HHS Removes FDA Warnings on Hormone Replacement Therapy
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is initiating the removal of broad “black box” warnings from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products for menopause. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, made the announcement at a press conference.

According to an HHS news release, women have used HRT products for decades to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, their use plummeted in the early 2000s when the FDA applied boxed warnings following a Women’s Health Initiative study that found a statistically non-significant increase in the risk of breast cancer diagnosis, the announcement said. 

HHS says the FDA is initiating removal of the boxed warnings following a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, an expert panel in July, and a public comment period. The agency is working with companies to update language in product labeling to remove references to risks of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and probable dementia. The FDA is not seeking to remove the boxed warning for endometrial cancer for systemic estrogen-alone products. For more information, click here.

HNI to Host Panel on AI in Healthcare on Dec. 3
Health News Illinois (HNI) will host a panel discussion on the changing nature of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The event, “The Next Frontier for AI in Healthcare,” will be held at 8:30 a.m. CT on Dec. 3 at 320 South Canal Street in Chicago.

According to HNI, the panel will cover how healthcare organizations are using AI to reduce administrative costs and address labor concerns, and its potential for improved diagnoses and more effective treatment decisions. Panelists will also discuss the implications of AI in healthcare, including the possibility of exacerbating disparities. 

Panelists include: 

• Dr. Abel Kho, Director, Institute for AI in Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Dr. Jon Handler, Senior Fellow, Innovation, OSF HealthCare
• Hector Rodriguez, Vice President of IT, Humboldt Park Health

Registration and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT. The panel discussion will begin at 9 a.m. CT. For more information on the event or details on how to register, click here. 

REGISTER: International Clinician Recruitment Webinar Dec. 9
As hospitals look to fill workforce gaps, international recruitment has become part of a strategic approach to strengthening the healthcare workforce, enhancing diversity and improving patient outcomes. For deep insights into the international recruitment landscape, attend a complimentary webinar, “The Fact and Fiction of International Recruitment,” on Dec. 9 from noon-1 p.m. CT.

Ron Hoppe, CEO of WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, will lead the session drawing on over 25 years of experience in direct hire international recruitment. He’ll share real-world insights, data-backed results and practical steps to create a sustainable pipeline of qualified healthcare professionals.

The webinar will explore:

• Common myths about international healthcare recruitment;
• How employment-based immigration and direct hire models drive long-term workforce stability and cost savings; and
• Practical strategies to design, launch and sustain a successful international recruitment program.

Part of IHA Strategic Partner Medical Solutions, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions has a network of over 40,000 experienced international clinicians ready to work in the U.S. as full-time, permanent staff, filling needed roles while reducing hospitals costs and use of contingent labor. Click here to register for the Dec. 9 webinar.