BCHS surgeon to talk about healthy lungs and how to keep them that way

About the Speaker: Dr. Tammy Gleeson is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiovascular thoracic surgeon and member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff. Dr. Gleeson received her medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. She completed her internship at Bi-County Community Hospital in Warren, Michigan and her residency in general surgery at St. John-Detroit Riverview Hospital. She returned to Bi-County - Henry Ford Health System where she was awarded a fellowship in cardiovascular thoracic surgery. Dr. Gleeson is the chair of the department of perioperative services at Battle Creek Health System, and is affiliated with the Vascular Health Center in Battle Creek.

Healthy lungs are important to our quality of life. But we often take them for granted until we begin having trouble breathing.

Dr. Tammy Gleeson, a cardiovascular surgeon at Battle Creek Health System will uncover the benefits of prevention measurements to reduce the risk for lung disease and cancer, including the management of lung disease at a special program on Wednesday, June 24 at Burnham Brook Center.

The presentation, which is free to the public, is sponsored through Senior Health Partners in coordination with BCHS. A lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Gleeson's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. Reservations can be made by calling the class/seminar registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).

Dr. Gleeson will review the primary goals aimed in the management of lung disease. They include relieving symptoms, preventing disease progression, improving exercise tolerance, improving health status, preventing and treating complications, preventing and treating exacerbations, and reducing mortality. Discussion will also cover preventive measures one can take in reducing their risk for lung disease and cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, and its annual incidence and mortality rate have risen over the past 25 years. It is estimated that over 215,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed with approximately 162,000 deaths in the U.S. this year. To put that into perspective, an estimated 127,500 deaths will occur during the same period from the combined mortality of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.

One of the newest tools in the physicians' arsenals to address lung disease is the robotic surgery platform. Dr. Gleeson is the first surgeon in SW Michigan to use the daVinci surgical robotic system in the treatment of various lung conditions and cancers. The di Vanci surgical system is a 'cutting edge' technology that enables the patient to experience faster recovery, less pain, and less blood loss.

Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

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