Posts Tagged ‘Personal’

Residency Personal Statement – Experts Improve Your Residency Essay

January 31st, 2010 admin

Matching to a residency program through the NRMP® (National Resident Matching Program) is a competitive endeavor. Even strong candidates – especially IMGs (international medical graduates) – can have difficulty getting PGY-1 (post graduate year one) positions in many specialties. Those that do match may not get their first or second choices, leaving them in suboptimal locations or programs. Consequently, professional residency admissions consulting have become increasingly important in optimizing residency applications and ensuring that candidates get into the programs they desire.

 

Residency admissions consulting companies come in a variety of forms. Some are larger companies that focus on admissions to several types of graduate programs – not just medicine. Others are smaller companies that provide a medical focus, but have a pool of consultants of varying quality. Finally, elite companies offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients. These professionals are ex-admissions officers from respected medical institutions. They have the inside knowledge of how residency admissions work, providing personalized guidance to optimize candidates’ residency personal statement, ERAS® and interview skills.

 

Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poorly compiled materials, underdeveloped residency application personal statement and inadequate interview skills, a qualified, personalized residency admissions consultant provides a great advantage.

 

An expert consultant can offer a variety of services to improve a residency application:

 

  1. ERAS® (or alternative application) editing. The Electronic Residency Application Service is a centralized program that transmits applications and other supporting credentials from the applicant to program directors using the Internet. Most residency programs now use ERAS®; a few have individual applications. ERAS® and other applications include a section for describing all of an applicant’s accomplishments. Ensuring that a candidate’s activity descriptions are optimally-worded is essential for showcasing the applicant’s accomplishments to residency admissions officers.
  2. Personal statement for residency application. The ERAS® essay allows the applicant to demonstrate his or her distinctiveness as a candidate. Excellent organization, format, syntax, grammar and spelling are essential.
  3. Curriculum vitae (C.V.). The C.V. is a standardized medical resume that is offered to faculty to improve candidates’ letters of recommendation (LORs), highly important factors in the residency application process. The C.V. can also be used for the rest of the applicant’s professional career.
  4. Mock interviews. Few people would take the Boards without practicing first. But many applicants mistakenly arrive at their residency interviews unprepared. Being coached by an experienced professional makes an enormous difference in an applicant’s confidence and presentation to program directors and residency admissions committees.

 

When choosing a residency admissions consulting company, an applicant should verify the company’s references and research its consultants. Elite companies that offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients offer a large advantage for residency applicants, especially during these competitive times.

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Confessions of a Personal Fitness Trainer

January 30th, 2010 admin

Atkins was in the media again because of new study results indicating lowered cholesterol. I went to the Atkins book yet again with a more open mind, and decided to try the diet. I liked the contrarian view point to the current AMA position of the low fat diet, which seemed to be producing a society of increasing obesity. Atkins view of sugar as the culprit making you fat, not fat, made sense and the extra work from all the protein for the kidneys… it’s benign. I wanted to use his diet as a tool to get myself entirely off of any sugar.

I started out on the high protein, low carb aspect of the diet. As I reintroduced the animal proteins into my diet I could feel myself get stronger and the colds, finally stopped. I also saw my muscle bellies start to open and swell again. The cold of winter was not as painful as it had been while on my vegan diet.

I then summoned up the courage to start bringing fats into my diet, including bacon, egg yolks, cream cheese, heavy cream, whipped cream, even bacon rinds. On a daily basis I would marvel at having eaten these “forbidden foods” only to awaken the next day thin, svelte. I couldn’t believe this, result! I was loving eating all these foods so familiar yet banished since …childhood
I was in full swing eating the high fat, high protein, low carb diet at the time when the pictures on my website were taken. www.vitalsignsfitness.com I felt strong, but I had no energy!!! My walks on the beach were lethargic, I had to force myself to go that extra mile. I was thin but I felt like a beached whale. My love affair with Atkins continued a few more months. I followed his prescriptions religiously.

Eventually I had to add more carbs, I needed more energy. By carbs I mean vegetables, salads and whole grains. At this point I gained back the total of two pounds I had lost on Atkins. Body fat went from 16% to 18%, my energy was better. After 7 months I decided it was time to get the blood checked out and to my horror discovered that my cholesterol which had always been around 150 had rocketed up to 300!! Luckily my HDL to LDL ratio was still at a healthy level. Thanks to my forcing myself to exercise, I kept my HDLs high.

I immediately started drinking hot lemon juice with cayenne pepper every morning to clean my blood. I have now thrown away all the high fat foods and have once again, come back full circle to moderation and balance. A balanced diet. It takes a little more discipline but my energy is back and I can now eat the same meals as my husband so dinner preparation is simpler. My weight has not changed since I gradually introduced the carbs. I avoid at all costs the “white foods” flour, sugar, milk. I drink unsweetened soy milk I avoid foods in packages, boxes and bags. I feel a fine layer of fat but that’s okay its winter, I need it, and in the summer, heat always melts it off. I am completely off sugar and alcohol to keep blood sugar low.

Log into www.vitalsignsfitness in the Chat page where a discussion has already begun re: Atkins and other diet plans, add your comments or just read and muse. Or go to the Nutrition Program page and find out how many calories (protein, carbs, fats) you should eat to sustain your current or ideal weight.

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Body Fusion Opens Personal Training Roswell Ga

January 30th, 2010 admin

Body Fusion Opens Personal Training Roswell

WELCOME TO BODY FUSION PERSONAL TRAINING ROSWELL GA.

The “Weight” is Over !! Body Fusion Fitness offers its elite personal training in Roswell Ga. Our services are unparalleled and you will receive the highest quality personal training and customer service available in metro Atlanta.

The Body Fusion benefit is having a fitness coach who is properly trained to provide you with a guideline for exercise/nutrition that meet your specific needs is so incredible that it trumps pretty much any other preventative medicine.Come See what all the buzz is about with our unique apporach to persoanl training in Roswell GA.

One-On-One Personal Training

To achieve total body fitness, we create personalized exercise programs for each client. Every program is designed, based on the individual’s goals. Our programs are customized for all levels of fitness, and are designed for those interested in weight loss, sport specific training or overall well being. Our Private Training Suites offer a non-intimating environment with no distractions so the focus is entirely on you. If you are new to exercise , this is the best way to receive the motivation, accountability and education you need to achieve your goals.

Partner Training:

For a combined rate, you and your friend will receive all the guidance and experience of a certified trainer with the benefit of companionship while you exercise. This package includes a one-on-one program consultation in which we discuss your prior exercise history and fitness goals.

Group Training

Share a personal trainer for a lower cost! Is personal training out of your price range? The answer is NO at Body Fusion Fitness. We at Body Fusion have a small group session where you just share a trainer with no more than 3 other clients, and the cost is significantly lower! Body Fusions small group trainers will work with each individual to meet his/her goals even as a member of a small

We offer:

* The flexibility to have your personal trainer in a Small Group Training No more than 4 clients in each session. * Your personal trainer at an affordable rate * Routines designed to reduce body fat, increase stamina and tone/build muscle * Modifications for each exercise allowing different fitness levels to work together.

Pre- and Postnatal Training:

Whether you are about to begin a family or have just started a family, this period of time will be an exciting experience. Exercising during these times can provide lifelong positive affects on you and your child. Regular exercise during and after pregnancy can improve your self-esteem and overall fitness, help you to maintain a lean body.

Kickboxing Training:

Burn Calories and fire up your workout. Imagine burning 550 calories in 45 minutes while having the time of your life! Body Fusion is very up beat and is a awesome way to work your cardio in as well Kickboxing beats running in place on a machine – and keeps you interested and motivated. Whether you’re a beginner or expert athlete, our classes will leave you sweaty and smiley – and you’ll love losing the weight!

Having a Body Fusion Fitness Coach – The Benefits

Many people today are finally realizing how much benefit they can get from a professionally trained personal fitness coach.

Here at Body Fusion we feel that if our medical system covered a dozen personal training sessions per year, our health care costs would be much, much lower!

Body Fusion proper Awareness of Form when doing an Exercise – even when you have a mirror in front of you, chances are you aren’t completely aware of your form, a Body Fusion personal fitness coach will shine a light on this matter. In the long run having proper form means less injury and better results guaranteed.

Body Fusion Motivation Factor – there are days when you are just going to feel bored or unmotivated to do your workout. Having a Body Fusion personal fitness coach will spike your energy and motivation so much that all your stresses and uncertainties will fade away. This is great way to boost your self confidence!

Body Fusion takes you to New Levels – sure you think you are pushing yourself pretty hard, but you also feel like you’re not getting the results you should be getting. A Body fusion personal fitness coach will push you to new levels and get you out of any plateau.

Body Fusion adds Variety to your Workouts – since Body Fusion personal fitness coach’s are on top of the latest techniques and exercises to improve your performance in sports and strengthen your muscles safely, they will have a lot of different suggestions on how to add variety and keep evolving your workouts and keep them interesting.

Body Fusion Tracks your Success – A Body Fusion personal fitness coach will track the different workouts that you are doing and how many reps and what weights you are using so every few weeks they can provide you with a measurement of your gains.

Give us a call at 770-649-9700 or check us out on the web at www.bodyfusionpersonaltraining.com to receive you free personal training session.

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Beauty and Personal Care Products and Information

January 25th, 2010 admin

From antiquity, beauty has been a subject occupying the minds of humankind. Now days, the level of the obsession is higher due to the exigencies of the society. Everyone, male or female, young or old, wants to be congratulated for their beauty. To become more attractive, Americans spend billions of dollars each year in beauty products. According to a research published by the YWCA, American women spend in average $7 billion a year on cosmetics and beauty products. Over 80% of people from ages 16 to 50 billions in cosmetics, you can benefit from this article.

Sometimes in developed countries buy beauty and personal care products such as moisturizing cream, lightening cream/lotion, anti-wrinkle cream /lotion, and beauty masks. If you are one of the millions who spend, the use of cosmetics is more than a luxury, but a need. With age, skin’s problems are emerging. At puberty, acne breakouts tend to affect your self-confidence; during pregnancy, stretch marks appear, doing nothing, they will destroy the beauty of your skin; as you age, your skin is invaded by wrinkles. To counteract those imperfections, something must be done. You need to use special personal and skin care products to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

However, as far as cosmetics, it is difficult to promote a product for all, since everyone has not necessarily the same type of skin. In addition, many internal and external factors such as stress, poor liver or stomach function, hormone disruption, air pollution, and unhealthy or poor diet can affect your skin and beauty.  In search of beauty and perfection, many people spend a fortune in plastic surgery, sometimes, resulting in disappointment or even death. To feel good about yourself, you need to tap your beauty in nature, that is, use of 100% natural beauty and personal care products internally (mineral and vitamin supplements to fight free radicals) and externally (cream, lotion, mask, etc.).

The beauty of the skin does not come only from outside or makeup, but also from the interior; that requires healthy diet and lifestyle. In fact, wearing makeup on your face all the times is not good for your skin. Your skin needs to breathe to receive the oxygen and all elements it needs to be healthy. In addition, you must eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid, as far as possible, tobacco, sweet and fatty foods. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, regular consumption of fruit and vegetables could heal major skin problems that cosmetic products fail to reverse. Along with using beauty products, the following is strongly recommended:

Eat Fruit and vegetables – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, they provide nutrients, not just for your skin, but your entire body. Certain of these fruits and vegetables (carrot, cucumber, etc.) can also be used on the skin as a mask.  Some fruits like strawberries and apricots have nourishing and softening effects on your skin, citrus fruits have healing effects on the stretch marks; flaxseed oil and Carrots, rich in vitamin A, diminish complexion and rejuvenate the skin cells.

Drink plenty of fluids – drink about 8 glasses of water a day (plus a few glasses of natural juice) to help your body getting rid of toxins and keep your skin moisturized and fresh. To start your day, in an empty stomach, drink a glass of distilled water; it helps your body eliminate toxins absorbed. Although simple, this action may remediate certain problems of the stomach and other organs such as kidney and gastro-intestine.

Hydrogen Peroxide Baths – to fight free radicals (on your skin) and refresh your skin, you can take a bath in hydrogen peroxide by putting 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a tub full of water and remain in it for 15 to 30 minutes. Do this no more than 3 times a week, and at least one hour before going to bed because high level of oxygen in your skin cells can prevent you from falling sleep. To learn more about beauty and personal care, please visit <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.beautypersonalcare.com”>beautypersonalcare.com</a>, or click on the link in the About Author/ resource box below.

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Benefits of Personal Health Records

January 24th, 2010 admin

Gone are the days when people used to carry their health records in unwieldy files when visiting a doctor. The advances in technology made it is possible to carry the entire documents in pocket-sized devices like CD-ROMs, pen drives and now on dedicated websites who take the responsibility of saving and updating medical data. To keep a track of our medical history and share and use it when necessary, we need to create a personal health record. Let us try to understand what personal health records can do for us and how can they make our life easy.

A personal health record is the consolidated information related to health; stored and managed by an individual. Today, personal health records are also popularly known as, personal health diary, patient health record, or personal medical records. While the concept of personal health records is not new, it has evolved from a stage when these records were stored by the medical professionals and health care providers; to a stage where each person today is keeping their health records by using various technologies such as websites, personal health software and so on. The primary purpose of personal health records is:

· To keep a track on personal health and

· To help the doctors for providing better care through the valuable health information.

Ideally, a personal health record should contain every single bit of information related to your health. The information stored in your personal health record may differ according to the software or service providers, but any personal health records will contain the crucial health information. Some of the most common parameters that a personal health record contains are as follows:

· Name of the patient, birth date, blood type

· Date of last physical tests or screenings

· Major illnesses or diseases occurred in past with dates

· List of medicines and dosages taken by you

· Allergies and chronic diseases

· History of illnesses in your family

This piece of information can be very important in case of emergencies and can save your life.

Personal health records have numerous benefits not only to the users but also to the health care systems and physicians. A detailed health record can be used by physicians to take important decisions in time of emergencies. Some of the significant benefits of personal health records are as follows:

· Empowering patients: personal health record allows the patients to access, update and verify their own medical records. With the use of personal health records, one can also set reminders for health maintenance services.

· Improves patient-doctors relationship: this is especially true when you have a family doctor or a physician to whom you frequently visits. Doctors find it easy to communicate with patients who own personal health records.

· Improves patient’s safety: As the patient keeps updating their health records, it helps them to identify missed procedures and services, drug alerts, and important test results.

· Delivers efficient care: personal health records also avoid duplicative testing and unwanted or unnecessary services.

· Cost-effective tool: patients can save huge amounts which are otherwise spent unnecessary on malpractice costs.

· Privacy: personal health records can be kept confidential by using passwords. Today, most of us want our health records to be safe and secure in our hands so that no one misuses it. Personal health records allow patients to keep their health documents safe and secured.

The list of benefits of maintaining personal health records is never-ending and personal health records are slowly and steadily becoming a basic necessity to keep ourselves and our beloved ones healthy. After all, a small initiative towards health can reap great rewards. So, step ahead and create your Personal Health Record!!!!

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Personal Health Information – Keeping Tabs On Your Health In Texas

January 24th, 2010 admin

Your personal health information – do you know who has it or where to find it in Dallas, Houston or in the other Texas cities where you have lived? Do you have it? In most cases, a complete record of all of your personal health information can’t be found at any single location or in any consistent format. Each one of your healthcare providers (family practitioner, allergist, OB-GYN, etc.) compiles a separate medical record on you. And often times, these multiple medical records can lead to an incomplete story about your health.


Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) provides doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive. A PHR can minimize or eliminate duplicate tests. It can also help you receive faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. In short, with a PHR, you can play a more active role in your healthcare.


Starting a Personal Health Record


Your health information is scattered across many different providers and facilities. A Personal Health Record is a collection of this information about your health or the health of someone you are caring for, such as a parent or child that you would actively maintain and update. The information comes from your healthcare providers, and most importantly, from you.


Why Start a PHR?


Your own PHR should provide a different perspective, showing all your health-related information. It can include any information that you think might affect your health, including information that your doctor may not have, such as your exercise routines, dietary habits, or glucose levels if you are diabetic.


In addition, the PHR is a critical tool that enables you to partner with your providers. It can reduce or eliminate duplicate procedures or processes, which can save healthcare dollars, as well as your time and the provider’s time.


What Should be in Your PHR?


When collecting information from your health records, make sure you include:


Personal identification, including names, birth dates, and social security numbers

Emergency contacts

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of your physician, dentist, and other specialists

Health insurance information

Living wills and advance directives

Organ donor authorization

A list and dates of significant illnesses and surgeries

Current medications and dosages

Immunizations and their dates

Allergies

Important events, dates, and hereditary conditions in your family history

A recent physical examination

Opinions of specialists


Important tests results

Eye and dental records

Correspondence between you and your provider(s)

Correspondence between you and your health insurance company

Permission forms for release of information, operations, and other medical procedures

Any information you want to include about your health – such as your exercise regimen, any herbal medications you take and any counseling you may receive.


Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a PHR


Young, healthy people move, often frequently. Therefore you are likely to have health records scattered over all over Texas and beyond. Remember the flu last year in Dallas? And the routine exam three years ago in Houston? Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) provides new and existing doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive.


To start your personal health record, you will need to request a copy of your health records from all your healthcare providers, including your general practitioner, and your eye doctor, dentist, and any other specialists you have seen. Don’t feel that you need to gather all your health information at the same time. One way to handle your record retrieval is to ask for your recent records each time you visit a healthcare provider.


Incorporate the following steps, at your own pace, when creating your own personal health record:


1. Contact your doctors’ offices, the health information management (HIM) or the medical records staff at each facility where you have received treatment. Ask if your records are in an electronic format that you can access, or if you need to request copies. Also, ask your physician or the HIM professional to help you determine which parts of your record you need. Furthermore, find out if your provider has his or her own plan for helping patients to create their PHRs.


2. Ask for an “authorization for the release of information” form. Complete the form and return it to the facility as directed. Most facilities charge for copies. The fee should only include the cost of copying (including supplies and labor), as well as postage if you request the copy to be mailed. It can take up to 60 days to receive your medical records, so ask when you can expect to receive the information you’ve requested.


3. Now that you’ve gathered your information, there are a few different ways you can maintain your PHR. One way is to simply gather your information in a file folder. Not all information may be available to you in an electronic format, so an old-fashioned file folder or three-ring binder may be the easiest and most inclusive format. You can divide the binder into sections by family members. Then, within each family member’s section, divide information by year or illness.


4. There are many great digital PHR tools and services to help you get organized. You can burn data onto a CD. Also, portable devices, like keychain USB drives that plug into most computers, will make your PHR information extremely portable. There are also Internet-based services where you can store and retrieve your health information, including services which may be sponsored by your insurance company. Some services even help collect your data from your doctors and other healthcare providers.


Some of these digital PHR tools may be available free of charge and others are products or services you will need to purchase or pay a subscription fee to use.


5. Bring your PHR to all healthcare provider visits so that you have the information with you. And remember to keep adding and updating it with entries from providers, yourself, or your family member.


6. Because you won’t always have your PHR with you, create and carry a card that has vital information on it -such as medications or allergies – with you at all times.


7. Remember, this private information is yours and your family’s, so protect it and maintain its confidentiality. Let trusted family members know it exists, and where it’s being kept, but beyond that, keep it safe and protected.


Knowledge is power and your Personal Health Record can certainly empower you. The information gathered gives you information you can use when preparing for medical appointments. And it gives you more intimate knowledge of your healthcare, including giving you an active role in your preventive care and care management.


It’s easier to start gathering your medical records while you’re a young, healthy Texan compared to when you’re older and have a more complex medical history. Start with your parents and work your way up to your current healthcare providers.

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