Health and Hope - Fall 2012

Health & Hope s a i n t pat r i c k . o r g s a i n t j o e s. o r g

yo u r g u i d e to h e a lt h y l i v i n g

MORE INSIDE! • Reap the rewards of giving back • Special care for cancer survivors • A team approach at St. Joe’s

cause Football for a Montanans are teaming up to fight back against cancer and honor survivors like Jesse Decker

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t h e f o u ndation of car e

Support Group These days you rely a little more on your doctor. But who does your doctor rely on?

At Providence Medical Group, the answer is: other experts. In fact, we have the region’s largest group of medical specialists, from internal medicine to cardiology.

And with clinics from Hamilton to Polson, it’s safe to say we’re right beside you.

Right Beside You

Go to ProvidenceClinics.org/MT to find a clinic near you.

Providence Medical GrouP

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6 your questions, answered

UPFRONT WITH ST. PAT’S A new program gives hospital employees easy access to fresh produce; the Diabetes Care and Prevention Center helps patients cope.

What does the transition from paper records to an electronic records system mean for you as a patient? Our Q&A tells you what you need to know.

football for a cause

Montanans team up to fight back against cancer, honor lost loved ones and recognize the survivors, like Jesse Decker.

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l eading the team up charge Athletic coaches at The University of Montana explain why UM is a strong supporter of Team Up Montana. survival skills The road back from cancer can be a rocky one. The new Cancer Survivorship Program at St. Pat’s can help you on the journey.

15 A TEAM EFFORT

When faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, it’s good to know you have a group of experts on your side. The specialists at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center work together to offer quality care, close to home.

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16 PERSON OF PROVIDENCE

Tech guru Paul Barber brings his passion for computers to life in his work at St. Pat’s.

On the cover: Leukemia survivor Jesse Decker (and his dog, Wrigley) enjoys life on the California beach after 11 cancer-free years.

Our Mission As people of Providence, we reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service.

Our Vision Together, as people of Providence, we answer the call of every person we serve: Know me, care for me, ease my way.

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Health & Hope EDITOR: JoAnn Hoven managing content Editor: Sam Mittelsteadt MANAGING Art Director: Tami Rodgers PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Director: Mary Winters

EXECUTIVE V.P./ CHIEF Creative OFFICER: Beth Tomkiw Creative Director: Lisa Altomare

up f ront w it h S t. Pat ’ s Women’s Care Center licensed practical nurse Chandala Curtiss picks up her community-supported agriculture (CSA) vegetables.

Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine Cover Art: Mark Bryant

Production Manager: Laura Marlowe st. patrick hospital 2012 community ministry board Stephen Hiro, M.D., Chair Dan Barz Brad Berry, M.D. Martin Burke Scott Burke Jeff Fee

Anne Guest Leonard Landa Kim Mansch Fr. Richard Perry Alex Philp Molly Shepherd Michael Snyder, M.D.

James Foley

A fair share

Health & Hope is published three times annually by McMurry, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014. © 2012 McMurry.

st. Pat’s employees are taking home plenty of fresh fruits and veggies from local farmers, thanks to a CSA program

Send comments to info@saintpatrick.org or contact Communications and Marketing at 406-329-5742.

Or write us at Communications/Marketing, St. Patrick Hospital, 500 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802.

Picking up fresh produce from a local farmers market is on the to-do lists of many employees at St. Patrick Hospital, so St. Pat’s decided to make access to these fruits and veggies even easier for its staff.

This year, for the first time, employees have access to fresh local produce, delivered to the hospital each week in the summer and continuing through the fall. Sixty staff members are participating, picking up 45 boxes of goods through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program sponsored by the environmental sustainability program Green 4 Good and the employee wellness program, Home Base. The CSA program provides local produce in the form of shares, with each share representing 20 weeks’ worth of food. Participants each buy a share for the season, guaranteeing local fresh produce for the buyer while also supporting local agriculture and business.

The Western Montana Growers Cooperative in Arlee represents 39 farms from the Bitterroot up to the Mission Valley. Each week, it delivers a box of produce freshly harvested for each participant. It includes a wide variety of foods, including greens, beets and radishes in the early season, fruits in the summer and herbs, onions and squash in the fall.

The material in Health & Hope is not intended for diagnos­ing or p ­ rescribing. Consult your physician before u ­ nder­taking any form of m ­ edical treatment or ­adopting any exercise ­program or dietary guidelines.

For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, to give us a new address, to let us know that you are receiving more than one copy or if you would prefer not to receive Health & Hope, call 888-626-8779.

Printed on recycled paper.

Want to receive Health & Hope electronically?

It’s easy—just email info@saintpatrick.org with “Health & Hope” as your subject line.

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An easy way to eat healthier. Participants have the additional option to purchase meats, cheeses, eggs and other locally produced items, also delivered to the hospital.

To learn more or to sign up for a CSA delivery, visit wmgcoop.com. saintpatrick.org

Dealing with diabetes Diabetes Care and Prevention Center helps patients live their best lives

More than 50,000 Montanans age 18 or older live with diabetes— and the number keeps growing, according to the 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation. Although the reason for the increase in type 1 diabetes is unclear, obesity is a major risk factor for type 2, and excess weight is an issue for many Montana residents.

At St. Patrick Hospital, the Diabetes Care and Prevention Center recognizes the need for quality support and individualized care for people with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The center provides care and prevention programs for patients diagnosed as prediabetic or who have hypoglycemia or metabolic syndrome tendencies, and the staff includes registered nurses, certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, health fitness specialists and pharmacists. This diverse team creates individualized care plans and helps each patient carry out a program for living with diabetes.

The center has developed two main programs to educate, treat and empower patients with diabetes. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes qualify for diabetes self-management training, which offers: • Annual follow-ups through individual or group sessions • Insulin pump therapy • Continuous glucose monitoring system • Individual or group session topics, including self-monitoring of blood glucose goals and pattern management, diabetes medications and insulin instruction, and hypo- and hyperglycemia causes, symptoms and treatment The second program, medical nutrition therapy, helps people with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, and it offers prevention education for those at high risk for developing diabetes. It also is offered for people with conditions such as eating disorders, allergies, celiac sprue and food intolerances. The individual and group session topics include: • Carbohydrate counting • Individualized diet and exercise programs • Modifying recipes Get the support you need. The Diabetes Care and Prevention Center support group meetings for those diagnosed with diabetes are 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in St. Pat’s Broadway Conference Room. For those at risk for diabetes, the St. Patrick Wellness Center offers a 16-week diabetes prevention program.

The Diabetes Care and Prevention Center is at 900 N. Orange St., Suite 303. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call 406-329-5781.

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Mom needs her ZZZs! A recent study in the medical journal Sleep suggests that pregnant women who have trouble sleeping in their first or third trimesters are more likely to go into early labor. Researchers speculate there may be a connection among poor sleep, stress and inflammation, which could trigger preterm delivery. They aren’t sure why, but not being able to sleep during the second trimester doesn’t seem to increase the chances of an early delivery.

If you’re expecting, make sure you get plenty of sleep. One way to snooze better is to try to exercise for 30 minutes a day, and don’t overdo it on spicy, fried or acidic foods (to avoid heartburn).

Experiencing sleep problems? St. Patrick Hospital Sleep Center offers testing that ranges from equipment that can be used at home to sophisticated computer monitoring in our Sleep Lab. Call 406-329-5650.

Snack Healthier It’s movie night with the family! Time to get out bowls of chips and a plate of homemade cookies and sodas and—whoa!—before you know it, you have a calorie-palooza on your hands. To encourage healthier snacking at home, try these tips: Swap out the bowls of tortilla or potato chips with a plate of bite-sized, chopped-up fruit, plus toothpicks to grab it with.

Nuts and pretzels are good, high-fiber snacks. Instead of using bowls, which make it easier to overeat, create individual, 100-calorie portions for each person.

Nix the high-fructose sodas and high-sugar fruit juices and blend up a smoothie of fresh fruit and nonfat yogurt instead.

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answered

Your questions,

Find out what the new electronic health records mean for you

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he transition from paper charts to the Providence build of Epic, an electronic health records system, is an exciting change taking place across Providence facilities in western Montana this year. While the move away from paper charts means a big shift in how we deliver healthcare, electronic health records will ultimately mean better healthcare for our patients. What does this mean for you and your records? We offer up the answers to some commonly asked questions:

Photos by thinkstock/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Q

How will electronic health records improve the care I receive?

A: Electronic records will provide caregivers with seamless access to your patient data, anytime, anywhere. Currently separate records such as medical history, medications, treatment records and test results will be linked in the Epic electronic health record. This will provide our facilities with access to all of the information they need when they need it. It will also speed up referrals between physicians and enable immediate access to essential patient information. The bottom line: more efficient healthcare for you.

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Do I need to worry about my privacy, now that my records are electronic?

A: No. Your patient records will remain secure and private. All health records and information related to the care and treatment of any patient are privacy protected under the regulations

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established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA Privacy Rule) and will be used only by authorized medical personnel involved in your care.

We have multiple levels of security in place to ensure your patient data will be kept confidential. Firewalls protect against attempts to break into the system and all data is encrypted as it passes over the Internet. Users must go through two levels of password protection and different users have different levels of access, so physicians, clinical staff and accounting personnel can only access the data appropriate to their role. Privacy and security are also a big part of the training provided to our employees who will be using the Epic electronic health record. You will not need to worry about the security and privacy of your personal health information.

Q

Will I be able to access my own health records?

A: Yes. Providence clinics across western Montana will introduce MyChart, a Web portal that patients can use to access their health records online. The tool will be introduced when Providence Medical Group clinics go live with the Epic electronic health record.

MyChart gives you online access to your health record. Whether at work, on the road or at home, you will be able to view test results, messages from your doctor and key medical information. Once MyChart is fully functional, you will even be able to access family members’ records and schedule their appointments online.

Get instant access During your next doctor visit, ask your care team to turn on access to your records so you can begin using MyChart. To learn more about what the system offers, visit saintpatrick.org and click “MyChart.”

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Kim Ryan-Dufner

ca

Football

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B y A n n i e T aka g i

for a

Cancer survivors stand together on the field.

This fall, Montanans are teaming up on and off the field to take a stand against cancer

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n Oct. 13, Grizzly fans will flood Washington-Grizzly Stadium to support the University of Montana Grizzlies as they take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. But these Grizzly fans will be decked out in pink to support cancer patients across Montana.

The fourth annual Team Up Montana “pink game” will bring together St. Patrick Hospital, the St. Patrick Hospital Foundation, The University of Montana and various generous community sponsors to turn this Big Sky Conference home football game into a day of cancer awareness and fund­raising. Every person in the crowd can show support for the team by wearing pink to the Oct. 13 game.

A daunting diagnosis In 2005, Kim Ryan-Dufner went in for a regular Pap screening. She had skipped her Pap smear the year before but wasn’t overly concerned about being a little behind on her health exams.

When the results came back, she was glad she hadn’t waited any longer: She was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Fortunately, a hysterectomy was enough to take care of the cancer, and Kim was able to forgo any chemotherapy or radiation.

Six years later, Kim noticed a small bump with some discoloration on her chest. She headed to her doctor, who diagnosed it as skin cancer. She was able to use a cream that gently ate away the small bump and is thankful to be cancer-free again. But, lesson learned, she says: “It’s just part of my life now, to check myself for odd bumps that might be skin cancer.”

Team Up Montana is so important, Kim says, because she knows how it scary it is to be told you have cancer. “Cancer can be so daunting, so it’s nice to see all of the people involved and know you’re not alone.”

Common goals Team Up Montana 2012 will focus on raising awareness of all types of cancers—not just breast cancer. In honor of hard-fought battles, victories and memories of loved ones who have passed, fans and friends will stand together and wear pink as a symbol of all cancers.

The goal of Team Up Montana is not limited to making more people aware about different types of cancer, but is also about helping people realize that cancer patients live around us every day: They are our neighbors. They are the people we greet on the bus. They are our friends and family. Continued on page 10

Be part of this winning team!

To learn more about how you can help us team up against cancer, visit teamupmontana.org.

Then join us Oct. 13 at the “pink game”!

Thank you to the Team Up Montana Corporate Sponsors: First Security Bank • Safeway • Montana Radio Co. • Southgate Mall Worden Thane, P.C. • Montana Electronics • KPAX • The University of Montana • The Missoulian • Pepsi • GT Advanced Technologies • CVS Pharmacies Montana Cancer Specialists • Merrill Lynch Wealth Management • BNSF Railway Foundation saintpatrick.org

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Cancer in Montana According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 5,550 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Montana in 2012.

Of these cases, 1,000 are predicted to be prostate cancer, 740 to be breast cancer and 700 to be lung cancer.

These cancers make up less than half of the total new cases expected.

Early detection is still the best way to protect against cancer. Make appointments with your healthcare professional for regular screenings—the earlier a cancer is caught, the better the chances of survival. Breast, colon, rectal, cervical, prostate, oral cavity and skin cancers can be diagnosed early through screening.

Nationwide, the ACS estimates 1,638,910 new cancer cases will be diagnosed and 577,190 cancer deaths will occur in 2012. Many of these cancers can be avoided through behavioral changes, antibiotics and vaccines.

All cancers caused by tobacco or heavy alcohol use, projected to take more than 173,000 lives this year, could be completely prevented.

Research suggests about one-third of all cancer deaths occurring in 2012 will be caused by obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition.

Many cancers caused by infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), possibly leading to liver cancer and higher risk of pancreatic cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), possibly leading to cervical cancer, could be prevented through immunizations or antibiotics.

Shielding skin from the sun and steering clear of indoor tanning could prevent almost every case of skin cancer.

Help position yourself against cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, and knowing your family history. Talk to your primary care provider about which cancer screenings you need.

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People dealing with cancer must prepare themselves to be tried physically and emotionally, and are often also faced with financial struggles. The pink game’s message is that no one facing cancer in western Montana has to fight alone. Donations given to the Cancer Compassion Fund, maintained by the St. Patrick Hospital Foundation, will provide financial assistance for basic necessities such as food, lodging and gas money for patients in rural areas to travel to treatment, as well as early detection screening and education.

Donations may help fill a tank of gas, pay a utility bill or provide lodging for a husband while his wife undergoes radiation away from home. Even the smallest donation can make a big difference to cancer patients, who need to focus on getting well, instead of worrying about how they will get their bills paid.

Get involved Want to take part? There are a variety of ways to help.

1. Go to teamupmontana.org to: • Apply to be a volunteer.

• Sign up for the Survivor Walk at the pregame parade.

• Get grass-roots fundraising ideas.

• Buy the 2012 Team Up Montana jersey.

2. Join us on “pink game” day. Cheer on survivors of all types of cancers as they march with a band from the Prescott House at the base of Mount Sentinel to the Team Up Montana tailgate party. Pick up your jersey, give a donation or buy pink gear before the game at the Team Up Montana tailgate and at booths surrounding the stadium.

3. Make a donation. On-site donation boxes will be available at the pink game and at the events leading up to it.

4. Purchase 2012 Team Up Montana jerseys. They’re available at the UM Bookstore, CVS pharmacies, MSO Hub, Universal Athletics (in stores and online) and St. Pat’s gift shops.

A portion of the proceeds goes directly to the Cancer Compassion Fund.

5. Buy a raffle ticket. Prizes include a Blackfoot River Outfitters guided fishing trip, an all-inclusive trip to an away UM game, and a trip for two to watch the Denver Broncos play the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 28, 2012.

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“Cancer has given me a different perspective on life,” says leukemia survivor Jesse Decker. “I don’t take anything for granted.”

a family affair Cancer survivors celebrate by marching through the streets of Missoula on their way to the “pink game.”

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For Jesse Decker, Team Up Montana is more than just a fundraiser that his mom, Alice Gardner, development officer for St. Patrick Hospital Foundation, helps organize. Jesse is devoted to the cause because at the age of 19, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

After six rounds of chemotherapy at St. Patrick Hospital, Jesse traveled to Seattle for a bone marrow transplant. Even when he was told he had only a 14 percent chance of long-term survival, he never gave up. He was the oldest person on the pediatric unit, and seeing the infants and toddlers around him battling the same disease made it easy not to feel sorry for himself. But he did feel sorry for his family. “Cancer affects more than just the patient,” Jesse says. “It’s such a burden on family, trying to take care of a loved one and keep it all together.”

Jesse, now 30 and a pharmaceutical representative in California, has been cancer-free for almost 11 years. So when his mom wears the Team Up jersey, sells raffle tickets and encourages businesses to sponsor the event, Jesse is her biggest fan.“Fundraisers such as Team Up Montana promote awareness about cancer. Team Up is also an amazing resource to help people understand the importance of tracking their health. I was naive— I never thought I could get cancer at that age.”

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Team Up Montana tackles all types of cancer.

Team Up Montana tackles all types of cancer.

“During my first treatment, another patient “During my first treatment, another patient squeezed my hand and said, ‘Keep that smile, stay squeezed my hand and said, ‘Keep that smile, stay positive and never stop fighting.’ That inspired positive and never stop fighting.’ That inspired me to help others through the fight.” — Brittani me to help others through the fight.” — Brittani

Join Jointhe theteam. team.

Sometimes fighting cancer means giving direct and personal help.

Sometimes fighting cancer means giving direct and personal help.

Sometimes fighting cancer means giving direct and personal help.

That’s how Team Up Montana works. When you join, your donation That’shelps how those Team Up Montana works.

When treatment you join, your donation in need pay for life-giving for all kinds of That’s how Team Up Montana works. When you join, your donation helps cancer-related those in need pay for life-giving treatment for all kinds of expenses — and for all kinds of cancer. What’s more, helps those in need pay for life-giving treatment for all kinds of cancer-related expenses—and for all kinds cancer.

What’s more, 100% of your donation goes right to of your fellow Montanans. cancer-related expenses—and for all kinds of cancer. What’s more, 100% of your donation goes right to your fellow Montanans.

100% of your donation goes right to your fellow Montanans.

You can donate by visiting TeamUpMontana.com or purchasing a You can donate by visiting TeamUpMontana.com or purchasing TeamUp jersey.

You can also buy a raffle ticket (and maybeawin a You can donate by visiting TeamUpMontana.com or purchasing a Teamtrip Up jersey.

You can also buyOr a raffl e ticket maybe win a Party on to a Griz away game). come to our(and Survivor Tailgate Team Up jersey. You can also buy a raffle ticket (and maybe win a trip toOctober a Griz away Or come to our Survivor Tailgate Party on 13 atgame).

Washington Grizzly Stadium. trip to a Griz away game). Or come to our Survivor Tailgate Party on Oct. 13 at Washington Grizzly Stadium.

Oct. 13 at Washington Grizzly Stadium.

Cancer (and its costs) won’t wait; why should you?

Cancer (and its costs) won’t wait; why should you?

Join Team Up Montana today.

Cancer its costs) won’t wait; why should you?

Join Team Up(and Montana today.

Join Team Up Montana today.

Go to TeamUpMontana.org or call 406-329-5640 to donate.

Go to TeamUpMontana.org or call 406-329-5640 to donate.

Go to TeamUpMontana.org or call 406-329-5640 to donate.

Team Leaders Team Leaders Team Leaders

Brittani, First Security Bank employee, cancer Brittani, First Security survivor and Team Up Bank employee, cancer Montana supporter. survivor and Team Up Montana supporter.

Leading the Team Up

charge UM athletic coaches share their connections to the cause

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hen it comes to supporting Team Up Montana, we see lots of Montanans out there cheering on the cause. But some of the biggest fans are also leading the teams: the coaches at The University of Montana. Here, some of them explain why Team Up is such a worthy cause.

Wayne Tinkle

Head basketball coach for the Grizzlies

Robin Selvig

Head coach for the Lady Griz “I like being involved in lots of events in the community, like Team Up, the Heart Walk, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and others. These fundraisers directly help our neighbors and friends. There are so many people in the community who give time and money—and coming from a small Montana community as I did, it is one of the special things that Missoula has in common with smaller towns: We have the same sense of community, and the town gets together to help those in need. People find ways to help those who have unexpected things thrown at them. Team Up makes us feel like we’re all on one team, helping each other.”

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University of Montana coaches Robin Selvig, left, Mick Delaney and Wayne Tinkle

Mick Delaney

Head football coach for the Grizzlies “Cancer awareness is something dear to my heart: My first wife died at age 42 from leukemia, and my second wife is an ovarian cancer survivor. It’s a battle my family will never forget.

And since my family history includes cancer, it’s always in the forefront of my mind. My No. 1 agenda is to spread awareness about cancer in Missoula and around Montana. Team Up is one more way we can get the word out.”

I’m the youngest of 11 children and have 36 nieces and nephews. Having dealt with some healthcare issues in my extended family, I know we don’t expect these issues to happen. And when they do, people don’t understand the extra costs for difficult situations—travel, lodging and paying the regular bills while in treatment.

Team Up Montana is a great way to help raise funds to eliminate some of the burden on families, so they can concentrate on the care of their family member or friend.

So with help and support from our Griz coaches— and you—we hope this and future Team Up events succeed in raising cancer awareness, promoting prevention and offering financial assistance to western Montanans battling this disease. Go, team!

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B y B e th M o n a h a n , f a m i l y n u rs e pr a ct i t i o n e r

skills

Survival

New program creates a smooth transition for patients overcoming cancer

Creating comfortable change A survey taken by the Lance Armstrong Foundation found that 99 percent of patients have at least one concern after completing treatment, such as energy, concentration, finances, sexual functioning and neuropathy.

The new Cancer Survivorship Program at St. Patrick Hospital will create an easier transition for patients as they move from the acute cancer treatment phase into follow-up. The program will help people with education, monitoring of long-term side effects and referrals to recovery services, including smoking cessation, physical therapy and rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial support and counseling, social work and fertility, among others.

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The members of the cancer team will continue to follow patients, but the program will help patients move back to their primary care providers for general medical care.

The program includes: • A treatment summary and care plan to be shared between the patient, the oncology team, the primary care provider and any other discipline involved in the patient’s care.

• One month after completing treatment, the patient will have a clinic visit with a nurse practitioner to address the summary and care plan, follow-up needs, side effects, community services, if needed, and the progression back to a primary care provider. Follow-up continues every six months as needed.

• A nurse practitioner will be available as a resource to the patients and primary care providers.

Are you a survivor?

The Montana Cancer Center is accepting patients who are newly diagnosed, currently receiving or have recently completed treatment for the Cancer Survivorship Program. Referrals may be made by any oncology team member or a patient’s primary care provider. To learn more about cancer care services, visit saintpatrick.org, click “Health Services” and select “Montana Cancer Center” from the menu on the left.

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photo by thinkstock/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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t’s estimated that 12 million people in the United States are living with a diagnosis of cancer. By 2020, this number is expected to reach 20 million, according to the Institute of Medicine. Why the increase?

Population growth • Aging baby boomers • Improved screening and early detection • Improved treatments • • More effective management of side effects • Targeted therapies Many people are able to survive cancer thanks to advances in medicine, but as the number of cancer survivors increases, so does the number of concerns.

local care Ron Gardner, M.D., visits with medical student Alyssa Zemanek and patient Cynthia J. Hoelscher.

A team effort Coordinated care from multiple experts makes breast cancer treatment easier for the patient

By Brooke Duty, community education coordinator, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

Breast cancer. With those two little words, a woman’s life can be turned upside down. During breast cancer treatment, patients often find themselves moving from specialist to specialist, feeling confused and scared. For 43 years, Ronald Gardner, M.D., at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center has been committed to calming those fears by providing compassionate care and improving treatment outcomes.

“Our goal is to work together from the beginning of the process, because each individual is unique and requires individual attention,” says Dr. Gardner.

At St. Joe’s, multiple specialists work together to meet the needs of each patient. Your primary care provider will direct you to receive a mammogram, a radiologist will read the mammogram and, if surgery is called for, the surgeon reads the biopsy results. If needed, the oncologist will recommend chemotherapy or radiation—all available at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Gardner attended Indiana School of Medicine and saintpatrick.org

completed his residency at Marion County General Hospital. He is a board-certified surgeon and a member of multiple medical societies. He has treated thousands of breast cancer patients and has administered the entire span of treatment— from radical mastectomy to the current minimal surgery approach.

has grown to 13 percent in 2012, or more than one in eight. In many cases, it’s not known why a woman gets breast cancer. In fact, 75 percent of all women with breast cancer have no known risk factors.

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease. Different cancers have different risk factors. However, having a cancer risk factor, or even several of them, does not necessarily mean a person will get cancer. Some women with one or more breast cancer risk factors never develop breast cancer, while most women with breast cancer have no apparent risk factors.

Yet every woman wants to know what she can do to lower her risk of breast cancer. Some of the factors associated with breast cancer— being a woman, your age and your genetics, for example—can’t be changed. Other factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, avoiding cigarettes and eating healthfully, can be affected by the choices you make. By choosing the healthiest lifestyle options possible, you can empower yourself and make sure your breast cancer risk is as low as possible.

The care you need, close to home Having a surgeon of Dr. Gardner’s caliber and expertise so close to home has proved to be a huge benefit for many Polson residents. In the past, St. Joe’s had to refer all breast biopsies, mastectomies and most needle biopsies outside of town. Now, there’s no need for multiple appointments and long-distance traveling, making treatment easier for the patient.

“Patients who come to St. Joe’s should have the best experience, treatments and outcomes,” says Dr. Gardner.

In 1940, the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer was 5 percent, or one in 20.

The American Cancer Society estimates that risk

Make the call today!

Are you at risk for breast cancer? Are you overdue for a mammogram? Get your questions answered and make an appointment with Ronald Gardner, M.D., by calling 406-883-JOES (883-5637).

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St. Patrick Hospital 500 W. Broadway Missoula, MT 59802

NON-PROFIT ORG us postage

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ABOUT HEALTH

p e rso n o f pr ovidence

all systems go Technical operations manager at St. Pat’s works to make sure the hospital’s technology keeps on tickin’

Ever since Paul Barber saw the movie Tron, he knew he had a passion for computers.

Now manager of technical operations at St. Patrick Hospital, he works behind the scenes in Information and Telecommunication Services (ITS). He keeps the communication flowing by overseeing the pathways—the network, servers, voice systems and end devices—that let staffers share and retrieve the information and communication needed to do their work.

“From the outside, it can be really hard to appreciate the diversity of jobs and responsibilities within ITS,” Paul says. “From the support of the desktops, to the phone systems, to the deep application knowledge needed in cardiology and radiology, for example, our services fall under a wide umbrella. We work well together—smoothly and quickly— knowing the priority is always direct patient care.”

The opportunities for learning and growth in the computer technology field are seemingly never-ending, Paul says. He has seen St. Pat’s go from using small personal computer clones as servers and hardware to implementing a state-of-the-art data center that supports many other facilities in the region—one of the finest in the Providence system.

The department has been supportive in giving the staff opportunities to grow, he says. If a person has curiosity and dedication, there is no end to what that individual can do in the future.

“No department or clinical function is one step away from ITS—it is directly related to everyone’s job,” Paul says. “And we know it’s running best when technology is invisible.”

See how our technology works for you!

St. Patrick Hospital is on the cutting edge when it comes to technology and patient care. To learn more about the services we offer, and how we can help you with your health, visit saintpatrick.org and click “Health Services.”