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Hook: Drug advertising

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

In 1991, the film Hook directed by Steven Spielberg was released. The film was the sequel to the 1911 novel Peter & Wendy. The movie starred Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. Jimmy Buffett and David Crosby made cameo appearances as pirates in the movie. 

Weekend Doctor: Neck pain

By Megan Verhoff, PA-C
Pain Management, Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Do you have neck pain? You’re not alone. Over half of all individuals develop neck pain during their lifetime with an annual prevalence in up to 40% of people. Most often, neck pain resolves on its own within just days to weeks; however, for some, it may last longer and require medical management. This article describes the causes of neck pain, provides some conservative treatment ideas, and describes when to seek medical attention. 

If I Didn’t Have You: Off-label use of medications

By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

In 2001, If I Didn’t Have You won the Academy Award for Best Original Song from the Disney movie Monsters, Inc. The song was written by Randy Newman and performed by Billy Crystal and John Goodman.   

Weekend Doctor: As much prenatal care as possible

By Jennifer Loera, RN
Clinical Navigator - Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMS) Program, Blanchard Valley Health System

Engaging in as much prenatal care as possible is the single most important thing a pregnant woman can do, even if care is not sought until late. Pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD) frequently face tremendous stigma and judgment when seeking medical care. Experience with judgment and stigma can often make it difficult to seek prenatal care, mental health care, and community support services. 

Providers should utilize a trauma-informed care approach when working with substance-using pregnant patients to combat stigma. This includes harm reduction and motivational interviewing. Focusing primarily on building trust, enhancing self-efficacy, and strengthening personal skills and resources promotes optimal health and well-being of the mother-baby dyad. 

Fishin’ in the Dark: Omega Fatty Acids

By Sarah Lysinger, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released their song Fishin’ in the Dark on June 7, 1987 and it hit number one on the country charts both in the United States and Canada.  The American country rock band started in 1966 in Long Beach, California. Several artists covered the song written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photogio. Kenny Chesney released a cover of the song with the title You and Me Go Fishing in the Dark. After Garth Brooks recorded his cover version in 2005, the number of downloads of the original song certified it as platinum.  

For those who know the lyrics, you realized the song is not really about fishing or even counting the stars at night.  It is too bad they were not fishing because the science about the benefits of fish in your diet is advancing.  

Weekend Doctor: Radiation therapy advances

By Ankit Modh, MD
Radiation Oncology, The Armes Family Cancer Care Center

As a radiation oncologist with years of experience, I am thrilled to share the incredible strides we've made in the field of radiation therapy, particularly in minimizing the impact of what was once a dreaded side effect – radiation burns. The landscape of cancer treatment has evolved significantly, and one of the most notable improvements lies in our ability to deliver effective treatment with a focus on patients’ comfort and well-being. 

In the not-so-distant past, radiation burns were an unfortunate and often inevitable consequence of radiation therapy. Patients undergoing treatment for various cancers would, unfortunately, experience skin reactions that ranged from discomfort to painful burns akin to severe sunburn. These side effects not only impacted the physical health of the patient but also added emotional distress to an already challenging journey. 

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