Photo credit: Frantisek Chmura, Prague In Winter, Photos.com

IN THIS ISSUE:
A Focus on Nursing, Health Sciences and Allied Health

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On Teaching and Learning
by Vincent G Valentine, MD

ISHLT Links Editor Vincent Valentine ponders the essential qualities of a good teacher, noting that every good teacher is a dedicated learner as well.

Evidence Based Practice for the New Year
by Connie White-Williams, PhD, RN, FAAN

ISHLT member Connie White-Williams implores us as professionals to learn the process of evidence based practice and participate in research.

A Dietician Speaks to New Year's Resolution Makers
by Kathrine Grigsby, RD, LD

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? ISHLT member Kathrine Grigsby reminds us that improving the nutritional status of transplant patients is one resolution that is worth keeping.

My Medical Routine: A Life-or-Death New Year's Resolution
by Margaret Lapsanski

Lung transplant patient Margaret Lapsanski shares a New Year's resolution that cannot be ignored and will not soon be forgotten as her repetitive words, "my medical routine," echo throughout her story.

Two Centuries Later and Still Alive
by Vincent G Valentine, MD

Our editor Vincent Valentine links Edgar Allan Poe's past to our present day transplant world and how his writings influence our future.

Exercising the Patient with a Mechanical Circulatory Support Device
by Justin Canada, RCEP & Maureen Flattery, RN, MS, ANP-BC

ISHLT members Justin Canada and Maureen Flattery present information on exercising the patient with an MCSD and reveal the need for examining the effects of exercise in this rapidly emerging field.

Seventh Prague Adventure of Mr/s XYZ at ISHLT 2012: Václav Havel and the Velvet Revolution
by Tereza Martinu, MD

It would be a darn shame for all of us to walk away from the ISHLT meeting in Prague without learning about the man who helped lead the Czech Republic from communism to a peaceful, free existence. Czech-born ISHLT member Tereza Martinu brings us to the streets of Prague while shedding light on one of the most popular Czech presidents in history.

Communication in Pediatric Transplant: A House of Bricks
by Arzellra Walters, RN, CPNP

ISHLT member Arzellra Walters reminds us that effective dialogue between patient, family and HCP is crucial to patient survival because it leads to improved patient knowledge, functional status and adherence to the agreed-upon treatment regimen.

SPOTLIGHT: Social Media as a Patient Care Tool

Four authors—Nancy Blumenthal, Michael Petty, Alison Amegatcher, and Jennifer Kealy—share how Social Media has been implemented in their workplace settings to improve communication among caregivers and patients.

Moments
by Julia Hayes

Writer and mother of a young cancer survivor, Julia Hayes, shares her wisdom on facing death head-on.

Dying is a Part of Living
by Valerie Cappello, MSW, LCSW & Margaret James, RN

Two health care professionals—Valerie Cappello and Margaret James— urge us to be candid with our patients on the subject of dying.

Full Circle
by Nancy Addis

Patient Nancy Addis, near death, pens a beautiful and moving poem that takes us "full circle."

Communication: Simple and Direct
by Vincent G Valentine, MD

ISHLT Links Editor Vincent Valentine closes this issue with a few sensible approaches gleaned from the critical care literature to improve communication in difficult situations.

Photo credit: Mykola Velychko, River Vltava in Prague, Photos.com