The BAMF Health Podcast

The wearable healthcare data you should actually pay attention to

In this episode, host Christine VanTimmeren is joined by Dr. Brandon Mancini and Ben Boudro, VP of Enterprise Partnerships at COYA, to discuss how wearable technology, sleep, stress management, and recovery are reshaping the way we think about health and performance. From Apple Watches and Oura Rings to Whoop straps and HRV tracking, this conversation breaks down what the data actually means—and how people can use it to make meaningful, sustainable improvements in their health. Ben shares how COYA works with: Professional and collegiate athletes Executives and high-stress professionals First responders and law enforcement Everyday people trying to improve their quality of life Together, the group explores: • Why sleep may be the ultimate performance enhancer • What HRV (Heart Rate Variability) actually measures • Why “small habits” outperform quick fixes • The relationship between stress, recovery, and longevity • How wearables can help—or hurt—your mental health • Why relationships and community are critical to long-term wellness If you’ve ever wondered whether your wearable data matters—or how to actually use it—this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. 00:00 Introduction & National Physical Fitness Month 00:47 What Is COYA? 00:56 The Police Officer Story: Stress, Sleep & Transformation 04:24 Using Wearable Data to Build Better Habits 05:44 Why Most People Don’t Know What To Do With Their Data 06:36 Wearables, HRV & What Actually Matters 07:47 What Is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)? 08:50 Sleep, Stress & Recovery Explained 09:40 The “Four Pillars” of Health & Cancer Care 10:53 Why Recovery Matters More Than Performance 12:01 Lifespan vs Healthspan 13:18 The Central Nervous System & Chronic Stress 14:11 VO2 Max Testing & Overtraining 16:09 The “Gray Area” of Feeling Fine But Not Optimal 17:39 Small Daily Habits That Improve Health 19:10 COYA & Professional / College Athletes 20:36 Why Sleep Is the Ultimate Performance Tool 21:21 The Downsides of Wearables & Overanalyzing Data 22:32 Relationships, Community & Longevity 23:14 Why Consistency Beats Perfection 24:38 How To Start Improving Your Health Today 25:37 The 3-2-1 Rule for Better Sleep 27:11 Journaling, Reflection & Sleep Quality 28:24 Circadian Rhythm & Why Timing Matters 31:06 Final Thoughts on Wellness & Wearables Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Brandon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/  Christine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/ Connect with BAMF Health Website: https://www.bamfhealth.com/ Our Podcast: https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/ Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Dr. Brandon Mancini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/] Christine VanTimmeren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/] Connect with BAMF Health Our Website [https://www.bamfhealth.com/] Our Podcast [https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/]

What it's like to be a nurse in theranostics and clinical trials

In this special National Nurses Month episode, we are joined by two BAMF Health nursing leaders: Christina DeVries, BSN, RN and Clay McNamara, BSN, RN. Together, they share what it’s like to help build one of the nation’s first comprehensive theranostics centers from the ground up, how nursing at BAMF differs from traditional healthcare environments, and why patient advocacy remains at the center of everything they do. You’ll also hear incredible patient stories—involving hallway concerts and potatoes—and learn how BAMF nurses are helping shape the future of personalized medicine. Whether you’re a nurse, healthcare professional, student, or patient, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping drive innovation in cancer care and beyond. 00:40 Meet Christina DeVries & Clay McNamara 01:03 What Inspired Christina to Become a Nurse 02:20 Clay’s Path Into Nursing & Travel Nursing Experience 04:18 What They Love Most About Nursing 05:46 Building BAMF Health From the Beginning 09:22 Patient Advocacy & Nurse Navigation at BAMF 10:56 Opening BAMF’s Doors for the First Time 12:36 Theranostics Nursing vs Traditional Oncology Nursing 14:57 Radiation Safety & Working Around Radiopharmaceuticals 17:51 The Most Rewarding & Challenging Parts of Nursing 20:09 What People Don’t Understand About Nursing 23:13 Favorite Patient Stories at BAMF 26:48 What BAMF Looks for in Nurses 30:43 Final Thoughts & Celebrating Nurses Month Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Dr. Brandon Mancini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/] Christine VanTimmeren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/] Connect with BAMF Health Our Website [https://www.bamfhealth.com/] Our Podcast [https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/]

The BAMF Health Foundation – Expanding Access, Research, and Hope

In this episode, Christine VanTimmeren and Dr. Brandon Mancini are joined by Afton DeVos, Consulting Director of the Foundation for Medical Advancement and Breakthroughs (FMAB). This conversation explores the origin and mission of FMAB—created in response to grateful patients who wanted to help others access life-saving care. Together, they discuss how the foundation is working to remove financial barriers, accelerate research, and expand education so more patients can benefit from cutting-edge therapies. Afton shares her deeply personal connection to this work as a cancer survivor and caregiver, and how her family’s experience—including the loss of her father while awaiting a clinical trial—fuels the urgency behind expanding access and speeding innovation. We also break down the foundation’s three core pillars: Access – Helping patients overcome financial barriers to treatment Research – Supporting clinical trials and accelerating innovation Education – Raising awareness about available therapies and opportunities This episode is a powerful look at how philanthropy, innovation, and patient-centered care come together to change lives—and save them. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Foundation for Medical Advancement and Breakthroughs (FMAB) 00:52 Meet Afton DeVos & Her Background 03:46 How the Foundation Started  05:24 What the Foundation Does  05:30 Barriers to Care 08:44 Foundation Pillars: Access, Research, Education 09:36 Research: Why Faster Innovation Matters 10:07 Investigator-Initiated Trials Explained 11:45 Why Speed Matters in Clinical Research 12:01 Afton’s Personal Story & Family Cancer Journey 15:17 Funding the Foundation & Early Growth 18:22 Impact of Patient & Family Donations 20:07 Afton’s Shares More of Her Personal and Family Story 24:41 Pancreatic Cancer & Clinical Trial Access 26:11 Looking Ahead: 2026 Initiatives & Events 27:56 How to Get Involved & Support the Foundation 29:15 Final Thoughts on Access & Impact Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Dr. Brandon Mancini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/] Christine VanTimmeren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/] Connect with BAMF Health Our Website [https://www.bamfhealth.com/] Our Podcast [https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/]

Building the Future of Theranostics in Detroit

Welcome to the BAMF Health Podcast, where we explore the future of theranostics, precision medicine, and personalized healthcare. In this episode, Christine VanTimmeren is joined by BAMF Health Founder & CEO Anthony Chang and Dr. Adnan Munkarah, President of Clinical Enterprise and Chief Physician Executive at Henry Ford Health, to discuss a major milestone: the groundbreaking of a new comprehensive theranostics center in downtown Detroit. This conversation dives into the strategic partnership between BAMF Health and Henry Ford Health, why Detroit was selected as BAMF’s second location, and how this new center will expand access to cutting-edge theranostics care across Michigan, the Midwest, and beyond. We explore the infrastructure and workforce challenges facing theranostics, the importance of vertical integration in radiopharmaceuticals, and how this collaboration will help train the next generation of clinicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals. Most importantly, we discuss what this means for patients—bringing earlier detection, more personalized treatment, and new hope to those who need it most. This episode highlights how partnerships like this are not just building facilities—but building the future of medicine. 00:00 Introduction & Groundbreaking Announcement  00:40 Why Detroit Was Chosen for BAMF’s Expansion  02:08 Henry Ford Health’s Commitment to Detroit  03:45 Why Henry Ford Is the Right Partner  05:26 Why Henry Ford Chose BAMF  09:35 Barriers to Expanding Theranostics  10:05 Infrastructure Challenges   12:51 Access Challenges & Vertical Integration  14:44 Detroit as a Healthcare Innovation Hub  16:22 Michigan as a Leader in Precision Medicine  18:08 Transforming the Site & Community Impact  19:41 Workforce & Training the Next Generation  20:34 Building the Future Healthcare Workforce  22:17 What This Means for Patients  24:01 The Future of Early Detection & Innovation  25:28 Why Michigan Is Uniquely Positioned  26:46 The Future of Healthcare in Detroit  27:24 Final Reflections & Vision Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Dr. Brandon Mancini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/] Christine VanTimmeren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/] Connect with BAMF Health Our Website [https://www.bamfhealth.com/] Our Podcast [https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/]

Celebrating World Theranostics Day with Theranostics Expert Dr. Harshad Kulkarni

In this special World Theranostics Day episode, Christine VanTimmeren and Dr. Brandon Mancini are joined by Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, Chief Medical Advisor at BAMF Health and a global leader in theranostics, to discuss how this innovative approach is transforming cancer care and beyond. We break down what theranostics is, how it combines diagnostics and targeted therapy, and why it represents one of the most powerful shifts toward truly personalized medicine. Dr. Kulkarni shares his global experience, insights from early adoption in Europe, and how theranostics is rapidly expanding in the United States. We also explore the growing pipeline of clinical trials, the role of imaging in selecting the right patients, and how this approach is improving patient outcomes, quality of life, and survival. Finally, we look ahead to the future—where theranostics could extend beyond cancer into diseases like cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's, and more. 00:00 Intro & World Theranostics Day  00:41 What Theranostics Means  02:19 Meet Dr. Harshad Kulkarni  02:54 How Dr. Kulkarni Entered Theranostics  04:20 How Europe Advanced Theranostics Earlier Than the U.S.  08:12 Why Imaging Is Essential to Theranostics  09:59 “See What You Treat, Treat What You See”  12:30 FDA-Approved Theranostics Today  15:59 Beyond Cancer: Alzheimer’s, Cardiology, and More  17:43 Why Theranostics Isn’t Available for Every Cancer Yet  21:46 Real Patient Outcomes & Quality of Life  25:34 What’s Next for Theranostics  27:11 Closing Thoughts & Learn More Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn Dr. Brandon Mancini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancini-md-mba-facro-44646758/] Christine VanTimmeren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinevt/] Connect with BAMF Health Our Website [https://www.bamfhealth.com/] Our Podcast [https://www.bamfhealth.com/podcast/]