Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health Podcast
Exploring people, programs and partnerships addressing whole child health.
Ep. 219: Healthy Girls, Healthier Generations
Improving maternal health starts long before pregnancy. Dr. Julie Moldenhauer, Dr. Katherine Deans, and Sharon Mills Higgins explore how investing in girls’ and women’s health across the lifespan can lead to healthier mothers, babies and families. We discuss maternity care deserts, gaps in mental health support and how research, technology, policy, and stronger health systems can help close care gaps and build healthier futures for generations to come.
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Featuring:
Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, FACOG, FACMGG, Executive Director, Nemours Institute for Maternal Fetal Heal...
Ep. 218: Maternal Health Policy: Turning Evidence Into Change
What does the latest research reveal about the state of maternal health in the United States, and what can be done to improve it? Christina Lojek, Senior Research Manager, The Harris Poll, shares findings from the 2026 State of Maternal Health survey, highlighting persistent gaps in insurance coverage, patient education, postpartum support and paid leave. Then, KJ Hertz, Senior Director, Federal Affairs, March of Dimes, and Daniella Gratale, MA, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health, explore federal policy efforts to address maternal-fetal health challenges and advance systemic changes that make pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care safer and more...
Ep. 217: Leadership Dialogues: The Zip Code Effect on Child Health
Leadership Dialogues is a limited series from Well Beyond Medicine in which Larry Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, President and CEO of Nemours Children's Health, joins host Carol Vassar to engage some of today's most influential voices in child health, policy and community change. Together, they explore the ideas, partnerships and cross-sector solutions shaping healthier futures for children.
In the opening episode, Dr. Moss and Carol Vassar sit down with Carol Naughton, CEO of Purpose Built Communities — a national leader in holistic neighborhood revitalization — for a conversation that goes well beyond the clinic. They explore how housing, education, econ...
Ep. 216: The Emotional Impact of Youth Sports Injuries
A sports injury can affect much more than a young athlete’s body. In this episode, Stephanie Pearce, MD, explores the emotional side of being sidelined, including the grief, frustration and loss of identity that can follow an injury. Dr. Pearce is a former Director of Sports Medicine at Nemours Children’s Health and a team physician for the U.S. Olympic Ski and Snowboarding Team. She shares how families, coaches and care teams can support young athletes through recovery, build resilience and help them return to the sports they love.
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Ep. 215: The Science Behind Resilient Kids
Childhood adversity can affect health for a lifetime, but it does not have to define a child’s future. Robert Sege, MD, PhD, FAAP, Director, HOPE (Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences) National Resource Center, explores how positive experiences and supportive relationships can help children heal and build resilience. From safe, stable environments to emotional growth and a strong sense of belonging, these protective factors can shape healthier outcomes and create the conditions for children to thrive.
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Featuring:
Robert Sege, MD, PhD, FAAP, Director, HOPE National Re...
Ep. 214: Creating the Conditions for Children to Thrive
What if the goal of children’s health went beyond treating illness to creating the conditions where every child can thrive? We explore what it means to invest in Whole Child Health and why healthier children require more than what happens in a doctor’s office with guest David Keller, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Vice Chair for Clinical Strategy and Transformation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, and Chair, Pediatric Policy Council. He discusses the role of families, schools and communities, and why the way we define, measure and pay for chil...
Ep. 213: Youth Suicide and the Lifesaving Power of Connection (Part 2 of 2)
What’s driving the alarming rise in suicide deaths among Black youth — and what can we do about it? In part two of our youth suicide prevention series, three experts examine findings from Pain in the Nation 2026 and explore how schools, health care systems, communities, and public policy can work together to create the conditions young people need to thrive.
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Featuring:
J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, President and CEO, Trust for America’s Health
Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, Physician, Population Health...
Ep. 212: Youth Suicide and the Lifesaving Power of Connection (Part 1 of 2)
What can we do to better understand and prevent suicide among young people? In part one of our two-part series, Christine Yu Moultier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, explores what science tells us about youth suicide risk, including the protective power of belonging, the impact of loneliness and social media, emerging concerns around AI chatbots, and how adults can start a potentially lifesaving conversation.
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Featuring:
Christine Yu Moultier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
<...Ep. 211: Changing What’s Possible for Children With Cancer
What does it take for a child to fight cancer while holding on to the life they love? This Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, we team up with the Philadelphia Phillies to share Alivia Eder's inspiring journey alongside her oncologist, Nicholas Manini, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Nemours Children's Health. Hear Alivia share what cancer, treatment and finding her way back to everyday life have been like, then join Douglas J. Harrison, MD, MS, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Inaugural Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Presidential Endowed Chair, Nemours Children’s Health, for a look at decades of research an...
Ep. 210: Making Health Information More Human
Trust is at the heart of health care, but misinformation and confusing health information can make it harder for people to know who and what to trust. Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, Founder & CEO, Grapevine Health, explores how plain language, trusted sources and genuine human connection can make health information more accessible and use it to help rebuild trust.Â
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Featuring:
Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, Founder, Grapevine Health
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views expressed b...
Ep. 209: Beyond Fetal Surgery: Caring for Families Before Birth
Advances in prenatal diagnosis and fetal surgery are changing what's possible before a child is even born. Three specialists from the Institute for Maternal Fetal Health at Nemours Children’s Health discuss how breakthroughs in fetal care are improving outcomes for babies with complex conditions. They also share how a multidisciplinary team supports families through prenatal diagnoses, difficult decisions and every step of the journey – from pregnancy to delivery and beyond.
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Featuring:
Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, FACOG, FACMGG, Executive Director, Institute for Maternal Feta...
Ep. 208: The Father Factor: Why Engaged Dads Make a Difference
Fathers have a profound impact on their children's physical, mental and emotional well-being, yet they're often left out of pediatric research. John James "JJ" Parker, MD, Researcher, Attending Physician, Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, explores what the science tells us about involved fathers, where critical research gaps remain, and how supporting dads can improve outcomes for children and families alike.
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Featuring:
John James "JJ" Parker, MD, Researcher, Attending Physician, Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann...
Ep. 207: How Parents' Screen Habits Shape Children's Health
What if your child’s digital habits are informed with your own? Meredith Gansner, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Services, University of Rochester, explores the growing body of research examining how caregivers' digital behaviors — from excessive screen time and "sharenting" to online health misinformation — can shape children's mental health, development and long-term well-being.
The conversation examines how children model the digital behaviors they observe, why oversharing online can have lasting consequences, how social media algorithms influence parents' health decisions, and practical strategies families can use to build healthier relationships with technology.
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Ep. 206: The Hidden Mental Health Needs of Military-Connected Kids (Part 2 of 2)
Military-connected children and teens face unique behavioral health challenges, from frequent moves and disruptions in care to parental deployments, long wait times and navigating health care systems that don't always move with them.
In part two of this series, tied to the release of two policy papers from Nemours Children's Health and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the conversation shifts to the clinicians and program leaders working to improve access to behavioral health care for military-connected youth. They explore the barriers families face when seeking mental health care for their children, the potential of telehealth and interstate licensure...
Ep. 205: The Hidden Mental Health Needs of Military-Connected Kids (Part 1 of 2)
Military-connected families are often praised for their resilience. But behind every deployment, relocation, and homecoming are children navigating constant change — and too often, gaps in the mental healthcare system meant to support them.
In the first episode of this two-part series, we speak with policy leaders from Nemours Children's Health and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, along with military-connected parents and advocates, about the unique behavioral health challenges facing military-connected youth. From frequent moves and disrupted continuity of care to the stigma surrounding mental health, they discuss what's working, where the system falls short and the policy solutions th...
Ep. 204: The Science of Calm: Designing Health Care Spaces for Healing
What if the space around you could help you heal? We explore the thoughtful design behind the new Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health at Nemours Children's Health, where every detail was intentionally created to support families facing high-risk pregnancies. Learn how evidence-based health care design brings together architecture, clinical care and emotional wellbeing to reduce stress, improve outcomes for mothers and babies and create an environment where healing begins the moment families walk through the door.
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Featuring:
Laura Morris, CHID, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, Lean Green...
Ep. 203: Protecting Teens from Digital Dating Violence
Teen relationships have changed dramatically in the digital age. Today, connections often develop through social media, text messages, video chats and location-sharing apps, creating new opportunities for communication – but also new risks for coercion, control and abuse.
Dianne M. Alvarez, DO, Researcher and Resident Physician, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Emily Egbert, MAT, MPH, ScM, Researcher, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, explore the growing issue of teen digital dating violence, how common it is and what parents, clinicians, educators and communities can do to help young people recognize unhealthy behaviors and build safe, healthy relationships.
...
Ep. 202: The Evolving Nicotine Crisis Among Teens
Just when it seemed decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use were making a lasting impact, a new generation of nicotine products has emerged — more potent, more discreet and, in many cases, more addictive than ever before.
Susan Walley, MD, MHCM, SFHM, FAAP, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's National Hospital, discusses the resurgence of youth nicotine use, the growing popularity of flavored vapes and nicotine pouches, and why these products are raising concerns among pediatricians and public health experts.
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Featuring:
Su...
Ep. 201: Medicaid’s Role in Children’s Health and Well-Being
Medicaid covers nearly half of America’s children, but its impact goes far beyond doctor’s visits and hospital stays. James Perrin, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Founder of the MGH Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, explains why Medicaid is one of the nation’s most important investments in children, what’s at stake in current policy debates and how a health care system designed to support health — not just treat illness — could improve outcomes for generations to come.
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Featuring:Â <...
Ep. 200: Maternal-Fetal Health: Advancing Care Before and After Delivery
A child's health journey doesn't begin at birth — it begins much earlier.
In the first part of our two-part Maternal Fetal Health series, Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, Executive Director, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Fetal Therapy and Innovation, Nemours Children’s Health, explores how care before birth can shape lifelong health outcomes.
She shares why a children's hospital is investing in care for mothers, babies and families together, and how advances in prenatal diagnosis, fetal intervention, genetic testing, and coordinated family support are transforming the future of pediatric care...
Ep. 199: Narrative Medicine: The Pediatrician’s Voice in the World
What happens when pediatricians bring their expertise beyond scientific journals and into the public conversation? Weijen W. Chang, MD, FAAP, SFHM, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Nemours Children’s Health, explores how writing can be a powerful tool for advocacy in children’s health. From op-eds and essays to newsletters and personal storytelling, he discusses how clinicians can use their voices to elevate important issues, influence policy and connect with audiences beyond the clinical setting.
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Featuring:
Weijen W. Chang, MD, FAAP, SFHM, Chief, Division of Hosp...
Ep. 198: Narrative Medicine: Stories That Shape Care
Narrative medicine invites clinicians into a simple yet profound practice: listening differently. Kristen Copeland, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, Nimisha Bajaj, MD, Palliative Care Specialist, Children’s National Hospital, and Anoushka Sinha, MD, Adolescent Medicine Specialist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, explore how storytelling, reflective writing, close listening and the humanities can deepen understanding of children and families navigating illness, trauma, grief and uncertainty. Grounded in the pioneering work of Dr. Rita Charon and the narrative medicine program at Columbia University, the conversation highlights how these practices can strengthen trust, cultivate empathy and bring greater humani...
Ep. 197: Mark Del Monte on the Future of Children’s Health, Advocacy and Hope
Children’s health in America is at a critical crossroads. From Medicaid uncertainty and workforce shortages and burnout to rising mental health needs, misinformation and the growing impact of social media and AI, pediatric care is facing unprecedented pressure. Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics, explores the current state of pediatrics, why advocacy is central to the practice of medicine for children, and what continues to give him hope for the future of children’s health.
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Featuring:
Mark Del Monte, JD,<...
Ep. 196: Dr. Myron Rolle’s Journey from Caribbean Roots to Pediatric Neurosurgery
Caribbean American Heritage Month sets the stage for Dr. Myron Rolle’s extraordinary journey from his Bahamian roots to Rhodes Scholar, professional football player and pediatric neurosurgeon. He reflects on the experiences and values that shaped his path, and how family, discipline, education, and service continue to guide his work in the operating room and beyond. He also shares why teamwork, mentorship and giving back remain central to his mission in medicine and in the community.
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Featuring:
Myron Rolle, MD, MS, former NFL player, pediatric ne...
Ep. 195: Precision, Prevention and Pediatrics: Insights from PAS 2026
What does the future of pediatric care look like when research, collaboration and evidence come together? Recorded in Boston at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Physician-in-Chief and Chief Scientific Officer, Nemours Children's Health, joins us to explore the studies shaping what’s next in children’s health. From advances in sepsis treatment and newborn nutrition to the potential of precision population health and fetal interventions, this conversation shows how simple, evidence-based changes paired with strong partnerships can improve outcomes for generations of children.
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Ep. 194: Reducing Risk and Improving Care for Pediatric Sepsis
One in five pediatric hospital deaths is linked to sepsis — a statistic that has driven decades of research and is now reshaping clinical guidelines worldwide. With the 2026 enhanced guidelines just published, there's no better time to dig into what the science is telling us. We're joined by Scott L. Weiss, MD, MSCE, Division Chief of Critical Care Medicine and Vice-Chair for Research at Nemours Children's Health — and co-author of both the 2020 and 2026 guidelines — to walk us through the research building a clearer, more consistent approach to recognizing and treating pediatric sepsis, and what it means for children and the clinic...
Ep. 193: Quality and Safety: Building Better Systems for Pediatric Care
Quality and safety in pediatric care have transformed over the past three decades, moving away from a culture of blame toward one centered on thoughtful system design and continuous improvement.
Pediatric quality and safety leaders from across the country discuss how that evolution has enabled more proactive approaches to preventing harm, along with stronger collaboration throughout hospitals and health systems. We also explore how insights from frontline care teams, partnerships with families, and the use of predictive analytics are helping identify risks earlier and improve outcomes for children across the care continuum.
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Ep. 192: Feeding the Future: How Nutrition Can Transform Children’s Health
“Food as medicine” is transforming the future of pediatric care. From programs like WIC to the essential role of registered dietitians, nutrition is emerging as a powerful driver of better outcomes for children. Allison Steiber, RD, PhD, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shares her organization’s Food as Medicine roadmap and unpacks the critical gaps in access, funding, and awareness that stand in the way of impact. She also discusses what it will take to ensure every child has the nutrition they need not just to grow, but to truly thrive.
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Ep. 191: Navigating the Infodemic: Making Sense of Health Information
Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, Executive Director, Infodemiology Initiative, and infectious disease epidemiologist, joins us to unpack the “infodemic,” the overwhelming flood of health information shaping how we think, decide and act. From misinformation to trust, she explains why science isn’t finished until it’s communicated — and what each of us can do to navigate today’s complex information landscape more responsibly.
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Featuring:Â
Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, Executive Director, Infodemiology Initiative
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of...
Ep. 190: A Strand of Hope: Using Hair to Detect Autism
The road to an autism diagnosis can sometimes take years between a family's first concerns and a formal evaluation. In this episode, we explore the science behind a new hair-based biomarker screening tool in the early stages of development, and seek to understand what researchers hope it could one day offer as part of a larger clinical picture.
Our guest, David Elkin, PhD, a pediatric clinical psychologist and VP, Clinical Liaison & Advocacy at LinusBio, talks about how the tool works, what the current research suggests, and, importantly, what the tool cannot do. The test is designed to...
Ep. 189: Breaking Down the New Dietary Guidelines for Kids
New federal dietary guidelines arrived earlier this year, introducing a redesigned food model and updated recommendations for children and families. From whole foods and age-specific guidance to ultra-processed foods, school meals, food anxiety, and obesity prevention, this episode translates national policy into practical, everyday strategies.
Jaclyn Albin, MD, CCMS, DipABLM, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pediatric and Public Health, and Director, Culinary Medicine Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Marlene Rafferty, RD, Senior Clinical Dietitian, Nemours Children's Health, break down what the 2025 -2030 Dietary Guidelines mean for kids.Â
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Ep. 188: Xploro: Gamifying Healthcare for Kids
Hospitals can be intimidating for children, especially when they don’t understand what’s happening. Nancy Tinsley, RN, MBA, FACHE, Chairman, Xploro Inc., joins us to discuss Xploro’s gamified platform that uses interactive stories, avatars and games to help kids and families understand medical care. The goal: reduce fear and anxiety while empowering children to take an active role in their healthcare journey.
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Featuring:Â
Nancy Tinsley, RN, MBA, FACHE, Chairman, Xploro Inc.
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views e...
Ep. 187: Maintaining Humanity in the Age of Digital Medicine
As health care advances in the digital era, how do we ensure we don’t lose the human touch? Jennifer Goldsack, MChem, MA, MBA, OLY, founder and CEO, Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), and a former Olympian, discusses the promise of digital medicine, the ethics and trust surrounding health data and why keeping humanity at the center of health care innovation is essential.
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Featuring:Â
Jennifer Goldsack, MChem, MA, MBA, OLY, founder and CEO, Digital Medicine Society
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views expressed by guests do...
Ep. 186: Advanced Care at Home: Healing Where Kids Heal Best
What if hospital-level pediatric care didn’t require staying in the hospital? Jane Mericle, DNP, MHS-CL, BSN, RN, CENP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Patient Operations Officer, Nemours Children's Health, and Christopher Beaty, MSN, NE-BC, Vice President, Operational Innovation, Nemours Children's Health, discuss Nemours Children’s Advanced Care at Home program, a 24/7, virtually supported model that helps medically stable children recover at home sooner.
They share how this technology-enabled approach reduces emergency visits and readmissions, supports families and redefines pediatric hospitalization by delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time...
Ep. 185: Trust, Access and Action: Dr. Curry-Winchell on Clinicians Who Care
Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Beyond Clinical Walls, and Founder, Clinicians Who Care, joins us to discuss how she’s transforming care for children and families. She shares how bridging access gaps, addressing social determinants of health and building trust through community-centered care are essential to advancing whole child health beyond the clinic. We also highlight her new initiative, Clinicians Who Care, which connects patients with trusted clinicians who prioritize empathy, trust and patient-centered care.
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Featuring:
Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, Founder & Chief Medical Of...
Ep. 184: Tiny Teeth, Big Impact: How Oral Health Shapes Lifelong Wellness
Ashley Lerman, DDS, Founder and CEO, Firstgrin, joins us to talk about the role of oral health in whole child health. From fluoride safety and X-rays to bottle habits and access to care, this conversation explores how prevention, education, and early intervention can reduce the most common chronic disease in children -cavities - and build a healthier future from the very first grin.
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Featuring:
Ashley Lerman, DDS, Founder and CEO, Firstgrin
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect...
Ep. 183: Trust Through Transparency: USAFacts on Child Health
Richard Coffin, Chief of Research and Advocacy at USAFacts, shares how nonpartisan government data helps families, educators, and health care leaders make more informed decisions for the children and communities they serve. From local public health trends to population-level insights, this conversation highlights why transparent, accessible facts are critical to building trust — and advancing whole child health.
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Featuring:
Richard Coffin, Chief of Research and Advocacy, USAFactsÂ
Host/Producer: Carol Vassar
Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the...
Ep. 182: Smarter, Safer Births: Inside GE HealthCare’s Care Intellect for Perinatal
GE HealthCare has launched Care Intellect for Perinatal, a cloud-first digital solution designed to improve safety and outcomes for mothers and babies during labor and delivery.
Jeff Caron, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Patient Care Solutions, GE HealthCare, shares how the platform unifies multiple, previously disconnected data sources into a single, real-time patient view that all clinicians can access — a true “single pane of glass.” By reducing data overload and streamlining workflows, it enables care teams to spot emerging risks sooner and respond more quickly and effectively.
The conversation also examines how standardized, data-driven perinatal care c...
Ep. 181: How Pediatric Genomics Can Improve Quality and Reduce Cost
In neonatal intensive care units across the country, critically ill newborns are in a race against time, while families often wait weeks — or even months — for answers. New research from Tufts Medical Center shows there’s a better way.
We explore how rapid whole genome sequencing nearly doubles diagnostic rates in critically ill infants compared to standard testing — and can save the health care system hundreds of thousands of dollars per baby when used early. It’s a powerful example of whole child health in action: faster answers reduce suffering, guide care, shorten NICU stays, and challenge how we thi...
Ep. 180: Global Health, Shared Humanity: Inside the Ginsburg Scholars' Uganda Experience (Part 2 of 2)
What happens when medical trainees step into a world where adolescent health challenges are amplified by resource constraints and discover that teens everywhere face strikingly similar struggles?Â
In part 2 of this series, the focus turns to mentorship, medicine and global partnership, examining the impact of the Nemours Ginsburg Institute Scholars' work in Uganda through the eyes of clinicians and educators on the ground. The discussion centers on the realities of adolescent health in a resource-limited setting, the power of global research collaboration and the universal nature of young people's experiences across continents.
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