This Week in America is a program that delves into the issues that matter most to its audience, offering a blend of informative, educational, and entertaining content. Hosted by Ric Bratton, the show is making significant strides across the nation, now airing on over 100 stations and featuring a diverse lineup of nationally recognized guests discussing contemporary topics that resonate with viewers.
Recently, the program was honored with the prestigious Philo T. Farnsworth Award for Best Professional Talk Show by the Central States Alliance for Community Media, a testament to its excellence in the television landscape.
Ric Bratton’s extensive media career encompasses various roles, including news reporting, anchoring, weather, and sports, culminating in “The Ric Bratton Show,” which holds the distinction of being the longest-running and highest-rated local TV talk show in the country. Beyond his impressive achievements in media, Ric has devoted 28 years to serving as a chapter president for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he has hosted telethons in multiple cities, raising over $20 million for the organization since 1975—all without ever accepting payment for his services.
Dr. Egilius L. H. Spierings is a renowned physician and the founder of MedVadis Research, established in 1994. He has held various prestigious positions, including director of The Headache Research Foundation and clinical professor at Tufts University, while also contributing as an associate clinical professor at Harvard Medical School.
Currently, Dr. Spierings leads research efforts at the Greater Boston Headache Center, focusing on innovative treatments for headaches, migraines, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. His commitment to improving patient care through clinical trials and research has made a lasting impact on the medical community.
In this interview on This Week in America, the author Dr. Egilius L. H. Spierings shared the inspiration behind the book, “Headaches: Why You Have Them What You Can Do About Them.” This dives into the different types of headaches, from migraines to tension headaches, explaining how they stem from various neurological and vascular processes.
“Headaches: Why You Have Them What You Can Do About Them” is a groundbreaking work in clinical trials. With nearly 50 years in the field, Dr. Spierings emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment plans and highlights his groundbreaking work on the first triptan medication, Imitrex®, which has changed lives for many headache sufferers.
Dr. Spierings also believes in empowering patients through education, encouraging them to understand their symptoms and treatment options. His book, “Headaches,” aims to make complex medical info accessible, helping readers advocate for their own health. As he looks to the future, he’s excited about new research, especially the links between headaches and conditions like Alzheimer’s. His passion for improving lives is truly inspiring! It’s clear that Dr. Spierings is not just a physician; he’s a passionate educator striving to connect medical science with patient understanding.
As the conversation wrapped up, Dr. Spierings expressed his excitement about the future of headache research, particularly in exploring connections between headaches and other neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. His enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s inspiring to see a medical professional so dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by headaches. For anyone grappling with these challenges, “Headaches: Why You Have Them What You Can Do About Them” provides a beacon of hope and a reminder that effective treatment is not just a dream but a tangible reality.
Listen to the full interview below: