Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday,
December 09, 2012
photos/EverythingWestport.com
except as noted
Quick Article Index . . .
Da Vinci robotic surgical tool comes to Charlton.
Westport Firefighters Take Autism Awareness Class.
Southcoast Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
receives mini grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Southcoast’s “Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc” monthly walking program scheduled for
December 15.
Westport Lions Club Donates Defibrillator to Westport
Police.
UMass Dartmouth marks milestone at the MAB.
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Da Vinci
robotic surgical tool comes to Charlton. First of its kind in
southeastern New England. EverythingWestport.com Tuesday,
December 04, 2012 Southcoast Health System becomes the first hospital
south of Boston, including Rhode Island, to perform single-site surgery using
a “da Vinci robot.”
Inset: James Hermenegildo, MD, removes a gallbladder through a
single-site belly button incision at the da Vinci consul and with the da
Vinci robot at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, part of SouthcoastHealth
System, became the first hospital south of Boston, including Rhode Island, to
use da Vinci Single-Site technology to perform a gallbladder removal. The
patient’s gallbladder was removed through one tiny incision in the belly
button, making the procedure virtually scarless. Led by surgeon James Hermenegildo, MD, the Southcoast surgical team performed the gallbladder
removal procedure, called a cholecystectomy, using Single-Site instruments on
a da Vinci Si Surgical System. Using robotic assistance, Dr. Hermenegildo removed the gallbladder through a one-inch
incision. Dr. Hermenegildo is one of a small group
of surgeons in the country who has been trained to perform the surgery. The da Vinci robotic surgical system uses technology designed to give
surgeons more precision and control during complex, minimally invasive
procedures. “Neither robotic surgery nor single-incision surgery is new, but
combining the two to remove the gallbladder requires highly skilled surgeons
with advanced training and special equipment,” said Richard Miller, MD,
Physician-in-Chief for Surgery at Southcoast Health
System. “To be the first hospital in our region to offer this technically
advanced surgery demonstrates Southcoast’s
leadership in providing patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive
surgical options.” “Single-Site instruments used with the da Vinci platform are the next
step in the evolution of surgical technologies,” Dr. Hermenegildo
said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the surgical treatment of
tomorrow.” Hermenegildo had already performed 80 single-incision surgeries,
but said the da Vinci technology allowed him to be more precise during the
“Because of the optics, it is a more exact dissection,” he said. “The
visualization is much better.”
During the procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console,
viewing a three-dimensional, high-definition image
of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move
the instrument arms and camera. In real time, the system translates the
surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the
miniaturized instruments inside the patient. Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small
incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly
button where instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.
Southcoast Health System offers various types of
robotic-assisted surgeries at its Charlton Memorial Hospital site. In
addition to gallbladder removal, Southcoast
surgeons perform robotic-assisted complex urological surgeries, such as
radical prostatectomies, as well as gynecological procedures and colorectal
surgeries. Southcoast also offers a wide range of
minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries. Charlton opened its robotic
surgical program in 2008. For an appointment to discuss robotic surgery, contact Dr. Hermenegildo at Truesdale Surgical
Associates at 508.676.3411. Truesdale Surgical
Associates is located at1030 President Avenue in Fall
River. For more information on robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries
at Southcoast, visit: www.southcoast.org/davinci.
Southcoast Health System is a community based health
delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum
of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode
Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast
Hospitals Group - Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s
Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Westport Firefighters Take Autism
Awareness Class. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday, December 05, 2012 Firefighters and EMTs are always training to handle emergencies. Recently Westport Firefighter/Paramedics from Group 3 took part in a
3-hour lecture on Autism Awareness geared towards the First Responder. Training for autism related emergencies is a new, comprehensive
training program being offered to First Responders. Autism is one of the fastest growing disabilities in the world. New
statistics show that at least a million children and adults have a diagnosis
of autism or a related disorder, like Asperger syndrome or "pervasive
developmental disorder, not otherwise specified," also known as
P.D.D.-N.O.S. 1 out of every 88 children in the U.S. is born with some level of
autism (CDC 2012.) This is up 78% in the past decade. Seekonk Firefighter & Paramedic Anthony Pucino
was the lead instructor. Firefighter Pucino is
trained in teaching First Responders how to effectively interact with
individuals with autism. The specialized training he provides educates Firefighters, EMT's,
Paramedics, and First Responders on recognizing and providing care to people
with autism. The preparation gives students the tools needed to effectively
communicate with autistic individuals, as well as help reduce or eliminate
dangerous behaviors. This training gives the parents and caregivers of those
with autism piece of mind, knowing that First Responders in their community
are prepared for any type of emergency, when their loved ones are involved. Firefighter Pucino will be back in January
to provide this valuable training to the additional members of the
department. This class is one of many that Westport firefighters take
throughout the year to better serve the citizens of Westport. Southcoast
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab receives mini grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health
Care. Grant will provide financial assistance for
cardiac and pulmonary patients in need of rehabilitation. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday, December 05, 2012 Pictured below,
from left to right: Don MacKay, Sales Program Manager for Harvard Pilgrim
Health Care; Joyce Grusmark, Manager of Southcoast Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab; and Kurt Simon,
Cardiopulmonary Care Clinician for Southcoast
Health System.
“My initial visit to the Southcoast Medical
Fitness Program was to review the fitness center to ensure that it met
Harvard Pilgrim’s qualifications for our members,” said Don MacKay, Sales
Program Manager at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. “I was so impressed with the
facility and the staff that I wanted to find a way
to support the program on a larger scale. I submitted an application for the
grant and was honored to come back to present the check to the program.” “We are very proud to have been approved for this mini grant and to
receive our certification as an approved fitness center for Harvard Pilgrim
members,” said Joyce Grusmark, Manager of Southcoast Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab. “It is an honor
to have our program recognized for outstanding quality by an outside
organization like Harvard Pilgrim. We greatly appreciate their support and
look forward to welcoming new patients to our program through the assistance
provided by this grant.” The Southcoast Medical Fitness Program is
highly recommended by physicians for people with chronic diseases that are
putting their health at risk. The program has been shown to help people with
various health issues improve their condition and their quality of life. The
program is designed to help patients become stronger and healthier. It
provides education on disease management, healthy eating habits and includes
instruction in a variety of exercise techniques that can be easily followed
both in the gym and at home. The Southcoast Medical Fitness Program
accommodates all levels of exercise, providing customized plans based on
individual needs and experience. The program is offered in Fall River at the Durfee Union Mill, 283 Pleasant Street, in New Bedford at
St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page Street, and in Wareham and Tobey Hospital, 43
High Street. Classes are held three times a week at each of the three
facilities. For more information on the Southcoast
Medical Fitness Program, call 508.961.5435. Southcoast’s
“Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc” monthly walking
program scheduled for December 15th. Fall River walk to be
led by Southcoast internal medicine physician
Warren Wood II, MD, President of Southcoast
Physicians Group. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, December 06, 2012 On Saturday, December 15, Southcoast Health
System will host the December edition of “Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc,” a community walk
lead by Southcoast internal medicine physician
Warren “Chip” Wood II, MD, President of Southcoast
Physicians Group. Southcoast physicians want to help guide you on the
path to good health with a new, monthly walking program that is designed to
get people up, moving and enjoying some beautiful walks throughout the South
Coast region. “Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc” December
edition will take place on Saturday, December 15. The winter walk will begin
at 11 a.m. at the Copicut Woods parking lot on
Indian Town Road in Fall River. For directions, visit: http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/southeast-ma/copicut-woods.html#t3. Copicut Woods is the gateway to the 13,300-acre
Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. It
introduces nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to an entire regional
ecosystem. Experience forests, streams and cedar swamps amid an array of
flora and fauna, from deer and coyote darting among stands of hardwoods and
conifers, to hawks, owls and salamanders. This month’s walk will be led by Warren “Chip” Wood II, MD, internal
medicine physician at the Borden Medical site of Southcoast
Physicians Group in Fall River and President of Southcoast
Physicians Group. The community is invited to join Dr. Wood and Linton
Harrington, South Coast Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Trustees
of the Reservations, for a guided, one-hour walk through the woods. “Taking a brisk walk can do wonders for your heath,” Dr. Wood said.
“In fact, walking just 30 minutes a day can decrease your risk of many health
problems including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Join us on December 15
as we tour Copicut Woods and improve your health at
the same time!” All ages and levels of walking ability are welcome. Participants will
receive a free pedometer and “Better Health Kits” that include information on
nutrition and exercise. Registration is encouraged. To register call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 800-497-1727. The “Take a
Walk with a Southcoast Doc” program includes
monthly walks with Southcoast Physicians Group
doctors throughout the South Coast region. Visit
www.southcoast.org/walkwithadoc/ for more information about where Southcoast physicians will be walking next. Westport Lions
Club Donates Defibrillator to Westport Police. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, December 09, 2012 Submitted photo
That is the goal of the Westport Police Department according to Lt.
John Bell, officer in charge of defibrillator (AED) procurement. That goal
was closer to being fulfilled recently when the Westport Lions Club presented
a check for $1,155.00 to Westport Police Chief Keith Pelletier and Lt. Bell.
Now, 24 of the department’s 27 officers will be equipped with a unit. Pictured from the left: Lt. John Bell, Linda Harrop,
Westport Lions President, and Police Chief Keith Pelletier. The donation was prompted by a recent article of how one officer was
able to save the life of a family member because he had a defibrillator
available. A portion of the proceeds from the Lions Club’s recent annual arts
and craft show were used for this purchase. The Westport Club is celebrating
its 50th year of service to the community and Lionism. Lions Clubs International is the largest volunteer service
organization in the world with approximately 1.35 million members in over
46,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographic areas. Their primary cause is
eyesight conservation but also includes hearing services, diabetes awareness,
environmental services, youth programs, international relations, measles
initiative and local community service activities. Anyone interested in
information about Lions may contact Linda Harrop,
Westport Lions President at 508.678.2255. People interested in donating towards the purchase of additional AEDs
for the police department, may send a check with “defibrillator” in the memo
section to the Westport Police Department Gift Account, Westport Police
Department, 818 Main Road, Westport, MA 02790. UMass Dartmouth marks milestone at
the MAB. "Topping
off ceremony" ends first stage of biomanufacturing
center construction. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday, December
12, 2012 Submitted photo. UMass President Robert L. Caret and UMass
Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman will join
other local and state leaders next Thursday in Fall River to mark the end of
the first stage of construction of the Massachusetts Accelerator for Biomanufacturing at the University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth (the MAB). - - - - - End - - - - - © 2012 Community Events
of Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
