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Back to School Tips as Summer Blazes On and On and On
While an Arachnid is Causing a Serious Meat Allergy?
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In Today’s Edition:
Senate Introduces the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act
Oregon Medical Board Adds Seats for Physician Assistants (PAs)
Tick bites Are Causing a Life-Threatening Meat Allergy
Quick Back to School Health Tips
The AHA Releases Official Scientific Stance on E-Cigarettes and Vaping
E-Cigarette Usage Soars Among Youth, Let’s Talk to Kids
Need a Back-to-School Wellness plan? We Have You Covered. Meet Dr. Marlo Miller. Inspiring Wellness in Her Community.
Looking for Free CME/CEU Content? It’s HERE.
🩺 APP Trending News
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Summertime Advances in Legislature are Promising
Senate introduces the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act
Two weeks ago, Sens. Merkley (D-OR) and Lummis (R-WY) introduced the ICAN act. NPs are the fastest-growing provider group among Medicare patients. Under this new law, APRNs can practice to the full extent by removing federal practice barriers, such as the ability to order pulmonary rehabilitation, that delay care for millions of Medicare and Medicaid patients. Increased patient access to care is always a WIN! 🙌🏼
Oregon Medical Board adds seats for Physician Assistants (PAs)
Governor Tina Kotek signed HB 2627 on July 18, 2023, expanding opportunities for Physician Assistants (PAs) in Oregon to enhance healthcare access. The new law adds another PA seat to the Oregon Medical Board, strengthening PA representation and collaborative healthcare efforts.
⚙️ The More You Know
Summer Hazards Blaze On 🔥
Credit: Giphy
Tick bites are causing a life-threatening meat allergy
The CDC dropped a new illness we had to share. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a tick-borne illness, is gaining attention and the CDC estimates a significant percentage of clinicians are unaware of it. Prevalence data from the CDC reveals as many as 450K Americans may be affected from the illness, which causes an allergic reaction to a natural sugar found in (mammal) meat. The CDC underscores the importance of focusing on AGS due to its potentially life-threatening nature. Get up to speed on this illness with the link below and review best practices for repellent in our prior “Summertime” edition.
Quick back to school health tips
We thought a quick infographic from Johns Hopkins Health would be worth sharing as kids head back to school.
The AHA releases official scientific stance on e-cigarettes and vaping
The use of e-cigarettes and vaping products has surged, especially among youth, reported use in almost 30% of youth in the past decade. Originally promoted as safer alternatives to smoking, the opposite is proving to be true after a significant outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries occurred in 2019. Given the high prevalence of vaping among young people, we must develop strategies to mitigate usage. The American Heart Association (AHA) released an official statement last week. Finally.
E-cigarette usage soars among youth, let’s talk to kids
Piggybacking on the AHA’s warning about e-cigarette and vaping health risks, this interesting read from CNN dives into some serious youth risks. The CDC also warns against tobacco use (in youth and adults) whether it is the form of cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or e-cigarettes, as nicotine is in all of these products. Talking to your children and pediatric patients is imperative to help them make smart choices. We found these tips from the CDC helpful!
💡Inspiration for Aspirations
Need a Back-to-School Wellness plan? We Have You Covered.
Meet Dr. Marlo Miller. She’s inspiring wellness in her community. She’s a doctoral PA, educator, PA advocate, entrepreneur, community leader, and prime example of the endless career possibilities we have!
Marlo Miller, DMS, PA-C
Marlo Miller has been a physician assistant for 21 years; 19 of those years she has spent in gastroenterology. She currently works for Westside GI at Hendricks Regional Health in Indiana and enjoys helping patients improve their medical health and nutrition. She graduated from Butler University with Bachelor of Health Science in 2002 and returned to graduate with her Doctor of Medical Science in 2022. She is very active in promoting the PA profession and is a favorite preceptor for Butler University PA students. She advocates for Indiana PAs and serves as Secretary of the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistant (IAPA) board (previously as treasurer). Most recently, she has utilized her leadership skills and knowledge to open a Pure Barre to inspire wellness in her community. She has a loving husband whom she has been with since high school, and they have 2 amazing daughters. She loves to stay active with hiking and regular exercise but is able to relax with playing video games with the family.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your career as a PA?
A: My favorite part of being a PA is seeing our new students come through with such vigor and desire and knowing that I have had a hand in shaping them to be the best practitioner they could be. I stay in contact with several of my former students and provide them with advice and guidance. I know these people are the next generation and that investing in their education is the most important job I can do as a senior PA and educator.
Q: Only 2% of PAs have their doctorate. What was your motivation and how did it change the trajectory of your career?
A: I was the lead PA for many years in my former practice so I initially decided to get a doctorate not knowing precisely what I would do with it, but confident it would open doors. I focused on the leadership & administration tract with the anticipation that I would be able to use my experience and passion for excellence in patient care to positively lead and educate our facility APPs with a voice to advocate in hospital administration. At the time of graduation, I experienced an exponential growth personally and professionally, but the door I had anticipated closed while life brought an unexpected opportunity. I am currently using the leadership skills I learned during my courses in more of an entrepreneurial fashion, which also fulfils my passion to inspire wellness in my community.
Q: What inspired you to start business?
A: The ‘Covid era’ has changed the landscape of medicine. There are so many people that have suffered physically but there is also a massive mental toll becoming apparent in our country. People have not been able to take care of themselves the way that keeps one healthy in all facets. My capstone research highlighted this massive shift towards (socially acceptable) unhealthy coping mechanisms in our society. To worsen the problem, poor nutrition and body images have only amplified our mental health concerns. I decided that I needed to find a platform/arena that is all inclusive for all ages, shapes, sizes and experience levels. As a PA, I’m in the perfect position to effect change. I understand the power of good nutrition, healthy habits, exercise, education while keeping people safe. I was blessed with the opportunity to franchise a Pure Barre for my community. This allows for a low impact workout for those that are new to fitness with various levels of modifications for anyone who needs a challenge. We also work on healthy nutrition, and all of this is done with encouragement and acceptance. I plan to use the information I learned during my doctorate program to build a team of compassionate individuals that will help make this community health venture successful.
We appreciate Dr. Miller’s contributions to health and wellness in her community. She is a prime example of how PAs are prepared for endless opportunities!
You can follow her on IG @purebarre_avon, or FB @purebarreavon
I decided that I needed to find a platform/arena that is all inclusive for all ages, shapes, sizes and experience levels. As a PA, I’m in the perfect position to effect change. I understand the power of good nutrition, healthy habits, exercise, education while keeping people safe.
🧪Clinical Conundrums: Because We Love a Challenge!
Looking for FREE CME?
We found this awesome resource from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. It’s not only jointly accredited, but you can complete that nagging DEA license requirement with a mixture of media (podcasts, micro-cases, webinars, etc.) This CME/CEU course comes with ZERO dollars to spend. You. Are. Welcome.
🔎ICYMI
Johns Hopkins study reveals impacts of malpractice
Nursing organization leadership opposition to policy-maker's mandates
Exertional Heat Stroke: The leading cause of preventable death in high school athletics
Save A Life: The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion
Inspirational interview worth the repost with Dr. Bernard Toney Jr.
Future APPs: It’s interview season, preparation tips to keep your cool
Clinical Case Part 2: Treatment of heat stroke: Don't lose your cool!
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