Run the List

Dr. Robert Stern, a hematologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses thrombocytopenia with Dr. Navin Kumar (host) and Sarah Onorato (script writer and case presenter). He discusses a clinical framework to diagnosis, initial considerations on management, and key considerations and management points for the patient case. They wrap up with high yield clinical pearls.

Dr. Arielle Langer, a hematologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses her approach to diagnosing anemia and applies it to clinical cases with Joyce Zhou (host) and Jordan Said (scriptwriter and case presenter). They step through the important history-taking and lab findings necessary to evaluate a patient with anemia and discuss how to bring these elements together to inform a wide differential diagnosis. The group also offers some high-yield points to consider for the treatment of specific causes of anemia. The episode concludes with clinical pearls from Dr. Langer and final tips from Jordan.

Dr. OP Hamnvik, an endocrinologist and the Director of the Center for Oncoendocrinology at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), discusses his career to becoming an endocrinologist with Blake Smith (host). Originally from Norway, Dr. Hamnvik takes us around the globe as he began his journey as a medical student in Ireland, followed by residency and fellowship at BWH in Boston. He now runs the endocrinology fellowship at BWH, in addition to educating thousands of students and faculty through his role as the Education Editor at the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Outside of education, he has a particular interest in caring for transgender patients, in addition to seeing cancer patients at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute whose immune therapy (checkpoint blockade) has resulted in autoimmune endocrinopathies. Dr. Hamnvik closes the episode with a few takeaways for listeners interested in pursuing a career in endocrinology, in addition to some tips for our international student following who might want to pursue future clinical training in the US!

Dr. OP Hamnvik, an endocrinologist and the Director of the Center for Oncoendocrinology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses transgender health from the endocrinologist’s perspective with Joyce Zhou (host) and Jordan Said (script writer and case presenter). They discuss the central tenets of caring for a transgender patient, the agents used for gender-affirming hormone therapy, and the long-term monitoring and management of these patients. The episode ends with some clinical pearls from both Jordan and Dr. Hamnvik.

Dr. Anand Vaidya, an endocrinologist and the director of the Center for Adrenal Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses adrenal insufficiency with Dr. Navin Kumar (host) and Bina Kassamali (script writer and case presenter). They discuss the presentation of adrenal insufficiency (AI) and its triggers, a framework for primary vs. secondary causes of AI, an endocrine work-up for AI and related diseases, and the management of AI with steroids and patient education. Dr. Vaidya also makes a brief note on adrenal crises. The episode ends with some clinical pearls from both Bina and Dr. Vaidya.

Dr. Nadine Palermo, an endocrinologist and the Associate Director of the Acute Diabetes Care program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, talks with Joyce Zhou (host) and Jakub Glowala (case presenter) to discuss acute hyperglycemic episodes. The discussion begins with a case of a patient presenting with dehydration, altered mental status, emesis, and suspected symptomatic hyperglycemia. Dr. Palermo then brings us up to speed on the pathophysiology behind diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), underscoring the role of osmotic diuresis and counter-regulatory hormones in exacerbating the two conditions. Dr. Palermo instructs us on the “classic” signs of a patient presenting with DKA, while cautioning us against relying solely on these textbook findings, as the workup often involves a holistic combination of BMP, urinalysis, ABG/VBGs, and history-taking. The episode closes with a discussion of DKA and HHS treatment, in addition to some clinical pearls.

Dr. Nadine Palermo, an endocrinologist and Associate Director of the Acute Diabetes Care program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shares her expertise on managing diabetes in hospitalized patients. She discusses the importance of identifying hyperglycemia types and customizing treatment plans based on individual patient factors. Dr. Palermo also delves into the use of both insulin and emerging non-insulin agents, emphasizing tailored weight-based dosing strategies. Discover how effective management can significantly influence patient outcomes during hospital stays.

Dr. Anna Goldman, an endocrinologist and medical educator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, talks with Joyce Zhou (host) and Dr. Emily Gutowski (case presenter) to discuss diagnosis, management, and lifestyle considerations in patients with diabetes mellitus. They talk through a case of a patient with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a family history of T2DM. Dr. Goldman presents her framework for type 1 vs. type 2 DM and how to diagnose T2DM based on labs, physical exam findings, and clinical history. Moreover, Dr. Goldman teaches us about the various pharmacologic agents used in T2DM treatment (metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP4i, GLP1R agonists, SGLT2i) from their mechanisms of action and side effects to their different clinical uses. Dr. Goldman closes the conversation by discussing what her follow-up visit looks like both in history-taking and physical examination, in addition to any treatments that need to be considered.

Dr. OP Hamnvik, an endocrinologist and medical educator, joins the hosts to discuss hypocalcemia. They cover its causes, clinical manifestations, and physical exam signs, along with the metabolism of vitamin D and its deficiency. The importance of vitamin D supplementation and treatment for hypokalemia is also discussed.

Run the List dedicates this episode to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others that have been tragically lost due to structural racism within our society.In this important episode, Dr. Navin Kumar talks with Dr. Utibe Essien, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a researcher who dedicates much of his time to racial and ethnic health disparities. In it, Dr. Essien educates us on the discipline of health disparities, talking about its early history from 1899 through today, and advocates for its place in medical school curricula, as social determinants of health are a critical piece of disease pathophysiology. The two touch on the social structures that drive disease admissions and presentations, using COVID-19 as a prominent example of the social inequities that exist within our society. Moreover, they discuss structural racism and how we as a medical community can step up to respond and make an impact. We can’t go on as "business-as-usual” and Dr. Essien provides us with practical short-term and long-term steps to take in order to take better care of our patients and one another.