This episode of Meaningful Medicine with Novant Health highlights heart rhythm disorders and how pacemakers work, who needs them, and why today’s devices are smarter and more adaptable than ever.

Dr. George Waits, a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology and rhythm management, explains what happens when the heart rhythm is out of sync, how doctors decide when a pacemaker is the right solution, and what patients can expect before and after implantation. 

Learn more about Dr. George Waits 

Do you have constant, sometimes intrusive thoughts about food, even at times when you are full? Dr. Rhonda Mough, who specializes in obesity medicine, explains food noise and cravings, and how the brain’s reward pathways may drive repetitive thoughts. Learn more about developing coping strategies from Dr. Mough and nurse practitioner Jamie Hamm. 

Learn more about Dr. Mough 

Heart failure can feel like a slow loss of momentum — but modern medicine has found remarkable ways to help the heart stay strong and healthy. In this episode of Meaningful Medicine, we discuss advanced heart failure care and explore how left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are transforming outcomes for patients whose hearts can no longer pump effectively on their own.

We’re joined by Dr. Hassan Alhosaini, a cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure, who explains what happens inside a failing heart, how LVADs work as mechanical partners to restore blood flow, and which patients benefit most from this life enhancing technology. 

Learn more about Hassan Alhosaini, MD 

Lung cancer carries more myths than almost any other cancer — and many of them keep people from getting the screening, treatment or support they need. In this Meaningful Medicine episode, we turn to Dr. Garrett Sherwood, a medical oncologist who specializes in lung cancer and thoracic malignancies, to separate fact from fiction.

We dig into the biggest misconceptions: that only smokers get lung cancer, that symptoms are obvious, that screening isn’t necessary, or that a diagnosis leaves few options. Dr. Sherwood explains what drives risk, why early detection is so powerful and how modern treatments — from minimally invasive surgery to targeted therapies — are giving patients more hope than ever. 

Learn more about Dr. Garrett Sherwood  

Dr. Dale Coffey, a vascular surgeon with Novant Health, discusses carotid artery disease, risk factors for vascular conditions and treatment options for conditions such as aortic aneurysms and peripheral artery disease. 

Learn more about Dr. Coffey 

This episode explains how heart conditions can affect pregnancy and why coordinated care matters for both mom and baby. Dr. Courtnay Foxwell walks through common conditions and signs to watch for.

Learn more about Dr. Courtney Foxwell 

Explore the latest treatment options that are supporting patients with uncommon heart conditions and why timely therapy can preserve quality of life. Dr. Zachary Garrett and Tucker Johnson, FNP discuss cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Learn more about Dr. Garrett.  

Learn more about Tucker Johnson. 

Are you at risk for heart disease? Take the quiz 

In this podcast Dr. Peter Kane, MD, a Wilmington-based cardiothoracic surgeon with the Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, explains how doctors decide when heart surgery is necessary and why timely treatment matters for long-term outcomes. You'll hear about coronary artery disease, diagnostic tests and when to talk to your doctor about symptoms such as chest pain and unexplained fatigue.

Learn more about Dr. Peter Kane
Are you at risk for heart disease? Take the quiz:

Bunions may be small, but they can cause big frustration — and women experience them far more often than men. In this episode of Meaningful Medicine, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stuart Saunders, who specializes in foot and ankle injuries, will share why this painful foot deformity is so common in women and what can be done to prevent or treat it.

We break down the real culprits: inherited foot structure, years of narrow or high heeled shoes, and the way women’s ligaments and joints naturally differ from men’s. You’ll also hear what symptoms to watch for, when to see a specialist, and which treatments — from shoe changes to surgery — can make a difference.

Learn more about Stuart Saunders, MD 

In this episode, we explain the role of a clinical pharmacist practitioner and why their work matters for cardiometabolic health. Glenn Herrington, CPP, PHARMD, walks through how clinical pharmacist practitioners provide comprehensive medication management and partner with cardiologists and primary care teams to reduce cardiovascular risk. 

Learn more about Glenn Herrington