In our latest episode we welcome new Host Mikayla Winn MSN as she speaks with Pulmonologist and Critical Care Attending Dr. Christopher Kearney. They discuss the convoluted and frustrating topic of Prior Authorizations. Prior authorizations were originally designed to be used by insurance entities to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective treatments, but have proven to be a time consuming, and what seems to be purposely difficult process that can lead to denials of treatments and delays in care. Dr. Kearney joins us to discuss his experiences and personal frustrations with the current "prior auth" process, how it works (or doesn't), and who it effects.

Dr. Kearney completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Biology at Villanova University before earning both his MD and Master of Public Health from Harvard Medical School.

At Boston Medical Center, Dr. Kearney serves as a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care attending physician in the Medical ICU, where he provides expert care in areas such as organ failure, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He also holds the academic title of Assistant Professor in Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep & Critical Care Medicine at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

As a clinician-educator and health services researcher, Dr. Kearney is dedicated to improving outcomes for critically ill patients. He works closely with fellows, residents, and nursing staff, emphasizing patient-centered care and leveraging his expertise in pulmonary and critical care medicine to enhance patient outcomes.

Dr. Kearney has also been widely published in leading peer-reviewed journals, contributing important research and insights into treatment trends, asthma management, and critical care interventions.

In under 10 minutes we delve into this destructive and sometimes deadly parasite, we discuss what it is, what it does and why decades after being eradicated from the US this flesh eating insect is again raising concerns.

In our first YMMS! Snapshot, we take a quick look at the Measles virus. In under 10 minutes, we discuss what it is, how it's spread, who it's affecting, the importance of vaccination, and the current state of measles in the U.S.