October 2024 - Healthy Habits that Aren't Scary!
October may be “spooky,” but with your DCPP doc by your side, there is nothing to fear!
Before the holiday season kicks up, now is a great time to check in with your primary care physician to make sure you are updated on your seasonal vaccines and have scheduled any age-appropriate screening tests, such as your mammogram or colonoscopy.
Do you need to get blood work that you’ve been putting off? Consider this your gentle reminder to make that appointment with your doctor. Remember, direct primary care means you can reach out to your doctor whenever you need to, make appointments that work for your schedule and get the personalized care and support you need. This is healthcare without the hassle!
Updates from your DCPP Docs
Interested in Gut Health? This online seminar is open to both patients and doctors. Registration is free for a limited number of viewers and only during the live event on Oct. 18-20. If you can’t watch it live, recordings will be available for a fee. For more information and to register, click HERE.
Congratulations to Dr. Emily Scott, who was recognized as one of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's 2024 Top Physicians Under 40. She celebrated in September with a dinner and awards ceremony at Hershey Country Club. “It is an honor to accept this award," Dr. Scott said. “It was great to spend time with the other honorees and PAMED staff, alongside my husband, Paul.”
ICYMI: Recently, DCPP’s Dr. Kirsten Lin and Dr. Scott attended the ACMS Women in Healthcare Social. Dr. Lin gave a brief talk, and Dr. Scott won the raffle. Dr. Lin’s daughter, Isabella, joined in on the fun after her summer internship with ACMS. It was a great night!
Congratulations to DCPP’s Dr. Rebecca Byard and Dr. Lin, who are celebrating their anniversaries as direct primary care physicians Dr. Byard is celebrating three years, and Dr. Lin is celebrating seven years on Oct. 1.
Our doctors are actively involved in supporting patients at every level. Dr. Lin recently participated in the Allegheny County delegation for the upcoming PAMED house of delegates in October. They met to decide on their stance on the issues being raised at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Topics included:
- The role of medical students in PAMED,
- Physician mental health and its role in licensure and credentialing,
- The role of climate change on health\
- And the creation of a new independent physician section at PAMED.
“It’s always great to get together with fellow physicians to keep working so we can make things better for ourselves and our communities,” Dr. Lin said.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The FDA issued in September an amendment to the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). One of the new requirements is reporting an overall assessment of breast density. Breast density is determined by the amount of fibroglandular tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breasts.
This is important because having dense breast tissue makes it harder to find cancer on a mammogram. Patients who are told they have dense breast tissue should, therefore, have a discussion with their physician about whether additional imaging (such as ultrasound or MRI) should be conducted. The cause of dense breast tissue is multifactorial, and it may be related to any of the following factors: genetics, younger age, pregnancy/breastfeeding and some medications such as tamoxifen and hormone replacement therapy.
Mark your calendars for fall fun
Dr. Natalie Gentile has some great offerings at Rebel Wellness:
- Rebel Kitchen Workshop: Insulin Resistance Series 4-6 p.m. Oct. 5
- Blake Watterworth x Rebel Wellness: Food for Thought Workshop Series 4-6 p.m. Oct. 19
- Easy Meal Prep Series with Chef Janet Loughran 4-6 p.m. Nov. 9
All workshops will be at Rebel Wellness at 201 S. Highland Ave., in the East End. For more details about the workshops and to register, click HERE.
Meet Arlene Gestler, RN
Arlene has joined the team at Dr. Scott’s practice. She is excited to be part of DCPP.
Her favorite activities include bike trips and dance events with her husband, along with roller skating, practicing yoga and hula-hooping. Plus, she hosts sewing sessions in her home studio – where she has 13 sewing machines ready to go.
Lately, one of her favorite, consistent companions is her grandson. They enjoy toy shopping in thrift stores when they’re out and about together.
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 ACMS 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.
DCPP in the News
- Dr. Gentile was recently featured in PittMed talking about the start of her practice and Rebel Wellness. Check it out HERE.
- Have you checked out DCPP’s new YouTube page? DCPP co-founders Dr. 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. Scott had a piece published in the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin.
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, which is a descendant of the JN.1 sublineage and has been circulating in summer and expected to continue this fall.
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.
FLU SHOT UPDATES: What is the difference between high dose and a regular dose? Who should get what? Let’s learn and talk with your DCPP doc about what version is best for you!
- Formulation:
- High-Dose Flu Shot: Contains a higher amount of antigen – the component of the vaccine that stimulates the immune system – compared to the standard-dose flu shot.
- Normal-Dose Flu Shot: Contains the standard amount of antigen, which is adequate for most of the general population.
- Target Population:
- High-Dose Flu Shot: Recommended primarily for adults ages 65 and older. As people age, their immune systems tend to weaken, making them more susceptible to severe illness. The higher antigen content in the high-dose vaccine is intended to elicit a stronger immune response in this age group.
- Normal-Dose Flu Shot: Recommended for people ages 6 months and older. There are various formulations of the regular-dose vaccine, including those for children, adults and pregnant women.
- Side Effects:
- High-Dose Flu Shot: May cause more pronounced side effects than the regular-dose shot. Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, fever, muscle aches and fatigue. These are generally mild and temporary.
- Normal-Dose Flu Shot: Usually causes fewer and less severe side effects, such as soreness at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms. These are also generally mild and temporary.
This educational update was brought to you by Sol LaBruna, a medical student from the University of Pittsburgh who is working this season with Dr. Gentile and Dr. Scott.
Recipe of the Month: Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Head to the farmers market and get some butternut squash to make this delightful and seasonal soup adapted from The Minimalist Baker.
INGREDIENTS:
SOUP:
- 1 tbsp coconut or avocado oil
- 2 medium shallots (thinly diced)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced (2 cloves yield ~1 tbsp or 6 g)
- 6 cups of peeled & chopped butternut squash (1 small butternut squash yields ~6 cups)
- 1 pinch each sea salt + black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1 1/2 tbsp curry powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 14-ounce can light coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable broth (DIY or store-bought)
- 1-3 tbsp maple syrup (or sub coconut sugar)
- 1-2 tsp chili garlic paste (optional)
FOR SERVING (optional)
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
- Chili garlic paste
- Full-fat coconut milk
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat.
- Once hot, add oil, shallots and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add butternut squash and season with salt, pepper, curry powder and ground cinnamon. Stir to coat. Then cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add coconut milk, vegetable broth, maple syrup or coconut sugar and chili garlic paste (optional – for heat).
- Bring to a low boil over medium heat and then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until butternut squash is fork tender.
- Use an immersion blender, or transfer soup to a blender, and purée on high until creamy and smooth. If using a blender, return soup back to pot.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more curry powder, salt or sweetener as needed. Continue cooking for a few more minutes over medium heat.
- Serve as is or with garnishes of choice (options above). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Best when fresh.
Patient Spotlight: Would you like to be featured?
Do you know a DCPP patient who would make for a great profile? Let us know, and you could be featured in a future newsletter. Talk to your DCPP doc to learn more.