The Scientific Method

Logan Noone, PNWU OMS II, never expected to celebrate his college graduation in a psych ward, sleeping on a bed complete with wrist and ankle restraints.

From an outside perspective, he was living the dream. He had plenty of friends, a picture-perfect family, achieved academic success and was even studying abroad in Scotland. At night, however, he couldn’t sleep. He worried that his girlfriend no longer loved him; that his friends thought he was a loser; that not even his own family liked him. Ultimately, after his family guided him toward treatment, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Despite his doctor’s advice to keep his diagnosis a secret — they warned him that he’d be ostracized if people knew about his disorder— Noone decided to pursue a career in medicine, determined to improve the system that helped save his life and show others that they are not alone.

PNWU students join us to discuss the ins and outs of being a healthy, happy, successful and motivated medical student. From deciding to pursue medicine to succeeding in that pursuit; from starting the application process to surviving interview day; from orientation to graduation… tune in and step into the scrubs of a modern-day medical student.

“People are always going to need physicians who understand the human persona. Being able to check your ego at the door and be open minded to the fact that you might not be the number one person in your class — that’s okay! Whether you’re number 1 or number 142, at the end of the day, once you graduate, you’re going to be a doctor.”

PNWU Veterans Club President Lucas Myers, who served for 8-years as a Pararescuemen in the United States Air Force, and Dr. Robert Sorrells, PNWU’s Associate Dean of Clinical Education, join us to discuss PTSD, the challenges facing those returning from service, and the stigma that makes treatment even more challenging.

We're well into the new year, which once served as a clean slate for so many. But what happened to all of the resolutions that once dominated our eyes and ears? What ever became of our aspirations? Sadly, in all likelihood, they're gone and long forgotten. 

So many of us are aware of the changes that we can make to enhance our lives, but so few of us seem to make those obvious changes. To find out why, we sat down with Dr. Kathaleen Briggs Early, PNWU's Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition, to discuss the challenges associated with achieving long-term goals, the truth behind so many of the changes we hear about and, most importantly, how we can resolve to achieve our resolutions.

At the time of this writing, there have been 378 mass shootings in America this year alone. By the time this podcast is published, that number is likely to have increased. There have been 555 in the last 514 days, and three of the ten deadliest mass shootings in American history have occurred in the past 18 months. 

At press conferences scheduled in the wake of so many of these events, with a nation seeking answers, the one answer that often surfaces is clear and unwavering: this is a mental health issue at the highest level, and to stop these shootings, something must be done to address mental illness in America. When the lights fade away, however, and the speakers step off of the stage, it seems that the national conversation ends. Until the next tragedy.

On this episode of The Scientific Method, we are joined by PNWU Executive Director of Medical Simulation, Lisa Munoz. On October 1, 2017, Lisa saw those statistics come to life as she stood in a crowd of over 20,000 concert-goers when shots rang out over Las Vegas. 

What is the current state of mental health in America? Is mental illness truly to blame for these all-too-common tragedies? And, if these tragedies are viewed as society's open-door to discussing mental illness, how does that influence the estimated 44 million Americans who will suffer from some form of mental illness each year?

The sport of professional football is a spectacular spectacle. Every Sunday throughout football season, 53 highly-conditioned athletes take the field, battling against an opposing 53-man machine for the right to be crowned victorious. These players have honed their skills over decades of practice and intense training, meeting head-to-head – often literally – to assert their dominance in every aspect of competition. It is truly America’s game, but what is the cost of such a sensational show?

Recently, a neuropathologist examined the brains of 111 former NFL players. Of those 111 specimens, 110 were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E. Despite this incriminating evidence, however, the NFL has never been more popular or financially successful. Even the leagues commissioner has downplayed the study, stating that “the average NFL player lives five years longer than you, so their lifespan is actually longer and healthier. And I think because of all the advancements -- including the medical care -- that number is going to even increase for them.”

Is the NFL attempting to mask a dark reality facing the athletes we adore? What is the reality facing the players so many people cheer on every week? Can anything be done to prevent further damage to those players? Should we allow our own children to play the violent game that’s offered by so many programs throughout adolescence? What are the risks associated with playing football? And, as players continue to grow larger, faster and more powerful, what does the future of football look like?

As the NFL season gets into full swing, we sat down with the Dean of PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine Dr. Thomas Scandalis, our Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education Dr. Robert Sorrells and former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion and author of “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away,” Ben Utecht, to discuss C.T.E., the sport of football and the reality behind what is occurring below the helmets we dedicate our Sunday’s to.

Drug overdoses now kill more people than gun homicides and car crashes combined. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 142 Americans die every day from a drug overdose. Opioids are a prime contributor to this crisis, which has been declared a National Emergency. But how have these professionally prescribed medications had such a catastrophic effect on our country, and what can be done to end this devastating epidemic?

For this week's episode of The Scientific Method we were joined by PNWU Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Dr. Albert Brady and PNWU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Edward Bilsky to discuss opioids in America.

"We've introduced another subset of the population to drugs that were perceived to be relatively safe. When we confront a really big problem like this in society we can become overwhelmed by it. It freezes us into inaction. But if we can turn the corner and begin making people aware of the resources that exist, we can begin chipping away at the fundamental reasons why they take these opioids. For those who are at rock bottom: we can still help you. There is hope."

“Now instead of an iPhone you’ll have a chip in your ear. Instead of a credit card you’ll have a chip in your finger. And to us that might seem odd, but those technologies exist right now, and to future generations those are going to be much easier to accept.”

On this week's episode of The Scientific Method we sit down with Dr. Robert Sorrells, PNWU's Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education, to discuss all artificial intelligence and the future of healthcare. Are we revolutionizing the industry for the better, paving the way for a future of health and prosperity, or are we inadvertently turning ourselves into outmatched and obsolete "house cats" in the face of far-superior artificial beings?

“99% of the time children should get their vaccines, and there’s very few contrary indications against that. I advocate for children and I advocate for parents making the right decisions, and providing accurate information is very important. Your child is the most important thing in your life; that’s why I do my job.”

On this week’s episode Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Chief and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Melissa Lemp discusses the anti-vaccine movement and works to clear the smokescreen on vaccines in America.

“Mother Nature is prejudiced. Humans should not be.” On the heels of John McEnroe’s claim that female tennis superstar Serena Williams would be “ranked 700” if she played against men, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Education, Idaho Air National Guard Colonel and former Unites States Air Force Freestyle Greco-Roman wrestling team physician Dr. Brandon Isaacs discusses the role that gender plays in athletics and the physiology of men versus women.