Health On Point

Willis Knighton Health

Willis Knighton physicians and other experts offer fascinating discussions about new technology and innovative treatment in the ever-changing field of medicine.

  1. 4d ago

    Under Pressure: The Science of Healing Wounds

    Worried a wound just won't heal? Steven B. Kitchings, MD, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine at Willis Knighton Health, and Victoria L. Everton, MD, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine at Willis Knighton Health, explain how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works and when to consider it. You'll learn which wounds prompt referral (diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injury, crush injuries), why sooner care helps, how the team coordinates vascular and infectious-disease evaluation, and what role oxygen under pressure plays in tissue repair.

  2. Oct 1

    Beyond the Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Detection, Treatment and Team-Based Care

    Description: Wondering how finding breast cancer early affects treatment and outcomes? Julie A. Cupp, MD, Breast Disease - Surgery at Willis Knighton Health, and Prakash Peddi, MD, Medical Oncology, Hematology at Willis Knighton Health, explain why early detection matters. This longer discussion covers self‑awareness and monthly checks, annual mammography (including tomosynthesis) and its ability to find lesions millimeters in size, signs like microcalcifications and ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0), and staging basics. You’ll hear how neoadjuvant therapies can shrink larger tumors to permit lumpectomy, when mastectomy or reconstruction may be chosen, how radiation/chemotherapy decisions are individualized, and how a multidisciplinary breast conference and emotional support shape a coordinated plan of care. Practical takeaways include screening timing (start annual mammograms at 40 for average risk; consider earlier testing and MRI if family history is concerning but typically not before age 30) and how to raise concerns with your primary care or breast clinic promptly.

  3. Sep 3

    What’s Written in Your DNA? A Discussion About Genetic Testing

    Could my joint pain, stretchy skin, or frequent dislocations mean Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? Alicia Schollmeyer, MSN, FNP-C, AOCNP, Clinical Genetics Nurse Practitioner at Willis Knighton Health, explains how genetics can help identify EDS subtypes, when testing is useful, and why hypermobile EDS relies on clinical criteria rather than a single gene. Learn about signs to watch for, how the EDS high-risk clinic coordinates care, and next steps for family screening and referrals.  Meet Alicia Schollmeyer, NP, an expert in clinical genetics

  4. Aug 26

    Rebuilding and Restoring: Explaining Rehabilitation Medicine

    When Should You Choose Inpatient Rehab? What is PM&R? That's physical medicine and rehabilitation, a vital component in the healthcare plan of patients who have fallen ill or suffered injuries. Katharine Balbuena, MD, and Wade Wyckoff, MD, PM&R physicians at Willis Knighton Health, explain the benefits of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . They discuss the trigger of a change in baseline function, common referrals (stroke, spinal cord, orthopedic and cardiac cases), the daily physician oversight, and the intensive therapy schedule that helps patients safely return home. What Conditions Need Inpatient Rehabilitation? Dr. Wyckoff outlines the kinds of conditions Willis Knighton PM&R treats. He notes that stroke is the most common diagnosis and describes neurological (Guillain-Barré, MS), spinal cord, orthopedic, cardiac and respiratory cases. He also covers the team-based approach, examples from patient care, and how a change from prior function prompts referral. How Inpatient Rehab Helps You Recover They describe individualized goal-setting with patients, the multidisciplinary team (PT/OT/speech, nurses, social workers, dietitians), medical management during rehab, technologies like exoskeletons, and the importance of continuing outpatient therapy after discharge. What will a typical inpatient rehab day and stay look like for you or a family member? About three hours of therapy per day spread across disciplines, daily physician evaluation, one-on-one therapist time, a supportive staff team, a typical average length of stay near two weeks, and markers used to measure progress toward patient-set goals. Choosing Inpatient Rehab: When It Helps, What to Ask, and the Recovery Timeline Not sure whether inpatient rehab is the right next step, what questions to ask, or how long recovery takes? The doctors walk through those decisions. They explain who benefits—patients with a meaningful decline from baseline such as after a stroke, spinal cord injury, major orthopedic surgery, or cardiac event—and why inpatient rehab differs from a skilled nursing facility: more intensive therapy (about three hours daily), daily physician oversight, a multidisciplinary team (rehab nurses, physical/occupational/speech therapists, social workers, dietitians), one-on-one therapy, and operational markers such as CARF accreditation and a typical nurse-to-patient ratio discussed in the episode. The hosts describe goal-setting driven by the patient, the shift in average length of stay from months decades ago to roughly two weeks today, the role of advanced tools like exoskeletons for select patients, and the importance of planning for outpatient therapy after discharge. They also recommend visiting a facility and talking with your case manager or social worker to decide what’s best for your situation. #InpatientRehab #StrokeRecovery #RehabTherapy #Physiatry #CaregiverSupport #PM&R #Physicial medicine #rehabilitation #Wade Wyckoff #Katharine Balbuena #Darrell Rebouche #Willis Knighton #Willis Knighton Health

  5. Jul 10

    Decoding Your Hospital Bill: What to Expect and Who to Call

    This episode walks you through how hospital billing works, why insurance claims sometimes take time, and how the business office advocates for patients so you can focus on recovery. It matters because understanding your medical bill can reduce stress and help you avoid unexpected charges. Guests: Wendy Ward, BS, MHA, Assistant Vice President of Finance, and Owen Rigby, BS, MLA, Director of the Business Office at Willis-Knighton Health. We cover practical steps for checking insurance coverage, reading a billing statement, handling claim denials, and arranging payment or financial assistance. Keywords: hospital bill, insurance claim, billing statement, patient financial responsibility, financial assistance. Call 318-212-4030 to speak with the business office or visit the Willis-Knighton Health website to learn more and subscribe for updates.

  6. Jun 12

    The Metabolic Advantage: Unlocking the Science of Weight Loss and Longevity

    Have you ever thought about Tim Tebow’s BMI? Probably not, but after you hear from Dr. Maurie Patterson, you will! In this Episode of Health on Point, Dr. Patterson explains metabolic disorders are often at the root of some of today’s most common health challenges, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Yet many people don’t realize they may be living with a metabolic condition until serious complications develop. We discuss how metabolic disorders are identified, what causes them, and the latest approaches to treatment. We explore the complex relationship between metabolism, weight, hormones, genetics, and lifestyle, while separating common myths from medical facts. You’ll learn about the warning signs of metabolic disease, the importance of early diagnosis, and how advances in medications, nutrition, and personalized care are helping patients achieve better health outcomes than ever before. Whether you’re concerned about your own health, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in the science behind metabolism, this informative conversation offers valuable insights into one of healthcare’s most important and rapidly evolving fields.

  7. May 15

    Your Records, Your Rights: Managing Your Health Information

    A clear, practical guide to what patients legally can — and cannot — do with their medical records. Covers access, copies, amendments, and when the facility retains the physical record while the patient owns the data.

  8. May 4

    Pulmonary Precision: from COPD to Robotic Lung Biopsy

    In this episode, we take a comprehensive, modern look at lung health—bridging chronic disease management, early cancer detection, and cutting-edge procedural innovation available at Willis Knighton Health. We begin with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), discussing practical, evidence-based strategies to optimize diagnosis, personalize therapy, and improve long-term outcomes. From there, we shift to lung cancer screening, highlighting who should be screened, how low-dose CT has transformed early detection, and the real-world impact on mortality when screening is implemented effectively. We will also dive into the evolving world of advanced bronchoscopy, focusing on robotic-assisted platforms that are redefining how we approach pulmonary nodules. We break down how robotic bronchoscopy works, when to use it, and how it compares to traditional biopsy techniques in terms of accuracy, safety, and access to peripheral lesions. This episode delivers a clear overview of where pulmonary medicine stands today—and where it’s headed next.  Learn more about Kamal A. Masri, MD

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About

Willis Knighton physicians and other experts offer fascinating discussions about new technology and innovative treatment in the ever-changing field of medicine.

Information

  • Creator
    Willis Knighton Health
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Willis Knighton Health
  • Show Website
    Health On Point