The George Washington University (GW) has experts available to speak on topics related to this year’s holiday season. As the daily COVID-19 cases surge upward, GW medicine and health experts recommend staying vigilant this winter in order to stay healthy and safe.
To schedule an interview with an expert below, please contact: Kathy Fackelmann, Lisa Anderson, and Timothy Pierce at [email protected] or 202-994-6460.
Staying Safe This Holiday Season
Hana Akselrod, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, is an infectious disease expert that can speak to virus spread and lowering risk of COVID-19 infection for intimate gatherings this holiday season.
William Borden, MD, MBA, professor of medicine, is an expert on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and prevention and can speak to slowing the spread while traveling for the holidays.
Amanda Castel, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology, is an expert on COVID-19 and can offer tips on how to celebrate the holidays safely this year.
Michael Knight, MD, assistant professor of medicine, can speak to strategies for socializing during this holiday season and keeping vulnerable loved ones safe.
Anne Monroe, MD, associate research professor of epidemiology, is an expert on the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and how to stay safe this winter.
Melissa Batchelor, associate professor of nursing, is an expert on aging and health. She can discuss how to keep the older population safe during the holidays.
Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, PhD, associate professor of prevention and community health, can talk about how Latinos are at higher risk for COVID-19 and steps families can take to stay healthy and safe this holiday season. Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz can conduct interviews in English and Spanish.
Holiday Blues
Daniel Lieberman, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is an expert on depression and anxiety. He can speak about managing mental health and staying positive during a holiday season that may look different this year.
Sherry Molock, associate professor of clinical psychology, is an expert on depression and suicide in adolescents and young adults, specifically suicide prevention programs for Black teens and young adults in faith-based communities.
Lorenzo Norris, MD, associate dean for student affairs and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, can speak to strained relationships as a result of quarantining, different views on COVID-19 risk and politics, other strains this holiday season.
Tony Roberson, visiting professor in the GW School of Nursing, is a mental health expert. He can discuss dealing with anxiety and depression during the pandemic and holidays, and provide self-care and coping tips.
Suzan Song, MD, PhD, MPH, director of the Division of Child/Adolescent & Family Psychiatry and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, can speak about the well-being of children and adolescents during a stressful and different holiday season.
Holiday Wellness & Weight Management
Loretta DiPietro, PhD, is a professor of exercise and nutrition sciences. She can provide tips about how to exercise when gyms are closed and other ideas for staying in shape and beating the stress this holiday season.
Marijane Hynes, MD, founding director of the GW Weight Loss Clinic and clinical professor of medicine, can speak about making smart dietary decisions during the long winter months or while quarantining.
Todd Miller, PhD, is an associate professor of exercise and nutrition sciences and Director of the GW Weight Management and Human Performance Lab. He can comment on how to prioritize fitness and weight management and still stay safe during the pandemic. Dr. Miller can also talk about this year’s weight and nutrition-related New Year's resolutions.
Kavita Daiya, PhD, director of the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program, is an expert on body positivity. She is available to speak about the promises we make to ourselves to get in better shape as a new year’s resolution and what happens when the promises become reality and one actually loses weight after following a resolution.
Nancy Rudner, DrPH, MPH, RN, is an adjunct professor of nursing focusing on improving health through patient care, program planning, and policy. She can discuss maintaining New Year's resolutions and how to give gifts that encourage healthy habits.
Stress & Winter Injuries
Brian Choi, MD, co-director of advanced cardiac imaging and professor of medicine, is an expert on cardiovascular issues. He can speak about the stress on heart health during the holidays, such as physical activities, like shoveling snow, or emotional events, like caring for a family member with COVID-19 infection.
Zachary Zimmer, MD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, can speak about common winter injuries that occur from shoveling snow or stringing up lights.