Nominees Sought for Community Caring Award
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Genesee County, MI – Genesee Health Plan is accepting nominations for the annual Community Caring award, given to individuals, businesses and organizations who have provided assistance to the uninsured and underserved in Genesee County. Nominees are recognized at the annual Community Caring Awards breakfast held during Cover the Uninsured Week May 2 through May 8 this year. The breakfast will take place Friday, May 7.
Nominees for this honor can include any organization, business or individual who provides financial assistance for services or supplies, discounted or in-kind services, or time on a voluntary basis to address the issues of the uninsured.
Deadline for nominations is Monday, March 29. To obtain a nomination form, go to http://www.countyhealthplans.org/GHP.aspx, or call Cindy Bruett from the Cover the Uninsured Week Committee, at 810-606-6264.
About 45 million Americans, including almost 60,000 Genesee County residents, are uninsured. Throughout the year, many individuals, businesses and organizations offer assistance to these individuals. The Community Caring Award is one way to acknowledge these efforts to improve the lives of residents in Genesee County.
Cover the Uninsured Week includes Cover the Uninsured Expo, a day where members of the community can sign up for health care coverage; and receive free food, free clothing and access to needed resources in the community. The expo will be held on Tuesday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Flint.
For details on Cover the Uninsured Week, call 810-606-6264.
SJMO to Present Free, Monthly, Orthopedic Seminars
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Pontiac, MI—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) will continue its series of free, monthly, orthopedic community seminars throughout 2010. The one-hour seminars are held at 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Franco Communications Center, 44405 Woodward Ave., Pontiac.
SJMO orthopedic specialists will conduct the seminars, speaking on a wide range of orthopedic procedures and joint replacement. Dates, speakers and topics include:
- March 23: Paul Lewis, DO, “Shoulder”
- April 27: Bruce Henderson, MD, “Arthritis and Back Pain”
- May 25: Shivajee Nallamothu, DO, “Total Joint Replacement”
- June 22: Matt Bahu, MD, “Shoulder”
- July 27: Bill Kohen, MD, “Birmingham/Total Hip Replacement”
“SJMO has won numerous awards for orthopedic and joint replacement excellence,” said Jack Weiner, SJMO President and CEO. “Every day, our skilled physicians, surgeons and medical staff provide exemplary care and outstanding outcomes for the patients they treat.”
The hospital’s board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating spine, hand, shoulder, hip and knee disorders. They provide comprehensive care before, during and after surgery. Among the orthopedic services SJMO offers are:
- Award-winning, nationally recognized Joint Care Center,
- Artificial ankle replacement and correcting and treating postural and post-traumatic deformities, diabetic conditions and arthritis,
- Cutting edge procedures such as kyphoplasty and minimally invasive, patient-specific surgery,
- MRI and custom-fit technology for total knee replacements, the first in Michigan do to so,
- Around-the-clock acute trauma care at the SJMO Emergency Center.
The seminars are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available on the north side of the hospital, adjacent to the Franco Center and Medical Office Building.
Registration is required. To register, call St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, 800-372-6094.
Genesys Co-sponsors Grief Teleconference on March 24
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Genesee County, MI - The Hospice Foundation of America presents its 17th annual grief teleconference Wednesday, March 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s topic is “Living with Grief: cancer and end-of-life care.”
The teleconference will take place at the University of Michigan-Flint in the Happenings Room of the Harding Mott University Center.
Subjects covered include: care options related to cancer diagnosis, loss and grief reactions, psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to cancer.
This teleconference is designed for professionals working with end-stage cancer patients and families transitioning to hospice and palliative care; and for family members dealing with similar issues.
Following the teleconference, a live panel discussion will take place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring the following experts in grief: Stuart Weiner, DO, medical director of Genesys Hospice and the Genesys Inpatient Palliative Care program; Sue Wedda, social worker who specializes in areas of mental health as they relate to grief and loss; and Carol Wikaryasz, Genesys Spiritual Care chaplain who works with cancer patients and families at Genesys.
The teleconference is free; cost to obtain continuing education credits is $25. Registration and a light lunch begins at 12:30 p.m.
The grief teleconference is sponsored by Genesys Home & Hospice Care, Avalon Hospice, Brown Funeral Home, Hill Funeral Home, Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, McLaren Visiting Nurse and Hospice, and Riegle Funeral Home.
To register, call 1-800-664-6334.
Henry Ford Hospital Study Shows Link Between Vitamin D, Skin Cancer
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI – A Henry Ford Hospital study has shown a link between Vitamin D levels and basal cell carcinoma, a finding that could lead researchers to better understand the development of the most common form of skin cancer.
In a small study, researchers at Henry Ford and Wayne State University found elevated levels of Vitamin D enzymes and proteins in cancerous tissue taken from 10 patients compared to normal skin tissue taken from them.
Previous studies have linked Vitamin D deficiency with certain cancers but this is believed to be the first time researchers looked at Vitamin D and basal cell carcinoma.
This finding may help us in future research to determine whether vitamin D plays a causative or reactive role in the development and progression of skin cancer, says Iltefat Hamzavi, M.D., senior staff physician in Henry Ford’s Department of Dermatology and the study’s lead author.
The study will be presented at the Photomedicine Society’s annual meeting in Miami, one day before the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting.
Basal cell carcinoma, which affects about 1 million Americans a year, is the most common form of skin cancer. This cancer forms in the basal cells of the deepest layer of the skin. Mohs micrographic surgery is one of the most effective treatments for removing skin cancer.
The 10 patients enrolled in the study were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and ranged in age from 43 to 83. All had biopsies taken of cancerous tissue and surrounding normal skin tissue. Researchers found a 10-fold increase in Vitamin D enzyme levels and a two-fold increase in Vitamin D protein levels. The enzymes and proteins help regulate levels of Vitamin D in the skin. Two genes that play a role in DNA and tumor repair also had elevated levels of Vitamin D in cancerous tissue compared to normal tissue.
The study was funded by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Wayne State University and Henry Ford Hospital.
Survey Reveals Health Insurance and Access to Care Not So Closely Linked
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
The survey of 1,022 Michigan adults showed that while 40 percent of those who lacked insurance delayed seeking needed care, so did 17 percent of those with health insurance – mostly due to cost concerns.
The survey also revealed that many low income urban dwellers had fewer problems accessing care than all but high income suburban dwellers – potentially reflecting the greater availability of health care “safety net” providers in urban areas. Residents in rural communities and small towns reported more problems with access to care.
“Rather than a simple count of who has health insurance and who doesn’t, we wanted to get a clearer picture of the people behind the statistics,” says Marianne Udow-Philips, director of the Center for Healthcare Transformation and Research. “And we wanted to test the connection between health insurance and access to health care.”
The survey also found that many Medicaid/Healthy Kids recipients had difficulty finding providers of care. There was a significant difference between those with Medicaid/HealthyKids coverage and those with MiChild coverage on this measure. While 35 percent of those with Medicaid/HealthyKids coverage reported difficulties finding providers who accepted their coverage, only 12 percent of those with MiChild coverage reported the same problem.
The survey also tested self perceptions of health. “We wanted to see if people’s health insurance status affected their perceptions of their own health,” says Udow-Philips.
Surprisingly, there was no significant connection between having health insurance and self perceptions of health. Forty-nine percent of those with health insurance reported themselves to be in excellent or very good health, while 47 percent of those with no health insurance reported themselves to be in excellent or very good health.
The survey reveals increasing anxiety about loss of insurance coverage. Those in the manufacturing sector – traditionally a secure sector for health insurance – are now as worried about losing coverage as those in the arts, services, hospitality, and retail occupations – traditionally not secure sectors for health insurance. Worry level in these sectors ranges between 40 percent and 52 percent.
In contrast, those in high-tech knowledge industries, government, and construction/natural resources/mining sectors were not as worried about losing coverage, with worry levels of 21 percent or below.
“These findings point to the changing economic landscape in Michigan,” says Udow-Philips. “Worries about the potential loss of health insurance coverage have now extended to those in manufacturing.”
This is the first health coverage survey commissioned by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation. The survey was conducted in August 2009 by Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. The survey is part of CHRT’s “Cover Michigan” report, a detailed picture of the health coverage landscape in Michigan, to be published in April 2010.
The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation sponsors research and public information to promote evidence-based health care delivery, improve population health, and expand access to care. Housed at the University of Michigan, CHRT is a partnership between U-M and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to test the best ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system.
Visit CHRT on the Web at: www.chrt.org for a copy of the survey findings.
Skin Transplant Offers New Hope to Vitiligo Patients
March 9, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI - In the first study of its kind in the United States, Henry Ford Hospital showed that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective for treating vitiligo.
Henry Ford researchers followed 23 patients for up to six months after surgery and found that the treated area regained on average 52 percent of its natural skin color. In eight patients with a specific type of vitiligo, the treated area regained on average 74 percent of its natural skin color.
The surgery involves using skin cells taken from normally-pigmented areas of the body and transferring them to the damaged area of skin. It is performed under local anesthesia.
This surgery offers hope to vitiligo patients, says Iltefat Hamzavi, M.D. a senior staff physician in Henry Ford’s Department of Dermatology and the study’s senior author and principal investigator. The results achieved in our study were of obvious significance to our patients.
The study will be presented Tuesday, March 9 at the 68th annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in Miami.
While the initial results are preliminary and the procedure is still investigational, Dr. Hamzavi says Henry Ford hopes to offer the surgery as part of its treatment portfolio this fall. He says for some patients the surgery is more effective than standard treatments like light therapy and topical medications.
Patients of color and those with vitiligo on one side of the body and in one area of the body may benefit most from this procedure, Dr. Hamzavi says.
Vitiligo is a skin disease that causes the skin to lose color and develop white patches that vary in size and location. It affects about 1 in every 200 people in the United States, and is more noticeable in people with darker skin.
Vitiligo develops when cells called melanocytes are killed by the body’s immune system, causing the area of skin to turn white because the cells no longer make pigment. While there is no cure, vitiligo can be treated and managed with light therapy, creams and topical medications.
The surgery is known as melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation or MKTP, and is performed in Europe, Asia and Middle East. It was performed at Henry Ford using the same technique developed by MKTP pioneer Sanjeev Mulekar, M.D., of the National Vitiligo Center in Saudi Arabia. Henry Ford is the first to perform MKTP in North America.
In Henry Ford’s study, 32 patients (18 male, 14 female) underwent surgery and ranged in age from 18 to 60. A total of 40 MKTP procedures were performed and researchers analyzed the outcomes of 29 of them. A procedure lasted 30 minutes to two hours and patients returned home the same day.
Of the 32 surgery patients, 23 were followed for up to six months after surgery. Eighteen patients received one treatment, four patients received two and one patient received three. The ethnicity of patients was Caucasian, South Asian, African American and Hispanic.
During MKTP, melanocyte cells, which produce pigment in the skin, hair and eyes, are harvested from an area of healthy skin and separated to make a skin cell mixture. This mixture then is applied to the treatment area and covered with a specially developed adhesive biologic dressing.
Treated areas included the hands, arms, legs, feet, face and stomach. The average size of the treated area during each procedure covered an area of 46 cm2, or roughly the size of a credit card.
The study was a collaboration with the National Center for Vitiligo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and funded by the Shahani Foundation based in Michigan.
Henry Ford Offers Free Coaches Clinic for Understanding Injuries
February 22, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI - Henry Ford Hospital’s Center for Athletic Medicine is offering a free clinic for coaches to better understand common sports injuries.
The clinic is designed for coaches to learn more about ankle and knee injuries, as well as sports concussions.
Henry Ford sports medicine physicians will help educate coaches on players injuries and teach them preventive exercises. They will also learn taping techniques to help prevent injuries.
The clinic will be held on Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, 6525 2nd Street, on the corner of West Grand Boulevard, across from the Fisher Building, in Detroit.
Also, coaches in need of CPR recertification will have the opportunity to participate in a CPR Recertification session immediately following the Coaches Clinic from 1 – 3 p.m.
The cost for the recertification is $40, lunch will not be included. For more information or to register, call (313) 972-4167.
Win the Weight Game at the Flat Rock Community Center
February 22, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Flat rock, MI – Confused by all the weight loss information out there? If so, the Flat Rock Community Center will show you how you can give up dieting, lose weight and keep it off. “Win the Weight Game” will be presented by Lorraine Stefano, A.C.S.W., on Wednesday, February 24th from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Over 95% of people who go on diets, regain their weight” states Stefano, a corporate wellness consultant. “Instead of focusing on restriction and deprivation, we help people to change their thinking about food and develop a healthy eating style that is right for them. We also look at creative ways to squeeze exercise into our daily routine.” Through this class participants learn how to permanently win the weight game, get trim and stay trim.
The Center is located at One Maguire Street and the fee for the class is $22.00. To register or for more information: 734-379-1450 or www.flatrockrec.org or contact Lorraine Stefano at 248-828-7333
Rochester Hills Plastic Surgeon Offers New Web Site Designed to Inform and Create Online Community
February 22, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Rochester Hills, MI – Rochester Hills plastic surgeon, Joseph E. Mark MD of Plastic Surgery Arts & Spa launches an innovative website designed to educate, connect and inform visitors with the latest advancements in both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
More than a cosmetic surgery office, Plastic Surgery Arts & Spa considers each new patient or client part of its family of thousands. Clients will now be able to use the Web site to connect and communication with the staff and Dr. Mark himself.
plasticsurgeryarts.com provides patients the opportunity to Get To Know Dr. Mark from the comfort of their own homes long before their first visit to Mark’s state-of-the-art surgical facility located in Rochester Hills.
The Web site also features before-and-after photos of many of Dr. Mark’s procedures, a Get To Know Doctor Mark tutorial, and testimonials from patients. Using valuable links to the My Body Network, clients will also have the chance to learn more about procedures performed at many other trusted area offices, and communicate with previous and current patients before receiving treatment.
PlasticSurgeryArts.com launches this week with promotions and drawings each day for visitors. The Endless Beauty Online launch event runs Feb. 22-27 with a grand prize drawing on Saturday, Feb. 27 of a complete makeover at The Spa at Plastic Surgery Arts.
For complete details, visit www.plasticsurgeryarts.com.
Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine Hosts Between-Season Bootcamp
February 19, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI - Henry Ford Hospitals Center for Athletic Medicine is offering a bootcamp for athletes of all sports to help them prepare for the upcoming spring season.
The class is designed to improve athletic performance and decrease the risk of injury. Henry Ford certified athletic trainers and performance enhancement specialists take participants through a series of exercises in a circuit training format. The 60-minute classes consist of a dynamic warm-up, two times around the circuit and a cool-down session.
These functional exercises will improve core power, strength, speed and stability.
The four-day class will be held 6 – 7 p.m., March 8, 9, 11 and 12 at University of Michigan Dearborn Fieldhouse, 4901 Evergreen Road, in Dearborn. The cost to participate is $50.
