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Send us Fan Mail Cancer screening is an important tool for detecting cancers in earlier, more treatable stages, but knowing what to get screened for, and when , can feel confusing, as guidelines vary by age, risk factors, and type of cancer. Joining Dr. Arnold in today's episode to help break it all down is Andrea Watkinson, Director of Oncology Services at UnityPoint Health. She walks throug...

Send us Fan Mail More and more people are turning to artificial intelligence tools for answers to their health questions. Whether it's a new symptom, a medication concern, or a possible diagnosis, AI can provide information in seconds. But should it be trusted for medical guidance? In this episode, Dr. Clete Younger, UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine physician joins Dr. Arnold to discuss the...

Send us Fan Mail Hearing the words, ‘You have cancer’ can be overwhelming, confusing, and life-changing all at once. Today, we’re talking about what happens after a diagnosis—how care is coordinated, what the first steps look like, and the support that’s available along the way. A key part of that support comes from care coordinators at the Nassif Community Cancer Center. Two of them—Ann Richardso...

Send us Fan Mail As parents, few things are more stressful than having a child who’s sick or injured. It can be difficult to know whether you should call your pediatrician, head to urgent care, or go straight to the emergency room. Today, Dr. Will Martin, St. Luke's Emergency Room physician, joins Dr. Arnold to talk about pediatric emergency care, what parents should watch for, what to expect...

Send us Fan Mail Preparing for outpatient surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when you're balancing pre-op instructions, questions about anesthesia and concerns about recovery at home. Mallory Pruess, manager of St. Luke’s ambulatory surgery, joins the podcast to discuss what patients need to know before, during and after outpatient surgery and shares practical tips to help reduce stres...

Send us Fan Mail Family medicine is about more than treating illness—it’s about caring for the whole person through every stage of life. From preventive care and chronic disease management to mental health and overall wellness, family medicine providers help patients stay healthy long-term. Today, we’re talking about what comprehensive healthcare in Family Medicine really means and why having a pr...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Lauren Hall, a new physician with UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Mount Vernon, joins Dr. Arnold to talk about her background, clinical and personal interests, what led her to UnityPoint Health and much more. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hall, call UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine – Mount Vernon at (319) 895-8841 .  This is another episode in a se...

Send us Fan Mail Maria and Katie, physical therapists with St. Luke's, join Dr. Arnold to discuss an experience that touches so many women and families: pregnancy, birth, and the transition into postpartum recovery. Support is available from the moment a woman walks through our doors through our inpatient and outpatient therapy clinics.  To learn more about Birth Care services, pelvic health...

Send us Fan Mail Heart valve disease affects millions of people, yet treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. When surgery becomes necessary, doctors may recommend repairing the existing valve or replacing it entirely. In today’s episode, Dr. Richard Kettelkamp, medical director for St. Luke’s Heart Care Services, returns to the podcast to break down each option, discuss how doctors decide which approac...

Send us Fan Mail Adjusting to life after a cancer diagnosis goes well beyond the initial treatment. Survivors adjust to a new normal that requires a comprehensive support plan and team to help them navigate survivorship. In this episode, Kimmie Carney, RN, care coordinator at the Nassif Community Cancer Center, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss survivorship support. For more information, call the Commun...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Ankur Vyas, cardiologist with St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss simple, natural steps you can take to protect your heart and reduce your risk of heart disease. To learn more, visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart.  If you have a topic you'd like Dr. Arnold to discuss with a guest on the podcast, shoot us an email at stlukescr@unitypoint.org.

Send us Fan Mail St. Luke’s ER Medical Director Dr. Ryan Sundermann and ER Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Cari Batcheler discuss how rapid coordination and lifesaving treatments come together for heart attack and stroke patients when every second counts.  Learn more at unitypoint.org. If you have a topic you'd like Dr. Arnold to discuss with a guest on the podcast, shoot us an email at stlukesc...

Send us Fan Mail St. Luke's new Chief Nursing Officer, Kristin McVay, MSN, MHA, RN, joins Dr. Arnold to share about her background, leadership experience, and her perspective on the incredible work our nurses do each day. To learn more about nursing careers, services, and opportunities at UnityPoint Health, visit unitypoint.org. If you have a topic you'd like Dr. Arnold to discuss with a...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Madia Russillo, otolaryngologist with Physicians' Clinic of Iowa Ear, Nose & Throat, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss the signs, symptoms and risk factors of head and neck cancer, as well as how the HPV vaccine plays an important role in preventing it. For more information on ENT services provided at PCI call (319) 399-2022. For more information on services and resources a...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Tom Richardson, urologist with Physicians' Clinic of Iowa Urology, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss the latest advancements in urology and the exclusive partnership between St. Luke's Hospital and PCI Urology. To learn more visit unitypoint.org. If you have a topic you'd like Dr. Arnold to discuss with a guest on the podcast, shoot us an email at stlukescr@unitypoint...

Send us Fan Mail When it comes to colonoscopies and colon cancer, there are a lot of myths out there about the prep, the procedure, and who should get a colonoscopy. Returning to the podcast today is Dr. Douglas Purdy, gastroenterologist with St. Luke’s Gastroenterology, to discuss colon cancer screening, treatment and more.  If you are 45 years or older, talk to your primary care provider today a...

Send us Fan Mail Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and recently became the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50. Returning to the podcast today is Dr. Douglas Purdy, gastroenterologist with St. Luke’s Gastroenterology, to discuss colon cancer screening, treatment and more.  If you are 45 years or older, talk to y...

Send us Fan Mail Life after a heart attack can feel overwhelming, but cardiac rehabilitation offers a clear, supportive path forward. In this episode, Cardiac Rehab Specialist Jayson Wagner breaks down what rehab involves and how it helps patients regain strength, confidence and control.  To learn more about heart care services at St. Luke’s, Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital, visit unitypoint.org/cr-h...

Send us Fan Mail Heart failure affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of hospitalization. Dr. Antony Anandaraj, Cardiologist with UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss CardioMEMS, a new option for heart failure patients.  To learn more about heart care services at St. Luke’s, Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital, visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart. If you have a to...

Send us Fan Mail St. Luke’s introduced TAVR – catheter-based replacement of the aortic valve – to Cedar Rapids, performing the area’s first procedure in 2016. Since then, the heart team has performed nearly 800 TAVRs. Joining the podcast to talk about the procedure are Dr. Richard Kettelkamp and Katie Maybanks, ACNP, from St. Luke’s structural cardiology team.  To learn more about heart care servi...

Send us Fan Mail St. Luke’s was recently recognized as the #1 Hospital in the State of Iowa for 2026 by Newsweek. Returning to the podcast today to discuss this honor and what it means for health care in our community, is Casey Greene, market president for UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids.  For more information on services offered at St. Luke’s – the #1 hospital in the state of Iowa – right here i...

Send us Fan Mail UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital acquired Cedar Rapids’ first robotic surgery technology in 2005, performing the areas first procedure the following year. Joining today's episode to talk about the 20-year history of robotic surgery and its benefits is Dr. Jon Rippentrop, medical director of robotic and minimally invasive surgery for St. Luke’s.  To learn more about rob...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that someone needs blood in the United States every two seconds? Whether it’s for surgeries, cancer treatment, traumatic injuries or something else, your blood donation could help save a life. Suzanne Felton, Laboratory manager at St. Luke’s, and Adam Wilcox, St. Luke’s Clinical Pharmacy manager and a frequent blood donor, join Dr. Arnold to discuss blood donation. If...

Send us Fan Mail According to the American Heart Association, Afib affects an estimated 5 million Americans today, and 12 million are projected to have it by 2030. Returning to the podcast to discuss Atrial Fibrillation is Dr. Talha Farid, cardiologist with St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic.  To learn more about heart care services at St. Luke’s Hospital, visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart. If you have a to...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you’re working out at the gym, reaching for the top shelf, or carrying in groceries, your shoulders are involved in nearly everything you do and they’re more vulnerable to injury than you might think. Today we’re joined by Brock Yotty, supervisor and physical therapist at St. Luke’s Therapy Plus to break down common shoulder injuries, how to prevent them, and when physical...