George Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., general surgery, was featured in a USA Today story about the health hazards of visceral fat, the fat surrounding one’s internal organs. In a separate USA Today story, Blackburn reported that people need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day to keep their weight in check.

Nancy E. O'Hare, Sc.D., F.A.C.S.M., spoke to WCVB-TV (Channel 5) about what people should look for when seeking a personal trainer. This interview was done in conjunction with the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) Spring Conference entitled, "Training: Making it Personal."

Jeffrey Johnson, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology, was featured in a Providence Business News Web site story. He spoke about the new “4-D” ultrasound system made by GE Medical Systems that allows physicians a sharp view of possible structural abnormalities in an unborn fetus.

Kenneth Mukamal, M.D., M.P.H., general medicine and primary care, spoke to numerous media outlets about his study that found that adults over age 65 who consume between one and six alcoholic beverages each week have a lower risk of dementia than either nondrinkers or heavier drinkers. Coverage of this study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, appeared in The Washington Post, Reuters newswire, and USA Today as well as many local, national and international media outlets.

Larry Gentilello, M.D., trauma and surgical critical care, spoke about his effort to rid states of the Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law in a Boston Herald story. The law makes it legal for insurance carriers to deny health coverage to people shown in emergency rooms or trauma centers to have alcohol or drugs in their system.

Paul Levy, president and chief executive officer of BIDMC, discussed the medical center and its future on “The Upton Bell Show” on Boston's Business Station, Business 1060AM-WBIX.

Joyce Sackey, M.D., general medicine and primary care, discussed her work in Ghana as director of the AIDS Collaborative Project in an interview on “Higher Ground,” on WHDH-TV (Channel 7).

John Halamka, M.D., chief medical information officer, suggested preventive measures to safeguard computer systems in an amednews.com story. Halamka and Richard Parker, M.D., general medicine and primary care, were featured in another amednews.com story about CareGroup’s use of paperless and patient-physician communication systems.