Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Delaware, across the country and around the world, claiming more lives than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
But one of the greatest challenges with lung cancer is that it can grow silently, often causing no noticeable symptoms until the disease has reached a more advanced stage. That’s why finding it early can make such a difference.
A simple, noninvasive test called low-dose CT screening can help detect lung cancer earlier, when there may be more options for treatment. Dr. Brian Nam, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology, and primary care physician and researcher Dr. Heather Bittner Fagan explain who should be screened, what to expect and how this powerful tool can help save lives.
Lung cancer screening can feel scary, but it can also be the moment that changes the story. If you're worried about your risk, find out more about how easily a low-dose CT scan may be able to help put your mind at ease.
Join us for National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Screenings are available from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Wilmington Hospital. Call 302-623-0552 to schedule your screening.
Brian Nam, M.D., is Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology at ChristianaCare, where has been with the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute since 2012. He has collaborated on a number of research projects including the development of blood markers for lung cancer. He is also actively involved in lung cancer clinical trials at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, and has significant teaching experience.
Heather Bittner Fagan, M.D., MPH, FAFFP, is a practicing physician, faculty member and researcher in Family & Community Medicine at ChristianaCare. Dr. Fagan teaches family medicine residents as well as fellows, advanced practice nurses and medical students. She maintains an active clinical practice at Darley Green Family Medicine in Claymont, Delaware.
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Imagine living with a tremor so severe that just holding a cup of coffee, signing your name, or sending a text message becomes a daily challenge.
For thousands of people living with essential tremor or Parkinson's Disease, those simple tasks can feel almost impossible. But a groundbreaking treatment is changing that, bringing life-changing results often in a single session. ChristianaCare Physician Executive of Neurosciences Dr. Kim Gannon and Access Coordinator Michelle Bellon join us to explain MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound and how this revolutionary incision-free surgery is delivering immediate, visible change for the right patients.
After a brief description of the science behind the technique, you'll hear what procedure day looks like, why patients stay awake, and how neurosurgeons do "test runs" and keep checking progress in real time by working with patients to test their progress. We also get honest about who qualifies and why screening matters, all while sharing heart-touching stories of patients who are experiencing life tremor-free for the first time in decades.
Don't let tremor continue to dominate your life. Listen now to find out how focused ultrasound surgery may bring control back to your body, as well as potential additional uses for the technology that the future may hold. It's a conversation that anyone suffering from movement disorders will find helpful and hopeful.
Kimberly Gannon, M.D., Ph.D, F.A.H.A, an active vascular neurologist, oversees ChristianaCare's stroke program, one of the busiest stroke programs nationwide. She combines the expertise of a clinician with doctorate research to improve both patient and population health in neurological care. Dr. Gannon oversees ChristianaCare’s inpatient neurology consultative service, neurocritical care, and neurointerventional surgical services.
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When disaster strikes, most people see the response after the fact. What they don't always see is the preparation that happens long before an emergency occurs.
While many emergencies can feel sudden, the people who specialize in emergency management are working constantly to avert worst-case scenarios. To find out what that means in terms of a health system, we sit down with Chris Murtha, Emergency Management Program Manager, and Samantha Berman, Senior Emergency Management Planner, who share how they prepare for everything from severe weather and power outages to disease outbreaks.
We get into the practical side of hospital preparedness and business continuity - how a tiny team supports readiness for 15,000 caregivers across multiple campuses and more than 184 care sites; why training and tabletop exercises matter; and how coordination with EMS and city, county, state, and federal partners keeps responses from turning into first-time introductions.
Then we bring it home with clear, realistic steps for family emergency preparedness during situations like severe weather. You’ll hear a simple framework you can actually remember, what “stay informed” means in real life, where to get credible alerts, and how to build a 72-hour emergency kit without spending a fortune or trying to do it all at once.
Don't wait for an emergency to happen to realize you could have been better prepared. Listen now to find out how ChristianaCare is getting ready for all contingencies, and what you can do to be ready yourself.
Links:
- Ready.gov - Emergency preparedness information from the US Department of Homeland Security
- FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency
- DEMA - Delaware Emergency Management Agency
- MDEM - Maryland Department of Emergency Management
- PEMA - Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
Measles. Cyclospora. Vaccines. Infectious disease headlines have been everywhere this summer — but what do they really mean for you and your family?
On this special live episode For the Love of Health, ChristianaCare's Associate Chief Infection Prevention Officer Dr. Pam Bailey and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Stephen Eppes go behind the headlines, separate fact from fear and explain what’s driving recent outbreaks.
We discuss why measles spreads so efficiently when community MMR vaccination rates slip below the protection threshold. We also tackle the other big stressor of the summer: foodborne illness. From Cyclospora tied to produce to the familiar names like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria, we break down what you can do at home that actually helps. No doomscrolling required: think washing produce, smarter choices about raw foods, and practical ways to lower risk without giving up salads forever.
Then we zoom out to fall and winter prevention with clear guidance on vaccines, including flu shot timing, what’s new with the mRNA flu vaccine, why COVID vaccination is still important and how RSV protection works for both babies and older adults. We also cover vaccines people often forget about after childhood, including shingles and pneumococcal, plus a fascinating early research signal on vaccines and dementia risk.
Subscribe for more trusted infection prevention conversations, share this with someone sorting through scary headlines, and leave a review with the question you want us to answer next.
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Pamela Bailey, DO, MPH, FIDSA, is the Associate Infection Prevention Officer at ChristianaCare and a board-certified infectious diseases and internal medicine physician. Her work focuses on preventing healthcare-associated infections, improving antimicrobial use and strengthening infection-prevention practices across complex healthcare environments.
Stephen Eppes, M.D is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at ChristianaCare. He previously held the role of Associate Infection Prevention Officer for 11 years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LINKS
- ChristianaCare TikTok on Cyclospora
- American Medical Association Vaccine Recommendations
What does it take for student athletes to stay healthy, compete at their best, and bounce back from injuries when they happen?
A new sports season brings fun and excitement, but it can also mean added pressure and a lot of miles on growing bodies. Whether your child is gearing up for that new season or coming back after recovering from an injury, understanding sports medicine can make a big difference. Pediatric sports medicine physician Dr. Charlene Jones joins us to get clear on what actually keeps student athletes healthy when practice volume spikes and the calendar gets packed with games, lifts, and schoolwork.
Dr. Jones explains why conditioning, sleep, and nutrition are the preseason foundation for performance and injury prevention and shares the warning signs that a teen is ramping up too fast. We also dig into the practical question every family asks: what's the difference between normal soreness and pain that needs a medical visit? Dr. Jones gives simple, real world markers, plus guidance on when athletic trainers, physical therapy, and a broader support system should step in. Finally, we look at return to play after injury, including objective PT benchmarks and the mental side of coming back with confidence after a long rehab.
Whether you're a highly competitive pros-bound athlete or a weekend warrior looking for a rec league to enjoy, school sports are the gateway to a lifetime of health and activity. Get the most out what you love by listening now and making a plan to keep your body in tip-top shape.
Charlene Jones, M.D., M.P.H., brings nearly ten years of clinical experience to her dedicated and enthusiastic practice as a board-certified sports medicine physician and pediatrician. In her current role as a primary care sports medicine attending physician, she makes sure that her pediatric and adult patients can stay as active as they desire while treating any injuries that may arise.
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According to the CDC estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19%. Once you hear that statistic, every shared surface feels different. On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pam Bailey, Associate Infection Prevention Officer at ChristianaCare, and Sarah Townsend, ChristianaCare's Director of Infection Prevention, to talk about the most underrated health skill: hand hygiene that actually works.
They walk us through the technique most of us skip, especially thumbs and fingertips, and explain why the problem is usually not the product but the rushed “slap and dash.” We also dig into when visible dirt means you need the sink for real mechanical removal.
Then we pressure-test the advice with everyday scenarios: grocery carts, raw chicken while cooking, gym machines, concerts and even the dog-walk reality of poop bags, leashes, and stroller handles. We wrap with cold and flu season prevention, including smarter awareness, better handwashing habits, and the extra layers that help when everyone is back indoors.
If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone who “already knows how to wash their hands,” and leave a review so more people can find the show. What hand hygiene habit are you changing first?
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July might feel way too early to talk back-to-school, but the calendar does not care and neither do the forms sitting in your inbox. In this LIVE podcast to kick off Season 4, we turn school prep into a pop quiz that gets you ahead of the stress instead of buried by it.
Dr. Teresa Matanchuk and Dr. Bridget Peters start with the routine that quietly controls everything else: sleep. Kids and teens can’t snap from summer hours to school mornings overnight. Then we hit the practical checklist that families always scramble to finish, including when to book a school or sports physical, why backpack fit matters for posture, and the simplest ways to cut down on germs at school.
Nutrition gets a report card too. We grade common choices like energy drinks for breakfast, packed lunches that actually work, smarter after-school snacks, and why water should be the default even for most young athletes. Audience questions take us into dorm living and college health, food safety basics, and how to spot when a kid is overscheduled or truly needs a mental health day.
Subscribe for more practical, doctor-backed parenting health guidance, share this with a friend who is already dreading August, and leave a review so more families can find the show.
LINKS
- ChristianaCare Wellness - It's All About Backpacks
- ChristianaCare Wellness - Nurturing Your Childs Social Health in the Digital Era
- ChristianaCare Wellness - Keep Student Athletes Healthy
- ChristianaCare Wellness - Your School Lunch Problems Solved
GLP-1 weight loss drugs are suddenly everywhere, but the loudest voices online rarely explain what these medications actually are, who they are for, and what happens after the first wave of weight loss. We sit down with Dr. Caitlin Halbert, Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Bariatric Surgery Program, and Dr. Lisa Breslow, Medical Director of the Obesity Medicine Program, to bring the conversation back to science, safety, and long-term health.
We also get practical about decision-making. ChristianaCare's Center for Weight Management brings obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, behavioral health support, and movement together to tailor a plan to the person, and adjust over time. We address the risks of ordering GLP-1s online without medical supervision, including unregulated products, dehydration, kidney injury, and preventable muscle loss from overly rapid weight reduction.
If you’re considering semaglutide-style medications, weighing bariatric surgery, or trying to figure out a safe and sustainable weight management plan, this conversation will help you ask better questions and avoid common internet myths.
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Food advice is everywhere, but when you’re staring down a new diabetes diagnosis or trying to protect a healthy pregnancy, you need better advice than "just eat better".
Nutrition is a major part of a healthy lifestyle, and ChristianaCare is continuing to enhance nutrition-focused coaching through the Food is Medicine Program. Community health workers Eric Plautz and Alyssa Benjamin join us to unpack how the Food is Medicine approach becomes real support: medically tailored groceries, weekly nutrition coaching, and hands-on skills that fit into busy lives.
The discussion begins with the evolution of the Delaware Food Farmacy Program and why the team rebuilt it around a consistent, scientifically backed curriculum. You'll hear how the program centers around a five-phase path that starts with food fundamentals like storage, prep, and knife skills, then moves into chronic disease management, shopping and meal planning that respects culture and identity, behavior change strategies for triggers and real-world settings, and finally sustainability after the program ends. We also share a simple tool you can use right away: the four-step healthy meal formula to build balanced meals.
First launched in 2022, the Delaware Food Farmacy has connected ChristianaCare patients with medically tailored groceries and support for managing chronic disease. The redesigned Food Is Medicine model keeps food access at the center while placing greater emphasis on nutrition coaching outside the clinical setting, culinary medicine, chronic disease self-management and long-term behavior change.
If you want realistic nutrition coaching ideas, meal planning structure, and a clearer way to think about healthy eating for diabetes, heart health, or pregnancy, you'll get plenty to take home. Listen now, and start planning that first meal you'd like to make healthier this week.
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Cancer touches nearly every family in Delaware. But based on new data released by the Delaware Division of Public Health, there's reason for hope.
Between 2008 and 2022, cancer mortality rates decreased by an average of 1.5% per year in both Delaware and the United States. The most important reasons are surprisingly practical: better cancer screening, better follow-up, and better support for patients once the process starts.
To better explain the progress that's been made and where more work needs to be done, we're joined by Dr. Thomas Schwaab, the Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, and cancer survivor and patient advocate Bill Osborne. We get specific about how modern screening works in real life, including details on low-dose CT scans for lung cancer, mammography for breast cancer, PSA tests for prostate cancer, and more. We look at barriers to screening and treatment, and how medical professionals are working to minimize those issues. And we explore the important work of clinical trials as a means to advance treatment options and "pay forward" better care.
The work is far from over, but the ChristianaCare cancer community is ready to help. If you want clear next steps and a hopeful, grounded look at prevention, listen now, and find out how your own cancer journey may ease the stress for future patients.
Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D. is the Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute and leader of the Cancer Service Line, as well as an innovative and energetic board-certified urological surgeon. Dr. Schwaab provides overall direction and leadership for the Graham Cancer Center and cancer care activities. He directs community outreach and research and works to reduce the incidence, prevalence and mortality of cancer in the state of Delaware and the region.
Links:
- ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
- ChristianaCare Oncology Patient Advocates for Clinical Trials (OPACT)
- ChristianaCare Cancer Clinical Trials
- ChristianaCare News: Graham Cancer Center's Commitment to Clinical Trials Opens Doors for Patients
- Delaware Division of Public Health Releases Latest Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Delaware
