National Dental Insurer Helps Provide Nearly $1.7 Million in Free Dental Care During 2010

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jan 31,2011

United Concordia Dental, one of the nation’s largest dental insurers, helped provide nearly $1.7 million in free dental care to more than 8,000 children and adults with minimal or no insurance during 2010.

“More than 125 million Americans do not have dental insurance,” said Jerome Blum, D.D.S., corporate dental director. “Helping provide free dental care is just one example of our commitment to meeting the dental needs of the underserved.”

Since 2002, United Concordia Dental has worked with a variety of community partners each year — dentists, dental clinics, community organizations and dental hygiene schools — to bring free dental care to people in need.

In 2010, the national dental insurer held 110 free days of care by partnering with a number of organizations, including parent company, Highmark Inc.; sister subsidiary, Davis Vision; Arizona Dental Foundation; Community College of Baltimore County, Md.; Houston (Texas) Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS); Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, Pa.; San Diego County, California, Share the Care Initiative; and State of Georgia Oral Health Program.

“On behalf of the HDHHS, thank you for supporting Project Saving Smiles (PSS). I appreciate the financial contribution, ‘sweat equity’ and support United Concordia Dental has given to Houston’s indigent second-graders,” said Johanna DeYoung, B.S.N., D.D.S., M.P.H., of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. “By its support of PSS, it is clear that United Concordia Dental supports preventive dentistry. We know prevention trumps treatment.”

2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jan 29,2011

On January 31, 2011, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Shalene McNeill, PhD, RD, Executive Director of Human Nutrition Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), and Richard Thorpe, MD, cattle rancher, are available to provide valuable expertise and insights on the topics listed below.

Shalene McNeill, PhD, RD

As the Executive Director of NCBA’s Human Nutrition Research program and a registered dietitian, Dr. McNeill provides unparalleled expertise on the role of lean beef in healthful dietary patterns and beef’s nutrient profile. Dr. McNeill also sits on the American Society of Nutrition’s “Nutrition Translation from Bench to Consumer” Research Interest Section, which explores ways to translate key findings in nutrition research into practical applications that can be used to improve public health. In addition, she was awarded the Texas Dietetic Association’s Media Excellence Award for her unique ability to translate nutrition science into consumer-friendly advice and practical application information.

Richard Thorpe, MD

Dr. Richard Thorpe is a cattleman from Texas and former chair of the industry’s Nutrition Research Committee.

Expertise available on the following topics:

• Lean Beef Helps Americans Meet the 2010 Dietary Guidelines
• High-Quality Protein Choices and Their Caloric Differences
• High-Quality Animal Protein as a Solution to the Obesity Crisis
• Diets with Lean Beef Help Americans Meet the Saturated Fat Guidelines
• Demystifying Meat Consumption in America
• Easy and Great-Tasting Beef Recipes and Tips to Help Americans Improve Health

Snow Storm Creates Blood Emergency

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jan 28,2011

1,600 Units of Blood Lost From Latest Snow Cancellations

8,000 Donations Lost in Six Weeks from Winter Weather

Supplies of Several Blood Types Below Minimum Levels

New York Blood Center (NYBC), serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, is following the emergency declaration of Mayor Bloomberg and other tri-state public officials with an emergency appeal for blood donors.  The supply of several blood types, including O-negative (“universal donor”) blood, which is normally maintained at the three-to-five-day inventory level, has dropped below the two-day minimum level.

“Our first priority is to make sure that our 200 partner hospitals get whatever they need, whenever they need it,” said NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis.  ”Here’s the tough part – winter weather has a cumulative effect.  We just get a handle on building up the blood supply after one storm, then get knocked down again by the next one.  After so many snowstorms, and the loss of 8,000 units of blood in six weeks, you can see why we must keep asking for our neighbors’ help.”

Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness.  Approximately 25% of regional blood collection comes from high schools and colleges, which are especially vulnerable to weather-related closures and cancellations.

The need for blood is constant, whatever the weather.  The shelf life of platelets is only five days; the shelf life of red blood cells is 42 days.  About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, please call Toll Free:  1-800-933-2566

Hospital Quality Study Finds Resurrection Medical Center Top 5% in Nation

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jan 27,2011

Resurrection Medical Center announced today that it has been named a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted source of health care provider information. This prestigious distinction places Resurrection Medical Center among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for clinical performance.

“Our evidence-based best practices, extensive quality improvement protocols and investment in specialized medical technologies have vaulted our clinical outcomes so that each and every patient we care for has the greatest resources available for a successful recovery,” said Sister Donna Marie Wolowicki, C.R., Executive Vice President and CEO, Resurrection Medical Center. “We are extremely blessed to have talented, compassionate and experienced staff who put the patient’s needs first and who are extremely focused on the science and art of healing.”

HealthGrades Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study, released today, objectively identifies those hospitals with the best overall clinical performance across all 26 medical diagnoses and procedures that the organization rates. These 268 top performing hospitals represent only 5% of the nation’s hospitals and each is designated as a HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence™.

“Resurrection Medical Center can be proud of the contributions of its physicians, nurses and staff in achieving outstanding patient care,” said Dr. Rick May, HealthGrades vice president of clinical quality services and co-author of the study. “The Chicago community is fortunate to have access to some of the highest quality hospital care in the nation.”