MOMS & DOCS: A COALITION FOR CHANGE IN PEDIATRIC MYOCARDITIS DETECTION

2/11/2022- The Angiofoundation and Integrative Pain Healers Alliance (comprised of physicians, researchers and public educators) and the For Elysa Foundation, a non-profit advocacy group supporting pediatric myocarditis research- united in their first multi-org summit to test drive a coalition concept to unite all advocacy groups for "a common and louder voice for change!"  

The "spark" of the coalition originally came from two “Doctor Moms”- Dr. Noelle Cutter and Dr. Roberta Kline as part of a research assignment on genomic science and Long Haul (post Covid infection) disorders.  Published reports of myocarditis since the early 1900’s about a “sudden heart failure” showed new headlines during the pandemic, drawing a spotlight on the rare viral-driven cardiac disease. Their search led to the For Elysa Foundation, a foundation dedicated to Elysa Rojas (2) who passed away from Viral Myocarditis in January, 2013.

Aptly called "Project: Mommies on a Mission", the name and group design was inspired by For Elysa Foundation founder Mrs. Jana Rojas’ who describes her fellow advocates thusly.  Her foundation was built to promote "improved Education, providing Light and promoting Research to help physicians and families prevent another tragic death from sudden cardiac arrest and viral myocarditis."  IPHA immediately connected with Mrs. Rojas to brainstorm, then build what is now "PROJECT 1"- a two part initiative to offer a supportive arm to their fight against children's cardiac conditions and a united front to advance the role of the medical community.

The IPHA coalition concept and outreach offers vocal support to the many parent groups fundraising on research for their respective focus disorders.  Through info sharing, resource access and expanded networking, the blueprint is comprised of uniting the medical and patient communities to work on more effective protocols. Recognized IPHA research director and cancer diagnostic specialist Dr. Robert Bard (NYC), the clinical alliance staged their plan to bring advocacy to physicians in the form of research and education for improved detection and monitoring solutions from the global imaging society.  "Where parent communities fall short of getting the attention of medical leaders, we as MD's offer some new advantages like conferences, symposiums and our private networks... as parents ourselves, and we want to lend a hand in recruiting all docs to support "the better way" like smarter exam strategies and use of non-invasive imaging in sick visits as part of a major step toward saving more lives from this insidious disease"

"The tricky thing with myocarditis being virally mediated is that Elysa could have had a heart scan a week before she died (the day before she contracted the virus that wrecked her heart), and it would have been normal", stated Mrs. Rojas who emphasized her thoughts on the efficient use of diagnostic imaging is during a sick visit, where any other time prior may not prove conclusive as a screening paradigm.  

The success of the first meeting gave promise to a national outreach, bringing parents and physicians together - where community discussions are the ideal step in problem solving.  “After just this one exchange, we all agreed that major CHANGE needs to happen from the diagnostic area… we need to develop quantifiable and effective early detection methods .  Also, we need to communicate with all ED’s and ICU responders to recognize the urgency of cardiac imaging for patients viral infection- and make that part of a standard exam for pediatric myocardial inflammation”, stated Dr. Cutter.

In a recent interview with NYCRA NEWS, Dr. Bobbi Kline expanded on the initiatives of this project; "one recent hurdle to overcome within our outreach to the medical community appears to come from the current headlines about the rare possibility of myocarditis that may be linked to the vaccine. While just the mention of the vaccine seems to spark political division and conflict, this issue is much broader and our focus is in helping the children, not the politics." 

For inquiries or media contacts, please email: jointhemoms@gmail.com or call: 631.920.5757

EXTRA:  See the video by Dr. Matt Elias (pediatric cardiologist of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) 'A Pediatric Cardiologist Talks Myocarditis & COVID-19 | Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids' . A Word from Doctor Mom #1 Meet Dr. Bobbi Kline, one of Project: Mommies on a Mission's top advisors and creators.  "As a mom, my heart grieves for parents, including Elysa’s, who suffer such devastating tragedy. It’s the worst thing you hope never happens to your child, and I truly admire parents who turn a tragedy into something positive. It requires such amazing strength, courage and grace. As a physician, I find my self immediately asking "Why do these things happen? How can we predict or prevent them?" As clinicians, we look for patterns to help guide diagnosis and treatment. We know what to expect, but sometimes they can lull us into a false sense of security. Childhood viruses, as any parent knows, are an expected part of those early years."  See Dr. Kline's complete review; TROUBLESHOOTING MYOCARDITIS @ Health Resource Digest

Powerful New Podcast: Meet RESPONDER RESILIENCE

Whether you are a first responder, a rescue professional, in law enforcement, or are a proud supporter, you won't want to miss the next episode of a compelling new podcast called RESPONDER RESILIENCE. This unique and highly impactful web-based talk show interviews some of our community's finest heroes who offer insight on the most critical issues on the job, while providing viewers with a front-row seat on what being a responder truly means.

Produced by a retired fire Lieutenant co-hosting with two emergency services psychotherapists, Responder Resilience is a video podcast for first responders which is now entering its second season and will be broadcast on BBSRadio.com, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Facebook Live.  The 45 minute show is dedicated to improving the mental and physical well-being of police, fire, EMS, and dispatch personnel.  Each highly educational broadcast features expert guests sharing vital information about wellness topics for first responders.

Click to visit RR Channel

As a collaborative brainchild, the show promises to cover a wide range of topics pertaining to the various branches of the rescue community and its many members. DR. STACY RAYMOND is a Clinical Psychologist, specializing First Responders and Military Veterans.  BONNIE RUMILLY, LCSW, EMT-B specializes in the treatment of First Responders, and treated Trauma directly after the Sandy Hook School Shootings. DAVID DACHINGER is a retired Fire Lieutenant with over 21 years as a leader in emergency services who has served as Acting Captain and Incident Commander.

"In this silent worldwide crisis, first responders are quietly suffering, due to stigmas around mental health services, and lack of awareness about vital resources that are available to assist them. We can help the helpers, with life-saving resources, resilience strategies and support to help first responders to cope with anxiety, depression, and stress", states Dachinger. "Fire, police, and EMS are professions where more die by their own hands than by the hazards of the job.  Research shows that up to a quarter of public safety dispatchers have symptoms of PTSD and depression."

Responder Resilience is supported by a growing list of benevolent organizations, health and medical societies from the local and national fronts. The F.A.C.E.S. Foundation nominated Responder Resilience the 2021 top Educational Venue Award for their coverage of the Dan Noonan/1975 NY Tel Exchange Fire presentation at the NYC Fire Museum (link).  In addition, the NY Cancer Resource Alliance and its benevolent partners recognize Responder Resilience for its efforts to bring a fresh, new perspective to "the many who give all to save others" by endorsing the show to over 22 informational showcases including: Prevention101.org, the First Responders Cancer Resource, IPHA News, Fight Recurrence, FYII and the upcoming PowerMeets series of 360 Health Alert.  "It is so important to bring the voice of the silent rescuers front and center... this show helps inspire so many- to raise the level of self-leadership while supporting the many members of such a high-risk profession", states Dr. Robert L. Bard, former guest and seasoned commentator of ITN Magazine.

Continued talks with supportive production companies include Lennard Gettz, creative director of IntermediaWorx and Josh Schueller of IPHA Educational Media are exploring the the show's programming expansion.  Prospects for a new lineup of 2022 guests and target topics may include a powerhouse of Change-Makers from the  Post-Military Crusaders Coalition (PMCC) as well as other areas of professional response.   

Responder Resilience continues to push the boundaries of the traditional talk format by launching “documentary style” narrative episodes this season. The show plans to lean into “street credibility” and educational value by offering engaging, conversation-enhancing topics including mental health issues, transitioning from the job, EMDR, spirituality and responder suicide.  New First Responders National Podcast Premieres on BBSRadio.com

New First Responders National Podcast Premieres on https://bbsradio.com, Apple Podcasts, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResponderWellnessInc

For resilience strategies with compassion and humanity from the front lines of responder health and wellness, watch it live, Wednesdays 7pm ET.

JUST SOME OF THE TOP SHOWS INCLUDE:

    Finding The Right Therapist, When Your Comfort Zone Is Chaos 

    About Animal Control Officers: Welcome to the Jungle 

    Dispatch - First On Scene, The Forgotten Responders 

    Story of a Trauma Response Team 

    You Are Not Alone: The Power of Peers 

    Resiliency in Action 

    Mutts Mending Mankind 

    Get Checked Now! 

    The Reality of PTSD When Children Die 

    Man With A Mission, Lt. Andy Fredericks, FDNY Memorial Seminar & Exhibits 

The show can be seen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasMYw9bGOIdfOwQ_mxt1SA

BBSRadio.com (general link, should get direct link to show soon) https://bbsradio.com/station1and2schedule

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResponderWellnessInc

For resilience strategies with compassion and humanity from the front lines of responder health and wellness, watch it live, Wednesdays 7pm ET beginning January 5, 2022.

News Release: 2022 Research Trial- Dense Breast Detection

NY Cancer Alliance to Launch the First Dense Breast Research Study for Low BMI and Underserved Subjects

1/11/2022- Dr. Noelle Cutter (Biology professor and clinical researcher from Molloy College) joined with Dr. Robert L. Bard (top NYC radiologist and cancer diagnostic expert) to deploy the 2022 field study to provide breast screening to younger women, subjects with LOW BMI and those in underserved areas. "Through supplemental imaging (ie. 3D Doppler Ultrasound), we can provide better detection of tumors in dense breasts that are concealed by dense breast tissue from mammography."

Mammography is the current standard for breast cancer early detection for women 40 & older. Recent studies have shown nearly half of all women who get mammograms are found to have dense breasts, exposing this population to the risk that mammograms may miss potentially cancerous tumors concealed by dense breast tissue.  Dr. Cutter's initial concepts to target LOW BMI (bet 12-22% body fat) was personally inspired.  As an active TRIATHLETE, her own diagnosis sparked her survey and inquiry throughout the athletic community where she uncovered a significant trend that became the basis for this research. She wishes to target younger women, athletes and members of underserved communities. "Younger women may be more likely to have dense breasts... also I find athletes with LOWER BMI (body mass index) or those with  less body fat are more likely to have more dense breast tissue compared with women who are obese."

Breast density is shown to be associated with breast cancer risk in women aged 40 to 65 years, but there is limited evidence thus far of its association with risk of breast cancer among women 18+ (mostly because mammography starts at 35 or 40). Furthermore, a high proportion of women with low BMI present with dense breasts, making them likely candidates to receive false negative readings on a mammogram.  "We aimed to estimate the proportion of breast cancers attributable to breast cancer risk factors commonly documented in clinical practice and used in breast cancer risk prediction models, including BI-RADS breast density and ultrasounds to confirm mammography readings", states Dr. Bard.  

Thanks to the digital (Web-shareable) platform of ultrasound, collaborating between multiple scanning locations allows all data to be collected and interpreted by Dr. Bard in his NYC clinical facility. "This allows us to have more scanning partners throughout the state and hopefully even across the country", says Joe Cappello, national patient advocate of AreYouDense.org.

The national expansion program of this screening pilot and remote-location training are supported by an expanding list of clinical and technological leaders in diagnostic imaging. "We are honored to join this research and educational crusade to save lives... where Ultrasound Imaging can perform such a vital role in uncovering so many cancer concerns more efficiently", states Alice Chiang, CEO or Terason Inc. The coordinated research team aspires to collect enough data from these demographic target groups (18+, low bmi and underserved women) to support the emphasis of dense breast concerns in our cancer detection community and the importance of supplemental scanning for all early detection facilities.

JOINING THE TEAM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE As an athlete and medical professional in the field of Physical Therapy, being able to keep as many athletes healthy across the lifespan as possible has always been a major passion of mine. For those women within the endurance athlete community who may have denser breasts could greatly benefit from a well-designed approach to more accurately detect and diagnose the presence of breast cancer. This is especially true for those who are younger than the age of 40 who may already have breast cancer related changes but have never received an appropriate mammogram as well as those over 40 who have received false negatives because of dense breast tissue concealing the breast tumor on mammogram. The use of ultrasound imaging in accordance with mammographic study conducted in our study with Dr. Bard and Dr Cutter, I believe, will be a great asset to the women of Long Island to better detect and help them receive early treatment should breast cancer be present. I am honored to be included in this study to not only help the women of Long Island and abroad within the endurance athlete community but also those in underserved communities to ensure they get to continue to do the things they love with those they love most.