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The internal medicine specialists at Addison Internal Medicine believe that the best way to promote better health and longevity is through preventive health services. By being proactive in your healthcare, you stand a better chance of catching a condition early.

It has been shown that people who regularly have preventive screenings have a higher success rate in treatment and live longer, healthier lives. Our team provides comprehensive preventive services to help our patients live well.

When you schedule an appointment for preventive medicine at Addison Internal Medicine, youll meet with one of our internists to discuss your concerns. Once youve talked with your doctor, a diagnostic exam will be completed to address anyconcerns.

Our facilities are state-of-the art, and our doctorsuse the latest in technology and medical techniques in tests and screenings. In most cases, your doctor will be able to provide you with preliminary results, but further testing may be required for some preventive medicine services.

After your appointment, its a good idea to continue yourpreventive medical care on a regular schedule as recommended by our doctor. By monitoring your health in conjunction with Addison Internal Medicine, youre more likely to enjoy improvedquality of life and peace of mind concerning your medical condition.

To schedule your appointment for preventive care services with Addison Internal Medicine,call our clinic in Addison at972-301-7060or in Carrollton at972-763-5666.

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Preventative Medicine | Addison Internal Medicine

Gloria M. Jackson, MD, Integrative Medicine Consultant with Mary Washington Hospital specializing in Medical Nutrition, has been named a 2017 Top Doctor in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Top Doctor Awards is dedicated to selecting and honoring those healthcare practitioners who have demonstrated clinical excellence while delivering the highest standards of patient care.

Dr. Gloria M. Jackson is a very experienced physician, having been active in identifying effective, low-cost healthcare delivery systems for nearly four decades. Her acclaimed career in medicine began in 1978 when she graduated with her Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. Following the completion of medical school, she continued with an internship in General Medicine at the University of California, followed by her residency in Psychiatry at the University of California, Langley Porter Institute. Thereafter, Dr. Jackson completed a clerkship in the Healing Arts in 1982 at the Holistic Healing Center in Menlo Park, California. She trained in Bio-Resonance Therapies in 2000, and completed training in Oriental Medicine from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College of Berkeley, California in 2008.

For her wealth of experience and dedication to her specialty, Dr. Jackson is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. She has earned a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives, as well as a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate, among others. Dr. Jackson has professional memberships with the Teleosis Institute Green Health Care Drug Take Back Project, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, American Association of Psychiatric Medicine, National Association of Professional Women, National Association of 100 Black Women, Minority Health Leadership Council State of Wisconsin, Cream City Medical Society, and the Milwaukee Area Ryan White Title II HIV Consortium, allowing her to remain at the forefront of her work.

Dr. Jackson has dedicated her life to delivering the highest standard of quality care and integrative medicine to her clients. She is a Medical Nutritionist whose goal is to develop effective non-invasive, natural, integral healthcare protocols for her clients individual needs. Furthermore, she performs Qi-Scan Assessments to assist in determining the most effective, personalized nutrient-centered, wellness therapies. Qi-Scan is a highly advanced computerized health information retrieval system that measures acupuncture meridians to produce energetic profiles of the body that depict corresponding organ system balance, weakness or stress.

Dr. Jackson is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Integrative Medicine movement, and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs across the United States, sharing her wealth of knowledge. Her undoubted expertise in her field makes Dr. Gloria M. Jackson a very deserving winner of a 2017 Top Doctor Award.

About Top Doctor Awards

Top Doctor Awards specializes in recognizing and commemorating the achievements of todays most influential and respected doctors in medicine. Our selection process considers education, research contributions, patient reviews, and other quality measures to identify top doctors.

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Leading Preventative Medicine Physician, Gloria M. Jackson, MD, is to be Recognized as a 2017 Top Doctor in ... - PR NewsChannel (press release)

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Doctors have a duty to treat kids with parents who won't listen to their advice.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

We in the medical community believe wholeheartedly in the prevention of all illness, especially by vaccination.

Science and history continue to show that vaccination dramatically decreases both the mortality (death rate) and morbidity (severity of illness) of infectious diseases.

More than 98 to 99 percent of the general population agrees with those conclusions.

Yes, it is absolutely frustrating when parents refuse to follow our advice and protect their children. But, the law respects the right of a parent to not vaccinate his or her child, and we as health professionals should respect the law.

Our primary objective as health professionals is to protect children of all colors, religions, and backgrounds, whether we agree with their parents decisions or not.

But, there is a growing trend among us to discharge or kick out children from our medical practices because their parents have chosen not to vaccinate them.

There are two illogical arguments used in this decision to discharge these unvaccinated (or slow vaccinated) children:

1. Because parents do not agree with our recommendations to vaccinate their children, we can do no more for them, so we should wash our hands of the problem.

Yet, we dont do this with other families in our practice whose children are unhealthy as a result of a parents decision. When an obese child remains that way for months to years, despite our recommendations to improve his or her lifestyle, we do not discharge those children and families. We keep an open dialogue to continue to try and help.

When we tell parents over and over again that they should stop smoking; that second and third-hand smoke is a health risk for their children, and yet they continue to smoke, we do not discharge them from our practices. We keep an open dialogue.

How about the parent who decides not to complete all of the antibiotics that were given, because my child didnt need them? We dont discharge those families from our practice.

Obesity, parental smoking, and drug noncompliance comprise more than 60 percent of our patient populations. If we discharged all of these children from our practice just because they didnt do everything that we told them to do, wed be out of business.

2. Nonvaccinated children pose a risk to babies and other immuno-compromised children in our office.

In reality, the overwhelming majority of childhood infections occur in our homes, schools, day cares, churches, malls, restaurants, airports, amusement parks, and, yes, even in our hospitals; not in medical offices.

How will discharging these children from our medical home prevent an overwhelming exposure to the general population? It wont.

And, who will take care of these nonvaccinated children when and if they do become sick? Where will they go? Theyll go to the already busy emergency rooms and urgent cares where they will be exposed to not only other babies, but older children, adults, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system (e.g., cancer/chemotherapy).

By keeping an open dialogue with these families, we can continue to emphasize the importance of preventative medicine (immunizations), as well as monitor their children for signs of infectious diseases. By keeping these kids in our practice, we know which children are vaccinated and which are not, and we can adjust office visit times (or keep them at home) to minimize exposure to those more susceptible infants and children.

The law protects the parents right to not vaccinate his or her child. If we dont like the law, then we should change it, not declare our own martial law. Our ethical duty is to protect all children, not turn our backs on some.

We, as health professionals, need to be objective and logical and prevent our emotions from affecting our decisions. To quote the philosopher, and physician, William James: A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

Dr. Michael D. Pappas of Berkey is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both general pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine.

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Doctors have duty to treat nonvaccinated children - Toledo Blade

Before I went to work with the group at Eastman, I thought that Id save money and perhaps someday pursue a career as a physician. But life happens and I put those dreams on the back burner, Watson said.

Joey got married and when his wife became pregnant, he found himself going to her prenatal appointments and his interest in medicine was rekindled. As any engineer would do, Joey decided to test the waters by volunteering at local hospitals and shadowing doctors to see if his curiosity was still there and if his youthful plan was still viable. When he confided to those around him, including his wife, and sought their opinions about changing careers he received support from everyone.

I was encouraged to go visit the admission staff at the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine and they were just as encouraging as everyone else so I decided to apply to see if I would be admitted, he said.

The first of many doors opened when he was admitted to the Medical School at ETSU to begin his journey toward the medical field. I truly feel that God had his hand on this entire process, shared Dr. Watson. He opened each door along the way and I entered and passed through them all one step at a time. Being a physician is a calling and I believe Ive been led to the point where I find myself today.

Dr. Watson discovered that engineering and medicine are more alike than you might think.

Its about problem-solving, he explained. The main difference is that medicine has the human element that makes it more challenging and satisfying personally for me. Helping patients with health goals and preventative medicine helps them to achieve a good quality of life. For me thats gratifying.

Dr. Watson believes that his demeanor and training in communication skills developed by the ETSU College of Family Practice Medicine has provided him with the tools that set him apart from many other physicians.

Im a good listener, I am committed to understanding the patients needs and desires, and I work diligently to help them deal with difficult situations, he said.

As a non-traditional medical student, Dr. Watson found colleagues who were also older with whom he developed close friendships.

Its never too late to make a career change if youre curious and truly interested in another profession. I think people need to be willing to try new experiences especially volunteering opportunities so that they can determine if a career change is a good fit for them, he added.

Dr. Watson attributes much of his successful journey to his wife, Cindy, who he said, sacrificed a great deal throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond to care for our family during my long hours of residency. She was my biggest supporter whose encouragement kept me going.

Dr. Watson is now accepting patients at Mountain Region Family Medicine where he provides quality medical care for families and patients of all ages here in his hometown.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Watson at Mountain Region Family Medicine's downtown Kingsport office, call 423-230-2801. The office is located in the Press Building at 444 Clinchfield Street.

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Kingsport Times-News: Dr. Joey Watson took a circuitous route to ... - Kingsport Times News

New compound provides an observed 90% increase in the activation of the gene's activation in the animal's heart tissue

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center has developed a compound called Astaxanthin that turns on whats called the FOX03 'Longevity Gene' in mice. Their scientists measured an almost a 90% increase in the activation of the gene in the animals' heart tissue.

In a joint venture, The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine ("JABSOM") and Cardax, Inc. ("Cardax") (OTCQB:CDXI), a Honolulu based life sciences company revealed their promising results toward a new anti-aging therapy

Dr. Bradley Willcox, MD, Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Geriatric Medicine, JABSOM, and Principal Investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded Kuakini Hawaii Lifespan and Healthspan Studies states, "All of us have the FOXO3 gene, which protects against aging in humans," said. "But about one in three persons carry a version of the FOXO3 gene that is associated with longevity. By activating the FOXO3 gene common in all humans, we can make it act like the "longevity" version. Through this research, we have shown that Astaxanthin "activates" the FOXO3 gene," said Willcox.

"This preliminary study was the first of its kind to test the potential of Astaxanthin to activate the FOXO3 gene in mammals," said Dr. Richard Allsopp, PhD, Associate Professor, and researcher with the JABSOM Institute of Biogenesis Research.

Experiments with the mice the control group was fed regular food and the other group was either a low or high amount of Astaxanthin compound CDX-085 provided by Cardax. As expected the group with higher doses gained the greatest increase in the FOXO3 gene in their heart tissue. "We found a nearly 90% increase in the activation of the FOXO3 "Longevity Gene" in the mice fed the higher dose of the Astaxanthin compound CDX-085," said Dr. Allsopp.

"This groundbreaking University of Hawaii research further supports the critical role of Astaxanthin in health and why the healthcare community is embracing its use," said David G. Watumull, Cardax CEO. "We look forward to further confirmation in human clinical trials of Astaxanthin's role in aging."

"We are extremely proud of our collaborative efforts with Cardax on this very promising research that may help mitigate the effects of aging in humans," said Vassilis L. Syrmos, Vice President of Research at the University of Hawaii. "This is a great example of what the Hawaii Innovation Initiative is all about -- when the private sector and government join forces to build a thriving innovation, research, education and job training enterprise to help diversify the state's economy."

Life sciences company Cardax, Inc. looks forward to further confirmation in human clinical trials of Astanxanthin's potential role as an anti-aging therapy.

Dr. Michael J. Koch, Editor withwww.WorldHealth.net and for Dr. Ronald Klatz, DO, MD President of the A4M has 28,000 Physician Members, has trained over 150,000 Physicians, health professionals and scientists in the new specialty of Anti-aging medicine. Estimates of their patients numbering in the 100s of millions World Wide that are living better stronger, healthier and longer lives. A4M physicians are now providing advanced preventative medical care for over 100 Million individuals worldwide who now recognize that aging is no longer inevitable.

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Discovery of a New Compound Turns on a Longevity Gene in Mice - Anti Aging News

Almost everyone knows somebody that has been effected by heart diseasestatistics show that coronary artery disease is the most fatal disease in the United States. To put this statistic into perspective, on an annual basis, one quarter of all deaths (or 600,000 yearly fatalities) in America are due to heart disorders. For the most part, individuals contract heart disorders due to unhealthy life styles and bad habits including: fatty foods, smoking, drinking, and sloth.

The term heart disease is an umbrella phrase generally used to describe symptoms related to atherosclerosis, which arises with the gradual amassing of fats on the walls of arteries and veins. Over time, with a consistently unhealthy diet and lifestyle, these fatty deposits can eventually restrict blood flow in the arteries to the point of heart attack. However, there are a few other forms of heart disease including heart failure, arrhythmia, heart valve problems, and hypertension. While the causes of atherosclerosis (lifestyle, etc.) can also be attributed to these other heart maladies, there are a plethora of other sources for them, including stress and genetic disorders.

As with a majority of medical applications for cannabis, legitimate scientific research into the herbs potential as a medicine for victims of heart disease is in its infancybut findings thus far are quite profound. For the most part, studies into the potential use of cannabis as a medicine for heart disease are related to both CBD and abnormal cannabidiol. For starters, studies have shown that CBD can be beneficial for heart disease victims as both a preventative and restorative medicine. Secondly, abnormal cannabidiol is potentially a wonder drug which can greatly help reduce the chances of heart attacks for atherosclerosis patients. Each of these fascinating compounds are worth exploring in more detail.

CBD has various theoretical medical applications for heart disease. To begin with, CBD has been shown to cause blood vessels to vasodilate, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Point being, CBD can possibly be utilized as a preventative medicine for heart attacks, as it has the potential to help blood vessels restrict and move more efficiently. Doctors also feel that CBD can be used as an anti-arrhythmic which can reestablish normality in ones heart beat post heart attack.

Abnormal cannabidiol is a synthetically derived chemical which is related, on a molecular level, to the cannabinoids found within the marijuana plant. Also, abnormal cannibidiol shares the non-psychoactive properties of CBD, meaning that it does not get users high. The British Journal of Pharmacology reports that the application of abnormal cannabidiol in lab rats led to the widening of blood veins and arteries by relaxing muscles on their walls. Point being, findings show that abnormal cannabidiol, like CBD, can help lessen the chances of heart attacks by opening up blood flow within veins and arteries that would be otherwise restricted by atherosclerosis. It goes without saying that these findings warrant far more research into the potential uses of medical marijuana in relations to heart disease.

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What We Know About Medical Marijuana's Effect On Heart Disease - The Fresh Toast

The Heart and Medicine Center is pleased to announce that Sadaf Chaudhry, M.D., has joined Dr. Vivek Khetpal and Dr. Sangeeta Ketpal at The Heart and Medical Center as a full-time internal medicine physician on September 1, 2017. As an experienced internal medicine physician, she will specialize in a wide range of preventative and urgent care, including diabetes, skin diseases, cancer, lung disease and womens health. Dr. Chaudhry will also see and treat patients at AllianceHealth Durant.

Patient satisfaction is my top priority and I look forward to working with the residents of Bryan County, said Sadaf Chaudhry M.D. I hope to help the community make the right choices when it comes to staying well and living a health lifestyle.

Dr. Chaudhry earned her medical degree from Foundation University Medical College and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of South Alabama Hospitals in Alabama.

We are continuously working to enhance the patient experience at our practice, said Vivek Khetpal, M.D., The Heart and Medical Center, Dr. Chaudhrys commitment to high quality, patient-centered care makes her a welcome addition to our team. We know our patients and families will continue to receive the compassionate, personalized attention they have come to expect from us over the years.

To schedule an appointment, consultation or more information, please call 580-931-0500 or visit HeartandMedical.com. The Heart and Medical Center is located at 2701 W. University Blvd in Durant.

About The Heart and Medical Center The center was founded in 1997 by Dr. Vivek Khetpal specializing in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Interventional and Nuclear Cardiology. He was joined by his wife, Dr. Sangeeta Khetpal, in 2005. They have been members of the Bryan County Community for over 16 years and strive to ensure that each and every patient that walks through the door is provided the best care possible.

Submitted by Heart and Medical Center.

Sadaf Chaudhry

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The Heart and Medical Center welcomes new physician - Durant Daily Democrat

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.

A new company is calling the Granite State home, bringing a promise for dozens of jobs on the Seacoast.

It doesn't have a permanent home yet, but Digital Skin Imaging, a high-tech medical device company, is moving to Portsmouth.

So it's going to be really, really exciting in the next few years where this is going to go, said DSI chief executive officer Karleen Seybold.

DSI is a startup company, relocating from Arizona to New Hampshire, with national and international aspirations.

Through new technology called DermSpectra, DSI allows doctors to look at skin in an innovative way through full body scans.

The technology will help identify skin changes, including early detection of cancer and diseases.

It's really at the intersection of telemedicine, personal health care, preventative medicine, Seybold said. We're looking at trying to track your skin over time.

Company leaders announced the move at Portsmouth-based Medtronic, one of their partners.

Gov. Chris Sununu met with DSI earlier this year as part of his 100 Businesses in 100 Days initiative, an effort to attract companies to New Hampshire.

It's not a program that stops after 100 days, Sununu said. We're constantly talking to businesses to bring them in here. This is one of them.

DSI plans to hire at least 100 people and over the next five years, and intends to be a company worth more than $100 million.

We're going to be hiring engineering, software, sales and marketing, operations, we're going to be doing some manufacturing, Seybold said.

New Hampshire has a shortage of skilled workers, and Sununu said his office and the business community need to talk to new graduates outside the state to show them quality of life in the state and opportunities with companies like DSI.

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Skin imaging company moves from Arizona to Portsmouth - WMUR Manchester

FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have known for years that obesity can rise cancer risk, but how? Now, new research offers clues to how fat cells encourage tumors.

The issue is an important one, the study author said.

"Obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide, and is now also recognized as one of the major risk factors for cancer, with 16 different types of cancer linked to obesity," explained Cornelia Ulrich, of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

To help prevent the disease, "we urgently need to identify the specific mechanisms that link obesity to cancer," she said.

Prior studies have already outlined several ways fat could play a role in cancer. For example, obesity increases inflammation in the body, which has long been associated with the disease.

Obesity can also affect cancer cell metabolism and undermine the immune system's natural defenses, which may help tumors to grow and spread.

Ulrich's team noted that the link between fat and cancer also hinges on cellular "crosstalk" -- changes in complex chemical signaling within cells. Finding ways to interrupt this "crosstalk" could lead to new ways to help prevent cancer, the researchers theorized.

In the new review, to be published Sept. 5 in Cancer Prevention Research, an international team of researchers looked at data from 20 existing studies. The studies were published over the past seven decades, and each focused on cellular crosstalk between fat cells and malignant tumors.

In several of these studies, certain fat cells -- known as "adipose stromal cells" -- were able to invade cancer lesions and then help spur the growth of tumors. The data also showed that obese people with prostate or breast cancer appeared to have more of these cells than thinner people.

Some types of fat cells are also more "metabolically active," releasing more substances that promote tumor growth, the review found.

Also, fat may be white, brown or beige, Ulrich's team noted. And these different types of fat each behave differently, depending on quantity and location in the body. For example, the review found that white fat tissue is linked with inflammation and worse outcomes for women with breast cancer.

The location of fat in the body also influences how it affects certain types of cancer, the review found. Fat tissue is usually adjacent to colon and rectal cancers, the research team noted, and it is part of the direct environment of breast tumors.

According to the team, future studies might help doctors figure out if it's possible to disrupt the processes that promote the growth of tumors by affecting nearby fat.

"We are just beginning to unravel the ways crosstalk occurs and the substances involved," Ulrich said in a journal news release. "The more we understand this process, the better we can identify targets and strategies for decreasing the burden of obesity-related cancer."

Two experts in obesity agreed that this type of research is important.

"Obesity is going to surpass cigarette smoking as the leading cause of cancer deaths," said Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of obesity surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"The take-home message here is that proper nutrition and maintaining a proper weight is essential for successful preventative health," he said. "Obesity is not inert and impacts virtually every aspect of your body, and not in a positive manner."

Dr. Raymond Lau is an endocrinologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. He said that "there has long been an association between obesity and cancer risk. There is growing evidence that inflammation is the common link between these two disease states, and this review article helps to strengthen this relationship."

The rest is here:
Science Weighs in On How Fat Raises Cancer Risk - Montana Standard

Whole genome sequencing, mapping an individuals DNA profile, is a controversial topic. On one hand, the information obtained could change medical practice through creating a new branch of medicine, preventative medicine and individualized health care. Conversely, much of the information is meaningless as the role of the vast majority of genes is unknown. For this reason, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommend reporting test results for only 59 genes known to be associated with causing disease. Despite this debate, the first two clinical trials evaluating whole genome sequencing in healthy adults were discussed in a recent Science news story.

The first trial was a randomized study involving 100 healthy adults. Participants reported their family medical history to their usual primary-care physician. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 50 randomly selected participants, and five million single nucleotide variants (single base alterations) in 4600 genes were analyzed. The risk of developing polygenic diseases, diseases caused by the combined effects of alterations in multiple genes, was also examined; however, these results were not discussed. In the second unpublished trial, whole exome (protein coding regions) sequencing was performed on 70 healthy adults.

The results of the first trial found at least one alteration associated with disease susceptibility in 11 of the sequenced participants, two of whom manifested clear symptoms. In addition, at least one recessive (single copy) alteration associated with a disease was found in every sequenced individual. Two copies of such alterations are required to cause disease, which has implications for individuals planning a family. Of the 50 sequenced individuals, 34% were referred to a genetic counsellor or had further laboratory tests compared to 16% of non-sequenced participants. Sequenced participants also spent an extra $350 in healthcare costs. Emotional changes, such as anxiety and depression, were not observed in either group six months after the study, and it was noted that many of the participants used the information to make health behavioral changes. Similar results were also found in the second trial: at least one alteration associated with increased risk of disease was detected in 12 (17%) participants.

Although both studies were small and need to be replicated, both suggest that the AMCG reconsider their recommendations regarding the number of disease-associated genes that should be included in routine genetic screening tests. There is no doubt that the information gleaned from this technology will prove valuable to healthcare providers; indeed, some believe that whole genome sequencing should be incorporated into primary care. However, there are fears that this will contribute to escalating medical and insurance costs, which may be justified considering it cost $5000 to obtain one whole-genome sequence in the first trial. There is also a degree of uncertainty surrounding the impact this information has on an individuals psychological, economic and emotional wellbeing. Despite this, the finding that approximately 20% of the population unknowingly carry alterations in disease susceptibility genes certainly adds perspective to the controversy surrounding whole genome sequencing.

Written by Natasha Tetlow, PhD

Cross, R. One in five healthy adults may carry disease-related genetic mutations. Biology Health. 2017. Available at: doi: 10./science.aan7017.

Continue reading here:
Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Actual Disease Risk in Healthy Adults - Medical News Bulletin

More than 116,000 Americans are waiting to receive an organ transplant, and about 20 die each day during the wait. Scientists are eager to find solutions to the organ shortage.

That's why a recent landmark report in the journal Science, which detailed the creation of piglets that could potentially provide organs for human transplants in the future, is being heralded as a real game changer. R esearchers from Harvard University, the biotech company eGenesis and other institutions explained how they used cloning and the gene-editing technology CRISPR to create pigs that may be used for human organ transplants down the lineif further research proves them safe and effective.

The findings have obvious implications for the many people waiting for a transplant. But one of the lead study authors, George Church, a geneticist at Harvard and founder of eGenesis, says the promise of pig organs that are compatible with humans may be even bigger. If pig organs could be engineered to be even healthier and more durable than the average human organwhich Church believes is possiblethey could have a profound effect on human health and longevity, he says.

Pig organ research is still in very early stages, and the researchers, including Church, say they are still years away from fully understanding whether pig organ transplants are even safe.

In this study, Church and his colleagues were able to create piglets free of the viruses that would make them unsuitable for human transplant. Church believes that scientists may be able to take it one step further and engineer pig organs to be free of disease and resistant to cancer and some age-related deterioration. One thing about pig organs that I find even more attractive than just helping the transplantation crisis is that it can be preventive medicine, says Church. People who need an organ transplant who are a high risk for hepatitis B, for example, may benefit from a liver engineered to be resistant to the disease. Cells and organs which are resistant to cancers, pathogens and senescence could be better in a preventative sense than the normal human organs which are being replaced, he says.

They may also be fresher, he says. "Many transplant surgeries are canceled with the patient on the operating table because the replacement organ is a few hours too old.

If the use of pigs as organ donors eventually becomes an approved procedure, Church says it could be possible to keep live pigs on site at a hospital. He believes it may also be possible to engineer their organs to be safely preserved though cryopreservationfreezing tissues for storageor other methods, he says, which could cut down on transplant time.

MORE: The New Transplant Revolution

Church says that pig organs could potentially also be engineered to be better matches for recipients, which may reduce the likelihood that the recipients immune system rejects the organ. Heart valves from pigs have already been successfully transplanted into patients. Organ rejection is currently a serious risk, and people who receive an organ transplant must take potent drugs that suppress their immune system to prevent rejection. But the drugs, which are powerful and taken for a person's entire life, also increase their odds of health problems like infections or heart disease.

Even people who do not need a transplant, but want an elective one, may someday benefit from these porcine organs, Church says, though that is a very long way off. The whole idea that we are not going to enhance anyone, I think, is a fake promise, he says. " It would have to start with augmented or enhanced organs needed to deal with patients in very tough life and death conditions in which 'conventional' organs are likely to fail."

Again, the research is still early. But Church says that clinical trials in humans could start in as soon as two years.

Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at NYU School of Medicine who has studied and written about the ethics of organ transplantation, says he doesnt see a problem with enhanced organs described by Church, instead calling them highly desirable.

It would open the door to use of organs from cancer victims and reduce risk of transmitting viruses, Caplan said in an email response to TIME. I see no downside.

The biggest priority would be to engineer organs that are less likely to be rejected, Caplan adds. The drugs used now to prevent rejection have terrible side effects, but there is no choice. Disease transmission is a real problem, but engineering a 'universal' supply of organs would reduce terrible toll from rejection and cost of drugs.

Before humans are able to use organs from pigs, Caplan says safety studies are required, recipients should be warned about possible risks and experts need to think about who gets priority. It will still likely be several years until physicians are debating these questions, but its clear at least some scientists are considering the possibility.

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Why People May Have Pig Organs Inside Them One Day - TIME

August 25, 2017 -As value-based care emphasizes preventative medicine, healthcare stakeholders aim to address social determinants of health to improve and maintain outcomes. But the lack of appropriate public health funding at federal, state, and local government levels prevents the healthcare system from developing the necessary infrastructure, a recent Health Affairs blogpost stated.

Former ONC National Coordinator Karen DeSalvo, MD, MSc, and Milken Institute School of Public Health professor Jeffery Levi, PhD, explained in the blogpost that out of the $3 trillion spent on healthcare, only about 3 percent goes to public health.

Public health is the natural and historic bridge between the healthcare system and the community both in terms of linking the healthcare system with services and organizations that address health-related social factors and in creating healthy conditions in the community, they wrote. But the sad truth is, the public health infrastructure is struggling to step up to serve as that bridge. Like other parts of our nations infrastructure, it has been chronically underfunded.

The industry experts added that the differential in healthcare versus public health funding may be even greater. Per capita healthcare spending is about $9,990, CMS estimates. But spending on key public health functions is roughly $109 per capita, including $22.66 of federal sources, $31.26 of state sources, and $55 of local sources.

The healthcare versus public health funding gap equates to over a 90-to-1 differential in spending.

DeSalvo and Levi pointed out that the national data does not reflect variations in state and local funding mechanisms for public health, indicating that the differential will rise according to zip code.

Without appropriate funding, government-based public health initiatives are failing to maintain their statutory responsibilities let alone address the rising demand to address social determinants of health through healthcare system partnerships, they stated.

To advance public health infrastructure and initiatives, DeSalvo and Levi offered four financing models that address the core values of public health, such as providing foundational public health services to all regardless of location, granting flexibilities to communities to meet specific health needs, incentivizing partnerships between public and private entities, and ensuring initiatives are data- and evidence-driven.

First, the federal government could create incentives for developing local public health capacity. Under this option, the federal government would match state investments for federal public health programs.

The financing structure mirrors the federal matching method in the Medicaid program, which aims to incentivize states to act as partners in achieving a shared goal.

Second, policymakers could establish value-based reimbursement models. CMS and CDC would collaborate to create and test value-based reimbursement arrangements that support partnerships between public health and healthcare system entities.

Third, the federal government could promote private sector investments in public health by identifying innovation partnerships between public and private organizations.

There is exciting, but nascent, interest in venture capital approaches to advancing population health and public health capacity through pay-for-success models, including the use of social impact bonds, wrote DeSalvo and Levi. The ability of any governmental agency to take on risk is very limited, but through partnerships with foundations there may be ways to demonstrate value for private sector investment in population and public health.

Fourth, policymakers could widen potential public health revenue sources. For example, a portion of health insurance premiums in each state could be reallocated to public health funds at the state and local level.

The federal government could also use revenue generated from a national sugar-sweetened beverage tax to boost public health financing. The tax would also encourage healthier lifestyles.

The industry experts emphasized that potential public health funding solutions may exist. But until policymakers adopt a financing structure to advance public health, successful initiatives may only be examples, rather than national standards.

At the end of the day, we must acknowledge that public health is part of the vital infrastructure of a modern, secure, economically competitive, and just nation, they stated. This means that public health will need robust, durable, and flexible funding to save lives not just in disaster but also every day.

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Scarce Public Health Funds Block Social Determinants of Health Aid - RevCycleIntelligence.com

Much like the Spanish Inquisition busting through my front door, this was completely unexpected. Square Enix talked a big game when they first announced Final Fantasy XV, pledging a steady support of content for the long-gestating latest entry in the core franchise. Why work on a sequel when you could take a pretty decent game and slot in new adventures ad-hoc for it, right?

If you do that full sequel model of expanding on an IP or a series, its good in certain ways. The negative of that is theres a very large open period where youre not releasing anything, director Hajime Tabata still said to Polygon.

Which makes sense, as Final Fantasy XV is plugging itself into the Animus to bring players all manner of Assassins Creed content in a crossover with Ubisofts premiere franchise of back-stabbery. No really, this is actually happening. August 30 will see the city of Lesatalium put on an Assassins Festival as Noctis and co. suit up in the garb of a familiar brotherhood. Heres a trailer to prove that I havent been smoking medical marijuana again. And even if I had, its for my glaucoma. I know I dont have glaucoma but its preventative medicine, okay?

That looks like a pretty decent slice of crossover action, borrowing quite a few familiar mechanics from the popular series. I kind of dig collaborations like this. Ubisoft has yet to mention if their upcoming return to the world of Assassins Creed will have a few Final Fantasy links, but I wouldnt be surprised if a certain stupidly massive sword or some familiar faces pop up as Easter eggs in that game come October 27.

Read Krillin and Piccolo are joining the roster of Dragon Ball FighterZ

A year on, and the future is still looking bright for Final Fantasy XV with an upcoming PC port and Ignis DLC in December thats keeping Square Enixs biggest franchise relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Last Updated: August 25, 2017

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Final Fantasy XV is heading into the Animus with Assassin's Creed DLC - Critical Hit

Prostate cancer may be the most common non-skin cancer in the human race. Most men, if they live long enough, will develop the disease.

And yet, prostate cancer is also extremely unlikely to kill you. After five years, the survival rate is a whopping 98.6 percent. It's a paradox of medicine that we are only beginning to understand.

With prostate cancer treatment prone to significant impact to quality of life, a positive diagnosis for prostate-specific antigen, which is currently the disease's clearest marker, raises a difficult question for doctors: Is it wise to aggressively attack the tumor when treatment may be more dangerous than the disease?

With so much confusion about when to test and when to treat, the latest federal recommendations regarding prostate cancer screening from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are incredibly important. They encourage thoughtful, informed conversations between primary care physicians and their patients in regards to the pros and cons of prostate cancer testing, and correct a dangerous trend of ignoring the disease completely.

Avoiding unnecessary risk

If prostate cancer could be treated without causing harm, every male would get tested regularly. Unfortunately, removal of tumors too often leads to impotence, incontinence and a range of other troubling outcomes, including the rare loss of life.

Because testing can also result in false positives, which can in turn lead to aggressive treatment, many men end up suffering from side effects without ever having been at risk for harm.

To help clarify such complex care situations, the U.S. Public Health Service established the USPSTF in 1984. Composed of experts in preventative medicine, the task force regularly evaluates the pros and cons of a wide range of tests and treatments, not just in cancer.

Based on the high risk of side effects that might damage quality of life, and the low risk of death from the cancer, as far back as 2008 the USPSTF recommended against screening for prostate cancer in men aged 75 or older, and in 2012 even recommended most men not get a PSA test. Sadly, in practice, those recommendations have been interpreted too bluntly.

Prostate cancer is deadly, for some

More than 28,000 Americans die from prostate cancer every year.

As an oncologic urologist, I treat prostate cancer patients daily. For those who have metastatic prostate cancer, where it spreads throughout the body, it is a terrible disease.

Recent studies have shown that since the earlier USPSTF recommendations, the number of patients diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer the ones with advanced disease from day one have started to go up. Tragically, advanced disease is very difficult to cure.

While more data must be gathered, there appears to be an association between the national shift away from prostate cancer screening and a rise in patients diagnosed too late for us to heal them.

Thats why I'm encouraged that the USPSTF has released new draft recommendations, shifting from ruling out screening to advocating for individualized approaches, tailored to each patient, that arise from open conversations between patient and primary-care physician to address all pros and cons.

Those conversations will be important, and that shift towards recognizing the value of monitoring for some patients will encourage insurance companies to cover the test, as some had stopped doing so.

Better knowledge, better care

I regularly use robotic-assisted surgical tools and other techniques to limit side effects from prostate cancer treatment, and work with each patient and our team to develop a cancer plan that heavily weighs quality of life. However, for most prostate cancer patients, careful monitoring is still the best course of action, not treatment.

For those of us in urology, our experiences and a growing data set have convinced us that testing is critical, but the test does not dictate how to proceed. Instead, it informs decisions that also weigh each patient's individual history, genetics and wellbeing.

In the past, oncologists did not understand how to stratify prostate cancer patients according to risk, and we ended up treating too many patients who were never going to have a problem with the disease. Treatments continue to improve, as does the recognition of the critical importance of quality of life for cancer survivors.

All men should have a conversation with their primary care physician and urologist about prostate cancer, and the pros and cons of testing and treatment. With a shift away from urgent cancer removal to monitoring over time, medicine is arriving at a more balanced approach for prostate cancer. The latest USPSTF recommendations are a step in that direction, and a welcome change that, in time, will save lives.

Dr. Ahmad Shabsigh is a board-certified oncologic urologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. In addition to diseases of the prostate, he treats a wide range of urological cancers.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.

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The latest federal guidelines on prostate cancer screenings are important - The Hill (blog)

When it comes toCBD, or cannabis in general, little research has been done on cats and dogs. Are cannabis preparations safe for use in animals? Does marijuana affect pets the same way as humans? Many pet-owners are looking for something to support their animals health, but there is little quality control with respect to the numerous pet-focusedCBDproducts that are available in the medical marijuana sector and the hempCBDgrey market. And there arent many trusted, educated individuals who can provide professional guidance on cannabinoid therapies forpets.

To help pet-owners become better informed about the use of cannabis for their four-legged companions, Sarah Russo of ProjectCBDspoke withGary Richter,DVM, an integrative medicine veterinarian based in Oakland, Calif. Richter considers cannabis to be part of a holistic approach to animal medicine. Due to marijuanas Schedule I status, veterinarians are not allowed to write letters of recommendation for their clients or tell them where to obtain cannabis medicine. But Richter is able to speak about the benefits ofCBDand cannabis therapeutics forpets.

ProjectCBD:Can you tell us about your work? Based on what youve seen in your practice, what types of conditions may cannabis medicine alleviate inpets?

Richter:My practice applies western, complementary, and alternative approaches. That could include acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese and western herbs, nutritional supplementation, and more. Animals can benefit from medical cannabis for many of the same reasons it helps peoplefor pain, seizure control, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety-related issues. Weve also seen positive results withcancer.

ProjectCBD:Why is there a lack of research studies on cannabis in dogs and cats? What areas of cannabinoid medicine in animals would you like to see investigated moredeeply?

Richter:I think ultimately the reason for the lack of therapeutic-oriented research is because cannabis is federally illegal and theres no funding. Generally, its pharmaceutical companies that are putting most of the money into medical research. Once theres a legal pathway and money to be made in veterinary products, that research will happen. I would like to see more general research on the use of cannabis in animals, focusing on some of the ailments that it seems be the most effective forespecially gastrointestinal issues, pain, and inflammation. Many veterinary patients see dramatic effects with cannabis for these ailments. Cancer studies would be a much longer road and more challenging to puttogether.

ProjectCBD:What is your response when veterinarians say: There isnt enough scientific data to show cannabis is safe and effective for treatinganimals.

Richter:In a perfect world, we would benefit from more scientific information. However, the case reports and anecdotal evidence about the efficacy of cannabis medicine are already overwhelming. In veterinary medicine, practitioners typically have no problem using off-label medicationsthose not explicitly approved for use in dogs or cats. But mention medical cannabis, which has a mountain of evidence for efficacy in humans, and they suddenly say, You cant do that, theres been no research on dogs! Itsdisingenuous.

ProjectCBD:Is there a difference between the endocannabinoid system in a dog or a cat as compared to ahuman?

Richter:In the big picture, theyre very similar. One striking difference is there appears to be a greater concentration of cannabinoid receptors in the dogs brain than there are in most other animals. This is significant because it makes dogs more susceptible toTHCoverdose, potentially giving them a certain amount of neurologic impairment in the short-term. This phenomenon is known as static ataxia. Otherwise, when cannabis medicine is used effectively, their endocannabinoid system will act in the same way it would for ahuman.

ProjectCBD:IsTHCcombined withCBDbeneficial for pets? If so, whatCBD:THCratios do you suggest for yourclients?

Richter:It depends on both the condition thats being treated as well as the individual animal. Many people in the cannabis community have heard about theentourage effect. The ratio ofTHCtoCBDis an important part of that. There are conditions that respond better to medicine with a certain amount ofTHCin it. The ratios that I have used include hemp-basedCBDwith very littleTHC, as well asCBD-rich marijuana with a 20:1CBD:THCratio andTHC-dominant medicine with littleCBD. The research suggests that patients with cancer and chronic pain benefit from products that haveCBDandTHC, rather thanCBDalone. It reallydepends.

ProjectCBD:Do you see animals coming into the veterinary hospital after having too muchTHC? How much of a problem isthat?

Richter:Obviously whenever were talking aboutTHCand pets, dosing becomes very important. At no point is the goal for the pet to get stoned. If that happens, then it means theyve gotten too much. The aim is to give them enough cannabis to be effective, but not so much that theyre going to be negatively compromised. It is extremely uncommon to see an animal show negative signs when they have been properly dosed with cannabis as medicine. The worst effect would be drowsiness. If thats that case, the owner may have to decrease the dose. Its not uncommon for a dog, or sometimes a cat, to show up at a veterinary hospital having eaten a cannabis-infused edible that belonged to the owner. The good news is that cannabis toxicity is nonfatal and does not cause long-term effects. However, those animals that get into their owners stash may require immediate medical care. I have seen and heard of a couple of cases where pets did notsurvive.

ProjectCBD:But you just said that cannabis toxicity in nonfatal. Youve seen cases where an animal ate too much cannabis and actuallydied?

Richter:One case that I have personally seen was a dog that got into a bunch of cannabis edibles and the owner didnt bring his dog to the veterinarian immediately. They called us the following day. Unfortunately, the dog had vomited and aspirated while at home, his lungs filled with fluid, and he wound up dying from a systemic infection related to that. To be honest, if this dog had received medical treatment the day he ate cannabis, he almost certainly would have been fine. It was only because the owner waited, and by that time it was too late. It was very sad. But this type of event is really quiterare.

ProjectCBD:Whats your preferred way to administer cannabis medicine toanimals?

Richter:I prefer a liquid preparation, usually an oil. With liquids, its very easy to adjust the dosage. If youre giving something like a pill or an edible, it can be difficult to figure out how to titrate the right amount. Furthermore, theres every reason to believe thatCBDandTHCare going to be partially absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tissues of the mouth, sublingually. If we put a liquid in an animals mouth, some of the medication will be absorbed directly and has a chance to be moreeffective.

ProjectCBD:A lot of people say they want to start giving cannabis orCBDmedicine to their pet, but theyre not quite sure about the right dose. Is there a good way to calculate the ideal amount for youranimal?

Richter:Theres a dosing range that you could start at. Its best to begin at the low end. Every few days, slowly increase the dose. If youve achieved the desired effect for whatever is being treated, then youre probably done. Just like people, animals will develop a tolerance for the psychoactive effects of theTHC. Over time they will be able to take more medicine without any demonstrable side effects. Medical cannabis is not the answer for all pets. Some animals do better on it than others, just likepeople.

ProjectCBD:In general, how knowledgeable are veterinarians about cannabistherapeutics?

Richter:This is a big problemthe lack of education. The California Veterinary Medical Board is very much against the use of medical cannabis for pets. They dont want veterinarians speaking with pet owners about it at all, except to say that it is bad and not to useit.

ProjectCBD:What is the legal status ofCBDas a medicine foranimals?

Richter:Cannabis is federally illegal across the board, includingCBDfrom hemp. Even in California, a trailblazing medical marijuana state, as a veterinarian Im not able to provide people with a medical marijuana recommendation for their pet. Nor am I able to provide them with cannabis products. But I can talk with people about how medical cannabis might benefit their animals. Unless something dramatic changes on the legal front, theres still going to be access problems for people looking to get medicinal cannabis for theirpets.

ProjectCBD:Any words of advice for someone who wants to treat their pet with cannabis orCBD?

Richter:If at all possible talk to a veterinarian. Cannabis is medicine and its dosing should be carefully calculated. Its important to know the concentration ofTHCandCBDin milligrams for ones pet. Once you have that information, you can look for a product that suits your pets needs. When in doubt, err on the side of under-dosing because you can always slowly increase the dose and monitor the effect. And make sure the medicine is free of mold, pesticides, and othercontaminants.

ProjectCBD:There are many hemp-basedCBDproducts on the market for pets. How do you feel about the quality of these products in general? What are your thoughts about hemp-derivedCBD?

Richter:I dont want to disparage hemp-basedCBDproducts because I think they do have a positive medical effect. Many people start with hemp products because of their relative ease of accessibility. But in many cases, we dont know the source of theCBDin these products. I recommend that people do their due diligence as they should with any vitamin or supplement. Call the company and ask where the product is coming from and how its being produced. There is no government oversight to make sure that these companies are selling authentic and safe products. A pet owners only other option is to get a card and go to a medical marijuana dispensary if they want something that may be more effective than hemp-derivedCBD. Ideally, you would look for a product that is organic and produced locally. You want to know how theCBDwas extracted and the full spectrum of cannabinoids that arepresent.

ProjectCBD:Are there any guidelines or recommendations you have for people who want to make their own cannabis preparations for theirpets?

Richter:Thats tricky. You wont know the concentration of cannabinoids in what you make at home, unless you have it analyzed. If you do use your own preparation, start with extremely minute dosing and slowly work your way up. Youd much rather under-dose thanoverdose.

ProjectCBD:Sometimes people who dont have medical complaints like to take cannabis as preventative medicine to maintain good health and well-being. Would you recommend something like that for ananimal?

Richter:Thats an excellent question I have often asked myself. The purpose of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis within the body. Its logical to consider using cannabis as preventative medicine much in the same way that a person would take a multivitamin. If thats the case, I would consider keeping the dosage toward the very low end. We need to see more research on the use of cannabis as preventative medicine in people as well asanimals.

ProjectCBD:Are there any resources for people to educate themselves about cannabis medicine for pets or to find a cannabis friendly veterinarian in theirarea?

Richter:Firstly, I would say talk to your regular veterinarian about cannabis. Even if they cant give you the information, they may know someone in the area that can. Additionally, there is a national organization called the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). It isnt a given that a member of theAHVMAincorporates medical cannabis into their practice, but most people who are open to it are also holistically minded. That would be a good place to find a veterinarian and to begin a conversation. For resources, a colleague of mine and I taught anonline course for Greenflower Media. The class provides a comprehensive description of how medical cannabis works in pets, ways to dose, and how to find a good product. And I have a book coming out later this year. Its calledIntegrative Health Care for Dogs and Cats. It has a whole section on medical cannabis, with dosing guidelines. A colleague of mine, Rob Silver, released a book last year calledMedical Marijuana and Your Pet.

ProjectCBD:Thank you for your time andinformation.

Take-Home Message:If you decide to give your pet cannabis medicine, get informed. The medicine you give your animal should have the same standards for anything you would put in your own body. Make sure the product is safe and tested for cannabinoid content, quality, and is free from any contaminants or additives. Seek guidance from a vet, if at all possible. Start your furry friend off on a low dose of cannabis medicine. And monitor the effects that cannabis has on their experience because, as George Eliot wrote, Animals are such agreeable friendsthey ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

This story was originally published by Project CBD,a California-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting and publicizing research into the medical uses of cannabidiol (CBD) and other components of the cannabis plant.

Continue reading here:
One Vet's Opinion On Marijuana As Medicine For Your Pet - The Fresh Toast

The Trump administration ordered the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to stop studying whether mountaintop removal mining in Central Appalachia poses a health risk to people living nearby.

The U.S. Department of Interiors Office of Surface Mining notified the National Academies in a letter Friday that it is halting the study while it reviews grants of more than $100,000. Regulators permitted the study panel to hold meetings scheduled for this week.

Virginia Tech crop and soil environmental sciences professor Lee Daniels is expected to present research in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday.

Last month, Susan Meacham, a professor of preventative medicine at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg presented findings from yearslong research that compares deaths and diseases in Virginias coalfields with other parts of the state.

The NAS study is serving a very important function in a very balanced and professional process, Meacham said. The NAS committees are highly respected, so we hope they will be able to continue the review and assessment of work currently available on surface mining and human health.

Meacham said listening to other presentations during her July appearance confirmed that there is a dearth of verified research on the effects of coal mining on community health.

A National Academies committee began holding meetings in March and was expected next spring to report on coals impacts on air, water and soil that could lead to health concerns, and to recommend areas of further research.

The committee has been hearing from university researchers and from state and federal regulators.

The Trump administration in May called for slashing tens of billions of dollars from the federal budget, including $122 million from the Interior Department.

The NAS said in a statement that the department cited the budget situation as prompting an agency-wide review of grants of more than $100,000.

The National Academies believes this is an important study and we stand ready to resume it as soon as the Department of the Interior review is completed, William Kearney, executive director, said in a statement. We are grateful to our committee members for their dedication to carrying forward with this study.

Daniels, a professor of crop and soil environmental sciences, is expected to talk with the committee Tuesday . He could not be reached for comment Monday.

The committee is looking at the relationship of surface coal mining with Central Appalachia residents health.

Meachams research initially was funded by the energy industry through the Appalachian Research Initiatives in Environmental Sciences project, which engaged a number of universities to look at different aspects of surface mining. VCOMs research into health differences was a small component.

Meacham said research is limited on the impact of mountaintop removal mining on health.

Her own work has found that deaths and illnesses from most chronic diseases are more prevalent in Virginias southwestern counties. However, that is not enough to say there is a cause and effect.

Rates for most chronic illnesses are higher in southwest Virginia than they are in neighboring counties that are similar geographically, and in other counties that share similar economic difficulties or that are as isolated from the rest of the state.

The environment plays some role in health, but so do other factors such as education, access to doctors, smoking, diet and exercise. She said it is not yet known whether the environment plays a greater role in health in coal-mining counties than elsewhere.

She is continuing to research that as well as look at ways to treat and prevent chronic illnesses in places with high rates.

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Trump administration halts study on coal mining's impact on health - Roanoke Times

Deke Eberhard knew as a teen he probably wouldn't work in the lumber business started by his grandfather.

The childhood cancer survivor, who was born and raised in New Braunfels, had a different career path in mind.

He remembers leaving an appointment at a San Antonio hospital where he learned he had officially beat cancer.

"We're driving home and I said, 'Mom, I want to be a doctor,'" he recalled.

He would spend most of his 20s working toward that goal, and this summer, he joined the DeTar Family Medicine Residency program.

The DeTar Healthcare System program is affiliated with the Texas A&M Health Science Center and welcomed its first class of six in 2016.

This year, 2,000 medical school graduates applied for the three-year residency program in Victoria.

One hundred doctors were interviewed, and six physicians were selected.

During the next three years, the doctors work at the DeTar Family Medicine Center clinic as well as rotate through different specialties.

But a rigorous work schedule isn't new for these doctors, 12 now, several of whom earned master's degrees during medical school.

"It's not an easy road," said Eberhard, 32. "It's a lot of gut checking."

He's not the type to give up and advocates for finding a way to do what you love.

That kind of resolve and focus can be found in the doctors who have made it this far.

Dr. Frances Ebo-Anagor, 48, was born and raised in Nigeria to parents who were teachers.

"Education was a top priority," she said. She earned a bachelor's degree in medical lab sciences but didn't like being stuck in a lab.

Ebo and her husband moved to Toronto, and she went to nursing school.

She started working as an ICU nurse until a job fair drew her to move the family to Texas.

The mother of four worked as a nurse in Houston before going to medical school in the Caribbean, which was more affordable.

Ebo said becoming a doctor was always part of the plan, but after the death of her parents, she became more determined.

Her father died in 2009 because of high blood pressure.

"I was a nurse then, and I thought, 'You know what, I can do more,'" she said.

Her passion now is preventative medicine and treating the geriatric population.

The journey included going back to school and sitting in classes with students who were half her age.

But despite the challenges, she loves being a family medicine doctor.

She recently saw a patient in her late 70s who really didn't need another prescription. She was lonely and just wanted someone to listen and help her find ways to make friends.

"I have to be able to connect with them," she said. "You have to be really patient."

William R. Blanchard, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, said the doctors in the program have expanded patient access to care during the past two years.

As part of the Region 5 Texas 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver, DeTar established the residency program to bring primary care physicians to an underserved area.

Blanchard said his goal is to continue the family medicine residency and add more residency programs in the future.

"We're extremely pleased with the quality of the physicians we've been able to supply the community through this residency and other recruitment efforts," he said.

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Family medicine residents worked their way to Victoria - Victoria Advocate

Will McDonald's stay or go at Navicent Health?

Chelsea Beimfohr, WMAZ 11:12 PM. EDT August 21, 2017

After a physicians group urged Navicent Health to consider breaking their lease with McDonald's, a Navicent rep says they are "considering all of their options."

Earlier this month, a registered dietician with The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine wrote a letter to the Macon-Bibb County Health Department, urging them to cut ties with fast food restaurants inside the hospital.

Monday night, PCRM attorney Leslie Rudloff presented the letter to the Bibb County Board of Health at a public meeting.

"If McDonald's did leave that space, we're asking that you consider replacing it with healthier options," says Rudloff. "We focus on preventative medicine through a plant based diet."

The group wants Navicent to break their lease with McDonald's, and promote a fast food-free hospital.

Anita Barkin, with the Department of Public Health, says the letter from PCRM asked the them to put a public statement on their website indicating that they are not in support of the McDonalds.

"It's really not within our jurisdiction to tell Navicent what type of food they should be offering at the Medical Center," says Barkin.

Barkin recommended to the Board of Health that the health department talk to Navicent about having more healthy options inside the hospital.

Board members didn't vote on the issue Monday night, because there weren't enough members present to vote.

But Tim Slocum with Navicent Health says the medical center is looking forward to having that conversation.

"We're all concerned with improving the health of our community, and certainly diet is one of those, so we're considering all of our options at this point," says Slocum.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine was founded in 1985 and claims 150,000 members worldwide.

According to The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's website, their top priorities include ending the use of animals for medical testing, but they also work to promote healthy diets and lifestyles.

2017 WMAZ-TV

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Will Navicent McDonalds stay or go? | 13wmaz.com - 13WMAZ

I had to fight for my own health and fired many doctors

Conventional medicine refers to the health care system in which medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or therapists treat symptoms using drugs, radiation, or surgery. Alternative or complementary medicine, on the other hand, references medical treatments that are not considered orthodox by general medicine, such as herbalism, homeopathy, or acupuncture.

Complementary medicine techniques are the future of medicine at this point as more insurance companies are recognizing the values of preventative medicine, said Anne Williams, physical therapy specialist at Mountainside Physical Therapy and one of many local practitioners in a brisk, thriving alternative medicine community.

Williams believes the biggest problem with traditional medicine is that doctors are under so much stress to see so many patients that some they care for fail to receive the attention they need. This phenomenon may eventually cause a turn toward alternative medicine. Indeed, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that around 38 percent of adults (4 in 10) use some form of alternative medicine.

You have to evaluate the whole person, and that doesnt get done in a regular medicine system, she continued. I always see my patients as an individual puzzle. I try to fix that puzzle.

At Mountainside, Williams makes it her mission to focus on total health and healing, focusing on only one patient per hour, and she espouses a variety of therapy techniques.

Williams practices manual physical therapy, a special type of physical therapy delivered with the hands not a device or machine, as is done in many physical therapy practices. Williams says this technique physically alters patients abilities to perform an exercise or stretch a specific body part. In addition, she often welcomes into her practice those who offer Pilates, dance, aquatics, animal-assisted healing, art healing or nutrition classes to her clients.

Molly Peterson of Heritage Hollow Farms turned to alternative practitioners and doctors outside of her insurance network in her own struggle for wellness.

I had to fight for my own health and fired many doctors, she said. I had to self-research and be fiercely determined to be heard. Most of my health need answers came from beyond traditional medicine and was all out of pocket.

Peterson, who has turned to doctors in Illinois and Arizona as well as local herbalists like Teresa Boardwine of Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine, says that alternative medicine provides an opportunity for patients to be seen and heard, as well as giving them another route for healing when general medicine fails to provide the answers. At her first consultation with Boardwine, she spent nearly two and a half hours talking about her health history. Teresa knew that all of that matters, Peterson says. Im not saying that general practitioners dont care, because they do. But thinking beyond the norm when you only have seven and a half minutes [with a patient] is hard.

Boardwine, who has owned her business for around 23 years, says herbalism, the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, is accessible, grounded in the wisdom of the ages, and that traditional medicine can leave one lacking in wellness. Most people in the world turn to whats outside their door first not pharmaceuticals.

Boardwine says clients seek her out for assistance with a variety of self-diagnosed issues, including menopausal balancing, nervous system issues, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and autoimmune conditions.

Boardwine believes that the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the rural, agricultural lifestyle of Rappahannock County causes people to seek green ways of living and a holistic approach to healing. It has to be the willingness of an individual to go down that road [of herbalism], Boardwine explains. Clients seek me out because they want to not be overpowered by medication, and they want balance and nourishment.

Boardwine conducts both consultations with patients and hosts many different classes and programs to educate the community about the health benefits of herbs. Her students have included the likes of Colleen OBryant, who now sells her own herb-based products in Sperryvilles Wild Roots Apothecary, and Kathy Edwards, who focuses on naturopathic, or nutrition-based medicine, at her business located in Hearthstone School, Healing With Love and Nature.

Edwards first became interested in nutritional medicine after working at a health foods store and becoming certified by the American Naturopathic Medical Association. She, too, loves to help educate and empower people to take responsibility for their own health.

Holistic healing is not just about the physical. Its about body, mind, and spirit, Edwards explains.

In addition to helping her clients tailor their diets to their own particular medical needs, Edwards has also taught programs on raw food and practiced applied kinesiology, muscle response testing, and Reiki, an energy-based technique for stress reduction performed by laying the hands on or above the patient.

Edwards counsels her clients to eat organic: I always tell my clients to eat as close to nature as they can, she says.

Edwards also believes that people in Rappahannock may be more open to alternatives due to the environment surrounding the region. Its a very progressive area that is into gardening and health and is connected to nature. Its a wonderful community thats open to alternatives.

Cara Cutro, who owns Abracadabra Massage & Wellness in Sperryville, corroborated Edwards thoughts and lamented modern medicines disconnect with the spiritual part of each and every person. Clients come back to me because they get relaxed and connected to themselves [during their massage]. I would call that feeling of connection to life spirituality, and I bring that spirituality to clients through touch.

Teaching tarot card reading classes, specializing in energy healing, and administering massages that incorporate herbalism, Cutro says the concept of spirituality in medicine often gets a bad rap. However, she encourages her clients not to have contempt prior to investigation and to be open to alternative therapies that could bring them healing.

Cutro and many others are witness to the successes of alternative medicine: increased relaxation and self-knowledge of ones own health conditions. Moving forward, it may be a combination of both alternative and general medicine techniques that address the health needs of our community.

Do fight for your health. Do listen to your gut feelings. Do be OK with walking [away] from a doctor who doesnt hear you, see you, Peterson urges.

Williams hopes that all of us doctors, patients, and alternative practitioners and the like can capitalize upon Rappahannocks strong foundations in alternative medicine to fulfill her ultimate vision for the patient recovery process, prescribing: I dream of a community involved place where people could volunteer their time and efforts. Community involvement is important in the rehabilitative process, and people could benefit from rehabilitating others. There needs to be one central place where you can get your body cared for.

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Alternative medicine: An opportunity for patients to be seen and heard - Rappahannock News

Names and faces

Shari Risken has joined Opportunity Bank of Montana as executive assistant to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief risk officer. Shari has an executive assistant degree and more than 35 years of experience with an extensive background providing administrative, technical and analytical services in a wide variety of industries. Her job history includes serving in an executive level administrative position for Shodair Childrens Hospital, Providence Health Care Spokane and Washington Trust Bank.

Ruth Mollet, FNP has joined the gastroenterology department at St. Peters Medical Group North. Prior to this position, Mollet was a Same Day Nurse at St. Peters Hospital. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), with a Family Nurse Practitioner Emphasis, from Devry University, Chamberlain College of Nursing in Chicago. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing, Joint B.S. degree with Eastern Washington University, in Spokane, Wash.

She is a board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Christopher Lindsay, M.D., has joined the radiology department at St. Peters Hospital. Lindsay earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Creighton University School of Medicine, in Omaha, Neb. He completed his fellowship in body imaging with the Henry Ford Health System and his residency in diagnostic radiology from Wayne State Universitys Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Mich. He obtained his bachelor of arts, graduating maxima cum laude, in biology, from Carroll College.

Lindsay is a certified Magnetic Resonance Medical Director from the American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety (ABMRS). He is also a member of the Radiological Society of North America, the American Roentgen Ray Society, and the American College of Radiology.

Prior to joining St. Peters Hospital, Lindsay was the chief of radiology/radiation oncology section and staff radiologist with St. James Healthcare, in Butte. He also served as a staff radiologist with Montana Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology Specialists, PLLC with the VA Montana Healthcare System in Fort Harrison.

Lindsay is originally from Clancy, and a graduate of Jefferson High School.

Helena native, Dillon Ewals has joined Better Body Fitness as the companys operations director. Ewals will focus on creating a consistent customer experience, as well as streamlining day-to-day operations. His professional experience includes retail store management, sales and account management throughout the U.S.

Mikael Bedell, M.D., has joined St. Peters Medical Group North Clinic. His primary focus is comprehensive outpatient and inpatient family medicine.

Bedell earned his Doctor of Medicine at the Albany Medical College in Albany, N.Y. He received his residency at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, where he served as chief resident in 1998. He received his bachelor of science, cum laude in animal sciences bioscience and technology from the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, N.H.

He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). He serves as a clinical instructor for the Albany Medical College, Department of Family and Community Medicine; the University of Washington, Department of Family Medicine; and as an adjunct faculty for the University of Utah, Department of Family and Preventative Medicine.

Prior to joining St. Peters Hospital, Bedell was a staff physician at the Cascade Medical Center in Cascade, Idaho, where he served as medical director and also on the board of trustees.

Becky Schlauch is the new administrator for the Montana Department of Revenue Liquor Control Division. Schlauch has been in state government for more than seven years, previously working as business and financial services division administrator at the Department of Public Health and Human Services. She also worked for several newspapers in accounting, including as controller for the Helena Independent Record. Schlauch grew up in Circle and earned a bachelors degree in business administration and master of business administration degree from the University of Montana.

Montana Department of Revenue contracts officer Brett Boutin becomes one of just two certified public procurement officers in the state of Montana, after earning his Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) credential. As contracts officer, Boutin manages department contracts to ensure effective and efficient use of public funds. Boutin has a 25-year career in state government.

Doney Crowley P.C. has announced the promotion of Jack Connors to senior associate attorney.

Connors holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Montana State University and a Juris Doctorate degree with honors from the University of Montana School of Law. Before attending law school, Connors owned and operated a construction company that specialized in building high-end homes in the Big Sky area. His law practice focuses on construction disputes, real property litigation and water law.

Connors works at the firms Helena office, and he can be contacted at either jconnors@doneylaw.com or 443-2211.

News and notes

Montana producers eligible for hay lottery

Producers in Montana affected by drought and fire are now eligible to participate in the first ever hay lottery. Ag Community Relief, is organizing a large-scale hay donation convoy to North Dakota to aid producers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. The first convoy of hay will be delivered in mid-August but more deliveries could arrive as the group continues to fundraise and seek donations and volunteers. The donated hay will be delivered to North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, N.D. Any other individuals or organizations willing to donate hay or trucking for the hay lottery should call the North Dakota Department of Agricultures Drought Hotline at 701-425-8454.

Livestock producers interested in applying for the hay lottery must submit an application at https://www.nd.gov/ndda/montana-hay-lottery. Each state has its own lottery, although North Dakota will administer the applications. Eligible producers must be from a D2, D3 or D4 or fire-affected county and own at least 25 animal unit equivalents of state-specific livestock. Eligible livestock and a description of animal unit equivalents may be found directly on each states application. The latest drought monitor depicting the drought levels of specific counties may be found at http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/.

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2017.

The hay will be distributed in semi-load lots with the first drawing in early September. If additional donations are taken in after that date, more drawings will occur. Producers that are selected will be responsible for arranging hay transportation from the NDSU site.

Questions about filling out the hay lottery application may be directed to 701-328-4764.

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OBrien leaving tourism alliance

The Helena Tourism Alliance/Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)/Visit Helena Montana announces the resignation of executive director, Heidi OBrien. OBrien has been with the Tourism Business Improvement District since 2010 and was the organizations first employee. OBrien is moving on to a position with AAA Mountain West. Her last day with the TBID is Aug. 16.

Anna Strange, the current TBID programs coordinator, will help maintain office operations and Jennifer Davis will continue with her role as community outreach director. A nationwide search for a new executive director will be announced in the near future.

The Visitor Information Center located at 105 Reeders Alley will continue operation of normal hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of August.

DOR certifies property taxable values

The Montana Department of Revenue has announced it has completed its annual requirement to certify taxable values of property in the states 56 counties. This year, department offices in all 56 counties certified the values before or on the Aug. 7 deadline.

Under state law, the departments property assessment offices are responsible for providing the total taxable value of property to each taxing jurisdiction by the first Monday in August. The certified values include mobile homes, personal property business equipment, real property, and centrally assessed properties.

The 2017 certified taxable values for each county taxing jurisdiction are available at property.mt.gov.

Local governments establish their budgets and set their mill levies for property tax calculations and collections based on the certified taxable values provided to each taxing jurisdiction.

Property tax collections are the primary revenue source for local governments to provide public services such as police and fire protection, schools, roads and bridges, and public health and safety.

Guidelines

The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred). Email your information to irstaff@helenair.com.

There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday.

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Business Briefcase published 08-13-17 - Helena Independent Record