Conference Coverage

The latest developments in gastroenterology come to you direct from the floor of the 2008 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference, held May 17-22 in San Diego. Highlights include several avenues of pancreatic cancer research into screening measures and markers which may enable earlier detection and improve long-term prognosis. Probiotics, also a hot topic at DDW, are being touted as a means to relieve post-operative digestive problems associated with gastric bypass surgery, by limiting bacterial overgrowth and reducing levels of fasting insulin, lipoprotein A and triglycerides. Separately, research is demonstrating that confocal laser endoscopy can efficiently pare down the process of accurate diagnosis and safe treatment of Barrett’s esophagus. ReachMD speaks with the primary investigators for each of these exciting research endeavors. Tune in to learn more about the groundbreaking news from Digestive Disease Week!

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: Larry McCleary, MD Dr. Matt Birnholz speaks with guest Dr. Larry McCleary at the 2008 AMA Medical Communications Conference in San Diego. Dr. McCleary is the author of The Brain Trust Program, an evidence-based approach to developing and improving memory, enhancing attention span, and boosting mental energy. Dr. McCleary outlines the biochemical processes of the brain governing these functions, and draws from his dual-expertise as a neurosurgeon and research scientist in building this program for physicians and general public alike.

Long before he went to medical school, Dr. Scott Nelson started out as a disc jockey. Now the 2007-08 president of the National Association of Medical Communicators, Dr. Nelson likes to say, ‘the broadcast bug never went away.’ Dr. Nelson shares his journey through medicine and broadcasting with host Dr. Matt Birnholz at the 2008 American Medical Association Medical Communications Conference in San Diego. How does Dr. Nelson continue to use lessons learned in communications to evolve both as a clinician and a physician journalist?

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: Ash Damle It’s a personalized medical internet search engine for the general consumer. For a patient anxiously searching for more information about their own condition—perhaps in preparation for a visit to you, their healthcare provider—it could be an invaluable resource. Ash Damle, chief executive officer of MEDgle, this new, web-based medical database, shares more details about his company and his plans for its future with host Dr. Matt Birnholz at the 28th Annual American Medical Association Medical Communications Conference in San Diego.

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD Guest: John La Puma, MD Join host Dr. Matt Birnholz as he speaks with Dr. John La Puma, board-certified internist, professionally trained chef, and author of "ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine." Dr. La Puma shares some of his clinical insights on nutrition gleaned from dual careers as a medical expert and a master chef.

Dr. Tom Stevenson, CMO of Covisint, interviews John Page, Chair Vistage International, on the development and changes of HIMSS over time.

Recipient of the 2008 American Medical Association Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. Joyce D. Kirkland Essien, Director of the Center for Public Health Practice at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, and Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks with your host, Dr. Mark Chyna.

Host: Mark Chyna, MD Guest: Subramaniam Balasubramaniam, MD Known to many of his friends and colleagues as "Dr. Bala,” Dr. Subramaniam Balasubramaniam is this year's recipient of the AMA Foundation's Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine for his remarkable contributions to the development of emergency medical service programs in India. ‘Dr. Bala’ talks with host Dr. Mark Chyna about his life as a physician, and the moments that have made for an extraordinary career.

Recipient of the 2008 American Medical Association Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. Murli Manohar, a clinician, teacher, researcher, administrator, community leader, and respected contributor in the areas of health care advocacy, volunteerism and community service speaks with your host, Dr. Mark Chyna.

Host: Mark Chyna, MD Guest: Frank Staggers, MD Dr. Frank Staggers is a 2008 recipient of the AMA Foundation's Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism.

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD Guest: G. Scott Morris, MD, MDiv 2008 recipient of the AMA Foundation's Pride in the Profession Award, Dr. G. Scott Morris, family physician and founder of the Church Health Center in Memphis, TN discusses his passion for his patients and their care at the largest privately funded, nonproft, faith-based clinic in the country with your host, Dr. Michael Greenberg.

Guest: AMA Foundation In cooperation with the American Medical Association Foundation and in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, ReachMD is proud to bring you this presentation of the 2008 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards, held March 31st, in Washington, D.C.

Host: Paul Raeburn Guest: James Udelson, MD Almost half of people who need stress testing are unable to receive it because of age or orthopedic problems. So physicians turn to adenosine or dipyridamole, but those can have serious side-effects. A new study reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology concludes that a new agent relieves many of those side effects--and is just as effective.

Host: Paul Raeburn Guest: Steven Nissen, MD Host Paul Raeburn interviews Dr. Steven Nissen, chair of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, at the American College of Cardiology 2008 Conference in Chicago. Dr. Nissen shares his thoughts on results from the PERISCOPE study, which measured the comparative potential for cardiovascular benefits of an insulin secretion promoter, glimepiride, and insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone. The central question: Does it matter how you lower blood sugar?

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD Guest: Viola Startzman, MD 2008 Recipient of the AMA Foundation's Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism, Dr. Viola Startzman gives a beautiful interview recounting her early influences in medicine and the founding of the Viola Startzman Free Clinic with your host, Dr. Michael Greenberg.

ReachMD and VerusMed bring you Conference Coverage Highlights from the 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. This program was generously supported by The CBCE, leaders in oncology medical education. You will hear insights on the latest in breast cancer research.

Host: Paul Raeburn Guest: Tim Westmoreland, PhD What's good about the Federal/State Medicaid program, and how could it be improved? Tim Westmoreland, a lawyer and health care expert at the Georgetown University Health Law Institute in DC, discusses the problem of getting more people covered.