Deb Balzer (@DebBalzer)
Deb Balzer is a Senior Communications Specialist at Mayo Clinic. She began her career as a TV news producer in Rochester, NY, before joining CONUS Communications, a pioneering national news satellite organization. She also field produced for ABC, CNN, the Rachael Ray Show and Farmers’ Almanac TV. Joining Mayo Clinic in 2015, Deb writes, produces and collaborates on medical stories with Mayo Clinic’s leading experts, providing trusted health and medical information to help patients.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a progressive group of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that make it hard to breathe. Millions of[...]
A new COVID-19 variant called B.1621, or mu, by the World Health Organization is being monitored by scientists. While this variant is making news, it is[...]
Vaccination remains the best protection from COVID-19 infection. Like most vaccines, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not 100% perfect. But if vaccinated people do get[...]
More cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses continue to be reported as the geographic range of ticks expands in North America. A changing[...]
The emergency use authorization for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines has been updated to include a third dose for moderately or severely immunocompromised people[...]
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, continues to offer COVID-19 vaccination walk-in clinics for patients, visitors and staff. Anyone 12 and older can attend these walk-in[...]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved emergency use authorization (EUA) for a third COVID-19 vaccine dose or booster shot of the Pfizer and[...]
Due to the continued spread of the highly contagious delta variant, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. will reinstitute visitor policy restrictions in inpatient and outpatient[...]
Children are heading back to the classroom and many parents have questions about their kids wearing face masks to protect them from COVID-19. Are they safe?[...]
The delta variant is now believed to be responsible for more than 80% of the new COVID-19 infections diagnosed in the U.S. But to be[...]
The number of COVID-19 infections, mostly with the delta variant, continues to rise, especially in parts of the U.S. where vaccination rates are low. Dr.[...]
It's inspiring to watch the best athletes in the world compete for the gold. Unlike Olympians, most people aren't battling for the title of best[...]