About Us – DHF-BG Health Foundation: Together for Better Health
Welcome to the DHF-BG Health Foundation! As the Bulgarian branch of the Dreyfus Health Foundation (DHF), we’ve been working here since 2001 to promote better health. Our core mission is simple yet powerful: To empower individuals, families, and communities with the best possible quality of life. By “better health,” we mean holistic well-being – physical, mental, and social – for everyone in society, at every age and stage. We’re a non-profit organization, focused on innovative and flexible approaches that emphasize personal and group responsibility, fresh ideas, action, and the optimal use of existing resources. Communication and collaboration – locally and internationally – are our key tools to accelerate progress toward better health for all.
The global story of DHF dates back to the 1990s. Its founder, Jack Dreyfus, a Wall Street legend who knew health struggles firsthand, established DHF in 1994. In his book “A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked,” he highlighted the miracles of overlooked drugs. He praised Putnam and Merritt for rediscovering phenytoin in 1937 for epilepsy treatment after 29 years of neglect. Dreyfus believed, “Health is not just about medicine; it’s about individual responsibility and group collaboration.” We bring this philosophy to Bulgaria – partnerships with Pleven University, Rouse-Giurgiu initiatives, Gabrovo workshops… All for better health.
Our Mission: Being a Catalyst
At DHF-BG, our mission is to act as a catalyst in health. That means sparking change, optimizing resources, and generating innovative ideas. We define “better health” broadly: Individual well-being, family harmony, and community prosperity. From chronic diseases like diabetes to post-pandemic mask usage, we take responsibility in every area. Why? Because health is everyone’s business, not just doctors’. Through the Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH) program, we equip participants with problem-solving skills – since 1994 in Bulgaria, 8 workshops have touched thousands of lives.
Our CBH (Communications for Better Health) program spreads knowledge. Since 1997, we’ve partnered with the Library of the University School of Medicine in Pleven (www.vmi-pl.bg). We publish the Bulgarian Health Information Digest, distributing it to individuals, health institutions, regional and university libraries, and even other countries where DHF Global programs (www.dhfglobal.org) are active. These digests are packed with practical info, from diabetes tips to mask guides. We adapt DHF Global’s programs to Bulgaria – the PSBHI (Problem Solving for Better Health Initiative) launched the Pleven Initiative (March 1999), Rouse-Giurgiu Initiative (November 1999), and Gabrovo Initiative (October 2000). These workshops empowered local communities, boosting health awareness by 30% (based on our own research).
Miracles like phenytoin reflect DHF’s spirit. Synthesized in 1908 by German chemist Heinrich Biltz, it was sold to Parke-Davis but forgotten for 29 years. In 1937, Putnam and Merritt discovered its first clinical use in epilepsy – outperforming phenobarbital without sedation, becoming the first anticonvulsant without drowsiness. This property is still used today, primarily for Grand Mal epilepsy and tonic-clonic seizures.
Phenytoin’s power lies in stabilizing cell membranes by reducing sodium conductivity through sodium channels. Beyond epilepsy, it’s used for ventricular arrhythmias, especially those from digitalis toxicity and acute myocardial infarction.
But these are just the tip of the iceberg. Phenytoin is useful for over 50 symptoms and disorders. Here’s a list of some:
Thought, Mood, and Behavior Disorders:
- Psychosis;
- Violent Behavior;
- Alcoholism and Drug Addiction;
- Sleep Disorders;
- Enuresis;
- Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating.
Cardiovascular Disorders:
- Q-T Interval Syndrome;
- Torsade de Pointes;
- Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdose;
- Angina Pectoris;
- Hypertension;
- Atherosclerosis.
Neuromuscular Disorders:
- Chorea Minor (Sydenham’s Chorea);
- Athetosis;
- Dystrophic Myotonia;
- Stiff-Man Syndrome;
- Restless Legs Syndrome;
- Steroid Myopathy;
- Intractable Hiccups;
- Respiratory Myoclonus;
- Palatal Myoclonus;
- Hypocalcemia;
- Tetanus.
Pain Treatment in:
- Trigeminal Neuralgia;
- Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia;
- Migraine;
- Diabetic Neuropathy;
- Tabes Dorsalis;
- Postherpetic Neuralgia.
Healing in:
- Periodontitis;
- Ulcers;
- Burns;
- Epidermolysis Bullosa;
- Pachyonychia.
Other Disorders:
- Diabetic Diarrhea;
- Ulcerative Colitis;
- SIADH;
- Transfusion Reactions;
- Head Injuries and Surgery;
- Glaucomatous Field Loss.
DHF’s New York archive holds over 18,000 documents on phenytoin research. We’re a not-for-profit organization with no financial interest in phenytoin.
For more on this versatile medicine, visit its page on the DHF website: http://www.dhfglobal.org/PHT/pht_1.html
This summary is based on books:
- “A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked” by Mr. Jack Dreyfus, Founder and Sponsor of the Dreyfus Health Foundation;
- “The Broad Range of Clinical Use of Phenytoin” by Dr. Barry H. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Dreyfus Health Foundation; and
- “Pharmacology,” 4th edition, by Dr. Leonard S. Jacob, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology; ISBN 962-356-010-9.
DHF in Bulgaria: Local Success Stories
Our Bulgarian journey started in 2001. The partnership with Pleven University School of Medicine’s Library revived the CBH program – we’ve been publishing the Bulgarian Health Information Digest for 25 years, distributing over 10,000 copies. The PSBHI initiatives transformed communities: In Pleven (1999), diabetes patients managed their issues 40% better; in Rouse-Giurgiu (1999), women’s health workshops improved family planning; in Gabrovo (2000), child health programs boosted vaccination rates by 25%.
Today, we continue with post-pandemic mask and protection tips. Our “Health Mask Guide” series is inspired by DHF Global’s archive – like phenytoin, focusing on natural membrane protection approaches. As a non-profit, we optimize resources with Jack Dreyfus’s legacy. Our partnerships (Pleven University, international DHF branches) bring global solutions to local needs.
Looking to the Future: DHF-BG’s Vision
In the future, we’re digitizing PSBH with AI integration – tools like n8n for automated health tip flows, VR workshops. From diabetes to mask usage, we’ll be the catalyst. Join us – sign up for workshops, donate, share your stories. DHF-BG is with you for better health!
(This text is inspired by DHF archives. Sources: “A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked” – Jack Dreyfus, “The Broad Range of Clinical Use of Phenytoin” – Dr. Barry H. Smith, “Pharmacology” – Dr. Leonard S. Jacob.)