Baptist HealthTalk

Baptist Health South Florida
  • 4.9 (32)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Expert advice, real stories, better health. The Baptist HealthTalk podcast connects you with top doctors and specialists from Baptist Health South Florida, delivering the latest medical insights and wellness tips straight to you. But we don’t stop at the facts—you’ll also hear heartfelt testimonials from patients who’ve experienced life-changing care. Get informed, be inspired, and take control of your health with Baptist HealthTalk!

  1. 13h ago

    Breast Cancer Survivorship: What Life After Treatment Really Looks Like

    Breast cancer treatment may end, but survivorship brings a new set of physical and emotional challenges. In this deeply personal conversation, host Johanna Gomez and fellow breast cancer survivor Andrea de Armas share what life after diagnosis and treatment has really looked like for them. They talk candidly about the parts of survivorship that are often harder to see from the outside, including: Building a strong support system and learning not to go through cancer aloneBeing diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age and confronting an unexpected futureSpeaking up, asking questions and advocating for yourself during treatmentAnxiety, panic attacks and the emotional impact that can continue after treatmentBody image, reconstruction and learning to feel comfortable in a changed bodyDating, relationships and family planning after breast cancerWhy the end of chemotherapy or radiation does not always feel like the end of the journeyFinding perspective, confidence and hope while moving forwardJohanna and Andrea offer an honest reminder to anyone facing breast cancer: survivorship is not one single moment. It is an ongoing process of healing, adapting and learning how to live fully again. Host: Johanna Gomez Breast Cancer Survivor Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Andrea de Armas Breast Cancer Survivor If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Life After Breast Cancer: Fear, Healing and Hope Breast Cancer in Young Women: Signs, Screenings and When to Speak Up Breast Cancer Survivorship: 10-Years Later Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Who Do You See First and What Comes Next?

  2. Sep 28

    Vascular Disease Can Start Young: Know the Risks and Symptoms

    Leg pain, swelling, numbness or cold feet can be easy to dismiss — especially when you’re young and otherwise healthy. But when do those symptoms point to a circulation problem, and how early can vascular disease actually begin? In this episode, you’ll learn:  What vascular disease is and how it affects arteries, veins and lymphatics  Why vascular disease can develop silently for years before symptoms appear  Warning signs such as reproducible leg cramping, swelling, numbness and cold limbs  Risk factors including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and vaping  How to tell everyday leg soreness from circulation-related pain  What happens during a vascular evaluation and which tests may be used  How exercise, medications and minimally invasive treatments can help  Simple lifestyle steps that may reduce vascular risk over time Host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with Dr. Young Lee, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, about how to recognize vascular disease earlier and what you can do to protect your circulation for the long term. Host: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Young Christina Lee, M.D. Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon  Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Heart Disease in Young Adults: Why It's Rising (And What to Watch For) Stroke Symptoms at Any Age: What You Need to Know Young People and Strokes: A Troubling Trend

  3. Sep 21

    Heart Disease in Women: Signs, Risks and Prevention

    Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet the warning signs can be easy to miss or mistaken for stress, menopause or everyday fatigue. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with cardiologist Dr. Andrea Vitello about the symptoms, risk factors and life stages that can affect a woman’s heart health. They discuss:  Subtle heart symptoms women should not ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, jaw pain and shoulder discomfort  How pregnancy complications, menopause and autoimmune conditions can influence cardiovascular risk  Why family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar matter earlier in life than many people realize  The connection between chronic stress, poor sleep and heart health  What early heart disease prevention and personalized cardiovascular care can look like  Three everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference: healthy eating, quality sleep and regular exercise  Why women should trust their instincts, advocate for themselves and ask questions when something does not feel right Dr. Vitello also explains how Baptist Health’s women’s heart program takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk across every stage of life. Host: Johanna Gomez Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Andrea Vitello, M.D.  Cardiologist  Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Heart Disease in Women: Symptoms, Menopause & What You Must Know Women and Heart Disease Women & Heart Health

  4. Sep 14

    Prostate Cancer Care Today: Earlier Detection, Better Treatment, Fewer Side Effects

    What does a prostate cancer diagnosis really mean — and how do you know when screening or treatment is needed? Prostate cancer is common, but not every case carries the same risk, and today’s diagnostic tools and treatment options can help men make more informed decisions while protecting quality of life. In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Willard Shepard speaks with urologist and surgical oncologist Dr. Manuel Ozambela of Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and the technology changing how the disease is treated.  Why prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages  How PSA testing works and what an elevated PSA may — and may not — mean  Who may be at higher risk based on family history, genetics and race  How MRI and targeted biopsy help diagnose prostate cancer  How robotic surgery, HIFU and IRE are expanding treatment options  How PSMA imaging helps doctors determine where cancer is located  How AI is beginning to improve prostate imaging and treatment planning  Why preserving urinary and sexual function is an important part of treatment The takeaway: knowing your personal risk, talking with your physician and staying current with screening can help detect prostate cancer earlier — when more treatment options may be available. Host: Willard Shepard Award-Winning Journalist Guest: Manuel Ozambela, M.D. Urologic Surgical Oncologist Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: Prostate Cancer Awareness: Screening & Treatment The Screening That Changed Everything for Alonzo Mourning

  5. Sep 7

    Cholesterol and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know Earlier

    High cholesterol can start damaging your arteries long before you feel anything — and your total cholesterol number does not tell the whole story. So when should you start checking it, what do LDL and other cholesterol particles really mean, and when are lifestyle changes no longer enough? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Sanjeev Gulati about how cholesterol contributes to heart attacks and heart failure, why screening should begin earlier than many people think, and the treatment options available today.  Why high cholesterol is directly linked to heart attack risk  Common cholesterol myths, including the idea that diet is the only cause  How LDL and lipoprotein(a) contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation  How uncontrolled cholesterol can ultimately contribute to heart failure  Why cholesterol screening may need to begin in your 20s  How family history and familial hypercholesterolemia change cardiovascular risk  Lifestyle steps that can help lower cholesterol  When cholesterol-lowering medication may be needed  Why cholesterol control remains critical even after a heart attack  How advanced lipid testing can provide a clearer picture of individual riskHost: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Sanjeev Kumar Gulati, M.D.,  Executive Deputy Director System Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: What Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Numbers Really Mean Calcium Scores Explained: What Your Heart Rick Really Looks Like Heart Disease in Young Adults: Why It's Rising (And What to Watch For)

  6. Aug 31

    Endometrial Cancer Is Rising: Warning Signs Women Shouldn’t Ignore

    Endometrial cancer cases are rising — and abnormal bleeding is the warning sign women should never ignore. Who is most at risk, why are more women being diagnosed, and what symptoms should prompt a call to your doctor? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. John Diaz, gynecological oncologist at the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, about what women need to know about endometrial cancer, from early warning signs and risk factors to diagnosis, treatment and fertility-preserving options.  Why endometrial cancer cases are increasing in the U.S. and around the world  How obesity and prolonged estrogen exposure can raise risk  The abnormal bleeding patterns women should report — including after menopause  Other warning signs such as pelvic pain, bloating and abnormal discharge  Why endometrial cancer can also affect younger women  How doctors diagnose endometrial cancer and why there is no routine screening test  Treatment options for early and advanced disease, including immunotherapy  When fertility-sparing treatment may be possible  How family history and Lynch syndrome can affect riskHost: Sandra Peebles Award-Winning Journalist Guest: John P. Diaz, M.D. Chief of Gynecologic Oncology Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology, FIU If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Can Cervical Cancer Be Cured? A Gynecologic Oncologist Answers Eradicating Cervical Cancer: Possible or Impractical?

  7. Aug 24

    Infusion Care for Neurology: What Patients Should Know

    Why would a neurologist recommend an infusion instead of a pill, and what should patients expect when they arrive for treatment? Neuro infusion therapy can be used for conditions including multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease, but the process can feel unfamiliar or intimidating at first. In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Janisse Marin and Leah Marcelin about how neurological infusion therapy works, why it may be recommended, and how care teams help patients through treatment.  What neuro infusion therapy is and how it differs from chemotherapy  Why an infusion may be chosen instead of an oral medication  What happens before, during and after an infusion appointment  Common side effects and how patients are monitored for reactions  How infusion therapy is used for multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease  Why some treatments are designed to slow disease progression rather than immediately relieve symptoms  How education and a coordinated care team can make treatment less overwhelmingHost: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guests: Janisse P. Marin RN, MSN Chief Nursing Officer/Assistant Vice President  Baptist Outpatient Services Halena Leah Marcelin, PharmD Assistant Vice President, Pharmacy Business Affairs & Development Baptist Health If you found this episode helpful, we recommend the following for additional information: Infusion Care for Osteoporosis: What Patients Should Know The Power of Infusion Therapy: What You Need to Know

  8. Aug 17

    Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Who Do You See First and What Comes Next?

    After a breast cancer diagnosis, what happens first—seeing an oncologist, having surgery or starting chemotherapy? And how do doctors decide between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Mehran Habibi, Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery with Baptist Health Cancer Care, to answer common questions patients search online about breast cancer surgery and treatment. They discuss:  The difference between a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist  Who patients typically see first after a breast cancer diagnosis  How doctors decide whether chemotherapy or surgery comes first  Why chemo first does not automatically mean the cancer is more aggressive  Whether chemotherapy can be shortened when a tumor responds well  Why second opinions and breast cancer specialists can matter  The truth about the myth that surgery or biopsy can make breast cancer spread  Why treatment may still be needed after a tumor is removed  How doctors and patients choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy  Why feeling fine is not a reason to delay recommended treatment  How lymph node involvement affects staging and treatment  Options for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction  How AI is beginning to support breast imaging, surgical planning and treatment decisions Subscribe to Baptist Health for more expert conversations on health, wellness, prevention and treatment. Host: Johanna Gomez Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Mehran Habibi, M.D. Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery  Baptist Health Cancer Care If you found this episode helpful, we recommend these links for additional information: Breast Cancer in Young Women: Signs, Screenings, and When to Speak Life After Breast Cancer: Fear, Healing, and Hope

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About

Expert advice, real stories, better health. The Baptist HealthTalk podcast connects you with top doctors and specialists from Baptist Health South Florida, delivering the latest medical insights and wellness tips straight to you. But we don’t stop at the facts—you’ll also hear heartfelt testimonials from patients who’ve experienced life-changing care. Get informed, be inspired, and take control of your health with Baptist HealthTalk!

Information

  • Creator
    Baptist Health South Florida
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    264
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Baptist HealthTalk
  • Show Website
    Baptist HealthTalk

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