CHOLESTEROL EDUCATION WILL BE THE TOPIC OF HEALTH-CARE EVENT

A "Cholesterol Education for Health Care Professionals Conference" is scheduled for April 24 at Southeast Missouri State University.

The event is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge.

The purpose of the conference is to provide continuing education opportunity for professionals and students in the fields of nursing and health promotion. Current information on prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia will be presented, organizers said.

Southeast and its College of Health and Human Services and health and leisure department are co-sponsoring the event along with St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, the Cape Girardeau Chapter of the American Heart Association and Mallinckrodt Cardiology.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

Jacqueline Hooper, Southeast associate professor of health and leisure; and Kathy Fector, program director for the American Heart Association Missouri Affiliate, will open the conference at 8:15 a.m. with a welcome, a program overview and a continuing education units pre-test.

Dr. Gordon Haycraft, a cardiologist in the Internal Medicine Group, will discuss pathophysiology from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Bill Logan, a registered nurse and registered respiratory therapist from St. Francis Medical Center, will discuss identification of high-risk patients and will present guidelines for cholesterol screening from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The pharmokinetics of frequently prescribed drug therapies will be presented by Dr. Leonard Naeger of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy from 10:45-11:45 a.m.

A low-fat buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Following the lunch break, registered dietitian Kim Roper of Southeast Missouri Hospital will discuss the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Hooper will outline the role of aerobic exercise in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia from 1:45-2:45 p.m. Registered dietitian Anita Newcomer Smith of Southeast Missouri Hospital will discuss strategies to encourage behavior change and adherence to treatment recommendations from 3-4 p.m.

The Missouri Nursing Association has approved 7.2 hours of continuing education credit for participants who successfully complete a test at the end of the conference.

Participants will receive a packet of educational materials and have an opportunity to win door prizes, including stethoscopes, gift certificates and low-fat muffins and cookbooks.

Early registration fees for professional is $25 and $5 for students. Registration fees at the door are $35 for professionals and $10 for students. Checks should be made payable to Southeast Missouri State University. Proceeds go to the Missouri Affiliate of the American Heart Association.

The deadline for early registration is April 9. Seating will be limited to the first 75 to register.

A limited number of financial assistance scholarships, which cover the cost of conference fees, are available to professionals who can demonstrate a need, organizers said.