Health briefs
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Maui first to get new MRI device
Maui Radiology Consultants recently opened its MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) & Women's Imaging Center in Kahului in Triangle Square on Hana Highway by Dairy Road.
The clinic offers services for women such as mammograms, bone density, and ultrasound examinations. Doctors from other medical groups can send requests to MRI and receive patient studies within a day or two.
MRI scanners are commonly used to look for injuries, abnormalities and damage by producing detailed images of a specific part of the body.
Dr. Michael May, a neuroradiologist, said the center is the first in the state to acquire the GE Signa Infinity 1.5T MRI scanner. The system can scan patients four times faster and gather four times as much information as conventional MRIs.
The clinic specialists say the faster scan times means fewer patients should feel claustrophobic within the scanner.
Expert on aging to hold seminar
Best-selling author, psychologist and motivational speaker Paul Pearsall will present a free public seminar on healthy aging called: "Glowing Old: The Joy of Aging" from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel's Coral Ballroom.
The Hawai'i Medical Service Association is putting on the event as part of its Akamai Living program. Pearsall specializes in the study of the healing mind, which makes him a licensed clinical "psychoneuroimmunologist."
Pearsall's books include: "Toxic Success," "Miracle in Maui," which chronicled his recovery from Stage IV cancer, and "The Pleasure Prescription."
More than 500 people are expected to attend. The event is free, but HMSA asks people to register at 948-6398.
Dentist to offer free care day
A Honolulu dentist will offer free dental treatments to needy people in the community on Feb. 14 as part of the "Dentists with a Heart" program.
Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki said this will be the second year that he offers dental care to include cleaning, X-rays, fillings, extractions, diagnoses and consultations on a first-come, first-served basis at Downtown Dental Group, 1139 Bethel St. (next to Hawai'i Theatre).
He said he will begin scheduling appointments at 8 a.m. on Valentine's Day but no advance appointments will be made or telephone scheduling allowed. Miyasaki will welcome patients that day who are at least 12 years old, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Miyasaki and his staff donate their services for the day as a form of community service. He hopes other dental professionals will join the program so it can expand.
Lupus group sets free class
The Hawaii Lupus Foundation is offering a free class on "advance directives" that inform family members and doctors what health decisions you want made if you lose the ability to make those choices yourself.
The free public class will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at Beretania Community Park, 1290 A'ala St. (between Beretania and Vineyard).
The foundation said people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, lupus or high blood pressure are at especially high risk of becoming dependent on family for health-care decisions. For more information or to register, call 538-1522.
