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Dr. Nathalie Johnson Honored with the Impact Award at NCoBC 2025

NCBC President Jennifer Plichta, MD, MS, FACS, CGRA, presents Dr. Nathalie Johnson, MD, FACS, with the 2025 Impact Award.

LGBTQ

Breaking Barriers: The Journey of LGBTQ+ Adoption

Breaking Barriers: The Journey of LGBTQ+ Adoption

Over the past few decades, there has been a noticeable shift towards more inclusive adoption policies that allow LGBTQ+ people to adopt children. This change has been driven by a combination of evolving public opinions about LGBTQ+ rights and scientific research that supports the well-being of children raised in LGBTQ+ families. Countries like the United States, Canada, and many in Western Europe have made significant strides. In the United States, the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 paved the way for more uniform adoption rights among states. Similarly, in the UK, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 allowed unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, to apply for adoption jointly.

Research has consistently shown that children raised in LGBTQ+ families perform just as well on various measures of emotional, psychological, and social well-being as children raised in heterosexual families. The main determinants of a child’s well-being are the same in any family: stable relationships, a loving environment, and adequate economic support. LGBTQ+ adoption can alleviate the pressures on the foster care system. In the United States alone, there are over 400,000 children in foster care, many of whom need permanent, loving homes. LGBTQ+ individuals and couples often provide those homes, not only to infants but also to older children and those with special needs, who are statistically less likely to be adopted.


Despite progress, LGBTQ adoptive parents often face legal and societal challenges. In some regions, laws explicitly prohibit LGBTQ+ individuals from adopting or fostering children. Even in more progressive areas, biases and misconceptions can still persist among adoption agencies and biological parents, potentially leading to discrimination during the adoption process. Internationally, the situation can be even more complex. Some countries that are popular origins for international adoptions do not allow LGBTQ+ individuals or couples from other countries to adopt children. Furthermore, varying legal recognitions of LGBTQ+ families across borders can create complications in international adoptions.

Advocacy for LGBTQ+ adoption rights continues to be crucial. Organizations worldwide are working to promote inclusivity in adoption policies and to support LGBTQ+ adoptive families. They provide resources, support networks, and legal assistance while also campaigning for policy changes and raising public awareness about the capabilities of LGBTQ+ individuals and couples as parents. Education is also important to overcoming resistance to LGBTQ+ adoption. Dispelling myths and sharing research and stories about successful LGBTQ+ families can help shift public opinion and reduce stigmatization.

Adoption in the LGBTQ+ community has seen encouraging progress, but the path forward still requires vigilance against discrimination and advocacy for equal rights. Every child deserves a chance to thrive in a loving home, and LGBTQ+ individuals and couples are crucial in providing these opportunities. As societies continue to advance in understanding and acceptance, the hope is that adoption will become an unequivocally accessible and celebrated option for every potential parent, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Dr. Nathalie Johnson Honored with the Impact Award at NCoBC 2025

NCBC President Jennifer Plichta, MD, MS, FACS, CGRA, presents Dr. Nathalie Johnson, MD, FACS, with the 2025 Impact Award.

Dr. Nathalie Johnson Honored with the Impact Award at NCoBC 2025

Las Vegas, NV – March 27, 2025 – Dr. Nathalie Johnson, a distinguished leader in breast cancer care and advocacy, was presented with the prestigious Impact Award at the NCoBC 2025 34th Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The NCBC Impact Award recognizes individuals whose pioneering contributions have significantly advanced breast cancer care, research, and advocacy.

The award was presented to Dr. Johnson by NCBC Board President, Jennifer Plichta, MD, MS, FACS, CGRA, in recognition of her unwavering commitment to improving breast cancer treatment, education, and patient care.

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Is It Just Stress or Something More? Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

Is It Just Stress or Something More? Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

In our modern day, many people ignore stress as part of the everyday normal. Severe feelings of being overwhelmed by work deadlines, financial crises, personal responsibilities, etc can cause numerous emotional and physical problems. If the problems of chronic fatigue, mood swings, weight fluctuations, or even irregular periods continue despite the implementation of stress management systems, it is perhaps wise to consider the possibility of a hormonal imbalance.

A person's hormonal health is very central to their health. The body relies on a network of glands called the endocrine system designed to produce and regulate hormones, and this system affects nearly every physiological function within a human, their metabolism, their mood, and, even their immune response. If there is some kind of disruption to this balance, the outcomes can go beyond basic stress symptoms. How does one differentiate between stress discomfort and the more sinister internal hormone imbalance? Here, we will answer some important questions concerning stress discomfort, and hormonal health.

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Shining a Light on Oral Cancer: April Marks Awareness Month with a Focus on Prevention and Early Detection
Photo by Caroline LM on Unsplash

Shining a Light on Oral Cancer: April Marks Awareness Month with a Focus on Prevention and Early Detection

Ready for a dental adventure with a twist? April is designated as Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the risks, symptoms, and prevention of oral cancer. This observance aims to educate the public and encourage early detection, which significantly improves survival rates. Oral cancer affects thousands of people each year and can have serious, life-altering consequences if not diagnosed and treated early (American Cancer Society, 2023).

Understanding Oral Cancer

Oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, and surrounding tissues. It is often associated with lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 54,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer annually, and nearly 11,000 die from the disease (American Cancer Society, 2023).

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Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month: Understanding, Preventing, and Supporting Recovery

March is recognized as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public knowledge about TBIs, their impact, and the importance of prevention and treatment. Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of people each year, often leading to long-term disabilities and requiring extensive rehabilitation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). By dedicating a month to TBI awareness, we collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for those affected by brain injuries, while also striving to prevent future incidents through education and advocacy.

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI is a disruption in normal brain function caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. The severity of TBI can range from mild concussions to severe injuries resulting in cognitive and physical impairments. According to the CDC, approximately 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI annually, and nearly 230,000 are hospitalized due to these injuries (CDC, 2023). Common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, and combat-related trauma among military personnel.

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Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care
Photo by Shelly Shell on Unsplash

Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed annually from April 11-17, is a national campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018. It raises awareness about the disproportionate maternal health challenges faced by Black women in the United States and advocates for systemic change in maternal healthcare (Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2018). Addressing Black maternal health is crucial for achieving health equity, improving overall public health outcomes, and ensuring that all women have access to safe, respectful, and high-quality maternal care. It requires a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, healthcare system reforms, and efforts to combat racism and discrimination in medical settings.

The Urgency of Black Maternal Health

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and Black women are disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (CDC, 2022). Structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to quality medical services contribute to these disparities.

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