Are Pink Ribbons and Dresses Enough to Save Us?
Dear friends, For 40 years now, October has meant pink everything, from ribbons to football cleats to grocery store displays. And while I appreciate the power of awareness campaigns, I’ve been thinking: have we let the message about breast cancer get too comfortable? Awareness is where the conversation starts, but action is what saves lives. […]
Don’t Suffer in Silence, Break the Pain Code
Dear friends, Let’s talk about something most of us deal with but don’t always talk about: pain. I don’t mean the kind that fades after a stubbed toe, paper cut, or even an occasional headache. It’s the kind that lingers and disrupts your workday, your mood, your relationships, and your ability to simply enjoy life. […]
Back-to-School Basics Every Family Needs
Dear friends, Before August hits, like clockwork are the commercials for backpacks on sale, school supplies in every aisle, and kids everywhere groaning like summer break just got canceled forever. Whether you’ve got toddlers starting preschool or teens who suddenly grew six inches over the summer, one thing is certain: back-to-school season is the perfect […]
Good Sleep Is Good Medicine
Dear friends, If there were a prescription that could improve your memory, help regulate your blood pressure, boost your mood, keep your immune system strong, and even slow the aging process, wouldn’t you take it? Well, that miracle medicine already exists. It’s called sleep. Give yourself permission to rest. In a world that constantly pushes […]
Let’s Talk Men’s Health
Dear friends, Ladies, let’s talk. In your household, you’re probably the appointment-makers, the gentle nudgers, and the health whisperers when it comes to healthcare for your family. You’ve likely done it all at one point or another: scheduled your dad’s colonoscopy, convinced your husband to get that blood pressure checked, and made sure your teenage […]
Grief: A Personal Reflection on Managing Mental Health
Dear friends, I recently experienced something that every single soul on this planet has or will eventually go through. I lost my Mom. Grief impacts the body as well as the mind. When possible, focus on getting restful sleep, more movement, and staying hydrated. These small, but powerful acts of self-care can support healing from […]
To Improve Medical Outcomes, Value Cultural Competency
Dear friends, Have you ever felt like your doctor just didn’t get you? Like they were treating your condition, but not seeing you? Early in my career I met a young woman living with sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes small clumps of immune cells, called granulomas, to form in the lungs, skin, eyes, […]
Women’s Health Matters: Speaking Up and Taking Action
Dear friends, I still remember one of my first patients at Planned Parenthood. Let’s call her “Amy.” She was a young woman in her late teens, nervous but determined. She had questions about contraception, but as we talked, it became clear that she also had fears—about being judged, about how much this visit would cost, […]
Nurture Heart-Healthy Relationships
Dear friends, As a physician, I am always a champion of heart health and especially love to talk about it during Heart Month. But today, I want to explore heart health in a different way—the kind that flourishes when we nurture meaningful connections with others. Strong connections can shield us from stress and illness, and […]
How Balanced Is Your Digital Health?
Dear friends, Happy New Year! I recently had an eye-opening moment. It was after midnight and there I was, bleary-eyed and scrolling through work emails, family messages, and social media, trying to squeeze everything into the day already past. The irony hit me: here I was, a physician and patient advocate, talking about self-care to […]