Hoxworth Unfiltered (formerly In the Know with Dr. Oh)

Welcome to Hoxworth’s new podcast, Hoxworth Unfiltered—where we have honest conversations about blood donation, transplantation, and the science behind saving lives. In this debut episode of our “In the Know with Dr. Oh” segment, former reporter and current Hoxworth public figure Ashley Smith sits down with Co-Chair and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Oh to ask the basic—but essential—questions about blood banking. From how blood donation works to why your blood type matters, this episode is a clear, beginner-friendly look at the world of Blood Banking 101. Whether you're a first-time donor or just curious, we’re here to break it all down—because at Hoxworth, there are truly no dumb questions. 👉 Check out more episodes here: https://hoxworth.org/podcast.html #healthpodcast #blooddonation #transplantmedicine #medicalpodcast #donatetoday #bloodbanking101 #podcastlaunch #hoxworthunfiltered #DrOh #publichealth #scienceexplained

In the season 3 finale, Dr. Oh highlights what the different guests had to say as to why giving blood is so important

Dr. Timothy Pritts, Cheif of General Surgery at UC Health, and most recently celebrated for his role in the Demar Hamlin incident in early 2023 during the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL matchup, sits down with Dr. Oh to share the ins and outs of how the NFL remains prepared on the sidelines. He also deep dives into his journey in the medical field and highlights the importance of learning CPR. Dr. Pritts is currently a professor of surgery and chief of the section of general surgery, leading programs providing care for trauma, general surgery, bariatric surgery, emergency general surgery, and surgical critical care patients for the UC Health system.

Lindsay Schulte, mother of Hoxworth blood recipient, Brynn Schulte, sits down with Dr. Oh to share her family's story about how Hoxworth blood donors saved her daughter's life. Brynn was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder - Factor XIII - shortly after she was born in 2019 and will continue treatment throughout her lifetime. Each year since, the Schulte family celebrates Brynn’s birthday with a blood drive to show gratitude to our community of donors, but more importantly, bring awareness to the vital importance of donating blood. Tune in to learn more about the Schulte family and the vital role that blood donors play in Brynn's life.

Dr. Oh sits down with Shawna Nestheide, Research Lab Director at Hoxworth Blood Center, and dives into her remarkable journey in the field of science, tracing back to her formative years of focused studies in Jamaica. From her pivotal role at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital to her recent promotion at Hoxworth, Shawna's career is nothing short of inspiring. Her dedication to patient care has been a beacon of hope, driving her tireless efforts during COVID in recruiting convalescent plasma donors to now pioneering innovative approaches to blood bank clinical research. Tune in as Shawna shares her passion and insights with Dr. Oh, offering a glimpse into her extraordinary contributions to the medical community.

Valerie Miller, member of the Hoxworth Community Advisory Board, and graduate of the University of Cincinnati, joins Dr. Oh for an energetic conversation about her passion for being a Hoxworth blood donor. Valerie has spent much of her career in her hometown working in media and corporate communications and now is a champion of the Hoxworth mission to encourage our community to become blood donors to help patients in local hospitals.

Lori Pierson, Field Manager of Hoxworth's Central neighborhood donor center location, sits down with Dr. Oh and shares her origin story and journey through her career at Hoxworth. Lori talks about the different roles at Hoxworth and what it means to her to be part of such an important mission.

Anne Lamar, Transfusion Safety Officer for TriHealth, and Amy Williams, Manager of Hematology and Blood Utilization for TriHealth, sit down with Dr. Oh to talk about what happens after you donate blood - managing and utilizing blood within the hospital. Amy and Anne discuss the behind the scenes magic that goes into managing and distributing the blood supply within their hospitals in an effective and efficient way that reduces waste and prioritizes patient needs.

Dr. Oh sits down with Cole Williams, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and founder of Pride & Plasma, an organization that fights for equality in blood, tissue, & organ donation. Cole shares more about his passion behind advocating for equitable health policies and creating a national organization to fight discriminatory policies impacting the queer community in healthcare.

Dr. Oh is joined by Dr. Kristina Prus, the Associate Director of Transfusion Medicine and Director of Hematology and Coagulation in the clinical laboratory at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, who shares her life story and journey from pediatric oncology studies to falling in love with the study of Sickle Cell Disease, blood banking and transfusion medicine. Dr. Prus dives into her research interests which include the intersection of global health, sickle cell disease, and transfusion medicine, most recently projects concerning alloimmunization in pediatric sickle cell disease patients.

Jenine Fields, the Assistant Director of Hoxworth’s Components Laboratory and Product Management department, sits down with Dr. Oh for an engaging and emotional conversation on the impact of blood donation. Jenine shares her unique perspective from both sides of the blood banking world – being behind the scenes in blood processing, to being a blood recipient after being diagnosed with cancer. Jenine’s remarkable story emphasizes the impact of blood donors as she shares just how grateful she is for the role that Hoxworth Blood Center has played in her life.

Dr. Oh and Dean Gregory dive into the captivating journey of iconic Montgomery Inn The Boathouse. Dean shares the origin story of his family-owned business, the mastermind behind the world-famous Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce, and his passion and commitment to giving back to the Cincinnati community. Dean is responsible for one of Hoxworth’s most successful annual blood drives held at The Boathouse each year, contributing to thousands of lives saved throughout the years. Don't miss this episode of "In The Know with Dr. Oh" as we explore the origin and success of Montgomery Inn The Boathouse with Dean Gregory himself.

Dr. David Oh engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Stephen Feagin, MD, Chief Clinical Officer at Bon Secours Mercy Health. In this episode, Dr. Feagin takes us on a journey through his remarkable origin story and illustrious background in healthcare leadership. From serving his country as a Major in the United States Air Force to his role as the Medical Director of Hamilton County Public Health, Dr. Feagin's experiences offer a unique perspective on the intersection of medicine, military service, education, and public health. Tune in to discover the challenges and triumphs of his career, including his pivotal role as the lead team physician for FC Cincinnati. Join Dr. Oh and Dr. Feagin for an engaging dialogue that unveils the multifaceted journey of a healthcare leader dedicated to making a positive impact.

In this episode, Liz Bonis, Local 12 Health Anchor & Medical Reporter, opens up about her special connection to blood donation, revealing the personal significance behind her commitment to this life-saving cause. As an influential figure in Cincinnati media, Liz sheds light on why she passionately utilizes her platform to educate and inspire a healthier community. Join Dr. Oh and Liz for an inspiring dialogue that explores the impactful ways in which media professionals contribute to the well-being of their communities. Tune in to gain insights into Liz's advocacy and discover the compelling stories that drive her dedication to fostering a culture of health in Cincinnati.

Dr. Oh sits down with Sister Keli, a Hoxworth blood recipient and LifeCenter organ recipeint, who shares her story and connection to Hoxworth. Sister Keli is a Cincinnati community advocate who uses her platform to advocate for blood and organ donation as well as overall health and wellness. Sister Keli hosts an annual event, HopeFest, each year at Cincinnati's Fountain Square and also volunteers for the City of Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney.

Dr. Oh and Dr. Wang, Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and researcher at Hoxworth Blood Center, discuss Dr. Wang's research which focuses on the mechanobiology and enzymology of blood cells including platelets, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Dr. Wang arrived at Hoxworth Blood Center in 2023 and works directly with director and CEO, Dr. Jose Cancelas.

When you see a Hoxworth blood mobile traveling around the greater Cincinnati area, Elizabeth Davis was likely the brains behind the operation. Dr. Oh talks with Elizabeth, manager of Hoxworth's mobile recruitment team, about building community blood drives and how to maximize blood collections through Hoxworth's mobile blood drive operations. Hoxworth hosts thousands of mobile blood drives each year, making it an essential part of our lifesaving mission.

Dr. Oh sits down with platelet donor and veteran Gregory Kroeger who recently donated his 30th gallon of blood at Hoxworth Blood Center. Gregory talks about his years of service and why he chooses to continue his acts of service through blood donation.

Dr. Oh is joined by Michael Whiting and Karen Williams, managers of Hoxworth's tele-recruitment team to talk about the importance of building relationships and fostering community within blood donors.

Dr. Oh sits down with the "Queen of Platelets" herself, Teresa Glenn! Teresa has donated more than 20 gallons of blood and platelets over her lifetime at Hoxworth Blood Center and talks to Dr. Oh about her reasons for giving back and turning platelet donation into a lifestyle of giving.