Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

What if joy isn't something we earn only after adversity, but something that helps us get through it?

“Joy isn't just a frivolous thing,” says Julie Lenzer, who describes herself as a cancer “thriver.”

Join Alison Starling for a conversation with Lenzer, an entrepreneur; former innovation leader in business (including at IBM Corp.), academia and government; public speaker; and co-founder and CEO of Ain't Dead Yet (ADY). She discusses her cancer diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer.

Lenzer also shares why she calls herself a "thriver" rather than a survivor, how her views on joy evolved during and after treatment, and why she believes people shouldn't wait for retirement, an empty nest or some future milestone to do the things they've always wanted to do. She asks: Why wait?

Plus, VHC Health's Shari Sitron, an oncology-certified social worker and director of the Reva and Sid Dewberry Cancer Resource Center, offers insight into the challenges patients and families often face after a cancer diagnosis. She explains why cancer care involves far more than medical support and how to find help throughout the journey.

If you or someone you love is navigating cancer, VHC Health’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Cancer Resource Center offers personalized support and survivorship resources to help patients and families live better during and after treatment.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

Knowledge is power when it comes to giving children the support they need.

Join Alison Starling for a conversation about childhood anxiety, screen time, brain development and the growing role of genetics in helping families better understand how children and teens learn, grow and thrive. The episode also explores X and Y chromosome variations, which occur in about one in 500 births and can help explain some cases of ADHD, anxiety and reading disorders.

Meet the guests:

Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse is the director of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Children, a NDT-trained neurodevelopmentalist, executive director and chief science officer of The Focus Foundation and a clinical professor of pediatrics at George Washington University. Drawing on decades of research and clinical experience, she shares practical insights for parents, grandparents and anyone invested in a child's well-being. She is the co-author of X & Y Chromosomal Variations: Hormones, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Performance, a book used in more than 150 medical schools nationwide.

Dr. Allison Greenberg, dipABLM, NASM-CPT brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to whole person health in her role at VHC Health. With a background deeply rooted in family medicine and medical education, she has a passion for delivering comprehensive care and advancing patient well-being.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenberg or visit vhchealth.org to learn more about VHC Health's behavioral health, mental health and family medicine services.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

Growing research suggests Alzheimer’s disease begins silently in the brain decades before the first symptoms appear.

Join Alison Starling as she hosts a conversation about brain health, preventing neurodegenerative diseases, what we can do today to protect cognitive function and how families can respond when memory concerns arise.

Meet the guests:

Dr. Kellyann Niotis is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist. She is a clinical assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine and the director of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia Prevention Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND). She also runs a private practice in New York City focused on early detection and personalized risk reduction strategies for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Dr. Usman Akhtar is an internal medicine physician and chief medical informatics officer at VHC Health. He specializes in heart failure, Alzheimer's, dementia and hypertension. He is also a distinguished 40 Under 40 honoree by the Washington Business Journal.

“There are 300 million people living right now with biomarkers that indicate they have Alzheimer's disease pathology brewing in their brain, but they don't have symptoms, and these people are prime candidates for prevention,” Niotis says.

Learn more about brain health, Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging at VHC Health. You can explore neurological services, connect with specialists and access preventive care, educational programs and support for patients and caregivers.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

Scientific discoveries in space are contributing to medical advancements that could transform human health.

Join Alison Starling in this episode as she explores what research beyond Earth is revealing about health care here at home, with a closer look at how those insights apply to women’s health, including bone and muscle strength.

Meet the guests:

Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., under secretary for science and research at the Smithsonian Institution and former chief scientist at NASA, shares how studying life beyond Earth is deepening our understanding of the human body and how we care for it. Widely published, she has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and recognition by CNN as one of its “Extraordinary People of 2014.”

Dr. Elizabeth Brunn, an OB-GYN and fellowship-trained specialist in minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic and complex gynecologic surgeries at VHC Health’s Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women’s Health, discusses the significant hormonal and metabolic changes that occur across a woman’s life. She also explains how conditions like endometriosis highlight the longstanding need for women’s health research. She was recently named a WBJ 40 Under 40 honoree, recognized for leadership and impact in advancing women's health care in the DC region.

Together, their perspectives illustrate how new knowledge across space, science and the medical field are informing the future of health care.

To learn more about the care and services available for women, visit VHC Health’s Center for Women’s Health. This space is dedicated to women’s health care and offers advanced technologies and therapies designed to support women at every stage of life. Our team is committed to providing coordinated, personalized care for the women in our community.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

Menopause has long been something women silently endure. Not anymore!

Join Alison Starling in this episode as she speaks with two menopause doctors about what women need to know and the midlife decisions that could impact their long-term health and independence.

Meet the experts:

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, FACOG, OB‑GYN and Menopause Society certified practitioner, has become one of the most influential voices in menopause care nationwide. She is known for translating complex medical research into clear, practical advice that helps women achieve the best quality of life during perimenopause and post-menopause. Nicknamed the “Queen of Menopause” by Katie Couric, Haver is the bestselling author of “The New Menopause” and recently released “The New Perimenopause,” founder of Mary Claire Wellness and ThePauseLife.com, and host of the podcast unPAUSED.

Dr. Jessica Sommer, DO, FACOG, OB GYN and certified menopause practitioner with VHC Health’s Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women’s Health, shares insights from her hands-on experience caring for women in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, highlighting the value of personalized care.

To learn more about the care and services available for women, visit VHC Health’s Center for Women’s Health. This space is dedicated to women’s health care and offers advanced technologies and therapies designed to support women at every stage of life. Our team is committed to providing coordinated, personalized care for the women in our community, including our Menopause Center.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship. Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:

Healthy aging doesn’t happen by chance, and it can look different for everyone. But few people model an active and engaged second half of life quite like Joan Lunden, the award winning journalist who has been a trusted voice in American homes for 50 years. Many people know her from Good Morning America, as a bestselling author, a fierce advocate for women’s health or from A Place for Mom commercials.

In this episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, Lunden shares her experiences with caregiving in the sandwich generation, battling breast cancer and reinvention. She just released her memoir, Joan: Life Beyond the Script, as she reflects on her career, aging and how she’s squeezing the most out of her life today.

Plus, hear from Dr. Michelle Lee, geriatric and internal medicine physician, VHC Health, on supporting healthy aging for yourself or the ones you love.

Tune in to hear more.

If you or a loved one is looking for care for adults age 60 and older, the care team at VHC Health is here to help. Serving the Washington, D.C. metro area, we understand the unique health needs of older adults and are committed to supporting your long-term health and independence. VHC Health doctors build lasting relationships with patients and coordinate personalized care that evolves with your needs. Schedule an appointment today. We hope today’s conversation encourages you to think proactively about your own wellness journey, to support the older adults in your life, and to learn more about the geriatric services available at VHC Health, for you, for life.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship.  Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:  

Join Kim Stone, the first official CEO of the Washington Spirit, and Dr. Christopher Walsh, a board certified internist at VHC Health Primary Care – Shirlington, as they discuss women’s health, wellness and performance at the highest levels across business and sports.

Plus, Stone, a recent honoree of the WBJ Women Who Mean Business, shares the main reason she chose to help lead the region’s professional women’s soccer team (hint: it started with Owner Michelle Kang). 

Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Stone’s decades of sports leadership, including her years with the NBA’s Miami Heat, and what she learned from often being the only woman in the room 
• What it’s like to lead one of the most exciting teams as women’s sports gain fandom
• The club’s comprehensive approach to women’s health care, including technology, sports psychology and nutrition 
• Getting fired up to support the team that made last year’s NWSL finals and continues to set attendance records
• The role strength training, mobility and recovery play in preventing injuries whether you’re an athlete or an active professional
• Simple habits for “thinking like an athlete” when it comes to your own health

The Washington Spirit will look to build on the club's back-to-back championship appearances when the team kicks off its 2026 campaign at Audi Field on Friday, March 13. Tickets to one of the greatest home environments in sports are available at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship.  Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:  

About 70% of caregivers between the ages of 18 and 64 balance work and caring for loved ones, according to AARP’s national family and caregiving expert Amy Goyer in this podcast episode of Living Well with Alison Starling. 

For those in the “sandwich generation” — adults caring for aging parents and their young children — the responsibilities might feel insurmountable. 

Join Goyer and VHC Health family medicine physician Dr. Dominique Gagnon as they explore the emotional, physical and financial realities of caregiving. 

“One of the things I learned as a caregiver was, I can do anything, but I can't do everything,” Goyer says.

Listen to this episode to learn more about:

• Goyer’s first-hand caregiving experiences, including financial challenges like bankruptcy 
• Self-care practices to help caregivers protect their well-being
• Medical insights on preventive care, chronic conditions and communicating with health care providers 
• Steps adults can take to stay healthy and independent 

“I think we need to acknowledge that as we get older, a loss of independence in a lot of aspects of our life is very stressful and it puts you in a place of vulnerability,” Gagnon says.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship.  Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Sponsored Content by VHC Health:  

Join two barrier-breaking women in this episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, brought to you by VHC Health and WBJ.

NBC’s Kristen Welker, the first journalist of color and only the second woman to moderate “Meet the Press” opens up about navigating one of journalism’s most high-pressure roles while staying grounded. She reflects on the weight of making history, the pivotal moment of moderating the 2020 presidential debate and her personal journey with surrogacy.

Also featured is Sharon Brickhouse Martin, vice president of Health Services Integration at VHC Health, who shares her path from engineering to health care leadership. She discusses the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated fields and her commitment to mentoring the next generation.

Tune in for insights from these two inspiring leaders on thriving professionally, balancing motherhood and paving the way for others.   

Learn more about how VHC Health is supporting women’s health at the Charlotte S. Benjamin Center for Women's Health, where personalized care, advanced technology, and community-focused services come together. Celebrating its second year, the Center provides personalized, community-based care in one convenient location and offers the most advanced technology and therapies available, aiming to help women and their families achieve better health outcomes.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship.  Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.

Think shingles only affects people 50 and above? Think again.
If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk. 

When entrepreneur and former reality television star Ali Fedotowsky-Manno, 36 — best known as “The Bachelorette” in Season Six and as a contestant on Season 14 of "The Bachelor” — developed an itchy and painful rash, she thought it could’ve been from an insect bite or an adverse reaction to Botox.  

In this episode of Living Well with Alison Starling, a podcast brought to you by VHC Health and WBJ, Fedotowsky-Manno describes the intense pain she felt.

“My way of describing (the pain) to people — imagine somehow sticking your brain into an outlet and it's (like an) electrical current straight into your brain,” Fedotowsky-Manno said.

Health challenges can occur at any age. In this interview, Fedotowsky-Manno also shares her husband’s unexpected thyroid cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery process.

VHC Health is becoming the region’s preferred community health system. With a teaching hospital and multiple primary and specialty care locations, we offer exceptional patient-centered care close to where our patients live and work. Consistently recognized for excellence, VHC Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community.

Disclaimer
This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are provided for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not create a patient-provider relationship.  Seek the advice of your personal healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the information presented and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Unless specifically stated in the podcast, the views expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of VHC Health. Participation in this podcast should not be implied as an endorsement of VHC Health or any particular organization, product or service.