Climbing a high altitude mountain may be possible if you are psychologically prepared and if your body cooperates.   But since I had never climbed a mountain higher than Mt Washington (6,288 feet) in New Hampshire, I had no idea if my body would allow me to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.

My 30-year-old son, however, wanted an adventure. 

Has this ever happened to you:  you call the doctor’s office to make an appointment with your physician, but he or she is not available; instead, you’re offered an appointment with a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant.  “What’s the difference?” you ask.  “Can a nurse practitioner or physician assistant take care of me as effectively as my doctor?” 

For many people, the answer is “yes.”  At Harvard Vanguard, these providers are a vital part of our team-based approach to care,