Access to reliable medical information is a challenge for many communities. While the internet offers vast resources, paywalls and subscription fees create barriers for people seeking straightforward guidance. Dr. Mason Pimsler is addressing this problem directly in his position as a medical correspondent for WABC Radio.
Dr. Pimsler brings an extensive clinical background to the microphone. He holds two medical specialities, practising in Internal Medicine and serving as a fellowship-trained Geriatrician at the Veterans Administration. His daily practice frequently involves patients who require clear health advice, a perspective that shapes his approach to public broadcasting.
WABC Radio, the number one station in New York, broadcasts these medical segments entirely free of charge. Listeners face no subscriptions and no fees. This setup is possible because the station’s owner and operator, John Catsimatidis, alongside Margo Catsimatidis, provides the airtime at his own expense. By allowing his radio station to be used free of charge for these informational conversations, he ensures everyday people can hear directly from medical professionals. John makes this public service happen, guaranteeing the station can deliver expert medical information to listeners who lack other reliable sources.
Reflecting on this partnership, Dr. Pimsler notes the importance of this specific platform:
“I also want to recognize John Catsimatidis for his extraordinary commitment to public service through broadcasting. John has a remarkable ability to interview leaders from medicine, government, business, and public health in a way that makes complex issues understandable to the public.
What truly sets WABC apart is that John has created a platform where meaningful medical discussions can take place on AM radio. At a time when many media outlets focus on headlines and sound bites, he has consistently made room for in-depth conversations with physicians and medical experts on issues that directly affect people’s lives.
As a physician, I appreciate that he values credible medical information and gives experts the opportunity to educate listeners on prevention, new treatments, and advances in healthcare. That kind of programming is increasingly rare and represents a real public service.
John’s interviewing skills, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to bring together diverse voices have made WABC much more than a talk radio station—it has become an important forum for public education and informed discussion.”
The decision to use AM radio as a primary platform is deliberate. AM radio retains a large, dedicated audience and serves listeners who may not have reliable internet access, smart devices, or the budget for premium digital content. It remains a free, easily accessible medium requiring only a basic receiver. For elderly populations or those in areas like the South Bronx, this immediate accessibility is a necessity.
During his segments, Dr. Pimsler covers pressing health topics that affect the public. Recent discussions have focused on the logistics of bringing preventative healthcare directly to the South Bronx, as well as providing clear guidance on protecting against Legionnaires’ disease and Cyclosporiasis. On programmes like the Cats Roundtable, he has also explained policy shifts, such as the expansion of Medicare access to cover weight loss medications. He breaks these subjects down into plain facts for the listener.
Through WABC Radio, Dr. Pimsler provides a direct line of communication to the public. The work between a practising physician and an owner-operator willing to fund the airtime demonstrates that AM radio still functions as a necessary, free source of information for the people who need it most.
Listen to his latest episode at https://wabcradio.com/episode/dr-mason-pimsler-protecting-yourself-from-legionnaires-and-cyclosporiasis-6-min/
