Ask A Doc with Hackensack Meridian Health and Shawn Michaels

Ask a Doc with Shawn Michaels brings you straightforward conversations with the medical experts at Hackensack Meridian Health. Shawn asks the questions listeners actually have, breaking down health and wellness topics in a clear, relatable way.

From everyday concerns like pediatrics, weight loss, and preventive care to timely topics such as telemedicine and public health issues, each episode is designed to inform and empower you with practical takeaways.

January 26. 2026

New Jersey winters can be rough on our ears, especially when you add in colds, the flu, and time spent outdoors. Joining us today is Dr. Eric Winarsky, an ear, nose, and throat specialist with Hackensack Meridian Medical Group, to share simple ways to protect our ears and hearing aids this season.

February 2, 2026

We often dismiss things like shortness of breath or a lack of energy as just a sign of getting older or being out of shape. But what if it's your body sending an early warning signal about your heart? Today, cardiologist Dr. Shahid joins us to discuss the early signs of heart disease everyone should know.

February 9th, 2026

Valentine’s Day is approaching, so today we're talking about love—that all-consuming, heart-racing, can't-eat, can't-sleep feeling. But what's actually happening inside our brains when we fall head over heels? To help us understand the science of love, we have Dr. Gary Small, Director of Behavioral Health Breakthrough Therapies at Hackensack Meridian Health.

February 16th, 2026

As we move through these colder months, many families are dealing with the double challenge of freezing temperatures and the peak of winter virus season. For children with asthma, this stretch of weather can be particularly taxing on their lungs. Joining us to help parents navigate these weeks safely is Dr. Alfin Vicencio, a pediatric pulmonologist, the Northern Regional Chair of Pediatrics at Hackensack Meridian Health, and Professor of Pediatrics at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Welcome, Dr. Vicencio!

February 23rd, 2026

Today, we’re here with Dr. Cynthia Kos, an Advanced Heart Failure/LVAD Cardiologist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center, part of Hackensack Meridian Health. Understanding your heart health is so important, and that starts with knowing when your heart is asking for help. While ignoring symptoms can lead to serious conditions like heart failure, catching them early makes all the difference. 

March 2nd, 2026

A single Vitamin K shot given at birth has been a standard of care for decades and protects newborns from a devastating bleeding disorder. A recent study shows that fewer babies in the U.S. have been receiving this shot over the past decade. Dr. Cathleen Ballance, Vice Chair of Quality & Safety at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, joins us to share more.

March 9th, 2026

When we talk about cancer awareness, the conversation often focuses on breast and prostate cancer but blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma often go under the radar. Because these conditions affect the body in unique ways, knowing what to look for is vital. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 10% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2025 were blood cancers and, on average, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 3 minutes. Joining us today is Dr. Michele Donato, lead of the Stem Cell team at Hackensack University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center. She is here to share information that could truly benefit you and your loved ones. Welcome, Doctor!

March 16th, 2026

We often associate lung cancer with smoking, but there's a concerning trend emerging: rising rates among non-smokers. Joining us today to talk about this shift is Dr. Thomas Bauer, Chair of Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, as well as the chair of Thoracic Surgery for the southern region.

March 23rd, 2026

When we think of improving heart health, we often think about adults. Dr. Mitchel Alpert, Pediatric Cardiology Chief at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Health, joins us to discuss the importance of promoting heart-healthy habits for children, too.

March 30th, 2026

We've seen the tragic deaths of young actors like Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek due to colon and colorectal cancer. Their stories have amplified the conversation around these types of cancer. We are here with Dr. Evan Orosz, MD, a gastroenterologist with Hackensack Meridian Medical Group in Ocean, to discuss the importance of colon cancer screening.

April 6th, 2026

Spring weather is finally here in New Jersey, but for many – including children – that also means sneezing, itchy eyes and tree pollen season. Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo is a board-certified pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He shares more on how to help us enjoy the season a little more comfortably.

April 13th, 2026

A Look at the growing social media trend "rage bait" and how it affects our health. We are joined by Doctor

If you’re curious about your health and want expert advice you can trust, check out Ask a Doc with Shawn Michaels, powered by the specialists at Hackensack Meridian Health.