In this episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal explore Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a complex neurological disease that affects nearly 3 million people globally, including over 1 million Americans. MS disproportionately impacts women, and studies show higher prevalence in northern states like Minnesota, which has the highest rates in the country.

Guests include:

• Mary Johnson, MS patient and advocate
• Dr. Jessica Stulc, Director of MS Treatment & Research, Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology
• Kathleen O’Donnell, President, Upper Midwest Chapter, National MS Society

Together, they shed light on early symptoms, lived experiences, the current state of MS research, and the power of advocacy, partnerships, and community in creating hope for those impacted by MS.

In this powerful episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal go beyond stats and symptoms to explore the lived experience of spinal cord injury—and the groundbreaking technologies transforming recovery.

Nearly 18,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a spinal cord injury each year. Today’s episode features two voices at the forefront: a hockey player's unshakable will and a scientist's drive to innovate.

Featured guests:

Jack Jablonski – Former Minnesota hockey standout and current LA Kings digital media specialist. Jack shares how his life changed after a 2011 spinal cord injury—and how he’s advancing recovery through his personal journey and the Jack Jablonski Foundation.

Dr. Parag Gad – CEO and Co-Founder of SpineX, Dr. Gad explains how his team’s non-invasive neuromodulation therapies (like SCONE™) are helping patients regain function—and what FDA Breakthrough Device designation means for the future of care.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Living with and training through paralysis
• How neuromodulation is redefining recovery
• Jack’s mission to help others BEL13VE
• The hope that drives patients and innovators forward

Want to collaborate or sponsor? Email [email protected].

Next up: Multiple Sclerosis—closing the gap in care.

Support spinal cord injury research through the Jack Jablonski Foundation. Every donation fuels progress toward life-changing breakthroughs.

#SpinalCordInjury #Neurotech #JackJablonski #PatientStories #ParalysisRecovery #HealthcareInnovation #SCI #SpineX #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN #BEL13VE

In this spring episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal explore the vital role heart valves play in keeping us alive—and what happens when they don’t work as they should. With 2.5% of the U.S. population affected by heart valve disease and 40,000 babies born each year with congenital heart defects, the need for innovation is more urgent than ever.

Featured guests:

• Kris Bauerschmidt, entrepreneur and medical device leader, shares his journey receiving a mechanical heart valve and what life is like post-surgery.
• Dr. Maan Jokhadar, Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, explains how heart valve care has evolved, when to repair vs. replace, and why anticoagulants like Warfarin are still necessary.
• Dr. Mayra Guerrero, Mayo Clinic Interventional Cardiologist and board member of the Heart Valve Society, discusses global collaboration in research and what innovations give her hope.

In this episode you will hear about: 

• Living with a mechanical valve
• Evolving heart valve treatments
• Research priorities and future tech
• Why heart health starts with awareness

Have ideas on collaboration or want to sponsor Patient Innovations? Reach out to [email protected].

Next up: spinal cord injuries—featuring a Minnesota hockey legend's powerful recovery story.

#HeartValveHealth #Cardiology #PatientStories #HealthcareInnovation #MayoClinic #HeartValveSociety #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN

In this episode of Patient Innovations, we hear from Robert J. Proulx, who is receiving care for sleep apnea. Then Dr. Runji Varghese, a sleep medicine physician at Hennepin Healthcare and Medical Director at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, and Sarah Chiapetta, head of product at GEM Health in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, share clinical information and innovation from their organizations.

For resources and support, check out the American Sleep Apnea Foundation at https://www.sleephealth.org/. You can learn more about Dr. Varghese's center at https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/specialty/minnesota-regional-sleep-disorders-center/. To learn more about the GEM Health solution go to https://www.mygemsleep.com/.

#sleepapnea #PatientAdvocacy #PatientInnovationsPodcast 

Joining us in the studio are:

• Mark Bearman – An ALS patient with a genetic mutation, sharing his personal journey.
• Dr. Sam Maiser – Chair of the Department of Neurology at Hennepin Healthcare, offering medical insights.
• Jennifer Hjelle – Chief Community Engagement Officer for the ALS Association, discussing advocacy and resources.

ALS, which currently has no known cure, often begins with muscle weakness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs before progressing to other parts of the body. As nerve cells die, movement becomes more difficult, eventually impacting chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing.

The Ice Bucket Challenge became a historic movement, raising millions of dollars for ALS research. These efforts contributed to the development of the first drug showing significant potential in treating genetically induced ALS.

 Learn more, find resources, and support advocacy efforts at The ALS Association – dedicated to finding a cure for ALS. 

In this episode, we explore the journey of organ transplantation—what it takes to make transplants possible, the latest advancements in the field, and the powerful stories of those whose lives have been forever changed.

Our guests include:

• Ben Williams – Kidney transplant recipient, NFL Players Association Chapter President, and former US NFL football player (including the Minnesota Vikings) who transitioned to the NFL Europe/World Football League. Ben Williams Foundation is on a mission to educate on kidney disease: https://benwilliamsfoundation.org/
• Dr. Vanessa Humphreville, MD, FACS – Liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant surgeon and associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.
• Kate Kishish – Transplant coordinator at LifeSource, one of 56 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the country. LifeSource serves the second-largest geographical region, covering Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of western Wisconsin, with a mission to save and heal lives through organ donation and transplantation.

Organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure in which a donor’s organ is surgically placed into a recipient whose own organ has failed or been damaged. While thousands of lives are transformed each year through organ donation, the need for organs continues to far exceed the available supply. Join us as we explore the science, the human impact, and the critical need for awareness and action in organ transplantation. Learn more about how to become a donor at LifeSource.

This episode of Patient Innovations delves into the realities of living with depression, featuring personal stories, expert insights, and organizational perspectives.

Guests:

• Julie Berggren shares her journey with depression, the challenges she faced, and the tools that have supported her mental health.
• Dr. Talee Vang, award-winning psychologist and Vice President of Health Equity at Hennepin Healthcare, emphasizes the role of cultural sensitivity, equity, and access in effective mental health care.
• Shannon Stauff, COO of Cadre, a mental health app, discusses her journey in the mental health space and how Cadre, a MN based startup is making a difference in addressing depression and other mental health issues  

In this episode, we explore Multiple Myeloma, a rare and complex blood cancer, with insights from experts and a patient navigating the journey firsthand. Together, they share the challenges of diagnosis, advancements in treatment, and hope through innovative care.

• Ron Thiessen – A patient sharing his courageous story of resilience.
• Dr. Joseph Maakaron – A leading oncologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and Clinical Investigator in the Bone Marrow Transplant Division and Stem Cell Institute.
• Jeff Liter – CEO of Luminary Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company transforming care with allogeneic cellular therapies.

This conversation highlights the strength of the Multiple Myeloma community and the transformative impact of cutting-edge research and personalized care.

#MultipleMyeloma #BloodCancerAwareness #PatientInnovations #HealthcareAdvances

Additional Resources:

• The MMRF | Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Blood Cancer Leaders | LLS
• Lymphoma Research Foundation | Research. Community. Cure

In this episode, we delve into the realities of diabetes with three insightful guests. Angie Kruger shares her journey of managing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Dr. Pankaj Shah, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, offers expert insights into the medical aspects and challenges of diabetes care, and Stacey Pugh, CEO of Endogenex, discusses innovations in T2D treatment and Minnesota's role as a medtech hub. Together, they explore the importance of lifestyle adjustments, early detection, and the latest therapies transforming diabetes management. Tune in for valuable insights on the future of diabetes care and tips for living well with T2D.

Disclaimer: This episode is intended to inform and explore innovations; it does not promote or endorse any specific products or companies.

In this episode of Patient Innovations, we explore the complexities of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through the lens of personal experience, medical expertise, and community advocacy. Our guests include Dennik McBride, a courageous sickle cell warrior, who shares her personal journey living with the condition. Dr. Ashish Gupta from the University of Minnesota,  Dr.Gupta largely cares for children and young adults with sickle cell disease who need transplant based therapies. In the episode he provides insight into the latest research and treatment advancements;This episode highlights that there are many challenges, including the implementation of standard guidelines, for adults with sickle cell disease. These include, but not limited to, access to primary and specialty care, transition of care as well as comprehensive sickle cell care. We also have Rae Blaylark, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of MN, who highlights the importance of community support, advocacy, and resources for those affected by SCD. Together, they discuss the challenges patients face in navigating healthcare, the impact of SCD on marginalized communities, and the promising future of treatments like gene therapy and bone marrow transplants. 

For resources and support, The Sickle Cell Foundation can be accessed at  www.sicklecellmn.org . You can calso follow them @sicklecellmn on LinkedIn, FB, IG and Twitter (X).

#SickleCellAwareness #HealthcareEquity #PatientAdvocacy #PatientInnovationsPodcast #SickleCellFoundationMN #GeneTherapy #HealthDisparities