Rolin Forward

After-School Meltdowns: Why Kids Fall Apart at Home

Your child's teacher says they're an angel at school, but the moment you pick them up, everything falls apart. Sound familiar? This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explore why kids can behave so differently at school and at home, what people mean by “after-school restraint collapse,” and why hunger, exhaustion, and the demands of the school day can lead to big emotions. Plus, practical strategies to make afternoons easier, when to worry that something more is going on, and why sometimes the meltdown really isn't about the banana. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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The 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine: How Algae Helped Scientists Understand Brain Cells

What do tiny green algae, brain cells, and the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine have in common? This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of optogenetics, a groundbreaking technique that allows scientists to control the activity of specific neurons using light. From understanding how memories and emotions work to promising research on restoring vision, we explore why this discovery has transformed neuroscience, what it could mean for medicine, and why we're still a long way from having an off switch for toddler tantrums. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Who Is Caroline DeBerry? Inside the CDC’s New Leadership

Who is Caroline DeBerry, the new CDC official simultaneously serving in multiple senior communications and advisory roles? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin dig into her unconventional résumé, from her education and work at the market-oriented Paragon Health Institute to federal lobbying, government experience, and, yes, Christian political romance novels, and ask what her background could mean for how the CDC communicates public health information.

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Flu and COVID Vaccines 2026: What Parents Need to Know

When should your child get a flu shot, and what if they already had the flu or you don't get around to it until November? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the 2026–2027 flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, including why healthy kids still benefit from flu vaccination, who may need two doses, and the access problems affecting COVID vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Measles 101 Revisited: What Families Need to Know Now

Measles is once again making headlines across the United States, with thousands of cases reported in 2026. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin revisit their original Measles 101 conversation to explain how measles spreads, why pediatricians take it so seriously, what symptoms families should know, and how vaccination protects children and communities. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: Back to School Health & Safety

New backpacks, new teachers, new routines, and so many new germs. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin tackle sleep schedules, school-year illnesses, backpack safety, anxiety, chaotic mornings, and the practical steps that can make the transition from summer vacation a little smoother. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: Summer Myths Busted

Think you know which summer health rules are fact and which are fiction? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin put classic summer myths to the test, from swimming after eating and “base tans” to mosquito magnets, margarita burns, jellyfish stings, and some very questionable advice about snakes. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: Drowning Prevention and Water Safety

Drowning can happen quickly, quietly, and in places families may not expect. In this episode of Summer School, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin discuss what drowning actually looks like, why young children are especially vulnerable, and the evidence-based layers of protection that can help keep kids safer around pools, lakes, oceans, and other water. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: Backyard Safety for Kids

Grills, fire pits, lawn mowers, dogs, pool chemicals, and even the plants in your garden - your own backyard has more hazards than you might think. In this episode of Summer School, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the surprisingly serious injuries that can happen close to home and the evidence-based ways to make backyard adventures safer without taking the fun out of summer. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Summer School: Summer Stomach Bugs

Pools, splash pads, backyard BBQs, and picnics are summer staples—but they can also be perfect places for stomach bugs to spread. In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down how summer GI illnesses spread and share practical, evidence-based tips for keeping your family healthy. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Summer School: Bugs, Bites & Backyard Adventures

Summer is full of outdoor adventures...and the bumps, bites, and rashes that often come with them. In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin discuss common summer bugs and plants, when you can safely treat bites and stings at home, and when it's time to seek medical care. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: How Kids Break Bones

Monkey bars. Trampolines. Bouncy houses. Scooters. E-bikes. ATVs. Summer is prime time for broken bones and many of these injuries are preventable. In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explore the summer activities most likely to land kids in the pediatric emergency department, explain why some are riskier than others, and share practical, evidence-based tips to help families stay active while avoiding a cast. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Summer School: Extreme Heat and Tiny Sweaty People

Summer isn't just about sunshine—it can also be dangerous. In this episode of Summer School: Extreme Heat and Tiny Sweaty People, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explain how children overheat differently than adults, how to recognize heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and what parents can do to keep kids safe during heat waves. Practical, evidence-based, and full of real-world tips from the pediatric emergency department, this is your guide to surviving the hottest days of summer. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Summer School: Fireworks, Sparklers & Backyard Explosions

Fireworks are beautiful...but every Fourth of July, pediatric emergency departments treat thousands of preventable injuries. In this episode of Summer School: Lessons from the Pediatric ER, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin separate fireworks fact from fiction, covering sparklers, burns, eye injuries, dud fireworks, and the simple, evidence-based steps that can help your family celebrate safely. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Introducing Summer School: Lessons from the Pediatric ER

Summer is supposed to be all sunshine, swimming pools, bike rides, and family adventures. But for pediatric emergency physicians, summer also means a predictable surge of injuries and illnesses that send children to the emergency department. In this special summer series, sisters and physicians Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin take listeners inside the Pediatric ER to explore the health and safety lessons hidden behind some of summer's most common activities. Throughout the season, we'll tackle topics including drowning prevention, e-bikes and scooters, ATV safety, water parks, bug bites, and more. Along the way, we'll share real stories from our clinical experience, break down the science behind the headlines, and discuss practical ways families can reduce risk while still enjoying everything summer has to offer. Join us for Summer School: Lessons from the Pediatric ER - a series where the goal isn't to scare you away from summer fun, but to help you enjoy it safely. Class is now in session.

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Who Is Nicole Saphier? Trump's New Surgeon General Nominee Explained

This week on Rolin Forward, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the surprising battle over the next U.S. Surgeon General. Who is Nicole Saphier, why did previous nominees struggle, and what does this debate reveal about who Americans trust for health information in the age of influencers, podcasts, and social media? This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Is Sunscreen Safe? Doctors Separate Fact from Fear

Does sunscreen cause cancer? This week on Rolin Forward, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin tackle sunscreen myths, explain the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens, and break down what the evidence actually says about sunscreen safety. Based on science, not social media. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Ebola Explained: Travel Bans, Outbreaks & What Families Need to Know

Ebola is back in the headlines -- and so are debates about travel restrictions, airport screening, and public health preparedness. This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explain what’s happening in the current Ebola outbreak, how the virus spreads, why experts are criticizing some travel policies, and why this is not another COVID situation. They also discuss the role of public trust, CDC staffing cuts, and the challenges of containing outbreaks in a connected world. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Hantavirus Explained: The Virus Behind the Cruise Ship Outbreak

This week on Rolin Forward, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down why hantavirus is suddenly dominating headlines from the tragic death of Betsy Arakawa linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome to the recent Andes virus cruise ship outbreak raising fears of another pandemic. They explain what hantavirus actually is, how it spreads, why the Andes strain is different, and why experts say this is not another COVID situation. Plus: what to do (and absolutely not do) if you find mouse droppings in your garage, attic, or cabin. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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Why Siblings Fight (And How to Stop It Before It Gets Physical)

Why do sibling fights escalate so fast—from playing to hitting in seconds? In this episode, Drs. Stephanie and Alicia Rolin break down what’s actually normal, what’s driving the behavior, and the practical, research-backed strategies that help you intervene earlier and reduce physical conflict. This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

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