Conference Coverage

Host: Jason Birnholz, MD Guest: Rizwan Aslam, MD Guest: Michael J. Welch, PhD Host Dr. Jason Birnholz takes you to the 2008 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, held in Chicago November 30 through December 5. Dr. Birnholz talks with three of the meeting's key presenters. He sits down first with Dr. Michael Welch, co-director of the division of radiological sciences at Washington University's Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis, Missouri, who highlights advances in nanotechnology for imaging and drug delivery. Next, Dr. David Weinreb, radiology resident at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Connecticut, discusses the advantages of portable CT for treating acute stroke patients in the emergency department. Finally, Dr. Rizwan Aslam, assistant clinical professor of radiology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, reports on mineral density assessment with CT colonography, concurrent to colorect

Guest: Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD The second of two programs consisting of excerpts of a panel discussion examining the issues surrounding healthcare coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. The panel was presented by U.S. News and World Report's National Issues Briefing, in association with the American Medical Association. Panelists include Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate Finance Committee Chairman; Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council; and Paul H. Keckley, PhD, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Brian Kelly, editor, U.S. News and World Report, moderates. The panel was introduced by Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, president of the American Medical Association. Given latest U.S. Census profiles of uninsured Americans, and the obstacles to retaining coverage, including evolving private sector and employee work patterns and gaps in existing health care plans, panelists debate possible solutions -- from group coverage to state and federal benefit

Guest: Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD The first of two programs consisting of excerpts of a panel discussion examining the issues surrounding healthcare coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. The panel was presented by U.S. News and World Report's National Issues Briefing, in association with the American Medical Association. Panelists include Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate Finance Committee Chairman; Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council; and Paul H. Keckley, PhD, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Brian Kelly, editor, U.S. News and World Report, moderates. The panel was introduced by Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, president of the American Medical Association. Given latest U.S. Census profiles of uninsured Americans, and the obstacles to retaining coverage, including evolving private sector and employee work patterns and gaps in existing health care plans, panelists debate possible solutions -- from group coverage to state and federal benefits

Guest: Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD Dr. Nancy Nielsen, the incoming president of the American Medical Association (AMA), delivers a moving inaugural speech to the 2008 AMA House of Delegates in Chicago. Dr. Nielsen touches on several major issues, with a broad focus on the economic challenges and scientific demands of rebuilding our healthcare system. She calls on the healthcare community, the insurance industry, employers and our government to work cohesively with our patients to battle "our real enemies: disease and untimely death."

Guest: Ronald M. Davis, MD Dr. Ronald M. Davis, the outgoing president of the American Medical Association (AMA), delivers his final speech as president to the 2008 AMA House of Delegates in Chicago. Dr. Davis speaks to many issues, including the legacy we choose to leave on people we meet during the course of our lives.

The latest developments in gastroenterology come to you direct from the floor of the 2008 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference, held May 17-22 in San Diego. Highlights include several avenues of pancreatic cancer research into screening measures and markers which may enable earlier detection and improve long-term prognosis. Probiotics, also a hot topic at DDW, are being touted as a means to relieve post-operative digestive problems associated with gastric bypass surgery, by limiting bacterial overgrowth and reducing levels of fasting insulin, lipoprotein A and triglycerides. Separately, research is demonstrating that confocal laser endoscopy can efficiently pare down the process of accurate diagnosis and safe treatment of Barrett’s esophagus. ReachMD speaks with the primary investigators for each of these exciting research endeavors. Tune in to learn more about the groundbreaking news from Digestive Disease Week!

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: Larry McCleary, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz speaks with guest Dr. Larry McCleary at the 2008 AMA Medical Communications Conference in San Diego. Dr. McCleary is the author of The Brain Trust Program, an evidence-based approach to developing and improving memory, enhancing attention span, and boosting mental energy. Dr. McCleary outlines the biochemical processes of the brain governing these functions, and draws from his dual-expertise as a neurosurgeon and research scientist in building this program for physicians and general public alike.

Long before he went to medical school, Dr. Scott Nelson started out as a disc jockey. Now the 2007-08 president of the National Association of Medical Communicators, Dr. Nelson likes to say, ‘the broadcast bug never went away.’ Dr. Nelson shares his journey through medicine and broadcasting with host Dr. Matt Birnholz at the 2008 American Medical Association Medical Communications Conference in San Diego. How does Dr. Nelson continue to use lessons learned in communications to evolve both as a clinician and a physician journalist?

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: Ash Damle It’s a personalized medical internet search engine for the general consumer. For a patient anxiously searching for more information about their own condition—perhaps in preparation for a visit to you, their healthcare provider—it could be an invaluable resource. Ash Damle, chief executive officer of MEDgle, this new, web-based medical database, shares more details about his company and his plans for its future with host Dr. Matt Birnholz at the 28th Annual American Medical Association Medical Communications Conference in San Diego.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: John La Puma, MD Join host Dr. Matt Birnholz as he speaks with Dr. John La Puma, board-certified internist, professionally trained chef, and author of "ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine." Dr. La Puma shares some of his clinical insights on nutrition gleaned from dual careers as a medical expert and a master chef.

Dr. Tom Stevenson, CMO of Covisint, interviews John Page, Chair Vistage International, on the development and changes of HIMSS over time.

Recipient of the 2008 American Medical Association Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. Joyce D. Kirkland Essien, Director of the Center for Public Health Practice at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, and Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks with your host, Dr. Mark Chyna.

Host: Mark Chyna, MD Guest: Subramaniam Balasubramaniam, MD Known to many of his friends and colleagues as "Dr. Bala,” Dr. Subramaniam Balasubramaniam is this year's recipient of the AMA Foundation's Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine for his remarkable contributions to the development of emergency medical service programs in India. ‘Dr. Bala’ talks with host Dr. Mark Chyna about his life as a physician, and the moments that have made for an extraordinary career.

Recipient of the 2008 American Medical Association Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. Murli Manohar, a clinician, teacher, researcher, administrator, community leader, and respected contributor in the areas of health care advocacy, volunteerism and community service speaks with your host, Dr. Mark Chyna.

Host: Mark Chyna, MD Guest: Frank Staggers, MD Dr. Frank Staggers is a 2008 recipient of the AMA Foundation's Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism.

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD Guest: G. Scott Morris, MD, MDiv 2008 recipient of the AMA Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. G. Scott Morris, family physician and founder of the Church Health Center in Memphis, TN discusses his passion for his patients and their care at the largest privately funded, nonproft, faith-based clinic in the country with your host, Dr. Michael Greenberg.

Guest: AMA Foundation In cooperation with the American Medical Association Foundation and in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, ReachMD is proud to bring you this presentation of the 2008 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards, held March 31st, in Washington, D.C.

Host: Paul Raeburn Guest: James Udelson, MD Almost half of people who need stress testing are unable to receive it because of age or orthopedic problems. So physicians turn to adenosine or dipyridamole, but those can have serious side-effects. A new study reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology concludes that a new agent relieves many of those side effects--and is just as effective.

Host: Paul Raeburn Guest: Steven Nissen, MD Host Paul Raeburn interviews Dr. Steven Nissen, chair of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, at the American College of Cardiology 2008 Conference in Chicago. Dr. Nissen shares his thoughts on results from the PERISCOPE study, which measured the comparative potential for cardiovascular benefits of an insulin secretion promoter, glimepiride, and insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone. The central question: Does it matter how you lower blood sugar?

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD Guest: Viola Startzman, MD 2008 Recipient of the AMA Foundation's Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism, Dr. Viola Startzman gives a beautiful interview recounting her early influences in medicine and the founding of the Viola Startzman Free Clinic with your host, Dr. Michael Greenberg.