Stanford Medcast: Expert Voices in Medicine and Healthcare

In this episode, Dr. Kimford Meador, Professor of Neurology and Neurosciences at Stanford University and Clinical Director of Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, provides an overview of epilepsy and women of child bearing age. Patients with epilepsy who become pregnant are at risk of complications, including changes in seizure frequency, maternal morbidity and mortality, and congenital anomalies due to antiepileptic drug exposure. We will discuss the appropriate management of epilepsy during pregnancy, the impact of epileptic drugs on children born to epileptic mothers, the risk for epileptic women to experience anxiety and depression. Dr. Meador will also provide tips for clinicians treating patients with epilepsy, to improve their outcomes and the reduce the risks to their children.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 11/21/25

With the declaration of Monkeypox as a public health emergency in the US a few months ago, this episode continues the conversation about the latest development with Monkeypox in the US. Together with Dr. Benjamin Pinsky, Professor and Director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory for Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health and Dr. Jorge Salinas, Assistant Professor and Co-Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control Program at Stanford Healthcare, we discuss the current status of Monkeypox in the US, new measures being taken to reduce the spread of the disease, testing, vaccines and lessons learned from the COVID pandemic that will help members of the healthcare team protect themselves from exposure.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 9/1/2025
 

The practice of medicine involves a hidden culture that includes aspects such as clinical pressures and expectations, a mismatch between demands and resources, and psychological phenomena such as perfectionism or imposter syndrome. In this episode, we talk with J. Corey Feist JD, MBA who is the President and Co-Founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the well-being of our healthcare workforce. Tune in to hear about factors that prevent healthcare workers from seeking help, including 6 barriers to mental health care, essential systemic changes needed across health systems, and policy initiatives / legislation that are vital to improve physician wellness and reduce physician suicide rates and help clinicians thrive, both in their professional and private lives.
Learn more about Physician Distress and find more resources.
•https://drlornabreen.org/•https://drlornabreen.org/first-wave/
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CME Eligibility End Date: 10/17/25

This activity will discuss the importance for children and adolescents to get consistent and quality sleep with Dr. Caroline Okorie, who is board certified in pediatric pulmonology, sleep medicine, and general pediatrics and a Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics - Pulmonary Medicine at Stanford University. We will explore the connection between sleep and mental health, the common sleep disorders that may co-occur alongside mental health conditions, risk factors for sleep issues, and how parents can help improve their child’s sleep.
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CME Eligibility End Date: October 3, 2025

Physicians are at a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than the general population. About 400 physicians die by suicide each year. Suicidal ideation has been associated with high workload volume and medical errors. Physicians who experience suicidal ideation have been shown to be less likely to seek the help they need. In recognition of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, this episode aims to contribute to the efforts and initiatives to reduce physician suicide rates. Stanford Medcast host, Dr. Ruth Adewuya, sits down with Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, to discuss identifying signs of distress and suicide risk factors for physicians. The discussion will also include strategies you can utilize if you've identified issues/risk factors in yourself and/or your colleagues.
Resources available to help provide support include:•https://emotionalppe.org/•https://www.physiciansupportline.com/•https://www.peerrxmed.com/
Learn more about Physician Distress and find more resources.
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CME Eligibility End Date:  9/19/25

In this episode, we discuss the far-reaching health impact of gun violence in schools with Dr. Maya Rossin-Slater. Dr. Rossin-Slater is currently an Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy at Stanford University and her research focuses on issues in maternal and child well-being, family structure and behavior, health disparities, and public policies affecting disadvantaged populations in the United States and other developed countries. Gun violence in schools has become a public health issue because the health impacts are far-reaching. The trauma experienced can last for many years, even in cases where there are no deaths or injuries.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 9/5/2025

New Season loading! Stanford Medcast is gearing up for Season 3! Get ready for Tuesday, September 5, when we are back with hot topics in medicine, healthcare, and education. The new season will be packed with great interviews featuring thought leaders, clinicians, and experts, making us your bi-monthly podcast to get up-to-date, evidence-based approaches to care.
Join us on Tuesday, September 6, for the Season Opener. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us at stanfordmedcast@stanford.edu. 
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Today's episode includes a discussion with Dr. Jeffrey Dunn who serves as the Lily Sarafan Director of Neuroimmunology, Clinical Professor and Chief of Neuroimmunology within the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences at Stanford University. The discussion includes an overview of the different types of stem cells, as it relates to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), some of the ways researchers are considering using stem cell therapy to treat MS, and the limitations of disease modifying treatments that stem cell therapy could help address. Advice will also be provided to clinicians whose patients are asking about stem cell therapy and when it will be available to them. This session focuses on the knowledge gaps around the risks and benefits of stem cell therapy and the ongoing research taking place to bring this therapeutic option from bench to bedside.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 6/20/25
 

A recent study showed that interaction between the immune system and the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of MS. This episode includes a discussion with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant regarding her ongoing research and new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Waubant is the Director of UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center and serves on the clinical care committee of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's local chapter and the translational research review committee for the society's national office.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 6/6/25
 

This episode is part of the Stanford Medicine Prostate Cancer CME Series: Treatment Across the Prostate Cancer Continuum. In this episode, Drs. Benjamin Chung, Ali Khaki, Sumit Shaw and Yushen Qian will discuss the complex treatment options for prostate cancer, as well as advances in diagnostic decision making. This episode will also include cased based discussions regarding diagnosis and clinical decision making.
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CME Eligibility End Date: 5/16/25