What a gift it is to be seen. I was reminded of that today by experiencing what it’s like to not be seen. It hurts. I just want to be someone who tries my best to always and truly see others.

I don’t know if there’s any greater frustration as a doctor, particularly in adolescent medicine, than when patients want medical care, I’m ready to provide it, but I’m unable to because of systems and policies beyond my control. This sucks.

Saw some understandable outrage yesterday at a post by the leader of this administration depicting the Obamas using stereotypical imagery. It was undeniably racist. But I pray no one’s outrage at that post is greater than their response to the racist policies at work this last year.

HUGE NEWS. A study presented at #AACR25 found that one dose of the HPV vaccine (which prevents CANCER) is as effective as two, with efficacy rates >97%.

Catching the end of this beautiful workshop “Seeking Solutions for Increasing Representation of Black Men in Academic Pediatrics Through a Life Course Framework”. So powerful to see a panel of Black men in Academic Peds sharing insights and facilitating conversations #PAS2025

Just wrapped my keynote at #PAS2025: “Why ‘Follow the Science’ Falls Short.” Key message? Evidence doesn’t speak for itself. We do. Let’s communicate with empathy, nuance, and trust. Thanks to @AcadPeds & @AcademyHealth.bsky.social for leading the way. #SciComm #Pediatrics

Currently in a workshop about transition for adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities #PAS2025 - Talk about transition early and often to support success - Asking patients about life and hobbies is a great way to help assess a patient’s ability to understand and self-manage care

Wendy Grant, MD presenting her project about youth’s perspectives on a STI testing, prevention, and treatment video #PAS2025 Most teens had received info about STIs, but less than half were familiar with PrEP. Teens loved the video and wanted privacy to view it and space to ask Qs

Day 2 of #PAS2025 Continuing my review of Gen Peds with Pearls of Pediatric GI. Starting with biologics for IBD treatment. Effective, early treatment of IBD is important for long-term outcomes. While more are available, theyre also more $$. Biosimilars are NOT generics, but have similar targets.

Been a minute since I posted but I’m at #pas2025 and will share a little of my learning over the next few days. I’m transitioning jobs later this year (story for another thread) so using this conference as an opportunity to learn peds topics I haven’t seen in a minute, starting with fevers.

“Tienes una doctora morena!” (You have a Black female doctor!) I overheard a mother share this with her child and I smiled behind my mask with understanding (I’ve picked up a little Spanish :) Even across cultures, despite every attack against it, representation STILL matters.

Call your Senators and tell them not to pass a budget that will take food and medicine away from our nation's children. 41% of births in this country are paid for by Medicaid, and 35% of the nation's children depend on Medicaid for their medical care. Children will die if this passes

Hello Blue Sky! I am a Family Physician at an #FQHC in Chicago, Faculty at a #THCGME FM residency, and an #HIV Specialist. I do cradle to grave primary care including HIV care, #Gender-affirming care, #MAT, and #FMOB. I will fight for #SocialJustice and I believe that healthcare is a human right.

I will forever annoyed when I see “obese” or “overweight” in a physical exam. BMI is a (often flawed) calculation that already appears in the vitals and the “problem list”. Writing it in the exam is an unnecessary and harmful visual judgment. Period.

One of my hottest takes is that academics don’t have nearly enough of an orientation to activism.

I’ll be honest, a lot of takes I’m seeing about the NIH and the CDC are giving “but not my science!” If this is the first time you’re outraged or speaking up, welcome to the fight, but think critically about why you only joined after your world was personally affected.

Adding to the list - Contraception Medical Eligibility Criteria - Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use - PrEP Guidelines - STI Treatment Guidelines (redirects to a useless loop without content)

The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey has monitored the wellbeing of America’s high school students since 1991. Since 2015, it’s been a vital source of data on LGBQ youth. In 2023, it provided the first ever nationally representative sample of transgender teens. As of this morning, it’s gone.

We will not be erased. It’s been hard to find coherent words amidst the chaos of this new administration. They are trying to remove the people or things that represent our values: diversity (racial, ethnic, gender), science, reproductive rights, inclusivity, etc.

I’m not watching the inauguration as a form of self-care, but overhearing a clip in passing of someone co-opt the historic phrase “let freedom ring” to fit their message (🫠) was more than enough to remind me while I’m abstaining

Getting dressed for work today (yes, I work today and no, I don’t want to talk about it) feels like getting dressed for political warfare so I dressed for the part. I’m wearing my Black “Stand with Black Women” Planned Parenthood t-shirt. That’s the mood for the next 4 years.

Did your child lose their book collection in the Los Angeles fires? Are you a teacher at a school that lost its library or your classroom library? Whether you need one book or a whole library, we can replace your books. 📚 Everyone else, please boost this post so we can connect with those in need. 🙏

Like many folks, I’m back here because of the pause/end of TikTok. I was a long time lurker, recent poster (for the last 6 months) on that platform. Folks can write it off as “all bad” or “just silly videos”, but it was more than that. It was community, education, and advocacy.

I love getting to educate patients and families about periods before or right after they start. Being a specialist is great, but I’ll never disparage primary care because these conversations are so important. Patients/families often don’t know what’s normal and the earlier they know, the better!

One of those days where the thing that makes me a great doctor (how much I care, how invested I am, how much I fight for my patients) also makes the work that much harder to do. Sometimes, it hurts to care, to be invested, & to fight, but I can’t have that strength without days of feeling like this.

In 2nd grade, I needed to use the bathroom shortly after a test started. I asked to go and my teacher Mr. Smalls told me I couldn’t go until I finished my test. I sat in my chair diligently working on my test until I peed myself. I was sent to the office until my parents could bring me clothes.

Graph these by salary and you’ll get the same results. Pediatricians get paid less because our society doesn’t value children, and particularly sick disabled children. And as pediatricians we have accepted a system where we are devalued because we advocate for our patients instead of ourselves.

Adolescent Medicine is in blue with barely half of programs filled. Did some data collection from the last 6 years. This year is the lowest # of applicants & highest # of available spots. The need is higher than current interest. While I love the work I do, it’s not surprising to see this trend.

Introduce yourself with your worst feedback from school: I’m Rebekah. I’m a passive learner who needs to focus more on the science of medicine instead of the art because I have great relationships with patients but that’s not rewarded. Oh, and I shouldn’t get my hopes up. Med school was a time 🫠

I’m tired of “let’s support Black women” being just a trend. Between the blue bracelets and all the new interest in Black businesses, it all feels played out. Like, didn’t y’all do all of this before in 2020 with your Black IG squares and Black-owned restaurant takeout? What’s different this time?

The decision of who to vote for this year will never be a difference of opinion for me. When I voted, I thought of others: their rights to bodily autonomy, healthcare access, safety, and so much more. The other side voted for themselves and their fears. We are not the same.

I think it’s sadly going to be a state by state decision. Those with conservative local government control will likely not choose in women’s best interests 🥺 Texas is a prime example

Getting my 1st questions about birth control access in the Tr*mp era from patients. I have no problem saying, “I don’t know” to medical questions; I can look them up or find someone who knows. This situation doesn’t feel great bc I can’t. I know what he wants to do, but only time will tell.

I know for many of us, the election results turned our lives as we know it upside down. There are so many who are questioning their sense of safety & healthcare access going forward. Every night, I crash thinking about my professional & financial future. I work full time at an FQHC in AdoMed.

New starter pack! First attempt at curating a community of amazing #womeninmedicine Who else should I add? #MedSky

Hi, BlueSky! I’m a Chicago-based Adolescent Medicine doc working at an FQHC. I post about #teenhealth, #healthequity, #healthcommunication, and I love books, but rarely read thanks to being a #toddlermom. After a miserable week, its fitting to start a new platform with a bright name! #MedSky