James Nitzkorski, MD

Predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer using 18FDG-PET/CT. 
Ann Surg Oncol March 2012

 "Pet/ct may be helpful as a restaging study after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer to better predict those who will have a complete pathological response and may help select patients appropriate for sphincter preservation. "  -Dr. Nitzkorski

Stuart Feinstein, MD

According to Dr. Feinstein, this is "a wry perspective on modern hospital medicine".

Rohit Shahani, MD

"Very interesting article regarding “Proof of Principle” that fecal bacteriotherapy will one day become standard of care for virulent/resistant/recurrent C-difficile infections.  We still have a long way to go, but this principle sure does show promise." 
-- Dr. Shahani

Richard Goldmann, MD

 Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet

Among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events." 

Study was suspended and results published after only 4.5 years due to phenomenal results.  We all need to read this article.  --Dr. Goldmann

Marc Habert, MD

Preventing Gun Deaths in Children

As to why this is important to read?  "Title says it all" -- Dr. Habert

Dimitri Alden, MD

"Direct Percutaneous Transhepatic Portomesenteric Venous Stenting in Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer" THVS is a useful tool for increasing tumor resectability.  This article is authored by three of our physicians - Dr. Alden, Dr. Friedland, and Dr. Amatulle.  Full text article available upon request: vbmclibrary@health-quest.org

Michael Freedman, MD

"Leading Clinicians and Clinicians Leading" NEJM April 18, 2013

"This article is the best challenge of what we as caregivers need to do today and in the future. As a 30-year veteran and over a year as a physician advisor, the call for leadership by the group and not the individual is never more important" --Dr. Freedman

Daniel O'Dea, MD

Dirty Medicine - The epic inside story of long-term criminal fraud at Ranbaxy, the Indian drug company that makes generic Lipitor for millions of Americans.

"As Physicians we rely on the other members of the health care team, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, to do their jobs competently. When someone violates that trust, and puts our patients at risk,  we have an obligation to raise our voices in protest, especially when our government fails to." --Dr. O'Dea

Robert Stern, MD

"The Stranger Who Changed My Life: The Taxi Driver and the Doctor"   - Live link

"This was just published in Readers Digest." --R. Stern MD

Kenneth Pollock, PhD

The Timing Hypothesis and Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Paradigm Shift in the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Women. Part 1: Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy   Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, June 2013

"This article summarizes all of the key peer reviewed evidence on the efficacy and safety of hormone replacement  therapy in peri and post menopausal women, its importance for cardiovascular health and how there is no demonstrated danger for breast cancer.  It contradicts the findings of the WHI. Dr. Hodis is Director of the Artherosclerosis Research Unit at the Keck School of Medicine, USC."  --Dr. Pollock

"Transfusion Strategies for Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding" NEJM January 3, 2013; 368(1):11

"I think the article is important because: It makes an evidence-based case for a change in doctors’ time-honored, intuitive transfusion practices." --Dr. Khawaja

Brandon Ballister, RPA-C 

"Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock" NEJM August 29, 2013; 369:840-851

"I believe this article is important because: It is pertinent in aiding practitioners to fully recognize and adequately treat sepsis/septic shock. Which, can ultimately reduce the risk of imminent death associated with sepsis." Brandon Ballister

Michael L. Schajer, PA-C 

   Book: Bouncebacks. Emergency department cases: ED returns.  "This is a great book that details 30 cases in which patients returned back to the ED after discharge. In many of these cases patients were seen and discharged on multiple occasions for the same complaint. On the final return in each case the patient suffers either severe morbidity or mortality due to failure for a proper diagnosis. 
I find it very important to review these cases, and see why others did not pick up on the symptoms or parts of history that ultimately led to the patients poor outcome. In looking at what others overlooked it helps to make sure I do not overlook simpler aspects of history and physical that can lead to poor outcomes for my patients."

Rada Klein, MD

CMX001 to Prevent Cytomegalovirus Disease in Hematopoietic- Cell Transplantation.  Marty FM et al., N Engl J Med 2013 Sep 26; 369:1227-1236

The use of available antiviral agents for the prevention of CMV disease is limited by toxicity and resistance.

This novel agent was effective in preventing CMV disease in hematopoietic-cell transplant recipients, with no evidence of myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity.  Hopefully, phase 3 trials will confirm safe and effective prophylactic use of CMX001.

   

Dr. E. Gundeck & Dr. R. Shahani

2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines

This article which is still in the online version has gathered a lot of press and opinion over the last 48 hours. It radically changes the treatment objective of Statin therapy by asking the physician/ healthcare provider to ignore an absolute number to achieve as the target goal of LDL Cholesterol value and rather use new and controversial risk assessment modules to base decisions.

Dr. Shahani: "I think it is a very important article because if the guidelines are to be followed," A third of all adult Americans should consider taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, according to the first such new guidelines in a decade. It is estimated that 33 million Americans - 44% of men and 22% of women - would meet the threshold for taking statins, under the advice issued by two leading US medical organizations (ACC and AHA). The drugs are currently recommended for 15% of adults. "The astute physician and reader should consider the likelihood of specific risks and benefits (of the drugs) on a patient-by-patient basis."

 
Dr. M. Dunne

 
Dr. J. Weinstein

How Doctors Die

Dr. Dunne: "A compelling article from today's New York Times"

Dr. Weinstein: "Palliative care and end of life care discussions is such an important issue both in the hospital and in the community."