Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Martin Memorial, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Celebrate Life-Saving Partnership

For more than a decade, Martin Memorial has been teaming with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide breast cancer patients in Martin and St. Lucie counties with access to care.

Today, the two not-for-profit organizations were joined by Congressman Tom Rooney in an event celebrating Martin Memorial’s role as the host hospital for the 19th-annual 2010 Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure, which will be held Jan. 30 in West Palm Beach. Representatives from Komen also awarded grants to Martin Memorial that will be used to help breast cancer patients receive access to diagnostic testing and treatment.

“We are extremely honored to be the host hospital for the 2010 Race for the Cure and we are proud of our relationship with Komen, which has allowed us to expand the level of care we provide to the community,” said Cindy Pingolt, assistant vice president for professional services at Martin Memorial. “We see breast cancer patients every day who have been helped tremendously by resources that would not be available without Komen’s assistance.”

The Race for the Cure is the South Florida Affiliate’s largest fundraiser as it helps fulfill the Komen mission to eradicate breast cancer and has the distinction of being the first race of the year among all affiliates. The race is now accepting sponsorship applications and race registrations for participants. The South Florida Affiliate serves Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

“The host hospital’s role is critical to the Komen race each year, expanding public awareness through education about breast health and cancer detection,” said Patricia Abramson, race chairwoman and a breast cancer survivor. “Martin Memorial and its Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center are an influential partner in spreading this message.”

Congressman Rooney, representing Florida’s 16th Congressional District, congratulated both organizations for their services to the community.

“The efforts of Komen and Martin Memorial are making a difference in the lives of countless residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties,” Rep. Rooney said.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Looking for Something to Help With Arthritis Pain? Hit the Gym and Exercise

Research from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Arthritis Foundation, as well as others, recommend that people with arthritis exercise.

Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness and helps increase flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength. Other added benefits include weight reduction, improved sense of well being and sounder sleeping.

So let’s get started! If this is all new to you, the best way to begin is to begin slowly. It is always recommended that before you start any exercise program, you consult with your doctor.

Martin Memorial Health and Fitness will conduct a health history and pre-screening as well as seeking clearance from your physician before starting any exercise program.

It is proven through research that exercise does help manage the pain and stiffness that accompany arthritis. I also conducted some informal interviews with a few of our members at Martin Memorial Health and Fitness and here’s what they had to say.

Carolyn Jensen says she’s been living with arthritis, which runs in her family, for 20 years. Over the years it has gotten worse but she says, “If I don’t exercise, I don’t feel as fit and energetic and I feel stiff.” Carolyn’s fitness regimen includes stretching before and after tennis which she plays four times per week and works out at our gym at least two times per week.

Raymond Snyder says he has arthritis “from head to toe.” He’s been living with it for about 20 years. By the way, Raymond is proud to say he’s 90 years young. He adds that exercise “helps him more than any other form of treatment.” Ray has just returned to Florida and says “after being here just a couple of times, he feels better,” and “I get stiff if I don’t come to the gym. All I can say is that I’m OK for the whole day when I exercise.”

Doug Sisco has the early signs of arthritis in his knee and knuckles and says, “If I don’t exercise, I get more pains and aches.” Dolly Wilson has had arthritis for 10 years and says, “pool exercise helps with the reduction of pain.”

The Arthritis Foundation recommends starting slowly with flexibility exercises which are basically stretching exercises that will improve your range of motion and help with daily activities. They also recommend water exercise since it reduces stress on your hips, knees and spine.

At Martin Memorial Health and Fitness, we offer a variety of classes which include water exercise, Thai chi, yoga, pilates, low impact aerobics and stretch. Along with classes, we encourage you to start slowly with strength training and cardiovascular exercise. We’re here to help you get started and on your way to a more pain free lifestyle.

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician
Hospital South Health and Fitness

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Martin Memorial Opens New State-of-the-Art Imaging Facility in Port St. Lucie

Treasure Coast residents can now access the latest innovations in imaging technology at Martin Memorial Diagnostic Imaging Services at Port St. Lucie.

Located at 1651 S.E. Tiffany Ave., the facility will provide the most recent generation of technologically sophisticated MRI and CT scanners, and the new imaging suites will offer patient comfort features that are unique on the Treasure Coast.

“This new facility will allow us to present physicians with high-quality diagnostic imaging that is critical to providing patient care,” said Eric A. Pfeiffer, MD, chief of radiology services at Martin Memorial. “This technology is state of the art, which provides us with the best images with which to make a diagnosis. At the same time, the environment will allow us to provide patients with enhanced comfort and ease of mind during their examinations.”

The facility will feature a high-field open bore Magnetom Espree MRI system, which combines high-quality imaging capabilities with the highest level of patient comfort, improved space and access. The facility also features the 16-slice Somatom Emotion Spiral CT, a fast and powerful diagnostic tool that provides physicians with incredibly precise images.

Patients will be able to select from a menu of special themes, filling their exam room with soothing lighting and music, as relaxing scenery is displayed on large flat screen monitors within their view. Pediatric themes are also available that are designed to help entertain and calm children while their imaging studies are being performed.

The 3,608-square-foot space was renovated at Martin Memorial’s Tiffany Avenue location, which also features physician offices, rehabilitation services and laboratory services. Martin Memorial also has outpatient diagnostic imaging services in Stuart and St. Lucie West, and features both inpatient and outpatient diagnostic imaging services at its two hospitals.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Martin Memorial, VGTI Florida Begin First Collaboration on Research Study

VGTI Florida and Martin Memorial are working on a research study that represents the initial collaboration between the life sciences organization and the health care provider.

The study began collecting blood samples in late October from patients visiting Martin Memorial physicians who agree to participate in the study. Those samples are then turned over to scientists at VGTI Florida for study.

“We believe this study can play an important role in helping us develop innovative vaccine and immune therapies for the current flu epidemic, HIV and other chronic infections,” said Rafick-Pierre Sekaly, Ph.D., co-director and scientific director of VGTI Florida. “Our partnership with Martin Memorial provides us with access to a patient population willing to participate in potentially life-saving research.”

VGTI Florida is the Florida-funded expansion of Oregon Health and Science University’s highly successful Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Research at the facility will focus on vaccine development with a special focus on vaccines and therapeutics that protect the aging population, which is the most vulnerable to disease.

VGTI Florida is one of the three life sciences organizations comprising the Florida Center for Innovation, located at the Tradition development in western St. Lucie County. Along with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and the Mann Research Center, VGTI Florida is bringing innovative clinical research to the Treasure Coast.

Martin Memorial, which is seeking approval from the state of Florida to build an 80-bed hospital in Tradition near Torrey Pines, has been participating in research studies for many years – primarily in cancer clinical trials. Since 2001, more than 50 cancer clinical research trials have been conducted at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, which have provided valuable insight into the causes of and treatments for cancer.

“We believe this will be the first of many collaborative opportunities with our partners at the Florida Center for Innovation,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial. “This is a perfect example of how we can provide valuable clinical resources that are critical to scientific research and that can profoundly impact the way health care is delivered.”

The study will be overseen at VGTI by Dr. Sekali and Lydie Trautmann, Ph.D., and at Martin Memorial by Richard Dube, MD, and Paul Gaeta, MD. The purpose of the study, which is expected to involve approximately 270 subjects, is to investigate how the body’s immune cells react to exposure to a viral infection such as the flu, either by immunization or by infection with the virus itself.

In the case of influenza infection the body reacts very quickly. During infection, the immune system produces cells that fight the infection. At the same time, the immune system produces antibodies that are able to protect against future infections from the same infection.

The study of this process will allow researchers to better understand the reaction the body has against the virus. Better understanding of the model for acute phase of influenza infection will be helpful in determining protective strategies and developing innovative vaccine and immune therapies to control the current flu epidemic, HIV and other chronic infections.

Three groups of subjects are being asked to participate in the study. That includes:

· Men and women who have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose and are diagnosed with the seasonal flu (both types A and B) by having a positive rapid flu test. Blood will be drawn at that visit, with a second blood draw taking place 30 days later. One hundred individuals will be recruited in this group.

· Men and women who have flu-like symptoms and are diagnosed with the flu by having a positive rapid flu test for type A flu only. Blood will be drawn at that visit, followed by another draw 30 days later. Twenty individuals will be recruited in this group.

· Men and women who are scheduled to have the flu vaccine. There are three subgroups featuring healthy subjects receiving flu vaccine – a total of 50 in each group – who receive either seasonal flu vaccine or H1N1 flu vaccine, or seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine. Study participants will receive a blood draw the day of their vaccination, another three to seven days later, as well as another blood draw 30 days after the first sample.

Those interested in participating in the study can call (772) 288-5858 and select option four.