Sarasota Memorial HealthCasts

The teen volunteer program has been a great success - and it allows teens with an early interest in the healthcare field. They bring excitement and thirst for knowledge to the whole hospital. Also, one of the most popular groups of volunteers is Pet Therapy! They visit many units and bring joy and unconditional love to so many patients & visitors!

From the first face-to-face meeting to the final orientation, becoming a volunteer at SMH requires a commitment of time, dedication... and empathy! The new volunteer will shadow a veteran to become more comfortable with directions in the hospital - and everything else will come with experience.

Volunteers make a big difference in our visitor's & patient's lives. Their dedication, caring and talents are on display every day. Listen and meet one of our awesome volunteers!

Delivering gifts, helping people feel more comfortable, handing out free coffee, helping people get to a destination... just a few of the tasks the volunteers perform. They are often the first friendly face people see when they arrive on campus. Listen how you can volunteer too!

In our on-going "Ask an Expert" series, we spoke with Sarasota Memorial's Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, and Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Jonathan Hoffberger about minimally invasive surgery.

When someone is going through inpatient rehab - or anyone who needs support - the Mobility Support Group can visit with a wheelchair user to help them get accustomed to a new life situation. They can also help educate caregivers and family members and providing them with essential resources. Listen to find out how to contact John Berkey.

Whether it's getting out on the links, the baseball diamond or even the tennis courts... there are there are multiple options for participating while being in a wheelchair. Listen in and find out how adaptive sports are popping up everywhere!

We live in a golfer's dreamland. Just because a person is in a wheelchair, that doesn't mean that playing golf is not possible. Listen to find out about how technology and community support has made golf accessible.

John Berkey is a co-founder of a local support group that helps those people using wheelchairs lead a fuller more robust life. Whether it's a physical, emotional or financial hurdle, John and the group can help find solutions.

It's gift-giving season, and some of those electronics use button batteries - the little coin-sized batteries. Button battery ingestion is on the rise and can lead to serious complications and even death. Listen to learn what to do if a child swallows one.

Difficult times makes the good times more enjoyable. Whether it's depression, stress, anxiety or a combination of each - you can find help. There are healthy amounts of each in everyone's life, but if it becomes too much, do not deny it's impact.

In most cases, the "blues" are triggered by situations like stress, conflict or unmet expectations which can make someone feel down. However, depression is present when the the situations are absent and someone feels down. Learn more about the differences and solutions to both.

There are many ways to help reduce stress during the holidays - including delegation, changing expectations and making time for yourself. Listen in to find out where these stresses come from and a few more tips.

Visiting & celebrating is on the menu for many people at this time of year - but what if you aren't in the spirit of he holidays? Maybe you are feeling blue - or depressed? Listen in.

Learn what to look for in inpatient stroke rehab, what can be expected & what the latest advancements in stroke rehab are in this recorded "Ask An Expert" Q&A.

Red Tide is a big topic right now, especially in Southwest Florida. But what exactly are red tide's health effects? Should we skip the beach during red-tide blooms? SMH Pulmonary Disease specialist Dr. Kirk Voelker explains.

In a nutshell, a healthy lifestyle. But in reality, they all add into the formula. Eating well, which provides nutrients for bone health; regular exercise to reduce the weight stress on the joints; and not smoking (yes - that affects your bones!). Listen & learn more.

Indirect Posterior Spinal Decompression, a new procedure performed by Sarasota Memorial's Dr. Eugene Pereira, may help you. Once a detailed discussion & review of your specific situation is done, you may be a candidate. One of the benefits? It's covered by Medicare. Listen for more benefits.

The procedure, called Indirect Posterior Spinal Decompression, can help alleviate insufficient blood flow that starts in the lower back. The minimally-invasive (small incision) procedure is done in one appointment... and can provide immediate relief. Listen & learn more!

Back pain is the number 1 reason why people go to a pain specialist. Ailments like spinal slippage or curvature are treated with certain procedures. In the case of spinal compression, a new treatment called indirect posterior spinal decompression. Listen & learn more!

When we get older, our vision deteriorate, joints get stiffer and reaction time is reduced. When it comes to driving, these can negatively affect one's ability to drive. SMH offers a driver assessment and re-education program that helps people remain independent, but keep others safe.

With the many types dementia - such as early dementia, Alzheimer's dementia & Parkinson's dementia - it can be hard to know if you or a loved one is affected. There are early warning signs like confusion, getting lost in familiar places or difficulty following instructions. Listen for more signs, and some tips to keep the brain healthy and perhaps keep dementia at bay.

There are many therapies that can help with the treatment of osteoarthritis, but a pill isn't the be all and end all. Aside from steroid injections, physical therapy can be prescribed that can include stretching, water programs and even weight loss. Listen to find out how to help prevent osteoarthritis.

When visiting a Pain Management Doctor, a medical history and imaging will become part of the story that will help diagnose the best treatment for pain. In the case of Osteoarthritis, non-prescription solutions like losing weight, diet change and exercise can help relieve pain before any medication enters the equation.

Osteoarthritis is the gradual wearing away of the cartilage between the joints. From the back, to the hips & knees, to the foot; arthritis affects the joints in different ways. Learn more!