News from Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group

May 13 | Southcoast RAPPP'S 10th annual Male Conference: Jay Kruger of TV's "The Biggest Loser" shares life-changing decisions

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:54:23 -0400


Speakers at the Southcoast RAPPP Male Conference included motivational speaker Andre Norman, left, and Jay Kruger of NBC's reality TV show "The Biggest Loser."

TAUNTON, Mass. — Jay Kruger of NBC's reality TV show "The Biggest Loser" is a lifelong resident of the South Coast region and understands first hand the challenges that face the region's teenage boys and how hard it is to step beyond them.

"I was just like you. I know the challenges that face you today because I have faced them myself. I know I have to stay healthy and stick with my plan," Kruger told some 200 adolescent males attending the 10th annual Male Conference presented by the Southcoast RAPPP (Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention) Program.

"You will get tempted every day and you will be faced with making the right decisions, no matter how hard it is," Kruger said.
Sharing his experience on the hit NBC TV series and his success in losing 103 pounds, Kruger told the group that he was forced to face many fears beyond the grueling six- to eight-hour daily workouts and drastic change in eating habits.

"It wasn't just about losing weight, it was about conquering fears. I have always been scared of heights and many of the challenges scared me to death, but I found out that if you put your mind to it and keep telling yourself 'I have to do this' — you can do anything."

The show's challenges included riding a 500-foot-long zipline 200 feet in the air and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. Despite all of the hard work and challenges he faced, he said the toughest part was not being able to see his wife and two children during the four-month taping period.

"Society offers you many quick and easy outlets, but they are not necessarily the right choices. If you believe in yourself, you can do the right things. Finding balance in your life helps to build your self-esteem and keep you on track. If not for you, do it for the people who support you. I know I can't let my family, my employer and my friends down after all of the sacrifice and support they gave me over the four months I was on the show. I have to keep up my healthy lifestyle for them," Kruger said.

Ken Bell, Sports Director at ABC 6 News in Providence, emceed the event for the ninth year in a row.

"This is such a unique program that teaches life skills. It goes beyond classroom studies and teaches the students about life as they know it — real life in their neighborhood, with their families and the crossroads in between," Bell said.

Schools from Fall River, New Bedford, Rochester, Somerset, Taunton, Wareham and Walpole attended the conference including the following schools: New Bedford High School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, West Side Junior/Senior High School, Durfee High School, Old Colony High School, Somerset High School, Wareham High School, Taunton High School, Norfolk County Agricultural High School and students from Old Colony YMCA in Fall River.

"We need to empower adolescent boys to believe that they have choices — whether it is living a healthy lifestyle or saying no to gang violence," said Cindy Guilbeault, Coordinator of the Southcoast RAPPP program. "We choose topics that reflect the issues facing teen boys in our region such as teen pregnancy, violence prevention, drug and alcohol abuse, anger management and life skills like money management and drinking responsibly."

About Southcoast Hospitals' RAPPP Program

The Southcoast Hospitals' RAPPP (Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention) program began as an adolescent pregnancy prevention program designed to be used within the curriculum of the health or science department of high and junior high school systems. Since its inception the RAPPP program has touched more than 20,000 teens and parents, including more than 12,000 students through its in-school programs at area senior and junior high schools. All materials, models, staff support and training are free of charge to the participating schools as part of the Southcoast Hospitals Group community benefits program.

The Southcoast RAPPP program also offers parents and adolescents a place to go to find answers about those difficult questions. The Southcoast RAPPP Family Education Youth Resource Center at Dartmouth Place, 49 State Road, Pequot Building, Suite 105 in Dartmouth, offers free information, tools and workshops for today's parents, youth and practitioners. Call for hours and more information 508-994-0548 or go to www.southcoast.org/rappp/.

May 12 | Southcoast celebrates women's health on May 31

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:41:11 -0400

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Celebrating mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, Southcoast Hospitals invites women of all ages to join in a fun filled day of health information and free screenings on May 31.

"Celebrating your good health" is a free event for women presented by Southcoast Hospitals Mammography Department. Featuring the latest in women's health services, treatments and technology, the event will take place on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southcoast Center for Women's Health, 300B Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth.

Highlights include free screenings including blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose and osteoporosis and an array of health information targeting women, such as stroke prevention, heart health, urinary incontinence and EndoVenous Laser Treatment will be available. There will also be demonstrations on aromatherapy, the benefits of Healing Touch, free reflexology massages and chair massages.

Refreshments will served, free giveaways offered and a chance to win a new, pink KitchenAid "Cook for the Cure" Artisan Stand Mixer.

Please call the Southcoast Wellness Line to register at 1-800-497-1727. More information is available at www.southcoast.org/women/.

May 7 | Act FAST: Stroke awareness saves lives: May is stroke awareness month; Southcoast Hospitals offers tips and healthy recipes

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:49:22 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Know your risk factors of stroke and how it can be prevented, identify how to recognize the signs and symptoms and how to minimize the effects of stroke by acting FAST. During the months of May and June, Southcoast Hospitals Group will be sending out free recipes, bilingual tip cards and magnets to help you live a healthy lifestyle. Call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 800-497-1727 or visit www.southcoast.org/stroke/

By remembering to act FAST, you can help minimize the disabilities of a person showing the symptoms of stroke.

"There are new therapies available to reverse the symptoms of stroke. Clinical trials have established that thrombolytic therapy such as tPA, a 'clot-busting' drug, is an effective treatment for acute "ischemic" stroke. The tPA therapy must be given within three-hours of the start of symptoms," said Nancy Edwards, MD, Medical Director for the Tobey Hospital Stroke Program.

"Every step in the process takes time; it takes about an hour for the hospital to gather all of the necessary lab tests and x-rays needed to determine if the therapy may be given. That means that you must get to the hospital within two hours of the start of your symptoms."

According to Southcoast Hospitals' Quality Outcomes Manager for Stroke, "a good majority of people who come to the hospital with stroke and TIA (transient ischemic attack) symptoms are well beyond the three hour window."

"We need to heighten awareness similar to heart attack prevention and treatment. The greatest limitation to current stroke therapy is the time delay before patients seek treatment. If you have symptoms of stroke, seek care immediately and call 911," Crowell said.

What is a stroke?

The American Stroke Association defines a stroke as a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won't work as it should. The faster you receive treatment, the less damage will occur.

Treatment is just minutes away. Did you know that when you come to one of the hospital emergency departments with symptoms of a stroke, a team of individuals is available to quickly diagnose and treat you? Charlton Memorial Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital and Tobey Hospital have been designated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as providers of Primary Stroke Services. The State's designation assures that the Southcoast Hospitals Group emergency diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided by a multidisciplinary team and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients presenting with symptoms of acute stroke.

Stroke Awareness

Symptoms: Common symptoms of stroke include numbness and weakness of the face and limbs, loss of balance and coordination, and loss of speech. Bleeding strokes can cause severe headache and vomiting. Symptoms of stroke can vary depending on the type of stroke and what area of the brain is involved. Some strokes occur because an artery going to the brain is blocked. Some strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures and allows blood to escape into the brain or surrounding fluid.

Prevention: Prevention of stroke is very similar to prevention of heart attack. To prevent strokes, don't smoke, keep high blood pressure and diabetes under good control, take an aspirin a day to keep platelets from clumping together and keep cholesterol levels down. If you have a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation, contact your doctor about which prevention medications are right for you. Never stop any of your medications or treatments without discussing with your doctor.

May 5 | DeAndrade receives national recognition from AAPA

Mon, 05 May 2008 20:42:52 -0400

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Kolleen DeAndrade, PA-C Chief Physician Assistant (PA) for Southcoast Hospitals' Cardiac Surgery program, has been recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). She practices cardiac surgery at Charlton Memorial Hospital, the Fall River site of Southcoast Hospitals Group, and has been a PA for 18 years. She has served as Chief PA for Southcoast's Open Heart Surgery program since its inception in 2002 working with cardiothoracic surgeons Thomas Carr, MD, and Christian T. Campos, MD, of Southcoast Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery in Fall River.

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, DeAndrade earned this prestigious national recognition due to her outstanding contributions to patient care and the profession during her years as a PA. She also demonstrated significant dedication and involvement in the South Coast community.

A PA is a licensed health professional that practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. The PA has similar training to a physician providing approximately 80 percent of the same services. The open heart surgery PA receives additional training in the operating room and performs pre- and post-operative services.

AAPA is the only national organization representing physician assistant in all medical and surgical specialties and is one of the largest medical societies in the U.S. Founded in 1968, the Academy works to promote quality, cost effective health care and the professional and personal growth of PAs. For more information about the Academy and the PA profession, visit the AAPA's Web site, www.aapa.org.

April 30 | Shapiro Healing Garden offers St. Luke's patients and families a tranquil place

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:50:18 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — St. Luke's Hospital today unveiled a new location for patients and their families to find tranquility and stop for reflection during a hospital visit. The Shapiro Healing Garden was made possible by a generous donation by Dr. Gilbert and Frima "Timmy" Shapiro.

Located outside the main entrance of the hospital and visible from the glass exterior walls of the new Emergency Department waiting area, the Shapiro Healing Garden has intricate terraces aligned with brick paths for walking that are decorated with plants and trees. The garden is an extension of Southcoast's Art & the Art of Healing project and part of The New St. Luke's construction and renovation project.

"We hope this special spot will provide a wonderful and unique environment, where one can nurture one's spirit, reflect on the day and take a few moments out of one's busy day," said John Day, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System at a dedication ceremony for the garden.

"Hospitals are great places for treating illness — and our physicians and staff do a remarkable job every day, but there is often a need for reflection and respite, and we hope the Shapiro Healing Garden will do just that."

The Healing Garden honors the long legacy of Gilbert L. Shapiro, MD, and his wife, Frima (known as "Timmy"), both of whom have supported St. Luke's Hospital for decades.

"We are very appreciative to Dr. Shapiro and his wife for their ongoing support of St. Luke's Hospital," said Barbara H. Mulville, CFRE, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Southcoast Health System. "The Shapiros have a long history of support to St. Luke's Hospital and the entire New Bedford community. The gift of this garden will extend the walls of the hospital to a tranquil healing environment for all those who walk its paths."

Dr. Shapiro is the chair of the Board of Trustees for Southcoast Health System and a member of the development, executive, finance, governance and investment committees. He is also co-chair of the St. Luke's Hospital Capital Campaign Committee.

Dr. Shapiro has been an orthopedic surgeon at St. Luke's since 1963, when the couple moved to New Bedford.

"When people are experiencing stress and trauma, it is important to be able to get away — even for just a few minutes," Dr. Shapiro said. "One needs to be able to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. The Healing Garden is a nice place to do that."

Timmy Shapiro worked closely with the garden's designer, John Jennings of Vanasse, Hangren, Brustlin Inc. Mrs. Shapiro is an avid gardener and has been a 30-year member of the Garden Club of Buzzards Bay, which is a member of The Garden Club of America (GCA). She has served on many national committees including on the GCA Board of Directors, and currently serves as its Vice President.

"We are both avid gardeners and have been working on the gardens at our home for 30 years," Mrs. Shapiro said. "When the opportunity to help develop the Healing Garden arose I became very enthusiastic to be involved in the project, as this is so important for the hospital to have this garden on the hospital grounds."

Healing gardens have become an increasingly popular addition to health care settings, being recognized for their calming effect on people's psyches. There is also a healing garden at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

April 29 | Southcoast posts quality data on public Website

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:39:04 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group has launched a new Website to report on its own quality, becoming one of the leaders in the movement to be more transparent about quality and patient safety.

"Quality is everyone's job," said Ronald B. Goodspeed, MD, MPH, President of Southcoast Hospitals Group. "By publicly reporting our data, we hope it continues to increase the emphasis on always improving to provide our patients with the very best care possible."

Southcoast's new Quality & Patient Safety site has nine quality measures that historically have been important to patients or are currently hot topics, such as key infection rates and mortality rates. Other measures will be added in the future.

"Hospital quality measures are among many factors you should consider when choosing a hospital," said Jim Rattray, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs. "We want our patients to have access to the most up-to-date information available and feel it is important that they hear directly from us about how much we value quality and patient safety."

For each quality measure, the data are measured against a benchmark to show whether Southcoast is doing well or needs improvement. The site provides guidance for how to compare measures and what Southcoast is doing to improve quality.

"Hospital quality data has been available for several years on a variety of Websites, but only a few hospitals have taken the step to report their own quality measures," said Patrick Gannon, RPh, Vice President of Performance Improvement. "Much of the data can be as much as two years old on some of the Websites that compile hospital quality. We designed a detailed Website that is informative, easy-to-use and provides the most up-to-date information possible."

In addition to the data, the site offers patients advice on how they can play an active role to help assure their hospital stay is as safe as possible. The site also has links to other governmental and private sites that provide comparative hospital quality data.

The data can be viewed at www.southcoast.org/quality/.

April 28 | Media Advisory | Southcoast RAPPP Program's 10th annual Male Conference features Jay Kruger of NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples"

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:01:52 -0400

WHO:
Southcoast RAPPP (Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention) Program hosts more than 200 South Coast male teenagers for a day of motivation and new directions.

WHAT:
10th annual Male Conference
Life Changing Decisions with keynote speaker
Jay Kruger from NBC's
"The Biggest Loser: Couples"

WHERE:
Taunton Holiday Inn & Conference Center
700 Miles Standish Boulevard
Taunton, Mass.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 1, 2008
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

8:50 a.m. ~ Ken Bell, Sports Director, ABC 6 News, WLNE in Providence (master of ceremonies)

9 a.m. ~ Andre Norman, motivational speaker derived from survival of an abusive father, illiteracy, gangs and prison.

10 a.m. ~ Workshop Sessions: SLAM: Inmates speak; Violence 101; Money, Money, Money; Cars and Cocktails; Family Dynamics

11 a.m. ~ Lunch

11:45 a.m. ~ Jay Kruger of Reality TV's "The Biggest Loser: Couples" will speak about his commitment to being healthy and his experience on the hit TV show.

1 p.m. ~ Closing Remarks

Contact:
Please call Joyce Brennan if you will be attending.
Office: 508-961-5270

April 16 | St. Luke's Hospital issues urgent call for blood donors

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:52:24 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank urgently needs blood donors.

"We need all blood types with an urgent request for type ‘O' blood," said Sandra Pires, the Donor Recruiter for the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital.

"Blood supplies are low nationally, which puts a increased strain on our local supplies. We are concerned going into the summer months, when donations tend to decrease even more, that our supply will reach a critical low," Pires said.

Give Blood/Get a T-Shirt in April

The Southcoast Blood Bank will be giving away a free Southcoast Hospitals' "I'm a Donor" T-shirt on Wednesdays during the month of April.

The T-shirt will be available on Wednesdays at all Southcoast blood donor locations, including the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and the Southcoast Health Van.

Hours / Community Blood Drives

The Southcoast Blood Bank is located off the main lobby at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The Blood Bank is open for walk-ins Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 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 Blood Bank is also hosting community blood drives during the month of April 2008 on the Southcoast Health Van:

FALL RIVER
Thursday April 17
Webster Bank
33 Sullivan Dr.
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Friday, April 18
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Ave.
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, April 22
Whaler's Cove
114 Riverside Ave.
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 29
Building 19
19 Hathaway Rd
.
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WESTPORT
Thursday, April 24
The Cedars (Health Fair)
628 Old Wesport Rd.
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WAREHAM
Friday, April 25
Wal-Mart
3005 Cranberry Highway
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The St. Luke's Blood Bank is 90 percent self-supporting, meaning that 90 percent of the blood used in the hospital comes from local volunteer donors. Typically, St. Luke's uses nearly 600 pints of blood a month. In addition to emergency cases, blood is needed for people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or other diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.

What to expect when you donate.

When prospective donors come to the Blood Bank, staff discuss their medical history and make sure they are able to donate. Potential donors also fill out a confidential questionnaire on their medical backgrounds. These measures safeguard the health of the donor as well as the health of the person receiving blood. The whole process of the interview and the actual donating usually takes 20 to 25 minutes. The donor's body replaces the fluid lost from donation in 24 hours and the red blood cells in about eight weeks.

Who's eligible to donate?

Blood donors should be in good health (no colds or flu), at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not taken drugs or alcohol recently, are over 70 and have your physician's permission. Donors who have traveled in Africa should call first. Donors who have spent more than three months cumulative in the United Kingdom since 1980 also should call first. For more information on how to be a donor, call 508-961-5320.

April 11 | Southcoast Home Care receives prestigious recognition for quality improvement efforts

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:26:36 -0400

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services was recently recognized by Masspro, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Massachusetts, for significantly reducing the number of home care patients who need to be readmitted to a hospital over a 30-day period.

The announcement was made at a conference honoring the achievements of home health agencies participating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Home Health Quality Initiative (HHQI).

"When we learned of CMS's mandate to reduce readmissions, we immediately began a number of initiatives to address the issue," said Paula Shiner, RN, Director of Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services. "Over a relatively short period of time, we were able to reduce significantly the number of patients under our care who had to be re-hospitalized and we are continuing to work on the issue with every one of our patients."

"Of the agencies that worked with Masspro on the HHQI project, a majority were able to significantly improve their selected target outcome(s). All of the agencies that volunteered to participate in this project clearly showed their commitment to improving the quality of care delivered to their patients," said Helen M. Magliozzi, RN, BSN, Manager, Home Health and Nursing Home Services for Masspro.

Facilitated locally by Masspro, the HHQI seeks to enhance the care provided to patients treated in their homes. Participating agencies are given technical assistance to develop and implement plans of action, as well as encouraged to share information and learn from their peers through interactive e-mail lists, Web-based trainings, audio conferences and workshops.

"Southcoast Home Care strives to provide the best quality patient care possible," Shiner said. "We are constantly working on new ways to improve care for our patients and keep them safely in their homes where they want to be."

Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services, located at 200 Mill Road in Fairhaven, is a department of Southcoast Hospitals Group. Southcoast Home Care provides comprehensive, preventive and rehabilitative home health care to residents of the Greater New Bedford and Wareham areas and is a preferred HomMed Home Health Care Agency of Choice.

April 4 | Southcoast receives approval to provide radiation therapy and plans to open comprehensive cancer center in Fairhaven

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:10:48 -0400

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Southcoast Health System today announced plans to create a comprehensive center for the treatment of cancer and blood diseases in Fairhaven to address the growing need for state-of-the-art cancer services in an area of the South Coast region that currently has none.

Southcoast has received approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for a radiation therapy unit. The approval includes a five-year commitment by Southcoast to provide more than $375,000 for community outreach and cancer prevention programs.

"Southcoast is taking proactive steps to meet the growing need for advanced, comprehensive cancer prevention and treatment in our region," said John B. Day, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System. "The new comprehensive cancer center in Fairhaven will ensure coordinated, high-quality, streamlined care for cancer patients and their families. The addition of state-of-the-art radiation therapy located in the greater New Bedford and greater Wareham regions further solidifies our commitment to improving access to vital services for the entire South Coast region."

The new center in Fairhaven will complement the well-established and highly accredited medical oncology program, which diagnoses the most number of cancer patients in the region. The cancer center will be located at 200 Mill Road and will meet the growing needs of the communities and provide regionally coordinated and comprehensive cancer management services to the residents of the South Coast region. The site will have ample parking and be easily accessible from routes I-195 and 240.

"Southcoast's new center will improve access to oncology services in a region that is currently underserved and will reduce delays for thousands of patients," said Ronald B. Goodspeed, MD, MPH, President of Southcoast Hospitals Group. "The inclusion of high-level technology will best meet the needs of the broadest diagnostic categories of cancer patients while providing the most current safety features."

Comprehensive Cancer Services

Southcoast has an excellent, well-established medical oncology program and offers all other key elements of a comprehensive cancer service, including outpatient chemotherapy, inpatient and surgical services, advanced diagnostic capability, ancillary and support services for patients and families. In 2006 the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the target=top>American College of Surgeons (ACoS) granted Southcoast Health System's Oncology Program with its highest award — a system-wide, three-year approval with commendation. The CoC states that its approval assures patients that they do not need to travel great distances from home to receive quality care. [http://www.facs.org/cancer/publicapproval.html]

"Radiation therapy is the remaining component to round out a truly comprehensive program to respond to cancer care needs across our region," said Herbert Hansen, MD, an oncologist at Southcoast Hospitals Group.

"Currently there are no comprehensive cancer services in the eastern South Coast region. Radiation treatments are usually continuous over days or weeks and the commute can be exhausting and burdensome for patients and their families," Dr. Hansen said. "Southcoast diagnoses the highest amount of cancer cases in the region and it is our obligation to meet community need, respond to this chronic disease with the full spectrum of care."

According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and is part of the main treatment for some types of cancer, such as cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung and Hodgkin's disease. Many times radiation treatment is combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. A linear accelerator is used to give external radiation therapy. Radiation Therapy technology has advanced with better ability to control both radiation dosing and target tumor location.

The new linear accelerator that Southcoast will purchase offers the latest and most advanced technology in radiation therapy — a combination of real-time image guidance in radiotherapy (IGRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This technology — coupled with state-of-the-art diagnostic services such as a Positron Emission Therapy (PET) scanner, a key component in accurate cancer care — will make this center the region's most advanced cancer program.

Southcoast's oncology services currently offered in the Dartmouth area will be moved to the new location in Fairhaven. Built from the ground-up, the project will have special emphasis on the environment of care in addition to the high-level of technology and quality services. It is expected to open in 2010.

Ellen Banach, Senior Vice President of Strategic Services, said the new center will offer patients and their families a peaceful and nurturing environment in addition to the latest advanced technology and health care services.

"Southcoast will incorporate the best practices and services covering all aspects of patient care. It will be the only cancer center east of New Bedford that offers unified care in one location. We will also have a dedicated nurse referred to as a ‘patient navigator' to help guide patients through their treatment from diagnosis to recovery," Banach said.

Community Outreach and Cancer Prevention Programs

Southcoast has consistently provided staff and resources to identify and address public health problems. This includes concerted efforts to prevent diseases such as cancer and provide screenings to identify these diseases at their earliest and most curable stages.

As part of the project, Southcoast will also commit $375,000 to fund a community outreach and cancer prevention program. The funding will support the recruitment of paid Community Health Workers, based on the model created by DPH, to conduct education and arrange screenings in underserved communities. Committing approximately $75,000 annually over a five-year period, Southcoast will work through its established community outreach partners and Greater New Bedford COAST to fund mini-grants in support of local agencies that are currently doing health outreach or related work. This initiative is designed to build greater capacity for health outreach in the greater New Bedford and Wareham communities.

"Though our initial focus will be cancer screening and education, this network will also be useful for other health education and prevention initiatives," said Jim Rattray, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs for Southcoast Health System. "The health workers will be recruited by consulting with leaders in the African-American, Portuguese, Hispanic, Mayan, Brazilian, Cape Verdean and other under-served populations."

Community Need

The need for this additional radiation therapy unit was clearly established by the DPH through its Determination of Need analysis and recommendations to the Massachusetts Public Health Council.

The population for St. Luke's and Tobey hospitals' primary service area has a cancer incidence rate of 640 incidences per 1,000 people as compared to the state average of 515.4 incidences per 1,000 people for the years 2000 through 2004.

"Southcoast continually works to build upon the advanced health care services we offer at our hospitals and other facilities to meet the growing and diverse needs of those who depend upon us," Day said.

April 2 | Keith A. Hovan named President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group / Seasoned hospital leader tapped to take over for retiring Ronald B. Goodspeed, MD; starts July 1

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:44:37 -0400


Keith A. Hovan

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Keith A. Hovan, a seasoned health care executive and clinician, has been named President & Chief Executive Officer of Southcoast Hospitals Group. Hovan will join Southcoast on July 1.

"Keith Hovan has distinguished himself as a premiere leader in health care with a keen insight, high energy and an unwavering determination to provide the best patient care and the finest patient experience," said John B. Day, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System, which includes Southcoast Hospitals Group and its three hospitals, Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

"He really knows how to bring patients, staff, physicians and the community together to deliver the highest-quality patient care."

Hovan was selected after Southcoast conducted a five-month national search that looked at numerous candidates. A committee of trustees, physicians and administrators led the search. Hovan will replace Ronald B. Goodspeed, MD, MPH, FACP, FACPE, who is retiring from the position. Dr. Goodspeed will remain with Southcoast Health System in an executive capacity until October.

Hovan currently is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., a 371-bed regional medical center and community teaching hospital with specialized programs including emergency and trauma care, surgery, cancer, cardiovascular services and digestive disorders. He joined Danbury Hospital in 2001 as Senior Vice President of Operations before being promoted to COO in 2004.

"I am extremely excited to join Southcoast," Hovan said. "Southcoast is truly an outstanding organization that is squarely focused on what's most important in health care — our patients. I am honored to be given this opportunity to work with such a talented group of physicians and staff and look forward to continuing to bring advanced health services to the South Coast region."

While at Danbury Hospital, Hovan was responsible for leading the development of that health system's center of excellence strategy. In that role he built effective relationships with key community stakeholders, including physicians and community, business and government leaders. Under his leadership Danbury Hospital received numerous national recognitions for quality and excellence, including being named a Solucient Top 100 Hospital for three consecutive years. His achievements include the opening of an open heart surgery and interventional cardiology program, a comprehensive outpatient facility and an ambulatory and imaging center.

A focus on working together

Hovan has been widely praised for his work in developing institutional culture by working with physicians, staff and other stakeholders to create a common, forward-looking vision for the organization and build successful clinical services that meet the community's most pressing health care needs.

"Keith Hovan has shown that he can forge successful and lasting relationships with physicians, staff and the community," said Gilbert Shapiro, MD, a Southcoast physician, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southcoast Health System and a member of the Search Committee. "He is extremely skilled at helping groups with competing interests see the big picture and build a win-win relationship that ultimately benefits our patients."

Prior to his work at Danbury Hospital he was Vice President of Clinical Services at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx section of New York City and served in various clinical leadership positions at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn.

Former colleagues praised Hovan for his breadth of clinical knowledge, his inclusive and collaborative approach and his singular focus on patient care.

"Keith Hovan has been extremely focused on the quality delivery of patient care throughout his career," said Eileen Farley, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southcoast Hospitals Group and a member of the Search Committee. "His focus on patient care will be a perfect complement to the existing culture of compassionate care at Southcoast Hospitals."

Hovan replaces Dr. Goodspeed, who is retiring

Hovan will replace Dr. Goodspeed, who is retiring after more than 18 years at Southcoast. An admired physician and administrator, Dr. Goodspeed's legacy to Southcoast centers on increasing access to advanced services with an enduring emphasis on quality and safety. To honor a career built upon an unwavering dedication to delivering top-quality, patient-driven care in a community setting, Southcoast has created the Dr. Ronald Goodspeed Endowed Chair in Patient Safety & Quality to assure these standards of practice remain and are enhanced for future generations of patients and caregivers. More than $2.5 million has been raised to date to fund the initiative.

With Hovan taking over as President & CEO, Dr. Goodspeed will remain with Southcoast Health System in an executive capacity until October to ensure a smooth transition.

Hovan is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where he earned both a Masters of Science in Nursing, graduating first in his class with the Award for Academic Excellence, and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. He was a member of the National and International Honor Societies while in college. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Hovan and his wife, Erin, have three grown children and will soon be relocating to the South Coast region.

April 1 | Registration open for Free Vascular Screenings at St. Luke's

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:35:28 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group is sponsoring a series of free vascular screenings to be held on Tuesdays, April 29, May 13, 27, and June 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford.

Appointments are required and can be requested by calling 800-497-1727. Space is limited and appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. No walk-ins will be accepted on screening days.

The screenings are basic vascular screenings that can help detect a condition called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The non-invasive screenings are performed by a trained nurse and take approximately 20 minutes. Patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to screening time.

What is PVD?

According to the American Heart Association, PVD occurs mainly in the vessels that carry blood to the leg and arm muscles. If left untreated, PVD can result in peripheral artery disease (PAD) a condition that puts people at higher risk of death from stroke and heart attack due to the risk of blood clots.

"Because the symptoms of PVD usually disappear after rest, many sufferers do not seek help because they believe their pain is a normal part of growing older," said Gail Perzentz, RN, who conducts the screenings at St. Luke's Hospital. "Regular vascular screenings can detect PVD, a potentially serious circulatory problem characterized by an ache, pain or cramping in the legs, calves or buttocks while walking or exercising." For more information on PVD, www.americanheart.org.

April 1 | Construction Update: ExpressCare @ Tobey

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:12:48 -0400

WAREHAM, Mass. — Tobey Hospital will be temporarily moving the Emergency Department walk-in entrance and rerouting patients receiving outpatient services beginning Monday, April 7, for approximately five weeks.

Due to this temporary change, the hospital will be asking outpatients and visitors to use alternate entrances and exits. Signage will be posted around the hospital to assist patients and visitors.

Walk-in emergency patients and direct admissions from physician offices

The new Emergency Department entrance will be located next to the old entrance. Walk-in emergency patients and direct admissions from physician offices should continue to use the ER entrance. All other patients should use the entrance adjacent to the Emergency Department entrance (cafeteria entrance) or the main hospital entrance.

Outpatient services

For quicker access to outpatient services, we suggest that patients coming to the hospital park and enter according to these guidelines:
Patients coming to the hospital for laboratory services, labor and delivery, respiratory services such as EKG, holter monitoring and pulmonary function testing should use the Tobey Hospital Main entrance on High Street. Please park in the High Street parking lot across the street from the hospital's main entrance and register in the outpatient center off the main lobby.

Patients coming to the hospital for diagnostic imaging such as x-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, mammography or nuclear medicine should use the entrance adjacent to the Emergency Department entrance (cafeteria entrance). Please park in the parking lot closest to the Emergency Department entrance marked: ED parking lot, admitting, registration, radiology. These patients will register in the diagnostic imaging department.
Additional admissions staff will be available to register patients quickly and volunteers will help guide patients to their services.

Tobey Hospital will be renovating the ExpressCare side of the ER during the months of February through May.

ExpressCare @ Tobey will separate patients with less critical injuries and health issues from the more seriously ill patients. This means shorter waiting times due to a dedicated team providing a variety of multidisciplinary services.

ExpressCare will include up to five treatment bays, have the ability to do some lab tests at the bedside and will have staff dedicated to that area. It is scheduled to open in early summer.

Tobey's 24-hour Emergency Department treats approximately 28,000 patients a year and is staffed full time by physicians who have specialized training in emergency medicine. Tobey's medical staff includes specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, vascular surgery and others. For more information visit www.southcoast.org/tobey/.

April 1 | Free T-Shirt when you donate blood on Wednesdays in April

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:11:20 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank will be giving away a free Southcoast Hospitals' "I'm a Donor" T-shirt on Wednesdays during the month of April.

The T-shirt will be available on Wednesdays at all Southcoast blood donor locations, including the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and the Southcoast Health Van.

The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital has extended hours on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is also open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Southcoast Health Van schedule can be found at www.southcoast.org/van/sked.html.

March 31 | Free Head and Neck Cancer Screenings April 23

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:53:51 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group and Northeast Ear Nose & Throat Surgeons will be offering free head and neck cancer screenings on the Southcoast Health Van on Wednesday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CVS/Pharmacy, 1145 Kempton St. in New Bedford. Reservations are required for the screening. To register, call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.

"Oral cancer is a major health problem in this country and one that most people aren't aware of," said Wendy Stern, MD, a surgeon at St. Luke's and Tobey Hospitals and a member of Northeast Ear Nose & Throat in North Dartmouth.

"It is vital that people — especially those who smoke — learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of this cancer and our screening offers a great opportunity for both education and a chance for early detection."

Dr. Stern noted that tobacco — including smokeless tobacco — and alcohol use are risk factors for head and neck cancers.

According to National Cancer Institute and the Yul Brynner Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, 85 percent of these cancers are linked to tobacco use. The foundation was created 20 years ago after actor Yul Brynner launched a crusade to educate the young people of the world on the effects of tobacco and its relationship to mouth and throat cancer. Brynner died in 1985 after a public fight with lung cancer.

Head and neck cancers are more common in men and in people over age 50. It is estimated that some 45,000 men and women in this country developed head and neck cancers in 2004. Black males have the highest incidence of head and neck cancers, with a survival rate over five years at 33 percent versus 55 percent for whites.

Some of the symptoms that are common in head and neck cancer include a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

"As physicians, we need to educate the public about head and neck cancer and encourage people to get regular checkups and to eliminate high-risk habits like smoking," Dr. Stern emphasized.

The screening is sponsored in part by the Yul Brynner Head & Neck Cancer Foundation Inc. in honor of Head & Neck Cancer Awareness week.

To learn more about head and neck cancer visit http://www.headandneck.org/.

March 31 | Media Advisory | St. Luke's Hospital announces emergency preparedness drill

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:24:38 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — St. Luke's Hospital will be holding an emergency preparedness drill on April 1 in the side parking lot adjacent to the Emergency Department. Patients and visitors should not be alarmed by the activity at the hospital and the number of emergency vehicles parked outside.

The drill is part of the Emergency Department's skills day and will include the deployment of the Mass Decontamination Unit and transfer of "victims" to the Emergency Department.

St. Luke's Hospital initiates several drills a year to test their emergency response systems and meet guidelines set by The Joint Commission, which requires a minimum of two drills annually per site. Joint Commission accreditation enhances an organization's performance, may be used to meet Medicare certification requirements and is recognized nationwide as a "symbol of quality."

The Southcoast Hospital Group's Emergency Preparedness Committee involves local agencies and other organizations as part of the drills to test response systems, communication and work collaboratively with the community during an emergency.

Please call Joyce Brennan on the day of the drill if you plan on attending.

March 25 | Southcoast RAPPP Youth Council addresses under-age drinking

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:19:55 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast RAPPP Youth Council will be hosting a community briefing on the dangers of under-age drinking on Thursday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Keith Middle School, Hathaway Boulevard in New Bedford.

"Take It Back" will outline the dangers and seriousness of under-age drinking through a multimedia presentation, dramatization and speak-out. Open to the public, parents are encouraged to bring their teenagers to this eye-opening presentation.

For more information, please call the Southcoast RAPPP Office at 508-994-0548.

Southcoast Hospitals' RAPPP Youth Council is a service/learning curriculum funded in part by the Massachusetts Service Alliance and Southcoast Hospitals Group. Members of the Youth Council represent five schools in the Greater New Bedford region: Bristol Agricultural High School in Dighton; New Bedford High School; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School; Normandin Junior High School; and West Side High School. Areas of interest for the Youth Council are environmental, violence prevention and youth risk behaviors.

About Southcoast Hospitals' RAPPP Program

March 19 | Tobey expands MRI services to weekends, evenings and early morning

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:28:42 -0400

WAREHAM, Mass. — Tobey Hospital, the Wareham site of Southcoast Hospitals Group, has expanded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) service hours to weekends, early morning and evenings.

"It is often difficult for patients to juggle work, physician appointments and family obligations," said Debra A. Desmarais, Director of Radiology Services for Southcoast Hospitals Group. "The new MRI hours at Tobey offer residents of Greater Wareham and the Cape convenient appointments early in the morning, later in the evening and all day Saturdays."

MRI services at Tobey Hospital are offered on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hospital on 43 High Street in Wareham.

MRI services at Tobey are provided by Southeastern Massachusetts MRI in a self-contained mobile unit which offers the same high-quality imaging and faster scans as traditional fixed units.

Over the past few years, new applications have been developed for MRI utilizing noninvasive means of diagnosing vascular disease, stroke and joint and musculoskeletal disorders. Southcoast has become a major regional center for MRI testing, performing more than 7,000 MRI scans annually at the Charlton and Tobey sites.

Southcoast's staff of highly trained radiologists offers 24-hour turnaround time for test results and is readily available for consultation. Same day and next day appointments are available following a physician's order. Ask your health care provider for more information.

March 14 | Southcoast presents "Jump into Diabetes Control" / Free diabetes education and screening program in the Wareham community

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:41:34 -0400

WAREHAM, Mass. — The Southcoast Diabetes Management Program will offer free screenings for diabetes including eye exams on Thursday, April 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wareham Elks Lodge, 2855 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, Mass.

"Jump into Diabetes Control," Session III, will outline potential complications of uncontrolled blood glucose levels including complications with the eyes and kidneys.

Two area specialists will present programs:

Dr. Sherry Audycki will discuss diabetes and eye disease.
Dr. Ronald Bogusky will be speaking about the link between diabetes and kidney disease.

Free eye screenings will be performed by Advance Eye Center of Dartmouth, Mass. Southcoast Hospitals' Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) will offer free test blood glucose and blood pressures levels of individuals, provide educational materials, and assist to initialize self-management strategies.
No registration necessary, walk-ins welcome. Refreshments will be served.

"Early screening, diagnosis, education and treatment of diabetes can make a dramatic impact on both the economic and the human cost of the disease," said Geraldine Santos, RN, MSN, Certified Diabetes Educator and Team Leader for the Southcoast Diabetes Management Program.

"Many high-risk individuals are not seen regularly by a health care practitioner for screening, education or treatment and therefore go undiagnosed. Statistics show that 17 percent of individuals with diabetes living in Massachusetts have not seen their health care provider within the past year," Santos said.

The Southcoast Diabetes Management Program has been awarded a $5,460 grant from the Makepeace Neighborhood Fund in support of diabetes education and screening programs in the Wareham community.

Southcoast Hospitals Group Diabetes Management Program is nationally recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for its state-of-the-art quality of diabetes self-management education programs. The program offers diabetes self-management education for Types 1 and 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus. The cost of the program may be dependent upon your insurance coverage.

Classes are offered at all three hospital sites on the following topics: Basics of Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Glucose Monitoring, Lifestyle Changes, Medication Management, Nutrition, Survival Skills, Insulin pumps, and Weight Management. For more information, call the program in your area:

Charlton Memorial Hospital

New Bedford / St. Luke's Hospital
508-994-4415

Wareham / Tobey Hospital
508-273-4173

The Makepeace Neighborhood Fund, established by the A.D. Makepeace Company in 2005, provides grants to community organizations and municipal departments for education, environmental, housing, historic preservation or health care projects.

March 13 | "Puttin' on the Pink" celebrity fashion show to benefit St. Luke's Hospital

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:50:10 -0400

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The St. Luke's Auxiliary will host a "celebrity" fashion show on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. at Rachel's Lakeside in Dartmouth to benefit digital mammography services at St. Luke's Hospital.

"Puttin' on the Pink" will be hosted by WBSM's morning show icon Pete Braley and Eyewitness News anchor Karen Adams of WPRI Channel 12 (CBS) in Providence.

Guests will enjoy a gourmet meal with pairing wines while local celebrity models adorn the Milan-style catwalk. Among the celebrity models will be New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang; New Bedford Fire Chief Paul Leger; The Standard-Times Editor Robert Unger; Dartmouth Police Captain Scott Brooks and Miss New Bedford, Marissa Louro. A boutique room will be set up with the latest spring fashions, jewelry, giftware, clothing and accessories.
Wines are donated by Douglas Wine & Spirits. Fashions are provided by The Cottage and The Bay of Dartmouth; Little Purls of Tiverton, R.I., and Main Street Formals of Acushnet.

Seating is limited. Tickets cost $50 each and can be purchased by calling Agatha St. Amour, Director of Volunteer Services, Southcoast Hospitals Group at 508-961-5752.

Digital Mammography at Southcoast

Southcoast Health System has upgraded to 100 percent digital mammography at all nine of its mammography service locations from Fall River to Wareham.

Southcoast is the primary provider of breast health services in the region, performing more than 40,000 mammograms a year. Digital mammography is quickly becoming the standard in breast imaging, providing a high-resolution image that can be seen instantly with less radiation, more comfort and greater accuracy. The image can also be shared easier among health care providers. For more information visit www.southcoast.org/breast/.

The St. Luke's Auxiliary is always looking for new members to serve as ambassadors to the community and administer fund-raising programs, including the Gift Shop, luncheons, bake sales and raffles. The Auxiliary raises funds to support projects, including hospital equipment, developing technology, health care, scholarships and patient outreach. For more information on joining the St. Luke's Auxiliary, please call 508-961-5752.

March 7 | Southcoast Hospice Volunteer Training set for May 2 & 3

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:42:20 -0400

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care is looking for volunteers in the greater New Bedford and Wareham areas to provide emotional support to patients and their families.

"One thing all hospice volunteers have in common is a true desire to help," said Jo-Ann Richard, Volunteer Coordinator at Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services. "Some provide care and comfort to patients and their families while others prefer to assist with fundraising events, bereavement services, memorial planning, community networking, office tasks and other helpful duties."

The hospice volunteer must participate in a free 18-hour training session held at Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services located at 200 Mill Road, Fairhaven. The next training sessions are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3. Hospice volunteer training topics include patient care, family dynamics and spirituality. For more information, please contact Jo-Ann Richard at 508-984-0277.

Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services, a department of Southcoast Hospitals Group is a private non-profit agency that provides comprehensive, preventive and rehabilitative home health care to residents of the Greater New Bedford and Wareham areas.

March 6 | Camp Angel Wings accepting registrations for summer 2008

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:28:08 -0500

MATTAPOISETT, Mass. — Southcoast Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care and Infusion Services, in collaboration with the YMCA, will be hosting the fifth annual "Camp Angel Wings." This is an exciting, fun-filled, two-day camp experience for children and teens, ages 5 through 17, who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It will be held the weekend of July 26 and 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Camp Angel Wings provides interactive activities that include music, swimming, arts and crafts, rock climbing, and archery, designed to reduce the sense of isolation while improving self esteem for children and teens who share like experiences in grief.

Registrations are now being accepted. For more information, or to register, please call Catherine Wrobel at 508-984-0202 or visit www.southcoast.org/home/camp.html.

Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care and Infusion Services, a department of Southcoast Hospitals Group, is a private non-profit agency that provides comprehensive, preventive and rehabilitative home health care to residents of the Greater New Bedford and Wareham areas.

March 4 | Free screenings and health day on March 19: Day of Health & Wellness sponsored by the Charlton Memorial Hospital Business Council and the Portuguese Cultural Center

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:26:43 -0500

FALL RIVER, Mass. — The Charlton Memorial Hospital Business Council and the Portuguese Cultural Center will be teaming up for a day of health and wellness on Wednesday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Center, 205 South Main Street in Fall River.

Free health screenings and a community blood drive will take place throughout the day. Open to the public, interpreters and bilingual health education materials will be available.

"The Charlton Business Council is proud to join with the Portuguese Cultural Center for a day of health in downtown Fall River," said Lisa Szargowicz, CPA, Chair of the Charlton Memorial Hospital Business Council. "We hope to spread awareness and offer a convenient way for community members to stay healthy."

Local community organizations will join to offer free health screenings and host a community blood drive. Interpreters and bilingual health education materials will also available.

The Southcoast Health Van will be providing free blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood glucose screenings. Vision exams, pregnancy testing, colorectal screening kits and medical referrals will also be available.
Southcoast Blood Bank
Southcoast Diabetes Management Program
Southcoast Stroke Prevention Program
Southcoast Patient Financial Services will be counseling on health insurance including the new Commonwealth Care program.
American Heart Association
Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Southeastern Regional Office
Jane Sullivan, Esq., Health Care Proxy, Legal information
Live broadcast: Founder, producer and director of "Rádio Voz Do Emigrante" on WHTB-AM 1400, Frank Baptista, will broadcast live from the event.

A major way to decrease your risk for heart disease and stroke is to have you total cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked at least on a yearly basis and more frequently if your numbers are elevated and you are at a higher risk for heart disease. All screenings are free to the public.

Donate Blood March 19 at the Portuguese Cultural Center in downtown Fall River

With cold and flu season in full swing the Southcoast Blood Bank is in need of blood donors. A blood drive to benefit the Southcoast Blood Bank will also take place throughout the March 19 event.

"When you donate blood at a Southcoast blood drive it stays local, saving the lives of individuals right here in the South Coast region," said Maureen Brown of the Southcoast Blood Bank. "Please help keep your community blood supply strong by donating on March 19."

For more information, please call Dionisia Hanson at 508-679-7391 or Suzanne Cookson at 508-679-7612.