Belize Medical And Dental Association

About Us

Belize Medical and Dental Association - www.BmdaDrs.com - aims an objectives include: To compile a comprehensive directory of physicians and dentists residing in Belize. To promote the interest of physicians and dentists in Belize. To support physicians and dentists, as well as other brilliant and deserving professionals pursuing their careers in those fields or any other fields in Belize and else where.

 
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Welcome to Belize Medical & Dental Association
Stimulant Medications Linked to Sudden Death in Youths PDF Print E-mail
Posted by Dr. Johanne Perez M.D   
Friday, 03 July 2009 11:06
Stimulant drugs commonly given for ADHD are associated with an increase in sudden unexplained deaths in young people, according to a retrospective case-control study published online by the American Journal of Psychiatry. The FDA, citing methodological limitations, said in response that it believes the study "should not serve as a basis for parents to stop a child's stimulant medication."


News ImageIn the study, researchers matched each of 564 cases of sudden unexplained deaths in youths (aged 7 through 19) with one who died as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident. Using toxicology data, autopsy reports, and surveys completed by parents, researchers found an odds ratio for stimulant (methylphenidate) use of 7.4 among the unexplained deaths.

The FDA advises that prescribing physicians take a medical history and do a physical exam "with special focus on the cardiovascular system," and to consider additional tests, such as an echocardiogram or an ECG, "if the history or examination suggests underlying risk for or the presence of heart disease."

 
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HIV Infection and the Risk for Carotid Atherosclerosis PDF Print E-mail
Posted by Dr. Johanne Perez M.D   
Friday, 03 July 2009 11:00
In a cross-sectional study, HIV infection was independently associated with increased carotid-artery intima–media thickness, a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis, at a magnitude similar to that of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.


News ImageCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive patients, in part because effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) is helping them to live longer. To assess the association between HIV infection and the risk for CVD, researchers compared ultrasound-measured carotid-artery intima–media thickness (IMT), a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis, in 433 HIV-positive patients (mean age, 49; 36% current smokers) from the FRAM study and 5749 HIV-negative controls (mean age, 61; 15% current smokers) from the FRAM and MESA studies. Measurements of both the common carotid artery and the internal carotid artery plus bulb region were examined.   Neither HIV-positive patients nor controls had clinical CVD at the time of the ultrasound scans; 94% of the HIV-positive patients were taking ART.
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Physician Continuity from Outpatient to Inpatient Care Is Declining PDF Print E-mail
Posted by Dr. Johanne Perez M.D   
Friday, 03 July 2009 10:37
The following article's relevance to Belize might not be so obvious, but I found it interesting and wondered what the situation is for General Practitioner's, Family Physicians, and other outpatient care physicians regarding continuity of care from the outpatient to inpatient care on a regular basis to "ensure high-quality and seamless care continuity."  I make this statement referring to Belize City, as I am not as familiar with the out-district situation.  Here is the "Summary and Comment" from Journal Watch:


News ImageThe surge in hospitalist care is among several factors responsible.

 

 
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BMDA Executive 2009-2010 PDF Print E-mail
Posted by Dr. Johanne Perez M.D   
Monday, 04 May 2009 23:23

Dear BMDA Member,


    The BMDA held is annual general meeting on April 30th 2009 at the Belize Institute of Management where elections for the Executive body took place.  Here is the result of said electoral process:


* President: Jorge Hidalgo, M.D.
* Vice-President: Pedro Arriaga, M.D.
* Secretary: Tracy Nicholas, M.D.
* Treasurer: Mauricio Navarette, M.D.
* Executive Member: Johanne Perez, M.D.
* Executive Member: Raphael Samos, D.D.S.
* Executive Member: A. Joel Cervantes, M.D.
* Belize Medical Council BMDA Representative: Virginia Smith, M.D.
* Belize Medical Council BMDA Representative: Ricardo Quetzal, M.D.

The BMDA executive would like to thank the previous BMDA Executive (2008-2009) for it's hard work and efforts in promoting the BMDA's objectives.  We look forward to continuing the good work.


Sincerely,


BMDA Executive 2009-2010
Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2009 10:39
 

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BMDA Executive 2009-2010

President: Jorge Hidalgo, M.D.
Vice-President: Pedro Arriaga, M.D.
Secretary: Tracy Nicholas, M.D.
Treasurer: Mauricio Navarette, M.D.
Executive Member: Johanne Perez, M.D.
Executive Member: Raphael Samos, D.D.S.
Executive Member: A. Joel Cervantes, M.D.
Belize Medical Council BMDA Representative: Virginia Smith, M.D.
Belize Medical Council BMDA Representative: Ricardo Quetzal, M.D.

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