Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
@easwanson.bsky.social
270 followers 300 following 13 posts
General surgery resident | Aspiring abdominal organ transplant surgeon | Baker, hiker, reader | She/her
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easwanson.bsky.social
The question that most informs my politics is, "What is best for children?" @smashfizzle.bsky.social writes about this with such passion and moral clarity. "I refuse to die without trying to make sure the kids I love get something so much better than this" took my breath away.
smashfizzle.bsky.social
Don’t get trapped in the worst most circular parts of this conversation, the parts where you already know where you stand. WHAT’S NEXT? I refuse to die without trying to make sure the kids I love get something so much better than this. I know I owe them that more than I know anything else.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
donmoyn.bsky.social
This is one good illustration why diversity on the court matters: Sotomayor can imagine a version of the world where this ruling would affect a younger version of herself, her family and people that look like her. Kavanaugh cannot.
stevenmazie.bsky.social
Justice Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, in dissent: "We should not have to live in a country where the Government
can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
easwanson.bsky.social
When a colleague does something well, let them know! The reaction I get when I do this tells me we don’t give each other enough positive feedback / words of appreciation in medicine.
alyssaburgart.com
I’ve been gifted with something I didn’t know I needed.

In the last 24 hours, I’ve received texts from two colleagues about how much I helped them because of the way I approach my work.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
aclu.org
ACLU @aclu.org · Aug 21
No family should have to fear that their child’s private medical records will fall into the hands of a presidential administration opposed to their very existence.

This erodes the trust every family should be able to have in their doctors.
DOJ Demands "Every Writing or Record" of Trans Youth Care From Hospitals
The Trump administration has sent subpoenas to 20 hospitals for personal medical records.
www.them.us
easwanson.bsky.social
I'm in a similar situation. With adequate social safety net / affordable child care, I would love to be a mother, but paying for daycare + additional childcare (which would be necessary with my and my husband's schedules) AND saving for our own retirement is not financially feasible.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
astrokatie.com
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
HHS Winds Down mRNA Vaccine Development Under BARDA

 

WASHINGTON, DC—AUGUST 5, 2025—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and de-scoping of various contracts and solicitations. The decision follows a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

 

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
lavidagata.bsky.social
I knew the U.S. higher education system was a massive draw for foreigners, but I did not know the U.S. sold more educational services to the rest of the world than it did natural gas and coal combined. Great piece by @crampell.bsky.social
Colleges and universities are among America's most competitive international exporters. In dollar terms, last year, the United States sold more educational services to the rest of the world than it sold in natural gas and coal combined.
Make sense of the latest news and debates with our daily newsletter
What are America's most competitive exports? By dollars, not coal or corn.
Dollar value of exports in select sectors, 2024
Education-related travel
$56B
Natural gas
34B
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
ddiamond.bsky.social
Breaking: RFK Jr. has forced out PETER MARKS, the nation’s top vaccine regulator.

In his resignation letter, obtained by the Post, Marks said he was willing to work with RFK Jr on his vaccine concerns — but said Kennedy wishes “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”
RFK Jr. forces out Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine scientist
Marks, an architect of Operation Warp Speed, warned that a recent measles outbreak shows how confidence in science and public health is being “undermined.”
www.washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
joshuasweitz.bsky.social
Working with an interdisciplinary team, we have developed a website to communicate how the White House's proposed cuts to health research would cause losses of $16B and 68,500 jobs.

Find out how your community may be impacted.

Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org

a 🧵
US map via scienceimpacts.org visualization of economic loss due to IDC cuts to 15% as part of Feb 7, 2025 executive order, with shading denoting intensity of cuts.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
parkermolloy.com
"Let's not take the soul-sucking path of sacrificing the most persecuted for that which we deem to be most popular. I know that there are transgender children right now looking out at this world and wondering if anyone is going to stand up for them and for their simple right to exist. Well, I am."
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
nbedera.bsky.social
I wrote a book about bureaucratic violence and if there’s one thing I wish everyone knew right now, it would be:

The people most harmed can’t tell what’s happening or why. Their lives unravel and, more often than not, they are taught to blame themselves—or other victims.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
elizabeth-warren.bsky.social
About half of all childbirths in America are covered by Medicaid.

Over half of all nursing home residents are covered by Medicaid.

Over 79 million people are covered by Medicaid.

And the House GOP’s plans to gut Medicaid would hurt nearly every community in America.
easwanson.bsky.social
I try to be mindful that they have shelf exams and other assignments to complete and not everyone studies best at the hospital. Also, students may feel less comfortable bringing up life issues impacting their decision to leave like a sick child, a dog that just had surgery, etc.
easwanson.bsky.social
My stance as a general surgery resident is when it gets to the point in the day that the student is watching the residents and APPs type, they should go home (even if it’s 2pm). There will be other days that their case runs long and they are at the hospital until 10pm.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
nejm.org
NEJM.org @nejm.org · Mar 20
A full-term baby boy was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at 30 hours of age owing to abdominal distention and failure to pass meconium. Before the transfer, the baby had fed poorly and regurgitated colostrum. 1/3

#MedSky #PedSky #Neonatology
Image Challenge
What is the diagnosis?

Left: An abdominal radiograph showing dilated loops of small intestine.

Right: A photo of an enterotomy for evacuation of meconium that was performed.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
standupforscience.bsky.social
By attacking science:

We are less safe because science informs national security and medical care.

We are less prosperous because science drives innovation and economic benefit.

We are less free because science and democracy depend on the liberty to ask questions, and seek and share knowledge.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
ccrjustice.org
Must read: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out for the first time since his arrest by the Trump administration in an exclusive letter, dictated over the phone to his family, from ICE detention in Louisiana.
Reposted by Elizabeth Swanson MD PhD
amybeth.medsky.social
Match Part 1 is tomorrow: remember that if you have to SOAP or scramble that it says nothing about your value as a human being nor about your abilities as a future physician. Gather your support system and let yourself feel your feelings. We are rooting for you!

#MedStudents #MatchWeek #MedSky