NEWS 1: From Birthplace to Career: An HCA Nurse’s Inspiring Story and a Week of Recognition
HCA Healthcare proudly recognizes its over 100,000 nurses across 190 hospitals and 2,400+ care sites who are central to delivering high-quality patient care. In her National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2025) message, HCA Healthcare’s Chief Nurse Executive, Dr. Sammie Mosier, expresses deep gratitude for their critical expertise and compassion.
This year’s theme, “Stepping Forward,” celebrates their daily innovation and dedication to patient-centered care. The following section highlights the inspiring stories of nearly two dozen HCA Healthcare nurses. One such story features Allison Camacho-Travierso, a nurse manager at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in Miami, who shares her lifelong connection to the institution where she was born and pursued her nursing education.
Her 15-year tenure at the hospital, where she also delivered her three children, underscores this deep connection. Allison hopes her children will find similar fulfilling and welcoming workplaces in their own careers. Reflecting on her journey during National Nurses Week, Allison emphasizes her desire for a career with a tangible positive impact, finding that supportive “family” within her diverse team at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, where they “care like family” for their patients. This was especially poignant when the hospital provided care for her mother in her final days, reinforcing her initial calling to nursing.
NEWS 2: A Comprehensive Healthcare Platform: IHW 2025 in Hong Kong
The 4th International Healthcare Week (IHW), organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is scheduled from 26 May to 15 June 2025 in Hong Kong. This event underscores Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a hub for healthcare innovation, investment, and collaboration across Asia.
Flagship Events
- 16th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair): A premier exhibition showcasing the latest in medical technology, products, and services.
- 5th Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH): A high-level summit co-organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and HKTDC, focusing on global health trends, innovation, and investment.
Key Highlights
- Diverse Participation: The events will feature over 300 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.
- Thematic Zones: Highlighted zones at the Medical Fair include Biotechnology, Hospital Equipment, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, World of Health and Wellness, and more.
- Focus Areas: This year’s fair emphasizes cutting-edge medical technologies, gerontechnology, and green solutions, particularly in medical diagnostics, smart hospitals, and digital health.
- Networking Opportunities: The events will host numerous deal-making sessions and business matching meetings to foster cross-sector collaboration.
NEWS 3: Decoding Dry Mouth: What Your Body Might Be Telling You
Feeling the discomfort of dry mouth, especially during summer? While inadequate water intake is often assumed to be the culprit, nutritionist Nmami Agarwal highlights that it can be a sign of deeper underlying issues. In an Instagram video, she explains that dry mouth, or xerostomia, isn’t always just about dehydration but can indicate hormonal shifts (like menopause), high stress levels, medication side effects, or poor gut health.
Agarwal emphasizes the importance of “nourishing deeper” by supporting salivary glands with key nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, omega-3s, adaptogens, and probiotics, rather than solely relying on increased water intake. She also points out that certain medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure drugs can contribute to reduced saliva production.
NEWS 4: Hidden Liver Risks in Supplements: Time for Greater Awareness?
With the widespread use of supplements for various benefits like workout enhancement and improved skin/hair, a crucial question arises: could these everyday additions be harming your liver? A recent University of Michigan study published in JAMA indicates a potential risk to liver health from certain herbal and dietary supplements. Analyzing data from a national survey (2017-2020), researchers found that nearly 5% of US adults regularly consume supplements containing potentially liver-toxic ingredients such as turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, black cohosh, garcinia cambogia, and red yeast rice. Lead author Alisa Likhitsup emphasized the significant number of Americans (estimated at 15 million) regularly using these products, a concern that originated from observed cases of liver toxicity in a separate study.
- This finding underscores the importance of greater awareness among consumers regarding the potential risks associated with seemingly natural supplements.
- Experts recommend that individuals considering or currently taking these supplements should consult with healthcare professionals to discuss potential interactions and monitor liver health.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of liver injury associated with these specific botanicals and to establish clearer guidelines for safe usage.
- The study also highlights the need for more stringent regulation and transparent labeling within the burgeoning supplements industry.
- Ultimately, the pursuit of health and wellness through supplementation should be approached with caution and informed decision-making.
