Vitals & Voices
Welcome to Vitals and Voices, brought to you by Lexington Regional Health Center — your community, your health, your care. This is your trusted source for health-related content that matters to you.
Each episode, we bring you real conversations with the voices behind the care — from medical experts and wellness champions to community leaders and patients — sharing insights, stories, and tips to help you live your healthiest life.
Whether you're tuning in from Lexington or beyond, we're here to inform, inspire, and connect. Because at LRHC, your health is our priority — and your voice matters.
Episodes
25 episodes
Understanding Diabetes: What It Is, What Works, and How LRHC Supports You
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Roger Wells, PA-C and Julie Levy, RD, BC-ADM, CDCES to break down one of the most common—and most misunderstood—chronic conditions affecting families in our community: diabetes.Whethe...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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31:16
Dementia 102: Diagnosis, Types, and Supporting Patients Through Change
In this second episode of our dementia series, Vitals & Voices continues the conversation with Dr. Francisca Carlson, family medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer at Lexington Regional Health Center, to further explore dementia—what ...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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19:20
Dementia 101: Signs, Prevention, and Support for Loved Ones
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Dr. Francisca Acosta-Carlson, Family Medicine Physician and Chief Medical Officer at Lexington Regional Health Center, to unpack a topic that touches countless families—dementia. Dr. Carl...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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18:28
"Owww...My Knee Hurts" with Dr. Jeffrey Schopp
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, Brenna Bartruff sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Schopp for a practical and down‑to‑earth conversation about knee pain—one of the most common issues affecting people across all stages of life...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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13:51
Cancer Basics: What Everyone Should Know
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Roger Wells, PA-C, to break down one of the most important health topics of our time—cancer. Roger helps explain what cancer actually is, how common it has become, and what each of us can...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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27:37
What to Expect in the Emergency Room
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Luke Ballmer, Emergency Department Director and Trauma Coordinator, to take the mystery out of one of healthcare’s most urgent settings—the emergency room. Luke walks us through when to s...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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21:16
Modern Knee Replacement, Faster Recovery: A Conversation About Orthopedics
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Schopp and nurse practitioner Travis Barkmeier to unpack one of the most talked‑about approaches in joint health today—the Jiffy Knee™ procedure and the mod...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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13:25
Heart Health Month: What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Austin Eldredge, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Manager, to shine a spotlight on a topic that impacts every one of us—heart health. Austin works hands‑on with patients ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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18:28
Understanding Vascular Surgery with Dr. Alexis Davis
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we welcome Dr. Alexis Davis, a vascular surgeon with Bryan Heart who is now seeing patients once a month at Lexington Regional Health Center. Dr. Davis shares what inspired her to pursue vascular surgery,...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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17:13
The Future of Local Healthcare
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with two leaders at the heart of Lexington Regional Health Center’s mission and direction: CEO Jason Douglas and Board Chair Rob Anderson. Together, they open up about what it means t...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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24:36
Inside Dry Needling: What You Need to Know
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Patrick Magorian, Physical Therapist, to demystify a trending treatment in modern physical therapy—dry needling. Patrick breaks down what the technique is, how it works, and why so many p...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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17:21
Why Preventive Care Matters: Starting the Year Healthy
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we explore a topic that can make a big difference in your health journey—preventive care. Barb Foss, Nurse Practitioner, joins us to explain why the start of a new year is the perfect time to prioritize a...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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20:30
Start 2026 Strong: SMART Goals & Healthy Habits for the New Year
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we dive into a topic that resonates with nearly everyone at the start of a new year—setting health goals that actually stick. Julie Levy, M.Ed., RD, LMNT, BC-ADM, CDCES, joins us to share practical strate...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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25:55
Understanding Physical Therapy
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we explore a topic that impacts millions of Americans every year—physical therapy. Leeann Smith, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lexington Regional Health Center, explains what physical therapy is, why it...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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28:26
From Stress to Success: Tackling Feeding Challenges in Children
In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we explore a topic that affects many families—feeding challenges in children. Justine Bauer, Occupational Therapist at Lexington Regional Health Center, explains what occupational therapy is, how pediatric ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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24:21
Beyond Words: What to Know About Early Speech and Language Development
In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we dive into early speech and language development—what parents need to know and why early intervention matters. Aurora Grabenstein, Speech Language Pathologist at Lexington Regional Health Center, clears u...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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28:24
Navigating Health Coverage After Job Loss
In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we tackle a topic that’s on the minds of many families in our community—especially following the recent Tyson closure announcement: health insurance coverage after job loss. What happens when you lose your ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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8:49
Lexington Rallies: Resources Regarding the Tyson Closure Announcement
In this episode, we sit down with Marni Baker, Welcome Center Coordinator for Lexington Public Schools, and Beth Roberts, Executive Director of the Lexington Community Foundation, to talk about how our community is responding to the Tyson plant...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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25:04
Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable yet serious health conditions affecting adults today. In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Roger Wells, a seasoned Physician Assistant specializing in primary care, preven...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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16:51
Stay Well, Stay Prepared
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Nicole Chrisinger, one of our dedicated social workers, to explore what it truly means to “be well.” Wellness goes beyond physical health—it’s about planning ahead and being prepared befo...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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10:35
Managing Holiday Stress: Practical Tips for Mental Health
The holiday season is often portrayed as joyful and magical—but for many, it brings stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we’re joined by Ann Young, a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, to explore why...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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16:19
Bacterial vs. Viral Infections, What's the Difference?
In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Leigh-Anne Lehmann, Physician Assistant at Family Medicine Specialists, to talk about her journey as a new provider in Lexington and her passion for patient care. We also tackle a timely ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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16:19
Making the Most of Your Healthcare Before Year-End
As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to talk about why scheduling healthcare appointments before December 31st can make a big difference. In this episode, we explore how insurance benefits work, highlight the specialists available at L...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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17:46
Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know Before December 7th
Medicare Open Enrollment is here! From October 15th through December 7th, millions of Americans have the chance to review and update their Medicare coverage. But what does that really mean for you? In this episode, Chief Financial Officer Wade ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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26:35
Pinktober Event and Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Welcome to the First Episode of the LRHC Vitals & Voices Podcast!Hosted by Brenna Bartruff, Chief Communications Officer, and Gena Carpenter, Director of Radiology, this episode dives into all things Pinktober—a beloved community event ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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19:39
