Neurosurgeon to discuss Parkinson’s treatment at Banner Boswell Oct. 19

SUN CITY, Ariz. (Sept. 24, 2009) – Banner Boswell Medical Center invites the community to a free public lecture on deep brain stimulation (DBS) at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 in the hospital’s Memorial Hall, 13180 N. 103rd Dr., Sun City. Reservations are encouraged by calling (602) 230-CARE (602-230-2273). Light refreshments will be served.

Neurosurgeon David Pootrakul, MD, will discuss DBS for patients with movement disorders such as essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Banner Boswell is one of only four centers in Arizona and 160 centers in the nation approved to perform deep brain simulation.

Qualified patients who opt for deep-brain stimulation have motor-skill challenges that significantly interfere with their quality of life and cannot be controlled by medication.

In the largest study of its kind published in the Jan. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers concluded that deep brain stimulation improves both physical function and quality of life after six months in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The surgical procedure is approved by the FDA and covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare.

There is currently no cure for the more than 1.5 million Americans who suffer from the Parkinson’s disease.

About Banner Boswell Medical Center
Banner Boswell Medical Center is a 430-bed, acute-care hospital located in Sun City, Arizona. Founded in 1970, Banner Boswell offers heart services, cancer care, orthopedics, neurosciences, women’s diagnostics, emergency care, and medical and surgical services. Banner Boswell is part of nonprofit Banner Health, the leading provider of health services in the Valley with 22 hospitals throughout the West. For more information about Banner Boswell, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Boswell.