Health Matters

The transition to motherhood can bring joy, excitement, and profound life changes. But for many women, it can also bring depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, and emotional challenges that go beyond the normal adjustment to a new baby.
In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Rochelle Joly and Dr. Lauren Osborne of NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine about postpartum depression, one of the most common complications of childbirth.
Dr. Osborne explains the differences between the baby blues, postpartum depression, and the much rarer but serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. Together, the doctors discuss common symptoms, risk factors, and why many women are reluctant to seek help despite struggling with significant emotional distress.
The conversation also highlights advances in maternal mental health care, including collaborative treatment models and an AI-based screening tool designed to identify patients at risk earlier in pregnancy. Finally, the doctors share practical advice for partners, families, and friends, emphasizing the critical role of community support, sleep, and early intervention in helping mothers recover and thrive.
Chapters
00:00 – Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
How postpartum depression differs from the baby blues, why it is often missed, and common warning signs
05:00 – Anxiety, Sleep, and Postpartum Mental Health
The connection between anxiety, insomnia, postpartum psychosis, and functional impairment
08:00 – Who Is at Risk and How AI May Help
Risk factors for postpartum depression, biological research, and a new AI tool designed to identify vulnerable patients earlier
12:00 – Treatment, Support, and Helping New Moms
Available treatments, community resources, the importance of loved ones, and ways families can support recovery
Key Topics Covered
Postpartum depression
Perinatal mood disorders
Maternal mental health
Baby blues
Postpartum anxiety
Postpartum psychosis
Depression after childbirth
Reproductive psychiatry
Women's mental health
Pregnancy and mental health
AI in healthcare
Predictive health tools
Early intervention
Sleep and mental health
Maternal wellness
Family support
Partner support
Mental health stigma
Psychotherapy
Mood disorders
Pregnancy risk factors
Collaborative care
Postpartum recovery
Community support
Key Takeaway
Postpartum depression is a common and treatable medical condition, not a personal failure. Recognizing the signs early, seeking support, protecting sleep, and connecting with healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference for mothers, babies, and entire families. No one should have to navigate postpartum depression alone.
Doctor Bios
Dr. Rochelle Joly is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery-focused practice designation. She provides gynecologic care in the operating room and outpatient setting. She offers general gynecologic care, with a focus on treating abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, endometrial polyps, ovarian cysts, abnormal pap smears and colposcopy procedures, preconception and contraceptive health such as management of IUDs and implants. Dr. Joly has a specific interest in helping women navigate miscarriages and offers in-office procedures when appropriate.
Dr. Joly aims to provide the most minimally invasive route a gynecologist can offer and is trained in vNOTES vaginal surgery.
Dr. Joly received her medical degree from the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. Before joining NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Joly was an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania and also worked in a busy private practice in New York City, providing both obstetric and gynecologic care.
Dr. Lauren Osborne is an obstetrician and gynecologist and reproductive psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College and received her training at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute. She completed both clinical and research fellowships in women's mental health and is an expert on the diagnosis and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy, the postpartum, the premenstrual period, and perimenopause.
Dr. Osborne serves as the vice chair of clinical research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her research focuses on the biological mechanisms of perinatal mental illness, with a focus on neurosteroids and the immune system, and she runs the PIPPI Lab – Psychoneuroimmunology in Pregnancy and Postpartum – at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is also the chair of the Education Committee for Marcé of North America and founder and chair of the National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry, a free web-based standardized curriculum.
Her work has been supported by the Brain and Behavior Foundation, the Doris Duke Foundation, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the NIMH.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women, but advances in screening are helping detect cancers earlier and improve outcomes. In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Janice Sung, radiologist and associate division chief of breast imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia, about today's breast cancer screening options and how women can better understand their personal screening needs.
Dr. Sung explains why annual mammograms remain the foundation of breast cancer screening and reviews current recommendations for when screening should begin. She also discusses how family history, genetic mutations, and breast density can influence both risk and screening strategies.
The conversation explores supplemental screening options, including breast ultrasound, MRI, abbreviated MRI, and contrast-enhanced mammography. Dr. Sung explains how these technologies work, why some tests are more sensitive than others, and how newer vascular-based imaging techniques are helping identify cancers earlier.
Finally, she discusses the role of artificial intelligence in breast imaging, the move toward more personalized screening approaches, and why staying up to date with recommended screenings remains one of the most effective ways to reduce breast cancer mortality.
Chapters
00:00 – Why Breast Cancer Screening Matters
How screening helps detect cancer earlier, improves outcomes, and saves lives
02:15 – Mammograms, Breast Density, and Screening Guidelines
When to start screening, what mammograms can and cannot detect, and how dense breast tissue affects imaging
06:00 – Ultrasound, MRI, and New Screening Technologies
How supplemental screening works and when tests like MRI, abbreviated MRI, and contrast-enhanced mammography may be recommended
09:15 – Genetics, AI, and the Future of Screening
Understanding inherited risk, how artificial intelligence supports breast imaging, and the shift toward personalized screening

Key Topics Covered
· Breast cancer screening
· Mammograms
· Dense breasts
· Breast density
· Breast ultrasound
· Breast MRI
· Abbreviated MRI
· Contrast-enhanced mammography
· Breast cancer prevention
· Early cancer detection
· Breast cancer risk factors
· Family history and breast cancer
· BRCA mutations
· PTEN mutations
· Genetic testing
· Artificial intelligence in healthcare
· AI in breast imaging
· Personalized medicine
· Women's health
· Cancer screening guidelines
· Breast imaging
· Breast cancer awareness
· Screening recommendations
· Preventive care

Key Takeaway
Breast cancer screening saves lives, and today's screening options are more personalized than ever. While annual mammograms remain the foundation of screening for most women beginning at age 40, factors such as breast density, family history, and genetic risk may make additional imaging tests appropriate. Talking with your healthcare provider about your individual risk can help ensure you're getting the screening that's right for you.
Doctor Bio
Dr. Janice Sung is a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging. She is an attending radiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and professor of radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Sung is experienced in all types of breast imaging and breast cancer diagnosis, including mammography, ultrasound, and MRI, as well as image-guided interventional procedures such as stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound-guided biopsy, MR-guided biopsy, and radioactive seed placement and wire localizations.
Dr. Sung's research focuses on imaging for early breast cancer detection in women who are at intermediate and high risk for developing breast cancer. She has co-authored multiple scientific articles defining groups of women who will benefit from screening that is more intensive than routine, annual mammography. She is frequently invited to lecture on this and other topics in breast imaging. She also trains and supervises residents and fellows in interpreting breast-images and in interventional breast procedures. In recognition of her accomplishments, she has been named a Fellow of the Society of Breast Imaging.
Dr. Sung received her medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo, and completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Pennsylvania. She then completed a one-year fellowship in breast and body imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Painful urination, frequent trips to the bathroom, and persistent discomfort are hallmark signs of a urinary tract infection, one of the most common bacterial infections, especially among women. In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Larissa Rodriguez, urologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, about what causes UTIs and why they are so common.
Dr. Rodriguez explains how bacteria enter and infect the urinary tract, why women are at higher risk than men, and how factors such as menopause and changes in the vaginal microbiome can increase susceptibility to infection. She also discusses the symptoms of uncomplicated UTIs and the warning signs that an infection may have spread to the kidneys.
The conversation explores the challenges of recurrent UTIs, including the role antibiotics can play in disrupting healthy bacteria and contributing to a cycle of repeated infections. Dr. Rodriguez shares current treatment strategies, explains why shorter and more targeted antibiotic courses are preferred, and discusses concerns about antibiotic resistance.
Finally, she reviews emerging therapies and ongoing research, including methenamine, microbiome-based approaches, and vaccine development. She also separates fact from fiction when it comes to cranberry supplements, probiotics, hygiene myths, and other commonly discussed prevention strategies.
Chapters
00:00 – What Causes UTIs and Who Gets Them?
Why urinary tract infections happen, why women are more susceptible, and common risk factors across the lifespan
04:00 – Symptoms, Warning Signs, and Kidney Infections
How to recognize a UTI, when symptoms become serious, and signs an infection may have spread beyond the bladder
05:40 – Recurrent UTIs and Antibiotic Resistance
Why infections come back, how treatment works, and the importance of targeted antibiotic use
08:15 – New Treatments, Prevention, and UTI Myths
Methenamine, microbiome research, cranberry products, probiotics, and practical ways to reduce infection risk
Key Topics Covered
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Recurrent UTIs
Women's health
Bladder infections
Kidney infections
Pyelonephritis
Urology
Urinary symptoms
Menopause and UTIs
Vaginal microbiome
Antibiotic resistance
Urine cultures
UTI prevention
Methenamine
Probiotics
Cranberry supplements
D-mannose
Vaginal health
Postmenopausal health
Microbiome research
UTI vaccines
Kidney health
Antibiotic stewardship
Urologic care
Key Takeaway
UTIs are extremely common, particularly among women, but recurrent infections should not simply be treated with repeated rounds of antibiotics. Understanding the role of the microbiome, obtaining proper testing, and working with a specialist when infections persist can help identify effective prevention strategies and reduce the risk of future infections.
Doctor Bio
Dr. Larissa Rodriguez is urologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and chair of the Department of Urology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a board-certified urologist with expertise in the surgical reconstruction of pelvic floor conditions. A clinical and basic scientist, Dr. Rodriguez has published more than 100 original studies in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Urology, Urology, and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She is the principal investigator of the NIH-sponsored Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Urologic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) research network, which investigates the underlying causes of bladder pain syndrome and how best to treat it. Dr. Rodriguez has received numerous research grants and served as reviewer of multiple journals and member of study sections for the NIH, including its Kidney and Urologic Systems Function and Dysfunction Study Section. She has received multiple research awards from the American Urological Association as well as its Western Section, and the Society or Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU). In 2008, Dr. Rodriguez received SUFU’s Paul Zimskind Award, which honors physicians who are within 10 years of completing residency or fellowship and have made significant contributions to the field of pelvic medicine and voiding dysfunction, primarily through basic and clinical research.
Dr. Rodríguez earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989 and her medical degree in 1994 from Stanford University School of Medicine. After completing a urology residency at Stanford University, Dr. Rodríguez joined UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, where she completed a fellowship in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (formally known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery) under the direction of Dr. Shlomo Raz, as well as postdoctoral research training under Nobel Laureate Dr. Louis Ignarro. She joined UCLA's faculty in 2001 and became a professor of urology and of obstetrics and gynecology, co-director of the Division of Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and director of female urology research until 2014, when she was recruited to USC.

Nearly everyone has put off a task at some point, but task paralysis goes beyond simply procrastinating. It can leave people feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and unable to get started, even when they know something is important.
In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Alyssa Ames-Sikora, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia, about the psychology behind task paralysis and why so many people experience it.
Dr. Ames-Sikora explains how competing brain systems influence motivation and decision-making, why anxiety and perfectionism can make tasks feel impossible to begin, and how too many choices can lead to decision paralysis. She also discusses research showing that procrastination is not a modern phenomenon and may even be observed in other species.
The conversation offers practical tools for overcoming inertia, including breaking large projects into smaller goals, using the Pomodoro Technique, reducing distractions, and identifying the times of day when you're most productive. Dr. Ames-Sikora also shares guidance for parents who want to help children and teens develop stronger follow-through skills and healthier habits around completing tasks.
Chapters
00:00 – What Is Task Paralysis?
How task paralysis differs from everyday procrastination and why humans have struggled with it throughout history
04:45 – What Happens in the Brain When We Freeze?
The roles of the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, anxiety, impulsivity, and decision overload
07:15 – Perfectionism, Avoidance, and Getting Unstuck
Why important tasks can feel harder to start and how self-compassion and small wins can build momentum
09:30 – Practical Strategies for Taking Action
The Pomodoro Technique, reducing distractions, finding productive times to work, and helping kids develop follow-through
Key Topics Covered
Task paralysis
Procrastination
Avoidance
Executive dysfunction
Decision paralysis
Performance anxiety
Perfectionism
Impulsivity
Motivation
Productivity
Goal setting
Behavioral psychology
Success spirals
Pomodoro Technique
Time management
Focus and attention
Brain development
Prefrontal cortex
Limbic system
Decision-making
Anxiety and productivity
Self-compassion
Parenting and motivation
Teen development
Healthy habits
Key Takeaway
Task paralysis is often driven by anxiety, perfectionism, impulsivity, and feeling overwhelmed, not laziness. By breaking tasks into smaller, achievable steps, reducing distractions, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on progress instead of perfection, people can build momentum and move forward one step at a time.
Doctor Bio
Alyssa Ames-Sikora, PhD, is a psychologist with NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia and an assistant professor of medical psychology (in psychiatry) at the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CUCARD) - Westchester. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University, received her master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Georgia State University, and completed her predoctoral internship at Children's National Medical Center. Following this, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at CUCARD-Westchester. Dr. Ames-Sikora specializes in the assessment and treatment of internalizing disorders that affect youth and their families, as well as providing evidence-based assessment and interventions for other concerns, including adherence to medical regimens, coping with chronic illness, adjustment to new diagnoses, and behavioral challenges. Her research interests have centered on the effects of parental psychopathology, parent-child communication, emotion flexibility, emotion socialization, and the quality of interpersonal relationships. Dr. Ames-Sikora's dissertation investigated the effect of maternal depression on the flexibility of her emotionally expressive behaviors during interactions with her school-aged child.

Snoring may be a nuisance, but for some people it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a common condition that disrupts breathing during sleep and can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison speaks with Dr. Ana Krieger, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, about what causes snoring, how sleep apnea develops, and why so many people unknowingly live with the condition.
Dr. Krieger explains how sleep affects virtually every system in the body, from the brain and cardiovascular system to memory and cognitive function. She discusses common symptoms of sleep apnea, risk factors such as age, weight changes, alcohol use, and menopause, and the importance of testing when symptoms arise.
The conversation also explores treatment options ranging from CPAP therapy and dental devices to newer treatment approaches, while offering practical advice for improving sleep hygiene and building habits that support better sleep and long-term health.
Chapters
00:00 – Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and What Causes Them
What happens in the airway during sleep, why people snore, and how sleep apnea develops
04:00 – Symptoms and Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
Common symptoms, hidden signs, risk factors, and why many people don't realize they have sleep apnea
06:30 – How Sleep Affects the Brain and Body
The role of sleep in memory, cognitive function, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being
10:45 – Sleep Apnea Treatments and Better Sleep Habits
CPAP therapy, dental devices, newer treatment options, and practical tips for improving sleep hygiene
Key Topics Covered
Snoring
Sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep disorders
Sleep studies
Sleep testing
Sleep health
Cognitive health
Memory and sleep
Brain health
Cardiovascular health
Atrial fibrillation
Sleep deprivation
Sleep quality
CPAP therapy
Mandibular advancement devices
Sleep apnea treatments
Sleep hygiene
Insomnia and stress
Menopause and sleep apnea
Alcohol and sleep
Healthy sleep habits
Breathing during sleep
Sleep medicine
Key Takeaway
Snoring is often harmless, but it can also be a sign of sleep apnea, a common condition that affects breathing, sleep quality, and overall health. Recognizing symptoms early, seeking evaluation when needed, and prioritizing healthy sleep habits can help improve sleep, protect brain and heart health, and enhance quality of life.
Doctor Bio
Dr. Ana Krieger is director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a professor of clinical medicine in the Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Genetic Medicine and chief of the Sleep Neurology Division in the Department of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a board certified specialist in Sleep Medicine by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Krieger also holds board certifications in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine and has a master’s degree in global public health with emphasis in healthcare policy and management.
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Krieger has been actively involved in providing comprehensive patient care in sleep medicine, overseeing the Center for Sleep Medicine, a group practice that evaluates over 1,000 patients each month in New York City.
She is also actively involved in medical and subspecialty education and research. As a clinician scientist, Dr. Krieger is the principal investigator in collaborative multidisciplinary research projects in sleep medicine and has published extensively in the field.
Her current research is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation. She serves as Chair of the Mentored to Independence (MTI) K99/R00 grant review committee at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the NIH.
Dr. Krieger is an active lecturer, regularly contributing to media efforts aiming at improving sleep health in the population. She is a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar, and Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians and American Academy of Sleep Medicine.