US Senator Ed Markey visited Codman on February 23 to talk with providers and staff, and to discuss his efforts to make diabetes care more affordable. Several local press attended the event, which featured Codman’s CEO Sandra Cotterell, Codman’s Chief Medical Officer Renee, Crichlow, MD, and Boston Medical Center’s Christian Arbalez, MD, Chief of Emergency Services.

US Senator Markey (center) poses with Chief Medical Officer Renee Crichlow, MD (left), Sandra Parisien, RN, Siiri Bantz, RN, Paulette St. Germain, RN, Janay Sanford, RN, and Mah Weah, MA.

Sen. Markey toured the health center and chatted with staff, asking about their jobs, patients, and work. He talked, laughed, and took photos with many staff members, and was very engaged in learning more about Codman’s services.

Sen. Markey reminisced about his last visit, and said, “In 2018 I said Codman wasthe gold standard of health centers. As I walk around and see the changes, I now say you are the platinum standard.” He continued: “You just keep getting better and better at what you do.”

After Markey’s introductory remarks, he talked about the challenge for many people to afford their medication, specifically insulin for people with diabetes. He pointed out that some people may pay more than $1,000 a month for insulin and added that the scientists who discovered it sold the patents for $1.

Sen. Markey is advocating for legislation that would cap out-of-pocket insulin expenses for those who need the medication.

Dr. Crichlow elaborated on the importance of insulin and its affordability. “It’s not just about the insulin — it’s about getting the insulin to the right people at the right place at the right time,” said Renee Crichlow, Codman Square Chief Medical Officer. “You have to realize equity is putting resources where they’re needed most. “

Dr. Arbalez talked about how, as an emergency room physician, he sees the results of acute illness brought on by inadequate diabetes care. He told the story of a patient who came to the emergency department with severe complications of her disease as a result of not being able to afford medication.

Sen. Markey’s legislation has broad support among many other lawmakers and interest groups.

Codman hosted its annual Holiday Gift Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Great Hall in Codman Square and gave away hundreds of wrapped gifts to patients.

Families from Notre Dame Academy in Hingham donated 480 carefully selected gifts. The students at the school joyously wrapped them and packaged them up by age and gender for young Codman patients.

Each year, Codman gives parents the opportunity to register their children who are patients of the health center for a holiday gift. Codman staff create a gift bag from the donated presents for each family who registered that includes a gift(s) for each of the children that is specific to the child’s gender and age.

On the day of the Gift Giveaway, parents came in to a festive scene with decorations, Holiday music, staff handing out presents, and children’s entertainment. Kristen Hale delighted children at the event with her custom-made balloon animals, face painting, and more!

Thank you to the students, families, and staff at Notre Dame Academy for the generous donations, and thank you to all the health center families for sharing in this joyous time with us!

An especially active year for pediatric colds, flus, and other illnesses has increased demand for pediatric fever reducers (Acetaminophen/Tylenol; Motrin/Advil). Parents may have a hard time finding these medications. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a letter for parents during this time. See the content of the letter below.

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We are writing with recommendations regarding a current shortage of infant and children’s pain and fever-reducing medications in stores and pharmacies nationally and in Massachusetts. This shortage includes common liquid preparations of acetaminophen and ibuprofen and other cold and flu medications that can reduce fever.

During this time when we are seeing increased cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, you may be unable to find these medications on pharmacy shelves. While this can be distressing, it’s important to remember that fever-reducing medicines do not cure or even shorten the duration of illness. While a fever can be uncomfortable, fever is a sign that your child’s body is fighting infection. Low to moderate fevers do not require fever-reducing medications and children are able to tolerate such low fevers well.

There are several steps you can take to help comfort your child if they develop a fever and you are unable to find fever-reducing medications including:

• Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids including water and electrolyte-containing fluids for children. Staying well hydrated is important to help your child feel better and fight the infection.
• Keep their room comfortably cool.
• Dress them in light clothing.

It’s important to remember that fever in children should never be treated with aspirin or rubbing alcohol as both can cause serious illness.

During this current shortage of fever-reducing medications, it is recommended that you purchase only the quantity that you need for your child, to avoid worsening shortages and ensure available supply for others.  Please note: If you don’t see fever-reducing products on the store shelf, ask the pharmacy staff as they may be storing their limited supply behind the counter.

If you have questions about the medications you have at home, or have purchased, please check with your health care provider or pharmacist. Additional guidance can be found here: https://mcaap.org/2018/wp-content/uploads/Parent-Tips-during-Acetaminophen-and-Ibuprofen-Shortage-1.pdf

We are coming into winter, which means it is the season you are more likely to suffer from common respiratory illness.  Colds and flu can wreak havoc on anyone during this time, but the addition of COVID makes the season even more challenging.

You can protect yourself against flu and COVID at Codman’s Respiratory Season Vaccine Clinics. Even if you have had a COVID vaccine and two boosters, the new bivalent booster will help you fight the omicron strains of COVID. Clinics are Dec. 22 and Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

At our Respiratory Season Vaccine Clinics, not only can you protect yourself with these vaccines, you can also:

• Enter to win prizes
• Receive a gift card (only available for COVID vaccines)

Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have spiked early in children this year, and children’s hospitals have been filling with patients ill with the virus. While there is no vaccine for RSV, protecting children against flu and COVID can help prevent severe illness and keep kids out of the already-burdened hospitals.

Adults over 65 are more at risk for complications from flu and COVID, and vaccines are their best defense against severe illness. We encourage appointments, which you can make by calling 617-822-8271 or filling out an appointment request form (orange button on the right of this). We accept walk-in patients if space permits.