Esophageal diseases the focus of July 23 “On Call” program
Contact: Tami Watson
Phone: (605) 688-5620
Friday, July 17, 2009
Heartburn can be a nuisance, but it sometimes indicates something more than just a love of spicy food. During the July 23 "On Call®" program, the focus will be diseases of the esophagus.
Medical editor Dr. Rick Holm and program producer and host Tami Watson will discuss diseases such as esophageal cancer with their guests, Drs. Tim Ridgeway and Christian Hill Jensen.
Dr. Ridgeway is the dean of clinical faculty at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, and he specializes in gastroenterology.
Dr. Jensen also focuses her medical career on gastroenterology. Having two experts in this area will help "On Call" viewers get their answers.
"Heartburn and other upper gastrointestinal distress can be minor, but our guests will explain when it can be a sign of something more serious," said Watson. "We hope to address any questions viewers might have about the esophagus and illnesses that afflict this part of the body."
"On Call" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. "On Call" is a weekly program about health produced by the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service.
During the live broadcast, viewers can call 1-888-DrOnCall (1-888-376-6225) with their questions about diseases of the esophagus. Viewers also can e-mail their questions in advance of the broadcast by visiting the "On Call" Web site at http://oncall.sdstate.org/.
The South Dakota State Medical Association and the South Dakota Department of Health both endorse "On Call" and its programming. "On Call" is the only show to receive these endorsements.
The program is made possible by major underwriter support from Avera Health and the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care. Additional sponsors include Dakotacare, Brookings Health System, the South Dakota American College of Physicians, Swiftel Communications, and the Friends of SDPB.
The Brookings Health System, Fishback Financial Corporation, and the Larson Foundation provide closed captioning for "On Call."
The July 30 "On Call" program will look at the cost, benefits and risks of medications.
For more information about the program, visit the "On Call" Web site at http://oncall.sdstate.org/.
AgBio Communications Unit
South Dakota State University
ACC, Box 2231, Rm 200
Brookings, SD 57007
Telephone: (605) 688-4642
Jarett.Bies@sdstate.edu