Health News

Taylor, Mich. – October 02, 2026 -- Dr. J. Rashid, Doctor of Physical Therapy and clinic director at Family Rehab Care in Taylor, MI, is warning surgery patients that feeling better right after an operation does not mean rehab is optional.

Surgery fixes structure, but rehab restores function

According to Dr. Rashid, surgery corrects the physical problem, while physical therapy rebuilds the strength, mobility, stability, and coordination needed to actually use the repaired body part. Patients who skip rehab often develop stiffness, weakness, and compensation patterns that surface as new pain or injury months later.

Hollywood, Fla. – October 02, 2026 -- Five babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital at Memorial Hospital Miramar dressed up as a lion, a zebra, a monkey and twin giraffes for this year's Babies with Books Read-A-Thon, marking the hospital's seventh year participating in the national event.

Parents read aloud to babies during the jungle-themed celebration

Families, siblings and caregivers gathered bedside to read to the costumed infants as part of the 2026 Read-A-Thon, which ran September 14-24 during National Literacy Month. The event encourages reading aloud to NICU babies to support early language and brain development and to give families a bonding moment during what can be a stressful hospital stay.

Katherine Zaensi, whose daughter was dressed in zebra stripes, said seeing her baby dressed up "brings light" to the difficulty of having a child in the NICU.

Vero Beach, Fla. – October 02, 2026 -- Patients considering All-on-4 dental implants are being told that recovery, not just the surgery itself, determines whether the procedure succeeds long term. Dr. Norman D. Knowles of Art of Smiles in Vero Beach, Florida, outlined the post-operative process in an article published by HelloNation.

The piece focuses on what happens in the days and weeks after implant placement, when the jawbone begins integrating with the new implants.

Mild soreness and swelling are expected in the first days

According to the article, mild to moderate discomfort and swelling are normal during the initial recovery period. Patients are advised to follow their dental team's post-operative instructions rather than treat these symptoms as warning signs.

Chicago – October 02, 2026 -- The Aspen Group has launched new patient apps for Aspen Dental and ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, giving patients more control over booking, treatment tracking, and pre-visit steps directly from their phones.

Aspen Dental app lets patients book same-day emergency visits

The Aspen Dental app allows patients to book same-day emergency appointments, subject to availability, for issues like tooth pain, a cracked tooth or crown, or a broken denture. Patients can also view their treatment plan, understand why a diagnosis was made -- whether a cavity or periodontal disease -- and track progress toward completing care. The app includes check-in and pre-visit steps, oral health content, and calendar integration for upcoming appointments.

Rockville – October 01, 2026 -- More parks, libraries, and stadiums are installing large picture-based communication boards, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is using October's AAC Awareness Month to explain why they matter.

Communication boards are a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)—typically large displays showing a dozen or more common words like "slide," "go," "bathroom," or "play." They let people with limited or unreliable speech communicate with others in public spaces. In the United States, more than 2 million people use AAC, ranging from gestures and facial expressions to picture boards and high-tech speech-generating devices.

Oakland, Calif. – October 01, 2026 -- Blue Shield of California has unveiled its 2027 Medicare plan lineup, giving eligible residents new coverage choices ahead of the Annual Enrollment Period running Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026.

Plan options span Medicare Advantage to prescription-only coverage

The nonprofit insurer's portfolio includes Medicare Advantage plans, a Dual-Eligible Special Needs plan for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, Medicare Supplement plans, and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members seeking flexibility can opt for Medicare Supplement plans, which allow access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.

Alpharetta – October 01, 2026 -- Avanos Medical has launched an over-the-counter version of its Game Ready cold and compression system in the United States, letting consumers buy the recovery technology without a prescription for the first time.

The OTC system uses the same core technology as the prescription version

The new consumer system delivers therapeutic cooling and compression to reduce soreness and support recovery after exercise, sports, or everyday activity. Avanos says the OTC product shares the same core technology and functionality as its prescription-only Game Ready system, though labeling, packaging, and indications have been adjusted for general consumer use.

The prescription system will continue to be used for clinical, post-surgical, and healthcare provider-directed treatment, while the new OTC version is marketed for general recovery and wellness.

Dallas – September 30, 2026 -- Advance ER is opening its lobbies to community voting for its annual Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest, with ballots open from Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11 at its Park Cities and Preston Hollow/Galleria locations.

Staff spent 14 days transforming blank pumpkins into displays

Undecorated pumpkins were set out in both lobbies on September 16, giving Advance ER staff two weeks to carve and paint their entries before public voting begins.

Families get treats while they vote

During voting week, kids can pick up candy and small gifts, and adults receive a complimentary first-aid kit for the car, limited to one per family. The first five children to vote at each location get a free squishy toy, also limited to one per family.

Somersworth – September 30, 2026 -- Atlantic Digestive Specialists has notified patients that their Social Security numbers, medical records, and financial data may have been accessed by unauthorized parties during a network breach earlier this year.

Suspicious network activity triggered an investigation in March 2026

The New Hampshire-based gastroenterology practice detected suspicious activity on its systems and immediately secured its network, then hired outside cybersecurity experts to investigate. That probe found that intruders may have viewed or acquired data between March 16 and March 17, 2026.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Hanhoo, the Korean-beauty acne care brand, has launched in more than 600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide and on CVS.com, with products starting at $5.49.

The CVS rollout expands access to Hanhoo's hydrocolloid patch lineup

The collection includes the Blemish Patch (36 count, $5.49), transparent hydrocolloid patches in 10mm and 12mm sizes designed to absorb oil and fluid from whiteheads and surface pimples while protecting against picking. The EraZit Magnesium Microdart Patch (8 count, $11.49) targets deeper, under-the-skin breakouts with 18 non-dissolving magnesium microdarts per 12mm patch.

A first-of-its-kind dispenser lets users apply patches on the move

The On The Go Blemish Patch (108 count, $10.99) introduces a portable, pull-tape dispenser that releases one 12mm hydrocolloid patch at a time, allowing application without carrying a full box or peeling individual patches from packaging.