Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Resources Available for Lung Cancer Patients at Martin Memorial

For patients facing a lung cancer diagnosis, there are a number of resources available at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center.

A new clinical trial recently came available at the cancer center for patients who are going to undergo surgery for presumed lung cancer. This study would randomize (assign) patients to the standard surgery for their cancer or a surgery that requires less lung tissue to be removed. The study’s goal is to see if removing less lung tissue will still result in the patient staying disease free, with the additional benefit of having more lung tissue remaining.

Since the study requires a very small tumor, all of the stages of lung cancer are now covered by clinical trials.

We also have a lung cancer support group that is facilitated by myself and a social worker. This group is for all lung cancer patients and their families or caregivers. The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the cancer center meeting room from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

An educational component is included in the meetings – for example, we have had a panel of nurses speaking on different treatments and plan to speak about depression and anxiety. Patients are encouraged to let us know what they would like to be included in the education portion of the group.

As the lung cancer navigator, I am available to assist patients and their families in dealing with a diagnosis of lung cancer. Whether it’s a link to resources, helping to communicate with doctors or education, I can help.

To find out more information on the resources available for lung cancer patients at Martin Memorial, please call me at (772) 223-5945, ext. 1669.

-- Lindsay Mattino, RN, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Genetics Nurse Educator

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Martin Memorial Celebrates 70 Years of Bringing Health Care to the Community

Martin County Hospital officially opened its doors on March 8, 1939 with a ceremony featuring hospital authorities and the philanthropists who helped make it a reality.

Seventy years later, Martin Memorial Health Systems is celebrating seven decades of providing health care to residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

On March 27, a display highlighting historical artifacts, a video and a timeline of Martin Memorial’s milestones will be open to the public. The display will be available for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Martin Memorial Medical Center Conference Center, located at 200 S.E. Hospital Ave. in Stuart.

Much has changed since the 23-bed hospital originally opened its doors on the banks of the St. Lucie River. According to the organization’s first annual report, published Feb. 26, 1940, the hospital and its staff of 17 admitted seven patients on its first day of operations. In its first 11 months, Martin County Hospital admitted 389 patients, including 36 births.

Today, Martin Memorial is a health system that features two hospitals and 12 locations throughout Martin and St. Lucie counties, providing acute, primary and preventative care. Martin Memorial’s 2008 Annual Report shows there were a total of 119,853 patient visits at its two hospitals, including 19,589 total patient admissions and 2,129 births – a sign of the growth that has taken place through the decades.

As the community’s needs have grown, so has the breadth of Martin Memorial’s service. Highlights include:

· 1942: The Martin Memorial Auxiliary began serving as volunteers for the hospital.
· 1963: The hospital expanded to 78 beds.
· 1970: The hospital expanded to 120 beds.
· 1976: The hospital expanded to 216 beds.
· 1979: The hospital expanded to 252 beds.
· 1983: The Martin Memorial Foundation was created. It celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008, having raised more than $64 million in funds that have helped provide care. Martin Memorial also first started offering services in St. Lucie County, with an urgent care facility on Port St. Lucie Blvd.
· 1992: Martin Memorial Hospital became Martin Memorial Health Systems. The primary hospital became Martin Memorial Medical Center and Martin Memorial Hospital South, a second facility, opened its doors.
· 1995: Martin Memorial opened a facility in St. Lucie West.
· 1999: The Martin Memorial Cancer Center opened. It was renamed the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center in 2005.
· 2003: The emergency department at Hospital South was expanded.
· 2004: Martin Memorial received authorization to begin construction on a heart center. The cancer center’s radiation-oncology department expanded to St. Lucie West.
· 2006: The Frances Langford Heart Center opened its doors after a 20-year battle to bring open-heart and interventional cardiology to Martin County.
· 2009: Construction on the Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West begins.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cardiac Screening Provides Information on Heart Health for Women and Men

On Saturday, March 28, women and men of all ages can find out valuable information that could save their lives.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans, but prevention and early detection can play a critical role in helping to avoid heart attacks. That’s why Martin Memorial is holding a cardiac screening event from 7-11 a.m. on March 28 called “A Matter of the Heart” at Martin Memorial Hospital South, located at 2100 S.E. Salerno Road in Stuart.

Participants will receive a gender-specific EKG reading, a lipid blood test, blood glucose test and a blood pressure check for $49. They can also receive a carotid artery ultrasound to check their vascular health, along with the previous tests, for $75.

Participants are encouraged to bring a spouse, a friend, a relative or anyone else who might benefit from learning this valuable information. The EKG, lipid blood test, blood glucose test and blood pressure check will be available for two people for $84, while the carotid artery ultrasound in addition to those tests is available for $127 for two people.

Following the tests, cardiac nurses will be available to provide information on heart health.

The tests are potential indicators of heart disease risk. EKGs measure the heart’s electrical impulses. Because of differences in symptoms and heart rhythms in men and women, gender-specific EKGs were developed to differentiate between the sexes. Lipid blood tests measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in a person’s system. High levels of cholesterol can contribute to heart disease. Blood glucose tests indicate how well your body processes glucose, or sugar. This can be an indicator for prediabetes or diabetes, which is a leading contributor to heart disease. And because high blood pressure can lead to a number of ailments, including heart disease and stroke, controlling it is crucial.

To make an appointment for the event, call (866) 361-HOPE (4673). Registration is required by March 26 to guarantee a screening time.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Martin Memorial Programs Help Lead to Healthy New Habits for One Woman

Meet Terry Kish! She’s full of energy and a joy to be around. Terry successfully completed Martin Memorial’s Living Tobacco Free program last April. The program was life changing for Terry, whose motivation to quit smoking was to feel better and to be healthy. The program not only provided excellent peer support, it provided an opportunity to bond with her “smoking group” and they still meet monthly for dinner. Terry kicked the habit but the extra bonus was that she has a new group of friends.

One of the biggest fears people face when they decide to quit smoking is that they will gain weight. Although Terry kicked the habit, she did gain a few extra pounds along the way. Now, Terry is on her way to becoming another success story.

She is participating in Martin Memorial’s 52-week weight management program. Once again, she has the support group that meets weekly, and she meets with a nutritionist and is weighed monthly to help her stay on track.

Terry’s new healthy habit is exercising. You’ll find her working out at least four times per week at the Treasure Coast Health and Fitness Center.

As part of the 52-week program, Terry works with a personal trainer twice per week. The trainer plays a very important role in the weight-loss process. Terry said her personal trainer keeps her motivated by providing a variety of safe, effective exercises that keep her coming back for more.

When she’s not working with her trainer, you’ll find Terry taking full advantage of all the programs we have to offer. Terry participates in Tai Chi classes, aqua aerobics classes and uses the rowing and elliptical machines for cardiovascular exercise. Terry says she’s never felt better since she quit smoking and started working out.

Terry is no longer lighting up, but she sure lights up a room when she enters!

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician
Hospital South Health and Fitness

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Martin Memorial, Moffitt Cancer Center Teaming Up Against Skin Cancer

Martin Memorial is again teaming up with Moffitt Cancer Center to help detect skin cancer with a free screening on Sunday, March 22.

The screenings are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., prior to the New York Mets spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Tradition Field, located at 525 N.W. Peacock Blvd. in Port St. Lucie.

The Spring Swing-Moffitt’s Sun Safety Tour — a partnership with Moffitt, the Tampa Bay Rays and Moffitt affiliates such as Martin Memorial — offers free skin cancer screenings at specified spring training venues throughout the month of March.

Dermatologists and staff from Martin Memorial and Moffitt will be looking for early signs of skin cancer while promoting sun safety, skin cancer awareness and education. During the 2008 spring training season, its first year in existence, Spring Swing screened 695 people, identifying 108 suspected cancerous lesions and 264 suspected pre-cancerous lesions.

No reservations are required, but you can find more information about the March 22 screening by calling the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at (772) 223-5945, ext. 3704.

Friday, March 6, 2009

For Older Adults, Now is the Time to Lace Up Those SilverSneakers, Improve Fitness

For older adults looking to enhance their fitness, now is a perfect time to improve their health with the SilverSneakers Fitness Program.

The Martin Memorial Health and Fitness Centers are holding open-house events in March and April to provide information on the SilverSneakers program. Eligible health plan members will receive a postcard in the mail to visit Martin Memorial’s five health and fitness centers, with an opportunity to sign up for a membership.

The open-house events will take place on:

· March 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hobe Sound Health and Fitness, 11600 S.E. Federal Hwy.
· March 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Stuart Health and Fitness, 6001 S.E. Tower Rd.
· April 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Palm City Health and Fitness, 3066 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd.
· April 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Treasure Coast Health and Fitness, 3496 N.W. Federal Hwy. (across from Treasure Coast Square Mall).
· April 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Lucie West Health and Fitness, 542 N.W. University Drive, Unit B 101.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is an overall exercise program, offered by Healthways, that is designed exclusively for older adults. The program offers physical activity, health education and social events for Medicare-eligible and group retiree members, who are participants in certain health plans.

There are two components of the program: SilverSneakers, which is a comprehensive program that includes a complimentary fitness membership and group exercise classes; and Forever Fit, a wellness benefit that improves health through access to health related products and fitness provider locations. It also includes the complimentary basic membership to Martin Memorial’s health and fitness centers.

Some local participating health plans that may be eligible for these memberships are: Humana, Care Plus, Secure Horizons by United Health Care, Health First, Vista, Summit, and Aetna Medicare. Anyone interested in participating in the program should check with their individual health plans to determine if they may be eligible.

For more information on Martin Memorial’s health and fitness centers and their participation in the program, please call (772) 223-4966.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Looking for Health Info? Check Out the Boomers and Seniors Health Fair

Martin Memorial is hosting an event that can help baby boomers and seniors who are looking for information on ways to improve their health.

The annual Boomers and Seniors Health and Wellness Fair takes place Friday, March 6 from 7 a.m. to noon. The free event is located at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Parish Life Center, located at 701 E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart.

Visitors can participate in free blood pressure readings, cholesterol, diabetes, stroke and vision screenings. No fasting needs to be done for the cholesterol screening and no reservations are required.

Information on nutrition, disease prevention, healthy living and more will be available, and visitors will have the opportunity to win door prizes. Cooking demonstrations will take place at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and refreshments will be available throughout the event. Health care representatives from dozens of different agencies throughout our area will be attending to answer questions.

For more information, please call (772) 288-5848. Parking is available at all three St. Mary’s lots, as well as at Martin Memorial Medical Center.