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This year has been a challenge, to say the least. Issues with working situations, worries about health, and trouble staying in touch with loved ones are just a few of the ways that 2020 has made life more difficult. While this time of year is typically marked with joy and excitement, as well as some stress, this year there are added tensions related to remaining safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanksgiving will be different this year, but a safe and happy celebration is still possible. Remember to mask up to help protect you, your loved ones, and others from COVID-19. Read below to learn more on how to safely celebrate this year. 

Nutrition tips from Dr. Caroline Cohen

• In anticipation of a holiday feast, eat normal, balanced meals. Often people are tempted to skip meals or eat very small meals to "save room" for the holiday meal, which can set you up for overeating later.
• Prioritize vegetables. Eat your vegetables first in a holiday meal, to fill up on fiber and valuable nutrients.
• Be mindful of liquid calories. Beverages served at holiday events, such as juice and alcohol, can contribute large amounts of calories without making you feel full; limit intake to no more than two drinks at a sitting.
• Relax. One more meal is not enough to derail your health goals, so savor and enjoy your favorite holiday food in moderation.

COVID-19 best practices from Dr. Ian McKeag

• Weekly medication container; can help ensure you don't forget your medications, and decrease space needed for individual pill bottles.
• Outdoor gatherings can help prevent the risk of COVID.
• Get your flu shot. Just because COVID is around doesn't mean that other viruses have gone anywhere.
• Wash your hands and wear your mask. This is going to be a rough holiday season for us all, but especially for nearly 1/4 million families who have lost loved ones. Some extra precautions this season will help protect the ones you love, and honor those who have lose their lives this year.

Mental wellness tips from Dr. Kaylee Crockett

• Not gathering with others this year because of COVID? Think of fun ways to connect and maintain a sense of community, such as a virtual pie judging contest among family and friends. Creative prizes are also encouraged. 
• If you find yourself dreading judgemental comments from family members, think of your assertive, yet tactful, responses ahead of time. Consider practicing in the mirror so that you have some insight on how you might come across. 
• Holidays can be a difficult time for grieving lost loved ones. Make some 'space' at the table to share memories and tell stories about those you are missing. 
• Physical activity is an effective way to boost mood and manage stress and anxiety. Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity in a week. That's five 30-minute walks, 20 minutes of yoga or dance each day, or any combination of your favorite physical activities. 

In a recent episode of UAB MedCast, Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., director of leadership and professional development, discussed the benefits of practicing mindfulness and incorporating the practice into one's daily routine.

In a recent episode of UAB MedCast, Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., director of leadership and professional development, sat down to discuss "The Four Cs: A Guide to Mental and Emotional Well-Being."

Wiederman explores how humans can continue to flourish, assuming their material needs are met. Listen in as he shares the four core needs of emotional wellness: contribution/calling, competence/capability, control/choice, and connection/community.

Wiederman served as a clinical psychology professor for 19 years before transitioning to his current role in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. His interests include applying psychology for the betterment of peoples' health and well-being, facilitating the growth of emotional intelligence, and working with leaders to maximize their potential.

Irfan M. Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, has recently accepted a two-year appointment on the Board of Directors as chair of the Research Development Committee for the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM). The ADFM is the premier organization shaping the landscape of family medicine.

The Department of Family and Community Medicine would like to congratulate the 2020 Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency graduates. Of the seven graduates, four participated in the rural track and three from the urban track. A celebration was held via Zoom on June 22 at 7 p.m. 

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the social struggles that we are all facing in light of the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Many of us are feeling and witnessing emotions of sadness, anger, and frustration, which can take on an entirely different meaning in the setting of the Deep South, where racial injustice and disparities have had a long history.

Doctor Ian McKeag with UAB Family Medicine says if you’ve got the flu, you’ll know right away. 
“Fevers, specifically fevers above 100.4. Folks will also have symptoms like body aches, chills, headaches,” says McKeag.
See the full article

Dr. Ian McKeag of UAB Family and Community Medicine gives advice on how to germ proof your home during the flu season. “A face mask or just good hand hygiene can make a big difference. Especially if you are working or living around someone who is elderly or under the age of 5. All those can really add up to be a good preventative measure,” said Dr. Ian McKeag, UAB.  See the full article
 

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A health education series at the public library in Selma is bringing people and doctors together to promote good health. 
On the 1st Friday of each month — the Selma-Dallas County Public Library hosts ‘Medical Matters’ — a series on good health for healthy living.
The event brings doctors out to the library to talk with people in the community about health issues.  See the full article

“Heat exhaustion is where you are starting to feel tired, your temperature might get elevated. The next spectrum would be heat illness. So now you’re having some organ damage. You might have manifestations of it, if I drew blood and looked at your kidneys, they might be affected,” said Dr. Irfan Asif, Chair of Department of Family and Community Medicine.  See the full article 

B. Earl Salser Jr. MD, Director of Student Medical Education for the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine, travelled with 15 medical students and 6 health professionals to Trujillo Peru for a 2 week International Medicine educational experience. The group worked with Betesda Clinic which is a primary care and dental clinic started by a local NGO known as Peru Mission. The students were able to work with our team of family medicine physicians, general internists and pediatricians to see a variety of common primary care concerns, both at the clinic and in remote villages in the mountains near the city. Working with Peruvian translators, we were able to see 75-100 patients a day. Under the supervision of our physicians, the students were able to practice their clinical skills directly, help run an on-site pharmacy, and learn about the challenges of clinic management. They were also involved with several minor procedures. This was a valuable time for all involved and gave our students a broader understanding of the challenges of healthcare in underserved populations and the necessity of primary care to address holistic needs.

A reception was held to celebrate the recently established partnership between UAB Family and Community Medicine and Cahaba Medical Care to train Family Medicine residents in rural and urban settings.  This academic consortium is aimed at increasing the number of family physicians.

Employees of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, along with other Highlands co-workers, participated in the 2019 Red Campaign photo shoot for National Wear Red Day.  In recognition of heart month, employees wore red to help raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women.