The Healing Podcast - Brought to you by MarinHealth

Surgery isn't what it used to be, and that's a good thing. When MarinHealth Medical Center first opened its doors, most surgeries were open (invasive) and required general anesthesia and a hospital stay. Today, thanks to technological advances like laparoscopy, computer guidance, interventional radiology, and the da Vinci® robotic surgical system, many procedures that used to require open surgery can be performed minimally invasively. That means less anesthesia, smaller incisions, and less bleeding. Post-surgical pain is reduced and easier to manage, and patients usually go home the same day.In this segment, Dr. Crystine Lee joins the show to discuss the benefits of treatment of hernias with robotic assisted surgery.

What do those hospital quality ratings mean? How are they calculated? Should you factor them into your care choices? Many people turn to consumer reviews on the web, but just how reliable are they? Renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Sklar answers these questions and more as he explains quality ratings and what they mean to the consumer.

Did you know MarinHealth Medical Center is the only designated Trauma Center in Marin? Or that they have a Certified Chest Pain Center and a Designated Stroke Center? Or a kid-friendly “ouchless” Emergency Department (ED)? Can you tell when an illness or injury warrants a trip to the ED? This is the kind of information you’ll want to have handy in the case of an emergency. Listen to Michelle Tracy, RN, and Director of Emergency Trauma Services at MarinHealth Medical Center, as she describes the services available at MarinHealth Medical Center’s Emergency Department and Level III Trauma Center. Michelle also lists all the symptoms of illness or injury that require an immediate trip to the ED.

Planning for a baby means making many exciting decisions. One of the most important, even though it's down the line a bit, is where, how, and who will help deliver your baby. Our Family Birth Center is the first choice for many Marin moms. We offer resources and care that meets your needs both medically and personally from pregnancy through delivery and beyond. There's truly no reason to go anywhere else!Our most important concern is the health and safety of mother and child. That means that while we honor labor and delivery as natural processes, we also have to be ready for any possible emergency.At MarinHealth Medical Center, we have a Prima certified nurse-midwife on-site 24/7 and we are one of the ONLY hospitals in the Bay Area to offer this service.Listen in as Sheri Matteo, CNM discusses many misconceptions surrounding midwives and why you might want to consider having one assist you during childbirth.

Learn more about having your baby at MarinHealth Medical Center

Atrial fibrillation or AFib is the most common heart rhythm disturbance in the U.S. It is typically characterized by irregular electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart.This chaotic beating can cause a range of symptoms, including breathing issues, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and light headedness. AFib in itself is not life threatening, but it can put patients at risk for a stroke or heart failure if it remains untreated.Listen in as Sujoya Dey, MD, explains that MarinHealth Medical Center offers a wide range of treatment options, including lifestyle modification, medications, and advanced procedures in our state-of-the-art Electrophysiology Lab.

The purpose of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients with a chronic and/or life-threatening illness. Our Palliative Care team includes a physician, a nurse practitioner, a licensed clinical social worker, and chaplains. In this segment, Matthew Katics, DO, explains how MarinHealth Medical Center's Palliative Care team also helps patients and their loved ones navigate this difficult process and understand their options for comfort or for end-of-life care.

When it comes to breast health, early detection is your best protection. Mammography is a standard component of the annual checkup for American women over 40. At the Breast Health Center, we recognize that mammograms can be stressful for some women and we strive to make your mammography visit as comfortable and convenient as possible. Beyond diagnostic mammography, the MarinHealth Medical Center Breast Health Center offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic techniques that put us at the forefront of care.In this segment, Natalya Lvoff, MD, discusses the latest advancements in personalizing breast health screening and how the new Breast Health Center is equipped with the latest in screening technologies in an environment that is patient friendly.

Choosing a physician is both a logical and emotional decision. It's sensible to start with the basics, like board certification or hospital affiliations. However, people also want a doctor they instinctively trust – someone who takes the time to really listen to them. In addition, the considerations are a little different depending on whether you're searching for a primary care physician to help you manage your health over time or a specialist to perform a specific procedure. Renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Sklar offers his insights and advice on how to find the right doctor. Listen and learn where to look, what to look for, and how to choose a doctor with whom you can forge a long, healthy relationship.

Helping a child travel well through life with diabetes takes a team approach, including clinicians, diabetes educators, dietitians, and in some cases, counselors or psychologists. Family is an integral part of that care team, responsible for the day-to-day management of the child's blood glucose and general health. To bring specialized care to Marin children with diabetes, the Braden Diabetes Center at MarinHealth Medical Center forged a collaboration with UCSF's renowned Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes. As a result, Marin families now have access to Madison Clinic pediatric endocrinologists and to specially trained pediatric nurses and dietitians who are also certified diabetes educators. In this segment, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Saleh Adi discusses the importance of continuity of care and a diabetes home base for children to get consistent medical oversight as they grow.

Since 1990, mammograms have helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the US by nearly 40%. The reason is early detection – catching tumors before they have a chance to grow and spread. Yet there is still some controversy about how soon, and how often, a woman should get a mammogram. This is an especially important question for women living in Marin, where breast cancer rates have historically been higher than in the rest of the United States.Listen as Leah Kelley, MD, an award-winning breast surgeon and Medical Director of the Breast Program at MarinHealth Medical Center, weighs in on the benefits of mammography. Dr. Kelley also discusses MarinHealth Medical Center’s renowned cancer program, new Breast Health Center, and high-risk breast program.