Latest news with #pediatrician
NHK
3 days ago
- General
- NHK
Chasing Hope in Africa
Pediatrician Kumon Kazuko runs a facility in Africa supporting the minds and bodies of children with special needs. This is the story of a Japanese doctor who has been a symbol of hope for 23 years.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
A pediatrician helped expose Flint's water crisis. Now she's fighting poverty one baby at a time.
Flint, Michigan — At a parade last year in Flint, Michigan, every family and their babies celebrated a gift from the same woman — pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna. "How can you say no to these babies? Like how can you say no?" Hanna told CBS News. Rx kids, a program she created to give cash to pregnant moms, is an American first. "I wanted something that literally would be able to prescribe away the pathogen of poverty," Hanna said. "I wanted something that I could pull out of my doctor's bag, pull out of my white coat that literally would be able to prescribe away the pathogen of poverty. Poverty makes kids sick. So I wanted to prevent it." She's raised more than $100 million, 80% of which is from private donors. Now, every expectant mother in Flint, regardless of income, can get $1,500 during her pregnancy. Once the baby is born, it's $500 a month for up to a year — no strings attached. "So what we are hearing from our families is that this amount of money is a lifesaver, a game changer for our families," Hanna said. "They can afford to pay their rent. They can buy diapers for their baby. They can buy formula. They don't have to choose between being homeless or having a roof over their heads." When asked how to know if the money is being spent on the right things, Hanna said, "This is based on global evidence. Our multiple surveys, we know that they're spending this money No. 1 on baby supplies, and then on food, rent utilities, transportation, childcare." "We are telling families, 'We see you, we hear you, and we trust you,'" she added. Hanna knows child poverty runs in Flint's bloodstream. In 2015, she brought national attention to the city's corroding water pipes and linked them to children with lead poisoning. Now she's tackling poverty. In four areas of Michigan, any expectant mother can apply. But in Flint, the program reports 60% of enrolled families have an annual household income of less than $10,000. When Angela Sintery was pregnant with her daughter Jolena, she remembers filling out a five-minute questionnaire. "Two weeks later, I had money in my bank account," Sintery said, adding that the money allowed her not to stress out and focus on her baby instead. Michigan State Sen. John Damoose is a conservative Republican from a red district. He's no fan of handouts, but pushed hard to get Rx Kids in his district. "It's extremely efficient. There's no government bureaucracy whatsoever. This is actually a great program that meets people right where they need it," Damoose said. Since early last year, Rx Kids has spread roughly $10 million to more than 2,200 families. "This is a plug-and-play program. It is already built with dollars at the table. We are ready to go live in communities across the nation," Hanna said.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Here's why Trump's plan is unlikely to fix America's dystopian prescription drug problem
Most of us Americans have first-hand experience with the broken state of the U.S. prescription drugs market. In March, our son said his ADHD medication wasn't working anymore. We set up an appointment with his pediatrician–which is when the Kafka-esque insurance wrangling began. The doctor prescribed a medication listed on our insurer's published formulary (the list of prescription drugs, whether brand name or generic, covered by its policies). The insurer denied the prescription, then denied the prior authorization our pediatrician submitted. Then we learned the published formulary was incorrect. We got a copy of the correct formulary and tried again. We had to call around to find a pharmacy that had the new drug in the generic form (since the name brand isn't covered), only to have the prescription denied again. Rx Frustration Redux The insurer told our doctor that a prior authorization was required, even though this medication is on the preferred formulary, so the pediatrician dutifully submitted that paperwork. Several days later, this prior authorization was also denied. The pediatrician's nurse practitioner called the insurer, 'threw a bit of a fit,' and got the insurance company to follow its own rules.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
'Gracefully Empowering Mamas': A Bold New Movement by Dr Tessa Visser to Help Women Thrive on Their Terms
Dr. Tessa Visser launches Gracefully Empowering Mamas, a coaching practice to guide ambitious women from burnout to aligned living. United States, May 27, 2025 -- From Medicine to Mastery: The Journey of a Reclaimed Life After building a highly respected career as a board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Tessa Visser found herself exhausted, disconnected, and yearning for more time with her growing family. What followed wasn't a break—it was a breakthrough. Her personal transformation sparked the founding of Gracefully Empowering Mamas, a coaching practice that now serves high-achieving women who face similar internal crossroads. By stepping away from the structured rigor of clinical medicine and into the expansive world of life coaching, Dr. Visser began not just healing herself, but guiding others to reclaim their lives too. 'I didn't want to help women just cope with their lives,' she shares. 'I wanted to help them create ones they actually love.' Where Science Meets Soul: A Coaching Framework Rooted in Experience Dr. Visser's work is distinct. It doesn't rely on generalized advice or wellness trends—it fuses her medical background with transformational coaching and spiritual development. This holistic approach addresses not just productivity, but purpose. Not just outer success, but inner alignment. With one-on-one coaching that incorporates mindset recalibration, vision mapping, and energy management, her practice becomes a sanctuary for women seeking meaningful change. Speaking the Unspoken: A Safe Space for Ambition and Vulnerability A hallmark of Dr. Visser's coaching style is her radical honesty and deep empathy. Having experienced both the demands of elite medical training and the emotional terrain of motherhood, she creates space for what's often left unsaid: burnout masked as achievement, guilt hidden behind ambition, and identity crises disguised as success. Her clients often find themselves nodding in recognition as she gives language to the experiences they've internalized. This recognition alone is powerful—and a catalyst for growth. As Dr. Visser explains, 'When women feel seen, they begin to see themselves differently. And that's when change becomes possible.' Redefining Success: No More Hustle, Just Alignment At the core of Gracefully Empowering Mamas is a bold idea: that success should feel good. Rather than chasing arbitrary goals or hustling through burnout, Dr. Visser helps clients reconnect with what matters most to them. Using tailored exercises that explore core values, personal vision, and energy flow, she equips women with practical tools to design lives of purpose and peace. The goal isn't more productivity. It's better alignment. In her words, 'You don't need to do more to be more. You just need to remember who you are—and build from there.' Coaching That Resonates: A Message That Speaks to the Heart What makes Dr. Visser's approach so magnetic is that it doesn't promise instant transformation. Instead, it offers a journey—one grounded in both data and intuition, held with grace, and guided with care. Her clients aren't just seeking change. They're seeking clarity. And in the reflective coaching space she offers, they find it. They begin to design businesses and lives that not only reflect their ambitions but honor their humanity. The Story Is the Strategy Dr. Visser's own path is the blueprint she now offers others. It's proof that reinvention is not only possible—it's powerful. Her story inspires clients not by its perfection, but by its authenticity. She lived the pressure. She chose differently. Now she invites others to do the same. This isn't a movement about doing more—it's about becoming more. More present. More fulfilled. More aligned. About Gracefully Empowering Mamas Founded by Dr. Tessa Visser, MD, Gracefully Empowering Mamas is a life coaching practice designed for high-achieving women who are ready to shift from burnout to balance. Integrating clinical knowledge, transformational coaching, and spiritual tools, the practice supports women in reclaiming joy, redefining success, and creating a life and business they love. Dr. Visser also continues part-time work as a pediatrician while running her bespoke coaching services. Media Contact Dr. Tessa Visser Founder, Gracefully Empowering Mamas Email: [email protected] Business Phone: 785-530-9467 Website: Contact Info: Name: Dr. Tessa Visser Email: Send Email Organization: Gracefully Empowering Mamas Website: Release ID: 89161002 If there are any errors, inconsistencies, or queries arising from the content contained within this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our reliable team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours, taking proactive measures to rectify any identified issues or providing guidance on the removal process. Ensuring accurate and dependable information is our top priority.
Al Jazeera
25-05-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
Gaza doctor Alaa al-Najjar loses nine of her 10 children in Israeli attack
NewsFeed Gaza doctor Alaa al-Najjar loses nine of her 10 children in Israeli attack An Israeli air strike on the home of pediatrician Dr Alaa al-Najjar killed nine of her 10 children in Khan Younis, while she was at work in Gaza's Nasser Hospital. Her husband and only surviving child are in critical condition.
