In this recent conversation with Andrew Brewer on the Healthcare Insights podcast, Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, neurosurgeon and President of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, shared groundbreaking insights into the role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation.
Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC
Recent Posts
Rewiring Inflammation: A New Era in Rheumatoid Arthritis Care
Aug 13, 2025 4:48:14 PM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in Healthcare Insights, treatment, podcast, intervention, healthcare, vagus nerve
Listen, Learn, Earn CE: Explore the Latest Healthcare Insights in Northwest NC
Aug 4, 2025 11:28:43 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in Healthcare Insights, podcast
Beyond Skincare: Podcast on Inflammaging, Light Therapy, and Grounding
Jun 26, 2025 10:40:18 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in online learning, dermatology, podcast, aging
Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu is an immunologist and molecular medicine researcher, and the Chief Scientific Officer and CEO of Aveseena. Dr. "Ebru" discusses "inflammaging," a condition where inflammation and premature aging occur simultaneously, triggered by factors such as stress, diet, and harsh skincare practices. She elaborates on how environmental aggressors, including certain endocrine disruptors found in plastics, can mimic hormonal effects and disrupt the body's systems, emphasizing the importance of storing food in glass containers and avoiding plastic bottles left in heat. The conversation also covers the dangers of topical estrogen in skincare without medical supervision, contrasting it with physician-monitored hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Ebru highlights the skin's role as the first line of immune defense, protected by its microbiome and immune system. She explains that while acute inflammation is beneficial, chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) is undesirable. The discussion also touches on the balanced approach to sun exposure for Vitamin D synthesis, recommending early morning or evening sunlight with SPF for protection, and the benefits of red light therapy for skin health. Finally, she validates the scientific basis of grounding, explaining that the human body is an open system that reacts to environmental energies.
Migraine Headache and the Mind-Body Connection
Jun 18, 2025 7:21:23 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in treatment, mindfulness, headache, pain management
Can those suffering from migraine get relief without medication? Find out in episode 116 of the Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina!
Now with 1hr CE Credit! Addressing Mental Health in Primary Care with the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)
Jun 17, 2025 9:03:55 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in mental health, behavioral health, Pediatrics, podcast, collaborative care
On the most recent episode of the Northwest AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast, host Andrew Brewer speaks with Dr. Gretchen Hoyle. And, you can now earn 1 hour of CE credit after listening!
Dr. Hoyle returns to provide a post-launch update of implementing a collaborative care management model (CoCM) in primary care practice in a large health system. The model provides continuity of care for chronic conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Learn how CoCM operates and insights on transforming care practices with a behavioral care manager, data registry, EHR workflows, and billing.
According to Dr. Hoyle, "This model allows us as pediatricians to use a team based approach for pediatric patients with mental health issues." Members of the CoCM team include the primary care provider who makes a diagnosis and referral, a psychiatric consultant who provides subspecialist level expertise and advice, and the behavioral health care manager (BHCM) who interacts most closely with the patient and their family. Dr. Hoyle finds it is the BHCM that is the "hero" of the CoCM team!
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the functions of each member of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Team.
- Describe how mental health symptoms are measured and tracked in the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.
Register for CE Credit here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/75184
View a complete list of current episodes in the Podcast CE Learning series here: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/podcastCE
Check out the latest episode of NW AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast!
Supporting the Unsheltered in Burke County, NC
May 27, 2025 9:46:34 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in mental health, Substance Use, human service, addiction, volunteering, communication, crisis, homeless, unsheltered
In this episode of the Healthcare Insights podcast, you will hear the ground level experiences of two wonderful humans working directly with the unsheltered in Burke County, NC. Alice Horton, Director of the Burke United Christian Ministries and Karen Russell, Director of the HOPE Center share their stories of outreach and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Insights on Headaches and Headache Treatments
Feb 21, 2025 10:05:23 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, Wellness, Healthcare Insights, Medicine, stress, research, trauma, treatment, online learning, neuro, integrated care, patient care, access, medications, Medication assisted treatment, healthcare, headache
Two recent guests on our Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast share their expertise, experience, and insights into headaches and headache research and treatment.
Headaches, Healthcare Payments, Long-term Care, Free Clinics, and Dreaming Big
Feb 4, 2025 2:06:33 PM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, Healthcare Insights, treatment, online learning, podcast, healthcare
What do headaches, healthcare payments, long-term care, free clinics, and dreaming big have in common? They are all topics of recent episodes on the Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast.
So Many Podcasts, So Little Time
Jan 8, 2025 10:50:40 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, podcast
If you don’t know already, 2024 was the year of the podcasts. Podcasts have truly democratized content on the internet as anyone with a microphone can record, publish, and easily distribute episodes to anyone interested in the topic. Whether it is sport, politics, science, health, medicine, cars…just about any topic you can think of probably has several podcasts discussing it at any given time. And the number of podcasts and listeners continue to grow exponentially. In fact, podcasts outnumber audio books by a factor of 6 to 1.
New Podcast CE Learning Series Episodes Now Available
Dec 12, 2024 10:07:13 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, mental health, health disparities, podcast
Is there an easier way to learn and earn CE credits than to listen to a podcast while you are working out, cooking, doing yard work, or running errands? I can't think of one. In fact, I personally love listening and recording podcasts. And we've made it easy and cost effective to learn and earn with our Podcast CE Learning Series. So click to listen, register for credit, and pass the post-test to earn an hour of CE credits for your continuing educational development needs. All it costs is your time and attention; there is no fee!
We recently published two new timely and relevant episodes to our Podcast CE learning series where you can listen, learn, take a short post-test, and earn an hour CE credit for each episode.