What Is the Purple Heart?

Medical practitioner Erol Onel possesses diverse experience in reproductive health, urology, oncology, and clinical research. In addition to his current work as vice president of Heron Therapeutics, Dr. Erol Onel is a philanthropist who regularly contributes to organizations such as the American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Purple Heart Veterans.

A medal awarded by the United States Army, the Purple Heart is a military combat decoration. Recipients of the Purple Heart include those injured by enemy weapons, as well as family members of soldiers who die of their wounds in the line of duty or are killed in action.

Recipients of the Purple Heart comprise the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which was formed in 1932. In addition, wives and daughters of Purple Heart recipients are represented by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Both organizations are engaged in social service work for the benefit of veterans’ hospitals as well as hospitalized veterans and veterans in need of assistance. For additional information on the medal and the organizations that represent its recipients, visit www.purpleheart.org.

WWP, USAA, and NFL Treat Vets to Pro Bowl, Super Bowl Experiences

An experienced physician, Dr. Erol Onel serves as vice president of Heron Therapeutics in La Jolla, California. Apart from his day-to-day work, Dr. Erol Onel is a longtime supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

WWP and the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) recently partnered in an effort to serve numerous wounded veterans by giving them the opportunity to take in Pro Bowl festivities and gifted one veteran a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LI. Veterans also had the opportunity to take part in the NFL Experience, in which they were treated to free meals and the chance to meet several players. 

Through a deal with the NFL, USAA and WWP were able to send 50 veterans, as well as their families, to the Pro Bowl game in Orlando. They also provided these former servicemen the chance to network and socialize with other local veterans as a way to help strengthen their support bonds. In his comments, WWP’s CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington thanked the USAA and the NFL for their continued support of wounded veterans. 

For more information about WWP and its efforts to help wounded veterans, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

AHA Report Suggests Meal Timing Impacts Heart Health

Since 2016, Dr. Erol Onel has served as vice president of Heron Therapeutics, where he has spearheaded an effort to get a new non-opioid pain drug to market. Outside of his work life, Dr. Erol Onel supports numerous charitable organizations, including the American Heart Association (AHA).

According to researchers at the AHA, eating breakfast every morning and having a set plan on when to eat meals lead to healthier overall diets and a decreased risk of heart disease. This opinion was published in a recent issue of Circulation, an AHA peer-reviewed journal.

According to Columbia University nutrition professor Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, the time at which a person eats each day can have an impact on heart health, given its effect on the internal clock. While eating healthy foods is still the biggest factor of cardiovascular health, studies have shown that individuals who eat breakfast every morning are less apt to experience high blood pressure or increased cholesterol levels. Conversely, those who do not eat breakfast every day are more likely to be overweight, have poor nutrition, and experience a higher risk of developing diabetes. 

There have yet to be any large-scale studies that track meal timing over significant periods of time, however. Dr. St-Onge said that more research needs to be conducted to confirm how the timing of when a person eats affects his or her health over a long-term period.

Three Simple Wine Pairing Guidelines

Since 2016, Erol Onel, MD, has served as the vice president for Heron Therapeutics. Outside of his work, Erol Onel finds joy in experimenting with different food and wine pairings. 

You do not need to be a wine expert to find a bottle that goes well with your next meal. Follow these three basic guidelines to help find the perfect pairing. 

1. Regional Pairing - While not a die-hard rule, you can usually get away with pairing wine with food from the same region. For example, a nice Chianti is a safe bet for pairing with pasta Bolognese, as both are Italian.

2. Choose a Sweeter Wine - Generally speaking, you want to choose a wine that is sweeter than the meal you serve with it. Pairing wine with sweeter food will often make the wine taste more tart and bitter than it would in a proper pairing. Similarly, you never want to pair a bitter wine with a bitter dish, which will only exacerbate the bitterness of both. 

3. Highlight the Wine - The goal with a wine pairing should be to bring out the wine’s best properties. A sweet red with high tannin can taste even sweeter when paired properly, like with a salty dish. Figure out your wine’s key.

Partnership between Samsung and Boys and Girls Clubs Promotes STEM

A vice president at Heron Therapeutics, Dr. Erol Onel has been working as a pharmaceutical physician for more than a decade. A graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, he is experienced with all phases of clinical development. Maintaining an active community presence outside of work, Dr. Erol Onel donates to several charities, including Boys and Girls Clubs of America, an organization dedicated to helping youth reach their full potential.

Thanks to a partnership with Samsung Electronics America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America promotes youths’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Together, the organizations created the Climate Superstars Challenge. This first-of-its-kind challenge motivates youth to take action to protect the environment. Over the course of seven weeks, members of Boys and Girls Clubs of America participate in sustainability activities, and a single chapter is selected as the grand-prize winner.

The challenge focuses on individuals between the ages of 11 and 13. Now in its second year, it has enjoyed the participation of more than 180 chapters from around the United States. Each weekly activity that each chapter must complete during the competition focuses on a core theme. These themes include reducing waste and conserving water. The specific activities of each chapter are highly creative and can range from interpretive dance videos to hosting a recycle party. Winning chapters receive a technology makeover using ENERGY STAR-certified products.

The AUA Annual Meeting Provides Invaluable Information

An accomplished pharmaceutical physician, Dr. Erol Onel serves as a vice president of Heron Therapeutics in California. In this capacity, he provides scientific leadership to the company and attends meetings to develop clinical plans and strategies. Dr. Erol Onel has been a member of several professional organizations over the years, including the American Urological Association (AUA).

Since 1902, the AUA has been using research and education to promote the highest standards of clinical care. One of the organization’s premier educational and networking events is the AUA Annual Meeting. As the world’s largest gathering of urologists, the AUA Annual Meeting provides attendees with access to groundbreaking research, information about advances in neurological medicine, and details about new guidelines pertaining to the field.

The 2017 AUA Annual Meeting will be the event’s 112th. Scheduled from May 12 to 16, the event will be held in Boston and continue the meeting’s legacy of providing invaluable information to attendees. Urologic health care professionals and urologists from around the world are encouraged to attend. This year’s meeting is expected to feature more programming and educational offerings than meetings in the past, and the organization hopes that attendance will exceed the over 16,000 figure for the 2016 meeting.

The American Heart Association and Go Red for Women

 


Dr. Erol Onel is the vice president of Heron Therapeutics in La Jolla, California. Also a dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Erol Onel gives blood every September 11 as a personal tribute and supports numerous charities, including the American Heart Association (AHA).

The nonprofit AHA is dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke through research and support. The organization is one of the oldest in the nation, founded in 1924, and has been growing ever since. The AHA has many programs and research opportunities to assist in its mission.

One of these programs is Go Red for Women, which advocates for greater awareness of cardiovascular diseases occurring in women. Research has been largely structured around men with heart disease, so information about women with heart disease is lacking. Go Red for Women works to create more options and support for women with cardiovascular diseases. To learn more, visit www.goredforwomen.org.