麻豆传媒

Dr. Steve Hodges, a pediatric urologist who practices in Winston-Salem, NC, is a leading expert when it comes to children and issues related to toilet training, bedwetting and constipation. His own published research shows that children trained before age 2 have a much higher risk of having accidents compared to those trained later and are more likely to become habitual holders of their pee and poop, which can lead to issues with constipation. Hodges can discuss how today's today’s modern parents feel societal and financial pressure to toilet train their children before they are developmentally and physically ready. In his opinion, few children are ready to be fully toilet trained before the age of 3. He can discuss how diet affects children's bowel systems: what goes in (food) determines what comes out (poop). A diet full of highly processed foods like crackers, chicken nuggets and hotdogs without lots of vegetables, fruits and fibers often leads to constipation. Hodges can discuss how improper poop or pee posture can affect children's ability to fully eliminate: When it comes to pooping, it’s not enough to have a cute little seat in place because a “squatting” position improves childrens’ ability to fully eliminate. They need to sit on the toilet with their feet on a tall stool, leaning forward, elbows on knees. And, he can address how parents and caregivers should not ASK if their child has to go to the bathroom because they will likely say NO because they don’t want to stop whatever activity they are involved in. Instead, children should be directed to attempt to pee about every two hours and should be encouraged in a way that works for them individually. When children hold their pee at this young age, this actually leads to smaller bladder capacity which can lead to problems like bedwetting.

Paul A. Offit, MD, is Director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Offit is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of virology and immunology and was a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is a founding advisory board member of the Autism Science Foundation and the Foundation for Vaccine Research, a member of the Institute of Medicine, and co-editor of the foremost vaccine text, Vaccines. He is a recipient of many awards including the J. Edmund Bradley Prize for Excellence in Pediatrics from the University of Maryland Medical School, the Young Investigator Award in Vaccine Development from the Infectious Disease Society of America, a Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health, and the Sabin Vaccine Institute Gold Medal. Dr. Offit has published more than 150 papers in medical and scientific journals in the areas of rotavirus-specific immune responses and vaccine safety. He is also the co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq®, recommended for universal use in infants by the CDC. For this achievement, Dr. Offit received the Luigi Mastroianni and William Osler Awards from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the Charles Mérieux Award from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, and was honored by Bill and Melinda Gates during the launch of their Foundation’s Living Proof Project for global health. In 2009, Dr. Offit received the President’s Certificate for Outstanding Service from the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2011, he received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Biologics Industry Organization (BIO), the David E. Rogers Award from the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Odyssey Award from the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, and was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2012, Dr. Offit received the Distinguished Medical Achievement Award from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Drexel Medicine Prize in Translational Medicine from the Drexel University College of Medicine. In 2013, he received the Maxwell Finland award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the Distinguished Alumnus award from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the Innovators in Health Award from the Group Health Foundation. In 2014, he was elected to the board of trustees at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, and in 2015, he was elected to the American Association of Physicians and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as being named as a Fellow for the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. In 2016, Dr. Offit received the Franklin Founder Award by the City of Philadelphia, The Porter Prize from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, and the Jonathan E. Rhoads Medal for Distinguished Service to Medicine from The American Philosophical Society. In 2017, he received the Defensor Scientiae Award and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. In 2018, he was named to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Georges Benjamin is known as one of the nation鈥檚 most influential physician leaders because he speaks passionately and eloquently about the health issues having the most impact on our nation today. From his firsthand experience as a physician, he knows what happens when preventive care is not available, and when the healthy choice is not an easy choice. As executive director of APHA since 2002, he is leading the Association鈥檚 push to make America the healthiest nation in one generation.

He came to APHA from his position as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Benjamin became secretary of health in Maryland in April 1999, following four years as its deputy secretary for public health services. As secretary, Benjamin oversaw the expansion and improvement of the state鈥檚 Medicaid program.

Benjamin, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a fellow emeritus of the American College of Emergency Physicians and an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health.

An established administrator, author and orator, Benjamin started his medical career in 1981 in Tacoma, Wash., where he managed a 72,000-patient visit ambulatory care service as chief of the Acute Illness Clinic at the Madigan Army Medical Center and was an attending physician within the Department of Emergency Medicine. A few years later, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as chief of emergency medicine at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After leaving the Army, he chaired the Department of Community Health and Ambulatory Care at the District of Columbia General Hospital. He was promoted to the acting commissioner for public health for the District of Columbia and later directed one of the busiest ambulance services in the nation as interim director of the Emergency Ambulance Bureau of the District of Columbia Fire Department.

At APHA, Benjamin also serves as publisher of the nonprofit's monthly publication, The Nation's Health, the association's official newspaper, and the American Journal of Public Health, the profession鈥檚 premier scientific publication. He is the author of more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters. His recent book The Quest for Health Reform: A Satirical History is an expos茅 of the nearly 100-year quest to ensure quality affordable health coverage for all through the use of political cartoons.

Benjamin is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (Formally the Institute of Medicine) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and also serves on the boards for many organizations including Research! America and the Reagan-Udall Foundation. In 2008, 2014, and 2016 he was named one of the top 25 minority executives in health care by Modern Healthcare Magazine, in addition to being voted among the 100 most influential people in health care from 2007-2017.

In April 2016, President Obama appointed Benjamin to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, a council that advises the president on how best to assure the security of the nation's critical infrastructure.

There are more women living with stroke than ever before, a leading cause of disability in the United States. One potential cause, believes Dr. Michelle Johansen, may be the heart-brain connection. Johansen鈥檚 presentation will share how understanding the heart may allow for more accurate diagnosis and prevention of cerebrovascular disease and injury, such as that caused by stroke.

Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Strategy & Accreditation at Creighton University鈥檚 School of Medicine.
Dr. Rengua Vivekanandan, M.D., is an infectious disease expert and an award-winning physician whose research and experience positions her as a prominent voice on public health, epidemiology, gender equity in health care, organ transplant outcomes and antibiotics stewardship. Dr. Vivekanandan is also the Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship & Hospital Epidemiology at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center 鈥� Bergan Mercy.
Dr. Vivekanandan was named a 2021 Champion of Humanistic Care Award winner by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. She earned a Distinguished Faculty Service Award from Creighton University and received The Walter J. O鈥橠onohue, Jr. Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians. She was named a 40 Under 40 Honor by the Midlands Business Journal in 2019 and she was a finalist for the Inspire: Celebrating Women鈥檚 Leadership Award for Excellence in Healthcare in 2022.
In addition to publishing numerous research papers and articles, Dr. Vivekanandan is a regular presenter at national conferences, educational webinars and professional seminars. She mentors and collaborates with medical students, residents and fellows. Dr. Vivekanandan recently served as a member of the Big East Conference鈥檚 COVID-19 Task Force to help safely guide athletic departments through the pandemic.

Director, Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine

Research Interests
Dr. Rajagopalan completed clinical and research fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and vascular biology at the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Rajagopalan is among an elite group of physician investigators whose work has help transform perceptions and facilitate understanding of the global impact of chronic diseases including diabetes. He has additionally made seminal contributions towards the development of next generation therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and is a leading authority in advancing newer and innovative non-invasive approaches for the diagnosis of complex cardiovascular disorders.

Dr. Rajagopalan鈥檚 laboratory has been continually funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Rajagopalan is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI), the Association of University Cardiologists (AUC) and the Association of Professors of Cardiology (APC). Additional honors include the William Keating Award from the American College of Cardiology, the Charles Dana Award and being voted amongst the Best Doctors in America.

Dr. Rajagopalan has published over than 250 original peer reviewed research publications in journals such as JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, Journal of Clinical Investigation and Circulation Research, in addition to more than 300 reviews, book chapters and abstracts. He has served as an editor for at least two textbooks and several monographs on vascular disease and atherosclerosis.

External Appointments
Division Chief, Cardiovascular Medicine University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Publications
The NIEHS TaRGET II Consortium and environmental epigenomics. Wang T, Pehrsson EC, Purushotham D, Li D, Zhuo X, Zhang B, Lawson HA, Province MA, Krapp C, Lan Y, Coarfa C, Katz TA, Tang WY, Wang Z, Biswal S, Rajagopalan S, Colacino JA, Tsai ZT, Sartor MA, Neier K, Dolinoy DC, Pinto J, Hamanaka RB, Mutlu GM, Patisaul HB, Aylor DL, Crawford GE, Wiltshire T, Chadwick LH, Duncan CG, Garton AE, McAllister KA; TaRGET II Consortium, Bartolomei MS, Walker CL, Tyson FL. Nat Biotechnol. 2018 Mar 6;36(3):225-227. doi: 10.1038/nbt.4099.
Short-Term Blood Pressure Responses to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Exposures at the Extremes of Global Air Pollution Concentrations. Huang W, Wang L, Li J, Liu M, Xu H, Liu S, Chen J, Zhang Y, Morishita M, Bard RL, Harkema JR, Rajagopalan S, Brook RD. Am J Hypertens. 2018 Feb 2. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpx216. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 29409056
2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Brook RD, Rajagopalan S.J Am Soc Hypertens. 2018 Mar;12(3) PMID: 29396104
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: Translating Pathophysiological Concepts Into Clinical Practice. Naeije R, Saggar R, Badesch D, Rajagopalan S, Gargani L, Rischard F, Ferrara F, Marra AM, D' Alto M, Bull TM, Saggar R, Gr眉nig E, Bossone E.Chest. 2018 Jan 31. pii: S0012-3692(18)30161-2. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.01.022. PMID: 29382472
CITED2 restrains pro-inflammatory macrophage activation and response. Kim GD, Das R, Rao X, Zhong J, Deiuliis JA, Ramirez-Bergeron DL, Rajagopalan S, Mahabeleshwar GH. Mol Cell Biol. 2017 Dec 4. pii: MCB.00452-17. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00452-17. PMID: 29203644
Noncoding RNAs in Cardiovascular Disease: Pathological Relevance and Emerging Role as Biomarkers and Therapeutics. Gangwar RS, Rajagopalan S, Natarajan R, Deiuliis JA. Am J Hypertens. 2018 Jan 12;31 PMID: 29186297
Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Type 2 Diabetes. Rajagopalan S, Brook R. N Engl J Med. 2017 Nov 23;377(21):2098-9.No abstract available.  PMID: 29182250
Inhalation Exposure to PM2.5 Counteracts Hepatic Steatosis in Mice Fed High-fat Diet by Stimulating Hepatic Autophagy. Qiu Y, Zheng Z, Kim H, Yang Z, Zhang G, Shi X, Sun F, Peng C, Ding Y, Wang A, Chen LC, Rajagopalan S, Sun Q, Zhang K. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 24;7(1):16286. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-16490-3. PMID: 29176715 Free PMC Article
Monocyte DPP4 Expression in Human Atherosclerosis Is Associated With Obesity and Dyslipidemia. Rao X, Deiuliis JA, Mihai G, Varghese J, Xia C, Frieman MB, Sztalryd C, Sun XJ, Quon MJ, Taylor SI, Rajagopalan S, Zhong J.Diabetes Care. 2018 Jan;41(1)Epub 2017 Nov 10. PMID: 29127241
Effect of Particulate Matter Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Oxidative Stress Pathways. Rao X, Zhong J, Brook RD, Rajagopalan S. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2018 Mar 20;28(9):797-818. Epub 2017 Dec 12. PMID: 29084451
Extreme levels of ambient air pollution adversely impact cardiac and central aortic hemodynamics: the AIRCMD-China study. Liu S, Brook RD, Huang W, Fan Z, Xu H, Wu R, Sun Z, Zhao X, Ruan Y, Yan J, Sun L, Liang R, Lian H, Gu D, Rajagopalan S. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2017 Nov;11(11):754-761.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2017.09.009. Epub 2017 Sep 28. PMID: 29031802
The Role of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Inflammation: Focus on Kidney and Vasculature. Belden Z, Deiuliis JA, Dobre M, Rajagopalan S. Am J Nephrol. 2017;46(4):298-314.  Epub 2017 Oct 10. PMID: 29017166
Personal-level exposure to environmental temperature is a superior predictor of endothelial-dependent vasodilatation than outdoor-ambient level. Ejike C, Wang L, Liu M, Wang W, Morishita M, Bard RL, Huang W, Harkema J, Rajagopalan S, Brook RD. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2017 Nov;11(11):746-753.e1.  Epub 2017 Sep 28. PMID: 28989070
Cardiovascular evaluation and management of iron overload cardiomyopathy in sickle cell disease. Ginwalla M, AlMasoud A, Tofovic D, Alin T, Al-Kindi S, Oliveira G, Rajagopalan S, Schilz R, Little J. Am J Hematol. 2018 Jan;93(1)Epub 2017 Oct 23.  PMID: 28971490
Design of the exercise MRI evaluation of HIV-pulmonary arterial hypertension longitudinal determinants (EXALTED) trial. Alaiti MA, Goud A, Ramani G, Bagchi S, Al-Kindi S, Sawicki S, Longenecker C, Jenkins T, Pauza D, Park M, McComsey G, Simonetti O, Hoit B, Rajagopalan S. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2017 Nov;18(11):888-896. PMID: 28937582
Stressed About Air Pollution: Time for Personal Action. Brook RD, Rajagopalan S. Circulation. 2017 Aug 15;136(7):628-631.   PMID: 28808145
Cancer risks of anti-hyperglycemic drugs for type 2 diabetes treatment - a clinical appraisal. Vora J, Ray K, Kosiborod M, Poulter NR, Rajagopalan S, Leiter LA. J Diabetes Complications. 2017 Sep;31(9):1451-1457. Epub 2017 Jun 15. Review. PMID: 28655490
Air Pollution and Cardiometabolic Disease: An Update and Call for Clinical Trials. Brook RD, Newby DE, Rajagopalan S. Am J Hypertens. 2017 Dec 8;31(1):1-10. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpx109. PMID: 28655143
The regulatory role of DPP4 in atherosclerotic disease. Duan L, Rao X, Xia C, Rajagopalan S, Zhong J. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2017 Jun 15;16(1):76. Review. PMID: 28619058 Free PMC Article
Design of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism in Diabetic Atherosclerosis (MAGMA) Trial. Rajagopalan S, Alaiti MA, Broadwater K, Goud A, Gaztanaga J, Connelly K, Fares A, Shirazian S, Kreatsoulas C, Farkouh M, Dobre M, Fink JC, Weir MR. Clin Cardiol. 2017 Sep;40(9) Epub 2017 May 26.
Education
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) University of Madras, India 1988
Residencies, Internships and Fellowships
Residency in Internal Medicine Erie County Medical Center 1994
Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease Emory University Hospital 1998
Research Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine Cornell University 2002
Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine Duke University Medical Center 2004
Additional Information
1990-1994: Assistant Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo
1994: Chief Medical Resident, VA Medical Center, SUNY at Buffalo.
1994-1998: Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
1998-2003: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2001-2003:  Co-Director, Vascular Medicine Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2003-2006: Director Cardiovascular MR and CT Imaging, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
2006-2013:Professor of Medicine (With Tenure), the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2006-2013: Director of Vascular Medicine, Co-Director CT and MR Imaging Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2006-2013: Associate Director, Davis Heart Lung Research Institute, Columbus, OH
2013-2015:Head, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
2013-2016: Melvin Sharoky Endowed Professorship, University of Maryland School of Medicine
2016: Asst. Chair, Translational Research, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, MSc is a physician with over 20 years of clinical and professional experience, including as an ophthalmologist in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), as a clinician scientist and faculty member at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and as a Staff Ophthalmologist on the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. She later transitioned to the corporate sector, serving in global leadership roles in clinical development and medical affairs at Roche, AbbVie, and Johnson & Johnson.
Dr. Pathai holds an MBBS (medical degree) and BSc in Tumor Biology from University College London Medical School, and a Masters in Epidemiology and PhD from LSHTM. Her PhD, which was funded by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellowship, investigated clinical aspects of accelerated biological aging. She is a Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (London), a Member of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Physicians, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. She was a mentor for the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Scholars Award Program and is a board member of Orbis UK.

As a dedicated radiologist with a strong commitment to patient care, innovation, and education, I bring over 15 years of experience to Corewell Health at William Beaumont University Hospital Royal Oak, MI. 

Leadership and Operations:
In my multifaceted role as Medical Director of Corewell Health East Medical Group Radiology, I help lead and oversee operations at Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe hospitals, working diligently to ensure the highest standards of patient care and operational excellence. My focus on efficiency and quality has been instrumental in enhancing the healthcare experience for our community.

Physician Recruitment:
As the lead physician recruiter for our high-quality employed group, I am deeply involved in shaping our team with top-tier talent. My dedication to assembling a team of exceptional healthcare professionals contributes significantly to our organization's continued success.

Research Scientist:
I am a research scientist with a specialized focus on prostate cancer MRI. My work in this field is driven by a passion for advancing diagnostic techniques and improving patient outcomes. I collaborate with esteemed researchers and institutions to push the boundaries of medical imaging in the fight against prostate cancer.

Education and Mentorship:
In addition to my clinical and research roles, I take pride in my role as an educator. I actively mentor and train radiology residents and fellows, imparting knowledge and fostering the growth of future leaders in the field. 

Connect with Me:
I am always eager to connect with fellow healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and those who share a passion for the advancement of medical science and patient care.