Host Jeremy C. Park talks with cityCURRENT partner, John Lewis, CEO of Semmes Murphey Clinic, who highlights the independent, physician-owned brain and spine care practice founded in Memphis in 1912. The clinic is a global leader in neurosurgery and neurology, advancing the fields of spinal, cranial and endovascular treatments through cutting-edge research, groundbreaking surgical techniques, and a steadfast commitment to improving lives. During the interview, John shares some of the clinic's history, noting how Dr. Semmes was the first neurosurgeon in Memphis, and he trained directly under Dr. Harvey Cushing, who’s considered the “father” of neurosurgery. He talks about the growth over the years and how today Semmes Murphey Clinic is a multi-faceted practice with more than 40 physicians, 3 neuropsychologists, and a full complement of physical therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and related medical staff who collectively treat everything from headaches to complex spinal deformity.

John discusses how being independent of any hospital facility or other practice means their doctors see patients all across the Mid-South and shares some of the many different ways his team helps patients between a brain tumor surgery in a pediatric hospital, stroke intervention at an adult hospital, spine trauma surgery in an emergency room, elective spine surgery in their surgery center, a memory care assessment office visit, conservative care physical therapy in their clinic or an MRI in their imaging suite. John then talks about his team and the specialized training and education required in the field. He talks about some of the innovations, like minimally-invasive spine surgery, which is now considered standard practice, and how that was developed at Semmes Murphey Clinic in the 1990s. He also highlights some of their partnerships and how the clinic is further involved in the community, like as a founding partner in the Medical Education and Research Institute (MERI) and with their Residency Program at UT Health Sciences Center.

John then talks about the importance of being proactive with our health because problems with the spine often show up looking like something else, and he shares his own story and testimonial as a patient. He wraps up highlighting the Brain and Spine Network, a Center of Excellence program that Semmes Murphey Clinic and Baptist Memorial Health Care, another cityCURRENT partner, have structured for employers as an employer-based offering. Companies that join the Brain and Spine network can offer their employees direct access to high quality, non-invasive care for acute back and neck problems. John wraps up talking about the many benefits of helping employees with issues like back pain and headaches and how taking a proactive approach leads to fewer missed workdays and higher levels of performance, productivity, and happiness.

Visit https://www.semmes-murphey.com/citycu... to learn more about the Center of Excellence program or visit www.semmes-murphey.com to learn more about Semmes Murphey Clinic.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Shannon Briggs, Founder and Head Trailblazer of Campfire Collective, who shares some of her personal background and how and why she launched her award-winning, boutique agency that specializes in fueling growth through strategic, community-driven marketing that ignites passion and drives lasting impact.

During the interview, Shannon talks about beginning her career in marketing with Huey's and seeing firsthand the power of investing and connecting in the community. She talks about building her agency and how her team is on a mission to empower their clients and spark creativity with PR, advertising, social media, copywriting, email marketing and all of the communications in between. Shannon shares why focusing on community engagement is so important and talks about some of the ways she and her team give back to support local nonprofits, as well. She details some of the trends in social media that have her attention, including some of the ways LinkedIn might be enhanced, and offers some PR tips to focus on connecting with your story. Shannon also highlights their podcast, Just Bluffin, and talks about how serving as a host has helped her grow personally and professionally, and also how it has given Campfire Collective a way to help promote the many good things taking place in Memphis.

Visit https://www.buildacampfire.com to learn more and connect with Campfire Collective.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Jordyn Hay, Program Director and Lead Facilitator at SongwritingWith:Soldiers, who highlights the Nashville, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization that works nationwide to pair professional songwriters with veterans to share their story and connect with others through the songwriting process. SongwritingWith:Soldiers (SW:S) holds nationwide creativity and wellness based retreats for veterans, active duty, and their families. The organization partners professional musicians and songwriters to lead collaborative songwriting sessions with participants to help put their stories into song, and rounds out the retreats with workshops in creative journaling, mindfulness, nature walks, strengths coaching, and peer to peer community building. Since its founding, the organization has served more than 2,000 combat veterans through retreats and partnership programs. In 2024, more than 1,100 songs were written with veterans and first responders.

During the interview, Jordyn discusses the SW:S model and talks about the power of the retreats, including the importance of the facilitators who bring a depth of understanding of positive psychology, post-traumatic growth, and how to use creative outlets to tell one's story. She shares how working with SW:S has allowed her to bring both her lived and learned experiences to help facilitate retreats, guide veterans in telling their stories, and empower both the veterans and their families along their healing journey. Jordyn talks about impact and how a pilot study conducted by Harvard University found participants experienced a 77% increase in hope and optimism post retreat.

Jordyn wraps up talking about some of their other programs, partnerships, and initiatives and how the community can get involved, which includes helping to spread the word, create connections, and listen to the music, which is meant to help bridge the gap between civilians and veterans.

Learn more about SongwritingWith:Soldiers by visiting https://songwritingwithsoldiers.org/.