Norwood Hospital recently announced the additions of Carol Vasconcellos, MD, JD, hematologist/oncologist, and Charu Taneja, MD, surgical oncologist, to the hospital staff. Dr. Vasconcellos is board certified in hematology and oncology as well as hospice and palliative care. She completed her fellowship in hematology/oncology at Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed her residency in internal medicine at New England Deaconess Hospital and graduated from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vasconcellos has been in private practice for eighteen years and prior to that …

Since fall 2009, local paramedics have employed a new approach to CPR for adult cardiac arrest victims that has had dramatic results in the Norwood area and around the country. Called cardiocerebral resuscitation (CCR), the new technique uses chest compressions alone, without assisted ventilation. CCR has been in use since 2003 in parts of Arizona, and more recently in Wisconsin and Kansas City. A 2008 study on thousands of patients in Arizona showed that the new technique to be at least two times more effective than CPR for resuscitating heart attack victims while preserving their …

In honor of May being Stroke Awareness Month, take a look at the following from Norwood Hospital's Sheila Silva: Each year, about 700,000 people suffer a stroke, making it the third leading cause of death in America and the number one cause of adult disability. It is very important when someone shows symptoms of a stroke that immediate emergency treatment be sought. For every minute of delay, brain cells are being deprived of oxygen-rich blood, leading to brain cell death and functional loss for the areas controlled by that region of the brain. However, the good news is that if you act …

The National Sleep Foundation has released the findings of a poll showing the impact of communications technology on sleep. The 2011 Sleep in America poll finds pervasive use of communications technology in the hour before bed. It also finds that a significant number of Americans aren’t getting the sleep they say they need and are searching for ways to cope. Among the findings: 43 percent of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights. 95 percent of those surveyed use some type of electronics (TV, computer, video game or cell phone) …

As we reach the end of the winter season (hopefully) I know many are thinking about warmer weather, vacations and, of course, bathing suit season. In order to stay healthy and happy, here are some helpful tips from Norwood Hospital staff on losing that winter weight. Eat More Colors: Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Try and get different colors for added nutrition, especially bright orange and dark green. Keep a Food and Exercise Journal: Studies have shown that people who track their food and activity lose more weight than the non-trackers. Stop Drinking your Calories: One of…

As the New Year dawns it may be just the right time to make a resolution you can keep: "I will take that first step to a healthier heart." You hear it time and again - a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). But our busy schedules and day-to-day responsibilities often present challenges that make it feel difficult or even overwhelming to do anything to improve our life style - so we do nothing. However, you can keep that resolution and make a difference by taking small …

Two years ago, Norwood Hospital and 13 community health partners realized they had a unique opportunity to improve care for patients at all levels of care. "Physicians are trained to assess a patient's physical condition," said Carla Oberst, MD, of Norwood Hospital. "But to make our care truly compassionate, we also need to see beyond the medical facts and find out who our patients are as people."Help from the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center The group applied for and received a grant from the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to record a patient's personal information – wishes, values and goals – and …

Flu season has begun in Massachusetts, and with it the need to reacquaint ourselves with the best ways to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones from becoming sick this winter.  Flu defined:Flu, or influenza, is a viral disease of the body's respiratory system, including nose, throat and lungs. The most common symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. They can also include body aches, headache, chills, runny nose and tiredness. Flu can be very serious, each year causing thousands of hospitalizations. Some people are at higher risk of serious health problems when they get the flu, …