Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
Science/medical writer & media relations for University of Michigan (Michigan Medicine/Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation) focusing on #primarycare, #mentalhealth, aging & #healthpolicy Mom, wife, baker, French horn player, AAAS Fellow, J! bronze
Pinned
Kara Gavin
@karagavin.bsky.social
· Jan 8
It’s great to see a growing community of #medsky folks from the Univ. of Michigan on this platform! Here’s a starter pack I’ve begun to compile - please share and ask to be added if you’re in any role at the Med School or the clinical world! go.bsky.app/NKhdFPM
Besides the punny (in two languages!) name, the On Route rest areas on the toll-free 401 Highway through southern Ontario are awesome. Better than those on the toll-only Ohio and New York thruways.
More, please, America.
More, please, America.
December 28, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Besides the punny (in two languages!) name, the On Route rest areas on the toll-free 401 Highway through southern Ontario are awesome. Better than those on the toll-only Ohio and New York thruways.
More, please, America.
More, please, America.
OMG - anonymous data from users of a sleep tracking app is mapping coughing during sleep and showing the recent rise in flu and other respiratory illness!
December 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
OMG - anonymous data from users of a sleep tracking app is mapping coughing during sleep and showing the recent rise in flu and other respiratory illness!
Reposted by Kara Gavin
You don't know what day it is.
You're eating countless meals a day with lots of snacks in between.
You're napping throughout they day.
Either it's the time between Christmas and New Year or you're a cat.
You're eating countless meals a day with lots of snacks in between.
You're napping throughout they day.
Either it's the time between Christmas and New Year or you're a cat.
December 27, 2025 at 9:55 AM
You don't know what day it is.
You're eating countless meals a day with lots of snacks in between.
You're napping throughout they day.
Either it's the time between Christmas and New Year or you're a cat.
You're eating countless meals a day with lots of snacks in between.
You're napping throughout they day.
Either it's the time between Christmas and New Year or you're a cat.
And for every flu related ER visit where a test is done, there are probably dozens or hundreds more folks toughing it out at home. Their cases don’t get counted if they don’t know there are flu/COVID rapid tests now, don’t have the $ for one or don’t report their positive rapid test to a clinic…
“New York City’s syndromic surveillance system, which collects information about every patient who visits an emergency room, reported 9,857 visits for “influenza-like illness” last week. That was higher than in the worst weeks of the 2017-18 or 2024-25 flu seasons, both ranked as “high severity”
Flu Cases Climb to Highest Levels in New York City in a Decade
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:59 AM
And for every flu related ER visit where a test is done, there are probably dozens or hundreds more folks toughing it out at home. Their cases don’t get counted if they don’t know there are flu/COVID rapid tests now, don’t have the $ for one or don’t report their positive rapid test to a clinic…
A reminder that today is the Second Day of Christmas, so if you go buy an Advent calendar on clearance you can eat two treats a day from here to Jan. 6. Tis the season!
two small brown birds are standing next to each other on a white surface
Alt: two small brown birds are standing next to each other on a white surface
media.tenor.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
A reminder that today is the Second Day of Christmas, so if you go buy an Advent calendar on clearance you can eat two treats a day from here to Jan. 6. Tis the season!
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Research hailing the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine keeps coming. There's more evidence that the vaccine lowers risk of preterm birth, hospital stays and death.
www.sciencenews.org/article/bene...
www.sciencenews.org/article/bene...
Research hailing the benefits of the COVID-19 shot keeps coming
There was more good health news about the COVID-19 vaccine for infants, kids and adults in December. There’s still time to get the shot this winter.
www.sciencenews.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Research hailing the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine keeps coming. There's more evidence that the vaccine lowers risk of preterm birth, hospital stays and death.
www.sciencenews.org/article/bene...
www.sciencenews.org/article/bene...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Just a general reminder that your experience on any social media app depends a lot on what *you* make of it. It is easy to find some annoying people on any platform. But platforms like Bluesky also give *you* way more power to control your own experience and to fix whatever annoys you.
December 25, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Just a general reminder that your experience on any social media app depends a lot on what *you* make of it. It is easy to find some annoying people on any platform. But platforms like Bluesky also give *you* way more power to control your own experience and to fix whatever annoys you.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
This is really good and I think you should take a few days to fill your head with good things only!
December 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This is really good and I think you should take a few days to fill your head with good things only!
‘Twas the day before Christmas,
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
December 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
‘Twas the day before Christmas,
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
December 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
‘Twas the day before Christmas,
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
And I found myself asking,
“Is it Ok to wrap
with the tape of the masking?”
The presents were bare,
And so too the store shelves,
So in desperation,
At least one of Santa’s elves
Resorted to sealing
the paper and bows
With tape that will surely
Raise some eyebrows.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Verily.
Remember: It ys okaye to be lonelye. It ys okaye to feel lost. It ys okaye to be sad. It ys okaye yf nobody ys arounde. It ys okaye to have no plannes or just small plannes. It ys okaye to have big plannes that seem exhausting. It ys okaye to be a mess. Take care of thyself. Thou art amazinge.
December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Verily.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
So you’re telling me that when your country welcomes talented people from around the globe, and brings them together in world-class universities, they make discoveries that save lives? Interesting.
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
In part due to research by two University of Michigan researchers, a form of leukemia can be treated more easily through an FDA-approved drug.
www.detroitnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
So you’re telling me that when your country welcomes talented people from around the globe, and brings them together in world-class universities, they make discoveries that save lives? Interesting.
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
UM researchers make breakthrough to treat form of leukemia
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Kara Gavin
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
Michigan State Police teams up to bring holiday cheer to 2-year-old battling cancer
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
www.cbsnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In a mission to bring joy to a child fighting cancer this holiday, Michigan State Police teamed up for the ultimate Christmas Road trip.
Reposted by Kara Gavin
"We must become more demanding for what’s right, what’s true and what leads us toward a more just future. It’s in our power to prove that the sacrifice of so many Americans to sustain our democratic project was not in vain."
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
We Can't Stop Caring
It remains in our power to create a more just future
www.americaamerica.news
December 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
"We must become more demanding for what’s right, what’s true and what leads us toward a more just future. It’s in our power to prove that the sacrifice of so many Americans to sustain our democratic project was not in vain."
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
www.americaamerica.news/p/we-cant-st...
Interesting approach - a survey of 64 top health insurance researchers, whose names and individual responses are available at a link in the piece. (Including Michigan’s John Ayanian, director of @um-ihpi.bsky.social )
Converting ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Into HSA Contributions Would Worsen Affordability, Experts Say | Health Affairs www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Health Affairs Journal
www.healthaffairs.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Interesting approach - a survey of 64 top health insurance researchers, whose names and individual responses are available at a link in the piece. (Including Michigan’s John Ayanian, director of @um-ihpi.bsky.social )
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Streisand Effect, anyone?
barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
Alt: barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Streisand Effect, anyone?
Streisand Effect, anyone?
barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
Alt: barbra streisand says " of course " while talking to a man
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Streisand Effect, anyone?
Reposted by Kara Gavin
May the light of the Winter Solstice shine on you, brighter days are ahead!
December 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
May the light of the Winter Solstice shine on you, brighter days are ahead!
BILLY BRAGG - PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS
YouTube video by Billy Bragg
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Kara Gavin
“It is the kind of test that, in the wrong hands, could cause a lot of harm”
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
How common is Alzheimer’s disease? First population-wide blood test holds surprises
Nature - A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates, and may show how education level relates to risk.
go.nature.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“It is the kind of test that, in the wrong hands, could cause a lot of harm”
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
A study of blood-based markers for Alzheimer’s disease in Norway confirms earlier estimates
go.nature.com/3N7sLfg
Reposted by Kara Gavin
“Notably, among 216 H3N2 viruses collected since September 28 that underwent additional genetic characterization by CDC scientists, 89.8% belonged to subclade K” www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
US flu activity takes big jump as 2 deaths in kids confirmed
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 20, 2025 at 5:05 AM
“Notably, among 216 H3N2 viruses collected since September 28 that underwent additional genetic characterization by CDC scientists, 89.8% belonged to subclade K” www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
Looking for something to do this weekend in Ann Arbor that _isn’t_ holiday-related?
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
175 years of U-M medical history come alive in new exhibit
A free museum exhibit explores the medical history of the University of Michigan from 1850 to today.
MichMed.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Looking for something to do this weekend in Ann Arbor that _isn’t_ holiday-related?
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Check out the #medicalhistory museum exhibit at the Museum on Main Street, with 175 years’ worth of Univ of Michigan artifacts, photos & fascinating facts! MichMed.org/museum
#histmed #medhist
Reposted by Kara Gavin
Jenny Radesky, a Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the U-M Medical School, spoke with @thehill.com about cellphone use for children, providing parents with advice on how to support safe and positive media use. myumi.ch/qZWwQ
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Jenny Radesky, a Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the U-M Medical School, spoke with @thehill.com about cellphone use for children, providing parents with advice on how to support safe and positive media use. myumi.ch/qZWwQ