On Call, Off Script

Jackson Health System
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Bimonthly

Every month, we drop two new episodes packed with lively conversations featuring Jackson’s top experts. From the latest health trends and groundbreaking innovations to fascinating medical curiosities and inspiring patient stories, no topic is off limits. But we don’t stop there. Special guests from our community pop in and share their unique perspectives, making every episode engaging and relatable. Our mission? To showcase Jackson as Miami-Dade’s healthcare destination of choice, and a trusted name in medicine worldwide. On Call, Off Script: a Jackson Health System podcast. 

  1. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Puberty Explained: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How Parents Can Help

    Episode 27: Puberty is an awkward chapter of life, full of questions for kids and their parents. So, when should the conversation start? And what should parents actually expect? On this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we’re breaking down puberty from both the medical and mental health perspectives. Our experts explain when puberty typically starts, the physical changes parents should expect, why emotions can feel intense, and how puberty can affect confidence, friendships, and social relationships. Most importantly, parents need to know why they shouldn’t wait for puberty to start talking about it with their kids. Early, age-appropriate conversations can help kids understand their changing bodies, ask questions, and feel more confident navigating this awkward – and completely normal – stage of growing up. Guest Bios: Dr. Tobenna Ubu is an internal medicine and pediatric-trained primary care physician who cares for patients across the lifespan, from children through adults. He mainly sees patients at UHealth – University of Miami Health System Palmetto Bay, but also provides inpatient care at Holtz Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ubu’s approach to puberty goes beyond explaining physical changes; he ensures young people understand what’s happening to their bodies and gives them the confidence to ask questions and advocate for themselves.   Dr. Natasha Poulopoulos is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatrics at Holtz Children’s Hospital and Miami Transplant Institute. Much of her work is focused on children who are medically hospitalized and could benefit from psychological care. Dr. Poulopoulos brings a particular focus to the “inside” of puberty, like the changes happening in emotions, self-esteem, identity, social relationships, and the developing brain. She emphasizes normalizing these experiences, while also helping parents recognize when something isn’t normal.

    Puberty Explained: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How Parents Can Help

  2. Sep 2 ·  Video

    Where Does Your Donation Money Really Go? | Jackson Health Foundation

    Episode 26: What does a $5 donation have in common with a $15 million gift? Both can make a difference in the lives of patients, families and health care teams. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we sit down with Flavia Llizo, CEO of Jackson Health Foundation, to take listeners behind the scenes of philanthropy at Jackson Health System. Llizo explains how donations of all sizes help support everything from medical equipment and patient care spaces to major capital projects and community health programs. The conversation explores the growth of Jackson Health Foundation, the impact of One Day for Jackson, why patient stories are at the heart of philanthropy, and how the Foundation supports population health beyond the hospital walls. Most importantly, Llizo explains why philanthropy is not just about big donors and big dollars; it’s also about the positive impact that every dollar can make on Jackson’s patients, families, staff, and the community. Guest Bio: Flavia Llizo is the chief executive officer of Jackson Health Foundation. A Miami native with a longstanding career in nonprofit fundraising and health-related organizations, Flavia has dedicated her career to supporting health and social causes. Her personal connection to Jackson runs deep: her mother immigrated to Miami in the early 1960s and relied on Jackson for health care. Today, Flavia leads the Foundation's efforts to raise philanthropic support for Jackson Health System and strengthen its impact on patients, employees, and the South Florida community.

    Where Does Your Donation Money Really Go? | Jackson Health Foundation

  3. Aug 19 ·  Video

    Miami Spice, Hospital Style: The Chefs Making Healthcare Food Better

    Episode 25: Hospital food is notorious, but what if it could be something more? That’s the vision behind the food and nutrition team at Jackson Memorial Hospital. On this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we go behind the scenes with Jackson Memorial Hospital’s executive chef, Dalbert Benneth, and Director of Food and Nutrition, Gabriel Lima, to explore how they’re spicing things up to break the stigma on hospital food. The conversation peaks into some of Miami’s hottest restaurants and the high-pressure world of Miami Spice while highlighting the parallels with the kitchens at Jackson West Medical Center and The Ritz-Carlton Luxury Hotels & Resorts. From made-to-order meals and customizable bowls to rethinking traditional hospital menus to match the community’s tastes, check out what it takes to bring a restaurant mindset to a hospital, and why food is an important part of the patient experience. Guest Bios: · Gabriel Lima is the Director of Food and Nutrition at Jackson Memorial Hospital through third-party vendor, Sodexo. With a background in culinary arts and hospitality, Lima worked his way through the hotel industry before bringing his large-scale hospitality experience to healthcare. He started at Jackson West Medical Center and has since transitioned to Jackson Memorial. Lima is helping lead a new vision for hospital dining focused on variety, customization, wellness and changing the stigma surrounding hospital food. · Dalbert Benneth is the Executive Chef at Jackson Memorial Hospital, bringing years of experience in professional kitchens and Miami’s hospitality industry to healthcare dining. He began his culinary career washing dishes and worked his way through the kitchen ranks before moving into leadership roles, including experience at The Ritz-Carlton in South Beach. His restaurant background now informs his approach to creating fresh, customizable and culturally relevant food for patients, staff and visitors.

    Miami Spice, Hospital Style: The Chefs Making Healthcare Food Better

  4. Aug 5 ·  Video

    What Happens After a Shark Attack? A Survivor and Trauma Surgeon Explain

    Episode 24: The odds of being bit by a shark are not high but definitely not zero, especially in South Florida. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, Miami native and shark-bite survivor Kevin Blanco shares the story of the day he was attacked while spearfishing in the Florida Keys. Kevin and his father, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain Omar Blanco, are joined by Antonio Marttos, MD, a UHealth – University of Miami Health System trauma surgeon at Ryder Trauma Center to walk through what happened. The moment Kevin was bit is only part of the story, as Dr. Marttos explains how one decision to stop the bleed saved Kevin’s leg. The conversation explores what happens when a medical emergency happens far from shore, why stopping severe bleeding makes a difference, and how firefighters, EMS teams, and trauma surgeons work together in harmony. Kevin opens up about his mental health and connection to the ocean years after the attack, leaving listeners with an important lesson on water safety, readiness, and awareness. Guest Bios: Kevin Blanco is a Miami native and business owner who survived a shark attack while spearfishing in the Florida Keys at 20 years old. He suffered a major leg injury from the shark, sending him to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South, and starting a long journey to recovery. Kevin tells his story as a cautionary tale of the importance of being prepared for anything while out on the water.   Omar Blanco is Kevin’s father, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue captain, and a Florida state representative. He has more than 20 years of experience as a first responder and that wisdom made all the difference when his son faced an emergency on the water. Omar highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and calling 911 immediately, while remembering how he felt as a parent after Kevin’s shark bite.   Antonio Marttos, MD is a trauma surgeon at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Jackson South Medical Center. He discusses how trauma teams assess shark bite injuries and control the bleeding, but also shines a light on how seamless the EMS, fire rescue, and trauma teams work together to save lives.

    What Happens After a Shark Attack? A Survivor and Trauma Surgeon Explain

  5. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Is Pilates Worth the Hype? We’ll Find Out

    Episode 23: Is Pilates an underrated life hack or an overrated trend for social media? In this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we're putting Pilates to the test at Mimi Yoga & Pilates in Wynwood. Our experts are Pilates trainer and social media influencer Starr Hawkins (@babymommafit), and Zainab Al Lawati, MD, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at UHealth Jackson Rehabilitation Care. Dr. Al Lawati discusses the science behind the physical benefits of Pilates while Starr showcases practical Pilates moves that anyone can add to their daily routine. We explore the mental and physical health connection, postpartum benefits, improving chronic pain, and how Pilates is becoming more accessible than ever in Miami. Whether you’re a skeptic or you’re no stranger to a reformer, you’ll want to see for yourself why our experts say Pilates is more than just a fad. Guest Bios: Zainab Al Lawati, MD is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. She specializes in helping patients improve function, reduce pain, and regain quality of life through evidence-based rehabilitation, exercise, and movement. Her clinical approach emphasizes treating the whole person and empowering patients through sustainable physical activity. Starr Hawkins (@babymommafit) is a Miami-born Pilates and fitness instructor who turned that passion into a successful content creation career as an influencer. After discovering Pilates during her own wellness journey, she built a community focused on making movement approachable, inclusive, and fun. Through social media, virtual, and in-person classes, she encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to build strength, confidence, and consistency.

    Is Pilates Worth the Hype? We’ll Find Out

  6. Jul 8 ·  Video

    Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared

    Episode 22: Disasters and emergencies are not a matter of if, but when. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we sit with Bridget Pelaez, senior director of disaster and emergency preparedness at Jackson, to learn what it takes to expect the unexpected and prepare for it all. Pelaez shares how year-round planning, hands-on training, and strong community partnerships from her team ensure that patients continue receiving care when disaster strikes. She also offers practical preparedness tips every South Floridian should know, from creating emergency plans and stocking up on medications to avoiding panic and looking out for vulnerable neighbors. Whether you're no stranger to South Florida weather or you’re curious about behind the scenes of hurricane season, this conversation offers a look at the people and planning that keep Jackson Health System moving when it matters most. Guest Bio: Bridget Pelaez is the senior director of disaster and emergency preparedness for Jackson Health System, where she leads emergency planning, training, and disaster response efforts for nearly 15,000 employees. A nurse practitioner, paramedic, and emergency management professional, Pelaez brings experience in disaster preparedness at the local, state, and federal levels. She oversees emergency management strategies for a wide range of incidents, including hurricanes, infectious disease outbreaks, mass casualty events, cybersecurity threats, and large-scale public events, ensuring Jackson provides uninterrupted patient care during any emergency. She believes preparedness starts with people, strong partnerships, and year-round planning.

  7. Jun 24 ·  Video

    From the ER to the Olympics

    Episode 21: What does an emergency medicine physician do when she's not caring for patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital? In the case of Dr. Regina Martinez, she's training to compete on the world stage as Mexico’s first female cross-country skier to compete in the Olympics. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, host Ruelle Champion sits down with Dr. Martinez, an emergency medicine physician and Olympic cross-country skier for Mexico, to discuss her extraordinary journey from medical school student in Minnesota to representing her country at the Winter Olympics. She reflects on the challenges of balancing medical training with elite athletic competition, the sacrifices required to pursue two demanding careers, and the unforgettable experience of competing in Italy alongside the world's best athletes. Whether you're an athlete, healthcare professional, or someone pursuing a goal that feels out of reach, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to write your own story.

    From the ER to the Olympics

  8. Jun 10 ·  Video

    Man Up About Your Mental Health

    Episode 20:  For some men, the hardest question to answer is ‘how are you doing?’. If your answer is like everyone else’s – ‘I’m fine,’ – it’s not always the truth. For Men’s Health Month, we take a special focus on mental health with Dr. Keith Lit, clinical psychologist at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital (JBHH). Dr. Lit dives into why men struggle to open up about depression, anxiety, and stress, along with the barriers keeping men from seeking help. Dr. Lit also touches on the individual impact of the loneliness epidemic, masculinity, and ‘man-o-sphere’ social media content on mental health. This is a conversation about breaking the stigmas attached to mental health in men, empowering honest vulnerability, and how to manage high levels of stress with useful tools. JBHH offers comprehensive behavioral health services. Visit https://jacksonhealth.org/services/mental-behavioral-health/ to learn more.   Guest Bio: Keith Lit, MD:    Dr. Keith Lit is a licensed clinical psychologist at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital where he provides therapy and consultations for adults experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns or crises. Dr. Lit works with patients in the hospital and outpatient setting; working them through mental illness or crisis and major life changes. He helps people build community and relationships as well as practical advice on navigating stress and mental well-being.

    Man Up About Your Mental Health
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5
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8 Ratings

About

Every month, we drop two new episodes packed with lively conversations featuring Jackson’s top experts. From the latest health trends and groundbreaking innovations to fascinating medical curiosities and inspiring patient stories, no topic is off limits. But we don’t stop there. Special guests from our community pop in and share their unique perspectives, making every episode engaging and relatable. Our mission? To showcase Jackson as Miami-Dade’s healthcare destination of choice, and a trusted name in medicine worldwide. On Call, Off Script: a Jackson Health System podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jackson Health System
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    On Call, Off Script