Tips for Scuba Diving Beginners

Dr. Ezekiel Akande, a graduate of the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, serves as chief executive officer of the Somerset Regional Pain Center headquartered in Somerset, Kentucky. In addition to his work in Eastern Kentucky, Dr. Ezekiel Akande enjoys participating in activities such as deep sea diving.

Before taking to deep waters, beginners interested in scuba diving would be well served to invest a small amount of time and money in a test dive via a scuba class commonly held at resorts or specialized scuba instruction facilities. A course like this acclimates beginners to the critical equipment essential for diving, and having a knowledgeable instructor demonstrating techniques and delivering tips can go a long way to making your first deep sea dive a successful one. Another important aspect of a successful beginning dive is to make sure you’re with a group of individuals you feel comfortable with and that you’re in water conditions conducive for a fun first dive.

The Benefits of ASA Membership

 


The owner and CEO of Somerset Regional Pain Center, Dr. Ezekiel Akande oversees operations and care at one of Eastern Kentucky’s most comprehensive, multi-modal pain centers. Dr. Ezekiel Akande also belongs to numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

Committed to raising the standards of anesthesiology since 1905, the ASA offers its members numerous benefits, including:

- Education - The ASA grants several CME opportunities through its annual meeting and events. Many of its educational activities meet the American Board of Anesthesiology’s requirements for maintaining a Certification in Anesthesiology. Further, members have access to Anesthesiology journal content and guidelines and standards relating to their practices.

- Career Advancement - Members can explore new positions to advance their careers through the ASA Career Center. They are free to join ASA committees and component societies to improve their leadership skills and to network. Meanwhile, members can become involved in quality management by reporting measures or joining the Anesthesia Quality Institute.

- Practice management - To help its members manage their own practices, the ASA maintains its Manual for Anesthesia Department Organization and Management and numerous other resources. Members can find coding resources through the organization, along with business skills programs. These options are often accompanied by a member discount.

IASP North American Pain School Enjoys Successful First Week

Anesthesiologist Dr. Ezekiel Akande cares for patients at the Somerset Regional Pain Center in Somerset, Kentucky. As medical director of pain management, he contributes to patient care at the multi-modal pain center. As part of his professional interest in pain and pain management, Dr. Ezekiel Akande is a member of the International Association for the Study of Pain. 

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) brings together physicians and researchers from all over the world to further the study of pain. The group's efforts facilitate research in its discipline, relying on science to change the way that medicine deals with pain.

In June 2016, IASP partnered with other leading pain-focused organizations in order to create the pioneering program, North American Pain School (NAPS). Based in Montebello, Quebec, NAPS offers a week-long exploration of important topics in pain. The school's inaugural program centered on translational pain research and the ways that researchers can make real changes through their work.

The program received attention in 68 countries during its first week, largely thanks to enthusiastic participants on social media. Though NAPS was limited to 30 attendees, updates from the event reached one million interested followers throughout the week.

NIH Report Recommends Complementary Health Approaches to Pain

Dr. Ezekiel Akande leads the Somerset Regional Pain Center and provides a full range of services to patients across eastern Kentucky. A longstanding member of the American Academy of Pain Management, Dr. Ezekiel Akande stays current on the latest developments in his area of specialization.

A recently published survey by scientists at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), proposes that medications should be only part of the equation in treating chronic pain. Complementary health approaches, including acupuncture, yoga, and tai chi, are also recommended as helping to relieve chronic pain.

The study took in the results of more than 100 randomized controlled trials undertaken throughout the United States over the past half-century. Acupuncture was recommended as useful in treating back pain and knee osteoarthritis, while massage therapy was useful in reducing neck pain. The authors noted that these results help broaden the discussion that primary care providers can have with patients when discussing wellness options.

The Synagogue Church of All Nations and Another Ministry

 



As CEO of Somerset Regional Pain Center in Somerset, Kentucky, Dr. Ezekiel Akande helps patients manage and understand their pain and related symptoms. Outside of his duties in the medical sphere, Dr. Ezekiel Akande regularly contributes to charitable organizations including the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria.

The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is a large and immensely popular Christian church in Nigeria. SCOAN operates a humanitarian arm called Another Ministry. This charitable ministry works to aid the people of Nigeria and meet their unique needs. Much of Another Ministry's work centers on individuals who come from underprivileged backgrounds or live with medical conditions that impact quality of life. The church also reaches out to children who have lost their parents and those who have been widowed in order to make sure their needs are met.

In addition to providing basic aid for people in need, Another Ministry runs a rehabilitation program for Nigerian people who have previously participated in unlawful or unseemly activities. The program helps those formerly in militant groups, or who have taken part in theft or sex work, make new lives through a relationship with God.

AAPM’s Advanced Credential Program

For more than two decades, Dr. Ezekiel Akande has been practicing as an internal medicine physician. Focusing his practice primarily on pain management, he leads Somerset Regional Pain Center in Somerset, Kentucky as CEO and medical director of pain management. Dedicated to staying abreast of changes in the field, Dr. Ezekiel Akande belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pain Management.

Committed to promoting a person-centered model of pain care, the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) provides advocacy, education, and credentialing to professionals in the field. Although the Academy has paused its acceptance of General Credentialed Pain Practitioner examination applications to assess its efficacy, it still maintains its advanced credentialing examination. This 200-question exam is focused on providing advanced practice nurses, physicians, and physician assistants with a solid understanding of treatment and assessment of pain conditions and ethical guidelines of pain management.

The AAPM offers two advanced credentials: Advanced Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management for professionals with a doctoral degree, and Advanced Fellow for professionals with a master’s degree. Applicants of must hold the correct degree for their respective credentials and have at least two years of clinical experience in pain management outside of residency training. They must also have a clinical licenses in good standing, be currently practicing, and have at least 50 hours of completed CME relating to pain management.

Taking the AAPM advanced credential exam costs $250 for the application and $1,000 for the exam fee for members. Non-members must pay fees of $350 and $1,150, respectively.

Staying Safe While Deep Sea Diving

The CEO and medical director of pain management at Somerset Regional Pain Center in Kentucky, Dr. Ezekiel Akande oversees operations at one of the area’s most comprehensive pain centers. When not busy with work, Dr. Ezekiel Akande enjoys spending his time in the water swimming and deep sea diving.

Deep sea diving is an exciting way to experience the expansive sea life that inhabits the world, but it comes with considerable dangers. Below are a few basic safety rules for scuba diving:

- Plan your dive: decide on the time, depth, and area you will be diving in, and then make sure you stick to this plan. Doing so allows your fellow divers to keep track of where you are and alert the proper authorities immediately if something goes wrong.

- Check your gear: before a dive, carefully check all of your gear to make sure it is working properly. Rushing or skipping a check can put you in a life-threatening situation. Further, make sure you know how to use all of the gear you have.

- Breathe normally: many beginning divers make the mistake of holding their breath while underwater, but doing so can cause extreme injury or death. When the air is unable to escape, the alveoli in the lungs rupture and cause damage, so remembering to breathe is crucial.

- Stay in your limits: for many, the point of diving is to have fun. Focus on diving in a location and at a depth at which you are comfortable. Being unable to handle particular diving environments not only makes for a stressful experience but can also put you at higher risk of harm.