Dr. Vanessa Grubbs and Robert Phillips talked with us about kidney disease, dialysis, the long wait for transplants, and inequities in care. In Dr. Grubbs new book, “Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers,” she describes her journey to donate a kidney to the man she fell in love with and then married (Robert).
Guests
Dr. Vanessa Grubbs, MD, is an associate professor of medicine and nephrology at the University of California, San Francisco, and maintains a clinical practice and research program at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She also teaches writing for patient advocacy to medical students and practicing physicians.
Robert Phillips is the President and CEO of Social Interest Solutions, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality health and social services through technology and policy solutions. Robert is an accomplished executive with nearly 25 years of experience working in political campaigns, health policy, health systems, technology, philanthropy, and strategic consulting. He and Vanessa are married.
Dementia is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills, severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia.
Josh Kornbluth, is currently engaged in a year-long residency as a scholar at the Global Brain Health Institute. He is spending his time with people who have dementia and their caregivers, as well as researchers, nurses, social workers, and others.
Described as a cross between Woody Allen and Spalding Gray, Josh Kornbluth has been performing autobiographical one-man shows since 1987. The San Francisco Chronicle declared, “Kornbluth takes a world we ignore, or barely observe, and brings it into brilliant comic relief.” He launched his career as a solo artist with Josh Kornbluth’s Daily World, in which he described his childhood as the son of communists in 1960s New York.He is currently working on a solo show based on his experiences as an artist-in-residence and volunteer at the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. For two years he hosted an interview program, “The Josh Kornbluth Show,” on KQED TV. His latest feature film, Love & Taxes, ishis second in collaboration with his brother Jacob; in a review, Variety called him “a nerd for our time.” His first feature film, Haiku Tunnel, is currently on HBO. Check out his web site at http://joshkornbluth.com/
Dr. Jennifer Yokoyama is an Assistant Professor at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, where she is building an independent research program in neurogenetics of aging. More specifically, she is interested in how genomic variation influences brain anatomy, physiology, and cognitive behaviors in healthy older adults, and how genomic variation relates to vulnerability, as well as resilience, against neurodegenerative processes of aging. Dr. Yokoyama obtained her doctorate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics in 2010 at UCSF and completed her postdoctoral training in neuroimaging at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control identified 1 in 68 children as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors.” —Autism Speaks
You can listen now to the show we did on 4/24/17 on About Health, KPFA.org 94.1FM
“Who do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon Valley.”
—Temple Grandin
Guests:
Jill Escher is president of the nonprofit, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, working to build a strong Bay Area autism community and focusing on the growing crisis in adult care, services and housing. Jill is an autism philanthropist, real estate investor, former lawyer, and mother of two children with nonverbal autism. Through the Escher Fund for Autism, Jill partners with major research organizations to spearhead pioneering autism causation research. She is also an active volunteer in the Bay Area’s autism community, including organizations such as Morgan Autism Centerand Autism Fun Bay Area. She is a graduate of Stanford University and the UC Berkeley School of Law and can be reached at .
Zack Oelerich is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has lived and practiced in the Bay Area for over 20 years. He specializes in the comprehensive treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Zack’s philosophy builds on the unique strengths and sensitivities of his clients. In his psychotherapy practice, he helps teens and adults understand more about their Neurodiversity and how it impacts their lives. Zack also consults with technology professionals in the public and private sectors, assisting organizations in better understanding the nuances and complex group dynamics of their creative and sensitive coworkers. You can reach Zack at
Approximately 50 million Americans are affected by autoimmune diseases, such as Graves disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and Rheumatoid arthritis. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases.
When the immune system functions normally, it protects us against harmful substances like cancerous cells, bacteria, and parasites. Autoimmune diseases occurs when a person’s immune system gets out of whack, and targets its own cells, tissues, or organs.
Most conventional doctors treat the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, but may not look to find the root cause. There are other practitioners who try to uncover the cause of inflammation, and suggest dietary and life style changes to help people heal.
Guest:
Harry McIlroy, MD, is an integrative physician certified with the Institute for Functional Medicine. Before medical school and completion of residency at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Harry had a background in nutrition
and obtained a Master’s in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. He strives to provide patients with health tools that empower them to improve their well being.