Health and Medicine

Medical leader to speak at EVMS graduation

jj.evans — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:45:54 -0400

Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, will deliver the commencement address for Eastern Virginia Medical School's 2010 graduating class on May 15. The ceremony will take place at Norfolk's Scope.

Idaho, not Va., first to sign law aimed at health care plan

jj.evans — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:20:37 -0400

BOISE, Idaho Idaho took the lead in a growing, nationwide fight against health care overhaul Wednesday when its governor became the first to sign a measure requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government if residents are forced to buy health insurance.

Virginia Beach, Chesapeake labeled healthiest cities in region

Vicki.Friedman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:23:06 -0400

A new report says counties and municipalities in northern Virginia are healthier than their counterparts in the southern part of the state. The report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin researchers compiles rankings by health factors such as obesity, and health outcomes, like life expectancy.

Virginia Beach doctor gets five years for bilking government insurance

Carl.Fincke — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:37:22 -0400

NORFOLK A cancer doctor who practiced for 35 years was sentenced Monday to more than five years in federal prison for bilking government-run health insurance programs out of $1.3 million.

Tourniquets added to N.C. emergecy requirements

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:36:34 -0500

PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. Pasquotank County paramedic Jack Boyce slipped a manufactured tourniquet on his arm, pulled the strap tight and twisted the plastic crank until blood vessels bulged from his wrist. The demonstration was done in seconds. Shunned in the past, the mechanical tourniquets proved to be life savers with few side effects after the Sept. 11 attacks and in the Iraq war.

Hard times taking some of the aid out of Medicaid

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:57:33 -0500

NORFOLK

James Parker cringes when he thinks about cuts to Medicaid insurance that could make it even harder to get the medical care he needs.

The 54-year-old Norfolk resident has multiple sclerosis and receives primary care at a community health clinic. When he needs a specialist, however, it’s a fight to find a doctor who will see him.

Va. first to ban mandated health coverage

lauren.king — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:48:55 -0500

By Bob Lewis

RICHMOND Virginia's General Assembly became the first in the nation Wednesday to approve legislation that bucks any attempt by President Barack Obama and Congress to implement a national health care overhaul in individual states.

Area hospitals lift visitor restrictions with flu levels normal

lauren.king — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:25:01 -0500

Local hospitals resumed normal visiting policies Monday now that flu levels are back to normal. Children younger than 18 had been prohibited from visiting hospitals beginning in October to prevent the spread of swine flu to patients. The pandemic H1N1 flu, known as swine flu, has higher rates among children, who, like others, can carry the virus for 24 hours before showing any symptoms.

New Smithfield campus open for business

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:48:32 -0500

By James Thomas Jr.
Correspondent
After a January snowstorm delayed its open house, the new Sentara St. Luke's Healthcare Campus in Smithfield, with greatly expanded urgent care hours, held its eagerly awaited official welcoming late last month.
The occasion turned out to be an added bonus for patients and guests who were awarded one day of free basic health care.

Bill on student-athlete concussions clears House committee

Deirdre.Fernand — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:43:41 -0500

RICHMOND A House education committee passed legislation that would require student athletes who suffered a concussion to be benched until they received medical clearance.

SB652, sponsored by Norfolk Democrat Sen. Ralph Northam, received unanimous support this morning.