
Hosted by Hennepin Healthcare · EN
Dr. David Hilden (MD, MPH, FACP) is a practicing Internal Medicine physician and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC), Hennepin County’s premier safety net hospital in downtown Minneapolis. Join him and his colleagues for expert knowledge, inspiring stories, and thoughtful insight from the front lines of today’s hospitals and clinics. They also take your questions, too! Have you ever just wanted to ask a doctor…well…anything? Email us at healthymatters@hcmed.org, call us at 612-873-TALK (8255) or tweet us @DrDavidHilden. We look forward to building on the success of our storied radio talk show (13 years!) with our new podcast, and we hope you'll join us. In the meantime, be healthy, and be well.

07/19/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS06_E03 - Tick-Talk! We're Talking Tick-Borne IllnessesWith Special Guest: Dr. Diana Zychowski, MD, MPHTicks are usually really small, but the fear factor around them is HUGE - and for good reason! These little menaces are responsible for Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Alpha-Gal syndrome, and other illnesses you might not have even heard of, and this can produce a lot of anxiety around going outdoors during the summer months. But what's the truth around these little hitchhikers? Is there really that much cause for concern? And how would you know if that fatigue, headache, lethargy, or muscle ache isn't just from being dehydrated while toughing out another hot Summer in Minnesota?Joining us on Episode 3 is Dr. Diana Zychowski, an infectious diseases specialist at Hennepin Healthcare, and she'll help us get wise with the basics on these bothersome bugs. We'll talk about the current state of ticks in Minnesota, the myriad illnesses they can carry, what to do if you happen to get bitten, and most importantly, the best tips for how to still get out and enjoy a little of the outdoors this Summer. We hope you'll join us!Read more helpful information on ticks here: Tiny Ticks, Big ImpactGot healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

07/05/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS06_E02 - Snack Attack! A Primer on Peanut AllergyWith Special Guest: Dr. John Sweet, MDPeanuts may be small, but for the millions of Americans that are allergic to them (and their parents) they can be a HUGE red flag, and something that can change how and what they eat for their entire lives. From mild hives to severe anaphylaxis, steering clear of "Nature's Perfect Snack" actually makes perfect sense. But who's most at risk? Can you ever grow out of it? And is a peanut even a nut? (It's not!)Peanut allergy in children has tripled since the late 1990s and for years the advice was simple: avoid peanuts entirely. But that advice, it turns out, may have been part of the problem! On our next show we'll be joined by Dr. John Sweet to talk all about the evolution in understanding around this all too common condition. We'll go over the effects on the body, how the allergy is diagnosed, available treatments and the latest thinking around how to keep those affected as safe as possible. Join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

06/21/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS06_E01 - High Temps, Higher Stakes - Medications and Substances vs. The Summer HeatWith Special Guest: Brit Culp, ADCT, CPP Summer is finally here, and with it, the HEAT - and yes, the PARTIES! Whether it's a bar night out, a concert, a festival, or a PRIDE event, the heat can have a big impact on how much fun we can have, and the ill effects can oftentimes be compounded by the prescription drugs, recreational drugs and alcoholic and caffeinated beverages that might be in our bodies. But how do these substances amplify the effects of the heat? Which ones should we be most concerned with? And what are some of the best practices to "party smart"?Research suggests that as temperatures rise, overdoses do, too, so on Episode 1 of Season 6, we'll be joined by Brit Culp (ADCT, CPP) to go over all of the do's and don'ts of adult summer fun. We'll cover some of the most concerning medications and substances, how to keep the downsides to a minimum, and why the "Lower and Slower" concept is your friend. The summer heat is no joke, and it's even less funny when it turns a would-be good night into a trip to the ED. So join us and get wise on how to have a good time, safely - and happy Pride!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

04/26/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E14 - Hot Takes on BurnsWith Special Guest: Dr. Jon Gayken, MDWe've all been burned at some point in our lives - whether it be by the stove, by the sun or, possibly, even by our lovely Winter weather (yes, frostbite is a burn!). For starters, they hurt; but there are all kinds of burns and there can be a lot more to them depending on the severity. But what is a burn exactly? What happens in the body when we get a burn? And what are the best steps to take after you accidentally grab that hot pan?On Episode 14, we're talking all things burn with Hennepin Healthcare's Burn Center surgeon Dr. Jon Gayken. He'll walk us through the medical side of burns, the different types, how they're classified and the different treatments for each. Plus we'll take a look inside the elite work being done at Hennepin Healthcare's Burn Center and how they're both helping patients and families through what are often extremely tough times. Burns can be really scary, and they're something we don't think about until they happen, but knowing more about them can help take a bit of the sting out. Join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

04/12/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E13 - Too Important to LoseWith Special Guests: Susie Emmert and Jessica OaxacaWhat if one of Minnesota's most essential healthcare lifelines wasn't there when you needed it? We're talking about a Level I Trauma Center for both Adults & Pediatrics, the state's busiest emergency department, and a critical safety-net hospital for the most vulnerable in our state. Most of us may know of Hennepin Healthcare for its emergency care, but there's a lot more to it. It plays a much broader role in our state's healthcare system, and it's safe to say we'd all be at a massive loss without it. But what happens when an indispensable system like this faces a real financial cliff?On Episode 13, we'll take a closer look at Hennepin Healthcare/HCMC and the current financial challenges it's up against. We'll sit down with Susie Emmert and Jessica Oaxaca, two of Hennepin Healthcare's advocacy and public policy leaders, to discuss what is putting the system under pressure, why it matters far beyond Minneapolis, and why the stakes are so high this time around. We'll even share how you can help ensure that this state institution staple remains here for many generations to come (or you can click on the links below). After all, it's way too important a place to lose. Please join us!For more: hennepinhealthcare.org/howfarHelp by contacting your state representatives.View the current legislation that is being considered: SF 4986 / HF 4841Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

03/29/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E12 - Hyperbaric Medicine - What the Heck is That?With Special Guest: Dr. Thomas Masters Pressure makes a diamond, and as it turns out, higher atmospheric pressure can help our bodies heal, too! Welcome to the world of hyperbaric medicine, where patients climb into a chamber, breathe pure oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure, and let their bodies do something remarkable — heal faster than they ever could at sea level. It sounds like science fiction, but it's been around since the 1600s, and today it's FDA-approved for everything from stubborn wounds, to carbon monoxide poisoning, to radiation injuries. But how does it work? Is it safe? And what's it like inside that chamber?!On Episode 12, we'll sit down with emergency medicine physician Dr. Thomas Masters, who will walk us through the basics of hyperbaric medicine, how it works, the conditions it treats, and of course, what it's like to spend time inside the chamber (bring a book...). This is a great chance to learn about a fascinating part of medicine, that most people have never even heard of, from an expert in the field. Join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

03/15/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E11 - The SKinny on GLP-1s...With Special Guest: Dr. Maureen Martin, PharmD, MPHYou really can't escape the marketing tactics of GLP-1s these days - because they're everywhere... But beyond the odd names there's a lot to know about them, and we're still learning about all the things they can do! Although they were originally meant to treat type 2 diabetes, these drugs have emerged as one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the past decade. But is it all roses? Who should take these drugs and for how long? What happens when you stop taking them? And who comes up with these names, anyway?One Episode 11 we'll be joined by Dr. Maureen Martin (PharmD, MPH) to get to the bottom of the most pressing questions around these metabolic "miracles". We'll talk about how they work, their current and emerging uses, the proper ways they should be prescribed and administered, the potential pitfalls and why there's so damned expensive (at least in the U.S.). Join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

03/01/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E10 - Stress! It's Not Just in Your Head...With Special Guest: Dr. Mitch Radin, PsyD, LP Stress isn't just a feeling - it's a full-body event that can put the brain and body in motion, and at the right time, that's a good thing! But chronic stress can wreak all kinds of havoc on our bodies and chip away at our sleep, immunity, digestion and even our memory. But how does the brain-body connection actually work? Why is there such variability in how each of us reacts to stress? And what can we do to keep our cool when the going gets tough?On Episode 10, we'll sit down with Dr. Mitch Radin (PsyD, LP) to break down the science of the flight-or-flight response and get to the bottom of how outside stress can have an impact inside our body. We'll explore the dialogue between the brain and body, the real effects chronic stress can have on us, and action anyone can take to build resilience and reclaim calm. Join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

2/15/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E09 - Healthcare on Wheels! We're Talkin' Mobile HealthWith Special Guest: Sheyanga Beecher, CNP, MSN, HMP There are many barriers to healthcare within our communities, and for a lot of people, access itself remains the greatest challenge. Finding the time or reliable transportation to reach a clinic or hospital can prevent patients from receiving essential treatments, often allowing simpler issues to grow into far more serious conditions. Thankfully, mobile healthcare is reshaping the way care reaches patients - meeting people where they are and changing healthcare outcomes for the better, for all of us. But what do these programs actually entail? What services do they offer? And what does it take to deliver quality care on the move?On Episode 9 of our show, we'll be joined by Sheyanga Beecher (CNP, MSN, MPH), the Director of Hennepin Healthcare's mobile health program. We'll go over the origins of mobile health, the real-world impact it's having on our communities, and why these programs extend far beyond the people they directly serve. It's an inspired conversation on an essential piece of the healthcare puzzle. We hope you'll join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

2/01/2026The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E08 - Where Are We with HIV in 2026?With Special Guests: Dr. Amanda Noska, MD HIV in 2026 looks much different than it did when it first hit mainstream media in the early 1980s. At the outset, there was an abundance of fear, very little understanding, and even less hope for those afflicted. But over the last few decades, we've seen a series of major scientific breakthroughs that have changed our understanding and patient outcomes almost entirely. But there's still plenty of work to do!On Episode 8, we'll have an in-depth conversation with infectious disease expert Dr. Amanda Noska (MD, MPH) to catch us up on the current state of both HIV and AIDS. We'll cover the basics of these conditions, the progress that's been made, the current challenges we face, and what the road ahead looks like for our local and global communities. This storyline is definitely one of hope and a great example of scientific progress in medicine. We hope you'll join us!Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.