newsletter final revision - · pdf filelaughter as means of medical therapy, as well as real...
TRANSCRIPT
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No one would better fit in for a leadership position, which re- quires a reasonable amount of one’s personal time than the new president elect, herself. She has been a recipient of multiple state awards: Distinguish Achievement, RMA of the Year and 2011 Educator of the Year. She has been the State Trea- surer for a lengthy period of time and has handled that office unquestionably well. Supporting Sheryl in her presidential responsibility are: appointed positions: Secretary Alaine Johnson and Treasurer Karina Ibarra. Whereas, both are
neophytes to the Board, Alaine and Karina are exemplary in their respective positions at San Joaquin
Valley College. The California State So-ciety of American
Medical Technologists Board likewise welcomes the following new Members-at-Large: Kristina Perkins, RMA, Candace Hunter, RMA, Kody Karas, RMA, Janis Giotta, RMA. Dolores “Lola” Rosales, RMA, who had been in the Board was appointed Proctor Chairperson. Outgoing President Jean-nie Hobson, RMA, RPT, CPT1, AHI, CMAS, was appointed as Legislative Chairperson. The Board expects marked im-provement in the carry-out of its policies, procedures and austere adherence to the State Bylaws. With the co-operation and hardwork of every Board member, this plan will not be far from reality. Good luck to everyone!
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REPORTED BY NICOLE WEISS-LOPEZ, RMA, RPT, CSSAMT VICE
PRESIDENT
Mrs. Sujana De Almeida,
RMA, RPT and Dr. Teresita Hacuman, AHI presented at the CSSAMT Spring Edu-cational Seminar in Fresno, CA last April 14. This time, the duo had the audience in stitches with the presen-tation of their own version
of “Laughter is the Best Medicine” - a theme apart from their usual serious topic. The “Dynamic Duo” showed the audience the power of laughter. Their presentation included the history of laughter as means of medical therapy, as well as real life success stories. We have discovered in today's society that with the high levels of stress, the need for medical care has increased. Stress can cause a wide range of physical and mental illnesses. If we can use laughter to reduce our stress, we can possibly prevent the need for extended medical care. Researches have explored the theory of humor for years helping patients heal and reduce stress. Studies show that patients who laugh frequently or have an active sense of humor possess healthier hearts. Studies conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that patients with heart disease laughed 40% less during various situations, compared to those without heart disease. According to experts in mental health, laughter does wonderful things for us. It has been known to – relieve pain, reduce glucose level, lower blood pressure and improve overall job performance. Because our bodies and minds are connected, laughter plays a valuable tool in healing. Positive energy healing or laughter has been known to treat emotional health, which has a miraculous impact on people’s total well-being.
CONTINUE ON PAGE 11
Sheryl Rounsivill RMA, RPT, CPT1, AHI, CMAS
Alaine Johnson AHI, RMA, CPT1
Karina Ibarra RMA, RPT
DATE: October 13, 2012 LOCATION: SANTA ANA, CA
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Judiciary Councillor KIMBERLY CHEUVRONT, PhD. FGH, 1325 Locust Avenue Fairmont, WV 26554 H = 304-367-0236 W = 304-367-7488 [email protected]
Western District Councillor KENNETH E. HAWKER, MT 3250 South 7900 West Magna, Utah 84044 Residence: 801-252-8976 Cellular: 801-608-5016 [email protected]
JEANNIE HOBSON RMA, AHI, RPT, CPT1, CMAS National Board Member
Legislative Chair 2323 E. Robinson Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726 H:559-226-2338
CP: 559-903-4542 [email protected]
SHERYL ROUNSIVILL RMA, AHI, RPT, CPT1, CMAS
President 2078 S. Hayston Avenue
Fresno, CA 93702 H: 559-268-3740;
NICOLE WEISS RMA, RPT
Vice President 1737 Swift Avenue Clovis, CA 93611 H: 559-801-6529;
ALAINE JOHNSON AHI, RMA, CPT1
Ad interim Secretary 3801 Banyan Tree Drive
Modesto, CA 95355 H: 209-551-1115
KARINA IBARRA RMA, RPT
Ad interim Treasurer 4060 W Menlo Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722 H: 559-435-7165 CP:559-907-4043
TERESITA R. HACUMAN PhD., AHI Editor
53 West Garden Green Port Hueneme, CA 93041-1815
H: 805-382-2729 CP: 805-827-7810
DOLORES “Lola” ROSALES RMA
Proctor Chair 3730 B. Alcamo Place
Santa Bárbara, CA 93105 H: 805-563-2440
SUJANALATHA DE ALMEIDARMA, RPT
Past President / Member At Large 544 E. Lark Avenue Visalia, CA 93292 H: 559-627-5464
CP: 559-967-1984 [email protected]
CATHERINA DE LAY RMA
Member At Large 9514 Asimov Way
Sacramento, CA 95829 H: 916-529-2581
▲JANIS GIOTTA RMA
Member At Large 1822 Evergreen Court
Visalia, CA 93277 H: 559-798-0730 [email protected]
CANDACE HUNTER RMA
Member At Large 545 E. Antonio Drive
Clovis, CA 93612 H: 559-978-0595
KRISTINA PERKINS RMA
Member At Large 1182 Syracuse Lane Manteca, CA 95336
H: 209-275-2475 [email protected]
▲TERESA ROGERS RMA
Member At Large 1440 E. Griffith Way #109
Fresno, CA 93704 H: 559-917-6876
KODY KARAS RMA
Member At Large 5419 West Paul
Fresno, CA 93722 H: 559-473-8944
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June, like I stated in our past issues, has always been my favorite month. Aside from being my birth month, the birthstones for the month of June (pearl, moonstone and Alexandrite) stand for health and longevity. Each day in the month of June1
has a particular date in American history, making this month memorable and significant. My editorial will center on Father’s Day, honoring the head of the household (for most homes), celebrated in June. The Summit Medical Group has proclaimed June2 as Men’s Health Month. The studies highlight men’s health problems and focus on finding ways to safeguard, conserve and better their health as well as achieve longevity. In the United States3, we are confronted with a health predicament that men, on the average, live five (5) years less than women; the fact remains that their female counterpart are a 100% more likely to seek medical attention than they do. Thus, we face the fact that some of the men may fail to see their grandchildren in their adult years, because we lose them to avertable health problems, such as smoke-related illness, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other heart problems. In 1994, President Clinton4 signed into law, which Congress acknowledged and Governors declared in their own states, an exceptional recognition time: the National Men’s Health Week. It was to the extent that some communities celebrated a “Wear Blue Day” to encourage health fairs, screening, media appearances and a website which supplies information on resources including educational tools for activities for the men in our society. Although, readers might receive this issue towards the end of June, it will not be too late to observe this event with the men in our family. This year, it is celebrated from June 11 – 17, ending on Father’s Day. Of course, there is always next year. It would be safe to assume that June is linked to the medical field and if we preserve men’s health and ours, we would attain quality longevity. In the same token, if we protect CSSAMT’s interest, we would have permanence in the AMT world. As a team, we must do everything within our power, so our state society will find itself in the map of fame, to prove to the world that our performance are up to par or exceed the expectations and standards of the demands in the health turf.
1 americanhistory.about.com/od/todayinamericanhistory 2 www.summitmedicalgroup.com 3 http://www.sacbee.com, Men’s Health Network, June 1, 2012 4 www.wearblueformen.com
This is my inaugural President’s Message! I am elated to be elected to the top leadership position of our state society. With a nervous feeling, but with a motiva-ted sense of confidence coming from the assurance of the BOD members, I take this responsibility with my head up. My presidential platform is very simple – to remain focus on what it takes for us, members, to remain as the pride of AMT in general, and the CSSAMT in particular. I would like to request everyone’s input on how to improve the attendance at each seminar we hold. This is not an easy task, but if we put our dedicated brains together, nothing is impossible. Next on my list is for our society to endeavor to garner more national awards and to encourage more members to attend the national convention. California has one of the most populace of members and often times I lament the fact that we are under represented. Likewise, our potential to attain awards is akin to everyone else, so why are we not in the race? Are we even trying? We are very proud of our former state president, Jeannie Hobson, RMA, AHI, CPT1, for persevering in her pursuit to attain a seat in the national board. Let us copy her determination and strive for another seat in the national board. Some of our BOD: Sujana De Almeida, RMA, RPT and Dr. Teresita R. Hacuman, AHI, were appointed to a number of the national committees. Prestige is astonishing when one wins an award or attains a national position, but more rewarding is the reality that it means we are doing our share in becoming first-rate AMT members – that we are performing up to par as affiliates of an esteemed-just-about worldwide organization. Now, would that not inspire all of us to do our best, to say the least? The year 2012 welcomes bunch of new faces in the state BOD to complement its experienced group. We anticipate innovative enhancement in our society’s total facet, with all the professional brains working together. The collective assembly started the year right by going over their respective duties and responsibilities, including the review of the Bylaws. This sets an excellent groundwork or great foundation, particularly for the new members and a reiteration for the senior constituents. I truly look forward for a smooth-sailing and productive two-year term, with a profound hope to leave a legacy to my incoming successor. With team effort and commit-ment, victory should not be far behind.
~ Sheryl Rounsivill, RMA, RPT, CPT1, AHI, CMAS
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Mr. Ken Hawker, MT‐AMT
As I write this message, many of you are deeply involved in planning your Spring 2012 Seminar. Your state officers and Board of Directors work very diligently to prepare for these meetings and to have educational sessions that are applicable and useful in your professional life. I have a personal challenge to each of our members this year. The best way to illustrate my challenge is with an imaginary situation.
Imagine that you have a very special occasion about to happen and you want your family and friends to observe this event with you. You arrange for a special meeting place. You call the caterer to arrange for food. You send out invitations to those who are special to you. In anticipation of a great time of celebration you arrive early to make sure everything is in its place. Then, you wait for the first guests to arrive. The time you indicated on your invitation turns up and no one came. After a few more minutes a couple of people show up. Finally, about half-an-hour later, another five or six people arrive. So, you make your best effort to show them a good time. You go through the motions but your heart really is
not into it. When the party is over, you thank those who came. When the room is empty you sit down, put your head in your hands and wonder where everyone was. Too often the above scenario reflects the response, so many of our members give to their state leaders when invited to their state spring and fall seminars. Planning a seminar takes a lot of effort, planning and dedication. My challenge to our state members is to show your appreciation for the hard work of your leaders by showing up and participating in these twice a year events. I know for some of you it means you may have to use a vacation day from work to attend. Others may have to spend the money for a night in a hotel and maybe a couple of meals at a restaurant. I learned a long time ago that we almost always find the time and money for the things that matter to us. To me, AMT is not just a professional organization, it is a family. We have mutual challenges in life and in the work place. We all have a duty to our employers and clients to stay current in our field of medical care. These seminars are means of obtaining this training. One of the great things about getting together with other AMT members is the opportunity to be encouraged and challenged. One of my joys as a District Councillor is the privilege of attending a few of the state meetings each year. I look forward to renewing relationships and making new acquaintances as I make my visits each year. On another note, the AMT Council will be meeting in San Antonio, Texas on March 1 and 2 for our semi-annual meeting. I look forward to representing our Western District at this meeting. I will be sending a report to your state leadership upon completion of this meeting. I wish for all of our states a great and growing 2012.
Sincerely,
Ken Hawker, MT-AMT Western District Councillor
Editor’s Note
In 2011, CSSAMT responded to the first challenge set by our District Councillor, and that is – to give opportunities to “new blood” in the BOD, evidenced by the bunch of new faces. In this issue, it will be noted that the turnout during the Spring Seminar had increased – in compliance, also, to his second challenge for 2012 – to improve attendance at the state seminars. Thank you, Mr. Hawker!
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“Breaking the Silence – Ending
Child Abuse”
Speaker: DAKOTA DRACONI
Students from different schools learning to be the “pride of the health profession” ►►►
Long REGISTRATION LINE is always a welcome feeling!!!
Let us know our CSSAMT BOARD MEMBERS! The BOD, as they were proudly introduced by the State President at the start of the Spring Seminar in Fresno.
Seminar Attendees, lining up for the most awaited event – LUNCH TIME – food for the brain!
BOARD MEETING – an essential part of CSSAMT!
JEANIE HOBSON, RMA National BOD speaks on “AMT Benefits”
ALAINE JOHNSON, reading the Minutes
KARINA IBARRA, with the Treasurer’s Report
JENNIFER PRESTON – “Nutrition – Wellness in your work, weekend and Overall Health”
Dynamic Duo – DE ALMEIDA-HACUMAN – after their vibrant presentation of “Laughter is the Best Medicine”
State President SHERYL ROUNSIVILL commencing the seminar
DR. JOHN SWIGER, SJVC Director speaks on “Professionalism”.
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Eight (8) CSSAMT members of the Board of Directors are attending the National Convention in San Antonio, Texas from July 9 – 14, 2012. Official delegates include: Sujana DeAlmeida, RMA, RPT, (Former State President), Jeannie Hobson, RMA, RPT, AHI, CPT, CMAS, (National Board of Director), Alaine Johnson, RPT (Secretary), Kody Karas, RMA, (Member-at-Large) Dolores Rosales, RMA (Proctor Chair), Sheryl Rounsivill, RMA,RPT, AHI, CMAS (President) and Nicole Weiss-Lopez, RMA, RPT, (Vice President). Dr. Teresita R. Hacuman, AHI-AMT (Editor) is likewise joining the California emissaries.
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This column will focus on the legislative ALERTS in 2012, which have bearing or impact on members of the medical or allied health fields.
NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES*
Issue: President’s FY 13 Budget Increasing Fees and Pharmaceutical Co-payment Action Required: Need to contact Senators and Re-presentatives to oppose said increase. Details: TRICARE PRIME: Increase annual enrollment fees; TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL) initiate enrollment fees to be phased in over 4 years; TRICARE STANDARD AND EXTRA: initiate enrollment fees and increase de-ductibles to be phased in over 5 years; PHARMA-CEUTICALS: increase co-payment Impact:
(1) Medical inflation irrespective of COLA for our uniformed services members, prospective and retired members
(2) Projected medical annual expenditures increase in Medicare and Medicaid Services from $2.7 trillion in 2011 to $4.6 trillion in 2020
SAVE our men and women who have bravely served and continue to serve our nation, from medical
inflation. WRITE our senators and congressmen; ENCOURAGE your friends and family to do the same. ATTENTION: For questions: Pete Duffy, NGAUS, Acting Legislative Director or CALL: 202-454-5307 or EMAIL: [email protected]
***************************************************************** VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (VRAP)**
The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President. This new law involves a 12-month training assistance to unemployed veterans. The Departments of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Labor (DoL) are working together to make this new program rolling come July 1st, 2012.
Participants need to enroll in a VA approved educational program in community colleges or technical schools and must lead to either of the following: Associate Degree, Non-college Degree or a Certificate and must train the veteran for a high-demand occupation.
Medical Assistants, Dental Assistants and Medical Laboratory Technicians are included in the list of high demand occupations.
Impact: Our schools are privileged to train our surviving heroes and provide them better chances of a vocational education. Increased enrollments in our technical schools and more opportunities to augment the numbers of mem-
berships in the AMT’s certified disciplines. *****************************************************************
MEDICAL2 NEWS – ADVANCE NOTIFICATION***
The new programs: “Patient Care Technician” and “Elec-tronic Health Record Specialist” were published on February 23, 2012 and have been available since March. FEDERAL ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS (EMR) MANDATE 2014 / 2015 DEADLINE The year 2014 will be momentous from the viewpoint that 2015 onwards, legal consequence will be imposed on entities, who are dealing with patient healthcare data that are unable to upgrade themselves to the electronic technologies. EMR based its standard that electronic records afford two indisputable rewards: the collective benefit of protecting patient information and the tremendous slashing of healthcare expenditures *****************************************************************
MEDI-CAL GETS HIGH MARKS IN GENERAL****
One thousand 1,100 Medi-Cal beneficiaries were sur-veyed and conducted in favor of the California Healthcare Foundation. Results revealed that Medi-Cal patients were by and large, satisfied with the California’s Medicaid system. The results were not as dazzling for those with disabilities or health issues, complaining that they had difficulties procuring appointments to see either their primary care physician or specialists.
The sad fact is that only 57% of California physicians accept new Medical patients in contrast to about 90% of doctors who admit new patients with private insurances. The worst consequence is that Medi-Cal payments will decrease further, if the projected slashes by the courts go through.
In spite of the aggression bestowed on Medi-Cal or Medicaid, some opinionated select few stated that it is no better than being uninsured, however Anthony Wright said that even with all the problems, it is an unbelievably important program for a vast majority of indigent Californians *http://www.ngai.net/ngaus-legislative-alet-12-7-16-aprl-2012
**www.benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm
***http://www.medical2.com/news
****Medicaid, News – San Francisco Chronicle, May 31, 2012
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By Dr. Edward L. Wiley, PA, RPT, CPT1, AHI
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke1 the cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is not known; that it may be a disease caused by the body’s autoimmune system when the body starts attacking itself. There has been no known cure for MS, except for prescribed medications delaying its progression and alleviating the symptoms, along with therapy (occupational and physical) helping the patients cope up with the disease. On September 22, 2010, the FDA approved “fingolimod”, which was first synthesized in 1992, became the first oral disease-modifying drug, holding down progressive disability and minimizing relapses. 2,3
Novartis, (GilenyaTM) for fingolimod made announced modifications to the prescribing information, pertinent merely for patients who have not taken the drug or have ceased taking or will continue to take and will not apply to those who are presently taking Gilenya. Gilenya is approved for patients to take in order to prevent MS outbreak and dawdling development of the nervous system disorder. The U.S. FDA placed the new guidelines, with the new labels after an evaluation of the drug and its effect
on the heart, following the death of a patient who died within twenty-four (24) hours of the first dose of Gilenya. The FDA announcement4 stated that Gilenya “should not be given to patients with certain pre-existing or recent heart conditions or stroke, or those taking certain medications to correct rhythm problems”. Other deaths resulting from cardiovascular reasons to unknown causes have been reported; although there was no definite conclusion that
Gilenya was connected to these fatalities. Additionally, data analysis shows that the drug has circulatory system-related consequences, which occur from within six hours, to as late as twenty hours after first use.
On April 13, 2012, Novartis5 announced that an MS patient taking Gilenya was diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This type of infection has been linked with patients taking another drug, called Tysabri® (natalizumab), the risk factors of which can continue even up to three months of discontinuance of Tysabri. Included in the FDA’s recommendations are for patients who commenced taking Gilenya; these patients must be strictly monitored for bradycardia. The following are also considered high-risks:
(1) patients taking other medications that extend the QT gap, which may cause the fatal abnormal heart rhythm termed as Torsades de Pointes;
(2) patients on therapy with other drugs that slow the heart rate or impulses that control the heartbeat; (3) patients who have pre-existing and poorly-tolerated bradycardia; and (4) patients who took Gilenya and developed severe bradycardia.
In addition, FDA advised patients who showed signs of bradycardia, experienced dizziness; fatigue and palpitations must seek urgent medical care, but must not stop taking Gilenya without their doctors’ advice. =====================================================================================
1 Multiple Sclerosis: Hope through Research NIH (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) 2 http://www.drugs.com/gilenya.html 3 FDA press release on approval of Gilenya 4 http://medicalxpress.com/ 5 www.gilenya.com 6 Image courtesy of Blausen Medical
*******************************************************************************************************************************The author was a former California State Society President and a frequent contributor to the Newsletter.
~ The Editor
Myelin sheath of the spinal cord showing degeneration
Myelin sheath of the brain showing degeneration
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Editor’s Note: Our feature personality is currently the Ad Interim Treasurer until such time that she has two years with the state Board of Directors. I have personally worked with Karina in the professional world and the devotion she has for her position as a Board of Director is unquestionable. I would contact her on weekends for CSSAMT matters and her response is swift as a lightning bolt. She would offer her assistance and do more than is asked for. I never once heard her complaint because for Karina – service is her second name.
A little more than thirty years ago, in Fresno, California, a child was born to a Mexican couple: Manuel and Elisa. They were also graced with three sons: Horacio, Manuel, Esteban, two daughters: Elida and Jackeline. This child is Karina, who is our featured personality. She loves softball, but professionally she has great goals of attaining the CMAS certification and the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration. She
has profound perseverance – manifested in her motto and philosophy in life: to “do anything you set your mind to” and “not to let what you cannot do get in the way with what you can do”. Karina saw a need for medical assistants, so she attended schooling at Fres-no San Joaquin Valley Col-lege, graduating with an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting. She worked as an
Ob/Gyn Family Practice medical assistant prior to being an instructor for her alma mater two years ago. She saw the importance of being certified; hence she had been with AMT for seven years with RMA, RPT and AHI certifications. She acknowledged that AMT membership has helped her with social networking and proposed that poor attendance in CSSAMT seminars could possibly be improved by contacting healthcare providers or educating the industry with the importance and benefits of involvement / certification with AMT. She considers her greatest accomplish-ment as being able to sit on a prestigious organi-zation as CSSAMT Ad Interim Treasure and Board of Directors. Her motivating factors are her children and she is especially inspired by her mentor – former ins-tructor, the state society President Sheryl Roun-sivill. Karina describes herself in one word as “energetic”; and believe me when I say –
that she is, what she claims she is – as I have seen her in action – a lady with a never-exhausting vigor. Summarizing what Karina’s inspiration (Sheryl Rounsivill) says about her: “She is dedicated and hard-working – never says ‘NO’ to legitimate tasks expected
of her. Dave (my husband) and I never knew of anyone who always maintains a positive attitude, loves life and performs numerous favors for people, but never expect anything in return. She is the life of the meetings / parties – keeping everyone laughing and forgetting their problems for that moment, at least. As a matter of fact, I would have never made it through the tough times in my life – dealing with family health issues; Karina was an except-ional student, is a true friend and a faithful colleague. The love of her life – her three children and husband keep her occupied with sports, while at the same time taking on a full-time wife role. Karina had never once refused to substitute for any absent instructor, in spite of her working late the night before. Karina is the California State Society American Medical Tech-nologists’ (CSSAMT) Ad Interim Treasurer – and does an efficient job; she is very organized and keeps me organized
as well. She is one indispensable person I would want and need in my corner as State President, because she is ever-ready to act on any responsibility the society or I, as State President, would require of her.” On the lighter side, Sheryl added: “She can make the best homemade tacos ever.” I think you should send your recipe to Amy Cookbook. Ask what words of wisdom she has to share with the readers: Karina said without hesitation: “a person’s true wealth is the good deeds that she does in this world.” There we go – meet Karina – who, professionally and personally, is a wonderful individual to know and work with.
Karina at the Registration Table with Alaine, the State Secretary
Karina, while helping the Food Committee, aside from all her other responsibilities
Karina, in one of her roles helping as one of the Assist-ant Seminar Coordinators
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Everything is perfect; the lighting is great; the weather is ideal and the man of your dreams is sitting across the table from you. At that moment, what is happening inside of you? Could it be love? Maybe it is just science. This is the essence of my paper - the link between love and science. Let us understand scientific love and what transpires when people experience love - different types of love.
The first type of love is Eros, son of Aphrodite and the Greek god of romantic love. Today, Eros is defined as the sexual desire of yearning a human can feel for another person.1 This desire directly affects the reward system of the prefrontal3 cortex of the brain, which is directly responsible for choosing between right from wrong and social control. When people are attracted to each other, could it be lust at first sight, or is it simply a prefrontal cortex attraction?
The second type of love is Phileo, the type of love that shows deep affection for the loved one but expects something in return2. Phileo is completely necessary for a successful marriage because it involves the feelings of friendship and companionship, controlled by the limbic system.
The third type of love is agape. Agape entails an extremely high commitment and bonding for another person. Agape is to completely love a person one hundred percent but expect nothing in return. This is the true love – the highest level of love – the love that lasts – and the love that people strive for.
Since love is generated in our brains, let us dwell a little deeper into what human beings experience when we fall in love. The objects of our love consume our brains – our thoughts – every second of the day and live for each kiss and touch from that person. Is it really that simple? Is it enough to explain it as “love at first sight”? We need to take a closer look and examine some chemicals in our bodies – at those all too familiar….. hormones.
We, who are in the medical field, know that oxytocin is a highly powerful hormone that is released during childbirth and links mother and infant immediately, creating that undeniable love between the two. Oddly enough, oxytocin is the same hormone that is released by both men and women during sexual gratification, hence the nickname the “cuddle hormone”. That explains why cuddling is so common after the act of intimacy. The theory is that the more frequently a couple is intimate, the stronger their bond would be.4
Vasopressin is the other chemical that goes hand in hand with oxytocin, both stored in the posterior pituitary and are released directly to the brain, claiming responsibility for bonding including social behavior. Research indicated that while the release of vasopressin caused males to be more aggressive to other males, it has also been shown to support the bond between sexual partners.6 So, again I must ask: “is it love we feel? Or could it just be a natural programmed brain-triggered reaction? Is he really “Mister Right, or are vasopressin and oxytocin clouding our judgment?
“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love” 7. Maybe the 80’s iconic singer was right! Imagine all the hormones and brain chemicals involved when watching that music video? We all crave for that feeling of complete mutual love with the strong desire to keep that sensation. With all these chemical changes going on, why would we not want to keep that feeling going? Love is like a drug! We hear tons of songs on the radio – some excessively sentimental, if not silly, made for television movies, showing how love can be so perfect.
It may be difficult to fathom that it is the same feelings, and the same chemicals released, when you feel “love” and during a drug addiction. Think about it this way; when you are in love – you feel as if you are on top of the world – feeling incredibly high, that only you and your partner could ever comprehend. The reward system of your brain is going crazy – feeding off of this new addiction in exactly the same way as a heroin addict’s brain goes crazy for a “high”. For example, Dr. Lucy Brown5 found that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain is the same region that is initiated by a cocaine user’s drug use. However, it is not associated with cravings; Brown documented other sites that produce negative feelings and emotions which are less active when a person is feeling “love”. Would it be safe to say then that love really is an addiction? Is there a drug for that?
Let us take a look at the end result of all this mushy, “love stuff”. Have you ever heard of the big ”D”? No, I do not mean divorce; I mean Dumped Depression. It seems you can be in love and your brain can be stimulated in all the rewarding ways, but the moment that love is gone, depression is sure to set in. “The world is over” or “life will never be the same” feeling is so common for recently-dumped lovers. With depression and love running side by side, I think that the question remains, “why bother?”
Scientifically, I choose to stick with the facts. Is it true love? I guess NOT; it turns out that our parents were right after all. Medically, we only have our hormones and chemicals to blame!
CONTINUE ON PAGE 11 FOR REFERENCES
ASHLEY ANDERSON is the California AMT Student Society president for SJVC Fresno Campus aside from being a Student Council Officer. She has great professional attitude, a consistent attendee to CSSAMT seminars and currently doing her externship. Ashley looks forward to the day when she would a Registered Medical Assistant. ~ Nicole Weiss, RMA, RPT, VP
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“GETTING GRIP OF MANAGEMENT DILEMMA”
(PART 1 OF 3) Editor’s Note: This is the first issue of this column. I am soliciting articles from readers who are / were in the management or supervisory positions to shed light on human relations subject: disasters in the administrative arena as well as provide suggestions to improve team endeavors or eradicate friction - so as to make our workplace a wonderful locale to be in, eight hours Monday through Friday.
Do you see your co-workers frequently mad (for whatever reason/s)? Do you often see your employees looking stress and all one needs is to push the wrong button and there will be chaos? Do you ever see students or staff in your school regularly in the Deans’ or Directors’ Offices, venting or complaining about fellow students, fellow instructors or their “bosses”? No matter in what work environment one is in, management should be ready to step in, cope, handle and control any form of catastrophic event/s your company, your school or your clinic has. It is not easy, but it can be done scientifically, systematically and sensibly. While I was teaching Allied Health Psychology, I remembered reading a book authored by Jim Moorhead1, where he mentioned three steps to handle crisis; my school’s management team adapted his ideas, while injecting our own system* to fit our school situation. *Be self-seeking. Determine where to center your attention – is it the victim of the predicament, the cause of the predicament or the people in the predicament vicinity? For once, be egocentric (if you are not already) and acknowledge that when you do what is right for you, you are doing what is in the best interest of surrounding group, who has placed their trust in you. Take off your facade, recognize what is erroneous and put all your energy into fixing the quandary. *Be team-oriented. Learn to delegate; leave out doing everything yourself. Some of your co-workers have the best ideas there are, to solve the problems. Remember that if “two heads are better than one”, many thinking minds are better than one. However, beware of “too many chefs spoiling the soup” premise. Bear in mind: that is why, it is called a company, because it is made up of many different departments; solicit their assistance – be a T-E-A-M, because together everyone accomplishes more! You can even use “professional outsiders” – because they can see the real depiction from the outside!
“GETTING GRIP OF MANAGEMENT DILEMMA” (CONTINUED)
*Be optimistic. Always see the bright side of the matter. Put your vigor in not making the problem/s complicated. I always try to remember the thoughts of President Theodore Roosevelt – try to make the right decisions the first time, so we will not be burrowing from a blunder. Write down the solutions or options; prioritize them according to importance – if the first option does not work, there is always a back-up solution. Next Issue: What are the questions one should ask oneself, when placed under pressure, in order to make appropriate decisions?
WORK CITED
1 “The Instant Survivor: Right Ways to Respond When Things Go
Wrong”, Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2012.
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(CALIFORNIA TANDEM PRESENTED AT SPRING SEMINAR
SOURCES
o sciencedaily.com o umm.edu o psychologytoday.com o expertclick.com
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(SCIENCE OF LOVE)
REFERENCES 1http://www.thefreedictionary.com/eros, 2009 Houghton Mifflin Com-
pany 2Amplexor 02-04-2009 “Talk about marriage” http://talkabout mar-
riage.com/general-relationshipdiscussion/3991-five-kinds-love.html 11-29-2011
3Anissimov, Michael. “What is the prefrontal cortex” 11-1-2011 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-prefrontal-cortex.htm 11-29-2011
4Arthur, Ann. “Your amazing Brain” N.D., http://www.youramazing-brain.org/lovesex/sciencelove.htm
5Brown, Lucy. 06-15-2009 “Emotional problems” http://www.invigorate-
360.com/reviews/study-love-affects-brain-like-drug-addiction/
6Caldwell, H.K. Young. 2006 “Oxytocin and Vasopressin: Genetics and behavioral implications” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassopressin
7Palmer, Robert. 1985 A music recording. Album: Riptide. “Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love”
ACCEPTING
ARTICLES for December issue of California Vision!!! Submit by or before October 30 deadline.
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