Medicalhumanities.com, 01/26/2021

-- Coffee with a Colleague: Executive Director of Medicine & the Muse and Memoirist Jacqueline Genovese

This interview series features educators, scholars, artists, and healthcare providers whose work is vital to the growth of the health humanities. On Tuesday, January 19, author Sarah Berry interviewed Ms. Jacqueline Genovese, MFA, MA, about her work as Executive Director of the Medical Humanities and Arts program at Stanford, physician and veteran educator, and author of a memoir in progress about family and cancer.

US News & World Report, 01/26/2021

-- Premeds Can Combine Arts Passion and Medicine

This article discusses the importance of the humanities in medicine and the rise in aspiring doctors uniting the arts and patient care to creatively improve healthcare. Stanford's Medicine and the Muse program is cited.

National Post, 01/25/2021

-- A plan of last resort: Choosing who lives and dies if ICUs turn into virus war zones

If COVID-19 pushes hospitals to crisis levels, Ontario hospitals have been instructed that, when faced with tie-breaking situations, random selection should be applied. It may sound dystopian and dehumanized. But far worse than a random number generator would be a human being having to choose who gets life-saving treatment, said Dr. Judy Illes, professor of neurology at the University of British Columbia.

ABC7 News Bay Area, 01/22/2021

-- 'Connect with one another': Stanford medical professionals moonlight as performers amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous stress on health care workers around the Bay Area. But at Stanford, doctors, nurse and others have found a way to keep their spirits strong with music and what has become a schedule of regular performances with the Stuck@Home Concert Series. Jacqueline Genovese, executive director of the Medicine and the Muse is quoted.

Stanford Scope Blog, 01/11/2021

-- Hospitals' DNR orders are increasingly complex and varied

Since the mid-1970s, U.S. hospitals have empowered dying patients to decide for themselves what level of treatment they would want if their heart stopped. But medical advances in the past four decades have made this choice increasingly complicated; a recent study from SCBE researchers, including Jason Batten, Jacob Blythe, Sarah Wieten, Stephanie Harman, David Magnus and others, found that, in the face of these complexities, hospitals have taken markedly different approaches to designing DNR orders, which could result in variabilities in end-of-life care.

KevinMD.com, 01/10/2021

-- Democracy and the health of a nation

This piece, written by Audrey Shafer, professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine and director of the Stanford Medicine & the Muse program, reflects on health and diversity after the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol.

Stanford Scope Blog, 01/04/2021

-- Based on genes, nearly everyone is likely to have an atypical response to at least one drug

Every drug, from morphine to ibuprofen, has a standard dose -- a sort of one-size-fits all recommendation. But a new study suggests that when it comes to drug doses, "one size fits all" rarely applies. Work by Russ Altman and team, professor of bioengineering, is featured.

The Stanford Daily, 02/27/2021

-- Experts balance equity and efficient in aiming for ethical vaccine distribution

As vaccines begin to roll out, how do federal administrators ensure that those who need them the most get them in time? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems. David Magnus, SCBE director and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Bioethics, explained in a Feb. 17 vaccine allocation webinar that state-to-state differences and logistical challenges bring forth important ethical tensions, including those surrounding equity and efficiency.

KTVU Fox 2, 02/26/2021

-- San Francisco-based One Medical's vaccine distribution scrutinized, doses denied

San Francisco-based One Medical has come under scrutiny for administering COVID-19 vaccines to people under 65 in violation of the state of California guidelines. David Magnus, director of SCBE and professor of medicine, biomedical ethics and pediatrics, provides comment.

The Stanford Daily, 02/25/2021

-- Remembering the 'Unpredictable Journey' of Enrlé Young, Stanford bioethicist and pioneer

A profile of SCBE co-founder and former co-director, Enrlé Young, who passed away on February 14 at 88.

San Francisco Chronicle, 02/21/2021

-- Key reasons coronavirus cases are plunging across the Bay Area and California

As dramatically as coronavirus numbers spiked across the Bay Area, California and U.S. during the winter surge, those numbers have plummeted in the past month. Steven Goodman, associate dean for clinical and translational research and professor of epidemiology and population health and of medicine, provides comment.

Los Angeles Magazine, 02/19/2021

-- Is Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine Out of Turn Ethical?

Low-risk vaccine line jumpers are finding creative ways to get those coveted shots. Is there any harm in it? Ethicists, including Alyssa Burgart, clinical associate professor, and health experts weigh in.

Half Moon Bay Review, 02/17/2021

-- You've been vaccinated, now what?

Experts say to stay vigilant. For now, the San Mateo County website warns about the potential risks of spreading the virus even after being vaccinated, telling residents to keep up with current health precautions. Holly Tabor, associate professor of medicine, is quoted.

NBC News Bay Area, 02/15/2021

-- Santa Clara Co. Left With Extra Vaccines After 4K People Don't Show Up for Appointments

As thousands of people scour websites daily in Santa Clara County in search of a coveted COVID vaccine appointment, it was a shocking revelation that in just five days over 4,000 people with confirmed appointments did not show up to get their shot. David Magnus, Thomas A. Raffin professor of medicine and biomedical ethics, is quoted.

Los Angeles Times, 02/12/2021

-- Coronavirus Today: A more equitable vaccine line

A major move on the California vaccine front: Starting next month, Californians age 16 or older who are disabled or at high risk for sickness and death from COVID-19 will be eligible to be vaccinated, state officials said Friday. Alyssa Burgart, clinical associate professor, is quoted.

Mountain View Voice, 02/10/2021

-- Disability rights groups decry California's age-based vaccination plans

California's announcement last month that everyone age 65 and older could receive a vaccine came as a happy surprise to many, offering long-awaited safety for the elderly during a deadly pandemic. But the decision left other at-risk residents behind, leaving them feeling frustrated and invisible. Alyssa Burgart, clinical associate professor, is quoted.

NBC News Bay Area, 02/10/2021

-- Silicon Valley Prescribes ‘Big Data' to Combat COVID-19

Silicon Valley, long known for its innovation and technological prowess, is now crediting the emerging field of data analytics for expanding hospital capacity and allowing COVID-19 patients to be released from the hospital at faster rates. Nigam Shah, professor of medicine and biomedical data science, is interviewed.

LinkedIn post, 02/09/2021

-- The Power of Music in Medicine

In this post, Lloyd Minor, Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean of Stanford School of Medicine, recounts his training as a cellist, the restorative powers of music, and importance of arts and humanities in medical education. The work of the Medicine and the Muse and their Stuck@Home concerts is highlighted.

The Stanford Daily, 02/08/2021

-- Q&A: 'Hoping for the best, planning for the rest': Shireen Heidari talks palliative care amid the pandemic

The Daily sat down with Shireen Heidari, a palliative care and family medicine physician at Stanford who wrote the essay “Touch, and the absence of it” for The Lancet, sharing her experience caring for patients with serious illnesses amid the pandemic. She is the rotation director for students, residents and fellows who want to spend time on the palliative care consult service, and teaches palliative care skills across specialties.

STAT News, 02/08/2021

-- How a scientific journal's 'grotesque overreaction' inflamed the contentious debate over Biogen's Alzheimer's drug

A journal penalized Alzheimer's researchers for tweeting a link to a not-final paper that is critical of the drug aducanumab, which is being reviewed by the FDA. Hank Greely, the Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law and director of the Stanford Program in Neuroscience and Society, is quoted.

Los Angeles Times, 02/02/2021

-- Californians with disabilities are outraged over vaccine de-prioritization

Like most states, California had previously planned to deliver vaccines in tiers, with essential workers and people with certain high-risk medical conditions prioritized over healthy, low-risk adults. But that work has been slower here than elsewhere. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom abruptly reversed course on Jan. 25, scrapping the tiers in favor of a purely age-based rollout. For disabled and chronically ill Californians, the decision sparked confusion, distress and anger. Alyssa Burgart, clinical associate professor and clinical ethicist, is quoted.

KQED News, 02/01/2021

-- 'So Angry, So Scared': California COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Change Leaves Disabled People Behind, Say Advocates

Last week, California shifted its vaccine allocation plan to prioritize recipients based on age, instead of occupation or underlying medical condition. That change, set to begin in mid-February, will prioritize residents 65 and older, potentially pushing back millions of at risk younger, disabled Californians who thought they were getting close to the front of the line. Alyssa Burgart, clinical associate professor and clinical ethicist, is quoted.

The Atlantic, 03/25/2021

-- My Asian Parents Still Won’t Talk About the Racism They’ve Faced

Author Karen Yuan discusses her experience of the silence she's experienced from her Asian parents on the topic racism. Jennifer Young, postdoctoral scholar, provided context to Yuan as to why the silence persists.

Stanford Medicine News, 03/22/2021

-- Ernlé Young, co-founder of Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, dies at 88

An anti-apartheid activist, humanitarian, theologian, scholar, outdoorsman and skilled woodworker, Young co-founded the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics. The professor emeritus of medicine, died Feb. 14 at his home in Ashland, Oregon. He was 88.

Stanford Research News Bulletin, 03/17/2021

-- The Center for Biomedical Ethics offers a Team Science Consultation service through Spectrum

The Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics (SCBE) now offers a Team Science Consultation Service through Spectrum. This program builds on SCBE’s nationally recognized Benchside Ethics Consultation Service, which has served the Stanford Medicine community for over a decade. The Team Science Consultation service is led by Dr. Meghan Halley, Research Scholar at SCBE, and supported by SCBE faculty and staff. David Magnus, SCBE director is quoted.

KCBS Radio, 03/16/2021

-- There are new guidelines for getting a vaccine, but will some people cheat the rules?

Starting March 16, millions more Californians are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine. People with disabilities and underlying health conditions are among this new group, but healthcare staff isn't going to be able to check each individual to make sure they qualify. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors, Jeff Bell and Patti Reising, spoke with Hank Greely, professor of law and the director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences. 

Vancouver Sun, 03/14/2021

-- COVID-19: Vaccination passports likely on way for travel though fraught with concerns

British Columbia’s tourism sector is looking upon so-called COVID-19 “vaccine passports” as a vital tool for reopening the battered travel sector, although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed reservations about the general use of such documentation domestically. Judy Illes, emeritus director of the program in neuroethics at SCBE, is quoted.

Kaiser Health News, 03/12/2021

-- University of Missouri Settles Lawsuits Over Knee Surgeries Involving Veterinarian

The University of Missouri has settled a collection of personal injury and false advertising claims over knee surgeries for $16.2 million, in what appears to be one of its largest public payouts in recent years. Michelle Mello, professor or law and medicine, is quoted.

USA Today, 03/09/2021

-- America could soon be swimming in COVID-19 vaccines: The shift from scarcity to surplus could bring its own problems

In just two months, the United States could be swimming in COVID-19 vaccine. As hard as it is to imagine now as people frantically call, click and line up to get vaccinated, the nation is close to shifting from a situation of scarcity to one of abundance. This article discusses how the nation might convince the reluctant to accept vaccines, if employers might require vaccination, and what the U.S. might do with surplus vaccine supply. Michelle Mello, professor of law and medicine, is quoted.

The Stanford Daily, 03/07/2021

-- Stanford students design vaccine information site for non-English speakers

As the nation races to distribute vaccines, inequities have ranged from limited vaccine access to lower vaccination rates in underserved areas. A group of seven Stanford students is seeking to address some of these disparities through their website VaxMyFam, which assists non-English speakers in attaining vaccine-related information accurately and efficiently. Nicole Martinez-Martin, assistant professor of pediatrics, is quoted.

KOMU 8 Columbia, 03/02/2021

-- In-home caregivers prioritized in vaccine rollout, but some feel it's a step too late

Unpaid, in-home caregivers often carry a dualistic role in households: they can be both a family or friend, as well as the primary caregiver for a loved one with varying medical complexities. Work by Meghan Halley, research scholar, is cited and Dr. Halley quoted in this article.

KPCC Radio, AirTalk, 03/01/2021

--As LA County Expands Vaccination Eligibility, We Look at the Ethical Issues in California's Rollout

Many essential workers, teachers and emergency service workers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles County— though supplies remain constrained, and ethical issues abound. Guests Carla Javier of KPCC, Alyssa Burgart, clinical assistant professor and bioethicist, and Jennifer James of UCSF discuss.