On Call with Dr. Randy

5:45 - Early Diagnosis and symptoms 

11:15 - Research on M.S.

15:35 - Mental Effects

18:10 - Relapsing 

22:00 - Telling loved ones

25:30 - Treatment process 

27:00 - Treatment side effects 

30:00 - Relationship with God 

34:10 - Post-diagnosis phase 

38:20 - Words of wisdom 

39:45 - Randy’s Random Questions

Tweetable Quotes:

“Don't take for granted the things that the body does naturally.” - Jarvus Cox

“At any moment, I didn't think my legs would stop working.” - Jarvus Cox

“I had to do some internal thinking and realize I might be depressed." - Jarvus Cox

"I didn't realize how much love people can have for you." - Jarvus Cox

“Take care of yourself because nobody else will in the way that you will.” - Jarvus Cox

About Jarvus Cox:

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Jarvus Cox lived a seemingly normal life as a former captain in the military when he got an early diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, causing him to experience mental and physical symptoms including faded memory. Along with being a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Jarvus is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and the University of Texas at Dallas. He served diligently in the U.S. Army as an Infantry and Signal Corp Captain from 2008 to 2012 in which he became a Program Manager for Raytheon Technologies. When he's not working or fighting his diagnosis, Jarvus is a loving husband to his wife, Crystal, and a proud father of twin boys. 

5:00 - Defining depression & it's symptoms 

10:10 - Suicidal thoughts, triggers, attempt and intervention 

21:25 - Family responses to suicide attempt

24:05 - Teenage reflections 

27:05 - Being the “man of the house”

30:00 - Mother/son relationship

37:30 - Finding a therapist

43:00 - Blogging as therapy

46:25 - Tips to get out of depression

48:20 - Randy’s Random Question 

50:55 - Peace for Ryan

Tweetable Quotes:

“Depression feels like every day is heavy.” - Ryan Jackson

“It took going to therapy to understand what the problem was.” - Ryan Jackson

“Until you face those demons, they will just keep piling up." - Ryan Jackson

"It's a fight everyday, and I just got too tired to fight." - Ryan Jackson

“It was on me if I was going to take my mental health seriously.” - Ryan Jackson

"Give yourself grace." - Ryan Jackson

About Ryan Jackson:

Ryan Jackson is currently a student at Georgia State University, looking to take on the sports world and men's mental health. Using his life experiences, he’s been able to use his vulnerability to talk about the things that a good amount of men haven’t shared. Starting his blog Pain Behind A Facade, has allowed him to open up about past trauma and how he is learning to tackle the impacts of poor mental health. 

3:55 - Journey to becoming a physician

5:35 - What is alopecia

12:10 - Journey to losing hair

17:20 - Psychosocial implications 

20:15 - Alopecia prevention

22:10 - Alopecia causes and research

22:50 - Risk factors

28:25 - Alopecia advocacy and support 

32:00 - Support groups

37:30 - Alopecia as a physician

45:25 - Typical treatments  

51:55 - Words of wisdom 

54:55 - Randy’s Random Question 

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s been a long journey, but it’s definitely made me stronger. I’d definitely do it all over again.” - Dr. Angela Rodgers 

“That day I stopped wearing a wig, I transformed into someone who became a stronger, more confident individual rooted in self-love.” - Dr. Angela Rodgers 

“For most people, this is a chronic medical condition.” - Dr. Angela Rodgers 

"If you lose a part of yourself, that impacts you emotionally for the rest of your life.” - Dr. Angela Rodgers 

“Nurture your physical health as much as your mental health.” - Dr. Angela Rodgers 

About Dr. Angela Rodgers:

Dr. Angela Rodgers is a Board-Certified family medicine physician and core faculty member of the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program. She has worked in the department of emergency medicine for the past 3 years and continues to serve on the front times at a county safety net hospital in Northern California. Diagnosed with alopecia areata at the age of 4 and as a first generation college as well as terminal degree graduate (both from University of California, Davis), Dr. Rodgers made it her goal to advocate for alopecia awareness and the psychosocial aspect of alopecia through publications, presentations, and performance. She led the Sacramento County Alopecia Support Group for 10 years and has served as a consultant for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). More recently, she has had the opportunity to learn more about physician well-being through the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) as a scholar within the first-ever Leading Physician Well-being (LPW) cohort and now is a co-lead for wellness within her faculty appointment. After co-creating and co-hosting the virtual series "Let's Talk: Open Conversations for Women with Alopecia," she was featured on "The Real" to share her expertise and personal experience living with alopecia. Dr. Rodgers lives in Oakland, CA with her partner and enjoys music, community building mentorship, exercise, and sleep. 

3:35 - Journey to becoming a Breast Surgeon

4:45 - Job of a Breast Surgeon

6: 35 - When to get screened for breast cancer

12:00 - Screening vs. diagnostic imaging

15:15 - Who has an increased risk for breast cancer

18:00 - Abnormal mammogram next steps 

21:44 - Role of genetics in treatment

23:35 - Mastectomies   

27:40 - Insurance coverage 

29:55 - Treatment expectations 

35:10 - Early screenings

36”45 - Words of wisdom

39:20 - Randy’s Random Questions 

Tweetable Quotes:

“The lives that I feel like I can impact the most, are with those who look the most like me.” - Dr. April Spencer

“It’s the education that will give us better outcomes.” - Dr. April Spencer

“It’s not about vanity, it’s about sanity” [when talking about mastectomies] - Dr. April Spencer

"Be aware of your anatomy." - Dr. April Spencer

“If you see something, say something.” - Dr. April Spencer

About Dr. April Spencer:

Dr. April Spencer is the Founder and Chief Operating Surgeon of Dr. Spencer’s Global Breast Health & Wellness Center. She is a board certified general surgeon and completed a Breast Surgery Fellowship At MD Anderson Cancer Center. As a breast surgical expert, she  provides 100% breast surgical services to women, men and adolescents. Dr. Spencer has recently launched her own makeup and skincare line, https://www.taylormadecosmetics.online/. 

2:24 - Journey to Podiatry

4:05 - What Podiatrists do

10:05 - Movements to help with foot health

12:05 - Tips to finding the proper shoes

13:30 -Treatment options for corns and calluses 

17:35 - About Plantar Fasciitis 

21:40 - Plantar fasciitis treatments and stretches

29:10 - Toenail fungus

34:40 - Benefits of biopsies 

36:00 - Toenail fungus treatments 

41:10 - Dr. Melcher's words of wisdom

42:55 - Randy’s Random Questions 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I’ve learned my foot.” - Dr. Porsha Melcher

“You have to be consistent with your care to have the best outcome.” - Dr. Porsha Melcher

“Take care of your feet, you only get 1 pair.” - Dr. Porsha Melcher

About Dr. Porsha Melcher:

Dr. Porsha Melcher is a native Houstonian, who enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She received her undergraduate degree from Prairie View A&M University until pursuing her medical degree from Kent State university of Podiatric Medicine. She is a member of American Society of Podiatric Surgeons (ASPS), American Podiatric Medicine Association (APMA) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine(ABPM).

On Call With Dr. Randy Demographic Survey: Take the survey.

3:15 - Dr. Shin's journey to acupuncture

7:50 - What acupuncture is

15:10 - The nervous system 

16:55 - Common ailments treated with acupuncture

24:00 - Needle usage in acupuncture

26:25 - Migraine treatment in relation to acupuncture

30:50 - The science of acupuncture 

33:35 - Treating pregnancy symptoms 

39:40 - Considerations for getting acupuncture treatment

43:05 - Acupuncturists in your area recommendation 

44:05 - Randy’s Random Questions

Tweetable Quotes:

“The origin of acupuncture was to treat royal families 3000 years ago in China.” - Dr. Jiyo Shin

“Sometimes when you relieve the pain you may resolve the pain ” - Dr. Jiyo Shin

“Our brain is what perceives our symptoms [regarding pain and other ailments].” - Dr. Jiyo Shin

About Dr. Jiyo Shin:

Dr. Jiyo Shin believes in serving our community by practicing family medicine. Good health is a goal that we all share in order to achieve a rich full life. She believes in partnering with her patients in a setting of open communication to achieve this goal. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine from the Chung-Ang University School of Medicine and speaks fluent Korean. She has completed training in Family Medicine specialty through Emory Family Medicine residency program in Atlanta and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She has a special interest in preventive medicine, weight control, common dermatologic problems, women’s health, diabetes, hypertension and managing high cholesterol issues. When not practicing medicine, she enjoys traveling, hiking, scuba diving and playing tennis.

On Call With Dr. Randy Demographic Survey: Take the survey.

9:20 - Why Gastroenterology 

14:35 - Breakdown of the digestive system and its functions 

16:25 - What colon cancer is

23:40 - Groups with increased risks for colon cancer

30:35 - Prepping for colonoscopies   

38:45 - Risks of colonoscopies 

47:00 - Blood markers 

51:30 - Colon cancer treatment options 

56:35 - Randy’s Random Questions 

Tweetable Quotes:

“That gut-brain interaction is real! When we perceive stress, in our brain and in our environment, it can physically manifest in the gut.” - Dr. Shani Woolard Clay

“About half of colon cancer deaths in this country could have been prevented with proper colon cancer screening at the right times.” - Dr. Shani Woolard Clay

“The first one [colonoscopy] is always the scariest.” - Dr. Shani Woolard Clay

“45 is the new 50 to get your colonoscopies.” - Dr. Shani Woolard Clay

About Dr. Shani Woolard Clay:

Shani Woolard Clay, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist practicing at Emory Healthcare in Jonesboro, GA. She grew up in Maryland and completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University and medical studies at University of Maryland School of Medicine. She subsequently went on to complete her internal medicine residency at University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital and her gastroenterology fellowship at Emory University Hospital. 

She sees general GI patients, with a special interest in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colorectal cancer screening and gastroesophageal reflux disorder.

Dr. Woolard is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American College of Gastroenterology.

On Call With Dr. Randy Demographic Survey: Take the survey.

2:15 - Benzodiazepines, a.k.a "Benzos"

4:35 - Commonly prescribed Z-drugs

5:40 - Melatonin 

6:30 - Antidepressants 

7:15 - Antihistamines 

10:30 - How to contact Dr. Randy 

On Call With Dr. Randy Demographic Survey: Take the survey.

5:32 - Finding the problem with sleep that needs to be solved

9:20 - A breakdown of the sleep stages 

13:15 - What is Insomnia?

17:00 - Mental health disorders and Insomnia 

20:11 - Bad sleep habits 

25:15 - The role alcohol plays in Insomnia 

29:25 - The health benefits with getting quality sleep 

33:15 - Treatment options for Insomnia 

41:25 - Cognitive behavioral therapy before medication 

45:41 - The impact a spouse/partner has on sleep 

50:45 - Dr. Holliday-Bell's solutions

54:40 - Randy’s Random Questions 

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4:10 - The different levels of anesthesiology 

13:07 - Steps to prepare patients for surgery

22:50 - Case example

34:15 - Cases of awareness during surgery and how to deal with it

38:44 - What to do when someone crashes after waking up from anesthesia

46:45 - The beginning of the Black Doctor's Podcast

47:56 - How the military made Dr. Steven Bradley better

53:35 - How to get in contact with Dr. Steven Bradley