Sacred Heart Health System - Press Box

Medicare is Topic of Sacred Heart Seniors Seminar in Orange Beach

2009-11-20T08:59:00.001-06:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's Senior Service's program will present a free seminar entitled, "The A, B, C and Ds of Medicare," on Tuesday, December 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Orange Beach Senior Center, 26251 Canal Road Ave., in Orange Beach, Ala.

The seminar, presented by Mainstay Financial Group, will teach attendees how to manage their healthcare costs with Medicare, including advice on prescription coverage and the differences between Medicare Advantage and the original Medicare plan, as well as supplement advice.

As seating is limited, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

Sacred Heart SENIORSpirit! is a free program for persons 55 and older. Benefits include free screenings, seminars, special in-patient benefits such as three free guest meal tickets (up to $5) per hospital stay, a monthly calendar of events detailing all SENIORSpirit! events, a discounted pre-paid lab coupon program, and a quarterly newsletter containing health and event information.

For more information, please call (850) 416-1620 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Receives National Top Performer Award

2009-11-19T14:09:00.001-06:00

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. - Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is proud to announce that Press Ganey Associates, Inc. has named it a 2009 Summit Award Winner. The Summit Award is the healthcare satisfaction industry's most coveted symbol of achievement, recognizing top performing facilities that sustain the highest level of customer satisfaction for three or more consecutive years. Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is one of 32 hospitals nationwide to receive this year's award.

"This award is a true testament to the passion and dedication displayed by our physicians and associates on a daily basis," said Roger Hall, president of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. "Providing high quality, compassionate healthcare is more than a job to us - it is our passion, and we are honored to partner with the community to continually raise the bar for healthcare in our region."

Press Ganey currently partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including over 40% of U.S. hospitals, to measure and improve the quality of their care. The company's databases are the largest in the industry, and allow facilities nationwide to benchmark their results against peer organizations.

Richard B. Siegrist, Jr., president and CEO of Press Ganey, noted, "We are proud partners of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Sacred Heart continues to maintain a high level of patient satisfaction over the past three years. Their efforts benefit Northwest Florida and lead to improved delivery of healthcare."

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is a 58-bed hospital located just east of Destin in Miramar Beach. Since opening its doors to patient care in January 2003, the not-for-profit hospital has grown steadily and continues to fulfill its mission to improve the health of the community at large, with special attention to service of the poor. The hospital was recently named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® by Thomson Reuters and was also among 23 hospitals in the country to receive the Everest Award for National Benchmarks.

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast offers a wide range of medical and surgical services, including 24-hour emergency care, an intensive care unit, a dedicated joint replacement program, cardiac diagnostics, cancer care, rehabilitation services, laboratory and radiology services, and comprehensive women's services with the Family Birth Place and the Olson Women's Diagnostic Center.

The hospital is part of Sacred Heart Health System based in Pensacola. Surveys by National Research Corporation have found that for 14 consecutive years, consumers in Northwest Florida have rated Sacred Heart Health System as the healthcare provider with the best reputation and best overall quality.

For more information about the Press Ganey and the 2009 Summit Award, visit www.pressganey.com. For more information about Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, call (850) 278-3600 or visit www.sacredheartemerald.org.

Sacred Heart to Host Career and Volunteer Fair Dec. 5 for New Hospital in Port St. Joe

2009-11-16T09:43:00.001-06:00

PORT ST. JOE, Fla. - Do you have the skills needed to join a dynamic healthcare team that will serve patients and families of the Forgotten Coast for generations to come? Please join Sacred Heart Health System for a Career and Volunteer Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gulf Coast Community College in Port St. Joe.

"Although the facility itself is a wonderful addition to the community, it is the people who form the healthcare team that truly make the hospital a healing ministry," said Roger Hall, president of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf. "The first associates joined Sacred Heart Health System in 1915, and it is exciting to think that our healthcare family will soon include almost 100 new members."

Representatives from Sacred Heart Health System will line the conference room at Gulf Coast Community College with information booths on each department in the new hospital, including:

Inpatient Services

Emergency Services

Perioperative and Surgical Services

Laboratory and Respiratory Therapy Services

Radiology Services

Pharmacy

Support Services

Food Services

Mission and Pastoral Care

Quality and Risk Management

Admitting

Medical Records

Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy

Administration

Education

Human Resources

Volunteer Services

Participants will have the opportunity to view job descriptions, learn about department-specific activities and requirements, and ultimately see where their skill sets best match current positions. A computer lab will be available for people to apply online during the event, and participants are highly encouraged to submit resumes as well.

Hosted in partnership with Gulf Coast Community College, the event will take place at the college's Gulf/Franklin Center, which is located at 3800 Garrison Avenue in Port St. Joe.

Benefits of Joining the Sacred Heart Team

Sacred Heart Health System employs more than 4,500 associates throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama. The Health System offers highly competitive salaries, flexible benefits packages, and a variety of opportunities for professional growth and development. In general, healthcare workers are driven by the desire to make a difference in someone's life, and Sacred Heart Health System has been very fortunate through the years to attract high quality, compassionate and mission-minded team members.

Volunteer Opportunities

The healthcare team would not be complete without the addition of countless community volunteers who will add a special touch to everyone who enters the hospital. Morning, evening and early afternoon shifts will be available seven days a week. Special skills are not required to become a volunteer; we simply require a willing heart and a warm smile.

The rewards of volunteering are as individual as each volunteer. All volunteers will receive a free meal in the cafeteria on their day of service, free flu vaccine, and an open invitation to participate in the hospital's special events. If you are interested in learning more about joining the volunteer team, be sure to stop by the Volunteer Services booth during the event or contact Sharon Abele at (850) 278-3081.

For more information about the career fair, contact the Human Resources Department at 850-278-3062 or visit www.sacredheartonthegulf.org.

Sacred Heart Hospital Receives American Stroke Association's Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award

2009-11-11T16:14:00.001-06:00

The American Stroke Association recently awarded Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola its Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award for their commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

Sacred Heart's Regional Stroke Center has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the hospital's emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

To receive the award, Sacred Heart achieved of 85 percent or higher adherence to quality standards for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care.

These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

"The American Stroke Association commends Sacred Heart Hospital for its success in implementing standards of care and protocols," said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national Stroke Steering Committee Member and director of the acute stroke services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The full implementation of standards is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients."

According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke - 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent. Of stroke survivors aged 49 and older, 21 percent of men and 24 percent of women die within a year. For those aged 65 and older, the percentages are even higher.

For more information on Sacred Heart's Regional Stroke Center, please call (850) 416-1600 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

Side Bar/Box:
Save your Brain. Save your world.

If you or a loved one have symptoms of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately and ask to be taken to the nearest certified primary stroke center.

Warning Signs of Stroke
. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

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Free Holiday Grief Seminars to be Offered on Nov. 19

2009-11-10T16:49:00.001-06:00

Traditionally, holidays are a time of celebration, but this festive time of the year can be a very difficult time for people who are grieving. On Thursday, Nov. 19, Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola will offer two free grief seminars designed to provide the support needed during the holidays for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

The seminars will be held at the following times:
. 3 to 5 p.m., Women's & Children's Conference Room C/D, First Floor
. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Women's & Children's Conference Room C/D, First Floor

Guest speaker will be Veronica "Ronnie" Gonzalez, a Bereavement Specialist/Educator. To register, or for more information, please call 416-7705.

Four Sacred Heart Hospital Associates Earn National Certification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport

2009-11-06T10:56:00.001-06:00

The National Certification Corporation (NCC) recently credentialed three neonatal nurses and one respiratory therapist at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in the specialty of neonatal pediatric transport.

Neonatal nurses Brandi Bryant, Kim Frasier, and Beth Risner, and respiratory therapist Susan Bowling each passed the inaugural exams this year and will maintain their credentials for three additional years.

Three hundred and fifty healthcare professionals around the nation took the exam, including nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, paramedics and physicians. Of those examined, 306 candidates successfully completed the credentialing process for the subspecialty certificate of added qualification receiving the credential C-NPT.

"This is very exciting, and these healthcare professionals are truly pioneers in their field and in the advancement of the neonatal pediatric transport specialty," says Deanie Lancaster, chief nursing officer and vice president of quality/risk management for Sacred Heart Health System.

Sacred Heart's Neonatal\Pediatric Transport team consists of a dedicated group of more than 30 neonatal/pediatric nurses, pediatric respiratory therapists and paramedics who have extensive knowledge and expertise in caring for critically ill infants and children. During transport, team members are in constant communication with the neonatolologists and pediatric intensivists at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital to determine and provide the best care and treatment for the patient. Sacred Heart provides both ground and air transport services and travels within a 200 mile radius from Pensacola to transport critically ill infants and children to our facility. For distances greater then 200 miles, our transport team has the capability to contract a fixed wing air ambulance service to move infants and children to and from Sacred Heart Children's Hospital

The NCC subspecialty examination leading to a certification of added qualification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport is a voluntary process. The comprehensive exam and contents for the examination included a special section on "understanding the impact of transport physiology and identification of life-threatening states and initiating appropriate interventions for the neonatal and pediatric patient."

For more information, please call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-7000 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

About Sacred Heart Children's Hospital
Since 1969, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital has provided quality, compassionate care to children across the Gulf Coast, regardless of their ability to pay. Located in Pensacola, Fla., our state-of-the-art, 119-bed hospital is the only dedicated children's hospital in Northwest Florida. Children's Hospital is home to Northwest Florida's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, caring for the most critically ill, injured, and premature infants.

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Sacred Heart Hospital to Present Community Seminar on H1N1 Swine Flu

2009-11-04T15:03:00.001-06:00

Dr. Issa Ephtimios will discuss the prevalence of H1N1 swine flu in our community and local availability of the H1N1 vaccine, as well as ways to prevent the spread of the flu, during an upcoming talk at Sacred Heart Hospital. The public is welcome to the free presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. in the Greenhut Auditorium at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Dr. Ephtimios is an infectious disease specialist with the Center for Prevention and Treatment of Infections in Pensacola and a member of the Sacred Heart Hospital Medical Staff.

As of mid-October 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the U.S. and was widespread in 46 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are higher than levels expected for this time of the year, and almost all of the influenza viruses currently being identified are the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. CDC reports that influenza-related deaths and hospitalization rates from April to October 2009 exceed rates of the average flu season, which is typically from October to April.

Seating for the seminar is limited and registration is requested. Please call (850) 416-1600 to register.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, please visit www.sacred-heart.org or
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or call the Florida Department of Health Call Center Line at 877-352-3581.

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Dr. Katherine Price Gets Re-Certified in Field of Family Medicine

2009-11-02T15:33:00.001-06:00

Dr. Katherine L. Price recently passed an examination administered by the American Board of Medical Specialities to become re-certified in the field of family medicine. Dr. Price is associated with Sacred Heart Medical Group on Perdido Key.

A graduate of Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., Dr. Price completed her residency at Georgtown University's Providence Hospital in Washington. She has been practicing medicine since 1993 and joined the Perdido Key office in July of 2000. Her medical interests include women's health, pediatrics, preventive medicine and bioethics.

Dr. Price has been dedicated to providing quality healthcare to the residents of Perdido Key and surrounding area. A highlight of her career was serving patients during the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The hurricane made landfall just a few miles from the office located on Sorrento Road.

"Patients came in without appointments and we saw any and all who came in the door," recalls Dr. Price. "We had a huge generator in the parking lot with limited use, large fans and a few lights. We opened the blinds to give us more light in the examining rooms. No telephones, no scheduling, no lab, no computer-generated charge slips -- everything was done by hand."

She and staff administered many tetanus vaccinations and took turns visiting a nearby school to obtain bags of ice and meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) from the National Guard. It was a primitive operation but served its patients well, she recalls.

Dr. Price is associated with Dr. Ross Robins and Dr. Eric Hazbun at this location. Sacred Heart Medical Group at Perdido Key is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call (850) 492-0543.

Lap Band and Other Weight-Loss Surgery Techniques are Topics of Seminar on Nov. 19

2009-10-30T12:45:00.001-05:00

Dr. Jeffrey Lord, a specialist in weight-loss surgery techniques, will present "Weight Loss Surgery: Is It Right for You?" on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Hospital Conference Center in Pensacola.

The seminar is sponsored by Sacred Heart's Institute for Surgical Weight Loss. Sacred Heart offers two types of weight loss surgery that use small incisions. The first is laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, which involves a permanent rerouting of the digestive system that leaves patients with a small stomach pouch. The surgery creates a bypass that reroutes food around a portion of the small intestine.

The second, newer approach performed at Sacred Heart is adjustable gastric banding. Using a laparoscope, the surgeon places an inflatable band around the stomach, creating a small upper pouch at the top, with restricted passage to the rest of the stomach. This pouch fills quickly and creates a feeling of fullness.

In addition, Sacred Heart now offers the Stomaphyx procedure for bariatric patients needing revision of their previous gastric bypass surgery due to stomal dilation. Stomaphyx is a surgical method of fastening tissue and creating large folds in the gastrointestinal tract without incisions. It can be done safely, quickly and comfortably, and most patients can return to work the next day or within several days of their Stomaphyx procedure.

Dr. Lord, who has advanced fellowship training in weight-loss surgery, serves as director of the Sacred Heart Institute for Surgical Weight Loss. He works closely with Dr. Anthony Huynh, a Sacred Heart Medical Group physician who specializes in medical weight loss, weight management and nutrition. Dr. Lord and his staff provide comprehensive evaluation of clinically obese patients to determine their candidacy for these life-changing procedures as well as extensive patient/family education to create a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

Reservations are required for this free seminar. To make a reservation or to obtain more information, please call (850) 416-1628 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

Sacred Heart Provides Free Health Screeningsin Novembber To Poor, Elderly and Uninsured Persons

2009-10-30T11:11:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Health System will provide free health screenings in November at sites in Pensacola, Cantonment, Gulf Breeze, and Gulf Shores, Ala. These screenings are designed for the poor, elderly and uninsured.

Sacred Heart's Mission in Motion staff will provide screenings for adults at the following locations:

. Nov. 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 303 Rocky Ave., Cantonment. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 4 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, 303 S. Navy Blvd., Pensacola. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 10 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 401 Van Pelt Lane, Pensacola. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 65th Avenue & Lillian Hwy. Heart-health screening and adult hearing screening.

. Nov. 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Clinic, 131 W. Intendencia, Pensacola. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 17 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Cantonment Council on Aging, 132 Mintz Lane, Cantonment. Heart-health and adult hearing screenings.

. Nov. 18 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Westley Scott Place, 3300 W. Scott St., Pensacola. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gulf Breeze Community Life Center, 4115 Soundside Dr., Gulf Breeze. Non-fasting heart-health screening.

. Nov. 24 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 309 E. 21st Ave., Gulf Shores, Ala. Heart-health screening.

. Nov. 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Charity Chapel, 5820 Montgomery Ave., Pensacola. Heart-health screening.

Mission in Motion is a community service provided by Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola. The mobile unit's free services also are made possible by support from the law firm of Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin and McLeod, as well as the Gannett Foundation and other community donors. For more information, call (850) 416-7826.

Lap Band and Other Weight-Loss Surgery Techniques are Topics of Seminar on Nov. 19

2009-10-30T10:20:00.001-05:00

Reservations are required for this free seminar. To make a reservation or to obtain more information, please call (850) 416-1628 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

Sacred Heart Opens Satellite High-Risk Obstetric Office in Mobile, Ala.

2009-10-26T15:58:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Women's Hospital is extending its expertise in managing high risk pregnancies by opening a satellite office in Mobile, Ala., located at 6345 Airport Blvd., in the office of family practice physician Dr. Carl Brutkiewicz.

This office will allow pregnant women in Mobile, Escambia, Baldwin and Monroe counties in Alabama to receive expert care from Sacred Heart's Regional Perinatal Center without having to travel to Pensacola.

"We wanted to expand the regional availability of our services and improve birth outcomes in Northwest Florida and South Alabama, while allowing patients to get expert prenatal care closer to home," said Dr. James Thorp, a specialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and medical director of the Regional Perinatal Center at Sacred Heart.

Beginning November 23, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician and support staff from the Regional Perinatal Center in Pensacola will travel to their office in Mobile and will be available for evaluation, consultations and diagnostic testing every other Monday. All potential patients must be referred by their obstetrician to the satellite office.
Services include:

. Diagnostic fetal ultrasound, including fetal echocardiography
. First trimester screening
. Amniocentesis
. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
. Co-management of medical complications including diabetes, hypertension, isoimmunization and thrombophilias
. Preconceptional and genetic counseling

"This innovative approach of bringing the high-risk services to the patient has allowed us to extend our services to underserved rural areas of Northwest Florida and South Alabama that do not have a physician specializing in high risk pregnancy," said Elisabeth Allerellie, nurse coordinator of the satellite office. "It will assist the referring physicians by providing them with a documented plan of care for their patients, and it will lower the number of sick/low birth weight infants born to these mothers who would not normally have been able to access this care. It also means patients and their families can save time and money by avoiding a long trip to Pensacola or another tertiary center."

There is currently a critical shortage of Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists throughout the United States, and this new satellite office will allow the Regional Perinatal Center to provide their services to the areas that are most in need.

For more information on Sacred Heart's Regional Perinatal Center, please call (850) 416-2477 or toll free at 1-866-904-8738

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Grief Support During the Holidays is Topic of Sacred Heart Seniors Seminar in Pensacola

2009-10-26T14:51:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's SENIORSpirit! program will present a free seminar on grief support during the holidays on Wednesday, November 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Dudley Greenhut Auditorium on Sacred Heart's main campus.

The seminar will be presented by Ronnie Gonzalez, bereavement educator, and Erin Bowers, director of palliative care, from Sacred Heart Health System. The talk will help attendees learn techniques on coping during the holiday season with grief and the loss of loved ones.

As seating is limited, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

For more information on senior services at Sacred Heart, please call (850) 416-1620 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Medicare is Topic of Sacred Heart Seniors Seminar in Orange Beach

2009-10-26T14:47:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's Senior Service's program will present a free seminar entitled, "The A, B, C and Ds of Medicare," on Tuesday, November 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Orange Beach Senior Center, 26251 Canal Road Ave., in Orange Beach, Ala.

The seminar, presented by Mainstay Financial Group in Pensacola, will teach attendees how to manage their healthcare costs with Medicare, including advice on prescription coverage and the differences between Medicare Advantage and the original Medicare plan, as well as supplement advice.

As seating is limited, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

For more information, please call (850) 416-1620 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Aging Gracefully is Topic of Sacred Heart Seniors Seminar in Gulf Breeze

2009-10-26T10:26:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's SENIORSpirit! program will present a free seminar entitled, "Aging Gracefully: Perfecting Your Posture, Balance and Strength" on Thursday, November 19, from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Rehabilitation Center at The Club in Gulf Breeze.

The seminar will presented by Susan Burke, a licensed physical therapist with Sacred Heart Health System. The seminar will teach attendees how to strengthen their core, how to have perfect their posture, and techniques on keeping one's balance.

As seating is limited, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

Located at The Club at 1230 Crane Cove Blvd. in Gulf Breeze, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation focuses on patient education and provides treatments which help individuals to strive towards improving and maintaining their own health. The clinic is staffed with two full-time physical therapists and a physical therapy assistant to help get patients back on their feet quickly after injury or illness and help reduce or eliminate pain. Services include aquatic therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, post-arthroscopic rehabilitation, injury rehabilitation, sports medicine, and joint replacement rehabilitation.

For more information, please call (850) 416-7000 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Medicare is Topic of Sacred Heart Seniors Seminar in Pace

2009-10-26T10:22:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's Senior Service's program will present a free seminar entitled, "The A, B, C and Ds of Medicare," on Thursday, November 14, from 12 - 1 p.m. in the Rehabilitation Center at Sacred Heart Medical Park in Pace.

Registration is required and seating is limited. To register, call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620.

Sacred Heart Medical Park at Pace provides diagnostic, rehabilitation, and outpatient surgery services to the Pace community, as well as family practice, OB/GYN and other specialty physician's offices. The facility is located on the north side of U.S. 90 in Pace, between Woodbine Road and Chumuckla Highway.

Sacred Heart SENIORSpirit is a free program for persons 55 and older. Benefits include free screenings, seminars, special in-patient benefits such as a three free guest meal tickets (up to $5) per hospital admission, a monthly calendar of events detailing all SENIORSpirit events, and a quarterly newsletter containing health and event information.

For more information on senior services at Sacred Heart, please call (850) 416-1620 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Seniors Financial Matters Seminar Focuses on Irrevocable Funeral Trusts

2009-10-26T10:18:00.001-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital's Senior Services' program will present a free financial seminar entitled, "The Final Piece of Financial Planning: Irrevocable Funeral Trusts," on Thursday, November 12 at the Mainstay Education Center, 2810 E. Cervantes Street, at the corner of Cervantes and Perry in Pensacola, with the choice of two different sessions on the same topic.

The first session will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the second session will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The seminar, presented by Mainstay Financial Group in Pensacola, will teach attendees about the pros and cons on the different ways to pre-pay for funeral expenses, including a brief overview of the final expense benefits that are available to veterans.

Registration is required and seating is limited. To register, call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416-1620, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sacred Heart SENIORSpirit is a free program for persons 55 and older. Benefits include free screenings, seminars, special in-patient benefits such as three free guest meal tickets per hospital admission, a monthly calendar of events detailing all SENIORSpirit events, and a quarterly newsletter containing health and event information

For more information on senior services, please call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-1620 or visit us online at www.sacred-heart.org.

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Consumers Rank Sacred Heart #1 for Best Quality Care

2009-10-23T09:07:00.001-05:00

Consumers in Northwest Florida have chosen Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as the area's most preferred hospital and the one with the best overall quality and reputation.

The top rating by consumers in Escambia and Santa Rose counties earned Sacred Heart recognition as winner of the 2009 Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation. The annual award, announced in the October 12 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine, is based on independent surveys conducted by NRC in 300 markets around the country. A total of 280 healthcare facilities were given nationwide.

This is the 14th year that NRC has recognized hospitals that rank the highest in their metropolitan areas. In the Pensacola area, Sacred Heart has ranked No. 1 in consumer preference for each of those 14 years.

"This award reflects our success in providing high quality care and consistently striving to improve," said Patrick J. Madden, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. "The favorable perception of Sacred Heart is a direct result of the dedication and quality care provided by our physicians, nurses, and the entire staff of our hospital."

Area residents ranked Sacred Heart as the leader in overall quality by a wide margin - more than 2-1 -- over the nearest competing hospital. Sacred Heart also was rated by area health care consumers as their top choice for:

. Best doctors
. Best nurses
. Patient safety
. Latest technology and
. Most personalized care

The survey was an internet-based questionnaire which respondents received through email invitations. The surveys were completed by 434 area residents.

"Dedication to providing high quality healthcare has become essential for all hospitals," said Ginny Martin, president of NRC's Ticker Division. "In the face of adversity, these Consumer Choice award winners exemplify the dedication it takes to provide quality healthcare to their communities. We are pleased to honor them."

NRC's Healthcare Market Guide is the nation's largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. Results are carefully tabulated and analyzed to ensure that they reflect the views of citizens in the local communities that are surveyed. The study surveyed more than 250,000 households representing over 450,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

About Sacred Heart
Key services of Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola include a 466-bed hospital in Pensacola, a Regional Heart and Vascular Institute, Children's Hospital, Women's Hospital, a Level II Trauma Center, Cancer Center, Stroke Center, a 120-bed nursing home and a large regional network of primary care and specialty doctors. Sacred Heart is part of Ascension Health, the nation's largest system of not-for-profit health care facilities.
For more information, call (850) 416-7000 or visit online at www.sacred-heart.org.

Consumers Rank Sacred Heart #1 for Best Quality Care

2009-10-22T09:59:00.001-05:00

Consumers in Northwest Florida have chosen Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as the area's most preferred hospital and the one with the best overall quality and reputation.

. Best doctors
. Best nurses
. Patient safety
. Latest technology and
. Most personalized care

The survey was an internet-based questionnaire which respondents received through email invitations. The surveys were completed by 434 area residents.

About Sacred Heart
Key services of Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola include a 466-bed hospital in Pensacola, a Regional Heart and Vascular Institute, Children's Hospital, Women's Hospital, a Level II Trauma Center, Cancer Center, Stroke Center, a 120-bed nursing home and a large regional network of primary care and specialty doctors. Sacred Heart is part of Ascension Health, the nation's largest system of not-for-profit health care facilities.
For more information, call (850) 416-7000 or visit online at www.sacred-heart.org.

Lap Band and Other Weight-Loss Surgery Techniques are Topics of Seminar on Oct. 22

2009-10-21T08:28:00.001-05:00

Dr. Jeffrey Lord, a specialist in weight-loss surgery techniques, will present "Weight Loss Surgery: Is It Right for You?" on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Hospital Conference Center in Pensacola.

Reservations are required for this free seminar. To make a reservation or to obtain more information, please call (850) 416-1628 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

Register by Nov. 23 for Gingerbread House Contest to Benefit Sacred Heart's Pediatric Care Center

2009-10-19T11:09:00.001-05:00

The Ladies of Charity, a volunteer organization associated with Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, will conduct a Gingerbread House Contest & Silent Auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at Sacred Heart's Conference Center on Ninth Avenue. Deadline to sign up for the contest is Nov. 23.

Sacred Heart's Pediatric Care Center will be awarded half of the proceeds from the event and the Ladies of Charity will use the remainder for projects to support the poor in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The Pediatric Care Center provides care to more than 15,500 children a year who come from low-income families.

A total of $600 in cash prizes will be awarded during the contest. Awards include "People's Choice" recognition, which calls for visitors to cast a $1 vote for their favorite sweet structure. In addition, first- and second-place winners in the following categories will be recognized with customized event ribbons and cash: youth ages 5 - 12; young adults ages 13 - 17; adults ages 18 and up; and business/professional. Additional categories include "Most Creative" and "Fictional/Landmark."

All of the gingerbread houses will go up for silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Winners will be announced at noon that day. All winners of the silent auction houses must be present at noon to win. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos and the event includes free popcorn and lemonade, a bake sale, and candy and coloring books for children. Door prizes will be given away, too.

To obtain an entry form to enter the gingerbread house contest, or for more information about the event, please call Leslie Lacoy at (850) 416-7116 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pediatric Hospitalist Joins Medical Staff at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital

2009-10-06T10:19:00.001-05:00

Dr. Sabeena Hubbard, a pediatrician, has recently joined the medical staff of Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, where she will serve as both a pediatric hospitalist at Children's Hospital and as an attending physician in the pediatric emergency room.

A hospitalist is a physician who is responsible for taking care of patients while they are in the hospital in place of the patient's primary care physician. Dr. Hubbard will treat and oversee the care of patients on the 40-bed general pediatric floor, as well as in Sacred Heart's Pediatric Emergency Department.

Dr. Hubbard received her medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Grove, Ill. and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Michigan State University based at Sparrow Health System.

Before joining Sacred Heart, Dr. Hubbard served as a pediatric hospitalist at Sparrow Health System in Michigan.

For more information, please call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-1600 or visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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Country Music Artist Josh Thompson to be at Beef O'Brady's in Pace on Oct. 12

2009-10-06T09:18:00.001-05:00

Country music artist Josh Thompson will be the guest host of an "Eat and Greet" event in support of Sacred Heart Children's Hospital on Monday, Oct. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Beef O'Brady's in Pace. The restaurant is located at 4275 Woodbine Road.

The event is free, open to the public and sponsored by Beef O'Brady's and Your Country 102.7 WXBM radio station. No reservations are needed.

On that day, 10 percent of all restaurant sales throughout the day will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network to support Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. In addition, auction items will be up for bid as well.

For more information, please call Beef O'Brady's in Pace at 850-994-BRADY (2739) or Your Country 102.7 WXBM at 850-994-5357.

Sacred Heart to Hold Screenings for Stroke

2009-09-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

Sacred Heart Hospital will be holding free screenings for stroke on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Airport Medical Park, located at 1549 Airport Blvd.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. The good news is, up to 80% of strokes are preventable!

Sacred Heart Hospital is dedicated to winning the battle against stroke and is offering three free stroke screenings, including:
. Stroke Risk Assessment
. Carotid Artery Screening
. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

If you can answer "Yes" to any of the following questions, you qualify for a set of three free stroke screenings.
. Are you a diabetic?
. Are you over the age of 65?
. Are you over the age of 50 and a smoker
. Do you have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)?

The carotid artery screening involves using ultrasound to detect in blockages in the artery that may affect blood flow to the brain. The abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is the same procedure done on the upper abdomen. Attendees are asked to wear loose, comfortable two-piece clothing (i.e. separate top and bottom) for the screenings.

Screenings are limited to the first 50 qualified persons to register. To reserve your space or for more information, please Call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-1600.

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Dr. Shane Medlock, Ob/Gyn, Joins Sacred Heart Medical Group

2009-09-21T08:41:00.000-05:00

Dr. Shane Medlock, a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, has joined Sacred Heart Medical Group and will begin seeing patients on Oct. 1.

Dr. Medlock earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Florida State University College of Medicine residency program based at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Dr. Medlock has special medical interests in general obstetrics and gynecology, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, and corrective procedures for pelvic relaxation and urinary incontinence.

A Pensacola-native and graduate of Pine Forest High School, Dr. Medlock will practice at Sacred Heart locations in Pace and Pensacola. He is joining the practice of Dr. Dina Navarro at the Sacred Heart Medical Park at Pace located at 3754 Hwy 90. In Pensacola, Dr. Medlock's office is located in the Medical Office Building at Sacred Heart Hospital. For more information or to schedule an appointment for either location, please call 850-416-5050.

Ensuring convenient access close to home, Sacred Heart Medical Group is the region's largest network of primary care and specialty physicians with offices in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties, as well as Baldwin County, Ala. Patients who choose Sacred Heart Medical Group physicians experience coordinated care with easy access to Sacred Heart specialists, preferred scheduling of diagnostic and imaging exams, and timely follow-up care.

For more information about Sacred Heart Medical Group physicians, call 850-416-1600 or visit online at www.sacred-heart.org/medicalgroup.

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