Episodios

  • Heart Smart Living Starts Here, with Dr. Michael Ghalchi

    Heart Smart Living Starts Here, with Dr. Michael Ghalchi
    Feb 4 2026
    Welcome to American Heart Month, the perfect opportunity to focus on protecting our cardiovascular health to help ensure we can continue to do the things we love with the people we love. Experts estimate that heart disease is 80 percent preventable through early detection and simple lifestyle changes. So we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Michael Ghalchi, the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ghalchi discusses the importance of regular screenings, symptoms to watch for and sustainable habits you can adopt to support your heart health all year long. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Michael Ghalchi, MD, FACC is a board-certified cardiologist and the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, a New York City–based cardiology practice dedicated to making high-quality cardiovascular diagnostics and care accessible, efficient and patient-centered. He is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine. At Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, Dr. Ghalchi focuses on delivering timely, evidence-based cardiovascular care supported by advanced in-office diagnostics, streamlined access and a concierge-level patient experience. His clinical work emphasizes early detection, accurate diagnosis and thoughtful management of cardiovascular disease across a broad patient population. Dr. Ghalchi is also the founder and Medical Director of Apollo 360 Health, a digital preventive-care platform designed to extend high-quality cardiovascular and lifestyle medicine beyond the clinic walls. Apollo 360 Health integrates remote monitoring, data-driven insights and multidisciplinary coaching to help patients proactively manage risk factors, improve outcomes and sustain long-term health. Across both organizations, Dr. Ghalchi’s mission is to modernize cardiovascular care by combining rigorous clinical standards with innovative delivery models — ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the setting that best supports lasting health.
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    26 m
  • Key Note: The Doctor Will See You Now!

    Key Note: The Doctor Will See You Now!
    Jan 21 2026
    In our January episode, we focused on our Healthy Now, Healthy Later philosophy with the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers. Dr. Mayers shared how prioritizing your health now can help you lower your risk of illness and improve your quality of life later. For our January Key Note, Dr. Mayers walks us through what to expect during a typical wellness checkup—and explains why it’s so important to make that appointment. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.Start—or renew!—your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org.Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlistsSample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents Guest Bio Dr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives. Prior to joining the Benefit Funds, Dr. Mayers served as Senior Medical Director at CVS Health/Aetna. There she collaborated with the account management teams, pharmacy teams, consulting firms and plan sponsors to drive improved health outcomes for commercial and labor health plan members. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Medicine at Premier Healthcare, where she managed five ambulatory health centers across New York City. Her previous experience with union membership was earned at the Benefit Fund of the New York Hotel Trades, where she was medical director of the Harlem Health Center. Dr. Mayers worked for many years as a primary care physician at the Farrell Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as faculty and medical director of the resident training program. Dr. Mayers continues to hold a position as voluntary faculty/instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. She is a licensed physician in New York State and is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Mayers received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
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    3 m
  • Healthy Now, Healthy Later, with Dr. Lela Mayers

    Healthy Now, Healthy Later, with Dr. Lela Mayers
    Jan 7 2026
    Happy New Year, and welcome to Season Three of Health Is the Key. With the holidays behind us, we turn our focus to the year ahead of us – a perfect time to re-commit to our health. And what better way to introduce our new Healthy Now, Healthy Later campaign than to have the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers as our first guest in 2026! Dr. Mayers explains how preventive care can lower your risk of illness, improve your quality of life and help ensure long-term wellness. She also explores with us all the resources available to you to support you wherever you are on your health journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.Start – or renew! – your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org.Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlistsSample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Dr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives. Prior to joining the Benefit Funds, Dr. Mayers served as Senior Medical Director at CVS Health/Aetna. There she collaborated with the account management teams, pharmacy teams, consulting firms and plan sponsors to drive improved health outcomes for commercial and labor health plan members. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Medicine at Premier Healthcare, where she managed five ambulatory health centers across New York City. Her previous experience with union membership was earned at the Benefit Fund of the New York Hotel Trades, where she was medical director of the Harlem Health Center. Dr. Mayers worked for many years as a primary care physician at the Farrell Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as faculty and medical director of the resident training program. Dr. Mayers continues to hold a position as voluntary faculty/instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. She is a licensed physician in New York State and is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Mayers received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
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    22 m
  • Key Note: Meditation on Gratitude

    Key Note: Meditation on Gratitude
    Dec 17 2025
    In our December episode, Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John explored with us the physical and mental health benefits of expressing gratitude. Of course, some of us may need a little encouragement in learning to recognize and appreciate the good things in life. So, for our Key Note episode, we asked Dr. Cudjoe-John to share a simple meditation you can use to help foster a thankful mindset. We hope this moment of reflection inspires you to begin your own gratitude journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/. Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Tiffany Cudjoe-John, MD, is a dedicated psychiatrist with a passion for understanding and addressing the intricate interplay between mind, body and soul. Her journey into psychiatry began after graduating with a degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her psychiatric residency at Zucker Hillside Hospital, where she refined her clinical skills and deepened her empathy for individuals facing mental health challenges. Since completing her training in 2009, Dr. Cudjoe-John has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care. For eight years, she practiced Emergency Psychiatry at one of New York City’s busiest hospitals, gaining significant experience in crisis intervention, inpatient care and consult-liaison psychiatry. Over the past eight years, she has practiced community mental health at a clinic serving diverse and underserved populations, while also maintaining a private practice. Dr. Cudjoe-John’s approach to care is holistic and patient-centered. She integrates evidence-based psychopharmacology and psychotherapy with personalized treatment plans that honor the individuality of each patient. She strives to create a safe, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to work toward healing, growth and their fullest potential. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Cudjoe-John is passionate about community engagement and mental health advocacy. She has given numerous talks to community groups on mental health awareness and self-care and remains committed to reducing stigma and increasing access to quality mental health care.
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    6 m
  • Give Yourself the Gift of Gratitude, with Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John

    Give Yourself the Gift of Gratitude, with Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John
    Dec 3 2025
    Gathering with loved ones during the holidays can lift spirits, strengthen relationships and even boost immunity. Yet, we know this time of year may not be so joyful for everyone, and the hustle and bustle may make some of us lose sight of the true gifts of the season. That’s when the practice of gratitude can help put things in perspective – as well as improve our mental and physical health. To learn more about the science – and art – behind this simple exercise, we are joined this month by Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John, a psychiatrist in private practice. Dr. John explains why practicing gratitude is more than just “counting our blessings” and shares practical tips that can help us make it part of our daily lives without stressing out. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org.Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlistsSample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Tiffany Cudjoe-John, MD, is a dedicated psychiatrist with a passion for understanding and addressing the intricate interplay between mind, body and soul. Her journey into psychiatry began after graduating with a degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her psychiatric residency at Zucker Hillside Hospital, where she refined her clinical skills and deepened her empathy for individuals facing mental health challenges. Since completing her training in 2009, Dr. Cudjoe-John has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care. For eight years, she practiced Emergency Psychiatry at one of New York City’s busiest hospitals, gaining significant experience in crisis intervention, inpatient care and consult-liaison psychiatry. Over the past eight years, she has practiced community mental health at a clinic serving diverse and underserved populations, while also maintaining a private practice. Dr. Cudjoe-John’s approach to care is holistic and patient-centered. She integrates evidence-based psychopharmacology and psychotherapy with personalized treatment plans that honor the individuality of each patient. She strives to create a safe, collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to work toward healing, growth and their fullest potential. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Cudjoe-John is passionate about community engagement and mental health advocacy. She has given numerous talks to community groups on mental health awareness and self-care and remains committed to reducing stigma and increasing access to quality mental health care.
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    17 m
  • Key Note: Chef Cheatham Serves Up a New Holiday Favorite

    Key Note: Chef Cheatham Serves Up a New Holiday Favorite
    Nov 19 2025

    In our November episode, Chef Adrienne Cheatham joined us to share healthy ways to tweak our holiday menus without sacrificing flavor. In this month’s Key Note, Chef Cheatham opens her cookbook, Sunday Best, to offer a delicious, nutritious, affordable, make-ahead alternative to traditional main dishes – Mississippi Pot Roast. Enjoy!

    The Takeaway

    • We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
    • Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
    • Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
    • Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
    • Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
    • Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
    • Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets.
    • Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
    • Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
    • For Chef Cheatham’s Mississippi Pot Roast recipe, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Mississippi-Pot-Roast
    • To order Chef Cheatham’s cookbook, Sunday Best, visit Penguin Random House Books.

    Guest Bio Adrienne Cheatham is a New York-based chef, author, consultant and television personality known for her bold perspective on food and culture. A veteran of some of the country’s most acclaimed kitchens, Adrienne served as Executive Sous Chef at Le Bernardin and Executive Chef at Red Rooster Harlem and Corporate Chef of the Marcus Samuelsson Group.

    She rose to national prominence as the runner-up on Top Chef, Season 15, and has since returned to the show as a guest judge. In 2023, Adrienne published her debut cookbook, Sunday Best, inspired by her critically acclaimed pop-up dinner series of the same name. The book was nominated for a James Beard Award.

    Adrienne is a regular judge on the Food Network and contributor to Epicurious, where her videos have earned over 6 million views. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, USA Today and more—both as a subject and a writer. In 2025, she and her former Top Chef rival, Joe Flamm, launched The Chef’s Cut podcast. Through every platform, she shares stories that connect food, identity, and the communities that shape them.
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    4 m
  • Healthy Holiday Tables, with Chef Adrienne Cheatham

    Healthy Holiday Tables, with Chef Adrienne Cheatham
    Nov 5 2025

    The holidays are a joyful time to gather with family and friends, but for many of us they’re also a time to worry about staying on track with our health journey. To help us navigate the season’s seemingly endless offerings of rich foods, we are joined by Adrienne Cheatham, professional chef, runner-up on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, and author of Sunday Best, nominated for a James Beard Award for best cookbook. Chef Cheatham shares what she loves most about the holidays, simple tips to make seasonal favorites healthier and quick affordable ways to eat healthfully throughout the year. For a chance to win a signed copy of Sunday Best, visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to share your favorite healthy cooking tip.

    Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season!

    The Takeaway

    • We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
    • Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
    • Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
    • Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
    • Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
    • Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
    • Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets.
    • Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
    • Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
    • To order Chef Cheatham’s cookbook, Sunday Best, visit Penguin Random House Books.

    Guest Bio

    Adrienne Cheatham is a New York-based chef, author, consultant and television personality known for her bold perspective on food and culture. A veteran of some of the country’s most acclaimed kitchens, Adrienne served as Executive Sous Chef at Le Bernardin and Executive Chef at Red Rooster Harlem and Corporate Chef of the Marcus Samuelsson Group.

    She rose to national prominence as the runner-up on Top Chef, Season 15, and has since returned to the show as a guest judge. In 2023, Adrienne published her debut cookbook, Sunday Best, inspired by her critically acclaimed pop-up dinner series of the same name. The book was nominated for a James Beard Award.

    Adrienne is a regular judge on the Food Network and contributor to Epicurious, where her videos have earned over 6 million views. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, USA Today and more—both as a subject and a writer. In 2025, she and her former Top Chef rival, Joe Flamm, launched The Chef’s Cut podcast. Through every platform, she shares stories that connect food, identity, and the communities that shape them.
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    20 m
  • Key Note: Healthy Living Rx to Manage Menopause

    Key Note: Healthy Living Rx to Manage Menopause
    Oct 15 2025

    In our October episode, we spoke with Dr. Samantha Dunham, co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health, who shared important information about this unique stage in women’s health journeys. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Dunham explains how women are taking control of their health and details simple lifestyle changes that can offer relief from menopause symptoms and boost overall wellness.

    The Takeaway

    • We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
    • Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
    • Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers.
    • It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Women 40 and older – schedule a mammogram. Under 40 and unsure of your risk – ask your doctor about the screening schedule that’s right for you.
    • Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/
    • Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
    • For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.
    • For more information and resources, visit The Menopause Society Menopause.org
    • Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
    • Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
    • Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
    • Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

    Guest Bio

    Dr. Samantha Dunham is a certified menopause practitioner and co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health. She practices general gynecology and preventative women’s health, with a special focus on perimenopause and menopause and the role they play in disease development. At the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause, she educates patients on what to expect through perimenopause and menopause, and partners with them to develop a treatment plan that aligns with their symptoms and goals for treatment. Dr. Dunham completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University, and has been a board-certified physician for NYU Langone Health since 2006.

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    3 m