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The 400 attendees chose from an array of lectures presenting information on: arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, technologies in orthopedic surgery, mood disorders, pelvic cancer, and stroke.
Keynote Janice Murphy, President of Fairview Hospital, delivered an energetic, humorous speech and outlined ways women can balance their families, career, and find sometime to pamper themselves.
In her speech—titled Finding yourself without Getting Lost… Focus on the Big Stuff—Murphy said it is important to define what the “big stuff” is and include oneself in that definition. She suggested women adhere to eight commandments, or find at least one that resonates with them, and follow it. “I thought God would be truly offended if I choose ten,” she mused.
Murphy reminded women that perfection is not the goal; balance yields a healthier and fulfilled life. She shared a clip from the I Love Lucy Show where Lucy and Ricky Ricardo switched job roles to prove to each other their job was more demanding.
Murphy said the pressure to be Superwoman was at its height in the 1950s, “These women were homemakers, they were gorgeous, they had careers, and they did everything, while wearing high heels.” She calls stay-at-home women Chief Executive Officers of the Households because their responsibilities span over finances, time management, delegation, effective operations, conflict resolution, y más.
Murphy suggested setting priorities and keeping them parallel to our core values. Identify stressors in life and take action to reduce them or find ways to de-stress. Simplify your life by sharing responsibility, delegating chores, and setting realistic expectations. And, yes, even hire household help.
“This isn’t really new… yet there is one thing that we can identify and it will resonate with us,” she stressed. Murphy said the art of saying ‘No’ is essential and prevents tendencies to over commit, “We give ourselves only 30 minutes to sleep in a day and then we wonder why we are so cranky!”
See the hole in the donut
Procrastinating wastes energy, more than the actual task would use, so, “Just do it!”
Focus on the positive, she insisted, be grateful for your parents, friends, country, life, and stop dwelling on the negative.
“You know, some people just see the hole in the doughnut; I on the other hand see the doughnut,” she said merrily joking she has exceeded her Weight Watcher’s calorie count for 2010.
She shared modern insights from the Dalai Lama, “Great love, great achievement involve great risk; if you lose, never lose the lesson.” Murphy said. She advised women should adhere to the 3 R’s—Respect for self, Respect for others, and taking Responsibility for our actions. One action she suggested was thanking our parents and professing love to everyone we cherish.
Cleveland Clinic President and Chief Executive Officer Fred M. DeGrandis presented four ‘Women of Accomplishment Awards’ to: Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis, Helen K. Jones (posthumously), Carol Kovach, and Natalie A Leek-Nelson for their dedication and support of the Cleveland community.
“These are women of accomplishment who provide great service to the community,” said DeGrandis. He praised Lutheran hospital and its employees for their commitment to serving. He thanked Medical Mutual and Sun Newspapers for their support and credited them for making the event possible.
Lecture Synopsis
Simply Women, Simply Wonderful Chair Committee selects outstanding medical professionals to share pertinent health information important for women.
Orthopedic Surgeon Laurence Bilfield, M.D. of Lutheran Hospital shared his expertise on arthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder knee replacements and technological advances that are improving longevity and reducing the painful conditions.
Showing diagrams and anatomical pictures Dr. Bilfield explained the differences between degenerative and inflammatory arthritis, the medical and surgical procedures used to cure them, and the risks involved.
Bilfield estimated the cost of orthopedic surgery such as knee replacement around $100,000 and said it is typically preferred for younger patients. Age, activity, mental outlook and medical condition determine which patient is the best candidate but, “It also depends on which insurance will reimburse the costs,” Bilfield said. He said physical therapy, medical, and topical treatments can also benefit patients.
OB/GYN Amy L. Stephens, M.D. of Fairview Hospital offered tips on being better patients. She suggests keeping a list of medical history—medications, surgeries, immunizations, allergies, herbal remedies, lab tests—at all times. Prepare questions before an appointment, verbalize concerns, ask for clarification, and keep notes to help you remember.
The average patient asks only 1.4 questions per visit which includes inquiries about parking. Let the doctor know in the beginning if you have more than one health concern. Bring all of your medications, including over-the-counter supplements, to the appointment and sort through them with your doctor to minimize potentially dangerous interactions. Dispose of expired medications.
When it comes to a heart attack or stroke, the first hour is crucial to saving a life. Stroke is the third largest killer among adults in the United States and the number one cause of adult disability. It can be prevented 80 percent of the time as long as you remember to think F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time). Ask the person to smile looking for a droop, or raise their arms to see involuntary downward slump, or ask them to repeat simple sentences and listen for slurred speech.
For more information, visit: www.lakewoodhospital.org/stroke for your free stroke information kit. Lakewood Hospital has been designated as a “Primary Stroke Center.”
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