Atkinson Family Practice

03/13/2026

11 years ago the day before 3.14.15 we celebrated Pi day by raffling the opportunity to splat us.
One of Dr Kate’s teen patients had the honor of pie-ing her in front of news cameras.
It was delicious

03/12/2026

Dear Patients. Please contact the Chair of Mass State HealthCare Financing Committee John Lawn TODAY!!!

We are hoping that H.1370 (attached) will be reported favorably out of the Health Care Financing (HCF) Committee and moved to House Ways and Means. The deadline for this is in 6 days (March 18). The House Chair of HCF is Chair John Lawn. If you are so inclined, please email him by Monday (john.lawn@mahouse.gov), introduce yourself and ask him to report out H.1370 favorably.

Let him know that we dont have enough Primary Care in Western Mass and that practices like ours are struggling to survive. This bill would not only keep us in business but we could also bring back other services—like therapists, health coaches, PT and Case Managers etc.

Thankyou

Dr Kate

03/12/2026

Nothing better than getting a book at your Well Child Check

03/12/2026

AFP’s Employee of the Month, Alex, enjoying her VIP parking

03/10/2026

Looks like older adults should take a daily multivitamin with cocoa extract *

*2-year effect of a daily MVM (Centrum Silver) and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg (−)-epicatechin)

Daily multivitamin with cocoa extract may slow biological aging in older adults
a study found that “for older adults, a daily multivitamin may slightly slow the aging process.” Researchers observed that in “a randomized study of 958 older adults, those who took a multivitamin daily for two years experienced slowed so-called biological aging by about four months. That is, during the 24 months, they aged only 20 months at a cellular level.” Furthermore, “people who had shown signs of accelerated biological aging at the start of the trial saw a greater benefit from daily multivitamins.” The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

In a prespecified ancillary analysis of the COSMOS randomized trial, supplementation with daily multivitamins, but not with cocoa extract, over the course of 2 years decreased biological aging, as measured by epigenetic aging clocks.

03/04/2026

In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, we invite you to a special event: Transparency: A Panel on Transgender Care in Western MA, hosted by Safe Passage.

(Not AFP Sponsored)

This important gathering will bring together healthcare experts, mental health professionals, legal advocates, and community members for a real and open discussion about the state of transgender healthcare in our region.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EDT
Location: Smith College Conference Center, Northampton, MA (In-person) & Livestream via Zoom
Cost: Free

Agenda:
5:30 PM: Arrival, activities, and refreshments
6:00 PM: Moderated panel discussion with speakers working in trans+ communities
7:00 PM: Audience Q&A

Whether you are directly impacted by these issues, work in a related field, or simply want to become a better ally, this event will provide a deeper understanding of the needs, challenges, and progress within the trans community today.

registration info in the comments

02/28/2026

There is now Measles in Massachusetts.
Please vaccinate

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Am7hk7kap/?mibextid=wwXIfr

State officials have confirmed two positive cases of measles in Massachusetts.

02/27/2026

Buyer beware.

Identical stool samples can produce different results in direct-to-consumer gut microbiome tests

The study found that “direct-to-consumer gut microbiome tests produced markedly different results – even when analyzing the same stool sample.” Researchers observed that “identical f***l samples sent via 21 home-testing kits to seven anonymized direct-to-consumer testing companies yielded a wide variation in reported bacterial abundance and in the health assessments generated from those data.” They noted that in some cases, “there was not even agreement among kits produced by the same company.” The study was published in Communications Biology.

Comparative analysis of DTC gut microbiome testing services reveals significant methodological variability, underscoring the need for standardized reference materials and guidelines to ensure reproducibility and reliability in commercial microbiome testing.

02/26/2026

Come check the Lost and Found before we donate it

02/26/2026

Everyone loves Stella

02/25/2026

Dr Kate is in the news again fighting for our patients

Health insurers and providers are debating the proposed prior authorization reforms, with insurers warning of increased costs and providers citing administrative burdens and negative patient outcomes.

02/24/2026

We are seeing this also

Rising demand for menopause care strains supply of prescription estradiol patches across U.S.
CNN (2/23, Howard) reports that “for many women in the United States who encounter...menopause-related symptoms, small estradiol patches have become a steady source of relief.” But, “that relief is becoming harder to find – and doctors” are bracing “themselves for potentially more shortages to come.” Manufacturers cite “a rise in demand, driven by a greater awareness of menopause care and recent action by federal regulators to clarify the risks versus benefits of hormone therapies.” According to CNN, “estrogen patches are available through a doctor’s prescription only.” But recently, “some prescriptions are taking longer to fill as supplies run low.” This month, the FDA “formally approved changing the drug labels for menopausal hormone therapy products, including estrogen therapies.” The updates include “removing the long-standing ‘boxed warning’ that highlighted risks such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and probable dementia.”