Pro Bono Service to War Vets

The September 19 Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey) announced that Anthony F. Nostro, M.D., and plastic surgeon Dr. Charles K. Herman, both of Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, provide plastic and reconstructive surgery services at no charge to Iraq War veterans injured by shrapnel, burns or previous surgery.

Nerve Blocks in the News

KCEN-TV (Temple, Texas) featured Don J. Daniels, M.D., in a September 19 health news segment focused on the use of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks for post-surgical pain.

Ironman Gets Hammer’d

The October 12 Honolulu Advertiser reported that, following a return from deployment in Tikrit, Iraq, Michael S. Hammer, D.O., planned to participate in the 2007 Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Originally chosen via a lottery to participate in the 2006 Ironman, Dr. Hammer deferred his participation until his return and continued training during his deployment, where he provided anesthesia support with the 47th Combat Support Hospital.

Quelling Patients’ Anesthesia Fears

Anthony Nostro, M.D., addressed a reader query regarding the safety of receiving anesthesia for an upcoming surgery in an October 18 Pocono Record (Pocono, Pennsylvania) “Ask the Doctor” column. Dr. Nostro calmed the reader’s fears, providing information on the types of anesthesia as well as the safety of anesthesia and anesthesia administration.

Nerve Blocks Touted in Florida

Edward R. Mariano, M.D., participated in a November 26 Bay News 9 (St. Petersburg, Florida) health segment on the use of nerve blocks for regional surgery. Dr. Mariano discussed the process for nerve blocks and the benefits of use for patients, which can include a more comfortable recovery with less mental confusion and less nausea and itching.

Jittery Kids Calmed by Anesthesiologists

Yewande J. Johnson, M.D., Julia C. Finkel, M.D., and Sophie R. Pestieau, M.D., were included in a December 21 Washington Post article on efforts by anesthesiologists at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to make surgery less frightening for young patients.

‘72 Dolphin-Turned-Doctor Shares Story With Philly Paper

The December 28 Philadelphia Daily News checked in with Douglas A. Swift, M.D., who was a linebacker for the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins. Dr. Swift left football at the age of 27 to enroll in medical school at the University of Pennsylvania and has practiced at Pennsylvania Hospital for 22 years.