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Volume 11 | Issue 10
Inside This Issue
October Edition 2021
Health Professionals Experience Burnout Amid the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic By Jon Stevens, MD, MPH, Vice President of Growth and Innovation, Medical Director of Outpatient Services at The Menninger Clinic
MD Anderson Launches Community-Led Be Well Acres Homes Initiative See pg. 8
INDEX Legal Matters........................ pg.3 Oncology Research......... pg.4 Mental Health...................... pg.5 Healthy Heart....................... pg.7 Financial Forecast.............pg.11
Aging and Living Well See pg. 12
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or more than a year and half, the COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous amount of stress on physicians, nurses, and hospital staff on the front lines of battling a virus that has hospitalized millions and resulted in more than 680,000 deaths nationwide (including 62,000 Texans). In a survey of over 20,000 physicians by the American Medical Association in July, nearly half said they were experiencing occupational-related distress symptoms commonly referred to as “burnout.” While burnout is not a recognized mental health disorder, it can be conceptualized as a “kissing cousin” to one. Burnout is included in the most recent revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon. Burnout refers to a feeling of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion due to repeated stress caused by either spending long hours at work or trying to multitask and handle
too many things at once. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic
longer do your job in an effective way • Specifically for physicians losing compassion towards patients in your care You can also ask yourself the following questions if you think you’re experiencing burnout: • Is it hard to concentrate while at work? • Have I become impatient with my patients and colleagues? • Am I not feeling as satisfied with my work accomplishments? • Do I no longer feel like I have the energy to be a productive clinician? While it can be normal to have feelings of frustration, anxiety, stress, or even anger at some point on the job, the relentless challenge of COVID-19 has amplified these “normal” feelings for physicians and all medical personnel on the front lines. The health profession in particular, is already prone to burnout. As physicians, we work in an environment of independence and self-reliance, so it is common to avoid showing signs of weakness because our constant focus is
Signs of burnout include: • Frequently feelings of dread about your job • Feeling as though you can no longer do your job in an effective way • Specifically for physicians losing compassion towards patients in your care workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is important to note that everyday life stressors and burnout are not the same. Feeling stressed is usually for a specific and short amount of time while working towards a goal or solving a problem When the stress begins to feel like it is ongoing, persistent, and causing you to feel as though hope is lost, then you could be experiencing burnout. Signs of burnout include: • Frequently feelings of dread about your job • Feeling as though you can no
see Burnout...page 14
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HOUSTON
HEART WALK November 13 TDECU Stadium
Staying active is vital to staying healthy, yet 80% of adults and nearly 75% of children DO NOT meet the recommended amounts of physical activity. Physical activity is critical to preventing first strokes and preventing survivors from having another stroke - in fact, regular activity can reduce the incidence of stroke by 10% to 30%. How's that for motivation to #MoveMore? Join us to reinvigorate your heart healthy lifestyle and make an impact by saving lives in our community.
Learn more at HoustonHeartWalk.org
The American Heart Association is excited to announce our 2021 Heart Walk Chair, Luis Silva, VP and General Manager AT&T South Texas. Thank you to Luis for your support of our mission and commitment to health equity in our community! Luis Silva
2021 Heart Walk Chair VP and General Manager AT&T South Texas
October 2021
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Legal Matters President Biden Mandates Covid-19 Vaccinations: Stay Tuned…
By Denise K. Drake, J.D. & Lilian Doan Davis, J.D. Polsinelli, PC
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resident Biden recently unveiled a COVID-19 Action Plan that requires, among other things, millions of private-sector employees, health care workers, federal employees, and employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The announcement resulted in a political firestorm, leaving many employers wondering how new rules might affect both them and their employees. Announcement. President Biden mandated that employees working (1) within the executive branch of the federal government, (2) for employers with 100 or more employees, (3) at health care facilities that receive
funds from the Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement program, and (4) for federal contractors, be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employers with over 100 employees are given the option to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require testing on at least a weekly basis. Employers of over 100. President Biden charged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with responsibility for issuing an emergency temporary standard related to businesses with 100 or more employees. Specifically what OSHA might order is yet to be seen, but mandatory vaccination or regular testing on at least a weekly basis, plus paid time off to get vaccinated and to recover from any side effects, will be included. Penalties of $14,000 per violation are also anticipated. There will likely be legal challenges regarding OSHA’s authority to issue such standards under current circumstances. To prevail, OSHA must prove that workers are exposed to a grave danger and the standards are necessary to address that danger.
Any emergency standard must also be feasible for employers to enforce. Good news for employers seeking consistency may be that any OSHA standard would pre-empt existing rules by state and local governments, except in states with their own OSHA-approved workplace agencies (https://www.osha.gov/stateplans). Those states would have 30 days to adopt a standard that is (1) at least as effective as the OSHA standard, and (2) covers state and local government employees not covered by OSHA. Health care employees. President Biden’s Action Plan provides that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will expand the vaccination requirement it issued for nursing home staff to other health
care settings that receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, including but not limited to hospitals, home-health agencies, ambulatory surgical settings, and dialysis centers. This action will apply to clinical staff, individuals providing services under arrangements, volunteers, and staff who are not involved in direct patient, resident, or client care. Education employees. The Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, and schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees. see Legal Matters...page 14
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Oncology Research Taking Breast Cancer Prevention and Detection into Your Own Hands By Jamie Terry, M.D., MHCE, FACS Texas Breast Specialists– Texas Oncology
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or many of us, the pandemic has turned our lives upside down. We have learned to be flexible as we’ve adapted to new work, home, and personal rhythms. Chances are, our personal health needs have fallen low on our to-do list. If you’ve ignored concerning symptoms – that lingering rash or unusual swelling – you are not alone. In fact, many of us are delaying seeing a physician about a change in our health. The National Center for Health Statistics reports slightly more than 20% of people over the age of 18 visit their primary physician within three months of the onset of a new health symptom. The number declines further for people over 65. Responding quickly to new
October 2021
symptoms is especially important for detecting and preventing breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women. When detected early before it has spread, breast cancer has a 99% five-year survival rate. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Learn the symptoms of breast cancer. Listen to your body. Advocate for your health when you have a concern. Get familiar with the symptoms. Women often think a lump is the singular sign of breast cancer. But there is more than one type of breast cancer including some that present unique symptoms. While a lump in the breast, underarm, or around the collarbone is a common symptom, others include change in breast size or shape; nipple discharge; or breast or nipple tenderness or pain. A less common, but highly aggressive form of breast cancer – inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) – often doesn’t produce a well-defined lump. The primary symptom of IBC is redness and swelling in and around the
breast; dimpled skin resembling orange peel also may appear. It is important to note that men also can get breast cancer. In fact, men who develop breast cancer typically present with more advanced disease than women. Listen to your body and advocate for yourself. Because you know best what’s normal for your body, you are your own best health advocate. Beginning in your 20s, women should check their breasts monthly for lumps or unusual changes. Many lumps or symptoms are benign or less serious, but if you notice something, it needs to be checked out by a physician. Helpful questions to prepare
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before seeing a physician include what may have caused the symptom or lump; what next steps or tests are needed; and if you will be referred to a physician specializing in breast health. If you feel yourself downplaying or doubting your symptom, try pretending that you’re advocating for someone close to you. You wouldn’t let them ignore their symptoms or concerns. Be proactive about your screenings. Regular breast self-exams are important, but preventative, proactive screenings such as clinical breast exams, mammograms, and MRIs are the most effective in detecting cancer early. Ask see Oncology Research...page 13
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Mental Health Houston ISD Students Struggle to Manage Stress, New Research Shows By Amy McCaig Experts say stress levels could have negative long-term impact on children
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ven before the COVID-19 pandemic, students in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) struggled to manage stress, reporting low levels of stress resistance that could have a lasting impact on their academic achievement, employment, health and overall well-being. Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) also found some groups of students — including those who were Hispanic, economically disadvantaged, current English learners, special education students or children who were otherwise considered at risk — generally reported lower levels of social and emotional skills than their peers. “This means that these individuals could lag behind their peers when it comes to long-term success, not only in school but in life,” said Ming Yin, a HERC researcher and the lead author of the briefs.
Those findings are included in two new research briefs analyzing the social and emotional skills of more than 6,000 10-year-olds and 15-year-olds attending HISD schools. The briefs include data from the Study on Social and Emotional Skills, part of an international effort led by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data was collected in the fall of 2019, before the COVID pandemic temporarily shut down teaching in Houston classrooms. The research found the 10-year-olds generally showed high levels of tolerance, curiosity, creativity, cooperation, motivation and self-efficacy, but they reported lower levels of assertiveness and stress resistance. The 15-year-olds in the study generally showed high levels of tolerance, curiosity, creativity, empathy, cooperation and self-efficacy, but they reported lower levels of trust and stress resistance. Overall, this research provides a comprehensive snapshot of the social and emotional well-being of HISD
students. It also identifies which groups of students need of more support when it comes to developing important social and emotional skills, Yin said, and it indicates which skills each group of students needs help developing. “There is a growing consensus that social and emotional skills — which include the ability to adapt, be resourceful, be respectful and work with others, and take personal and collective responsibility — are just as important as literacy or numeracy skills that get citizens better prepared academically, professionally and civically,” Yin said. “Awareness of and
more research on social and emotional learning is of great importance.” “Social and Emotional Skills of 10-Year-Old Students in the Houston Independent School District” and “Social and Emotional Skills of 15-Year-Old Students in the Houston Independent School District” are available online at https://herc.rice.edu/ research/social-and-emotional-skillsstudents-houston-independent-schooldistrict. The briefs were co-authored by HERC researchers Holly Heard, Julia Szabo and Nehemiah Ankoor.
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Novel Assessment of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Shows Efficacy in Patients with Osteoarthritis
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pilot study conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine combined wearable technology and patient-reported outcomes to assess the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment in osteoarthritis (OA). The results, published in the journal Regenerative Medicine, showed that a single injection of leukocyte-rich/ PRP in the knee joint significantly improved functional mobility, pain and quality of life after six weeks. The study supports using this combined approach to further evaluate this and other emerging biological therapies for musculoskeletal disorders in larger clinical trials. “OA is a leading cause of disabilities, affecting nearly 52 million Americans,” said first and corresponding author Dr. Prathap Jayaram, director of regenerative sports
medicine and assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor. “It has been estimated that more than 80% of individuals older than 55 years have some X-ray-based evidence of the disease.” OA develops when the smooth cushion between bones, the cartilage, breaks down. Progressively, joints become painful, swollen and hard to move, Jayaram explained. Currently, there are no validated therapies that delay disease progression. The current standard of care is limited to the alleviation of symptoms with corticosteroids. “However, although steroids seem to be helpful in the short term for pain, emerging evidence has associated steroid long-term use in OA with loss of cartilage,” Jayaram said. “As OA is a whole joint disease, there is a need for
developing novel therapeutic strategies that ultimately prevent and/or delay disease progression while improving functional outcomes. PRP is emerging as one of the promising candidates to treat OA that are currently being used in clinical practice.” Combining wearable technology and patient assessment to evaluate the treatment One challenge of previous studies assessing PRP therapies in OA is that treatment evaluation is based on patient-reported outcomes that subjectively assess pain or aspects of joint function, such as the time up-and-go (TUG), how quick a person
gets up from a chair. In this study, Jayaram and colleagues incorporated wearable technology to objectively assess functional outcomes such as TUG, in addition to patient-reported outcomes to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of PRP in knee OA (KOA). The prospective pilot study included 12 patients diagnosed with KOA. Each patient received one ultrasound-guided injection of PRP and function and pain were evaluate six weeks later. PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood by removing the red blood see Plasma ...page 14
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Healthy Heart Taking More Steps Daily May Lead to a Longer Life By The American Heart Association
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aking more steps per day, either all at once or in shorter spurts, may help you live longer, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021. The virtual meeting offered the latest science on population-based health and wellness and implications for lifestyle. Walking is one of the safest and easiest ways to improve fitness and health including heart health. The American Heart Association’s fitness guidelines for adults recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both. Popular fitness apps and step counters make it easy to count steps, so researchers used a wearable step counting device to compare the effects of uninterrupted bouts of steps (10 minutes or longer) to occasional short spurts, such as climbing the stairs and general daily
activities throughout the day. “The positive impact of exercise on overall physical health and mental health has been proven time and again in countless studies,” says Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MBA, MPH, President and CEO Harris Health Systems and American Heart Association Greater Houston Board Member. “Walking is not only an effective form of exercise but one that is available to us under almost all conditions, in all geographies and all the time. Even moderate amount of walking has been shown to be greatly beneficial if it is performed routinely.” From 2011-2015, 16,732 women wore a waist step counter that measured their daily steps and walking patterns for four to seven days. The women were all over age 60 (average age of 72; mostly non-Hispanic white women) and were participants in the Women’s Health Study, a large, national study of heart disease, cancer and other long-term disease prevention. The researchers divided the
total number of steps for each study participant into two groups: 1) 10 minutes or longer bouts of walking with few interruptions; and 2) short spurts of walking during regular daily activities such as housework, taking the stairs, or walking to or from a car. In follow-up, they tracked deaths from any cause for an average of six years, through December 31, 2019. Researchers found: • Overall, 804 deaths occurred during the entire study period of 2011-2019. • Study participants who took more steps in short spurts lived longer, regardless of how many steps they had in longer, uninterrupted bouts.
The benefits leveled off at about 4,500 steps per day in short spurts. • Compared to no daily steps, each initial increase of 1,000 steps per day was associated with a 28% decrease in death during the follow-up period. • A 32% decrease in death was noted in participants who took more than 2,000 steps daily in uninterrupted bouts. Since all study participants were older and mostly non-Hispanic white women, more research is needed to determine if the results apply to men, younger women and people from diverse racial and ethnic groups.
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Houston Medical Times
MD Anderson Launches Community-Led Be Well Acres Homes Initiative
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ith the launch of Be Well Acres Homes, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center unites more than 30 organizations, alongside community members, to promote wellness and reduce the risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. The initiative is part of MD Anderson’s Be Well Communities™ model, a place-based strategy that narrows the gap between known cancer prevention tactics and successful implementation. Be Well Acres Homes will apply evidence-based strategies within the northwest Houston community to promote physical activity, healthy eating and other behaviors that can have a direct impact on health. “We are proud to join together with the Acres Homes community to make a greater impact on more people in the service of our mission to end cancer,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “By collaborating with a broad range of committed community members, organizations and other stakeholders and by prioritizing a definitive investment in public health,
October 2021
Be Well Acres Homes has the potential to help create positive, long-lasting change in people’s lives.” MD Anderson’s new Strategy calls for reaching more people, and part of this involves partnering with others to promote cancer prevention in the community setting, an aim that will be accomplished through Be Well Acres Homes. In its first two years, Be Well Acres Homes aims to build sustainable food systems and increase access to healthy food, improve spaces for physical activity, create a network of community and school-based gardens, and provide culturally-adapted nutrition education. The Be Well Acres Homes action plan was developed with and for the community, in alignment with the Houston Complete Communities initiative, a City of Houston program focused on bridging the gap between equity and opportunity in 10 historically under-resourced neighborhoods, including Acres Homes. “Complete Communities is the signature initiative of my administration and is focused on creating the road
map to economic opportunity, deep community investment and improved health across our region,” City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “The vitality of our city and the health of our community are everyone’s responsibilities, especially in neighborhoods where opportunity is not equal. MD Anderson’s demonstrated commitment to lead in a highly collaborative, community-minded way is a model for our city. We are thrilled for this social impact initiative with MD Anderson and look forward to advancing this effort in Acres Homes.” Be Well Acres Homes is executed in collaboration with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation, UTHealth School of Public Health, and more than 30 community organizations that make up the Be Well Acres Homes
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Steering Committee, together with residents of Acres Homes. The full list of collaborators is available online. The initiative is supported by MD Anderson’s Community Outreach and Engagement Fund along with its Cancer Prevention and Control platform, which is part of the institution’s Moon Shots Program™, an ambitious effort to reduce cancer deaths by accelerating and implementing advances in prevention, early detection and treatment based on scientific discoveries. Additional support for Be Well Acres Homes is being provided by a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to The University of Texas Foundation. Those funds will support MD Anderson’s implementation of sustainable, neighborhood-based food security strategies through Be Well Communities.
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Hospital News Memorial Hermann First in Texas to Use Newly-Approved Device to Treat Atrial Fibrillation in Patients at Risk of Stroke
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lectrophysiologists with UTHealth Houston and affiliated with the heart teams at Memorial Hermann Health System are the first in Texas to offer a new device, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, designed to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are at risk of ischemic stroke. The first cases in Texas using the Abbott Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder were performed at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. “In some people with AFib,
the LAA – a small pocket connected to the upper left chamber of the heart – can allow blood to pool and increase the likelihood of a clot formation, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke,” said Saumya Sharma, MD, an Assistant Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and the Director of Clinical Research for the Complex Arrhythmia Center at Memorial Hermann-TMC. “This device completely and immediately seals and closes off the LAA, allowing the body to heal over it, preventing clots from forming in the heart and
St. Joseph Medical Center Launches Latino Health Center of Excellence
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o better serve the growing population of Hispanic patients who come through the doors of St. Joseph Medical Center, the hospital is looking forward to opening the Latino Health Center of Excellence later this fall. The medical-surgical/telemetry unit will see patients who identify as “Spanish-speaking preferred” and serve as a place for non-acute patients to recover after undergoing a procedure. All of the personnel on the unit speak Spanish with the hopes of making this patient population more comfortable and confident in the medical care they are receiving,” said Rennie Rogers, Director of Latino Health at St. Joseph Medical Center. “Our goal is not only to provide language service but also to make people feel welcome and provide the human connection that is often lost for Hispanic patients seen in the U.S. health care system.” In addition to the medical personnel speaking the language, the Latino Health Center of Excellence will cater to the needs of its patients, by
offering a dietary menu that reflects the Hispanic culture and providing access to TV programming in Spanish. “These types of small touches allow us to connect with our patients emotionally and overall make them feel more at ease about their experience,” said Rogers. “Given that nearly half of the population in Houston is Hispanic, what we’re offering through the Latino Health Center of Excellence is long overdue.” At this time, St. Joseph Medical Center is the only hospital in the downtown Houston area that provides the Hispanic population this offering and hopes to expand the concept beyond the medical-surgery/ telemetry unit. “We’re also setting a precedent for other Steward Health Care facilities to follow suit, providing medical care to meet the growing needs of their multicultural populations,” Rogers said.
escaping to the brain.” Sharma adds that this procedure is a good option for those patients who experience side effects or have difficulty taking blood thinners. “The standard therapy after an atrial appendage procedure of this type would be for the patient to take blood thinners for at least 45 days to avoid blood clots from forming,” Sharma said. “This new device eliminates the need for blood-thinning medications.” UTHealth was part of the national clinical trial that studied the Amplatzer cardiac plug in patients
at Memorial Hermann-TMC. This device gives electrophysiologists another strong and effective option to treat patients who suffer with AFib, part of Memorial Hermann’s commitment to advancing health and personalizing care. The device is currently available at Memorial Hermann-TMC and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.
New Imaging System at St. Luke’s Health-Sugar Land Produces Higher-Quality, 3-D Images with Less Radiation Sugar Land is one of two hospitals in the area to use the Innova IGS 6 bi-plane system
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he Health care providers at St. Luke’s Health-Sugar Land Hospital can now perform critical procedures with the assistance of higher-quality, three-dimensional images, thanks to new technology that works more efficiently and emits less radiation than a typical X-ray machine. The hospital has performed a half-dozen complex procedures since mid-August with the help of the Innova IGS 6 bi-plane system, which assists when doctors need clear and precise images of an affected area. The bi-plane machine rotates 240 degrees to provide a three-dimensional image from multiple angles that is clearer than an X-ray. “This benefits everyone,” said Joshua Nguyen, cath lab technologist, St. Luke’s Health-Sugar Land Hospital. ”It allows the physician to get better images and takes away the guesswork. The bi-plane is an exceptional tool that allows us to maintain high-quality
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patient care during long and complicated procedures without exposing the staff and, most importantly, the patient to high levels of radiation.” The bi-plane machine produces less-pixelated images and doesn’t overheat like an X-ray machine, allowing it to be used for longer periods. This makes it especially useful during long and complex procedures, Nguyen said. The technology can be used in a variety of procedures, including pulmonary vein isolation and lumbar punctures and repairs. The hospital has used the bi-plane to support a number of successful heart procedures. “We can do the same procedures without the limits of an X-ray machine,” Nguyen said.
October 2021
Houston Medical Times
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reathe in, breathe out. That’s how easy it is for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to enter your nose. And though remarkable progress has been made in developing intramuscular vaccines against SARS-CoV- 2, such as the readily available Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, nothing yet – like a nasal vaccine – has been approved to provide mucosal immunity in the nose, the first barrier against the virus before it travels down to the lungs. But now, we’re one step closer. Navin Varadarajan, University of Houston M.D. Anderson Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and his colleagues, are
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at the UH College of Pharmacy, and an expert in nanoparticle delivery. Liu’s team was able to encapsulate the agonist of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) within liposomal particles to yield the adjuvant named NanoSTING. The function of the adjuvant is to promote the body’s immune response. “NanoSTING has a small particle size around 100 nanometers which exhibits significantly different physical and chemical properties to the conventional adjuvant,” said Liu. “We used NanoSTING as the adjuvant for intranasal vaccination and single-cell RNA-sequencing to confirm the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue as an inductive site upon vaccination. Our
reporting in iScience the development of an intranasal subunit vaccine that provides durable local immunity against inhaled pathogens. “Mucosal vaccination can stimulate both systemic and mucosal immunity and has the advantage of being a non-invasive procedure suitable for immunization of large populations,” said Varadarajan. “However, mucosal vaccination has been hampered by the lack of efficient delivery of the antigen and the need for appropriate adjuvants that can stimulate a robust immune response without toxicity.” To solve those problems, Varadarajan collaborated with Xinli Liu, associate professor of pharmaceutics
results show that the candidate vaccine formulation is safe, produces rapid immune responses - within seven days - and elicits comprehensive immunity against SARS-CoV-2,” said Varadarajan. A fundamental limitation of intramuscular vaccines is that they are not designed to elicit mucosal immunity. As prior work with other respiratory pathogens like influenza has shown, sterilizing immunity to virus re-infection requires adaptive immune responses in the respiratory tract and the lung. The nasal vaccine will also serve to equitably distribute vaccines
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see Nasal Vaccine...page 13
Houston Medical Times
Page 11
Financial Forecast Financial Planning for Singletons – Part 2 By Grace S. Yung, CFP Midtown Financial Group, LLC
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ccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 50% of U.S. adults are single. In fact, there is even a National Singles Day that is now celebrated each year in September.1 But regardless of whether you are single by choice or circumstance, planning your finances will be primarily up to you – and now is the time to get started. Last month in Part I of Financial Planning for Singles, we discussed how to protect yourself by managing risk. In part 2, we will talk about how to fund yourself. Growing Your Savings Being financially well off can require you to use some specific tools and strategies. But because everyone’s goals are different, there isn’t just one particular method that will work for all
access to a deferred compensation plan at work you could put away a portion of your pay now in return for future income or withdrawals later. −− Funding and maintaining an emergency account. As a single individual, the cost of unexpected events like a leaky roof or car repair will usually fall solely on you. Therefore, it is recommended that you have an emergency fund that you can draw from, rather than using your retirement savings or high-interest credit card debt to pay these costs. −− Setting up “target” accounts for certain goals. If you are saving for a “big ticket” item like the down payment on a house, having a specific savings account in place can be beneficial. Besides the obvious goal of saving funds, if for example you are saving for a house, you could practice funding this account with an amount that would match your future mortgage payment. This will help you figure out if this cash flow will be comfortable for you. −− Establishing a life insurance
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investors across the board – or even for all single people in general. However, some of these strategies could include the following: − − Maxing out your employer -sponsored retirement plan(s). Many employers offer retirement savings plans like the 401(k). Depending on the type of plan that is offered, you should consider participating and maximizing your savings whether with pre-tax or after-tax contributions. −− Funding your IRA account(s) every year. Individual Retirement Accounts, or IRAs, are another tool that could be used to help save for the future. There are two main options, Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. −− Participating in a deferred compensation plan. If you have
www.uhcl.edu/hyflex-rn
281-212-1690
retirement plan (LIRP). Many people are turning to life insurance retirement plans, or LIRPs, as a strategy for tax-free income. Using a specific type of permanent life insurance policy, money could be “borrowed” from the cash value on a tax-free basis and then later “repaid” using the policy’s death benefit. −− Working with a Certified Financial Planner practitioner. In addition to having the right tools in your plan, tax-efficiency and cash flow needs should also always be taken into consideration, as well. With that in mind, working with a CFP is
see Financial Forecast...page 13
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October 2021
Houston Medical Times
Page 12
Age Well, Live Well Aging and Living Well During Healthy Aging Month By Chelsea Couch, Texercise Program Coordinator and Claire Irwin, Age Well Live Well Coordinator
older Texans in learning about and engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors. To learn more about Texercise, visit texercise.com. However, being healthy includes ealthy Aging Month, is an more than just physical activity opportunity to focus national and nutrition. It also includes attention on the positive aspects getting regular preventive services, of growing older. Regular physical reducing stress, understanding activity, eating a well-balanced diet, behavioral and mental health being socially connected and knowing issues, financial well-being, etc. available resources and services are The AWLW Be Healthy webpage some of the steps to living a healthy and provides information and resources active life as you age. on a variety of health topics. The Texas Health and Human • Be Connected: The global Services Commission Age Well COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight Live Well campaign highlights the on social isolation, loneliness and importance of aging well and promotes their impacts on overall health. increased community preparedness While the pandemic affected all through providing awareness and of us, it disproportionately affected activities for people, organizations adults 65 and older who were in a and communities to be healthy, be higher risk group.[i] Recent research connected and be informed. has shown that the isolation • Be Healthy: Engaging in regular experienced by older adults during physical activity and healthy eating the COVID-19 pandemic caused are two key components for healthy negative mental and physical aging. As part of AWLW resources, effects. A recent report found that HHSC provides Texercise to assist approximately 25% of U.S. older
H
WHAT WE OFFER:
adults were socially isolated, and 43% of adults over 60 identified as feeling lonely. The AWLW Be Connected webpage provides information, tools and resources for social engagement to help mitigate the negative impacts of social isolation and loneliness. • Be Informed: Even with the best planning and efforts, sometimes we still may need support to age our best. Knowing about statewide and local services and programs can
• Integrating the Montessori method into the public school curriculum • Currently offering Pre-K thru 4th • Open enrollment until positions fill
help you decide what is best for you and help you be prepared for any situation. The AWLW Be Informed webpage provides information and resources on a variety of topics, including housing, transportation, community supports and legal preparedness. Texas HHSC provides resources to support older Texans and their caregivers, see Age Well ...page 13
• Comprehension Stem Program • Character & Leadership Development • High Tech – 7 computers per classroom
2319 N. GRAND BLVD., PEARLAND, TX. 77581 www.hmps.net | 281-485-2500 October 2021
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Oncology Research Continued from page 4 your physician how often you should have these screenings depending on your age and risk profile. COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects that may impact the interpretation of results from mammograms. Texas Oncology recommends completing upcoming imaging before getting the vaccine or wait six weeks after the second COVID-19 vaccine dose. Patients needing imaging during this time
should discuss with their provider ordering the imaging before proceeding. The pandemic should not be an excuse for putting off needed healthcare. Make it a point to prioritize breast cancer prevention. Listen to your body and take steps to advocate for your long-term health.
Nasal Vaccine Continued from page 10 worldwide, according to the researchers. It is estimated that first world countries have already secured and vaccinated multiple intramuscular doses for each citizen while billions of people in countries like India, South Africa, and Brazil with large outbreaks are currently unimmunized. These outbreaks and viral spread are known to facilitate viral evolution leading to decreased efficacy of all vaccines.
“Equitable distribution requires vaccines that are stable and that can be shipped easily. As we have shown, each of our components, the protein (lyophilized) and the adjuvant (NanoSTING) are stable for over 11 months and can be stored and shipped without the need for freezing,” said Varadarajan.
PlAN WISElY. YOU
Financial Forecast Continued from page 11 recommended. An experienced CFP can help you identify, prioritize, and maximize your goals and strategies. A CFP can also help keep your plan current over time. Saving for a Comfortable Retirement and Independent Lifestyle Financial wellbeing can be
a major component in attaining and maintaining a comfortable and worry-free lifestyle for single people. That being said, it is important that you work with an experienced Certified Financial Planner who will take your specific goals and needs into account.
□□ -OVER.
A successful retirement in the future can often depend on having a solid plan now. If your money isn't working as hard as you are, it may be time to act-there are no do overs in retirement planning. Now is the time to consider developing a strategy that can help you work toward your financial goals. I specialize in providing comprehensive, objective financial guidance with the goal of maximizing every remaining moment of the retirement countdown.
Call today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
Age Well Continued from page 12 including: • Area Agencies on Aging offer an array of aging services to help people 60 and older maintain their independence, like home and congregate meals. To connect to the nearest AAA and learn about available services, call 800-252-9240. • Aging and Disability Resource Centers are part of the No Wrong
WON'T GET A
Door system and help streamline access to long-term services and support for the whole family. To learn more about the full range of available long-term supports in Texas, call 855-937-2372. Visit agewelllivewell.org to learn more about Age Well Live Well and start your path to healthy aging.
MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC. Grace S. Yung, CFP ®
Managing Director 3355 W. Alabama St., Ste. 180 Houston, TX 77098 713-355-9833 Direct 1-855-464-3869 Toll Free grace.yung@lpl.com www.midtownfg.com
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/ SIPC.
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October 2021
Page 14
Houston Medical Times
Burnout
HOUSTON
Continued from page 1 on helping our patients overcome their illnesses and become well. One way to address burnout is to set a clear boundary between work and life. This could be choosing not to check your work email when “off the clock,” scheduling a break during the workday when you can or creating a start and stop time for completing a daily task. It is important to participate in self-care, which can take very different forms from person to person. Self-care can include getting more sleep, exercising, practicing mindfulness, meditating, journaling, or making healthier dietary choices. According to the American Hospital Association, hospitals are implementing a “Code Lavender” where employees are “encouraged to look out for one another and to deploy a dedicated team to remove a team member from a situation that might become overwhelming.” Earlier this year, for example, the Wellness and Employee Activities Committee at The Menninger Clinic distributed to staff Code Lavender Kits,
a self-care emergency kit to provide people with the support they need. The Code Lavender Kits included inspirational/self-soothing cards, an inhaler with lavender, lemon and chamomile scents, tea and pre-scented towelettes with essential oils. One of the most important ways to deal with burnout as a health professional is often the most difficult for providers to accept – to seek additional support. Early treatment is essential to the prevention of potentially debilitating, if not lethal, outcomes. However, healthcare providers (physicians, in particular), face elevated levels of scrutiny when disclosing prior mental health treatment to state licensing boards. For many providers, the repercussions they may face introduce a significant obstacle. About 90 percent of state licensing applications include a question about a physician’s mental health, and some even ask questions about past diagnoses, such as depression or anxiety, that may have occurred before medical school. This goes against the recommendation
of the American Medical Association and has been cited in studies as a significant reason that physicians are reluctant to seek mental health care. Ultimately, the most successful outcomes for healthcare workers experiencing burnout occur with the support of a broad network of loved ones, friends, coworkers, and even upper management. Having thoughtful leadership in our work environment can make a huge difference in reducing work-related burnout. While the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is unpredictable, as health professionals, especially those of us in the mental health space, we must also play an important role in discussing burnout with our colleagues, whether it be recognizing the tell-tell signs, helping ourselves and others to cope, or even knowing what resources are available. It is imperative that we recognize the high potential for burnout in ourselves and others and advocate for our own mental health so we can better serve our patients.
Continued from page 3 employment. President Biden also signed an Executive Order directing that the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institute of Health extend this standard to employees of contractors that do business with the federal government. We anticipate OSHA to issue the emergency temporary standard and CMS to issue additional guidance
related to President Biden’s Action Plan in October. Employers should support employee vaccinations, including employee education and clinics, as they work to meet new federal requirements.
correlated with functional outcomes. “In the current study, we found that a single injection of LR-PRP into the knee does significantly improve functional mobility, pain and quality of life at six weeks,” Jayaram said. “To our knowledge, our study is the first to report the efficacy of LR-PRP
on objective functional outcomes using wearable sensor technology and validated patient-reported outcomes. Our findings provide the basis to conduct larger randomized clinical trials of PRP.”
Plasma
Continued from page 6 cells and enriching the concentration of platelets. PRP also contains white blood cells, or leukocytes. PRPs are formulated either leucocyte-rich (LR) or leukocyte-poor. A preclinical study by Jayaram and his colleagues had previously shown that LR-PRP had potential disease-modifying effects that
October 2021
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Federal employees. President Biden’s Action Plan requires all Federal employees to be vaccinated, with exceptions only as required by law (such exceptions include exemptions for employees with religious or medical reasons for avoiding vaccination). Federal employees who do not qualify for such exemptions but nonetheless refuse to be vaccinated will be counseled and disciplined, up to and including potential termination of
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Is it time for insurance that’s
FOCUSED ON YOU?
With yet another of Texas’s largest medical liability insurers selling out to an investor-owned company, it’s time to ask yourself, “Do I want an insurer founded by and for physicians that’s guided by my peers? Or do I want a profit-focused insurer that’s driven by investors?” Join us and discover why delivering the best imaginable service and unrivaled rewards is at the core of who we are.
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Setting the pace for cardiovascular care in Greater Houston. At Memorial Hermann, our team of world-renowned, affiliated heart physicians provides innovative cardiovascular care – from revolutionary new medications, to minimally invasive procedures for correcting atrial fibrillation or repairing heart valves to innovations in heart and lung transplants. These cutting-edge solutions are less traumatic and aim to reduce a patient’s pain and recovery time. Our innovations are putting Memorial Hermann at the forefront of advancing heart health in Greater Houston and helping our patients lead a better quality of life.
Learn more about heart care at heart.memorialhermann.org
October 2021
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