Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health Podcast

What can we do to better understand and prevent suicide among young people? In part one of our two-part series, Christine Yu Moultier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, explores what science tells us about youth suicide risk, including the protective power of belonging, the impact of loneliness and social media, emerging concerns around AI chatbots, and how adults can start a potentially lifesaving conversation.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Christine Yu Moultier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What does it take for a child to fight cancer while holding on to the life they love? This Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, we team up with the Philadelphia Phillies to share Alivia Eder's inspiring journey alongside her oncologist, Nicholas Manini, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Nemours Children's Health. Hear Alivia share what cancer, treatment and finding her way back to everyday life have been like, then join Douglas J. Harrison, MD, MS, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Inaugural Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Presidential Endowed Chair, Nemours Children’s Health, for a look at decades of research and emerging innovations giving children with cancer brighter futures.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Alivia Eder, student and cancer survivor

Nicholas Manini, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Nemours Children's Health

Douglas J. Harrison, MD, MS, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Inaugural Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Presidential Endowed Chair, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Trust is at the heart of health care, but misinformation and confusing health information can make it harder for people to know who and what to trust. Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, Founder & CEO, Grapevine Health, explores how plain language, trusted sources and genuine human connection can make health information more accessible and use it to help rebuild trust. 

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, Founder, Grapevine Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Advances in prenatal diagnosis and fetal surgery are changing what's possible before a child is even born. Three specialists from the Institute for Maternal Fetal Health at Nemours Children’s Health discuss how breakthroughs in fetal care are improving outcomes for babies with complex conditions. They also share how a multidisciplinary team supports families through prenatal diagnoses, difficult decisions and every step of the journey – from pregnancy to delivery and beyond.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, FACOG, FACMGG, Executive Director, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Fetal Therapy and Innovation, Nemours Children’s Health
Eric Paul Bergh, MD, Director of Fetal Research and Informatics, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Nemours Children's Health
Christina (Nina) Paidas Teefey, MD, PMH-C, Director of Psychosocial Programs, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Fathers have a profound impact on their children's physical, mental and emotional well-being, yet they're often left out of pediatric research. John James "JJ" Parker, MD, Researcher, Attending Physician, Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, explores what the science tells us about involved fathers, where critical research gaps remain, and how supporting dads can improve outcomes for children and families alike.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

John James "JJ" Parker, MD, Researcher, Attending Physician, Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What if your child’s digital habits are informed with your own? Meredith Gansner, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Services, University of Rochester, explores the growing body of research examining how caregivers' digital behaviors — from excessive screen time and "sharenting" to online health misinformation — can shape children's mental health, development and long-term well-being.

The conversation examines how children model the digital behaviors they observe, why oversharing online can have lasting consequences, how social media algorithms influence parents' health decisions, and practical strategies families can use to build healthier relationships with technology.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Meredith Gansner, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Services, University of Rochester

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Military-connected children and teens face unique behavioral health challenges, from frequent moves and disruptions in care to parental deployments, long wait times and navigating health care systems that don't always move with them.

In part two of this series, tied to the release of two policy papers from Nemours Children's Health and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the conversation shifts to the clinicians and program leaders working to improve access to behavioral health care for military-connected youth. They explore the barriers families face when seeking mental health care for their children, the potential of telehealth and interstate licensure compacts to expand access, and why military-informed care, cross-sector collaboration and a whole-family approach are essential to improving outcomes.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Monica Barreto, PhD, Clinical Director, Primary Care Integrated Behavioral Health, Nemours Children's Health

Jeanine Hoff, MSW, MAS, LCSW, Mental Health Provider, Pediatric Acute Telemental Health (PATH) Program, Nemours Children’s Health

Jennifer Crockett, PhD, Director of Telehealth, Director of Behavioral Health Services for Military Families, The Kennedy-Krieger Institute

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Resources Mentioned in This Series: 

• Serving Military-Connected Children: Access to Care (PDF)
• Serving Military-Connected Children: Mental Health and Well-Being (PDF)
• Free, online course: Caring for Children and Teens in Military Caregiving Families
• Initiatives at Nemours Children’s to support military-connected youth 
• Military Child and Family Collaboratory
• One Op
• Star Behavioral Health Providers
• Kennedy Krieger Behavioral Health Program for Military Families

Military-focused programs:

• FOCUS UCLA 
• Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness Penn State
• Military REACH Auburn University
• Hidden Helpers Coalition   
  • To inquire about joining the Hidden Helpers Coalition, email hiddenhelpers@elizabethdolefoundation.org 

Past Well Beyond Medicine episodes with related topics:

• Ep. 70: Hidden Helpers, Hidden No More (Part 1 of 2)  
• Ep. 71: Hidden Helpers Heard (Part 2 of 2)
• Ep. 90: Forum – Supporting Our Military Families and Hidden Helpers (Part 1 of 2)
• Ep. 91: Forum - Supporting Our Military Families and Hidden Helpers (Part 2 of 2)
• Ep. 167: Accessing Pediatric Mental Health Services (PATH) (Part 1 of 2)
• Ep. 168: Accessing Pediatric Mental Health Services (PATH) (Part 2 of 2)

General questions related to the content addressed during the podcast: NationalOffice@nemours.org 

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Military-connected families are often praised for their resilience. But behind every deployment, relocation, and homecoming are children navigating constant change — and too often, gaps in the mental healthcare system meant to support them.

In the first episode of this two-part series, we speak with policy leaders from Nemours Children's Health and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, along with military-connected parents and advocates, about the unique behavioral health challenges facing military-connected youth. From frequent moves and disrupted continuity of care to the stigma surrounding mental health, they discuss what's working, where the system falls short and the policy solutions that could help ensure every military-connected child has access to the care they need, wherever military life takes their family.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Daniella Gratale, MA, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health

Meredith Beck, Vice President for Government Affairs and Community Engagement, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Duane Duke, MD, FACS, FAAP, Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves, Trauma Medical Director, Nemours Children’s Health

Allison Mejia, Child & Family Advocate, Military Spouse

Elizabeth (Liz) Rotenberry, Director, Caregiver Engagement, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Military Spouse

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

PLEASE NOTE: The comments and opinions of Dr. Duane Duke are his own and do not represent those of the U.S. Army Reserves. 

Resources Mentioned in This Series: 

• Serving Military-Connected Children: Access to Care (PDF)
• Serving Military-Connected Children: Mental Health and Well-Being (PDF)
• Free, online course: Caring for Children and Teens in Military Caregiving Families
• Initiatives at Nemours Children’s to support military-connected youth 
• Military Child and Family Collaboratory
• One Op
• Star Behavioral Health Providers
• Kennedy Krieger Behavioral Health Program for Military Families

Military-focused programs:

• FOCUS UCLA 
• Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness Penn State
• Military REACH Auburn University
• Hidden Helpers Coalition   
  • To inquire about joining the Hidden Helpers Coalition, email hiddenhelpers@elizabethdolefoundation.org 

Past Well Beyond Medicine episodes with related topics:

• Ep. 70: Hidden Helpers, Hidden No More (Part 1 of 2)  
• Ep. 71: Hidden Helpers Heard (Part 2 of 2)
• Ep. 90: Forum – Supporting Our Military Families and Hidden Helpers (Part 1 of 2)
• Ep. 91: Forum - Supporting Our Military Families and Hidden Helpers (Part 2 of 2)
• Ep. 167: Accessing Pediatric Mental Health Services (PATH) (Part 1 of 2)
• Ep. 168: Accessing Pediatric Mental Health Services (PATH) (Part 2 of 2)

General questions related to the content addressed during the podcast: NationalOffice@nemours.org 

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What if the space around you could help you heal? We explore the thoughtful design behind the new Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health at Nemours Children's Health, where every detail was intentionally created to support families facing high-risk pregnancies. Learn how evidence-based health care design brings together architecture, clinical care and emotional wellbeing to reduce stress, improve outcomes for mothers and babies and create an environment where healing begins the moment families walk through the door.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Laura Morris, CHID, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, Lean Green Belt, Design Principal, Perkins&Will

Erin O'Hara, BSN, RNC-OB, Director, Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Teen relationships have changed dramatically in the digital age. Today, connections often develop through social media, text messages, video chats and location-sharing apps, creating new opportunities for communication – but also new risks for coercion, control and abuse.

Dianne M. Alvarez, DO, Researcher and Resident Physician, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Emily Egbert, MAT, MPH, ScM, Researcher, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, explore the growing issue of teen digital dating violence, how common it is and what parents, clinicians, educators and communities can do to help young people recognize unhealthy behaviors and build safe, healthy relationships.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Dianne M. Alvarez, DO, Researcher and Resident Physician, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Emily Egbert, MAT, MPH, ScM, Researcher, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Just when it seemed decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use were making a lasting impact, a new generation of nicotine products has emerged — more potent, more discreet and, in many cases, more addictive than ever before.

Susan Walley, MD, MHCM, SFHM, FAAP, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's National Hospital, discusses the resurgence of youth nicotine use, the growing popularity of flavored vapes and nicotine pouches, and why these products are raising concerns among pediatricians and public health experts.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Susan Walley, MD, MHCM, SFHM, FAAP, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's National Hospital

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Medicaid covers nearly half of America’s children, but its impact goes far beyond doctor’s visits and hospital stays. James Perrin, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Founder of the MGH Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, explains why Medicaid is one of the nation’s most important investments in children, what’s at stake in current policy debates and how a health care system designed to support health — not just treat illness — could improve outcomes for generations to come.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
James Perrin, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

A child's health journey doesn't begin at birth — it begins much earlier.

In the first part of our two-part Maternal Fetal Health series, Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, Executive Director, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Fetal Therapy and Innovation, Nemours Children’s Health, explores how care before birth can shape lifelong health outcomes.

She shares why a children's hospital is investing in care for mothers, babies and families together, and how advances in prenatal diagnosis, fetal intervention, genetic testing, and coordinated family support are transforming the future of pediatric care. Discover how maternal-fetal health is redefining when and where whole child health begins.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Julie S. Moldenhauer, MD, PMH-C, FACOG, FACMGG, Executive Director, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Elizabeth W. Snyder Endowed Chair in Fetal Therapy and Innovation, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What happens when pediatricians bring their expertise beyond scientific journals and into the public conversation? Weijen W. Chang, MD, FAAP, SFHM, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Nemours Children’s Health, explores how writing can be a powerful tool for advocacy in children’s health. From op-eds and essays to newsletters and personal storytelling, he discusses how clinicians can use their voices to elevate important issues, influence policy and connect with audiences beyond the clinical setting.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Weijen W. Chang, MD, FAAP, SFHM, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Narrative medicine invites clinicians into a simple yet profound practice: listening differently. Kristen Copeland, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, Nimisha Bajaj, MD, Palliative Care Specialist, Children’s National Hospital, and Anoushka Sinha, MD, Adolescent Medicine Specialist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, explore how storytelling, reflective writing, close listening and the humanities can deepen understanding of children and families navigating illness, trauma, grief and uncertainty. Grounded in the pioneering work of Dr. Rita Charon and the narrative medicine program at Columbia University, the conversation highlights how these practices can strengthen trust, cultivate empathy and bring greater humanity into pediatric care.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Kristen Copeland, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center
Nimisha Bajaj, MD, Palliative Care Specialist, Children’s National Hospital
Anoushka Sinha, MD, Adolescent Medicine Specialist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Children’s health in America is at a critical crossroads. From Medicaid uncertainty and workforce shortages and burnout to rising mental health needs, misinformation and the growing impact of social media and AI, pediatric care is facing unprecedented pressure. Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics, explores the current state of pediatrics, why advocacy is central to the practice of medicine for children, and what continues to give him hope for the future of children’s health.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Caribbean American Heritage Month sets the stage for Dr. Myron Rolle’s extraordinary journey from his Bahamian roots to Rhodes Scholar, professional football player and pediatric neurosurgeon. He reflects on the experiences and values that shaped his path, and how family, discipline, education, and service continue to guide his work in the operating room and beyond. He also shares why teamwork, mentorship and giving back remain central to his mission in medicine and in the community.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Myron Rolle, MD, MS, former NFL player, pediatric neurosurgeon, Nemours Children's Health, and President/Founder, The Myron L. Rolle Foundation

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What does the future of pediatric care look like when research, collaboration and evidence come together? Recorded in Boston at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Physician-in-Chief and Chief Scientific Officer, Nemours Children's Health, joins us to explore the studies shaping what’s next in children’s health. From advances in sepsis treatment and newborn nutrition to the potential of precision population health and fetal interventions, this conversation shows how simple, evidence-based changes paired with strong partnerships can improve outcomes for generations of children.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:  Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Physician-in-Chief and Chief Scientific Officer, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

One in five pediatric hospital deaths is linked to sepsis — a statistic that has driven decades of research and is now reshaping clinical guidelines worldwide. With the 2026 enhanced guidelines just published, there's no better time to dig into what the science is telling us. We're joined by Scott L. Weiss, MD, MSCE, Division Chief of Critical Care Medicine and Vice-Chair for Research at Nemours Children's Health — and co-author of both the 2020 and 2026 guidelines — to walk us through the research building a clearer, more consistent approach to recognizing and treating pediatric sepsis, and what it means for children and the clinicians who care for them.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Learn more about pediatric research at Nemours.

Featuring: 
Scott L. Weiss, MD, MSCE, Division Chief, Critical Care Medicine; Vice‑Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Quality and safety in pediatric care have transformed over the past three decades, moving away from a culture of blame toward one centered on thoughtful system design and continuous improvement.

Pediatric quality and safety leaders from across the country discuss how that evolution has enabled more proactive approaches to preventing harm, along with stronger collaboration throughout hospitals and health systems. We also explore how insights from frontline care teams, partnerships with families, and the use of predictive analytics are helping identify risks earlier and improve outcomes for children across the care continuum.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Jared Capouya, MD, MS, HQS, Vice President, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Nemours Children’s Health

Sandip Godambe, MD, PhD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, SVP Medical Affairs, Rady Children’s Health Orange County, Orange and Mission Viejo

Lara Wood, MN, RN, CPN, CPPS, Senior Associate Clinical Director, Children’s Hospitals’ Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS)

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

“Food as medicine” is transforming the future of pediatric care. From programs like WIC to the essential role of registered dietitians, nutrition is emerging as a powerful driver of better outcomes for children. Allison Steiber, RD, PhD, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shares her organization’s Food as Medicine roadmap and unpacks the critical gaps in access, funding, and awareness that stand in the way of impact. She also discusses what it will take to ensure every child has the nutrition they need not just to grow, but to truly thrive.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Allison Steiber, RD, PhD, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, Executive Director, Infodemiology Initiative, and infectious disease epidemiologist, joins us to unpack the “infodemic,” the overwhelming flood of health information shaping how we think, decide and act. From misinformation to trust, she explains why science isn’t finished until it’s communicated — and what each of us can do to navigate today’s complex information landscape more responsibly.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, Executive Director, Infodemiology Initiative

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

The road to an autism diagnosis can sometimes take years between a family's first concerns and a formal evaluation. In this episode, we explore the science behind a new hair-based biomarker screening tool in the early stages of development, and seek to understand what researchers hope it could one day offer as part of a larger clinical picture.

Our guest, David Elkin, PhD, a pediatric clinical psychologist and VP, Clinical Liaison & Advocacy at LinusBio, talks about how the tool works, what the current research suggests, and, importantly, what the tool cannot do. The test is designed to help clinicians rule out autism risk, not confirm a diagnosis, and it remains one of many steps in a comprehensive evaluation process.

This is a conversation about emerging science, the complexity of autism diagnosis, and the ongoing search for tools that can support, not replace, the clinicians who serve these families.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
David Elkin, PhD, VP, Clinical Liaison and Advocacy, LinusBio

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

New federal dietary guidelines arrived earlier this year, introducing a redesigned food model and updated recommendations for children and families. From whole foods and age-specific guidance to ultra-processed foods, school meals, food anxiety, and obesity prevention, this episode translates national policy into practical, everyday strategies.

Jaclyn Albin, MD, CCMS, DipABLM, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pediatric and Public Health, and Director, Culinary Medicine Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Marlene Rafferty, RD, Senior Clinical Dietitian, Nemours Children's Health, break down what the 2025 -2030 Dietary Guidelines mean for kids. 

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Jaclyn Albin, MD, CCMS, DipABLM, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pediatric and Public Health, and Director, Culinary Medicine Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Marlene Rafferty, RD, Senior Clinical Dietitian, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Hospitals can be intimidating for children, especially when they don’t understand what’s happening. Nancy Tinsley, RN, MBA, FACHE, Chairman, Xploro Inc., joins us to discuss Xploro’s gamified platform that uses interactive stories, avatars and games to help kids and families understand medical care. The goal: reduce fear and anxiety while empowering children to take an active role in their healthcare journey.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Nancy Tinsley, RN, MBA, FACHE, Chairman, Xploro Inc.

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

As health care advances in the digital era, how do we ensure we don’t lose the human touch? Jennifer Goldsack, MChem, MA, MBA, OLY, founder and CEO, Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), and a former Olympian, discusses the promise of digital medicine, the ethics and trust surrounding health data and why keeping humanity at the center of health care innovation is essential.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Jennifer Goldsack, MChem, MA, MBA, OLY, founder and CEO, Digital Medicine Society

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What if hospital-level pediatric care didn’t require staying in the hospital? Jane Mericle, DNP, MHS-CL, BSN, RN, CENP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Patient Operations Officer, Nemours Children's Health, and Christopher Beaty, MSN, NE-BC, Vice President, Operational Innovation, Nemours Children's Health, discuss Nemours Children’s Advanced Care at Home program, a 24/7, virtually supported model that helps medically stable children recover at home sooner.

They share how this technology-enabled approach reduces emergency visits and readmissions, supports families and redefines pediatric hospitalization by delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Jane Mericle, DNP, MHS-CL, BSN, RN, CENP, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Patient Operations Officer, Nemours Children's Health

Christopher Beaty, MSN, NE-BC, Vice President, Operational Innovation, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Beyond Clinical Walls, and Founder, Clinicians Who Care, joins us to discuss how she’s transforming care for children and families. She shares how bridging access gaps, addressing social determinants of health and building trust through community-centered care are essential to advancing whole child health beyond the clinic. We also highlight her new initiative, Clinicians Who Care, which connects patients with trusted clinicians who prioritize empathy, trust and patient-centered care.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Beyond Clinical Walls, and Founder, Clinicians Who Care

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Ashley Lerman, DDS, Founder and CEO, Firstgrin, joins us to talk about the role of oral health in whole child health. From fluoride safety and X-rays to bottle habits and access to care, this conversation explores how prevention, education, and early intervention can reduce the most common chronic disease in children -cavities - and build a healthier future from the very first grin.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Ashley Lerman, DDS, Founder and CEO, Firstgrin

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Richard Coffin, Chief of Research and Advocacy at USAFacts, shares how nonpartisan government data helps families, educators, and health care leaders make more informed decisions for the children and communities they serve. From local public health trends to population-level insights, this conversation highlights why transparent, accessible facts are critical to building trust — and advancing whole child health.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Richard Coffin, Chief of Research and Advocacy, USAFacts 

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

GE HealthCare has launched Care Intellect for Perinatal, a cloud-first digital solution designed to improve safety and outcomes for mothers and babies during labor and delivery.

Jeff Caron, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Patient Care Solutions, GE HealthCare, shares how the platform unifies multiple, previously disconnected data sources into a single, real-time patient view that all clinicians can access — a true “single pane of glass.” By reducing data overload and streamlining workflows, it enables care teams to spot emerging risks sooner and respond more quickly and effectively.

The conversation also examines how standardized, data-driven perinatal care can support clinicians without adding to their workload, help address persistent gaps in maternal health outcomes, and create greater consistency across care teams.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Jeff Caron, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Patient Care Solutions, GE HealthCare

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In neonatal intensive care units across the country, critically ill newborns are in a race against time, while families often wait weeks — or even months — for answers. New research from Tufts Medical Center shows there’s a better way.

We explore how rapid whole genome sequencing nearly doubles diagnostic rates in critically ill infants compared to standard testing — and can save the health care system hundreds of thousands of dollars per baby when used early. It’s a powerful example of whole child health in action: faster answers reduce suffering, guide care, shorten NICU stays, and challenge how we think about value in pediatric medicine.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Tara Lavelle, PhD, Investigator, Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health, Tufts Medical Center
Jonathan Davis, MD, Vice Chair, Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Access this study

Read the Associated Press story

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What happens when medical trainees step into a world where adolescent health challenges are amplified by resource constraints and discover that teens everywhere face strikingly similar struggles? 

In part 2 of this series, the focus turns to mentorship, medicine and global partnership, examining the impact of the Nemours Ginsburg Institute Scholars' work in Uganda through the eyes of clinicians and educators on the ground. The discussion centers on the realities of adolescent health in a resource-limited setting, the power of global research collaboration and the universal nature of young people's experiences across continents.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Sabrina Kitaka, MD, PhD, Pediatric Infectious Disease and Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences
Lonna Gordon, MD, Chief of Adolescent Medicine, Nemours Children's Health
Viola Mrruku, former Ginsburg Scholar

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What can global public health teach us about caring for children everywhere?

Recorded at the Ginsburg Symposium in Orlando, we explore the launch and early impact of the Ginsburg Institute’s Global Health Experience Program – an immersive initiative preparing future physicians to practice whole child health in an increasingly interconnected world.

Rooted in the mission of Nemours Children's Health and the Ginsburg Institute, the conversation examines how most health outcomes are shaped far beyond hospital walls — and why hands-on, experiential learning is essential to developing compassionate, effective physician leaders.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Nancy Molello, MSB, Executive Director, Ginsburg Institute, Nemours Children's Health 
Aribah Ali, Ginsburg Scholar, Nemours Children's Health
Treasure Ray, Ginsburg Scholar; and Coordinator, upliftED, Heart of Florida United Way

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Loneliness is more than a feeling — it’s a growing public health issue with real physical and emotional consequences. Lucy Rose, Founder and President of The Cost of Loneliness Project, joins us in a timely conversation about chronic loneliness, connection and health.

We explore why children and young adults report some of the highest rates of loneliness, how loneliness can become intergenerational, and the critical differences between digital communication and real human connection. Lucy also examines the role — and limits — of AI and technology, and shares what parents, clinicians, schools and communities can do to help build a culture of connection.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:  Lucy Rose, Founder & President, The Cost of Loneliness Project

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Learn more about The Cost of Loneliness Project

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

How can payment models transform pediatric care? In part two of this provider case study series, leaders from Nemours Children’s Health and Cincinnati Children’s explore how value-based care, accountable care organizations and innovative financing are shifting the focus from paying for visits to paying for health. The conversation highlights how sustainable funding models strengthen prevention efforts and drive better long-term outcomes for children and families.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

David Cruz, MHSA, CPHQ, LSSGB, Executive Director, Kidwell Network, Nemours Children's Health

Andrew Beck, MD, MPH, Attending Physician, Division of General & Community Pediatrics; Attending Physician, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Director, Population Health/Health Equity Research and Innovation; Professor, University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics

Jeff Steller, MSc, Former Population Health Consultant, Cincinnati Children’s Office of Population Health, Cincinnati Children’s

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Get the policy brief: Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: Provider Case Study - Cincinnati Children’s

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What does whole child health look like in action? In part one of this two-part series, leaders from Nemours Children’s Health and Children’s Wisconsin explore how pediatric systems are redesigning care to improve lifelong outcomes for kids. From integrated mental health, dental and nutrition services to community partnerships, prevention strategies and innovative policy approaches, we highlight real-world models advancing children’s health beyond the doctor’s office and setting the stage for smarter, more sustainable care.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Daniella Gratale, MA, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health

Hannah Wagner, MPP, Senior Advisor, Policy Development and Partnership, Nemours Children’s Health

Allison Gertel-Rosenberg, MS, Vice President, Chief Policy and Prevention Officer, Nemours Children’s Health

Jenny Crouse, MS, RD, CD, Director of Clinical Nutrition, Children’s Wisconsin 

Chris Schwake, MD, FAAP, Director of Quality and Patient Safety for Children’s Medical Group, Children’s Wisconsin 

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Get the policy brief: Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: Provider Case Study - Children's Wisconsin

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at Nike, shares how the company is helping make youth sports more accessible in communities everywhere. We explore why sport, play and movement are essential building blocks for lifelong physical health, mental well-being, confidence and connection – and how Nike is equipping parents, coaches and mentors with free, evidence-based tools to help every child thrive through play.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, Nike

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Learn more about Nike’s free coaching resources.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What if one of the most powerful tools for preventing disease is already in your kitchen? Dr. Nathan Wood is a physician, trained chef and director of culinary medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He discusses how teaching kitchens translate nutrition science into practical, hands-on training for medical students, patients and families. Dr. Wood also explains why home cooking is one of the most accessible tools for disease prevention, particularly in pediatrics and shares strategies to help families make healthy eating affordable, realistic and engaging for children and teens.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: Nathan Wood, MD, Director, Culinary Medicine, Yale School of Medicine/Yale-New Haven Health System

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Get the recipes mentioned in this episode.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Knownwell Health, is a leading expert in pediatric and adult obesity medicine. She joined us at HLTH in Las Vegas to discuss obesity as a complex disease and why children with this diagnosis need supportive, stigma-free care. Dr. Fitch covers the growing use of GLP-1 medications in adolescents, what is known about their safety, and how families and clinicians can make informed decisions together. She also shares strategies to help kids build healthier habits and shift the focus from “the number on the scale” to managing weight for overall health.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, Metabolic Health & Primary Care Physician, Knownwell Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What happens when a journalist turns the lens on herself — and uses what she learns to change how communities face cancer? Ysabel Duron, Founder, President, and Executive Director of the Latino Cancer Institute, reflects on how her stage II Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in 1999 became a personal and professional turning point — one that inspired her to help children, families and communities confront fear, stigma, misinformation and the silence that often surrounds cancer.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Ysabel Duron, Founder, President and Executive Director, The Latino Cancer Institute

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Duron's recent article in Springer Nature: Climate Change, Cancer, and the Importance of Community Engagement.

Also check out: Benito, You Can Do It!

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Leana Wen, MD, MSc, FAAEM, health columnist, The Washington Post, is one of today’s most trusted voices in public health. She shares her perspective on whether AI can meaningfully address health care’s biggest challenges and discusses her concerns about bias, privacy and the potential for a two-tiered system. She also reflects on how parenthood reshaped her views on medicine, paid leave, childcare and empathy, and how her mother’s misdiagnosis inspired her to advocate for clinicians to enhance their listening skills in the exam room.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Leana Wen, MD, MSc, FAAEM, Health Columnist, The Washington Post

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

At the 2025 Ginsburg Institute Symposium in Orlando, themed Healing Through the Arts, the fireside chat brought together two self-described “theater kids” and leaders in children’s health: Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, CEO, Unified Youth, and Myron Rolle, MD, MS, former NFL player and current pediatric neurosurgeon, Nemours Children’s Health. Together, they explore how creativity and play are essential to child development — strengthening brain architecture through neuroplasticity and supporting emotional regulation and resilience. Drawing on science, medicine and personal experience, the conversation underscores why the arts, nature and other whole-child approaches should complement traditional health care to help children thrive.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, Chief Executive Officer, Unified Youth

Myron Rolle, MD, MS, former NFL player, Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

AI in health care isn’t a distant future — it's happening right now. Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP, Chief Artificial Intelligence Implementation Officer, Mayo Clinic, joined us at HLTH 2025 to share what this transformation looks like on the ground: dozens of AI tools already in daily use, breakthrough models detecting disease earlier than ever, and emerging foundations for precision medicine and digital twins. He also explains the challenges ahead — data quality, workflow integration and privacy gaps — alongside the extraordinary opportunities AI offers to improve patient care, research and education.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP, Chief Artificial Intelligence Implementation Officer, Mayo Clinic

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

How do we close the gaps in care for children’s mental health right now — not months from now?

In part two, we highlight two evidence-based models delivering rapid, meaningful support: HealthySteps, which strengthens early relational health in primary care; and PATH, a telemental-health program offering fast, targeted access for kids and teens.

Rahil Briggs, PsyD, National Director, HealthySteps, and Amanda Lochrie, PhD, MBA, ABPP, Executive Director, Child and Behavioral Health, Medical Director, PATH, Nemours Children’s Health, join us to explain how these programs meet families where they are, reduce stigma, shorten wait times, and lay the groundwork for children to flourish. Their work is detailed in a new issue brief from the Nemours Children’s Office of Policy and Prevention: Promoting Mental Well-Being for Children: Promising Pediatric Mental Health Models That Help Children Thrive.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Rahil Briggs, PsyD, National Director, HealthySteps

Amanda Lochrie, PhD, MBA, ABPP, Executive Director, Child and Behavioral Health, Medical Director, PATH, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Schools are more than places to learn - they’re also powerful front doors for kids to access mental health care. This episode explores how school-based health centers are expanding access to behavioral health services for children served by Nationwide Children's and Nemours Children's Health, drawing on promising models featured in a new issue brief from the Nemours National Office of Policy and Prevention. 

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on improving access to pediatric mental health care. Part 2 (Episode 168) focuses on telehealth and early relational health models that help children thrive well beyond medicine.

Learn more about these models in an issue brief from the Nemours Office of Policy and Prevention, entitled Promoting Mental Well-Being for Children: Promising Pediatric Mental Health Models That Help Children Thrive. 

GUESTS:

Daniella Gratale, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health

Hannah Wagner, Senior Advisor for Policy Development and Partnerships, Nemours Children's Health

Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director for School-Based Health at Nationwide Children’s

Jason Boye, MD, Clinical Director of School-Based Behavioral Health, Nemours Children’s Health

Carol Vassar, podcast host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

What children eat today is heavily influenced by powerful forces — from ultra-processed “kids’ foods” to marketing strategies designed to keep them hooked. World-renowned nutrition expert Dr. Marion Nestle explains how we got here, why parents are facing an uphill battle and what real solutions look like.

We discuss school meals, the “pester factor,” the connection between food insecurity and obesity, and how other countries are taking a different approach. Dr. Nestle also offers practical, hopeful steps parents, grandparents and caregivers can take to help children develop a healthier relationship with food.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 

Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, New York University

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Child trafficking isn’t a distant issue — it happens in our own communities, often hiding in plain sight. Erin Williamson, LCSW, Chief Programs & Strategy Officer, Love146, a nationally recognized expert on child exploitation and trauma-informed care, shares insight into the realities of child trafficking. She discusses how health care providers, educators and community members can recognize red flags, build trust with vulnerable youth, and provide wraparound support that restores safety and dignity.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Erin Williamson, LCSW, Chief Programs & Strategy Officer, Love146

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health Podcast is exploring all the ways we can create the healthiest generations of children ever. 

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Chief Executive Officer Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, joins the podcast to discuss how Unified Youth is reshaping mental well-being for young people through creativity. Drawing on her experience working with veterans and military families, Dr. Powell shares how the same principles of healing in community — what she calls “speaking to the wounds” — can help today’s youth remember who they are and reimagine who they can become. It’s a conversation about radical healing, belonging and the transformative power of art and purpose in building a healthier future for all.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, Chief Executive Officer, Unified Youth

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.