Spring 2020 | Volume 9 | Number 2
In Every Issue
Feature Articles
In Upcoming Issues
Open Wide: Tooth Decay - From Condition of Humanity to Consignment to Medical History? Part 3

CBD and Mental Health - Therapeutic Magic or Myth? Part 2
Quick Links
Editor's Letter
“In a time of crisis we all have the potential to morph up to a new level and do things we never thought possible.” ~ Stuart Wilde

By the time you receive this newsletter, the tracking map below will likely have changed dramatically.

COVID-19 has impacted our lives, and the pandemic will be one of those “Where were you when it happened?” moments. The repercussions will be vast, and some will be long-lasting due to the ripple effect of a shock to the system on a global scale.
Once a year on March 30th, we celebrate National Doctors’ Day. As deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. now far surpass the number suffered on 9/11, the impact of the novel coronavirus becomes more and more real. And for physicians and other healthcare professionals as well as first responders and all the other individuals who have been designated as essential workers, each day can bring exposure, emotional and physical exhaustion, grief, and sometimes conditions likened to a war zone.

Just as firefighters ran up the stairs of the World Trade Center towers as everyone else was evacuating the building, so too do today’s heroes in the fight against COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a great equalizer. Being wealthy, powerful, or famous is not enough to protect you. We are all only as strong and safe as the selfless commitment and discipline to take the preventive actions necessary each of us chooses to implement. COVID-19 means we have to value the lives of others as much as our own. Seize this unique opportunity to have the power to literally save a life, and never take a single day for granted.


Z. Colette Edwards, WG'84, MD'85
Managing Editor

Contact Colette at: colette@accessinsightmd.com

To learn more about Colette, click here .
In Every Issue
The President's Desk
Contributor: Maria Whitman, WG’05

I have written previously about the deep thread that connects our community - a passionate commitment to the advancement of global health. As the new coronavirus pandemic unfolds, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to live our mission as vigorously and creatively as possible. 
The Philosopher’s Corner
Contributor: Roman Rubio, WG'03   

This eclectic standing column features insightful musings, words of wisdom, life lessons, and stepping stones to business success. This month's philosopher is Roman Rubio, MD,WG’03 , Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at Revance.   Read more .

We'd love to hear from you and invite you to click here to participate in future editions. 
Affidavit: Healthcare and the Law - An Examination of Federal Legislative Approaches on Payment of Surprise Bills      

Surprise bills have become increasingly problematic for privately insured patients over recent years, as reflected in the never-ending stream of headlines describing patients who have incurred tens of thousands of dollars in surprise bills. The “surprise” in the term surprise bill arises by virtue of the fact the patient did not expect to receive a bill from the OON provider, believing all of the care received to be covered by his/her insurance. As one can imagine, providers and payors disagree as to which party is the impetus for the surprise bill; the payor, for failing to cover the underlying services received, or the provider, for separately billing the patient. Regardless, one commonly shared belief is that patients should not be put in the middle of this provider/payor payment dispute. Read more .
Not a Freudian Slip: CBD and Mental Health - Therapeutic Magic or Myth? Part 1      
Contributor:   Connie Mester, MPH

After several weeks of feeling overwhelmed and stressed about an upcoming move and job change, I could feel those life changes taking a toll on my mood and sleep. What’s worse, the stress was triggering my skin issues to intensify, making me even more uncomfortable. I was ready to try (almost) anything for relief. A friend gave me a few CBD gummies and recommended that I eat one just before bed. Over the next several nights I slept like a baby, I seemed to be able to work through challenges without overreacting, and my inflamed skin began to improve. 

This article series will touch on the history and legal journey of cannabis, highlight market growth, explore the evidence surrounding the potential health impacts, and propose a way to adequately harness its therapeutic value to support mental health improvement.  Read more .
Downloading Success : Why Aren’t More Women at the Top?   
Contributor:   Donna Padilla  

Twenty-one percent. Executive teams that are gender diverse are 21 percent more likely to outperform their peers, according to McKinsey . That’s a significant figure. If we needed another reason to advance women’s leadership in the C-suite, this is it. However, I told the magazine, it is still not good enough. More real structural, organizational change needs to happen. “What are the real practices we can put in place?” I asked rhetorically. “It’s good to talk about gender diversity and say we have a commitment to it, but how do we ensure the pool of candidates is diverse?”  Read more .
To Your Health: The ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and the Cost of Competition in Creating Lasting Exercise Habits? 
Contributor:   Rich Butler, MS, USPTA

Superbowl week means the great sports quotes come calling back. ”You play to win the game. Win at all cost. Just win baby. To be the best you must beat the best. Show me a good loser, and I will show you a loser.” According to Canyon Ranch psychologist Dr. Jeff Rossman, the USA is one of the most competitive nations in the world. He claims we try to win at everything. So what does that have to do with you and your exercise? For answers I interviewed Dr. Rossman, who has been a pillar of the Health and Healing Department at Canyon Ranch for over 25 years. Read more .
Feature Articles
Peer-Reviewed Journals: Distinguishing Prestigious from Predatory 

I recently received an invitation that began “Dear Happe, LE.” The email claimed a paper I had recently authored had garnered attention and interest from scholars, and I was invited to join the editorial board of their journal. The invitation even referenced the title of my article. If the strange greeting didn’t raise my suspicion – the reference to my article did. You see, the title of my article was “Announcing a New Article Series.” It was an announcement I had made in the journal that I edit, the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP). I can assure you, this announcement did not garner attention from scholars.  Read more
The Impact of Augmented Reality (AR) on Providing Better Home Healthcare

The accelerating growth rate in the U.S. population segment needing home healthcare service, lack of coverage for those populations requiring in-home health, staffing challenges, and increasing costs related to training healthcare workers has created a need for new supportive technologies and solutions to provide adequate home healthcare services. 

Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies have been leveraged in the training of medical staff, as well as various forms of treatment. Augmented Reality, or ‘AR’ solutions, specifically, have demonstrated measurable impact in the efficiency and quality of healthcare provided in-home by both skilled and non-skilled workers.  Read more .
From Private Equity to Health Tech Startup, a Wharton Alum Is Ready to Improve Healthcare 
Contributor: Michael Meng, WG’12  

Michael Meng is an alumnus of the Wharton Healthcare Management program, current CEO of Stellar Health and was a guest on The Pulse , Wharton’s Digital Health podcast. The new podcast includes a moderated panel discussion with Stellar’s board of advisors and goes deep on their predictions for healthcare in 2020, including M&A predictions for the year, value-based care delivery reform, healthcare interoperability and more. Read about Michael’s journey from private equity to startup.    Read more .
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within are those of the authors and editors of the articles and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of the Wharton School and/or the University of Pennsylvania, and/or their respective organizations. Publication in this e-magazine should not be considered an endorsement. The Wharton Healthcare Quarterly and WHCMAA make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information in this e-magazine and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.