Mercy Medical Center has appointed Swarna Devarajan, M.D., F.A.A.P., as chairperson of pediatrics. Devarajan accepts this appointment while continuing to hold the position of the director of neonatology and newborn services at Mercy. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position. As director of pediatrics, Devarajan said she "hopes to establish steady growth in the Pediatrics Department while continuing to serve the increasing needs of the community as seen by the rise in pediatric visits in Mercy's Emergency Department. In accordance with Mercy's mission, we also have great potential to service all areas of the surrounding community by the expansion of our outpatient pediatric services."Under Devarajan's supervision, Mercy recently announced the opening of their newly-expanded 15-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This designation of Level III was awarded to the Perinatal Services and the NICU of Mercy by New York State in recognition of the hospital's ability to care for mothers with high risk pregnancies and to premature and sick newborn babies.Prior to joining Mercy, Deverajan held the position of assistant director of neonatology at Nassau University Medical Center. She received her medical degree at the Medical School at the University of Bombay in 1984, accepted a residency in pediatrics at Nassau University Medical Center from 1987 to 1990 and continued from 1990 to 1993 with a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.Professionally, Devarajan is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Committee on Fetus and Newborn, Chapter 2, District 11. She is also the chairperson for both the Neonatal Committee and the Mother/Baby Committee at Mercy Medical Center. Devarajan has held such academic appointments as assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook from 1993 to 2001, then adjunct assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook from 2001 to the present. Devarajan resides in Melville with her husband, Dave, and their two children, Audrey, 11 and Alex, 6.
Look good, feel better
"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, Feb. 9 from 1 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 turbans and scarves to the best advantage and appropriate choice and care of wigs. Complimentary cosmetic kits will be provided for 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 Association 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 at 256-6012.
Quit Smoking
Trying to quit smoking? Go to Nassau University Medical Center and join its six-week Smoking Cessation Program, which is free of charge to all Nassau County residents. Classes are held on a weekly basis, in the auditorium of NUMC, on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. The classes are being held in collaboration with the Nassau County Department of Health. On July 24, 2003, the "smoke free" act went into effect in New York State, which bans smoking in all public and workplaces across New York State. For further information or to register for this program, call Mike Minogue at the Department of Health at 571-3243.
