Mary Anne Dunkin

2 weeks ago | usmedicine.com | Mary Anne Dunkin

SEATTLE — Despite the growing arsenal of glucose-lowering medications, many patients with Type 2 diabetes still struggle to achieve adequate blood glucose control. For Steven Kahn, MB, ChB, professor of medicine at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and the University of Washington, that disconnect raised a critical question.

2 weeks ago | usmedicine.com | Mary Anne Dunkin

WASHINGTON, DC — Burnout among healthcare workers in the VA soared during the COVID-19 pandemic and still remains a challenge, particularly in primary care, mental health and nursing services, according to a large new VA study. While rates have declined since their pandemic peak, they are still significantly higher than before 2020—raising questions about how to build lasting resilience into the nation’s largest integrated health system.

4 weeks ago | georgiatrend.com | Mary Anne Dunkin

In August 2015, when Carter announced he had been diagnosed with melanoma that had spread (metastasized) to his liver and brain, the prognosis seemed grim. Yet, just months later, Carter announced he was cancer-free. After the standard protocol of surgery and radiation, he had been treated with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a newly approved immunotherapy drug that empowered his immune system to target and destroy the cancer cells.

1 month ago | usmedicine.com | Mary Anne Dunkin

Male carriers of BRCA1/2 PVs are widely overlooked, even though they also are at increased risk of developing cancer, particularly of the prostate, pancreas and breast. Men represent half of BRCA1/2 PV carriers, but even their clinicians often are unaware of their carrier status, associated cancer risks and management recommendations. That is especially significant at the VA, which treats nearly 500,000 prostate cancer patients and survivors.

1 month ago | usmedicine.com | Mary Anne Dunkin

Hypoparathyroidism primarily affects the bones and kidneys, and conventional therapy in use until recently—high doses of calcium and active vitamin D—have had limited effectiveness. FDA approval of a novel therapy might change the situation for adults, however. The clinical trials, which included veterans, indicated a high level of effectiveness in returning serum calcium levels to normal.