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Ask The Expert

What is recovery like after a hip or knee replacement? Juan C. Frisancho, MD
My neighbor had a stroke. What is a stroke? Owen L. Robinson, MD
Do athletes need more protein? Eduardo J. Anogra, MD
What can I do to prevent kidney stones? Kambiz Dardashti, MD, FACS
What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Mojca C. Herman, OTR CHT
I'm thinking of having a full body scan for cancer, should I? - Nora C. KU, MD
How do I keep my baby from getting severly ill with diarrhea and vomitting? Nguyen Nguyen, MD
I've had heart burn for 10 years and used over the counter drugs, is it time to see a doctor? - Norma M. Panitch, MD, FACP
What shoes are good for my feet and stylish? - Eric R. Hubbard, DPM
What are the side effects of acne oral antibiotics and Acutane? Susan Goodlerner, MD
How can I see well without glasses? Matthew L. Hecht , MD
Why does it seem so many people dying from cancer recently? Thyra Endicott, MD
Why do some people need prophylactic antibiotics during dental procedures ? Ramon A. Cukingnan, MD
What is Hepititis C (the silent killer) and should I have myself tested? Edward Piken, MD
Is there a simple fix to correct tired, sagging eye look? Michael P. Falvey, MD
How often should you have an eye exam? Raj U. Dugel, MD
What is an Aoritc Aneurysm? Riad Anoumie, MD
What causes red eyelids? James Bryan, MD, F.A.C.S
What causes cold sores and can they be prevented? Neda Bayat, D.O.
How can I overcome depression? Frank Y. An, MD
After breast cancer are there life style changes that will improve my chances? David Chan, MD
Will diet of extract of pomigranate help my prostrate cancer? Jill Byers, MD
What is the cause of tinnitus and can it be cured? Hakimeh B. Kadivar, MD
What are bone spurs? - Carl R. Wagreich, DPM
What causes blood vessels in the eye to break? Aarchan Joshi, MD

See the Ask the Expert Archives for more answers to your frequently asked medical questions. More archives...
Expert Archives II
List of new board members and officers

Physician Member Profile

Family Practice Physician, Erwin L. Samuelson, M.D., was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At age 18, he competed for and won a full four year NROTC Scholarship, which he declined. He later received a direct commission in the U.S. Naval Medical Corps.

For his last year of medical school, he was awarded a Navy Scholarship. He received full pay and benefits as an ensign. His job was to "go to school." He interned at Naval Hospital in Oceanside, CA, and served a year in an Internal Medicine Residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego.

After he started his practice, he found some old FAA Medical Forms in the office. He called the FAA and asked for some new forms. The regional flight surgeon said "no, we have to appoint you." Dr. Samuelson said, "So appoint me," and he did. Now, you have to wait for someone to die to get on the list for the appointment.

Dr. Samuelson has always done a broad range of Medicine and Family Practice. He has found that Aviation Medicine has been a very nice niche, as well as professionally, very rewarding and satisfying. There are 5,000 Aviation Medical Examiners. The typical examiner does 15-20 per year, and Dr. Samuelson does more than 1,000.

He is the author of "Aviation Medicine, A Survivor's Guide." The FAA Medical Department has suffered staff reductions and budget cuts. It now may take several months to solve a problem which used to take a few weeks, or with a phone call.

Because of his proactive position on behalf of pilots, he was recently featured in the August, 2003 issue of Aviation International News. They even noted his aviation medical website which is: www.leftseat.com/drerwin. Feel free to download the site and give the information to any of your patients who are pilots, or you may contact Dr. Samuelson directly at the number listed below.

The joys of his life are his wife and five children. Alberta Samuelson, M.D., is a graduate of UCLA Medical School, and took her training there in Psychiatry. His children are involved in the following professions: teaching, law, patent law, a juvenile judge, and business in The Advanced Technology Program for the United States Department of Commerce.

On Thursday, December 4th, Dr. Samuelson, along with David Hale, from Pilot Medical Solutions, presented a program at the Torrance Airport. The topic was, "What You Don't Know May Not Hurt You, But May Keep You on the Ground." If you would like more information, please call Dr. Samuelson at (310) 540-0375; fax (310) 540-4645. His office address is 1970 S. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

A survey of the nation’s ten largest hospices shows that less than 20 percent of the dying in our country use hospice care. Even when they do, their length of stay is usually short, two weeks or less. Average lengths of stay are in fact declining.

These patterns hold true for Torrance Memorial Hospice, too. This, in spite of general agreement that early referrals to hospice increase the likelihood of a peaceful, dignified death, one which is less traumatic for the patient and his/her family.

A positive step can be taken toward optimal patient care by ordering a hospice evaluation. Short of a hospice referral, which signifies a change in treatment status, a hospice evaluation can be ordered early, as one of a battery of treatment options. Hospice evaluations increase the patient’s choices enabling the patient and his or her loved ones to better prepare for possible outcomes. Patients acquainted with hospice support personnel feel better, enhancing the doctor/patient relationship.

To order a hospice evaluation or to find out more about the benefits of hospice care, call Torrance Memorial Hospice at 310-784-3739

Physician Member Profile

“If We Can Anticipate, We Can Prepare” By Rev. Brad DeFord, Ph.D., Hospice Chaplain

A survey of the nation’s ten largest hospices shows that less than 20 percent of the dying in our country use hospice care. Even when they do, their length of stay is usually short, two weeks or less. Average lengths of stay are in fact declining.

“If We Can Anticipate, We Can Prepare”
By Rev. Brad DeFord, Ph.D., Hospice Chaplain