Dr. Anderson Celebrates National Violin Day to raise Sickle Cell awareness

Photo Courtesy of the Delaware Music School

             Dr. Anderson Celebrates National Violin Day at the Delaware 87ers Basketball game this Tuesday, December 13^th at the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center at 6:30pm to raise Sickle Cell Awareness.

Did You Know?  National Violin Day is celebrated annually on December 13^th.   This holiday honors the bowed-string instrument which is also known by my beloved grandmother Lillie as the ‘fiddle’.  The violin is part of the string family which includes the viola, cello and bass and the highest pitched instrument of the family. 

I started out playing in Warner Elementary school when I was introduced to the violin through a robust arts and music programs.  Back then, taking up an instrument and active participation in the music and arts program was a required element as part of the student’s overall academic success.  A study at Northwestern University demonstrated that the exposure to music programs physically stimulated the brain and improved a child’s speech processing language skills.   Another benchmark study in Music City, Nashville Tennessee also confirms the biopsychosocial and academic benefits to students who are involved in music programs.  The results showed that students engaged in music programs outperformed their peers on every indicator-grade point average, graduation rate, school attendance and discipline and ACT scores.  In addition the above findings also found that students reported had a positive attitudes in their behavior, personal lives and in school.  Today, as public school budgets are being cut, crunched and stretched, the first programs to be considered for cuts are arts and music programs.  

Staying actively involved in the music community over the years has enriched my life tremendously.  This includes playing a variety of music genres that includes classical, baroque, folk, country, jazz and stretching to hip-hop has which has also expanded my appreciation of the cultural impact of the arts in our daily lives.  In the words of social justice advocate and folk singer Peter Seeger, “my job is to show folks there’s a lot of good music in this world, and if used the right it may help save the planet.”    Music has the power to unite people together who have an interest for a particular cause through song which can result in positive change.  It is also invaluable tool for education, mobilization, social cohesion.

The opportunity to play at an 87ers basketball game center stage to raise Sickle Cell Awareness brings  this cause for accessible high quality holistic comprehensive compassionate care to the forefront.

Join Dr. Nina Anderson as she plays the National Anthem on the violin on December 13 to support TOVA Sickle Cell Specialty Center at the Bob Carpenter Center at 6:30 pm for pre-game ceremonies. 

Dr. Nina Anderson is a founding member of the Umoja Strings, Executive Director of TOVA Community Health Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center and an Affiliated Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware.  Portion of ticket proceeds benefit the TOVA Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center.  To purchase tickets go to www.sevens.com/promo (Type in Promo Code:  TOVA)    #NationalViolinDay.   

                                                                   TOVA Community Health

                                                                Sickle Cell Specialty Center

                                                                          Wilmington, DE

                                                               www.tovacommunityhealth.org

Join TOVA at Bowlerama for a Holiday Bowling Fundraiser

TOVA Sickle Cell Specialty Center

601 New Castle Ave

Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

Dr. Anderson gets tested for Sickle Cell Trait at UD's Health Disparities class

    

                                                   Dr. Anderson's lecturing at Dr. Cooper's Health Disparity class

                                                                University of Delaware-Home of the Blue Hens       

        Dr. Cooper who is a University of Delaware Professor in Biology asked me to Guest Lecture in the University of Delaware's Health Disparities class.  I spoke openly and honestly about the perils of providing Holistic Comprehensive Compassionate adult care to people living with Sickle Cell Disease and the historic political perspective of race and Health Disparities.  The class seemed to enjoy the lively dialogue and also offered a perspective of a patient of mine who shared her personal experiences.       
   Although I was told that I did not have the Sickle Cell Trait as a child, I took it upon myself to get tested.  I also tested out a new investigational rapid point of care sickle cell trait test called,
 SickleScan.   BioMedomics is a point-of-care diagnostics company that aims to provide novel, rapid point-of-care tests to aid in the diagnosis of critical diseases. Find out more about this product at, www.biomedomics.com 

                              What is your Trait Status?
          

This person screen positive for the Sickle Cell Trait-Can you see the Lines?

                                                                         

                                                      All the best,  Dr. Nina Anderson

TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500-phone

(302) 655-6606-fax

How is your Spiritual Health?

www.healthholisticliving.com

      Some people are skeptical that religion or belief in a higher being can have any influence on a person’s health and well-being. Some studies have shown a connection between Spirituality and Health. According to FamilyDoctor.org, positive beliefs, comfort, and strength gained from religion, meditation, and prayer can contribute to healing and a sense of well-being. Having good Spiritual Health might not cure your physical health problems but it might help you handle the stress and underlying psychological problems that come with a chronic illness.

   So, what is Spirituality and Health? It’s a broad concept with different meanings for different people. In general, it’s a connection to something bigger than ourselves to keep one in balance and in harmony in their daily life. From the beginning of mankind, there has been a history of turning to a higher power for a person’s overall well-being.

   The University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing gives several reasons why spirituality is important for health. They note reflective practices are important because they take the focus off of self and place it elsewhere. This is helpful for mental health and accompanying physical health. The Center lists meditation, prayer, yoga, and journaling as helpful.  No matter your specific religion or faith, most of us believe in a higher power to which we can turn in times of stress and illness. However, spirituality may help to improve your physical health. If in fact, it can help a sick person feel better, then it is a good thing.

                                                            Donna Monroe, MS
                                              TOVA Community Health

                                                       Sickle Cell Specialty Center

                                                               Wilmington, DE

                                                      www.tovacommunityhealth.or

                                                           (302) 655-6187 ext. 500

                                      Holistic    Comprehensive   Compassionate Care

Is Addiction a Disease?

zmescience.com

    Addiction is typically not viewed as a disease amongst many, but rather, is associated with a personal choice that may lead to a risky lifestyle. Using drugs is usually a person’s choice, but continued used can lead to brain changes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” Like other chronic conditions like Diabetes, Heart Disease, Sickle Cell Disease and etc., addiction is defined as a chronic health condition because it is caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental, genetic and biologic factors (National Institute of Drug Abuse).
    Addiction involves changes in how the brain functions when the body craves pleasure chemicals like Dopamine. Most addictive substances cause an elevated level of these chemicals to be released when exposed to a pleasurable stimulus. Ultimately, continued exposure to a substance will alter the brain’s nervous system that controls reward, memory and motivation. Overtime, people may neglect their own health and well-being and loose interest in daily life activities, craving the substance to feel in balance.
     Once the brain’s nervous system is altered, there will be a loss of control of one’s behavior resulting in physical signs of addiction such as shaking, rebound pain, irritability, nausea and vomiting. Other experts argue that people with mild substance abuse have the potential to willingly quit such use and recover without treatment. However, people with more severe addiction can require intense treatment and lifelong support from family and friends. Ultimately, a person suffering with addiction is responsible for seeking treatment and maintaining recovery. Addiction may not be a choice, but a chemical imbalance resulting in how the brain’s nervous system and other body systems function. But there is hope….Recovery from addiction is best achieved through a combination of self-management, mutual support, and professional care provided by trained and certified professionals. For more information go to, www.drugabuse.gov. Choose Wisely.
                                                           
                                                               Paris Davis, BA

                                              TOVA Community Health

                                                        Sickle Cell Specialty Center

                                                   www.tovacommunityhealth.org

                                                        (302) 655-6187 ext. 500

TOVA General Fund helps the Sickle Cell Community with their Gas & Electric for the Holidays

                                     FORMS are Due by December 15th

TOVA General Fund

Sickle Cell Community Outreach

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500-phone
(302) 655-6606-fax

Beat Holiday Weight Gain

verywell.com

     Many of us will attend holiday parties, gatherings and prepare dinner for family and friends during the holiday season. It is tempting to want to eat everything savory in sight especially when food is served buffet style. For me, just remembering that this is the time of year when traditional favorites such as sweat potato pie, peach cobbler, home made cookies, lemon meringue pie , just to name a few, will be served. Who will be bringing which one of your favorite dishes to the party is exciting! We often tend to put on extra pounds during the holidays because these dishes, treats and desserts are usually prepared for only special occasions.

      According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) , most Americans never lose the weight gained during the winter holidays. If pounds add up year after year, weight gain is an important risk factor for obesity. Here are a few tips that may help you beat the Holiday Weight Gain. Drink a full glass of water before you eat your meal and fill up your plate. Use a small plate when choosing what you want to eat, which may help with portion control. Take a family walk before or after the meal to burn off a few calories. For more tips, go to, tovacares.blogspot.com to read 10 Ways to avoid Holiday Weight Gain. For more tips click on http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain#1 

                                        What Tips can help other Beat Holiday Weight Gain?

                                                                 Dr. Nina Anderson

TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

Don't take your Dental Care Lightly... Here is Why

                                                    

Photo Courtesy of http://wwwhfblog.com

                             Tip #1       Brush your Teeth 2x/day for 2 minutes

An article in WebMD by Kathleen Doheny notes the link between dental health and heart health is not completely clear, but states it is important to take care of both. The main reason poor dental health might be related to heart disease is inflammation. Inflammation is a common problem in both diseases-heart & dental disease. In the heart – hardening of the arteries has a strong component of inflammation. Much of the progression of plaque (buildup in the arteries) is due to inflammation.

               Tip #2          Get Regular Check-Ups at the Dentist at least 2x/year

According to Ann Bolger M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, “The mouth can be a good warning signpost, People with periodontitis often have risk factors that not only put their mouth at risk, but their heart and blood vessels too.” A research study by B. Laurence, from Howard University College of Dentistry, and Haywood, and Lanzkron from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, found that among patients having a sickle cell crisis, the ones who had dental infections were 72% more likely to be admitted to the hospital for crisis compared to those not having dental infections. 

                                                 Tip #3    Floss Daily

Patients with sickle cell disease already endure innumerable hospital Emergency Department visits and hospital admissions. If in fact, not having dental infections can lessen the likelihood of being admitted, it is definitely an area of focus for patients and providers.

                                      Taihitia Watson-Wilmer, Nurse Coordinator                  

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

Holistic    Comprehensive   Compassionate Care

TOVA's Pick for a Hearty Healthy Winter Meal: Lamb Stew

   TOVA's Pick for a Hearty Healthy Winter Meal:  Middle Eastern Lamb Stew

www.eatingwell.com

Winter is here, time to sit by the fireplace and keep warm. Fill up on this hearty, healthy and gluten-free dish as you watch the snow begin to fall. 

This brothy stew is boldly flavored with a blend of characteristic Middle Eastern spices and finished with fresh spinach and fiber-rich chickpeas. Economical lamb shoulder tenderizes beautifully when leisurely cooked in a slow cooker. If you can't find boneless shoulder stew meat, do not substitute more-expensive lamb leg—it tends to dry out during slow cooking. Instead, purchase lamb shoulder chops and debone them. Serve over bulgur and accompany with a salad.

Ingredients 8 servings

1 1/2 pounds boneless lamb stew meat, (shoulder cut) or 2 1/2 pounds lamb shoulder chops, deboned, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or canola oil
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 15- or 19-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 6 ounces baby spinach

Preparation

Ready In 4 h 15 m

1. Place lamb in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Mix oil, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Coat the lamb with the spice paste and toss to coat well. Top with onion.
2. Bring tomatoes, broth and garlic to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over the lamb and onion. Cover and cook until the lamb is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on low.
3. Skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Mash 1/2 cup chickpeas with a fork in a small bowl. Stir the mashed and whole chickpeas into the stew, along with spinach. Cover and cook on high until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.

· Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the stew, omitting the spinach, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Add spinach after the stew is reheated. | Prep ahead: Trim lamb and coat with spice mixture. Chop onions. Combine broth, tomatoes and garlic. Refr

· For easy cleanup, try a slow-cooker liner. These heat-resistant, disposable liners fit neatly inside the insert and help prevent food from sticking to the bottom and sides of your slow cooker.

• Nutrition Facts:
• 253 calories; 14 g fat(5 g sat); 5 g fiber; 12 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 58 mcg folate; 59 mg cholesterol; 3 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 2155 IU vitamin A; 16 mg vitamin C; 98 mg calcium; 3 mg iron;  570 mg potassium

                                                     TOVA Community Health
                                            Wilmington, DE
                                 www.tovacommunityhealth.org
                                        (302) 655-6187 ext. 500

UD Alumni Dr. Anderson receives an excellence in Nursing Leadership Star

        Holistic Comprehensive Compassionate Care  

             An innovative healthcare model that has provides 'One-Stop' care to young adults and  adults living with Sickle Cell Disease in a Medical Home.  As a nurse our goal is to improve health outcomes and the quality of life for those living with a debilitating chronic condition like 

Sickle Cell Disease.

                 Make an Appointment Today and You'll be on your Way to Optimal Health Wellness

Dr. Anderson was nominated as a UD Delaware Hero for her work in Sickle Cell 

 

• 
  

Founder of TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Medical Home

Dr. Nina Anderson

601 New Castle Ave.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 655-6187 ext. 500
www.tovacommunityhealth.org

Ping Pong is easy on the joints & you can burn Carlories. Here are other Health Benefits

 

Julius Cephas, Director of the Ping Pong Club at West Center City

    Catching a Ping Pong game at West Center City Community Center in Wilmington, Delaware brings back memories of the days at the Boys & Girls Club.  Watching Old-School legends talk trash, work up a sweat and play competitively is only a few of the benefits to their their overall          health.  Even a young man who is wheel chair bound moved around in his chair taking taking shot with Director of the Ping Pong Club, Mr. Julius Cephas.

                      Here are the Top 5 Health Benefits of Ping Pong 

• Playing improves hand-eye coordination and it stimulates mental alertness, concentration and tactical strategy. 
• Improves reflexes. Due to the fast-paced, short-distance nature of the sport, both gross and fine muscle movements are improved. The game is distinguished by bursts of exertion and recovery, leading to fast-twitch muscle development.
• It’s easy on the joints. Have you had knee surgery, back problems, tired of twisting your ankles? Try table tennis. It’s a great way to improve your leg, arm and core strength without overtaxing your joints.
• Burns calories. A 150-pound person can burn 272 calories by playing table tennis for an hour. Considering the fact that the sport is entertaining and addictive, it can be a fun and easy way to burn calories.
• Offers a social outlet. Whether you play in the community center or at home with friends, table tennis offers a great way to bond with other people while you lose weight. Because young and old people can play the game, it can help improve communication and build relationships, irrespective of age. Playing at home with siblings or parents can bring family members closer and enable them to spend more quality time with each other.
•  For more information visit:  (healthfitnessrevolution.com, 2016)

TOVA Community Health

213 Greenhill Ave.

Wilmington, DE 19805

(302) 429-5870 ext. 120

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

West Center City Community Center

501 N Madison St

Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 658-5332

Congrats Shea for being honored at the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards

      Congratulations to Shea Faucett-Robinson for being nominated by Executive Director, Dr. Nina Anderson @ TOVA Community Health at the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards at Dover Downs for promoting #Sickle Cell Awareness.  Shea was nominated in the Healthy Futures category for volunteering tirelessly for the last five years helping to increase awareness of an unspoken and debilitating disease, #Sickle Cell Disease Anemia.  


      Following the death of her husband, James Faucett III from Sickle Cell Disease Anemia in 2012, She has spent over 100 hours annually helping increase awareness and promoting the need for adults to have access to high quality specialty care after they age out of the children;s hospital.  She also serves on the Disability Advocacy Network (DAN) at her employer #Bank of America which helps non-profit organizations network with bank employees and raise money for sickle cell, autism, substance abuse and other mental health disorders.  The ceremony was inspiring and humbled to see the number of people in Delaware and organizations that volunteer their time to great causes that make our state healthier and stronger.
                 
                                        Thanks for all you do,  Dr. Nina

E. Robinson, Shea Faucett-Robinson, N. Anderson, B. Goerlitz

#SCORE Delaware
#Tova Community Health 
Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center
www.tovacommunityhealth.org
302-655-6187 ext. 500

Silent Pain: A Sickle Cell Portrait

     
        Since Sickle Cell Disease has been an 'unspoken' disease for such a long time, I asked a Medical Technology student at Howard High School in Wilmington, DE paint a portrait of her perception of Sickle Cell which was entitled, 'Silent Suffering.'  She has a friend who lives with sickle cell and spent time at the TOVA Sickle Cell Sickle Specialty Treatment Center understanding the plight of adult care.  My hope is that the healthcare system will revolutionize sickle cell care to focusing and treating the WHOLE PERSON and not just focusing on the pain. 

       There was an article in the News Journal on 10/2/2016 Sunday which discussed the lack education, payment reimbursement and referrals for adjuvant treatment therapies to offer to persons who suffer with chronic pain like: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Meditation, Biofeedback, Acupuncture and etc.  My hope is that there will be a paradigm shift in the way that medicine is practiced which longs for a Holistic Comprehensive Care approach which also eases the burden of opioid use.

Silent Pain

 PORTRAIT of SILENT PAIN can purchased for $20.00 and proceeds go to the TOVA Fund

                                                       All the best, Dr. Nina Anderson

     

TOVA COMMUNITY HEALTH

SICKLE CELL SPECIALTY TREATMENT CENTER

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

#tovacommunityhealth

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

Should Narcan Spray be available Over the Counter?

Drug Overdose reversed with a Nasal Spray to Lives?

Save them or don’t Save them?  These are the questions raising peoples’ concerns.

The Heroin epidemic and the use of the Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray has raised a concern about its availability to the public.  Narcan works by reversing the effects from a Heroin  overdose.  Narcan attaches to receptors in the brain, reversing overdose effects when someone stops breathing which can lead to a heart attack.

                            Derived from the opioid poppy seed, Heroin is commonly used as a street drug for its euphoric or “high” effect(s).  It is also known as a  pain killer but less commonly used to suppress cough.  Heroin is snorted or injected in the vein.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states, Heroin addiction and overdose deaths have  increased 286% and doubled since 2010.

Should Narcan be used to save a person’s life or should more resources be provided for  treatment and rehab?  What do you think?

                      Recently, Police in Upper Darby, PA., posted a video of a man shooting up Heroin on a public bus during rush hour and overdosing, and then being brought back by Narcan spray.

Narcan Special Agent Desmond, a spokesman for the New England region of the Drug Enforcement Administration reported that some people with Substance Abuse issues even go to towns where emergency  medical workers carry Narcan.  If they do overdose on heroin or other pain pills,  there’s a good chance that in these towns when the police come, they will  be able to give the overdoser  Narcan (New York Times).

                    Before,  Narcan was injected so it wasn’t as easy to use as nasal spray.  Now, almost anybody can learn how to use it, making it easy for first-responders to save lives. Many users are happy there is a nasal spray to keep them from dying; many first-responders aren’t so happy. They wonder about the effects of reviving someone if they overdose over and over again.  Plus, the cost of  Narcan has risen and many police and fire departments say they can’t afford it.

Is it a moral or ethical question??                                                                       Donna Monroe, MS, contributor

                                     

                                                       TOVACARES BlogSpot.com

                               Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

                                 (302) 655-6187 ext. 500 

                       www.tovacommunityhealth.org

                                #tovacommunityhealth

                                                     

Do you know anyone with Sickle Cell Disease?

TOVA Community Health 

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

#tovacommunityhealth

Join TOVA at the TOVA Awards Celebrating Delawareans commitment to Community Service. Get your tickets on Evenbrite today.

Proceeds benefit the TOVA Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center
Education   Research    Care
TOVA Community Health, Inc.
www.tovacommunityhealth.org
302-655-6187 ext. 500

http://tovaawards.eventbrite.com

Identity Projects are Key

galleryhip.com

The horrific tragedy affecting the Howard High School community made me think about my father Phil Anderson who graduated as Valedictorian of his class at Howard High many years ago despite growing up on the eastside.  I think about teenager’s opportunity to have life preserving hobbies that keep them psychologically afloat while resisting the temptations of violence and the street. Researchers at John Hopkins studied youth in Baltimore for 10-years all born in the 1980s or early 1990s to families that resided in the city housing projects.  Astoundingly, they found that 94% of youths were “on track” working or in school by the end of the study and all had “Identity Projects.”  What is an Identity Project?  An Identity Project is an interest in an activity such as, music, recording rap songs, participating in a hobby, sports, volunteering to help others or getting involved in a club (not a gang).  These Identity Projects had a powerful influence providing young person’s a sense of self-identity because they inspire discipline, grit and hope to pursue a brighter future.  Overall a large majority were actively resisting the street but were hungry for training and job opportunities to move higher up into the economic ladder.  The power of an Identity Project can be lifesaving. To learn more about the John Hopkins research project go www.tovacares.blogspot.com


~Dr. Nina Anderson

galleryhip.com

galleryhip.com