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Send us Fan Mail Menopause is a natural part of aging, yet it remains one of the most scary and misunderstood stages of a woman’s life. For this episode, our guest expert helps us separate fact from fiction regarding this transition. David Rogers, M.D., an OB/GYN with Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor and vice chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, joins us to talk about the basics of menopause — what is actually happening in the body during this shift, the common symptoms to look out for, and the truth behind some of the most persistent myths. Dr. Rogers also provides insights into how women can manage their health during this phase and how to advocate for themselves.

Send us Fan Mail April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and child abuse isn’t always easy to spot. For this episode, our guest expert talks to us about child neglect and its effect on children. Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant program director at the clinical mental health counseling program with the School of Health Professions answers our questions about neglect –- how it affects a child physically and mentally, the difference between the occasional lapse in parenting and neglect, and how being neglected as a child affects someone as an adult and their relationships with other adults. Dr. Jennings also gives us tips on what we can do to help others who might be at risk for neglect.  Previously with Dr. Jennings Hope and Healing: Preventing Child Abuse in Our Community

Send us Fan Mail Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S., but about 8% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Guest expert for this episode, Tyler Mouw, M.D., is chief and fellowship program director for the division of surgical oncology, and a surgical oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians and assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Mouw explains what the pancreas does, goes over the different types of pancreatic cancer, risk factors, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and how to lower our risks. 

Send us Fan Mail At some point, nearly all of us will experience back pain. If and how we recover depends on the type of back pain and sometimes our fear of pain. Phil Sizer, Ph.D., PT, is a physical therapist and Endowed Professor in Pain Science as well as Associate Vice President for Research Innovation at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Sizer explains the different kinds of back pain and causes, treatment, when surgery is the best option and most important, how fear of pain can hinder one's treatment.

Send us Fan Mail Some claim that smoking helps make them calm, but the cigarette or vape is more than likely what caused them to feel irritable and anxious in the first place. For this episode, produced by our media relations intern Haely Shirley, we find out the effects of smoking, vaping and related products on young adults bodies and their mental health and the improvement on both when you quit those products. Our experts for this episode are well known to our listeners, Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., psychiatrist, and Tushi Singh, pulmonologist, both with Texas Tech Physicians.  Related episodes: The Great Escape: Breaking Free from Nicotine AddictionClearing the Air: The Truth About Vaping and Lung Health

Send us Fan Mail Vasectomies are minor surgical procedures intended to provide permanent contraception. They are a simpler, faster, safer and less expensive procedure compared to tubal ligation or hysterectomy. It's also not unusual to schedule the procedure around televised sports events. Mar Moncrief, PA, urology, Texas Tech Physicians, explains what patients can expect when they undergo the procedure. She describes who is an ideal candidate and how they should prepare, including discussing the decision with their partners. Moncrief also corrects some myths and rumors about vasectomies and why it's important to take recovery and post-vasectomy analysis seriously.

Send us Fan Mail Talk with your friends and family and you might get the impression that a meniscus injury is common. What are the options available for repair? Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians, goes over the options, including a meniscus transplant. He tells us who is a good candidate for a transplant and what recovery is like and what happens if you ignore the injury.  Dr. Kraeutler's Previous episodes Hip Arthroscopy: Small Incisions, Big ImpactKnee Health Matters: Preservation Before ReplacementHip Preservation Surgery: When and Why to Consider It

Send us Fan Mail Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The disease affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., including those who are non-Hispanic Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino and also affects people from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, and Arabs. Lukeman Tijani, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. He describes what sickle cell disease is and does to the organs; screenings, symptoms and treatment; why it's important for those with sickle cell disease to see a physician in the early stages of family planning and debunks myths about the disease. 

Send us Fan Mail As GLP-1 medications become available in pill form, some people might be curious to try them. Drew Payne, D.O., an internal medicine physician with Texas Tech Physicians, explains what these and other weight loss medications and procedures do and their effects on type 2 diabetes. He also talks about what happens when patients stop taking these medications and stresses why it's important to get treatment from a physician who can help with weight loss goals while keeping the patient's health a priority.

Send us Fan Mail According to a new study from the American Cancer Society, more people are reaching the 5-year milestone following a cancer diagnosis. The report states that seven in 10 people now live five years after their diagnosis.  Why is that 5-year important? Why have survival rates improved dramatically? That’s what our expert for this episode is here to tell us. Jasmine Sekhon, M.D., is a hematologist and oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. She gives us insight into which cancers are still lagging behind this 5-year milestone and why and what part screenings play when it comes to survival rates.

Send us Fan Mail Tonsils are part of the immune system and especially crucial for children under three years of age, but they may also cause recurrent infections and health issues. Guest expert Adbul Alsaleh, M.D., a pediatric ENT at Texas Tech Physicians, tells us what options are available when discussing a tonsillectomy or coblation. 

Send us Fan Mail Dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., and there are about 400,000 older adults living with dementia in Texas. In rural communities, health care providers have an urgent need for additional dementia training. To address this need, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA) and the TTUHSC F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health are offering a 6-part, 1-hour virtual learning series on dementia care for providers.  First, what is dementia and why do rural areas present challenges when treating dementia? Our team of guest experts answer that question and more. Guests for this episode are: Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., director, GIA Memory Comprehensive Memory Clinic; Erin Baker, Project ECHO Coordinator; and Janie De La Cerda, Project ECHO Coordinator.  Additional information:  The Dementia Care ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Program runs Jan. 28 through April 8, 2026. Register for the program here.Learn more about the TTUHSC GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic here.Contact the GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic: 806-743-9401 or [email protected] 

Send us Fan Mail More than 72,500 people in the U.S. were estimated to be diagnosed with three types of head and neck cancer in 2025. Of those, more than 16,500 were estimated to die from these diseases. Joehassin Cordero, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians head and neck surgeon and chair of the department of otolaryngology, is our guest expert for this episode. Dr. Cordero lists the different cancers considered head and neck cancers, possible causes, symptoms and treatment and patients are at risk for secondary cancers.

Send us Fan Mail It’s the time of year when some of us might consider making a new year's resolution to change or improve something about ourselves. Perhaps you want to break a bad habit or challenge yourself to do something new. Our experts for this episode have some advice on how we can motivate ourselves to stop those habits or take the plunge into doing something good for ourselves. Licensed professional counselors Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., and Sarah Roundtree, Ph.D., are both with the School of Health Professions Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, and are our guests for this last episode of the year.

Send us Fan Mail Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, according to the World Health Organization. It’s preventable and curable as long as it’s detected early and managed effectively. Our guest expert for this episode is Salvatore LoCoco, M.D., chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. LoCoco explains what is cervical cancer, which populations are at greatest risk for cervical cancer, screenings, treatment, vaccinations and prevention.