On this episode, we’re talking about obesity – not just as a cosmetic concern, but as a serious medical issue affecting over 40% of adults and nearly 20% of children and adolescents in the United States. Obesity increases the risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. It’s not just about appearance – it’s about dangerous health consequences that come with unbalanced, nutrition-poor diet. Host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by Maria Falzone, RD, Clinical Nutrition Manager at RUMC, to explore how poor dietary choices can lead to obesity, and why it’s essential to focus on nutrition for a healthier, longer life. Stay tuned for insights on making better food choices for a better future.

RUMC’s wound care program is part of the Center for Wound Healing’s national network with success rates so high that many managed care companies have designated its locations to be “Centers of Excellence” for the comprehensive management and care of chronic wounds. On this episode, host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by Medical Director of Wound Care and Division Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Michael Lacqua, to discuss wound care and the use of Staten Island’s only hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment.

Diabetes is a chronic disease causing high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Diabetes also weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight off infections, which can, in turn, damage your nervous system. This damage can affect the ability to feel sensations in your feet and can lead to injuries. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, once again is Podiatrist, Dr. Michael Piccarelli, to discuss diabetic limb salvage and the importance of proper foot care for people with diabetes.

The feet are complex mechanical structures of the human body, each consisting of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They serve as the foundation for the entire body, offering support, balance, as well as impacting overall well-being. Ongoing conditions stemming from the feet can lead to patients experiencing pain in their knees, hips, and lower back. Richmond University Medical Center’s Podiatry Department offers a robust lineup of ambulatory and in-patient podiatry services. RUMC’s podiatry experts specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide assortment of foot and ankle conditions. On today’s episode, Dr. Piccarelli will discuss bunions and the new approaches for treatment.

Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the country and leads to 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year from cigarette smoking alone. While cigarettes cause the most deaths from cancer, respiratory, and vascular disease, they are not the only tobacco product linked to adverse health outcomes. Using smokeless tobacco is also a known cause of cancer, and the rise of new tobacco products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and products containing synthetic or non-tobacco derived nicotine present emerging health risks. All year long, Nancy Sayegh-Rooney, RN, ONN-CG, CTTS, promotes awareness of the risks of using tobacco products as well as the importance of lung screenings for those at high risk of COPD or lung cancer. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, on this episode, Nancy discusses RUMC’s tobacco cessation program and how smokers can kick their addiction for good.

Throughout the month of June we celebrate the resilient spirit of cancer survivorship. Music therapy has proven to be a powerful tool for promoting healing and enhancing well-being among cancer survivors. It utilizes the transformative properties of music to address physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Through the intentional use of music, therapy sessions can provide a safe and supporting environment for expression, relaxation and personal growth. Music has the ability to evoke emotions, transport individuals to a different state of mind and promote a sense of comfort and calm. It can serve as a source of solace and a means of connecting with oneself and others. In the context of cancer survivorship, music therapy offers a unique avenue for survivors to process their experiences, express their feelings, and find strength and hope in their journey. Music therapy is newly offered at RUMC through the Palliative Care program for cancer patients and is offered during inpatient visits, with no out of pocket costs to the patient. Joining host, Meredith Gaskins, on this is episode to discuss the new music therapy program is Dr. Rebecca Loveszy, Music Therapy Program Director at RUMC.

The month of June is often cause for celebration, bringing warm weather, longer days, and summer vacations. June is also a special celebration for national cancer survivors month. This month we celebrate the resilient spirit of the more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States and honor the tireless efforts of the doctors, clinicians, researchers and scientists who have made survivorship possible. We also celebrate the families, friends and communities who have provided steadfast care and support during their loved one’s battle with cancer. At RUMC, we acknowledge a deep understanding that has evolved over the years and recognize the importance of psychosocial support in the journey toward recovery and survivorship. Host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by Marty Phillipps who is RUMC's Director of the Family Care and Support Program of Oncology, and cancer survivors, Rosaria Kassis and Kelly Morris-Caceres to discuss how RUMC’s services have helped to empower cancer survivors.

The Ambulatory Center & G.I./Endoscopy Suites at Richmond University Medical Center provide full-service ambulatory services for children and adults. Each year, thousands of procedures are performed by our experienced physicians, nurses and technicians. Our six state-of-the-art procedure rooms contain the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment equipment available, including sophisticated monitoring equipment for your safety. On this episode, host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined once again by Gastroenterologist, Dr. Vahe Shahnazarian to discuss irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and how people can seek relief.

The Ambulatory Center & G.I./Endoscopy Suites at Richmond University Medical Center provide full-service ambulatory services for children and adults. Each year, thousands of procedures are performed by our experienced physicians, nurses and technicians. Our six state-of-the-art procedure rooms contain the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment equipment available, including sophisticated monitoring equipment for your safety. Today we’ll be discussing the importance of a colonoscopy, one of the most widely recognized screening procedures in the U.S., which is used for screening, surveillance, and treatment in the fight against colon cancer, the third most diagnosed cancer in America. The American Cancer Society recommends that people who are at average risk of colorectal cancer begin screening colonoscopies at age 45. Unfortunately, fear of the procedure leads many individuals to get screened years later, delaying the process of spotting cancerous polyps and tissue and reducing the effectiveness of treatment. Through the years, we’ve heard numerous misconceptions regarding the process of having a colonoscopy. Host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined by Gastroenterologist, Vahe Shahnazarian, to discuss the most common myths – and what you can really expect from the procedure.

Women experience unique medical concerns throughout their lifetime, such as pregnancy, gynecologic conditions, pelvic floor disorders and menopause that may require specialized imaging and diagnostic testing. Host, Meredith Gaskins, is joined once again by Dr. Sujoy Menon, Chair of the Department of Radiology at RUMC to discuss how interventional radiology has impacted women’s health issues and the various interventional radiology services that are available for women at RUMC.