Doc Discussions with Dr. Jason Edwards

The quiet truth about lung cancer is that it often hides until it’s late. We break that pattern by showing exactly who qualifies for low‑dose CT screening, why it’s usually free under preventive benefits, and how a clear plan can turn fear into action. With pulmonologist Dr. Kristen Fisher and lung screening lead Lola Brand, we trace the path from a “spot on the scan” to a confident diagnosis, and...

Menopause doesn’t arrive overnight or follow a tidy script. The changes often begin years earlier, as energy dips, brain fog creeps in, sleep gets choppy, joints ache, and weight redistributes from hips to the belly. We invited OB-GYN Dr. Kael Murphy Pettis to break down what’s actually happening in perimenopause and share a practical roadmap that helps women feel better, stronger, and clearer wit...

A breast cancer diagnosis can flip your world in a single sentence—so we set out to restore clarity, calm, and control. Dr. Jason Edwards sits down with breast surgeon Dr. Nanette Wendel and medical oncologist Dr. Meera Rana to map a modern pathway through complex choices, from the first tumor board conversation to long-term survivorship. Together we show how to match treatment to tumor biology wh...

A routine mammogram can change everything—especially when a letter arrives labeling you “high risk.” We sit down with nurse practitioner Jill Flores, whose career spans labor and delivery to advanced breast care, to unpack what that label actually means, how risk models work, and how a high-risk breast clinic turns numbers into a practical plan you can follow without losing your sanity. Jill expla...

Ever wondered how hospitals afford those multi-million dollar machines that save lives? The answer might surprise you. Dan McCormack, Vice President and Executive Director of Development for St. Luke's Hospital, pulls back the curtain on healthcare philanthropy in this eye-opening conversation. What emerges is a fascinating look at how donor dollars become the lifeblood of modern healthcare i...

What happens when a park ranger eats a raw crawfish on a dare? According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Matthew German, it can lead to a rare parasitic infection typically only seen in Tibet. This surprising case exemplifies why the most important qualities in medicine are persistence and doubt. Dr. German joins oncologist Jason Edwards for a fascinating journey through the unexpected twists...

The modern hospital experience has dramatically transformed over recent decades, and few understand this evolution better than hospitalists - physicians who specialize exclusively in caring for hospitalized patients. Dr. Lin Liu, head of internal medicine at St. Luke's Hospital, takes us behind the scenes of this relatively young medical specialty that emerged around 1996. "Hospitalists...

Michelle Eichelmann, Executive Director for Oncology Services at St. Luke's, shares her journey from chiropractor to healthcare administrator and discusses the challenges of running a cancer center in today's healthcare environment. • Originally from St. Louis with a doctorate from Logan College of Chiropractic • Specialized in symptom management and acupuncture for oncology patients bef...

The fears parents face when making healthcare decisions for their children can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to vaccines. In part one of this candid conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lisa Ryan, we dig into the complex world of vaccine hesitancy and why it continues to grow despite decades of scientific evidence supporting vaccine safety. Dr. Ryan shares her frontline experience with p...

The science of vaccines has never been more contentious or politically charged than it is today. What started as a medical breakthrough has become a flashpoint in our cultural divide, leaving many parents confused about what to believe. In part two of this thoughtful conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lisa Ryan, we cut through the noise to examine vaccine hesitancy from multiple angles. We begin b...

What happens when NFL legend Deion Sanders has his bladder removed? How do doctors decide between watchful waiting and aggressive treatment for prostate cancer? And why are testosterone levels declining across the population? Dr. Nimrod Barashi, a urologist at St. Luke's Hospital, takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of urological health in this episode of Doc Discussions. With...

From Olympic-adjacent swimmer to dedicated OB-GYN, Dr. Matthew Bialko brings a wealth of expertise to women's healthcare with the same discipline that once propelled him through competitive waters. "Swimming taught me organization and focus that translates perfectly to medicine," Dr. Bialko reveals, reflecting on his journey from New Jersey pools to Georgetown University and ultimat...

Challenging conventional wisdom about endometriosis, Dr. Patrick Yeung shares his pioneering approach to treating this debilitating condition that affects countless women worldwide. With specialized training including two residencies and two fellowships, Dr. Yeung has dedicated his career to developing what he calls "root cause treatment" – a surgical method that completely removes endom...

Are we experiencing an ADHD epidemic or simply recognizing what was always there? With diagnoses skyrocketing to affect 15% of American adolescents—and a staggering 23% of boys—the time has come for a frank conversation about what's really happening with our children. Join Dr. Jason Edwards and pediatrician Dr. Lisa Ryan as they dive deep into the complex world of ADHD diagnosis and treatment...

What's the difference between standard skin cancer removal and Mohs surgery? Ashley McGuinness, MD, FAAD breaks down this specialized technique that achieves remarkable 98-99% cure rates while preserving healthy tissue. While standard excisions examine only 1-2% of margins, Mohs surgery meticulously evaluates 100% through a precise mapping approach. During this eye-opening conversation with h...

Jason Edwards welcomes back Jared Barton, CRNA, to discuss the Dave Ramsey baby steps program and how it transformed his financial life and mindset about money. • Jared discovered Dave Ramsey while working in the steel industry making $38,000 annually in the late 1990s • Tracking every expense gave Jared an immediate $500 monthly "raise" without changing his income • The debt snowball me...

What happens when medical legacy intersects with personal passion? In this captivating conversation, host Jason Edwards sits down with general surgeon Dr. Christopher Cronin, who shares the remarkable story of his grandfather, AJ Cronin—a physician who transformed an illness-induced retreat into a groundbreaking writing career. The discussion reveals how AJ Cronin's seminal work "The Cit...

A lump discovered while shaving during a ski trip turned Dr. Julie Gould's world upside down. As an obstetrician who prided herself on healthy living—never microwaving plastics, exercising regularly, getting routine checkups—she never expected to face follicular lymphoma. "I'm the one who's going to live forever," she thought, making her cancer diagnosis all the more shock...

Dr. Darren Haskell sits down with host Jason Edwards to share his unique perspective as both a practicing internist and Chief Medical Officer at St. Luke's Hospital. Their conversation cuts to the heart of healthcare's most pressing challenges while offering a glimpse into promising solutions on the horizon. Dr. Haskell represents a vanishing breed of physicians who still follow their pa...

Hormones control everything from your mood to your metabolism, and when they're out of balance, quality of life can suffer dramatically. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Julie Gould, OB-GYN, we explore the world of hormone replacement therapy and its potential to transform women's health. Dr. Gould brings clarity to a field often clouded by misconceptions, particularly around ca...

Have you ever wondered who's behind those medical lab results that guide your treatment? Meet Dr. Jeff Melnick, St. Luke's Chief of Pathology and laboratory Medical Director, who pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of "the doctor's doctor" in this eye-opening conversation. Dr. Melnick reveals that pathology extends far beyond the familiar forensic work populari...

A fascinating journey into the world of pulmonary medicine awaits as Dr. Neil Ettinger shares his expertise on the complexities of lung health and disease. With decades of experience as a pulmonologist and researcher, Dr. Ettinger offers valuable insights that could quite literally help you breathe easier. We dive deep into interstitial lung disease, a condition affecting many older adults where t...

Dr. Mary Mason takes us on her remarkable journey from practicing physician to Chief Medical Officer of Centene Corporation in this illuminating conversation about the intersection of medicine and business leadership. What happens when a physician's analytical mindset meets the corporate boardroom? Dr. Mason discovered her interest in healthcare administration during medical school, choosing...

Peek behind the surgical drape in this eye-opening conversation with Jared Barton, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with an extraordinary career. Did you know that 80% of all anesthetics are administered not by doctors, but by nurse anesthetists? Barton reveals this surprising statistic while taking us through the intense world of operating room anesthesia, where life-and-death deci...

What happens when a successful surgeon suddenly finds himself on the operating table? Dr. John Mason shares his extraordinary journey from Olympic-caliber rower to heart surgery patient in this revealing conversation that bridges the gap between physician and patient perspectives. Dr. Mason's story begins with his background as a Division I collegiate rower who competed at elite levels, even...