The latest epidemic hitting the valley is definitely Firebird Fever. Young and old, large and small have all gone crazy for the American Hockey League’s newest team, and our community’s first franchise team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Powered by fan enthusiasm, the team returned to the championship circle in their second season for the Calder… Read more »
Have you ever considered that your medical practice has similarities to your patients? Both medical practices and humans are systems made up of many subsystems, and each subsystem contributes to the overall health of the entity. Just as experts in medicine are now taking a more holistic approach when assessing the health of a patient,… Read more »
There has been a shift in symptoms presenting in therapists and family doctors’ offices. Ten years ago, it was rare to come across adolescent clients in counseling centers with active psychosis (other than that produced by methamphetamine, another problem). Now, we get calls about this issue several times per week. In our clinic, we provide… Read more »
Authors Leroy Hood, MD and Nathan Price have a bold vision for the future of health care in their new book The Age of Scientific Wellness (2023). They see the future moving away from a disease-oriented system to one based on the “science of wellness.” The tools to do this are available today, and they… Read more »
In September 2023, students from Coachella Valley HS Health Academy (CVHS) and their Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter brainstormed their next community awareness project. There are plenty of causes and needs in the world, but the fentanyl crisis stood out as the main contender of issues that needed attention. Already in conversations with… Read more »
It’s Sunday morning and you’re relaxing, enjoying a cup of coffee outside on the patio relishing the sounds of nature, giving your busy mind and body a break. At least that was your intention. But once again, your thoughts are getting in the way of what seemed like a good idea at the moment. Worries… Read more »
Burning, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet coupled with muscle weakness and discomfort are often signs of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects over 30 million Americans, typically those over 45.1 Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Diabetes is the most common culprit, but other… Read more »
On May 4, 2024 I was honored to represent HALO Precision Diagnostics at the American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. HALO, formerly Desert Medical Imaging, has been at the forefront of developing focal laser therapy as a less invasive treatment for prostate cancer. At this year’s conference, focal therapy was openly… Read more »
When it comes to treating strokes, time is of the essence. Now, thanks to new AI technology, the medical teams at Desert Care Network’s three regional hospitals – Desert Regional, JKF Memorial and Hi-Desert Medical Center – have a helping hand in quickly identifying strokes. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the… Read more »
It was an exciting end to the second-annual Galleri Classic Presented by Spotlight 29 held in March at Mission Hills Country Club. World Golf Hall of Famer and two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen was tied with Charles Schwab Cup money leader Steven Alker at 17-under-par through 17 holes. On No. 18, both hit wedges… Read more »
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 44 will die each year.1 Current therapies for treating the growing disease include active surveillance (wait and watch), total removal of the prostate gland or radiation therapy of the entire prostate gland.… Read more »
OneFuture Coachella Valley has been honored as one of 10 national recipients of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Profiles in Collective Leadership initiative. This tremendous recognition positions our local collaborative as a model career-enhancing program that effectively unites community, fosters systemic change and puts young people on a path to thriving futures and engaged… Read more »
La Quinta High School’s Medical Health Academy (MHA) plays an integral part in saving the lives of our community members. Since the start of the school year in 2019, the academy has coordinated and run 20 successful blood drives in partnership with LifeStream Blood Bank. Since then, 928 students, faculty and parents registered to give… Read more »
Isn’t it interesting that thinking about our mortality can be beneficial for leading a healthy, constructive life? It provides perspective and can help us focus on how precious, precarious and short our lives are. Posted in my office is a sign reading, “What I do today is important because I’m exchanging a day of… Read more »
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing traumatic events, resulting in symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety. Conventional treatments include pharmacological and therapeutic interventions, while promising emerging treatments include forms of neuromodulation like transcranial magnetic stimulation, or in this case, a particular subset of TMS: personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic… Read more »
At Palm Desert High School (PDHS), students in the three-year Health Academy program have the incredible opportunity to explore human anatomy with a hands-on experience using their new syndaver. By working on a life-like human model, students gain a deeper understanding of the human body and its intricate systems. One of the major pros of… Read more »
Have you noticed that your teeth appear darker or have more stains? Fortunately, today there are many treatment options to help whiten the teeth and brighten your smile. External versus internal staining. External staining of the teeth commonly results from colored foods or agents coming in contact with the enamel. Individuals who use tobacco or… Read more »
In 2019, I had cyroablation for my invasive ductal breast cancer. The 45-minute procedure was performed at City of Hope, one of the many facilities that took part in the FROST trial conducted by lead investigator Dennis Holmes, MD. The goal of the trial was to determine if this minimally invasive procedure, which freezes the… Read more »
Following is an excerpt from Dr. Murphy’s new 3rd edition Maximizing Performance Management: Leading Your Team to Success used at Ivy League universities and corporate venues. Years ago, I heard the comedian Jack Benny say, “I always play up to my audience.” To me, that means being respectful, gracious and inspiring confidence in the people… Read more »
With The Galleri Classic returning this month to Mission Hills Country Club (March 25 – 31), we were curious to learn about the progress of the Galleri test itself. Launched nationally in 2021, the test is a simple blood draw that can provide early screening of some of the deadliest cancers. A primary goal of… Read more »