On a quiet Saturday morning in May, a bomb went off just steps from where I perform surgery every week. It didn’t happen in some distant city. It happened here, at the intersection of Highway 111 and Las Palmas, right across the street from our surgical center. The target was a fertility clinic. One person… Read more »
Medical News
Social Media Mental Health Town Hall
- By Simon Moore, M.Ed., MHA, EMT
- July/August 2025
Ask any parent or teacher what they feel are the most significant influences on the emotional state of their children and students and you’ll probably get various answers. However, most polls and surveys measuring happiness and depression cite social media use as a leading cause of depression, loneliness and isolation. To address this concern, the… Read more »
Community Convenes Over Environmental Challenges
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- July/August 2025
This September, our community comes together once again to shine the light on environmental issues affecting our valley at the second annual Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit. The solutions-oriented gathering will take place September 11-12 at the Westin Mission Hills Rancho Mirage and is free for all to attend. Presented by the Desert Healthcare District… Read more »
Breast Cancer Breakthroughs
- By Carolyn Barnes, MD
- July/August 2025
In the past, radiation treatment for breast cancer typically required a long course of daily therapy. Many women developed painful burns and unsightly skin changes toward the end of treatment. Advances in technology over the past 10 years now allow radiation therapy to be given in as little as five treatments to only a small… Read more »
Blue Zones Project Coachella: Meet the Team Coachella is making a tangible move towards a healthier future with Blue Zones Project up and running. This initiative, drawing insights from the blue zones regions of the world whose residents have experienced remarkable healthy longevity, aims to integrate healthier choices into the systems, policies and places that… Read more »
To Cap or Not to Cap
- By Sarah Khoshniyati, DDS
- July/August 2025
Have you ever wondered why your dentist suggests a crown? Dental crowns are unique restorations that can address multiple issues. They are custom-made caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its function, strength and appearance. Dental crowns are prescribed for various reasons, but most commonly to treat teeth that have been largely compromised due… Read more »
Throughout the years, I’ve encountered many clients who repeat dysfunctional behaviors like they are on autopilot. They rarely question or challenge their choices because people usually do what is familiar. For many of us, the known is preferable to the unknown. We’re more likely to remain in dead-end situations than to deal with change. There… Read more »
MMR Booster: Facts and Recommendations
- By Jeanne Perafan, RN, MSN, FNP-bc
- May/June 2025
If you have been keeping up with the news, then you have heard that there have been over 700 cases of measles across several states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been spreading mostly in people who are unvaccinated. How serious is contracting the measles? Two children have… Read more »
College Nurses Inspiring Health Care Careers Through Mentorship
- By Michael Singer
- May/June 2025
Nursing students at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus (CSUSB) are stepping into leadership roles through a new Nursing Peer Mentoring Program designed to inspire and support local high school students interested in pursuing health care careers. The mentorship and career guidance program is part of OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Regional Healthcare Initiative to increase… Read more »
Reflection Turns Knowledge into Wisdom
- By Tracy Smith
- May/June 2025
Learning is the cornerstone of human progress, enabling us to adapt, innovate and thrive. It is about acquiring knowledge and engaging deeply with experiences, facts and concepts to draw meaningful conclusions. The true essence of learning is revealed in reflection—when we take a step back, process what we’ve encountered, and connect it to our lives… Read more »
Real World Preparation
- By Student Violet David
- May/June 2025
As a junior at Palm Desert High School, it feels like the future is approaching faster than ever, and the only thing we can truly control is how we prepare for it. One of the most impactful ways I’ve been preparing is through the Health Academy, an outstanding program that has left a lasting impression… Read more »
New Gallup data, conducted in collaboration with the Blue Zones Project, offers a snapshot of well-being in Palm Springs and Coachella. This research, done between October and December 2024, examines five key dimensions of well-being: career, community, social, physical and financial health, providing localized intelligence. The data highlights positive mental health scores in Coachella, with… Read more »
Nearly Half of Local Children Are Overweight or Obese
- Provided by HARC
- May/June 2025
Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue that affects millions of children across the country. Children with obesity are at higher risk for other chronic health conditions and diseases, such as asthma, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In this article, HARC provides Coachella Valley statistics and… Read more »
Feeling Beautiful and Well
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- May/June 2025
June is National Cancer Survivor Month and the first Tuesday (June 3) marks an opportunity for those in the beauty and wellness industries to show their support. Celebrated as Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day, the movement encourages businesses to offer complimentary services of their choice to all men, women and children who are cancer… Read more »
A Treasure to Our Community
- By Wendy Fink
- March/April 2025
This year, Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) is recognizing neurologist Esmaeil Sebti, MD, FAAN, as the recipient of its Edie Keller Leadership Award at its fourth annual fundraising event, the “Endless Possibilities” Gala. Each year, the Edie Keller Leadership Award is given to an exceptional individual who contributes significantly to the community by helping those struggling… Read more »
Support for Those Supporting Children
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- March/April 2025
Today’s youth face many new and ever-evolving challenges. Ronnie’s House for Hope is a local nonprofit providing free peer support grief services to children, teens, their families and adults in the valley. Through group activities, participants are able to share their experiences and create a sense of community. The organization’s goals are to help clients… Read more »
Helping to Unlock Inner Drive
- By Phillip Moore, MS
- March/April 2025
As our valley’s population matures, health care providers and families seek effective ways to support older adults in maintaining active, engaged lifestyles. Recent research in psychology offers promising insights through Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which helps us understand how to nurture genuine motivation in those 55 years and older, leading to better health outcomes and improved… Read more »
My Experience Preparing for a Future in Health Care
- By Cathedral City High School Senior Kalie Carbajal
- March/April 2025
As a senior in Cathedral City High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Health and Environmental Academy of Learning (HEAL), I can confidently say that this program has set the standard for career preparation in health care. It has provided me with the knowledge, hands-on experience and professional exposure needed to excel in the medical field.… Read more »
Bruxism: Life Can Be a Grind
- By Sarah A. Khoshniyati, DDS
- March/April 2025
Do you notice yourself waking up with jaw pain in the morning? Or, do you notice yourself clenching or grinding your teeth when stressed or angry? Both scenarios can be signs of bruxism, an involuntary habit of clenching or grinding your teeth. Bruxism can happen while awake or asleep, but usually those affected by night… Read more »
Why Every Business Needs a Strong Digital Presence
- By Isning Gamez
- March/April 2025
In today’s digital landscape, having a strong online presence is not just an option — it’s a necessity. Consumers rely heavily on online searches to find businesses, compare services and make purchasing decisions. If your business isn’t visible where potential customers are looking, you’re losing opportunities to competitors who are visible. Online listings are the… Read more »