Game Changers in Medicine

In our recent episode on the discovery of the smallpox vaccine, we were fortunate to hear from several noted doctors and virologists. They shared their expertise on how vaccines work and offered predictions for when we might have a vaccine for COVID-19.
They were very generous with their time. So generous, in fact, that we couldn’t contain all of their big ideas in that one episode. Thus is born this bonus episode.
It is a privilege to share more of their expert commentary on the coronavirus and the search for a COVID-19 vaccine.

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You may have heard the story of Edward Jenner, the milkmaids, and the discovery of the smallpox vaccine. But is that story really true? In today’s episode, Dr. Pillay pulls back the curtain to reveal some little-known serendipity behind the discovery of the world’s first vaccine. As scientists strive to find a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, does that long-ago medical breakthrough have lessons to teach us even today? Listen to find out.

This week’s esteemed guests include Dr. Arthur Boylston, Dr. Paul Goepfert, Dr. Alice Phillips, Dr. Michael Saag, and Dr. Paula Traktman.

Shownotes:

To access the Smallpox Eradication Oral History Project at Emory University, click here.
To listen to Mary Guinan’s full oral history click here.

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Babies were dying of a strange bleeding disorder and doctors couldn’t figure out why. In our premiere episode, “Vitamin K: This vitamin you’ve never heard of may have saved your life,” we learn how Henrik Dam, a biochemist studying cholesterol in baby chicks, unexpectedly stumbles upon the answer. It turns out that vitamin K is key to blood clotting, and lack of it can cause uncontrolled bleeding—in chicks and humans alike. This discovery occurs in Denmark, but it doesn’t take long for Boston hematologist William C. Moloney to put this key finding to good use—traveling all around New England in his rickety blue Dodge testing preoperative patients for this key deficiency.
To access this week's transcripts click here.
Shownotes:
Listen to Dr. Moloney's full oral history, courtesy the of Oral History Archives at Columbia University - LINK
Read the transcripts of Dr. Moloney's oral history - LINK

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Game Changers in Medicine is a groundbreaking medical history podcast about the serendipitous events, chance encounters, and unlikely heroes and heroines behind some of the world’s most significant medical discoveries. Through oral histories, memoirs, and other first-person accounts, we get to know the scientists whose curiosity, innovation, and dogged determination contributed to game-changing medical discoveries that almost didn’t happen—and which continue to define patient care today.
Game Changers in Medicine is hosted by Rubin Pillay, MD, PhD. Sean Moloney serves as the executive producer. Rolando Nieves is the show runner.
Subscribe now and don't miss our first episode on July 8, 2020.

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Photographs. Sometimes they capture a moment. Sometimes they tell a story. And sometimes, a photograph can change the world. This month, join us as we revisit the discovery of the x-ray and how it would change patient care forever.
How do x-rays work? And how did the world react when we could finally see inside our bodies? Listen to find out.
Shownotes:
Thank you to Kathy Joseph of the YouTube series, Kathy Loves Physics and History. Watch her show now. LINK
For graphics associated with this episode please visit www.gamechangersinmedicine.com.

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