About Going Viral: From Baltimore to the World. An IHV Podcast
Every episode, we’ll take you inside the work, people, and impact of our team.
From breaking research and faculty profiles to regional updates and behind-the-scenes stories, we’ll explore how our mission comes to life across communities and countries. www.ihv.org
A tick bite may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for thousands of people each year, it can lead to a complex illness with symptoms that range from a rash and fever to chronic fatigue, joint pain, and neurological complications.
In this episode, Kalpana Shere-Wolfe, MD (https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/shere-wolfe-kalpana/), Assistant Professor of Medicine, discusses Lyme disease—from how it's transmitted and why early diagnosis matters to the latest evidence-based treatments. She also explores why some patients continue to experience lingering symptoms, addresses the growing interest in alternative therapies, and explains what current research says about complementary approaches.
Publications:
A Multimodal Ayurveda and Mind-Body Therapeutic Intervention for Chronic Symptoms Attributed to a Postinfectious Syndrome: A Pilot Study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37844086/)
A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37101730/)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
27 May 2026
The STI Episode: Facts Over Fear
In this episode, Walker Weinstein, RN of the Jacques Initiative, covers why some STIs show no symptoms at all, how regular testing should become as routine as a dental cleaning, and why sexual health conversations don’t have to be awkward.
Whether you’re navigating dating, in a long-term relationship, or simply want to stay informed, this episode offers practical advice and a reminder that taking care of your sexual health is just another part of taking care of yourself.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
24 Apr 2026
Bringing Health to Salons with Sierra & Rhonda
What do barbershop bloodletting, salon gossip, and modern-day sexual health education have in common? More than you’d think.
In this episode, we sit down with the team behind Tea Talks, a bold initiative from the Jacques Initiative that’s bringing sexual health education straight into beauty salons—because sometimes the best place to talk about protection comes with a manicure.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
9 Jan 2026
No Borders in Care: Or How Global Health Lessons Travel Home
What can global HIV care in Zambia teach us about building stronger health systems in Baltimore?
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Cassidy Claassen, an infectious disease and public health physician based in Lusaka, Zambia, whose work focuses on expanding HIV care in resource-limited settings through community-based interventions. Dr. Claassen shares insights from the front lines of HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, discusses health system capacity-building, and reflects on how lessons learned abroad—from engaging key populations to training the next generation of clinicians—can inform and strengthen patient care at home.
Cassidy W. Claassen :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-claassen/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-claassen/ )
https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/claassen-cassidy/ (https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/claassen-cassidy/ )
MKM Fellowship:
https://www.ciheb.org/fellowships--scholarships/mkm/ (https://www.ciheb.org/fellowships--scholarships/mkm/)
Articles:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/11/us-must-restore-vital-aids-relief-saving-lives-in-africa-guest-commentary/ (https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/11/us-must-restore-vital-aids-relief-saving-lives-in-africa-guest-commentary/)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/01/metro/malnutrition-cuts-usaid-impact-on-children/ (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/01/metro/malnutrition-cuts-usaid-impact-on-children/)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
5 Dec 2025
Commitment to Community Health: Or, Inside THRIVE’s Patient-Centered Care
What does truly patient-centered HIV care look like in practice—and what drives the people who provide it every day?
We sit down with THRIVE Program’s community outreach worker and Ryan White specialist Eric Anderson, and health program director Robyn Palmerio, for an inside look at how their team walks with patients from the very first step. From meeting people exactly where they are to creating a welcoming, judgment-free space, Eric and Robyn share how THRIVE builds trust and supports each person’s path to wellness. They also open up about the “why” behind their commitment—the purpose and passion that fuel their work and uplift Baltimore’s HIV community. This conversation reveals the heart of THRIVE: compassionate, community-driven care that helps people not just survive, but truly THRIVE.
https://www.umms.org/midtown/locations/thrive-program
https://www.facebook.com/THRIVEProgramBaltimore
Phone: 410-225-8369
Midtown Outpatient Tower
800 Linden Avenue
7th floor
Baltimore, MD 21201 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/800%20Linden%20Avenue+,+Baltimore+MD,+21201)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
5 Dec 2025
We're Still Here: Or, How the Urban Indigenous Bridge the Past and Present (PART II)
What does it mean to be Indigenous in a modern American city? This episode, we continue our conversation with Kerry Hawk Lessard, Executive Director of Native American Lifelines, about the deep and often overlooked history of Baltimore’s Indigenous tribes — and the vibrant Urban Indigenous community that calls the city home today.
From cultural preservation to health equity, Lessard shares how identity, tradition, and wellness intersect in urban spaces — and how Baltimore’s Indigenous voices continue to shape the city’s story.
Guest: Kerry Hawk Lessard https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-hawk-lessard-4588465a/
Native American Lifelines: https://nativeamericanlifelines.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-american-lifelines-inc/posts/?feedView=all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeAmericanLifeLines
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeamericanlifelines/
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
6 Nov 2025
We're Still Here: Or, How the Urban Indigenous Bridge Past and Present (PART I)
What does it mean to be Indigenous in a modern American city? This episode, we speak with Kerry Hawk Lessard, Executive Director of Native American Lifelines, about the deep and often overlooked history of Baltimore’s Indigenous tribes — and the vibrant Urban Indigenous community that calls the city home today.
From cultural preservation to health equity, Lessard shares how identity, tradition, and wellness intersect in urban spaces — and how Baltimore’s Indigenous voices continue to shape the city’s story.
Guest: Kerry Hawk Lessard https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-hawk-lessard-4588465a/
Native American Lifelines: https://nativeamericanlifelines.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-american-lifelines-inc/posts/?feedView=all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeAmericanLifeLines
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeamericanlifelines/
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
30 Oct 2025
Tuberculosis: Or How We Learned to Outlive the White Plague
Can a disease shape the modern world? This episode explores the medical and social legacy of tuberculosis, once known as the “White Plague.” Dr. Paul Saleeb discusses how scientific progress, public health innovation, and community partnerships have helped overcome one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest infections.
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
21 Oct 2025
The Hardest Fix: Or How We Learned to Fight a Crisis with Compassion
What does it really take to heal a city in crisis? In this episode, we sit down with a frontline worker and a resident in long-term recovery to talk about the opioid epidemic from both sides of the fight. Together, they share hard truths about stigma, survival, and the everyday acts of compassion that are transforming how communities confront addiction.
Guest: Candy Kerr LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmorecandy/)
Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc. Website (https://www.baltimoreharmreduction.org/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BmoreHRC)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bmorehrc/)
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
17 Sept 2025
From Clinic to Community: Or How We Learned Health is More Than Healthcare
What does it mean to truly meet patients where they are? And how can care rooted in compassion transform health outcomes?
In this episode, Baltimore native and nurse Walker Weinstein shares how IHV’s Jacques Initiative provides status-neutral HIV and hepatitis services, gender-affirming care, and community outreach that puts dignity first.
Guest: Walker Weinstein, RN
https://jacques.ihv.org/
Testing, Outreach, and Linkage to Care
JACQUES Journey Center
520 W. Fayette St. Suite 140, Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-6410 to speak with a team member
Clinical Program
University of Maryland, Institute of Human Virology
725 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-4091 to schedule a clinic appointment
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
2 Sept 2025
Organ Transplants: Or Ways to Predict, Prevent, and Pursue Post-Transplant Infections
You got the call. The transplant was a success. Now what?
For thousands of people, receiving a new organ is just the start of the journey—not the end. In this episode, Dr. Kapil Saharia, an infectious disease expert, pulls back the curtain on what happens next: the hidden battle to protect that new organ from infections while keeping the immune system in check. Learn why post-transplant care is a high-stakes balancing act—and how doctors are working to keep patients thriving long after surgery.
19 Aug 2025
HIV and Aging: Or What Happens When a Crisis Becomes a Chronic Condition
What happens when a once-fatal diagnosis becomes a lifelong condition?In this episode, Dr. Poonam Mathur joins us as we dive into the changing landscape of treatment of HIV – how it’s evolved from a health crisis into a chronic, manageable disease—and what that means for a generation now aging with the virus.
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
5 Aug 2025
Opioid Epidemic in Baltimore: Or How the Cure Became the Crisis—and What We’re Doing About It
You’ve seen the headlines. Overdose numbers. A city in crisis.
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy, Associate Director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine and Co-Director, Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use Disorder, takes us inside Baltimore’s opioid epidemic. From the tangled roots of addiction to the real-world impact of harm reduction strategies. It’s a candid look at the crisis beyond the numbers—and the people fighting to turn the tide.
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.
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