March is Women’s History Month
About dshlian
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Support Veterans with ALS
My novel Silent Survivor is a work of fiction but the issue of the link between the neurodegenerative disease known as ALS and military service which is one of the plot points is based on reality. The search for a cure remains elusive with only a few medications that slow the disease progression.
In terms of cause, a small number of patients show a hereditary link, but the majority don’t.
What is known is that people who served in the military are as much as twice as likely as the general population to die of ALS. Moreover, this increased risk occurs regardless of military branch and whether a veteran served during war or peacetime. The association holds true for other countries including Canada.
One of the possible culprits may be a drug developed by the Army to prevent malaria. There is evidence that this indeed might be a factor. In Silent Survivor I explored this possibility using a fictional drug created by a rogue PsyOps group.
Although for many years the government refused to accept any of the evidence that their drug might be a culprit, in 2008 there was finally official recognition that ALS is a service-connected illness. As a result, the US Department of Veteran Affairs now cover 100% of treatment for veterans with ALS who served 90 days or more.
15 years later, there is still widespread lack of awareness about the relationship between serving in the military and ALS. And even with care covered there is a need for expanding access to VA home and community services. To that end, this past July the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act was passed.
The biggest need is caregivers as most people with ALS ultimately become ventilator-dependent. According to the ALS Association, caregivers whether family members or professionals spend more than 30 hours a week providing care and at least half feel unprepared as the disease progresses.
In my state of Florida there are no community nursing homes at all for ventilator- dependent veterans which is a huge problem.
Bottom line: ALS is among the only specific diseases that occurs at a higher rate in all veterans, regardless of their era of service. So, today while we thank all veterans for their service, for those with ALS appreciate the need for improvement in nursing home care and urge Congress to support the heroes by funding more research to determine the exact cause with the goal of better treatment and prevention .
My 3 Favorite Books of 2023
I was asked to name my 3 favorite books of 2023.
Since I have been busy with the promotion of Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM, I chose 3 books that will help readers learn more about some of the amazing women scientists who need to be known: one is a fictional character – Elizabeth Zott- but the other two highlight real life Elizabeth Zotts who have managed to become leaders in their fields despite the obstacles they have had to face: the 16 women of MIT who challenged the system and Cecilia Aragon who is not only a computer scientist but a World Aerobatic Champion!.
I know you’ll enjoy all 3 books. Click here for the discussion.
I was on the radio!
Last week I was interviewed by Frankie Boyer who has a national radio show. We talked about the need for more women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Take a listen: https://www.spreaker.com/user/biztalk/fb-05-24-2023-dr-deborah-shlian-lessons-
Who says women over 50 aren’t amazing?
I wrote’Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM’to showcase the incredible achievements of women who have made their mark in STEM fields. I hope these stories inspire and empower the next generation of women in STEM.
That said, let me briefly showcase a woman who is a super star in STEM going strong well past age 50:Marcia McNutt, PhD. Born as far away from the ocean as one can get, Marcia ended up a world class, award winningmarine geophysicist. Today she is the22nd president of theNational Academy of Sciences, having also served as editor-in-chief ofthe journalScience. Her leadership as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey earned her the U.S. Coast Guard’s Meritorious Service Medal for helping to contain the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. There is much more to her unique story including the fact that she was one of the 16 women who helped to change the way women scientists are treated todayat MIT. Not only wife and mother, Marcia is an accomplished horsewoman who does barrel racing!
To learn more about this wonderful role model, you can order Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM from the publisher (American Association for Physician Leadership by calling 800-562-8088 and ask for a 15% discount with code SHLIAN15) or from Amazon (https://lnkd.in/exqTjvhw)
Bonnie Garmus loves “Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM”
This year I completed Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM. In it, 31 PhDs in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) share their personal stories – the obstacles faced and their successes – how they beat the odds to become leaders in their disciplines and the lessons they learned along the way.
That said, let me highlight just a few of these amazing women:
* Cecilia Aragon. At 5 foot 2, Cecilia is not only a celebrated computer scientist but also a champion aerobatic pilot. You’ll have to read how she overcame her fear of elevators!
* Recipient of 61 honorary degrees, Rita Colwell took a detour from medical school to become a world renowned environmental microbiologist. The first female Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Rita is recognized for her study of how the cholera bacteria spreads the disease, saving thousands of lives. She also helped to track the perpetrator of the 2001 anthrax mailings.
* France Cordova, astrophysicist, 14th Director of NSF, former president of Purdue University, former NASA chief scientist and much more, is also an experienced mountain climber. At age 75 she just made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
* Gilda Barabino, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering is President of Olin College of Engineering. President-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Gilda was recently invited to the White House for the signing of the CHIPS and Science Act and to meet President Biden.
The women in this book are intentionally a diverse group – not only in terms of their particular areas of STEM, but also in their ethnicity, where they are in their career journeys, where they live and work.
I love this quote from American civil rights activist, Marion Wright Edelman: “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Every one of these women are visible role models and mentors. I know they will serve as an inspiration to everyone including today’s youngsters who may still be hearing the myth that “girls aren’t good in math or science”.
Over 13 reviewers have raved about the book including Sheryl Sandberg of LeanIn fame and Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD who just won the Nobel prize in chemistry. Bonnie Garmus, author of the #1 bestselling novel Lessons In Chemistry says “Lessons Learned brings us the stories of 31 brilliant women in STEM who overcome the odds to push science forward while paving the way for women yet to come. Uplifting, informative and important,”
SO… DRUM ROLL PLEASE:
Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM
Can be ordered through the publisher. WITH A 15% DISCOUNT ( use SHLIAN15 code).
The book is also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.. A future Audiobook is planned.
Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaders is among Best Books!
My book profiling 33 amazing women physician leaders is being featured as “best books about women leaders! Click here to see: best books.
33 years since Tiananmen massacre
Tomorrow marks the 33rdanniversary of the Tiananmen massacre. For decades Hong Kong was the only place on Chinese soil where the deadly 1989 crackdown on students demanding democratic reforms could be openly discussed. However since June 2020 Beijing’s new restrictions outlawing acts aimed at “overthrowing or undermining China’s one-party rule” all demonstrations are forbidden. That means Victoria Park where June 4thvigils were held for 30 years will be closed from 11:30PM local time until the following morning. Afraid of legal reprisals, after 24 years the two-ton “Pillar of Shame” sculpture honoring the Tiananmen Square’s Goddess of Democracy has been removed from the University of Hong Kong. All reminders of what Beijing calls “the June 4thincident” have been erased – in books and on the Internet. The Chinese Ministry has refused to apologize to the families of victims of the massacre.
For the moment, my novel Rabbit in the Moon has not been banned in the USA. The backdrop of this international thriller is probably the most tumultuous seven weeks in recent Chinese history- from the start of the short-lived Student Democracy Movement in April of 1989 to its fall on June 4thin Tiananmen Square.
Pillar of Shame is gone
Last week in the middle of the night, that famous Pillar of Shame statue at the University of Hong Kong marking the Tiananmen Square massacre was removed while guards patrolled. No surprise given the fact that Beijing has increasingly been cracking down on political dissent in Hong Kong. The 8-meter (26-foot) tall statue which depicted 50 torn and twisted bodies piled on top of each other was created by Danish sculptor Jens Galschiøt to symbolize those students killed during the bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. For years Hong Kong has been one of few places in China that allowed public commemoration of the Tiananmen Square protests - a highly sensitive topic in the country. In fact no one born on the Mainland after 1989 has been taught about what the government calls"the June 4th incident". The dismantling of the sculpture came days after pro-Beijing candidates scored a landslide victory in the Hong Kong legislative elections, after amendments in election laws allowed the vetting of all candidates to ensure that they are "patriots" loyal to Beijing. The removal also occurred during the same week that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam traveled to Beijing to report on developments in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, where authorities have silenced dissent following the implementation of a sweeping national security law that appeared to target much of the pro-democracy movement following mass protests in 2019. Since Beijing implemented that law in Hong Kong, over 100 pro-democracy activists have been arrested. It outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign collusion to intervene in the city's affairs. Critics claim it rolled back freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it was handed over to China by Britain in 1997. The Pillar of Shame monument was erected over two decades ago. At first it was placed at Hong Kong's Victoria Park, but was eventually moved to the University of Hong Kong on a long-term basis. Each year on June 4, members of the now-defunct student union would wash the statue to commemorate the Tiananmen massacre. Hong Kong and Macao, were previously the only places on Chinese soil where commemoration of the Tiananmen crackdown was allowed.
“Deep Waters” WINS 2 MEDALS!
FAPA PRESIDENT’S AWARDS
“Deep Waters“, the third in the Sammy Greene series won 2 Silver Medals for the Florida Authors and Publishers Association’s President Award – one for Mystery/Suspense and one for Thriller.
Each year the Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) sponsors the FAPA President’s Book Awards, which recognizes book publishing excellence and creativity in design, content, and production for authors and publishers. This year we have opened the competition from North America only to the English-speaking world. We hope to encourage entries from all who share our complex and wonderful language.
Finalists are chosen by publishing professionals and librarians from both within and outside of Florida and are announced at the President’s Book Awards Banquet the last weekend of July.”