Advertise on podcast: Both Sides of the Stethoscope

In this episode, Colby and Alin explore the rapidly evolving world of xenotransplantation and what it could mean for patients facing long transplant waitlists. From genetically modified pig organs to early clinical experiences, they discuss the science driving this field forward, the ethical and immunologic challenges that remain, and whether xenotransplantation may serve as a bridge—or an alternative—to traditional human organ donation. Drawing on real-world transplant experience, Colby and Alin examine how close we truly are to expanding the donor pool and what this breakthrough could mean for the future of transplant medicine. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope SCCM podcast on Xenotransplantation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sccm-podcast/id76207297?i=1000738579823

In this episode Alin and Colby discuss the recent New York Times Article titled "A Push for More Organ Transplants is Putting Donors at Risk". What did the article get right? What did it get wrong? Is what's written in the article believable or are some things sensationalized? We break it all down for you from two people with intimate knowledge of this process.

In this reflective episode of Both Sides of the Stethoscope, Colby and Alin dive into the powerful lessons learned not just from being patients—but from caring for them. As both physicians and former patients, they share the moments that reshaped how they practice medicine: the times they felt truly seen, the words that stuck with them, and the everyday acts of humanity that left a lasting impact. From the bedside to the clinic, this conversation explores how vulnerability, empathy, trust, and humility can transform a good doctor into a great one. Whether you’re in medicine or simply someone who’s ever needed care, this episode is a tribute to the people who teach us the most: our patients. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope

In this episode of Both Sides of the Stethoscope, we delve into the critical topic of vaccinations for immunocompromised individuals. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, joins us to discuss measles outbreaks, herd immunity, titers and more! Resources & Further Reading: CDC Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination for Immunocompromised Individuals: (CDC)CDC's 2025 Immunization Schedules: (CDC)CDC's Best Practices for Altered Immunocompetence: (CDC) Stay Connected: Subscribe to Both Sides of the Stethoscope on your preferred podcast platform to stay updated on the latest in healthcare discussions.

In this episode Alin and Colby have a discussion with Dr. Ken Sutha, pediatric nephrologist and 2X kidney transplant recipient, and Dr. Silke Niederhaus, abdominal transplant surgeon and 2X kidney transplant recipient. They discuss the organ allocation process, taking donor call, and why organs are accepted for transplant or rejected. This great conversation shines some light on just how nuanced these decisions can be. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope

In this episode Dr. Ken Sutha returns to discuss the process of getting listed for transplant. We had previously gotten a listener email asking about this process so we are finally going to discuss it. All three of us have seen the process from the patient side but Ken and Colby now have to get their patients listed as physicians. This is a really fun episode and gives a unique and deeper look into everything that goes into getting a patient onto a transplant list.

Happy Heart Month! Welcome back to the podcast. In this episode Alin and Colby discuss all things cardiovascular health. Alin asks Colby all the common questions they both encounter and Colby does some teaching about medical terminology and how to prevent future heart disease. Take a listen and reach out to us if you have any more questions about the topic. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  X (Twitter): @bsotsthethoscope

In this episode Alin and Colby chat with Dr. Ali Haider. You may know him from his social media accounts as @YourHeartDoc. They discuss Dr. Haider's career path into interventional cardiology and dive into what made him start producing medical education on social media and how to combat and avoid medical misinformation on the internet.

In this episode Alin and Colby have a discussion with Alison Conklin. Alison is a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patient and heart transplant recipient who recently created and magazine called Bonus Days, dedicated to sharing stories of transplant and those dealing with chronic illness. Since Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was the cause of Alison's need for a heart transplant, Colby takes this opportunity to teach a little bit about this illness.

In this episode Colby and Alin speak with Dr. Brittany Clayborne PsyD. Brittany has overcome peripartum cardiomyopathy, heart transplantation and stage 4 lymphoma while at the say time getting her doctorate in psychology and starting a non profit called Brittany Speaks. She now faces a tougher challenge in dealing with her son's need for a heart transplant. In light of this the two of them together have started a network for teens who are affected by transplant! https://www.brittanyspeaks.com/ https://www.transplanttz.org/

Macey Levan, PhD, JD is a donation/transplant advocate (a living donor!!!), associate professor, and the Director for Transplant Applied Research Qualitative Core at NYU. She knows everything policy-related with organ donation and transplantation, and is heavily involved in OPTN. In this episode we discuss how Macey got involved in this type of work, the policies in the USA surrounding organ donation and what the future may look like with the modernization of organ donation.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Thomas Maxey joins Alin and Colby to discuss his career path into the world of pediatric heart surgery. Discussions include pediatric heart transplant, congenital heart disease, transition of care from child to adult, and speaking to children and parents at the bedside.

In this episode Alin and Colby have a discussion with Sara Siquerios. Sara is the caregiver of all caregivers, as she cares for three children all of whom have had heart transplants. Sara's three children were all diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy and required heart transplants before the age of three. Sara shares their family's incredible story, how she handled having three children in the hospital at the same time, and what life looks like now with three immunocompromised kids. An amazing episode you won't want to miss.    This episode is sponsored by Paragonix Technologies, an industry leader committed to protecting the gift of organ donation. To learn how Paragonix is reshaping the standard of care across transplantation to optimize patient outcomes, visit paragonix.com.     Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope

In this episode Alin and Colby have a discussion with Tyler Chavez, a heart transplant recipient and surgical physician assistant. They discuss Tyler's incredible story of beating cancer as a child, his acute onset heart failure that saw him operating while getting IV medication infusions and discuss about the role of a physician assistant and the path to that career. Tyler Chavez is a Certified Physician Assistant residing and working in the greater DC area. Completing the PA program at Duke University in 2012, he went on to complete the Physician Assistant Surgical Residency at Duke as well. He has been practicing for the last 12 years as a surgical PA. For the last 3 years he has been working for the Center for Plastic Surgery sharing his time equally between the operating room and time spent in clinic. In the OR the team focuses mostly on the plastic surgery component of breast reconstruction for women battling breast cancer. When outside of the OR he has founded and manages the Metabolic Aesthetics Clinic within the Center for Plastic Surgery where he is the Clinic Director. The clinic specializes in weight loss, healing, recovery, and longevity through the utilization of peptide therapy. Tyler grew familiar with the medical field at an early age while he was battling leukemia from the ages of 2-6 years old. From this early time in his life, he was very interested in pursuing a career in medicine. After 31 years of his cancer in remission living a healthy active life suddenly was faced with the diagnosis of heart failure with an ejection fraction of about 5 percent. In a very short period of time, it was known that the medical management route was not going to be an option. One day he was in the Operating Room working with the surgical team to 4 days later being in the ICU on heart lung bypass. Through the amazing team at Inova Fairfax heart failure team, as quickly as this progressed, they worked tirelessly to get a new heart and a very successful transplant. Now 8 months after transplant life has changed forever, but the new normal affords a healthy and active life. He returned to work after just 2 months post-transplant and continues to share his time between the operating room and working in his busy outpatient clinic.   This episode is sponsored by Paragonix Technologies, an industry leader committed to protecting the gift of organ donation. To learn how Paragonix is reshaping the standard of care across transplantation to optimize patient outcomes, visit paragonix.com.     Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope

In this episode Alin and Colby sit down and chat with Dr. Anu Lala. They discuss dealing with a diagnosis of heart failure, the approach to changing the narrative to heart function not failure, and patient advocacy. Dr. Lala also turns the tables and interviews Alin and Colby about how they dealt with being told their diagnosis and their resilience in the face of adversity.  Dr. Anuradha Lala-Trindade (Anu Lala) is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist at Mount Sinai. Her clinical interests encompass all aspects of management of heart failure including the selection and care of patients with mechanical circulatory support devices and heart transplantation as well as genetic cardiomyopathies and perioperative management of high risk cardiac surgical cases. She believes in a patient-centered approach, where each individual’s unique needs and preferences are essential components of developing a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Lala seeks to implement guideline directed medical and device based therapies while integrating emotional and spiritual aspects of care. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women https://onlinejcf.com/article/S1071-9164(21)00088-9/abstract This episode is sponsored by Paragonix Technologies, an industry leader committed to protecting the gift of organ donation. To learn how Paragonix is reshaping the standard of care across transplantation to optimize patient outcomes, visit paragonix.com.     Email: [email protected] Instagram: @bothsidesofthestethoscope  Twitter: @bsotsthethoscope