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LECOM graduate, James Lin, D.O., a fellowship trained Geriatrician for Medical Associates of Erie (MAE), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), and Director of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging, will be a featured panelist for local Film Director John Lyon’s film “Schism,” which will be featured at the Spirit Quest Film Festival held at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The three-day Festival will feature screenings of inspirational and thought provoking films from around the world including two shot and produced in the Erie area. With a new case of Alzheimer’s disease appearing every 70 seconds, a pressing need exists to make sure every health care professional, patient care-giver and family member has a greater understanding of the debilitating and declining nature of the disease.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging are encouraging everyone who has contact with Alzheimer’s patients and their families to attend the showing of a new film describing one patient’s fading journey into Alzheimer’s disease.

LECOM is a major sponsor of The Spirit Quest Film Festival, which makes its debut this weekend at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pennsylvania. The festival is a three day celebration of inspirational and thought provoking independent films from around the world, including movies shot and produced in the Erie County region of Pennsylvania.

The final cut of John C. Lyons’ award winning drama, ”Schism” will be shown at 7:00 PM Friday, September 4th during the festival. Lyons brilliantly has described one man’s descent into Alzheimer’s disease. Lyons’ film was shot entirely in the Erie region and has received critical praise from critics across the country. The screening at Spirit Quest will mark the Erie premiere of the final cut of “Schism” as well as the debut of the Special Edition DVD, which will be available for purchase at the event. Lyons and several cast members will participate in a Q&A after the screening, which takes place Friday, September 4th.

“As many as 5.3 million people in the country are currently living with Alzheimers Dementia,” states Dr. James Lin, Director of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging, “The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year. These numbers and statistics are alarming, and we want to educate the community on the devastating effects of this disease,” says Lin.

Dr. Lin recommends that anyone who cares for the elderly and who wants a better understanding of the stages of this disease, should see this film.

The LECOM Institute for Successful Aging is a single-source provider of geriatric health care for persons aged 50 plus. Dr. Lin is fellowship trained geriatrician who is skilled in assessing aging patients. The institute provides a complete memory assessment program that assists patients and care-givers in determining the severity of the dementia and provides families a road map detailing the patient’s needs and treatment options. With that assessment, the patient and care-givers have access to other medical services available at the John M. & Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness and Wellness Center. Those services are available through Medical Associates of Erie and Millcreek Community Hospital and include orthopedics, internal medicine, sports medicine, physical therapy, and women’s health. For more information about the Institute or the services they offer, please call 814.866-7850. The Institute is located on the third floor of the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center.

The Spirit Quest Film Festival takes place September 4 - 6, 2009 at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pa. All Access Passes and tickets for “Schism” are available for purchase on the Festival’s official website: www.spiritquestfilmfest.com. Tickets and Passes will also be available at the box office during Festival hours.