Healthnetwork Pulse - February 2008

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Healthnetwork Pulse

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Hospital Philanthropy - Our Vision Becomes a Reality

Healthnetwork Foundation facilitates hospital appointments for our members and their families not only to assist with medical care, but also in the hope that a bond will develop between the families and the leading hospitals, which in turn could foster philanthropic gifts which improves medicine for everyone. This winter, we have seen our vision become a reality. Thanks to the generosity of some of our members at Ocean Reef in Key Largo, FL the Ocean Reef-Healthnetwork Office at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston will soon be established.

Tom Davidson, a WPO/CEO member, and former YPO International Chairman, led the fundraising effort to bring in $50,000 for Cleveland Clinic Florida. Healthnetwork Foundation matched that gift with an additional $50,000 donation. Most impressively, Ocean Reef resident and philanthropist Bob Gintel made an additional gift of $50,000, to support this Ocean Reef-Healthnetwork Foundation initiative.

Cleveland Clinic Florida CEO, Dr. Bernie Fernandez expressed much gratitude when recognizing the gift, explaining, “We have worked with Healthnetwork for years and always enjoy serving their members. I have had the opportunity to meet both Mr. Gintel and Mr. Davidson, and we are so pleased that they’ve chosen to support the Cleveland Clinic partnership with Healthnetwork Foundation.”

Throughout 2008, Healthnetwork Foundation will be working directly with our members and partner hospitals to establish dedicated offices inside each hospital, so that we can ensure our members will be cared for during each hospital visit. Please contact Adam Kaufman at adam@healthnetworkfoundation.org if you would like to discuss how the philanthropic goals of Healthnetwork Foundation might parallel your own charitable interest.

Becoming a Better Health Advocate

Facing a serious medical condition can be traumatic enough without the added burden of searching for updated, accurate and relevant information. Realizing that informed patients can better advocate their health issues, Healthnetwork has recently partnered with Montclair Health Network, a non-profit healthcare organization formed by Charles "Jiggs" Davis (WPO member and former YPO International Chair). Montclair’s staff of physicians and researchers simplifies the task of getting medical information – not simply by compiling data from outside sources – but by developing proprietary, leading-edge information. GOLD supporters can request clinical summaries of specific conditions, as available. Each summary includes an overview, as well as sections on causes, symptoms, exams and tests, treatments, outcomes, centers of excellence, useful online resources, support groups and a glossary. These summaries are updated every 3 to 6 months.

For more information on Healthnetwork's new Health Information Search, call us at 440/893-0830 or email us at help@healthnetworkfoundation.org.

Medicines That Mask Symptoms

Two often prescribed medicines may mask symptoms of esophageal or prostate cancers. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of both esophageal and prostate cancers often lead to better outcomes. See what researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a Healthnetwork GOLD hospital, have to say about carefully monitoring these diseases and what medicines may mask symptoms.

For more information on cancer centers or executive physical programs with outstanding cancer screening programs, call Healthnetwork at 440/893-0830 or email help@healthnetworkfoundation.org.

Caring for the Caregivers

Researchers from the UCSF Medical Center, a Healthnetwork GOLD hospital, say that wives and other caregivers of men with prostate cancer may be at risk of anxiety, fatigue and other symptoms that exact a toll on the quality of their lives. Read about their findings for the estimated more than 44 million Americans who are now caring for a family member. For the sake of all, the health needs of the caregivers should also be considered.

Thanks for the Memories...Deep Brain Stimulation

Surgeons hoping to help a patient regulate his appetite found that electrical stimulation caused the patient to recall memories from over 35 years earlier. Dr. Ali Rezai, a neurologist with Cleveland Clinic, a Healthnetwork GOLD Hospital, weighs in on the use of electrical stimulation to shut down or stimulate parts of the brain. Researchers say that Deep Brain Stimulation may be a possibility in treating Alzheimer’s disease, although this preliminary finding will require many more years of study.

New Staging Technique for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most devasting forms of cancer in the U.S. Chances for survival depend on early detection and proper staging (determining the extent the cancer has spread). This often calls for surgical intervention to correctly determine the involvement of lymph nodes. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, a Healthnetwork GOLD hospital, have found an endoscopy method is showing promise to help correctly stage lung cancer. The procedure is done under light sedation and patients can go home the same day. The traditional method to stage lung cancer involves surgical intervention and often requires a much longer period of recuperation.

What did Snow White Know about Sleepy?

Can you die snoring? Many spouses have wondered if the incredible snoring they hear from the other side of the bed could have a detrimental effect on someone’s health. The answer from a Cleveland Clinic Canada cardiologist is “Yes.” Obstructive Sleep Apnea, OSA, gets the attention of cardiologists because it is linked to almost everything they treat - hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, enlarged hearts, congestive heart failure and heart attacks. Some cardiologists say that 20% of men over 50 may suffer from OSA and not know it. OSA is something you can't sleep through. Find out more about the concerns cardiologists have.

For an appointment with a sleep specialist, call Healthnetwork at 440/893-0830 or email help@healthnetworkfoundation.org.

Did you Take your Vitamin Today?

The ADA, American Dietetic Association, estimates that over 50% of Americans take a multi-vitamin daily to insure they are getting the proper levels of nutrients. Making better food choices is often the recommended course of action, but many Americans pop a vitamin just in case. The market is flooded with multi-vitamins and this raises many questions - which one? Do I need a special formula? Can I take my wife's or husband's vitamin? Find out what a registered dietician has to say about choosing a multi-vitamin.

Executive Physical Options in California and Throughout US

Members in the LA or San Diego area have three outstanding executive health programs to choose from - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center and Scripps Center for Executive Health. A recent article in the LA Times highlights the benefits of these programs. And Healthnetwork has the connections within these centers of excellence to facilitate your appointments. Never before have you had such great access in one small corner of the world. The access to outstanding executive health programs is not limited to Southern California - Healthnetwork has options at the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, MN, Jacksonville, FL and Scottsdale, AZ; Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, Weston, FL and Toronto, ON; Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ and Lenox, MA; UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, CA; St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, TX; and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.

Wherever you are, we can help match an executive health program to your needs. To schedule your appointment, call Healthnetwork at 440/893-0830 or email help@healthnetworkfoundation.org.

Words From a GOLD Supporter

"The Executive Physical program was a great experience and well worth the time we spent. We were tested head to toe and received our results at the end of the day. The depth of the testing that is accomplished so quickly is amazing. I encourage everyone to call Healthnetwork and schedule your executive physical. There are no more excuses – make the time for your health and schedule an executive physical.”

David Galbenski

Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

Healthnetwork GOLD Supporter

We Are Here to Help

If you have thoughts, questions or need medical assistance, please drop us an email or give us a call and we will do everything we can to assist you. And please let us know if you are unable to open any of the links above and we will send you a copy of the referenced material.

We look forward to hearing from you: 440/893-0830 or katie@healthnetworkfoundation.org