Featured Publications

Empowering Healthcare Workers on Social Media to Bolster Trust in Science and Vaccination During the Pandemic: Making IMPACT Using a Place-Based Approach

JMIR Preprint - In this piece written by our IMPACT team, we emphasize that while documenting the impact of such social media efforts, particularly at the community level, can be challenging, a more hyperlocal or “place-based approach” for social media campaigns could be effective at tackling misinformation and improving public health outcomes on a community level.

Supporting Health Care Workers to Address Misinformation on Social Media

May 5, 2022 - NEJM Perspective. Clinicians who respond to misinformation on social media face obstacles. Dr. Vineet Arora, Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, and Dr. Shikha Jain emphasize the importance to train clinicians in dispelling harmful myths, to support those who are attacked, and to ensure that people who spread disinformation are held accountable for the harm they cause.

A coordinated strategy to develop and distribute infographics addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and misinformation

January 1, 2022 - JAPhA Publication. Visual communication strategies are becoming increasingly prevalent for conveying information to health professionals as well as to the general public. The potential of social media for rapid knowledge dissemination using infographics was recognized early in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by health professionals.

With the Delta variant threatening our progress, we should return to wearing masks indoors in public

July 4, 2021 - Chicago Tribune Op-Ed. With the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, it is clear the pandemic is not over and we must continue to follow the science. As physicians and mothers, Dr. Shikha, Jain, Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, and Dr. Laura Zimmerman implore our state to resume masking indoors in public in this letter to the editors of the Chicago Tribune.

SBM Recommends Telehealth Payment Parity for Patients with Chronic Conditions during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 2021 - Society of Behavioral Medicine Position Statement. Telehealth services are essential to minimize risk without compromising care, especially in the setting of an unclear timeline of COVID vaccine administrations. Authored by Dr. Shikha Jain, Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, Mary Pasquinelli, DNP, and Lisa Mordell, MS from IMPACT.

Inequities in Technology Contribute to Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

March 19, 2021 - JAMA Network Article. As states have begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to those 65 years and older and essential workers, they face substantial challenges. These challenges include the race against more contagious virus variants; the continuing death toll, particularly in vulnerable subgroups; concerns about vaccine supplies; and insufficient funding for vaccine distribution. JAMA Network.

Some businesses are relaxing mask requirements. We can’t give up any ground on slowing COVID-19 spread

February 17, 2021 - Chicago Tribune Letter. As health care professionals and community members, we are extremely concerned with how universal mask requirements are being interpreted in phase four by establishments.

Employers can play a bigger role in making sure Americans get COVID-19 Vaccines

February 5th, 2021 - Workplace outbreaks have been a major contributor to surges. Vaccinating workers will boost immunity, reduce inequity and help the economic recovery. USA Today.

To level the vaccine registration playing field, take it offline

February 2nd, 2021 - Chicago Tribune Op-Ed. As we witness daily, the first-come, first-serve nature of myriad vaccine registration websites heavily biases against patients who lack access to reliable high-speed internet and those with limited technology literacy.

Leveling the Playing Field: Accounting for Academic Productivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

January 20, 2021 - Professional upheavals caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have affected the academic productivity of many physicians. This is due in part to rapid changes in clinical care and medical education: physician-researchers have been redeployed to frontline clinical care; clinician-educators have been forced to rapidly transition in-person curricula to virtual platforms; and primary care physicians and subspecialists have been forced to transition to telehealth-based practices. J Hosp Med.

Op-ed: COVID-19 vaccine registration by app? Confusing technology reveals challenges for seniors using telemedicine

January 20, 2021 - Without a focus on, and solutions directed toward, individuals across all levels of health and technology literacy, vaccine distribution will be fraught with inequity. The Chicago Tribune.

Letters: We should expand the groups of people getting vaccinations in Illinois

January 13, 2021 - The race to deliver COVID-19 vaccines generates an intensity of stress unlike anything we’ve faced as physicians. The Chicago Tribune.

Prevalence of Personal Attacks and Sexual Harassment of Physicians on Social Media

January 4, 2021 - Women are more likely than men to report being harassed online and are more than twice as likely to experience online sexual harassment.1,2 Despite broad adoption of social media by medical professionals, there is limited information about physicians’ experiences with harassment on social media. We report on a case series of physicians invited to describe their experiences of harassment on social media. JAMA Internal Medicine.

COVID vaccine resistance in underrepresented communities

December 25, 2020 - “Each week I go to my clinic, knowing there will be pushback to life-extending advice I give my patients suffering from diabetes. It feels like this could be a losing battle if we don’t pay attention and adapt our messaging and our strategy.” - Dr. Amisha Wallia in Kevin MD.

It’s time to address the shadow pandemic of intimate partner violence

December 17, 2020 - With the reinstatement of the stay-at-home order, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is rising. With increased IPV, it is more important than ever to make sure we are adequately screening for IPV in the healthcare setting. KevinMD.

March On — Diversity in the Face of Adversity

December 16, 2020 - “Our diverse perspectives and collective support of one another proved critical to moving forward. The same tools will be needed for the long game of antiracism. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. Trayvon Martin. The names keep coming. And our work is not done.” Dr. Vineet Arora and Dr. Shikha Jain in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Black And Brown Doctors (Like Me) Are Not OK Right Now

December 10, 2020 - “I have never taken care of more Spanish speakers, undocumented patients, Latinx patients or Black patients as I have during the pandemic.” - Dr. Susan Lopez in Huffpost.

From online education to frontline medicine

December 6, 2020 - When the COVID-19 pandemic came to the United States, it required drastic changes in medical education curricula across the nation, with the majority of learning opportunities transitioning to the virtual setting. As our nation enters the ninth month of this public health crisis, it is necessary to reevaluate the current system and curate the innovative strategies that have been implemented. It is essential that the next generation of physician-scientists complete training that prepares them for eventual clinical practice. KevinMD.

Stuck between a virus and a cold place: A choice for homeless Americans awaits

December 3, 2020 -Imagine having lost your sole source of income in June in the midst of a global pandemic. This is not a unique situation; after all, the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on many families. And in the United States, life has irrevocably changed. But the worst is yet to come. Illinois is seeing exponential growth of patients with COVID-19, and winter is coming. With it, the homeless population faces challenges on multiple fronts: the challenge of finding shelter that can provide warmth and safe enough to avoid high rates of transmission of a silent virus. With an already unstable economy adding to the growing homeless, it will be a long and hard winter. Kevin MD.

The problem with allowing COVID-positive health care workers to continue working

November 18, 2020 - “Essential workers of all types have been asked to give more than the rest of society. However, the pandemic has truly laid bare how little the rest of society is willing to give to us.” - Sheetal Khedkar Rao, MD. KevinMD.

How America Can Beat Covid-19

November 11, 2020 - When Americans cast their ballots — by mail, with early voting, and in person on November 3 — they made those heady decisions based on three major issues. The economy (the primary issue for one out of every three voters) and racial equality (a chief concern for one out of five voters) dominated most people’s minds. Right after them: beating Covid-19 — the issue most impacting the votes of 17% of Americans. Medium.

“Madam Vice President”: Kamala Harris Makes History

November 6, 2020 - The world has never watched an election so closely, wondering whether a paralyzed America would continue to choose division. But in so watching, the world has been brought together in a profound way: Hindus across India prayed for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, just as Jamaicans celebrated her rise. This is not just a celebration of the singular achievement of one of  “us.” It is not even a celebration for South Asian or Black communities, or even for women and their daughters everywhere. Ms. Magazine.

Why flu vaccines are more important than ever in this pandemic

October 28, 2020 - As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase exponentially across the country, influenza (flu) season is upon us. With over 220,000 coronavirus-induced deaths in the United States since the start of this pandemic, we must prepare ourselves for a difficult winter with no end in sight. While implementing universal mask-wearing and social distancing is essential to mitigate this senseless loss of life, we must also focus on reducing the rate of other preventable illnesses such as the flu. Hospitals across the nation are already describing bed shortages, and medical professionals are expressing concerns of a scenario similar to, and perhaps even more dire than the one faced at the onset of this public health crisis as we enter this year’s flu season. Kevin MD.

Why Can We Have Halloween But Not Homeroom?

October 22, 2020 - Upset parents are demanding answers about reopening schools as they watch COVID-19 case counts ramp back up while unmasked groups convene for sport and fun. Bars, gyms and restaurants have increased capacity, causing some of us to wonder: Why can my husband go out for a drink or head to the gym, but my little one can’t go to in-person school? Why can we have Halloween but not homeroom? Education Post.

How your participation in the Census could lead to greater health care equity in Chicago

October 1, 2020 - There’s something we can do right now to dramatically improve health care: Fill out our Census forms and represent our community. Taking a few minutes to answer nine simple questions could greatly improve health care conditions for everyone in Chicago — especially in our city’s most underserved area. Chicago Sun Times.

The Case For A National Universal Masking Mandate

August 5, 2020 - The politicization of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has directly contributed to our failure to control the spread of COVID-19. Medical and public health experts have been united on the importance of public masking since it became clear that the virus could spread before someone was visibly sick. And the data are clear: universal masking is effective at curbing the spread of COVID-19. A Health Affairs article that explored the patchwork state approach to universal masking as a natural experiment showed slower growth rates in states that had passed face mask mandates compared to those that did not. Universal masking policies were estimated to have prevented 230,000-450,000 COVID-19 cases by late May. Health Affairs.

Physician-moms fight back against anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers

August 4, 2020 - Recently, the nation was riveted by photos of the wall of Portland moms who were tear-gassed while forming a human shield of linked arms and bodies to protect Black Lives Matter protesters from federal agents. These moms represent the instincts that all mothers have — fiercely protective with a drive to stand up for what they believe in, especially when it comes to the safety of children. It is those same shared instincts that have motivated physician mothers in Illinois to battle misinformation, and particularly those who oppose masks and vaccines in schools. Kevin MD.

Op-Ed: Be a Patriot. Wear a Mask — This is our generation’s “Great War”

July 17, 2020 - In a time of incredible national strife, many Americans donned the stars and stripes on Independence Day weekend earlier this month. We took a collective breath that we all needed. From a raging pandemic to a shift in collective consciousness on race in America, our communities are in need of a unifying symbol like the American flag -- a symbol that represents patriotism, sacrifice, and freedom to many. But as first responders in the COVID-19 pandemic, facing increasing caseloads and preventable deaths, we propose a different unifying symbol: a mask. MedPage Today.

Masks are not a partisan issue. They are a public health issue. #AmericaMaskUp

June 19, 2020 - The second surge of COVID-19 that was predicted after individuals across the country celebrated the Memorial Day holiday seems to have begun. Cases in Arizona have nearly doubled since the holiday weekend as hospitals in the state are reaching capacity. Oregon and Utah have paused reopening in the midst of spikes in numbers of cases and North Carolina is considering the need for a second shut down. Kevin MD.

Police Officers, please wear masks

June 16, 2020 - There has been a challenging time around the country. Our nation is facing two public health crises simultaneously, and there is no playbook for how to proceed. For several months, our city has been staying home, staying safe, social distancing and trying to keep COVID-19 at bay. With the killing of George Floyd, our nation’s attention has shifted to the systemic racism and police violence against black Americans that plagues our past and our present, which has resulted in both peaceful protests but also widespread looting and destruction in our city. Chicago Tribune.

Health care delivery after COVID-19: Move more procedures to the outpatient setting

May 29, 2020 - The United States has some of the most advanced medical technology in the world, yet COVID-19 has exposed significant deficiencies in our health care system. As nothing will be the same after coronavirus, our health care system must also change as we move forward. Kevin MD.

Implementing Physical distancing in the Hospital: A Key Strategy to Prevent Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19

May 15, 2020 - Hospitalists serve as frontline healthcare professionals caring for the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in the United States. The safety of hospitalists and other frontline healthcare workers is paramount to preventing high nosocomial transmission as has been reported in several other countries. Much effort to date has rightly focused on ensuring healthcare workers have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) given the known increased risk of nosocomial infection to healthcare workers. However, another important strategy to prevent nosocomial transmission is to implement “social distancing,” or avoiding close contact with others. Journal of Hospital Medicine.

While businesses may open, avoid business as usual

May 14, 2020 - The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to spread and impact the lives of the children who are out of school, the senior citizens who are most vulnerable to the virus, and pretty much everyone in between. To halt the spread, much of the nation has been social distancing and sheltering in place for over a month now. The Hill.

Letters: How we can reopen Illinois safely

May 4, 2020 - The organizers of Friday’s Reopen Illinois protest said they are eager for a discussion. We hear them. In today’s polarized environment, we, too, are eager for the opportunity for civil, productive discourse over the process of how to reopen our state. It is not too late for that discussion. So please let us come together now. Chicago Tribune.

All Americans Should Care About When States Reopen

April 23, 2020 - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp plans to reopen parts of his state this week; here’s why that matters to all Americans. U.S. News.

Use Science and Evidence to Craft Plan to Reopen Country Amid Coronavirus

April 16, 2020 - Containing the virus through testing, tracing and treatment will prevent cycling through surges of COVID-19 cases, social distancing, and economic depression these doctors write. U.S. News.

Taking the Long View: Surviving and Thriving After Social Distancing

April 16, 2020 - Over 95% of Americans live under shelter in place orders. As more people are affected by these aggressive measures, some have wondered if they are doing more harm than good - if the cure is worse than the disease itself. Thrive Global.

It’s Time for Doctors to Fight For Their Communities

April 14, 2020 - While it might seem like the COVID-19 pandemic came to the United States like a speeding bullet, the hard truth is that our nation was not ready. Physician's Weekly.

Preventive Care Must Continue During the Pandemic

April 14, 2020 - Venues and methods may have shifted due to COVID-19, but it’s still crucial that patients stay on top of other critical health issues. U.S. News.

Op-Ed: I’ve been an ER doctor for 20 years. I’ll never forget this COVID-19 patient

April 11, 2020 - “I have been an emergency medicine physician for almost 20 years, which means I’ve worked through numerous disasters. I’m used to the daily grind of heart attacks, gunshots, strokes, flu, traumas and more. Yet nothing has made me feel about my work the way this pandemic has. “ - Dr. Halleh Akbarnia

As a doctor, how do I tell a black family of five, struck by the virus, to ‘social distance’ in a two-bedroom apartment?

April 9, 2020 - If Chicago wants to avoid unnecessary deaths, we must target the communities where the virus is most prevalent, writes Dr. Garth Walker, an emergency room physician. African-Americans are at the epicenter of the corona virus crisis, accounting for 70% of the deaths in a city in which we are just 30 percent of the population. So far, the response from governments at all levels is far short of what is needed.

Governors Need to Act to Stem the Tide of COVID-19

April 2, 2020 - Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker led the way with early actions against coronavirus, and other states’ leaders need to follow suit, these doctors write. U.S. News.

The Mother of All Burdens: COVID-19 and Physician Parents

April 1, 2020 - COVID-19 is putting astronomical strain on the healthcare system and healthcare workers, with infections reported among nurses, doctors and providers across the country, and tragically many deaths. Ms. Magazine.

Take the pledge to be #6ftApartNotUnder and advocate for social distancing

March 29, 2020 - We are calling on all Americans to take a stand with over 1000 others by pledging to stay 6 feet apart from one another and supporting more aggressive action. Help us help our patients and our communities survive. Kevin MD.

I am a physician, and I am scared

March 28, 2020 - I am a physician, and I am scared. I am scared for my patients, my friends, my family, and most of all, I am scared for my colleagues. Kevin MD.

Look for the Helpers: Physicians Using Their Voices to Educate During Pandemic

March 26, 2020 - With the coronavirus dominating the news, it is even more essential that physicians speak up and provide evidence-based information in order to quell people’s fears and lead the way in guiding the development of a measured response to a global public health crisis. Morning Consult.

Implement Stay at Home Orders Across States #6ftApartNOTUnder

March 25, 2020 - We along with the undersigned represent doctors, nurses, other frontline healthcare professionals, and their supporters who are joining forces to call for immediate action on social distancing. Change.org.