In this myth-busting ‘5-Minute Check In’ episode, Dr. Thomas McGinn, Dr. Ankita Sagar, and Brooke Burgess break down the evidence behind the most popular health topics trending on social media — helping you separate fact from fiction in just a few minutes.

Topics discussed:

• Myth or fact: Does "cold plunging" reduce inflammation and support recovery?
  
  • Studies/Articles:
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11778651/
    • https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/cold-plunge-health/
• Myth or fact: Does raw milk support immune health and gut health?
  
  • Studies/Articles:
    • NIH: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/high-h5n1-influenza-levels-found-mice-given-raw-milk-infected-dairy-cows
    • NEJM: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2405495

Guests:

Ankita Sagar, MD, System Vice President, Clinical Transformation and Well-Being, and Brooke Burgess, System Director, Clinical Communications

Learning Objectives:
By completion of this program, attendees will be able to:

• Evaluate VTE risk factors in medical patients and apply appropriate prophylaxis strategies.
• Develop a management plan for VTE prophylaxis in post-surgical patients, including considerations for bleeding risk.
• Analyze VTE prophylaxis recommendations specific to neurosurgical and orthopedic populations.
• Apply VTE prevention strategies in trauma patients while considering contraindications and optimal dosing.

Speaker:
Thomas Vendegna, MD, CMO, Central Coast, California Market

Moderator:
John Morelli, MD, System Vice President, Acute Care Clinical Service Line, Physician Enterprise

Panelists:
Christian Chiavetta, DO, FACOI, FACP, SFHM, Medical Director, Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Ruby Skinner, MD, FACS, CMO, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
William Wang, MD, DrPH, CPE, CMO, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Southern California Market
Wyndham Strodtbeck, MD, System Vice President, Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Physician Enterprise

Here are the links to our favorite podcasts of 2025:

1. AI and evidence-based medicine: YouTube | Podcast
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4. Fall Update: YouTube Podcast
5. Plain English Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-english-with-derek-thompson/id1594471023
6. Hark! Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hark-the-stories-behind-our-favorite-christmas-carols/id1595835931
7. Radio lab: https://radiolab.org/
8. Crime Junkie: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-junkie/id1322200189