MED NATION

About our Guest: Brooke LaBarbera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in addiction, trauma, and chronic illness. Based in Nashville, she utilizes EMDR and trauma-informed practices to help clients break their internal circuits of pain.Why do we keep doing things that hurt us, even when we know the consequences? In this powerful episode of MedNation, host Dr. David Farnan sits down with Nashville-based clinical therapist Brooke LaBarbera, LCSW, to bridge the gap between physical medicine and mental health.From her time on MTV’s The Real World to celebrating 10 years of recovery, Brooke shares her deeply personal journey and professional expertise on why patients with chronic illnesses—like diabetes and non-healing wounds—often get stuck in self-sabotaging loops.Notable Moments:[00:00] Intro: Why patients ignore medical advice.[04:15] Brooke’s story: From The Real World to 10 years of sobriety.[09:30] The patient dilemma: Is it self-sabotage or trauma?[14:20] Advice for burnt-out doctors: The power of being honest.[22:10] EMDR explained[29:45] What is Trauma-Informed Care? Simple tips for every medical practice."Real recovery isn't just about the right medicine; it’s about having the courage to believe you deserve a better life."In this episode, we dive into:The Shame Spiral: How low self-esteem and "soul sickness" prevent patients from believing they deserve to get healthy.The "Insight Gap": Why logical knowledge doesn’t always lead to behavioral change.Trauma & Inflammation: The connection between CPTSD, unresolved emotional pain, and physical flare-ups (including Brooke’s battle with Lyme disease and Dr. Farnan’s Type 1 Diabetes journey).EMDR & Healing: How reprocessing trauma can literally reduce inflammation and allow the body to heal.Trauma-Informed Care: Advice for healthcare providers on being blunt, breaking through the "elephant in the room," and creating a safe space for patients to breathe.Connect with MedNation: ✨ Subscribe for more deep dives into the intersection of healthcare and the real world. 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @CuttingEdgeFootAndAnkle#MedNation #ChronicIllness #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaInformed #DiabetesManagement #EMDR #PhysicalTherapy #MedTwitter #PatientCare

In this episode of MedNation, Dr. Farnen and Dr. Irit Van-Ham break down why toenail fungus is so persistent and difficult to eliminate.Dr. Van-Ham explains the biology behind fungal nail infections—why they thrive under the nail plate, resist many over-the-counter treatments, and often return even after months of therapy. She also dives into how ToeFX works, outlining why this advanced light-based technology is proving to be an effective, non-invasive solution for treating stubborn toenail fungus.Tune in to learn what makes toenail fungus so resilient—and what actually works to treat it.

In this episode of the Med Nation podcast, host Dr. David Faman interviews Dr. Peter Wishnie, a renowned podiatrist known for transforming his practice into a multimillion-dollar business. Dr. Wishnie shares insights into his early career decision to purchase a practice instead of working for someone else, his challenges, and the strategies that led to sustained success. Leadership, systems, and key performance indicators (KPIs) are highlighted as critical elements in building a thriving medical practice. Dr. Wishnie also discusses his transition to coaching and mentoring healthcare professionals after selling his practice.Dr. Peter Wishnie: Website: https://www.peterwishnie.com/Instagram: @coach_peterwishnieCutting Edge Foot and Ankle: Website: https://cefootandankle.com/ Instagram: @cefootandankle

In this episode of MedNation, Dr. David Farnin interviews Dr. Vinay Patel, a pharmacist and the founder of Makorx, who is on a mission to transform the pharmacy industry. Dr. Patel highlights the significant issues with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which control drug prices and access. He explains Makorx’s innovative cost-plus pricing model, which promotes transparency and affordability. With over 20,000 participating pharmacies, Makorx challenges the conventional pharmacy landscape, focusing on empowering patients and reducing costs. Dr. Patel shares his journey from a conventional pharmacist to a health industry innovator aiming to improve drug accessibility nationwide.Cutting Edge Foot and Ankle: Website: https://cefootandankle.com/ Instagram: @cefootandankle

In this episode of MED Nation, host Hanyi sits down with Jayne Lynch, certified physician assistant at Music City Foot and Wound Care, to uncover the challenges and critical importance of wound care in long-term care facilities. From diabetic foot ulcers to pressure sores, Jayne shares what she's seeing in the field, what treatments work, and the misconceptions that delay healing. They discuss why prevention is key, how lifestyle choices affect wound healing, and what families should know to protect their loved ones.Cutting Edge Foot and Ankle: Website: https://cefootandankle.com/ Instagram: @cefootandankle