Don’t Give Up on Haiti

These are trying times - wars overseas and terrorist threats at home, a miserable economy, a health care system in crisis and Washington politicians behaving with more pettiness and self-interest than squabbling two year olds – well, it’s just plain disheartening.

This week a patient of mine lumped Haiti’s problems in along with all those others I just mentioned but I begged to differ. Haiti is neither a governmental nor political problem – it is a humanitarian one. It is not our governments’ problem to solve, it is our own as individuals. We can save Haiti by not giving up on her. Read this post to see how.

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Help Haiti and Help Yourself – Make a Long Term Commitment

The devastating natural disaster in Haiti has gripped our hearts and minds. Many are suffering without water and food while suffering injuries and the loss of family, loved ones and shelter from the elements. Those people’s circumstances are utterly unimaginable. Please donate money NOW and plan to keep on giving in the future.

Recovery will not be quick. Read this post to help you think through how this disaster can help you help others and help you help yourself.

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Organizing NPs and NP Organizations

NP World News is the official news publication of nurse practitioners. Its contributors and columnists are thought leaders in the NP profession.

This is the fifth and final column I will write for NPWN this year on subject of NP practice, health and health care reform.

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Top Ten Holiday Gifts for Good Health

Here are Maverick Health’s top ten holiday gifts for good health. Too often the holidays end up in a tailspin of bad health choices. We overeat and gain 5 lbs that we never seem to lose, we feel stressed and we spend more than we planned on gifts that aren’t always appreciated or good for those to whom we give them. But this year things can be different. I’ve looked for some healthy gift ideas for your friends and loved ones that say “I care about you and your health”. Check them out.

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Mammogram Recommendation – What to Do Now?

Last week the U.S. Preventive Task Force Services (USPTF) recommended that screening mammograms were no longer routinely required for women in their 40s and that self-breast exam is no longer advised. What!? Is this just cost-cutting or is this good medicine? Read this post to learn more.

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How to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

I have an idea about how to lower prescription drug costs and save millions (if not billions) of wasted dollars.

I know how to decrease confusion and eliminate much of the unnecessary anxiety related to prescription drugs. And I know how to decrease the cost of prescription drugs for individuals. How?

Pass a law to make it illegal for drug companies to advertise directly to consumers. Read on see why this is good idea.

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NP World News: Why NPs Should Reach out to the Media

NP World News is the official news publication of nurse practitioners. Its contributors and columnists are thought leaders in the NP profession.

This is the fourth of 5 columns I will write for NPWN this year on subject of NP practice, health and health care reform.

Click “Read Full Post” if you would like to leave a comment.

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Texting While Driving is a Serious Health Risk - Duh!

I know, it’s not you - it’s the other guy. I want to talk about a serous health risk that more than 80 % of us admit to engaging in – texting while driving or talking on a cell phone while driving.

How much faith to you have in yourself as a driver? And how much faith do you have in other drivers? I’m betting you believe you are more competent than most of the drivers with whom you share the road. Be honest, am I right? I think its human nature to find ourselves more competent than everyone else on the road, but when I scrutinize that belief it’s just doesn’t hold up.

Please read this post and get real for a minute about the dangers of texting while driving an automobile or using a cell phone when you are behind the wheel.

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Swine Flu Symptoms and When You Need Tamiflu

The swine flu (AKA H1N1) has gotten our attention. At my practice we are getting getting calls from patients asking about the symptoms and for prescriptions for Tamiflu to have at home “just in case”.

In this post I want to explain the symptoms of swine flu and when you do and do not need Tamiflu (oseltamivir) – or the other anti-viral medication, Relenza (zanamivir). Also, I want to give you a link to good information sources about swine flu. There is a lot of hype out there and as this is a story that is still being written, so I want you to have reliable sources for the best information.

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Nurse “Edge Runners” Honored by Maverick Health

The Edge Runner program is a part of the Raise the Voice initiative funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and directed by the American Academy of Nursing. It recognizes nursing professionals who are finding new ways to improve and promote the health of patients.

It hasn’t gotten nearly the media play it should, nor have these Edge Runners had as much recognition as they deserve. To honor their achievements Maverick Health is inducting them into its Hall of Fame.

Read on to learn how these innovative nursing professionals are delivering health care that rocks!

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