PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A free community program highlighting men’s health issues is set for the conference center at TAMC’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital in Presque Isle Wednesday, June 17, 2016 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Planned to coincide with National Men’s Health Week June 15-21, the TAMC Men’s Health Seminar will provide men and significant others, who are welcome to join them, the opportunity to hear about key male health issues and to meet and speak with medical providers. Dinner will be provided to participants as part of the program at no charge.
The agenda includes a discussion of symptoms and treatments related to urinary stress incontinence, enlarged prostate, symptoms and side effects of low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, as well as other men’s health concerns.
“We wanted to host an event where men, especially those 40 and older, could come together — with their spouses and partners if they wish — to learn about common health issues,” said TAMC urologist Richard J. Leidinger, M.D. who, along with his colleague Gary A. Wikert, M.D., will present at the seminar. TAMC Urology Services’ Robert V. Hunt, PA-C, will also be present.
“As providers, we find that a good number of men have questions about their own health and well-being that they don’t always ask,” Leidinger said. “By providing this opportunity, we hope to eliminate some of the barriers and open up a dialogue to encourage men who attend to be more aware of, and engaged with, what their bodies are telling them.”
The providers will present information in an informal and approachable way so as to avoid any discomfort related to the subject areas. A meet and greet time will follow presentations to allow participants to ask questions in an informal setting.
Take-home information on a variety of conditions and treatment options will be available. Materials will also be provided for participants to speak about referral options with their primary care providers at their next appointment.
TAMC Urology Services, which is partnering with AMS, an Endo Health Company, to host the Men’s Health Seminar, is the largest and most comprehensive practice of its kind north of Bangor. Leidinger, Wikert and Hunt provide a wide array of services in Presque Isle, as well as at TAMC’s Caribou Health Center and most recently at Northern Maine Medical Center through a new collaborative agreement.
Both Leidinger and Wikert are board certified with the American Board of Urology. Leidinger is also certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Hunt is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants.
Before joining TAMC, Leidinger served as chief of the Division of Urology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (Togus) in Augusta. He also previously worked at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport. He earned his Doctorate of Medicine at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, Pa. He completed both a surgical internship and urology residency at Naval Regional Medical Center in Oakland, California.
Dr. Wikert previously practiced at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, Tenn., as well as at hospitals and military hospitals in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Hawaii. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. He completed his internship at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma Washington, and his urology residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Pre-registration for the seminar is required and must be completed by June 11, 2016.
