White Coats, Real Talk

In the sixteenth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand sit down with Dr. Linda Peterson, Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. They unpack the often-overlooked world of cardiac rehab where medicine, lifestyle change, and long-term recovery meet.

In the fifteenth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand sit down with Dr. Sona Arora, a board-certified anesthesiologist, Clinical Director at Grady Memorial Hospital, and Associate Program Director for the Emory Anesthesiology Residency. They explore the hidden world of anesthesiology from the science of “going under” to the life-or-death decisions made in trauma and geriatric care. Dr. Arora dispels common myths, shares powerful moments from the OR, and offers advice for students considering a future in medicine.

In the fourteenth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand sit down with Dr. Steven Schechter, a board-certified colorectal surgeon and Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. They dive into the often-overlooked world of colon and rectal health from early symptoms like bloating and constipation to life-changing surgeries that restore comfort and confidence. Dr. Schechter also shares powerful patient stories and offers advice for those passionate about pursuing a career in medicine.

In the thirteenth episode, Atharva and Akshara Anand sit down with Dr. Adil Ahmed, an orthopedic surgeon at Baylor Medicine, to explore how injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and nerves are treated and how patients reclaim movement, strength, and confidence through surgery.

In the twelfth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand team up with Dr. Ekta Perera, a top allergist-immunologist, to unpack what happens when your immune system overreacts. From peanut allergies to pollen season, they explore why some people are more sensitive than others, how allergies develop, and the science behind diagnosing and treating them.

In the eleventh episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Akshara and Atharva Anand sit down with Dr. Akash J. Patel, a leading neurosurgeon and professor at Baylor College of Medicine, to explore the hidden dangers of skull base tumors. Often called “silent” tumors, these growths can go undetected for years until they affect vision, hearing, or brain function. Dr. Patel sheds light on why these tumors are so difficult to detect, what warning signs shouldn’t be ignored, and how science and compassion come together.

In the tenth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand speak with Dr. Carlos Gonzales to explore the fascinating field of ophthalmology—the branch of medicine that specializes in eye care, vision correction, and intricate surgeries that can restore sight.

In the ninth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara Anand speak with Dr. Joel Adler to uncover the life-changing world of pancreas and kidney transplants. They explore how these procedures restore balance for patients with diabetes and kidney failure, the role of peritoneal dialysis, and the challenges of highly sensitized recipients.

In the eighth episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara interview Dr. Venkat K to explore what bariatric surgery is and how robotic technology is revolutionizing it. They discuss how these life-changing procedures, which help patients combat obesity and improve their overall health, are becoming more precise, less invasive, and safer through robotic-assisted innovations.

In the seventh episode of White Coats, Real Talk, Atharva and Akshara interview Dr. P. Avudaiappan about how kidney transplants work, what the challenges are, and how they’re changing over time.