nDr. Robert Brannon, professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology of the LSU Health Sciences Center, has been reappointed by the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Charles Green, to serve a three-year term as the Civilian National Consultant for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology to the Surgeon General. Brannon, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, will monitor the quality of care for his specialty, access to care standards, evaluate proposed protocols, assist in the development of policy and manpower standards and advise on assignment actions. Brannon’s previous appointments include visiting lecturer in forensic dentistry at FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. and forensic dentistry consultant for the European U.S. Air Force.
nThe Center for Restorative Breast Surgery offers monthly EnCourage Support Group meetings the second Wednesday of every month. They are aimed at women and their loved ones who are either battling breast cancer or on the mend, and are a great way for women to stay strong during this difficult time. For the month of February the center will offer “a candid conversation on intimacy issues during and after breast cancer treatment.” Meetings are free and open to the public. Space is limited, however, and reservations are required. Call 899-2800 for more information.
nLakeview Regional Medical Center recently released its annual list of 10 health issues for parents and physicians to watch for in children in the upcoming year. In the midst of myriad issues affecting today’s youths, Lakeview Regional designated these as notable on their “10 Kids’ Health Issues to Watch:” Early signs of autism; obesity; the H1N1 pandemic; texting while driving; the after-effect of concussions; logging too much time social networking; not taking advantage of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (as many as 11 million children are not enrolled in the government-sponsored program); Vitamin D deficiency; smoking; and an increase in teen pregnancy and STDs.
nSt. Charles Vision, a locally owned eye care specialist with optical outlets throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area, now offers the new hybrid contact lens SynergEyes. The new lenses are a blend the “visual acuity” of a hard contact and comfort of a soft one, and are meant for those who would otherwise be unable to wear contacts due to a pre-existing condition. Patients with Astigmatism or nearsightedness and those who wear bi-focals or suffer from the eye disease Keratoconus (thinning of the cornea) are no longer relegated to traditional glasses. Patients are individually fitted with a custom contact, with the result in most cases of 20/20 vision and “excellent comfort.”
