The legal use of marijuana is growing, with three U.S. states and the District of Columbia now endorsing legal marijuana use. An additional 21 states allow use of medical marijuana under physician prescription and supervision.

The brain is a sensitive organ vulnerable to a variety of insults. This is particularly true during periods of brain development from conception through adolescence. Studies of pot’s effect on adults cannot be generalized to pregnant women, children or adolescents.

This growing trend for marijuana legalization has not come without a variety of emerging adverse consequences. A recent review of the unexpected adverse health effects of marijuana legalization in Colorado found a spike in marijuana-related burns and increased emergency room visits related to high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels and vomiting.

Children have also been vulnerable to growing environmental exposure to pot. Legalization of marijuana in Colorado has resulted in a spike in emergency room and hospital admissions related to children accidentally ingesting edible THC products. Concern regarding pot and children extends to pregnancy and the developing fetal brain. Despite growing acceptance of marijuana in adults, very little is known about the effect of pot exposure during pregnancy.

What we do know is unsettling. Pot use by pregnant mothers, or second-hand exposure to smoked marijuana, leads to fetal exposure as the active ingredients in pot cross the placenta barrier. Pot contains chemicals related to natural chemicals involved in fetal brain development. Normal fetal brain development requires a precisely-timed, specific-dose exposure to unique chemical signals. Chemicals in pot may disrupt this process and lead to abnormal development and to abnormal migration of fetal brain cells.

Research into fetal pot toxicity is very much in an early stage. What we know is much less than what we don’t know. Given the potential for fetal brain toxicity with pot it is best to err on the side of caution. General medical consensus exists that pot should be avoided during pregnancy.

Pot-smoking female adolescents and women who are considering pregnancy need to stop the use of marijuana. If this can’t be accomplished on their own, they should find an addiction specialist or treatment center that can provide expert care.

Click here to read the article in Addiction.com.

A new study

A new study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that 7 percent of pregnant women use marijuana during pregnancy based on health surveys involving nearly 500,000 U.S. women. Pot use during pregnancy has doubled since 2002, research shows. Dr. Nicole Saphier warns that pot and pregnancy can be a dangerous combination.

The purpose of the study was to determine if there was an increase in marijuana use among pregnant women, as we are witnessing a rising number of states where marijuana has been legalized for medical and recreational use.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy. Based on 467,100 respondents surveyed between 2002 and 2017, the prevalence of daily cannabis use increased among pregnant (and non-pregnant) women ages 12 to 44 years. It was also higher among women in their first trimester of pregnancy, which is a crucial time in fetal development.

Because of concerns regarding impaired fetal development, as well as maternal and fetal exposure to the adverse effects of smoking, women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy should discontinue recreational marijuana use and discuss the potential risks with their doctor if using it for medicinal purposes.

Many organizations and growing numbers of elected officials – including Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts – are pushing for marijuana for legalization.

In light of this concerning trend, it is would be bordering on negligent to not issue warnings about the safety of marijuana use during pregnancy. The drug has the proven potential to restrict fetal growth as well as to impair childhood mental functions such as memory, verbal skills and emotional development.

Click here to read the full news article.

Thanks to all who attended, and to all who shared their experiences and ideas. We have already started working on CCHF Conference 2018. We are putting together a prayer team now for next year’s conference. Prayer is our priority, and prayer makes a huge difference as we plan and produce the conference.  We want Christ at the center throughout every aspect. He is the Alpha and Omega, and we want to honor Him as such in the conference.

If you are willing to be part of the prayer team, let us know by dropping us an email at: info@cchfmail.org

Here are just a few comments from attendees:

• “Thanks so much for all the work you did to make the conference so inspiring!! The location was wonderful!
• “Our team was very grateful for the quality childcare for our 2 little travelers. It allowed our team member to come when she had no other options for childcare. Our team came away inspired, more comfortable in expressing our faith in the context of our clinic and advocacy activities. We were hosted as family, and it felt good to know we are not on an island–but have faith-filled brothers and sisters engaged in similar ministries across the country.”
  
• “I just recently became aware of CCHF before I signed up for the conference, and honestly hadn’t taken the time to look too much into the fellowship before going.Prior to this conference I was unaware of how many other Christian health ministries were out there and often felt alone in my ministry- this conference and fellowship has been an amazing source of hope and strength for me. I felt so at home with everyone- brothers and sisters in Christ all focused on the same mission. Thank you!” 

Did you miss this year’s conference? Or maybe you were there but want to revisit a helpful session you attended? Listen to the CCHF Conference 2017 audio here.

Below is a recap video of some of the best moments at this year’s conference!

in welcoming Eric Kerr as a much-needed Physician Assistant (PA) addition our provider staff!

Eric grew up in the Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire region. After high-school he received training to be an airplane mechanic in the US Marine Corp where he served for 4 years before going on to complete his medical training.

While taking college classes, he provided complete care as a live-in room mate to a young man with severe developmental disabilities. Eric was a founding member of the Direct Support Professional Association of New Hampshire and  actively involved in advocating for the rights of developmentally disabled individuals.

He also worked as a nationally certified athletic trainer with a passion for encouraging and educating people about their own health and wellness. He completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and a Masters of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies – earning magna cum laude for both degrees.  His medical training was completed at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

He has been a practicing PA for 13 years now and has experience in surgery, Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, and ENT specialties. He has a blended family with a total of 7 children and is now a grandfather to one baby – Alanna.

Eric is passionate about Gods word, serving others and his family.

The success of FLHSA’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) award was highlighted during a celebration with staff and members of the Rochester Health Innovation Collaborative in November. The initiative in 65 primary care practices showed a 50-percent drop in hospital admissions and a 40-percent drop in emergency room visits for people who received care management.

His Branches Health Services was an active part of the CMMI project for the past 2+ years and has been extremely grateful for the support and training we have received. Click here to learn more about the demonstration project.

From left, New York State Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, CEO Trilby de Jung and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Mahoney

Thursday evening a group of us who serve at Joy Family Medicine scooted out of the office in time to fill a table of 8 at the first annual Gerhardt Neighborhood Outreach Center (GNOC) Banquet.

Dr. Morehouse and Susan were joined at the elegant Shadow Lake event by Ali and Greg Reeves, April, Gloria, Jen, and Susan Kerr for a dress-up evening of dinner and great jazz entertainment with Alvin Parris and band where we learned more about the GNOC and heard some wonderfully encouraging testimonies.

At the end of the evening an award was presented for “Outstanding Service to the Community.” As the award was being described we were all wondering who, of the many people in attendance, might be receiving it. Imagine our surprise when Dr. Morehouse and Susan were called up front and honored! Hey, you never know!

The NHSC has created a new poster to highlight its scholarship and loan repayment programs for potential applicants.

Please feel free to display the poster in various settings to raise awareness about available opportunities to primary health care students and practicing clinicians.

We also encourage you to share the poster with relevant networks through your outreach channels.

Thank you.

National Health Service Corps

• Students pursuing primary care careers: The Scholarship Program pays for tuition and fees of future primary care providers, including physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants.
• Primary care providers interested in serving communities in need: The Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 for loans in primary care—medical, dental, or mental/behavioral health.
• Students in the final year of medical or dental school pursuing primary care careers: The Students to Service Program provides up to $120,000 to students pursuing degrees in primary care and are in their final year of medical or dental school.

We’re on our way back from a wonderful gathering of dedicated health professionals meeting in Oklahoma City for the annual 3-day conference of the Christian Community Health Fellowship, focusing on the theme of “Reconciliation.”

This year we were able to send six of our staff members to be edified by times of prayer and fellowship, worship and sharing the Word, inspired messages and invigorating workshops, and (yes) some just plain fun.

Click here to read more about HBHS and the relationship we have with CCHF.

Drs. Morehouse and Mack with Valerie, Gloria, Michelle, and Susan

And don’t forget to ask any of us about what we saw, heard, and learned the next time you see us!

of the American Academy of Family Practice held its annual awards dinner last night at the Highland Family Medicine program to celebrate with ten University of Rochester School of Medicine students in the Class of 2016 who have chosen to pursue specialty training in Family Medicine and to honor their mentors.

One of this year’s graduates is Chanh Huynh who studied in our office with Drs. Mack and Morehouse throughout his second year of medical school. After graduating next month Chanh will be continuing his training here in Rochester at the Highland Family Medicine program where Drs. Mack and Morehouse both also trained. Chanh graciously chose to join the URMC Department of Family Medicine in honoring Dr. Morehouse with an Excellence Award “in recognition of outstanding mentoring and support of medical students interested in Family Medicine.” Click here to read Chanh’s nominating remarks.

Our sincere hope is that we will be able to live up to the expectations of the community we serve and those who will be following our lead in the future and that His Branches Health Services can continue to be a vibrant place of compassionate care that Chanh, and others like him, can join when they complete their training.

Dr. Winakur goes on to define a “confidentialist” as “Someone who has the time to really get to know a patient. Someone available to be confided in. An advocate, not just for the moment, but across time. An explainer about what’s wrong; an educator about what will help and what will not. Someone who has the knowledge and confident wisdom to stand down the legions of specialists with their scalpels, catheters and scopes; the backbone to stand up to bottom-line-toeing administrators and self-serving insurance executives and policy wonks.”

Would you, or someone you know, like this kind of medical care? If so, browse around our website and then give us a call at (585) 235-2250 to find out how to become part of our patient centered medical practice.

“The Doctor” by Sir Luke Fildes 1891

in May at the annual Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) “Reconciliation” Conference in Oklahoma City! CCHF is “a community of Christian health professionals committed to living out the gospel through healthcare among the poor.” A group from Rochester will be traveling together to share a weekend of inspiring presentations and fellowship with other believers in health care from around the country.

Student and resident-in-training scholarships and volunteer subsidies are available. Please open and read the attached flyer or visit CCHF online at www.cchf.org/conference for more details. Dr. Morehouse will be one of the many Workshop presenters at the conference, leading a professional session about how to integrate faith-based inquiry and prayer into clinical encounters on a regular basis.

Questions? Just contact us.