Sarasota Memorial ER & Health Care Center Now Open

Sarasota Memorial filled a critical need in North Port when it opened southwest Florida’s first 24-hour freestanding ER on Sept. 1. It’s a new type of emergency facility, called freestanding because it is not physically attached to a hospital. It is one of the state’s largest freestanding ERs, fully equipped with walk-in and ambulance entrances, triage, trauma and exam rooms and a 23-hour observation unit. It is staffed 24/7 by Sarasota Memorial’s board-certified emergency medicine physicians and emergency care nurses and supported by onsite pharmacy services and full-service lab, radiology, rehabilitation and home health care, among other outpatient services. Call Sarasota Memorial’s HealthLine at (941) 917-7777 or send an email request for a magnet with a map and contact information for the new ER to put on your refrigerator. Or stop by on Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-noon, for our community grand opening, with free refreshments, tours and activities for the entire family. The ER and health care center is located at 2345 Bobcat Village Center Rd., North Port.

Diabetes Control: Moving to Target

Sarasota Memorial’s diabetes educators are proud to present Saul Zuckman, Team Type 2 bike racer and keynote speaker in a free diabetes education event Friday, Sept. 4, 10-11:30 a.m., in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s first floor auditorium. Zuckman, who has Type 2 diabetes, will share information about his experience in Bike Race Across America, a 3,000-mile triumph spurred on by diabetes. Sarasota Memorial’s diabetes educators and Healthplex fitness professionals also will discuss the latest strategies to manage diabetes. Free refreshments & door prizes will be included, including a custom Vienna bike presented by Village Bikes and two free memberships to Sarasota Memorial’s Healthplex Fitness Center. Please register online or RSVP to HealthLine: 917-7777.

Journey Toward Wellness
Whether you want to lose 5 pounds or more than 50, Sarasota Memorial’s Healthplex Fitness Center can help you make the lifestyle changes needed for sustainable weight loss. The program combines the latest weight loss monitoring technology, research, behavior change techniques, and a team approach to help you achieve your health goals! Free information sessions will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 and Oct. 1 at the Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., ½-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road, Sarasota. Call Julie Bender, RD,LD, at (941) 917-4998 for more information. 

Sarasota/Manatee Heart Walk
Join Sarasota Memorial staff and former patients in the Sarasota/Manatee Start! Heart Walk Saturday, Sept. 26 at Payne Park, 2000 Adams Lane, Sarasota. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Free parking is available in the city garage on Ringling Blvd. Strollers and dogs (on leashes) are welcome!

Heritage Harbour Community Festival
Visit the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Center at Heritage Harbour on Saturday, Sept. 12, for a special day of family fun & safety. Kids can explore a fire engine, ambulance and SWAT vehicle, enjoy face painting, crafts and jumping houses, while learning fun safety tips from the Police Athletic League, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and health professionals from Sarasota Memorial and Pinnacle Urgent Care Center. The free family-focused event takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Center at Heritage Harbour, 1040 River Heritage Blvd. in Bradenton. Information: (941) 746-8700.

Bloodstock 2009

Sarasota Memorial and the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank will host a special Woodstock-theme blood drive Sept. 22-26 in the hospital’s first floor auditorium. The event theme is “Peace, Love … Give Blood.” Donors will receive a free Woodstock-inspired T-shirt and refreshments, plus the chance to win a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Stonewood Grill. Blood Drive hours are: Tuesday, Sept. 22 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.); Wednesday, Sept. 23 (10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.); Thursday, Sept. 24 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.); and Saturday, Sept. 26 (7 a.m.-noon). Call (941) 917-7136 for information.

Studying the Emotional Impact of Domestic Violence
Sarasota-Manatee’s Loss, Grief & End-of-Life Coalition is hosting a free educational event exploring the emotional impact of domestic violence. The program, which is designed as a continuing education event for licensed clinicians (nurses, social workers, counselors and therapists), is open to the public. Sept. 15, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at Senior Friendship Center, Rubin Center for Healthy Aging (Dwyer Room, first floor). It will feature expert speakers and a panel discussion. Continuing education credits provided by Sarasota Memorial ($10 fee). Please RSVP to (941) 556-3268.

Creating a New Normal
Learn from mental health experts new ways to cope with the pressures posed by today’s challenging economy at a free community presentation, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-noon, in the Community Room at Sarasota Memorial’s Bayside Center for Behavioral Health, 1625 S. Osprey Ave. (southeast corner of Waldemere & Osprey). Continuing education credits are available for $10 for qualified professionals. Reservations call (941) 917-1779.

Coming in October

National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 8
Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American adults each year. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. Sarasota Memorial Bayside Center for Behavioral Health is proud to participate in this national awareness program by offering free confidential mental health screenings not only in October but year-round. If you or a loved one is having trouble coping with depression, anxiety, substance abuse or other emotional difficulty, call Sarasota Memorial’s Bayside Center at (941) 917-7760. Our licensed mental health professionals are on call 24/7 to provide free assessments, referrals and advice. 

Scarf It Up for Women's Cancer
Join us for a very special fundraising event, Scarf It Up for Women’s Cancers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 5-9 p.m. to help those coping with medical hair loss from cancer treatment. The benefit takes place at TPC Prestancia, 4409 TPC Drive Sarasota, and includes live performances from ballet dancers and classical musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra, fashions by KELIETZA, BeauBeau head scarves from 4Women.com fashioned from fabric donated by top fashion designers, gaming tables, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and an auction. Tickets are $50 for pre-registration or $60 at the door. Each ticket includes two wine or beer tickets and $25 in gambling vouchers. Call (941) 361-2408 for more information or to purchase tickets online. Proceeds from the Scarf It Up for Women’s Cancer event will benefit Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. and will provide Sarasota Memorial Cancer patients with scarves and other fashion accessories that will help them transition through their treatment.

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Sarasota families team up to raise awareness about deadly food allergies
More than 12 million Americans (roughly one in 25) have food allergies – with the highest incidence occurring in young children. Each year, 150-200 people suffer deadly reactions (anaphylaxis), sometimes within minutes of eating a peanut, wheat or dairy product or other food allergen. To help raise awareness and funds for research, local families are forming teams to take part in Sarasota’s first Walk for Food Allergy. It is one of 35 walks taking place this fall in cities across the country and is part of an annual campaign sponsored by the not-for-profit Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Last year’s Walks drew more than 15,000 people and raised $2.3 million. Contributions are tax-deductible and support research and educational programs. Sarasota’s 2-mile walk will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Payne Park, 2050 vAdams Lane, Sarasota. Walkers and teams are needed. For information or to register or make a donation online, visit www.foodallergywalk.org or call the Sarasota Walk for Food Allergy coordinator Meghan Connolly at (941) 313-0160.

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