Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group eNews

Give a pint ~ get a pound!

For the fifth consecutive year, Dunkin' Donuts® is teaming up with the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital to encourage local residents to donate blood.

In January 2009, anyone — including Southcoast employees — who donates blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital or at any Southcoast Blood Bank site or blood drive will receive a certificate for a pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Coupons are redeemable at any Dunkin' Donuts shop. Southcoast employees also receive a day off when they donate three times within an 18-month period.

Stop by the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Appointments are requested, but not necessary, and can be made by calling 508-961-5320.

The Southcoast Health Van also holds blood drives several times each month.

www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/

Southcoast Hospitals honored with New Bedford Chamber's 2008 Education Leadership Award

Southcoast Hospitals Group received the 2008 SouthCoast Education Leadership Award from the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. From left, Elaine Wilcox, Training Specialist at Southcoast; Chamber Board Chair Peter Muise; Chamber President & CEO Roy Nascimento, and Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group.
Southcoast Hospitals Group was recognized with the 2008 SouthCoast Education Leadership Award by the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber's 122nd Annual Meeting & Business Luncheon on December 4.

This award recognizes one business or organization each year that has demonstrated a long-term commitment to improving educational opportunities for students in the South Coast region. The recipient of the award is selected by a committee from the Chamber's Greater New Bedford Connecting Activities Partnership.

Southcoast Hospitals was selected for the prestigious award for its long history of investing in the community through educational partnerships that help secure the future of the region's youth.

Southcoast also partners with numerous colleges, high schools and specialized training schools and programs to provide students who are training for careers in health care with clinical and practical experience. Southcoast also provides a variety of educational opportunities for its own employees to further their careers through onsite professional development.

The award was accepted by Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group, and Elaine Wilcox, Training Specialist for Southcoast Hospitals Group.

www.southcoast.org/news/

Southcoast surgeons offer new treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease

Vascular surgeons at St. Luke's Hospital are using new technology to fight peripheral artery disease, or PAD.

The Diamondback 360™ Orbital Atherectomy System, is a minimally invasive treatment for the removal of severe blockages in the legs and feet caused by atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries.

The Diamondback 360 is considered one of the most effective and least invasive treatments for severe blockages caused by PAD, said Roger Rosen, MD. "This is a significant breakthrough for treating peripheral artery disease."

Dr. Rosen and Stephen Keith, MD, part of New Bedford Vascular Surgical Associates, said that more than half the patients they see in their New Bedford practice are diagnosed with peripheral artery disease annually.

The most common type of peripheral vascular disease is PAD, or peripheral artery disease. Symptoms of PAD include cramping or weakness in your leg with activity, reddening of the feet and in severe cases gangrene. There are different stages of PAD and, according to Dr. Keith, the treatments will vary based on the severity of the disease.

Click below to learn more about this procedure.

www.southcoast.org/news/

St. Luke's garage nearing completion

New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, left, and City Council President Jane Gonsalves, right, joined neighbors of St. Luke's Hospital and officals from Southcoast Hospitals for a topping off ceremony on November 24.

At the ceremony, both Mayor Lang an Council President Gonsalves applauded Southcoast for involving the community in the planning and construction of the garage.

When completed in March 2009, the three-story, 31,000-square-foot parking garage will have spaces for 345 cars with an additional 34 surface parking places for a total of 379 new parking spaces.