Everything You Need To Know About MRSA

"EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MRSA"
A FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION FORUM
AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

Medical Center Experts Quell Myths, Answer Questions
and Discuss How to Protect Your Family

STONY BROOK, N.Y., November 9, 2007 -  On Monday, November 19, from 5 pm - 7 pm at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook University Medical Center presents a free public information forum on MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ). Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, Sharon Nachman, M.D., Adult Infectious Disease specialist, Susan V. Donelan, M.D., Jorge L. Benach, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Infectious diseases, and Dr. Shaheda Iftikhar, Suffolk County Deptartment of Health will provide the most up to date information and answer frequently asked questions about drug resistant staphylococcal infections.

     Drug resistant staphylococcal infections have been at the top of the news since researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in the October 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association  that the incidence of MRSA is now 32 invasive infections per 100,000 people. Since then, there have been daily reports about students and adults who have been diagnosed with MRSA. Public Health officials and school districts throughout Long Island have been instrumental in providing important information using different forms of communication. At Stony Brook University, Dr. Richard N. Fine, Dean of the School of Medicine felt it was the right time to speak directly to members of the community, and to provide the expertise from the Department of Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics to help raise the level of understanding about MRSA.

     "There is still a great deal of misperception about MRSA," said Dr. Fine. "We have a responsibility as an Academic Medical Center to share resources and information with the residents in the communities we serve. All are welcome."

     At this free public forum moderated by Newsday  Health and Science reporter, Delthia Ricks, Dr. Nachman, Dr. Donelan and a representative from Suffolk County Department of Health Services will help quell the myths and offer information directly to community members who may have lingering concerns about drug resistant staff infections. Among topics of discussion, the audience will learn exactly what MRSA is, what it looks like, how to know if and when it is activated, how to prevent MRSA, and how to protect family members. Dr. Benach will respond to any scientific questions associated with MRSA, and all will respond directly to questions from the audience in a special Question and Answer session.

     Free parking is offered for forum attendees in the Administration over-flow parking lot. Seating is limited; registration is recommended. For information and to register, call Stony Brook University HealthConnect at (631) 444-4000.

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