Critical Chats

We are very lucky today to sit down with none other than Adam Katz who has many roles in the PA world including Senior Director of Advanced Practice Provider services. We step into his world and get a glimpse of what it is really like to trade the stethoscope for a seat at the administrative table, how to keep your ego in check when your title changes, and what the future of PA advocacy looks like...

Today we are joined by Dr. Raphael Carandang, a neurocritical care physician who cares for patients facing life-altering neurological emergencies — from severe strokes to traumatic brain injuries — where minutes matter and decisions can define outcomes. In this episode, we break down what really happens after a traumatic brain injury, how critical care teams monitor and protect the brain in real t...

As a level 1 trauma center we are lucky enough to have some of the best trauma surgeons taking care of our population here in Worcester. Today we chat with Dr. Michael Iannamorelli - he works on the front lines of emergency and trauma care, treating patients on what is often the worst day of their lives. His work goes far beyond the operating room—it requires calm under pressure, teamwork across d...

We are very excited to introduce Dr. Jared Mickelson, a critical care pulmonologist whose work lives at the intersection of innovation, advocacy, and lifesaving medicine. As an active member of the hospital’s ECMO committee, he is advocating for advanced cardiopulmonary support here at UMass — pushing beyond the status quo to expand what’s possible for patients with severe respiratory failure. Thi...

In the final episode of 2025, Katie and Sheila sit down with a very special guest, Carolann Monopoli - a recently retired critical care nurse practitioner. She reflects on a career spent at the bedside during the most intense and meaningful moments of patient care. From early days as a bedside nurse in critical care to the challenges of advanced practice, Carol shares honest stories about life in...

Dr. Bazzone - from the rink to the ICU! In episode 5 we explore Dr. Bazzone as a D1 hockey player and powerhouse in the ICU and in the lab. Her career both pursuing clinical medicine and research is impressive and we delve into how hockey has shaped her practice as a MICU intensivist. We explore everything from bias and equity as a female in hockey to how she tackles, sometimes literally, the ever...

In the fourth episode of Critical Chats we are joined by guest host, Johnny Isenberger, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN who speaks with Dawn Carpenter, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FAANP about what the AACN has to offer and how to pursue leadership at your institution. Dawn is a nurse practitioner at Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pennsylvania, and an associate professor at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing. As the...

Join us for a very special episode with our very own Dr. Toomey who is quadruple board certified in critical care, pulmonary medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and palliative care. He is known to be one of the most down to earth and level headed physicians and is dedicated to patients and familys well being both in sickness and in end of life. We take a deep dive into his life as a new fat...

The host becomes the guest! Join us for a discussion about sleep and delirium with our very own Dr. Sheila Bilica, DMSc, MPAS. Sheila is known for her excellence in clinical care and well rounded background in cardiology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, outpatient internal medicine, urgent care and of course critical care. Aside from her work life, she is a wife, mother of two, and just an overall...

In our first episode of Critical Chats we talk with Dr. Mullen who is quadruple board certified in Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Pulmonary Medicine, AND Internal Medicine. We discuss Dr. Mullens favorite topic - sepsis - including new developments and common pitfalls. Below you will find the resources mentioned in the podcast: 2016 Rivers et al Early Liberal Fluid Therapy 2005 Fall et al Lact...