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Author: puroa

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February is Black History month, and what  better time to recognize and support the black community than by paying tribute to the many heroes of the past by visiting historical sites, or partaking in some of the many events that are happening within the D.C. area? 

If you are uncertain where to begin, why not visit the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture? Open Wednesday through Sunday, and free of charge, all it takes is a reservation to visit the four-story museum, which opened in 2016. Its collection of thousands of artifacts  covers the arts to the civil rights movement, athletics and more. 

You can also visit the famous Lincoln Memorial at the National Mall. A tribute to President Lincoln who declared that all men were created equal in his Gettysburg Address, it also serves as the location of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech which is etched into the Memorial’s steps. Designed as a tribute to Dr.King's life, in 2011 his memorial was opened to the public and stands to this day, as a monument to the freedom, equality, and justice that he stood for.  

If you are looking for something other than museums, from February 10th to April 2nd, you can catch The High Ground at the Arena stage. A powerful story of resistance and recovery from trauma, this is a play you will not want to miss! 

When it comes to lessons learned from the past, Rosa Parks teaches us all a valuable lesson: “We will fail when we fail to try.” Find out more about Rosa Parks, and the impact she made at the dedicated tour at the O Street museum. To participate in the tour, make a reservation at their website. 

If you are feeling hungry, why not show your support by visiting a Black-owned restaurant? From tea and Ethiopian cuisine to southern comfort meals and seafood, even Ben’s Chili bowl can’t be beaten! 

Washington D.C. has so much to offer in the form of events, sights to see, museums, and presentations. To find out more about the ways you can attend, be sure to visit their website for specific dates, locations, and times throughout the month of February. 

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2023 marks the 52nd anniversary of the National Blood Donor Month! This is a perfect time to understand the many benefits of donating blood, especially during the months when it is most critically needed. Currently, hospitals stand at concerning levels with regards to blood supply. 

January is well known for being a time of self reflection & change, and a time where we make goals centered around what we desire to accomplish in life. What  better way to support not only ourselves, but each other by making a contribution to the many who are in need? All types are accepted, and type O is needed the most. 

To make an appointment to donate, contact the American Red Cross by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Those who have received Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccines are eligible to donate without wait. Remember, a donation is not simply a donation, but also an action which can help save lives. 

To learn more about the importance of blood donation, visit the Association for the Advancement for Blood & Biotherapies website to learn about blood as an essential medicine and about how our community is making an effort to drive donor diversity. Also, donating blood is also a way to receive a free health screening? Some underlying health conditions such as genetic mutations or hereditary hemochromatosis can be found simply by donating blood.

Lastly, did you know that the School of Medicine and Health Sciences actually has a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Blood Banking for Medical Laboratory Science? To find more about this online program, its career outlook and curriculum, we highly recommend that you request more information to see if this is the right course for you.

Additional reading can be found at the Himmelfarb Library:
The gift relationship : from human blood to social policy
Transfusion medicine and hemostasis : clinical and laboratory aspects
A systematic review of incentives in blood donation
Service quality in blood donation: satisfaction, trust and loyalty
Blood Donation across the Life Course: The Influence of Life Events on Donor Lapse

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It’s almost winter break! What are your plans? Will you be decorating a holiday tree? Maybe you are going to visit loved ones and family members. Let us not forget the one thing that many of us share in common at this time of year: the enjoyment of bountiful food! 

No matter the situation, if you are bringing a dish, hosting, or staying in for the holidays, there are plenty of recipes and ideas that are bound to inspire a creative spark, especially if you are uncertain of what to cook.

For appetizers, this Vegetarian Spinach-Walnut pate is not only full of healthy ingredients, but its green and red color match the season! Keeping with the meatless trend, these Eggplant Ricotta bites give a whole new reason to make eggplant an eye-catching snack. If you want to keep with the red and green theme, this Shrimp Cocktail with Tomatillo-Horseradish sauce offers a taste of surf - and spice! 

Are you a fan of eggnog? You aren’t alone! What better way to impress than to make your Eggnog from scratch? Top with some whipped cream and cinnamon for a little extra flair. If you like yours sweeter or less, feel free to adjust the sugar to your liking! You can also try this cool take on a classic: Mulled Wine Granata. Substitute the wine for grape juice if you would like your Granata alcohol-free.  

For the main dish, this savory Double-Duty Chicken with Olives & Artichokes offers a unique flavor fusion with lemon, garlic, and rosemary! Cutting carbs? No problem. This Low-Carb lasagna has no pasta in it. For those who are Vegetarian, these stuffed shells with spinach will make it hard to pass up seconds. You can also pair it with this World’s Best Kale salad which is packed with cranberries, almonds, and parmesan! Another tempting side salad option is Magdalena Roze's broccoli slaw.

Lastly, for dessert, which do you prefer? Pies, cakes, or cookies? This cranberry almond apple pie mixes seasonal flavors with a sensational crunch. Are you after a traditional flavor, but want to try something new? These Gingerbread Meringue Bars look richly packed and full of that cinnamon-ginger-pumpkin flavor. Similarly, these Lemon glazed Gingerbread cookies are a personal favorite of mine. 

We wish you the safest and most enjoyable Winter Break, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year! 

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With Halloween candy behind us, it is time to think of what to put on the table for the upcoming Thanksgiving season. Even if you are not one who celebrates, what better way to wrap up the fall season than with some bountiful food? No matter your preferences or dietary needs, there is an abundance of options to choose from to add flavor to your meal.

Watching carbohydrates? Not a problem. This Cauliflower casserole with mixed seed crust is low in calories, carbs, and is a vegetarian dish! Maybe you are after a bit of color, something to stand out against the earthy starchy tones? What better way to impress than with this Beet & Goat Cheese salad? Another vegetarian option that is both gluten and soy free, this salad is an excellent source of potassium, and beets can even help lower blood pressure! 

Maybe classic is more your flavor. Also free of nuts and soy, Eatingwell’s homemade cranberry sauce includes just a bit of orange peel which compliments the tart flavor of the cranberry. If you are seeking an appetizer to pair with some crackers or veggies, a Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball just may hit the spot. 

For the main course, how exciting would it be to try Ina Garten’s Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast? If Thanksgiving traditions are new to you, Food Network offers a How to Carve a Turkey video that offers beginner-friendly tips. Tired of traditional turkey? Why not try some Turkey Spring Rolls? Or, if your dietary preferences are sans-meat, Vegan Wild-Rice Butternut Squash offers a burst of flavor with wild rice, sage, and cherries! 

Lastly for dessert, who needs apple pie, when you can make an Apple Crisp? This sweet & crunchy treat also goes well with vanilla ice cream! You can warm up with a nice Hot Cider with Apple Brandy & Spices, and subtract the alcohol if you prefer. 

We wish you all a safe, healthy and joyous end of November filled with savory meals and incredible shopping deals! 

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As viruses like flu, RSV, and COVID-19surge this November, it is critical that we also make every effort to take care of our lungs. November is Lung Cancer Awareness month and there are preventable factors that can contribute to the cause of this type of carcinoma. 

Smoking is the most prolific and well known contributing factor that endangers even those who don’t smoke. If you are in an area that frequently contains cigarette smoke, leaving the area, or distancing yourself from it can greatly reduce your chances of contacting any type of harmful chemicals which may lead to cancer. Air pollution, exposure to asbestos, or diesel exhaust may also lead to this deadly type of cancer. 

While the list of specific causes may be vast, it is important to educate yourself further on the condition so that you can communicate and adopt healthy habits to help reduce risks. There can also be genetic risk factors.

If you find yourself interested in spreading the word about Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the American Lung Association has stories on survival and experiences with lung cancer, several ways to speak out through social media and also their initiative: the Lung Force walk. 

If you would like to explore more on what Himmelfarb has to offer on lung cancer, we have several resources available, here are a few examples from our catalog: 

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Attention all interlibrary loan (ILL) users! Our ILL Documents2Go will be down for planned service tomorrow on 11/8/2022. If you have any article or book requests that you would like to be addressed before the pending maintenance, please make your request before 11/8, or contact mlbdoc@gwu.edu if you have any additional questions.

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Halloween has become a celebrated time of the year when we welcome colder temperatures, costumes, and all the pumpkin spice we can get our hands on. What are your plans for this spooky season? Whether you are hosting a costume party or are staying in, there are fun recipes that can make this season all the more festive!

If you are looking for something that is both eye-catching and healthy, these green apple Monsters are not only easy to make, but also are an excellent source of fiber and protein! Pumpkin fans, we have got you covered. Granola cups with pumpkin yogurt are easily customizable, so feel free to choose your own toppings if you would like! 

For chocolate lovers, this easy dark chocolate Halloween bark with quinoa has a crunch that will compliment your favorite candies, think candy corn, Twix, or M&Ms! 

Stuck on what to serve as an entree? Why not some Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers? The best part of this recipe is that any color pepper can be used to achieve the jack-o’-lantern look! Want to test your skills? A butternut squash risotto is bound to impress. This recipe is also vegetarian-friendly, just substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth. 

Not into Halloween? No problem! Autumn gives us every reason to delve into these decadent and colorful Pumpkin cheesecake bars. If you need a side or something to drink along with it, you can never go wrong with a more traditional Spiced Cider. 

We wish you all a safe and treat-filled holiday season! Do you have a favorite Halloween recipe? Let us know in the comments below! 

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Did you know that the two most common types of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma are responsible for 12,000 deaths a year? It is critical that we take the time to not only research but also communicate the importance of these cancers so that you may encourage your patients to seek appropriate care. 

Patients who have Hepatitis B or C are at a significantly higher risk of developing one of these types of cancer. They cause 80% of all liver cancers. You can find out more about screening, prevention, and treatment at the American Association for Cancer Research and information on viral hepatitis, including patient education materials from the CDC. 

If you want to know how you can contribute and spread awareness for Liver Cancer, the Global Liver Institute launched the #OctoberIsForLivers initiative which is the first global campaign dedicated to public awareness, policy, education, and clinical practice needs to prevent and manage liver cancer. 

It is also important for patients to know the risks and how they can take care of their liver health. Encourage healthy habits in your patients such as limiting their exposure to toxins, washing produce, and the value of a healthy diet and exercise. 

In conclusion, it is critical that you make sure that you understand liver health, so that you can promote liver wellness to your patients. Additionally, below are some liver resources in Himmelfarb’s collections that you can use for research, and to help facilitate liver-related conversations with your patients.  

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Cholesterol matters. It may not be the first thing on our mind when it comes to making dietary choices, but it’s an important factor to take into consideration when it comes to dietary decisions. Heart disease remains the number one killer in the United States, and those who have high cholesterol are twice as likely to develop heart disease. 

Did you know that 73.5 million adults have an elevated level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol? Additionally, only 1 out of every 3 adults that have high LDL actually have it under control. These rates could improve if we all take the time to educate ourselves and our patients about the importance of healthy cholesterol levels, and the impact these levels have on the cardiovascular system.  

If you haven’t already, get your cholesterol checked! While some conditions may be out of our control such as family history, knowing your current cholesterol levels can  help you to create a plan to maintain a healthy heart. Unchecked hypercholesterolemia can lead to heart conditions including heart attacks and stroke. Additionally, high cholesterol has no noticeable symptoms which makes it difficult to diagnose without a blood test (lipid panel/lipid profile). All the more reason to get it checked! To learn more about high cholesterol and caring for your patients, check out the CDC’s guidelines and tools. 

Talking to your patients about their cholesterol may not be easy. Even if the topic falls into a category that is outside your field of expertise, the CDC has a communications kit filled with resources to help you to better educate patients on the benefits of monitoring and managing cholesterol.

Lastly, World Heart day is on September 29th. Visit this website to find out more about how you can get involved to spread the message about how critical heart health is to us all.

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In the year 2020, nearly 46 thousand people took their own lives. That is roughly one suicide every 11 minutes. September is National Suicide Awareness Month and is a good time to reflect, educate, and to encourage every patient in need to seek mental help. 

Where to begin: reflect. Ask yourself: do I, or have I known anyone who has struggled with suicidal ideations? If you answered yes, how did this affect you? Regardless of your healthcare speciality, it is important to remember that mental health plays a critical role in a person's overall health and well-being. 

Educate. Suicide can be a difficult topic to address, but it is one that should not be ignored, especially when warning signs are present. Understanding the risk factors of suicide paired with action can save a life. Know that there is no qualification or degree needed to see that someone needs help. If you are uncertain of common behaviors of someone who may be feeling overwhelmed by stress or depression, the National Alliance on Mental Awareness (NAMI) provides guidelines for identifying risk factors, as well as articles on personal experiences, mindfulness, and how to prevent suicide. 

Lastly, encourage. Even if you may not feel qualified to help someone personally, you can connect them to nationally available resources, such as the Suicide Crisis Lifeline, by calling or texting 988.This lifeline is available 24/7, and connects people in need to a trained counselor who will not only listen and provide support, but offer assistance and resources that may be needed. You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

There is national help available even to those who do not have access to healthcare options. 
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