memorialhermann

Understand the Impact of Concussions
In August 2011, the UIL’s new rules concerning concussion management in athletes will go into effect. Come and get the facts about concussions, the new UIL return-to-play rules surrounding concussion management and how you can use the ImPACT concussion evaluation system to ensure the brain health of your athletes.

Keynote Speaker:
Daryl Johnston,
Fox Broadcaster and Retired NFL Dallas Cowboys Fullback

Saturday, March 5, 2011
9 a.m. - Noon

Don Coleman Coliseum, Spring Branch ISD
1050 Dairy Ashford Road
Houston, TX 77079

For more information or to register, call 713.222.CARE (2273).

A certificate of attendance and 3 CEU’s hours will be awarded to those that register and attend this event.

Join us for an informative weight-loss seminar. Weight-loss surgery isn’t for everyone, but it might be for you. Surgical treatment for obesity is the only effective, long-term medical solution available today. We invite you to learn more by attending a free seminar about the NewStart program at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, hosted by Audencio Alanis, M.D. Obesity does not have to be a life sentence. We can help.

South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center
2500 South Shore Boulevard
League City, TX

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
Event begins at 6:00 p.m.

Register by calling 713-448-START (7827)

The Memorial Hermann Southeast Esophageal Disease Center offers the latest technologies, treatments and services to provide exceptional care to patients with esophageal disease. It is one of the first of its kind of centers in the Houston area. We hope you can join us for our open house and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Memorial Hermann Southeast Esophageal Disease Center
Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Thursday, January 27, 2011
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
11800 Astoria Blvd.
2nd floor Outpatient Services Building
Houston, Texas 77089
Light refreshments will be served

LIFE LINE VASCULAR SCREENINGS : December 14 & 15
Stroke, Vascular Disease (AAA and PAD screenings), and Heart Rhythm Package - all 4 tests for only $139. Add an osteoporosis screening for $10 more; all 5 tests for $149!

Millions of men and women 45 and older are at risk for vascular disease and stroke. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. and at least 50 percent of people with Peripheral Vascular Disease report no symptoms. The vascular screening exam is a quick, painless, noninvasive test designed to help protect you from:

• PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)
• CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE
• ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA)
• ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Early detection of vascular disease can prevent serious and even fatal outcomes. State-of-the-art equipment is used with sophisticated color-flow Doppler ultrasound technology, and a board-certified physician reviews the screening results that will help you and your physician manage your wellness.

Who should be screened?
Men and women over 45 who have at least one risk factor for vascular disease - smoking, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or family history of AAA.

By appointment only. To receive $10 Friends & Family discount, call 888. 753. 1129. Questions about Life Line Screening (www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners) can be directed to Kim Hadaway, Health Service Coordinator at 832. 584. 7191 or email Kim.Hadaway@llsa.com.

Please join us for another Girls' Night Out
Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital
17500 West Grand Parkway South at U.S. Highway 59
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Featuring author Linda Gayle Thompson sharing from her latest release, Hookers, Midgets, and Fire Trucks - An Invitation to Our Party

• Laughter and inspiration
• Chair massages and makeovers to de-stress
• Fashion consultant Beth Newman will be providing fashion advice for those holiday get-togethers
• Book signings by Linda Gayle Thompson, just in time for the holidays
• Wine, appetizers and desserts
• Vendors featuring jewelry, makeovers and more!

Free event, but registration required. Please call 713.222.CARE (2273).

During the holidays, emergency rooms see an influx of people who fear the worst is happening . . . a heart attack. According to Dr. David McPherson, Professor and Director of the Division of Cardiology at UT Medical School at Houston and Division Director of Cardiology at the Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute – Texas Medical Center, many patients who think they’re having a heart attack have had their symptoms triggered by over-indulgence of holiday treats. While it may be a heart attack or angina, it’s also frequently just indigestion.

“Telling the difference between the symptoms of a heart attack, angina or indigestion can sometimes be close to impossible for the person suffering the pain,” said Dr. McPherson. “There are some simple guidelines that can help a person make the decision to wait it out or go to the emergency room. But, if there’s ever any doubt, the rule is to err on the side of caution and get it checked out immediately.”

According to Dr. McPherson, the first rule is: know your risk factors! If you smoke, have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, are overweight or have a family history of heart disease, you should be suspicious of any symptom related to the chest or heart.

Second, know the warning signs! The most common signals are:
• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms.
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
You should be especially concerned if the common signals are accompanied by:
• Nausea or dizziness
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
• Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness
"It’s important to remember that there is no check list for a heart attack. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a heart attack can be different for each patient,” Dr. McPherson says. "You may have all of the warning signs or your only warning may be tightness in the chest area.”

Third, know the competition!
Sometimes the symptoms of reflux or common heartburn related to indigestion can look like a heart attack. If heartburn is common for you and the symptoms you're experiencing are similar to those you've had before and nothing different has occurred you're probably experiencing heartburn and not a heart attack. “But if the symptoms are different and you've never experienced them before and if they are accompanied by a feeling of light-headedness or cold sweats then that type of pain should be taken more seriously," Dr. McPherson said. "It could signal that you're having a heart attack."
Another thing to remember is that if the pain goes away with medication, then it’s probably not a heart attack. Heart attack pain is persistent. However, an intermittent form of heart pain called unstable angina, can be a precursor of heart attacks. In any case, if you have new symptoms of chest pain, it’s best to get things checked out promptly stated Dr. McPherson.

If you have a history of heart disease or carry one or more of the risk factors it might be wise to follow a few helpful holiday tips to prevent the overindulgence that can affect your heart health, as well as your pant size.
Dr. McPherson offered a few tips for keeping both items in check.
o Don’t feel obligated to finish every meal with dessert. But, if you must, select your desserts carefully. Avoid the typical high-calorie holiday pleasures by serving up something low fat and out of the ordinary like low-fat pudding with mixed fruit on top.
o Restaurant food is typically high in cholesterol and fat, and loaded with salt, which can lead to high blood pressure. If your holiday celebration is at a restaurant, choose low-calorie treats, eat smaller portions and sample only one or two items instead of four or five items.
o To avoid the temptation of holiday treats at the office when your tummy is grumbling at 3 p.m. . . . Keep a stash of nutritious snacks at your desk.
o Be careful with liquor. The average alcoholic drink contains 150 - 200 calories per glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and you've drunk the equivalent calories of an entire meal. If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely. For example, instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with sparkling water or with a diet soda. This will help cut your calories in half.
o Commit to exercise daily even if it’s just for 20 minutes. You'll probably end up doing more than that once you get started. Even if you only end up completing 10 minutes, that is better than zero minutes.
o Take time to savor every bite. Eating slowly is a sure-fire way to reduce your calorie intake.
o Add fruits and vegetables to your plate. Filling up with healthy food leaves less room for sinful desserts.
o Drinking water with food and between meals can help you fill up more quickly and you’ll be prone to eat less food.
Most of all, remember that the holiday season is not about food. It’s a special time of year to give thanks for all you have and to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Give yourself the gift of a healthier you.


At the Memorial Hermann Wellness Center, we have programs and services to reinvigorate the body, rejuvenate the spirit and keep you trim and fit all year round. Become a member in November or December and receive our free holiday gift package valued at over $700:


• Six 30 minute personal training sessions ($246 value)

• Physical assessment with a personal trainer ($180 value)

• Health risk appraisal ($100 value)

• A Garden Spa pedicure or 20-minute chair massage ($25 value)

• Two counseling sessions with a dietitian ($105 value)

• Two body-composition sessions in the Bod Pod ($70 value)


Come by and discover all that the Wellness Center has to offer. To schedule a tour, call 713.448.WELL (9355) or visit http://www.joinwc.com

“Nursing Education & Practice: A Global Perspective” offers registered nurses a world view to bridge nursing education and clinical practice.

HOUSTON, TX — Officials with Houston Baptist University, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and the United Kingdom’s University of Chester announced plans to host the 2nd annual Global Nursing Conference next year in Houston. The conference, scheduled for March 14–15, 2011, will be held in the Morris Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Houston Baptist University in Houston.

Featuring some of the greatest minds at the forefront of nursing today, the two-day nursing forum will give nurses the opportunity to learn from trailblazers including Geraldine Bednash, PhD, CEO and Executive Director of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); Leah Curtain, ScD, RN, FAAN, Executive Editor of American Nurse Today; and Tim Porter-O’Grady, DM, seven-time winner of the American Journal of Nursing Healthcare Book of the Year Award. Regitered nurses will also have the opportunity to earn up to 12.5 hours of Continuing Education contact hours by participating in the conference.

The United States will continue to face an aging nursing workforce in the next decade. As the general population ages, the demand for health services will increase exponentially. “In the next 15 years, it is projected that the nursing shortage in the United States will grow to more than a quarter of a million nurses,” stated Dan Wolterman, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann. “Healthcare organizations must be preparing now to find creative solutions to what could become a significant threat to our nation’s health. We believe that events like the Global Nursing Conference will help nurses, health systems and nursing educators be proactive in preparing for the changes that are on the horizon. Sharing knowledge has a positive impact on improving the quality of patient care.”

In addition to attracting experienced nurses, organizers have created a discounted conference fee to encourage nursing students to attend the event. “We believe in providing tools so that the next generation of nurses can be prepared for whatever they may face as the healthcare industry changes,” said Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr., President of Houston Baptist University. “This conference will give students unparalleled opportunities to interact with leaders from many different facets of nursing. This experience will give them a perspective they could not gain by reading textbooks.”

Organizers are enlisting major sponsors to underwrite conference expenses to keep registration fees as low as possible—only $175 for the two-day event—for participating nurses. “All business leaders should be on board to make sure our nurses are ready for the future,” said Stewart Morris, Chairman Emeritus of Stewart Title Company. “Our company’s involvement as a sponsor of the Global Nursing Conference is important to our mission. A healthy medical community is a vital part of attracting great employees and new industries to Houston. It is key to preserving the quality of life we enjoy here.”

Nurses interested in participating in the Global Nursing Conference are invited to sign up for a pre-registration priority list at www.list.GlobalNursing.org. Nurses and nursing students on the priority list will be notified when registration is open for the conference. Space for the conference will be limited to the first 500 nurses, nursing educators and nursing students who register for the event. Event registration is scheduled to open in mid-November.

About Memorial Hermann:

An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 19,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann’s 11 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates comprehensive cancer centers, the LifeFlight air ambulance program, the area’s only burn treatment center, numerous imaging, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery centers, a wellness center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 713.222.CARE.

About Houston Baptist University:

Houston Baptist University is an independent, private, Christian liberal arts institution with a diverse student body.

The University is dedicated to the development of the intellect, the moral character and the spiritual lives of its students. It has access to all the cultural advantages of one of the largest metropolitan centers in the country.

Regarding CE Contact Hours:

Up to 12.5 Contact Hours for Nursing will be provided at the Global Nursing Conference. Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research is cooperating with Memorial Hermann doctors to present a seminar entitled “Sleep of a Lifetime: A lifespan perspective on sleep needs and concerns” at Houston Baptist University on November 10, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The seminar is part of an endowment which has often featured speakers bringing cutting-edge information on different women’s health issues.

“I am thrilled we are offering such a great seminar on such an important issue. Sleep deprivation and other sleep issues are truly affecting women’s health. Harvard Medical School’s HealthBeat Newsletter states that sleep deprivation can alter our ability to fight off disease by altering our immune function, including the activity of the body’s ‘killer cells’” notes Kelly Young, Executive Director of The Women’s Fund.

During the event, Doctors Colleen Lance, Cindy Kam-Tai Jon and Liliana Diaz of Memorial Hermann will report on different sleep issues related to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, affecting both women and children. Attendees will have the opportunity for one-on-one questions with the doctors and will receive a sleep screening and evaluation.

Sharon Saunders, VP for University Relations at Houston Baptist University and lifetime member of The Women’s Fund, recognized the potential for partnership between these two organizations based on their similar interests in promoting women’s health. Houston Baptist University is an independent, private Christian liberal arts institution, dedicated to the development of the intellect, the moral character and the spiritual lives of its students.

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is a not-for-profit, community-owned, health care system with spiritual values, dedicated to providing high quality health services in order to improve the health of the people in Southeast Texas. In collaboration with others, they commit to assessing and creating healthcare solutions which meet the needs of individuals in diverse communities.

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide women and girls with the tools they need to become advocates for their own health. For more information about The Women’s Fund, and registration information on the McGovern Sleep Seminar, please visit our website at www.thewomensfund.org or contact Katherine Stackel at Katherine@thewomensfund.org or (713) 623- 6543.

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital is partnering with Life Line Screening to provide vascular screenings to the southeast community on November 2 and November 4, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, 11800 Astoria Boulevard.
As the nation’s largest provider of vascular screenings, Life Line screenings help prevent the first and third leading causes of death in the United States – heart disease and stroke. The painless screenings can help identify risk factors that lead to stroke and other vascular issues before they even occur.
“These screenings are important because it gives people the opportunity to detect potentially life-threatening diseases before they strike,” explains Erin Asprec, chief executive officer for Memorial Hermann Southeast. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. In fact, cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 12 times as many American females as breast cancer and strokes claim a life every three minutes. These diseases are considered “silent killers” that strike with no previous symptoms or only subtle ones. A simple screening may prevent death or disability.”
“Combining Life Line Screening’s preventive service with Memorial Hermann’s diagnostic and treatment abilities creates a continuity of care that is unsurpassed in this area,” continued Asprec. “We have a commitment to the community to prevent catastrophic events like stroke and other vascular diseases, and this partnership is an important part of that commitment.”
Provided screenings include:
1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening – Ultrasound is used to visualize the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the body, to measure the diameter of the aorta. This measurement can indicate if there is a weakening in the aortic wall which can cause a ballooning effect known as an aneurysm. Aneurysms can burst, which generally is fatal.
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening – PAD is also known as hardening of the arteries. Sufferers have a five- to six-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Risk is evaluated through a measurement called the Ankle-Brachial Index, which is obtained by reading the systolic pressure in the ankle and arm.
3. Heart Rhythm Screening – A quick and easy test using EKG electrodes placed on the arms and legs to identify the presence or absence of an irregular heartbeat at the time of the screening.
4. Carotid Artery Screening –This painless, non-invasive Doppler ultrasound is used to visualize the carotid arteries, the arteries that bring blood to the brain. The majority of strokes are caused by plaque build up in these arteries.
5. Osteoporosis Screening – Ultrasound is used to estimate the bone density of the heel. This can indicate if there is a reduction in bone density, which may indicate the presence of osteoporosis. The heel is used because it is similar in composition to the hip, where disabling fractures often occur.
The stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm package includes screenings #1 - #4 for $139.
Add the osteoporosis screening for $10 – all five tests for $149.

Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-690-0289 to make an appointment.

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About the Memorial Hermann System
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 19,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann’s 11 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates comprehensive cancer centers, the LifeFlight air ambulance program, the area’s only burn treatment center, numerous imaging, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery centers, a wellness center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 713.222.CARE.