Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Page 1B
Women appreciate minimally invasive surgery at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Patients typically recover more quickly with da Vinci®
Preferred Health Directory
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights For The Leader
chiropractic care
Recovery time is a major concern when women learn they need surgery, especially if they are caregivers and breadwinners. Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital is addressing this concern by offering the da Vinci® Si Surgical System, which utilizes state-of-the-art, robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive surgery. With robotic-assisted technology, surgeons operate from a console, viewing high-definition 3-D imagery of the surgical field and directing precise micro-movements of a surgical robot. Because smaller surgical incisions are used, patients typically experience shorter hospital stays, less pain and quicker recoveries. These procedures can help lower the risk of infection and minimize scarring.
Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss
Robotic Technology Offers Photo supplied Greater Range of Motion Physicians at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights now offer robotic surgery as an option for minimally invasive Concepcion Diaz-Arrastia, M.D., women’s surgeries. and Jennifer Whitelock, M.D., Memorial Hermann Greater Heights- ting at a console positions me in Diaz-Arrastia performs with robot- says Dr. Diaz-Arrastia. affiliated physicians, are among a more natural way to perform ic-assisted technology is a trachCutting-Edge Technology Close the physicians using this robotic- surgery, while my movements are electomy, or fertility preservation To Home translated to the robot in ultra-fine surgery. Used to treat early cerviassisted technology to perform Dr. Whitelock holds a special cal cancer, this procedure removes gynecological surgeries. Hyster- actions.” interest in robotic technology, havDr. Diaz-Arrastia, a gynecolothe cervix and upper part of the ectomy, or removal of the uterus, ing been introduced to it during gist-oncologist can perform mavagina while preserving the uterus. tops their list of the most comher residency training program. neuvers with the robotic-assisted As a result, women retain the abilmonly performed surgeries using “If the patient is appropriate for technology that are simply imposity to become pregnant. robotic technology. Other procethis surgery, it’s better for them dures include removal of ovarian sible with conventional laparo- Determining Good Candidates in comparison to an open procetumors, treatment of gynecologi- scopic tools, enabling her to obtain For Robotic-Assisted Surgery cal cancers, lymph node biopsies representative lymph node tissue Drs. Diaz-Arrastia and Whi- dure,” she says. Dr. Diaz-Arrastia feels it’s wonand fertility preservation surgery, samples while performing surgery telock evaluate patients individuto treat uterine or cervical cancer. derful to have this modern techto name a few. ally to determine if they qualify for “With this technology, we can this surgery. Some factors may dis- nology conveniently located at a Dr. Whitelock, an obstetriciangynecologist, appreciates the perform a hysterectomy in a mini- courage the use of robotic-assisted community hospital such as Merobotic intuitive motion-control mally invasive way with five inci- technology. “Bad lungs caused by morial Hermann Greater Heights, technology that mimics her natural sions that are under one-half inch smoking, high body mass index and saying “I’m a big believer that paeach, which means patients usu- large specimen removal are gener- tients belong close to home.” movements more precisely. To learn more about this ser“The robotic technology al- ally go home within 24 hours of ally the reasons we are unable to lows more freedom and range of surgery,” says Dr. Diaz-Arrastia perform gynecological surgeries vice, call 713.222.CARE, or visit Another procedure that Dr. with robotic-assisted technology,” memorialhermann.org. motion,” says Dr. Whitelock. “Sit-
Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A. 713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
obstetrics / Gynecology
MHGH hires new VP, CNO Dr. Stephanie Fulton
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights For The Leader
Photo by Betsy Denson Karuna Diedericks will operate a plant based cooking school at The Farm, an 8-acre property operated by ISKCON of Houston.
Healing foods cooking school open at The Farm For The Leader
When The Leader visited with local chef Karuna Diedericks two years ago, she had started a cooking and consulting business to build upon a personal chef service she had offered since 2011. It was centered on Ayurvedic principles — Ayurveda being the traditional medicine of India dating back 5,000 years. Now she is fine tuning her vision and taking the endeavor full time, partnering with ISKCON of Houston to offer cooking classes at their eight acre property in Shady Acres. An Ayurvedic practitioner who earned her degree from the California College of Ayurveda in 2007, Diedericks said that the impetus for shift-
ing gears was part necessity and part passion. “I was also doing education and sales for ten different vitamin and skin care lines with Whole Foods and other health food stores, but when Amazon bought Whole Foods there was no need for a middle man and my job became obsolete,” she said. “I also felt my calling was to help people transition to a plant based diet because I’m always getting asked about it. I wanted to help people find their natural balance in other areas of their lives as well. Ayurveda is about physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.” Diedericks decided to move away from chef work and hired a business coach to help her drill down on her plans to be See Cooking P. 3B
Ann Szapor, MBA, BSN, RN, NEABC, has been named Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital. As CNO, Szapor has executive oversight of regulatory standards, compliance, patient satisfaction, patient safety, quality of patient care, and employee engagement. “We are excited to have Ann lead our nursing team. Her extensive background in team building and leadership is supported by a collaborative mentality that elevates patient care,” said Susan Jadlowski, Senior Vice President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. “Ann has a track record of improving patient experience within multicampus health care systems, like Memorial Hermann Health System, and she will be an excellent addition to our team.” Most recently, Szapor served as CNO for Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. In that role, she directed multiple collaborative initiatives to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience and reduce nursing turnover. Before her role in Florida, Szapor spent 25 years at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where she rose from a staff nurse to Assistant Vice President of Nursing. “I am proud to join the nursing team at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. They have already proven their dedication to excellence and high-quality patient care by becoming a Magnet designated facility, and I am energized by the opportunity to lead them,” said Szapor.
Stephanie Fulton, M.D.
1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
Major Hospitals
Photo supplied Ann Szapor, new MHGH Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer.
Szapor earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Villanova University and a Masters in Business Administration at St. Joseph’s University, both located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is board certified as a Nurse Executive through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She recently relocated to Houston with her husband of more than three decades, Larry. She also has four grown sons and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family in her free time. A 260-bed facility, Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital has provided award-winning care to families in the community for over 50 years. More than 600 affiliated doctors provide a wide range of medical specialties, including heart and vascular, cancer treatment, total joint replacement, rehabilitation and women’s care.
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
QUALITY CARE FOR WOMEN, DELIVERED DAILY IN THE HEIGHTS. Our family-centered approach focuses on making your childbirth experience as memorable and positive as possible. From the time you learn you are pregnant until your child is born, you and your baby benefit from specialized medical care delivered by our highly skilled affiliated physicians and nurses. Our Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides advanced care for preemies and babies with special medical needs. And we provide the added reassurance of expedited access to a higher level of care when needed at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. To schedule a tour or obtain a physician referral, call 713.222.CARE.
Located at Loop 610 and Ella Boulevard memorialhermann.org/heights