Better Edge : A Northwestern Medicine podcast for physicians

As new data reshape treatment discussions for high-risk localized prostate cancer, understanding the nuances behind the evidence is critical. Ashley E. Ross, MD, PhD, a member of the PROTEUS (Perioperative Treatment with Erleada United with Surgery) steering committee, offers an insider's perspective on the landmark trial, including how it’s adding options for standard of care.

In this episode of Better Edge, Transplant Hepatologist Laura Lulik, MD moderates a panel discussion about the Northwestern Medicine Liver Transplant Tumor Clinic. The conversation covers advances in imaging, systemic therapies and innovative procedures, as well as the clinic’s multidisciplinary approach. The panel includes: • Daniel Borja, MD, transplant surgeon • Aparna Kalyan, MD, medical oncol...

In this episode of Better Edge, Paul Bryar, MD, and Dustin French, PhD, reflect on key takeaways from the 2026 ARVO Annual Conference, including insights from their own presentations, notable research highlights and emerging developments in ophthalmology.

In this episode of Better Edge, Northwestern Medicine geriatricians explore how emerging technologies are transforming the care of older adults. Moderated by Lee A. Lindquist, MD, and featuring Jennifer Woodward, MD, Alexandra Petrakos, MD, and Alaine Murawski, this expert panel shares how they are integrating gerontechnology into clinical practice, research and education. What you’ll hear: • Impr...

AI and robotic-assisted technologies in spine surgery have moved beyond early promise and are shaping clinical practice today. In this episode of Better Edge, Alpesh A. Patel, MD, moderates a conversation with fellow spine surgeons Srikanth N. Divi, MD, and Najib El Tecle, MD, on how AI use in the field has evolved. What They Cover: • Where AI and robotics deliver real clinical value today • How t...

In this episode of Better Edge, Palak Shah, MD, the new chief of the Section of Heart Failure and medical director of the Heart Transplant Program at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, shares how his career has been shaped by the transformation of advanced heart failure care, from LVADs to transplantation. Dr. Shah discusses his clinical training and research, his systems-based...

In this episode, Ishaan Hublikar, DO, and Kevin Roy, DO, discuss a complex case of ischemic spinal cord injury following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, highlighting the clinical nuances and rehabilitation challenges unique to vascular etiologies of SCI. They explore how early, intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital — supported by s...

In this episode of Better Edge, Elnur Babayev, MD, MS, physician scientist and reproductive endocrinologist, discusses a complex case involving diminished ovarian reserve, advanced reproductive age and complications following intra ovarian platelet rich plasma (PRP). Using this case as a lens, he examines the evidence gaps, safety concerns and opportunity costs associated with commercially markete...

Nearly two decades after the introduction of combined radiation therapy and temozolomide, the Stupp protocol remains the foundation of glioblastoma treatment. In this episode, Roger Stupp, MD, and Rimas Lukas, MD, take a look at how this regimen emerged as a durable standard of care and how clinical insights since then have refined its use. Dr. Stupp and Dr. Lukas walk through the modern care path...

In this episode of Better Edge, Robert Brannigan, MD, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), discusses key updates from ASRM’s 2026 committee opinion on fertility preservation. Dr. Brannigan outlines what urologists should know about early identification, rapid referral, preservation options across adult and pediatric populations, documentation requirements and barrier...

In this episode, Sachin Patel, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the launch of Northwestern Medicine Dauten Behavioral Health Institute. Dr. Patel outlines the institute’s vision for advancing care for complex psychiatric conditions through integrated clinical excellence, research innovation and technology-enabled models of care....

In this episode of Better Edge, orthopaedic surgeons Michael Stover, MD, and Ryan Selley, MD, discuss the latest in hip preservation strategies for young adults, with a focus on periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for acetabular dysplasia. Dr. Stover and Dr. Selley cover: • Differentiating hip pathology appropriate for preservation vs. arthroplasty • Clinical and radiographic criteria for PAO candidacy...

In this episode of Better Edge, Oncologist Seth M. Pollack, MD, discusses the evolving treatment landscape for leiomyosarcoma and highlights clinical trial data recently published in The Lancet Oncology. Dr. Pollack was co-author on the study, which evaluated the combination of cabozantinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with temozolomide in patients with refractory soft tissue sarcom...

In this episode of Better Edge, pulmonologist Maanasi Samant, MD, highlights the multidisciplinary approach to pulmonary embolism (PE) survivorship at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute’s Blood Clot Clinic. The clinic offers structured follow-up for patients recovering from PE, with a focus on persistent symptoms, functional limitation, and early identification of chronic thromboembo...

In this episode of Better Edge, Northwestern Medicine Endocrinologist Ioannis Papagiannis, MD, reviews key updates from the 2025 American Thyroid Association Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Guidelines. He highlights refined, pathology specific risk stratification and a growing emphasis on individualized care. The discussion explores treatment de-escalation strategies, including active surveillance,...

In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin E. Hodges, MD, discusses persistent undertreatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and barriers to Cox-maze procedure adoption that persist despite data supporting it. He highlights expanded use of concomitant Cox-maze procedures and advances in minimally invasive and robotic AFib approaches.

In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin C. Welch, MD, professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, talks about his recent study that evaluated if endoscopic sinus surgery affects the long term risk of asthma and bronchiectasis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Drawing from a large retrospective cohort with extended follow up, the study explored differences in ou...

In this episode of Better Edge, GI surgeons Srinadh Komanduri, MD, MS, and Eric Hungness, MD, and Bariatric Surgeon Matthew Pittman, MD, take a look at the evolving landscape of obesity medicine. They share insights on treatment selection, long term weight maintenance, safety and the emerging combinations shaping the future of metabolic health.

In this episode of Better Edge, CTEPH experts Daniel R. Schimmel, MD, and Stephen F. Chiu, MD, discuss how multidisciplinary evaluation and a high volume of procedures have shaped one of the nation’s leading CTEPH program at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Having recently performed its 200th PTE, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has strong outcomes and the infrastructure to sup...

In this episode of Better Edge podcast, Francesca E. Duncan, PhD, a reproductive scientist at Northwestern Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research on immune‑mediated remodeling of the aging ovary. By characterizing the unique inflammatory and metabolic signatures of multinucleated giant cells, she provides a new framework for understanding ovarian senescence and preserving ovarian health.

This Better Edge podcast episode features Robin L. Cohen, MD, Michelle Armour, MS, CCC-SLP, and Shamun Mohammed, MS, CCC-SLP, as they discuss the rehabilitation of a 77-year-old stroke patient with severe fluent aphasia, auditory comprehension challenges and apraxia. They highlight how interdisciplinary collaboration, strong family involvement and the Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Program at Maria...

In this episode of Better Edge , Akhil Narang, MD, associate professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, examines the phase 3 ENHANCE trial, which evaluates a novel syringe-mounted surfactant device designed to generate uniform microbubbles and reduce variability in saline contrast echocardiography. By improving right-heart opacification and the fidelity of right-to-left shunt detection, the...

Prostate MRI is changing how clinicians decide when a biopsy is needed and how sampling is targeted to better detect clinically significant prostate cancer. In this episode of Better Edge, Hiten Patel, MD, discusses MRI‑informed risk stratification, including the use of an MRI‑based risk calculator, and how MRI‑targeted biopsy can reduce missed high‑grade disease. The episode also highlights how P...

In this episode of Better Edge, Baljash S. Cheema, MD, assistant professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, explores the integration of FDA-approved digital health technologies in cardiovascular care, focusing on a photoplethysmography-based algorithm for remote AFib detection and monitoring. Dr. Cheema discusses the clinical validation of this smartphone-enabled tool and its advantages ove...

Oncologist George Georges, MD, moderates a discussion with Christine Hsieh, MD, rheumatologist, and Arjun Seth, MD, neurologist, on advancing care for inflammatory myopathies. The panel introduces the Northwestern Medicine Myositis Clinic, a one-stop model that simplifies diagnostics and connects patients to clinical trials. They review current treatment strategies — steroids, IVIg, steroid-sparin...