“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou Since my teenage years, I have been watching Bollywood movies of all sorts. Maybe people from the subcontinent like them because no one can relate to …
Category: Conditions
Caring at a cost: workplace violence and my exit from nursing
In 2013, I graduated with a BSN, drawn to nursing by a love for science and a passion for helping others. The promise of good pay, job security, and growth opportunities was a marketing pitch so convincing I never thought to question it. Before my firs…
Prostate cancer privacy vs. public right to know: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s dilemma
First, a disclaimer. I do not know Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and I am not involved in his medical care. As an academic infectious disease physician, I am ignorant of the internecine hierarchy of the Defense Department. However, I listen to the…
Chicken farming undergoes a radical shift: the rise of cell-cultivated meat
Following in his father’s footsteps, my son is a third-year medical student and by the time he completes his training, cell-cultivated chicken meat may be replacing meat from slaughtered birds. My home state of Alabama is one of the top chicken-p…
Medical aid in dying: time for evidence-based legislation
Medical aid in dying (MAID) is poised to be one of the hottest political health care issues of 2024. As in 2023, more than a dozen states will hold both impassioned hearings in legislative chambers and equally fervent debates in the community. Already,…
The body positivity movement: Has it become toxic?
Delving into the topic of the body positivity movement requires the unpacking of many other issues facing society today. This topic cannot be looked at in a vacuum. We live in an era where diversity and inclusion have become core values in many aspects…
The “Ozempic body” phenomenon
In a serendipitous encounter, I crossed paths with an old schoolmate of mine whimsically dubbed Fluffy Carol during our shared medical residency. Famous for her arresting charm and infectious smile, she was, in many ways, the life of the party if we ev…
A revolutionary new understanding of the mind/body connection
There is a widespread belief that the emotional distress we feel causes or contributes to many common medical conditions. However, decades of mind/body research performed by research psychologists who strongly believed this failed to confirm these beli…
How comprehensive data documentation holds the power to transform maternal mortality rates
The United States is a global medical care leader in many aspects, including the development of new pharmaceuticals, acute stroke care, and cancer screening. Yet, despite our advances and wealth, we lead peer nations in maternal mortality and morbidity…
Being defensive: Evolutionary healthy or modernly inconvenient?
In the world of medicine, we often encounter the term “defensive” used in various contexts – from patient interactions to professional evaluations. However, it’s crucial to reevaluate our understanding of this term and its implication…
