M.ED POD — CME for the Practicing Clinician

Natalie Sanders, DO, FACP, and Nicholas Brening, MD, physicians in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Utah, discuss their journeys into geriatric medicine and the growing need for physicians trained to care for an aging population.The conversation explores what makes geriatric care unique, including a focus on function, independence, quality of life, and patient-centered decision-making. Drs. Sanders and Brening also discuss the University of Utah's Medicine-Geriatrics Pathway, an innovative training model designed to develop the next generation of geriatricians.Learn how geriatric principles can enhance care across clinical settings and why specialized training is essential to meeting the needs of older adults. Additional information can be found in the links below:https://uofuhealth.org/medpodUniversity of Utah Health GeriatricsUniversity of Utah Medicine-Geriatrics PathwayUniversity of Utah Division of GeriatricsYouTube @universityofutahgeriatricsVisit uofuhealth.org/medpod for details on claiming CME credit.

Peter Weir, MD, interviews Sach Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U), physician in chief of the cancer hospital, and professor of obstetrics and gynecology, about his path into oncology and the rewards and challenges of cancer care. Dr. Apte discusses the rapid progress in the field since the passage of the National Cancer Act, highlighting advances in surgery, radiation, and increasingly effective, less toxic systemic therapies. He also notes the growth of precision oncology, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, cell therapies (including CAR T), and radioligand therapy/theranostics.The conversation explores cancer prevention and screening, including investigational multi-cancer early detection liquid biopsies and rising cancer rates among younger adults. Dr. Apte outlines the roles of NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, emphasizing clinical trials, multidisciplinary tumor boards, and efforts to expand rural access through telehealth, an undiagnosed/accelerated diagnostics clinic, and the Huntsman at Home program. He underscores the importance of implementation and ensuring equitable access to care regardless of zip code.Learn More:⁠University of Utah⁠⁠Huntsman Cancer Institute⁠⁠⁠Huntsman at Home⁠⁠⁠⁠Undiagnosed Tumor Clinic (Huntsman)⁠⁠⁠Huntsman Cancer Institute Affiliates⁠Timeline00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:19 Sach Apte - Career Path02:14 Why Oncology Matters03:43 Staying Present in Cancer Care06:53 How Oncology Is Evolving10:57 Next Wave of Breakthroughs14:35 AI in Oncology Practice17:35 Cancers with New Hope20:38 Immunotherapy Explained22:51 Targeted Therapy Basics24:11 CAR T-Cell Therapies26:32 Prevention and Early Detection30:32 What Primary Care Can Do33:18 Rural Access and Telehealth36:27 What NCI Designation Means39:43 Huntsman at Home Program43:30 Closing Thoughts on AccessReferenced in podcast:Ken Kawamoto MD, PhD, MHS, FACMI, FAMIAKathi H. Mooney, PHD, RM, FAANAnna C. Beck, MDOrganizations & InstitutionsNational Cancer Institute (NCI)American Cancer SocietyNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)Moffitt Cancer Center⁠ Medical Terms & TherapiesImmunotherapyTargeted therapyCell-based therapy / CAR T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy)Radioligand therapy / TheranosticsChemotherapyPrecision oncologyLiquid biopsy / Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testsCytokine release syndromeRAS (molecular target/mutation)Neuroendocrine tumorsCancer Types Mentioned• Ovarian cancer• Uterine cancer• Cervical cancer• Endometrial cancer• Melanoma• Lung cancer• Pancreatic cancer• Colon cancer / Colorectal cancer• Breast cancer• Multiple myeloma• Leukemia• Lymphoma• Prostate cancer• GI cancers

Tyson Schwab, MD, hosts an episode of M.ED Pod with Matthew Wahl, MD, an endocrinologist at University of Utah Health and director of the Lipid Disorder Clinic, to discuss updated cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management. Learners will develop an enhanced understanding of lipid disorders and additional information supporting care decisions including:Updates to the 2026 ACC/AHA Cholesterol GuidelinesUse of the PREVENT Risk EquationPractical strategies for lipid managementWahl reviews the March 2026 ACC/AHA guideline update, emphasizing the PREVENT Equation to estimate 10-year risk and guide decisions across risk tiers. They address common statin hesitancy and intolerance, including evaluating secondary causes of symptoms and strategies. Dr. Wahl covers primary vs secondary prevention, when to treat hypertriglyceridemia, therapeutic inertia, and emerging CRISPR PCSK9 gene-editing research.01:16 New 2026 Risk Calculator04:36 Statin Hesitancy and Intolerance07:27 Primary vs Secondary Prevention09:26 Lifestyle, Meds, and Timing11:16 Non-statins14:01 Treating High Triglycerides16:19 Common Cholesterol Pitfalls18:14 Future of Lipid Therapy19:29 Key Takeaways21:33 Guideline Notes and CMEHaving listened to this episode learners should be able to: Apply current guideline-based strategies for cholesterol managementIdentify appropriate use of lifestyle therapy, statins, non-statin medications, and combination therapy based on a patient’s cardiovascular risk profileIndividualize lipid-lowering treatment in complex or common real-world scenariosRecognize how to manage statin intolerance, residual risk, hyper-triglyceridemia, and patients who do not reach LDL-C targets despite therapyAdditional ResourcesThe American Heart Association PREVENT™ Online CalculatorHigh Cholesterol Management – U of U Health ProgramsAdvanced Imaging to Diagnose Heart Disease2026 Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

In this episode, host Dr. Peter Weir speaks with Molly Becky, DNP, a women’s health nurse practitioner at the University of Utah Health Midlife Women’s Health & Menopause Program. As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Molly brings expertise in evidence-based care for women in midlife, including the use of hormone therapies and management of menopausal symptoms. Their conversation covers a broad range of health concerns affecting women during this stage of life, while also highlighting recent FDA changes and exploring how these updates influence clinical practice and decision-making to ensure safe, effective, and up-to-date care.Topics discussed include:• Why HRT Was Renamed• Perimenopause vs Menopause• Diagnosing and Lab Panels - When Symptoms Beat Labs• What Counts as MHT• Progesterone and the Uterus• Who Should Start MHT• Contraindications Overview• MHT vs Birth Control• Clot Risk and Dosing• WHI Study Revisited• Modern Hormone Formulations• Misconceptions and Counseling• Nonhormonal Medication Options• Future Therapies - Testosterone• Compounding Pros and Cons• Online Influencers and ResourcesAt the conclusion of the podcast, learners should be able to: 1. Have a greater understanding of perimenopause and menopause and be able to evaluate appropriate patient selection for traditional menopause hormone therapy (MHT), including FDA-approved indications for estrogen and progesterone.2. Assess the individual risks and contraindications of MHT to patients, support safe, evidence-based prescribing and effective patient counseling.Learn More – Links to ResourcesUpcoming CME Training about Menopause Care 2026• June and October CME sessions in 2026, hosted by University of Utah HealthHormone Therapy ResourcesWomen's Health Research StudiesWomen’s Health Midlife CareEpisode Timeline00:53 Why MHT Not HRT01:36 Perimenopause vs Menopause04:19 Diagnosing05:05 Lab Interpretation Pitfalls07:20 Treating Symptoms Despite Normal Labs08:58 Estrogen Progesterone Basics12:52 Who Should Avoid MHT15:03 Contraindications and OCP Differences17:19 Clot Risk and Patch Safety19:22 WHI Study Revisited22:23 Modern Hormone Formulations23:24 Top Menopause Symptoms25:39 Misconceptions and Counseling26:53 Nonhormonal Medication 33:15 Future Therapies - Testosterone35:01 Compounding and DHEA 37:57 Influencers

Timothy Farrell, MD, AGSF, hosts this episode of MedPodwith guest Andrea Harris, RN, clinical nurse lead for Age-Friendly Care at University of Utah Health. They discuss how nursing operationalizes the Age-Friendly Health System 4Ms -what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility across inpatient, outpatient, and transitional care settings.Harris describes her path from an interest in public health toadvanced clinical expertise in geriatric care. Her experiences revealed gaps in system-wide care for older adults and led her to pursue quality improvement work. She has collaborated with the HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to advance Age-Friendly Care across health systems.Harris explains that nursing’s observation-based, advocacy-focused role—and the significant time nurses spend with patients—positions them to identify 4M needs early. Her advocacy efforts include integrating caregivers and support systems early in the care process and coordinating interdisciplinary teamwork with physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers. The episode highlights the importance of meeting clinicians where they are, embedding an “aging lens” into workflows, and reframing perspectives onaging to counter ageism.This episode is especially valuable for physicians and advanced practice providers in primary care, internal medicine, hospital medicine, and emergency medicine. It’s also highly relevant for nurses and the broader interdisciplinary care team, includingnurse practitioners, care managers, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists. Health system leaders and clinicians interested in age-friendly care design and quality improvement will find practical insights as well. Learn more and access provider, family, and patient resources in the links below:·       Geriatrics specialty care and consultation·       University of Utah education and training opportunities in geriatrics·       University of Utah Gerontology Programs·       College of Nursing Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence (HCGNE)·       Age-Friendly Health SystemsVisit uofuhealth.org/medpod for CME submission instructions and information