Episode 18: What do vaping, incense, and long-COVID have in common? They can all impact your lungs in ways most people don’t consider.

In this episode of On Call, Off Script, lung experts from the Lung Center at Jackson Health System/ Miami Transplant Institute, an affiliation between Jackson Health System and UHealth – University of Miami Health System explore, explain, and debunk fascinating lung facts while also exposing the hidden dangers that can affect respiratory health.

You’ll learn how everyday habits and environmental exposures can influence long-term lung health, why all smokers should throw the vape and cigarettes away now, and what conditions are sending younger patients to pulmonologists.

Whether you’re curious about the science behind breathing or want practical tips to better protect your lungs, this episode delivers facts and expert insight you can apply in your daily life.

Guest Bios:

• Juan Fernandez Castillo, MD: Juan Fernandez Castillo is the medical director of transplant pulmonology at Miami Transplant Institute. He specializes in advanced lung disease, respiratory health, and lung transplantation. With experience treating complex lung conditions, Dr. Fernandez Castillo is passionate about educating patients and the medical community on preventative lung health, the benefits of transplant, and respiratory issues affecting younger populations.

• Raquel Avellar: Raquel Avellar is the nursing director of patient care for the Lung Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the ECMO program, and the donor desk, overseeing patient-centered respiratory and pulmonary care. With years of clinical leadership, Raquel brings practical insight on lifestyles choices, environmental exposures, and preventative care that can impact lung health across all ages.

Episode 17: Formula 1 is all about speed, precision, and split-second decisions. So is trauma care.

In this high-intensity episode of On Call, Off Script, we take you behind the scenes of one of the most complex medical operations in sports. As Formula 1 returns to Miami, the team at Jackson Health System’s Ryder Trauma Center isn’t just on standby. They’re building a fully operational trauma unit right at the track.

Host Ruelle Champion sits down with trauma surgeon Dr. Antonio Marttos and Ann Higgins, associate nurse manager at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial, to break down what it really takes to prepare for an event where every second matters.

From replicating a Level 1 trauma center trackside to making life-or-death decisions in under five minutes, this episode explores how elite medicine mirrors elite racing.

You’ll hear how:

* A full trauma system is transported and rebuilt at the F1 track

* Medical teams train for high-speed, high-impact emergencies

* Real-time data like G-force impacts shapes clinical decisions

* A five-minute window can determine whether a driver returns to the race or is airlifted to the hospital

* Jackson helped raise the global standard for motorsports medical care

And beyond the adrenaline, you’ll get a rare look at the teamwork, trust, and preparation that power both the track and the trauma bay.

This isn’t just coverage. It’s a masterclass in readiness.

Guest Bios:

• Dr. Antonio Marttos, trauma surgeon, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Jackson South Medical Center. A global leader in trauma care and motorsports medicine, Dr. Marttos shares how his passion for racing and medicine collided to help elevate safety standards in Formula 1 worldwide.

• Ann Higgins, associate nurse manager, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Ann brings an inside look at the logistics, coordination, and execution required to transform a racetrack into a fully functioning trauma-ready environment.

Episode 16: The importance and value of organ donation takes center stage every April for Donate Life Month. It’s a time to spotlight the impact that being an organ donor can have on countless lives.

With thousands of patients on the transplant waitlist and the growing gap between supply and demand, understanding the truth behind organ donation is crucial. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we hear from the experts at Miami Transplant Institute—a partnership between Jackson and UHealth—University of Miami Health System.

You’ll hear how organs are preserved and transported, the innovative technology that’s advancing transplant, and the waves of impact that just one donor can leave behind.

If you’re curious about what it takes to be an organ donor, our experts at Miami Transplant Institute share the profound meaning behind giving the gift of life.

Guest Bios:

• Rodrigo Vianna, MD, PhD: Rodrigo Vianna is the Director of Miami Transplant Institute and leads the liver, intestinal, and multi-visceral transplant program. He’s also a professor of clinical surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Vianna is an accomplished liver surgeon and a leader in transplant innovation like robotic kidney and kidney/pancreas surgery. His work pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in life-saving transplantation.
• Sean Chavis: Sean Chavis is an Organ Procurement and Placement Coordinator at Miami Transplant Institute’s donor desk. For nearly a decade, he’s played a critical role in coordinating organ offers, working closely with surgical teams, and transporting viable organs for transplantation. Chavis’ hands-on work ensures that the life-saving impact of organ donation is a seamless and impactful transfer to surgeons.

Jackson Health System is advancing the future of emergency care. A new, state of the art emergency room (ER) is opening at Jackson Memorial Hospital in April. In this episode of On Call, Off Script, the minds behind one of the largest emergency rooms in the nation share how collaboration between clinical and construction brought this project to life.

The new ER is more than just a brand-new building. Our experts explain how patient experience is placed at the forefront of the design, construction, and clinical workflow of Jackson Memorial Hospital’s innovative ER.

Guest Bios:

· Daniel Aguiar: Daniel Aguiar is the nursing director of emergency services at Jackson Memorial Hospital; leading the nurses at the new emergency room. Aguiar brings more than 15 years of experience in trauma and emergency care. His leadership is key in preparing the clinical teams to transition their workflow into the new ER.

· Jorge Garciga: Jorge Garciga is the director of design and construction for Jackson Health System—overseeing large infrastructure projects like the construction of Jackson West Medical Center and now, the new ER. Garciga specializes in integrating what the clinical team needs with a functional and modern healthcare setting. He ensures that innovative design supports patient needs and efficient clinical operations.

Episode 14: From dramatic defibrillator scenes to instant diagnoses, pop culture shapes how many people think hospitals operate. But how much of what we see on TV actually reflects real life?

On this episode of On Call, Off Script, two experienced nurse leaders from Jackson Health System separate fact from fiction. They break down the truth about “Code Blue” situations, explain why medical teams rely on calm coordination rather than chaos, and share how critical collaboration really is between nurses, doctors, and support staff.

Our guests also share which medical TV shows comes closest to reality, the surprising differences between pediatric and adult emergency care, and the ways social media influences patients. Whether you're a fan of hospital dramas or simply curious about what really happens in the hospital, this episode reveals the realities of healthcare today.

Guest information:

Jose Rodriguez, RN, is the nurse manager of the emergency room at Holtz Children’s Hospital. In his role, he leads a team that provides emergency care for pediatric patients, and ensures that children and families receive high-quality medical treatment and compassionate support during some of their most critical moments.

Vicky Rodriguez, RN, is an associate nurse manager at Jackson South Medical Center, where she oversees the clinic and supports nursing staff in delivering care to patients. She brings extensive frontline experience in hospital care coordination, patient education, and collaboration. Rodriguez is passionate about empowering patients through accurate medical information and ensuring safe, effective transitions from hospital care to home.

Episode 13: In this episode of On Call Off Script, we go behind the scenes with Miami’s first responders and trauma care teams to explore what it truly takes to serve the 305. From coping with tragedy and finding humor in the toughest situations, to building trust with patients and their families, our guests share the human side of some of the city’s most demanding roles. Listen as Michael Vega, a public information officer for the City of Miami Police Department, Pete Sanchez, a Lieutenant and Public Information Officer for the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, and Yina Patino, nurse manager of the Trauma Resuscitation Unit at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, discuss the emotional highs and lows of policing, firefighting, and emergency nursing, and how teamwork, communication, and community make all the difference.

Guest Bios:

Michael Vega

Michael Vega has served the Miami community as a police officer since 1997, bringing nearly three decades of experience to the City of Miami Police Department. He has worked across multiple divisions, including Patrol, Internal Affairs, the Problem-Solving Team (PST), the Motor Unit, and Red-Light Camera enforcement.

Since November 2017, Vega has served as a Public Information Officer, acting as the liaison between the police department and the public. In this role, he leads media relations efforts, communicates critical public safety information, and supports transparency during high-profile and day-to-day incidents.

Throughout his career, Vega has remained committed to strengthening the community’s trust and ensuring the safety of Miami’s residents.

Pete Sánchez

Pete Sánchez is a Lieutenant with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, where he has served for 15 years. He has spent six years as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and is a FEMA Master PIO.

Lieutenant Sánchez has led communications during high-profile incidents like the historic Temple Courts Three-Alarm fire, also serving as Joint Information Center (JIC) Manager for the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside for three weeks and deploying with Florida Task Force 2 as PIO during Hurricane Irma in Fort Myers. Most recently, he led crisis communications for a major multi-agency incident that drew international media attention lasting over two weeks.

Yina Patino:

Yina Esmeralda Patino, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is the Nurse Manager of the Trauma Resuscitation Unit at Ryder Trauma Center nat Jackson Memorial Hospital. With over 24 years of nursing experience, primarily in emergency services, she has dedicated her career to delivering high-quality, lifesaving care to critically injured patients.

As Nurse Manager, Yina leads a highly skilled multidisciplinary team in one of the busiest trauma centers in Miami-Dade County. She is committed to elevating trauma care standards, strengthening team performance, and ensuring exceptional patient outcomes for both residents and visitors who depend on Ryder Trauma Center during their most critical moments. Through her leadership within at Jackson, she continues to promote a culture of excellence, compassion, and clinical expertise.

Episode 12: It’s hard to imagine vomiting worse than it already is. The symptom of ‘scromiting’, or screaming and vomiting, is sending people to the emergency room in South Florida.

Jeffrey Bernstein, MD, director of Florida Poison Control Center Miami, talks about the real medical condition behind scromiting, called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Caused by excessive marijuana use, Dr. Bernstein explains why CHS cases are increasing, and how cannabis can cause painful side effects.

As the only toxicologist covering six counties across South Florida, Dr. Bernstein is well-experienced in the poisonings that are unique to this community and talks through what he sees on a daily basis – from mercury poisoning to coral rock poisoning, and more. The conversation covers the importance of education, marked by eye-opening situations that are only seen at Florida Poison Control Center Miami.

Guest Information & Bio

Jeffrey Bernstein, MD, is the medical director of Florida Poison Control Center Miami, housed at Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Bernstein is the only toxicologist for six counties with decades of experience in emergency medicine and poisonings. He’s closely involved in poison control education, and oversees thousands of poison-related calls each year across South Florida.

Episode 11: You’d never guess that some of your favorite everyday activities are on our experts’ personal no-fly list. In this eye-opening conversation, Vincente Nelson, MD, a trauma surgeon at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial and Timothy Tan, MD, chief of emergency medicine at Jackson Memorial Medical Center shares the habits, hobbies, and Miami-style behaviors that most often land people in the emergency room or Ryder Trauma.

From e-scooters and motorcycles, to water sports, cosmetic surgery gone wrong, viral trends, and vaping, these doctors share firsthand stories from the front lines of medicine—and why they personally say “never will I ever.”

This isn’t about living in fear. It’s about knowing the risks, making smarter choices, and understanding what doctors really see after the sirens stop.

Guest Info & Bio:

Vincente Nelson

Vincente Nelson is the director of the Army Forward Surgical Team Training Center, and a trauma surgeon with Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He also serves as a Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Army. His experience on the front-lines of medicine shape his perspective to conversations about risk, responsibility and living life without fear.

Timothy Tan

Timothy Tan is the chief of emergency medicine for Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He oversees one of the busiest emergency rooms in the country from a calm, clear, and experienced approach. Dr. Tan is passionate about medical education, especially when it can potentially help keep patients out of an emergency situation.