Cancer Covered

In this episode of Cancer Covered, breast surgical oncologist Dr. Judy Tjoe and nurse practitioner Mikayla Petzke continue their conversation about what patients can expect after surgery and how team-based care helps patients feel supported every step of the way. They explain how preparation before surgery improves recovery afterward, how simple tools like support garments and heart-shaped pillows make a real difference and why on...

Advanced practice providers play an essential role in helping patients move from diagnosis to treatment with clarity and support. In this episode of Cancer Covered, breast surgical oncologist Dr. Judy Tjoe and nurse practitioner Mikayla Petzke of Green Bay Oncology explain how they work together to guide patients through the early stages of a breast cancer diagnosis and surgical decision-making, helping patients understand their o...

Chemotherapy is one of the most recognized and most feared cancer treatments. In this episode of Cancer Covered, Dr. Edgard Badine, Dr. Kamal Abbi, and Dr. Matthew Ryan of Green Bay Oncology unpack one of the most common concerns patients share after a diagnosis: is chemotherapy worse than the cancer itself? Together, they explain how modern chemotherapy has changed, why supportive care has dramatically improved the patient experi...

Dr. Edgard Badine, Dr. Kamal Abbi and Dr. Matthew Ryan of Green Bay Oncology unpack one of the most common fears patients face after a cancer diagnosis: Is this a death sentence? The physicians discuss why that perception still lingers and how advances in screening, treatment and supportive care have changed what a cancer diagnosis often means today. They also explain how oncologists guide patients through the uncertainty of early...

Dr. Fred Appelbaum, Executive Vice President of Fred Hutch Cancer Center, joins Green Bay Oncology physicians Dr. Brian Burnette, Dr. Kamal Abbi, and Dr. Evan Wenig, along with Dr. Brian Merkel, Professor and Chair of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to reflect on one of the earliest eras of bone marrow transplantation through the eyes of both patient and physician. Dr. Merkel recounts his leukemia diagnosis...

Dr. Fred Appelbaum, Executive Vice President of Fred Hutch Cancer Center, joins Green Bay Oncology physicians Dr. Brian Burnette, Dr. Kamal Abbi, and Dr. Evan Wenig, along with Dr. Brian Merkel, Professor and Chair of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Together, they discuss how the patient experience of leukemia treatment has changed—and where it’s headed. From the psychological toll of isolation to the groun...

Dr. Fred Appelbaum, Executive Vice President of Fred Hutch Cancer Center, joins Green Bay Oncology physicians Dr. Brian Burnette, Dr. Kamal Abbi, and Dr. Evan Wenig, along with Dr. Brian Merkel, Professor and Chair of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to reflect on the bold and uncertain early days of stem cell transplantation and how that work reshaped the treatment of leukemia. From experimental procedures ...

Medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Harsha Poola discusses his journey from a small town in southern India to joining Green Bay Oncology. He shares how witnessing his parents’ dedication to their patients and his own family’s experience with a cancer diagnosis shaped his holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine.

“I strongly believe that the paternalistic approach to medicine is no longer valid. The days of a do...

Medical oncologists Dr. Brian Burnette and Dr. Kamal Abbi discuss how to bridge the gap between finishing treatment and finding a new normal. They dive into the overlooked complexities of survivorship, exploring how the end of clinical care often marks the beginning of a different, more personal battle with anxiety, physical recovery, and the shifting identity of life after a diagnosis.

“We can sometimes get people to that spot...

Social worker Tom Bekkers joins oncologists Dr. David Groteluschen and Dr. Michael Guiou to peel back the curtain on the emotional weight of cancer care. They explore how the care team supports not only the patients and their families, but also one another, through the most difficult moments of the journey.

“Acknowledging that…it takes a special person to work with patients day in and day out… making that an open ti...

A cancer diagnosis is more than physical; it requires sufficient nourishment to support the body through treatment and recovery. In this episode, Clinical Dietician Maddi Mleziva joins Oncologist Dr. David Groteluschen to discuss the alarming rate of food insecurity among cancer patients and the collaborative strategies the care team uses to ensure access to vital nutrition.

“ Your calorie needs increase pretty significantly wi...

A cancer diagnosis is more than physical; it touches every part of a patient’s life. In this vital episode of Cancer Covered, social worker Tom Bekkers joins oncologists Dr. David Groteluschen and Dr. Michael Guiou to discuss the indispensable role of social work in providing comprehensive support for patients and families navigating the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer care.

“We address the emotio...

In this episode we cover burn pit exposure and cancer that affects many veterans. Medical Oncologist Dr. Tony Jaslowski and Outagamie County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Kell Bales discuss the health crisis stemming from military burn pits and the landmark legislation designed to help. The guests break down the extensive use of open-air burn pits used to dispose of everything from trash and fuel to chemicals and medical waste a...

In the second part of our interview, Dr. Brian Merkel, Professor and Chair of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, moves the focus from his battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 1984 to his life as a survivor and educator. After beating the disease with a bone marrow transplant, Dr. Merkel now inspires and mentors the next generation of doctors and scientists, committed to paying that gift forward. He is j...

In this episode, Dr. Brian Merkel, Professor and Chair of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, shares the deeply personal story of surviving acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 1984. Despite a 10% chance of survival, he overcame the disease through a bone marrow transplant, an emerging treatment at the time. Now, he dedicates his life to teaching and mentoring the next generation of doctors and scientists. Joining h...

In this episode, Green Bay Oncology’s financial counselors, Jordan Karwedsky and Anne Baumgart, break down how Medicare covers cancer treatments. They share practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of the system, avoid unexpected costs, and access financial assistance.

“Ask for help early. Don’t let it get outta control. And don’t forget if there’s financial counselors available, we’re ...

Medical oncologists Dr. Kamal Abbi and Dr. Brian Burnette discuss BiTE therapy, a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment for various cancers. They explain how this therapy works by harnessing the body’s own immune system, its rapid evolution, and who is eligible for treatment.

“We’re at the tip of the iceberg… moving a non-curable but manageable disease to a curable disease with a time-limited, not indefinite treatment.” ...

Radiation oncologist Dr. Michael Guiou and medical oncologists Dr. Kamal Abbi and Dr. Matthew Ryan discuss Pluvicto, an innovative radiopharmaceutical treatment for advanced prostate cancer. They explain how this therapy uses a targeted approach to deliver radiation from the inside out, who is eligible for the treatment, and what patients can expect. 

“With external beam radiation, you’re limited in what you can treat̷...

Radiation oncologists Dr. Michael Guiou and Dr. Alex Coffman discuss why patients with left-sided breast cancer face an increased risk of heart disease due to the proximity of the heart to the tumor. They explain how historical advancements in radiation technology initially led to higher doses reaching the heart and detail the modern techniques now used to mitigate this risk.  

“You don’t want to cure their canc...