Researchers Identify Cellular Hotspots That Trigger Ferroptosis
Researchers Identify Cellular Hotspots That Trigger Ferroptosis
(News Medical) — Researchers at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology have uncovered how a unique interaction between two cellular compartments, namely the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, can act as a central ignition point for ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by lipid oxidation and iron. In a study…
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Tendinitis
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Tendinitis
(AMA, Sara Berg, MS) — Whether you’re chasing home runs like Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton or just chasing your kids around the yard, tendinitis doesn’t play favorites. This painful tendon inflammation can strike anyone—regardless of age or fitness level.
While it’s often brushed off as a sign of “getting older,” tendinitis is linked to…
AI Tool Developed by Johns Hopkins and Duke Predicts Infectious Disease Outbreaks More Accurately Than Current Methods
AI Tool Developed by Johns Hopkins and Duke Predicts Infectious Disease Outbreaks More Accurately Than Current Methods
(Gene Online, Mark Chiang) — Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke universities have developed an artificial intelligence tool designed to improve the forecasting, tracking, and management of infectious disease outbreaks. The tool reportedly outperforms existing state-of-the-art…
Why Ramp-Up Time Is Pivotal In First Physician Job Onboarding
Why Ramp-Up Time Is Pivotal In First Physician Job Onboarding
(AMA, Tomothy M. Smith) — To a physician transitioning to practice and looking ahead to that first physician job, onboarding might seem like a formality. It is, in fact, an important first step in every doctor’s career.
An AMA STEPS Forward® toolkit details some of the best practices employers should follow to pave the way for…
ECU Health Experts Raise Awareness Of Men’s Health During The Month Of June
ECU Health Experts Raise Awareness Of Men’s Health During The Month Of June
(WNCT, Gabby Sartori) — The month of June is men’s health month and ECU Health experts are digging deeper into both the physical and mental health struggle men face every day.
Signs of mental health struggles in men can be disguised as everyday behaviors. This includes work overload, self-diagnosis, and the…
Governor Stein Announces State Advisory Council to Bring Order to Cannabis Market
Governor Stein Announces State Advisory Council to Bring Order to Cannabis Market
(From the Office of Governor Stein) — Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on the need to protect young people by bringing order to the unregulated cannabis market:
“Today all across North Carolina, there are unregulated intoxicating THC products available for purchase: just walk into any vape…
Triangle Woman Raises Awareness After Suffering Eye Stroke
Triangle Woman Raises Awareness After Suffering Eye Stroke
(CBS 17, Liz Ortiz) — Imagine relaxing at home, then suddenly losing vision in one eye.
That’s what happened to one Triangle woman. Now, she wants to raise awareness about a rare type of stroke.
According to Elisabetta Vitali, the incident happened just over a year ago.
“I was watching TV with my husband and all of a sudden, I…
Should You Visit The ER or Urgent Care? Raleigh Doctor Explains The Differences
Should You Visit The ER or Urgent Care? Raleigh Doctor Explains The Differences
(News & Observer, Renee Umsted) —When you’re sick, one of your priorities is getting proper medical care as quickly as possible. But sometimes, it’s not easy to tell where you should go to receive attention.
Other times, said Dr. Ryan Lamb, the medical director and chair of the emergency department at UNC Rex…
NC Teen Who Lost Leg Reunites With Man Who Saved His Life
NC Teen Who Lost Leg Reunites With Man Who Saved His Life
(WRAL News)— A teenager in eastern North Carolina and the man who helped save his life are both on a path to healing.
When 18-year-old Bryson Wilkinson lost his leg after a freak accident while working, Gary Caldwell was nearby and jumped into action. Then, two days later, the two reunited at the hospital after Caldwell had his own…
This Clinic’s Individualized Support Is Helping Kids Build Fit And Healthy Futures
This Clinic’s Individualized Support Is Helping Kids Build Fit And Healthy Futures
(Novant Health, Patrick Flanary) — Stigma and weight bias persist for kids with obesity, a chronic disease that affects one in five children and adolescents in the United States.
Around the world about 160 million children live with obesity, which is caused by several genetic, environmental and socioeconomic…
‘It Is A Big Need’: N.C. Needs Almost 1,000 Doctors For Geriatric Patients
'It Is A Big Need': N.C. Needs Almost 1,000 Doctors For Geriatric Patients
(Spectrum News 1, Syndey McCoy) — From its coast to its mountains, North Carolina has much to offer, including a spot for retirees to settle down. With the Tar Heel State consistently ranking in the top states to retire, special care will be needed to accommodate this age group like geriatricians, but a national shortage…
Healthy Food Choices Found To Be Key In Reducing Heart Disease Risk
Healthy Food Choices Found To Be Key In Reducing Heart Disease Risk
(American Society For Nutrition) — A new study that followed almost 200,000 people for several decades has found that when it comes to heart health, the quality of food consumed matters as much as following a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet. The results suggest that choosing healthy, high-quality foods is key to protecting the…
From Data to Decisions: A Model for Returning Individual Results to Research Participants
From Data to Decisions: A Model for Returning Individual Results to Research Participants
(Duke University School of Medicine) — Returning individual research results to clinical study participants has not historically been the norm, even for participants with abnormal findings. The paradigm, though, is shifting, with return of results becoming not only a scientific responsibility but also an…
Is Your Healthcare Organization ALL IN For Clinician Wellbeing?
Is Your Healthcare Organization ALL IN For Clinician Wellbeing?
The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-Being Consortium (NCCPRW) in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation launched the ALL IN: Caring for North Carolina’s Caregivers initiative. This initiative encourages hospitals and health systems across the state to redesign workplace environments to…
Rates Of Liver Injuries Rise In The U.S. As Supplements Grow In Popularity
Rates Of Liver Injuries Rise In The U.S. As Supplements Grow In Popularity
(NBC News,Lindsey Leake, Marina Kopf and Emilie Ikeda) — It started with nausea and loss of appetite.
Robert Grafton, of Turnersville, New Jersey, tried to convince himself he was just coming down with something one weekend in mid-March. Then came the itching and dark urine. Grafton, a former interventional radiology…
Former Surgeon General Warns Social Media Is Harming Children’s Health
Former Surgeon General Warns Social Media Is Harming Children’s Health
(Physicians Weekly, Health Day News) — Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is urging lawmakers to take stronger steps to protect children from the potential dangers of social media.
In a recent interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Murthy said Congress has failed to act on what he described as a growing crisis.…
Practice Manager Bootcamp Registration Is Open Now
Practice Manager Bootcamp Registration Is Open Now
July 2025 - May 2026
Calling all novice practice managers as well as experienced practice managers -- register now for Practice Manager Boot Camp (PMBC) sessions starting in July! Boot camp consists of nine separate modules that introduce the basic concepts of practice management. The lessons in each module (listed below) are presented in live…
Make Your Plans Now! NCCPRW Joy & Wholeness Summit 2025 is Happening Soon!
NCCPRW Joins the Joy & Wholeness Summit 2025
In every corner of healthcare, there is a growing call for change. A call to prioritize the well-being of the people who care for others, to build systems that support clinicians, and to create a future where physicians and APPs don’t just endure—but flourish.
The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-Being Consortium…
’Baby Brain’ Is Real. 3 Things To Know About What’s Happening To Your Patients’ Brains
’Baby Brain’ Is Real. 3 Things To Know About What’s Happening To Your Patients’ Brains
(CNN, Andrea Kane) — Science has pretty well established that the brain isn’t static; it changes and adapts throughout our lives in response to life events in a process called neuroplasticity.
Researchers are discovering this is especially true of female brains, which get remodeled significantly during the…
AI Model Predicts Future Lung Cancer Risk From A Single Low-Dose Chest CT Scan
AI Model Predicts Future Lung Cancer Risk From A Single Low-Dose Chest CT Scan
(News Medical Life Sciences, American Thoracic Society) — A deep learning model was able to predict future lung cancer risk from a single low-dose chest CT scan, according to new research published at the ATS 2025 International Conference.
The model, called Sybil, which was originally developed using National Lung…
One-Of-A-Kind Charlotte Facility Could Tackle ‘Staggering’ NC Mental Health Crisis
One-Of-A-Kind Charlotte Facility Could Tackle ‘Staggering’ NC Mental Health Crisis
(The Charlotte Observer, Mary Ramsey) — Officially, Michael Estramonte is the founder of the Katie Blessing Center for youth behavioral health. But his sons get credit, too. After leading his StarMed Healthcare business through the COVID-19 pandemic, Estramonte looked for another “tough to tackle challenge.”…
NC Works To Expand Availability Of Donor Breast Milk As Demand Rises
NC Works To Expand Availability Of Donor Breast Milk As Demand Rises
(NC Health News, Rachel Crumpler) — Demand for pasteurized donor breast milk is rising.
More than 10 percent of babies born in North Carolina are premature, according to state data. In 2023, that meant 12,885 premature infants. Breast milk helps protect premature babies’ guts and helps facilitate their growth.
The…
ECU Health Opens Impact Clinic To Serve Patients With Perinatal Substance Use Disorders
ECU Health Opens Impact Clinic To Serve Patients With Perinatal Substance Use Disorders
(ECU Health)— ECU Health is proud to announce the opening of the IMPACT (Integrated Model of Perinatal Addiction Care and Treatment) Clinic, a new outpatient addiction medicine clinic dedicated to providing specialized care for pregnant individuals facing substance use disorders. Located within the high-risk…
Is There A Doctor On The Beach? NC Outer Banks A Tourism Hub, But A Health Care Desert
Is There A Doctor On The Beach? NC Outer Banks A Tourism Hub, But A Health Care Desert
(Carolina Public Press, Jane Winik Sartwell) — This summer, 5 million tourists will descend on 200 miles of remote North Carolina coastline. The Outer Banks are idyllic — and popular. But for both those visitors and the area’s 38,000 year-round residents, the vacation paradise has one serious problem: health…
Gene Editing Helped A Desperately Ill Baby Thrive. Scientists Say It Could Someday Treat Millions
Gene Editing Helped A Desperately Ill Baby Thrive. Scientists Say It Could Someday Treat Millions
(Associated Press) — A baby born with a rare and dangerous genetic disease is growing and thriving after getting an experimental gene editing treatment made just for him.
Researchers described the case in a new study, saying he’s among the first to be successfully treated with a custom therapy that…
Free ‘Mega Clinic’ In Asheville To Offer Medical, Dental, And Vision Care In June
Free 'Mega Clinic' In Asheville To Offer Medical, Dental, And Vision Care In June
(WSPA, Joanna Johnson) — A mega clinic will be hosted in downtown Asheville next month, offering free services to anyone in need.
Liberty and Health Alliance, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is offering all people access to free medical, dental and vision care from June 4 through 6. It will be…
Firefighters Face Higher Skin Cancer Risk. A Winston-Salem Hospital Offered A Free Screening
Firefighters Face Higher Skin Cancer Risk. A Winston-Salem Hospital Offered A Free Screening
(WFMY Ben Briscoe) — Meredith Smith didn’t have to look far to find her motivation. Her husband is a firefighter. And as an oncology nurse, Smith knows firsthand the elevated cancer risks that come with the job — especially when it comes to skin cancer.
That’s why she’s teaming up with Novant Health…
New Research: Class of HIV Drugs May Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease
(aidsmap, Zekerie Redzheb) -- A cohort of people with HIV who took NRTIs (a class of HIV drugs) as part of HIV treatment showed lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease than people without HIV. The team of American researchers behind this study published in the journal of Pharmaceuticals suspect HIV-like sequences in our genome to be associated with the disease and thus these HIV drugs protect against…
How A Minimally Invasive Procedure Helped This Heart Failure Patient Get Her Life Back.
How A Minimally Invasive Procedure Helped This Heart Failure Patient Get Her Life Back.
(Novant Health, Patrick Flanary) — For most of 2024, Karen Powell struggled to get out of bed.
Regular tasks like taking a shower and vacuuming the house sapped her strength and often left her breathless. The worst part was that Powell, a Wilmington grandmother of five, had experienced this before.
Back in…
Loneliness Is Epidemic, Even Among Older-Adult Physicians
Loneliness Is Epidemic, Even Among Older-Adult Physicians
(AMA, Timothy M. Smith) — Loneliness is a worldwide phenomenon. It has become so pervasive that some national governments have elevated the issue to the policy level. For example, the U.K. now has a minister for loneliness; Australia formed the Ending Loneliness Together organization; and Canada established the Canadian Institute for…
New Study: Exercise May be Secret Weapon Against Cancer Treatment Negative Effects
New Study Finds Physical Activity May Mitigate Some Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
(NICE NEWS) -- There’s no doubt exercise is good for your heart, bones, balance, and brain. And a new study found that physical activity can also mitigate some side effects of cancer treatment, such as brain fog and heart and nerve damage.
While prior research has shown that exercise can be generally…
These Are The Safest Hospitals In NC, Report Says. See If Yours Made The List
These Are The Safest Hospitals In NC, Report Says. See If Yours Made The List
(The Charlotte Observer, Evan Moore) — How safe are North Carolina hospitals? A national health care watchdog group determined the state had dropped outside the top 10 in its latest hospital rankings.
The Leapfrog Group released its spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades on Thursday, May 1, scoring local hospitals with…
Can Your Diet Affect Fertility? Gut-Linked Dietary Score Reveals Surprising Risk Pattern
Can Your Diet Affect Fertility? Gut-Linked Dietary Score Reveals Surprising Risk Pattern
(News Medical, Hugo Francisco de Souza) — In a recent study in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers investigated the association between the novel Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and female infertility. The study aims to inform future dietary interventions against the condition. It used…
Stomach Cancer Is Increasingly Being Detected Earlier, Raising Hopes For Survival
Stomach Cancer Is Increasingly Being Detected Earlier, Raising Hopes For Survival
(NBC, Linda Carroll) — Doctors are increasingly detecting stomach tumors at an early stage, raising hopes for lifesaving treatment for one of the deadliest types of cancer.
Stomach cancer, the disease that killed country music star Toby Keith last year, is typically difficult to catch early and tends to be…
UNC Oncologist William Kim Highlights Immunotherapy’s Role In Cancer Conquest
UNC Oncologist William Kim Highlights Immunotherapy's Role In Cancer Conquest
(ChosunBiz, Lee Yong-Seong) — The results of various types of "immune anticancer drug" treatments on patients with melanoma (a skin cancer caused by the malignant transformation of melanocytes) and kidney cancer, along with follow-up observations on patients with blood cancers such as lymphoma after receiving "chimeric…
Plastic in Our Minds: Microplastics Discovered in the Human Brain
Plastic in Our Minds: Microplastics Discovered in the Human Brain
(Novant Health, Camille Prairie) — The world is awash in tiny plastic particles. And scientists found an ingenious way to drive home the point earlier this year when they announced we all have the equivalent of a plastic spoon sitting in our brain.
It sounds terrible, to be sure. But what does it mean to our health? And what…
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Webinars in May
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services Webinars in May
(NCDHHS)— NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services is hosting two webinars in May. Closed-captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be provided.
The division will host the Inclusion Works Strategic Plan webinar on May 2 from 2…
HOPE Technique Shows Promise For Long-Term Donor Lung Preservation
HOPE Technique Shows Promise For Long-Term Donor Lung Preservation
(International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation)— A study on donor lungs preserved outside the body before transplantation demonstrated that the hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) technique is a safe and effective lung preservation method, even with total out-of-body times approaching 20 hours.
Jitte…
Duke Neurologist Shares 3 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young At Any Age
Duke Neurologist Shares 3 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young At Any Age
(Duke Today, Stephen Schramm) — Several times a week, Ginger Newbold rises at 5:30 a.m. to lift weights and walk the treadmills at Planet Fitness. Now in her early 60s, she also sticks to a brain-healthy diet, loading up on blueberries and salmon. Her routine keeps her body strong, but it’s her mind she’s really protecting.…
NCMS Celebrates Passage Of Prior Authorization Reform, Annual White Coat Day, And Legislative Reception
NCMS Celebrates Passage Of Prior Authorization Reform, Annual White Coat Day, And Legislative Reception
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) hosted its annual White Coat Day and Legislative Reception on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. It was a day of celebrations, as the NCMS also cheered the passage of the CARE FIRST Act.
NCMS Interim CEO Steve Keene says,…
Congratulations to NCMS member Dr. Christine Khandelwal on election to Federation of State Medical Boards’ BOD
Congratulations to North Carolina Medical Society member Christine M. Khandelwal, DO for her election to the Board of Directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards. Dr. Khandelwal is a 2024 NCMS Golden Stethoscope Award winner.
She is a former North Carolina Medical Board Member and Past NCMB President.
Dr. Khandelwal was selected, from a field of eight candidates on April 26…
Happy Birthday to Our Members Celebrating This Month!
Grab your party hats and noisemakers and let’s celebrate!
NCMS Member Birthdays May 2025
Ole S. Aassar, MD
William B. Abernethy, Jr., MD
Surafeal G. Abraha, MD
Peter K. Acheampong, MD
Maureen N. Achuko, MD
Douglas H. Adams, MD, MPH
Van L. Adams, MD
Henry T. Adkins, Jr., MD
Kerry E. Agnello, DO
Lindsey N. Ahearn
Julian S. Albergotti, Jr., MD
Dustin B. Alderson, MD
Fuad Y.…
Geriatricians Wanted: NC Medical Schools Work To Recruit Aging Health Specialists
Geriatricians Wanted: NC Medical Schools Work To Recruit Aging Health Specialists
(NC Health News, Grace Vitalione) — North Carolinians are getting older, but there aren't enough people getting trained to care for them.
The population of people ages 65 and older in North Carolina is expected to nearly double to 2.7 million in the next couple decades. Many of those older adults will require…
Fixing Prior Auth: Nearly 40 Prior Authorizations A Week Is Way Too Many
Fixing Prior Auth: Nearly 40 Prior Authorizations A Week Is Way Too Many
(AMA, Tanya Albert Henry) — The time-wasting, care-delaying, insurance company cost-control process known as prior authorization has gone from a rarely employed tool to discourage use of extremely pricey interventions to a form of utilization management that comes as naturally to payers as breathing does to the rest of us.……
Let Your Patients Know! NCDHHS Distributing Free Fans Starting May 1
Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1 – Oct. 31
RALEIGH - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with North Carolina area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans statewide to eligible recipients through the Operation Fan Heat Relief program from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2025.
People aged…
Even Light Exercise Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline In People At Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Even Light Exercise Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline In People At Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease
(Atrium Health, Myra Wright) — Low and moderate-high intensity exercise could be valuable tools in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and University of California San Diego have found.
The new research, published as two papers in…
White Coat Day is Wednesday! NCMS Has A Big Announcement on Prior Authorization!
The North Carolina Medical Society's White Coat Day is just two days away! This Wednesday, physicians and PAs from across the state will come together to demonstrate the medical community’s united stance on reforming prior authorization. It will be a pivotal moment as the NCMS Prior Authorization Bill is presented on the House floor.
Stay tuned throughout the day for updates on how NCMS and its…
Duke Biologist: Honey, I Shrunk The Proteins!
Duke Biologist: Honey, I Shrunk The Proteins!
(Duke School of Medicine, Angela Spivey) – In August 2024, Duke University School of Medicine computational biologist Rohit Singh, PhD, posted on the social media platform X, “Introducing Raygun, a new approach to protein design.”
He was talking about an artificial intelligence tool his team created to help biologists “shrink” or “expand” existing…
Advocates For Black Maternal Health Press NC General Assembly To Approve ‘MOMnibus’ Legislation
Advocates For Black Maternal Health Press NC General Assembly To Approve ‘MOMnibus’ Legislation
(NC Newsline, Clayton Henkel) – On the week that North Carolina senators were busy rolling out a $32.6B spending plan, it was difficult to gain attention for legislation that some consider a longshot this session. But Senator Natalie Murdock (D-Chatham, Durham) refused to allow budget week to shift…
A New Consensus On Substance Use Disorders And Healthcare
A New Consensus On Substance Use Disorders And Healthcare
(NC Newsline, Sara Harington and Jana Burson) – New polling from the Legal Action Center shows North Carolinians nearly universally (98%) view substance use disorders (SUD) as a problem deserving of attention. More than two-thirds know someone impacted by SUD, and the data shows robust support – across political and demographic lines –…