News reports from Union College, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Adventhealth Orlando, Avista Adventist Hospital, Loma Linda University Health and Adventist Health St. Helena:

Yesterday Union College announced plans for a 54,000-square-foot wellness center. According to a Union Facebook update, the plans include “tripling the current space for cardio and strength training equipment, a field house with bleachers for varsity basketball and volleyball games, new locker rooms for home and visiting teams, an additional basketball court for recreation and a turf practice area for soccer. The facility will include a walking track and will be connected to the current Larson building so patrons can continue to use the 25-meter swimming pool.”

Newsweek recently featured an interview with Congressman Raul Ruiz, who is one of only two Adventists in the U.S. Congress. He is an ER physician with a graduate degree in public health. He is also chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The piece is titled “Hispanic Caucus Chair on Joe Biden: I ‘Peered Into His Heart’ and He Wants a Path to Citizenship.”

The June 11 print edition of Newsweek published a list of the 250 “smartest” hospitals in the world, meaning most involved in using new IT to treat patients, scientifically evaluate diagnosis, etc. Two Adventist hospitals are on the list: Adventhealth Orlando, Florida (#126) and Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, Colorado (#199).

From a Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) news release:

Researchers have identified a molecule they say can counteract a protein that renders human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus capable of causing cancer, challenging to eliminate.

The researchers, including team members from Loma Linda University and the University of Kansas, pinpointed the GA-OH molecule as a strong contender to counter E6, a protein that behaves like a bodyguard for HPV.

They recently published their findings in Oncotarget, under the title “A high-content AlphaScreen™ identifies E6-specific small molecule inhibitors as potential therapeutics for HPV+ head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.”

HPV is infamous for causing cervical cancer in women and can also lead to head and neck cancer in men. Under the current standard treatment, these cancer patients undergo surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that can leave lifelong side effects or morbidities. The researchers are hopeful that their findings, followed by the next steps of continued research and clinical trials, will contribute to developing a targeted therapy for patients that promotes good survival, with fewer toxic side effects.

Also from LLUH news (advice from Serafin Lalas, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Loma Linda University Behavioral Health):

Setting kids up for success, especially in terms of their mental health, can make a big difference. This summer, Lalas recommends slowing down and letting kids be kids. “Encourage your children to spend time outside, exercising and getting fresh air so they can get back to feeling normal,” he advises. “Let them do things they enjoy and spend stress-free time together before trying to make up for lost school time.”

Lalas also recommends addressing the larger stressors. “If your student is stressed because they feel as though they fell behind in school, take some time in the summer to build their confidence and catch them up. If they’re feeling burnt out, let them spend time reconnecting with the things they enjoyed pre-pandemic. If they’re old enough to be vaccinated and are protected, encourage them to spend time with their friends and classmates in ways they were unable to over the past year.”

Just because kids bounce back doesn’t mean they are unaffected. If your child was hit especially hard by the changes over the past year, Lalas recommends taking time to talk with them or getting them more professional help. “Your family deserves to be at their best, and parents can use this summer to slow down, heal, and have fun.”

From an Adventist Health St. Helena Facebook update: We’re thrilled to share exciting news. We’ve received Advanced Primary Stroke Center certification.

This certification is important because it validates our hospital’s abilities and practices in preventing and treating strokes. Potential Stroke patients of the upper Napa Valley Community will now have access to prompt evaluation and treatment critical for stroke survival and recovery.

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