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Inside U Miami Medicine

Podcast of the Miller School of Medicine
Dean Henri Ford
Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A.

With Inside U Miami Medicine, we explore our academic medicine ecosystem. We chat with Miller School of Medicine researchers making groundbreaking discoveries, changemakers toppling barriers, and physicians reimagining the future of health care. We tackle tough topics and delve into complex challenges. Join us for transformative conversations hosted by Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School.

These are unscripted, one-on-one conversations with the brilliant faculty here at the Miller School of Medicine. It’s a treat to hear their personal perspectives and the journeys that brought them to where they are today – advancing discovery that can be translated into clinical interventions to improve the health of our community and the world.
 Dean Ford

Latest Episodes

Hear about the latest medical discoveries at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, from the people who make them possible. Listen to Inside U Miami Medicine wherever you get your podcasts.
Dr. Goldberger and Dean Ford
Jeffrey Goldberger, M.D. and Dean Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A.

February 4, 2025

Guest: Jeffrey Goldberger, M.D.
Listen Time: 31m 10s

Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, sudden death and other health problems for millions worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of AFib care — from diagnosis to treatment — remain outdated. Jeffrey Goldberger, M.D., director of the Center for Atrial Fibrillation at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he is improving decades-old models to save lives. 

“This became a very personal issue for me when I saw two patients in the office within one month of each other. They had no risk factors. They had no hypertension. They were 50. They had no significant cardiac disease. And they both had strokes,” 

He knew the field needed to evolve.

 

Past Episodes

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  • A cancer doctor embraces vulnerability in healing (Guest: Mikkael A. Sekeres, M.D., M.S.)

    When physicians haven’t be trained to tackle a disease, how do they provide the best care for patients? In the face of long COVID, medical practitioners are finding themselves at a crossroads, grappling with how to effectively treat patients. Both patients and health care providers continue to navigate the complexities of this condition, including ambiguous definitions, varying medical opinions and symptoms that overlap with a multitude of other illnesses.

  • A new era in type 1 diabetes treatment (Guest: Matthias G. von Herrath)

    Could insulin dependency be a burden of the past for patients with type 1 diabetes? Matthias von Herrath, M.D., scientific director of the Diabetes Research Institute, is hopeful. Dr. von Herrath joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he and his teams are working on the ultimate T1D moonshot: To restore or preserve natural insulin production and normalize blood sugar levels without imposing other risks that accompany immune suppression. In episode one of this two-part conversation, Dr. von Herrath reviews the current understandings of the pathogenesis of T1D and describes the mechanisms of the first FDA-approved treatment for delaying T1D for those at risk: Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv), an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.

  • A Sleep Scientist on Tech and Rest as a Social Justice Issue (Guest: Azizi A. Seixas, Ph.D.)

    While the study of sleep is a relatively new field, researchers over the past two decades have revealed the powerful effects of sleep — or the lack of it — on overall health and well-being. But who are these slumber scientists, who research a realm that begins when their patients slip into a dream state? Meet Azizi Seixas, Ph.D. Dr. Seixas dedicates his career to advancing our knowledge of sleep to improve the health of communities, particularly those that are underserved. She joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share her work collecting and analyzing the genetics of Hispanic patients to better understand inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in that community. For Dr. Abreu, who grew up in a Cuban family and didn’t learn English until she started school, this work is particularly close to her heart. Tune in to hear more about Dr. Abreu’s journey in medicine, her fascinating research, and her upcoming leadership of the largest gastroenterological association in the U.S. In addition to testing on NFL, Formula 1, and NCAA athletes, the technology was also used to rule out traumatic brain injury in another subset of individuals – U.S. government employees who experienced “Havana Syndrome.” In 2016, embassy employees in Havana reported severe, unexplained health problems, including ear pain, dizziness, and other neurological disturbances. Dr. Hoffer was on the frontlines of this medical mystery that engrossed the world.

  • AAMC leaders: Can academic medicine reduce health inequities? (Guests: Dr. David Skorton and Dr. Alison Whelan)

    Health inequities are absolutely unacceptable…Across town, the difference in life expectancy can be a decade.” Part two of Dean Henri Ford’s discussion with AAMC leaders Dr. David Skorton and Dr. Alison Whelan focuses on academic medicine’s role in reducing disparities in marginalized communities. They also speak about current Supreme Court cases that will determine whether higher education institutions can continue using race as a factor in holistic admissions.

  • AI and Radiologists: Partners in Progress or Rivals in Practice?

    For several years, the field of #radiology has been in flux, shifting and flexing with wave after wave of advanced technology. While the public speculated whether artificial intelligence (AI) might render radiologists obsolete, the experts were already harnessing its power to optimize workflows, alleviate #burnout, improve patient care, and redefine their role within the health care team.

  • AI, organoids revolutionize glioblastoma treatment (Guest: Antonio Iavarone)

    Antonio Iavarone, M.D., deputy director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, joined the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he and his team are using a suite of innovative tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) and tumor organoids (also known as patient avatars), to combat these tough-to-tackle tumors.

  • Analyzing genetic sequencing to better treat GI diseases (Guest: Dr. Maria Abreu.)

    Is mining genetic data the key to identifying susceptibility for GI diseases? Dr. Maria Abreu, director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, thinks it might be – particularly for groups that are disproportionately affected by these illnesses. She joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share her work collecting and analyzing the genetics of Hispanic patients to better understand inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in that community. For Dr. Abreu, who grew up in a Cuban family and didn’t learn English until she started school, this work is particularly close to her heart. Tune in to hear more about Dr. Abreu’s journey in medicine, her fascinating research, and her upcoming leadership of the largest gastroenterological association in the U.S. In addition to testing on NFL, Formula 1, and NCAA athletes, the technology was also used to rule out traumatic brain injury in another subset of individuals – U.S. government employees who experienced “Havana Syndrome.” In 2016, embassy employees in Havana reported severe, unexplained health problems, including ear pain, dizziness, and other neurological disturbances. Dr. Hoffer was on the frontlines of this medical mystery that engrossed the world.

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  • Cancer survivorship lasts a lifetime (Guest: Frank Penedo, Ph.D.)

    Cancer is the leading cause of death for Hispanics in the United States. Once diagnosed and treated, this community often faces greater challenges in their survivorship journey, including poor quality of life and stressful social and economic factors. Dr. Frank Penedo, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s associate director for Cancer Survivorship and Translational Behavioral Sciences, joins Dean Henri Ford to share how he and his team are working to improve quality of life among the Hispanic cancer survivors.

  • Courage amid chaos: Inside the world of disaster response (Guest: Elizabeth Greig, M.D.)

    When disaster occurs, Dr. Elizabeth Greig runs toward the chaos. She and her team follow in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes and other hazardous events to help the world’s most vulnerable communities heal and rebuild.

  • Curing Hepatitis C: The Dr. Raymond Schinazi story (part 2) (Guest: Dr. Raymond Schinazi)

    In the second part of our episode with Dr. Schinazi, we explore how he developed a life-saving cure for Hepatitis C, despite being denied funding from the NIH. Instead of giving up and focusing on other antivirals, he founded his own biotech company and set his sights on revolutionizing the treatment landscape for Hepatitis C.

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  • Decoding AFib: Revolutionizing Diagnostics, Treatment, and Stroke Risk

    Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, sudden death and other health problems for millions worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, many aspects of AFib care — from diagnosis to treatment — remain outdated. Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share how he is improving decades-old models to save lives.

  • Decoding virtual clinical trials and simulation-guided procedures (Guest: Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, M.D., Ph.D.)

    Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, an internationally recognized interventional cardiologist, was at a crossroads. Two of his patients presented with significant blockages in their left main coronary artery, the heart’s biggest artery that is essential to its function. Dr. Chatzizisis could opt for a conventional stenting approach that fails in 30% of patients.

  • Do all prostate cancer patients need treatment? Exploring the risks and benefits of early intervention

    Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, affecting more than half of males by age 80. Yet, early intervention can lead to complications that profoundly reduce quality of life. In this episode of “Inside U Miami Medicine,” luminaries in the field of urology mull over the complex question: Does every prostate cancer diagnosis require immediate treatment?

  • Do genetics increase Prostate Cancer Risk? (Guest: Nima Sharifi, M.D.)

    Nima Sharifi, M.D., scientific director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and a close collaborator with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his team are transforming how we understand and treat one of the most common and lethal cancers in men, prostate cancer.

  • Drug pioneer and trailblazer: The Dr. Raymond Schinazi story (part 1) (Guest: Dr. Raymond Schinazi)

    Can we prevent ALS before it starts? ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a profoundly complex and destructive disease, characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which enable muscle movement. There is currently no known cure, but groundbreaking research is offering hope.

  • Dying to remember (Guest: James Galvin, M.D., M.P.H.)

    Researchers at the Miller School of Medicine are testing a new drug for dementia with Lewy bodies, a disease that affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans. James Galvin, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the Miller School, joins Dean Henri Ford to give insight into this devastating illness and the search for better outcomes.

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  • Harnessing the amazing power of stem cells (Guest: Joshua M. Hare, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.H.A.)

    What if doctors could mitigate the impact of strokes by regenerating neurological pathways? How about reducing the need for heart transplants, while simultaneously improving lung function? According to Dr. Joshua Hare, it all boils down to harnessing the amazing power of stem cells. On the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Dr. Hare – who is the director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine – shares groundbreaking discoveries in stem cell-based therapy. He and his team are dedicated to studying and leveraging the properties that allow stem cells not only to differentiate into any cell type in the body, but also to reprogram other cells and repair their damaged tissue.

  • How a medical student battled mental health stigma (Guest: Dr. Jason Onugha)

    Physician burnout has become an epidemic in the U.S., with nearly 63% of physicians reporting emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, according to the American Medical Association. This struggle often starts in medical school, where students experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and mental stress compared to peers in non-medical career paths.

  • How a medical student is tackling the loneliness epidemic (Guest: Harsh Moolani, M.D./M.P.H. student)

    Latina immigrant, DACA recipient, first-generation physician. Meet Pia Iribarren, M.P.H., a medical student in the soon-to-be graduating Class of 2024. Pia joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share her journey in medicine, which began at a young age.

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  • Improving diversity in Alzheimer's disease data (Guest: Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D.)

    Alzheimer’s research, from previous studies to ongoing clinical trials, is often not representative of the populations that are at the highest risk for this disease. , sits down with Dean Henri Ford to discuss a multi-center, multi-national clinical trial that will tackle this issue and expand diversity in Alzheimer’s data, eventually leading to the development of targeted drug therapies.

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  • Stem cell-derived islet cell therapy promising for type 1 diabetes (Guest: Matthias G. von Herrath)

    Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has long posed significant challenges for patients and researchers alike. But now, microscopic clusters of organisms are providing a glimmer of hope. Emerging as a new frontier in T1D treatment, stem cell-derived islet cell therapy is a novel approach that may revolutionize the lives of patients with this chronic disease. “The hope is that this can make a real difference by replacing damaged cells with lab-generated human islet-like cell clusters that produce normal amounts of insulin on demand,” said Matthias von Herrath, M.D., Scientific director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

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  • The doctor behind harm reduction in Florida (Guest: Hansel Tookes, III, M.D., M.P.H.)

    Prior to 2016, state-sanctioned harm reduction strategies – which aim to decrease negative effects of addiction – were nonexistent in Florida. Then, a Miami medical student launched a multi-year campaign to convince the legislature to save lives through a needle exchange program. Dr. Hansel Tookes, now the clinical director of the first syringe services program in the state, sits down with Dean Henri Ford to share his journey from giving food to the local unhoused community to shifting the entire state’s approach to harm reduction and HIV prevention. She joined Inside U Miami Medicine to share her work collecting and analyzing the genetics of Hispanic patients to better understand inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in that community. For Dr. Abreu, who grew up in a Cuban family and didn’t learn English until she started school, this work is particularly close to her heart. Tune in to hear more about Dr. Abreu’s journey in medicine, her fascinating research, and her upcoming leadership of the largest gastroenterological association in the U.S. In addition to testing on NFL, Formula 1, and NCAA athletes, the technology was also used to rule out traumatic brain injury in another subset of individuals – U.S. government employees who experienced “Havana Syndrome.” In 2016, embassy employees in Havana reported severe, unexplained health problems, including ear pain, dizziness, and other neurological disturbances. Dr. Hoffer was on the frontlines of this medical mystery that engrossed the world.

  • The evolving culture of academic medicine and higher education (Guest: Alison Mincey, J.D.)

    The culture of academia is a dynamic and multifaceted tapestry, characterized by an intricate interplay of innovation, tradition and societal changes. In this episode of “Inside U Miami Medicine,” Alison Mincey, J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for the University of Miami, UHealth and the Miller School of Medicine, explores this dynamic and sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Mincey points out that all industries are in an era of rapid change and leaders are grappling with complex issues like burnout, mental well-being, technology shifts and remote work.

  • The Havana Syndrome mystery and traumatic brain injury (Guest: Michael E. Hoffer, M.D.)

    What if concussions could be diagnosed immediately, at the site where the injury occurs? Dr. Michael Hoffer, professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery, joins Inside U Miami Medicine to discuss an innovative technology – in the form of “virtual reality” goggles – that could be a gamechanger for identifying mild traumatic brain injury at the point of care. In addition to testing on NFL, Formula 1, and NCAA athletes, the technology was also used to rule out traumatic brain injury in another subset of individuals – U.S. government employees who experienced “Havana Syndrome.” In 2016, embassy employees in Havana reported severe, unexplained health problems, including ear pain, dizziness, and other neurological disturbances. Dr. Hoffer was on the frontlines of this medical mystery that engrossed the world.

  • The latest HIV cure research: Destroying a virus that hides (Guest: Mario Stevenson, Ph.D.)

    After more than four decades of investigation, scientists may be on the precipice of finding a cure for HIV, a virus that currently can be reduced to undetectable levels in the body but not completely eradicated. Although HIV can be suppressed using antiretroviral therapy (ART), it cannot yet be cured. This is because the virus integrates itself into host cells and may become dormant but remains ready to emerge from the cell reservoirs when ART stops. Thus, individuals with HIV require lifelong adherence to medication.

  • The Mysteries of Traumatic Brain Injury: Targeted Hypothermia, Dementia Risk and Secondary Injury (Guest: Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D.)

    In the vast landscape of medical research, few areas are as intricate and nuanced as the study of traumatic brain injury. However, amidst profound challenges lies the relentless pursuit of understanding and innovation spearheaded by pioneers like Dr. Dalton Dietrich.

  • TikTok tics, gut bacteria and the link to Tourette’s (Guest: Barbara Coffey, M.D., M.S.)

    Can altered gut microbiota lead to tic exacerbation in Tourette Syndrome? On the latest episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, Barbara Coffey, M.D., M.S., talks about the potential link between fungi and bacteria in people’s digestive systems and an increase of inflammation in the brain, possibly leading to various tic disorders. She also shares insight into the global phenomenon “TikTok tics” and the effects of social media and the pandemic on children’s mental health.

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  • Unraveling the mysteries of ALS (Guest: Michael Benatar, MBChB, M.S., D.Phil)

    Can we prevent ALS before it starts? ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a profoundly complex and destructive disease, characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which enable muscle movement. There is currently no known cure, but groundbreaking research is offering hope.

  • Using big data to improve health (Guest: Azizi A. Seixas, Ph.D.)

    How can we improve community and patient wellness with big data and innovation? While data is ubiquitous, different formats are often funneled into their own silos in academic medicine. In part two of Dean Henri Ford’s conversation with Dr. Azizi Seixas, they speak about how artificial intelligence and informatics can break down barriers to catalyze impact and improve health outcomes.

  • Using Viruses to Kill Deadly Brain Cancers (Guest: Ashish H. Shah, M.D.)

    In the previous episode of Inside U Miami Medicine, we explored promising advances in less-toxic treatments for brain cancer. Now, we continue our focus on glioblastoma, diving into promising research that uses viruses to weaken cancer cells.

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  • What is the future of medical education? (Guests: Dr. David Skorton and Dr. Alison Whelan)

    New technologies, shifts in policy, heightened inequities, and increased demand have transformed health care over the past two decades. As a result, it is paramount that the education and training of future physicians also evolve. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is a guiding light for academic health institutions during these unpredictable times. Dr. David Skorton, president and CEO of the AAMC, and Dr. Alison Whelan, chief academic officer of the AAMC, join Dean Henri Ford to discuss their individual journeys, how we can better prepare for the next pandemic, and strategies to strengthen medical education. Listen to part one of this fascinating conversation with the leaders of our nation’s academic medicine community.

  • Whole eye transplant & other visionary breakthroughs to restore sight (Guest: Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D.)

    We’re exploring visionary breakthroughs in the field of ophthalmology with Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Alfonso and his colleagues are at the forefront of innovative eye care therapies, addressing retinal diseases that affect millions worldwide. Now, they have their sights set on an ambitious project - whole eye transplant.