Clinician's Roundtable

Guest: Theodore Levin, MD In light of guidelines for the starting age of colorectal cancer screening shifting, a recent study explored how screening outcomes compare in adults age 45 to 49 and adults over 50. Across metrics like initiation, adherence, adenoma detection, and colonoscopy yield, the evidence shows support for earlier screening. Tune in to hear Dr. Theodore Levin, Professor of Health System Science at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, the Associate Director at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, and the Clinical Lead for Colorectal Cancer Screening for the Permanente Medical Group, break down the research.

Host: Ashley Baker, MSN, PMHNP Guest: Heather Allen, PhD Guest: Ran Li, PhD Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is emerging as a powerful tool for distinguishing cancerous from noncancerous tissue during colorectal cancer surgery. In a recent study, Drs. Heather Allen and Ran Li leveraged a broad dataset from multiple sources to identify and validate biomarkers—most notably B1—that demonstrated strong correlation with standard pathology. Hear Drs. Allen and Li walk through their study and the implications of its findings with Ashley Baker. Dr. Allen is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as the Department of Pathology at Ohio State University in Columbus, and Dr. Li is a researcher who completed a PhD in Analytical Chemistry at The Ohio State University in 2015.

Guest: Theodore Levin, MD For younger adults needing to get screened for colorectal cancer, fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) may help with initiation and adherence because of its speed, ease, and noninvasiveness. Hear Dr. Theodore Levin discuss FIT and its potential benefits, particularly in younger adults. Dr. Levin is a Professor of Health System Science at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, the Associate Director at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, and the Clinical Lead for Colorectal Cancer Screening for the Permanente Medical Group.

Guest: Robert Gniadecki, MD Biologic therapies have helped significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with psoriasis. With several IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors now available, choosing between biologics often depends on the dermatologist’s experience, the patient’s needs, and potential side effects. Hear Dr. Robert Gniadecki, a Professor of Dermatology and the Director of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Alberta, discuss these treatment options and best practices for therapeutic decision-making.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Mallik Greene, PhD A recent study showed that tailored Spanish-language navigation paired with the multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test can significantly improve colorectal cancer re-screening adherence among Spanish-speaking patients. Hear Ryan Quigley speak with Dr. Mallik Greene, a coauthor of the study, about how these findings could shape the future of colorectal cancer screening in Spanish-speaking populations. Dr. Greene’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, a PhD and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Economics and Outcomes Research, and a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Guest: Pedro Nascimento de Lima, PhD Conflicting colorectal cancer screening (CRC) guidelines have sometimes led to confusion over optimal starting ages and strategies. Join Dr. Pedro Nascimento de Lima as he walks through a comprehensive modeling study that tested 26 different strategies over 4,000 scenarios to test how and when it is most effective to screen. Dr. Nascimento de Lima is an Engineer at RAND, a Professor at the RAND School of Public Policy, and an investigator with the colorectal modeling group of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network.

Guest: Reid Ness, MD The NCCN Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening recently provided updates for patients at average and increased risk—most notably, lowering the recommended starting age from 50 to 45. Hear Dr. Reid Ness walk through the updates in depth, providing insight on screening protocols for different patient populations. Dr. Ness is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, faculty with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and the Chairman of the committee that developed the colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

Guest: Reid Ness, MD According to the NCCN Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening, there is mixed evidence around the impact of vitamin D, calcium, folate, and aspirin on colorectal cancer risk. Join Dr. Reid Ness as he discusses considerations for recommending these supplements based on patient-specific factors. Dr. Ness is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, faculty with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and the Chairman of the committee that developed the colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

Host: Karen Bauer, DNP, APRN-CNP, CWS Communication breakdowns during care transitions can compromise recovery—but they’re often preventable. Initiating multidisciplinary planning before surgery can help streamline post-surgical wound and skin management. Hear from Dr. Karen Bauer as she explains how how proactive use of care navigators, EMR tools, and tailored care pathways can strengthen coordination across settings and reduce risk during handoffs. Dr. Bauer is a certified nurse practitioner and wound specialist at Emory Heart and Vascular in Atlanta.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Gloria Coronado, PhD Colorectal cancer screening saw significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenge that has also been reflected during natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. Dr. Gloria Coronado joins Dr. Charles Turck to discuss how these kinds of crises impact screening rates and how a focus on community-based care, telehealth and home-based testing, and targeted efforts for underserved populations can strengthen resilience and ensure continuity of care during future disasters. Dr. Coronado is a Professor of Epidemiology and the Associate Director of Population Science for the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson.

Host: Karen Bauer, DNP, APRN-CNP, CWS In post-surgical wound management, multidisciplinary collaboration is key in minimizing readmissions, reducing infection risk, and improving healing outcomes. Hear from Dr. Karen Bauer as she highlights the importance of early specialist involvement, standardized protocols, and digital tools to improve both clinical outcomes and patient experiences. Dr. Bauer is a certified nurse practitioner and wound specialist at Emory Heart and Vascular Center in Atlanta.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Gloria Coronado, PhD Guest: Amanda Petrik, PhD The SMARTER CRC trial evaluated mailed fecal immunochemical (FIT) outreach and patient navigation strategies across rural clinics, analyzing how implementation factors like clinic-sent letters, consistent FIT usage, and active participation in health plan meetings impacted screening outcomes. Two authors of the study, Dr. Gloria Coronado and Dr. Amanda Petrik, join Dr. Charles Turck to discuss their findings and how these results may help guide effective, scalable screening interventions for underserved populations. Dr. Coronado is a Professor of Epidemiology and the Associate Director of Population Science for the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, and Dr. Petrik is an investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon, where she focuses on cancer screening and prevention in real-world settings.

Guest: Karen Bauer, DNP, APRN-CNP, CWS Postsurgical wound complications can drastically impact patient outcomes, lead to preventable readmissions, and drive up healthcare costs. Hear from Dr. Karen Bauer as she explores the multifactorial risks that increase susceptibility to wound dehiscence and infection and provides proactive strategies to minimize complications and enhance healing. Dr. Bauer is a certified nurse practitioner and wound specialist at Emory Heart and Vascular Center in Atlanta.

Guest: Karen Bauer, DNP, APRN-CNP, CWS Gaps in patient education and care coordination after surgery often hinder postoperative wound recovery. Join Dr. Karen Bauer as she discusses the importance of health literacy, access, and evidence-based care algorithms in engaging patients and support systems across the continuum. Dr. Bauer is a certified nurse practitioner and wound specialist at Emory Heart and Vascular Center in Atlanta.

Guest: Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC The integration of near-infrared spectroscopy, bacterial fluorescence, and AI-powered imaging is accelerating precision in wound management. Discover how sensor technology, smart bandages, and real-time data from wearables are standardizing care, reducing variability, and enabling faster clinical decision-making with Ms. Kara Couch. She's a certified wound care nurse practitioner, the Director of Wound Care Services at George Washington University Hospital, and an Associate Research Professor of Surgery at the George Washington University.

Guest: Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC Effective wound care goes far beyond just surface evaluation. This expert-led program explores advanced wound assessment strategies, including measurement techniques, drainage evaluation, and recognition of signs of infection. Tune in to hear from Ms. Kara Couch as she explores best practices for optimal wound care. Ms. Couch is a certified wound care nurse practitioner, the Director of Wound Care Services at George Washington University Hospital, and an Associate Research Professor of Surgery at the George Washington University.

Guest: Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC Successful surgical wound care goes beyond closure—it’s also about minimizing complications, reducing readmissions, and aligning with patient-reported outcomes like pain control and daily activity readiness. Hear from Ms. Kara Couch as she explores how standardization, documentation, and evidence-based strategies drive better healing and patient satisfaction. Ms. Couch is a certified wound care nurse practitioner, the Director of Wound Care Services at George Washington University Hospital, and an Associate Research Professor of Surgery at the George Washington University.

Host: Gates B. Colbert, MD Guest: Meghan Sise, MD Guest: Ellie Kelepouris, MD, FACP, FAHA Early detection of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is often missed due to its subtle presentation, leading to delays in critical care. However, knowing the red-flag signs and symptoms to look out for can help improve timely diagnosis and intervention. Joining Dr. Gates Colbert to discuss practical strategies for identifying IgAN early are Drs. Meghan Sise and Ellie Kelepouris. Dr. Sise is the Director of Onconephrology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Kelepouris is the Director of the Outpatient Dialysis Program and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Penn Medicine.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Suneel Udani, MD Over the past several decades, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has gone from being regarded as relatively harmless to being recognized as a progressive, high-risk disease. With this new understanding, early diagnosis and strategic intervention are more critical than ever. Tune in as Dr. Suneel Udani, a nephrologist with Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois, joins Dr. Brian McDonough to examine the key factors in detecting and treating IgAN.

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Jonathan Barratt, PhD New insights into B-cell dysregulation are reshaping our understanding of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and the BAFF/APRIL pathway in particular is being studied for its role in driving immune complex formation, glomerular injury, and disease progression. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss B-cell dysregulation and its potential impacts on the IgAN treatment landscape is Dr. Jonathan Barratt. Dr. Barratt is the Mayor Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, where he also leads the Renal Research Group.