Health news 3/29/07

Briefly

Go Red for Women luncheon April 5

Saint Francis Medical Center will hold its third annual "Go Red for Women" luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at the Osage Community Centre. Proceeds will be used for research and to educate area women about heart disease. The lunch will be catered by Celebrations by Request and will feature speaker Eileen Sievers, a registered nurse. Tickets are $20 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the American Heart Association regional office at (800) 323-7883.

Local doctors certified to teach robotic surgery

Doctors Gregg Hallman and J. Russell Felker, both of Cape Girardeau Urology Association Inc., recently received certification to teach robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of prostate cancer. They have been selected as proctors for Intuitive Surgical, the company that manufactures the da Vinci Surgical System. With this certification, Hallman and Felker will have the opportunity to travel throughout the country to help surgeons learn enhanced robotic surgical techniques.

Doctor certified to perform procedure

Doctor Scott Gibbs, with Brain and NeuroSpine Clinic of Missouri LLC, recently became certified to perform balloon kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from spinal fractures due to osteoporosis. Balloon kyphoplasty repairs vertebral compression fractures and restores the vertebrae to the correct position, reducing back pain, reducing the number of days in bed, significantly improving mobility and increasing overall quality of life. The procedure generally takes less than one hour per fracture and has been performed under both local and general anesthesia. Doctors Kevin Vaught and Paul Tolentino, both with the Brain and NeuroSpine Clinic of Missouri LLC, are also qualified to perform the surgery.

Building Blocks receives Ronald McDonald grant

Southeast Building Blocks of Missouri, a part of the national nurse-family partnership, has received a $2,654 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities to fund an initiative called "BABIES" (Building a Better Infant Environment Safely). Southeast Building Blocks is operated by Southeast Missouri Hospital's Home Health Service. The program is one of four in Missouri and the only one outside a metropolitan area. Director of home care services Sheila Beussink said the grant will be used to provide Building Blocks children with essential safety and developmental items such as car seats, strollers, home safety items, smoke detectors, books and developmental toys. Building Blocks is a free prenatal early childhood home visitation service to women with little or no income who are first-time mothers. Visiting nurses from Building Blocks help mothers make healthy choices about diet and pregnancy; prepare for labor and delivery; make the best decisions on feeding the baby; make parenting easier with helpful hints; and learn about baby's growth and development.

Calendar

Monday

Blood pressure screenings at Grace United Methodist Church, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 651-5825.

Brain injury resource group for those who have experienced brain injury and their families, at HealthPoint Plaza, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Heart smart screenings at HealthPoint Fitness, 8 to 10 a.m.

Blood pressure screenings at the Illmo Housing Authority, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Breast-feeding class at Southeast Missouri Hospital's Generations Family Resource Center, 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 651-5825.

Mended Hearts for heart patients and their families at Southeast's Diabetics Center, 6 p.m.

Bosom Buddies support group for women dealing with or who have had breast cancer, at HealthPoint Plaza, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Stroke and spasticity help for limb stiffness at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 651-5825.

Explorer Post 4077 for young people interested in the health field, at Southeast Missouri Hospital, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Heart and health screenings at Saint Francis Medical Center's Health and Wellness Center, 7 to 10 a.m.

Cholesterol and glucose screening at St. James AME Church, 8 to 10:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment, call 651-5825.

New baby class for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds and their parents at the Generations Family Resource Center, 6 to 7 p.m. To register, call 651-5825.

Thursday

Arthritis self-help class at Saint Francis Medical Center's Wellness conference room, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Walk 'n' be fit mall walking program at West Park Mall, 8 a.m.

Blood pressure screenings at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center, 10 to 11:15 a.m.

Ask Your Doctor, local health-care providers discuss medical issues and welcome questions from viewers who can call the show live at 334-3095, 8 to 9 p.m., cable Channel 5. This week's speaker is Dr. Franklin Hayward.

-- From staff reports