Live Greater | A University of Maryland Medical System Podcast

Technology is transforming heart failure care. From pacemakers to defibrillators and beyond, learn how implantable devices work, what to expect and how they’re changing lives for the better. Featuring Asghar Fakhri, MD, associate chair of cardiology at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center and a cardiologist at UM Baltimore Washington Heart Associates.  For more information about Dr. Fakhri, visi...

Menopause and perimenopause affect more than just hormones. From brain fog to bladder health, the symptoms impact the whole person. In this panel, experts from Capital Region Health share how primary care, GYNs, and urogynecologists work together to provide women with the answers and care they need. Featuring Dr. Priya Ponnaiyan, Family Medicine provider at UM Capital Region Health; Dr. Pooja Uppa...

Urinary incontinence isn’t “just part of getting older.” In this episode, Dr. Briana Walton, a urogynecologist at UM Capital Region Health, explains medical and surgical options to help, clears up myths, and shares why women don’t have to live with bladder leaks in silence.  For more information about Dr. Walton  

Heart failure is often misunderstood—but knowledge is power. Join us as we clear away the myths, uncover the facts and show how the right care and support can help patients not just survive, but thrive. Featuring Norma Velasco Flores, DNP, CRNP, from the Heart Failure Clinic at UM St. Joseph Medical Center.  For more information about Dr. Flores   For more information about Heart Care at UM St. Jo...

Menopause “cures” are everywhere, but not all are created equal. In this candid episode, Dr. Marie Nakhoul, a women’s health and integrative medicine expert at University of Maryland Medical Center, helps us decode natural remedies, lifestyle strategies and mind-body practices to find out which ones are fact—and which are pure fiction—to help find relief from menopause symptoms.   Read more on the...

Not sure if that pain or bulge might be a hernia? Our expert surgeon answers the most common questions about symptoms, treatment, and prevention of hernias, so you know what to expect and how to protect your health. Featuring Erik DeAngelis, MD, General and Bariatric Surgeon at UM Charles Regional Medical Center.  For more information about Dr. DeAngelis For more information about Surgical Care at...

The flu vaccine saves lives—but myths and misinformation cause many to skip it. In this episode, Dr. Casey Holloway Mabry, a pediatrician and internal medicine physician at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Group in Glen Burnie, clears up common misconceptions and explains why flu shots matter for both kids and adults of all ages.

Learn the signs, break the stigma, and discover the support options men need to protect their mental health – and why it is important for all of us. In this episode, Ryan Barnes, DNP, CRNP, FNP-C, nurse practitioner at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Group - Primary Care at Millersville, shares what men really need to know about taking care of their mental health - from spottin...

Hip and knee replacements used to mean days in the hospital and weeks in rehab. Not anymore. In this episode, an orthopedic surgeon explains how advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and recovery planning are helping many patients go home the same day—and get back on their feet faster.

TV shows love dramatic trauma scenes—but what’s real and what’s just Hollywood? In this episode, Christopher Michetti, MD, Chief of Trauma and Trauma Medical Director at UM Capital Region Medical Center, walks us through what actually happens when seconds count. Learn how trauma teams coordinate care, what equipment they really use and why the truth is even more impressive than what you see on scr...

Before the whistle blows, make sure your athlete is truly game-ready. In this episode, Dr. Scott Burger, CMO of UM Urgent Care, breaks down what happens at a sports physical, when to get one and how it helps kids stay safe and strong. For more information about University of Maryland Urgent Care or to find a location, visit umurgentcare.com. Read more about preventing sports injuries on our blog a...

Is your young athlete ready for the season? In this episode, we cover how to avoid injuries in youth sports, the importance of pre-season physicals, safe training tips and how to spot when your athlete needs medical attention. Must-know advice from Dr. Scott Burger, Chief Medical Officer at University of Maryland Urgent Care. For more information about University of Maryland Urgent Care or to find...

There’s more than one way to screen for colon cancer—do you know your options? In this episode, three medical experts from the University of Maryland Midtown Health Center will walk you through the latest in screening options—from colonoscopies to FIT-DNA tests—and how to choose what’s right for you. Learn the facts, understand your risks, and hear real stories of lives saved by timely screening.

Learn how non-invasive cardiology can help diagnose and manage heart disease without surgery or major medical procedures from Dipesh M. Ludhwani, MD, medical director of non-invasive cardiology at UM Shore Regional Medical Group – Cardiology.

From breakthrough treatments to life-saving transfusions, hope is no longer just a dream for people with sickle cell disease. Discover how the University of Maryland Medical System and the American Red Cross are working side-by-side to fight sickle cell disease - with cutting-edge care and compassion in every drop, featuring Dr. Jennie Law from the UM Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and She...

Can medications, like shots or pills, help with weight loss, or is surgery the best option? Bariatric surgeons, Erik DeAngelis, MD, and Eleisha Flanagan, MD, from UM Charles Regional Medical Center, explain the pros and cons of both approaches.

Society often blames individuals for obesity, but science tells a different story. Two bariatric surgeons discuss the medical complexities of weight and how stigma affects health outcomes. Join us as we talk to Erik DeAngelis, MD, and Eleisha Flanagan, MD, bariatric surgeons at UM Charles Regional Medical Center.

No matter your age, knowing how to keep your pelvic floor healthy is essential. In this podcast, Fay Wilson, PT, DPT, CLT, a physical therapist at University of Maryland Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation Services who specializes in pelvic floor therapy, shares insights on daily habits that affect pelvic floor health, how pelvic health changes over time, and when it is time to seek help from...

Let’s face it – losing weight can be hard. And when it comes to obesity, many complex factors can cause excess weight gain and complicate a person’s ability to lose it. When traditional weight loss methods haven’t worked, it might be time to consider a new approach that marries bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes. In this episode, Alexander Aurora, MD, Director of Advanced Minimally Invasive S...

Beyond the doctor’s office, cancer presents emotional and social challenges that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we explore the human side of cancer with Patsy Astarita, LCSW-C, OSW-C, APHSW-C, director of oncology integrated health at UM Upper Chesapeake Health, who shares insights on managing stress, building support systems, and finding hope throughout the journey.

Empower yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about adult vaccines. Join us as we discuss with Dr. Wendie Grader-Beck, a primary care physician at UM St. Joseph Medical Group Primary Care, which vaccines are critical for adults, why they matter and how to make sure you’re covered even if insurance falls short. For more information, Dr. Grader-Beck's recommends these resources: - A...

Learn how scoliosis is diagnosed in children, the treatment options available, and what parents can do to support their child through this journey from Dr. Julio J. Jauregui, a Spine Surgeon at University of Maryland Medical System and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and an assistant professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Learn about recovery timelines, tips, and what to expect after spine surgery from Robin Fencel, PA-C, Orthopedic Physician Assistant at University of Maryland Medical Center, and Wendy Towers, MSN, a nurse practitioner at UM Shore Medical Group – Neurosurgery in Easton, MD.

Learn expert tips to prevent back pain, injuries, and surgery through exercise, posture, and lifestyle from Dr. Justin Tortolani, spine surgeon and director of the Spine Institute at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and member of the UM Spine Network.

Pneumonia is a common diagnosis in the fall and winter, but it can be extremely serious, even deadly, for some individuals. Learn from Dr. Jeffrey Marshall, a critical care physician and pulmonologist at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, the causes, treatments and how to prevent getting this uncomfortable disease.