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Top 10 Healthe-Matters Blog Posts of 2021

Top 10 Healthe-Matters Blog Posts of 2021

We launched the Healthe-Matters blog 4 years ago with the sole aim of providing you with relevant, actionable health and wellness information, from the local experts you know and trust — insights and tips to help you live a healthier life.

As we head into 2022, and the COVID-19 rollercoaster continues to twist and turn, that mission carries even more importance.

Delta. Omicron. Vaccines. Boosters. Monoclonal antibodies. Mask on. Mask off. Mask on. What we know and learn about COVID-19 is constantly evolving — as is the virus. Staying informed is key to safeguarding our health.

Today, as Healthe-Matters editors take our annual look back at the most-read blog posts of the year, we want to thank you, our readers, for putting your trust in Sarasota Memorial and in Healthe-Matters, and for choosing us as your source for local COVID-19 information. 

Top 10 Healthe-Matters Posts of 2021

In 2021, we published dozens of COVID-19 related Q&As, how-to’s and updates. But our health experts also offered tips and insights on a range of other topics — including pregnancy and parenting, women’s health, red tide, mental health, caregiving, heart health and cancer prevention. (Be sure to check out our "Thrive in the Kitchen" Healthy Cooking video series that launched this year!)

So which blog posts did our readers (like you) read the most in 2021? 

#10    Red Tide & Shellfish Poisoning: What You Need to Know

Most Suncoast residents are familiar with the respiratory irritation and itchy eyes that red tide blooms cause. But did you know that eating red tide-contaminated shellfish can make you sick — possibly really sick? SMH Clinical Toxicologist Jeremy Lund, PharmD, shellfish poisoning in this July 2021.

# 9     Pregnancy & COVID-19: Impact & Prevention

The number of pregnant patients hospitalized with COVID-19 skyrocketed in late summer. In this September 2021 post, SMH Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist Felice Baron, MD, explains why pregnant women are more likely to get seriously sick with COVID-19. 

# 8     SMH Experts Address COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns

With COVID-19 vaccines recently rolled out in the U.S., SMH Infectious Disease specialist Manuel Gordillo, MD, and Infectious Disease Pharmacy Manager Jamie Kisgen, PharmD, answered reader questions about the vaccines in this February 2021 Q&A.

# 7    Hesitant to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Microchips in COVID-19 vaccines, fertility impacts, genetic alterations, vaccine safety: Vaccine myths ran rampant in the spring. In this March 2021, Dr. Gordillo busted some of the most common myths.

# 6     Self-Tests for COVID-19 | Ask An Expert

At-home COVID-19 test kits are undoubtedly convenient and easy-to-use, but can you trust the results? When should you use them? In this September 2021 post, Laboratory Services Director Harold Vore offered insights on COVID self-tests and antigen versus molecular tests (PCR / NAAT).

# 5     Can Red Tide Make You Sick?

red tide beachIn July 2021, red tide was on the rise in Sarasota County, littering beaches with dead and raising concerns about its health effects on humans and pets. Should we skip the beach during blooms? Is it safe to swim in red tide waters? SMH Pulmonary Disease Specialist Kirk Voelker, MD, offered answers.

# 4     Flu Season 2021-2022: What You Need to Know

Flu season renewed concerns about a possible flu-COVID "twindemic." In this September 2021 Q&A, Dr. Gordillo addressed concerns about seasonal flu, COVID-19 and vaccinations.

# 3    COVID-19 Treatment | Ask An Expert Q&A

Dr. Kisgen, Sarasota Memorial’s Infectious Diseases Pharmacy manager, talked about Ivermectin and offered the facts on effective COVID-19 treatments and in this February 2021 Q&A. 

# 2    COVID-19 Booster Shots | Ask An Expert

If COVID-19 vaccines are effective, why would we need another dose? What’s the difference between a COVID-19 “booster” and a “third shot”? Dr. Gordillo answered common reader questions in this August 2021 Ask An Expert post.

And the No. 1, most-read Healthe-Matters post published this year was … 

# 1    COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know

In January 2021, COVID-19 vaccines were still new and not yet available to most people. Many of you reached out with questions about the vaccines, their availability and their safety. Dr. Gordillo, along with Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, MD, answered them in this timely post and discussed what they thought the vaccine rollout would mean in the global fight against novel coronavirus.

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Thank you, 2021 Healthe-Matters Contributors

Healthe-Matters editors also want to offer our sincere thanks to the many Sarasota Memorial medical experts and care providers who helped us keep deliver health and wellness information to you during this challenging year. Because they so generously shared their knowledge and expert insights, Healthe-Matters was able to keep our community informed in a time when there are often more questions than answers.

 

Chippy Ajithan, MD, Cardiologist

Felice Baron, MD, Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist

Elizabeth Bornstein, LCSW, Oncology Clinical Counselor

Terry Cassidy, LCSW, Behavioral Health Executive Director

Ashley Cave, Behavioral Health Services Manager

Alessandra Diioia, PharmD, Pharmacy Resident

Ben Doepker, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator

Manivel K. Eswaran, MD, Endocrinologist

Lindsey Finnegan, MD, Internal Medicine Specialist

James Fiorica, MD, Chief Medical Officer

Manuel Gordillo, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist

Alan Grindal, MD, Geriatric Medicine Specialist

Jessie Hoang, MD, Pediatric Hospitalist

Sarah Kimball, MD, Breast Surgical Oncologist

Jamie Kisgen, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Manager

Stephen Kucera, MD, Gastroenterologist

Beverly Long, GYN Oncologist

Jeremy Lund, PharmD, Clinical Toxicologist

Omar Mattei, Executive Chef

Julie Mavrakis, PharmD, Pharmacy Resident

Laura McGill, DO, Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Physician

Laura McLeroy, RD, Dietitian

Amie Miller, ARNP, Lung Cancer Screening Program Coordinator

Heitor Okanobo, MD, Radiology Specialist

Armani Orihuela, MD, Family Medicine Specialist

Joseph Seaman, MD, Critical Care Pulmonologist & SMH-Sarasota Associate Chief Medical Officer

Saida Jennell Steiner, RN, BSN, Heart Failure Nurse

David Stone, MD, Vascular Neurologist

Shayna Shefrin, DPT, Outpatient Rehab Pelvic Floor Therapist

Sheera Thomas, RN, Mother-Baby Nurse

Allie Wilson, BSN, RNBC, ERAS Coordinator

Seth Wilson, MD, Family Medicine Specialist

Kirk Voelker, MD, Pulmonary Disease Specialist

Harold Vore, Laboratory Services Director

Jack Wazen, MD, Chief of Staff & Medical Director of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

 

 

Posted: Dec 28, 2021,
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