This very special issue of Quality of Life highlights innovative services we provide to our patients, and features some of the things we do to make our community a better place.

You'll read about the experience of one patient who suffered a heart attack and received lifesaving care at Aiken Regional Medical Centers (ARMC). This story will give you an idea of behind-the-scenes activities we continually engage in to help make sure that we're ready when heart attack victims arrive at ARMC. We use many of these processes to improve care throughout the hospital.

There's an article about an innovative new cancer therapy -- called radiofrequency ablation -- that heats and destroys cancer cells. This minimally invasive treatment can help improve quality of life for some patients battling certain types of cancer.

I'm very excited about other articles that let you know how we help lead the community to better health. For example, we recently became one of several thousand sites across the country to participate in Reach Out and Read^®. This program is designed to improve literacy skills in at-risk children. Youngsters who receive care at Palmetto Pediatrics now receive free books at every well-child visit as part of the program. Parents get the support and encouragement they need to promote reading at home.

Another article talks about our award-winning Health Information portal, which is available through our Web site, and our popular Health Information Center located at the Aiken Mall. You can read about other successful community education and outreach programs -- and find out which programs might be right for you and your family. Information is also included on our physician referral services and a Universal Medication Form. These tools make it easier for you to get the healthcare services you need.

All of us at ARMC hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable summer!

K.D. Justyn
Chief Executive Officer

P.O. Drawer 1117 Aiken, SC 29802