As a U.S. health care writer and patient advocate for almost 30 years, I read a lot. Recently, some of that reading is in court transcripts of doctors being persecuted out of medicine or into jail by various prosecutors and their hired “experts….
Category: Conditions
How seniors can reverse muscle loss and belly fat
As a retired physician, I notice many seniors become skinny and weak due to muscle loss yet have big bellies as fat accumulates. They are less strong, less vibrant, and prone to falls and chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive de…
What medicine never taught me about parenting a child with ADHD
Once again, I found myself balled up on the kitchen floor, head between my knees, sobbing. My shoulders shook, and my chest heaved as I gasped for air, but air wouldn’t be enough. What I was truly gasping for was hope, something that had eluded m…
Has COVID-19 changed the way oncologists talk about cancer?
War metaphors in oncology are controversial, to say the least. For some patients with cancer, the idea that they are “cancer warriors” in a “battle” with their disease is inspiring. Using such language gives them a sense of agen…
When technology merges with humanity
An excerpt from Nephilim. “Those eggs really hit the spot, right?” “I’d love some more,” he answered. “Sure,” Zdenek responded. “One or two?” “How many do we have?” Before long, James had wolfed dow…
How health systems can combat a $3B+ patient retention issue
In today’s health care ecosystem, patient retention has become a $3 billion dollar issue for health systems, with patient leakage (also known as patient keepage) at its core. Despite efforts to keep patients within their networks, a significant p…
The heartbreaking reality of smoking: a daughter’s final goodbye
Fred was the cool guy. Back in the 1950s and 60s, smoking cigarettes was considered movie star quality. That circling of smoke in his parked car with the girl of his dreams. He started smoking at the tender age of 15. Fred had it figured out. Cigarette…
How parental preferences and evidence-based practices intersect to achieve success in intervention programs
With more than 15 years of experience as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and clinician working with children and teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents, I have seen first-hand how parent involvement is the key to success …
Should transgender athletes compete in women’s sports?
Watching the 2024 Paris Olympics reminded me of my intense love for sports. It is the nobility, beauty, strength, agility, and fairness that attract me and the audience. Performances by Simone Biles, with her majesty and strength, to Katie Ledecky̵…
From anaphylaxis to food allergy freedom: a family’s journey down under
My daughter Amelia’s first bottle of formula was a turning point. The innocent act triggered a terrifying anaphylaxis that catapulted us into a world of food allergies. As a young mother, the diagnosis was a gut-wrenching blow. Every food label b…
