Dear Readers,
As I sit at my desk to write this quarter’s “From the Publisher” message, we’re all still waiting for the rain to stop and the sun to shine! Well, it’s technically still spring – and I hate to complain.
Summer is a time to get outdoors and enjoy all those activities that we miss during the winter months. It’s great to just get outside and take a walk. As you enjoy the weather, watch out for ticks! Check out the interesting article about Lyme disease. And, as you participate in summer activities, try to focus your mind on being more aware of your experience. Read the piece by my friend, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, about mindfulness – being present in the moment. It’s just as important to have a healthy mind as a healthy body.
Improving one’s health begins with information, and I’m very excited about the fantastic variety of valuable information in this issue of Wellness. Yes, with internet technology what it is today, we can type a health concern into a search bar and a thousand results will pop up relating to our inquiry. To produce this magazine, we reach out to many Greater Flint health care professionals who share their expertise, giving us a great local spin that has been very well-received. We’ve also heard that the magazine’s inviting format makes it a very engaging resource – I hope you agree.
This month, we’re focusing on diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the population, have diabetes. Our staff writer, Pete Hinterman, wrote an article about the science behind this disease and my friend, Dr. Mike Kia, offers another very informative article, this time examining the use of bariatric surgery to resolve diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in our country – give these articles a look, or maybe share them with someone who needs this information.
In addition to many other health topics, this issue features articles about great programs at Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Flint, Mott Children’s Health Center and Ascension Genesys Hospital. And, I was back in the O.R. with local surgeons to observe two procedures. I love it! Rounding out the content is coverage of several local events that raised funds for various local health initiatives – good people doing good things.
Voting begins on August 1 for the My City Wellness Awards – visit mycitymag.com/wellness-awards.
Enjoy this issue and be well!
