Life Is Like That!

My Type 2 Diabetic Journey

Aanal Mehta Daftary

June 1, 2025

In 2016, I received a wake-up call that shook me to my core: I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The news hit me hard when I learned that my A1C blood sugar level was 5.8, right in the pre-diabetic range of 5.7 to 6.4. As panic set in, I envisioned a future filled with dire consequences, questioning my doctor with concern, “Does this mean I could face amputations or even death from full-blown diabetes?” My doctor offered a reassuring smile and said, “No! Look on the bright side. You’re not diabetic yet. You have the power to take control of your health, and there’s still time for you to reverse this.” His words were like a light in the darkness, igniting my newfound determination. This was a pivotal moment, a chance to reclaim my health and rewrite my story!

Ever since then, I have diligently started tracking my caloric intake. I adhered to the American Diabetes Association’s food guidelines. I also made significant cuts to my sugar consumption. The game-changer, however, was the support of my fitness coach, who helped me discover exercise routines that I genuinely enjoyed. Despite these proactive steps, I faced the unexpected diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes during the Covid pandemic. My A1C level crept up to 7.5%. It’s left me wondering—what went wrong?

My doctor adjusted my medication dosage from 500 mg once a day to three times daily, but unfortunately, that didn’t make a difference. The A1C numbers did not change. Instead of getting to the bottom of this, my primary care physician wanted to throw even more medications into the mix, suggesting options like Jardiance or Ozempic. However, the cost was overwhelming. Even with insurance, I faced out-of-pocket expenses between $700 and $1,000. It was a tough pill to swallow!

I owe a huge thanks to my husband, who happens to be a physician, for stepping in to help me by taking charge of my diabetes management. Together, we embarked on a journey to unravel the mysteries of my blood sugar levels. Despite sticking to a well-balanced diet, I was still facing those frustrating spikes. So, we decided to conduct some tests to uncover the true culprits behind my body’s reactions to different foods. It felt like we were detectives on a mission, determined to get to the bottom of it all!

CGM

We kicked off our journey by investing in a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor, and let me tell you, it has been nothing short of revolutionary! Many primary care doctors and family practitioners might say that CGMs are exclusively for those with Type 1 diabetes, but that’s a bit of a misconception. In my experience, using a CGM sensor has completely transformed how I manage my health. It’s an empowering tool that provides valuable insights and has made a significant difference in my life!

There are three different types available in the market:

A) Dexcom and Dexcom’s Stylo.

B) Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2, 2 Plus, 3, and 3 Plus.

C) Abbott has also released over-the-counter options: Lingo and Libre Rio.

I’ve been using the Freestyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitor (CGM). It’s amazing how this device has opened my eyes to how different foods impact my blood sugar levels. I’ve learned which choices send my glucose levels soaring and which ones keep them stable.

As we dove deeper into this process, we realized that my prescribed extended-release Metformin just wasn’t cutting it for my diabetes management. After consulting with my healthcare team, I switched to a fast-acting form of Metformin and embraced a low-carb diet. The results have been incredible! My blood sugar numbers saw a significant drop, and I started shedding pounds.

Low-Carb Diet

Living with Type 2 Diabetes means your body is facing a challenge: it’s become resistant to insulin, which means you need higher levels of this vital hormone to keep your blood sugar in check.

So, what exactly is insulin? Think of it as a key player in your body’s energy management. While it’s essential for regulating blood sugar, too much insulin can lead to resistance, heightening the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. But that’s not all—insulin also has a sneaky way of influencing our hunger. When insulin levels rise, they can trigger feelings of hunger, leading to weight gain. In fact, insulin is often called the “fat-storage hormone” because of the way it works in our bodies.

It is important to remember that everything we eat is composed of carbohydrates, proteins, or fats, each of which has a different impact on glucose and insulin levels. When we eat carbohydrates, our glucose and insulin levels spike quickly compared to when we consume proteins and fats. If you are already insulin resistant and have elevated insulin levels, you may feel hungry all the time. You may ask- If that’s the case, then how should people with diabetes eat? The general recommendation for individuals with Type 2 diabetes is to consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal and another 15-20 grams per snack. That is way too many carbs, especially since it includes the very substance that is contributing to the problem. It may sound counterintuitive, but at its core, diabetes represents a state of carbohydrate toxicity. The inability to transport blood sugar into the cells creates issues in the short term, and the long-term consequences can be even more severe. Insulin resistance essentially signifies carbohydrate intolerance. So why do we continue to recommend carbohydrate intake?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines explicitly state that there is inconclusive evidence to support a specific carbohydrate limit. However, they acknowledge that carbohydrate intake is the most significant factor affecting blood sugar levels and, consequently, the need for medication. The guidelines also mention that if you’re taking certain diabetic medications, you must consume some carbohydrates; otherwise, your blood sugar may drop too low, leading to a vicious cycle. Nowhere in the ADA guidelines is there a focus on reversing Type 2 diabetes, and this needs to be addressed.

The solution lies in reversing insulin resistance and becoming insulin-sensitive by exploiting the benefits of low insulin levels. Personally, the low-carb intervention worked quickly for me. I eliminated processed foods and cut out bread, pasta, pizza, sugar, whole grains (including oats), potatoes, and most importantly, rice.

Exercise

When it comes to exercise, incorporating regular walks into your routine, particularly after meals, can work wonders for your A1c levels. Walking not only boosts your insulin sensitivity but also helps your body convert glucose into energy. The magic happens especially 60 to 90 minutes post-meal when blood sugar levels tend to surge. By getting those steps in after eating, you can effectively stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels, making it much easier to stay within your target range.

I started by walking for 15 minutes after each meal. As I settled into this routine, I gradually ramped it up to 40-45 minutes. Now, I am proud to say I walk about 7 miles a day, racking up an impressive 15,000-17,000 steps daily. Walking has not only helped me with weight management but also reduced my stress levels. In addition, I engage in muscle-building exercises with the help of a fitness coach twice a week.

Today, my A1C level is back to 5.8.

It’s still a work in progress but I think if I continue on this path, I might just be able to reverse my Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes is not a death sentence; it’s a lifestyle change. Let the right kinds of food and exercise serve as medicine, rather than relying solely on medication.

An Unwanted Guest

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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July 28, 2021

I was brought up in a strong Hindu household, where, we were taught that every living being possesses a soul. Hence, killing of any living life was considered a strict taboo. We attended religious gatherings/ceremonies thrice a year, which always felt more cultural than religious. For our family, it was an opportunity to dress up in colorful Indian clothes and see the larger Indian community we loved gossiping about.

After high school, I moved to USA and started living a life of a secular American. Coming to USA, meant embracing a bigger world and becoming independent of my Hindu upbringing. Or so I thought.

But I endured a horrendous trial last week…which will go down in history as “The Battle of the Cricket.”

I encountered a cricket in my bathroom. This little six-legged creature was merrily perched on the wall. I am not sure how he managed to get in. I wrongly assumed it would just be a brief visit – where we could exchange a few pleasantries while I completed my daily bathroom ritual, and then he’d be on his way. However, the next time I was in, he was laid out on the floor, making himself comfortable. Time and time again, he just sat there, changing positions, making his presence felt but making my toilet time very uncomfortable. Suddenly, his accusing eyes glared at me while I reached out for the bathroom roll. “I’m just trying to wipe myself, clean sir. Do you have a problem with that? Leave me alone!” I grunted. By then, I had become very agitated.

Upon my friend’s suggestion, I attempted to do this whole cup and paper trick, but I guess I did not have the skill set for it. This nasty little pest started moving his legs backwards and forwards as if doing Zumba and then almost hopped onto my nose in defiance. I was miserable and frustrated!

Being fed up, I eventually, decided to leave my bathroom door wide open. My hope was that he would just hop out at some point or crawl outside to any other place in the house where he couldn’t be seen or heard. This would at least allow me to use the commode in peace. We could even try and learn to cohabit if need be. Somehow, we could make this situation work. We could have a day where we’d watch movies together and eat popcorn together– but otherwise, we’d keep to ourselves for the sake of our own respective sanities.

Finally, on searching the Internet, I discovered that sticky, sweet molasses is irresistible to crickets. Who knew! I decided to use this to my advantage by making a live trap, using a small shallow container, filling it with one inch of water and adding about 2 table spoons of honey to it, creating some sort of a glue. The thought was that he would be attracted to the molasses and hop onto the container and get stuck! At least that way I would not have to live with the guilt of killing my unwanted guest. As I left the room to get the molasses, and returned back, the cricket was gone… However, I saw Mr. Boots, my cat walking out of the bathroom, looking smug! I actually think he even winked at me. I now was feeling terrible- relieved but terrible…

I must confess, earlier I was grumpy, distressed and irritable. I was even contemplating murder. But the truth is, however we’re raised, and however far from our traditional values we THINK we’ve evolved, when met with a crisis, there are no atheists in foxholes. There are some Hindu’s who might even eat beef, but don’t feel good about it. As far as I am concerned, I still can’t kill a bug without feeling terrible… and I think that’s okay

Can We Prevent Future Pandemics by Going Vegetarian?

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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April 27, 2020

I was a complete vegetarian once. Born and brought up in a Hindu household, our diet mainly comprised of plant-based foods. Therefore, eating any form of meat, poultry, or fish was considered a strict taboo. More importantly, my family firmly believed that consuming any meat was cruelty against any other living and breathing form of life. These were the principles implanted in us. However, over the years, in my effort to lose weight, I started looking at cutting down on carbohydrates and increasing my protein intake. Being brainwashed to the idea that a plant-based diet does not have enough protein content, I started adding some fish and poultry into my existing diet. Ever since then, I have considered myself a flexitarian.

I have a confession to make, though. The Covid-19 outbreak across the globe has left me shaken and scared. It also now leaves me contemplating if being a vegetarian can genuinely help solve such fatal diseases. Time and again, we as humans have been exploiting animals resulting in such types of conditions upon ourselves. Should I go back to being a complete vegetarian? Were my parents right about vegetarianism being a better lifestyle choice? After all, Albert Einstein once said – “A clever person solves the problem. A wise person avoids it.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Approximately seventy-five percent of emerging infectious diseases affecting people began as diseases in animals“. Take swine flu, for example. This particular type of disease, linked to pigs, killed thousands of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), – “The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa was a result of fruit bats, that spread in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.” SARS, was a corona virus linked to China’s wet markets. It was spread from bats to an intermediate animal host, the civet cats. The COVID-19 also spread from consumption of bats and pangolins kept along with other wildlife in unsanitary conditions in one of Wuhan’s wet markets in China. While all this is disturbing and upsetting, the bottom line is that it’s not just the wet markets across Asia and other countries that trigger such outbreaks. There are equally disease-ridden animal factories around the globe, including here in our very own US soil. These factory farms tend to be as disgraceful as the wet markets in other countries. Most meat-eaters in the US believe they usually buy humane products; however this is not the case. According to the latest Sentience Institute analysis – “99% of US farmed animals live on factory farms“.

Cruelty to Animals
Severe disease outbreaks arise because we as humans tend to house animals and birds, in unsanitary, crowded farms, and markets. According to PETA (Mar 17, 2020) – ” These animals and birds are transported in filthy trucks and slaughtered on killing floors soaked with blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. These crowded farms are nothing but a breeding ground for new strains of dangerous bacteria and viruses“. Every time we buy any type of meat products to satisfy our eating habits, we are setting in motion a chain of extreme events. We are not only encouraging the killing of more innocent animals for the replenishment of animal products but also unleashing the next lethal disease for afflicting humankind. Is this worth it?

Animal Consumption Cause Many Diseases
The consumption of meat and other animal-based foods contributes to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and even cancer. Further, foodborne pathogens such as salmonella and E-coli from harmful bacteria found in the intestines and feces of animals often cause outbreaks of food poisoning. Do we need to add more to this mix?

The emergence of Superbugs and Antibiotic Resistance
To keep animals alive in filthy, disease-ridden conditions, factory farms are consistently feeding vast amounts of antibiotics to them. Because of this, certain bacteria have become resistant to even the most potent ones, leading to the emergence of ‘superbugs’- new aggressive pathogens resistant to antibiotics. According to Euronews.com (Feb 4, 2020) – “The CDC has stated that antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Other experts predict that at our current rate, more people will die of diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria than of cancer by 2050″. This is a serious problem!

Climate Change

Reduce Carbon: Eating a vegetarian diet can aid in stopping climate change. Replacing meat with plant-based foods can help reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. Did you know that eating one 8 oz. steak produces as much greenhouse gas as driving fourteen miles?

Land: There is more agricultural land being used to raise cattle than all other domesticated animals and crops combined. Take, for example, the Amazon Forest. 70% of the clearing of its area is for farming beef. A vegetarian diet requires two-and-a-half times less the amount of land needed to grow food, compared to a meat-based diet.

Water: Conserving water is equally essential. It takes enormous amounts of water to grow crops for animals to eat, clean filthy factory farms, and give animals water to drink. According to Vegsoc.org, – “It takes about 145 gallons of water to produce an 8-oz., chicken breast. That is enough to fill a bathtub 6.5 times“. Further, it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef. In comparison, it takes far less water to produce plant protein.

Again, restoration of our oceans to their full natural balance can only happen if we go vegetarian. According to Vegsoc.org – “Around 85% of fisheries are overfished or fully exploited, causing a problem for our seas“.

Jim Robbins, in New York Times in 2012 was on to something when he said: “If we fail to understand and take care of the natural world, it can cause a breakdown of these systems and come back to haunt us in ways we know little about.” Pandemic outbreaks such as Ebola, SARS, MERS, Swine Flu, and the current Covid-19-did not just happen. They are a result of things we humans do to nature. Albert Einstein also said- “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” I am convinced that if we do not change course and make attempts to alter our food system as part of a plant-based economy, we will see more pandemics like these. We would be remiss if we ignored lessons from the Black Plague that decimated one-half of the entire population in Europe and the Spanish Flu that took 500 million lives worldwide. We can never underestimate the lethality of the next pandemic. Next time it may just wipe out our entire human race. It’s time to wake up and take action.

Citations

Allen, E. (Feb 4, 2020). The Best Way to Prevent Future Pandemics Like Corona Virus? Stop Eating Meat & Go Vegan. EuroNews. Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/01/the-best-way-prevent-future-pandemics-like-coronavirus-stop-eating-meat-and-go-vegan-view

PETA. (Mar 17, 2020). PETA Covers Myths & Facts About Meat & the Corona Virus. Retrieved from https://www.peta.org/blog/links-between-meat-and-coronavirus-facts-myths/

Sentient Media. (Apr 16, 2020). 99% of US Farmed Animals Live on Factory Farms. Retrieved from https://sentientmedia.org/u-s-farmed-animals-live-on-factory-farms/

Vegetarian Society. (n.d). Eat to Beat Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.vegsoc.org/info-hub/why-go-veggie/environment/

WHO. (Feb 10, 2020). Ebola Virus Disease. World Health Organization International NewsRoom. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease

IT’S A TWO-WAY STREET

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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April 6, 2020

For me, an ideal mentor is someone that pushes us to be the best version of ourselves. A good mentor is someone that shows us the way by embodying principles they wish to instill in us. Most importantly, a good mentor is also our cheerleader, rooting for us. Steven Spielberg rightfully says- “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” I have been fortunate that many of my mentors have lived by this principle. In many ways, Spielberg’s quote also aligns with what my Brick Street Toastmasters club is all about. I also believe that all its members are my mentors in some way. Each and every one of them has accepted me for who I am. They have welcomed me into the club. They have motivated me, encouraged me, and given me useful feedback through their evaluations. All of this has allowed me to grow and improve to become a confident and a better speaker. I admit there have been a couple of embarrassing debacles along the way. Still, my club members have given me an opportunity to learn and rise from those mistakes. I feel grateful and eternally thankful for their kindness and support and in taking a personal interest in my growth and development. After all, learning is an on-going process, and we are all always learning from one another.

Having said that, I would like to specifically share my thoughts on how two extraordinary people have impacted my life.

The first person is someone who has added immense value and meaning to my life. She is my mother- my ideal mentor. My mom has always been my constant support system. She is continually pushing me to be the best version of me even till today. While growing up, my mother never really cared about how I compared with my peers. Instead, she challenged me to compete against myself. She would show me how I could continuously improve. Through my formative years, she would push me to take on hobbies, learn, and participate in new activities that were out of my comfort zone. Most importantly, she taught me to show dedication in everything I would set out to do. It was because of her constant encouragement, love, and affection that I am getting close to being the best version of myself today. Even now, when mom is not actively pushing me, her actions are a source of inspiration for me. She will be sharing these inspiring quotes and stories on empowerment, and leadership via WhatsApp. This gives me the needed boost when I am disillusioned or tend to doubt my capabilities.

My mother is someone who has sacrificed her dreams over ours. She has always found a way to do what is right by putting her family first. If I had to come up with one word to describe her, it would be – integrity. Mom has taught me how to be honest, have a strong work ethic, and most importantly, taught me to be empathetic and kind towards others. Today, many of my learned behaviors are a result of observing how my mother conducts herself around others. When I am faced with any critical moral decision in my career or in life, I ask myself what mom would do and what she would want me to do.

My mother has also been a relentless supporter of my success. She is my biggest cheerleader. She wants nothing more than for me to recognize my full potential. The ultimate cheerleading moment that still stands fresh in my mind is when I graduated from grad school with honors! When I called mom to give her the good news, she was ecstatic. Her reaction was a simple triumphal scream of joy.

The second person is someone who I met upon joining Toastmasters in September 2019. She is a my mentor and friend —Molly. As my mentor and I her mentee, we share a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial to both of us.

There are three things that I’ve learned from her.

1) Show up to the meeting and challenge yourself to take on a role as a fellow toastmaster. Since joining Toastmasters, I have taken on many roles. Each of these roles has taught me something. As a grammarian, I have learned to improve my active listening and feedback delivery in a positive way. Being a ‘timer’ has helped me with coordination and time management. Being a ‘speech evaluator’ has offered me training for: critical and analytical thinking, feedback delivery, motivation skills, speech organization, and delivery, as well as public speaking. Molly has always guided me and shared some of her useful tips before pushing me to taking on these roles. She has been physically present at the meetings to encourage and cheer me. At the end of each task, she has given her valuable feedback. This may be via a phone call, text message, or over our monthly one on one meetings over brunch.

2) Do your research. Whenever preparing speeches, it’s essential to do your research. Make sure that there are no YouTube videos, TED talks that sound similar to yours. If so, then it becomes imperative to cite the source. This is something I have learned the hard way. You can end up losing your credibility in the process.

3) Be authentic and tell your story. Authenticity means being genuine. Tell your story because you BELIEVE IT – or better yet because you’ve LIVED IT. This vital lesson has helped me not only with preparing my speeches but also a whole lot with my writing skills. When I started working on my first story for this blog, I knew it would be a disservice to my readers if I did not tell my story from the heart. So, by being fearless and describing it as is, has helped me to continue with my subsequent stories by being as authentic and real as possible. This is allowing me to build a foundation of trust with my followers and readers.

Rhommel Canare, a Principal HR Compliance Data Analyst at the University of California on his LinkedIn blog, says, “Mentorship is a two-way street. It may be easy to default to the idea that the mentor plays a dominant role in the relationship. However, protégés—must remember to take ownership of their growth and development in such a relationship by being prepared, being inquisitive, and pushing their boundaries towards unlimited possibilities“. I continue to do just that!

It’s Not What You Say. It’s How You Say It!

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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March 1, 2020

Have you ever been in a situation where you meant to say something else, and it came out in the wrong way? At some point in our lives we have all been there, haven’t we?

Growing up, I had a direct communication style. Coming from a liberal family, where free expression was encouraged, I was someone who unabashedly spoke my mind. I never realized that I may have unintentionally appeared insensitive to others’ points of view. I once got into an argument with my husband, saying – “That is not what I meant. Is it my fault if you interpreted it that way?” Of course, my spouse, being the mature one, chose to keep quiet at the time, as he did not want to encourage this conversation any further. Later at night, when we were watching a movie on Netflix, realizing that it was my mistake, I apologized to him. He lovingly told me its okay and then calmly said – ” It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it that matters!” Those wise words have resonated with me ever since.

Communication can be hard and tricky! There are different communication styles out there, and there is no communication that is inherently better than others. It’s more to do with understanding different personality traits and learning how to communicate accordingly.

I have a functional communication style, a term that I came to only recognize when I was in grad school at Purdue. Being detail-oriented, I would converse with my family members and friends by going through each and every detail from start to finish. I had to make sure that I had not missed anything. On numerous occasions, my family would patiently wait until I would finish what I had to say. At other times they would say, “Can you come to the point please!” Later, as I stepped into the real world, this pattern continued. I was interning at a local TV station back in 1993 when in one of our brainstorming sessions, I completely lost the attention of my supervisor. I learned that she was someone who did not like being bogged down into minute details. She preferred that when people communicate with her, they cut right to the chase.

In 2018, I landed a part-time position as a strategic communications assistant with a healthcare organization that is dedicated to improving health outcomes through agile implementation methodology. One of my primary roles there was blog content writing. Very quickly, I learned that my marketing communications director had both an intuitive as well as an analytical communication style. She was one of those people that preferred talking to the point. While she was was comfortable with big ideas and out-of-the-box thinking, she firmly believed in facts and data as well. In one of my meetings with her, she had asked me to come up with a new set of digital communication strategies for increasing our social media and web presence. I was about to gravitate towards my usual process-driven, detailed communication when I stopped. Those wise words- “It’s not what you say. It is how you say it” kept echoing in my ears. I immediately changed my strategy and gave her short five bullet point recommendations and then asked her which of those would she want to hear more about. By presenting it this way, she was able to pick and choose the recommendations that she wanted to explore. The outcome of this meeting was that she not only loved my ideas, but she made me the project lead for our digital marketing campaign. She was well aware of my detail-oriented nature and my love to implement processes to get things accomplished. This time, my communication style worked in my favor.

As a project lead, I also discovered that I possessed a personal communication style. I valued emotional language and connection with my team, and I used that as a mode of learning what they were thinking. My team felt comfortable approaching me with any work-related grievances or obstacles they encountered. As I was a good listener, I was able to smooth over any conflicts that took place. In the process, I was able to build a personal relationship with each and every member of my team. Aubrey Blanche, Global Head of Diversity and Belonging at Atlassia.com, says – “Communicating with teammates in a way that resonates with them is an express lane to trust.” It turns out that my team always turned to me as the ‘glue’ that held our digital marketing team together.

Mark Murphy is the New York Times best-selling author and contributor to Forbes and CNBC. He says- “Building communication flexibility allows you to customize your message to the preferred communication style(s) of your audience. This ensures that your message is heard.” Well Mr. Murphy you are spot on! After all, it is not what you say. It is how you say it that matters.

Improving Patient Outcomes through Care Coordination

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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February 25, 2020

This blog post was written for Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science at IU School of Medicine,while I was a Strategic Digital Communications intern back in 2018-2019.

Care Coordination is a hot topic in the healthcare industry right now, particularly when it comes to value-based care. According to NEJM Catalyst (2018) – “Care coordination synchronizes the delivery of a patient’s health care from multiple providers and specialists. The goals of coordinated care are to improve health outcomes by making sure that care from disparate providers is not delivered in silos, and to help reduce health care costs by eliminating redundant tests and procedures.”

A care coordinator shared what happened when she consulted with a patient who was causing frustration for the physician and the pharmacy. This patient was always running out of her medication and would keep calling the office or her pharmacy repeatedly.

When the coordinator first met with her, the patient was skeptical. It took time to develop their relationship. The patient had several health issues and a weak social support system. Eventually, she started bringing her medication to the clinic. She was not taking it correctly, which explained why she was always running out of her drugs. Another problem was literacy – the medication instructions were confusing to her – and part of the issue was anxiety around her health.

The care-coordinator began to meet with her every week. The patient and coordinator agreed that she would bring her medicine in, and the care-coordinator filled her pill organizer. In the beginning, the coordinator would fill it every week while the patient watched her. Over time, she taught the patient to fill her medicine box while she supervised, making sure she did not have any trouble. After four months, the patient was taking her medications as prescribed and no longer ran out of them. What was interesting to note was that there was a dramatic drop in her emergency room visits.

So what changed for this patient? Was it that she received the kind of support she needed? Was it about educating her about her medication? Was it that the care coordination team could identify other contributing triggers, such as her mental health, which led to connecting her with behavioral health resources? Or was it that all members of the care team – clinicians, pharmacists, and other providers – were collaborating and transparently communicating on the treatment of this patient? It was all of the above that made a difference.

To truly impact patient outcomes, care coordination has to start before the care team is in place. It should begin with the patient. For any healthcare organization to be successful, care coordination needs to become individualized. One needs to look beyond the data to see how healthcare costs can be improved, how engagement can be increased, and how satisfaction could be enhanced. It is all about putting the patient population at the center of care coordination.

Healthcare organizations should assess and understand the populations they are serving before strategies can be developed and plans put into place. One needs to asses the community and know what the needs are. Then comes the goal setting. There are many ways to implement a care coordination strategy, know your organization and the population it serves to identify gaps in care, and the most significant opportunity to make a difference.

Care coordination addresses some common challenges faced by healthcare organizations such as high readmission rates, using emergency service in place of primary care, and discouraged patients because of the complex healthcare system.

Healthcare organizations should, therefore, look at two significant areas to improve with a comprehensive care coordination strategy.

Implement a grassroots care coordination strategy: which involves reaching out to patients, trying to engage with them face to face, and via telephone outreach to develop trust relationships with them to get to their underlying problems.
Data transparency and communicating with the care team: Care coordination requires data transparency and interoperable systems. When healthcare technology is not interoperable, it makes communication between care team members difficult, which can be detrimental to the patient experience. Moving into a single interoperable EHR, for example, can empower outpatient care coordinators, social workers, the ER utilization management team, clinicians to better collaborate and be transparent across the care continuum. That is value beyond measure.

Top Innovations Changing Healthcare

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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February 24, 2020

This blog post was written for Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science at IU School of Medicine, while I was a Strategic Digital Communications intern back in 2018-2019.

Innovation has become a significant focus in healthcare to improve quality, reduce harm, improve access, increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and lower costs. In fact, through technology and innovation, many hospitals and startups are coming up with remarkable ways to improve their offerings and in the process revolutionizing and transforming healthcare. The Department of Commerce Advisory Committee defines healthcare innovation as “a design, invention, or development of a new or altered service” (Haughom, 2014).

On taking a closer look as to what is being done to keep up with the revolving door of science and research, I found several healthcare innovations that are positively impacting healthcare. These include:

1. Artificial intelligence (AI): AI applications such as predictive analytics for patient monitoring has been providing significant financial savings. Apps that target hospitals and medical institutions include patient monitoring and transcribing notes for electronic health records (EHRs). To illustrate, the University of Chicago Medical Center is using predictive analytics for streamlining the movements in and out of the OR. By combining real-time data and an AI-powered algorithm, they have decreased turnover by 20%, or four minutes per room, thereby improving communication and workflows from all the moving parts in the operating room. Predictive analysis has helped the hospital in huge savings as well has led to more satisfied patients and staff.

2. Big Data: Getting adequate information to find the right treatment is a big challenge when it comes to creating new drugs and medicines for rare diseases. However, RDMD – a healthcare start-up company is trying to solve this problem by using AI to analyze data from medical records to find commonalities in rare disease cases. The company then sells that data to pharmaceutical companies so they can create cutting-edge treatments.

In yet another example, doctors and nurses are taking advantage of big data to provide personalized treatment options backed by statistics and current research. For example, Seattle Children’s Hospital is using big data analytics to provide faster and accurate diagnoses for its patients by scouring through thousands of data points about each patient in diagnosing the condition and finding treatment options instantly.

3. Cloud-Based Data Management Systems: Innovative healthcare systems are making headway with cloud-based data management systems. These programs combine patient data into a single system that can be accessed anywhere. So instead of keeping separate charts and methods for each department and patient, healthcare providers can get all the information they need about the patient in one place and easily share it with other members of the care team. ‘CloudCare’ for example, allows providers to access protected data in real time.

4. Robotics: Sophisticated robotics has opened doors for surgeries and treatments. At Carnegie Mellon University, for example, researchers have developed a miniature robot called ‘HeartLander’ that can perform heart therapy treatments. A surgeon makes a small incision and then navigates the robot to particular parts of the heart, where the robots stick to the organ and perform therapy.

5. Mobile Technology: According to Catherine Sturman of ‘Healthcare Global’ (2018), “Consumers have become accustomed to accessing their data through the use of various digital tools, where the use of mobile and tablet health apps has tripled from 13% in 2014 to 48% today” (para. 2). Researchers at the University of Chicago and the Ann & Robert Laurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for example, use an app called PreeMe + You to keep parents in constant touch with their premature newborn babies and their care team. Through the app, they can track their baby’s progress in real time and know what their baby is doing at every moment hence providing exceptional comfort for patents which cannot be at their baby’s side and helps them and the care team to stay on the same page.

Further, innovations such as Chatbot Florence an AI-powered chatbot can give answers and advice whenever patients need. Instead of waiting to talk to their doctor, patients can now ask Florence a question about symptoms or medication, and she’ll provide personalized responses. She can also remind users to take medication and track healthy habits.

6. Health Wearables – With a rise of diseases such as diabetes, consumers are turning towards health wearables that can monitor their glucose, heart rate, physical activity and sleep to gain a better understanding of their health conditions. Some of these are Pebble Time, to measure sleep; Pip, for getting rid of stress, AliveCor Heart Monitor for keeping heart healthy, Fitbit Surge for staying fit and energetic, Fitbit Aria for keeping track of your weight, etc. This kind of data can be analyzed by sophisticated algorithms to drive long-term diagnosis and support.

7. Virtual Reality and Patient Care: VRHealth, an Israeli health tech company based in Boston in partnership with Oculus has brought new health and wellness solutions such as VR glasses for example, during painful or stressful procedures to minimize stress. This innovative concept makes for a pleasant patient experience while creating a better environment for providers to perform the procedure safely. VR technology can also help clinics gather new patient information and share treatment instructions for patients after they go home.

8. Telehealth: Telemedicine is booming. Increasing accessibility and eradicating potential delays have given patients greater control, boosting patient satisfaction, and overall engagement.

9. 3D Printing: Healthcare providers are set to represent the second largest industry in 3D manufacturing. To illustrate, the FDA’s decision to release its first comprehensive framework advising manufacturers of 3D medical products highlight its growing impact where more than 100,000 knee replacement surgeries are completed annually using 3D printed, patient matching operational guidelines. This process has allowed for consultations between surgeons and patients to be strengthened, where patients can better understand the complexity of his or her specific needs.

10. Genomics: Consumer genetics and research companies are growing in popularity and scale. People are interested in learning about their genetic makeup. ‘23andMe’ a biotech company recently entered a four-year collaboration with GSK to develop new treatments using human genetics as a basis for discovery. Pharmaceutical companies are not only looking to establish procedures by analyzing human genetics but now they are looking to remove hereditary genes which pass diseases down generations.

The Center for Medical Genomics at IU School of Medicine has a mission to improve population health by facilitating biomedical research advancements with state of the art genomic technologies such as next-generation sequencing and microarray and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping instrumentation etc., for studying gene expression and genetics.

Such innovations are, therefore, completely changing healthcare, especially in terms of patient and provider experience.

At CHIIS, we consider ourselves as an innovative engine, where everyone strives to create a vibrant environment. Here ideas tend to blossom through innovation, knowledge transfer, and group-based problem-solving. Our vision is a healthcare system that meets the quadruple aim of better care, improved outcomes at lower costs with the enhanced patient and clinician experience. To learn more visit http://www.hii.iu.edu/education.

Citations

Innovation in Healthcare: Why It’s Needed and Where It’s Going. (2019, May 27). Retrieved from https://www.healthcatalyst.com/innovation-in-healthcare-why-needed-where-going

Morgan, B. (2019). Healthcare Innovation – 10 Recent Examples of Powerful Innovation in Healthcare. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/03/12/healthcare-innovation-10-recent-examples-of-powerful-innovation-in-healthcare/#597cb47b57dc

Sturman, C. (2018). Top 10 Healthcare Innovations for 2019. Healthcare Global. Retrieved from https://www.healthcareglobal.com/top-10/top-10-healthcare-innovations-2019

‘Fan Fair’ – The World’s Biggest Country Music Festival

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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February 19, 2020

Nashville, Tennessee, is considered a musical haven for music lovers. Each June, more than twenty thousand country music lovers journey to Nashville ‘Fan Fair,’ a unique festival that allows fans to interact with their favorite artists. More than two hundred performers from top stars to upcoming warblers, participate in this grand occasion. This four-day event tends to attract over six hundred media representatives from around the world with its net proceeds divided between specific charities as designated by the artists and a special fund used by the ‘Country Music Association’ to advance the growth and popularity of this music form.

It all began around 1971, during the over-congested annual ‘Country Music. DJ Convention’ held in Nashville. A large number of artists attended this gemote, with many fans coming together, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. Looking at this success, the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ suggested that if a festival were to be organized primarily for devotees at a different time of the year, it would undoubtedly be well attended and productive. Thus, Fan Fair was born. The first music gala with an attendance of five thousand fans was held for three days from April 12-15, 1972, at Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Some of country music’s most revered artists like Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Freddie Hart, Nat Stuckey, Billy-“Crash” Craddock, Ernest Tubb, Del Wood, Wilma Lee, Stoney Copper, and Pee Wee King offered more than twenty hours of live entertainment. In more than a hundred exhibit booths, ‘country zealots’ could indulge in everything from picture taking to autograph sessions with their favorite vocalists. The ‘Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang’ of Odessa, Texas, served up their ‘Texas Menu’ barbecue, beans, slaw, onions, pickles, bread, and beverages. This event was a tremendous triumph with fans and artists inquiring about the dates for the next year immediately. ‘Fan Fair’ 1973 was moved to June, a peak travel month, to take advantage of tourists and better weather. Enthusiasts in attendance witnessed country music history as Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed as a duo for what would be the last time in more than a decade. The main highlight of these festivities was from an unexpected visit by former Beatle and country music devotee Paul McCartney. With the exploding popularity of the country, the festival continued to grow each year. In 1982, to accommodate the growing audience, the event was moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

Fan Fair celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1991 with an expanded show schedule. Over sixty-five artists appeared in more than thirty-four hours of live stage shows for audiences. Additionally, over two h hundred entertainers set up booths for autograph sessions. Kathy Mattea, a famous artist, despite strict advice for voice rest, still appeared to communicate with her fans via a personal computer. A quick comparison of artists who appeared at the first music fete and who made return appearances at the 91 event gave evidence of the enduring nature of country music and its entertainers. Some of the most popular performers, including Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Wynonna, and a high-energy newcomer by the name of Billy Ray Cyrus, appeared at the 21st International Country Music Fain Fair in 1992. Media representatives from Switzerland and Spain to Japan and Brazil provided international coverage. From 1993 a new dimension was introduced with ‘Hollywood’ being showcased into the artist booths. Doug Stone and ‘Music City Tonight’ star Lorainne Crook arrived at their stall dressed as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’ Hara, while Lorrie Morgan took an extraterrestrial approach with a crashed UFO and aliens. The year 1996 marked the 25th anniversary with ‘Good Morning America’ nationally airing a hive coverage of the event. By 1999 the fair was making a significant economic impact with profits grossing over ten million as estimated by the National Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Truly a unique event with performers from three generations entertaining an audience over twenty thousand today, Fan Fair is living proof of the special bond between country music lovers and artists. Over the years, this event has evolved from a humble convention to a ‘music risotto,’ placing Nashville on the International scene as a melodious destination. With ever-increasing concepts, dimensions, and variety introduced into the event, I wonder what the Fan Fair 2020 has in store for us!

Citation

Nashville CMA History. Retrieved from https://www.hitradio.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html

Red Extravaganza

Aanal Mehta Daftary

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February 11, 2020

Was red the first color your eye recognized while growing up? In the cosmos of colors, none is richly layered in cultural symbolism and suggestion as to the color of love, heat, excitement, and anger: namely red. No other color implies as many semiotic meanings and inspires as many emotions. I had visited the Cincinnati Art Museum in Ohio once, where they had exhibited a red extravaganza called – ‘Seeing Simply Red.’

In the museum’s Closer Look Gallery, forty artists had explored the color of fervor and insurgence. The exhibit’s roughly sixty artworks – photo and print media, differed wildly, demonstrating the seductive color’s everlasting appeal and magnetism. Here, the art lovers discovered why red is essential, how it is used in other cultures, how it is made, and what it means. Visitors also found photos of objects such as red mailboxes in China, a pink pig, and a snake. Descriptions of the pieces served as visual cues by artists showcasing what they were trying to accomplish in their artwork. In some cases, why they chose to use the color red instead of another color was also clearly explained.

Like any group show of loosely related work, the art in ‘Simply Red‘ was uneven in quality, touching many thematic nerves. It could be said that the central focus was elusive: The eyes were literally overwhelmed by the experience of so much red. Interestingly, though, all these works that used and mused on color red shared at least one idea, one that bound many traditions of art. One moment the viewer was looking at New York photographer Paula Gillen’s portrait of a young red sweatered woman lounging on a red couch with her cat. Minutes later, the eyes moved upon the painterly equivalent: the late Ralph Rosenborg’s 1958 oil painting of flowers. His art was a confection of swirling black and orange-red heaped upon the canvas as thick as frosting on a cake. Sometimes red was seen as merely a flash of quirky life, a constructing color, akin in Joe Biel’s pastel-and-graphite drawings of a man wearing a red shirt and sporting a long squiggly tongue. Sometimes it was a wash of meditative tension, as in Thompson’s golfers walking the imaginary links of an abstract, red grapefruit-tinged color field.

I really enjoyed the experience of the color red in the gallery’s ‘Education Center’ which offered families interactive ‘Inside Red.‘ Upon entering the room, I was surrounded by red, which made me question, ” How does this make me feel?”. Interestingly available in the exhibition was also an opportunity for children to make rose-colored glasses and collage using red pieces of paper. Kids could also browse red books and watch the film -Red Balloon’. At ‘Inside Red‘ you even got a chance to learn fun facts about red in different cultures as well as red’s association with different foods, scents, and textures.

Ultimately any painting or photography, blue, green, or red, it’s all about beauty and mystery. Supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this unique exhibition, free to the public, surely drenched me in simply red!

The Noodle Mania

Aanal Mehta Daftary

no comments

February 11, 2020

Do you recall forging and slurping vast quantities of noodles growing up? Almost every person from all walks of life has tasted the captivating flavors of noodles. Whether the noodle is made of rice, potato starch, or bean starch, its popularity can never be disparaged. And that’s why being a noodle lover myself, I was thrilled to learn of Lulu’s Noodles at Springdale, Ohio, when I was living there.

If you are on a prowl for good tasting, inexpensive food, then don’t let the strip mall setting and unassuming exterior fool you: Lulu’s Noodle bar is not one to be missed. Unlike cookie-cutter strip-mall Asian food counterparts known for heavy sauces and dank selections, Lulu’s serves up delicacies that are fresh, vibrant, fast, and economical. Folks line up at lunchtime, waiting for a table or a quick carry out before hustling back to work. They can survey the menu, place an order, and pay cash upfront. Dinner time also draws a crowd and a short wait. The atmosphere is very casual. Portions are large, boasting flavors that are strong but don’t overpower the taste buds.

Begin your meal with vegetable tom-yum soup seasoned with lemongrass and cilantro or hot ad sour soup, and a traditional Chinese starter like chow-mien, pan-fried dumplings wontons or Japanese gyoza potstickers. The big draw, however, is the fifteen noodle dishes on the menu. Egg noodles or rice noodles prepared in various ways with or without meat such as Singapore noodle plate – stirred rice noodles covered in curry with chicken, shrimp, or vegetable scallions and bean sprouts. Most folks flock here just for over a dozen stats noodle dish varieties, like Pad Thai and the spicy Szechwan noodle bowls. Most entrees are available with a side order of rice or noodles for under seven dollars … an affordable lunch or dinner option.

Though there is no special menu for kids, a favorite is vegetable lo mein ($6.25). It is a tasty blend of soft, long noodles and vegetables that are also available with chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp. Another dish with kid appeal is the fried chicken wings in Szechwan honey ($4.40). The menu claims that Lulu’s originated this dish and warns diners to “watch out for copy cats!”
My personal favorite is the Cantonese noodle plate ($6.95). The pan-fried noodles meet my “crispy-ness” quotient, and the Asian flavor is simply divine. You honestly are in a food coma. Another best dish is the ‘Udon noodles’ ($7.25), which are noodles stir-fried in garlic sauce with bean sprouts, scallions, and eggs. A strong contestant is a tom yum mee ($5.95), a pleasing blend of lemongrass, green onions, cilantro, and Thai basil in broth over noodles.

Thai fans will love the assortment of rice noodles, egg, and tofu stir-fried in Thai sauce and topped with bean sprouts, cilantro, and red cabbage. You can also add chicken, pork, or beef for an additional $2.25 and veggies for $1. So no matter what you order, it is worth your money, and Lulu’s has a tasty variety of choices where you can never go wrong.

Lulu’s is located on 35 W Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45246, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Their contact number is (513) 671-4949.

Do check them out!