Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may be a disease you may not know about, or even know you have, and it is predicted to be the number one indicator of the need for liver transplant in the next few years. In this episode, we connect with transplant hepatologist Dr. Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio, dedicated to trying to prevent patients from needing a liver transplant because of fatty liver disease. She br...

It’s been over a month since Russian invaded Ukraine. For Dr. Alex Hajduczok, a first year cardiologist fellow at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, the war felt at first inconceivable and then it felt impossible to follow from the sidelines. In this episode, he tells us about traveling to Medyka, Poland, a town just on the Polish/Ukrainian border, to provide medical care to the...

When it comes to COVID, we’ve seen our fair share of progress and set-backs over the last two years. This episode, we hear from Chief of Infectious Disease, Dr. John Zurlo on the what life will look like from here. He comments on recent changes to masking restrictions, timelines for vaccinations for young children, the challenges we face in declaring an “end” to the pandemic.   For more on COVID a...

The nation is experiencing a shortage of blood products. There’s been decline in the number of people donating blood and a drop in blood drives. The result is doctors being forced to make tough decisions about who receives transfusions and who will need to wait until more products are available.   Experts from Jefferson and the American Red Cross address myths behind donating blood, explain how bl...

Bariatric surgeon Dr. Candice Chipman notes that 60 percent of the country is obese, yet only 2 percent are seeking help from a bariatric surgeon when other weight loss methods fail. A misconception about the reason to seek bariatric surgery could be the culprit. She explains the various benefits to this type of surgery and why it isn’t simply about physical appearance.   Then, registered dieticia...

The Omicron variant is by far the most dominant of the COVID virus strains in our region at this time. Dr. John Zurlo, Chief of Infectious Diseases updates us on what we’re seeing in the hospitals, new monoclonal antibody therapies Sotrovimab and Evusheld, and the accuracy of at-home tests. Plus, he addresses whether the United States will follow in the footsteps of Germany and Israel and expedite...

Coming out and living authentically is an important part of life, but it isn't always easy. Falling into unhealthy coping mechanisms is a risk as there is worry of family and friends not being supportive of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. Behavior Health Specialist Christopher Huff, LCSW, LCDAC and dietitian Sarah Spinner, RDN, discuss how you can manage the stressors associated with coming out to your love...

Groups of family and friends are making plans to spend the holidays together. For some, it may be the first time together since the beginning of the pandemic. Vaccinations offer protection from COVID, but it’s important to remember that the virus has not been eradicated. Dr. Efrat Kean, an Emergency Medicine physician, provides questions to consider to evaluate your personal risk before making hol...

The holidays are upon us and millions of Americans will be missing a loved one at the family gathering this year. Jefferson’s Safe Harbor program helps families manage their grief together with helpful activities, support groups, and resources. In this episode, coordinators of the program talk about things a grieving family can do around the holidays to honor their lost loved one. They share three...

Dietician Recommends Pumpkin All Year Round  Did you know that some of your favorite fall treats may not contain real pumpkin at all? Dr. Cheryl Marco discusses the incredible nutritional value of the real deal. Pumpkins, their seeds and pulp are rich in vitamins and minerals and are among the best-known sources of beta carotene.     COVID Update  Dr. John Zurlo gives an update on the state of the...

With information about COVID-19 continuing to rapidly change, we kick off the new season of The Health Nexus Podcast by checking in with the Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. John Zurlo. He weighs in on emerging variants, return to school, booster shots, and more.   Since the time of recording, guidance has been released by the FDA recommending a booster shot for adults over the age of 65 year...

The term Long COVID, also known as Long-Haul COVID, has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for post-COVID conditions and symptoms affecting patients for multiple weeks after their initial infections. Patients experience a string of strange symptoms like brain fog, rashes and weight loss. Newly released guidance from the Biden Administration now categorizes "lon...

Restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID are easing up and vaccines are effective, but the virus is still a risk. Before you head out to enjoy common summer activities, make sure you understand any associated risks for COVID for you and your family. Infectious disease physician Dr. Mark Fussa and family medicine physician Dr. Karen Dong  discuss how you can assess your personal risk and evaluat...

COVID often presents itself with an unusual symptom-- the loss of taste and smell, also known as anosmia. Americans have taken to quirky remedies found on social media to try to regain their senses. But no need to continue scrolling. Otolaryngologist Dr. David Rosen from Jefferson Health shares ways you can bring back your smell and taste with at-home and over-the-counter treatments, and also disc...

The last year has often felt like a never-ending one. It’s as if the year 2020 was just one long month of March. And here we are, a year later, with tremendous social and economic upheaval, and a virus that continues to devastate across the world. Amid the chaos, though, there has been so much creativity.  In this episode, we meet four individuals who brought especially creative projects to Jeffer...

It has been a stressful year in America with the threat and the impact of the coronavirus still very real in our everyday lives. All of that stress could be affecting your physical and mental health in ways you wouldn’t expect-- and you’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Beth Schwartz and Dr. Paul Chung, a gynecologist and urologist respectively, discuss how the stress of a pandemic is affecting m...

In this episode, we compare and contrast symptoms of the common cold, the flu, and allergies with the coronavirus. Hear from various experts at Jefferson Health on how you can identify your symptoms and what you can do to treat each. Plus, get insight on what this upcoming flu season could look like as it intersects with the coronavirus. Check out more on The Health Nexus, like what you should kno...

In a time when racial tensions are high, many are focusing on how America can create a more equitable and inclusive society. This episode of The Health Nexus Podcast explores what various industries like health care, academics, and the corporate world need to do to promote equality. Hear from Jefferson's Chief Diversity Officer Lisette Martinez, clinical nurse advocate Tiffany Gibson, and PhD stud...

Alan Phillips, a patient from Jefferson Health in New Jersey, knew his cancer care couldn't wait for the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Masked, sanitized, and ready to go, he continued his chemotherapy treatments during a time when many patients chose to avoid the hospital setting for fear of the coronavirus. Alan says he felt safer in the hospital than he did in most places in the community. Hi...

Jefferson Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Anna Marie Chang became sick with the coronavirus in mid-March 2020. In this episode, she tells the story of her symptoms worsening, the isolation of the hospital room as a patient, and using her experience to rally efforts toward convalescent plasma donation.   Check out TheHealthNexus.org for more content on the coronavirus, like a patient's guide to te...

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone. Our societal norms of interacting with each other are being interrupted and our daily schedules are upended. Dr. Bruce Meyer, President of Jefferson Health, talks about how kindness and compassion, hand-washing and sanitizing, and self-care are all key in making sure we work together as a society to fight this. He addresses social distancing (why do...

Drs. Sallie Cho and Paulina Gorodin-Kiliddar join Jefferson Cardiology after their practice at Drexel Medicine closed as a result of the nearby Hahnemann University Hospital closure. They recount the emotional toll the closure took on each of them as well as their patients. Hear what's next for them at Jefferson and their tips for a healthy heart. Read the commentary on The Health Nexus co-written...

If you’re not in the health care industry, it may come as a surprise to learn that patient-facing staff can encounter violence in the workplace. This episode tells the story of one nurse’s frightening experience and what Jefferson and Strongline are doing to create a safer environment for health care workers.

This episode of The Health Nexus Podcast highlights someone who is key to Jefferson’s future: Jefferson Health President  Dr. Bruce Meyer . Hear about his big ideas… and his big family.

Located only one mile away from Hahnemann University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia saw an uptick in patients when Hahnemann closed the doors to its emergency room in the summer of 2019 as part of its overall closure. Hear from hospital president Rich Webster and staff members from the department on what that experience was like.