In this episode with Dr. Cybel Mehawej of the Lebanese American University Human Genetics Department, and co-hosted with MohammadAli Jardaly, we explore the gene discovery process at the intersection of genetics and immunology. Dr. Mehawej, along with the team at the LAU Medical Center (Dr. Andre Megarbane, Dr. Eliane Choueiri) have discovered 2 genes related to immunodeficiency over the past year. We discuss the process of gene discovery and its eventual impact on monitoring and treatment of these rare diseases. Whether you are a scientist, student, or simply curious about how genetics impacts health and disease, this podcast offers a rich resource and a window into the field of immunogenetics.

#immunogenetics #genediscovery #rarediseases

This episode can also be found on YouTube and on all podcast apps

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/d1TsHFthS_s

In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Mohamad Khalife and Dr. Anna Farra (two infectious diseases physicians with Doctors without Borders) their recent published article in Open Forum Infect Dis: " Posttraumatic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Osteomyelitis in Mosul and Gaza: A Retrospective Cohort Study, 2018 - 2022. "

This is a timely episode that relates to the latest conflicts in the region including Iraq, Gaza, and Lebanon. We discuss the role of NGOs and local hospitals in acute care and the subsequent major role of surgeons and quality microbiology labs in preventing multidrug resistant infections, preventing amputations, and treating bone infections and other wounds appropriately.

Tune in to listen to the great work that is being done by the staff of MSF and by Dr. Khalife and Farra in these area.

#doctorswithoutborders #osteomyelitis #warzones #conflict #microbiology

This episode can be found on all podcast apps and on YouTube at:

https://youtu.be/AvNI4P-_3gw

In this episode, MohammadAli Jardaly and I discuss with Dr. Karine Abou Khaled their latest paper titled: "Impact of the socioeconomic crisis in Lebanon on people with epilepsy" published in Epilepsia Open.

Dr. Abou Khaled is an epilepsy specialist at Hotel Dieu De France and had returned to Lebanon years ago after completing her residency at Drexel University and Columbia University in the US.

This paper highlights the impact of the economic crisis on access to epilepsy medications. This leads us to gain a deeper understanding of how socioeconomic factors shape health outcomes and access. The decreased access to epilepsy medications and the increased stress levels from the economic crisis and the current war is leading to increased seizure activity among the patients affected and a poor quality of life.

Tune in to learn about these issues and to learn essential mitigation strategies.

#epilepsy #economiccrisis #stressandhealth

This episode is available on all podcast apps and on YouTube at:

https://youtu.be/dIMEPkrjeD4

In this episode co-hosted with Dr. MohammadAli Jardali, we discuss with Dr. Hasan Ismail, a family medicine physician whose clinic was in the Southern suburbs of Beirut and a medical advisor for Medecins du Monde, the critical topic of medical care during the recent Lebanese war. We explore the challenges face by healthcare professionals and institutions during this conflict.

Given Dr. Ismail is intimately involved in the conflict having family who have been displaced due to the crisis, we approach the conflict from a different lens. We explore his experience providing free health care to the community of displaced persons, while himself being displaced with his family. We also delve into the needs of the displaced families having lost their houses, and medical supplies.

This episode shows the effects wars have on people who were leading normal lives and whose lives have been turned upside down overnight.

#lebanonwar #displacedpeople #conflictmedicine

In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Jackie Kassouf Maalouf, founder of DiaLeb to commemorate World Diabetes Day. DiaLeb is the National Diabetes Organization. It was founded in 2011 as a non-profit organization in Lebanon to promote diabetes care and prevention and help find a cure for this disease.

We explore the impact of diabetes on communities in Lebanon before and after the economic crisis and we discuss the importance of lifestyle modification as a preventative measure for type 2 diabetes. We also discuss the multiple projects that DiaLeb has been involved in promoting exercise and nutrition, and helping provide needed medications to people suffering from diabetes in Lebanon.

Tune in for this enlightening conversation which was recorded before the current war in Lebanon, but which provides hope for a bright future in Lebanon.

This episode is also available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/4hFBDbH0gJk

and on all podcast apps.

#Diabetescare #Worlddiabetesday #diabetes #diabetesprevention #lifestyle

In a podcast episode co-hosted with MohammadAli Jardali, we discuss mental health in times of conflict with Dr. Maya Bizri, currently psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH and previously Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.

In this episode, we delve into the complex landscape of mental health in Lebanon, especially in these times of deep crises. We discuss access to mental health in this time of war and availability of physicians, psychologists, and insurance coverage.

We examine the role of community support systems, grassroots initiatives, and NGOs in fostering mental well being in the short term during this war, and in the long term dealing with the multiple traumatic episodes people have faced.

This episode can be found on all podcast apps.

#polytrauma #mentalhealth #conflictpsychiatry #PTSD #Lebanon #Lebanonwar

In this episode co-hosted with MohammadAli Jardali, we discussed the current crisis in Lebanon with the Chief of the Family Medicine Department at AUBMC Dr. Umayya Musharafieh. The current crisis has led to 1.2 million people displaced in Lebanon which constitutes 25-30% of the country. Many healthcare workers have been directly affected by this displacement or their families have been affected. Primary care is playing a major role in addressing these issues by taking care of the acute injuries and the post injury care, and by going out to the schools and areas where the refugees are providing needed medications and perfoming preventive care.

#Lebanonwar #healthcare #primarycare #familymedicine

This episode is available on all podcast apps.

The medical system in Lebanon has faced significant challenges since 2019 due to a combination of economic, political, and security factors. The explosion of August 2020 and the last 10 days have posed significant challenges to the system.

In this episode co-hosted with MohammadAli Jardaly, we discuss with Dr. Salah Zeineddine, CMO of the American University of Beirut Medical Center, the challenges the health system is facing and has dealt with, particulary over the past 10 days.

Starting with the pager explosions, the hospitals have dealt with mass casualty events that are ongoing to the current day. Heroic hospital staff have been operating non-stop, taking care of patients, while at the same time, dealing with an extremely unstable situation, while worrying about their family members, houses, and the future.

We discuss the medication and medical supply situation, the role of NGOs on the ground, and the sustainability of the health care efforts as the situation grinds on. We also discuss the ability of the health care system to continue to take care of emergency medical illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and others.

At the time of this podcast, there have been more than 1600 deaths and 8000 injuries.

The episode is available on all podcast apps.

#lebanonwar #masscasualtyevents #polytrauma #medicalsupplies