Martin Memorial Auxiliary Provides Second Installment of $150,000 Pledge

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary is two-thirds of the way towards fulfilling a pledge to raise $150,000 for refurbishments to the Martin Memorial Medical Center Conference Center.

Auxiliary officers recently presented members of the Martin Memorial executive team with the second of three planned $50,000 gifts. The Auxiliary anticipates completing the commitment by 2011.

Funding will be used to purchase a new audio-visual system, as well as functional and aesthetic renovations for the nearly 30-year-old conference center. Renovations will be performed in phases.

This isn’t the first time the Auxiliary has contributed funds for this purpose: in 1982, the volunteers donated $75,000 for the construction of the conference center. Today, the conference center serves a wide variety of purposes that can include everything from educational seminars to support groups, community celebrations to hospital staff and Auxiliary meetings.

The Auxiliary, which includes more than 900 members who provide 187,000 volunteer hours to the health system, raises funds through a variety of sources. That includes purchases from the gift shops at Martin Memorial Medical Center and Martin Memorial Hospital South, the thrift shop located at Smithfield Plaza, Philips’ Lifeline personal response service, as well as numerous fund-raisers throughout the year.

Each year the Auxiliary also provides $40,000 in scholarships to residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties who are entering health care related fields.

Educational Forum on Nov. 9 Provides Information on Surgical Patient Care

The Treasure Coast Chapter of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses is hosting a free educational forum and vendor fair on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

The annual event is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Parish Life Center, located at 701 E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart.

The event, held in conjunction with the national Perioperative Nurse Week, will provide the public, health care students and medical professions with information and education about the latest advances in surgical patient care.

No registration is required. For more information, please contact Gretchen Menikheim by e-mail at gmenikheim@mmhs-fla.org, or by calling (772) 223-5945, ext. 3200.

Martin Memorial Offers Scholarships for Students Seeking Degrees Related to Health Care

Martin Memorial Health Systems and the Martin Memorial Auxiliary are once again offering scholarships to residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties who are pursuing degrees related to health care.

The scholarships are open to high school students in Martin or St. Lucie counties who graduate in 2011, as well as to residents of either county who are considering going back to school and need tuition assistance. Applications are available online at mmhs.com. The deadline for submission is Feb. 18, 2011.

For more information, call Christina Romanovsky at (772) 223-5945, ext. 3239, or e-mail cromanovsky@mmhs-fla.org.

A committee determines which candidates receive scholarships and in what amount. Amounts awarded vary and are based on grades, residency, need, other financial assistance being granted and additional criteria. Funds may be used to offset any costs associated with the pursuit of a degree related to health care.

In 2010, the Martin Memorial Auxiliary and Martin Memorial Health Systems provided $50,000 in scholarships with nearly 50 recipients earning assistance. Since 1978, Martin Memorial has awarded approximately $1.1 million in scholarships to 824 residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary includes more than 800 members, who volunteer nearly 200,000 hours of volunteer service annually and contribute considerable philanthropic gifts to the health system.

Court Rules in Martin Memorial’s Favor, Clears Way to Build Hospital in Tradition

A ruling by the First District Court of Appeals has cleared the way for Martin Memorial Health Systems to build an 80-bed hospital in the west Port St. Lucie development of Tradition.

On Oct. 26, the appellate court ruled against an attempt by HCA, Inc. – which owns St. Lucie Medical Center and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center – to block Martin Memorial from building the hospital. Martin Memorial had received a final order from the state to move forward, but HCA appealed that order.

The First District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on Oct. 19 and made a remarkably quick decision to deny HCA’s appeal and rule in favor of Martin Memorial. Because there was no written opinion from the court, Martin Memorial does not anticipate any further legal challenges.

“This is a critical decision for residents of west Port St. Lucie and the surrounding communities,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer. “For years they have been telling us there is a significant need for access to medical services and we have done everything in our power to bring that care to them. This is a victory for everyone in the community.”

Martin Memorial has already seen a need for increased medical services since opening a free-standing emergency department in St. Lucie West. Since the Emergency Center opened its doors on Sept. 1, 2009 it has seen over 28,000 patients, exceeding projections for the facility.

“We are extremely thankful to so many members of the community who have shown support for this project,” Robitaille said. “That includes individuals who wrote letters of support, community leadership, the Port St. Lucie City Council, the Tradition Center for Innovation, Mann Research Center, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and VGTI Florida. Their commitment and dedication was crucial to bringing health care access to residents of west Port St. Lucie.”

The hospital will be located at the southwest corner of Tradition Boulevard and Interstate 95. Located on a 20-acre site in Tradition, the hospital will be one of the largest economic development projects ever in St. Lucie County. Once fully operational, it will create more than 400 jobs with an average salary of approximately $53,000. The capital investment will exceed $100 million and Martin Memorial is committed to utilizing as many local resources and companies as possible on the project.

Anticipating that the court would rule in its favor, for the past several months Martin Memorial has partnered with KLMK Group, a nationally recognized leader in hospital program development, to help with planning, designing and constructing the proposed hospital. The planning phase is under way and completion of that phase is expected in early 2011. This will be followed by the design and construction phases. Estimated hospital completion date is early 2014.

In the coming months, Martin Memorial will be looking for opportunities to solicit input from community members on the hospital project. The health system is currently in the process of selecting an architect, engineering firm and a construction company.

Martin Memorial is also developing partnerships with the life sciences organizations coming to the area. In the past year, the health system has begun collaboration on two research studies with VGTI Florida. The hospital would be built near Torrey Pines’ current facility in Tradition, and would be near the facility VGTI Florida is now building.
The decision from the appellate court is the latest chapter in Martin Memorial’s attempts to build a hospital in west Port St. Lucie.

Martin Memorial began seeking permission to build a hospital in west Port St. Lucie in 1998 and filed numerous applications over an eight-year period. In June 2007, Martin Memorial received preliminary approval from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration for a certificate of need to build the hospital. The approval was challenged to an administrative hearing by the HCA hospitals. A judge rendered a recommended order upholding the preliminary approval in July 2009. In December 2009, AHCA accepted the judge’s recommendation to approve the project. HCA, Inc. appealed the ruling later that month.

Martin Memorial Auxiliary Hosting Fall Fashion Extravaganza on Oct. 30

For the second consecutive year, the Martin Memorial Auxiliary is hosting an event focused on fun, fashion and philanthropy.

The Fall Fashion Extravaganza will be held Saturday, Oct. 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at Renato’s Italian Ristorante, located at 3720 S.E. Ocean Blvd. in Sewall’s Point. The extravaganza will feature lunch and a fashion show, with fashions and accessories showcased from the Shops at Harbour Bay Plaza.

To register, visit mmhs.com and click on the Fall Fashion Extravaganza link. You can also call (772) 223-5945, ext. 1297 for more information.

The cost is $28 per person, which includes lunch. Proceeds from the event will benefit Martin Memorial Health Systems.

Martin Memorial has one of the largest hospital Auxiliaries in the state, featuring more than 800 volunteers who provide nearly 200,000 hours of service each year. In addition to providing volunteer services, the Auxiliary has a long history of helping raise funds that are used to enhance patient care and access to services for Treasure Coast residents.

In 2009, the Auxiliary completed its $1 million pledge to the Frances Langford Heart Center and in 2010 pledged to raise $150,000 over three years to pay for renovations to Martin Memorial Medical Center’s conference centers. To help ensure future health care providers are able to receive the educations they need, each year the Auxiliary provides $40,000 in scholarships for local students who are seeking degrees in health care related fields. Since 1978, Martin Memorial has awarded approximately $1.1 million in scholarships to 824 residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

Martin Memorial Offering $100 Mammo Screening for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Each year, mammograms provide the early detection necessary that can help successfully treat breast cancer.

During October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Martin Memorial is offering $100 digital mammography screening for women who are uninsured or underinsured. Payments must be self-pay and not made through insurance. A physician prescription is required.

To schedule a screening mammogram, call (772) 288-5817.

Martin Memorial’s diagnostic imaging centers in Stuart and St. Lucie West provide accredited mammography services, combining advanced technologies with the skill of experienced, board-certified physicians and technologists.

O’Malleys Provide Martin Memorial Foundation Mum Ball with $500,000 Gift

Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley are redefining what it means to be good hosts.

The O’Malleys, Sailfish Point residents who are hosting the 2010 Martin Memorial Foundation Chrysanthemum Ball at their home, will provide a gift of $500,000 to help match funds raised at the 16th annual event. The Chrysanthemum Ball is expected to bring in more than $800,000 and that money, combined with the O’Malleys’ gift, will be used toward the purchase of a technologically advanced interventional radiology suite.

In order to fully fund the $1.7 million interventional radiology suite, the Martin Memorial Foundation is seeking others to join the O’Malleys and make gifts that will help reach that financial target.

“Having access to health care is critical to the continued well being of a community,” said Mary Alice O’Malley, a registered nurse. “For 16 years the Chrysanthemum Ball has
helped Martin Memorial fulfill its mission of providing high-quality care. We are excited to help build on that legacy.”

Mary Alice O’Malley has served on the boards of several medical and educational organizations and is presently a trustee of the Children’s National Research Center in Washington, D.C. Thomas O’Malley is chairman of Petroplus Holdings A.G., Europe’s largest independent oil refiner and wholesaler, and also serves as chairman of PBF Investments LLC, a U.S. oil refining entity.

Prior to that, Thomas O’Malley was chairman of Premcor, a domestic oil refiner and Fortune 250 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Before joining Premcor, he was chairman and CEO of Tosco Corporation, which was the largest independent oil refiner and marketer of oil products in the United States. He is also a past vice chairman of Salomon Brothers Inc.

Thomas O’Malley has served on the boards of the National Petroleum Council; the Listed Company Advisory Board of the New York Stock Exchange; Lowe’s Companies; PetSmart Inc.; and Phillips Petroleum. He is chairman of the board of trustees of Manhattan College, his alma mater. The O’Malleys have four grown children and four grandchildren.

“The generosity shown by the O’Malleys is an extraordinary example of how philanthropy makes it possible for Martin Memorial to provide exceptional care for the Treasure Coast,” said Arthur M. “Rusty” Brink Jr., vice president and chief philanthropic officer for Martin Memorial. “Their gift will play a significant role in helping improve the quality of health for our community.”

The new digital interventional suite brings to Martin Memorial a new level of diagnostic power. Sharper technology allows more detailed images while minimizing the amount of radiation to each patient. Interventional radiology suites are used for procedures such as:

• Angioplasty (repairing blood vessels using a balloon-tipped catheter and vascular stents)
• Thrombectomy and thrombolysis (blood clot removal and dissolving)
• Embolization (stopping blood flow to selected tumors)
• Radiofrequency ablation (removing tumors with high-energy radio waves)

Since its inception, the Chrysanthemum Ball has raised nearly $9.5 million. In that time the event has earned a reputation for providing high-quality entertainment, fine cuisine and an energetic atmosphere. Its committee of more than 30 volunteers have consistently created an event that is engaging to those who attend, but also integrally important to Martin Memorial’s mission of providing health care access to the community.

Past Chrysanthemum Balls raised funds for sophisticated technologies such as a PET/CT scanner, two cardiac catheterization labs, a 64-slice CT scanner, a digital mammography unit and equipment enhancements for nurses at the bedside. An endowment was also created that will fund patient care projects in the future as well.

For more information about the Chrysanthemum Ball or the Martin Memorial Foundation, please visit GIVEmmhs.org.

Martin Memorial Earns Joint Commission Certification for Joint Replacement

The Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality. In September, the Joint Commission awarded Martin Memorial disease-specific care certification for joint replacement of the knee and hip.

Martin Memorial is one of just nine hospitals in Florida to receive this certification and the only one on the Treasure Coast.

“We are fortunate to have a dynamic team of physicians, nurses, clinical and support staff that provides high quality care to our patients,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial Health Systems. “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the best possible care and the Joint Commission certification demonstrates our commitment to achieving that goal.”

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Martin Memorial does the right things and does them well for knee and hip replacement patients,” said Jean E. Range, executive director of disease-specific care certification for the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission launched its disease-specific care certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs.

Approximately 400 patients each year visit the Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement. About 53 percent of patients have knee replacement surgery and 47 percent have hip replacement surgery. Surgeons at the center follow practice parameters developed and approved by Martin Memorial’s Orthopaedic Task Force. The task force develops these practices based on the latest research and best outcomes.

Martin Memorial Foundation LifeSavers Seek Pepsi Refresh Grant to Help Kids

The Martin Memorial Foundation LifeSavers are looking to refresh their efforts to help new mothers and babies on the Treasure Coast in a bold and exciting new way – through the Pepsi Refresh Project.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is an effort to foster innovative programs that will benefit communities, and will award more than $20 million this year to fund ideas and projects. The Martin Memorial Foundation received notification on Oct. 1 that the LifeSavers’ efforts to enhance health care for kids and families was accepted as one of the Pepsi Refresh projects for the month.

The LifeSavers are vying for one of two possible $250,000 grants. Winners are selected by a popular vote. To vote for the LifeSavers project, visit www.refresheverything.com/goombaybash or text 103329 to Pepsi at 73774. Voting ends Nov. 1.

The Pepsi Refresh Project launched in January 2010. Each month, 1,000 submissions are reviewed and approved projects are then posted online and voted on for the entire month following submission. Pepsi Refresh is looking for “projects that are beneficial, achievable, constructive, and ‘shovel-ready’ (meaning it can be finished within 12 months of funding).”

The LifeSavers are a committee of nearly 70 philanthropists from Martin and St. Lucie counties who work hard to create awareness for the needs of new mothers and infants, as well as pediatric patients at Martin Memorial. A number of the committee members have had children born at Martin Memorial – and some were actually born at the hospital themselves.

“I think the LifeSavers fit perfectly with what the Pepsi Refresh Project is trying to accomplish,” said Lindsay Nickerson, co-chair of the LifeSavers committee. “We are a group of individuals who, by using innovation, passion and teamwork, are helping to ensure babies born at Martin Memorial receive the best possible health care available. And in many cases, that care is quite literally a life saver.”

Since its inception in 2002, the LifeSavers have raised $600,000 for the Martin Memorial Foundation. Those funds are used to purchase new technology and equipment, as well as to provide needed renovations to Martin Memorial’s maternal-child department and pediatric rehabilitation facilities.

At the 2010 Goombay Bash, the annual summer event that highlights the group’s efforts, the LifeSavers brought in a record $130,000 with the help of 650 revelers and numerous sponsors.

“The LifeSavers have been so successful not only because they support a great cause, but because of the passion and commitment they bring to everything they do,” said Melinda Stevens, co-chair of the committee. “The Pepsi Refresh Project is an exciting opportunity to continue that legacy of assisting Treasure Coast residents. We hope the community will help us reach our goal and in doing so, help new mothers and babies have access to the highest quality care available.”

Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial Inaugural Lecture, Screening Event a Success

The Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial recently held its inaugural lecture and screening event. Designed to provide information on back and spine problems, the event drew nearly 60 people.

The lecture was presented on Sept. 25 by Drs. John Afshar, John Robinson and John Viola, neurosurgeons at the Back and Spine Center, who provided information on a wide array of back and spine issues. After the lecture, 46 people were screened by three Martin Memorial physical therapists and three neurosurgical physician assistants from the Back and Spine Center.

The Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial, which was officially launched Sept. 7, is the premier comprehensive neurosurgery center on the Treasure Coast. Located at 509 Riverside Drive on the Martin Memorial Medical Center campus in Stuart, the Back and Spine Center features three board-certified neurosurgeons, as well as a team of clinical support staff that includes physician assistants and a physical therapist.

Together, they are able to diagnose and treat patients suffering from back and spine pain – as well as complex conditions of the brain – with a wide variety of minimally invasive procedures and non-surgical treatment options.

The Back and Spine Center also features a rapid referral system that can help patients get an appointment to see a neurosurgeon quickly, or with a physician assistant the same day. Diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, and CT and MRI scans are coordinated through the center for a quick turnaround.

The neurosurgeons at the Back and Spine Center offer the latest minimally invasive surgical treatments that are designed for shorter hospital stays, faster healing and fewer complications. Assisted by sophisticated computers, the neurosurgeons can reconstruct spinal columns, insert artificial discs, repair fractures and relieve pinched nerves. They also utilize the latest technologies for surgical treatment of tumors and other conditions affecting the brain.

Not all back and spine issues require surgery. Non-surgical options include on-site physical therapy along with referrals for pain management, holistic services, and diet and nutritional counseling. Each patient leaves with a comprehensive and customized treatment plan.

For more information, call the Back and Spine Center at (772) 288-5862 or visit BackandSpineFL.com.

Tale of the Tape: Kinesio Taping Has Benefits for Athletes and Rehabilitation Patients

Here at Martin Memorial Health Systems we take great pride in our patient care, and we are always trying new techniques to aid in our patients’ recovery.

That’s why many of our therapists recently studied the kinesio taping method. The goal is that together with other rehabilitations modalities we will enhance our patient care, and it will now be offered at all of our Martin Memorial rehabilitation sites.

Kinesio tape and the kineso taping method were founded in Japan by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1973. It was first seen internationally at the 1988 Olympics. Since those Olympics, the tape has gained recognition around the world. It wasn’t until 1995 this taping method was introduced in the United States, and has since been accepted from the world’s best known athletes.

Many athletes in the 2008 Summer Olympics, along with the Paralympics, used kinesio tape. Athletes including Lance Armstrong, Kerri Walsh, and players from the New York Jets and Seattle Mariners have been using the tape with great results. Though the tape has recently boomed with athletes, 85 percent of all applications are performed on non-athletes. Many physical therapists across the country are using this tape in their practices for patients to utilize at home and between visits.

Kinesio tape is a stretchy fabric tape with a medical grade acrylic heat activated adhesive backing. It is latex-free and can stretch up to 100 percent in length. The tape can be worn for three to five days without reapplying. It is waterproof and may be worn in the pool or shower. This tape is designed to lift the skin to allow increased circulation, to help enhance muscle performance and protect against injury. Kinsio tape is unique to all other forms of athletic tape; it allows more movement in the body and skin.

What can the tape be used for? Virtually anything. Depending on how the tape is applied to the body, it can be used to decrease swelling after surgery, to protect a joint or muscle from overstretch or injury. The tape can encourage better spinal alignment and posture. The possibilities are endless.

There are five major effects of kinesio tape. First, our skin is our largest sensory organ in our bodies. The tape allows increased space in deeper tissues to allow for increased circulation and reducing pressure on our pain receptors. The tape can affect nearly every part of the body through contact with the skin. This allows for increased lymphatic flow along with improved blood exchange. Kinesio tape allows the fascia in our bodies to re-organize correctly. The tape greatly improves alignment of joints and helps facilitate function of ligaments and tendons. Finally, muscles can be encouraged to contract or can relax over-used muscles to prevent further stress.

With many medical benefits, the tape can be used for a wide variety of scenarios or medical needs – for athletes, weekend warriors or anyone who might benefit from its use.

--Victoria Strome, PTA
Martin Memorial Rehabilitation Services

Osteoporosis is a Challenging Condition, but Manageable With Professional Guidance

As people age their bodies go through many changes, one of which is a change in their posture.

These postural changes are due to tightening muscle groups, decreased muscle tone and decreased bone strength. The National Institutes of Health defines osteoporosis as a systemic skeletal disorder with compromised bone strength that predisposes an individual to increased fracture risk. The most common fractures due to osteoporosis are of the wrist, hip and vertebral bodies, with the hip being the most disabling and life-threatening.

A bone density scan is completed to determine if you have osteoporosis. This scan will result in a measurement known as a T-score. If the T score is 0 to -1, the bone strength is normal; -1 to -2.4 equals osteopenia; -2.5 and below equals osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis can be managed with medication, diet and exercise:

• There are many medications on the market which can be taken daily, weekly, monthly and even once a year. Talk to your physician to determine if this is an option for you.

• A diet filled with various calcium-rich foods plays an important part in managing osteoporosis.

• Getting at least 20 minutes of sunlight a day helps your body produce Vitamin D, which aides in the absorption of calcium.

• An exercise program including a walking regimen and weight training program can help build bone density and increase postural muscle strength.

With a prescription from a physician, you can participate in a physical therapy osteoporosis program providing education about posture, body mechanics, fall prevention and specific exercise techniques.

The physical therapists at Martin Memorial are trained in the Meeks Method of exercise for patients with osteoporosis. This is a systematic, progressive exercise program specifically designed to unload and elongate the spine.

The benefit of the Meeks Method is that once you’ve received proper training from physical therapists, you can incorporate these techniques into your daily life and exercise regimen. Upon completion of skilled physical therapy, Martin Memorial offers memberships at our health and fitness centers with trainers to assist you with your management of osteoporosis.

For further information regarding our rehabilitation services osteoporosis program at Martin Memorial, please contact us at (772)223-2811.

--Cathy Sopotnick, MSPT
Rehabilitation Services

Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial to Hold Back Pain Screening, Seminar

The Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial will be holding a free screening and seminar on Saturday, Sept. 25 to discuss causes of and treatments for back pain.

Back pain will affect an estimated 85 percent of Americans at some point in their lives, and lower back pain is one of the five most common reasons people visit a doctor. To help people learn more about this common but potentially debilitating problem, three board-certified neurosurgeons from the Back and Spine Center will hold a seminar discussing the causes of back and neck pain, the range of treatments available, as well as minimally invasive treatment options the center can provide.

Immediately following the seminar, a brief spinal screening examination will be performed by a physician assistant and physical therapist. One-on-one consultations will be available after the screening, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled on site if needed.

The event will be held at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, located at 501 E. Osceola Street in Stuart. The seminar begins at 8 a.m., followed by the screening session from 9 to 11 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited and a reservation is required. Please call 1-866-361-HOPE (4673) to reserve a spot.

“Bert’s Story” Demonstrates How the Back and Spine Center Can Help Ease Pain

Bert Goldman had been battling pain in his back for more than a year. On many occasions, that meant he had to skip playing golf, one of his favorite pasttimes. A neighbor recommended that he visit Martin Memorial. After meeting with John Viola, MD, a neurosurgeon with the Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial, Bert decided to have a minimally invasive surgery. In this video, Bert talks about how the surgery has relieved the pain and helped get him back on the golf course again. For more information on the center, the neurosurgeons, as well as general information on back and spine treatment options, visit backandspinefl.com, or call (772) 288-5862.

Research Study at Martin Memorial Could Add Treatment Option for Osteoarthritis

“Oh, my aching knee!” is a common cry among the more than four million people affected with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States with approximately one in three adults with arthritis reporting limitation in their usual activities. The problem will be compounded with the aging of the Baby Boomer population and the projected increase in life expectancy.

Joint pain during and/or after activity is the most common symptom of this degenerative disorder, which affects the cartilage and bone of primarily large weight-bearing joints. Other joint symptoms include swelling, a grating or crackling sound or feeling, and restricted motion. Genetic predisposition, obesity, advancing age and physically demanding occupations contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.

What are the treatment options?

Pharmacological intervention is an important and often early component in the management of OA. Acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed as the first-line treatment for mild to moderate OA symptoms. Due to potentially dangerous side effects, caution should be taken when using any medication.

There is some evidence that physical therapy and a standardized exercise program can improve self perceptions of pain, stiffness and function in OA sufferers. One study showed that physical therapy and exercise delayed the need for total knee replacement one year after treatment.

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections also have an anti-inflammatory effect and may often provide short-term pain relief. Steroid injections carry the potential for complications, however, and frequent administration is somewhat controversial.

Hyaluronic acid, a component of cartilage and the fluid which cushions the knee, is another intra-articular injection option which can provide longer-lasting relief. These products, available in four different preparations, are designed to improve the shock absorption and lubrication of the joint and are generally provided in a series of three to five injections.

There is significant disagreement in the published literature about the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery as a treatment option for knee OA. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure which focuses on the surgical removal of torn or damaged cartilage.

Total knee arthroplasty is the final procedure used to restore joint function by replacing damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial surfaces. Advances in biotechnology are revolutionizing knee replacements. Newer products can bend and rotate and can last 30 years or longer. This option is reserved for severely affected joints. To discuss this or any of the treatment options for OA of the knee, contact a rheumatology or orthopedic specialist.

Martin Memorial’s research department is currently enrolling volunteers in a clinical trial designed to test an investigational knee injection to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. For more information about the trial please contact me at (772) 223-5945, ext. 3739.

--Judith Johansen, RN, BSN, CCRP
Clinical Research Coordinator

Martin Memorial Rehabilitation, Fitness Staffs Work Together to Benefit Patients

At Martin Memorial Health Systems, staff from our rehabilitation, and health and fitness departments work together to offer custom designed programs that can help patients reach their goals.

Rehabilitation services provide physical, occupational and speech therapy patients with an environment to heal. Acute pain can be debilitating and often the diagnosis can be life changing. The rehab team is there for people to educate themselves regarding conditions and to learn how to manage, cope and heal from physical pain and many other diagnoses.

The first step to receiving care through the rehab department is to obtain a prescription from the doctor. There are seven rehab facilities to choose from, extending from Hobe Sound to St. Lucie West. The Hospital South and Treasure Coast facilities both offer aquatic therapy in therapeutic heated pools. Our rehab facilities offer specialized treatment ranging from orthopedic certifications, lymphedema, watsu, myofascial release and balance training.

Upon completion of the therapy treatments, patients are offered a referral to health and fitness. A variety of classes are offered through health and fitness facilities, including gentle arthritis and aerobic classes in the water (which can be found at the Treasure Coast site), as well as zumba, yoga and step classes that are offered in a large studio environment. Physical and occupational therapists often refer patients to health and fitness and encourage them to continue with an exercise program.

Health and fitness professionals include licensed massage therapists and licensed personal trainers. Therapeutic massage is offered through health and fitness to maintain gains from therapy. Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function and promote relaxation and well-being.

A personal trainer is someone who makes sure a person is doing exercises correctly, as well as choosing or progressing an appropriate exercise regime. The scope of practice for a personal trainer is to enhance the components of fitness for the general, healthy population. The added touch of a professional to progress your program is very beneficial.

Appointments are available with licensed massage therapists, personal trainers and/or exercise physiologists to further progress an individual’s program. Our medical fitness facilities offer a variety of services to accommodate individual needs that can help you design a program to maintain health.

--Tara Marie Anstensen
Martin Memorial Rehabilitation Services

Martin Memorial Launches Comprehensive Neurosurgery Center

Treasure Coast residents suffering from back and neck pain now have a place where they can find fast and lasting relief.

The Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial, which was officially launched Sept. 7, is the premier comprehensive neurosurgery center on the Treasure Coast. Located at 509 Riverside Drive on the Martin Memorial Medical Center campus in Stuart, the Back and Spine Center features three board-certified neurosurgeons, as well as a team of clinical support staff that includes physician assistants and a physical therapist.

Together, they are able to diagnose and treat patients suffering from back and spine pain – as well as complex conditions of the brain – with a wide variety of minimally invasive procedures and non-surgical treatment options.

The Back and Spine Center also features a rapid referral system that can help patients get an appointment to see a neurosurgeon quickly, or with a physician assistant the same day. Diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, and CT and MRI scans are coordinated through the center for a quick turnaround.

“The goal of the Back and Spine Center is to help patients return to their everyday activities without pain, as quickly as possible,” said Miguel Coty, vice president of marketing communications for Martin Memorial. “We are able to offer a spectrum of sophisticated services, provided by highly skilled clinical professionals, all in one location for the convenience and comfort of our patients.”

The Back and Spine Center is led by three accomplished neurosurgeons, each of whom is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has earned Fellowship status from the American College of Surgeons. They include:

• John K.B. Afshar, MD, who specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques for the spine and brain. He is nationally recognized for his research in strokes and neurosurgery. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University Medical Center, where he also completed his internship and residencies.

• John R. Robinson Jr., MD, specializes in computer-guided, minimally invasive microsurgical treatments for the spine and brain. He graduated with honors from the University of South Florida College of Medicine, and completed his internship and residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.

• John J. Viola, MD, specializes in the treatment of brain and spinal tumors, persistent back pain, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and much more. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and completed his internship and residency at Georgetown University Medical Center.

The neurosurgeons at the Back and Spine Center offer the latest minimally invasive surgical treatments that are designed for shorter hospital stays, faster healing and fewer complications. Assisted by sophisticated computers, the neurosurgeons can reconstruct spinal columns, insert artificial discs, repair fractures and relieve pinched nerves. They also utilize the latest technologies for surgical treatment of tumors and other conditions affecting the brain.

Not all back and spine issues require surgery. Non-surgical options include on-site physical therapy along with referrals for pain management, holistic services, and diet and nutritional counseling. Each patient leaves with a comprehensive and customized treatment plan. For more information, call the Back and Spine Center at (772) 288-5862 or visit BackandSpineFL.com.

Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West Celebrates First Anniversary

The doors to the Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West had not even opened yet when the first patient seeking care showed up on the morning of Sept. 1, 2009.

People have continued to receive care there at a remarkable pace, averaging nearly 2,000 visits per month since the emergency center began treating patients a year ago. Demand was high enough that Martin Memorial has already added an additional bed for a total of 13.

Located at 1095 N.W. St. Lucie West Blvd. in Port St. Lucie, the emergency center is an off-site emergency department designed to meet the critical medical services needs for western St. Lucie County by providing access to timely emergency care.

“When we opened this facility we believed it would be a valuable resource for the community and it has exceeded expectations,” said Steven D.M. Parr, DO, medical director of the emergency center. “We have been able to help a great number of people receive the care they needed quickly and close to home.”

The 9,100-square foot emergency center provides a wide range of care, treating everything from sprains to chest pains. Diagnostic imaging – including X-rays, and MRI and CT scans – are available on site, as well as a laboratory dedicated just for the emergency center.

While off-site emergency departments traditionally see patients with less serious illnesses or injuries – generally allowing them to treat patients more quickly – the physicians and nurses on staff are able to respond to acute injuries and illnesses as well.

The emergency center is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, but does not provide inpatient beds. It is staffed and equipped to handle many of the same emergencies a hospital would, though patients with more severe injuries or ailments are taken to appropriate facilities. Patients requiring inpatient admission are transported by ambulance to a hospital.

David L. Smythe Wound Center Offers Comprehensive Care for Non-Healing Wounds

For most people, wound healing is a natural, uneventful process. But for some, it becomes a complex medical problem requiring specialized treatment and care.

Since 2003, the David L. Smythe Wound Center at Martin Memorial has provided a multidisciplinary program of treatment and support for the management of acute and chronic wounds. Since problem wounds are often associated with underlying medical conditions, our program is designed to integrate wound care with ongoing health care.

If you are one of the more than five million Americans suffering from a non-healing wound, we may be able to help. Our specialists work together to provide individualized treatment and decrease the cost and time of your recovery. If you are suffering with any of the following, you may be a candidate for wound care:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Chronic venous ulcers (leg ulcers)
• Pressure ulcers bed sores)
• Chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Radiation-related tissue damage
• Any ulcer/wound that persists for more than six weeks despite care

At the David L. Smythe Wound Center at Martin Memorial, we have specially trained physicians, nurses and clinical staff who are experts in diagnosing and managing wounds.

We have won national awards for our program’s quality outcomes, in part because we take the proper steps to ensure patients receive the best treatment results possible.

For more information call (772) 223-5903 or visit our website at mmhs.com, then click on Services and Locations.

Music Cranked Up on Your Kid’s MP3? It Could Be Doing Long-Term Hearing Damage

Do you know how loud that music is your child is listening to? Did you know it could be loud enough to permanently damage their hearing?

At peak volume, iPods, MP3 players and other personal ear-level devices can reach 110 to 120 decibels, which approach the level of a live rock concert. Granted, few people actually listen to music at a painfully loud level, but indisputably, most listen louder than what is necessary.

While many personal devices now have a volume cap parents can set and lock, the issue these days is more than just the volume level. The longer, rechargeable battery life and greater music storage capacity people have grown to love and expect is also what encourages and allows people to listen longer and not give their ears a chance to recover. It is the combination of high intensity and long duration that creates risky conditions for early hearing loss. Physician studies have reported younger and younger patients with signs of early hearing loss.

Remember when your parents repeatedly yelled “turn that music down”? Well, with this generation that is plugged in 24/7, parents aren’t yelling that stuff anymore because parents can’t tell how loud the music actually is. Not to mention we’re also seeing a very different level of use than we did in the past.

Listening via portable music players has become more of a full-day listening experience as opposed to just when you’re jogging. Many adults and children are using these devices not just to enjoy music, but also to block out ambient noise on buses, in cars, on the street, in restaurants, etc. They tend to crank up the volume to compensate for the surrounding noise and don’t even realize they may be causing damage to their ears. This accumulated noise damage may take years before it causes noticeable hearing problems, but by then it’s too late.

Hearing is a complex process. Tiny hair cells in the inner ear amplify sound vibrations and convert them into signals the brain can interpret and understand. Exposure to excessively loud sounds damages these delicate hair cells and their ability to transfer sound to the brain, which causes noise-induced hearing loss.

The effects can be temporary, like after a single concert, and hair cells can recover. However, constant repeated exposure can weaken and eventually kill hair cells, causing permanent hearing loss. Children’s ears are even more sensitive than adults because their ears are so much smaller and sounds entering the ear canal become louder because they are generated in a smaller space. So the longer and louder you listen, the greater the potential for lasting damage.

But there is good news: use of these devices does not need to be eliminated to protect young people's hearing. Several studies over the years have determined that it is relatively safe to listen to a portable music player set to no higher than 60 percent of its potential maximum volume for one hour a day (not for hours at a time). If listeners are willing to turn the volume down even further, they can increase the amount of time they can safely listen.

One informal rule of thumb is if you have to remove the headset, or turn the volume down to hear people talking to you, it’s too loud. Concern over the risk of hearing loss also has some companies producing headset styles that aim to block out background noise so you can hear the music better at lower volumes. These products can be pricey, but worth it. And for all you techy parents out there, there is uHear, a sound app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that enables you to test your own hearing sensitivity.

Remember, turning down the music today will ensure your children will be able to hear the music in the future.

--Michele P. Phillips, Au.D., CCC-A
Clinical Audiologist

Beating the Heat Critical for Patients with Heart Failure, Other Chronic Conditions

Patients with heart failure and certain other chronic medical conditions should not exercise outside in very hot and humid weather. This is because their hearts have less reserve capacity to transport heat from the body and their hearts can become overworked.

In addition, many heart failure patients are also trying to balance the fluid levels in their bodies by taking diuretic medications that rid the body of excess water and reduce their ability to sweat. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop in heart failure patients just by their sitting in a house or car that is not air-conditioned or by being outside in the sun for too long on very hot days.

Tips for people living with heart failure:

• Continue your usual exercise, but move indoors to an air-conditioned space (try walking laps at the mall).
• Do not stay in a building, house or car without air conditioning.
• Weigh yourself daily at the same time and with the same amount of clothing. If your weight drops more than two to three pounds from your normal weight, call your doctor to see if your medications need adjusting.
• Be cautious and take frequent cooling breaks when you are outdoors.
• Drink cool water rather than cold water because the body absorbs cool water faster.
• Do not drink juices or sodas during exercise as they are not absorbed well during exercise.
• Sports drinks are not required for salt and mineral replacement if you eat a healthy diet.

If you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, remove any extra layers of clothing, begin drinking cool water and seek medical attention if you do not feel better after one hour. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Dry tongue and thirst
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

--Janice Meadows MBA, BSN, CEN
Assistant Vice President, Frances Langford Heart Center

“Christine’s Story” a Look at How Bariatric Surgery Can Greatly Improve Quality of Life

Christine began putting weight on after she was married, started having a family and concentrating on her business.

The pounds kept piling on, until one day she decided to do something about it. After much deliberation and research, Christine determined it was time to take action.

In 2008 the decided to have weight-loss surgery at the Martin Memorial Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. That was in 2008. Today, she has lost 122 pounds and kept it off.

Losing the weight has allowed her to live without the pain she felt while maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. She gardens, exercises and even completed a 5K run.

To learn more about her journey and the benefits of weight-loss surgery, please watch the video “Christine’s Story” below. If you have questions, you can call the center for bariatric and metabolic surgery at (772) 223-4916, or attend one of our educational sessions. The next one will be held Tuesday, July 17 at Martin Memorial Medical Center from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To RSVP, call 1-866-361-HOPE (4673).

Steve Wolfberg, Former Martin County Emergency Services Director, Joins MMHS

Steve Wolfberg, who served Martin County for nearly 28 years in emergency medical services, fire-rescue and emergency services, is taking on a new role at Martin Memorial Health Systems.

Wolfberg recently was named the director of transportation and fleet management services. Among his responsibilities, Wolfberg will oversee Martin Memorial’s Coastal Care Transportation, which provides advanced and basic life support for patients needing to be transported to and from the hospital setting, both locally and across the state. Coastal Care ambulances are stationed at several Treasure Coast locations, including Martin Memorial Medical Center, Martin Memorial Hospital South and the Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” Wolfberg said. “I look forward to coming back to the Treasure Coast and being involved in the community. It’s like a homecoming for me.”

Wolfberg began his career with Martin County in 1980. He helped develop the county’s EMS program in the early 1980s, served as fire chief, and became emergency services director in 1997. He retired from that position in 2008 to work for Matrix Consulting Group, where he spent two years. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based group consulted with government agencies and businesses on public safety practices, law enforcement, fire-rescue and EMS programs, and emergency communications.

One of the primary goals in Wolfberg’s consulting work was to help organizations find efficiencies in existing programs that could also enhance the quality of care and improve safety. Now, he will be sharing that experience with Martin Memorial.

“I love innovation and cutting edge ideas,” Wolfberg said. “Many of those ideas come from the people doing the actual job, so I hope to be a catalyst for those ideas and help transition them into management practices that will benefit Martin Memorial’s patients and our organization as a whole.”

Looking to Enhance Your Fitness? Tai Chi May Help Bring You Into Balance

I have been working in the fitness industry for many years. I would rather not give you the exact number because then the cat will be out of the bag as to how old I am. Let’s put it this way: When I taught my first aerobics class, we were wearing leg warmers, headbands and thong leotards. Thank goodness those thong leotards have been retired into the “what were they thinking category.”

I have always been quite resistant to learning and teaching classes such as yoga and tai chi. I must admit, that I have always been a diehard cardio/strength/drill sergeant type fitness instructor. I am the personal trainer that has you doing pushups as well as pushing you to get that one last repetition in when you want to give it up. So as the catch phrase goes, I decided to “step out of my comfort zone” and learn something completely different.

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a weekend-long tai chi instructor/leader workshop led by master instructor Pat Lawson.

There, I learned that tai chi is “literally translated as ‘grand ultimate exercise.’ Tai chi is a gentle, slow-motion exercise that originated from ancient China.” You may have seen people in parks or on beaches moving in slow motion, and wondered what they were doing and why they were doing it. Odds are they were doing tai chi, which is surprisingly energizing and calming.

It is martial arts in slow motion and is especially beneficial to health. One of its major characteristics is control of movement. It is important to move slowly and gently in order to generate internal strength.

I have been learning the Sun style of tai chi. There are several styles, but this one in particular has been proven to help people who suffer with arthritis. It is called Tai Chi for Health which was designed in 1997 by Dr. Paul Lam, MD. There are 12 basic movements to this style and I am “slowly” learning how to master them. “Waving Hands in the Clouds” has been a challenging movement to master. However, with practice, patience and persistence, the moves will start to flow together and then you are left with a wonderful sense of calm and life energy known as the qi (chi).

Tai chi offers another component to the fitness wheel, which is balance. Balance as in mind, body and spirit, and also physical balance. Maintaining body balance will improve muscular strength, which will help to minimize potential falls.

Martin Memorial Health and Fitness offers an array of tai chi classes at most of our centers. If you would like to participate in a new way of improving your fitness, visit our website at mmhs.com and click on the Health and Fitness button to find class schedules. You can find me at the beginner class every Monday afternoon.

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

Martin Memorial Auxiliary Thrift Shop Holds Sale Prior to Moving to New Site

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary Thrift Shop will be relocating to the Ocean East Mall in August.

To help prepare for the move, the Auxiliary is holding a “super moving sale” until Saturday, Aug. 7 at its current site, located at 2195 S.E. Ocean Blvd. in the Smithfield Plaza in Stuart. There will be great deals available on gently used merchandise, ranging from clothing to home furnishings and much more. Many items are marked at 50 percent off . The shop is open during its summer hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The telephone number is (772) 223-5619 for more information.

The thrift shop will open Aug. 18 at its new site, located at 2328 S.E. Ocean Blvd. in the Ocean East Mall just two shops down from Milam’s Market in Stuart.

The thrift shop provides funds that the Auxiliary uses to help Martin Memorial deliver care for the community. In 2009, the Auxiliary completed its $1 million pledge to the Frances Langford Heart Center, in part through funds it raised through the thrift shop. And each year, the Auxiliary provides $40,000 in scholarships for local students who are seeking degrees in health care related fields.

Martin Memorial has one of the largest hospital Auxiliaries in the state, featuring more than 800 volunteers who provide nearly 200,000 hours of service each year.

Understanding Signs and Symptoms of Stroke Can Help Get Necessary Care Fast

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and one of the most common causes of disability.

However, the damage can often be minimized if medical care is provided quickly by highly trained clinical staff. To help ensure that patients who suffer from stroke receive the best treatment possible, Martin Memorial is certified as a primary stroke center by the Joint Commission.

Receiving immediate care is critical to limiting the amount of damage the brain suffers following a stroke. That’s why understanding the signs and symptoms of a stroke are so important.

Below are the most common symptoms of stroke. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 right away. Treatment is most effective when started immediately.

Symptoms may be sudden and include:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
• Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
• Problems with movement or walking
• Severe headaches with no other known cause

All of the above warning signs will not necessarily occur with each stroke. Do not ignore any of the warning signs, even if they go away — take action immediately. The symptoms of stroke may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Other less common symptoms of stroke may include the following:
• Sudden nausea, vomiting or fever not caused by a viral illness
• Brief loss or change of consciousness, such as fainting, confusion, seizures or coma
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, which can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke. However, TIA symptoms are transient and last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours.

Call for medical help immediately if you suspect a person is having a TIA, as it may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur. Not all strokes, however, are preceded by TIAs.

Martin Memorial and VGTI Florida Collaborating on Another Research Study

In November 2009, Martin Memorial and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute Florida announced the first research collaboration between the health system and the life sciences organization.

In June 2010, the two began working on a second study, in partnership with Florida Blood Center. That study was highlighted in a recent article in Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers.

The purpose of the first study is to investigate how the body’s immune cells react to exposure to a viral infection such as the flu, either by immunization or by infection with the virus itself.

In the case of influenza infection the body reacts very quickly. During infection, the immune system produces cells that fight the infection. At the same time, the immune system produces antibodies that are able to protect against future infections from the same infection.

The study of this process will allow researchers to better understand the reaction the body has against the virus. Better understanding of the model for acute phase of influenza infection will be helpful in determining protective strategies and developing innovative vaccine and immune therapies to control flu epidemics, HIV and other chronic infections.

The second study involves the withdrawal of white blood cells from volunteers in a process called leukapheresis, which is somewhat similar to giving blood. Those white blood cells are then sent to VGTI Florida, where scientists can use them in studies involving the human immune system.

More studies could be in the works as well between the two organizations. You can learn more here about other clinical trials available at Martin Memorial, including numerous oncology trials at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center.

Knowing Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack Can Be a Lifesaver

In 2007, Port St. Lucie resident Barry Lombard experienced discomfort in his upper chest and thought it was merely indigestion. When it began to worsen, he immediately went to Martin Memorial Health Services at St. Lucie West, where he learned he was having a heart attack. The very next day, interventional cardiologist Stephen McIntyre, MD, performed stent placement surgery on Lombard at the Frances Langford Heart Center at
Martin Memorial.

Sometimes it can be hard to determine whether chest pain is simply indigestion or a heart attack. For Lombard, seeking medical care at the onset of symptoms helped avoid complications. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack, and knowing how to respond, could save a life.

These symptoms may appear in men and women:
• Chest pain, pressure or squeezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tightness in the chest
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, arm or jaw
• Heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting
• Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness

These symptoms are more common in women:
• Indigestion or gaslike pain
• Recurring chest discomfort
• Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
• Sense of impending doom
• Unexplained weakness or fatigue
• Discomfort or pain in the arms, stomach, jaw, neck or between the shoulder blades
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cold sweat

If you or someone you are with has one or more of these symptoms, don’t delay. Call 911 immediately. Lombard’s ability to recognize the signs of a heart attack helped him receive quick treatment, which allowed for a faster recovery and a better outcome.

“After the surgery, I felt great,” Lombard recalls. “The doctors, nurses and everyone in between were always one step ahead. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience considering the severity of the situation. The staff at the heart center made a very difficult time seem easy.”

Lombard’s trip to the heart center was also a learning experience. Now, at age 68, Lombard shares with family, friends and neighbors the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and he assures them that they will receive excellent care at Martin Memorial.

“Since visiting the heart center, I’ve had other unrelated health concerns,” says Lombard. “When I was faced with the choice of where to have my knee surgery, it was an easy decision. I went to Martin Memorial.”

Note: This article originally appeared in Martin Memorial’s “For Your Health” magazine. For more on this and other health related topics, visit mmhs.com.

Ditch Those Old Summer Snacks for Some Healthier Alternatives

School’s out for summer. That means the kids are around the house, and friends and family visiting more often, which makes it harder to stay away from the sweet treats. It’s easy to keep cookies, cakes and chips around the house to share with the family. But it may not be the best option for your waist line or your health because it’s easy to add extra calories to your diet (and pack on extra pounds) when you’re munching away on potato chips.
So trade in those traditional treats for one of these healthier alternatives:

• For a simple treat try grilling fresh pineapple, mangoes, or peaches.
• Freeze grapes or blueberries for a refreshing icy treat that’s always on hand.
• Try snacking on fresh sliced veggies and low-fat cheese. They can easily be bought already chopped and in serving size containers – or for a cheaper alternative, cut them yourself.
• Switch to a whole-grain cracker like Triscuits. Whole grains contain more vitamins, minerals and fiber than refined grains.
• Serve with store-bought, low-fat dip or try making your own to control the salt. Use blended ricotta cheese, low-fat yogurt, cream cheese, mayo, or sour cream. Then add dill, pepper, garlic, minced onion and/or other herbs to your taste.
• For a fruit dip try low-fat cream cheese or blended ricotta with a no-calorie sweetener, like Splenda, and a little flavoring like caramel extract.
• Remember, Splenda can be substituted for sugar to cut back on unnecessary sugars and calories.

You can find ideas for healthy snacks at Web sites like eatingwell.com. Here’s an example for frozen chocolate covered bananas.

Cut a large banana into thirds and then insert a popsicle stick into the end of each banana piece. Dip into melted semisweet or bittersweet chocolate and then sprinkle with finely chopped nuts. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for at least 2 hours.
They contain approximately 120 calories, 6 grams of fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams added sugars, 2 grams protein, 2 grams fiber.

-- Stephanie Ashmore
Foods and nutrition major at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio
Student Intern at Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing

Martin Memorial Auxiliary Executive Committee Members Recently Inducted

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary Executive Committee recently inducted five officers. They include:

• Shelley Guerard, president. Guerard, a former executive in the telecommunications industry, takes the reins as Auxiliary president, replacing Eva Kemp who served since April 2008. Guerard, who has been with the Auxiliary for five years, began volunteering in the pharmacy and served with the guest relations team as well. She has also served as the organization’s assistant treasurer, the recording secretary and the president-elect for the past two years.

• Nick Grubbs, president-elect. Grubbs is a former chief financial officer of several health systems in south Florida, and recently retired from Monongalia Health System in Morgantown, W.Va.. He also serves as a guest relations volunteer, meeting and greeting visitors to Martin Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday mornings.

• Susan Dyall, vice president. Along with her duties as vice president, Dyall will plan and coordinate the Auxiliary’s general membership meetings. She joined the Auxiliary in 1998 as an ombudsman in the Martin Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department before becoming a reception desk volunteer at the Medical Center. She currently serves as chairman of the Medical Center reception desk volunteers.

• Nancy Goldthwaite, treasurer. Goldthwaite will continue her role as treasurer, serving her fourth and final year in the position. Goldthwaite has been an Auxilian for more than eight years and has given more than 8,000 hours.

• Terry Kish-Skidmore, recording secretary. Kish-Skidmore is serving as recording secretary, along with her duties volunteering for pastoral care and personal response services. She is also involved with the Martin Memorial Foundation, having established an endowment in memory of her late husband, Dr. Robert Kish.

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary includes more than 800 volunteers who provide nearly 200,000 hours of volunteer service annually and contribute considerable philanthropic gifts to the health system. In 2009, the Auxiliary completed its $1 million pledge for the Frances Langford Heart Center. This year, members pledged to raise $150,000 to refurbish the conference center at Martin Memorial Medical Center. And since 1978, the Auxiliary has awarded approximately $1.1 million in scholarships to 824 residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

(Pictured below, from left to right: Nancy Goldthwaite, Susan Dyall, Shelley Guerard, Nick Grubbs, Terry Kish-Skidmore.)

Martin Memorial’s Fit to Lose Program Can Help You Get Fit This Summer

You have made the commitment to finally lose those extra pounds and promise to stick with an exercise program. The most difficult part of making the commitment is sticking to it. I have been there and I am quite sure you have been there too. We all start out with great expectations and then somewhere down the road we seem to slip back into our old behavior patterns. The key to your success is to create new behavior.

The first task on your journey to creating new behavior patterns is to “clean up your environment.” It starts right in your kitchen and pantry. If you have made the commitment to lose weight and exercise, this task is crucial to your success.

Take it from me, it really works. I must admit, this first step can be difficult.
When you get home today, take a large trash bag and just get to it. I want you to feel empowered with this first and most important step. Say goodbye to the foods that have held you hostage. I still remember the day I decided to do this. As I was tossing processed food away (which I donated to a food pantry), I became angry at the food companies for putting so many unhealthy ingredients in my food. Look at the labels. Look at the unhealthy amounts of sodium that you have been putting into your body. I remember feeling so energized by this exercise. You can do this and once it is completed, you have a clean slate and are ready to begin.

Now that you have tackled your food environment, your next leap will be to change the way you feel about following a regular exercise program. The key again is to adopt the frame of mind that “this is a new way of life.” This is how you want to live your life.

Your healthy body will begin to crave movement. Exercise does not have to be painful or boring. Exercise does not always have to involve going to the fitness center. Exercise is simply moving your body for 30 minutes or more per day. You may want to exercise at the fitness center three days per week and then on the alternate days, go for a bike ride, walk or run outdoors. You might try tennis, swimming or kayaking.

The Fit to Lose program at Martin Memorial is here to guide you and help you, but ultimately YOU are in control. We are here to motivate you and provide the tools to help you succeed.

Here are some helpful tips that will get you started on the path to creating new behavior patterns. Making small changes in your diet and lifestyle can improve your health as well as trim your waist line.

• Start each day with a nutrient-rich breakfast.
• Strive for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Fatigue leads to overeating.
• Eat your meals seated at a table and try to have your meals with family, friends or your partner.
• Use a smaller plate to “trick” your mind. Fill up that smaller plate!
• Avoid second helpings and family-style serving.
• Choose low-fat dairy products.
• Plan ahead! Have healthy foods at your disposal. Stock up with fresh fruits and veggies. If you have been skipping breakfast because you don’t have time in the morning, then get everything ready the night before. Leave your bowl, spoon and cereal out. All you have to do is get the fat-free milk out of the fridge.
• If you are planning on working out after work, pack your gym bag the night before and take it to work. No need to stop at home and take the chance of getting all comfy on the sofa.

The Fit to Lose program begins June 28 at each of Martin Memorial’s six health and fitness centers. The 12-week summer weight loss challenge is available for adults and children ages 8 and up. It features information and tips on making productive lifestyle changes, weekly weigh-ins, cholesterol and glucose testing, individualized exercise programs designed by certified personal trainers and much more.

Please be realistic with your weight loss and exercise goals, because it takes 30 days to create new habits. Good luck!

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

Nursing Scholarships Available From Martin Memorial, Sailfish Point Foundation

Martin Memorial Health Systems and the Sailfish Point Foundation are again teaming up to help nursing students earn their degrees.

Through a generous donation from the Sailfish Point Foundation, Martin Memorial will award five $1,000 nursing scholarships this fall to students meeting criteria.

To be eligible for a nursing scholarship, students must be accepted to an accredited nursing school for fall 2010, be pursuing an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, and must be a resident of Martin County.

Scholarship applications are available online at mmhs.com. The application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 30. For more information, please e-mail Rachel Raos at rraos@mmhs-fla.org.

“The Starting Line” Runners Cross the Finish Line in Impressive Fashion

Editor’s Note: We received this update about “The Starting Line” program from Nancy Aldrich, site supervisor of the Martin Memorial Palm City Health and Fitness Center, following the annual Run for the Pineapple 5K.

You can read the original blog entry from Jane Reynolds here: http://martinmemorialhousecall.blogspot.com/2010/05/thanks-to-starting-line-new-runners-are.html

“The annual Run for the Pineapple 5K on Memorial Day was the finale of our 12-week ‘The Starting Line’ program for new runners. Overall we feel it was a great success. We began with 27 runners in the first week and still had 20 runners at the end of the program. Everyone did incredibly well for their first 5K and had a great time. Our runners ranged in age from 12 to 54. Our first male finisher was John Ryll at 26:13.1. Our first female finisher was Nicole Allesandrello at 26:17.5. Nicole’s finishing time was good enough for third place in the female 25-29 division. Not a bad first race ever when you go home with a medal!

This program was administered by a team of experienced runners and coaches comprised of Martin Memorial personal trainers and member volunteers. One of the coaches and a member of Palm City Health and Fitness, Rex Noble, voluntarily conducted additional weekly speed work sessions on Thursdays at 5:30 a.m. for some of the more dedicated trainees. Nicole Allesandrello was one of the Thursday morning regulars. Obviously it paid off!

Our runners really enjoyed the program, are looking forward to participating in more races in the area, and possibly participating in another running program at Martin Memorial Health and Fitness in the fall to build on what they’ve started.”

Mariner Sands Charity Classic Raises $16,000 for Martin Memorial

Now in its fourth year, the Mariner Sands Charity Classic Doctors’ Golf Outing tournament is continuing its tradition of providing health care resources for the community.

This year’s outing attracted nearly 50 golfers, including members of Martin Memorial’s medical staff, physician assistants and other health care professionals.

The annual event, held on May 15 at Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart, proved to be a successful fundraiser. The Martin Memorial Foundation received a total of $16,000 from the outing and a donation from the Mariner Sands Charity Classic. Proceeds will provide needed medical services throughout Martin Memorial.

For the past 27 years, Mariner Sands residents and businesses serving Martin County have donated more than $3.8 million to local charities and not-for-profit organizations, including Martin Memorial, through sponsorship of the Mariner Sands Charity Classic golf tournament.

Sponsors of this year’s Doctors’ Golf Outing included: Owens and Minor; Sodexo Health Care Services; Crothall; Infinity Homecare; Coggin BMW of the Treasure Coast; Mike’s Trophies and Gifts.

Among the participants were, from left to right: Michael A. Dennis, M.D.; Alton L. Thomson, M.D.; S. Scott Tapper, M.D.; Evan M. Collins, M.D.

It May Not Sound Sweet, But Extra Sugar Can Play Role in Significant Health Issues

As a nation we are on sugar overload and we need to get control. Over the past
35 years our intake of added sugar has jumped 20 percent to give us an estimated 400-plus calories a day from sugar. These empty extra calories are hardly ones that most people can afford.

In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a new report that urges Americans to slash their intake of sugar not only because of its contribution to obesity, but also because new research suggests it may play a role in increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The new AHA recommendations call for no more than 100 calories a day of added sugar for women (6 ½ teaspoons or 26 grams) and 150 calories a day for men (9 ½ teaspoons or 38 grams). To put it in perspective, one cup of vanilla ice cream has roughly 160 calories and 6 teaspoons of sugar (24 grams); or one 16-ounce bottle of sweetened ice tea has 12 teaspoons of sugar (48 grams) and 170 calories.

The fact is, sugar is everywhere and has many hidden names (evaporated cane juice, dextrose, brown rice syrup), some of which we think are better for us than others (honey, raw sugar). But the truth is sugar is sugar and we get too much of it.

So take a look at the nutrition label on the foods you eat for the day and add up the sugars. Chances are you’ll be surprised to see the sugars in that “all-natural cereal” or “healthy” glass of chocolate soy milk. Just remember that milk and fruit sugars occur naturally.

--Beth St.Louis, MS, RD, LDN
Program Dietitian
Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing

Martin Memorial Auxiliary, Martin Memorial Health Systems Give $50,000 in Scholarships

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary and Martin Memorial Health Systems recently awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships to 48 students studying for health care careers.

The Auxiliary provided $40,000 in scholarships to 38 individuals. The scholarships were available to high school seniors graduating from schools in Martin or St. Lucie counties in 2010, as well as to verifiable residents of both counties seeking undergraduate or graduate degrees in health-related fields, or business fields related to delivering health care. That includes adults interested in going back to school to further their educations. Previous scholarship recipients can apply if they meet eligibility requirements outlined in the application.

Martin Memorial Health Systems provided another $10,000 in scholarships for 10 eligible associates of the health system seeking to enhance their education in clinical, educational or business fields related to health care.

Scholarship awards are granted for one year, beginning during the fall semester of 2010 and ending with the summer semester of 2011. A committee of Auxiliary members determined which candidates received scholarships and in what amount. Amounts awarded varied and were based on grades, residency, need, other financial assistance being granted and other criteria.

“We are investing in bright, talented individuals who will receive terrific educations that ultimately will benefit Treasure Coast residents,” said Shelley Guerard, president of the Martin Memorial Auxiliary Executive Committee. “Some are future physicians, nurses and therapists who will provide care for our community. Others will serve as managers and administrators to keep our health system vibrant. This modest investment ultimately will yield exceptionally high returns.”

Last year, the Martin Memorial Auxiliary and Martin Memorial Health Systems provided a total of $50,000 in scholarships with 56 recipients earning assistance. Since 1978, Martin Memorial has awarded approximately $1.1 million in scholarships to 824 residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary includes more than 800 volunteers who provide nearly 200,000 hours of volunteer service annually and contribute considerable philanthropic gifts to the health system. In 2009, the Auxiliary completed its $1 million pledge for the Frances Langford Heart Center. And in 2010, members pledged to raise $150,000 over three years to refurbish the conference center at Martin Memorial Medical Center.

Thanks to “The Starting Line,” New Runners Are Ready to Cross the Finish Line

Have you ever wanted to run a 5k race but were not sure how to get started?

Scot Fuhrman of Martin Memorial Health and Fitness is an avid runner and wanted to help new runners get started. So the Starting Line running group made its debut 10 weeks ago and the first group of new runners are about to cross the finish line on May 31 at the Run for the Pineapple 5k race.

The program Scot designed allowed for all types of runners and walkers to participate. The runners were put into groups based on their fitness level. The groups consist of: run only; run two minutes, walk one minute; run one minute, walk one minute (which I got to coach!); and walk only.

Everyone participating in the program is given a training program to follow during the week and the group meets every Saturday morning at 6:45 a.m. We all warm up together with a walk and then break into our groups. At the conclusion of the run we all meet again to stretch.

One key training element of this program is the increase in distance was kept to quarter-mile increments each week. This form of training helps build endurance and confidence.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and watching new runners gain confidence and amazing endurance over these past 10 weeks. In particular, two women in my group have really surprised me. In the beginning, one had difficulty completing a half-mile run/walk. I wasn’t sure if she was going to make it. She also developed knee pain which I thought would stop her. Instead, she sought the help of a professional, got her knee pain under control and is still with us. She is one of the STARS of the program. Her goal is to finish the race and she is just two weeks away from completing her goal, and has also lost 15 pounds!

When one of my other new runners began, she confesses that she could barely run 500 yards. But she has stuck with the program and is now running over three miles! And another runner started with the 1/1 group but soon moved up to the 2/1 group. She is committed to the program and is looking forward to crossing the finish line.

Crossing the finish line of my first 5K race is one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced. I am looking forward to seeing the faces of The Starting Line runners finally cross their first finish line.

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

“Quit to Get Fit” Provides Tools and Resources to Stop Tobacco Use

Since becoming a tobacco-free campus in 2008, Martin Memorial has increased its commitment to help associates, patients and community members quit tobacco use.

As part of that commitment Martin Memorial, with the support of the Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network (LORHN) and the Everglades Area Health Education Center, recently received a $325,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health to aid smoking cessation efforts.

This summer, Martin Memorial will be eligible for additional grant funding if it meets criteria set by the Department of Health. This is the largest grant awarded to a health system of this size in Florida. Grant funds were made available as a result of a settlement between the state of Florida and the tobacco industry in the 1990s.

“This is an amazing opportunity for Martin Memorial to help thousands of Treasure Coast residents quit using tobacco,” said Kate Stemle, corporate director of health and fitness centers for Martin Memorial. “This program can have a tremendous impact on the overall health of our community, because tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States.”

The grant allows Martin Memorial to provide free six-week smoking cessation classes in Martin and St. Lucie counties, a continuing medical education (CME) event for physicians, and the funds and resources necessary to help promote the programs throughout the community.

Martin Memorial is also receiving free nicotine replacement therapies (such as gum, patches and lozenges) for inpatients, physician office patients and program participants.

“This is an established program that has a proven track record of success,” said Marilyn Leeds, executive director of LORHN. “Tobacco users know there are many reasons to quit – including the impact on their health, their families’ health and the costs involved. This program can help them reach their goals of becoming tobacco free.”

Leeds was instrumental in identifying the grant opportunity for Martin Memorial, developing the program and securing the grant. LORHN is a non-profit organization that provides for the special and specific needs of the residents, visitors and businesses in Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties.

In an effort to also help tobacco users increase their overall health as well, each individual who completes the Quit to Get Fit program will receive a free seven-session pass to one of Martin Memorial’s six health and fitness centers.

The first free public classes began in April, with three more sessions taking place in May and additional sessions forthcoming. Classes are taught by certified tobacco-cessation professionals and are held at a variety of times and locations for the convenience of attendees.

For more information, including class schedules and how you can sign up, please call (772) 287-QUIT (7848) or e-mail quitnow@mmhs-fla.org.


(Pictured above: Joe Peters, executive director of the Everglades Area Health Education Center; Kate Stemle, director of health and fitness and the center for health and healing at Martin Memorial; Marilyn Leeds, executive director of the Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network; and Mark Robitaille, president and CEO of Martin Memorial Health Systems at a community event in Port St. Lucie announcing the Quit to Get Fit program.)

Martin Memorial to Host 11th Annual Cancer Survivors Day Event on June 4

Martin Memorial will celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day with an event on Friday, June 4 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center.

Cancer survivors, their families and friends are invited to the 11th-annual event at Martin Memorial, where they can share inspirational stories, enjoy lunch and entertainment. This year’s event will have a baseball theme, including a visit from St. Lucie Mets players and Slider, the team’s mascot. Tickets to St. Lucie Mets games will be available as door prizes.

The Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center is located at 501 E. Osceola Street in Stuart. The event will be held in the resource library on the second floor of the cancer center. Space is limited, so please RSVP for the celebration by calling (772) 223-5945, ext. 3736. Event parking is available in the garage next to the cancer center.

Now in its 23rd year, National Cancer Survivors Day is a world-wide celebration of those who have fought cancer. A survivor is considered anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation estimates there are more than 11 million Americans who fit that description.

Martin Memorial Offers Two New Classes to Help People Quit Tobacco Use

Martin Memorial Health Systems will be holding free classes as part of a new program aimed at helping people quit using tobacco.

The classes are six weeks each and are taught by health care professionals certified in tobacco cessation. They provide nicotine replacement therapy, as well as smoking cessation techniques and the support needed to help kick the tobacco habit.

The program is open to Treasure Coast residents, including Martin Memorial patients and associates, as well as their family members. The free program offers ongoing support as well as group sessions, and has a proven record of success.

Two separate six-week sessions will begin at two locations in Martin and St. Lucie counties:

• Thursday, May 20, 3-4 p.m., Martin County Community Services facility, Veterans Services Office, 435 S.E. Flagler Ave., Stuart
• Thursday, May 20, 2-3 p.m., House of Hope, 2484 S.E. Bonita St., Stuart

Everyone who completes a six-week class will receive a free pass for seven sessions to any of Martin Memorial’s six health and fitness centers conveniently located throughout the Treasure Coast.

The program is a collaboration between Martin Memorial, the Florida Department of Health, the Everglades Area Health Education Center, and the Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network.

Anyone seeking more information or who wants to sign up for the program can call (772) 287-QUIT (7848), or e-mail quitnow@mmhs-fla.org.

Education Critical to Recognizing Signs, Symptoms of Heart Failure, Heart Attack

Amy Eversole, MD, a cardiologist on staff at Martin Memorial, recently explained during a lecture the common causes of heart failure.

These contributing factors may include: damage after a heart attack, high blood pressure, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), diabetes, family history of heart disease, obesity, congenital heart disease, irregular heartbeats, excess alcohol consumption and a diet high in salt.

She also noted that it is critically important to be aware of the classic symptoms of a heart attack, as well as the symptoms that may not be recognized immediately. Receiving treatment immediately can be lifesaving for people who suffer a heart attack.

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack in men and women include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs and abdomen
• Sweating
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck arm or jaw
• Heart burn or indigestion, with or without nausea and vomiting
• Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness

The symptoms more common in women are:

• Indigestion or gas-like pain
• Recurring chest discomfort
• Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
• Sense of impending doom
• Unexplained weakness or fatigue
• Discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades

If you think you could be having a heart attack, call 911. If you need cardiac care and have questions regarding services at Martin Memorial's Frances Langford Heart Center, please call our patient educator at (772) 221-2094.

Martin Memorial Foundation Board of Directors Receives Six New Members

Six new members recently joined the Martin Memorial Foundation Board of Directors.

The board oversees the Martin Memorial Foundation, which is responsible for the fund-raising efforts of the not-for-profit health system. The new board members include:

• Steven Beres, attorney and partner with the law firm of Crary Buchanan.
• Nancy Crowder-McCoy, CPA and tax principal for the accounting firm of Proctor, Crook, Crowder and Fogal.
• Shelley Guerard, former vice president with Verizon who recently began her tenure as president of the Martin Memorial Auxiliary.
• John Keller, founder and former president of the Illinois-based Keller Group Inc.
• J. Philippe Latreille, former executive with manufacturers Masonite Corp. and Hunter Douglas.
• Eric A. Pfeiffer, MD, president of Diagnostic Imaging Services and chief of radiology services for Martin Memorial.

“We believe these individuals will bring tremendous talent and experience to the Martin Memorial Foundation Board of Directors,” said Arthur M. “Rusty” Brink Jr., vice president and chief philanthropic officer for Martin Memorial. “I look forward to each of them in helping us fulfill our mission of providing exceptional health care to the community.”

Want to Help the Environment? Go Green With Your Eating and Feel Better, Too

As we think about ways that we can be greener (recycle, recycle, recycle) why not take a look at what we put in our mouths. There are easy ways that we can be greener for the environment through our food intake, while at the same time making ourselves healthier.

First, buy locally. Visit your local green market or farmer’s stand weekly. Why not help keep our local farmers in business while at the same time saving ourselves money? Buying locally usually costs less and enables you to get the freshest of the fresh. Some farm stands even let you pick your own – can’t do better than that. It also saves the environment by reducing the amount of miles it takes to reach you (1,500 miles on average). Buying locally also uses less packaging, processing, refrigeration and marketing. It’s a big bang for your buck!

Second, avoid food struggles. If you have to hack away to open the package, chances are it’s not good for you. Think about eating whole foods – fresh fruits and vegetables (organic if possible), beans and legumes, oats, brown rice, sprouted breads, meats and proteins that have not been fed or raised with hormones. Focus on healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, seeds and nuts, and cold-water fish such as Alaskan salmon.

Third, ditch those water bottles and buy yourself a BPA-free bottle. Water is an essential component to our health but all those water bottles in our wasteland do not do our environment any good. Consider a water filtration system either in your home or one you keep in the refrigerator.

Lastly, eat less meat. Believe it or not, this can be the single greenest move you can make. The production of meat requires large amounts of land, water, grain, hormones and antibiotics that pollute our soil, air and water. Just think, one pound of beef has a water footprint of 3,750 gallons while a pound of tomatoes uses 22 gallons of water. A substantial difference!

So think about ways that you can be greener. If everyone does something it can have a big impact on our environment.

--Beth St.Louis, MS, RD, LDN
Program Dietitian
Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing

Ten New Members Join the Martin Memorial Boards of Directors

Ten new members began tenures with the Martin Memorial Health Systems and Martin Memorial Medical Center boards of directors in April.

Of those new members, three were recently named to the Martin Memorial Health Systems Board of Directors, which has oversight over the entire health system, including Martin Memorial Medical Center and the Martin Memorial Foundation. They include:

• John Fedorek, CPA and principal in the accounting firm Hill, Barth and King in Stuart.
• John Loewenberg, former executive with companies including Mutual Life Insurance Company, Aetna, Pfizer Medical Systems and IBM.
• John Ziegler, attorney and former president of the National Hockey League who has served as chairman of the Martin Memorial Foundation. He was also selected as secretary for the Martin Memorial Health Systems Board of Directors.

The Martin Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors, which has oversight over all entities that fall under the domain of the Medical Center (including both hospitals), recently elected eight members to its boards. They include:

• Evan Collins, MD, who specializes in obstetrics-gynecology and is on the Medical Staff of Martin Memorial.
• Peter Dayton, MD, who specializes in obstetrics-gynecology and is on the Medical Staff of Martin Memorial.
• J. Michael Evans, former executive with utilities companies including Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and Consolidated Edison Company of New York, where he served as president and COO.
• Joseph Gage, MD, president and partner of Stuart Cardiology Group and a cardiologist on the Medical Staff of Martin Memorial.
• Shelley Guerard, former executive with Verizon who recently began her tenure as president of the Martin Memorial Auxiliary.
• Pamela Houghten, director of education and outreach for Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies.
• James Mondello, former president, COO and regional executive vice president with Barnett Banks.