Prescribe Me Something Else

Dr. Chip Thomas, known as jetsonorama in the art world, is a trained family medicine physician. Originally from North Carolina, Chip went to Meharry Medical College in Tennessee. Chip has worked between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon on the Navajo nation since 1987. He was only supposed to stay for four years, but was drawn to the region and now finds himself still there 30 plus years later. In addition to being a physician, Chip is also a photographer, artist and activist. He coordinates the Painted Desert Project which is a community building project that is a constellation of murals across the Navajo Nation reflecting the rich history of the Navajo people. He was also one of a select number of artists to be chosen by the United Nations to recognize the 75th anniversary of the UN’s founding. And while he’s creating all of this acclaimed art, he continues to practice medicine and takes care of generations of family on the Navajo Nation. Join us in our season 1 finale with Chip and learn how he builds community, trust and wellness through his art and establishes the bond between murals and medicine.

Dr. Kandice Marchant is a hematopathologist and the former Chair of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute at Cleveland Clinic. She earned her masters and PhD degrees in macromolecular science and her MD degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Beyond the microscope, Kandice’s other passion is cheese-making. Kandice was always a lover of cheese and that love was further cultivated when she met her husband, originally from England. Through their travels in the UK and abroad she was introduced to different artisanal cheeses. She completed a course in artisan cheesemaking in Sterling College Vermont. She was inspired by traditional European approaches to cheese making and due to her background developed scientific techniques to put her own spin on the process. She now has grown her passion to a busy cheesemaking and retail business called Marchant Manor Cheese. Join us as Kandice tells us her journey from physician to fromager.

Dr. Vanesa Karamanian is the Senior Director of Program Strategy and Integration at Health Promotion Council in Philadelphia. Her professional background includes more than 20 years of national and international experience in public health, health care and research across multiple disciplines including health behaviors, access and utilization of clinical care, and the influence of socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Vanesa received her Medical Degree in Buenos Aires, Argentina and a Master in Public Health with Global Health focus from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also an Adjunct Faculty at Thomas Jefferson University where she teaches in the Master in Public Health program. When Vanesa is not working to promote health for the wellbeing of the public she’s promoting food in a sleek way. She works as a food stylist and food photographer. She photographs foods for restaurants, magazines and food companies, and posts her photographs on her Instagram page to reach a wider audience. Join us as she tells us how she empowers her voice through photography and food and learn her recipe for success.

Dr. Matthew Wetscler wears many hats. Not only is he a board certified emergency medicine physician but also an artist, a former professional athlete, and most recently a CEO and co-founder of Plume. Plume is a virtual trans-healthcare service program in which patients can obtain gender-affirming care directly from their smartphones. But Matthew has lived more than one life. Prior to co-founding this innovative company, Matthew was involved in a harrowing accident in 2017 where he broke his neck while surfing and was paralyzed from the neck down. His recovery included painting in which he was able to retrain his body and thankfully recover much of his mobility. As an undergrad, Matthew studied fine arts, and as soon as Matthew could hold a brush during his rehabilitation he started painting again. Matthew has had exhibitions throughout San Francisco, including at Stanford University, Mcloughlin Gallery, and the Great Highway Gallery, as well as exhibitions in Boston and Seattle. Matthew also works as a motivational speaker where he talks about his remarkable recovery and the resilience of the human spirit. His paintings have been described as “strength and energy pushing forward.” Join us as we discuss Matthew’s artistic endeavors and his current venture and learn about that awe-inspiring strength that propelled him beyond physical limits.

Dr. Mike Natter is a native of New York City.  Mike grew up on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and was surrounded by all things cultural, which he ascribes his initial creative influences to. Though Mike is dedicated to the medical field, he has always been drawn to that creative world.  He studied both studio art as well as neuropsychology at Skidmore College. It was there where he began to recognize overlapping themes between art and science. Mike continued his medical career and graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia and is currently an Endocrinology fellow in New York City. Diagnosed as a Type I Diabetic at the age of 9, Mike also has the unique perspective of both patient and physician and has dedicated his training to the care of those who share his disease. But when he's not running around the hospital, his tools switch from stethoscope to stencil. Mike is an accomplished illustrator and artist.  His work has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper as well as the Annals of Internal Medicine, amongst other publications. Mike continues to draw and publish. He shares his work on social media, reaching a vast audience- both medical and non.  Listen in as we flip through Mike's sketchbook with him.