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Illuminating Health: Inside Arkansas's First Whole-Body MRI Screening with Dr. Vanessa Branch · A Lifetime to Learn

• Dr. Vanessa Branch (00:00.238) Fear and anxiety often stems from uncertainty. And so with this Veralux scan, you're actually uncovering, you're you're learning, you're you're having you're gaining clarity. And so when you have that clarity of of health, it's very empowering. Leslie Zanoff (00:26.958) This is a space where presence meets purpose, where we explore the moments that shape us, from entrepreneurs and change makers to women in leadership. It's about learning out loud, together, with honesty and humor. Where luminaries with real stories remind us how to live by our own rules. Because progress doesn't come from having all the answers. It comes from staying open. And we've got a lifetime to learn. I'm your host, Leslie Zanoff. Let's get started. What if you could see what was coming before it arrived? Not a symptom, not a diagnosis, not a moment of sitting in a doctor's office receiving news that you weren't prepared for, but actual clarity, a window into your own body guided by someone who has dedicated her entire career to understanding what she's looking at. That is the vision behind Veralux. And today you're gonna meet the woman who built it. Dr. Vanessa Branch is a board-certified fellowship-trained radiologist and neuroradiologist with more than a decade of experience diagnosing complex disease right here in Northwest Arkansas. She has spent years reading thousands of scans at our region's largest oncology center, seeing firsthand what happens when disease is caught late, when imaging enters the story after options have already narrowed. She has experienced it with her own family and she decided to do something about it. Veralux is Arkansas's first whole body MRI screening center, and what makes it extraordinary is not just the technology. It's the philosophy. This is precision imaging for preventative health, not radiation, AI enhanced, and physician-led from start to finish. You don't get a report mailed to you, you sit down with Dr. Branch herself. A doctor who has spent her entire career studying exactly what she's looking at, and she walks you through your results personally. Veralux is physician-owned and operated. That is rare, that is remarkable, and it's right here in our backyard. I've had a scan at Veralux, I have set across from Vanessa, and I can tell you that the conversation today is one I'm really looking forward to because what she is building matters. Leslie Zanoff (02:49.27) Not just for Northwest Arkansas, but as a model for what medicine can look like. Dr. Vanessa Branch, founder, CEO, radiologist, researcher, teacher, wife, mother, and one of the most brilliant and driven humans I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Welcome to A Lifetime to Learn. Dr. Vanessa Branch (03:09.41) Thank you, Leslie. You're making me tear up here. That was extremely kind of you and I feel the same about you. I think you're an amazing person, mother, teacher, motivator, and and just in general, an amazing human and soul. And thank you for having me today. Leslie Zanoff (03:27.676) my gosh, Vanessa, I'm so excited that you're here. This is a big deal. I mean, I know you personally and I've seen your passion for this up close, but I want our listeners to understand what drove you to this moment. Like was there maybe a specific scan or patient that made you say this this has to change? Dr. Vanessa Branch (03:50.242) Yes, thank you, Leslie. I know we've been friends for for many years and appreciate that that lead into this. Yeah, so I've been a practicing radiologist for 15 years and my husband a pathologist. and so through the years we've seen in our in our practice patients with cancer many times a day. and specifically I had a recent family member who developed cancer. And it when someone you love becomes a patient with cancer, it's it starts to really affect your mindset and and your motivation to think about could we have done something sooner, could we have caught this earlier? and in that over the years, over more than decade with oncology background, you do think, is there a way we could have seen this earlier? Could we have made a difference sooner? To give us time, like you said, to give us options, to give us the ability to make a change. And so that's that's where Veralux came. Leslie Zanoff (04:57.422) Okay, thank you. I know. I this has been building for quite a while and I just want you to share the meaning of Veralux because I think that's so neat and I love you know, I love the name and the meaning behind it, but will you kind of expand on that a little bit? Dr. Vanessa Branch (05:13.806) I would love to. So when we were devising the name for our for our practice, we wanted it to have significance. And so I kept coming up with the notion of we're illuminating health. We are providing an answer, something behind behind the the the veil, if you will. We're we're exploring the deeper parts of the body to identify disease and to clarify it. And so my husband and I were talking and we always like to think about light and illumination and truth. And so Veraux means Vera is Latin for true and lux is Latin for light. And so it literally means true light. And so our our hope is that we are able to our brand's goal is to illuminate health. So bringing health to light. Is our our mission. Okay. That's where it came. Leslie Zanoff (06:15.85) And that is exactly what you guys are doing. I mean, I've had a scan at Veralux and the experience was really unlike any other medical setting that I've been in. And for better or worse, I've had my share of MRIs and in medical settings. But when you you guys really thought about every detail, it feels more like a spa in there. I was thinking about this. When you walk in It doesn't feel like you're walking into a doctor's office. It's more like your friend's living room when you when you walk in the the entryway in the in the opening. But I want you just to maybe walk our listeners through what it actually feels like from the moment you walk in and how you, you know, some of the details that you went through like that you've created. Dr. Vanessa Branch (07:05.194) Absolutely. So using my own personal experience in healthcare and also family and friends' suggestions, we wanted to provide an environment that was very welcoming, literally warm our colors, our our earth's tones, and we we wanted to have patients feel less anxious, more calm when they enter. And so and and it's also very intimate feeling. as you as you know, we we intentionally design our our our setup so that patients are the the ones we're we're caring for at that moment. We we hope to provide a concierge level of care. Our mission is to provide a very inviting and warm environment so that patients come in, they it feels almost like home. Yeah. Or a home that is Leslie Zanoff (07:57.43) It does feel like that, Vanessa. Yeah. Dr. Vanessa Branch (08:01.208) It does not have tennis shoes in it like my home is like a clean, nice, warm, serene home. and so the patients will come in, they will be treated like family, and then they will be able to get changed into comfortable clothing, just almost like pajamas. It looks very much like this. And then we will guide them to their next step will which will be their MRI. at the at the MRI, stage, we try to envision also patient comfort. So everything is designed for the patient. we want them to feel less claustrophobic, also less anxious. And so we have entertainment during your scan. Leslie Zanoff (08:42.709) Yes. That's the biggest thing. That is so great. That makes the biggest difference for this entire process. Dr. Vanessa Branch (08:48.856) Yes, exactly. We we've had several patients who have informed us that they have severe claustrophobia. And knock on wood, so far, we've had one hundred percent success. And and and a lot of that I would attribute to our wonderful our staff. Our technologist, she and and she and he will will slow, you know, ease you into the scan, we'll talk you through it, and then we'll turn on whatever show you want to watch to just keep your mind occupied. and then in about an hour you will be done with your scan and then you'll be able to change and we'll provide you with some some treats in the in the in the waiting area. Leslie Zanoff (09:30.84) No, these gourmet treats that you have. Yes. Gourmet popcorn and gluten-free granola bars, things like that. I I love it. It's such a treat. But when you go even when you go in to the dressing room and the dressing room is your own space, when you're ready to have your appointment, you can ring a bell so that you're not waiting for someone to come and check on you. You're not opening the door. It's really efficient care. And then as far as the imaging itself, I know you mentioned that the MRI machine has the largest opening of all the machines that are are out there. So that makes a difference too. Because that's right. Anyone who's had an MRI sometimes you can feel claustrophobic. Dr. Vanessa Branch (10:20.142) Absolutely. it's one of the the reasons we designed it and chose the equipment that we did. And so it has a seventy centimeter bore, which is the the opening, and also we have tailored it for whole body MRI optimization. And so we integrate AI for scan of acquisition to speed up the acquisition and also for image quality and resolution. And so you're getting absolutely optimized, tailored care for your whole body. Leslie Zanoff (10:48.91) Yes. And I wanna make sure people understand that you can watch a movie while you're getting your scan. Because why doesn't why don't all MRIs come with that? If the technology is available and you guys you knew that and so you were there to add that in. It Dr. Vanessa Branch (10:56.568) What's Dr. Vanessa Branch (11:06.902) Absolutely. It's something that you may see at like academic center or pediatric type care because it's really it truly occupies your mind and it passes the time quicker than people will say, I watched a a a Seinfeld episode and all of a sudden it was, you know, I'm ready for the next episode. And it just it it's that what we call creature comforts that really like our patient comfort is our concern. And we want to make it not only The best care, but also the most comfortable and hospitable environment we can provide. Leslie Zanoff (11:40.622) And I know you mentioned this earlier, Vanessa, but you've had close family members face brain aneurysms, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and MS. And how did those experiences shape the way you think about preventative imaging? You know, what and what you want for people? Dr. Vanessa Branch (12:00.662) Yeah. So I this this is sort of a long answer, but I my my brother had multiple sclerosis and that was early, early on when we were teenagers. And so that affected me and and it actually shaped me into becoming a neurodiologist. Okay. And that idea of being able to diagnose medical conditions and understand have a better understanding of what's going on in the body. And And then like you mentioned, family members with kidney cancer most recently, that that really that is what literally turned the switch or turned that flipped the switch for me was my close family member who is super healthy, super fit, fitness trainer, you know, never smoked, never drank, did everything right, and just out of nowhere was found to have a a 10 centimeter kidney cancer. And when that type of thing hits you at home. you start to think, you know, that we could have caught years ago. And and so then you start thinking, how much else is there where it's hidden? And we we if we could illuminate that, we could have better health awareness and and potential for for change of health trajectory. And so that's really where where this all all started is just being affected by many many family members and many patients over the years. I would I would say that everything everything that I've done in my life, being research and teaching and academics and and then and then patient care led to this point. This is what I was supposed to do. Leslie Zanoff (13:43.394) I yes, this is what you're supposed to do to do. I love that. And I feel that when I talk to you and and just having known you for the last several years, that this is what you're you've been called to do because you've seen it and when you're meeting people and you're seeing patients, when it's in a stage three, stage four and saying, my gosh, sh isn't there something that we could have done to to find this earlier? So it's such important work that you're doing. And will you will you talk about that? I mean, you mentioned Drake, Dr. Drake, rancher husband, and you guys founded Veralux together, but what has just building this business with him taught you maybe about partnership and work and in life? Dr. Vanessa Branch (14:29.312) Absolutely. So it's I would say it's similar to marriage in a way. you know, you have your struggles and but you also have that common common belief and and philosophy. And fortunately, Drake Drake felt the same way about this mission as I did. he also being a pathologist, he diagnoses and sees medical conditions, including cancer, every day. And so he felt the same purpose. we were very much aligned in our motivation to to develop Veralux. So that that made it, you know, not to say that it is easy or we don't have our struggles, but it it certainly is makes it all all worth the the hard work that that went into making it happen. Did you Leslie Zanoff (15:21.442) Did you think about starting your own business for a while or did it kinda happen slowly or were you like, No, I just have to to do this? You know, was it a longer process or? Dr. Vanessa Branch (15:31.63) That's a that's a great question. So I've always been very interested in wellness and how we can live our best life, including ways to improve health span and lifespan. and so the idea of this of of a preventive MRI model is a newer one, just I would say just in the last decade. And so having been a radiologist and and treating patients identifying cancer and and other medical conditions, that met with my longstanding interest in preventive wellness was a pretty much a a perfect union. And so I had always been interested in preventive wellness. but the idea of of transitioning to this as my as my career was something that has really come to shape in the last in l last five years. Yeah, I've been a radiologist for about fifteen years and just in the last few years I I saw the need and then when patients when my family members have been affected directly by cancer and other medical conditions is when I said, Why why are we waiting? Like I this needs to be done now in in Arkansas does not have this Leslie Zanoff (16:31.522) Yeah. Dr. Vanessa Branch (16:59.254) And so it was it was time and there there literally was no choice in the matter. It was it it had I I I knew that this had to happen. Leslie Zanoff (17:10.101) It has to happen. Yes. Well, and in the small amount of research that I've found, Vanessa, and I'm I think this is correct, there's not a full body MRI available in Oklahoma and not yet in Missouri. You're the first in Arkansas. So our next closest, you know, is at least five hours away from here. So this is a really big, a big deal. You know, you had mentioned to me, right, when people I think we tend to get things completely wrong when we're talking about preventative imagery. And what do you wish that people understood? Because you had mentioned to me, right? We get scans for breast, colon, lungs, but what are we leaving what do people not understand? Yes. Dr. Vanessa Branch (17:58.804) So yeah, like you said, there are already traditional screening tests for breast cancer with mammography, with colon cancer using colonoscopy, cervical cancer with gynecologic exam and pap smear. but there's actually that accounts for roughly 30% of cancers diagnosed. And so that is a huge gap in our screening ability for for a large number of of cancers. And also, not to mention aneurysms, inflammatory disease like multiple sclerosis, all of these things can develop over time silently. and that that's that is why we we developed Veralux was to fill that to fill that gap and to provide an opportunity for patients to know their health deeper and also to be able to have time, cle clarity and potential action if needed. Leslie Zanoff (18:56.746) Mm-hmm. Well, and I have been able to have a scan at Veralux. And so what is so great what you know, for me that I noticed, right, we found in just self-disclosing, right, something a cyst. And is that life threatening? No. But it's something that needs that'll need to be followed up on. So those are important findings. you know, things that peop people and patients may not they might not know about otherwise. So Dr. Vanessa Branch (19:26.658) And that's exactly right. So it's it's possible that you know, I would say a majority of the time we're not finding cancer. That that's that is definitely a reassuring thing to know about. however, we can find other things that could be potentially life altering or or even potentially life changing, debate you know, disabling. And so that's that's the value is is not only on the the early detection of of potential malignancy, but also in all sorts of other health metrics. And so looking at things like brain health and bone health and organ health, all all of those things, all the whole you get this whole comprehensive look at the body. Leslie Zanoff (20:14.178) Do you think that people might be afraid of what they're going to find? And how do you help someone move from that fear into just feeling empowered about their own health? Yeah. I mean, this is the technology that you have, like I said, from someone who's had some MRIs and I'm and I can see the technology, the screens that you have where you're able to see so clearly, you know, how are you empowering people with their own health? Dr. Vanessa Branch (20:44.59) Great question. that does come up a lot. And the way I like to think about it is fear and anxiety often stems from uncertainty. And so with this Veralux scan, you're actually uncovering, you're you're learning, you're you're having you're gaining clarity. And so when you have that clarity of of health, it's very empowering. Mm-hmm. And so I think that's where the value is is many times patients with like reassurance and or just knowledge. And once they have that information and and I'm able to help translate what we're seeing on the imaging into true medical understanding and knowledge, then we can have a better calm, empowering, clarifying feeling. Yes. I think that makes all the difference. It's that support that you gain at the end, even after your scan and after your results are generated. Right. So I think that's I think that's probably our most powerful ability as as our as our practice is to to really inform and guide our patients. Right. Leslie Zanoff (22:01.864) And I want people to understand too that as they're utilizing the services at Veralux, the person that is reading the scans is you, the doctor, the radiologist, the neuroradiologist. And you're also the person who is meeting with the patients. It's not a report sent in. You're sitting down with every patient, reading the scans, going over. And I just and it's your business. And I think that's so important and makes such a difference too in the way that the entire visit feels. So yeah. Kudos to you. Dr. Vanessa Branch (22:39.03) That's my goal. I'd I'd I take care of patients as my family. I I try to that's that's why I try to think of the center as a home, like you're entering our home and we want to take good care of you and we want to make you comfortable, soothe any any discomfort you might have or anxiety, and then also find out what's what's happening in your body, just that knowledge. And then on the the the very end is to is to navigate to to give you support that y you might possibly need. Mm-hmm. And so that that's our our framework is to to give you a full a true physician guided preventive imaging assessment or to care. Leslie Zanoff (23:29.356) And then just a few little details too that I wanna call out, right? There's no IV. So that for me immediately alleviates a lot of the anxiety. Yes. The like we said earlier, right? The machine has a little bit bigger opening. You're getting to watch a movie while you're having this procedure. Or it's not a procedure. You're getting to watch a movie while you're having your scans done. And then Also, you guys have taken the care to make sure that people have MRI safe scrubs to put on. And I didn't really realize the importance behind that and then not eating for a few hours before. So will you talk about that of why we need to wear the MRI safe scrubs and the not eating a few hours? Dr. Vanessa Branch (24:22.306) about safety and visualization. So the there are certain materials of clothing, believe it or not, that have different metallic fibers embedded in them, cl copper, zinc, and many times their purpose is for antimicrobial, anti-wicking, or anti-odor needs. The problem is those sometimes can interact with the MRI and in the magnetism there. And even they can heat, they can even catch on fire. So yeah. That's something we we want to avoid there. and so we we have patients change out of their their clothing into into soft, soft scrubs. They they look they look just like this and they're stretchy and comfortable. And some some patients want to take them. I'm like, that's true. but it's it's something that I many times you will have patients wear robes and different Leslie Zanoff (24:53.398) Major safety concern. Leslie Zanoff (25:08.088) They are comfortable. Yeah. Dr. Vanessa Branch (25:19.616) different medical settings. and that's that's okay. But I I don't know about you, but I can sometimes not figure out which way the robe is supposed to go on the the gown. Yes. And I'm like, is this the front? Is this the back? so I just said, you know what? Let's just have have some scrubs. they are comfortable. They're like pajamas and they are safe. and then the same thing as far as fasting. So there are a few a few things that we recommend doing prior to your MRI. And fasting is one of them. For four for four hours we ask patients to fast. Many times patients will be coming in the morning and they've already fasted the night before. You can take your medication and you can take you can drink water, coffee. Everybody's everybody needs some coffee. but we just and and even even clear some clear liquids, but we just ask no dairy, no food. and that that way we can see your stomach best. Mm-hmm. And we can also your gallbladder will oftentimes contract after you've had had a meal. And so it makes it hard for us to see stones and that sort of thing. And then also your bowels will become really active after you eat. And so it can sometimes create artifact, motion artifact on your scan. So we try to minimize the the activity there. Leslie Zanoff (26:38.924) Right, which is something I didn't think about. I I wondered right I mean, I'm like, why are we doing this? But the fact that your stomach is moving and you want it to be as still as possible. I found that I find that fascinating. So Dr. Vanessa Branch (26:50.338) I know, yeah, the body is an amazing thing. And we try to and that's also why we do breath holding during some parts of your exam. And so when we're looking at the abdomen, for example, we have you hold your breath for certain periods of seconds. that way the respiratory motion is reduced. You know, we c if you stop breathing, then we can get good optimal imaging of your organs in your abdomen and pelvis. Mm-hmm. it's also a reason why we can't visualize the heart as well and the heart vessels is because the heart's beating and and we can't we can't stop the heart. Leslie Zanoff (27:24.546) We don't want our heart to stop. Exactly. Yes. Let's talk about medicine three point That is something that you talk a lot about. prevention, overreaction. And for someone that's hearing that for the first time, you know, what does that mean? And maybe tell us just what's coming to Veralux in the in the future. Cause you've mentioned some Really amazing things in regards to bone health. so I'll let you tell me. Dr. Vanessa Branch (27:56.59) Yeah. So medicine three point zero is an idea of advancements in care. And so if you can imagine medicine one point was more your sort of basic reactive care. So we we have a have a medical symptoms and we we try to solve that care. medicine two point is is the integration of advanced technology and so really exciting ability to see in the body without having to op yeah, open it up and but still largely reactive care. So we're we're already having symptoms and then we image. Medicine 3.0, the aim there is to be as proactive as possible. So using those advanced imaging techniques and and our ability to preemptively evaluate the body is is our goal is to get ahead of of the symptoms In other words, find find out about the body prior to any symptoms ever having to develop. and so that's that's our that's is our mission is it's a a a shift in reactive t care to proactive care. Okay. Leslie Zanoff (29:11.554) Okay. Which I think people need to remember too, that medicine is personalized. Yes. And so this is such a personalized way to see even if I think we all want to feel that is everything normal? Is everything okay? And even when it is, you're there still might be a few things, right? They're like, Okay, well, you should follow up on if you did see something on a scan. And of course, if if there is a a big concern, you're calling a big find, which again is, you know, no one hopes for, but you are calling the patient and you are letting them know. You're meeting with them personally. Dr. Vanessa Branch (29:51.384) Absolutely. so we after you have your scan, you will within a week receive a report. And the way you receive that is is via email from our patient portal, our our EHR. And it will say your results are ready. you can click here to s to view your results, and also we will we will see you at an either an in person or a virtual consultation afterwards. and that's something unique for radiology for for two reasons. The patient report is what we call friendly, patient friendly. And so it has a a risk stratified analysis where we and we also embed images. And so we're trying to bring the report to life to make it more than just you know, text on on a page where it's not super decipherable besides another radiologist. And so and even that, even sometimes that is hard to decipher between radiologists. And so we we are trying to again, focus on the patient, really giving them information, give informing them and educating them about their body and their health. and so that's that's the first thing. They have their own own patient friendly report. They have a patient portal that they can access. And then lastly the consultation. And so that's sort of like a medical debriefing. We we meet and that's honestly my my favorite thing. I I really do love meeting patients, talking through things. I've loved teaching. And so that's that's I think why that's such a such such a a rewarding thing for me personally is I can discuss what we're seeing on imaging. We can and then more than anything, I contextualize what we're seeing. And so many times you'll if you even get your radiology report, it it it's hard to decipher what is this significant. I see a finding here. What does this mean? what does this mean to me in my health and my future? And so I try to contextualize what we're seeing, go over the risks, how common we see this finding, what what is the significance of the finding, and what is any follow-up if if needed? And and who who would be the next what would be the next steps? What is your path? We we have a philosophy in Veralux and we say, you know, illuminate your health and what that Dr. Vanessa Branch (32:17.066) really means is we are illuminating the hidden, what's in your body. And then we're illuminating the meaning, like of your imaging, what what it what it what are what do the findings mean. And then the last thing is illuminating your path. And so we're we we try to truly guide patients with w with not not any fear with without it's not meant to be anxiety producing, but really truly supportive care. in and trying to do what what we in medicine are called to do, which is take care of patients. And so it's that that's the the whole picture of our of our process. Leslie Zanoff (32:57.228) And I love that when that you send images of the scan so it is clear of here's your brain, here's your chest, the stomach, you know, hip area. And then when you meet in person, it's breaking it down. But just to see those images, it does, it makes such a difference. Yes. Like you're saying, versus just words on a page. Absolutely. So yeah. Dr. Vanessa Branch (33:19.234) And we get we get down into the details as you know. We'll we'll pull up the radiology and go through the images, you know, thousands of images. We'll go and we don't have to go through all of them, but we go through the ones that are pertinent and we we really as my kids say, get into it or you know, and it it makes all the difference because it I think it seeing things brings to life what's happening as opposed to reading it on on a page and you know, and then also discussing it and talking it and g getting a true understanding of your health and your picture of your health. Mm-hmm. Makes a difference. Leslie Zanoff (33:55.936) And the scans are so clear. Yes. The pictures and as you're going through and showing it's so the technology is so advanced to me. Dr. Vanessa Branch (34:08.122) I'll be honest, I'd never take it for granted. Every every scan, you know, I've again I've been a radiologist for 15 years now, and I still there are days where I see an image from from one of our patients and it literally still takes my breath away. It's just amazing that we are able to capture a look at the body non-invasively, without radiation, without contrast eye, and be able to surmise what's going on. And that that is a true r remarkable. And I I never take it for granted. I'm always amazed. Leslie Zanoff (34:44.942) Okay, I wanna I wanna back up a minute too, because you said I didn't realize you knew you wanted to be a doctor from a young age. Was was anyone else in your family a physician? Dr. Vanessa Branch (34:56.161) Yes. So my my dad was a radiologist and and also radiation oncologist. So okay. In his in his day you could actually do both. It was a combined if you wanted, you could do both. And so, but funny funnily funnily enough, is that the expression? I thought I I was like, I do not want to do radiology. I've I I don't wanna be in the dark, you know, I don't wanna be, you know, in in a in a reading room. I want something more interactive and lively and that sort of thing. And then I when I went through school and you know, medicine, medical school and residency, well, even before residency, I realized, you know, I really do like this radiology thing. It's it's able to diagnose and get to the the the core of of many times you can see what's what the problem is and be able to help in that way. but then to be able to do this in a preventive lens and to be able to take care of patients i in in a in this sort of way, in an ar interactive way, and to truly, I feel like, provide a a different level of care is is to me the the ultimate dream. Yeah. So Leslie Zanoff (36:16.407) And you're doing it. Dr. Vanessa Branch (36:18.166) Yeah, I can I c I you are. I know we we we've had this talk and and it wasn't easy to make that transition. I had, you know, a great group I was working with and I I you know really enjoyed it. but always felt like in radiology in general, we're missing a piece to the puzzle that we could offer something different and more proactive. And so even though it was it was not easy to make that transition for so many reasons, personal, professional, you know, all the things. it was absolutely worth it. And I feel like when I decided to make that decision, there was no turning back either. Like it was it was a I I'm I I'm called to do this. This is what I'm meant to do. This is what I have built my life not really necessarily knowing all of this, but it would lead to this. But everything I've done in my life has has led up to this this mission. Yeah. Awesome. And I know you feel the same way. You're Leslie Zanoff (37:24.01) Yes, I do. I do. I I think when we're and how lucky are we, right, that we're getting to do that. When you feel that this is what you're called to do, you have a gift. You've been given so many gifts and you are using those gifts to help other people and especially in their health and well being. I mean, what greater calling? Dr. Vanessa Branch (37:49.794) Same. I feel the same about what you're doing. you you are going to make a difference in people's lives. You already are. Leslie Zanoff (37:58.034) my gosh. If someone is listening right now and they've been putting their health last, maybe behind everyone everyone and everything else, which we tend to do, what do you want them to know? Dr. Vanessa Branch (38:13.336) Great question. I think a a lot of times, like we as moms tend to do that. we we get busy, we we are taking care of our family, you know, our friends. but I think it's so important to remember that your health, it is one of the most important and responsible things you can do in your life. it's not selfish. it is it is actually so important because it allows you to take care of your s of your health and so that you can also continue to take care of others who depend upon you. And so it's it is not your your health supports every aspect of your life. And so it it's I always again think about the air mask in in an airplane. If we if we aren't you know taking care of ourselves first, we can't really help. And take care of others. And that's right. So Leslie Zanoff (39:14.818) Tell me more about what's coming in the future at Veralux. Dr. Vanessa Branch (39:19.394) Yes. So super excited about this. so in in the near future, we will be offering MRI body composition analysis, brain health analysis, and bone health. And so those are things that are additional layer of information. And so body composition is very important. It it allows us to look at the distribution of fat in the body and areas of fat arounder organs tend to be more harmful. and also we can look at muscle mass. Muscle is very important, especially as we as as time goes by. And so we we want to be able to see those health metrics best so that we can have a plan of action. And then the brain health is something totally different. So with brain health, we're actually able to image the brain and analyze different areas that say have atrophy or which is shrinkage of the brain and compare that information into to a database of normal and clinical patients. Okay. And so by doing that, we can assess your brain age, your brain health, like looking at even early signs of potential dementia. It is it is truly just incredible things that you can see in the body. Leslie Zanoff (40:38.849) Amazing. Dr. Vanessa Branch (40:45.792) And then the last thing is looking at liver health. We can we can look at fat infiltration liver and iron amount of iron deposited in the liver. and also bone health. We can actually estimate the density of the bone with MRI by assessing the degree of fat infiltration that's occurring within it. Okay. So all non-invasively, all part of an MRI. Leslie Zanoff (41:10.978) Which I feel like with all of that and especially the bone health and the muscle mass as we're as we are aging and as people continue the use of GLP ones, that's such an important that's such an important information to have. And as someone who has you know, Alzheimer's and dementia in their family, the brain health too. Like that's huge. So Dr. Vanessa Branch (41:27.565) Absolutely. Dr. Vanessa Branch (41:35.426) So as a neurodiologist, that's something I'm very, very excited about. because it's it's it's a window into your future health. And so and we can a current and future health. And so we're we're able to see things that that may be difficult to see just with the with with the routine structural MRI because because of the ability to compare it to a database of normals and abnormal patients. we can we can make a lot of deductions from that information. Okay. It it really it it really is. And something I I I can't wait to share with with our Arkansans and and neighbors. Leslie Zanoff (42:08.888) That's fascinating. Leslie Zanoff (42:17.486) Okay. Is there anything else, Vanessa, that I'm missing that I ha that you wanna add that I haven't that I haven't asked you about today? Is there anything that we need to you want people to know? Dr. Vanessa Branch (42:27.564) Yeah. you know, other there are other companies that do whole body or screening MRI. And one thing I think that differentiates us from from our our competitors, many times our you know, mini screening MRI centers will will generate imaging. our goal at Veralux is to provide understanding. And so it is more of a a whole patient picture of your health. so it's not just about the scan or the technology. And those are important and we we obviously need that and have that. but it's it's it's a bigger a a bigger picture of your of your health and your care that we emphasize. And so we we provide the imaging, yes But we also provide the interpretation of imaging, the the what we call the understanding, you know, getting a good understanding of your health. And then also the guidance that which I think that cannot be understated, or overstated. because it that that having that guidance in your in your care is is pivotal to it it's it's what gives you that reassurance, that calm and knowing what your path will be going forward. Leslie Zanoff (43:59.168) Right. And you in your network of working with other physicians, you're able to if further assistance, imaging, a deeper look at something is needed, you're able to guide people on where to on what they need to do, on who they need to see possibly, and you can forward right these absolutely images on. Dr. Vanessa Branch (44:23.608) Yeah, the good thing about being a local physician for so many years in the area is I'm already familiar with several different providers in the area and I'm able to help coordinate care. And and you know, if a patient has a an established PCP, I'm I'm happy to coordinate care with them or establish care. What whatever our patients need, we will we will help them so that they are not alone in their in their results. that's that's my biggest Leslie Zanoff (44:36.13) Yes. Dr. Vanessa Branch (44:53.268) one of my biggest fears is for patients to not understand their health after they've had a scan like this. It's a lot of information. And so my job, and my mission is to to provide as much support and education to elucidate their health and then also to guide their pathway going forward if they need Leslie Zanoff (45:12.878) I think you're doing beautifully. I know that you are because I've experienced it for myself. Thank you. And I want people to know where they can they can find you. Dr. Vanessa Branch (45:23.864) So we have our website is Veralux Health dot com, which is V E R A L U X Health dot com. And we are open Monday through Saturday. And feel free to call us. Feel free to come by if if anyone wants to come and take a tour, if they want to know more information about it, please please stop by and we'll we're happy to accommodate you and and just meet you. And and I want you to feel like a friend. I want you to feel in like family. Mm-hmm. And so we're happy to tell you more about what we're doing. Okay. So great. Our you know, one thing I want to mention is people ask why do they need to have a whole-body MRI? Like why would you want one or why do you feel like that's important? I like to think of things in pictures, not surprising as a radiologist. so your your body is is always telling a story. Your health is written in your story. And so what we aim at Veralux to do is to read that story earlier, to to provide awareness of what's what your story is is telling. And we try to do that as early as possible so that we can give patients clarity, time, and the ability to act or ch or to make any sort of change they might need for their future health. Leslie Zanoff (46:50.838) Hmm. Dr. Vanessa Branch (46:51.97) Okay. I'm so glad that you you were able to come and experience this this examination because I feel like it makes such a difference that you're able to to experience that. It does. Leslie Zanoff (47:03.5) It does. It makes a huge difference in going it having the experience for yourself, meeting with you, seeing the scans, and then walking away with the knowledge that you're empowered. Okay, these are the next steps that I need to take for my health. Yes. That's Dr. Vanessa Branch (47:19.022) That's our one of our goals for patients is to provide clarity and and control, that they have control over their health. that they leave feeling calm and empowered. It's it's really that's that's the the goal is so that they are not left confused or or anxious or you know, that they really have a network that they know that they are we are here for them and they are supported. Okay. Leslie Zanoff (47:50.222) All right. Thank you, Vanessa. Dr. Vanessa Branch (47:51.598) You so much, Leslie. Leslie Zanoff (47:53.678) Thanks for being here on A Lifetime to Learn. If today's episode inspired you or sparked a new thought, please share it with someone who might need it too. And if you haven't yet, be sure to subscribe to get notifications when we launch new episodes. I've got conversations with extraordinary people lined up, and I can't wait for you to listen. For more information on how to work with me, visit lesliezanoff.com. It's where I share resources to help you lead with presence. And live with intention. Because remember, we're not here to have it all figured out. We're here to keep showing up with open hearts and open minds because we've got a lifetime to learn. Until next time, friends, be well.