• Ordinary people experiencing extraordinary challenges

    How patients and health care providers handle illness can be a source of inspiration for many. Their stories are seldom told. Bad news tends to pique our interest more so than good. Many of these people are true heroes.

  • Leaderless in Ottawa

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen April 30, 2002 Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more! – Eric Idle – Monty Python’s Flying Circus Recent reports in the National Post and Ottawa Citizen about Health Canada’s failure to disclose to Canadians in the mid 90’s the lead risk in Turkish raisins is another example of…

  • What teens want to know

    School children tend to set the agenda when it comes to what health info they want Despite numerous health advisory and information campaigns, inroads into curbing or modifying deleterious adolescent behaviours remain wanting. There are many reasons, including competition from television and movies, advertising, peer pressure, academic responsibilities, development of independent attitudes and rebelliousness, and…

  • Test drivers of all ages to make sure they're competent

    Sunday will mark the fifth anniversary of the death of my brother, Dr. Steven Dworkin, age 32. His senseless death continues to haunt me and I suppose will forever do so.

  • Sometimes a doctor can only listen

    Some days or weeks, for good or bad, become more memorable than others. They serve up a combination of events that can turn your day into a rollercoaster of emotions. Such a day occurred in early March. There were 20 patients that day, some with straight-forward problems, others alone in the wilderness.

  • Minister's Attack on Fat an Obscene Proposition

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen March 12, 2002 Federal Health Minister Anne McLellan mused recently about the obesity epidemic as if this was some new revelation.

  • Body Image Obsession Doesn't Happen In a Vacuum

    The decision by YM magazine to quit printing diet tips and use models who reflect the body image of the majority of teens is welcome news.

  • Up in smoke

    Throw away those old truisms about cigarettes. Here are some new ways to talk to teens about smoking.

  • The hazards of discussing breastfeeding

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen January 15, 2002 Column draws fire from some readers and support from others Last week’s column on breastfeeding difficulties provoked passionate responses. I was accused of being uneducated, unethical, unprofessional and a menace to medical students and residents because allegedly I promoted formula over breastmilk. Others whole-heartedly agreed with…