Medical Minds: Conversations with Guthrie Experts

Most adults will experience back pain at some point in their life, but what should you do when it strikes? In this podcast mini, we’re uncovering the causes of lower back pain and offering practical solutions to help you find relief.

As the leaves change and fall activities take us outdoors, it’s important to stay aware of the risks posed by ticks, even in cooler weather.

In this podcast mini, Dr. Koryn Johnston shares timely tips on tick prevention, recognizing the signs of tick-borne illnesses, and staying safe while enjoying all that autumn has to offer.

As summer winds down and our kids gear up for fall sports, it's crucial to stay mindful of heat safety during those lingering hot days. In this podcast mini, Dr. Johnston shares essential tips to keep safe, hydrated, and healthy during hot weather.

At what age should a child get their first smartphone? How much screen time should they be allowed to have? What impact is social media having on our kids? On this week’s Medical Minds: Conversations with Guthrie Experts, we chat with Dr. Philip Heavner, practicing pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment option for sports medicine injuries. This week, we speak with two Guthrie doctors about how they work and who could benefit most from them.

Will your child not stop crying? Are they tugging on their ear? It’s a test for all parents at some time or another. This week, Dr. Koryn Johnston explains what causes an ear infection and how to treat it.

The Guthrie Pulse Center is gaining national attention for merging technology with the highest level of bedside care, all done in a rural setting. We chat with Deb Raupers, Chief Nurse Executive at The Guthrie Clinic and Terri Couts, Chief Digital Officer at The Guthrie Clinic about how the Guthrie Pulse Center transformed from an idea to a nationally recognized model for delivering modern health care.

This week, we discuss a common health issue among women, the urinary tract infection. Dr. Koryn Johnston and Steve Osterhaus welcome Guthrie Urologist Dr. Vineet Agrawal onto the podcast to discuss risk factors, treatment and why women should shed the guilt that a UTI is somehow their fault – it’s not! Plus, it’s much less common, but men can also be impacted by UTIs.

Sinus pressure does not necessarily equal a dire need for antibiotics. Despite what you may have heard, antibiotics are not always the answer. This week, Dr. Koryn Johnston is working double duty as the expert as she breaks down the difference between a bacterial infection and a virus.

Traditional, migraine or cluster? What kind of headache sufferer are you? This week, Dr. Koryn Johnston answers the questions for a special Medical Minds “Mini” episode. She breaks down the varying types of headaches, what may cause them and treatment options.

We’re celebrating National Nurses Week. Our guest is Jennifer Orbin, Sr. System Director of Nursing Operations at The Guthrie Clinic. We dive into the different types of nursing, a day-in-the life of a nurse, and the impact COVID has had on the profession. Plus, Jennifer shares her journey from difficult cancer diagnosis as a teenager to high level nursing leadership.

The patient experience begins long before a diagnosis or hospital today. On the latest episode of Medical Minds: Conversations with Guthrie Experts, we discuss the patient’s journey, the importance of the patient’s voice and the countless people working together to make their experience a positive one.

This can't miss episode explores the journey of organ donation. With more than 100,000 people awaiting a life-saving organ nationwide, we'll hear from Dr. Adam Breslin, who is board certified in Emergency and Critical Care about the decision to save a life. Plus, heart transplant recipient David Webster shares his story of a second chance at life because of the selfless act of his donor and his family.

Repetitive strain injuries impact both young and old, and to an extent, the cause is right in the name. But lack of sleep and exercise also play a key role in bringing on the injuries and preventing us from getting back to the physical lifestyle we love. Guthrie Occupational Therapist, Jim Wagner joins us this week to talk about cause, treatment and prevention.

This episode will make you think twice about telling someone, "Oh, it's just my OCD kicking in." We speak with Guthrie Clinical Psychologist Dr. Alaina Zapf for a deep dive into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It's not just about germs or a tidy room. Dr. Zapf breaks down the disorder, the impact it has on the lives of those suffering from it and treatment options.

In celebration of American Heart Month in February, we're spotlighting the “good” and the “bad” of cholesterol. Guthrie Cardiologist, Dr. Saurabh Sharma joins us to explain the difference and tackle the myths associated with treatment. From exercise and diet to medication, Dr. Sharma offers insight into proper monitoring which should begin at an early age.

Regardless of your stance, everyone will learn something about vaccines this week. Dr. Koryn Johnston and Steve Osterhaus chat with the Chair of Primary Care for The Guthrie Clinic, David Pfisterer, about the benefits of vaccines, how the medical field can do a better job of messaging and the expansive database that determines and supports the safety of specific vaccines.