Barrie, ON – Those in need of surgical care can now get treatment sooner than they might expect—and not in the setting they might expect. Barrie’s new Lakeview Surgery Centre offers a wide variety of surgical procedures, and its presence will provide some much needed relief to the resources at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
“I think it’s a great step forward in taking the pressure off hospitals,” said Dr. Rod Kunynetz, a local dermatologist, who is already referring patients to the centre for skin cancer surgeries.
“This is a big boost for us, because we’re able to have our patients access the much needed procedures, such as cancer surgery, in a timely manor and in a safe environment.”
The new centre’s staff is proud to announce that the facility was recently recognized as a fully accredited surgery facility by the Canadian Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (CAAASF).
“Our centre was tested vigorously for proper ventilation, sterilization, lighting and things of that nature. In the end, all of our preparation paid off as the CAAASF recognized us as a fully functional and accredited surgical centre,” said Dr. Emad Guirguis, owner of the centre.
The Lakeview Surgery Centre's certified and trained staff is now here to help area residents with procedures like skin and thyroid cancer surgeries, hernia repairs, carpal tunnel decompression, removing moles, cysts and lipomas, LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding, cosmetic surgery, and UltraShape.
“The staff really goes above and beyond,” said Jackie LeSarge, a former patient. “When I was recovering from my surgery, they actually brought a phone down to me and gave me a headset so I could talk to my dad and let him know everything went well.”
Dr. Guirguis served as a practicing general surgeon for 17 years, before having a vision of working in a different kind of medical building. Originally from Barrie, he wanted to give the area a surgical centre of excellence surrounded by the serenity of nature. After an exhaustive search, they found a sprawling residential home overlooking beautiful Kempenfelt Bay, centrally located and bordering Barrie’s downtown core.
“It took a lot of work to turn a home into a functional, equipped, and accredited surgical centre. New lighting, ventilation and air purification systems, a new elevator, and numerous other changes, “said Dr. Guirguis.
“But the end result is exactly what we envisioned. We give our patients a bright and inviting, yet professional setting. They’re calm, they’re comfortable.”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Ritalin Side Effects Now Include Sudden Death
Expert Says Drugs Aren’t Solution to Learning Disabilities: Nutrition, a Healthy Environment and Good Parenting Are Key
By Tony Panaccio
After years of speculation and rare case reports, a recent FDA-funded study by The National Institute of Mental Health claims that drugs such as Ritalin – widely used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder in children – increase the risk of sudden death by five hundred percent among children and teens.
“Drugs are not the answer,” said Etta Brown, a licensed educational psychologist, veteran social worker and author of Learning Disabilities, Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges from Langdon Street Press (www.understandingld.com). “Doctors and pharmaceutical companies are quick to tell parents there is a pill that will fix their kids, but it’s a false bill of goods. In many cases, these drugs – like Ritalin – will serve only to dull their kids’ senses and create health risks the parents could never have imagined.”
The irony of Ritalin, Brown added, is that it actually damages the neural connections needed for learning. While it may calm a hyper-active child, so that he is less of a problem in the classroom and can sit still for longer periods of time, it does not create the ability to learn.
“Another well-documented side effect of Ritalin is that it may cause a permanent tic of the face, head and neck,” Brown said. “There is a long fifty-year history of false advertising by drug companies that sell drugs with known side effects that are more damaging to the developing nervous system of children than the condition they are designed to treat.”
Between two to18 percent of American children are thought to be affected by ADHD, and Ritalin remains one of the most prescribed drugs for the behavioral disorder. This suggests that the medical approach to poorly nourished children who aren’t getting enough exercise is to dose them with a drug that is known to interfere with the development of their brains, cause permanent ticing of the face, head and neck, and increase the likelihood of sudden death by 500 percent. And the FDA is not looking.
“As with ADHD, the incidence of learning disabilities has also been growing at a rate of 10-20 percent every 10 years since WWII,” said Brown. “The difference between a learning disability and attention deficit disorder, she says, is the professional who diagnoses it. The Department of Education refers to the condition as a learning disability, and the American Psychological Association looking at the same set of symptoms labels them Attention Deficit Disorder. Add these two percentages together and 12 to 38 percent of the nation’s children have learning problems.”
Kids live in a world full of toxins, limited exercise, a lack of sleep, fast foods, and loads of time alone caused by the need for parents to work two jobs to make ends meet. The consequence is severe allergies to a toxic environment, obesity from a lack of exercise, an inability to learn due to a lack of sufficient nutrients to keep the brain functioning properly, and limited emotional security in 38 percent of our children.
Brown says that proper diet, exercise and adequate sleep are the key to helping a child overcome learning disabilities and improve his ability to attend.
“There is no easy solution, no pill, no magic wand, or special education program that is going to make a child a better learner,” Brown said. “Learning disabilities and ADHD are not the fault of the children, or failure of the school. But, the schools have to teach each child that comes to them. “
Learning disabilities should become as much a concern for public health as it is for education, according to Brown.
“Instead of medicating kids into oblivion because they can’t sit still, parents should be encouraged to cut the sodas and junk food, provide opportunities for their kids to exercise, ensure they get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night, and take the time to interact with them on occasion,” she added. “There is no substitute for parenting, and there is no replacement for proper diet, exercise and good sleep habits to enhance a child’s readiness for learning.”
(Tony Panaccio is a staff writer for News & Experts Syndicate.)
2009 Lakehead Shads Continue Success Story: FiberGel Inc. Places First in Two Cup Categories
(November 11, 2009 – Thunder Bay, ON) HaemAssist, a product designed and developed by the 2009 Lakehead Shads’ company FiberGel Inc., has won Best Application of Scientific Principles and Best Business Plan at the RBC Shad Entrepreneurship Cup, held in mid-October in Waterloo, Ontario.
The theme of the 2009 competition asked Shads to look to nature and natural fibres, tasking them with finding an innovative way to use the fibres: through first use (manufacture with new materials); repurposing (reuse of existing material in a new manner); recycling (creating new product from old); or retirement (converting existing natural fibre materials to a final use). Shads explored the development of HaemAssist while considering the boundaries of science, design, and art, while thinking innovatively and using bottom-line principles to develop a product that encapsulates economic value, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
HaemAssist is an entirely new product for use in the emergency response and healthcare industries. Currently, many Canadian emergency response services do not have means to provide fast and effective treatment to patients suffering severe blood loss. In response, HaemAssist provides care workers with a natural-based product that aids in the retention and coagulation of blood using the natural fibre Hagfish Exudate.
“Our Shads faced a tough yet reputable judging panel this year and we’re extremely proud of their achievements,” says Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Lakehead’s Shad Valley Director. “Through their time with the Shad program and in preparing their final projects for the Cup, our students learned a great deal about engineering, entrepreneurship, information technology, medicine, and science as well as about themselves and how they work alongside their peers. They fared very well in several areas overall this year. They set some high standards for themselves, and in working as hard as they did, they are all more prepared to face the challenges and opportunities that life, schooling, and work will bestow upon them – now and in years to come.”
The annual RBC/Shad Entrepreneurship Cup is a national competition that unveils Shad-designed products that are well-positioned to be the next business success story. The Cup showcases the best in entrepreneurship, science, and technology, and demonstrates what senior high school students are capable of creating.
The theme of the 2009 competition asked Shads to look to nature and natural fibres, tasking them with finding an innovative way to use the fibres: through first use (manufacture with new materials); repurposing (reuse of existing material in a new manner); recycling (creating new product from old); or retirement (converting existing natural fibre materials to a final use). Shads explored the development of HaemAssist while considering the boundaries of science, design, and art, while thinking innovatively and using bottom-line principles to develop a product that encapsulates economic value, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
HaemAssist is an entirely new product for use in the emergency response and healthcare industries. Currently, many Canadian emergency response services do not have means to provide fast and effective treatment to patients suffering severe blood loss. In response, HaemAssist provides care workers with a natural-based product that aids in the retention and coagulation of blood using the natural fibre Hagfish Exudate.
“Our Shads faced a tough yet reputable judging panel this year and we’re extremely proud of their achievements,” says Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Lakehead’s Shad Valley Director. “Through their time with the Shad program and in preparing their final projects for the Cup, our students learned a great deal about engineering, entrepreneurship, information technology, medicine, and science as well as about themselves and how they work alongside their peers. They fared very well in several areas overall this year. They set some high standards for themselves, and in working as hard as they did, they are all more prepared to face the challenges and opportunities that life, schooling, and work will bestow upon them – now and in years to come.”
The annual RBC/Shad Entrepreneurship Cup is a national competition that unveils Shad-designed products that are well-positioned to be the next business success story. The Cup showcases the best in entrepreneurship, science, and technology, and demonstrates what senior high school students are capable of creating.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Barrie Celebrates With WinterLights
(Barrie, ON) With Halloween behind us, it must mean that WinterLights is upon us! Just weeks after collecting top honours at this year’s national Communities in Bloom competition, the City of Barrie is pleased to be welcoming back the second annual Winterlights competition. Last year Barrie residents embraced this ‘bright’ new initiative and received top honours with a 5 star rating.
“WinterLights encourages communities to showcase their winter activities, festive celebrations, visual decorations and goodwill programs,” says Mayor Dave Aspden. “This community initiative is another example of the many events going on in our city, and why so many return to visit.”
WinterLights is made up of five categories including; Visual Presentation, Winter Pleasures, Festive Season Celebrations, Goodwill Programs, and Tourism Promotion. Some of the many benefits from participating in the WinterLights program include; increased winter tourism, enhanced civic pride and community involvement, participation from all ages and walks of life, mobilization of citizens, and the involvement of community groups, and businesses.
“WinterLights is another way that residents and businesses can get involved with our community. This is something that is fun, festive and an opportunity where the whole family can get involved. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to participate,” says Councillor Lynn Strachan, WinterLights Committee Chair.
Gearing up for this exciting new initiative, the City is collecting information from Barrie residents, community groups, service clubs, schools, churches and businesses that are involved in projects and/or activities relating to the WinterLights categories.
To find out more about this new winter program and to register your projects and/or activities please visit www.barrie.ca.
“WinterLights encourages communities to showcase their winter activities, festive celebrations, visual decorations and goodwill programs,” says Mayor Dave Aspden. “This community initiative is another example of the many events going on in our city, and why so many return to visit.”
WinterLights is made up of five categories including; Visual Presentation, Winter Pleasures, Festive Season Celebrations, Goodwill Programs, and Tourism Promotion. Some of the many benefits from participating in the WinterLights program include; increased winter tourism, enhanced civic pride and community involvement, participation from all ages and walks of life, mobilization of citizens, and the involvement of community groups, and businesses.
“WinterLights is another way that residents and businesses can get involved with our community. This is something that is fun, festive and an opportunity where the whole family can get involved. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to participate,” says Councillor Lynn Strachan, WinterLights Committee Chair.
Gearing up for this exciting new initiative, the City is collecting information from Barrie residents, community groups, service clubs, schools, churches and businesses that are involved in projects and/or activities relating to the WinterLights categories.
To find out more about this new winter program and to register your projects and/or activities please visit www.barrie.ca.
Celebrate the power of technology with the human touch Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
November 8 – 14th is Medical Radiation Technologists’ Week
Have you ever wondered who was operating your CT scan, x-ray equipment, nuclear medicine scanner, MRI unit or radiation therapy equipment?
The answer is medical radiation technologists or therapists, key members of the health care team with highly specialized clinical skills. There are over 11,000 registered medical radiation technologists (MRTs) in Canada. MRT Week is the occasion to celebrate the contributions of these dedicated professionals to the health of Canadians.
Medical radiation technologists are highly trained health professionals with specialized skills, knowledge and competences who carry out diagnostic imaging and a number of treatment procedures in hospitals and private medical clinics. The profession is composed of four disciplines: the radiological technologist, the radiation therapist, the nuclear medicine technologist and the magnetic resonance technologist. These dedicated health care professionals also function as patient advocates, educators, health care researchers, technical and therapy specialists, and interdisciplinary consultants.
Radiological technologists produce images, such as chest x-rays, back x-rays, CT scans, and mammograms. These images (or x-rays) of a body part or system help the physician make a diagnosis.
Radiological technologists use their excellent patient care skills and expert knowledge of anatomy and pathology to monitor and correctly position the patient. They utilize their technical expertise to operate the equipment properly, and ensure radiation protection methods are followed, in order to protect the patient and their family, as well as staff.
Nuclear medicine technologists use equipment that acquires images such as thyroid, cardiac, bone and kidney scans. These images enable physicians to diagnose and monitor a patient's response to various treatments.
Nuclear medicine technologists use their excellent patient care skills to monitor patients during procedures. Their technical expertise in the use of radiopharmaceuticals and radiation physics combined with their expert knowledge of anatomy and physiology allow them to produce images and perform diagnostic imaging procedures. Technologists also ensure proper radiation handling and protection techniques are followed, keeping patients, their families and staff safe.
Radiation therapists are responsible for accurately planning and administering the radiation treatment for cancer patients, using radiation treatment units. They have expert knowledge in care of the patient and anatomy, as well as radiation physics and radiation protection for the safe operation of the equipment. The radiation therapist counsels patients on possible side effects from treatment and provides advice on how to minimize and manage them. Because the course of radiation treatment often takes several weeks, a special supportive relationship usually develops between the therapist and the patient and family members.
Magnetic resonance technologists, or MRI technologists, produce diagnostic images using equipment that generates radio waves and a strong magnetic field. They apply their extensive knowledge of anatomy, pathology and physiology as well as their patient care skills in order to obtain the necessary images and monitor patients during scans.
MRI technologists employ their technical expertise and understanding of magnetic resonance physics to produce images, and to ensure that the required protocols are followed within the area of the magnet in order to protect the patients, their families and hospital staff.
For more information about the medical radiation technology profession and its role on the health care team, along with details about the challenging career opportunities the profession offers, visit the website of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, at www.camrt.ca.
Have you ever wondered who was operating your CT scan, x-ray equipment, nuclear medicine scanner, MRI unit or radiation therapy equipment?
The answer is medical radiation technologists or therapists, key members of the health care team with highly specialized clinical skills. There are over 11,000 registered medical radiation technologists (MRTs) in Canada. MRT Week is the occasion to celebrate the contributions of these dedicated professionals to the health of Canadians.
Medical radiation technologists are highly trained health professionals with specialized skills, knowledge and competences who carry out diagnostic imaging and a number of treatment procedures in hospitals and private medical clinics. The profession is composed of four disciplines: the radiological technologist, the radiation therapist, the nuclear medicine technologist and the magnetic resonance technologist. These dedicated health care professionals also function as patient advocates, educators, health care researchers, technical and therapy specialists, and interdisciplinary consultants.
Radiological technologists produce images, such as chest x-rays, back x-rays, CT scans, and mammograms. These images (or x-rays) of a body part or system help the physician make a diagnosis.
Radiological technologists use their excellent patient care skills and expert knowledge of anatomy and pathology to monitor and correctly position the patient. They utilize their technical expertise to operate the equipment properly, and ensure radiation protection methods are followed, in order to protect the patient and their family, as well as staff.
Nuclear medicine technologists use equipment that acquires images such as thyroid, cardiac, bone and kidney scans. These images enable physicians to diagnose and monitor a patient's response to various treatments.
Nuclear medicine technologists use their excellent patient care skills to monitor patients during procedures. Their technical expertise in the use of radiopharmaceuticals and radiation physics combined with their expert knowledge of anatomy and physiology allow them to produce images and perform diagnostic imaging procedures. Technologists also ensure proper radiation handling and protection techniques are followed, keeping patients, their families and staff safe.
Radiation therapists are responsible for accurately planning and administering the radiation treatment for cancer patients, using radiation treatment units. They have expert knowledge in care of the patient and anatomy, as well as radiation physics and radiation protection for the safe operation of the equipment. The radiation therapist counsels patients on possible side effects from treatment and provides advice on how to minimize and manage them. Because the course of radiation treatment often takes several weeks, a special supportive relationship usually develops between the therapist and the patient and family members.
Magnetic resonance technologists, or MRI technologists, produce diagnostic images using equipment that generates radio waves and a strong magnetic field. They apply their extensive knowledge of anatomy, pathology and physiology as well as their patient care skills in order to obtain the necessary images and monitor patients during scans.
MRI technologists employ their technical expertise and understanding of magnetic resonance physics to produce images, and to ensure that the required protocols are followed within the area of the magnet in order to protect the patients, their families and hospital staff.
For more information about the medical radiation technology profession and its role on the health care team, along with details about the challenging career opportunities the profession offers, visit the website of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, at www.camrt.ca.
MPP DUNLOP WELCOMES NOMINATIONS FOR LEADING GIRLS/WOMEN
(Orillia) Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is encouraging local
schools and community and volunteer organizations to identify nominees
for the Leading Girls and Women / Building Communities Awards.
The Leading Girls Building Communities Award for females under the age
of 18 recognizes and celebrates girls who demonstrate exceptional
leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their schools or
communities.
The Leading Women Building Communities Award is for those aged 18 and
over. Nominees will have demonstrated exceptional community leadership
to improve the lives of others.
"I would be pleased and honoured to nominate girls/women in my riding
for these most prestigious awards," said Dunlop. "I encourage local
schools and community groups to contact my office in Orillia or Midland
for the list of criteria and necessary forms. I will gladly forward them
to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues."
The deadline for nominations for the Leading Girls and Women / Building
Communities Awards is January 8, 2010.
schools and community and volunteer organizations to identify nominees
for the Leading Girls and Women / Building Communities Awards.
The Leading Girls Building Communities Award for females under the age
of 18 recognizes and celebrates girls who demonstrate exceptional
leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their schools or
communities.
The Leading Women Building Communities Award is for those aged 18 and
over. Nominees will have demonstrated exceptional community leadership
to improve the lives of others.
"I would be pleased and honoured to nominate girls/women in my riding
for these most prestigious awards," said Dunlop. "I encourage local
schools and community groups to contact my office in Orillia or Midland
for the list of criteria and necessary forms. I will gladly forward them
to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues."
The deadline for nominations for the Leading Girls and Women / Building
Communities Awards is January 8, 2010.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER WELCOMES 2015 PAN AMERICAN AND PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES TO CANADA
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the announcement that the 17th Pan American and Parapan American Games have been awarded to Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The decision was announced today at the Pan American Sports Organization meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“This is an exciting day for all Canadians. We are all looking forward to welcoming the Games in 2015,” said the Prime Minister. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to thank and congratulate the Toronto 2015 Bid Corporation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Government of Ontario, municipal leaders, the volunteers and everyone who was involved in bringing these Games to Canada.
“After the Winter Games of 2010, the Pan American and Parapan American Games of 2015 will ensure that Canada continues to be a leader in sport on the world stage.
“Canadians love sports and we are known for our hospitality, an unbeatable combination for successful Games.
“Sports fans in Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe area are known for their passion and commitment. I am confident they will give a warm welcome to athletes from across the Americas.”
The Pan American and Parapan American Games are an international multisport event held every four years. The Games host competitors from all nations in the Americas. The last Games were held in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the next will be in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“This is an exciting day for all Canadians. We are all looking forward to welcoming the Games in 2015,” said the Prime Minister. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to thank and congratulate the Toronto 2015 Bid Corporation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Government of Ontario, municipal leaders, the volunteers and everyone who was involved in bringing these Games to Canada.
“After the Winter Games of 2010, the Pan American and Parapan American Games of 2015 will ensure that Canada continues to be a leader in sport on the world stage.
“Canadians love sports and we are known for our hospitality, an unbeatable combination for successful Games.
“Sports fans in Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe area are known for their passion and commitment. I am confident they will give a warm welcome to athletes from across the Americas.”
The Pan American and Parapan American Games are an international multisport event held every four years. The Games host competitors from all nations in the Americas. The last Games were held in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the next will be in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
