The Health Exchange

Episode 40 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes a deep dive into sports cardiology with guest Dr. Merije Chukumerije, a board-certified cardiologist who works with elite athletes. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Chukumerije break down the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest, why some conditions go undetected until tragedy strikes, and what parents and coaches should watch for in young athletes. They explore how factors ...

Episode 39 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes listeners inside the world of pediatric nephrology with guest Dr. Cristina Farkas-Skiles, a specialist who cares for children with kidney conditions. She and Dr. Rutland discuss what families can expect during a first nephrology visit, how testing and treatment plans are explained in child-friendly ways, and why building trust with parents is just as important as caring for the patien...

Episode 38 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes a deep dive into how skin disease sits at the crossroads of medicine, identity, and daily life. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Helia Eragi, Dermatologist, discuss the common conditions patients bring to clinic—from eczema and acne to psoriasis and rosacea—and explain why the right care often requires looking beyond symptoms to triggers and mental health. Rather than treating skin issues as purel...

Episode 37 of The Health Exchange Podcast features Olympian Shae Anderson, a world-class sprinter whose journey has been shaped by resilience, family, and a lifelong battle with asthma. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about the sacrifices and struggles behind making the U.S. Olympic team, from training through the pandemic and competing alongside track legends to coping with her father’s illness during trials. Shae opens up about the u...

Episode 36 of The Health Exchange Podcast features Rene Roberts-Nijinsky, an advocate, athlete, and retired educator living with cerebral palsy who has turned her challenges into resilience and purpose. In conversation with Dr. Rutland, Rene reflects on her experiences with major surgeries, the realities of growing up with a disability, and the discrimination and silence she faced even within her own home. She shares how finding sa...

Episode 35 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the world of plastic and reconstructive surgery with Dr. Josh Waltzman, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Rutland speaks with him about how modern plastic surgery is often misunderstood, highlighting the balance between cosmetic goals and life-changing reconstructive procedures. They explore the impact of body image, the emotional side of patient care, and how surgery can bo...

Episode 34 of The Health Exchange Podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with guest Tori Meskin, MSN RNC-NIC. Dr. Rutland and Tori explore the specialized care premature and critically ill newborns require, from life-saving interventions to the emotional realities of working with families during their most vulnerable moments. They discuss how NICU nurses balance advanced medical skills wi...

Episode 33 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the realities of parenting from the perspective of both a physician and a parent, with guest Dr. Lori Livingston, a pediatrician who blends medical expertise with personal experience. She and Dr. Rutland discuss common challenges parents face—including sleep deprivation, breastfeeding struggles, and managing children’s behavior—and why empathy is just as important as clinical adv...

Episode 32 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the world of physical therapy with Dr. Tony Dang, a PT and movement specialist who’s changing how people think about pain, healing, and mobility. He joins Dr. Rutland to break down what makes good physical therapy truly effective—beyond just stretching and strength work. They talk through common misconceptions, what recovery can and should feel like, and why building trust with pat...

Episode 31 of The Health Exchange Podcast addresses the intersection of medicine and humanitarian crisis through the eyes of physicians Dr. Ahlia Kattan and Dr. Sameer Khan. Drawing on their experience in Gaza treating civilians amidst war, they talk with Dr. Rutland about the physical and psychological toll of displacement, the ethics of care during conflict, and the long road to recovery after trauma. This powerful conversation s...

Episode 30 of The Health Exchange Podcast spotlights chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that affects millions but is still widely misunderstood. Guest Mr. Tom Gill, a long time COPD patient and advocate, joins Dr. Rutland to unpack what makes this disease so complex to manage and why early diagnosis often slips through the cracks. They talk through key lifestyle changes, how pulmonary rehab actually works, an...

Episode 29 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles the myths and realities of digestive health with gastroenterologist Dr. Kumkum Patel. From irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, and motility issues, Dr. Patel breaks down what’s actually going on when your gut isn’t working right—and why so many of these conditions get overlooked or misdiagnosed. She and Dr. Rutland explore how gut health connects to...

Episode 28 of The Health Exchange Podcast brings together returning guest Dr. Richard Paicius and Dr. Jen Armstrong—an expert in pain and regenerative medicine, and a Real Housewives of Orange County alum known for her work in aesthetic care—to explore how innovative treatments are reshaping how we think about aging. From joint pain to facial symmetry, Dr. Rutland leads a wide-ranging conversation on regenerative strategies, patien...

Episode 27 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the realities of launching and running a private medical practice with returning guest Dr. Jihan Ansari. Drawing from her experience founding Harbor Direct Primary Care, Dr. Ansari opens up about the fears, logistics, and personal sacrifices that come with leaving the corporate model behind. She and Dr. Rutland unpack the differences between U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems, di...

Episode 26 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into ADHD and teenage mental health with psychiatrist Dr. Sayeh Beheshti. The discussion explores early signs parents should watch for and how to navigate challenges like screen time and social pressure. It also covers how ADHD often gets missed—especially in girls—and why early understanding can change lives. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Beheshti unpack why diagnosis doesn’t always mean medic...

Episode 25 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the fast-moving world of stroke care with returning guest Cris Medina, a family nurse practitioner. He and Dr. Rutland break down the urgency behind early intervention and explain how each decision—from symptom recognition to treatment—can impact a patient’s outcome. The conversation touches on the evolving role of technology in stroke detection and why public education around sy...

Episode 24 of The Health Exchange Podcast pulls back the curtain on often overlooked blood disorders—with guest Dr. Joomee Shim. From iron deficiency anemia to sickle cell disease, Dr. Shim explains how tiny changes in our blood can have major health consequences. She and Dr. Rutland also explore diagnostic blind spots, racial disparities in funding and treatment, and what everyday lab tests can reveal when read correctly. This epi...

Episode 23 of The Health Exchange Podcast offers a personal, unfiltered look into what it’s really like to be married to a doctor. Guest host Dorey Rutland joins her husband, Dr. Jamie Rutland, for a candid conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Johnson-Nguyen about partnership, parenting, grief, and emotional labor. From navigating long hours and shifting roles to building a life and a business together, they reflect o...

Episode 22 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the complex and deeply personal topic of depression and anxiety with guest Dr. Jihan Ansari, a family medicine physician who integrates mental health into everyday care. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about how these conditions show up differently in each patient and why early intervention can be so difficult to achieve. The conversation moves beyond surface-level symptoms to examine ...