Worried a wound just won't heal? Steven B. Kitchings, MD, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine at Willis Knighton Health, and Victoria L. Everton, MD, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine at Willis Knighton Health, explain how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works and when to consider it. You'll learn which wounds prompt referral (diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injury, crush injuries), why sooner care helps, how the team coordinates vascular and infectious-disease evaluation, and what role oxygen under pressure plays in tissue repair.

Description: Wondering how finding breast cancer early affects treatment and outcomes? Julie A. Cupp, MD, Breast Disease - Surgery at Willis Knighton Health, and Prakash Peddi, MD, Medical Oncology, Hematology at Willis Knighton Health, explain why early detection matters. This longer discussion covers self‑awareness and monthly checks, annual mammography (including tomosynthesis) and its ability to find lesions millimeters in size, signs like microcalcifications and ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0), and staging basics. You’ll hear how neoadjuvant therapies can shrink larger tumors to permit lumpectomy, when mastectomy or reconstruction may be chosen, how radiation/chemotherapy decisions are individualized, and how a multidisciplinary breast conference and emotional support shape a coordinated plan of care. Practical takeaways include screening timing (start annual mammograms at 40 for average risk; consider earlier testing and MRI if family history is concerning but typically not before age 30) and how to raise concerns with your primary care or breast clinic promptly.

Could my joint pain, stretchy skin, or frequent dislocations mean Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? Alicia Schollmeyer, MSN, FNP-C, AOCNP, Clinical Genetics Nurse Practitioner at Willis Knighton Health, explains how genetics can help identify EDS subtypes, when testing is useful, and why hypermobile EDS relies on clinical criteria rather than a single gene. Learn about signs to watch for, how the EDS high-risk clinic coordinates care, and next steps for family screening and referrals. 

Meet Alicia Schollmeyer, NP, an expert in clinical genetics 

When Should You Choose Inpatient Rehab?
What is PM&R? That's physical medicine and rehabilitation, a vital component in the healthcare plan of patients who have fallen ill or suffered injuries. Katharine Balbuena, MD, and Wade Wyckoff, MD, PM&R physicians at Willis Knighton Health, explain the benefits of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . They discuss the trigger of a change in baseline function, common referrals (stroke, spinal cord, orthopedic and cardiac cases), the daily physician oversight, and the intensive therapy schedule that helps patients safely return home.

What Conditions Need Inpatient Rehabilitation?
Dr. Wyckoff outlines the kinds of conditions Willis Knighton PM&R treats. He notes that stroke is the most common diagnosis and describes neurological (Guillain-Barré, MS), spinal cord, orthopedic, cardiac and respiratory cases. He also covers the team-based approach, examples from patient care, and how a change from prior function prompts referral.

How Inpatient Rehab Helps You Recover
They describe individualized goal-setting with patients, the multidisciplinary team (PT/OT/speech, nurses, social workers, dietitians), medical management during rehab, technologies like exoskeletons, and the importance of continuing outpatient therapy after discharge.
What will a typical inpatient rehab day and stay look like for you or a family member? About three hours of therapy per day spread across disciplines, daily physician evaluation, one-on-one therapist time, a supportive staff team, a typical average length of stay near two weeks, and markers used to measure progress toward patient-set goals.

Choosing Inpatient Rehab: When It Helps, What to Ask, and the Recovery Timeline
Not sure whether inpatient rehab is the right next step, what questions to ask, or how long recovery takes? The doctors walk through those decisions. They explain who benefits—patients with a meaningful decline from baseline such as after a stroke, spinal cord injury, major orthopedic surgery, or cardiac event—and why inpatient rehab differs from a skilled nursing facility: more intensive therapy (about three hours daily), daily physician oversight, a multidisciplinary team (rehab nurses, physical/occupational/speech therapists, social workers, dietitians), one-on-one therapy, and operational markers such as CARF accreditation and a typical nurse-to-patient ratio discussed in the episode. The hosts describe goal-setting driven by the patient, the shift in average length of stay from months decades ago to roughly two weeks today, the role of advanced tools like exoskeletons for select patients, and the importance of planning for outpatient therapy after discharge. They also recommend visiting a facility and talking with your case manager or social worker to decide what’s best for your situation.


#InpatientRehab
#StrokeRecovery
#RehabTherapy
#Physiatry
#CaregiverSupport
#PM&R
#Physicial medicine
#rehabilitation
#Wade Wyckoff
#Katharine Balbuena
#Darrell Rebouche
#Willis Knighton
#Willis Knighton Health

This episode walks you through how hospital billing works, why insurance claims sometimes take time, and how the business office advocates for patients so you can focus on recovery. It matters because understanding your medical bill can reduce stress and help you avoid unexpected charges.
Guests: Wendy Ward, BS, MHA, Assistant Vice President of Finance, and Owen Rigby, BS, MLA, Director of the Business Office at Willis-Knighton Health.
We cover practical steps for checking insurance coverage, reading a billing statement, handling claim denials, and arranging payment or financial assistance. Keywords: hospital bill, insurance claim, billing statement, patient financial responsibility, financial assistance.
Call 318-212-4030 to speak with the business office or visit the Willis-Knighton Health website to learn more and subscribe for updates.

Have you ever thought about Tim Tebow’s BMI? Probably not, but after you hear from Dr. Maurie Patterson, you will!

In this Episode of Health on Point, Dr. Patterson explains metabolic disorders are often at the root of some of today’s most common health challenges, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Yet many people don’t realize they may be living with a metabolic condition until serious complications develop.

We discuss how metabolic disorders are identified, what causes them, and the latest approaches to treatment. We explore the complex relationship between metabolism, weight, hormones, genetics, and lifestyle, while separating common myths from medical facts.

You’ll learn about the warning signs of metabolic disease, the importance of early diagnosis, and how advances in medications, nutrition, and personalized care are helping patients achieve better health outcomes than ever before.

Whether you’re concerned about your own health, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in the science behind metabolism, this informative conversation offers valuable insights into one of healthcare’s most important and rapidly evolving fields.

A clear, practical guide to what patients legally can — and cannot — do with their medical records. Covers access, copies, amendments, and when the facility retains the physical record while the patient owns the data.

In this episode, we take a comprehensive, modern look at lung health—bridging chronic disease management, early cancer detection, and cutting-edge procedural innovation available at Willis Knighton Health. We begin with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), discussing practical, evidence-based strategies to optimize diagnosis, personalize therapy, and improve long-term outcomes.

From there, we shift to lung cancer screening, highlighting who should be screened, how low-dose CT has transformed early detection, and the real-world impact on mortality when screening is implemented effectively.

We will also dive into the evolving world of advanced bronchoscopy, focusing on robotic-assisted platforms that are redefining how we approach pulmonary nodules. We break down how robotic bronchoscopy works, when to use it, and how it compares to traditional biopsy techniques in terms of accuracy, safety, and access to peripheral lesions.

This episode delivers a clear overview of where pulmonary medicine stands today—and where it’s headed next. 

Learn more about Kamal A. Masri, MD 

Patrick Lavo, MD offers a thorough and engaging explanation of what an otolaryngologist (ENT) can do for you, including head and neck surgery. 

Learn more about John Patrick Lavo, MD 

A pain medicine specialist isn't just a pill pusher. Dr. John Noles of WK Spine and Pain discusses the wide range of treatments available for acute and chronic pain. 

Learn more about John G. Noles, MD

Many people assume neurological care starts with a subspecialist, but the reality is very different. In this episode we explore why general neurology is the essential 1st step in diagnosing and treating brain and nerve disorders. From strokes and epilepsy to dementia and multiple sclerosis, a general neurology clinic often provides the 1st answers and the full treatment plan. Learn how comprehensive neurological care happens locally at Willis Knighton in Shreveport.

A national expert of vaccine policy discusses the historic impact of vaccines on the health and well-being of children. 

Learn more about Dr. Joseph A. Bocchini, Jr., MD | Willis Knighton Health 

Food allergy prevalence seems to be on the rise. Living with a severe food allergy often feels like a constant game of high-stakes avoidance. But what if "just don't eat it" was no longer the only answer?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Caroline Caperton, an allergist, immunologist and public health professional to demystify the rapidly evolving world of food allergy management. We move beyond the basics of anaphylaxis to explore how groundbreaking treatments like Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and newly FDA-approved biologics like omalizumab (Xolair) are helping patients reach "food freedom." Whether you are a parent of a newly diagnosed child or an adult navigating life-long sensitivities, this episode provides the roadmap you need to discuss modern options with your allergist. 

Learn more about Caroline Caperton, MD, MSPH, FAAAAI, FACAAI 

Willis Knighton Health’s radiation oncology department is one of the nation’s leading centers for radiation therapy. Our department is one of only a handful of nationwide accredited by both the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) - a testament to our commitment to quality care. Willis Knighton Cancer Center is an international pioneer in proton therapy and nuclear oncology. 

Learn more about Dr. Lane R. Rosen, MD | Willis Knighton Health