I went into a local store to make a return the other day. The clerk asked me why I was making the return. I said because I made a hasty decision in shirt choices and it didn’t match my suit. She asked what was the special occasion and I told her it was my father’s funeral. She expressed her condolences and asked if it was sudden. I shared with her that it had been a...

Last week I gave all of us the challenge to consider using Breast Cancer as the framework to impact Lung Cancer. It made me begin to think, what was the trajectory of breast cancer, how did they get to where they are today, and what is the roadmap for Lung Caner. In order to understand where we may be able togo with lung cancer, we need to understand where we originated from with breast screening, breast...

As most of you are well aware, my father passed away just close to 10 days ago from a quick 6 week battle with pancreatic cancer. Since that time I have been in overdrive mode to make sure my mother is okay, I maintain my level of work and expertise, and to continue to impact as many patients as possible. At least that was my excuse to stay busy and not have to sit down, take...

Yesterday I had the fortune of reading a really good article that was posted on HealthLeaders Media entitled: "Why e-Scheduling May be Healthcare's Most Valuable App", by Scott Mace. I have to say that this is something that I am very hopeful for and completely agree with Scott's insight and commentary on how scheduling is a big bottle neck within healthcare. I know from working inside of healthcare for part of my career that most of the...

I had the privilege of joining the Healthcare Price Transparency Tweet Chat last night. (#hcpt more on simpler here) During the conversation a few topics came up about patients understanding pricing better, the cost of healthcare, and being able to access the information. This made me think, I am not sure how many healthcare organizations actually understand what their internal cost is to produce a specific episode of care for patients, let alone most healthcare professionals...

I want everyone to meet Tomma Gooding Hargraves. Tomma is one of the 16% of people diagnosed with Lung Cancer that is fortunate to be a survivor. She has been able to work with the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina. Together she has been given a voice, a platform, and been able to be a face for lung cancer awareness, for advocacy, for increase funding and research, and to bring the discussion out into the...

The following is a true patient story: 68 yo male presents to his primary care physician due to complaint of radiating back pain on the right side, lower flank. 4 weeks prior patient had a full check up and yearly exam, clean bill of health, with exception for diabetes mellitus that has been controlled for previous 4 years by diet and exercise. Primary care physician orders an ultrasound. Results are a finding in the right ureter....

{I will preface this post by saying that anyone that is diagnosed with cancer has their world changed forever. The clock begins to tick, world closes in on you, and your world is changed in a way that will never be the same. I am being provocative. I am challenging.} For those of you that I have had the privilege of meeting, and for those of you I have not met, you know and will come...