November 2024 - Grateful for You
This is the season to give thanks, and from all the doctors here at DCPP, we are grateful for this incredible community we are honored to support. We hope your November is filled with love. But don't forget to carve out a little time to slow down, enjoy your friends and family, and reflect on any health goals you may have set for yourself this year.
We are also here to help you navigate this season, which can be overwhelming for so many of us and – at times – lonely, too. You are not alone, and we are here to help in every season, through every phase of life.
Updates from your DCPP Docs
Mark your calendars for fall fun!
Dr. Natalie Gentile has some great offerings at Rebel Wellness:
- Easy Meal Prep Series with Chef Janet Loughran 4-6 p.m. Nov. 9
- The Upbeat Workout Pop-Up Series Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 1
- Stepping into Meditation Workshop Series Every Wednesday through Nov. 20
All workshops will be at Rebel Wellness at 201 S. Highland Ave., in the East End. For more details and to register, click HERE.
Congratulations, DCPP: It’s an honor to be nominated!
DCPP was recently nominated for a 2024 Benjamin Rush Community Organization Award and will be recognized at the Allegheny County Medical Society’s Distinguished Physicians Award Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium. The award honors a company, institution, organization or agency that is making a significant impact on a community health issue.
November is National American Diabetes Month
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. It's the most expensive chronic disease in the U.S. and causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
- More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, but one in five people don't know they have it.
- Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and it's linked to some types of cancer. Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness, but it often has no early warning signs.
So what can you do?
- Connect with your doctor to learn about your risk factors for diabetes.
- Take small steps toward healthy habits, such as planning healthy meals, being physically active and getting enough sleep.
- Take care of your mental health.
- Manage your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels with support from your doctor.
DCPP in the News
- Have you checked out DCPP’s YouTube page? DCPP co-founders Dr. Kirstin Lin and Dr. Gentile chat about why they became direct primary care physicians, how they avoid burnout and how DCPP helps both patients and small businesses. Watch the videos HERE.
- Dr. Gentile has a regular segment on KDKA-TV’s talk show, “TALK Pittsburgh.” See her segment at 3 p.m. every other Wednesday to discuss the health issues that matter most to you. If you missed them, watch her latest segments online.
- Dr. Gentile can be heard regularly on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA sharing her thoughts on the state of medicine and weighing in on healthcare news and trends.
Keep up to date on vaccination information
UPDATES ON COVID-19: The FDA has changed its strain recommendation for the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines, which are now available. In August, the vaccines were updated to target the KP.2 Omicron variant, a descendant of the JN.1 sublineage.
Which COVID-19 vaccine is right for you? In the US, there are three covid vaccines available:
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025 Formula, mRNA vaccine, based on KP.2 variant): Approved for individuals 12 years and older and available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for children aged 6 months to 11 years.
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025 Formula, mRNA vaccine, based on KP.2): Approved for individuals 12 years and older and available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for children aged 6 months to 11 years.
- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025 Formula, protein-based vaccine, based on JN.1): Available under EUA for those aged 12 years or older.
CDC recommends vaccination with a 2024-25 vaccine (any of the 3 options) for all individuals age 6 months and older. Vaccination is particularly encouraged for older adults (ages 65+), immunocompromised individuals and those with multiple chronic medical issues because these populations are at the highest risk of severe outcomes with COVID-19 infection.
If an individual had previously received other COVID-19 vaccine doses, the 2024-25 formula vaccine dose should be given at least two months after the last dose. Additionally, for those who have previously received COVID-19 vaccination(s), any of the 2024-25 formula vaccines can be subsequently used; people do not have to use the vaccine from the same manufacturer as the original doses.
As always, a layered approach to safety is recommended – including masking in crowded public spaces, testing if exposed to COVID or feeling sick and isolating when you don’t feel well. The COVID-19 vaccines work to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death, as well as reduce your chances of long COVID, which has debilitated millions of Americans.
“The important thing for the public to note is that all three vaccines met the FDA metric for efficacy, which is based on seropositivity, meaning how well the vaccine stimulates your body to produce antibodies,” Dr. Lin said. “Get whatever vaccine your local pharmacy has on hand.”
Chat with your DCPP doc about when and if you should receive the latest vaccine now that they are available at most pharmacies.
RSV VACCINE: The FDA has approved two new RSV vaccines for older adults. They are currently available at several pharmacies. People can visit their local pharmacy’s website for more information. It can be given concurrently with a flu shot but not with a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your DCPP doctor to see if it's a good choice for you.
PNEUMONIA VACCINE: There is a new pneumonia vaccine called PCV20 appropriate for children, older adults and some adults who are considered to be high risk. Please ask your direct primary care doc if you qualify and how it could support your overall health. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
Recipe of the Month: Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
Adapted from Nora Cooks. This vegan cornbread stuffing is a must-have side dish for Thanksgiving!
Prepare the vegan cornbread (recommended that you make it a day in advance so it can sit out overnight):
CORNBREAD INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow corn meal
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup canola oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lightly grease a 8 x 8 pan or a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder, and stir.
- Pour in the almond milk and canola oil. Stir until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Set out overnight.
INGREDIENTS FOR CORNBREAD STUFFING
- One batch of cornbread (see above)
- 2 tablespoons of vegan butter
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 4 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORNBREAD STUFFING
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Slice the cornbread into 1-2 inch cubes and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes so they come out dry and toasty. Set aside while you prepare the stuffing.
- Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
- Heat vegan butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and celery for 2-3 minutes, then add 1/4 cup of the parsley, along with the sage, thyme, salt and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and stir. Once boiling, remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the cornbread cubes evenly to the casserole dish. Pour the broth mixture over the cornbread cubes and gently stir.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until toasty on top. Sprinkle the rest of the parsley and serve immediately!
Patient Spotlight: Karen & Jim Casalone
Jim and Karen Casalone are living their best lives: happy, healthy and active. Jim, 76, loves to golf, garden and work out six days a week. Karen, 70, is a dedicated member of the plant-based community, hosting conversations to help people on their own plant-based journey. They enjoy spending time together, reading, traveling and staying active. Before retirement, Jim worked in employee benefits, and Karen was in the pharmaceutical industry.
After a battle with cancer starting in 2000, Jim went into remission for the last time in 2010. Since then, they have both prioritized their health, keeping them feeling young and striving to be in their best conditions. They had been to many doctors over the years, and never felt fully satisfied and seen.
Jim and Karen have never been as happy with their care, they said, as they are at Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh and couldn’t stop singing the praises of Dr. Emily Scott and the practice at large. They appreciate the timely and accessible care, knowing they can get the help they need, when they need it. At DCPP, they get progressive and thorough care, they said, they have not found anywhere else.