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The George Washington University Hospital

health

www.gwhospital.com

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HUGH-SUM06B-GWU-BK#4 PG�

Summer 2006

Outpatient Surgery From Head to Toe• NoNeedtoShoulder RotatorCuffPain

• FootSurgery That’saStepAhead

• Relieffor Endometriosis orFibroids

ArthroscopicKneeSurgery

TornRotatorCuff

Hernia

Bunions

EyeSurgery

Fibroids

The George Washington University Hospital� Summer 2006

HUGH-SUM06B-GWU-BK#4 PG2

Introducing The GW Surgery Center: Outpatient Surgery From Head to Toe

Advancedmedicaltechnologyandsurgicaltechniquesnowmakeitpossibletotreatmanyconditions,suchashernias,cataractsandtorn

rotatorcuffs,onanoutpatientbasis.Patientsoftengohomeanhourorsoafterleavingtheoperatingroom.

AtTheGWSurgeryCenter,weknowpatientswanttheirsurgicalexperiencestobeasefficient,convenientandstress-freeaspossible.Staffmembersatthecenterarededicatedtomeetingtheseneeds.

OpenedinSpring2006,TheGWSurgeryCenterislocatedjustafewblocksfromTheGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospital.Itofferspatientsthefollowingadvantages:• Personalized care —Proceduresare

plannedinadvance,sosurgeonsandstaffareabletogivepatientsone-on-oneattention.

• Minimal waiting—Typically,patientsarriveatthefacilityonehourbeforetheirprocedures.Theyoftendepartaboutonehourafterleavingtheoperatingroom.

• A calm, welcoming atmosphere—Bright,elegantwaitingareashelpgivepatientsandtheirfamiliesasenseofrelaxation,privacyandcomfort.

• An experienced staff and advanced technology—Operatingroomsfeatureequipmentdesignedforminimallyinvasivesurgicaltechniques.Staffmembersspecializeincaringforoutpatients.

• GW Hospital’s commitment and support—SurgeonswhohadbeenoperatingexclusivelyatthehospitalnowoperateatTheGWSurgeryCenteraswell.Thefacilityisfullyequippedtomanageanycomplications.Ifneeded,patientscanbetransportedbyambulancetoGWHospital.

“Surgeonsevaluateeverycaseindividually,butingeneral,thefactorsthatdeterminewhetheraprocedurecanbedoneinTheGWSurgeryCenterarethehealthofthepatientandthecomplexityoftheprocedure,”saysLuuNguyen,MD,MedicalDirectorofTheGWSurgeryCenter.“Inmostcases,ifyoucouldhaveyourproceduredoneonanoutpatientbasisatthehospital,youwouldbeeligibletohaveitperformedatTheGWSurgeryCenter.”

InthisissueofHealth News,we’llexploreafewofthemanyproceduresavailableatTheGWSurgeryCenter.

The GW Surgery Center is located at 2120 L Street, N.W. For more information, please call 202-715-4600.

Itispossibletotreatmanyconditions,suchashernias,cataractsandtornrotator

cuffs,onanoutpatientbasis.Patientsoftengohomeanhourorsoafterleavingthe

operatingroom.

Minimally Invasive Treatments Have Patients Home Quickly

Luu Nguyen, MD Medical Director

A Wide Range of Outpatient Surgeries

The center also offers procedures in the following areas:

Colorectal surgeryCosmetic and plastic surgeryEndoscopyGeneral surgeryOral surgeryGastroenterologyGynecology (OB/GYN)OphthalmologyOrthopedics and sports medicineOtolaryngologyPain managementPodiatryUrology

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www.gwhospital.com Summer 2006 �


Therotatorcuff,composedoffourmusclesandtheirtendons,isaninjury-proneareaoftheshoulderthathelpsliftandrotatethearmand

stabilizetheshoulderjoint.Traumaorrepetitiveoverheadmovementscancausethesetissuestotear,resultinginpainandlimitedshouldermobility.

“Thesurgicalapproachweuseisdeterminedbythesizeofthetear,theconditionofthemusclesandtendonsandhoweasilywecanmovethetissueinthejoint,”saysRobertNeviaser,MD,ChairmanofOrthopedicSurgeryatGWHospital.

“Inthepast,weneededtodoanopenprocedure

torepairatornrotatorcuff,whichinvolvedmakingafour-inchincision,”saysCraigFaulks,MD,anorthopedicsurgeonatTheGWSurgeryCenter.“Now,wehavetwominimallyinvasiveoptions:arthroscopicrepairsandmini-openrepairs.”

Anarthroscopicrepair,themostcommon,requiresonlythree¼-inchincisions.Duringamini-openrepair,thefirsthalfofthesurgeryisdoneusingminimallyinvasivearthroscopictechniques.Thesecondhalfisdoneusingatraditionalopenprocedure,buttheincisionisonlyoneinch.

Dr.FaulksbelievesTheGWSurgeryCenterprovidesanidealenvironmentformanypatientsrequiringshouldersurgery.“Thewholesurgicalprocess,fromregistrationtorecovery,isstreamlinedandefficient,”hesays.“Consequently,patientsgettogohomequicklyandstarthealing,andthey’rebacktonormalactivitiesbeforetheyknowit.”

To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Tears of the rotator cuff muscles or tendons may be caused by severe tendinitis or a sudden injury. In some cases, only a small bit of tendon will tear (partial tear). Or, the tendon may tear all the way through (complete tear). This can result in pain and may cause shoulder weakness.

Rotator cuff tendons

Humerus (arm bone)

Rotator cuff tear

There’s No Need to Shoulder Rotator Cuff Pain Arthroscopic and Mini-Open Repairs Are Available

Craig Faulks, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Minimallyinvasivesurgicaltechniquesforkneeproceduresaregettingpatientsbacktotheirdailyactivitiesmorequicklythanever.

“Injuriesandnormalwearandtearofthekneemaycauseconditionsrangingfromtorncartilagetoinstabilityorabnormalalignmentofthekneecap,”saysJamesH.Graeter,MD,anorthopedicsurgeonatTheGWSurgeryCenter.

Thekeydevicethatmakesminimallyinvasivekneesurgerypossibleisthearthroscope:athin,telescope-likedeviceinsertedthroughaone-totwo-inchincision.Thearthroscopehasaminiaturevideocameraononeendthattransmitsimagestoatelevisionmonitor,allowingthesurgeontoseeinsidethejoint.Thesurgeonmayinsertinstrumentsthroughneighboringsmallincisionstoperformthesurgery.

“Mostkneearthroscopypatientsdon’trequiregeneralanesthesiathatrendersthemunconscious;theyrequireonlyenoughanesthetictocompletelynumbthekneejoint.Infact,someofmypatientsenjoywatchingthetelevisionmonitorasIperformtheprocedure,”

saysKennethFine,MD,anorthopedicsurgeonatTheGWSurgeryCenterwhooperatesonmanyathletesrangingfromprofessionalstoweekendwarriors.

Kneearthroscopiestakeapproximatelyonehour.Duringa60-to90-minutestayintherecoveryarea,trainedstaffmembersfitpatientswithcrutchesandprovidepost-operativeinstructions.Inmanycases,doctorsencouragepatientstostartputtingasmuchweightaspossibleontheirrepairedkneestoencouragehealing.

Arthroscopicsurgeryhasmanybenefitsovertraditionalopensurgery.Becausetheimageonthemonitorismagnified,surgeonscancloselyexamineittodetectverysmalldefects.Duetosmallerincisions,arthroscopicprocedurescausemuchlesstissuedamagethanopenprocedures,whichreducestheriskforinfectionandpromotesfaster,saferandlesspainfulrecoveries.

To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Can Get You Back on Your Feet Faster

James H. Graeter, MD Director, The Joint Replacement Center

Kenneth Fine, MD Director, Sports Medicine Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery

Robert Neviaser, MD Chairman, Orthopedic Surgery

Front View of Shoulder

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Toooften,wetakeourfeetforgrantedwhilelavishingattentionon

ourfootwear.Unfortunately,fashionableshoesareoftentight,narrowandhigh-heeled.Overtime,wearingtheseshoesmayyielduglyresults,suchaspainfulboneandtissuedeformities.

“Whenconservativetreatmentandsensibleshoesfailtofixtheproblem,surgerymayprovidelong-termrelief,”saysMichaelS.Stempel,DPM,FACFAS,apodiatristandDirector,DivisionofPodiatry,DepartmentofSurgery,atTheGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospital.Dr.Stempel,whoisboardcertifiedinfootsurgery,performsanumberofoutpatientpodiatricproceduresatTheGWSurgeryCenter,includingbunionandhammertoesurgeries.

Bunion Surgery

Abunionisamisalignmentinthejointthatconnectsthebigtoetothefoot.Itcausesthebaseofthebigtoetoswellandprotrude.AccordingtotheAmericanOrthopaedicFootandAnkleSociety,morethanhalfofthewomenintheUnitedStateshavebunions,oftencausedbyshoesthat

squeezetoesintounnaturalpositions.Arthritisandhereditymaybecontributingfactors.

“Bunionsurgeryinvolvesremovingexcessbone,repairingdamagedjointsurfacesandrealigningthetoejoint,”Dr.Stempelsays.“Mostpatientsexperienceadramaticreductioninpainaftersurgery.”

Hammertoe Surgery

Ahammertoeoccurswhenthesecond,thirdorfourthtoebendsatthemiddlejoint,givingittheappearanceofaminiaturehammer.Often,shoeswithnarrowtoeboxesaretheprimarycause.Eventually,thetoebecomesfrozeninthisbentposition,causingtheknuckletorubpainfullyagainstthetopsofshoes.

“Hammertoesurgeryinvolvesremovingasmallportionofbonefromthetoe.Thatallowsittolieflatagain,”Dr.Stempelsays.

Podiatricsurgerygenerallylastsfrom30minutestotwohours,andpatientsstayintherecoveryareaforaboutanhour.TheGWSurgeryCenterprovidesaperfectplacefortheseprocedures,saysDr.Stempel.“Patientshaveacheerful,calmenvironmentinwhichtorelaxandrecoverfromanesthesia,andthey’reusuallyreadytoleavethreetofourhoursaftertheyenterthedoors,”hesays.

To schedule an appointment with a podiatric surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Find Footwear That Fits

pay attention to comfort and fit when you are shoe shopping. the american academy of orthopedic surgeons offers these tips:

Have both feet measured every time you purchase shoes, since foot size may change as you get older. Because feet tend to swell during the day, shop for shoes in the afternoon or evening.

avoid shoes with heels higher than �¼ inches.

there should be a ½-inch space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.

make sure shoes are comfortable enough to wear when you buy them. there is no such thing as a “break-in period.”

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Foot Surgery that’s a step ahead Procedures Help Correct Damage From Ill-Fitting Shoes, Arthritis and Heredity

Michael S. Stempel, DPM, FACFAS Director, Division of Podiatry

Bunion

Bone removed

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Hammertoe

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Forwomenwithexcessivemenstrualbleeding,monthlyperiodscan

beanordeal.However,ingeneral,womenwiththisproblemarehealthyandhospitalizationisnotrequired.

“AtTheGWSurgeryCenter,weoffereffective,minimallyinvasiveproceduresthatenablewomentobetreatedfortheirbleedingproblemsandleaveinafewhours,”saysDamianP.Alagia,MD,MBA,DirectorofMinimallyInvasiveGynecologicSurgeryatTheGeorgeWashingtonUniversityHospital.

Fibroids Are Common Causes

About40percentofwomenwhohaveexcessivemenstrualbleedingcantracetheproblemtofibroids,anoncancerousgrowthintheuterus.Thesefibroidscanprotrudefromtheuterineliningintotheuterinecavity,ortheycanbeburiedintheuterinewall.

Thermal Balloon Ablation as Treatment

Dr.Alagia’spreferredmethodfortreatingheavybleedingisthermalballoonablation.Thistechniquethinsouttheuterineliningandhinderstheabilityoftheendometrium(theuterinelining

thatshedsduringthemenstrualcycle)togrow.Theprocedureisonlyappropriateforwomenwhodonotwanttobearchildren.Here’showitworks:• Amildsedativeisgiventothepatient,and

anesthesiaisusedtonumbthecervix.Asmall,flexibleballoonattachedtoathintubeisthenpassedthroughthevaginatotheuterus(noincisionisrequired).Theballoonisfilledwithfluidsoitconformstothesizeandshapeoftheuterus.

• Thefluidisheatedandcirculatedintheuterusforeightminutes.Theheataltersthecompositionoftheendometrium.

• Whentreatmentiscomplete,thefluidiswithdrawnfromtheballoonandtheballoonisremoved.Thetreateduterineliningsheds,likeaperiod,overthenextfewdays.Followingtreatment,mostwomenhavemuchlighterperiods,and20to30percentofwomenstophavingperiodsaltogether.

Treatment for Protruding Fibroids

Forwomenwhosebleedingiscausedbyuterinefibroidsthatprotrudeintotheuterinecavity,thesurgeonmayremovethefibroidsfirst,usingaprocedurecalledamyomectomy,thenperformthermalballoonablation.Theproceduresmaybeperformedback-to-back,accordingtoDr.Alagia.

To schedule an appointment with a gynecologic surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Effective Solutions for Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Fibroids are almost always benign and do not increase the risk for uterine cancer.

Fibroids are growths in the uterus composed of muscle cells and other tissue. They grow singularly or in clusters and range in size from as small as a raisin to as large as a grapefruit.

Not all women with fibroids experience symptoms, but in some cases fibroids cause heavy bleeding during or between periods, a feeling of fullness in the pelvic area or low back pain.

The cause of fibroids is not certain. They are more prevalent in women of childbearing age and African American women.

Fibroids may be diagnosed during a pelvic exam. However, imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or X-rays, sometimes may be required to confirm their presence.

Medications may shrink problematic fibroids, but they are most often treated with surgery.

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Other Gynecologic Procedures Performed at The GW Surgery Center

Hysteroscopy — A diagnostic procedure in which the surgeon inserts a thin, telescope-like device called a hysteroscope through the cervix to view the inside of the uterus

Ovarian cystectomy — A procedure to remove fluid-filled growths in the ovaries

Dilation & Curettage (D&C) — A procedure that involves dilating the opening of the cervix and scraping tissue away from the lining of the uterus

Bladder neck repairs — A procedure to strengthen the opening of the bladder and correct incontinence by implanting a sling-like support

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Damian P. Alagia, MD, MBA Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Facts About Fibroids

Insertion

Treatment and Monitoring

Deflation and Removal

Yourabdominalmusclescontinuouslyworktoassistwithbreathing,supportthemusclesofyourspineandholdyourabdominalorgansin

place.Overtime,thesemusclesmayweaken,bulgeorrip,leavingyoususceptibletoahernia.

Aherniaoccurswhentheinnerliningoftheabdomenpushesthroughtheweakenedabdominalwall,formingasac.Aportionoftheintestineorabdominaltissueslipsintothesac,oftencausingittobulgebeneaththeskin.

Inguinal(groin)herniasaccountfor80percentofallherniasandaremostcommoninmen.Theyusuallyoccurwhenweakenedabdominalmusclesarestrainedfromheavylifting,suddentwistsorpulls,orchronicconstipation.

Surgery Is the Only Treatment Option

Symptomsofaherniaincludeavisiblebulge,adullache,andweaknessorpressureinthegroin.Surgicalclosureoftheholeintheabdominalwallistheonlytreatmentoptionforahernia.

“Herniaproceduresaretailor-madeforoutpatientsurgeryfacilitiesbecausethey’rerelativelyquickandeasytorecoverfrom,”saysJulietLee,MD,ageneralsurgeonwhooperatesatTheGWSurgeryCenter.“AtTheGWSurgeryCenter,wehaveeverythingweneedtogivepatientsadvancedmedicalcareandastreamlined,personalizedexperience.”

Manyherniasdonotrequireimmediatetreatment.Inrarecases,theabdominalmusclessqueezeoffthebloodsupplytotheprotrudingtissue,causingittodieandbecomeinfected.Thisiscalledastrangulatedhernia,anditrequiresemergencysurgicaltreatment,whichisdoneinthehospital.Inmostothercases,herniasurgerymaybescheduledatTheGWSurgeryCenter.

Three Types of Procedures

“Anyofthethreetypesofherniarepairwillyieldgoodresults,”saysGordonH.Hafner,MD,FACS,ageneralsurgeon.“Theherniarepairitselftakesabout45minutestoanhour.Patientsthenspendabout90minutesinpost-oprecovery,afterwhichtheyarereadytogohome.”

SurgeonsatTheGWSurgeryCenterofferthreetypesofherniaprocedures:• Conventional method—Anincisionismadeat

theherniasite,andtheprotrudingtissueisgentlypushedbackintotheabdominalcavity.Theholeintheabdominalwallisstitchedshut.

• Open mesh repair—Thesurgeoncoverstheholewithapieceofbiocompatiblemeshthatgraduallybecomesapermanentpartoftheabdominalwall.

• Laparoscopic mesh repair—Alaparoscopeisatelescope-likedevicethatispassedthroughasmallincision,allowingthesurgeontoseetheherniaonavideoscreen.Thesurgeoninsertsinstrumentsthroughneighboringincisionsandsuturesameshcoveringtotheinsideoftheabdominalwall.

To schedule an appointment with a surgeon who does hernia repairs, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Turn to Us for Hernia Surgery

“Anyofthethreetypesofherniarepairwillyieldgoodresults.Theherniarepairitselftakesabout45minutestoanhour.Patientsthenspendabout90minutesinpost-oprecovery,afterwhichthey

arereadytogohome.”— Gordon H. Hafner, MD, FACS

“AtTheGWSurgeryCenter,

wehaveeverythingweneedtogive

patientsadvancedmedicalcareand

astreamlined,personalizedexperience.”

— Juliet Lee, MD



Gordon H. Hafner, MD, FACS General Surgeon

Juliet Lee, MD General Surgeon



Whenitcomestooutpatientsurgery,ophthalmicmedicineis,inaword,visionary.Ophthalmicprocedureswere

someofthefirstsurgeriestobeperformedonanoutpatientbasis.Today,theycontinuetobethemostcommonoutpatientsurgeries.

Theseproceduresespeciallyaresuitedforoutpatientsurgerycentersbecause:• Theyinvolverelativelylittlepainorbleeding.• Theyusuallylastnomorethananhour.• Recoverygenerallyiseasy.

AtTheGWSurgeryCenter,ophthalmicsurgeonsperformmanyprocedures,includingcataractsurgeryandglaucomaprocedures,tohelprestoreandmaintainclearvision.

Cataract Surgery

Duringacataractprocedure,thesurgeonremovesoneorbothoftheeyes’lenses,whichmaybecomecloudywithageorillness.Thecloudyfilmmakesitdifficultforlighttoreachthebackoftheeye,resultinginblurryordimmedvision.

Thesurgeonbreaksupthelensusingsoundwaves(aprocesscalledphacoemulsification),thencollectsthefragmentswithatinyvacuumdevice.Thelensisreplacedwithanartificialimplant

thatmay,insomecases,correctthepatient’snearsightednessorfarsightedness,aswellasgiveclear,uncloudedvision.

Glaucoma Procedures

Glaucomaproceduresrelievefluidpressureinsidetheeyethatdegradestheopticnerveandcausesvisionloss.Thesurgeonmayperformatrabeculectomy,aprocedureinwhichalaserbeamisusedtostretchtheeye’sdrain,allowingexcessfluidtofilteroutoftheeye.Also,thesurgeonmayimplantashunttocreateanextrapassagewayforthefluidtodrain.

DavidA.Belyea,MD,FACS,isanophthalmicsurgeonwhoperformsglaucomaandcataractproceduresatTheGWSurgeryCenter.“Evencomplexcases,suchasaprocedurethatinvolvesbothacataractextractionandaglaucomaoperation,canbeperformedinthisfacility,”henotes.

Seeing a New You

Oculoplasticproceduresincludecosmetic,correctiveandreconstructivesurgeryoftheeyelidsandareasurroundingtheeyes.SeveraloftheseproceduresareperformedatTheGWSurgeryCenter:• Blepharoplastyinvolvesremovingexcessskin,

muscleandfatfromtheupperandlowereyelids.Itmaybedoneforfunctionalreasonstofixsaggingeyelidsthatinterferewithvision,oritmaybedoneforcosmeticreasonstoredefinetheshapeoftheeyeforamoreyouthfulappearance.

• Ptosis repairinvolvesfixingeyelidsthatdroopduetomuscleparalysisorweakness.

• Ectropion and entropion repairscorrecteyelidsthatturnoutwardorinward,whichcausesirritationorexcessivetearing.

“Thenewfacilityhasanoperatingroomdedicatedtoeyeprocedureswiththeadvancedequipmentsurgeonsneed,”saysCraigE.Geist,MD,FACS,anoculoplasticophthalmicsurgeonatTheGWSurgeryCenter.“Also,patients’needsarecateredtoateveryturn.Forexample,wehavereclining,rollingchairsthatpatientscanremainonfrompre-optorecovery,sotheydon’thavetoclimbontoandoffoftheoperatingtable.Thisisespeciallyimportantforolderpatientswithmobilityissues.”

To schedule an appointment with an ophthalmic surgeon, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

See What Eye Surgery Can Do for You Outpatient Procedures Can Improve Vision and Appearance

“Evencomplexcases,suchasaprocedurethatinvolvesbotha

cataractextractionandaglaucomaoperation,can

beperformedatTheGWSurgery

Center.”— David A. Belyea,

MD, FACS

Removing a cataract

During phacoemulsification, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the lens through a corneal incision. Sound from the probe breaks the cloudy lens into pieces that are removed with a tiny vacuum device.

“Thenewfacilityhasanoperatingroomdedicatedtoeye

procedureswiththeadvancedequipmentsurgeonsneed.Also,patients’needsare

cateredtoateveryturn.”— Craig E. Geist, MD, FACS

David A. Belyea, MD, FACS Ophthalmic Surgeon

Craig E. Geist, MD, FACS Oculoplastic Ophthalmic Surgeon

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small corneal incision

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Information in Health News comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The George Washington University Hospital or Universal Health Services, Inc. Physicians mentioned in this publication are on the medical staff of The George Washington University Hospital but, with limited exceptions, are independent contractors who are not employees or agents of The George Washington University Hospital. ©2006. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

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Legs for Life! Free Screening for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Tuesday, Sept. 12, 8 AM – 4 PM, Free Ifyouhavelegpainwhenwalkingorexercising,don’tassumeit’sanormalpartofaging.YoumaybesufferingfromadiseaseofthearteriescalledPeripheralVascularDisease(PVD).Symptomsmayincludecoldfeetand/orlegs,numbnessandtinglinginyourfeetand/orlegs,paininlegswhilemovingbutnopainatrest.Location:HospitalLincolnRoom.If you are age 55 or older, join us for this important screening. Please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS to schedule your PVD screening appointment.

Frequent Urination? Simple and Effective Solutions for an Enlarged Prostate Wednesday, Sept. 27, 7 PM – 8:30 PM, Free Presenters:MichaelH.Phillipps,MD,FACS,ClinicalProfessorofUrologyandRamezAndrawis,MD,FRCS,MSc,AssistantProfessorofUrology.Ifyou’vebeenchangingyourlifestyletoaccommodateurinaryproblems,weinviteyoutoaseminarthatwilldetailthelatestproceduresthatcould

helpyouregainyourfreedom.New,minimallyinvasivesurgicaltreatmentsmayreduceprostatesizeandrelieveurinaryobstructionwithoutdamagingsurroundingtissue—resultinginfasterrecoveryandfewersideeffects.Location:HospitalAuditorium.To register, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Senior Health Expo 2006 Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 AM – 4 PM, Free SeniorCitizenswon’twanttomissthisyear’sFREESeniorHealthExpo.Enjoyinformativeexhibitsonhealth,fitnessandfinance.RegisterforFREEcholesterol,glucoseandbloodpressurescreenings.Windoorprizesandmore!SponsoredbytheGWSeniorAdvantageProgram.Location:Hospitalfirstfloor.For more information, please visit www.gwhospital.com or call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

Free Prostate Screenings in September SeptemberisProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.TheGWmedicalcommunityishostingfreeprostatescreeningsbyappointmentondesignateddaysduringSeptember(includesaPSAtestanddigitalrectalexam).Screeningsaresuggestedforallmenage50+andAfricanAmericanmenage40+.African

Americanmenandthosewithafamilyhistoryofthediseaseareatincreasedriskforprostatecancer.Thisisascreeningappointmentandnottobeusedforasecondopinion.Space is limited, so register today by calling 202-741-3100.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

LookfortheGW MammovaninyourcommunityduringOctoberandgetyourscreeningmammogram.

Oct. 9,Springfield/FranconiaFamilyResourceCenter,7224CommerceSt.,Springfield,VA

Oct. 18,CharteredFamilyHealthCenter,3924MinnesotaAve.,N.E.,Washington,DC

Oct. 25,CasaofMaryland,34UniversityBlvd.,SilverSpring,MD

To schedule your screening mammogram, or for a complete calendar of upcoming screening sites, please call 202-741-3270.

Fall Seminars 2006

to register, please visit our web site at www.gwhospital.com or call 1-888-�gw-doCs.

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