Medicus

In this series, we are exploring the common and not-so-common specialties in medicine. Nuclear medicine sits at the crossroads of imaging and molecular science, revealing how disease behaves at a cellular level rather than just how it looks. In this episode, we explore how this often-overlooked specialty is shaping diagnosis, guiding therapy, and redefining the future of precision medicine.Dr. Erica Major is the Assistant Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Site Director of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Education at Edward Hines VA, where she oversees medical student and resident training. She holds multiple leadership positions in the American College of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and is a past member of the ACGME Residency Review Committee. Her primary interest is advancing the field of theranostics, which combines nuclear oncology with personalized cancer therapy. You can contact Dr. Major at erica.major@va.gov To learn more about nuclear medicine, check out these sources:https://acnmonline.org/https://snmmi.org/ Episode produced by: Rasa ValiaugaEpisode recording date: 4/2/26www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

Cultural humility is a lifelong practice of self-reflection, openness, and respect for the diverse backgrounds of the families we serve. Unlike cultural competence, which can imply mastering knowledge about “other cultures,” cultural humility emphasizes curiosity, listening, and shared decision-making. In pediatrics, this is especially important because care involves both the child and the family, whose cultural values strongly shape health beliefs and practices.Today’s discussion is an opportunity to reflect together: how do we approach cultural humility in pediatrics, and what steps can we take to deepen it in our daily practice?Dr. Ana Aguilar, DO is originally from Loveland, OH. She went to Transylvania University where she did not major in Blood-Sucking and Shadow-Walking, but instead earned a dual degree in Molecular Biology and Anthropology. She attended Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a very recent Loyola graduate, now completing a chief year with her best friend and co-chief, Dr. Sana Moqeet, MD. In her spare time, Ana enjoys reading, solving puzzles, writing and denying vampire allegations.Episode produced by: Deborah ChenEpisode recording date: 09/11/2025www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

The goal of this mini series is to spark conversations of these new tools and practices within the community of current and future medical practitioners and staff. It is important for medical professionals to have a say in how these Al tools impact practice to ensure practical and ethical use. Join us in discussions of the history of Al, machine and deep learning. computer visions, natural language processing, responsible Al, and so much more. Let's take a step into the future together.Joining us is Jonathan Theros, Co-Founder and CEO of Dendritic Health AI. A recent MD/MBA graduate from Northwestern University and incoming internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, Jon founded his company to address gaps in medical education by developing AI tools that help medical students learn more effectively and prepare for clinical practice. In our conversation, we discussed the future of AI in medical education, the specific tools his startup is building, and how physician entrepreneurs can amplify their impact by supporting the next generation of medical professionals.Dendritic Health AI and Neural Consult:https://www.dendritichealth.comhttps://www.neuralconsult.comEpisode produced by: Caleb Keng & Rohan SethiEpisode recording date: May 15, 2025www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with registered dietitian and educator Kevin Pietro about his journey into the world of dietetics and the role of dietitians in healthcare. Dr. Kevin Pietro, PhD, RDN, LDN, CSSD, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Dietetics Education Programs at Loyola University Chicago. As Program Director and SoTL-based scholar, Dr. Pietro’s primary goal is to enhance dietetics education, supporting students in becoming caring, compassionate, and effective dietitians. As an academic and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Dr. Pietro is committed to being an approachable, inclusive, and understanding educator. His work as an RDN and board-certified Sports Dietitian (CSSD) has centered around nutrition education, helping hundreds of patients/clients/athletes improve their nutrition, health, and wellness. Connect with Dr. Pietro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-pietro-phd-rdn-ldn-cssd-b70092b0To learn more, check out the following resources:The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - www.eatright.orgDietary Guidelines for Americans - www.odphp.health.gov American Society for Nutrition - www.nutrition.org American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition - www.nutritioncare.org Episode produced by: Rasa ValiaugaEpisode recording date: 2/24/25www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with social worker Lauren Judd about her journey and the essential services social workers provide to patients.Lauren Judd is a dedicated and experienced social worker with over 12 years of practice in the healthcare setting. Lauren obtained her Masters of Social Work from the University of IL at Chicago and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Germanic Language and Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked since 2015 in the Emergency Department at Loyola University Medical Center providing advocacy and support to patients, families, and medical staff. Lauren is a member of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry and has worked as an expert witness. Passionate about self determination and patient rights, Lauren has found empowering those experiencing mental health crises as part of an interdisciplinary team fulfilling. When not in the ED, Lauren enjoys container gardening and offbeat road trips with family and friends. For more information, please visit the following resources: National Association of Social Workers Types of Social Work Degrees Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare The Center for Case Management | Leading the Industry in Case Management Consulting American Case Management Association CDC Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) CMS Social Drivers of Health and Health-Related Social Needs Treating the Whole Person: Vince's Story | CMSEpisode produced by: Rasa Valiauga and Angeli MittalEpisode recording date: 11/4/24www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Vater, board certified Gastrointestinal Oncologist at Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and physician advocate. She shares her journey into medicine, how she started writing, and became a physician advocate at all levels of medical education.Dr. Vater is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She is also the founding director of the Young-Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at IU and co-founder of the narrative medicine program, Writing for Wellness. She was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2018 and is a member of the Pegasus Physician Writers at Stanford University. She has developed a wellness behavior tool for patients and clinicians (called the SMILE Scale) and has published several narrative medicine essays and peer-reviewed publications. Besides being a writer, Dr. Vaah-ter is a TEDx and commencement speaker, mother, and advocate for patients and healthcare workers. She believes that patients should be treated as whole human beings and that clinicians deserve the same.We explore the topics of humanism in medicine, compassion, the importance of physician wellness and mental health, burnout in healthcare, and the nuances of medical care both in the clinic and at the institutional level.For further reference follow Dr. Laura Vater on Instagram @doclauravater and at https://www.lauravater.com/. Episode produced by: Nikita GaneshanEpisode recording date: 11/15/2024www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Cathy Quach, MPH about her journey to becoming a health educator.Cathy Quach, MPH is a health educator with the Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors Program at the University of California, Davis. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and a minor in theatre and dance. After undergrad, she worked as an emergency medical technician working in the greater Sacramento area, right just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspired by her experiences, she later pursued her masters of public Health at UC Davis and continued her passion for supporting the local community. Episode produced by: Deborah ChenEpisode recording date: 7/11/2024www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this episode, host Julien Stroumza sits down with Medicus member Jackie Tarsitano to discuss the alarming rise of genetic testing fraud, a multibillion-dollar scam that targets Medicare beneficiaries. Tune in as they explore the financial and ethical implications of this deceptive practice, shedding light on its impact on patients, healthcare providers, and the system as a whole. Jackie can be reached at jtarsitano@luc.edu Episode produced by: Jackie TarsitanoEpisode recording date: 6/15/24www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate