Niagara This Week - St. Catharines THOROLD -- Following a month-long stay in China, Kim Dennie has more faith now than she ever did that her wheelchair will be a part of her past. On Jan. 13, Dennie left her home in Allanburg on a journey to China for stem cell therapy treatments not available in Canada. After an assessment, Dennie was told the words she has so longed to hear since her life was changed nearly four years ago. "They told me that my condition is not that bad and I should be able to walk again," Dennie told This Week. "With the right mindset and persistence and continued therapy, I will walk." In July 2003 Dennie, and her two children, 13-year-old Brittany and 12-year-old Jamie, were returning from a trip to Sudbury. The car she was riding in was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle. The car slammed into the passenger side door where she was sitting. Dennie broke her back, neck, shoulder and pelvis and hasn't been able to walk since. The initial diagnosis was complete spinal chord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Three months later she was wiggling the toes on her left foot … Continue reading →

Summary: Cyberonics posted a meaningful 13.6% rise in its second-quarter fiscal 2014 EPS to $0.50, and a healthy 12% increase in revenues to $70.1 million. The numbers also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimates of $0.49 and $69 million, respectively. Cyberonics continued to gain from a solid foothold in the epilepsy market and strong overseas business. Further penetration in the still untapped epilepsy market should catalyze growth. The company's lucrative pipeline is another upside. Attractive share buyback continues to boost investors' return. However, the setback on TRD indication and lower contributions from Japan remain major downsides. The situation in Japan is not likely to improve in this fiscal year, and margin pressure represents another area of concern. The company also faces a tough competitive landscape and a challenging macroeconomic scenario. Thus, we remain Neutral. Overview: Cyberonics Inc. (CYBX) is a medical technology company with core expertise in neuromodulation. The company provides Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The VNS Therapy System is delivered from a small pacemaker-like generator implanted in the chest that sends preprogrammed, intermittent, mild electrical pulses through the vagus nerve in the neck to the brain. VNS Therapy for … Continue reading →

POSTED ON BEHALF OF FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEM Autism center names new clinical director JOPLIN, Mo.Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism proudly announces its new clinical director, Kristy Parker. A board-certified behavior analyst, Parker joined Freeman in 2011. As clinical director, she serves on the Autism Diagnostic Team and oversees all clinical programming, including day treatment, the Special Education Center, teen and adult classes, outpatient services, Missouri Department of Mental Health services, and First Steps services. Additionally, she oversees parent training and staff training and development. Parker earned a masters degree in education/special education with an emphasis in autism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. She also holds a masters degree in psychology/applied behavior analysis from the University of Nevada in Reno, Nev. Kristy brings a wealth of experience to the role of clinical director, said Vicky Mieseler, Ozark Center Vice President of Clinical Services. Her compassion, knowledge, and expertise will serve to strengthen the services we offer to children and families dealing with autism spectrum disorders. ### Excerpt from: Autism center names new clinical director … Continue reading →

CINCINNATI - If you're having a stroke, it's crucial that you get medical help as quickly as possible. The right treatment can mean the difference between life and death and reduce future impairment. Now, doctors are testing a possible new, medical breakthrough for stroke victims. "One side of the body doesn't work. They can't speak. They can't see," said Dr. Arthur M. Pancioli, professor and chairman in the department of emergency medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Most strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain. If you get help within three hours, you can get a drug called TPA, but Pancioli, an expert in emergency medicine, warned of the risks. "With that drug, one in about 16 patients that you treat will have bleeding into the brain," Pancioli said. Dr. George Shaw and researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine are testing a breakthrough technique to dissolve human blood clots more quickly, without the risk of bleeding. Theyre using a natural enzyme called plasmin. "It's the most effective therapy we've ever looked at," said Shaw, emergency medicine associate professor, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The plasmin is … Continue reading →

St. Lukes The Woodlands Hospital received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Associations Get With The Guidelines Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospitals commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients. SLWH also was recognized in 2012 by the American Stroke Association with the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Bronze Quality Achievement Award. These prestigious awards are truly the result of the outstanding vision and leadership of our medical staff. Over the last 18 months, we have made a concentrated effort to not just meet, but to exceed the measures set forth by the American Stroke Association, said Debra Sukin, CEO of St. Lukes The Woodlands Hospital. Our stroke program as an essential component of our neuroscience program, which also encompasses clinical, intervention, surgical core and gamma knife treatment. We are proud to be recognized. The hospital achieved an 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement indicators for 12 consecutive months and also achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures the reporting initiatives that measure quality of care. These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as antithrombiotics, anticoagulation … Continue reading →