Aristotle University School of Public Health

On August 1, 2010, Aristotle University conferred upon eleven candidates the degree of Master of Public Health (“MPH”). The University’s curriculum incorporates the five core disciplines of public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health science, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. The MPH program offered as a part of the Aristotle University – Coast Plaza Hospital teaching program is of particular importance for the Physician Assistants and Podiatric Surgery residents enrolled.

Headed by Dr. Thomas A. Gionis, the President of Aristotle University and Coast Plaza Hospital’s Medical Director, the commencement exercises included presentations by three MPH candidates: Melanie Tissot-Gunn, RD on “Reversing the Trend of Childhood Obesity;” Ellen Kramer, MSW, LCSW on “Effects of Prison Overcrowding on the Spread of HIV Infection;” and Raissa Pillar P. Alvarez, RN, BSN on “Whooping Cough in California: A Discussion on Resurgence.” The other eight graduates included (in alphabetical order): Anna Alongi, MS, PA-C; Jessica Chong, DPM; Corina Condraschi, RN, CDE; Rommel A. Dacera, RN, BSN; Almar Guevarra, RN, BSN; Jeanette Jones, RN, MBA; Aida Salatinjants, MD; and Helen Santos, RN. All eleven graduates completed an intensive one-year course of study that included a comprehensive thesis in the area of public health. Congratulations to these individuals for their spectacular accomplishment, and to Dr. Gionis for his work in continuing to honor and respect the teachings of Aristotle.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Update

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), pertussis is the most poorly controlled, vaccine-preventable disease in California. Pertussis has a cyclical peak every two to five years. Typical symptoms include: paroxysmal cough, lack of fever, no systemic illness, coryza, no pharyngitis, posttussive vomiting, and posttussive “whoop.” Adults with pertussis often feel like they are choking, while young infants may appear deceptively well but display signs of coryza, present with no or minimal fever, and a mild or no apparent cough.

Symptoms of pertussis may also include: Gagging, gasping, apneic episodes, cyanosis (parents may report a red or purple face), seizures, respiratory distress, and pneumonia. At the beginning of August 2010, there were 2,492 reported cases of pertussis, a six-fold increase from this time last year. Should this trend continue, there could be more cases in California in 2010 than there have been in over 52 years (since 1958). The CDPH recommends immunization for pre-teens, teens and adults, especially women of childbearing age (preferably before pregnancy), mothers in close contact with young infants, and individuals 65 years of age and older. Please keep a sharp eye out for any case that may be pertussis related as you go about your business each day.

The Future of Medicare

Last week the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds reported that as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, the economic outlook for Medicare’s fiscal integrity has improved significantly. According to Trustee reports, Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is now projected to remain solvent for an extra 12 years, until 2029.

There are six Trustees on this federal board, four of whom serve by virtue of their positions in the Federal Government: the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Commissioner of Social Security. The other two Trustees are public representatives appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The two Public Trustee positions are currently vacant.

The report concludes on the optimistic note that, despite lower near-term revenues resulting from the recent economic recession, the Affordable Care Act has made significant progress toward making Medicare financially viable. But it does caution that the significant longer term financial imbalances of these programs still need to be addressed. The Trustees agree that the sooner action is taken to address the long-run financial imbalances, the more reform options will be available, and the more time there will be to phase in changes so that those affected will have adequate time to prepare.

The United States Preventative Services Task Force

An independent panel of non-Federal experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, the USPSTF is composed of internists, pediatricians, family practice doctors, OB/GYNs, nurses, and other health care professionals. This 25 year-old task force conducts scientific evidence reviews over a broad spectrum of preventative health care topics so it can recommend and grade appropriate screenings, counseling, and preventative medications.

Last year the USPSTF made headlines when it recommended that women start breast cancer screening at the age of 50 instead of 40. The strength and scope of this task force are formidable, since now, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, only those services that have been given a grade of “A” or “B” are to be covered. For a complete list of services covered under the Affordable Care Act, please visit the following link:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsabrecs.htm

Free Weight Loss Seminar

On Tuesday, August 24th at 6:30 PM Coast Plaza Hospital will host a free weight-loss seminar entitled “What’s New in Weight-Loss Surgery.” Open to patients, employees and the general population alike, the seminar will take place in the Doctors Dining Room at Coast Plaza Hospital.

If you or someone you know is concerned with issues involving weight-loss, please feel free to drop by for a chance to talk with the surgeon, meet the program staff, discuss lifestyle changes and surgical procedures with individuals who have lost 100 pounds or more, and enjoy a variety of healthy, heart friendly snacks. If you are ready to make a change, R.S.V.P. at 1-888-255-5678 today.