Latest news with #CityMD
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Trump's surgeon general pick Casey Means credited psychedelic mushrooms with helping her find love
President Trump's latest nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, recently claimed she used psychedelic mushrooms to help her find love — and suggested the drugs can be used by some as a form of therapy. Means — a former political lobbyist-turned-wellness influencer — indicated in a newsletter she published this past October that her use of mushrooms, which she tried for the first time in 2021, helped her make 'space to find love at 35.' She noted, too, that she 'did plant medicine experiences with trusted guides' to become ready for partnership — punctuating the line with a mushroom emoji. Advertisement The 37-year-old, however, acknowledged that her experience did not necessarily mean that others should do the same. Dr Casey Means (left) — a former political lobbyist-turned-wellness influence — indicated in a newsletter she published last October that her use of mushrooms, which she tried for the first time in 2021, helped her make 'space to find love at 35.' AP Means also wrote in the 2024 book, 'Good Energy' — co-authored with her brother Calley — that people should consider 'psilocybin-assisted therapy' to manage stress and trauma. Advertisement 'If you feel called, I also encourage you to explore intentional, guided psilocybin therapy,' she wrote. 'Strong scientific evidence suggests that this psychedelic therapy can be one of the most meaningful experiences of life for some people, as they have been for me.' Means, who refers to psychedelics in her book as 'plant medicine,' said she first took mushrooms after being inspired by 'an internal voice that whispered: it's time to prepare.' 'I felt myself as part of an infinite and unbroken series of cosmic nesting dolls of millions of mothers and babies before me from the beginning of life,' she wrote, adding that 'psilocybin can be a doorway to a different reality that is free from the limiting beliefs of my ego, feelings, and personal history.' Calley Means works as a special government employee in the Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Psilocybin — a psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms — is currently listed as a Schedule 1 drug, with federal regulators classing it as having 'no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.' However, Oregon and Colorado have both legalized psychedelic therapy. Means, who received her undergraduate and medical degrees from Stanford University, began a medical residency in Oregon but did not complete it. Her medical license is listed as inactive. Advertisement Trump revealed Means as his new pick for surgeon general earlier last week after yanking the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, the medical director CityMD. 'I am pleased to announce that Dr. Casey Means, will be nominated as our next Surgeon General of the United States of America,' Trump posted on Truth Social at the time. 'Casey has impeccable '[Make America Healthy Again]' credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans.' Means' confirmation hearing hasn't yet been scheduled. With Post wires
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors warn these seemingly small health symptoms should not be ignored
Have you ever had a weird ache that had you umming and ahhing about whether to book a doctor's appointment? Or wondered if you need to get this probably minor thing checked out? Our modern lives of overworking, poor sleep routines and general life stress all exacerbate a wide variety of symptoms. However, there are some things that, though seemingly small, may require a second opinion. The Independent spoke to Dr Lori Solomon, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at New York Medical College, and Dr Estelle Williams, medical director for CityMD for the southern New Jersey region to get their thoughts on which symptoms should really not be ignored. Waking up in the middle of the night needing to pee is totally normal, Solomon tells The Independent. But if that's something you're doing two or three times per night – every night – that might be indicative of a more serious problem. Over-frequent urination can be a symptom of diabetes. 'When your sugar is high, one of the ways the body tries to get rid of the sugar, is to get rid of it through the urine,' Soloman says. 'During the day, you just go to the bathroom more often, but at nighttime, you often have to wake up.' Williams agrees, adding that other worrying signs can be feeling more thirsty and a significant increase in appetite. 'Those are the types of things I think need to be checked sooner rather than later,' she says. Any pain that wakes you up during the night could be a problem. While pulled muscles, physical injuries, or other discomforts may hinder someone getting to sleep – they shouldn't be disturbing you once you're asleep, Solomon says. 'If you're waking up in the middle of the night with a headache, you've got a problem… because usually we don't wake up with headaches in the middle of the night,' she says. 'If that's waking you up at night – I'm a little bit more worried about that.' Headaches are 'super common,' and shouldn't necessarily be considered worrisome, Solomon says. However, if a headache is accompanied by other things such as vision changes, nausea tingling in the extremities, weakness – those may be a sign that something neurological is going on. Williams cautions those who jump to label sudden, severe headaches as migraines. 'A migraine is actually a very specific diagnosis and headache pattern, requiring neurologic evaluation,' she says. 'It's good that you get evaluated if you're having a headache that's unusual for you, if it's very intense.' Such high-intensity episodes, coming on quickly and out of nowhere, can be what is known as 'thunderclap headaches' should definitely necessitate a trip to the emergency room, says Solomon. Another symptom that crops up fairly frequently that shouldn't be ignored is sudden shortness of breath – especially if it's not something you've experienced before, says Williams. 'If you're like, 'that's weird. I was just doing my regular activities and I became very winded and short of breath,' get that checked,' she says. 'I would also say, if you take a deep breath and you develop pain in your chest or your back that you've never had before, that can sometimes be a soft sign for a blood clot in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism, that we certainly want to see for sooner rather than later. Fatigue too – while common in many people due to hectic work schedules or other lifestyle commitments – should not be significantly interfering with things you would do day-to-day such as exercising, Solomon adds. In very severe cases, fatigue can be symptomatic of heart disease, sleep apnea, and even some cancers. There is one less obvious and very typical symptom of heart disease. 'It's very common for people who are having a heart attack to think they're having indigestion,' Solomon says. 'If you're taking a walk and all of a sudden you feel like, 'Oh, I've got some indigestion', and then it gets better when you stop walking, that's your heart.' A combination of fatigue and indigestion, unconnected to a big meal, is something that people should see the doctor about, she says. It could be due to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Williams says that bouts of indigestion-like symptoms – pressure or tightness – that last for 15 minutes or 20 minutes can be telling, especially for those who do not typically suffer from indigestion or heartburn. 'Sometimes people think 'Oh, I just ate something weird, and I must have a bubble of gas in my chest,' she says. 'That sensation of indigestion is something that can be an indicator of heart disease… It can be a masker of something more serious.' Monitor your bowels, says Williams, because being constipated or having diarrhea is something that's different is worth getting checked out. And while it may seem obvious, seeing blood in either your poop or pee is definitely something to see a doctor about. 'If you're having a change of bowel habits – if you see black stool or a lot of blood when you're using the restroom, I feel like that's perhaps not a subtle sign,' William says. 'That's something a little more concerning that means you should come in.' People often associate blood in the stool as a hemorrhoid, but should not be ignored as it can be a common presentation for colon cancer, according to Solomon. 'In general you generally don't want to see blood in the urine either,' she says. 'But that's usually kidney stones or urinary tract infections.' Solomon also warns people to pay attention when things just don't clear up on their own. 'If there's a cough lasting more than four weeks, you generally want to see somebody about that,' Solomon says. 'There's lots of reasons you can have a cough, but generally, if you have a cough after a cold, it generally goes away in a few weeks. So if it lasts longer than a month, we generally want to know about that.' Williams agrees, adding that things that have been happening for months that may seem innocuous may still be worth investigating. Losing weight unintentionally is definitely something worth mentioning to your primary care doctor. Above all, Solomon recommends that to avoid anything too concerning, take regular visits to your primary care physician, who is better qualified to notice any changes, concerning or otherwise. She encourages people to be over, rather than under-cautious. 'Sometimes people feel silly about coming in with all these different symptoms, but I don't think we could expect that people are going to know everything that doctors know,' she says. 'I'd rather say it's nothing and reassure them than miss something that could be really serious if we didn't catch it in time.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump's surgeon general pick promotes misleading claims about her education, new investigation shows
Questions are swirling about the background of President's Donald Trump's pick for Surgeon General and whether she has presented misleading claims about where she was educated. Dr Jannette Nesheiwat has been described by the president as 'a double board-certified medical doctor,' and a 'proud graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.' Prior to her nomination as Surgeon General she has been employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities and also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows. However, according to CBS News, Nesheiwat only completed her residency through the university's family medicine program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and did not obtain her medical degree there. She actually earned her degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean, records reviewed by the outlet have shown. AUC also confirmed to CBS that Nesheiwat was enrolled there for six years, from 2000 to 2006. Typically the program includes four years of study, but Nesheiwat was there for six. Such lengthier study periods have, in recent years, fueled stigma against medical schools in the Caribbean, which have been perceived by some as a last resort for those unable to get into medical school in the U.S. Nesheiwat's LinkedIn profile lists 'Doctor of Medicine' from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine among her education. It does not mention the Caribbean school. In a 2018 social media post, Nesheiwat stated that she had completed her 'medical training and residency' at Arkansas as well as serving as Chief Resident. She also mentioned training at 'the American University,' though does not specify which school she is referring to, as well as having completing' the majority of my studies' in London, England, at St. Thomas & Guy's Hospital. The American University of the Caribbean has a partnership with St. Thomas & Guy Hospital. The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment and clarification on Nesheiwat's schooling and credentials. In addition to her media appearances, Nesheiwat has authored a book on the 'transformative power of prayer' in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she became a public figure on television as well as working on the frontlines in New York, helping patients in the aftermath of Trump's 'Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives,' per the president's office. Nesheiwat's childhood was also beset with tragedy after she was involved in an incident that killed her father. She was 13 years-old when she accidentally knocked a loaded gun over, which fired and fatally shot her father in the head. The incident occurred in February 1990 at her family's home in Umatilla, Florida, according to a report by the New York Times. Nesheiwat is also the sister-in-law of Michael Waltz, who serves as Trump's national security adviser and was responsible for accidentally adding a journalist to a private Signal group chat, in which classified war plans were shared.
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Trump's surgeon general pick promotes misleading claims about her education, new investigation shows
Questions are swirling about the background of President's Donald Trump 's pick for Surgeon General and whether she has presented misleading claims about where she was educated. Dr Jannette Nesheiwat has been described by the president as 'a double board-certified medical doctor,' and a 'proud graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.' Prior to her nomination as Surgeon General she has been employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities and also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows. However, according to CBS News, Nesheiwat only completed her residency through the university's family medicine program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and did not obtain her medical degree there. She actually earned her degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean, records reviewed by the outlet have shown. AUC also confirmed to CBS that Nesheiwat was enrolled there for six years, from 2000 to 2006. Typically the program includes four years of study, but Nesheiwat was there for six. Such lengthier study periods have, in recent years, fueled stigma against medical schools in the Caribbean, which have been perceived by some as a last resort for those unable to get into medical school in the U.S. Nesheiwat's LinkedIn profile lists 'Doctor of Medicine' from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine among her education. It does not mention the Caribbean school. In a 2018 social media post, Nesheiwat stated that she had completed her 'medical training and residency' at Arkansas as well as serving as Chief Resident. She also mentioned training at 'the American University,' though does not specify which school she is referring to, as well as having completing' the majority of my studies' in London, England, at St. Thomas & Guy's Hospital. The American University of the Caribbean has a partnership with St. Thomas & Guy Hospital. The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment and clarification on Nesheiwat's schooling and credentials. In addition to her media appearances, Nesheiwat has authored a book on the 'transformative power of prayer' in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she became a public figure on television as well as working on the frontlines in New York, helping patients in the aftermath of Trump's 'Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives,' per the president's office. Nesheiwat's childhood was also beset with tragedy after she was involved in an incident that killed her father. She was 13 years-old when she accidentally knocked a loaded gun over, which fired and fatally shot her father in the head. The incident occurred in February 1990 at her family's home in Umatilla, Florida, according to a report by the New York Times. Nesheiwat is also the sister-in-law of Michael Waltz, who serves as Trump's national security adviser and was responsible for accidentally adding a journalist to a private Signal group chat, in which classified war plans were shared.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ebola ruled out in NYC urgent care hazmat scare — may be norovirus instead
A suspected Ebola exposure at a Manhattan urgent-care facility had two patients rushed to the hospital by emergency workers in hazmat suits Sunday – but the disease was ruled out. The patients were transported from a City MD on East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue by first responders wearing hazmat suits, law enforcement sources said but officials later said it was likely norovirus and not Ebola. Officials feared Ebola infections because the patients may have had contact with an individual or individuals who traveled from Uganda and had symptoms consistent with the disease but no tests had confirmed its presence, the sources added. Early emergency notifications were that the patients may have traveled directly, the sources said. An investigation determined the illness had spread quickly between family members, which meant it may be more likely to be norovirus, according to the sources. 'Neither patient had exposure to Ebola or other factors that would indicate risk,' Interim Commissioner of Health at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Dr. Michelle Morse wrote on X. One of the patients was taken to Bellevue Hospital for routine testing and treatment, Morse added. The NYC Health Department is in close communication with the FDNY, CityMD and NYC Health + Hospitals, Morse said. The City MD was open and conducting business as usual Sunday afternoon. Ebola, which is spread through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials, manifests as a deadly hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and at times internal and external bleeding and are similar to those of norovirus, though the sickness is not deadly.
