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Health Break Podcast

Take a break for your health.

What is Health Break?

It’s a podcast for UPMC Health Plan members. These five-minute episodes explore important and interesting health and wellness topics—and offer tips for making the most of your health insurance plan.

Our members care about living a healthier lifestyle and using the tools and resources we offer. Life is busy, though; there’s not always time to read and research. That’s why we created Health Break.

What can I learn?

Health Break covers topics like:

  • Caring for the mental health of children and teens.
  • Lifestyle habits for adults and children that can help prevent or manage diabetes and prediabetes.
  • How to know when you need an antibiotic.
  • Digital tools for UPMC Health Plan members and how to use them.
  • Innovations in home health supports.
  • Common mistakes you might be making with your prescriptions.
  • Self-care for working moms.

Where can I find it?

Listen to Health Break on your favorite podcast streaming service.

View show notes, all Health Break episodes, and listen now!
  • Episode 42
    08/29/2023
    How to prepare for flu season

    Dr. Maria Guyette, senior medical director for UPMC Community HealthChoices and emergency physician at UPMC Shadyside, takes a Health Break to talk with us about preparing for flu season and why we need to be vaccinated against the flu each year.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP42 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 41
    08/22/2023
    Respite for caregivers and how to access services in your community

    Dr. Robert Rutkowski, medical director of practice transformation at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to explain respite care, how it works, and what resources are available for caregivers in Pennsylvania.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP41 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 40
    08/15/2023
    You had an ER visit—what happens next?

    Rebecca Ballentine, associate vice president of clinical affairs and post-acute services at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to review the next steps you should take after an ER visit.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP40 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 39
    08/08/2023
    Caring for the mental health of kids and teens

    Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, practicing pediatrician and chief medical officer of the Quality Department at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to explain mental and behavioral health for kids and teens.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP39 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 38
    08/01/2023
    Prenatal to postpartum: How to care for your body and mind

    Laura Kelsch and Robin Bernens, registered nurse case managers on the Baby Steps maternity team at UPMC Health Plan, take a Health Break to explain ways to care for body and mind before and after giving birth.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP38 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 37
    07/25/2023
    What is RxWell?

    Tish Rohan, senior director of population health and clinical optimization at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to share details on the RxWell mobile app for UPMC Health Plan members.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP37 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 36
    07/18/2023
    What you need to know about childhood immunizations

    Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, practicing pediatrician and chief medical officer in the Quality Department at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to discuss why vaccines are important at every stage of childhood.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP36 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 35
    07/11/2023
    Early signs of breast cancer and steps for prevention

    Dr. Margarita Zuley, chief of Breast Imaging at UPMC, takes a Health Break to talk about breast health and share steps to take for breast cancer prevention.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP35 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 34
    06/27/2023
    Health care from home: Innovations in home health supports

    In this episode, we’re taking a Health Break to discuss home health supports with Josh Rosman, certified registered nurse practitioner and clinical director of the Advanced Illness Care Program through UPMC Innovative Homecare Solutions.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP34 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 33
    06/20/2023
    Why you need an action plan if you have a condition that could flare up

    Dr. Anthony DeFail, associate vice president of medical service at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to share why it’s important to have an action plan if you have a chronic condition.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP33 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 32
    06/13/2023
    What is a care manager and how can they help me?

    Prescription for Wellness care manager Mandi Batykefer takes a Health Break to tell us about who the care managers are at UPMC Health Plan, and what they do to support members.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP32 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 31
    06/06/2023
    Warning signs for type 2 diabetes or unhealthy weight in children and teens

    Dr. Robert Rutkowski, medical director of practice transformation at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to provide an overview of some of the primary warning signs for type 2 diabetes or obesity in children and teens, and strategies for creating healthy lifestyle habits to avoid a diagnosis.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP31 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 30
    05/30/2023
    Health factors that might surprise you

    Ray Prushnok, associate vice president of program development and social impact at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to uncover the social determinants of health that may be affecting you, and the support available to help you.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP30 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 29
    05/23/2023
    Working moms: Caring for yourself and others

    Dr. Amanda Gabarda, senior director of clinical training and education at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to discuss some of the challenges working mothers face, and how to receive support from your health insurance.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP29 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 28
    05/16/2023
    3 tips for managing stress in any situation

    Alicia Fairman, program manager at LifeSolutions, takes a Health Break to walk us through three tips for how to find comfort and access support in any moment of stress.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP28 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 27
    05/09/2023
    What is Prescription for Wellness and how does it work?

    Tish Rohan, senior director of population health and clinical optimization at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to explain what a Prescription for Wellness is, how to get one, and what it can do for your health.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP27 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 26
    05/02/2023
    Health and health care for teens

    Dr. Sonika Bhatnagar, senior medical director of pediatric population health at UPMC Health Plan takes a Health Break to talk about health and health care for teens.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP26 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 25
    04/25/2023
    How to get better sleep

    Health coach Alex Treanor takes a Health Break to talk with us about sleep—and why we’re probably doing it wrong. Tune in to learn about sleep hygiene and why it’s key for your health.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP25 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 24
    04/18/2023
    Ask a pharmacist: Your questions, answered

    Teresa Messick, clinical pharmacy supervisor at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to describe how to connect with a pharmacist and ask questions using UPMC AnywhereCare.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP24 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 23
    04/11/2023
    Myths and facts about cervical cancer

    Dr. Nicholas DeGregorio, senior medical director of UPMC for You, takes a Health Break to bust common myths about cervical cancer and share tips for screening and prevention.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP23 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 22
    04/04/2023
    What is a vaccine booster and how does it work?

    Why do some vaccines require booster shots, and when should people get a COVID-19 booster? Dr. Maria Guyette, senior medical director for UPMC Community HealthChoices and emergency physician at UPMC Shadyside, takes a Health Break to explain.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP22 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 21
    03/28/2023
    Goal setting, and how to actually stick with it

    Health coach Alex Treanor takes a Health Break to help us turn our resolutions into goals—whether it be for our physical or mental health, relationships, or lifestyle habits. Join us to learn about goal setting and how to follow through with your goals.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP21 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 20
    10/06/2022
    Digital tools for your mental health

    Laura Francis, Director of Behavioral Health Clinical Programs, takes a Health Break with us to discuss the free digital tools members can use to support their mental and behavioral health.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP20 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 19
    10/04/2022
    What to do if you have a mental health crisis

    Laura Francis, Director of Behavioral Health Clinical Programs at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break with us to review important resources you can use if you are having a mental health crisis.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP19 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 18
    09/29/2022
    How to support mental health as we age

    Suzan Clark, program director at LifeSolutions, takes a Health Break to describe the mental health challenges we may encounter as we get older—and how to find and access support at every stage of life.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP18 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 17
    09/27/2022
    How to know when you need an antibiotic

    Dr. Nick DeGregorio, senior medical director of UPMC for You, takes a Health Break to discuss all things antibiotics: Why they’re different from other medications, how to know when you should and shouldn’t be taking them, how to take them correctly and safely, and how to avoid antibiotic resistance.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP17 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 16
    09/22/2022
    Increasing access to health care through digital tools

    Claire Marcus, director of Telehealth Technology & Solutions at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break with us to discuss accessing health care with digital tools. We’ll learn about UPMC Health Plan programs, tools, and services that are available to our members and the communities we serve.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP16 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 15
    09/20/2022
    What’s happening now in telehealth

    Do you use telehealth as part of your health care? Jeffrey Gala, senior digital product manager at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to give us an overview on telehealth and what it means for access to care, for saving money, and for the future.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP15 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 14
    09/15/2022
    Lifestyle habits for diabetes and prediabetes

    Dr. Amy Meister, associate chief medical officer of UPMC’s Insurance Services Division and vice president of Workpartners, takes a Health Break with us to define diabetes and prediabetes—plus, she shares lifestyle changes we can make to minimize risks.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP14 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 13
    09/13/2022
    Why it's important to choose and maintain a PCP

    Dr. Amy Meister, associate chief medical officer of UPMC’s Insurance Services Division and vice president of Workpartners, takes a Health Break to discuss why seeing a PCP (or primary care provider) is an important part of health insurance. Plus, she’ll tell us how to select a PCP.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP13 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 12
    09/08/2022
    The top 3 things you can do for your heart

    Dr. Cynthia Rosenberg, chief medical officer of Medicare and Special Needs Products at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break with us to outline what matters most when it comes to having a healthy heart. She also talks about preventive measures we can take to support our heart health at any age.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP12 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 11
    09/06/2022
    Why a health risk assessment is good for your health

    Dr. Amy Meister, associate chief medical officer of UPMC’s Insurance Services Division and vice president of Workpartners, takes a Health Break to discuss health risk assessments. What are they, why is it important to complete one for your health insurance, and how can it affect your health?

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP11 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 10
    09/01/2022
    What you need to know about high blood pressure

    Dr. Kalpana Char, associate vice president of Special Needs Plan Medical Services at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break with us to explain blood pressure, what we need to know about high blood pressure, and how to treat high blood pressure with help from your primary care provider.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP10 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 9
    08/30/2022
    How to talk to your doctor online

    Dr. Nicholas DeGregorio, senior medical director of UPMC for You, takes a Health Break with us to explain how telehealth works and how easy and convenient it can be to talk to your doctor online.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP9 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 8
    08/25/2022
    Train your brain: How to build healthier habits for healthier thoughts

    Director of Behavioral Health Clinical Programs Laura Francis takes a Health Break with us to explain how the brain works in moments of discomfort—and how we can build habits for healthier thoughts.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP8 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 7
    08/23/2022
    Common mistakes you might be making with your prescriptions

    Clinical pharmacy specialist Teresa Messick takes a Health Break to share common mistakes you might be making with your prescriptions and how to correct them. Plus, we’ll talk about how to avoid prescription misuse.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP7 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 6
    08/18/2022
    5 things you need to know about health insurance in 5 minutes

    Health Care Concierges Joyce Reagle and Michael Ahern take a Health Break to share the top five things you need to know about health insurance—from eligibility and coverage to hidden benefits and other extras—all in five minutes. No matter where you are in exploring health insurance, we’ve got you covered.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP6 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 5
    08/16/2022
    Detecting colorectal cancer early: Signs and symptoms

    Dr. Andrew Watson, colorectal surgeon and senior medical director of telemedicine at UPMC Insurance Services, takes a Health Break to explain colorectal cancer, how it develops, and ways to detect signs and symptoms early.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP5 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 4
    08/11/2022
    How to teach your child healthy dental hygiene habits

    Dental care managers Alaina Stango and Barb Hammerschmitt take a Health Break to share tips and strategies for building healthy oral health habits with the kids in your life.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP4 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 3
    08/09/2022
    How deep breathing impacts your health

    In this Health Break, we revisit PA Takes a Breath, a UPMC Health Plan virtual event that shows the benefits of deep breathing. Hear from Dr. Matthew Hurford, president and CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, and practice a simple breathing exercise with UPMC Health Plan health coaches.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP3 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 2
    08/04/2022
    Digital tools for UPMC Health Plan members and how to use them

    Brittany Ramsey, senior product manager at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to give us the details on free and convenient digital tools that can help UPMC Health Plan members make the most of their health insurance plan.

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP2 for show notes and additional information.

  • Episode 1
    08/02/2022
    How to get connected to free health coaching

    Health coach Linda Fayad takes a Health Break to tell us about health coaching: what it is, how it works, who the coaches are, how it can help, and how to get connected. The best part—it’s free!

    Visit upmchp.us/HealthBreakEP1 for show notes and additional information.