By: Robert Remler
He was one of the first Long Island physicians to insert the new FDA approved drug-coated stent into a patient, keeping heart arteries open following angioplasty procedures.In addition to his hospital post, Marzo is assistant professor of medicine at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Physicians Education Committee AHA and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.Marzo graduated from the six-year honors program in medicine at Northwester University, and completed fellowships at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
Controlling kids' weight
In the last 30 years the number of adolescents who are overweight and obese has more than doubled. The causes are multiple but certainly a change in diet would help to effectively turn the trend around .Marc S. Jacobson, MD, a adolescent nutrition and growth specialist from the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Schneider Children's Hospital (SCH), headed a randomized, controlled 12-week trial with 39 youngsters. Half were put on a low-carbohydrate diet, the other half on a low-fat diet. Half-hour sessions of exercise were also recommended three times each week.Jacobson, and his co-researchers Stephen B. Sondike, MD, of the Mount Sinai Medical Center and Nancy Copermen, MS, RD also of SCH, found that the low-carbohydrate diet was more effective by far. All the adolescents in that group lost some weight, with one child shedding 30 pounds in three months. Constant monitoring also concluded that there was no negative impact on any body functions or barometers including cholesterol."Interestingly enough," Jacobson said, "the most effective regimen is one based on the Atkins Diet. Limiting carbohydrate intake helps the body to burn stored fat."According to Jacobson, most of the adolescents in the study did not find the low-carbohydrate diet too difficult to follow because there was no calorie counting and the recommended foods satisfied them; they did not feel hungry. Many said they would continue with the diet even though the study was over. The teens on this diet ate meat, fish, cheese, eggs, some vegetable and fats - like butter and oils - but they gave up soda, ships, sweets, rice, bread and potatoes. Later they were gradually allowed more carbs from vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts.The findings of this study were presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Adolescent Medicine and was published in the Mach 2003 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.
Coping with cancer
"Look Good . . . Feel Better" a free program to teach women how to cope with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment, will be held at Franklin Hospital Medical Center on Monday, Aug. 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Greenberg Conference Room.Professional cosmetologists will teach special techniques to minimize the effects of skin changes and hair loss, including application of makeup, use of turban and scarves to best advantage and appropriate choice and care of wigs. Complimentary cosmetic kits will be provided to each participant to use at home. Look Good . . . Feel Better is offered in partnership with the American Cancer Society, National Cosmetology Association and the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance (CFTA) Foundation. The program will be offered bi-monthly at Franklin.Seating is limited and reservations are required. For further information or to reserve a space for the program, call coordinator Meg Wehrum, R.N., at (516) 256-6012.
MIRACLE foundation receives pledge
The Mitchell Field office of UBS, the global financial services and investment banking firm, will donate $34,000 to the MIRACLE (Making In Roads Against Cancer's Lasting Effects) Foundation, a nonprofit cancer organization. The Mitchell Field UBS office will donate the money for a naming opportunity within the MIRACLE building, a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility that is to be built at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre. The MIRACLE building will be fully staffed by employees of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It will play a critical role in the delivery of cancer treatment, giving patients an option to receive premier cancer treatment without having to travel to New York City."We are very excited about this donation and truly grateful to the people in the UBS Mitchell Field office for their continued support," said Joe Castronovo, president of the MIRACLE Foundation. The MIRACLE Foundation spearheaded the creation of the MIRACLE building and has pledged a minimum of $1 million towards the building. "Since the foundation's creation, UBS has been one of our staunchest supporters. The special contribution from the Mitchell Field office will help us to improve cancer care on Long Island by providing an opportunity for more people to receive state-of-the-art cancer treatment closer to home."The MIRACLE foundation was founded by Michael and Patti Tenaglia, after Michael was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 1998. The MIRACLE Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those diagnosed with cancer and to finding a cure for the disease. Integral to its mission are improving patient care, increasing cancer awareness and funding worthy scientific research. It focuses on raising funds to support the work of both individuals and organizations that can help achieve the foundation's goals. For more information, call the MIRACLE Foundation (516) 705-1813 or visit www.miraclefoundation.com.
