If it becomes endemic — circulating in the general population — and most people are exposed in childhood, SARS-CoV-2 may join the ranks of mild cold-causing coronaviruses that currently circulate in humans, according to a model developed by Emory and Penn State scientists. The model, published Jan. 12 in Science, draws upon studies of the four common cold coronaviruses and ... Continue Reading

Innovation Compounding – an independent pharmacy based in Kennesaw – is helping accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Georgia. The pharmacy is scheduling appointments and vaccinating health care professionals from their vehicles. "We are honored to help administer vaccines to Georgia's heroes in health care,” said Shawn Hodges, PharmD, President & CEO of Innovation ... Continue Reading

The Ad Council and the COVID Collaborative today announced a new resource designed to address health care professionals’ questions about COVID-19 vaccination. The videos – which feature an introduction from Dr. Anthony Fauci – include experts from a diverse coalition of leading health care organizations and medical institutions sharing information around COVID-19 vaccine ... Continue Reading

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Immunotherapy Program in Georgia offers the latest chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy. TECARTUS™ (brexucabtagene autoleucel), from Kite Pharma, Inc., is the first and only FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy for adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). According to the Leukemia & ... Continue Reading

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Atlanta has received enough of the Pfizer vaccine for every employee. This is an incredibly important development given that CTCA staff are caring for cancer patients, one of the most high-risk populations. CTCA employees received their vaccinations last week. A recent American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) survey ... Continue Reading

Dr. Ceana Nezhat was honored with the 2020 Society of Reproductive Surgeons' Distinguished Surgeon Award. The award was presented during the 2020 Virtual Scientific Congress and Expo of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Nezhat was recognized for his long-standing dedication and experience in the field of gynecologic and reproductive surgery. The ... Continue Reading

Northside Hospital Gwinnett has installed the STAAT ModTM (Strategic, Temporary, Acuity-Adaptable Treatment) units to care for COVID-19 and other critically ill patients. These units, designed by HGA and prefabricated and assembled by The Boldt Company, were some of the earliest solutions in the United States for expanding hospital facilities. The STAAT Mod is highly ... Continue Reading

Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health unite for 10-year, $100 million partnership to reduce health disparities, increase access to culturally competent care. The two health organizations are responding to the dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racial injustice with a 10-year, $100 million partnership to develop and train more Black physicians, helping address the ... Continue Reading

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute opened a new clinic on the Northside Hospital Cherokee campus that is dedicated to the evaluation of lung nodules in order to detect lung cancer earlier and lead to better outcomes. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 7,240 Georgians will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. It is the leading cause of cancer death in both men ... Continue Reading

A new state-of-the-art robotic imaging system at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital will enable doctors to work more efficiently and effectively while performing minimally-invasive procedures to treat a broad range of heart and vascular conditions. The Artis Pheno imaging system – the first in the state – uses a robotic arm that rotates 360 degrees around the patient to generate ... Continue Reading

VillageMD announced it will open more than 10 Village Medical clinics in the Atlanta region, including the first clinic opening in Stone Mountain, Ga. Village Medical offers comprehensive primary care across a broad range of physician services, along with 24/7 care through telehealth and virtual care. “Amid our national pandemic, we know primary care providers including ... Continue Reading

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on vaccines - from the urgent race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and encouraging the public to receive it once available; to a decline in childhood immunization rates for preventable diseases like the measles; to potential diagnostic uncertainties between COVID and influenza, underscoring the importance of getting a flu shot this ... Continue Reading

March of Dimes issued its 2020 Report Card and calls for racial justice, shining a spotlight on factors that contribute to maternal and infant health. Georgia received and "F" grade. The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth and it’s even more dire for women and babies of color. The Report Card shows that for the fifth year in a row, the U.S. ... Continue Reading

Northside Heart Specialists and Dr. Niraj Sharma are merging with Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute, effective Nov. 1. Dr. Sharma will continue to serve patients in Athens, Cumming and Duluth, and is returning to practice in Lawrenceville. Dr. Sharma is board certified in both cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology. In addition to implanting ... Continue Reading

Teens undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis decreased post-operative opioid use by 40% when steroids were added to their pain management treatment, according to findings published today in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery led by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Orthopedic Surgeon Nicholas Fletcher, MD, Medical Director of Spine ... Continue Reading