St. E's has new device for fighting heart disease

St. E's has new devicefor fighting heart disease
YOUNGSTOWN -- St. Elizabeth Health Center is one of the first hospitals in the United States to receive the first FDA-approved drug-eluting stent, a medical breakthrough in the treatment of coronary heart disease. The new Cypher drug-eluting stent was developed to correct the problem of reblockage of the arteries, which occurs in 15 percent to 30 percent of patients who receive a bare metal stent. The Cypher stent keeps the artery propped open while simultaneously releasing the drug sirolimus into the vessel wall. The drug reduces the chance of scar tissue's forming and reblocking the vessel. Patients treated with the new drug-eluting stent have about a 95 percent chance of avoiding a repeat procedure for the same vessel area. Patients treated with conventional stents are four times more likely to need retreatment within the first year.
Lung cancer study
YOUNGSTOWN -- State Sen. Bob Hagan recently visited St. Elizabeth Health Center for his initial screening as a participant in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). Hagan is one of several thousand current and former smokers who will take part in the eight-year clinical study funded by the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of the study is to compare spiral CT scans and standard chest X-rays to determine if either test is better at detecting early-onset lung cancer and reducing deaths from the disease. St. Elizabeth's is one of 30 sites nationwide to take part in the NLST. Current or former smokers who are between the ages of 55 and 74 may be eligible for the study. To learn more about participation in the study, call (330) 480-2446 or toll free (866) 480-2446.
Mental Health Month
YOUNGSTOWN -- The provider agencies of the Mahoning County Mental Health Board are participating in this year's Mental Health Month Celebration. The annual May commemoration aims to call attention to the value of mental health care and community wellness.
Mental illnesses are real, common and treatable, and affect one in every five Americans each year regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race or socioeconomic status. However, few receive treatment because of stigma, misunderstanding and the lack of awareness as to where to obtain mental health care. The theme this year is "Mental Health Matters Every Day," says Ronald Marian, executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health Board.
The provider agencies of the Mental Health Board, which include Turning Point Counseling Center, Burdman Group, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, D & amp;E Counseling Center, Family Service Agency, Help Hotline Crisis Center, Mahoning County Community Support Network and Meridian Services, have planned several events open to the public:
UPublic service announcements will be running during the month on radio stations throughout Mahoning County.
UTuesday: 7 p.m., NAMI of the Valley Support Group Meeting, D & amp;E Counseling Center, 142 Javit Court.
UWednesday, May 14, 21, 28: Noon, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, 4495 Market St., free program on "How to Manage Your Grief." Call (330) 788-8726.
UWednesday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Turning Point Counseling Services will provide free anxiety screenings at its 611 Belmont Ave. and 420 Youngstown-Poland Road facilities.
UThursday: 7 p.m., Turning Point Counseling Services, 611 Belmont Ave., a clinical panel will present a program on anxiety to coincide with Wednesday's anxiety screenings.
UMay 14: 7 p.m., Family to Family Education for families who have relatives with mental illness.
UMay 19: Noon, Mahoning County Mental Health Board's "May is Mental Health Month" annual luncheon to be held at Holiday Inn, Boardman. Call (330) 746-2959 for reservations.
UMay 27: 6 p.m., NAMI of the Mahoning Valley, Austintown Library.
UMay 29: 11:30 a.m., 18th Annual Children's Circle of Friends Ce-lebrity Golf Tournament, Avalon Golf Course. Call (330)793-2487.
For more information on Mental Health Month activities or available mental health services, call the Mahoning County Mental Health Board at (330)746-2959 or Help Hotline Crisis Center at (330) 747-2696.
Herbal therapies seminar
YOUNGSTOWN -- A seminar to help health-care professional gain a better understanding of herbal therapies encountered in everyday health-care settings, titled "The Herbal Revolution:How Does It Affect Healthcare?" is offered May 22 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University. Area nurses, dietitians, social workers, nursing home administrators, and certified health education specialists are invited to attend.
Seminar speakers include: Two professors from the Mylan School of Pharmacy at Duquesne University, Christine O'Neil and Hildegarde Berdine; Leslie Bonci, nutritionist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Brian Sabol, Humility of Mary Health Partners, and Dr. Charles Wilkins, Department of Internal Medicine, HMHP.
The registration fee is $45. For additional information or to register, call Eastern Ohio Area Health Education Center (330) 941-2390.
Med school applications
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports that, although almost 34,000 people applied to medical schools in 2002, that sends to six years the decline in applications. Specifically in Ohio, there were 3 percent fewer applicants, with a steady decline since 1996.
The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) attributes the decline in part to increasing medical malpractice insurance costs, which force students to choose other professions.