Healthy Carson Valley, Winter 2019 by cvmchospital

Winter 2019

It’s here! 3-D mammography comes to CVMC

MORE THAN YOUR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Growing to meet your needs Entering its 26th year serving the area, Carson Valley Medical Center is continuing to grow to meet the needs of the community. Since taking the helm of the organization this past June, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Prater has set about outlining a vision to build upon the tradition of compassionate service and

excellence already in place, and to enhance CVMC’s standing as the community’s healthcare provider of choice. 2019 will see the addition of 3-D mammography technology to CVMC’s advanced diagnostic imaging department, as well as an expansion of its behavioral health services. In the coming months, CVMC is also slated to

open a dedicated sports medicine and rehabilitation center, which will serve as a permanent and expanded home for the elite-level services already provided by the Rehabilitation Services department. “CVMC is a great organization with great employees serving a wonderful community,” Prater says. “It’s one of the main reasons I wanted to work here.

Our patient experience scores and quality outcomes have shown a very high quality of work accomplished here over the past several years. “Keeping that in mind, there are a number of areas we felt we would be able to grow in order to deliver expanded services and better meet the healthcare needs of the community. We’re excited to take these challenges on—and more excited to see what the future holds.” Carson Valley Medical Center —Continued on page 2

When you make your mammogram appointment with Carson Valley Medical Center this year, the latest in state-of-the-art imaging technology will be awaiting you. 3-D mammography technology uses an array of 25 X-Ray images taken over a 50-degree arc which are then assembled into a 3-D picture of the breast. The result is a clearer image that helps radiologists look inside the breast layer by layer to find tumors better than standard 2-D mammography alone, leaving breast cancer with no place to hide.

For more information, or to book an appointment, call 775-782-1533.

➜

See page 3

Know the symptoms of a heart attack

1107 U.S. Highway 395 N. Gardnerville, NV 89410

CARSON VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44

PAID

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

Healthy living

New leadership in Behavioral Health Services —Continued from page 1 has offered behavioral health services to patients over the age of 65 through its Vitality for Life program for many years and will continue to do so. However, in 2018, growing requests from the community, area physicians and healthcare partners led CVMC to begin exploring expanded options for behavioral health services. In an effort to direct the assessment and implementation of continued expansion into the field of behavioral health, CVMC hired Mary Teachout as

its first Director of Behavioral Health Services in November. Teachout comes to CVMC with an impressive mixture of frontline experience and indepth training and education. Most recently, she was the director of behavioral health for a medium-sized hospital system in Nebraska. Prior to that, she served in the same role for three years within a tribal health system in Alaska, where she worked with current CVMC CEO Jeff Prater. In the immediate future, Teachout and her team will be

CVMC adds rheumatology services Rheumatologist Leah Krull, MD, joins the Carson Valley Medical Center team

HEALTHY CARSON VALLEY is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of CARSON VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER, 1107 U.S. Highway 395 N., Gardnerville, NV 89410-5304, telephone 775-782-1500, website cvmchospital.org.

assessing a potential outpatient behavioral health clinic out of CVMC and integrating behavioral services into CVMC’s primary care clinics, as well as exploring a collaboration with local schools to provide services to local students. “One additional example could be building a critical incident response team to serve the community’s interests in times of tragedy. Those types of structural services allow us to find areas where we can partner with the community to ensure its behavioral health needs are

met as fully as possible.” She has already begun working with local stakeholders to identify and address the areas of highest need. “It’s a matter of meeting with everyone who hears or sees the mental health needs of our community—doctors, hospitals, schools, fire protection and emergency services, police, funeral homes, child protective services, the military base, support groups—to gain insight into what is most needed,” she says. “We don’t want to duplicate existing services within

LEAH KRULL, MD, is at the Job’s Peak Internal Medicine and Family Practice in Gardnerville one day a week and at the Carson Valley Medical Center at Ironwood building in Minden one day a week. “I’ve never worked at a small local hospital,” says Dr. Krull, who completed her medical training at the University of South Florida and in New York City. “When I interviewed here [with CVMC], I loved the staff, and the small community was just very appealing to work in. And the need for rheumatology in this area is great.” A rheumatologist is a physician trained in internal medicine who further specializes in musculoskeletal diseases and systems. They can treat and manage autoimmune conditions— conditions that affect muscles, bones and joints. Common diseases treated by a rheumatologist include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, gout, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Dr. Krull says her main focus is on building strong relationships with her patients in order to enhance and improve their treatments. “I like to get to know my patients as a whole, not just the joints or conditions I’m treating,” she says. “I discuss with them what they are

Jeff Prater Chief Executive Officer

comfortable with—what medicines, or if they want to try alternative therapies. I have found that when you take into account the patient’s desires as to how they want to treat their conditions, you get the best results.” “I’m just excited to be able to provide this care to these patients because I know that this area has really needed a rheumatologist for a long time. I’m excited to be able to offer that for people and be here to help them.” Dr. Krull also says she is looking forward to getting better acquainted with the community. “I love the outdoor activities, just being in the mountains,” she says. “I’m a Florida girl, so I am used to the beaches and that sort of thing. This area has a whole different world of outdoor activities to participate in—hiking, boating, skiing in the winter. I’m still learning to ski, but I enjoy it.” Your primary care provider may be able to provide a referral to see Dr. Krull. If you do not have a primary care provider, call CVMC’s Find-A-Doc hotline at 775-782-1545, and you will be given information on getting established with one of our 17 primary care providers serving Carson Valley.

➜

Shannon Albert Director of Operations

Information in HEALTHY CARSON VALLEY comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider.

Joey Crandall Marketing Coordinator

2 Carson Valley Medical Center • Winter 2019

the community. The goal is to see where the needs are, build a structure of services and expand on those.” “I’ve also realized, from starting to get involved on local task forces and meeting with community partners, that the foundation for behavioral health is already here. It is clear that people genuinely care about each other in this community. People help each other. They call and check on their neighbors. That is so important, especially when you’re talking about building a structure of enhanced behavioral health services in a community.”

Heart health

Listen to your heart

Why you should never ignore possible signs of a heart attack

itation l i b a h e R Services s expand At the close of 2018, Carson Valley Medical Center began moving much of its Business Services personnel to its Carson Valley Medical Center at Ironwood building in Minden. This opened up the former administration building, adjacent to the main hospital building in Gardnerville, to be converted into the new home of the CVMC’s Rehabilitation Services department. The department has outgrown its current space in the main hospital building and will soon be able to enhance its services in the expanded space. “Our Rehabilitation Services department has built a strong reputation within the community, and the current size of the patient base is evidence of that,” CVMC CEO Jeff Prater says. “We are excited to be able to place our physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services in a new, dedicated center where the department can continue to thrive and grow.” CVMC is committed not only to serving as the community’s provider of choice, but to expanding, improving and enhancing the level of healthcare available close to home for residents of Carson Valley and the surrounding region.

ONE DAY, s hortly after eating a big meal, you feel an unusual pain in your chest. You may wonder: Could it be a heart attack? But you don’t want to believe that—or upset your family with your concerns. Besides, what if the pain is just indigestion? But your family and friends are actually among the biggest reasons why you should never ignore any possible heart attack symptoms. The sooner you get emergency help for a heart attack, the better your chances of still being around for them. A heart attack happens when the heart’s blood supply is suddenly cut off, which damages the heart. If you call

911 and let an ambulance take you to a hospital, prompt treatment can help you survive with less damage to your heart.

As seen on TV? Don’t count on it Heart attacks aren’t always the swift and intense events that are portrayed on TV. So some people may delay calling 911 because they don’t realize that what they’re feeling is a heart attack. Most heart attacks involve discomfort (felt in the center of the chest) that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes. Many people describe it as pressure,

squeezing, fullness or pain. Other warning signs or symptoms can include: ➜➜Pain in the upper body—such as in the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, or one or both arms. ➜➜Shortness of breath. ➜➜Cold sweat, upset stomach or dizziness. ➜➜Extreme tiredness, especially in women. If you suspect that you might be having a heart attack, don’t second-guess yourself. Call 911 immediately. Your loved ones will be glad you did. Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health

February is American Heart Month Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death, accounting for more than 17.3 million deaths each year. In 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February as American Heart month. The commemoration was joined by a joint resolution in Congress in an effort to bring more awareness to cardiovascular disease which, at the time, accounted for more than half of the deaths in the United States. In recognition of American Heart Month and in hopes of encouraging those first important steps toward a healthy heart, Carson Valley Medical Center will be offering a special Heart Health screening package including an EKG, lipid panel and ankle brachial index screening through the end of February. Visit cvmchospital.org/heart for more information.

➜

cvmchospital.org 3

Around CVMC

Community wellness screenings

tes 2019 da20 Oct. 17

June Feb. 21 Nov. 21 July 18 Mar. 21 Dec. 19 Aug. 15 Apr. 18 ept. 19 May 16 S

Third Thursday of each month, CVMC Lab, 1107 Highway 395 N., Gardnerville, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ➜➜ $40 wellness panel (includes comprehensive panel and lipid panel). Requires 8-hour fast. Water and medications OK. ➜➜ $25 complete blood count (CBC). ➜➜$30 prostate evaluation (PSA). ➜➜$30 diabetes screening (A1C). ➜➜$35 thyroid evaluation (TSH). ➜➜$40 free thyroxine (Free T4). ➜➜$50 vitamin D. ➜➜$50 electrocardiogram (EKG). Patients must be 18 years or older. No physician orders or appointments necessary. Insurance plans will not be billed for community wellness services. Cash, check, and credit or debit cards are accepted.

➜

Take a look cvmchospital.org

Like us

facebook.com/ cvmchospital

C MYK / .ai

instagram.com/ cvmchospital

Parkw ay

rial

st ndu

y Wa

U.S. Highway 395 N.

oad

u nen

Carson Valley Medical Center

U.S. Highway 395 N.

Nondiscrimination policy statement Carson Valley Medical Center—Your Community Hospital complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race,

Muller Parkway

Facebook “f” Logo

Stodic k

Where to find us

Waterloo Lane

For more information about support groups, upcoming classes and wellness activities, call 775-782-1637 or visit cvmchospital.org/events.

➜ Coping With Change Support Group | Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 9:30 a.m. | Douglas County Community Center | Information: 775-782-1599

➜

nch Roa

➜ Men Kicking Cancer Support Group | First Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. | Carson Valley Medical Center Administration Building, 2nd floor | Information: 775-782-1528

Ra Virginia

➜ Diabetes Support Group | First Wednesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. | Douglas County Community Center | Information: 775-782-1528

Charlotte Way

➜ Breast Cancer Support Group | First Tuesday of each month, 1 p.m. | Carson Valley Medical Center Administration Building, 2nd floor | Information: 775-782-1528

The Carson Valley Medical Center Hospital Foundation is making preparations for its second annual Blue Jean Ball, at Jacobs Family Berry Farm, set for Saturday, April 13, 2019. The dinner and silent auction will feature live entertainment, dancing and great food all in the name of supporting excellent local healthcare services. Call 775-782-1697 or visit cvmchospital.org/ bluejeanball for more information or to purchase tickets.

Grant A venue

Classes and support groups

Save the date for the Blue Jean Ball

Riverview Drive

color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please call 775-782-1500.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 775-782-1500.