PCOM Perspectives

For this episode, I spoke with Brian Balin, PhD, director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging and a professor of Neuroscience and Neuropathology, and Nikki Schultek, founding director and research assistant professor of the Pathobiome Research Center at PCOM about their collaborative work examining connections between infectious processes and chronic disorders of aging.

For this episode, I spoke with my friend and colleague, Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at PCOM. We discuss the evolving primary care landscape, including emerging models of care, and how current and future physicians can navigate these changes while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.

For this episode, I talked with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States. We discussed his upcoming role as PCOM’s Bitonte Commencement Speaker in Philadelphia, the growing influence of AI in medicine, and most importantly, how building meaningful connections can help us become better clinicians.

For this episode, I spoke with Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, to address the importance of vaccine safety and education in light of ever-evolving governmental guidelines.Timestamps (00:07) Introduction and Guest Background (00:07) Meeting Dr. Offit: Dr. Feldstein introduces Dr. Paul Offit, his credentials, and outlines the episode’s focus on vaccine safety and misinformation(01:32) Welcome and Opening Question Dr. Offit is welcomed; discussion begins on risks of declining childhood vaccination rates, especially for immunocompromised individuals. (01:58) Consequences of Declining Vaccination RatesDr. Offit details recent increases in measles, tetanus, whooping cough, and influenza deaths due to lower vaccination rates.(03:13) Public Health vs. Individual Rights Discussion on the tension between individual freedoms and public health, and the impact on vulnerable populations.(03:26) Why Vaccine Hesitancy Persists Dr. Offit explains how the success of vaccines and misinformation have reduced fear of diseases and increased vaccine hesitancy. (04:34) Personal Experience with MeaslesHost shares his experience with measles and discusses the need to address vaccine hesitancy among medical professionals and the public.(05:29) Physician-Patient Communication on Vaccines Dr. Offit emphasizes the importance of empathetic communication by physicians to address parents’ vaccine fears.(06:48) Historical Perspective: Maurice Hilleman’s Warning Dr. Offit recounts a conversation with Maurice Hilleman, who predicted diseases may need to return before public fear is restored.(07:47) Conflicting Health Institutions and Trust Discussion on public confusion when major health organizations contradict each other, and how to advise patients.(08:05) RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary and Impact on Vaccine Policy Dr. Offit describes the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his anti-vaccine stance, and the resulting upheaval at CDC and HHS.(08:53) Alternative Sources for Vaccine Guidance Dr. Offit explains how pediatricians and states are turning to the American Academy of Pediatrics and state coalitions for vaccine recommendations.(09:52) Pending Lawsuit Against HHS Mention of a lawsuit challenging HHS and RFK Jr. over vaccine policy, with a decision expected soon.(10:11) Optimism in Vaccine Research Host asks about promising areas in vaccine research; Dr. Offit discusses adjuvants and new vaccine technologies.(10:52) Setback for mRNA Influenza Vaccine at FDA Dr. Offit describes FDA’s refusal to review Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, and its chilling effect on vaccine innovation. (11:57) Future of Vaccine Research: Global PerspectiveDiscussion on how China and India may become leaders in vaccine research due to U.S. regulatory setbacks.(12:26) Final Thoughts for Medical Professionals (00:14:01) Final Thoughts: Final thoughts on the importance of science in medicine and a call for physicians to remain steadfast advocates for evidence-based care.(12:35) Science Prevails Over Misinformation Dr. Offit asserts that science will ultimately win, referencing Galileo, but warns of suffering during periods of misinformation.(14:01) Closing Remarks and Call to Action Host and guest stress the importance of science-based medicine and encourage physicians to stand up for scientific truth.(14:31) Episode Conclusion Host thanks Dr. Offit and closes the episode, reiterating the importance of trusted health information.

For this episode, I sat down with Dr. Fred Goldstein, a professor of clinical pharmacology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at PCOM, to talk about his decades of research examining the use of prescription medication to manage pain for postoperative patients, and how THC and CBD combinations can reduce discomfort in those with chronic neuropathic pain. We also discuss how the drug landscape has changed in Dr. Goldstein’s three-plus decades as an educator and how substance abuse and artificial intelligence have impacted the way pharmacology is taught.