MD Whistleblower

For millions of Americans, the pandemic has been disastrous.  We have lost an uncountable number of Americans. We cannot even grasp the magnitude of the loss.  Have you ever stood at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the mall in Washington, DC and scanned through the uncountable number of names etched into the Wall?   We have lost well over ten times this number of Americans in the pandemic.  And it’s not over yet.  Beyond those who have died, we have to contemplate family members and friends who have been left behind.  And those who have become seriously ill or even hospitalized or even spent time in an ICU have been changed forever.   And many who escaped the virus were scared that they might become the next victim, particularly before the release of the vaccines.  And now Omicron has swept onto our shores reminding us that the pandemic still lives.  Will we go through the entire Greek alphabet? Similarly, we cannot even calculat...

       ‘ Twas the night before Christmas And all through the House, Progressives were screaming, ‘Are you a man or a mouse?’   They wanted it all. No matter the cost. They wanted it now. So much would be lost.   The voted for Biden, Who now is their tool, And dream of ‘reforming’ The filibuster rule.   Pelosi’s been smacked, And Schumer’s been bruised. Does Biden realize That he’s being used?   And while Biden is napping In the White House mansion, The man of the moment, Is Senator Joe Manchin.   And while mainstream Dems Fight with the ‘Squad’, The real threat they face? A circular firing squad! GOP are no better. They have no spines. Trump is their leader. He is divine!   Liz Cheney is out For telling the truth. While others are praised For being uncouth.   How do Republicans The few decent legislators, Run in a primary When they’ll be called ‘Trai...

Medical students, please read no further. I am going to challenge one of the bedrock beliefs in medical training – the value of the physical examination.   Indeed, I was taught of the primacy of the physical exam as a young pup during my 4 years of medical education in New York City.   I believed it and did my best to acquire these skills from master diagnosticians.   Indeed, this was one of the thrills of being a medical student – learning what those clicks and clacks meant when we listened to hearts with our stethoscopes, seeing changes of diabetes and other diseases when we peered into your eyes with an ophthalmoscope or palpating a pulsating aneurysm that was lurking in your abdomen. An Ophthalmoscope and Otoscope The Eyes and Ears of Medicine I was in awe of these seasoned physicians who could make a diagnosis just by watching a patient walk across the room. While I still think the physical examination is useful, I have found over the years that it ...

It is easy to opine on issues that don’t personally affect us.  We’ve all seen folks on television or in our own lives who righteously stake out positions when they are far beyond the reach of their effects.  Conversely, we’ve seen the irony and the hypocrisy of individuals who ‘evolve’ almost instantly when a controversial issue becomes relevant to their personal circumstances.  Senator Rob Portman of my state of Ohio, for example, was against same sex marriage until he wasn’t.  Readers are encouraged to look up what led to a reversal in Senator Portman’s view. Charles Darwin didn't realize that politicians can evolve. The pandemic has also exposed much public (and private) pontification from individuals, businesses, organizations, government agencies – all of whom may have agendas that extend beyond any actual public health concerns.   One issue that has created raw fissures among us is the concept of mandating vaccines.   There are spirited arguments o...