Your Family's Health

Prof. Joan Buckley learns about the Northeast College of Health Sciences to see how they’re training the next generation of health care professionals — from chiropractors to nutritionists and beyond.  She speaks with Daryon Ray, the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and an Instructor at the Levittown Health Center, and the Interim Director of the Long Island Campus of the Northeast College of H...

Prof. Joan Buckley and Pandora Groth learn about Type 2 Diabetes - how it’s diagnosed, treated, and managed. And don’t worry — this show is sugar-free... but packed with plenty of sweet info!  They speak with Dr. Daniel J. Cox, a Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center.

Today, we’re turning up the heat… and for some women, you’ll see that we are doing so quite literally! We’re talking about menopause — the natural life stage that brings hot flashes, mood swings, and the occasional urge to put your freezer to better use. But don’t sweat it — Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Peggy Margetson, a pioneering leader in women’s health, who is a Board-Certified Wome...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about diverticulitis. It’s a condition that affects the digestive tract and can cause some serious discomfort. So, if you’ve ever wondered why your gut seems to have a mind of its own — or why beans might be giving you more drama than your in-laws — stay tuned! She speaks with Dr. Marc Greenwald, the chief of colorectal clinical services and surgeon-in-chief at North...

A new movie has been created by a local filmmaker that presents, what it calls a raw and powerful journey into the unspoken struggles of new parents. It’s called Behind the Joy - and it exposes the hidden realities of postpartum depression.  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Jamal Smart, the writer and director of the film, as well as Dr. Allen W. Toles, the Chief of Community and Population Heal...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about chronic kidney disease — a serious condition that affects more than 1 in 7 adults in the U.S., often without any early symptoms. We’ll talk about what causes it, who’s at risk, and how it can be detected and managed before it leads to kidney failure.  Let’s learn how to protect your kidneys and take control of your health from her guest, Dr. Stephen Fishbane, C...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about asthma—a condition that affects over 25 million Americans, including many children. Whether you or a loved one live with asthma, or you're just curious about triggers, treatments, or how to breathe easier, this episode is for you.  So take a deep breath, and listen as her guest, Dr. Maria Santiago, the Chief of Division of Pediatrics specializing in Pediatric P...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about a topic that affects millions of women but often flies under the radar: autoimmune diseases. These conditions can be life- altering—and women are far more likely to be affected. Why is that?  She speaks with Dr. Christine Stamatos, a New York-based nurse practitioner, and the Director of the Fibromyalgia Long Covid Clinic, working in the Division Rheumatology d...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about eye care—specifically, cataracts and the surgical options available to restore clear vision. Learn about what causes cataracts, how they affect your sight, and what you need to know about cataract surgery.  She speaks with Dr. Daniel Charles Hamou, an Ophthalmologist at the Northwell Health Eye Institutes at Port Jefferson, Ridge and Riverhead, NY.

Many of us have been to an urgent care center, which were created to lessen the burden on local emergency rooms for every day ailments. But some of them have become expensive, and not all of them accept every insurance available. But, Harmony Healthcare Long Island provides affordable, evidenced-based, quality health services to everyone in the neighborhood, regardless of insurance status or the a...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks about autism, because a new report shows that rates of autism diagnoses have increased.  Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he was determined to find the cause of the rise, including what he calls the ”environmental exposures" behind the rise.  Jeanine talks with Raina Townsend, the CEO & Founder of AutiServe Consulting, an Educational...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about children’s mental health. From anxiety and depression to the impact of social media and school stress, we learn about the signs, the science, and the support systems every family should know. She speaks with Kathy Rivera, the CEO and Executive Director of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, a not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Lon...

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 5-and-a-half million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US. Many of those cancers are highly preventable. In addition, though, about 100 thousand news cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year, making skin cancer the most common cancer in the US.  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Bhuvanesh Singh, surgical d...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Elizabeth Anne Wood, a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences here at Nassau Community College. Dr. Wood is also a death doula - and unfortunately, dealing with death can sometimes be a sad reality when thinking about our health. Dr. Wood has volunteered at the Palliative Care and Inpatient Hospice Unit at her local hospita...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard meets Scott Reich, a father from Port Washington who had to face the horrible news that his very young son, Eli, was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that severely impacts the brain called FOXG1 Syndrome – a devastating condition caused by a mutation in the FOXG1 gene that reduces the amount of a protein critical for brain development. There’s no cure. There are...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about ways to keep our hearts beating happily - and the effect that a plant-based diet may have on our heart health.  She speaks with Dr. Harold Alberto Fernandez, a cardiac surgeon with Northwell Health, with an office in Bay Shore, Long Island, and a professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

People who smoke a half-a-pack of cigarettes each day often consider themselves to be “light” or “moderate” smokers. But like those who are “heavy” tobacco product users, they can save upwards of $2,500 a year by quitting. Although adult usage is at historic lows in New York State, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, and negatively affects nearly every organ in the...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about Zumba and other new trending ways to get your body moving towards a healthier life.  She speaks with Karren Ross-Fortunet, a Public Speaker and a Certified Speech Coach who is on a mission to empower all those who are interested to become the best version of themselves. Karren is a Certified Zumba Instructor who has a passion for fitness. 

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about a condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide—epilepsy. Despite being one of the most common neurological disorders, there's still a lot of misunderstanding and stigma surrounding it. What causes epilepsy? How can it be managed? And what should you do if you see someone having a seizure?  She speaks with Lisa Burch, President and CEO, and Irene Rodg...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about the role genetics plays in determining your risk for developing and being diagnosed with cancer.  She speaks with Dr. Kevin Holcomb, the newly appointed chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, and The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at...

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with James Donnelly, Founder and CEO of Safe Haven Insurance Agency, located on Broadhollow Road in Melville. Their goal is to help people and families learn how to protect themselves and their families including planning for retirement, health and life insurance, estate planning, and more - and he is also an expert in Medicare.  Today, they discuss Medicare in great...

Sometimes, when you are diagnosed with a disease, that initial diagnosis comes from an Emergency Room Doctor. But what if that diagnosis might be cancer?  Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard talks with Dr. Kerry Forrestal, who for the past twenty years has worked in trauma centers as an attending physician in the Emergency Department. He is the author of the book “Crushing Cancer: A Patient’s Complete Guide t...

Dr. Jeanine Cook Garard meets Carly Fauth, a triple-negative breast cancer survivor, fitness professional, host of the Chemo Coffee Talk podcast and now author of the book, Pray for the Bear: An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Unlocking Extraordinary Personal Strength.  She is on a mission to turn lemons into lemonade, aimed at helping others through cancer.

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard learns about the health benefits - or concerns - concerning the use of cannabis and marijuana. She speak with Dr. Raymond Wiggins, the author of Weeding Out the Myths About Marijuana. He answers questions about the physical, mental health, and spiritual consequences of marijuana so you can make an informed decision about using it. 

Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard looks at the link between nutrition and Diabetes. From the role of balanced diets in managing blood sugar levels to how certain foods can help prevent complications, Stephanie Schiff, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in the Food and Nutrition Department at Huntington Hospital, a member of Northwell Health, breaks down...