HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 15, 2011 – The growth of the human heart in a child is a miraculous thing. Dr. Mark Teaford, professor of physical therapy in the School of Health Sciences at High Point University, will explain the complexities of this process and what makes it so intriguing at a Mended Little Hearts meeting from 7-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Ronald McDonald House in Winston Salem.
The group is a local chapter of the national Mended Little Hearts organization. They advocate the awareness of congenital heart defects and support the parents of children affected by them. Teaford will speak to some of these families about how the heart develops in the womb.
“This helps educate our families who are dealing with the stress of surgeries and multiple doctor visits,” said Valerie King, lead coordinator of the group. “Many of our families ask, ?Why did this happen to my child?’ In talking about this with our families, it helps them understand and cope with this process.”
Teaford, former course director for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s anatomy program, joined HPU’s School of Health Sciences this fall. He has more than 30 years of experience teaching anatomy in health sciences. At HPU, he is assisting in the development and creation of a cadaver/anatomy lab as well as teaching anatomy and biological anthropology courses.
“This is a wonderful chance to get parents to realize the miracle of heart growth,” said Teaford. “The knowledge I share with them will hopefully give them assurances about the complexity of the process, thus giving them new insight.”
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students from 51 countries and 46 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 7 percent among “America’s Best Colleges.” Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 50 undergraduate majors, 43 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
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Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
[email protected]