For people living with chronic knee or shoulder pain from osteoarthritis, Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) now offers a treatment that doesn’t involve surgery, injections or daily medication: low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT). The use of LDRT for arthritis dates back over 100 years. While it remained a common treatment in Europe, its… Read more »
The future of healthcare leadership is built not only through textbooks and classroom instruction. It is built through compassion, mentorship, service and meaningful human connection. At Coachella Valley High School (CVHS), the Health Academy students involved in HOSA–Future Health Professionals continue to demonstrate that leadership in healthcare begins long before entering a hospital or clinic.… Read more »
Summer in the Coachella Valley presents unique wellness challenges beyond high temperatures. As the frequency of outdoor activities declines, many full-time residents—particularly older adults, caregivers and individuals living alone—experience increased isolation due to fewer opportunities for meaningful social connection. Public health organizations increasingly recognize social isolation and loneliness as significant health concerns. According to the… Read more »
The current standard of care for early-stage breast cancers is lumpectomy. For decades, the question has not been whether more can be done, but whether the evidence supports doing less. The six-year outcomes of the Freezing Instead of Resection of Small Tumors (FROST) trial, recently published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, represent a meaningful… Read more »
Imagine you’re in a meeting at work. A colleague interrupts you, dismisses your idea or makes a cutting remark in front of the group. You may feel embarrassed, hurt or even enraged, yet your mind goes blank. Hours later, you’re still wondering, Why didn’t I say something? Most of us focus on this reaction and… Read more »
Before you know it, fall will be here and with it, the inevitable start of flu season. But year-round, teams are collecting and studying influenza samples in over 129 countries around the globe. The most dangerous and contagious viral strains are then identified and incorporated into the United States flu vaccine formulation to help recipients… Read more »
The Santa Rosa Mountains glowed in soft morning light as I set out on the Bear Creek Oasis Trail, a hike I expected to finish, not one that would end with a helicopter evacuation. It was February, and the trail’s rocky washes and cactus-lined ridges were coming alive with winter blooms in purple, yellow and… Read more »
For 16 years, Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM) has provided high-quality primary care at no cost to uninsured adults. As the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, I am often asked why our community needs a free primary care clinic. By focusing on prevention and ongoing care, our Palm Springs and Indio clinics help… Read more »
Clients often enter therapy questioning why they are in yet another toxic or dysfunctional relationship. My mantra is, “You’re either going to be it, or get into a relationship with it, unless you explore it.” People have a predisposition to that which is familiar. Thus, they may robotically repeat unhealthy mental and emotional behaviors until… Read more »
Palm Desert High School (PDHS) offers its students an incredible opportunity to explore their interest in the medical field through the Palm Desert Health Academy. This three-year program introduces students to health care education early, helping them build a strong foundation for future careers in medicine. The Health Academy prepares the Coachella Valley’s next generation… Read more »
In March, health care leaders, civic officials and business professionals gathered for the inaugural State of Healthcare Expo & Luncheon, presented by the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together key figures shaping health care across the Coachella Valley, providing an inside look at the priorities, challenges and innovations influencing the region’s medical… Read more »
La Quinta High School’s Medical Health Academy (MHA) has long been a cornerstone of student leadership and community impact in the Coachella Valley. For years, the academy has been recognized for its life-saving partnership with LifeStream Blood Bank, coordinating dozens of successful blood drives that have collected nearly a thousand pints of blood and touched… Read more »
It seems like every week there’s another revolutionary treatment that surfs the waves of the World Wide Web to reach your Facebook feed. Some promise game-changing instant results, while others propose a permanent placement in your daily routine. By the same time next week, many of these fads fade into the endless sea of suggestions… Read more »
When I talk about well-being in Palm Springs, I’m not talking about a program. I’m talking about people. Always people. Yes, at Blue Zones Project Palm Springs we discuss policy, environment, data, metrics—all the things that make spreadsheets happy. Those matter. But after my first six months in this role (and years before that working… Read more »
January 24 marked an exciting milestone as the City of Coachella celebrated their Blue Zones Project official launch. After months of anticipation, the day arrived with momentum, excitement and a deep sense of pride from locals of all ages. Under clear blue skies at the city’s Veterans Park, more than 700 community members came together… Read more »
Last month, over 300 people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers gathered in Palm Desert for the second annual Parkinson’s Today Symposium, a collaboration between Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) has served Coachella Valley and Southern California for 35 years, providing free emotional and practical support… Read more »
As we’ve discussed in this Desert Health series, approximately 1 out of 3 men will experience some form of erectile dysfunction (ED) in their lifetime. In this edition, I’d like to discuss existing therapies that can provide effective short-term symptom relief and the importance of addressing underlying medical, psychological and lifestyle issues for long-term benefits… Read more »
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, a time to raise awareness, celebrate neurodiversity, and promote understanding and acceptance. One area gaining increasing attention is the role of nutrition in autism. While diet is not a cure, a healthy, well-balanced approach to food can be a valuable tool in promoting overall health, supporting development and improving… Read more »
As a physician and health coach, I regularly educate patients and clients on how the simplest habits often create the biggest changes in health. Walking is one of those habits. It’s accessible, sustainable and scientifically backed. High-quality research from the past few years proves that walking is a powerful intervention for metabolic health, fat loss,… Read more »
Coachella Valley health care leaders are ensuring that local students know there is a place for them in the health care workforce upon graduation. Two recent events exemplify this effort: “Let’s Get Psyched!” hosted by OneFuture’s Integrated Health Careers Alignment Team and a new Lab Lecture series launched by Eisenhower Health. On November 5,… Read more »