In this episode, Dr. Parsons and Dr. Battista discuss current and emerging medical therapies for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). They review safety, efficacy, and monitoring parameters of current agents, as well as adjuct therapies in the medication pipeline. This high-level overview includes:

• Review of FDA-approved medical therapies: nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi, and risdiplam
• Discussion of the safety, efficacy, and monitoring parameters for FDA approved medications, as well as adjuctive agents for medication therapy complications
• Review of ongoing clinical trials on anti-myostatin medications and discussion of the role these agents would play if approved by the FDA

Presenters:

Julie Parsons, MD
Co-Director, Neuromuscular Clinic
Haberfeld Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Denver, Colorado

Vanessa Battista, DNP, MBA, RN, MS, CPNP-PC, CHPPN, FPCN
Senior Director of Nursing, Palliative Care
Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts

Supported by an educational grant from Biogen

Link to full program:
bit.ly/41kw2dK

Link to CME: Claim credit -
bit.ly/40fkDKD

In this episode, Julie Parsons, MD, discusses the genetic diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), anticipated clinical findings, the importance of newborn screenings, and the next steps to consider after a positive diagnosis is obtained. This high-level overview includes:

• SMA as an autosomal recessive disease
• Differences in spinal motor neurons (SMN) 1 and 2 at the time of diagnosis and how these drive severity of disease
• Important clinical findings in the diagnosis of SMA, as every child may not be identified with newborn screening
• The importance of newborn screening and critical next steps and logistical considerations when receiving a positive screen in your practice

Presenters:

Julie Parsons, MD
Co-Director, Neuromuscular Clinic
Haberfeld Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Denver, Colorado

Vanessa Battista, DNP, MBA, RN, MS, CPNP-PC, CHPPN, FPCN
Senior Director of Nursing, Palliative Care
Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts 

Supported by an educational grant from Biogen

Link to full program: 
bit.ly/41kw2dK

Link to CME: Claim credit - 
bit.ly/40eyBwr

In this episode, Dr. Battista and Dr. Parsons discuss the importance of care guidelines and the multidisciplinary team in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This overview will include:

• The role each member of the interdisciplinary team plays in the care of SMA including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists
• The importance of continued, ongoing therapy in addition to medication therapy to provide the greatest improvement in SMA care
• How to manage transitions in care, including the transition from pediatrics to adulthood and how to include the necessary support teams
• The role shared decision-making plays in the treatment of patients with SMA

Presenters:

Julie Parsons, MD
Co-Director, Neuromuscular Clinic
Haberfeld Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Denver, Colorado

Vanessa Battista, DNP, MBA, RN, MS, CPNP-PC, CHPPN, FPCN
Senior Director of Nursing, Palliative Care
Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts

Supported by an educational grant from Biogen.

Link to full program: 
https://bit.ly/43Dmo7q

Link to CME: Claim credit
https://bit.ly/40gulfX

In this episode, Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, and Cameron Smith, MPAS, PA-C, answer audience questions on how best to care for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from a live, virtual question and answer webinar. This episode includes expert insights on:

• Viral coinfections such as influenza and RSV
• New data comparing baricitinib and tocilizumab for patients with severe COVID-19
• Management of bacterial and fungal coinfection while incorporating antimicrobial stewardship
• Tips for transitioning patients out of the ICU and to the medical floor or home

Presenters:

Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD
Assistant Professor  
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine  
New York University School of Medicine  
Director
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Bellevue Hospital
New York

Cameron Smith MPAS, PA-C
Lead Advanced Practice Provider
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Bellevue Hospital
New York Health and Hospitals  
New York

Content based on an online program supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc. Link to full program: 
bit.ly/3z52c00

In this episode, Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, and Cameron Smith, MPAS, PA-C, answer audience questions on how best to care for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from a live, virtual question and answer webinar. This episode includes expert insights on:

• Supportive care management such as oxygen support, glycemic control, and anticoagulation
• Escalation of therapy in patients with worsening oxygen requirements
• Use of remdesivir in patients with renal dysfunction
• Brief commentary on long COVID

Presenters:

Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD
Assistant Professor  
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine  
New York University School of Medicine  
Director
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Bellevue Hospital
New York

Cameron Smith MPAS, PA-C
Lead Advanced Practice Provider
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Bellevue Hospital
New York Health and Hospitals  
New York, New York

Content based on an online program supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc.
bit.ly/3z52c00

In this podcast, Susan LeLacheur, DrPH, PA-C, AAHIVS discusses racial disparities in access to HIV prevention (PrEP) and strategies to close these gaps, including:

• Incorporating comprehensive sexual history into medical appointments and offering PrEP to all sexually active patients
• Increase awareness of PrEP access programs in communities of color
• Diversification of the medical workforce

Faculty: 

Susan LeLacheur, DrPH, PA-C, AAHIVS

Professor

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The George Washington University

Washington, DC

Link to full program: https://practicingclinicians.com/content/hiv-prevention-resource-center

This podcast episode is part of a multimedia program reviewing the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD). Tune in to hear Jennifer Faber-Gerling, RN, MS, CNS, ANP-BC, and Anne O’Donnell, MD, highlight the diagnostic criteria and optimal treatment strategies in patients with NTM-LD. The overview will include: 

• Recommended assessments and tests to appropriately diagnosis NTM-LD in patients
• A summary of the current guidelines for the management of NTM-LD, including appropriate monitoring of medications.
• Guidance on how to individualize treatment plans for patients with NTM-LD based on disease and patient characteristics

Presenters: 
Jennifer Faber-Gerling, RN, MS, CNS, ANP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Division of Mycobacterial and Respiratory Infections
National Jewish Health
Denver, Colorado

Anne O’Donnell, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Georgetown University Medical Center
Washington, DC

To view other program offerings, including a CE-certified on-demand webcast, a Q&A text module, and to download slides, visit
pce.is/NTM.

In this episode, Tracy Zivin-Tutela, MD, answers audience questions on how best to care for patients at high risk of complications due to influenza from a live virtual meeting series. This episode includes expert insights on:

• Emerging resistance patterns of currently used antivirals
• Getting the flu vaccine after treatment with antivirals
• Use of antivirals in patients who test positive for flu and COVID-19
• Techniques and over-the-counter therapies other than yearly vaccination to avoid severe complications due to the flu 
• Avoiding dairy after receiving baloxavir
• Insurance coverage for antivirals
• Considering bacterial and viral coinfection in patients with lung disease
• Retreating high-risk patients with antivirals after another flu exposure
• Calculating flu rates

Presenter:

Tracy Zivin-Tutela, MD
Attending Physician
Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine
Los Alamitos Medical Center, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital
New Brunswick, California

Daniel Zalinov, PA-C
Atrium Health
Charlotte, North Carolina

Link to full program:
https://bit.ly/3GMokRC

In this episode, Stephen Krieger, MD, and Allison Boyd, MPAS, PA-C, MSCSdiscuss timely recognition of MS, including insights into why early recognition can lead to early treatment, which can decrease the risk of disability progression and produces better outcomes. Challenges discussed include the variable clinical presentation of MS and the lack of specific tests. The experts also discuss how to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. 
 

Stephen Krieger, MD: consultant/advisor/speaker: Biogen, EMD Serono, Genentech, Genzyme/Sanofi, Novartis, Octave, TG Therapeutics; researcher: Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Sanofi.

Allison L. Boyd, MPAS, PA-C, MSCS: consultant/advisor/speaker: EMD Serono.