Author: Theresa Drass

According to the National Institute of Health, substance misuse and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are estimated to cost society $442B each year in lost productivity and health care & criminal justice costs.  “These data show the urgent need to intervene at every opportunity to reduce SUD and meet people where they are,” said Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy Regina LaBelle. 

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to raise awareness of the challenges they face. Healthcare equity is the principle that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ people face a number of barriers to healthcare, including:

June 2nd is “National First Ladies Day.” The role of the First Lady of the United States is not defined by the Constitution, but rather by tradition and custom. The First Lady is the wife of the President of the United States, and she serves as the hostess of the White House. She also has a number of other responsibilities, including representing the President at official functions, promoting the interests of the United States, and working on charitable causes.

Attorney Kevin Hyer and former Philadelphia Flyer hockey player, Chris Therien, hosted their inaugural fundraiser for their organizations, The Hyer Foundation and The Therien Foundation on Friday, May 12. The event was held at LBTGQ+ owned and operated The Hart Of Catering Company and Cafe at 2101 Sansom Street (https://thehartofcatering.com).

Peer support specialists can provide hope and motivation for people seeking treatment. When people see others who are successfully recovering from mental health challenges, it can give them the strength to believe that they can do the same.

Significant social problems including bigotry, systemic racism. political turmoil, food and housing insecurities, violence, the opioid epidemic, etc… preceded, and in some cases, were worsening in our communities prior to the arrival of COVID. As COVID spread, every aspect of peoples’ existence on earth was impacted. A National Institute of Health article points out that, “the COVID-19-pandemic-related economic and social crises [led] to huge challenges for all spheres of human life across the globe. Various challenges highlighted by this pandemic include, but are not limited to, the need for global health cooperation and security, better crisis management, coordinated funding in public health emergencies, and access to measures related to prevention, treatment and control.”

The Holistic Health and Healing Expo was held on Sunday, April 2nd at the Inn at Villa Nova. I attended with my featured collaborator and dear friend, Nancy McCormack. Nancy, a Certified Nurse Coach, hosted a table where we were excited to talk about our current endeavors with other expo goers. While doing so, we met quite a few nurses who, like us, were taking a (maybe permanent) break from direct patient care. They came from a variety of specialties including pediatrics, emergency departments, labor and delivery, and intensive care.

For over 25 years, I have demonstrated expertise in establishing, auditing, and improving sound medical record documentation practices.  Incorporating these skills with my industry, regulatory, and now legal knowledge, I am particularly adept at identifying and communicating the information that appropriately responds to the needs and goals of a case. I am known, some may say infamous, for being confident and articulate in advocating for the best course of action in a given situation.