Marucci relocates practice
to Cornersburg office

Dr. Jason T. Marucci has relocated his chiropractic office to 2860 Canfield Road in Cornersburg. The practice specializes in pain management, physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care. Marucci holds chiropractic licenses in Ohio and Florida and maintains a practice in Miami. He is a member of the Ohio State Chiropractic Association, the Florida Chiropractic Association, Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research and the Dade County Chiropractic Society.

He completed certification in Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology at the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. In addition, Marucci is one of three physicians in the state of Ohio to be certified in the Brimhall Protocol. Marucci graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose in 1997, with a doctorate in chiropractic. He was a Boardman High School Hall of Fame graduate and a scholarship athlete in football at the University of Miami, where played on national championship teams in 1989 and 1991. For more information, call 330-792-1118 or visit www.drmarucci.com.

Incubator firm partners
with Humility of Mary

Humility of Mary Health Partners has partnered with ERIS Medical Technologies, a Youngstown Business Incubator portfolio company, to become a beta site for erisRx. This software allows healthcare billing personnel, clinical staff, and hospital administration to review, monitor and project patient charges. “With the help of this software, we hope to produce a more efficient, accurate billing process,” said Candis Posey, vice president, revenue cycle, Humility of Mary Health Partners. “HMHP is looking forward to this project, and we are very excited about future prospects with ERIS.

We are also proud to be contributing to the advancement of technology-based businesses in the Mahoning Valley.” Julie Smith, chief development officer, Youngstown Business Incubator, said the company is excited about the collaboration. “A well-respected, leading organization such as HMHP is embracing the opportunity to support entrepreneurship and innovation in the Valley. And it once again validates that the Youngstown Business Incubator is tangibly accelerating technology-based businesses in our community.” (ERIS Medical Technologies is a healthcare software development and sales company that focuses on identifying, benchmarking, and tracking outpatient hospital and clinics missing revenue and “charge capture opportunity.” DRS, a Youngstown-based data-warehousing center, is also providing the hardware and technical services for ERIS. Implementation was slated for June.

Cancer Society grant
to fund mammograms

The Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure recently awarded the American Cancer Society BEST program a grant for $89,000 to provide mammograms for 950 women in Carroll, Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull and Tuscarawas counties. The grant is strictly to help women obtain a mammogram.

“It’s unfortunate, but due to various reasons some women are unable to pay for a mammogram. Loss of employment, no insurance, a high insurance deductible, or insurance that does not cover this test are the main reasons. However, with BEST there is no excuse to avoid this lifesaving test,” said Al Stabilito, Northeast Ohio public relations director of the American Cancer Society.

Most women who inquire about BEST are eligible. The three factors that determine who qualifies are age, family income and gender.
The BEST program is available to women ages 40 to 64. Women age 65 and over are covered by Medicare. The number of people who live in the household and the family’s total annual income determines BEST income eligibility.

A single woman who earns $25,525 is eligible under the BEST program. For a woman to be eligible in a household of two, the annual income cannot be greater than $34,225. A family of three may not earn more than $42,925. However, a household of four can have a combined income of $51,625 and still meet the eligibility guidelines. Households with five or more people must also meet certain income guidelines.

The names of clients who participate in the BEST program are kept confidential. (The information is between the woman and the provider.) Policies and safeguards have been implemented so the names and income are never released.

The Cancer Society recommends every woman follow a three-step approach to protect against breast cancer. They include:
• Mammography – Annual mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. Have a mammogram annually if you are age 40 and older. If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, discuss a personal mammography-screening schedule with a health-care provider.

• Clinical breast examination – After age 40, women should get a clinical breast exam by a health care provider every year. Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast exam by a health care provider at least once every three years.

• Breast self-exam – Ask a health-care provider to teach you the proper way to perform a thorough breast self-exam. Beginning at age 20, examine your breasts monthly. If there are any lumps, thickenings or changes, report them to your doctor immediately. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but further tests may be necessary to determine your situation.

For more information about the BEST program, mammograms or breast cancer, call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-888-227-6446, Option 2.

Safe Vacations - Keeping healthy when travelling abroad

Travel – it can take you on a relaxing week at the beach, a whirlwind tour of Europe, or to your yearly professional conference. No matter where you’re going, or what you plan to do at your destination, putting some thought into protecting your health while you’re away is as important as choosing the right hotel or reading travel guides. Here are some tips to help you make sure your health is covered:
The following list provides a starting point for important health-related items you should remember to pack. Of course, you’ll want to add in the items specific to your situation.

Your prescription medications
• Make sure to take at least a week’s supply in your carry-on (in case luggage is lost). Anything beyond a week’s supply can be packed in your checked luggage.
• Depending on your destination and personal medical history, consider asking your doctor about taking along one or more of these prescription medications: antimalarial medications, if recommended for the country you’re visiting antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea.

Non-prescription medications
• Antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loper­amide) and other drugs for gastrointestinal problems, such as a mild laxative and an antacid antihistamine and 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for mild allergic reactions; if you or a traveling companion has a history of severe allergic reaction, bring an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen).  (Note: This is a prescription item, so if you don’t already have one, talk with your doctor.)
• Medications for cold symptoms, including a decongestant and throat lozenges; motion-sickness medication; acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain relief or fever reduction; antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams; lubricating eye drops (e.g. Natural Tears); basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, elastic bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators) and a first-aid book or quick-reference instructions.

Tips to prevent motion sickness
• Travel on an empty stomach.
• On an airplane, try to get an aisle seat toward the center of the cabin, where motion is the calmest. On a ship, request a lower-level cabin toward the middle of the vessel to minimize motion.
• Try to avoid odors such as perfume, smoke, or cooking smells. Turn on the air vent, if you’re on an airplane. If you’re in a car, open the window if you can.
• Don’t read or watch videos during bumpy spells; if you are very prone to motion sickness; don’t read at all while in motion.
• During a bumpy car or boat ride, try keeping your gaze fixed on something stationary, like the horizon.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Consider using motion sickness medications. Over-the-counter drugs include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine); prescription medications include promethazine (Phenergan) and scopolamine (Transderm Scop, a patch worn behind the ear).

Reprinted from “Healthy Travel,” a 10-Minute Consult from Harvard Medical School, © 2008 by Harvard University. All rights reserved.