Congratulations are in order for theMarshall Sleep Disorders Center. Two Marshall Medical Centers physicians – Dr. Christopher Manganaris (Pulmonology) and Dr. Alvin V. Tenchavez (Internal Medicine) – recently passed their sleep medicine boards and are now boarded in sleep.

The Marshall Sleep Disorders Centeralso deserves a round of applause for recently having received reaccreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). This accreditation is a voluntary program offered to sleep disorders centers meeting certain standards developed to ensure the highest quality care for patients with a sleep disorders.

Areas in which centers must demonstrate compliance to earn accreditation include:

• Personnel
• Policies and Procedures
• Data Acquisition, Scoring and Reporting
• Patient Evaluation and Care
• Quality Assurance and More

The AASM uses a rigorous evidence-based process to establish Practice Parameters on a variety of topics that are relevant to the practice of Sleep Medicine. Accredited sleep facilities must adopt and follow the standards and should be recognized in the community as a resource for expertise in sleep medicine.

The AASM regularly reviews and updates the Standards for Accreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers to ensure that they reflect the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Once every five years, a center must reapply for reaccreditation.

Congratulations to our newly board certified physicians and our Sleep Disorders Center for these accomplishments. For more information on the Marshall Sleep Disorders Center or to see a comprehensive list of the physicians seeing patients at the Center, visit us online at:

 http://www.mmcenters.com/index.php/services/sleep

Also, for more information on the AASM or to learn more about the AASM Standards for Accreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers, visit www.aasmnet.org or contact the AASM national office at www.aasmnet.org/ContactUs.

This first month’s topic is brought to you by Marshall Wound Healing Center:  Diabetes & Healthy Eating. The guest speaker will be one of Marshall Medical Centers’ own Registered Dietitians – Ms.Gina DeMuro. Gina has extensive knowledge of the significant impact food choices have on diabetes.

DAY & TIME:

Wednesday, March 7

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

LOCATION:

Marshall Professional Center

(Just South of Cracker Barrel on Hwy. 431)

RESERVATIONS & DETAILS:

256.894.6989

All Healthy Living lunch ‘n learn seminars are open to the general public and are free of charge. A light lunch will be provided, but space is limited, so reservations are required. To reserve your spot today, please call 256-894-6989.

• Choose a moderate fat intake of no more than 30% of the total calories you consume each day.
• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene such as citrus fruits, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato and spinach –  which all have immune-boosting power!
• To fight off infections, choose foods high in zinc – like fish, oysters, poultry, eggs and milk.
• Sip more green tea to help ward off germs. (The polyphenols – especially catechins – may stimulate the production of specific cells associated with combating viruses.)

There is no magic cure for a cold or the flu, but the best defense is a healthy immune system.

(Resource: Sheri Gaskin, RDLD)

For 24 years, the American Diabetes Association has set aside one special day a year to encourage the public to learn if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This year, the ADA Alert Day will be Thursday, March 22nd.                            

Why is Alert Day important?  Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them—7 million—do not even know they have it. One in three American adults have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes 7 to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop. (Resource: http://www.diabetes.org)                                                      

The “Diabetes Risk Test” is quick (it took me less than 1 minute!) and it’s so simple! To take the test now, visit the American Diabetes Association’s website at:

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/?loc=DropDownDB-RiskTest

You can also find the “Diabetes Risk Test” on the American Diabetes Association’s Facebook page. And, once you take the test, you can also use their Facebook page in conjunction with your own profile to ask questions , engage with their community and share the test with your friends and loved ones.  So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and ”Like” their page today, and get started by taking the risk test to assess your risk for type 2 diabetes. 

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation?sk=app_118771381530663

For more information on American Diabetes Association Alert Day or for more general information on the American Diabetes Association, visit:

http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/alert-day/american-diabetes-association.pdf.

One person that comes to mind when I think of my own amazing co-workers is Anna Zarna. A Guntersville native, Anna graduated from Guntersville High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration with a major in Health Care Management from the University of Alabama.

Anna’s formal title at Marshall Medical Centers is, Offsite Services Manager, but at home, she has an even more important job. For over a year now, she has been fostering children through the Marshall County Department of Human Resources.

“It wasn’t necessarily a matter of whether or not it was something I wanted to do,” says Anna. “Over the course of several years, I began feeling a true calling to foster or adopt. I just wasn’t sure exactly what my role should be.”

Anna is no stranger to caring for young children. “I am from a huge family,” she says. “Between my two parents, I am the oldest of nine children.” But as a single businesswoman, Anna has chosen to take on quite a challenge by accepting the responsibility of parenting these children in need of a temporary home and lots of TLC.

In fact, fostering children is something Anna says she could never have done without the support of her parents, friends and church family. “A good support group is crucial as a single parent. The schools, Marshall Medical Centers and DHR have all been tremendously supportive and helpful.”

Catherine Wiggins, Director of Patient Financial Services at Marshall Medical Centers, is Anna’s direct supervisor. Catherine sees first hand on a daily basis what an amazing difference Anna makes in the lives of these children. “Anna is a great mother, and she takes her role with these children very seriously,” says Catherine. “Her giving nature carries over into her role at Marshall Medical Centers as she fosters a caring environment for her employees and patients. She is admired by her coworkers for the hard work and dedication she puts forth in both her professional and personal life,” she continues. “It’s a privilege to work with her.”

In January of 2011 (at the age of 25), Anna completed the DHR required training classes and almost immediately had an infant placed in her home. Emma, who was 2 months at the time, stayed with Anna for 3 months before being placed with her biological father.

“I am still the ‘mama’ in her life,” Anna proudly says. “In fact, she still spends part of each week with me, and we celebrated her first birthday three months ago.”

“It isn’t always fun, though,” she continues. “At times it can be stressful, frustrating and emotionally tiring… all at once. I think the only way you can be a good foster parent is to recognize that you aren’t doing it for yourself; you are doing it for that child. Everything else is just an added bonus!”

So far, Anna has had six children placed in her home – ranging in age from two months to seven years. She currently has two brothers (ages five and seven) placed in her home.

“I have been amazed at how fostering children has filled my life - and at the sense of peace I feel from answering one of God’s callings for me,” shares Anna.

And we are amazed with you, Anna. Keep up the great work… for Marshall Medical Centers and these precious children.

Interesting Fact: There are three times the number of churches in the United States as there are orphans. In fact, if one person from every third church adopted a child, we could eliminate the current population of orphaned children in the United States. We also have a great need for more foster parents right here in Marshall County. If you or someone you know may be interested in fostering and/or adopting a child, contact Marshall County DHR at 256-582-7100.

Aren’t you ready to make a positive change for the benefit of your health? With TherapyPlus Fitness locations at both Marshall North and South, you’re never far from the latest in equipment and flexible programs to fit your needs. Plus, we offer the only indoor swimming facilities inMarshallCounty– with Olympic-sized pools available for aquatic workouts.

Our professional staff is available to help you develop a fitness plan tailored to your specific needs. We also offer periodic health fairs, various health screenings and a wide variety of classes at both locations to help you meet your fitness goals:

CARDIO

• Step
• Cardio/Tone
• Advanced Step
• Low Impact Intervals
• Circuit

WEIGHTS/TONE

• Body Sculpt
• Body Pump
• Fitball

SPECIALTY

• Spin
• Zumba
• Yoga
• Boot Camp
• Pilates
• Tai Chi
• Karate
• Arthritis Rehab & Recovery

FLEXIBILITY

• Stretch & Balance

WATER

• Splash & Burn
• Hi/Lo Burn

WATER & WEIGHTS

• Sea Sculpt

Start putting your health first today. Stop by one of our TherapyPlus Fitness locations and let our staff help you meet all of your fitness goals in 2012.

Cheryl’s workout routine consists mostly of pool exercises and swimming five days a week. “I especially like exercising in the therapy pool,” commented Cheryl. “Following the lap band program can be a challenge,” she continues. “So far, I have lost 80 pounds. The support from my family and the TherapyPlus Fitness staff helps me stay motivated. Everyone at the gym is always so willing to help.”

Great job, Cheryl. We are so proud of you.

Working hard to transform herself into a new person has resulted in an amazing 20 lb. weight loss with mega energy to boot! When Dawanna began working out, her goal was simply to get back to the size she was before she married. But having been bitten by the exercise bug, her goals have changed slightly. In addition to weight loss, she also strives to maintain a healthy diet and to be in the best overall shape possible.

Although her workout routine is not set in stone, her basic strategy in the gym consists of a 10 minute warm-up session and 35-40 minutes of cardiovascular work. To mix it up a little, she also takes the following aerobics classes:

• Step
• Boot Camp
• Body Sculpt
• Zumba

Dawanna would like to give special thanks to Britt Knott (the Boot Camp and Body Sculpt instructor) as well as all the TherapyPlus Fitness South staff.

To learn more about the different classes offered at TherapyPlus Fitness South, visit us online at www.mmcenters.com or stop by today!

TherapyPlus South Fitness Schedule

Land Aerobic Schedule

Water Aerobic Schedule

Group Exercise Facility Classes (located behind fitness center onCorley Avenue)

Have you ever helped someone and you didn’t even know it? Here in Marshall County it happens all the time, especially for donors with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.

Maybe it’s the person at the checkout at the grocery store, a pastor at a local church, or a new mom or her baby. When you donate blood, you don’t know who you’ve helped specifically, but in a small community like ours, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the “somebody” your donation helped. You may even know the person whose life you saved.

The “community” part of LifeSouth’s name isn’t a word thought up for marketing purposes, it’s how it operates. The blood collected here stays here in our community. Its first priority is to serve those who live here. LifeSouth is the primary supplier of blood products at Marshall Medical Center North and Marshall Medical Center South. Donating with LifeSouth means you can help a friend, a family member or your neighbor.

What does it take to donate? Donors must be 17 or older (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. A desire to help our community is a plus, and your help is needed.

Nationally, 1 in 7 patients entering a hospital will need blood. That adds up to 43,000 pints needed every day. The challenge is that only about 4 percent of Americans donate regularly. If that could be raised to 5 percent, or if those who do donate would give one more time per year, LifeSouth and other blood centers wouldn’t face shortages.

So, the next time you see that big red, white and blue LifeSouth bloodmobile, climb aboard. Somebody in our community will be glad you did.

The survivors were provided with information to help in the transition from active treatment to survivorship.

• Take one step at a time
• Involve loved ones
• Develop a healthy lifestyle
• Follow up with:
  • physical exams
  • mammograms
  • pelvic exams
  • coordinated care with oncologists and primary care providers

Joined by Sylvia Camata, RN, MPH, Ann Wooten, RN and Natasia Adams, MPH, Dr. Meneses and company addressed many of the concerns faced by breast cancer patients.

• Appropriate diet
• Bone health
• Lymphedema
• Sexuality
• Emotional issues

While enjoying lunch prepared by Marshall Medical Centers, the ladies had a wonderful time asking questions, learning, laughing and sharing their own personal experiences with the group

Dr. Meneses closed the meeting with the following quote: “To attain excellence, you must care more than others think wise, risk more than others think safe and dream more than others think is practical.” (Author Unkown)