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Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Kevin Felice, the medical director of research at the Hospital for Special Care’s neuromuscular center, for a deep dive into neuromuscular diseases and how treatment and patient care have evolved. They break down conditions like myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), highlighting what these illnesses look like and the progress being made in managing them today.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Jim O’Dea, senior vice president of Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Network and a clinical psychologist. Together, they discuss the current state of mental health in the United States, taking a broad, global view of mental health and how care is delivered nationwide.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Marc Eisen, an MD, PhD, and ear, nose, and throat surgeon who specializes in neurotology, and the Principal at The Ear Specialty Group of Connecticut. Together, they explore the topic of dizziness and vertigo, what it truly means to feel dizzy, how physicians diagnose the underlying causes, and the latest treatments and procedures that help patients restore their balance and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Tanya Bilchik of Yale Medicine for an in depth conversation about headaches. Together, they explore the different types of headaches, what causes them, common symptoms to watch for, and the latest treatment options. They also take a closer look at migraine headaches, what sets them apart and how they can best be managed.

Dr. Alessi chats with Dr. Niamey Wilson on breast cancer. Dr. Wilson, head of the breast surgery division and director of breast surgery research and quality at Hartford HealthCare, helps clear up confusion surrounding breast cancer, including prevention and treatment options.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Daniel Condit, a pulmonologist at St. Francis Hospital, to discuss pneumonia, its different types, causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical care. He also speaks with Dr. Mary Gina Ratchford, founder and medical director of The Ratchford Eye Center, about common eye conditions, their diagnosis and treatment, and the differences between various eye drops for dry eye. They explore whether certain eye issues are seasonal and highlight the complexity of the eye. Dr. Alessi also reflects on and emphasizes the importance of vaccines, encouraging everyone to seek medical care when needed and to stay protected through vaccination.

Dr. Lenora Williams along with Dr Pamela Ohri-Zizzamia talk with Dr Alessi about various aspects of health and care.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Cory Edgar, associate professor of orthopedic surgery and co-director of the Institute of Sports Medicine at the University of Connecticut, to discuss throwing, stem cells, and biologics in orthopedic surgery, examining what actually works and what doesn’t. He also reflects on the recent rise in West Nile virus cases, exploring possible causes and strategies for prevention. Additionally, Dr. Alessi shares insights from his visit to Grand Rounds at Hartford Hospital and highlights an interesting article he read this week on the connection between credit scores and mental health.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease specialist and head of UConn’s Infection Prevention Program, to discuss infectious diseases and their impact, including COVID-19, RSV, and the flu, as well as vaccination recommendations for Connecticut. Dr. Alessi also discusses an article he recently came across that encourages a new baby boom by redirecting funding from childhood programs like Head Start, so parents can stay home rather than work and raise their families; he urges caution regarding its proposals. Additionally, he emphasizes the urgent need to improve maternal healthcare and prevent deaths during childbirth, noting that the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among industrialized nations.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Gromisch, a PHD neuropsychologist at the Mandel Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care at Mount Sinai Rehab Hospital, to discuss neuropsychology and its role in treating patients with multiple sclerosis, as well as managing aging and traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Alessi also highlights the importance of vaccine acceptance, especially during back to school season, and reviews the recommended vaccine schedule to prepare for the rise in flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID cases during the fall and winter months. Additionally, he addresses concerns about meningitis, explaining how it spreads in close quarters and why vaccination is critical.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Stephanie Alessi LaRosa, director of Sports Neurology at Hartford Healthcare, for a timely discussion on sports related brain injuries ahead of the scholastic sports season. They cover the Sports Neurology program at Hartford Healthcare and strategies to help protect children and grandchildren involved in high impact sports. Dr. Alessi also reflects on his recent travels through Europe and Scandinavia, sharing conversations he had with locals about their healthcare systems and offering his perspective on how those systems compare to healthcare in the United States.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Leah Moon, cofounder and board member of Autism Families CONNECTicut, to talk about the organization, what’s currently happening, and the programs they’ve developed to support families with loved ones on the autism spectrum. He is also joined by Dr. Srimathi Manickaratnam, a nephrologist at the University of Connecticut, to discuss kidney disease, dialysis, and ways to help prevent kidney issues. Dr. Alessi also reflects on climate change, including how summer temperatures today compare to those in the 20th century, and shares thoughts on recent healthcare updates out of Washington, D.C., including changes to the flu vaccine.

Dr. Alessi is joined by Dr. Asher R. Qureshi, a pulmonologist specializing in sleep disorders at Trinity Health of New England and the Director of Sleep Disorders at St. Francis Hospital. Together, they discuss a range of sleep related issues, with a focus on sleep apnea, available treatments and devices, and the importance of addressing symptoms such as excessive daytime somnolence. They also examine how daylight saving time can negatively impact sleep patterns. In addition, Dr. Alessi revisits a topic frequently discussed on the show, the so-called “Healthcare Apocalypse”, highlighting three major threats to humanity: infection, climate change, and nuclear disaster. He emphasizes the urgent need for public awareness and understanding of these critical healthcare challenges.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. Mary Gina Ratchford, an ophthalmic surgeon and founder of the Ratchford Eye Center, to discuss dry eye syndrome, its symptoms, how common it truly is, and the latest treatment options. They also talk about the long term effects of sun damage on the eyes and the importance of UV protection. Dr. Alessi also welcomes Dr. Hsung Lin, a doctor of medical dentistry and assistant clinical professor of dentistry at the University of Connecticut, to explore the role of fluoride in drinking water. Dr. Alessi also shares insights on current developments in healthcare policy, emphasizing the importance of being an informed patient, understanding preventive measures, and taking control of your health through proactive choices and awareness of new medical guidelines.

Dr. Alessi welcomes Dr. David Grew, a radiation oncologist from Trinity Health of New England at St. Francis Hospital, to discuss prostate cancer and the use of CyberKnife treatments. He also speaks with Dr. David Kruger, an orthopedic spine surgeon from Advanced Orthopedics New England at St. Francis Hospital, about spine surgery, common conditions, and the training required for his specialty. They also discuss the use of the Mako SmartRobotics system in spine surgery. Additionally, Dr. Alessi reflects on President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis and Billy Joel’s diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus.