October 2010
SMH Breast Health Navigator adds personal touch on path to wellness
Battling breast cancer is a difficult enough situation to bear – you shouldn't have to worry about interpreting test results, scheduling follow up appointments, processing insurance claims or dealing with the myriad issues that may revolve around your treatment. That's the job of Sarasota Memorial's Breast Health Navigator Marie Borsellino, an oncology- and breast care-certified nurse who helps breast cancer patients navigate the often daunting road to recovery. Part educator, part advocate and part friend, Borsellino supports women and their families through the initial stress of a cancer diagnosis, works with their doctors and provides a caring hand and steadying counsel throughout their treatment ... and beyond. She’s prepared to tackle nearly any problem, and in these tough economic times, has found herself appealing to insurance providers, bankers and utility companies on behalf of patients having trouble keeping up with their bills. "I just wish more women knew we were here to help," Borsellino says. "Dealing with cancer is stressful enough. They shouldn’t have to worry about anything but getting better."
Sarasota Memorial's Breast Health Navigator services are free and confidential. Visit our website or call (941) 917-3377 to learn more.
Fact vs. Fiction
Sarasota Memorial dietitians host free monthly nutrition classes. Upcoming: Organic – Fact vs. Fiction, Oct. 5 (5-6 pm), Sarasota Memorial Hospital classroom 3C, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, and Start Now to Slim Down the Holidays with Style! Nov. 3 (12-1 pm) at Sarasota Memorial’s Healthplex/Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota. RSVP: (941) 917-7777 or register online. Click here to learn more about our outpatient nutrition counseling services.
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Breast Health Dance-A-Thon
Join Sarasota Memorial's dance-a-thon fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event starts at 8 am Saturday, Oct. 9 at Sarasota Memorial's Healthplex/Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota. Donation of $15 includes T-shirt, prizes and refreshments. Call (941) 917-7000 or register at: sarasotahealthplex.com.
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An Ounce of Prevention – Hypertension 
Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects one in four Americans and is one of the leading risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Learn more about this risk factor and others during a series of free educational presentations by Cardiologist Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD, cardiovascular disease prevention specialist and medical director of Sarasota Memorial’s Cardiovascular Disease Assessment Center. The Hypertension lecture will be held
5-6 pm Wednesday, Oct. 13 in the Sarasota Memorial Hospital auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Register at smh.com or call (941) 917-7777.
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Boot Camp for Breast Health
Join Sarasota Memorial’s fitness experts for a special Making Strides for Breast Cancer fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 16. Choose from three sessions
(8 am, 9 am or 10 am). Donation of $20 includes performance tee, refreshments and prizes. Call (941) 917-7000 or register online at: sarasotahealthplex.com
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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 
Sarasota Memorial invites former patients, family members and friends to join our team 9 am on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K event (registration 7:30 am) at the Sarasota Polo Club (east of I-75, off University Parkway). Making Strides is the American Cancer Society’s premier event to raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer. To join the SMH Superheroes team, register at call (941) 917-3377 or visit makingstrides.acsevents.org.
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Bone Builders
Join Sarasota Memorial fitness professionals in a supervised exercise program designed to fight bone loss and osteoporosis. Sessions are held twice weekly along with monthly osteo education and support group meetings. A home exercise program also is available. A physician referral is not necessary. Call (941) 917-7000 or register online at: sarasotahealthplex.com
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Insurance Advice for Seniors
Sarasota Memorial is teaming up with the Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Florida to provide free insurance advice and counseling to seniors and caregivers. Funded through a grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, trained volunteers from SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) will be available at Sarasota Memorial’s Memory Disorder Clinic each Friday 9 a.m. – noon beginning Oct. 8. to offer assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Drug Plan options, Medicare Plan Choices, and other health insurance issues. The volunteer counselors provide information, answer questions and help Medicare beneficiaries reach informed decisions about their health insurance options. The clinic is located in Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd. Suite 211. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. For more information about Sarasota Memorial's Memory Disorder Clinic, visit our website or call (941) 917-7197.
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Make Interval Training Your Exercise Solution
Lack of time is the number one reason people give for not exercising. And lack of results once they do start exercising isn't far behind. Interval training is a great solution for both of these common problems. Interval training involves alternating short bursts of intense activity with what is called active recovery, which is typically a less-intense form of the original activity. Not only is it an efficient training method, interval training can help you avoid injuries that often accompany non-stop, repetitive activity, and provides the opportunity to increase your intensity without burning yourself out in a matter of minutes.
Interval training utilizes the body's two energy-producing systems: the aerobic and the anaerobic. The aerobic system is the one that allows you to walk or run for several miles and uses oxygen to convert carbohydrates from various sources throughout the body into energy. The anaerobic system, which does not require oxygen, draws energy from carbohydrates stored in the muscles for short bursts of activity such as sprinting, jumping or lifting heavy objects.
The exercise professionals at Healthplex are there to answer your health and fitness questions. We offer many options to help meet your goals, including services such as nutritional counseling, personal training, and group exercise classes. To learn more about our programs, we invite you to come by for a tour. Visit www.SarasotaHealthplex.com or call (941) 917-7000 for more information.
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