In this episode of the Patient Innovations Podcast, Rashmi Kandwal and Mary MacCarthy explore one of the most complex and underrecognized conditions affecting millions of women: chronic pelvic pain. Defined as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis lasting longer than six months, chronic pelvic pain can stem from a wide range of causes — from uterine dysfunction and neuropathic pain to hormonal and mood-related conditions. Because the condition is multifaceted, effective treatment almost always requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach.

The conversation begins with patient guest Kaleigh Karlen, a high school science teacher from Denver whose personal journey highlights the day-to-day realities of navigating symptoms, stigma, delayed diagnosis, and fragmented care. Kaleigh shares what has helped her most — including pelvic floor therapy, electrical therapy, and lifestyle changes talks about Beating Endo, a book that helped her understand the link between endometriosis, inflammation, and diet. Her story offers a candid look at how CPP affects mental health, work, relationships, and identity, and the hope that emerges when patients finally feel heard.

The clinical perspective comes from Dr. Kaitlin Baily, a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic health. Dr. Baily explains why chronic pelvic pain is so difficult to treat and underscores how many of her patients experience meaningful improvement through evidence-based pelvic rehab. She dispels common misconceptions, emphasizes the role of consistent PT, and outlines why multidisciplinary care is essential for long-term recovery.

The episode closes with an innovation-forward discussion featuring Dr. Yingchun Zhang, Co-founder and President of HillMed and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Miami. Dr. Zhang introduces HillMed’s EMG imaging system, which produces a clear and comprehensive map of muscles and nerves to pinpoint optimal treatment and injection sites. This precision mapping is designed to support better outcomes, faster recovery, and more comfortable patient experiences, and reflects how patient feedback continues to shape HillMed’s research and design.

Together, these three perspectives paint a comprehensive picture of a condition that is too often misunderstood and undertreated — and they spotlight the hope, progress, and innovation emerging in this space.

#ChronicPelvicPain #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN #PelvicPain #PublicHealth #ChronicIllness #HealthEquity #PatientStories #HealthcareInnovation #Resilience

What is Long COVID—and why does it persist for some people but not others? Why do symptoms vary so widely—from fatigue and brain fog to shortness of breath and heart palpitations? And how are clinicians and public health leaders working to better understand and support those affected?

In this episode of Patient Innovations, Rashmi and Mary kick off the new season diving into one of the most complex health challenges to emerge in recent years—Long COVID, a condition with no known standard of care and a growing need for awareness, research, and compassion.

Our guests bring deeply personal and professional perspectives to this evolving condition:

• Senator Lindsey Port, Minnesota State Senator, shares her lived experience navigating life, work, and treatment with Long COVID—and the struggles she’s faced with insurance coverage and care access.
• Dr. Ruby Tam, physician with the ME/CFS Clinic, runs a free clinic that offers a clinical perspective on what she’s seeing among patients, how her team helps them manage symptoms, and why treating Long COVID remains such a challenge.
• Kate Murray, from the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses one of the nation’s first statewide public health initiatives focused on Long COVID research and awareness—and the power of collaboration in driving progress.

Long COVID is real—and it’s life-altering for many.

While symptoms vary, the most common include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and post-exertional malaise. For some, recovery is slow and unpredictable.

Be your own champion.

Patients often face skepticism or delayed diagnosis. Listen to your body, document your symptoms, and connect with clinicians who understand post-viral conditions. If one provider isn’t listening—find another, and then another.

Find your community.

Join care and support groups to learn, connect, and navigate insurance or access challenges. Long COVID remains widely misunderstood and under diagnosed—but community can help bridge those gaps.

Certain groups are more affected.

Women, Hispanic and Latino communities, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk. Stressful living conditions can also worsen symptoms, as stress often manifests as inflammation.

Innovation and collaboration are key.

Minnesota’s public health initiatives and clinical partnerships are leading the way in building awareness, research, and resources for those living with Long COVID. There’s a long road ahead, but progress is happening—join the movement and access available support.

• Minnesota Department of Health — Long COVID Resources: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/longcovid
• CDC Long COVID Overview: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects
• ME/CFS Clinic Information: https://www.mecfsclinicmn.org

#LongCOVID #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN #PostCOVIDCare #PublicHealth #ChronicIllness #HealthEquity #PatientStories #HealthcareInnovation #Resilience

In this episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal explore Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a complex neurological disease that affects nearly 3 million people globally, including over 1 million Americans. MS disproportionately impacts women, and studies show higher prevalence in northern states like Minnesota, which has the highest rates in the country.

Guests include:

• Mary Johnson, MS patient and advocate
• Dr. Jessica Stulc, Director of MS Treatment & Research, Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology
• Kathleen O’Donnell, President, Upper Midwest Chapter, National MS Society

Together, they shed light on early symptoms, lived experiences, the current state of MS research, and the power of advocacy, partnerships, and community in creating hope for those impacted by MS.

In this powerful episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal go beyond stats and symptoms to explore the lived experience of spinal cord injury—and the groundbreaking technologies transforming recovery.

Nearly 18,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with a spinal cord injury each year. Today’s episode features two voices at the forefront: a hockey player's unshakable will and a scientist's drive to innovate.

Featured guests:

Jack Jablonski – Former Minnesota hockey standout and current LA Kings digital media specialist. Jack shares how his life changed after a 2011 spinal cord injury—and how he’s advancing recovery through his personal journey and the Jack Jablonski Foundation.

Dr. Parag Gad – CEO and Co-Founder of SpineX, Dr. Gad explains how his team’s non-invasive neuromodulation therapies (like SCONE™) are helping patients regain function—and what FDA Breakthrough Device designation means for the future of care.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Living with and training through paralysis
• How neuromodulation is redefining recovery
• Jack’s mission to help others BEL13VE
• The hope that drives patients and innovators forward

Want to collaborate or sponsor? Email rashmi@healthcare.mn.

Next up: Multiple Sclerosis—closing the gap in care.

Support spinal cord injury research through the Jack Jablonski Foundation. Every donation fuels progress toward life-changing breakthroughs.

#SpinalCordInjury #Neurotech #JackJablonski #PatientStories #ParalysisRecovery #HealthcareInnovation #SCI #SpineX #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN #BEL13VE

In this spring episode of Patient Innovations, co-hosts Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal explore the vital role heart valves play in keeping us alive—and what happens when they don’t work as they should. With 2.5% of the U.S. population affected by heart valve disease and 40,000 babies born each year with congenital heart defects, the need for innovation is more urgent than ever.

Featured guests:

• Kris Bauerschmidt, entrepreneur and medical device leader, shares his journey receiving a mechanical heart valve and what life is like post-surgery.
• Dr. Maan Jokhadar, Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, explains how heart valve care has evolved, when to repair vs. replace, and why anticoagulants like Warfarin are still necessary.
• Dr. Mayra Guerrero, Mayo Clinic Interventional Cardiologist and board member of the Heart Valve Society, discusses global collaboration in research and what innovations give her hope.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Living with a mechanical valve
• Evolving heart valve treatments
• Research priorities and future tech
• Why heart health starts with awareness

Have ideas on collaboration or want to sponsor Patient Innovations? Reach out to rashmi@healthcare.mn.

Next up: spinal cord injuries—featuring a Minnesota hockey legend's powerful recovery story.

#HeartValveHealth #Cardiology #PatientStories #HealthcareInnovation #MayoClinic #HeartValveSociety #PatientInnovations #HealthcareMN

In this episode of Patient Innovations, we hear from Robert J. Proulx, who is receiving care for sleep apnea. Then Dr. Runji Varghese, a sleep medicine physician at Hennepin Healthcare and Medical Director at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, and Sarah Chiapetta, head of product at GEM Health in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, share clinical information and innovation from their organizations.

For resources and support, check out the American Sleep Apnea Foundation at https://www.sleephealth.org/. You can learn more about Dr. Varghese's center at https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/specialty/minnesota-regional-sleep-disorders-center/. To learn more about the GEM Health solution go to https://www.mygemsleep.com/.

#sleepapnea #PatientAdvocacy #PatientInnovationsPodcast

Joining us in the studio are:

• Mark Bearman – An ALS patient with a genetic mutation, sharing his personal journey.
• Dr. Sam Maiser – Chair of the Department of Neurology at Hennepin Healthcare, offering medical insights.
• Jennifer Hjelle – Chief Community Engagement Officer for the ALS Association, discussing advocacy and resources.

ALS, which currently has no known cure, often begins with muscle weakness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs before progressing to other parts of the body. As nerve cells die, movement becomes more difficult, eventually impacting chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing.

The Ice Bucket Challenge became a historic movement, raising millions of dollars for ALS research. These efforts contributed to the development of the first drug showing significant potential in treating genetically induced ALS.

Learn more, find resources, and support advocacy efforts at The ALS Association – dedicated to finding a cure for ALS.

In this episode, we explore the journey of organ transplantation—what it takes to make transplants possible, the latest advancements in the field, and the powerful stories of those whose lives have been forever changed.

Our guests include:

• Ben Williams – Kidney transplant recipient, NFL Players Association Chapter President, and former US NFL football player (including the Minnesota Vikings) who transitioned to the NFL Europe/World Football League. Ben Williams Foundation is on a mission to educate on kidney disease: https://benwilliamsfoundation.org/
• Dr. Vanessa Humphreville, MD, FACS – Liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant surgeon and associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.
• Kate Kishish – Transplant coordinator at LifeSource, one of 56 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the country. LifeSource serves the second-largest geographical region, covering Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of western Wisconsin, with a mission to save and heal lives through organ donation and transplantation.

Organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure in which a donor’s organ is surgically placed into a recipient whose own organ has failed or been damaged. While thousands of lives are transformed each year through organ donation, the need for organs continues to far exceed the available supply. Join us as we explore the science, the human impact, and the critical need for awareness and action in organ transplantation. Learn more about how to become a donor at LifeSource.