Health Matters, produced locally by Red River Radio, airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. The producer is Ranae Moran. Hosts of Health Matters include Dr. Randall Brewer, Dr. Sanford Katz, Dr. Patrick Lavo and Red River Radio General Manager Kermit Poling. Psychologist Dr. Shelley Visconte (Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT) hosts the Mental Health Edition of Health Matters the last Thursday of each month. Health Matters features guest physicians and health care specialists joining our hosts to bring you up-to-date information on topics that affect your health. Listeners are provided the opportunity to call in with questions or comments during the show at 1-800-552-8502 or tweet a question via Twitter @rrrpublicradio.
Health Matters is currently supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana.
Health Matters Disclaimer:
Health Matters is a program for informational purposes only. Consult your physician or health care provider for all health concerns. The opinions expressed on Health Matters are those of the individual guests and callers and do not represent the views of Red River Radio or LSUS. Health Matters is part of Red River Radio's Community Connections series of outreach programs. Guests on Health Matters are not compensated and are selected by relevance to the topic. No fees are charged for participation in Health Matters.
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Thu., Nov. 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. Dr. Randall Brewer talks about spine health with Dr. Milan Mody, spine surgeon with Willis Knighton Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Pierremont, Dr. John Cefalu, Anesthesiologist with River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, and Lee Rielly, DPT, Assistant Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Willis-Knighton Health System. -
Thu., Oct. 23,2025, at 6 p.m. On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Randall Brewer talks with Dr. Tim Gilmore, PhD, Associate Professor of Cardiopulmonary Science at LSU Health in Shreveport, and Cardiopulmonary Science student Shreya Patel about respiratory therapy and what conditions respiratory therapists treat. We’ll also learn about a new 2+2 partnership between LSUS and LSU Health that makes becoming a respiratory therapist easier. -
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. On this episode of Health Matters, we talk about homelessness in our community. Ranae Moran is joined by Pastor Larry Otwell, Executive Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, Donna Otwell, Director of the Women and Children’s Program at the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, and Sharpel Welch, Executive Director of Providence House. -
Sept. 18, 2025. Dr. Anand Bhat is joined by Dr. Jaya McSharma, medical and creative director of MD Bestie, to talk about concierge medicine and the future of primary care and family medicine. -
On this Health Matters we continue to look at the health issue of childhood obesity, the causes, physical and emotional health risks, support for children and solutions. The CDC reports that from 2017 to 2020 nearly 20% of all U.S. children were in the category of being obese, meaning that their body mass index was at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Dr. Anand Bhat will host this discussion on pediatric obesity and metabolic disorders with guests Dr. Monica Haynes, physician with Willis-Knighton Pediatric Healthcare Associates and co-director of the Wonder Kids–Pediatric Metabolic Program, and Dr. Margaret Crittell, physician with Willis-Knighton Pierremont Pediatrics. -
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at 6 p.m. This week on Health Matters, we’re talking about the nation’s most common cancer—skin cancer. Most cases are preventable, and if caught early, it can be highly treatable. -
Aug. 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. On this episode of Health Matters, our host Dr. Anand Bhat is joined by family medicine physicians Dr. Ammar Husan and Dr. Kaitlyn Bland for a discussion on childhood nutrition, the importance of nutrition for children throughout the school year, and childhood obesity. Questions will be taken live at 1-800-552-8502. -
Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. On This Episode of Health Matters, Host Dr. Randall Brewer welcomes Dr. Cynthia Noguera, an ophthalmologist and the only full-time oculoplastic surgeon serving the Shreveport area. Dr. Noguera, with LSU Health Shreveport, will share her unique journey into the specialized field of oculoplastic surgery. We learn about the wide range of conditions she treats—from cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructions following disease or trauma—and how her work plays a vital role in both vision and facial health. -
Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6 p.m. Host Jenny Gregorio talks with Shainne “Shai” Williams, Community Educator and Multiethnic Specialist with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA). They’ll explore the life-saving impact of organ donation and how LOPA provides compassionate support to families experiencing loss. This show has been recorded; live questions will not be available during this episode. -
Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. Host Jenny Gregorio talks with Trena Edwards and YiChing Trenkamp, counselors with Reef Wellness, about Cultural Cohesion. Cultural Cohesion is a psycho-therapy group providing a safe, inclusive and supportive space for people navigating cultural identity, discrimination and life transitions.
