In an age when big data can expand the reality of precision health, it helps if you have precise data. Those who study and treat …
Author: Sara Wykes
“We’re feeling the ground shaking under our feet”: Stanford oncologist talks cancer immunotherapy
Stanford’s reputation as a powerhouse of award-winning research is well-earned — but only occasionally do so many of its stellar scientists gather at the same time to …
“Like the surprise of being stabbed”: Ranking the pain of insect stings
If you want to put your pain in perspective, take time to read any of the 78 descriptions of pain compiled by Justin O. Schmidt, PhD, …
In situ melanoma patients now eligible for quicker procedure at Stanford Medicine
When a dear friend learned that the dark patch of skin near her eye was lentigo maligna, an early stage of melanoma, her worries began. She …
Learning how to use design thinking to improve the patient experience
Ask anyone who has experienced the health-care system if something about it could be improved, and there will be no shortage of predictable answers about …
Survivors of rare Stanford domino transplant meet, celebrate
The first thing Linda Karr asked her doctor after her heart transplant surgery at Stanford Hospital was, “How is my heart donor doing?” That question …
Celebrating the new Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
The first time Chris Bjornson walked through the infusion area in the new Stanford Neuroscience Health Center, he couldn’t stop smiling. Bjornson, 45, was diagnosed …
A reminder before World Diabetes Day: “We need more people educated about the disease”
Bay Area native Anna Simos had always been the healthy one in her family — never a candy eater, she said — but, at 15, …
Helping kids with chronic medical conditions make the jump to adult care
With just one dramatic example from her practice, Stanford pediatric critical care specialist Yana Vaks, MD, recently illustrated for me the importance of better adult …
A new tool to treat atrial fibrillation
The first time Susan Klein’s heart stopped, and then started again, she was very frightened. But she didn't run for the phone to call a doctor. …
Immunosuppression brings higher risk for skin cancer – and need for specialized care
An estimated 50 million Americans must take immunosuppressants to treat more than 80 autoimmune disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health. These medications are …
“This reinforced why I went into nursing”: The story of two nurses who resuscitated plane passenger
Stanford Health Care cardiac nurse coordinators Angela Bingham, RN, MSN, CNL, and Sophia Loo, RN, MSHCA, have cared for hundreds of patients with serious heart …
Stanford dietitian explains how – not just what – you eat matters
Recent posts, including this one from last week and this one from earlier today, offered sound advice to help avoid overeating around the holidays. Of …
Stanford patient benefits from total artificial heart
Mechanical support for failing hearts is not a new idea. Size, however, matters. In 1966, Michael DeBakey, MD, successfully implanted the first device to replace …
The squeeze: Compression during mammography important for accurate breast cancer detection
After nearly 30 years of reluctantly enduring the pain of mammography, I finally understand why I shouldn't complain. In fact, I think I should embrace …
Stanford celebrates 20th anniversary of the CyberKnife
Just about 30 years ago, Stanford neurosurgeon John Adler, MD, traveled to the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden, home to Lars Leksell, MD, and a device …