On Call, Off Script

A Month of Miracles: Jake the Victorious Warrior

Episode 7: December is our Month of Miracles, highlighting our strong patients and families, the excellent care at Holtz Children’s Hospital, and the power of community. In this episode, we meet 14-year-old Jake Alexander Kleppen, known to his Instagram community as “Jake the Victorious Warrior.” Jake has not only battled cancer once, but twice, showing a resilience that lifts up everyone around him.
Joined by his mother, Marisel Jarrin Kleppen, and Dr. David Crawford, director of pediatric stem cell transplantation at Holtz Children’s, and specialist at UHealth – University of Miami Health System, Jake shares the journey from his first diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer, at 8 years old , to a shocking second diagnosis of leukemia nearly five years later.
Throughout the episode, listeners hear:
How a routine check-up unexpectedly revealed a mass behind Jake’s eye.
The emotional toll of treatment on both Jake and his family, including long hospital stays, isolation, and the fear of cancer coming back.
Jake’s second cancer diagnosis, and the intense treatment plan that followed with help from the medical team in the bone marrow transplant unit at Holtz Children’s, including a successful bone marrow transplant from his brother.
How Jake’s humor, optimism, and larger-than-life personality carried him and his care team through their most difficult moments.
This episode is a reminder that miracles are made daily at Jackson through expert care, advanced medicine, and the extraordinary spirit of patients like Jake.
Guest Bios:
Jake Alexander Kleppen
A vibrant 14-year-old and two-time cancer survivor, Jake is known for his upbeat personality, sharp wit, passion for aviation, and his determination to make the best out of every circumstance. Whether flying drones, wearing costumes to clinic visits, or making his care team laugh during rounds, Jake embodies resilience and courage.
Marisel Jarrin Kleppen
Marisol is Jake’s mother and unwavering advocate. She shares her experiences navigating the fear, uncertainty, and emotional toll of watching a child battle cancer twice. Her honesty and strength highlight the importance of family support, mental health resources, and community during long-term pediatric illness.
David Crawford, MD
Dr. David Crawford is the director of pediatric stem cell transplantation at Holtz Children’s Hospital, and a specialist with UHealth – University of Miami Health System. Dr. Crawford specializes in complex pediatric cancers, stem cell transplantation, and the treatment of secondary leukemia. He brings expert insight into Jake’s diagnosis, treatment, and bone marrow transplant.

Grandma vs. Nutritionist: Savor the Season, Smartly

Episode 6: In this lively holiday episode of On Call, Off Script, host Ruelle Champion brings together a joyful trio: Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Anitrice McKinnis-Jackson, also known as Mama Joy, founder of the nonprofit Nana’s Restart, and Rocio Garcia, a registered dietitian with Jackson Health System. Together, they celebrate beloved grandmother-approved holiday dishes, and get expert tips on how to enjoy these seasonal favorites mindfully.
Guest(s):
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava:
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joins the conversation to reflect on her multicultural family’s holiday traditions and their love of spices and fresh flavors. She speaks warmly about gratitude, spending time together, and the way food helps keep Miami-Dade’s many cultures connected while still letting each one shine.
Mama Joy:
Mama Joy, founder of the Overtown-based nonprofit Nana’s Restart, joins the episode to share heartfelt stories of cooking for her family and community, and the importance of love in food preparation. She shares the cultural meaning behind recipes passed down through generations, and even lets us in on how to do macaroni and cheese the right way, the dish everyone asks for.
Rocio Garcia:
Rocio Garcia, a registered dietitian with Jackson Health System, offers practical guidance on balanced holiday eating without sacrificing flavor. In her family, she’s the one who brings the vegetables, but she assures us we can still dig into our holiday favorites. She also shares tips on portion awareness, mindful enjoyment of cultural dishes, and how holiday meals can be both comforting and nutritious.
 

Battle of the Sexes: Who Really Takes Better Care of Their Health?

Episode 5: Are men really “allergic” to the doctor’s office until something’s falling off? And do women actually self-diagnose after a deep dive on “Google University”? In this eye-opening episode of On Call Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, our host Ruelle Champion sits down with Dayron Rodriguez, MD, a community urologist, and Mrudula Munagala, MD, a transplant cardiologist from Miami Transplant Institute, to unpack the stereotypes behind how men and women manage their health. From prostate and urinary health to heart disease and the power of early detection, our guests reveal how gender differences affect how quickly people seek care. Whether your team “ignore it” or team “call the doctor,” you’ll walk away inspired to make your health a priority.
Guest information:
Dr. Dayron Rodriguez is a community urologist with Jackson Health System
Dr. Mrudula Munagala is a heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, and transplant cardiologist at Miami Transplant Institute
Key Topics:
· Men’s health
· Women’s health
· Gender and health
· Health stigmas
· Early detection
· Healthcare stereotypes
· Medical myths
· Health awareness
· Jackson Health System
· Urology
· Cardiology
· Preventive Care
 
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Haunted or Historic? The Alamo’s Secrets

Episode 4: Step inside Miami’s medical history with Dr. Paul George, Miami’s preeminent historian, as we explore the Alamo — the oldest building at Jackson Memorial Medical Center. From the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic to the legacy of Dr. James Jackson and activist Roxy Bolton, this episode of On Call, Off Script uncovers the stories that shaped not only shaped Jackson Memorial, but also Miami’s healthcare history. Recorded inside the preserved Alamo building, Dr. George takes us back more than 100 years to highlight the resilience, progress, and preservation efforts that continue to define Jackson today.

More Than a Woman’s Issue, Breast Health for Everyone

Episode 3: Breast cancer awareness and women’s health go hand in hand. But did you know that there are symptoms and risk factors that men need to know about? In this episode of On Call, Off Script, host Ruelle Champion speaks with Danielle Fitzgerald, director of radiology services at Jackson North Medical Center, about breast health for everyone. Men shouldn’t overlook the red flags that may signal issues with their breast. This conversation highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle, recognizing the signs, and what to expect if screening is necessary.
To learn more about breast health services at Jackson Health System, visit this link: Breast Health Services in Miami, Mammogram, Breast Cancer Treatment.
Host: Ruelle ChampionGuest Info:Danielle Fitzgerald, Director of Radiology Services at Jackson North Medical CenterDanielle Fitzgerald is the director of radiology services at Jackson North Medical Center, where she leads imaging operations, quality, and patient experience. A seasoned radiology leader within Jackson Health System, Fitzgerald oversees compliance and service integration across imaging and cardiovascular services, and champions community education initiatives like mammogram awareness.

Paging Dr. AI: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Health Care

Episode 2: In the second episode of On Call, Off Script, host Ruelle Champion sits down with George Rosello, Jackson’s associate vice president for digital transformation, to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming health care. From faster documentation to smarter workflows, discover how Jackson is using AI to save time, improve care, and keep patient data safe – all while preserving the human touch.
Guest Info: George Rosello, associate vice president for digital transformation, Jackson Health SystemGeorge Rosello serves as associate vice president for digital transformation at Jackson Health System. At Jackson, he spearheaded the creation of Overwatch, a platform designed to improve population health outcomes and streamline patient appointment management. Additionally, his team recently launched the Jackson digital workforce, an intelligence platform using AI to automate repetitive tasks and improve productivity across departments. Under Rosello’sleadership, Jackson’s data science team also established one of the first local machine learning models during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was used by Jackson and Miami-Dade County to predict COVID surges. Rosello was recognized as one of CIO.com’s “Future Edge 50” awardees for his transformative work in health system information technology, and since then, his team has also been awarded the CIO 100 four times, all for healthcare innovation and digital transformation accomplishments.
With deep expertise and years of experience in enterprise applications, data integration, and clinical IT alignment, Rosello is a driving force behind Jackson’s efforts to harness data, predictive analytics, and system automation to enhance care delivery.

Social Media Hype or Real Benefit? Jackson Expert Debunks Common Health Trends

Episode 1: Are viral health hacks actually healthy or just social media hype? In the premiere episode of On Call, Off Script, our host Ruelle Champion and Dr. Rick Arias, a family medicine doctor for UHealth Jackson Urgent Care, explore today’s most talked-about viral health trends. From mouth taping for better sleep to cold plunges, Dr. Arias shares whether these wellness hacks truly benefit your health or pose hidden risks.
Learn more about our UHealth Jackson Urgent Care centers, or make an appointment with Dr. Arias, by visiting https://jacksonurgentcare.com.
Guest Info:Dr. Rick Arias, family medicine doctor for UHealth Jackson Urgent CareDr. Rick Arias is a board-certified family medicine doctor for UHealth Jackson Urgent Care. Dr. Arias completed his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine, and his residency at AdventHealth Winter Park. He’s passionate about delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care across all stages of life, and has extensive experience in both outpatient and urgent care settings.

Introducing On Call, Off Script: A Jackson Health System Podcast

Ever wonder what happens when healthcare goes off-script? On Call, Off Script from Jackson Health System brings you real stories, Miami heart, and fresh insights.