How does the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization keep its athletes healthy, prepared, and protected? In this special episode, Dr. Shelly Weinstein and Dr. Mike Turnwald speak with Dr. Heather Linden and Dr. Jennifer Neudorfer from the UFC Performance Institute about the intersection of performance science and emergency medicine. The discussion explores how the Institute sets a new standard in athlete health and safety, covering emergency response training, the development an...

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein sits down with Brian McGuire, who serves as the lead athletic trainer for the NFL Scouting Combine as well as an injury spotter in the league’s Player Health and Safety Program. Brian takes listeners behind the scenes of the combine, explaining the evolving role of athletic trainers in protecting athletes and highlighting the importance of preparation, communication, and emergency action planning at every level of sport. He offers ...

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, host Dr. Shelley Weinstein speaks with Ann Marie Husk, Kerry Mullenix, and Jenna Austell—three dual-credentialed clinicians from Duke University—about the development and structure of Duke’s Sports Physical Therapy Residency and Division I Athletics Fellowship. The panel discusses the origins of the fellowship, its unique emphasis on immersive training within a Division I setting, and the critical role of mentorship in shaping future sports physical th...

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelley Weinstein welcomes Dr. Fran O’Connor, a medical director for the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), as well as a professor for military and emergency medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The conversation focuses on Exercise Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait (ECAST) and exertional sickling, as Dr. O’Connor shares insights from his decades of experience treating endurance athletes...

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Dr. Brian Fischer, a sports physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Host Shelley Weinstein and Dr. Fisher discuss the long-term impact of inadequate care and the importance of specialized training in sports rehab. The conversation also touches on Dr. Fisher’s professional journey, his certifications, and his emphasis on ensuring athletes receive individualized and knowledgeable treatment plans. They also highlight th...

This episode of Cogent Conversations features a comprehensive discussion on mass casualty preparedness and the critical role of stress management in emergency training. Host Shelly Weinstein is joined by Cogent Steps Instructors Dr. Megan Mitchell and Joel Bannister, as well as Dr. Kristina Stanich, a physical therapist who works for the US government. The episode underscores the need for proactive training to ensure readiness for large-scale emergencies. The conversation highlights the value...

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Dr. John Jardine, an emergency medicine physician currently working at Kent Hospital in Rhode Island. Host Shelley Weinstein and Dr. Jardine discuss his experience in endurance medicine, exploring the challenges of providing medical support at events—particularly in treating exertional heat stroke—as climate plays a more prominent role in our lives. Dr. Jardine shares insights on the importance of rapid response, teamwork, and the unique demands o...

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Fire Chief Brian Weston, a federal firefighter and paramedic overseeing Marine Corps Base Quantico's Fire and EMS services. Chief Weston and Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein discuss the unique challenges of emergency management on a military base, including differences from civilian departments and other logistical complexities. The conversation focuses on the importance of incident action plans (IAPs) for large-scale events, expl...

This episode of Cogent Conversations explores the early stages of a medical career through the lens of volunteering at major events, featuring Gillian Styring, a second-year medical student at George Washington University. Gillian reflects on her roles as an Emergency Room Liaison at the Marine Corps Marathon and as a Marshall at the Isle of Man TT Races and how these have provided unique opportunities to build skills and gain insights into emergency medicine. Shelly and Gillian dive into the...

Dr. Josh Funk, founder of Rehab to Perform, joins Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein in this latest episode to discuss how innovative approaches to physical therapy can transform patients' experience. Dr. Funk kicks off this episode by reflecting on his journey as a multi-sport youth athlete and Division I competitor. He highlights the importance of sport sampling and advocates for diverse athletic experiences to foster lifelong physical activity and overall well-being. He also discus...

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Host Shelly Weinstein is joined by Battalion Chief Jack McGovern, the Deputy Emergency Manager for the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Chief McGovern shares his experience managing both planned events, like the Marine Corps Half Marathon, and unplanned crises, such as natural disasters and large-scale fires. Shelly and Chief McGovern dive into the importance of interagency collaboration, resource management, and community engagement in keeping the pu...

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Kori Hudson, a board-certified specialist in both sports and emergency medicine, shares her unique insights on emergency action plans (EAPs). Dr. Hudson and Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein discuss the critical role EAPs play in ensuring safety at sporting events, emphasizing the importance of preparation, practice, and collaboration between medical teams. From the high school field to professional sports arenas, this conversation highlig...

Scott Kaylor, board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy, joins Host Shelly Weinstein on this episode of Cogent Conversations. Scott, who owns Zone Physical Therapy in Greer, South Carolina, specializes in treating both upper and lower extremities, with a particular focus on runners. He shares insights from his career, including his personal experience as a runner and his expertise in guiding runners through every stage of their athletic journey.

Cogent Conversations' Host Shelly Weinstein sits down with MeMe Earnest to discuss MeMe's extensive background working with adaptive athletes. As a dual-qualified physical therapist and athletic trainer, and owner of Invictus Physical Therapy & Adaptive Training, MeMe shares her experience working with adaptive athletes and how she first got started in the field.

Edison (Ed) Au is this month's special guest on Cogent Conversations. Ed dives into his impressive background as a physical therapist with host, Shelly Weinstein, and discusses his experience working with athletes, including Canadian national athletes and parathletes, across a wide range of sports to address their needs and injuries.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Shelly speaks with the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School's Head Physical Therapist Angelique Bannister and Head Athletic Trainer Jess Vera Cruz. The two discuss their experience at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and how they work together to treat acute injury and illness.

This month's edition of Cogent Conversations features Scott Larimer who discusses his extensive experience as an Amateur Radio Operator (ARO).

In our second podcast, Cogent Conversations' host Shelly Weinstein talks with Katie Powers & Maureen Smith about their experiences working as nurses in the medical tent at the Marine Corps Marathon.

Welcome to the first episode of Cogent Conversations! In this inaugural podcast, we dive into the background and experience of Megan Mitchell in emergency medicine.