Living Healthy Together

A spinal surgery gone wrong left John Killacky paralyzed and living in debilitating pain. After a traumatic hit-and-run accident, Emily Metcalfe woke up in the hospital, quadriplegic, and in need of months of physical and occupational therapy as she relearned how to walk.

On this episode of Living Healthy Together, UVM Health Network's podcast, John and Emily share their stories, their experiences living with chronic pain, and how the Comprehensive Pain Program at University of Vermont Medical Center helped them learn to control their pain, rather than be defined by it.

They're joined by Dr. Joshua Plavin and Laurel Audy, RN, two founding members of the Comprehensive Pain Program who reflect on their own roles building a unique, leading-edge approach to treatment and support. They share how the program's holistic approach to patient care and wellness challenges health care's status quo and could make an impact even for those who aren't living with chronic pain.

WDEV Air Date: September 12, 2025

When dementia and Parkinson’s made words hard to find, Allegra Miller and her husband, Bob Rinkema, found a new way to connect — through music at the piano. Their shared playing became a language of its own, even when conversation was difficult.

On this episode of Living Healthy Together, UVM Health Network’s podcast, Allegra shares her caregiving journey with her husband, following his diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s.

She’s followed by Dr. Sunny Eappen and Christine Werneke, who reflect on their own experiences with family caregiving and how this longstanding challenge continues to shape care in our communities.

Podcast Exclusive BONUS Interview -- Learn more about dementia care, memory care, at-home caregiving and the Dementia Family Caregiver Center. Lori McKenna, the center’s director, Joan Marsh-Reed, a psychologist at the center, and Audrey Winograd, director of the center’s Vermont Bridges Program, discuss how science and research provided the foundation for programs and services that support caregivers, the regional and national challenges facing caregivers, and what the Center’s team is working on right now to support at-home caregivers and those they care for every day.

Dr. Lewis First joins clinical leaders guiding work on physician education, clinical research and patient care to explain how values and vision helped create a unique "children's hospital without walls," make high-quality pediatric specialty care more accessible in rural communities, and continues to make Vermont a national leader in pediatric health and care.

WDEV Airdate: August 29, 2025

We dive into major Medicaid changes and their impact in our region. Dr. Sunny Eappen joins a panel of leaders from across our health system to unpack the impacts and share how our health system is helping patients, caregivers and rural hospitals prepare.

WDEV Air Date: August 22, 2025

Hear the gripping story of Steve Stahl, who survived a widow maker heart attack on the slopes of Mount Mansfield. Join special guest UVM Health Network CEO Dr. Sunny Eappen as we talk critical care, follow Steve’s inspiring road to recovery and discuss the future of cardiac care in our region.

WDEV Airdate: August 15, 2025