HEALTH BRIEFS

To help provide much-needed parking for patients and visitors close to hospital services and physicians' offices, Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola has turned a portion of the property formerly occupied by Royal Arms Apartments into a parking area for its employees.

The hurricane-damaged Royal Arms property that Sacred Heart purchased in 2005 is earmarked for future hospital expansion. In the interim, the site serves as a parking area offering 720 paved spaces. Sacred Heart purchased two new shuttle buses to transport employees between the parking lot and the hospital, and a third shuttle will be purchased soon. Additional employee parking also is available around the perimeter of the hospital campus.

To accommodate the needs of patients and visitors, Sacred Heart has designated its two parking garages for patients, visitors and staff of physicians who lease offices at Sacred Heart. Since making the change, administration has noticed that plenty of parking is now available

in the 9th Avenue and Brent Lane garages. In addition, free valet parking is offered at three hospital entrances.

The change calls for employees to park much farther from the workplace, but their cooperation has been outstanding, according to Bill McLaughlin, president of Sacred Heart Hospital.

"Our employees' attitudes during this change have been incredible," said Bill McLaughlin, president of Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. "As healthcare professionals, they understand that many patients who come to us for care are in pain, aren't feeling well and can't walk long distances, especially in the heat. By cooperating with this change in a positive way, they have demonstrated that our patients truly do come first in their hearts. Our staff members have a passion for our patients and the work that they are called to do."

Free 'Meet the Doctor' event focuses on cataract surgery Baptist Medical Park is hosting

a free "Meet the Doctor" event to introduce new implant technology in microincision cataract surgery. It will be May 4 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Azalea Room.

Ophthalmologist Saul Ullman, M.D., will lead the presentation on multifocal intraocular lenses, which have more than one focus plane and allow a greater range of vision. For many patients with cataracts, this new lens technology means improved eyesight and less dependence on prescription and reading glasses.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's normally clear lens. Usually slow forming and causing no pain, cataracts block or distort the passage of light needed for clear vision. More than half of all Americans age 65 and older have cataracts, which can lead to nearsightedness, impaired night driving, double vision and problems with glare.

Register for the Meet the

Doctor program by calling 2086008. Seating is limited. Sacred Heart improves parking for patients, visitors