Doctors Community Hospital - Passion for Caring

Save the Date

Women's Health Conference "A Woman's Retreat"

Our fourth Women's Health Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the University of Maryland University College, Inn and Conference Center in Adelphi, Maryland.

Conference Schedule

Fee: $45

The fee includes participation in the conference, continental breakfast, seated lunch, signature gift bag and parking.

Registration for this event will begin in August.

Breakout Session 1

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

1A. Diabetes: From childhood to adulthood- A trend that deserves our attention

with Karl B. Finley, M.D., Endocrinology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Doctors Community Hospital

Join Dr. Karl Finley as he calls your attention to the national and global epidemic of diabetes and obesity. He will enhance your understanding of these conditions and illustrate the relationship between them. Participants will be introduced to medical and lifestyle therapies that are the necessary components to successfully battling these conditions.  Moreover, he will discuss habits learn in childhood that continue to adulthood and oppose preventative lifestyle measures.

1B. Arthritis: Oh, My aching joints

       with Donald Thomas, M.D., Rheumatology, Doctors Community Hospital

If you have arthritis, you have an important role in managing it. Unfortunately, according to the Arthritis Foundation, many Americans think there is nothing that can be done about their arthritis. In many cases, you have more control over reducing the symptoms that you may think. Learn more from Dr. Donald Thomas about the leading causes of arthritis, the different types, and treatment options.

1C. Health Maintenance: Nag, Nag, Nag… Why your physician tells you to do these things

with Stephanie Trifoglio, M.D., F.A.C.P, Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, Doctors Community Hospital

From managing your blood pressure, to eating right, to keeping your mind active, to having an exercise routine. These are the topics your physician is always nagging you about. Dr. Stephanie Trifoglio will explain why you need to listen. She will discuss hypertension and the effects of untreated high blood pressure; why eating healthy is critical to make sure you get all the nutrients your body needs; the importance of keeping your mind active; and how exercise is your “fountain of youth.”

1D. Cancer Prevention & Early Detection: When to Get What

            with Rita Gupta, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Doctors Community Hospital

Prevention and early detection are some of the best strategies to winning the battle against cancer. Dr. Rita Gupta will share with us the recommended guidelines for screenings as well what steps you need to follow if cancer is detected.

 Breakout Session

11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

2A. Breast Health: Dispelling breast health and breast cancer myths

          with Regina Hampton, M.D., General Surgery, Doctors Community Hospital

Breast cancer is among the most frightening diagnoses for women, not only for health reasons but for image reasons as well. Let Dr. Regina Hampton, who focuses her practice on breast surgery, be your guide to understanding the overwhelming emotions, the disease, treatment options, and recovery from breast cancer.

2B. Pain Management: Freedom from pain

          with Damean Freas, D.O., Pain Medicine, Doctors Community Hospital

Millions of Americans have acute or chronic pain that has clinical and psychological consequences and has a negative impact on their quality of life. However, barriers to managing pain still exist. Dr. Damean Freas will explain the non-surgical approaches to treating neck and back pain.

2C. Incontinence: A going concern

          with Arnold Willis, M.D., Urologist, Doctors Community Hospital

Millions of Americans experience loss of bladder control. While often temporary, incontinence is always caused by an underlying medical condition. Typically experienced more by older women then younger women, loss of bladder control is not something that has to happen as you age. It can be treated and often cured. Dr. Arnold Willis will discuss why and how women lose urinary control as well as the latest surgical and non-surgical ways to effectively mange symptoms. Don’t let embarrassment about incontinence prevent you from talking to your health care provider about your condition and finding out if you have a medical condition that need treatment.

2D. Sleep Health: The ABCs of ZZZs

          with Riad Dakheel, M.D., Pulmonary Disease, Doctors Community Hospital

It refreshes us like nothing else. Sleep is necessary to allow the brain and body to recover from all the day’s events, allowing you to think clearer and perform better in all aspects of life. Chronic lack of sleep can affect your physical health and mental health - resulting in higher stress, increased mistakes, and difficulty concentrating. Many of us don’t know that our fatigue is caused by a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Riad Dakheel will let us know about the prevalent sleep disorders in women and how we can improve the sleep that is so essential to our well being.

Breakout Session

2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

3A. Weight Loss for Life: Ten Easy Steps to Achieve Effective and Permanent Weight Loss

          with Angela Marshall, M.D., Internal Medicine, Doctors Community Hospital

Learn ten effective strategies to help participants get closer to their ideal weight. Dr. Angela Marshall will highlight the obesity trends in the U.S. over the past ten years as well as the medical complications associated with America’s expanding waistline.

3B. Gastro-Intestinal Health: The Ins and Outs of It All!

          with Alpha Banks, M.D., Gastroenterology, Doctors Community Hospital

Gastrointestinal disorders can be different in men and women. Many lifestyle factors contribute to our tender tummies. These disorders may cause embarrassment and prevent women from seeking medical care. Dr. Alpha Banks will shed light on common GI health issues, risk factors, and what you can do to prevent gastrointestinal illness.

3C. Menopause Matters: The Changes that Happen and Hormone Replacement Therapy

          with Chandra Graham, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology & Ricardo Scartascini, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology, Doctors Community Hospital

Hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness and irritability are just a few of the discomforting symptoms of menopause that affect every woman. Dr. Chandra Graham and Dr. Ricardo Scartascini will discuss the controversial issues surrounding menopause and hormone replacement therapy. They will share coping techniques and options available to help live through it.

3D. Spine & Neck: Current Trends in the Surgical Management of Neck & Back Pain

          with Gary Dix, M.D., Neurosurgery, Doctors Community Hospital

Not simply an ache. This pain is serious. You have explored other ways of treatment and wonder — could surgery end the discomfort once and for all? Learn from Dr. Gary Dix what new and existing surgical techniques are available for the treatment of spinal disorders after all other treatment modalities have failed.

3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

General Session

Fitness Demo for All Ages

        with Patricia Smith

Patricia has been instructing senior fitness classes for 14 years. She began her fitness career 19 years ago teaching aerobics at the Silver Spring YMCA.  She is certified as a group fitness instructor with the Arthritis Foundation since 1994 as well as personal trainer and yoga instructor. As a longtime fitness professional, Patricia believes that sharing her knowledge about the benefits of exercise and the proper way to do exercises are all part of teaching others to exercise.

It is essential that people of all ages have the proper amount of exercise every day. However, it is especially important that as we age we engage in regular physical exercise in order to maintain proper health and fitness. Regular activity also promises mental-health benefits, like relieving stress and anxiety. It can help you sleep better and renew your energy. Come join Patricia Smith as she leads us in an exercise demo that can be done by everyone, even from your seat. You will benefit from techniques that promote optimum joint flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and cardiovascular conditioning.