St. Joseph’s Health MedCast

A behind-the-scenes look at St. Joseph’s high-volume, multidisciplinary cardiac team and how surgeon experience, specialized nursing, and advanced anesthesia protocols support safe, high-quality robotic and minimally invasive heart surgery.  Learn more about Charles Lutz, MD  

In this episode Dr. Ali Al-Mudamgha, MD, explains how modern AFib treatments protect both heart and brain — from catheter ablation to the Watchman device. Learn about stroke prevention, when to consider ablation, and what pulsed field ablation (PFA) means for safety and outcomes. Visit https://sjhsyr.org/CVI for more information.

In this episode Dr. Madison Healy, MD explains why menopause care is getting the attention it deserves and how a dedicated clinic at St. Joseph’s Health offers personalized, longer visits to address symptoms and long-term health. Learn about menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy, bone density and heart disease risk — and what doctors can do to help you feel better.  Learn more about Madi...

This episode breaks down how targeted lung cancer screening and low-dose CT scans are changing outcomes and why eligible patients should act now. Dr. David Wormuth, MD and Dr. Michael Parish, MD, thoracic surgeons at St. Joseph's Health, explain screening criteria, insurance changes, and practical next steps.

Join orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brad Rayfield from St. Joseph's Health as he shares invaluable insights on how to stay safe during the winter months. Learn about the most common winter injuries and how to prevent them with simple strategies like proper footwear, awareness of icy surfaces, and warming up before outdoor activities. Don't let the winter season become injury season; tune in for expert adv...

Pregnancy is a journey that begins long before conception and continues well after delivery. In this episode, certified nurse midwife Sara Donnelly, CNM, from St. Joseph’s Health shares expert insight into maternal health across every stage—before, during, and after pregnancy. From preparing your body for pregnancy and navigating prenatal care, to understanding postpartum recovery and long‑term we...

Heartburn is common—but the solutions are evolving. On this episode, we’re exploring what’s new at St. Joseph’s Heartburn Center. From integrated care between gastroenterologists and surgeons to advanced techniques like transoral incisionless fundoplication, or TIF, this is care you won’t find anywhere else in Syracuse. Dr. Beata Belfield joins us to break down what these innovations mean for pati...

In this episode, we sit down with leading medical oncologist, Dr. Haider Khadim from St. Joseph's Health, to talk about what’s new—and what’s next—in breast cancer treatment. From groundbreaking therapies to updated screening guidelines, we break down the latest advancements in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re a patient, a loved one, or just curious about the science behind the head...

Dr. Julie Moore, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Joseph’s Health discusses the vision and impact of the Vizient Nurse Residency Program. Dr. Moore shares her insights on preparing new nurses for practice, the importance of structured support, and how the program is helping reduce turnover while strengthening the future of nursing. Tune in for an inspiring look at leadership, innovation, and the heart...

Dr. Po Lam, a nationally recognized urologist and robotic surgeon affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health and Associated Medical Professionals of NY, is part of a team of surgeons who are leading the way in Central New York with the da Vinci SP (Single Port) robotic surgical system, a cutting-edge technology that allows complex procedures to be performed through a single small incision.  Learn more ab...

Dr. Monique Winnett, a clinical psychologist with expertise in child and adolescent development, discusses practical insights on how we can support our children this school year.  Learn more about Monique Winnett, PsyD  

Dr. Julie Colvin, family medicine physician at St. Joseph's Health, shares her insights on understanding and managing blood pressure, offering practical advice to help you take charge of your heart health.

Dr. Haidy Marzouk, otolaryngologist (ENT) with St. Joseph’s Health, discusses what causes allergies, how to manage them, and when it's time to see a specialist.

Alexis Gantos, Life Coach for the St. Joseph’s Health Diabetes Prevention Program, discusses practical strategies for preventing Type 2 diabetes. She shares expert insights on lifestyle changes, nutrition, and sustainable habits that can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re at risk for diabetes or looking to lead a healthier life, this conversation will provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

Heartburn—it’s more than just a minor annoyance for millions of people. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beata Belfield from St. Joseph's Health, a minimally invasive general surgeon, to uncover the real causes of heartburn, when it signals something more serious like GERD, and what you can do to prevent long-term complications. We’ll explore lifestyle changes, medical treatments, and when su...

Dr. Monique Winnett, Clinical Psychologist at St. Joseph's Health, explores the growing crisis of loneliness and its profound impact on both our physical and mental health. Tune in as we uncover why loneliness is a silent epidemic and what steps we can take to combat it—both individually and as a community.

Dr. Vanessa Lalley-Demong, family medicine and sports medicine specialist at St. Joseph's Health, discusses the signs/symptoms of concussions.

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases. Kassandra Foley, Regional Director of Infection Prevention for St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse and St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany, shares helpful information on what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from tick-borne illnesses.

Ryan Planer, MD, discusses the importance of water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children. It only takes a moment for a child or weak swimmer to drown. By teaming up to improve swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and assisting each other, water activities can be safer and just as enjoyable.

Dr. Brad Raphael discusses the common types of injuries - sprains, strains, fractures, broken bones and dislocations. How do you know if the pain you're feeling is serious?

St. Joseph's Health recently launched a groundbreaking Cancer Care service line, bringing exceptional oncology services to Central New York. With medical oncology provided in collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, this initiative reinforces the Hospital's commitment to providing personalized, patient-centric cancer care close to home.

St. Joseph’s Health became the first facility in Central New York to acquire da Vinci robotic surgery technology and start a comprehensive program for patient care – not long after the FDA approved da Vinci for general surgery. Surgeons performed 43 robotic surgeries the first (partial) year, nearly quadrupling that number the following year. St. Joseph’s Health has performed more than 14,000 robo...

St. Joseph's Health has implemented an innovative care model that benefits patients, families, nurses, and our community. It’s called TogetherTeam Virtual Connected Care™. This new transformational team care delivery model includes an experienced virtual RN, a direct care RN and a care partner. It’s unlike any other model and we’re proud to be the first hospital in the county to implement a virtua...

How do you know if your sickness is worthy of an ED visit, urgent care or your doctor’s office? Dr. Harris Ahmed, Associate Medical Director of the St. Joseph’s Health Hospital Emergency Department has answers.

Mya Robertson, a Nurse Practitioner in cancer risk genetics, discusses genetic testing for breast cancer risk. She covers risk factors, family history, BRCA genes, and the importance of early detection and prevention. Plus, she shares advice for handling concerning mammogram results.