March 2010
Once considered benign, Atrial Fibrillation (also known as A-Fib or AF) is now considered a serious precursor to stroke – one that warrants early and aggressive treatment. AF occurs when the heart's two small upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively; it can cause blood to pool and clot, raising the risk of a stroke or serious cardiac event. AF is the most common of heart rhythm disorders, affecting more than 2 million Americans. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. Advances in electrophysiology and catheter ablation techniques now offer a safe and effective treatment for AF patients whose irregular heart beats cannot be safely controlled with medications. During catheter ablation, electrophysiologists thread specialized catheters through the blood vessels leading to the heart and then apply radiofrequency energy to abnormal tissue triggering the irregular heartbeats. It’s just one of the many advanced treatment options available at Sarasota Memorial. To learn more about Sarasota Memorial’s advanced cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment options, visit our website at www.smh.com/heart.
Advanced Treatments for Common Foot & Ankle Problems
Join Patrick O’Neill, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Sarasota Memorial Healthplex Medical Director, 11 am-12 pm Wednesday, March 24, for a free presentation on “Advanced Treatments for Common Foot & Ankle Problems.” The presentation will be followed by a question & answer session. The presentation will be held in Education Room A&B at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd. (1/2-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road). Information: (941) 917-7000.
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Fit 411 – Youth Fitness
Sarasota Memorial's dietitians & fitness professionals have created a special month-long program for youth – a series of eight 1-hour classes that not only encourages them to get off the couch and exercise, but also teaches them the safe and proper way to use fitness equipment, how to monitor and measure their activity level and how healthy foods can help boost their ability in school and sports. The program – designed for 10- to 15-year-olds, is held monthly at the Healthplex Fitness Center, located in Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., ½-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road. Cost is $99. Healthplex membership is not required. For information, call (941) 917-7981.
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Are You Anxious?
About the economy, your future, your career, terrorism … Sarasota Memorial's Bayside Center is co-hosting a free education event for people experiencing anxiety – and providers who care for them, 10 am-12:30 pm (registration begins at 9:30 am) March 6 in the hospital's first floor auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The presentation includes a discussion of anxiety disorders by David Sheehan, MD, professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, director of The Depression and Anxiety Disorders Institute at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, followed by a panel discussion with local experts, Parlane Reid, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Sarasota Memorial, Chris Cortman, Psy.D, Harold Shinitzky, Psy.D, and Robert Mignone, MD. The event is free to the public (two CEU/CMEs are available for $10 for qualified professionals). Registration is required: Call (941) 953-3477 or register online at www.mhcci.com.
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Journey Toward Wellness
Fire Up Your Metabolism at any Age! Join us for a free wellness lecture and interactive presentation by Sarasota Memorial dietitians, Tuesday, March 2 (5-6 pm) or Friday, March 5 (9-10 am) at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tuesday’s class will be held in education room 3C; Friday’s class will be held in education room 4A&B. Please RSVP: (941) 917-2090.
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SMH-Community Blood Drive
Join Sarasota Memorial staff and visitors for a special four-day blood drive (March 16-20) to help replenish our community’s blood supply. The first 300 donors will receive a free general admission ticket to a Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Game. Donors also can earn a restaurant gift certificate from Suncoast Communities Blood Bank after three donations. The blood drive will be held in the hospital’s first floor auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, on the following days:
Tuesday, March 16 – 8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, March 17 – 10 am-6:30 pm
Thursday, March 18 – 8 am-5 pm
Saturday, March 20 – 7 am-noon
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Lower Back Pain 
Sarasota Memorial is hosting a free community education event for people affected by lower back pain, 3-4:30 pm April 14. Speakers include: Rafael Miguel, MD, pain care specialist and medical director of Sarasota Memorial’s Pain Care Centers, and his colleague pain care specialist Paul Satia, MD. A question-and-answer session will follow the physician presentations. The event will be held at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota. Please RSVP to (941) 917-7777 or register online by April 13.
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A Day with the Perinatologists 
Physicians, healthcare providers and other professionals who work with high-risk pregnant women are invited to Sarasota Memorial’s 4th Annual "A Day with the Perinatologists," 7 am-5 pm Saturday, April 10, in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s first floor auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The continuing education event will provide a diverse and comprehensive look at current issues in the management of high-risk obstetrical patients. Registration fee includes lunch and 7 CEUs for qualified professionals. Call (941) 917-2173 for information or register online.
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Rock the Roof
Join us 6-11 pm March 13 on Sarasota Memorial’s LaSula Garage rooftop for a 1980s Hair Band Rock Concert benefiting the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. Entertainment will include an SMH Physicians Jam Session at 6:30 pm followed by the music of Mad Margritt. General admission is $65. VIP tickets available. Call (941) 917-1286 for information or buy your tickets online at smhf.org.
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How about water exercise? Almost anybody can participate in water exercise and benefit from the wide variety of activities and classes currently available. Due to the buoyancy of water, a person’s weight is reduced by about 90 percent, which means that stress on joints, bones and muscles is similarly reduced. But that won’t keep you from getting a great workout. Water exercise can improve all of the components of fitness: cardiovascular conditioning, muscular strength and flexibility. When done regularly, water exercise can also help you lose weight!
Healthplex Fitness Center has a 4-lane indoor lap pool, a warm water pool, and offers adult swim lessons and 21 aquatic group exercise classes each week. We also offer many other services, including nutritional counseling, personal training and group exercise classes. We invite you to drop in anytime for a tour to experience the Healthplex difference! Visit www.SarasotaHealthplex.com or call 917-7000 for information.
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Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc.’s Physician Golf Tournament will be May 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, with a 1 pm Shotgun Start and Step Aside Scramble. Proceeds support education for hospital staff. Information: (941) 917-1286 or smhf.org.
