Category Archives: Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Prince George doc honoured with My Family Doctor Award – Prince George Citizen

In recognition of BC Family Doctor Day, celebrated annually on May 19, the BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) is celebrating leaders in family medicine across the province who make a difference in the lives of their patients and peers.

Dr. Jessica Zimbler of Prince George has been honoured by the B.C. College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) in recognition of B.C. Family Doctor Day, celebrated annually on May 1.

Every year, we are impressed by the dedication, passion, and care that BCs family physicians provide for their patients, says Kendra Johnson, executive director of BCCFP. They are unrelentingly committed to advancing family medicine, and pursuing innovative, hands-on ways of delivering care for their patients in every part of BC.

The annual BCCFP awards celebration, held May 16, recognizes family physicians who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and an unwavering commitment to their patients health, now and into the future.

As the president of BCCFP, I am proud to celebrate the unrelenting and inspiring dedication of our members to providing compassionate, innovative, and high-quality care to patients across the province, says Dr. Vincent Wong.

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Prince George doc honoured with My Family Doctor Award - Prince George Citizen

Family Medicine

Weith, Wiewel and Wittels Wrap Up Medical School, Share a Common Destination – University of Missouri School of Medicine

The MU School of Medicine Class of 2024 will soon walk across the stage at graduation, a symbol of how far theyve come in their medical careers and education. But theyre only just beginning.

Most of these graduates will begin orientation for residency soon, though the exact date depends on the program. For Katelyn Weith, Brooke Wiewel and Andruw Wittels, they will officially start their residency July 1 at the Fulton Family Health Clinic. All three students are part of the family medicine integrated residency program and happen to be great friends.

I've known Andruw and Brooke all through medical school, and they both have similar backgrounds to me from smaller towns, Weith said. We've gotten pretty close -- I'm really excited to be working with them in Fulton.

Learn more about the trio.

Katelyn Weiths been around health care for as long as she can remember. Her mom works in medical imaging and her aunt is a nurse, but not in Weiths hometown of Wardsville, Missouri. Both currently commute about 20 minutes to Jefferson City.

Its not a lengthy drive, but Weiths met people who havent seen a specialist in years because of the distance. Her grandfather, for example, had to travel more than two hours to see a cardiologist for heart problems. Her experiences from growing up and working in rural clinics affirmed her choice to go into rural medicine.

Those primary care offices end up being a one-stop shop for anything a patient might need, and those doctors are really well-rounded physicians, Weith said.

Part of what drew Weith to family medicine was the ability to develop a wide base of knowledge and skills, across multiple medical fields, to provide preventative care. Its whats needed to serve patients in rural communities, and to be that one-stop shop Weith wants.

Another reason was the friendships she saw curated between a patient and physician, and hopes shell be able to do her part in connecting rural areas to long-term, primary care.

I want to be with patients throughout their health care journey, Weith said. I didn't want to see just a small snapshot of what's going on with them. I want to work alongside them and walk them through the health care process.

Similar to Weith, Brooke Wiewel was also exposed to healthcare at a young age, though not in the same way. When she was 12, her older sister had a traumatic accident and needed lifesaving surgery.

After that, it just really opened my eyes to how incredible the human body is, with how she was still able to survive and function after all of the organ damage, and how the surgeons were able to save her, Wiewel said.

Watching her sister survive and later make a full recovery sparked her interest in becoming a doctor. Wiewel was initially drawn to emergency medicine, and even worked as an EMT during college and at the former MU Women and Childrens Hospital Emergency Room. It was her experiences in the ER, though, that ultimately led her to family medicine.

You often see a lot of patients with chronic medical conditions and people who come into the emergency room with things that could have been addressed or prevented if they had adequate preventative and primary care, Wiewel said.

Doing rural family medicine would let her provide that preventative care. Plus, the location meant she could do obstetrics, see pediatric patients and even do emergency medicine, when cases presented themselves fields she still wants to pursue. She looks forward to learning more in her coming residency.

I just am really grateful and excited to be continuing residency here at Mizzou, because Mizzou Family Medicine is what ultimately solidified my passion for family medicine and my passion for rural health care, Wiewel said. I can't think of a better place to be able to continue along with some of my classmates, who I really admire.

Unlike his two friends, Andruw Wittels never dreamed of being a doctor. If it wasnt for his high school anatomy class, which required shadowing a physician, his life would look very different.

I had no idea that somebody from where I grew up or how I grew up could go into medicine, Wittels said. Where I went to high school, the biggest thing that they pushed was trade school, as well as just entering the workforce in general. There was really no mention at all about pursuing medicine. And I don't think, if it wasnt for that class, I would've never thought about doing medicine in the first place.

Wittels grew up near Osage Beach and knows what it was like to rely on one person for your medical needs. As he learned more about medically underserved areas and the physician shortage, he couldnt just sit idle while knowing he could help.

Its one reason Wittels went into family medicine, but he also enjoys providing intergenerational care and challenging himself with the ever-changing nature of a rural clinic.

Anything can walk through the door in a family medicine clinic, Wittels said. You could have a toenail removal, then an IUD insertion and then you could talk to somebody about their diabetes.

As Wittels and his friends prepare for the next phase of their medical journey, one word describes them all theyre ready.

This feels like its something that I was meant to do, Wittels said.

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Weith, Wiewel and Wittels Wrap Up Medical School, Share a Common Destination - University of Missouri School of Medicine

Family Medicine

Beebe’s Residency Program One of 25 in the U.S. Selected for Pilot Project Led by the Society for Teachers of Family … – Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcares R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education is proud to announce that its Family Medicine Residency program is one of just 25 across the country that has been selected to participate in a special pilot project facilitated by the Society for Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM).

The project is designed to elevate the importance of competency-based medical education while integrating a more individualized and personalized approach to learning for medical residents.

There is so much benefit in developing individualized learning plans for our residents, with consideration for each persons special needs, strengths, and goals, said Joyce Robert, MD, FAAFP, Program Director. We are incredibly excited to be part of this project and to have the opportunity to lead the way and set an example for other residency programs to follow.

In addition to implementing new hands-on approaches in the clinical training environment, the STFM program will put new technologies in the hands of residency program leaders, who will be spending more time on direct observation as they are working with clinical residents. The goal is to allow for real-time assessments in medical training environments. Additionally, the program promotes the importance of communication, teamwork, and leadership from a professional development standpoint, and work/life balance and wellness on a personal level.

This project encourages us to look at what we are doing through a different lens and take a more holistic approach as we grow our people, and therefore our program, said Dr. Robert. Its a chance to be at the forefront of positive change and we are excited to be part of it.

Beebes Family Medicine Residency program welcomed it inaugural cohort of residents in summer 2023, and recently announced the second group of residents, who will come onboard this July. The program is led by Dr. Robert and Miri Shlomi, MD, Associate Program Director, both of whom will participate in a series of conferences sponsored by STFM, as Beebe adopts and implements its competency based medical education curriculum. They and their colleagues will have opportunities in the future to share their experiences and learned best practices through their activism in the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians (DAFP).

Recently, Dr. Robert was inducted as DAFPs President-Elect and Ryan Arias, DO, primary care physician and faculty member within Beebes Family Medicine Residency program, was named DAFP Teacher of the Year.

We have come a long way in a short period of time, said Dr. Robert. So many wonderful things are happening because our team is made up of a group of people who are passionate about the work, dedicated to doing things the right way, and committed to growing in a way that positions Beebe as a premier place to come for family medicine residency training.

Caption: From left to right, Wendi Schirvar, PhD, Ryan Arias, DO, Miri Shlomi, MD, Joyce Robert, MD, Tanya Ray, MS, Jeffrey Hawtof, MD, and Cynthia Lamour, DO.

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Beebe's Residency Program One of 25 in the U.S. Selected for Pilot Project Led by the Society for Teachers of Family ... - Beebe Healthcare

Family Medicine

Monroe physicians collaborate with Reach Out and Read – AOL

ProMedica Physicians Monroe Pediatrics and ProMedica Monroe Family Medicine Residency Center are incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

MONROE ProMedica Physicians Monroe Pediatrics recently held an open house to share information about their collaboration with Reach Out and Read Michigan and the Monroe County Intermediate School Districts (ISD) Great Start Collaborative.

The partnership has provided high-quality program support, educational literacy materials and 3,200 developmentally appropriate and diverse books to ProMedica Physicians Monroe Pediatrics and ProMedica Monroe Family Medicine Residency Center.

More than 1,600 children and their families benefit from the collaboration.

Reach Out and Read is the only national pediatric reading model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is evidence-based and has been effective in promoting parental involvement and healthy development, increasing reading at home and improving childrens language scores.

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I have noticed that the children really gravitate towards the books and the parents are excited to receive them. Several families have already started reading the books in the room and loved the informational flyers and posters, Dr. Nivhan Arumugasamy of ProMedica Physicians Monroe Pediatrics said. The families are very receptive to the discussion of how impactful reading can be for language and other developmental skills, from newborns to teenagers. It even helps foster bonding between children and their families and we've seen it. ProMedica partnering with Reach Out and Read and the Monroe County ISD is having a positive impact on our young families and the community.

Reach Out and Read, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. The program recommends parents and guardians read daily with their children to promote healthy brain and language development as well as quality time as a family.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe physicians collaborate with Reach Out and Read

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Monroe physicians collaborate with Reach Out and Read - AOL

Family Medicine

UVA Health expands footprint in Northern Virginia | News – Prince William Times

UVA Health will acquire Piedmont Family Practice, a private family medicine clinic in Warrenton, this summer.

Piedmont Family Practice is the largest primary care practice in Warrenton and has served the area since 1993. In addition to general family medicine, it offers women's health, in-office surgeries and includes Piedmont Urgent Care and the Bariatric & Metabolic Weight Loss Center.

It employs about 90 staff members, including seven physicians, 17 nurse practitioners or physician assistants, a certified diabetic educator and a registered dietitian.

The acquisition will expand UVA Health's primary care provider footprint 61% in the area, according to a news release.

Dr. K. Craig Kent, CEO of UVA Health and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Virginia, said the agreement helps fulfill key goals for the health system.

The acquisition of Piedmont Family Practice helps UVA Health address many components of our 10-year strategic plan, including the expansion of our statewide care network and access to primary care, by providing a geographic connection to our primary care network, which will now extend from Culpeper through Warrenton and throughout Northern Virginia, Kent said in a news release. Piedmont Family Practice is a group of outstanding physicians and allied health providers, and we are so thrilled they are joining our UVA Health family.

UVA Health officials say they plan to continue employing all the current Piedmont Family Practice team members and "support the practices growth ambitions over time."

The academic health system already boasts a surgical care center, cardiology and obstetrics and gynecology services in Warrenton.

The closest UVA Health family medicine or primary care offices are currently in Gainesville and Haymarket. UVA Community Health also offers services in Culpeper.

The Piedmont Family Practice team is a well-known, high-quality group of care providers with a longstanding commitment to serving the community, Erik Shannon, chief executive officer of UVA Community Health, said in a news release Tuesday. This partnership provides both Piedmont Family Practice and UVA Health an opportunity to benefit from each organizations best practices as we strive for excellence in our primary care offering.

Dr. Steven W. von Elten, a founding member and physician partner inPiedmont Family Practice, praised the merger.

Personalized, quality health care is a key shared value of Piedmont Family Practice and UVA Health, von Elten said in a news release. Joining forces with UVA Health will enable us to enhance the care we provide by providing a valuable investment in the latest technology as well as making it easier for our patients to access subspecialty care.

Want to stay up to date on the best stories about Woodbridge and Prince William County? Sign up for the Prince William Times newly revamped daily newsletter, The JAM.Subscribe here.

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UVA Health expands footprint in Northern Virginia | News - Prince William Times

Family Medicine

Medical residents are increasingly avoiding states with abortion restrictions – News-Medical.Net

Isabella Rosario Blum was wrapping up medical school and considering residency programs to become a family practice physician when she got some frank advice: If she wanted to be trained to provide abortions, she shouldn't stay in Arizona.

Blum turned to programs mostly in states where abortion access and, by extension, abortion training is likely to remain protected, like California, Colorado, and New Mexico. Arizona has enacted a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

"I would really like to have all the training possible, she said, so of course that would have still been a limitation."

In June, she will start her residency at Swedish Cherry Hill hospital in Seattle.

According to new statistics from the Association of American Medical Colleges, for the second year in a row, students graduating from U.S. medical schools were less likely to apply this year for residency positions in states with abortion bans and other significant abortion restrictions.

Since the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, state fights over abortion access have created plenty of uncertainty for pregnant patients and their doctors. But that uncertainty has also bled into the world of medical education, forcing some new doctors to factor state abortion laws into their decisions about where to begin their careers.

Fourteen states, primarily in the Midwest and South, have banned nearly all abortions. The new analysis by the AAMC a preliminary copy of which was exclusively reviewed by KFF Health News before its public release found that the number of applicants to residency programs in states with near-total abortion bans declined by 4.2%, compared with a 0.6% drop in states where abortion remains legal.

Notably, the AAMC's findings illuminate the broader problems abortion bans can create for a state's medical community, particularly in an era of provider shortages: The organization tracked a larger decrease in interest in residencies in states with abortion restrictions not only among those in specialties most likely to treat pregnant patients, like OB-GYNs and emergency room doctors, but also among aspiring doctors in other specialties.

"It should be concerning for states with severe restrictions on reproductive rights that so many new physicians across specialties are choosing to apply to other states for training instead," wrote Atul Grover, executive director of the AAMC's Research and Action Institute.

The AAMC analysis found the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs in abortion ban states dropped by 6.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in states where abortion remains legal. For internal medicine, the drop observed in abortion ban states was over five times as much as in states where abortion is legal.

In its analysis, the AAMC said an ongoing decline in interest in ban states among new doctors ultimately "may negatively affect access to care in those states."

Jack Resneck Jr., immediate past president of the American Medical Association, said the data demonstrates yet another consequence of the post-Roe v. Wade era.

The AAMC analysis notes that even in states with abortion bans, residency programs are filling their positions mostly because there are more graduating medical students in the U.S. and abroad than there are residency slots.

Still, Resneck said, "we're extraordinarily worried." For example, physicians without adequate abortion training may not be able to manage miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or potential complications such as infection or hemorrhaging that could stem from pregnancy loss.

Those who work with students and residents say their observations support the AAMC's findings. "People don't want to go to a place where evidence-based practice and human rights in general are curtailed," said Beverly Gray, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine.

Abortion in North Carolina is banned in nearly all cases after 12 weeks. Women who experience unexpected complications or discover their baby has potentially fatal birth defects later in pregnancy may not be able to receive care there.

Gray said she worries that even though Duke is a highly sought training destination for medical residents, the abortion ban "impacts whether we have the best and brightest coming to North Carolina."

Rohini Kousalya Siva will start her obstetrics and gynecology residency at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., this year. She said she did not consider programs in states that have banned or severely restricted abortion, applying instead to programs in Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington, D.C.

"We're physicians," said Kousalya Siva, who attended medical school in Virginia and was previously president of the American Medical Student Association. "We're supposed to be giving the best evidence-based care to our patients, and we can't do that if we haven't been given abortion training."

Another consideration: Most graduating medical students are in their 20s, "the age when people are starting to think about putting down roots and starting families," said Gray, who added that she is noticing many more students ask about politics during their residency interviews.

And because most young doctors make their careers in the state where they do their residencies, "people don't feel safe potentially having their own pregnancies living in those states" with severe restrictions, said Debra Stulberg, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago.

Stulberg and others worry that this self-selection away from states with abortion restrictions will exacerbate the shortages of physicians in rural and underserved areas.

"The geographic misalignment between where the needs are and where people are choosing to go is really problematic," she said. "We don't need people further concentrating in urban areas where there's already good access."

After attending medical school in Tennessee, which has adopted one of the most sweeping abortion bans in the nation, Hannah Light-Olson will start her OB-GYN residency at the University of California-San Francisco this summer.

It was not an easy decision, she said. "I feel some guilt and sadness leaving a situation where I feel like I could be of some help," she said. "I feel deeply indebted to the program that trained me, and to the patients of Tennessee."

Light-Olson said some of her fellow students applied to programs in abortion ban states "because they think we need pro-choice providers in restrictive states now more than ever." In fact, she said, she also applied to programs in ban states when she was confident the program had a way to provide abortion training.

"I felt like there was no perfect, 100% guarantee; we've seen how fast things can change," she said. "I don't feel particularly confident that California and New York aren't going to be under threat, too."

As a condition of a scholarship she received for medical school, Blum said, she will have to return to Arizona to practice, and it is unclear what abortion access will look like then. But she is worried about long-term impacts.

"Residents, if they can't get the training in the state, then they're probably less likely to settle down and work in the state as well," she said.

This article was reprinted from khn.org, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF - the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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Medical residents are increasingly avoiding states with abortion restrictions - News-Medical.Net

Family Medicine

Who Is Daily Caller Host Ben Shapiros Wife? Let’s Meet Mor – Distractify

Ben Shapiro is all about family values, and he practices what he preaches.

Like many influencers who lean toward the right, Ben Shapiro spends much of his time extolling the virtues of having a traditional family. Its only natural, then, for people who both like and dislike Ben to wonder who his wife and family are.

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Ben is one of the best-known influencers on the right, and although he frequently gets made fun of for his political takes and commentary by those on the left, it seems he has been happily married for quite some time. Heres what we know about Bens wife and family.

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Bens wife is Mor Shapiro, previously Mor Toledano. Mor is of Moroccan descent and was born and raised Herzliya, a city located near Tel Aviv in Israel, in 1988. Her parents moved to the U.S. when she was 12 and she obtained U.S. citizenship.

Mor is a family medicine doctor and she previously worked at the Family Medicine Residency Program at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana, Calif.

Perhaps somewhat ironically, Mor focuses on womens health and advocates for awareness around diseases that affect women, specifically. Her advocacy doesnt explicitly conflict with her husbands worldview and philosophies, but for many, issues like abortion, which Ben strongly opposes, are also a question of womens health. Regardless, it seems that Mor and Ben have been able to reconcile whatever beliefs they might not share.

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Ben has tried to keep many of the details about his family life private, but he has been open about how much love and support he gets from his loved ones. Ben and Mor have four children together, and although Ben celebrates his childrens births on social media, he doesnt share much else from his family. All of his children are still young, and all of them still live at home.

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Ben was born in Los Angeles to an Ashkenazi Jewish family. His family converted to Orthodox Judaism when he was nine years old, and he still practices Judaism to this day. As may be expected given who his wife is and his own political views, Ben has been an outspoken supporter of Israel throughout the ongoing war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Few commentators of any political valence have faced more backlash than Ben, and that backlash has helped make him one of the best-known right-wing commentators in the world. Although Ben says outrageous things in part to earn the ire of his political opponents, there are also aspects of Bens identity that are less directly related to their political views.

Given how firmly held Ben's political stances are, and how uninterested he often seems in actually changing his views, it seems unlikely that Ben is actually going to win over new supporters. The people who love him will continue to do so, and those who find him outrageous will continue to be outraged by him.

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Who Is Daily Caller Host Ben Shapiros Wife? Let's Meet Mor - Distractify

Family Medicine

Letters to the editor: ‘I wonder if the main stumbling block might be doctors themselves.’ The right to a family doctor, plus … – The Globe and Mail

Place blame

Re A young life in Gaza, shattered (Opinion, April 6): The account of Nada and her family in Gaza is a tragedy.

It is a tragedy for that family. Equally it is a tragedy because there are thousands of innocent Palestinian families just like Nadas who have similar experiences, cannot get wounds healed or access health care, have lost their homes, family members and futures.

But Nada is not alone in not forgiving. Many people outside of Gaza will not forgive, either.

Roger Emsley Delta, B.C.

The life of Nada before Oct. 7, 2023, as a student with a bright future living a fairly prosperous life in a modern apartment in Gaza City, is contrasted to her present nightmarish existence. Its shocking.

However, I fail to comprehend who she blames. Had the events of Oct. 7 not occurred, there would be no grudge to bear.

David Sacoransky Toronto

Re Why should Indigenous Canadians not be entitled to the same rights as other Canadians? (Opinion, April 6): Ask First Nations if they signed on to the Charter. If the answer is no, then deference should be given to Indigenous peoples determining their own path.

The Charter is characterized as an altruistic, unchangeable, perfect set of rights for all peoples. But it is interpreted, and I would not presume that to be done in the best manner for another group, especially First Nations.

Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Rowe, as the only dissenter on this point, seems to have got it right.

Jason New Foothills County, Alta.

First Nations that successfully negotiate self-government treaties should be free to bring themselves under the jurisdiction of the Charter.

But one of the purposes of Section 25 seems to be ensuring that the constitutional underpinnings adopted by a First Nation are of its choosing, not necessarily reflective of the values of its colonizers. In other words, the Charter cannot be used to invalidate or detract from the rights of Indigenous peoples, even when those rights are different from Canadians. (The right to an Indigenous fishery comes to mind.)

Why should First Nations not be entitled to the same rights as Canadians? Canadians do not have the right, for example, to govern Quebec when they live in British Columbia. More importantly, a First Nation may decide it wants a different type of rights-and-freedoms regime.

Does colonialism keep us from seeing that possibility?

Brenda Taylor Surrey, B.C.

Re Its time for Canadians to have the right to a family doctor (Opinion, April 6): I would vote for any party committed to implementing primary health care that mirrors the structure of public education systems. However, I wonder if the main stumbling block might be doctors themselves.

It would mean abandoning family practices as sole proprietorships. All physicians would become civil servants. There would be greater accountability for patient loads and hours worked. Team-based models would be required, not optional.

On the other hand, it would address a common complaint among family doctors that, as small business owners, they spend too much time on administration. It would mean more time with patients.

But would they give up the power that accompanies running the show? I would hope so, for the greater good.

Michael Brooks Burlington, Ont.

Kudos to doctor Jane Philpott for her interesting idea. Her model might contribute to solving unnecessary waiting times and rationing Canadian experiences related to failures of primary care governance.

Many Canadian public schools are successful, partly because they have parent-teacher associations and other elements of local participation and governance.

Several years ago, the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council suggested a series of local health co-operatives, governed and managed by local boards. They would have maintained the principle of universality and negotiated salaries and revenue with members, staff and governments.

Unfortunately, both the federal and provincial governments rejected the idea. They preferred to continue the failing model of centralized governance and management.

David Zitner MD, Halifax

The year I was president of the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the provincial government introduced family health teams.

As a member of a team, I witnessed the excitement as medical students watched the renaissance of our specialty. We attracted many young, talented family physicians. The percentage of students choosing this career increased dramatically.

But that was almost 20 years ago. Subsequent governments felt teams were too expensive and a moratorium resulted. Now students mainly see overwhelmed physicians working in non-teams. Recent government announcements have added a small number of new teams that will hardly undo the damage of years of complacency.

Our residency matching process witnessed an abrupt decrease in those choosing family medicine. Teams cannot exist without a physician or nurse practitioner to lead them.

Although I applaud doctor Jane Philpotts ideas, it may well be that our governments have done too little, too late.

Val Rachlis MD, Toronto

As a family physician of 40 years, I appreciate doctor Jane Philpotts eloquent call to action.

The research of doctor Barbara Starfield has shown that investment in primary care was associated with improved system quality, equity and efficiency. Yet in Canada, there is inadequate financial support for primary care practices which provide access to the health system, preventive care, diagnosis and management of disease.

In my role of training future physicians, I hear them speak of their moral dilemma regarding family practice. They want to serve their communities, yet worry about the double debt from medical training and running private offices, as the costs of these have risen sharply.

We should redesign the system together, to meet the urgent needs of our population. Who will have the courage to fund primary care adequately?

Cleo Mavriplis MD Ottawa

Re No kids? No problem: How Canadas child-free and cash-rich couples are spending their time and money (Report on Business, April 6): The people presented all seem solely focused on themselves.

Does the money saved let them support charities? Does the additional leisure time let them become more engaged in their communities?

Are these choices good for Canada? Are these the citizens of the future?

Perhaps immigration is the cure to find people who really care.

Grant Swanson Oakville, Ont.

Fyodor Dostoevsky writes that the soul is healed by being with children. I guess that is one type of healing which DINKs mostly sacrifice.

Paul Thiessen Vancouver

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Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com

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Letters to the editor: 'I wonder if the main stumbling block might be doctors themselves.' The right to a family doctor, plus ... - The Globe and Mail

Family Medicine

WellSpan Health opens new health center at Penn National Golf Club, expanding access to care for patients in Franklin … – WellSpan Health

As part of its ongoing commitment to expanding access to care, WellSpan Health opened a new health center in eastern Franklin County on Monday that offers an array of primary and specialty care practices at one convenient location. The WellSpan Health Center at Penn National is located off the main entrance of the Penn National Golf Club at 8131 Spyglass Hill Drive in Fayetteville.

We are proud to offer an integrated healthcare facility including a variety of services in fields like primary care, imaging, laboratory, and rehabilitation services all at one spot, said Niki Hinckle, senior vice president of WellSpans west region. In furthering WellSpans vision to be a trusted healthcare partner, this health center improves access to care for patients in this growing area of Franklin County.

The 15,000 square feet health center is the new home for the WellSpan Family Medicine Penn National practice, formerly the family medicine practice located in nearby Mont Alto. The center will also include rehabilitation, podiatry, and laboratory services, with the ability to expand and meet future healthcare needs.

With this expanded level of care and treatment now available, patients will have access to doctors and advanced practice clinicians that are specialists in preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses through primary care services. The family medicine practice is accepting new patients.

Patients can also receive timely and precise results with access to convenient lab services close to home. Additionally with an active community like Penn National, there will now be rehabilitation services to help local patients achieve maximum, functional independence and regain their preferred lifestyle as quickly as possible after an injury or illness. Furthermore, if adults or children experience foot or ankle disorders or diseases, patients will be met with experts to help support their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

The new facility is conveniently located just off the Anthony Highway and is easy to access for residents of the growing Penn National community and those in the Mont Alto, Fayetteville, and Waynesboro area.

In celebration of the opening of the WellSpan Health Center at Penn National, the community is invited to an open house on Saturday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can meet members of the WellSpan team, tour of the new facility, and enjoy light refreshments and giveaways.

For more information on services offered at WellSpan Health Center at Penn National and across the area, visit WellSpan.org/GetCare.

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WellSpan Health opens new health center at Penn National Golf Club, expanding access to care for patients in Franklin ... - WellSpan Health

Family Medicine

Transforming Diversity of a Family Medicine Residency Program – University of Utah School of Medicine

Jos E. Rodrguez, MD, and Kirsten Stoesser, MD were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) for their journal article Transforming Diversity of a Family Medicine Residency Program.

The NEJM featured the article as part of a series of case studies to offer perspectives of various initiatives to address discrimination in medicine and health care.

The full article is available to subscribers.

Listen to the publicly available interview with Jos Rodrguez, MD on an intervention aimed at recruiting a diverse class into a family medicine residency program.

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Transforming Diversity of a Family Medicine Residency Program - University of Utah School of Medicine