In this episode of Run the List, Blake Smith (host) talks with Dr. David Steensma, a hematologist/oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about his career path, the changing landscape of the field, and how to immerse oneself in new disease indications within an already-established division of medicine. They talk about Dr. Steensma’s impressive writing career, scientific and clinical research, and his budding interest in clonal hematopoiesis. The episode closes with a retrospective discussion of hematology/oncology, how the field has changed over time, and a look to the future.

In this episode of Run the List, Walker Redd (host) and Jakub Glowala (case presenter) talk with Dr. Rebecca Zon, a hematology/oncology fellow in the Dana-Farber/Mass General Brigham program, about solid oncologic emergencies. We learn to think anatomically about where tumors arise, where they may subsequently present, and how that can clinically manifest in an emergent situation. They then focus in on neurologic complications of solid malignancies and discuss how to triage, manage, and consult with other medical and surgical teams to provide rapid care to these patients. The episode then closes with clinical pearls from Dr. Walker Redd who highlights the need to quickly assess the severity of the patient in these contexts.

In this episode of Run the List, Walker Redd (host) and Jordan Said (case presenter) talk with Dr. Matthew Weinstock, a hematologist/oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, about the causes and workup of lymphadenopathy. We learn about how to stratify lymphadenopathy into less and more serious cases based on the physical exam, and review the wide differential of generalized and diffuse lymphadenopathy. The episode closes with clinical pearls from both Dr. Weinstock and Jordan about the differential diagnosis and management of lymphadenopathy.

In this episode of Run the List, Joyce Zhou (host) and Blake Smith (case presenter) talk with Dr. Jean Connors, a hematologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, about the causes of thrombophilia (congenital and acquired) and its management in the acute care setting. We learn about common risk factors and how these can be both additive and synergistic with inherited causes of thrombophilia. The episode closes with Dr. Connors’ discussion of both when to order lab tests and how to interpret them in the setting of VTE, in addition to important clinical pearls to consider with any case of known or suspected thrombophilia.

In this episode of Run the List, Joyce Zhou (host) and Katie Kester (case presenter) discuss sickle cell disease and the management of acute chest syndrome with Dr. Maureen Achebe, a hematologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. We learn not only about the management and common complications of sickle cell but also some of the challenges that patients with sickle cell face in accessing care and how best to advocate for these patients.

Dr. Marlise Luskin, a hematologist/oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, joins host Walker Redd and case presenter Jakub Glowala to discuss a case of a febrile neutropenia (FN) in a patient with AML. Dr. Luskin first defines neutropenia, then fever, and moves to the chronicity of FN. Using these definitions, Dr. Luskin talks about ways to identify which pathogens are more likely associated with acute vs. chronic FN presentations. They then walk through the standard workup of a patient with FN, talk about which tests/procedures to avoid, and which to later include when fevers do not resolve after empiric treatment.

Dr. Aric Parnes, a hematologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, joins host Joyce Zhou and case presenter Sarah Onorato to talk through a case of a patient presenting with new onset pancytopenia. Throughout the case, they discuss a framework for thinking through the major causes of pancytopenia. In addition, they consider the steps in emergent management of severe pancytopenia and an approach to history taking, physical examination, and data interpretation for patients with pancytopenia. Tune in to hear their discussion, including the patient’s final diagnosis and Dr. Parnes’ three clinical pearls for pancytopenia!

Dr. Robert Stern, a hematologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses thrombocytopenia with Dr. Navin Kumar (host) and Sarah Onorato (script writer and case presenter). He discusses a clinical framework to diagnosis, initial considerations on management, and key considerations and management points for the patient case. They wrap up with high yield clinical pearls.

Dr. Arielle Langer, a hematologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses her approach to diagnosing anemia and applies it to clinical cases with Joyce Zhou (host) and Jordan Said (scriptwriter and case presenter). They step through the important history-taking and lab findings necessary to evaluate a patient with anemia and discuss how to bring these elements together to inform a wide differential diagnosis. The group also offers some high-yield points to consider for the treatment of specific causes of anemia. The episode concludes with clinical pearls from Dr. Langer and final tips from Jordan.

Dr. OP Hamnvik, an endocrinologist and the Director of the Center for Oncoendocrinology at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), discusses his career to becoming an endocrinologist with Blake Smith (host). Originally from Norway, Dr. Hamnvik takes us around the globe as he began his journey as a medical student in Ireland, followed by residency and fellowship at BWH in Boston. He now runs the endocrinology fellowship at BWH, in addition to educating thousands of students and faculty through his role as the Education Editor at the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Outside of education, he has a particular interest in caring for transgender patients, in addition to seeing cancer patients at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute whose immune therapy (checkpoint blockade) has resulted in autoimmune endocrinopathies. Dr. Hamnvik closes the episode with a few takeaways for listeners interested in pursuing a career in endocrinology, in addition to some tips for our international student following who might want to pursue future clinical training in the US!