Our Kids, the American Dream in Crisis — Reflections on Dr. Robert D. Putnam’s Book
Several days ago, my husband and I went to a gathering at Georgetown University to meet a group of premed undergraduate students all from the Georgetown Scholarship Program (GSP), a program for low income students. I had read about these students in the summer in a Washington Post article. The reporter, Daureen Brown, told a…
Behind Each Face, There’s a Story
Today, Betsy was placed on hospice care. Her Alzheimer’s has worsened; often she can no longer swallow or turn her head to gaze at her visitors or the hospital staff. She was hospitalized for a week with a fever and had a full workup including CT scan confirming again that a part of her brain…
October 15 – National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness
It’s an American norm to name days and months after selected causes. The purpose can vary: to build awareness, bring attention to, or to give words to something that is likely unspoken. October is designated for a number of causes, including National Domestic Abuse Awareness, Eczema Awareness, National Breast Cancer Awareness, and one that we…
What I Learned From My Vegetable Garden
In late spring, my husband David and I and some friends from our Lady Docs Corner Cafe group started funding a project for the William Penn House, a wonderful Quaker organization in Southeast Washington D.C., to plant garden boxes for some families in the areas. Inner city residents in Washington D.C. have a big problems…
As the School Year Begins—How Do We Plant the Seeds of Good Mental Health?
With the start of the school year, students, teachers, and parents usually experience a mix of hope and anxiety as they anticipate the school year and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Students benefit from having tools for handling the inevitable stresses that the school year will bring. Involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports and…
September 11, a Day of Reflection
Today was my Friday off. I went to the Gym for an intense but fun bootcamp class. My friend Dr. Diane Laurin was there for the class too, and to pick up a parcel from me. It’s September 11, and we are in the same exercise class. I reminded Diane how, ironically, just a few…
A Summer Without Regret
The summer is ending soon and students in our area have begun to be back to school. Last Sunday, in The New York Times, I read “The Summer that Never Was” from Tim Kreider and, like him, I felt a subtle sense of melancholy. There are so many places in the world to explore, yet so little…
Six Things Parents Should Avoid When Guiding Teens About Sex
As an OB/GYN and an advocate for prevention of teen pregnancy and STDs, I�ve had plenty of opportunities to interact with parents on the topic of teen sexual health. Often, parents allow misperceptions and worries about what to say to their kids about sex become obstacles to effective communication. As a parent, you want to…
A Group Discussion About Obesity and Weight Loss
A response to Dr. Tran’s latest blog related one person’s lifelong struggle with obesity, but represented the voice of many. The story struck a nerve with many of our docs, either because of their personal journeys or those of their patients. It prompted further discussion within our group and those comments are excerpted below. As…
Are You There Yet? Weight Loss is a Journey
Are you one of the women who tend to get anxious every time you go for your physical exam? Do you hold your breath while the nurse is adjusting the scale to register your weight? Do you get upset when you ask for your weight last year and she informs you that you have gained…