Assessing Your Cardiac Health
Are you concerned about risks associated with a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but are not yet showing signs or symptoms of the disease? If so, visit Sarasota Memorial’s new Center for Cardiovascular Disease Assessment, offering people of all ages concerned about cardiac health the earliest and most complete series of tests available to detect early markers of these diseases. Test results provide all of the vital information you and your doctor will need to safeguard your heart - and your quality of life. No physician referral is necessary. To learn more, attend a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony for the Center, Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m. to noon (followed by a light lunch), at Sarasota Memorial's Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota. Please RSVP to 917-7777.

Interested in Learning More about Sarasota Memorial’s Laboratory?
Visit Sarasota Memorial’s full-service laboratory the week of April 21-25 for community tours as our laboratory staff observes National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Tours will be provided at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day that week. Please meet in the main lobby of the hospital, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Volunteers will escort you to the third floor laboratory. For more information, please call 917-7986.

Lose those Extra Holiday Pounds
Try Sarasota Memorial’s Eating Healthy for Life, a 5-week weight loss program integrating nutrition, exercise and education; $200 fee includes free monthly support group for life. Next sessions begin April 23 and May 28. Call Sarasota Memorial’s HealthLine at 917-7777 to register or click on the health calendar on smh.com for information.

For a more intensive, medically supervised weight loss program, check out Sarasota Memorial’s new Weight Management Partners Program (WMPP). Supervised by a multidisciplinary group of medical specialists, the 8-week program utilizes a new technology – one you wear – to help you track your daily activity and food consumption. Easily integrated into daily life, it provides a totally customized approach to weight loss. The next 8-week program begins May 19. To learn more, join the WMPP team for a free 1-hour information session scheduled 6-7 p.m., April 7 and April 21 at the Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd. (1/2 mile west of I-75 off Clark Road). Call 917-4998 for information.

Think Stroke. Think FAST. Think SMH
Stroke is the nation's leading cause of disability and the No. 3 cause of death. But recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to respond in an emergency can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent severe disability. Stroke victims who get to the hospital within 3 hours of their first symptom may be treated with the clot-busting drug t-PA, but too often, they wait too long or go to a hospital that lacks the specialists, equipment and organization to effectively treat them. Sarasota Memorial is one of only two hospitals in Florida – and the only one on Florida’s Gulf Coast – recognized as a “Comprehensive Stroke Center” and a preferred provider for people facing the greatest challenges in stroke care. To learn more, attend our free community and professional education event, noon-3 p.m. May 16, in Sarasota Memorial’s first floor hospital auditorium. To RSVP, please call HealthLine at 917-7777.

Early Steps Children’s Health Fair
Join Sarasota Memorial child development experts for a family fun day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., May 17, at Twin Lakes Recreational Park. The event will feature clowns, age-appropriate activities, food and storytelling. For those interested, Early Steps staff will be available to answer any questions you may have about your child’s development and provide information about free resources available in the community. For more information call or email: (941) 487-5423 or tashia-holland@smh.com.