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Month: June 2024

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Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag
Image by Neo_Artemis from Pixabay

As Pride Month 2024 draws to a close, we want to take this opportunity to look back at some of our favorite LGBTQ+ blog posts. Whether you’re new to Himmelfarb Library or have been following our blog for years, this retrospective look at Himmelfarb’s Pride posts can serve as an opportunity to reflect on the history of Pride, celebrate the progress that’s been made towards LGBTQ+ equality and those who have fought for this progress, and recommit to the work that still needs to be done.

LGBTQ+ History

Most people don’t associate October with Pride Month, but October is LGBTQ History Month. In an October 2023 post titled The History Behind LGBTQ History Month, we took a look at the history behind LGBTQ History Month starting from its origins in 1994 when high school history teacher, Rodney Wilson addressed a lack of LGBTQ representation in school curriculum and worked with organizations such as the Human Rights Campain to have LGBTQ History Month recognized at the national level. October has additional significance within the LGBTQ community as the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place in October of 1979, and a second March on Washington took place on October 11, 1987. In 1988, October 11th was recognized as National Coming Out Day. If you’d like to learn more about the 1979 and 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, read the full post!

LGBTQ+ Profiles

At GW, we are lucky to have many influential members of the LGBTQ+ community who have been members of our faculty for many years! We’ve profiled some prominent GW faculty and one prominent national figure on our blog.

Picture of Dr. Deyton and Dr. Fauci standing in front of a GW Medicine & Health Sciences logo.
(GW SMHS Facebook Page, 2017)

In June 2021, we posted a piece titled “Just Speak:” Lawrence “Bopper” Deyton. This in-depth profile of Dr. Deyton explores an influential experience Dr. Deyton had as a patient that would have a profound impact on the course of his career and inspire him to work to be a positive influence for change within the field of medicine and healthcare for his entire career. In 1978, Dr. Deyton co-founded what is now Whitman-Walker Health as “a health clinic for gay men and lesbians before AIDS redefined everything and the clinic became a hub for HIV treatment” (Sullivan, 2011). After attending medical school at GW and completing his residency at the University of Southern California Los Angeles County Medical Center, Dr. Deyton began working at the NIH, where he became friends with Dr. Anthony Fauci, and together they would play a crucial role in HIV/AIDS research during the early 1990s epidemic. Dr. Deyton was instrumental in overseeing the “clinical research on the development and approval of antiretroviral drugs and treatment strategies, including the first trials of combination therapies, the cornerstone of current HIV treatments” (GW SMHS, 2017). Read the full post to learn more about Dr. Deyton’s fascinating and impactful career!

Picture of Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz.

In September of 2021, we posted a profile titled Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz: Aim for What You’re Passionate About. In this post, Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz discusses what inspired him to go into public health and get involved with HIV care and prevention. He discusses the privilege of being a “young Latino gay man and to have access to education and contribute to my community by engaging in public health training, practice, and research” (Puro, 2021).

Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz talks about how he ended up at GW, what lessons scientists can learn from the spread of misinformation related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and how to make research more transparent and accessible. Included in his answer, he explains that “we should facilitate those scientists from minority populations (e.g. Latinos, Black, LGBTQ, Native Americans) to have access to mass media and platforms to reach out to their communities. No one else can speak to a community like a community member” (Puro, 2021). Read the full article to learn more about Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz.

In June of 2021, our post titled PRIDE: Dr. Rachel Levine: Physician and LGBTQ+ Health Advocate profiled Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender woman to be confirmed for federal office by the United States Senate in 2021. Dr. Levine is still serving as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Levine served as the Pennslyvania Physician General from 2015 to 2018, during which time she was responsible for an initiative that allowed law enforcement agents to carry Naloxone, an anti-overdose drug, and also allowed Pennsylvanians to purchase Naloxone from a pharmacy without a prescription. Levine has used her platform to highlight health inequality issues impacting marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2020 interview with Philadelphia magazine, Dr. Levine said “One of my goals, being a state health official…is that people will see me. … it’s about letting people put a face to something they might not understand, so they aren’t fearful, so that they don’t get angry, so that it doesn’t lead to hate.” 

Picture of Dr. Rachel Levine standing in front of a podium and US flag.

Resources

We’ve also posted about LGBTQ+ resources and local organizations. A 2023 post titled Celebrate Pride: LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources highlighted selected books, journals, and streaming videos that are part of Himmelfarb’s collection. A more recent post from earlier this month titled Pride in the Collection shared more books from our Diversity and Disparities in Health Care collection relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. 

References:

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. (June, 12, 2017). Lawrence “Bopper” Deyton installed as Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy. SMHS News. https://smhs.gwu.edu/news/lawrence-%E2%80%9Cbopper%E2%80%9D-deyton-installed-murdock-head-professor-medicine-and-health-policy

Puro, A. (2021, September 29). Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz: Aim for what you’re passionate about. Himmelfarb Library Blog. https://blogs.gwu.edu/himmelfarb/2021/09/29/dr-carlos-rodriguez-diaz-aim-for-what-youre-passionate-about/

Sullivan, P. (2011, September 7). Lawrence Deyton, award nominee, heads FDA campaign against smoking. The Washington Post, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/gwu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Flocal%2Flawrence-deyton-award-nominee-heads-fda-campaign-against-smoking%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2FgIQABsMYAK_story.html

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Most of us have been there: we’re supposed to be sleeping – we have an early morning commitment – but instead we’re on social media, rafting down an infinite scroll. We're reflexively checking our phones, not even sure what we’re looking for, stuck in a “hyper-stimulated loop” and pulled out of every moment. We attend social events, but everyone is staring at their palms. 

People looking at smartphones.
Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

By now smartphones – and particularly social media, which chomp up a lion's share of users’ attention – have been fodder for literal dystopias (like Black Mirror) or disturbing documentaries (like The Social Dilemma), and yet, it’s still quite easy to scroll. 

Common sense and research, in a rare and satisfying union, tell us that, yes, smartphone usage can be actually deleterious, mentally speaking, and yet, even while nodding along, it's still quite easy to scroll. 

Smartphones, of course, are astounding tools, integrating into most corners of human life and radically enhancing many of them: they’re magic that we take for granted. But as fairy tales have taught us, magic always comes with a price. In this case, the price is attention and focus; smartphones bestow god-like powers [to paraphrase Yuval Noah Harari in Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, if Zeus had Twitter, Hermes would be out of a job], but overuse can make us less healthy, less productive, and more stressed. Feeling this and changing are two different things, of course, since phones are designed to capture as much attention as possible (and in the case of media, monetize it). There’s a casino in our pockets, with casino-boss odds. 

Fortunately though, for those of us who want to step back (a lot or a little), we have plenty of room to experiment: both with what we want from smartphones and how they actually are affecting us, person to person, and how we can modify our use to best match our goals. 

Test Run an Unplug: 

If you notice phones getting in the way of interpersonal relationships, try going to a social engagement - coffee, dinner, a party - and experiment with not using your phone at all. Note how present (or distant) you feel, whether people are engaged, and whether you feel an urge to disengage. 

You can do this as frequently or infrequently as it benefits you. 

Go for a Nature Walk: 

The DMV has some great trails!  And while there are few things as centering as being in nature, you don’t need to go hiking to seek a mental reset. Local parks do the trick - or even just green space around the city helps. 

As an exercise in being present, consider finding a safe environment and take a walk without the phone. Or if you’re on a hike with friends, choose a dedicated phone user (for GPS/emergency calls), and leave your phone in the car. 

A tree by a body of water.
picture taken by author in Kassel, Germany,

Journal About It 

Ask yourself what you actually want from your phone - and if you expect to get it through texts, mentions, or anything on a newsfeed. Be deliberate in thinking when reflexive phone use kicks in. See how you feel with and without the phone - and what demands for your time are really worth your time. 

Meditation:

Meditation options abound around GWU and DC, but these may not be convenient; mediation apps can be accessed wherever you are. "Waking Up" is a fine example, because it provides daily guided meditations, and will give out free accounts to anyone who asks for one.

Which of course, demonstrates the irony: at the swirling storm-eye of notifications, smartphones can be tools to enhance your focus (if used well!).

Quality of Life Options: 

Turn off notifications for non-essential apps, or take time (a day, a week, a month) to deactivate social media. Many people online have experimented with turning their phones to grayscale, making the phone significantly less visually stimulating, and theoretically less addictive. [This writer has tried it and, anecdotally speaking, it helps!].

Rekindle a Hobby (or take up a new one): 

Cutting back smartphone usage will free up time, invariably. This is an amazing chance to practice a skill or develop an art. 

Of course, it’s important to note that not all smartphone use is the same, nutritionally speaking: considering that use can range from reading to calling loved ones to accessing literally anything on the internet. But it’s the compulsive use – from things not sought out and not benefited from – that’s worth trimming down this summer, even just to see how being present feels.

References:

Harari, Yuval Noah. (2017). Homo Deus. Harper.

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Promotional image of a female doctor using a tablet. Text: DynaMed Tutorial: Claiming CME Credits and Hours.

Did you know that earning and claiming CME credits in DynaMed is fast and easy?

Watch this video tutorial or follow these steps to earn credit for using our content in practice:

Step 1: Sign In to your personal user account:

  • Visit DynaMed.com
  • Click on 'Sign In'
  • Enter your email and password

Step 2: Click on the CME link at the top of our web pages (or the CME link on our mobile app’s home screen)

Step 3:  Select one or more items from any available activities to claim credit for and click on the Prepare button that will appear. (Note that if you are a first-time user of CME you will then be asked to provide some information so we can issue your CME) 

Step 4: Answer the two required Application in Practice questions for each activity you selected. (Note that the evaluation questions that follow may be answered but are optional)

PDF certificates for any CME credits you claim are available in the CLAIMED tab in CME. 

You may have two DynaMed accounts: an old DynaMed account, and a new one created via Single Sign-On (SSO). You can merge your personal user accounts to claim your CE credits in a single account. 

We're dedicated to providing you with the resources necessary for your success. If you ever encounter any issues or have questions please do not hesitate to reach out (himmelfarb@gwu.edu). 

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Background with a red, black, and green stripe. The word "Juneteenth" in the center.
Image by Wynn Pointaux from Pixabay

June 19th is Juneteenth, also known as “Black Independence Day,” “Freedom Day,” or “Emancipation Day.” Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, enslaved people living in Confederate states, specifically Texas, would not learn of their freedom until two months after the Civil War ended in April of 1965. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and his soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the state’s residents that slavery had been abolished and that enslaved people were now free. Mary Elliot, Curator of American Slavery at the National Museum of African American History and Culture stated that “although there were enslavers who were aware of the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation, it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that it was enforced with the Union Army” (Smithsonian Institution, n.d.).

While Juneteenth has long been a celebration of hope and freedom within the African American community, Juneteenth did not become a federally recognized holiday until 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Juneteenth, read our Understanding and Honoring Juneteenth post from last year.

Juneteenth and the Health Sciences

So how is Juneteenth related to medicine, the health sciences, and public health? In many ways, Juneteenth is more relevant than ever considering the focus in recent years on confronting health inequities and the structural racism that is at the root of those health inequities. In 2020, The American Medical Association (AMA) declared that racism threatens public health and created a strategic plan to advance health equity. The 2020 statement recognizes that “when race is described as a risk factor, it is more likely to be a proxy for influences including structural racism than a proxy for genetics” (O’Reilly, 2020). Race has long been considered a risk factor for many conditions and “is present in numerous clinical guidelines and algorithms” and “can impact medical decision-making that potentially worsens health disparities” (The Oregon Clinic, 2021). 

Juneteenth has many lessons that medical, nursing, and public health professionals and students can apply to further the cause of health equity and provide high-quality care to patients. Practicing critical reflection, “the process of identifying, questioning, and assessing deep-seated assumptions upon which our beliefs are built”  can help us “better recognize and arrest our biases that can manifest in our interpersonal encounters with patients, colleagues, and trainees” (Opara, et al., 2021). Participating in “transformational conversations” can help “raise the consciousness within the spaces we occupy” and bring important issues to light so they can be addressed (Opara, et al., 2021). 

Further Reading

Educating yourself on racial health disparities is always a great first step. Here are titles from our Diversity and Disparities in Health Care Collection that may be of interest:

References: 

Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). What is Juneteenth? National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/what-juneteenth

Opara, I.N., Lewis, C., Kasozi, R.N., Givens, R. (2021). Lessons from 1865: What clinicians can learn from Juneteenth. Passion in the Medical Profession. https://closler.org/passion-in-the-medical-profession/lessons-from-1865-what-clinicians-can-learn-from-juneteenth

O’Reilly, K.B. (November 16, 2020). AMA: Racism is a threat to public health. American Medical Association website. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/health-equity/ama-racism-threat-public-health

The Oregon Clinic. (June 18, 2021). Juneteenth and healthcare. The Oregon Clinic Newsroom. https://www.oregonclinic.com/newsroom/juneteenth-and-healthcare/

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one person's hand holding another person's hand

June is Cancer Survivors Month. Any cancer diagnosis induces feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and fear in patients. While novel approaches to and treatments for cancer are improving survival rates, social determinants of health continue to exert significant impact on patients’ ability to experience positive outcomes to treatment. Let’s look at one of these determinants, economic stability, in the context of cancer survival.

The term “cancer-related financial toxicity” was introduced in 2013 by Zafar and Abernethy, and described as, “the patient-level impact of the cost of cancer care” (Zafar and Abernethy, 2013). Even those patients who are privately insured are not protected from financial toxicity, as a 2022 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found. Out-of-pocket expenditures by privately-insured cancer patients in the United States have increased, due to the rise in high-deductible insurance plans and greater expected patient contribution to medical expenses (Shih et al, 2022).

How best, then, to help patients navigate the potential financial burdens of a cancer diagnosis, and thereby improve their potential treatment outcomes? A 2023 scoping review in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology examined interventions for financial toxicity among cancer survivors. The interventions discussed include: financial navigation, which includes identifying patients at high risk for financial toxicity, offering guidance on out-of-pocket costs, and facilitating access to programs to alleviate financial stress. Financial counseling helps patients access advice and guidance on managing financial toxicity caused by cancer treatment. Insurance education entails providing patients a structured way to develop insurance literacy and assistance in choosing a plan. Other types of interventions examined included multidisciplinary psychosocial supports, intensive symptom assessments, and supportive care (Yuan et al, 2023).

The effectiveness of the interventions, researchers found, were closely tied to the causes of the cancer-related financial toxicity, with socioeconomic and employment status, cancer stage, and type of treatment, type of insurance, as well as coping skills all having a direct impact on how effective financial interventions could be. Looking closely at just one of the interventions mentioned above, engaging with financial navigation helped cancer patients save significant dollar amounts annually by facilitating the procurement of free medication, and insurance premium and co-pay assistance.

The financial interventions described in the evidence reviewed differed greatly, but more generally, the recent focus in the literature on finding ways to alleviate financial toxicity frequently faced by cancer patients is one promising step towards improving outcomes for all patients dealing with cancer.

References

Debela, D. T., Muzazu, S. G., Heraro, K. D., Ndalama, M. T., Mesele, B. W., Haile, D. C., Kitui, S. K., & Manyazewal, T. (2021). New approaches and procedures for cancer treatment: Current perspectives. SAGE open medicine, 9, 20503121211034366. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121211034366

Lau, L. M. S., Khuong-Quang, D. A., Mayoh, C., Wong, M., Barahona, P., Ajuyah, P., Senapati, A., Nagabushan, S., Sherstyuk, A., Altekoester, A. K., Fuentes-Bolanos, N. A., Yeung, V., Sullivan, A., Omer, N., Diamond, Y., Jessop, S., Battaglia, L., Zhukova, N., Cui, L., Lin, A., … Ziegler, D. S. (2024). Precision-guided treatment in high-risk pediatric cancers. Nature medicine, 10.1038/s41591-024-03044-0. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03044-0

Shih, Y. T., Xu, Y., Bradley, C., Giordano, S. H., Yao, J., & Yabroff, K. R. (2022). Costs Around the First Year of Diagnosis for 4 Common Cancers Among the Privately Insured. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114(10), 1392–1399. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djac141

Yuan, X., Zhang, X., He, J., & Xing, W. (2023). Interventions for financial toxicity among cancer survivors: A scoping review. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 192, 104140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104140

Zafar SY, Abernethy AP. Financial toxicity, Part I: a new name for a growing problem. Oncology (Williston Park, NY). 2013;27(2):80-149.

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From all of us at Himmelfarb Library, we’d like to welcome all of the new residents, fellows, students, faculty, and staff who joined the GW SMHS, GWSPH, and GW Nursing community this month! We are thrilled that you’re here and we look forward to serving you during your time at GW! We know that the start of any new endeavor can be daunting, so we’d like to make it easier for you to get to know Himmelfarb Library.

To help you get the lay of the land, watch this short, video tour of the library with Himmelfarb’s Library Director, Laura Abate:

Himmelfarb Hours 

Our physical space, accessible through Ross Hall, is open the following hours:

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - Midnight

Friday: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm

Saturday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 am - Midnight

Our current hours of operation are available on our website and include exceptions to normal hours (i.e. holiday closures). If you can’t make it to the library in person, you can get help from our librarians and staff via chat or phone (202-994-2850), or email himmelfarb@gwu.edu. Our databases, journals, and e-books are available 24/7, so even when our building is closed, you can access our electronic resources from anywhere.

Himmelfarb Resources and Collections

Himmelfarb’s collection is much larger than just the books in our stacks. We have 125 databases to search, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL. The search bar towards the top of our library homepage, known as Health Information @ Himmelfarb, can be used to search for physical and electronic books, journals, articles, dissertations, and more all in just a single search box! 

You can also browse and access our collection of journals from our e-journals page, or by using BrowZine. You can use BrowZine directly from your internet browser, or download the app to your IOS or Android device. BrowZine allows you to create a personalized bookshelf of journal titles, follow your favorite journals, and create alerts for new issues and tables of contents.

Here’s another pro tip: installing the LibKey Nomad browser extension on your favorite browser will provide easy access to full text when searching PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO databases, Google Scholar, Amazon, publisher sites, and more. With LibKey Nomad, you’ll be alerted when the full-text articles and e-books are available from Himmelfarb, and be able to get the PDF with a single click in most cases.

We also provide a wide range of e-books from AccessMedicine, ClinicalKey, EBSCOhost, and R2 Digital Library. You can browse our e-book collections, view our special collections in Health Information @ Himmelfarb, or search for any book via the Health Information @ Himmelfarb search tool on our homepage. We also have print books on the basement level of Himmelfarb. Most print books can be borrowed for three weeks with an additional two renewals. If we don’t have a book or article that you need, we can get it for you through our Consortium Loan Service or Documents2Go services. 

Clinical Resources

Himmelfarb provides specialized apps and information services to support those of you who provide patient care. DynaMed and Lexidrug are our go-to resources for easy access to clinical care resources. If you want resources available on your smartphone or other mobile device, check out our App Shelf to download apps to selected resources. Learn more about resources available to residents on our Residents and Fellows Guide!

Research Support

Himmelfarb is more than just a physical space with lots of study space and great databases, journals, books, and e-books! Our librarians and staff can support you in your research by helping with literature searches, conducting systematic reviews, and organizing sources with RefWorks or Covidence. We can also help guide you through the constantly evolving scholarly publishing landscape through our author services. 

Get help with your research from our knowledgeable reference librarians and staff. Stop by our circulation desk to get your questions answered in person, or use our Ask a Librarian service to chat with a reference librarian virtually. Our Ask a Librarian service is staffed by real Himmelfarb librarians and staff so you can be sure you’re getting the help you need! We also have a wealth of research guides that can connect you with resources on a variety of topics. 

Connect with Us!

Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for the latest Himmelfarb news and updates! Subscribe to our blog to make sure you never miss a post!

We look forward to serving you! Welcome to the GW community!

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A piece of wrinkled shaded with the colors of the rainbow

Every person is different, and that diversity makes human beings so fascinating. In order to serve diverse populations, it’s important for us here at Himmelfarb Library to have a wide variety of materials for students to learn from. One of these populations is the LGBTQ+community. 

To help students locate material related to diverse populations, we have a Diversity and Disparities in Health Care collection. This collection covers a wide range of unrepresented groups, including queer people. Given the wide variety of content we offer, it would be impossible to cover everything in one blog post (which is a good thing). Instead, here are a few books from our collection to give readers a glimpse of what the library has to offer.


Global LGBTQ Health: Research, Policy, Practice, and Pathways.

By: Hwahng, Sel J. editor.; Kaufman, Michelle R. editor.

This book takes a look at the intersection of global and LBGTQ+health. Aiming to take a larger look at LGBTQ+health across the world, this text offers insight into issues on both a regional and global scale. 

The case against conversion "therapy": evidence, ethics, and alternatives

Haldeman, Douglas C., editor.

While many states have now banned the practice known as “conversion therapy” there are still places where it is used, often on LGBTQ+ youth. This text takes a look at the motivations behind the practice, the decades of evidence showing it to be actively harmful, and why LGBTQ+identities are not something to be “cured” but embraced. 

Trans medicine: The emergence and practice of treating gender

Shuster, Stef M., author.

This text covers both the history and contemporary practice of Trans medicine. Medicine for transgender people is often misunderstood due to both a lack of knowledge and misinformation. In this book, readers can not only learn that Trans medicine is not new, but is backed by decades of science.

Bodies and barriers: Queer activists on health

Shanker, Adrian, editor.; Levine, Rachel Leland, 1957- writer of foreword.; Kendell, Kate, writer of afterword.

Health disparities can exist for a variety of reasons. In this text, multiple queer activists explain some of the factors that lead to such disparities, what negative outcomes result, and ideas on how to fix them. 

The script - queer futures

Wortham, J., film producer.; Fryer, Brit, film director.; Schamus, Noah, film director.; Multitude Films, production company.; Good Docs (Firm), distributor

Our last resource for this post is a film. Using recreations of personal interviews, this film takes a look at how transgender and nonbinary people interact with the medical system, and how practitioners and patients interact with one another.

References:

Haldeman DC, ed. The Case against Conversion “Therapy”: Evidence, Ethics, and Alternatives. American Psychological Association; 2022.

Hwahng SJ, Kaufman MR, eds. Global LGBTQ Health: Research, Policy, Practice, and Pathways. First edition. Springer; 2024. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-36204-0

Shuster SM. Trans Medicine: The Emergence and Practice of Treating Gender. New York University Press; 2021.

Shanker A, ed. Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health. PM Press; 2020.

Wortham J, Fryer B, Schamus N. The Script - Queer Futures. [Distributed by] GOOD DOCS; 2023.

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a bowl of gazpacho

Summer is right around the corner! Whether you grow your own, have a produce share, or visit a farmer’s market, it is time to lean into tomatoes, which are more local, plentiful, and far more flavorful in season.

While the jury is still out on whether tomatoes contain more nutrients when processed as opposed to eaten fresh, one thing is for sure: they are delicious and full of nutrients.

One great way to beat the summer heat is to make gazpacho, the chilled tomato soup of Spanish origin. There are many different interpretations of this classic dish, some of which are quite elaborate. Here’s a great basic recipe to start you out, adapted from the 1963 Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, Meals with a Foreign Flair:

Gazpacho (Serves 6)

1 c peeled, chopped medium tomato (immerse whole tomato in boiling water for ease in peeling)

1/2 c each minced green pepper, celery, cucumber

1/4 c finely diced onion

2 t chopped parsley

1 t chives, snipped

1 small minced garlic clove

2-3 T tarragon wine vinegar (available in stores, or just infuse a bottle of white wine vinegar with sprigs of fresh tarragon)

2 T olive oil

1 t salt

1/4 t black pepper

1/2 t Worcestershire sauce

2 c tomato juice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for at least four hours. A note on texture: that’s up to you! If you like it crunchy, dig right in. If you like it smooth, blend away.

To learn much, much more about tomatoes of all types, visit the World Tomato Society. Their site includes a database of over 6500(!) tomato varieties, as well as recipes. If you’d like to make your own tomato juice for the gazpacho, they even provide instructions for doing so.

Did you know? GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences sponsors a Culinary Medicine program, as a partner medical school of the American College of Culinary Medicine. Check out recipes from the program here.

Himmelfarb librarians share their 2024 summer reading recommendations!
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A person reading at the beach.
Photo by Dan Dumitriu on Unsplash

Summer’s here, and with its lengthier vacations and (potentially) lighter workloads, it’s the perfect time to broaden your horizons and read. To help you navigate the almost endless sea of options, we’ve queried the Himmelfarb staff for their summer reading recommendations. Whether you’re at a lake house or a beach, an air-conditioned metro or your living room, you can’t go wrong with one of these summer reads. 

 

Coming of Age and Plot Driven Dramas

Summer is the time of heat and action, the season of youth and change, but it can also be languid, a time to lie around and dream. If you want moving entertainment or a slice of life that makes you reflect on who you are and who you want to be, one of these recommendations is for you. 

Ruth Bueter, Himmelfarb’s Associate Director, recommends: 

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Reason for Recommendation:  “In addition to being a fantastic and honest portrayal of anxiety and OCD, this one is just a fun read. It was recently made into a film (currently streaming on HBO Max).”

Where to Borrow: Consortium Loan

 

Deborah Wassertzug, Reference and Instructional Librarian, recommends: 

Titles:  Mary Jane, The Summer of Naked Swim Parties, Drinking Closer to Home, The Wonder Bread Summer, and The Trouble with Lexie.

Author: Jessica Anya Blau 

Where to Borrow: Mary Jane - DC Public Library [Physial Book, Ebook, and Audio Book], The Summer of Naked Swim Parties - Consortium Loan, Drinking Closer to Home - Consortium Loan

Bonus: watch Blau’s interview with a librarian about her latest book, Mary Jane

 

Mysteries and Ghosts 

But summer isn’t all sunshine and snappy plots. Warm nights are the perfect time for chills: fictional or non-fictional. If you’re interested in a ghost story, consider one of these recommendations and remember that no matter how dark the summer night, the sun is never far from the horizon. 

Ian Roberts, Acquisitions & Resource Sharing Librarian, recommends:

Title: Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places

Author: Colin Dickey

Genre: Non-Fiction/Ghosts and folklore/Sociology

Reason for Recommendation:  “A sometimes fun, sometimes weighty examination of ghost stories, the places they happen (houses, burial sites, hospitals, prisons), and what they say about us and our history.” 

Where to Borrow: Consortium Loan

Laura Abate, Himmelfarb Director, recommends: 

Title: The Book of Cold Cases

Author: Simone St. James

Genre: Mystery

Reason for Recommendation:  “Fast-paced mystery thriller that includes multiple mysteries and timelines plus a terrifically scary haunted house.”

Where to Borrow: DC Public Library [Physical, Ebook, and Audio book]

 

Literary:

If you seek linguistic fireworks, story-telling prowess, and big themes, then in the season of blue skies and bigger horizons, these might be the books for you. 

Randy Plym, Evening Circulation Supervisor, recommends: 

Title: The Moviegoer

Author: Walker Percy
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Recommendation:  Existential but never dour, The Moviegoer’s off-beat view of the world captures a playful search for meaning against a background of ennui. At least for me, it succeeds in coining a philosophical vocabulary for everyday experience. 

Where to Borrow: Consortium Loan

 

Ruth Bueter, Himmelfarb’s Associate Director, recommends: 

Title: Weight: The Myth of Atlas and Heracles 

Author: Jeanette Winterson
Genre: Fiction
Reason for Recommendation:  “In this retelling of the myth of Atlas and Heracles, Winterson tackles questions of choice, destiny, and fate. It's a brilliant reimagination of these two classic tales with a heartwarming twist.”

Where to Borrow: Interlibrary Loan

 

History/Biography

Lastly, between semesters can be a great time to step back from your normal field of study and explore ideas: where society has been and how it’s been shaped. 

Jolinda Thompson, Systems Librarian, recommends:

Title: Gods of the Upper Air: How a Renegade Group of Anthropologists Reinvented Race, Sex and Gender in the 20th Century 

Author: Charles King

Genre: Non-fiction/Biography

Reason for Recommendation: “In the early 20th century, it was commonly believed that race and gender determined an individual’s intelligence, ability, and temperament. The pseudoscience that emerged to back these beliefs led to the quota-based restrictions of the 1924 Immigration Act and the abuse and horrors of the eugenics movement. Franz Boas would challenge these theories through fieldwork and research, founding the field of cultural anthropology, and inspiring a group of revolutionary anthropologists at Columbia University and Barnard College in the 1920s and 30s, including Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, and Zora Neale-Hurston. Their work ushered in new understandings about gender, sexual expression, diverse cultures, and values systems. The personal stories of these groundbreaking researchers makes this an entertaining as well as enlightening read.”

Where to Borrow: Consortium Loan

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Featured Image for the article - Photo by Kate Stone Matheson

Sleep issues are a common problem. Have you ever lied awake at night staring at the clock as the minutes ticked away, tossing and turning, or fluffing your pillow trying to sleep? With all the stressors of daily life, it can be difficult to wind down from the day and relax enough to sleep.

This is where sleep hygiene can be beneficial.

Sleep hygiene refers to the habits, behaviors, and environmental factors that help you get a good night's sleep. It is about creating habits and an environment conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. Not getting enough sleep can lead to unproductive habits like sleeping at inappropriate times, irritability, and lack of concentration. Paying attention to your sleep hygiene is the best way of getting a good night’s sleep.

Here are some helpful tips for creating effective sleep hygiene:

  • Create a relaxing nighttime routine and sleep schedule. Start your routine about 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
    • Take a nice shower or bath
    • Listen to soothing music while focusing on breathing exercises
    • Do some low-impact stretching to relieve stress and relax your muscles
    • Read a book
  • Make it a habit to refrain from using electronic devices in the 30-60 minutes leading up to bedtime
  • Try to limit the number of caffeinated beverages you drink throughout the day
  • Set up a sleep environment that works for you
    • Invest in a supportive mattress and comfortable pillows
    • Lightly scented candles
    • Optimal room temperature
    • White noise machine

By paying attention to sleep hygiene and implementing these strategies, you can greatly improve your chances of getting a restful night's sleep and waking up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

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