EP2 | Authenticity and Curiosity with Michael Okun
Our Guest
Michael S. Okun is a neurologist, neuroscientist and author. He is the co-founder and director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida and is the chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida (2015-current) and the Medical Director/Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation (2006-current).
Dr. Okun holds the Adelaide Lackner Professorship in Neurology and has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles. He is a poet (Lessons From the Bedside, 1995) and has authored 14 books. One of his book’s, Parkinson’s Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life, was translated into over 20 languages. Dr. Okun was recognized in a 2015 White House ceremony by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change for Parkinson’s Disease.
Recorded Oct 7, 2021
Today we are talking with Michael Okun, physician, author and national medical advisor to the Parkinson Foundation, about his approach to patient advocacy and how to talk to doctors. He also shares how he stays curious and authentic while answering the many questions he receives from patients in clinic and online as the author of the Parkinson Foundation “Ask the Doctor” blog.
Listen to full episode :
Show Notes
4:30 - What's your approach to a person asking about Stem Cell treatments
11:40 - Vaccines and the pandemic
13:00 - How can people do their own research, or is that just a foolhardy endeavor?
15:00 - "Reaching grandma's attic"
17:30 - How can we do a more skillful job of maintaining empathy and hope
20:50 - Historically, doctors didn't help people live longer or get better
23:45 - I don't think that it's fair to judge people on their intelligence or their integrity, on one issue.
28:00 - Can you be a better patient in a way that makes your doctor a better doctor?
30:50 - Establishing cultural expectations
36:14 - "Lessons from the Bedside"
39:00 - John Graham-Pole and Patch Adams, pioneers in medicine
43:18 - How do the lessons from the bedside tie into this mad scientist of neurophysiology?
46:45 - Do you have a prescription for the the cure for bullshit? Or what do you see as the key ingredient?
50:45 - I did a TED talk with Kelly Foote about controlling the brain
Mentioned Links & Resources
Parkinson Foundation - How to Join a Study
https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-research/join-studyParkinson Foundation - Getting Involved in Research Fact Sheet
https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/researchTEDx UF - How to Control the Brain: Michael Okun and Kelly Foote
“Lessons from the Bedside” book by Michael Okun
“Bad Batch” podcast by Laura Beil
Theme Music (song provided by Timothy Ott and the Daily Afflictions)
Check out our theme song "Prescription Kills" and more music by The Daily Afflictions on Spotify!