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.

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.