Elevate Fall 2016

Living at the height of wellness Fall 2016 | Volume 4, Issue 4

Fighting Chance

New research is helping patients like Kathy Weber beat lung cancer Page 7

Ankle answers Page 3

Preventing Antibiotic Resistance in Kids Page 4

Steps to stop diabetes Page 9

Menopause myths Page 10

environment

Deck the halls with

health

Clear out the holiday clutter These days, everyone’s obsessed with de-cluttering. Why not apply these simplifying techniques to your holiday traditions as well?

• Clean out your holiday calendar by being more selective about the events you attend to give yourself some downtime • Aim to spend less on gifts and more on experiences and time together • Slim down your to-do list by focusing on essentials and skipping the extras Actually de-cluttering can help, too! A recent study found that when people in a neat kitchen were offered cookies, they ate an average of 38 calories, compared with 103 calories’ worth for those in a messy, chaotic kitchen.

The holiday season is almost here. And that means your calendar will

soon be packed with plays, pageants, office parties, and family gettogethers. It also means extra traffic, hurried shopping trips, and plates piled high with holiday treats to tempt you from your healthy habits.

But getting your environment in order can help you feel more in control, and it’s also one of the focus areas that helps guide the CREATION Health lifestyle, a scientifically proven approach that forms the foundation of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s wellness programs.

One of the simplest ways to take control is by working to make the healthy choice the easy choice, says Eric Shadle, group manager for CREATION Health.

“It can be as simple as eating a healthy meal before heading to that holiday party to keep from overindulging. But also go deeper to examine the people you surround yourself with, and how they influence your healthy (or unhealthy) behaviors,” Shadle says. He also recommends establishing a healthy holiday tradition, like running in a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.

“The choices we make are entwined with the traditions we set, so do what you can to keep yours healthy,” he says.

The good news on holiday weight gain If you’ve heard that the average person gains 7 to 10 pounds during the holidays, relax. It’s actually closer to just 1 pound. But remember that even a pound or two adds up over the years.

Give yourself the gift of sleep Not only does a lack of sleep zap the energy you need to complete your daily tasks, it also weakens your self-control and thus your ability to stick with healthy habits.

Take back your zzzs by finetuning your sleep environment: • Light: Turn down the lights about an hour before bed to help your body prepare for bedtime — and turn off all your electronics • Sound: Run a fan or sound machine to block out other noises • Smell: Try using soothing scents like jasmine or lavender • Temperature: Keep your room between 60 and 67 degrees for optimal sleep

ELEVATE is published four times annually by Castle Rock Adventist Hospital — Portercare Adventist Health System. Executive editor is Christine Alexander. As part of Centura Health, our mission is to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement and not replace advice provided by a licensed health care professional. For comments or to unsubscribe to this publication, please email us at elevate@centura.org. ELEVATE is produced by Clementine Healthcare Marketing.

2350 Meadows Boulevard | Castle Rock, CO 80109

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CREATION Health is a wellness program designed to support whole-person health.

PUT YOUR

best foot forward They take us everywhere we need to go, so it’s only fitting that we show them some love. Jessica L. Herzog, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, shares tips on caring for your feet, as well as recent advances in ankle replacement surgery.

Ankle replacement moves forward

5 big foot care tips for diabetes

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When you have diabetes, proper foot care is essential. Here are five of the most critical tips to keep up with, according to Herzog: Examine your feet. Use a mirror if needed, or get help from a family member. “You want to make sure you’re not seeing any areas of pressure or calluses forming, which could turn into an open sore,” she says.

After bathing, dry between your toes.

This can keep tissue from breaking down and causing a sore.

Maintain tight glucose control and hemoglobin A1C levels.

Don’t ignore burning, tingling, or numbness, which can be the start of neuropathy.

See a podiatrist regularly. “Most insurance plans provide coverage to be seen by a podiatrist every three months for preventive care,” Herzog says.

We hear a lot about joint replacement for hips and knees, but ankle replacement is gaining ground due to the considerable progress made recently in ankle implants. “We’re on the fourth generation of implants now, and the first generation only allowed up-and-down motions. Over time, they’ve been able to incorporate the full range of motion,” Herzog says.

However, she cautions that ankle replacement is only for a very select group of candidates: • At least age 50.

• Healthy body weight.

• Minor (or no) other foot or knee deformities present. “If there’s a big deformity at the adjacent joint, the ankle replacement could fail,” she says.

• Minor (or no) post-traumatic ankle injuries.

• For those who aren’t candidates for replacement, ankle fusion is an alternative. “It’s the gold standard that’s been around for years, and patients actually do very well with fusion, getting excellent pain relief,” she says.

Are you a pronator or a supinator?

What’s the natural inclination of your foot and gait when you walk or run?

Check out this chart to find out and to discover the right shoe for you.

Foot type Prevalence Wear and tear

Shoe shopping

Wearing high heels every day shortens and tightens your Achilles tendon and may cause damage.

Pronators

Supinators

Flat feet More common In addition to foot pain, may also experience medial ankle or knee pain. As they tend to roll in versus out, it puts more pressure on their joints.

Shoes with motion control

Higher arch Less common Tend to wear out the outsides of shoes. May also have lateral ankle instability, a history of ankle sprains, and pain on the outside of the foot.

Shoes with more cushioning

Weak Ankles?

Certain people – and certain activities, such as being a soccer goalie – are more prone to ankle injuries. If you frequently twist your ankle, physical therapy can help strengthen muscles to prevent injury. Call the Castle Rock Adventist Center for Rehabilitation for more information at 720-455-3700.

< Dr. Jessica L. Herzog castlerockhospital.org

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When antibiotics aren’t the answer Learn what they work for — and don’t — and how to ensure your children won’t become resistant to their effects

2 million The number of Americans infected each year with antibiotic-resistant bacteria

If your children have a cold or flu, you want the best care for them — and that includes the best medicine. But that doesn’t mean antibiotics are in order. We spoke with Donald Traver, MD, a pediatrician at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, about when antibiotics should be prescribed and how to avoid overuse.

Q: Why won’t antibiotics help colds and flu?

Colds and flu are viruses, and antibiotics aren’t helpful in treating them because they are targeted to treat infections from bacteria, not from a virus. That’s why when you take them for colds and flu, you don’t see any improvement. Cold and flu symptoms such as a cough, congestion, and fever are best treated with fluids, rest, nasal saline and suction, a humidifier, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Q: What do antibiotics help that may be related to a cold or flu?

Three of the most common cold- and flu-related complications treated with antibiotics include sinus infections, ear infections, and pneumonia.

Q: What can parents do to help prevent antibiotic resistance in their child?

If you believe the illness is viral, there are a few things to avoid: • Don’t demand antibiotics from your child’s physician • Don’t give your child leftover antibiotics from a previous illness • Don’t allow your child to take antibiotics prescribed for others If your child is prescribed antibiotics: • Don’t skip doses, even if he or she is feeling better • Don’t stop giving the antibiotic early, unless instructed to do so by your child’s physician Head to the ER If your child has a cold, the flu, or another respiratory illness, it can be difficult to know when to seek care. If your child shows these symptoms, you should call your pediatrician or head to urgent care or the ER: • Appears weak and lethargic • Has a fever over 104 • Is severely dehydrated (urinating less than every eight hours and lacks normal mucus) • Is having breathing difficulties Castle Rock Adventist Hospital offers 24/7 pediatric emergency services in its main emergency room. To find out wait times, go to southdenverhealth.org/ER-wait-times.

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Q: Why is it important to use antibiotics only when necessary?

The infections they’re designed to treat have adapted to them over time, rendering them less effective.

Reading the

Signs

concern

screening/action to take

Hearing and vision

Annual visits starting at age 3 for eyes and 4 for hearing

Speech and language Ages and Stages Questionnaire: A standardized screening tool problems for kids up to age 5 that helps gauge developmental progress in young children Learning disorders like dyslexia

Rooting out the true cause of changes in your child’s behavior Now that school’s back in session, if you find that your child is struggling in class — particularly when he or she hadn’t before — it can be easy to switch into worry mode. But the issue could be as simple as your child not getting enough sleep, or vision problems creeping up. Before leaping to the conclusion your child has learning or behavioral problems, make sure to get simple screenings and keep close notes on behaviors and symptoms to share with your pediatrician, says Donald Traver, MD, a pediatrician at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. “It’s also important for parents to have a relationship with their child’s teacher, so they can share concerns if they see red flags.”

Clues in school-age children: • Difficulty connecting letters with the sounds they make • Becoming withdrawn because reading is stressful or difficult • A history of reading problems in parents or siblings Inattention and/or hyperactivity

“ADD and ADHD are problems that we see frequently, and the hard thing is trying to decipher if it’s simply an active child or one who truly has inattention and/or hyperactive issues that are impacting life at school or home,” Traver says.

What to watch for:

Hyperactivity • Distractibility in multiple settings (home and school) • Quiet time is hard for them • Always on the go as if driven by a machine • Blurting things out/frequently needing redirecting in class

“Sometimes kids cross over and have both inattention and hyperactive symptoms,” Traver says. “It’s important to communicate issues that both you and their teacher are seeing to your pediatrician, who can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to help obtain a diagnosis.”

castlerockhospital.org

Clues in preschool years: • Mispronounced words • Persistent baby talk • Difficulty learning and remembering letters, especially in their name • Can’t remember nursery rhymes

Inattention • Needing constant task redirection • Failing to complete tasks • Disorganized and/or forgetful • Easily distracted in class Sleep problems also can be the cause of irritability or inattention.

Report symptoms such as snoring, gasping for breath during sleep, daytime sleepiness, and bed-wetting to your doctor who may want to order a sleep study, available at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. Tonsillectomy may help relieve the crowding in the back of the throat that often causes apnea.

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Moving

Target Breast screening guidelines keep changing, but women don’t need to be confused

It happened again. Another agency, in this case the American Cancer

A New View The latest technology in breast screenings is tomosynthesis, or threedimensional mammography. Rather than creating just two images of each breast, tomosynthesis uses multiple low-dose X-ray pictures to create a series of 3-D views. “Having so many images means greater accuracy and fewer callbacks due to false positives,” Phillips says. “Centers like ours, using 3-D mammography, are detecting 40 percent more invasive cancers.”

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To schedule a mammography, call the Centura Health Breast Care Center of your choice.

Or text your name to the number shown, and a scheduler will call you to set up your appointment.

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital 2350 Meadows Boulevard Call: 720-455-1111 Text: 720-644-0880 Centura Health Meridian 9949 South Oswego Street Call: 303-269-4150 Text: 303-816-8648 Centura Health Southlands 6069 South Southlands Parkway Call: 303-269-4150 Text: 303-816-8648 Littleton Adventist Hospital 7700 South Broadway Call: 303-738-2767 Text: 720-358-5412 Parker Adventist Hospital 9397 Crown Crest Boulevard Call: 303-269-4150 Text: 303-816-8648 Porter Adventist Hospital 2555 South Downing Street First Floor Call: 303-765-6500 Text: 303-872-7469

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Society, changed its recommendations on when a woman should get screening mammograms.

No one would blame women if they just threw their hands up and ignored the whole issue, but that’s not an option, says Jinnah Phillips, MD, a board-certified Dr. Jinnah Phillips radiologist and women’s imaging specialist at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

Mammograms are essential to detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most treatable, she says.

“Our goal is to detect cancer as small as possible, as soon as possible. That’s the direct correlation to survival,” Phillips says. “You want to catch it before you can feel it.”

Phillips keeps a close eye on the various recommendations and the research guiding these decisions so she can help women navigate the waters. Given current research, her belief is that women in good health and at average risk should start annual mammograms at age 40. This is the recommendation of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the American College of Radiology.

Women with a family history of breast cancer should Our goal is to discuss with their doctors how early and how often to detect cancer as undergo screening. In general, a woman with a family small as possible, history of the disease should have her first mammogram 10 as soon as years earlier than the age of the family member when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Phillips says. possible.

About 10 percent of breast cancers are caused by a genetic mutation, so women with a family history also should discuss possible genetic counseling with their physicians.

Women should continue to have annual mammograms as long as they are in good health and expect to live 10 years or longer, according to the American Cancer Society.

hope A reason to

Lung cancer is on the rise among women who’ve never smoked.

But new research brings optimism.

Kathy Weber takes a swing at the idea that only smokers get lung cancer.

Nurses are trained to watch for signs: indications of pain or discomfort in their patients, or results or readings that are out of the norm. So when Kathy Weber, a fit, 49-year-old neonatal nurse practitioner at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, couldn’t make it through the push-ups in her usual workout, perhaps it was her nurse’s instinct that guided her to seek answers.

“It wasn’t pain; something was just different,” Weber says.

it’s not an anomaly either. One in five women with lung cancer has never smoked.

When diagnosed at stage I, more than half of patients survive more than five years, according to the National Cancer Institute.

But once the cancer has spread outside of the lung, survival rates dramatically decrease, says Karng Log, DO, a hematology/oncology specialist at Mile High Oncology. “That’s why early detection is so important with lung cancer.”

Listen to your body An initial X-ray showed a spot on Weber’s lung and since she was a nonsmoker, it was thought to be a fungal infection. But Weber sensed it was something more, and further testing found that the spot was stage 1A nonsmall cell lung cancer.

While Weber’s diagnosis isn’t common,

Seeing the silver lining Yet as tough as the numbers are, Weber says, “There’s actually tons of hope right now in lung cancer research.”

In fact, lung cancer research is leading the way in all cancer research, Log says. “Lung cancer is the first cancer where we really started to look at the genome, and we’ve

translated that knowledge to other types of cancers.” This has led to treatments that are drastically different today than they were even just five years ago.

Two and a half years ago, Weber had surgery to remove the right upper lobe of her lung. Today, she says she is “clean,” with no signs of cancer. And she wants to help others stay that way.

“I want people to know that if you have lungs, you can get lung cancer,” she says.

November is National Lung Cancer Month. To learn more about the risks and symptoms of lung cancer, visit lungcancer.org.

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado.

castlerockhospital.org

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Thawing a frozen shoulder

It’s a problem that affects just 2 to 5 percent of the population but if you’re among them, you know how painful and debilitating “frozen shoulder” (also known as adhesive capsulitis) can be. Your shoulder capsule thickens and tightens — and stiff bands of tissue or adhesions form. The condition often begins with joint pain and stiffness, progressing to the point where you’re unable to move your shoulder — on your own or with assistance.

While its cause may be unclear, people with diabetes or a thyroid condition are at higher risk. And there are other factors, too, says Anthony Sanchez, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

“Repetitive overhead activity often results in bursitis, which can cause it indirectly,” he says.

Frozen shoulder typically occurs in three phases. Here’s a look at what you can expect and the treatment options available for each.

STAGE

Anthony Sanchez, MD, is a boardcertified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and reconstruction, arthroscopic surgery, and sports medicine.

His practice, Centura Orthopedics, has offices at 2352 Meadows Boulevard, Suite 300, in Castle Rock, and at 9695 South Yosemite Street, Suite 255, in Lone Tree. Call 720-455-3775 to schedule an appointment, or visit centuraorthopedics. com.

ESTIMATED DURATION

Freezing: 6 weeks9 months Pain gets worse; range of motion decreases

Frozen: Pain may improve, but stiffness endures

Thawing: Shoulder slowly returns to normal (or near normal)

4-6 months

WHAT TO EXPECT

“I usually see patients two to three months after the pain has started and limitations in motion are present. I obtain an MR arthrogram (dye within the joint, followed by an MRI) to make sure nothing else is causing it, such as rotator cuff or labral tears,” he says. Common treatments include: • Anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Heat, such as topical ointment or heating pads to relax muscles.

• Physical therapy.

• Injections: “We typically only do one injection,” Sanchez says. “Studies show injections really only help with pain temporarily, not motion, and patients want their motion back.”

He recommends seeking treatment when you have increased pain and a decreased ability to perform daily activities.

“I typically give patients six months of conservative treatment, and from there proceed with arthroscopic release of the adhesions, followed by gentle manipulation,” Sanchez says.

During the procedure, the surgeon cuts through tight portions of the joint capsule via small incisions with the goal of stretching and releasing the stiffened capsule. Manipulation involves gently forcing shoulder movement, thereby stretching or tearing scar tissue and releasing it, increasing your range of motion.

6 months- During this phase, physical therapy is key to restoring flexibility and range of 2 years motion.

“This condition is estimated to last between 18 and 24 months, but about 95 percent of my patients don’t want to wait that long to get moving again,” Sanchez says. “They lead active lifestyles and if there’s a quicker solution or procedure to help them keep moving, they’d rather pursue that.”

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Learn what to expect and how to treat your shoulder at every stage of this condition

Small Changes Add Up

Tell PREDIABETES to take a hike Grab an apple. Take a walk.

Castle Rock family physician Christopher Dollar, MD, says small, quiet, persistent lifestyle changes can lead to amazing success in preventing or even reversing type 2 diabetes.

Think you don’t need to worry? Don’t be quick to ignore the subject. One in three healthy 45-year-olds is prediabetic — but one in eight of those people doesn’t know it. Prediabetes is when a person’s blood sugar is elevated, but the disease hasn’t progressed into full-blown diabetes.

Knowledge is power “Everybody over 45 needs to be screened, period.

Prediabetes is so prevalent,” says Dollar, a family physician with Ridgeline Family Dr. Christopher Dollar Medicine at the Meadows.

“We want to catch people before they are diabetic.

There’s a lot of effort by family physicians to recognize the condition early and jump on it.”

The main screening for diabetes is an A1C blood test, which measures blood sugar levels. While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, by being aggressive earlier you can reduce your risk and lessen the complications, including severe vascular, kidney, and nerve damage; heart attacks; stroke; blindness; and loss of limbs.

1in 3

healthy 45-year-olds is PREDIABETIC

Small changes, big effects “Study after study show that lifestyle changes — a healthy diet combined with sensible exercise — can prevent progression from prediabetes to diabetes,” Dollar says. Surprisingly, research is finding that moderate activity can be more effective than vigorous. A study published this summer, for instance, found that brisk walking 7.5 miles a week was more effective at helping the body process sugar than jogging 11.5 miles per week. The most effective program, however, was combining a low-fat, low-calorie diet and moderate activity, Duke University researchers found.

If you are 45 or older, talk to your doctor about being tested for prediabetes. To make an appointment with Dr. Dollar at Ridgeline Family Medicine at the Meadows, call 720-455-3750.

Ridgeline Family Medicine at The Meadows Alexander Building 2352 Meadows Boulevard Suite 300 Castle Rock, CO 80109 Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-Noon ridgelinefamilymedicine.org

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Night sweats.

Mood swings.

Changes in your menstrual cycle.

Chalk it up to other s health issue

All part of menopause, right?

Not so fast, says Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Gynecologist Anne Marie Woodward, MD, (formerly Anne Nagashima).

While there are a number of changes typically caused by the loss of estrogen during menopause, these symptoms could be signaling something more serious. Here are some common symptoms that may not be menopause.

When it’s not menopause Night sweats. “Often night sweats are from going through the change in life, but they can also signal lymphoma — especially if it’s in conjunction with weight loss and fatigue — I’ve seen that missed,” Woodward says. “It’s an easy thing to check blood work to make certain that everything is normal.”

Hot flashes. “Research has shown that, as early as 35, some women may have hot flashes and night sweats a week before their period,” Woodward says. Hot flashes, at other times of the month, may be caused by other things, such as medications and hyperthyroidism, and should be checked.

Hair loss. Though it’s sometimes associated with menopause, hair loss also can denote a thyroid problem.

Irregular bleeding. “Women assume there will be irregular bleeding at the onset of menopause. However, what is normal is to have lighter periods that may be a few days closer together, she says. If there’s spotting in between periods, the periods get heavier, or are closer than 21 days, this could indicate polyps, myomas, hyperplasia, anovulation, or uterine cancer, and should be evaluated.

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When it is menopause If your symptoms are menopause-related, there are ways to get relief, including: Hormone therapy. This works for most women who are able to use hormones. “Fifteen percent of women will continue having hot flashes throughout their lives,” Woodward says. “This means we have to individualize the therapy based on what’s best for them and the severity of their symptoms.”

Antidepressants. Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Lexapro can be effective in treating hot flashes, Woodward says. “It can also elevate the patient’s mood and help them sleep. SSRIs can help in a lot of areas.”

Procedures. “Often women are afraid that abnormal bleeding or other problems mean they’re going to need a hysterectomy, but there are other things we can do, including in-office procedures such as ultrasounds, biopsies, and minor surgery,” Woodward says.

Outpatient surgeries such as endometrial ablation and hysteroscopic resection — where the doctor removes uterine fibroids and polyps, in minutes, under light sedation — also are an option.

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Common symptoms that look like this life stage could actually be a sign of something else

Test your

varicose vein risk

As a woman, your risk of developing varicose veins is higher than a man’s. Answer these questions to find out if you are at greater risk for varicose veins than the average woman.

Scoring: For each A answer, you score 0 points; B = 1 point; C = 2; and D = 3.

1. How old are you?

A. Younger than 25 B. 25 to 35 C. 36 to 49 D. 50 and older 2. Do other members of your family have varicose veins?

A. No B. One or two C. Several women in my family have had varicose veins Your score:

3. What is your body mass index (BMI)?

(Not sure? Visit cdc.gov/bmi to calculate yours.)

A. 24.9 or below B. 25 to 29.9 (overweight) C. 30 or higher (obese) 4. Do you spend long periods of time sitting or standing?

A. No B. Yes out of a possible 8 points.

What’s Your Risk?

A score of 6 or higher signals a greater-than-average risk of developing varicose veins. While enlarged veins are unsightly, more than vanity is at stake. They mean that you have damage to the valves in your veins, which operate to help your heart pump blood against gravity to its chambers for oxygenation.

Damaged valves allow blood to flow backward and pool. It’s this pooling that results in varicose veins.

They also can cause pain and lead to skin ulcers, infections, or even blood clots.

“It can happen very slowly over time,” says Phillips. “Your tired, aching legs are telling you something about your vascular health. So is any swelling.”

Maintaining a healthy body weight helps lessen pressure on veins. Avoid sitting or standing too long. If you don’t change positions frequently, it can hinder blood flow.

ABOUT DR. PHILLIPS Jinnah Phillips, MD, is a board-certified radiologist and women’s imaging specialist at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. She has 10 years’ experience in radiology, including three years in Castle Rock. She completed her residency in 2007 and fellowship in 2008 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and MageeWomens Hospital of UPMC.

Treatments at the Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Vein Clinic If you have varicose veins, spider veins, or venous ulcers, a better-tolerated radiofrequency ablation procedure can be used to seal off damaged veins and divert blood to healthier veins, Phillips says. Radiofrequency ablation uses lower temperatures and typically causes less pain than laser ablation, Phillips says.

To schedule an appointment, call 720-455-1111.

The Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Vein Clinic is located inside the hospital at 2350 Meadows Boulevard.

castlerockhospital.org

25% of women and 15% of men are affected by varicose veins.

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Pioneering health in Castle Rock.

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Ambassadors

of Compassion

A new program is designed to help local high school students succeed in life — and contribute to the lives of others

Having a caring heart is a true gift, but is it one that can be taught? While research shows that some children are naturally more concerned about the needs of others, studies also reveal that compassion can be learned. That’s the idea behind Ambassadors of Compassion, a new program Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is co-sponsoring this fall at two local schools.

The 12-week curriculum is part of a national resiliency program created by Lift Up America that helps students develop greater self-awareness, an awareness of others, and the capacity to contribute to the lives of others. The hospital is partnering with Infinite Peaks Holdings to pilot the program with 100 Mindfulness Boosts Compassion local high school students.

Research shows that practicing

“We’re very excited about this because mindfulness — being more aware of we’ve been wanting to find a program that the present moment without letting supports our wellness council community your mind wander into other things — assessment, which has a mental health begets more compassion. component,” says Mary Ann Littler, foundation chair at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital and vice chair of the hospital’s community board. “It also gives local companies the chance to get involved in the sponsorship and have employees participate as course leaders, which has shown to have positive effects for them, too.”

To learn about opportunities to become an Ambassadors of Compassion coach, call 720-455-2534. Donate to Castle Rock Hospital Foundation at castlerockhospital.org/gift.

Centura Health Virtual Care, powered by MDLIVE, provides virtual access to Centura Health physicians, anytime, from any place.

Now, there’s an easy way to get care from a board-certified physician, whether it’s in the middle of the night, during the week, or over the weekend.

Our virtual care program, powered

by MDLIVE, will connect you with a physician via phone or secure video to access care for common health ailments. Physicians are available 24/7 to diagnose, recommend treatment, and prescribe medication when appropriate.

There’s no need to wait days for an appointment or to struggle finding the nearest urgent care — ­ just sign in and talk to a doctor via secure video or phone from your home, office, or on the go. If you have a primary care provider, you may ask MDLIVE to forward a summary of your visit to this provider to keep your provider informed and your medical records together.

Go online and visit centura.org/ virtual-care, download the MDLIVE app, or call 1-888-905-7502.

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Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network. Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2016.