Bowel and Bladder Matters Podcast

Join Tricia Downing as she discusses the psychosocial and mental health journey of a female following a SCI. She shares how important regaining her active lifestyle was to working through the stages of grief following a SCI. Guest bio: Tricia is a community leader, disability advocate, Paralympian, and author. She has a Master’s degree in Sport Management and has competed in numerous marathons and...

  In this episode* Terran Sims shares her contribution to the convexity consensus statement publication, the importance of post-operative convexity, and selecting the right product to meet the patients’ needs.  Guest bio: Terran Sims received her bachelor's from the University of Alabama and her master’s degree in Nursing as well as Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of...

Join us with Tricia Downing as she takes us on her journey to adapting her life into an active lifestyle following a SCI and what it takes to make it happen. This is part 1 of a 2-part series featuring Tricia discussing her tips and tricks on getting back to an active lifestyle.   Guest bio: Tricia is a community leader, disability advocate, Paralympian, and author. She has a Master’s degree in Sp...

Working with families and children with ostomies is a unique situation. Kim shares common conditions that affect this population as well as some best practices to reduce anxiety for pouch changes and age-related considerations. Gues t bio: Kim is a Registered Nurse and certified in wound, ostomy and continence. She has been a pediatric nurse for over 20 years. She currently practices at a level on...

Join us in listening to Tricia Downing as she takes us on the journey from initial rehab to the reality of home: how to make it all work, advocate for yourself and create the life that you want without the confines of a SCI.  Guest  bio: Tricia is a community leader, disability advocate, Paralympian and author. She has a Master’s degree in Sport Management and has competed in numerous marathons an...

I n the second part of Josh Nelson's journey, he shares with Coloplast employee Sara Wharmby how he began to navigate life now that he has a permanent ostomy. Guest bio: Josh was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in November 2017.  He was evaluated by Inflammatory Bowel Disease experts from Rochester Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Medical Center.  After failing maximum medical therap...

Join us and listen to Tricia Downing as she shares her journey from avid cyclist to Paralympian and the honest challenges she has faced along the way.   Guest bio: Tricia is a community leader, disability advocate, Paralympian and author. She has a Master’s degree in Sport Management and has competed in numerous marathons and triathlons. She is the founder of the non-profit The Cycle of Hope and C...

Join us as Angela discusses some of the challenges that clinicians and home care patients face as they transition home. Guest bio: Angela Graham has 30 years of home health experience in a variety of roles from field clinician, auditor, and manager, but for the past 20 years, she has focused on education. She obtained her CWOCN  18 years ago and is currently a Clinical Education Consultant in Home...

  Dr. Diaz provides insight into the assessment and treatment of urologic and pelvic floor disorders in females. In this episode, she will discuss how she approaches patient concerns and symptoms.   Guest bio : Dr. Diaz is a urogynecologist and has a dual board certification in obstetrics and gynecology, and female pelvic medicine reconstructive surgery. She currently serves as the Medical Directo...

This podcast explores how a new ostomate adapts to a new diagnosis of living with an ostomy. Josh shares his experience in this first episode of a 4-part series.   Guest bio: Josh was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in November 2017.  He was evaluated by Inflammatory Bowel Disease experts from Rochester Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Medical Center.  After failing maximum medical therap...

This podcast explores the many adapted activities people enjoy after SCI, including participation in the PVA games, as well as the fears that may come along with that.   Guest bio: Joanne Jackson is the Clinical Care Coordinator for the Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Unit at the James Haley VA Medical Center. She holds a BSN and MSN from Jacksonville University and has 14 years of experience as a Regist...

 In this podcast, Joanne gives us typical scenarios about when a SCI patient returns home from the hospital post initial injury. She discusses how the patient adapts to change and common obstacles faced.  Guest bio: Joanne Jackson is the Clinical Care Coordinator for the Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Unit at the James Haley VA Medical Center. She holds a BSN and MSN from Jacksonville University and has...

Kimberly shares insight and discusses the challenges that clinicians and patients face with PMARSI, the complications of these types of skin injuries, and the importance of keeping peristomal skin intact. In addition, she discusses how peristomal skin complications should not be normalized. Guest bio: Kimberly LeBlanc is known globally as an innovative nurse leader. She is the current Academic Cha...

In this episode, Joanne takes us on an inpatient SCI rehab journey, including common challenges faced by patients during this time & collaboration by the clinical team. Guest bio : Joanne Jackson is the Clinical Care Coordinator for the Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Unit at the James Haley VA Medical Center. She holds a BSN and MSN from Jacksonville University and has 14 years experience as a Regis...

  Kim Fields shares how developmental levels of a child should be part of how ostomy education is discussed and taught. She shares her insight with this very special patient population.   Guest bio: Kim is a Registered Nurse and certified in wound, ostomy and continence. She has been a pediatric nurse for over 20 years. She currently practices at a level one trauma, academic hospital that includes...

Joanne discusses her perspective on her chosen field of SCI Rehab Nursing, the journey that got her there & encouragement toward others who may be contemplating a similar role. Guest bio: Joanne Jackson is the Clinical Care Coordinator for the Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Unit at the James Haley VA Medical Center. She holds a BSN and MSN from Jacksonville University and has 14 years experience as...

 Linda discusses key differences between fistula types and provides perspective on how to approach the evaluation and management of such a unique population. Guest bio: Linda Coulter has been a certified wound, ostomy, and continence nurse since 2010. She currently cares for patients at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, OH. She serves as a member on the board of trustees for...

Dr. Diaz provides insight into the specialized area of urogynecology. In this episode, she will examine the role of a urogynecologist in managing female urological complications.     Guest Bio Dr. Diaz is a urogynecologist and has a dual board certification in obstetrics and gynecology, and female pelvic medicine reconstructive surgery. She currently serves as the medical director of women’s healt...

Mike has been living with two ostomies since 2009. In this podcast he discusses how he adapted to being a double ostomate. Guest Bio Mike is a double ostomate, due to a stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2008. Mike recently retired and spends his free time golfing, playing tennis, biking and traveling. Mike and his wife are actively involved in fundraising for colon cancer research...

Todd’s life changed when he broke is neck in a beach accident. As a spinal cord injured veteran, he discusses what his quality of life is like as a quadriplegic. Guest bio Todd Kemery is a veteran who currently serves as president at Paralyzed Veterans of America, Minnesota chapter. Todd served in the Marines in the late 70s through the early 80s. Todd has a spinal cord injury that changed the tra...

Being a new WOC Nurse can be daunting when you are brand new. In this podcast Mary Mahoney discusses how she would guide a novice WOC Nurse transitioning from a staff nurse role in their same facility as well as starting at a new hospital. Whether you are a new or experience WOC Nurse, this podcast can provide insight while you transition, or you are helping someone transition! Guest Bio Mary Maho...

Todd is a veteran living with a spinal cord injury since August of 1982. In this episode he talks about the impact his injury has had on his bowel care. Guest bio Todd Kemery is a veteran who currently serves as president at Paralyzed Veterans of America, Minnesota chapter. Todd served in the Marines in the late 70s through the early 80s. Todd has a spinal cord injury that changed the trajectory o...

Jan is an Advanced Practice WOC Nurse working in an outpatient setting. In this episode she talks about her role at the University of Chicago and other APRN roles. Guest bio: Jan has practiced as a WOC nurse for 40 years, working at the University of Chicago Medicine, a 900-bed academic inner city medical center.  She directs and provides care to the outpatient ostomy population working in general...

Todd is a veteran living with a spinal cord injury. In this episode he talks about his experience with the VA healthcare system and how to be an advocate for yourself in the VA. Guest bio Todd Kemery is a veteran who currently serves as president at Paralyzed Veterans of America, Minnesota chapter. Todd served in the Marines in the late 70s through the early 80s. Todd has a spinal cord injury that...

Janet works as an independent consultant in a private practice. In our latest podcast she explains what her role looks like and how she got into this position. Guest bio: Janet has 34 years’ experience in WOC nursing and has been certified as a CWOCN since 1985.  Her career began with a focus in critical care as a certified critical care registered nurse. In 1996, she began a private wound, ostomy...