Court ruling could impact health care

February 19, 2019

I am writing to voice my opposition to a proposed state Supreme Court rule that, if enacted, could have negative impacts on patient care. I started my orthopedic surgery practice in Altoona in 1986, having come here directly out of residency and fellowship in New York City. Central Pennsylvania appeared to be a nice place to practice and raise a family. That has turned out to be the case. However, in the early 1990s, venue shopping put such strain on the medical liability system that medical liability insurance became almost unaffordable, defensive medicine was bankrupting the ...

Counties eye ‘different tomorrow’

February 18, 2019

Do you know how often you use the services and programs provided by your county government? When you go to the courthouse for jury duty or to get a marriage license, it’s obvious that you are interacting with your county. But it’s not so obvious when you call 911. Or when you go to vote. Or when you drive over one of the 4,000 bridges owned by Pennsylvania’s counties. Or how about when you call ChildLine to report a case of suspected child abuse? It’s the county that’s responsible for investigating. The truth is, unless you have a reason to use the service, you probably ...

Presented with opportunities, students should take advantage

February 7, 2019

According to a survey done by U.S. News, “37 percent of students are prepared for college-level math and reading” (Camera, 2016). Compared to a survey conducted by four Glendale students (listed below), 80 percent of Glendale alumni now enrolled in a platform of higher education believe that they were properly prepared to handle the curriculum in the college setting. The reason Glendale has had such a high percentage of students feeling prepared for college is because of students taking initiative. However, along with feedback gained from discussion with some past graduates, ...

Secret to college success? Video games

February 1, 2019

College students need to play more video games. Seriously. New research shows that gaming actually improves cognitive and social skills. It’s one of the most accessible, inclusive activities for students. And, unbeknownst to many, professional video gaming has become a big business, so job opportunities are swelling. Far from being a virtual reality, esports teach people how to operate in the real world. Colleges can play a role in preparing students for this industry by investing resources in video gaming and related programs. Video games have long received a bad rap. The ...

Wofford had talent for happiness

January 28, 2019

Former US senator was always himself By Dennis Roddy Harris Wofford, who died last week at 92, was so lacking in cynicism and guile that people today would scarce believe someone like him ever won a seat in the United States Senate. Born into a well-to-do family, young Harris walked to church Sundays rather than ride in his Republican father’s car, which sported an Alf Landon for President sticker. Harris wanted FDR to win again and at 9 years of age, was voting with his feet. It’s hard to imagine a 9-year-old New Dealer. It’s harder, still, to imagine a 23-year-old ...

50 years later, conflicted on Nixon

January 20, 2019

By David Shribman Pittsburgh Post-Gazette YORBA LINDA, Calif. — He was, like Calvin Coolidge, an introvert. He was, like Theodore Roosevelt, a battler. He was, like Bill Clinton, a policy wonk. He was, like Donald Trump, a polarizing figure. He was, like Warren Harding, a scoundrel. He was, like John F. Kennedy, a dreamer. He was, like Lyndon Johnson, a prisoner of Vietnam. He was, like Woodrow Wilson, a student of the presidency. He was, like George H.W. Bush, an experienced master of government. He was, like William Howard Taft, a reluctant practitioner of the political arts. He ...