United States
From cardiology to integrative health, I get it, and I can write it. I'm an industry veteran with 20+ years' experience in the medical field. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a BA in Journalism, I worked as a PR specialist at hospitals in Arkansas and Tennessee before setting out as an independent journalist 16 years ago. I'm especially passionate about wellness/preventative care, women's health and aging wisely. Let me put my in-depth knowledge of an increasingly complex industry to work for your organization.
By MELANIE KILGORE-HILL Pharmacogenomics is a game changer in the field of precision medicine, and now patients and providers in Arkansas are reaping the life-changing benefits of the study between DNA and drug response.
Ryan Mire, MD, FACP, is a respected leader in Nashville's healthcare community, and now he is stepping up to represent physicians on a global level. In May, the Heritage Medical Associates internist was named president-elect of the American College of Physicians, representing internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists and medical students.
Dixon Blends Best of Chiropractic & Therapeutic Modalities An evolution in traditional healthcare - ushered in by a nationwide opioid crisis - means patients and providers alike are turning to alternative methods for pain relief. Andy Dixon, DC, owner and chiropractor at Dixon Center for Integrative Health Care, said he's seen a dramatic shift in ideals since the clinic's founding in 1986.
Workforce development a key to success. Sammie Cribbs, MSN, AGCNS-BC, APRN is taking nursing to new heights at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center. The recently appointed president of Harrison's flagship hospital joined NARMC as a PRN nurse 15 years ago and hasn't looked back.
NPs soon eligible for Independent Practice under Arkansas Act 412 Nurse practitioners are critical in today's healthcare landscape, filling gaps created by a nationwide physician shortage and global pandemic. Today, the state's 4,000-plus nursing professionals are one step closer to independent practice thanks to Act 412, which can grant full practice authority to certified nurse practitioners.
Orthopaedic Surgeons Weigh in on Issues Impacting Athletes Sports medicine is a new ballgame in 2020, with orthopaedic surgeons feeling the pull of quickly evolving athletic protocols, courtesy of a global pandemic. Throw in a nationwide opioid crisis, and today's providers are wearing extra hats as counselors and coaches while guiding athletes through an unchartered era.
VUMC's William Fissell Tackling First Bioartificial Kidney The path to nephrology was far from traditional for William H. Fissell, IV, MD, associate professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and medical director for The Kidney Project, a national research initiative with a goal to create a small, surgically implantable, free-standing bioartificial kidney to treat end stage renal disease.
State leaders discuss local impact of proposed Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act In August, US Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) joined government and healthcare leaders from across the state to address the nationwide shortage of physician residency positions, and how The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 can help.
Experts Discuss Challenges of Treating Addiction amid a Global Pandemic Addiction is a lifelong battle, and it's one more Americans are fighting than ever before. For those addicted, or struggling to stay clean, COVID-19 has created a downward spiral shaped by cancelled 12-step meetings and accountability programs, virtually removing support for a population that relies on face-to-face connection to stay clean.
VUMC Leading in Research, Patient Advocacy More than 24 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases: a collection of 80-plus diagnoses, most with no cure. Kevin Byram, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology & Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), said that as autoimmune diseases become more prevalent, it's more important than ever for providers to collaborate with specialists and listen closely to patient concerns.
Nashville Public Health Welcomes New Chief Editor's Note: With a public health focus in April, we were excited the timing lined up so nicely to 'introduce' Dr. Michael Caldwell, already known to many area colleagues, to the larger healthcare community.
Nashville Non-Profit Funding Therapy, Training for Trauma Survivors TENNACITY founder Thomas Stephenson never envisioned running a foundation for trauma patients. The Nashville non-profit launched in 2018 to facilitate access to hands-on physical therapy and strength training for survivors who lack financial resources or access to pay for services out-of-pocket.
Hit any gym and you're bound to see a myriad of colorful fitness trackers clocking steps, heart rates, and, once home, sleep. In fact, the global wearable fitness tracker market is projected to hit an estimated $5.4 billion by 2019.
Visit any hospital in the US and you'll find that electronic health records have virtually eliminated the dusty, overstuffed file folders once lining office shelves. While some patients are comfortable with this change and don't think twice about sharing personal medical data, others are uneasy about the accessibility - legal or otherwise - of such sensitive information.
Babu Helps Rebuild Saint Thomas Heart Transplant Program A love of tinkering can set a curious mind on an unexpected path. Such was the case for Ashok Babu, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical director of the Saint Thomas Health heart transplant program.
Leaders Collaborating on Statewide Best Practices In 2015, Tennessee had the tenth highest drug overdose mortality rate in the United States, most of which was due to prescription drugs. In fact, opioid abuse kills more Tennesseans each year than homicides or motor vehicle accidents.