Podcast: The Secret to Living to 200

Just over 100 years ago, occupational therapy (OT) was created as a new healthcare discipline to increase the activity levels of institutionalized patients. Today, OT uses the latest in virtual reality and medical device technology to help patients of all ages live healthier lives. In this episode, Douglas Simmons, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, explains how occupational therapists create routines rooted in mindfulness and wellness to improve a patient's physical and mental health.

When he was a student, Jeffrey Hill, MSc, ACS, FASE, was fascinated by seeing the real-time images and functions of the heart with an ultrasound machine. He became an echocardiographer and has dedicated his career to clinical practice and education. In this episode, Hill explains the fascinating technology of cardiac ultrasound. He also discusses the important role of echocardiographers in diagnosing heart conditions in patients of all ages.

Roseann Donnelly, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, started one of the country's first pharmacogenomics clinics in the country at Brigham and Women's Hospital. There, she works with a team to help patients understand which medications will work best for them based on their genetic information. Pharmacogenomics is just one branch of precision medicine, an area that Dr. Donnelly argues all healthcare providers should be studying to make more personalized, informed decisions for their patients.

When her hockey player brother was injured, Cheryl Babin, PT, DHS, MHA, saw the power of physical therapy for the first time. As a practitioner and an educator, she has watched the field rapidly evolve as physical therapists utilize new technologies. In this episode, she explains the important role of physical therapists on healthcare teams as they work to get the body moving properly, from exercising to breathing.

For Michael Spooner, EdD, impossible isn't a permanent concept. That's because he has seen how data and technology have changed healthcare and life sciences. But these tools are constantly evolving, and these industries need professionals who know how to use them. From advancements to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, Dr. Spooner explains how data and technology can inform decisions that improve healthcare for both providers and patients.

Joseph Stamm, OD, FAAO, followed in his father's footsteps and became an optometrist. From private practice to higher education, he has watched the rapid evolution of the field. His main concern right now is dry eye, which he says has become an epidemic because of the pervasiveness of digital devices in daily life. In this episode, Dr. Stamm shares the simple things anyone can do to prevent the onset of dry eye and other issues to keep vision as strong as possible for as long as possible.

From studying ancient Sanskrit texts to clown college and many stops in between, Dr. Maria Broderick's career has taken many turns. But each opportunity led Broderick, EdD, MAOM, Lic.Ac., to a comprehensive approach to health and healing. As a practitioner of integrative medicine, she has seen how acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, and more can work in harmony with other interventions. Dr. Broderick shares her expertise and why she believes there will be a day when these treatments are fully integrated into healthcare.

Nurses often work at the bedside and experience everything their patients go through, both the good and the bad. It's also how they can gather information that could be critical to patient care. Deborah McManus, PhD, MSN, RN, has more than four decades of experience and understands the vital role nurses play in our healthcare system. She discusses ways nursing education is trying to combat rising burnout rates. She also shares her research on aging and the daily routines she has found to help people age successfully.

Prevention is the foundation of good oral health, most of which can be done at home. Linda Boyd, EdD, RDH, RD, argues there's no reason, then, to ignore our mouths when thinking about our whole health. She explains just how connected oral hygiene is to the rest of the body. Dr. Boyd is also passionate about increasing access to dental care for people of all ages, including through a new kind of provider that is gaining popularity across the country.

Digital health is the intersection of technology and healthcare, allowing providers to deliver personalized, more precise, and cost-effective care. Timothy Aungst, PharmD, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and technology advocate who keeps up with the latest innovations. He explains the revolution of digital health and how remote patient monitoring, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence could change healthcare for the better.

Emergency rooms are a critical part of our healthcare system, but a majority of patients who use them don't actually need emergency care. Scott Orrahood, MPAS, EM, PA-C, pulls back the curtain on the challenges facing emergency providers, and what patients can do in their daily lives to relieve some of that burden. A retired Army major, he uses his military experience to make difficult decisions and prepare his students to do the same.

Innovations in pharmaceuticals are changing healthcare as we know it. Amee Mistry, PharmD, oversees the Biopharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program. In this episode, she discusses how MCPHS is helping connect Doctors of Pharmacy with companies to help provide thought-leadership and drive change across the life sciences industry.

The places we live, work, play, and pray have a significant impact on our wellbeing. It’s called public health, and MCPHS Assistant Professor of Public Health Carly Levy, DHS, MPH, CPH, says it’s everywhere. She explains there are steps we can all take, big and small, to improve the health of our communities and, in turn, increase the length and quality of the lives of the people in them.

Rethink your definition of health with MCPHS Professor of Philosophy Dien Ho, PhD. He argues that training clinicians and scientists in the health humanities allows them to see people as more than “a bundle of physiological conditions.” In this conversation, explore the shift toward holistic care and how we, as patients, can advocate for it with our providers.