Health

East Texas Medical Center at Tyler was honored this week for successfully transplanting 17 eye donations in 2007. Through its trauma services, ETMC has provided 135 corneas for transplant; recipients included 90 Texans. UT Southwestern Medical Center named ETMC in its “Leadership Circle” of top eye donor hospitals in North Texas.

Vision educator Dr. Margaret Montgomery will speak at an East Texas Macular Degeneration Support Group meeting Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Rosewood Estates, 506 Rice Road. The public is invited. For more info contact Sandi Sanders Coates, 972-288-4760.

Heart health is the focus of a free seminar, Your Heart: An Owner’s Workshop, led by Dr. James Galizia of The University of Texas Science Center at Tyler from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 10, at Henderson Memorial Hospital, 300 Wilson St. in Henderson. Free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings will begin at 9:30 a.m. Register by calling 903-877-5122.

The 2008 Public Health Preparedness Symposium is boasting a lineup of health experts, including officials from the CDC and Department of Homeland Security. The free symposium, sponsored by the Northeast Texas Public Health District, runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11-12 at the Holiday Inn Select, 5701 S. Broadway Ave. Register through today at www.healthpreparedness.org or call 903-595-1350 for more info.

A free health education seminar, COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, will feature Dr. Eli Azzi of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler at 10 a.m. June 12 at the Gardens of Gladewater Community Building, 108 Lee St. Register for the free seminar and refreshments by calling 903-877-5122.

State health commissioner Dr. David Lakey will be the keynote speaker at a public health conference for health care providers on June 20 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

“Workplace Level Orange: A Public Health Perspective on Corporate Wellness and Emergency Preparedness” will cover topics including pandemic flu, ethics of genetic screening and infection control. Health care providers can pre-register through today for $20 less — all fees include breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Call 903-877-5636 or visit www.uthct.edu for info.

Flowers in bloom can be toxic if eaten, so keep your children away from the azaleas, warns UT Southwestern Medical Center. Azaleas, caladiums, chrysanthemums, daffodils, hyacinth, hydrangea, iris, jonquils, morning glories and periwinkles are all potentially harmful flowers if ingested. Call the Texas Poison Control for more info at 1-800-POISON-1.

Cows that graze on fresh pasture make milk with higher levels of antioxidants and good fatty acids, says a study from Newcastle University in England. This and other studies point to the diet of organic cows — fresh grass and clovers — as the main reason for this nutrition boost.