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Guest: Benjamin Lee, M.D. Guest: Jeffrey Port, M.D. Guest: Jonathan Villena-Vargas, M.D. Surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine are advancing the use of single-port robotics for complex thoracic surgery. While multiport robotic surgery requires 4-5 incisions around the ribs, the single-port platform uses one incision through the diaphragm, improving surgery success and reducing recovery time. By being an early adopter, the center at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine has become one of the highest volume single-port thoracic surgery programs in the U.S. The cardiothoracic team has successfully performed surgery for a range of thoracic malignancies, including late-stage lung cancer, mediastinal masses, and esophageal cancer. Their commitment to evolving robotic surgery and training the next generation is helping to expand access to minimally invasive thoracic procedures. © 2026 NewYork-Presbyterian

Host: Barton Lynn Blackorby, MD Guest: Kyle Davis Kovacs, MD Guest: Matthew Starr, MD How aggressively should you manage a vitreous hemorrhage after a PVD when you can't see the retina underneath it? Barton Blackorby, MD, moderates a discussion with Matt Starr, MD, and Kyle Kovacs, MD, about a study published in Ophthalmology by Hasbolat et al examining 366 patients with PVD-related vitreous hemorrhage initially managed with observation. The panel discusses how exam technique and B-scan reliance may affect detachment detection rates, debates follow-up intervals given that most retinal detachments in the study occurred within the first 3 weeks, and shares their own thresholds for moving to early vitrectomy versus continued observation, including how they counsel patients eager for faster visual recovery.

Guest: Lawrence Lustig, M.D. On this episode of Advances in Care, Erin Welsh speaks with Dr. Lawrence Lustig, otolaryngologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. Dr. Lustig has spent decades working to advance various interventions to treat genetic deafness and after years of research, his team was the first to show that gene therapies could be effective at reversing hearing loss in mouse models. Dr. Lustig focused his initial study on otoferlin, a gene that is missing in people with a rare form of genetic deafness, and how to safely deliver it back to patients. Starting with mouse models and solving for the uniquely large size of the gene, they discovered that packaging otoferlin with an adeno-associated virus and injecting it into the ear completely reversed deafness. From there, they began the process of trialing this approach in humans at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. The trials were successful, leading to natural hearing restoration in most patients, and in April 2026 the work culminated with an FDA approval of the first ever gene therapy for genetic deafness based on the research pushed forward by Dr. Lustig and his team. Dr. Lustig’s team has trialed the therapy in patients across a range of ages, from six years old to …

Host: Maria Berrocal Guest: Sumit Sharma, MD What happens when vitreous hemorrhage (VH) secondary to non-tractional PDR doesn't clear on its own? And does preoperative anti-VEGF actually change surgical outcomes? Maria Berrocal, MD, speaks with Sumit Sharma, MD, about a retrospective case series of 360 patients who underwent vitrectomy for non-clearing VH without tractional elements, examining whether preoperative anti-VEGF injection affects the risk of postoperative rebleeding, when to consider repeat vitrectomy, and how both physicians approach these cases in their own practices.

Guest: Leonardo Lopez, M.D. On this episode of Advances in Care, Erin Welsh is joined by Dr. Leonardo Lopez, a psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian and vice chair for inpatient services in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Lopez and his team are at the forefront of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and have built one of the largest programs of its kind in the country dedicated to treating severe psychiatric illness through this revolutionary method. Though it is one of the most effective therapies available for certain psychiatric conditions like treatment resistant depression and schizophrenia, ECT isn’t widely adopted or accessible. However, Dr. Lopez hopes to change that. In the episode, he describes the history of this treatment, how it has evolved since its inception to become one of the safest procedures done under general anesthesia, and the dramatic response rates. ECT works by restructuring neurotransmitter release and promoting neuronal growth. Patients with conditions like psychotic depression and catatonia can sometimes see upwards of 90-95% response rates. To illustrate the power of ECT, Dr. Lopez shares the story of a pediatric patient who was referred to his team after being diagnosed with catatonia caused by another condition. Although the other condition was treated, the …

Guest: Loretta J. Nastoupil, MD Guest: Manali Kamdar, MD CAR T cell therapy has been established as a standard-of-care option in the second-line setting for appropriate relapsed/refractory patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL).1 Some outcomes data suggest more favorable outcomes when CAR T is used in the second-line setting compared with subsequent lines of therapy.2,3 That’s why it’s important to not wait to refer and to consult with a CAR T specialist for all on-label patients—early evaluation gives patients the best opportunity to optimize outcomes.3,4 In this episode of Project Oncology, Drs. Loretta Nastoupil and Manali Kamdar sit down to discuss the evolving role of CAR T-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory LBCL, including patient eligibility, referral timing, and care coordination between referring and treatment centers. Dr. Nastoupil is an oncologist with Southwest Oncology and CommonSpirit Mercy in Durango, Colorado. Dr. Kamdar is a Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director of the Lymphoma Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the UCHealth Blood Disorders and Cell Therapies Center in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Nastoupil and Dr. Kamdar were compensated by Bristol Myers Squibb for their participation. References: Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for B-Cell Lymphomas V.4.2026. © …

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS Severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) affects more than 3 million people, but it often flies under the clinical radar.1-3 When triglycerides are at or above a 500 mg/dL threshold, it’s no longer just an isolated lab value—it’s a level of hypertriglyceridemia where the clinical implications change, and where a more careful evaluation for underlying causes and risk becomes important.4 That’s why Dr. Charles Turck sits down with Dr. Erin Michos to discuss what sHTG is, why it’s so important to identify, and how we can effectively manage this condition to improve patients’ overall health and reduce complication risk. Dr. Erin Michos is a Professor of Medicine, Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Health, and Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. References: Saadatagah S, Larouche M, Naderian M, et al. Recognition and management of persistent chylomicronemia: a joint expert clinical consensus by the National Lipid Association and the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2025;22:100978. doi:10.1016/j.ajpc.2025.100978 Sanchez RJ, Ge W, Wei W, Ponda MP, Rosenson RS. The association of triglyceride levels with the incidence of initial and recurrent acute pancreatitis. Lipids Health Dis. 2021;20(1):72. doi:10.1186/s12944-021-01488-8 Sikora Kessler A, Baum SJ, Kutrieb E, et al. Rates …

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO, FACOFP Guest: Laura Sass, MD Pediatric influenza carries a significant clinical burden, with children under four experiencing one of the highest rates of influenza-related illness, healthcare visits, and hospitalization.1,2 Seasonal influenza vaccination remains an evidence-based strategy to reduce illness and severe outcomes, with a well-established safety profile and continued support from leading U.S. health authorities.3,4 Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to share her perspective on the importance of influenza vaccination in children is Dr. Laura Sass. Dr. Laura Sass is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a board-certified Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. References: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/FluHospChars.html#virusTypeDiv. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza Activity in the United States during the 2024–25 Season and Composition of the 2025–26 Influenza Vaccine. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2025-2026-influenza-activity.html. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu Vaccine Effectiveness for Children and Older Adults. Updated August 14. 2024. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/risk-groups/index.html. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025-2026: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2025;156(6)doi:10.1542/peds.2025-073620

Host: Maria Berrocal How much money are retina surgeons losing on secondary IOL procedures? In this episode of Clinical Minute: Retina, host Maria Berrocal, MD, speaks with Nimesh "Nemo" Patel, MD, whose research uncovered how many cases are unprofitable under current Medicare reimbursement rates, and assess how much cash surgeons burn per case. Dr. Patel discusses the implications for patient access, the advocacy efforts underway through the ASRS Health Economics Committee, and why closing the gap between reimbursement and operative complexity will require direct engagement with policymakers.

Guest: Howard Fine, M.D. Dr. Howard Fine, a neuro-oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, discusses how a new approach to glioblastoma research may expand treatment options and advance precision oncology. His preclinical model, GLICO, uses cerebral organoids, or mini brains, to create a more accurate representation of glioblastoma tumor biology. Through an advanced, high-throughput drug-screening system that Dr. Fine and his team developed, they can screen hundreds of GLICOs against various drug regimens to identify personalized glioblastoma therapies—with the ultimate goal of extending patient survival for one of the most lethal cancers. © 2026 NewYork-Presbyterian

What do large registry data reveal about outcomes after intraocular foreign body removal, and how should those findings shape surgical planning and patient counseling? In this episode of New Retina Radio Journal Club with VBS, Jordan Deaner, MD, moderates a discussion with Vaidehi Dedania, MD, and Rehan Hussain, MD, on a 2025 IRIS Registry analysis of nearly 4,800 eyes. The group reviews the delayed timeline of visual recovery, the risk of late complications, and practical guidance on staging surgical intervention and setting realistic expectations in complex trauma cases.

Host: Maria Berrocal Guest: Audina Berrocal, MD Does socioeconomic status influence outcomes in proliferative sickle retinopathy? In this episode of Clinical Minute: Retina, host Maria Berrocal, MD, speaks with Audina "Nina" Berrocal, MD, of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, who published a retrospective review of more than 100 patients with proliferative sickle retinopathy. They explore whether the integrated care model at Bascom Palmer may account for results that don't translate to other parts of the country. The conversation also touches on newborn screening programs in Florida and the importance of sickle cell centers in high-incidence communities.

Host: Priya Vakharia, MD Guest: Andrew Moshfeghi, MD The SOL-1 Phase 3 superiority trial compared the efficacy and safety of the investigational product OTX-TKI (axitinib intravitreal hydrogel) with aflibercept 2 mg. The primary endpoint was proportion of subjects who maintained visual acuity, defined as 15 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters of best-corrected visual acuity loss from baseline at Week 36. Based on the findings, SOL-1 met its primary endpoint and demonstrated a statistically significant high proportion of subjects maintained visual acuity with OTX-TKI vs. aflibercept 2 mg at Week 36. OTX-TKI demonstrated stability in vision and anatomic outcomes through 36 weeks, with evidence of extended durability and delayed need for rescue therapy. This could contribute to the goal of maintaining disease control in wet AMD. OTX-TKI was generally well tolerated through Week 52. Ocular adverse events were reported in 52.9% of OTX-TKI-treated subjects vs. 33.7% of aflibercept-treated subjects. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) and no cases of retinal vasculitis. The most common AEs reported in OTX-TKI subjects were vitreous floaters (12.4%), cataract (7.1%) and conjunctival hemorrhage (6.5%). To learn more about the SOL-1 trial design, findings, and implications for care, tune in to hear Dr. Priya Vakharia speak with Dr. Andrew Moshfeghi. Reference: Heier …

Guest: Ibrahim Hussain, M.D. Neurological spine surgeon Dr. Ibrahim Hussain explains how expandable cages are being used in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions to optimize patient outcomes. These cages can be inserted with a very low profile to restore height and lordosis, and enable a faster recovery. At Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian, surgeons are pursuing innovative solutions to provide a better quality of life for patients with degenerative disc disease and other spine conditions. © 2026 NewYork-Presbyterian

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Sarah Sammons, MD Despite advances in the treatment of HR-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, patients with PIK3CA-mutated disease who progress after a CDK4/6 inhibitor still face limited effective and tolerable treatment options.1 This unmet need has fueled interest in zovegalisib (formerly RLY-2608), a next generation, pan-mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor designed to spare wild-type protein and potentially reduce class-related toxicities.2 Dr. Sarah Sammons joins Dr. Charles Turck to review key findings from the first-in-human ReDiscover trial of zovegalisib + fulvestrant that supported initiation of the Phase 3 ReDiscover-2 study3,4, which is currently enrolling. They also discuss ReDiscover-2 eligibility criteria, along with patient selection and screening considerations, using hypothetical case scenarios. Dr. Sammons is the Associate Director of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. References: Mishra R, Patel H, Alanazi S, Kilroy MK, Garrett JT. PI3K inhibitors in cancer: clinical implications and adverse effects. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(7)doi:10.3390/ijms22073464 Varkaris A, Pazolli E, Gunaydin H, et al. Discovery and clinical proof-of-concept of RLY-2608, a first-in-class mutant-selective allosteric PI3Kα inhibitor that decouples antitumor activity from hyperinsulinemia. Cancer Discovery. 2024;14(2):240–257. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0944 ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT06982521. Accessed April 12, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06982521 Rugo HS, Saura C, Jhaveri K, et al. Poster PS5-08-25: …