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Dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., and there are about 400,000 older adults living with dementia in Texas. In rural communities, health care providers have an urgent need for additional dementia training. To address this need, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA) and the TTUHSC F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health are offering a 6-part, 1-hour virtual learning series on dementia care for providers.

First, what is dementia and why do rural areas present challenges when treating dementia? Our team of guest experts answer that question and more. Guests for this episode are: Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., director, GIA Memory Comprehensive Memory Clinic; Erin Baker, Project ECHO Coordinator; and Janie De La Cerda, Project ECHO Coordinator.

Additional information:

• The Dementia Care ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Program runs Jan. 28 through April 8, 2026. Register for the program here.
• Learn more about the TTUHSC GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic here.
• Contact the GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic: 806-743-9401 or GIAMC@ttuhsc.edu

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More than 72,500 people in the U.S. were estimated to be diagnosed with three types of head and neck cancer in 2025. Of those, more than 16,500 were estimated to die from these diseases. Joehassin Cordero, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians head and neck surgeon and chair of the department of otolaryngology, is our guest expert for this episode. Dr. Cordero lists the different cancers considered head and neck cancers, possible causes, symptoms and treatment and patients are at risk for secondary cancers.

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It’s the time of year when some of us might consider making a new year's resolution to change or improve something about ourselves. Perhaps you want to break a bad habit or challenge yourself to do something new. Our experts for this episode have some advice on how we can motivate ourselves to stop those habits or take the plunge into doing something good for ourselves. Licensed professional counselors Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., and Sarah Roundtree, Ph.D., are both with the School of Health Professions Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, and are our guests for this last episode of the year.

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Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, according to the World Health Organization. It’s preventable and curable as long as it’s detected early and managed effectively. Our guest expert for this episode is Salvatore LoCoco, M.D., chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. LoCoco explains what is cervical cancer, which populations are at greatest risk for cervical cancer, screenings, treatment, vaccinations and prevention.

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A recent study found that 1 in 8 U.S. adolescents and young adults use AI chatbots for mental health advice. How safe is it to use these chatbots without or along with human therapists? Our guest experts for this episode are Nicole Noble, Ph.D., an an assistant professor in the TTUHSC School of Health Professions and therapist in the Your Life Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic and David Pfaff, Ph.D., a clinical mental health therapist with the School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Their insight on this topic will hopefully lead listeners to understand what to expect from these everyday chatbots, how we can use them as a tool to help with therapy, how therapists themselves use AI and why this is still one of those professional services that is best handled by a human.

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For some people, their bones might grow too much and not fit together perfectly, including the bones around the hip joint, leading to pain. That’s when patients usually learn about hip arthroscopy. Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., is back, this time to talk to us about hip arthroscopy—What is it? Who is a candidate? What is recovery like? Dr. Kraeutler is an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians. He tells us what options patients, especially younger patients, have when they’re feeling pain in their hips and when he recommends treatment with this minimally invasive procedure.

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There are challenges to practicing medicine and receiving medical treatment in rural areas, but there are benefits as well. According to National Rural Health Day, rural America is a great place for mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care. According to this episode's guest, rural patients will approach their doctor in public. Adrian Billings, M.D., is associate academic dean for rural and community engagement with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and with Texas Tech Physicians of Odessa. Dr. Billings shared what it is like to practice medicine in such a large rural area and how it's led him to build deep relationships with his patients. He also shares how telehealth and modern technology are transforming care in remote areas but stresses why personal connection between patients and clients still matters most.

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A cancer diagnosis often affects patients' mental health leading to anxiety, depression and social isolation. In this episode, guest Gabriela Lelakowska, Ph.D., assistant professor and psychologist in the department of psychiatry in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of open communication, maintaining routines and using professional resources when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.