TheBrooklynMD

I’m in the Times this week in the Style section. Exciting.

“We’re tech-savvy doctors,” he said, “for tech-savvy patients.”

That about sums up my goals for my professional life. It’s what the future of healthcare will look like in ten or so years, when our generation is deciding how best to deliver healthcare. It’s nice to be doing something fascinating, pushing things forward, making people happy, solving real problems, and making a living. I’m a very lucky man.

Denzel Washington covers GQ Magazine and has a message for black readers.

My class only has a few spots left. Y’all should jump on this:

I’m very excited to announce that we’ve officially launched Sherpaa.

Who it’s for: Currently it’s for tumblr’s employees. In the near future, we’ll be signing up other NYC-based companies.

Why: When you’re sick or hurt, figuring out exactly who and what you need and when you need it is difficult. You need an accessible, friendly doctor you can call and email 24/7 who will either solve the problem right then and there or guide you to the highest quality, health professionals with the best personalities who will provide exactly the care you need.

Our wonderful friends at tumblr are our first clients. And that means that all of tumblr’s employees can now email or call our doctors (or Guides as we call them) 24/7 when they have a health concern or question. Our Guides are well connected, in-the-know local doctors. Sometimes they can solve everything for you right away, and other times they’ll collaborate with other New York City specialists to arrange the most appropriate care for you. They make your health simple. And that’s our mission. 

We’re starting slow. We’re focusing on working exclusively with tumblr for a while and will soon be signing up other NYC-based companies. If you’re interested in joining Sherpaa, please do let us know.

 (via simplyo)

The Straw That Can Save Lives

Danish water purification company Vestergaard Frandsen’s latest development could very possibly save millions of lives of those who struggle to find and produce clean water.

Their invention is the LifeStraw, a low-tech, low-hassle personal water filter that enables the user to simply stick one end into a water source of questionable cleanliness, such as a river, and suck. Several layers within the straw manage to filter out 99% of bacteria and viruses. Previously, people of areas with little clean water would be forced to boil water to ensure its safety, using up other resources in the process. With this invention, little maintenance would be required, and it could last for a year or two.

In addition to the personal filter, the company has developed a LifeStraw Family, which uses gravity rather than suction to filter water. By hanging this up in their homes and filling it with water, families would be able to open the bottom for clean, safe water.

These products do, however, have their limitations. While 99% of pathogens are removed, the filter is unable to prevent Giardia Lamblia from entering the filtered water, as this particular parasite is too small for the filters. The company is diligently working on a solution to this problem. Another potential problem is availability, since Vestergaard Frandsen is a small, struggling company that cannot quite afford to give out too many handouts.

Hopefully these problems can be overcome, as this product, in its current state, and especially once perfected, has the potential for aiding many who need it most.

Pitti Uomo, Day 2