Opinion EditorialAn opinion editorial (Op/Ed) is derived from the fact that these essays appear in the section of a
newspaper reserved for opinion pieces. Outsiders, that is, people not employed by the
newspaper, generally write opinion pieces. These can be local experts in a subject area, a local
reader—civic or political, or a syndicated columnist. Keep in mind these are the personal
opinions of the writer.
Tips for writing an Opinion Editorial:
Here are some tips and pointers:
•
The nature of an opinion/editorial piece requires that it argues something: that something
is or is not so, is or is not worthy, somebody should or should not do something. If you
are not arguing any of the above, an op/ed can also predict the outcome of certain events:
what will occur if a political figure does or does not take action on an issue, etc.
•
Op/eds MUST have a thesis. This sentence is what will be pitched to an editor to
convince them to print your article. If it does not have a thesis, there is no main idea to
pitch to the editor.
•
Op/eds are traditionally between 700 and 800 words, but most editors say that the shorter
the piece is, the better. With space at a premium in all national publications, a shorter
piece is much more likely to run.
•
Construct a short, compelling introductory sentence. The lead-in should encapsulate the
idea of the piece and instantly engage the reader. Most editors judge introductions by this
rule of thumb: the piece has less than 23 seconds to interest the reader. If your first
paragraph does not grab them, they will not stick around long enough to finish reading
the article.
•
A good op/ed will offer proof that supports the opinion of the author. Proof can be
introduced in the form of statistics (with a webpage or other resource where they can be
checked), expert testimony (with the book and page number where they can be found),
or personal experience.
Do not be afraid to let your personality show in your article. Remember that your piece is not
just words on a page; people will read the article if they feel they are hearing from a real person
they can identify with. Come up with a good last line. Come to some sort of conclusion, even if
the conclusion is that the outcome of an issue will be uncertain.
References are required; a title page is not required for this assignment. See example provided.
Component and the
Recommended Value
Exceeds Standards
Meets Standards
Does Not Meet
Standards
Understanding of the
Problem 10 points
Describes the problem
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Describes the problem
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Does not describe the
problem clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Key Aspects:
• The need to create a
policy on healthcare in
response to
Congressional action
• The need to write a
persuasive op-ed piece to
convince the public of
the wisdom of the
policy.
Thesis 10 points
• Your basic argument,
which does not have to
be explicitly stated, but
should be clear and
original. A focused
thesis also makes it
easier for you to keep the
piece within the tight
guidelines usually
required, gauging which
supporting statements or
evidence are most
pertinent to your central
claim.
Solution to the problem
is completely consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem have not been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Describes the thesis
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Thesis is completely
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
thesis have not been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Solution to the problem
is generally consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
Describes the thesis
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Thesis is generally
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
thesis have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of
the healthcare policy.
Solution to the problem
is not consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
problem may have been
altered and/or facts
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Does not describe the
thesis clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Thesis is not consistent
with the scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the thesis
may have been altered
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
Evidence 5 points
• The support you use to
back up the claims of
your argument, this can
be drawn from: statistics
(from credible sources,
government reports,
etc.), case studies and
anecdotes, historical or
international precedent,
expert findings, judicial
inquiries, authoritative
texts (peer reviewed
Describes the evidence
clearly, accurately and
completely in terms of
all key points
Evidence supports the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
evidence
have not been altered
and/or facts “made up”
to avoid grappling with
Describes the evidence
clearly and accurately in
terms of all key points
Evidence is generally
consistent with the
scenario as presented;
the parameters of the
evidence have not been
altered significantly
and/or facts “made up”
Does not describe the
evidence clearly or
accurately in terms of
some or all key points
Evidence is not
consistent with the
scenario as
presented; the
parameters of the
problem may have been
altered and/or facts
research, etc.), polling
data, personal
interviews, testimonials,
eye witness reports,
other credible and/or
disinterested sources,
personal experience, or
logic.
key aspects of the
healthcare policy.
to avoid grappling with
key aspects of
the healthcare policy.
“made up” to avoid
grappling with key
aspects of the healthcare
policy.
Writing is highly
persuasive; it defends
the policy with precise
and relevant evidence
Writing is generally
persuasive; it defends
the policy with relevant
evidence
Writing is not
persuasive; it does not
defend the policy with
relevant evidence
Writing is in the proper
Op-Ed piece style; uses
non-technical language;
tone is entirely
appropriate to the
audience
Writing is in the proper
Op-Ed piece style; uses
non-technical language;
tone is generally
appropriate to the
audience
Writing is not in the
proper Op-Ed piece
style; may use technical
language; tone
is not appropriate to the
audience
Writing is free of
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are well
organized and clearly
understandable.
Writing has few
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are for the most
part organized and
understandable.
Writing has several
significant errors in
mechanics and grammar;
ideas are not clearly
organized and/or
understandable.
Quality of Writing 15
points
• Many of the writing
mistakes that professors
allowed at the
undergraduate level are
not tolerated at the
graduate level.
• Graduate level writing
is free of grammatical
errors, concise, and
clear.
• Graduate level writing
demands increased
scholarship to support
your points adequately
from the academic and
professional literature.
1
Opinion Editorial
Well, it finally happened. After years of instability and name changes, our hospital finally
closed. As many of you know, Mercy Health also closed their family medicine and urgent care
center along with the hospital in a matter of 60 days. Despite this, Healthcare One and our 16
nurse practitioners are still here, and we have enjoyed welcoming many of the Mercy Health
patients to our practice. Now I am sure that many of you have seen our parking lot and wondered
what kind of sale we were having: two for one x-ray day, sore throat Saturday, or buy two
COVID tests and get the third one free. If only we could convince insurance companies to play
along! Nonetheless, we have some big plans that we will be sharing with you soon about an
expansion, and yes, it does include the parking lot. But first, I wanted to take a minute to ask for
your help.
Since I started Healthcare One 11 years ago, we have lost 19 healthcare providers in our
community due to retirement, relocation, or death. Our only long-term practicing physician is
now in his late 70s. In addition, three primary care clinics also have closed in our community.
Currently, western Canadian County is designated as a primary care shortage area and has been
so for at least the last 11 years (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [RWJF], 2020). Yet,
Healthcare One has grown to 16 nurse practitioners and continues to provide family and urgent
care 365 days a year. Let me be clear, this is not a bragging point or advertisement for our
facility. Instead, I want to make you aware of some important legislation that is pending at the
state capital that is crucial for Healthcare One to continue to care for you and your family.
Senate Bill 478 (SB478) will provide nurse practitioners full practice authority. SB478
ensures that El Reno and the surrounding communities will have continued access to quality,
affordable primary care. If passed, the bill would eliminate cumbersome and costly physician
2
collaboration agreements. Doing so would allow Healthcare One to grow, thus providing better
care for you, your family, and the community. Oklahoma would join 23 other states who have
already implemented full practice authority, which would increase access to care for thousands
of Oklahomans. Groups such as the Institutes of Medicine, AARP, INTEGRIS Health, Mercy
Health, and SSM Health all support Senate Bill 478 (Association of Oklahoma Nurse
Practitioners [AONP], 2020; Institute Of Medicine [IOM] & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
2011; Smith, 2014). SB478 would allow Healthcare One practitioners to be covered on more
insurance plans and would enable your nurse practitioner to be listed as the primary care
provider on others. The bill also provides better access to care for Oklahoma Medicaid patients
(Oklahoma Health Care Authority [OHCA], 2021). SB478 will give you and your family better
access to care and will allow us to grow to meet the community’s needs.
So, this is where I need your help! Call State Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator
Lonnie Paxton and ask them to vote “Yes” on SB478. They need to hear from you, our patients.
Let them know how vital your nurse practitioner is to you and your family’s health. Let them
know how Healthcare One’s nurse practitioners work with the schools in our community. Tell
them to ignore special interest groups that want to stop SB478. Your call and your story matter.
You can reach Representative Baker at (405) 557-7311 and Senator Paxton at (405) 521-5537.
Please take time to call them today and ask them to vote “Yes” on SB478. I look forward to
seeing you soon and, as always, stay healthy and call me if you need me.
With gratitude,
___________, APRN, CNP
Family Medicine
3
References
Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners. (2020). Full practice authority for Oklahoma
nurse practitioners [Talking Points].
https://doi.org/https://cdn.ymaws.com/npofoklahoma.com/resource/resmgr/docs/toolkit_p
dfs/AONP_WP_Full_Practice_Autho_.pdf
Institute Of Medicine & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2011). The future of nursing:
Leading change, advancing health (1st ed.). National Academies Press.
Oklahoma Health Care Authority. (2021). Provider fast facts [Data set].
https://doi.org/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okhca/docs/research/data-andreports/fast-facts/2021/january/Provider_FF_202101.pdf
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2020). County health rankings state report 2020 [Report].
https://doi.org/https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/reports/state-reports/2020oklahoma-report
Smith, S. (2014). Nurse practitioners fill the gap. AARP The Magazine.
Melanoma Opinion Editorial
I always knew I had a lot of moles, marks, and freckles on my skin. As a child, I would
play “connect the dots” on my thigh with a pen while I waited for my parents to do their boring
adult tasks. In kindergarten, I recall wondering why I had so many of these marks compared to
the other children. My mother beautifully explained that these were all the places the angels had
kissed me in heaven before I was born. After her loving motherly explanation, I gave little
thought to my moles – until one day at the dermatologist’s office (for another issue), the
physician assistant (PA-C) harshly grabbed my hand and pulled it closer to her. She pointed to
my forearm and remarked about how many moles I had and how sun damaged my skin was. She
asked when my last mole check had taken place. Learning the answer was “never” she shrieked
to her assistant to ensure I was scheduled.
After my second annual skin exam, at age 33, I have been given the diagnosis of
melanoma. Embarrassingly at the day of biopsy, I believed the PA-C was being overly cautious,
even greedy about collecting payment. I now feel ashamed for how moronically carefree I was.
Thankfully, my melanoma is stage 0, known as melanoma in situ. This means there is no
evidence that the cancer has spread (American Cancer Society, 2019). There is very little risk of
recurrence or metastases. However, hearing the “C” word at age 33 gets anyone’s attention.
To atone for my ignorance, I want everyone to know the risk factors. For me, my angel
kisses put me at risk. Having more than 50 normal moles is associated with a higher risk of
developing melanoma (AIM at Melanoma Foundation, 2020). My blue eyes and fair skin with a
tendency to burn in the sun puts me at risk. Family history, my aunt with diagnosis, increases my
risk. Of course, sun exposure, a history of sunburns, and exposure to artificial ultraviolet (UV)
light places a person at higher risk. I know as an adolescent that loved the outdoors; I had many
sunburns. I am ashamed to say that I even frequented a tanning salon in high school. Although I
knew sun exposure and tanning beds could cause skin cancer, it felt like a hazy, far-fetched idea
swirling in the nebula as I darkened for prom.
The reality is that melanoma, although the least common skin cancer, is the most deadly
(American Cancer Society, 2021). Of the estimated 207,390 cases which will be diagnosed this
year, 7,180 will die. Melanoma is the third most common cancer for men and women, like me, in
the 20-39 age bracket (American Cancer Society, 2020). It is the fifth most common cancer for
across all age groups and genders. In the last 30 years, the percentage of people with a melanoma
doubled. This begs the question: What can we do?
Early detection of melanoma is extremely important (American Cancer Society, 2021).
Thankfully, if caught early, melanoma like mine is highly curable. However, compared to other
nonmelanoma skin cancers, it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. This
underscores the importance of monthly self-skin exams, preferably completed with the help of a
partner. Moles should be monitored. Any changes or new spots on the skin should be promptly
evaluated by a clinician.
Although many risk factors for skin cancer is out of one’s control, the link between
indoor and outdoor tanning is clear (American Cancer Society, 2021). Your risk of developing
melanoma increases greatly with a history of sunburns and excessive exposure to UV radiation.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified tanning beds as
“carcinogenic to humans” (El Ghissassi et al., 2009). Sadly, more people will be diagnosed with
skin cancer from their use of indoor tanning devices than will develop lung cancer from cigarette
smoking (Wehner et al., 2014). Thankfully, in the state of Pennsylvania, use of a tanning bed is
illegal for minors under the age of 16 (Pennsylvania Department of Health, n.d.). More states
should enact similar legislation. Social media campaigns could also target a broader audience for
prevention and screening efforts.
Take it from me or the American Cancer Society (2021): stay out of the sun, wear
protective clothing, and use sunscreen regularly. Support legislation that bans tanning beds,
especially for minors. Educate your children and other family members. Know your risk factors.
Check your angel kisses monthly. Watch for changes to your moles, freckles, and other spots. If
there are any concerns, contact your dermatologist’s office. Heed this advice no matter your age.
Yours truly, thankful at stage 0, age 33.
References
AIM at Melanoma Foundation. (2020). Melanoma risk factors.
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-101/understanding-melanoma/melanomarisk-factors/
American Cancer Society. (2019, August 14). Early detection, diagnosis, and staging.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosisstaging/melanoma-skin-cancer-stages.html
American Cancer Society. (2020). Cancer facts & figures: 2020.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-andstatistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2020/cancer-facts-and-figures-2020.pdf
American Cancer Society. (2021). Cancer facts & figures: 2021.
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-andstatistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2021/cancer-facts-and-figures-2021.pdf
El Ghissassi, F., Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., Bouvard, Benbrahim-Tallaa, L.,
Guha, N., Freeman, C., Galichet, L., & Cogliano, V. (2009). A review of human
carcinogens-part D: Radiation. The Lancet Oncology, 10(8), 751-752. https://doi.org/
10.1016/S1470-2045(09)70213-X
Pennsylvania Department of Health. (n.d.). Indoor tanning.
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/Pages/Tanning.aspx
Wehner, M. R., Chren, M. M., Nameth, D., Choudhry, A., Gaskins, M., Nead, K. T., Boscardin,
W. J., & Linos, E. (2014). International prevalence of indoor tanning: A systematic review
and meta-analysis. Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, 150(4), 390–400.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.6896
Opinion: More Than Ever, We Must Prioritize the Mental Health and Well-being of Children.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the lives of families across the
country and left many adults feeling stressed, anxious, and struggling to cope. It has also put the
mental health of our youngest and most vulnerable at risk. Now, three months into the pandemic,
youth are experiencing further stress and trauma, as our country grapples with another profound
crisis: the murder of George Floyd and the pervasive pattern of police brutality and systemic
racism against Black Americans that has led to a wave of protests and calls for action against
discrimination across the U.S.
As we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a collective
responsibility to keep the well-being of children and youth at the forefront of our response and
recovery. We must also recognize racism, discrimination, and race-based violence creates
additional stress and trauma for youth, exacerbating the already significant challenges that youth
of color have experienced during the pandemic, and threatening to further widen existing mental
health inequities impacting communities of color.
At a time of year when children and youth would typically be attending their last days of
school, celebrating graduations, and making plans for summer break, they are instead navigating
a difficult new normal. For many, this period brings stressors that can contribute to new mental
health issues or a worsening of existing ones. Some youth may be experiencing fears of illness or
death for themselves or a family member, or grief associated with the loss of a loved one. These
stressors are heightened for youth in communities of color, which have suffered
a disproportionate number of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Youth may still be adjusting to
the abrupt changes in their daily routine and finding it difficult to function without the structure
that a traditional school day provides. Social isolation and lack of peer support also pose
challenges. Youth miss opportunities to connect with their friends and classmates—even in
simple, informal hallway conversations—and the need for visual and physical connection seems
to be growing. Youth may also be experiencing grief over a lost sense of important school
rituals, like prom, sports events, or graduation. Some youth may also have limited access to
school- or community-based services or supports that they previously relied upon. (And while
we focus our comments here on older youth, who too often face negative stereotypes and
insufficient supports, younger children face challenges, too, as they attempt to process intense
emotions about a situation that is difficult to understand.)
For vulnerable youth, such as those in low-income families, the list of challenges goes
on, and the potential impact compounds. Youth may have parents or caregivers who have
experienced job losses, and they may be worried about their families being able to afford basic
necessities, such as food and ongoing shelter. Others may have parents or caregivers who
continue to work out in the community—many in low-wage positions—and fear for their health
and safety as they do so. Some youth may have family members who lack access to regular
health care or cannot afford prescriptions for ongoing treatment for hypertension, diabetes, or
other conditions that pose a higher risk for complications of COVID-19 infection. Older youth
may be struggling to meet their own needs while helping provide care for younger siblings. In
addition, some youth lack access to the computers and internet service needed for even basic
engagement with school and learning, further isolating them from their peers and social support
system.
As youth struggle to cope with these ongoing challenges brought on by COVID-19, they
are now also processing news of the violent murders of George Floyd and other Black
Americans, the country’s reaction, and the impact on themselves, their families, and their
communities. Many are experiencing a range of intense emotions, from grief to anger to
hopelessness, to hopefulness about the possibility for real change, to name just a few, with
limited access to the support they need to process these complex feelings.
With increasing stress comes increasing risk for mental health symptoms, or reoccurrence
of symptoms, at a time when there are fewer options for getting simple supports that can help
lower stress levels. When our homes have increased stress, the chances of depression or
substance use rise, as does the possibility of abuse or violence at home. These are all factors
identified as potential Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and we know from many studies
of ACEs that when young people have these early experiences, they face increased risk of
lifelong morbidity or mortality.
Adults are no doubt experiencing our own challenges right now. Nevertheless, it is
imperative that we recognize these potential mental health impacts on the next generation and
take proactive steps to mitigate them. We can do this at multiple levels.
Across the country, leaders and policy makers can increase investments in, and use their
voices to promote, early mental health screenings and interventions, resiliency and wellness
efforts, suicide prevention programs, and strategies that create positive connections for young
people.
There are ways to do this now, even with schools closed and communities in varied
stages of re-opening. Additional school and community program staff might be trained in
screening and early identification models to help identify young people at current risk and link
them to supports online or over the phone. We can continue to promote stress management
through educating youth about the value of exercise, breathing, self-monitoring, and connection.
It is important now to help youth connect with one another online in supportive informal
dialogue through shared activities and buddy networks, or in more formal check-in structures
through schools, clubs, community centers, and other networks. We can also increase awareness
of online tools, whether websites or apps, for support and community connection for mental
health and well-being.
When schools begin to reopen, we will need to implement more formal structures for
mental health screening in schools and community settings. Stigma remains a significant barrier
to accessing mental health care, so we need to expand mental health awareness and stigmabusting programs, such as Bring Change to Mind and NAMI high school. We can expand socialemotional learning programs to help build wellness and resilience, and bring in evidence-based
trauma-focused treatment and suicide prevention programs, like CBITS and Sources of Strength.
We must also support school districts and behavioral health care agencies in working together
locally, to ensure that when schools reopen, students will have the mental health services they
need on campuses and in their communities. These could include more individual and group
mental health services at school-based health centers, or bringing additional mental health
providers onto campuses to provide screenings, interventions, and referrals. This might also
include community-based one-stop shops for young people that provide integrated youth mental
health programs, such as the developing allcove program in California, Foundry in British
Columbia, or headspace in Australia, all with strong youth connections back to schools and
employment settings.
Across all of these strategies, policymakers and leaders must recognize, acknowledge and
address the deep inequities that already exist in access to mental health care for youth of color,
and the many ways that communities of color, especially Black youth in this moment, are
experiencing disproportionate negative impacts from these crises. Efforts to increase mental
health supports and services must specifically focus on expanding access and reducing structural
barriers to care for Black youth. These efforts should also leverage research from the National
Child Traumatic Stress Network and other organizations regarding best strategies for addressing
the traumatic impact of racism and exposure to violence on youth. We must also invest in
creating and expanding mental health career pipelines for people of color, to ensure that the
community of pediatric mental health providers reflects the diversity of the children and youth
they serve.
As parents, caregivers, educators, or other supportive adults in the lives of youth, we can
help by being aware of the heightened challenges many youths are facing, listening to what they
are saying and experiencing, and responding to their requests for support on their terms. We
should also help our youth navigate the sometimes challenging process of seeking and accessing
mental health care.
Our young people are the future of our country. They need our focus and support through
this time of unprecedented isolation, fear, conflict, and confusion. We must not lose sight of the
fact that the period from age 12 to 25 remains a critical time of brain development and
maturation. Both the experiences our young people face now and the supports they receive from
us in coping with and navigating these challenges will have profound impacts on their abilities to
be successful adults, parents, and citizens for years to come. By making the investment of
support, commitment, and care for our youth right now, we will be building the foundation for a
hopeful and viable future.
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