HJLR May/Jun 2019

34 MAY / JUN 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of little rock   Healthcare Briefs ADH Issues Public Health Advisory on Cannabis The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issued a public health advisory to warn Arkan- sans about the risks of harm associated with use of products derived from cannabis, including mar- ijuana and hemp, that claim to benefit health. ADH is partnering with Arkansas Surgeon Gen- eral Dr. Greg Bledsoe and Arkansas Drug Direc- tor Kirk Lane in urging Arkansans to be aware of the risks associated with these products. To see the advisory, go to www.healthy.arkan - sas.gov. Among the risks cited in the new ADH Public Health and Safety Advisory are: • Marijuana is addictive. Approximately one in 11 adults who use marijuana will become addicted, and the risk of addiction is greater among youth. • Marijuana now available is more potent with higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary psychoactive substance in cannabis than marijuana available in previous decades. The long-term health or developmental conse- quences of exposure to these high concentra- tions of THC are unknown. • Marijuana use is associated with adverse health outcomes including development of psychoses like schizophrenia and increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. • Marijuana is particularly harmful to a developing child. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy is associated with being born at low birth weight, a risk factor for death in the child’s first year of life. There are a limited number of conditions where there is substantial or conclusive evidence for using cannabis-derived products as medication, but outside of these conditions, there is not suffi- cient evidence to show that any form of cannabis, including marijuana or hemp, is safe and effective as medication. Due to a lack of regulations on products con- taining cannabidiol (CBD), consumers cannot be certain what they will receive if purchasing a prod- uct purported to contain CBD. Arkansas Surgical Hospital Opens NewClinic inWhite Hall Arkansas Surgical Hospital Orthopedic Clinic, located at 7250 Sheridan Road, is led by orthopedic surgeon Brent M. Lawrence, MD, and is one of three Arkansas Surgical Hospital affili- ates. The other affiliations include ASH Urgent Care in North Little Rock and a new orthopedic clinic in Conway. Carrie Helm, CEO for Arkansas Surgical Hospi- tal, highlighted Arkansas Surgical Hospital’s com- mitment to patient-centered care. “As a physician-owned hospital, Arkansas Sur- gical Hospital and its growing family of clinics remain focused on providing patients the highest quality of healthcare,” said Helm.  “This new loca- tion allows us to help more people get the ortho- pedic care they need in a caring and comfortable environment that is closer to their home.” The Arkansas Surgical Hospital Orthopedic Clinic provides treatments for most musculoskel- etal conditions including orthopedic diseases and injuries. Lawrence’s experience as a physical ther- apist allows him to have a broad perspective to treatment options available for his patients. From joint replacements to sports medicine, Arkansas Surgical Hospital Orthopedic Clinic provides care to the Jefferson County area. Free Family CaregiverWorkshop Held in Jacksonville The Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Pro- gram of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in cooperation with North Metro Family Medical Center held a free family caregiver workshop for those wanting to learn about caring for an adult with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The workshop was held at the North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville. The program was sponsored by UAMS’ Arkan- sas Geriatric Education Collaborative. The col- laborative is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant of $2.4 million for a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Taught by Donna LeBlanc, MSN, APRN, the workshop presented an overview of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and provided caregiving tips that maintain respect, dignity, and quality of life for the person living with dementia. Informa- tion was presented on nutrition, behavior, com- munication techniques, and activities. About 452,000 family caregivers in Arkansas provide an estimated $4.7 billion in unpaid care each year, helping their loved ones with bathing and dressing, cooking meals, transportation, finances, and complex medical tasks like wound care and injections. Dr. Billy ReidMcBay Joins ConwayMedical Group Dr. Billy Reid McBay, a family practice doctor, has joined Conway Medical Group, a Conway Regional primary care clinic. McBay has more than 29 years of experience as a family medicine specialist. He is currently in practice alongside Drs. Laura Massey and Jar- rett Lea. “I am happy to be joining the Conway Regional Team. I have enjoyed my time practicing in Con- way and I look forward to continuing to care for my patients at Conway Medical Group.” said McBay. “I’m enjoying this opportunity to join my practice with that of Drs. Massey and Lea.” “Conway Regional is proud to welcome Dr. Billy McBay to Conway Medical Group,” said Rebekah Fincher, chief administrative officer for Conway Regional Health System. “Dr. McBay is a well-respected member of the Conway Medi- cal Staff community and has practiced in Con- way for many years. We are pleased to partner with him as he continues to serve his patients as a part of our team.” A graduate of the University of Central Arkan- sas, McBay received a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1990. He completed a three-year residency in family practice medicine at Louisiana State Uni- versity Medical Center in Shreveport as well as an internship in obstetrics/gynecology at LSU Medi- cal Center.  He moved his practice to Conway in July of 2001. Billy Reid McBay, MD