Pre-Spring greetings! We’ve got tips for you from our cardiologist Dr. Mitchell Fishbach’s popular community lecture on the “Mind-Body Connection” for a healthy heart--now brought to print in this issue. (These are tips that can work hand in hand with medical treatment for other diagnoses as well.) Also, we have many announcements and updates, including a new general surgeon, handling your appointment scheduling “after hours,” why our WESTMED Online patient portal is better than ever and news about parking at our 210 Westchester Avenue, White Plains office. 

Welcome to the Winter issue of WESTMED’s InTouch patient newsletter. This two-page issue highlights the rollout of WESTMED’s “Asthma Action Plan” as a key strategy for the management of asthma in adolescent and adult patients. Then, our five new physicians discuss what drew them to their specialties. Also, we give a preview of the new community talks and classes that we have in store for Winter 2013. Our new two-page format of InTouch enables the newsletter to be issued more frequently with timely health information and current news about the practice.  

In our lead article, we are happy to familiarize the community with the compassionate, coordinated care of WESTMED’s Breast Center through the eyes of a patient.  Then, since sleeping problems are experienced by everyone—at one time or another—we have included a feature on sleeping tips from the pulmonologist who directs our new Sleep Center.  We have 7 new doctors to introduce to you, and we invite you to participate in 3 popular walks for worthwhile causes that we support in the area.  Whole grains are all the rage, and we offer an “awesome” cookie recipe for the “cookie monsters” in your home.

This issue introduces WESTMED’s new case management program that offers a “coach” and supporter for patients with chronic illnesses to help them manage their often complicated conditions. There’s an article on how men can stay healthy, and we provide important Summer safety tips for families. Meet our new doctors, and get a quick preview at a glance of our upcoming classes and talks.

We’ve got 3 topics answering the “What’s New?” question in this issue: First, the introduction of a palliative medicine service to provide support to patients and families living with serious and progressive illnesses. Secondly, read about our new, friendly Web-based approach to better patient education using animated video--to help you take an active role in your healthcare. And then, we describe what our newest medical office in New Rochelle has to offer…and MORE 

Inside this issue, we share some of the latest news about heart disease and stroke, cancer advances in 2011, using physician rating sites, plus our new doctors tell you why they chose their specialties. 

This issue features stories about the opening of WESTMED’s third urgent care center at Westchester’s Ridge Hill, what all the types of rehabilitation therapy can do for you, recent awards and recognitions and new physicians.

Inside this issue, we announce the opening of our newest full-service office at Ridge Hill, discuss what to look for in a sunscreen, learn how to put together a healthy picnic basket, and we unveil WESTMED’s latest talks and classes.

This issue highlights the latest in vein services since the early treatment for varicose veins, suggests ways to quiet your achy hips and knees, while a dermatologist provides specifics on how to minimize your melanoma risk.