The Delta Variant of Covid-19 continues expanding across the country and in North Texas, and hospitalized patients are on the rise as well. This, while we understand many people have concerns about taking one of the three FDA approved vaccines. 

Dr. Leigh Hunter returns as part of a “We’re Listening” effort to help educate patients on the science behind the vaccinations. Dr. Hunter is an infectious disease specialist and Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Methodist Health System.

There is a new treatment that was recently approved by the FDA for Alzheimer's Disease, but it is not without some controversy, as many new medications are. Ironic, this is the first new medication for Alzheimer's in over a decade. Why the slow pipeline? Do we fully understand this "Long Goodbye" that affects so many of our loved ones.

Stephen Hurlbut, M.D., Neurologist at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford and with Neurology Specialists of North Texas, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice joins us to discuss Alzheimer's treatment and prevention in an information-packed second half of the show.

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In North Texas, broadly, 50% of the residents have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination. It varies greatly by location. In many places that number is higher, but in others it is significantly lower. We are turning the tables on the Covid-19 vaccination this week, by asking tough questions that many of those who are still hesitant to get the vaccine are asking. 

Dr. Leigh Hunter joins us this week as part of this “We’re Listening” effort to help educate patients on the science behind the vaccinations. Dr. Hunter is an infectious disease specialist and Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Methodist Health System.

In the second half of the show, Winjie Miao, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Texas Health Resources joins us to talk about likely transformations in healthcare. 

This has been an unprecedented period, and many changes became mandatory and nearly overnight, as our North Texas health systems scrambled amidst a 100-year pandemic. Winjie unpacks some of the lessons learned and likely changes ahead as a result of the virus we will never forget - Covid-19. 

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Prostate cancer affects nearly 250,000 men in America per year, killing almost 35,000 according to the American Cancer Society. Yair Lotan, M.D., Medical Director, Urology Clinic, Parkland Health & Hospital System and Professor of Urology, Chief of Urologic Oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center joins us to discuss causes, detection and treatment.

There is a recent development in cataract surgery that is simply amazing. If you know anyone who has had this procedure, you know how delighted they are with the outcome. Plus, they can see almost perfectly - even well into their 80s and 90s. We are so happy to have Dr. Karen Saland, M.D., Ophthalmologist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas to talk about cataracts in general, and specifically this newest innovation that is changing so many lives.

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We are honored to have Mike Pazzaglini, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy with us to talk about how they are meeting a great need in Texas by distributing free medications to those who are uninsured, a Texas resident, below 300% of Federal poverty level and have a valid prescription from a licensed provider. This program has literally exploded since inception, and Mike is here to tell us about the growth, and how you can be involved as a supporter.

Congenital heart defects in newborns are the number-one birth defect in our country. Sadly, this can be a highly debilitating diagnosis, but it doesn't have to be anymore. There are amazing advancements in surgical and mechanical techniques that are saving lives and allowing kids to grow up almost "normal." Dr. Vivian Dimas joins us to talk about a new procedure she is doing at Medical City Children's Hospital, and was actually the first in North Texas to perform this one surgery she explains.

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Asthma, allergies and breathing problems are certainly issues across North Texas. But we often don't realize how much asthma in particular affects our minority populations, and is directly correlated to the social drivers of healthcare - things like transportation, access to care, and other variables. We are delighted to have Cesar Termulo, MD, a Pediatrician who Practices at the Hatcher Station Health Center which is part of Parkland Health & Hospital System to discuss this important health issue that affects so many.

Do you talk to your pharmacist when you order or pick up prescriptions? Did you know that pharmacists are a vast resource of information across the entire spectrum of prescription and over the counter medications, and are often underutilized to help people maximize their medical care. Cortny Anderson, PharmD and Ambulatory Clinic Pharmacy Manager at Parkland Health & Hospital System joins us to let us know the many ways pharmacists can advise and even problem solve, particularly related to medications.

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We’re talking about the health of our heart with Carl Horton, M.D., FACC, cardiologist, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne and is a physician with Texas Health Heart and Vascular Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice.

Dr. Horton also has particular insights on heart health with minority groups, who often have extra needs to address to maintain good cardiovascular health. He outlines those for us in the first half of this week’s show. 

Then, we are honored to have John M. Barry back with us. He is Distinguished Scholar at Tulane's Bywater Institute and a professor at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and author of “The Great Influenza - The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History' - a #1 NY Times Bestseller.

We are at least 15 months into the Covid-19 pandemic and most places are “returning to normal” in various phases. How does this parallel to other pandemics and what have we learned from not only our response in the United States, but also from other countries around the world. 

A fascinating and relevant conversation about what surely could go down as the single greatest impact on this generation. 

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Ever get tired, sore feet after walking? Did you know there is a "best" time to buy new shoes? What do you do about bunions, blisters, and other issues our feet experience from walking? We're delighted to have Dr. Dalerie Wilkerson, a Podiatrist at Parkland Health & Hospital System to talk about how we can maximize our walking by eliminating foot pain.

There is a crisis among teenagers. This one is serious, and involves medicines you may have lying around your home. Stacie Bukowsky, Director of Pharmacy at Scottish Rite for Children, joins us to talk about teens, opioids, and potential addiction. Plus, learn one of the latest thing your teens may be aware of, or participating in, at parties and gatherings. It will shock you.

Finally, we have a miraculous story to tell about an Irving restaurant owner who got Covid-19 the day after Christmas, 2020. His long journey ended happily a few weeks ago, when he was finally released from his treatment and rehab to continue a long recovery at home. Hugo Miranda (owner of Hugo's in Las Colinas) was in the hospital over 4 months, intubated on a ventilator in a coma for over a month, then had to learn how to swallow, eat, and walk again. And, as you hear in the interview, still has chronic lung congestion. Let us not forget: Covid is still this serious, and Hugo is blessed to be alive. Hear his story in our last segment.

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"Food Deserts" and "Food Swamps" are serious social drivers of healthcare that affect many communities in North Texas. Tauane Cruz, Director, Community Health Improvement - Dallas & Rockwall Counties at Texas Health Resources joins us in the first half of the show to explain what these are, some of the areas where they exist in Dallas Ft. Worth, and what our area hospitals are doing to help educate and address healthier eating in these areas.

Did you know there is a new medical school in Ft. Worth? It is a collaborative effort between Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). We are delighted to have Stuart Flynn, M.D., Dean of the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine to explain how the program originated and what the next year ahead looks like, then Mike Sanborn, President at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, Fort Worth, to explain the hospital's participation in the residency program, which is helping keep these bright, young physicians here in North Texas.

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There are two hot topics around the Covid-19 pandemic this week - what was behind the CDC's sudden announcement that masks were not required for those who have been fully vaccinated. What triggered this change, and was it too soon? Second, the Covid-19 vaccines are continuing to be rolled out, but now there appears to be more separation between those who got the vaccine early, those who are simply not going to be vaccinated, and those who continue to watch and wait.

We're joined for the first half of our show by Dr. John Carlo, President and CEO of Prism North Texas and Dr. Robert Haley from UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health & Hospital Center to comprehensively cover these questions and more.

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One of the most emotional areas of medicine is when a physician sits across from a family to tell them their child has a major heart defect that is going to require advanced medical treatment. Yet, that happens frequently here in North Texas at Children's Health, where advancements in this area gives families hope and have provided children with a new life. David Sutcliffe, Pediatric Cardiologist at Children's and UT Southwestern Medical Center joins us to talk about this very touching and heartwarming "Human Side of Healthcare."

On this same path, often transplants become a consideration to fix these childhood diseases. We're delighted to have Dr. Dev Desai, Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at Children's Health and Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern to discuss an area we often don't think about - children needing organs.

Then, we conclude with Alejandro Mejia, MD, Transplant Surgeon and Executive Program Director of Organ Transplantation at Methodist Health System to talk about the importance of giving life to others by registering as an organ donor.

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