Theo Hensley, MD

09/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GBJ98zarU/

Acetaminophen remains a safe, trusted option for pain relief during pregnancy. Despite recent unfounded claims, there’s no clear evidence linking prudent use to issues with fetal development. ACOG's guidance remains the same. When pain relief is needed during pregnancy, acetaminophen should be used in moderation, and after consulting your doctor.

09/07/2025

mRNA trials showing promising results!

A Phase 1 trial of a novel vaccine for pancreatic cancer, ELI-002, has shown promising results, with increased survival rates.

09/06/2025

GREENEVILLE INTERNAL MEDICINE FAMILY PRACTICE
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Summit Medical Group Announce Long-Term Agreement



BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST), the Chattanooga-headquartered health benefit plan company, and Summit Medical Group, one of Tennessee’s largest primary care providers, have reached a new long-term network agreement for Blue Network PSM, Blue Network S SM, and Medicare Advantage plans.



“We know our members value the services they receive from Summit providers, and we’re glad to maintain their access to high-quality, affordable care,” said Scott Pierce, executive vice president and chief operating officer for BlueCross. “Our renewed partnership with Summit supports affordability and stability for those we serve.”



Through this agreement, members covered through BlueCross plans with these networks will have uninterrupted access to Summit providers and clinics. BlueCare Tennessee and BlueCare Plus members were not impacted by this negotiation.



“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that reflects our shared commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare,” said Ed Curtis, chief executive officer of Summit Medical Group. “This outcome ensures the long-term viability of the independent, community-based physicians that our patients know and trust.”



About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.4 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and has served the state for 80 years. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.



About Summit Medical Group

Summit Medical Group is one of the region’s largest primary care-based healthcare organizations, comprising more than 500 physicians and advanced practitioners across 90-plus practice locations in 23 Tennessee counties, delivering care to patients across the state.


GREENEVILLE INTERNAL MEDICINE FAMILY PRACTICE

The official news source for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, a mission-driven health plan serving 3.4 million members.

09/06/2025

Join me in my 20k step challenge today as we journey from the parking lot to the tailgates to the stadium.

Go Vols!

09/06/2025

I treat chronic disease for a living. I also spend most of my time and energy doing preventative medicine.

I recommend vaccines so that I don’t have to see people for as many acute visits and it helps keep people out of the hospital. It also helps lower the risk of developing chronic diseases.

I would actually make more money by not vaccinating my patients for flu and covid because it would generate more office visits.

I would rather you stay healthy!

09/06/2025

There are around 1-2 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome for every million flu shots given. This is very very small but not zero. The risk of GBS from the flu virus is around 17 per million cases of flu.

People like RFK don’t understand this kind of nuance where a decision to take a vaccine comes with less risk than not taking the vaccine. It’s a lawyer mentality where he profits off suing companies for the 1 in a million reactions and calls them “injuries”.

Infections cause varying degree of inflammation. Vaccines cause a very controlled small amount of inflammation with the goal to stimulate the immune system to induce protection to the host.

Sometimes the immune system goes crazy and does inappropriate things like attacking its own cells. Viruses and bacteria are a major cause of this.

Tons of viruses increase the risk of stroke, heart attacks, blood clots, and death. More and more high quality evidence is showing that they also increase rates of cancer, dementia, and auto immune disease.

09/06/2025

Recommendations are from facts and data, not politics.

This JAMA Medical News article discusses updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant people from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

09/06/2025

It’s much safer and cheaper to vaccinate children than to let them suffer while running up massive hospital bills

09/05/2025

With RFK claiming it, it isn’t likely to be true. Tylenol is long considered the safest medication to take during pregnancy for pain compared to all other options that have known legit risks.

Shares of Kenvue fell 14% after the report. Tylenol, whose active ingredient is acetaminophen, is a widely used pain reliever, including by pregnant women.

09/05/2025

Operation Warp Speed followed all the steps for preclinical and phases 1-3 of the trials. I participated in phase 3 and post launch surveillance for a year after my 2 shots. President Trump should absolutely be commended for cutting the red tape necessary to allow science to save millions of lives and prevent countless suffering.

Operation Warp Speed ended the pandemic!

09/05/2025

Dr Oz, the TV show host that peddled tons of garbage supplements for profit, now supports efforts to lower vaccination rates in Florida. Other states will follow.

Oz peddled tons of unproven supplements, diet scams, and countless “miracle cures”.

Several studies were done on the medical advice that he gave on his shows. You can search and read about these and find that over half of what he said either was wrong or not supported by any remotely credible evidence. The most positive I saw were that 20-30% of claims made had fair or good evidence for.

He’s a green coffee extract miracle cure “melt the fat off” kind of infomercial scammer. Modern day snake oil salesman.

09/05/2025

No surprise that RFK is trying to blame autism on vaccines again.

Next he is going to blame Tylenol during pregnancy.