Better Edge : A Northwestern Medicine Podcast For Physicians

In this episode of Better Edge, Joshua Meeks, MD, PhD, discusses the implications of the FDA's recent approval of TAR-200, a novel therapy for bladder cancer. Having played a key role in the clinical trials and development of this treatment, Dr. Meeks provides an in-depth look at this breakthrough’s potential to transform patient care, especially for those with BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer.

In this episode of Better Edge, a multidisciplinary team gets into the intricacies of diagnosing and managing scleroderma. Join Pulmonologist Anthony Esposito, MD, Rheumatologist Carrie Richardson, MD, and Domenico Farina, MD a gastroenterology specialist with a focus on scleroderma-related esophageal diseases. Together, they share how they collaborate to provide comprehensive care for patients.

Grazia Aleppo, MD, Kasey J. Coyne, MD, and Jelena Kravarusic, MD, PhD, from the Northwestern Medicine Division of Endocrinology, join the Better Edge podcast. The trio discusses a recent clinical trial they led, published in The New England Journal of Medicine. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using an automated insulin delivery system for treating patients with Type 2 diabetes, a method already well established for those with Type 1 diabetes.

In this episode of Better Edge, C. Charles Jain, MD, the new associate medical director for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, shares his clinical expertise and strategic vision for advancing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. Dr. Jain discusses his new role and outlines a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for ACHD. He emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and seamless transitions from pediatric to adult care, key parts of Northwestern Medicine's approach. Dr. Jain also highlights his research interests, commitment to providing whole-person care and upcoming initiatives to expand access and enhance continuity of care at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.

In this episode of Better Edge, Bruce K. Tan, MD, discusses the newest clinical practice guidelines for the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dr. Tan covers how treatment paradigms have evolved over the past 15 years, from antibiotic-centric approaches to multifaceted strategies that recognize CRS as a complex inflammatory condition. He dives into the guidelines’ recommendations on diagnoses, biologic therapies and multidisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, Dr. Tan shares insights on future directions for research and the promise of precision medicine in tailoring effective treatments for a range of patient profiles.

In this episode of Better Edge, Allison S. Komorowski, MD, discusses her findings on the role of anti-Müllerian hormone in managing PCOS. Discover how this hormone’s levels influence ovulation rates, the importance of personalized treatment strategies and the hormone’s potential as a diagnostic tool in fertility treatment.

Join Anton Dietzen, MD, FAAPMR, fellowship-trained in pediatrics, Ishaan Hublikar, DO, FAAPMR, a spinal cord injury specialist, and Julie E. Witkowski, MD, FAAPMR, an expert in brain injury, as they discuss the role of fellowship training in enhancing PM&R care. They share their personal journeys, insights on complex cases and future advances in their fields.

Dr. Clara Peek, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, is here to walk us through a new Northwestern Medicine study she led that was published in Science Advances, suggesting that circadian rhythms play a role in how quickly damaged muscles heal.

In this episode of Better Edge, Sadiya S. Khan, MD, discusses the AHA's groundbreaking PREVENT-HF paradigm, which aims to implement a risk-based approach to heart failure prevention like other established methods for heart attack and stroke. Dr. Khan covers the alarming trends of heart failure prevalence in the U.S., the importance of early detection, and the integration of traditional and non-traditional risk factors in clinical practice. She also highlights how innovative strategies and emerging technologies like AI are helping shape the future of heart failure risk assessment and patient care.

In this episode of Better Edge, we delve into innovative strategies for enhancing inpatient rehabilitation outcomes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Anthony Phan, MD, a physiatrist, discusses the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and optimizing consult practices. Join us as we explore effective techniques and best practices for maximizing functional recovery in an acute care setting.

Eric Ruderman, MD, leads a Northwestern Medicine panel discussion with Irene Blanco, MD, Anisha Dua, MD, and Carrie Richardson, MD. Together, they dive into the latest advances in clinical trials and treatment strategies for scleroderma, vasculitis and lupus.The panel discusses the goals and complexities of contemporary clinical trials, recent breakthroughs in therapies and the innovative potential of CAR-T therapy for managing autoimmune diseases. They emphasize the significance of personalized medicine and the collaboration needed among clinicians, industry collaborators and patient advocacy groups to drive research forward.

In this episode of Better Edge, Sean W. P. Koppe, MD, moderates a panel of hepatologist, featuring Laura M. Kulik, MD, Andres Duarte, MD, Sarang B. Thaker, MD and Amanda C. Cheung, MD, as they discuss recent advances and challenges in liver research. The conversation addresses such key issues as the timing of immunotherapy in relation to transplants, the role of albumin management and the implications of these factors on patient outcomes. This discussion offers valuable insights to fellow researchers and clinicians navigating the complexities of liver medicine.

In this episode of Better Edge, we discuss the Collaborative Advanced Reconstructive Evaluation (CARE) Clinic, a collaboration between Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, led by Julia Geynisman-Tan, MD, Julia E. Grabowski, MD, Elizabeth B. Yerkes, MD, and Dana Elborno, MD. Learn how this team uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide leading-edge reconstructive treatments for congenital anomalies and acquired genitourinary tract diseases.

In this episode of Better Edge, Northwestern Medicine Neurologist Shailee Shah, MD, and Neuro-oncologist Ditte Primdahl, MD, unpack the latest advancements in paraneoplastic syndrome management, highlighted at the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.   Together, they explore: The complex interplay between immune checkpoint inhibitors and autoimmune neurologic syndromes Emerging therapies, including CD19-directed CAR T-cell treatments Updates to diagnostic criteria and risk stratification using high-risk autoantibodies The role of predictive biomarkers and advanced omics in diagnosis The launch of a dedicated paraneoplastic clinic at Northwestern Medicine

In this episode of Better Edge podcast, Sri Komanduri, MD, discusses the latest advances in the screening and management of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. He highlights the significance of risk stratification to enhance patient outcomes and minimize the incidence of interval cancers. Additionally, Dr. Komanduri emphasizes the importance of improving patient access to care and the role of advocacy organizations in supporting both patients and clinicians.

In this episode of Better Edge, Baljash S. Cheema, MD, assistant professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, and Zach Miller, PhD, manager of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern Medicine, discuss the innovative use of machine learning to identify patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Emphasizing the critical collaboration between clinical experts and data scientists, Dr. Cheema and Dr. Miller explain the process of designing and optimizing AI models to better meet clinician needs and improve patient outcomes.

In this episode of Parts and Labor, Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts to discuss the PEARL Program, a multidisciplinary initiative providing comprehensive care for patients with obesity as they prepare for pregnancy. The panel covers the program's approach to lifestyle management, preconception counseling and integrating specialties to support maternal health.

Neurosurgeon Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, leads a panel discussion on the management of tumors that compress the optic nerve. He is joined by Preeti J. Thyparampil, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Adam D. Baim, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist.     The panel discusses tumors commonly associated with optic nerve compression, their impact on eye function, and the signs and symptoms that suggest a tumor is pressing on the optic nerve. They also delve into diagnostic strategies and treatment options, emphasizing key factors that determine the appropriate surgical approach.

In this episode of Better Edge, Christina E. Boots, MD, MSCI, associate professor of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the impact of obesity on reproductive outcomes and the promising role of GLP-1 agonists in treating obesity and infertility. Discover how these groundbreaking medications are reshaping reproductive health, offering hope for patients with higher BMIs. Learn about the latest insights and clinical considerations for their use in preconception care plans.

In this episode of Better Edge, a panel of ophthalmologists from Northwestern Medicine discuss their insights from the 2025 Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) Annual Conference. Nicholas Volpe, MD, president of the AUPO, joins Rukhsana Mirza, MD, and Dmitry Pyatetsky, MD, as they share their perspectives on important topics such as residency education, the future of ophthalmology and the impact of AI in the field. The panelists also explore initiatives aimed at improving faculty development and patient care, emphasizing the need for innovation and collaboration within academic ophthalmology.