For Immediate Release

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John Hofer
Director of Marketing
715-735-4200, ext. 3117

Kelley Balzola and Sandra Nemetz Earn Certification in Bone Density Testing for Osteoporosis

(Marinette, Wis.) – The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has announced that Kelley Balzola and Sandra Nemetz, of Bay Area Medical Center, have recently attended the ISCD’s Bone Densitometry Course, and have been recognized as a Certified Densitometry Technologist (CDT).  They have taken the ISCD Bone Densitometry Course, and they have passed a rigorous exam on bone density testing for osteoporosis.  There are over 5,000 certified clinicians and technologists worldwide.  Certification in bone densitometry is a demonstration of proficiency, and is a requirement for some insurance companies and HMOs.

Kelley Balzola has been employed at BAMC for 6 years.  Sandra Nemetz has been employed at BAMC for almost 15 years.  Both are to be congratulated for their dedication to achieving the high standards in education and patient care.  The proliferation of new technologies for measuring bone density, combined with the development of improved treatments for osteoporosis, has created great demand for the education and certification of healthcare providers.

Osteoporosis, a bone fragility disorder that can lead to fractures, is a disease that affects 44 million Americans, causing 1.5 million fractures each year, with an annual healthcare cost of about $17 billion. 

Osteoporotic fractures can result in chronic pain, disability, loss of independence, and even death.  Early detection of low bone density before fractures occur is the key to successful management.  Bone density is easily measured with an instrument called a bone densitometer, using DXA (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry) technology.  With medications now available and under development, experts feel that osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disease—not an inevitable part of aging.

Linda Newbury, Woman’s Health Service line leader at Bay Area Medical Center states that a bone densitometry test is on aid to doctors in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Since osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease”, there are rarely signs until a lot of bone has been lost. Important risk factors for osteoporosis, include being female, caucasian, advanced age, history of bone fracture, a small thin frame, family history of osteoporosis, early menopause, low calcium diet, lack of exercise eating disorder, certain medications(such as steroids or anti-convulsants), and alcohol and tobacco use.

If you feel you may be at risk for osteoporosis and would like a bone densitometry test, please consult your primary care provider. We at By Area Medical Center are proud of the accomplishments of our dedicated staff and are pleased to offer the latest technology including Fan Beam Bone Mineral Densitometry. We look forward to serving the women of our community as we continue to enhance and expand all services specifically designed to meet the needs of women.