We have some important announcements to share with you.
9th Street Internal Medicine 9th Street Internal Medicine
Author: 9th Street Internal Medicine
Remembering Dr. David Major
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the loss of our founding partner Dr. David Major.
David Alan Major, MD. 84, died peacefully at home on September 9, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, a calm, patient and thoughtful man, and a respected physician devoted to patient care. He practiced medicine in Philadelphia for 51 years until his retirement in December 2021 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During his professional career, he was a Professor and Director of Teaching in the Department of Medicine and co-founder of the Physician Assistant Program at Hahnemann University, the first of its kind in Philadelphia. He was also a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and a founder of Ninth Street Internal Medicine.
His passions were family, medicine and sports. He played basketball into his ‘60s, skied, roller-bladed, ice skated, biked, swam, and played tennis and squash. Though widely traveled, he was happiest at the shore. He was born and raised in Atlantic City, was a beach doctor, walked and biked the boardwalk and celebrated birthdays by body surfing with his girls. He is remembered by an adoring family of women, including his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Eskin, his daughters Jill HaLevi (Andrew), Jane Thompson (Glenn), and Lynn Major (Robert Leventon) and granddaughters Noa (Chaiel Schaffel) and Mira HaLevi, Valerie Thompson, Marly and Sebina Leventon, and sister Maxine Field. He will be greatly and deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Doctors without Borders, ASH, HIAS, or PILCOP would be appreciated.
For any of our patients who would like to share thoughts or memories of Dr. Major, you may do so by clicking here and we will pass them onto his family.
Diabetes Diet Plans
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up delicious snacks! You just need to plan a bit more and understand how each kind of food affects your body. Store premeasured portions of food, keep cut-up raw vegetables in the fridge, choose filling foods (hard-boiled eggs and string cheese are great options), and make sandwiches on whole wheat bread instead of white. This can also be a perfect time to try new foods, like zucchini pita pizzas. Learn how to make them, and speak with one of our providers to discover more tips for healthy snacking.
High Blood Pressure Treatment
It’s normal for your blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day, but if it stays high, you may be at greater risk of a stroke or heart attack. Most people can’t feel high blood pressure (called hypertension), so it’s important to check it regularly. The good news is that there are many ways to treat high blood pressure. Losing weight, eating less sodium, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol may be enough to get your blood pressure under control. If not, you might also need to take pills. Learn more about high blood pressure and how to treat it.
Welcome Dr. David Share
We are pleased to announce that Dr. David Share will be joining NSIM in October 2022. You can find out more about Dr. Share by clicking on his link and reading his bio and seeing his training and education. His schedule is available for appointments and he is looking forward caring for our patients. Please call the office to schedule an appointment at 215-440-8681.
Announcing Dr. David Major’s Retirement
January 7, 2022
Dear Patients,
When I started to practice medicine 54 years ago, I believed that seeing and helping people with common and rare diseases would be the
driving force in my career. I was wrong. Seeing and knowing people is what stimulated my longevity in medical practice. All of you are unique individuals and knowing you as individuals has been my driving force. It has been my pleasure to know and care for you.
My last sick day was in 1971 but no one is invincible. I have been having serial MRI scans for 3 years following a spot in my kidney which is unchanged and appears to be benign. But 2 weeks ago, the scan revealed a tumor in my pancreas. I am completing my evaluation next week and will begin whatever treatment is indicated. Therefore, I am announcing my official retirement on January 7, 2022, so I can focus on my health.
Ninth Street Internal Medicine is hiring a new physician to take my place. In the interim period, my wonderful physician and nurse practitioner colleagues at the practice are ready to help you with any medical concerns, including follow-up or urgent in-office or telehealth visits, phone calls, after office hour care, prescription refills, lab orders, and test results. If you currently have a future appointment scheduled with me, the office staff will be reaching out to you in the next several weeks to reschedule your appointment.
I do want to thank all of you for enriching my life, and I will treasure my memories of these many years of our relationships.
Sincerely,
David Major, M.D.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
As your primary care providers, we at Ninth Street Internal Medicine and MDVIP would like to encourage everyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. We believe in both the safety and efficacy of this vaccine. If you would like to learn more about how mRNA vaccines work.
Anyone who still has questions or reservations about getting the vaccine should schedule a phone appointment to discuss with your doctor. This vaccine is the best way for all of us to end this pandemic and get back to normal life! Continue reading “COVID-19 Vaccine Information”
Diabetes Tips
Staying Motivated With Diabetes.
Staying motivated while managing your diabetes can be tough. That’s especially true this year when getting out of the house is more difficult than usual. You don’t have to do it alone, though. To stay motivated, set goals (with a reward, of course) or enlist the help of your family. There are even online exercise classes and support groups that can help you manage your health while socially distancing. And for when the going gets tough, make a list of all the reasons why you want to manage your disease. Continue reading “Diabetes Tips”
Covid FAQs
I’ve had COVID-19 symptoms and have been self-isolating. When is it safe for me to be around other people?
If you know or suspect that you have COVID-19, staying away from others is the right thing to do. Self-isolating can help keep the virus from spreading.
It’s safe to be around others again when:
- You haven’t had a fever for 24 hours while not taking medicines to lower the fever, and
- Your symptoms have improved, and
- It’s been at least 10 days since your symptoms started.
- Talk to your doctor about whether you also need testing, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
Do children get the same symptoms of COVID-19 as adults?
Yes, children get the same symptoms as adults, such as a fever, cough, and trouble breathing.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition that’s probably related to COVID-19. It causes inflammation, which can affect the heart and other organs. A child with MIS-C usually has a fever for 24 hours or longer, plus other symptoms. Examples include belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash, and red eyes. Most children get better with treatment.
Can immunoglobulin be used to treat COVID-19?
Doctors and hospitals are starting clinical trials to see if this treatment will help to fight COVID-19. Immunoglobulin (also called gamma globulin or immune globulin) is made from the blood of people who have recovered from an infection. In the case of COVID-19, it contains antibodies that fight COVID-19. When a person gets an infection, the body responds by making antibodies. These antibodies attack the infection and help the body fight it.
The hope is that if immunoglobulin is given to someone who is very ill from the virus, the antibodies will help that person fight and overcome the infection. Experts don’t yet know if this will work and be safe for people with a serious COVID-19 infection. It seems to help in some other serious infections.
How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 live?
A new study shows that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive in an aerosol form for at least 3 hours. An aerosol is something under pressure that can be released as a spray, like a sneeze or a cough.
The virus can survive on some surfaces for up to 3 days, according to the study in the New England Journal of Medicine. How well it survives may depend on the surface it’s on. In the study, the virus lasted longest on plastic and stainless steel. It didn’t live as long on cardboard.
Because the virus can live for hours to days, it’s especially important to keep items around you clean. Experts advise disinfecting surfaces and objects you touch a lot, such as tables, door handles, faucets, toilets, handrails, and remote controls. You can use household disinfectants, a bleach solution, or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
Why is the virus making some young and healthy people very sick?
Experts don’t know why some people, even those who are healthy, get very sick. Overall, COVID-19 seems to cause fewer problems in people who are young and healthy. Those who are older or have other health problems, like diabetes or heart disease, have a higher risk of getting very sick. But the virus can affect anyone, even those who are young and healthy. And it can cause serious problems (even death) at any age.
Will antibiotics help prevent or treat COVID-19?
No. Antibiotics treat infections that are caused by bacteria. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus. Viruses are different than bacteria. Antibiotics don’t help and can even cause other problems.
What is the average length of COVID-19 illness (mild and severe)?
The length of time someone is sick with COVID-19 varies. It depends on how sick a person is. When people are mildly ill, they usually get better in 1 or 2 weeks. People who are more severely ill have worse symptoms, like severe shortness of breath and pneumonia. They need care in a hospital. They usually get better in 3 to 6 weeks. Some people who get very sick may need even more time to recover.
Some people with COVID-19 have very mild or no symptoms. They may get over the infection without even knowing they had it.
What is a ventilator? Why is it so important in this outbreak?
A ventilator is a machine that breathes for a person when they can’t breathe well enough on their own. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. This means it can affect the breathing systems of the body, especially the lungs. Most people with COVID-19 don’t get seriously ill. But when someone is very ill, the infection affects the lungs so severely that breathing is hard or impossible.
A ventilator has a tube that goes through the mouth into the lungs. The machine brings oxygen into the lungs and removes carbon dioxide. A ventilator is important because it does the work of the lungs and gives them time to heal. After they heal, the tube can be removed.
One of the main concerns about this virus is whether there will be enough ventilators if many people get sick at the same time.
How is COVID-19 treated?
If you have mild symptoms, you can care for yourself at home while you are in isolation. Your doctor may have you take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a fever. Treatment in the hospital for more serious cases includes support, such as a ventilator (to help with breathing) and medicines. Some people may be placed on their belly to help their oxygen levels.
What Should I Do if I Get COVID-19?
Having COVID-19 can be scary, but most people do recover. If you do get it, be sure to get plenty of rest and treat your fever. You should also do what you can to avoid spreading COVID-19 to anyone else. Stay home, wear a face mask when around other people, call ahead before going to the doctor, and stay at least 6 feet away from the people around you.
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms, please visit:
https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/covid-19-resources.aspx#anchor_SymptomChecker
COVID-19 Office Policies & Updates
We are taking extra steps to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff.
Your doctor or nurse practitioner at Ninth Street Internal Medicine will work with you to decide whether an appointment in the office is recommended as part of your ongoing medical care. Please call our office at (215) 440-8681 or visit our COVID-19 Resource Center if you have questions about your care after reading the following information.
How we are keeping you safe and healthy
- If you are sick or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact our office.
- We can order COVID-19 testing for you if indicated. Please schedule an appointment so you can discuss with a medical provider what is the best course of action for you
- Due to limited resources during the current COVID-19 surge, we will not be performing COVID-19 testing on patients who are asymptomatic and without any known exposure.
- If you live in the same household with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you are at a high risk of becoming infected. You should quarantine at home until you can be sure that you are not infected. Please schedule a telehealth visit for specific instructions for your individual situation. Please visit the CDC website for more instructions about what to do or for more information about quarantine.
Is it better for me to schedule a telemedicine visit or an in-person visit?
Virtual/Telemedicine Visits allow you to use a phone or desktop device to speak with your physician. Examples of when telemedicine may be appropriate include:
- Minor illnesses, like a cold or sinus infection
- Minor injuries, like small cuts or sprains
- Non-severe symptoms from a chronic condition
- General health concerns or questions
- Annual wellness visits
- Anyone with respiratory symptoms, or other symptoms concerning for a COVID-19 infection, MUST speak with a provider by phone or video before coming in to the office.
In-Person Visit
There are times where it will be best to see your doctor in person for more complex and personalized care. For example:
- Cancer screenings and treatments
- Complex chronic disease care
- Vaccines
- Certain worrisome symptoms including stomach pain, pelvic pain or other gynecologic symptoms, chest pain, headache, certain musculoskeletal problems.
Please call the office, or send a message via the patient portal if you have questions about what type of appointment is recommended.
Can I postpone my in-office appointment?
It is more important than ever to take care of your health, especially chronic conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic heart and lung conditions. Cancer screening and immunizations are also crucial to your continued health. Some routine care may be able to wait, but other issues are important to address quickly. Your provider will determine if an office appointment is recommended as part of your ongoing medical care.
Is it safe for me to go to my upcoming doctor’s appointment?
We are taking extra steps to ensure the health and safety of all patients and staff who enter the office. These include:
- No COVID-19 testing is being done in the office. No patients with current symptoms of, or recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 will be permitted in the office.
- Pre-appointment symptoms screening
- Masks must be worn by staff and patients at all times while in the office.
- No walk-in hours. Please contact the office first to schedule all appointments
- Exam rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patients.
- No additional visitors will be allowed in the waiting room or examination rooms unless approved by a provider or deemed otherwise medically necessary.
What should I do to prepare to come in for an appointment?
- Two days prior to your in-office appointment, you will receive a text message or email requesting you to complete a pre-visit screening questionnaire. Please answer all of the questions and follow any prompts.
If you develop any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 (these include fevers, chills, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, muscle pain, headache, or sore throat), please call our office immediately before coming to the office for your appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will review your symptoms and determine next steps.
Wear a mask at all times while in our office. If you do not have a medical grade surgical mask our staff will be happy to give you one at our front desk.
What type of face covering is appropriate to wear?
Your face covering should cover the nose and mouth, and be secured to the head with ties or straps, or wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
Face masks with one-way exhalation valves should not be worn. These masks filter the air that is inhaled by the person wearing it, protecting them from dust and small particles in their surroundings. However, the exhalation valve allows unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the environment, putting those around the wearer at risk.
For more information about face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19, please see the CDC website:
Should I have bloodwork done?
Yes. Routine bloodwork is important for preventing, monitoring, and managing many chronic conditions. It may also be important to monitor bloodwork if you take certain medications. If you have an upcoming annual physical exam appointment, or if you typically have bloodwork done before appointments (such as for diabetes), we request that you have bloodwork done. Most LabCorp and Quest Diagnostic laboratories remain open, and are taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We recommend that you schedule an appointment to have bloodwork done with your nearest lab. Please call the office if you have specific questions.
Can I bring a family member or caregiver to my appointment?
Individuals with physical or cognitive limitations who require the assistance of another person to attend their appointment are permitted to bring one person with them to the appointment. To help us limited the number of individuals in the office and follow social distancing guidelines, we request that patients who are able to do so come to their appointments unaccompanied.
Since I scheduled my appointment, I lost my job and no longer have health insurance (or my insurance changed). What should I do?
We are committed to helping all of our patients get the care that they need. Please call the office, or send a message via the patient portal to discuss your situation and find out how we can help.
Where can I find more information?
Protecting yourself from COVID-19 infection
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Testing for COVID-19
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19