Speak Up For Your Health

What does universal healthcare actually look like when you need it most? James Yersh lives in Ottawa, Canada — covered by the national health system his entire life. But when hip arthritis progressed to the point where he needed a total hip replacement, he found himself waiting for so long that he paid $25,000 out of pocket for surgery in another province. In this episode, James shares what it took to navigate Canada's public healthcare system. And since he has spent most of his career working alongside US companies and colleagues navigating employer-sponsored insurance — he has a unique perspective on the comparison between the Canadian (single payer) and US (market-based) systems. This episode doesn't take a political position. It just shows that no system is a perfect solution — and no matter where you live, you have to advocate for yourself. Key Takeaways Talk to people like you. James didn't know private orthopedic clinics existed in Quebec until a friend mentioned it. Peer conversations can surface options doctors may not mention. Seek them out. Do your homework. James spent hours researching his surgery center's outcomes and he educated himself on the type of hip replacement with the best long-term durability. Being informed means you can ask the right questions and be confident that you are getting the care you want and need. Rehabilitation is your responsibility. James was religious about his physical therapy exercises. Eight weeks later, he was on a business trip and walking normally. That kind of recovery doesn't happen by accident. Take rehab seriously. Don't underestimate virtual care. James didn't meet his surgeon until the day before his operation, and his entire post-op follow-up was done by telehealth. It was a reminder that when virtual care is done well, it can dramatically expand access to care. Want to connect with Archelle? You can: You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by Subscribe to the ArcHealth newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ for healthcare tips https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Subscribe Archelle's insights on Substack for her perspective on the healthcare system: https://substack.com/@archealth #UniversalHealthcare #CanadianHealthcare #HipReplacement #HealthcareReform #PatientAdvocacy #HealthInsurance #HealthcareAccess #Telehealth #HealthLiteracy #SpeakUpForYourHealth #HealthPodcast #PatientStories #HealthcareCosts #SinglePayer #HealthcareNavigation

Sexual harassment and abuse can happen in any sport — even youth athletics. In this episode, Carrie Kehring shares her experience after her teenage daughter was sexually abused by her coach. She opens up about the broader issue of grooming and power dynamics in sports and offers practical insight on how to recognize red flags, set healthy boundaries, and navigate the emotional and legal aftermath of abuse. Determined to create change, Carrie founded #WeRideTogether, a nonprofit providing free resources and tools to help parents and athletes build safer sporting environments. Key Takeaways: 1. If your child/teenager is in sports..any sport...focus on prevention. Follow the Rule of Three —no athlete should ever be alone with a coach. This applies to both in-person and remote interactions, including phone and text ! There should either be 2 coaches and an athlete or 2 athletes and a coach in all interactions. Have open, age-appropriate conversations about boundaries and make sure both your child and their coach understand them. Trust YOUR gut and empower your child or teenager to trust THEIRS. If something feels off, it probably is. 2. Learn to recognize grooming. It often starts small with blurring of boundaries: some favoritism, gifts, a little extra attention. It can feel flattering… until it’s not. 3. If you discover abuse or inappropriate behavior, make sure your child is safe — both physically and emotionally - then find an advocate. This can be an attorney, a counselor, or another parent who can help you navigate think through next steps. 4. Be prepared for a long journey. Healing takes time. Law enforcement is essential — but it’s also emotionally difficult. So, be ready for tough questions, and know that your child will need ongoing support. 5. Learn more. Visit WeRideTogether.today — to find resources, videos, and stories that can help you recognize risk and protect the athletes you love. Links: #We Ride Together: https://www.weridetogether.today/ US Attorney's Office (District of Oregon) Press Release summarizing sentencing of Kehring's abuser: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/former-olympic-equestrian-sentenced-federal-prison-sexually-abusing-minor-student Connect with Archelle: ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠

What causes autism? Why do some children thrive while others don't? What's the most effective treatment? Diane Cross, CEO of Fraser, Minnesota's largest provider of autism and mental health services answers these questions and more. Key Takeaways: Parents: If you think something isn’t quite right with your child, don’t wait. Build a relationship with a pediatrician, talk with other parents, get a second opinion, and follow the science. Timing matters: The earlier the diagnosis and intervention, the better. Prior to age 4, is best since a child’s brain has more plasticity. Autism isn’t necessarily abnormal—it’s different. We all have different gifts and strengths. Those of us who are neurotypical may be the ones left behind if we don’t recognize and embrace those differences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Every child and every family needs a plan that’s tailored to them. The goal isn’t to “fix” autism—it’s to help each child reach their full potential. Links: Fraser Website: https://www.fraser.org/ Online Autism Screening tool: https://embrace-autism.com/raads-r/ Connect with Archelle ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠ #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareAccess #EmpoweredPatient #PatientExperience #HealthPodcast #speakupforyourhealth #PatientJourney #HealthcareStories #autism #ASD #autismspectrumdisorder #neurodivergence #Fraser #developmentalchallenge #parenting

Back pain is one of the most common health problems adults face—but what happens when the patient is also a doctor? In this episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Robert (Bob) Ganz shares his 20-year journey with back pain – from subtle early symptoms to spine surgery. In this conversation, Bob and I were chatting as if we at a cocktail party, and he candidly reflects on his posture, physical therapy, and the challenges of choosing the right surgeon. Along the way, he reveals what it’s like to be both the patient and the physician—including the unforgettable moment when he ended up diagnosing his own surgeon. Key Takeaways · Core strength matters. The muscles in your abdomen, back, hips, and pelvis all work together to stabilize your spine. Yoga or pilates are a great option – but if you already have back pain, start by consulting with a physical therapist. · Pain is personal. Everyone has a different threshold. Ultimately, only you can decide how much pain you’re willing to live with before pursuing surgery. · Crowdsource to finding the right surgeon. There are no central registries that show compare surgeons results. Word of mouth and personal recommendations are the best tools you have. Ask as many people as you can who their surgeon was and how their experience was. You’ll often find the same one or two names rising to the top. AND… · Don’t ignore reflux symptoms. Since Bob is a world expert on GERD, he shared a story where heartburn was mistaken for cardiac chest pain. If you have reflux symptoms or heartburn, don’t self-diagnose or rely on over-the-counter medications. See your doctor and get evaluated. Links: Here's Dr. Ganz' impressive bio: https://www.mngi.com/provider/robert-ganz-md-masgehttps://www.mngi.com/provider/robert-ganz-md-masge Connect with Archelle ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakUpForYourHealth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠ #PatientAdvocacy #BackPain #HealthcareAccess #BackSurgery #EmpoweredPatient #PatientExperience #HealthPodcast #Sciatica #speakupforyourhealth #GERD #gastroesophagealreflux #heartburn ##MedicalHumor #PatientJourney #HealthcareStories #PostureMatters #CoreStrength #DoctorAsPatient

When 11-year-old Alana Kendall was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her life changed—but not in the way you might expect. Now 17, Alana speaks with remarkable wisdom, humor, and optimism about how living with a chronic condition has not only shaped her—but strengthened her. In this inspiring conversation, Alana shares how she learned to manage her diabetes independently, how technology has helped her—and her parents—feel safe and in control. Most importantly, she reflects on how her diagnosis sparked something bigger: compassion, confidence, and a calling to lead. For any parent raising a child with a chronic illness, this episode is a must-listen. Alana proves that a diagnosis doesn’t have to limit your child—it can fuel their purpose, their independence, and their power. To Learn More About From Girl to Great Website: https://fromgirltogreat.com/ Connect with Archelle ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakUpForYourHealth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠ #PatientAdvocacy #HealthSystemNavigation #HealthcareAccess #Caregivers #EmpoweredPatient #PatientExperience #HealthPodcast #Type1Diabetes #healthcarestories #Diabetes #speakupforyourhealth #chronicillness

Dr. Susan MacDonald—a 42-year-old urologist, professor, and mother of two—found a lump in her breast and just two weeks later she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. The diagnosis was rare and devastating, with cancer in both breasts and metastases to her bones. In this episode, Susan speaks candidly about the emotional toll of facing a limited future: the grief, the impact on her career, and the fear of leaving her children too soon. But she also shares how she’s choosing to live the rest of her life—however long that may be—with intention. Her practical advice is essential for anyone navigating medical care. She explains how to speed up the scheduling of scans, tests, and specialist appointments, and offers a unique dual perspective—as both surgeon and patient—on how to collaborate with doctors when making treatment decisions. This is a conversation about resilience, radical honesty, and the fierce will to keep living, even when the future is uncertain. Key Takeaways Be Persistent: You can often speed up test and appointment scheduling by calling every other morning to check for cancellations—especially during bad weather, when patients are more likely to cancel. Be kind to schedulers; it makes a difference. Know Your Limits: Ask every question you need to understand your diagnosis and treatment—but also trust the expertise of doctors, nurses, and specialists who’ve seen more than you have. Practice Gratitude: Spend just five minutes a day—or even per week—writing down who and what you're grateful for. It’s a powerful mindset shift, and online resources can help you build the habit. Keep Living: Focus on what matters most. Make a new bucket list, teach your kids the life skills they’ll need, and don’t hold back on hugs, kisses, and meaningful moments. Here's how you can connect with Archelle ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakUpForYourHealth@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠

Coordinating care in our healthcare system can feel like running an obstacle course—with no one clearly in charge. In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Dr. Archelle Georgiou sits down with Walter Jin, CEO of Pager Health, to talk about how his personal experience navigating his parents’ cancer diagnoses revealed just how fragmented care delivery can be—and what he’s doing to change that. Walter shares how those challenges led him to invest in Pager Health, a company originally co-founded by one of Uber’s creators, and how a pivotal moment during a board meeting inspired a complete shift in Pager’s approach. Now, as CEO, Walter is leading the charge to reduce what he calls the “friction” in healthcare—making it easier for patients to access, understand, and follow through on their care. Key Takeaways: Whether your health plan uses Pager or not, Archelle shares practical steps you can take to coordinate your own care more effectively which include: · Download your health system’s portal app. Having 24/7 access to your medical records is a game-changer. And studies show that if you download the portal app to your smartphone, you're much more likely to use it regularly. · Explore your health insurer’s online tools. Most of us don’t read our health plan’s enrollment packet at the beginning of the year. But if you head to your insurer’s website and look for the “Member Resources” section, you’ll often find helpful tools and services to guide you through the system. · Request a case manager. Many health plans have nurses on staff whose sole job is to coordinate care—especially for members with chronic conditions. They usually reach out based on your medical claims data, but you don’t have to wait. You can call and ask to be connected to a case manager who can help you stay on top of your care. Links Get more information about Pager Health: ⁠https://www.pagerhealth.com/ More insight on Walter Jin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walterjin/ Connect with Archelle ArcHealth Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠SpeakUpForYourHealth@gmail.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth #CareCoordination #PatientAdvocacy #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #HealthSystemNavigation #HealthcareAccess #Caregivers #EmpoweredPatient #PatientExperience #HealthPodcast #FutureOfHealthcare #LeadershipInHealthcare