SITA MED LLC

01/30/2026

In 1989, the New York Rangers hired a relatively unknown 35-year-old Neil Smith to be their General Manager. After orchestrating several key trades including a blockbuster move that brought in the legendary Mark Messier as well as Kevin Lowe and other stars from the Edmonton Oilers dynasty teams, Neil helped lead the Original Six NHL team to the Stanley Cup in 1994 -- it’s first in 54 years. A moment that every New Yorker reminds me of on a daily basis!

In today’s episode of ‘Health, Hockey & Leadership,’ Neil – a fellow Torontonian 🙂 – talks about his Canadian roots, the sudden passing of his dad when Neil was only 10, and the support of his strong, single mom. Neil also shares his views on leadership which includes “hiring people smarter than you”, imposter syndrome and his approach to pressure.

Unlike many executives, Neil openly shares his experience with grief and loss. In addition to his father, he suddenly lost his son and only child to su***de less than a decade ago. Neil is a big advocate of therapy, seeking help and reminding people – especially men – that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength.

As a doctor, I am thrilled that Neil prioritizes his health (“I get checked every year”). As a die-hard hockey fan, I loved hearing the backstory of his incredible NHL career!

Tune into our wonderful conversation, Subscribe, Post Comments and Share!

https://youtu.be/jdyk-Hq5kCk

NHL Media NHL on TNT UBS UBS Arena

Everyone experiences grief and loss. Sports executives are no exception -- but they rarely speak openly about it. Unless you're Neil Smith. In today's episod...

01/03/2026

Connection is so critical to human existence. Every one of us needs to bond with another human being (as well as nature, art, animals, etc.) to find our true sense of purpose.

This applies even more so for people at risk for or experiencing addiction. I am deeply grateful to Nate Larkin and David Hampton for inviting me as a guest on their beautiful podcast, Positive Sobriety. We discussed my experiences caring for people experiencing substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, stimulants), behavioral addictions (gambling, social media), pain, trauma and burnout.

But most importantly, we talked about HOPE, faith, family, friendship. That help is available for people who are struggling. We all must work together to CONNECT to people who feel shame and stigma because of their brain disease and connect them to evidence-based treatment, recovery and harm reduction services.

Thank you Diana Rissetto Brad Thatcher Faith & Media Initiative Angela Redding for making this happen.

If your organization needs a board-certified physician speaker, please reach out to me anytime.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-177-meeting-people-where-they-are-addiction/id1434354560?i=1000742060547

Podcast Episode · Positive Sobriety Podcast · 12/19/2025 · 50m

12/22/2025

The holiday season isn’t always happy for everyone. Christmas, New Year’s, parties, shopping…it might be fun for some. But for many, the holidays can be a very stressful, sad and lonely period. This emotional pain, when unaddressed, can serve as risk factors for increased substance use, relapse or return to use and addiction. I spoke with CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield CNN about holiday stressors and effective ways to get help [starts at 0:32]

Why does substance use and addiction increase during the holidays?

❄️ Financial pressures from gift-giving and end-of-year bills
❄️ Traveling can be a beast, e.g. flight delays, traffic
❄️ Complicated and tense family dynamics
❄️ Loneliness, sadness and grief when we miss those who are gone

How do we help people who are struggling?

✅ Please ask for help. You are NOT alone.
✅ Plan ahead: if hosting a party, offer alcohol-free beverages and healthy foods and snacks which can slow the absorption of alcohol
✅ Get professional help: talk to a doctor or a therapist. Telehealth is helpful during travel-heavy holidays. Medications and counseling are available and can make a differenc
✅ 988 su***de & crisis lifeline can be helpful when needed
✅ Social support: talk to people you trust, ask for help around the house, running errands, etc. LEAN on others. There is NO shame in asking for help

American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM SAMHSA NAMI The Jed Foundation - JED Partnership to End Addiction Shatterproof American Public Health Association Mental Health Foundation

12/15/2025

Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration leadership plans to place a "black box" warning on COVID-19 vaccines. I recently shared my thoughts on this public health issue with CNN host Fredricka Whitfield CNN

Black box warnings are designed to convey THE most serious risk associated with a substance, e.g. benzodiazepines such as 'Xanax' and 'Va**um' have a "high risk of addiction” or ibuprofen can cause “serious GI bleeding."

The FDA under RFK's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is trying to connect the current FDA-approved COVID vaccines to safety risks in pregnant women and children WITHOUT any evidence. They are trying to connect 10 deaths in children based on VAERS (vaccine adverse events reporting system) data to the COVID vaccines without proper, rigorous clinical investigation. What data do they have?

Every serious adverse reaction needs to be thoroughly studied before making broad health policy decisions like the placement of black box warnings on medicines.

The response from Moderna, one of the vaccine manufacturers: The vaccine is “rigorously monitored by Moderna, the US FDA and regulators in more than 90 countries,” and with more than a billion doses distributed worldwide, those systems “have not reported any new or undisclosed safety concerns in children or pregnant women.”

mRNA technology has been a focal point for this administration: HHS released a report in August 2025 saying they were winding down mRNA vaccine development.

This proposed action is deeply concerning for physicians like me who discuss evidence-based medicine including preventive measures such as colonoscopies and vaccinations. The FDA’s unfounded black box warning plan will weaken the public’s already waning confidence in vaccines.

We must follow the best available science while holding elected officials accountable to make health policy decisions rooted in data and best clinical judgement for the public.

12/10/2025

"Women outlive men -- but not in medicine."

For a female physician like me, this data is certainly disturbing. Other key points by Drs. Anupam Jena and Christopher Worsham from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital:

👉 For certain conditions like cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, women physicians experienced higher mortality rates than male doctors
👉 Black female physicians experienced higher mortality rates than all other physician subgroups ... 128% more likely to die vs. white female MDs

WHY??

🏵️ The "2nd shift" phenomenon: female physicians still carry most of the burden of domestic duties whether their male partners are doctors or not (consistent w/ women from all professional backgrounds) ... and this can worsen a woman's health
🏵️ Women physicians experience higher rates of burnout and sexual harassment
🏵️ Women physicians are paid less than male colleagues for similar work

Appreciate the authors for highlighting this important and urgent problem.

How can we better support women physicians both inside and outside the workplace?

https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/surprising-demographics-physician-mortality?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Gazette%2020251209%20(1)

All Articles The Surprising Demographics of Physician Mortality December 2025 The Surprising Demographics of Physician Mortality Women outlive men — but not in medicine Fall 2025 by Molly McDonough 5 minute read Feature Illustration: Oliver Munday Illustration: Oliver Munday In every country in th...

11/18/2025

I recently had the joyful experience of seeing 'V**e! The Grease Parody,' a comedic and satirical homage to the 1978 classic film starring John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John.

While I clearly found the musical entertaining, as an addiction medicine physician, I was reminded of the potential harms of using e-ci******es or va**ng.

In my latest Forbes article, I break down the reality of va**ng as a growing public health concern with the help of heavy-hitters in the worlds of addiction and public health, Drs. Yngvild Olsen and Mike Weaver. Some key points:

👉 Va**ng refers to the use of battery-operated devices to inhale liquids containing ni****ne and other potentially addictive substances including THC & CBD (ma*****na)

👉 E-cigarette aerosols contain fewer dangerous chemicals than the smoke from traditional ci******es but they are far from risk-free

👉 Adolescents, young adults and people who’ve never smoked
ci******es are particularly at risk from the harmful effects of va**ng

👉 Ni****ne, whether delivered through va**ng or ci******es, is still *highly addictive.* Harms can include addiction, lung damage, brain damage and birth defects

If you or someone you know needs help quitting e-ci******es, please get help. It’s available.

If you or your organization needs a skilled and charismatic speaker who can break down important health topics, reach out anytime!

SAMHSA American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM Partnership to End Addiction Maryland Department of Health - Substance Use Disorders NYS OASAS

**ngawareness **eTheMusical

Va**ng is growing in popularity especially among youth. E-ci******es are often used to replace traditional smoking. But is it safe? Va**ng is far from risk-free.

11/05/2025

Sports betting -- harmless hobby or destructive disease?

Well, it's both. But most people who participate in this growing activity fall somewhere in between.

What's the impact of sports betting in pro sports like the NHL? I sat down with former New York Rangers General Manager and Stanley Cup champion Neil S. Smith on his NHL Wraparound podcast along with cohost Vic Morren. The three of us LOVE hockey. Combine that with my love of medicine, well, we ended up talking about SO many fascinating topics!

A few key takeaways:

🏒 Sports betting has *exploded*, in large part because of persistent advertising (DraftKings, bet365, Fan Duel, etc.) and ease of bets -- instead of traveling to Atlantic City or Las Vegas, we can place bets from our sofa

🧠 Gambling on sports is *deeply* embedded in our culture: every commercial, live broadcast sponsorship, pro athlete endorsement. Kids are going to sports arenas like Madison Square Garden or Crypto.com Arena and seeing sports betting ads on the jumbotron. What's more normalized than that??

🏒 While most U.S. adults gamble without problem, problematic gambling is on the rise. This is particularly concerning for young people (more men gamble than women) whose brains are still developing and are prone to addiction

🧠 Gambling addiction HARMS your health. Physical: poor sleep, poor diet, chronic stress, increase smoking and alcohol consumption. Mental: increased depression, anxiety, suicidality (*people with gambling disorder were 15x more likely to die by su***de compared to the general population)

The GOOD news is that help is available including medications, psychotherapy and Gambler's Anonymous (1-800-GAMBLER). If you or someone you know is struggling with sports betting or other gambling, please get help.

If your organization needs a speaker or trainer to discuss addiction or other brain or health problems, please reach out to me anytime.

American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM SAMHSA NBA NFL MLB U.S. Soccer Major League Soccer (MLS) Washington State Gambling Commission



https://youtu.be/9En8RwTyitU?si=tv0L4CxPZqN28jMn

Professional sports was rocked October 23rd when a prominent NBA head coach and a Miami Heat player were arrested as part of two separate illegal gambling in...

10/31/2025

Artificial intelligence is disrupting healthcare. But how will it specifically affect women’s health? I recently had the opportunity to address this very topic in a presentation titled, “Superman or Supervillain: How AI is Reshaping Women’s Health.

Some key points:

🌍 Women's health issues are *global* issues

👩 Women's health is a $1 trillion opportunity that demands greater attention

🌍 AI-driven tools can ⬇️ obstetric risks (e.g. preeclampsia, preterm birth), optimize endometriosis care & improve mental health diagnoses

👩 Breast cancer screening: AI algorithms have improved early detection rates by 5-10%

🌍 AI tools can detect early relapse signs in women with addiction or postpartum depression

Healthcare professionals from physicians and nurses to physical therapists and counselors need to be better trained on the impact of AI-driven tools on their workflow and clinical practice. Change isn’t always positive, and it can have jarring effects on staff, not to mention patients.

I am truly grateful to Tarja Stephens, the brainchild behind the Leaders of the Future global webinar, for curating this incredible event, along with Anne-Marie Enns. Kudos to the other phenomenal speakers for teaching me valuable information. Of course, none of this happens without the brilliant Ana Rold 🙏

What excites you about AI and health? What concerns you?

10/24/2025

In her latest Netflix documentary, fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham spoke openly about her battle with an eating disorder.

Did you know that eating disorders are associated with the highest rates of su***de among all psychiatric illnesses?

Did you know that eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating can cause severe physical, psychological and social dysfunction?

But did you also know that help is available?

I recently spoke to NEWSMAX anchors Katrina Szish and Bob Brooks about Beckham, eating disorders and what you should know:

Signs & Symptoms:

✅ Abnormal eating behaviors: restriction, fasting, binging, purging, excessive exercise

✅ Distorted body image: self-worth tied to body weight or shape

✅ Psychological distress: guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, loss of control

✅ Physiologic: malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, GI, cardiac, high mortality risk (**anorexia has one of the HIGHEST mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders**

TREATMENT:

😊 Multidisciplinary approach addressing medical, psychological, behavioral, nutritional issues

😊 Medical stabilization: hospitalization or residential rehab

😊 Nutritional rehab working with a registered dietician

😊 Psychotherapy using cognitive & dialectical behavioral therapy (CBT, DBT)

😊 Medication such as SSRIs, atypical antipsychotics & mood stabilizers

Know the signs and symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling, GET HELP.

10/22/2025

Peanut allergies in children have dropped significantly, according to data published in the American Academy of Pediatrics medical journal. I recently spoke to WNBC hosts Gilma Avalos and Natalie Pasquarella - News Anchor\Reporter about these findings.

The 2015 LEAP study (Learning Early About Peanut allergy) found that physician-diagnosed peanut allergies in children under age 3 decreased nearly 40%. Landmark public health recommendations were provided in 2015 advising parents to introduce peanuts to infants at 4-6 months (low-risk infants by 11 months and high-risk infants by 6 months).

As background, 4% of children are affected by an IgE-mediated food allergy (milk, egg, nut, wheat) that can lead to anaphylaxis which is an immediate, life-threatening reaction, e.g. difficulty breathing and swelling of face/lips/throat, confusion, hypotension, loss of consciousness.

Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger, more diverse populations. If you have concerns about potential allergies and general food habits for your child, talk to your pediatrician.

10/20/2025

On October 15th, my love for hockey beautifully blended with my love for medicine. I was first introduced by long-time New York Rangers and MSG Networks broadcaster Sam Rosen (whoa!). I then had the privilege of speaking at “Do You Still Believe in Miracles?”, a magnificent gala honoring the legacy of Mark Pavelich and supporting The Ranch Teammates for Life -- an organization that supports mental health and brain disorder treatment in hockey players, veterans and first responders.

As a physician who cares for patients with addiction and mental illness and who completely burned out while serving on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic, the mission of The Ranch truly resonated with me. At this amazing hockey and mental health fundraiser, I had the honor of introducing Major General Gregg F. Martin, a retired 2-star U.S. Army general who has been very open about his own experience with bipolar disorder.

Key points to remember:

🧠 Mental illness and addiction are diseases of the brain, NOT signs of moral weakness or failure. Most people who are connected to treatment, GET BETTER!

🏒 Hockey players, particularly NHL athletes, are under *tremendous* pressure to perform at an elite level. They’re also trained to be tough. That, combined with brain injuries, increase their risk of mental illness and addiction

🧠 Veterans and doctors are also trained to be stoic and to compartmentalize our feelings. Combined with our rigorous training and frequent experience with severe injury and death, physicians and veterans are at much higher risk of alcoholism, depression and other brain disorders

These ‘stoic’, antiquated attitudes MUST CHANGE. Far more athletes, veterans and frontline workers must know the symptoms, have the courage to ask for help, then get the evidence-based care they need and deserve. Grateful that the NHL is partnering with the The Matthew Perry Foundation But we’ve got a long way to go. Let’s work together to save lives!

Kudos to Ronn Tomassoni, Hallie Lorber Laura Probst Karen Caccese and their talented teams for organizing a magnificent event.

If you’d like to be impactful, donate to The Ranch: https://theranchteammatesforlife.org/donate/

10/07/2025

During my recent appearance on NewsNation, I talked to host Hena Doba about two key health issues impacting the public. Here's what you need to know about the newest COVID-19 variant, "Stratus" (XFG), and the measles outbreak in Minnesota.

*COVID-19 "Stratus" Variant*:

🦠 Dominant variant comprising 85% of cases
🦠 Highly infectious but doesn't appear to be clinically as severe
🦠 Symptoms very similar to past COVID infections: fever, chills, headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, body aches, "razor blade" sore throat
🦠 Current COVID-19 vaccines are the best means of prevention
🦠 If you do get sick and test +ve for COVID-19, then consider Paxlovid as treatment (must take within 5 days of sx onset), wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, practice physical distancing, avoid others

*Measles Outbreak in Minnesota:*

🏵️ Nearly a dozen new cases reported by the MN Dept of Health; all were unvaccinated against measles
🏵️ 7 had traveled within the U.S.; 3 had traveled internationally
🏵️ Measles, caused by the rubeola virus, is HIGHLY contagious and can stay airborne up to 2 hours after the infected person leaves the area
🏵️ Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, runny nose, watery eyes; but children, pregnant women and immunocompromised ppl are at risk for *severe* sx and complications such as hearing loss, pneumonia, seizures, encephalitis, brain damage and death
🏵️ The BEST way to prevent infection is by vaccination