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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Tom Hanks starred in the 2019 biographical drama about Mr. Fred Rogers titled A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a television staple for children from 1968 until the last episode in 2001.  The program was filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania near Fred Rogers’ hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. 

Fred Rogers was a shy, overweight child who was frequently bullied by classmates.  Fred took these life experiences, both good and bad, to try and develop a deeper understanding of people. Journalist Tom Junod became a friend of Rogers after being assigned an interview with him for Esquire magazine.  Tom was amazed at how quickly the relationship developed out of pure kindness from Fred Rogers.  He was noted to say that Mr. Rogers really wanted to know what you had to say and how you felt. Junod noted the authenticity of Fred Rogers. 

Mr. Rogers’ wanted to be your neighbor, he wanted to be your friend, and he was proud of you (listen to his songs)!  He made you feel special right through the television.  Tom Junod commented in an interview years later that “he (Mr. Rogers) used that power to do good”. 

Why all of this chatter about being a friend and doing good? Because it is good for your health!

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By Ankit Modh, MD
Radiation Oncology, The Armes Family Cancer Care Center

As a board-certified radiation oncologist, I've noticed a concerning trend in my patients–an increase in head and neck cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in middle-aged men. While traditionally head and neck cancers were linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, we are now seeing a shift in the causes of these cancers, with HPV becoming a leading cause. 

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The television show Family Ties was a breakout series for Michael Andrew Fox, professionally known as Michael J. Fox. He played Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom from 1982 until the finale in 1989. This series led to his success in the trilogy of Back to the Future movies. While on the Florida set of his 1991 movie Doc Hollywood, Michael J. Fox noted a slight tremor in his little finger. This was his first symptom of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Several years after Michael J. Fox’s diagnosis, he went public with his disease and his fight to find treatments. In 2000, he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  This organization has become a global leader and innovator in finding therapies.

He has authored three books including No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. Michael shares personal stories about his illness and his family. I was fortunate enough to see him at a conference where he was the keynote speaker. It was one of the most amazing speeches I have ever heard. He spoke for one hour without any notes and he held nothing back. 

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By Dr. Robbie Puckett
Family Medicine, Carey Medical Center

The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor (with the flu) by 40 to 60 percent. It has also been proven to help reduce the risk of hospitalization from the flu.

By receiving the flu vaccine, it protects not only you but all the people around you, including the more vulnerable to illness such as infants, young children, the elderly and the immunocompromised community.

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

This week I was asked an interesting drug information question about the mushroom known as Lion’s Mane and its related health benefits.  The first thing that came to my mind was the movie Secondhand Lions.  Not sure why!

The movie was released in 2003 in the comedy-drama genre and starred Robert Duvall. Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment, and Kyra Sedgwick. Haley Joel Osment had the role of the 14-year-old Walter who is left for the summer with his great uncles. It is rumored that the uncles have a secret fortune and are targets for traveling salesmen and relatives looking for money. The uncles are often seen sitting on their porch with shotguns.  

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By Thomas Kindl, MD
Blanchard Valley Pain Management

You’ve heard of a “pain in the neck,” but did you know that back pain is more common, affecting eight out of every 10 adults during their lifetime?  With a statistic like that, learning to prevent back injuries is important to your health and well-being.

There are six key steps to avoiding back injuries at work or at play.

Frequent position changes 
Prolonged positioning places increased stress on your back. So, get up and move, frequently change positions and take breaks from repetitive activities.

Pushing/Pulling  
Stand up straight and push whenever possible. Pushing is easier on your back.

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