YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL  SPRING 2019
DANCING THROUGH LIFE
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VISIT AHCYOU.COM/SP19SURVEY. NEWS BRIEFS
QUALITY HONORS FOR ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4
Grand Opening
H eart Valve Repair
Without Major Surgery
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New Technology Aims to Lower Stress for Breast Cancer Patients
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Q uality Care in More Homes
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Living Healthy
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Fuel Up for Your Workout
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Dancing Through Life
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Happy, Healthy Summer
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B roadcasting an Important Message
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Back in the Saddle
SPRING 2019
Adventist HealthCare’s hospitals and outpatient services receive many honors for the quality and compassionate care we provide to patients and the community. Take a look at several recent recognitions:
PATIENT SAFETY AWARDS Our hospitals were the only facilities in Montgomery County to earn the 2019 Patient Safety Innovation Award Top 20 recognition from the Maryland Patient Safety Center – and we were honored for four different innovation projects. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center was recognized for both improving mental healthcare processes and for boosting recovery after colorectal surgery. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital was also honored for two projects: reducing antibiotic use in newborns and improving healing, outcomes and experiences for patients with complex wounds.
URGENT CARE ACCREDITATION Adventist HealthCare Urgent Care has received accreditation from the Urgent Care Association Accreditation Program for providing high-quality care. The accreditation is the highest level of distinction for such centers and is the only program to evaluate for scope of services, as well as safety and quality.
HEART SURGERY STAR RATING Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital received a three-star rating – the highest possible quality rating – from the Society for Thoracic Surgeons. The quality rating measures patient outcomes, processes and consistent use of evidence-based care throughout a patient’s hospitalization. The hospital is also ranked in the top 7 percent of hospitals nationwide for the quality of care it provides patients who undergo coronary bypass graft surgery – the most common type of open heart surgery in the U.S. For more information on Adventist HealthCare’s quality of care, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Quality.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center opens Aug. 25 .
GRAND OPENING White Oak Medical Center will continue our legacy of caring for the community
FTER much anticipation, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center will begin providing high-quality care to our community in a new hospital on Aug. 25. Private patient rooms filled with natural light will promote excellent care in a warm, healing environment. The medical center will also be home to the nationally recognized heart program that will transfer from Washington Adventist Hospital, as the new state-of-the-art facility replaces the historic hospital in Takoma Park. A 24/7 urgent care center will open on the Takoma Park campus to treat less-serious illnesses and injuries. Located off Route 29 at Cherry Hill Road and Plum Orchard Drive in Silver Spring, White Oak Medical Center will offer the latest technology while carrying on a 112-year history of compassionate care.
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Take a virtual tour of White Oak Medical Center by visiting AHCYou.com/SP19Tour. Photography by Michael Kress
AHCYOU.COM/SP19
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HIGH-TECH HIGHLIGHTS
Heart Valve Repair Without Major Surgery ITRAL valve regurgitation – caused by a faulty heart valve that leaks blood instead of circulating it through the body – is the most common type of heart valve disease. About half of people with the condition cannot have open-heart surgery due to other health conditions that would make surgery too risky. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital is the first hospital in Montgomery County to offer an alternative solution – a minimally invasive procedure called MitraClip. During the procedure, a cardiologist can fix the leaky valve without performing open-heart surgery. “The MitraClip procedure can add years to patients’ lives, eliminate their symptoms and get them back to active living with a quick recovery,” said Fayaz Shawl, MD, director of Interventional Cardiology, who performed the first MitraClip procedure at Washington Adventist Hospital and offers a variety of minimally invasive treatments.
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of breath and dry cough, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated. MitraClip can repair the valve by using a clip the size of a dime to stop the leak and allow the heart to pump blood to the body normally. The clip is inserted by sliding a tube, called a catheter, through a small incision in an artery near the groin. The clip is then guided to the heart and positioned where it is needed.
INNOVATIONS IN HEART CARE MitraClip isn’t the only addition to a variety of innovative, minimally invasive heart procedures offered at Washington Adventist Hospital. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures also treat aortic valve disease without open-heart surgery. “Whenever possible, we offer the least invasive treatment for a variety of complex heart conditions to meet our patients’ individual needs,” said David Brill, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Adventist Medical Group, who performs TAVR, MitraClip and an array of minimally invasive heart procedures.
HOW MITRACLIP WORKS Actual size of the MitraClip compared with a dime
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SPRING 2019
Mitral valve regurgitation is a serious heart condition that causes fatigue, fainting, inability to exercise, shortness
Schedule a minimally invasive heart surgery consultation with our expert physicians at AHCYou.com/SP19Heart.
Breast surgeon Surupa Sen Gupta, MD, and Colette Moore discuss Colette’s breast cancer treatment plan.
HIGH-TECH HIGHLIGHTS
New Technology Aims to Lower Stress for Breast Cancer Patients new, innovative procedure called the SAVI SCOUT® is helping to reduce physical and emotional stress for women diagnosed with breast cancer. “This is the newest technology when it comes to locating areas of abnormal tissue in a breast prior to surgery,” said Sonya Kella, MD, medical director of Women’s Imaging at Adventist HealthCare. “It enhances the patient experience with easier scheduling and less stress.” The SAVI SCOUT is an alternative to the traditional wire localization methods, which must be performed on the same day as surgery. The SAVI SCOUT uses a reflector, no larger than a grain of rice, inserted at the site of the abnormal or cancerous tissue days or weeks prior to surgery. The reflector is then located on the day of surgery, using a device similar to an ultrasound probe, leading the surgeon directly to the area of abnormal tissue. Because of this flexibility, patients can schedule the SAVI SCOUT placement procedure in an outpatient setting – the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Breast Center.
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ONE PATIENT’S STORY Colette Moore, 57, of Rockville, was one of the first patients
to undergo the SAVI SCOUT procedure at the Shady Grove Breast Center and Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Colette couldn’t believe how simple the placement of the SAVI SCOUT was. “I didn’t feel a thing,” she said. “I came home and hosted a dinner party that same night.” Colette had her lumpectomy two days after the SAVI SCOUT was placed. Now, after her surgery and treatment, Colette is cancer-free and feeling great. “With this new technology, the day of surgery is now much easier for women because there is one less procedure,” said Surupa Sen Gupta, MD, with Shady Grove Medical Center and Colette’s breast surgeon. “It reduces anxiety, wait times and procedure pain.” Through generous donations to Adventist HealthCare, we are able to provide this advanced technology to our patients that helps improve care and outcomes.
Learn more about Adventist HealthCare’s Breast Health Services at AHCYou.com/SP19Breast. AHCYOU.COM/SP19
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EXPANDING SERVICES
An Adventist Home Health nurse checks a client’s blood pressure in the comfort of his own home.
Quality Care IN MORE HOMES ASED on a long-standing record of excellent care, Adventist HealthCare Home Health recently received approval from the Maryland Health Care Commission to expand its in-home healthcare services to residents of Frederick County, Maryland. These services are an important option for individuals with chronic diseases or those who are recuperating from an illness, injury or surgical procedure. “Adventist Home Health has provided quality in-home services to the region for 45 years,” said Keith Ballenger, president of Adventist HealthCare Home Care Services, a division that includes Adventist Home Health. “Our caregivers provide compassionate care to help individuals return to their normal activity or successfully manage their medical conditions. We look forward to expanding our service area to meet the needs of Frederick County residents.” Adventist Home Health’s caregivers and support services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is provided for the full spectrum of healthcare needs, including nursing, therapy and other support services. “Coming home from the hospital with medical needs can be overwhelming when recuperating,” Keith said. “By providing individualized support, we can help you or a loved one avoid hospitalization and continue living independently.” Adventist Home Health’s compassionate caregivers offer skilled medical services, such as wound care, IV therapy and
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medication management. Individuals with therapy needs can rely on our physical, occupational and speech therapists to help regain movement and physical function after a stroke, heart surgery, or knee or hip replacement. Furthermore, chaplaincy services are also provided to meet spiritual needs by holding in-home prayer services and connecting individuals to other spiritual resources in the community.
To learn how Adventist Home Health can help you or a loved one, call 800-610-2447 or visit AHCYou.com/SP19HomeCare.
LOOKING FOR IN-HOME HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES? We offer: • Nursing • Physical, speech and occupational therapy • IV therapy
• Wound care • Social work assistance • Chaplaincy services
REGISTRATION Online registration and payment options are available for most programs. Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar or call 877-684-1511 for information or to register.
LIVING healthy The Adventist HealthCare Center for Health Equity & Wellness offers classes, events and activities to support a healthy body, mind and spirit. Check out our full listing of classes and events at AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
CLASS LOCATIONS The Center offers classes at numerous locations. Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar for additional class/event locations. SGMC Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center 9901 Medical Center Drive, Rockville
ACC Aquilino Cancer Center 9905 Medical Center Drive, Rockville
WAH Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital 7600 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park*
AHC Adventist HealthCare 820 W. Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg*
Rehab Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation 9909 Medical Center Drive, Rockville
Ladew Ladew Conference Room 14915 Broschart Road, First Floor, Rockville* *FREE parking
HEART HEALTH Free Blood Pressure Screenings
dventist HealthCare offers many blood A pressure screenings throughout the community each month. Rockville Senior Center 10 a.m.–noon First Monday of each month – June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 9 Damascus Senior Center 10–11:30 a.m. June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4 Benjamin Gaither Center 9:30–11:30 a.m. Fourth Wednesday of each month – May 22, June 26, July 24, Aug. 28 Long Branch Community Center 10:30–11:30 a.m. Second Monday of each month – May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9 Mid-County Community Recreation Center 11 a.m.–noon Second Tuesday of each month – May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10 White Oak Community Recreation Center 11 a.m.–noon Third Thursday of each month – May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19
Takoma Park Community Center 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Fourth Tuesday of each month – May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27 Victory Tower Senior Apartments 10:30–11:30 a.m. Last Friday of each month – May 31, June 28, July 26, Aug. 30 Green Ridge House Apartments 1–2 p.m. July 29
PRENATAL, FAMILY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH dventist HealthCare offers parent and A family education classes to provide expert advice, support and education before and after birth. Classes include: • Childbirth • Breastfeeding • Grandparents • Brother/Sister Learn more at AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
Lactation Services dventist HealthCare offers a range of A lactation classes, consultations and breast pump rentals, as well as breastfeeding support groups. To learn more, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar and look under
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
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LIVING HEALTHY
“Pregnancy, Birth & Your New Baby,” or call 240-826-MOMS (6667) for those living near SGMC, or 301-891-4TLC (4852) for those living near WAH.
“Adventist HealthCare is a really good organization that has always been involved with community outreach.” – Leonard Schrieber
Gestational Diabetes Education estational diabetes counseling is by G appointment. This counseling teaches moms-to-be how to manage blood glucose through proper nutrition, monitoring and exercise. Call 301-315-3459 for more information.
Support Groups dventist HealthCare offers several A support groups for parents. To learn more or find a location near you, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar or call 877-684-1511. BEST: Breastfeeding Education, Support and Togetherness (SGMC) When: Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.– noon. Preregistration is required. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Birth for more details. Hecho de Pecho – Madres Latinas Unidas para la Lactancia (WAH) ¡Acompañe a otras madres que hablan español en un grupo gratis de educación y apoyo a la lactancia! Comparta sus experiencias y participe junto con otras madres en una reunión cordial e informativa para aprender sobre la maternidad y apoyar la lactancia materna. Puede traer a sus bebés, a sus niños mayores o a una persona de apoyo. ¡Proveemos el desayuno gratis y regalitos! Dónde: WAH, Centro de Mujeres (Sala de Conferencia “Conference Center”, tercer piso) Cuándo: los sábados, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: mayo 18, junio 15, julio 20, agosto 17 Discovering Motherhood: Adjusting to Your New Role Meets every Monday When: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Birth for more details. Navigating Fatherhood Would you like to connect with other new dads? This group will help you navigate the challenges of fatherhood. When: One Saturday/month from 1–3:30 p.m. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Birth for more details.
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Adventist HealthCare offers blood pressure screenings throughout the community each month.
Perinatal Loss Support Group This six-week support group for those who have experienced a loss related to pregnancy is run by an experienced perinatal loss specialist. When: Tuesdays, 7–8:30 p.m. Where: River (Willow) Room (SGMC)
CANCER Integrative Medicine Program Adventist HealthCare’s Integrative Medicine Program combines conventional cancer care with evidence-informed, complementary therapies addressing the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Where: Aquilino Cancer Center Info: For information about upcoming integrative medicine classes, call 240-826-2010. To schedule a clinical consultation for integrative medicine, call 301-795-0078.
CancerServices@AdventistHealthCare.com for all navigation services.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Adventist HealthCare, in partnership with the Montgomery County Health Department, offers this FREE, lifesaving screening program. Info: Call 240-826-CARE (2273) or Montgomery County Cancer Crusade at 240-777-1222 to see whether you are eligible.
BRAIN & SPINE Community Aphasia Group A communication enrichment program for those with aphasia. Cost: $140 for six-week series Info: Contact Sandi Lancaster at SLancas2@AdventistHealthCare.com or 240-864-6033.
Navigation Services
Support Groups
At the Aquilino Cancer Center, our cancer care navigation team assists people living with cancer, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. The team provides guidance through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Info: Call 240-826-2050 or email
• Brain injury • Stroke • Spinal cord injury Info: For additional information about these groups, including a schedule of meetings and locations, call 877-684-1511 or visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
LIVING HEALTHY
NUTRITION, FITNESS AND WEIGHT LOSS Eat Well for Health Join Adventist HealthCare for this monthly cooking and nutrition class to learn a plantbased meal plan for optimal health. Samples of the meal prepared are provided. Patricia Guay-Berry provides nutrition updates. When: First Wednesday of each month, noon–1 p.m. and second Wednesday of each month, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Where: Aquilino Cancer Center, Iris Room Info: Registration is required, and there is a cost. Call 240-826-2010 or email ACCPrograms@AdventistHealthCare.com.
When: First four Thursdays of each month, 7–8:30 p.m. Where: SGMC Sycamore Conference Room Cost: FREE Info: Call 240-425-4589 for more information.
DIABETES Comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Education Learn to better manage your diabetes with this three-class series. Physician referral required. Info: Call 301-315-3459 for more information.
Nutrition Counseling
Prediabetes Class
Adventist HealthCare’s Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education Office offers individual appointments with a registered dietitian for management of multiple conditions. This service is covered by many health insurance plans. When: Weekdays by appointment Where: Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education Office, WAH, Professional Building, 7610 Carroll Ave., Suite 420, Takoma Park Info: Call 301-891-6105 for appointment.
Learn to manage prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes. When: Alternate months on a Thursday, 5–7:30 p.m. Where: SGMC Info: Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar to register for these FREE classes.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment Where: SGMC Info: Call 301-891-6105 for appointment.
Weight-Loss Surgery Informational Seminars
Diabetes Cooking Class Learn how to prepare quick, easy, healthy and delicious meals with ingredients that will help you better manage diabetes. Info: Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar for upcoming dates or to register for these classes. Where: SGMC When: Alternate months on a Thursday, 6–7 p.m.
Living Well With Diabetes This three-hour class is designed to get you on the path to living well with diabetes. Topics include monitoring, healthy eating, being active and much more! When: Alternates monthly on a Monday, 5:30–8:30 p.m., or a Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Where: SGMC area: Adventist HealthCare Center for Professional Development, 14915 Broschart Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850 When: Every other month on a weekday, 5–8 p.m. Where: WAH Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education office, Suite 420. Info: To register for either location, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Diabetes, click “Classes & Events” and search “Living Well with Diabetes.”
SUPPORT GROUPS Adventist HealthCare offers many FREE support groups for patients and their loved ones. The following ongoing support groups are available: • Amputee • Narcotics • Diabetes • Alcoholics Anonymous For information about these groups, including a schedule of meetings and locations, call 877-684-1511 or visit AHCYou.com/ SP19Calendar.
Learn about the life-changing weightloss surgery options offered at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. When: Monthly on the first Thursday, 6–8 p.m.; second and fourth Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m.; and fourth Sunday, 5–7 p.m. Where: SGMC Cost: FREE Info: Ongoing series, open to all; call 240-826-5278 for room location and to register.
Post-Op Weight-Loss Surgery Support Group This group provides ongoing support for those who have had weight-loss surgery. Registration is not required.
Moms and babies connect during the weekly Discovering Motherhood support group at Shady Grove Medical Center.
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
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LIVING HEALTHY
CPR CLASSES Adventist HealthCare Life Support offers convenient CPR and First Aid courses. Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar or call 240-826-2673 for course schedules, locations and registration. The AHA’s Heartsaver CPR, AED and First Aid courses provide the knowledge and skills that may help save a life. These courses are intended for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a coursecompletion card for work, regulatory (e.g. OSHA) or other requirements. (Not intended for healthcare workers.)
American Heart Association: Heartsaver CPR and AED Certification The following topics will be covered: • Adult CPR and AED use • Opioid-associated, life-threatening emergencies • Choking in adults • Child CPR and AED use • Choking in children • Infant CPR • Choking in infants A completion eCard, good for two years, will be issued when the course is completed. Cost: $65, which includes book When: Monthly; please visit the online calendar for dates and times. Where: Adventist HealthCare Center for Professional Development, 14915 Broschart Road, Rockville, MD 20850 Info: Call 240-826-2673 or visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
A completion eCard, good for two years, will be issued when the course is completed. Cost: $55, which includes book When: Monthly; please visit the online calendar for dates and times. Where: Adventist HealthCare Center for Professional Development, 14915 Broschart Road, Rockville, MD 20850 Info: Call 240-826-2673, email LifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.com, or visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
American Heart Association: Infant Safety & CPR Our Infant Safety and CPR class teaches parents and caregivers prevention and safety, management of choking, and CPR for newborns through age 1. An AHA Family & Friends CPR attendance
card will be given to each participant at completion. Please note this is for individuals 16 and older. NO BABIES PLEASE. Class topics discussed include, but are not limited to, the following: • CPR skills • Injury and poisoning prevention • Management of choking Cost: $50/individual or $65/couple, which includes book When: Monthly; please visit the online calendar for dates and times. Where: Adventist HealthCare Center for Professional Development, 14915 Broschart Road, Rockville, MD 20850 Info: Call 240-826-2673 or visit AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
American Heart Association: Heartsaver First Aid Certification The following topics will be covered: • Basics of first aid (duties, roles and responsibilities of first aid rescuers) • Medical emergencies (breathing impairment, choking, allergic reaction, heart attack, stroke and more) • Injury emergencies (external and internal bleeding, wounds, sprain, broken bones, burns, and more) • Environmental emergencies (bites and stings, cold- and heat-related emergencies, poisonings, and more) • Preventing illness and injury
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Instructor Rebekah Moore teaches CPR techniques during a basic life support class.
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/SP19Calendar.
EATING WELL
Fuel Up
for Your
Workout AVE you ever been in the middle of a workout when suddenly a painful cramp hits you? You might be able to minimize muscle cramping and soreness with the right nutrition. “It’s important to eat healthy, nutrient-rich food and drink plenty of water to fuel your body for your workout and to help your muscles recover afterward,” said Elizabeth Bilodeau, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian and health coach for Adventist HealthCare.
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WHEN TO EAT To ensure you have enough energy for your workout, plan to eat a light meal one to three hours before exercising and then another meal within an hour afterward to help your body recover. Don’t forget to drink water before, during and after exercise.
TYPE OF EXERCISE
WHAT TO EAT
FOR EXAMPLE...
Cardio (biking, running, hiking, swimming)
Plenty of healthy carbs and a little protein
Banana smoothie with nut butter or yogurt, or oatmeal with skim milk and flaxseeds
High-intensity or strength training
Plenty of lean protein and some healthy carbs
Salmon with brown rice and veggies or Greek yogurt with fruit and granola on top
PRE-WORKOUT ALMOND BERRY SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:
1 cup almond (or skim) milk 1 cup fresh spinach
1 banana ½ cup frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon almond butter
DIRECTIONS:
Blend ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Serves 1.
Courtesy of Adventist HealthCare Dietitian, Elizabeth Bilodeau, RD, LDN. For more recipes, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Recipe. AHCYOU.COM/SP19
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PATIENT PROFILE
Dancing Through Life A
S a life-long ballerina, Hope MacDonald, 29, often sees her world through spins and twirls. But in February 2017, she was seeing two of everything and didn’t know why. Neither did several area hospitals and ophthalmologists. Needing an answer, Hope went to the Emergency Department at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. The emergency team recognized that double vision was unusual for a woman so young and ordered an MRI. Perry Smith, MD, neurologist and Stroke Medical Director at Shady Grove, visited Hope’s room to explain the results of her scan. The MRI revealed lesions or scars on her brain, indicating multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that damages the spinal cord, brain and optic nerves. MS can cause fatigue, numbness or tingling, vision problems, and weakness. “MS can be a challenging disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often fleeting and will vary depending on the
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SPRING 2019
location of inflammation in the brain,” Dr. Smith said. “It’s not uncommon for people to have symptoms for months or years before they’re formally diagnosed. Hope’s symptoms and imaging findings, at the time she presented to our Emergency Department, were extremely suggestive of MS. Luckily, we were able to establish a diagnosis and initiate therapy right away.” Hope spent more than two weeks at Shady Grove, where doctors helped her find the right medication and treatment options to manage her disease. “Dr. Smith made me feel completely comfortable and confident after being presented with a diagnosis that is so life-changing,” Hope said. “He reassured me the whole time, giving it to me straight, but allowing me to know that I could handle it.”
ABLE TO DANCE AGAIN Hope owns Bella Ballet, a children’s dance studio in Gaithersburg. One of the first questions she asked Dr. Smith following her
REHABILITATION HELPS PATIENTS
with Chronic Conditions
Living with a chronic brain or spine condition can be challenging and impact every aspect of your daily routine. Rehabilitative care can enhance the quality of life for those who suffer from these challenges. Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation provides both inpatient and outpatient treatments for a variety of chronic conditions, including: • Multiple sclerosis • Parkinson’s disease • Arthritis • Stroke and brain injury To help rebuild functions that may have been impacted by disease, Adventist Rehabilitation offers programs such as: • Physical therapy – to help patients move more easily and comfortably, rebuild strength, and relieve pain • Speech therapy – to build or reteach skills to talk, comprehend and swallow • O ccupational therapy – to help patients achieve optimal function or increase independence by learning specific skills and strategies • Support groups – to help patients and their loved ones share experiences in a compassionate environment
Learn how Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation can help manage chronic conditions by visiting AHCYou.com/SP19Rehab.
Shady Grove’s neurologists correctly diagnosed and treated Hope for multiple sclerosis, helping her to keep teaching and dancing.
diagnosis was whether she’d be able to dance again. “In medical school I was taught that when a patient is diagnosed with MS, they should be told that it is likely they will be in a wheelchair in 10 years,” Dr. Smith said. “Fortunately, a lot has progressed about our understanding of the disease and our ability to treat it. Now I can tell a patient with a new diagnosis that the goal of treatment, and my frank expectation, is for them to live a normal life.” Despite nearly constant fatigue because of her MS, Hope still dances 40 hours a week. She manages her disease with a healthy diet, medication and an unwillingness to let the disease define her. “I teach the kids who come to my school to overcome adversity. I practice what I preach,” Hope said. “MS is not a walk in the park, but I have to keep on keeping on.”
COMPREHENSIVE CARE Hope’s diagnosis highlights one facet of Shady Grove’s comprehensive brain and spine care program. Shady Grove’s
neurosurgeons apply their skill to treat everything from back pain to complex tumor removal so patients don’t have to travel for advanced care. Earlier this year, Amin Amini, MD, Medical Director of Neurosurgery at Shady Grove, pioneered the use of the Mazor X robotic guidance system in Maryland. The tool brings greater precision during surgeries for debilitating spine conditions. And for the last several years, the hospital has earned national recognition for its fast, quality stroke care. Beginning this summer, Shady Grove will be able to treat cerebrovascular conditions, such as serious strokes and aneurysms, even more quickly and precisely with the addition of a biplane imaging system. The biplane will allow Shady Grove’s skilled surgeons to perform thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that can quickly remove blood clots, restore circulation and lead to improved long-term outcomes for patients. “Over the last seven years, Shady Grove has built a world-class neurology program,” Dr. Smith said. “With the addition of the biplane, our ability to offer endovascular interventions for our patients with stroke really takes it to the next level. We are excited to bring this technology to our community.”
Looking for more information about Shady Grove’s brain and spine care? Visit AHCYou.com/SP19Neuro. AHCYOU.COM/SP19
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YOUR HEALTH
Happy, Healthy
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Summer
UMMER is full of fun activities – but it’s important to stay safe, especially outside. Follow these tips from Richard Samuel, MD, with Adventist HealthCare Urgent Care, for a healthy summer.
BEAT THE HEAT.
LOOK FOR TICKS.
WATCH OUT FOR POISON IVY.
AVOID YOUR ALLERGENS.
Stay hydrated and limit your sun exposure to lessen the chance of a heat-related illness. Use sunscreen with a broad spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher, wear hats and other protective clothing, and be sure to follow the 8 x 8 rule: drink at least 8 ounces of water, eight times a day.
Certain ticks, like the deer tick, can transmit Lyme disease, which can cause a rash, flu-like symptoms and, in some cases, neurological problems. Wear insect repellent, long sleeves and pants when in wooded or grassy areas. If you notice a bull’s-eye rash or flu-like symptoms, visit your doctor or urgent care.
Avoid coming in contact with plants and shrubs while hiking or playing. If clothing or skin has contact with a questionable plant, wash the area immediately to avoid spreading any poisonous oil. If you notice an itchy, uncomfortable rash after touching a plant or shrub, be sure to visit your doctor or urgent care center.
Seasonal allergies can cause an array of issues, from sinus congestion to skin rashes. To prevent these ailments, stay away from your known allergens, like grass, and avoid exposure to high amounts of pollen. Shower after playing outside and change the air filters in your home and car often.
To sign up for more health tips, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Health.
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MEN’S HEALTH
BROADCASTING
Now cancer-free, Dan Duran wants to help other men fight testicular cancer.
an IMPORTANT MESSAGE ESTICULAR cancer hasn’t slowed Dan Duran, 35, of Wheaton, Maryland. Diagnosed in 2018 and now finished with treatment, Dan is looking forward to moving on and spreading the word about the importance of self-exams. Dan, a radio DJ with mix107.3 and volunteer firefighter at the Kensington Volunteer Fire Station, never thought much about his health until he felt a lump during a testicular self-exam. “I found a lump and thought it would go away, but when I checked again a month later, it was still there and larger,” Dan said. After seeing Jonathan Rhee, MD, a urologist with Adventist HealthCare Adventist Medical Group, Dan realized the seriousness of his condition. “Given Dan’s type of cancer, and that it had spread to his lymph nodes, we needed to remove the testicle and begin other treatments, like chemotherapy, quickly,” Dr. Rhee said. After undergoing surgery at Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital and then chemotherapy with another provider, Dan is sharing his health journey on the radio, his blog and at the fire station.
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“This came out of the blue for me, but I’ve been meeting others and finding a community that has experienced it,” Dan said. “I want to tell my story so that it helps people take their health seriously. I didn’t have any risk factors, so it’s important for all men to do their self-exams to catch it early, when it’s the most treatable.”
To learn more about our urology services, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Urology, or call 240-641-8360 for a consultation.
FACTS ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER • • • •
Affects one out of every 250 men in his lifetime Most common cancer in men ages 20–34 Has a 99-percent survival rate when found early Start monthly self-exams early, around age 13
AHCYOU.COM/SP19
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ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE, INC. 820 W. DIAMOND AVE, SUITE 600 GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878
Adventist HealthCare complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. For more information, see link on our home page at AdventistHealthCare.com. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 301-315-3333. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助 服務。請致電 301-315-3333。
This publication does not serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
MEET OUR GRATEFUL PATIENTS
BACK IN THE SADDLE Living Life Fully After Strokes
RAN Ligler, 67, almost didn’t get to achieve the biggest accomplishment of her career as a biochemist and bioengineer. Or continue her longtime hobby of competing in 50-mile endurance races with her horse, Synuous. Or watch her seven grandchildren grow. That’s because in late December 2011, Fran suffered two strokes that left her unable to see, talk or walk. “It was absolutely terrifying,” Fran recalled. “My family came to visit me on New Year’s Eve, not knowing whether I’d survive.” After receiving acute care for her strokes, Fran checked into Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation in Rockville. For two weeks, expert doctors and specialized therapists helped retrain her mind and body through activities, such as reading flashcards, sounding out words, holding a pen and climbing stairs. Fran’s recovery progressed well during six weeks of outpatient therapy. She continued her prescribed exercises until she succeeded in reading and even driving again, several months later. “The therapists truly gave me my life back,” said Fran, now a biomedical engineering professor at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after a 30-year career at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. “Everyone who cared for me was so knowledgeable and compassionate.”
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Thanks to the stroke experts at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, Fran Ligler can compete again in endurance horse racing.
Five years after her strokes, Fran was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking research on optical biosensors that detect infectious diseases, biological warfare agents, pathogens in food and other dangerous toxins. “Sometimes I still can’t believe I was able to recover from such a debilitating illness,” Fran said. To express her gratitude for the clinical team’s help and outstanding care she received, Fran made a gift to Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation.
To make a contribution and support high-quality, compassionate care for Adventist HealthCare’s patients, visit AHCYou.com/SP19Donate.