Thursday, May 27, 2010

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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

“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.)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

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.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

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.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

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.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

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.”