WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
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“We’ve made Charles E. Smith Life
Communities a beneficiary in our wills so that others can get the same great care our mother got.” — Ken and Marsha Braunstein To learn how you can do the same, contact Elana Lippa at 301.770.8342 or lippa@ceslc.org.
www.smithlifecommunities.org
Special menschen
Educational symposium Symposium sheds light on benefits of WHOLEistic Care for Seniors
Lessans gift endows annual symposium
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My mom and dad always impressed upon me the joys and benefits of study and learning, to value education, and to show the utmost respect for my teachers. I know they would feel extremely honored to have their names and legacy associated with this great educational experience provided by a truly remarkable institution. — Stuart Lessans, MD
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Dr. Lessans grew up in a close-knit Baltimore family steeped in Jewish values. His parents instilled in him the importance of charity and justice, a respect for learning, and a love of Jewish community causes. He once served as a volunteer ophthalmologist in the Home’s eye clinic, where he developed an appreciation for the “care and professionalism of the staff and their kindness and gentleness towards the elderly residents.” n
Noted integrative medicine expert and media personality Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, shared some upbeat advice on April 24 at Charles E. Smith Life Communities’ Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Healthcare Symposium. WHOLEistic Care for Seniors: Strategies for Clinicians and Caregivers, emphasized the proven benefits of combining traditional and alternative approaches to address the mind, body, and spirit.
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It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to take steps to improve our bodies and minds.
Photo by Randy Sager
Retired ophthalmologist Dr. Stuart Lessans has attended all of our educational symposia, including April’s event. Designed to provide new perspectives for caregivers and healthcare professionals, these events have covered a range of critical topics including: New Frontiers in Dementia Care, Transitions in Care, Care Coordination for Older Patients, and Palliative Care. “As a physician, I am well aware of the effort that goes into planning and executing such a high-level learning experience,” said Dr. Lessans. “The fact that it is developed with the support of Suburban Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine for Continuing Medical Education credit gives it added prestige.” He and his wife, Dr. Ellen Lessans, a psychologist, have now taken the important step of making a substantial endowment gift to support and ensure the continuation of these programs. The renamed Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Healthcare Symposium will honor the memory of Stuart Lessans’ parents and set an inspirational example for the couple’s teenage twins Matthew and Faye. “It is with utmost pleasure that I thank the Lessans family for their generosity,” said Warren R. Slavin, Stuart Lessans, seated, with his wife Ellen and their children Matthew and Faye. President/CEO of Charles E. Smith Life Communities.
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Dr. Peeke delivered an informative and entertaining keynote address, engaging the 120 attendees with data and numerous insights for optimal aging and brain health, centered around three pillars of wellness that she labels the Three Ms: Mind, Mouth, and Muscle. Among the highlights: a rundown on the scientifically-proven benefits of physical activity, sleep, adaptability, social interaction, fun, daily learning, and a diet rich in greens, nuts, and berries. “There’s a reason walnuts look like your brain,” she joked. The morning began with Chair Joseph B. Hoffman announcing that Dr. Stuart Lessans with his wife Dr. Ellen Lessans made an extraordinary gift honoring his parents to support the continuation of this important educational series. The program also featured specialized tracks on incorporating alternative medicine into a patient’s overall care plan; guiding patients from acute illness to wellness through the village concept, use of health navigators, and prevention of readmission; and recognizing elder abuse. The symposium was presented by Charles E. Smith Life Communities, and Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals, members of Johns Hopkins Medicine. It was sponsored by Minkoff Company, Inc., and Optum, and offered continuing education credits in many fields. n
Keynote speaker Dr. Pamela Peeke, center, with Drs. Ellen and Stuart Lessans. Arms up! Symposium attendees learned Tai Chi, a method of gentle movement to boost health and well-being.
LifeTimes | Page 3