Guest: Susan Kok, M.D. Hosts: Danielle O’Laughlin, PA-C, MS and Jenna Wygant, APRN, CNP, DNP Dr. Susan Kok joins the podcast to explore both non-invasive and invasive breast cancers. This episode covers risk factors, symptom recognition, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities, with a focus on individualized care and shared decision-making. Learning Objectives: Understand the spectrum…

Guest: Danielle O’Laughlin, PA-C, MS Hosts: Danielle O’Laughlin, PA-C, MS and Jenna Wygant, APRN, CNP, DNP In this episode, Danielle O’Laughlin discusses benign breast tumor conditions and other non-cancerous growths. Listeners will gain insight into the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management strategies for these common breast findings. Learning Objectives: Review the types of benign…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Matthew (Mark) Melin, M.D. Vascular wounds can be quite challenging. If untreated, they can lead to infection, even sepsis, hospitalization and occasionally, amputation. Effective treatment requires an accurate diagnosis and recognition of the specific type of vascular wound you’re dealing with. Even when the type of wound is correctly…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Neha P. Raukar, M.D., M.S. Women in medicine have made significant strides over the past few decades, yet some still face a variety of challenges and barriers. They commonly encounter inequalities that can affect their professional growth and overall well-being. Common issues include pay disparity, underrepresentation in leadership positions…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Haraldur Bjarnason, M.D.; and Megha M. Tollefson, M.D. Vascular malformations are anomalies of vessels that can cause a variety of potentially serious health problems depending on their type, location, and size. They may involve arterial, venous or lymphatic vessels. They’re often progressive and may enlarge over time. They’re best…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Sam Farres, M.D.; and Ryan A. Meverden, PA-C Thoracic outlet syndromes is a great masquerader and often mistaken for a variety of other health conditions including cervical radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injury or even multiple sclerosis. It has several causes which account for the variety of its…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Stan Henkin, M.D. Peripheral arterial disease is a manifestation of atherosclerosis and becomes more common with advancing age.  In its early stages, it can be quite difficult to diagnose. Although claudication is the most classic symptom, many remain asymptomatic, especially if they have limited ability to ambulate. Although risk…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Ana I. Casanegra, M.D., M.S. For many decades, we really only had one option for providing chronic anticoagulation, warfarin. We learned how to manage the many drug and food interactions, frequently changing the warfarin dose as we tried to keep our patients in therapeutic range. Now we have a…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Christopher Francois, M.D. The risk of thoracic aortic dissection increases as the diameter of the aorta widens. A diameter greater than 5 cm is associated with an increased risk of dissection in the general population. Patients with Marfan Syndrome have defective connective tissue and dissection commonly occurs with diameters…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Thais D. Coutinho, M.D., and Kristen A. Sell-Dottin, M.D. Genetic factors predispose selected individuals to hereditary aortic aneurysms leading to aortic dilation and potential dissection.  They can be seen in a variety of known genetic syndromes, and they differ from aortic aneurysms associated with aging and chronic, uncontrolled hypertension….