Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry

So, let's talk about your mental readiness to get healthy…

Since we are in January, that also means that it is New Year's resolution season again. And in my ten years of experience as an attending physician, I've heard countless people say "This year, I want to be healthier."

But really, most of those people lose track of their New Year's resolutions around February and March.

That raises the question: Are you really mentally ready to get healthy? Because getting healthy is not going to happen overnight; it is a process that involves many steps and may take a long time.

So join me in this episode as I help you answer that question, and enlighten you about the true essence of setting goals for yourself.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Why do you need to get rid of the New Year's resolution setup in setting goals for your health?
• What are the steps on how to become mentally fit to get healthy?
• Why you should always consider and celebrate the steps and processes that you need to do to achieve your goal of getting healthy?

"A lot of times, our issue is that we're so focused on the end goal that we don't think about the processes leading up to that end goal." – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"Have a good enough reason so that when the obstacle that can get you in trouble, that can knock you off of your destination… comes around, you can trace back and say 'Remember the why." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"Yes, the obstacle may come. Yes, it may knock you down. But your 'why' needs to be strong enough to get you back up." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"If you are going for the stars, and not having the steps and processes to get there, you are going to be frustrated that you don't get the goal." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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In today's episode, we turn our attention to a critical and pressing health issue – the recent measles outbreak in Philadelphia. Amidst growing concern and the backdrop of vaccine misinformation, this outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and the real-world consequences of anti-vaxxer rhetoric.

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Philadelphia Measles Outbreak: We'll dive into the current situation, exploring the scope and severity of the outbreak, and the immediate actions taken by health authorities.
• The MMR Vaccine and Disinformation: Tracing the history and impact of disinformation surrounding the MMR vaccine, we'll discuss how myths and baseless fears have fueled vaccine hesitancy, leading to preventable outbreaks.
• The Anti-Vaxxers' Response to Outbreaks: We aim to critically analyze the silence or narrative shifts among the anti-vax community during actual outbreaks, and the implications of such stances on collective public health measures.

This episode is an essential discourse on the intersection of public health, science, and society, spotlighting the crucial role of informed decision-making in combating health crises.

Links:

ABC News: Measles Outbreaks Occurring in Pockets of the U.S.

NCBI: The Persistence of Misconceptions about the MMR Vaccine

So, let's talk about how we'll change it up for 2024...

Welcome to the first episode of Medicine Mondays for this year!

Entering 2024, we will now be on season seven, episode 347. It's wild to even say it out loud, and I'm really excited to see how high that number could go by the end of this year.

But first things first: In this episode, I'll be talking about the new plans I have for this year – plans that were not part of my agenda in the previous year. So join me today and find out what to expect from me for the year 2024.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Find out Dr. Berry's general plans for 2024;
• Learn about his main focus for this year; and
• Discover new ways to get information from Dr. Berry

"I want you to feel comfortable not only listening to me, or hearing me, or watching me, but when you actually go to talk with your doctor… That when you go to your doctor, you'd feel like 'I have something I can say here, I have the voice that I can project here as well, too because Dr. Berry gave me the tools to do so." – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"I did not want this podcast to feel like you are in a lecture hall. That's not what this is for. No one's going to tune in on a show where they feel like they're getting lectured at about a topic that they don't want to hear about… But if I'm talking about just something about health in general, you're going to be more tuned." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"You can have all the money in the world. But if you're not there spiritually, mentally, and physically, there's always going to be things lacking. And if you want the true optimum aspect of health, you have to do all three." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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In today's episode, we're examining a trending health product that's been gaining traction on social media: coconut pulling oil, particularly the one offered by Guru Nanda amidst a flurry of claims about its effectiveness in oral hygiene, we delve into the science to see if it lives up to the hype.

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Guru Nanda Coconut Pulling Oil Phenomenon: We'll take a closer look at the rise of this product in the market and on social media, discussing its purported benefits for oral health.
• Scientific Comparison: Coconut Oil Pulling vs. Traditional Methods: Drawing insights from a recent study, we'll compare coconut oil pulling with established oral hygiene practices, such as the use of Chlorhexidine, to evaluate their effectiveness.
• Decoding Oral Hygiene Myths and Facts: We aim to dissect and understand the scientific evidence behind coconut oil pulling and other similar alternative dental care practices.

This episode is dedicated to everyone curious about the effectiveness of alternative oral hygiene methods and seeks to make informed decisions based on evidence.

Links:

Recent Study on Oral Hygiene Practices

In today's episode, we're focusing on a vital health topic as we enter the peak season for cold, Covid, and influenza. With CNN reporting high respiratory virus activity across the country, it's crucial to arm ourselves with knowledge and strategies to stay healthy.

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Key Discussion Points:

1. Current Respiratory Virus Activity: We'll start by examining CNN's latest update on the rise in flu, Covid, and RSV cases, understanding what this means for our everyday health.
2. Tips for Staying Healthy During the Viral Season: From hygiene practices to lifestyle adjustments, we'll cover essential tips that can help you avoid falling ill during this intense viral season.
3. Vitamins and Minerals in Disease Prevention: We'll dive into the role of diet, particularly focusing on vitamins and minerals, in boosting your immune system against these prevalent viruses.

This episode is crucial for anyone looking to navigate this season safely and maintain their health amidst the rising cases of respiratory illnesses.

So, let's talk about the anticipation and enthusiasm for the upcoming year…

How many of you are actually excited about going into 2024?

Looking back at the beginning of 2023, we might have had some goals, some aspirations, or some things we wanted to do. Were you able to do them all? Were you successful?

I know you guys say it every year — "I don't know where the time went." Well, I don't know where time went, either. But one thing's for sure: I don't want us stuck, unhealthy, and just going through the flow.

The Lunch and Learn Community likes to get moving, to empower themselves for better health. If you did not get the opportunity to do what you got to do, guess what? You got yourself another chance with another year.

In 2024, what are you going to do so that 2024 looks amazing for you at the end of the year?

Why you need to check this episode:

• Understand the importance of self-evaluation, as well as being excited for the year to come;
• Discover questions you can ask yourself to help you self-evaluate for a better future ahead; and
• Find out why Dr. Berry is ending the year in a grateful and blessed state, and how you can do the same

"Every single year is a time to get better; it's the time to improve. I work in healthcare; I know people are not promised tomorrow. That is one thing that I learned very quickly at an early age in this healthcare field—that you are not promised tomorrow; hell, you are not promised this afternoon. So, if you know you're not promised this afternoon, what are you going to do to make sure that you take advantage of the time you got?" – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"Wherever you're following me at and you're following my train of thoughts, I want to thank you because I know you don't have to follow me. You do not have to follow a random physician who talks about health and wellness and Florida state and all kind of things under the sun. You don't have to do that, but you do, and I appreciate you for that." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"A lot of times, we would just kind of go through the motion…[but] I don't want us going through the motion…I want people who are okay evaluating themselves, okay saying, 'You know what? I need to reevaluate myself', and say 'What can I learn to do better, or what can I continue to do that is benefitting me?" – Dr. Berry Pierre

"These three pillars are extremely important: [physical] health, financial, and mental wellness, and even spiritual; you can kind of mix that together if you want. Those are three pillars of health that are so extremely important; that if you're not taking care of your physical health, you're not taking care of your mental health, you're not taking care of your financial health, you're not going to be the [most] healthiest person you want to be." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"As long as you have a passion within yourself, people will kind of understand." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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In today's Real Physician Reacts episode, we delve into a groundbreaking development in the treatment of sickle cell disease – the FDA's approval of Casgevy, a revolutionary gene editing therapy. This significant advancement opens new doors for those who have long battled the challenges of sickle cell disease, offering hope and a potential paradigm shift in treatment.

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Plight of Sickle Cell Patients: We'll explore the struggles faced by individuals with sickle cell disease and the historical context of their treatment.
• Gene Editing Therapy Revolution: Delving into the science behind gene editing therapy, we'll discuss how Casgevy represents a new frontier in medical treatment.
• FDA's Approval of Casgevy: Analyzing the implications of this approval, we'll examine what it means for the future of sickle cell disease management and for patients worldwide.

This episode is an insightful journey into one of the most promising medical advancements of our time, signifying a major step forward in the fight against sickle cell disease.

LINKS:

• FDA Approves 2 Sickle Cell Treatment

So, let's talk about osteopathic medicine and why Sunny Hostin's remarks should be debunked and called out…

In a recent episode of The View, one of the most-watched daytime talk shows to date, host Sunny Hostin left a comment on former President Trump's physician not being a medical doctor because he is a Doctor of Osteopathy.

While discussing the report on the former President's health, Hostin claimed that being a Doctor of Osteopathy and being a medical doctor are two different things.

Unfortunately, this notion about having an MD degree vs. a DO degree has been going on for years, with some of the prejudice even presenting itself within the industry.

But are osteopathic medicine physicians really NOT medical doctors, as thought by Hostin and the general public? Is the practice of osteopathy, not real medicine? Are MDs and DOs really different, especially regarding one's qualifications to do patient care?

Join me in today's episode of Medicine Mondays as we shed light on this philosophical clash.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Find out why The View's Sunny Hostin's remarks regarding osteopathy and osteopathic doctors resulted in heated discussions;
• Learn the only difference that separates an MD from a DO degree, and understand why both are medical doctors; and
• Discover why talking about Hostin's words about Doctors of Osteopathy is a must, especially for students and professionals whose interests are in osteopathy

"We don't want you to disparage all of osteopathic medicine [physicians] just because one of us happens to say something stupid. That's all we're asking for; I think that's all anyone can ask for." – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"To drive home that fact using the fact that his physician has to be an osteopathic physician and not a real medical doctor, that is where we have to pump the brakes. Because that is where we see that […] this person doesn't really know what an osteopathic physician is." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"To say an osteopathic physician isn't a medical doctor, now I have to ask you the obvious question: what do you think a medical doctor is?" – Dr. Berry Pierre

"A lot of times, in the general public, we have issues where MD has been [seen] as a medical doctor and DO is not a medical doctor. No, that's not the case, [or] whatsoever. MD is the person who went to an allopathic school vs. DO is the person who went to an osteopathic school. The general public has no clue…They probably don't have a clue on what allopathic medicine is." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"This has been a train of thought that unfortunately continues to be ingrained in our pre-medical student, our medical students, our residents, and the general public; that for some reason, the DO degree is somehow less than the MD degree." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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Resources:

American Osteopathic Association

So, let's talk about whether or not becoming a physician is still worth it in the year 2023 and beyond…

We're now in the second part of this two-part series where we answer the question: in 2023, going into 2024, is being a physician still even worth it?

In the previous episode, I gave you all the negatives—why I didn't believe pursuing a career as a physician was worthwhile.

This week, I'll give you some reasons why I think this profession is obviously not only here to stay but should also be one of the premiere career paths that you decide to take.

So, sit back and relax, for by the end of this series, you'll have a good grasp on the pros and cons, and hopefully make a well-informed decision about whether you intend to enter the profession and, more significantly, commit to it for the long term.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Discover the pros of staying in the profession and/or studying to become a physician;
• Understand why pursuing a career in healthcare is still worth it in the year 2024 and beyond; and
• Be empowered and enlightened enough to make an informed decision on whether to get into the profession or not

"Whatever the thing is, I am a better person of it because of the career path that I'm in; because I know that I'm able to make a difference in someone's life. And not only does making a difference in someone's life help them, but it also helps me…I don't think there's a career path around that's going to allow you to do that like being a physician will." – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"I think being a physician and that attachment of being able to make a difference in someone's life is so profound, so powerful, that I don't think you get that in any other career." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"Job security, for sure, is a huge reason why you should be coming into this field. You're not going to have to worry about lay-offs and things of that nature because there's always somewhere where a physician is going to be needed and where someone's going to be able to pay you because they [physicians] are needed." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"The aspect of continuous learning and being a life-long learner is one where when you get into this field, you are going to have no shortage of. If you love to learn and if you love to learn about new things, how to adapt, how to adjust, how to change, this is the field for you." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"Respect and prestige go a long way, and being a physician, you're going to get a lot of it." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"Regardless of what type of a physician you are, I don't think you have the ability to be that type of physician without being a leader in one way, shape, or form." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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So, let's discuss whether healthcare leaders have a responsibility to speak out against injustices and wrongdoings outside the medical sphere or not…

Recently, I came across this opinion article published by JAMA, one of the most established medical journals out there, with the title "Health Professionals and War in the Middle East". And if you know me, you know that these things interest me.

While there were parts in the article that I really agreed with what the author was saying, there were also parts that I found quite disingenuous. Ultimately, reading that article led me to the question: Do healthcare leaders have a responsibility to speak out on issues that are not exactly within our sphere?

Today, we will answer that question in this episode, so join me as I walk you through the contents of the article while sharing my insights on the topic and addressing the opinions of the author.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Learn why we should always look at the big picture of issues instead of just focusing on some parts of it;
• Find out why we don't need to pick a side on the ongoing war in the Middle East; and
• Learn why as healthcare providers, we should never fear being told to "stay on our lane"

"When you are a leader, you have a responsibility to speak up on issues that are in front of you… Because you have that responsibility, when you see right vs. wrong, you have to be able to speak on it either way."– Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

"As healthcare providers, regardless of what we want to think, we have to be the ones that will be able to look at both sides." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"We are going to denounce genocide. We are going to denounce dehumanization. We don't care who's doing it." – Dr. Berry Pierre

"As healthcare providers, our job is to take care of the people in front of us. No one group is better than the other, so no one issue should be tolerated more." – Dr. Berry Pierre

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