Posts Tagged ‘Evan Falchuk’

My Speech on the Intrepid

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

By Evan Falchuk

Last night, aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York, a client of ours, Ogilvy, held a moving charitable gala to support their foundation.  It’s called Ogilvy Cares, and the night raised money for a remarkable organization called CancerCare, which helps people cope with the realities of life with cancer.  Best Doctors was honored at this event for our work against cancer.

The event featured a mini-concert by Jordin Sparks – who was awesome.  There was also a performance by a band called N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease), which is made up of leading gynecologic cancer surgeons from across the country.  They rock – and are an amazing story of the power of music to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers.

Below the fold you can read the text of what I said last night.

It reveals a secret: how each of us has the power to fight cancer.

(more…)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Decision Support, Employee Benefits, Interesting Cases | 2 Comments »

My Night at the White House

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

By Evan Falchuk

It’s not often you get invited to the White House.  I had my chance this week, when I was a guest at the White House’s Hanukkah party.

Now, when I say “guest,” I mean I was a guest of the President - of Hadassah, that is.

(more…)

Tags: ,
Posted in Healthcare | 1 Comment »

Wikileaks!!

Monday, November 29th, 2010

By Evan Falchuk

Dr. Wes connects the news of the Wikileaks document dump to the privacy of health care data:

While a single individual’s private health care information may not carry the gravitas of wartime communiqués, each of us deals with famous patients who might not want their diagnosis, HIV status, or drinking history spread far and wide. For them, this private information might be just as personally damaging as anything disclosed by WikiLeaks.

Wes raises a good point. To which I would add a bigger point.

All of the laws and security systems and everything else don’t mean your health information will remain private. No, the extent to which your health information stays private depends on the honor, reliability and trustworthiness of the people who have it.

Almost everyone who touches health information has those morals. But not everyone. And for them, there is no law, no security system that can stop dishonor. What we can do is call this kind of behavior what it is, and root it out. Leaking confidential health information is despicable.

Good on Wes for taking this opportunity to remind us of that.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Doctor Patient Relationship, Electronic Medical Records | No Comments »

Is it Still Possible to be an Entrepreneur?

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

By Evan Falchuk

The government is remaking the health care system in order to pull money out of it.

So what do Americans do?

Look for ways to make money.

(more…)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Healthcare Reform, In the News | 1 Comment »

Cardiac Stents Don’t Work

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

By Evan Falchuk

I have a friend who had a blocked cardiac artery.  A couple of years ago he had angioplasty on it, and his doctor inserted stents.  The stents got rid of his chest pain and other symptoms, but didn’t do anything to get at the underlying cause of the blockage, which had to do with an unhappy combination of genetics and a – perfectly admirable – taste for rich, fatty foods.

Like steak.  More on that in a moment.

Before having the procedure, his doctors spent a lot of time with him explaining what the surgery would and wouldn’t do.  In particular, the doctors explained that the stents would do their job, but he had to do his.  He needed to eat better, exercise more, and take his medications.  He’s followed most of that advice, and is doing well.

Unfortunately, his experience is not typical.  A recently-published study found that more than 80% of patients who had gotten angioplasty and stents thought they were, alone, a cure for their problems.

These patients are wrong – so how can it be that they are coming to this strange conclusion?

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Doctor Patient Relationship | 1 Comment »

From Wall Street to Main Street: Misdiagnosed

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

By Evan Falchuk

According to news reports actor Michael Douglas, perhaps most famous for his role of Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, is suffering from stage IV throat cancer.

He started complaining about symptoms to doctors earlier this year.  His doctors didn’t find anything to explain the problem until months later, when they discovered a walnut-sized tumor in his throat.  Even though doctors had originally told him they couldn’t find anything wrong, Douglas and his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones were sure something wasn’t right.

Still, after months of feeling the pain creep up on him, of having a dry throat and hoarse voice, the news of his cancer came as little surprise to both Hollywood stars.

“It wasn’t a huge shock. I knew something was up. He knew something was up,” said Zeta-Jones.

It’s an all-too familiar story.  Being a rich and famous celebrity can make you special.  But when it comes to the right care, you’re as ordinary as the next guy.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Decision Support, Doctor Patient Relationship, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

  • "Medicine is learned by the bedside and not in the class room. Let not your conception of manifestations of disease come from work heard in the lecture room or read from the book: see and then research, compare and control. But see first."
    - Sir William Osler, MD
    The Father of Modern Medicine

  • Connect



    BestDoctors.com


    On Twitter


    On Facebook


    Via RSS


    On YouTube


    Subscribe via Email

  • Benefits Package

    BenefitsPackageButton

    Join the best in employer health-benefits blogging!

  • Follow Us on YouTube:

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

  • Categories

  • Archives