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Fort HealthCare Pulmonary Awareness Celebration set for Thursday, March 14

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

In celebration of Pulmonary Awareness Month, Fort HealthCare will host a free event Thursday, March 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in various locations on the first floor of Fort Memorial Hospital.

The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with an indoor wellness walk in the Mezzanine. Free presentations and demonstrations will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room with a discussion by Donald Williams, MD on advanced care planning and how to avoid a hospital stay with COPD. At 10:30 a.m. there will be a chair yoga presentation and at 11:00 a.m. Lori Sachse, respiratory therapist, will discuss the function and uses of inhalers. At 11:30 a.m., Fort HealthCare fitness instructor, Tiffany Frohmader will demonstrate arm strengthening exercises as well as other exercises to help promote pulmonary health.

Wellness screenings, including pulmonary function testing, blood pressure and body fat analysis will be offered in the Mezzanine on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the event. Oxygen One will be on-hand to demonstrate portable oxygen systems. Healthy snacks will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Nearly 15 million U.S. adults have diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many more may be suffering with it without even knowing it. COPD is the name for a group of progressive lung diseases, including bronchitis and emphysema that make it difficult to breathe. Fort HealthCare’s pulmonary rehabilitation program consists of progressive exercise to strengthen muscles and increase endurance as well as provide emotional support to those suffering from COPD. The team, led by Dr. Williams, includes a respiratory therapist, exercise psychologist, registered nurse, registered dietitian, your personal physician, social worker and occupational therapist.

For more information on the Pulmonary Awareness Celebration or Fort HealthCare’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, please call (920) 568-5349 or visit FortHealthCare.com/Pulmonary.