MEMORY LOSS SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET JULY 7
The Caregivers’ Memory Loss Support Group will be held at The Glen Retirement System July 7. This is a support group for those caring for loved ones suffering from memory loss related illnesses. The meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Harrell Library at The Glen (access via main entrance on Flournoy Lucas Road). Call 798-3500 or e-mail info@theglensystem. org for more details.
LOCAL DOCTOR IMPLANTS MINI-TELESCOPE IN PATIENT’S EYE
Dr. Christopher Shelby, of WK Eye Institute, has successfully performed the area’s first surgery to implant a miniature telescope in the eye of a patient with endstage macular degeneration. The patient, who had dealt with age-related macular degeneration for 40 years, was implanted at 8 a.m. April 20, and by noon was able to read part of a menu. The surgery was performed at the WK Eye Surgery Center in Shreveport, the site of many of the region’s “firsts” in eye care over the years.
The telescope technology, developed by Vision Care, is used as part of the CentraSight treatment program to offer new hope and a better quality of life for patients with this diagnosis. The program is multidisciplinary, requiring not only the surgeon but a retinal specialist, low-vision optometrist and occupational therapist for follow-up care.
This is the only FDA-approved implantable telescope, employing wide-angle micro-optics in a Galilean telescope design. The implant, along with the cornea, enlarges images in front of the eye up to 2.7 times their normal size.
This treatment is reserved for patients over age 65 who currently have cataracts. However, Shelby notes that criteria are changing, so patients who have already had cataract surgery will likely be able to have the implant in the future. It is covered by Medicare.
More information on the technology is available at the WK Eye Institute’s Web site, wkeyeinstitute.com.
BOSSIER COUNCIL ON AGING OFFERS WATER AEROBICS CLASSES
The Bossier Council on Aging offers water aerobics classes to any senior 60 and above for free every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-11:30 a.m.
Beginners class 10-10:45 and intermediate 10:45 to 11:30. Persons under 60 can also attend at a fee of $5 per person per day in attendance.
Classes will be held at the Fort Smith pool, located at the corner of Bearkat Drive and Coleman, Bossier City, weather permitting. Life guards will be on duty courtesy of the Bossier Parks and Recreation.
A liability waiver must be completed and on file with the Bossier Council on Aging activity director before anyone may participate.
For information, call Marilyn at 741-8302, or e-mail mcreswell@bossiercoa.org
GIVE BACK PROGRAM RECOGNIZES HIGH SCHOOL GRADS
Willis-Knighton Health System has recognized 62 high school graduates as part of its Give Back program. These students, all children of Willis-Knighton employees, received $2,000 scholarships to further their educations in a college, university, vocational or technical school setting.
The Give Back Scholarships are awarded annually to children of Willis-Knighton employees who learn at an early age to mirror their parents’ mission of service at Willis- Knighton by giving back to the community during their high school careers.
Since its establishment in 2010, the health system has awarded more than $434,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors whose parents are employed by Willis-Knighton.
ERIC WINGARD NAMED CHRISTUS HEALTH VP OF FINANCE
Eric Wingard, CPA, CHFP, was named the vice-president of finance for CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier. Wingard comes to CHRISTUS from Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Ark., where he served as the director of accounting. Prior to his position at Jefferson Regional Wingard Medical Center, he was an audit supervisor with Frost, PLLS, an accounting firm with offices in Arkansas and North Carolina. Before moving into health-care finance and public accountancy, Eric served in the Army National Guard as a Huey helicopter mechanic.
