UPMC moving forward with clinical trials for early stage breast cancer vaccine
A group of Pittsburgh researchers hopes an experimental vaccine now being tested will stop some forms of early-stage breast cancer in their tracks. Through an upcoming clinical trial, approximately 50 women will receive the new vaccine developed by UPMC and University of Pittsburgh researchers. UPMC plans to introduce the first...
Plastic surgeon charged in death of wife who went into cardiac arrest while he worked on her
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A plastic surgeon in the Florida Panhandle was charged with his wife’s death after she suffered a cardiac arrest and died days after he performed after-hours procedures on her in his clinic last year, authorities said. Benjamin Brown was arrested Monday on a charge of manslaughter by...
Proposed IUP medical school gets $20M pledge from foundation, support from Pa. legislators
A college of osteopathic medicine proposed by Indiana University of Pennsylvania has secured a $20 million commitment from its foundation, the largest gift toward the initiative to date. In announcing the commitment Monday, the Foundation for Indiana University of Pennsylvania said its board is unanimous in support for what would...
Maine shooting exposes gaps in mental health treatment and communication practices, official says
PORTLAND, Maine — An Army health expert told a panel investigating a mass shooting by a reservist who was experiencing a psychiatric breakdown that there are limitations in health care coverage for reservists compared to full-time soldiers. There are no Army hospitals in New England, and reservists generally don’t qualify...
U.S. Supreme Court rules to preserve access to abortion pill
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously preserved access to a medication that was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year, in the court’s first abortion decision since conservative justices overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. The nine justices ruled that abortion opponents lacked the...
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro popularity soar as weight loss wonders
Editor’s note: This story first posted on June 11, 2023. For Diane Lang, the big push to focus on her health and weight came from her grandchildren. “I was exhausted,” she said. “When they would visit, I would just try to keep up with them. I want to run with...
UPMC gives $300M boost to former Washington Health System in merger
UPMC plans to invest $300 million in Washington Health System over the next ten years as part of its merger, officials said Wednesday during an event to celebrate the affiliation. “I think it’s just gonna be … great because the UPMC name, in the medical field, is world renowned. We...
Senators blast health and law enforcement officials over illegal e-cigarettes used by teensVideo
WASHINGTON — Senators on Wednesday blasted top health and law enforcement officials for not doing more to combat the rise of illegal electronic cigarettes in the U.S., a multibillion-dollar business that has flourished amid haphazard enforcement. Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed frustration and exasperation while questioning...
Independence Health looks to fill 500 open positions at job fair
Independence Health System will hold a job fair on Thursday to address more than 500 openings at multiple locations across the health system. In the Westmoreland area, recruiters will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the center court in Westmoreland Mall, located at 5256 Route 30 in...
Alzheimer’s drug that can slow disease gets backing from FDA advisers
WASHINGTON — A closely watched Alzheimer’s drug from Eli Lilly won the backing of federal health advisers on Monday, setting the stage for the treatment’s expected approval for people with mild dementia caused by the brain-robbing disease. A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers voted unanimously that the drug’s...
Nurse practitioners say they’d ease rural health care shortage with more authority; doctors say it won’t work
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — Joyce Knestrick can independently give physical exams, diagnose health conditions, prescribe select medications, and make referrals as a nurse practitioner at a clinic...
Optimism is just what the doctor ordered. But what if I’m already too negative?
Prince Bhojwani never thought of himself as a negative person, until three trips to the hospital in one month forced him to reconsider. Before May 2018, he was a healthy but chronically worried start-up founder who regularly did 20-mile (32-kilometer) bike rides. When he suddenly became barely able to walk,...
Chill Room at Pleasant Hills Middle School gets update for 5th anniversary
Dan Como, principal of Pleasant Hills Middle School, was skeptical the first time the idea of Allegheny Health Network’s Chill project was presented to him. The school had tested numerous models of mental health assistance, but none seemed to affect the students’ lives. Despite the doubt, the school was the...
Man in Mexico died of a bird flu strain that hadn’t been confirmed before in a human, WHO says
WASHINGTON — A man’s death in Mexico was caused by a strain of bird flu called H5N2 that has never before been found in a human, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. The WHO said it wasn’t clear how the man became infected, although H5N2 has been reported in poultry...
Panel rejects psychedelic drug MDMA as a PTSD treatment in possible setback for advocates
WASHINGTON — Federal health advisers voted Tuesday against a first-of-a-kind proposal to begin using the mind-altering drug MDMA as a treatment for PTSD, handing a potentially major setback to psychedelic advocates who hope to win a landmark federal approval and bring the banned drugs into the medical mainstream. The panel...
U.S. health officials advise using antibiotic as a ‘morning-after pill’ against STDs
NEW YORK — Some people should consider taking an antibiotic as a morning-after pill to try to prevent certain sexually transmitted diseases, U.S. health officials recommended Tuesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finalized its endorsement of taking doxycycline after unprotected sex as a way to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea...
Service dogs helped ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans, researchers say
Specially trained service dogs helped ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans in a small study that the researchers hope will help expand options for service members. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides talk therapy and medications to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and runs a pilot program involving...
Understanding the importance of sunscreen in the Black community
Like many Black men and women, Jessica Pearson didn’t learn about sunscreen growing up. It wasn’t until adulthood, through her training to become an esthetician, that she became aware of the importance of sun protection. That lack of education is common in the Black community, and as summer approaches, knowledge...
Pittsburgh maternity experts skeptical of Florida law allowing out-of-hospital C-sections
Pittsburgh-area childbirth experts say they are skeptical of a new Florida law that would allow the creation of “advanced birth centers” in the state, where doctors could deliver babies vaginally or by C-section outside of a hospital. Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill in March, creating a new designation...
State reaches agreement on UPMC acquisition of Washington Hospital
UPMC has moved a step closer to buying Washington Hospital by reaching an agreement with the state Attorney General that is designed to ensure patients with health insurance other than the UPMC Health Plan will have the opportunity to have in-network benefits to the hospital’s services. The voluntary compliance agreement...
Pharmacists plead financial plight to state lawmakers at roundtable discussion
Independent pharmacists such as Robert Maher feel trapped, state lawmakers learned Thursday. A pharmacist knows the people in the community well, from grandparents to parents to kids, Maher said. They also know the pharmacy in today’s prescription payment system can’t take care of those people without going out of business....
Pittsburgh Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to close its doors; 140 residents affected
Some 140 residents will need to find alternate lodgings this August after a nursing home in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood shuts down for good. Pittsburgh Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located at 550 South Negley Ave., will close Aug. 12, according to an announcement sent out to residents and their families...
State representatives to discuss pharmacy benefit manager regulation at roundtable event
Western Pennsylvania state representatives will hold a roundtable discussion Thursday at Westmoreland County Community College to discuss proposed regulations on pharmacy benefit managers with regional pharmacy stakeholders. State Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Pittsburgh and Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, will host the discussion from 8 to 10 a.m. to talk about Benham’s bipartisan...
Traveler carries measles through LAX as cases rise around the U.S.
LOS ANGELES — A traveler carrying measles flew from Munich, Germany, through Los Angeles on the way to Fresno Yosemite International Airport this month, exposing thousands of California travelers to the highly infectious disease, health officials have confirmed. Officials from the L.A. County Department of Public Health confirmed the case...
UPMC reports $103M operating loss during 1st quarter
UPMC reported an operating loss of $103 million during the first three months of the year, up slightly from its $100 million operating loss during the same period a year ago. The Pittsburgh-based health giant’s first-quarter losses came on revenues of more than $7.1 billion, according to a financial disclosure...
