeted relief without immunosuppression. Dr. Tracey discusses its clinical success, safety profile, and future applications in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, PTSD, and stroke rehabilitation. The conversation emphasizes the promise of bioelectronic medicine in transforming treatment paradigms for chronic inflammatory diseases.

In the podcast interview, Dr. Kevin J. Tracey disclosed that he is a co-founder of SetPoint Medical, the company behind the FDA-approved vagus nerve stimulation device for rheumatoid arthritis 1. He also stated that he serves as a consultant to the company, assisting with its development and research initiatives 1. While he clarified that he is not privy to all future plans of the company, his dual role as both a researcher and company consultant is a relevant professional disclosure for listeners, especially those considering the therapy discussed.

Find out more here:

Personal Twitter: https://x.com/KevinJTraceyMD

Personal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjtraceymd/

Feinstein Institutes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feinstein-institutes-for-medical-research

Company website: https://feinstein.northwell.edu/

Dr. Tracey’s research profile: https://feinstein.northwell.edu/institutes-researchers/our-researchers/kevin-j-tracey-md

Center for Bioelectronic Medicine website: https://www.northwell.edu/center-for-bioelectronic-medicine

The Great Nerve (Amazon): https://a.co/d/7UbRR6C

Dr. Morris has been treating cancer patients with radiopharmaceutical therapy for nearly ten years. He discusses this approach to personalized care for certain types of cancer, nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, and clinical informatics. Learn more about Dr. Morris and United Theranostics here: https://www.unitedtheranostics.com/

Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu is an immunologist and molecular medicine expert, and the Chief Scientific Officer and CEO of Aveseena. Dr. Karpuzoglu discusses "inflammaging," a condition where inflammation and premature aging occur simultaneously, triggered by factors such as stress, diet, and harsh skincare practices. Dr. Karpuzoglu highlights the skin's role as the first line of immune defense, protected by its microbiome and immune system.

Disclosure: Dr Ebru is an executive for a for profit skin care product and service line.

Learn more about Dr. Ebru and her company Aveseena here: https://www.aveseena.com/about-us/

A conversation about engaging clients in need - with Karen Russell and Alice Horton of Burke United Christian Ministry providing services to the homeless in Burke County, North Carolina. This is of special interest to Peer Support Specialists and Community Health Workers and others who support unsheltered populations.

Dr. Hoyle returns to provide a post-launch update of implementing a collaborative care management model in primary care practice in a large health system. The collaborative model provides continuity of care for chronic conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Learn how the care model operates and insights on transforming care practices with a behavioral care manager, data registry, EHR workflows, and billing.

This podcast is part of the Podcast CE Learning Series. Earn 1 hour of CE credit after listening to this episode. Register for credit here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/76052

Gerri Ashe is a Diabetes and Health Education Specialist with Access East HealthAssist Program at ECU Health in Greenville, NC.

Gerri shares stories, approaches, and insights from her 17 years as a community health worker working in a free clinic, educating about diabetes and health, and working through the challenges of providing access to care. She clears up misconceptions, describes the obstacles for affordable housing and confusion with medication cost and availability, shares how to be realistic with the needs for those in need, and talks about the importance of self care as a caregiver.

Read about Gerri's story here: https://honorbridge.org/stories-of-hope/gerris-story/

More about HealthAssist: https://www.witn.com/2024/09/10/health-clinic-opens-community-center-greenville/

Joy Community Center and Soup Kitchen: https://joycommunitycenter.org/

Alice Horton, Executive Director and Karen Russell, Director of the HOPE Center at Burke County Christian Ministries in Morganton, NC. They give a first hand account of the needs and issues facing those experiencing homelessness and the boots on the ground successes, failures, challenges, and opportunities of providing basic needs care for those in need. Restoring resiliency is their goal. Learn more about BUCM at https://www.bucm.net/

Tamar Blue is Y Combinator Alum, founder and CEO of MentalHappy. Her passion for formulating mental health solutions began in high school when she started a peer support organization and now heads up a company providing online support groups for practices to extend office hours and outreach to clients and patients. More about the Mental Happy platform here: https://www.mentalhappy.com/ And more about Tamar here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarlucienblue/

Dr. Evans is the CEO and co-founder of Wellness and Equity Alliance, a national alliance of public health clinicians and supporting operations committed to transforming health care delivery to vulnerable communities. He is an experienced and passionate infectious disease and public health expert who has been on the front lines of major disease outbreaks (including two Ebola outbreaks) around the globe. He is also the author of "Pandemics, Poverty, & Politics - Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics from Plague to Covid-19." Read more about Dr. Evans here: https://www.tylerevansmd.com/