All of us are aware of what has been termed our “obesity epidemic.” The current prevalence of obesity among adults in the U.S. is around 40 percent, a dramatic increase over the past 50 years; it was about 15 percent in 1970. Rates are also increasing …
Year 2000. I’m sitting in a semi-fancy hotel ballroom near LAX along with several hundred slightly edgy emergency physicians. We’re all awaiting the start of our ABEM written re-certification examination. This was in the old-school days of live exams. …
There was outrage over the sudden rise in the price of the EpiPen. But the rise in many other pharmaceutical prices gets less attention but is just as concerning. It can be easy to forget issues like this until they affect us personally. My two encount…
I went to a bar last night — and I looked good: red coat, black dress, knee-high suede boots. I was feeling pretty good. I met my best friend at this bar — he lives elsewhere now — but this is his favorite spot in the world. Like No…
I went to a bar last night — and I looked good: red coat, black dress, knee-high suede boots. I was feeling pretty good. I met my best friend at this bar — he lives elsewhere now — but this is his favorite spot in the world. Like No…
We live in an era where plastic surgery is routine. Indeed, in many parts of the country, plastic surgery is an expected rite of passage. Years ago, facelifts and “tummy tucks” were done on those in middle age who were trying to experie…
The night I almost swallowed a bottle of Percocet post-call in residency is still clear in my mind, as is the hours leading up to it; the thoughts going through my head, the swirl of emotions seemingly pulling me like an ocean undertow. I can only att…
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing famous television and film actress, Claudia Christian. She has played significant roles in many notable movies and shows, including lead roles in the long-running sci-fi series Babylon 5 and the Disney film, …
I think I’m finally burned out. And it’s been a long time coming. It likely started when my private physician-owned emergency group got bought out by one of the big corporate groups. The changes were small at first. Turning us into hourly paid employee…
In medicine, contrary to common belief, it is not usually enough to know the diagnosis and its best treatment or procedure. Guidelines, checklists, and protocols only go so far when you are treating real people with diverse constitutions for multiple p…
