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5 days ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
The Wedge Recovery Centers, a nonprofit that provides mental health, addiction and other behavioral health services to nearly 2,000 Philadelphia residents on medical assistance, will close in the coming weeks. "This decision was not made lightly, and has followed three consecutive years of financial losses," Wedge CEO Jason McLaughlin wrote in a letter to vendors and partners.
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6 days ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
After a chorus of emotional public testimony, City Council passed a bill Thursday curtailing mobile medical and outreach services in Kensington. Elementary school students from Kensington spoke in favor of the bill, noting how upsetting it is to see people using drugs on a daily basis. Many adult residents said the legislation would protect children from trauma and improve quality of life and safety for families in the neighborhood.
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6 days ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
The lead singer of the band 3 Doors Down shared Wednesday that he has stage 4 kidney cancer that has spread to his lung. In an Instagram video, Brad Arnold said he had been feeling sick for a few weeks and was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. The band, known for early 2000s rock hits like "Kryptonite" and "Here Without You," has canceled its summer tour due to Arnold's illness.
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6 days ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Rick O'Keefe had no idea he had a horseshoe kidney or, like most people, what a horseshoe kidney even was. But after breaking his clavicle playing tennis in May 2023, scans revealed cancer in his collarbone that had spread from his kidneys. O'Keefe also learned that he had a congenital condition that causes the kidneys to fuse into a horseshoe shape. MORE: A Bucks County teen received a kidney from a young New York woman.
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Looking for an easy way to boost your mental health? Get some houseplants. A steady stream of research through the years has found a link between indoor plants and improved mood, heightened focus and increased creativity and productivity. MORE: What role should mobile medical providers play in Kensington?
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Nurses are an integral part of health care, providing the link between physicians and patients. Nurses take vital signs and administer medication. They explain treatment plans to patients and families. They document care, provide emotional support and monitor patient recovery. Independence Blue Cross is looking to honor the Philadelphia region's outstanding nurses through its annual Celebrate Caring campaign. Through May 31, people may nominate nurses who demonstrate excellence.
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Burnout continues to be a significant problem for internal medicine doctors, according to a new study. The research found 10% of internal medicine physicians in the United States reported having the three signs of burnout: emotional exhaustion, feelings of decreased personal achievement and depersonalization — a lack of empathy and negative feelings toward patients.
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Health care workers often wash their scrubs at home, but doing so may be contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals, new research suggests. Home washing machines generally are insufficient for decontaminating health care worker uniforms, a study published Wednesday in PLOS One found. Researchers recommended hospitals launder scrubs on-site and update at-home washing guidelines for health care workers.
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Six months ago, Brynn Peterson was training for the Philadelphia Marathon when she found out she had nearly 30 blood clots in her lungs and that one of them had partially died. On Sunday, Peterson, 24, will run the Broad Street Run with an elite bib, having endured an arduous medical journey. "I'll just be the one smiling the entire time just because I'm able to run," said Peterson, a sixth-grade teacher at St. Helena-Incarnation Catholic Schoolin Philadelphia. MORE: Looking for a workout boost?
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1 week ago | 
phillyvoice.com | Courtenay Harris Bond
Legislation that would limit mobile medical and outreach services in Kensington will face a final City Council vote next after an amended version was approved Thursday. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada delivered an impassioned speech in defense of her legislation after a line of detractors, including harm reduction and health providers, spoke out against it. They alleged it would "criminalize" compassion, limit access to lifesaving resources and "punish" the vulnerable.
