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May 7, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center is holding two open house celebrations of its new expanded Sleep Lab - one on Thursday, May 15, 3-7 p.m. and the other on Friday, May 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The lab has increased in size, and now is located on the second floor of the Medical Office Building on the Cottonwood Campus at 294 W. Highway 89A.

Experts estimate 70 million Americans (approximately one in three adults) experience problems sleeping, and more than 40 million have an undiagnosed sleep disorder and should be tested. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common sleep disorder, is responsible for at least 50,000 premature and preventable deaths per year.

“Expanding the Sleep Lab allows us to be more responsive to the health needs of the Verde Valley community,” said Jeffrey Arnold, M.D., pulmonologist and medical director of the Sleep Lab at VVMC. “Now we have upgraded, fully digital equipment and a state-of-the art lab large enough to accommodate our patients’ needs.”

The community is invited to attend either of the open house events, any time during the scheduled hours, to see the new lab, meet staff, ask questions and enjoy light refreshments. Educational materials about sleep disorders and a sleep screening questionnaire will be available.

May 7, 2008

Blair Faulkner, M.D., general surgeon, recently joined the Medical Staff of Verde Valley Medical Center. Board certified in general surgery, Dr. Faulkner received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1976. He completed his internship at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1976 and his residency at the University of British Columbia in 1984. He completed a fellowship in hepatobiliary (liver, bile ducts and gall bladder) surgery in 1985. Dr. Faulkner also received specialty training in hepatobiliary surgery, laparoscopy and endoscopy.

From 1986-1993 Dr. Faulkner served as general surgeon for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, British Columbia. He also was clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 1992-1993. From 1994-1996 Dr. Faulkner was general surgeon at Princeton Community Hospital, Princeton, W. Va; Central Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Miss; and Magee General Hospital, Magee, Miss. He most recently served as general surgeon and head of the department of Surgery at Rankin Medical Center, Brandon, Miss., before relocating to the Verde Valley.

Dr. Faulkner is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Gastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the American Society of General Surgeons.

Dr. Faulkner will be sharing an office with Hu Blake, II, M.D., at 450 S. Willard St., Suite 107, Cottonwood, 649-7920.

April 25, 2008

The work of America’s 2.9 million nurses to save lives, and improve and maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year’s annual National Nurses Week.

Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day is the theme for the 2008 week of recognition. National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as Nurse Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. The purpose of Nurse Recognition Day is to raise awareness of the value of nursing, and educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting our country’s healthcare needs.

During National Nurses Week, a number of events will be held at Verde Valley Medical Center to honor the dedication, commitment, tireless effort and quality of work nurses provide around the clock. On Thursday, May 8, Nursing Excellence awards will be presented to those nurses acknowledged by their peers as exemplifying excellence in the profession.

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest healthcare profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession continues to grow to meet expanding healthcare needs.

April 25, 2008

National Hospital Week began in 1921 and has grown into the nation’s largest annual healthcare event. The May 11-17 celebration recognizes the work of hospitals in an effort to demonstrate appreciation for the people, facilities and technologies that make the miracle of healthcare possible in our communities.

This year’s theme, “Where Healing Happens Every Day,” is a message that America’s hospitals are positive, vital places that promote health and well being. The mission of physicians, nurses and staff is to help people get well.

The first hospital was a small wood structure built in Pennsylvania in 1751. According to statistics, hospitals today admit almost 37 million patients each year, treat another 17 million in emergency departments and see another 545 million for other outpatient needs. On any given day, 658,000 patients fill United States hospital beds.

To celebrate the event this year at VVMC, employees will be treated to a number of special events throughout the week.

April 25, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center is hosting a Parkinson’s disease support group Friday, May 16, in Conference Room B, from 4-6 p.m.

Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is both chronic and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse and continue over time. Some common symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor of the hands, arms, legs or jaw; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. As many as one million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. An estimated 15 percent of these are diagnosed before age 50.

Support groups provide a connection with others in an experience that often can feel isolating, and offer an environment of caring and support where people can learn new information and coping skills.

There is no charge for the support group which will be facilitated by Kristie Jones, one of VVMC’s Rehabilitation Services speech language pathologists. The meeting is open to patients, family members, caregivers and anyone interested in learning about Parkinson’s disease. For more information, please call Jones at 639-6383.