Health Care

The Heritage Tradition will host Dr. Manoj Rawal, cardiologist, for a special program called “Your Heart’s Best Advocate is YOU!” from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24.

Rawal will address the risk factors of coronary artery disease and how those issues can affect one’s health. He will then explain how to recognize the early signs of congestive heart failure and what to do about them. 

Rawal is board certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine and interventional cardiology. He practices with Cardiac Solutions in Sun City West and maintains a second office in Peoria.

The seminar is free and open to the public. Seminar attendees will have a chance to win a free Heritage Tradition Sunday brunch certificate for four.

Reservations are required. Call 623-742-1000 to reserve a place.

Warren Selkow knows heart disease from being on the receiving end of it and he wants to tell you about it.

Selkow, author of "The Simplified Handbook for Living with Heart Disease," will discuss his journey from the onset of symptoms to surgeries, coping with the side effects as well as the life-changing effects of living with heart disease at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Auditorium at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West.

The speaker will be joined by his cardiologist, Dr. Joseph Caplan, a physician on staff at the nonprofit hospital.

Selkow “wrote a definitive book on literally everything a heart disease patient needs to know,” writes Caplan in the forward to the book. “He wrote about eight years of experiences with heart disease, starting with his very own heart attack. Selkow applied his considerable skill to analyze and detail what he did wrong to facilitate that first heart attack and what the impacts of those mistakes were.”

Caplan was so impressed with the book that he is using it in his office for his heart patients. When the physician asked his patient why he undertook the huge task of writing this book, Selkow responded, “If I had only known all that stuff at the outset of my illness I would have avoided much aggravation and grief,” he said.

This lecture is part of the ongoing Put Your Heart in the Right Place with Banner Health lecture series. All attendees will receive a free T-shirt and the first 10 people to register (one per household) will receive a free copy of Selkow’s book. There will also be copies available for purchase at the event.

To register, call 602-230-CARE (2273).

Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation’s men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will feature Phoenix City Councilman Michael Johnson, who will discuss being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Wayne Tormala, chief of the Bureau of Tobacco Education & Chronic Diseases, Arizona Department of Health Services, also will be a guest speaker on the topic of chronic diseases.

Other presenters are Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, Dr. Tursha’ Hamilton and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

The show will be broadcast on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632.

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

Banner Community Education and Wellness Centers offers the following free support groups for the month of February. Registration is not required.

Banner Boswell Medical Center, Support Services Bldg., 13180 N. 103rd Drive, Sun City:

• Cancer Education and Support: “I Can Cope,” 1-2 p.m.; social support, 2-3 p.m., third Wednesday monthly, in the Juniper Room. Information: 602-230-2273. 

• Laryngectomy, 4-5 p.m., first and third Tuesday monthly, in the Pinyon Room. Information: 623-876-5349.

• Ostomy, 2-4 p.m., first Thursday monthly, in the Juniper Room. Information: 623-975-3671.

• Respiratory, 1:30-3:30 p.m., second Tuesday monthly, in the Juniper Room. Information: 623-876-5708.

 

Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center, 10601 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City:

• Aphasia, 3-4 p.m. first and third Friday monthly. Information: 623-974-7059.

• Stroke, 1:30-2:30 p.m. first Friday monthly. Information: 623-974-7059.

 

Banner Health Sun Health Research Institute, Building B, Morin Auditorium, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City:

• Alzheimer’s Caregivers, 1:30-3:30 p.m., last Monday monthly.

• Parkinson’s, 10-11:30 a.m., second Monday monthly. Information: 623-583-2040.

• Parkinson’s & Partners, 10-11:30 a.m., fourth Monday monthly. Information: 623-583-2040.

• Prostate Cancer, 9-10 a.m., fourth Thursday monthly. Information: 623-566-2604.

• SC Area Parkinsonians & Caregivers, 10-11 a.m. second and fourth Monday. Feb. 8: general meeting. Speaker: Troy Anderson, “Sleep Disorders.” Feb. 22: Divided meeting. Information: Karol Priester, 623-876-4999.

 

Alzheimer’s Association offers the following support groups. Helpline: 1-800-272-3900. West Valley Resource Center: 623-815-2494.

Peoria:

• 9:30-10:30 a.m. third Wednesday monthly, Peoria Adult Day Center, 8133 W. Cactus Road. Free respite available for individuals in early stages. Call Interfaith for an interview: 623.584.4999

Sun City:

• 1:30 p.m. last Monday monthly, Sun Health Research Institute, auditorium, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive.

• 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Mary’s Place - Memory Care Day Program, Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 Del Webb Blvd. Respite care available: 623-584-4999.

• 10 a.m. third Thursday monthly, for male caregivers, St. Clement of Rome Church, 15800 Del Webb Blvd.

• 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursdays, The Coffee Klatch, a drop in group, 13050 N. 103rd Ave., Suite B.

Sun City West:

• 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday monthly, ongoing early stage groups for care partner and person with dementia (early stages only), Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church, 13658 W. Meeker Blvd. Call 623-815-2494 before your first visit.

• 10 a.m. first Thursday monthly, for male caregivers, Desert Garden United Church, 18818 N. 128th Ave.

• 9 a.m. first Friday monthly, Chez Nous Senior Center, 14495 R.H. Johnson Blvd.

Surprise:

• 10:30 a.m. second and fourth Monday monthly, 12301 W. Bell Road, Suite A-103.

• 10:30 a.m. second Thursday monthly, Sun City Grand Recreation Center, Cimarron Center, 17100 W. Clearview Blvd.

 

Interfaith Community Care Support Groups offers information and assistance. Respite care is available during most support groups. For information, call 623-584-4999 or visit www.interfaithcommunitycare.org.

• Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases, 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Interfaith’s Mary F. Bovard Center, 14601 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City.

• Parent Support Group, for anyone caring for an adult who is developmentally disabled, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 14, Lakeview United Methodist Church, choir room, 10298 W. Thunderbird, Sun City.

• Caregiver support groups for anyone caring for another person with any type of impairment.

Sun City West: Alzheimer’s focus and general caregiver support, 9-10 a.m. first and third Friday monthly, Chez Nous Center and Cafe, 14495 R.H. Johnson Blvd.

Peoria: 9:30-10:30 a.m. third Wednesday monthly, First Baptist Church of Peoria, 8133 W. Cactus Road, Peoria.

• Grief and Bereavement Support Group, an eight-week support group offered periodically throughout the year. For information, call 623-584-4999.

 

The Catholic Outreach Center for Health and Social Services offers the following programs at 12301 W. Bell Road, Suite A-103, corner of Bell and El Mirage roads, Surprise. For information, call 602-532-2981, or e-mail TCOC@fsl.org.

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, 10:30-11:30 a.m., second and fourth Monday.

• Anxiety and Depression, 10-11 a.m., the first and third Thursday monthly.

• Balance & Fitness Class, 11 a.m.-noon Thursdays, Church of St. Joachim & St. Anne, parish hall, 11625 N. 111th Ave., SC. Cost: $2 donation.

• Chronic pain support group, for those with chronic pain, their family and caregivers, 1-2:30 p.m., second and fourth Friday.

• Low vision support group, 1-2 p.m., first and third Mondays, Our Lady of Lourdes parish.

• Morning caregiver group, 9 a.m., Tuesdays.

 

Other support groups:

• AA “KISS” Keep it Simple in Surprise, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 18300 W. Bell Road. Women only. 7 p.m. Thursdays, “Alive in Surprise,” coed.

• AA Variety Group, 8 p.m. Thursdays, open, no smoking, Advent Episcopal Church, 13150 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West. Information: 623-214-9719.

• AA Saturday Sobriety Group, 2 p.m., closed meeting, Shepherd of the Desert Church, 11025 N. 111th Drive, Sun City. Information: 623-972-9480.

• AA Sharing Time Group, 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, closed, nonsmoking meeting, open to all who want to stop drinking. Unity Church, 10101 Coggins Drive, Sun City. Information: 623-972-9480.

• AA Speakers, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Open meeting, Lecture Hall next to Village Store, Meeker and R.H. Johnson Blvd., Sun City West. Information: 623-214-8197; or 623-214-1535.

• AA Sun City Gratitude Group, 7-8 p.m., Banner Boswell Memorial Hospital, Support Services Bldg., second floor, Pinyon Room, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City. Tuesdays: closed 12-step meeting for those who wish to stop drinking. Fridays: open meeting with AA topics of discussion. Information: 623-583-8408.

• AA Surprise Big Book Step Study Group, 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, First Baptist Country Church, 12844 W. Santa Fe Drive, Surprise. Information: 623-583-9838.

• Alanon, Freedom AFG, 4 p.m. Mondays, 9502 W. Hutton Drive, Sun City.

• Alanon, New Attitudes, 10 a.m. Thursdays, Church of the Advent Episcopal, 13150 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West.

• Alanon Serenity in Surprise, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Word of Life Lutheran Church, 17525 W. Bell Road, Room 104, Surprise.

• Alanon, Stardust Beacon, 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Desert Palms Church, 13459 Stardust Blvd., Sun City West.

• Alanon, West of the Sun, 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, Sun City West Men’s Club, Meeker and R.H. Johnson boulevards, Sun City West.

• Alzheimer’s Support Group, 10 a.m. second Monday monthly, Willowbrook United Methodist Church, Wilson Fellowship Hall, 19390 N. 99th Ave., Sun City.

• Arthritis Foundation Exercise Class, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Desert Garden United Church, Fellowship Hall, 18818 N. 128th Ave., Sun City West. Information: 623-584-6844.

• Before the Weekend Group, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. Information: 623-245-1277.

• Bereavement Support Groups sponsored by Banner Hospice, designed to help people with all kinds of significant emotional losses including death, divorce, estrangement, etc. The groups are open to the public. Registration is not necessary. The materials fee is $15. Information: Cindy Darby, bereavement coordinator, 480-503-9676 or 1-800-293-6989. Sun City West: Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West - call for details. Glendale: 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays, Banner Federal Credit Union, Sun Health Bldg. (first floor, BTMC far west classroom W107), 5757 W. Thunderbird Road; 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center (conference room, lower level), 5555 W. Thunderbird Road. Phoenix: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Banner Estrella Medical Center, 9201 W. Thomas Road, Conference Center Bldg., Room 1.

• Bereavement Support Groups, sponsored by Hospice of Arizona, information: 602-678-1313. Sun City: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, St. Joachim and St. Anne Church, 11625 N. 111th Ave.; 10-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Thursday monthly, Banner Boswell Medical Center Support Services Bldg., Ponderosa Room, 13180 N. 103rd Drive. Sun City West: 4-5:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesday monthly, Grandview Terrace Apartments, 14515 Granite Valley Drive. Sun City Grand: 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 16909 Marcos de Niza, Surprise. Information: Joan Alpaugh, 623-546-5507. Peoria: (for men only) 10-11:30 a.m. first and third Tuesday monthly, Plaza del Rio Hospice Unit, 12740 N. Plaza del Rio Blvd.; third Thursday monthly, Desert Winds Assisted Living, 20545 N. Lake Pleasant Road. Call for times: 623-322-0600.

• Bipolar & Depression Support Group - Calm Waters, 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Boswell Hospital, 13180 N. 103rd Drive, Support Services Bldg., Pinyon Room, Sun City.

• Bipolar & Depression Support Group - Finding Balance, 4-6 p.m. Fridays, Arrowhead Wellness Connection, 6670 W. Sack Drive, Glendale (67th Avenue and Union Hills north of the main hospital building).

• Bosom Buddies West Valley Chapter, provides a 24 hour daily hot line at 602-231-6648 and is staffed by trained breast cancer survivors. Women of all ages and stages of breast cancer are welcome. Meetings are 6:30-9 p.m. first Thursday monthly, LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 16321 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. Feb. 4: guest speaker, Ashley DeGooyer, an ACS patient navigator with Banner Boswell Medical Center, “What is a Patient Navigator?” Information: Dianne, 602-531-9123.

• Breast Cancer Support Group for African American Women, Partners Wig Salon, 8700 block Grand Avenue. Peoria. Information: Nickie Miller, nasloanmiller@yahoo.com; or Evet Berry, 623-334-0563; or visit www.careforchemo.com.

• Caregivers Support Group, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 11 and 25, Grace Bible Church, 19280 N. 99th Ave., Sun City. Information: 623-972-6414.

• Celiac Disease, D.H. allergies or sensitivity to wheat, rye, oats or barley. Information: Lois, 623-537-9006; or Martha, 623-266-6845.

• Chronic Pain Support Group, 6-8 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital, 13460 N. 67th Ave., Glendale. Information: Rob Kronenberg, 623-334-5437, or e-mail robert.kronenberg@healthsouth.com.

• CODA, (co-dependents anonymous), for people who have low self-esteem, 3-4 p.m. Fridays, NuHope Alano Club, 12313 N.W. Grand Ave., El Mirage. Information: 623-972-3805; or 623-815-7275.

• Epilepsy NW, Support Group, 7 p.m. fourth Monday monthly, Foothills Branch Library, Loop 101 and 59th Avenue, Glendale.

• Essential Tremor Support Group - West Valley, second Tuesday, Church of St. Joachim & St. Anne, 11625 N. 111th Ave., Sun City. Information: 623-933-5703.

• Gamblers Anonymous, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City. Enter at the southwest corner of the south parking lot. Meeting is on the second floor in the Pinion Room. Look for the Support Services door. Information: Marilyn, 623-876-8436.

• Good Mourning Grief Support Group of Sun City, 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sunland Conference Room, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. Information: 623-933-0161.

• Good Mourning Group of Sun City West, 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Church of the Advent, 13150 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West.

• Grief Support and Recovery Group, 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 13131 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West. Information and registration: 623-546-6228.

• Grief Support Group, 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Grand Community Baptist Church, 18350 N. Goldwater Ridge Drive, Surprise. Information: Jack Pevey, 623-975-6262.

• Grief from the Male Perspective, 10 a.m. first Monday monthly, Sun Valley Lodge, Wriston Lounge, 12415 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. Free. Open to any male 18 years and older. Information and reservations: 602-678-1313.

• Hospice of the Valley, grief support groups, 9720 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 128: 6-7:30 p.m. first and third Thursday; 2-3:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesday; 3-4:30 p.m. first and third Monday at CIGNA office building, 13041 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. Information: 602-530-6970.

• Lakeview United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, support group for people with family members who have emotional problems, mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. Sessions meet in the music room of the office complex. 10298 W. Thunderbird Road, Sun City. Information: Virginia Nelson, 623-974-5821, Ext. 120. 

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5:30-7 p.m. third Thursday, Church of the Palms, Sun City. Information: Kathleen Gross, 602-788-8622, Ext. 15.

• Life After Loss, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Palm Vista Baptist Church, 17475 W. Bell Road, Surprise. Facilitators: Russ and Jean.

• Life After Loss, six-week series, 1-2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Odyssey Healthcare, Peoria In-patient Unit, 8977 W. Athens St., Peoria. Facilitator: Deborah Andrews, LMSW, CT. Registration or information: Deborah, 623-583-3100, or Alicia Wills, 602-279-0677.

• Life After Loss “New Beginnings” compassionate support group meet at 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Willowbrook United Methodist Church, library lounge, 19390 N. 99th Ave., Sun City. If you have lost a loved one and are having difficulty dealing with your loss, you are welcome to attend. There is no charge and you do not have to be a member of the church to attend. Information: 623-974-5637.

• Low Vision Group, 10 a.m., first Tuesday monthly, Desert Garden United Church, Library, 18818 N. 128th Ave., Sun City West. Information: Anita, 623-546-6169.

• Lupus & Fibromyalgia Support Group — Surprise, SCs, 6-8 p.m. first Tuesday monthly, AZ Tradition, ceramics room, 17221 N. Citrus (Bell and Citrus roads). Meetings are open and informal. Information: Janie Lee, 623-249-3405.

• Myasthenia Gravis, Arrowhead Community Education Center. Information: Jean, 623-546-4117.

• Multi-Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), aka Environmental Illness (EI) support group, when it seems you are “allergic to everything” you may be almost right. 1:30 p.m. third Thursday monthly. Information or to report an incident: 623-584-9665.

• Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, 1 p.m., first Friday monthly, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13700 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Information: Lois, 623-584-6067, or Vicky, 623-975-3068.

• Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Sun City, 10:30 a.m. first Thursday monthly, Sept.-June, First Presbyterian Church, Clarke Annex Room, 12225 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. Information: Judy, 623-972-3941, or Karen, 623-584-8575.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness, West Valley, (NAMI), for families who have loved ones living with mental illness, 7-8:30 p.m. third Monday monthly, Aurora Behavioral Health, 6015 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale. All programs are free. Information: 623-546-4011.

• NuHope Alano Club, support group meetings including Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smokers Anonymous and Codependents Anonymous, 12313 N.W. Grand Ave., El Mirage. For individual meeting times, call 623-979-3805.

• Overeaters Anonymous, 5:30 p.m. Fridays, Unity Church of Sun City, 10101 W. Coggins Drive, south of Grand Avenue. Information: 623-537-9189.

• Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Celebration Lutheran Church, 8726 W. Olive Ave., Peoria. Information: Fran, 623-846-6220.

• Overeaters Anonymous, 4 p.m. Sundays, Del Webb Hospital, Papago Room, corner of Meeker Blvd., and Granite Valley, Sun City West. Use main entrance. Information: 623-544-4488.

• P.A.C.E. (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, American Lutheran Church of Sun City, Del Webb Boulevard and 107th Avenue. Instructor: Pam Lenhart, parish nurse. Public welcome. Information: 623-972-2512.

• Parkinson’s, 3 p.m. third Tuesday monthly, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 13658 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Information: Erhard, 623-584-7754.

• Parkinson’s patients, and their caregivers - Tremble Clefs, a free sing-along program led by music therapists who coach proper breathing to enhance speaking and swallowing, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, 11025 N. 111th Ave., Sun City. Sponsored by the Muhammad Ali Neurological Center, Information: 602-406-3840.

• P/FLAG (West Valley/Sun City Group, Phoenix Chapter of Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), 1:30 p.m. fourth Sunday monthly, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Room 1, 13724 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Helpline: 602-843-1404, or visit www.pflagphoenix.org for more information.

• Preventing the Golden Years from Tarnishing, 5 p.m. second and fourth Monday monthly, 8617 W. Union Hills Drive, No. 100, Peoria. Registration is required: 623-979-2263. Information: visit www.westsidechiropractic.net.

• Recovery Incorporated, a mental health support group, 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Sun City Christian Church, 98th and Palmeras Lane. Learn how to reduce fear and anger. Information: John, 623-974-0566.

• Sign Chi Do--Art of Moving Prayer, 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, 11025 N. 111th Ave., Sun City. A donation of $2 per class is requested. Information: church office, 623-933-1359, or Judie Himes, 602-324-9039.

• Smile (Social Meetings In Life Endeavors), a self-help group for women to live a more positive, loving, and peaceful lifestyle. Fee: $5. For location and information: Barbara, 623-815-1966.

• Sun City Area Weight Loss Support Group, 10:30 a.m.-noon, second Saturday monthly, Menke’s, Sun City Room, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. Information: Ann Miller, 623-249-4924, or e-mail gabby1219@yahoo.com.

• Sun City Liver Disease Support Group, 6:30 p.m. second Tuesday monthly, Sun City Fire Station, 99th Avenue and Bell Road. Information: 623-583-3836.

• Sun City West Recovery Group Inc., 9-11 a.m. Fridays, Del Webb Memorial Hospital, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Information: Elsie, 623-972-4222.

• TOPS, for men, women and teens, weigh-in 5:30-6:10 p.m.; meeting 6:15-7, Tuesdays, Apostles Lutheran Church, 7020 W. Cactus, Peoria. Affordable nonprofit weight loss support and wellness education organization. Learn about nutrition portion control, food planning, exercise and motivation. Information: Cathy, 623-979-5581.

• TOPS 165, 5:30 p.m. Mondays, First United Methodist Church, 9849 N. 105th Ave., Sun City. Information: 623-876-8714.

• TOPS 234, weigh-in 8-8:45 a.m., meeting 9-10 a.m., Tuesdays, Menke’s Sun City Community Room, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. Information: Mary, 623-341-5565.

• TOPS 339, weigh-in 7-8:50 a.m., meeting at 9, Mondays, First United Methodist Church, 9849 N. 105th Ave., Sun City. Information: Ellen Hudson, 623-974-1947; Nida Boylan, 623-876-9073; or www.TOPS.org.

• US TOO, Prostate Cancer Support Group, 9 a.m. fourth Thursday monthly, Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive, Bldg. B, Sun City. Information: Bud Fletcher, 623-566-2604.

Send additions or corrections for support groups to Health Desk, Daily News-Sun, 10102 Santa Fe Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351.

Typically, the focus of care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease focused on caregivers and people in the middle and late stages of the disease. Research and feedback indicates those who have been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s disease are in great need of education and support.

During 2010, early-stage forums will be held throughout Phoenix to give voice to people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, allowing the Alzheimer’s Association and the community the opportunity to listen and learn about their experiences and perspectives on the disease.

This series of forums will stand as the first discussions about Alzheimer’s disease by people with Alzheimer’s disease in the greater Phoenix area.

“These forums are an excellent way to have a meaningful discussion with the early Alzheimer’s patient to discuss the personal side of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, medical director at Banner Sun Health Research Institute. “It will also provide the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association with needed information to develop care and support services that are specific to their unique needs."

If you have early stage Alzheimer’s disease, join the gathering of people with dementia to talk about the disease. Connect with others who understand the Alzheimer experience, and discuss the issues that matter most to you. This forum was designed especially for individuals who have early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, but they are welcome to invite their care partners to attend.   

The forum will be from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive in Sun City and is free. Register for the forum by calling the Alzheimer’s Association at 602-528-0545.

Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation’s men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will focus on heart and stroke tune-up information for 2010.

 

 

 

Special guests and presenters will be Dr. Adam Brodsky, Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, Dr. Tursha’ Hamilton, Dr.Raushanah Najeeullah and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

Brodsky is a nationally known cardiologist specializing in interventional cardiology. He is associated with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The show will be broadcast in a new format on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

Hospice of Arizona is looking for warm and caring people to share their time with terminally ill patients and their families. 

Volunteers can spend time with patients in their homes, group homes or inpatient units, or can provide administrative, bereavement or spiritual support. Bilingual volunteers also are needed.

Three-session certification training will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 27 and 29 at Hospice of Arizona’s main office at 19820 N. Seventh Ave., Suite 130, Phoenix.

For Avondale residents, another training will be Jan. 27, 30, Feb. 3 and 6 at Hospice of Arizona’s Avondale office, 13055 W. McDowell Road, Suite E-106. 

For information or to register, call the Volunteer Department at 602-678-1313.

Part 4 of 4

Those of us who think we don’t have enough time for exercise may have to re-think that excuse.

Banner Boswell Medical Center is presenting a free seminar at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 to teach how to get in shape in eight minutes a day.

The event will be at Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria, 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road, inside Rio Vista Community Park. Register by calling 623-773-8600.

“The 8-Minute Exercise Routine” will be presented by physical therapist Lori Ramage, Joint Club coordinator and physical therapist at Banner Boswell Medical Center.

The program is based on principles presented by fitness trainer Jorge Cruise in his “Eight Minutes in the Morning” fitness book series.

“This is one of several routines that focus on building muscle and speeding up metabolism and burning fat efficiently,” Ramage said. “My point is there are lots of things you can do, and starting off small is less overwhelming than telling people they need to go to the gym for an hour.”

Ramage said she utilized the eight-minute program after she had a baby.

“It was something simple and much easier to get the weight off,” she said. “And people definitely noticed.”

Ramage said the best way to live with arthritis and avoid joint replacement would be to stay active, maintain a healthy weight and keep joints moving.

Ramage said the eight-minute plan focuses on short sets of routines, changed daily to focus on different parts of the body. The only equipment needed, she said, is a 3- to 5-pound set of weights.

In addition to learning how to get fit in eight minutes a day, seminar attendees will find out how to improve eating habits and learn six common-sense weight loss strategies.

Ramage said she recommends weighing yourself daily.

“Hitting the scale every day is important to know how much you weigh,” Ramage said. “It helps me especially after the holidays, and all those parties and extra food.”

Other tips include maintaining a consistent eating pattern, and catching a slip before it turns into a bigger problem.
Ramage said diet is important, but exercise needs to be a part of a fitness or weight-loss routine.

“If people just diet, then the body just basically slows the metabolism down so people don’t see results,” Ramage said. “Do the eight-minute routine or anything to get going through exercise.”

Give yourself a healthy start to the new year by resolving to kick your tobacco habit for good.

Banner Boswell Medical Center invites the community join pulmonologist Dr. Raj Mulpuri for “Living Tobacco Free” at 9 a.m. Jan. 19 in Memorial Hall inside Banner Boswell’s Support Services Building, 13180 N. 103^rd Drive, in Sun City. Call 602-230-CARE (2273) to register. Each attendee will receive a free “Quit Kit” survival pack to help support their efforts in becoming tobacco free. Light refreshments will be served.

Learn the benefits of living tobacco free and get tips to quit successfully once and for all.

“Each year, more than 443,000 people in the United States die from smoking-related diseases. More than 135,000 of those deaths are cardiovascular related,” Mulpuri said. “Refraining from tobacco use at any age has many positive health benefits, including a lower risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.”

On Jan. 1, Banner Boswell Medical Center joined all other Banner Health facilities in becoming a tobacco-free campus. All forms of tobacco use by employees, volunteers, medical staff, patients and visitors are prohibited inside and outside all facilities. Banner Health is committed to promoting good health and offering the best healing environment for patients.

For information, visit www.BannerHealth.com, keyword: tobacco free.

Banner Boswell Medical Center is launching a community outreach program — the Healthy Heart Check screening — next week.

The event offers support to help make improved heart health a New Year’s resolution.

The 30-minute heart health profile will be conducted at the hospital, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City, Tuesday mornings Jan. 12 and 26 and offers important information to help participants know their risk for heart problems and connect with important resources to reduce their risk and offer support.

Options for morning appointment times are available upon registration. The screenings will be offered on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month thereafter.

Each participant meets one-on-one with a nurse, who conducts the comprehensive screening which includes a cardiac risk assessment, cholesterol screening, blood-pressure check and body composition analysis. A report will be provided for each participant to take home, along with pertinent information and heart health resources as follow up. Participants’ physicians also will be sent a copy.

"Becoming reacquainted with your heart and risks for disease, whether it is hereditary or environmental, is key to maintaining heart health," said Dr. Vincent Nicchi, medical director for the program.

A nominal fee of $25 per person will be charged. To register, call 602-230-CARE or visit www.bannerhealth.com and select classes, events and support, then events.

 

 Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation’s men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will focus on colon cancer screening and prevention.

Special guests and presenters will be Dr. Maria Elena Martinez; Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, NMD, Dr. Tursha’ Hamilton, N.D.; Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, NMD; and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

Martinez is a professor in the epidemiology and biostatistics division at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. She co-chairs the Cancer Health Disparities Institute Arizona Cancer Center.

The show will be broadcast on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632.

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

 

In the midst of a difficult economy and debate over health-care legislation that could have a big impact on hospitals, Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale is focusing on its goals for 2010 and the ways it can improve the patient experience.

Jon Bartlett, CEO, said Arrowhead is proud of the services it offers.

“We look forward to providing expert care to high-risk mothers and babies in our newly opened Level IIE Nursery (21 beds),” Bartlett said. “Arrowhead opened this enhanced program in November as the first special care women’s and nursery service in the Abrazo System.”

He also spoke highly of Arrowhead’s cardiovascular services, recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Cardiovascular Programs in the nation by Thompson Reuters.

“It will continue to improve the lives of individuals in the West Valley and Phoenix,” he said. “This recognition builds on our highest national ranking for cardiovascular surgery (3-Stars) for the last two years in a row by the Society for Thoracic Surgery. The awards merit mention only because they reflect Arrowhead’s clinical outcomes compared to all hospitals across the country.”

As for new programs, Bartlett said there is one he is particularly excited about.

“Additionally, Arrowhead will implement an electronic medical record in 2010, allowing for improved efficiencies and care for our patients,” he said.

But Arrowhead will face challenges in the coming year, as well, a reality not lost on Bartlett.

“Like everyone, hospitals are not immune to the current economic challenges,” he said. “We continue to partner with our employees and physicians to provide the absolute best clinical outcomes and individual attention to our patients and do so in the most efficient manner.”

Efficiency, he continued, is the key.

“We are working to eliminate any and all waste, from improving processes to streamlining care for patients, and implementing a paperless electronic medical record, all to ensure we can continue to invest in our nurses and all employees, as well as our clinical services and state-of-the-art technology,” he said.

No matter what challenges arise, Bartlett said Arrowhead will do everything it can to maintain its current level of service.

“Arrowhead’s entire team will continue to not only provide world-class clinical care right here in the West Valley, but also will continue to provide excellent service and individual attention to each and every patient.”

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.

Fourth in a series

The new year will bring changes to Sun Health Services and Sun Health Foundation, as the new president and CEO of both organizations, Ronald D. Guziak, begins to explore ways to identify needed services within the community as he unifies the organizations into a single vision.

Guziak said he wants the different branches to unite to reflect a single focus.

"We need to have a new strategic vision for Sun Health enterprises as opposed to separate corporations, one enterprise with a single vision," Guziak said.

The nonprofit organizations, including the 4,000-member Sun Health Auxiliary, are in charge of fund raising and related activities for the Banner Boswell and Del E. Webb medical centers, as well as the Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Alzheimer’s Residence, Banner Boswell Heart Center, Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center, Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, Banner Special Adults Residence, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, La Loma Care Center, Louisa Kellam Center for Women’s Health, and Maricopa Nursing at Banner Boswell Nursing Education Center.

"The role of Sun Health Foundation and Sun Health Services and partners is to improve the health of our community by supporting the Banner hospitals and the Banner Sun Health Research Institute," Guziak said. "(We need) to look for new and innovative ways to provide programs with a margin of excellence that (those institutions) would not be able to do in their normal circumstance, and engage the community to see what other opportunities there are to serve the health needs of the community outside of the hospitals."

"The challenges are to understand what the hospitals need, interpret health-care reform, engage our community to understand what it thinks it needs and then respond to that," Guziak.

Guziak said after the new year he plans to begin having strategic planning processes that involve the community members, leaders and other social service agencies, which could last about three to four months.

"With Banner as the owner of the two hospitals and research institute, we need to find what gaps are envisioned today and see how far we can go in the plan of service," Guziak said.

Assuring philanthropic donors that their money is being well spent will also be a focus.

"The main thing is communicating to our donors the funds they provide the Sun Health Foundation are used here in their community, and all of the dollars are carefully spent, and provide services beyond what Banner would have already been doing," Guziak said.

For information, call Sun Health Foundation at 623-876-5330.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.

Third in a series

Banner Sun Health Research Institute, a leader in basic and translational research, clinical care, prevention and education in age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, arthritis and cancer, was founded in 1986 as a nonprofit biomedical research center.

In fewer than 25 years, the institute has expanded drastically and now boasts more than 100 scientists and researchers.

Despite the success of the facility and its place in the forefront of research on age-related diseases, SHRI is not without challenges.

As 2009 draws to a close and 2010 begins, the institute will need to work on fund raising to meet research needs, said Brian Browne, director of communications and education for the institute.

"All of science loses out when worthy research aimed at preventing, slowing the progression and curing debilitating diseases is set aside due to lack of funding," he said. "This challenging environment has many of our scientists believing that lack of funding is at fault for discarding and delaying promising new treatments and therapies for disease."

Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, chief medical officer for SHRI, said lack of funding drastically affects research efforts.

"Flat and declining National Institutes of Health budgets, which leads to lack of research funding, remains the biggest challenge for 2010," he said. "The science is poised to make substantial breakthroughs but needs the funding to fuel the discoveries."

Currently, research at the institute is funded by grants from such agencies and foundations as the National Institutes of Health, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and private donations.

Browne said an influx of funding and donations would only help research efforts at SHRI.

"An increase in public and private funding would help fuel the scientific pipeline of discovery and quicken the rate of medical advances," he said.

Another issue facing SHRI in 2010, Browne said, is adequate clinical trial participation.

"Our challenge is to get the word out to patients, caregivers and people who can spread the word about the promising medications involved in our clinical studies," he said. "As one of 29 National Alzheimer’s Centers in America, we have the access to cutting-edge clinical studies that provide people tomorrow’s medicine, today. Along with this access we are looking for people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and fibromyalgia to participate in these studies."

Sabbagh said people can make a difference by being involved in clinical trials.

"We are also challenged by the need for greater diversity among our clinical trials participants. The greater the diversity the richer the science," he said. "I encourage everyone to participate in clinical trials and take advantage of the potential to make a difference in (their) life and in the lives of others."

The research institute may also face a potential shortage of scientists in the future, Sabbagh said.

"An additional challenge we are facing is creating a pipeline to cultivate the next generation of scientists. Currently college students are opting for majors other than science and pursuing career opportunities that will allow them to finish their studies within the traditional four-year timeframe," he said. "This phenomenon has left a shrinking pool of students qualified and ready to solve the mysteries of science going into the next decade."

Banner Sun Health Research Institute is at 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive in Sun City and may be reached at 623-876-5328 or by visiting www.bannerhealth.com.

Banner Boswell Medical Center features a variety of ongoing community health offerings on and near the hospital's campus.

Blood pressure readings conducted by Banner Boswell volunteers:

• Rio Vista Recreation Center, first Wednesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m., and second Monday, 8 to 9:30 a.m., 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria.
• Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, second and fourth Thursday, 9 to 10:45 a.m. (Sept.-May), 11250 N. 107th Ave., Sun City.
• Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center, first and third Thursday, 8 to 9 a.m., 10601 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City.
• Peoria Senior Center, first Tuesday (Sept.-June), 9 to 11:30 a.m., 8335 W. Jefferson St., Peoria.
• Ventana Lakes Yacht Club, second Saturday, 8:15 to 10 a.m., 20015 N. 108^th Ave., Peoria.
• Westbrook Village Vistas Recreation Center, first and third Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, 18825 N. Country Club Parkway, Peoria.
• Daily News-Sun, fourth Monday (Sept.-May), 9 to 10:30 a.m., 10102 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City.

Support groups at Banner Boswell, Support Services Building, 13180 N. 103rd Drive, Sun City:

• Cancer – Third Wednesday, Juniper Room, (602) 230-2273: “I Can Cope” – 1 to 2 p.m., Cancer Support Group – 2 to 3 p.m.
• Laryngectomy – Third Tuesday, 4 to 5 p.m., Pinyon Room, 623-876-5349.
• Ostomy – First Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m., Juniper Room, 623-975-3671.        
• Respiratory – Second Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Juniper Room, 623-876-5708.

Support groups at Banner Boswell Medical Center, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City

• Aphasia – First and third Friday, 3 to 4 p.m., Ironwood Room, 623-876-5349.

Support groups at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City:

• Alzheimer’s Caregivers – Last Monday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.         
• Parkinson’s – Second Monday, 10 to 11:30 a.m., (623) 583-2040
• Parkinson’s and Partners – Fourth Monday, (except December), 10 to 11:30 a.m., 623-583-2040.
• Prostate Cancer – Fourth Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m., 623-566-2604.

The transition to electronic medical records and the introduction to remote monitoring of critical care patients are among the changes coming in 2010 at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City in 2010. And both are designed to reduce costs, and increase patient safety and outcome.

"(Transitioning to electronic medical records) is a really big deal for this hospital and community," said Dave Cheney, CEO. "The first phase will be in April, which is the clinical documentation piece where nurses do all the documenting into electronic format. And the second piece will be in November with computerized physician order entries, which will allow physicians to enter all orders and dictation into an electronic format."

By the end of the year, the medical center will be totally electronic, he said.

The paperless format will benefit patients and quality outcomes on a number of levels.

"It is more efficient for physicians and nurses to go through medical records much easier, which is a big deal for patient safety," Cheney said. "There is no question what the ordering being put in is, as they are not depending on interpreting handwriting."

"Our 2010 focus also includes building on our expertise and continuing to meet growing community needs," Cheney said.

Examples of some of the areas of focus include:

• Cardiac: Leader in cardiac care from prehospital to ED, diagnostic, cardiac cath, surgery and rehab, second highest volume, minimally invasive valve surgery. In January we’re adding a new Heart Health Check screening program and Heart Club. The Heart Club will provide a comprehensive education, support and rehabilitation program for open-heart surgery patients.

• Neuroscience: Leader in care for stroke, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.

• Orthopedics: Leader in innovative care for joint replacements e.g. Joint Club.

Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical centers will also be incorporating the remote, virtual monitoring of intensive care patients in 2010.

A room at Banner Desert Medical Center is currently set up so daytime critical care nurses and nighttime physicians virtually monitor the most critical patients at Banner facilities including Baywood, Desert, Gateway, Good Samaritan, Thunderbird, and Estrella medical centers, and also Banner Heart Hospital, supplementing the on-site staff.

"(Nurses and physicians) are constantly going from room to room by toggling back and forth on a computer to monitor patients who are the sickest and most fragile," said Kathy Bollinger, president of Arizona west region for Banner Health. "Because those board certified physicians can catch subtle changes in patients with a camera in the room, they can get the staff at that bedside to intervene within seconds, as opposed to the time it would take to make rounds, which could take 10 or 15 minutes."

Along with the new technology, is the need to address dwindling reimbursements from Medicare, which affects Banner Boswell more significantly than an average hospital.

Medicare reimbursements not only affect the payment of services and staff, it also can hinder the ability to recruit and retain physicians, who would also be working at a lower reimbursement level.

About 75 percent of Banner Boswell’s patients are Medicare, which contrasts with an average hospital whose Medicare patients may be about 30 percent, according to Bollinger.

Because of that, Bollinger said Banner on the whole is readjusting to operating within the Medicare reimbursement pay range.

"Within time, (private pay) insurance follows Medicare’s lead so we are experiencing even tougher costs every year," Bollinger said.

Cheney said the high Medicare patient ratio does affect recruitment, but Banner Boswell emphasizes its other attributes to attract physicians.

"It does make it harder to recruit," Cheney said. "But we certainly have the latest technology, and outstanding nursing staff. And doctors like to bring patients where they are going to be well cared for."

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Two staff members at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, began a giving campaign they named Unity for Our Community – Give From Your Heart.

The concept was simple – everyone has clothing, personal items and nonperishable food items that they can afford to give to the community.

“We wanted a campaign that didn’t ask people to buy anything or donate money, but to look around at what they had, that they could give to someone else,” said Joanne Karas, an administrative assistant in the Clinical Care Operations office at the nonprofit hospital.

Along with what and how to give, Karas and her partner in giving, Rhonda Farr-Dvorak, house senior manager at Banner Del E. Webb, had to decide where to give the items. They choose two area groups – Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, in Sun City, and Eve’s Place (Safe House) in Surprise. The idea was to target a local need.

The three-week campaign, which was publicized only within the hospital, yielded 1,776 items, including 665 non-perishable food items, eight cases of water, 43 tubes of toothpaste, 40 toothbrushes, 335 trial sizes of personal hygiene items, 60 pairs of shoes, 171 women’s pants, eight blankets, 30 pieces of children’s clothing and assorted toys and many other items.

“We were thrilled to receive the items,” said Ivy Shirley, senior manager at Olive Branch. “We used a lot of the food items in our food boxes and many of the toiletry items we in turn donated to another charity group.

The campaign, Karas and Farr-Dvorak explained, is a way of “paying it forward.”

“I am fortunate to have a job that I love and that lets me provide for myself and my family,” said Farr-Dvorak. “But as I look around each day, I see others struggling. I feel strongly that united we can make a difference, even if it is just a little. If each one of us pays it forward, the results will be phenomenal.”

“I am awestruck by the success of this campaign that was put together and initiated over a few short weeks by Joanne and Rhonda,” said John Harrington Jr., CEO at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. “The fact that two of our staff took it upon themselves to coordinate this and drum up hospital-wide enthusiasm for Unity for Our Community makes me incredibly proud of them and our staff who not only give from their hearts to our patients each day, but through this campaign to the community beyond our walls as well.”

“Just reaching out to help others and knowing that you are going to make a difference in someone’s life is the best feeling,” Farr-Dvorak said after delivering the items to Eve’s Place and Olive Branch Monday. “It’s still all about paying it forward.”

Karas and Farr-Dvorak plan to keep Unity for Our Community going as a yearly event.

All Banner Health facilities will become tobacco free Jan. 1.

The change includes Banner Thunderbird, Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical center campuses, as well as the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Urgent Care - Surprise and all of Banner’s physician clinics.

At the beginning of the year, Banner Health policy will prohibit the use of any tobacco product including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chew tobacco and electronic smokeless cigarettes by anyone on company grounds or in its facilities.

"As a leader in health care, we have a commitment to be health advocates for the people we serve, including patients, visitors, volunteers, employees and physicians,’’ said Peter S. Fine, Banner Health president and CEO.

Some of Banner Health’s campuses have already gone tobacco free, and some may go tobacco free earlier than Jan. 1, officials said.

Banner Health owns or operates 22 hospitals in seven states. The nonprofit organization also has dozens of physician practices, outpatient surgical facilities, hospice and home care services.

"During the last few years, local and state initiatives around the country have limited smoking in public places to minimize the effect of secondhand smoke,’’ Fine said.

As part of Banner’s tobacco-free policy, employees, volunteers, physicians, patients and visitors will not be allowed to use tobacco products on Banner property or within Banner facilities.

Employees who use tobacco products will not be told to they need to quit, hospital officals said, but they will not be allowed to use tobacco products while on Banner property. Banner will offer support and resources to those who wish to quit.

Patients will be advised of the tobacco-free policy at the time of pre-admission or admission and will be encouraged to talk with their physician about concerns of complying with the policy and to make arrangements to provide them with appropriate nicotine replacement options, according to hospital officials.

Visitors also will be informed about Banner’s tobacco-free policy and about nicotine replacement options available in some hospital gift shops.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced $1.7 million in funding to drive new and continuing Parkinson’s research projects at Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Mayo Clinic Arizona, sites of the Arizona Parkinson’s Disease Consortium.

Of the total funding, $1.1 million represents renewed funding for directed projects led by principal investigators Dr. Thomas Beach at Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Dr. Charles Adler at Mayo Clinic Arizona. This funding will allow Adler and Beach to continue projects launched in 2006 under MJFF’s three-year, $2.8 million Prescott Family Initiative at the Arizona Parkinson’s Disease Consortium.

The remaining $600,000 will fund four collaborations with external experts. These collaborations are designed to leverage Banner Sun Health Research Institute’s brain and body donation program’s clinical and neuropathological samples and establish links between the underlying pathology and outward clinical features of Parkinson’s disease.

Adler and Beach are working to increase enrollment of Parkinson’s subjects in the brain and body donation program, increase external investigators’ access to clinical and neuropathological data and refine statistical models used to study the development of Parkinson’s or cognitive decline in Parkinson’s.

"We are grateful for the contributions of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which allow us the ability to continue our important Parkinson’s research. Funding for research like ours puts us steps closer to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease," said Beach, director of neuropathology at Banner Sun Health Research Institute.

Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation’s men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will focus on environmental cancer.

Special guests and presenters will beDr. Marianne Marchese, N.D.; Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, NM.D.; Dr. Tursha’ Hamilton, N.D., Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, N.D.; and and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

Marchese is an expert on environmental cancer and environmental medicine. She is nationally known and lectures on conventional and alternative medicine.

The show will be broadcast in a new format on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632.

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

If you want to know about heart disease and recovery, ask a heart patient. Warren Selkow worked for two years to write the sort of handbook he wished he’d had when he had his first heart attack.

The result is "The Simplified Handbook for Living with Heart Disease." Selkow is a cardiac patient of Dr. Joseph Caplan of Cardiac Solutions and director of cardiology at Banner Boswell and Del E. Webb Medical Centers.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the book takes a look at it from the perspective of the person suffering with the disease as well as from his caretaker’s view.

Selkow’s personal story begins with the onset symptoms to surgeries, coping with the side effects and the life-changing effects of living with heart disease.

Selkow came to Cardiac Solutions two years ago as a new patient. He relates his experience of going through the processes of recovering from open heart surgery through his experience of the clinical approach to chronic disease management at the Wellness Clinics at Cardiac Solutions. After time and a plethora of questions to understand clinically what was happening to his heart and body and why certain treatments were given to him, Selkow wrote, “Confessions of a Foodaholic.” The 15-page manuscript went through many versions, additions and editing and eventually this book, "The Simplified Handbook for Living with Heart Disease," was published.

“Selkow has meticulously researched the book and wrote a definitive book on literally everything a heart disease patient needs to know,” writes Caplan in his forward in the book. “He wrote about eight years of experiences with heart disease, starting with his very first heart attack. Selkow applied his considerable skill to analyze and detail what he did wrong to facilitate that first heart attack and what the impacts of the mistakes were. Mostly, he pointed out where the real accountability lies for the disease. He knew from experience that heart disease is not lived alone, and turned to his wife, his caregiver, for help from her point of view as a caregiver. He also provided attribution in the form of footnotes and tells you where he received his information and separates opinion from fact.”

After reading the first manuscript, Caplan asked Selkow if he could expand the material so he could use it in his office for the Heart Disease Clinic. He then asked Selkow why he wrote this all down and Selkow responded, “If I had only known all that stuff at the outset of my illness, I would have avoided much aggravation and grief. I think this book could help others understand, prepare them and make life a little easier.”

"The Simplified Handbook for Living with Heart Disease" will give the reader information on various medications, how to live with the disease for a lifetime and not just for the first year or two and provides the perspective of a full-time caregiver.

The book is available on Amazon.com for $19.99 and also through Warren and Donna Selkow’s Web site, www.simplehand.org and more information can be found on Cardiac Solutions Web site, www.cardiacsolutions.net/News.

Medicare will now cover screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus which, if left untreated, could lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome diagnosis if an HIV-infected person’s immune system becomes severely compromised or a person becomes ill with an HIV-related infection.

The move to cover HIV testing, which was announced on Tuesday, is a positive statement, according to a local OB/GYN.

“I’m surprised, because it seems Medicare is authorizing less and less for our senior screenings,” said Frank Joseph Fara, of Banner Northwest Valley OB/GYN. “It’s a really good step forward and a positive statement. At least they are aware that (seniors) can be at risk for acquiring it.”

“It gives seniors the opportunity to act on their concerns,” Fara said.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cover screening of those Medicare beneficiaries who are at increased risk for the infection, including women who are pregnant and Medicare beneficiaries of any age who voluntarily request the service.

CMS will cover both standard and U.S. FDA-approved HIV rapid screening tests with these guidelines:

Men who have had sex with men after 1975;

Men and women having unprotected sex with multiple [more than one] partners;

Past or present injection drug users;

Men and women who exchange sex for money or drugs, or have sex partners who do;

Individuals whose past or present sex partners were HIV-infected, bisexual or injection drug users;

People being treated for sexually transmitted diseases;

People with a history of blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985;

People who request an HIV test despite reporting no individual risk factors, since this group is likely to include individuals not willing to disclose high-risk behaviors;

Also:
Voluntary HIV screening of pregnant Medicare beneficiaries when pregnancy is known, during the third trimester and at labor.

The benefit is available immediately.

Fara said he always screens pregnant patients for HIV, or at least offers it.

“It has a significant impact on the complications of a pregnancy,” Fara said.

He said he has yet to have a pregnant woman at the Sun City West practice test positive, but it has happened elsewhere.

Another group that would benefit from being tested are those seniors who begin dating again.

“Sun City West is known, among other things, for those who are starting over, either with those who are recently widowed or divorced,” Fara said. “And it seems like those who are over 65 and under 18 think they can’t get diseases like HIV.”

“But we are seeing an increase in the number of those presenting (Human Papilloma Virus), which is acquired similarly,” Fara said. “Those patients, at least in my experience, are not only at a greater risk for acquiring HIV, but are making sexual choices in the crosshairs.”

The coverage change came after the recently passed Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which allows CMS the flexibility of adding to Medicare’s list of covered preventive services, if certain requirements are met. Prior to this law, Medicare could only cover additional preventive screening tests when Congress authorized it to do so.    

“(Tuesday’s) decision marks an important milestone in the history of the Medicare program,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Beginning with expanding coverage for HIV screening, we can now work proactively as a program to help keep Medicare beneficiaries healthy and take a more active role in evaluating the evidence for preventive services.”

Among other requirements, the new services must have been “strongly recommended” or “recommended” by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The Task Force graded HIV screening as “strongly recommended” for certain groups. 

“Every adult should know their HIV status,” said Dr. Howard K. Koh, HHS assistant secretary for health. “This decision by Medicare should help promote screening and save lives.”

“Medicare’s coverage of HIV screening tests is an important step forward in protecting beneficiaries from the potentially devastating and life-threatening complications of HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," said CMS acting administrator Charlene Frizzera.

Of the more than 1 million estimated to have the HIV infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about a quarter of them do not realize they are infected. Without treatment, AIDS develops within eight to 10 years.

While there is no cure for HIV, screening can help identify infected patients so that they can receive medical treatment that could help delay the onset of AIDS for years. 

More information about Medicare’s new HIV screening benefit is available in CMS’ final decision memorandum. Read the final decision online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdecisionmemo.asp?id=229.

At his “Keys to the Future” event Wednesday, retiring Sun Health Services CEO Lee Peterson handed over a unique set of keys to the community: a Steinway piano.

The piano – to take residence in the main lobby at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center – follows Peterson’s donation last year of a Yamaha organ to Banner Boswell Medical Center.

“As we serve our patients, families and visitors, meeting medical, physical and spiritual needs, music can play an important role,” Peterson, 62, said in explanation of the gift. “There is a song in the balance of life cycles of those we serve. The piano helps us hear and honor that song. The gift of the piano for the Banner Del E. Webb lobby is to celebrate and sustain our tradition of community coming together in support of superior healthcare.”

The Glendale resident’s Sun Health career spanned 38 years, beginning with a job as a hospital administrative assistant at the Boswell campus in 1972. Peterson moved upward, becoming an assistant administrator, then executive vice president and chief operating officer of Del E. Webb and Boswell hospitals, then senior vice president. In January 1990, he assumed the position of president and CEO.

Much growth has occurred in West Valley health care during Peterson’s leadership. Hospital discharges have more than tripled, with emergency-room visits increasing more than four-fold.

In league with the population expansion and the need for patient care, Peterson also witnessed a 240-percent increase in staff from 1989 to 2007.

As an executive responsible for overseeing health care in a rapidly growing area, Peterson assumed an active voice in the health-care community via the Arizona Hospital & Healthcare Association. He is past chairman of the American Hospital Association’s Section for Aging and Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Services; the Arizona Hospital Association; and the Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

He also is past chairman of the Western Maricopa Coalition, past president of the Health Administrators Forum of Arizona and a past member of the Johnson & Johnson University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business Healthcare Advisory Board.

Peterson is a member of Rotary International, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and has been voted one of the “Top 10 Most Influential People in Northwest Maricopa County.” He also received the Salsbury Award, the highest service-honor award given by AzHHA, and Midwestern University’s “Shooting Star” award, both in 2007. Most recently, he was a recipient of WESTMARC’s Chairman’s Award in 2008.

“Lee’s 20-year tenure as CEO of a very complex health-care organization speaks to his talent and ability,” said Richard Livengood, chairman of the Sun Health Services board. “With the challenges these hospitals have faced in regard to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, he has been very resourceful not only in finding other means to keep them operational but also well steeped in technology.

“One of the things I’ll remember about his leadership is his sensitivity to the community, and the way he balanced community needs with the wants and needs of healthcare providers to bring the finest care to the West Valley. That is so important.”

 

Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation’s men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will focus on erectile dysfunction.

Special guests and presenters will be Dr. Brandon Chastant, an expert on erectile dysfunction who serves with the Summit Medical Center.; Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, NM.D.; Dr. Tursha’ Hamilton, N.D.; and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

The show will be broadcast in a new format on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

Chronic knee pain can result from a variety of conditions from injury to arthritis, the most common cause of disability in the United States. Banner Boswell Medical Center invites the community to “Knock Out Knee Pain,” a free seminar from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 1 in the hospital’s Memorial Hall, 13180 N. 103^rd Drive in Sun City. Light refreshments will be served. Call 602-230-CARE (2273) to reserve a seat.

Dr. James Kort, orthopedic surgeon with Banner Arizona Medical Clinic, and Lori Ramage, PT, Joint Club coordinator at Banner Boswell, will reveal how to keep your knees healthy and what to do if the pain begins to interfere with everyday life.

“Patients shouldn’t have to live with joint pain,” Kort said. “There are a wide range of treatments and interventions available that can help ease pain and in some instances, eliminate it altogether.”

In a 2006 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 percent of adults surveyed reported experiencing some type of joint pain, the most prevalent being knee pain.

One of the primary causes of joint pain, arthritis, results from wear and tear of cartilage that normally provides a cushion during movement, leading to inflammation and pain. According to a 2008 study by the National Arthritis Data Workgroup, 46 million Americans suffer from arthritic disease – equivalent to more than 21 percent of the adult population. By 2030, researchers estimate that 40 percent of American adults will suffer from some form of arthritic disease.

Do you experience knee pain? You’re not alone. The good news is you can please your knees and stop suffering with the pain.

Learn what treatment options are available for your joint pain at nonprofit Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center by attending a free seminar presented by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Scott Siverhus. 

Siverhus will debunk myths about knee pain, the causes of knee pain and how to rid pain associated with these heavily used joints.

The seminar is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20, in the auditorium at the medical center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., in Sun City West. Refreshments will be provided.

Nearly 32 million Americans have osteoarthritis, which commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knee, and almost one third of adults experience joint pain. Banner Del E. Webb provides experienced surgeons and orthopedic unit nursing staff with clinical expertise and experience to help you on your way to total knee health and back to doing the things you love.

For information about this free educational seminar, visit www.BannerHealth.com/WebbJointseminar. To reserve your seat, call 602-230-CARE.

 Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation's men’s health talk program from 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 5 , sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers, will focus on smoking cessation/diabetes and active surveillance of prostate cancer.          

Special guests and presenters will be Mr. Wayne Tormala, chief of the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease; Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, NM.D; Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, N.D.; and Fred Taylor, executive director of SWPCF.

The show will be broadcast in a new format on radio station KXXT 1010AM, or online at www.Familyvaluesradio.Net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632

Pitluk, vice president and chief medical officer for Health Services Advisory Group, Inc., will focus on breast cancer/colon cancer.

The program will cover a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. A major aspect is healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

Arizona may face one of its toughest flu seasons this year, but by arming yourself with knowledge, you have a better chance of staying healthy this winter.

Join Banner Thunderbird’s Medical Director of Infection Prevention, Dr. Mandeep Rai, to get the latest flu facts and tips on staying healthy during flu season. Non-profit Banner Thunderbird Medical Center will have a free community presentation about H1N1 and the seasonal flu, where medical experts will also answer questions from the public.

The community presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Banner Thunderbird Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3 on the lower level of the hospital. Light refreshments will be served.

Attendees will learn about the regular seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu – their similarities and their differences. Rai will also help attendees understand the way influenza is transmitted and what you can do to protect yourself.

Information will also be presented about the latest flu vaccines for seasonal and H1N1 flu including details about the nasal mist vaccine and injectable vaccination. You can also hear about visitor restriction policies that Banner facilities are following to protect patients and visitors from getting sick.

Banner Thunderbird is at 5555 W. Thunderbird Road in Glendale. To attend you must register. To do so, call 602-230-CARE (2273).

Mike O’Leary of Surprise was just 43 when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.

He had to quit his job at the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, and begin treatment for the disease.

But standard medical treatment began causing such severe side-effects he experienced paranoia and hallucinations, mostly directed at his wife, Linda, who has been diagnosed with familial Parkinson’s.

O’Leary was continually accusing Linda of infidelity until it became too much for her to take.

“She left me for six months,” O’Leary, now 51, said.

In July, O’Leary became the first person in Arizona to receive a rechargeable, deep brain stimulation implant, a device that works similar to a pacemaker that stimulates a precise area of the brain to address symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors, stopping the tremors.

Qualified patients who opt for deep-brain stimulation have motor-skill challenges that significantly interfere with their quality of life and cannot be controlled by medication.

O’Leary said everything has improved for him, he’s on less medication, and Linda is back home.

His surgeon, David Pootrakul, discussed deep brain stimulation at Banner Boswell Medical Center Monday, and will repeat the lecture at a Parkinson’s event Oct. 31 at Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria.

Pootrakul said deep brain stimulation is being used for treatment of those with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s (tremors while not moving), essential tremors (tremors that exhibit when a patient moves) and dystonia (a neurological movement disorder), but may also be used for obsessive compulsive disorder, and in the future obesity and satiety.

Pootrakul said he has performed the procedure on more than 70 patients who have overwhelmingly experienced improvement in tremors and other symptoms including stiffness, rigidity, balance and walking.

Getting the precise placement of the electrical probes takes an merger of CT scan and MRI reports and an hour and a half of calculations just prior to surgery.

Pootrakul said he has performed the surgery on patients as young as their 30s to those in their 80s, and bases it on overall health and desired outcome.

“For some of the young (inplant recipients) after the procedure, you can’t tell they have Parkinson’s now,” Pootrakul said.

Doctors advised a Sun City West audience Thursday to learn more about the flu and its symptoms and not to panic when the H1N1 virus hits full force in the coming months.

"We encourage that you get the vaccine if it becomes available to you," Cindy Hammond, a registered nurse for infection prevention. "Education is the key to it all," she said.

Hammond was on a panel of four Banner Health health professionals at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center to provide the latest information about the H1N1 flu virus. Also on the panel were Dr. Charlie Agee, chief medical officer; Dr. William Mostow, director of the emergency department; and Tina Ladowski, emergency management director.

"There are so many people confused about the virus and vaccinations that it’s important for us to get the right information out there," Ladowski said.

Agee said the H1N1 virus headed to the forefront of national attention last year. The flu is similar in makeup, he said, to the virus found in pigs in North America.

The swine flu, Mostow said, has a greater effect on people age 25 and younger, along those who have major health problems.

Mostow said many of the symptoms are the same as the regular flu, but swine flu victims may experience more nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Hammond said there are warning signs as well, and they include heavy breathing and pressure in the chest.

Ladowski said it’s important to stay healthy and watchful during this time. She suggests people stay away from others who are sick.

If they must be around anyone, Ladowski said it’s important to remain clean and use hand sanitizers whenever anything has been touched.

In addition, Hammond said she also suggest people receive a regular flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control is expected to deliver a batch of H1N1 vaccine, which will be given to high-risks groups, including children, first.

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 623-876-2526 or mvamtrease@yourwestvalley.com.

Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation will have a men’s health talk radio show sponsored by Southwest Oncology Centers at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

The show will be broadcast on KXXT 1010 AM, or online at www.familyvaluesradio.net (click left side of menu). The call-in number is 602-296-3632.

Topics will be the impact of diet on cancer and impact of problems with the state budget on health-related issues. The program also will cover breast cancer and colon cancer and the importance of healthy living for both sexes. A major component of the show will be discussions by health care professionals on cancer.

Special guests and presenters will be Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes; Dr. Phranq Tamburrie, NM.D.; Dr. Raushanah Najeeullah, N.D., and Fred Taylor, executive director of the Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The public is invited to join Banner Health experts for the Power Over Parkinson’s 2009 Educational Conferencefrom 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Oct. 31 at Peoria’s Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road.

The event, which is hosted by the Arizona chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, costs $10 per person for members and $15 per person for non-members. A continental breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee. Call 800-541-4960 to reserve a seat.

Banner Health experts scheduled to speak and participate in a question and answer session include:

• Neurologist Dr. Holly Shill, Banner Sun Health Research Institute – Parkinson’s disease clinical studies
• Neurologist Dr. M. Cristina Ospina, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center – Drugs and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• Neurosurgeon Dr. David Pootrakul, Banner Boswell Medical Center – Deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson’s disease

The program also includes information on Banner Good Samaritan’s PD Meds Connection program and an interactive session on drumming for fun and exercise.

“Affording the people with Parkinson’s disease in the Phoenix area the opportunity to learn about the latest updates in research, medical treatments and surgical options from nationally known medical experts is the first goal of the Power Over Parkinson’s conference,” said Tom Viviano, APDA state director and coordinator of the APDA Information and Referral Center at Banner Good Samaritan. “When attendees see a gathering of 300 people affected by Parkinson's disease, they don’t feel so alone in their disease. Parkinson's is the second most prevalent chronic neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s, and affects more than 1.5 million Americans. It is estimated that over 20,000 Arizona residents live with Parkinson's, and the goal of the American Parkinson Disease Association is to ease their burden and find the cure.”

There may be a variety of reasons why women may not be able to keep or care for their baby.

But Banner Thunderbird Medical Center wants to remind people about an Arizona law allowing people to voluntarily leave an infant with a “Safe Haven Provider.” Non-profit Banner Thunderbird is a Safe Haven Provider.

In addition to the Glendale hospital which has a safe haven drop off drawer, other Safe Haven Providers are: medical staff at any hospital, fire stations and firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, adoption agencies, private welfare agencies and churches that have a sign indicating they are a Safe Haven Provider.

According to the law, you can give your baby to a Safe Haven Provider without fear of being arrested or anyone trying to identify or find you as long as:

• The baby is 3 days old or younger. (72 hours)
• The baby has not been physically harmed; and
• There are no plans to return for the baby at a later time.

“In addition to the Safe Haven Drawer, which sounds an internal signal when a newborn has been dropped off, the woman, her friends or family can hand over the newborn to any medical staff member here at Banner Thunderbird – no questions asked,” said Kimberly Marshall, clinical manager of Banner Thunderbird’s Pediatric Emergency Department and co-founder of Arizona Safe Baby Haven. “There are options available.”

Women are encouraged to call 1-866-707-BABY(2229) or visit www.ArizonaSafeBabyHaven.com. Services are free and confidential.

According to local health experts, seniors should receive the H1N1 vaccine, in spite of the Centers for Disease Control ranking them as a low priority when vaccines become available.

"The elderly with different conditions and co-morbidities are the ones more likely to die, which has traditionally been the case with every flu," said Hamid Rayani, lead hospitalist with Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City. "Right now if you look at the mortality rates (of H1N1), those who have died have not been elderly, which is why some say the elderly should not be worried.

"But I’m very skeptical about this because once it spreads to elderly people, I have a feeling we’ll see mortalities because they don’t have enough resistance. We need to prioritize for the elderly with co-morbid conditions and then those (elderly) without co-morbid conditions."

According to the CDC Web site, emergency workers and health-care workers, caregivers, pregnant women, infants and those aged 6 months to 24 years would receive first priority should limited quantities of the vaccines be available when the vaccines are released.

Those 25 to 64 who have health conditions that put them at a higher risk for medical complications should they contract the flu would also be among the priority cases.

Once those demands have been met, healthy individuals age 25 through 64 years could then receive vaccinations, followed by those 65 and older.

The CDC says studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups.

But health experts stress seniors should still receive the vaccine.

"Seniors should get both the vaccines, even if they think they had a flu sickness," said Mandy Rai, chairman of infectious diseases at Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale. "Over the past few months (H1N1) has shown really bad outcomes from groups in the high priority, such as younger kids and pregnant women, (and not seniors) because it was felt that seniors had some leftover immunity from previous, similar flus."

Rai said many of those experiencing flu-like symptoms now actually have H1N1, and not seasonal influenza.

"Ninety-nine percent of the illness now is H1N1; that is what the county is seeing, but they aren’t even testing or confirming anymore they are being so inundated," Rai said. "We don’t even know how bad the flu season will be, which typically starts around Christmas."

Rai said she wants seniors to not panic and be reassured there are enough vaccines to go around.

"I would also reassure them in the spectrum of the illness, it has been on the mild side," she said. "But having said that, we don’t know what the next few weeks will bring so we need to be very vigilant."

Receiving influenza and H1N1 vaccinations and practicing common-sense techniques for those most at-risk for contracting H1N1 is needed.

"Don’t go into crowded areas, to the cinemas, kids events or football games," Rai said. "And if somebody is sick, try to avoid exposing it to others."

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514, or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In response to comments made by AARP Arizona President Len Kirschner in the Sept. 18-19 editions of the Daily News-Sun, Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, a Sun City physician, discussed health-care reform Tuesday with the Daily News-Sun editorial board.

A Sun City physician said Tuesday proposed legislation to overhaul the nation’s health system would lead to rationed care and slowly bankrupt the Medicare system as more and more Baby Boomers apply for coverage.

Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, who specializes in emergency room care with a focus on seniors, told the Daily News-Sun editorial board he believes proposals for the overhaul of health care don’t address the primary problem.

"The bottom line is that I believe those bills need to be scrapped and started over again," Fitzgerald said.

His comments came on the same day that liberal Democrats failed in two efforts to include a government-run insurance option in the legislation before the Senate Finance Committee.

Fitzgerald said the proposed legislation, including the bill proposed by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the finance committee chairman, are based more on financial changes rather than the systemic overhaul the health-care system requires.

And a main problem, he said, is the flood of Medicare-eligible Baby Boomers who soon will be tapping into the funding pipeline.

The doctor said 12,000 Boomers a day will be added to the rolls beginning in 2012 and that will continue for more than a decade.

"Getting everybody an insurance card doesn’t really necessarily mean you’re going to have the right level of care," he said. And since 30 percent of Medicare dollars are spent during the last year of a person’s life, that would mean rationed care, something proponents of the current reform plans dismiss.

"Can all of these patients be admitted to the hospital or can they be sent to skilled nursing facilities which would cut down on the costs?" he said, adding that decisions would have to be made about who would receive what type of care and when.

Fitzgerald said the government should have prepared for some type of reform at least 25 years ago, but there was no political advantage for elected officials to do so.

Now, he said, Congress and the president are talking more about "health-care payment reform" than they are overhauling a system that needs to be fixed from top to bottom.

According to Fitzgerald, there is a need for some public involvement — "it’s important to have a safety net somewhere" — but the private sector needs to be a primary player in any reform.

"To be honest, there isn’t one individual solution to solve all of these problems," Fitzgerald said.

Some of the options to improving health care, Fitzgerald said, include opening up insurance from state-to-state for competitive rates and making the risk pool larger.

In proposed legislation, insurance policies could not be canceled if people get sick. Insurers would not be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions for the millions who lack insurance — or have trouble getting it after being laid off or deciding to start a business.

Government subsidies would be available to make premiums more affordable, but individuals would be required to get coverage, and employers would have to contribute.

Ultimately, Fitzgerald said, decisions will have to be made on what type of care Americans want and need.

While the health systems in England and Canada provide acceptable basic care, they are slow to administer more specific treatments, he said. While it could take three weeks for a woman with a lump on a breast to be X-rayed and, if needed, see a surgeon, a similar process in Canada could take months, Fitzgerald estimated.

 

The Sun Health Auxiliary has unanimously elected a new slate of 12 officers and directors to serve on its board for 2009-10.

The new board members were installed at the auxiliary’s annual meeting Sept. 25 in Memorial Hall at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City.

New officers for the 2009-10 term include chairwoman Sandra Gialinas of Surprise; vice chair Carolyn Booy and secretary Marge Loeffler, both of Sun City West; treasurer Clara Ciuffo of Surprise; assistant treasurer Elsie McAvoy of Sun City West; and past chairwoman Barbara Ryan, also a Surprise resident.

The board’s new directors include Surprise resident Shirley Prough (resale operations) and Sun City West residents Sharon Bach (communications/ membership) and Ed Stroming (retail operations). Directors-at-large include Bobbie Buhl and Nancy Gossard, both of Surprise, as well as Sun City resident Dottie Stutzman.

“Leadership is important to every organization,” said Pamela Meyerhoffer, Sun Health Foundation president/CEO. “However, great leadership – which we certainly are fortunate to have – is even more significant when it comes from those who volunteer their time to benefit others.

“Our auxiliary works year-round to raise funds that will provide new medical equipment and augment services for Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical centers and their ancillary facilities as well as the Banner Sun Health Research Institute,” Meyerhoffer said. “With this new board’s enthusiasm and dynamic guidance, I have no doubt the Sun Health Auxiliary will continue its fine tradition of caring for our community.”

The technology to detect breast cancer early just got better at the Louisa Kellam Center for Women’s Health at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., in Sun City West.

State-of-the-art digital mammography, also called full-field digital mammography, is available at the nonprofit hospital, thanks to a contribution from Sun Health Services.

Digital mammography produces images of better clarity and accuracy than traditional screen-film mammography, resulting in the detection of significantly more cancers (up to 28 percent more), particularly in women under age 50, women with dense breast tissue, and pre-or peri-menopausal women. Notably, digital mammography administers lower doses of radiation to patients and it detects cancers in their early stages, when they are most treatable.

“Early detection is key to survival, which is one reason we are particularly excited about this new imaging capability,” said Larry Bonno, medical imaging director at Banner Del E. Webb.

Another key benefit is the fact that digital images can also be stored and accessed electronically versus having to physically transport the films. This allows radiologists easier access to the images and, ultimately, faster results to patients.

Similar to traditional mammography, the breast is positioned on the machine’s special platform and then compressed as the X-ray is taken.

Digital mammography is the first of two new pieces of advanced imaging equipment to arrive at Banner Del E. Webb. Next month, the hospital will become the first hospital in the West Valley to offer Breast Specific Gamma Imaging, which is for women who have questionable mammograms and need further evaluation.

This piece of equipment is being paid for through an ongoing fund-raising drive led by the Sun Health Foundation.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 192,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year and 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease. The good news is that, currently, more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors are living in the United States. 

Banner Del E. Webb is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 22 hospitals throughout the West.  To learn more, visit www.bannerhealth.com/Webb.

Banner Boswell Medical Center features a variety of ongoing community health offerings on and near the hospital's campus.

Blood pressure readings are conducted at:

• Rio Vista Recreation Center monthly on the first Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and second Monday from 8 to 9:30 a.m., 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria
• Banner Olive Branch Senior Center monthly on the second and fourth Thursday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. (September through May), 11250 N. 107th Ave., Sun City
• Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center monthly on the first and third Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m., 10601 W. Santa Fe Dr., Sun City

Support groups at Banner Boswell, Support Services Bldg., 13180 N. 103rd Drive, Sun City

• Cancer – Third Wednesday, Juniper Room, (602) 230-2273: “I Can Cope” – 1 to 2 p.m., Cancer Support Group – 2 to 3 p.m.
• Laryngectomee – First and third Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m., Pinyon Room, (623) 876-5349
• Ostomy – First Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m., Juniper Room, (623) 975-3671        
• Respiratory – Second Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Juniper Room, (623) 876-5708
• Aphasia – First and third Friday beginning Oct. 16, 3 to 4 p.m., (623) 876-5349, Banner Boswell Ironwood Room, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City

Support groups at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 W. Santa Fe Dr., Sun City

• Alzheimer’s Caregivers – Last Monday of each month, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Parkinson’s – Second Monday, 10 to 11:30 a.m., (623) 583-2040
• Parkinson’s and Partners – Fourth Monday of each month (except December), 10 to 11:30 a.m., (623) 583-2040
• Prostate Cancer – Fourth Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m., (623) 566-2604

Banner Boswell Medical Center invites the community to a free public lecture on deep brain stimulation at 9 a.m. Oct. 19 in the hospital’s Memorial Hall, 13180 N. 103^rd Drive, Sun City. Reservations are encouraged by calling 602-230-CARE (602-230-2273). Light refreshments will be served.

Neurosurgeon Dr. David Pootrakul will discuss DBS for patients with movement disorders such as essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Banner Boswell is one of only four centers in Arizona and 160 centers in the nation approved to perform deep brain simulation.

Qualified patients who opt for deep-brain stimulation have motor-skill challenges that significantly interfere with their quality of life and cannot be controlled by medication.

In the largest study of its kind published in the Jan. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers concluded that deep brain stimulation improves both physical function and quality of life after six months in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The surgical procedure is approved by the FDA and covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare.

There is no cure for the more than 1.5 million Americans who suffer from the Parkinson’s disease.

A local physician, researcher and expert on Alzheimer’s disease will talk with visitors and sign copies of his book, "The Alzheimer’s Answer," at Sun Health Auxiliary’s Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb gift shops.

Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, director of clinical research at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, is scheduled to appear from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Banner Boswell Gift Shop (inside the main lobby of Banner Boswell Medical Center, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City); and 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Banner Del E. Webb Gift Shop (inside the east lobby of Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West).

"The Alzheimer’s Answer" is a comprehensive tool for the entire family, guiding readers through facts of the disease and providing real tips for prevention as well as supportive information on diagnosis and treatment – including where to turn if you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s. The book covers available therapies – with Sabbagh discussing the advantages and downsides of each – as well as promising new developments and forthcoming treatments.

“Alzheimer’s is the embodiment of all that is sad and destructive with aging,” Sabbagh said. “My goal with this book is to translate some of the complex scientific ideas driving Alzheimer’s treatment and research today into practical information people can use to assess their risk and develop a prevention strategy.”

“Sadly, so many of us have had this terrible disease touch our families and friends,” noted Sandy Gialinas, auxiliary chairperson. “Our auxiliary is so grateful to have Dr. Sabbagh share his expertise with our community at these signings.”

For each copy of "The Alzheimer’s Answer" sold at the auxiliary’s gift shops, a portion of the proceeds returns to Sun Health Auxiliary. The auxiliary’s fund-raising efforts provide medical equipment to support Banner Boswell and Del E. Webb medical centers and their ancillary facilities as well as to support ongoing investigations at Banner Sun Health Research Institute.

Sun Health Auxiliary exists to make a difference in people’s lives by raising funds to purchase vital medical equipment for nonprofit healthcare facilities in the West Valley.

There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.

All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.

Throughout the debate on how to fix what's broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family. When we see special interests using scare tactics, we'll make sure you're given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform.

The following are some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong – click here to watch a video by AARP on the myths and facts of reform.

Myth: Health care reform is socialized medicine.

Fact: Health care reform will preserve the employer-based health care system, meaning an estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their coverage through their employers.

Fact: For people buying coverage for themselves, there would be a range of private health plans to choose from. Also, the so-called "public plan" option would seek to give American consumers another choice if they can't find affordable, quality coverage in the private insurance market. The goal of the "public plan" is to give consumers the best value for their money and force greater competition among insurance plans for our business.

Fact: Every proposal that Congress is considering would allow people to choose their own doctors and hospitals.

Bottom Line: Health care reform isn't about a government takeover. It's about guaranteeing all Americans a choice of health care plans they can afford.

Myth: Health care reform means rationed care.

Fact: None of the health reform proposals being considered would stand between individuals and their doctors or prevent any American from choosing the best possible care.

Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by an individual, their doctor and their family.

Fact: Health care reform will help ensure doctors are paid fairly so they will continue to treat Medicare patients.

Bottom Line: Health reform isn't about rationing; it's about giving people the peace of mind of knowing that they will be able to keep their doctors and that they will always have a choice of affordable health plans.

Myth: Health care reform will hurt Medicare.

Fact: None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.

Fact: Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole" so they can get better afford the drugs they need.

Fact: Health care reform will protect seniors' access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier.

Fact: Health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.

Fact: Rather than weaken Medicare, health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.

Bottom Line: For people in Medicare, health care reform is about lowering prescription drug costs for people in the "doughnut hole", keeping the doctor of your choice, improving the quality of care, and eliminating billions in waste that is causing poor care and medical errors.

Myth: Health care reform is too expensive – we can't afford it.

Fact: The President and Congress have committed to producing legislation that will be paid for so it won't saddle our children and grandchildren with debt.

Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, families with Medicare or employer-based health coverage will likely see their premiums nearly double again in the next seven years.

Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, the share of your income spent on health care will nearly double in the next seven years.

Bottom Line: When one in three Americans say someone in their family skipped pills, postponed or cut back on needed medical care due to the cost; when countless bankruptcies are related to medical expenses; when the number of uninsured approaches 50 million; when government spending on health programs rises so rapidly that it jeopardizes other priorities; and when employers struggle to pay for the costs of health care, the fact is, we can't afford not to fix health care.

Myth: Health care reform means the government can make life-and-death decisions for you.

Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life-and-death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by individuals, their doctor and their family.

Fact: No one, including the government or your insurance company, will be given power to make life-and-death decisions for you.

Bottom Line: Health care reform isn't about putting the government in charge of difficult end of life decisions. It's about giving individuals and families the option to talk with their doctors in advance about difficult choices every family faces when loved ones near the end of their lives.

 

BOSTON (AP) — Should the federal government require virtually all Americans to be insured or face thousands of dollars in fines? Proponents say this requirement is crucial to extending coverage and reining in costs as Massachusetts has done. Critics say it would impose an unfair burden on individuals and families already struggling in harsh economic times.

A look at the issue in question-and-answer form:
———
Q: What's being proposed?
A: Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is proposing that, as part of any overhaul, insurance be mandatory for all Americans, much the way car owners are required to have auto coverage. People making up to three times the federal poverty level — about $66,000 for a family of four and $32,000 for an individual — would be eligible for tax credits to help cover the cost of premiums. Those who fail to get insurance would face stiff fines, from $750 a year for an individual to $1,500 for families. The maximum penalty on individuals would be $950, while families could face maximum fines of $3,800.
———
Q: What is the proposal based on?
A: The plan is based in part on an element of Massachusetts' sweeping health care law, known as an "individual mandate." When Massachusetts passed the 2006 law, it became the first state to require that virtually all residents have health insurance or face a series of steadily increasing fines. To help soften the penalty, Massachusetts first created state subsidized insurance plans for those earning up three times the federal poverty level, with the poorest residents getting essentially free care and those earning more paying increasingly higher premiums and copays. The state also created a Health Care Connector — similar to the "health care exchange" being proposed on a federal level — to help those ineligible for subsidized care connect with lower-cost private health plans. Finally, Massachusetts decided to exempt from fines for anyone who doesn't qualify for the subsidized plans but still can't find any affordable private plan based upon state affordability standards.
———
Q: Who has been fined in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts decided to phase in its fines. During 2007, the first full year of the health care law, those who refused to get insurance lost the personal exemption on their state tax returns — equivalent to a $219 fine. In subsequent years, the fines were scheduled to increase dramatically. In 2008, a fine for an individual who could afford insurance but refused was $76 for each uninsured month or $912 for the entire year. For couples, the maximum fine for the entire year would be $1,824. In 2009, the fines increased again, to $89 a month or $1,068 for an entire year for an individual. For couples, the maximum fine was $2,136.
———
Q: So how many people have actually been fined in Massachusetts?
A: The state has so far only released numbers for the first year. In 2007, nearly 3 percent of state's taxpayers — about 97,000 filers — were uninsured even though they could have afforded health care and were stripped of the $219 exemption. An additional 2 percent — or about 62,000 filers — were found not to earn enough for health care and weren't fined. The state allows taxpayers to appeal the fines. Numbers for 2008 are expected later this year.
———
Q: Why have fines at all?
A: There are a few basic arguments for requiring health care for as many people as possible. One argument is that it spreads risk among as wide a group as possible, which helps lower overall costs. Another argument is that insuring the largest number of Americans will take some of the pressure off premiums for those who are already insured. President Barack Obama has said insured Americans pay what amounts to a hidden fee to help pay hospitals for the cost of covering the uninsured. Without fines, advocates say, there would be no way of enforcing the mandate.
———
Q: What has Obama said about an individual mandate?
A: During the presidential campaign, Obama criticized the idea of fining individuals for not having health insurance. During a Democratic debate in February 2008, Obama warned that fines could lead to a situation like that in Massachusetts, where, he said, some residents were choosing to accept a fine because it was less expensive than health care premiums. "We don't want to put adults in a situation in which, on the front end, we are mandating them, we are forcing them to purchase insurance, and if the subsidies are inadequate, the burden is on them, and they will be penalized," he said.

Seasonal flu shot locations have been announced by Cigna and Mollen Immunization
Clinics. They are:

Mollen Immunization Clinics

The clinics are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at:

• Camino del Sol and R.H. Johnson Boulevard in Sun City West.

• North Del Webb Boulevard and West Thunderbird Boulevard in Sun City.

• Thunderbird Road and 43rd Avenue in Glendale.

Cigna

Shots are available to those with and without insurance. Seasonal shots do not contain protection against the H1N1 virus. Protection against H1N1 will require two additional vaccinations once a vaccine has been approved and released by the federal government.

Seasonal flu shots cost $26 out-of-pocket for the public. Most people who have Cigna insurance will not incur a cost, as this is a covered benefit for preventive care. Those carrying non-Cigna medical insurance plans will pay $26.

• Cigna Medical Group Sun City Multi-Specialty Center, 13041 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, 623-876-2300, available to those 9 years old and above only, 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 19 and Oct. 10.

• Cigna Medical Group Sun City West Medical Office. 13991 N.W. Grand Ave., Suite 105, Surprise, 623-455-7800, available to those 9 years old and above only, 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.

• Cigna Medical Group Westridge Medical Office, 2302 N. 75th Ave., Phoenix, 623-849-7500, 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and 24.

Seasonal flu shots also are available daily, without appointment, to those with or without Cigna insurance at all Cigna Medical Group CareToday locations:

• Cigna Medical Group CareToday Arrowhead, 20165 N. 67th Ave., Suite 107, Glendale, 623-561-1590, today through Nov. 30.

• Cigna Medical Group CareToday Surprise, 13794 W. Waddell Road, Suite 207, Surprise, 623-214-8755, today through Nov. 30.

For additional dates and times, call 602-906-2750.

To help prevent the spread of the influenza viruses, including H1N1, Banner Health medical centers and facilities began enacting visitor restrictions in their facilities Tuesday, which include restricting children 12 and under from patient-care areas.

Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West is one of three Banner locations that will completely ban children from entering the facility beginning Sept. 14. Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and Page Hospital are the other two facilities enacting the ban.

Cindy Hammond, infection preventionist with Del Webb, said they chose to enact the stricter ban because of the patient population.

"As a facility, we wanted to institute more restrictions on children’s visitations to help protect patients, visitors and staff," Hammond said. "We have a lot of women and infants who are part of the higher risk (category for H1N1). And we have a lot of older clientele who are immuno-compromised and are more susceptible to the flu."

Visitors will be told they either need to return home with the children, or arrange for them to be supervised by an adult in an area outside the hospital, Hammond said.

"We don’t want kids sitting in cars waiting," Hammond said. "We’re concerned about their safety."

Visitors at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City will be allowed to bring those 12 and under into the facility, but not to patient-care areas.

Meenal Patel, infectious disease physician on Boswell’s staff, said the facility is discouraging children 12 and under from coming into the building, but is not going to ban them entirely.

"We’re not being that aggressive," Patel said. "But they cannot go into patient-care areas."

Patel said Boswell has the same concerns about spreading influenza viruses, which have higher incidences of infections in the younger populations.

Since Boswell does not have a neo-natal unit, the patient population at Boswell doesn’t warrant further restrictions.

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale also will allow children 12 and into the facility, but not in patient-care areas.

"Banner Thunderbird has a different mix of population than Del Webb visiting its facility," said Rainey Daye Holloway, director of public relations. "Del Webb’s visitors tend to be of an older population, putting them at higher risk for the flu."

Stricter restrictions may be in the future, if warranted, she said.

"Here at Thunderbird, we are evaluating decisions regarding our visitor restrictions on a daily basis," Holloway said. "Depending on the severity of the flu season, it is possible that we could institute stricter visitor policies at a future time. It’s a day-by-day decision based on what is best for our patients, their families, our employees and the community as a whole."

The Banner facility general restrictions are:

• Do not visit the hospital if you have signs of possible flu (runny nose, cough, fever, etc.)

• Children 12 and under will not be permitted in patient-care areas in the hospital. Research indicates that children are the main carriers and transmitters of the flu

• Typically, patient care areas include any location where a patient may receive care, such as patient rooms, medical imaging, speech/occupational/physical therapy, outpatient services, etc. Visitor restrictions do not apply to public areas such as waiting rooms, lobby, cafeteria or gift shops.

• Each hospital will determine what is considered a patient-care area.

• Children may be allowed into patient care areas on a case-by-case basis only after a child has been provided with a respiratory mask, gloves and observes strict precautions during this visit.

• Visitors are asked to wash their hands often and before entering a patient’s room and upon leaving. Sinks and waterless hand sanitizer units are available on all nursing units.

These restrictions were developed by Banner Infectious Disease workgroup.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.

Children who get sick with flulike symptoms need to stay home, health experts agree.

The first step to help temper the spread of the H1N1 virus this fall is to limit exposure.

“The main key is to send sick kids home,” said Dr. Bob England, Maricopa County’s director of public health. “Parents need to make a plan right now if their kids wake up sick in the morning.”

The H1N1 virus is now the dominant flu striking people around the globe. But so far, it is not making people any more sick than the seasonal virus has in the past, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“For the vast majority of us, including most kids, this will feel just like seasonal flu,” England told participants in a Tribune online event Monday. “We’ll feel exhausted, achy, feverish, and probably have a cough and/or sore throat.”

Underlying conditions — such as diabetes, respiratory illness or immune disorders — can make some children more vulnerable.

England said parents of children with a history of these illnesses should call a doctor as soon as flulike symptoms arise.

“A lot of providers will tell you to come in and be seen. Others may prescribe antivirals over the phone,” England said.

Both the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu have similar symptoms: fever, body aches and a cough. Though one is not more lethal than the other, the H1N1 virus is proving to be more transferable.

Parents may want to call a doctor if their child:
• Has a fever that doesn’t go away after a few days or has a dramatically high fever.
• Is listless or seems to have no energy.
• Has difficulty breathing.
• Struggles to keep fluids down.

“That’s the big one with kids,” England told the Tribune. Parents need to make sure their children stay hydrated.

Marti Reich, infection preventionist at Mesa’s Banner Desert Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center, said patients should come to the emergency room when they have symptoms they can’t manage at home. “If you’re having respiratory distress or can’t manage the fever or keep hydrated, it’s appropriate to see your doctor or the emergency room,” she said. Signs of respiratory distress include difficulty breathing, a bluish color to skin or lips, and lethargy or difficulty arousing a person. 

In the spring, emergency rooms and urgent cares saw increased traffic when news of the H1N1 virus hit and so little was known about it. The East Valley will have more capacity at its emergency rooms, though, when the Cardon Children’s Medical Center opens in November.

Unlike last spring, Banner Desert’s emergency room — as well as the children’s emergency room on the same campus — will not conduct a rapid test for influenza because the test was too unpredictable in the spring, Reich said. Emergency room patients also will not be offered medication, such as the antiviral Tamiflu, she said.

“For people who come to the ER thinking they have the flu, they’re going to receive supportive care and education. If they don’t require admission, they won’t be getting a test or medication unless they’re in a high-risk group that has special needs,” she said.

With surveillance of the disease going on around the world, the medical community knows more about what to expect. Health care providers can also track local cases of the illness through the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Web site and track statistics from local emergency rooms.

Reich said those reports will help predict staffing needs for the hospitals. Administrators can also look at how ill patients are to determine staff ratios.

Hand sanitizer is available at all entrances, Reich said. Instructions at the emergency room will request that patients with a cough put on a mask.

Reich said signs are now posted explaining restrictions at the Banner hospitals around the Valley. Beginning today, children 12 and younger will not be allowed to visit in the hospitals.

Local health offices are preparing for the seasonal flu vaccine clinics to start, some this week. Health officials around the state suggest that the public get vaccinated for the seasonal flu vaccine now — and the H1N1 vaccine when it’s available — to try to reduce the impact of both illnesses on emergency rooms, urgent cares and doctors’ offices.

Dr. Bob England, director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, answered questions about the H1N1 virus online Monday during a CoveritLive event at evtrib.com.
Questions came from participants as well as the Tribune, the Daily News-Sun's sister paper in the East Valley. All questions and comments are online.
Some excerpts:

Q: Dr. England, there have been a lot of comments and concerns from parents regarding the vaccine for H1N1. Can you give us a description of what is required to get a vaccine from idea to market? What tests are done?

England: Clinical trials for the Novel H1N1 vaccine began on July 22, 2009. Results are expected very soon. The trials are designed to answer three primary questions:
• Are these vaccines safe in healthy people of various ages?
• How large a vaccine dose, and how many doses of vaccine, are needed to induce an immune response that is predictive of protection?
• Can 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine be safely administered at the same time or sequentially with the seasonal flu vaccine, and will both vaccines induce protective immune responses?

Q: What are the latest recommendations about who should get the H1N1 vaccine?

ENGLAND: On July 29, 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — an advisory committee to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) — recommended that novel H1N1 flu vaccine be made available first to the following five groups: pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years, people ages 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes). Combined, these groups would equal more than half of us.

Q: Will health care providers be required to receive vaccinations?

England: I only know of one state that is requiring health care providers to be vaccinated when it’s available — New York. But … health care workers should always be vaccinated against all flu. You work very hard to care for people, and the last thing you want to do is give someone an illness that could kill them.

Q: I have heard that the virus has already mutated. Is that a fact?

England: Flu mutates a lot. Already, there have been many slight mutations that have been detected. None of them, however, has shown a major change in how sick it makes people, and that’s the key one to watch for.
This is a rapidly changing situation, and details are likely to continue to change as we go along. How sick it’s making people, when and where vaccine is available, on and on. The take-home point is to stay tuned. We’re building a Web site, StopTheSpreadAZ.org, that will have all sorts of info as well as links to everything else you may need.

Q: The H1N1 virus has been in the headlines a lot in the last week. Why is this any different than a regular flu illness or season?

England: Because it’s a new strain to which most of us have no partial immunity, and it is expected to spread a lot faster than regular flu. We expect an early wave of this to begin sooner than our regular flu season, and to make perhaps one-quarter or one-third of us sick over the next few months, unless we take actions that decrease the spread. It does not seem to be making more people than usual seriously ill, but if you have, say, three times as many people getting sick, then perhaps three times as many people may be hospitalized or die than in a usual flu season.
On top of that, although nearly everyone who has become seriously ill so far has underlying risk factors, it is seriously affecting many more young people than the regular, seasonal flu does. More than half of our hospitalized cases have been children, and the average age of death, the last I looked, was in the 30s. By contrast, older people seem to have some cross immunity, probably from a virus that went around 50 to 60 years ago, so that people older than 65 seem much less likely to become infected.

Q: Is the vaccine already in Arizona in the amount we need, or is it “coming?”

England: We expect to begin to receive vaccine at some point in October, the earlier the better. Eventually, I think we’ll have enough for anyone who wants it, but at first, that won’t be the case because they’ll be shipping it as fast as they can.
It will be delivered to private providers, mass flu shot providers, hospitals, some clinics and elsewhere, but it won’t go to everyone at once. We’ll be trying to direct it to those most in need first.

Q: Given that the vaccine will arrive rather late, will I still need to get it if I’ve already contracted and recovered from the flu?

England: A lot of people who got sick may have had something other than the flu. Others who had true influenza, especially if they got it last spring, when the novel flu was first circulating, may well have had last season’s regular, seasonal flu. So it’s not an easy answer, and all the standard guidelines will tell you to err on the side of caution and get it anyway.
Having said that, if you really had the flu during the summer, the odds are very good that indeed, you’ve already had the novel flu and probably wouldn’t benefit from the vaccine (unless there’s a major mutation that occurs in the meantime to decrease your natural protection).

Q: Do you expect that here in Arizona where it is hot, that we would have less of an outbreak of the flu?

England: I expected it to practically go away this summer, like seasonal flu does every year, but I got surprised. We had six or so people hospitalized every week here all summer long, meaning that a LOT more people than that were getting sick.
Novel strains, that cause pandemics, don’t always follow the usual flu season.

Q: I know they’re testing the new vaccine, but does anyone know how it will interact with the seasonal vaccine? Are both really necessary?

England: There’s no reason to think that there would be any interaction between them. Don’t forget, there are three different strains in the regular, seasonal flu vaccine, and that doesn’t cause any interaction. This is essentially adding a fourth strain.
Having said that, your question is one of the things the clinical trials will answer for sure, including making sure that they can be given at the same time, which there’s no reason to think that they couldn’t be.
And yes, they’re both protecting against different viruses, so you still need your regular flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu, and the novel flu vaccine to protect against the new strain.

Q: In addition to testing the vaccine for efficiency, will they test it for side effects?

England: Yes, they’re testing for side effects. This is being made in the same basic way as any flu vaccine, so there’s no reason to expect any significant difference in side effects. But … you need to understand that very rare side effects won’t be detectable until a very large number of people have been vaccinated. The CDC is planning a more aggressive search than usual for rare side effects as this rolls out.
And don’t forget … a lot of people are going to die from this disease before we’re done. I’d rather take a really rare risk of a side effect than a one-in-three risk of getting sick, and a much higher risk than side effects of becoming seriously ill or dying from the disease. If the disease were rare, you might reconsider, but this disease is going to affect a lot of us, and many more people than we’re accustomed to seeing may die from it before we’re through.

Q: I have six kids. How much will the vaccine cost me?

England: The novel flu vaccine is being entirely purchased by the federal government, so it will be free. However, a provider may charge an administration fee, or bill your insurance for it. We’re asking mass vaccinators, like Mollen Immunizations, to sign up through us to do mass clinics in schools, to cover school-aged kids.

Q: What about seniors over 65? Usually they are urged to get flu shots as well.

England: Regular, seasonal flu seriously affects older adults the most. And most older adults are good at getting their flu shots every year. However, the good news for seniors is that they’re much less often affected by the novel flu strain than others.
By focusing on children (who are not only at higher risk but also spread the infection much more) we hope to slow the spread throughout the community, so that older adults, and everyone else, are also less likely to be exposed in the first place. That will allow us enough time to get enough vaccine shipped that everyone who wants it can then get it, including seniors.

Q: Can nursing mothers receive the shot and if so, does the vaccine pass through breast milk?

England: Yes, nursing moms (and pregnant women) can and should get the vaccine. Yes, some passive immunity should pass to your child, but especially so if the vaccine gets here while you’re still pregnant.
Vaccinating pregnant women is important for two reasons. First, while pregnancy is always a risk factor for seasonal flu, historically, during novel flu pandemics, that risk goes WAY up. We’ve already seen deaths in pregnant women from this.
Second, infants less than 6 months of age can’t get their own shot. If their mom was vaccinated during pregnancy, they’ll have good antibodies from the mom throughout that period to help protect them.

MIAMI (AP) — Cecile Sangiamo liked her health insurance — until she needed to use it.

The 72-year-old Clearwater, Fla., resident had been on the federally subsidized, privately run Medicare Advantage policy through WellCare Inc. for about three years when she started having pain that made it hard to walk.

Her doctor's referral to an orthopedic specialist was denied by the insurer. Her out-of-pocket costs were higher than she was initially told. And when Sangiamo needed surgery, she said, WellCare offered some unexpected medical advice.

"Take pills and use a walker," Sangiamo remembered being told by the insurer, which declined to comment on the case. "I wanted to say, 'I'll take the walker and bang you in the head with it.'"

Seniors have flocked by the millions to Medicare Advantage, privately run plans offered as an alternative to traditional, government-run Medicare. Programs that promise lower premiums or other perks have combined with heavy marketing from insurance companies to make the programs double in size in the last six years to nearly 11 million members and growing.

But critics say that Sangiamo's case is all too common and that the plans put profits above care and denials of service are routine.

Profits at the insurers offering Medicare Advantage have far outpaced expectations, and their expenses to treat clients have been far lower than projected.

Advantage insurers are required to offer perks beyond traditional Medicare, such as gym memberships or hearing aids. Enrollees also often get care coordination among the many doctors an older person might have. But there is no standardization of the thousands of plans seniors can choose from, and co-pays and premiums vary widely.

In the debate on overhauling the U.S. health care system, Advantage has been criticized as an example of a broken system that costs too much, confuses enrollees and suffers from a lack of oversight.

Government payouts for Advantage of $111 billion a year and, on average, 14 percent more per patient than traditional Medicare have made the plans a key target for lawmakers and President Barack Obama, who has cited it frequently as too costly.

Proponents of Advantage and the many seniors who like their coverage hail its added benefits and care coordination. But even many backers acknowledge one of its toughest problems is few seniors understand the essential difference in private plans: Even services covered by traditional Medicare that doctors deem medically necessary routinely need the insurers' advance approval and are sometimes denied.

"There are so many hoops to run through, there are so many rules, it's just mind-boggling," said Mary Johnson, policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan, 1.2-million-member group. "Woe is you if you have any kind of chronic problem, and woe is you if you're ever hospitalized."

Participants have been denied visits to specialists, rehabilitation to help them walk again and countless other services they'd be entitled to under traditional Medicare.

"Every decision is based on not what's right for the patient, but what's right for the bottom line," said Dr. Michael Sedrish, who coordinates HMO payments for Medisys Health Network, which runs three New York City hospitals.
———
Everyone over 65 and many disabled people qualify for Medicare. Private plans, paid for by the government but run by private insurers, were added in the 1970s to give added choices in coverage.

In 2003, the government added lucrative subsidies for insurers, now totaling more than $15 billion a year. Many more companies got into the business, with massive marketing efforts, and enrollment went from 5.3 million in 2003 to more than 10.7 million in July.

With basic Medicare, seniors generally know what sort of coverage they're getting. That's not the case with the roughly 7,000 Medicare Advantage plans, where one person's coverage could be completely different from a next door neighbor's.

Another notable difference between traditional Medicare and Advantage plans is that the vast majority of traditional Medicare denials come after treatment, when the doctor or hospital is fighting to get paid. Advantage denials sometimes come before treatment, delaying it or preventing it.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services acknowledges having more data on what services patients are getting and what ones are denied would be beneficial, but it is complicated by the sheer number of plans.

"It's a pretty daunting task," said Tony Culotta, Medicare's director of enrollment and appeals, "but it's something that we're working toward."
———
Ask seniors about Medicare Advantage and you'll get an earful.

Michelle Mancini, 42 and on Medicare because she has spinal degeneration, was on traditional Medicare but signed up last year for an Advantage plan from Citrus Health Care, believing she'd have fewer out-of-pocket expenses.

The St. Petersburg, Fla., resident suffers from a jaw disorder that causes clicking, popping and pain when she eats or yawns. Getting approved to see a specialist took months. Approval for needed surgery took longer. When it was finally over, she realized the post-operation therapy she should have received to deal with the pain had never been submitted for approval.

And so she waited, in pain. For a month. Unable to eat.

The process was so taxing, the pain so agonizing, she felt she needed a psychologist to talk through the experience. And so she had to fight to get that approved, too.

"There's a hoop-jumping you have to go through," she said. "This goes on week after week, month after month — I just want to give up."

A Citrus spokeswoman, Lisa Brock, said Mancini was treated well but that Advantage clients sometimes were confused about benefits.

Citrus, as well as WellCare, which handled Sangiamo's case, were disciplined for contract violations this year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the government agency that oversees the program, and ordered to stop marketing their plans and enrolling new clients.

Advantage supporters and insurers say problems have been isolated.

"Seniors are getting additional benefits, they're getting additional services and they're very happy with the program," said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, an industry group. He cited a 2008 study paid for by AHIP that showed similar rates of satisfaction for both Advantage and Medicare enrollees.

Carolyn White, 55, of Maynardville, Tenn., is happy with her coverage even with its hassles.

She has a split pancreas that affects nearly every aspect of her life. Her doctor recommended a gastric pacemaker costing more than $67,000 to help control crippling nausea.

Cariten Senior Health denied the device, and White went through months of appeals. But in the end, she got it, and has nothing negative to say about her insurer. "They were more than wonderful," she said. "They've gone to bat for me."
————
Enrollees in both traditional and private plans pay part of the costs. Under traditional Medicare, many carry an additional private policy, known as MediGap, to cover what the government doesn't, and that policy can cost a few hundred dollars per month.

Seniors often join Advantage plans because they think they'll cut expenses through lower premiums or co-pays, and this can be true. But it's difficult to tell when signing up, because the benefit rules can be daunting and medical issues can crop up unexpectedly.

A 2008 Government Accountability Office report found wide differences in enrollee costs depending on the plan, including home health service costs that could be up to 84 percent more than traditional Medicare.

A half-million Advantage enrollees were in plans with no co-pay for hospital stays. But a roughly equal number were in plans with high hospital co-pays and no limits on out-of-pocket inpatient expenses, potentially costing patients thousands more.

The disparity was greatest for some of the sickest seniors, the GAO found — those who return to the hospital within 60 days of discharge. Under traditional Medicare, those patients would not pay any deductible. Under many Advantage plans, it could be steep.

"The plans tell them they have the same coverage," said Delores Bowman, who handles calls to the Medicare Rights Center, "and they don't."

The independent nonprofit helps Medicare enrollees, and the makeup of its roughly 10,000 annual calls has changed dramatically, dominated by complaints from Medicare Advantage customers.

"The HMOs seem to deny everything," she said.
————
Insurers make big profits from Advantage.

Another GAO report released last year and based on 2006 data shows Advantage insurers' profits were $3.36 billion, far exceeding a projected $2.03 billion. And though enrollment grew quickly, medical expenses were $360 million lower than projected.

A year earlier, the insurers' profits were nearly triple projections.

The Obama administration already has announced new restrictions on Advantage plans, including closer scrutiny of high-deductible coverage, but more are expected and might be included as part of the overall health reform bill.
Obama has focused on Advantage as one of an array of changes to pay for his health initiatives.

"There's no showing that seniors are healthier using Medicare Advantage than using regular Medicare," he said last month in Raleigh, N.C. "But, taxpayers, you fork over an additional $177 billion to them over 10 years. You take that out — that right there helps pay for millions of people who could get coverage."
————
At Jamaica Hospital, it all became clear with Angela Dispenza.

The New Yorker was a healthy 77-year-old when she fell two years ago and fractured her back.

Doctors thought it obvious that Dispenza should be admitted to the hospital, then receive rehabilitation as her best chance to walk again. The hospital says her Medicare Advantage plan, Oxford, denied her hospital admission, rehabilitation and even an ambulance ride home.

The hospital admitted Dispenza anyway. It was paid, though not in full, only after going public with the case. Dispenza was able to walk out of the hospital on her own; doctors said she would have been bedridden and died without the treatment they insisted on.

Sedrish, whose Medisys network of hospitals in New York owns Jamaica Hospital, found her case such an egregious example of denials he says he sees so often that he set out to prove it.

He analyzed files for 16 months in 2006 and 2007, looking only at patients from on insurer, Oxford, in need of just two types of care, acute rehabilitation and treatment for traumatic brain injuries. Of 46 such cases, the hospital says, all but three were denied.

Oxford declined to comment.

"There are barriers on top of barriers on top of barriers to try and prevent people to get the services," Sedrish said. "No one ever gave these insurance companies the right to decide who should live and who should die."

READ MORE ABOUT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN MONDAY'S DAILY NEWS-SUN.

Effective Sept. 2, all Banner Health hospitals in Arizona will enact visitor restrictions to protect patients, visitors and employees during this influenza season.

The visitor restrictions are:

• Do not visit the hospital if you have signs of possible flu (runny nose, cough, fever, etc.)
• Children ages 12 and under will not be permitted in patient care areas in the hospital. Research indicates that children are the main carriers and transmitters of the flu. Each hospital will determine what is considered a patient care area.

Typically, patient care areas include any location where a patient may receive care, such as patient rooms, medical imaging, speech/occupational/physical therapy, outpatient services, etc. Visitor restrictions do not apply to public areas such as waiting rooms, lobby, cafeteria or gift shop. Banner Health believes this solution provides options for places children could stay with an adult while others visited patients.

• Children may be allowed into patient care areas on a case-by-case basis only after a child has been provided with a respiratory mask, gloves and observes strict precautions during this visit. Some hospitals may choose to implement stricter visitor restrictions under special circumstances.
• Please wash your hands often and before entering a patient’s room and upon leaving. Sinks and waterless hand sanitizer units are available on all nursing units.

These restrictions were developed by Banner Infectious Disease Workgroup. For information on how to protect yourself and your family against the flu, go to http://bannerhealth.com, Keyword: flu.

Age-old advice from grandmothers is being reinforced by modern-day advertising, but a recent study indicates that allowing babies to sleep on their sides or tummies amid stuffed animals and colorful mobiles can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome.

Pediatrics magazine found two-thirds of the images depicted in magazines show dangerous baby sleep environments, and Janet Peirce-Hollett, Women’s Health educator at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, is trying to make that point to soon-to-be moms.

"It’s a big concern when parents are thumbing through a magazine and see pictures and images of a nursery and get an unrealistic view of how it should look," said "A safe crib is a boring crib," Peirce-Hollett said. "It’s a firm, well-fitted, new mattress in a new crib with one nice sheet over it. And that’s it: no bumpers, no mobiles, no pillows."

Placing babies on their backs for sleep is the recommended method.

"There are parents who may have been given advice from their mother that recommends putting a baby on its side because if it spits up, while on its back, it can choke," Peirce-Hollett said. "But that isn’t true. There is a lot of misinformation out there."

Safe sleep recommendations and other real-life skills for new parents are taught through the hospital’s women’s education department, which offers Survival Skills for New Parents classes.

Newborn safety is focused, including proper sleep positions. Peirce-Hollett said the program also dispels myths and misinformation.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued sleep recommendations to place babies in a nonprone position to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome. Since then there has been a dramatic decrease in SIDS.

"When baby’s breathing is blocked, they breathe back their own air, which can cause asphyxiation," Peirce-Hollett said. "Crib bumpers that are not breathable can cause babies to rebreathe the wrong air. And things that crowd a crib also reduce the amount of fresh air a baby receives."

Babies should not be placed on their tummies, either.

"Baby has to have access to fresh air," Peirce-Hollett said.

For information on parenting classes, call the Banner Care Line at 602-230-2273.

The Volunteer Services department at Banner Boswell Medical Center selected Donna Cluckey as the August Volunteer of the Month.

Cluckey started volunteering at Banner Boswell in 2003 at the South and Main information desks, where she has logged more than 4,000 volunteer hours. Her role as a trainer is vital in providing mentoring to new volunteers working at these desks. 

"I was very impressed with her commitment to donate her time several days a week. She has been providing excellent service since she began volunteering with us," said Julie Mudric, director of Volunteer Services at Banner Boswell.

Banner Boswell has 1,500 active volunteers, from age 13 (junior volunteer program) to 102. On average, there are 100-150 volunteers in the hospital each day. In 2008, volunteers worked 168,000 hours. To learn about volunteering at Banner Boswell, call 623-876-5387.