Dr. Hanna Konarzewska, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, implants first S-ICD (subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator) in Lewiston

Dr. Hanna Konarzewska is a Board Certified Cardiac Electropysiologist specializing in diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and palpitations. She implants and manages devices such as defibrillators, pacemakers, and loop recorders to aid in diagnosis and management of these arrhythmias.

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center proudly recognizes Dr. Konarzewska and her team at the St. Joseph Heart and Vascular Center, providing award-winning healthcare.

An ICD device monitors a patient’s heart 24/7, sending an electrical shock to the heart if it detects a life-threatening heart rhythm in order to restore the heart to its normal rhythm, preventing sudden cardiac arrest.

This device is different from a regular implantable cardiac defibrillator. The ICD lead, which senses the electrical activity in the heart, is tunneled under the skin to rest next to the heart on the breast bone, and a small pocket on your side houses the device. 

There is no need to access the vessels of the heart to place the leads as with a regular implanted defibrillator – leaving the heart and the blood vessels untouched and intact.

For patients, this means less lead related complications such as lead fracture, lead migration, or arrhythmia, as well as, less opportunity for infection in high-risk patients as the heart remains untouched. 

A physician would help determine which device is right for each patient. For more information, visit http://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/products/defibrillators/emblem-s-icd-system.html.

The Idaho Foodbank celebrates new facility

Lewiston, ID – On Thursday, Nov. 3, The Idaho Foodbank cut a ribbon and celebrated its new north central Idaho facility with a ceremony for local business leaders and donors.

This is the culmination of years of planning and effort. The new facility will provide programs and/or services to the 9 northern-most counties in the state. It will help the Foodbank, which has operated out of Lewiston since 1994, reach more people than ever before.

Chairman of the Foodbank’s Statewide Steering Committee for the Fresh Approach campaign, Patricia Kempthorne said, “Even as the economy improves and hunger numbers in Idaho level off, we still need to do more to reach the people in need in every part of our state. This new facility will enable the Foodbank to bring in more of the nutritious food that doesn’t just solve hunger, but does so in a healthy way.” 

The building comes at the perfect time, as the Foodbank launches its “Hope for the Holidays” campaign. The new facility will play an integral role in the goal of distributing the food for more than 2.5 million meals. Some of that will come from the current “Feed the Foodbank” effort in Lewiston, with more than 25 companies working together to collect food to fill the new structure.

Feeding America’s annual hunger study “Map the Meal Gap” estimates more than 17,000 people in north central Idaho are food insecure, meaning they may not know where they’ll get their next meal. More than 4,000 of those people are children.

“Our community is in need and the Foodbank has worked for more than 12 years to help those who are hungry in north central Idaho,” said Joanna Alford, Local Campaign Committee Co-Chairman. “North central Idaho looks after its own and this new building is a symbol of the great work being done to help our friends and neighbors. More help is needed. We still hope to raise the funding needed for this new building.”

Unlicensed solicitors in Lewiston area

Recently the Lewiston Police Department has received an increased number of complaints of unwanted solicitors canvassing neighborhoods. These solicitors are selling various items or services ranging from satellite TV, books and magazines, cleaning equipment and consumable goods.

Most of the complaints are the result of high pressure sales tactics and refusal to leave when asked to by the home owner. Traditionally the police department does experience an increase in complaints about door to door salesmen in the spring when the weather begins to improve.

Under Lewiston City Code all solicitors are required to obtain a solicitor's license from the city prior to engaging in door to door sales. This process requires a limited records check and fingerprints to ensure the protection of the public. Individuals soliciting for charitable causes are also required to obtain a permit from the city.

Citizens are encouraged to be especially wary of anyone on foot and not associated with a properly marked vehicle representing their company. Be extremely cautious about letting solicitors enter your home.

The Lewiston Police Department urges citizens to contact police about suspicious persons going door to door, and to ask to see their city issued solicitor's license before engaging in a business transaction.