Open Mics with Dr. Stites

A routine bike ride along Missouri's Katy Trail turned catastrophic when Nate Prater crashed into a truck and suffered a rare Le Fort IV fracture — a severe facial injury that separated his upper jaw from the base of his skull. Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System performed complex reconstructive surgeries and intensive rehabilitation to help Nate relearn how to speak, swallow and smi...

Lester McKinzy was working construction and spending long days on his feet when a rare disorder suddenly changed everything. What started as weakness, numbness and trouble walking eventually left him wheelchair bound as doctors searched for answers. In this episode of Open Mics with Dr. Stites, Lester shares his journey with POEMS syndrome, a rare and complex disorder connected to plasma cells tha...

Cancer screenings can save lives, but the right screening plan can change as we age. In this episode of The University of Kansas Health System Open Mics, Dr. Steve Stites talks with geriatric medicine specialist Dr. Jessica Kalender-Rich and clinical oncologist Dr. Nina Mathew about cancer screenings for older adults and how seniors can make informed decisions about early detection. The conversati...

Some people with cystic fibrosis have seen life-changing results from Trikafta, but not every patient responds to the treatment. The University of Kansas Health System looks at the research helping the group of CF patients who have been left behind by current therapies. Dr. Steve Stites is joined by cystic fibrosis patient Jason White, pulmonologist and critical care specialist Dr. Joel Mermis, an...

Kansas City is officially taking the world stage! With six matches and over 600,000 visitors headed to our stadium, how is our healthcare infrastructure preparing for the surge?

A stroke can happen at any age. The University of Kansas Health System now has a special clinic focused on young stroke survivors. Hear from a patient and her doctors on how this clinic works.

Join us for an amazing discussion around organ donation. An anonymous donor previously donated a kidney and has now decided to donate part of her liver. Hear from doctors and the patient they saved.

The University of Kansas Health System and Children's Mercy are now have the NORD designation. That means we are recognized place for rare disorders and diseases. Today we speak with a patient about her care and hear from doctors about why this recognition matters to people in our region.

Could the pandemic have aged your brain — even if you never got COVID? A new study using brain scans suggests it's possible. But not all experts are ready to sign off on the findings. Up next, we hear from the doctors who've seen long COVID firsthand, and a neurologist who breaks down what 'brain aging' really looks like on an MRI — and what stress and isolation may have done to all of us.

Cancer care should be close to home. It's not just convenient, it's necessary for good patient outcomes. We take a closer look at the growing options in the Northland for patients and their families.

A young woman thought she had a simple infection--but it was breast cancer. She questions if lifestyle choices played a role in her diagnosis. We explore the link between alcohol and cancer.

When you are diagnosed with cancer, it's not just about the treatment... but the physical and emotional challenges. Missy's Boutique shows us it's more than medicine. We celebrate as patients find style and confidence.

An autoimmune disease left one woman battling joint pain, fatigue, and even lung problems. Learn how the health system is using a team approach--from rheumatology to pulmonology--to slow the damage.

In hospitals and clinics, AI is helping with data, diagnostics, and documentation so physicians can do what they do best: focus on their patients.   Today doctors with The University of Kansas Health System show n tell three ways AI is assisting them during your clinic visit… quietly transforming care behind the scenes.

A treatment for cancer now has applications for patients with sickle cell disease. Scientists genetically modify the patient's own blood cells—transforming them into healthy ones—and then infuse them back into the body. Listen to the inspiring journey of a patient undergoing this life-changing therapy at The University of Kansas Cancer Center for a pain-free future.

Every year we celebrate our birthday. Researchers are now learning our bodies don't age in a slow and steady process. We actually age in bursts and there are two key windows of time. Specialists with The University of Kansas Health System explain what's happening at ages 44 and 60.

It's back to school for millions of children. One challenge for some families is the food allergies their children face. Research shows food allergies among children are more common than ever. We'll explore the scope of the problem and learn strategies to keep children safe.

Medicine is a team sport whether it's a clinic or operating room. Nurses are there giving compassionate care. Meet the nurses supporting our Chief Medical Officers.

Sickle cell disease is painful, costly and now possibly- curable. A new treatment reprograms a person's own blood cells to fight the disease. We break down how it works and introduce you to a woman ready for relief.

Music stirs the soul, but can it heal the body? We'll show you the science turning melodies into medicine.

Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000. It's now making a comeback with outbreaks identified in numerous states including Kansas. It's highly contagious and highly preventable. Infectious disease specialists put the current outbreak into perspective.

He woke up in the hospital, unsure why he was even there. Now the mayor of Overland Park is thanking the specialists who saved him.

Our genes contain clues to our health. Doctors can now use these clues to tailor treatments to each patient. We discuss precision medicine and what we know about the role of genetics in health care.

Targeted Muscle Reinnervation – or TMR – offers new hope for people who've lost a limb but struggle with phantom pain. Our doctors discuss how TMR works to help people live pain free. Guests include orthopedic surgeon and microsurgeon Dr. Jacob Brubacher.

Tens of millions of people around the world have recovered from an acute COVID infection ... only to face additional symptoms that can linger for months or years. We review long COVID research and hear from a patient.