Iron Overload: What is Hereditary Hemochromatosis?

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Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is among the most common genetic disorders affecting Americans and is often challenging to diagnose and potentially life threatening. Read more >

TPMG Obstetrics and Gynecology Receives Grant for CenteringPregnancy® Program

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Newport News, VA, November 1, 2018 – TPMG Obstetrics and Gynecology is proud to announce they have been awarded a grant from March of Dimes and Anthem Blue and Cross Blue Shield Foundation. The grant is part of March of Dimes efforts to fight for the health of all moms and babies by reducing premature births and improving maternal and infant health.  The grant will support CenteringPregnancy®, a group prenatal care model that provides invaluable education and care for expectant mothers and babies in Newport News and the surrounding communities.

The CenteringPregnancy® group model of care promotes education and social support by bringing together women in the same stage of pregnancy. Group sessions include individual health assessments followed by facilitated discussion of topics tailored to the group, as well as special interest topics designed to provide education and promote a community of social support amongst the mothers through pre and post-partum stages. Read more

Should You be Getting the Flu Shot?

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Over the years, misconceptions about the influenza vaccine have arisen and spread, with much of the confusion caused by the ever-changing nature of the influenza viruses themselves. Read more >

TPMG Diabetes Prevention Program Receives Full CDC Recognition

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Newport News, VA, October 17, 2018 – TPMG Nutrition Services is proud to announce their Diabetes Prevention Program has received full recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This recognition signifies the quality of the TPMG program and designates that all standards have been met for full CDC recognition.

In the United States, over 30 million people have diabetes and more than 84 million people over the age of 18 have pre-diabetes, according to the CDC.  Diabetes presents not only a significant impact to a persons’ lifestyle and health, but a financial hardship and burden to the individual and healthcare system. Read more

What is a Bunion and How did I get one?

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Bunions Hallux Abducto Valgus (HAV)

What is a bunion and how did I get one? I hear this question almost every day in my office.

A bunion, sometimes referred to as Hallux Abducto Valgus or HAV, is the bump that develops along the big toe joint. Over time the long bone that goes to the big toe starts to shift and protrude out of the skin which can also cause the big toe to go sideways and sometimes under the second toe. Read more

Do You Really Have a Penicillin Allergy? A Virginia Beach Allergist Answers.

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In the United States, 1 in 10 patients are affected by penicillin allergy. And in the hospital, approximately 1 in 4 patients have a penicillin allergy listed on their medical record. If you carry this diagnosis, you are not alone!

What have we learned?

Research has shown that a large majority of these patients are not actually allergic to penicillin. When patients who reported ‘penicillin allergy’ on their chart were tested and challenged with penicillin, meaning a dose is given and the patient is closely monitored, more than 90% were not allergic. And in the United States, less than 1% of the population is truly allergic to penicillin. Read more

Record Number of TPMG Physicians Named Top Doc

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Annual Top Doc votes are in; 81 TPMG physicians received honors

votes are in; 81 TPMG physicians received honors.

For over 15 years, Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Top Docs peer to peer survey has conducted polls in healthcare to identify the physicians who exemplify excellence in their various fields. This year, TPMG has received honors for a record 81 of their physicians.  

Annual Top Doc logo

For more information or to make an appointment, please see the complete list below.

Allergy/Immunology

Ann P. Zilliox, MD

Breast Cancer Surgery

Elizabeth A. O’Neil, MD, FACS

Cardiology

Masood Ahmed, MD, FACC

H. Lee Kanter, MD, FACC

Mrugesh Soni, MD

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Lisa A. Coleman, DO, FACS, FASCRS

Dermatology

Valerie M. Harvey, MD, MPH

Read more

TPMG Welcomes New Chief Medical Officer

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Newport News, VA, July 09, 2018 — Today local area family medicine physician, Steven S. Leblang, MD, will begin providing medical leadership as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG) following the retirement of previous CMO, Jennifer Sharp-Warthan, MD in March 2018.

Steven Leblang, MD TPMG Chief Medical Officer

A member of the Hampton Roads medical community for over 28 years, Dr. Leblang joins TPMG following a successful career in private practice and as a well-respected attending physician and program director at the Riverside Family Medicine Residency Program.

“TPMG has been fortunate to have talented and dedicated physicians serve our organization as medical directors for many years, and we are grateful to have Dr. Leblang join us and continue the legacy of experienced and trusted leadership.” said TPMG President, Scott Banning, MD. Read more

What Causes a Hernia?

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What Causes a Hernia?

Despite the folklore about heavy lifting being the cause of hernias, the reality is that most hernias are the result of a muscle defect or weakness that exists long before the hernia appears.

What is a hernia?

A hernia is caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle and fascia (a tough connective tissue that surrounds the muscle).  The muscle or fascia can be weakened by age, injury, or a previous surgical incision.

While not always the direct cause of hernias, heavy lifting or other strenuous activity that put strain on the abdominal wall or increased pressure can cause a hernia. Read more

What Is A Food Allergy?

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What is a food allergy?

Every day the immune system works hard to keep our body healthy and infection free.  A food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless food protein.  This condition more often occurs in young children, however, food allergy may develop at any age.   Read more