AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER NOW OPEN AT CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information and Referral Center has opened at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to assist individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, including their families and caregivers. Services are free of charge and include a wide range of information and support to help understand the disease and maintain quality of life.

CEDARS-SINAI NAMED QUALITY LEADER FOR PROVIDING MOST PREFERRED HEALTHCARE SERVICES
In the largest independent survey of its type in the nation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been named a Quality Leader for providing healthcare services most preferred by consumers. This marks the fifth two-year period in a row that the hospital has been identified as Southern California's gold standard in healthcare.

DELAYING MEDICAL CARE IS WORST MISTAKE STROKE VICTIMS CAN MAKE
Many people who experience a stroke are very stoic and feel that the weakness or the slurred speech they're experiencing will just go away. "That's the biggest mistake they could make," says Cedars-Sinai Medical Center neurologist Cyrus K. Mody, M.D. Why? Because a stroke's impact on a patient depends on the size of the stroke, the area of the brain affected, and how quickly treatment is initiated.

LONG-LEAD STORY IDEA: NATIONAL NURSES WEEK (May 6-12, 1999):
For nearly 30 years, the role of the nurse practitioner has quietly grown in prominence throughout the U.S. health system. Today, nurse practitioners are able to perform physical exams, diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries, manage chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. At Cedars-Sinai Health Systems, nurse practitioners are in the forefront in several hospital units and in other important programs.

For media information and to arrange an interview, please call 1-800-396-1002.