Kathryn Marie Charnock, M.D., Major, MC, USAF: Graduate: Hart High School, Newhall ’99 Deployed: Afghanistan, 2013-2014 Present: Lackland AFB Parents: Paula Charnock Millar, George Charnock, M.D.
Doctor’s Diary February 8, 2019: Dying from hospice
(Snippets from the frontline) Dying from hospice Compassionate care must be provided at end-of-life minimizing pain and suffering. Inexperience, poor training, and greed by some hospice agencies though reveals an … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary February 5, 2019: Hospice is a business
(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice is a business Two decades ago was a scary time to fly as airplanes were crashing because some manufacturers and suppliers were using faulty nuts … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary February 1, 2019: “Your loved one is on life support”
(Snippets from the frontline) “Your loved one is on life support” 40 years ago when I started in medicine, the term “life support” meant a patient was tenuously alive on … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 29, 2019: A stranger making your medical decisions
(Snippets from the frontline) A stranger making your medical decisions Who you marry, what car you drive, or where you live are personal decisions. But, would you want your medical … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 25, 2019: Your doctor advocate is under attack
(Snippets from the frontline) Your doctor advocate is under attack When you are ill in the hospital, you must have someone who will be your advocate. Until recently, your doctor … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 22, 2019: Elmer and Edie
(Snippets from the frontline) Elmer and Edie He was born and raised in Tennessee, married his high school sweetheart, fought in WWII on a battleship, and returned with a Purple … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 18, 2019: Lodging a hospital complaint
(Snippets from the frontline) Lodging a hospital complaint If you don’t like food at a restaurant, you don’t go back. If your car is still spewing smoke, you find another … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 15, 2019: Under the influence
(Snippets from the frontline) Under the influence Alcohol consumption has side effects as it permeates society at all levels. Where does it start? Parents who drink alcohol might imprint similar … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 11, 2019: Palliative and hospice care jargonese
(Snippets from the frontline) Palliative and hospice care jargonese Hospice care is essential to assure minimal pain and suffering at end-of-life. This awareness has evolved over the past two decades, … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 8, 2019: Hospice care not reflected in healthcare statistics
(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice care not reflected in healthcare statistics Some healthcare agencies and hospitals are shuffling elder seniors into hospice at a rapid rate because it is profitable. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 3, 2019: The scoop on some hospice care agencies
(Snippets from the frontline) The scoop on some hospice care agencies Caring for patients at end-of-life requires experience, communication skills, sensitivity, and medical knowledge. The majority are elder seniors, and … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 31, 2018: What is your happiness level?
(Snippets from the frontline) What is your happiness level? The United States is a wealthy nation, yet we don’t rank in the top ten countries in the World Happiness Report. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 28, 2018: The Notorious RBG and healthcare
(Snippets from the frontline) The Notorious RBG and healthcare Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second female justice appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993, and through the years one must … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 24, 2018: Blood pressure cuff and other gadgets
(Snippets from the frontline) Blood pressure cuff and other gadgets When you visit your doctor or are admitted to the hospital, the first bit of information gathered is vital signs. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 21, 2018: Who should be on hospice?
(Snippets from the frontline) Who should be on hospice? Hospice is end-of-life care. Even the best medical care cannot always reverse the ravages of illness or aging, and when pain, … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 18, 2018: Tactics forcing ICU patients onto hospice
(Snippets from the frontline) Tactics forcing ICU patients onto hospice From the outset, be worried or suspicious if: Your loved one is old, or has been hospitalized for a prolonged … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 14, 2018: Forcing ICU patients onto hospice
(Snippets from the frontline) Forcing ICU patients onto hospice Some elder senior patients admitted to the ICU are targeted by hospitals and placed on hospice care. Why? It saves money. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 11, 2018: Hospice and end-of-life care
(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice and end-of-life care Signs of aging are not always easy to identify. Seeing wrinkles and gray hair in those around you is acceptable, but inevitably … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 7, 2018: Time
(Snippets from the frontline) Time The body talks to us. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may be a reaction to food poisoning. Chills and shakes could be the onset of … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary December 4, 2018: Rough draft of a new US healthcare plan
(Snippets from the frontline) Rough draft of a new US healthcare plan -Everyone will be insured. -Coverage throughout the US. -Freedom to choose your doctor and hospital. -No pre-existing condition … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary November 30, 2018: Healthcare
(Snippets from the frontline) Healthcare Millions of Americans do not have access to healthcare. This is detrimental to the economy, society, and hinders our ability to progress as a nation. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary November 27, 2018: Elder suicide – the shrouded game plan
(Snippets from the frontline) Elder suicide – the shrouded game plan Often we hear, “He died peacefully in his sleep.” Or, “Their love was so great, they died together.” For … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary November 23, 2018: Smudge pot
(Snippets from the frontline) Smudge pot After lunch one day at the senior center, we sat outside and discussed bodily function (yes, this is what seniors do). Two complained of … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary November 20, 2018: Hospice abuse
(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice abuse Hospice is end-of-life care, and as a separate governmental paying entity is vital to Medicare patients seeking relief. Can anyone really predict how long … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary November 16, 2018: Finding a doctor you can trust
(Snippets from the frontline) Finding a doctor you can trust Seniors have always trusted doctors to be their advocate. Now as a senior, I must critically look at my profession. … Continue Reading →