Who is Kevin O'Connor? Biden's White House doctor faces scrutiny over health reports after Joe's cancer diagnosis
Dr. Kevin O'Connor is an American physician and retired US Army colonel who served as the physician to the president under both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. He graduated from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine at The Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, New Jersey, where he was chief resident in 1995.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From ABCs to mindfulness: Why are US schools suddenly teaching kids to meditate?
Third graders at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School in Georgia had only an hour before lunch and just a few days left until summer break. Yet, there was no chaos, no complaints. The students lined up, closed their eyes, and traced their thumbs from forehead to heart as a pre-recorded voice led them through a meditation called the 'shark fin'—part of their daily mindfulness routine, according to the Associated Press. 'Listen to the chimes,' teacher Kim Franklin said. 'Remember to breathe.' For these children, this isn't just another class. It's the part of the day they actually look forward to. And across the US, classrooms are quietly embracing a new subject: Mindfulness. From curiosity to the mainstream Mindfulness has traveled a long road in the last two decades. Once a fringe, new-age idea, it has now become a practical tool in American life, helping people manage stress and stay grounded. Researchers estimate that over 1 million children in the US — mostly in elementary schools — have experienced mindfulness in the classroom, usually guided by teachers or school counselors, according to The Conversation. The pandemic made the need urgent. After months of isolation, children returned to schools carrying anxiety, sadness, and stress. In 2023, the CDC reported that over a third of students struggled with persistent sadness or hopelessness, and recommended that schools use mindfulness practices to help children manage their emotions. Why mindfulness matters for kids At Smith Elementary, the mindfulness program is supported by Clayton County Public Schools and GreenLight Fund Atlanta, which focuses on making these programs accessible to communities of color. The Inner Explorer platform guides students and teachers through short five- to ten-minute sessions of breathing, meditation, and reflection, several times a day. Today, the program is in over 100 districts nationwide, including Atlanta Public Schools, as reported by the Associated Press. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told the AP, 'We know that our teenagers and adolescents have really strained in their mental health. There are real skills that we can give our teens to make sure that they are coping with some big emotions.' Students themselves feel the impact. Nine-year-old Aniyah Woods said the program helps her 'calm down' and 'not stress anymore,' while Malachi Smith added, 'You can relax yourself with the shark fin, and when I calm myself down, I realize I am an excellent scholar,' according to the Associated Press. Mindfulness in schools : What it really means Mindfulness is not just about breathing. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness expert, defines it as 'paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, nonjudgmentally, in the present moment.' It's a way of being — a child's approach to every moment, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Yet, not all programs are the same. Some focus on movement or yoga, others on interpersonal skills like kindness, and still others on self-awareness or understanding the brain. Lessons range from as few as five to as many as 44 sessions, stretching over weeks or a full school year, according to The Conversation. Research shows mindfulness can improve focus, emotional regulation, and mental health, but results aren't always consistent. A 2022 study found no significant changes in students who received mindfulness instruction, though some experts argued the curriculum may have been too advanced for middle school children, as reported by The Conversation. A lifeline for students of color Mindfulness is also a response to gaps in mental health support. Black children face the fastest-growing suicide rates among racial groups. Between 2007 and 2020, suicide among Black youth ages 10 to 17 increased by 144 percent, according to CDC statistics. Tolana Griggs, assistant principal at Smith Elementary, said, 'With our diverse school community and wanting to be more aware of our students, how different cultures feel and how different cultures react to things, it's important to be all-inclusive with everything we do,' as reported by the Associated Press. In many schools serving mostly students of color, access to psychologists and counselors is limited. Programs like Inner Explorer offer an accessible way to provide tools for mental health support and emotional regulation. The classroom of today, and tomorrow Mindfulness is slowly becoming as fundamental as reading, writing, and math. Short meditations, mindful movement, and reflection exercises help students calm down, focus better, and regulate emotions. Students are learning more than ABCs, they're learning how to breathe, reflect, and be present. And in a generation navigating post-pandemic stress, social media pressures, and academic demands, those skills might be just as essential as any lesson in a textbook. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Radioactive shrimps found? FDA warns against consuming certain frozen shrips; cites potential Cesium-137 contamination
FDA warns against consuming certain frozen shrips; cites potential Cesium-137 contamination (Representative image) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday warned consumers not to eat certain frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart after tests revealed possible contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. Federal officials said three lots of Great Value brand frozen shrimp were pulled from Walmart stores after the isotope was detected in shipping containers and a sample of breaded shrimp imported from Indonesia. 'If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away,' FDA officials said in a statement. Walmart has recalled frozen, raw shrimp sold in 13 states following the warning, the Associated Press reported. What is Cesium-137, why is it harmful? Cesium-137, also known as Cs-137, is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear weapons testing, reactor operations and nuclear accidents. It is the most common radioactive isotope of cesium, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cs-137 is also used in medical devices, gauges, and radiation therapy to treat cancer, while in some cases, it emerges as a waste product of nuclear reactors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo According to the agency, exposure to low levels of Cesium-137 over time could pose a 'potential health concern.' Trace amounts of the isotope are found globally in soil, air and food. While the levels detected in the shrimp were far below FDA intervention thresholds, officials said avoiding potentially contaminated products could help reduce unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Critical care centre project at Madikeri dist hosp resumes after delay
Madikeri: The delayed project of establishing a critical care centre at Madikeri District Hospital has picked up pace. The Rs 29.6 crore project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will extend emergency medical care services to the residents. In 2022-23, a critical care centre project was sanctioned for the district hospital in Madikeri. The centre was to be built on 45 cents within the hospital premises, with the project promising completion by this year. However, the project encountered a hurdle from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). According to archaeological guidelines, no construction work is permitted within 300 metres of protected monuments, and in this case, Madikeri Fort is located within 250 metres of the construction site. Consequently, the construction work was stopped abruptly due to this violation. Nevertheless, a non-objection certificate (NOC) has now been obtained from Delhi, and work has resumed. The critical care centre will have improved facilities to address emergency medical services. Alongside a 50-bed capacity building, the centre will have 10 ICU beds, six advanced intensive care units, 25 isolation beds, two dialysis units, two operation theatres, and a laboratory. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Due to technical issues, the project of the critical care centre was stopped abruptly. Nevertheless, the work has resumed now. A proposal to the state for Rs 6.5 crore funds has been forwarded for the purchase of equipment for the centre," confirmed Dr Lokesh, dean of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS). 100 vacancies at centre While the district hospital is being equipped with modern amenities, the acute staff shortage, with over 100 vacancies at the centre, is still hindering proper medical care for the citizens. However, Dr Lokesh confirmed that 19 doctors have been appointed on a temporary basis to address the shortage. "Priority will be given to attend to emergencies immediately. Further, the critical care centre will have ultrasound, ECO, dialysis, and other services readily available to the patients," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
