Dr. Steve Akman has spent more than four decades in the field of hematology-oncology, helping hundreds of women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode, he talks about the importance of breast cancer screening, how to assess your breast cancer risk, and current approaches to breast cancer treatment. Splitting his time between MUSC Holling…

Maintaining a healthy weight can feel like an impossible challenge, especially for those who suffer with complex medical issues that can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Chronic weight issues are often linked to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, posing additional health risks. While healthy diet and exercise …

The MUSC Health Amyloidosis Center of Excellence offers a multidisciplinary approach to cardiac amyloidosis, with expertise from specialists such as Dr. Jan Griffin. Treatments have greatly advanced in recent years for this rare and life-threatening condition. In this episode, Dr. Griffin discusses these advancements and therapies available to trea…

There's a science behind how to stay hydrated during physical activity, and it isn't always as simple as drinking water when you feel thirsty. In this episode, Alaine Mills, MS, RD, LD, shares insights on how athletes keep their bodies hydrated, and how you can maintain a healthy optimal hydration. She is an MUSC Health registered dietitian and cer…

Eye problems, while often benign, can sometimes be the first sign of a serious health condition. Peter Tang, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmologist at the MUSC Health Storm Eye Institute, where he specializes in retina surgery and ocular oncology, or cancer in and around the eye. In this episode, Dr. Tang discusses Storm Eye’s collaborative and holistic ap…

Breast cancer survival rates are higher than they’ve ever been. For patients requiring surgery, high-quality breast reconstruction that is both aesthetic and safe can be crucial to long-term well-being. Advances in technology and surgical techniques at MUSC are leading to more natural options for reconstruction, allowing women to look and feel more…

We are marking Colon Cancer Awareness Month with a valuable discussion about the importance of early detection of colorectal cancer as well as the latest treatments that can offer hope and improved outcomes for patients. In this episode, two colorectal surgeons from MUSC Health Midlands division, Dr. Kasim Mirza and Dr. Jarrott Moore, discuss MUSC’…

Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. While older Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it has been on the rise in people under the age of 50 in recent decades. In this episode, Dr. Maggie Westfal discusses details on new screening recommendations aimed to catch the disease in younger people. Dr…

Spine issues, which often result in neck, mid-back, or low-back pain, can make every day a challenge. In fact, spine-related pain is one of the most common reasons people contact a doctor. In this episode, MUSC Health neurosurgeon Adam Back, MD, shares new approaches and personalized treatment plans available to MUSC patients with spinal issues. Dr…

More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before yet, the statistic remains that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In this episode, Dr. Abi Siva, a MUSC Health breast oncologist, explains the latest offerings in treatment and early detection from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, that are helping more women live …

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest of cancers. But in the last few decades, far more people are surviving this disease. In this episode, William Hawkins, MD, a surgical oncologist at MUSC Health, explains why pancreatic cancer is so difficult to treat while also providing hope for those who may be undergoing treatment. Hawkins also highlights…

An innovator and expert in both robotic surgery and general surgical education, Kevin Roggin, MD, was recently appointed Chief of Surgical Oncology at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. He brings more than 20 years of experience in surgical oncology to his new role. Roggin shares his vision for the division, his views on patient-centered care in surgical…

Dysphagia is a swallowing condition that causes challenges when eating or drinking and can lead to serious complications such as choking or pneumonia infections caused by aspiration. In this episode, Erin Ward, a speech language pathologist from the MUSC Health Florence Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, talks about this condition and treatments off…

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is establishing a new precision oncology program and a precision oncology tumor board that will improve cancer care across South Carolina. Thai Ho, MD, PhD is leading this effort and in this episode shares insight into precision oncology offerings at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the precision oncology tumor board, as wel…

Residents of the Lancaster and Chester counties don’t need to travel far from home to receive state-of-the-art surgical care. Aravind Viswanathan, MD, a urologist and director for robotic surgery at MUSC Health Lancaster Division, discusses the range of urologic oncology and other surgical options offered, including the da Vinci robotic surgical sy…

For more than 40 years, the MUSC Health Weight Management Center has been offering leading edge programs to help people lose weight and improve their quality of life. Tonya Turner, MPH, RDN, LDN, is the associate director for clinical services and a registered dietitian and nutrition specialist at the Weight Management Center. In this episode, she …

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in men and women. Ye, recent data shows the majority of American women don't realize that heart disease is the biggest threat to their health. In this episode, Aarsi Maran, MD, a MUSC Health interventional cardiologist, dispels some myths about women and heart disease and shares ways women can take cha…

In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Jennifer Patchett, MD, an OB/GYN at MUSC Women's Health - Florence Women’s Pavilion, discusses how she uses the robotic da Vinci surgical system to provide minimally invasive gynecological surgeries to patients. Patchett calls the device a game changer for women undergoing hysterectomies and other gyneco…

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center has received many awards and accolades for its commitment to breastfeeding support. Lela Gregg, a Lactation Specialist and Baby Friendly and Safe Sleep Coordinator explains the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants and how she helps support mothers at MUSC Health through the ups and downs of nurs…

A health screening tool called DARI motion analysis system, is being offered to patients at the MUSC Health and Wellness Institute. It uses the power of video cameras and motion data to objectively measure how efficiently you move. From there you may be prescribed targeted strengthening exercises that can help you meet your health and fitness goals…

The CDC estimates 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or staying pregnant. But advances in medicine and technology have helped millions of people with infertility bring children into the world. John Schnorr, MD, has overseen the care of thousands of patients with infertility. On this episode, he discusses common causes and the latest treat…

MUSC Health is known for innovation and telehealth with a strong history of using telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare for medically underserved areas in South Carolina. Now, new and existing rheumatology and endocrinology patients have access to MUSC Virtual Care. Emily Warr, MSN, RN is the administrator of the MUSC Center for Telehe…

Those suffering with foregut diseases can often find a long-term cure through surgery. James Mark Harris, MD, is a general surgeon in the MUSC Health Floyd Medical Group and has extensive experience in foregut surgery. In this episode, he talks about the often complex foregut procedures he offers and how they can change the lives of his patients wi…

There have been monumental advancements in treatments for diseases and disorders of the pancreas in recent decades. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Katherine Morgan, MD, professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery at MUSC Health, talks about the function of the pancreas, causes of…

In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Greg May, MD, an Interventional Cardiologist with MUSC Health at the Florence Medical Pavilion, talks about symptoms that warrant a trip to the cardiologist, what to expect at a cardiology appointment and tips to keep your heart healthy.Av MUSC Health

Being diagnosed with a kidney disease is a challenge more and more Americans face. In South Carolina, one in eight people have kidney disease. But there are things you can do to prevent kidney disease and manage it. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Kevin O’Kelly, MD, a urologist at MUSC Health Marion Medical Center, talks about the impo…

There's a type of medication often prescribed to people with Parkinson's disease that can cause impulse control issues in some patients. In this episode, Mark Stacy, MD, discusses this topic and how people impacted can be helped early and easily at the first signs of problems. Stacy is a MUSC Health neurologist with more than 30 years of experience…

Your nose, tongue, face, and throat. You may not think of cancer lurking in these places, yet many head and neck cancers originate here. Luckily, there are signs and symptoms related to the disease that you can look for. In this episode, Jason Newman, MD, director of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology in the Department of Otolaryngology, talks …

Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it often has no symptoms. You cannot feel your own bones weakening, and many people are not diagnosed until they have broken a weakened bone. Stacy Rothwell, a certified physician assistant at MUSC Health, joins the show to discuss the importance of talking to your doctor about your risk of oste…

Surgery on any part of the endocrine system has the best results when performed by a highly experienced endocrine surgeon, according to recent studies. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Denise Carneiro-Pla, MD, explains the endocrine surgical diseases she and her colleagues offer, specifically parathyroid surgery, a major focus of her wo…

Family Medicine physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Toney Graham, III, MD, talks about how he can now provide more essential support for both the health and well-being of people in rural South Carolina because MUSC Health is expan…

MUSC Health offers the latest in thoracic surgery, including surgical care of people with lung and esophageal cancers, end-stage lung disease, as well as lung transplant surgeries. This episode features Barry Gibney, DO, who performed South Carolina's first lung transplant for a COVID-19 patient. Gibney is a thoracic surgeon as well as an associate…

When a loved one becomes too sick to make their own health care decisions, conversations between families and medical teams become extremely important. Having a patient’s wishes about their future medical care known and documented can help all involved make the right care choices. Nina Paletta, MD, a primary care physician specializing in internal …

New research shows that gut health is a vital component to keeping our body’s ecosystem healthy. In this episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Alaine Mills, RD, a dietitian at the MUSC Health and Wellness Institute and director of the institute’s Gut Health Program, talks about the importance of gut health and how a plant-based diet contributes to c…

The new MUSC Health Black River Medical Center, opening in early 2023, is bringing high quality, innovative health care to one of the more rural areas of South Carolina. Jay Hinesley, CEO of MUSC Health Florence Division, and Alan Abernathy, CEO of Williamsburg Regional Hospital, share details about the new MUSC Health Black River Medical Center in…

A surgical procedure for carpal tunnel syndrome is now being offered at MUSC Health as a same-day treatment with little downtime and recovery. M. Lance Tavana, MD, a hand, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon at MUSC Health, talks about this surgical procedure called endoscopic carpal tunnel release and the immediate relief it brings to so many pati…

Osteopathic manipulative therapy, or OMT, is a treatment offered at MUSC Health that includes applying gentle pressure to manipulate muscles, soft tissues and joints, in order to assist the body in its own self-healing processes. Theresa Kilgore, DO, is a doctor of osteopathic medicine as well as a general internist. In this episode, she talks abou…

Women who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer, yet know they are at a very high risk of the disease through genetic screening or testing, and have options to help reduce her risk of the disease down the road. MUSC medical student Savannah Campbell tested positive for a mutation of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 and underwent a prophylactic d…

Senior Retreat is an in-patient program offered by MUSC Health that is helping older adults and their families navigate dementia or psychiatric crises. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Nasky, Medical Director of Senior Retreat, explains how his team addresses serious mental health concerns or dementia-related crises in older adults and offers guidance to…

There are many new treatments for head and neck cancers, yet survival outcomes are poor, especially among Black Americans. In this episode, Dr. Evan Graboyes, a head and neck oncologic surgeon and director of survivorship and cancer outcomes research at the MUSC Health’s Hollings Cancer Center, shares how a team of specialists are trying to catch t…

There are many benefits and often better outcomes for smokers who stop smoking in the weeks leading up to and after a surgical procedure. MUSC Health’s Tobacco Cessation Program supports smokers preparing to undergo hernia surgery. Dr. Hatem Abdallah, a general surgeon and Medical Director for Robotic Surgery MUSC Florence, and Demetress Adams-Ludd…

Many chronic diseases can be prevented and even reversed by making healthy changes to your diet, exercise routine, sleep habits, and stress levels. In this episode, Dr. Erika Blank, an MUSC Health physician, talks about how evidence-based, lifestyle medicine, is changing the lives of MUSC Health patients.…

There are millions of Americans living with some form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), typically Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. While there’s no cure, treatment for IBD often includes dietary adjustments and medication. However, some patients do require surgery. Dr. Thomas Curran, a colorectal surgeon at MUSC Health, discusses IBD surge…

In this episode, Dr. Rami Zebian, a pulmonary and critical care specialist and Chief Medical Officer of MUSC Health Florence and Marion Medical Centers talks about lung cancer screening and the shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscope tool that is helping them detect and stage lung cancer sooner.Av MUSC Health

Heart disease is South Carolina’s second leading cause of death. MUSC Health is known for taking care of patients with high risk or complex heart conditions using the latest innovations and technologies. In this episode, Dr. Arman Kilic, a cardiac surgeon and Director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program, talks about how MUSC Health is…

A lingering cough, fatigue and fever that does not improve with antibiotics can all be symptoms of a rare lung disease caused by a common bacteria called mycobacteria. Dr. Patrick Flume, a pulmonologist and director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center at MUSC Health, is an expert on this condition called nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, o…

MUSC Health is a leader in treating chest wall injuries, including rib fracture care. People come to the MUSC Chest Wall Injury and Reconstruction Center from all over the Southeast and beyond for innovative treatments after traumatic accidents, falls and other cases involving rib and chest wall injuries. Dr. Evert Eriksson is a general surgeon who…

Robots are assisting MUSC Health surgeons to offer more personalized and precise procedures that can lead to a quicker recovery. Erik Hansen, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery, talks about how robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery is being used at MUSC Health and the benefits of this technology.…

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. For some who live with this clinical disorder, traditional drug or talk therapy treatments may not be effective in relieving their symptoms. Today's guest, Dr. Baron Short, Medical Director of MUSC Health's Brain Stimulation Service, looks to provide alternative treatments for patients sufferin…

MUSC Health patients who call the Lancaster and Chester county areas of South Carolina home don’t have to go far from where they live and work to receive higher levels of care. There are excellent MUSC Health primary care physicians and specialists across these two counties and about 400 nurses between the Lancaster and Chester hospitals. Camille F…