University of Cincinnati research confirms new tool shows severe heart attacks — MedCity Evening Read, Jan. 8, 2010

News and notes from a day in MedCity, Ohio:

A multi-center trial involving University of Cincinnati research confirms that a new tool — an 80-lead electrocardiogram — can show severe heart attacks in more patients, potentially leading to better diagnoses and faster treatment, according to a university press release.

Cleveland Clinic doctors soon will be providing around-the-clock care at Medina Hospital, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

Liberal think tank ProgressOhio is inviting state voters to a noon-time “tele-townhall meeting” on Tuesday, Jan. 12, during which Sen. Sherrod Brown will speak about the continuing debate on health care reform in Congress, according to a citizen’s entry at the Cincinnati Enquirer’s politics blog.

The American Legacy Foundation, a Washington, D.C., anti-smoking organization, said Wednesday it would seek an appeal of last week’s court ruling that found Ohio could spend for other purposes money it had set aside almost a decade ago for smoking treatment and cessation programs, the Toledo Blade reported. Until two years ago, the so-called tobacco settlement money had been used, in part, to fund Ohio Third Frontier’s biomedical research and technology trusts.

ProMedica Health System in Toledo has launched the Healthy Kids Conversation Map Program — a preventative health education program for children in grades four through six and their parents designed to raise awareness about childhood obesity and empower participants to make lifelong, healthy choices about food and exercise, according to a MarketWire release.

Columbus oncology contract research organization Prologue Research International Inc. has hired Art Ziegler as vice president of business development. Ziegler is a 25-year veteran of clinical research and business development, according to a MarketWire release.