Lessons from the Hive
In addition to my urology practice, I am an active beekeeper. Beekeeping began as a way to connect my children to our family’s agricultural heritage while producing delicious honey. But over the years, it has grown into a source of valuable life lessons.
As a beekeeper, I’ve observed hundreds of generations of bees grow from tiny eggs into active foragers, encountering both environmental factors that foster healthy colonies and those that lead to collapse. Among these threats is the Varroa Destructor—a tiny, parasitic mite devastating honeybee populations in Michigan.
This parasite attaches to developing bees (larvae), penetrates their exoskeleton, and weakens them by sucking nutrients (hemolymph) from their bodies. Even worse, the wound left by the mite allows viruses and pathogens to invade, further compromising the bee’s health. Weak individual bees lead to vulnerable colonies, and without intervention, colony collapse becomes inevitable.
To combat these challenges, I screen my bees regularly for mites, keep up to date on effective treatments, and intervene with evidence-based solutions when necessary. These practices are essential for maintaining strong colonies—and this experience as a beekeeper has deeply informed how I view broader problems in human health and society.
The Impact of Unaddressed Trauma
In my role as a physician and researcher, I have the privilege of caring for children and young people. Over time, I’ve seen firsthand how exposure to childhood trauma negatively impacts their physical and mental health as they grow. Like the Varroa mites in bees, unaddressed trauma in young people can lead to systemic weakness—affecting not just the individual but the broader community.
One preventable source of childhood trauma is youth and firearm-related violence. In my conversations with young people, I hear the same heartbreaking fears over and over: many are afraid to simply go outside for fear of being shot.
When I share these concerns with adults, their reaction is often disbelief. However, the reality of youth violence is all too clear to these children.
To address these concerns, communities across Michigan have come together to tackle youth violence. Citizens have partnered with the Michigan Office of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Services to share best practices, implement evidence-based prevention programs, and advocate for safer neighborhoods.
A Legislative Responsibility
Despite these efforts, Michigan’s fight against youth violence suffered a major blow this week. The Michigan State House passed a budget proposal eliminating the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Violence Intervention Services and its grant programs.
This decision defies logic. Citizens across the state are crying out for increased funding for youth violence prevention—not cuts. These programs are vital for reducing childhood trauma and violence, and their removal undermines the ongoing progress we’ve made.
A Call to Action
I urge members of the Michigan House of Representatives to reconsider their decision and reflect on the message these cuts are sending to our youth. Eliminating funding for violence intervention programs sends a powerful message to our youth that their fears and their futures are unimportant – and that their voices don’t matter.
As a state, we must do better. Just as I care for my bees and my patients, our leaders must care for the young people who represent Michigan’s future. Addressing youth violence and prevention is not optional—it is a legislative and moral responsibility.
Featured Image Credit: Gilles San Martin
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