Tag: mental-health

A Special Night in Denver. “The 2026 Modell Award Winner Is ………..” March 5, 2026

by reissmd, posted in Denver

Patrice and I find ourselves in Denver, Colorado.  Loyal followers of the blog know that we have already been to Coors Field in our quest to visit all 30 MLB stadiums so that is not the reason we are here.  Even if we hadn’t been to Coors Field, it is very tough to see an MLB game in early March unless you are in Florida or Arizona.   No, we are in Denver for a much different reason.

Many of you on this blog have helped me raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in order to fund research needed to find a cure for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Each year we participate in a fundraiser called Take Steps where we walk to raise awareness of this problem and raise money for this fine organization.  Last year our team (“Team Reiss”) surpassed $1.000,000 in total funds raised.  In recognition of this milestone the Foundation is giving me the Modell Award honoring the Foundation’s Volunteer of The Year.  When I first heard that I was being given the award I was taken aback.  My motivation in raising money for the organization has always been to help people suffering from these diseases.  You probably know that 2 of our 3 children have IBD.  Yes our son, David, and our youngest daughter, Erica, have Crohn’s disease.  I am hopeful that my continued fundraising will help us find the cure in my lifetime. 

Prior to receiving the award there was a heartwarming video shown with a variety of people congratulating me.  By the time I got to the stage to accept the award I was a sniveling mess.  I can hear you now, “Robert crying?  Is the Pope from Chicago?”

Yes, I was emotional but I managed to make it to the stage and thank people for the honor and their support.  Two of my biggest supporters, Patrice and David, were in the audience, which of course made it even more special. 

No food pictures, no monuments, no star sightings, no just one happy husband and father.

Do I look happy? With my son and wife, how could I not be happy?

If you would like to be a member of Team Reiss please use the link below.  If you are a regular donor, don’t worry your email will be on its way very soon.  If you are new to the fight please accept my thanks in advance and if you don’t receive an email please contact me.

Join me in helping end Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (see the link below)

https://takesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/participant/TeamReiss

ACP in NOLA Day #2 “More Food”

by reissmd, posted in New Orleans, New Orleans (NOLA)

Today I started the ACP conference and Patrice toured the city.  She definitely got the best of the deal.  For example I started my day with a talk about pains in the butt.  That was my highlight.  In all sincerity the talk was very informative and gave me some tips that will help me assist my patients.  I hesitated writing that knowing that someone will make some butt jokes at my expense.  Go ahead I can take it.  The rest of the talks were just okay. Patrice on the other hand took a city tour.  Here is the one picture she sent me.

Caesar’s Palace Casino? Do I need to keep a closer eye on this woman?

The afternoon lectures were okay but none were as good as the 7:00 AM Butt lecture. In addition to going to the didactic sessions we have time to go to the the exhibit hall where all sorts of companies are looking to sell their products to doctors. There are electronic medical records companies, drug companies, and a variety of companies looking to hire doctors. I stopped at one of the booths to talk to a recruiter. I cut to the chase, “Would you consider hiring a doctor of my age?” The rep enthusiatically said, “Yes, yes!”. So we had a conversation and I think we might have a deal. I really liked the look of their booth. What do you think?

I later asked if they knew who their oldest primary care physician was at UCLA. They did not, so I told him it was me.

In addition to looking for a job I was availed some health food in the Exhibit Hall. After all this is the meeting for the nation’s elite internal medicine specialists, of course we eat healthy.

Delicious brownines. Not up to Patrice’s quality. But how would I know, did I eat one? No, I ate two.
Hmmm, maybe this is why I’m so thirsty.

That’s enough about food. Well maybe not.

Tonight’s dinner was at GW Fins (808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112). It was recommended by my friend Andy, who said he had the best meal of his life there. Andy is from Fresno. Should I have been worried?

The restaurant is in the French Quarter and they had a modest dress code (men required to wear collared shirts). They started us off with biscuits. They looked very plan but beleive me they were anything but.

Very tasty biscuits.

Patrice and I both ordered the Scalibut.  Seems like this day started with a lecture about butts and ended with us eating two. The Scalibut dish was Shrimp, scallops, halibut, and risotto.  Also with a few peas to fool you into to thinking you’re eating healthy.

This was amazing and gone in a flash.

I don’t know about you “butt” I’m exhausted. Talk to you tomorrow.