News from ACOI

Gun violence is on the rise and is a dangerous public health threat. MarkAlain, Dery, DO, FACOI, believes that practicing deep listening with patients helps spot potential concerns like domestic violence and helps to identify patients trending toward acts of violence. Find out about one organization founded by a physician that views gun violence as a public health threat that must be treated based on the fundamentals of chronic disease management.

COVID-19 vaccine misinformation has negatively affected the rate at which Americans are getting vaccinated. In the ACOI’s podcast series, Docs Off the Clock, Humayun "Hank" Chaudhry, DO, MACOI, and President of the Federation State Medical Boards (FSMB), discusses the threat of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and disinformation to controlling the pandemic and to public health.

A recent study finds that those previously hospitalized with COVID-19 have a significant risk of developing cardiovascular disease even a year after. MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI also discusses the inflated price of the new Merck COVID drug and some hopeful news about a malaria vaccine.

Too many Americans are making the decision to forgo the COVID-19 vaccine based on misinformation oftentimes spread on social media. MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI, discusses how some of those consequences have been fatal and how physicians can help stop the rumors.

This podcast explores the importance of physician health and wellness through the eyes of a physician who tragically experienced first-hand the importance of addressing the daily stresses and burdens of being a physician in today's healthcare system. Julie Sterbank, DO, FACOI, MPH provides advice on how to shed the belief that physicians must be superhuman and shares the importance of knowing how to disengage, find time away from work and rediscover what gives you joy while balancing the demands of the mounting pressures of being a physician.

As rates of suicide are increasing, we are seeing an “epidemic within a pandemic.” MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI explores the facts and what DOs can do to recognize at-risk patients and well as signs from colleagues who may have suicidal ideations. Physicians are at risk as one of the occupations with the highest suicide death rates. Let’s be there for each other.

Are you accepting your first position as an employed physician or maybe changing your current practice arrangement? In the ACOI’s new podcast series, Docs Off the Clock, Sheila Mints, Esq., healthcare transactional expert, explores the physician contract review process for physicians looking to enter into an employment agreement. Tune in and hear Sheila’s thoughts about the expectations that can affect both the physician and the practice, including restrictive covenants and workplace culture.

Insights From the Wellness Task Force - Dr. Julie Sterbank speaks on the loss of a colleague to suicide and the importance of finding ways to protect ourselves and each other.

On the morning after Hurricane Ida, MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI reports from City Hall in New Orleans on the impact of the storm in terms of the COVID-19 surge hitting the US and specifically the South where the vaccinated population is under 50%. He advises providers to remind patients in hurricane-prone areas to get vaccinated.

MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI discusses a study that reveals that intimate partner violence leads to worse HIV outcomes and an additional study revealing the urgent need for prioritizing transgender health policies in the US.

Kids are going back to school and school districts are pitted against some governors on mask mandates; we have a large population of unvaccinated pregnant women and the danger of the Delta variant; some hotspots that are putting hospitals over capacity creating a strain on all of us in healthcare.

Learn how climate change is fueling a growing public health threat and how western wildfires are suspected in increasing COVID risk.