May 10, 2000 Page A3 (The 'Portlanh (íDheeruer Portiani) (fìbarrutr Health/Education Oregon stroke center at OHSU sends warning •Renowned stroke center recognizes N ational Stroke Awareness Month this May lead to treatment that can reverse the effects of stroke. It also can save your life. Whi le there is no way to guarantee that you or a loved one will live a stroke-free life, there are actions you can take to reduce the risk. The Oregon Stroke Center offers the following tips: CONTKIBUTHISTOHV T I PS FORREDUCING STROKE RISK It strik es suddenly, w ithout warning. Every minute o f every day in the United States, someone e x p e rie n c e s a stro k e. T he statistics can be staggering. Each year, nearly 160,000 Americans are killed. Stroke is one o f the leading causes o f adult disability affecting four million peopleevery year. T hat’s why the Oregon Stroke Center, an alliance o f physicians from Oregon Health S cie n c e s U n iv e rsity and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, is getting the word out about Stroke Awareness Month this May. A stroke or “brain attack” cuts off vital blood and oxygen to portions ofthe brain. Symptoms include: a sudden numbness or weakness o f the face, arm or leg on one side o f the body; sudden confusion; double vision; problems with speech; headache and loss o f balance. Taking quick action by calling 9- 1 -1 formedical help can sometimes 1. M o n ito r y o u r blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. 2. Stop Smoking. If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will drop over time. 3. D rink in m oderation. Heavy drinking increases stroke risk. However, some studies have shown that a glass of wine or beer a day can be beneficial. 4. Low eryourcholesterol. Having high cholesterol can put you at greater risk for heart disease, another important stroke risk factor. 5. Exercise daily. A brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes a day can provide health benefits. 6. Eatalow-sodium,low-fat diet. Lowering your sodium and fat intake can lower your blood pressure and decrease stroke risk. 7. Control diabetes. Ifyou are a diabetic, you are at increased risk for stroke. Control ofdiabetes though nutrition and lifestyle changes is important. OHSU creates division of abdominal organ transplantation • Head o f new division is a n a tio n a lly recognized expert in transplantation interdisciplinary program ,” says Joseph Bloom, dean o f O H SU ’s School o f Medicine. Barry has been with OHSU for 31 years, first as a resident and then a faculty member in the Department of Surgery. Barry has been the director o f O H S U ’s K idney T ransplant Program since 1976. Heisnationally recognized as a leader in renal transplantation and is president-elect for the American Board o f Urology. C O 'IK lItl ItlM IV R I iu r T h l P ok I land O bserver Oregon Health Sciences University is taking a new approach in providing abdominal organ transplant services. Today, the director o f O H SU ’s Kidney Transplant Program, John Barry, M.D., becomes the first head o f the u n iv ersity ’s D ivision o f Abdominal Organ Transplantation. In this role, he will overseethe kidney, liv e r and pan creas tra n sp la n t services. OHSU has offered these services for many years, one as early as 1959, but this new division will bring them to g e th e r into one comprehensive program. Barry also is the head of the Division o f Urology and a professor o f surgery inOHSU’s School of Medicine. “The decision to create a single d iv isio n o f abdom inal organ transplantation was made to better coordinate clinical services. This is a step that has been taken by many major transplantation centers in the country to improve efficiency and quality in patient care,” says Michael Geheb, M. D., vice president ofclinical programsatOHSU. The new Division o f Abdominal Organ Transplantation wi 11 be part of the Department of Surgery inOHSU’s School o f Medicine. “We are greatly honored that Dr. Barry has undertaken the leadership o f an expanded abdom inal transplant program, and we look to him to advance the teaching, research and clinical missions o f this important In addition, heisanactivem em berof the American Society o f Transplant S urgeons and T he T ransplant Society, an international organization. Barry has written more than 228 publications and appeared at 114 guest lectureships and visiting professorships, most o f these were transplantation related. In 1994, he received the M edical Research Foundation of Oregon Discovery Award for his accomplishments. Advertise in ^ o r tí a n h © b seru er Dr. John Barrv call today 288-0033 Keep us moving! Final comments due on transpor­ tation choices in the region Final comments will be taken on the draft Regional Trans­ portation Plan starting May 15 and ending June 29,2000. The Metro Council will take oral and written comments at a June 29 public hearing. The plan meets the region’s growing needs with a balanced transportation system serving all types of travel. A total of 650 projects are recommended, including improvements to the region’s roads, bridges and transit system as well as better pedestrian and bike access. H ow to com m ent By m a il - to Marci LaBerge, Regional Transportation Plan­ ning, Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232 By f a x - t o (503) 797-1949 By h o tlin e - on the transporta­ tion hotline, (503) 797-1900, option 2 By e -m ail - to trans@metro.dst.or.us For more information, visit our web site at w w w .m e tro -re g io n .o rg or leave a message on the trans­ portation hotline. For a copy of the plan, call (503) 797-1857 or see the M etro web site. Metro Regional Services Creating livable communities Shoe lacee need careful bando to guide them. The Mine z.< true of chdàren. Y m have more to teach kids than you might imagine. lake the Time is a campaign to help young people succeed. \n d tliai takes some help from adults. W e’ve outlined 40 assets that help young people become successful, and we can suggest ways foi T A K E T H E T IM E you to get involved. Be the difference. Please call us at 503"988‘38