🔒Greater Hartford Health’s summer issue

From the editor: Of kids' concussions, rotator cuffs and concierge care

That headline took me too long to write. I'm a sucker for alliteration, sure, but I think my troubles reflect the fact that the second issue of Greater Hartford Health covers a lot of ground.

If you're interested in pediatrics, I hope you will find this issue to be engaging.

I would typically lead off an editor intro with our lead story, but how often do you get to interview a rapping physician? Rarely.

In our Q&A, Dr. David Wang, director of Elite Sports Medicine at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, discusses youth concussions. It's a topic that's drawn a lot of attention in youth sports and even in the pros, and it's one Wang is passionate about. So passionate, in fact, that he booked time at a professional studio to record a rap track about concussion awareness. Spoiler alert: It's surprisingly good.

In this issue's cover story, contributing writer Natalie Missakian explores the growing trend of concierge medicine, which for those who can afford it, is a way to spend more time and receive more attention from a primary care physician. For doctors who make the leap, it can offer some relief from the rigors of dealing with insurance companies and government payers.

In the pediatrics vein, contributing writer Karen Ali tackles a tough topic.

Maybe it's come up at a social gathering or on Facebook, but you've probably noticed at least a few people expressing some distrust of vaccines. Maybe you're even one of them.

Ali spoke with area doctors about how that distrust plays out in their practices and how they seek to educate parents and patients about the science of vaccines.

We also called on Ali to profile Dr. Chris Betz, a Bristol Hospital sports surgeon and the official team physician for the fledgling New Britain Bees independent league baseball team, which is playing its second season.

For our executive profile, John Stearns interviews SoVita Chiropractic's Karlos Boghosian, whose family escaped Iran in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. It's a riveting personal tale, but Boghosian seems even more eager to discuss his growing practice.

Today, his business has five Connecticut locations and just franchised its first location in another state.

Don't forget to check out our expert columns, lists and other features throughout.

Thanks for reading.

— Matt Pilon, Health Editor

Click here to view the digital edition or check out the table of contents below.

VIP Health: Concierge medicine grows in CT as healthcare landscape shifts

Preventing Resistance: Anti-vaccination movement puts CT docs in educator role

Doc On Deck: Bristol Hospital sports medicine surgeon keeps New Britain Bees players buzzing

Executive Profile: From refugee to chiropractic entrepreneur, Boghosian's life finds healthy alignment

Q&A: Weighing the risks of youth concussions in sports

Expert Columns:

Healthcare providers prep for new emergency preparedness rule

In health care, outdoor settings matter