HeartBeats

Dr. Sarah DiGiorgi OB/GYN discusses prenatal care, birth control, hormone replacement, PCOS and other women's health issues and their role in heart health.  

Dr. Anita Arnold a cardiologist who specializes in caring for patients after cancer treatment talks about how the treatment of cancer can lead to heart problems.

Elizabeth Cosmai, MD joins our host Cathy Murtagh-Schaffer for a discussion of the important numbers women should know about their heart health. 

Al Kinkle, a tireless advocate for the substance use disorder population, whose personal commitment helps him to overcome significant barriers joins us in today's podcast to discuss his journey and the building of Kimmies Recovery Zone!  Click here for a transcript of this episode!

In honor of Recovery Month guest host, Kristin Stubbs joins Cathy Murtagh-Schaffer, PA and Project Coordinator for Substance Abuse with Lee Health, to bring awareness to recovery from addiction and to speak on the mental health issues associated with substance abuse. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Do you suffer from heart failure? Listen in now as the Supervisor of Lee Health's Heart Care Transition Clinic, Melissa Gilliam, PA, joins our host to talk about the valuable resources this clinic brings to some of our more fragile patients who suffer from heart failure and atrial fibrillation, as well as a treatment clinic called Rapid Diuresis. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Lee Health has a never-ending passion for innovation and strategy. We are constantly focused on our vision to be a national leader in the advancement of health and healing and searching for ways to improve patient care! Lisa Martinez, Lee Health's new Vice President of Strategy and Innovation joins us today to speak about important innovation and strategy are within a healthcare system and how her team is going to help support, strengthen and grow Lee Health. Click here for a transcript of this episode!  

Dr. Rabia Khan, Medical Director for Palliative Care, Jonathan Von Koenig, Medical Director of Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic Services, and Dr. Paul DiGiorgi, Lead Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, all join together to discuss what palliative care is and how they can help support patients and families during a hospital stay. Their support acts as a guide while your loved one is in the hospital, helping families with difficult decisions, grief and making sure all their questions are answered. Listen now to learn more! Click here for a transcript of this episode!

50 million people experience chronic pain daily or almost daily. It is one of the most underestimated health care problems in the world today. Lee Health Solutions offer programs that can help individuals take a more active role in their health and help manage chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, HIV and other chronic disease issues. Sharon Krispinksky, Chronic Health Program Coordinator, and Rowe Hudson, Director of Lee Health Solutions join us today to discuss the amazing things Lee Health can provide to patients with chronic illness. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

HAPPY NURSES MONTH!! One week isn't enough to celebrate all the amazing nurses out there so we are celebrating the whole month! On today's panel, we have RNs Mikaela Smith, Emily Ambrose, and Tracey Perry to talk about their journeys, what made them want to become nurses, and what their most impactful/funny memories are as nurses. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Is it age that is affecting your energy and fatigue levels, or is it something more? Approximately 25,000 people die of untreated or poorly treated heart valve disease. Dr. Steven Deutsch, LeeHealth Cardiologist, joins us in part 2 of the discussion, where he talks about why our heart valves are important, what type of diseases affect them and if they're preventable and when you should go see your cardiologist.  Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Dr. Mary Beth Saunders, System Medical Director of Epidemiology joins us to talk about the latest news in COVID 19. What our biggest challenges are, vaccine hesitancy, how our school systems are managing, should we still wear masks if we are vaccinated, and much more! Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Shipley Scholars Program has donated $150,000 to FGCU bioengineering students to not only help with tuition but also help support the students’ professional development through conferences, travel, internships, and other opportunities. Listen in on how this scholarship will affect the lives of FGCU students and how this new Scholars program will affect our community. Featuring: Dr. Paul DiGiorgi, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Chris Simoneau, Chief Foundation and Development Officer for Lee Health and Dr. Chris Geiger, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Florida Gulf Coast University Click here for a transcript of this episode!

From a small town in Iowa, Dr.Cervantes had a dream to pursue law. That quickly changed when he discovered his passion for science which led him to complete his MD and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Fresh out of his fellowship at Emory, Dr. Cervantes begins his tenure here at Shipley Cardiothoracic Center and we couldn't be happier to have him on our team. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Lung cancer survivor, Mike Caggiano joins our host to share his story about his life-saving procedure. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Dr. Paul Simeone, Vice President and Medical Director of Behavioral and Mental Health joins our host to discuss the tough topic of domestic violence and his professional opinion on what constitutes violence against women. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Joining our host today is Heidi Shoriak, System Director for Community Care Outreach for Innovatus Care Solutions and Mikaela Smith, Nurse Navigator and Structural Heart Coordinator for Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, to discuss the new Nurse Navigator program at Lee Health and the impact this will have on a patient journey through the healthcare system. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Lee Health's Chief Officer of Hospital Operations and Women and Children's Services, Armando Llechu joins Dr.Paul DiGiorgi to discuss what the future holds for cardiothoracic surgery and the impact it has on our community. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Lee Health's Chief Medical Officer of Population and Physician Services, Dr. Venkat Prasad, joins our host, Cathy Murtagh-Schaffer to discuss leadership in the face of adversity. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Join in as Lee Health's Chief Officer of Population Health and Physician Services, Kristine Fay, speaks about her journey to the C Suite and her advice for women seeking leadership positions.  Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Dr. Marilyn Kole, Vice President of Clinical Performance and Medical Director of Innovatus Health, joins us to discuss the value of a new program Lee Health has initiated. Innovatus Health is a group of healthcare providers working together to improve health outcomes and patient experience while reducing cost. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Lee Health's Chief Operating Officer, Scott Nygaard joins Dr. Brian Hummel and our host, Cathy Murtaugh-Shaffer to discuss what the future of healthcare will look like in the near and distant future. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Join Dr. Brian Hummel, cardiothoracic surgeon with Shipley Cardiothoracic Center and an expert in the surgical treatment of valve disease, to discuss heart valve disease and the importance of awareness. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Michael DeFrain discusses minimally invasive surgery and the minimally invasive surgical program at Shipley Cardiothoracic Center. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Brian Hummel and Research Nurse Michelle Deckard, discuss the impact of clinical trials on medicine. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Randall Buss, describes the use of two life-saving devices in heart surgery. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Part 2 of our afib series. Join and listen as Dr. Paul DiGiorgi discusses the surgical management of atrial fibrillation and discusses the difference between a Watchman device and LAA (left atrial appendage) Clip. Click here for a transcript of this episode!

The first of a two-part series on atrial fibrillation with cardiothoracic surgeon Dr.Paul DiGiorgi, our expert in the surgical management of atrial fibrillation.  Click here for a transcript of this episode!