To promote healthy living in northwest Ohio, University of Toledo Health will hold a free Wellness Expo 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Glendale Medical East, 3333 Glendale Ave., Toledo.

Local health experts will present information on a variety of topics including the effects of physical activity in the prevention of diabetes, how stress and depression play a role in cardiac disease, care for expectant mothers and Lucas County Health assessment data.

Attendees will have access to free health screenings including blood glucose, blood pressure, lung capacity and HIV testing. Flu shots also will be administered at the event.

“We want to empower individuals in northwest Ohio to take charge of their own wellness and are pleased to provide this opportunity to share important health information to the members of our community,” said Dr. Johnnie Early, event organizer and dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Vendors will share information about smoking cessation, managing blood pressure, preparing healthy meals, asthma control and heart health. Representatives from Life Connection of Northwest Ohio, the American Heart Association, Lucas County Children Services and other community resource organizations will also be on hand to share information about their services.

Visit http://uthealth.utoledo.edu/webforms/health-expo.html or call 419.383.1904 to pre-register.

A Norwegian anesthesiologist, trauma expert, humanitarian and human rights activist will share his experiences working to save lives during the Israeli attacks on Gaza at an upcoming lecture at The University of Toledo.

Dr. Mads Gilbert will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3 in Nitschke Auditorium on Main Campus. A reception will be held after the lecture and Gilbert will sign copies of his latest book, Night in Gaza, which will be available for purchase.

Gilbert heads the department of emergency medicine at the University Hospital of North Norway and is a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Tromsø.

For more than 40 years, Gilbert has supported solidarity work with the Palestinian people, serving during several intense, violent periods in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon. He is renowned for his work including his books Eyes in Gaza and Night in Gaza, which document the horrors of Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead,” an attack that killed about 1,400 Gazans, and “Operation Protective Edge,” which killed more than 2,000 civilians.

Gilbert’s visit is organized by UT Students for Justice in Palestine, an advocacy group whose mission is to raise awareness of issues facing the people of Palestine and pursue social justice as global citizens.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity have Dr. Gilbert visit the UT campus,” said Shahrazad Hamdah, a UT Higher Education graduate student and steering committee member of the student organization. “We invite anyone interested in health care or humanitarian efforts to hear this respected physician and human rights activist speak about his experiences.”

The lecture is sponsored by Tiffin Area Pax Christi, Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition, Project Peace, Northwest Ohio Free Speech Alliance, United Muslim Americans of Toledo and Al-Madinah Community Center.

The University of Toledo Medical Center will recognize three individuals for their contributions to the field of emergency medical services at the Emergency Medicine Wall of Honor Ceremony.

A reception will start at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in the Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center on the Health Science Campus. The program begins at noon with remarks from UT President Sharon L. Gaber, Dr. Christopher Cooper, executive vice president for Clinical Affairs and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, and Dr. Kristopher Brickman, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

“This is the sixth year we have honored those who have made a significant contribution to the field of emergency medicine,” Brickman said. “The individuals recognized are the trailblazers in their field and they have set the gold standard for what it means to be an emergency medicine professional.”

The Emergency Medicine Wall of Honor, made possible through funding from The Blade, was established in 2011 to celebrate the achievements of those who have lived a life of self-sacrifice in committed service to the emergency medicine community.

Each year, nominations are submitted by a committee of community stakeholders and reviewed by a multidisciplinary selection committee.

This year’s honorees are:

• Carl W. Neeb, retired Toledo Fire Chief. After serving 30 years with the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue, Neeb retired as chief of the department in 1980. He was known as the “Father of Paramedics” in Toledo due to his invaluable contributions in establishing emergency medical services within the Toledo Fire Department. His expertise and involvement helped develop and implement Lucas County’s Advanced Life Support System and was instrumental in its success as one of the first and finest systems in the country.

• Bruce D. Janiak, professor of emergency medicine, Medical College of Georgia. Janiak was the first resident in emergency medicine in the United States and is recognized as one of the fathers of the specialty. He is considered a true visionary in the field, having explored and implemented concepts such as telemedicine well before it became standard practice. He served as president of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Department Benchmarking Alliance, an organization that defines the best clinical and administrative practices. He is a lecturer, instructor and author and consultant specializing in medical malpractice.

• Judith A. Ruple, registered nurse. Ruple was chair of the National Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee Education Subcommittee for the American Heart Association and president of the National Association of EMS Educators. She was the director of the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program in the UT Department of Health and Human Services. Ruple served as a content level leader of the National EMS Education Standards Project and was the principal investigator for the State of EMS Education Research Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. She has written more than 35 publications and received numerous grants for research and development in the area of Emergency Medicine Services Education.

Ryan White Program hosts inaugural event to support HIV/AIDS community

The University of Toledo Medical Center’s Ryan White Program will host a night of dinner and dancing to support HIV and AIDS patients and their families.

“Re-tie the Red Ribbon” is Saturday, Oct. 1 from 6-10 p.m. at Hensville in downtown Toledo. Tickets are $50 each and include a variety of food stations and live entertainment by Fu5ion.

“We are excited to kick off this brand new event in such a great venue,” said Richard Meeker, manager of fundraising and special projects for the Ryan White Program. “The funds we raise will go to the Ann Wayson Locher Memorial Fund for HIV Care to provide support to adults and children in the Toledo area affected by HIV.”

Ann Wayson Locher opened the first grant-funded free and anonymous HIV testing site in northwest Ohio in 1985 and was one of the key organizers of the Ryan White Program.

Her daughter said she was an infection control nurse who was passionate about caring for those in underserved populations.

“She focused in on HIV care in the 1980s and never looked back,” Megan Locher said. “My siblings and I grew up in the clinic and as we got older we all volunteered there. The physicians, nurses and staff became members of our family. We learned the importance of giving back to the community and caring for those who were struggling.”

The Ann Wayson Locher Memorial Fund was created in her honor upon her death in 2010. The fund continues the work she started and provides health care and social services for HIV and AIDS patients who have needs that cannot be covered by other agencies or programs.

“She was passionate about identifying gaps in health care and finding ways to reach those who needed help the most,” her daughter said. “She didn’t want patients to have to choose which health care services they could receive based on their financial or personal situation.”

Meeker said the organization has seen an increase in the number of clients seeking assistance.

“The number of families requesting assistance for housing and basic living assistance has been on the rise in recent years,” he said. “The goals of this event are to enlist the community in supporting these families and to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in Toledo and northwest Ohio.”

UTMC’s Ryan White Program uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide health care services and support to persons living with HIV and AIDS in the Toledo area. It is the regional referral center for patients needing assistance.

“Mom and her team developed the program to be a place where people could get comprehensive care,” Megan Locher said. “The team is made up of a dedicated group of physicians, nurses, nutritionists, social workers and financial counselors and so many more professionals who work tirelessly to provide a network of care to HIV and AIDS patients and their families. Her legacy lives on in the lives that continue to be improved through the services the Ryan White Program provides.”

Call 419.383.4072 or email Richard.Meeker@utoledo.edu to order tickets.

School is in full swing and that means backpacks are loaded with textbooks, binders, homework and athletic gear. Backpacks are convenient for toting must-have items to school, but they can quickly become too heavy for children to carry safely.

Sept. 21 is National Backpack Awareness Day and a University of Toledo physician advises parents to make sure children are properly loading and carrying backpacks to avoid back strain and pain.

“When a backpack is too heavy, its weight can pull the child backwards,” said Dr. Nabil Ebraheim, professor and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. “The child counteracts the weight by arching their back or bending forward, causing the spine to compress unnaturally, which can contribute to neck, shoulder and back pain.”

The best way to avoid back strain is to avoid overloading backpacks. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, children should limit their backpack weight to between 10 and 15 percent of their body weight.

“It also is important that backpacks are sized properly to the child and have wide, padded straps as not to restrict circulation or cause nerve pain,” Ebraheim said. “A backpack with a waist strap also may help to transfer weight to the hips and help to prevent slouching.”

Students should be taught how to properly carry a backpack to avoid serious injury or long-term damage to the spine.

“Carrying a backpack over just one shoulder causes an uneven distribution of weight that forces the child to compensate by leaning to one side,” Ebraheim said. “That causes muscle strain and extra stress on the discs in the spine. Over time it could contribute to more serious back problems such as scoliosis.”

Ebraheim said when loading a backpack, try to concentrate the bulk of the weight closest to the child’s body and near the middle of the back. This distribution of weight will help the child achieve better posture and balance, reducing the risk of back or neck injury and falls.

He said schools who are replacing heavy textbooks with tablets are on the right track.

“With today’s modern technology, there’s no reason students should be carrying so many textbooks back and forth to school,” he said. “Schools that make the switch to digital learning are doing more than simply engaging students with an interactive way to teach, they also are protecting students’ health by lightening the load of their backpacks.”

Aging is inevitable and health issues can start to arise as our bodies get older. While some aches, pains and forgetfulness are a normal part of this process, other symptoms can signal a more serious problem.

September is Healthy Aging Month and UT Health physicians want to remind caregivers that now is a great time to take a closer look at the health of the senior citizens in their lives.

Dr. Anu Garg

“When most people think of health care concerns as we age, they most commonly think about memory loss and dementia. It is a major concern because it limits the physical, mental and financial independence of the elderly,” said Dr. Anu Garg, program director of the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship. “It’s important that seniors and their families seek out care early. We can help to maintain their quality of life longer.”

Darletta Snyder said she sought out a geriatrician when she felt her husband’s needs were no longer a good fit for their family practice physician.

“Sam had some concerns about his memory and I thought it would be best if we found a doctor that was specially trained in caring for us,” she said. “Dr. Garg listened to our concerns and felt it would be a good idea to have a more detailed evaluation done. Everything came out fine for Sam, but she has continued to care for us and does a great job in seeing we stay healthy.”

Garg said warning signs of dementia can include repeating questions, forgetting to pay bills or take medications and leaving the stove or oven on.

“As we age, we do become more forgetful, but this forgetfulness should be seen as a warning sign and the patient should be evaluated,” she said. “We use the St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) evaluation to determine if there are signs of early dementia and can start medications that can slow its progression, if necessary.”

Garg said there isn’t a cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease at this time, but she has begun collaborating with a UT assistant professor of neuroscience to explore new medications for treatment.

Dr. Joshua Park received two grants this year to assist in funding his research into how a common food additive could reverse brain cell damage caused by the disease. Midi-GAGR, a byproduct of low acyl gellan gum, has already shown promise in lab testing to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.

“There is still much more testing to do before we will be approved for human trials, but it should move fairly quickly as low acyl gellan gum is used as a thickening agent in foods like pudding and has already been approved for human consumption by the FDA,” he said.

Until a cure is found, patients and their caregivers need to know there are support systems available for individuals who are experiencing memory loss and early symptoms of dementia.

“This is a progressive disease and it can become very difficult for caregivers to support their loved one as they become less independent,” Garg said. “We work with social workers to reach out to organizations and programs and connect them to families as they travel this path.”

Social workers connect patients with community resources such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Area Office on Aging and Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek which provide geriatric wellness and caregiver support programming.

UT’s Center for Successful Aging is another resource for education and finding resources within the community.

“Our focus is on education, research and service,” said Victoria Steiner, assistant director of the Center. “We offer a graduate certificate in gerontology to support those who wish to work with seniors, participate in local research to determine our community’s needs, and work closely with area support organizations to provide educational outreach programs and to connect individuals with the support they need to age well.”

Garg created a support fund for the Center to continue to promote geriatric medicine education for students, residents and fellows, enhance research activities and education activities, and promote teambuilding and support activities for those who provide senior care.

“It is important that all caregivers, including medical team members, take time to get the support they need when caring for elderly patients,” she said. “It can be very taxing as patients can progressively lose their independence and it’s easy to get burnt out.”

While caring for aging patients can be challenging at times, Garg said she is confident she is making a difference for older adults and their families.

“Going to see Dr. Garg is enjoyable,” Snyder said. “She is very knowledgeable and listens to us and has a great sense of humor. It’s comforting to know we are with someone who cares and stays on top of our health.”

Surgery and radiation therapy for prostate cancer can cause undesirable side effects for men including erectile dysfunction and incontinence, but a cancer diagnosis does not mean a man’s quality of life needs to suffer.

 A seminar aimed at educating men about available options for prostate cancer and improving their overall urological health will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at UT Health’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

“It is important for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer to ask about the treatment options that are available to them,” said Dr. Samay Jain, UT Health vice chief of staff and division chief of urologic oncology. “Men with low-risk prostate cancer may be good candidates for active surveillance, which means we monitor him closely, but delay surgery or radiation treatment until it is needed.”

If active treatment cannot be avoided, Jain says there are options to help preserve a man’s quality of life.

“Our surgeons are trained in robotic surgery and other minimally-invasive therapies for the cure of prostate cancer to help you get back to living your life with less pain and scarring and reduced risk of side effects,” he said.

Jain encourages men experiencing incontinence or impotence to talk to their doctor about the treatment options available including medications, therapies and surgical options.

“Shifting Focus: Thinking Beyond Prostate Cancer and into Survivorship” is part of the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center’s Wellness Information Series. Jain is certified through the American Board of Urology and focuses on urologic oncology, minimally invasive robotic procedures and prostate MRI.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Email EleanorNDanaCancer@utoledo.edu or call 419.383.5243.

It is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the third leading cause of death for people ages 10-24, yet suicide remains a difficult topic for many people to address.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a University of Toledo psychiatrist wants to change the conversation surrounding mental illness and suicide to move toward a culture of acceptance and tolerance.

Dr. Tanvir Singh, medical director of Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry at the UT Kobacker Center, says mental illnesses should be treated the same way physical ailments are treated.

“We have shown that there are physical changes that occur with mental illness, but we don’t look at it with the same lens,” Singh said. “There

Dr. Tanvir Singh

are different, personalized treatments for someone who is experiencing chest pain. We need to do the same for patients who are experiencing emotional pain.”

He says mental illnesses are a made up of a delicate balance of biological, psychological and social components, and there is not a one-size-fits-all method to treatment.

“Medications can work for some people, while others need more intensive treatment,” Singh said. “There have been improvements in the way we treat mental illness, but we need to focus more directly on evidence-based therapies to help each individual patient.”

Singh said patients having suicidal thoughts are in a state of dilemma. They make a conscious effort to try to stay positive and strong, but it isn’t long before they revert to old habits of thinking. He said it is this self-talk that can push people into isolation and put them at risk for suicide.

“These individuals struggle with their own thoughts,” Singh said. “They can begin to feel like they are a burden to their families or that they are not needed. These thoughts keep them from wanting to reach out to others, and they begin to pull away from friends and family.”

Maintaining a close relationship with those who are struggling mentally and emotionally is key, but Singh advises a careful approach to conversation.

“We always want to get to the bottom of a problem. We push for answers and can appear aggressive when we only want to help,” he said. “It’s best to just talk with the individual in a non-judgmental way. If they are having suicidal thoughts, it will likely come to the surface naturally.”

Singh advised not every person will open up immediately, but they will know you care. He said engaging in regular conversation can reveal someone may be struggling emotionally.

“If an individual exhibits personality changes, is increasingly more irritable, begins to lose function or spends more and more time alone, it’s time to seek help,” he said. “The key is avoiding isolation. Everyone needs someone to talk to.”

If a loved one is experiencing mental health issues or having suicidal thoughts, Singh said an assessment by a mental health professional at a crisis center or hospital is the best place to start, but quality, on-going care is critical.

“Every person is so important,” Singh said. “Mental health is just as important as physical health, and we need to support those struggling with mental illness and see that they continue to receive the individualized, client-centered care they need.”

Plans are underway for an evening of dining and dancing to support local HIV and AIDS patients.

“Re-tie the Red Ribbon” is presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center’s Ryan White Program. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Hensville in downtown Toledo.

“We are excited for the opportunity to host the event in this great new venue,” said Richard Meeker, manager of fundraising and special projects. “There will be a variety of food stations from fajitas to pasta and a cash bar. Live entertainment will be provided by Fu5ion. It’s going to be a lot of fun for a good cause.”

Funds raised at the event will support the Ann Wayson Locher Memorial Fund for HIV Care, which supports HIV care for adults and children in the Toledo area.

Ann Wayson Locher opened the first grant-funded free and anonymous HIV testing site in northwest Ohio in 1985 and was one of the key organizers for The University of Toledo’s Ryan White Program. The memorial fund was developed in her honor upon her death in 2010.

“The memorial fund provides services for HIV and AIDS patients who have needs that cannot be covered by other agencies or programs in our community,” Meeker said. “Many individuals are living on a fixed income and need a little help when emergencies arise. That’s where we come in.”

Meeker said the organization has seen an increase in the number of clients seeking assistance.

“We are grateful for the committed support of Ann’s friends and family and others who regularly donate to the memorial fund,” he said. “Unfortunately, our community’s need has outpaced what we are able to provide at this time, particularly in the area of housing, and we need to work harder to assist those who need our help the most.”

Tickets for the “Re-tie the Red Ribbon” fundraiser are $50 each. The Ryan White Program also is seeking sponsors with opportunities that range from $500 to $5,000 and include VIP tickets and recognition at the event.

For more information, call 419.383.4072 or email Richard.Meeker@utoledo.edu.

Thursday nights can get a little noisy in UT’s Health and Human Services Building. The thump of music and the banging of drumsticks can be heard coming from the multipurpose room as cancer survivors gather to literally pound themselves into shape.

 A new, six-week session of cardio drumming begins Thursday, Sept. 1. The class will meet weekly on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. All equipment needed for the class is provided.

Cardio drumming is a cardiovascular workout that blends drumming, movement and dance to get the pulse racing and tone muscles. Participants wield weighted drumsticks to beat on a fitness ball during choreographed routines set to music.

“It can be intimidating at first but the steps are simple and it won’t take long to get the hang of it,” said Yvonne Naserdin, 10-year breast cancer survivor and class participant. “If you can do aerobics or dance, you can do cardio drumming.”

Class instructors said the idea to offer cardio drumming at the Center for Health and Successful Living started after a former student invited them to attend a class.

“It was a great experience and combined physical, social and emotional wellness,” said Wendy Maran, UT associate lecturer of recreational therapy. “We knew cardio drumming would be a hit and worked to get certified to get the foundational knowledge we needed to teach.”

She and UT lecturer of recreational therapy, Holly Eichner became certified through Drums Alive early last year and kicked off the program last fall.

“We have had such a positive response,” Maran said. “Our classes are very upbeat and coordinate the drumming and dance moves with the rhythm of the music to challenge our students mentally and physically.”

While the class is designed to get participants moving, the instructors said they offer modified movements for those who have limited fitness or mobility issues due to treatment.

“We have people who drum while sitting on a chair and we have some who have a little less flexibility who do modified moves,” Eichner said. “Regardless of how they are able to participate, they really get into it. Sometimes it’s hard to hear the music over the banging of the sticks.”

Participants have reported an improvement in fitness, muscle memory, rhythm and patterning. Naserdin said she has noticed a difference in her cardiovascular health and muscle tone since beginning the class.

“I have killer calves,” she laughed. “My arms are firmer too and it helps with my cardio health concerns. I try to maintain a certain weight and I walk and take this class to help me stay in shape.”

The instructors said the classes also are a great way to lift the spirits of cancer survivors.

“Many times participants come into class tired and not feeling like exercising, but we have a lot of fun moving and singing along to the music and before long they are dancing and laughing and leave energized and in a great mood,” she said.

Naserdin said she leaves the class revived and ready to take on a new day and she encourages others to give the class a try.

“I leave with a whole new attitude,” she said. “It was something I always wanted to try, and now I’m hooked. If you try it once, you’ll want to come back.”

Cancer survivors are invited to call UT’s Center for Health and Successful Living at 419.530.5199 to register.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (September 2, 2016)