Better Edge : A Northwestern Medicine Podcast For Physicians

In this episode of Better Edge, Oncologist Seth M. Pollack, MD, discusses the evolving treatment landscape for leiomyosarcoma and highlights clinical trial data recently published in The Lancet Oncology. Dr. Pollack was co-author on the study, which evaluated the combination of cabozantinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with temozolomide in patients with refractory soft tissue sarcomas.  The conversation covers the biologic mechanisms underpinning this strategy, trial design and outcomes, and how the trial’s findings compare with existing systemic therapies. The discussion also emphasizes the value of referral to specialized sarcoma centers with multidisciplinary expertise and access to subtype specific clinical trials.

In this episode of Better Edge, pulmonologist Maanasi Samant, MD, highlights the multidisciplinary approach to pulmonary embolism (PE) survivorship at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute’s Blood Clot Clinic. The clinic offers structured follow-up for patients recovering from PE, with a focus on persistent symptoms, functional limitation, and early identification of chronic thromboembolic disease, including chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Through standardized post-discharge evaluations, advanced diagnostics, coordinated anticoagulation management, and supportive counseling, the clinic addresses the full spectrum of post-PE syndrome. This comprehensive model supports earlier diagnosis of long-term complications, timely access to advanced therapies, and improved recovery and quality of life, serving as a centralized, evidence-based resource for referring pulmonologists.

In this episode of Better Edge, Northwestern Medicine Endocrinologist Ioannis Papagiannis, MD, reviews key updates from the 2025 American Thyroid Association Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Guidelines. He highlights refined, pathology specific risk stratification and a growing emphasis on individualized care. The discussion explores treatment de-escalation strategies, including active surveillance, surgical decision making, selective radioactive iodine use and tailored follow up, all designed to improve outcomes while minimizing overtreatment.

In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin E. Hodges, MD, discusses persistent undertreatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and barriers to Cox-maze procedure adoption that persist despite data supporting it. He highlights expanded use of concomitant Cox-maze procedures and advances in minimally invasive and robotic AFib approaches.

In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin C. Welch, MD, professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, talks about his recent study that evaluated if endoscopic sinus surgery affects the long term risk of asthma and bronchiectasis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Drawing from a large retrospective cohort with extended follow up, the study explored differences in outcomes by disease severity and nasal polyp status. The episode also highlights how these findings may inform clinical decision making and patient counseling in the management of refractory CRS.

In this episode of Better Edge, GI surgeons Srinadh Komanduri, MD, MS, and Eric Hungness, MD, and Bariatric Surgeon Matthew Pittman, MD, take a look at the evolving landscape of obesity medicine. They share insights on treatment selection, long term weight maintenance, safety and the emerging combinations shaping the future of metabolic health.

In this episode of Better Edge, CTEPH experts Daniel R. Schimmel, MD, and Stephen F. Chiu, MD, discuss how multidisciplinary evaluation and a high volume of procedures have shaped one of the nation’s leading CTEPH program at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Having recently performed its 200th PTE, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has strong outcomes and the infrastructure to support them. Recent publications have reported zero 30 day mortality after PTE and BPA. Dr. Schimmel and Dr. Chiu review advances in complication prevention, evolving criteria for surgical vs. interventional treatment, and emerging research in AI enhanced diagnostics. Their conversation offers practical guidance for recognizing persistent symptoms after a pulmonary embolism and identifying patients who may benefit from referral to a specialized CTEPH center.

In this episode of Better Edge podcast, Francesca E. Duncan, PhD, a reproductive scientist at Northwestern Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research on immune‑mediated remodeling of the aging ovary. By characterizing the unique inflammatory and metabolic signatures of multinucleated giant cells, she provides a new framework for understanding ovarian senescence and preserving ovarian health.

This Better Edge podcast episode features Robin L. Cohen, MD, Michelle Armour, MS, CCC-SLP, and Shamun Mohammed, MS, CCC-SLP, as they discuss the rehabilitation of a 77-year-old stroke patient with severe fluent aphasia, auditory comprehension challenges and apraxia. They highlight how interdisciplinary collaboration, strong family involvement and the Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Program at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital led to significant functional gains and renewed independence.

In this episode of Better Edge, Akhil Narang, MD, associate professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, examines the phase 3 ENHANCE trial, which evaluates a novel syringe-mounted surfactant device designed to generate uniform microbubbles and reduce variability in saline contrast echocardiography. By improving right-heart opacification and the fidelity of right-to-left shunt detection, the device aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce rates of non-diagnostic and repeat studies. Rooted in Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s commitment to advancing translational imaging, this trial may improve both workflow efficiency and patient care.

Prostate MRI is changing how clinicians decide when a biopsy is needed and how sampling is targeted to better detect clinically significant prostate cancer. In this episode of Better Edge, Hiten Patel, MD, discusses MRI‑informed risk stratification, including the use of an MRI‑based risk calculator, and how MRI‑targeted biopsy can reduce missed high‑grade disease. The episode also highlights how PSA density informs decision‑making after a negative MRI and how to manage discordant targeted and systematic biopsy results. Dr. Patel reviews lesion characteristics, like size and suspicion score, in the context of follow‑up and treatment intensity, along with emerging tools like PSMA PET and AI that may further refine detection and biopsy targeting.

In this episode of Better Edge, Baljash S. Cheema, MD, assistant professor of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, explores the integration of FDA-approved digital health technologies in cardiovascular care, focusing on a photoplethysmography-based algorithm for remote AFib detection and monitoring. Dr. Cheema discusses the clinical validation of this smartphone-enabled tool and its advantages over traditional wearables. He also highlights its implications for patient empowerment, stroke prevention and the evolving landscape of AI-driven diagnostics.

Oncologist George Georges, MD, moderates a discussion with Christine Hsieh, MD, rheumatologist, and Arjun Seth, MD, neurologist, on advancing care for inflammatory myopathies. The panel introduces the Northwestern Medicine Myositis Clinic, a one-stop model that simplifies diagnostics and connects patients to clinical trials. They review current treatment strategies — steroids, IVIg, steroid-sparing agents, rituximab, and JAK inhibitors — along with approaches for refractory disease. The panel also explores cellular therapies, including CAR-T cell trials.

In this episode of Parts and Labor, Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts from Northwestern Medicine’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology to discuss the groundbreaking research and clinical trials shaping the future of gynecologic cancer care. The panel explores innovations in immunotherapy, investigator-initiated trials, survivorship and symptom science, while highlighting efforts to expand access and diversity in clinical research across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.This episode’s panel of guests includes:• Emma L. Barber, MD, John and Ruth Brewer Professor of Gynecology and Cancer Research, Division Chief of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of Robotic Surgery• Daniela E. Matei, MD, Diana, Princess of Wales Professor of Cancer Research and Chief of Reproductive Science in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Hematology and Oncology• Dario R. Roque, MD, Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Fellowship Program Director• Emily M. Hinchcliff, MD, Assistant Professor of Gynec

In this episode of Better Edge, Chandrika Shankar, MD, explores the dynamic intersection of mental health and law. Learn how forensic psychiatrists assess competency, navigate ethical dilemmas and balance risk assessment tools with clinical judgment. Dr. Shankar also shares insights on telepsychiatry, AI-assisted evaluations and the core skills needed to succeed in this evolving field.

In this episode of Better Edge, a Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology panel including Paul Bryar, MD, Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, and moderator Angelo P. Tanna, MD, discusses practical applications of artificial intelligence in eye care. Topics include point‑of‑care diabetic retinopathy screening with immediate results, oculomics and multimodal imaging, and collaborations using AI to identify biomarkers such as retinal ischemic perivascular lesions (RIPLs). The panel also reviews early experience with large language model triage and MyChart responses, EMR‑based risk scoring that incorporates social drivers of health and workflow optimization.

Edward M. Schaeffer, MD, PhD, moderates a thoughtful conversation with two former Northwestern Urology residents, Richard Matulewicz, MD, MSCI, MS, urologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Neema Navai, MD, MHCM, professor and chair of the department of urology and special advisor to the chief physician executive for care development at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Together, they share insights from their professional journeys, explore the evolving landscape of urologic care and discuss how their experiences have shaped their career paths and approach to patient care.

In this episode of Parts and Labor, Angela Chaudhari, MD, hosts a panel of experts from Northwestern Medicine’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology to explore the innovative role of robotic surgery in cancer care. The discussion highlights how robotic technology is improving outcomes for patients with gynecologic cancers through minimally invasive techniques, enhanced precision and interdisciplinary collaboration.The panel covers advancements in robotic systems, patient populations who benefit most from this approach, including those with high BMI, complex surgical histories, and fertility concerns, as well as the future of surgical innovation at Northwestern Medicine.This episode’s panel of guests includes:• Emma L. Barber, MD, John and Ruth Brewer Professor of Gynecology and Cancer Research, Division Chief of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of Robotic Surgery.• Dario R. Roque, MD, Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Fellowship Program Director.• Jenna Z. Marcus, MD, Associate Professor of Gynecol

In this episode of Better Edge, a Northwestern Medicine Neurology panel including Niccolo Mencacci, MD, PhD, Sarah Brooker, MD, PhD, and Elizabeth Gerard, MD, discuss their groundbreaking research surrounding the NUS1 gene and its impact on neurological disorders.Their recently published research, The Spectrum of Neurologic Phenotypes Associated With NUS1 Pathogenic Variants: A Comprehensive Case Series, covers a comprehensive case series of 41 patients with pathogenic variants in the NUS1 gene, highlighting a spectrum of neurological phenotypes that include developmental delays, epilepsy, and various movement disorders. Notably, the study emphasizes the lack of genotype-phenotype correlations, suggesting the influence of additional genetic and environmental factors on clinical presentations.

In this episode of Better Edge, Edgar Woznica, MD, explores the clinical challenges of diagnosing and treating patients with four or more co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders. He shares strategies for distinguishing primary versus substance-induced symptoms, emphasizes the importance of collaborative care and offers guidance for teaching diagnostic clarity to trainees. The episode also highlights the value of embracing diagnostic uncertainty and measuring success through functional outcomes.Clinical impact: This conversation provides practical tools for managing diagnostic complexity and reinforces the importance of integrated, patient-centered care in high-acuity psychiatric cases.