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Chair’s Corner

Welcome to the Chair’s Corner
Podcast Series: Talking About Treatments

There are many questions one might have when beginning a medication or treatment – especially when it is new on the market. In this series, Dr. Falk interviews UNC experts on a variety of therapies, many of which have been recently approved by the FDA.

Listeners can find out about some specific drugs like Galafold, or more broad topics like immunotherapy and biosimilars. Discussions will cover questions that people often ask related to treatment–side effects, effectiveness, and other issues.

The Chair’s Corner is an educational podcast hosted by Dr. Ron Falk, Department of Medicine Chair at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. We hope you’ll join Dr. Falk, a caring physician, world-renowned researcher and mentor of young physicians and scientists. He is passionate about helping patients and their caregivers have access to information that’s empowering and vital to managing their health conditions.

Newest Episode – Biosimilars with Dr. Hans Herfarth

Dr. Hans Herfarth explains biosimilars in this episode of the Chair’s Corner. He describes the differences of biosimilars and biologics, and safety issues with switching from an original drug to a biosimilar. Dr. Herfarth is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Listen to episodes and learn more about…

Patient Support

Hear From a Patient

  • Alpha-Gal Allergy Patient Story – JoAnne, a patient with alpha-gal allergy, joins Dr. Ron Falk and Dr. Scott Commins to talk about her experience with getting diagnosed with alpha-gal allergy. JoAnne recounts her first allergic reaction to meat, and provides some tips to others for coping and eating with this allergy.
  • “Celeste Lee on the Power of Patient Engagement” – Dr. Falk interviews Celeste Lee in this special episode on patient engagement. Celeste is described by Dr. Falk as an “astonishing leader and ferocious advocate for patient engagement,” and discusses the process of getting patients to become advocates for their health.
  • David Cole’s Story – David Cole shares his story in this new podcast on how he went from a very healthy athlete, to a person diagnosed with kidney disease. And then, how his life changed after having a kidney transplant.
  • Fabry disease – Jerry Walter is the founder and president of the National Fabry Disease Foundation and he has Fabry disease. He shares what is has been like living with Fabry–for many years he did not know he had it–and how he has dealt with symptoms.
  • Galafold – Galafold (migalastat) was approved in August 2018 for the treatment of Fabry disease. Jerry Walter, a patient who has Fabry, and his nephrologist, Dr. Gerald Hladik, discuss how the drug works, and common concerns and questions patients have about the treatment.
  • Having an Autoimmune Condition…Without Having a Clear Diagnosis – Dr. Falk interviews a patient who tells her experience of developing autoimmune disease symptoms. This patient describes what it’s like to deal with symptoms that fit the description of an autoimmune disease process but is unable to receive a clear-cut diagnosis for what is happening.
  • Kidney Transplant Patient Story – with Kevin Howell – Dr. Ron Falk welcomes Kevin Howell, who is a kidney transplant recipient. Kevin shares his story about getting sick and the challenges he had accepting reality. He talks about being on dialysis while working full-time, finding an unexpected kidney donor, and his recovery to health.
  • Lung Transplant Patient Story – with Andy Nelson – Dr. Ron Falk welcomes Andy Nelson, a person who has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and who received a double lung transplant. He shares his story here about having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his journey to getting new lungs, and his recovery since the transplant.
  • Participating in HIV Cure Research – What are some reasons to participate in HIV cure research? A UNC research study participant, Rob, shares his personal reasons, and describes his involvement in recent studies. Dr. David Margolis, who leads HIV cure research at UNC, joins the conversation and describes where cure research is today, including specifics on Vorinostat trials, and where their work is headed.

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