Medical Town Meetings Address Variety Of Health Subjects

DANBURY — Sleep disorders, caring for a loved one, and fibromyalgia will be discussed by doctors and health care experts at community Medical Town Meetings in April sponsored by Danbury Hospital. The meetings begin at 7 pm in the Danbury Hospital Auditorium.

April 5, “Sleepless in Connecticut — Wake Up To The Facts About Insomnia.” Issues related to sleeplessness will be discussed by a panel of doctors from the Sleep Disorders Center at Danbury Hospital. Sleep problems are very pervasive today, causing many people frustration and fatigue. If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or know that you have insomnia, this program is for you.

Center speakers will include Arthur Speilman, PhD, director of research and consultant; and Andrew Tucker, PhD, insomnia specialist. David Oelberg, MD, medical director, will moderate the panel discussion, which will also include Danbury Hospital pulmonologists John Chronokos, MD, and Douglas Kahn, MD, as well as registered polysomnography technologist and registered respiratory therapist Stuart Moses. Guests at the Medical Town Meeting can also tour the Sleep Disorders Center at Danbury Hospital.

April 6, “When A Loved One Needs Care.” Caring for a loved one can be challenging, but many options are available to provide care and support. The program explores making decisions about extended care options and evaluating their appropriateness, understanding the financial maze, community resources, and more.

Ann Faraguna, executive director of the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association, an affiliate of Danbury Health Systems, will speak. Joining her as speakers and panelist will be Kevin Donohue, executive director of the Nurses Registry, Paul Lux, an attorney expert in elder law, Michael Malone, administrator of Hancock Hall, vice president of Filosa, two local extended care facilities, and Maureen Moore, RN, MA, executive director of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut.

April 26, “Understanding Fibromyalgia.” Danbury Hospital and the Arthritis Foundation of Connecticut present an in-depth program addressing the symptoms, diagnosis, and latest research regarding this elusive syndrome. David Trock, MD, Department of Medicine, chief of the Section of Rheumatology, will discuss how this often misunderstood disease is diagnosed and treated, and how patients can better cope.

Kenneth Miller, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, will address the pharmaceutical treatments of fibromyalgia. Also joining as speakers and panelist will be Art Hanley, LMT, a certified massage therapist, Susan Nesci, program director of the Arthritis Foundation, Southern New England Chapter, and Rob Morse, Program Coordinator & Exercise Physiologist at the Danbury Hospital Main Street Physical Rehabilitation Center.

Danbury Hospital Medical Town Meetings take place in the John C. Creasy Center for Health Education auditorium at Danbury Hospital from 7 to 8:30 pm. Park free in the Blue Visitor’s parking lot, Hospital Avenue Entrance.

For more information about Danbury Hospital community health and wellness programs and services, go to www.danburyhospital.org, or call the marketing and public relations department, 797-7247.