Top Honors for LifeStream

California Nonprofits Day celebrated its seventh anniversary on June 8, honoring 109 outstanding organizations selected by legislators from across California for their commendable contributions to their communities. In the Inland Empire’s District 47, LifeStream Blood Bank was named 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes. “We are honored to be… Read more »

hands holding coins and plant

The ABCs of ESGs

History demonstrates socially responsible investing (SRI) has been present since the 1800’s. It began with adversity to companies that manufactured tobacco and alcohol or promoted gambling in an era  known as the Age of Reason.   In 1971, the first socially responsible investing fund was launched by Pax World, a sustainable investment firm, and in… Read more »

The Perils of Paradise

“Just another sunny day in paradise,” my father-in-law would say when we came to the desert to visit. Now a local, I repeat it often. We all love our beautiful valley, but living and playing here takes some awareness and preparation. With March upon us, outdoor activities abound as do the many opportunities to celebrate.… Read more »

Is the Pandemic Ending?

Vaccinating the whole world against smallpox was one of the most important scientific achievements of the 20th century. Smallpox is a great example of the success of vaccine-mediated eradication of a deadly virus in humans which required a global initiative that combined high levels of vaccine coverage and active surveillance.1 How viruses spread Transmissibility and… Read more »

And then we got COVID

Valuable Lessons Learned

Many say it’s not a matter of if you’ll get COVID, but when. And chances are that when you do, you won’t be prepared.  After two years of following the rules, increasing supplements and trimming our social schedule, my husband, Tommy, and I thought we were playing it safe. Then last November, when events returned… Read more »

Melatonin as Complementary Treatment for COVID

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, most attributed to regulating the circadian rhythm of the body. However, it does so much more than helping us get to sleep. Melatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as mechanisms that help to support the immune system. These properties make melatonin a potential option… Read more »

mentoring the future

New Physician Assistant Pipeline Supporting Local Students

What once seemed an impossible dream— Coachella Valley students making their way into medical school— may soon become a regular reality thanks in part to efforts of OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Physician Assistant Pipeline Alignment Team. The team recently launched with leadership from UC Davis, USC, and local physician assistant (PA) professionals to prepare students to… Read more »

Infectious Disease Vaccines Matter

Editorial adapted from study published in American J Managed Care, July 2021. Desert Medical Advances of Coachella Valley (DMA) is a rheumatology clinic specializing in clinical trials for the past 30 years. Recently, our team conducted a causal inference study using prospective data from 39 clinical trials globally compared to over a thousand patients locally… Read more »

Let’s Do This Together

Can you guess the latest hazard to your mental health? The American Psychiatric Association now recognizes climate change as a growing threat to mental health. Climate change anxiety is associated with increases in aggressive behavior and domestic violence, increased use of alcohol to cope with stress, rises in hospital admissions for people with mental health… Read more »

EMTs: Help Them Help You

Emergency Medical Technicians or Responders (EMTs or EMRs) play an integral role in the health care system and provide potentially lifesaving services to the public. This has become even more evident during the pandemic. The harrowing work of EMTs is commonly under-recognized and underpaid. Not only are they providing a life link for their community… Read more »