A new statewide forecast led by Peter Graven, Ph.D., suggests Oregon hospitals will be under intense strain for the next several weeks managing a wave of critically ill infants and toddlers suffering from RSV. The forecast projects RSV hospitalizations, including infants and toddlers, could peak on Nov. 30.

The Bulletin (Bend) cites OHSU study noting a shortfall in addiction services statewide. In a related story about voters decriminalizing illicit drug possession in 2020, Todd Korthuis, M.D., says, “I’m very suspicious of statements like ‘You know Measure 110 increased drug use.’ No, fentanyl increased drug use. And Measure 110 – and the rest of us – are still grappling with how to address the fentanyl issue.”

The Society for Neuroscience awards Marina Wolf, Ph.D., with the Julius Axelrod prize for distinguished career achievements in the field of neuropharmacology and exemplary effort in mentoring young scientists.

On RSV - Eliza Hayes Bakken, M.D., says, “Babies can literally look like they are kind of drowning in snot. Suctioning them so they can get some breaths through their nose and they can feel a little bit better is one of our major interventions.”

Katie Drago, M.D., authors expert perspective for ACP Internist about bedside tests for a ‘slam-dunk’ delirium diagnosis.

The East Oregonian covers the inaugural statewide firearms injury report from OHSU. Kathleen Carlson, Ph.D., says, “Our next step as researchers is to work with this data and the other sources we have and start to hone in on causal factors.”

In a KATU story about how climate change is affecting human health, Leah Werner, M.D., says, “We’re looking at a time where the field of medicine has a professional responsibility to address this and keep our communities healthy.”

Judith Guzman-Cottrill, D.O., and Carl Eriksson, M.D., are quoted in a JAMA News story about RSV spreading fast across the nation. Guzman-Cottrill says, “It’s like when there’s an earthquake and you know the tsunami is coming. That’s how we feel in Portland right now.”

Mandarin cites research from Jane Zhu, M.D., regarding the trend of private equity firms moving into health care.