In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Dillon Bannis, an OB-GYN practitioner based in the South Side of Chicago, shares his insights on the evolving challenges and innovations in obstetric and gynecological care. Dr. Bannis explores how listening, collaboration, and technology are reshaping the patient experience—from prenatal care and delivery practices to addressing health disparities and integrating AI into medicine.

With a strong emphasis on patient-centered communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological integration, Dr. Bannis highlights how practitioners can balance innovation with compassion in women's healthcare.

Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Implementation Dr. Bannis discusses the lag between medical innovation and real-world practice, citing examples such as updated cervical cancer screening guidelines. He stresses that while medicine continues to advance rapidly, implementation often lags behind, emphasizing the need for better education, awareness, and adaptability among clinicians.

The Power of Listening in Patient Care According to Dr. Bannis, listening is one of the most underrated skills in medicine. By prioritizing patient voices, physicians can build stronger relationships and facilitate shared decision-making, leading to more trusting and effective care outcomes.

Advances in Obstetric Technology Dr. Bannis highlights promising innovations aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly through hemorrhage prediction and prevention technologies. These tools, he explains, are transforming labor and delivery outcomes across practices.

Cultural Competence and Birth Planning Drawing from his experience working alongside certified nurse midwives, Dr. Bannis advocates for respecting patients' birth preferences, whether it's squatting, all-fours positions, or doula-assisted births. He believes honoring cultural diversity in birthing methods contributes to better physical and emotional outcomes.

Collaborative Care for High-Risk Pregnancies In complex cases involving oncology or high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Bannis underscores the importance of seamless communication between community and academic hospitals. He explains that efficient information sharing and inter-institutional collaboration can prevent medical errors and ensure no patient "falls through the cracks."

Socioeconomic Factors and Health Disparities Dr. Bannis addresses how socioeconomic status affects access to prenatal care, nutrition, and birth outcomes. He calls for systemic efforts to tackle the social determinants of health and to make preventive screening more accessible to underserved populations.

Empowering Patients Through Technology He emphasizes the importance of giving patients ownership of their medical records and using digital tools for education and engagement. By involving families and support systems, technology can enhance adherence, understanding, and long-term health outcomes.

AI and the Future of Medical Communication Dr. Bannis envisions AI as a bridge between medical jargon and patient comprehension—translating complex medical notes into accessible summaries and breaking down language and cultural barriers. He also discusses how AI can streamline research and accelerate innovation in women's health.

From Doulas to Robotics: The Expanding Role of Innovation Dr. Bannis explores the complementary roles of doulas, midwives, and robotic-assisted surgeries in modern OB-GYN care. He highlights that the field is moving from invasive solutions like hysterectomy toward minimally invasive and patient-preserving approaches, including uterine fibroid embolization.

Dr. Dillon Bannis emphasizes that true progress in women's health lies at the intersection of empathy and innovation. By actively listening to patients, embracing technological advancement, and addressing health disparities, practitioners can create a more equitable, efficient, and compassionate healthcare system for all.

Resources

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In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Wanda Averhart, a general pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, explores the complex causes and lifelong impacts of childhood obesity, emphasizing how early feeding practices, maternal health, and social disparities shape children's long-term outcomes.

Dr. Averhart provides a comprehensive look at how environmental, cultural, and biological factors contribute to rising obesity rates among children—especially in underrepresented communities. She discusses the importance of infant feeding patterns, maternal diabetes and stress, and access to nutrition in determining early weight trajectories. Her insights reveal that addressing obesity begins before birth, and that family education and community-based interventions are key to prevention.

Understanding Childhood and Infant Obesity Dr. Averhart explains that while "infant obesity" isn't technically defined, early feeding habits play a crucial role in a child's risk for obesity. Factors such as maternal health during pregnancy, feeding type, and cultural feeding practices all influence growth and metabolic outcomes.

The Role of Feeding Practices and Culture From breastfeeding and formula feeding to early solid food introduction, Dr. Averhart emphasizes how cultural norms and parental beliefs shape feeding behavior. Introducing solid foods too early—especially high-sugar or fried foods—can increase obesity risk later in life.

Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors She discusses how food deserts, limited access to fresh produce, and economic barriers make it difficult for many families to follow nutritional guidelines. Dr. Averhart highlights programs like WIC and SNAP that can provide critical nutritional support.

Maternal Health and Stress Dr. Averhart outlines how maternal obesity, diabetes, and stress can biologically influence a child's future weight and metabolism through hormonal pathways like cortisol. She also connects maternal mental health to early childhood nutrition and caregiving quality.

The Rise of Pediatric Comorbidities She notes an alarming increase in fatty liver disease, hypertension, and prediabetes among children—conditions once rare in pediatrics. These comorbidities disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic children and those from low-income households.

Emerging Treatments and Future Research Dr. Averhart discusses the growing field of pediatric obesity treatment, including the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide) in adolescents. However, she stresses that compassion, education, and prevention remain the most effective strategies.

Key Takeaway Dr. Averhart calls on healthcare providers to approach obesity with empathy and understanding, recognizing it as a chronic, relapsing condition. She encourages clinicians to combine medical management, cultural awareness, and community engagement to support children and families most at risk.

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In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Shaina A. Rozell, a hematologist-oncologist at Affiliate Oncology in Chicago, Illinois, explores the rapidly advancing field of multiple myeloma treatment. She discusses how quadruplet therapies, MRD monitoring, and novel immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and CAR-T are transforming outcomes for patients. Dr. Rozell also examines disparities in access to care, the growing role of community practices in clinical trials, and the balance between extending survival and preserving quality of life.

1. The Rise of Quadruplet Therapy Dr. Rozell explains how treatment has evolved from triplet to quadruplet regimens, incorporating agents such as daratumumab and isatuximab. These combinations have led to higher sustained MRD negativity and longer progression-free survival, offering some patients an alternative to stem cell transplantation.

2. Redefining the Role of Stem Cell Transplant While autologous transplants remain a mainstay, Dr. Rozell notes that emerging immunotherapies may one day reduce their necessity. She compares the shift in multiple myeloma to the eventual phasing out of stem cell transplants in breast cancer.

3. CAR-T and Bispecific Antibodies Access and feasibility play major roles in therapy selection. Dr. Rozell contrasts CAR-T—limited to tertiary centers—with bispecifics, which can now be administered in some community practices. Collaboration between local clinics and academic centers remains crucial for expanding access.

4. Supportive Care and Toxicity Management Advances in bone protection, infection prevention, and supportive care bundles are improving patient quality of life. However, Dr. Rozell underscores the ongoing challenge of managing long-term toxicities like neuropathy and heart failure.

5. Genetic and Cytogenetic Factors Cytogenetic abnormalities such as 17p deletions continue to shape prognosis and treatment choice. Dr. Rozell highlights the need for consistent genetic testing and patient education to ensure optimal therapeutic decisions.

6. Clinical Trial Diversity and Representation Dr. Rozell advocates for greater minority participation in clinical research, emphasizing the importance of trust, communication, and representation among both patients and providers to ensure equitable advancement of care.

7. The Future of Myeloma Research Looking ahead, Dr. Rozell anticipates MRD will become a central endpoint in clinical trials. She envisions a future with more home-based treatments, enhanced telemedicine integration, and continued innovation in supportive care and survivorship strategies.

Dr. Shaina Rozell underscores the transformation of multiple myeloma treatment through quadruplet therapies and MRD-driven care. By combining innovation, equity, and collaboration between community and academic centers, the field is moving closer to more accessible, effective, and personalized care for all patients.

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