Penn Medicine Physician Interviews

The Ross Procedure

Dr. Michael Ibrahim offers an overview of the history and application of the Ross procedure, a method of aortic valve replacement that offers an alternative to the complexities of mechanical and bioprosthetic valves for younger adults.

Drs. Bermudez and Usman Discuss ECMO

Drs. Christian Bermudez and Asad Ali Usman furnish a comprehensive overview of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) Program at Penn Medicine and its affiliates, which now averages 200 to 250 cases of ECMO support every year, and reflect on recent advances in technique, the novel introduction of ECMO for COVID-associated ARDS, and patient survival on ECMO for up to six months as bridge to transplantation.

Dr. Boakye Discusses Wearable Technology for Achilles Injury Recovery

Lorraine Boakye, MD, discusses the application and research behind wearable motion sensing accelerometers that measure changes in velocity throughout the day for patients recovering from Achilles tendon injuries.

Bloodless CAR-T Therapy with Dr. Patricia Ford

David Fischer, MD on the RECOVER Program at Penn

Parsing a topic of great concern in the wake of acute brain injury, David Fischer, MD, reviews the RECOVER Program for Disorders of Consciousness at Penn Medicine. RECOVER (REcovery of COnsciousness Via Evidence-based medicine and Research) is an effort to establish a clinical infrastructure for decisions involving neuroprognostication, and to provide comprehensive, specialized, and longitudinal care to patients with disorders of consciousness resulting from acute brain injury.

Penn's Pancreatic COE Program with Drs. Ahmad and Vollmer

In this episode, Drs. Charles Vollmer and Nuzhat Ahmad lead a discussion focusing on pancreatitis, and how the Penn Pancreatic Center of Excellence specializes in treatment.

Penn's Pancreatic COE Program with Drs. Mehta and Vollmer

In this episode, Drs. Charles Vollmer and Nuzhat Ahmad lead a discussion focusing on pancreatitis, and how the Penn Pancreatic Center of Excellence specializes in treatment.

Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis Panel with Drs. Donegan and Mehta

In this episode, Drs. Samir Mehta and Derek Donegan review a new approach to pelvic fragility fracture repair at Penn Trauma and Fracture Services—a fixation device that curves to accommodate the unique structure of the pelvis.

Dr. Kendall Lawrence on TAVR vs. SAVR

In this episode Dr. Lawrence discusses TAVR vs. SAVR. Who is a candidate for TAVR or SAVR? Who is a candidate for TAVR or SAVR and what makes one the best choice for your patient.

CABG with Dr. Chase Brown

Dr. Chase Brown discusses his personalized approach to CABG.

SELECT2 Study CME Podcast with Dr. Kasner

The first installment of the podcast series from the specialists at Penn Medicine. This podcast will feature Dr. Scott Kasner, Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in Neurology at Penn Medicine. He will highlight the SELECT2 thrombectomy study.

Spinal Oncology with Drs. Malhotra and Schuster

In this episode, neurosurgeons Neil Malhotra, MD,. and James Schuster, MD, PhD, discuss the nuances and intricacies of spinal cancer, and the innovations, early diagnosis, research, and expertise in surgery, radiology, and medicine that motivate spinal oncology care at the Penn Spine Center.

Chordoma Panel with Drs. Malhotra, Weber, Mahmoud, and Shuster

In this panel, Drs. Malhotra, Weber, Mahmoud, and Shuster highlight chordoma.

Clavicle Fractures

In this episode, Host Melanie Cole joins Dr. Samir Mehta, Chief of the division of Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Care at Penn Medicine to review the treatment of clavicle fractures.

Commonly Missed Orthopaedic Trauma Injuries

In this episode, we're highlighting commonly missed orthopedic trauma injuries with Dr. Samir Mehta. 

AIM HIGHer Study with Dr. D'Souza

In this episode, Dr. Benjamin D'Souza will lead a discussion focusing on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or HFPEF, and the AIM HIRE study, which concerns a related therapy.

Diaphragm Pacer Implantation Panel with Drs. Cannon and Hashimoto

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Cannon and Dr. Daniel Hashimoto lead an interactive discussion focusing on diaphragm pacing, a device system that offers an alternative to mechanical ventilation for individuals with ventilator-dependent spinal cord injury and central hypoventilation syndrome.

Dr. Jackson on Endonasal Approaches to Skull Based Surgery

In this episode, Dr. Christina Jackson leads a discussion focusing on highlighting endonasal approaches to skull-based surgery.

Dr. Boakye on Achilles Tendinopathy and Rupture

In this episode, Dr. Lorraine Boakye leads a discussion focusing on Achilles rupture and tendinopathy.

Penn Running & Endurance Sports Program with Dr. Vasudevan

Host Melanie Cole, MS is joined by John M. Vasudevan, MD, CAQSM to discuss the Running Program and Endurance Sports Programs at Penn Medicine.

Thrombectomy Study : Penn’s Role

In this episode, Dr. Scott Kasner leads a discussion on SELECT2 Thrombectomy Study, and Penn's role in this study.

Total Pancreatectomy, Islet Auto Transplant and Auto Kidney Transplant

In this episode, Dr. Ty B. Dunn and transplant manager K. Louise Berry lead an interactive discussion highlighting total pancreatectomy islet auto transplant.

Dr. James Metz, MD on the Recent Milestones at Penn Medicine

Dr. James Metz, MD walks through some recent advancements, achievements, and milestones in the Radiation Oncology department at Penn Medicine.

Dr. Usman on Recent ECMO Clinical Briefing

In this episode, Dr. Asad Ali Usman will lead a discussion focusing on mobile ECMO, including the mechanics of ECMO, and the difference between standard in-hospital ECMO machines and mobile ECMO.

Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery

In this episode, Dr. David Tarity leads a discussion focusing on the utilization of robotics in joint replacement surgery.

Retroperitoneal Sarcoma

Giorgos Karakousis MD highlights retroperitoneal sarcoma. He shares the symptoms patients typically present with, the diagnostic criteria and treatment options for patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma. Additionally he shares what makes the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center unique when it comes to diagnosing and treating retroperitoneal sarcoma and when it is important for physicians to refer their patients to Penn Medicine.

Epilepsy in Women

Genna Waldman M.D. discusses epilepsy in women. She shares parameters for diagnosis and criteria by which treatment would be initiated. She highlights how treatment for epilepsy has evolved over the last 10-20 years and some of the most exciting non surgical approaches to treatment.

A Roadmap of Innovation in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

The combination of a growing number of patients with end-stage renal disease and a shortage of organs poses a significant challenge to the transplant community. Donor shortage is associated with unfavorable consequences: prolonged waiting time, and compromised graft and patient survival. Efforts are required to expand the donor pool and get more patients to transplant, and sooner. Amanda Leonberg-Yoo MD and Robert Redfield III MD, FACS offer a roadmap of innovation in living donor kidney tran...

The Modern Care Approach To Spine Surgery

Dimitriy Petrov MD discusses the modern care approach to spine surgery. He highlights how the field of neurosurgery in spinal care has evolved dramatically in recent years, the latest technical advances in neurosurgery for spinal trauma and complex care at Penn Medicine and what distinguishes these technologies from the current standard of care in the region.

Sarcomas

Lee Hartner MD discusses what factors community physicians should take into account when deciding which lumps and bumps to biopsy. He highlights some of the challenges that physicians and patients experience when certain lumps and bumps have been biopsied or removed before these patients are seen by the team and he shares how the expertise of Penn Medicine pathologists contributes to the best outcomes for sarcoma patients.

Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery

Bobby Ndu MD, MBA highlights minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery. He shares how minimally invasive surgery differs from traditional foot and ankle surgery, the benefits of these procedures and what makes Penn Orthopaedics unique when it comes to minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.

Responsible Expansion of Liver Transplantation

Peter Abt MD and Kim Olthoff MD discuss responsible expansion of liver transplantation. They offer the benefits of the Penn Liver Transplantation program and what they see as the single greatest challenge facing the field of liver transplantation today. Additionally, they share how Penn is finding innovative ways to increase access to deceased donor liver transplantation and the recommendations for timing of referral in liver transplantation

Aquablation/BPH Treatment

Bill Jaffe MD and Jennifer Lloyd-Harris MD, MPH discuss aquablation and BPH treatment. They share how many of the existing treatments for BPH involve a tradeoff between efficacy and complications, who it is indicated for and what procedural or operative advantages Aquablation brings to BPH therapy. Additionally, they offer how this new treatment complements the total approach to BPH at Penn Urology.

MS & Pregnancy

While pregnancy is safe to undertake, there are specific risks for women with MS trying to conceive. Rachel Brandstadter, MD discusses these concerns and how can they be addressed for women with MS. Additionally, she explains the services Penn Medicine offers along the way, strategies for management of MS in the postpartum period and what referring providers should be aware of before they refer a patient to the MS and women’s health specialists at Penn Medicine.

Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney (SPK) Transplant

Ty Dunn MD, MS discusses simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant. She emphasizes the relationship between type 1 diabetes and the destruction of these organs as well as the indications for both pancreas transplantation alone and SPK transplant. She shares the differences in the outcomes for SPK transplant versus pancreas-alone, or pancreas after kidney transplant and she tells us about the new allocation policies for kidney and pancreas transplantation. Lastly, she offers the recommenda...

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

While the incidence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has decreased, the incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to rise. Stuart Prenner MD explains the role of ejection fraction in heart failure diagnostics and the clinical indicators referring providers should be aware of when considering HFpEF. He explores the diagnostic strategies the team at Penn Medicine employ and the specific interventions recently approved, including SGLT2...

Glioblastoma Multiforme

Donald O'Rourke MD discusses investigating novel treatments for Glioblastoma Multiforme. He tells us more about this work, how it started, and how it’s going right now. He speaks about a cutting-edge trial waiting to open using CAR T cells for recurrent GBM, describes the difference from previous trials and how the Translational Center of Excellence at Penn Medicine really helped bring this novel treatment to fruition.

Novel Treatments for Glioblastoma Multiforme

Donald O'Rourke, MD, discusses the microenvironment of glioblastomas, Penn's upcoming clinical trial for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and his outlook on the future research for GBM.

PeRioperative Evaluation and Planning (PREP) Program

Nicole Saur, MD discusses the perioperative evaluation and planning (PREP) program at Penn Medicine. She shares how the PREP program assess and prepares older adults prior to major colorectal surgery, some of the issues surrounding surgery in older adults  and why Penn Colon and Rectal Surgery is ideally suited to meet these challenges

PeRioperative Evaluation and Planning Program - Penn Medicine

Nicole Saur, MD, discusses the launch of the PeRioperative Evaluation and Planning (PREP) Program at Penn Medicine and the PREP Program's multidisciplinary, multiphase approach for optimization of older patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Taste Receptors

Noam Cohen MD, PhD discusses taste receptors. He shares whether the function of taste receptors in the nose have disease implications and can taste receptors be used as targets for therapy. He provides insight into some of the research he and his team are conducting around modulating taste receptors in order to treat chronic rhinosinusitis and he tells us about the innovations that his team’s research findings have led to, specifically, in the nasal irrigation system

The Role of Taste Receptors in Otolaryngology: An Interview with Noam Cohen, MD, PhD

Noam Cohen, MD, PhD, discusses the role of taste receptors in the nose, the disease implications of these taste receptors, and his team's research on modulating taste receptors to treat chronic rhinosinusitis.

Prostate Brachytherapy

Neil Taunk MD, MSCTS discusses brachytherapy for prostate cancer. He shares the many types of brachytherapy available and the ideal candidate for this therapy. He also speaks about the importance of multidisciplinary care for better outcomes for these patients.

Penn Medicine's Newest Offering - High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy: An Interview with Neil Taunk, ...

Neil Taunk, MD, MSCTS, discusses Penn Medicine's high-dose rate brachytherapy, a new offering from Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine's Newest Offering - High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy: An Interview with Neil Taunk, MD, MSCTS

Neil Taunk, MD, MSCTS, discusses Penn Medicine's high-dose rate brachytherapy, a new offering from Penn Medicine.

Neurocritical Care

Joshua Levine MD discusses the neurocritical care program at Penn Medicine. He shares the types of neuro cases typically seen, why a multidisciplinary team is so important for neurocritical care patients and, as an internationally recognized program, how the advanced technology available for patients provides individualized care with some of these latest advances in medicine today.

Penn Medicine's Neurocritical Care Program: An Interview with Joshua Levine, MD

Joshua Levine, MD, discusses the internationally recognized Penn Neurocritical Care Program, the multidisciplinary treatment team and the advanced technology that is individualizing patient care at Penn Medicine.

Limb Preservation Program

In this episode, Dr. Julie Glaser leads an interactive discussion on the mission and role of the Limb Preservation program at Penn Medicine, and when it is appropriate to refer a patient.

Penn Advanced Limb Preservation (PALP) Program: An Interview with Julia Glaser, MD

Julia Glaser, MD, discusses the role of vascular surgery in critical limb ischemia treatment — the mission of the Penn Advanced Limb Preservation (PALP) Program, the population treated for critical limb ischemia, and how the PALP program utilizes multidisciplinary teams.

Diversity and Women in Orthopaedics

Cara A. Cipriano, MD, MSc, Chief of Orthopaedic Oncology and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, discusses her role at Penn Medicine and her commitment to diversify the field of orthopaedics.