Autism Acceptance Month

April 11, 2022 // Randy Glick

Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, is being held this month, with the aim of celebrating and promoting acceptance for the condition.

Autism is a complex developmental condition with a wide range of subtypes which affects a person's ability to interact with others and progress along physical and mental milestones at a typical pace. The annual initiative first took place in 1972, promoted by the Autism Society. It calls for greater public awareness and acceptance, encouraging all of us to be more inclusive toward people with autism.

Around the world this month, events are underway to encourage people to promote autism acceptance. The Office of Autism Research Coordination, at the National Institute of Mental Health, stated that they "recognize the need for supporting, understanding, accepting, including, and empowering of people on the autism spectrum".

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, made a statement on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2. He affirmed the UN’s support of the rights of people on the autism spectrum to fully participate in society, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Secretary Guterres said, "Many persons with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities, in institutions or even in their own homes. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these inequalities through the loss or reduction of services at school, in homes and in the community."

He continued, "We need to ensure that the rights, perspectives and well-being of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, are an integral part of building forward better from the pandemic."

The solution, he believes, lies in more community-based support systems for people with autism, as well as inclusive education systems, training programs, and suitable technology solutions - all developed in active consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.

Autism is thought to be associated with a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with much of the research focusing on possible genetic causes. Many people with autism also have additional physical health conditions such as epilepsy or mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

The genetic basis of autism remains poorly defined and this complex disorder may have a number of distinct causes that may co-occur. Recent genetic and genomic studies have implicated a large number of genes in autism, and some of the latest work has looked at genes that control synaptic proteins in brain cells, suggesting that synaptic dysfunction may have a critical role in autism.

A study by Dr. Steven Clapcote and colleagues at Leeds University, UK, investigated whether a reduction in the action of a gene called NRXN2 would cause autism in animal studies. They used mice with the same alteration in NRXN2 as seen in some people with autism. This did indeed lead to behavioral features similar to autism symptoms. "In other respects, these mice were functioning normally," said Dr. Clapcote. "This is exciting because we now have an animal model to investigate new treatments for autism."

These findings appeared in the journal Translational Psychiatry. The researchers add that the genetically altered mice replicated some of the core symptoms of autism such as reduced sociability and heightened anxiety under stress, while showing no impairment in intellectual ability. The team concludes, "Recent genetic and genomic studies have implicated a large number of genes in autism, many of which encode synaptic proteins, indicating that synaptic dysfunction may have a critical role in the genesis of autism-related behaviors." These mice "may thus provide a useful experimental system for the exploration of disease mechanisms and novel treatments in autism", they believe.

Certain antipsychotic drugs used for the treatment of autism, as well as schizophrenia, are being investigated due to their effect on this group of genes. "We don't fully understand how the drugs used to treat schizophrenia and some symptoms of autism work," explains Dr. Clapcote. "If we can show they can affect mice with this particular genetic mutation, then it gives us a clue to better understand the illnesses and opens up the possibility of more targeted treatments with fewer side effects."

"However, these illnesses are complex," he adds, "involving not only inheritance, but other factors such as environment and experience. It's possible the genetic mutation might create a predisposition, making people more likely to develop autism or schizophrenia."

A recent study has looked at links between a genetic predisposition for autism and adverse outcomes, such as self-harm and suicidal thoughts. This represents "complex gene-environment interactions", and highlights "potential mediators of this shared biology", say researchers led by Dr. Varun Warrier at the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University, UK. They point out in Molecular Psychiatry that there is an urgent need to understand and address these links, but that “only a handful of studies have investigated variables that contribute to and mediate this association”.

Their study analyzed genetic information on 105,222 individuals from the UK Biobank, and identified significant correlations between the genetic predisposition for autism and self-reports of childhood maltreatment, thoughts of self-harm, and actual self-harm. “A better understanding of these issues is critical to improving wellbeing in autistic people”, said the lead researcher, Dr. Warrier. "While we have found an association between a genetic likelihood for autism and adverse life events, we cannot conclude the former causes the latter.”

“We suspect this association reflects that genes partly influence how many autistic traits you have and some autistic traits such as difficulties in social understanding may lead to a person to be vulnerable to maltreatment.

“This research highlights the risks of such adverse outcomes for those with a high number of autistic traits, if adequate safe-guarding and support aren't provided."

Could an intervention early in life positively impact autism symptom severity and improve developmental outcomes? This possibility has been explored by researchers from Australia and the UK.

Dr. Andrew Whitehouse of the University of Western Australia and his team suggest that an early parent-led intervention may benefit infants with autism spectrum disorder-related behaviors. The researchers examined an approach that could begin well before clinical diagnosis is possible.

Writing in JAMA Pediatrics, they explain, "Intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder typically commences after diagnosis. No trial of an intervention administered to infants before diagnosis has shown an effect on diagnostic outcomes to date."

They conducted a randomized trial including 103 infants aged 9 to 14 months with early behavioral signs of autism. One group of children was given the therapy which used video feedback to help parents understand their baby's abilities, so they can use them as a foundation for future development in areas such as social engagement, sensory behaviors and repetitiveness.

Among those given the intervention, 7% met the diagnostic criteria for autism at three years, compared with 21% for those who received usual care. This represents "a statistically significant reduction in the severity of autism behaviors across early childhood", they report.

Professor Jonathan Green of the University of Manchester, UK, said, “These findings are the first evidence that a pre-emptive intervention during infancy could lead to such a significant improvement in children’s social development such that those receiving the intervention then fell below the threshold for a clinical diagnosis of autism." He added that the intervention "works with each child’s unique differences and creates a social environment around the child that helps them learn in a way that is best for them".

It remains unclear what gives rise to the diversity within the autism spectrum or why some people with autism have better outcomes than others. Work continues around the world to understand the biomedical causes of autism, to evaluate promising interventions, and to improve the health and wellbeing of people with autism.

The understanding of autism has improved a lot since research into the condition began. But there is still much more we need to know to improve the quality of life and outlook for people with autism and their families.

References

Dachtler, J. et al. Deletion of a-neurexin II results in autism-related behaviors in mice is published in Translational Biology. Translational Psychiatry, 26 November 2014 doi: 10.1038/TP.2014.123
www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n11/full/tp2014123a.html

Warrier, V. et al. Childhood trauma, life-time self-harm, and suicidal behaviour and ideation are associated with polygenic scores for autism. Molecular Psychiatry, 29 October 2019 doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0550-x
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41380-019-0550-x

Whitehouse, A. J. O. et al. Effect of pre-emptive intervention on developmental outcomes for infants showing early signs of autism: A randomized clinical trial of outcomes to diagnosis. JAMA Pediatrics, 20 September 2021 doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.3298
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2784066

Posted in: Medicine & Medical Specialties Women’s & Children’s Health

Simple Ways to Teach Your Child About Self-Care

April 7, 2022 // Randy Glick

By Janice Russell

Kids were dealing with isolation, cyberbullying, and other issues before the pandemic. But the restrictions and fear of a global health crisis made such issues even more prevalent among kids of all ages. Among other factors, limited in-person interactions, mask-wearing, and an increased reliance on virtual environments have contributed to more suicide attempts among children since early 2020.

In other words, self-care has never been more important — for adults and kids alike. If you want to learn how to introduce your child to healthy self-care routines, your first step is to start with yourself. Once you commit to being your kid's self-care role model, there are countless activities to try that can help them foster their health and well-being. SMA has listed a few tips to get you started!

Modeling Self-Care

It likely comes as no surprise that the most effective way to teach your child healthy self-care routines is to model them yourself. This means that you should try your best to foster your own physical, mental, and emotional health because your child will notice the steps you are taking. Along with abiding by a nutritious diet, try to find an exercise routine that fits your lifestyle and needs, and make sure you are getting adequate sleep each night.

Your child will also be able to tell if you are stressed out, which will influence their health and well-being. If work has you overwhelmed, look for ways to alleviate the stress (or at least reduce it).

If you work from home, you probably have more freedom to make changes to your work schedules than if you had a traditional desk job. Mixing up your routine can go a long way in making your day-to-day more interesting and reducing stress. For example, if you work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., consider working 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. a couple of days a week.

Creative Activities

Whether or not your child is naturally creative, they can benefit from activities and movements that provide an outlet for expressing their thoughts and emotions. For instance, try a few drawing, painting, coloring, or musical activities, and see if it doesn’t help their mood!

Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources for ideas and plans. Another activity to consider is dancing; whether you dance to a workout video together or hold an impromptu dance-off, something about moving and letting go does wonders for the soul.

Screen Breaks

Adults and children spend a lot of time staring at electronic screens. And if you have a teenager, it might seem like they are on their device than they are not. Encourage your child to spend time away from their phone, tablet, computer, or video games. Fill the space with holistic activities like cooking a meal, listening to music, patining, practicing yoga, or doing any other activity that can reduce stress and promote wellness.

Acts of Kindness

Despite how it sounds, self-care is not always all about the self. Doing things for other people allows us to take our minds off ourselves for a moment and make a difference in their lives. Consider signing your child up to volunteer at a local charity, or make a gift or offer a helpful service to their teacher, friend, or other important figures in their life.

Compassion Breaks

The next time your adolescent experiences a stressful event, show them how to acknowledge the challenging moment and explain how stress and struggles are common in life. This will show them that they are not alone while also allowing them to embrace the circumstances. Then, teach them to ask themself how they can be kinder to themself, whether it means reciting a self-affirmation or engaging in a fun and relaxing activity.

There is no getting around that mental health issues are on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. If your child doesn’t know how to implement self-care in their life, now could be the ideal time to teach them. Consider the tips above for showing your kid how to foster their health and well-being. And keep looking for other ways to equip them with the mindset and habits to keep them thriving through the challenges ahead.

About the Author:

Janice Russell believes the only way to survive parenthood is to find the humor in it. She created Parenting Disasters so that parents would have a go-to resource whenever they needed a laugh, but also to show parents they aren’t alone. She wants every frazzled parent out there to remember that for every kid stuck in a toilet, there’s another one out there somewhere who’s just graced their parents’ walls with some Sharpie artwork!

Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our medical organization? Visit SMA.org today!

Posted in: Mental Health Physicians-in-Training Women’s & Children’s Health

On Mentoring: Sangeetha Isaac

April 4, 2022 // Randy Glick

By Sangeetha Isaac, MD

Sangeetha is a second year Internal Medicine Resident at North Alabama Medical Center, Florence, Alabama.

My First Mentor

July 2011, India.

I went to the Department of Medical Oncology looking for my professor. Through the door I could see him, seated at his desk, reading something on his desktop. I hesitated a moment, thinking. I do not have an appointment to meet him. He is the Chief. Should I still go in? After telling myself it was alright to meet without a prior appointment, I said, “Excuse me, Sir, may I come in?” He turned around, looked at me, and smiled. “Yes Sangeetha, please come in!”

I went in, made myself comfortable, and started speaking while he was still looking at me, not knowing why I was there. “Sir, I have thought about this a lot. I am interested in Oncology and would like to pursue a career in Oncology,”’ I said. He was still looking at me, nodding his head without interrupting. I continued after a brief pause. “I came to seek your advice on how to proceed.” There it was! I had just identified the need for a mentor and spotted the right one.

I had rehearsed a few conversations in my mind. I thought he would say something like, “You have to study hard, be an outstanding physician,” etc. But, instead, he said, “You have to make your work do the talking.” I was perplexed. How do I do that? How do I make my work do the talking? I left his office that day with these thoughts.

The next day, I went to work and made sure my work spoke of my interest in oncology for the next 15 months that I spent in the department. I signed to be the research officer in medical oncology, taking the responsibility of co-investigator on five different multicentre clinical trials, while I was actively involved in oncology-related clinical work and preparing for the post-graduate examination.

Fast forward to March 2013. I received an offer to relocate to Singapore to work for the Ministry of Health Holding, Singapore. This was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make. Leaving the comfort of the known and venturing into a world of the unknown. I met my mentor again to ask if this was the right decision. He looked up and smiled. “This is your life, and you get to live it once,” he said. I instantly knew what I should do.

March 2022, USA.

After a 7-year stint in Singapore, now a resident physician in the United States, I am more familiar with the culture of mentorship. I know the importance of identifying the right mentor and know that mentorship is crucial for professional development and success. I have had several mentors from then till now, who have advised me, guided me, supported me, and placed me on the trajectory to success in professional life. But the words of my first mentor still resonate in my mind every single day and have become my mantra: “Make your work do the talking!”

A friend is someone who tells you what you want to know
A mentor is someone who tells you what you need to know!

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training

Depression in the Global Spotlight

March 30, 2022 // Randy Glick

By Jane Collingwood

Jane Collingwood is a medical journalist with 17 years experience reporting on all areas of medical research for online and print publications. Jane has also worked on a range of medical studies funded by the UK National Health Service within the University of Bristol in the South West of England. Jane has an academic background in psychology and has authored books on stress management and respiratory infections. Currently she is combining journalism with a national coordinating role on the UK's largest surgical research trial.

A new report is calling for greater action to be taken on depression around the world. Professor Helen Herrman of the University of Melbourne, Australia, and international colleagues published the report recently in The Lancet.

It is the latest report from the Commission on Depression, set up in 2018 by a global collaboration of researchers including experts from economics, epidemiology, neuroscience, primary care, psychiatry, psychology, and public health. They joined with the World Psychiatric Association to focus on depression, and specifically, why it remains a neglected global health crisis, "despite abundant evidence that much can be done to prevent and aid recovery of people suffering from it even in resource-limited settings".

Twenty-five experts from 11 countries contributed to the new report, titled 'Time for united action on depression'. It explains that depression is a leading cause of avoidable suffering globally, affecting 1 in 20 adults each year. "Yet, too few people in communities, governments, and the health sector understand or acknowledge depression as distinct from the other troubles that people face," it states.

Professor Herrman and colleagues believe that, "Not enough is done to avoid and alleviate the suffering and disadvantages linked with depression, and few governments acknowledge the effect of depression on social and economic development."

The report outlines the scale of the disease and makes recommendations to tackle the current inequities, including underdiagnosis, treatment, and prevention, and the need for collaborative care in all settings. It includes an analysis of evidence from many diverse contexts and consultations with individuals with lived experience, to "generate action-oriented recommendations". The aim is to "promote united action to reduce the burden of depression and ensure that greater attention is paid to the millions of people who live with it across the globe".

The authors write, "This Commission provides a message of hope, not only in the form of robust evidence on what can be done to prevent and treat depression, but also on how such interventions can be integrated with wider health and social systems and implemented even in the least resourced contexts." They explain that depression is a common but poorly recognized and understood health condition that can cause profound distress, impair social functioning and economic productivity, and lead to premature mortality.

Depression has a range of clinical presentations, severity levels, and courses, commonly overlapping with other conditions. There is also considerable variability in depressive symptoms and signs among cultures. The authors believe that both social and economic actions are needed to mitigate the effects of adversities and inequities early in life and across the life course. Interventions are also needed at the individual level, focusing on current life habits and risk factors.

There is now an opportunity for united action to transform mental health care systems globally, with a "whole of society" approach to the prevention of depression. Specifically, the Commissioners point out that the approach by which people with symptoms of depression are classified into just two groups, either clinical depression or not, is overly simplistic.

Instead, they support a personalized, staged approach, recognizing changes over time and the intensity of symptoms. Interventions should be individually tailored and could cover self-help and lifestyle changes, as well as thorough psychological therapies and antidepressants, and up to more intensive treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy if necessary.

Many myths continue to surround depression, the report states, which "perpetuate inaction". For example, some believe that depression is simply sadness, or is a sign of weakness, or only occurs in certain cultural groups, whereas in reality it can affect anyone, although there is variability in types and rates of symptoms between cultures.

The Commission would like to see a cohesive approach to preventing depression similar to the global efforts to reduce heart disease and cancer. Professor Herrman says, “Depression is a global health crisis that demands responses at multiple levels. This Commission offers an important opportunity for united action to transform approaches to mental health care and prevention globally.

"Investing in reducing the burden of depression will give millions of people the chance to become healthier, happier and more productive members of society, help to strengthen national economies, and advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.” Commenting on the report, a Lancet Editorial asks, "Why are there such insufficient and inequitable health resources for depression, and what can be done about it?"

This Commission calls for "concerted action to reduce the burden of depression among four groups: scientists and researchers, policy makers, health-care workers, and civil society." It gives several reasons why depression "does not receive sufficient resources and global attention". Firstly, depression has historically been stigmatized and the legacy of stigma continues to this day. Secondly, managing depression is not always straightforward and can be challenging, especially in the absence of mental health insurance schemes or universal health coverage. In addition, depression requires a “multidimensional approach” of policies and investment across many sectors including health, education, employment, and social services.

The editorial highlights certain groups that already face obstacles before a diagnosis of depression, such as persecuted ethnic groups, and adolescents whose struggles are compounded by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and people affected by civil strife and violence, such as refugees. But "there is cause for hope," it states, "the great majority of individuals with depression recover from an episode if they can obtain adequate support and treatment."

"The Commission lays out a stark choice," it concludes, "to improve equitable and stigma-free access to interventions for people with depression or to continue to condone indifference to the wellbeing of the one billion people with mental health needs. Together, the global community must decide to prioritize the emotional wellness of our species."

To mark the global launch of this Commission, a webinar was held featuring the Lancet's Editor-in-Chief, Professor Richard Horton and a number of international experts. Professor Horton said that the journey to where we are today "has been long and hard". In 2007 the Lancet launched its first series on global mental health, because mental health was completely excluded from the Millennium Development Goals, "with catastrophic consequences".

As far back as 2005, Commission Co-chair Professor Vikram Patel of Harvard Medical School, highlighted the fact that the Millennium Development Goals relating to health "almost entirely ignore mental disorders, yet there is compelling evidence that in developing countries mental disorders are amongst the most important causes of sickness, disability, and, in certain age groups, premature mortality".

"Apart from causing suffering, mental illness is closely associated with social determinants, notably poverty and gender disadvantage, and with poor physical health, including having HIV/AIDS and poor maternal and child health," he wrote in PLoS Medicine. "But mental health remains a largely ignored issue in global health, and its complete absence from the Millennium Development Goals reinforces the position that mental health has little role to play in major development-related health agendas."

His 2005 article questioned that assumption. Using evidence on mental health in developing countries, he argued that addressing mental health problems is an integral part of health system interventions aimed at achieving some of the key Millennium Development Goals. He linked mental health with three of the Goals: eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health. "However," he adds, "the relevance of mental health is not limited to these goals alone. For example, there are several areas of confluence between HIV/AIDS and mental health - people with HIV/AIDS are much more likely to suffer mental health problems, and these problems in turn can affect their overall health outcomes."

Recently, at the launch of the new report, Professor Patel said, “The Commission’s findings offer a clear message of hope, both for decision makers struggling with addressing the rising tide of depression in their populations, and for individuals who are experiencing the profoundly disabling symptoms of depression. There is much we can do to care for individuals with depression.

“No two individuals share the exact life story and constitution, which ultimately leads to a unique experience of depression and different needs for help, support, and treatment.” Professor Patel pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic has been linked to around 53 million additional cases of major depressive disorder worldwide in 2020 alone. “The pandemic presents a historic opportunity to enhance investments and promote concerted actions across sectors to implement these interventions,” he said.

Professor Horton of the Lancet agrees, stating during February's webinar that, "We need to strengthen mental health systems, promote mental wellbeing, and expand the availability of interventions to treat those with mental disorders.

"The Commission is a call for united action on depression," he adds "it couldn't be better timed. Its recommendations couldn't be more urgent. The pandemic held up a mirror to society to show us who we really were, and what we saw of ourselves has been disquieting and distressing. Absolutely no sense of global solidarity. This Commission gives us an opportunity to write a different story. We will work our hardest to seize that opportunity."

This 2022 global spotlight on depression is not only appropropriate, but it is also long overdue.

References

Herrman, H. et al. Time for united action on depression: a Lancet World Psychiatric Association Commission. The Lancet, 15 February 2022 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02141-3. www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02141-3/fulltext

Editorial. Ensuring care for people with depression. The Lancet, 15 February 2022 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01149-1. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01149-1/fulltext

Miranda, J. J. and Patel, V. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Does Mental Health Play a Role? PLoS Medicine 13 September 2005 doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020291. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0020291

Posted in: Mental Health Patient Education

Monthly Webinar: Musculoskeletal Manifestations/Complications of Diabetes

March 10, 2022 // Randy Glick

Presented by: Dr. Chris Morris
April 12 at 6:00 PM CST

It has been estimated that over 38 million Americans have diabetes mellitus. The cardiovascular, neurologic, and renal effects of diabetes are well-recognized; however, surprisingly little information on the musculoskeletal manifestations of this disease has been disseminated.

This webinar, presented by Dr. Christopher Morris, will focus on the effects that this disease has on the musculoskeletal system, and how it can affect the everyday activities of the diabetic patient.

Learn More About Dr. Chris Morris

Christopher R. Morris, MD, a board certified rheumatologist with more than 25 years’ experience, is in private practice in Kingsport, Tennessee at Arthritis Associates. Additionally, he has served as a clinical educator for internal medicine residents at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Norton Community Hospital in Norton, Virginia, and Johnston Memorial Hospital, in Abingdon, Virginia.

A native of Springfield, Illinois, Dr. Morris received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He completed his Internship and Residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, and he performed rheumatology fellowships at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, and at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Dr. Morris is an active member of the Southern Medical Association (SMA) and he previously served as an SMA Councilor for the state of Tennessee, as well as a member of several of the Association's Education Design Groups. Additionally, Dr. Morris has served on 5 Committees for the American College of Rheumatology, currently serving on the Insurance Subcommittee of the ACR, which advocates for the specialty of Rheumatology, as well as-for the patients with arthritic diseases.

Dr. Morris is married to Jane and together they have 2 children, Christopher Jr, and Amanda.

On Mentoring: Natalie Weiss

March 3, 2022 // Randy Glick

By Natalie Weiss, BA, BS

Natalie is a fourth-year MD/MBA student at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. She is Chair and Founder of the Southern Medical Association’s Physicians-in-Training Committee. The following excerpt describes some of her experiences surrounding mentorship in medicine.

I believe that, among other things, a capacity for teaching and learning sets humans apart from other species. Our human nature drives us toward developing mentoring relationships with those in our “pack.” This has been true for me, at least. When I feel uncertain, I seek advice from others; when I feel certain, others seek advice from me.

There are many times when I have felt uncertain and needed a mentor for guidance. While growing up, I often imagined that other children would look to their siblings for answers to important questions. How do I make friends in school? How do I apply for college? How do I pick a job? How do I make the world a better place? As an only child, I expanded my “pack” beyond my family. A pediatric emergency physician in New Mexico (and a family friend) became one of my first mentors in medicine. She showed me that it is possible to both love your job and make a meaningful impact doing it. When I left home to study music in college, I often looked back fondly on my time with this physician. Good mentors can change your life, and she certainly changed mine. Her guidance helped me make the decision to change career paths completely. In the years since, I have been lucky enough to find many more great mentors among my colleagues and faculty in medical school.

Knowing the profound effect of mentoring on my path, I have always jumped at the opportunity to pay it forward as a mentor when I feel certain about my position. (do we always need to be certain? Is there value in letting our mentees know we aren’t certain?) Getting involved in organizational leadership has made these opportunities to expand my pack abundant. I have found mentoring to be rewarding on several levels. First, it is a positive experience to see a mentee succeed. Second, I am able to learn more about myself and what drives me through mentoring. And, finally, I have gained a lot of perspective through mentees.

In sum, it is human instinct to develop mentoring relationships with those around us. For success in medicine, we must give support to and receive support from others. I look forward to future relationships with mentors, in times when I need guidance, and mentees, in times when I have guidance to offer.

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training

SMJ: March 2022 Vol. 115, No. 3

March 3, 2022 // Randy Glick

The Southern Medical Journal(SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists, including medicine; surgery; women’s and children’s health; mental health; emergency and disaster medicine; public health and environmental medicine; bioethics and medical education; and quality health care, patient safety, and best practices.

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Characterization of Clinical Skills Remediation: A National Survey of Medical Schools

Andrew S. Parsons MD, MPH, Karen M. Warburton, MD, James R. Martindale, PhD, Ilene L. Rosenberg, MD

Rethinking the International Response System to Global Health Threats: Strengthening International Collaboration to Ensure Vaccine Equity and Combat Vaccination Hesitancy

Ramin Walter Parsa-Parsi, MD, MPH

Propensity Score Matching to Determine the Impact of Metformin on All-Cause Mortality in Older Veterans with Diabetes Mellitus

Juliana Ferri-Guerra, MD, Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza, PhD, Y. Nadeem Mohammed, MD, Otoniel Ysea, MD, Hermes Florez, MD, Jorge G. Ruiz, MD

Using an Implementation Research Framework to Identify Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity and Weight Loss in Appalachia

Tyra Turner, MS, Treah Haggerty, MD, MS, Patricia Dekeseredy, MScN, RN, Julie Hare, MD, Cara L. Sedney, MD, MA

Evaluation of an Electronic Health Record Alert to Improve Screening and Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Factors in a High-Risk Population

Warren L. Felton, MD, Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Tamala Gondwe, PhD, MPH, Christine Huynh, MD, Jordyn T. Wallenborn, PhD, MPH, Jeneane Henry, RN, BSN

Neurocognitive Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Patients: A Clinical Review

Ryan Mathern, MD, Pooja Senthil, BSc, Nguyen Vu, MD, Thanigaiarsu Thiyagarajan, MD

Pharmacologic Agents Used to Reverse the Anticoagulant Effect of Common Anticoagulants

James M. Wooten, PharmD, Steven T. Baldwin, MD

Analysis of the Effects of a Texas State-Wide Mask Mandate (Executive Order GA-29) on Case Load, Hospitalizations, and Mortality

Michael D. April, MD, DPhil, Jason F. Naylor, PA-C, Brit Long, MD

Commentary on “Rethinking the International Response System to Global Health Threats: Strengthening International Collaboration to Ensure Vaccine Equity and Combat Vaccination Hesitancy”

Steven T. Baldwin, MD

Ultrasound-Measured Urethral Length Does Not Change following Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Maeve A. Serino, BA, Sarah A. Collins, MD, Kimberly Kenton, MD, MS, Julia Geynisman-Tan, MD

Analysis of Airway Management for Cesarean Delivery: Use of Risk and Proportion Differences

Andrew King, MD, Justin Morello, MD, Allison Clark, MD, Adrienne Ray, MD, Colleen Martel, MD, Roneisha McLendon, MD, Anne McConville, MD, Melissa Russo, MD, Liane Germond, MD, Bobby Nossaman, MD

Implementation of a Postpartum Note Reminder and Factors Associated with Postpartum Glucose Tolerance Screening

Anna Domingo, DO, Joshua Fogel, PhD, Ryan Raffel, MD, Timothy Gesner, DO, Petr Itzhak, DO

Comparison between Rural and Urban Appalachian Children in Hospice Care

Mary Lou Clark Fornehed, PhD, RN, Radion Svynarenko, PhD, Jessica Keim-Malpass, PhD, RN, Melanie J. Cozad, PhD, Kerri A. Qualls, BSN, RN, Whitney L. Stone, BSN, RN, Lisa C. Lindley, PhD, RN

Posted in: SMJ

Regions Next Step Webinar: Smart Money Habits

March 2, 2022 // Randy Glick

When Your Money Goes Far, SO DO YOU.

Regions strives to provide you with easy-to-understand guidance and tools to help you accomplish your unique financial goals.

Being financially responsible involves planning and having a strategy in place to reach your financial goals. Learn how to establish reachable goals and develop new spending and saving habits. Get tips on organization, record-keeping, and controlling your money to create stability in your financial future.

In this webinar you'll learn how to:

Set financial goals.
Track your daily spending habits.
Increase your income and decrease your spending.
Get more out of your paycheck.
Get out of debt.

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Tuesday, March 29,2022 at 6 PM CST

Thursday, March 31,2022 at 12 PM CST

Posted in: Business

Understanding Medicare: Tips for Seniors on How to Choose the Right Coverage

March 2, 2022 // Randy Glick

Understanding Medicare and everything that goes with it can be one big puzzle, and for many seniors, figuring out what type of coverage is best for their needs can be overwhelming. Even if you currently have Medicare coverage, you likely still have questions about how it works or what you’ll need in order to make changes in the future. Because there are several stipulations that come with this type of insurance, it’s important that you’re aware of deadlines and the rules surrounding what exactly will be covered when you need to use it.

The good news is there are some easy ways to understand Medicare no matter what stage you’re in. Having coverage is essential after a certain age, and once you figure out the best choice, you’ll have peace of mind for a long time to come. SMA.org recommends that you think about what your needs are right now, as well as what they might be down the road, then keep these things in mind:

Learn About the Different Parts of Medicare

Medicare has many different parts, including A, B, C, and D, and it’s important that you understand what they all do. Most people automatically receive part A — hospital coverage — at the age of 65 if they have paid taxes for a certain number of years, and it typically comes without a premium. Part B is medical insurance and it does come with a premium, but if you aren’t yet 65 and are living with a disability, you may qualify for special coverage. Part B covers a broad spectrum of services from doctor visits to ambulance transport. It also pays for some durable medical equipment and mental health treatment. Part D is prescription drug coverage and comes in handy when you take a lot of medications. There are different plans, and they do not all cover the same drugs. Do a little research online to find out what is available to you according to your age and the state you live in.

Consider a Part C Plan

Part C (also called Medicare Advantage or Medicare Plus) plans can be extremely helpful for seniors who either have a need for a specialist or for dental or prescription coverage, which isn’t covered by Medicare Parts A or B. There are certain enrollment periods for these plans and they may differ depending on where you live, so it’s a good idea to find out how you can get the process started as soon as possible.

It’s important to note, however, that Part C plans typically have a very limited preferred provider panel. Be sure to speak with your physician specifically about a Medicare Advantage plan if you’re interested in this coverage, and verify with your own research that you’ll be able to continue visiting your preferred healthcare professionals under Part C.

Talk to Your Doctor

If your coverage changes at any time, or if you sign up for a new plan under Medicare, you’ll want to talk to your doctor to make sure he still accepts your insurance. While most healthcare providers are fine with Medicare, some services may not be covered, and you don’t want to be saddled with a surprise medical bill you weren’t expecting. Find out for sure whether your needs will be taken care of before you make any big changes.

Plan for the Future

Medicare is so complex that many seniors can be left worrying and wondering whether their long-term care is covered. Luckily, from private insurance to government benefits, there are ways you can make sure you have a way to pay for nursing facilities that are not specifically covered by Medicare.

Even if your health is in good shape now, that could change down the road, so it’s crucial that you think about what your needs may be as you grow older. Planning for the future can be difficult, but it’s absolutely necessary for seniors who may require long-term care at some point. Medicare may help pay for some coverage, but often won’t take care of hospital stays after a certain number of days. It will pay for rehabilitation following a hospital stay if it’s clinically required, but only for about a month, and perhaps for even less time if the therapists don’t indicate significant improvements are being made. Many times, this care is provided in a nursing home rather than the hospital.

In addition, nursing home stays are typically out-of-pocket expenses, which means you’ll need to find a facility that’s both affordable and trusted. Think about the amounts you may be responsible for and how to start saving for that possibility.

Understanding Medicare and all its parts can be extremely complicated and frustrating if you don’t use the resources available to you. Look online for tips, talk to your doctor, and contact a Medicare representative to answer any questions you still have. Planning a bit now will give you peace of mind and will allow you to figure out your future while you have time to prepare.

About the Author:

Posted in: Patient Education

How I Made It Through: Navigating Residency & Childrearing

February 24, 2022 // Randy Glick

Presented by Safiya K. Lyn-Lassiter, MD

The goal for this lecture is for the audience to understand the current parental leave policy and how it impacts medical residents. Raise awareness of the physical and emotional effects that women physicians endure by having children at a later age. Offer medical residents effective strategies for navigating difficult conversations surrounding family-planning, pregnancy, parental leave, post-partum & return to work. Suggest feasible interventions designed to reduce discrimination against childbearing physicians.

Learn more about Dr. Safiya K. Lyn-Lassiter:

Dr. Safiya K. Lyn-Lassiter is an Assistant Medical Director at a prominent Free Standing Emergency Department (FSED) in South Florida with over eight years of experience in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Lyn-Lassiter has worked at several hospitals in the South Florida community serving a variety of populations. She is also serves as Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

As Assistant Medical Director, Dr. Lyn-Lassiter's day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing a 16 bed acute care emergency room, managing general operations, caring for critically ill patients, responding to all patient concerns, and implementing new policies on sepsis, stroke, STEMI and critical care.

To keep abreast of the latest developments in the medical field, Dr. Lyn-Lassiter maintains affiliations with The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American Medical Association (AMA) and National Medical Association (NMA). As a testament to her success, Dr. Lyn-Lassiter was honored as the Physician of the Month at Memorial Hospital in February 2016. She works closely with the community to inform and educate people on evolving medical practices through engaging lectures and community-centered outreach programs. Dr. Lyn-Lassiter was honored in 2017 by the American Health Council for “Best in Medicine” award.

Dr. Lyn-Lassiter became involved in the field of Emergency Medicine after discovering how unpredictable and rewarding each patient interaction can be. Her specialties include FSED Administration, Graduate Medical Education and patient satisfaction. When she reflects on her medical training, her rotations in Nashville’s underserved community not only exposed her to the reality of health care inequity, but also this experience prepared her to engage a cross-section of patients with care and compassion.

In 2017, Dr. Lyn-Lassiter launched Ask Doctor Lyn focusing on the effectiveness of medicinal marijuana (MMJ) use among Florida, California and Georgia residents. As an advocate of MMJ, she created a user-friendly website to identify, evaluate, and recommend MMJ for qualifying patients.

Dr. Lyn-Lassiter graduated with honors from Trinity University (DC) with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science. She completed her medical training at Meharry Medical College in 2010 where she earned her medical degree (M.D.). She received her postgraduate emergency medicine training at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, a Level I trauma center. Dr. Lyn-Lassiter has proudly served the South Florida community since 2013.

Dr. Lyn-Lassiter is a proud parent to Myla, her twelve-year-old daughter. Considering the future, Dr. Lyn-Lassiter is committed to further excelling in her emergency medicine career, exploring medical journalism and advocating for MMJ patients nationwide.

Stay up to date with Dr. Lyn!

Website: www.askdoctorlyn.com
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training

Scholarship for the Busy Physician

February 24, 2022 // Randy Glick

Dr. Christopher Jackson will provide guidance about finding research projects that are doable during training, examples of such projects, and the formula for starting and finishing projects.

By the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Identify various opportunities for research/scholarship from your daily work;
Implement the five step formula that can help you turn any project into a scholarship;
Address common pitfalls that come up with research projects during training.
and How being a woman has made this harder and easier to achieve-the reality.

Learn more about Dr. Jackson (in his own words):

I am a board-certified academic general internist in Memphis, TN. Additionally, I am an associate program director for curriculum for the UTHSC Internal Medicine Residency Program. My connection with SMA started in 2016. I presented an oral abstract presentation on statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. This moment changed my academic trajectory in multiple ways. I realized how much I enjoyed attending conferences and presenting my findings from research. Moreover, I connected with a welcoming organization that continues to provide professional development opportunities that have enhanced my academic general internal medicine career. As a clinician-educator, I enjoy the opportunity to provide high-quality care to patients and train the next generation of internal medicine physicians. For my efforts, I’ve been fortunate to win our Educator of the Year award at UTHSC after my first year on faculty. This award would not be possible without the seed planted at my first SMA conference in October 2016. At present, I serve as an assistant editor for the SMJ, and I work alongside outstanding colleagues on the SMA Education Committee. Over the past five years, the SMA continues to expand its educational offerings to be at the forefront of cutting-edge digital education.

Defying the Odds: How to Succeed in Medicine

February 24, 2022 // Randy Glick

Dr. Mary Killackey will review key turning points and decisions in her personal journey to leadership as well as basic leadership tenets, including:

The Beginning - Understanding why and motivation;
The Middle - Overcoming Fear, Taking Risks, and Managing Ambiguity;
The “Now” - Recognizing Opportunity for Impact, and Commitment to Something Greater than Oneself;
and How being a woman has made this harder and easier to achieve-the reality.

Learn more about Dr. Mary Killackey:

Mary Killackey, MD is the Robert & Viola Lobrano Professor and Chair of Surgery and Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine. She was appointed Chair of Surgery in May 2016 and since that time has exponentially grown the department in all missions. Dr. Killackey received her undergraduate and medical degrees from Columbia University. She completed her General Surgery residency at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial. From there, she went on to complete the Abdominal Organ Transplant Fellowship at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She was recruited to New Orleans in 2006 to join the team of abdominal transplant surgeons and by 2009 was named the Director of the Pediatric and Adult Kidney Transplant program. She also assumed the Directorship of Pediatric Kidney Transplant at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. In recognition of her leadership, she was accepted into the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine fellowship in 2017. Later that year, she was inducted into AOA Medical Honors Society and in 2019, elected into the Leonard Tow Gold Humanism Society. Dr. Killackey’s passion is promoting a thriving work environment which prioritizes professionalism and allows her the opportunity to facilitate the careers of her faculty, trainees and students. She and the department are leading the effort to promote professionalism at the medical school. She is quite active outside of her own institution, most visibly within UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and the Society of Surgical Chairs. She is deeply committed to fostering the careers and leadership skill building of women leaders and is grateful for the opportunity to bring these efforts to the national stage through the Women’s Subcommittee of the Society of Surgical Chairs.

Invited Speakers from the 2022 Physicians-in-Training Leadership Conference

February 24, 2022 // Randy Glick

Did you miss the 2nd Annual Physicians-in-Training Leadership Conference in New Orleans, LA?

Check out the invited guest speakers from the conference! Abstract presentations are coming soon!

Defying the Odds: How to Succeed in Medicine

Presented by Dr. Mary Killackey

Dr. Killackey will review key turning points and decisions in her personal journey to leadership as well as basic leadership tenets, including:

The Beginning - Understanding why and motivation;
The Middle - Overcoming Fear, Taking Risks, and Managing Ambiguity;
The “Now” - Recognizing Opportunity for Impact, and Commitment to Something Greater than Oneself;
and How being a woman has made this harder and easier to achieve-the reality.

Scholarship for the Busy Physician

Presented by Christopher Jackson, MD

Dr. Christopher Jackson will provide guidance about finding research projects that are doable during training, examples of such projects, and the formula for starting and finishing projects.

By the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Identify various opportunities for research/scholarship from your daily work;
Implement the five step formula that can help you turn any project into a scholarship;
Address common pitfalls that come up with research projects during training.
and How being a woman has made this harder and easier to achieve-the reality.

How I Made It Through: Navigating Residency & Childrearing

Presented by Safiya K. Lyn-Lassiter, MD

Accelerating Change in Medical Education

Presented by Gerald Harmon, MD, AMA President

This message, which will impact all members of the healthcare community, will address advocacy, education, and important public health issues, as well as why association membership is so important.

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training

Honor Your Doctor

February 15, 2022 // Randy Glick

Doctors’ Day is essential for our physicians’ recognition as the primary healthcare providers for this country’s people. Let’s thank and honor our doctors!

The celebration of Doctors’ Day began in Barrow County, Georgia on March 30, 1933. It became National Doctors’ Day through a proclamation by President George Bush in 1991. The following is an excerpt from Proclamation 6253 – National Doctors’ Day – 1991.

“More than the application of science and technology, medicine is a special calling, and those who have chosen this vocation in order to serve their fellowman understand the tremendous responsibility it entails.”

In addition, Dr. Elmer Hess, a former president of the American Medical Association, wrote: “There is no greater reward in our profession than the knowledge that God has entrusted us with the physical care of His people. The Almighty has reserved for Himself the power to create life, but He has assigned to a few of us the responsibility of keeping in good repair the bodies in which this life is sustained.” “Accordingly, reverence for human life and individual dignity is both the hallmark of a good physician and the key to truly beneficial advances in medicine.”

Doctors’ Day occurs every year on March 30th. Here’re some suggestions to get you thinking about what your alliance could do this year or next to “Honor Your Doctor”.

You and your alliance could:

Place excerpts from the proclamation on social media, in newspapers, on billboards, and other methods of community communication.
Coordinate blood drives with the Red Cross to assist in replenishing the nation’s blood reserves. The Red Cross would be the working arm to schedule and set up the blood drive; your alliance would create the excitement and invite community members to help with the blood shortage by honoring their doctor.
Distribute Doctors' Day Products as part of Doctors’ Day celebrations and festivities.

Alliances, we have a small window to accomplish this exciting task, so let’s get going!

On March 30, 2023 we will celebrate the 90th year of Doctors' Day. To plan for this tremendous occasion we’re establishing an SMAA committee to define the celebration, do you want to help? If you’d like to serve on this committee please contact Jennifer Price, at jprice@sma.org by May 1, 2022. We’ll have several Zoom meetings for your ideas and to create the plan.

-Shirley Becker, RN

From Your SMA Alliance President: Your Membership Matters

February 15, 2022 // Randy Glick

Alliance leaders know the key to each organization’s success lies in its membership.

The SMAA is “United For Better Health” and this has become our future mission for our communities. We are raising funds for health related projects, as well as launching an educational directive that not only assists medical students, but also benefits our partners/vendors through tax deductions.

In addition, we are in the process of implementing the first ever “Vendor Scholarship” fund for economically challenged medical students. We want to reward students, as their new learned skills deserve special recognition. And when we participate together with our goals to help others, it builds our personal relationships with one another. Our SMAA members matter to each other, and to the organizations we reach out to help. And were it not for SMAA members' activities, many that are deserving, would lack wonderful opportunities!

And for only $40 annually, you will receive our new and improved newsletter and a revamped benefits package and that is where your input is needed. Let us know what types of benefits you would like to see!

Let us begin again, as we want all SMAA members to know you matter!

Respectfully yours,
Karan D. Pastora
President SMAA
812.431.1648C

SMJ: February 2022 Vol. 115, No. 2

February 7, 2022 // Randy Glick

Clinical Outcomes of Noninvasive Ventilation in Asthma, Bronchiectasis, and Other COPD: Erratum

None Available

Know Your Guidelines 2022 Series: The ASCO Management of Dyspnea in Advanced Cancer Guideline Review

Christopher D. Jackson, MD, Alana J. Schilthuis, MD, Kenneth C. Guice, DO, Katie S. Payne, MD, Tracey D. Dabal, MD

Patient Experiences at California Crisis Pregnancy Centers: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Online Crowd-Sourced Reviews, 2010–2019

Elaine Chan, MD, Yelena Korotkaya, MD, MPH, Vadim Osadchiy, MD, Aparna Sridhar, MD, MPH

Moral Elevation, Physician Role Models, and Selected Markers of Professional Identity Formation and Well-Being: A Secondary Analysis from Two National Surveys

Shay X. Huang, BS, Sandra A. Ham, MS, Merlin Varghese, MD, John D. Yoon, MD

Medical Futility: Choosing the Next Intervention

Richard Kelley Myers, MD, Alva Weir, MD

Mode of Physical Activity Participation in US Adults: A Regional Perspective

James R. Churilla, PhD, MPH, Tammie M. Johnson, DrPH, MPH, Michael R. Richardson, PhD, MSH

Knowing Your Guidelines in 2022

Christopher D. Jackson, MD

Impact of Bedside Rounding on Attending Teaching Evaluations

Joseph R. Sweigart, MD, William C. Lippert, MD, MPH, Hal H. Atkinson, MD, MS, Alan M. Hall, MD, Satyen Nichani, MD, John W. Ragsdale, MD, MS, Gregory B. Russell, MS, Peter R. Lichstein, MD

CME Article: Peripartum Hypertensive Crisis Simulation and Education Initiative among Rural Emergency Departments

Julie R. Whittington, MD, USN, Ann Marie Mercier,MD, Abigail M. Ramseyer, DO, Songthip Ounpraseuth, PhD, Everett F. Magann, MD

CME Article: Safety of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Rheumatology Patients

Syed Raza, MD, Saurav Acharya, MD, Gabrielle Howard, MD, Debendra Pattanaik, MD

OPEN: Disaster Preparedness Training Needs of Healthcare Workers at the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Michelle D. Balut, MPH, Claudia Der-Martirosian, PhD, Aram Dobalian, PhD, MPH

On Mentoring: Andrew Sephien

January 31, 2022 // Randy Glick

By Andrew Sephien, MD

Andrew is a second-year internal medicine resident at HCA Healthcare/USF Morsani College of Medicine: Citrus Memorial Hospital and a graduate of Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. He currently serves as a Member of the Mentorship and Networking Subcommittee for the Southern Medical Association’s Physicians in Training Committee. The following excerpt describes his experiences surrounding mentorship in medicine.

In my short career, I have had the privilege of being both a mentor and a mentee. I was lucky enough to have had amazing mentors, both faculty and senior trainees, who have been there for me each step of the way. As a medical student, they helped with furthering my medical education and research development. I appreciated how patient they were with me as they took time out of their day to further my development as a clinician and as an individual. As I went through the match, I recalled the unpredictability of the experience. I recalled the emotions that I felt of not knowing “what’s next”. I vividly remember talking to one of my mentors as to how to deal with the uncertainty. ‘Seize the opportunity by the horns and run with it and I’m here to help how I can’ is what he told me, and so I did… Fast forward now as a resident, he and my current mentors have played a great part in furthering my clinical reasoning, guiding me as I prepare for fellowship applications. Even now, while our conversations consisted of medicine and my development, I appreciated the opportunities to get to know my mentors as humans with their personal lives while also sharing what goes on in mine. As I reflect on these experiences, it's, without a doubt, the impact of my mentors on my development.

I reflected on the qualities of my mentors often throughout medical school and residency, and asked myself, what did I appreciate from my mentors? I’ve found that what has helped form a strong mentorship with them is their genuine interest in my success, while also being compassionate. Additionally, my mentors effectively allowed for a safe sounding board, allowing me to freely discuss and receive advice when needed. Of course, as the mentee, I felt that I should do my part in maintaining honest communication, taking heed of their advice, and applying it. With their commitment to me, I felt that I must do this same and pay it forward. With this reflection, I eventually took on a mentee during medical school, a junior medical student. I recall allowing myself to make a conscious effort to get to know my mentee and being readily available for all questions they may ask, whether for academic or personal development. As I watched them succeed, I became overjoyed, as seeing their success was rewarding.

Medicine is difficult, and to succeed, it takes a village. While I still have much to learn, I look forward to future relationships with both mentors and mentees. The opportunity for our growth as mentors and mentees, while also seeing our mentees grow is rewarding. I hope more in our field become involved in mentoring, whether through formal programs such as the SMA PIT mentoring program or informal, as it provides the opportunity to grow and pay it forward.

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training

2021 Abstract Schedule for the 2nd Annual Physicians-in-Training Leadership Conference is now available!

January 11, 2022 // Randy Glick

The 2nd Annual Physicians-in-Training Leadership Conference takes place February 11-13 in New Orleans or Virtually from the comfort of your own home. We are planning a great line-up of topics and keynote speakers, all designed to be relevant to medical students and residents transitioning from training into a career in medicine.

Full Agenda Register Here

Session 3

Session 4A
Session 4B

Session 6A
Session 6B

Session 7A
Session 7B

Session 9A
Session 9B

Session 10A
Session 10B

Session 12A
Session 12B

Session 13A
Session 13B

Session 14B

Posted in: Physicians-in-Training