Articles written by Hesham Hassaballa


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  • Keep self-care on your summer to-do list

    Hesham Hassaballa|Updated Jul 12, 2023

    According to news reports, this past July 4 was the hottest the Earth has ever been. Here at home, it was indeed hot, but that still did not stop the wonderful Fourth of July parade, which celebrated not only our nation's birth but also our town's 150th year (the Sesquicentennial...one of my new favorite words). Personally, summer is my absolute favorite season: the days are long and bright; the weather is warm; and there is so much opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with...

  • Heat a welcome relief from cold

    Hesham Hassaballa|Updated Jun 22, 2022

    I just can't stand the bitter cold Chicago winters. With each passing year, I am becoming less tolerant of the cold, the wind, the polar vortices, the bone-chilling wind chills and the short, dark days. And so, when the summer rolls around, I bask in the long, sunny days, and I no longer complain about the heat and humidity. 99 degrees with 99 percent humidity and excessive heat warning? Bring it on! 110 degree heat index? Is that all you can do? That said, it has been very...

  • Swing and a miss launch love affair

    Hesham Hassaballa|Updated Jul 21, 2021

    It was a bright June day. Prior to that moment, I had never wielded a golf club in my 31 years of life. It was my turn to tee off, and I stepped up to the golf ball, took my first swing - and missed the ball. Everyone gave me an encouraging nod to try again. I swung again and missed a second time. I could feel the tension growing, and so I hastily swung a third time. I missed yet again. I quickly swung again, and I finally hit the golf ball, which traveled about 10 feet along...

  • Connections critical now more than ever

    Hesham Hassaballa|Updated Aug 5, 2020

    As an ICU physician, I have seen the horrors of COVID-19 up close. I have witnessed firsthand what this virus can do to people, to their bodies, to their spirits and to their families. These patients become frighteningly sick, and they do so frighteningly quickly. In all my years of clinical practice, I have never seen anything like this before. And so, I am a big believer in doing what we can do as individuals to help reduce the spread of this virus. This includes social...

  • Three R's elusive,even on vacation

    Hesham Hassaballa|Updated Sep 20, 2019

    Vacation. It is a time of rest, relaxation and recuperation. It is a time when families can get away and re-strengthen their bonds. It is a time when the rat race of the American lifestyle can be safely left behind and the relaxed lifestyle of other countries and cultures can be embraced. Yeah, right. We are Americans, and we can leave America behind, but the American in us is always strong and manages to shine brightly, even during our vacations. Take my trip to Paris last su...