January 15, 2013
By Josh Goldstein
We’ve redesigned and expanded the Daily Dose @Jefferson to create @Jeff.
@Jeff, Jefferson University Hospitals' new online gathering place, gives you easy access to the dependable health information you expect from Jefferson, including:
- News and opinions from nationally known Jefferson experts on topics important and relevant to your health and the health of your family
- Informative and often inspiring patient stories and regular updates on innovative programs available at Jefferson University Hospitals
- Useful health tips, healthy recipes and notifications of educational events and free health screenings
- Our blogs and e-newsletters including Keep In Touch with Jefferson.
Most importantly, @Jeff provides you with an opportunity to contribute your opinions and experiences.
Please join us in this important discussion about health-related topics. Tell us what you like about @Jeff, and let us know what stories and information you want to find here. To become part of this online conversation, simply add comments to any of the items that interest you. You can also e-mail us at KeepInTouch@JeffersonHospital.org.
We look forward to joining with you in the conversation and receiving your feedback @Jeff.
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January 14, 2013
By Jefferson University Hospitals Staff
As an emergency room physician in Philadelphia, Bon Ku, MD, MPP, sometimes treats homeless patients.
In fact, sometimes the 39-year-old ER physician cares for the same homless patients multiple times each year, some more than once a month. Dr. Ku determined he would work to change this pattern – one that doesn’t serve these patients well and is bad for the overall health system.
So Dr. Ku has been working to develop a “medical home” to track and coordinate the care of these patients at the Mary Howard Health Center, a local clinic that provides primary care for homeless people. He is also advising a project that would provide homes for some of the sickest homeless people in Philadelphia.
“There is nothing more frustrating than discharging homeless patients from the ER back to the street,” he says. “The homeless are the most vulnerable population in Philadelphia and we have done a poor job at tackling homelessness.”
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January 11, 2013
By Josh Goldstein
In a study of elderly Japanese-American men, researchers found that those taking beta blockers to control their blood pressure were significantly less likely to have signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia, in their brains after their deaths.
The study due to be presented later this year at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology included 774 elderly Japanese American men, including 610 who had high blood pressure or were being treated with blood pressure medication.
After the men died, autopsies enabled the researcher to examine their brains for lesions, indicating Alzheimer’s disease, and for so-called miroinfacts that are a sign of multiple, tiny strokes.
According to a press release, the men who took beta blockers, alone or along with other blood pressure medications, had fewer brain abnormalities compared with those whose high blood pr essure went untreated. More over those taking the medication “had significantly less shrinkage in their brains.”
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January 10, 2013
By Lee-Ann Landis
For nearly four decades, Howard Weitz, MD, has been a Jeffersonian: first as a medical student and today as the director of the Jefferson Heart Institute and of the Division of Cardiology.
Throughout his 38 years at Jefferson, Dr. Weitz has been focused on and passionate about caring for patients.
“The big secret is that it’s about the people: your colleagues, your teachers, your friends and family and your patients,” Dr. Weitz told the incoming Jefferson Medical College class of 2016 in the annual White Coat Ceremony.
“Give your patients a reason for hope and be worthy of their trust in you that you will do what’s best for them,” he added. “You will not be able to perform miracles, but lead a life where your patients know that you will be there for them in good times as well as those times that are not so good.”
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January 09, 2013
By Josh Goldstein
Are you struggling with your efforts to adopt a healthier lifestyle – eating well, sleeping better and exercising regularly?
Jefferson can help. On January 24, you can join a new program designed not only to launch you on a path to better health, but also to arm you with the tools to maintain that new lifestyle over the long haul.
Healthy Living/Healthy You is an eight-week course that combines scientific dietary principles with effective fitness techniques which are simple to learn and easy to use on a daily basis. It is designed to help you achieve and maintain both a healthy lifestyle and an optimal weight.
The program will incorporate a guided fitness activity and cover heath topics including how to replace bad fats in your diet to reading food labels and mastering menus. Fitness activities included in the weekly 55-minutes session consist of tightening the body with core training, yoga 101 and flexibility, and exercising with elastic bands and ultra-light dumbbells.
It’s a new year and a great time to make the adjustments you want to be healthier.
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