Medically Speaking

Yvonne Ruddy-Stein, APRN, of the Breast & Oncology Center in Southbury, Connecticut, joins host Robin Sills, RN, to talk about genetic testing. How do you know if certain types of cancers are in your genes? A family history can help point you in the right direction, and testing can help you make the right decision for your health. For more about Saint Mary's Hospital, visit stmh.org.

Dr. Brittny Howell, vascular surgeon, joins host Robin Sills, RN, to talk all things veins and wound healing. Whether you're in the Waterbury, Connecticut area and looking for wound healing and vascular services, or you had a question about your own vascular issues, this episode is a great listen. Don't miss it! To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, visit stmh.org.

Dr. Bechoi Saleib, Internal Medicine, joins host Robin Sills, RN, to give listeners an update on the flu season for 2017-2018, the high-dose flu vaccine, and much more. Don't miss this important show as you get ready for cold and flu season!

More than 43 million people in the U.S. care for someone 50 or older. If you are providing elder care, you're not alone. Join host Robin Sills, RN and APRN and community educator Sandra Micalizzi to talk about how to manage caring for your aging loved ones and caring for yourself in the process. To learn more, visit stmh.org.

Dr. Gregory Colodner joins host Robin Sills, RN, to talk about all things sleep: how to get more sleep, some common conditions that affect sleep such as sleep apnea, what services Saint Mary's offers to help you get better sleep, and much more. Dr. Colodner specializes in all aspects of sleep and sleep disorders. He is the Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Center, which provides full services including consultation and testing for adults and children. All sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, schedule changes, snoring and narcolepsy are treated.

Deepinder Oshan, M.D., a board-certified pulmonologist with Franklin Medical Group - Pulmonology, joined Robin Sills, RN, on "Medically Speaking," to talk about lung health and when to see a pulmonologist for conditions such as a chronic cough. Dr. Osahan talked about the causes and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)and how low dose lung cancer screenings are helping to catch cancer earlier when it's easier to treat. Dr. Osahan graduated from CUNY School of Medicine at City College and earned his medical degree at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He completed his internal medicine residency at Lenox Hill Hospital and his pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship at New York University - Winthrop Hospital. A member of the American College of Chest Physicians, Dr. Osahan is board certified in both internal medicine and pulmonary medicine.

Saint Mary's newest cardiologist, Mariam Azeem, M.D., joins host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, on "Medically Speaking" to talk about your heart health. Dr. Azeem talks about women and heart disease and why it's important for men and women to recognize the varying symptoms that could signal a heart attack. Dr. Azeem received her medical degree from Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan. She completed her internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Connecticut. Her clinical interests include women’s health, preventative cardiology, heart failure and population health management. Dr. Azeem is board certified in both internal medicine and echocardiography.

Annual checkups. Traditionally, these visits have involved running tests and looking for things that might be wrong, particularly if you have a current health problem or symptoms that might indicate that you are ill. However, if you’re healthy and have no signs of illness, you may still want to schedule regular checkups with your doctor. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services specifically recommends annual well-woman visits, which include a Pap test, pelvic exam and preventive care. Checkups are an opportunity to discuss your overall lifestyle, family history, weight, blood pressure, vaccinations and which health screenings might be right for you. Our featured guest, Dr. Rabia Cheema of Franklin Medical Group Primary Care in Cheshire talks with host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison about why it's important to find a doctor who listens to your individual questions and concerns during these annual visits. This program is a special edition of Saint Mary's "Medically Speaking" series on WAT

Dr. Bodhan Warycha of Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine talks with Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison and host of "Medically Speaking" on WATR Radio 1320 AM about how to cope with aches and pains as you grow older. Are you feeling your age? Dr. Warycha talks about the diagnosis and treatment of pain in your legs, hips, knees, back and generalized pain, which we experience as we grow older. Conservative therapies such as physical therapy, and surgical interventions are both options to consider to help you regain normal function and quality of life. Is the pain worse when you are walking, sitting or standing? Are there activities you can't do any more? What's better, heat or ice? Listen to learn more!

You're born with your birthday suit. Take care of it! Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network is pleased to present "Birthday Suit," a special edition of Saint Mary's "Medically Speaking" series, which airs on WATR Radio 1320 AM Join special guest Prasad Sureddi, M.D., of Aesthetique, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center, as he talks with program host Robin Sills, RN, about how to take the best care of your skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, more brittle. It loses strength and elasticity. You may develop wrinkles and tiny lines. These are normal skin changes. However, other unexplained changes can be a sign of skin cancer or illness. It's important to become familiar with YOUR skin so you recognize potential warning signs. Listen to learn how to protect your skin for many birthdays to come!

Pooia Fattahi, M.D., a board-certified neurologist with Waterbury Neurology and Section Chief of Neurology at Saint Mary’s Hospital, joins us as a special guest on "Medically Speaking" to talk about the diagnosis and advanced treatment of stroke. May is Stroke Awareness Month - do you know the signs and symptoms of stroke? You could help save a life just by being able to recognize those signs and remembering to call 9-1-1! Dr. Fattahi talks with program host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, about Saint Mary's advanced certification by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and what that means to patients and the community, as well as the use of telemedicine to diagnose stroke patients, treatments including tPA, rehabilitation and treatment of post-stroke symptoms.

Did you know that too much sitting is harmful−even if you exercise regularly? Research shows that being sedentary outside of purposeful physical activity such as running or going to the gym raises your risk of developing many serious health conditions, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers. It also shortens your life expectancy. To find out what you can do to avoid being a sitting duck, listen to “Quit the Sit,” a special edition of “Medically Speaking” sponsored by Saint Mary’s Spirit of Women network. Program host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, talks with Courtney Houle, MSPT, Lead Therapist, Saint Mary’s Physical and Occupational Therapy, about how to move more and reduce the amount of time you sit each day.

"Sparkle 2017" was Saint Mary's largest Spirit of Women event to date with more than 900 women in attendance, 30 participating physicians, 35 community partners, 30 volunteers, 17 massage therapists and 1,300 cupcakes from Sweet Maria's! Oh, what a night! In case you missed it, Saint Mary's also sponsored a live radio broadcast from the Glass Room at the Aqua Turf Club featuring our physicians from "Dessert with the Docs" that evening. Listen to the May 10, 2017 broadcast hosted by WATR's Larry Rifkin and Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison at Saint Mary's Hospital and host of "Medically Speaking."

In case you missed it, we've created a podcast of Saint Mary's live radio broadcast in celebration of National #HospitalWeek! This program aired live on Monday, May 8, 2017 from the Main Lobby at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. The second hour of our broadcast is hosted by Larry Rifkin of WATR Radio 1320 AM who interviewed: Rebecca Scandrett, M.D., interventional cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Saint Mary’s Hospital; Marcus McKinney, Vice President of Community Health and Chief Health Equity Officer Trinity Health – New England; Jim Tucker, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Mary’s Hospital; Janet Weber, RN, Director of Patient Care, Saint Mary’s Hospital, and Kathy Noone, RN, Regional Executive Director, Oncology, Trinity Health - New England.

In case you missed it, we've created a podcast of Saint Mary's live radio broadcast in celebration of National #HospitalWeek! This program aired live on Monday, May 8, 2017 from the Main Lobby at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. The first hour of our broadcast is hosted by Larry Rifkin of WATR Radio 1320 AM who interviewed: Chad Wable, President of Saint Mary’s Hospital and Senior Vice President of Operations & Chief Transformation Officer for Trinity Health - New England; Sister Dolores Lahr, Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care and a Sister of Saint Joseph of Chambery; Mickey Wyse, M.D., Medical Director, Saint Mary's Urgent Care Centers and a physician in Saint Mary's Emergency Department; Ije Akunyili, MD, MPA, FACEP, Associate Medical Director, Emergency Services, Saint Mary's Hospital; Birgit Koellmer, RN, Epic Project Lead at Saint Mary's Hospital, and Gregory Bennett, Assistant Director of Enterprise Information Systems at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

Prasad Sureddi, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon with Aesthetique Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center in Southbury, CT, talks with host Robin Sills, RN, on "Medically Speaking" about the latest advances in plastic surgery, including new radio frequency and ultrasound techniques to melt away fat. This new approach to body sculpting and facial sculpting is designed to target and treat specific areas rather than provide overall weight reduction, and helps to improve skin texture, tone and contouring.

Have you heard? Laughter really is the best medicine! Find out why being in good humor is good for your health by listening to "Laugh Lines," a special edition of our "Medically Speaking Series," sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women Network. This program originally aired April 22, 2017 on WATR Radio 1320 AM. Listen as host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, talks with Nancy Krulikowski, APRNl, Westside Medical Group, about the physical and emotional benefits of laughter. So LOL - really! It's good for you!

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we were honored to have J. Alexander Palesty, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director, Program in Surgery, and Director, Surgical Oncology at Saint Mary's Hospital as the featured guest on “Medically Speaking” on WATR Radio 1320 AM. Dr. Palesty talked with host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, on March 28th about the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, and the latest advances in treatment.

How well do you know your family history? It can help your healthcare provider assess your genetic cancer risk and determine whether or not you are a candidate for genetic testing. Yvonne Ruddy-Stein, APRN, Polokoff Breast Care in Southbury, joins Robin Sills, RN, host of "Medically Speaking," for a discussion about genetic testing and counseling, Lynch Syndrome, and how genetic mutations can increase your risk of breast, ovarian, colorectal and other cancers.

You may not consider yourself a gourmet cook or fine food aficionado, but what you eat and how you prepare food for yourself and your family can keep you healthy and help prevent serious disease. It can also help you and your family maintain a healthy weight, prevent chronic disease and boost your energy levels. March is National Nutrition Month so join us for "Foodie Duty," a special edition of our "Medically Speaking" series sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network on WATR Radio 1320 AM. Host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, talks with Pamela L. Doubleday, RD, CD-N, Saint Mary's Outpatient Nutritional Counseling Service, about meal planning and prep to help you become a “healthy foodie.”