News and Updates for Healthcare Professionals

The Deans’ Genes and Precision Medicine: A Journey of Discovery and Hope

September 17, 2015
By: Don Dean, Spartanburg, South Carolina

One tumor is a difficult thing to face. Imagine having nearly 100.

Like my father, aunt, uncle and other relatives, I have a very rare hereditary condition where a mutation in what is called the MET gene causes cancerous tumors to continuously grow in my kidneys. Since my first visit to the National Institutes of Health in 1992, I’ve had to have one kidney removed and nearly 100 tumors excised from the other.

I lost my father and other relatives to this disease, but thanks to new advances in medicine, that doesn’t have to be my fate.

What I did not know at the time was that I was to be part of cutting edge science and medical care that’s become known as Precision Medicine. Precision medicine refers to treatments, therapies, and care tailored to individual patients. By looking at people’s specific genes and lifestyles, doctors and scientists, like those at NIH, can get the right treatment to the right person.

HHS hosts 50-state convening focused on preventing opioid overdose and opioid use disorder, takes important step to increase access to treatment

September 17, 2015

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell today kicked off a two-day intensive convening of representatives from all 50 states and Washington, DC focused on preventing opioid overdose and opioid use disorder. During her remarks, the secretary announced that HHS will move to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by revising the regulations related to the prescribing of buprenorphine to treat opioid dependence. She also announced $1.8 million in awards to rural communities to expand access to naloxone – a drug that reverses an opioid overdose.

US Surgeon General launches campaign with National Call to Action on Walking

September 9, 2015

The United States Surgeon General today issued a call to action to address major public health challenges such as heart disease and diabetes. Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities articulates the health benefits of walking while addressing the fact that many communities unacceptably lack safe and convenient places for individuals to walk or wheelchair roll.

Symposium New Dimensions on Sustainable U.S. Health Spending

July 21, 2015

The video of the symposium may be viewed on the Altarum Institute website.

On this Web page you will also see the PowerPoint presentations plus resources from the prior symposia.

Creating Patient-Centered Team-Based Care.

The event recording is now on-demand, should you like to view it.
Use the link below to enter the webcast at any time.
WEBCAST LINK: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1029976/9D6A71170580605842F055BF91549D85

In Case You Missed It
You can also view recordings of our most recent webinars by clicking them below:

April 30, 2015: "Harnessing the Power of Your EHR for Quality Improvement"

February 26, 2015: "Introducing AHRQ’s Expanded Practice Facilitation Training Curriculum"

January 29, 2015: "Engaging patients as partners in care: How practice facilitators can support patient engagement"

December 18, 2014: "Supporting Leaders to Promote Quality and Patient Safety: How practice facilitators can work with practice leadership to support a culture of safety and quality"

October 21, 2014: "Training practice facilitators to help primary care practices improve use of health information technology"

August 14, 2014: "Case Studies of Exemplar Primary Care Practice Facilitation Training Programs"

If you have comments or questions, please contact us at PracticeFacilitation@mathematica-mpr.com.