Wise & Well Presented by Community Memorial Healthcare

Weight loss is only the beginning of the journey. On this episode of Wise & Well, we are joined by Dr. Barry Sanchez, a veteran bariatric surgeon at Community Memorial Healthcare, for an in-depth overview of Community Memorial’s comprehensive weight loss and bariatric program.

Dr. Sanchez breaks down common misconceptions surrounding bariatric surgery, explaining how modern procedures target underlying metabolic disease to help eliminate or drastically improve chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Sanchez explores who qualifies for bariatric surgery, how GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery work together as complementary tools, and how Community Memorial’s multidisciplinary team—including bariatric nurses, APPs, registered dietitians, psychologists, and support groups—prepares patients for lifelong success and non-scale health victories.

Whether you're exploring options for the first time or looking for long-term support, discover how Community Memorial Healthcare meets you where you are on your wellness journey.

Explore Community Memorial's weight loss program at mycmh.org/weightloss or view Dr. Barry Sanchez's profile and schedule a consultation at mycmh.org/find-a-doctor/barry-sanchez-md.

Aortic aneurysms and dissections are serious, life-threatening conditions that often require complex surgical care. In this episode of Wise and Well, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Ryan Vela and vascular surgeon Dr. David Blitzer discuss Thoracic Branched Endoprosthesis (TBE)—an innovative, minimally invasive procedure now available at Community Memorial Healthcare. Discover how this collaborative approach allows the duo to repair complex aortic conditions through tiny incisions, eliminating the need for major open-heart surgery or traveling outside Ventura County for advanced care.

Learn more: mycmh.org/tbe 

Learn more about David Blitzer, MD 

Learn more about Ryan Vela, MD 

In this episode of Wise & Well, we explore the challenges and emotional realities of family caregiving with Janice Aharon-Ezer, Caregiver Navigator at Community Memorial Healthcare, alongside Dwayne McCulloch and Lisa Hildebrand, both members of the Caregiver Support Group. Together, they discuss how Community Memorial’s free Caregiver Navigator Program and support group offer personalized guidance to reduce burnout, build resiliency, and support individuals caring for loved ones with various medical, psychological, or developmental needs.

The conversation highlights personal caregiving stories that span caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's to managing support for a sibling with mental health needs, emphasizing that caregiving can affect anyone at any stage of life. The panel explores the critical importance of overcoming isolation, learning to ask for help without guilt, and prioritizing self-care like returning to favorite hobbies or taking dedicated time off to recharge. Whether you are actively caring for a family member or simply looking to better support a caregiver in your life, this episode offers compassionate insights, practical advice, and community resources. To learn more about the Caregiver Navigator Program or to join the support group, call 805-948-5803.

Did you know that nearly 40% of patients never pick up their prescriptions after leaving the hospital? In this episode of Wise & Well, we sit down with Dr. Keegan Bachelor, Pharm.D., Operations Manager at Community Memorial Pharmacy, to explore how local healthcare is removing barriers to prescription care across Ventura County.

Keegan breaks down the differences between standard retail and specialty pharmacies, explaining how his team supports patients with chronic diseases like oncology with personalized, open door care and hands-on self-injection training.

Plus, learn about Community Memorial’s game-changing Meds to Beds program, a bedside service delivering discharge prescriptions directly to hospital patients before they leave.

Whether you are managing a complex health condition, leaving the hospital, or looking for free home delivery, discover how Community Memorial Pharmacy brings quick & convenience directly to your doorstep.

Learn more about pharmacy services and home delivery 

We examine the growing evidence for pulsed field ablation as a leading treatment for AFib and what recent trials mean for clinicians and patients. Community Memorial Healthcare's Jonathon Dukes, MD, reviews trial outcomes, procedural efficiency, and the evolving role of PFA in treating both atrial fibrillation and future ventricular tachycardia cases. Keywords: pulsed field ablation, clinical trials, atrial fibrillation treatment, ventricular tachycardia, FaraWave, catheter technology. Learn more about treatment options and research at mycmh.org/heart and subscribe to Wise and Well. 

Learn more about Jonathan Dukes, MD 

In this episode, host Scott Webb talks with Community Memorial's Dr. Deborah Carlson, MD; Dr. Christina Desai, MD; and Petie Hayes, BSN, RN IV, MEDSURG-BC, about Community Memorial Healthcare's Healthgrades recognition and what it means for staff, physicians, patients and families.

Community Memorial Healthcare is more than a network of hospitals and health centers. It is a nonprofit health system, and our nonprofit status truly shapes how we serve patients, families, and the broader Ventura community.

In this episode of the Wise & Well podcast, we explore what nonprofit healthcare means in practical terms: how decisions are made, how resources are reinvested, and why local support matters. The conversation features the perspectives of a local philanthropist, an emergency room physician, and a patient whose health was directly impacted by Community Memorial.


Featuring: William Kearney, Community Memorial Healthcare Board Chair and Donor; Dr. Neil Canby, Community Memorial Emergency Medicine Physician; and Amy Yamamoto, Community Memorial Healthcare Patient.

In this episode, we explore the vital resources available for new and expecting parents at the Community Memorial New Parent Resource Center, featuring insights from manager Ciella Baum, MPH, IBCLC, RLC. Discover the significance of lactation support, community connections, and educational classes designed to help Ventura County families thrive during the early months of parenting and beyond!

In this episode of Wise and Well, we explore the connection between nutrition and hospital recovery. Community Memorial clinical dietitians Hannah Reed and Stevie Flynn join us to explain the complexities of inpatient care, including the life-saving technology of tube feeding and IV nutrition. Plus, discover how the healthcare team at Community Memorial works together to stabilize fragile patients and, more importantly, how they empower them to stay out of the hospital once they return home. Whether you’re curious about "therapeutic diets" or looking for three simple habits to improve your longevity, this episode offers a professional perspective on nourishing the body!

In this episode of Wise & Well, Dr. Kay Anand discusses her role as the new Medical Director of the Community Memorial Cancer Center, marking a first-of-its-kind era for oncology in Ventura. After practicing at prestigious centers across the country, Dr. Anand explains why she chose to lead this community-focused expansion, emphasizing that high-level cancer care should be accessible close to home and support systems.

She highlights her collaborative approach, noting that if a specific treatment or clinical trial isn't available on-site, she personally coordinates with regional partners to get the patient the care they need. This "open-door" approach ensures patients can receive specialized consultations elsewhere while returning to Ventura for their infusions and follow-up care. Tune in to learn more! 

Learn more about Kay Anand, MD