For the Love of Health

GLP-1 weight loss drugs are suddenly everywhere, but the loudest voices online rarely explain what these medications actually are, who they are for, and what happens after the first wave of weight loss. We sit down with Dr. Caitlin Halbert, Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Bariatric Surgery Program, and Dr. Lisa Breslow, Medical Director of the Obesity Medicine Program, to bring the conversati...

Food advice is everywhere, but when you’re staring down a new diabetes diagnosis or trying to protect a healthy pregnancy, you need better advice than "just eat better". Nutrition is a major part of a healthy lifestyle, and ChristianaCare is continuing to enhance nutrition-focused coaching through the Food is Medicine Program. Community health workers Eric Plautz and Alyssa Benjamin join...

Cancer touches nearly every family in Delaware. But based on new data released by the Delaware Division of Public Health, there's reason for hope. Between 2008 and 2022, cancer mortality rates decreased by an average of 1.5% per year in both Delaware and the United States. The most important reasons are surprisingly practical: better cancer screening, better follow-up, and better support for...

Every summer, emergency departments across Delaware see patients who didn't realize how dangerous the heat had become until it was too late. Yet heat-related illness is largely preventable.  Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States, and the problem is getting worse: heat-related deaths among adults over 65 have increased 85% since the 1990s, with project...

How's your posture? Can you turn at your hips without feeling any pain? Can you suck in your navel? Two years ago we were joined by ChristianaCare physical therapists Travis Ross and Brian Catania to discuss their nationally recognized Sling Activation Sequence for athletes. Since then, Travis and Brian have been refining their work to show how core strengthening is for everyone, from pro ath...

Raising teenagers has always been difficult, regardless of the generation. But life in the modern world has introduced a whole new of challenges to navigate, for both adolescents and their parents. It's more important than ever to stay on top of your teen's mental health and wellbeing. While that may be easier said than done, ChristianaCare psychologist Dr. Narpinder Malhi joins us to sh...

You need a prescription refill or have a quick question for your primary care provider. So you send a message through your patient portal, expecting your doctor will read it between appointments. To make sure every patient gets timely, thoughtful care, primary care is no longer a solo effort. Today, doctors are supported by a full care team. And the newest member might surprise you: the Inboxologi...

Spring has sprung! And while we're all eager to get outside and enjoy life in the sun again, make sure you're prepared for some seasonal concerns. On our latest live conversation with Primary Care physicians Dr. Bridget Peters and Dr. Theresa Metanchuk , we discuss seasonal allergies, what you can take to keep them under control, and how to tell the difference between them and a cold or...

When you go to a doctor's appointment, you may recognize the doctors, nurses, and medical assistants on your care team. But there's another essential role making a powerful difference behind the scenes: Community Health Workers (CHWs).  In this episode of For the Love of Health , we explore how community health workers at ChristianaCare help patients navigate the healthcare system and ev...

The thrill of the Olympic Winter Games can make anyone believe a gold medal is just a weekend away. But before you start attempting those triple axels and backside rodeo 540s, make sure your body is ready. ChristianaCare Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Barchi encourages us to stay active and try new things while channeling that Olympic spark into a smart path. Real progress starts with a...

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Patients often face a fast-moving disease and few treatment choices. But what if you could treat lung cancer with something as simple as an inhaler? It's an option that may be closer than you think thanks to groundbreaking research from ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute. At the heart of the technique is at-home CRISPR gene...

Resolutions feel exciting until the third week of January hits - then real life tests whether the plan can withstand stress, snow days, and scroll-bait "hacks." On this special LIVE episode of For the Love of Health, we sat down with Primary Care physicians Dr. Bridget Peters and Dr. Theresa Metanchuck to help separate what actually moves the needle from what just moves your feed.  Their...

Do you know how to read your medical bills? Do you know what to do if you can't afford to pay your medical bills? Financial concerns shouldn't decide whether you see a doctor. On this episode of For the Love of Health, we're pulling back the curtain on hospital billing, financial assistance, and the practical steps that make care affordable - often for people who never imagined they...

The concept of well-being in healthcare doesn't just refer to doctors and nurses. When caregivers feel supported and fulfilled in their work, the patient experience also improves, impacting our entire community. Dr. Maureen 'Mo' Leffler, ChristianaCare's Chief Wellbeing Officer, joins us to discuss why caregiver wellbeing matters for safety, outcomes, and trust. We discuss how...

Structural heart disease is a condition that affects the heart’s structure, its valves, chambers and walls. Minimally invasive procedures are transforming treatment for these complex conditions. Many diagnoses that once required open heart surgery can now be treated with minimally-invasive procedures, resulting in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster return to the activities y...

What if a community could turn generosity into faster answers, wider access, and life-changing research? It's a question that drives ChristianaCare's Office of Philanthropy and the subject of our conversation with Dia Williams Adams, ChristianaCare Vice President of Philanthropy, and Dr. Thomas Schwaab, Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Can...

When you have to take your child to the hospital, it's not a good day for anyone in your family. But a Child Life Specialist can help make your experience a little more positive. In this episode, we're joined by ChristianaCare's first Child Life Specialist, Shannon Taylor, who explains how fear loses power when kids have a plan, and how preparation, choice, and play can turn stressf...

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is one of the most impactful and prevalent health challenges facing women today, highlighting the need for quality screening, diagnosis, and treatment. On this episode of For the Love of Health, we're speaking with Dr. Susan Schaffer Whiteman, medical oncologist at Chr...

Flu is unpredictable, but your plan doesn't have to be. On this episode of For the Love of Health, we sat down with Dr. Marci Drees, Chief Infection Prevention Officer, and Cynthia Griffin, Chief Nursing Officer of Community Care at ChristianaCare, to map out a smarter way to move through cold and flu season without the stress. From vaccine timing to sick-day decisions, we break down what act...

When’s the last time you had a headache? And when it hit, did you just down a cup of coffee or a couple pills to try to get it to pass? Almost everyone gets headaches, but not everyone really understands what that pain is trying to tell them. From simple daily tension headaches to severe and debilitating migraine, every headache tells a story. And it’s a good idea to listen to your body and get to...

According to Delaware Health and Social Services, by 2030 more than 150,000 New Castle County residents will be over 60 years old. A majority of those residents are homeowners who hope to stay in their homes. As Delaware's population ages, physical barriers within their homes threaten their independence and quality of life. When stairs become mountains and bathrooms transform into hazard zone...

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest claims more lives globally than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined . But if an emergency happens near you where someone needs CPR, would you be prepared? On this episode of For the Love of Health, we’re joined by Jennifer Oldham, cardiovascular q...

Back to school season is already here, and although it is just the first week of August, we know the last days of summer go fast. From sleep schedules to screen time, back to school can be overwhelming. Joining us for some Back to School Tips and Recommendations is Primary Care Provider Dr. Chelsea Hastry. She shares her guidance on how to ease into those transitions and make sure your child has a...

What if the hospital could come to you instead of you going to the hospital? On the first episode of For the Love of Health in 2023, we discussed ChristianaCare's Hospital Care at Home program - an opportunity for patients to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own homes. Two years after that first conversation, we're sitting down with physician Dr. Emilia Adah and para...

Mental illness isn't always obvious. Someone suffering with anxiety or depression can still wear a smile, crack a joke and be successful. On this episode of For the Love of Health, Dr. Mustafa Mufti, Chair of the ChristianaCare Department of Psychiatry, explains how mental health should be treated the same as physical health.  Mustafa Mufti, M.D. , is the chair of the ChristianaCare Departmen...