Patient Innovations

In this episode of the Patient Innovations Podcast, hosts Rashmi Kandwal and Colleen Rogers explore breastfeeding from three perspectives: lived experience, clinical medicine, and maternal health innovation. New mom and content creator Brittany Runck opens up about her fertility journey, a NICU stay with her son Briggs, and what she calls the "middle ground" that doesn't get talked about enough. D...

Fertility decline often begins earlier than people realize, and the path to evaluation and treatment can feel isolating without the right support. Host Rashmi Kanwal sits down with Dr. April Batcheller, a reproductive endocrinologist, and Rosie Nestingen, founder of Rebloom Health, to talk about what fertility care actually looks like and what is often missing from it. This conversation matters be...

In this episode of Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Colleen explore one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas of healthcare: rare disease. While each condition may be considered uncommon, the lived experience is anything but rare for those affected. For many patients, it means navigating daily uncertainty, evolving symptoms, and a long and often frustrating search for answers. This con...

In this episode of Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Shannon dive into one of the most overlooked challenges in healthcare: rare disease detection, focusing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), sometimes called nasal cancer. NPC forms deep in the upper throat behind the nose, and its early symptoms—persistent congestion, nosebleeds, ear fullness, hearing changes, or headaches—can feel minor and easil...

In this episode of Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Mary dive into one of the most debated and misunderstood topics in women’s health: Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy (MRT/HRT) . Menopause is a natural life transition, yet for many women it brings disruptive symptoms, limited access to care, and widespread misinformation. This conversation grounds menopause and hormone therapy in lived e...

In this episode of the Patient Innovations Podcast, Rashmi Kandwal and Mary MacCarthy explore one of the most complex and underrecognized conditions affecting millions of women: chronic pelvic pain. Defined as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis lasting longer than six months, chronic pelvic pain can stem from a wide range of causes — from uterine dysfunction and neuropathic pain to hormonal and m...

What is Long COVID—and why does it persist for some people but not others?  Why do symptoms vary so widely—from fatigue and brain fog to shortness of breath and heart palpitations? And how are clinicians and public health leaders working to better understand and support those affected? In this episode of  Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Mary kick off the new season diving into one of th...

In this episode of  Patient Innovations , co-hosts  Mary MacCarthy  and  Rashmi Kandwal  explore Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a complex neurological disease that affects nearly 3 million people globally, including over 1 million Americans. MS disproportionately impacts women, and studies show higher prevalence in northern states like Minnesota, which has the highest rates in th...

In this powerful episode of  Patient Innovations , co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal go beyond stats and symptoms to explore the lived experience of spinal cord injury—and the groundbreaking technologies transforming recovery. Nearly 18,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a spinal cord injury each year. Today’s episode features two voices at the forefront: a hockey player's uns...

In this spring episode of  Patient Innovations , co-hosts  Mary MacCarthy  and  Rashmi Kandwal  explore the vital role heart valves play in keeping us alive—and what happens when they don’t work as they should. With 2.5% of&n...

In this episode of  Patient Innovations , we hear from  Robert J. Proulx , who is receiving care for sleep apnea. Then  Dr. Runji Varghese,  a sleep medicine physician at  Hennepin Healthcare  and Medical Director at the  Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center,  and  Sarah Chiapetta , head of product at  GEM Health  in White Bear Lake, Minn...

In this episode of  Patient Innovations , we dive into  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) , also known as  Lou Gehrig’s disease —a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Joining us in the studio are: Mark Bearman  – An ALS patient with a genetic mutation, sharing his personal journey. Dr. Sam Maiser  – Chair of the...

In this episode, we explore the journey of organ transplantation—what it takes to make transplants possible, the latest advancements in the field, and the powerful stories of those whose lives have been forever changed. Our guests include: Ben Williams  – Kidney transplant recipient, NFL Players Association Chapter President, and former US NFL football player (including the Minnesota Vikings)...

This episode of  Patient Innovations  delves into the realities of living with depression, featuring personal stories, expert insights, and organizational perspectives. Guests: Julie Berggren  shares her journey with depression, the challenges she faced, and the tools that have supported her mental health. Dr. Talee Vang , award-winning psychologist and Vice President of Health Equi...

In this episode, we explore Multiple Myeloma, a rare and complex blood cancer, with insights from experts and a patient navigating the journey firsthand. Together, they share the challenges of diagnosis, advancements in treatment, and hope through innovative care. Ron Thiessen  – A patient sharing his courageous story of resilience. Dr. Joseph Maakaron  – A leading oncologist, Assistant...

In this episode, we delve into the realities of diabetes with three insightful guests. Angie Kruger shares her journey of managing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Dr. Pankaj Shah, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, offers expert insights into the medical aspects and challenges of diabetes care, and Stacey Pugh, CEO of Endogenex, discusses innovations in T2D treatment and Minnesota's role as a medtech hub....

In this episode of  Patient Innovations , we explore the complexities of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through the lens of personal experience, medical expertise, and community advocacy. Our guests include  Dennik McBride , a courageous sickle cell warrior, who shares her personal journey living with the condition.  Dr. Ashish Gupta  from the University of Minnesota,  Dr....

In this special episode of  Patient Innovations , we're flipping the script! Our hosts, Rashmi Kandwal and Mary MacCarthy, step into the guest spotlight as our production engineer, Sam Devine, takes on the role of interviewer. Join us as we delve into the motivations and challenges behind launching the  Patient Innovations  podcast. Rashmi and Mary share personal stories, discuss th...

In this episode, hosts Rashmi and Mary dive deep into the critical issues of addiction and substance abuse, exploring various aspects of mental health. They are joined by three distinguished guests: Duffy Fallon A person in recovery, Duffy shares his personal journey and insights into how his experiences have shaped his work in the mental health field. Sue Abderholden The Executive Director of&nbs...

In April 2024 Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal focused on learning about care and innovation in Alzheimer's Disease. They talked with Kanada Yazbek who has been living with dementia for many years,  Susan Perriott  who is the CEO of the  Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota and North Dakota  and  Dr. Joseph Gaugler , Director of the University of Minnesota's Center for He...

Dive into a discussion on Colorectal Cancer, the 3rd most common cancer in the US and worldwide. In this episode of Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Mary speak with three remarkable guests: Meghan Wallace : A recent survivor, Meghan shares her journey from diagnosis to treatment and being cancer-free. Dr. Subree Subramanian : Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota an...

Patient Innovations Trailer.