What To Know Video Series: 2020

12.18.20
The arrival of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines marks an important turning point in the pandemic. It also raises plenty of new questions, which UT Southwestern’s Dr. Julie Trivedi and Dr. Reuben Arasaratnam answer in this week’s episode of What to Know. The infectious disease experts also explain how vaccines will move the needle in this public health crisis.

12.11.20
Who hasn’t experienced at least a few restless nights during the pandemic? Dr. Joseph Takahashi, one of the world’s leading authorities on our body’s internal clocks, shares the science behind sleep deprivation, how it affects our bodies, and how we might put some of our fears to rest.

12.04.20
UT Southwestern’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program is designed to help schools, businesses, and local organizations uncover the virus in their midst by making rapid, regular, and accurate tests available. Rafael Martín, Vice President at UT Dallas, explains how the pilot program is helping reduce the spread on campus by identifying asymptomatic students early.

11.20.20
Promising results for COVID-19 vaccines have shined a spotlight on the evolution of clinical trials during the pandemic. Dr. David Gerber, Associate Director for Clinical Research at UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, says the acceleration of the scientific process could represent a silver lining for patients, both now and in the future.

11.13.20
How do we balance the collective craving for a traditional Thanksgiving with concerns brought on by the surging pandemic? Registered dietitian Susan Rodder and Dr. Jaime Almandoz, a weight management expert, share strategies to enjoy the holidays while also maintaining your family’s health and well-being.

11.6.20
Who will get first access to a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available? Dr. Michael K. Gusmano, a bioethicist and public health scholar at Rutgers University and The Hastings Center, joins Dr. John Warner to discuss that question and other ethical dilemmas that have developed during the pandemic.

10.30.20
Holiday traditions will be put to the test this year, as families try to find ways to safely celebrate together. Dr. Trish Perl, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UT Southwestern, and Tony Roach, Managing Director for Customer Experience at Southwest Airlines, offer practical strategies for travelers and important reminders for those staying home for the holidays.

10.23.20
After battling breast cancer, Wendy Razook wanted a seamless reconstruction experience. She found it at UT Southwestern, where the plastic surgery team of Dr. Sumeet Teotia and Dr. Nicholas Haddock has refined the DIEP flap procedure to shorten surgery and recovery times and produce natural results.

10.16.20
UT Southwestern is at the forefront of COVID-19 discovery, with more than the 200 research projects under way. Drs. Lenette Lu and Andrew Jamieson provide an insiders’ look at how real-time science such as an artificial intelligence forecasting model and a biorepository of virus samples are having a direct impact on patients and the community.

10.9.20
COVID-19 has put many aspects of life on hold, but screening and treatment for breast cancer shouldn’t be among them. UT Southwestern oncologists Dr. Deborah Farr and Dr. Asal Rahimi discuss key strategies and new technologies that are empowering women to maintain their breast health, especially during the pandemic.

10.2.20
COVID-19 is challenging our health in many indirect ways, from nagging back and neck pain due to work-from-home environments to more severe orthopaedic injuries as we return to sports. In this week’s What to Know, UTSW musculoskeletal specialists Kavita Trivedi, D.O., and Jay Shah, M.D., discuss the trends, trouble spots, and treatment options.

9.25.20
Jason Leslie contracted COVID-19 in early July. Now, two months after leaving the hospital, the 46-year-old baseball coach from Little Elm is still recuperating from the physical and cognitive effects of the virus. He shares his story and how Dr. Juan Cabrera and UT Southwestern’s COVID RECOVER program are helping him get his life back on track.

9.18.20
This fall we’re bracing for a flu season like no other due to added concerns about COVID-19. Dr. Julie Trivedi, Medical Director of UT Southwestern’s infection prevention efforts, and Dr. Paul Sue, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, size up the looming “perfect storm” and offer practical advice to stay safe.

9.11.20
The novel coronavirus is taking a physical toll on women, but it’s also affecting them in less obvious ways – socially, economically, and psychologically. Dr. Kimberly Kho, an Ob/Gyn, and Dr. Sharon Reimold, a cardiologist, discuss how women can safeguard their health and well-being during the pandemic.

9.4.20
Studies show that male patients are dying from COVID-19 at a much higher rate than women. Dr. Raksha Jain, a pulmonary specialist whose research focuses on the impact of sex hormones on infections, and Dr. Amit Khera, a preventional cardiologist, uncover some of the biological and behavioral factors that may be putting men at greater risk.

8.28.20
College students will have to rely on two important life skills – resiliency and adaptability – as they return to campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Shawna D. Nesbitt, Associate Dean at UT Southwestern, and Pamela McNulty, Director of Pre-Health Advising at SMU, share strategies to help students adjust as the fall semester begins.

8.21.20
Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, there still seem to be as many questions as answers. Dr. Brad Cutrell, an infectious disease specialist at UTSW, and Dr. Seth Toomay, Chief Medical Officer, offer their thoughts on several aspects of the virus, including the best type of mask to wear, when a vaccine might be available, and how to stay safe in social situations.

8.14.20
Parents, educators, and students are facing tough choices as they prepare to return to learning – either in-person or online. Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Lamplighter’s Head of School Joan Buchanan Hill provide an insider's perspective on the painstaking preparations and challenges of heading back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8.7.20
For new and expectant moms, COVID-19 is encroaching on nearly every aspect of one of life’s biggest moments. Dr. Shivani Patel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and one of her patients, Catandra Byrd, share firsthand the experiences of navigating a pandemic pregnancy – from prenatal care and baby showers to delivery day and postpartum worries.

7.31.20
Against the backdrop of COVID-19 closures and racial unrest, artists are finding new ways to capture this historic moment in time. Jeremy Strick, Director of the Nasher Sculpture Center, and artist Ciara Elle Bryant join Dr. John Warner to discuss the power of art to heal and promote a deeper sense of community.

7.24.20
Dr. Madhuri Vusirikala, Medical Director of UT Southwestern's Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program, and one of her patients, Ericka Thompson, join Dr. John Warner to discuss how virtual health appointments have become vital resources in helping cancer patients stay current with their care and feel supported during the COVID-19 health crisis.

7.17.20
UT Southwestern’s Dr. Amit Singal and Dr. Jasmin Tiro are leading a massive research effort to discover the true impact of the pandemic in North Texas. The DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study will enroll 45,000 residents from a cross-section of Dallas and Tarrant county zip codes in hopes of building better containment strategies.

7.10.20
More than 45% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in DFW are people under the age of 50, dispelling the notion that only the elderly or sick are at risk for serious complications. Dr. Sonja Bartolome, a pulmonary specialist at UT Southwestern, and Kara Shannon, co-founder of the lifestyle media company Dallasites 101, analyze the troubling trend and how to reverse it.

7.2.20
The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for the restart of the NBA season, but they remain committed to elevating the conversations around two ongoing pandemics: COVID-19 and racial injustice. Mavs CEO Cynt Marshall and center, Dwight Powell join Dr. John Warner to discuss the ongoing efforts of the players, Mavs' owner Mark Cuban, and the team to help DFW rise above these crises.

6.26.20
As COVID-19 cases rise in Texas, so do the levels of stress and anxiety. UT Southwestern’s Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, an internationally recognized expert in depression and mood disorders, and Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Health in Dallas, suggest practical solutions for adults and children to maintain their mental health during the pandemic.

6.19.20
As cities in Texas and across the country have reopened, COVID-19 cases have steadily increased. Dallas COVID-19 Czar Dr. Kelvin Baggett and UT Southwestern infectious diseases expert Dr. Richard Medford discuss the troubling trend, reveal what we can do to help reverse it, and advise when to get tested.

6.12.20
Pro golf returns this weekend at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth with 148 of the world’s best players, but no fans. PGA star Jhonattan Vegas and Tour executive Tom Alter join UTSW’s Dr. John Warner to talk about what went into creating a safe environment for the tournament, how Colonial golf course was chosen for the restart, and what it means to have sports back amid the pandemic.

6.5.20
Children who’ve been stuck at home since March are more than ready to dive into pool parties, sleepovers, and seeing friends again. But how will parents know what’s safe? UT Southwestern pediatric specialists Dr. Jeffrey Kahn and Dr. Rinarani Sanghavi join Dr. John Warner to discuss this hot topic.

5.29.20
The COVID-19 pandemic sent the world's travel industry into a free-fall in mid-March, and it is just now beginning to inch its way back. Southwest Airlines' top executive Gary C. Kelly joins Dr. John Warner to talk about the slow and safe journey back for the Dallas-based airline and its passengers.

5.22.20
The pandemic is putting stroke and heart attack victims at increased risk as many are staying away from the ER, despite telltale symptoms. UT Southwestern’s Dr. Babu Welch, a neurosurgeon, and cardiologist Dr. James de Lemos analyze the troubling trend and articulate why 911 is still the safest call.

5.15.20
This week on What to Know, Dr. John Warner discusses the evolution and future of virtual care with Alan Kramer, architect of UT Southwestern’s telemedicine strategy, and Dr. Suzanne Cole, an early adopter of video visits and Medical Director of Simmons Cancer Clinic at Richardson/Plano.

5.8.20
UT Southwestern’s Chief Nursing Executive Susan Hernandez, along with a nurse from the COVID-19 unit and an ED nurse, join Dr. John Warner to provide an insiders’ perspective on patient care during the pandemic. Staff at Clements University Hospital is delivering safe and expert support to all patients during these challenging times.

5.1.20
Dr. James “Brad” Cutrell, Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship at Clements University Hospital, provides an inside perspective on clinical trials and the search for coronavirus therapies, ranging from remdesivir to convalescent plasma to potential vaccines.

4.24.20
On the debut episode of What To Know, infectious disease specialist Dr. Julie Trivedi joins Dr. John Warner to discuss the plan for increased testing, both for the virus and for antibodies. They also tackle the question of when we all might begin to return to normal.