Better Edge : A Northwestern Medicine podcast for physicians

In this episode of Parts and Labor , Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts from Northwestern Medicine’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology to discuss the groundbreaking research and clinical trials shaping the future of gynecologic cancer care. The panel explores innovations in immunotherapy, investigator-initiated trials, survivorship and symptom science, while highlighting efforts to expa...

In this episode of Better Edge , Chandrika Shankar, MD, explores the dynamic intersection of mental health and law. Learn how forensic psychiatrists assess competency, navigate ethical dilemmas and balance risk assessment tools with clinical judgment. Dr. Shankar also shares insights on telepsychiatry, AI-assisted evaluations and the core skills needed to succeed in this evolving field.

In this episode of  Better Edge , a Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology panel including  Paul Bryar, MD ,  Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD , and moderator  Angelo P. Tanna, MD , discusses practical applications of artificial intelligence in eye care. Topics include point‑of‑care diabetic retinopathy screening with immediate results, oculomics and multimodal imaging, and collaborations using AI to identify b...

Edward M. Schaeffer, MD, PhD, moderates a thoughtful conversation with two former Northwestern Urology residents, Richard Matulewicz, MD, MSCI, MS, urologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Neema Navai, MD, MHCM, professor and chair of the department of urology and special advisor to the chief physician executive for care development at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Together, th...

In this episode of Parts and Labor , Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts from Northwestern Medicine’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology to explore the innovative role of robotic surgery in cancer care. The discussion highlights how robotic technology is improving outcomes for patients with gynecologic cancers through minimally invasive techniques, enhanced precision and interdisciplinary...

In this episode of Better Edge, a Northwestern Medicine Neurology panel including Niccolo Mencacci, MD, PhD, Sarah Brooker, MD, PhD, and Elizabeth Gerard, MD, discuss their groundbreaking research surrounding the NUS1 gene and its impact on neurological disorders. Their recently published research, The Spectrum of Neurologic Phenotypes Associated With NUS1 Pathogenic Variants: A Comprehensive Case...

In this episode of Better Edge, Edgar Woznica, MD, explores the clinical challenges of diagnosing and treating patients with four or more co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders. He shares strategies for distinguishing primary versus substance-induced symptoms, emphasizes the importance of collaborative care and offers guidance for teaching diagnostic clarity to trai...

In this episode of Better Edge, Sean W. P. Koppe, MD, moderates a panel of Northwestern Medicine hepatologists as they discuss recent scientific updates from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) annual meeting held in November 2025. The conversation addresses key updates in the management of patients with cirrhosis, MASLD, HCC, alcohol liver disease, cholestatic liver d...

A panel of Northwestern Medicine ophthalmologists, including Robert Feder, MD, Liza Cohen, MD, and Timothy Janetos, MD, share key highlights and clinical implications from the 2025 AAO Annual Meeting focusing on cornea and external disease, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, and uveitis — including cases associated with cataract.

In this episode of Better Edge, Quentin R. Youmans, MD, assistant professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, discusses the recent joint scientific statement from the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) and the American Society of Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure. This statement explores the integration of multidiscip...

Danny Bega, MD, of Northwestern Medicine Neurology, joins Will Meador, MD, to discuss a major breakthrough in Huntington’s disease — a gene therapy that has shown the first evidence of slowing disease progression. Dr. Bega talks about how the RESET-HD trial is reshaping treatment possibilities and what physicians should watch for as this therapy advances.

In part two of the Better Edge series on women in physiatry, Larissa Pavone, MD, and Mary Keen, MD, reflect on how the field has evolved — from training structures and technology to the growing presence of women in leadership. They discuss the increasing demands of the specialty, the impact of mentorship and the importance of visibility and support for women entering PM&R. Looking ahead, they...

In this episode of Better Edge, Brandon Hamm, MD, discusses an evidence-based approach to ketamine therapy, including patient selection, safety protocols and a newly expanded infusion suite. He compares ketamine with TMS and ECT, addresses common misconceptions and highlights training opportunities for residents. The episode also previews emerging treatments like vagus nerve stimulation. Clinical...

In this episode of Better Edge, Larissa Pavone, MD, and Mary Keen, MD, share their insights on the power of mentorship among women in physiatry. They reflect on their own mentor and mentee relationship, emphasizing how guidance, partnership and shared clinical experiences have shaped their careers and personal growth. They explore the challenges of balancing clinical demands with personal well-bei...

In this episode of Better Edge, Jennifer Miles-Thomas, MD, moderates a thoughtful conversation with Anthony Schaeffer, MD, discussing complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and their management. Dr. Schaeffer, who contributed to the recent IDSA guidelines on cUTIs, emphasizes the need to understand underlying causes of recurrent infections rather than treating them as isolated events. The co...

In this episode of Better Edge, Reena Dhanda-Patil, MD, a professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, discusses her journey into the field and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Dhanda-Patil emphasizes the rapid advances in sleep medicine and surgery, highlighting her commitment to integrating innovative techniques and multidisciplinary str...

In this episode of Better Edge, Joshua Meeks, MD, PhD, discusses the implications of the FDA's recent approval of TAR-200, a novel therapy for bladder cancer. Having played a key role in the clinical trials and development of this treatment, Dr. Meeks provides an in-depth look at this breakthrough’s potential to transform patient care, especially for those with BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer.

In this episode of Better Edge, a multidisciplinary team gets into the intricacies of diagnosing and managing scleroderma. Join Pulmonologist Anthony Esposito, MD, Rheumatologist Carrie Richardson, MD, and Domenico Farina, MD a gastroenterology specialist with a focus on scleroderma-related esophageal diseases. Together, they share how they collaborate to provide comprehensive care for patients.

Grazia Aleppo, MD , Kasey J. Coyne, MD , and Jelena Kravarusic, MD, PhD , from the Northwestern Medicine Division of Endocrinology , join the Better Edge podcast. The trio discusses a recent clinical trial they led, published in The New England Journal of Medicine . This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using an automated insulin delivery system for treating patients with Type 2...

In this episode of Better Edge, C. Charles Jain, MD, the new associate medical director for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, shares his clinical expertise and strategic vision for advancing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. Dr. Jain discusses his new role and outlines a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for ACHD. He emphas...

In this episode of Better Edge, Bruce K. Tan, MD, discusses the newest clinical practice guidelines for the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dr. Tan covers how treatment paradigms have evolved over the past 15 years, from antibiotic-centric approaches to multifaceted strategies that recognize CRS as a complex inflammatory condition. He dives into the guidelines’ recommendations...

In this episode of Better Edge, Allison S. Komorowski, MD, discusses her findings on the role of anti-Müllerian hormone in managing PCOS. Discover how this hormone’s levels influence ovulation rates, the importance of personalized treatment strategies and the hormone’s potential as a diagnostic tool in fertility treatment.

Join Anton Dietzen, MD, FAAPMR, fellowship-trained in pediatrics, Ishaan Hublikar, DO, FAAPMR, a spinal cord injury specialist, and Julie E. Witkowski, MD, FAAPMR, an expert in brain injury, as they discuss the role of fellowship training in enhancing PM&R care. They share their personal journeys, insights on complex cases and future advances in their fields.

Dr. Clara Peek, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, is here to walk us through a new Northwestern Medicine study she led that was published in Science Advances, suggesting that circadian rhythms play a role in how quickly damaged muscles heal.

In this episode of Better Edge, Sadiya S. Khan, MD, discusses the AHA's groundbreaking PREVENT-HF paradigm, which aims to implement a risk-based approach to heart failure prevention like other established methods for heart attack and stroke. Dr. Khan covers the alarming trends of heart failure prevalence in the U.S., the importance of early detection, and the integration of traditional and non-tra...