Top Doctor 2021

I was recently notified that I’ve been named to Minnesota Monthly’s annual Top Doctors listing. I appreciate the ongoing recognition from my peers.

I consider awards like this professional capital—they allow me to do more for my patients and our community. And spend it I will! Some examples are virtual addiction care at Allina Health and CentraCare Health, and various media appearances

The Top Doctors listing will appear in the September/October issue of Minnesota Monthly, which hits the newsstands on August 26th. Minnesota Monthly also maintains an online provider directory. ✸

Zoom Fatigue

I recently appeared on WCCO Television (Twin Cities) to discuss “Zoom fatigue,” a phenomenon that has emerged as we spend hour upon hour interacting via virtual means. The science is still very early, however, Jeremy Bailenson, Ph.D., at Stanford University has offered compelling theories concerning possible causes and suggested some countermeasures.

WCCO Television | 03/10/2021

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her continuing partnership on translating evidence into action. ✸

Telehealth Addiction Care

There is currently considerable interest in telehealth addiction care. Allina Health began offering it in February 2019 to address geographic voids in greater Minnesota. We were thus well-positioned for virtual care when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred about a year later.

Jeff Wagner interviewed me on WCCO Television on September 12th about our work at Allina. Please see here and here for previous media appearances.

WCCO Television

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸

Happy Hour

Well, about 48 minutes.

Janet Lewis Muth, Director of Health Promotion at Carleton College, and I were guests today on MPR News with Angela Davis. We discussed happiness. Please see my earlier posts (and here, here and here) for more context.

Many thanks to Tim Burke, External Communications Advisor at Allina Health, for his partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸

Acceptance Is the Answer

Linda Picone, the editor of Minnesota Medicine, tapped me for its “Joy of Medicine” feature. The extended interview appears in the September–October issue.

Minnesota Medicine

I’ll let Linda’s work speak for itself—it’s an absolute gem—but offer the following references for those who might want to go deeper:

Telehealth Addiction Care

Leah Beno interviewed me on KMSP Television yesterday morning about telehealth addiction care. Please see here and here for the context.

KMSP Television

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸

Telehealth Addiction Care

Mike Max interviewed me on WCCO Radio this morning about telehealth addiction care. Allina Health’s work that began at New Ulm Medical Center was the context

WCCO Radio

Here are some of my source documents

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸

Nicotine & Vaping WYNTK

I’m a longtime friend of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and have frequently collaborated with Hazelden Publishing on various educational offerings. What You Need to Know (WYNTK) is the latest series

We filmed the Nicotine & Vaping program in late February, which seems like years ago because of Covid-19. It’s now available for preview and purchase

Hazelden Publishing

Many thanks to Wes Thomsen and his crew at Hazelden Publishing for involving me in this project. My previous appearances can be found here and here. ✸

New Drinking Limits

I appeared on WCCO Television this morning to discuss some new alcohol drinking limits. The context was a Lancet study that will likely be incorporated into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s updated Dietary Guidelines

WCCO Television

Consistent with the Lancet study and traditional binge drinking definitions, my current advice regarding consumption is:

  • Men: Up to 7 drinks per week; no more than 4 drinks per occasion/sitting
  • Women: Up to 7 drinks per week; no more than 3 drinks per occasion/sitting

Key caveat: These recommendations are for people without a history of addiction. Those with a history of addiction should abstain from alcohol.

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸

Happy Camper

I appeared on KMSP Television yesterday morning to discuss happiness. Please see my earlier post for the context. I was again representing Allina Health

KMSP Television

Many thanks to Sarah Jackson with Media Minefield for her partnership on this timely and important subject! ✸