Karen Cole, CEO of Wright Memorial Hospital, was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Trenton Lions Club, held at the Lakeview Restaurant. Velma DeWolf was the program chairman.
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Mrs. Cole spoke on health care, noting that the number one disease is cardiovascular and that the number two disease is cancer. Due to lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical research, open heart surgeries are down 33 percent and cancer by 50 percent. She said people are living longer, thus chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and mental health are on the increase. The public is responding to therapy with increased awareness, she said. She also spoke on the rising cost of health care due to government involvement, the non-insured, Medicare and Medicaid and technology,. With 49 million uninsured, Mrs. Cole said someone has to pay. She said that President Bush wants electronic medical records by 2010, but it will be very expensive.
She also said there is a shortage in the local health care field, especially with general practitioners due to security clearances from foreign countries. Wright Memorial employs 200 persons.
Lannie Harkins presided at the business meeting, After the pledge to the U.S. flag, Maurene Fick led the prayer. A thank you was received from Maggie Bush for a donation made to the animal shelter.
Members are to meet at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Main Stop to assist with city cleanup.
Peter Trombley was the tailtwister.