Tess Thompson
@drtessthompson.bsky.social
Academic studying cancer caregiving, survivorship, & social determinants of health. Views my own. Google Scholar: http://tinyurl.com/drtthompson
Reposted by Tess Thompson
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Campus is looking lovely and autumnal outside my window
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Campus is looking lovely and autumnal outside my window
Reposted by Tess Thompson
This. And literally any college will allow you to do this. We are still giving students that opportunity, despite everything. Yes, there are many pressures to do things other than engage deeply, and no, not all students are equally able to ignore those pressures. But the opportunity is still there.
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This. And literally any college will allow you to do this. We are still giving students that opportunity, despite everything. Yes, there are many pressures to do things other than engage deeply, and no, not all students are equally able to ignore those pressures. But the opportunity is still there.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by Tess Thompson
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
PSA for people with NIH grant periods starting January 1st (including most NIGMS MIRAs): your RPPR is due Saturday, but they haven’t sent out the usual automated reminders, presumably due to the shutdown
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
PSA for people with NIH grant periods starting January 1st (including most NIGMS MIRAs): your RPPR is due Saturday, but they haven’t sent out the usual automated reminders, presumably due to the shutdown
Reposted by Tess Thompson
#MedSky: In August, we reported that the VA lost more than 600 doctors and nearly 2,000 nurses this year.
We know that for many of you, the decision to leave the VA could not have been easy. Here’s how you can share your story with us ⤵️
We know that for many of you, the decision to leave the VA could not have been easy. Here’s how you can share your story with us ⤵️
Why Did You Leave the Department of Veterans Affairs?
ProPublica wants to hear from doctors, nurses and other front-line medical providers who recently left positions at a VA hospital or clinic.
www.propublica.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
#MedSky: In August, we reported that the VA lost more than 600 doctors and nearly 2,000 nurses this year.
We know that for many of you, the decision to leave the VA could not have been easy. Here’s how you can share your story with us ⤵️
We know that for many of you, the decision to leave the VA could not have been easy. Here’s how you can share your story with us ⤵️
Reposted by Tess Thompson
DARTMOUTH OUT!
We are at 6 rejections. Vanderbilt is the only private left standing "considering" the compact along with UT Austin and the University of Arizona.
We are at 6 rejections. Vanderbilt is the only private left standing "considering" the compact along with UT Austin and the University of Arizona.
Dartmouth is OUT! Thank goodness... a friend at U of A and I have been playing "Who will be the last of the 9 standing?" and it's not gonna be us!
October 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
DARTMOUTH OUT!
We are at 6 rejections. Vanderbilt is the only private left standing "considering" the compact along with UT Austin and the University of Arizona.
We are at 6 rejections. Vanderbilt is the only private left standing "considering" the compact along with UT Austin and the University of Arizona.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
It's that time again.
For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice.
#AskAnIDDoc October 2025 edition.
For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice.
#AskAnIDDoc October 2025 edition.
a sign that says v is for vaccinated
ALT: a sign that says v is for vaccinated
media.tenor.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
It's that time again.
For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice.
#AskAnIDDoc October 2025 edition.
For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice.
#AskAnIDDoc October 2025 edition.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
In Connecticut, the health care advocate office — whose services are free — has been able to resolve or overturn insurance denials in the patient’s favor about 80% of the time.
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
This Little-Known Appeal Could Force Your Insurer to Pay for Lifesaving Care. Here’s How to File It.
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In Connecticut, the health care advocate office — whose services are free — has been able to resolve or overturn insurance denials in the patient’s favor about 80% of the time.
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Reposted by Tess Thompson
BREAKING: UVA rejects the Trump Administration's Compact.
October 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
BREAKING: UVA rejects the Trump Administration's Compact.
Inspired by this post to join that group.... Quite a ride!
Tonight several people are going to read Curtis Sliwa’s Wikipedia for the first time and I am so envious of them all
October 17, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Inspired by this post to join that group.... Quite a ride!
Reposted by Tess Thompson
15 US states and territories have formed a new Public Health Alliance, which will counter the absence of federal leadership by tracking outbreaks, issuing guidance, buying vaccines and more.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
October 16, 2025 at 4:43 AM
15 US states and territories have formed a new Public Health Alliance, which will counter the absence of federal leadership by tracking outbreaks, issuing guidance, buying vaccines and more.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
I don't think people realize what an immediate impact this is going to have on outbreak response and containment.
According to a state epidemiologist, "CDC personnel who normally share information with state officials during outbreaks have been eliminated."
“One veteran researcher who still has his job (and, like other public-health workers I spoke with for this story, requested anonymity for fear of losing it) told me he believes that Kennedy’s ultimate goal is to “silence the scientific voice of career CDC scientists.””
October 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I don't think people realize what an immediate impact this is going to have on outbreak response and containment.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
MMWR stole the show in the first round of headlines about CDC cuts but in the chaos, many missed that the NHANES mobile team remains RIF'd. This is the backbone of this key survey that contains some of the only representative anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data on the country.
Protecting the nation’s public health demands data, whether it be new measles cases, a surge in ER visits, or shifting patterns in obesity. The most recent job cuts at the CDC threaten the mostly unseen foundation of that research enterprise.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/14/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/14/c...
CDC team running top survey on health and nutrition is laid off
NHANES has collected data on eating patterns, diabetes and other common diseases for decades. The CDC team that runs it has been fired.
www.statnews.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
MMWR stole the show in the first round of headlines about CDC cuts but in the chaos, many missed that the NHANES mobile team remains RIF'd. This is the backbone of this key survey that contains some of the only representative anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data on the country.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
NCI:
2022 - 2963 new grants awarded
2023 - 2966 new grants
2024 - 2612
2025 - 1431
😐
2022 - 2963 new grants awarded
2023 - 2966 new grants
2024 - 2612
2025 - 1431
😐
September 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
NCI:
2022 - 2963 new grants awarded
2023 - 2966 new grants
2024 - 2612
2025 - 1431
😐
2022 - 2963 new grants awarded
2023 - 2966 new grants
2024 - 2612
2025 - 1431
😐
Reposted by Tess Thompson
This is why you can’t use ED diagnoses to decide whether to pay for the visit. Going into the visit, you don’t know if it’s something terrible or something self-limited/benign. You need the visit and all the provided care to distinguish. It’s bad faith by the insurance co and should not be allowed.
The insurance company (Schmaetna) is using the “prudent layperson defense” because the coded diagnosis was leg pain. My son could not walk due to severe pain of his thigh/hip. He plays soccer and basketball.
September 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is why you can’t use ED diagnoses to decide whether to pay for the visit. Going into the visit, you don’t know if it’s something terrible or something self-limited/benign. You need the visit and all the provided care to distinguish. It’s bad faith by the insurance co and should not be allowed.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
“As of this writing, some 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life… Now an extraordinarily successful scientific research system — one that took decades to build, has saved millions of lives and generated billions of dollars… — is being dismantled before our eyes.”
Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer
www.nytimes.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:06 PM
“As of this writing, some 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life… Now an extraordinarily successful scientific research system — one that took decades to build, has saved millions of lives and generated billions of dollars… — is being dismantled before our eyes.”
Reposted by Tess Thompson
NC State Health Director has issued Standing Orders that allow 65 years or older and adults over 18 who meet certain criteria to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy *without* having to get a prescription.
Governor Stein Announces Standing Orders to Increase Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
(RALEIGH) To increase access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for th
governor.nc.gov
September 13, 2025 at 11:05 AM
NC State Health Director has issued Standing Orders that allow 65 years or older and adults over 18 who meet certain criteria to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy *without* having to get a prescription.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
hi friends! It's almost the weekend. Have you planned something fun offline? It could be reading a book, taking a long walk, going to a museum, seeing a friend, doing a craft, or cooking an elaborate meal. If you are sad, try not to be sad alone. And if you can, charge your phone away from your bed.
September 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
hi friends! It's almost the weekend. Have you planned something fun offline? It could be reading a book, taking a long walk, going to a museum, seeing a friend, doing a craft, or cooking an elaborate meal. If you are sad, try not to be sad alone. And if you can, charge your phone away from your bed.
Reposted by Tess Thompson
Community colleges have been dealing with this problem for a bit. The typical reaction is that administrative burdens will increase for real students to prove they are, indeed, real.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
How scammers are siphoning college financial aid with stolen student identities
According to recent reports, sophisticated criminal networks are using identity theft to disguise themselves as students at U.S. colleges. They flood colleges with applications in order to siphon off ...
www.pbs.org
September 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Community colleges have been dealing with this problem for a bit. The typical reaction is that administrative burdens will increase for real students to prove they are, indeed, real.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by Tess Thompson
Brilliant piece on how to engage in conversation with strangers about vaccines and public health
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
I inserted myself into a conversation at a bar about Covid and vaccines. Here’s what happened
What happened when a public health scientist overheard four men sharing misinformation about Covid — and decided to talk to them about it.
www.statnews.com
September 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Brilliant piece on how to engage in conversation with strangers about vaccines and public health
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
Reposted by Tess Thompson
My latest for MSNBC: CMS is adding new prior authorization requirements for traditional Medicare, implemented with AI. Prior auth is a key vehicle for coverage denials that then drive administrative burdens of appealing, which seniors are less well equipped to navigate. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Dr. Oz's new plan to root out Medicare 'waste' is actually a recipe for disaster
A pilot program in six states will require prior approval for procedures under traditional Medicare plans.
www.msnbc.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
My latest for MSNBC: CMS is adding new prior authorization requirements for traditional Medicare, implemented with AI. Prior auth is a key vehicle for coverage denials that then drive administrative burdens of appealing, which seniors are less well equipped to navigate. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Tess Thompson
PSA: Contacting a professor whose lab you would like to join? DON'T use generative AI to personalize the email. It will make up things like names of papers. Doesn't make a good impression and is frankly vertigo-inducing for the prof in question. ("I mean it sounds like a paper I would write but...")
September 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
PSA: Contacting a professor whose lab you would like to join? DON'T use generative AI to personalize the email. It will make up things like names of papers. Doesn't make a good impression and is frankly vertigo-inducing for the prof in question. ("I mean it sounds like a paper I would write but...")
Reposted by Tess Thompson
The AI authorship issue is real. We've caught papers that looked OK but had references to works by the *journal editors* that *do not exist*. Like, don't send us papers citing papers we know we didn't write, right?
September 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The AI authorship issue is real. We've caught papers that looked OK but had references to works by the *journal editors* that *do not exist*. Like, don't send us papers citing papers we know we didn't write, right?