Optimal neuro|spine

One of oncology’s greatest challenges in treating cancer is when it spreads to a different part of the body. When cancer spreads to the spine, it presents unique challenges for doctors creating a successful treatment plan. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing the chief of Oncology at Sloan Kettering, and one of my mentors, Dr. Mark Bilsky. We’ll discuss the logistics of his practice, surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies, as well as recent advances in the field of spinal oncology.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Getting to know Dr. Mark Bilsky and his practice [0:56]
• Why Dr. Bilsky decided to focus on spinal oncology [4:18]
• The epidemiology of spinal cancer, the role surgery plays in treatment, and how surgical techniques and equipment have changed over time [6:45]
• How Dr. Bilsky evaluates spinal metastases at his center and the logistics of his practice [18:03]
• Examining advances in radiosurgery and the systems Dr. Bilsky uses at Sloan Kettering [23:51]
• Treating instability in spinal cancer patients [25:48]
• Rapid-fire updates on modeling management for various types of tumors [28:42]
• The magic wand question [33:19]

Connect with Dr. Mark Bilsky

• Mark H. Bilsky | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2022 by shedding light on an area of research that isn’t talked about enough: pediatric spinal cord injury. Most spinal cord injury conversations revolve around adults, but children also suffer from injury and face unique challenges in both treatment and research. Thankfully, my guest, Dr. Andrea Behrman is leading the way for both! We discuss her work, her breakthroughs, the current state of pediatric spinal cord injury treatment, and what the future looks like for this vitally important field. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Getting to know Dr. Andrea Behrman and her work [1:01] 
• Why Dr. Behrman’s work is so important [7:36]
• The epidemiology of pediatric spinal cord injury [11:46]
• The quality of life for kids with spinal cord injury [13:30]
• Taking a closer look at initial care for pediatric spinal cord injury [21:43]
• Dr. Behrman looks back at her accomplishments over three decades [25:19]
• The challenges of pediatric spinal cord injury treatment and research [32:48]
• Looking at the future of pediatric spinal cord injury treatment [38:13] 
• A message of hope for parents and physicians of kids with spinal cord injury [40:38]
• Training the next generation and the magic wand question [43:42]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Noninvasive spinal stimulation safely enables upright posture in children with spinal cord injury | Nature Communications (Paper) 

Connect with Dr. Andrea Behrman

• Andrea Behrman, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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If you’ve never heard the term digital neurosurgery before, you’re not alone. While it sounds like something out of a space opera, digital neurosurgery is likely the future of medical neuroscience. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Thomas Picht, the first professor of digital neurosurgery in the world. We take a deep dive into everything that digital neurosurgery entails, exciting technological advancements in the field, and the future ramifications of the digitalization of medicine. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• What is digital neurosurgery? [3:04] 
• The Adaptive Digital Twin in digital neurosurgery [9:14]
• The challenges brain tumor neurosurgeons face and how Dr. Picht is trying to solve them [12:38] 
• Exciting technological advancements Dr. Picht is using in the field [13:57]
• Dr. Picht’s research at the Berlin Simulation and Training Center [15:59]
• How simulation training impacts education in the medical field [18:21] 
• How the advent of electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) improves patient outcomes [29:29]
• The reason Dr. Picht chose digital neurosurgery [32:41]
• Dr. Pichts advice for young digital neurosurgeons [35:32]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Berlin Training and Simulation Center 

Connect with Dr. Thomas Picht

• Dr. Thomas Picht 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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We constantly talk about quality improvement on this podcast, but what does it actually take? Is one method better than another? Where should hospitals start in terms of improving quality? On this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jordan Peck of Southern Maine Healthcare and the Harvard School of Public Health for a multifaceted conversation about quality improvement in the medical field.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Defining quality improvement in healthcare [2:24]
• How do we assess the quality of a healthcare institution? [6:47] 
• Dr. Peck’s take on the best way to improve the quality of care [10:05]
• Comparing different methods for quality improvement [13:17]
• The relationship between patient safety and quality improvement [18:15]
• The role of physicians in quality improvement [20:14]
• Which problems should hospitals tackle first to improve quality? [22:42]
• Looking back at the quality improvement and patient safety movements [25:45]
• Examining the benefits and limitations of checklists [31:48]
• Areas Dr. Peck thinks are overdue for a quality improvement [35:38]
• The future of quality improvement and the “magic wand question” [38:32]

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization (Book) 

Connect with Dr. Jordan Peck

• Jordan S. Peck, PhD 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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It’s not every day that you get to talk to someone with 40 years of research experience in your field. Let alone, someone as distinguished as my guest for this episode. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Scott Whittemore to discuss a myriad of topics from his four-decade career as a spinal cord injury research scientist including stem cell research, proteostasis in spinal cord injured patients, and the reversible silencing of lumbar interneurons.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• The secret sauce that makes scientific collaborations work [3:24] 
• Taking a deep dive into Dr. Whittemore’s research [10:06]
• Dr. Whittemore’s take on the current potential of stem cells [18:40]
• What is proteostasis? [21:22] 
• Pharmaceutical solutions for proteostasis [27:18]
• The silencing of the lumbar interneurons [29:19] 
• What Dr. Whittemore wish he knew 40 years ago [35:02]
• Becoming a good scientist and training the next generation [37:14]

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and The Buoniconti Fund
• Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center 
• Reversible silencing of lumbar spinal interneurons unmasks a task-specific network for securing hindlimb alternation (Paper) 

Connect with Dr. Scott Whittemore

• Scott R. Whittemore, Ph.D 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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Optimizing the quality of patient care is what this podcast is all about and my guest for this episode is challenging the status quo by creating incredible patient experiences. Dr. Ryan Grant left a promising neurosurgery career to start Vori Health, a virtual one-stop-shop for musculoskeletal care. We discuss how he made that transition, the current challenges of the medical system to provide next-level care, and how Vori Health is answering the call for better patient experiences.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Getting to know Dr. Ryan Grant [1:44]
• What is Vori Health? [6:11]
• Why Dr. Grant started with musculoskeletal care [12:04]
• Dr. Grant’s take on how to improve the treatment of chronic back pain [14:10]
• The Vori Health patient experience [19:32] 
• Virtual versus in-person treatment [26:12]
• Mental health as a component of musculoskeletal care [29:11] 
• Patient outcomes and feedback [32:30]
• Applying the Vori Health model to academics [36:04]
• How Dr. Grant measures success [38:51]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Vori Health 

Connect with Dr. Ryan Grant

• Follow Dr. Grant on LinkedIn

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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Functional neurosurgery is a small but growing medical field that has had a major impact on the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Joseph Neimat, a brilliant neurosurgeon and clinician-scientist helping lead the charge for greater research and innovation in his field. We discuss the evolution of functional neurosurgery, its future in modern medicine, and ways to optimize it for safer and more successful results.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Getting to know Dr. Joseph Neimat [1:49]
• The progression of functional neurosurgery [6:46]
• Technological advancements in the field of functional neurosurgery [12:23]
• Functional neurosurgery as a treatment for depression and obesity [16:21]
• Taking a deep dive into Dr. Neimat’s research [19:43]
• Training the next generation of neuro-innovators [23:38]
• The development status of Dr. Neimat’s novel devices [27:53] 
• Optimizing functional neurosurgery [29:51]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Irving S. Cooper (1922-1985): a pioneer in functional neurosurgery 

Connect with Dr. Joseph Neimat

• Joseph Neimat, MD, MS 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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In the ever-growing, ever-advancing field of medical science, the need for self-directed learners is at an all-time high. This is especially true for both graduate medical students and medical professionals who wish to improve their patient’s quality of care. On this episode, I am joined by the brilliant Dr. Staci Saner to discuss the science of learning and the best methods for developing self-directed learners to further quality improvement in medical care.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Understanding learning on a scientific level [2:04] 
• Utilizing different learning techniques [5:20] 
• The importance of self-directed learning [10:55] 
• Breaking down different theories for learning [16:57] 
• Reflective practice as a learning tool [20:48] 
• What is the QARRD? [28:01]
• The role of motivation and growth mindsets in self-directed learning [30:43] 
• Dr. Saner’s encouragement for healthcare educators [34:52] 

Resources & People Mentioned

• Effects of active engagement and spaced retrieval practice on knowledge and application of a self‐assessment rubric (Paper) 
• HPE Program (Website)
• Questioning Aid for Rich, Real-Time Discussion (QARRD): A Tool to Improve Critical Thinking in Clinical Settings (Paper)

Connect with Dr. Staci Saner

• Email Dr. Saner
• Follow Dr. Saner on Twitter 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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One of the leading scientists researching treatments for paralysis and spinal cord injury is Dr. Susan Harkema. Her work has led to multiple breakthroughs that led to improved function and quality of life for patients that were previously deemed impossible. On this episode, I invite Dr. Harkema to discuss those discoveries, how they came about, and the future of treating paralysis.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Dr. Harkema’s background and training [1:20]
• An overview of paralysis and spinal cord injury [4:35]
• Non-pharmacological approaches to treating paralysis [10:12]
• Dr. Harkema’s groundbreaking study on neuromodulation through epidural stimulation [15:24]
• Redefining the possibilities for paralysis recovery [19:28]
• Other benefits of epidural stimulation [23:56]
• Overcoming technological limitations and pioneering the future of paralysis treatment [29:09]
• What Dr. Harkema believes is missing from spinal cord injury care [32:04]
• The future of epidural stimulation in the treatment of spinal cord injury [34:02]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Effect of epidural stimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord on voluntary movement, standing, and assisted stepping after motor complete paraplegia: a case study (2011 Case Study) 
• Recovery of Over-Ground Walking after Chronic Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury (2018 Case Study)
• Victory Over Paralysis (Website)

Connect with Dr. Susan Harkema

• Like Dr. Harkema on Facebook
• Follow Dr. Harkema on Twitter

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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A major issue plaguing spinal cord injury patients and the medical field as a whole is polypharmacy and the over-prescribing of pharmaceuticals. It’s a complicated problem without a “one-size-fits-all” solution. On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sara Guilcher to discuss the impact and risks of polypharmacy as well as some of the ways physicians can help tackle the problem and increase the quality of care for patients with a potential need for multiple medications.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Defining polypharmacy [2:06] 
• The impact and risks of polypharmacy [5:48] 
• The role of pain in polypharmacy [11:00] 
• Examining the complexities of the polypharmacy problem [13:49] 
• Polypharmacy as a systemic patient safety issue [22:46] 
• Dr. Guilcher’s five steps to prevent polypharmacy [27:15] 

Resources & People Mentioned

• Craig H. Neilsen Foundation 

Connect with Dr. Sara Guilcher

• GuilcherLab.com
• Follow Dr. Guilcher on Twitter

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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