Category Archives: Internal Medicine

LOS ANGELES Two people regularly have a few alcoholic drinks daily. One develops liver disease. The other doesnt.

What explains the different outcomes?

The answer may lie in a condition known as metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that together raise the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other serious health problems. This syndrome, characterized by symptoms such as abdominal fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, affects more than one in three Americans.

A new study from Keck Medicine of USC published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that heavy alcohol use may be dramatically more damaging to the liver for people with metabolic syndrome.

Our research suggests that metabolic syndrome and alcohol interact in such a way that they multiply the effect of alcohol on the liver, more than doubling the risk of advanced liver disease among heavy drinkers, said Brian P. Lee, MD, MAS, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine who is the lead author on the study. Drinking is harmful to the liver, but especially so for this segment of the population.

In the study, heavy alcohol use was defined as two drinks (a total of 12 fluid ounces) a day for women and three drinks (a total of 18 fluid ounces) per day for men.

Lee and his colleagues were motivated to research a connection between advanced liver disease, alcohol use and metabolic syndrome after noticing that between 2009-2018, deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease surged in the United States by more than 30% while alcohol use, including heavy drinking, remained stable or declined.

During the last 20 years, the number of Americans with metabolic syndrome increased significantly. Previous research has shown that metabolic syndrome can cause liver abnormalities.

We therefore hypothesized that metabolic syndrome could be an important contributor to this unexplained surge in advanced liver disease, said Lee.

For the study, Lee and his fellow researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States, pulling together samples representing the U.S. population 20 years or older between 1999 and 2018.

While the data revealed a slight increase in advanced liver disease with heavy alcohol use without metabolic syndrome, the greatest increase in advanced liver disease was found in those with combined heavy alcohol use and metabolic syndrome.

Lee believes that the increased risk of liver damage from drinking is a result of an increase in the amount of fat in the liver. A healthy liver contains less than five percent fat; any more than that can lead to inflammation and cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer and liver failure.

Both metabolic syndrome and drinking increase liver fat, and we think that the combination of the two accelerates the accumulation of fat in the liver and fuels inflammation, resulting in a greater chance of liver disease, said Lee.

He hopes the study will encourage physicians who screen and diagnose patients with metabolic syndrome to also ask about alcohol use and look for liver disease.

Our study indicates that these conditions may often coexist, and it is in patients best interest to address both issues, he said. Its also important for people with metabolic syndrome to realize they may be at an increased likelihood of advanced liver disease, and to monitor their drinking accordingly, he added.

The other authors of the study are Jennifer Dodge, MPH, assistant professor of research medicine and population and public health sciences with the Keck School of Medicine of USC; Wendy Mack, PhD, professor of population and public health sciences with the Keck School of Medicine; Adam Leventhal, PhD, professor of population and public health sciences with the Keck School of Medicine and director of the USC Institute for Addiction Science and Norah Terrault, MD, MPH, a Keck Medicine gastroenterologist and division chief of gastroenterology and liver diseases with the Keck School of Medicine.

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Heavy drinking poses even greater risk for one in three Americans - Keck Medicine of USC

Internal Medicine

M. Beverly Hosten Dorsey, M.D. Obituary – Press & Sun-Bulletin – Pressconnects

May 13, 2023 medical

M. Beverly Hosten Dorsey, retired physician, passed away on May 9, 2023 due to gastrointestinal problems. Born April 5, 1925 in Manhattan, NY to the late Edward Rawle Hosten and Frederica Blanche Gittens Hosten. Beverly had three younger brothers who are deceased Edward Bernar Hosten, Gittens Burleigh Hosten, and Edison Rawle Borah Hosten. She spent her childhood in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Their father helped build the Panama Canal as a timekeeper, sold typewriters and zealously invested in the New York Stock Exchange, their mother was a seamstress.

Beverly graduated from Hunter College (Class of 44) where she received her B.A. in chemistry and the sciences. She taught grade school for a few years before entering Howard University Medical School. In the spring of 1950 when she visited Howard for her acceptance interview, Beverly Roscoe Dorsey bounded up and proclaimed, You have my name. Would you like to have lunch with me? Beverly Hosten surveyed the room filled with mostly male prospective classmates and replied, No I am going back to Brooklyn on the train. They started school in the fall, and Beverly did not give back chemistry notes she borrowed for a long time. When Beverly retrieved his notes Beverly reconsidered his lunch invitation, and they became best friends for life. The Bevs were married in 1953 and did their internship at Queens General Hospital. Beverly arrived in Binghamton as a young bride and started her residency along with her husband at Wilson Hospital in 1954.

Beverly was generous giving unconditional love and specific advice to family, patients and community. A high energy person with fierce determination to restore smiles and relief in the many venues she operated in, Beverly was a gifted healer and advocate. She was proud of her West Indian heritage and loved to reminisce about trips to Grenada, Barbados and Jamaica as well as her love of swimming in the ocean. She also traveled to China and France.

Dr. Hosten enjoyed exercising, football, track and other sports in which her husband, brothers, daughters and grandsons have been involved. Years ago, she participated in skating, skiing, and horseback riding.

Her cultural and scientific interests include current events, music, opera, theatre, and visual arts.

She retired in 1997 as a medical doctor and enjoyed her lifestyle living at St. Louis Manor. Beverly used Zoom and YouTube to maintain a very active presence at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church and worked as a Eucharistic Minister helping the ill and homebound.

Her professional career included working as a Physician for Planned Parenthood, Laboratory Technician in Goldwater Hospital in NYC, Primary Grade School Teacher in Flushing, NY, Medical Advisor for the Broome County Home Care Committee, Medical Staff at Endicott Johnson Corporation and Private Medical Practice Internal Medicine With Dr. Beverly R. Dorsey (husband)

A dedicated community volunteer she formerly served in the following positions: United Health Service Hospitals (Board of Directors), Broome County Medical Society (Board of Directors), Council of Binghamton University (Advisor to President Louis De Fleur), Council of Binghamton University School of Education and Human Development, United Fund (forerunner of United Way), NYC Commission on Human Rights, Physicians for Planned Parenthood, Medical Advisor for Broome County Home Care Commission, the Vestry of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church and as a Trustee for Childrens Home of Wyoming Conference (Methodist).

Her organization affiliations were: National Medical Association (Black Medical Society), American Medical Association, Medical Society of the State of New York, Broome County Medical Society, Interracial Association (forerunner of the Urban League), Broome County Urban League, NAACP of Broome County, Broome County Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Apalachin Alumnae Chapter), Charter Life member of Howard University Medical Alumni Association, Inc. (HUMAA)

Her service to the community was recognized with many honors, including Broome County Status of Women Council (Honoree from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1984), Achievers Award from Utica Consistory of Prince Hall Masonic Affiliation (1998), Paul Harris Fellowship Distinguished Citizen Award (From Rotary in November 1999), Woman of Distinction 2000 Honoree (From Indian Hill Girl Scouts), Chairmans Recognition Award (In appreciation of service to Department of Internal Medicine at United Health Services Hospital in October 2000) and Broome County Council of Churches Honoree (2000).

Beverly is survived by her daughters, Adrienne Celeste Wheeler and Jeannine Michelle Thomas and three grandsons: Zachary Paul Thomas, William Dorsey Wheeler, and Seth Emanual Thomas, sister-in-law, Ann Denise Burt Hosten, nephews, Michael Orlando Hosten, Gregory Rawle Hosten, Terence Borah Hosten, Paul Trestand Hosten, and Joseph Santiago Hosten and a circle of devoted friends.

She will be remembered for her compassionate and caring nature, her intelligence and quick wit, her honesty and integrity, her humor and her knowing smile.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced at the Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, 44 Main St. Binghamton. Those wishing to honor her memory may do so by making a gift in her name to the Howard University Medical School, 520 W Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059. The Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home is assisting the family. Please sign her guestbook at http://www.HEFUNERALHOME.com

Posted online on May 12, 2023

Published in Press & Sun-Bulletin

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M. Beverly Hosten Dorsey, M.D. Obituary - Press & Sun-Bulletin - Pressconnects

Internal Medicine

Life in our Foothills May 2023 – Clover Acupuncture and Wellness … – Tryon Daily Bulletin

May 13, 2023 medical

Published 2:01 pm Thursday, May 11, 2023

The history of acupuncture goes back over 3,000 years. In recent decades, its popularity has grown worldwide. The first documentation of acupuncture that described it as an organized system of diagnosis and treatment is recorded in The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine, from 100 BC.

Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, located at 31 S. Trade St. in Tryon, stands as more proof of the growing popularity of this specific therapeutic technique of Chinese medicine. Licensed Acupuncturist Candice Behan, the owner and operator of Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, describes acupuncture as being the last resort with the best results for anyone dealing with chronic pain, migraines, and other common disorders.

Owner Candice Behan (left) and Office Manager Kelly Thompson (right).

In addition to acupuncture, the recently renovated facility offers massage, facials, and herbs used for general wellness.

Candice came to Tryon from South Florida by way of Ireland, where she lived for several years with her husband, Simon. Shes been an acupuncturist for 12 years, and is also a licensed herbalist. Candice had originally looked into opening a shop in Asheville. Her parents live in the area, and Behan began working temporarily in Tryon while getting settled. She really liked it and didnt relish commuting to Asheville daily, so in 2018 she set up shop on N. Trade St. in Tryon. Recently, she moved from one end of Trade St. to the other after purchasing and refurbishing the new location.

The building, owned by Candice Behan, was completely renovated.

I was going to an acupuncturist myself and asking a lot of questions, Behan says when asked how she got into the field. My acupuncturist suggested, I attend the local college where he was the head of the department.

Part of the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles, which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioners hands or with electrical stimulation. Practitioners use numerous acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow, qi (pronounced chee). Applying acupuncture to specific points helps to improve the flow of qi.

Clover offers many other services besides acupuncture.

A first-time visit always begins with a consultation to understand a patients specific problems or goals. At the detailed sit-down, Behan will discuss whether acupuncture is a good fit for someone who is interested in the services.

The one thing I wish more people knew about acupuncture is how much it can treat. Its a versatile medicine, says Behan. Its designed to treat many things and treat them successfully. We practice a holistic approach here. The word holistic means dealing with the whole. From this definition, we understand holistic medicine involves the wellness of the whole person.

Even Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, took a holistic approach to treat disease, encouraged self-healing of the body. The holistic approach of Clover is highlighted by their team, that also features Licensed Esthetician Kellie Byron, Licensed Massage & Body Work Therapist Kim Engle, and Office Manager Kelly Thompson, who is likely to be the first voice many customers will hear when they call to make an appointment.

Byron provides services focused on skin care, including skin treatments, facials, makeup application and hair removal. She individually tailors to each clients needs and goals.

Engle provides massage therapy that can address various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia or heart disease, depending on the type of massage. Massage therapists typically focus on the muscles, whereas a bodyworkers primary goal is to improve the bodys skeletal structure, alignment and energy flow.

I love the experience of working with the clients and being able to come to work in such a calm relaxing environment with a wonderful boss like Candice, says Thompson.

Clover Acupuncture and Wellness also offers essential oils, Chinese herbal medicine, and CBD products.

Holistic medicine is about treating the whole body. Chinese medicine wants to know why those specific areas give a patient problems by looking at the body as a whole, adds Behan. There is almost nothing Chinese medicine cant address. If you are dealing with some kind of discomfort, you should consider trying acupuncture. We are usually the last resort when someone is dealing with chronic pain, but we have some of the best results. Chinese medicine asks questions to help solve the problem, where, what, how, and why. Acupuncture works well when no one can figure out the problem. It gives a different perspective.

Clovers recently refurbished facility offers a calm and beautiful environment, with renovations done by Greg Junge Construction. They kept the classic ceiling in the building while adding multiple examination rooms and creating a stunning decor, filled with aloe plants and natural light.

For more information on Clover Acupuncture and Wellness, visit cloveracupuncture.com. For an appointment, call (828) 817-9883. Its operating hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

The exterior of 31 Trade St., home of Clover Acupuncture & Wellness.

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Life in our Foothills May 2023 - Clover Acupuncture and Wellness ... - Tryon Daily Bulletin

Internal Medicine

Is It Safe to Take Allergy Medications Every Day? – Verywell Health

May 13, 2023 medical

Key Takeaways

Warming temperatures have increased pollen concentration and prolonged allergy seasons. If you have hay fever or eye allergies from pollen exposure, you might be taking daily over-the-counter antihistamines for symptom relief.

But is it safe to be taking allergy medications every day? We asked allergy experts for their advice.

For people with year-round symptoms, taking allergy medications every day may be necessary and it's safe, according to Yul D. Ejnes, MD, MACP, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

However, Ejnes warns against the long-term use of antihistamines with decongestantswhich are usually labeled with a D" after the brand namesuch as Benadryl-D or Claritin-D. The decongestants might not be suitable for people with high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, and heart problems in the long run.

Purvi Parikh, MD, a board-certified allergist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said that medications with decongestants can actually make allergies worse over time. This is a condition known as rebound congestion, where nasal congestion becomes more severe once the medication wears off. People can also develop an addiction to decongestants, she added.

The main safety concern with antihistamines is drowsiness or sedation, as it might disrupt daily tasks such as driving, cooking, or anything that requires focus and sharp attention.

Enjes said newer antihistamines such as Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Allegra (fexofenadine) aren't sedative and shouldn't pose any problems.

Some studies published in 2015 linked long-term antihistamine use to an increased risk of dementia, but this isn't really a concern with the newer class of drugs, according to Anil Nanda, MD, a board-certified allergist-immunologist.

The first-generation antihistamines were anticholinergics, which can block the action of a neurotransmitterthat's responsible for involuntary muscle movements, digestion, and urination. Nanda said the 2015 studies examined the impact of these older antihistamines and the participants were mostly older patients who might have been already at risk of dementia.

However, many anticholinergics, including Benadryl, have sedative properties that can cause confusion and increase the risk of falls in older adults.

For those exposed to allergens every day, like pets or pollen, Nandas said its best to start with changes to your environment. For example, you could keep your windows closed during pollen seasons. Or, if you have a pet allergy, you can avoid sleeping with your pets or try to bathe them more often.

However, as a previous pet owner himself, Nandas said he understands how some of these changes may not be possible. Treatments like immunotherapyan "allergy shot"or allergen desensitization can help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms over time by building tolerance in your immune system.

Nasal steroid sprays are also recommended by many allergy experts. Steroids often get a bad rap, but the steroids in nasal sprays are anti-inflammatory and they're much safer than steroid injections or pills, Nandas explained.

Allergy medicines are not a one size fits all, Nandas said. When trying to find the right treatment for your symptoms, visit an allergist or immunologist for the best recommendation tailored to your lifestyle and needs.

It's generally safe to take the newer generation of antihistamines daily if you have year-round allergy symptoms. But make sure to avoid anything that has a "D" in its brand name, which stands for decongestants. Long-term use of decongestants will worsen your allergy symptoms.

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Is It Safe to Take Allergy Medications Every Day? - Verywell Health

Internal Medicine

People on the Move: May 12 – Delaware Business Times

May 13, 2023 medical

People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If youre interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) was named to the National Advisory Board for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign. The National Advisory Board is a select group of national Democratic leaders who will serve as the primary surrogates for the Democratic National Committee and Biden-Harris campaign in 2023 and 2024.

U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware)

Im excited to join President Bidens national advisory board to stand beside my good friend Joe throughout his re-election campaign. Since they took office, President Biden and Vice President Harris have been fighting for everyday Americans and to protect our freedoms,Senator Tom Carper said in a statement. President Biden ran for the presidency in 2020 because he believed that we were in a battle for the soul of this nation and we still are. I encourage all Delawareans to join me in supporting the Biden-Harris campaign so we can all come together to help Joe and Kamala finish the job.

The stakes of this election couldnt be higher, President Joe Biden said. Our freedom and democracy are on the line. Im grateful to this group of diverse and dynamic leaders who will help us win the battle for the soul of America and finish the job for the American people.

Gawthrop Greenwood partner Carl W. Heckert has been elected secretary of the Delaware State Bar Associations Family Law Section during the esteemed organizations 100th anniversary year.

Heckert, who has more than 25 years of experiencepracticing family law in Delaware, has been a member of the Delaware State Bar Association since 1992 and will serve for the 2023-2024 section year.

Carl Heckert | PHOTO COURTESY OF GAWTHROP

Heckert is a member of theFamily Law Departmentin Gawthrop Greenwood, PCs Greater Wilmington office in Greenville, litigating and mediating divorce. In 2019, he became a Certified Family Law Mediator in Delaware following the states inaugural certification program by the Family Court of the State of Delaware as well as the Delaware State Bar Association. A certified Delaware family law mediator is a neutral third party who is charged with preserving confidentiality while helping couples resolve issues more creatively and amicably than they can in court, including custody, visitation, child support, property division and alimony.

Heckert also draws on his more than 30 years of real estate experience to settle real estate disputes during divorce proceedings. In January, he presented a seminar on the topic for Delaware family law judges and practitioners of theMelson-Arsht Inns of Court. He has also led Continuing Legal Education courses in family law matters including custody, protection from abuse and representing an unwilling minor as a guardian-ad-litem. Heckert received his law degree fromWidener University School of Lawand holds a Bachelor of Science degree from theUniversity of Delaware.

Wilmington Trust announced the addition ofSuzanne Lane as the senior relationship executive.

Lane will focus on asset managers and financial institution relationships for the loan market solutions team, employing innovative solutions to help meet individual clients goals. Throughout her 25-year career in corporate trust and banking, she has taken numerous leadership positions on multiple finance and asset management teams.

Lane is a passionate advocate about empowering women in the financial services industry and has served as a mentor for many women as they start or build their careers. Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Lane was a relationship lead for U.S. Banks Global Platinum Corporate Trust clientele.Previously, she was Chief of Staff for Relationship Management in the Shareowner Services division of BNY Mellon. She also has held roles at KPMG, AIB, and State Street Bank.

Lane has managed large client service teams both domestically and in Europe. She holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Northeastern University, and has earned the CPA, CFA and CAIA designations.

Allen Friedland, M.D., MACP, FAAP, has been recognized with the Dema C. Daley Founders Award for his national impact as an educator, innovator and leader in internal medicine.

Allen Friedland | PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIANACARE

Given by the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, the award honors internal medicine doctors who have greatly influenced undergraduate and graduate medical education and the development of training programs in internal medicine.

Dr. Friedland has been a tireless advocate and innovator for internal medicine, medicine-pediatrics, and residency education over two decades, said Vinay Maheshwari, M.D., MHCDS, Hugh R. Sharp Jr., Chair of Medicine and physician executive of the Medical Group at ChristianaCare. He is a mentor to countless physicians across the country and beloved by those who have had the privilege of working alongside him. What is most evident about Dr. Friedland is how much he cares about those he has taught locally and nationally all of them will forever be a part of his family. This award is a testament to a lifetime career dedicated to graduate medical education.

Friedland is ChristianaCares section chief of Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) and has served as the director of ChristianaCares combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program for 25 years. He also teaches medical students at ChristianaCare, which is a branch campus of Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

His accomplishments include:

Amanda Hewes, MS, education program manager at ChristianaCares Gene Editing Institute, has been named one of the 2023 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM by Million Women Mentors, an international movement dedicated to encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Amanda Hewes | PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIANACARE

Hewes selection spotlights her dedication to engaging young people in the science of gene editing by introducing the Gene Editing Institutes CRISPR in a BoxTM educational toolkit into classrooms across Delaware and her commitment to bridging disparities in STEM education.

Im overjoyed to be honored among so many amazing women in this state, Hewes said. Its humbling to be considered and to stand alongside them. All of these women foster and lead dynamic communities of young women that inspire me every day. I hope that I can do the same by making young women in this state feel empowered through the work that I do.

Hewes joined ChristianaCares Gene Editing Institute in 2017 with a focus on expanding its CRISPR gene editing system in a cell-free environment. She was first author in a publication in Nature that established the highly innovative gene editing on a chip protocol that allowed CRISPR to edit DNA outside of the cell for the first time. This methodology enables researchers to take fragments of DNA extracted from human cells, place them in a test tube and precisely engineer multiple changes to the genetic code.

This gene editing system eventually led to the creation of the CRISPR in a Box toolkit. This innovative educational resource provides a way for students to learn about this exciting frontier of science through a hands-on exercise in which they use CRISPR gene editing to disrupt a synthetic gene within a plasmid. The simplicity of this experiment allowed for the reaction to be developed into a remarkable teaching tool that can be brought into most school laboratories containing basic laboratory equipment.

Once CRISPR in a Box was developed, Hewes recognized the potential it could have for high school and college students. She took on a new role as education program manager and expanded the Gene Editing 360 platform, which is the Gene Editing Institutes suite of educational tools for engaging students and the public.

Hewes was honored alongside 10 other women by Gov. John Carney, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and others at the Delaware State House with the signing of a proclamation to declare March 24, 2023, as Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day.

After 35 years of wearing Service Unlimited, Inc. (SUI) green, Safety Coordinator David Parag announced his retirement closing out a remarkable career serving the company and the people of New Castle, Delaware, and the surrounding areas.

Originally hired in the mid-1970s as an HVAC mechanic, Parag has served our customers in many different roles over three different terms. In his second term with the SUI family, Parag served as an electrician for our sister company, Electric Unlimited, Inc. (EUI), and ultimately led the company. Parag again returned to SUI as the Director of Construction Quality. He eventually added safety responsibilities to that role. Parag most recently was Safety Coordinator because of his passion for doing things the safest way rather than the fastest or easiest way.

Parag holds a Master License in both HVAC and Electrical. He has conducted countless training sessions, delivered tons of how-to documents, and mentored dozens of team members including Vice President Brian Martinenza. Parag will always be known around SUI for his oversized brain and his oversized heart because he knows virtually everything, and cares deeply about the people in his life. He enjoys being a catalyst for personal development and professional growth.

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People on the Move: May 12 - Delaware Business Times

Internal Medicine

Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Graduates Ready To Break … – Fort Worth Magazine

May 13, 2023 medical

Ive Avila is the product of immigrants from Mexico, raised with her three siblings in Chicago. Her mother was a janitor at a school and her father worked in construction.

She studied molecular biology simply typing that is a dizzying task from Loyola University Chicago, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

On Saturday, the 32-year-old will be part of the first graduating class of the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU, a groundbreaking moment for all involved, including the school perched on University Drive, celebrating 150 years in 2023.

We are immensely proud of these young doctors. They will forever be a part of TCUs 150th, said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. This is a day that has been years in the making, and it is only fitting that this special class would be a part of such a celebratory moment in the life of our university.

The 52 graduates, who all placed inresidency programs, will now go out into the world and begin molding the reputation that plays such a critical role ultimately in the formation of the medical school.

Avila is going to serve an OB/GYN four-year residency at Baylor Scott and White in Temple.

I think it's a huge responsibility, honestly, Avila says, Going on to the real world, going into our residency programs as MDs, I think that's an even bigger responsibility because now programs are seeing the product of the school essentially, and, hopefully, we can show them what we've learned throughout the four years, and how our LIC [Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship] program has, I think, prepared us more so than other traditional programs, at least when it comes to patient interaction and practice.

The graduates hooding ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall. Commencement ceremonies for the med school are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday at Schollmaier Arena.

Briana Collins is another soon-to-be graduate.

Collins grew up in Dallas and attended Ursuline Academy before ultimately earning an undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Louisiana State University.

She will be moving to Palo Alto, California, for a three-year residency in internal medicine at Stanford Health Care. Her plan is to follow that up with a fellowship to train specifically in cardiology for another three years.

Like Avila, Collins didnt hop from undergraduate school to med school. After graduating in 2015, she took the MCAT, the standardized test for prospective med school students, but didnt get the score that I wanted. Not deterred and seeking ways to improve her candidacy, she was accepted into The University of North Texas Health Science Centers masters course of study in medical science.

She worked as an EMT and as-needed emergency technician at UT Southwestern. After graduating with the masters, she dedicated three to four months preparing for the MCAT.

I finally got the score that I was comfortable applying with after my third attempt, Collins says.

Soon, Collins will start a residency in one of the most prestigious programs in the country. More than anything, these professional degrees require incredible work and study habits, and dogged persistence. The whole concept of quitting inspires loathing.

That brings me back to Avila, who had an active young child I could hear in the background as we spoke by phone.

Quin his full name is Quentin, like Quentin Tarantino is 16 months old.

Pregnancy during medical school is not standard operating procedure, but Avila and husband Sam found out they were expecting. Avila and Sam met in Austin on a blind date, though both were working at Lone Star Circle of Care. Avila was an enrollment counselor there, and Sam is still a physician recruiter with the company.

Avila says shes Type-A personality when it comes to scheduling, not spontaneous at all.

I like things to go the way that I plan them. And clearly that did not go that way, Avila says. I did not plan to be pregnant or have a child in medical school. But my husband and I became pregnant and we actually lost our first baby. Here I was freaking out about how [pregnancy] was gonna throw everything off and finally, you accept it, you fall in love, and then you lose your baby.

Now, she had to deal with heartbreak. The couple had made plans to welcome a baby, in their home and their hearts. The experience manifested itself in the couple actually deciding to try to have a baby.

Welcome to the world, Quin.

A tight schedule remained key to handling the newcomer and her studies, plus, she had support from her family, which, by this time,had moved from Chicago to Austin, where her father operates his 23-acre ranch, specializing in sheep and goats. (A little slow cooked, oven braised cabrito would hit the spot about right now.)

As soon as I had him, my mom [Rebeca] retired, and she was like, There's no way we worked so hard to get you here collectively as a family youre going to keep going. So, shemoved in with us. She was our full-time nanny/babysitter. There's no way I could have done it without her.

There's an apothegm or there should be if there's not out there: Its difficult to get through this journey of life without good friends and family, and a bottle of something.

Well, now I'm projecting.

To the inaugural graduating class of the Burnett School of Medicine, we wish you the best. It goes without saying that lots of people will be counting on you.

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Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Graduates Ready To Break ... - Fort Worth Magazine

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Case Challenge: Hallucinations, Moaning, and … – Medscape Reference

May 13, 2023 medical

Editor's Note:The Case Challenge series includes difficult-to-diagnose conditions, some of which are not frequently encountered by most clinicians but are nonetheless important to accurately recognize. Test your diagnostic and treatment skills using the following patient scenario and corresponding questions. If you have a case that you would like to suggest for a future Case Challenge, please contact us.

An 88-year-old woman who has had confusion and a decline in mental status over the past 2 weeks is brought to the emergency department by her daughter. The patient's daughter reports that her mother has also had occasional hallucinations for the past week, with associated intermittent moaning. She is unable to provide a history for herself, and all history is gathered from her daughter.

Her past medical history is significant for hypertension and skin and breast cancer; she had a partial mastectomy 10 years ago. The only medication she takes daily is metoprolol for hypertension.

Forty-five days ago, the patient underwent an open reduction and internal fixation of a left femur intertrochanteric fracture. The surgery was uncomplicated, and she was discharged from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility 35 days ago. Before the fracture, the patient was independent; she lived alone and went to a bar every night with her friends. According to her daughter, she does not use tobacco or illicit drugs.

Her daughter noticed that her symptoms of confusion started 2 weeks ago and have progressively worsened. She removed the patient from the rehabilitation facility 5 days ago owing to "improper care." Her daughter also reports that her mother's baseline status is alert and oriented to person, place, time, and event. Her decline in mental status has occurred over the past 2 weeks and has worsened during the past 3 days. The daughter reports that her mother has not had chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; however, she has had multiple episodes of abdominal pain and deep bone pain over the past 2 weeks.

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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Danny Gersowsky.Internal Medicine Case Challenge: Hallucinations, Moaning, and Confusion in an 88-Year-Old-Medscape-May10,2023.

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Internal Medicine Case Challenge: Hallucinations, Moaning, and ... - Medscape Reference

Internal Medicine

You asked, we answered: Is syncope a symptom of COVID? – Nebraska Medicine

May 13, 2023 medical

Question: Can COVID cause syncope?

Answered by internal medicine doctor Andrew Vasey, MD

Syncope is the medical term for fainting or passing out. Generally, this condition arises when you have a sudden, temporary decrease in blood flow to your brain. Many syncopal occurrences are benign and result from a short-term cause. Syncope can happen because of the following:

There are a few reports of people presenting post-COVID who experience syncopal issues. Still, the difficult part for health care providers is that various processes can cause syncope, even without post-COVID complications. Similarly, defining a post-COVID symptom versus a symptom from another pre-existing cause is challenging.

Patients with post-COVID issues can have symptoms related to most organ systems. For example, many post-COVID symptoms are believed to be related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. With autonomic dysfunction, a person can have inappropriate changes in their heart rate such as increasing more than it should with movement or position changes and can feel like they are going to pass out or do pass out. Many medical conditions can cause autonomic dysfunction, not just post-COVID issues.

Given all these factors, the short answer is, it is difficult to determine if syncope is definitively a symptom of COVID-19.

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You asked, we answered: Is syncope a symptom of COVID? - Nebraska Medicine

Internal Medicine

Penn Medicine Residents Vote to Unionize | MedPage Today – Medpage Today

May 13, 2023 medical

University of Pennsylvania residents and fellows voted to unionize, with the vast majority green-lighting the historic move.

"With 88% of participants voting in favor, the frontline Penn Medicine doctors are the first statewide to gain union representation," according to the Committee of Interns and Residents/Service Employees International Union (CIR/SEIU), which reported Monday that the vote was 892 to 110.

Specifically, the residents and fellows at the Philadelphia health system "look forward to advocating for the conditions they need to provide top-quality care without compromising their mental, physical, or financial wellbeing," the union stated.

House staff unionization efforts continue to multiply across the country. Just last month, MedPage Today reported that house staff at Mass General Brigham in Boston will proceed with their own unionization efforts despite a salary bump.

Kendall Major, MD, an internal medicine resident at Penn Medicine, told MedPage Today that house staff are thinking about their goals in two ways -- advocating for patients in terms of factors like the design of new buildings and resource allocation, and advocating for themselves when it comes to salaries and benefits.

"We are the ones on the frontlines working 80 hours a week," Major said, adding that it's important "that we have a seat at the negotiating table."

A Penn Medicine spokesperson said in a statement provided to MedPage Today via email that house staff voted for union representation in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on May 3-5. The statement noted that the result has not been certified. Penn Medicine has been informed the process can take up to 7 business days, according to the statement.

"We are proud of Penn Medicine's long history as home to many top residency and fellowship programs, and we have appreciated the ongoing opportunity to hear directly from residents about their concerns during this unionization campaign," the spokesperson said. "We have an obligation to stay true to our shared goals to provide the very best care to our patients, and to ensure that new physicians are able to train in an environment that allows them resources to flourish academically, professionally, and personally."

"We respect our trainees' collective decision and remain committed to continuing our work to improve their training experience and ensure that they are fully supported during these transformative years of their medical careers," the spokesperson added.

"Getting 892 people -- inspiring them to come out and vote -- is really a testament to how much we needed this union at Penn Medicine," Major told MedPage Today, adding that residents and fellows are hopeful that their win will inspire others in what has become a nationwide conversation.

"This is bigger than just the University of Pennsylvania," she said. "I'm hopeful that we will see many, many more to come." she said.

Jennifer Henderson joined MedPage Today as an enterprise and investigative writer in Jan. 2021. She has covered the healthcare industry in NYC, life sciences and the business of law, among other areas.

Global Osteoarthritis Leaders Host OA Innovation Shark Tank Meeting at U.S. Congress to Showcase Promise of New Cures Call for Increased Federal…

May 13, 2023 medical

Rep. Connolly and Congressional Arthritis Caucus Cheer the New Science Salute Innovation and Mark National Arthritis Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marking National Arthritis Awareness Month in May, Angry@Arthritis and the Arthritis Foundation yesterday hosted the annual OA Innovation "Shark Tank" meeting on Capitol Hill to spotlight the promise of new treatments to cure osteoarthritis (OA). As researchers and industry demonstrate the success of OA treatments in clinical trials, the arthritis community is saluting innovation and asking Congress for increased OA funding to help cure this disease that afflicts one in seven American adults.

Clinical trials are very expensive. Today, its impossible to see the current level of federal research funding for OA treatments or to understand the impact of the investments Congress is currently making. The community is asking for the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Research Service to audit current federal OA investment levels and impact, as well as generate an integrated annual report on federal OA research progress.

More than 32.5 million American adults suffer with OA, and more than five percent of the global population are afflicted with the disease. As our population ages, OA is a growing concern 100 percent of people will suffer with OA if we live long enough. OA can afflict any and all joints in the body and today, Americans receive 790,000 knee and 450,000 hip replacements per year, while far larger numbers live with the pain and avoid troublesome joint replacements. There is no effective treatment of OA in the hands and many other joints. Each year, OA costs the U.S. economy $71 billion in lost productivity and inflicts $65.5 billion in medical expenses. While there are a number of treatments in the FDA approval process, currently there is no FDA approved OA treatment. The guidance to lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy is great but this is a much bigger problem.

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This annual OA Innovation Shark Tank program brings together the leading minds in OA research and clinical disciplines from across America and around the world to present their treatments, opinions, research, and human clinical trial data. The treatments target OA in a series of different joints. The program puts a spotlight on the promise of cures and makes the case for additional investment from government and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to opening remarks from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the program featured:

Dr. Elizabeth "Blair" Solow, M.D., Associate Professor of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and chair of the America College of Rheumatology Government Affairs Committee. Dr. Solow provided a rheumatologists clinician perspective and spoke to the disease modifying OA treatment desert in patient care. She underlined the urgent need for new innovation and increased federal research and development funding to improve patient care and outcomes.

Dr. Ivan Martin, Chair of the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Dr. Martin reviewed his teams Nasal Tissue Engineered Cartilage (N-TEC) treatment that harvests cells from nasal cartilage and grows them into cartilage patches which are surgically inserted into cartilage defects and damaged OA joints. His team has treated more than 100 human patients knees, shoulders, and ankles with N-TEC.

Dr. Jennifer Elisseeff, Director of the Translational Tissue Engineering Center at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Elisseeff is a pioneer in regenerative immunology treatments that empower patients bodies to repair their joints themselves. She created the original recipe for the anti-aging, senolytic OA drug UBX0101 that recently exited FDA clinical trials. Dr. Elisseeff talked about the promise of regenerative immunology and senoyltics.

Dr. Brad Estes, CEO and founder, CytexOrtho, in North Carolina. Dr. Estes reviewed his teams work restoring damaged joints using a cutting-edge regenerative medical implant designed to mimic native tissues. CytexOrtho recently received Breakthrough Device Designation for its joint repair product and is currently in the process of entering human clinical trials in the hip later this year.

Dr. Yusuf Yazici, Chief Medical Officer at Biosplice Therapeutics Inc. based in San Diego, California. Dr. Yazici presented data on Lorecivivint, an injectable CLK/DYRK inhibitor thought to modulate Wnt and inflammatory pathways, in development as a potential pain and disease-modifying treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Lorecivivint is currently in phase 3 clinical trials.

"Osteoarthritis is crippling Americans and our economy," said Steve OKeeffe, founder, Angry@Arthritis. "But it is not inevitable and its not incurable. To steal a line from CytexOrtho, people dont want to replace their joints they want to renew them. We need to disrupt the inevitability of the failing status quo. We have many innovative new treatments that are proving effective in clinical trials America needs to know. Our government and industry players need to jump into this fight and invest in osteoarthritis research and cures. We encourage you to contact your Congressional representative 32.5 million Americans thats a powerful voting block."

"Scientific advancements are moving at a lightning speed, and they can really make a difference in OA treatment but were disappointed that the funding and support just dont add up," said Anna Hyde, Vice President of Advocacy and Access for the Arthritis Foundation. "As part of our commitment to leading the way to scientific breakthroughs, were pushing for lawmakers to increase the federal investment in arthritis research and help make real progress in helping millions of Americans live free from OA pain."

About Angry@Arthritis

Angry@Arthritis is a new 501(c)(3) focused on attacking and eliminating osteoarthritis http://www.angryarthritis.org. Angry@Arthritis provides the patients guide to OA, raises money to fund new cures, and advocates for OA to the U.S. Congress.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundations mission is to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230512005358/en/

Contacts

Whitley TaylorOKeeffe & Companywtaylor@okco.com (757) 287-2167

Marlena ReedArthritis Foundationmreed@arthritis.org (470) 588-9755

Global Osteoarthritis Leaders Host OA Innovation Shark Tank Meeting at U.S. Congress to Showcase Promise of New Cures Call for Increased Federal...