Children being treated for cancer and blood-related disorders at Winthrop-University Hospital's Cancer for Kids Center received a very special visit recently from Doug Brien of the New York Jets.Brien, who was joined by John Theissen, President and Founder of the John Theissen Children's Foundation, distributed autographed photographs and toys to the kids at the center.
Seminars on obesity treatments at Franklin
Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream recently finished a complete renovation and expansion of its operating room suites and is now equipped to offer the latest in minimally invasive surgery, including bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity. Alan C. Geiss, MD, a renowned laparoscopic surgeon, director of laparoscopic surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Syosset, performs the sophisticated Lap-Band surgery at Franklin.Performing the procedure using minimally invasive equipment is more precise, less traumatic to the patient, with less discomfort and offers a quicker recovery and a more rapid return to normal activities.Geiss will present a series of free seminars entitled "Surgical Options for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity." The seminars will provide an introduction to the surgical device and a multimedia presentation will outline the current surgical and medical research on the national weight crisis.Free seminars will be held Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital's Shankman Auditorium. To reserve a seat, call 256-6397.
NSUH offer new treatments for spinal conditions
Neurosurgeons at North Shore University Hospital are now treating common back conditions that encroach on nerves and cause pain with minimally invasive surgical techniques. These methods are now available for herniated or ruptured discs and spinal stenosis.These recent advances include discetomies, which are the removal of a herniated disc to relieve pressure, laminectomies, which involve the removal of the posterior arch of a vertebra, and spinal fusion, a bone grafting technique that brings together two adjoining vertebrae and restore stability to the spine.For more information regarding these procedures, call North Shore's Department of Neurosurgery at 562-3020.
NUMC helps premature babies
Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and the March of Dimes are again working side by side to raise funds for research for the causes of prematurity as well as to improve the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Volunteers are needed to serve as captains and form teams to walk and raise funds. The event will be held Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the campus of NUMC at 2201 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow.Under the directorship of Dr. Boxer, the neonatal unit today has 350 admissions a year, and thanks to improved technology and education babies born prematurely have a much greater chance of survival.Proceeds from the walk will benefit the NICU, helping to pay for new equipment, staff and education to enhance the care given to its tiniest patients, and to support essential programs of the March of Dimes.For more information, call Karen Deasy at 496-2107, Jackie Baggett at 433-7019 or Barbara DeGrace at 572-6279.
Be prepared for flu season
With the arrival of shorter days, cooler temperatures and the fall, comes flu season. In fact, two to four million New Yorkers become infected during a typical epidemic season, with approximately 8,000 hospitalizations and 1,000 deaths annually.The flu is caused by a viral infection of the respiratory system - nose, throat and lungs. The main symptoms are fever, chills, headache, body and muscle aches, cough, sore throat, tiredness...and feeling lousy all over!Individuals, both young and old, should protect themselves against the ubiquitous "bug" now, before the season is in full swing. In fact, doctors recommend that children under the age of two be vaccinated with a two-dose shot for optimal protection."Young children are especially susceptible and are at high risk for sever illness from influenza," said Leonard Krilov, MD, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Winthrop University Hospital. "They are often the first cases of flu outbreak and have a higher incidence of spreading germs to other children and adults, especially in nursery school, day care and playgroups."Winthrop's Clinical Trials Center is currently conducting a research study for children under five to compare an investigational flu nasal spray with the current injected flu vaccine. To participate, a child must be between 6 and 59 months of age, and not sensitive to egg by-products.For more information, call the Clinical Trials Center at 663-9582 or email them at ClinicalTrials@winthrop.org.
