Health news 9/18/07

Brain balloon to fly over Cape Girardeau

The "World's Largest Brain" hot air balloon will be inflated Friday in Capaha Park to increase public awareness about the brain and its functions. The anatomically correct hot air balloon is a part of Southeast Missouri Hospital's celebration of a tradition of excellence in neurosciences and is sponsored by the hospital's Regional Brain and Spine Center. The balloon is scheduled to be inflated twice Friday, starting at 6:30 a.m. and again around 4 p.m. in Capaha Park near the band shell. Winners of Southeast Missouri Hospital's Brain Poster and Slogan Contest will be honored at an awards ceremony at 5 p.m. in conjunction with the appearance of the hot air balloon.

Saint Francis celebrates rehab unit anniversary

In conjunction with the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation's Rehab Week, Saint Francis Medical Center is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Saint Francis will host a ceremony Wednesday to recognize several individuals for outstanding achievements in their individual physical rehabilitation treatment programs. These people will be inducted into the Saint Francis Rehabilitation "Wall of Fame." Patients from a 15-county area have been represented in past years. An estimated 50 million Americans are living with disability after injury or illness. With the help of rehabilitation specialists and the support of family and the community, many disabled individuals reach maximum function and continue to lead productive lives.

Jackson school receives sports scholarship

Nearly 90 area coaches and athletic directors attended the fifth Saint Francis Medical Center Coaches Clinic on Sept. 12, to learn athletic performance enhancement and mandatory drug testing for high school athletes, among other coaching topics. Shelia Midgett-Haertling, basketball coach at Jackson Junior High School, was presented with a scholarship for five athletes from her school to attend Frappier Acceleration Sports Training, valued at $1,700.

-- From staff reports