Medicus

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mary King, an internal medicine physician and POCUS enthusiast, to discuss how point-of-care ultrasound is transforming patient care and medical education. Dr. King shares her journey into medicine and her passion for making ultrasound more accessible.

We explore the latest advancements in portable ultrasound technology, the barriers to wider adoption, and the controversies surrounding POCUS in documentation and billing. Dr. King also offers insights into teaching ultrasound to medical students and residents, highlighting its growing role in shaping diagnostic confidence and clinical decision-making.

Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a medical trainee, or simply curious about the future of bedside medicine, this episode is packed with valuable perspectives and expert advice.

Episode produced by: Ari Peikes and Griffin Johnson

Episode recording date: 10/29/2024

www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mary Lynn, an obgyn at Loyola University Medical Center, about the often overlooked topic of female sexual wellness and dysfunction. From low libido and pain during sex to emotional barriers and hormonal shifts, we explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects that can impact sexual health. Our goal is to foster understanding, break down stigma, and provide practical insights.

Dr. Mary Lynn is an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center. She is the co-director for the Loyola Sexual Wellness Program and recently published on outcomes of this multidisciplinary program in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. She is active in research and mentored medical students through the Star program as well as research honors. Dr. Lynn created the women’s sexual health education module which is part of the curriculum for 3rd year medical students and she lectures to them regularly on this topic. Currently, she serves on the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health education committee and as well as the Faculty Advisory Board for the Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Medicine. Additionally, she contributes to the Sexual Medicine Society of North America women's sexual health committee and acts as an advisor for the Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Health. She is an oral board examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and serves on the recertification committee. She is a PCM1 Advisor and active on the Loyola IRB committee. Her current research focuses on Women's Sexual Health Medical Education and Sexual Health in Pregnancy.

For further questions, Dr. Lynn can be reached at [email protected] 

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga and Jaqueline Tarsitano

Episode recording date: 10/14/24

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In this episode of Medicus, we’re diving into the world of integrative medicine—a healthcare approach that goes beyond symptom management to treat the whole person. We talk with Dr. Jennifer Ron, an emergency medicine and integrative medicine physician about her practice. Join us as we explore how traditional medicine can work hand-in-hand with integrative practices to offer a more holistic path to health and wellness.

Whether you’re curious about what integrative medicine really means, looking for insights on how nutrition impacts health, or interested in how these practices can work within a traditional medical framework, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in and discover how integrative medicine might just be the key to creating a healthcare system that truly heals.

To learn more about Dr. Ron’s DPEP program, you can visit her website at: https://www.healingcancerfromwithin.com

Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson

Episode recording date: 10/07/2024

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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Cathy Quach, MPH about her journey to becoming a health educator.

Cathy Quach, MPH is a health educator with the Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors Program at the University of California, Davis. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and a minor in theatre and dance. After undergrad, she worked as an emergency medical technician working in the greater Sacramento area, right just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspired by her experiences, she later pursued her masters of public Health at UC Davis and continued her passion for supporting the local community. 

Episode produced by: Deborah Chen

Episode recording date: 7/11/2024

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The autopsy has wide-ranging benefits on medicine, public health, and research. However, the rates of autopsies performed in the hospital have declined tremendously over the past several decades. The autopsy, accordingly, is often overlooked in medical education today. Emily Hagen, MD, has taken great interest in this. 

In this episode, we speak with Emily (former Medicus producer!) about her firsthand experiences with the autopsy, dating back to her pre-med days and continuing throughout her time at Stritch School of Medicine. She is a fierce advocate for the autopsy’s incorporation into medical education. While a medical student, Emily researched non-pathologist physicians’ experiences with and views toward the autopsy and she launched an autopsy observation program for Loyola medical students. The associated research has been presented at multiple academic conferences. She also helped to curate Autopsy/Forensic Pathology modules for the PathElective, an internationally utilized resource. 

As an aspiring internist, Emily discusses the relevance of the autopsy to physicians and the medical community at large. 

Tune in now to learn more about this important and interesting topic! 

To connect with Emily, email her at [email protected]. 

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 6/4/24

www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected]  | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this episode, host Julien Stroumza sits down with Medicus member Jackie Tarsitano to discuss the alarming rise of genetic testing fraud, a multibillion-dollar scam that targets Medicare beneficiaries. Tune in as they explore the financial and ethical implications of this deceptive practice, shedding light on its impact on patients, healthcare providers, and the system as a whole.  Jackie can be reached at [email protected] 

Episode produced by: Jackie Tarsitano

Episode recording date: 6/15/24

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In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we chat about the field of Neurosurgery. Our guest, Dr. Deja Rush, shares advice on how to set yourself up for success regarding matching into this competitive specialty and shares tips to help you stand out both on paper and in person.

Deja Rush, MD, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She is currently an incoming neurosurgery resident at Brown University. Deja attended The Ohio State University for college where she studied Biomedical Engineering and Spanish and graduated cum laude with honors research distinction. She went on to obtain her medical degree from Howard University where she finished first in her class and developed a passion for neurosurgery under the guidance of Dr. Damirez Fossett. Deja is extremely passionate about research that underscores disparities in healthcare, as well as mentorship, particularly for those underrepresented in neurosurgery.

To connect with Deja, reach out to her on Instagram or Twitter at @djrush8

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 5/2/24

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In the U.S., a medical emergency can quickly turn into a financial crisis, leaving many patients buried under insurmountable medical debt. In this episode, we delve into the world of medical debt relief with Jared Walker, the founder of Dollar For—a non-profit dedicated to helping patients eliminate their medical bills through hospital charity care. But how widespread are these programs, and where does the funding come from? Join us as we uncover the answers and share stories of lives changed by this vital work. Tune in now to learn how Dollar For is making a difference, one bill at a time.

You can follow Dollar For on Instagram and TikTok:

https://www.instagram.com/dollarfor/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@dollarfor?lang=en

And visit Dollar For at their website below!

https://dollarfor.org/

Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson

Episode recording date: 7/24/2024

www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Simranjit Kaur, MPH about her journey to becoming an epidemiologist.

Simranjit Kaur, MPH is an epidemiologist at a local public health jurisdiction in Northern California. Before becoming an epidemiologist, her experience spans a wide range of disease management aspects related to COVID-19, including case investigation, infection control, and disease prevention. She also managed all COVID-19-related website content and played a key role in developing outreach materials. She received both her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Master of Public Health from the University of California Davis. She will be applying for medical schools in hopes of becoming a primary care physician to integrate her public health knowledge into her medical practice.

Episode produced by: Deborah Chen

Episode recording date: 3/29/2024

www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we chat about the field of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics. Our guest, Bran Garcia, shares advice on how to set yourself up for success regarding matching into this unique specialty and shares tips to help you stand out both on paper and in person.

Brian Garcia, MD was born in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States at the age of 10. He grew up in a border town in south Texas, where he attended high school and completed his undergraduate education at Texas A&M International University. Growing up in a border town, he experienced the unique blend of Mexican American culture highlighted by its unique cuisine, traditions, and people. However, he also witnessed health disparities that exist within low-income communities. 

Prior to medical school, Brian worked in construction where he learned valuable lessons about resilience and hard work, while noticing the detrimental effects on people’s health due to lack of access to care as well as the language barrier that exists between Spanish-speaking immigrants and physicians. These experiences inspired Brian to pursue a career in medicine. During medical school, he focused on finding ways to extend access to care among low-income communities and minorities. Brian chose to pursue a specialty in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics because it allows him to treat patients of all ages while also working and learning from colleagues in other specialties. Brian is now an Internal Medicine-Pediatrics resident at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.

If you would like to connect with Brian, reach out to him via email at [email protected] 

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode edited by: Jackie Tarsitano

Episode recording date: 5/4/34

www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate