The Big Sick Star Shana Solomon Receives Home Award From Dr. Cary Presant

    HOLLYWOOD, CA, February 26, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Big Sick is the recipient of the 5th annual HOME Award from Dr. Cary Presant, as the best health-themed movie of the year. Actress Shana Solomon, who played 'Nurse Betty' will accept the award on behalf of the film on March 4, 2018, the night of the 90th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony.

Ms. Solomon's performance will be recognized 'live' on the red carpet at the Roger Neal Style Hollywood Oscar Viewing Dinner at the Hollywood Museum, in Los Angeles, California, moments before the ABC network telecast begins.

Annually Dr. Cary Presant, a world-renowned oncologist, and hematologist honors a film which best illustrates important true-life health issues with the HOME (Health Oriented Motion-picture Excellence) Award. The winning feature film for 2017 is The Big Sick.

"Movies can serve as a source of family discussions, social dialogue, and even political debate," says Dr. Presant. "Health concerns are among the 10 most important issues of our time and are the most critical issues for families facing health and/or medical insurance problems. Portrayals of these issues in movies can serve as catalysts for conversations that can change our attitudes and affect our decisions."

The Big Sick, written, by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon is based on their own personal experiences with a life-threatening illness. The critically acclaimed motion picture is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay after having received multiple nominations in all categories during the 2017-2018 awards season.

"As authentically portrayed in the film, dealing successfully with a serious health issue requires a dedicated support team," reveals Dr. Presant, staff physician at City of Hope. Dr. Presant applauds the film for accurately depicting how treating any illness is a collaborative effort between medical personnel and family, partners, and friends, "In times of crisis, people tend to focus on what is most important. Love and support for a patient should become more important than interpersonal quibbles and conflicts."

According to Dr. Presant, by listening carefully to all of the patient's (Emily Gordon) symptoms, Nurse Betty played a crucial role in determining the accurate diagnosis of treatment. The information was critical in helping the family to make the proper decisions necessary for dealing with the patient's care in the intensive care unit. Dr. Presant notes: "Nurses working closely with a team of physicians help the patient survive the downhill course of a progressive disease that could otherwise be fatal.

Dr. Presant's tips for helping off-screen patients, friends and loved ones:

- Always build a personal empowerment team. This is usually your closest family but may also include friends or support groups from your hospital or church. Work with nurses, doctors, counselors, psychologists, ministers, and/or social workers to overcome any conflicts that might distract from the common goal of providing assistance to the patient.

- Acknowledge the healthcare team includes the patient, family and friends, nurses and physicians, and be an active participant. Dr. Presant's book Surviving American Medicine helps patients determine the appropriate doctors, nurses, and hospitals.

- Nurses in The Big Sick, just like nurses in every good medical center can be instrumental in getting information to the physicians and communicating back to patients and families, so seek out their help. Whenever you see your physician, be sure to report even the most minor symptoms. Since your doctor often has only a few minutes to get your medical history and examine a patient, be certain to have a list of concerns prepared in advance of the physician's visit.

"In 2018 with overburdened medical systems, it is more important than ever for people to get the best health-care team for prevention, treatment, rehabilitations, and cures from their illnesses," says Dr. Presant. He adds, The Big Sick reminds us of the challenges associated with receiving and providing health care. Yet, the hope and positive outcomes which result from making the right decisions is evident. Dedicated nurses and other health professionals are key.

For more on Dr. Presant's previous HOME award winners: http://huff.to/1QoTHwH

ABOUT DR. CARY PRESANT

Dr. Cary Presant is a practicing hematologist and medical oncologist in Southern California. He is currently a staff physician at City of Hope and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Presant's book Surviving American Medicine: How to Get the Right Doctor, Right Hospital, and Right Treatment with Today's Health Care (Foreword by Fran Drescher) enables patients to get the right doctors, right hospitals, and right treatments. It received the "2013 International Book Award" for best book in health. As a grant-awarded scientific researcher, Dr. Presant has written over 400 scientific articles on health care, cancer treatment, personalized medicine, and quality of life in cancer patients. To learn more about Dr. Presant: www.survivingamericanmedicine.com.

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