The Beacon Podcast

The Beacon

H. Jack West, MD
Dr. Jack West reviews emerging new information and controversial topics in health care in general, cancer treatment in particular.
Sarah Mojarad: Social Media Training in Science and Medicine
Host Dr. Jack West speaks with Sarah Mojarad, communications expert training scientists and medical students in how to integrate social media and build an online brand to extend the reach of their work while maintaining professionalism.
Apr 6, 2020
28 min
Cancer Care in a Pandemic: Challenging the Status Quo
Dr. Jack West, medical oncologist at City of Hope Cancer Center, considers how the risks & new medical landscape borne of COVID-19 is streamlining cancer care in some constructive ways and bringing overdue advances to how we run clinics & meetings.
Mar 30, 2020
14 min
Dr. Christian Rolfo: Living and Working in 3 Continents, Now Working on Early Therapeutics, Liquid Biopsies, & Global Oncology
Dr. Christian Rolfo, now at University of Maryland after training in Argentina, Italy, & other parts of Europe, speaks with Dr. West about his focus on phase I clinical trials & liquid biopsies, and having close connections with people around the world.
Mar 23, 2020
42 min
Dr. Nate Pennell: Social Media, Virtual Learning, and Medical Mega-Conferences
Host Jack West speaks with Dr. Nate Pennell of Cleveland Clinic about his path into thoracic oncology, the role of social media, & uncertainty about larger medical conferences & a growing place for virtual learning in the wake of a COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar 16, 2020
36 min
Drs. Jack West and Charu Aggarwal: New Data on Liquid Biopsies, Tumor Mutational Burden, and Choosing Optimal Systemic Therapy Today
Dr. Charu Aggarwal from University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center joins Dr. Jack West to discuss new data on plasma-based testing for tumor mutational burden (TMB) & the current state of liquid biopsies, TMB, & immunotherapy-based options today.
Mar 9, 2020
36 min
Dr. Jarushka Naidoo: South African TV Personality, Dublin Medical Trainee, Shakespearean Stage Actor, and Johns Hopkins Immunotherapy Toxicity Expert
Dr. Jarushka Naidoo, medical oncologist at Johns Hopkins, speaks with host Jack West about her path from childhood TV star in South Africa, to medical training and stage acting in Dublin, to US-based expert on toxicities of cancer immunotherapy.
Mar 2, 2020
50 min
Dr. Jack West: Exploring and Explaining the Shortcomings in Molecular Testing and Execution of Targeted Therapy
Host Jack West reviews the gulf between the best evidence-based cancer care guidelines & performance in broad clinical practice, exploring contributing factors & potential new models to improve US-based molecular oncology practice.
Feb 24, 2020
23 min
Dr. Alfredo Addeo: Lessons Learned from Practicing Oncology in Multiple European Countries
Dr. Alfredo Addeo, Sr Oncology Consultant at Geneva University Hospital, chats with Dr. Jack West about his path of growing up in Italy, moving to the UK, then Switzerland, & his adventures practicing medicine in different cultures & health care systems.
Feb 17, 2020
51 min
Dr. Brandon Mahal: Rising from a Youth of Gang Culture and Dodging Bullets to Harvard Medical School and Beyond
Host Jack West traces the remarkable path of Dr. Brandon Mahal from disadvantaged childhood immersed in gang culture to UCLA, then Harvard Medical School, training in radiation oncology, & a promising career focused on cancer care disparities.
Feb 10, 2020
47 min
Dr. Marina Garassino: Navigating a Path to Leadership in Thoracic Oncology Research and Education in Italy
Host Jack West chats with Dr. Marina Garassino, lung cancer specialist in Milan, about how she developed her interest in lung cancer and clinical research as a single mother of two daughters, as well as how she prioritizes mentorship of women trainees.
Feb 3, 2020
31 min
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