11/26/2025
This special Thanksgiving episode of Open Mics with Dr. Steve Stites and Dr. Sean Kumer takes you behind the scenes for a unique look at the holiday!
We talk about everything from the massive Thanksgiving meal preparations for thousands of patients and staff to critical food safety tips to keep you and your family well.
In this episode:
Behind the Scenes: How the hospital kitchen staff prepares a holiday feast for patients and their loved ones.
🚨 Food Poisoning Risks: Dr. Dana Hawkinson gets expert advice from the Kansas Poison Control Center on cooking temperatures, turkey rules of thumb, and handling leftovers safely to avoid getting sick.
Family Dynamics: Psychologist Dr. Jessica Hamilton shares expert pointers on setting boundaries and navigating tense conversations (like politics) at the dinner table.
Holiday Safety: Emergency Department readiness for injuries from backyard football, cooking accidents, and the risks of overindulgence (watch your salt!).
The Giving Spirit: Hear from the dedicated staff, including nurses and chaplains, who volunteer to work on Thanksgiving to provide hope and comfort to patients who are too sick to be home.
Wishing you a happy and safe holiday filled with Faith, Hope, and Science.
