When most people imagine a stroke, they picture something sudden and dramatic. But the truth is some strokes don’t arrive with obvious warning signs, and some happen silently – causing damage long before a person even realizes what’s happening.

Even more surprising? Stroke is no longer just a concern for older adults. We’re seeing more cases in younger, seemingly healthy people – and too often, the early signs are missed or dismissed.

At Richmond University Medical Center, patients have access to advanced, rapid-response stroke care, specialized neurology teams, and lifesaving treatments designed to protect the brain when every minute counts.

Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is chief of the department of Neurology and the medical director of RUMC’s stroke center, Dr. Allan Perel. Dr. Perel is also the immediate past president of the New York State Neurological Society. He’s here to help us understand the strokes you don’t see coming – what symptoms people ignore, why age doesn’t always protect us, and what everyone should know to act quickly and protect their brain health.

This is a conversation you’ll want to hear – and share.

On this episode, we’re diving into a topic that affects us all – healthy brain aging. Our brains change as we age, but the good news is that there are many ways we can protect and support cognitive function throughout our lives. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is Danielle Geraldi-Samara, MD – someone who has dedicated her career to helping our community maintain lifelong brain health. Dr. Samara breaks down the key habits that support lifelong brain function, including nutrition, movement, social interaction, sleep, and mental stimulation. We also explore the factors that can negatively impact our brain over time and discuss the early signs of cognitive impairment that families should look out for. Whether you’re looking to boost your own brain health or support a loved one, this episode offers practical guidance, compassionate insights, and clear steps for staying mentally strong at every age. Tune in to learn how to stay sharp, stay connected, and age well – from the inside out.

On this episode, we’re diving into one of the most exciting – and life changing – areas in mental health treatment: neuromodulation and specifically Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. Host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by two experts in psychiatric care – Dr. Victor Mensah and Dr. Joel Idowu – to unpack what neurmodulation is, who can benefit from it, how TMS works, and why this matters.

On this episode, we’ll pull back the curtain on what happens inside the ICU, how teams handle life-or-death decisions, and the many lessons learned from the crises – from ordinary to extraordinary. This episode’s special guest, Dr. Jay Mbeng Nfonoyim – a critical care physician, educator, hospital leader, and someone whose journey is as inspiring as the work he leads. Host, Meredith Gaskins, will also explore Dr. Nfonoyim’s personal journey, which is an inspiring one – from a seminary-style boarding school in Cameroon to leading one of New York’s busiest ICUs and what it really takes to lead a team where every second counts.

On this episode, we’re diving into something that affects every one of us – sleep. Whether you get too little, toss and turn all night, or wake up feeling exhausted, your sleep has a profound impact on your overall well-being. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is Felicia Roseto, manager of respiratory services and sleep services at RUMC and the driving force behind RUMC’s brand-new Suite Dreams Center for Sleep & Neurodiagnostic Studies. Located on RUMC’s main campus, the center features four private, bedroom style rooms. Three are dedicated to sleep studies, and one is equipped for continuous video EEG monitoring, which records brain activity and movement at the same time. The design is intentionally cozy – soft lighting, comfortable bedding, and quiet surroundings. But behind the soothing atmosphere lies cutting-edge diagnostic technology that helps clinicians better understand what happens to the body and brain during sleep. The center offers a comprehensive range of studies for both adults and children which we’ll learn more about on this episode.

In our last episode, host, Meredith Gaskins, introduced you to Dr. Arthy Yoga, RUMC’s new breast oncoplastic surgeon, and explored what oncoplastic surgery is and how it works. On this episode, we’re shifting our focus to what happens next: life after surgery.

For many patients, the journey doesn’t end once the cancer is removed – it’s about healing, rebuilding confidence, and looking toward the future with hope. Dr. Yoga will help us understand what recovery looks like, how women can regain quality of life after surgery, and what exiting new innovations are shaping the future of breast cancer treatment.

We’ll also touch on why prevention and early detection remain the most powerful tools we have – and how RUMC ‘s Breast and Imaging Center is here for our community every step of the way.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we focus on raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and supporting patients and families touched by breast cancer. On this episode, we’re highlighting an exciting advancement in care: oncoplastic surgery.

Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is Dr. Arthi Yoga, RUMC’s new breast oncoplastic surgeon. Oncoplastic surgery combines cancer removal with reconstructive techniques in the same operation, meaning patients can fight cancer without sacrificing their sense of self. It represents a shift in how breast cancer is treated – blending survival with confidence, function, and aesthetics.

In this episode, we’ll discuss what oncoplastic surgery is, how it’s different from traditional approaches, and what patients here at RUMC can expect when they come through the doors of our Breast and Imaging Center at 1161 Victory Blvd.

On this episode, we’re focusing on a topic that’s a big concern for many parents – your child’s growth. Is my child growing normally? Are they just on the smaller side, or could there be an underlying medical reason? And when should you seek help? Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is Dr. Ishita Kharode, chief of pediatric endocrinology at Richmond University Medical Center, who specializes in evaluating and treating growth and hormonal disorders in children. We’ll discuss what’s considered normal growth, the possible causes of short stature, how it’s evaluated, and when treatments like growth hormone might be needed. So whether you’re a parent who’s been measuring your child’s height on the kitchen wall, or just want to better understand how kids grow, you’ll want to stay tuned for this episode.

On this episode we’re tackling an issue that becomes especially relevant during the warmer months – ticks and Lyme disease. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, is Dr. Jessie Saverimuttu, an infectious disease specialist at Richmond University Medical Center. Dr. Jessie brings years of experience treating and educating patients about a wide range of infectious diseases, and on this episode she’s here to help us separate fact from fear when it comes to tick bites, Lyme disease, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. From early symptoms and proper tick removal to prevention tips and treatment options, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to stay safe this season. So whether you’re hiking in the woods, spending time in your backyard, or just curious about how infectious diseases spread, this episode is for you.

RUMC is proud to offer a full continuum of behavioral health services – ranging from inpatient care and outpatient counseling to crisis intervention and substance use treatment. On this episode, we’re focusing on one of the most specialized and forward-thinking programs within that system, the Center for Young Adults. Located at 1130 South Ave., the Center is uniquely designed to meet the needs of individuals ages 11-24 who are facing both mental health and substance use challenges. This dual-diagnoses program provides developmentally appropriate, compassionate, and evidence-based care – supporting not only the young people themselves but also their families and communities. On this episode host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by Jenifer Sacaccio, LMHC, Program Manager of the Center for Young Adults, and Liza Schatzman, MA, CASAC, Therapist at the Center for Young Adults, to discuss the unique needs of adolescents and young adults, the power of community partnerships, and how early, personalized intervention can change – and even save lives.