Neurosurgeon Dr. Scott C. Dulebohn will discuss the latest alternatives to lower back surgery at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Everett and Carolyn Coolidge Volunteer Conference Center at Takoma Regional Hospital.

"There are several ways to avoid surgery, which I will discuss at the lecture," Dr. Dulebohn said.

He added, "Good nutrition is one important way. Other things that can help ward off surgery are exercise, stretching and flexibility, physical therapy, seeing a chiropractor and interventional pain management. It also helps to not smoke."

Dr. Dulebohn will also discuss the latest in micro and endoscopic surgery techniques for those cases in which surgery is required.

A heart-healthy lunch will precede the "Time Out For Your Health" lecture series at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Dulebohn is a board-certified neurosurgeon with nearly 20 years of medical experience.

He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia and completed a residency in neurosurgery at the University of Illinois School Of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He is an assistant professor at the Quillen School of Medicine in Johnson City.

Dr. Dulebohn, whose office is in the Takoma Medical Office Building at the corner of East Vann Road and Takoma Avenue, is a member of the American Medical Association; the North American Spine Society; the American Association of Neurological Surgery; the Congress of Neurological Surgeons; the Joint Neurosurgical Society of Pain, Spine and Tumor; and the International Spine Intervention Society.

A heart-healthy lunch by local caterer Deidra Haruff will be served at 11:30 a.m. The presentation begins at noon. The cost is $6, which includes lunch.

Parking is now readily available on both sides of the conference center. To register, call 798-8136.