The Extra Extra Life Conversations, Part Two

An in-depth exploration of the themes of each PBS episode, featuring leading experts from the world of public health and medicine.

We hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy episode two of the PBS series, Extra Life, on the past, present and future of medical drugs. A topic as complex and timely as this one inevitably warrants further conversation. And so we’re happy to present the second in a series of four video conversations — each building off a specific episode of Extra Life — produced in collaboration with the CDC Foundation.

This new episode of Extra Extra Life features two experts who will expand on the episodes’ investigation into antibiotics (and antibiotic resistance) and the new medical drugs on the horizon. First up is Dr. Gerry Wright, the Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He is an internationally recognized expert in growing antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

After my conversation with Gerry, I’m joined by Dr. Manesh Patel, who is the Richard S. Stack Distinguished Professor at the Duke University School of Medicine. He’s the Chief of the Division of Cardiology and Co-Director Duke Heart Center. Dr. Patel is a practicing cardiologist and clinical trialist who has also been involved on the front lines of developing several diagnostic tests and heart treatments widely used today.

We’ll be back with a new conversation following the third episode, on the use of data in fighting disease and health inequality, which airs at 8PM on PBS on Tuesday, May 25th. In the meantime, you can purchase a copy of the book version of Extra Life from any of the booksellers here. Educators who are interested in integrating the Extra Life story into their classrooms can explore the extensive curriculum materials developed by the Pulitzer Center.

Thanks to the CDC Foundation, a nonprofit focused on saving and improving lives by strengthening public health protection through partnerships across the globe. Together our impact is greater.