Women in medicine — both past and present-day pioneers — charter new territory, drive boundless innovation and inspire thousands of futurists to further advance a lasting legacy. From Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, to the first mother to give birth to a baby born from a living donor uterine transplant in the U.S., … Continue reading 11 powerful stories from women who inspire us for the better
Adjusting to life after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is daunting, challenging and life-changing. A TBI affects all areas of a person’s life, from your physical and mental health to your relationships and career. Adjusting after this life-altering event can seem overwhelming. Through my work, I have helped many individuals living with brain injury return … Continue reading How an education-based support group helps traumatic brain injury survivors thrive
More than 26 million Americans are all too familiar with the feeling of “breathing through a straw” — or in other words, an asthma attack. A patient of mine named Scott described it this way after being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma: “Breathing is one of many things we take for granted. It’s something we don’t … Continue reading How to take control of your asthma with the “Rules of Two” paradigm
Motivated by her own experiences with poverty, one registered nurse followed her calling and took her skills overseas on a medical mission trip to serve some of the poorest and least fortunate families in west Africa. Jacqueline Gallegos, RN, spent the holiday season far away from her family and instead, surrounded by strangers in a … Continue reading Reflections on the medical mission trip that changed my life and nursing career
When we consider the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, the numbers are sobering. Here’s a quick snapshot of Type 2 diabetes in America: 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes every year (90 percent of all diagnoses are Type 2 diabetes) Between 1990 and 2010, the number of Americans with diabetes more than tripled … Continue reading Breakthroughs in the fight against Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
In an age where we are encouraged to “live in the moment,” it may be hard to think about your future health, especially when you already feel healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 75 percent of yearly deaths in the U.S. are the result of chronic diseases such as heart disease, … Continue reading Why you need primary care in every stage of life
Wearable devices and smartwatches have many practical uses, but did you know they can help detect heart problems lurking beneath the surface? 75-year-old Elizabeth Turner loves gadgets — a love that may have saved her life. Her daily workouts include weights and circuit training, yoga, Zumba and playing golf with her husband, all of which … Continue reading How this woman’s smartwatch detected her hidden heart arrhythmia
Aortic stenosis has an ominous ring to it, and for good reason. Constricting the body’s most vital artery can diminish your life — and shorten it. But there are more options than ever to relieve the stress on your heart from working overtime to keep your blood pumping. What is aortic stenosis? First, let’s define … Continue reading Aortic stenosis: How it feels when your heart is working overtime
In times of heartache or confusion, empathy can make the difference. I experienced this firsthand when my father was days away from dying. My mother, with great feeling, spoke to my dad’s doctor about how she believed wholeheartedly my dad was going to be healed and come back home with her. The doctor could have … Continue reading Why empathy matters in healthcare
As Ben Franklin said many moons ago, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When we talk about chronic diseases and cancer, prevention is paramount. We’d much rather prevent on the front end than have to cure. But what does it look like to take an active role in your preventive care? … Continue reading 3 essential questions to ask your doctor at your next visit
