Hello, all, and how has it become March already?
As March and our winter unfold, the past few weeks brought two events that, in very different ways, remind us how deeply sport connects us: the Winter Olympics on the world stage and, closer to home, the Super Bowl. These moments crossed borders, cultures, and generations—and for us at The Village Doctor, they felt especially personal. They included current and former TVD patients and physicians, reflected our long-standing interest in sports and performance medicine, and highlighted the very human stories of resilience, preparation, teamwork, and recovery that sit behind every great athletic moment. Whether on snow, ice, or turf, these shared experiences have a unique way of uniting us, reminding us what the human body—and spirit—can achieve!
Go #TeamTVD!
Eric
Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, March 2026
Talking to Your Family About Mental Health: This Pediatrician’s Perspective
In my two decades as a pediatrician, I’ve witnessed many changes in children’s health. But nothing has been quite as striking—or as urgent—as what we’ve seen with youth mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms have become increasingly prevalent and severe among children and adolescents, prompting the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health in 2021. And while things are slowly improving, we are not “back to normal.”
Eat Smarter, Protect Your Brain
I’m excited to share something that has genuinely energized me lately—both as a physician and as someone who cares deeply about how we live day to day. One of the voices I’ve been listening to is Annie Fenn, MD, a physician and chef who has been writing and teaching about how food can protect our brains and lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Home Defibrillators
Home Defibrillators are simple devices that can save a life when the heart stops working. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It often strikes without warning—at home, during sleep, or while doing ordinary daily activities. It can be due to a heart attack, which is caused by blocked blood flow which can lead to an abnormal or erratic electrical heart conduction; cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively. When this happens, time is not on your side.
If you’re reading this far, you will know that The Village Doctor has been a proud sponsor of Erik Arvidsson on the US Ski Team as he has been chasing the Olympic dream (see the front of his helmet above!). And you may also know that he has had not one, but two, serious knee injuries in as many years, so that chase has been daunting. But Erik has persevered… The bad news is his dream won’t be realized, at least this time. The good news? A top 20 spot in that world-famous (and notoriously difficult) Hahnenkamm Downhill. Last week Erik reflected on his Instagram:
Twelve months ago, I woke up in a hospital bed and learned that my ACL revision surgery was a success. Tomorrow, I am racing the Hahnenkamm Downhill. When I woke up from that surgery, I wasn’t sure if going through a second ACL rehab in as many years was something I could—or wanted to—do.
But the Olympics motivated me. The dream of calling myself an Olympian pushed me to work harder than I ever had before. It helped me believe in myself when there were so many voices in my head asking if it was all worth it.
The dream was big, and in many ways unrealistic, but I tried. After a grueling rehab, I got back on skis in August, started skiing gates in October, progressed from GS to some Super-G gates, and then suddenly the season was upon us—it was time to race in Beaver Creek.
Was the situation ideal? Certainly not. I would have loved to have been working on my skiing heading into an Olympic season, but instead, I was learning to walk again—again. But I didn’t give up, and 10.5 months after my surgery, I got back into a World Cup DH start gate. I progressed nicely in the training runs and first races of the season, given the circumstances, but ultimately, my performances weren’t enough to earn a spot on this year’s Olympic team.
To say I am devastated would be an understatement. But I am also proud of myself for not giving up on the dream when that would have been the easy choice. I’m going to root for my @usskiteam teammates like crazy, and I know that if I keep my head down and stay patient (and healthy), there will always be another chance.
Thank you to everybody who has stuck with me through the ups and downs. And thank you to my sponsors, @villagedoctor, @edelweissstowe, @girosnow, @head_rebels, and @hestragloves, for never giving up on me.
I’ll keep building and keep charging, but right now the focus is on the @hahnenkammrennen. I’m back for the first time in three years, and I can’t wait to ski this legendary track tomorrow.
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Yours, in health and resilience,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
