Dr. Glaucomflecken

Last updated
Dr. Glaucomflecken
Birth nameWilliam E. Flanary
Born1985or1986(age 38–39) [1]
Medium
  • Social media
Education Texas Tech University
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Genres
Subject(s)
Website glaucomflecken.com
Medical career
ProfessionPhysician
Field Ophthalmology
InstitutionsEyeHealth Northwest

William E. Flanary is an American comedian and ophthalmologist who performs under the stage name Dr. Glaucomflecken. He lives in Portland, Oregon and practices in various locations in nearby Clackamas County. Since 2016 he has become well known for making and uploading medical satire skits on Twitter, TikTok and YouTube. [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Flanary grew up in Houston, Texas. He was educated at Texas Tech University, [4] where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in cell and molecular biology. While attending Texas Tech, he met his wife, Kristin. He then enrolled at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, where he discovered his interest in ophthalmology. [5] While attending Dartmouth, he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha.

It was also while he was a medical student at Dartmouth that he was first diagnosed with testicular cancer (specifically, a highly curable stage 1a seminoma) at the age of 25. He then had surgery to remove the testicle that had the tumor on it. [2] [6] After graduating from Dartmouth, he completed his residency at the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2017. [7]

During his third year of residency, Flanary was diagnosed with testicular cancer again. This time the diagnosis was a stage 1b seminoma, and he had surgery to remove his remaining testicle, followed by androgen replacement therapy consisting of a weekly self-administered injection of testosterone. (He has joked, "It's so easy even an ophthalmologist can do it.") By this point, he and his wife had two children. [2]

In May 2020, Flanary suddenly went into cardiac arrest in his sleep. His wife performed CPR on him for 10 minutes before paramedics arrived and resuscitated him. He told CTV News in January 2022 that he still did not know the reason that he went into cardiac arrest. [8]

Work with First Descents

Since 2017, Flanary has raised money for the non-profit organization First Descents, which provides outdoor experiences to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. He had raised over US$100,000 for the organization as of January 2022. He has described his own experiences using the organization after being diagnosed with cancer as "a lifeline". [6] [8]

Dr. Glaucomflecken

Flanary created the Dr. Glaucomflecken Twitter account in 2016 out of boredom at a research conference. The account is named after glaukomflecken, a sign of acute angle-closure glaucoma. [9] As of June 2022, his Twitter account had over 573,000 followers, and his TikTok account had over 1.5 million followers and over 58 million total likes. At the time, Flanary told CTV News, "If I’d known that it would turn into this I would have chosen an easier name to say. Honestly, it's surreal." [8] His videos frequently satirize tropes or stereotypes found among different medical specialties. [10] [11] Flanary's videos have amassed popularity in the medical community. [12]

He has received many speaking opportunities since revealing himself as the creator of Dr. Glaucomflecken, including as the commencement speaker for the graduating class of Yale School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in May 2022 and University of Michigan Medicine in May 2024 . [6] [8] [13]

According to Robert D. Putnam and Céline Gounder, comedians like Flanary are "leveraging irony and exaggeration to expose the ills of the American healthcare system and the lunacy of global COVID vaccine inequity." [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophthalmology</span> Field of medicine treating eye disorders

Ophthalmology is a clinical and surgical specialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. A former term is oculism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicle</span> Internal organ in the male reproductive system

A testicle or testis is the male gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testicles are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testosterone. Testosterone release is controlled by the anterior pituitary luteinizing hormone, whereas sperm production is controlled both by the anterior pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadal testosterone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular cancer</span> Medical condition

Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. Symptoms may include a lump in the testicle or swelling or pain in the scrotum. Treatment may result in infertility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryptorchidism</span> Medical condition

Cryptorchidism, also known as undescended testis, is the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. The word is from Greek κρυπτός 'hidden' and ὄρχις 'testicle'. It is the most common birth defect of the male genital tract. About 3% of full-term and 30% of premature infant boys are born with at least one undescended testis. However, about 80% of cryptorchid testes descend by the first year of life, making the true incidence of cryptorchidism around 1% overall. Cryptorchidism may develop after infancy, sometimes as late as young adulthood, but that is exceptional.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epididymitis</span> Medical condition

Epididymitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the epididymis, a curved structure at the back of the testicle. Onset of pain is typically over a day or two. The pain may improve with raising the testicle. Other symptoms may include swelling of the testicle, burning with urination, or frequent urination. Inflammation of the testicle is commonly also present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular self-examination</span>

Testicular self-examination (TSE) is a procedure where a man examines his own testicles and scrotum for possible lumps or swelling. It is usually undertaken at home while standing in front of a mirror and after having a warm bath or shower. Monthly self-examination of the testicles starting at puberty may be an effective way of detecting testicular cancer at an early, potentially treatable stage, which can lead to a 5-year survival rate of 98%. In men aged 15 to 40, testicular cancer is the most common cancer, and the annual rate of increase over the last 10 years in cases of testicular cancer has been shown to be approximately 1% each year. Testicular cancer typically presents with a painless testicular swelling or lump or any change in shape or texture of the testicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth</span> Medical school of Dartmouth College

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is the graduate medical school of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. The fourth oldest medical school in the United States, it was founded in 1797 by New England physician Nathan Smith. It is one of the seven Ivy League medical schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testicular atrophy</span> Reduction in the size and function of the testicles

Testicular atrophy is a medical condition in which one or both testicles diminish in size and may be accompanied by reduced testicular function. Testicular atrophy is not related to the temporary shrinkage of the surrounding scrotum, which might occur in response to cold temperature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germ cell tumor</span> Medical condition

Germ cell tumor (GCT) is a neoplasm derived from the primordial germ cells. Germ-cell tumors can be cancerous or benign. Germ cells normally occur inside the gonads. GCTs that originate outside the gonads may be birth defects resulting from errors during development of the embryo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carboplatin</span> Medication used to treat cancer

Carboplatin, sold under the brand name Paraplatin among others, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of forms of cancer. This includes ovarian cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, brain cancer, and neuroblastoma. It is used by injection into a vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Massachusetts, U.S.

Boston Children's Hospital is a nationally ranked, freestanding acute care children's hospital located in Boston, Massachusetts, adjacent both to its teaching affiliate, Harvard Medical School, and to Dana–Farber Cancer Institute. Dana–Farber and Children's jointly operate the Dana–Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center to deliver comprehensive care for all types of childhood cancers. The hospital is home to the largest hospital-based pediatric research program in the world. The hospital features 485 pediatric beds and provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Massachusetts, the United States, and the world. The hospital also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. The hospital uses the Brigham and Women's Hospital's rooftop helipad and is an ACS verified level I pediatric trauma center, one of three in Boston. The hospital features a regional pediatric intensive-care unit and an American Academy of Pediatrics verified level IV neonatal intensive care unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hematocele</span> Medical condition

A hematocele is a collections of blood in a body cavity or potential space. The term most commonly refers to the collection of blood in the tunica vaginalis around the testes, known as a scrotal hematocele. Hematoceles can also occur in the abdominal cavity and other body cavities. Hematoceles are rare, making them harder to diagnose and treat. They are very common especially as slowly growing masses in the scrotum usually in men older than 50 years.

Lawrence Einhorn is an American oncologist at Indiana University School of Medicine. A pioneer in cancer treatment research, Einhorn developed cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens that increased cure rates while minimizing toxic side effects.

Jason Victor Cundy is an English former professional footballer, radio broadcaster and comedian for talkSPORT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children's National Hospital</span> Hospital in D.C., United States

Children's National Hospital is a nationally ranked, freestanding, 323-bed, pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Washington D.C. It is affiliated with the George Washington University School of Medicine and the Howard University College of Medicine. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout the region. The hospital features an ACS verified level I pediatric trauma center, the only one in the District of Columbia. Its pediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care units serve the region. The hospital also has a rooftop helipad for critical pediatric transport.

<i>Its Not About the Bike</i> Book by Lance Armstrong

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life is a 2000 autobiographical book by American cyclist Lance Armstrong with Sally Jenkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmanuel Garcia</span> Canadian baseball player

Emmanuel Garcia is a Canadian former baseball player. He played six years in the minor leagues through 2010, and represented Canada at the Baseball World Cup and the Summer Olympics.

"Medicinal Fried Chicken" is the third episode of the fourteenth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 198th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on March 31, 2010. In the episode, the South Park KFC is replaced by a medical marijuana dispensary, and Cartman gets involved in black market selling the KFC chicken. Meanwhile, Randy Marsh gets a medical referral for marijuana by giving himself testicular cancer, which makes his testicles grow to grotesquely huge proportions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchiectomy</span> Surgical removal of one or both testicles

Orchiectomy is a surgical procedure in which one or both testicles are removed. The surgery can be performed for various reasons:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extracranial germ cell tumor</span> Type of tumor

An extracranial germ cell tumor (EGCT) occurs in the abnormal growth of germ cells in the gonads and the areas other than the brain via tissue, lymphatic system, or circulatory system. The tumor can be benign or malignant (cancerous) by its growth rate. According to the National Cancer Institute and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the chance of children who are under 15 years old having EGCTs is 3%, in comparison to adolescents, a possibility of 14% with aged 15 to 19 can have EGCTs. There is no obvious cut point in between children and adolescents. However, common cut points in researches are 11 years old and 15 years old.

References

  1. ↑ "The internet's funniest doctor is in on the joke". STAT. 2022-03-25. Archived from the original on 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  2. 1 2 3 Pawlowski, A. (2021-11-23). "Doctor who had testicular cancer twice in his 20s urges men to 'check yourself'". TODAY.com . Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  3. ↑ "Ophthalmologist Portland | Dr.William E. Flanary | EHNPC". Eye Health Northwest. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "The internet's funniest doctor is in on the joke". STAT. 2022-03-25. Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  5. ↑ "Dr.William E. Flanary". Eye Health Northwest. Archived from the original on 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Roth, Abigail (2022-02-03). "MD Class of 2022 Selects William Flanary, MD, (aka Dr. Glaucomflecken) as Its Commencement Speaker". Yale School of Medicine . Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  7. ↑ "William E. Flanary, II, MD". University of Iowa . Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Favaro, Avis; Ho, Solarina (2022-01-09). "TikTok star Dr. Glaucomflecken uses humour as prescription in hard times". CTVNews . Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  9. ↑ Cummins, Eleanor (2021-03-10). "How Dr Glaucomflecken Overcame Death to Get Internet Laughs". Medscape . Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  10. ↑ Dickinson, Karen J; Racher, Mary Luann; Jackman, Kimberly; McCallie, Theresa; Marino, Katy; Langford, Timothy; Mustain, W Conan (2022). "Surgical Residents' Perception of Multi-Specialty Learning". Journal of Surgical Education. 79 (6). Elsevier: 1363–1378. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.07.003. PMID   35902349. S2CID   251123876.
  11. ↑ Tracy, Lincoln M (2022). "The Models of Care They Are A-Changin'". British Journal of Pain. 16 (1). SAGE: 4–5. doi:10.1177/20494637221075187. ISSN   2049-4637. PMC   8801681 . PMID   35111308.
  12. ↑ Sanky, Charles; Gentile, Caroline; Ren, Jennifer; Bortnick, Eric; Krieger, Stephen (January 10, 2023). "Education Research: The Inappropriate Consult: Discordant Expectations of Specialty Expertise and Areas for Improvement in Interdisciplinary Resident Education". Neurology: Education. 2 (1). American Academy of Neurology: 2. doi: 10.1212/NE9.0000000000200044 . ISSN   2771-9979. S2CID   255635541.
  13. ↑ "Commencement Speaker | Med Students Gateway". web.archive.org. 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  14. ↑ "How America Can Rebuild the Community Bonds It Needs to Face the Next Pandemic". Time . January 11, 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
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