Inside U Miami Medicine

What if blocking a particular brain receptor could help combat treatment-resistant depression? Dean Henri Ford sits down with Kirill Martemyanov, Ph. D., to learn about a previously unrecognized brain receptor that may hold the key to treating major depressive disorder, including the treatment-resistant cases that leave so many patients without relief. The findings, recently published in Nature ,...

What does it take to lead and thrive in health care during one of the most transformative eras the field has ever experienced? In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dean Henri Ford sits down with Dr. Julie Freischlag, a pioneering vascular surgeon and one of the most influential leaders in medicine today. A trailblazer who led some of the nation’s preeminent academic institutions, Dr. Freisc...

What if patients trapped inside their own bodies could be brought back? In this groundbreaking episode of Inside U Miami Medicine , world-renowned stroke expert Dr. Dileep Yavagal reveals a medical first: using stem cells to restore function in patients with locked-in syndrome after catastrophic brainstem strokes. Hear how his team became the first in the world to deploy a clinical trial that deli...

Medical misinformation is now one of the most powerful forces shaping patient decisions and outcomes. In the latest Inside U Miami Medicine episode, Dr. Geeta Nayyar – author, chief medical officer and technologist – joins Dean Henri Ford to explore how misinformation spreads, why it’s costing health systems trust and credibility, and what leaders can do to fight back. A must-listen for clinicians...

What if a paralyzed person could send a text, play chess, or navigate a computer using only their thoughts? In this episode, we dive into the clinical trial of Neuralink’s breakthrough investigational brain-computer interface, a wireless system designed to create a direct digital connection between the human brain and external devices. Our guest is Dr. Allan Levi, one of the neurosurgeons and a pr...

How does a young medical student from Bogotá, Colombia go on to co-invent a device that revolutionizes mitral valve repair, and then reshape an entire nation’s landscape of cardiac care? Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña shares the extraordinary journey that shaped his philosophy as a heart surgeon, innovator, and mentor.

For the first time in history, there will soon be more older adults than children in the U.S., and rates of dementia are climbing. Neuropsychologist Dr. Rosie Curiel Cid has developed a groundbreaking cognitive test capable of detecting the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease, long before symptoms appear. In this episode, she explains how early diagnosis can change everything, opening the door t...

AI isn’t replacing doctors: It’s making them better. Find out why Microsoft's Dr. James Weinstein believes AI can empower both patients and physicians, while shaping a new era of smarter, more efficient care.

Firefighters sprint into dangerous situations to protect their communities. But what happens when the very act of helping others puts their own lives at risk? Dr. Erin Kobetz and Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez - leaders of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center - pull back the curtain on a health crisis: the elevated cancer risk firefighters face because of toxic ex...

Neurologist Dr. Ihtsham ul Haq reveals how cutting-edge technology is reshaping diagnosis and why stem cell therapies may hold the power to slow, or even reverse, the disease. Discover the breakthroughs, the setbacks and the race to change the future of Parkinson’s.

Autoimmune diseases like lupus and Type 1 diabetes are notoriously difficult to treat, but what if we could reprogram the immune system instead of turning it off entirely? Preeminent immunologist Dr. Thomas Malek dives into the science behind a lab-designed fusion protein that could offer a powerful new path to long-term remission.

In this critical moment for academic medicine and scientific discovery, how can we rebuild trust in our institutions and our work? Dr. Elena Fuentes-Afflick, chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and a leading voice in support of research, joined us to tackle challenging questions and provide insight for scientists at all stages of their academic career.  ...

Humans share 99% of their genes but, according to JacobMcCauley, Ph. D., “that one percent can tell us a lot.”  The “1%” in genetic studies refers to the miniscule fraction of DNA that differentiates any two individuals but may be the key for understanding disease susceptibility. This small variation is leading to significant discoveries.

Step into the mind of one of neurosurgery’s most influentialvoices: Michael Wang, M.D., M.B.A., a globally recognized spine surgeon and leader of the largest spine fellowship program in the country. Dr. Wang and Dean Henri Ford tackle some of the most pressing challenges for spine surgeons: society scrutiny, public perception, patient trust, work-life balance, spiritual weight of the job and more....

Microplastics and their synthetic byproducts pose a majorrisk to humans through inhalation and ingestion. Could these microscopic pollutants play a role in infertility or cancer? Dr. Raveen Syan and her team are determined to find out. Dr. Raveen Syan, assistant professor of clinical urology at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, and Christina Yarborough, a medical student, joined the podcast to di...

Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, sudden death and other health problems for millions worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of AFib care — from diagnosis to treatment — remain outdated. Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he is improving decades-old models to save lives. “I saw two patients in the office within one month of each...

Prostate cancer affects more than half of males by age 80. Yet, early intervention can lead to complications that profoundly reduce quality of life. In the latest episode of “Inside U Miami Medicine,” luminaries in the field of urology mull over the complex question: Does every prostate cancer diagnosis require immediate treatment? Dr. Ian Thompson, professor emeritus at the University of Texas He...

The field of radiology is in flux, shifting with wave after wave of advanced technology.  While the public speculated whether artificial intelligence (AI) might render radiologists obsolete, the experts were already harnessing its power to optimize workflows, alleviate burnout, improve patient care, and redefine their role within the health care team. At the forefront of this transformation is Dr....

The world of migraine is complex and often misunderstood, even though it’s one the most disabling neurologic disorders in the world. Despite its prevalence, this common disease remains deeply stigmatized. Teshamae Monteith, M.D., a nationally recognized headache expert, sheds light on groundbreaking research, pharmaceutical innovations and emerging treatments that aim to reshape the way we think a...

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in U.S. men. While initial treatments offer hope, many patients find that their cancer returns with often fatal outcomes. But what if the key to stopping this deadly progression lies in our genes? Dr. Nima Sharifi, scientific director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, discovered a specific genetic variant that enables tumors to bypas...

Dr. David Davis, is breaking new ground in understanding how toxins, especially microplastics, may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's. In this episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Davis shares his journey and the groundbreaking methodologies he developed to detect and study these toxins. From cyanobacterial blooms to airborne plastic particle...

We’re exploring visionary breakthroughs in the field of ophthalmology with Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Alfonso has his sight set on an ambitious project - whole eye transplant. He and his team are currently exploring the use of an ECMO device to preserve a donated eye, enabling them to apply gene therapy and stem cells, replace specific parts of the organ, a...

Dr. Helen Bermudez, a gastroenterology fellow, overcame immense challenges to pursue her dream. Born in Cuba, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 15. She spoke no English but carried an unwavering dedication to help others through medicine. Tune in as we explore Dr. Bermudez’s story of resilience and the advice she offers others facing similar paths.

Dr. Ashish Shah, a neurosurgeon and brain cancer researcher at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, is weaponizing viruses to make brain cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation. It’s a delicate process that involves delivering viral-based gene therapy directly into the tumor or tumor cavity to alter the fundamental genome of the cancer cells. Tune in to learn how this treatme...

When the very treatment keeping a patient alive also exacts a heavy toll on lives, researchers are compelled to ask, “Is there another way?” Glioblastoma is a brutal brain cancer. It is aggressive, common and nearly always fatal. Standard treatments of radiation and chemotherapy often leave patients with cognitive problems and a diminished quality of life. But Dr. Macarena de la Fuente, chief of t...