Just Jenn: A Woman’s Health Podcast

How to Make Confident Decisions about Undergoing Surgery

When considering surgery, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Today, we're not just talking about whether surgery is recommended. We’re talking about making a decision in a way that feels informed. Grounded. Like the options are clear and the decision belongs to you.  My guest today is Dr. Amelie Medley. Dr. Medley is a general surgeon at Hancock Health, working with women at all stages of life.  Specifically this episode highlights:  - How to know if surgery is truly necessary versus optional - What questions to ask (urgency, risks, alternatives, recovery expectations) - How to weigh benefits vs. risks in a way that feels personal and grounded - What robotic-assisted surgery is and how it compares to traditional methods - How to seek second opinions MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: justjennunfiltered@gmail.com [justjennunfiltered@gmail.com]  Learn more about Dr. Amelie Medley  https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/amelie-medley-md/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/amelie-medley-md/]  Learn more about Hancock’s Surgery Center https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/] Surgical Site Infection Prevention from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/surgical-site-infection/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/surgical-site-infection/index.html]  Hancock Health Video - Why Can’t I Eat Before Surgery?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tJCLyGdlI&list=PLvxgtlzFUFz98eNym78kedeVs_oeEbg7i&index=3 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tJCLyGdlI&list=PLvxgtlzFUFz98eNym78kedeVs_oeEbg7i&index=3] Hancock Health Video - Robotic Assisted Surgical Technology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA&t=3s]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Minimally Invasive Surgery https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/minimally-invasive-surgery/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/minimally-invasive-surgery/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Getting Over Embarrassment in the Exam Room

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: some doctor’s appointments are going to feel awkward.  In this episode, we’re leaning in to talk about that embarrassment from a clinical point of view. We’re discussing why talking about body parts and functions can feel so weird or abnormal or just plain hard to vocalize the question.  . My guest today is Angela Trackwell, nurse practitioner with Gateway Family Medicine.  Specifically this episode highlights:  - Common embarrassing topics (that are actually quite common in the exam room) - A clinician’s perspective and tips to bring up hard topics - What to expect from your clinician during an exam MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: justjennunfiltered@gmail.com [justjennunfiltered@gmail.com]  Learn more about Angela Trackwell, NP  https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/]  Learn more about Family Medicine at Hancock Health’s Gateway Center https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/]  Preventative Care Guidelines from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html [https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 09 - Decoding Common Labs https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/decoding-common-labs [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/decoding-common-labs] Hancock Health Blog - What is Primary Care and Why It Matters More Than You Think: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/] Hancock Health Blog - Essential Appointments to Make: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/]  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Breast Changes Women Should Never Ignore

Today is all about breasts. Boobs. Ta-tas. The girls. Whatever you call them, we all have a name for them.  In this episode, we’re sitting down with a breast health provider to talk about the changes women should pay attention to. We’re chatting about what’s common, what’s worth watching, and what deserves a conversation. My guest today is Calee Hochstedler, a nurse practitioner with the High Risk Breast Clinic at Hancock Health. Specifically this episode highlights:  - Common symptoms and signs to watch out for on your breasts - What to expect during a clinical breast exam - Ways to schedule an appointment and start a conversation with your primary care provider MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: justjennunfiltered@gmail.com [justjennunfiltered@gmail.com]  Learn more about Calee Hochstedler, NP  https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/calee-hochstedler-np/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/calee-hochstedler-np/]  Learn more about breast health services at Hancock Health https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/breast-health/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/breast-health/]  Learn about the High Risk Breast Clinic at Hancock Health  https://www.hancockhealth.org/2024/12/hancock-healths-high-risk-breast-clinic-is-your-breast-friend/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2024/12/hancock-healths-high-risk-breast-clinic-is-your-breast-friend/]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Dense Breast Tissue https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/dense-breast-tissue-what-it-means-to-have-dense-breasts/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/dense-breast-tissue-what-it-means-to-have-dense-breasts/]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 03 - The Symptom You Shouldn’t Ignore - One Women’s Story  https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one]  Hancock Health Blog - Breast Health is a Year-Round Priority: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2023/10/breast-health-is-a-year-round-priority/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2023/10/breast-health-is-a-year-round-priority/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Decoding Common Labs

There are few things more overwhelming than opening your patient portal and seeing a bunch of numbers, letters, and ranges and being told they’re either normal or abnormal, without knowing what that specifically means for you. Today’s conversation is about taking the mystery out of common lab work. We’re discussing what labs are and how they provide critical trend data for your health and well-being.  My guest today is Angela Trackwell, a nurse practitioner at Gateway Hancock Health for Family Medicine and Primary Care. Specifically this episode highlights:  - Common labs ordered as part of preventative care - Common misunderstandings when it comes to lab work - Things to keep in mind about lab results - How labs fit into a patient’s health plan - Ways to schedule an appointment and start a conversation with your primary care provider MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: justjennunfiltered@gmail.com [justjennunfiltered@gmail.com]  Learn more about Angela Trackwell, NP  https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/]  Learn more about Family Medicine at Hancock Health’s Gateway Center https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/]  Labs & Pathology at Hancock Health  https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs-pathology/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs-pathology/]  Preventative Care Guidelines from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html [https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 08 - Preventative Health Isn’t About Being Perfect https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/preventative-health-isnt-about-being [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/preventative-health-isnt-about-being] Hancock Health Blog - What is Primary Care and Why It Matters More Than You Think: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/] Hancock Health Blog - Essential Appointments to Make: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Preventative Health Isn’t About Being Perfect

Preventive health is not glamorous. No one is casually texting their friends like, “Just scheduled my screenings. Feeling unstoppable.” Which is exactly why we’re discussing it today. Because these preventative care appointments do matter, especially in midlife when routine screenings can help identify changes in our body early. We talk about all of it from STDs to dental checks to colonoscopies. This is a series that encourages you to show up and make that appointment and ask the questions. My guest today is Dr. Rudo Mashindi. Dr. Mashinidi is a family physician at Hancock Health, working with women at all stages of life. .  Specifically this episode highlights:  - Why are we talking about preventative health? - Most important screenings from a preventative health standpoint - How to communicate with your primary care doctor MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Dr. Rudo Mashindi: https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/rudo-mashindi-md/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/rudo-mashindi-md/]  Learn more about screenings at Hancock Health’s Gateway Center: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs/]  Preventative Care Guidelines from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html [https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 05 - Let’s Talk Menopause Part 5, Midlife Weight Gain: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-4-midlife [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-4-midlife] Hancock Health Blog - 10 Health Care Appointments You Should Consider Making This Year: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2022/12/10-health-care-appointments-you-should-consider-making-this-year/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2022/12/10-health-care-appointments-you-should-consider-making-this-year/] Hancock Health Blog - What is Primary Care and Why It Matters More Than You Think: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/] Hancock Health Blog - Preventative Health Screenings: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2023/10/preventative-health-screenings/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2023/10/preventative-health-screenings/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]