I Did My Own Research

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down in person with Dr. Alex Sundermann, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor who studies pathogenomics, hospital outbreaks, and healthcare-associated infections. He shares how he went from a microbiology undergrad who had never heard of public health to working as an infection preventionist and then a researcher, and how whole genome sequencing acts like “CSI for hospitals,” uncovering outbreaks that standard care misses, including a hidden VRE outbreak traced to a single unsterile radiology procedure. They also dig into why about 1 in 31 hospitalized patients develops a hospital-acquired infection, why infection preventionists are not the “police,” and why sinks have become his latest fascination.
The conversation also turns to the current Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks, how incubation periods shape contact tracing, and how public health and research funding cuts affect both outbreak response and the next generation of scientists. Dr. Sundermann explains how to communicate this kind of science online without sacrificing accuracy, and what viewers can do to take action.
Dr. Sundermann's social media: @DrAlexSundermann
Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Most people don’t have parasites, and if you do, it’s probably not the kind that a cleanse from Amazon will fix.
This week, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Wendi Lebrett, a gastroenterologist and creator behind SoCal Gastrodoc, to separate gut health facts from internet noise. They start with the liver, which gastroenterologists care for too, and dig into why fatty liver disease affects 1 in 4 Americans. Dr. Wendi explains the new treatments now available, including the first approved medication for fatty liver with fibrosis and the emerging role of GLP-1s, plus the lifestyle changes that make a difference, from cutting back on alcohol and exercising to controlling blood sugar (and yes, coffee).
They also get into why rectal bleeding in young people shouldn’t be brushed off as “probably hemorrhoids,” why a second opinion is always okay, and how patient stories are changing the conversation around rising colon cancer rates. They tackle parasites, which symptoms to watch for, and why parasite cleanses are a waste of money, before breaking down where GI doctors really stand on probiotics and prebiotics and who should be cautious with high-fiber foods.
Dr. Wendi's social media: @SoCalGastroDoc & Modern Gut
Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What’s the difference between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon? And how can patients protect themselves from medical misinformation, unqualified practitioners, and lucrative treatments that put profits ahead of safety?
In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Kelly Killeen, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in complex breast revisions, breast reconstruction, and aesthetic surgery. They discuss the importance of surgical training, how to verify a surgeon’s credentials, and why before-and-after photos don’t always tell the whole story.
They also dive into the dangers of unregulated med spas, unnecessary IV treatments, hormone pellets, and medical grifting that can lead patients away from evidence-based care. This conversation explores what happens when medical expertise, patient safety, and profit collide—and how to make more informed decisions about your health.
Dr. Kileen's social media: @KLKilleen
Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What does it actually mean to keep our kids safe in a world full of medical misinformation, social media, and rapidly evolving technology? In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, child abuse pediatrician, and child health and safety communicator, to discuss what parents need to know about protecting their children.
From car seats and choking hazards to online safety and AI, Dr. Murray explains how parents can reduce preventable risks without expecting themselves to control everything. They also dive into the dangers of medical misinformation, why parents can be vulnerable to fear-based messaging even when they're trying to do the best for their children, and how to evaluate the sources behind the health information we encounter online. Dr. Fran and Dr. Murray discuss the life-saving impact of vitamin K and vaccines, the importance of credible medical voices on social media, and why pediatricians need to meet families where they are rather than retreat from online conversations.
This conversation is a reminder that good parenting isn't about avoiding every intervention or eliminating every risk. It's about making informed decisions, asking questions, and knowing who to trust when your child's health and safety are on the line.
Dr. Murray's social media: @DocEMurray
Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What happens when being a good doctor means pushing back against the healthcare system?
Dr. Fran sits down with plastic and reconstructive breast surgeon Dr. Elisabeth Potter to talk about breast reconstruction, healthcare advocacy, and what happens when insurance companies start getting between doctors and their patients. Dr. Potter shares the story of being pulled out of the operating room by United Healthcare during a breast reconstruction case—and how that experience pushed her to become an even more vocal advocate for patients and physicians.
They also dig into the bigger problems facing American healthcare: insurance, access, transparency, pricing, monopolies, physician burnout, and the fear many healthcare professionals have of speaking publicly about what they see every day. Dr. Potter explains why she believes physicians need to stop being afraid to challenge a system that isn't always acting in the best interest of patients—and why she isn't interested in simply opting out of insurance, but in helping fix the system itself.
Dr. Potter's social media: @DrElisabethPotter
Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran