Z. Colette Edwards, MD MBA

Feeling anxious? You’re not alone especially as the pandemic rages on. Going into the fall and winter months, there’s tremendous uncertainty in the world. So, give these techniques a try to calm your mind.

COVID-19 is a devastating virus. It affects every corner of the globe. The future is uncertain, and it is unlikely things will ever go back to “normal” again. And therein lie the hidden “blessings” of COVID-19.

COVID-19 will impact everyone sooner or later, in ways that are simply inconvenient for some and completely life-changing for many others. No one will go unscathed.

COVID-19 has taken a toll on physical health and has taken lives. Those are the visible signs of its presence. But what about its many invisible impacts?

The novel coronavirus spreads quickly, unseen by the human eye and not physically perceived in 40 – 60% of individuals who are infected. Those very facts serve as the… Show more

COVID-19 will impact everyone sooner or later, in ways that are simply inconvenient for some and completely life-changing for many others. No one will go unscathed.

COVID-19 has taken a toll on physical health and has taken lives. Those are the visible signs of its presence. But what about its many invisible impacts?

The novel coronavirus spreads quickly, unseen by the human eye and not physically perceived in 40 – 60% of individuals who are infected. Those very facts serve as the starting point of the cascading ripple effect that may be manifest in the insidious way it can enter our lives. How do you combat a threat you can’t see and may not feel? Show less

One of my coaching clients came to me for help with taking the leap into retirement. He wanted to move on to the next phase of his life but felt paralyzed ….. “When I think about packing up my office and the going away party, I say to myself ‘What do I do the day after?’ After so many years of being in the same routine and feeling at the top of his game, he literally could not imagine what it would be like for things to be different when he thought about the future. He put in the work required… Show more

One of my coaching clients came to me for help with taking the leap into retirement. He wanted to move on to the next phase of his life but felt paralyzed ….. “When I think about packing up my office and the going away party, I say to myself ‘What do I do the day after?’ After so many years of being in the same routine and feeling at the top of his game, he literally could not imagine what it would be like for things to be different when he thought about the future. He put in the work required for coaching to be beneficial and ended up actually retiring much earlier than he planned.

In a somewhat analogous way, those who survive both cancer and the treatment which led to a cure or remission can find themselves in a “day after” state of mind. After living through a time focused on saving one’s life and being in a routine of doctor’s visits, blood work, radiologic imaging, surgery - chemo - radiation - hormones (or all four treatment modalities) and the potential side effects thereof, cancer survivors can experience a “What do I do now?” moment. Show less

“Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
~ Warren Buffett

Are you planting the seeds today for the shade you will need in the future?

Inflammatory bowel disease is complicated, and there is much yet to be learned regarding its cause(s), diagnosis, and management. Remember preventive care is much more than just immunizations and cancer screenings!

Healthcare is in a state of turmoil. The need for a definitive commitment to data-driven action and a longer-term, investment-oriented perspective is more urgent than ever.

The Amazon-JP Morgan-Berkshire Hathaway announcement demonstrates that creativity and passion in healthcare are alive and well. Combined with a persistent pursuit for solutions, there is much promise to make (1) higher quality, (2) medically appropriate, (3) cost-effective, (4) person-centered holistic care a reality… Show more

Healthcare is in a state of turmoil. The need for a definitive commitment to data-driven action and a longer-term, investment-oriented perspective is more urgent than ever.

The Amazon-JP Morgan-Berkshire Hathaway announcement demonstrates that creativity and passion in healthcare are alive and well. Combined with a persistent pursuit for solutions, there is much promise to make (1) higher quality, (2) medically appropriate, (3) cost-effective, (4) person-centered holistic care a reality – without burning out clinicians!

Consider these 4 leadership hacks to help your organization overcome the challenges to be faced in 2019 and beyond. Show less

A study of treatment patterns, dosing, healthcare resource utilization, and cost of certain biologic medications (tumor necrosis factor inhibitors) in members enrolled in the health plans of a national medical insurance carrier.

This portfolio includes an entire year’s worth of motivation, solutions, and activities with one goal in mind: to provide you (and perhaps your clients!) with the tools to BE LESS STRESSED.

As a physician, healthcare executive in the Fortune 50, and integrative health practitioner, I know first-hand the negative impact that stress has on the body, mind, and spirit. With consequences ranging from negative health and well-being impacts, to lowered productivity to higher presenteeism… Show more

This portfolio includes an entire year’s worth of motivation, solutions, and activities with one goal in mind: to provide you (and perhaps your clients!) with the tools to BE LESS STRESSED.

As a physician, healthcare executive in the Fortune 50, and integrative health practitioner, I know first-hand the negative impact that stress has on the body, mind, and spirit. With consequences ranging from negative health and well-being impacts, to lowered productivity to higher presenteeism, absenteeism, and medical costs due to stress-related symptoms and conditions, the time for a new approach to mitigating stress is NOW.

Visit www.BeLessStressedGuide.com today to learn about this user-friendly, self-paced resource portfolio, and please join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BeLessStressed/ for additional information, inspiration, and connection with others on a Be Less Stressed journey!

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Driven by forces as disparate as cultural norms and values, technological advancements, political and regulatory shifts, and overwhelming economic factors, the business plan that drives everything in healthcare continues to shift. While the focus in this new landscape is on improving outcomes, increasing patient engagement, and aligning incentives grounded in behavioral economics to reward coordinated care delivery, much of the national dialogue focuses on the “system” and the “patient.” With… Show more

Driven by forces as disparate as cultural norms and values, technological advancements, political and regulatory shifts, and overwhelming economic factors, the business plan that drives everything in healthcare continues to shift. While the focus in this new landscape is on improving outcomes, increasing patient engagement, and aligning incentives grounded in behavioral economics to reward coordinated care delivery, much of the national dialogue focuses on the “system” and the “patient.” With this constant shifting, however, more and more healthcare professionals are suffering from high levels of stress and its accompanying physical and mental health impacts.

As burnout and stress mount in the healthcare professions, how can we heal the system and those who work in it? Show less

It's going to be messy and dramatic, with lots of high and low notes. You're probably going to want an intermission. While it may feel like the latest opera, it's healthcare in 2014 and beyond. The reality is that the fat lady will continue to sing. The upside is that she'll have many more options to get healthier and expand her repertoire.

The only thing that is certain is that no one knows exactly how the plot will unfold. With so many moving parts in the healthcare arena, following… Show more

It's going to be messy and dramatic, with lots of high and low notes. You're probably going to want an intermission. While it may feel like the latest opera, it's healthcare in 2014 and beyond. The reality is that the fat lady will continue to sing. The upside is that she'll have many more options to get healthier and expand her repertoire.

The only thing that is certain is that no one knows exactly how the plot will unfold. With so many moving parts in the healthcare arena, following some basic strategies and principles will help you navigate through (and sometimes improvise) what is shaping up to be a very complex plot line. Show less

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" This quote by Satchel Paige got me thinking. As soon as we’re born, we begin our inevitable journey to the end. The question then becomes, “What steps can we take to live as fully as possible for as long as possible?” It’s never too soon or too late to design a game plan, and the earlier you begin, the greater the ROI on your efforts.

As we hear more and more about “personalized” medicine (finding the optimal therapy through analysis of a patient’s specific biology), this is the perfect time to ask:

1. How well do I really know my organization’s workforce population?
2. Am I leveraging claims data to maximize the opportunity to improve health and lower the cost of
care for employees and their families?
3. What can we do to increase engagement in our population's health and wellness… Show more

As we hear more and more about “personalized” medicine (finding the optimal therapy through analysis of a patient’s specific biology), this is the perfect time to ask:

1. How well do I really know my organization’s workforce population?
2. Am I leveraging claims data to maximize the opportunity to improve health and lower the cost of
care for employees and their families?
3. What can we do to increase engagement in our population's health and wellness programs?

Addressing health inequity and health disparities will help you to achieve your organization's health and well goals and contribute to the bottom line, as well as improve the healthcare system for us all. Show less

Authenticity is one of the most pressing issues among executive leaders. An environment which does not align with one’s values can actually create personal health problems. As a leader, what steps can you take to make it okay to “be yourself?"

Tips for Human Resource leaders regarding the value of being authentic and the potential negative health implications of inauthenticity in the workplace.

While the majority of employers in the United States have some type of health and wellness program in place, and the Affordable Care Act provides additional support to do so, many employers have yet to assess the role they can play in addressing the underlying issues that cause stress in the workplace and beyond.

Stress as the Undercurrent
The feeling of instability in America is pervasive and tangible. Whether it’s rising global temperatures and extreme weather, the fact that the… Show more

While the majority of employers in the United States have some type of health and wellness program in place, and the Affordable Care Act provides additional support to do so, many employers have yet to assess the role they can play in addressing the underlying issues that cause stress in the workplace and beyond.

Stress as the Undercurrent
The feeling of instability in America is pervasive and tangible. Whether it’s rising global temperatures and extreme weather, the fact that the minimum wage is still not livable for most, or the bewilderment and accompanying grief of mass killings and disappearing aircrafts, stress is an undercurrent in our always-on, globally-connected world.

As an employer, you may ask, “If I can’t control these things, what can I be expected to do about them?” While these issues may be out of most employers’ control, it’s important to recognize the workplace impact of not addressing underlying stress. Show less

Series featuring a diverse cadre of women who are asked 5 provocative questions by this online radio host whose goal is to have "a more conscious conversation."

Click above for a quick guide to "superfoods."

Increase your knowledge about the HPV vaccine.

See page 18 in the PDF:

In a world of fragmented care, increasing complexity and cutting edge advances, rising disconnections
despite technology which enables global connection, mounting healthcare costs, a tsunami of chronic
disease and lifestyle-related maladies, and “new” care delivery approaches and reimbursement
methodologies, perhaps lessons learned from the past are some of the critical ones to help take
us “back to the future” in a way that brings insight, power, and… Show more

See page 18 in the PDF:

In a world of fragmented care, increasing complexity and cutting edge advances, rising disconnections
despite technology which enables global connection, mounting healthcare costs, a tsunami of chronic
disease and lifestyle-related maladies, and “new” care delivery approaches and reimbursement
methodologies, perhaps lessons learned from the past are some of the critical ones to help take
us “back to the future” in a way that brings insight, power, and grace as we face the myriad challenges
of a broken healthcare system? Show less

A practical guide to gastrointestinal and liver disorders for physicians and residents. This portable guide provides clinicians with high-yield information in a quick-review format. Includes the clinical entities most likely to be encountered in medical practice, on the boards, and re-certifying exams.

The first book on the market devoted to the needs of clinicians working at urgent care centers. Covers staffing, patient profiles, inter-facility transport, and common procedures. Highlights physical exam, errors to avoid, and key points of documentation.