Delaware State University student with Sickle Cell vies for Miss Black USA

    Jolethea Downs is an amazing young woman who is not only beautiful but a smart and resilient young lady who attends Delaware State University and the satellite clinic at Tova Community Health-Sickle Cell Medical Home.  Jolethea has Sickle Cell Anemia and plans attend Dental School.  By her Beautiful Smile, Jolethea's mission is to be a role model for young girls to achieve great success in their lives.  Plus, she wants to bring beautiful smiles by promoting holistic care through good Dental Health.

   Let's help this young lady achieve great success in her life and stay resilient living with a chronic medical condition-Sickle Cell Anemia.

All the best, Dr. Nina

                                 Click on, GoFundMe

Add caption

http://www.gofundme.com/kvc72s

Delaware Tech Community College Tackles Sickle Cell Trait Awareness

   Sharing you a Clip from Senior Nursing Students at Delaware Tech Community College for students who selected Sickle Cell Trait Awareness for their Community Health Project.  I am so proud that these brave nursing students who wanted to increase awareness about Sickle Cell Trait with their professors and colleagues at  the community college. 
   Topics as  Exertional Rhabdomyolosis and the Inheritance Pattern were a little bit more challenging but they provided the necessary information (pamphlet) about the symptoms and the importance of rest, staying well hydrated  and when to seek emergent care.   I had the honor to meet one of the nursing instructors at the college.  The instructor thanked me for the information on Sickle Cell Trait Awareness for Student Athletes.  She will incorporate Sickle Cell Trait Awareness into her lectures for the next class of students.  All Student Athletes, especially those who have Sickle Cell Trait, should be informed! 

  

            Here is the video from the Delaware Tech Nursing Presentation. ENJOY!

                                  https://youtu.be/-BtEb9qyf9Y

 

All the best,

   Dr. Anderson

Nursing Students "Break the Sickle Cycle" at Delaware Tech Community College

 

      Nursing Students from Delaware Tech Community College and my nursing student from University of Delaware, Gina, raised awareness about Sickle Cell Trait at a Delaware Tech Community College.  Over 75 students completed a Questionnaire Survey to test their knowledge about Sickle Cell Disease and Trait.  The nurses will tally up their scores (data) and share their results and experience with their teachers and colleagues.  Most impressive, was the number of students who were interested in learning about Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait.  I am so honored that these senior nursing students who are graduating in May were interested in learning about Sickle Cell for their future nursing careers and practice.

 

All the best,

Dr. Nina

 

 

 

9th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research & Educational Symposium comes to an end

   

 

Taking a Breather from all the Scientific Research talks

 

Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL near Miami

   I attended the 9th Annual Sickle Cell Research Conference near Miami, FL to hear talks from renown researchers, clinicians and policy makers from all over the world!  Having served the sickle cell community for over 16 years, I am glad to report that Pfizer has a new drug in a Phase 3 Clinical Trial called, Rivipansel (GMI 1070), showing excellent results for reducing sickle crisis and Acute Chest given in the ER.  My former colleagues, Dr. Syvamuthy and Dr. Shaffer (from the Marian Anderson Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center-St. Christopher's Hospital) are leading this charge for this clinical trial around the country.  There is also another small Bio-Tech company reporting promising results a protein molecule, L-glutamine which blocks sickling of the red blood cells by increasing the oxygen capacity inside the blood cells. 

Miriam Gilday, NP., Nkechi Mba, MD., Dr. Nina Anderson, Krupa Syvamuthy, MD
 and top Frank Shaffer, MD

    Excitingly, new opportunities for funding by the NIH (National Institute of Health) also aims to improve access to hydroxyurea and high quality care for adults with sickle cell anemia.  As often shared by adult sickle cell providers, the access to hematologists, internal medicine doctors and nurse practitioners who are experienced in caring for adults are lacking.  Excitingly, I ran into another former colleague of mine (at the Marian Anderson Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and world-renown researcher in Acute Chest Syndrome (Bad Bad Pneumonia) & hematologist, Dr. Lewis Hsu.  He is the author of Hope and Destiny, Jr., in which I was honored to received a signed autographed copy!  He shared with me about a research his project is collaborating on aimed to educate nurse practitioners and family practice doctors in the Chicago, IL area. Go check out his book that can be ordered on Amazon.com.

Lewis Hsu, MD, PhD., Author of Hope and Destiny, Jr.  Dr. Hus now works at a Children's
Hospital in Chicago

   Obviously, there is movement and progress for less risk transplant options, a cure and disease modifying therapies to improve quality of life for people suffering with Sickle Cell Disease Anemia.  For the first time in 100 years, there will be a new drug moving towards FDA approval that was developed just for Sickle Cell Disease Anemia- Thanks GlycoMimetics, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the NIH!
    

TOVA Abstract

Ref.: Ms. No. JSCDH-D-15-00025
Access to a Multidisciplinary Substance Use Disorder Pain Management Program
Submitted to the Journal of Sickle Cell Disease and Hemoglobinopathies

Dear Dr. Nina Anderson,

I am pleased to tell you that your abstract has been accepted for poster presentation at the 9th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium and 38th National Sickle Cell Disease Scientific Meeting, April 10 - 13, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida.

POSTER PRESENTATION

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2015
POSTER PRESENTATION
6:30 PM - 7:45 PMROOM LOCATION: GREAT HALL 6   All the best, Dr. Anderson

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter April Events

Greetings,

 

    We invite you to join the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley Chapter and Bellissimo Creations for an educational, interactive and fun- filled Hydroxyurea Awareness Weekend on April 17 and 18, 2015. See details below and in attached flyers.

 

                         April 17, 2015- 6:00-9:00 pm

 

Cupcakes and Bowties Sickle Cell Fundraiser “ Bridging Awareness, Business and the Arts to the Sickle Cell Community presented by

Bellissimo Creations & Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley Chapter

Rosenfeld Art Gallery- 113 Arch Street, Phila, PA. 19106

Dress: Semi-formal

Tickets: cupcakesandbowties.ticketleap.com

 

 

                     April 18, 2015- 11:00 am- 2:00 pm

 

Hydroxyurea Wellness Bazaar sponsored by Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley Chapter

“A New Way…A New Day”  SCD viewed through a New Lens  “Revised……..Revisited…….Revamped”

Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises

310 S. 48^th Street ( entrance at rear of building, off of Spruce & Hanson Street- FREE parking available).

 

Space for this free event is LIMITED, if interested call 215-471-8686

to register by Monday April 13

 

 

 

Sickle Cell not an Automatic Qualification for Social Security Disability

                                        Automatic Qualification for Social Security Disability?
       
    The presentation of the Qualification process for Social Security Disability was perplexing and the criteria for Disability Determination needs further clarification.  The presenter stated, the Criteria for Sickle Cell Disability Determination included: 

1.       Diagnosis

             2.       #3 Hospitalizations within the last 12 months
             3.       Chronic Anemia affecting the Organs.  Children and Adults

      Laws for SSI Determination are different in each state and the process for determination can take between 1-2 years.  Sickle Cell Disease Anemia not categorized as a Congenital Disease (such as Downs Syndrome) which would automatically fast-track this population as ‘disabled’ and eligible for SSI benefits.  Lead experts commented on the state of Disability Determination raising that their needs to be a Once Source Resource Portal for healthcare providers to access for assisting patients and families through the process.  Other comments suggestions included:

o   A Legal Team and Social Security Advocate in each state that can work with persons through the process.

        o   Re-Vamp the Determination Process for SSI Determination?
        o   If person with SSI have chronic pain and are not hospitalized, should they still qualify  
                          for SSI?
        o   What are SSI benefits can they qualify for?
        o   If on hydroxyurea, can patients still qualify?

           Here is a link to the Application for Social Security Disability Benefits

 

                        Click on the,  Social Security: Disability Benefits

                                          Ticket to Work Program

                             Welcome to Ticket to Work Program!
          Ticket to Work is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, and become financially independent, all while they keep their Medicare or Medicaid. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are age 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program.  Click on the,  Ticket to Work Program

All the best,
Dr. Anderson

Dr. Anderson volunteers at the NCTA Collegiate National Taekwondo Championships

 

   What an interesting experience working with Chiropractors at the NCTA Collegiate National Taekwondo Champions at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware this weekend.  I caught up with friends from high school and college, Dr. Cheryl Lee-Pow and Dr. Charlette Fletcher who practicing Chiropractors in the Tri-State area (DE & MD).  We chatted and laughed about old times growing up, our track athlete days (attending high school at John Dickinson High) and going on to the University of Delaware.  Most of all, I met some wonderful colleagues who also donated their time for these talented athletes to have top notch medical care from an amazing medical team headed up by Dr. Sherri LaShomb.


    If you are interested in learning more about Chiropractors or visiting a Chiropractor, go to the:
American Chiropractic Association:    http://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.  Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”   The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition. 

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.  Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team (American Chiropractic Association).

.

TOVA was invitied to the Delaware State University 2015 Health Fair.

 

  The Delaware State University (DSU) Health Fair was held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the MLK Student Health Center.  Tova Community Health was invited as a vendor at the fair.  There were over 75 people who came by the booth inquiring about Sickle Cell Disease and Trait awareness.  There was a 50 year old man with Bthal trait in the Military at the Dover Air Force that never understood why he could not run long-distances without tiring out. 
   I was able to explain to him that persons with Bthal trait carry a gene deletion in the protein molecule in the red blood cells.  Therefore, his oxygen carrying capacity is reduced and his blood cells often are small and paler.  Oftentimes these people get 'misdiagnosed' as being Iron Deficient but if not iron deficient their blood counts will not improve.   I also shared with him that currently the U.S. Military does not allow persons with Sickle Cell Disease to serve our country. 
  I took care of a young healthy man with Sickle Cell Beta Thalassemia who tried to make through Navy basic training without medical military doctors aware of his medical condition.  He was half-way through basic training and was "Honorably Discharged."  That being said, perhaps there needs to be more awareness of how persons with Invisible Disabilities (Sickle Cell Anemia, Chron's Disease-which I blogged about in the Spring Newsletter) can still serve in the U.S. Military in jobs that may not require combat or high physical demand.  Surely, this man was healthy and physically fit to serve our country in the US Navy from my stand point.
  I want to thank the Student Health Center Director, Michelle Fisher, the Center for Health Promotion and the DSU students for allowing TOVA Community Health to attend a fantastic Health Fair.  DSU supports TOVA's efforts to increase access to high quality care and research for persons living with this lethal medical condition. The future for Sickle Cell looks bright at DSU!

All the best,
Dr. Anderson