CU Anschutz In The News

Opinion column by Steven Berkowitz, professor of psychiatry and the director of the Stress, Trauma, Adversity Research and Treatment Center at the CU School of Medicine, and co-author: “As these children and parents arrive at our doorstep seeking asylum, as is their legal right, it is wrong for this administration to knowingly place them in dangerous environments when safe alternatives exist and their presence in the United States has no negative impact on our society. It is our duty to protect them.”

It could be the smoke that’s being inhaled that places strain on the heart, or it could be THC, the chemical in pot that gets you high, said Larry Allen, a professor of cardiology at the CU School of Medicine. THC has been shown to increase heart rate and blood pressure, cause blood to clot more easily, and affect the inner lining of blood vessels, he said. “We have some basic laboratory data that suggests there may be adverse health effects of THC,” Allen said.

Dr. Emmy Betz is a professor at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. She recently worked with gun shop owners, firearms trainers and public health researchers to create a resource for safe gun storage. She said the new money is significant because it’s the first time in a long time funds have been dedicated to this kind of research. “People are dying and people are being hurt and we need science to figure out how to stop it,” Betz said. “And that's not about gun control. That's about saving people's lives.”

Jakub Kwiecinski, a medical historian at the University of Colorado, turned a detective eye on Merit Ptah to trace her backstory and find out where the myth came from. Writing in the Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Kwiecinski concludes Merit Ptah is a case of mistaken identity but while she might not be real in the historic sense, the myth helped "open medicine and STEM to women."

David Bruton Jr. is pursuing a doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Bruton is now in the second semester of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the CU School of Medicine. The 32-year-old Ohio native played for the Denver Broncos and a final season with the Washington Redskins; the eight-year span was four times longer than the average NFL career.

Richard Krugman, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a leading figure in the field of child abuse prevention, said some of the criticism of child abuse pediatricians from defense lawyers and dissenting medical experts has been “over the top.” But when it’s estimated that a misdiagnosis contributes to 1 out of every 10 patient deaths in the U.S., Krugman said it’s not surprising that child abuse pediatricians are not right every time. A major problem, he said, is that doctors can only learn from mistakes if they are made aware of them.

Scott Ferguson was a lively and energetic father of one. After a battle with cancer and extended hospital stays, he developed a relationship with the nurses who were taking care of him. He passed away in April, and a nurses scholarship fund was started in his name at the CU College of Nursing. He received chemotherapy treatment for his Stage IV melanoma, and care for other issues as well. 

The Federal Communications Commission and the United States Senate are advancing measures to make 988 the national suicide prevention number. Many people believe 911 is the number to call for a mental health emergency. However, many mental health experts say 911 is not the appropriate phone call for a mental health crisis. Dr. Michael Allen, a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, has been working on the idea with stakeholders nationwide for years.