MedCity FemFwd
Marissa Plescia
MedCity FemFwd podcast, hosted by reporter Marissa Plescia, explores the historical neglect of women's health and how this is gradually changing. The host emphasizes that, until as late as 1993, women were largely excluded from clinical research, and funding for women's health has been consistently inadequate. Plescia indicates that this is shifting, as a growing number of startups are focusing on areas such as female fertility, menopause, and heart health. Despite ongoing legislative action restricting abortion access in certain states, the podcast highlights an important counter-trend: more employers are providing support for women's reproductive health. The series aims to further unpack these developments by interviewing leaders in the women's health space, helping listeners understand the issues women face in navigating a healthcare system that has often been unresponsive to their needs.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 29, 2024 • 11min
The lack of research on chronic conditions affecting women with Stacey Missmer - Episode 11
I interviewed Stacey Missmer, professor and associate chair for epidemiology and translational research at the University of Michigan. We talked about a new report she co-authored that calls on the NIH to improve research efforts on chronic conditions affecting women. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Stacey Missmer https://obgyn.msu.edu/research/research-faculty/stacey-missmer-sc-d
Jul 7, 2024 • 14min
The Supreme Court's decision on mifepristone with Rabia Muqaddam - Episode 10
In this episode, I interviewed Rabia Muqaddam, senior staff attorney of the Center for Reproductive Rights. We talked about the Supreme Court's recent decision that preserved access to the abortion pill mifepristone. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Rabia Muqaddam rmuqaddam@reprorights.org https://reproductiverights.org/profile/rabia-muqaddam/
May 29, 2024 • 12min
How employers can improve maternal health outcomes with Randa Deaton - Episode 9
I interviewed Randa Deaton, vice president of purchaser engagement at Purchaser Business Group on Health. We talked about the organization's new resource that aims to help employers improve maternal health outcomes. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Randa Deaton https://www.pbgh.org/ https://www.pbgh.org/staff/randa-deaton/
Apr 22, 2024 • 8min
Improving preeclampsia rates in the U.S. with John Auerbach - Episode 8
I interviewed John Auerbach, SVP of federal health at consultancy ICF. We talked about preeclampsia rates in the U.S. and what needs to change. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with John Auerbach https://www.icf.com/company/about/our-people/a/auerbach-john https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-auerbach
Mar 26, 2024 • 10min
The EveryBODY Covered Campaign with Millicent Gorham - Episode 7
I interviewed Millicent Gorham, CEO and Board Chair of the Alliance for Women's Health and Prevention. We talked about the EveryBODY Covered campaign, which aims to improve insurance coverage of obesity treatment. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Millicent Gorham https://everybodycovered.org/ mgorham@womenshealthandprevention.org https://womenshealthandprevention.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/millicent-gorham-51116210
Feb 19, 2024 • 19min
What Male Birth Control Means For Women's Health with Régine Sitruk-Ware and Chelsea Polis - Episode 6
I interviewed Régine Sitruk-Ware, a distinguished Scientist at the Population Council's Center for Biomedical Research, and Chelsea Polis, Senior Scientist of Epidemiology at the Center for Biomedical Research at the Population Council. We talked about innovations in the male birth control space and what it means for women's health. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Régine Sitruk-Ware rsitrukware@popcouncil.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/sitruk-ware-regine-b0291311 https://time.com/collection/health-care-50/5425091/regine-sitruk-ware/ Connect with Chelsea Polis cpolis@popcouncil.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseapolis https://www.chelseapolis.com/index.html
Jan 15, 2024 • 15min
Shortcomings in Menopause Care with Dr. Bruce Dorr - Episode 5
I interviewed Dr. Bruce Dorr, an OB-GYN. We talked about the lack of training for menopause care. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Dr. Bruce Dorr https://www.mountain.commonspirit.org/provider-search/bruce-dorr-md https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-bruce-dorr-xjcn9
Dec 17, 2023 • 14min
Women's Health Benefit Costs with Marielle Farina - Episode 4
I interviewed Marielle Farina, Senior Manager of Deloitte. We talked about a recent report that Deloitte put out, which found that women have higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs than men. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Marielle Farina https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/life-sciences-and-health-care/articles/womens-health-equity-disparities.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariellefarina
Nov 12, 2023 • 10min
Inside the women's health initiatives developed by the Orlando VA with Melissa Tran - Episode 3
I interviewed Melissa Tran, a Marriage and Family Therapist and the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator at the Orlando VA. We spoke about women's health initiatives the VA has rolled out at its Lake Nona campus in Orlando. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Melissa Tran robert.haney@russopartnersllc.com https://www.innovation.va.gov/ecosystem/views/programs/fellow-melissa-tran.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-tran-b4b18611
Oct 12, 2023 • 12min
SCAN Inspired with Nancy Monk - Episode 2
SCAN Health Plan recently launched SCAN Inspired, a Medicare Advantage plan designed for insurers. I interviewed Nancy Monk, chief operations officer of the insurer, about the plan. Episode Resources Connect with Marissa Plescia mplescia@medcitynews.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaplescia/ Connect with Nancy Monk https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-monk-181207a
