Tag Archives: healthcare

Dr. Elizabeth Ofili: Pioneering Cardiologist in Health Disparities

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Continuing to recognize black Americans during Black History Month, this week I’m featuring Dr. Elizabeth Ofili:

Dr. Elizabeth Ofili is a renowned Nigerian-American cardiologist, researcher, and professor. She is known for her contributions to cardiovascular health, particularly in underrepresented populations. She has been a leader in promoting diversity in medical research and advancing heart disease prevention.

Here are some Facts About Dr. Elizabeth Ofili:

  • Background & Education: Born in Nigeria, Dr. Ofili obtained her medical degree from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. She later earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University. She also completed her cardiology training in the United States.
  • Medical Career: At Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Olifi is a Professor of Medicine and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research.
  • Research & Contributions:
    • Dr. Ofili has been a leading researcher in health disparities, focusing on how heart disease affects African American communities.
    • She conducted groundbreaking studies on hypertension, heart failure, and cardiovascular risk factors.
    • Led several major National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded projects, including initiatives to improve health outcomes in minority populations.
  • Leadership & Impact:
    • First female president of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC).
    • Instrumental in developing research networks to enhance participation of minorities in clinical trials.
    • Advocate for increasing diversity in STEM and medical fields.
  • Awards & Recognitions:
    • She has received numerous accolades for her contributions to medicine and public health, including recognition from national health organizations.
  • Sources:

https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_240.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_240.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://academyhealth.org/about/people/elizabeth-o-ofili-md-mph-facc?utm_source=chatgpt.com

DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?

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This is a topic that a lot of us choose to remain silent about. Death. Yes, we ALL will be facing that five-letter word eventually. Do you have a plan in place for your loved ones once you are gone? Do you have a plan in place even if for some unforeseen reason you become incapacitated and unable to speak or make decisions for yourself? If you do have a plan in place, do your loved ones know where to retrieve this information?

As someone who has worked in the medical field for 30+ years, I have transcribed and seen thousands of patient medical records and it saddens me to see so many patients who become either suddenly ill or suffer a long-term illness but do not have a plan in place or assigned a loved one to take carry out your wishes once you have passed on. Or, what’s even worse than that, patients who become ill and certain family members disown them and now that patient has become a ward of the state – meaning now that this patient has become so sick, certain family members have abandoned them and now SOMEONE has to speak on behalf of this patient, but unfortunately, that someone is the probate court system (in the state the patient resides). Either a social worker (representing a particular hospital) or chaplain or again the court system has to now become the guardian of this very ill patient because that patients loved ones want nothing else to do with them!

We’re living in an age and time where there is NO excuse that this is still happening! There are so many valuable resources out here for us to educate ourselves on. Even if you’re that mean, grumpy, most hated person ever to where you don’t have a friend in the world, this still does not give you a reason to not have some type of plan in place [even if you choose to utilize probate court] for your legacy you may have created all the way to the finest detail of where you want your remains to go to.

Losing a loved one is stressful and traumatizing enough. Not having a plan creates more stress and anxiety for those that cared about you. When certain loved ones come to you to try and talk about this when you’re healthy and still mentally competent and you still refuse to discuss it or continue to procrastinate by putting off these plans, this is what I consider unintelligent, foolish and downright selfish! We waste a lot of time (and money) on trivial things, things that are not uplifting us or things that don’t really matter.

Your last wishes or plans for your assets/possessions left behind do not have to be some elaborate, expensive or over-the-top plan – just something straight to the point and simple and making sure whomever you assign it over to that they know exactly where to go to get your information and the instructions you have left for them to carry out.

No matter your choice, whether a Last Will and Testament, an Advance Directive, or Power of Attorney (for Healthcare) or whatever legitimate legal document is out there for your specific needs, please get a plan in place NOW for your wishes and always let someone know your plans for storing this information so they will not be in a panic, distressed or ill-prepared. Maybe you have a plan in place but it’s been years since you’ve updated your information, beneficiaries, passwords, etc. Take the time to review this information and always keep it updated.

Let’s go into 2025 not wasting any more money or wasteful time. Instead of partying for every holiday, eating yourself sick, etc. etc., take that money and spend it on legalizing your last will and testament and making your loved ones feel a little more at ease, knowing you’ve taken full responsibility of your life as well as in your passing. Today is a good day to start!

Health Insurance on the Rise – No surprise here!

dollar-1175293_1280Are we shocked?  No! I personally am beyond disappointed and furious at the upcoming 2017 health insurance – all across the board! It’s really almost embarrassing how we have allowed healthcare to evolve in this country.

Going back to December 2015/January 2016, I qualified for and purchased ‘Obamacare’ (a/k/a The Affordable Healthcare Act). Being that I am considered an independent contractor (IC) on my job as a medical transcriptionist (most transcription services are too cheap to consider us employees and will not cover us for health insurance or any other benefits). [Note: While temporarily being an Uber driver, I too was considered an independent contractor, but they at least offered some type of health insurance for their drivers if we so chose – which says that companies could have had it for their IC’s!] My monthly premium was $251 for a somewhat new, up and coming health insurance in Georgia (also offered in 1 or 2 other states) called Harken Health. Over these last 11 months, I can tell you that Harken Health was the elite –  the crème de la crème   of all insurances as well as health care facilities!!!  They were similar to Kaiser where they are an insurance company, as well as a healthcare facility where you can go and receive health care whether with your primary care and/or specialties). They have several offices throughout the metro Atlanta area. Their services consisted of having a ‘health coach’ – a licensed individual who was literally at your beckoning call whenever you needed them. All preventive medicine visits, i.e., vaccines, shots, even specialty office visits such as cardiologists, dermatologists, etc. – there was never a copay! OMG where does THAT exist in 2016!!

Now that the 2017 enrollment has opened, my year-long run of spectacular health care has come to a screeching halt. Harken Health (along with many other health insurance policies) have decided to leave the Affordable Healthcare Act. Because this country is so bent and bound on repealing Obamacare, along with having the greed mindset, many insurances have pulled out of the Affordable Healthcare Act for 2017 going forward. If I choose to still be a part of Harken Health (individual plan – outside of Obamacare) the price will skyrocket from $251 per month to – are you ready for this – $1000 per month premium! More than a car note. More than some rent/mortgage.  I was so infuriated by this, I guess you can say I had an anxiety attack (and/or heart palpitations) in which my heart rate rose to 127 beats per minute over the next several days. Not good for a person with heart disease.

Harken Health is not the only one. In searching out other health insurances for myself, they ALL have risen to a ridiculous price for monthly premiums. I found no policies less than $637 per month for health insurance that I would have to pay for my at my age, my health issues, etc. (They say that preexisting conditions are no longer considered, but it sure is funny that when seeking out a suitable health policy, they do ask you ‘how often will you be going to the doctor in 2017? Do you think you’ll be going to the doctor more than 6 to 9 times per year?’ Okay….why are you asking me that if you’re not considering my age and my health problems? Ugh!

So those of you who thought Obamacare was nonsense, too expensive and ‘needs repealing’, I found it to have saved me money in my prescriptions, saved me mentally in dealing with life stressors by having a knowledgeable health coach and just overall genuinely caring for ME as a person!

Needless to say I am on the hunt for new coverage as well as a new job where I will not have to be an independent contractor, or if I am one, make triple the income where I can afford insurance……Good luck with that!!!