THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, November 23, 1984 39
Dr. Wrisley also explained that
until the mid-1960s and into the
1970s, people with heart disease were
considered functional cripples. Doc-
tors severely limited their activities
and serious heart-attack victims were
confined to bed. Dr. Wrisley stressed,
"When you do this to someone they
lose functioning capacities and suffer a
doctor-imposed loss of conditioning."
According to Dr. Wrisley, the new
programs improve the patient's out-
look on life and enhance the quality of
his life.'" W e taKe a perm' why
a heart attack, bypass surgery or an-
gina and we evaluate him," Dr. Wris-
ley said. The first four weeks is a
monitoring program where the patient
is taught how to exercise and then take
his own pulse and monitor his heart
rate."
This exercise, Dr. Wrisley
stressed, is not dangerous but it is vig-
orous. After this training program the
patient can continue, with this
newly-acquired knowledge, in a pro-
gram of his own or in a supervised pro-
gram that Sinai offers through the
Jewish Community Center at Maple
and Drake Roads.
The medical staff keeps in contact
With its patients. The patient returns
to the center at .three- to six-month
intervals to exercise briefly and re-
ceive encouragement on his progress.
Dr. Wrisley's philosophy is that a
large part of the heart disease he sees
is reversible. He performs a com-
prehensive evaluation of his patients
to determine what factors may have
contributed to their illness.
Dr. Wrisley feels that it is impor-
tant to inhibit further progression of
the disease. He named three major
contributing factors: elevated blood
cholesterol, high blood pressure and
cigarette smoking. He would like to
see patients who are likely candidates
for heart disease and, ideally, prevent
them from having it.
The program entails several
different areas including dietary
counseling and evening lectures on
topics such as the principles of exer-
cise, weight control, coping with stress
and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
training. Also offered is a smoking ces-
sation program and exercise sessions.
The Goldin Center is able to offer
all these services except for exercise
testing which they are hoping to offer
within the year.
Physical therapist Linda Tomalia instructs Sue Kaine.
The first step for any patient is to
complete a medical history and physi-
cal. This is followed by a lung function
test, evaluation of body weight, and a
blood test to check cholesterol level
and an exercise test or fitness evalua-
tion. The doctor then creates a
specially-designed program for each
patient.
The Psychiatry Department also
offers services at the Goldin Center.
The Problems of Daily Living Clinic
deals with parental or marital rela-
tionships, eating disorders, sexual.
dysfunction, aging, drug-abuse and
self-concept. "We are interested in
working out the problems that keep
people from accomplishing their
potential," Dr. Silk explained.
According to Dr. Silk, an impor-
tant asset of the new center is its visi-
bility. "People will tell their neighbors
about cardiology, but this is not the
case with psychotherapy," she said.
"People are reluctant to talk about
psychotherapy, but if they see the cen-
ter when they drive by they may call or
come in."
Dr. Silk also feels that a great ad-
vantage of the Goldin Center is that it
has the resources of a hospital without
the stodginess or seriousness. Marilyn
Klein, after a recent stay at the hospi-
tal, agrees strongly. "It's not depress-
ing here the way it might be at the
hospital," Klein said about her physi-
cal therapy. "It was depressing for me
to have to take the time out of my day
to do this, but I like it here and can use
the time to good advantage."
Dr. Silk feels that many people
are afraid of coming to the Problems of
Daily Living Clinic because they think
treatment will dig up other problems.
Dr. Silk's philosophiris to deal
with the patient's question: "How can I
make the best of the situation I'm in?"
As an example, in marital problems
she does not make judgments, take
sides or give advice. Her job is to help
the patient cope with the specific rela-
tionship.
Dr. Silk has worked extensively
with women who were struggling with
their roles in life. Dr. Silk helps them
adjust to transitions.
She says that although the ex-
perience of therapy can be rewarding,
there is also a stigma. "I see people
who have waited a long time,
frightened and reluctant. They've
waited and were frightened by the
prospect of coming for help. Very few
people, once they get here, think it's
scary. There's a stigma. This is a very
relieving experience for someone.
They find that others have had their
experiences. They are not judged or
blamed. We use different strategies
and different solutions. Therapy can
make even the grimmest situation
more bearable and more resolvable."
The staff at Problems of Daily Liv-
ing Clinic is large, diverse and in-
cludes qualified personnel for all types
of psychological disorders.
"Therapy is serious but positive
and supportive, Dr. Silk emphasized.
"It is important to recognize that it is
something to look forward to and to
grow from."
The outpatient physical medicine
and rehabilitation department at the
Goldin Center offers consultation,
evaluation and rehabilitation for pain
and motion problems and hearing
difficulties.
Dr. Joseph Honet, chairman of the
rehabilitation medicine department,
is proud of this unique center. "This
center is able to offer a full spectrum of
services, all located here," Dr. Honet
pointed out, including a sound booth
for audiometric testing, kitchen train-
ing facilities for the handicapped, a
cybex machine for sports injuries, and
electromyographic testing.
Ruth Greenberg, administrative
manager of the department of re-
habilitation medicine, feels that the
center promotes a positive view of
medicine. "Everything here is fresh
and cheerful and people feel good
about coming here," Greenberg
stressed.
"The color scheme is warm, cheer-
ful and soothing," said Marilyn Klein._
"The atmosphere certainly helps my
state of mind."
In addition to the services avail-
able at the center itself, arthritis
classes, lectures at senior citizen
apartments and the Jewish Commu-
nity Center are offered on a wide range
of topics.
The Goldin Center features the
latest medical equipment. Machines
such as the cybex, which is able to test
• any joint for weakness, are a valuable
asset for patients with sports injuries.
It is especially useful for treating knee
and hip injuries. Computerized calcu-
lations make cybex evaluation very
accurate.
Speech/language pathology and
audiology needs are handled through
Eileen A. Sarb's department. Avail-
able soon will be speechreading classes
and neuroaudiologic assessment. Sarb
says these services are new to the
northwest suburban area.
Continued on next page