Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
Science/medical writer & media relations for University of Michigan (Michigan Medicine/Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation) focusing on #primarycare, #mentalhealth, aging & #healthpolicy Mom, wife, baker, French horn player, AAAS Fellow, J! bronze
Pinned
Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
· Jan 8
It’s great to see a growing community of #medsky folks from the Univ. of Michigan on this platform! Here’s a starter pack I’ve begun to compile - please share and ask to be added if you’re in any role at the Med School or the clinical world! go.bsky.app/NKhdFPM
Verily.
Remember: It ys okaye to be lonelye. It ys okaye to feel lost. It ys okaye to be sad. It ys okaye yf nobody ys arounde. It ys okaye to have no plannes or just small plannes. It ys okaye to have big plannes that seem exhausting. It ys okaye to be a mess. Take care of thyself. Thou art amazinge.
December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Verily.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
So you’re telling me that when your country welcomes talented people from around the globe, and brings them together in world-class universities, they make discoveries that save lives? Interesting.
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
In part due to research by two University of Michigan researchers, a form of leukemia can be treated more easily through an FDA-approved drug.
www.detroitnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
So you’re telling me that when your country welcomes talented people from around the globe, and brings them together in world-class universities, they make discoveries that save lives? Interesting.
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
Michigan State Police teams up to bring holiday cheer to 2-year-old battling cancer
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
www.cbsnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
"We must become more demanding for what’s right, what’s true and what leads us toward a more just future. It’s in our power to prove that the sacrifice of so many Americans to sustain our democratic project was not in vain."
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
We Can't Stop Caring
It remains in our power to create a more just future
www.americaamerica.news
December 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
"We must become more demanding for what’s right, what’s true and what leads us toward a more just future. It’s in our power to prove that the sacrifice of so many Americans to sustain our democratic project was not in vain."
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
Interesting approach - a survey of 64 top health insurance researchers, whose names and individual responses are available at a link in the piece. (Including Michigan’s John Ayanian, director of @um-ihpi.bsky.social )
Converting ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Into HSA Contributions Would Worsen Affordability, Experts Say | Health Affairs www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Health Affairs Journal
www.healthaffairs.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Interesting approach - a survey of 64 top health insurance researchers, whose names and individual responses are available at a link in the piece. (Including Michigan’s John Ayanian, director of @um-ihpi.bsky.social )
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Streisand Effect, anyone?
barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
Alt: barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Streisand Effect, anyone?
Streisand Effect, anyone?
barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
Alt: barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Streisand Effect, anyone?
Reposted by Kara Gavin
May the light of the Winter Solstice shine on you, brighter days are ahead!
December 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
May the light of the Winter Solstice shine on you, brighter days are ahead!
BILLY BRAGG - PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS
YouTube video by Billy Bragg
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Kara Gavin
“It is the kind of test that, in the wrong hands, could cause a lot of harm”
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
How common is Alzheimer’s disease? First population-wide blood test holds surprises
Nature - A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates, and may show how education level relates to risk.
go.nature.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“It is the kind of test that, in the wrong hands, could cause a lot of harm”
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
Reposted by Kara Gavin
“Notably, among 216 H3N2 viruses collected since September 28 that underwent additional genetic characterization by CDC scientists, 89.8% belonged to subclade K” www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
US flu activity takes big jump as 2 deaths in kids confirmed
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 20, 2025 at 5:05 AM
“Notably, among 216 H3N2 viruses collected since September 28 that underwent additional genetic characterization by CDC scientists, 89.8% belonged to subclade K” www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
Looking for something to do this weekend in Ann Arbor that _isn’t_ holiday-related?
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
175 years of U-M medical history come alive in new exhibit
A free museum exhibit explores the medical history of the University of Michigan from 1850 to today.
MichMed.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Looking for something to do this weekend in Ann Arbor that _isn’t_ holiday-related?
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Jenny Radesky, a Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the U-M Medical School, spoke with @thehill.com about cellphone use for children, providing parents with advice on how to support safe and positive media use. myumi.ch/qZWwQ
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Jenny Radesky, a Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the U-M Medical School, spoke with @thehill.com about cellphone use for children, providing parents with advice on how to support safe and positive media use. myumi.ch/qZWwQ
Reposted by Kara Gavin
This about sums it up, folks.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
December 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
This about sums it up, folks.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Clay letters from ancient Mesopotamia are alive with idiom, sayings, and everyday language that I love.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Clay letters from ancient Mesopotamia are alive with idiom, sayings, and everyday language that I love.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
With the politicization and thereby death of MMWR, kudos to @nejm.org for stepping into that breach with
Public Health Alerts — A New Section in NEJM Evidence, in Partnership with CIDRAP
evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Public Health Alerts — A New Section in NEJM Evidence, in Partnership with CIDRAP
evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Public Health Alerts — A New Section in NEJM Evidence, in Partnership with CIDRAP
Public Health Alerts, a new section in NEJM Evidence, brought about through a new
partnership with CIDRAP, seeks to advance our core mission: improving human health
by putting actionable data in th...
evidence.nejm.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
With the politicization and thereby death of MMWR, kudos to @nejm.org for stepping into that breach with
Public Health Alerts — A New Section in NEJM Evidence, in Partnership with CIDRAP
evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Public Health Alerts — A New Section in NEJM Evidence, in Partnership with CIDRAP
evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Have you heard of contingency management, a way to help people with substance use disorders achieve recovery when there is no medication to treat their condition?
Our members from @addictioncaremi.bsky.social recently showed this approach saves lives. Read more:
www.asam.org/publications... 🛟
Our members from @addictioncaremi.bsky.social recently showed this approach saves lives. Read more:
www.asam.org/publications... 🛟
Guest Editorial — Contingency Management Saves Lives: From Evidence to Action
www.asam.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Have you heard of contingency management, a way to help people with substance use disorders achieve recovery when there is no medication to treat their condition?
Our members from @addictioncaremi.bsky.social recently showed this approach saves lives. Read more:
www.asam.org/publications... 🛟
Our members from @addictioncaremi.bsky.social recently showed this approach saves lives. Read more:
www.asam.org/publications... 🛟
So glad to see my institution warning all staff, faculty and learners that masking is strongly recommended for patient care and that any anyone who is immunocompromised (even if they’re not doing patient Care) should mask as well.
Michiganders, take heed!
Michiganders, take heed!
December 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
So glad to see my institution warning all staff, faculty and learners that masking is strongly recommended for patient care and that any anyone who is immunocompromised (even if they’re not doing patient Care) should mask as well.
Michiganders, take heed!
Michiganders, take heed!
🛟#publichealth
🧵/6 Hmm. The advisory commission for the vaccine injury compensation program is required by statute to meet 4 times a year. They haven't met yet in 2025. They will meet December 29th "at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET); 12:00 p.m. ET; 12:30 p.m. ET; and 1:00 p.m. ET." All 4 meetings.
Meeting of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces that the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV) will hold public meetings for calendar year (CY) 2025. Informatio...
www.federalregister.gov
December 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
🛟#publichealth
The @washingtonpost.com has launched a new op-ed aggregator site called The Ripple.
Nice to see so many @us.theconversation.com pieces showing up there!
Academics: You can write explainers & commentaries for The Conversation that can reach far & wide!
www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/
Nice to see so many @us.theconversation.com pieces showing up there!
Academics: You can write explainers & commentaries for The Conversation that can reach far & wide!
www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/
Ripple by The Washington Post
Opinions from across America, powered by the Washington Post
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The @washingtonpost.com has launched a new op-ed aggregator site called The Ripple.
Nice to see so many @us.theconversation.com pieces showing up there!
Academics: You can write explainers & commentaries for The Conversation that can reach far & wide!
www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/
Nice to see so many @us.theconversation.com pieces showing up there!
Academics: You can write explainers & commentaries for The Conversation that can reach far & wide!
www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/
I missed this when it first came out. But the answer to the headline’s question is Yes.
#GenX
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
#GenX
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation?
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I missed this when it first came out. But the answer to the headline’s question is Yes.
#GenX
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
#GenX
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
The ACA isn't just "health care for people who don't have a conventional employer." It also disallows something that was incredibly common 20 years ago, which I fear is getting lost to generational memory: insurance companies could deny you health care for essentially any previous health problem.
I'm dubious about Amazon's commitment to keeping pre-existing conditions a thing of the past.
December 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The ACA isn't just "health care for people who don't have a conventional employer." It also disallows something that was incredibly common 20 years ago, which I fear is getting lost to generational memory: insurance companies could deny you health care for essentially any previous health problem.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Important story from @laurenjyoung.bsky.social, who was one of my amazing freelance editors at @sciam.bsky.social.
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
www.scientificamerican.com/article/heal...
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
www.scientificamerican.com/article/heal...
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
The FDA is reportedly considering the addition of high-level warning labels to COVID vaccines, a move that some experts say may cause unfounded concerns over safety
www.scientificamerican.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Important story from @laurenjyoung.bsky.social, who was one of my amazing freelance editors at @sciam.bsky.social.
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
www.scientificamerican.com/article/heal...
Health Experts Slam Possible FDA ‘Black Box’ Warning for COVID Vaccines
www.scientificamerican.com/article/heal...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Will it be ever thus?
December 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Will it be ever thus?