Joseph Amos MD

09/11/2025

We remember and honor the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

On this solemn anniversary, we honor the lives lost, the courage of first responders, and the resilience demonstrated by our nation in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Though decades have passed, the memories remain vivid.

To all who continue to serve and protect our country—thank you. May we never forget the sacrifice, bravery, and humanity that rose from tragedy.

May we continue to honor those who were taken from us, and those who bravely served, by carrying forward their legacy with dignity and respect.

06/19/2025

We’ve all heard the phrase “trust your gut.” But what if your gut is trying to tell you something much more important than you realize? In recent years, science has revealed just how powerful the gut is in regulating not just digestion, but mood, immunity, hormone balance, and even brain health. The gut is home to over 100 trillion microorganisms that form what we call the…...

We’ve all heard the phrase “trust your gut.” But what if your gut is trying to tell you something much more important than you realize? In recent years, science has revealed just how powerful the gut is in regulating not just digestion, but mood, immunity, hormone balance, and even brain healt...

09/12/2023

On this solemn day, we pay tribute to the brave firefighters and first responders who faced unthinkable challenges on September 11, 2001. Their unwavering courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity embody the true spirit of heroism.
Their dedication to our nation symbolizes the strength and resilience of all Americans.
Today, as we remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made, let us stand together in remembrance. Honor the Heroes of 9/11 - We Will Never Forget

04/01/2023

An overwhelming majority (94%) of physician respondents reported prior authorization requirements delayed necessary care

Amid the Texas Medical Association's ongoing advocacy for prior authorization reforms at state and federal levels, yet another survey underscores the patient and financial harms that result from these onerous requirements.

02/23/2023

Training experiences that challenge our capacity for learning produce superior levels of performance and may also increase the number of neurons our brains.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414540167

02/22/2023

Cross use of our current treatment offerings could help patients who are finding improvement difficult. Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) while commonly used for painful conditions can also be considered for obtunding cardiovascular sympathetic stimulation and stress response, reducing vascular tone to improve vascular insufficiency in the limbs and perioperative hemodynamic stability, and alleviating hot flashes in menopause, in conditions refractory to conventional medical management.

https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnad011

02/21/2023

Data provide promising, albeit very preliminary, evidence that spinal cord stimulation could be an assistive as well as a restorative approach for upper-limb recovery after stroke. Participants in this small study retained some of these improvements even without stimulation and no serious adverse events were reported.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02202-6

02/20/2023

When tasks are too easy, we don't learn.
When tasks are too hard, we give up.

But when tasks are just difficult enough, we struggle a little -- and that's how we grow.

The goal isn't no failure or constant failure. The goal is productive failure.

Great article by Sinha and Kapur discussing Productive Failure (PF) as well as Problem Solving followed by Instruction (PS-I)

https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543211019105

02/17/2023

Denials came from Medicare Advantage organizations by “applying clinical criteria that are not required by Medicare.” This means that they lied in order to deny. These denials delay or prevent access to medically necessary care; lead patients to pay out of pocket for services that are covered by Medicare; and create an enormous administrative burden if you want to appeal the denial. Shameful behavior by these organizations but the more knowledge we have the more we can effect change.

About 13% of prior authorization denials in Medicare Advantage likely prevented or delayed necessary care, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. The report also found that nearly one-fifth of the time Medicare Advantage plans de...

02/01/2023

Talarozole-R115866-Janssen-known-to-increase-retinoic-acid-has-demonstrated-the-ability-to-prevent-osteoarthritis-OA-in-disease-models

12/25/2022

Thanks to researchers at the University of Copenhagen, there is evidence of a “Christmas spirit network” in the human brain based on functional MRI studies, which comprises several cortical areas. This network had a significantly higher activation in a people who celebrate Christmas with positive associations as opposed to a people who have no Christmas traditions and neutral associations. Mercifully there was no eating of fruitcake in the experimental setup.

PMID:26676562

12/25/2022