Congratulations to NCMS member Dr. Christine Khandelwal on election to Federation of State Medical Boards’ BOD
Congratulations to North Carolina Medical Society member Christine M. Khandelwal, DO for her election to the Board of Directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards. Dr. Khandelwal is a 2024 NCMS Golden Stethoscope Award winner.
She is a former North Carolina Medical Board Member and Past NCMB President.
Dr. Khandelwal was selected, from a field of eight candidates on April 26…
Happy Birthday to Our Members Celebrating This Month!
Grab your party hats and noisemakers and let’s celebrate!
NCMS Member Birthdays May 2025
Ole S. Aassar, MD
William B. Abernethy, Jr., MD
Surafeal G. Abraha, MD
Peter K. Acheampong, MD
Maureen N. Achuko, MD
Douglas H. Adams, MD, MPH
Van L. Adams, MD
Henry T. Adkins, Jr., MD
Kerry E. Agnello, DO
Lindsey N. Ahearn
Julian S. Albergotti, Jr., MD
Dustin B. Alderson, MD
Fuad Y.…
Geriatricians Wanted: NC Medical Schools Work To Recruit Aging Health Specialists
Geriatricians Wanted: NC Medical Schools Work To Recruit Aging Health Specialists
(NC Health News, Grace Vitalione) — North Carolinians are getting older, but there aren't enough people getting trained to care for them.
The population of people ages 65 and older in North Carolina is expected to nearly double to 2.7 million in the next couple decades. Many of those older adults will require…
Fixing Prior Auth: Nearly 40 Prior Authorizations A Week Is Way Too Many
Fixing Prior Auth: Nearly 40 Prior Authorizations A Week Is Way Too Many
(AMA, Tanya Albert Henry) — The time-wasting, care-delaying, insurance company cost-control process known as prior authorization has gone from a rarely employed tool to discourage use of extremely pricey interventions to a form of utilization management that comes as naturally to payers as breathing does to the rest of us.……
Let Your Patients Know! NCDHHS Distributing Free Fans Starting May 1
Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1 – Oct. 31
RALEIGH - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with North Carolina area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans statewide to eligible recipients through the Operation Fan Heat Relief program from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2025.
People aged…
Even Light Exercise Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline In People At Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Even Light Exercise Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline In People At Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease
(Atrium Health, Myra Wright) — Low and moderate-high intensity exercise could be valuable tools in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and University of California San Diego have found.
The new research, published as two papers in…
White Coat Day is Wednesday! NCMS Has A Big Announcement on Prior Authorization!
The North Carolina Medical Society's White Coat Day is just two days away! This Wednesday, physicians and PAs from across the state will come together to demonstrate the medical community’s united stance on reforming prior authorization. It will be a pivotal moment as the NCMS Prior Authorization Bill is presented on the House floor.
Stay tuned throughout the day for updates on how NCMS and its…
Duke Biologist: Honey, I Shrunk The Proteins!
Duke Biologist: Honey, I Shrunk The Proteins!
(Duke School of Medicine, Angela Spivey) – In August 2024, Duke University School of Medicine computational biologist Rohit Singh, PhD, posted on the social media platform X, “Introducing Raygun, a new approach to protein design.”
He was talking about an artificial intelligence tool his team created to help biologists “shrink” or “expand” existing…
Advocates For Black Maternal Health Press NC General Assembly To Approve ‘MOMnibus’ Legislation
Advocates For Black Maternal Health Press NC General Assembly To Approve ‘MOMnibus’ Legislation
(NC Newsline, Clayton Henkel) – On the week that North Carolina senators were busy rolling out a $32.6B spending plan, it was difficult to gain attention for legislation that some consider a longshot this session. But Senator Natalie Murdock (D-Chatham, Durham) refused to allow budget week to shift…
A New Consensus On Substance Use Disorders And Healthcare
A New Consensus On Substance Use Disorders And Healthcare
(NC Newsline, Sara Harington and Jana Burson) – New polling from the Legal Action Center shows North Carolinians nearly universally (98%) view substance use disorders (SUD) as a problem deserving of attention. More than two-thirds know someone impacted by SUD, and the data shows robust support – across political and demographic lines –…
Cancer Death Rates Declining, New Report Says, But Diagnosis Rates Are On The Rise For Women
Cancer Death Rates Declining, New Report Says, But Diagnosis Rates Are On The Rise For Women
(CNN, Katherine Dillinger) – A new report on cancer in the US shows a steady decline in overall deaths from 2001 through 2022. The rate of diagnoses among men fell from 2001 through 2013 and then stabilized through 2021 but these incidence rates among women increased slightly every year between 2003 and…
“I’m as Mad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Take This Anymore!” One Doctor’s Thoughts on Prior Authorization
With thanks to Dr. David N. Korones and JAMA Neurology
"I’m as Mad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Take This Anymore!”
So shouted news broadcaster Howard Beale in the iconic 1976 film “Network” as he decried pollution, unemployment, inflation, crime, and all that was wrong in the world back then. And so shouted I, as I slammed down the phone after yet another denial from an insurance company—this…
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Becoming A Living Kidney Donor
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Becoming A Living Kidney Donor
(AMA, Sara Berg, MS) – The decision to donate a kidney is not just an act of generosity; it’s a lifesaving act that provides hope for someone in need. Every year, thousands of people wait anxiously for a lifesaving transplant, their futures uncertain as they cling to the possibility of finding a match. But amid the statistics…
US Women Physicians Have Higher Risk of Suicide Compared With General Population
US Women Physicians Have Higher Risk of Suicide Compared With General Population
(Clinical Pain Advisor, Ron Goldberg) – Women physicians in the United States vs women who are not physicians have a higher rate of suicide, according to study findings published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Since 2007, there have been inconclusive reports of comparative suicide incidence among US physicians vs…
Is a Blood Test for Postpartum Depression on the Horizon?
Fewer than 10 percent of women seek medical help for postpartum depression
(Sara Novak) -- Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth, affecting about 1 in 7 women after delivery. It causes bouts of severe depression and anxiety, makes bonding with a newborn especially difficult, and can lead to thoughts of self-harm. Suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the…
Brisk Walking Lowers Risk of Potentially Deadly Heart Rhythm Issues, Study Finds: Here’s the Ideal Speed
Brisk Walking Lowers Risk of Potentially Deadly Heart Rhythm Issues, Study Finds: Here’s the Ideal Speed
(Nice News, Stephen Beech) – The next time you’re out for your daily walk, add a little extra pep in your step — your heart will thank you. A U.K. study found that brisk walking may lower the risk of potentially deadly heart rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and…
Study Highlights Cancer Risk From Millions Of CT Scans Performed Annually
Study Highlights Cancer Risk From Millions Of CT Scans Performed Annually
(NPR, Ronnie Cohen) – CT scans diagnose afflictions from tumors to kidney stones to life-threatening diseases and injuries, such as aneurysms and blood clots leading to stroke.
But the radiation emitted by this essential diagnostic tool may cause more harm than previously known and could eventually be responsible for…
Medicaid Expanded NC Health-Care Access. This Fix Could Make It Run Smoother
Medicaid Expanded NC Health-Care Access. This Fix Could Make It Run Smoother
(The Carolina Journal, Craig Richardson and Erik Randolph) – Two years ago, many low-income households in North Carolina had an unsettling fear: getting a pay raise or a promotion. In some cases, it might trigger the sudden loss of health insurance for adult family members if they were on Medicaid. This scenario was…
Two UNC Health hospitals Named To Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Hospitals 2025” List
Two UNC Health hospitals Named To Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Hospitals 2025” List
(UNC Health) — Two UNC Health Hospitals have been named to Newsweek’s “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025” list:
UNC Hospitals (Chapel Hill, NC)
UNC Health Rex (Raleigh, NC)
Only 20 hospitals in North Carolina are included in America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025. Both UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill…
NCMS and NCCHCA Hosting ‘The Courage to Rebuild: A Fundraiser to Honor the Resilience of WNC Health Centers’
The NCMS is excited to announce we are joining NCCHCA to honor health centers of Western North Carolina
Join us as we come together to honor and support our Western North Carolina health centers as they recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. In the long road to recovery, the highest need is financial support to rebuild, restock, and offer new services to meet needs of…
New Study: Technology Use May Be Associated With A Lower Risk For Dementia
New Study: Technology Use May Be Associated With A Lower Risk For Dementia
(CNN, Kristen Rogers) – With the first generation of people exposed widely to technology now approaching old age, how has its use affected their risk of cognitive decline?
That’s a question researchers from two Texas universities sought to answer in a new meta-analysis study, a review of previous studies, published…
Formula Dilution Is On The Rise, What Your Patients Should Know About The Risks
Formula Dilution Is On The Rise, What Your Patients Should Know About The Risks
(WKBW, Pheben Kassahn) – As families across the country deal with trying to make ends meet, doctors are seeing some parents turning to dangerous methods to stretch their dollars including watering down baby formula.
Pediatricians and emergency physicians are sounding the alarm, warning that improper formula…
Durham Man With Stage 4 Lung Cancer Sees Promising Results From NIH-Funded Trial At Duke
Durham Man With Stage 4 Lung Cancer Sees Promising Results from NIH-Funded Trial At Duke
(WNCN, Maggie Newland) — A Durham man with stage four lung cancer credits a Duke clinical trial for giving him his life back. The trial is funded by the National Institutes of Health and based on research also funded by the NIH.
The federal agency funds tens of billions of dollars of research yearly, but…
Division Of Services For The Blind Open House On April 22 In Greenville
Division Of Services For The Blind Open House On April 22 In Greenville
(NCDHHS) – Join NCDHHS' Division of Services for the Blind at an open house celebrating their new location on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1029 W.H. Smith Blvd in Greenville.
The open house is a great opportunity to learn about services available for people who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind to help them…
NCDHHS Urges North Carolinians To “Fight The Bite” To Prevent Tick- And Mosquito-Borne Diseases
NCDHHS Urges North Carolinians To "Fight The Bite" To Prevent Tick- And Mosquito-Borne Diseases
(NCDHHS) – As warmer weather approaches, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging North Carolinians to "Fight the Bite" by taking measures to reduce their risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. In 2024, more than 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses were…
Duke Researchers: Therapy Combination Carries Risk For Cancer Patients With Brain Metastases
Duke Researchers: Therapy Combination Carries Risk For Cancer Patients With Brain Metastases
(Duke Health, Sarah Avery) – Therapies that unleash the immune system to fight tumors have greatly extended the lives of people with many types of cancer.
But there are reports that patients with melanoma and lung cancer whose disease has spread to the brain may experience serious inflammatory…
Over 500 Flu-Related Deaths Reported In North Carolina This Season; Vaccination, Preventative Measures Encouraged
Over 500 Flu-Related Deaths Reported In North Carolina This Season; Vaccination, Preventative Measures Encouraged
(WNCN, Greg Funderburg, Keaton Eberly) — Vesenta Watson spends most of his days working with Child Fund International and says he got sick a few months ago.
“Back in December, I came down terribly with the flu, and I was bedridden for several days,” he said.
The North Carolina…
NCMS is Sending Match Day Congratulations!
The North Carolina Medical Society congratulates all the new graduating medical students on their Match Day success!
Jonathan Bowling matched into the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He earned his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and will graduate from ECU Brody School of Medicine in May.
Jonathan is also a scholar in…
Genomic Sequencing Reveals Previously Unknown Genes That Make Microbes Resistant to Drugs and Hard To Kill
This article was written by Nneka Vivian Iduu, a graduate research assistant in pathobiology at Auburn University, for The Conversation — a nonprofit news organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge of researchers and scientists, under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
(The Conversation) -- In the 20th century, when a routine infection was treated with a standard…
NCMS is Sending Match Day Congratulations!
The North Carolina Medical Society congratulates all the new graduating medical students on their Match Day success!
Sophie Hockran matched in General Surgery at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
"I am so excited to match General Surgery in Youngstown, Ohio at St Elizabeth Hospital!" Hockran said. "North Carolina will always hold a special place in my heart for propelling my medical career. It’s been…
NCMS is Sending Match Day Congratulations!
The North Carolina Medical Society congratulates all the new graduating medical students on their Match Day success!
Pankti Sheth, a 4th year medical student at ECU Brody School of Medicine, matched at Duke for Internal Medicine!
Look for more Match Day successes soon!
NCMS is Sending Match Day Congratulations!
The North Carolina Medical Society congratulates all the new graduating medical students on their Match Day success!
Daniel van Rooyen will continue to serve Harnett County through the Campbell University Harnett Health Family Medicine Residency. He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Campbell University and will graduate from Campbell University School of Osteopathic…
Register Now! Webinar on Tools to Manage Measles Outbreaks Effectively
Join South Piedmont AHEC (part of NC AHEC) for a FREE live webinar to gain critical insights and practical tools for managing measles outbreaks effectively.
Apr 10, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST | Live Webinar
Description
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe health complications. Join us for an in-depth panel discussion where we will explore the…
Contact Your Legislators; Ask Them to Oppose the SAVE Act
Contact Your Legislators; Ask Them to Oppose the SAVE Act
The SAVE Act was introduced Tuesday. This will allow Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including nurse anesthetists, to practice without physician involvement.
We ask you to email your state Senator and House member TODAY asking them to oppose the SAVE Act. Specifically, request that they do not co-sponsor the legislation.…
Spring is Here: North Carolina Ranks as One of the Toughest States for Seasonal Allergies
Raleigh is ranked as the 7th most challenging place to live in America with allergies, while Greensboro is ranked 10th
(The Carolina Journal, Brianna Kraemer) -- America’s list of the most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies.
Raleigh is ranked as the 7th most challenging place to live in America with allergies, while Greensboro is ranked 10th. Several other major North Carolina…
Register Now for UNC Eye Symposium
The UNC Eye Symposium is hosted by the UNC Department of Ophthalmology every April at the William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill, NC. Offering CME credits to attendees, this annual conference provides updates to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Technicians, and Photographers on the latest evidence-based diagnostic and medical/surgical approaches to…
Bill to Study Medically Assisted Death Filed in NC
MAID is legal in 10 states and District of Columbia
(WGHP, Emily Mikkelsen, Gretchen Stenger, Dolan Reynolds) -- A bill filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives would fund the study of medically assisted death.
HB410, titled “Medical Aid in Dying,” was filed on Tuesday. The bill directs the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to study the impacts of legalizing medically assisted…
700+ Rural Hospitals at Risk of Closing
(Getty Images)
Millions of Americans at risk of losing community care
(Healthcare Brew and CHPQR, Cassie McGrath) -- About 768 rural hospitals in the US are at risk of closing, with 315 at “immediate risk” of closing within three years.
That’s according to a new report by healthcare finance policy organization the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR), which cited…
CDC Issues Update on Measles Outbreak in US and Guidance for Travel Season
CDC issues HAN Health Advisory to notify clinicians and travelers about measles outbreak
CDC and Health Alert Network -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians, public health officials, and potential travelers about a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico and offer guidance for prevention and…
March Madness is in Full Swing! Several NC Teams Are in the Big Dance!
(AXIOS, Zachery Eanes) -- The North Carolina Tar Heels squeaked into the NCAA Tournament, grabbing an 11-seed and a spot in the play-in game against San Diego State.
Duke, the winners of the ACC Tournament, received a No. 1 seed in the East Region.
Why it matters: North Carolina barely made the cut, earning the last at-large bid into the tournament after an arguably weak showing…
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Read an Inspiring Survivor’s Story
Young and at Risk for Colorectal Cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of early detection through colonoscopies
(Duke Today, Jodie Valade) -- Even though Ajay Kohli had been experiencing debilitating abdominal discomfort for weeks in late 2021, such excruciating pain that he once had to pull over as he was driving his car, he wasn’t sure if he…
New Study: Common Vaginal Condition is Really An STD
Only women are currently treated for the infection called bacterial vaginosis, but it’s actually a sexually transmitted disease that sexual partners should receive treatment for as well, a new study found
(CNN Health, Sandee LaMotte) -- A common but potentially dangerous vaginal infection that affects nearly 1 in 3 women globally should be considered a sexually transmitted disease, a new study…
Duke Researchers: AI Model Predicts Risks and Potential Causes of Adolescent Mental Illness
(Photo: DukeHealth)
DURHAM, N.C. -- An artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by Duke Health researchers accurately predicted when adolescents were at high risk for future serious mental health issues before symptoms become severe.
Unlike prior models that primarily rely on existing symptoms, the AI model identified underlying causes, such as sleep disturbances and family conflict,…
5 Years Later, Long Covid Still A Medical Mystery: What Scientists Have Learned
Why do some people develop disabling chronic conditions after the initial viral infection?
(NBC News, Katie Camero) -- When her school closed down in March 2020, Chimére Sweeney, an English teacher in Baltimore, thought she’d return to her students once the U.S. got a handle on the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. But “life had a different plan” when she got Covid shortly after — and then…
NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: NC Crisis Services — Support for All Ages
NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: NC Crisis Services — Support for All Ages
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources for youth and adults in North Carolina and get…
Register Now! 2nd Annual Collaborative Care Model Behavioral Health Care Manager Summit
2nd Annual Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) Summit
May 16, 2025
9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
The Conference Center at GTCC
7908 Leabourne Road | Colfax, NC 27235
We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) Summit, presented jointly by NC AHEC and…
When Will NC’s Allergy Season Peak This Year? What to Know as Spring Approaches
Spring is almost here! How are you feeling so far?
(The Charlotte Observer, Evan Moore) -- Spring is less than three weeks away, which means allergy sufferers should start preparing for pollen season.
More pollen in the air means there’s a higher chance of suffering from symptoms like runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes.
But peak pollen counts depend on several factors, including the…
What’s The True Secret to Happiness? Scientists May be About to Find Out
Researchers are hoping to uncover the elusive secret to happiness in the biggest study of its kind to date
(PositiveNews, Robin Eveleigh) -- While some people get their highs from a brisk run, others swear by sharing a cuppa with a friend or spending time in nature for a wellbeing boost.
Now those behind the Global Happiness Megastudy hope to recruit tens of thousands of…
Make Your Plans Now! UNC Eye Symposium is Next Month
Registration Open for the UNC Eye Symposium, April 12, 2025
Location: The William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education
Hosted by the UNC Department of Ophthalmology every spring, the UNC Eye Symposium is designed to update Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Technicians, and Photographers on the latest evidence-based diagnostic and medical/surgical approaches to…
Duke Study: Less Invasive Lung Cancer Surgeries on the Rise
Lung cancer surgery is shifting to less invasive procedures
(Duke News, Shantell M. Kirkendoll) -- Lung cancer surgery is shifting toward less invasive procedures, particularly for younger and healthier patients, according to a new study led by Duke University School of Medicine analyzing two decades of data.
Traditionally, removing an entire lobe of the lung – lobectomy—was the gold…