Rosemary Birthing Home Welcomes New Midwife

Rosemary Birthing Home is proud to announce that Priscilla Kramer, who has served Sarasota as a student midwife since 2011, is now a Florida Licensed Midwife (LM) and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). Licensed Midwives are registered and recognized by the Florida Department of Health as autonomous maternity care providers for women experiencing normal, low-risk healthy pregnancies.

“The night I received my license to practice midwifery in Florida and my CPM credential, I attended my first birth as an official Licensed Midwife,” says Priscilla. “Baby Joah was caught by his mother in the water at Rosemary Birthing Home! She labored beautifully and quickly. This family is on cloud nine, and I am right there with them.”

In 2008, Priscilla graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. In 2009 she began her studies at The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, graduating earlier this month. In addition to her apprenticeship at Rosemary Birthing Home, she trained in Central Florida with home birth midwives and completed an internship in Honduras. Priscilla has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008 and is certified in neonatal resuscitation and CPR.

"I am so happy to have Priscilla by my side as a Licensed Midwife,” says Harmony Miller, midwife, owner and operator of Rosemary Birthing Home since 2006. “The way she cares for our clients is directly in line with the Rosemary Birthing Home philosophy of compassionate, evidence-based care."

Rosemary Birthing Home was established in 2003 and is owned and operated by Licensed Midwives. A free-standing, accredited birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care embedded with the philosophy that birth is a normal, healthy process that most often requires no medical intervention. For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthinghome.com

About Rosemary Birthing Home: Established in 2003, Rosemary Birthing Home is a free-standing birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District. Owned and operated by Florida licensed midwives, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care, birth center births, home births, water births, pre-pregnancy nutrition counseling, postpartum care, babywearing classes, support groups, lactation counseling, complete childbirth education, a lending library and more. A free Choices in Childbirth Class and Rosemary Birthing Home Orientation is offered on Mondays and Tuesdays (by appointment only). For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthinghome.com.

Pure Barre to Open Lakewood Ranch Studio

Pure Barre, the total body workout that utilizes a ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, is sweeping the nation—and sweeping Sarasota and Manatee Counties. After an overwhelming response to the studio’s Sarasota opening last summer, the Pure Barre team is proud to announce the June 1st opening of a second studio in Lakewood Ranch, located at 5275 University Parkway, Suite 131.

Pure Barre was recently featured on The Today Show and is receiving growing national attention as the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to gain desired body shape and strength, focusing on areas with which many women struggle: abs, hips, seat and arms. “The reason we feel that our studio has been so successful is simply because of the technique and the amazing results that women see so quickly,” says owner Melissa DeMore. “Pure Barre Sarasota has become such a great community of women (and men!), and we are so anxious to bring it to Lakewood Ranch.”

DeMore and co-owner Sara Ferguson welcome Bethany Dugger to the ownership team for the new Lakewood Ranch Studio, which will also carry several lines of fitness clothing, including Splits 59, Beyond Yoga, and Bella Luxx. For more information, current scheduling and pricing options at the new Lakewood Ranch location, please visit www.purebarre.com, or email lakewoodranch@purebarre.com. The Sarasota studio is located in Paradise Plaza at 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit #16. Contact them at (941) 953-2323, or at sarasota@purebarre.com.

About Pure Barre Sarasota and Pure Barre Lakewood Ranch:  Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music. Recently featured in US Weekly, Allure Magazine, Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine and on the Today Show, Pure Barre is quickly being recognized as the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Please visit us on the web at www.purebarre.com.

Sarasota Mayor to Share Birth Stories on WSLR

On March 20th, Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell will join Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Motherhood. Maternally Yours, a weekly radio show on Sarasota’s Community Radio Station WSLR 96.5 LPFM, will welcome the Mayor to share the stories of the births of her children during the station’s biannual membership drive.

“I feel that women of my generation can offer a unique perspective regarding childbirth and family issues,” said Mayor Atwell. “We stood at the forefront of a growing movement that embraced education, choice, and respect in reproductive decisions.”

Atwell will be joined in the studio by Mommy Magazine editor Sara Malone, who will also share her birth stories, as well as the four co-hostesses of Maternally Yours, Laura Gilkey, Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini and Ryan Stanley. Since its launch in October 2011, the program has covered a wide range of topics and has welcomed such guests as 2011 Right Livelihood Laureate Ina May Gaskin, 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, Florida Senator Arthenia Joyner, Congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald, and many others.

To hear the exclusive Maternally Yours interview with Mayor Atwell and Sara Malone, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM Tuesday evening, March 20, at 6:00pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast at podomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com, or call (941) 915-8115.

Sarasotans Publish Book Revealing Daily Life with Parkinson Disease

A groundbreaking book was released on January 29th, illustrating for the first time the day-to-day life of people living with Parkinson Disease. Authored by Sarasota residents and Parkinson patients Christine Ludwig and Dave Anderson, “Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease” is a practical guide to living with the neurodegenerative disease from the perspective of real patients.

“If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson Disease; if someone you love has been; if you're a caregiver to a Parkinson patient; if you are related to a Parkinson patient, then you know what’s not easy to come by – knowing that you’re not alone and gaining insight from those who have preceded or are accompanying you on this lifelong journey,” says Ludwig. “These real-life stories will make you laugh and cry. This remarkable collection captures the grand achievements and every day victories of our resilient peers.”

“Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease” is based on information from a questionnaire distributed to and completed by a wide group of people who are living with Parkinson’s. Moving chronologically from the diagnosis through mid- and late-stage PD, the authors share their experiences with emotional as well as practical issues, capturing heartwarming, humorous stories in the process. They share the uncertainties of a progressive disease, from losing the ability to drive to facing life-altering decisions. Most importantly, this book offers the more than one million people diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in the U.S. the comfort that they are not alone.

For more information or to order “Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease,” please visit https://www.createspace.com/3747802.

About the Authors: On her way to becoming Vice President of technology for a major financial institution in the Northeast, Chris Ludwig worked in a variety of capacities, including tax-preparer and “Weather Girl.” She traveled extensively during her corporate career, and was recruited to spend an unforgettable year in Ireland. While travelling, she noticed a tremor in her right hand and was told it probably was an "Essential Tremor.” She chose to believe the diagnosis, until her personal physician insisted that she see a Neurologist for confirmation. She was greatly disappointed when the doctor diagnosed her with Parkinson's as well as Essential Tremor. Chris is an avid exercise practitioner, and believes strongly that "exercise is medicine!" She chose to have Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, but had to discontinue the treatment. She and her doctor are presently deciding "what's next?" Chris now lives and shakes in Florida and Cape Cod with her husband Dale, where she continues to appreciate every day with joy and enthusiasm.

Dave Anderson was born and raised a small town boy, and ultimately worked in a challenging environment in international advertising with a Fortune 500 company. After taking early retirement he noticed a slight tremor in his left hand, which was diagnosed as PD. Working together with a personal trainer, a rigorous training program was put in place, which Dave credits with not only slowing the progress of PD, but actually reducing some of his symptoms. The results, both physical and psychological led Dave to write "How to Tame Parkinson's by Keeping Fit," released in 2005, which chronicles Dave's criteria for selecting a personal trainer and developing exercise routines for the various stages of Parkinson Disease.

Nation's Largest Parkinson Symposium Reaches Capacity in Sarasota Saturday

The largest Parkinson Disease (PD) symposium in the nation returned to Sarasota on Saturday. Almost 1,000 patients, caregivers and physicians filled Sarasota Memorial's Institute for Advanced Medicine and overflowed to two satellite locations, each equipped with live streaming footage of the conference. The Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium, now in its 15th year, was hosted by Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, and Sarasota Magazine.

Opening remarks were given by Suncoast health journalist Heidi Godman, NCF Executive Director Judith Bell and Medical Director Dr. Dean Sutherland, Sarasota Memorial Hospital COO David Verinder, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation CEO Alex Quarles (pictured above addressing crowd, photo by Cliff Roles), and Sarasota Magazine group publisher Kelley Lavin.

Dr. Michael Okun, Medical Director of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and neurologist for Mohammed Ali, presented a model of "patient-centric" care that allows an interdisciplinary approach to Parkinson's, prioritizing the individual needs of each patient. "What Neuro Challenge is doing here is absolutely transformational," said Okun, in reference to the patient-centric qualified referral network Parkinson's Partners.

Dr. Cynthia Fox, co-founder of the headline-making Big and Loud Voice Therapy and a Research Associate at the National Center for Voice and Speech, invited the capacity crowd to stand, stretch, and speak loudly. This set the tone for her presentation of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy system, which incorporates voice and body exercise as integral pieces of the Parkinson treatment, tantamount and complimentary to neurological and pharmacological modalities.

Dr. James Schumacher, Sarasota Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon led the audience through the processes of deep brain stimulation, neurotransplantation, and dopamine cell replacement. He then talked about the groundbreaking science of creating dopamine cells from one's own skin cells.

Dr. Dean Sutherland, NCF Medical Director and founder of the Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease, presented an overview of current scientific theory about the causes, risk factors, and methods for diagnosis of Parkinson Disease.

Heidi Godman then facilitated a panel discussion and Q & A with the speakers. Topics discussed included causes for dyskinesia, deep brain stimulation for older patients, specific medication and amino acid efficacy, acupuncture for Parkinson treatment, and physical and behavioral tasks that can release dopamine.

"I especially enjoyed Dr. Okun's information about Parkinson patients and hospitalization; I am about to have surgery, and will definitely be taking this knowledge with me," said Sarasota's Linda Hatfield, diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2001. "Like last year's symposium, this extremely informational. Just excellent."

It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million people in the United States have PD. In Southwest Florida, it is projected that approximately 9,000 people have PD and another 5-10,000 are directly affected as professional or family caregivers. The Annual Suncoast Parkinson Symposium is held annually in Sarasota, Florida. For more information, please visit www.neurochallenge.org, or call (941) 926-6413.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease (PD) in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January 2012 issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

Cause 4 Fashion in One Month

A night of high fashion is returning to Sarasota to raise much-needed funds for Parkinson Disease programs on the Suncoast. Sarasota-based Neuro Challenge Foundation will host the 3rd annual Cause 4 Fashion gala event at Michael’s on East on March 1st from 6:00 to 9:00. Last year’s event received a “Standing O” from Sarasota’s Observer Group as a Standout Event of the year. All of the models in the show will be Parkinson patients or their caregivers, family members or friends. Proceeds benefit Parkinson Disease programs and research in Sarasota & Manatee counties.

An estimated 15,000 people are coping with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota and Manatee Counties alone. Neuro Challenge Foundation is the only local community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. Neuro Challenge offers one-on-one advice with skilled professionals, workshops, seminars and the largest and most respected annual Parkinson Disease Symposium in Florida, co-sponsored by the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

The Cause 4 Fashion event features spring lines from Dreamweaver Planet, Exit Art, Lafayette 148, Lilla P, Lilly Pulitzer, Peace of Cloth, Robert Graham, T. Georgiano’s, and Tommy Bahama. The evening’s hosts are Sarasota personalities Cliff Roles and Heidi Godman, with special guest appearances from New York fashion designer Alex Garfield, Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Michael's on East's own Michael Klauber, and performances from Circus Sarasota. The event is being chaired by Dr. and Mrs. David Napoliello and by David Verinder, COO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and his wife Monica.

Tickets for the evening are $95 and can be purchased by calling Neuro Challenge at (941) 926-6413 or visiting www.neurochallenge.org. A cocktail hour and stellar shopping opportunity precede a five star meal and best-of-boutiques fashion show. A “bucket list” live auction during the show includes a private wine tasting with Michael Klauber, a custom portrait session from renowned Sarasota artist Gale Fulton Ross, a VIP package to the Sarasota Film Festival, and more. The event is presented by Amicus Foundation, Larry and Nola Heitbrink and Richard and Gloria Stevens, as well as and generous sponsors, patrons and community partners. Sponsorship is still available. Call 926-6413 for details.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving you through online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. We train and recommend the best Parkinson Disease professionals and support research that will lead to a cure. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location.

Anonymous Donor Helps Healthy Start's "Save My Life" Program Combat Racial Birth Disparities

Maybe guns aren’t the biggest threat in Newtown.

Perhaps the biggest threat is the area’s staggering rates of poor birth outcomes, such as premature birth, fetal mortality, and infant mortality. Despite a statewide decrease in deaths among children younger than one year old, the infant mortality rate for African-Americans in Sarasota County has continued to creep upward. And disparities between rates of fetal mortality, infant mortality, and prematurity between blacks and whites continue to be alarmingly present. Sarasota County’s most recent 2008-2010 rolling average data indicates the African-American rates for fetal mortality is more than twice as high as whites; infant mortality is 3.5 times as high; and preterm birth is 1.7 times as high.

Aimed at reversing this alarming trend, the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County created the “Save My Life” Program in 2008, an education and support-based Childbirth and Parenting Education program centered in the Newtown area. The Save My Life Program offers small group and individual classes on the importance of health during childbearing years and during pregnancy, stress reduction, childbirth education, breastfeeding education, in-home support for breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices for infants. Outreach efforts, education, and classes are offered by the only African-American Childbirth Educator in Sarasota County, Beverly Phelps.

“Early intervention to begin reversing this cycle must begin prior to pregnancy, and continue throughout pregnancy and after pregnancy. The early experiences of any human, from the beginning of pregnancy into the first few years of life are crucial,” said Jennifer Highland, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. “By focusing on education, support, and prevention, we aim to improve chances young families will stay healthy.”

Funding for this vital program comes from donations and grants, both of which are currently threatened. After 3 ½ successful years, this program will end in spring of 2012 without additional funding. However, the Healthy Start Coalition has been presented with a unique opportunity to continue funding this important program: an anonymous donor has come forward with a $10,000 Challenge. If $5,000 is raised by the community before February 15, the donor will match it with another $5,000.

“This is an important opportunity for our Community to get involved in the health of our youngest citizens”, continued Highland, “It is time for us to rally as a community to save our babies!”

For more information, contact info@healthystartsarsota.org.

Nation's Largest Parkinson Symposium Returns to Sarasota

The largest Parkinson Disease symposium in North America is again coming to Sarasota on February 4, 2012. The event is open to patients, caregivers and physicians, and features physician lecturers from around the world. Almost a thousand people are expected to attend.

The Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium is hosted by Neuro Challenge Foundation in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Distinguished speakers will include world-famous drug inventor Dr. Moussa Youdim, who is coming from Israel to speak about the popular drug rasagiline (Azilect); Dr. Cynthia Fox, co-founder of the headline-making Big and Loud voice therapy and a Research Associate at the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver, CO; Dr. James M. Schumacher, Neurosurgeon at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Research Associate, Neuroregeneration Institute, Harvard Medical School.; and Dean P. Sutherland, MD, PhD, Founder, Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease, Sarasota, FL.

“Our annual symposium provides an interactive venue for the PD community to come together and discuss the latest global developments in Parkinson’s Disease care, as well as to meet and talk with others affected by PD,” says Doreen Sutherland, President and CEO of Neuro Challenge.

It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million people in the United States have PD. In Southwest Florida, it is projected that approximately 9,000 people have PD and another 5-10,000 are directly affected as professional or family caregivers.

Cost to attend is $25 and includes continental breakfast. Scholarships are available. Valet parking and hotels located conveniently nearby. Registration is required for the event and seating is limited. For more information please visit http://www.neurochallenge.org/neu/events/symposium-2012/ or call the Sarasota Memorial Healthline at 941-917-7777.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving you through online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. We receive no compensation for our advisor’s recommendations. We train and recommend the best Parkinson Disease professionals and support research that will lead to a cure. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location.

An Evening for Healthy Start

On Thursday, January 26th, from 6 to 9 pm, Sarasota Architectural Salvage will host the 3rd Annual “An Evening for Healthy Start” Fundraiser to benefit The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. The event will be emceed by former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, and will feature live music by local Latin, Caribbean, Funk and Motown dance music band, Big Night Out.

The event comes at a critical time in the Healthy Start Coalition’s fiscal year, when funding for critical programs threatens to expire. This year’s event has the potential to raise more money for Sarasota’s pregnant women, infants and young children than in previous years, due to the generosity of several local business members and individuals, including those from the fields of obstetrics, perinatology, midwifery and pediatrics.

Sarasota Architectural Salvage paints an eclectic and distinctive backdrop for “An Evening for Healthy Start,” making it one of the most unique fundraising events of the season. Guests will be treated to light fare provided by local restaurants, including Nancy’s BBQ, Caragiulo’s, Nellie’s Deli, Carrs Corner Café, The Lollicake Queen, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Vin Cella and Local Coffee and Tea. The event will also feature a raffle and silent auction, featuring an exquisite pendant necklace from world-famous jewelry designer Ned Bowman of Bowman Originals in Sarasota.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include two beverage tickets and a coupon for Sarasota Architectural Salvage. To purchase tickets, call (941) 373-7070, or visit www.SarasotaSalvage.com.

The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in the community. Healthy Start coordinates a variety of specialized programs to serve high-risk groups and address specific risk factors that contribute to fetal death, prematurity, low birth weight, and infant death. For more information, please call (941) 373-7070 or visit www.healthystartsarasota.org.