SJMO To Present Free Orthopedic Seminars in May

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:

• May 25:           Shivajee Nallamothu, DO, “Total Joint Replacement”
• June 22:           Matt Bahu, MD,  “Shoulder”
• July 27:            Bill Kohen, MD, “Birmingham/Total Hip Replacement”
• Aug. 24:          Jignesh Patel, DO, “Knee”
• Sept. 28:          Richard Bartholomew, DO, “Minimally Invasive Shoulder”
• Oct. 26:           Christopher Tisdel, MD, “Foot and Ankle”
• Nov. 16:          Safa Kassab, MD, “Total Joint 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.

Dispensary of Hope Provides Medications to the Needy

Genessee County, MI – Dispensary of Hope, in partnership with Genesys Health System and Genesee Health Plan, offers medications to Genesee County residents without prescription drug coverage who otherwise would not be able to afford needed medications.

Those who qualify for assistance through Dispensary of Hope must meet the following criteria:

o Patient’s total gross household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
o Patients are between the age of 18 and 64.
o Patients are not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid.
o Patients do no have any third party prescription insurance.

The Dispensary of Hope dispensing site is stocked with unused, brand-name-only sample medications. Some safety net drugs – high demand generic drugs – also are available. A complete list of medications can be found by going to the Genesys Health System website: http://www.genesys.org/dispensaryofhope.

If the medicine is not available through the dispensary, a Dispensary of Hope representative will investigate other prescription assistance programs to help individuals obtain needed medications.

Dispensary of Hope medications are dispensed at no charge. Once qualification for the program is confirmed, individuals can obtain their medication at the Genesys Pharmacy (located inside the hospital on the Genesys Regional Medical Center – Health Park campus.)

Dispensary of Hope, a not-for-profit network of dispensing sites, sourcing partners and financial partners, is administered through Genesee Health Plan in partnership with Genesys. Genesee County Community Mental Health also has helped to support this service for area residents. To find out if you qualify for the program, call the Dispensary of Hope coordinator at Genesee Health Plan at 810-232-7740, ext. 207.

Henry Ford Offers Free Hearing Tests in May

Detroit, MI – Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery – Division of Audiology is hosting two days of free events in May, including hearing screenings, to raise awareness about the importance of hearing health and the challenges of living with hearing loss.

Thursday, May 13: 9 – 10:30 a.m. Living with Hearing Loss Seminar
Presented by hearing loss advocate and Henry Ford hearing aid technician Liz Kobylak, this talk will focus on the everyday challenges of living with hearing loss and the devices that can assist in better hearing.

• 12:30 – 2 p.m. Free Hearing Screenings

Friday, May 14: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Free Hearing Screenings; 2:30 – 4 p.m. Living with Hearing Loss Seminar
Presented by hearing loss advocate and Henry Ford hearing aid technician Liz Kobylak, this talk will focus on the everyday challenges of living with hearing loss and the devices that can assist in better hearing.

All of the events will be held at Henry Ford Hospital in private dining room 2 near the hospital cafeteria. Henry Ford Hospital is located at 2799 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.

To register for the free events, visit www.henryford.com/Classes or call 1-800-HENRYFORD.

About Hearing Loss
Hearing loss affects more than 36 million Americans. While most are the result of the normal aging process, the number of people younger than 65 with hearing loss is growing due in part to the popularity of MP3 players and earbuds.

Hearing loss can affect people of all ages. According the American Academy of Audiology, the most common causes of hearing loss are genetic predispositions, ear diseases, noise exposure (music, industrial and military), ototoxic medicines and head trauma.

Hearing loss can make it difficult to hear a conversation in a noisy environment such as a restaurant, or cause constant ringing or pain in the ears.

Although most hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment to improve hearing, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices and hearing rehabilitation.

To learn more about the services and treatments offered at Henry Ford’s Division of Audiology, visit www.henryford.com.

Senior Issues are Front and Center at Oakland County Meeting

Pontiac, MI – On Monday, May 3, the annual Oakland County Senior Advisory Council Meeting in collaboration with the Senior Planning Coalition for Oakland County will examine an array of issues pertaining to older adults in Oakland County. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the one hour program starting at 9 a.m. in the Executive Office, Building 41, in Conference Rooms A & B, located at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, MI.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will welcome participants at this free public meeting. The program will focus on Issues of Concern for 2010, an Oakland County Community Health Profile and special recognition will be given to volunteers along with a volunteer recruitment effort for Oak 65.

Also, the final report of the Oakland County Senior Planning Coalition, the “Silver Tsunami” report will be released to the public. This release kicks of the next phase of the “Silver Tsunami” strategic plan implementation called the Second Wave of Oak 65 – which will focus on the county’s growing senior citizen population.

The focus is on the county’s ongoing commitment to create an “Elder Friendly” environment. This report will look at the social, economic, and quality of life impact that this wave of older adults will present. It is estimated that there will be more senior citizens in Oakland County than school age children in the next few years.

For more information, contact Mary Strobe at 248-858-0213 and Oakland County Commissioner and Coalition Chair Helaine Zack at 248-546-7392.

Morton’s To Host Premium Cigar Dinner for The Rainbow Connection

Troy, MI —With the clock ticking toward Michigan’s upcoming restaurant smoking ban, Morton’s The Steakhouse in Troy has planned the perfect event for cigar lovers to enjoy an evening filled with fine wine, Morton’s signature food and exquisite cigars–before the May 1 deadline.

On Friday, April 23 Morton’s and Churchill’s are teaming up to present a premium cigar dinner.  The reception begins at 6:30 pm followed by a four course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Ed Takacs with wines and cigars presented with each course.  The evening will also  include a silent auction with 100% of the money raised going to The Rainbow Connection, a charity dedicated to fulfilling the dreams for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses.  Mary Grace McCarter, Executive Director of the 501c3 charity explains “For 25 years The Rainbow Connection has relied on the kind generosity of others to grant over 2000 wishes to Michigan children.  The Morton’s contribution will truly make a difference in the life of a local child stricken with a life threatening illness and we are so very grateful.”

The cost for the cigar dinner is $150.00 per person, including tax and gratuity.  For reservations or more information, call Andrea Aretakis at 248-404-9845.  To view the entire menu, including cigar selections, visit www.morton/troy.com.

 “This is a great night for cigar lovers to celebrate with friends and help a very worthy charity,” said Morton’s General Manager Steve Salmon.  “We’ve planned a special night to savor one of the last times our guests can enjoy a cigar at Morton’s The Steakhouse Troy.”

Morton’s The Steakhouse is located at 888 West Big Beaver Road in Troy.  Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays.    In addition to the main dining room, Morton’s offers private Boardrooms to accommodate groups from 10 to 80.  For more information, visit www.mortons.com.

Genesys Athletic Club Offers Free Tennis Lessons

Genessee County, MI – Genesys Athletic Club (GAC) tennis staff are offering new and beginning tennis players 12 free lessons at GAC beginning Monday, April 26. This special offer is open to the public.

Here are the times for these free lessons:

Mondays: April; 26, May 3 and May 10: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Tuesdays: April 27, May 4 and May 11: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursdays: April 29, May 6 and May 13: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: May 2, May 9 and May 16: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To reserve your times, call Genesys Athletic Club at 810-606-7315. Space is limited. You can choose as many sessions as you like.

Genesys Athletic Club has been named a USTA Outstanding Private Tennis Facility and the USTA Midwest Organization of the Year. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) developed its awards program to stimulate high standards in tennis facilities and recognize those facilities making efforts to provide quality programs.

The Genesys Athletic Club features an enclosed, climate-controlled tennis facility with 11 championship courts on a Decoturf II surface, privacy nets and a clear span roof for unobstructed play.

Henry Ford Hospital Opens Sports Concussion Clinic

Detroit, MI – Henry Ford Hospital has launched a weekly sports concussion clinic for student athletes who have recently experienced a concussion.

The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic team includes a primary care sports medicine specialist, a neuropsychologist and a certified athletic trainer, who together determine the proper treatment plan for young athletes who have a concussion from a sports-related spine or brain injury.

“The specialized clinic is designed specifically for athletes who may have gotten a concussion while playing sports, regardless of their level of competition,” says Kenneth Podell, Ph.D., director, Division of Neuropsychology, and co-director of the clinic.

“Our goal is to return these athletes to competition as quickly and safely as possible,” adds Dr. Podell, consulting neuropsychologist to The Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers and for Major League Baseball.

Concussions can be caused by a fall, a bump or blow to the head or body during contact sports and can happen even if the athlete does not lose consciousness. Nearly 3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The team approach allows the athlete to be evaluated and receive an individual treatment plan all in one convenient visit. The team utilizes computer technology to make a precise diagnosis of concussions, which in turn leads to better treatment plans for athletes and safe return to their sport.

The technology allows physicians to analyze the patient’s memory, reaction time, symptoms and other crucial brain functions in order to determine how the brain has been affected by concussion.

“A treatment plan is then created that lays out a step-by-step approach to that ultimate goal of having the athlete safely return to play,” says Brett Martin, D.O., primary care sports medicine specialist and co-director of the clinic. “Returning to play too early can put the athlete at high risk for long-term problems should a secondary injury occur.”

Treatment plans may include neurological consultation, neuro-imaging, physical therapy and/or medications, including a customized home program of exercises or stretches as well as follow-up or return-to-play instructions.

The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic will be held from 3 – 5 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning April 27, at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, 6526 Second Avenue in Detroit.

To make an appointment for the comprehensive clinic or an appointment with an individual physician on another day, time or location, call (313) 972-4216.

SJMO Breast Cancer Support Group to Meet

Pontiac, MI.—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) announces the next meeting of its Breast Cancer Support Group will take place 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010, in the Alice Gustafson Center waiting room, 115 Fulton, Pontiac, on the hospital campus.

Andrea Briefs-Ferris, SJMO’s new breast cancer nurse navigator, leads the breast cancer support group, which is open to all breast cancer patients and survivors.  The support group meets the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location and focuses on addressing the body, mind and spiritual needs of breast cancer patients and supporting each other.

Free parking is available.

Pre-registration is preferred, although drop-ins are welcome.  For more information about the support group or to register, call 248-858-3962.

Henry Ford Offers Experts to Discuss Autism

Detroit, MI –  What is autism? Is there a connection between autism and childhood vaccinations? How do I know if my child is at risk?

Autism has been in the news a lot lately, leaving some parents with more questions than answers about this often puzzling condition.

To help, several medical experts with the Henry Ford Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) are available to discuss autism and autism spectrum disorder as part of National Autism Awareness Month in April:

Colleen M. Allen, Ph.D., is the director of CADD and a certified Speech/Language Pathologist with Henry Ford. Dr. Allen is the author of the Michigan Autism Support blog (http://michiganautismsupport.com/). She can discuss how autism is diagnosed (and often misdiagnosed), intervention services to children with developmental communication disorders, including autism.

Tisa M. Johnson-Hooper, M.D., is a pediatrician at Henry Ford. She is an advocate for children with disabilities and has focused her practice on providing comprehensive primary care for children and youth with special health care needs. Dr. Johnson-Hooper can discuss comprehensive management of autism as well as alternate vaccination schedules for children.

Barry Wolf, M.D., Ph.D., is a geneticist and pediatrician with Henry Ford. Dr. Wolf’s expertise is in the diagnosis and treatment of children with genetic and inherited metabolic diseases, which includes those with developmental disability and autistic-like behavior. He can discuss the role of genetics in autism.

UPCOMING AUTISM EVENT
Experts from the Henry Ford Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities will lead several educational sessions at the third annual “Living with Autism Workshop” on April 29 at the Troy Hilton, located at 5500 Crooks Rd. in Troy.

Presented by Metro Parent Publishing Group and Henry Ford Health System, the workshop is designed to educate parents, health professionals, educators and counselors about autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.

The event also will feature special guest speaker Temple Grandin, Ph.D., who is recognized as the most successful autistic person in the world and the subject of a recent HBO movie.

For more event information or to purchase tickets, visit MetroParentEvents.com or call (248) 398-3400.

FACEBOOK CLICKCAST SESSIONS
Dr. Colleen Allen will hold two ClickCast sessions a social media platform hosted on Facebook that combines live video conference with interactive text chat where viewers can learn about the complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the difficulties faced by parents and professionals alike to diagnose a child with this disorder. The ClickCast sessions will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 30 and Friday, May 14.

To learn more about the Henry Ford Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, visit www.henryford.com/autism.

SJMO Receives State Grant for Minority Health Month

Pontiac, MI—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) received a Minority Health Month grant of $8,000 from the Michigan Department of Community Health to fund a series of free activities focusing on minority men’s health. Minority Health Month will be observed in April.

The observance will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at SJMO’s Franco Communications Center with a motivational rally featuring Pete Thomas, former contestant from NBC-TV’s “Biggest Loser”; SJMO President and CEO Jack Weiner and Dr. Tom Rifai, Medical Director of SJMO’s Metabolic Nutrition and Weight Management program.  During the rally, attendees will be invited to participate in a six-week SJMO men’s weight loss competition. They also will receive information on weight management, prevention of chronic disease, nutritional meal planning and the importance of exercise and physical fitness.  At the end of the six-week period, prizes will be awarded to individuals losing the most weight and /or inches.

During Minority Health Month, health screenings and health education activities will focus on chronic health conditions, including cancer (colorectal and prostate), cardiovascular disease (blood pressure and cholesterol) and diabetes (blood sugar and BMI).  Appropriate and timely follow-up will be provided for individuals with abnormal screening results. Informational brochures will be provided in English and Spanish.

Locations for the screenings include: Antioch Baptist Church, Elam Family Barbershop, Catholic Social Services Hispanic Outreach and the North Oakland YMCA.

Part of the observance will focus on National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 20-26, to bring attention to the issue of health disparities in minority communities.

Other activities include: the Lighthouse Walk, Cinco de Mayo healthy Mexican foods party at SJMO’s Mercy Place Clinic and a closing rally, at which winners will be announced.

“We are delighted to receive this grant,” said SJMO’s Weiner.  “It allows us to extend our efforts to improve the health of people in the community who might not otherwise have access to basic health care.”

Objectives of this year’s Minority Health Month observance are to increase the knowledge and awareness of minority men’s health issues, individual and community factors that affect health, culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to men’s health improvement and the importance of regular preventive health visits and screenings.

All activities are free of charge.  The public is encouraged to participate.

To participate in the SJMO men’s weight loss competition or for more information, call Tatyanna Coleman, RN, at 248-333-0840, ext. 231. 

Objectives of this year’s Minority Health Month observance are to increase the knowledge and awareness of minority men’s health issues, individual and community factors that affect health, culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to men’s health improvement and the importance of regular preventive health visits and screenings.

 

All activities are free of charge.  The public is encouraged to participate.

 

To participate in the SJMO men’s weight loss competition or for more information, call Tatyanna Coleman, RN, at 248-333-0840, ext. 231.

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