Georgia Tech’s Durham picked to lead cancer organization

Lynn Durham has been named the new president and CEO of the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE). Durham, currently Georgia Tech vice president for institute relations, will replace Nancy Paris, who has led Georgia CORE since its inception and is retiring. The organization was established in 2003 to help boost Georgia’s…

Though standard medical visits have made a comeback, telehealth is here to stay

The surge in telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has leveled off, with more patients seeing their doctors in person again. But experts say virtual medical appointments will continue, and with more frequency than before COVID struck. Some of the change appears permanent. In Georgia and nationally, the early days of the pandemic saw incredible growth…

MMWR conflict, other controversies cloud image of the CDC

Almost 40 years ago, a CDC report described mysterious pneumonia cases among five previously healthy young men in Los Angeles. That led to reporting of similar cases — and the eventual identification of AIDS. Since then, those same weekly CDC reports have published important articles on SARS, Ebola and Zika, among other major disease trends….

National poll highlights perils of COVID-19 in rural Georgia

Many rural households are struggling with access to health care and financial problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a national poll released Wednesday. The poll of more than 500 adults living in rural areas found that one in four of these families said they had a member unable to get medical care for a…

Politically connected firm earning millions in state contract

A health care staffing company with strong political connections has been paid more than $40 million by the state of Georgia to supply medical workers to fight COVID-19. Jackson Healthcare, a private company based in Alpharetta, was asked by state officials for help in March. That’s when Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and the city of…

Emory experts warn against fall sports being played amid pandemic

Emory University infectious disease experts have raised strong concerns about fall sports being played in areas, such as Georgia, that have high levels of COVID-19 cases. Dr. Carlos del Rio said in a video conference Thursday that many communities have COVID-19 case levels that exceed what he believes would allow for a safe return to…

Restaurants grapple with COVID among workers; concerns rise over PPE, supplies

Dozens of metro Atlanta restaurants have temporarily closed in recent months after employees tested positive for the coronavirus. They include the Varsity, a historic fast food restaurant in Midtown Atlanta, which has since reopened. At the popular Ponce City Market in Atlanta, six retail establishments or tenants closed at least temporarily after employees were infected,…

COVID-19 numbers show alarming jumps in state

If you haven’t been shocked by the COVID-19 numbers in Georgia, Friday’s figures may do it. The state easily broke its record for daily cases reported, with 4,484 new infections, more than 1,000 higher than the previous mark. The hospitalization number took an ominous leap, with 331 new admissions for COVID-19 reported Friday across the…

Innovative surgery changes life for girl with scoliosis

By Judi Kanne Henry County resident Audrey Benford was 10 when she arrived at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in December 2018, after her pediatrician diagnosed her with scoliosis. The news that she would have to wear a back brace to help correct a curvature in her spine was about the last thing this sports-loving pre-teen cheerleader…

Rapid rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations worries health care leaders

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are soaring across Georgia, with more than 300 additional patients reported in hospitals statewide between Thursday and Monday. Officials representing hospitals in major metropolitan areas, as well as rural counties, told GHN on Tuesday that the surge in inpatients has come over the past week or two. Many of the newly hospitalized…