August is neurosurgery month and we have two guests to help us understand more of this vast frontier in medicine. 

Strokes on any metric are consistently one of the top causes of death in America and in Texas. Stroke awareness is a key to prevention and fast action if someone you love is having a stroke. Dr. Matthew Fiesta, Interventional Neuroradiologist at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth stops by to tell us some of the latest research and treatments to help resolve and prevent strokes. 

In the second half of the show, Dr. Olaide Ajayi is a Neurosurgeon at Texas Health Fort Worth who has a vast wealth of information on TBIs, or Traumatic Brain Injuries. These can happen in sports with our kids, the result of a bicycle or motorcycle accident, or the most common - the automobile accident. Learn about treating and preventing traumatic brain injury as we recognize the importance of neurosurgery month. 

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This is a special “Back-to-School” edition of the Human Side of Healthcare. Many families across North Texas have been anxious about the upcoming school year, for obvious reasons. 

We sit down with Lisa Elliott, Ph.D., Psychologist at Cook Children’s to discuss many aspects about what our kids are facing at school now, and how we as parents and grandparents can stand with them in support. 

This is a positive empowerment of how we can all work together to insure our kids have a positive experience at school this year. 

We conclude with the health portion of preparing for the new year with Dr. Alice Phillips, Pediatrician at Cook Children’s discussing immunization requirements and pediatric health tips for optimum health this school year. 

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There is a program that many of our North Texas hospitals participate in to help bridge the gap between a patient with a specific pharmaceutical need to be able to obtain that from the drug companies on what is called a “Compassionate Care” basis. We talk to Dr. Micha Koentz, PharmD, Investigational Pharmacy Supervisor at Cook Children's Medical Center about their Compassionate Care program specifically for kids with cancer. 

Scoliosis is a disease of the spine that affects both children and adults. Kids are born with it and some adults are affected mostly in their later years. Dr. Jeffrey Phelps, Medical Director of Spine Services at Medical City North Hills joins us for an educational walk through both adult and adolescent scoliosis. 

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Texas statewide has a real problem with maternal mortality, up to even a year after giving birth. Cardiovascular disease is often a contributor, and that can lead to preeclampsia, or dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy or after delivery. Theresa Patton, MD, OB-GYN at Methodist Dallas Medical Center joins us to discuss what women can do to prevent or treat this serious condition. 

We’re happy to have Lizzy Brown, Family Therapist at Cook Children’s Health Care System back with us for a few questions about ways we can help our teenagers, including building better relationships. Kids are going through so much these days, and Lizzy’s tips can help parents and kids alike. 

There is an exciting new gene study for Alzheimers that is promising to lead to new treatments and medications for those dealing with this life-altering disease. Diana Kerwin, M.D., Chief, Geriatric Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas stops by to tell us the good news. 

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It’s been so hot in Texas that even an evening motorcycle ride couldn’t cool you off. However, since we are out and about on bikes, skateboards, etc., what about head injuries if something happens? We are joined by Dr. Christopher Shank, Neurosurgeon and Neurotrauma Program Medical Director at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth to discuss helmet safety and the latest in neurotrama treatments. 

Speaking of summer, the heat has pretty much zapped any chances of rain for a while but eventually Texas thunderstorms will return. When they do, we want to be sure we don’t forget lightning safety tips. Did you know a tree is about the worst place to hide if you are caught out in a thunderstorm? Find out why with Chris Noah, Director of Disaster Management at Parkland Health and Hospital System.

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One of the unwelcome surprises many people have in their 50s, 60s and beyond is a retinal tear. As Dr. Nikisha Kothari, Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Retina Specialist at Texas Health Resources explains, it is akin to wallpaper being ripped off the wall. That can happen inside our eye. Dr. Kothari gives us a great education about how to care for our eyes, both preventively and should we have this happen to us. 

Dr. Glenn Hardesty, Emergency Medicine Physician at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, returns to the Human Side of Healthcare with lots of tips to avoid common accidents he sees in the ER, especially during summer. 

Then, to close out the show, a special appearance from our friend Dr. Robert Haley, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and his very impactful story of the guinea pigs and masking as the Covid numbers begin to rise in North Texas following the Independence Day holiday. 

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We have a special Independence Holiday episode this week, celebrating America’s 246th birthday! 

Dr. Bhagya Boggaram, Medical Director Stroke Program at Medical City North Hills joins us to talk about stroke awareness. 

Then Dr. Donna Casey, Internist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas offers family advice for caring for our elderly loved ones, especially when that difficult time comes to make changes in their care and even giving up some independence. 

H, Chief Executive Officer of AMN Healthcare stops by to talk about staffing issues and challenges in healthcare today. She has had a brilliant 32 year career at AMN, and will be retiring soon, so we are honored to have her thoughts that are affecting hospitals across the country. 

Finally, Dr. Tonya Fuqua, DDS, joins us to talk about both adult and children’s dental issues, with a special spotlight on Cook Children’s “Save a Smile” program, helping to serve the dental needs of low0income children in our community. 

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The CDC estimates there are 40-Million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, but another 100-Million that may have pre-diabetes. These are staggering numbers, especially considering the cost of treating it. Betsy Richter-Gifford, RN, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Texas Health Resources joins us to talk about this, and encourage patients and their families dealing with it. 

In the second half of our show, we salute Texas Health Resources, recently awarded the coveted Foster G. McGaw Prize, recognizing hospitals that have distinguished themselves through efforts to improve the health and well-being of everyone in their communities. David Tesmer, Chief Community and Public Policy Officer for Texas Health Resources joins us to discuss some of the programs and metrics that led to this recognition. 

Then we wrap up with one of the most valued non-medical contributions in our hospitals, especially these last 2 1/2 years. Reverend Elizabeth Watson-Martin, MDiv, Vice President, Faith & Spirituality Integration at Texas Health Resources stops by to talk about the chaplaincy programs and how so many North Texas families have benefitted from these unsung heroes who may welcome a newborn into one family, and an hour later help another family say farewell to a loved one. 

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We are focusing on our kids for the first half of the show in light of recent events in Texas. Dr. Stevie Puckett-Perez joins us from Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center to process many of the emotions our kids and teens are feeling as the 2022 summer break begins across North Texas. 

There is an easily-preventable cancer that many people get, but with a simple, early diagnostic procedure, can be completely removed at the time of the procedure itself. Yet, 30-percent of North Texans don’t get this very important test. We are talking, of course, about colon cancer and colonoscopies. Dr. Amit Desai, Gastroenterologist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas stops by to give us valuable information on how this disease has become more wide-spread among the younger population, increasing the importance of beginning testing sooner.

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It’s the Memorial Day holiday weekend and we’re on top of it with one of the big topics as summer officially begins: Protecting your skin. If you know someone who has faced Melanoma, or some other kind of skin cancer, you will be quick to make sure fresh sunscreen is part of your summer regimen. 

We are delighted to have Dr. Shadi Damanpour, Board-Certified Dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology Associates to help insure you are safe for fun in the sun this summer. 

Another thing to keep an eye out for are the two poisonous spiders in North Texas. Dr. Otto Marquez, Emergency Medicine Physician at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas tells us how they treat bites from Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders in the ER. 

Finally, a touching topic from Children’s Health. Some North Texas families experience visible disabilities with their young children, causing them to wonder if they might have a neurological issue. Genetics now plays a key role in diagnosing these childhood issues, and is giving clinicians a big advantage in treating it. Dr. Saima Naeem Kayani, Pediatric Neurologist at Children’s Health and Assistant Professor at UTSW joins us with some invaluable information for parents facing this challenge. 

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