Three Delightful 2024 Health-Related Tales That Sparked Joy
Three Delightful 2024 Health-Related Tales That Sparked Joy
As we approach the end of 2024, I'd like to shine a light on three uplifting healthcare stories that brought a smile to my face.
The first story comes from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Their remarkable transplant surgery team recently accomplished an unprecedented feast of 20 surgical transplants, all part of a "chain" that joined compatible donors with suitable recipients.
Picture this scenario: Mrs. Adams needed a kidney, and her husband, Mr. Adams, was willing to donate one of his kidneys to her, but unfortunately, their tissues didn't match. Sounds familiar? Same goes for Mrs. Baker and Mr. Baker. They both needed kidneys, but their tissues didn't match either. Thankfully, a clever matching algorithm could pinpoint appropriate pairings, allowing Mr. Baker to donate his kidney to Mrs. Adams, and vice versa. This way, both couples could benefit, as each couldn't alone meet their spouse's needs. Together, they triumphed.
In the aforementioned Ohio State University case, the surgeons were able to establish a "chain" comprising 10 recipients (and 10 donors). If every link in the chain functioned appropriately, the surgeries would succeed. With 10 operations to remove kidneys from donors and another 10 to place them in the recipients, the medical team completed 20 surgeries in two days. As they highlighted, a minor health setback, like a common cold or fever, could have disrupted the chain.
Professor Alvin Roth was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012 for his work on developing matchmaking methods, such as those utilized by the organ transplant team. If you're intrigued by the mathematics and biology behind transplant matchmaking, I recommend the captivating 21-minute documentary, "The Right Match."
The second story emerged from Rose Hospital in Denver, Colorado. To combat medical staff stress and burnout, the hospital now employs specially trained therapy dogs. Take, for instance, Dr. Kristina Fraser, an OB-GYN physician, who briefly spent time petting a therapy dog before attending an urgent pregnancy delivery. The presence of therapy dogs enables medical personnel to indulge in moments of tranquillity before tackling their subsequent tasks.
The heartwarming story even brought about a sense of calm in me.
You can delve further into the story from NPR's Morning Edition by following this link.
My heartwarming anecdote of 2024 is the eradication of "murder hornets" in the US. These colossal hornets pose a significant risk to human safety and can devastate honeybee hives. As per Sven Spichiger, the pest program manager of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, "I've got to tell you, as an entomologist—I've been doing this for over 25 years now, and it is a rare day when the humans actually get to triumph over the insects."
As we embark on 2025, we will undoubtedly face additional challenges and opportunities. But let's reminisce on 2024's health successes and wish everyone a Happy New Year!
following the successful eradication of 'murder hornets' in the US, the healthcare sector also recognized the importance of addressing burnout among medical professionals. Consequently, Rose Hospital in Denver introduced 'therapy dogs', trained to provide comfort and relaxation, helping doctors like Dr. Kristina Fraser manage stress before critical procedures.
Meanwhile, the innovative use of 'matchmaking' algorithms during organ transplant surgeries at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center led to a record-breaking 20 surgeries in two days, proving that teamwork and advanced technology can bridge even the most complex tissue incompatibilities.