The patient Patient is a 61-year-old male with a past medical history significant for mitral valve prolapse (diagnosed at age 14). He presented to a Norton Immediate Care Center location with complaints of rash on his lower legs. He had been having shortness of breath for several months after a back injury left him with…
Most pediatric neurology patients transfer to adult care between ages 18 and 23, yet there is a critical gap between transfer and transition, the long-term process of preparing patients and families for independence and self-management. For patients with neurological disorders, many of whom have intellectual or physical disabilities, this transition is particularly complex and requires…
Norton Cancer Institute has added significant clinical oncology research expertise with the arrival of Kevin T. Breen, M.D., Ph.D., who is expected to become one of the new leaders of Norton Cancer Institute’s early-phase clinical trials program. Dr. Breen brings specialized knowledge in brain cancer immunotherapy from his previous work at the National Institutes of…
Larry B. Goldstein, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at UK HealthCare, delivered a compelling presentation on stroke prevention that underscores the critical role of primary care providers in reducing stroke incidence. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, with about 795,000 new and recurrent strokes occurring…
Nearly all individuals with dementia will experience behavioral or psychological symptoms during their disease course, presenting significant challenges for caregivers and clinicians alike. Understanding how to identify, evaluate and manage these symptoms while minimizing medication use remains essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. In a recent “MedChat” podcast, Rachel N. Hart, D.O., geriatric medicine…
Back pain among adolescents has become increasingly common in pediatrics, particularly in primary care. Once relatively rare, it now affects an estimated 28% to 48% of school-age children, with higher rates among adolescents and athletes. “Adolescent back pain is now common and often multifactorial, with posture-related pain now representing a significant proportion of cases,” said…
After caring for hearts in Louisville for more than three decades, Joseph A. Lash, M.D., is preparing to close a remarkable chapter in medicine. As executive medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and Rounsavall Family Foundation endowed chair, Dr. Lash witnessed and contributed to transformations in cardiovascular care that have fundamentally changed what…
New technology is bringing life-changing esophageal cancer treatment to patients at Norton Audubon Hospital. William B. Evans III, M.D., gastroenterologist with Norton Gastroenterology Consultants of Louisville, is the first and only physician in Louisville to offer truFreeze spray cryotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer. “I’m proud to be the first in the city to provide…
When patients present with cardiac symptoms, choosing the right cardiac diagnostic test depends on risk stratification, symptom frequency and clinical context. Here is a practical guide to navigating cardiology testing in primary care, adapted from a continuing medical education presentation by Mostafa O. El-Refai, M.D., interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. Chest pain:…