Dr. Tony Fischer from the Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology recently appeared on the Iowa Public Radio program River to River discussing the vaping and e-cigarette epidemic.

The U.S. Surgeon General says electronic cigarette use among young people is increasing at “epidemic proportions.” In Iowa, 2018 data shows that nine percent of high school students in the state used e-cigarettes. Nationally, there was a 78 percent rise in vaping among high school students from 2017 to 2018.

This episode of River to River focuses on the rising use of e-cigarettes or vaping among Iowa teens. Guests include:

• Danielle Oswald-Thole, the Iowa Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc
• Daisy Contreras, a reporter for WUIS in Springfield, IL
• Michael Triplett, president of Triplett Enterprises Ltd.
• Dr. Anthony Fischer, a pediatric pulmonologist at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
• Dr. Ted Bonebrake, an addiction specialist at UnityPoint Health in Cedar Falls

Congratulations to Dr. Shilpa Balikai from Critical Care, her husband, Shahzad Ali and daughter Zia, on the arrival of their son, Riann Balikai Ali on March 7, 2019. Riann weighed in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces; and was affectionately deemed to be “Mostly Hair”.

Also, Haley Stoll, ARNP from Critical Care, and her husband and daughter Emory, welcomed Everett Andrew on March 3, 2019. Everett weighed in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces. An adorable baby picture will be loaded as soon as one is received.

Congratulations on the newest additions to your families!