Steve Van Wormer 10/6/26 Steve Van Wormer 10/6/26

The Impact of Exercise and Fitness on Improving Patient Outcomes

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 593 - Lana Melendres-Groves, MD

Pulmonary hypertension patients are often handed powerful medications, but rarely something just as transformative: movement. Dr. Lana Melendres-Groves reveals a shocking truth that fewer than half of PH patients are ever referred to pulmonary rehab, even though research proves it can dramatically improve strength, breathing, and quality of life. This missing prescription may be the one that gives patients their lives back.

Participate in the PHenomenal Hope Run/Walk — New Mexico Saturday, October 17th at 10 AM

Steve Van Wormer 5/26/26 Steve Van Wormer 5/26/26

From “Untreatable” to Life-Changing: The New Era of CTEPH Care

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 574 - Jenny Yang, MD

What happens when patients are told everything looks “normal” but they still can’t breathe? Dr. Jenny Yang explains how new testing and team-based care are solving one of pulmonary medicine’s most overlooked mysteries and changing what’s possible for CTEPH patients.

Steve Van Wormer 4/7/26 Steve Van Wormer 4/7/26

The Insurance Plan You Never Knew You Needed

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 567 - Nicholas Kolaitis, MD

What does a lung transplant have in common with car insurance? More than you’d think. Dr. Nicholas Kolaitis shares why seeing a transplant team early, even if you’re stable, can help protect your future.

Steve Van Wormer 3/17/26 Steve Van Wormer 3/17/26

Two Rare Diagnoses, One Powerful Partnership

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 564 - Neal McDermott and Steve Mathai, MD

Scleroderma and PAH: Patient, Neal McDermott and Dr. Steve Mathai unpack how the intersection of two rare diseases requires trust, early action, and deeply personalized care. This episode explores what happens when medical expertise meets patient resilience, and why collaboration and clinical trials matter more than ever in changing the outcomes of rare disease.

Steve Van Wormer 3/10/26 Steve Van Wormer 3/10/26

The Hidden Daily Battles of Pulmonary Hypertension Patients

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 563 - Khushboo Goel, MD

Behind the clinical charts and heart catheterizations lies a world of emotional, financial, and physical challenges that PH patients face every day. Dr. Khushboo Goel opens up about what she’s learned from patients in support groups — and how it’s reshaping her approach to care.

Steve Van Wormer 1/27/26 Steve Van Wormer 1/27/26

How an AI Stethoscope Could Transform Global Healthcare

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 557 - Gaurav Choudhary, MD

What if diagnosing PH didn’t require an echo or heart catheterization — but just a AI powered stethoscope? Dr. Gaurav Choudhary talks real-world use cases, validation studies, and the global potential of portable, AI-powered diagnostics in under-resourced settings.

Steve Van Wormer 1/6/26 Steve Van Wormer 1/6/26

Telehealth Is Ending: What That Means for PH Patients

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 554 - Jean Elwing, MD

Telehealth use surged during COVID, but what happens next? Dr. Jean Elwing discusses the rapid expansion of telemedicine in pulmonary hypertension, the upcoming expiration of COVID-era telehealth funding in 2026, and why licensure and reimbursement policies could dramatically affect patient care. This episode highlights what’s at stake for rare disease patients and why advocacy and awareness are essential to sustaining virtual care options.

Steve Van Wormer 11/18/25 Steve Van Wormer 11/18/25

The Silent Rise of Chronic Pulmonary Embolism and the Tech That’s Changing Everything

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 547 - Richard Channick, MD

From portable ECMO to catheter breakthroughs, the treatment of pulmonary embolism has come a long way. Dr. Richard Channick takes us behind the scenes of cutting-edge interventions and shares the empowering truth: even community hospitals now have lifelines to expert centers. The care you need might be closer than you think.

Steve Van Wormer 11/11/25 Steve Van Wormer 11/11/25

The One Type of PH You Can Actually Cure

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 546 - Jenny Yang, MD

Dr. Jenny Yang dives into the rare but life-changing world of CTEPH, the only form of pulmonary hypertension that may be curable. From early warning signs to surgical options, this episode explains why ruling out CTEPH should be step one for any PH diagnosis.

Steve Van Wormer 11/4/25 Steve Van Wormer 11/4/25

The Diagnosis Delay That’s Still Hurting Patients

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 545 - Victor Test, MD, FCCP

Despite better tools and more awareness, people with PH are still being diagnosed too late. Dr. Victor Test opens up about the biggest barrier in PH today: getting diagnosed on time. Learn why shortness of breath is often dismissed and how both patients and doctors can work together to catch pulmonary hypertension earlier.

Steve Van Wormer 10/14/25 Steve Van Wormer 10/14/25

Treating Meth-Associated PAH Without Judgment

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 542 - Brandon Jakubowski, MD

Dr. Brandon Jakubowski takes us into the underrecognized world of stimulant-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension. From misdiagnoses to under-prescribing life-saving therapies, he lays out the systemic gaps and stigmas preventing patients from getting the care they need.

Steve Van Wormer 10/7/25 Steve Van Wormer 10/7/25

The Face of Addiction Isn’t Who You Think It Is

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 541 - Nicholas Kolaitis, MD

Once thought to be a West Coast issue, methamphetamine-associated pulmonary hypertension is now a nationwide and global crisis. Dr. Nicholas Kolaitis reveals how building trust with meth associated-PAH patients can lead to incredible turnarounds, including sobriety, trial participation, and successful transplant.

Steve Van Wormer 9/30/25 Steve Van Wormer 9/30/25

How Stigma Blocks Meth-PAH Treatment and How to Stop It

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 540 - Peter Leary, MD

Patients with methamphetamine-associated-PAH often arrive at clinics already carrying heavy shame. But shame shouldn’t be part of their medical history. In this compelling episode, Dr. Peter Leary explains how stigma — from both society and providers — can delay life-saving care. Learn how a change in mindset, language, and compassion can transform outcomes for a neglected and growing patient population.

Steve Van Wormer 9/23/25 Steve Van Wormer 9/23/25

The Hidden Epidemic: Meth and PH

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 539 - Vinicio de Jesus Perez, MD

Meth-PAH is on the rise across the United States, yet many patients are not receiving the treatment they need. Dr. Vinicio de Jesus Perez discusses the shifting demographics of meth users, the challenges of treating addiction in cardiopulmonary care, and the need for compassionate, stigma-free screening.

Steve Van Wormer 9/16/25 Steve Van Wormer 9/16/25

The Hidden PH Epidemic: What Methamphetamine Use Is Teaching Us About Pulmonary Hypertension

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 538 - John Kingrey, MD

Dr. John Kingrey exposes the rising crisis of meth-induced pulmonary hypertension, a condition spreading fast across the U.S. He challenges misconceptions, highlights urgent research, and stresses the need for compassion in treating both PAH and addiction.

Steve Van Wormer 9/9/25 Steve Van Wormer 9/9/25

PH Care Networks: Improving the Timeliness of Care

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 537 - Kari Gillmeyer, MD, MSC

Delays in diagnosing and treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) can have life-altering consequences. In this episode, Dr. Kari Gillmeyer, discusses her groundbreaking study on PH care networks. She explores why so many patients experience delays, how geography and provider access play a role, and what can be done to improve timeliness of care.

Steve Van Wormer 8/26/25 Steve Van Wormer 8/26/25

The Importance of Having a Specialized Center for PH

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 535 - Akshay Muralidhar, MD

In this episode, Dr. Akshay Muralidhar, Co-Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center of Excellence at Arizona Pulmonary Specialist in Phoenix, discusses the importance of having a specialized center for pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Muralidhar also highlights the challenges of managing patients with substance abuse issues, particularly methamphetamine use. Dr. Muralidhar emphasizes the importance of access to care, particularly for underserved communities, and the need for outreach programs to ensure that all patients have access to treatment options.

Steve Van Wormer 8/19/25 Steve Van Wormer 8/19/25

Building on Foundational Pathways:A New Treatment Option for PAH

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 534 - Raj Parikh, MD

Dr. Raj Parikh from Hartford Hospital discusses building on foundational pathways with treatment options for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) patients. He also emphasizes the value of clinical trials as well as the importance of a good doctor/patient relationship.

Steve Van Wormer 7/29/25 Steve Van Wormer 7/29/25

Groundbreaking Advancements in Transplant Technology

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 531 - John Granton, MD

Dr. John Granton, a critical care and transplant physician at Toronto General Hospital, shares his journey in pulmonary hypertension and lung transplantation, detailing the groundbreaking advancements in transplant technology. He discusses the evolution of lung preservation methods, the challenges of chronic rejection, and the hope for longer-lasting transplants. With a passion for improving patient outcomes, Dr. Granton envisions a future where transplant becomes obsolete — replaced by treatments that cure underlying diseases.

Steve Van Wormer 7/22/25 Steve Van Wormer 7/22/25

First 5 Minutes: Building Patient Trust

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcast
Episode 530 - First 5 Minutes Care Team

In this episode, Drs. Victor Test, Deborah Levine and Rodolfo Estrada discuss CHEST’s First 5 Minutes® program, which helps medical professionals build the skills that lead to a positive relationship with patients from the get-go. The goal is to improve patient care, shorten time to diagnosis for complex or rare diseases like pulmonary hypertension, and increase patient compliance and buy-in to their treatment plan.

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 593 - Lana Melendres-Groves, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 574 - Jenny Yang, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 567 - Nicholas Kolaitis, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 564 - Neal McDermott and Steve Mathai, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 563 - Khushboo Goel, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 557 - Gaurav Choudhary, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 554 - Jean Elwing, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 547 - Richard Channick, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 546 - Jenny Yang, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 545 - Victor Test, MD, FCCP

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 542 - Brandon Jakubowski, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 541 - Nicholas Kolaitis, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 540 - Peter Leary, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 539 - Vinicio de Jesus Perez, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 538 - John Kingrey, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 537 - Kari Gillmeyer, MD, MSC

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 535 - Akshay Muralidhar, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 534 - Raj Parikh, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 531 - John Granton, MD

I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware® podcastEpisode 530 - First 5 Minutes Care Team