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Month: July 2025

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An open book with a drawing of a sailing ship, a pirate holding a sword and a treasure chest under a palm tree.
Image from https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-xtswg

Himmelfarb Library would like to officially welcome the incoming MS1 class to George Washington University!

As part of your orientation, here is your quest:

Get into a group of four,

Pick a member of your group to lead the tour,

Visit all four floors of Himmelfarb if you dare,

Take photos of each accomplishment to prove you were there.

Complete each task in the order you choose,

You’ll finish them all if you follow the clues.

Task #1

You’ll be learning informatics with a librarian by your side.

Find the name of the one who'll be your guide.

Scan the QR code from the first-floor image of the librarian specified.

Have someone from the group take a picture of the poster with all of the librarian pictures. This will be shared as proof of completion for the raffle drawing.

Task #2

If ye climb o'er the gunwale and feel a tear in yer knee,

Bailey and Love wrote a book ye should see.

RD31 .B35 2023

Follow the clue (and call number) to find the book listed above in the basement book stacks and have one of your team members take a picture of the front cover. When you’re done, leave the book there for later groups to find.

Task #3

Himmelfarb Library’s third floor is a mix of quiet space, rooms for collaborative studying, as well as software, instructional DVDs/CDs, and anatomical models/kits.

Though we might be pirates, we're no Luddites.

(We're also no poets, as you may have noticed.)

As new crew members, we'll show you our finest new tech.

A merry band awaits you in the Levine Lounge

to show you our BodyViz 3D anatomy system

and how to 3D print a parrot.

We'll even swab the MedicalHoloDeck

to show you a skull and crossbones in Vee Arrrrrrr.

Take a picture of your group at this station as proof of completion for the raffle drawing.

Task #4

Log in to any computer and you’re on your way.

“Use your UserID and password,” is what we say.

https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/md is where to go.

Go to chapter 126 in Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (it’s a great book).

Search for ‘Pneumonia’; don’t be slow!

Take a picture of the screen so we can take a look.

Log on to a computer in the library using your UserID/Password.  Go to https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/md and look for the textbook, ‘Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.’ Locate chapter 126 (Pneumonia), and take a photo or screenshot.

Task #5

Study in a group or study alone.

Study standing, seated, or study prone.

If you study in a room on floor two,

An online reservation will ensure the room belongs to you.

Of the thirty-four study rooms in all,

One is the finest, a real windfall.

The quiet floor, a roomy table, and seats.

Plus windows on the two walls make this room complete.

Find this legendary room of library lore,

203C is the number outside the door

Take a pic to prove ye visited the floor.

Go to the second floor (this is a silent floor, so please be mindful of others who may be using the library!) and go to study room 203C.  Take a picture of the room number sign.

Task #6

Starting on Himmelfarb's website,

Find our The Rotation Blog in the What's New spotlight.

Click on the blog, it's filled with information, comics, and fun,

Then use the search box, and with this task, you'll soon be done.

If while you're studying, you begin to feel stressed,

Check out the Study Break Guide to find ideas for rest.

Grab a photo or screengrab of the image at the top,

And don't forget about our blog as a future go-to stop.

Go to the Himmelfarb website (himmelfarb.gwu.edu) and click on the top image in the What's New section in the upper right. On the subsequent page, use the search bar to look for 'study break', and click on 'July 2025 Study Break Guide'. Take a photo or screenshot of the image at the top of the blog entry.

Final Task

Post your photos to social media (Facebook, Instagram) as proof of your quest,

Show us your group is the best!

If social media just isn’t your style,

Email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu) us instead your image files.

If social media, post your pictures in the comments,

So your team represents;

Or post to your own social media pages pictures of all four stages:

Use #Farbientation25 to make sure we see your post.

A group drawn at random will win some great swag!

Be sure to include the names of your group mates,

And your entry into our raffle awaits!

One member of your group should post/share photo(s) of the group at each task.

Be sure to include the full names of all the members of your team!

Use #farbientation24, if posting to social media.

If you prefer not to use social media platforms, email your pics to himmelfarb@gwu.edu.

The Library will select one group, at random, from the social media and email entrants to win the prize.

The deadline for entry is 5PM on Friday, August 1, 2025!

Follow us on Social Media!

To get the latest in Himmelfarb news

Like and follow us on social media if ye choose!

The links below will take you to the right pages,

That will keep you in the know with content that engages.

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Himmelfarb Contact Information

Circulation Desk: (202)994-2962

Library Website: https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/

Email Address: himmelfarb@gwu.edu

IM Contact: https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/ask/

Text Contact: Text your question to (202)601-3525

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World Hepatitis Day 28 July

World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28. Hepatitis is broadly defined as an inflammation of the liver and includes the most common types of viral hepatitis labeled A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis can also be caused by non-infectious conditions, including autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and drug-induced hepatitis (Sievert, 2023).

Hepatitis A infection can be asymptomatic in children under age six, but adults generally present with symptoms which include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Diagnosis is made with a blood test (IgM), with the infection becoming detectable 5-10 days before symptom onset. Treatment for Hepatitis A is supportive care focused on rest, hydration, and control of symptoms. Most patients recover fully within 2-6 months (DynaMed, 2024). The most successful way to prevent Hepatitis A is via vaccination, as well as thorough hand-washing and avoiding contaminated food and water (Sievert, 2023).

Hepatitis B may cause an acute infection or can develop into chronic disease. Acute infections of Hepatitis B are often asymptomatic, but when symptoms present, they are nonspecific and resemble those of Hepatitis A. A serologic panel helps to confirm the diagnosis of Hepatitis B. Additional testing helps to establish the severity of the disease, including Hepatitis B viral load and liver function tests. Patients diagnosed with Hepatitis B should also be screened for Hepatitis C & D, as well as HIV. While an acute HBV infection resolves spontaneously in the vast majority of patients, treatment is indicated for patients with acute liver failure. Patients whose infection fails to resolve within 6-12 months are then diagnosed with Chronic HBV, which can be treated with antiviral medications to suppress virus replication. HBV is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids, and infected mothers can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. Vaccination, once again, is a key prevention strategy (Sievert, 2023; DynaMed, 2025).

Hepatitis C is an RNA virus (DynaMed, 2024) which is primarily transmitted through blood contact and sharing of needles, but can also transmit via unsafe healthcare practices (e.g., improper sterilization or accidental needlesticks) (Sievert, 2023). Again, most patients are asymptomatic, but symptoms can include fatigue, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, dark urine, and/or jaundice. Risk factors include intravenous and intranasal drug use, anal sex, and exposure to blood and blood products (DynaMed, 2024). No vaccine exists for hepatitis C; however, treatment for HCV has seen significant advances in recent years, with the development of direct-acting antiviral medications with the goal of Sustained Virologic Response (SVR). With SVR, the virus is no longer detectable in the bloodstream six months post-treatment (Sievert, 2023).

Hepatitis D, also called delta hepatitis, does not cause infection on its own. It is a "satellite virus" occurring in patients already infected with HBV. As a result, infected mothers can transmit both HBV and HDV to their babies during childbirth (Sievert, 2023). The HBV vaccine is an important preventive measure to also prevent HDV, but there is no vaccine specific to HDV. However, behavioral risk reduction, including avoiding unsafe sexual and needle-use behaviors, is important. Postexposure prophylaxis is also available for HDV. Diagnosis is made by suspicion of HDV in patients with acute hepatitis or HBV exacerbation. The goal of treatment is to clear the patient of HBV. There is strong evidence for antiviral treatment, but this decision is made for individual patients following close evaluation. One drug, bulevirtide, has been approved by the European Commission for treatment of chronic HDV in adults, but interferon-alpha and pegylated interferon have also been shown to have positive effects (DynaMed, 2025).

Finally, Hepatitis E is another cause of viral hepatitis globally, and is endemic to many parts of the developing world, particularly Africa and Asia. Fecal-oral transmission is the primary cause of HEV. Symptoms of HEV appear 2-8 weeks after infection, and are similar to other viral hepatitis types. Diagnosis is confirmed by either a blood or PCR test. Supportive care is the primary treatment of HEV. Ribavirin may be effective, but there is limited data to support its use. While a vaccine is available in China, the major means of preventing HEV include sanitizing the water supply, basic hygiene, including hand-washing, avoidance of undercooked or raw food consumption, and, where other facilities are not available (e.g., refugee camps), latrine construction (DynaMed, 2024).

Awareness of viral hepatitis - its symptoms and presentation, prevention strategies, and vaccination - is crucial for all healthcare professionals, especially those treating populations at higher risk due to their practices and regions of origin. Advances in treatment have led to better outcomes for patients, but it is clear there is still more to do.

References

DynaMed (07 Feb 2024). Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infection. EBSCO Information Services. Accessed July 28, 2025. https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-a-virus-hav-infection

DynaMed (19 Feb 2025). Acute Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection. EBSCO Information Services. Accessed July 28, 2025. https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-hepatitis-b-virus-hbv-infection

DynaMed (08 Jul 2024). Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection. EBSCO Information Services. Accessed July 28, 2025. https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-hepatitis-c-virus-infection

DynaMed (18 Jan 2025). Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Infection. EBSCO Information Services. Accessed July 28, 2025. https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-d-virus-hdv-infection

DynaMed (20 Sep 2024). Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection. EBSCO Information Services. Accessed July 28, 2025. https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-e-virus-hev-infection

Sievert, Diane. July 28, 2023. Different types of hepatitis: Research Spotlight. UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. https://medschool.ucla.edu/news-article/the-different-types-of-hepatitis Accessed July 28, 2025.

Published on

Summer is a perfect time to try a new book. 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. 

Photo by Angello Pro on Unsplash

Ruth Bueter, Himmelfarb's Associate Director, Recommends

Title: A Prayer for Owen Meany

Author: John Irving

Genre: Fiction, Classics, Literary

Reason for Recommendation: This is a story about the power of friendship, tragedy, guilt, sacrifice, faith, doubt, and destiny. I took my time with this book because I wanted to stay engrossed in the story of Johnny and Owen's lifelong friendship as long as possible. My favorite of John Irving's novels I've read so far, it's complex, smart, and beautifully written. If you're looking for a character-driven book that is unique and difficult to forget, this could be the book for you.

Title: The Chosen and the Beautiful

Author: Nghi Vo

Genre: Fiction, Literary, Audiobook

Reason for Recommendation: This novel is a brilliant retelling of The Great Gatsby from a queer, Asian and adopted Jordan Baker's perspective. In Fitzgerald's original telling, Jordan Baker was a minor character whose story was fairly forgettable. In this brilliant reimagining, Jordan is vibrant, magical, and captivating. I highly recommend the audiobook version, masterfully narrated by Natalie Naudus. Naudus perfectly captures Jordan's mystery, heartache, and longing.

Jolinda Thompson, Systems Librarian, Recommends

Title: Telegraph Avenue

Author: Michael Chabon

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Reason for Recommendation:  With best friend record store owners, a pair of midwives, and a former NFL quarterback who owns a chain of megastores and a blimp as the main cast of characters, the novel explores marriage, friendship and “post-racial” America, with a lot of laughs along the way.  

Ian Roberts, Acquisitions & Resource Sharing Librarian, Recommends

Title: And a Bottle of Rum: a History of the New World in Ten Cocktails 

Author: Wayne Curtis

Genre: history, culture, gastronomy, mixology  

Reason for Recommendation:  A cultural, economic, and political history of rum, the book is a fun and breezy read that doesn't shy away from the darker underbelly of the subject. Also includes a few classic and modern cocktail recipes. 

Andy Puro, Interlibrary Loan Specialist, Recommends

Title: Red Rising

Author: Pierce Brown

Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction

Laura Abate, Himmelfarb Director, Recommends

Title: Tales of the City

Author: Armistead Maupin

Genre: Fiction

Reason for Recommendation:  I read the first three books in this series when I moved to San Francisco many years ago, and picked it up again this summer.  The first four books were originally serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle, and the fifth in the San Francisco Examiner.  The chapters are short and the plot moves quickly, with interwoven plotlines and side characters.   Tales of the City centers around a quirky apartment complex run by Anna Madrigal and the young people who live there, and is also the story of San Francisco at the specific time of each story.    The books are light-hearted, humorous and feature LGBTQ characters - showing each character making their own path in life and creating a family.  This time, I'm not stopping at book #3!

Randy Plym, Evening Circulation Supervisor, Recommends:

Title: Down and Out in Paris and London

Author: George Orwell

Genre: Memoir

Reason for Recommendation: Almost 100 years later, Orwell's depictions of kitchen work feel timeless, vibrant, stressful, and true: like if The Bear was set in the 1930s. Beyond displaying Orwell's capacity for dialogue and characterization, Down and Out depicts people trapped by the system: a theme that readers will recognize from 1984 or Animal Farm.

Published on
Non-binary flag.

July 14th is International Non-Binary Day! The first International Non-Binary Day took place in 2012. The date falls between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day, making it an appropriate date on which to raise awareness of people who do not identify exclusively as men or women. So, what is non-binary? 

Non-binary refers to anyone whose gender identity isn’t categorized as female or male. While some non-binary people identify as both a man and a woman, others don’t identify with either of these gender categories (HRC Staff, 2020). While some non-binary people identify as transgender, many do not. “Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely” (Stonewall Staff, 2006). Simply put, being non-binary is as unique and individual as the people who identify as non-binary. 

We can all be allies to non-binary people. Some of the simplest things you can do to be inclusive involve being aware of how the language you use can have a positive impact on everyone, regardless of gender identity. Including your pronouns when you introduce yourself, in your email signatures, and social media profiles can be a great starting point. When you introduce yourself, saying “Hi, my name is Jane, and I use she/her pronouns” can be an easy way for other people to safely introduce their pronouns. This not only lets the person know that you are interested in using their correct pronouns, but also makes it easy for them to communicate their preferences to you if they wish. You may also consider using gender neutral language when you are addressing a group by replacing “ladies and gentlemen” with “folks” or “everyone.” When mentioning relationships, consider using gender neutral terms such as parents (instead of father/mother), children (instead of sons/daughters), siblings (instead of brothers/sisters), or partner (instead of husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend). 

From a medical and health perspective, non-binary people often experience health disparities resulting from their non-binary identities. One qualitative study published in 2020 in the Journal of Sex Research “explored the unique ways that non-binary adolescents experience minority stress and how it influences their mental health and well-being” (Johnson et al., 2020). Identity invalidation (the refusal to accept someone’s identity as “real” or “true”) was experienced during interpersonal relationships, within the LGBTQ community, on an institutional level in school environments, and through a lack of representation in the media (Johnson et al., 2020). The data collected from this study suggests that “identity invalidation has deleterious effects on mental health and contributes to mental health disparities facing non-binary adolescents” (Johnson et al. 2020).

A study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved in 2018 examined interactions between transgender and gender non-binary individuals and their health care providers and identified characteristics of positive and negative interactions. Characteristics of positive clinician-patient interactions included: the correct use of names and pronouns; use of gender neutral language when referencing relationships, anatomy, and procedures; clinician knowledge of and experience with transgender and non-binary health; and treatment of identity disclosure as routine (Baldwin et al., 2018). Characteristics of negative clinician-patient interactions included: misgendering; lack of information and experience with transgender and non-binary patients (which often led to irrelevant questions stemming from clinician curiosity); and transphobia that led to a denial of care or a referral to another provider - another form of denial of care (Baldwin et al., 2018). This study concluded that formal medical education and training programs need to provide education and experience related to gender diverse patients. “Adjusting patient intake protocol and forms at the system-level to incorporate gender-neutral terminology and facilitate the use of preferred names and pronouns” was all supported by this study (Baldwin et al, 2018). 

As we celebrate International Non-Binary Day this year, take some time to explore resources such as Himmelfarb's LGBTQ+ Health Research Guide, SMHS’s LGBTQIA+ Community Support page, and GW student groups such as GW Out for Health or Transgender and Non-Binary Students of GWU. One of the best ways to celebrate International Non-Binary Day is through education and learning more about the non-binary experience. The following video is a great starting point - take a look and learn what it’s like to be non-binary.

This is a reposting of an original blog post published in The Rotation Blog on July 14, 2021.

References:

Baldwin, A., Dodge, B., Schick, V. R., Light, B., Scharrs, P. W., Herbenick, D., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2018). Transgender and Genderqueer Individuals’ Experiences with Health Care Providers: What’s Working, What’s Not, and Where Do We Go from Here? Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 29(4), 1300–1318. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2018.0097

CBC News: The National (2021, June 28). What it’s like to be non-binary . YouTube. https://youtu.be/7Gr78THojrU

HRC Staff (2020, July 14). Celebrating the Diversity of the Non-Binary Community for International Non-Binary Day 2020. https://www.hrc.org/news/celebrating-the-diversity-of-the-non-binary-community-for-international-non

Johnson, K. C., LeBlanc, A. J., Deardorff, J., & Bockting, W. O. (2020). Invalidation Experiences Among Non-Binary Adolescents. The Journal of Sex Research, 57(2), 222–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1608422

Stonewall Staff (2006, July 21). 10 ways to step up as an ally to non-binary people. Stonewall. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/10-ways-step-ally-non-binary-people

Published on
Picture of a wheelchair athlete training on a running track.
Image by Javier Robles from Pixabay

Himmelfarb Library is happy to announce the release of our Disabilities Health Research Guide! The guide features resources that address disability healthcare in clinical and research settings, including topics such as accessibility, terminology, research assistance, and much more. You’ll also find links to local disability resources in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, and links to disability organizations.

Featured books from Himmelfarb’s collection include: 

The researcher's tab includes guidance on conducting research with disabled populations, as well as information to support literature searches, including MeSH terms and journals that publish disability-related research. An additional area links to publications from George Washington faculty that have been archived in the Health Sciences Research Commons (HSRC), Himmelfarb’s institutional repository.

 Featured journals include:

Please note that some resources, such as e-books and journal collections, may require GW credentials to access.

This guide is intended to be a high-quality resource relevant to our community. We encourage you to share relevant resources for inclusion in the Disabilities Health Guide through our Resource Suggestion Form. If you are a member of a GW organization and would like your organization to be featured in this guide, or if you’re interested in collaborating with the Himmelfarb DEI Committee, please contact the current committee chair, Ruth Bueter, at rbueter@gwu.edu.

This post was co-authored by Rebecca Keyser and Ruth Bueter.

Published on
Picture of art papers and supplies spread on a desk with the word "Welcome" written in calligraphy on the center paper.
Photo by cottonbro studio

Himmelfarb Library extends a warm welcome to all new residents, fellows, students, faculty, and staff who joined the GW SMHS, GWSPH, and GW Nursing community recently! We are excited that you’re here, and we look forward to serving you during your time at GW! 

The start of any new endeavor can be daunting, so we’d like to make it easy for you to become familiar with Himmelfarb Library and all that we have to offer. Himmelfarb Director, Laura Abate, gives a great overview of Himmelfarb Library in this short video tour:

Himmelfarb Hours:

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

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

Current hours of operation are available on our website and include exceptions to normal hours, such as holiday closures. If you aren’t able to 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 from anywhere, anytime, so you can access our electronic resources from anywhere!

Himmelfarb Resources and Collections

Himmelfarb’s collection extends beyond the books in the basement level stacks. We have 130 databases to search, including PubMed, CINAHL, and our library discovery service, Health Information @ Himmelfarb. Health Information @ Himmelfarb enables you to search physical and electronic books, journals, articles, dissertations, and more, all from a single search box.

Want to browse and read articles from our journals? The BrowZine app is a great option! BrowZine can be accessed through a browser, or you can download the app for IOS or Android. You’ll be able to create a personalized bookshelf of journal titles, follow your favorite journals, get alerts when new issues are available, and browse a table of contents.

LibKey Nomad provides quick and easy access to full-text when searching PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO databases, Google Scholar, Amazon, and publisher sites. With LibKey Nomad, you’ll easily be able to tell when the full-text of articles and e-books is available through Himmelfarb, and often can get the PDF with a single click!

You can find books and e-books via Health Information @ Himmelfarb or explore titles in specific collections: AccessMedicine, ClinicalKey for Nursing, LWW Health Library: Medical Education, etc. You can browse all e-book collections or view our special collections in Health Information @ Himmelfarb. Our print books are located on the basement level and can be borrowed for three weeks, with up to two renewals. 

If we don’t have a resource you need, we can get it for you through the Consortium Loan Service or Documents2Go. The Consortium Loan Service provides free loans of books from most DC area academic libraries. Documents2Go provides scanned articles, book chapter copies, or physical book loans with up to 30 free requests a year for Himmelfarb users.

Clinical Tools and Apps

If you’re providing patient care, Himmelfarb has specialized apps and information services to support you. The DynaMed, and Lexicomp apps can be downloaded for easy access from your device. Check out our App Shelf for a full list of useful tools.

Research Support

Himmelfarb is more than just a physical space with study space and great resources! Our librarians and staff can help support your research by assisting in literature searches, systematic reviews, and helping you organize your sources with RefWorks or Covidence. We also offer a spectrum of services and support related to scholarly publishing - everything from honing your research question, to selecting the right journal for submitting your article to archiving your article and data.  Get help with your research from our knowledgeable librarians and staff by stopping by our circulation desk for in-person help, or use our Ask a Librarian service to chat virtually with a real Himmelfarb librarian or staff member. No AI chatbots here! 

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