In My Opinion : Community Service

When the Holidays are Hard

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:55:00 GMT

We have spent this past month talking about work and life balance. Let's finish up this week with a talk about therapists and patients who suffer through the holidays. Many patients may be silently suffering because they have lost a spouse or someone...(read more)

Life Outside the Hospital

Jimmy Thacker — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:18:00 GMT

For a couple of weeks we have talked about licensure and burnout. Let's focus on some things to avoid the burnout and help us through the licensure trials. Some may question why I write about such things, but being a well-rounded therapist means you have...(read more)

Share Your Expertise

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:44:00 GMT

Last week, we discussed options in the workplace that can help us to achieve work/life balance. This week, let's look at things outside the workplace but still relevant to our professional life. The best starting place may be volunteerism. Volunteering...(read more)

Remember the Service of Firefighters, Police, Military Personnel, and Hospital Workers on Sept. 11

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:08:00 GMT

At 8:45am on Sept. 11, 2001, a Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. Eighteen minutes later a second 767 hit the south tower. Around 3,000 people died that day in downtown New York. Another 10,000...(read more)

Embracing Preventative Care

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:41:00 GMT

It is a mystery to me why healthcare proponents are not embracing preventative care over traditional health care. The focus on improving longevity is great and has been effective, but the question that should be asked is: are we improving quality of life...(read more)

This Political Season: Educate Yourself and Vote

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Well, the political system is in full swing. Candidates are going around the country telling us why they should be the next person elected. It will pick up even more later in the year, when we will hear not only from presidential candidates, but prospective...(read more)

RTs: Ask 5 People to Wear Red for Women's Health

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:39:00 GMT

February 3rd is National Wear Red Day for Women's Heart Disease. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1 in 4 women die from heart disease. Many people still consider heart disease to be a "man's" disease, but that is not true. In...(read more)

Forget Superman, Veterans Are Real Heroes

Jimmy Thacker — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:02:00 GMT

Veterans Day is special to me. I am a veteran of the United States Army, and meet many veterans in my travels. The Senior Center is full of veterans, and many walk among us unknown to us. Considering the things veterans have gone through, the sacrifices...(read more)

Missouri Tornado a Stark Reminder to Be Prepared

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:55:00 GMT

I just returned from Joplin, Missouri. The town took a direct hit from a tornado, with St. John's hospital and emergency services taking the brunt of the storm. I realized the importance of having a good emergency plan in the hospital and communities...(read more)

We Are What We Eat

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:23:00 GMT

Ah, spring time. Time to fire up the grill, cool down the beer, and live outdoors for the next six months. Or is it? Have you ever thought about what you're eating in the great outdoors? It's so tempting to see meat go on sale and think you can pick up...(read more)

Allergy Season Is Upon Us

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:29:00 GMT

Spring is here again. In Missouri, we go from cold days to hot days, with little in between. The winds are brisk, and the air is full of a sure sign of the season: pollen! Allergy season is upon us, my friend. Whereever you are, whereever you go, there...(read more)

Another Young Athlete Dies

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:15:00 GMT

We saw the passing of several high school athletes in 2010. Almost monthly, a news article appeared about a young athlete dying on the playing field or shortly after engaging in a sports activity. And just last week 16-year-old Wes Leonard sunk the winning...(read more)

Let's Tackle the Thorny Issue of Smoking

Jimmy Thacker — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Smoking has always been the proverbial thorn in a respiratory therapist's side. We deal with smokers every day. Many of our patients require our services because of their smoking history. Whether it is the COPDer who polluted his lungs with cigarettes,...(read more)

RTs Must Push Harder to Educate Patients

Jimmy Thacker — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:09:00 GMT

The New York Daily News has released a story about how the smoking rate in the South Bronx is among the highest in the United States, along with the asthma rate. The article provides some loose correlation between smoking and asthma. While respiratory...(read more)

Respiratory Therapists Should Choose Cigarette's New Graphic Warning Labels

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:30:00 GMT

A new wind is blowing in the fight against cigarette smoking. New graphic warning labels will appear on cigarette packaging beginning in 2012--and the Food and Drug Administration needs your help picking them. The pictures are geared toward making an...(read more)