Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Hit PBS

Earlier this fall select PBS stations aired a half-hour program on abdominal aortica aneurysms as part of their Healthy Body, Healthy Mind series. This educational program focused on the risks, prevention, and treatment of AAA.

The subject of AAA is a very important topic right now because beginning in January 2007 Medicare will offer a one-time free AAA ultrasound screening to qualified seniors as part of their Welcome to Medicare physical.

Men who have smoked at any time during their lives, and men and women with a family history of AAA, are eligible for the new Medicare benefit.

Four SVS members were featured on program:

• Dr. Jeffrey Carpenter, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
• Dr. Carlo Dall'Olmo, Michigan Vascular Center, Flint, MI;
• Dr. Mark Farber, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC;
• Dr. Robert Zwolak, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.

PBS stations located in Biloxi, MS, Columbus, MS, Tupelo, MS, West Point, MS, Meridian, MS, Greenwood, MS, Greenville, MS, Toledo, OH, Jackson, MS, Memphis, TN, Lexington, KY, and Louisville, KY, aired the program on AAA in October.

To find out when the program airs in your area please visit www.itvisus.com/programs/hbhm/schedule.asp .