Last updated 10 days ago
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, CEO Douglas Long, and COO Omar Chughtai will travel in the LAFD engine #106 as part of the fire apparatus caravan with “red lights and sirens” to West Hills Hospital’s Emergency Department at 4:00 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013. Once there, they will present a donation from West Hills Hospital to Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors.
”It is our privilege to support our local firefighters in their quest to raise money for burn survivors,“ said West Hills Hospital CEO, Douglas Long. ”Having the Grossman Burn Center on our campus has increased our awareness for burn injury and the need for foundations such as Firefighters Quest.”
Every year for one week in May, Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors runs their Quest Rally in several Southern California counties to raise funds to support burn survivors. According to Firefighters Quest, all donations received are distributed to local burn centers, foundations, burn survivors and their families on behalf of each donor.
Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 following the Calabasas/Malibu “Firestorm,” in which six trapped firefighters sustained critical burn injuries. Bill Jensen, a firefighter with the Glendale Fire Department, received third-degree burns to 70% of his body. After three months of surgeries and treatment at the Grossman Burn Center, Jensen beat his 5% chance of survival and was released from the hospital.
Burn injuries can be devastating; a physical and emotional pain that takes a lifetime to heal. Firefighters Quest is comprised of civilians and firefighters who volunteer their services to work with families affected by burn injuries. They give much-needed support during a critical time of recovery. Funds raised are used to meet the mission of the organization in diverse ways. Some examples include burn survivor assistance programs, burn prevention programs, funding for pressure garments, medications, bandages, physical therapy, equipment rentals, specialized equipment or dressings.
Last updated 1 month ago
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center provides an extensive array of prevention and treatment services for those in the West Hills region. To find out more about our healthcare options, call (818) 676-4321. We also offer our Consult-A-Nurse referral system for those wanting to learn more about their symptoms and healthcare needs. To learn more about our recent blog posts, please visit the links below:
Last updated 1 month ago
Though countless types of cancer affect millions of Americans each year, no cancer causes more deaths than lung cancer. This disease afflicts both men and women and is preventable in many cases. To ensure your pulmonary health, the cancer care specialists of West Hills Hospital & Medical Center advise that individuals keep in mind the following suggestions for lowering their risk of lung cancer:
Minimize Exposure to Toxic Substances
The air you breathe directly affects the health of your lungs. That’s why it’s important to be aware of what you might be bringing into them. Consider where you work and live. Since the majority of your time is spent in these two environments, be sure to do your research before buying or renting a home or moving into a new office space. Ask the landlord about any asbestos content in the walls, and if possible, request written documentation that confirms that no toxic substances are present.
Avoid Second-Hand Smoke
Many people assume that if they do not smoke, they are not at risk for lung cancer. Unfortunately, cancer care research indicates that second-hand smoke is a very real concern. While many California commercial spaces no longer allow public smoking, the law cannot mandate bans in residential locations. If you have a family member who smokes, encourage him to quit as soon as possible for the sake of his health and yours.
Cease Smoking Immediately
The relationship between smoking and lung cancer is clear. It doesn’t matter if you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, you put yourself at an elevated risk for lung cancer whenever you engage in such activities. Even sporadic smoking can increase your chances for this disease. If you don’t know how to begin your path to a smoke-free future, ask a cancer care specialist to direct you to a cessation program.
Are you concerned about your risk for lung cancer? If so, call West Hills Hospital & Medical Center at (818) 676-4321. Our cancer care center can help you identify possible risk factors and safeguard your future lung health. If you are suffering from lung cancer-related issues, please take advantage of our iTriage Symptom Checker for immediate medical assistance.
Last updated 1 month ago
HIV is a debilitating disease that can rob sufferers of a long and healthy life. This video discusses the need for HIV education and prevention within the African American community.
African Americans represent the demographic group with the highest occurrence of HIV transmission and fatalities in the United States. In particular, African American adult women and gay men are suffering from HIV in large numbers. That’s why the medical community urges all individuals regardless of race to practice safe behaviors for the prevention of HIV. If you are sexually active, be sure to use protection during every encounter. Doctors also stress the importance of regular HIV testing for early detection and treatment.
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center offers HIV screenings for our West Hills patients. For more information on our preventative healthcare options, call (818) 676-4321 or visit our website.
Last updated 2 months ago
An overabundance of fast food options and too few hours of physical fitness have left many people unable to recognize the person in the mirror. If overweight or obesity issues have left you searching for new ways to take off the pounds, lap band surgery may be the right alternative for you. Though surgical weight loss experts strongly advise individuals to maintain their weight with diet and exercise, some patients may still have difficulty bringing down their weight in this manner. In such cases, lap band surgery can provide a safe and effective alternative. Here’s why you may want to consider lap band surgery for your weight loss needs:
Eliminating Extra Pounds
The lap band procedure surgically reduces the size of a patient’s stomach. This allows the body to begin shedding extra weight. Though diet and exercise may influence a person’s size, sometimes an extensive measure like lap band surgery can provide more substantial weight loss results. Lap band surgery can also offer immediate intervention for those whose extra weight may be putting them at risk for other health conditions.
Preventing Overeating
When a person’s stomach is smaller, he or she cannot eat as much. Lap band surgery effectively limits the size of each patient’s meals. Reduced food quantity can both facilitate the weight loss process and prevent an obesity relapse. Surgical weight loss experts recommend lap band surgery because the procedure can also change a patient’s desire to eat certain foods. Because lap band recipients can eat only a restricted amount of food, they must follow an exact diet to ensure that they receive all necessary nutrients.
Encouraging Physical Activity
When a person is overweight or obese, he or she may have difficulty finding the energy to stick with an exercise program. After lap band surgery, however, patients typically find that they have renewed enthusiasm and stamina to maintain a physical fitness regimen, which can support their efforts to uphold a healthy weight.
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center offers surgical weight loss services for eligible patients. To schedule a consultation for your lap band options, call our West Hills facility at (818) 676-4321. Visit our website to learn more about our upcoming events and classes.
