Fitness, illness prevention and joint pain are the topics

Several Verde Valley physicians will share their knowledge and experience at back-to-back lectures at the Sedona library on Saturday, January 16. Verde Valley Medical Center’s newest primary care provider, Mark H. Pico, M.D., will present an exciting, interactive program on preventing illness and achieving a healthy lifestyle at 10:30 a.m. At noon, after a short break, orthopedic surgeons Jack Wylie, M.D., Geoffrey Cook, M.D. and doctor of physical therapy Jon Cook will discuss hip and knee joint pain--causes, treatments and therapies.

Dr. Mark Pico is an internist and pediatrician, currently practicing at the Verde Valley Medical Center-Sedona Campus. He has a special interest in the science of fitness. Not only did Dr. Pico earn a degree from the University of Arizona in Exercise Physiology, he has used that knowledge to earn considerable acclaim in the world of competitive cycling. In 1998, he was the Arizona Track State Cycling Champion, and was a medalist ten times over the past decade. “”Each person, child or adult, can improve their physical and mental health by making small, positive changes to their lifestyle,” said Dr. Pico. “I don’t expect my patients to start running or even walking in marathons, but understanding the science of fitness will help all of us to make simple substitutions in food choices and activities that will yield measurable health benefits. It’s a new year, and a new decade. It’s the perfect time to learn how to make you or your loved ones look and feel better--and even younger!”

Dr. Pico’s talk on fitness will be followed by a presentation on hip and knee joint pain, with an emphasis on Verde Valley Medical Center’s nationally recognized joint replacement program. VVMC’s program focuses on preoperative education, state of the art surgical techniques, skilled nursing care, and focused pain management strategies. For more information, call Verde Valley Medical Center’s Community Relations department at 639-6551.