Kym McNicholas On Innovation: Recent Episodes
Kym McNicholas On Innovation
All of us have the power to create change. The advances in technology are now such that if you have an idea, it’s easier than ever to execute on it. “Kym McNicholas On Innovation” shares the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from around the world who will inspire you to create your own financial independence. The show also features some of the most advanced technologies you’ve never heard of that could be have an impact on your life, your business, and your career.
Regular featured segments include “The Edge” which highlights businesses that are game-changing in the enterprise. Plus, each week in “HealthTech”, you’ll hear about a company that’s creating better, safer, faster, and cheaper technologies that will improve patient care and lower costs. And in our “Female Seeking Startup” series hear the success stories of some of the most powerful women who are creating game-changing technologies.
Produced and Published by The Innovators Network (http://TheInnovators.Network)
Dr. John Phillips introduces his patient Eric and his journey with Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) - an advanced stage of peripheral artery disease (poor leg circulation). After facing recurring blockages in his below-knee arteries and multiple unsuccessful procedures, Eric received treatment with the innovative FDA-cleared SPUR Retrievable Stent System by Reflow Medical. In this episode, Eric shares his compelling "Save My Piggies" story and the impact of this new technology on his quality of life. Dr. Phillips discusses how this treatment option works for patients with severe PAD symptoms when conventional therapies fail to heal foot wounds and relieve debilitating leg cramps. If you're experiencing debilitating leg cramps, leg pain, or neuropathy or know someone struggling with poor circulation, contact the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or visit PADhelp.org for helpful resources. Disclaimer: Reflow Medical is a sponsor of The Heart of Innovation but featuring the technology and patient are not part of the sponsorship. Content of the show is selected by an independent editorial board of advisors. #peripheralarterydisease #legcramps #legpaintreatment #reflowmedical #globalpadassociation #padsupportgroups #padtreatment #paddoctor #amputationprevention
Remember when Coach Prime Deion Sanders nearly lost his legs due to below-knee blockages? Many patients with severe poor circulation in their legs known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) face the same “revolving door” of treatments with limited options… until now. Watch “The Heart of Innovation” as Dr. Jay Matthews, the lead Principal Investigator behind the groundbreaking DEEPER REVEAL trial talks about a technology that just changed the game for peripheral artery disease treatment! Dr. Matthews will reveal how Reflow Medical’s breakthrough technology called "SPUR" —a temporary stent that achieves impressive early results—is offering new hope for patients suffering from debilitating leg cramps, pain, and neuropathy. This FDA-cleared innovation specifically targets those challenging below-knee arteries—long considered the “Achilles heel” for vascular specialists—and could be life-changing for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who suffer most from these difficult-to-treat blockages. The DEEPER REVEAL clinical trial demonstrated a remarkable 99.2% technical success rate with this novel approach that leaves no metal behind! Don’t miss this episode that could literally help save limbs and transform lives! If you have peripheral artery disease and have questions about treatment options, call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or go to PADhelp.org #MedicalBreakthrough #PADawareness #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #removablestent #retractablestent #reflowmedical #padtreatment #blockedarterytreatment #blockedarteries #stents #peripheralvasculardisease #padsupport #padsupportgroup #healthinnovation
Join us for a wildly entertaining and informative interview with renowned podiatrist Dr. David Alper as he shares the most jaw-dropping foot care mishaps he's encountered throughout his distinguished 30+ year career! Dr. Alper, who recently retired from his private practice in Belmont, MA, brings a wealth of experience as Emeritus Surgical staff at Harvard's Mt. Auburn Hospital and a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Podiatric Medical Association. His leadership extends beyond clinical practice—he served as President of the American Diabetes Association's New England Leadership Board for over 20 years and chaired the Belmont Board of Health for three decades. In today's interview, Dr. Alper takes us behind the scenes with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even think twice about your summer footwear choices! From flip-flop disasters to beach glass emergencies, and patients who arrived at his clinic with situations you won't believe until you hear them. Whether you're planning a beach vacation or simply want to protect your feet this summer, you won't want to miss Dr. Alper's expert advice wrapped in these cautionary (and sometimes hilarious) tales from the frontlines of podiatric medicine. #FootHealth #SummerSafety #PodiatryStories #DrDavidAlper #BeachSafety #FootcareExpert
Join hosts Kym McNicholas, Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of Global PAD Association, and Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist, as they welcome Dr. David Alper, podiatrist, to discuss critical summer foot health issues. In this episode, Dr. Alper shares entertaining stories about the biggest foot follies that occur during summer—from beach mishaps to BBQ blunders. But the conversation takes a serious turn as he reveals the hidden summer dangers for people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Learn essential strategies to protect vulnerable feet and prevent wounds that could lead to amputation. Dr. Alper brings decades of expertise as Emeritus Surgical staff at Harvard's Mt. Auburn Hospital and former Board of Trustees member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. His impressive background includes serving as President of the American Diabetes Association's New England Leadership Board for over 20 years and chairing the Belmont Board of Health for three decades. Whether you're concerned about your own foot health or caring for someone with circulation issues, this episode delivers valuable information that could help save limbs and lives this summer season. #FootHealth #DiabetesCare #PADAwareness #SummerSafety #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padtreatment #diabetesfootcare #diabeticfoot #padsupportgroup #legcramps #legpaintreatment
When Jae’s mother faced amputation due to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) an advanced stage of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in rural Louisiana, she refused to accept it as the only option. Despite being told there were no alternatives, Jae discovered the truth: not all PAD specialists have the skills to treat advanced cases.
This episode comes at a crucial time. A May 2025 study from @SCAI reveals Black patients with CLI face a 46% higher chance of amputation and are 10% less likely to see vascular specialists before treatment.
CLI is more deadly than breast, colon, and prostate cancer COMBINED—and outcomes worsen dramatically after amputation.
Listen as Jae shares how she: • Fought against medical gaslighting • Found help through the @GlobalPADAssociation’s Leg Saver Hotline (1-833-PAD-LEGS) • Connected with CLI specialist Dr. Amit Amin who successfully opened her mother’s arteries
This story could save someone’s leg—or life. Share widely.
#SaveALeg #PADAwareness #HealthcareEquity #CLI #PeripheralArteryDisease #PatientAdvocacy
This Saturday on The Heart of Innovation, Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips welcome James Maskell to discuss TruNeura, founded by Dr. Kristine Burke, to pioneer personalized medicine for Alzheimer's and dementia.
Inspired by innovative treatments that helped his own father, Maskell will share how TruNeura's precision medicine approach is creating new possibilities for patients with cognitive decline.
The conversation will explore how vascular health impacts brain function, with special attention to how arterial buildup restricts critical blood flow to the brain.
Get an exclusive preview of the upcoming Alzheimer's Summit starting Tuesday, where experts will gather to discuss the latest advances in cognitive health. While challenging, these new approaches offer hope for many families.
Join us for this important conversation and visit truneura.com to learn more about the company and drtalks.com/summit/alzheimers for summit information.
#AlzheimersResearch #PrecisionMedicine #CognitiveHealth #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #globalpadassociation #theheartofinnovation
Join us on "The Heart of Innovation" as hosts Kym McNicholas (Global PAD Association CEO) and Dr. John Phillips (Interventional Cardiologist) interview Silicon Valley entrepreneurial powerhouse Robert Nathanson! From spotting healthcare gaps as a chiropractor to co-founding GrubMarket (now a $3.6 billion + company), Robert's journey exemplifies innovation at its finest. After his early success connecting farmers directly to consumers through a digital marketplace, Robert's life took an unexpected turn when he faced his own health crisis - blocked arteries requiring medical intervention. This wake-up call prompted a complete lifestyle transformation. Despite always being active with tennis, Robert doubled down on his health, embracing pickleball with incredible success (13 podium finishes with 5 gold medals in just 8 months)! Discover how Robert's background in healthcare, entrepreneurial mindset, and personal health journey have shaped his unique perspective on innovation and wellness. He'll share insights on: • Translating healthcare gaps into business opportunities • Building and scaling successful ventures • Navigating life-threatening health challenges • Transforming his diet and fitness approach • Finding unexpected joy in health recovery This episode perfectly embodies our show's mission: highlighting innovations that transform cardiovascular health and inspire others on their wellness journeys. Don't miss this powerful conversation! #TheHeartOfInnovation #HealthEntrepreneurship #CardiovascularHealth #WellnessJourney #GlobalPADAssociation #robertnathanson #siliconvalley #healthcareinnovation #healthinnovation #healthtech #healthinnovation #peripheralarterydisease #heartdisease #hearthealth
Join us on "The Heart of Innovation" as we welcome Albert Chen, a visionary bioelectric energy specialist. Albert will unveil his organization's three revolutionary branches:
1️⃣ Bios Vitalium: A cutting-edge healing energy practice 2️⃣ BioSingularity Institute: A 501(c)(3) research foundation conducting clinical studies on bioelectric energy healing 3️⃣ BioDavinci: Focused on therapeutics and drug development for regenerative healing
Albert and his team are at the forefront of reverse-engineering bioelectric energy healing techniques to develop scalable therapeutics. Their groundbreaking work even explores how bioelectricity can potentially regenerate the gut lining, addressing issues caused by stress and other factors.
Don't miss this fascinating discussion on the intersection of bioelectric energy healing, scientific research, and therapeutics development. Tune in to learn how these innovations could shape the future of healthcare!
#BioelectricEnergy #RegenerativeMedicine #HealthInnovation #TheHeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #globalpadassociation #albertchen
Join us for an exclusive interview with Dr. Robert Gabbay, endocrinologist and former chief medical officer of the American Diabetes Association, on "The Heart of Innovation" hosted by Dr. John Phillips and Emmy-award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas. Dr. Gabbay will share cutting-edge developments in diabetes care that go beyond just lowering A1C—they're revolutionizing heart health, kidney function, and mobility for patients! He answers questions about: - Game-changing medications that reduce heart attack risk AND help you walk farther - The latest insulin pump technology transforming daily management - Advanced diabetes screening methods catching the disease earlier than ever - How AI digital twins can visualize the impact of lifestyle changes before you make them This is your chance to learn from a leading expert who has been at the forefront of innovations in treatment options for patients with diabetes and obesity. #DiabetesInnovation #HeartHealth #TheHeartOfInnovation #GlobalPADassociation #peripheralarterydisease #diabetescure #diabetestreatment #padsupport #legcramps #legpaintreatment
This Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation presents an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they welcome Thomas Francois, a peripheral artery disease amputee turned Santa Rosa Junior College baseball coach. Discover how Thomas views his amputation as a "gift" and a pivotal "Saul to Paul" moment in his life. Don't miss this powerful episode exploring: • Overcoming physical challenges • Finding purpose through adversity • Redefining success in sports and life Tune in to hear Thomas's remarkable journey from PAD patient to inspiring coach. #LimbLossAwareness #PADSurvivor #InspiringCoach #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #padawareness #amputationprevention
For the first time in over TWO DECADES, there's a new medication treatment approach for peripheral artery disease!
The groundbreaking STRIDE Trial has shown that semaglutide significantly improves walking ability and quality of life for those suffering from PAD with type 2 diabetes. JOIN US THURSDAY as we interview Dr. Marc Bonaca, co-investigator of this landmark study that revealed: ✅ 40-meter improvement in walking distance ✅ Significant quality of life benefits ✅ 54% reduction in disease progression requiring intervention ✅ Benefits potentially extending beyond weight loss This could be life-changing for millions who struggle with leg pain that limits everyday activities. Have questions about what this means for your PAD treatment? Drop them below and Dr. Bonaca will address them during our exclusive interview! #PADBreakthrough #DiabetesCare #STRIDETrial #PatientVoices #MedicalAdvancement #semaglutitude #ozempic #ozempicwalking #wegovywalking #wegovysupport #markbonaca #globalpadassociation #peripheralarterydisease #peripheralarterydiseasetreatment #claudicationcure
This Limb Loss Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation brings you an extraordinary story of resilience, advocacy, and patient-driven healthcare reform.
Robert Parant turned his struggles with diabetes and peripheral artery disease into a powerful force for change. Discover how he:
• Advocated for drug affordability alongside President Joe Biden • Advances cutting-edge diabetes research • Amplifies the voices of the amputee community
Tune in to hear one man's plight to change the landscape of diabetes and PAD care.
#DiabetesAdvocacy #LimbLossAwareness #PatientVoices #HealthcareInnovation
Tune in to The Heart of Innovation this week as we share an incredible story of a young woman who helped save her grandfather's life and now is trying to save others through organ donation advocacy.
Since it's National Kidney Month, Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Danica Almazan, RN and Miss Marin County 2025, whose family's courageous fight against kidney disease sparked a powerful mission of hope.
You might wonder why we are talking about kidney disease on a show about cardiovascular and vascular health. Kidney disease, especially in advanced stages can lead to peripheral artery disease, which is poor circulation in mainly the legs, and lead to amputation.
Many of the peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients both Kym and Dr. John support have CKD and ESRD, some of which are also in need of a kidney transplant.
They want to get the word out there on the importance of kidney health as well as raise awareness that all kidney disease patients should be checked for peripheral artery disease and to find a doctor who specializes in opening the small vessels below the knee and into the foot, which is where kidney disease patients are typically stricken with PAD.
Whether you're impacted by peripheral artery disease, kidney health challenges, or simply want to understand the power of family support, this episode is a must-watch!
#KidneyHealth #OrganDonation #TheHeartOfInnovation #NationalKidneyMonth #MissMarin2025 #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #CLI #criticallimbischemia
In our next episode of The Heart of Innovation, co-hosts Dr. John Phillips and Emmy award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas talk to the Founders of Storyboard Capital about how they're helping startups, including healthcare innovators, secure crucial funding and partnerships.
Michael Likosky and Jeff Kafka are literally announcing their launch on this show. So you don't want to miss this episode to discover how they're democratizing access to funding and resources for startups across various sectors, including healthcare:
• Unlocking hidden funding opportunities in government and private sectors • Connecting innovators with strategic partnerships, from tech to medicine • Empowering entrepreneurs with expert-level tools for investor engagement
Learn about their platform's impact on innovation ecosystems: ✅ Helping startups craft compelling narratives for diverse investors ✅ Navigating complex funding landscapes in multiple industries ✅ Facilitating collaborations between startups and established organizations
For healthcare innovators, Storyboard Capital offers specialized support in translating medical breakthroughs into fundable ventures and navigating industry-specific regulations.
Join us for this insightful discussion on how Storyboard Capital is reshaping the future of startup funding and corporate innovation across sectors.
#InnovationFunding #StartupSuccess #HealthTechInnovation #TheHeartOfInnovation #globalpadassociation #storyboardcapital #startupfunding #healthcareinnovation
Join Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas on The Heart of Innovation as they share Rose's story of perseverance and medical innovation Rose, an oil industry worker and antique seller, Had her life upended by undiagnosed peripheral artery disease (PAD): • Misdiagnosed for 4 years, with leg cramps attributed to low vitamin D • Struggled to walk across her 93-foot house without resting • PAD discovered only after a lung cancer removal procedure Her Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. John Davis, faced a challenge: Rose's severe PAD required a revolving door of interventions that needed to stop, but she wasn't a candidate for traditional bypass surgery. Enter a new, minimally invasive bypass technique that's keeping Rose on her feet so far without repeated procedures. Tune in to hear: • How Rose's PAD went undetected for years despite textbook symptoms • The unexpected connection between her lung cancer treatment and PAD diagnosis • Why this new bypass technique could be a game-changer for PAD patients Don't miss this eye-opening episode about the importance of proper PAD diagnosis and the promise of emerging treatments. #PADAwareness #PatientStory #MedicalInnovation #HeartOfInnovation #ptab #legbypass #bypassprocedure #arterybypass #PADstory #PADpatient #globalpadassociation #healthinnovation #healthcare innovation
Join Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas as they interview podiatrist Dr. Mark Hinkes on The Heart of Innovation. Discover a groundbreaking program to reduce unnecessary amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and critical limb ischemia. Dr. Hinkes shares essential strategies for healthcare professionals to assess, screen, and mitigate risks in diabetic patients. Learn about comprehensive foot exams, risk stratification, and how AI is shaping personalized diabetes care. Don't miss this crucial discussion on preventing lower extremity complications and saving limbs.
#DiabeticFootCare #AmputationPrevention #InnovativeHealthcare #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #pvdsupport #peripheralvasculardisease #DFUtreatment #amputation #amputationprevention #globalpadassociation
Reverend and Dr. Don J. Tynes cares so much for his patients. He will drive them across the State of Michigan if need-be to prevent amputation for those suffering in advanced stages of peripheral artery disease, known as Critical Limb Ischemia. He knows it's possible for doctors to at least try to open up arteries below the knee, but he has discovered that so many physicians tell patients it can't be done. He doesn't settle for that. He strives to ensure his patients have all options exhausted to save their limbs before an amputation is considered. He shares what sparked his passion for limb salvage and led him to become a medical missionary for patients with poor leg circulation. #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #pvdsupport #peripheralvasculardisease #CLI #globalpadassociation
Join us for an exciting episode of The Heart of Innovation on National PAD Awareness Day! Discover how a simple walk can be your body's natural bypass surgery. Learn: • The secret "back-up system" in your body • How pushing through pain grows new blood vessels • The right way to walk for maximum circulatory benefits Dive deep into the science of collateral vessels and learn why walking through discomfort could be the key to improving your circulation. #PADAwareness #WalkingIsMedicine #HeartOfInnovation #VascularHealth #peripheralarterydisease #sockittopad #padsupport #walkingpad #walkingwithpad #naturalbypass #amputation #amputationprevention
Don't Miss the Next Episode of "The Heart of Innovation" to learn more about a groundbreaking technology that helps treat pain, reduce inflammation, remove scar tissue, and heal wounds! Hosts Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist and Kym McNicholas, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist & CEO of Global PAD Association, interview Chris Bazzy, Co-founder of BioCell. Discover how BioCell's is: using electrical frequencies to combat inflammation, dissolving scar tissue with cutting-edge methods, and accelerating healing for diabetic foot wounds. We will explore how this technology differs from traditional treatments, the science behind electrical frequencies in healing, and whether tthis innovation may prevent amputations. Tune in for a shocking (pun intended!) look at the future of treating injuries, reducing pain, and healing wounds! #HeartOfInnovation #DiabeticWoundCare #MedTech #BioCell #peripheralarterydisease #peripheralarterydisease #microcurrent
In our latest episode of The Heart of Innovation, Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and interventional cardiologist Dr. John Phillips dive deep into the transformative world of regenerative farming with two extraordinary guests.
Groundbreaking Nutrient Density Research:
Recent studies reveal the incredible potential of regenerative agriculture:
- 21% More Nutrients: The Bionutrient Food Association found regeneratively-grown vegetables contain significantly more nutrients than USDA averages
-
Mineral Boost: Regenerative wheat shows:
- 58% more selenium
- 27% more zinc
-
Vitamin Power: Regenerative vegetables demonstrate:
-
22% more iron
- 19% more vitamin C
Why Regenerative Farming Matters:
Conventional industrial agriculture has led to:
- Declining soil health
- Reduced nutrient density in crops
- Increased nutrient deficiencies in communities
Regenerative Agriculture Offers:
- Improved soil microbiome
- Enhanced crop nutrient profiles
- Increased food security
- Reduced environmental impact
Special Guests: • Richard Lackey, World Food Bank Chairman • Joni Kindwall-Moore, Snacktivist Foods CEO
Political Landscape: With RFK Jr. potentially leading Health & Human Services and championing regenerative agriculture, we explore how this approach could revolutionize our food system.
Key Discussion Points:
- What is regenerative farming?
- How does it differ from modern agricultural practices?
- Potential impact on nutrient density and public health
- Economic and environmental benefits
The Science Behind the Transformation: Regenerative practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and diverse crop rotations create:
- Healthier soil microbiomes
- More resilient ecosystems
- Nutrient-rich food systems
Emerging Research Insight: Regenerative agriculture isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about creating a holistic approach to food production that benefits:
- Soil health
- Plant nutrition
- Human wellness
- Environmental sustainability
Tune in to discover how regenerative farming is set to transform our understanding of food, nutrition, and ecological balance!
#RegenerativeFarming #FutureOfFood #Nutrition #HealthyEating #SustainableAgriculture #peripheralarterydisease #cardiovasculardisease #heartdisease #paddiet #hearthealth
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips this week on The Heart of Innovation as we dive deep into a groundbreaking solution for men struggling with enlarged prostate:
🔬 Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE): - A game-changing, minimally invasive procedure - Featuring expert insights from: - Dr. Michael "Misha" Ginsburg (Bloomfield, CT) - Dr. Osman Ahmed (Chicago, IL)
We'll uncover: ✓ What is an enlarged prostate? ✓ Who does it impact? ✓ What causes it? ✓ Symptoms patients experience ✓ ALL treatment options - including the revolutionary PAE
🚨 The Hidden Battle: Insurance companies are blocking access to innovative treatments, forcing patients into more invasive procedures with longer recovery times.
🎧 Don't Miss This Critical Conversation! Tune in to learn how medical innovation is fighting to give patients better, less invasive healthcare options.
Saving Legs, Saving Lives:
When Hector faced the terrifying prospect of leg amputation, his wife Melissa became his lifeline.
🚨He has what's known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a silent threat more prevalent and deadlier than breast, colon, and prostate cancer COMBINED.
Join us on The Heart of Innovation as Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas dive deep into Hector's journey with Hector, his wife Melissa, and his Podiatrist Dr. Amy Bodart. Learn how early detection and the right specialists can literally save your limbs—and your life.
🔍 Key Takeaways: - Recognize early PAD symptoms: Neuropathy, leg pain, cramps, restless legs - Understand the critical importance of limb salvage specialists - Hear a powerful story of hope and medical breakthrough
Make sure to tune in on Saturday, February 18 for this powerful story!
If you are reading this and have symptoms of PAD and/or have questions about your care, call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at (415) 233-2730 for immediate guidance.
Don't wait. Your leg could depend on it. 💪
🌟 Get Ready to Meet A Doctor Who Practices What He Preaches 🩺💃
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and an Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips as we dive into the inspiring story of the "Zumba Doctor" - Dr. Raymond E. Poliquit, a pediatrician who's taking social media by storm!
🔥 Tune in to discover how a medical professional became a viral dance sensation 🔥
🕺 Learn about his journey from medical practice to inspiring thousands through free online Zumba sessions on Facebook and through his own El Doco Loco Dance Studio!🕺🏽
Don't miss this fun episode of The Heart of Innovation - where medicine meets movement!
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips in this eye-opening episode of "The Heart of Innovation." Discover the alarming gaps in healthcare that contribute to inadequate care for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition deadlier than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Learn how the Global PAD Association is bridging these gaps, saving lives, and preventing amputations. If you experience leg pain, cramps, neuropathy, or sleepy legs, contact the Leg Saver Hotline at (415) 320-7138 or visit PADhelp.org for assistance. Don't miss this crucial conversation on improving PAD care and advocacy!
In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips explore why heart attacks are more prevalent during the winter months. Discover the potential impact of cold weather on circulation throughout the body and learn about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. We also discuss a newer warning sign that could be the new 'angina'—fatigue. Stay informed and protect your heart health this winter!
The Heart of Innovation host Kym McNicholas talks to El Paso Cardiology Associates Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Laiq Raja about the formation of the "Limb Savers Society" in El Paso, Texas and how El Paso Cardiovascular Associates' Peripheral Artery Disease treatment program has earned the designation as a Center of Excellence, one of only two in the Country. The mission of the Limb Savers Society is to provide education, advocacy and support research to help prevent unnecessary amputations in the El Paso community by promoting multidisciplinary team-based treatment for patients with peripheral artery disease, critical limb ischemia and non-healing wounds. Their annual one-day physician and clinician education event, CLIF Conference is taking place on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and show host Kym McNicholas is one of the speakers at the event as well as the Global PAD Association Board Member Dr. David Alper and strategic advisor Dr. Craig Walker. We talk about the event and the importance of educating other clinicians and physicians about advances in limb salvage to continue to reduce amputations for Peripheral Artery Disease and its advanced stage, known as Critical Limb Ischemia. For more information on the event, go to CLIFconference.org.
Don't Miss This Leg and Life-Saving Episode! Join us on this episode Save My Piggies for an incredible interview with Dr.Zola N'Dandu and his patient Samuel, who was on the brink of amputation due to Peripheral Artery Disease(PAD) - a condition more deadly than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. This patient faced Critical Limb Ischemia, the most advanced stage of PAD, and was told amputation was the only option. But thanks to his son Sam's discovery of DR. N'Dandu on Youtube, they found hope in a groundbreaking procedure called. Deep Vein Arterialzation. This "Hail Mary" technique reroutes blood flow around artery blackages using veins to heal non-healing wounds. Tune into hear Sam, Dr. Zola N'Dandu, and hosts Kym MchNicolas and Dr. John Phillips share this miraculous story of how a limb and life were saved.
Join this week's episode of The Heart of Innovation, where Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Advocate Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips explore the scientific advancements in intravascular lithotripsy technology.
Learn how this sophisticated sonic pressure wave system effectively modifies arterial calcium, enhancing vascular access and improving patient outcomes through minimally invasive procedures. 💥❤️
🎙️ Featured guest Scott Nelson, FastWave CEO, discusses:
✔️Current clinical applications of lithotripsy ✔️Technical principles behind sonic pressure waves ✔️Advancements in vascular treatment protocols
Join us for an in-depth analysis of this transformative technology revolutionizing cardiovascular and vascular medicine.
Join hosts Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips on KDOW radio as they dive deep into a critical issue in healthcare with special guest Alexandra Calingo, Program Specialist at American College of Healthcare Executives. 🔍 In this eye-opening episode, we explore: - Why empathy is more than just a "soft skill" - The impact of empathy (or lack thereof) on patient care - Real-life experiences that highlight the importance of compassion in healthcare - Practical tips for developing and nurturing empathy in professional settings 💡 "Empathy does not come naturally to everyone, but it is something that can be attained." - Alexandra Calingo Don't miss this crucial conversation about transforming healthcare through the power of human connection. Tune in to learn how we can all play a part in creating a more empathetic healthcare system.
As we approach the holiday season, we're tackling a topic that resonates with many of our listeners: maintaining a healthy mindset during festive times while managing cardiovascular or vascular diseases such as heart disease and peripheral artery disease. Today, we're thrilled to welcome lifestyle and mindset transformation coach, Nicole Marino who will share her expertise on: Navigating conversations with family and friends about your health limitations Addressing potential accommodations needed during holiday gatherings Managing expectations and emotions when faced with dietary restrictions or physical limitations Avoiding the pitfall of comparing your current capabilities to past experiences Steering clear of unhelpful "pity party" interactions Whether you're dealing with dietary constraints, reduced mobility, or the emotional weight of lifestyle changes, this episode aims to equip you with strategies to enjoy the holiday season fully. So, let's dive in and discover how to create a healthy, positive mindset that allows you to celebrate the holidays your way, without compromising your well-being or joy.
For More information visit ReviveMyLifestyle.com
Welcome to The Heart of Innovation. Today, we're talking about a silent killer - a genetic marker called Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), that can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
Lp(a) affects 1 in 5 people worldwide, yet most don't even know they have it until it's too late. In fact, Lp(a) can increase heart attack risk by 2-5 times. And many don't know they have it until it's too late, unfortunately.
But there may be hope on the horizon. New drug trials are underway that could help address this overlooked condition.
Joining us today to discuss what we know, and don't know, about Lp(a) is Dr. Harpreet Bhatia, Associate Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego Health System. We also have a couple of patients here to share their personal journeys with Lp(a).
Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are sharing the harrowing story of a Registered Technologist and Cardiac Invasive Specialist who almost lost her life to Breast Cancer after years of exposure to radiation during limb and life-saving procedures in the Cath Lab. In part one of this two-part series, Sheehan L. Raab shared her passion for saving limbs and her journey to diagnosis of breast cancer. This is part two where Raab candidly walks us through her fight to save her own life and what she learned along the way about the real dangers of radiation exposure, gaps in healthcare, and a critical need for an improved healthcare system for people with life-threatening ailments. Even if you didn't listen to part one of this series, tune into this episode because it's a powerful story that will drive home the importance of advocating for yourself or having someone advocate for you at the hospital.
Welcome to our special episode of "The Heart of Innovation." As we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're honored to have with us Sheehan L. Raab, a remarkable individual whose story embodies both the triumphs and challenges faced by medical professionals who suddenly become patients themselves.
Sheehan is a Registered Technologist and Cardiac Invasive Specialist with over two decades of experience in radiologic technology, interventional cardiology, and interventional radiology. Her journey from a passionate radiologist to a breast cancer survivor offers a unique perspective on the hidden risks faced by those working in fluoroscopy, particularly in Cath Labs and Interventional Radiology.
Today, Sheehan will share her harrowing experience of battling breast cancer, which she believes was influenced by years of radiation exposure during her career. Her story not only highlights the personal sacrifices made by medical professionals but also sheds light on the critical need for improved safety measures for physicians, clinicians, and technician as well as improved healthcare systems for those with life-threatening ailments.
Join us as we explore Sheehan's inspiring journey, her insights into the real dangers of radiation exposure, and her vision for a safer, more effective healthcare environment and improved empathy and care for patients.
Watch to see who is the recipient of the "Corporate Champion of PAD Awareness" Award.
The Corporate Champion of PAD Awareness Award honors a company that develops a company that develops products aimed at improving the care of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and actively engages in efforts to raise awareness about the condition.
The Global PAD IMPACT awards honor individuals and organizations across the globe who have made exceptional contributions to reach the field of PAD through research, innovation, patient education, advocacy, and/or professional leadership. Awardees are recognized for their selfless dedication to life and limb-saving care, advancing the field, and significantly improved the quality of life for PAD patients across the globe.
In today's show Kym McNicholas & Dr. John Philips talk to and honor Co-fonder of Reflow medical Isa Rizk truly delveing into their ideaologies and methods of following their mission statement:
"Partnering From Technology Development to Patient Treatment We believe that collaboration is key to developing products that enable physicians to help patients lead healthier lives. Working with our physician partners, our professional team continues to produce innovative medical devices used in practices every day."
Tune in to this groundbreaking episode of "The Heart of Innovation" where co-host Kym McNicholas and guest co-host Dr. Nik Patel interview Dr. James Joye, the 2024 PAD Impact Award winner and inventor of the revolutionary PTAB/Detour technology. Dr. Joye discusses his innovative minimally invasive bypass technique for treating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), performed through small keyhole-sized incisions. Learn about the inspiration behind this game-changing device, the challenges faced in bringing it to market, and its significant impact on patients with comorbidities like diabetes and chronic venous insufficiency. Discover how this breakthrough is transforming vascular surgery, offering hope to those previously considered unsuitable for traditional procedures, and shaping the future of PAD treatment.
On this episode of The Heart of Innovation with Emmy Award-winning journalist and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips, meet the "Vascular Luminary of the Year" award winner as recognized by the Global PAD Association. This award recognizes a doctor who excels in research, policy change, and advocacy around preventing, treating, and managing PAD and through these efforts, is helping to create the change patients want to see in care. This individual influences clinical practices, and dedicates efforts towards educating both the medical community and the public. Dr. Athanasios Saratzis, from Leicester, England is the Global PAD Association's "Vascular Luminary of the Year" award winner due to his relentless commitment to improving patient outcomes, advancing the field of PAD research, and fostering a healthier, more informed society. Watch this episode to hear more about Dr. Saratzis powerful plight to save life and limb across the globe.
Fruit has incredible benefits but for some sensitive to sugar, fruit can be dangerous. Nurse Practitioner Deidre Arms with Desire Wellness addresses attacks on the value of fruit, especially when it comes to diabetes. Host Kym McNicholas talks to NP Arms about fruit, its benefits, drawbacks, and how to maximize the antioxidant benefits.
Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Bumgarner with UNC REX Healthcare in North Carolina joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to kick off the Olympics with a discussion about the importance of staying fit but keeping in mind the idea that there is the possibility of too much of a good thing and how to mitigate risk for a heart attack
Author and Health Coach Neil Cannon, who wrote The Vitality Secret and The Vitality Code, is helping to heal his clients through electromagnetic waves. He has been working with show co-host Kym McNicholas' Dad, who has heart disease, helping to reduce his inflammation. So, she and co-host Dr. John Phillips decided to bring him on The Heart of Innovation to unlock the healing power of energy. The idea behind bioresonance is that energy frequencies can be manipulated to allow the body’s cells to vibrate at their “natural frequency,” which supposedly treats the condition. It's been used to help with smoking cessation, cancer, and vascular conditions. Even though there is reportedly no sound evidence that bioresonance is effective in diagnosing and treating disease, there are individual stories of success that Neil will share.
Remember to always check with your own healthcare provider to determine if grounding and bioresonance technologies are right for you or are contraindicated for your condition. Never act on any information provided in this show without explicit consent from doctors who know your medical situation best.
One of the biggest causes of amputations for diabetes patients is poor wound care. Different facilities offer different options leading to variances in outcomes. Anne Walsch, ANP-BC, CWOCN, ACHPN, AND WOC NP is joining us to talk about the gaps in wound care that led to her creating a digital solution. She is the brainchild behind "Wound Care Pro," an app that democratizes access to cutting edge treatments that clinicians can turn to when treating patients with wounds (to heal or palliate) & ostomies! It's available on iOS & Android.
If your doctor can't figure out why you have pain, cramping, burning, tingling, cold foot, or numbness in the back of your calf, it might be Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES). Symptoms can often mimic that of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Those symptoms, coupled with additional swelling, heavy legs, and even a blood clot may also indicate Vein Entrapment. Vascular Surgeon DR. Krishna Mannava, with Vive Vascular in Ohio has seen an increase in the number of patients and talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Philips about Why PAES is often overlooked and innovative approaches to ensure patients don't progress to amputation with this disorder.
Renowned Vascular Surgeon Dr. Krishna Jain talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about the increased insurance delays and denials for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a disease more prevalent and deadlier than most cancers combined. Patients with PAD, blocked arteries in mainly their legs, are suffering as vascular specialists are facing delays and denials from insurance companies upon their request to improve the quality of life for their patients by restoring blood flow using minimally invasive tools and techniques. This is leading to unconscionable suffering by patients who struggle with pain and cramping in their legs, some with wounds that won't heal on their feet. Dr. Jain explains that patients need to understand that Medicare Advantage Plans are not Medicare and they need to understand the benefits and drawbacks, especially if they have PAD.
SOUND mind, SOUND Body, SOUND Ocean Let's celebrate World Ocean Day June 8th through healing our mind, our body, and our spirit with the sound of the ocean while raising awareness for ocean conservation! We have a world renowned sound healer and ocean conservationist Joshua Sam Miller, the visionary founder of Embodied Sounds, joining us LIVE! (Link to his site: https://embodiedsounds.com/) Joshua isn't your typical advocate. He's a trailblazer at the intersection of art, mindfulness, and marine conservation. Through his pioneering work with Embodied Sounds, he's redefining how we connect with our oceans and inspiring tangible change. Picture this: whales as lead singers in a groundbreaking film. That's just a taste of Joshua's captivating project, Sounds of the Ocean. (Here's his site link: https://www.soundsoftheocean.com/) It's an immersive experience that not only enchants audiences but also serves as a potent educational tool, shining a spotlight on the critical need for ocean conservation. But here's where it gets even more exciting: Embodied Sounds has just launched their Global Campaign for World Oceans Day, offering planetariums and science centers worldwide a one-week free license to screen their film. This initiative isn't just about awareness—it's about action. It's about rallying communities around the globe to support local ocean conservation causes. You don't want to miss this powerful program where Joshua will teach us about immersive wellness experiences through sound, that allow you to reconnect with yourself. You will walk away with understanding the power of sound in healing not only your mind, your body, and your soul, but that of our valuable sea life
Brian Cuban, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, says "Trauma and Shame are the gatekeepers to happiness." Through his own journey of overcoming addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and bulimia, he learned that lesson and is committed to helping others learn how to build resilience as he did in order to persevere in the face of life's challenges. He will talk about not only his road to recovery, but how he used aspects of his story to become a sought-after speaker and best-selling author. His first novel, The Ambulance Chaser released as the #1 selling debut paperback thriller and his next novel, a crime thriller called, "The Body Brokers," is set for release in December 2024.
Mike Pawlawski shares his journey and his process for creating mental resilience to overcome adversity, including health challenges, in order to inspire others. Pawlawski is American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), Arena Football League (AFL), and XFL. He played college football for the California Golden Bears where he led them to a 10–2 record and a No. 8 national ranking in 1991. He is currently a sought-after inspiration speaker, the host of Gridiron Outdoors on Outdoor Channel, and is a radio color commentator for Cal football on KGO 810 and the Cal radio network.
Marcia is a retired XRay Tech who is fighting to save her legs and the legs of others. After a University vascular surgeon told her amputation was the next logical step in her care, she found the Global PAD Association (GPAD), who helped her obtain a second opinion from Interventional Radiologist Dr. Arthur Lee. Dr. Lee was able to offer her a different treatment option that has kept her legs in tact so far. She is committed to now helping to raise awareness for peripheral artery disease, blocked arteries in mainly the legs, through her new initiative, in partnership with GPAD, called #LightARedCandleDay where she's encouraging physicians, clinicians, patients, and industry to light a red candle of commitment on June 1, 2024. Participants are urged to share a video or picture of that candle lighting on social media along with a message which includes their summer walking goal to improve their circulation to prevent or stall progression of PAD. Those interested in helping to share the importance of walking as medicine, can learn more and get their candles at www.LightARedCandle.org. If that isn't enough, she's also working with GPAD to launch Moving Mondays with Marcia, where each week she and other exercise experts offer free online classes to help patients with PAD improve their circulation. The first session is Monday, May 13, 2024. Patients can learn more by joining our support group at www.padsupportgroup.com
A new study in Science Direct, shows a disturbing trend in a younger demographic of patients with an advanced stage of Peripheral Artery Disease, or poor circulation in their legs. It’s known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). The study shows an increase in CLI patients age 18 to 40 from 2016 – 2020. One reason is an increase in adolescent diabetes T2. Another reason is doctors telling patients they’re too young to have poor circulation. It’s typically an ‘old person’s disease’. So, younger patients who experience leg pain and leg cramps are brushed off in early stages, leaving their disease to advance to a point where they’re a toe stub away from amputation with their arteries blocked extensively, restricting blood flow to their feet. The key is to educate primary care doctors and podiatrists about PAD and arm them with the ability to test for it so that patients can get diagnosed sooner when conservative treatment, which consists of medication, insulin control, and lifestyle modifications, is enough to stall disease progression. That’s why the Global PAD Association is partnering with PAD test maker Biomedix, to help patients find a primary care doctor or podiatrist who have additional experience with PAD and offer a test in their clinic. Biomedix CEO John Romans talks about the partnership which includes the launch of PADtest.org where patients can search for a doctor with their PADnet test in office in case it’s medically appropriate to conduct additional vascular assessment upon presentation of PAD symptoms, which may include neuropathy, leg cramps, leg pain, heaviness, or weakness.
Dr. Michael Dansinger is leading our discussion during this episode about how to fix the Diabetes epidemic that the American Diabetes Association says impacts one in every two U.S. adults. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his new Diabetes Reversal Program that's launched in Massachusettes, which he hopes to scale across America. One of his patients will join the discussion to talk about how the program has helped her and where she still struggles to remain compliant. Dr. Dansinger is a renowned expert in wellness, working with hit cable TV show, 'The Biggest Loser," as Medical Director for the Lifestyle Program at Boston Heart Diagnostics, author of the Tufts University Popular Diet Trial, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in January of 2005, and having served as an expert with Medscape and WebMD since 2005.
Tune Into a special episode of the Heart of innovation though our save my piggies deep dive.
The Heart of Innovation hosts Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips talk to Aortic Hope founder Carin Andersen about her journey as a patient that led her to create a foundation to help others at-risk of and suffering from an aortic aneurysm. We talk about signs and symptoms of an aneurysm as well as how to talk to your doctor about checking if you are at-risk. We also discuss the support system she's created through Aortic Hope for herself and others who've been diagnosed with aortic disease.
In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Special Guest: Dr. Anahita Dua take front and center stage with discussions on blood thinners and talking with callers.
In this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips delve into the groundbreaking advancements in limb salvage tools and techniques for patients with advanced stage peripheral artery disease, also known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). Join us as we interview Howard Leonhardt, the Executive Chairman & CEO at Leonhardt Ventures LLC and Lionheart Health, a pioneering figure at the forefront of research and development in the field. Leonhardt sheds light on their team's innovative work in the development of bioelectrical stimulation signaling sequences, which have the remarkable ability to regulate the release of Klotho, a potent anti-aging and regeneration-promoting protein. If you are low in circulating Klotho you are aging more rapidly. Howard has patented a way to increase your circulating Klotho dramatically with bioelectric stimulation. Leonhardt Ventures is leading the charge as the world’s first Innovation Accelerator, with a focus on the convergence of bioelectrics & biologics for organ regeneration, longevity, wellness, and healing. Additionally, Lionheart Health is driving the commercialization of a full pipeline of Leonhardt patented inventions, targeting MedSpas and Sports Medicine Clinics, while also planning to establish numerous Lionheart Health Longevity and Wellness MedSpas over the next 5 years. Tune in to explore how this transformative technology platform featuring bioelectric stimulation controlled release of key anti-aging and health improvement proteins is poised to revolutionize not only limb salvage but also the broader landscape of longevity and wellness.
Amputations within the African American community occur at a staggering 3-4 times higher rate than their white counterparts, underscoring the urgent need to galvanize the community and other stakeholders to engage in candid discussions about the prevalent gaps in communication and care for a disease more prevalent and deadlier than all cancers combined, except lung cancer, known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk about the key takeaways from The Global PAD Association’s event series, "PAD: The Lived African American Experience," which seeks to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to collaboratively develop tangible solutions to address these disparities that lead to people of color not getting appropriate testing and treatment to save their limbs and life. Also, in this episode of "The Heart of Innovation," Shannon shares her powerful life and limb saving story you don't want to miss that will drive you to run toward a second, third, even fourth opinion before consenting to any interventional or surgical procedure.
Diabetes has a deadly secret. Even one extra sugar molecule floating around your blood can damage your arteries putting you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and amputation. ABC News Live Correspondent Steve Osunsami knows this all too well from watching his Dad suffer from Diabetes and one of its most prevalent and deadly complications, known as Peripheral Artery Disease, which is poor circulation mainly in the legs due to plaque build-up. In this episode, Steve talks to The Heart of Innovation's Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his Dad's story and its influence on pitching his team to do a story to spread awareness of the diabetes epidemic and the serious repercussions of not getting it under control, and fast. Tune into this episode to hear the backstory of the new ABC News Live feature, "Severed," in which a dozen ABC team members who worked on it all were personally impacted by diabetes and/or related amputations.
Amputations within the African American community occur at a staggering 3-4 times higher rate than their white counterparts, underscoring the urgent need to galvanize the community and other stakeholders to engage in candid discussions about the prevalent gaps in communication and care. In this episode, The Heart of Innovation seeks to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to discuss some of the disparities patients feel are interfering with timely, effective, life and limb-saving care for poor circulation in their legs known as peripheral artery disease.
Join Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas in a compelling episode of "The Heart of Innovation." This week, our guest is micronutrient expert and health coach Steph Vukovich, known for her specialization in micronutrients and their impact on overall metabolic health.
In today's world, chronic diseases stand as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, presenting a formidable global health challenge. Understanding the interplay of genetic and environmental factors throughout life is paramount in addressing the predisposition to obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Substantial evidence has underscored the pivotal role of macronutrients and micronutrients in programming metabolic diseases early in life.
This episode aims to shed light on the critical role of micronutrients in developing effective preventive strategies to counter the global burden of non-communicable diseases. By delving into the intricate relationship between micronutrients and metabolic health, our guest, Steph Vukovich, will provide invaluable insights and actionable strategies for promoting overall well-being.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the transformative potential of micronutrients in shaping a healthier future. Tune in to "The Heart of Innovation" and be part of the movement toward preventive health strategies.
This week on The Heart of Innovation, hosted by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas, the focus is on the relationship between leg pain and heart health. Since February is American Heart Month, we invited Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Jason Yoho, who practices in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, and his patient Douglas, to share a life-saving story. Douglas had what's called, Peripheral Artery Disease, which is poor circulation in mainly the leg arteries, and doctors didn't check his heart arteries until it was almost too late. Did you know that three-in-five people who suffer a heart attack have plaque in their leg arteries? If only a doctor would have checked their leg pulses regularly, life and limb might be saved. In this episode, we hope you learn from Douglas' story, including the critical tests and questions to discuss with your doctor.
Welcome to the first Episode of Save My Piggies on the Heart of Innovation in 2024!
Today Dr. John Phillips Leads the discussion with Dr. John Robert Coates a Primary Care Physician, from Ontario Canada, on a story talking about Hypercoaguability. It is a huge issue, as advanced blood work doesn't show a known risk factor for blood clots and yet his and other families have fallen victim in some form to them. The story on today's show focuses on his sister Melissa. She was a model & wrestler. A very active person prior to this condition in Las Vegas. Unfortunately having to receive an amputation was devastating her career. The recovery was long and arduous with multiple casting for prosthetics. By June of the next year she died in her sleep. They claim she had cardiomyopathy. Before she died she talked a lot about trying to help others with limb loss. So, that's what her brother John now is trying to do... is figure out ways to raise his sister's voice and help others.
This week on The Heart of Innovation Hosted by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Philips and Emmy Award Winning Journalist Kym McNicholas, The focus is on groundbreaking treatment for hard-to-treat blood pressure. The featured guest is Interventional Cardiologist Dr Eric Secemsky, Director of Vascular Intervention at BIDMC and Section head of Intervetional Cardiology and Vascular research at the Richard. A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology at BIDMC. Dr. Secemsky delves into the prevalence of high blood pressure, affecting nearly half of American adults, with many being unaware of their condition or facing challenges in consistently accessing or adhering to medications. Shockingly only one in four individuals with high blood pressure have it under control, underscoring the urgency of addressing this public health concern. The discussion highlights the subset of patients facing treatment resistant hypertension, where standard medication prove ineffective or intolerable, posing increased risks of heart of disease, stroke, and cardiovascular complications. Dr. Secemsky introduces the pioneering procedure of renal denervation (RDN), which involves permanently disrupting the nerves, controlling the kidneys' arteries. This innovative approach, developed, offers a potential solution for bringing treatment resistant hypertension back under control, offering hope for patients facing persistent challenges in managing their condition. The episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the groundbreaking RDN procedure, offering valuable insights into a first-of-its kind treatment for high blood pressure. Dr. Secemsky's expertise and the innovative advancements in cardiovascular care showcased in this episode underscore the ongoing pursuit of transformative solutions in the field of interventional cardiology. Tune into * The Heart Of Innovation* for an in-depth discussions on this breakthrough treatment for hypertension and its potential impact on reshaping the landscape of vascular care.
Fisayo Oluwadiya is a principal software engineer for a large organization, working remotely from Manhattan who's side hustle is developing a web application to help people with special dietary requirements find the best restaurants that meet their needs. This idea stemmed from her self-proclaimed obsession with food. While working as an engineer for big name organizations such as JP Morgan, Major League Baseball, and Nordstrom, she has always written restaurant reviews as a food blogger. It wasn't until she joined her current employer, a large entertainment organization, that she decided to turn her passion into something more impactful, combining it with her talents as a software engineer. During this episode, Fisayo Oluwadiya will discuss her new personalized eating out guide she's developed to help make it easier for people with special dietary preferences to find their best meal match.
While show co-host Kym McNicholas is on assignment in the Pacific exploring how Princess Cruise Lines adapts its service for vascular and cardiovascular patients, Dr. John Phillips takes the reigns and invites two other renowned vascular and cardiovascular specialists from Texas for a candid conversation about patient care. Vascular Surgeon Dr. Miguel Montero Baker and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Lucas Ferrer discuss not only their draw to practicing medicine but also the frustrations in trying to care for patients that they didn’t expect to experience in their plight to save life and limb. They’ll also share details on their new podcast you’ll definitely want to subscribe to after hearing these two interact. Click on the link to listen to this not-to-miss insider conversation and learn what doctors talk about when patients aren’t in clinic. It's guaranteed to be a lively discussion.
Doctors don't always have the opportunity to hear about the impact they've had on their patients. So, Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist/patient advocate Kym McNicholas talk to patients who have a disease that's deadlier than all cancers combined, except lung cancer, called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD is a circulation issue in the legs that left untreated can lead to amputation, stroke, and heart attack. Patient Alan offers his thanks to Dr. Kumar Madassery at Rush Hospital as well as Dr. Jihad Mustapha at Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Centers in Michigan, along with his vascular surgeons in Indiana. Nancy thanks Dr. James Antezana, a vascular surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina for his care. Charles shares his appreciation for Dr. Michael Siah, a vascular surgeon in Dallas for saving his limbs as well as TheWayToMyHeart.org for supporting his wife through the journey. And Douglas shares his appreciation for Dr. Mehrzad Zarghouni for not only saving his legs but also his life.
In the latest episode of "The Heart of Innovation," hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips delve into the challenging journey of Dee and her 90-year-old mother, who is facing the complex issue of non-healing wounds caused by Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries that can prevent critical nutrients, including oxygen, from reaching muscles, tissue, and nerves clear to the foot - nutrients that are essential for wound healing. Dee's mother has been struggling with a non-healing wound on her toe since 2019, which has led to a series of complications. From oxygen therapy to the diagnosis of osteomyelitis (bone infection), they have explored various treatments, but wounds persist. Now, Dee is determined to find the best specialist and facility to give her mother the greatest chance of success and minimize complications, which may include clearing blockages in her Mom's arteries below-the-knee and below-the-ankle into the pedal-plantar artery loop in the foot. In this episode, the hosts bring together a panel of experts in the field of PAD treatment, including Dr. Christopher Lee Stout, a Vascular Surgeon from Ozark Vascular in Arkansas, and Dr. Dan Simon, an Interventional Radiologist from Edison Radiology Group in New Jersey. Alongside show co-host Dr. John Phillips, an Interventional Cardiologist, they provide valuable insights and answer Dee's pressing questions. They focus specifically on the advanced stage of PAD, known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), characterized by leg pain, leg cramps at night, and non-healing wounds on the foot or toe. The panel of physicians aims to address Dee's concerns and guide her in making informed decisions to save her mother's limb and improve her quality of life. They discuss the value of a multidisciplinary approach to treating CLI. They also drive home the importance of ensuring whomever she chooses has experience with treating an elderly patient with series comorbidities that include chronic heart failure (CHF) and advanced stage kidney disease, Plus, they educate Dee on the advance skillset and tools required to reduce radiation and contrast die during the procedure which could result in complete kidney failure.
In this episode, host Kym McNicholas shares a personal story about her father's battle with blood clots. Joined by InterventionalCardiologist Dr. Jay Mathews and Pain Specialist Dr. Efrain Rivera, they delve into the challenges her father faced after a fall and subsequent sedentary recovery period. Initially misdiagnosed with back issues, they explore how the discovery of blood clots in his lungs and leg veins changed the treatment approach. Together, the medical experts provide guidance on available treatment options, offer valuable insights, and equip listeners with essential questions to ensure the best care for their loved ones. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of blood clots and how to become a proactive advocate for your family's health.
Co-host Kym McNicholas is LIVE at the CLI-F Multidisciplinary limb salvage conference by The Limb Saver Society in El Paso, Texas. She is joined by conference co-founder Lorena Henderson to talk about its focus, which is on complex revascularization techniques, wound care, podiatry and infectious disease best practices for amputation prevention. Also joining Kym is Podiatrist Dr. Gary Grindstaff and Pain Specialist Dr. Efrain Rivera to talk about managing patients with vascular issues and chronic pain. They discuss medication and other modalities to try and bring some relief either temporary or long-term for these patients.
Show co-host Kym McNicholas surprises co-host Dr. John Phillips with a live thank you from a patient after saving her limb and her sister's life. You don't want to miss the story these two sisters share of their fight against genetics and the lessons both physicians and patients need to learn in order to prevent heart disease and peripheral artery disease from reaching advanced stages where heart attack, stroke, and amputation are imminent.
Innovative Food software company Innit's CEO Kevin Brown shares some easy ways to make your Thanksgiving Day favorites just a little bit healthier. He is cooking alongside show co-host Kym McNicholas in his home kitchen while a patient with peripheral artery disease, which is blocked arteries in mainly the legs, shares her favorite farro stuffing recipe. Don't go shopping until you find out some quick and easy substitute ingredients that will sacrifice calories and fat, not flavor. Show co-host Dr. John Phillips shares why you don't have to completely overhaul your entire thanksgiving day feast one day out of the year but just make some adjustments in order to live a longer, healthier life.
We were live ahead of the The African American Male Wellness Agency Walk in Los Angeles talking to their director Jhade Barnes to talk about the need to improve access and care for African American Men. Since 2004, The AAMW agency has produced a 5K Walk & Run (The Walk) in over 15 cities as an awareness campaign to spotlight the fact that Black Men get Peripheral Artery Disease and Diabetes related amputations at 4x that of their white counterparts and die on average 12 years earlier than their white counterparts. They have incredible partners such as Johnson & Johnson and The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson that provide free testing and information to help Black men live longer from preventable diseases like PAD. This year The Way To My Heart, EZ Care Link, and Philips Healthcare had the opportunity to provide support for this wonderful mission! Celebrity fitness trainer Dion Jackson was also at the event to help inspire better health through exercise.
Salih Hendricks was diagnosed with diabetes as a teen and no one warned him of the potential for vascular complications that comes with an imbalance of sugar in the bloodstream. He shares his personal experience with diabetes, which includes facing challenges such as the rupture of blood vessels behind his eyes, which nearly caused him to lose his vision, as well as the amputation of his leg due to the accumulation of plaque in his leg arteries, restricting blood flow to his foot. Salih has transformed the lessons he learned along his journey into a life purpose, dedicated to assisting others who are also afflicted by diabetes and associated artery issues. His aim is to provide support and guidance to those who face similar struggles.
Individuals with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) describe the pain caused by artery blockages restricting blood flow to their feet as having a tourniquet wrapped tightly around their thigh and calf causing their muscles, tissues, and nerves below to scream for much needed oxygen and other nutrients. Timing is critical to diagnose and treat PAD whether with medication, lifestyle modifications, and/or interventional/surgical approaches because once tissue and nerves are damaged due to lack of blood flow,pain may be permanent. Few options are available to bring relief for that neuropathy pain and chiropractic and general wellness practices across the country are preying upon these individuals with band-aid options which come at a high price. But some physicians are working on clinical solutions that are much more effective and durable for these patients who have had their blood flow restored and still can’t get relief from PAD, diabetic neuropathy, or even phantom pain following amputation. Southern Vascular & Pain Management Center Interventional Radiologists Dr. Stephen Leschak and Dr. Thomas Hodgkiss join Emory University Vice Chair for imaging intervention and division director for interventional radiology Dr. David Prologo in talking about innovative approaches to managing pain and questions to ask your doctor to know if they’re right for you.
Charles Winters thought he could breathe a sigh of relief after the gift of a lifetime, a kidney transplant, saved his life. But after his fight for life, he found himself fighting for limb. Doctors hadn’t told him Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients are at an increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), blocked arteries in mainly the leg arteries which restrict blood flow, and steps that could be taken such as with diet and exercise to prevent it. So, after he recovered from a kidney transplant and had just started getting his life back in order, he found himself back in the hospital fighting to avoid amputation. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about his life and limb-saving journey that is certain to give others hope that it’s possible to live a longer, better quality of life, if only you stand up and advocate for what you feel is right for your care.
Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease have an increased risk of developing limb-threatening plaque build-up in their leg arteries that restricts blood flow, a disorder known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). That’s why Terry Litchfield, who fought alongside her husband Bill who was a dialysis dependent CKD patient for more than 50 years, is sinking her teeth into prevention efforts and advances in treatment for those with advanced disease that tends to settle in the calf and foot arteries, which are tougher to tackle. She joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips in talking about gaps in care for CKD and PAD patients and innovative ways in which sees care evolving to help patients live a longer, healthier life. Terry has dedicated her life to advocacy, turning her passion into her profession as President of Access Solutions, which offers patient Advocacy consulting services related to the renal dialysis field. She’s also an author and expert in patient engagement and satisfaction so you don’t want to miss highlights from her publications.
Blood clots are a common occurrence that can have fatal consequences. However, they can be prevented by understanding the risk factors, recognizing the signs, and seeking prompt medical attention. This is an important topic, especially with World Thrombosis Day taking place annually on October 13. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) organizes this global initiative to raise awareness about thrombosis, a condition that is often overlooked or misunderstood. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in veins or arteries, leading to serious health risks such as deep vein thrombosis(DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, and heart attack. In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Dr. Thomas Tu, Chief Medical Officer for Inari Medical. Inari Medical has developed a groundbreaking device that offers a new approach to treating blood clots. The discussion focuses on how clots form, the reasons behind their formation, the individuals who are most vulnerable, the signs and symptoms to watch out for, and the various natural and medical options available to reduce the risk of fatal outcomes.
Interventional Cardiologist Barry Tedder has been advocating for months for one of his patients to undergo a potentially life-saving procedure that uses minimally invasive methods instead of surgery. Unfortunately, their insurance has denied coverage for it, causing frustration for Dr. Tedder and unimaginable suffering for his patient. This situation is not unique - insurance companies are consistently denying reimbursement requests from physicians for minimally invasive procedures that aim to open up the arteries of patients suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). P.A.D., a disease that is more prevalent and deadlier than all cancers combined (excluding lung cancer), causes severe leg pain during physical activity and can even disrupt sleep due to restricted blood flow caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. Vascular specialists are urging insurance companies to cover the necessary procedures to alleviate the suffering and prevent limb loss, but these requests are being consistently denied. To talk about these denials, Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by Dr. Barry Tedder.
Get ready for the unscripted, candid stories of patients and their experiences along their journey with a disease more prevalent and deadlier than all cancers combined except for lung cancer. It's called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which is poor circulation in mainly the leg arteries. Juanita talks about her experience that led her to amputation without a PAD Diagnosis. Without a PAD diagnosis, she didn't know that her arteries need to and could potentially be opened up by an advanced skilled doctor. She explains, that if it weren't for her daughter finding Dr. Jihad Mustapha at Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Centers in Michigan on Twitter, she would've lost more than her toes. When doctors wanted to remove her leg below-the-knee, she got in her car and drove to Michigan where Dr. Mustapha was able to maintain her legs in tact for the last seven years. She urges everyone, especially the African American Community which is up to four times likely to have their leg amputated than others, to always get a second opinion from a doctor who will fight alongside you to keep you walking on two feet. You don't want to miss her powerful message also to the the medical community to take a stand against amputation and treat patients as if they were family. Karen and her husband Axel join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips, along with guest physician Dr. James Antezana, to drive home the importance of getting a second opinion as a title and white coat don't guarantee the best, most advanced limb salvage options. Karen was locked into an HMO in the San Francisco Bay Area with a Vascular Surgeon only a year out of fellowship who would only offer a surgical procedure known as an axillobifemoral bypass, which entails placing a tube from the shoulder to groin and splits off into both legs to bypass blockages in her aorta and iliac arteries. This procedure is rarely performed as frontline therapy and is considered palliative care in the UK because it has low durability and high mortality rate. A second opinion from her doctor's superior only affirmed the axillo bypass as the best strategy. A third opinion at a different facility within the HMO shed light on an even more dire issue, blocked renal arteries. But he declined to take over her care due to corporate politics. They found TheWayToMyHeart.org, which directed them to a known limb saver outside of the HMO, but the HMO decline coverage as
Karen's care team was confident in their care plan. They decided to pursue the consult on their own dime and discovered Karen was months away from dialysis with a narrowing in her renal arteries upwards of 90-percent. Her HMO vascular surgeons denied the need to address her renal arteries, brushing the one 'shriveled' up kidney as likely a birth defect. They took money out of their life savings to not only have Dr. James Joye open up her renal arteries but also her aorta and renal arteries in a minimally invasive way using wires, balloons, and stents. A year later and she is continuing to thrive. Axel says, "I have my wife back."
The most vulnerable populations suffering from poor circulation, known as Peripheral Artery Disease Who are at-risk of amputation, are those living in Medical Deserts. A "medical desert" describes a community lacking access to medical necessities, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. For the PAD patient, that medical necessity is a vascular specialist. One-third of hospitals across the U.S have postings for vascular surgeons, and because of that patients are progressing to a limb-threatening stage of the, known as critical limb ischemia, where the threat of amputation is real without timely, effective, limb-saving care. If only there was a way for vascular specialists in other areas to help physicians in medical deserts better care for these patients? That's the Idea behind Zivian Health. Co-Founder Dr.Rafid Fadul, an Intensive Care Pulmonologist, shares how Zivian Health is striving to improve collaboration amongst physicians across the globe. By connecting physicians across geographical boundaries and leveraging technology-driven solutions like telemedicine, Zivian Health aims to Bridge the gap between medical deserts and areas with greater access to specialized care.
Insufficient nourishment is responsible for 20% of deaths worldwide (INHME) and contributes to a range of chronic illnesses. The costs associated with unhealthy eating habits have surpassed $11 trillion, exceeding the value of the global food industry, which stands at $9 trillion according to WEF reports. While our health care system has yet to find an effective approach to improving poor dietary habits on a large scale,fortunately, technological advancements are bridging the gap by offering more tailored and practical guidance for individuals' daily nutritional needs. Innit, a technology company, has introduced FoodLM™,the world's first Generative AI platform that incorporates expert validation of dieting practices, cooking methods, and healthy eating requirements. Through FoodLM (Language Model), Innit addresses the pressing need for reliable AI solutions in the global food industry. This innovative platform enables grocery retailers, brands,and healthcare providers to deliver AI-powered food services with unprecedented personalization and precision for consumers. CEO Kevin Brown joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips in a conversation about the capabilities of FoodLM. They explore how this technology goes beyond simple keyword search to understand user intent, offering retailers an advanced semantic search solution.By leveraging FoodLM, brands can deliver personalized AI assistance to consumers throughout their entire culinary journey - from choosing products to cooking them. Additionally, for healthcare providers aiding patients with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, FoodLM offers science-backed support for healthy eating and using food as a form of medicine.
Cotton gauze, Telfa pads, Raytec sponges, lap pads and surgical towels release lint that can put patients at risk. Significant complications have been associated with lint being introduced into the body. Norm "Fuzzy" Furbush is the Founder/CEO of Syntervention that develops innovative products that reduce lint contamination, procedure time, and overall costs to the hospital. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about how he's come up with these inventions and offers advice to others who want to bring healthcare devices to market.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that in 2021, 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. In fact, some in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds and dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds. A stroke occurs when a vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked and prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. What are the symptoms of a stroke? How do you prevent a stroke? How do you know if your local hospital can effectively treat a stroke? That's what Dr. Arash Padidar, Interventional Radiologist with Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions in San Jose, California, is talking about on this week's show.
Engaging in a mere five-minute daily fitness routine, termed as "strength training for your breathing muscles," can significantly lower blood pressure and enhance certain vascular health indicators. This is equally or even more effective than aerobic workouts or medicines, according to fresh research from University of Colorado Boulder. Sid Garza-Hillman, Wellness Director for California, luxury, plant-based eco-resort The Stanford Inn along the Mendocino Coast joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to share the evolution of eco-tourism with an increased focus on improving your mind, body, and spirit while reducing your carbon footprint on vacation. Sid walks us through a powerful breathing exercise and offers new insights into the latest research on eating vegan, but healthy.
Chronic illnesses can be classified under multiple umbrellas. But allergies are only official classified as an immune disorder. Should allergies be classified as a blood disorder as the histamine response occurs in the blood stream? Histamine is the chemical that is found in mast cells. When they leave the mast cells,histamines boost blood flow in the area of your body the allergen affected which can lead to certain symptoms depending on the part of the body where the histamine release occurs. For some it can lead to significant heart palpitations and anaphylactic shock, which can impact the circulatory system. In this episode Nurse Janara Iman-Thomas is going to talk about how pollens and foods get into the blood stream to cause allergies. She will share her passion for helping patients diagnose these allergies and prevent them from overburdening the immune system and reduce the inflammatory response in our bodies.
⦁ What are allergies. a histamine response in your blood.
- Once in blood stream – body knows what belongs there...
- Things that shouldn’t belong there... it has an immune response
- Body creates an antibody against those things....
- Sends out a little army of histamines and says attack.
- If it’s the first time... then your immune system handles ok.
- Then the next time it sees it – it is going to attack bigger.
- Building up a response to the point where you start having symptoms.
- It means your immune system is functioning, but overload.
- That’s where severe allergies happen.
⦁ How can allergies impact your cardiovascular system. Heart palpitations, high blood pressure, lack of oxygen in the blood
⦁ What are the different types of allergies - inhalants vs foods
- let's talk about how they each get into the bloodstream
⦁ How do allergies occur? how do they evolve over time.
- many want to know in detail how they go from a tree and mold or plant to food you eat
⦁ Advances in diagnosis
⦁ Advances in treatments
Cardiovascular diseases and allergic diseases occur commonly in developed countries. They lead to serious health complications and significantly impair the quality of life. Both types of diseases are characterized by excessive inflammatory processes. Recent studies suggest a link between allergy and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, resulting from over activity of the immune system in allergic diseases and increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators, which has been well documented in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.Data from the National Health Interview Survey demonstrated adults with a history of allergic disorders have an increased risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, with the highest risk seen in Black male adults. The study is being presented at ACC Asia 2022 Together with the Korean Society of Cardiology Spring Conference on April 15-16, 2022."For patients with allergic disorders, routine evaluation of blood pressure and routine examination for coronary heart disease should be given by clinicians to ensure early treatments are given to those with hypertension or coronary heart disease," said Yang Guo, PhD, Department of Dermatology at the Institute of Dermatology at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, and the study's lead author.
Once a procedure is performed to improve blood flow in the legs for a circulation issue known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), it starts the clock for the next one. PAD is a progressive disease in which the best treatment lay in patient compliance to appropriate medications and lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, diet, and diabetes management. That's why Interventional Cardiologists Dr. John Phillips and Dr. Ashish Gupta discuss the importance of ensuring all conservative options are exhausted prior to any attempt to restore blood flow manually using wires, balloons, and stents, or bypass. If conservative approaches aren't enough to relieve pain, cramping, or help heal a wound that has developed on the toe or foot, they say it's at that point guidelines indicate an intervention or bypass may be necessary. But it's important to have all risk factors mitigated prior to a procedure in order to extend its durability and time before another procedure may need to be performed again. This discussion comes on the heels of recent string of patients with moderate PAD presenting to patient advocacy organization The Way To My Heart with intervention and bypass surgery as frontline treatment prior to frontline treatment of medication and lifestyle modifications as per guidelines set forth by the Society for Vascular Surgery and American Heart Association.
Getting diagnosed with a constriction or blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your brain can be quite daunting, as Nancy from South Carolina can confirm. She discovered she had carotid artery disease,which put her in danger of having a stroke. The carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck, are crucial blood vessels that provide blood to the brain, neck, and face. About one-third of all stroke cases are associated with diseased carotids. This disease arises when fatty residues, known as plaque, accumulate in these arteries. Alarmingly, in its initial stages, this disease often goes unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms. It only becomes noticeable when it becomes severe enough to deprive the brain of oxygen, resulting in a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Lucky for Nancy, she discovered her condition early as she was under close observation following a heart attack. During a routine medical examination, a Physician Assistant detected a bruit, a turbulent flow in her neck arteries, using a stethoscope. In today's episode, Nancy shares her journey from diagnosis to receiving advanced treatment. Also joining us is the globally recognized Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Ehrin Armstrong, who discusses treatment guidelines and ongoing debates that could alter how and when doctors can offer more than just medication to enhance blood flow and avoid severe complications.
Deidre Arms, a medical professional specializing in women's health, was an energetic 46-year-old who cycled up to 32 miles a day. Despite her family's medical history, she believed her medical knowledge,passion for nutritious diet and supplements, and commitment to exercise were adequate in reducing her chances of suffering a stroke or heart attack. However, her cycling endurance suddenly plummeted, leaving her feeling easily worn out and short of breath. Medical professionals dismissed her symptoms as possibly adult-onset asthma.Two years later she suffered a heart attack. It was then that she encountered Dr. John Phillips, an Interventional Cardiologist and co-host of The Heart of Innovation. He guided her onto a path that not only saved her life but also led her to find her true life's calling: to educate, treat, and inspire others to enhance their cardiac health. Deidre shares her astonishing two-year struggle to make her doctors understand her situation and how she used this ordeal as a catalyst to prevent similar experiences for others
Deion Sanders courageously shared his struggles with a circulation issue that puts him at-risk of losing his foot in a video posted on social media. It may have been left on the editing room floor, but critical information about this circulation issue and treatment options to prevent amputation were not shared in the video or across other media covering this story. In this episode, hosts Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are joined by specialists trained in advanced treatment of this circulation known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) and its advanced stage critical limb ischemia CLI), a circulation issue characterized by narrowed or blocked arteries due to plaque such as blood clots and/or calcium, which can cause leg pain, leg cramps, non-healing wounds, and more.Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Jihad Mustapha, and Vascular Surgeons Dr. James Antezana and Dr. William Shutze talk about what you need to know about this circulation issue, which is one of the most debilitating diseases most have never heard of, yet impacts 3-in-5 heart attack sufferers, 1-in-5 over age 60, and 1-in-3diabetics (Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics) over the age of 50. Importantly, they'll share advances in treatment and amputation prevention as well as the standards of care patients should expect from their physicians treating it.
We have the Godfather of Interventional Cardiology Dr. John Simpson and world renowned Interventional Radiologist Dr. Lorenzo Patrone on to share the evolution of how physicians started using minimally invasive methods to unblock arteries in the legs and heart. You don't want to miss the incredible stories of how some of these physician-inventors used themselves as guinea pigs to further the science of saving life and limb.
Every year, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) is updated to determine the reimbursement rates for physicians. The powers that be decide which areas require more funding and which areas need to see a decrease in reimbursement to maintain budget neutrality. However, the latest reimbursement cuts have hit the "limb savers" hard, including vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and interventional radiologists, who provide amputation prevention services for patients, with a circulation issue known asperipheral artery disease (PAD), in community-based clinics known as office-based labs (OBLS). P.A.D. is a circulation issue that left untreated can lead to amputation. To prevent further amputations and disruptions in patient access to care, new bipartisan legislation has been introduced to stop ongoing cuts to office-based specialists for the next two years. The Cardiovascular Coalition's Dr. Paul Gagne and Dr. Daniel Nathanson, both vascular surgeons, talk about why this new legislation is critical to save life and limb.
Thomas loves working with people and his job as a casino supervisor kept him on his feet his entire eight hour shift. But peripheral artery disease, which is plaque buildup in mainly the leg arteries, was slowing him down and putting his job in jeopardy. So, he trusted his vascular surgeons to perform whatever procedure was needed to keep him on his feet. But he didn't know the advances in treatment for PAD and that minimally invasive options were available until complications occurred following an invasive bypass procedure. He reached out to a PAD advocacy organization called, The Way To My Heart, and they informed him of innovative, minimally invasive options. But it was too late for those as the complication at that point from the previous invasive bypass procedure led to an infection of the bypass graft and incision site. His incision site blossomed like a flower and needed immediate care. Dr. David Allie, a cardio thoracic surgeon,who specializes in advanced PAD care, and has advanced wound care experience with his involvement with various breaking studies, offered new options to save his leg from amputation. Dr. Allie and Thomas share this incredible journey to get him back on his feet for good.Thomas loves working with people and his job as a casino supervisor kept him on his feet his entire eight hour shift. But peripheral artery disease, which is plaque buildup in mainly the leg arteries, was slowing him down and putting his job in jeopardy. So, he trusted his vascular surgeons to perform whatever procedure was needed to keep him on his feet. But he didn't know the advances in treatment for PAD and that minimally invasive options were available until complications occurred following an invasive bypass procedure. He reached out to a PAD advocacy organization called, The Way To My Heart, and they informed him of innovative, minimally invasive options. But it was too late for those as the complication at that point from the previous invasive bypass procedure led to an infection of the bypass graft and incision site. His incision site blossomed like a flower and needed immediate care. Dr. David Allie, a cardio thoracic surgeon,who specializes in advanced PAD care, and has advanced wound care experience with his involvement with various breaking studies, offered new options to save his leg from amputation. Dr. Allie and Thomas share this incredible journey to get him back on his feet for good.
Many individuals who suffer from vascular diseases such as Peripheral Artery Disease and Chronic Venous Insufficiency are plagued with chronic pain. This ongoing pain can cause a sense of helplessness and frustration, as those affected struggle to regain control over their lives. Take Helen, for example, who finds herself buried under medical bills and unsure of where to turn for relief. She doesn't want to burden her family, but the prospect of managing her chronic pain seems overwhelming. In this episode, Helen shares her story about how she ended up determining that jail was her only option for medical care and pain relief.Kathryn Walker, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and CEO of Rivitalist, a wellness healthcare chain, helps Helen walk us through her story and what was going through her mind when she was arrested as she pretended to attempt to steal items from a Georgia Walmart. Christopher Stout, a vascular surgeon,contributes to the conversation by highlighting the challenges faced by patients with PAD and CVI, such as delayed care, insurance obstacles, and gaps between diagnosis and treatment. These issues can result in chronic pain that can significantly impact patients' daily lives and mental well-being.
We are LIVE at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Intervention, or SCAI, Conference in Phoenix, Arizona learning about physicians and medical device makers are trying to make procedures safer and improve patient outcomes. One of the technologies we discuss on this episode is an Intravascular Ultrasound, or IVUS, which is an imaging technique that uses a transducer to generate sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of blood vessels. Physicians are mainly using this device during angiograms for diagnostic and treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Guests include David Chalyan, Director of Evidence Transformation and Medical Safety Officer at Philips IGT-Devices and Royal Philips Chief Safety Officer Steve C de Baca.
Ten years ago, I took my first overseas flight and it was a short turnaround for my return. I took supplements to help me sleep almost the entire flight to Sydney, Australia and the additional connection to Perth (another five hours) to help the time pass quicker. While there, it was two days filled with a whirlwind of meetings, panel moderation on stage, dinners, and evening festivities. I'm not sure if I even slept more than a few hours each night. On the third day I was back on a plane to Sydney where I had planned one night to have dinner with a group of eager entrepreneurs to have me write about their start-up technology businesses.
Halfway through the flight, a friend told me my face was swelling up before her eyes. It turns out my feet and hand were swollen as well. So, flight attendants cleared out an entire row of New Zealand rugby players to allow me an area to lay down, stretch out, and elevate my feet for the rest of the flight. Upon landing, I was rushed to the nearest hospital.
The fear was blood clots. The risk of a blood clot is about 3-times higher for people traveling on long-distance flights.
It was a real concern as my Mom almost died from a pulmonary embolism following a six-hour flight.
My diagnosis, however, was gravitational edema and severe dehydration and two bags of IV fluids did the trick.
But what a scare!
I followed up with my primary care physician the moment I got home. While blood clots were ruled out, she suggested checking for venous insufficiency. It's a disease of the veins, which makes it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. It happens when the wall of the veins and/or the valves stop working properly and blood starts leaking into tissue or pooling. It can happen in your deep veins, which are the largest ones that are deep in your body and run through the muscle, your superficial veins that are close to your skin's surface, or your perforating veins that actually connect the deep and superficial veins. If you have CVI, you may experience symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, and throbbing while standing, muscles aches, leg cramps, itching, even varicose veins.
For me, ultimately my test results showed my venous system was healthy. But I was glad my primary care physician was assertive enough to test for it. Did you know that it's estimated that 40% of U.S. adults have some level of venous insufficiency? Yet, it's often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leaving patients to leave with debilitating symptoms until a non-healing ulcer appears on their calf.
Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Robert Coronado says it's long overdue to raise awareness for CVI. He joins me and Dr. John Phillips on this episode of The Heart of Innovation, brought to you by The Way To My Heart and Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.'s patient advocacy campaign Take A Stand Against Amputation, to talk about the prevalence of CVI, how to talk to your doctor about getting tested, how its diagnosed, and treatment options.
One of the most common medical disorders in the United States that is also one of the most underdiagnosed is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) It's a disease of the veins, which makes it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. It happens when the wall of the veins and/or the valves stop working properly and blood starts leaking into tissue or pooling. It can happen in your deep veins, which are the largest ones that are deep in your body and run through the muscle, your superficial veins that are close to your skin's surface, or your perforating veins that actually connect the deep and superficial veins. If you have CVI, you may experience symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, and throbbing while standing, muscles aches, leg cramps, itching, even varicose veins. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Robert Coronado joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the prevalence of CVI, how to talk to your doctor about getting tested, how its diagnosed, and treatment options.
Marathon runner Mark Easter is traveling the world to raise awareness for Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), a circulation issue impacting mainly the leg arteries. He shares why this cause is personal to him and what is powering every step he takes to the finish line. He'll also talk about the races he will run this year, how you can follow his successes, and support his campaign to reduce P.A.D. related amputations. In this episode of Save My Piggies, Jesse Waters shares his P.A.D. journey and how an early diagnosis led to lifestyle modifications which have stalled progression of this disease.
Research has repeatedly shown that people of faith report feeling better and healthier. Yet faith healing practice remains neglected in health care literature. In this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Dr. Mark Kauffman, who has a doctorate of Divinity, about how and why individuals seek faith healing modalities in an age when western medicine is touted as the most effective treatment for most diseases.
Researchers in Scotland are using Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a method of pain relief for people suffering from peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), a circulation issue that causes leg pain and leg cramps while walking. Walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. patients because it helps stimulate the body's ability to establish a collateral network of vessels that can re-route blood flow around blockages and severely narrowed areas in the arteries. The problem is each step can be painful for these patients due to the nerve pain caused by restricted blood flow to muscles, tissues and nerves in the lower extremities. Physiotherapist Dr. Chris Seenan and Doctorate student and researcher Daniel Tiboldi have been studying this issue and trying to get a greater understanding on physical, emotional, and behavioral barriers limiting mobility. One research project led by Dr. Seenan involves attaching a TENS unit to strategic areas on these patients where the pain is occurring while they walk. This study found improved walking distance in those patients who wore the TENS unit. Dr. Seenan talk with hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about the results and next steps in their research.
A study released in 2019 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology states that 1 in 10 people with end-stage renal disease, which is those who have kidney disease and are on dialysis, undergo a major amputation of one of their legs in their last year of life. How does kidney disease lead to leg loss. That's the heart of this episode's discussion. If you've listened to this show for awhile, co-hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk a lot about Peripheral Artery Disease, which is plaque build-up in mainly the leg arteries, that restricts blood flow to the feet, leading to amputation. A new study by Interventional cardiologists at the University of Pennsylvania, that was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting recently, reinforces conclusions of previous studies that people with end stage kidney disease are more likely to undergo lower extremity amputation. We have Dr. Rotimi Badero an Interventional CardioNephrologist - a very unique practice, who will talk about this serious issue, which impacts 10% of medicare fee for service spending.
April is Limb Difference Awareness Month so we are focusing on a big problem you may not be aware of in America. Did you know more than 2 million people in America are limb different, meaning they have had an amputation for one medical reason or another? However, Sixty-percent of those amputees don't have a prosthesis, and remain immobile. Paul Kent, founder and CEO of the disAbled Life Alliance, hopes to change that with a new Prosthesis for Every Limb initiative. During this episode, he will talk about the gaps in care for amputees and his strategy to help ensure all who desire to be mobile, can get back on their feet and thrive limb different.
Hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are LIVE in Venice, Italy at one of the most advanced educational events for doctors treating peripheral artery disease, a circulation issue impacting mainly the legs that impacts three-in-five people who suffer a heart attack. It's also the leading cause of amputation in the country. CLI-C Global, founded by Dr. Mariano Palena and Dr. Marco Manzi share best practices at the event for treating the most advanced stages of this disease. Hear some of the most impactful moments from this event during this week's episode.
Jenny couldn’t wait for her Mom to meet her firstborn. So she flew her in from the Congo and within days she fell ill and was hospitalized. She was placed on machines and medications to try and save her life but didn’t realize at that time it might be at the expense of her limbs. Jenny’s Mom is a live thanks to the ECMO machine and vasopressors but she now has to learn to live without all four limbs. Jenny and her sisters are hoping their Moms story will help save others from the same fate.
Serial Entrepreneur Jeff Stevens is not a doctor. He’s never worked in medicine in any capacity. But he is making the changes we all want to see in medicine as a computer scientist. He cut his teeth on healthcare innovation, combining what he learned about the physics of a microphone when he worked as a music engineer intern starting in college, with data analytics he practiced as a risk mitigator and technology futurist on Wall Street. Listen to how Jeff’s life unfolds from a boy on a paper route, to learning computer programming languages, to capitalizing on those manipulating the stock markets, to music engineer, to technology futurist and evangelist, to developing a diagnostic tool for expecting Moms that caught the attention of NASA, to ultimately creating what could bridge the gap in healthcare, putting potentially life-saving medical grade diagnostics in your hands that can be remotely monitored by your healthcare team. Hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips get inside the heart and the mind of this self-proclaimed ‘dreamer.’
Society of Vascular Surgery Executive Director Ken Slaw, Ph.D, and his wife Anne Slaw, JD, share their quest to save their son who was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening, genetic, neurologic disease present at birth. Familial Dysautonomia, abbreviated FD, at the time of diagnosis, had a life expectancy rate of 10 years. That wasn't acceptable to Ken and Anne. Ken reached out to his life-long network of healthcare professionals and attended pediatric conferences in search of researchers while Anne launched FD Now, a 501(c)(3) and started fundraising. They teamed up with Dr. Berish Rubin and Dr. Sylvia Anderson, who through the partnership launched The Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia Research at Fordham University, New York, which is dedicated to studying the molecular biology of this disease. In addition to the discovery of the gene mutation that causes FD, research at the laboratory has produced numerous life-changing treatment breakthroughs. Listen in to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Ken and Anne about their story, which they hope will inspire others to not give up hope.
William Shakespeare said eyes are the windows to the soul. But they're so much more than that. Eyes are the windows to vascular health. Your eyes are windows to the live action of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout your body. Problems spotted in the eye are often the first signs of disease lurking elsewhere. Dr. Harvey Fishman is here to talk about traditional and innovative diagnostics that can give you not only insight into your eye health, but also your vascular health with indicators that show diabetes, high blood pressure, blocked vessels, aortic aneurysm, and more. Dr. Harvey Fishman is an ophthalmologist who's always on the cutting edge of what's new and next in eye care. A former Chief Resident in Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Department of Ophthalmology, he is now medical director of Fishman Vision while always continuing to pursue multiple entrepreneurial ventures. He provides a window to the future of your eye exam as a key source of information for your overall health.
We all know that lowering risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation is up to us. We know we need to eat right. We know we need to exercise? Are we faithful at making healthy choices all the time. No one is perfect. In this episode, hosts Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas talk about what makes especially the healthier food choices tough. They also provide easy ways to improve our diet starting with simple substitutions and small compromises. All the information is available in a new handbook available for sale on Amazon, called “Food For Thought: A P.A.D. Warriors Handbook for Healthier eating.” P.A.D. Is an acronym for peripheral artery disease, which is restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. Three-in-five heart attack sufferers have P.A.D. Most don’t know it, if it all, until it reaches advanced stages and heart attack, stroke, and/or amputation are eminent. If someone has plaque build-up in their leg arteries, it’s likely systemic. So, while this handbook discussed is geared toward P.A.D. Patients, it addresses overall artery health and how to start on the road to making healthier food choices. After the food discussion, Dr. John Phillips discussed important diagnostics, how to know when you should feel confident in your heart health, and how to decide when an intervention is necessary to clear some plaque from your coronary arteries and have a stent placed.
What we eat is central to our health. It can prevent, maintain, cure, and cause different diseases. It can be argued that the number one killer in America, heart attack, might occur prematurely because of poor food choices. That's why Dr. Michael Dansinger is leading our discussion during this episode about how we cure America of its deadly eating habits. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about what he's learned throughout his medical career, which is heavily focused on research and education on the power of dietary selection, including his time working with hit cable TV show, 'The Biggest Loser." Dr. Dansinger most recently served as the Medical Director for the Lifestyle Program at Boston Heart Diagnostics since 2011. Other career highlights include, credits as a "Nutrition Doctor" for "The Biggest Loser," author of the Tufts University Popular Diet Trial, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in January of 2005, and he's served as an expert with Medscape and WebMD since 2005. He says, "I quickly recognized during my fellowship training that much of the underlying cause of our broken healthcare system has been fueled by the growing financial burden of “Lifestyle Diseases”. I came to understand that the epidemics of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and related conditions were not only making millions of people sick, but also overwhelming our healthcare system. A few months into my fellowship program I decided I’d like to train in the prevention and reversal of lifestyle diseases."
We acknowledge American Heart Month every year but are we using the information provided to take our health into our own hands? Heart Disease, the number one killer, is manageable if you are willing to take the steps to mitigate your risk. Lifestyle changes are the most impactful preventative measure. What's stopping you? During this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Doctor of Physical Therapy, Ofir Isaac, with All Care PT out of Brooklyn, New York, about how he's getting people to take their health into their own hands. He talks about some new, innovative approaches, to cardiac rehabilitation. Joining the discussion in this week's Save My Piggies series, Learn to Love To Exercise (LTLTE) founder Linda Terjesen talks about her journey to prevent genetics from taking control of her life and through her story you will be inspired to do the same.
How do we improve our mental health in the face of adversity? One in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. People with chronic physical illnesses are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety or depression as their physically healthy counterparts. Coach Christine Meyer, author of "Keep It Simple Smarty Paants," says the biggest mistake people make in trying to dig their way out of depression is trying to jump from depression to happiness. She explains that it's a guaranteed recipe for failure. During this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Christine about creative games we can play with our mind that guide us step-by-step to better feeling thoughts which become more sustainable. Christine demonstrates how effective her methods work by coaching three patients LIVE who have Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries that cause debilitating pain and ultimately depression.
Larry "Shorty" Coleman practices what he's preached his entire career as a Harlem Globetrotter, the power of positive thinking, even as he stands up against amputation of his right leg, two years after his left was lost due to complications from Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). P.A.D. is restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. He didn't know other advanced options might be available to save his right leg so he never sought a second opinion. With his left leg on deck, he reached out to peripheral artery disease advocacy organization The Way To My Heart, which has found him a different doctor with an advanced set of limb salvage skills, who is exhausting all efforts available to keep "Shorty" on his feet. Throughout "Shorty's" fight for life and limb he has continued to maintain a powerful positive mindset much in thanks to his faith and has continued to hold clinics to not help kids learn some of his pro hoop tricks on the court, but to also raise money for those with disabilities like himself due to amputation.
If you are over age 50, your physician may urge you to have a colonoscopy to check for cancer. You might also be urged to have your lower gastrointestinal tract checked using a colonscope and upper GI tract checked using a camera held on to a flexible tube called an endoscope that slips down your throat. An alternative to a procedure which some facilities offer is to swallowing an imaging device shaped like a pill that follows your intestinal tract down through excretion. The limitation with that versus a manual scope is that the current device you swallow can't be directed and so it may miss problem areas. That's why inventor and entrepreneur Torrey Smith started Endiatx. It's a company that's building a newer version called a Pillbot, a type of robot you can swallow, that can be controlled remotely while you are in clinic with your healthcare team. He talks to hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips about gamifying the gut exam and future use cases for robotics in examining the arteries and other areas of the body. Smith sees microrobotics as a game-changer in diagnostics and interventional medicine, at some point even sprouting surgical instruments to treat real-time. Prior to this project, Smith helped invent a device that would remove plaque from the arteries, which is still in use today.
To continue honoring her Mom, Marilyn Lou Baum McNicholas, who transitioned almost one year ago due to an undetected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Kym McNicholas and cohost Dr. John Phillips are keeping the conversation about detection, prevention, and treatment alive to prevent others from suffering the same fate. While Kym's Mom couldn't get diagnosed and treated in time, David Williams is a survivor of an aortic dissection, who shares his long, painful, but successful, fight for his life. The physician who David credits for saving his life joins the discussion. It's aortic specialist, Dr. George Arnaoutakis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at University of Texas (UT), Austin, who recently moved from the University of Florida, Gainesville, to build a specialty center at UT. He and Dr. Phillips talk about the prevalence of aortic dissection and aneurysms, the difference between the two life-threatening conditions, how to prevent them, and how to know if you need to seek treatment for one.
Podiatrist Dr. David Alper joins co-hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the cold weather dangers for those with poor circulation and how to protect their life and limb, especially feet.
Mindset is medicine for both the physician and patient. Medicine already recognizes the persuasive power of beliefs. The use of placebos is a great example of that. But it's much more than that, especially with chronic, painful vascular ailments such as peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), which is restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. Patients with P.A.D. feel at times as though a tourniquet is wrapped tightly around their legs when they walk. Sometimes the leg pain and cramping wake them up at night. Dr. Paramjit Romi Chopra joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about the powerful combination of science and spirituality to help patients and physicians persevere in challenging life and limb-saving situations.
Open Enrollment just wrapped up and call centers were center stage, handling a high volume of calls from patients looking to secure their health insurance for 2023. On the front lines ready to prevent call center failure was Cyara, a quality assurance technology company that helps organizations, including those in healthcare, spot problems and find resolve of them before the customers discover them and hang up. Show hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips talk to Cyara Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Dennis Reno about the biggest call enter fails and how to fix them. Also, a former Highway Patrol Call Center Supervisor, Connie, shares her limb saving story in our Save My Piggies series. She continued to help facilitate potentially life-saving calls for others while fighting for her own life.
Show co-host Kym McNicholas is dedicating this how to her Mom Marilyn Lou Baum McNicholas who transitioned earlier this year due to an undetected abdominal aortic aneurysm that ultimately ruptured. Marilyn’s cardiologist told Kym that there’s still so much doctors don’t know about aneurysms and because of that, there are gaps in care, which lead to premature death. Marilyn was diagnosed with having a 4cm thoracic aneurysm six months prior to her transition. Her cardiologist would only say it’s not at a size to worry about since a surgeon typically does not treat an aneurysm until it’s at least 5cm. Her cardiologist never discussed how to preventthe aneurysm from growing, what symptoms to look for, or her increased risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm because of it. So, not further testing was done despite textbook symptoms of symptoms of increasing erratic blood pressure, tachycardia, a pulsating feeling around her belly button, an abdominal mass, and severe radiating pain in her back. Her cardiologist, a vascular surgeon, and an emergency room doctor told her there was nothing life-threatening with her symptoms. They told her to take muscle relaxers and prescribed physical therapy, along with traction. The autopsy revealed what doctors missed.
Should Marilyn’s 4cm thoracic aneurysm have been taken more seriously? Should she have been tested for an abdominal aortic aneurysm after being diagnosed with a thoracic aneurysm? Should her symptoms have been a red flag for doctors?
In this episode, co-host Dr. John Phillips leads the discussion with guest Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Arnaoutakis, about specifically thoracic and thoraco abdominal aneurysms. For those who aren’t familiar with what an aneurysm is and how it forms, they will go through the basics. But the primary discussion will be around the current gaps in care, new innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment, as well as critical questions to discuss with your healthcare team. Also, Retired Veterinarian, triathlete, and author Dr. Kevin Morgan shares his personal story about how he diagnosed his own aortic aneurysm, found the right treatment, and continues to compete in running and cycling events.
A great time for family and friends to show support for those with vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), restricted blood flow in the arteries around the heart that restricts blood flow, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is restricted blood flow in the leg arteries due to plaque build-up, also chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), diabetes, and Raynaud's Syndrome. Hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips, along with guest co-hosts Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith and Revitalist CEO Kathryn Walker offer some innovative ideas to help with mental well-being, exercise regimens, health monitoring and more. PAD Warrior and PAD Life Outdoors Youtube channel creator Robert Castleberry joins to share his favorite holiday gift gets for those who are seeking adventure!
Get ready for the unhealthiest time of year -- the holidays! Research shows half of Americans will break their diet to give into the temptation of holiday food. A little cheat here or there -- well - we are all human. But you don't want to make a holiday habit of eating foods that will light your arteries on fire. The more logs on the fire --- the more retardant you will need to put out the flames. In body speak, the more fats and cholesterol being called in to patch up the artery damage. Don't worry, we are not here to be scrooge and tell you not to enjoy your holiday favorites. We are going to be your Holiday Angels, offering some healthier ways to enjoy them! The Way To My Heart has released its first publication called, "Food For Thought," and one of the largest sections is all about healthier substitutes. So during the next hour, hosted by Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips, co-hosted by Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, we are going to show you how to healthify your holidays. Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries caused by plaque build-up, share their favorite holiday hacks. Dietitian Melissa Hooper rounds out the broadcast with some of her non-negotiables for anyone trying to stick to their medical diets
Since November 14th is World Diabetes Day, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. Phillips are joined by guest co-hosts Podiatrist Dr. David Alper and Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, to talk about one of the most prevalent complications of Diabetes, amputation. Every 20 seconds globally, a limb is amputated due to diabetes. Why? Extra sugar in the blood can damage the artery walls, allowing for fats and cholesterol to sneak in and push the artery wall out, hindering blood flow to the feet. Sometimes the first sign a diabetic has restricted blood flow in the leg arteries, known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) is when an ulcer appears on their foot or toe that won't heal. Every 1.2 seconds somewhere in the world there is a new diabetic foot ulcer that appears on someone. Diabetic Foot Ulcers are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes, driving direct costs through the roof. Innovators at Sensoria® Health and Defender believe they have one way to help heal diabetic wounds faster, minimize related amputations, and reduce costs. Dr. Jason Hanft, podiatrist, and Michael DiTullo, a former shoe developer at Nike, have created the Foot Defender® to help patients expedite the healing time for their diabetic ulcers. The Foot Defender is designed to help heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the risk of amputations by improving patient adherence to mechanical offloading, monitoring patient usage, activity, improving outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. A patient supported by P.A.D. advocacy organization The Way To My Heart shares his long journey trying to save his legs from amputation as well as his feedback after trying out The Foot Defender® for a few weeks.
Since November 14th is World Diabetes Day, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. Phillips are joined by guest co-hosts Podiatrist Dr. David Alper and Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, to talk about one of the most prevalent complications of Diabetes, amputation. Every 20 seconds globally, a limb is amputated due to diabetes. Why? Extra sugar in the blood can damage the artery walls, allowing for fats and cholesterol to sneak in and push the artery wall out, hindering blood flow to the feet. Sometimes the first sign a diabetic has restricted blood flow in the leg arteries, known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) is when an ulcer appears on their foot or toe that won't heal. Every 1.2 seconds somewhere in the world there is a new diabetic foot ulcer that appears on someone. Diabetic Foot Ulcers are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes, driving direct costs through the roof. Innovators at Sensoria® Health and Defender believe they have one way to help heal diabetic wounds faster, minimize related amputations, and reduce costs. Dr. Jason Hanft, podiatrist, and Michael DiTullo, a former shoe developer at Nike, have created the Foot Defender® to help patients expedite the healing time for their diabetic ulcers. The Foot Defender is designed to help heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the risk of amputations by improving patient adherence to mechanical offloading, monitoring patient usage, activity, improving outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. A patient supported by P.A.D. advocacy organization The Way To My Heart shares his long journey trying to save his legs from amputation as well as his feedback after trying out The Foot Defender® for a few weeks.
If you have symptoms A, B, and C, it is likely your physician will follow a decision-tree that leads them to choose X as treatment. Treatment algorithms exist across healthcare. They're detailed, step-by-step flow charts that outline the recommended treatment for patients with a specific disorder. These algorithms are a critical foundation for any physician. They're also critical for standardizing treatment around the world so as to provide equitable care. In this week's show hosts, Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by The Way To My Heart's Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith and Rush Hospital's Dr. Kumar Madassery about the value of treatment algorithms as well as where they fall short for patients, costing life and limb. They also discuss critical questions patients can ask their doctor to determine their treatment algorithm so they can weigh it against another physician who may use a different flow chart for treatment. During the Save My Piggies segment in the second half of the show, a patient, John, and his wife, Amy, who discovered almost too late that different doctors have different treatment algorithms, share their plight to save his life and limb and the importance of getting a second opinion.
Dignity is an important component of providing care for dying patients and their families. Death with dignity is an end-of-life option, governed by state legislation in the United States, and other lawmakers around the world. It allows certain people with terminal illness to voluntarily and legally request and receive a prescription medication from their physician to hasten their death in a peaceful, humane, and dignified manner. In today's show we talk about what you need to know about your freedom of choice when it comes to dignity in dying. It's an important conversation that could impact the discussions you have about life and death with your family and healthcare team.
COVID-19 in its early days was classified as only a respiratory illness with varying degrees of severity. But as healthcare professionals learned more over time, they started also considering it a vascular disease because of blood clots that led to serious complications, including death, in patients suffering from COVID-19. In today's show hosts, Dr. John Phillips and Kym McNicholas are joined by guest co-host Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith and Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. David Allie, and a patient who almost lost his legs following vascular complications due to COVID-19, to talk about those vascular complications and strategies to minimize arterial/venous thromboembolism (blood clots), myocardial infarction (damage to the heart muscle caused by lack of blood supply, which could be the result of a blood clot) complications. Some of those strategies discussed include earlier bloodwork to check cardiovascular biomarkers such as D-dimer and troponin as well as ultrasound imaging of the lungs, heart, and legs upon the early presentation of symptoms, which could signal an earlier need for aggressive intervention and treatment.
How much easier would it be if we had instant access to our medical records, especially imaging, so we could make real-time decisions on our care and even get a second opinion in a timely manner? The reality is that although HIPAA mandates our right for access to our medical records, get copies of them, and request chances be made to them, policies differ depending on facility which hinder a patient's ability to get access real-time. Some charge to release the records, asking patients to cover the 'administrative costs.' Some wait until the very last moment to send under HIPAA's 30-day requirement between the time the request was made and honored. Some even take advantage of a one-time 30-day extension, further delaying the release of records. The delay in getting those records could cost life and limb. But there is some light on the horizon with the new Cures Act as well as innovation by entrepreneurs around medical records access. Leading the discussion is Bill Anderson, Advisor to Digicare, which is creating a platform that at its foundation democratizes access to all medical records for the patient across facilities, and even more, using a special algorithm brings the information to life by highlighting key medical terms and offering patients the ability to instantly get them defined and explained. He's also VP of Partnerships for Briya, which allows patients, physicians, and researchers, and data analytics tools to be able to access and make sense of data from any location, in any format, in near real-time. In the last half of the show, a patient shares her story of perseverance with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), a chronic circulation issue impacting mainly the legs, that impacts one in five over age 60. Diagnosed and treated at early onset of symptoms such as leg cramps and pain in the buttocks, hips, thighs, or calves, reduces a patient's risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation.
Hosts Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas are talking about innovation around ALS. Most are familiar with ALS now more than ever because o the famous internet ice bucket challenge involving the pouring of a bucket of ice water over a person's head, either by another person or self-administered, to promote awareness of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , or ALS. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle. Most people with this disease begin with muscle stiffness or weakness. But they eventually lose the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and ultimately breathe on their own when the muscle paralysis spreads to vital organs such as the lungs. We are talking about it here on the Heart of Innovation for three reasons: First, although it's not considered a vascular disease, some researchers believe that an ALS-linked gene mutation could cause disruptions in the blood-spinal cord barrier, causing the neurovascular inflammatory response, which is ALS; Second, due to the lack of mobility as ALS progresses, many people with ALS end up with circulation issues in the legs (Circulation issues in the legs is known as peripheral vascular disease. We've talked about that at length on this show where arteries start hardening and the flaps that help usher blood flow back to the heart start malfunctioning.); Third, innovation around treatment and disease management has led to a longer, better quality of life for people with ALS due to organizations such as the Gleason Foundation, founded by former New Orleans Saints NFL great Steve Gleason. Kearney Gray, Director of development for the Gleason Foundation talks about how patient-driven innovation with communication and mobility are helping patients to live a longer, better quality of life. The Gleason foundation has played an integral role in raising the patient voice to create change in care, empowering companies to create new, novel approaches to improving communication for people with ALS, and not only educating lawmakers on ALS, but inspiring them to take action to help elevate care. Dietitian Melissa Hooper also joins the discussion to talk about the importance of nutrition in slowing the progression of disease and improving the quality of life of people with ALS. Since people with ALS maintain their cognitive ability throughout disease progression, knowing what's to come and what's happening can impact mental well-being. So, Kathryn Walker, CEO, MSN-Anesthesia, MSN-Psychiatry, at mental wellness treatment centers, Rivatalist, adds to the conversation with available options to improve mental health.
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Having a chronic illness and/or a surgical procedure can be scary. In this episode of the Heart of Innovation, we are talking about pre and post surgery stress and anxiety, especially tomophobia, 'the fear of surgery'. In the hospital, people are given medicine to help them sleep or sedatives to put them at ease. At home, it's not always as easy. Either way, many times the hurry up and wait game for any procedure is sure to put you on edge. The Way To My Heart Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith along with CRNA Kathryn Walker, CEO of Rivitalist , a group of mental wellness centers and her colleague Beth Ward, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) talk to hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips about how to discuss doubt, fears, and anxiety with your healthcare team. They also offer tangible, actionable ways in which you can put yourself at ease pre and post surgery.
Grady, a family member of a patient who is now recovering from open heart surgery kicked off the discussion with a candid description of his experience leading up to his brother's procedure. He discussed the fear driven by the procedure itself but also the revolving door of physicians, the numerous pre-operative tests, the gaps in communication at times, and worries about what happens if treatment doesn't work. He also drove home the importance of a patient's healthcare team to recognize the stress and anxiety of a patient's family and to keep them in the loop to ensure all are on the same page so they can more effectively support the patient and help accelerate versus hinder the healing process.
Marcia, a patient with peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), asked the therapists and Dr. Phillips about how to deal with post-surgery symptoms and the emotional stress that comes with so many questions that may arise between appointments with her healthcare team. Most patients don't have a physician or clinician on speed dial every single time a question pops up. So, what might be a small, normal post-surgery side effect, can be magnified the longer a patient waits for an answer.
A big takeaway from CRNA Kathryn and LCSW Beth is to recognize that stress, anxiety, and fear step from worrying about the future and things you can't control. They say the key is to focus on what you can control. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and place inside the circle all of the things you are worried about that YOU can actually do something about. That includes planning for options to accelerate recovery, such as starting to contemplate rehab possibilities, setting up a meeting with a dietitian, obtaining items for improved comfort and mobility at home, etc. Focus on those. For the others, sit down and come up with questions that may arise around them which can be discussed with your healthcare team or that of your family member.
In summary, it's most important to not burden yourself with regrets of the past and the 'what if's' of the future. Catch them coming into your mind, and remind yourself to look for things that are within your power tand control to change and do right now.
For more, listen to this powerful conversation:
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Douglas is on deck for open heart surgery and decided to join the show just minutes before air time to inspire others through sharing his courageous journey. He heard that Dr. Mehrzad Zarghouni, Interventional Radiologist with Houston Vein & Vascular, was going to be on the show as guest co-host since Dr. Phillips was on call and taking care of an urgent heart patient at Ohio Health. So, he popped on just before our producer Aikman did the final countdown. Why? Douglas wanted to thank Dr. Z, who was named U.S. Vascular Doctor of the Year 2022 by advocacy nonprofit The Way To My Heart, for saving his life. Douglas had shown up to see Dr. Z a few months ago for a procedure to unblock arteries in his legs because of a disease known as Peripheral Artery Disease, which is defined by plaque build-up in mainly the leg arteries which restricts blood flow, causing debilitating pain.
The way Dr. Z described the situation, Douglas seemed off that morning and was complaining of fatigue and chest pain. Dr. Z canceled the procedure and sent Douglas immediately to the emergency department and called a friend , an Interventional Cardiologist, who was on call that day to urgently assess him and who was able to get diagnosed and stabilized.
Douglas has a rare ailment known as apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is when the walls of the heart become thicker than they should be and this excessive thickening can cause the heart to become more stiff and leaves less room for blood to fill the heart.
Douglas is now on deck for open heart surgery next week to improve his prognosis.
During the show Douglas was able to ask our guest panel questions to ease his fears about the procedure and what to expect post-procedure. The Way To My Heart Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith was able to provide an in-depth explanation of Douglas' situation. Nurse Practitioner/CRNA Kathryn Walker, a former cardiac anesthesiologist, who's also CEO of Revitalist, a group of mental wellness treatment centers, walked Douglas step-by-step through what to expect from the moment he's wheeled down to the operating room clear through recovery. Dietitian Melissa Hooper (www.dietitianmelissa.com) answered Douglas' questions about how to improve his nutritional health following open heart surgery including cutting cholesterol, animal fats, and processed foods out of his diet.
Also, in the show's Save My Piggies segment, Dr. John Corl, Interventional Cardiologist with Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio is joined by his patient Marcia to talk about how the right doctor and "modern medicine" changed her life and made her "new" again. Marcia discusses how she was able to push through the pain associated with blocked arteries in her legs, known as peripheral artery disease, to help re-route blood flow through the body’s network of collateral vessels that lay dormant until you need them to improve circulation. This collateral network kept her legs alive until she was able to find Dr. Corl through The Way To My Heart, and he was able to clear multiple severe blockages in her upper thighs and lower abdominal region. She now walks more than 10,000 steps daily.
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You don’t want to miss this compelling episode of The Heart of Innovation, not only because it has the potential to save life and limb through a deep dive into how walking can help create a ‘natural bypass,’ but because a patient shares his story of how a second opinion changed his life.
In segment three, Duke and his vascular specialist Dr. Yazan Khatib at First Coast Cardiovascular Institute in Jacksonville, Florida talk about how a leg amputation was thwarted. Duke has Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is a chronic circulation issue in mainly the legs. Duke had multiple interventions and bypasses to restore blood flow to his legs before finding Dr. Khatib. The catalyst for Duke seeking help from Dr. Khatib was the point where his previous doctor told him that it wasn’t worth his time and energy financially to delay what he believed was the inevitable, which was amputation. It was Duke’s Primary Care Physician who told him to get a second opinion before amputation. Four years later, Duke is still walking on two feet thanks to regular maintenance by Dr.Khatib and lifestyle modifications, especially walking.
Walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. That’s why during this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips spend the majority of time leading up to the Save My Piggies segment and afterwards talking to Interventional Radiologist Dr. Lorenzo Patrone, 2022 European Patient Champion and 2020 Global Vascular Doctor of the Year, about why walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. and other circulation issues. Mass General Hospital Vascular Surgeon Dr. Anahita Dua also shares how to walk effectively to wake up and grow your collateral network to help improve circulation without intervention.
P.A.D. is defined by a narrowing of the arteries, mainly in the legs, due to plaque build-up. When flow is restricted, muscles, organs, and tissue are starved of critical nutrients, including oxygen. This may cause symptoms, such as leg pain and cramping when walking (claudication). Even worse, it could prevent healing of sores on your feet, leading to ischemia, meaning tissue loss. Wounds need oxygen to heal. Your body does have a back-up system. It's the collateral network, known as your body's "natural bypass."
The collateral network consists of smaller vessels available to handle extra demand. What makes them so special is they have the ability to expand and even grow if necessary to keep up with demand.
Walking helps to accelerate this process.
When you walk or exercise, your heart starts to pump harder and faster to circulate blood to deliver oxygen to your muscles, organs, and tissues. If arteries can't handle the additional rush of blood flow, the collateral vessels re-structure to meet the increased demand.
Think about it like our freeway system. If there's an obstacle such as an accident on the freeway blocking the flow of traffic, more cars veer off on to side roads to continue moving forward towards their destination. Collateral vessels, like side roads, can vary in capacity, but unlike side roads collateral vessels can expand and grow with increased demand. The extent to which your collateral network can keep up with demand, depends on the individual and stage of disease.
The collateral network's effectiveness may be limited in individuals with advanced age PAD and those with smaller vessel disease below-the-knee. That's why it's important to get a full vascular assessment. During this assessment, discuss with your physician:
- What is the extent to which you believe my body will be able to re-route flow and slow the progression of disease naturally?
- Based on my situation, what should be my daily and weekly walking goals?
- If walking is my initial treatment protocol, what symptoms are a warning for me to return prior to my scheduled follow-up for immediate re-assessment?
- What are next steps if my Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test improves by my next appointment?
- What are next steps if my ABI test does not improve by my next appointment?
For those without Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI), standard protocols for treating P.A.D. suggest a three-month program that consists of medical and exercise therapy. During that time, physicians assess whether an antiplatelet drug and/or a vasodilator, coupled with brisk walking will help your body to increase flow not only through narrowed arteries, but also through the collateral network.
If you are post-procedure, following an intervention or bypass, your physician will prescribe a walking regimen to help maintain the recently treated vessels open, as well as to continue to maintain and build your collateral network. If a covered stent is used or bypass is performed collateral vessels will be impacted in those areas, but walking will remain critical to increase demand for blood flow to maintain those vessels open.
Some facilities offer a formal Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) program to support walking as medicine for P.A.D. patients. If your physician doesn’t have a formal walking program, go to TheWayToMyHeart.org to sign up for My Steps, which is a text-based program designed to meet each individual patient’s needs and goals to increase long-term accountability.
- Read more about how to walk effectively to grow your natural bypass in the 20-page step-by-step PADdy's Post "Walking Special" handbook.
- To find other P.A.D. Warriors walking to better health, join our community at community.TheWayToMyHeart.org or search “Peripheral Artery Disease” to download our app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Listen to the full episode of The Heart of Innovation to hear straight from Dr. Patrone, Dr. Phillips, and Dr. Dua on how to walk effectively to grow your collateral network.
Description: Chronic physical illness can lead to depression and anxiety, resulting in a mental health crisis which can further jeopardize a patient's health. The Heart of Innovation hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by The Way To My Heart's Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith, legendary business and financial reporter Bambi Francisco (Founder and CEO of Vator.TV), and Revitalist (Mental wellness treatment center chain in six states including Tennessee and Kentucky) CEO Kathryn Walker to talk about the problem and innovative solutions to improve mental health in patients with chronic physical ailments.
Today’s show kicked off with a couple inspirational quotes by Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the impact she’s had on the world during her reign:
“Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed, or colour.”
“When peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.”
Queen passed away this past week of what may have been a massive stroke, although upon publish of this article, cause of death had not been released to the public. Dr. Phillips commented on the prevalence of strokes in the elderly, and the importance of getting checked annually for one common cause, which is atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to blood clots. Now that the COVID-19 lockdown has lifted and hospital facilities are starting to operate again at a normal rate, it’s important for everyone to C.H.A.T. with their doctor about vascular health, which means to ask their physician to check their Carotids, Heart, Abdomen (Aneurysm), and Toes (arteries and veins).
The discussion on vascular health backed into the topic of the day, which is mental health and chronic physical illness. Bambi Francisco runs a content distribution network, Vator.TV, which includes regular salons on mental health. Her next event, “Future of Behavioral and Mental Health is October 26th where topics will include “Reinventing the doctor’s role”, “Future of Clinics”, “Lifestyle” and more. The premise for the event as well as how she began her discussion on mental health, is that for at least a decade, about one out of five Americans suffered from some sort of mental disorder. In the case of depression, it’s become almost an epidemic rom being a rare condition 50 years ago. Critics have argued the rise has a lot to do with pathologizing normal psychic and somatic behavior, meaning society’s idea of normal often means never feeling sad or hopeless. Covid and policies around the lockdown that kept kids out of schools has contributed to the elevated levels of mental stress. But it’s also weighed heavily on those with chronic illnesses.
Kathryn Walker, CEO of Revitalist, who’s also an ICU Nurse explains why chronic physical illnesses can impact mental well-being and how psychedelics such as ketamine are becoming more accepted as mainstream treatment. Nurse Practitioner Kay also discusses the importance o Virtual Reality in the treatment of mental health issues and Bambi Francisco highlights the rise in faith-based technologies to improve mental well-being.
Diane, a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is a chronic circulation issue, talks about the impact of P.A.D. on her mental state and how finding the right vascular specialist who uses advanced minimally invasive tools and techniques can make all the difference in the world in not only providing pain relief, but also restoring hope, her mental state, as well as her love life.
Description: Type 2 diabetes and obesity are epidemics that can lead to amputation due to a common complication known as peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), which is plaque build-up in mainly the leg arteries that restricts blood flow. But the right diet can help mitigate risk for limb loss. Hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are joined by Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith to chat with special guest Dr. Michael Dansinger, Wellness Director for Boston Heart Diagnostics, about diabetes reversal, eating strategies to for P.A.D. prevention, and the secret to weight loss based on USA Network's The Biggest Loser reality show.
Dr. Michael Dansinger is Founding Director of the Diabetes Reversal Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston . He also serves on the CDC’s Expert Panel for Worksite Wellness Programs and on the Council of Directors for the True Health Initiative, a leading international voice for health and wellness. Dr. Dansinger previously served as the Nutrition and Obesity Editor for Medscape Journal of Medicine and was the principal investigator of the Tufts Popular Diet Trial comparing the Atkins, Zone, Weight Watchers and Ornish eating plans for weight loss and heart disease risk-factor reduction (published in JAMA). Dansinger was the nutrition doctor for NBC's The Biggest Loser for 10 years and designer of the Biggest Loser Diet, which won top awards from U.S. News & World Report (including No. 1 Best Diet for Diabetes).
Before Dr. Dansinger got into the heart of this episode's feature topic on how diet can reduce a diabetic's risk for vascular complications, the show kicked off with a discussion about obstacles patients face in healthcare. Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith shared her experience in Scotland, spending four hours in pre-operative protocols for a surgery planned for next week, only to have her physician cancel her surgery appointment due to a condition called, atrial fibrillation, that she was never informed of but was written in her medical chart. Kym and Dr. Dansinger weighed in on lessons others can learn from this experience which includes two critical questions all patients should ask following any medical appointment:
- What are you writing in my chart that I should be aware of so I don't miss any assessment or diagnosis?
- Can I get a copy of my cases notes for this appointment? This may be available through your facility's medical app or platform. You can also request it through a facility's medical records department.
Kym also shared her nightmare experience with her dad falling a second time in two weeks. The first fall was out of their area and resulted in emergency surgery to replace a previous hip replacement and stabalize an elbow fracture with pins and wires. This second fall resulted in an additional hairline fracture in his femur, re-opening of the hip replacement incision, and a displacement of the pins in his elbow. An ambulance trip to the emergency room left Kym and her dad with more questions than answers. The emergency physician and clinicians refused to call the on-call orthopedic surgeon to review his xrays. If they did, they would've learned of his additional hairline fracture in the femur and would've sent him home in a wheelchair. Instead, he was told to get up and walk despite debilitating pain and a continued run of the fracture. Even more, they didn't remove that half pulled off wound dressing, didn't apply temporary steri strips to reseal the wound that opened, and sent him home with only half the wound covered. So, when he arrived home, within 10 minutes the paramedics had to be called as the wound dehiesced further and he had to be taken to a larger hospital facility in Marin County, California with a more experienced trauma team. There, he was scheduled for time in the operating room to properly clean, re-sutre, and dress the incision site. He was also admitted until an orthopedic surgeon could get a physical therapist and occupational therapist to work with him on his new orders for limited weight-bearing.
Dr. Dansinger and Dr. Phillips both were horrified by Kym's experience with her dad. They agree that under no circumstances should Kym's dad have been released from the first emergency room without an orthopedic surgeon reviewing the images and without proper wound care. They each expressed the importance of physicians and clinicians taking the time necessary to listen to the patients and fully assess the entire situation and for patients and their advocates to have patience with medical staff. But they were also not surprised due to an overwhelmed healthcare system, especially since the COVID epidemic. Dr. Dansinger says as our population continues to age this will become an even bigger problem of overcrowded hospital facilities and not enough staff to manage them. It's why he shifted from an urgent care doctor to focusing on prevention of chronic illness. That includes diabetes. That's where the hosts transitioned the conversation into focusing more intently on what patients can do to reverse it and mitigate their risk for serious vascular complications such as amputation.
Description: Patients are on the frontlines when it comes to uncovering gaps in our healthcare system. That's why this episode features patients who have Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up, and live in low-socioeconomic areas, talking about how they are treated and what might help improve care. Physicians who care for these patients also weigh-in. All guests on today’s program are attending The Way To My Heart Inc’s first in-person “Making the Impossible, Possible, P.A.D. Warrior conference in Chicago, Illinois, which is focusing on sharing cutting-edge information with P.A.D. patients. Host Kym McNicholas is broadcasting LIVE from the event. Host Dr. John Phillips is broadcasting LIVE from Newark airport in New Jersey following a medical seminar, put together by device maker Cook Medical, where he was educating other physicians and clinicians on new tools and techniques for unblocking leg arteries in minimally invasive ways.
Kym kicked off the show talking about gaps in emergency healthcare after her dad spent the week in the hospital following a fall. He fractured his right femur and right elbow. He was left in the emergency room without an orthopedic consult for 9.5 hours awaiting potential surgery. Kym expressed concern that he is a heart disease patient at-risk of blood clots, being left in one position laying down for such a long period of time without taking his blood thinners, not being given fluids, and not urinating despite a full bladder. He was only taken care once Kym arrived and was able to start advocating for him. She pushed to get a phone consult with the orthopedic surgeon who had already left the hospital without seeing her dad, confirmed the surgery for the next day, got a Levonox shot ordered, finally got him a can to empty his bladder, and had the nurse place circulating socks on his feet. This experience led to Kym and Dr. Phillips discussing the importance of emergency room staff taking steps to prevent vascular complications whether they’re related to the reason for admittance or not.
Following that conversation, other physicians joined in to discuss their ideas for improving care. Key points made by Vascular Surgeon Dr. James Antezana, M.D., FSVS, RPVI (Charlotte, North Carolina), Dr. Paramjit "Romi" Chopra (Chicago, Illinois), Kumar Madassery (Chicago, Illinois), and Dr. Mohammad Elsayed, MD (Schaumberg, Illinois) include the importance of:
· Working with Primary Care Physicians to recognize the symptoms of P.A.D. to get patients diagnosed and treated in early stages.
· Improving the communication between different physicians to ensure a timely, effective multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with P.A.D.
· More consistency in treatment for P.A.D., favoring more advanced limb salvage tools and techniques to reduce the number of preventable amputations.
Patients who spoke out on the show agreed with what the physicians had to say and had a few of their own ideas as well on shaping the future of P.A.D. care. They include:
· Encouraging patients to get a second opinion versus telling them there’s no other option but what is being offered in that moment at that facility.
· Making sure to offer a proper diagnosis for P.A.D. versus simply telling a patient they have circulation issues related to diabetes.
· Performing an exhaustive angiogram using advanced tools and techniques to try and revascularize vessels prior to amputation.
A big highlight during the show happened when one patient expressed concern about her vascular specialist refusing to treat blocked vessels below the knee despite rest pain at night. Kym was able to call over a vascular specialist attending the event to hear her story and give her hope that relief is on the way as he would review her case and exhaust all efforts to get her back on her feet pain-free.
Description: What patients say and what doctors hear is often very different. That's often the case with what doctors say and patients hear as well. But sometimes those conversations are well understood by both the patient and the physician, and may leave either one or both, speechless. During this episode, patients share stories about conversations with their doctor that have left them speechless. Hosts Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are joined by Dr. Kirk Minkus and Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith who will also share their funniest and even endearing moments with patients.
Dr. Minkus and Dr. Phillips shared similar stories about patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, plaque build-up in mainly the leg arteries that restrict blood flow, that they helped by opening up the arteries and restoring blood flow to their legs, who had an unexpected result following the procedure. Dr. Minkus had a young couple tell him he saved their marriage and Dr. Phillips had a couple upwards of 90 years old who felt like teenagers again with increased intimacy. Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith shared the story of a patient who refused her help to get a second opinion from an advanced skilled vascular specialist known for limb salvage techniques and went ahead with an amputation which might've been prevented. The shocking thing was the 'Goodbye Leg party' which was complete with yard signs and cake celebrating this milestone.
Host Kym McNicholas kicked off a series of stories from patient perspective, about physician encounters, that surprised them. She attends appointments with patients who have Peripheral Artery Disease as an advocate through The Way To My Heart. During one appointment the physician told a patient that it wasn't effective to treat below-the-knee and that a bypass wouldn't be effective because flow through her one vessel (out of three) running through the calf, was sluggish. So, her only option was to walk, walk, walk until she couldn't walk anymore and when the pain was too much, he would amputate. When she asked for a second opinion, he replied, "I don't need a second opinion as I'm confident in my assessment." Ultimately Kym was able to get the patient a second opinion from an advanced skilled physician who opened up her vessels below-the knee and she's still walking more than a year later.
Two patient callers, Michelle and Tabitha, shared their physician experiences before Nurse Practitioner Kay talked about a patient she was helping in the United Kingdom who was getting the plaque in her iliac artery cleared using endovascular approaches. No sedation was used during the procedure. In response to the patient's cries of pain and her nurse with tears shedding in empathy, the doctor responded by saying, "It's not a good day unless I make a nurse and patient cry." And if that wasn't shocking enough, Dave from Indianapolis left everyone speechless for a moment when he shared his experience at a medical conference where a physician held a seminar on how to prevent patients from getting a second opinion.
One highlight of the show was the Save My Piggies segment where a patient, Douglas, candidly talks about his fight for life and limb. His vascular surgeon escalated procedures every 3-6 months as his arteries continued to re-block, leaving the patient with few options to keep his limbs and fighting for his life like never before within two years of his first two stents. He was never diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease, offered critical medications for management, or had a discussion about lifestyle changes. It wasn't until Douglas found The Way To My Heart, did he finally get referred to another vascular specialist who was able to get him on the right path to living a better quality of life.
Click on the link below to listen to today's show!
Description: If you have been diagnosed with a form of vascular disease such as Heart Disease, plaque build-up that has the potential to restrict blood flow in the coronary arteries or Peripheral Artery Disease, which impacts the leg arteries then it is likely you have plaque build-up in other vessels in the body, especially small vessels including those that feed the prostate. In this episode, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by Board Certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist Dr. Charles Nutting , who specializes in small vessel revascularization and prostate artery embolization (PAE), an outpatient procedure that involves the release of microscopic, plastic beads into the arteries that feed the prostate gland. We discuss who might be a candidate, the risks involved, and how to talk to your doctor about sexual dysfunction, what might be causing it, and available treatment options.
A patient, Douglas, joined the conversation, sharing his personal story experiencing sexual dysfunction as a first sign of systemic vascular problems. Also, The Way To My Heart Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith shares her story of assisting in a PAE procedure for a 19-year-old who was able to have an erection for the first time in his life while still on the table after physicians completed the case.
During today's show, Dr. John Phillips is broadcasting LIVE from an educational seminar for clinicians that was put together by device maker Cook Medical. Kym is LIVE from the Vascular Institute in Sacramento, California where she observed Dr. Inder Singh saving the leg of a The Way To My Heart Inc patient who was on deck for a below-the-knee amputation. Dr. Singh shares how he was able to restore additional blood flow to help heal wounds on the patient's foot.
To find an Interventional Radiologist in your area who may offer Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE), go to the Society of Radiology’s website: https://www.sirweb.org/
Make sure to listen to today’s broadcast!
Description: It might be odd to think that on a show about vascular health, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are talking about fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in a woman's uterus. There is a vascular connection. First, studies show that cardiovascular risk factors were slightly more common for women with fibroids than for women without fibroids. Fibroids have been associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis, and some recommend using fibroids as a marker for future cardiovascular disease (CVD). Second, there’s a minimally invasive technique to treat fibroids without surgery that’s becoming more prevalent, known as Uterine artery embolization (UAE), where the blood supply of the fibroids is cut off, causing the fibroids to shrink.
During this episode Kym and Dr. Phillips talk to Advanced Vascular Centers Interventional Radiologist Dr. Mary Costantino about Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), what it is, how it’s performed, its effectiveness, and when it’s warranted versus the traditional and mainstream treatment using a hysterectomy, which is the physical removal of the uterus. We also discuss why UAE isn’t offered to most women as an alternative to hysterectomy and how reimbursement may be a contributing factor as payers offer facilities more for the invasive versus minimally-invasive options. UAE isn’t right for everyone, however. Some researchers express concern about using UAE in younger women with reproductive plans due to possible pregnancy complications down the road. But if hysterectomy is the only other alternative, which prevents even the possibility of a pregnancy, Dr. Costatino believes it’s important for gynecologists to have an open, candid discussion about all available options along with the benefits and risks of each one. She contends that it is not fair to withhold the availability of UAE from patients and afford them the benefit of being able to gather all pertinent information and weigh her options. Dr. Costantino talks about how it’s the women, themselves, who are actually the driving force behind the growing popularity of using UAE as an option to treat fibroids, because they’re doing their homework, not wanting to be out of work with an up to six-week recovery from hysterectomy versus a small puncture in the wrist or groin as the only external entry point for treatment using UAE, that allows a woman back on her feet in days. An important takeaway that Dr. Costantino shares about fibroid treatment, is it’s not something to rush into for any woman. Some women never have lifestyle-limiting symptoms or complications. But those who have lifestyle limiting symptoms including the below, should have the discussion about all treatment options with their gynecologist:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Menstrual periods lasting more than a week.
- Pelvic pressure or pain.
- Frequent urination.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Backache or leg pains.
If treatment is right for you, ask your gynecologist for a referral to a surgeon who would perform a hysterectomy AND to an Interventional Radiologist who can perform a UAE so that you can best weight all available options and decide what is best for you.
For more information go to Dr. Costantino’s website: https://advancedvascularcenters.com/uterine-fibroids/
And to find an Interventional Radiologist in your area who may treat fibroids, go to the Society of Radiology’s website: https://www.sirweb.org/
Make sure to listen to today’s broadcast!
In the summer, your feet are exposed to the elements more often which is especially concerning for those with diabetes, neuropathy, and Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is poor circulation due to plaque build-up in the arteries. Podiatrist Dr. David Alper joins hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips to talk about how to prevent common foot problems and complications.
An important part of today’s discussion was about how lack of circulation can put patients at-risk of more severe complications during the summer especially. Wounds don’t heal as quickly and easily without proper blood flow. So, if you have diabetes or P.A.D., it’s important to have a vascular specialist and podiatrist team up to help both on the inside of your arteries and outside of your foot. Dr. Anthony Pozun, an Interventional Cardiologist with Modern Vascular in the Phoenix area of Arizona, was listening to the show and called in to drive home that point. He added that tools and techniques for restoring blood flow have advanced to the point where some physicians know how to carefully navigate clear into the small vessels in the foot to help clear a path if necessary for even more flow to heal wounds faster, especially in diabetics who tend to have more vascular issues in their lower extremities.
Patients wrote in many questions during today’s broadcast as well about choosing appropriate shoes and proper toe nail care. Dr. Alper emphasized that flip flops are not the most supportive choice for the feet especially because they force you to grip the shoe with your big toe and second toe, which can lead to bunions and hammer toe problems. That can also pose a problem for those with neuropathy who might not feel a friction wound brewing between the two toes. Dr. Alper suggested that summer footwear should have at least a band around the heel so the foot remains secure and supported without effort. And if you do a lot of walking or running, that sneakers should be replaced every six months to ensure the best support for exercise programs. As for toe nail care, he discussed the importance of learning from a podiatrist how to cut your toe nails properly and to shy away from nail salons if you have diabetes, neuropathy, and/or P.A.D. One of the most important points Dr. Alper raises about avoiding summer foot problems is the use of sunscreen. He said that some of the most frequent visits to his clinic during the summer were by those with second degree burns or worse, not just on the top of their feet, but also the bottom. The latter of course is due to forgoing shoes on hot pavement.
Also in this episode, you don't want to miss our Save My Piggies segment where a patient, Sheryl and her Vascular Surgeon in Oklahoma City, Dr. Bernardino Rocha, share an inspiring story of how a second opinion made the difference between life and limb. She found Dr. Rocha through nonprofit advocacy organization The Way To My Heart after she spent months in a wheelchair with no hope of ever walking again. Her primary care physician had misdiagnosed her symptoms of leg pain and cramps as gout and when medicine didn’t help it, he offered her muscle relaxers and told her to drink plenty of fluid to relieve the cramps in her foot and calf. It wasn’t until she went to a podiatrist for an unrelated issue that he discovered signs of a circulatory problem. Further testing uncovered she had Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in the leg arteries due to plaque build-up. That is what was causing all the leg cramps. She thought the proper diagnosis would lead her to an easy solution, but her vascular surgeon told her that the only thing he could do was an extensive bypass that he didn’t think would last very long and amputation was in her future. The Way To My Heart sent her to Dr. Rocha for a second opinion and he was able to easily clear the artery blockages using minimally invasive tools and techniques. After the angiogram procedure she felt immediate pain relief and was able to get out of the wheelchair, with a regular walking regimen each day whether on pavement or in the pool.
Make sure to listen to today’s broadcast!
Are your arteries on fire? Are there hidden (or obvious) correctable risk factors that are fueling the fire? In most cases specialized blood testing, along with a careful evaluation by a knowledgeable healthcare provider, can uncover multiple addressable areas that can reduce your risk of ongoing artery damage.
On this week's The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips are joined by Dr. Michael Dansinger, Medical Director at heart-health company Boston Heart Diagnostics, that does specialized blood testing to help doctors and patients manage and prevent vascular diseases including peripheral artery disease. Boston Heart also provides ultra-personalized nutrition and lifestyle prescriptions for patients based on their blood test results and other factors specific to each patient. Blood tests must be ordered by healthcare providers and are partially covered by medical insurance in most cases.
They discuss a variety of different advanced blood tests for cardiovascular health and what they mean. Why is it important to perform advanced bloodwork? It's for:
- Uncovering obvious and hidden risk factors for ongoing cardiovascular damage
- Designing an optimal eating strategy based on an individual’s specific blood test results, medical issues, and food preferences
- Identifying appropriate treatments including lifestyle recommendations, medications and/or supplements
- Measuring improvements resulting from treatments including lifestyle habits, medications, and/or supplements
There are seven different categories of specialized cardiovascular blood tests offered through Boston Heart Diagnostics:
- Particles that cause artery damage
- Cholesterol source
- Cholesterol elimination
- Fatty acid balance
- Diabetes risk
- Inflammation
- Genetics
During this show, we focused mainly on particles that cause artery damage, cholesterol source, cholesterol elimination, inflammation, and diabetes risk. More specifically:
- Particles that cause artery damage
LDL cholesterol: The concentration of cholesterol in LDL particles. Levels around 60-70 mg/dL are optimal for artery health, especially in people with known cardiovascular disease or peripheral vascular disease. It usually requires statin medications to get that low. Levels of 70-100 mg/dL are reasonably good for people without known vascular disease.
ApoB: This measures the concentration of LDL particles rather than the concentration of cholesterol contained in LDL particles. ApoB levels predict cardiovascular risk slightly better than LDL cholesterol.
LDL-P: This is an alternative way to measure the concentration of LDL particles.
Small-dense LDL cholesterol: Most of the damage caused by the smallest and densest LDL particles. Boston Heart measures the amount and percentage of cholesterol specifically in small-dense LDL particles. Publishes studies show this test is a superior predictor of cardiovascular disease, and you want the levels to be as low as possible. Along with appropriate medications and/or supplements, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, eating less refined sugars and starch, and daily exercise can reduce small-dense LDL cholesterol.
Lipoprotein (a): This is an artery-damaging particle that is too high in about 20% of men and women. High levels can run in families since it is genetically determined.
- Cholesterol Source Testing
Cholesterol production: The liver makes cholesterol. In some people the liver makes too much cholesterol leading to high levels of LDL particles, including small-dense LDL particles. This may happen for genetic reasons, or because there is a lot of fat accumulated in the liver, or for other reasons. There are blood tests that identify whether high cholesterol levels are due to overproduction. Weight loss can reduce fatty liver and cholesterol overproduction. Statin drugs (for example Crestor or Lipitor) reduce cholesterol production from by the liver. Repeat testing of cholesterol production levels can demonstrate the effectiveness of treatments.
Cholesterol absorption: The intestines absorb cholesterol. In some people (about 25-30%) the main source of high LDL cholesterol levels is from over-absorption rather than over-production of cholesterol. These people are more sensitive than others to dietary cholesterol, and they do not respond as well to statin drugs. They respond well to medications (like ezetimibe) and supplements (like fiber and plant sterols/stanols) that block cholesterol absorption by the intestines. In this way, knowing the source of high LDL cholesterol can guide treatment decisions by doctors and patients.
- Cholesterol Elimination
HDL cholesterol: Most people call this “good cholesterol” but it is actually a way to measure the level of HDL particles. HDL particles help remove excess cholesterol from the body. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol indicate lower risk of heart and vascular diseases. Exercise raises HDL cholesterol; smoking lowers HDL cholesterol.
Large HDL particles: You want your HDL particles to be large. The large HDL particles are the ones that remove cholesterol most effectively. Unfortunately unhealthy refined sugars and starches, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance prevent the HDL particles from becoming large and mature. Think of apples on a tree that never become large and ripe because the tree is not getting what it needs. People with cardiovascular disease often lack the large HDL particles, which can be measured most effectively with the “HDL Map” test by Boston Heart. Studies show the HDL map test is very effective at measuring improvements caused by favorable lifestyle changes.
- Diabetes Risk
Studies show that among people age 65 and older in the U.S., about 25% have diabetes, plus another 50% have prediabetes! We are all at risk for diabetes in our lifetime, and there are blood tests for measuring that risk. Healthy lifestyle choices and certain medications can delay the progression from prediabetes to full type 2 diabetes, or potentially improve type 2 diabetes to the point of remission.
Hemoglobin A1c: this simple blood test is in common use, and can be used to measure the risk or extent of prediabetes or diabetes. It provides a 2 to 3 month average blood sugar reading by showing how “sugar coated” your blood is.
Insulin testing: This simple blood test is done after an overnight fast. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to move sugar (glucose) from the blood into tissues to be used for energy. Some people have abnormally high or low insulin levels in the blood, which an be used to provide measures of diabetes risk. Improvements in insulin levels can be used to measure improvements in diabetes risk. At Boston Heart we offer a test called the “Beta Cell Function and Risk Index” which uses fasting insulin and glucose levels to monitor diabetes risk and recommend treatments based on the specific results.
Prediabetes assessment testing: This test offered by Boston Heart gives doctors and patients a measure of how rapidly a patient is moving from prediabetes toward prediabetes toward type 2 diabetes. The test uses a combination of multiple blood tests and clinical factors that have been shown to predict (with an accuracy of 92%) the 10-year risk of diabetes in patients with prediabetes.
- Inflammation
When we talk about “fire” in the arteries that is another way saying “inflammation” in the arteries. We can use special blood tests to measure different aspects of inflammation.
C-reactive protein (CRP): This is the most common test for inflammation. Increased blood levels means there is inflammation somewhere in the body, from any cause. If there is no sign of infection, injury, or illness that could cause inflammation, then an increased blood level is often a measure of the intensity of ongoing artery damage from any cause.
MPO: This is also known as “myeloperoxidase”. It is a general measure of active white blood cells and inflammation. In someone with known coronary artery disease, high levels of MPO can signal “hot plaque” that is at risk to cause a heart attack.
LpPLA2: This is also known as the “PLAC test”. It is a measure of inflammation caused by cholesterol plaque inside the artery walls. It is more specific to artery health than C-reactive protein or MPO.
Quote of the Day: “You have the power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Why do my veins seem bigger in the summer? That question leads Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas into an in-depth discussion with co-host Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips, Hill Vascular's Vascular Surgeon Dr. Bradley hill, and world-renowned vein expert from London, Dr. Mark Whitely, about varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and Deep Venous Thrombosis (blood clots). They talk about the reasons why only 10% of the 30 million Americans, who are estimated to have venous issues, actually get treated and what the advanced treatments are for not only superficial veins but also deep veins.
A key issue in this show's discussion is types of vein issues that are merely cosmetic versus ones that indicate a more significant health risk that must be addressed. A debate also arose about the use of compression socks as frontline treatment for many venous issues and the difference in philosophy between the United Kingdom and United States. Dr. Misha Ginsberg, Interventional Radiologist at Froedtert South in Wisconsin called in after hearing the discussion to join in and share his perspective. The one critical non-negotiable when it comes to compression stockings, as expressed by Dr. Bradley Hill and agreed upon by all doctors present on the show, is for use on long flights and car rides. That's because when sedentary the leg muscles aren't contracting as effectively as they do when walking to help usher the blood back to the heart, and blood clots can develop.
Listen to the show for a dynamic discussion about venous health, critical questions that should be asked of every patient who presents with vein-related symptoms, and when treatment should be sought.
While most vascular events seem to happen in winter versus summer, fun in the sun can impact your vascular health, increasing your morbidity and mortality. So, during episode five of The Heart of Innovation, co-hosts Emmy Award-winning Journalist Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are joined by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. George Adams, Director of Cardiovascular & Peripheral Research at Rex Hospital in North Carolina, to talk about who is most at-risk of weathering from the summer heat and how to mitigate that risk.
We hear the broken record to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate on hot days. But on this show we talk about why it’s important. Dr. Phillips explains that when our body heats up, normally we sweat as the primary means of helping our body control its temperature. But dehydration impairs this process and can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, even heart attack. Dr. Adams adds that those with Peripheral Artery Disease, restricted blood flow in mainly the legs due to plaque build-up, dehydration can also lead to increased claudication, or leg cramps, stopping you in your tracks. They both contend that adding fluid with electrolytes is important, making sure your choice beverage is not high in sugar or sodium, will help reduce risk of dehydration. The Way To My Heart’s Nurse Practitioner Kay suggests tonic water as well, especially to reduce leg cramps. She advises not to ‘chug’ it all at once, but to instead, sip it gradually throughout your exercise regiment and throughout the day.
Did you know general medications you take for vascular issues and other ailments can also cause dehydration, reduce your body’s ability to sweat, and increase your risk of sunburn? During the show Kym also mentions some of those as advised by The Way To My Heart’s Pharmacy Advisor Dr. Avni Kardani. They include diuretics (water pills), allergy medications such as Benadryl and pseudophedrine, anti-depressants, blood thinners, drugs for arrythmia, NSAIDs, and even chemotherapy drugs. She suggests asking your physician or pharmacist these questions:
- Are the medications I'm taking putting me at greater risk of heat stroke?
- What are the steps I must take to mitigate my risk of heat stroke?
- How do I know if I'm having a heat stroke? What are the signs & symptoms?
- What should I do if I think I'm having a heat stroke?
Several patients called in during the broadcast including Monique, Marcia, and Heidi who had specific questions about exercising more effectively during the summer months to reduce risk of injury, whether the heat can increase someone’s risk of a heart attack if they have heavy plaque build-up in their coronary arteries, and if the heat plays a role in increased fatigue following a procedure to unblock arteries in the legs or heart during the summer months. Interventional Cardiologists’ Dr. Phillips and Dr. Adams were able to help those patients during the LIVE broadcast. Patients are welcome to call-in LIVE during the show each Saturday starting at 11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET to talk to a vascular specialist. The call-in number is: 1-888-367-5329.
Tune into the show to learn more about the summer heat and vascular health. Also, you don’t want to miss this week’s Save My Piggies segment as Bill from Ohio shares his story of perseverance using walking as medicine when doctors told him there was no other surgical option that wasn’t high-risk for him. You will be inspired by his ability to improve his vascular health with every step he takes! Dr. Phillips and Dr. Adams explain why this is possible by discussing the mechanism of action by which walking can increase circulation.
Why is it that some doctors are on the cutting-edge with new treatments while others still use the tools and techniques they learned from medical school despite advancements in medicine? That’s the topic Emmy Award-winning Co-host Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips are tackling in this week’s The Heart of Innovation show. Kym is LIVE from Italy on the heels of CLI-C, one of the most prestigious conferences in the world for treating blocked arteries in the legs, an issue which impacts one in five people over age 60, known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). Without proper treatment, P.A.D. can lead to amputation, stroke, and even heart attack. Only 10% of vascular specialists, whether it’s a vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, or interventional cardiologist, are trained in advanced treatment tools and techniques to save limbs for the most complex cases of P.A.D., which we see in patients who have Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), limb threatening artery blockages. That’s because innovation around the treatment of these patients is moving at the speed of light and physicians may not be aware of the opportunities to learn what’s new and next.
You might wonder, “How is that possible that physicians aren’t aware of what’s new and next?”
The answer is that it depends on where the physician decides to pursue their continuing medical education activities (CME).
Physicians are required to participate in continuing medical education (CME) activities to meet requirements of state medical boards, medical specialty societies, etc. for licensing and accreditation. The purpose of requiring CME credits, is to encourage physicians to main, develop, or increase the knowledge, and skills. They can earn these credits by attending live meetings, working online, or watching course recordings on a variety of topics related to patient care, community health or public health, preventive medicine, quality assurance or improvement, risk management, and more. Physicians are not required to attend specific sessions covering cutting-edge treatments
A lot of factors play into the CME activities of any physician such as facility, society guidelines for a specific practice which may either encourage or limit interest in certain treatment approaches, interest in new ideas, resistance to new ideas that may interfere with their standardized approach, family obligations, networking opportunities, and more. So, while they all may have the title of doctor, a specific specialty, fancy pedigree, work in a prestigious facility, it doesn’t necessarily reflect their current knowledge and ability as compared to their peers.
In this episode, Kym and Dr. Phillips use the CLI-C conference as an example of a CME activity that offers vascular specialists the ability to not only hear about new tools and techniques to treat complex artery blockages in the legs, but to see them put into practice with multiple live cases that allow attendees to interact with physicians in hospitals who are treating a patient in real-time. Dr. Mariano Palena and Dr. Marco Manzi were the leading physicians for this particular course in Padua, Italy this past week. They share the importance of coming to these events to discuss and even debate new treatment options for patients. The greatest value, they say, is in the open discussions that transpire between physicians with a variety of different perspectives and then seeing a physician during the LIVE case implement the best ideas as well as the patient outcomes. They encourage patients to use online resources such as The Way To My Heart to learn the most advanced treatment options for P.A.D., then search online to see what conferences physicians can attend to learn them, and see if their physician attends those conferences or ones like them to ensure they’re on the cutting-edge. Some key questions discussed during the show, which patients can ask their physician about when it comes to continuing include:
- What are the most advanced tools and techniques available for my issue, even if you don’t offer them?
- What CME activities do you attend to learn the most advanced tools and techniques? How often do you attend them?
- What was the last one you attended and what did you learn which you might apply in my case?
- Are you on the faculty of any advanced meetings or conferences and if so, which ones?
- Do you have any cases, studies, or publications you’ve presented at recent meetings or conferences?
Tune into the show to learn more about why it’s important for physicians to broaden their scope and attend a variety of different CME activities, as well as how a patient can determine if their physician is on the cutting edge. Also, you don’t want to miss this week’s Save My Piggies segment as author and triathlete Kevin Morgan shares his story which drives home the importance of advanced medical education as he was forced to self-diagnose when his physicians failed to diagnose an abdominal aneurysm that was about to rupture. His advanced research skills as a veterinarian and pathologist led him to attribute his symptoms to an aneurysm. He independently got an abdominal ultrasound and sought a second opinion using his scans to prove his own initial diagnosis. Successful treatment for the aneurysm has kept him on his feet competing as a triathlete and inspiring others through his blog at www.athletewithstent.com.
C.H.A.T. is an acronym for Carotids, Heart, Abdomen, and Toes. In this show, Hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips, along with guest co-host Nurse Practitioner Kay Smith drive home the importance of urging your doctor to perform a full head-to-toe vascular assessment during each annual exam, especially if you have high-risk factors such as family history, diabetes, autoimmune disease, celiac disease, obesity, former/current smoker, and more.
What do we mean by C.H.A.T.:
C, Carotids. The carotid arteries, located in your neck, are the major blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to your brain. Plaque build-up can narrow those vessels. If the plaque breaks off and flows up to your brain, it can cause a stroke. Your physician will use a stethoscope to listen for a bruit (Brew-ee), which is turbulent blood flow. Follow-up testing may include a duplex ultrasound.
H, Heart. The heart plays an important role in pumping blood and nutrients, including oxygen, throughout the body. Plaque can develop in the coronary arteries and restrict blood flow, starving the heart of oxygen. This can cause chest, pain, shortness of breath, angina, or heart attack. The heart can also develop trouble with electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat, and structural problems such as with heart valves, which keep blood flowing in the right direction. "Leaky valves," which don't close properly, can put a strain on the heart. Your physician will listen to your heart for abnormal sounds, and check your heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation using various tools. Follow-up testing may include an ECG, stress test, CT scan, echocardiogram, and heart catheterization.
A, Abdomen. Large arteries critical in supplying blood flow to major organs such as your kidneys, stomach, liver, spleen, bowels, and then into the legs are found in your abdomen (e.g., aorta, iliac, renal arteries). Plaque build-up in these arteries may be silent until damage to those organs occurs. Your doctor may listen with a stethoscope for abnormal sounds in the abdomen, such as turbulent flow. Your doctor may also feel for a pulsating aorta as it could signal an aneurysm, which is a balloon-like bulge in the blood vessel caused by weakening in all three layers of the vessel wall. Screening is critical because an aneurysm can grow undetected with the first symptom being a life-threatening rupture. Risk factors include heredity, age, smoking, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. Follow-up testing may include an ultrasound, a CT scan, and MRA.
T, Toes. The health of arteries in your legs and feet can indicate a risk for heart attack, stroke, and amputation. If you have plaque build-up in your leg arteries, called Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), it's likely to be happening elsewhere in your body, especially in your heart. Many patients with P.A.D. have no symptoms yet remain at high risk for bad outcomes. That is why screening is recommended in high-risk patients, especially ones with diabetes and/or a history of smoking. Your doctor may ask about leg cramps or weakness when you walk, also if you have neuropathy, numbness, or tingling. They may also examine your skin for discoloration or wounds and feel for pulses. Follow-up tests may include an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Test and ultrasound.
Kym shares the story of what inspired the C.H.A.T. campaign: her mom who unexpectedly passed from an undetected aneurysm. She explains that if only her physician would’ve taken a few seconds to listen for a bruit, turbulent flow, in her abdomen upon complaints of textbook symptoms such as shortness of breath, sudden back pain, and erratic blood pressure, she might still be here today. Kym’s dad also joined the conversation to share his story about how his primary care physician missed indications he was on the verge of a heart attack and how they had to fight for his life. With proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, he is now, at 80 years old, walking 4.5 miles daily, including hills, and putting down 30 push-ups in one breath using the Wim Hoff method.
Kym uses her dad’s story to point out that life and limb depend on the training of a primary care physician. She explains why antiquated approaches to diagnosis at that level such as a basic lipid panel are not enough to determine if a patient needs to see a cardiologist or other vascular specialist because 50% of heart attack sufferers have normal basic lipid panels. She points out the primitive nature of the stethoscope and the need for more physicians to adopt an advanced technology that doesn’t require a trained ear to detect subtle life-threatening abnormalities, such as with Eko Devices. Eko Devices makes a newer, more advanced stethoscope, which uses AI to help with the advanced detection of heart problems. She gets CEO Connor Landgraf to jump on the line for a moment to explain how this technology is a game-changer for primary care physicians who have a lot to do in a short amount of time with each patient. The Eko Stethoscope allows them to perform a deeper life-saving assessment in seconds.
Several callers also shared their experiences:
Kevin, an ironman finisher, former veterinarian, and pathologist, shared his story of how he saved his own life by self-diagnosing an aneurysm when his doctors overlooked it. He says he’s gone on to write books and a blog to inspire others to live strong.
Diana, a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), expressed concern that despite having P.A.D. and atherosclerosis in her carotid arteries, her physicians refuse to check her heart because she doesn’t have obvious symptoms of plaque build-up in the heart. Dr. Phillips chimes to say that she and others need to step-up their self-advocacy and push for even just a stress test on the treadmill if they have any risk factors. Nurse Practitioner Kay added to the conversation, sharing her experience with having an unexpected heart attack with her doctors having never checked her heart either despite having P.A.D.
Everyone knows of the condition Cardiovascular Disease, also known as Heart Disease, which is plaque build-up in the arteries around the heart. In the legs, plaque build-up in the arteries is known as Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.). It can also impact the arms and sometimes the small arteries in the brain. But it's mainly the legs.
Three-in-five heart attack sufferers, one-five over age 60, and one-three diabetics over age 50 have it. Globally, it is estimated that over 200 million people have P.A.D. Most don't know it until it reaches advanced stages and heart attack, stroke, and amputation are imminent.
Doctors may misdiagnose textbook symptoms of leg pain and leg cramps as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic foot, fibromyalgia, old age, arthritis, or even spinal/sciatic problems. But it’s easy to diagnose or rule out with even two fingers and two seconds with a doctor feeling a patient’s leg pulses.
Douglas, a P.A.D. patient from Texas, calls in to ask about walking as medicine for P.A.D. A brisk 30-minute walk a few times a week can help your body create a ‘natural bypass' around blockages by triggering the body’s collateral network of vessels.
Pushing through some of the pain and cramping caused by that restricted blood flow tells your body, “Hey, we have a demand for additional blood flow that we aren’t meeting, so let’s call in for some back-up!”
The back is our collateral network of vessels that lay dormant until they’re needed to re-route flow around blockages to feed oxygen and other nutrients to the lower extremities. Dr. John Phillips, co-host of The Heart of Innovation, explains to Douglas how to walk effectively to kick that collateral network into gear to improve circulation naturally.
What is The Heart of Innovation? This first episode, Co-Hosts Emmy Award-winning Journalist/Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips talks about the catalysts for creating change in healthcare through this radio show/podcast.
We specifically address vascular diseases with Heart Disease remaining the #1 killer and the many associated ailments contributing to vascular complications, whether diabetes, autoimmune disorders, COVID-19, Peripheral Artery Disease, stroke, aneurysm, or others.
Dr. Phillips and Kym explain their passion for specifically addressing Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.), which is restricted blood flow mainly in the leg arteries because of plaque build-up, which affects three-in-five heart attack sufferers and one in five over age 60.
Dr. Phillips started out his career focusing on unblocking arteries in the heart but has since expanded his practice to include using the same type of tools and techniques to unblock arteries in the legs and prevent amputations. He found patients would come to him for second opinions after a physician would say they have no option but amputation, and his advanced skill set could save their legs.
To encourage all patients to get that very important second opinion from a physician with an advanced skill set, he started the Save My Piggies podcast, featuring patients telling their stories to inspire other patients to fight for their legs and not settle for amputation.
Kym shifted her career from journalist to P.A.D. Navigator started The Way To My Heart (501(c)(3) non-profit) after covering a story on a new device designed to unblock arteries.
For the story, she traveled to nearly a dozen countries and more than thirty states, watching hundreds of doctors perform thousands of hours of procedures to unblock arteries using advanced minimally invasive tools and techniques as well as traditional approaches such as bypass and amputation. It was during her global journey that she learned that different doctors have different tools and techniques that dictate different patient outcomes.
For example, one patient may get their leg saved by one doctor, while another patient with the same presentation of the disease is getting their leg amputated by another.
Listen to the show at this link to hear the details of their journeys and more about what you can expect each week on this show, which encourages doctors, patients, researchers, innovators, decision-makers, and all healthcare professionals to have a candid discussion about how to shape the future of care and improve outcomes for patients with vascular diseases.
One patient called in during this episode and an advanced skilled Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Fadi Saab, both shared the same message that it’s important for patients and physicians alike to understand what’s new and next in the treatment of vascular disease in order to improve outcomes.
Covid 19 has shed light on the incredible inequities when it comes to access to nutritious foods.
Food insecurity is a big factor when it comes to nutritional deficiencies that leave our bodies vulnerable to viruses and chronic illness – whether it’s covid, diabetes, heart disease, or peripheral artery disease.
You can’t stay healthy without nutrition and you can’t heal without nutrition. Therefore, it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
But Dole Asia Holdings and its subsidiaries are calling on all innovators to work together to break the cycle with its increased focus on tackling food insecurities.
They’ve launched the Sunshine For All Fund, which is a 2 million dollar annual fund that will support global strategic partnerships and innovation in the crucial areas of sustainability, food access, and waste.
Dr. Lara Ramdin, Chief Innovation Officer of Dole Packaged Foods. discusses the business' transformation, which is deeply rooted in its purpose, and how to partner with their effort with Emmy Award-winning host Kym McNicholas
A 45-year-old woman recently shared her story with me after finding our patient advocacy nonprofit The Way To My Heart and wishing she had found it sooner because we may have helped her save not just one leg but both. Two months after being diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease, a narrowing of mainly the leg arteries due to plaque build-up, her hospital vascular specialist told her that the vessels below her knee were severely compromised and too small to treat. He told her to walk until she couldn’t walk anymore and then he would amputate.
One night about six months later, she woke up at 2am because the pain was unbearable and she decided it was her leg or life. So, she and her husband drove to the emergency room where physicians pumped her full of powerful pain medications until her surgeon arrived and took her to the operating room to amputate her leg at the knee. She had never thought to get a second opinion as her vascular specialist was the head of the department at a large University Hospital. She thought he was the best and didn’t think to question his skillset until he gave her the same option for her left leg one year later. That’s when she found The Way To My Heart and we directed her to a “Pedal Loop Specialist” trained in navigating the small blood vessels below-the-knee to restore flow.
This woman’s story is not unique. Nearly 200,000 needless amputations are performed annually due to advanced stages of PAD, known as Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia. Navigating smaller, compromised vessels below-the-knee is risky and requires highly skilled interventionalists, special tools, and additional time, which are few and far between. New technology has the potential to change that. LimFlow has formalized a technique used by advanced interventionalists to re-route blood flow around a blockage in an artery below-the-knee using a vein. Arteries naturally deliver blood flow to the foot and veins are responsible for outflow. LimFlow’s system includes a specially designed crossing device to easily make the artery to vein connection. Forward flow is enabled in the vein through a disabling of the venous valves using a valvulotome. An extension stent is placed to block smaller veins from taking blood flow in the newly converted vein back to the heart, and a tapered crossing stent is used to bridge the artery to vein connection.
LimFlow’s CEO Dan Rose shares the backstory behind the system, which has already received CE Mark for use in Europe, and is well on it’s path to U.S. FDA clearance in the Q&A below.
Treatment for vascular blockages is getting a much needed innovation makeover. Alucent is first tackling one of the most debilitating diseases – peripheral artery disease, plaque build-up in mainly the legs that narrows blood flow causing excruciating pain. They’re focus is making the well-known ‘stent,' currently used to maintain diseased arteries and veins open, obsolete. The stent is a foreign object that when placed in the body can trigger an inflammatory response leading to more build-up in the artery that blocks flow – so a patient is back to square one. So, while a stent can be life & limb saving at first, it may not have a lasting impact. Alucent has designed a more natural option to keep the vessel open. It's one that’s activated by a deep blue light that creates a scaffolding inside the vessel to keep it open. In this interview, CEO Dr. Myles Greenberg explains how they're going to use an additional raise of $35 million dollars to support clinical trials, one of which has recently begun.
The Most Innovative Practical Gifts For Car Owners - December 15th, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
The Most Innovative Beverages of the Holiday Season - December 8th, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Summary:
Claude Blankiet was a pioneer in stone washing denim and is now applying the same innovative thinking to wine making. While visiting New York from France, he noticed very traditional styles and a lack of ingenuity in fashion. He moved there in the 1970’s to continue his work in the jean business, eventually creating a technique of washing denim in pumice stones to create worn, lighter wash jeans. Years later, he operates his Napa winery using the same inventive mentality. Upon entering the wine business, Blankiet began work with experienced, yet stubborn winemakers. Professionals were limited by their own knowledge making the wine high quality, but not progressive, just as the fashion industry had been. Blankiet shifted his business away from such mentors and now relied solely on his own taste, which has led to his success.
Key Takeaways:
Blankiet describes his way of thinking as interpretive management. This is what allows him to transition between businesses, while applying the same skills. He is not so much a creator, as an interpreter of outside ideas and talented in finding an appropriate application for them.
He experiments with non-traditional methods of production in all of his businesses in order to problem solve and maximize productivity.
One example of innovation in Blankiet’s vineyards is used to combat the intense Napa sun. Blankiet uses fabric covers to protect the fruit from direct light and was inspired by the Palm Desert to replicate a fine mist that cools the grapes without wetting them and affecting the wine production.
Key Quotes:
“The necessary thing to be successful in fine wine is to find a site and to be respectful of the site and to let the site produce the natural flavors that it is capable of making… The key for me was when I could make decisions about winemaking and let go of the hired talent and just do what I felt needed to be done.” - Claude Blankiet
“I am not a true innovator… most of what I do is using other people’s ideas, or equipment, or technique, or chemical, and finding a proper application to help me out.”- Claude Blankiet
“As a true innovator you are a lifelong learner and always learning lessons and adapting to the lessons that you learned.” Kym McNicholas
“Because of your adaptability and your ability to go and look at other industries, see what they are doing there, and bring those (solutions) in, you might be able to withstand.” - Kym McNicholas
“If your mindset is to try new things, you will find the correct solution to your problem.” - Claude Blankiet
Legendary Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg On Game Changing Sports Innovation - 11 - 17 - 17 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Legendary Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg on Game Changing Sports Innovation - November 17th, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Former Apple Designer Reinvents Teddy Bear To Promote Diversity, Acceptance, Self-Love - 10-27-17 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
The Creative Sprint To Spark Your Next Billion Dollar Idea - September 29th, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Goodbye Websites, Hello Chatbots - September 22nd, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Startups - How To Break Out Without Breaking The Law - September 8th, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
How To Fill 1.8 Million Cybersecurity Jobs in 24 Hours - September 1st, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Relay Ventures; Fundamentals of Raising Venture Capital - August 25, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
How To Get Your Innovation Noticed By Samsung - August 18, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
“Innovating with a purpose,” is something you might hear often. What does that really mean? Phil McKinney and Kym McNicholas touch on the upcoming technologies the cable industry and specifically CableLab are stirring up for the future -- for the better. CableLabs is the research and development arm for the cable industry. The role that broadband now plays in the world is truly remarkable. The question is -- how can they get broadband to those who don’t have it. It’s not longer a “nice-to-have” but rather, a “must-have.” At the CableLab annual conference, the team showed a video that emphasized their vision for the future of healthcare. Virtual doctors and other technologies show promise in the future of medicine. In fact, technologies such as these could cut nearly one trillion dollars in health care costs. You need to question society. What innovation do I need to create to address this societal challenge? It is all about how you define moments of need and connect them.
What is the blockchain according to Bill Tai? The internet. The blockchain is the same thing but with assets. It can aggregate history into groups of information with communities of interests surrounding it. CEO of ABRA, Bill Barydt. ABRA has recently partnered with the extremely well known American Express. ABRA is a digital currency wallet for IOS and Android. It allows you to store digital dollars on your smartphone with no bank involved. It is the only application that interoperates between the traditional and the new worlds. The third guest was Toni Lane Casserly, founder of Vnation.io. The idea? To leverage core innovation made by Blockchain infrastructure so that people can design new systems of governance. Next was Kevin Shen from Averon with a goal to make sure people aren’t forgetting they are secure on that side. Lastly, on the legal end of the blockchain was Pawel Kuskowski from Coinfirm. Coinfirm serves as a foundation for the safe adoption and use of blockchain.
Today on KDOW was Alan Amron, inventor of Post-it Notes. Alan’s piece of advice? Simplify to understand. Secondly, don’t protect your product. Patent and communicate. Get the word out and don’t be afraid of idea stealing thieves. If you have the patent, you have the power. Alan took a number of callers from different companies in the Extreme Tech Challenge. First was Chris Trifecta from Tactical and fourth was Miro Svetlik from PrintRod. How do they educate the market quick enough to make it to the next level? Alan told them one of his most successful tips, simplify to understand. What that means is, explain your product in one sentence or word if you can. The second caller was John McMillian from Shockwave Motors, and the third was Stewart Dennis from Bitbounce. They both want to know - how do you locate and connect with the right people? Look for the vice president of new product development at a successful company that could help you start production. Listen in next Tuesday @ 2PM!
Next Gen Innovation reporter Gabby, also a student at the University of Southern California told KDOW what entrepreneurs need to know about millennials today, and what is going to catch their attention. What are some things entrepreneurs need to know about millennials? Stop calling them millennials! The word is not only outdated but it carries negative connotations of narcissism. Secondly, they aren’t looking for you so you have to reach out to them. When creating a technology for millennials think “how can I convince them that they need this, without making them search for it?” Lastly is incentive. The best apps such as Snapchat keep young people on their toes, checking the application every ten minutes. New social media platforms are missing the boat because they are trying to come up with a new way of communicating. However, it has to be a new way of interacting with the entire world--even celebrities. What apps aren’t getting enough attention? Apps that make life easier.
Today on KDOW we had Sandeep Johri, CEO of Tricentis with 25 years of enterprise software experience. When a company writes the code for a piece of software it must be tested to make sure it works and that can be timely and costly. Tricentis software testing technology speeds up the process and reduces the cost for their customers like HBO, Toyota, Starbucks, BMW, Deutsche Bank, and even UBS. Tricentis is truly targeted at larger enterprises that have every technology imaginable-- old and new. Need a solution that spans the whole spectrum? That’s where Tricentis fits in. They knows how to find the entry point in an enterprise, a pain-point one could say. Find the pain-feeling project and expand from there. What is it that people really want to know? How they should be testing in the new world. Tricentis acknowledges how it should be done. Listen in to hear Sandeep answer questions from three callers about their pitches, and how they can grow.
It started with a handful of women who called out Binary Capital co-founder Justin Caldbeck for what they call inappropriate behavior, making unwarranted advances towards women who approached him for funding. He and his business partners at Binary Capital have offered to resign. Then 500 Startups co-founder Dave McClure was called out for alleged inappropriate behavior. And in a public apology, said he is a self-proclaimed "creep'. This has caused a long overdue stir in Silicon Valley. But this shake-up is far from over. I’m just waiting for the next shoe to drop as female entrepreneurs, who've long joked about going in for a check and out with an unwanted date, get up the courage to come forward. And taking it to the next level, other women may come forward shedding light on investors who simply wouldn’t invest in women because they were in 'child bearing years'. Beyond that, even men may start coming forward and express an abuse of power by the venture capital community as well, showing that the bad behavior in the rich and powerful investing market actually doesn’t doesn’t discriminate. It may be worse for women, but the abuse of power also transcends across the board. It's not to say that all VC's are acting in inappropriate ways. They're not. And I would hate for the venture capitalists and angel investors I work with, who are amazing, respectful, have diverse portfolios, and are incredibly supportive off all people no matter, race, gender, or sexuality, to get looped into the group of bad seeds. They should be celebrated. And in this show we have a great group of powerful women who are choosing to focus on those men AND women in Silicon Valley that support great innovation by ALL. They have great solutions to eliminate the "Creeps" in Silicon Valley and to create a more comfortable, safe, and equal working environment. If you have other suggestions, please share with any one of us personally, join us on Twitter using #GirlsInTech or #StandTogether, or in the comment section as well. Let's keep this conversation going.
Doctor Raghotham Patlola says he's never seen a medical device in the field of cardiology with the track record of Ra Medical System's DABRA Laser System. After presenting at an industry conference in Florida, he reminisced with the inventor of the excimer laser, which is used to unclog arteries using the power of light, about his early skepticism. With an unbelievable trial success rate of 95%, Dr. Patlola has now identified the patients that will benefit from this procedure. The idea of a painless, outpatient, local anesthesia procedure made people with difficult cases of peripheral artery disease more keen to participate. The problem is that the media likes to focus on the heart, not the legs. However, what the media does not know is that amputation has proven to cause much more psychological trauma and cost much more money than a heart attack. Listen in to heart Dr. Patlola and Dean Irwin answer business questions from Extreme Tech Challenge contestants.
ResultCare is a social network and search engine for doctors. Physicians bring their opinion to the platform on a specific scientific topic. Say there’s a cardiologist with 15 years of practice behind them who is about to submit an entry--ResultCare will have them go through their publications and how long they have been practicing, ultimately giving you a score. Your boat will end up carrying a lot more weight than say, a podiatrist who has been practicing for five years. A doctor makes 256 different decisions with patients on an average day, and ResultCare is there to aid that process and make sure physicians are making the right decisions. A focus study split into two groups--experimental using ResultCare and control using the internet--concluded that using ResultCare saved physicians nearly $7,900. ResultCare needs a user acquisition of about 5,000 physicians and five hospital contracts, and they are looking to achieve those goals in the next six to nine months.
Veronica Serra, one of the most sought after investors in all of Brazil talks about the criteria she uses when making investments. She tells KDOW listeners to find the right entrepreneurs to back. Caller Michael asked Veronica what she looks for in a company to have accomplished when looking to invest. First, Veronica looks if the company has a quality team. Second, she says get cases built around what your company is trying to do. Veronica tells Michael to engage in partnerships that can help you scale quickly. Ethan, cofounder of AWARE asks about the best practices to succeed and separate. Highlight what makes you different. Robert asked Veronica, what are the top recommendations regarding market success? Veronica says get your tools used by a rolemodel user who you can refer. Caller Gene from AwardEx.io, asks Veronica should they develop more features or focus on client acquisition? She says add features that no one else has, and then go full fledge in acquiring more users.
No debt. No venture capital. Profitable since year three. FDA clearances are in-hand. What's next, IPO? Ra Medical Co-founder/CEO Dean Irwin talks about how a technology, once only used for LASIK surgery, has now been adapted to tackle the number one killer in America, Cardiovascular Disease. Their ultimate goal with this technology? To prevent heart attacks by unclogging coronary arteries. Despite what your mother always told you growing up about sun exposure, UV radiation can actually be life-saving. Dean Irwin, co-founder of DABRA and CEO of RA Medica will tell us how his company harnesses the power of the sun to create a huge medical breakthrough. The excimer laser combines gases that react to create a laser light in the ultraviolet range. RA Medical has turned this laser into a medical miracle that can ablate right through the rock hard calcium and other buildup in the arteries, turning it back into its constituent, pre-existing components. The most recent news? DABRA has just received FDA approval for clinical trial and funding from Medicare. DABRA stands for Destruction of Arteriosclerotic Blockages by Laser Radiation Ablation. Dean combines his skills such as chemistry, optics and mechanics to uncover next-level medical inventions. He took his knowledge of electronics and how that kind of power system works and began to apply it to the excimer laser. After much trouble and set-back at General Atomics, Dean eventually started RA Medical when he was able to discover the ideal wavelength of the excimer laser to treat specific disorders. Dean took that model and evolved it into the PHAROS excimer laser that sends embarrassing skin conditions such psoriasis and vitiligo into remission. Now, with the DABRA laser, RA Medical is treating patients who suffer cardiovascular diseases using liquid instead of glass. They find that the excimer laser catheter, or DABRA, also keeps the physicians out of trouble. It doesn't have a lot of adverse events. In fact, in their pilot study, they did not have a single adverse event. A very rare, safe, and affordable cure is what this is! Doctors are keen to start using the DABRA because of the lack of a solution for 100% blockages in which a guidewire cannot cross through. RA Medical hopes to move the DABRA system beyond Peripheral Artery Disease. They see greater applications for arteries feeding the heart, as well as applications unclogging stents (in-stent restenosis). More FDA studies to come.
Mohit Garg is the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at MindTickle--a company that trains, coaches and aligns sales teams to be more effective. On today’s show, Mohit shared with us some “Secrets to Scaling Sales” and provided answers to a few startups that called in. Mohit points out how the nature of the sales process today has changed significantly from a “notion of asymmetry” to be “much more value-centric.” This relates to how today, the market is much more democratic and the process is much more scientific. Mohit notices how it is about establishing the value equation and asking “how will this benefit my business?” Alan Cannistraro is the co-founder and CEO of RHEO, an all new video viewing experience that launched one week ago. This alternative to large competitors such as Vimeo and Youtube is the “perfect product” with “perfect timing.” Cannistraro points out how recently there has been a paradox of choice in which viewers do not know where to go or what to look for because there is “too much noise.” RHEO is a company designed to alleviate stress and anxiety with organized and consistently high quality videos. The product is organized by seven moods such as ‘chill, laugh and learn.’ The goal is to make the decision process significantly easier when you don’t actually know what you want The Narrative Summit is the third event produced by the Digital Narrative Alliance (DNA) to explore the use of storytelling as a business and social tool. "Stories That Change" is the focus of the third conference, which will take place June 20th at UCSF's Mission Bay Conference Center. Mitch Ratcliffe is managing director of DNA and our third guest today. What's this Narrative Summit all about? How to use stories to align mission and goals; Techniques to engage your audience towards a future state; To use stories to engage internally and externally; How to handle stories that can conflict with mission and goals; To use stories and narratives to develop co-designed products, services, and futures, based on proven film and marketing strategies represented by our speakers.
How do you think big when you don’t. What a great question. You start a company. You find success initially with your product. You may be profitable. But you’ve plateaued – what next? How do you scale? Or let’s say You start a company. You have a great product. You’re not yet profitable. And you need to raise money to subsidize growth? Over the next hour we have Aurelia Setton to share the secrets to scaling your business. She is the founder and CEO of MontBlanc Ventures, which does seed investments in early stage startups. It also offers executive, hands-on operational support to companies that are ready to scale… with go-to-market and sales, whether they’re financially involved in the organization or not. Aurelia has a proven track record in helping companies to scale. She’s helped scale a small family-owned wine business from zero to $15 million in revenue, helped a cleantech company raise $90 million, along with guiding their growth to IPO. Plus, she’s driven growth in LinkedIn’s sales organization, managing a global sales team and putting in place structure to limit the cost of sales without impacting effectiveness, in fact increasing positive impact on customers. She then went on to build a vertical business of $30M within a larger organization called Medallia, providing software for companies to scale while keeping customer feedback in the center of their decisions. And that’s just to offer a few of the many highlights of her career. She’s now dedicating her time to helping as many startups as she can manage, and even more than that. I am sure the challenge for her is to keep having to select the best companies to work with while spending time helping the largest number of startups possible.
A new universal language is being developed by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur! It has the potential of breaking down communications barriers globally! It's incredibly intuitive. In fact, it's a language we all speak already and never really think about it.It's visual! it's pictures! And Anna Vital, a Girls in Tech Amplify startup competition finalist is creating it!. Now, you might wonder how you can not only tackle a task so daunting as to create an organized visual language. I mean, where would you start? And how do you make money while doing it? She's figured it out! Her business model is brilliant. Hear how law school inspired her to create this language and how she goes about developing an icon that anyone can understand. She also explains her systematic approach to turning icon creation into an entire language.
AirPR CEO Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer, Susan Thomas from 10Fold - May 19, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
I’m at the SCAI conference in New Orleans Louisiana this week. It’s the Society for Cardiovascular and Angiography Interventions. Basically, it’s a conference with a heavy focus on unclogging arteries. Why is this important? Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer in the United States. Peripheral Artery Disease, which targets the peripherals, mainly the legs, impacts more than 50% of people over the age of 60. It used to be that invasive surgical procedures such as bypasses or even amputation were the go-to solutions. But advances in technology are such that now interventional cardiologists, with only a small hole in the body, not larger than a pencil eraser, can reach into the arteries with small devices to unclog blocked arteries and keep the blood flowing. At the forefront of cutting edge technology for cardiology is Dr. Ehtisham Mahmud, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine for UC San Diego Health System. He is co-director of the SCAI Conference and always has the pulse on what’s new and what’s next. He’s one of the most sought after doctors in this space for new medical technology studies around the world, including the latest laser technology by Ra Medical Systems which uses photomolecular ablation much like is used in LASIK surgery for your eyes, to unclog arteries, and also he’s one of the first to be using robotics in his interventions. His colleague, who plays a critical role in key studies on new technologies at the University joins the second half of the show to share his insights as well. Dr. Mitul Patel is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, for the UC San Diego Health System. Listen to the show to hear Dr. Mahmud and Dr. Pitel talk about how doctors may be turning into gamers as a joystick is replacing their hands in the operating room, or as Interventional Cardiologists call it, the ‘Cath Lab’. Nearly 800 robotic procedures have been performed across the country. Dr. Mahmud shares late breaking news on the findings of the latest study, which spanned the country. He also discusses how a $3.1 million dollar grant is helping his team to discover new ways to heal tissue damage, caused by oxygen starvation because of lack of blood flow, using regenerative medicine. Plus, if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to innovate in the healthcare space, the doctors share what’s most important to them. Finally, you don’t want to miss their potentially life-saving advice for patients. Dr. Pitel shares the critical questions you should ask your doctor to ensure you are getting the most advanced care available, including new technology and techniques.
TrapX Security CEO Greg Enriquez warns of a new threat headed West. OilRig is what authorities say is a new organization of hackers using old tactics to get into your network. And it’s working. He explains how you can protect yourself and your business. Also, the new threats to your health involve hackers, not viruses. Enriquez talks about why hackers are targeting medical facilities and medical devices such as MRI’s and Pacemakers. Plus, Greg explains why Point-of-Sale devices are such an attractive target to hackers. He warns shoppers to put away the debit card and use only cash or credit for purchases.
How many years have I been preaching that the press release, and its traditional use are antiquated. The press release is dead. And yet, I still receive them when a PR person pitches me a company to be on my show. Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer, cofounder and CEO of data analytics company, AirPR, explains when a press release is valuable and how to transition to the new wave of PR that’s more effective in today’s digital age. He also talks about the disease plaguing startups in Silicon Valley: Media Dependency. It’s surprising with all of the dollars Silicon Valley investors are sinking into start-ups today. Isn’t anyone setting a good chunk of it aside for marketing? Or is it all going towards getting the media’s attention? Sharam discusses how to create your own content strategy to gain a long-term sustainable following than you would attain through media outreach.
Glasswall, "The Cheat Code", Healthtech with Dr. Michelle Longmier - April 28, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Just months after Apple confirmed it is in fact developing a driverless vehicle, California THIS WEEK has given the hardware and software giant permission to test them on the streets of the Golden State. This adds yet another major competitor in the autonomous vehicle race for what some reporters are calling the future of safer driving. And while Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, and BMW are all in this race in terms of building the hardware. It looks as though Apple is focused not necessarily on creating the vehicle itself, but the platform. And while we don’t know if it’s building the platform on NVIDIA’s new Drive PX2 system, which uses graphics processing unit or GPU technology, it is being used by 80 different partners, including Tesla and Audi. For those of you with a Tesla, the “autopilot” was built upon NVIDA’s new Drive PX2 system and the autonomous driving technology within Audi’s new A8, expected to be released this summer, will be as well. So, I brought in the senior director of automotive for NVIDIA to talk about what’s driving your driverless vehicle, the difference between the autonomous driving technology in a Tesla versus the upcoming Audi A8. We also talk about the safety of autonomous vehicles. While I can understand how an all-driverless transportation network could be safer as computers can be more predictable and actually communicate seamlessly with one another via Bluetooth connectivity, I question how safe truly can it be when you have a mix of humans and computers on the roadways as humans are unpredictable. Shapiro also addresses the liability issue if and when an accident does occur. Plus, Shapiro addresses how manufacturers can develop a car that meets the public AND lawmakers where they are now, and guides them to where they want them to be technology-wise in order to accelerate adoption. Also on the show, a very different type of company that is competing in the autonomous driving market. It’s called, “Local Motors.” It’s taking a unique approach. It’s crowd sourcing the design of future vehicles by posting challenges that inspire engineers, designers, and developers around the world to get involved and submit their design of future vehicles. A that people are already buying to use on private property such as government facilities and even amusement parks. We talk to Local Motors Chief Strategist Justin Fishkin about what I think is going to be the biggest disruption soonest in the automotive driving space. And since this show is all about autonomous driving, we couldn’t do a show about the future car without touching on the future of infotainment, and at the forefront is The QT company, which announced recently that it’s integrating NVIDIA DRIVE Design Studio – which allows The QT Company to provide a 3D system development system for manufacturers to create the ultimate infotainment presentation for drivers. Alistair Adams, who’s the global automotive product manager for The QT Company, explains how manufacturers are using their platform to create the ultimate media experience in autonomous cars.
He started coding at age 6, attended University at age 10, and now this 28 year-old Israeli hacking phenom is securing the world with his latest venture, Nyotron. Nir Gaist talks about his journey, which includes writing a curriculum for the Israeli Ministry of Education on offensive security, which he taught across high schools in Israel, before he even hit puberty!!! He also talks about one of the biggest threats in cyber security today, ransomware. It's netted cyber criminals more than $1 billion in 2016. And there's something new, which stands to more than double that in the coming year, RANSOME-AS-A-SERVICE. Yes, criminals are now in on the SAAS model!!! Also, on today's show, Shopkick's CEO Bill Demas shares a big announcement about it's rewards app, which rewards customers for making everyday purchases. Their portfolio is expanding to now include Shopkick Grocery. He talks about how his team innovates and came to the determination that grocery was their next target.
America’s greatest pastime has begun! Major League Baseball is underway! And there’s a new MVP! It’s the CIO! The lead technology strategist for MLB teams are not only changing the game for fans, but also the players. And I would argue that San Francisco Giants CIO Bill Schlough, is at the forefront of cutting edge technology to improve player performance. His IT team has put into play a number of proprietary analytic tools that are credited for helping the team earn three world series trophies in five years. We caught up with him recently at Spring Training and spoke to him about the technological evolution of the Giants and what’s next. He shares some of the secrets to this Bay Area franchise’s success. Phil McKinney, CEO of CableLabs, the research and development arm of America’s cable companies, also joins the conversation to talk about the newest innovation to create a more impactful fan experience at home. And just as Major League season is underway, the NBA is about to climax! Who is in contention for this year’s NBA Championship? Count the Golden State Warriors IN! Find out a big secret to the Warriors run for the championship. Latisha Taylor, Founder/CEO, of HealthMeasured shares one secret to the Golden State Warriors’ Championship. She says it has to do with a technology that measures oxidation and inflammation levels, which are key to future disease prevention. She left a successful career in pharmaceutical sales five years ago to start HCPN Alliance, which has become a multi-million dollar healthcare practice management firm. Her clients include the Golden State Warriors. And now she’s also started Health Measured to fill a gap in employee health awareness and disease prevention, In both cases, she is 100% committed to putting an end to diseases which she believes could be preventable if the inflammatory culprit was caught early on.
Charles Michael Yim of Breathometer, Maintool, Reputation.com - March 31, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
It's been more than 6 months since the FAA policy requiring people to become professional certified drone pilots. Now, new entrepreneurial opportunities for drone operators abound. Drones-As-A-Service is a legitimate business category thanks to DroneDeploy. Cofounder Jono Millin explains how entrepreneurs are using their image capture, data analytics, and 2D image building software as the foundation of this new business category. He also shares some of the other biggest trends happening in this space. Justin Haggerty, Founder/CEO of the International Drone Racing Association talks about the fast-growing new sport of drone racing and what it’s going to take to develop the ultimate fan-friendly live and televised event. But kicking off the show is the winner of the world’s largest startup competition, with Sir Richard Branson as the anchor judge, the Extreme Tech Challenge. Tobin Fisher and his Vantage Robotics team developed the Snap 4k flying camera, which is considered one of the safest drones on the market. He talks about the challenges of standing out in a very crowded space. Plus, he explains the significance of his involvement in helping broadcast stations get Federal approval to fly their drones at-will during breaking news situations.
Today’s show is all about the future of YOUR healthcare. First, we have one of the most sought after industry experts in healthcare innovation, Murielle Thinard McLane, a former McKesson executive and now an executive in residence at GE Ventures in healthcare analytics. It is rare to see someone who has worked across the healthcare spectrum from the payor to pharma, supply chain and healthcare delivery. She knows how to spot product market fit and how to build and scale a commercial organization, which is why she is now helping startups to commercialize their healthcare products and services. During the show, McLane shares some of the biggest trends in healthcare and where the venture capital market is focused. She discusses the pharmaceutical industry and the issues stifling innovation, bringing new drugs to market, and creating competition to bring down prices. Did you know it takes about 12 years and more than $2 billion dollars, on average, to bring a drug to market? McLane also shares some of her favorite technologies on the cutting edge in diagnostics, including digital imaging startup Arterys, which incorporates artificial intelligence and cloud computing to create a more efficient and effective MRI. In the second half hour, it’s all about why the doctors office of the future feels more like an Apple store than a doctors office. Did you know that the future is here today in San Francisco for a 149 dollar per month membership? It’s called, “Forward.” It’s all about preventative medicine with body scanners, the most advanced digital stethoscopes, genetics testing, and blood tests that offer results in 12 minutes vs days. Adrian Aoun is the founder/CEO of Forward. He is a serial entrepreneur who’s first big hit was with Wavii, the natural language processing startup that Google bought years ago. A personal experience led him to focus now on creating the future of healthcare. He talks about taking a true patient-centric approach to building out what he considers the ultimate foundation for the future of healthcare. And it’s a subscription model with a monthly $149 fee, paid upfront for an annual membership. It’s separate from a patient’s own insurance for chronic and emergency care. The idea is to start getting people in before they’re sick and being able to get them on a healthy track so they don’t end up with debilitating diseases. During the show you’ll be fascinated to hear about the process his team took to developing some of the most advanced diagnostic technologies in preventative health for the primary care office.
Why do more than 75% of venture-backed startups fail? If you ask Joe Fantuzzi, President/CEO of RiskVision, maker of risk assessment/management software and services, he’ll tell you it’s because they’re leaving out some key risks in their assessment. During this ten-minute podcast, he’ll share with you all of what you must consider when you are starting a company. He's been a part of the founding team for a handful of startups, including ones that have IPO'd. He knows what it takes to go from zero to hero as an entrepreneur, and shares a few of his greatest secrets to success.
“The Addicted Lawyer: Tale of the Bars, Booze, Blow, And Redemption” hit #1 on an Amazon Best Seller’s list as author Brian Cuban shares his journey on the show today. Mark Cuban writes of Brian’s book, “Resilience is an important trait in both business and addiction.” So, there is a lot entrepreneurs can learn from the stories Brian shares in this book. In Mark’s quote on the book’s cover he says, “His journey is one that should be read, AND NOTES TAKEN.” I agree and I’m sure you will, too. On the show, Brian talks about the importance of owning who you are and where you’re at, embracing whatever failure or moment of adversity that comes your way, and using it as an opportunity for expansion. It is in those moments of clarity, if you have the right mindset, that your most innovative ideas may be inspired. His message is powerful. Following Brian’s interview is Susan Davis, a life-long student and teacher of holistic practices and energy medicine, also working behind the scenes as a coach for TLC’s upcoming reality show centered around young women entrepreneurs called, “Girl starter”. She explains why working more is not actually productive. Sounds counterintuitive, right? It’s not. There comes a point where sitting and staring at your computer and focusing on one thing (meaning work), causes you to not be in your most innovative mindset. Any of the kiteboarding tech entrepreneurs and investors will tell you that some of their best ideas come when they turn off the screens and get out in the wind. Susan explains why balance is key to increased productivity and offers tangible, actionable things you can do to be at your innovative best.
In our health tech series, we feature better, safer, faster, and cheaper technologies that are changing the game of healthcare. Our first guest, LiteSprite Founder/CEO Swatee Surve, is gamifying the management of chronic diseases to increase patient adherence and improve patient outcomes. Her first product, SinaSprite, targets people with stress, anxiety, and depression. It is the first video game to receive a US Surgeon General System for Health award and the only one being recommended/prescribed in medical clinics today, including the U.S. Army. Clinicians look at this game as a more proactive approach to resolving stress, anxiety, and depression because it inspires patients, through what they believe is a fun game, to choose a path to feeling better versus focusing on the issues bringing them down. At 20 minutes into the show, Rich Camapgna, Senior Vice President of Marketing and product for security company, Bitglass, shares the scary part of this digital age in medicine, not only the hacking of a person’s personal information, but the hacking of life-saving devices such as pacemakers, and how his company’s trying to keep the bad guys out of your business and your body. Protected health information (PHI) -- which includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, medical record data, and date of birth -- has incredible value on the black market. A recent Ponemon Institute report on the cost of breaches found the average cost per lost or stolen record to be $154. That number skyrockets to $363 on average for healthcare organizations. Latisha Taylor, Founder/CEO, of HealthMeasured shares one secret to the Golden State Warriors’ Championship. She says it has to do with a technology that measures oxidation and inflammation levels, which are key to future disease prevention. She left a successful career in pharmaceutical sales five years ago to start HCPN Alliance, which has become a multi-million dollar healthcare practice management firm. Her clients include the Golden State Warriors. And now she’s also started Health Measured to fill a gap in employee health awareness and disease prevention, In both cases, she is 100% committed to putting an end to diseases which she believes could be preventable if the inflammatory culprit was caught early on"
I would argue that with Bill Schlough at the helm of technology implementation for the San Francisco Giants, I would never count them out when it comes to a run for the World Series Championship! His IT team has put into play a number of proprietary analytic tools that are credited for helping the team earn three world series trophies in five years. The MLB implementing a new tracking system in all 30 major ballparks, called Statcast, that can rank defensive powerhouses as well as star batters using cameras, radar, and sensors, may have leveled the playing field starting in 2015, but Bill always has a few technical tricks up his sleeve. Hear more of what he is measuring now and how his IT Team is helping players to improve performance in the 2017 season. Plus, he talks about improving the fan experience both in the stadium at home. Bill played a pioneering role in the world of HD video, mobile content, ticketing, and payment systems since starting with the SF Giants in 1999. And under his leadership, AT&T Park became the first sports facility to provide free Wi-Fi to all fans in 2004. Bill talks about the challenges he's faced in deploying access points throughout the stadium to get around the lack of penetration through people and cement, including the outcry when antennas were placed under stadium seats, and how he was able to overcome that and continue to roll out effective, seamless connectivity for all of the fans. Phil McKinney, CEO of CableLabs, the R&D arm for cable companies across America, joins Bill in talking about improving the couch experience for fans with the rollout of 4k in 2017. Phil explains why it's great that Bill and his team have waited to roll out cables to support 4k, because the next generation is already here. He talks about that and how that will impact the fan experience at-home in the last ten minutes.
Phil McKinney has released a new card deck that helps entrepreneurial teams dig deep into their minds, their hearts, and their souls to really think through not only their product, but their customer, as well as their overall business strategy. His "Killer Questions" is a great tool for both individuals and teams when ... • You are stuck and need that thing that will cause you to look at the opportunity differently. • As the starting point for a brainstorm/ideation session. • A tool for your personal creativity exercise sessions. • .. and many more! This card deck has helped me to even help entrepreneurs I've interviewed on my show share a little bit more about the thinking behind their product. Check out the interview with Phil where he explains how to use them to help your company flourish.
Today’s show is all about healthcare innovation. The first guest is the best healthcare activist for women. Mark my words: Sophia Yen will get the new Administration to realize the value in providing no-cost birth control to women. It’s not an emotional argument. She says she can talk to the numbers that will speak the language I believe has the power to convince President Trump to see things her way, and continue with what she says the “Affordable Care Act” has offered women. Sophia is the founder/CEO of Pandia Health, which is a telemedicine company that provides prescriptions and regular home delivery of birth control to women. She has a lot of passion for her work, which began as a Physician, then to becoming a Clinical Professor at Stanford University, and ultimately founder/CEO of Pandia Health, which won the prestigious Girls In Tech “Amplify” Pitch Night, which was a competition against other female entrepreneurs. Her business is what she calls “recession proof”. You’ll hear about her innovative ways of changing the healthcare landscape for women. In the second half of the show, Sam Abidir, CEO Of Aspire Ventures discusses how AI, mobile and cloud technologies are helping the healthcare industry provide more patient-centric care than ever before – with this patient-centric care often referred to as “precision medicine”. He talks specifically about how technologies such as artificial intelligence are having a hugely positive impact on research for chronic diseases, including Diabetes. One of its portfolio companies, Tempo Health is using Aspire Ventures’ Artificial Intelligence platform to develop a product for diabetes management. The product just went through a test trial for diabetes management, with the results suggesting that the technology can help patients more accurately monitor and manage their diabetes condition than ever before. The results of the trial indicated that Tempo Health’s Rhythm system – based on A2I – was found to considerably increase the patient participants’ time in range and decrease time in hypoglycemia compared to results obtained by an experienced team of doctors. The future of healthcare is here and Sam has the pulse!
MainTool, Reputation.com, Breathometer - February 10, 2017 by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Tech entrepreneur, founder and CEO of GOPuck, and electric racing pioneer Blake Fuller, proved on July 1st 2016, that the Tesla zero emission four-door is capable of matching its fuel guzzling counterparts on the track. He smashed the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record by more than a minute. It’s a historic 12.42 mile challenge that features 156 turns a huge climb of just more than 14,000 feet before drivers reach the snow-covered summit. Blake Fuller had won the race before in a gas guzzler. But Blake, who helped build the first hybrid race car in North America, and has also designed the lithium ion technology used in every motorsports category from IndyCar to F1, set a new production electric vehicle record of 11 minutes 48 seconds. He did his first test drive in his modified Tesla Model S at Sonoma Raceway. Sonoma Raceway Steve Page talks about that record-setting test drive and ideas for potential racing opportunities for Tesla’s in the NASCAR circuit and beyond. Also, the Director of Performance for the winningest team of the Daytona 500, Joe Gibbs Racing, talks about the secrets to getting the drivers and pit crew to reach peak performance including mindset. Michael Lepp has a few tricks up his sleeve and takes advantage of the latest in innovation to monitor not only the typical heartrate, but also sleep, and more to train the ultimate athletes in the sport of NASCAR.
Lisa Dolev, founder & CEO of Qylur Intelligent Systems explains how her time in the Israeli military led to her latest innovation, which is transforming the entry experience for anyone attending large events, including the Super Bowl.
1-20-17 - St Francis Riding Club, StorageCraft, True Hollywood Talk by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
The future of servicing the tech within your homes may soon be in the hands of your savvy neighbor. Coresystems has created software that will allow major telecom, cable companies, and more to empower their tech-savvy users to set-up their technology and services. The goal is to increase the human touch and decrease the time customers typically spend talking to call-centers or automated services, as well as decrease the wait time to have problems fixed. Coresystems CEO Manuel Grenacher explains how he’s taken his successful software from Europe and hoping for adoption in the U.S. Also, Curt von Badinski, co-founder and CTO of Motiv, talks about why his health tracking ring won the hearts of attendees and press at the world’s largest consumer technology show in Las Vegas, CES.
We’re off campus this week! Kym and Fran met at The Modernist, a private club in San Francisco and enjoyed “mocktails” made by the owner and expert mixolisgist Carlo Spendorini who shares what makes a good club and cocktail! We are then joined by Sarika Batra, creator of natural beauty product site, Lavish Life. Over “Mocktails” Sakira reflects on her journey as an entrepreneur (from tech recruiter to media to maven and now leading Lavish Life) and reminds us to pay attention to what we put on our body, not just in our body, can make a difference to our health and well-being.
1-6-17 - Hacking Your Life with Brian Wong, Kaazing CEO Bob Miller by Kym McNicholas On Innovation
Fran shares with Kym some of the ways it is easier to be an entrepreneur now compared to 20 years ago when Fran co-founded Match.com. Key differences include the many accelerators or incubators available to entrepreneurs, the emergence of angel investing and Angel groups, and the low cost now with cloud services (no longer have to buy servers!). We then interview technology leader Sandy Carter about a new survey that is trying to get at why female entrepreneur are less likely to get funding even though they are more likely to have successful companies. We end the talk on things we can do to help more women succeed and make that our joint resolution for 2017!
We talk to cPacket CEO Brendan O’Flaherty about their technology, which monitors critical networks such as those proided by Verizon or AT&T. They ensure these networks are working properly so that for example, people can buy Holiday gifts online on Cyber Monday, or make sure massive stock purchases/sales go off without a hitch. They also help service providers in the UK to help identify cyber criminals and terrorists. He explains how during the show. Also, if you’ve broken the screen on your phone, have no fear! ICracked is here! We talk to the CEO about not only how this company makes getting your phone fixed quick and easy, but how he’s helping people to become entrepreneurs and create their own business out of fixing phones.
OUR FEMALE SEEKING STARTUP SERIES COHOST FRAN MAIER, COFOUNDER AND CEO OF BABY GEAR RENTAL COMPANY BABIERGE, COFOUNDER OF MATCH.COM AS WELL AS THE COFOUNDER OF TRUST-E, joins us in a conversation with Lindsay Holden, cofounder and CEO of savings lottery Long Game. She talks about how you get a shot at winning money simply by investing in your future. Before starting Long Game, Lindsay Holden co-founded the Applicant Auction, the primary auction for Top Level Domain names which held over $500M in auctions and over $1B in escrow before being acquired.
President-elect Donald Trump visits Silicon Valley to meet with some of the biggest names in technology and that got me to thinking… what will come of the expanded White House Smart Cities Initiative that was announced in September, which allocates more than $80 million in new federal investment and a doubling of the participating cities and communities to more than 70. The initiative makes it easier for cities, federal agencies, universities, and the private sector to all work collaboratively to research, develop, deploy, and testbed, new technologies designed to help make our cities more inhabitable, cleaner, as well as more equitable. For example – developing new data and analytics tools to help buildings reduce their energy footprint. Creating an entire urban network of connected and autonomous vehicles that can automatically cooperate to improve safety and travel efficiency, such as the one being funded in Chattanooga. And most importantly, implementing more effective warning systems to help first responders act more rapidly to save lives. It’s all about connectivity! One of the companies at the heart of the Smart City is Silver Spring Networks. This company has deployed nearly 25 million ‘smart’ enabled devices across five continents – deployments of which are enabling smart cities, smart utilities, iOT, and industrial internet of things applications. To tell us what this means, who better than the Chief Technology Officer, or CTO of Silver Spring Networks, Don Reeves, who joins us to talk about why our cities are behind the times in implementing new technologies and what's being done to expedite adoption and impact.
From SpaceX Director of Recruiting to developing the next big breakthrough in women’s shoes, Dolly Singh has founded Thesis Couture. She talks about how she's using space age theories, technology, and materials to create the ultimate stiletto. Also on the show… Are you prepared for success? In other words, do you think you deserve it? If you had unconscious beliefs keeping you from success wouldn’t you want to know what they are and how to address them? Susan Davis with NewResolution.com talks about how you can get into the right mindset to finish off 2016 and start fresh in 2017.
Gaurav Dhillon, Founder/CEO SnapLogic - Two decades after starting a company which went public then sold to a group of investors including Microsoft, Salesforce Ventures for more than $5 billion, Gaurav Dhillon embarked on a new entrepreneurial adventure, SnapLogic, which focuses on seamlessly integrating business applications. We had him on our show this past summer to share his journey transitioning from a business suit to a hoodie…and starting a business in a very new day and age of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. He talks about landing a $40M round of funding to help SnapLogic disrupt the integration market. Also on the show, Nicki Klein talks about revolutionizing the job recruitment industry with Betagig, the world's first and only digital platform to streamline job shadowing. Her innovative idea won the Launch Festival of 2016, and has since influenced Fortune 500 companies such as Transamerica to remodel the hiring process. And Alex Petrov, founder and CEO of YesHealth talks about his innovative way to help people with diabetes get on a healthier track. He'll also explain how his disruptive platform can expand into helping people with other chronic diseases.
We talk to the founders of some of the companies competing in the Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), a global startup competition where the ultimate prize is to pitch Virgin brands billionaire Sir Richard Branson on his private island in the British Virgin Islands. The companies featured in today's show include LISNR, which sends data over audio, sending packets of data every second between any device with a speaker and microphone. The WTFast Gamers Private Network makes online game traffic faster and smoother to help you win. ActiveProtective is smart belt that protects the hips of older adults using 3D motion sensors and wearable airbags. They aim to make hip fractures a preventable condition. Praiseworthy is the Yelp for employees. The XTC top ten is being selected December 3, 2016 at a non-profit event held by XTC's parent organization, MaiTai Global. The event is called the Ocean Gala and one of the organizers explain how you can win a trip to play on the island as well. Our Guest Co-host for the day is Grieg Coppee. He is an independent advisor and early stage investor for many established and newly formed businesses. He has served on the board of directors or advisors of several companies, including Accuvant, Fuhu, Xero, as well as, numerous start-ups that he has invested in. As an advisor, he has provided strategy and corporate development services to several private equity, Fortune 500, and VC portfolio companies. Most recently, Grieg Coppe was the Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer for Intuit, the financial management software and service provider. There he led a team setting strategy for the company’s $4B business and overseeing the acquisition of several key assets.
Jumio's CEO Stephen Stuut talks about how biometric facial recognition is helping to combat identity fraud by making sure you are who you say you are when opening a bank account, for example. This means that on a mobile phone, you could use a “selfie” to help prove that you’re a real person on the other end of the phone.
We have eight of the top 25 startups from around the world vying for a chance to present live on stage at the world’s largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, CES, for the ultimate prize of pitching Virgin brands billionaire sir Richard Branson on his private island. They include a company that allows you to create the materials used for 3D printing and recycle the scraps to use again, a new gel technology that stops traumatic bleeding on contact, and an intellegent Electric Vehicle charging system designed for multi-tenant facilities.
While companies throughout Silicon Valley boast about their big raise of Venture Capital to fund their startups, Colin Earl, CEO of Agiloft, which creates business applications that don’t require you to code in order to implement, touts his bootstrapping roots. He and his co-founder and wife, have taken the road less traveled these days, building a company organically with NO VENTURE CAPITAL support…and get this…. Operating the business off of its own revenue to this day with 2.5 million users worldwide. He also shares the secret to employee retention during a time when developers are always looking for the next bigger, better deal. Also, get ready to break the sound barrier once again as you travel overseas as Boom is poised and ready to send you to London, Tokyo, and Australia in a supersonic jet much more efficient and cost-effective than the Concorde. Boom founder/CEO Blake Scholl talks about how new developments in technology and materials have paved the way for “affordable” supersonic travel, while key investor Peter Truwit with Seraph Group, talks about the potential for innovation in aviation.
Fran Maier and Kym McNicholas interview Portfolia CEO Trish Costello. Portfolia.com is an investing platform for the 5 Million plus accredited women to invest in the companies they want to succeed in the market. These innovative companies are often led by women and / or target the large women’s market. Trish shares her journey and her observations that wealthy women want to invest differently and how Portfolia makes that happen!
Host Kym McNicholas and Bill Tai, co-founder of the world's largest startup competition, the Extreme Tech Challenge, shares the quarter finalists vying for a shot at pitching on stage at the world's largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas this January, CES. The startups, which are each at a key inflection point, poised and ready to scale, will compete there for the chance of a lifetime: To pitch Sir Richard Branson and an esteemed panel of judges on his private island, Necker. Hear some of the most innovative startups representing some of the biggest trends in technology from around the world, including the next electric sports car, the world's smartest stethoscope, a big breakthrough in beer brewing, and cancer screening with your mobile phone. For more on these companies, go to http://extremetechchallenge.com/top25/ .
In the first half of the show, Mark Weiner, the Chief Marketing Officer at Versa shares his wealth of 20 years of wisdom and expertise, as well as the latest trends on what’s going on with software and Cloud networks. He says we're not even close to the potential for transitioning hardware into software. He'll explain what to expect and how it could impact your business. Plus, he explains how Versa’s executive team managed to secure $43.35M in new funding from three large Silicon Valley venture firms. And find out how this successful CMO is balancing business and winemaking and how you can do the same in creating wines that truly suit your taste. No more wasted tastes! In the second half of the show, the Founding CEO of MainTool, Hussein Ahamed. MainTool has developed the world's first leather smart straps for classic watches that give your traditional timepiece the same features and connectivity as today's best wearables. MainTool's vision is to seamlessly embed technology everyday accessories that are already a part of people's daily lives. With their first product, they want to connect the 1.3B unit watch industry and become one of the most adopted wearables in the world.
The ultimate networking app is about to launch. Candice Bar owns the largest face-to-face networking company in the world, Vision Aires, that connects high net worth business professionals together and helps solidify relationships. Candice is about to launch her life’s work bottled up into a new networking app. You'll hear all about how face to face communication and technology can help improve your business and create connections that count. Dr. Robert Nathanson talks about the newest addition to the beverage industry, which is an adult Otter Pop called, Sloshee. It's all natural ingredients, except for the Blue Agave Tequila. He talks about his first major retail outlet adoption, which is Beverages & More. Plus, he explains the secrets to getting an alcoholic beverage on to a crowded shelf and to market it in the very tough to break into consumer market and create mass adoption.
Travel time on Female Seeeking Start-up! Margot Schmorak, CEO and Co-Founder of Hostfully, a virtual travel concierge aimed at vacation rental hosts, shares her journey from high tech marketing exec to CEO and Co-founder of a fast growing start-up.
The Foresight Institute is at the cusp of the 4th industrial revolution. Technology is evolving at an accelerated pace and there’s a lot of RESPONSIBILITY that goes along with that. It’s so easy for technology to be used for good or for evil. The Foresight Institute is at the forefront of what’s next and has created a non-profit to empower scientists, engineers, and the like to continue to create in a way that serves humanity. During the show, the organization’s President Julia Bossmann talks about the Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, which is all about molecular machines and nanotechnology. She talks about how artificial intelligence is being used and the guidelines the White House has set for the future in this space in terms of healthcare and employee. Plus, you don’t want to miss Bossmann’s view of robotics, and the oath she believes we may have to create and make robots take in order to maintain civility in our world. In the second half hour, we talk about RESPONSIBILITY to yourself. THINKup co-founder Irit Wald shares her app that will help you to create a successful healthy mindset. Learn how your voice is critical in the process. In this week's "The Edge" series featuring companies that are impacting the enterprise: we are featuring Zen Ecosystem, which has created a platform that gives you insight into how much electricity you're using, where you're using it, and how you can save. The EPA estimates that commercial buildings across the US waste approximately $60B in energy costs each year. Of the 5.5 million commercial buildings in the United States, less than 20 percent have installed energy management systems to monitor and manage energy use to contain those costs. ZenHQ shares their new platform that CEO James McPhail claims will save business 30% on their energy bills.
Judge Faith visits Female Seeking Startup and shares how she brings a new tech-informed social media awareness to her tv court room. Also Fran and Kym answer questions from entrepreneurs on how to get funding and media attention. Great tips for everyone. Next week Margot Schmorak, co-founder of Hostfully, producer of local guidebooks for vacation rental hosts.
This is an impactful hour for any startup that needs to grow a company from idea to profitability without debt and WITHOUT VENTURE CAPITAL! Melissa Burstein is a sales/marketing genius of a medical device company, Ra Medical, that you will be hearing about A LOT over the next year as they have developed breakthrough medical laser technology. She hit the ground running when her co-founder Dean Irwin developed a breakthrough laser technology to send dermatological diseases such as vitiligo and psoriasis into remission and is now in the middle of an FDA study for a cardiovascular laser to unclog arteries, which doctors have told me is a 'GAME CHANGER'. They had NO BUDGET in the beginning for a sales or marketing team, and so she shares some CREATIVE ways she was able to get attention and drive revenue for their dermatology business! They became profitable just a couple of years in and thanks to frugality as well in accepting hand-me-down furniture such as desks, lights, and more, they were able to reinvest all of that into R&D for their cardiovascular laser. During the show you’ll hear about how her background, including time at pharmaceutical company, Eli Lily, and marketing Cialis, the erectile dysfunction drug, and her marketing tactics she used to get consumers to buy into a brand they’d never heard of and didn’t want to admit they needed. She also offers some fantastic approaches to building relationships, getting attention for your brand, and creating the ultimate sales team on a limited or no budget.
Our featured guest is Bill Tai, the brainchild behind and co-founder of the world’s largest startup competition, the Extreme Tech Challenge, with Sir Richard Branson as the anchor judge. More than 4,000 companies have applied over the last three years, and more applications are expected before this year’s competition closes. The top ten present live on stage at the world’s largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, CES. The top three go on to present on Sir Richard Branson’s private island. Tai takes calls in this show from startups who are applying for the competition. He talks about how to create product/market fit, how to target the right demographic for your product, how to answer to your team and investors in the boardroom when something goes terribly wrong, and how to find the best funding and networking sources. We take questions from startups that include: XzrTech, the maker of an airport sky-bridge for oceanfront homes; UGo Smooothie, which has developed an automated smoothie store - a full smoothie store that needs no human operator; DirectTech Labs, which has developed Artificial Intellgence (AI) to help companies with independent sales reps to better engage and retain their people by accurately predicting what will happen in their business tomorrow, and helping them act preemptively.
HardGamma Ventures Partner Krzysztof Kowalczyk talks about the biggest trends he’s seeing in technology, particularly in solar, automotive, and artificial intelligence. He attended an executive leadership program at the San Francisco Bay Area’s Singularity University, this past week and he shares what he’s learned. He has more than 100 startups from around the world in his portfolio. So, he also talks about some of the biggest exits, which includes an Uber for housecleaning. Plus, we’ve all used GPS systems to navigate the roadways, hear about a GPS system for indoors, including shopping malls and airports. Also, HardGamma Ventures is the leading investor in a breakthrough for sleep. It’s called Neuroon and we have the CEO Tomasz Kolodziejak in studio to talk about the technology that powers this product that helps you get a better night’s sleep that you can not only buy online, but you first class travels could have access to on some overseas flights on KLM.
Mommy can we go to Gymboree? Listen to the first mom-prenuer and author of Play It Forward: From Gymboree to the Yoga Mat and Beyond, Joan Barnes share her story as Founder of Gymboree, its journey from a family fun time play gym to leading apparel brand. Joan shares with Kym McNicholas and Fran Maier her struggles with bulimia and how she eventually, with lots of work, got to a better place of personal balance. We’ll also share how we like to unwind!
The first entrepreneur to win investment from every single shark on ABC's hit show, "Shark Tank" has teamed up with the biggest name in tooth and gum care, PhilipsSonicare, to release the first-ever breath testing device in conjunction with its platinum kit. Breathometer Co-founder and CEO Charles Michael Yim talks about how the reality show led to the biggest partnership yet in his career, why he and his team had to make the tough choice to eliminate their first product which was an app-enabled blood alcohol level breathalizer, their upcoming release of a device to help people with weight control using breath to test for ketone levels, and his vision to create a device that diagnoses serious diseases such as Lung Cancer.
Kym McNicholas is at the VIVA conference in Las Vegas where she talks to doctors about the rise in outpatient facilities, how they're democratizing medicine to reduce amputations in lower income communities, and increasing safety with less invasive procedures. Also, the latest in treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease and Heart Failure. Plus, a new Zero Gravity Radiation Protective System that could save your doctor's life.
Serial Entrepreneur Trevor Traina shares his journey to creating a website that curates once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as a $4.8 million balloon ride over Mt. Everest and a 4-day heli-skiing trip with John F. Kennedy. How Traina and his team offers some of the coolest opportunities you can’t find anywhere else such as throwing a football with former 49er Joe Montana or even simply learning how to be a barista or chef from some of the top names in the world. Plus, meet Kunal Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of big data performance platform, Unravel Data, who just exited stealth mode with a $7.2 million dollar Series A venture capital round of funding. How he’s creating the ultimate digital dashboard for data at some of the biggest names in Corporate America. Also, a marketing genius responsible for strategies for big brands such as Budweiser and Milkbone talks about the best ways to make your message and product viral. Ben Kaplan, founder and CEO of PR Hacker offers tips on becoming an effective thought leader, gain media attention, and capture millions of eyeballs. And a 12-year-old girl coder gives us an exclusive first interview about her trip to the White House this week.
Get ready for a digital welcome and full-fledged customer experience at stadiums and large entertainment venues. Quylur Intelligent Systems has created a large device that not only scans your ticket, shares promotional offers, and screens your bag, but it also is customizable by its customers depending on the venue. For example, Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, can program the machine to discover selfie sticks, which are not allowed. The Founder and CEO of Qylur Intelligent Systems is Lisa Dolev, who also served in the Israeli military performing counter terrorism operations. She’ll not only talk about the technology but also how she’s built a team to create LARGE hardware the Elon Musk way. Plus, she explains why she’s never had to raise Venture Capital money and yet has brought in more than $32 million in funding. She offers great advice for entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs on the importance of bringing ideas to paper, creating a core mission, having conviction in that mission, and how to develop a technology that truly solves a problem for customers and their patrons. Later in the show, meet another rockstar entrepreneur who served in the Israeli Military as an F16 pilot who’s now developing a real estate app, Stiya. Ilana Golan explain how her service has helped her to build a successful startup team, has created a no nonsense and unstoppable mindset, and has taught her to implement a solution-oriented approach to business no matter how dire the circumstances. And in our weekly “HealthTech” series, meet Connor Landgraf, CEO of Eko Devices, which has created the world’s smartest stethoscope. He’ll talk about the FDA approved device which is now being used in more than a dozen clinical studies and in 400 hospitals.
Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology. This week we take a detour to talk to Fran’s former colleague, Gary Kremen, about Founders, Co-Founders and why it makes a difference! And we bring on Angela Pan, CEO of Ashley Chloe who shares the story behind her wearable fashionable Bluetooth headphones. Finally we share our favorite tech, here what speakers we love in our homes!
New FAA regulations could lead to nearly $100 billion added to the U.S. economy and more than 100,000 new jobs. Skycatch, a company that turns 3D photos captured by a drone into 3D models, is one of the Bay Area companies benefiting from this new rule. A Skycatch employee is one of the first in the nation to get a new Federal license to fly drones. Hear about how Skytch is not only helping to automate bulldozers but also map exotic island such as that of Sir Richard Branson. Plus, KRON 4 television News Director Aaron Pero talks about how the new FAA regulations benefit breaking news coverage. And in our weekly “The Edge” series, find out how the Dropbox data breach of more than 70,000 emails/passwords, could’ve been prevented. Soha Systems CEO Haseeb Budhani explains how third party data breaches can be prevented. Plus, don’t miss the perfect gifts to give in honor of Kym’s birthday. Some say HTC Vive VR Headset, Ringly, Apple TV, Tesla X, and drones are the best gifts of the year. The perfect celebration libation? One caller pitched an adult Otterpop called, Sloshee.
Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology. After marking Women’s Equality Day – 96 Years of Female Right to Vote in US, we talk to Ilana Golan, CEO of Stiya. Ilana stated out in Israel as an engineer and F16 Fighter Pilot and instructor. Now she’s a veteran entrepreneur and brings her considerable leadership skills to running Stiya, a new way for real estate agents and buyers to enhance and enrich the home buying process. She shares how she pivoted her company from travel and blogging to supporting the large real estate market. We talk about management, leadership, fundraising and more. And we share our favorite tech – from Audible to Waze to a new app to get any flight- to make your Labor Day travels even better!
Is it the Hillary Clinton effect? Alfresco’s CEO Doug Dennerline talks about a new Federal law that will require all government employees to retain and store their emails, both business and personal. Alfresco’s Enterprise Content Management software platform is at the forefront of that, already helping agencies to collect critical that content. Also, how many Silicon Valley companies do you know of with four women in their C-suite? Probably not many – nearly half of firms globally still have NO female C-level executives, even though research has shown parallels between gender diversity and financial returns. Alfresco CEO, Doug Dennerline, talks about the benefits of a gender-balanced C-suite as the company sets out to deliver the fastest path for people to interact with – and act on – information that drives their business. We also chat with two of Alfresco’s four C-suite women – Andrea Lagan and Sydney Sloan – about what it takes to connect billions of documents for organizations like Amnesty International, Cisco, NASA and more.
Soma Water Founder and Chief Hydration Officer Mike DelPonte was on the path to priesthood but now he’s on an entrepreneurial journey building a multi-million dollar consumer brand which has caught the attention of First Lady Michelle Obama. This week he announced his newest product, a glass water bottle, taking on a $1.5 billion, very crowded, industry. He’s taking the same approach as Apple’s Steve Jobs by evoking a feeling that creates strong brand identity and loyalty from consumers. He shares his journey, how to create a successful crowdfunding campaign, the secret to aligning with your true purpose in life, and successful marketing strategies that can apply to every brand. Also, in our “Luxe Networking” series, Elite International Master Networker Candice Bar shares the five secrets to creating a solid connection with anyone in less than five minutes.
It’s like the Da Vinci Code but better. It’s a new book called “The Cheat Code” written by your typical Silicon Valley overachiever. It’s a modern collection of cheat codes for our personal and business life. One of the youngest founders to receive venture capital in Silicon Valley, Brian Wong, shares his journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and ‘The Cheat Code” which he says will help you jump levels in life and your career and beat enemies just as you did in your favorite video games growing up. In this week’s “The Edge” series, it’s not about hacking life, but instead, who’s hacking your health. It’s cyber criminals. Healthcare hackers are costing hospitals millions per breach and your information is in jeopardy. TrapX CEO Gregory Enriquez explains how they’re trying to protect you with deception. Plus, a 16-year-old CEO talks about how he turned his 3rd place science fair project into a real product to help paralysis patients regain control of their muscles.
Kym McNicholas and Co-Host Fran Maier talk to successful women in technology in this series. They’re first guest in the show is disrupting real estate. What would you do with an extra $20,000? A lot, right?!? That’s why more and more homeowners are choosing to sell their homes “For Sale By Owner”. They don’t have to pay commission. A new site is capitalizing on this popular trend by bringing together buyers and sellers, and closing deals with the click of a button. Sidedoor founder and CEO Shelley Janes explains how she’s going against the grain in the real estate industry. Plus, Princeton student Paige Shaw shares her favorite back-to-school technologies picks that help students stay in touch as well as make the grade. And Elite Master Networker Candice Bar shares the characteristics of the most impactful business card.
When Michael Phelps bought a ring for his girlfriend at a small retail shop then shared it online, thousands of his more than one million followers flooded the website of this small jewelry shop. That massive increase in traffic could’ve caused the site to crash. But as a customer of WebScale, the site was ale to adapt. Businesses dream of having their website flooded with orders. But for some, when it happens, it’s a nightmare! Everything comes to a stop in the surge of traffic. Why? Because they don’t have the infrastructure to support the number of people creating transactions on their site. Webscale CEO Sonal Puri talks about how her company is helping businesses of all sizes leverage the cloud to avoid crashes. In our “HealthTech” series, Stroll Co-founder and COO Matt Maurer talks about how he’s helping doctors guide their patients on the best, most cost-effective options for medical tests. If you have to get an MRI or an ultrasound, prices can vary by as much as $10,000 within a few miles. His technology provides that information to your doctor before you even leave their office. Plus, UpRamp Managing Director Scott Brown shares four startups that have the potential for disrupting the Cable industry.
In our “Female Seeking Startup” series, find out how Tania Zapata helped build the largest voiceover marketplace, Torre, and the company’s strategic plan to expand to all creative talents. Tania talks about the move to rebrand from “VoiceBunny” and also how to create and scale any marketplace. Plus, she offer advice on how to find the perfect voicover talent for your brand. In this week’s Tech Candy segment, featured products include a smart alert nightlight Leeo, which monitors your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We’ll also tell you about a startup competition for a good cause, to raise money to benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). Plus, in our” Luxe Networking” series with Elite Master Networker Candice Bar, find out what questions to ask at a networking event to develop long-lasting business relationships.
Two decades after starting a company which went public then sold to a group of investors including Microsoft, Salesforce Ventures for more than $5 billion, Gaurav Dhillon is embarking on a new entrepreneurial adventure, SnapLogic, which focuses on seamlessly integrating business applications. Dhillon shares how spending his year off between Informatica and SnapLogic, travelling to Argentina and learning a new language, investing and advising startups, and transitioning from a suit to a hoodie, helped pave the way for starting a new company in a very different day and age. He also discusses the differences between starting a company 20 years ago versus now. Plus, he shares what entrepreneurs can learn from fly fishing to build a better business. And, in the “HealthTech” series, how Dr. Michelle Longmire, a Stanford-trained physician with a background in bioformatics and genomics, is creating powerful tools that provide improved patient care and enable analytics-driven medicine. Basically, Dr. Longmire is taking your doctor from the Stone Age to the Digital Age
In our “Female Seeking Startup” series, Babierge Co-founder Kerri Couillard talks about finding a new niche in the multi-billion dollar baby market through baby gear rental, and how others can earn a piece of the pie. Also, The Tot Squad founder talks about why baby car seat installation, repair, and cleaning is big business and why she’s convinced that franchising is the best way for her to scale the company. Plus, Elite International Master Networker Candice Barr explains how to turn your contacts into profits in our “Luxe Networking” series.
Make money on the brands you love with Kickfurther. CEO Sean De Clercq talks about how he’s helping companies turn existing customers not only into investors but also their best sales team. Also, FogHorn’s CEO David King talks about one of the biggest problems facing our connected world: An explosion of data. FogHorn Systems promises to solve the data challenge in an innovative way – processing data within the sensor itself! In this week’s “The Edge” series, he’ll explain why this is the biggest breakthrough in iOT (Internet of Things) today. And in “HealthTech”, our quest to find better, safer, faster, and cheaper healthcare products leads us to Bloom. Co-founder/CEO Eric Dy talks about how his new device will save expecting moms from false alarms that cost a lot of time, money, and hassle because of needless trips to the hospital during their third trimester.
July 22, 2016 - Female Seeking Startup: Outsource Chores And Errands; Tech To Save Your Back; Targeting Influencers
July 22, 2016 - Powering Your Future Kitchen; Friend Your Competitors For Cyber Safety; Inside the Pokemon Craze
07.15.2016 - Hour 2: In our “Female Seeking Startup” series Kym McNicholas and co-host Fran Maier talk to Sara Scheer, co-founder of ride sharing service for kids, about competing against Uber and Lyft. Plus, Schaer explain what she learned from her closes competitor Shuddle’s demise and why Kango is thriving. Also, meet the winner of Technovation, the world’s largest tech program and competition for girls between the ages of 13-17. The 18-year-old Mexico City standout. Lilia Lobato, created a crowdfunding app for volunteers. Also, Luxe Networking with International Elite Master Networker Candace Bar shares the biggest mistakes people make at networking events.
07.15.2016 - Hour 1: We answer the question: How do we innovate our way to unity in a nation divided? Tayo, who runs a Centre for Healing in the UK, shares how to innovate through music. She also debuts her single “We Shall Overcome”. “Reboot Safety” founder Linda Maepa discusses her “Keeping The Peace” hackathon in San Francisco. In “The Edge”, Reflektion Founder Sean Moran explains why most online shopping carts are abandoned and how companies can customize the customer experience. In “HealthTech”, Ra Medical. CEO Dean Irwin discusses his Excimer Lasers, which send dermatological diseases (Vitiligo and Psoriasis) into remission and unclog arteries.