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On this month’s "The UMB Pulse Podcast," University of Maryland School of Medicine associate professor Jason R. Falvey, DPT, PhD, director of the Enhancing Rehabilitation to Improve Community Health (ENRICH) lab and inaugural director of the UMSOM Center for Disability Justice, discusses how hip fracture recovery depends on more than surgery and clinic-based therapy. 

Falvey explains how neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, transportation, housing, and infrastructure affect older adults’ ability to age in place and avoid social isolation, and why current Medicare rules limit real-world mobility training. Funded by the National Institute on Aging, Falvey’s work to address these challenges includes partnerships such as GoGoGrandparent and plans for pilot testing and larger trials.

Learn more about the Center for Disability Justice: https://pt.umaryland.edu/research/center-for-disability-justice/

Learn more about the ENRICH Program: https://www.umaryland.edu/research/breakthroughs/how-does-where-you-live-affect-recovery-after-a-hip-fracture/

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What if the “behavior problems” we see in people living with dementia are actually signs of pain?

Host Dana Rampolla speaks with Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Distinguished University Professor and associate dean of research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing who is an expert in aging and long-term care, about how pain often goes unrecognized in people with dementia. Because they may struggle to communicate discomfort, pain can show up as agitation, withdrawal, resistance to care, or sudden changes in appetite and engagement. These behaviors are sometimes misunderstood and treated with sedating medications instead of addressing the root cause.

Resnick explains what caregivers and clinicians should watch for, from facial expressions and lashing out to subtle shifts in participation and mood. 

Health care professionals can learn more about pain management in long-term care settings in this Clinical Practice Guide co-authored by Resnick: https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(21)00911-7/fulltext

Chapters
00:00 Pain Without Words
00:28 Meet Dr. Resnick
02:36 Why Pain Gets Missed
06:15 The Vicious Cycle
07:28 Signs to Watch For
08:55 Find the Root Cause
10:40 Guidelines in Nursing Homes
11:37 Non-Drug Pain Relief
15:36 Questions for Care Teams
17:30 Key Takeaways
19:06 Why She Does This Work
20:55 NIH Study in Practice
22:56 Closing Credits

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University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) associate professor Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, joins “The UMB Pulse” this month to talk about her research exploring whether semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication widely used for diabetes and weight management) could help reduce cravings and improve outcomes for people with stimulant use disorder.

Kattakuzhy, who is also the co-director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine at UMSOM, describes the design of the STAC Study, which is evaluating the safety and tolerability of semaglutide in people with cocaine use disorder, including participants with and without HIV, while also tracking secondary outcomes such as changes in drug use and cravings.

She also discusses why stimulant use disorders, including cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder, have been especially challenging to treat, and how her work through the University of Maryland, Baltimore community-based research partnerships aims to expand treatment options and reduce stigma around substance use disorders.

To learn more about this trial or for referrals, contact Dr. Kattakuzhy at [email protected].

00:00 Introduction to Addiction and New Research
00:40 Meet Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy
01:45 A Day in the Life of Dr. Kattakuzhy
03:57 The Journey to Addiction Research
07:40 Exploring Semaglutides for Addiction Treatment
12:34 Details of the Clinical Trial
20:29 Challenges and Hopes in Addiction Treatment
24:31 Collaborations and Future Directions
27:39 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
32:13 Post-Interview Insights

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Could exercise be just what the doctor ordered for recovery during chemotherapy? In this episode of “The UMB Pulse,” explore this novel approach to cancer recovery with Ian Kleckner, PhD, MPH, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and director of the SYNAPSE Center. Kleckner shares how exercise can alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. Through his research, Kleckner investigates how movement can reduce inflammation, enhance brain and body coordination, and empower patients to reclaim their lives. 

Chapter Markers

 00:00 – Introduction
 00:00:17 – Cancer Treatment & Neuropathy
 00:01:37 – Guest Introduction: Dr. Ian Kleckner
 00:05:06 – Understanding Neuropathy
 00:09:38 – Research Findings: Brain & Exercise
 00:13:33 – Exercise Intervention & Clinical Trials
 00:19:08 – Practical Advice & Takeaways
 00:23:31 – Conclusion & Credits

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Can your dentist use artificial intelligence (AI) to spot health problems sooner? Imagine an extra set of eyes that never gets tired — that’s what AI is bringing to dentistry. 

In this episode, Ahmed Sultan, BDS, PhD, director of the Division of Artificial Intelligence Research at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, shares how new AI tools are helping dentists catch issues like cavities and oral cancer earlier. He also talks about why it matters to use diverse data, the ethical questions behind AI in health care, and how these advances could especially benefit people in rural and low-income communities.

Tune in to discover how AI is shaping the future of dental visits — and maybe even protecting more than just your smile.

Learn more about AI research at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry at https://www.dental.umaryland.edu/ai/

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University of Maryland School of Dentistry alumnus Robert E. Morris, DDS ’69, MPH, FICD, shares his extraordinary life story that spans continents, including his experiences treating villagers in Vietnam, building public health systems in Kuwait, and training oral health leaders in the Caribbean.

The recipient of a University of Maryland, Baltimore honorary Doctor of Public Service degree recounts his harrowing survival during the invasion of Kuwait, detailed in his book “120 Days in Deep Hiding: Outwitting the Iraqis in Occupied Kuwait.” He also discusses his philanthropic efforts with the Mai Tam House of Hope in Vietnam, which serves mothers and children affected by HIV/AIDS, and reflects on the Jesuit values that have guided his career. 

Morris also wrote an autobiography, "The Life of My Choice: Tales of a Traveling Man."

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Robert E. Morris
02:27 Early Life and Education
05:39 Career Beginnings and Vietnam Experience
08:39 Global Health Leadership and Public Health
14:49 The Kuwait Invasion and Survival
26:59 Saddam Hussein's Announcement and Hostage Situation
27:30 Near-Plane Crash and Journey to Safety
28:52 Movie Offer and General Schwartzkoff's Invasion
29:17 Reunion at Andrews Air Force Base
31:33 Founding the Mai Tam House in Vietnam
34:50 Impact and Success of the Orphanage
41:29 Encouraging Future Generations in Dentistry
45:36 Lifelong Learning and Irish Studies
48:29 Publishing Books and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, “The UMB Pulse” hears the story of how a rare portrait of University of Maryland School of Medicine founder John Davidge was hiding in a shuttered Baltimore restaurant and discusses its significance to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). 

Hosts Dana Rampolla and Charles Schelle, MS, talk with Larry Pitrof, executive director of the Medical Alumni Association (MAA) at UMB, and Meg Fairfax Fielding, director of the history of Maryland medicine at the Maryland State Medical Society, about the astonishing recovery of a long-lost portrait of UMB’s founding father, John Beale Davidge. 

Learn how this 200-year-old painting was found during an estate auction at a former Baltimore restaurant and listen to the stories behind the significance of Davidge and historical treasures at UMB. Pitrof also shares the efforts to preserve UMB’s rich medical heritage and the current restoration updates on the iconic Davidge Hall. 

Davidge Hall is open to UMB students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors who wish to visit and see the portrait and other artifacts in Davidge Hall should contact MAA in advance at 410-706-7454 or [email protected].

00:00 Discovering a Hidden Treasure: The Lost Portrait of John Beale Davidge
02:38 Meet the Experts: Larry Pitrof and Meg Fairfax Fielding
03:50 The Significance of John Beale Davidge to UMB
06:19 The Incredible Discovery at Bertha's Mussels
08:12 Authenticating and Preserving the Portrait
17:48 The Historical Importance of Davidge Hall
21:06 Restoration Efforts and Future Plans for Davidge Hall
26:52 The Value of Historical Artifacts and Collaboration
42:17 Public Display and Access to the Portrait
43:55 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements 

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In this episode of “The UMB Pulse,” Kenya Asli, JD ’08, director of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, shares how she blended her Maryland Carey Law degree with her social work degree to help close the digital divide in Baltimore. 
 
Asli discusses the city’s broadband strategy, initiatives to provide public Wi-Fi and digital resources, partnerships with local internet service providers, and the role of makerspaces in fostering creativity and innovation.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Kenya Asli
01:47 Kenya's Educational Journey and Career Path
07:27 Advice for New Graduates
11:43 Role and Goals of the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity
15:46 Challenges and Solutions in Baltimore's Internet Access
20:37 Public WiFi and Consumer Protection
22:22 Addressing the Equity Issue in Baltimore's Internet Service
23:43 Expanding Fiber Infrastructure for New ISPs
24:34 The Importance of Internet Access in Modern Life
25:38 UMB's Partnership with Waves for Free Internet
26:18 Challenges and Innovations in Providing Reliable Internet
29:12 Public Wifi and Device Accessibility in Baltimore
32:42 Empowering Seniors with Technology
36:22 Bringing Technology to the Community with Mobile Units
39:16 The Rise of Makerspaces in Baltimore
42:49 Personal Preferences and Final Thoughts

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In this graduation season compilation on “The UMB Pulse,” hear from three of the visionary leaders who spoke directly to the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Class of 2025 — and to anyone entering a world that desperately needs bold, ethical leadership.
 

·       Paul A. Offit, MD ’77, director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, opens with a personal and historical reminder of why public trust in science — and vaccines — must be protected at all costs. (05:36)
  

·       Zach Noel, PharmD, PhD ’23, BCC, associate professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, brings heartfelt storytelling and humor to the stage, challenging graduates to choose their “auxiliary labels” wisely and live their values with purpose. (21:09)

·       Sherrilyn Ifill, JD, the Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights and founding director of the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy at Howard University School of Law, closes with a profound call to action — urging law graduates to become the next generation of founders and framers, rebuilding a democracy in crisis. (31:10)

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In this episode of “The UMB Pulse,” we hear from Deborah Shlian, MD ’72, MBA, an accomplished alumna of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 
 
Shlian shares her career journey from being a medical doctor to becoming a successful writer in the medical thriller genre. She discusses her early inspirations, partnership with her husband, Joel, and their collaborative ventures in both medicine and writing. 
 
The conversation explores her transition to running a medical management consulting firm, establishing a niche in physician executive searches, and ultimately retiring to focus on her passion for writing. The episode also highlights her contributions to nonfiction literature, especially in spotlighting women leaders in STEM fields.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Deborah Shlian
02:25 Early Life and Medical Education
03:35 Career in Medical Management
10:11 Transition to Writing
11:40 Writing Medical Thrillers
20:23 Women in STEM and Leadership
26:44 Challenges and Future Projects
32:19 Advice for Aspiring Physicians and Writers
35:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of "The UMB Pulse" podcast, hosts Charles Schelle, MS, and Dana Rampolla chat with Wilbur Chen, MD, MS ’08, the Frank M. Calia, MD Endowed Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and chief of the adult clinical studies section at UMSOM's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health.

Chen highlights the importance of federally funded research and the importance of global health efforts for local stability. 

In addition, Chen addresses current concerns such as the resurgence of measles in the United States and the avian flu outbreak, emphasizing the need for widespread vaccination and sustained research. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of how the University of Maryland, Baltimore is driving forward public health initiatives that have both local and global implications.

00:00 Introduction to UMB's Mission
00:42 Meet Dr. Wilbur Chen
02:59 Dr. Chen's Journey into Infectious Disease Research
09:59 The Importance of Indirect Costs in Research
18:16 Current Research and Global Health Impact
25:12 Measles Outbreaks in the U.S.
35:45 Avian Flu and Its Implications
47:55 Global Health Challenges and Future Pandemics
58:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Listen to The UMB Pulse on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you like to listen. The UMB Pulse is also now on YouTube.

Visit our website at umaryland.edu/pulse or email us at [email protected].