Mason Adams captures Southwest Virginia’s healthcare climate and the dire consequences brought on by rural hospital closures. Downgraded trauma centers, a lack of providers and reliable, cost-efficient transportation are a few things affecting a community where the median income has remained around $32,590. The article also includes testimony on how the community continues to rally in an effort to secure the care that they deserve.

Click HERE to read.

This past month the ACGME granted ETSU’s Family Medicine Addiction Medicine Fellowship their initial accreditation, making it possible for two fellows to begin their education and training by July 2020. In partnership with Ballad Health, the creation of this fellowship has been an effort to introduce evidence-based care to the families and individuals of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Click HERE to read more about the fellowship’s plans.

In an effort to stray away from heavy medication use, acupuncturists in the Tri-Cities area are seeking ways to treat veterans with PTSD. Former Army veteran, Linda Carter, who has suffered from acute and chronic pain, has welcomed the idea of triggering her body’s natural healing response. In recent months, insurers have even begun to include coverage of alternative treatments into their plans.

Hear Linda and the Licensed Acupuncturists HERE.

Thank you for joining us at our annual CME conference hosted at the BREAKS. To access the slides our speakers presented, please click on any of the links below:

1. David Beckner, MD Cardiologist: BECKNER-h4th
2. Jeffrey LeBoeuf, GME and Rotations Chief Officer, LMU-DCOM: LEBOEUF-h4th
3. Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA: PENNINGS-h4th
4. David Thompson, MD, Diabetes, IM: THOMPSON-h4th
5. Ashley Masterson, PGY3, Lonesome Pine Family Medicine Residency: MASTERSON-h4th
6. Matt Loos, MD, VP and CMO for Ballad SW Market: LOOS-h4th
7. Kevin Myers, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist: MYERS-h4th
8. Casey Carringer, Director of Clinical Engagement for Population Health: CARRINGER-h4th
9. Michael Kahn, MD, Psychiatrist: KAHN-h4th
10. Nirav Patel, PGY1 Internal Medicine Resident at Johnston Memorial Hospital: PATEL-h4th

The topic of healthcare reform has been at the heart of several debates, sparking heated discussions among the candidates. Thoughts on medical coverage expansion, increasing drug prices, and corporate campaign contributions have certainly intensified this election season. With November 5^th around the corner, take a look at a quick breakdown of the topic.

Check out the article HERE.

After a lengthy legal battle, the Washington Post has finally been granted access to the DEA Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS). This database has tracked the movement of every single oxycodone and hydrocodone pill in the nation, from manufacturer to pharmacy. Our very own Norton City, distributed 8,263,510 prescription pills from 2006-2012. Sufficient to supply each resident with 305 pills per year.

Check out the DATABASE for a more detailed look at your county/state.

Testimony from a Lebanon woman battling opioid addiction from the young age of 13. Now 25 ½ months into recovery, she is on track to become a peer recovery support specialist. Even though the process is extremely difficult, she wants others to know that “there is hope and there is another side of addiction.”

To read more about her story, click HERE.