Beyond Medicine: How Music Transforms the Patient Experience in Cancer Care
Release Date: 06/23/2026
Why Cancer Screening Matters: A Story of Early Detection and Resilience
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Most people don’t think about cancer screening when they feel healthy — no symptoms, no warning signs, no reason to worry. That’s exactly what made the following patient story so unexpected and important. In the final episode of the miniVHAN podcast’s Cancer Screening and Prevention series, Mary Jo Wiggins shares how a routine colorectal screening led to a stage four cancer diagnosis — and why it may have saved her life.
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Beyond Medicine: How Music Transforms the Patient Experience in Cancer Care
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Music is more than entertainment — it’s a form of healing. In this episode of the miniVHAN podcast, PJ Cowan, senior program manager of the nonprofit Musicians On Call, shares how they are transforming patient care through live music, emotional connection and whole-person care.
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How Health Care Policy Shapes Cancer Screening and Prevention
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Health care policy plays a critical role in who gets screened for cancer and who can afford it. In the miniVHAN with us is, Maddie Michael of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network who shares how advocacy, legislation and community voices shape access to cancer care and improve outcomes.
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From Screening to Follow-Up: Fixing the Gaps in Cancer Care Delivery
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Cancer screening access is improving. But what happens after screening? In this episode of the miniVHAN podcast, Shari Rajoo, MD, chief medical officer of Ballad Health, shares insights on patient-centered care, health system gaps and the growth of accessible screening options. She also advocates for community health navigators and health coaches to better support patients through every phase of their care.
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Early Detection and Personalized Care: How Cancer Screening Is Evolving
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The guidelines around cancer screening are changing to prioritize earlier evaluation and a more personalized approach to prevention. In this episode of the miniVHAN podcast, Ben Park, MD, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses early detection and the lowering of recommended ages for certain screenings due to rising cancer rates in younger adults. He also encourages precision screening that accounts for an individual’s genetics and family history, and advocates for shared decision-making to ensure patients feel respected and informed in their care journey.
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Buckle Up for the miniVHAN Podcast
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Jump into the miniVHAN, where you’ll always have a front-row seat to the future of health care. Hosted by Mallory Yoder, our podcast explores clinical advancements, value-based care and the innovations driving the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network. Join us as we dive deep with thought leaders to tackle the issues that matter most, including behavioral health across the lifespan, care delivery and building bridges between communities. Whether you’re a clinician, employer, caregiver or patient, miniVHAN provides the roadmap, actionable tools and inspiration you need...
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Beyond the Bedside: Bolstering Support for Caregivers
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In the newest episode of the miniVHAN podcast, we sit down with Terrell Smith, MSN, RN, the recently retired senior director of Patient and Family Engagement at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. With over five decades of experience, Terrell shares heartfelt anecdotes and insights into the challenges caregivers face daily. We shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes, exploring the emotional and physical toll of caregiving and the vital importance of community support. This episode addresses caregiving as a significant public health issue, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and...
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Reshaping Dental Care: Discover How Interfaith Dental Transforms Lives and Strengthens Its Community
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This episode of the miniVHAN spotlights the work of Interfaith Dental, a Middle Tennessee nonprofit that helps vulnerable populations achieve and sustain a healthy smile. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, DMD, the organization’s visionary CEO, walks us through Interfaith Dental’s modest beginnings in 1995 and evolution into a cornerstone community resource that has rapidly adapted to break down barriers in health care. Our conversation shows how the organization has expanded services to patients of all ages and addressed social determinants of health through innovative solutions like teledentistry,...
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Insights on the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Model Designation
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In this episode, we explore the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model with our guest, Liz Pierce, MD, pediatric regional medical director for the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network. With over 30 years of experience in pediatrics, Dr. Pierce shares her invaluable insights into how this physician-led, team-based care model can enhance patient outcomes. The PCMH model, rooted in the principles of coordinated and comprehensive care, seeks to centralize the patient's medical journey and make health care more accessible and effective. Because implementing the model can be a...
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Rethinking Antibiotics for Kids - Tips for Parents and Providers
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We’re hitting the road with Elizabeth Randolph, MD, from Green Hills Pediatric Associates, to explore the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and how it’s making infections harder to treat. Discover why antibiotic stewardship is vital to decrease the risk of disease spread and severe illness. We’ll tackle the challenges of managing patient and family expectations when it comes to antibiotic use and share strategies for reassuring parents about non-antibiotic treatments for common ailments. We’ll also discuss many of the risks involved in overprescribing. Learn...
info_outlineMusic is more than entertainment — it’s a form of healing. In this episode of the miniVHAN podcast, PJ Cowan, senior program manager of the nonprofit Musicians On Call, shares how they are transforming patient care through live music, emotional connection and whole-person care.