Journeys, Fall 2013

FALL 2013

JOURNEYS “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice …” – William Jennings Bryan

New approaches to surgical solutions

Technology in the right hands improves the lives of our patients

Put peace of mind in the palm of your hand

JOURNEYS FALL 2013

01 FROM OUR PRESIDENT 02

NEW AT BRYAN Here’s the latest in robotics A decade of breakthroughs Robotic options growing

10 BRYAN HEART

TAVR restores blood flow

Patients share their TAVR stories 14

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MEDICAL STAFF UPDATE New faces at Bryan MEDICAL STAFF SPOTLIGHT Ask the doctor: When do I need a urologist?

18 BRYAN FOUNDATION

Giving back the way Dad did

Artwork tells Bryan Health story 22 BRYAN LIFEPOINTE

Full range of treatments at MedSpa: Dr. Lott offers

the very latest cosmetic dermatology options 25 NEW AT BRYAN

Conquering lymphedema 26 CRETE AREA MEDICAL CENTER

Mother and son cancer survivors trust CAMC for their care 28 IN SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Run to overcome 29 ACHIEVEMENTS 30 VOLUNTEERS & CUSTOMER CARE

Friendship at the front desk 32 BRYAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Biomedical Sciences major sets stage for health care careers

Bryan faculty welcomes new faces 35 COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS 36 BRYAN STERLING CONNECTION 37 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Bryan Health has partnered with iTriage, one of the nation’s top health and fitness resources, to help you find answers to your medical questions — anytime, anywhere. iTriage is a free app that gives information you need to take charge of your health.

From seasonal colds and mild injuries to more serious symptoms and conditions, iTriage helps you: • Search symptoms and find appropriate care.

• Research conditions, procedures and medications.

• Find the closest doctors and facilities.

This all-in-one app puts peace of mind in the palm of your hand!

This app is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, as well as Android phones and tablets. Visit www. bryanhealth.org/symptom-checker to download the app to your device, or scan the QR code below.

No smartphone? No problem! Use the link above so that you can use our symptom checker from a computer.

We know how busy you are and how helpful smartphones often are in managing schedules, appointments, activities and searching for information.

At Bryan Health, we’re always on the lookout for new tools, like iTriage, to help you be the best you can be. n

ALL ABOUT JOURNEYS

STAY IN TOUCH

Statesman William Jennings Bryan, one of the original benefactors of Bryan Health, said:

We welcome your comments. For more information about Journeys, contact the Advancement team by calling 402-481-8674.

To learn more about Bryan programs and services, visit us online at bryanhealth.org.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

Journeys tells our story of how Bryan chooses to achieve. This free publication is mailed quarterly to our employees, physicians, volunteers and the communities we serve.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT Your contributions help us care for those who come to Bryan at every stage of life. To find out how you can participate, call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605, or write to us at:

Bryan Foundation 1600 S. 48th St. Lincoln, NE 68506

Kimberly Russel President & CEO, Bryan Health John Woodrich President & COO, Bryan Medical Center John Trapp, MD Chief of Staff, Bryan Medical Staff Bob Ravenscroft Vice President of Advancement Edgar Bumanis Director of Public Relations Paul Hadley Editor

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

“Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves.”

— Adrienne Clarkson Campus are private. All patient rooms on Bryan West Campus also are private, except in some behavioral health areas, where constant companionship is important to a care plan.

Other projects, like our new Bryan Independence Center currently under construction at Bryan West Campus or the 2014 expansion of the emergency department at Bryan East Campus, will meet future needs of our community and region.

These projects are examples of the investment Bryan continues to make into providing excellent patient care services.

Private rooms with comfortable furnishings and the latest technology, such as in this remodeled room on 5 North, will be available throughout the Bryan East Campus.

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hrough each issue of Journeys you learn how your friends, family and neighbors have benefited from the latest treatment and technology advances.

While we typically focus on outstanding care, it also is important to share news about renovations and improvements.

For example, you have told us that you prefer a private room when hospitalized. And private rooms are better for you.

Research says private rooms shorten lengths of stay, improve outcomes and make for a quieter, more restful experience.

We have recently completed remodeling our Bryan East Campus patient rooms so that all patient rooms on Bryan East

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e offer our condolences to the family of Roger Larson, who passed away Oct. 8. Roger was featured on the cover of our summer edition of Journeys.

This successful businessman helped Lincoln grow. As a patient and as a longtime trustee, Roger truly was a member of our Bryan Health family.

We join the community in celebrating the life of this generous, compassionate man.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice …” – William Jennings Bryan

SUMMER 2013

JOURNEYS Going strong Thanks to family and Bryan team, Roger Larson beats heart attack

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7/22/13 6:38 AM

Kimberly A. Russel President and CEO, Bryan Health

Bryan Journeys 1

NEW AT BRYAN

James Maly, MD, is a proponent of new robotic-assisted procedures.

Here’s the latest in robotics

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he da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgery system, a stateof-the-art combination of robotic and computer technologies, has been used by surgeons at Bryan to perform minimally invasive surgeries for more than a decade. In early September, James Maly, MD, introduced singleincision robotic gynecologic surgical procedures at Bryan.

“Bryan has always been a national leader in minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgeries,” says Dr. Maly, medical director of Bryan’s Center for Robotic Surgery. “And we are very experienced with robotic surgery, having performed almost 1,600 surgeries since 2003. Robotic surgeries are optimal for many patients because they involve less blood loss, lower risk for infection, reduced post-surgical pain, and a faster recovery from surgical procedures.”

Innovation in the Midwest

Single-incision procedures

On surgical forefront

2 Fall 2013

He continues by noting, “Now, Bryan has added the singleincision da Vinci robotic surgery system — a very important advancement because, while multi-site robotic surgeries require up to five small incisions, single-site da Vinci surgery is performed through just one small, 1-inch incision. So, there can be even less blood loss, surgical risk and post-surgical scarring, as well as there’s an easier recovery for the patient.

“This is a very significant development for our patients regionally, because there are currently no hospitals offering single-site robotic gynecologic surgery in Omaha and none in Kansas City or Des Moines — it’s not even offered at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota yet.

“Single-incision da Vinci gynecologic robotic surgery is being introduced very selectively throughout the United States, and Bryan was chosen as one of the first 50 surgical centers to offer this important advancement in Lincoln and the Midwest.”

For Jennifer Miller of Falls City, this newest innovation was a welcome alternative as she searched for a cure for uterine fibroids, which for two years had caused her constant back pain, with frequent abdominal cramping and bleeding.

NEW AT BRYAN “I was ready for a permanent solution to the problems I’d been having with fibroids and knew that a hysterectomy was probably what I needed. When Dr. Maly described the new single-incision robotic surgical approach, it seemed like it could be perfect for me,” she says.

Virtually scarless surgery “During single-incision robotic surgery,” explains Dr. Maly, “the incision is most commonly placed within the umbilicus (belly button) to allow direct access near the target organs.

This also lets the surgeon conceal the surgical scar inside the umbilical folds, allowing scars in many cases to be virtually invisible. So we are achieving excellent outcomes for patients with this, both medically and cosmetically.

“Because each patient is unique, we assess the patient’s condition internally first with a laparoscope, then decide on the approach — single-site, multi-site robotic surgery or surgery without the robot — that makes the procedure safest and most effective for the patient.”

Jennifer adds, “I knew beforehand that Dr. Maly would decide at the time of my surgery what was best for me, so I wouldn’t know until after I woke up whether I would have up to five incisions or just one.

“I was very happy to find out that I have just one tiny scar below my belly button — less than an inch long. So, the surgery turned out to be nearly scarless, which is fantastic.”

Patients quickly recover “The whole surgical experience was surprisingly easy,” she continues. “I felt pretty good when I woke up, and I needed pain medications only a few times a day over the next few days. Six days later, I stopped pain medicine altogether and was able to go back to a lot of my regular activities — which is great because we have a very active life with our daughters Reese, who is 2 years old, and Rylee, who is 13, and we spend a lot of time with sports.”

Jennifer’s husband, Dennis, adds, “We were very impressed with the whole experience at Bryan — Dr. Maly and the nurses were great at communicating what would go on with the surgery. The care from everyone was excellent.”

Robotic-assisted surgery shortened Jennifer Miller’s recovery — making this busy mom available sooner for playtime with daughter, Reese. Jennifer also is pictured on the cover.

Bryan Journeys 3

NEW AT BRYAN

Single-incision is new approach to robotics “The single-incision surgery definitely exceeded our expectations,” Jennifer agrees. “My recovery was quite a bit easier than we thought it would be.”

Single-incision potential grows Dr. Maly says. “It’s important to understand that singleincision robotic surgery is not for every patient — so far, it’s approved just for surgery on the fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy), for some hysterectomies and for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).

“In addition, like other minimally invasive surgical approaches, single-site robotic surgery typically is not appropriate for patients who bleed easily, have abnormal blood clotting, or who are pregnant or very obese.”

“Technologically speaking, there are a few areas in which singleincision surgery is still evolving,” says Greg Fitzke, MD, who has performed more than 120 single-incision robotic gallbladder removal surgeries — more than any other surgeon in Nebraska.

“For example, the robot used in Dr. Greg Fitzke single-incision procedures doesn’t yet have ‘EndoWristed’ tools capability — that is, the 360-degree flexibility we currently have with tools used during multi-incision robotic surgery — but we expect that advancement soon.”

“Overall,” Dr. Maly emphasizes, “I’ve been so impressed with the outcomes of robotic surgeries, and they can have so many advantages for patients.”

Future promising for robotics He notes, “Despite the availability and advances of minimally invasive techniques like robotic-assisted surgery, 40 percent of hysterectomies in the United States are still performed by other surgical techniques.

“I prefer minimally invasive surgery, which allows very good patient outcomes, much less scarring, fewer risks and faster recovery than the older long-incision approaches. I think that as patients become more familiar with robotic-assisted surgery and more physicians become trained in robotic approaches we’ll see more patients asking for them, with increasingly better outcomes for patients and their families.”

Dr. Fitzke agrees, adding, “The EndoWrist technology that is being developed will eventually let us perform other singleincision robotic surgeries in addition to the gynecologic and gallbladder procedures we do now.

“So, we’ll be able to treat more surgical conditions using this very precise, yet minimally invasive, single-incision robotic surgery system, which leaves virtually no scar. Our patients deserve the best technology out there, and we’re very excited about providing that for them.” n To find out how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

These physicians perform robotic-assisted surgeries at Bryan Cardiothoracic surgery Richard Thompson, MD Colorectal surgery Michael Jobst, MD General surgery Greg Fitzke, MD Paul Kampfe, MD Rick Windle, MD

4 Fall 2013

Obstetrics & gynecology Sarah Cada, MD Darla Eisenhauer, MD Katie Fossen, MD Corwin Friesen, MD Donald Gibbens, MD Gregory Hattan, MD Gregory Heidrick, MD Deanna Hutchins, MD

Chandra Ljunggren, MD Alecia Lovegrove, MD Nicole Mahoney, MD James Maly, MD Todd Martin, MD Gary Milius, MD Emily Neri, MD Debra Placek, MD Alyssa Rutan, MD

Urology Peter Howe, MD Christopher Larson, MD Andrew Lepinski, MD Lance Wiebusch, MD David Wiltfong, MD

NEW AT BRYAN

Bryan marks 10 years of robotic-assisted surgeries

A decade of breakthroughs

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his summer marked a major milestone for Bryan Health — the 10-year anniversary of our innovative use of the da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system in Lincoln.

Bryan was a leader in robotic-assisted surgery early on as one of the first two medical centers in Nebraska to acquire the da Vinci surgical system. Surgeons here were first in the state to use da Vinci for gynecologic procedures and among the first to perform robotic-assisted urologic

surgeries.

Bryan is now first in the region to have two da Vinci systems and two robotically trained surgical staffs in the same hospital, so patients and physicians have ready access to the advantages of this innovative technology.

From the beginning, the Bryan program has used the very accurate multiport da Vinci system, which Dr. Richard Thompson Dr. Peter Howe allows surgeons to operate through up to five 1-inchlong incisions, Dr. Peter Howe, who has performed more using highly flexible than 500 multiport da Vinci procedures, surgical instruments adds, “Multiport robotic surgery has been a What procedures are n Prostatectomy (removing and high-definition, particular boon for urologic surgery because offered, using the da Vinci® all or part of the prostate).

3-D visualization. we often work in very small spaces within robotic-assisted tools? n Partial nephrectomy “The multiport the pelvis.

These state-of-the-art (removing part of a da Vinci system “We also do lots of pediatric surgeries, surgeries are being performed kidney). allows a precise, and the da Vinci surgical tools’ small size is now by surgeons at Bryan: n Radical cystectomy minimally invasive ideal for getting top-notch results with our (removing the bladder surgical approach,” youngest patients.” and surrounding tissues).

Single-incision: explains Dr. Richard “An important thing to understand about n Pyeloplasty (surgery to n Hysterectomy (removing Thompson, a robotic surgery,” says Dr. Thompson, “is that repair a kidney). the uterus). cardiothoracic the robot is not controlling the surgery — it’s n Ureteral reimplantation/ n Salpingo-oophorectomy surgeon who simply a precise tool used to translate the anastomosis. (operations on the ovaries performs roboticn Distal ureterectomy surgeon’s hand movements into movements and fallopian tubes). (removing part of the assisted lung of very small surgical instruments in real n Cholecystectomy (removing ureter). lobectomies, time within the patient’s body. the gallbladder). n Abdominal perineal mediastinal mass “Just like with traditional surgeries, resection (removing the excisions and lung the surgeon and surgical team are in the Multi-incision: lower rectum and anus). wedge resection same room, continuously observing and n Colorectal polyp/tumor n Hysterectomy (removing surgeries. “That monitoring the patient.” removal. the uterus). promotes less blood The field continues to evolve. n Hemicolectomy (removing n Salpingo-oophorectomy loss, lower infection “In the near future we expect to (operations on the ovaries colon’s right or left side). risk, reduced postintroduce robotic-assisted coronary artery n Peristomal hernia repair. and fallopian tubes). surgical pain and bypass surgeries,” says Dr. Thompson. “And n Ovarian cystectomy (ovarian n Rectopexy (repair of faster recovery single-incision da Vinci surgery (see article rectal prolapse). cyst removal). compared to on Page 2) will likely be introduced in n Pulmonary lobectomy. n Removal of endometriosis. traditional open various new surgical areas,” Dr. Howe says. n Sacrocolpopexy (repair of surgeries.”

“We are still just seeing the tip of the pelvic organ prolapse).

Urologic surgeon iceberg for this exciting technology.” n

Versatile surgical tool

Bryan Journeys 5

NEW AT BRYAN

Robotic options growing

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Michael Jobst, MD, is enthusiastic about new applications for roboticassisted surgery.

6 Fall 2013

n Aug. 5, colorectal surgeon Michael Jobst, MD, and his team at Bryan used the new da Vinci® EndoWrist Stapler to perform the first procedure of its kind in the Midwest. This technology allows the surgeon to use a da Vinci SI robotic system to control the stapler during surgery. This less-invasive procedure results in shorter surgery times and higher-quality patient outcomes.

“The importance isn’t that Bryan is the first to use the EndoWrist Stapler, but rather that our patients are able to benefit immediately from new developments and technology enhancements since we are such a comprehensive robotic center,” says Dr. Jobst.

Bryan is an attractive candidate for receiving the latest da Vinci enhancements because physicians use two robotic systems at Bryan Medical Center for a wide range of specialties, such as colorectal, gynecology, urology and cardiothoracic surgery. Physicians also collaborate to perform procedures that cross specialties.

He says, “I’ve grown more and more convinced over the last year and a half that robotics does confer huge advantages in many cases, and for those procedures I would recommend using the da Vinci surgical robot.”

Common surgeries for diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, rectal prolapse, stoma hernia repair, as well as various types of colon cancer, now can be performed using the da Vinci robot as an alternative to laparoscopic procedures or conventional open surgery.

New procedures are being performed here that are not yet mainstream in other parts of the country, such as Dr. Jobst’s method for removing noncancerous polyps.

“The standard procedure is to surgically remove about 8-12 inches of colon along with the polyp,“ he says.

“But patients ask, ‘Why should I have 25 percent of my colon removed if I’ve got a benign polyp the size of my thumbnail?’ The reality is, they don’t. So, instead of taking out this big segment of the colon, I just open up the colon, cut out the polyp, and I only need to remove about 1 percent of the colon.”

Dr. Jobst is preparing a video for a national conference on this new procedure, which is gaining momentum in surgical circles. It was performed in earlier years using an open incision, but now the robot allows surgeons to accomplish the same goal less invasively.

“We keep finding new applications for the da Vinci robot, and they provide immeasurable benefits of less pain, less scarring and shorter recoveries for our patients. Another huge benefit is that patients do not have to leave Lincoln to receive this sophisticated care,” he adds. n To learn more about robotic-assisted surgeries, go to www. bryanhealth.org and search for “robotics.”

NEW AT BRYAN

Midwest Steel executive shows mettle

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ob Ediger chose robotic surgery for the removal of a cancerous polyp so he could get back to normal quickly. In December 2011, part of that “normal” life meant being in the office at Midwest Steel Works to put the final touches on a bid for steel work in Lincoln’s new Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Rob went in for surgery on a Monday afternoon, was dismissed on Wednesday afternoon and was back at the office Thursday afternoon after colorectal surgeon Michael Jobst, MD, used a da Vinci® SI robotic system to remove a portion of Rob’s colon at Bryan Medical Center.

“I would have gone back to work Thursday morning, but my wife said I had to wait until the afternoon,” he says with a laugh.

It was a busy time.

President of Midwest Steel, Rob and his group were finalizing pricing for their bid for the arena’s miscellaneous steel contract — which was due in just two more days. Midwest Steel Works also was involved in a joint venture with LeJeune Steel of Minneapolis for the structural steel fabrication and installation at the arena.

Back in 1979, Rob worked part time for Midwest Steel while attending college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; when walking through the nearby Haymarket district, pigeons were the primary residents.

Thirty-five years later, Rob and his company were awarded both contracts for the arena and increasingly popular Haymarket. “I am amazed at the transformation of the area,” Rob says, “and I’m grateful I was healthy enough to be involved in the project.

“My family has a history of colon problems, so when I turned 50, my wife, Carrie, and a couple of friends hounded me enough that I went in and had a colonoscopy.”

That exam revealed several polyps that fortunately turned out to be benign. But because of the presence of the polyps,

Rob Ediger is reshaping Lincoln’s skyline.

Bryan Journeys 7

NEW AT BRYAN Rob was scheduled to have another colonoscopy in three years.

In that three-year span, from age 50-53, additional polyps formed, and this time one was removed that proved to be cancerous. Rob’s doctor, Matthew Hrnicek, MD, who performed the colonoscopy and removed the polyp, referred Rob to colorectal surgeon Michael Jobst, MD. “I trusted Dr. Hrnicek’s referral to Dr. Jobst, and liked that Dr. Jobst looked me in the eye as he explained my options,” he says. Dr. Jobst told Rob he needed to remove a section of his lower colon and then do a resection, basically reconnecting the two ends. He explained the three different ways the colon resection could be done — full open surgery, laparoscopic and a new option, robotic-assisted surgery.

Dr. Jobst said the laparoscopic option was done most often, but he preferred the new robotic option not only because it may allow Rob a quicker recovery, there is less of a chance of bleeding. Dr. Jobst’s success in using the least-invasive procedure possible was one of the reasons Dr. Hrnicek had sent Rob to the surgeon.

Rob says, “Dr. Jobst was not high-pressuring me to decide in the next two minutes but rather to take my time, think it over, then make my decision.“ Less than two weeks later, Dr. Jobst performed Rob’s surgery using a da Vinci surgical robot at Bryan Medical Center.

And three days later, Rob was back to work. “I’ve had surgeries in the past, and like anyone else, I don’t want to be held up very long. I always say I have things to do, I don’t have time for this — and robotic surgery provided me the luxury of getting back to spending time with my wife and college-age sons Nolan and Mitchell.

“The hospital staff was very good. And we had some lighthearted moments, as the day after my surgery they came in and said, ‘It’s moving day,’ I was moved into a newly redone room — it was brand new — so I was able to use everything first.”

And Rob’s surgery using the da Vinci surgical robot with EndoWrist was one of the first such procedures in the area.

“Bottom line, you don’t have to leave Lincoln to receive sophisticated care,” says Dr. Jobst. “Innovative procedures are being performed here at the same time as, or sooner than, in other cities across the country.”

Analogous to the transformation of the Haymarket area and the Pinnacle Bank Arena, Dr. Jobst and Bryan Medical Center are on the “big stage” when it comes to providing the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to improve the lives of their patients.

And Rob Ediger feels fortunate to have been one of the first patients in this robotic arena. n

She finds excellent care close to home

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orraine Good lives in Omaha, where she works for a hospital-affiliated physician clinic. But after a routine colonoscopy revealed a large polyp in her colon, she traveled to Lincoln in June to receive state-of-theart robotic-assisted surgery. Counseled by her three sisters who also work in hospitals, Lorraine placed her trust in Bryan Medical Center and Lincoln colorectal surgeon Michael Jobst, MD, to get her back to her active life.

Lorraine has spent most of her career in health care, previously in the patient care area and now as a receptionist

8 Fall 2013

at Children’s Physicians Dundee Clinic. So when a physician suggested she wait six months to remove the pre-cancerous polyp discovered during the colonoscopy, she looked to her three sisters for advice.

This experienced trio includes Roe (Rosalena) Livers, RN, of the Bryan radiology department; certified radiology nurse Pat Vorman, RN, from California; and certified surgical first assist Jeanne Wardlow of Lincoln.

“I was just not comfortable waiting, knowing this polyp could be growing inside me. After they looked at the images,

NEW AT BRYAN

Lorraine Good (center) turned to her sisters, Jeanne Wardlow (left), Roe Livers and Pat Vorman (not pictured) for advice on her upcoming surgery.

they agreed.” Pat was ready to take family leave to come to Omaha to help her sister.

When an Omaha surgeon recommended a radical bowel resection, which would remove about one-fourth of Lorraine’s colon, sisters Roe and Jeanne told her to get a second opinion and encouraged her to see Dr. Jobst.

Roe, a long-time critical care nurse and now in radiology at Bryan, was very aware of Dr. Jobst and his work. And Jeanne also had first-hand experience with Dr. Jobst, as she regularly scrubs with him for colorectal procedures and was present for his first robotic polypectomy (polyp removal).

During Lorraine’s consultation, Dr. Jobst explained his recommended procedure by asking her to picture an orange.

“He told me to think about the sections of the orange and that he was going to remove a section of the orange around the polyp, and that would be all of my colon he would

remove,” she says. He also advised Lorraine that the sooner the polyp was removed, the better.

“After that discussion, there was no question whatsoever in my mind that I wanted Dr. Jobst to do the surgery. He has a bedside manner like no other. I believe he truly cared about me, and weeks afterward when he would see my sister, Jeanne, he would ask, ‘How’s your sister doing?’ To me that speaks volumes.”

Lorraine had the surgery at Bryan on June 17 and went home at 3 p.m. the next day. The procedure and recovery went as expected, and she was only away from work for a week.

Back to spending time with her son, Aaron, and his wife, Erin, and their children, Lorraine says, “I didn’t even miss my monthly overnight date with my grandboys, Mason and Carter.” n

Bryan Journeys 9

BRYAN HEART

TAVR restores blood flow

W Dr. Robin Hibbard is medical director of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement program at Bryan.

hen they found out they had severe heart disease, Bill Wrigley of Diller and Jean Hay of Holdrege decided to be among the first patients to receive a new life-saving procedure at Bryan Medical Center. Neither they nor their primary care physicians had heard of this new option, but Bryan Heart cardiologists who hold clinics in Fairbury and Holdrege brought them a message of hope.

Bill and Jean learned they had aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow, but they also weren’t well enough to undergo standard open-heart surgery to replace their aortic valves.

What were their choices?

They found out a new procedure at Bryan Medical Center, TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement), could be the answer.

According to the program’s medical director, Bryan Heart cardiologist Robin Hibbard, MD, “TAVR, which is reserved only for those patients who cannot tolerate open-heart surgery, is a less invasive procedure for replacing blocked aortic valves.

TAVR is significantly lower risk, and patients benefit by having fewer complications, less pain and faster recoveries.”

Bill underwent the TAVR procedure in May, and Jean did so in June — and both have been doing very well since their procedures.

The procedure TAVR allows a new valve to be inserted within the patients’ diseased aortic valve while their heart is still beating.

“During the TAVR procedure, the patient’s original aortic valve is ‘pushed aside’ to make room for the new valve, allowing the blood to flow without obstruction,” Dr. Hibbard explains.

All four members of the TAVR physician team — Dr. Hibbard and fellow cardiologist Dale Hansen, MD, and

10 Fall 2013

BRYAN HEART cardiothoracic surgeons Richard Thompson, MD, and Robert Oakes, MD — are present for each valve replacement procedure and assess which of two approaches is appropriate.

“In the transfemoral approach, a catheter is threaded up through the femoral artery in the groin, similar to a heart catheterization,” Dr. Thompson explains. “In the transapical approach, a small incision is made in the chest between the Dr. Dale Hansen ribs.”

He says, “In both cases, a balloon containing the new valve is pushed up to the aortic valve through a sheath. Once the new valve is placed and is working properly, the delivery system is removed and the incision is closed.”

The team tries to use the transfemoral technique because it is less invasive, but when a patient needs a very large replacement valve or if the device is too big for the blood vessels, a transapical approach is warranted. Bill’s new valve

Dr. Richard Thompson

Dr. Robert Oakes

was delivered via the transfemoral technique whereas Jean’s was through the transapical technique.

Though the average age of patients to date is around 80, their overall medical condition is what determines eligibility in the program. To qualify for the procedure, two cardiothoracic surgeons have to independently confirm that the patient is not a surgical candidate.

Once this has been established, patients are admitted into the TAVR program for further screening, which involves multiple examinations and tests such as transesophageal echocardiograms, CT angiograms and cardiac catheterizations.

Future of TAVR Currently standard surgical risk patients undergo open-heart surgery for valve replacement, but Dr. Hibbard anticipates that within the next 10 years transcatheter techniques will become mainstream. As the TAVR technology and technique evolve, the Bryan Heart team will continue to be involved in its development.

“We take our motto, ‘Patients First,’ seriously,” Dr. Hibbard says, “and the TAVR program is just another example of how we strive to provide the most advanced care available.” n

The next big thing in minimally invasive heart surgery is a small device, called the SAPIEN Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve.

To read more about Bill Wrigley and Jean Hay and the revolutionary treatment they received at Bryan Medical Center, please turn to Page 12.

Bryan Journeys 11

BRYAN HEART

Patients share their TAVR stories ‘Just go for it!’

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ean Hay’s transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure was performed on a Thursday morning, and she was back home on the following Wednesday.

“I came through fine and had no pain at all except a couple days after when they took the stitches out,” Jean says. “I am feeling good and everyone says I look good.”

Jean had been experiencing shortness of breath as she walked down to meals three times a day from her home at an assisted living unit in Holdrege. At the end of May, she was hospitalized for pneumonia and then flown to Lincoln to Bryan Medical Center, where doctors told her about her blocked aortic valve.

After she went back home, Bryan Heart cardiologist Clyde Meckel, MD, who regularly offers a heart clinic at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, explained the TAVR procedure to Jean and arranged for her to go back to Lincoln June 20 for the surgery.

“I have been back to Lincoln once since I had the surgery and I don’t have to go back for another year. I do have regular appointments with Dr. Meckel when he is in Holdrege, since it is more convenient,” Jean says.

What advice does Jean have for others considering TAVR? “I would tell people to go for it!” n

12 Fall 2013

Jean Hay was back home in Holdrege just days after her aortic valve replacement surgery at Bryan.

BRYAN HEART

‘Seems like new’

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ill Wrigley and his wife, Marilyn, recently returned from a road trip on I-80 from Diller to Sacramento, Calif., and back. But a few months earlier, this trip would not have been possible.

Last spring, Bill could barely walk across the room without becoming short of breath. He went to Jefferson County Health Center for an appointment with Bryan Heart cardiologist Dale Hansen, MD, who regularly travels from Lincoln to Fairbury to see cardiac patients. Bill’s aortic stenosis was getting progressively worse but his health did not allow him to have standard open-heart surgery so Dr. Hansen told him about the new TAVR procedure.

“I trusted Dr. Hansen and understood this was the only option for me because I had bypass surgery about 17 years ago and could not have the standard procedure for my problem,” Bill says.

Since Bill’s arteries were large enough to have the transfemoral version of TAVR, his hospital stay was short — he was admitted on Friday and went home on Monday.

“We saw Dr. Hansen after the surgery and he said it seems like a different heart,” Bill says.

“And I feel like it is, too, as I feel good — I’m so glad I had the procedure.” n

A successful TAVR procedure means Bill Wrigley is enjoying life on the farm again with his wife, Marilyn, and Buddy.

Bryan Journeys 13

MEDICAL STAFF UPDATE

New faces at

Bryan

Welcome these colleagues to the Bryan medical community Mohamad Alhajhusain, MD, nephrology, is associated with Nebraska Kidney Care, 402-466-8259.

He graduated from the University of Aleppo, Syria, in 2006 and completed a residency in internal medicine at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, and a nephrology fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center at Danville, Pa. Before joining Nebraska Kidney Care, Dr. Alhajhusain held teaching positions at the Aleppo University Hospital and the University of Buffalo.

Douglas Althouse, MD, family medicine, joined Prairie Lake Family Medicine, 402-328-4700.

Dr. Althouse graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine in 2003 and completed the University of Nebraska Medical Center/ Clarkson Family Medicine program in Omaha.

Before moving to Lincoln, he was the hospice medical director at Asera Care Hospice in Kearney and was a family physician at Kearney County Health Services in Minden.

14 Fall 2013

Rajeev Chaturvedi, MD, psychiatry, joined Bryan Heartland Psychiatry, 402-483-8555.

Dr. Chaturvedi graduated from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India, and Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy Group of Hospitals. He was an instructor in the Department of Pharmacology at Padmashree D.Y. Patil Medical College in Mumbai and received his medical degree in 1997.

In 2007, he completed the Creighton/ University of Nebraska Medical Center psychiatry residency program in Omaha.

Dr. Chaturvedi provided crisis center psychiatric services at the Region VI Crisis Center in Omaha and outpatient psychiatric services at Lutheran Family Services in Fremont and at the Park Plaza Clinic in Omaha before joining the staff at the Lincoln Regional Center, where he provided inpatient psychiatric services.

Carla Church, DO, family medicine, joined Family Health Physicians, 402-484-5100.

She graduated in 2010 from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dr. Church completed the Clarkson Family Medicine residency program, Omaha, before becoming associated with Family Health Physicians.

Katie Garcia, DDS, pediatric dentistry, joined Lincoln Pediatric Dentistry, 402-476-1500. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Lincoln, in 2010.

Dr. Garcia completed a general practice residency at Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway, N.Y., and a pediatric dentistry residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

She also participated in a dental mission trip to Nicaragua in 2006 and was a dental assistant at Lincoln Pediatric Dentistry while enrolled in dental school.

MEDICAL STAFF UPDATE David Isom, MD, FAAFP, family medicine, is associated with the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, 402-483-4571.

This member of the Lincoln Family Medicine Program faculty graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha, in 2001 and completed a Lincoln Family Medicine Program residency.

Dr. Isom is board certified in family medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He practiced in Lincoln and Alliance, where he was medical chief of staff of Box Butte General Hospital and founded Alliance Family Medicine.

He was appointed in 2001 to the Nebraska Rural Health Advisory Committee and received the National Pinnacle Physician Award in 2012.

Ryan Martin, MD, pulmonary medicine, is associated with Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties, 402-483-8600.

While in college, Dr. Martin was a noninvasive cardiology technician at Bryan Medical Center. He earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and in 2007 graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center School of Medicine, Omaha.

He also completed an internal medicine residency and a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at UNMC, Omaha.

Kevin Rieck, DDS, MD, FAACS, oral and maxillofacial surgery, joined Rallis Oral & Facial Surgery, 402-327-9400.

Dr. Rieck earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in Chicago.

He entered residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.

In 1994, Dr. Rieck graduated from Mayo

Medical School, Rochester, Minn., and subsequently completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.

He is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has achieved Diplomate status. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Dr. Rieck was in private practice in Chicago from 1996-2001 and spent the past 12 years as a staff surgeon and consultant in the Department of Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and as an assistant professor of surgery at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

Vaida Stoik, MD, rheumatology, joined Rheumatology & Osteoporosis Services, 402-464-9000.

Dr. Stoik graduated from Kaunas Medical Academy, Kaunas, Lithuania, in 1995 and received additional education at RushPresbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago. She completed a residency at Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcestor, Mass., and a rheumatology fellowship at Albany Medical Center, Albany, N.Y. Before moving to Lincoln, Dr. Stoik practiced in Dayton, Ohio, and Sante Fe, N.M. Gregory Weeder, DDS, pediatric dentistry, is associated with Rebecca Scott, DDS, 402-420-2525.

Dr. Weeder graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Lincoln, in 2001 and completed a University of Nebraska Medical Center pediatric dentistry residency in Omaha.

He also has practiced in Auburn.

Bryan Journeys 15

MEDICAL STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Ask the doctor:

87 years, Bryan has been a leader in providing mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. This historical commitment to behavioral health services achieved another milestone April 30 with the celebration of the completion of the Fine Line Campaign and the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Bryan Independence Center.

Commitment and collaboration led to the success of

When do I need a urologist?

Sushil Lacy, MD, of Urology, PC answers questions about urology and reflects on his medical career.

Q: Tell us about the medical field of urology. What conditions does a urologist treat?

Urology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of surgical and medical diseases of the urinary tract in both sexes and also the male reproductive organs. Our patient spectrum ranges from the newborn to the geriatric generation.

The most common conditions treated by urologists are cancer of the kidney, bladder, prostate, testes, penis and adrenal gland. Urologists also treat urinary stone disease, benign enlargement of the prostate, erectile dysfunction and infertility. In women, we treat urinary incontinence, frequent urination (overactive bladder), difficult urination, urinary tract infections and bladder pain syndromes. Common conditions in the pediatric population are congenital anomalies involving the penis and kidneys (requiring reconstructive surgery), undescended testes, hernias and cancers. In some large medical centers, urologists are involved in kidney transplantation. Urology is a specialty that allows us to diagnose and treat most conditions within 24 hours.

This surgical subspecialty has traditionally been on the cutting edge of medicine. A recent advance in regenerative tissue engineering has allowed urologists to produce artificial bladders and implant them in children born with spina bifida. Attempts are now being made to reproduce kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.

16 Fall 2013

Dr. Sushil Lacy and other specialists in urology can be contacted by calling 402-489-8888.

MEDICAL STAFF SPOTLIGHT Q: Please share some details of your career.

My medical education and training were somewhat long and circuitous leading to becoming a urologist. It started at Christian Medical College, Vellore, in South India. This is one of the premier medical schools in India and admitted only 25 men and 25 women each year.

After graduation, I did my general surgery residency and boards at King George’s Medical College in Lucknow, North India.

Then it was on to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., to do a peripheral vascular fellowship. After about a year on the faculty, I realized there were far fewer emergencies in urology compared to vascular surgery and definitely fewer night calls.

When the American Board of Urology verified I would qualify for the boards after three years of residency rather than the usual five or six, in view of my past training, I decided to change specialties to urology.

After finishing my residency at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., I was recruited in 1970 to start the Urology Residency Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. In 1980, I decided to move to Lincoln and join Urology, PC. Q: You were president of the American Urological Association. What did you gain from that experience?

The highlight of my career occurred in 2010 when I was elected president-elect of the American Urological Association (AUA) — that three-year commitment included serving as president and past president. It was a great honor and privilege to represent that 20,000-plus-member organization.

It is the largest and most respected urological association in the world. I traveled to 12 countries and 16 cities within the United States during this period and built lifelong friendships with colleagues around the world.

I had the opportunity to understand the medical system of various countries and participate in developing exchange programs for the benefit of younger urologists. During my travels, I found urology quite advanced in European countries, Japan, India and Brazil. The majority of countries I visited had socialized medicine or some form of it.

In China there is no formal urology residency program, so the AUA is working with

the Chinese Urological Association to develop

its program based on our system.

My being from Nebraska brought a great deal of attention to all the urologists in the state and especially Lincoln. Usually AUA presidents are from larger cities and university medical centers. I suspect my academic/private practice experience and Midwestern values were favorable factors. I found that the standard of medical care in Nebraska, and especially Lincoln, is excellent and is as good as anywhere in the country.

I was in a position to know firsthand all the changes occurring in the health field, medical education, research and new treatment options. I also dealt with controversies involving certain urological surgical procedures, medical therapy and screening for prostate cancer. Dealing with the United States Food & Drug Administration, Medicare and other governmental agencies on such issues was interesting and sometimes frustrating.

Overall, it was an amazing educational, cultural and humbling experience.

What is the future of medical care in urology?

Challenges are external influences ranging from prohibitive regulations, decreasing reimbursements for clinical services, decreasing research dollars, decreasing manpower, graduate education and certification. I was encouraged to see AUA members increasingly involved in legislative affairs to help formulate health care policy. For the first time, last year UROPAC (Urology Political Action Committee) raised a million dollars for political advocacy.

Many advances have been made during my more than 50 years in medicine in terms of urological research and how we treat our patients. We know that today’s research may be tomorrow’s cure. AUA is spending several million dollars through its Urology Care Foundation each year to fund research on urological cancers, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, birth defects and other diseases. I believe we will see advances in areas of minimally invasive surgical procedures, cancer vaccines and new types of immunotherapy and techniques to target cancer cells without injuring the normal tissues. I foresee new diagnostic methods coming soon that will help us detect early prostate and bladder cancer more accurately using simple blood and urine tests.

The future in medicine is disease prevention to control ballooning health care costs. Patient education will be our focus.

A good example would be associating tobacco abuse with bladder cancer. Most people think of smoking and lung cancer; however, I frequently see bladder cancer in smokers. We are teaching high school students the importance of self-examination of the testes to detect cancer in a way similar to breast examination for females. n

Bryan Journeys 17

BRYAN FOUNDATION Profile of William Jennings Bryan Society members

Giving back the way Dad did

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nce sober, the late Wendell continuing with his sobriety,” Judy says.

Kuster wanted to give back.

She points out that the tools he learned He gave back to his family in his recovery process gave him coping the many good years lost while under skills and helped him accept things the influence of alcohol. He gave back that happened later in life, such as his to the alcohol recovery community Alzheimer’s diagnosis and having to give through his dedication to Alcoholics up golf.

Anonymous and by sponsoring others.

Watching Wendell play with his He volunteered at the People’s City grandchildren brought joy to the sisters.

Mission.

“He would take the boys and get So, it was important to his wife, dirty, do boy stuff — that became his Wilma, and their three daughters, passion. He loved to take the grandsons Connie Peterson of Broken Bow, out into the fields in an old car — we Charleen Carles of Canada, and Judy called it the puddle jumper — and teach Hatcher of Lincoln, to give back, too. them how to drive. It was nice to see Long ago, Wendell became sober him laugh and be relaxed. He may not through the help of the Independence have been around to do those things if Center, so his family this year made a he hadn’t gotten sober,” Connie says. $34,000 deferred gift to the program.

Another joy was discovering just “We had the opportunity to give, and how tight their parents’ relationship because the Independence Center was really was. such an integral part of Dad’s life and our The late Wendell Kuster enjoyed sharing time with his According to Connie and her family, it was obvious the money should sisters, “Our parents had a very loving grandchildren. The Kuster family recently made a deferred go to Bryan because of what we went relationship that we saw glimpses of gift in his name to benefit the Bryan Independence Center. through,” Connie says. when we were kids, but over the years, The sisters say the program changed after he became sober it was very their family. Connie and Charleen already had moved out of the house, evident that they had a very strong bond and love for each other.” but the youngest, Judy, was still in high school.

“We give our mother (who passed away recently) a lot of credit “Dad’s alcoholism had a major impact. It’s the story of every family for having the strength to push Dad to get help,” the sisters add. “The that has had alcoholism in their lives — there were good times and bad Bryan Independence Center changed our lives, and we hope this gift times,” Charleen says. in some way helps other families that are struggling with addiction, so they can heal and establish healthy relationships and happy Once Wendell recovered, the family worked to mend their memories.” n relationship. “The drinking wasn’t there, and he was very dedicated to

Your generosity supports mission-driven programs Stories like the Kuster family’s — involving life-changing care at Bryan Health — are being shared across our nation, and more people are choosing to make a difference in our community through generous gifts.

While individual motivations for

18 Fall 2013

giving vary, the cumulative results are monumental: Bryan’s mission-driven programs can thrive and expand.

And your friends, family and neighbors are assured the highest-quality specialty care. See Page 25 for another example of how a recent gift made it

possible for a Bryan rehabilitation therapist to receive training in the care of lymphedema, a painful and debilitating disease affecting many people.

I hope you enjoy this Journeys edition.

— Bob Ravenscroft, Vice President of Advancement

BRYAN FOUNDATION

Artwork tells Bryan Health story

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a healthy balance and hen you enter equilibrium as we told the the Bryan story of these institutions.”

Medical Center Looking closely at the West Campus, you may be captivated by the bright, painting, viewers first will acrylic painting mounted by notice the strong elements the elevators in the main on the right and left sides. lobby. This masterpiece, titled The right side portrays “Lifelines,” was unveiled July Lincoln General’s history, 23 and combines elements of including Robert E. Moore, an historical relevance rooted in early founder, philanthropist, the foundation and success former Lincoln mayor and of Bryan Health. businessman. The left side During the unveiling of “Lifelines,” artist Allan Tubach describes the creative Allan Tubach, the illustrates Bryan Memorial’s process that led to the masterpiece at the Bryan Medical Center West Campus.

Omaha-based artist who history and founder William created “Lifelines,” dedicated Jennings Bryan, who donated many hours to researching the history of Bryan Memorial Hospital, his home and surrounding land to the Methodist church in the midLincoln General Hospital and the College of Health Sciences, as well as 1920s for what would become Bryan Memorial Hospital. to people who made a significant impact on the trajectory and success of In the center of the painting, Tubach portrays medical pioneers, the organization. milestones and technological advances that shaped Bryan Memorial “I enjoy digging into a project and learning as much as I can before and Lincoln General separately — and ultimately the combined Bryan starting my sketches,” Tubach explains. “Decades ago, I used to lock Health. Iconic logos, surgical instruments and other tools of the trade are myself in the library and pore over encyclopedias, industry literature, depicted, too. newspapers and magazines — whatever it took to develop the foundation Medical leaders in the painting include cardiac surgeons Stephen and conceptual beginnings for a project. Now I use the Internet for faster, Carveth and Herb Reese flanking cardiologist Walt Weaver — all Bryan more effective research, but it still takes time to process and analyze the heart program pioneers in the early 1960s. To the right is trauma information.” surgeon Paul Collicott, founder of Lincoln General’s Trauma Center and Bryan Health Vice President Bob Ravenscroft and Edgar Bumanis, the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) model, which remains the director of public relations & marketing, led the development and international training standard for trauma care. management of the project.

Besides the formal unveiling, there were smaller ceremonies “Moving toward the future as Bryan Health, we wanted something throughout the summer to show “Lifelines” to key groups of donors and that would commemorate our proud history. Something we could share leaders within Bryan Health. For Tubach, each celebration solidified the with our co-workers and the community,” says Ravenscroft. “After importance of his work. discussing a variety of options, we decided on art.”

“This has been a very rewarding and life-affirming project,” he says.

The Nebraska Art Council’s Suzanne Wise recommended Tubach “I’ve had several friends and family who have received care from Bryan. to create this piece because of his unique ability to combine iconic It’s an excellent organization, and I’m pleased to have been given the fragments in fresh, contemporary ways. opportunity to create such an important piece.” n Ravenscroft and Bumanis met with Tubach in November.

“They already had completed a lot of the research,” Tubach says.

“Lifelines” was Allan Tubach’s 958th painting, and he’s already “After reviewing that information and putting in more hours myself, I was begun his next piece. He was the Omaha World-Herald’s art director able to develop a sketch of the concept, which was then presented to the for 22 years and has been a full-time artist for 25 years. His leadership team at Bryan to review.” paintings are in more than 500 collections, and his work has been After receiving the green light, Tubach dove into the project, working shown throughout the United States and in Paris, Tokyo and Warsaw. tirelessly for several months.

To see a video of the artist discussing “Lifelines,” please go to “It was a challenge bringing together so many diverse parts,” he says. www.bryanhealth.org/lifelines-painting.

“Health care can be a very complicated world. We wanted to maintain

Bryan Journeys 19

BRYAN FOUNDATION

What’s it all mean?

Here’s a key to Allan Tubach’s new “Lifelines” painting.

Innovations in medical technology

Women’s and children’s health

Cardiac stents Bryan East Campus Bryan School of Nursing cap Bryan Memorial Hospital logo

Fairview, home of William and Mary Bryan, which for decades was a dormitory for Bryan School of Nursing students BryanLGH Health System logo Cancer cells and oncology care

Sculpture of Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, famed Nebraska orator and benefactor of what would become Bryan Memorial Hospital 20 Fall 2013

Heart care pioneers Stephen Carveth, MD, (left), Walt Weaver, MD, and Herb Reese, MD

BRYAN FOUNDATION College of Health Sciences Memory disorders

Air ambulance

Bryan West Campus Radiology Outpatient surgery Youth behavior services Lincoln General Hospital logo

Entrance to the former Lincoln General Hospital Substance abuse services

Advanced Trauma Life Support Program, with Paul Collicott, MD

Window in Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing dormitory, site of the current Bryan Independence Center

Portrait of Robert E. Moore, benefactor of Lincoln General Hospital Bryan Journeys 21

BRYAN LIFEPOINTE

Full range of treatments at MedSpa

22 Fall 2013

BRYAN LIFEPOINTE

Dr. Lott offers the very latest cosmetic dermatology options

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incoln dermatologist a genetic tendency to have Ann Lott, MD, can very deep creases in between tell you pretty much her eyebrows. She calls it “the anything you want elevens.” to know about her “Botox is one thing where field of practice. She I was on the ground floor. They can sit in a chair and, off the top talk about the ‘elevens’ well, I of her head, talk about anything have 1,111 elevens, which is a from the beginnings of skin cancer family curse that always made research to acne treatments, skin me look angry,” she says.

“The minute I first heard peels, lasers, the physician who about Botox I went to Canada to discovered the use of Botox for learn about it and volunteered to wrinkles, and any other question have it done right there during you throw at her. the presentation.”

“I love talking about dermatology, I love talking about Not just for wrinkles skin,” she says with a grin. Indeed, – Bryan LifePointe medical director The Botox injections she does. And be assured any Ryan Whitney, MD worked for her, and she treatment or procedure one may continues an occasional consider having done, Dr. Lott has treatment, confident that when studied it thoroughly to ensure its safety and efficacy; most likely she’s feeling happy, her facial she’s even tried it on herself. expressions reflect that happiness.

The procedures done in her clinic at LifePointe — peels, Now, Dr. Lott has brought her practice to Bryan LifePointe, lasers, microdermabrasion, Botox — are not simply means as the new director of MedSpa services. to the same end, that is, to look younger. Wrinkles are one Perfect location for such services thing, but many people have scarring, birthmarks and medical “We are extremely fortunate to have her level of expertise problems that cosmetic dermatology can treat. and dedication to providing patients with the latest advances These are the kinds of things this champion of women’s and treatments,” says Bryan LifePointe medical director issues enjoys about her practice. That, and being able to tap Ryan Whitney, MD. “Dr. Lott’s experience, combined with our into more of her creative side. “Dermatology has evolved, and private, tranquil MedSpa facilities, offers the perfect setting for as a physician, I’ve evolved along with it,” she says. those seeking cosmetic dermatology treatments.”

She calls herself the “queen of baby steps” and always Dr. Lott got into dermatology, she explains, partly makes sure clients are well educated about what they’re doing and why. She wants to help them find a balance, and not do because she could relate to those with skin issues, having “too much” to their appearance. had acne as a teen, and then, “cursed,” as she puts it, with

“We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Lott’s level of expertise and dedication to providing patients with the latest advances and treatments.”

Bryan Journeys 23

BRYAN LIFEPOINTE

Improvements mirror inner feelings “It’s a woman’s issue,” she says. “It’s kind of fun to do a little something that makes us feel a little bit better, to ward off the ‘birthday fairy,’ and that’s OK,” she says with a smile.

“But we don’t need to do a full transformation. I say, ‘Let’s start small, and see how we like it.’”

Still, men can benefit and do come to her for cosmetic dermatology procedures, she points out. Many are businessmen or professionals who interact with people daily.

“A lot of our interaction is verbal and tone of voice, but facial lines can give a mistaken impression,” Dr. Lott says. “For example, you don’t want to look angry when you’re not. Botox is one of the leading treatments I provide to men.”

Another part of the educational process involves patients’ living habits.

Connie Olberding, LPN, (left) and dermatologist Ann Lott, MD, welcome the community to the new MedSpa program at the Bryan LifePointe Campus.

24 Fall 2013

“We come sometimes to this discussion, my patients and I, that if their quality of life is not going to allow this to happen, in other words, if they are not going to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle, then is this worth it? Everyone needs a good health program.”

Dr. Lott points out that there is still no magic bullet when it comes to skin and aging. Strides have been made, but the old advice still holds: Use a sunscreen (and read the label for UVA, as well as UVB protection), moisturize, limit your exposure to the sun, eat right and exercise.

“The simplest thing that I have to share is, that the best anti-aging cream out there is sunscreen,” she says.

Focus on what’s important Dr. Lott says her life philosophy these days is simpler.

Having lost a dear friend to cancer, she’s allowing herself to slow down a little bit and focus on things that are equally as important as her career. Running with her group of friends — they call themselves the Turtles — spending time with family, focusing on women’s issues.

But her thoughts on cosmetic dermatology have pretty much stayed the same.

“We have to start loving ourselves a little more not for how we look, but for who we are, and that’s just not taught.

Certainly it’s not taught to women, but there is overlap with men,” she says. “We reach a point where we have to let it go, or we might forget what makes us really special.”

Dr. Lott and her longtime nurse, Connie Olberding, LPN, will continue to offer her most popular services in addition to exclusive MedSpa services including Botox treatments, filler treatments, Silkpeel, Pellevé, dermaplaning and microneedling with or without platelet rich plasma (PRP), laser services, spider vein treatments, chemical peels and facial peels.

To learn more, visit bryanhealth.org/med-spa. To schedule an appointment, please call 402-481-6321. n To learn how you can support wellness programs at Bryan Medical Center, call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

NEW AT BRYAN

Conquering lymphedema

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ymphedema is a sometimes painful, disfiguring condition that affects more than 5 million Americans. It is caused by injury or congenital defects of the lymphatic system — the network of lymph nodes, vessels and tissues that moves lymph fluid (a clear fluid containing white blood cells) throughout the body. Blockage of the system causes fluid to collect in arms, legs and other areas. Sometimes swelling is severe enough to interfere with movement, so people have trouble walking and caring for themselves and their families. Left untreated, lymphedema can lead to infection and serious disability.

That’s why Bryan Health created a new Lymphedema Treatment Center, and, thanks to the Bryan Foundation, co-workers received additional training.

Physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist Julia Reed says, “Lymphedema most often occurs because of damage to lymph nodes and vessels during radiation therapy or surgery to treat cancer.

Our concern for identifying and treating lymphedema as early as possible — when it’s our best chance to keep this from getting worse — is what inspired the new program on the Bryan Medical Center West Campus.

“That’s important, because the advanced swelling seen in the later stages is much easier to prevent than to treat.”

Surgeon and Bryan Vice President of Medical Affairs Carolyn Cody, MD, notes, “Our physicians are extremely supportive of the Center because early identification and treatment helps patients regain more of their ability to function and do things they want to do with their lives.”

Julia adds, “Although lymphedema is not curable, the good news is that it can be very effectively managed. The recognized gold standard of treatment is Complete Decongestive Therapy, or CDT, which really is a team effort between the lymphedema therapist and the patient.”

In the first phase of CDT, the therapist provides manual lymph node drainage, a gentle type of massage that moves excess fluid from parts of the body where swelling is a problem, and uses bandages to apply gentle pressure to the area so swelling won’t return. Patients do daily exercises to move extra fluid out of muscle tissue and make sure delicate skin over affected areas isn’t damaged by excessive dryness or injury.

“Once we have the lymphedema swelling reduced,” Julia says, “we move into the second phase of CDT, where the patient wears a special elastic compression garment to keep swelling from returning, while continuing to perform exercises and careful skin care.

“As swelling subsides, patients regain a lot of their ability to move and can return to daily activities. They have less fatigue and pain and can fit into clothes again. Successfully treating lymphedema greatly improves patients’ quality of life.”

She smiles and says, “And that’s very rewarding for all of us.” n

Therapist Julia Reed says successful lymphedema therapy is rewarding to patients and those who care for them.

To learn how you can support the Lymphedema Treatment Center and other programs, call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

Bryan Journeys 25

CRETE AREA MEDICAL CENTER

Mother and son cancer survivors trust CAMC for their care

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n the first weeks after Jordan Lampila and his mother, Anita, learned that they both had cancer, people offered various opinions on where they should wage their fight.

Go to a larger facility, some people urged. “Crete Area Medical Center is good, but this is serious — why not try Lincoln or Omaha?”

Here’s why they chose Crete Area Medical Center and have never regretted it: When you are getting ready for a colonoscopy at age 31 because your symptoms match something grave, it’s nice to see a tear in the eye of your surgical nurse, Susie Fortune, because she’s known you since you were a little boy and wishes you didn’t have to go through this. And when you wake up and hear the worst, it’s nice to hear a familiar doctor, Troy Miller, DO, say he will be there for you every step of the way, whenever you may need him.

And when you are a registered nurse, like Anita, scheduling your partial mastectomy, it’s good to already know all the people on your cancer team and the skill level they can provide.

Bottom line? Cancer is cancer and there are few things in this world that make facing it any better. But comfort levels and human connections are two things that can.

CAMC offered both.

For Jordan and Anita, the comfort level is higher here than for the average patient. CAMC is home.

Anita is a 41-year employee, joining the team when it was still Crete Hospital. To her children, the hospital was never a scary place. When Anita had a meeting, she took them along and they colored pictures at the nurses’ station. Every Halloween, they stopped at the hospital so the staff could fuss over their costumes. They ran its wide hallways and memorized its friendly faces.

When Jordan grew up to become a dispatcher at the Crete Police Department and a volunteer member of the fire and rescue squads, he still walked up to the nurses’ station after rescue calls, just to visit.

26 Fall 2013

Anita Lampila and her son, Jordan

CRETE AREA MEDICAL CENTER Jordan’s health journey Jordan is 31 now and facing an uncertain future. His symptoms began in the fall of 2012. They seemed innocuous at first: a little weight loss, a picky appetite. But when he had unexplained bleeding, Kurt Schmeckpeper, PA-C, scheduled tests, which led to a colonoscopy.

“That was the first day of March. First day of hell, really,” Jordan says, trying to keep his voice light, but falling just short.

Doctors had listed several possible reasons for his symptoms, including cancer. Jordan expected a diagnosis of something besides cancer, although his inner voice reminded him that his grandfather had lost his life to colon cancer caught too late. When Jordan woke up, kind voices began to explain to him that it was cancer and it was bad.

Over the next hours, he heard phrases his mind couldn’t absorb all at once. His colon was full of polyps. He would lose his colon. He needed a CT scan. Stage 4. Spots in the liver, lungs and abdomen.

The next eight days were the hardest of his life.

Jordan met with medical oncologist Stacey Knox, MD, of the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center (and also a partnering specialty physician with CAMC). Because of Jordan’s age and the advanced stage of the cancer, he would begin chemotherapy before surgery. Chemotherapy began within days. He settled into a treatment routine, like a terrible roller coaster he had to ride. He would drive to the cancer center every two weeks on Wednesday. After four hours of chemo, he’d leave with a pump that administered more of the cancer drugs. On Fridays, the outpatient staff at CAMC would remove the pump and do lab work. Side effects increased with each treatment. In addition to nausea and body aches, he could not handle cold, whether it was drinking water or cold food or holding cold silverware.

Strong support made a bad situation better. “I have unlimited rides to Lincoln, Omaha and anywhere I need to go.

The police department, the fire department, they have really been there for me,” he says. The support included a fundraiser by the Fraternal Order of Police and Crete Fire and Rescue Department that drew 750 people, overwhelming Jordan’s family with kindness from the community and surrounding area.

After 14 rounds of chemo, Jordan is in the maintenance chemo stage now — a limbo of evaluating and waiting. He hopes to soon know if surgery is in his future.

“Do I plan for something? Do I start a relationship? Buy a newer car? It’s still not very clear on what the future holds — but coming up here has been nice and easy on me. Familiar faces make my anxiety drop down.”

Anita’s health journey “I think if the hospital and clinic hadn’t sent me that letter, I probably wouldn’t have gone in to get my mammogram,” says Anita, who works 12-hour night shifts at CAMC. In early summer, she developed pain in one breast, but attributed it to a history of cysts. The pain became more frequent. When it coincided with a letter in the mail reminding her of the importance of mammograms, she decided to get it checked, even if she was still busy helping Jordan.

Tammy Schroeder, APRN, scheduled a mammogram, then an ultrasound, and finally a needle biopsy. When Anita received a call July 3 to come into the clinic, she knew it wasn’t good news.

“Tammy came in. She sat down and pulled her stool up knee-to-knee with me and looked right in my eyes. She read the report, and we talked for a long time. Again, just like with Jordan, it was hard to hear, but I appreciate hearing it from her and the people I know,” Anita says.

She is fortunate. They caught her cancer early. She has had a partial mastectomy, radiation and good reports. The hardest part was telling her family, still reeling from Jordan’s news.

When she finally told her co-workers, it was a relief. The next day, the night shift nurses wore pink to support her.

“They treated me like a friend and a patient. Everything had a personal touch. They know you. They can give you that little extra hug.”

As she watched them work from a patient’s perspective, she realized why she was just where she needed to be.

“I know these people. I would have gotten great care anywhere, but here, because I know them, I don’t have to worry. There’s one less unknown. I’ve been in surgery with them. I know the X-ray and admission people — I know the quality of care I will get without having to ask.” n To learn more about Jordan’s fight, go to: www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Jordan.

Bryan Journeys 27

IN SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY Here they come! Tyler Boyle (63) and Mary Kate Boyle (62) are first boy and girl in the one-mile run.

Proceeds from the run support education about depression and mental health. This year’s event also celebrated the 5th birthday of the Women’s & Children’s Tower with special events for kids of all ages.

Run to Overcome 900+ participate in annual event Sept. 29

The Toddler Trot is serious fun.

Finishing the 5K or 10K on your own terms is cause for cheering.

Contestants pick up the pace in the first-ever Diaper Dash.

Watch a video recap at www.bryanhealth.org/run-to-overcome or see the photo album at www.facebook.com/bryanhealth.

28 Fall 2013

ACHIEVEMENTS

Chad Poggemeyer, RRT, received a Life Saver Award for resuscitating a swimmer.

Jerome Wohleb receives a plaque from Kathryn Schultz, past president of the ASHP.

Laboratory technology manager Christy Nickel was recognized by her peers in the ASCP.

Poggemeyer’s life-saving efforts cited

Wohleb attains Clinical fellowship pathologists status salute Nickel

We’re tops in employee satisfaction

Nebraska City honored StarCare flight paramedic Chad Poggemeyer, RRT, with a Life Saver Award for his role last summer in resuscitating the victim of a swimming incident.

Poggemeyer was at that city’s local pool when 16-yearold Max Radke needed help.

The young swimmer was without a pulse after getting out of the water, so Poggemeyer started CPR, and lifeguard Alex Boyce dialed 9-1-1. Lifeguard manager Dan Madsen helped with CPR, and an AED was used. State Trooper Tom Giffee assisted, then the rescue squad continued life-saving efforts. n

Bryan Medical Center pharmacy director Jerome Wohleb, PharmD, MBA, attained fellowship status under the Practitioner Recognition Program of the American Society of HealthSystem Pharmacists. He was recognized this summer at the 2013 ASHP Summer Meeting in Minneapolis.

The society’s program recognizes excellence in pharmacy practice and promotes public awareness of pharmacists who have distinguished themselves. n

Bryan Health won the Advisory Board Company’s Excellence in Engagement Award, which recognizes top-performing hospitals for outstanding levels of employee engagement.

Brooke Cose, director of education and organization development, accepted the award on behalf of Bryan Health at the 2013 National Summit in Chicago. Joining her onstage was our employee engagement Cow mascot, who helped us “Enjoy the journey.”

The award recognizes Bryan’s commitment to creating a best-in-class work environment for employees. n

Laboratory technology manager Christy Nickel, MHA, MLS (ASCP)™, received a Regional Member Award from the American Society for Clinical Pathology during the organization’s annual convention in Chicago.

“The recipients were nominated by their peers and represent the best of our ASCP members,” says Jack Hager, chair-elect of the Council of Laboratory Professionals.

“I know I would not be here without the guidance and support of those who have mentored me along the way,” Nickel says. n

Brooke Cose and our mascot Cow accept the 2013 Excellence in Engagement trophy.

Bryan Journeys 29

VOLUNTEERS & CUSTOMER CARE Dick Spellman (left) and Gordan Bair have developed a unique working relationship through years of volunteering as a team at the information desk.

30 Fall 2013

VOLUNTEERS & CUSTOMER CARE

Friendship at the front desk

T

hey’re known as “The Tuesday guys.”

This dynamic duo has been together in the same spot at the same time for 7-and-a-half years. They’re comrades, like Snoopy and Charlie Brown, like Batman and Robin. They even dress alike, in dapper black vests with sharp black pants and white shirts.

They are Dick Spellman and Gordon Bair. They have developed a unique working friendship through their years of being the tag team at the information desk of Bryan Medical Center East Campus. They’re front and center, the first contact with the hospital for a patient or visitor.

Dick and Gordon work like a well-oiled machine. Someone comes into the hospital for a test. Gordon looks up the guest’s name on the computer to see where he or she should go, while Dick looks for the transportation order. They call the escort and the patient happily heads to the right place.

The two greet everyone who walks by. They answer the phone. They are peppered with questions. “Where is this patient?” “Where’s the ICU?” “Where can I get a newspaper?”

“Where’s the cath lab?”

“There’s someone each week that asks something we don’t know,” Gordon says.

Dick adds, “Gordon and I didn’t know each other before, but as volunteers we found we were quite compatible. Gordon and I both worked in business, so we’re people people.”

“I look forward to being here every week,” says Gordon.

“You get to talk to everyone and help people. We have people from out state. When you can help direct them to where they need to be going, you can see a real sense of relief.”

Between customers, Dick and Gordon talk. They like to chew on topics like farming, city government, city operations, all Nebraska sports, and each other’s families. On a recent shift, they couldn’t wait to discuss the previous day’s sale of the company Gordon used to work for.

There’s also good-natured banter with employees who walk by. Someone on a break stops to say “Hi” or to exchange funny stories.

“We have fun,” says Gordon.

Gordon became a volunteer when a friend from Rotary walked up to him and “very pointedly said you need to volunteer at Bryan, and you need to volunteer at the front desk.”

Dick joined the volunteers 16 years ago after he retired.

His wife had been a volunteer for 20 years. She passed away in January. He has three children, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Gordon joined Dick at the front desk seven and a half years ago. He will be married to Jo Anne for 48 years in December.

They have two children, a daughter in Washington, D.C,. and a daughter in Beaver Lake.

Dick has volunteered more than 2,000 hours at Bryan and Gordon more than 1,000. “I’m the upstart,” quips Gordon.

“Dick works much harder than I.” “We’ve done a lot of volunteering,” says Gordon. “I get a good feeling wherever I volunteer. It’s all interactive with people. It’s engaging. It’s a support group. It’s people to talk to.”

Dick says, “When you age, this is a good way of keeping active in the community.”

If someone were considering volunteering at Bryan, “I would encourage them to do it,” he continues. “I’m sure they could find a volunteer position they like; there are so many.

They could even do what they did in business life. There’s so many opportunities.”

“You can’t do anything but feel good,” Gordon concludes.

“Camaraderie — that’s the fun part of this job.” n To find out about volunteer opportunities at Bryan Medical Center, please call 402-481-3032, or visit www.bryanhealth.org/volunteer.

Bryan Journeys 31

BRYAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Biomedical Sciences major sets stage for health care careers

F

or Laurel Ahlman, the desire to pursue a career in health sciences came after the birth of her first child.

“The entire experience sparked my interest in medicine. Though I’ve been out of high school for several years, I’m now at a place in my life where I can make this dream a reality,” she says.

To begin the journey, Laurel enrolled in the new Biomedical Sciences program at Bryan College of Health Sciences. Launching its first class in August 2013, this program is unique in its specific focus on health care. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions with a major in Biomedical Sciences. For Laurel, this program is critical to her career path to become a physician.

“I’d like to go to medical school, though I’m not sure what specialty I’d like to focus on,” she says. “I was nervous about the curriculum at first, but the admissions team from Bryan College of Health Sciences reassured me of the training and resources available to me which will help me prepare for the MCAT and the transition to a higher-level degree.”

Basic science, human application

This degree opens doors to a broad arena of careers where basic scientific principles are used in practical applications to enhance human health. Even in its infancy, the program is generating interest from high school students and pre-med students throughout Nebraska. One student even transferred to Bryan from another university in order to enroll in the program, citing the desire to learn about sciences in an environment where hands-on learning is the chosen method for delivery.

Program director and Assistant Professor Kay Crabtree, PhD, is excited about the potential impact of the program.

“It’s a natural progression for Bryan College of Health Sciences,” Dr. Crabtree says. “We’ve been preparing students for careers in nursing, sonography and health professions for 85 years. The Biomedical Sciences major allows students to expand their paths to include goals of medical school, physician’s assistant programs, pharmacy school, public health, health care management, research and more.”

Competitive advantages With its unique focus on health care, this four-year program

32 Fall 2013

offers a number of competitive advantages over the traditional path at a university.

“The curriculum has a strong foundation in general education and the sciences. As students move through the program, they experience hands-on learning, incorporating the exploration of cadavers and plastinates, as well as participation in clinical or translational research,” says Dr. Crabtree.

Lincoln native Nick Schuller nabbed one of the spots in the inaugural class. He’s eager for the opportunity to study in such a tight-knit environment.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the size of my biology class.

I only have seven other students in the class,” Nick explains.

“Unlike students at a larger university, I’m not in a big lecture hall with hundreds of people. I get to be a participant, not an observer.”

Laurel appreciates the smaller class sizes as well, though she was more surprised by the depth of the content merely days into the semester.

“We dove right into the sciences!” Laurel points out. “With my high school education far behind me, I was worried that my limited knowledge of science, anatomy and biology might be a challenge. However, I’ve already connected with a number of resources designed to help students like me.”

By sharing details with other Bryan College of Health Sciences programs, students have access to peer tutoring and other resources. Some students prefer going straight to the instructor, which is possible in a program where the class size seldom exceeds 25 or 30 students.

“I really like the open door policy,” says Nick. “All of the instructors are more than happy to help you with anything.”

Foundation for success While many students apply to professional schools after graduation, the admissions staff and instructors are careful to remind individuals that a degree in Biomedical Sciences has merit on its own.

“It’s a competitive bachelor’s degree, with minors available in areas such as public health and health care management, which provide opportunities in research, leadership, and more,” says Dr. Crabtree.

BRYAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES During a lab, Assistant Professor Amy Knobbe, PhD, and students Laurel Ahlman (left) and Nick Schuller analyze fragments of DNA through a process called DNA electrophoresis, which separates the fragments by size.

Despite the newness of the program, Dr. Crabtree continues to dream about the future.

“We’d like to build and expand the research component — there are really no limits to what we can do from here,” she says.

Students Laurel and Nick look toward the future with anticipation, knowing the day-to-day learning within the program will bring them a few steps closer to realizing their destiny.

“I’m soaking up as much information as I can, through school, shadowing and other opportunities,” says Nick.

“I’ve seen the difference that doctors can have on the lives of patients and their families. I’m excited to leverage this opportunity as a springboard to get into medical school and ultimately pursue anesthesiology, neurology or another specialty.” n To learn more about the Biomedical Sciences program, visit bryanhealthcollege.edu.

To find out how you can support the Bryan College of Health Sciences, contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

Bryan Journeys 33

BRYAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Bryan faculty welcomes new faces Four instructors and the bursar joined Bryan College of Health Sciences this fall. Welcome: Melinda Bentjen, clinical instructor for nursing care, graduated from Bryan’s nursing diploma program in 2003, earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Bryan in 2012 and will receive a Master of Nursing Education from Bryan College of Health Sciences in December.

This Bryan alumna hopes to begin work on a doctorate next year. Bentjen has nine years of medical/surgical nursing experience.

Cindy Blake is the new clinical coordinator for the sonography programs at the college.

She earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and in 2007 graduated from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Bryan College of Health Sciences. She lives in Waverly and also works two days a week as a diagnostic medical sonographer at Saunders Medical Center in Wahoo.

Lesa Hoppe is a Bryan School of Nursing graduate who returned to her alma mater this year. As an assistant professor at the college, she teaches Family Health Nursing.

Hoppe graduated from Bryan’s nursing diploma program in 2006, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln the following year, and received a Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator) degree in 2011 from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln.

Her career includes positions in community health, progressive care nursing and clinical research, and she continues to work part time as a mother/baby nurse at Bryan Health. She plans to begin a doctoral program next year.

34 Fall 2013

Larry Morrison is the bursar, a new position at Bryan College of Health Sciences.

As bursar, he handles financial activities for the college, particularly student accounts. Morrison assists students with college business transactions, recording tuition, fees, books, financial aid and personal payments to each student’s account.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting at Peru State College. Before joining Bryan College of Health Sciences, he completed a 40year career in accounting for the State of Nebraska.

Kristy Plander, PhD, is an associate professor of general education at Bryan. She teaches Principles of Leadership, Human Resource Management, Healthcare Finance and Budgeting, and Healthcare Economics.

Dr. Plander received a Master of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studied for a semester in Japan, and earned a doctorate in business administration from Northcentral University.

She lists gerontology as a special interest; for her dissertation, she studied adult children who assist older-adult parents with money management.

Before joining the Bryan faculty, Dr. Plander was an assistant professor of business administration and director of the MBA program at Concordia University, Nebraska at Seward. She also has served as director of marketing and communications for Concordia University, office manager for South Lincoln Dermatology Clinic and Tallahassee Primary Care Associates and was a financial associate at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. n To find out how you can support the Bryan College of Health Sciences, contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

Are you a graduate? Check out the Bryan College of Health Sciences Alumni Association page at www.facebook.com/ bryanhealthcollegealumni. We’d love to hear from you!

COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS

Tailgate brings together alumni

Bryan College of Health Sciences Alumni Association hosted a tailgate party before the Huskers’ Sept. 14 football game in Lincoln. Among those gathering

to renew friendships were Larry and Jean (Hohbein) Hennings (she graduated from Bryan School of Nursing in 1959) in the photo at far left. Joyce (Hulme)

Harb and Mary (Heiden) Swanson, both graduates of Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1965, are pictured in the photo at right.

Welcome to our Fall Visit Day Prospective students and families are invited to the Fall Visit Day at Bryan College of Health Sciences.

Saturday, Nov. 9 Check in at 8:30-9 a.m., with the program from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

AFS gift supports scholarships at Bryan Action for Students Past President Andreea (Zochol) Baker (left) and President Tim Campbell and other AFS officers presented an $8,000 check to DeEtta Mayrose of the Bryan Foundation. The gift will go to the scholarship fund for Bryan College of Health Sciences. In recent years, AFS has donated more than $12,000 from various fundraising projects to the fund.

This will be a great day, focusing on you and your future as a health care professional. Tour the college and our exceptional teaching facilities. There’s also time to talk with faculty and students, learn about financial aid and participate in hands-on activities.

Register at bryanhealthcollege.edu, or call 800-742-7844, extension 18697.

Bryan Journeys 35

BRYAN STERLING CONNECTION

Your connection to fun and friends In upcoming months, there will be many opportunities to connect with fellow Sterling Connection members at a seminar or class or on a trip or at our holiday social.

Hope to see you soon!

Sterling Connection Holiday Social nears Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 1-4:30 p.m.

Plaza Conference Center, Bryan East Campus, 1500 S. 48th St. Refreshments and entertainment once again by the fabulous Tree Top Trio, featuring Tom Roth, Jeni Borer and Jana McGuire.

Make your reservations by calling 401-481-8355 or toll free 1-800-742-7844, and ask for Sterling Connection.

Join us for fun and travel in 2014 We offer a variety of wonderful travel opportunities. These tours sell out quickly, so make your reservations early.

One-day tours Orpheum Theater “Sister Act” Saturday, March 22 “Sister Act” is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash! Join your fellow Sterling Connection members for a fun Saturday afternoon in Omaha that includes a wonderful lunch.

Home Grown & Handmade in the Loess Hills of Iowa Thursday, June 12 So many interesting sights to see so close to home! Tour a creamery that makes goat cheese, Hitchcock Nature Center, Museum of Religious Arts, Harrison County Historical Village, Loess Hills Lavender Farm and more.

36 Fall 2013

Homesteaders to Church Pews Thursday, July 17 Relive the pioneer spirit at the Homestead National Monument. Other interesting sights include a church pew manufacturer, Beatrice Bakery — the home to Grandma’s Fruitcake — Yesterday’s Lady and more.

Trip brochures will be available Dec. 1, 2013.

Visit bryanhealth.org/travel to download your brochures, or call 402-481-3355 or 800-742-7844. Use your smartphone’s QR application to access this code.

Sterling Connection

Make sure you’re in the right Medicare plan for 2014

Extended vacations Salt Mines to Space Capsules Friday-Saturday, April 25-26 Explore the world of space in two ways, underground and above. This will be an eyeopening adventure when you visit the Kansas Underground Salt Museum and the Kansas Cosmosphere.

Mackinac Island Lilacs Saturday-Saturday, June 7-14 Discover the beauty of Mackinac Island in late spring as the lilacs bloom on this picturesque island. But the best part is the chance to stay overnight at The Grand Hotel.

There’s so much to see and do in Michigan on this fun vacation.

Irish Discovery Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 7-16 You don’t know the color “green” until you have visited Ireland. Beautiful sights await you on your trip to Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula and Dublin.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Saturday-Saturday, Oct. 4-11 Don’t miss your chance to see more than 800 hot air balloons ascend into the clear New Mexico sky at this one-of-a-kind event! Take an all-day steam train ride and tour a pueblo.

If you are covered by a Part D Drug plan, take time before Dec. 7 to make sure you have the right Medicare drug plan for 2014.

Even though your prescriptions may not have changed, your Part D plan for 2014 may have changed.

It’s easy to check your plan on the Medicare website — just go to www. medicare.gov. From the Medicare home page, go to Health and Drug Plans and then to Compare Drug and Health Plans.

Enter your Medicare and prescription information in this secure website, and the plan finder will help you determine which plan is best for you based on current medications you are taking and where you would like to purchase your prescriptions.

If you would like assistance, staff and volunteers through the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) are ready to help you.

In conjunction with SHIIP, Sterling Connection is hosting a series of drug card enrollment banks. Please bring your Medicare card and a complete list of your medications, including dosage. Appointments are required.

To schedule an appointment, contact SHIIP by calling 402-471-2841 or 1-800-234-7119.

Drug card enrollment banks are offered: • Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Bryan East Campus.

• Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Bryan East Campus.

• Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Bryan LifePointe Campus.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Shine a Light on Lung Cancer

Let’s MOVE, Lincoln!

Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Fairview on the Bryan East Campus, 4900 Sumner St. No registration is required for this free event.

Introducing a new program offering support and incentives to get you moving and keep you moving. Join us in the effort to increase physical activity in our community — starting with you!

We’re here to help you gain more energy, improve your health and feel better.

Bryan Health, in partnership with Lincoln Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates, Nebraska Hematology & Oncology, Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center and Williamsburg Radiation Oncology Center, invites you to join us for the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil. It’s the largest internationally coordinated awareness event for lung cancer.

The vigil provides hope, support and compassion for all those affected by this disease — from survivor to patient to loved ones.

This event empowers millions of participants to join this historic movement as we unite in one call to action: to triple survivorship by the end of this decade.

Hear Bryan Heart cardiothoracic surgeon Richard Thompson, MD, briefly describe why this event is important, and two survivors will share their stories.

Bryan Community Health Education and Sterling Connection present:

Fall Prevention

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Plaza Conference Center on the Bryan East Campus, 1500 S. 48th St. To register for this free presentation, go online to bryanhealth.org/calendar, or call 402-481-8886.

Every year one-third to one-half of people ages 65 or older experience a fall. Polly Kubik, physical therapist at Bryan Health, will discuss systems involved in maintaining balance, fall risk factors and how to decrease them.

Here’s what you get: • One-hour assessment.

• 90-minute program development and equipment orientation.

• 30-minute follow-up after one month.

• 20 percent off individual or group personal training sessions.

• 25 percent off a spa service.

• Enrollment in the three-month Bryan LifePointe MOVE FOR LIFE Challenge: - Access to all equipment, classes, pools and track.

- Online weekly nutrition, exercise, stress and life balance challenges.

- Weekly email reminders.

• FREE month of membership when you complete all weekly challenges and attend an average of three times a week.

• All of this for only $189 — you’re worth it!

Our experienced exercise staff is ready to help you succeed. Call 402-481-6326 for information or to schedule a tour of Bryan LifePointe at 7501 S. 27th St.

Go to bryanlifepointe.com for more details!

Special Holiday Packages

From pampering experiences to fitness to gift cards to use as you choose, our holiday specials package the best of The Spa at Bryan LifePointe and Bryan LifePointe Fitness!

Learn more at bryanhealth.org/holidayspecials.

Available Nov. 15, 2013. Gift cards for the amount of your choice make great stocking stuffers!

The Gift of “Ahhh...”

Bryan Journeys 37

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