UW Medicine

09/04/2025

Amy Stricherz was inspired to donate her kidney to a complete stranger after listening to a podcast detailing how a Nobel Prize-winning economist created an algorithm to match potential donors around the country.

She became an altruistic donor, officially called a nondirected donor—someone who chooses to donate a kidney though they don’t have loved ones, friends or acquaintances who need one.

“The sheer need to ask is such a huge barrier,” said Lauren Reddy, a nurse practitioner at the UW transplant program. “A lot of recipients don’t pursue the option because thinking of asking someone for an organ is such a big deal when you’re already feeling vulnerable and lousy.”

After the transplant took place, Amy sent an email through the UW transplant center introducing herself. She was able to meet her recipient shortly after that.

"During lunch, Amy thanked me a few times. She seemed as excited about donating a kidney as I was grateful about receiving one," says Jim Simon, the recipient of her kidney.

Altruistic kidney donations — when somebody gifts an organ to a stranger — are rare. This is the story of one that brought two local families together.

09/03/2025

Some celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, have endorsed whole-body MRIs, which scan the body from head to almost toe in order to provide a comprehensive look at the body and its major organs.

MRIs are an important tool for diagnosing many conditions, including tumors, organ injuries, vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms, potential sources of epilepsy and changes from Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years, the technology has significantly improved.

“Before you could just scan the head or you could scan the abdomen or the chest, but now there’s technology where you can actually stitch these images together and take a look at the whole-body together,” says Manjiri Dighe, MD, medical director of Ultrasound and a professor of radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine - WWAMI.

While many hospitals have the ability to do whole-body MRIs, they only prescribe them to targeted patient populations in very specific situations. Depending on a patient's symptoms, their doctor will order specific tests in order to provide a diagnosis and resulting treatment options.

Other screenings and tests, as well as lifestyle changes, are more proven to prevent disease, so speak with your doctor about what the best ones might be for you before considering expensive commercial options like who-body MRI.

Or do they just create anxiety.

09/02/2025

When your joints hurt and nonsurgical treatments haven’t helped, it’s time to talk with your doctor about other options.

"Patients who have tried physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medications, exercise, and really just tried to modify everything they're doing and still are having significant pain and can't do what they want to do, joint replacement can be a really big change and really help these people," says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Hernandez.

Our expert team of orthopedic surgeons, including Dr. Hernandez, perform every type of joint replacement, from the simple to the most complex. They can explain the benefits and risks of the procedure and help you determine if surgery is right for you.

08/30/2025

Pay attention to hot-weather forecasts and take due action.

Agricultural and other outdoor workers who face prolonged exposure to high temperatures, older adults and people with heart or kidney conditions, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.

Dr. Leo Morales, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine - WWAMI, says that heat can be fatal.

“Seek shade, stay hydrated and rest," he says. “If people are showing more serious symptoms of, for example, heat stroke, get healthcare. It is an emergency. You need to call 911.”

08/29/2025

A new poll shows that Americans are drinking the lowest amount of alcohol in nearly a century. According to the poll, only 54 percent of U.S. adults say they drink, the lowest percentage in the nearly 90 years.

This is encouraging news for Susan Stoner, PhD, a research associate at the Additions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington.

“Chronic alcohol use is associated with different types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system,” she told Everyday Health. “We would hope to see reductions in all alcohol-related health issues across the board.”

Fewer U.S. adults are drinking, and most who do say they’re drinking less. The shift could result in fewer alcohol-related deaths in the future.

08/28/2025

You're invited to join us for the 2025 Walk for Epilepsy on September 6 at Magnuson Park.

Together we will raise awareness and funds to end epilepsy, and to help the 75,000 people who have epilepsy in Washington State.

Members of our UW Medicine team will be there in support of this great cause. With each step taken and dollar raised, we're closer to reaching our goal: a world free from epilepsy and free from fear of the next seizure. We hope to see you there!

I just signed up for the with ! Join me in making a difference for the epilepsy community today. Every mile walked makes an impact for the 3.4+ million Americans living with .

08/28/2025

Neurosurgeons and engineers at the University of Washington School of Medicine - WWAMI recently implanted a device inside the skull of a stroke survivor that they believe can help him recover movement in his arm and hand.

“People often get some function back after a stroke, but not all,” says Jeffrey Ojemann, vice chair for discovery and professor of neurological surgery. “We want to see whether by stimulating the brain during rehabilitation sessions we can help them regain more function.”

Previous studies have stimulated the brain to increase neuroplasticity, but this new device connects to different areas of the brain and responds to neural activity with targeted stimulus in a matter of milliseconds. Ojemann said previous studies have pointed to the importance of letting the patient control how their brain is reacting to the stimulus as opposed to having the device act like a crutch on which the brain depends.

By programming a device that reads brain activity and responds with targeted stimulation based on those messages, he believes researchers can create “co-processors” that could act upon a brain message to help complete its intended outcome. For example, using a fork to pick up food.

Until now, neuromodulation devices have been mostly created in an “always on” format. Dr. Jeffrey Herron, an associate professor of neurological surgery says that his specialty has been taking devices that are always on and making them responsive by making a real-time system that can trigger or close the loop around sensed activity from the brain.

“Nothing in the brain works in an ‘always on’ sort of manner,” Herron explained. “So, we're trying to make our systems more in tune with the underlying rhythms and behavior that we see in the brain, which is constantly trying to take in information and adjusting on a moment-to-moment basis.”

UW Medicine is still recruiting patients for the study. Participants need to be between the ages of 22 and 75 and have difficulty moving their arms or hands. Their most recent stroke has to have been more than six months ago, and they can’t be on blood thinners or have an irregular heartbeat.

Read the full story at KUOW Public Radio.

Neurosurgeons and engineers at the University of Washington School of Medicine reached a milestone this summer, implanting a device inside the skull of a stroke victim that they believe can help him recover movement in his arm and hand.

08/27/2025

As kids head back to school, it's important to protect them from preventable illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, measles and whooping cough.

Dr. Helen Chu, an infectious disease specialist, says vaccines are the best defense, not only for our kids but for everyone around them, especially those who are more vulnerable. Make sure your family is up to date on recommended vaccines and remember to keep kids home when they're sick to help prevent the spread of illness.

“I think just being very proactive, doing what your pediatrician is asking you to do in terms of getting your vaccines, staying home when you're sick so you don't transmit to others,” Dr. Chu said.

08/26/2025

Hearing loss is common, and it's okay to ask for help! It's estimated that around one in every seven people in the United States has some form of hearing loss.

Avoiding getting help for hearing loss is associated with things like depression and social isolation, and recent research has shown there could be a connection between untreated hearing loss and developing dementia.

Hearing loss is a legitimate issue, even if it’s on the mild side. There are options to help you start hearing more clearly again.

How to communicate better

08/25/2025

Nearly 100 high school students recently gathered at W.F. West High School to attend an annual Summer STEM Camp that featured scientists and engineers from the University of Washington School of Medicine - WWAMI and University of Washington College of Engineering.

This year, the camp was fortunate to have representatives from the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) as well!

Participants were able to dive into the "mysteries of DNA, experiment with technology used today in research labs, discover how stem cells can be turned into other cell types, explore the possibilities of gene-editing, learn how biologists and engineers work together to solve medical problems, and get an up-close look at human heart, brain, and lung tissue."

The program not only benefits participants from the Chehalis School District, but also students that come from all around the area, including the Quinault Indian Nation, the Chehalis Tribe and the Aberdeen School District No. 5 in Grays Harbor County.

J. Vander Stoep believes in the future success of students across Southwest Washington, especially when it comes to STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Chehalis …

08/23/2025

Tonight we will have what is known as a “Black Moon,” and some people might find it harder to sleep.

David Avery, professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine - WWAMI and other researchers have tracked bipolar patients whose sleep and mood cycles lined up almost perfectly with lunar rhythms.

"A lot of people are not aware that the new Moon and full Moon have very similar gravitational effects," Avery said.

Scientists are rethinking how lunar phases, even dark ones, can sway our body clocks.

08/22/2025

Are you wondering if you really need to add electrolyte powders to your water? Dr. Mark Harrast, a sports medicine physician at UW Medicine, spoke with Men's Health about when they’re actually helpful for hydration.

“Drinking water with sodium in it will be absorbed in your gut more quickly than drinking plain water,” Dr. Harrast said. “It’s definitely a good hydration strategy when you are at risk for becoming dehydrated (longer duration exercise, hot and humid conditions, etc).”

Dr. Harrast also noted that people may need extra sodium replacement if they are “salty sweaters,” or notice white residue on their skin or clothes after sweating in hot or humid environments.

For most people, everyday workouts don’t require electrolyte supplements because water and a healthy diet provide enough.

We rounded up experts to investigate when and if you should be drinking an electrolyte supplement.