Get Real with the Chairman A podcast by Real Chemistry

Dr. Karen Knudsen currently serves as the CEO of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. She’s also an internationally recognized oncology leader, guided by the goal of improving the lives of cancer patients and their families. She served as tenured faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine prior to recruitment to Thomas Jefferson University in 2007. Before her role as the CEO at ACS, she was the Executive Vice President of Oncology Services for Jefferson Health and Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, one of the elite National Cancer Institute’s NCI-Designated Cancer Centers in the US. Dr. Knudsen is well-known for her discoveries in prostate cancer, advancing our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this common diagnosis and paving the way for targeted therapies. She’s also known for her advocacy work, emphasizing cancer prevention, early detection, research funding, and new treatments. In addition to being CEO of the American Cancer Society, she serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute and on twelve external advisory boards for NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

Dr. Reed Tuckson's career includes pivotal roles as the Commissioner of Public Health for the District of Columbia during the HIV/AIDS crisis and as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs for UnitedHealth Group. His advocacy has been instrumental in addressing disparities and advocating for equitable healthcare access. He serves as a committee member of the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering trust in healthcare and scientific endeavors. He is also the Managing Director of Tuckson Health Connections, where he is pioneering data-driven solutions to shift healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, and streamline systems. His dedication to public health serves as a guiding light in striving toward a healthier future for all. As a graduate of Howard University, he is on the board of visitors for the College of Arts and Sciences to pave new pathways for future liberal arts students. In this episode, he and Jim address critical issues such as championing individuals with sickle cell disease and advocating for improved healthcare in Black communities. Reed is concerned with increasing American trust in healthcare and decreasing tribalism, which keeps Americans apart, not together. When he's not changing healthcare, Reed is also a sage, so be prepared to learn about the writers and poets he reads daily, Rumi included. 

Sung Poblete serves as the CEO of FARE, an acronym for Food Allergy Research and Education. FARE is a non-profit dedicated to funding research, advancing treatment options, and raising awareness about the serious public health impact of food allergies. In this episode, you'll learn why food allergies affect over 30 million Americans and why they haven't received the attention they deserve as a tier-one health issue. Our aim is to support FARE in changing this reality. Despite being the largest food allergy-focused organization in the United States, FARE is relatively young at just 11 years old and relies on support from donors, sponsors, and allies to expand its efforts.
 
In this episode, Sung and Jim discuss the genetic origins of allergies and how they manifest, as well as the continued reliance on EpiPens as the primary treatment for anaphylaxis despite the rising prevalence of life-threatening food allergies, affecting approximately 1 in 13 children. The cost of EpiPens, around $1400 per year, poses a significant financial burden for the 44 million Americans who require them. Poblete emphasizes the need to make giving to FARE's cause appealing and stresses the importance of funding for discovery and translational research to provide treatment options while scientists work towards a cure. As a Real Health Citizen, her insights are invaluable, and we're honored to have her on Get Real with the Chairman.

Tune in bi-weekly on Mondays to hear Jim's conversations with some of the most prominent movers and shakers in healthcare. Jim won't shy away from what's working and what's not. He'll steer listeners toward deeper questions in his segment called "So What's It All Mean?" where he asks his guests how the topics and themes in their conversation are playing out in the world. He'll also get personal. As Jim says, "Everyone will get hit by the bouncing ball." Health is universal.