California faces a big shortage in the health care workforce, so health centers in San Diego are taking matters into their own hands, launching a training program for medical assistants.

The Laura Rodriguez Medical Assistant Institute, part of the Family Health Centers of San Diego, has graduated dozens of new medical assistants since January of last year.

Pauline Lucatero, chief academic administrator for the institute, said multiple factors led to the shortage.

"This is just due to the aging population and retirement," Lucatero observed. "I also believe that trying to recover back from COVID, we lost a lot of professionals."

The program recruits students from the community. In fact, 65% of its graduates started out as a patient of the health centers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected jobs for medical assistants would grow 14% from 2022 to 2032. The training program was made possible by a $450,000 grant from the nonprofit Direct Relief.

Dr. Byron Scott, chief operating officer of Direct Relief, co-chairs the group's Fund for Health Equity.

"They live in this community," Scott pointed out. "They're learning this new skill and then they're able to stay within the community and support the community, not only providing health care, but there's other economic benefits, not only for the community, but for themselves."

The program costs about $7,200. Students can get a loan, which can be forgiven if they work for Family Health Centers of San Diego for three years. Students can do the training in four and a half months full-time or eight months part-time. The next full-time class starts Oct. 7.

With summer here, nature trails and other outdoor spots are calling and while reminding South Dakotans about preventing tick bites, public health officials are asking residents to play the role of scientist, too.

Last year, the South Dakota Department of Health launched a tick identification program. Citizen scientists from around the state are encouraged to take photos of a tiny parasite they have encountered and submit it online. Participants also fill out a survey.

Anita Bharadwaja, vectorborne epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health, said they hope to see more submissions this year as they track the movement of species such as the black-legged tick, commonly known as the deer tick.

"We didn't find black-legged ticks for years," Bharadwaja pointed out. "Now, we (are) identifying those ticks in eastern South Dakota and this citizen scientist program will help us."

She acknowledged her department cannot do surveillance in every corner of the state, so residents pitching in makes it easier to let the public know where ticks are showing up and the risks they carry. Ticks often attach themselves to warm parts of the body, including in and around the hair, waist and backs of knees. Through their bites, they can spread various infections, including Lyme disease.

Some of the common symptoms of tick-borne diseases include fever and chills, aches and pains, and a rash. Bharadwaja added to avoid a tick bite, there are long-standing prevention tips.

"Try to avoid tick-friendly areas, like places with tall grass, brush," Bharadwaja advised. "If you're on a trail, stay in the center rather than brushing up against vegetation along the edges."

And you are encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants when enjoying nature. Inspecting for ticks when you get back inside and then taking a shower can also reduce the risk.

Bharadwaja emphasized the risk for Lyme disease remains low in South Dakota but people should not let their guard down with officials monitoring a slow spread. She noted the tips will help if you plan to travel to more active areas this summer.


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By Dr. Janel Gordon for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

One in 31 American children has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, three times higher than in the early 2000s. Diagnostic criteria have broadened significantly over time, likely contributing to this rise, though unlikely to be the sole reason for the increase.

WISH-TV Medical Expert Dr. Janel Gordon shares the basics, debunks a few myths, and shares some advice for parents in a new edition of Morning Checkup.

What is autism?

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent social communication challenges, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors.

What causes autism?

Twin studies have shown that 60-90% of autism could be hereditary, with genetics playing a role. To date, there has been insufficient information regarding possible environmental factors, and additional research is needed.

Does the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or any other vaccine cause autism?

This idea persists from a debunked study from the 1990s reporting that eight children who received the MMR vaccine later developed autism. The findings were retracted, and several studies have shown no association.

Additional studies looked into the vaccine preservative, Thimerosal, and showed no association with autism. Studies have also looked at the number of vaccines given to a child at one time and found no association with autism.

Are some groups of individuals at higher risk?

Prevalence is higher among Asian, Black, and Hispanic children. Boys are over three times more likely to be diagnosed. Reasons for these disparities have not yet been identified, and more research is needed. Despite the risks, it is estimated that one-third of individuals with autism can navigate life with minimal to no assistance.

What should a parent do if there are concerns about a child?

Keep a record of the symptoms and signs and speak to your child's doctor about your concerns. Reach out to your local health department if your child does not have a doctor. Get a second opinion if needed.

Routine screening should take place between 18-24 months of age and is typically performed during the well-child visit. If symptoms become noticeable after this time, please do not hesitate to seek evaluation.


Dr. Janel Gordon wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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Researchers from Washington and across North America have teamed up to develop a powerful new set of biological tools which could be a game changer for treating brain diseases.

Called "enhancer AAV vectors," they target genetic defects in specific cells without affecting surrounding cells, reducing side effects.

Dr. Bosiljka Tasic, director of molecular genetics at the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, who worked on the project, said the goal of the research is to understand healthy brain function and then create tools to treat diseased brains.

"That usually has to happen through a focusing on specific cell types in the brain," Tasic explained. "We have to discover them, we have to find what's wrong with them, and then provide help to them."

Enhancer AAV vectors, she noted, consist of harmless viruses loaded with DNA, triggering a change in how the cell functions. Tasic pointed out the technology could be used to treat any number of brain-related diseases including ALS, Parkinson's and epilepsy.

Tasic pointed out her team now has many new enhancer AAV vectors, designed to affect hundreds of different kinds of cells, which are now available for free for other researchers to use and expand on. She added her team was just awarded another round of funding from the National Institutes of Health to continue to build tools targeting more cell types.

"What we can do now is we can access experimentally, look at the cells, poke them, ask what they do, turn them on and off, and look how that affects, for example, an organism's behavior," Tasic outlined.

AARP Washington and the Allen Institute are hosting a free virtual event called "Discovering the Science of the Aging Brain" on June 5, when experts will share more details about the research. People can sign up for the event at AARP.org/brainhealthWA.


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