2 minute read
From the
—Hippocrates
You practice medicine because you love humanity. Hippocrates of Kos knew that back in 400 BC. You want humans young and old to live happy and healthy lives. You want the next generation to have a brighter future.
A powerful tool in your doctor’s bag is the vaccine. Licensed vaccines are available for over two dozen preventable infections. When used, vaccines can greatly reduce morbidity and mortality. They also save the healthcare system a great deal of money.
VACCINE HESITANCY
For our cover story, Managing Editor Edward Araujo interviews Drs. Rebecca Sunenshine and Nick Staab of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to discuss how the county tracks vaccine-preventable diseases, educates patients, and involves doctors to protect the public’s health.
Karen Lewis, MD, medical director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, provides helpful information about how the state supports vaccinations through data systems, school immunization requirements, education campaigns, and more.
In What Arizona Docs are Saying, we learn that eighty-four percent (84%) of survey respondents says their patients use social media to learn about vaccines and almost half (48%) of respondents use telehealth and telephone to communicate with patients about vaccines.
MCMS PARTNER PROGRAM
Our latest section of the magazine features a company or organization that is partnering with Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS). This first highlight focuses on Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA), a physician-owned and physiciandirected mutual insurance company and exclusive provider of medical professional liability coverage for members of MCMS.
We go In Depth with Pleasant Pediatrics, which has expanded since 2008 to six locations. Check out the Q&A with CEO Mr. Prasad Ravi and his wife Sandhya Ravi, MD, FAAP, Medical Director.
Associate Editor Mariana Nicolaides writes about the evolution of vaccine hesitancy, connecting the dots from opposition to Edward Jenner’s work on the smallpox vaccine to modern uses of messenger RNA.
We thank pediatrician Janes Lyons, MD, for sharing her approach to speaking with parents who are hesitant to have their children vaccinated. Dr. Lyons says, “I always start with open ended questions to find out their concerns, so I can target my counseling.”
VALUABLE ARTICLES
In the How To section, Matthew Lowery, Sr., a certified financial planner with DFG Advisors, shares an update about the 4% Safe Withdrawal Rule. Matt delves into the benchmark of retirees spending about 4% each year in retirement to prevent from running out of money and why recent events have called that rule into question.
In our section Legal Corner, lawyer Ike Devji shares ways physicians can mitigate risks on their own. Simple steps may include checking credit reports, using a paper shredder at home, and securing personal electronics.
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Enjoy the magazine.
By John E. McElligott, MPH, CPH
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