Conversation Series: Recent Episodes
Kat Gilek-Seibert, MD
As rheumatologist I do my best to learn balanced approach to work and life. The art of wellbeing is to continue and perform well at what you love professionally, and otherwise, with healthy attitude on time off and need to tune out. Listen to this insightful talks that I hope will enrich your life. My gusts will be other doctors, health practitioners, and my own podcast on issues of interest e.g. time off, gardening, art, poetry and definitely health.
Fall culminates in selection, and late November and December match of new class of physicians who will train in fellowships across USA. Fellowships in medicine include such fields as cardiology, allergology and rheumatology among others.
To thank and give back: how work and life can intersect during the holidays.This morning, like many years before this one, I got busy with making home made cranberry sauce.Being on call means I reflect on team-play and supporting each other at work.
Libby is a Physician Assistant in sunny CA who shares my passion for patient care and well-being. She has a unique sensitivity and makes observation of healthcare profession from a point of compassion toward her patients which she extends toward herself and her colleagues who work tirelessly during pandemic.
How do you remain stable and inspired, is it self-preservation or community building efforts that gets you grounded? If you are an attentive listener this episode will shed light on that dilemma.
Izabella not only reads but also acts if you have a chance to take a look at video of tis episode. In her free time Dr. Malinowska paints, travels and practices yoga.
The balance between work and personal life is a topic of many conversations. With this post I want to reflect on friendship and circumstances of last year and a half that could have been very challenging for those who are in caregiving professions, and those who constantly give back through their work, like nurses, acupuncturists - like Erin, teachers, academicians and healthcare providers of all sorts. It is not to diminish pain and suffering of other groups that have been touched negatively in last year.
Are Your Smartwatch and Fitness Apps Compromising Your Health Info? Here’s What Consumers Need to Know
These days, health-related tech is in high demand. Wearable devices like smartwatches and Fitbits help us track our daily activities with crucial biofeedback.
Part of Foot Care series this episode is the reflection of break from all things serious for two medical women.
This talk is part of Feet Health series designed to deliver expert-based information and tips on foot care.
This is the audio track of series of interviews that can be found on website www.docoffclock.com
Expert in feet care, podiatrist Jordan DeHaven talks with Dr. Gilek about big toe pain and how Crocks or other shoes may make foot pain a real issue.
I started review of fellowship applicants and one item in the paperwork that draws my attention is applicant’s hobbies. What do you put in the application? Do you limit yourself to predictable and easy, or do you choose to disclose what you really like?
Today I talk to Physician Assistant, author and creator Libby Lykins, our topic - balancing act.
Did you know that many meditation apps started including poetry in their menu? Poetry can be so many different experiences for each of us. There are poems weaved in other sections of the blog that I welcome you to explore. I reviewed a few poetry collections in Bookish section. I am always hunting for more relevant or beautiful poetry collections.
This episode of podcast addresses simple tip on gut health. Tune in or read on www.docoffclock.com Body/Image or Moments.
Meditation with water source. Find out how you can meditate simply, with nature, and in the background of water. Pleasures and sources of relaxation and great comfort are near and dear.
No matter what, to remain sharp, effective and focused, or simply to better balance, I find time for few minutes meditation practice during my day. It is a needed pause that I talk about in today podcast. I found out the meditation that works for me, but always look for new challenges and discoveries that I shared here previously.
The way I think about healthy ways to add hydration to your day is not only to help you stay on top of your kidney water exchange game, and getting rid of all the waste from your body, but also to have a very pleasurable (meditative?) experience while doing so.
Podcast guest Libby Lykins - PA, author and creator - talks about what motivates her, how she finds inspiration in meditative spaces, but also exercise, diet and …. karate.
I review meditation apps here, from Oak to Headspace. Meditation app with LeBron James, why not?
Cruciferous vegetables benefits (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, bok choy) may be related to rich content of vitamin C, K, folic acid, minerals such as magnesium, manganese and then phytonutrients with their anti-inflammatory properties. Find out more in this audio Brain Series part 5.
What to do to prevent falls? There is a growing body of fascinating research out there, some with use of fancy electronic devices. On that and other falls-related issues, like healthy brain and senses, I talk with Brown University ED physician Liz Goldberg, MD who also co-created Covid risk calculation app.
Listen to this 30 minutes talk that reinforced my idea that we are in it together, and if we surround ourselves with like-minded, kind individuals we will make it through tough time, perhaps even stronger, or at least more resourceful. We observe the innovation and creative thinking that has a tremendous role in our fight with deadly virus.
How can we do better than words and prayers to advance social justice? I would start with listening. This is what provoked me to sit down with Tony Galvao who is the President of charitable organization near Boston that helps youth in need. We talk about what young people really want and how to use that energy to provide them with wider choices and bright future. We talk how to inspire the current youth to change and how art can be a source of healing.
Pandemic made us all adjust how we practice medicine, seek medical work up, diagnostics and treatment. There is less surgeries and knee replacements. Folks are skipping dental clearance and mammographies. But we need to get back to caring for our health, we need to keep moving. Sedentary lifestyle is one of major determinants of health and can negatively impact longevity and life quality. Dr. Nula from Elite PT in Rhode Island talks with me about options of PT, in office safe visits, remote and in-home treatment options. Listen to this less than 9 minutes informative interview and get moving!
In this 15 minutes-plus talk with Carin Trainer, yoga teacher and naturopath with office on Cape Cod, (see one of links below) I capture the essence of this great instructor and gentle human who enjoys all her students and thinks that we are not clumsy or injured, but seeking, beautiful and improving. I do not think this is incidental that I ran into her class some years ago while vacationing on Cape, but with the blossoming of remote yoga options I can continue practicing with Carin from wherever I am located, granted that I have proper internet access and some decent viewing device, at least iPad. I learnt that for yoga-remote one needs good size computer or laptop screen and comfortable space for mat as yoga poses require a bit of real estate around you. The remote yoga workshops gave me an idea that I need my prompts: bolster cannot be easily replaced by pillow, I need belt and yoga blocks for the best possible experience of that practice.
Dr. Putnam has a podcast EBRheum.com where he concentrates on literature review relevant to rheumatology. He recently gave talk on how to review literature for American College of Rheumatology 2020 all virtual annual meeting. It is then that I invited him to talk to me about lessons I learned based on his speech, but also to review osteoarthritis treatment trial with use of prednisolone (steroid) that was named HOPE and was released in 2019 by Lancet publications.
Meditate with Doc Off Clock…but really? I explore ways to enter this side of self that provides for comfort and ease of life.
The interview of author and clinician (Libby) who just released her book Reflections on Transcendence with images of Cape Cod artist Steve Lyons. I interviewed both of them for this website in past. I hope to inspire those that search for beauty and reflection.
What I do is eat plenty of fresh fruit (vitamins C)and vegetables that have easily absorbable vitamins and minerals if you introduce that as part of your meal planning strategy. In cold and scratchy throat season I use herbal teas with turmeric and ginger, both anti-inflammatory. I make my own teas from these spices. While I do use supplements in my diet, mostly vitamins D with Calcium, as I do not consume enough of milk and dairy to have proper amount to augment and maintain my bone and muscle cells, I do try as best as I can to get most of my vitamins and minerals from food sources, that is why we always have greek yogurt in the fridge.
Meditation intro to the episodes. Dr. Gilek-Seibert overviews various, but successful pathways to enjoy the power of meditation.
In this short video I talk about my interview experience in 2020. The year when we do so many things differently….adjustment or innovations? The same can be said about job interviews. I recorded this short clip with no interviewees in as my reflection on the day of the rheumatology fellows candidates interview. Also on these blog pages you will find post on remote interview with tips how to make sure it goes well for you and your guests. You will find it in section Moments published October 19th 2020.
My full conversation with Dr. Nula, PT in Rhode Island @Elite Physical Therapy Offices is presented without edits in video below. While I published abbreviated version previously this full talk addresses much more: we talk about health integration, benefits of therapy on musculoskeletal and rheumatology health, relations that we establish with therapists and the therapists with their patients. We address issue of Telehealth that is being utilized in physical therapy as well, and how we wish that this technology helping patients to stay connected and treated is here to stay. I mention that Telehealth is in my opinion an equalizer that bridges health access for patients with various disorders and Dr. Nula talks about that as well. In this time of multitude of social justice discussions it is important we bring that aspect of care to the table as well. Change in policies should follow so Telehealth is not a nuisance, but part of treatment and management strategies for years to come.
Photo from Elite Physical Therapy Website.
I listed my interview with artist and dress designer Rebecca under Moments as her dresses and designs remind me of summer. In our 15 minutes interview we talk about art, healthy lifestyle, but also time of pandemic and how we all cope with this unprecedented and difficult time. Uplifting and positive Rebecca reminds us that we need to build strength and resilience and showcase that to our kids. We talk about swimming with your family, perhaps RebeccaJean mask designs and much more. Watch and enjoy!
For my full interview with social activist and associate professor of trauma and surgery at University of Chicago, Dr. Williams - press the button. I thought that the sign of time that this interview to be posted in Moments, the section of my blog dedicated to what is current, up to date, at times difficult, but what we need to talk about and be aware of. Watch a section, watch it all, I think that any part of the conversation may bud a curiosity in you to learn more about Black Americans, diversity, social justice and even pandemic. I remain grateful that Brian is a friend and colleague who (despite very busy calendar) wants to share his perspective, vulnerability and talk openly about matters that need to be brought to surface and addressed.
2020 has been challenging not only due to pandemic, but also events of social activism and unrest related to aftermath of death of George Floyd, who lost his life in hands on police. While Mr. Floyd was suffocated with the knee in hands of those who should protect us, this event brought to the surface the fact that we are out of collective breath and can watch no more how inequalities affect all of us in negative way and prevent us from moving forward with healthy and balanced society, especially in time of pandemic, where so many goals of humanity should be (at least in theory) aligned in fight with the deadly virus. If that was only that one dimensional and easy. I speak with Dr. Williams about his career, what sparked his activism, road that lies ahead to heal us as a society, but also hard work that needs to be done so we all have voice in the system.
The recent events shook us to the core. We deal with emotions and challenges of pandemic in different ways. I do not think there are two people on this planet who go through this common experience in the same way. Some deal with long standing mental illness, some suddenly found themselves anxious, frozen, or possibly feeling superpower and engaging in reckless behaviors. I work with Ellie at the same institution for the last six years and we share not only patients, but also friends and experiences together. This togetherness and connection created a perfect set up for talk with Ellie about her field of medicine in relation to pandemic and human emotions.
I am humbled by my conversation with Steve Lyons. We touch upon so many issues ranging from his early life in Appalachian region of USA, where he discovered his creative side, to health industry and medicine. He talks about artistic freedom and art education. I also follow his recent journey of diagnosis of brain tumor and feel honored that he shared his story with me.
We talk about cancer care and Telehealth and we wish some aspects of pandemic induced creativity in medicine and art will be part of a permanent, progressive landscape.
Chiropractic care dates back to Palmer father and son who established the concept of healing through body manipulation at the end of XIX century. At the beginning more cult than science the practice developed and is now recognized as form of integrative health modalities. Practitioners obtain education and license to be able to see patients. Some of them practice mixed form of healing where manipulation is combined with other therapies, like physiotherapy, or are straight chiropractors concentrating on alignment only.
Music has been used to cope with mental health disorders, dementia and pain among others, as part of receptive music therapy. At times audiotherapy has been referred to as alternative treatment, but more recently it has been part of growing movement of integrative treatment plans. An active music therapy refers to modality used in patients with breathing disorders, such as COPD, when patient through music, singing and deep breathing, inhales and exhales air to augment their lung functionality. While we cannot go to music concert in closed, or even open venue due to pandemic, there is an explosion of media-based concerts, balcony opera signing and neighborhood musical gatherings, and other creative ways that artists continue to perform.
See this brief video for what is just about the corner in my Talks with Doc interviews. First I will relax with Kathy, the pianist and harpist, then chiropractic doctor will help me loosen my tight neck muscles, from all this stress that accumulated there lately. Then in round 3 I will develop a new onset tension headache, hopefully released by the end of my interview, while talking all things money and “financial wellness” with financial planner Jason.
I am honored to have my friend Emily to talk to me about all things diet and answer questions that emerged during Covid19 pandemic. Emily works in Rhode Island and that is where I met her. She is an amazing person and a dietitian who is board certified in gerontological nutrition. Her treatment philosophy is promoting patient wellbeing through education on neurobiology of a healthy diet. I am happy that she is quite adventurous to agree for this interview with me and even better - share science behind all this diet talk, including why we indulge on ice cream in this time of national anxiety.
Today I take you on the journey with medical assistant Jeannette who I work with and who has over 3 decades of clinical experience in the filed of rheumatology. She is a champion for patients, but she also inspired me with her handling of the pandemic with her strength, wisdom and grace. See more by watching the video.