Teens and the Era of Legalization

29 states and Washington, D.C. now allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, recreational use or both. Sheryl Ryan, M.D., FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Committee on Substance Abuse was one of the authors of a report titled “Counseling Parents and Teens About Marijuana Use in the Era of Legalization of Marijuana,” which outlines why a relaxed attitude about the drug is dangerous and how parents should address the topic. She said marijuana is an addictive drug that can cause abnormal changes as teens’ brains develop.

Concussions in Female Athletes

James Noble, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City was the co-author of a recent study that found that female athletes appear to be significantly more likely than men to suffer concussions. He noted that once concussions occur, men and women experience them in very similar ways. He also discussed why most media attention on concussions seems to focus on men, despite the greater risk to women.

Volunteer Fire Fighters

Heather Schafer, CEO for the National Volunteer Fire Council said volunteers make up 80% of all fire services across the United States. She said the call volume in recent years has tripled, but volunteer fire departments are struggling to find younger recruits. She said younger people have less spare time to volunteer than previous generations. She outlined the many benefits of volunteering.

Dr. Sheryl Ryan

Sheryl A. Ryan, MD, is a pediatrician who specializes in treating adolescents with eating disorders and mental health problems. She also sees adolescent patients with weight loss, obesity and gynecological issues. She tells new patients, “I will work with you to find answers to your questions, and if I cannot, I will find someone who can.”



In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Ryan serves as section chief of adolescent medicine, professor of pediatrics (adolescent medicine) and associate clinical professor of nursing at Yale School of Medicine. She focuses her research on substance abuse in adolescents and young adults, prevention of marijuana use by young people and the impact of prenatal marijuana use on adolescent development.

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Dr. James Noble

Dr. James Noble is a neurologist in New York, New York and is affiliated with New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell. He received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years. Dr. Noble accepts several types of health insurance, listed below. He is one of 134 doctors at New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell who specialize in Neurology.

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