MedStar Health DocTalk

Comprehensive, relevant and insightful conversations about health and medicine happen here… on MedStar Health Doc Talk.
 Veterans across the country who are in need of a life-saving liver or kidney transplant now can receive these procedures at one of the top transplant centers in the nation, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, thanks to the recent inclusion of the MedStar Health program in the Veterans Health Administration network. The newly established relationship expands veterans’ access to a top ten transplant center in the nation allowing them to receive lifesaving care at one of the most experienced transplant programs in the country. This new DC VA Medical Center partnership with MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute establishes MGTI as one of only a handful of VHA transplant centers in the country to offer both liver and kidney transplant. Listen to Dr. Rohit Satoskar, Director, Medical Services, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, and Dr. Atoosa Rabiee, Chief, Transplant Services, Washington D.C. VA Medical Center, discuss this new partnership and how it benefits military veterans in need of liver or kidney transplants across the country. For interviews with Dr. Satoskar, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, [email protected].

Learn more about Dr. Satoskar here: MedStarHealth.org/Satoskar
Learn more about: The Veterans Health Administration adding MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute to its National Solid Organ Transplant Network

Though rare, there are more than 100 different types of brain and spine tumors, making them complex to diagnose and treat. Because of this, a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment that brings together specialists that include neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and other experts is essential for the best outcomes. During this podcast, Dr. Teresa Wojtasiewicz, a neurosurgeon; medical oncologist Dr. Mahsa Mohebtash; and radiation oncologist Kelly Orwat; all with the Neuro-Oncology program at MedStar Health discuss the different types of brain and spine tumors as well as advances in treatment. 

Over 6 million adults in the United States are living with heart failure. Simply put, heart failure means that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be. While this is a serious condition, many people with heart failure can lead a full life when it is managed properly. It’s important to recognize the symptoms and understand the various treatment options –from medical management through transplant. Dr. Erika Feller, a MedStar Health heart failure and transplant cardiologist, shares her insights on these topics and more in this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk.

Comprehensive, relevant and insightful conversations about health and medicine happen here… on MedStar Health Doc Talk.
What are some of the most recent advancements in targeted treatments for patients with GI cancers? Have there been any recent advancements in how we use immunotherapy to treat GI cancers? And how do patients with localized GI cancers like rectal and pancreatic cancer benefit from having access to a multidisciplinary care team? Dr. Ben Weinberg is gastrointestinal medical oncologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital who is focused on developing new therapies for colorectal and pancreatic cancers by translating research from animal models into early phase clinical trials in humans. He also studies young patients with colorectal cancer and their microbiome in order to understand the dramatic rise in incidence of left-sided colon and rectal cancers in this population. For interviews with Dr. Weinberg, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, [email protected].

Learn more about Dr. Weinberg here: MedStarHealth.org/Weinberg
Learn more about: GI cancer treatment at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Approximately one million pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and resynchronization devices are implanted worldwide each year, including more than 300,000 in the United States alone. Today’s cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are reliable and effective. However, what happens when a pacemaker or a cardiac defibrillator needs to be removed? And why would it need to be removed? Dr. Rachel Harrison, cardiac surgeon, and Dr. Sunjeet Sidhu, cardiac electrophysiologist discuss the reasons for lead extraction and what happens during the procedure. 

Due, in large part, to advances in treatment, more men are surviving prostate cancer than ever before. Through the use of state-of-the-art technologies, such as CyberKnife, which makes it possible to deliver targeted radiation directly to the tumor—painlessly and without an incision—many patients are experiencing better outcomes with fewer side effects than other treatment options. Dr. Stephen Ronson, MD, a radiation oncologist at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus shares information about this advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Comprehensive, relevant and insightful conversations about health and medicine happen here… on MedStar Health Doc Talk.
What are some of the most exciting innovations in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer? What role do lung cancer screenings play in catching lung cancer at an earlier stage? And how does our multidisciplinary team determine the best course of treatment for a patient with lung cancer? Dr. Joshua Reuss is an award-winning thoracic medical oncologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital who specializes in the treatment of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymoma. His research focuses on incorporating novel concepts and groundbreaking science to develop innovative clinical trials that advance the care of patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma. For interviews with Dr. Reuss, or for more information about this podcast, contact Matt Holzapfel, [email protected].

Learn more about Dr. Reuss here: MedStarHealth.org/Reuss
Learn more about: Lung Cancer treatment at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Though it’s a rare type of cancer, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. That's because pancreatic cancer symptoms aren't obvious in early stages and there is no official screening for it yet. So, most people don't know they have it until it has advanced to a stage when it is challenging to treat. During this podcast, Dr. Edward McCarron, a surgical oncologist at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center with extensive experience diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer discusses the symptoms of pancreatic cancer as well as treatment options if it is found. 

Comprehensive, relevant and insightful conversations about health and medicine happen here… on MedStar Health Doc Talk.

While some post-surgical patients like to be cared for in the hospital, other patients want to return home as soon as possible. Now for joint replacement, outpatient surgery is becoming the norm. But how does the hospital safely take care of its patients when they aren’t under their roof? On this episode of DocTalk, MedStar Health joint replacement surgeon Dr. Mark Hasenauer explains how outpatient joint replacement works, its benefits to patients, and who is a candidate to recover in the comfort of their own home. 

Dr. Hasenauer sees patients at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, in Timonium, and in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Hasenauer specializes in primary, partial, and revision knee replacements, as well as primary and revision hip replacements. He has a special interest and expertise in anterior total hip replacement, computer navigation, and robotic-assisted joint replacement. With so many treatment options available, Dr. Hasenauer’s philosophy of care is to ensure that each of his patients receive the right treatment at the right time, including both surgical and non-surgical options. His goal is to return patients to their desired level of movement and function.

For interviews with Dr. Hasenauer, or for more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, [email protected].