Pride health

Pride Health

A Dream Continued

May Cravath Wharton, MD and pioneer in the development of health care in Cumberland County, removes the first spade of earth for the Cumberland Medical Center Nov. 5, 1948. Some individuals participating in the ceremony are C.E. Keyes, city attorney at the time; Dr. May Wharton; Crossville city commissioners H.I. Bilbrey, M.E. Dorton and Chas. M. Smith; and J.F. Meisamer, superintendent of Uplands at Pleasant Hill. The youngster in the photo is Laird Smith.

CMC celebrates 65 years of community care

By Rebekah K. Bohannon Beeler Chronicle correspondent

Cumberland Medical Center (CMC) is celebrating its 65th anniversary of serving the medical needs of the entire region. Started in 1950, CMC has experienced many changes and expansions both in facilities and services that were no doubt the culmination of the excessive efforts and hard-won dreams of one very unique lady, Dr. May H. Cravath Wharton. The history that served as the foundation for the future of medical care in Cumberland County is nothing short of a love story. Dr. May was on a medical mission that led her here. A spring of wellness swelled inside her for all of her patients in the remote areas of the Cumberland Plateau, which eventually birthed CMC.

A woman, a pioneer, a doctor

The story began in 1873, when May H. Cravath was born in Minnesota. As with all fine accomplishments, her ambitions were deeply rooted in education. She attended Carleton Academy and later attended Carleton College. She finished her Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Dakota and became an instructor there. By 1905, she had acquired her MD from the University of Michigan.

She studied with the intentions of practicing medicine on medical missions in third world countries. Dr. May was a practicing physician in Atlanta, GA, where she lived with her mother after her father passed

away. There she met Edwin R. Wharton, a pastor and missionary, and the two were married in Fulton, GA, Aug. 7 1906.

Rev. Edwin Wharton and Dr. May took mission positions in Ohio and New Hampshire.

They were members of the American Mission Association (AMA) which was responsible for establishing Pleasant Hill Academy in 1884, a preparatory boarding school dedicated to the liberal arts, sciences, agriculture and vocational training. The AMA’s mission was to provide education to the rural students of the Cumberland Plateau. In 1917, Rev. Wharton was brought to Pleasant Hill to be principal at the academy and Dr. May was given the task of being the school physician.

Dr. May began treating more than just her students. With the eve of the end of WWI and the flu epidemic of 1918-’19, the pioneer woman doctor was resolute to see to it that everyone for whom she could treat was treated. The exhaustive work from assisting with the births of the community’s children to treating entire cabins full of families who had contracted the flu, Dr. May traveled by horseback and otherwise to get to those who needed her.

She had earned her degrees, her practice and the respect of men and women alike in a time when being a physician was a primarily male-dominated occupation.

She barreled through adversity after adversity and her calling was to heal and to treat the broken and sick. When her husband passed away in 1920, after battling hard the flu epidemic that reached him the

May Cravath Wharton came to Cumberland County in 1917 with her husband, the principal of Pleasant Hill Academy.

When he passed away in 1920, the community asked Dr. May to stay on and help care for themselves and their families. year before, Dr. May was intent upon leaving Pleasant Hill and serving elsewhere. Community members gathered together and asked for her to stay there, for they said they could not do without her. Having a missionary’s heart and a medical degree filled Dr. May with a compassion that could not be denied. Although she had meant to travel abroad in her medical missions, she found that the Cumberland region sorely needed her and her mission was here among her countrymen.

Dr. May was a very valuable

person and commodity to have in the area which otherwise had no medical care available.

With her fortitude, integrity and abilities, she was irreplaceable. The mountain people of this back country tugged at her heartstrings and she stayed.

The founding

Dr. May founded a two-bedroom clinic there in Pleasant Hill in 1921. A testament to her sheer will, in addition to the clinic, she also opened a 30-bed facility in 1922, and called it Uplands Cumberland Mountain Sanatorium which

included a quarantined area for tuberculosis patients. Her partners in health were nurses Alice Adshead and Elizabeth L. Fletcher. But, despite the opening of Uplands hospital and the addition of her nurses’ helping hands, hours upon hours of rigorous travel between house calls were taxing and the medical needs of the area quickly outgrew the facility. Dr. May created a network of outpost clinics in the outer lying communities of Ozone Falls, Big Lick, Ravenscroft, and Mayland in the 1930s to meet demand. Twice per month, Dr. May or her colleagues, Drs. Robert Metcalfe and Margaret K. Stewart, would visit each clinic.

Dr. May set up affordable healthcare available to all families in the area. Each family, whether of 15 or two, paid a monthly duty of $2 for medical care at the clinics. She was able to raise funds and land donations to build a general hospital in the later 1930s, as well as build the Van Dyke Tuberculosis Sanitorium.

By 1940, Dr. May was gaining national attention for her extensive efforts to provide the much needed medical care this area so desperately needed. The Kokomo (IN) Tribune published a story on Apr. 23, 1940, about Dr. May’s presentation to the Women’s Guild of the First Congregational Church. As reported, Dr. May told the Guild that in 1917, as a wife to the principal of Pleasant Hill Academy, she found the mountain people without medical aid, roads and money.

She elaborated on her experiences practicing in the remote See CARE page 2D

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CMC Timeline

1921 – Dr. May Cravath Wharton opens a two-bed clinic located at Pleasant Hill. This facility soon proves inadequate.

1922 - The Uplands Cumberland Mountain Sanatorium, a 30-bed hospital at Pleasant Hill, is founded.

1950 – As the medical needs of the community grow, plans for a regional health center are formed. These plans result in the founding of Cumberland Medical Center of Crossville, a 50-bed general hospital.

1960 – With growth in the community, Cumberland Medical Center strives to keep up by adding 32-bed C-Wing.

1969 – The second floor of Cumberland Medical Center opens. In addition to 40 more beds, a five bed ICCU area and a new Surgery Department, the Outpatient Department, Emergency Room and Cafeteria are renovated and improved and waiting rooms and offices are added.

1973 – North Wing is constructed adding 32 more beds.

X-Ray and Nuclear Medicine Departments are added. This project provides a new cafeteria and laundry and a more spacious kitchen. The new wing brings the bed count to 159.

1974 – A new outpatient clinic opens in August adding five suites of examining and consultation rooms, waiting rooms, nurse’s station, clinical office, and ambulance office, as well as new emergency rooms.

1975 – The hospital basement level, referred to as North Wing, is complete. Included in this addition is the relocation and renovation of the Board of Director’s room, Physical Therapy Department, Respiratory Therapy Department and Pharmacy Department.

1977 – An expansion is completed that includes new Laboratory, ICCU, and additional patient rooms that bring the total number of patient beds to 216.

1980 – A major project is completed that consists of the renovation and expansion of an existing 34 bed medical/surgical wing (C Wing) to a 32 bed obstetrical/GYN suite. The expansion includes a double corridor arrangement of 16 semi-private patient rooms, a full term nursery, two labor/recovery rooms, two delivery rooms, a father’s waiting room and adequate staff facilities. The project also includes extension of a medical/surgical wing (2North) to add 21 beds. These beds replace 21 beds lost in an earlier renovation, for a zero gain in beds.

1984 – CMC Medical Equipment Services opens 1986 – The Radiology Department is expanded to add a Computed Tomography System (CAT Scan). A new building is built on the hospital’s sub-basement level to house the new service.

1991 – Health C.A.R.E. Link opens at Fairfield Glade providing service to a fast-growing population.

1992 – Robert Couch retires after 33 years as President of Cumberland Medical Center.

1992 - Edwin S. Anderson is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer at CMC. 1993 – Cumberland Medical Center adds CMC Home C.A.R.E. to its growing list of services.

1994 – July - $10 million expansion and renovation project is complete and opens to the public. This project includes a new surgical suite, expanded physical medicine and rehabilitation department, new admitting/outpatient registration area, complete renovation and expansion of the emergency department, sterile processing and distribution, and the installation of an inhouse MRI unit.

1994 – Cardiac Rehabilitation program begins at CMC. 1994 – Cumberland Medical Center opens the Subacute C.A.R.E.Unit.

1995 – CMC Primary Care Center opens. The name is later changed to CMC Physician Group.

1996 – Lithotripsy and Cardiac Catheterization Services are made available to the community.

1996 – The Regional Cancer Center opens providing cancer treatment for the Upper Cumberland region.

1996 – CMC offers bone mineral density testing to fight osteoporosis.

1996 – Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is started for patients with chronic lung disease.

1997 – The CMC Wellness Complex opens providing opportunities for health and fitness programs for members.

2000 – CMC Celebrates 50 years of Service!

2000 – Senior Perspectives, a day treatment program for adults 60 and over opens broadening CMC’s service to the community.

2001 - Edwin S. Anderson retires January 2001 as President of Cumberland Medical Center 2001 - Jim McMackin assumes President/CEO role of CMC January 2001 2002 – New patient tower housing an expanded ICU and adult/peds private beds 2003 – Cath Lab opens and expands services to the plateau.

2004 – CMC at Physicians Associates opens allowing for off campus patient registration and physical therapy 2005 – Outpatient Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center opens 2006 – CMC opens new patient tower with all private rooms, new LDRP suites, conference center, gift shop, cafeteria, and administrative suites.

2007 – Hospital announces a partnership with Saint Thomas in offering the Chest Pain Center at Cumberland Medical Center 2007 – CMC Auxiliary donates $176,739 to hospital to purchase medical equipment to be used in the hospital.

2008 – Jim McMackin retires as President/CEO of Cumberland Medical Center. Ed Anderson comes out of retirement to assume duties as President/CEO. 2008 – CMC breaks ground on expansion for CMC Regional Cancer Center.

2009 – Cumberland Medical Center offers Elekta Synergy Radiation Cancer Treatment Therapy to community.

2009 – CMC opens a Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Center 2010 – Dr. Barry Wagner assumes the leadership role at CMC as CEO 2010 - Ed Anderson is elected Chairman of the Board of Directors 2010 - J. W. Brown is named Chairman Emeritus of the CMC Board of Directors 2010 – CMC initiates a hospitalist program 2011 – CMC initiates an orthopedic surgicalist program 2011 – CMC Auxiliary donates $100,000 for the purchase of state of the art ultrasound equipment 2012 - CMC Regional Breast Center Open Featuring the FullField Digital Mammography System 2012 – CMC engages Thompson Cancer Survival Center to oversee the management of the regional cancer center with Jordan Johnson serving as director and Dr. Zach Fowler as radiation oncologist 2012 - Construction begins on the Medical Arts Building at Fairfield Glade 2012 – Dr. Barry Wagner resigns as CEO; Larry Moore is named interim CEO 2013 – Ed Anderson is named CEO 2014 – CMC opens the Medical Arts Building at Fairfield Glade featuring physician offices, laboratory, and medical imaging services including digital mammography 2014 – CMC becomes a member of Covenant Health 2014 – Ed Anderson retires as CMC’s CEO and Jeremy Biggs is named Chief Administrative Officer of CMC

The Cumberland Medical Center, a member of Covenant Health, is staffed by 95 highly skilled physicians with more than 840 employees and 157 volunteers to deliver quality care to the residents of the Cumberland Plateau.

Physicians on staff include the specialities of anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, endocrinology, ENT, family medicine, general medicine, general surgery, geriatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, oncology, oral surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, radiology, radiation oncology, urology and vascular surgery. The hospital offers an in-house cardiac cath lab, inpatient dialysis services, medical imaging department, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and cardiopulmonary services. The emergency department is staffed 24 hours a day and hospitalists provide in-patient care 24 hours a day.

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• Continued from 1D areas of the region, including such details as riding horseback for miles to attend her patients and the academy’s students, combined with the flu epidemic, until all but five fell ill. Urged by this and similar conditions, Dr. May resolved to start a hospital. And from the 4-bed, crude establishment to the 40-bed, two-building hospital she had founded, it was in a small part what she had envisioned. She also told the Guild, “The people there are pure blood Americans and want to live in their own surroundings.”

The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, wrote a nationally syndicated column called “My Day.” In her column published June 4, 1940, she mentioned the work of Dr. May with the Uplands Association in the Cumberland Mountains: “The Uplands Hospital and Health Center was founded by Dr. May Cravath Wharton to try and give adequate medical care to the people of those mountain regions, who are so often ill largely due to chronic malnourishment and lack of opportunity for any medical advice and care. The staff goes out from this hospital and covers 600 miles of rugged, mountainous country extending its service through this area by holding mother and baby clinics and regular clinics in the most isolated areas. The hospital itself now has 50 beds and owns 230 acres of land. Tuberculosis takes a heavy toll in Tennessee, because where it occurs, the whole family is exposed.”

The Hill-Burton Act of 1946 gave federal and state support for hospitals that attended patients with general ailments but conditioned that they must be located in the county seat.

This law gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility’s area, directly defining the very mission that Dr. May had started on the Cumberland Plateau. Under this act and with other solicited funds, Dr. May accrued the means needed to establish a regional health center to meet the growing needs of the community. The

Registered nurse Alice Adshead assisted Dr. May, both pictured above, in her efforts to care for the medical needs of the rural Cumberland County community. groundbreaking for CMC took place in 1948, with the intention that the new hospital would provide general medical care while the Uplands network of clinics would specialize in the treatments of chronic cases.

As noted in the article “Clinics Provide Medical Care to Mountain People” published by the Kingsport Times News Dec. 18, 1949: “A small network of clinics is providing medical care to hundreds of mountain families of the Cumberland Plateau at a price they can afford. The first clinic established at Pleasant Hill on Aug. 7, 1921, by a woman physician, Dr. May Cravath Wharton.

Today, others are in operation at Big Lick, Ozone, Ravenscroft, and Mayland.

Only last Tuesday (Dec. 13, 1949) Secretary of State’s office at Nashville granted a charter of incorporation to the Cumberland Clinic Foundation, a non-profit organization. The charter said the foundation proposes ‘to advance the health of the community, to promote medical research and education, and to operate a clinic dispensary and hospital.’ It will also administer all the clinics. Dr. May Wharton, 76, now retired, called her clinic Uplands Hospital and Sanatorium.

She knew the needs of the mountain folk and how they suffered from tuberculosis, typhoid fever and hookworm and that treatment was inadequate.”

The article went on to explain about the extensive growth, from the first patient admitted into the small hospital to the first Uplands building opening at a cost of $6,000. These events were followed by the building of CMC at a cost of $600,000, projected to be operational the following March at the time this article printed. Upon completion, Uplands would be devoted to Tuberculosis and chronic cases and the new hospital, CMC, would handle general illnesses.

Groundbreaking

On March 17, 1950, CMC opened its doors to caring for the region. Dr. May stayed on as the president, continuing to travel both stateside, to advocate for her dream come true, and abroad, on other medical missions. In 1953, Dr. May published her autobiography through Uplands called Doctor Woman of the Cumberlands. In her book, Dr. May wrote her memories journaling her experiences as she tended to the healthcare of the region.

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Dr. May’s last project in Pleasant Hill was the establishment of the May Cravath Wharton Nursing Home in 1957, the final phase of her caring medical campaign on the plateau. It was her final great opus insuring that those for whom she’d cared and helped bring into this world would have a place of continuous care in their senior years. Later, the nursing home was renamed Uplands Village and now offers a quaint retirement community with homes and apartments, independent and assisted living, nestled in the birthplace of medical care on the Cumberland Plateau.

Dr. May remained CMC’s president until her passing in Nov. 1959.

The torch was then passed to Robert Couch and he became president of CMC, having arrived in Crossville to work with CMC the January before. He has great memories of working with Dr. May his first year here and said, “I knew Dr. May. She was a feisty doctor. A little gal, she must’ve been about five feet tall. There were about 10 doctors there at the time, but she could sure hold her way. She was something else. She was a tremendous influence and See care page 3D

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CARE

• Continued from 2D still is.”

CMC’s establishment and growth were directly attributed to what Couch described, “We had and still have a fine board of directors that I’ve ever worked with in my life. I have been in the hospital field for 60 years. The board of directors, the first thing they had in mind, was the care and treatment of the patients.

That was the biggest asset to that hospital as far as I’m concerned. [CMC] was good about finances and expansions and meeting the needs of the community. The dedicated medical staff and the tremendous staff of employees kept [Dr. May’s] vision.”

One of Couch’s favorite memories about Dr. May was when they were attending staff meetings and the doctors would disagree about something.

“She would take on those doctors,” Couch said chuckling at the thought and admiring her grit when it came to the healthcare of the area. “She would take them on like a bantam hen. I always admired her for that. She was the only woman doctor on the staff. Not only that, but she wasn’t afraid to take the doctors on. If she thought they were wrong, she would go right up to them and tell them and they’d back down. They knew where she was coming from and really respected her and her wisdom. She stood her ground.”

Couch emphasized Dr. May’s continued influence on the way the hospital was administrated and said, “When we had to make a major decision, Dr. May played a big part, even after she died. We would ask ‘What would Dr. May do in this case?’ or ‘How would Dr. May handle this?’”

Under Couch’s leadership, CMC underwent many positive changes. In 1960, Couch oversaw the first major expansion of the hospital, adding the C-Wing with 32-beds.

From there, CMC expanded and renovated consistently to accommodate the region’s medical needs, including an ICU, an ER, and Surgery Department.

The exponential growth led to CMC becoming a 216bed, multi-winged, multifaceted medical facility by 1992. This included the expansion of the OB/GYN, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Radiology departments among others. Couch also saw improvements in the ER and Outpatient care. CMC opened Health C.A.R.E. Link in FFG, to extend the hand of CMC health services to the growing population of that retirement community.

The growth of CMC showed not only that the urgent needs of the community were being met, but that the healthcare organization itself remained steadfast in its mission and service. In 1992, Couch retired after 33 years as CMC’s president and Edwin Anderson was appointed president and CEO. Couch was confident in the future of CMC in the capable hands of Edwin Anderson.

“Congratulations to the hospital for 65 years of accomplishments. CMC has been a growing hospital that has the support of the community, medical staff, board, and everyone,” said Couch. “It has seen a lot of expansions.”

Under Anderson’s guidance, CMC experienced extensive renovations and upgrades, the Cardiac Rehabilitation, CMC H.O.M.E. Care, CMC Physicians Group, Lithotripsy and Cardiac Catheterization, Regional Cancer Center, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and CMC Wellness Complex programs and services were initiated.

Anderson also saw CMC to its 50th anniversary and served as CMC’s president and CEO until 2001.

Jim McMackin assumed

the role of CMC president and CEO while the hospital underwent more extensions of services, equipment updates and a partnership with St. Thomas to offer a Chest Pain Center at CMC. McMackin stepped down in 2008, and Anderson came out of retirement and resumed the responsibilities of president and CEO. CMC expanded the Regional Cancer Center and radiation treatment programs, among other services, as well as added the Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Center.

In 2010, Dr. Barry Wagner became CEO and Edwin Anderson was elected chairman of the board of directors. The hospital geared up for the CMC Regional Breast Center to open in 2012, and Dr. Wagner resigned. After an interim CEO filled in for a short time, Anderson returned to hold the position as CEO in 2013. In 2014, CMC merged with Covenant Health, opened the Medical Arts Building in Fairfield Glade and Anderson retired as CEO as Jeremy Biggs was named chief administrative officer under the new Covenant leadership.

“The healthcare environment now is such that is really difficult for small, rural, independent hospitals to survive. So we, the board, began to look at that and question what to do in order to survive and keep this hospital in this community,” said Anderson, CMC and Covenant board member. “Because that’s what Dr. May envisioned.

She wanted healthcare for this area.”

Looking forward

The CMC Board of Directors began considering options in order to continue with this vision.

One of those options was that CMC would merge with a larger organization which had more leverage in negotiating supply costs and insurance costs and the like. After deciding that a partnership was in the near future, the board looked and met with many organizations. Covenant Health of Knoxville was, first and foremost, a non-profit like CMC. Covenant was also nearby and was a large system with nine hospitals in the organization. The board began the negotiation process to merge with Covenant Health and have CMC become the tenth hospital in its system. Covenant gave CMC access to ample resources and the support that it needed.

“The merger allowed us to share the burden, keeping costs down and controlling costs,” said Anderson.

Anthony L. Spezia, Covenant Health president and CEO, said, “We are very pleased that Cumberland Medical Center is a member of Covenant Health.

The hospital’s outstanding physicians, caregivers, administration, and support staff share a long-standing commitment to provide the best possible care.

CMC’s not-for-profit mission of service aligns with Covenant Health’s goal of improving the quality of life and health in our communities.”

One of the philosophies that Covenant has, cementing the relationship between it and CMC, is that it strives to be a proponent of successful community hospitals. Anderson said, “We are about providing healthcare to this community. We now have access to more care and more specialties than we had in the past.”

“The success of the medical center is found in the stories of countless patients who have received care from dedicated physicians and employees,” Spezia stated. “The 65-year milestone is just the beginning of the story, and I’m delighted that Covenant Health will be part of future anniversary celebrations.”

Regarding CMC’s 65th anniversary, Anderson

The three founders of the first hospital in Cumberland County were Dr. May, nurse Alice Adshead and art teacher Elizabeth Fletcher. said, “I think it’s a milestone for our hospital and our healthcare. I’m sure we will continue to have good growth at our hospital and continue to provide this for the community for years to come.”

Excited about the additional services that it can now offer as one of the many benefits of the merger with Covenant Health, CMC was finally able to expand the coronary intervention program. It is a service that CMC has attempted to implement for several years. With the merger, CMC was able to tap in to Covenant Health’s resources. Parkwest Medical Center, a member of Covenant Health, shared the expertise of its regionally renowned cardiologists with CMC’s cardiologists, Drs. Samuel Ong and Vianney Villaruz, to assist them in the fantastic technologies of angioplasty and stent placements.

Now, with a fully trained staff, CMC is able to do perform intermediate and even difficult cases, including multi-vessel coronary interventions and angioplasty, at CMC. “The patients are elated that they can stay in town.

They and their families are much more at ease, I think, because they are here in their hometown,” said Dr. Samuel Ong, CMC cardiologist.

Jeremy Backstrom is the Cardiac Cath Lab supervisor and Ong sings his praises as Backstrom has worked very hard to ensure that the interventional program is of the highest caliber of service and safety.

“We are not just concerned about delivering, we also want to make sure it is very safe for our patients here,” stated Ong. “CMC and Covenant have invested a lot into new equipment, new materials, training for the medical staff and nursing staff to achieve this goal.”

“Our goal is to provide excellent care to every patient every time,” Backstrom said. “In the Cath Lab, we have received many comments that they feel like they’re part of the family and that’s the way we want to keep it.”

CMC has performed coronary interventions on 20 patients, some of whom received multi-vessel stents.

All of those cases were successful with no complications. Since October, CMC has been performing coronary interventions on its own with the Parkwest staff on standby in case of emergency until they have performed at least 50 cases.

This big step is a part of the progression in improving the overall cardiology program and is only one of the many plans that CMC and Covenant Health have to improve healthcare at CMC through the merger.

In keeping true to the values and integrity Dr. May set forth, Ong said, “We live here, we work here and we are available every day for our patients.

Our patients are our friends and neighbors and we treat them like family.”

“Dr. Wharton wanted this community to have a hospital that would give quality care to every patient. And so, Dr. Whar-

ton’s dream lives on,” said Backstrom.

Cardiac Rehab is one of the most successful services that CMC offers. Cardiac Rehab nurse, Ashely Trambley, emphasized the importance and necessity of a recovery care and service program close to home, especially with the celebrated interventional cardiology program that has now been implemented.

“For us, most of our patients were coming from Cookeville, Vanderbilt, Knoxville, or from Chattanooga. They weren’t getting their [coronary intervention] care in this area.

If they can receive those interventional services here in our hospital, then we can actually go see them in the hospital and start that line of communication with them before they leave,” said Trambley. “We do have a lot of commitment to the community.”

The biggest focus of rehab is education and making changes with the support of their team, providing complete follow-up care. “I think the hospital has always been good at community outreach but I think having more services available is going to help us promote the awareness,” said Trambley. She also explained that aware-

ness is the key to preventative medicine.

CMC and Cardiac Rehab keep the vision of Dr. May alive by offering more services locally and making care more convenient. They also strive to make those services available to those in the community who don’t have the means to access them. For example, the Cardiac Rehab department has an auxiliary group called CPR Alumni, Inc. that was founded by past patients who were so thankful for the service they wanted to raise money and support other patients going through the Cardiac Rehab program at CMC who otherwise can’t afford it.

Jeremy Biggs, CAO, “Dr. May left a big legacy. I can appreciate it when one of the board members says we look at every decision we’re making as ‘Are we honoring the intentions of what Dr. Wharton built?’

And we are trying to keep that very much alive with our customer service in what we call ‘Our Journey to Excellence.’ What she brought here we can carry forth on our journey to excellence.”

Biggs explained that he has been recruiting to bring in an array of specialists to continue to add to the spectrum of care CMC can

offer its patients. “We face some of the similar challenges that folks on the Plateau faced years ago; they didn’t even have a doctor here. Now, you have plenty of primary care, but how healthcare has changed, you get more specialized.

Getting certain specialists here is a little more challenging.”

However, working within the resources available through the Covenant network has created a fresh new wave of opportunities and perspective. Because CMC now has the support it needs to establish new programs and expand on existing ones, Biggs added, “[CMC] has all of the ingredients here. The majority of healthcare services we can do right here and do it well.”

CMC has added several specialists just this past year and is planning to continue to recruit specialists, including a coronary interventionist who will make angioplasty and stent placements available as needed.

Also, CMC looks forward to a $5 million expansion of the emergency department. Emergency medicine has evolved and the demand has grown.

With an outdated and less See care page 5D

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CMC Regional Breast Center on front line of diagnosis

By Heather Mullinix Chronicle assistant editor

Part of fighting breast cancer is finding and diagnosing cancer in the earliest stages, when it is most easily treated and before it has spread to other areas of the body.

Of the screening and diagnostic tools available, mammography is the “gold standard” of medical imaging for early stage breast cancer, said Amanda King, director of medical imaging at Cumberland Medical Center.

“You have the ability to see extremely small areas,” King said.

CMC’s Regional Breast Center utilizes digital mammography, with two units available at the CMC location and one unit available at the CMC Medical Arts facility in Fairfield Glade. This technology offers advantages over previous mammography technology, including faster imaging, less radiation exposure and faster results.

Also, because the files are digital, the radiologist can enlarge areas for closer scrutiny and can file them away with the patient’s medical records to use for comparison in future years.

“It offers the radiologist the ability to manipulate the image, level the image, darken it, contrast it, without having to call the patient back for extra imaging,” Kind explained.

“We can magnify those images, too.”

Women can get a baseline mammogram as early as 35. Women should consult with their physician on when to begin regular mammograms based on risk factors and family medical history.

“You don’t have to have a physician referral to have your screening mammogram at either facility,” King said.

While the Fairfield Glade imaging center offers screening mammogram services, the CMC Regional Breast Center is able to offer a variety of tools and procedures to aid in the diagnosis of breast cancer and other diseases. This includes diagnostic mammograms and ultrasound.

“Having that capability within the breast center makes it more convenient for the patient,” Kind said. “The ultrasound tech-

Mammography Questions What is mammography?

Specific imaging using low-dose X-ray to examine breasts.

A mammogram is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast disease in women.

Why should I have one?

A mammogram can find breast cancer even when it is too small to be felt.

Who should have a screening mammogram?

Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. Screening mammograms are for women without breast symptoms. Women who have had breast cancer and those with a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about when to begin screening.

Who should have a diagnostic mammogram?

Diagnostic mammograms are used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings such as a breast lump or lumps found by the woman or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to evaluate the area of concern.

What screenings should I have before age 40?

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular health exam by a health professional. A woman should also conduct breast self-exams and familiarize herself with what is normal for her body. Any breast changes should be reported to a health professional right away. A breast self-exam should not take the place of routine clinical breast exams and mammograms.

What if I have breast implants?

Women with breast implants should also have mammograms, though implants pose special challenges. You will need additional imaging during a screening mammogram.

It is important to tell the mammographer you have implants before your mammogram. Screening guidelines are the File Photo same as for women without breast implants.

The Regional Breast Center at Cumberland Medical Center utilizes digital mam-American Cancer Society mography. This technology is also available at the Fairfield Glade Medical Arts facility. nicians at the hospital are trained in breast ultrasound, as is one of our mammographers is credentialed, as well.”

All of the mammographers at CMC are credentialed in mammography imaging through the American Registry of Rediologic Technologists.

It shows mammographers have met a recognized national standard which includes completion of clinical experience, ethics standards and successful completion of the mammography examination.

Ultrasound imaging can differentiate solid lesions, identifying the borders of lesions. It isn’t effective with calcifications, however, so it isn’t the first choice for screening images.

“We want to start with effective screening so that we don’t do unnecessary tests, but yet we don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” King said of the methodology in employing various diagnostic tools.

CMC Regional Breast Center also works with surgeons to help in biopsy and treatment through stereotactic breast biopsy and placement of wires to guide surgeons. Stereotactic biopsy uses two images to provide almost three-dimensional images to guide surgeons during biopsy procedures.

“It’s a GPS. We know exactly where we need to go to biopsy,” King said.

“We can use it with wires, as well. If you need an excisional biopsy or have a

definitive diagnosis, we’ll put a wire in to serve as a guide for the surgeon.

It lets him know exactly where that area of concern is so that he goes right to it.”

As a member of Covenant Health, patients at Cumberland Medical Center benefit from the collaborative efforts of the health system’s many facilities.

“We work closely with our sister facilities,” King said. “We use their resources and they use ours to ensure that all patients throughout Covenant get the best care possible.”

CMC works with Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s Comprehensive Breast Center and Thompson’s Cancer Outreach Services. Part-

nerships with Susan G. Komen and the Tennessee Department of Health also help ensure care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. The center also takes donations to assist with the needs of uninsured or underinsured individuals.

While offering good diagnostic and screening tools to patients was a top priority, patient comfort was not far behind.

Both the CMC Regional Breast Center and the Medical Arts at Fairfield Glade facility kept patient privacy and comfort in mind, with private dressing areas, private waiting areas and segregated facility areas for women only.

Even plush robes were brought in to add to patient comfort.

“We want to make it as positive an experience as we can,” King said.

CMC is encouraging women to get their annual mammogram, and offering a Ladies’ Day Out event Oct. 7 at the Fairfield Glade Medical Arts Building. A Ladies’ Day Out was held Sept. 30 at CMC. Women are encouraged to bring their friends and enjoy music, samples from local businesses and lots of chocolates and desserts while making a positive choice for their breast health.

For more information or to schedule a mammogram, call 459-7040. n Heather Mullinix may be reached at hmullinix@crossville-chronicle. com.

CMC awarded Komen grant to support free mammograms Susan G. Komen of the Upper Cumberland has awarded a grant to Cumberland Medical Center that will continue to support Cumberland Medical Center’s initiative to provide free mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women.

“Cumberland Medical Center is proud to be a recipient once again this year and is grateful to receive funding from Susan G. Komen to help women in our community receive free mammograms to assure early detection,” says Jeremy Biggs, chief administrative officer of CMC. Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast can-

cer organization, and the Upper Cumberland affiliate is one of over 100 affiliates on the front lines dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities. Komen affiliates fund innovative programs that help women and men overcome the cultural, social, educational and financial barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Cumberland Medical Center and work towards our joint mission of ending breast cancer in the Upper Cumberland,” said Director Carolyn Wilson. “We are confident that through CMC’s Free Mammogram Days, uninsured and

underinsured women in Cumberland County will be able to receive life-saving screenings. We know that early detection saves lives, as breast cancers detected during Stage I have a 99% survival rate.”

Susan G. Komen of the Upper Cumberland began in 2006 when a group of volunteers vowed to improve breast health in the Upper Cumberland through education and advocacy. This affiliate includes the 14 counties of the Upper Cumberland: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren and White counties.

An Rx for better health?

(BPT) — You probably already know that exercising and eating right are key ways to improve your health.

But, you may be overlooking one major health necessity that is as close as your kitchen faucet — water. It’s vital all year long, even during winter months when you might think hydration is less important.

“Staying hydrated is a very important component of staying healthy,” says physician assistant Tricia A. Howard, a faculty member at South University, Savan-

Drink more water nah College of Health Professions. “Most people know they need to stay hydrated when they are doing vigorous exercise or in very hot weather, but they don’t realize the importance of making sure they are getting enough water every day.”

Why water is important

Sixty percent of your body weight is made up of water. Since water carries nutrients to cells in your body, and flushes tox-

ins from vital organs, Howard says it is important to replace what you lose daily.

“Our bodies are always losing water — even when we breathe we are losing small amounts,” she says.

“So, it is important to know how much water you need daily and to make a point of drinking it.”

Your daily intake

Howard says men need three liters, or 13 cups, of water a day. Women should See water page 11D

More than $760,000 has already been given to nonprofits in the Upper Cumberland in grants to provide free mammograms, diagnostic services, survivor support and educational resources. Seventyfive cents of every dollar raised here stays here to fund these grants. The remaining 25 cents is used to fund national research grants. Komen Upper Cumberland raises funds

through events like the annual Susan G. Komen Upper Cumberland Race for the Cure and annual golf tournament, Tee it up for the Cure.

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen

has funded more than $800 million in research and provided $1.7 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychological support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life.

Providing Top Pediatric Care To Cumberland County

We are excited about helping serve the health care needs of Cumberland County children. Our three board-certified pediatricians and three board-certified pediatric nurse practitioners care for young people from birth until age 21, marriage, or pregnancy. Give us a call today to learn more, or visit www.plateaupediatrics.com.

Dr. Robert Berman Kristel Hassler, CPNP Dr. Suzanne Berman Jillian Smith, CPNP Dr. Christine Reed Kristin Daugherty, CPNP

Plateau Pediatrics 3234 Miller Avenue, Crossville, TN (931) 707-8700

Health • 5D

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Nurse Navigator guides patients through recovery

By Heather Mullinix Chronicle assistant editor

A patient’s journey from diagnosis of breast cancer to treatment and survivorship is filled with many paths. Trish Vaughn, nurse navigator at Cumberland Medical Center, helps to keep them on course, encouraging patients, answering questions, identifying barriers and offering a supportive shoulder and an attentive ear to hear their concerns and questions.

“We look at the whole picture,” Vaughn said of her role as a resource for patients facing a diagnosis of breast cancer, who has a passion for her role in the cancer treatment team.

She’s worked at CMC for six years, though she makes her home in Livingston.

“I love what I do. I love the patients. I love it here,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn meets her patients through the CMC Regional Breast Center following an abnormal screening mammogram, before they have diagnostic testing.

“My role as a nurse navigator is to provide support and education to our patients,” Vaughn said.

“The initial visit is for introduction and to provide education, if needed, and support.”

“My role as a nurse navigator is to provide support and education to our patients.”

Trish Vaughn

Nurse Navigator CMC

“It can be very nervewracking for any woman when they get a call back after a mammogram,” said Amanda King, director of medical imaging at Cumberland Medical Center.

The goal of all departments of the hospital is to provide a collaborative working environment with the breast center, the nurse navigator, the referring physician and the surgeons and oncologists.

“That’s the cornerstone for breast imaging and the continuum of care at this facility,” King said. “It improves communication throughout the process. It alleviates patient delays, and we can avert problems before they occur.

We improve the quality of our services by expediting the timeliness of pro-

viding patients and physicians test results. Our nurse navigator helps with that greatly. We call the physician’s office and the patient as soon as test results come back.”

Should diagnostic imaging show a need for further imaging or testing, Vaughn notifies the patient’s primary care physician and helps to coordinate follow-up care of further imaging or a biopsy to be performed by a surgeon.

Vaughn ensures patients have transportation for their biopsy procedures and follows them while at the hospital and continues to keep open communication after the patient goes home.

Should a biopsy show the presence of cancer-

ous cells, a patient then has numerous decisions to make regarding treatment.

Vaughn gives every patient the “Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook,” provided by Susan G. Komen, which has a wealth of information for patients, from the emotions they may experiencing to communicating with children about the disease. It also reviews the many different treatment options that may be available, though not every option applies to every patient and treatment options will depend on the stage of the cancer and the type of breast cancer the patient has.

“It goes through the whole thing, what everything means,” Vaughn said.

In the back are worksheets for patients that help to manage fears, questions to ask medical providers.

One question patients may struggle with is whether to have a lumpectomy, where the tumor is removed but the breast is preserved, or a mastectomy, where the entire breast is surgically removed.

Reconstruction is also part of the conversation, as well, with patients needing to decide if they want to have breast reconstruction following treatment, or immediately. A questionnaire helps patients explore their feelings about all their options.

In addition to helping patients find their way in the often confusing medical side of treatment, helping to juggle appointments and keep track of treatment options, patients also have practical concerns.

Many patients have obstacles to treatment. Vaughn helps them find resources to remove those barriers.

A distress thermometer asks patients to show how much distress they have been experiencing each week, and a questionnaire helps to identify areas of stress, from accessing insurance and finding childcare while undergoing treatment to dealing with partners or children, or other family health issues, and emo-

tional problems patients may find themselves struggling with.

“Transportation is probably the biggest problem we have. They don’t have the money to drive back and forth for treatment,” Vaughn said. “They are truly very sick and some are about to lose their homes or are struggling to pay their utility bills.

We try to meet the needs of our patients. And each patient’s barriers are different. And this community is very supportive in helping to meet the needs of patients.”

Vaughn keeps a list of community resources handy to help patients access services they need.

One of those resources is the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Program, which offers eligible women diagnostic follow up for suspicious screening results. Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancerous conditions are enrolled for treatment coverage through the state’s TennCare Program.

The emotional aspects of care are important to Vaughn as well. Patients may feel depressed and crying, or partners may not know how they can help their loved one during this time.

See guides page 6D

CARE

Assisted Living � Self-Directed Lifestyle � Daily Living Assistance � Scheduled Activities � 24 Hour Emergency Response � Spacious Ground Level Suites

� Weekly Suite Cleaning � Elegant Dining � Utilities and Cable TV � Multi-Passenger Courtesy Van

456-8688 458 Wayne Avenue • Crossville

Skilled and Intermediate Nursing Care � 24 Hour Nursing Care � Resident Activity Program � Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy � Beauty and Barber Shop � 26 Bed Ventilator & Tracheostomy unit

� Outpatient Therapy Center on Site � Medicare and Medicaid Approved � Short Term Stays Welcome � Equal Opportunity Employer � Secured Unit for Specialized Care

WyndRidge Home Care

� Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming � Light housekeeping � Laundry Assistance � Meal Preparation Assistance � Home Delivered Meals � Shopping Assistance

� Companionship / Sitter Service � Assistance with Medication Reminders � Respite Care � Care for your loved one while you work

484-6129 456 Wayne Avenue • Crossville

Physical Therapy � Occupational Therapy � Speech Therapy � Adult and Child Services � Neck and Back Pain � Sports Injuries � Non- Medicine Pain Management � Joint Replacement Rehab

� Work Injuries � Functional Capacity Evaluations � Medicare/Workers’ Comp/ Private Insurance Accepted � Primary & Secondary Insurance Billed

707-5687 456 Wayne Avenue • Crossville

4 Levels Of Care

Come See The Difference...That Makes The Difference!

• Continued from 3D than adequate ER space, the expansion plans call for more rooms and more space within those rooms for better patient flow. The existing ER will be combined with a part of the parking lot and the Physical Therapy Department to become one spacious ER. CMC is working with architects on designs and schematics to hopefully begin construction this summer.

“We have many cooperative plans underway and are improving patient care through collaboration and sharing best practices among Cumberland Medical Center and other Covenant Health hospitals and physicians,” said Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health executive vice president and COO. “The 65th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on all that the medical center has done to care for the Cumberland Plateau region. We’re looking forward to continuing and expanding this legacy of excellence.”

In response to how CMC is keeping Dr. May’s dreams alive, Biggs said, “[CMC] has come a long way. Our goal is just making sure we keep that foundation of good physicians, good clinical staff, good medical staff, and facilities to meet the needs of the community and hopefully build on that. My hope is to carry on her vision of accessible, good quality healthcare and I want to make sure it stays here; that the community has a strong, successful hospital.”

All of Dr. May’s ventures proved successful and evolved as with the ebb and flow of the needs that surrounded her. She made the people of the Cumberland Plateau healthier, made provisions for those who had gone without to have access to care. Dr. May’s work was never done. And in a sense, it never will be. To this day, she is still nursing the entire region as her legacy continues through the faithful working hands of the professionals that constantly upgrade CMC health services and treatment options. Through comprehensive expansion based on the community’s needs, from a two-bed clinic in Pleasant Hill to the opening of CMC 65 years ago, Dr. May’s mission continues to keep healthcare on the Plateau close to home.

6D • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Cloudland Dental helps protect your pearly whites

Dental practice offers state-of-the-art equipment, treatment and offers in-house payment plans Cloudland Dental offers comprehensive dental services for all ages to keep those pearly whites healthy, strong and beautiful.

Staffed by Dr. Calley Jo Perry and Dr. Sophia Wang, Cloudland Dental is owned by Dr. Don Flanagan. The practice had been located on West Avenue for several years, but relocated in the summer of 2014 to a new, modern facility at 510 Livingston Rd. Cloudland Dental continues to expand its services to better treat patients. Services include restorative dentistry, crown and bridge work, dentures, partials,

implants, root canals and sleep apnea appliances.

“We want our patients to always feel comfortable and welcome,” said Dr. Perry. “Never are our patients criticized or embarrassed. Their needs are most important and we will go above and beyond to make their experience comfortable and affordable.”

Perry grew up in Eastern Kentucky and attended the University of the Cumberlands before receiving early admittance to the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. She was awarded a Doctorate in

Dental Medicine in May 2000.

Perry has worked in the private sector since graduation and gained extensive knowledge of all aspects of dentistry. She enjoys helping people achieve self confidence through a beautiful, healthy smile.

Dr. Wang graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2010. She completed her dental education at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in May 2014, graduating with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery.

At Cloudland Dental, the staff strives to provide the best treatment options possible and will help to make sure patients can afford the treatment needed.

A variety of in-house payment plans are offered for those who do not have dental insurance or need services that are not covered by insurance. Approximately 65 percent of Americans have no type of dental insurance coverage, and Cloudland Dental wants to help overcome that obstacle.

Cloudland Dental also accepts most insurances and are in-network for most plans, includ-

ing TennCare and CoverKids.

Cloudland Dental also offers a dental health plan for quality dental care at an affordable price.

In addition, Cloudland Dental is a participant in Freedom Day USA, set Sept. 10, 2015, when active military and their immediate family and veterans are provided freed dental care with an appointment.

Cloudland Dental is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and sees patients by appointment only.

Call 484-3007 to schedule an appointment.

Ease emotional knots at Mountainview Studio Mountainview Studio is currently owned and organized by Sue Butkus and has relocated to 21 E. Stanley St., Suite 209, in Crossville, directly across the street from the Mayberry’s Furniture Store loading dock.

Mountainview’s focus for 2015 is to retrain body and brain. According to 35-year Pilates practitioner Risa Sheppard, “Negative thought patterns can adversely affect a person’s body chemistry.” By means of this discovery, a technique called Somatic Pilates was created.

The philosophy behind Somatic Pilates is that, for every thought and feeling, there is a physiological reaction in body chemistry. These kinds of reactions are evident when you are feeling negative or have stress-related emotions.

These reactions can translate into back pain, neck pain, headaches or even heart attacks.

This year, the practitioners at Mountainview will aim to untie emotional knots associated with the physical knots. At Mountainview Studios, the intention is to teach clients to emphasize positive feelings in order to experience a joyful moving experience.

Exploring a positive practice which involves meditation, relaxation, tension release and breathing will be a priority this year.

New Programs:

•Health Coaching with Certified Nutrition Specialist Alanya Littlefield Alanya is a certified health and wellness coach as well as a certified nutritional therapist.

She specializes in a healthy approach with her clients focusing on their own personal needs and goals. She provides information and guidance on making easy, sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle. This allows them to enjoy eating well, regain their health and energy along with providing them lasting relief from a wide range of chronic health conditions and diseases.

Groups are welcome.

For more information, call (865) 603-6845 or email coachalanya@gmail. com.

•“Pilates Anytime” Mountainview Pilates is excited to offer streamed online Pilates classes which deliver world-class instruction within a “mini-mat format” to clients at affordable prices. Many people are unable to experience Pilates classes because of busy work schedules, location of studios, or cost.

“Pilates Anytime” at Mountainview Studios can be scheduled by clients with a certified instructor who will be available to assist clients at any level.

Call Mountainview Studios for more information or try a complimentary Pilates class whenever the mind, body and spirit moves you!

In Review at Mountainview:

Movement Therapy: •Pilates Group Mat with

Sue Butkus and Alanya Littlefield; Mondays, 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 4:15 p.m.; and Thursdays, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Classes consist of warm up sequences, 10 to 25 exercises and a cool down.

Props may be added, such as magic circle, physioball, Theraband,foam roller, miniball or weighted balls.

Classes are approximately 60 minutes in length.

•Private Pilates Session Individual or Duet Individual or duet time and day to be arranged with each client.

•Tai Chi group (Tuesday 9 a.m.) and private sessions with Tai Chi wellness practitioners Rose and Jay Sabine.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise method which combines relaxed fluid movement with a calm, alert mind. Twelveyear Tai Chi and Martial Arts practitioners Rose and Jay have worked to build balance, flexibility, endurance and coordination. Tai Chi has also been proven to lessen stress and lower blood pressure.

Rose and Jay have taught young school children, seniors citizens, athletes and people with mental or physical challenges.

For more information contact Rose or Jay Sabine at 931-335-7000.

•Zumba with Suni Nelson Suni Nelson shines each Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with her lively Zumba choreography.

Zumba is an aerobic type workout designed to take your heart rate up and down in cycles. World Music is a major part of Zumba as well as utilizing Latin and other dance moves from all over the world. Suni fell in love with Zumba and became a licensed Zumba instructor. She invites all to come and join the party!

For more information, contact Suni at (931) 210-7330.

Manual Therapy

•Reflexology and Massage with Rose Sabine “As a bodywork Therapist I actively seek knowledge to help my clients feel better in their own bodies. when we work play or relax, we feel better if we are body ready. Super stress breaks down the bodies natural ability to heal and perform at optimal.

I use many tools to help relieve pain and stress such as Massage, Reflexology, Pilates movement Therapy, Tai Chi, Acupressure, Cupping Therapy, Essential oils, Subtle Energy Work, and Prayer. It is my goal to assist each individual along the path to better health and improvement in everyday life,” said Sabine, who is a licensed massage therapist and certified reflexologist.

For more information, contact Rose at (931) 3357000.

•Acupuncture with Yong Oh Yong is a licensed acupuncturist in Tennessee, Georgia and New York, and is a board certified acupuncturist by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Orien-

tal Medicine (NCCAOM).

He currently shares a practice at OM Integrative Medicine Center in Chattanooga, TN. Visit www.omintegrative.com to learn more.

Acupuncture appointments are arranged on alternate Fridays. For information or appointments, call Sue at Mountainview Studios, (931) 707-3695.

•Jin Shin Massage with Karen Carter Jin Shin Jyutsu is a healing art from ancient tradition. Passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Jin Shin Jyutsu brings balance to the body’s energies, allowing the body to function better, feel better and heal more quickly. Jin Shin Jyutsu is a helpful adjunct to western medicine, inducing relaxation and reducing the effects of stress.

For information or appointments, call Karen at (931) 787-3298 To reserve your spot in a class or schedule an appointment with any of our wellness providers, call 931-707-3695, email sue@gmail.com simply visit our website at www. mountainvu.com. Easier then that, stop by the studio. We are fully licensed and insured to provide a healthy, safe and joy-filled moving experience where you will retrain both body and brain!

GUIDES

• Continued from 5D “Open communication is the best thing you can do,” Vaughn said. “The biggest thing regarding the feelings of depression is that it is OK to feel that way. It’s OK to cry. Those are normal feelings you are going to have when you’ve been overwhelmed with a diagnosis of cancer.”

Through these questions, it helps Vaughn to ensure patients have a support system available, and through it all, she’s on call. She gives patients her cell phone number to call day or night and is ready to answer with compassion and a caring attitude.

“All you have to do is talk. You just have to be a

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center in Crossville offers outpatient therapy, case management services and psychiatric services for adults, adolescents and children.

CM Mental Health Center is improving lives Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center’s mission is to empower those who utilize their services in such a manner as to enable them to develop their potential and improve their quality of life.

A division of Volunteer Behavioral Health, Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center has provided outpatient therapy, case management services and psychiatric services for adults, adolescents and children for over 15 years. Outpatient therapy and psychiatric services are available for adults, children and families with emotional and behavioral problems. Case management is a service designed to help and support clients and their families by advo-

cating, assisting in securing resources, problem solving and advocating for clients and their families.

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center has recently expanded and renovated the facility to better serve the community.

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center’s hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. First time appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-877567-6051.

Adult crisis services are available 24/7 by calling toll free 1-800-704-2651.

One speciality program provided includes Positive Action. Positive Action is a nationally recognized evidence-based alcohol and drug abuse prevention program serving children and

adolescents ages 10 to 17.

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center is a division of Volunteer Behavioral Health. Volunteer Behavioral Health was formed in 1995, serving 31 counties with over 58 service locations. It was formed as the parent organization for Johnson Mental Health, Hawassee Mental Health, Plateau Mental Health, the Guidance Center and Cumberland Mental Health; each with a rich history of over 20 years of providing communitybased services for mentally ill adults, adolescents and children.

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center is located at 4325 Hwy. 127 North in Crossville. Their local number is 484-8020.

support person for them,” Vaughn said.

Vaugh completed certification to become a patient navigator for breast cancer patients. As part of that, she completes annual continuing education credit, including a recent conference presented by the Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators. There, she attended numerous seminars and talks that helped grow her knowledge on patient navigation and survivorship, including a powerful presentation by someone who helped participants visualize what it’s like to be a patient.

“It was an awakening,” Vaughn said. “She helped show how long we make patients wait and how scared they are. In

the back of our minds, we know this, but to see it presented in this way was powerful.”

One of the messages of the conference was to know what services are offered at each facility and what services the community can offer to assist patients.

“We work to keep that information updated,” Vaughn said. “This community has been so good to me when I have needed something.”

A new standard of care being implemented through the Commission on Cancer is survivor care plans, Vaughn explained.

“Even though I do follow patients afterwards, this is a definite care plan,” Vaughn said. “It doesn’t leave patients with

the feelings of being abandoned. They’ve been in touch with someone all through this process and suddenly, they may feel all alone. This way, that doesn’t happen. There are support groups and their providers are available to them. It encourages them that they have someone to fall back on.” n Heather Mullinix may be reached at hmullinix@crossville-chronicle. com.

Read to know!

Health • 7D

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Photos submitted

Rylan and his family pose with the cast of “The Wizard of Oz” after the benefit preview the Cumberland County Playhouse held in the effort of “Saving Rylan” on Jan. 30.

Saving Rylan Community joins forces to help family get care for 4-year-old diagnosed with rare degenerative condition

By Rebekah K. Bohannon Beeler Chronicle correspondent

Rylan Hyder is a fouryear-old bundle of energy and special needs. A Pre-K student at Homestead Elementary School (HES), little Rylan Hyder was diagnosed in November with a rare, degenerative genetic condition known as Sanfilippo Syndrome type A. All too soon, the complications caused by this syndrome will rob Rylan, and his family, of his precious life. His family and some community organizations have pooled together their strengths to assist the family in his care, medical bills and hopefully find a treatment.

But there is no cure — yet.

Sanfilippo Syndrome will lead to the demise of all of Rylan’s cognitive functions. The syndrome is a metabolism disorder passed down through families that causes the body to be unable to properly break down long chains of sugar molecules.

The disorder occurs when the enzymes needed to break down the heparan sulfate sugar chain are missing or are defective, leaving the patient in a wake of symptoms and complications.

Rylan’s aunt, Jennifer Potts, who is expecting her own little one any day now, has taken great strides to generate donations for her brother’s son. She has created web pages on social media, donation websites and started a bucket brigade at local businesses to raise funds for the sake of her beloved nephew in hopes that she might be able to bear some of the burden as parents constantly attend to his needs. She created “Saving Rylan” T-shirts, bracelets and window decals to sell and posts regular

updates on Rylan’s condition. Rylan is the littlest of three brothers and there’s no shortage of urgency when it comes to making him better.

“There’s a lot that has happened,” said Jennifer Potts of the efforts to save Rylan since his diagnosis.

“There’s positive as well as the negative that’s going on with all of this.”

Rylan celebrated his fourth birthday in December with a Mickey Mouse themed party. He was recently adopted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation who will be granting his wish to meet his hero, Mickey Mouse, in person on a trip to Disney World with his family in March. HES has been making an effort to raise funds for Rylan and raise awareness for the detrimental effects of Sanfilippo Syndrome. Letters about Rylan were sent home with students and donations were taken at the door the night of HES’ Christmas program. HES raised about $400 to give to Rylan’s family. He has a best friend there at school who is in a wheelchair that he adores and wants to take to Disney World with him. Cumberland County Playhouse (CCP) also wanted to support the Hyder family and generated $6,000 in donations by holding a benefit preview of “The Wizard of Oz” the day before the official opening. Rylan was presented with balloons by the cast to the full house of community members who generously donated at the door in support of the efforts of CCP to assist the Hyder family.

There is no specific treatment available for Sanfilippo Syndrome sufferers to help alleviate symptoms and postpone the inevitable.

Rylan Hyder’s family hopes

that a clinical trial involving a breakthrough in gene therapy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH, may be the answer to his treatment options and lead to a cure. Rylan has good days and bad days, feeling and acting as normal as a child could under the present circumstances with the few exceptions. These exceptions are associated with the early symptoms of Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Rylan is doing well in the special education program at HES, but sometimes he cannot control his behavior and often has trouble concentrating. He has trouble sleeping and when he does sleep it isn’t for very long.

He also has gastrointestinal issues and gets sick easily because of his compromised immune system. Without a cure, Rylan Hyder’s symptoms will continue to progressively worsen.

There are four main types of Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Rylan’s type, Type A, is the most severe. The syndrome causes significant neurological symptoms, including severe intellectual disability.

A decline in learning ability typically occurs between ages 2 and 6. Delayed development is followed by deteriorating mental status and other health complications including blindness, deafness, dementia and seizures.

The loss of motor functions and seizures will inherent- Rylan Hyder is a remarkable little boy who is battling Sanfilippo Syndrome and just ly lead to nerve damage celebrated is fourth birthday in December. Community-wide support is the key to that will worsen and even- the cure and the key to “Saving Rylan.” tually require the use of a wheelchair. Other symptoms include behavioral problems, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping and walking, and stiff joints that may not extend fully. Most Sanfilippo Syndrome patients only live into their teenage years.

Get Started On A Healthier Lifestyle

See rylan page 11D

In addition to a variety of office visits designed to meet the needs of every individual patient, Dr. Soly also offers:

Free Health Seminars Held every 3rd Saturday of the month on treating medical conditions holistically and naturally.

12-Week Workshops To Learn How To Lose Weight And Stamp Out Chronic Disease FirstLine Therapy enables people to learn how to eat healthfully, exercise regularly, and Kristine L. Soly, MD FACC, Dipl. ABHM develop a relaxation technique.

Holistic Cardiology Distance Consultations Consultations done by phone or internet for patients who cannot or do not want to come to the office and who do not require a physical exam.

Supplements Customized to Individual Needs Dr. Soly personally recommends supplements that support the needs of each individual which can be purchased on site.

Family time is the most important time of all for Jonathan Hyder and Nicole Simmons with their sons, Gage, Brayden and Rylan. Rylan has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and the family has launched “Saving Rylan” in an effort to get him treatment and find a cure.

Call Today To Get Started!

Kristine L. Soly, MD, FACC, Dipl. ABHM www.drsoly.com 931-456-5900

917 Hillcrest Drive Crossville, 38555

8D • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

A new lease on life

CMC Cardiac, Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs help patients gain strength, independence and reduce odds of relapse

By Clinton G ill

Chronicle staff writer

According to the American Heart Association, roughly 915,000 Americans have heart attacks each year. More than 30 percent of those will have secondary events that are fatal.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

It effects people of all ages, races and backgrounds. While everyone is potentially at risk, certain groups, such as older individuals, are at a higher risk.

Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of a future cardiac event by stabilizing, slowing or even reversing the progression of cardiovascular disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2011, 12.7 million Americans were estimated to have COPD, though more than 24 million exhibited symptoms of impaired lung functioning, indicating an under diagnosis of COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients experience less difficulty breathing, increase muscle strength and endurance, reduce hospitalizations, understand how to use medications and oxygen appropriately and overall improves their quality of life.

Since 1993, Cumberland Medical Center has

offered residents of Cumberland County and the surrounding areas who suffer from these conditions the tools they need to fight back. CMC’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs provide the latest in quality exercise training, education and counseling for those diagnosed with and/or recovering from the following heart or lung conditions: heart attack; stent placement; coronary artery bypass graft surgery; heart valve repair or replacement; heart transplant; stable angina (chest pain); chronic congestive heart failure; COPD; chronic asthma; chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both of CMC’s programs are accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which have very strict standards that must be met every three years.

CMC has been recognized across the nation as a standout program.

Participants in CMC’s rehab programs are supported by a team of pharmacists, social workers and nurses that all participate in assisting patients with exercise and counseling for general health things like nutrition, stress management, sleep and medications.

“That’s really what the program is, just that follow-up care, somebody to be a support system for them after a heart attack or heart surgery to help them with those questions

Clinton Gill/Chronicle

Pictured are Scott Amis, Donna Brophy and Alice Haynes utilizing some of the cardio equipment at CMC’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab Center. like what do I eat now? Is it okay to exercise? How hard should I exercise?

We do group sessions so they can come in and be part of a group with people who have similar conditions,” said Ashley Trambley, RN, BSN. Trambley is the registered nurse supervisor of the program.

The programs are classified into four phases.

Phase I is when patients are in the hospital. Rehab nurses talk to patients about their condition, educating them as necessary on the details of Phase II, which is the outpatient program. Phase II is generally covered by insurance and patients can usually have appointments set within a week of being dismissed from the hospital.

“The biggest risk for complication is going to be in that three-month window following their procedure,” said Tramb-

ley. “The quicker we can get them in, the more data the doctor has to look at as far as their heart rate, telemetry of EKG strips and things like that.”

All patients in Phase II wear a heart monitor and have their vital signs checked while exercising. Patients are administered a progressive exercise regimen tailored to their unique health condition and limitations. Typical treatment protocol for Phase II is three months or 36 sessions, depending on the patient’s progression.

Phase III is self-pay.

Patients come in on their own schedules in an effort to promote independence and to continue exercising on their own.

“Phase III is our maintenance program,” said Trambley. “They have to pay for that on their own, but we make it very affordable. It’s almost like a gym membership,

where they can come in here and exercise, but they still have nurses that know who they are and know their medications and history. It gives them an extra safety of being in a familiar environment.

The patients in that program have great success rates. Very rarely do we get any of them back in the Phase II program.”

Both the cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs are very holistic in care. Patients are taught that their mindset can affect their health just as much as everything else going on. As such, the staff encourages Phase III participants to engage current Phase II patients to give them a link to someone who has been through the program.

Typically, CMC sees around 300 cardiopulmonary rehab patients each year. Cardiac program participants have one educational class each week.

One exercise session is split in half between exercise and group education.

Exercise is prescribed three times a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and supplemented by a home exercise plan.

“One of the oldest patients we had was in her 90s. She’s still working and is probably in better shape than I am,” said Trambley. “The youngest patient we’ve had has been mid-to-late 20s. We have a wide mix.

Just in one session you can have people in their mid-30s as well as people well up into their late 80s.

It varies quiet a bit.”

There are some great health benefits for the pulmonary as well as the cardiac patients.

“We’ve had some pretty amazing results,” said Tambley. “One lady has been in the program for See life page 10D

Health • 9D

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Number Crunch

Healthy eating means understanding and closely monitoring the calories and nutritional value of the foods you eat. The registered dieticians and research and development teams at Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating prepare meal plans that comply with the following nutrition guidelines: n Low

in fat (25 percent calories from fat)

n Low

in saturated fat (less than 7 percent)

n Low

cholesterol (less than 200 mg)

meals that reflect a well-balanced diet. hen you set out to make life changes such n Aim for at least 30 as weight loss or adopting a more active minutes of exercise lifestyle, it can be tempting to look for every day. If you have been primarily shortcuts that expedite your path toward your end goal. sedentary, start slowly How­ever, long-term success is more attainable for with a moderate walk those who take a slow and steady approach that puts each health first. day, working up to more aggressive cardio­ “There are dozens of reasons people vas­cular exercise and look to develop healthier eating habits, weight training to ranging from weight loss to disease develop muscle. prevention,” said Rene Ficek, registered n Find ways to make dieti­tian and nutrition expert for Seattle your new lifestyle as Sutton’s Healthy Eating (SSHE). convenient as possi­ “Regardless of the moti­vation, success ble, such as meal begins with a well-balanced programs that save on eating plan that is based grocery shopping and on sound nutrition and physical cooking time or gyms activity.” that specialize in short, Ficek offers this advice to individuals well-rounded workouts. looking for a new approach to eating: Rene Ficek Another important aspect n Adopting a healthy diet is the key to success­ful, longof a successful weight loss term weight loss. A healthy diet provides adequate program calories and nutrients to support your body’s energy is a menu that incorporates and nutri­tional needs while allowing you to shed an high-quality ingredients to average of 1–2 pounds per week. create an appetizing array of n Be wary of diet plans that promise loss of five or more meals that adhere to current pounds per week, which is unrealistic and unhealthy. nutrition guidelines. n Look for a meal plan that takes the guess­work out of Finding a menu that offers eating right by serving calorie- and portion-controlled variety is a smart approach,

W

Family Features

Meal Program Lets Senior Achieve Lifelong Goal Decades of weight loss and gain followed — as much as 400 pounds up and down through the years. Now, at 63, Janet Wilke is adopting healthier eating habits and learning exactly what and how much to eat.

In May 2013, Wilke weighed in at 299.8 pounds. Just 15 months later, she achieved her goal weight of 150 pounds. Her secret? An eating plan that guides her to make healthy choices at each meal following a 1,200-calorie eating plan created by Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating (SSHE), a family-owned company based near Chicago.

“In the past when I would lose weight, I would save my clothes just in case,” Wilke said. “This time, I am confident because I know exactly what to eat and how much and I feel fabulous. I have never felt as energetic and healthy as I do now, and the smaller size is a bonus.”

Through SSHE, Wilke orders convenient and freshly-prepared meals delivered to her home. A weekly menu consists of three meals per day, with both regular and vegetarian menu options available to provide a mix of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts and low-fat dairy products.

“Now, I look for opportunities to move because I feel so ‘light’ and pain free,” Wilke said. “I can get up and down out of my chair almost effortlessly and my sleep has improved as well. I have even given away all of my ‘too big’ clothes because I know that I will not regain the weight.”

Ficek says. “When you’re watching what you eat, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and eat the same foods repetitively.

Unfortunately, that approach can backfire if you become bored with your food and gravitate toward options with new flavors that may be less nutri­tionally beneficial.”

On the breakfast menu, SSHE offers options such as Strawberry Yogurt & Dark Chocolate-Berry Crunch Parfait, which features layers of strawberry Greek

yogurt with orange-cherrycranberry sauce and a decadent granola-berry-dark chocolate crunch. Or for lunch, the Pecan-Cranberry Mixed Greens Salad offers a fresh mix of salad greens, roasted pecan halves, Swiss cheese, dried cranberries and celery seed dressing served with a tomato juice sipper.

To learn more about convenient and healthy approaches to losing weight, visit www.seattlesutton.com or call 1-800-442-3438.

n Calorie-controlled

(1,200; 1,500 vegetarian; or 2,000 per day)

n Sodium-restricted

(less than 1,500 mg/ day on the 1,200 calorie plan)

n No

hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (zero trans fat)

n Free

of food dyes and harmful additives as preservative

10D • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Longobardo specializes in diabetic foot treatment From young children with foot pain to older patients with severe diseases, Dr. Vincent B. Longobardo, DPM, has been providing quality foot care to the people of the Cumberland and surrounding counties since 1998.

Located at 16 Miracle Lane, Suite 200, Dr. Longobardo’s office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

When asked, Dr. Longobardo states, “We provide compassionate, high quality care for a variety of injuries, diseases and disorders of the foot.”

Working daily with arthritis, skin and nail disorders, sports injuries and bone and joint disorders, he is also a firm believer in continued education for both himself and his help-

ful staff.

“We must keep up on all of the newest technology in order to provide the most innovative treatment to our patients,” he said.

Diabetes and the importance of foot health associated with this widespread disease is one of Dr. Longobardo’s area of expertise.

“Emphasizing the importance of foot health and regularly scheduled examinations of the patient’s feet can help to deter the long known problems associated with diabetes and their lower extremities,” he explained.

Dr. Longobardo offers complete services for diabetic patients, including regularly scheduled examinations, wound care and a wide variety of over-thecounter items to help in the prevention of pain and

ulcers. Custom fitted extradepth shoes are also a valuable service available at this office. Ill-fitting shoes can cause ulcers and many other maladies to the diabetic, and it is important to Dr. Longobardo and his staff that his patients are properly fit.

Heel and foot pain ranging from mild to disabling is another area that Dr. Longobardo has made great progress with for many patients.

“New treatments are being done in our office for patients that have suffered for years with painful lesions on their feet,” Longobardo said. “Custom molded orthotics that correct the placement of a patient’s foot can relieve pain and give the person a See diabetic page 11D

Acute Care Clinic provides ongoing health management

Photo Submitted

Alex Tasca is a twofer. The local resident went to Life Care Center of Crossville for post-surgical rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on both knees.

Tasca gets back on his feet, twice, at Life Care

Area resident uses rehabilitation center to help get him moving after two knee surgeries

Alex Tasca is a twofer.

The local resident went to Life Care Center of Crossville for post-surgical rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on both knees.

He was first admitted June 23, 2014, after having met Jean Bennett, business development director at Life Care Center of Crossville. Although there was a short-term therapy provider closer to his home, he chose Life Care after learning that the facility offered therapy seven days a week.

Tasca thought his therapy would take no longer than two weeks. The young 65-year-old did discharge after 15 days of therapy. However, he realized that his departure was premature.

“The first time around, I wanted out ASAP,” Tasca said. “But I found out very quickly that knees are dif-

ferent.”

When the time for his second knee surgery drew near, Life Care Center of Crossville came to Tasca’s mind. He visited Life Care to sign his admissions paperwork to ensure Life Care could accommodate him for inpatient therapy once more. And on November 6, 2014, Tasca’s therapist, Christy Conner, went straight to work, arranging rigorous exercises to improve Tasca’s range of motion and mobility.

“I jokingly call them ‘physical terrorists,’” said Tasca about the physical therapists. “They have fingers of velvet and hands of steel.”

“The staff was courteous and responsive,” Tasca said. “They get an ‘E’ for effort, encouragement and effectiveness. They get an ‘F’ for friendliness.”

Twenty days later, he

was discharged, though he continued to receive outpatient therapy services to round out his recovery.

“I do joke around a lot, but seriously, I tell all my friends to consider doing their post-surgical rehab at Life Care,” Tasca said.

“The culture of teamwork emanates from every single employee.”

For more information about rehabilitation at Life Care Center of Crossville, please call (931) 4844782, or visit LifeCareCenterofCrossville.com.

Located at 80 Justice St., Life Care Center of Crossville is one of 26 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in Tennessee managed or operated by Life Care Centers of America. Life Care operates or manages more than 220 centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit LCCA.com.

LIFE

them.”

CMC sells punch cards for visits that can be used over the course of a year.

It averages out to $1.20 per session. For further support and motivation, spouses are offered cards for the same number of visits. This helps the patients keep the active healthy lifestyle going.

Phase IV is a phase out into their own environment and a regular gym. However, there are no time limits. Phase III ­ patients are able to utilize the center as long as necessary.

“A lot of patients can’t afford a gym membership, or they feel uncomfortable being in that setting, especially pulmonary patients who require oxygen,” said Trambley.

“CMC’s rehab center has oxygen piped in through the walls so pulmonary patients don’t have to carry around their oxygen tanks while exercising.”

In addition to the relatively low cost of the program, several volunteer organizations around the county help provide funds for patients who can-

not afford the treatment.

The Cardiac Pulmonary Alumni group is a nonprofit organization started in 1995 to help uninsured and underinsured cardiac and pulmonary patients receive medical treatment.

Mended Hearts is another very unique group. All of the money they raise stays in Cumberland County and is specifically for people who utilize CMC’s rehab program.

Above all, CMC’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program is about improving people’s quality of life.

“It’s definitely a rewarding career to be in,” said Trambley. “All the nurses feel that way.

Most patients are here for three months, so you get to know them very well and their condition. You get to share in their successes. It’s a great field to be in.”

“When you come here, you get into a regimen of doing things that help keep you healthy,” said Scott Amis.

Amis made headlines last year as the first patient to have a stent

• Continued from 8D two years. She’s not been in the hospital. She’s actually come off medication and she stopped taking oxygen.”

Pulmonary patients gets a short class each session. They have more to cover in terms of management, preventing infection, using oxygen and medical equipment.

The first 30-45 minutes of each session consists of educational material, followed by about 45 minutes of exercise. Since it is more of a hardship for them to get out with all the equipment, exercise is prescribed twice a week and supplemented with a home exercise plan.

“It’s an underutilized service, which may be cost related,” said Trambley. “The cost of their medications can be astronomical for inhalers, oxygen, as well as difficulty getting to and from the center. The program actually started from the need they had for something low-cost that was going to make a big impact for

Acute Care Clinic offers routine medical care and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries for patients age 2 and older.

“With the many changes in medical care, we wanted to create a practice where patients felt comfortable coming, whether sick or for preventative care,” explained Jill Denney, PA-C. Charles “Steve” Clifton, PA-C, added, “We have been providing medical care in this community for years and are committed to helping our patients navigate their ever-changing health care issues.”

Physician’s assistants are highly trained medical providers who function under specific state laws and reg-

ulations. PAs are authorized to diagnose and treat many conditions as part of a team directed by a physician. Acute Care Clinic, Inc., is under the medical supervision of Jamal Eskander, MD, a family practitioner from Cookeville.

Acute Care Clinic opened Feb. 2, 2015, at 352 Lantana Rd., offering routine medical care services such as physicals and wellcare visits, as well as management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis.

The providers can also provide treatment for acute illness and injuries.

As the business becomes established in the community, it is hoped addition-

al providers and services can be added to encourage wellness and to provide compassionate, professional health care to patients. Over the coming year, plans are to expand hours of operation to provide medical care in evenings and on Saturday.

Acute Care Clinic offers both appointments and walk-in care to accommodate people who juggle busy schedules with work or school in a timely manner.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Acute Care Clinic at 484-5379. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Compassionate in-home care provided by Silver Angels Silver Angels has a vast team of caregiving professionals who serve clients living throughout the Upper Cumberland’s and surrounding areas. It’s their pleasure to help clients further manage their independence at home.

Founded by Signature HealthCARE, a leading provider of long-term care services in the Eastern and Southeastern United States, Silver Angels’ mission and sole purpose is to provide clients with an alternative care option when losing mobility and in need of a “little help placed inside his heart by CMC. “The people that work here make you feel comfortable and they are more than willing to help you with issues you have, and we have a good time.

It’s just a good place to come, and that’s why I came back. I enjoy being with the people that are here and it helps remind me what I’m supposed to be doing. I go to another gym, too, but I come to this one once a week just to keep myself reminded of what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Operational hours for the CMC Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center are Monday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www. cmchealthcare.org/. n Clinton Gill may be reached at cgill@crossville-chronicle.com.

Read to know!

from their friends.” The Angels’ gentleness and compassionate care for clients and their families enable clients to age with dignity in the comfort of their own home.

Silver Angels welcomes the opportunity to help others. Please contact Tony Phipps at (855) 839-

7599 (Toll Free) or Doug Watts at (865)245-8261 for information about Silver Angels and its services. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you need to reach them at another time, that’s OK. Dial the number – they’re always on-call!

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Health • 11D

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

CRMC celebrates 20 years of heart program Cookeville Regional Medical Center is celebrating 20 years of providing heart care to the citizens of the Upper Cumberland region.

It all began in 1994 when Martin Coffey, former director of the Heart and Vascular Center; Alex Case, MD, cardiologist; and Bunker Stout, MD, cardiologist; came together to open the CRMC Heart Center, the first and only comprehensive cardiac care center in the region.

This center was designed to provide services to patients who have or are suspected of having heart disease, eliminating the need for transferring patients to metropolitan areas for complex heart care.

“There is definitely a team approach to this program,” said Case. “From EMS, the emergency room staff, cath lab team, nurses and techs, housekeeping, imaging, food and nutrition- we are all in this together and this program wouldn’t work without everyone.”

Over the years, the heart program has grown to provide heart surgery, electrophysiology and a heart attack protocol that has saved the lives of many Upper Cumberland citizens.

“Since the beginning of the heart surgery program, we have completed 4,560 heart surgeries,” said, Lewis Wilson, MD, cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeon at Cookeville Regional. “It takes a team to make a successful program and we have two amazing operating room teams that assist in surgery, CV anesthesiology, techs, CVICU staff and nurses that care for our patients after surgery. I mean, it goes all the way to housekeeping. These people make it run.”

Electrophysiology was added to the program in February 2010 when Dr.

Cardiologist Alex Case, MD, performs a cardiac catheterization procedure on a patient.

Mark Wathen, cardiologist and electrophysiologist, joined the program.

Dr. Wathen is now providing this sub-specialty of cardiology to patients that deal with electricity of the heart and heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and other rhythm disturbances. The electrophysiology (EP) lab that is housed at Cookeville

Regional is state-of-theart, just like the two cath labs.

CODE STEMI is the protocol that EMS, the emergency room and cardiologists created to help quicken the process of those patients having a heart attack. Dr. Sullivan Smith, Emergency Department Medical Director at Cookeville Regional;

Stacy Brewington, MD, cardiologist at Cookeville Regional; and Bruce Dockery, MD, cardiologist at Cookeville Regional; created this protocol to provide the best quality of care for patients having a heart attack.

If someone is having a heart attack and they call 9-1-1 they will be picked up by EMS and the para-

Tennessee Plateau Oncology provides comprehensive cancer care Dirk C. Davidson, MC, and the staff at Tennessee Plateau Oncology, PLLC, continues to provide excellent, comprehensive cancer care to the community with the latest cancer treatment research, drugs and information.

Davidson and his staff, led by practice administrator Linda W. Barnwell, offer medical services to cancer patients, including chemotherapy, and treatment of hematology disorders.

The practice opened in February 2004, providing transformative cancer care for all patients in the Upper Cumberland region and surrounding counties. A satellite office was

opened in Huntsville, TN, in 2005, to offer comprehensive cancer care to that region, as well.

“Time is precious and some things are worth fighting for,” said Davidson. “Defeating cancer is not a battle to fight alone. Allow us to be in your corner and start here on your path to recovery. We offer world-class cancer therapy in your own community, and we will continue to provide the highest standards of communication and education to our patients.”

Tennessee Plateau Oncology also offers an in-office physician dispensing pharmacy, a CLIA-accredited laboratory and an infusion center.

The practice plans to launch a new website, tpocancercenter.com, in summer 2015, with more information and services for patients. There will be a graphical user interface to allow patients to easily find information such as new patient forms, to request an appointment, treatments provided and more. There will also be information on the Tennessee Plateau Oncology team, news and events and social media connections.

Tennessee Plateau Oncology, PLLC, is at 49 Cleveland St., Suite 270. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Psoriasis puts you at risk for arthritis If you have psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition marked by red, flaky patches on the body, you also could be at risk for a certain type of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiffness, swelling and pain in and around the joints, affects up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis,

says the National Psoriasis Foundation. While psoriatic arthritis can develop at any time, it is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. This type of arthritis can develop slowly or come on quickly and be severe. Just like psoriasis itself, psoriatic arthritis tends to go through peri-

ods of flare-up and remission. Typically, the skin condition precedes the joint disease in 85 percent of patients. Psoriatic arthritis may be treated like other forms of arthritis. Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, antirheumatic drugs, exercise, and complementary therapies.

WATER

milk and even coffee can take the place of some of the water that you need to drink daily.

“Drinks that are high in water, and low in calories, are acceptable substitutions for water,” Howard explains.

“But watch out for sugary, high-calorie drinks that will cause weight gain.”

of staying properly hydrated every day go beyond good health. Staying hydrated also approves the appearance of your skin.

“Drinking a glass of water is one of the easiest things any of us can do,” Howard says. “It is important to how your body works on the inside, and how it looks on the outside. Adding this simple step to your daily routine is well worth the many benefits.”

• Continued from 4D drink 2.2 liters or nine cups daily.

“If you drink water with each meal, and at least one glass between each meal, you will be very close to what you need to drink every day,” Howard suggests.

And there is good news if you want some variety.

Howard says beverages like

DIABETIC

• Continued from 10D new out look on mobility.”

X-ray is available on site.

Whether you participate in golf, basketball, run marathons or just walk for daily exercise, the pain that you may be experiencing

Beauty benefits

Howard says the benefits

could possibly be relieved with the fitting of custom orthotics. This medically tested method of relieving foot pain is used by thousands of people from professional athletes to factory workers that spend most of their day on their feet.

Dr. Longobardo offers a

full line of diabetic shoes and arch supports, as well as sandals and a new line of sports shoes.

Dr. Longobardo is always accepting new patients and he takes most insurance.

To learn more, call 7078352.

Those who have psoriasis and have begun to experience joint pain and stiffness should talk to a doctor about potential therapies.

medics can begin treating the heart attack.

“The technology is amazing. EMS can now send EKGs to the cardiologist’s phone and they can begin reviewing it so that when the patient arrives, the whole cath lab team is ready,” said Mitch Stonecipher, director of heart services at Cookeville Regional.

If the patient is indeed having a heart attack, when they arrive, the team is there ready to take them straight to the cath lab to open the blocked artery.

This protocol helps with “Door-to-balloon time,” which refers to the length of time it takes for a heart attack patient to get to the cardiac cath lab after arriving at Cookeville Regional. At the cardiac cath lab, the patient has a small tube, or catheter, threaded into the blocked coronary artery and a tiny balloon is then inflated, allowing blood to flow once again.

“The national (door-toballoon) goal or average is 90 minutes,” said Brewington, interventional cardiologist. “We (CRMC) have a 43- minute doorto-balloon time. So we are beating the national average. The key to treating a heart attack is stopping it early.”

Cookeville Regional has been honored and given numerous awards and accolades for their cardiac program over the years and recently was named

by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for cardiac care and coronary intervention.

Not only are they awardwinning, but the Heart and Vascular Center at Cookeville Regional is the only level-three accredited chest pain center in the Upper Cumberland awarded by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

“There used to be just two cardiologists here,” said Case. “And now there

are 11 of us. It is amazing to just sit back and think about what we have here at Cookeville Regional. It is quite impressive.”

There are now three cardiothoracic surgeons and three CV anesthesiologists. Cardiac rehab continues to grow and create programs for patients after they have heart surgery or heart related procedures.

And the cardiologists continue to expand to help serve every patient they can in the Upper Cumberland by opening seven additional Tennessee Heart clinics. Patients now have the convenience of seeing a Cookeville cardiologist in their own towns instead of traveling to Cookeville for every visit. The clinics are in Crossville, Sparta, Albany, KY, Livingston, Celina, Jamestown, and Fairfield Glade.

“We provide big city cardiology on the local level,” said Dr. Thomas Little, cardiologist at Cookeville Regional, who joined the staff in 2011. “The quality of the program at Cookeville Regional is comparable to anything one could get in Nashville or Knoxville.

One of the biggest advantages for the patients is that if they get sick at night and they are sent to Cookeville we already have their history because we have seen them and have their medical records.”

“It is a great milestone to be able to celebrate 20 years of providing excellent heart care to the citizens of the Upper Cumberland. We have made it our mission to make sure you are getting the heart care you need when you need it,” said Paul Korth, CEO at Cookeville Regional.

“We thank and appreciate every person who has made this heart program what it is today. We thank our patients for allowing us to care for your heart for the past 20 years. We look forward to many more years of serving you.”

RYLAN

or would like more information, contact Jonathan Hyder at 787-2600 or Casey Hyder at 787-5440.

If you would like to join and support the efforts of Saving Rylan, donations are welcomed online at www. gofundme.com/savingrylan and for daily reminders of Rylan’s journey visited the Facebook page at www. facebook.com/acureforrylan. An account has also been opened at Progressive Savings Bank of Crossville in Nicole Simmons and Jonathan Hyder’s name titled “Saving Rylan.”

The family appreciates those who have supported the cause to save Rylan. So much more will be needed to meet their precious son’s needs. Community support is the key to the cure. With community members banding together in support of Rylan, there are no limits on what a blessing you can be for this sweet family.

• Continued from 7D Some patients live longer, while others with severe forms die at an earlier age.

Rylan has regular physical therapy sessions at Benchmark Therapy which is holding a big 5K on April 18 to raise money for one of its favorite patients. Contact Patrick Erickson or Cherish Gingerich at Benchmark Physical Therapy for more information. There will also be a truck giveaway for a souped-up 1985 GMC Sierra Classic which can be seen at Performance Auto Detail.

To be entered into the drawing, tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Dressy Cuts Salon, Triple D Diner, Performance Auto Detail, and Jan’s Wine and Liquor.

The drawing will take place on April 16 at 6 p.m. at Performance Auto Detail. If you are entered into the drawing but are unable to be present

12D • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Health • 1E

2E • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Plateau Pediatrics achieves highest certification for quality care

Photo submitted

Dr. Paige Gernt and Dr. Bert Geer worked together on patient Toni Ferrell’s (center) laparoscopic hysterectomy.

On Hand:

Cookeville surgeons perform area’s first hand-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy

Toni Ferrell of Overton County had been having back pain and stomach discomfort for quite some time when she decided to ask her family doctor about it during a routine checkup. An ultrasound and a CT scan revealed a large mass in her abdomen, so her doctor referred her to Dr. Bert Geer, a gynecologist in Cookeville.

Fortunately, the mass was not cancerous, but Dr. Geer discovered that Ferrell had both fibroids and endometriosis.

“The size of the uterus came up above the belly button, so it was equal to about a 20-week-sized uterus as far as pregnancy goes, or a soccer ball,” said Dr. Geer.

Typically, to remove a mass that size, a surgeon would have to make a midline incision that runs from above the navel all the way to the pubic bone.

“That’s a long, drawn-out recovery and a painful surgery,” said Dr. Geer.

Laparoscopic surgery is not an option for these types of cases because of the size of the mass and the degree of technical difficulty involved. With the recent advent of robotic surgery, surgeons have been able to successfully perform these types of surgeries less invasively; however, because of Ferrell’s small stature, she was not a candidate for surgery using the da Vinci robot.

“I kept trying to think of a way to keep from having to make such a large incision on her,” said Dr. Geer.

“That’s when I began to consider

doing a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery with the help of another surgeon.”

Dr. Geer did a literature search and found several case reports of hand-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomies that had been performed in the past. He determined that Ferrell would be an ideal candidate for this type of surgery, so he approached fellow gynecologist Dr. Paige Gernt to see if she would be willing to help him with the procedure.

“Dr. Gernt and I have operated together for many years, and she’s an incredibly accomplished laparoscopic surgeon, so I felt like it would be a good mix for us to do it together,” said Dr. Geer.

For hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes an 8-centimeter incision, into which he places a gel port that allows him to insert his hand with minimal tissue damage.

Then laparoscopic equipment is placed into the upper abdomen so that the surgeon can insert a hand to assist while his assistant works the laparoscope, and vice versa.

“If I was standing on the patient’s right, I would hold the scope in one hand, and then I would be holding things back to apply counter traction so that he could go down that one side and get the ligaments and the blood supply, and then he would do the same for me, because it’s just really hard to go all the way across by yourself,” said Dr. Gernt.

While both surgeons had performed many laparoscopic hyster-

ectomies, and Dr. Geer had also performed many robotic procedures using the da Vinci robot, neither had ever performed a hand-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy. In fact, according to Dr. Geer, not many surgeons in the U.S. have.

“When Dr. Geer told me he’d never done this before, he said the look on my face was priceless,” said Ferrell. “But when he told me that he did the research and that it was going to be a lot less recovery time and was going to be easier for me, it didn’t take me long to be sold on it.”

Ferrell was only in the hospital for two days and returned to work about two weeks after her surgery, and she didn’t require any pain medication once she was home. An open incision would have taken about six weeks to heal.

“This incision is a lot smaller than my C-section incisions,” said Ferrell.

“I’m a single mom with two kids, so this was definitely a better fit for me because I was back to work quickly.”

This was the first time this type of surgery had been performed in Middle Tennessee, and because it was so successful, there’s now one more option on the table for helping patients.

“Not everybody needs what Toni needed, but it was perfect for her,” said Dr. Gernt.

Added Dr. Geer, “There always has to be a first, and we’re always trying to bring new things and better things to the hospital and the community. I’m very appreciative to Toni for trusting us to do it.”

Cedar Hills focuses on safety, health, happiness of residents As the population ages, demand for senior living solutions will continue to increase. Cedar Hills Senior Living, on Nottingham Dr. off Highway 70 in Cookeville, strives to excel in its commitment to the safety, health and happiness of its residents.

Jenene Jones, executive director, said, “More and more people realize that even if they or their parents or loved one are in good general health, it is nice knowing that someone is with them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Some families have had to relocate for employment or other reasons, and it is

Jenene Jones

reassuring to them knowing that the needs of their loved ones are being met in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Cedar Hills Senior Living has been serving the Upper Cumberland since 1996. It offers 44 spacious residential suites with a variety of floor plans, along with housekeeping and laundry services, scheduled transportation, 24-hour security and an emergency call system, and an on-site beauty and barber salon. There is a full range of social activities and fine dining services with three daily meals.

“The bond that is shared between our staff, residents and families is a constant reminder of why I love this job,” Jones said.

Residents are involved

in facilities activities, but they also go outside the campus to make a difference in the community.

“Our residents enjoy staying active and continuing to be a part of the many opportunities our area has to offer,” Jones said.

The center’s location, at the end of a residential road that winds through a subdivision, is close to the hustle and bustle of the Cookeville community, but also offers a private, scenic environment.

To learn more about Cedar Hills Senior Living, call (931) 526-9108 or visit www.goodworksunlimited. com.

Recommended immunizations for those age 50 and older Routine immunizations can keep people safe and healthy. Certain vaccinations can prevent diseases from producing symptoms, while others can lessen the duration of an illness or make conditions less severe.

Vaccination schedules become a way of life for parents to young children. But vaccinations aren’t just for kids, and adults should keep tabs on their immunization histories to ensure they’re up-to-date with vaccinations for their particular age group and lifestyle.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the elderly

are more likely to die of a vaccinepreventable disease than other age groups. The immune system begins to decline as we age, so the body can benefit from the disease-fighting boost provided by vaccinations.

Individuals at any age should discuss immunizations with their doctors, but it’s a particularly important conversation for those age 50 and older.

Vaccine schedules and recommendations may vary depending on where a person lives, but the following immunization recommendations are offered courtesy of the CDC. • Influenza: An annual flu shot can

help prevent the nearly 36,000 deaths that occur due to flu each year in the United States. The flu vaccine is designed to combat the current strain of flu, so it is recommended anytime between September to March, which is the prime flu season. People age 50 and older should opt for the injection rather than the nasal form of the vaccine.

• Tdap: This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is especially necessary for people who have close contact with young infants. Pertussis, or whooping See 50 page 3E

Plateau Pediatrics has been proudly serving the Crossville community for more than 13 years. The staff strives to provide top quality pediatric care for young people from birth to 21 years of age, marriage, or pregnancy.

Plateau Pediatrics is located at 3234 Miller Ave., in Crossville. The office telephone number is (931) 707-8700 and hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. An on-call physician is available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to handle any unexpected emergencies patients may have. are the practice’s three board-certified pediatricians, with three certified pediatric nurse practitions, Kristel Hassler is a boardcertified pediatric nurse practitioner.

Three board-certified pediatricians, Dr. Robert Berman, Dr. Suzanne Berman and Dr. Chrissy Reed, and three certified pediatric nurse practitioners, Kristel Hassler, Jillian Smith and Kristin Daugherty, provide comprehensive care by offering well baby and well-child exams, physicals, same day appointments for sick and injured children, management of chronic childhood

illnesses, primary care for children with special needs, vaccinations, breastfeeding support, inpatient care at CMC, and coordination of tests, services, and referrals.

Plateau Pediatrics is proud to be distinguished as a medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) since 2010. This program measures a practice’s ability to provide systematic, comprehensive, patientcentered quality care for its community. The practice is delighted to hold the highest level of recognition for this certification, making it the first Level 3 practice in the state of Tennessee. Each year the practice must gather and report on an extensive and rigorous list of guidelines to maintain this certification.

Plateau Pediatrics also conducts an annual patient satisfaction survey to obtain feedback from patients.

The results are posted on the practice website and are used to ensure the staff continues to offer the best care for patients and their families.

For more information on Plateau Pediatrics please call the office or visit www. plateaupediatrics.com.

The link between heart disease and snoring (BPT) — Snoring isn’t pleasant for anyone — not the partner who has to sleep beside the snorer, nor the snorer whose breathing may pause repeatedly throughout the night. But did you know that loud, excessive snoring is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that — if left untreated — can cause you to be five times more likely to die from heart disease?

Along with good nutrition and regular exercise, healthy sleep is essential for a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S, so treating sleep apnea is good for your sleep and your heart.

According to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disease

that afflicts at least 25 million U.S. adults.

“Obstructive sleep apnea is destroying the health of millions of Americans, and the problem has only gotten worse over the last two decades,” says Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a national spokesperson for the Healthy Sleep Project.

The project is a collaboration between the AASM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sleep Research Society and other partners.

Sleep apnea involves repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, which can put an enormous strain on the heart. Severe sleep apnea can reduce the amount of See LINK page 6E

“We will treat your family like our family.”

Calley Jo Perry, DMD

General Dentistry Cosmetic Endodontics Oral Surgery Implants Orthodontics Natural Partials Dentures

510 Livingston Rd.• Crossville, TN 38555

931.484.3007 • 1.877 CLOUD 08 www.CloudlandDental.com

Health • 3E

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

VIS Group offers resources for visually impaired

By Margie DeMars Chronicle contributor

The Visually Impaired Support (VIS) Group of Cumberland County has moved its office to 46 Genesis Rd., which is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new office is located in the Bean Real Estate building near Main St. The VIS Group has recently published an extensive resource guide with information answering the questions of where, who, what and why of blindness and low vision.

VIS Group President Linda Simmons stated, “This resource guide is meant to help with some of the problems associated with the loss of sight.

Although it is written specifically for the visually impaired and their caregivers, our hope is that

this material will also be useful to professionals for educating and counseling persons with vision loss.”

In conclusion, Simmons added, “Stop by our new office to pick-up your free copy of this resource guide in large print.”

This 70-plus page book lists resource material, such as eye diseases; ophthalmologists and low vision centers; rehabilitation and education; eye information; research; blind and low vision agencies; equipment, devices and aids; law and advocacy; guide dog facilities; religious organizations and Bibles; entertainment; and smartphone apps.

Joyce Lignar, VIS Group vice president, reminds the public, “The VIS Group is a participating partner of the United Fund of Cumberland County. The United Fund was the primary contributor of this project,

including some funding by the VECustomers Share.

Without these grants, and the fact that Jimmy Pleasant of Business Equipment Clinic favored the VIS Group with discounted printing, the project wouldn’t have been possible. Lastly, but not less important, the VIS Group heartily thanks Margie DeMars and Linda Simmons for their diligent work in the compilation of this resource guide. Thank you, everyone!”

United Fund Executive Director Holly Neal echoes Lignar’s thoughts in a written message to the VIS Group lauding the resource guide as “amazing” and “great job.”

For the past two years, the VIS Group office resided in the A to Z Building at the Woodmere Mall. The VIS Group is appreciative of its former landlord, Diane Morey of

A to Z Printing. They wish them the best in their new location: 2569 Cook Rd. in the Cumberland Business Incubator building in Crossville.

Support meetings for the VIS Group are the second Thursday of each month at the Sonshine Soup Kitchen, 69 Neecham St., downtown Crossville at 9:30 a.m.

Following the meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, Marty Smith from the Fairfield Glade Lions Club will be the speaker. The Lions’ support free eye and hearing exams in local schools and help subsidize lowincome individuals with financial aid concerning their hearing and vision needs. Come enjoy spending time with people who care about you. As always, coffee/tea and pastries are provided. For more information, call Linda Simmons at 456-6758.

Save $$ on prescription drug costs (BPT) — Today’s rising health care costs can feel out of control. Fortunately, prescription drugs are an exception. Consider these five simple ways to save money on your prescriptions so you can stay healthy and maintain your budget.

1. Ask about generic or lower-cost equivalents. Your health plan has a list of covered prescription drugs, called a formulary. Within that list are preferred drugs, which have a lower copayment cost for the patient. These are clinical or therapeutic equivalents to higher-priced brand drugs.

Always ask your prescriber or pharmacist, “Is there a generic for that?” Until you ask, they may not be well acquainted with lower-cost equivalents on your particular

plan’s formulary.

2. Don’t be duped by drug coupons. Hundreds of highpriced brand drugs offer coupons that apply to the consumer’s share of the drug’s cost. But beware: A temporary discount may end up costing you more in the long run. A recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 62 percent of coupons were for brand-name drugs for which lower-cost alternatives were available.

“Despite the short-term savings achievable with coupons, they do not offset higher, long-term costs because they’re nearly always timedelimited,” the study states.

3. Use preferred retail pharmacies for acute medications. Many prescription plans offer a preferred network of

retail pharmacies within a wider network. These plans allow you to save between $5 and $10 on copayments just by choosing a preferred pharmacy. Chances are good that a preferred pharmacy is conveniently located near you.

4. Use home delivery for chronic or maintenance medications. With home delivery, many patients can save up to 33 percent on their copayment costs and have the medication delivered right to their door.

Home delivery is a safe and convenient way to obtain medications that you use long term. Many pharmacy plans will provide you with a 90-day supply for a lower copayment.

Be sure to tell your doctor that you use home delivery so your prescription can be written for a 90-day supply.

Photo submitted

The VIS Group donated a Merlin CCTV to the senior citizen facility Beverly Apartments. Sitting is Mary Tinch and standing are Francis Dunbar, Nan Momb, Sherri Pelfrey (Beverly Apartments manager) and Margie DeMars.

There’s an important bonus that can save you even more: Patients using home delivery are more likely to take their medication as prescribed (see No. 5).

5. Take your medications as prescribed. While it might be tempting to stretch your medication dollar by skipping daily doses, this can be harmful to your health and end up costing you significantly more money to treat the health complications that could have been avoided.

Adherence to your prescribed therapy is the best way to make sure you get the most from your pharmacy benefit.

For more information, visit lab.express-scripts.com.

50

• Continued from 2E cough, can be passed on to youngsters and make them very ill. If you’ve never received a Tdap vaccine, the CDC suggests getting it at least once. Individual tetanus boosters should be received every 10 years.

• Pneumococcal: Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. It can cause pneumonia, blood infection, ear infections, and even bacterial meningitis. This vaccine is given to adults age 65 and older or to younger adults at their physicians’ discretion.

• Hepatitis A: Individuals with medical, occupational or lifestyle conditions, such as healthcare workers or people with chronic liver disease, may need a two-dose series of the hepatitis A vaccine.

Adults who are avid travelers to various parts of the world that may bring them in contact with animals or people who do not receive the same course of immunizations may need additional vaccines. Speak with a doctor about which immunizations are recommended before travel.

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4E • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

WyndRidge offers three levels of care Cathleen Reid and sister Lauren Scurlock

Jason Belvin

Brenda Frye

Above, Hannah Rawiszer. At left, Penny Vires

CatFit Yoga offers yoga practice for all levels CatFit Yoga is committed to providing yoga for all, whether you are an absolute beginner, advanced practitioner, or somewhere in between.

The studio encourages diversity in a warm and inviting environment.

CatFit has been offering Cumberland County and the surrounding area a wide range of yoga classes and workshops for more than four years. The team includes some of Cumberland County’s top yoga instructors, while the studio offers a variety of classes and programs available to anyone, at any level in their yoga practice. At CatFit Yoga, the goal is to make yoga fun and beneficial.

Meet the CatFit Yoga team

Cathleen Reid wants to share her love for yoga with everyone. She began her career in fitness and became a positive body image advocate while living in Hawaii. In New York, she taught in fitness facilities in Highland Falls, NY, then later in Watertown, NY. While in Highland Falls, Cathleen was the coach for Army cheerleading at the Military Academy at West Point.

She also taught fitness to the college football, basketball, wrestling, women’s lacrosse and women’s soccer teams. Cat was the fitness director at a facility in Lubbock where she developed training and conducted continuing education for fitness instructors.

Cathleen is a breast cancer survivor, a personal trainer and has taught a variety of fitness and martial arts classes before falling in love with yoga.

She is the 2014 recipient of Cumberland County’s Reader’s Choice award for Best Yoga Instructor.

“The love of physical fitness for me comes from helping people make positive changes in their lives — changes that will make them healthier and happier,” she said. “If a person is having fun they are more likely to continue with that activity; therefore, I strive to make yoga fun and productive for each person — meeting them at their level and working with them to make positive changes.”

Reid has a masters in business education from Middle Tennessee State University; a graduate certificate in marketing strategy from Cornell University; a graduate certificate in creative writing from MTSU; and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from MTSU. She also is a 200 RYT Yoga Instructor and Yoga Alliance member, certified by the American Council on Exercise and Yoga Fit certified for levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. She also hold a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. • • • Lauren Scurlock has been a fitness enthusiast for most of her life and believes in the powerful benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Mental acuity, physical fitness and spiritual maturity have long been skills she admires. Yoga has captured her heart, with its beautiful integration of mind, body, spirit, as well as the sense of community amongst yoga’s many devotees.

As the spouse of a retired service member and mother of two active duty service members, one of them a Wounded Warrior, Lauren is driven to share

the benefits of yoga with the military community, including Gold Star families, Wounded Warriors and their families.

Scurlock has been a competitive bodybuilder in Germany and the United States as well as a personal trainer. She was an aerobics instructor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and a cardio trainer for Urban Warrior Dojo Jujitsu School in Fayetteville, NC. She studied business at MTSU and Regent University. She is currently working on her yoga instructor credentials.

Her philanthropies include animal welfare, wildlife conservation, Gold Star families, Wounded Warriors and their caregivers.

• • • When Jason Belvin first began practicing yoga in 2012, he could barely touch his knees when bending forward. The years of competitive bull riding had left his body in a state of chronic pain and stiffness, and he knew that it would only get worse if he didn’t do something about it. Jason began taking classes at CatFit Yoga in hopes of allowing his body to heal. What he got, along with physical healing and increased flexibility, was a passion to understand the practice of yoga better. He is passionate about sharing with others what yoga had done for him, and began instructor training with Cathleen Reid. He teaches his “heated power hour” at CatFit yoga, challenging his students to listen to their bodies as they practice. Jason’s training includes YogaFit level one training and independent study of various

aspects of yoga.

• • • Brenda Frye began her fitness career more than 20 years ago as a YMCA aerobic instructor teaching group fitness to adults and seniors. As a YMCA program director, she coordinated the aerobics, aquatics, and corporate wellness programs. Being a professional vocalist, the combination of music with aerobics drew her in and there was no turning back. Brenda has taught all forms of aerobic classes, personal training and, most recently, has added the certification of health coach to her credentials.

“Even as a fitness instructor, I have always struggled to maintain a good healthy weight. I found that having a strong support system and a personal health coach was crucial to helping me achieve my goals. As a health coach, I am hoping to pay that forward to help others who need that support and help them to achieve optimal health. Yoga is an excellent way to begin that journey through body, mind and spirit,” she said.

At CatFit studio, Brenda teaches a slow flow yoga that is perfect for those new to yoga, and the older population who need that extra care and support. She is also available as a health coach and for personal training.

Frye is certified by the American Council on Exercise and holds certification from AAAI Personal Trainer. She is also a Take Shape for Life certified health coach and holds National YMCA Program Director certification and YogaFit level 1 certificaSee CATFIT page 5E

It is common knowledge that people are living longer then ever before, and due to continued medical advances we can expect the longevity trend to keep escalating in the future.

Crossville’s premier retirement centers, Cumberland Ridge Assisted Living, The Center for Outpatient Therapy and WyndRidge Health and Rehabilitation Center, are focused to meet the needs of an aging population.

Cumberland Ridge Assisted Living Center is located next door to WyndRidge Health and Rehabilitation Center. Cumberland Ridge is a single level home with 34 beautifully appointed suites.

Emphasis is on independence, privacy and activities. However, should assistance be required the trained staff at Cumberland Ridge is there to help 24 hours a day.

One monthly fee covers all of the resident’s meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry service, cable TV, medication supervision and utilities. Additional assistance with daily tasks is available as needed.

Daily organized activities play a large part of each resident’s day. Cumberland Ridge’s activities director plans a full range of activities each month to interest seniors. The 15 passenger, wheelchair accessible van allows residents to go on outing and trips Church and school groups, and a number of individual volunteers donate their time and talents to enrich the lives of all who live at Cumberland Ridge.

WyndRidge is a 157bed skilled and intermediate nonprofit nursing care facility operated by the Senior Living Foundation.

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances are accepted. WyndRidge offers private and semiprivate rooms. Its secured unit, “Reflections” is a special care unit designed to provide a safe, secure environment for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia related disorders. The staff on this unit is specially trained to care for individuals with dementia disor-

ders. Wyndridge has also added a 26-bed ventilator/ tracheostomy unit with a new bulk liquid oxygen system providing piped in high-flow oxygen directly to bedside outlets. A new compressor system likewise will provide hospital-grade suction to beside outlets. A redundant external alarm system has been installed for every bed to provide that extra measure of safety and sense of security for all residents and their families. The respiratory therapy and nursing staff cares for its residents in concert with a critical care physician.

WyndRidge Health and Rehabilitation Center strives to be the first choice for health care in this area. Because residents are its highest priority, the staff believes in creating a loving and caring environment that preserves dignity, self respect and patient rights. All patients are their families are encouraged to participate in the patients’ plan of care to achieve the highest goals possible.

What many people may not realize is that WyndRidge offers a wide range of activities to encourage socialization, develop new skills and maintain the interest of each resident.

WyndRidge is currently looking for volunteers to assist with resident activities.

The Center for Outpatient therapy is on the same campus as WyndRidge and Cumberland Ridge. The Center offers physical, occupational and speech therapy services for individuals ranging from infants to adults. The team of licensed therapist’s work with each patient’s physician to design an individualized, outcome oriented treatment plan.

WyndRidge has also expanded services to meet the needs of the community by providing “Home Care.” WyndRidge Home Care is tailored to serve individuals who need non-medial assistance to remain independent while living at home. WynSee CARE page 5E

CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN MENTAL HEALTH Help today... for a better tomorrow.

SERVICES INCLUDE: Medication Management Individual Counseling Case Management Positive Action Community Prevention Program

Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center a division of

4325 Hwy 127 N., Crossville 931-484-8020 First time appointment call 1-877-567-6051 Open Monday - Friday 8am-5pm

Health • 5E

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Home Instead helps next generation care for family Everyone has a favorite uncle — the one who always had the coolest car; or who maybe taught you how to play golf; or who took you fishing as a child and put the worm on the hook for you.

Now the tables have turned and he’s the one who needs home care assistance, but you can’t be there every day. Or, maybe it’s mom or dad who can’t quite manage on their own anymore. They took care of you all those years and now you want to be there for them. It can be tough when the dynamic changes and children are caring for the person who once cared for them.

Whether it’s parents, grandparents, an aunt, an uncle or a cherished friend, Home Instead Senior Care understands how the responsibility can wear on a person at work, at home, and in relationships with family and friends. Do you fear for your loved one’s safety but hope to find a manageable way for them to remain in their home?

Do you feel like you want to be there for them all the time but can’t manage? Maybe you’ve thought about a nursing home. You might have even considered having your loved one move in with you.

Home Instead Senior Care has the expertise to help families discuss these important matters and the experience to help make the right decisions — wherever home may be.

Home Instead Senior Care is a non-medical company that strives to be the

world’s most trusted source of home care for seniors.

Home Instead offers an endless array of services including, but not limited to, companionship, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, shopping and errands, personal care, respite care and Alzheimer’s care. The goal of Home Instead caregivers is to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families, allowing them to age gracefully, independently and with as much dignity as possible.

Home Instead offers 24/7 on-call assistance, which sets the company apart from others. Caregivers are bonded and insured and go through extensive background checks. Home Instead takes pride in placing well-trained caregivers in client’s homes. They specialize in Alzheimer’s care and offer on-going training for affected families.

Since its opening in 2004, Home Instead Senior Care has grown to serve the entire Upper Cumberland, with offices in Crossville (19 Stanley St.) and Cookeville (708 E. 10th St.). It’s owned and operated by Rob and Shelley Brown and managed by Renee Maynard and Peggy Coble.

Home Instead’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 24-hour assistance by calling (931) 7075595. Please call Rachel Smith, (931) 528-1127, to set up a no-obligation appointment to discuss services.

CARE

delivered meals; shopping assistance; companionship/sitter service; assistance with medication reminders; and respite care.

For more information about any of the services offered please contact Cumberland Ridge at 456866, The Center for Outpatient Therapy at 7075687, WyndRidge Health and Rehabilitation Center or WyndRidge Home Care at 484-6129.

CATFIT

• • • Hannah Rawiszer brings with her an extensive background in teaching teenagers and adults in the classroom. Hannah has a doctorate in exceptional learning/literacy studies and has been teaching yoga for two years at CatFit Yoga. She has done extensive independent study of mudras and numerous aspects of yoga.

• Continued from 4E dRidge is committed to enhancing the quality of life, maintaining the independence and contributing to the peace of mind of our clients as we care for them in their home. Some of the services provided include assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming; light housekeeping; laundry assistance; meal preparation assistance; home

• Continued from 4E tion and YogaLean 1 and 2 certifications.

• • • An avid distance runner, Penny Vires found yoga to be the perfect complement in helping her control her breathing and calm her mind when panic or self doubt surfaced. After an especially rigorous year of races left her with a broken toe and severe tendonitis, she decided to take a break from running to heal her body with yoga. She began teacher training at Yoga Landing in Chattanooga to develop a personal practice that she could tailor to her specific runner’s needs. Penny earned her RYT-200 in February 2014. She found most of her home practices ended up being the Yin yoga she’d learned in teacher training. She began to enjoy that open, spacious feeling that previously eluded her.

Penny also found meditation to come more naturally in this quiet practice. When she combined Yin yoga with running or Flow yoga, she experienced a beautiful wholeness. These profound benefits drive her desire to share her practice with others. There is no greater joy than to see someone experience that moment when spaciousness in the body presents or an insight is gained from meditation.

Photo submitted by Bobbi Avery

The Ladies Day Out support group enjoys one of their monthly luncheons held at 5th Street Market Café. The group provides friendship and fellowship for women who have cardiac or pulmonary health issues.

Sisters at heart Women band together to fight heart disease

By Rebekah K. Bohannon Beeler Chronicle correspondent

Lois Ragsdale has survived multiple cardiac intervention surgeries, a heart attack and even a risky valve replacement.

The amount of time she has spent in cardiac rehab is enough to make her an expert on recovery. She did more than recover.

Ragsdale was invigorated and inspired to start Ladies Day Out, a support group that caters to ladies who have battled cardiac and pulmonary issues. It is no secret that this group of ladies is near and dear to Lois Ragsdale’s heart.

Ragsdale’s problems started when she was a senior in high school. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and given cobalt treatments. But back then they weren’t aware they needed to do anything to protect the heart. The radiation over the years caused her heart issues. In September of 2003, Ragsdale had her first stent put in and two months later had to have cardiac bypass surgery.

The surgery took its toll on Ragsdale and doctors found she had a bad aortic valve. In her case, though, doctors thought it too risky to put a valve in as well as the bypass. After both procedures, she was admitted to cardiac rehab.

She immediately noticed that there was only one other lady in her class. She then had open heart surgery and had to start cardiac rehab all over again.

And, again, there weren’t many ladies in her class.

In 2009, Ragsdale had a heart attack. Doctors placed two more stents but were more concerned about her valve than the fact that she’d had a heart attack. “They said it was really critical and we have to take care of that valve,” said Ragsdale. Accord-

ing to Ragsdale, when she went to see her valve surgeon to conduct her testing he informed her that she had been the topic of several conferences at Vanderbilt. Subsequently, he said he wouldn’t operate on her bad valve because, in her complex case, it would have been too risky. Following her heart attack and multistent placements, Ragsdale went through cardiac rehab yet again. It has to be said that every time a patient experiences a cardiac or pulmonary issue they are admitted into the rehab program. It must also be said that by this time, Lois Ragsdale was a familiar face in the cardiac rehab facility. Still, there were not many ladies in her class.

With her valve surgeon telling her that her valve condition was too risky to operate, Ragsdale said, “Basically, they just sent me home to live my life. I didn’t feel sorry for myself because I thought without that radiation I wouldn’t have lived all of these years. I married, I had children and I had grandchildren. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and I’ll just live the rest of my days that God gives me.”

In July 2011, Vanderbilt began a new procedure called Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement or TAVR, specifically designed for high risk patients. In the TAVR procedure, doctors access the valve too risky to remove through the groin to open it up and put a new valve inside of the existing one.

By that December, she was tested to see if she could be a candidate for the surgery. The information packet they gave her said that when a person starts having problems with their aortic valve, 50 percent of those people don’t live past two years.

Her doctors knew she had

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heart valve problems as early as 2003, so she felt very blessed to have lived as long as she had. Vanderbilt had performed 40 TAVR procedures by the time she was qualified and scheduled for the TAVR surgery. When she left home on March 15, 2012, she didn’t know if she would ever return.

“I told my husband and my children, ‘God has a design for everybody’s life. No matter what happens in this surgery, that is His design for my life.’ And I was calm and thought either I’ll wake up here or I’ll wake up in glory. So it was a winwin situation for me,” said Ragsdale.

She went for the surgery and survived it. The first thing she thought when she came to was that she had made it. As Ragsdale recalled these memories, she said excitedly, “I felt like I needed to stand on a mountaintop and tell everyone I saw, ‘I’ve got a new heart valve! I’ve got a new lease on life!’”

She went back to cardiac rehab and again there were only a few women in her class. She graduated from her cardiac rehab and was inspired by everything. She had volunteered at the Bread of Life Rescue Mission for about 10 years and run the office at the medical clinic. Following her TAVR surgery, Ragsdale wanted to spend more time with cardiac

issues so she became a member of the Cardiac Rehab Alumni Board. She went the rest of that year without a cardiac issue.

In March 2013, she had to have another stent placement and began her cardiac rehab. But, unlike all the other times she had been admitted to cardiac rehab and felt alone, when she went back to cardiac rehab this time, there were nine ladies in her class.

She suddenly realized she could share with them in the experiences with cardiac and pulmonary issues and rehab training and the realization brought her to a conclusion. She came to the conclusion that women need women and was inspired to start a support group. However, in June, the stent she’d had placed in March closed up and she had to have it replaced with a larger one.

“So, I’ve had my share of cardiac issues,” said Ragsdale. But that didn’t stop her. If anything, it made her resolve even stronger. In her mind, she knew she wanted to start a support group. Starting slowly, she asked the nine ladies in her cardiac rehab class to lunch. Seven of them obliged. That solidified Ragsdale’s conclusion that women need women and she presented the idea to meet regularly to the group. The ladies were very supportive of See SISTER page 6E

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6E • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Soly offers holistic approach to health

Heather Mullinix/Chronicle

On hand for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Tennessee Heart’s new Crossville clinic are, from left, Chris Kemmer, Cumberland County EMS; Scott Williams, Cookeville Regional Medical Center chief operating officer; Bob Duncan, CRMC board member; Paul Korth, CRMC chief executive officer; Jack Ray, owner of Cumberland County Bank; Tom Little, MD, cardiologist with Tennessee Heart; Donna McSpadden, Tennessee Heart chief executive officer; Jerry Harris, with Cumberland County Bank; and Michael Burdick, with Cumberland County EMS.

Tennessee Heart opens new Crossville clinic Tennessee Heart has opened a new clinic in Crossville and, combined with an office location in Fairfield Glade, will see Cumberland County patients five days a week close to home.

The new office is at 106 Henry St., next to Cumberland County Bank off West Ave. “Community outreach is important to us and Cookeville Regional Medical Center,” said cardiologist Thomas Little, MD, of Tennessee Heart. “We’ve had a clinic in Fairfield Glade for quite some time and have found that patients really appreciate us coming to them for their office visits. We are glad to be able to to that and offer them big city cardiology care at their convenience.”

Tennessee Heart is currently staffed with 10 cardiologists and one electrophysiologist (heart rhythm specialist). The practice originally opened in Cookeville in 1994 and has a patient base consisting of people from counties throughout the Upper Cumberland and Southern Kentucky.

Establishing clinics in outlying areas surrounding Cookeville is a natural expansion for the group and for Cookeville Regional Medical Center. The practice has also established outreach clinics in Sparta, Livingston, Jamestown, Celina and Albany, KY.

Tennessee Heart cardiologists currently seeing patients in Crossville are Mariano Battaglia, MD; Brian Dockery, MD; Gary Reynolds, MD; Joshua Spencer, MD; Mark Wathen, MD; Little; and Timothy Fournet, MD. “We’ll be able to take care of most things patients need here at the office,” said Donna McSpadden, Tennessee Heart CEO. “Patients will still have to travel for major procedures, but this will add some convenience for our patients in this area.”

Little added, “Many of our patients are elderly and they don’t drive or they rely on family to take them to appointments. This won’t take a half day for an office appointment. It will add convenience and grow our practice.”

For patients who have been treated for cardiac disease at CRMC, the clinics provide a continuity of care for patients.

“Patients like seeing the same person,” Little said.

Tennessee Heart physicians are on the medical staff at Cookeville Regional Medical Center and provide services through the Heart and Vascular Center at Cookeville Regional.

Paul Korth, CEO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center, said, “We are excited to be in downtown Crossville. We have a lot of patients from Crossville and this gives them an option.”

Treatment of cardiac disease and related conditions is one of the major services of CRMC, Korth said, and the clinics in the outlying areas help to support that service for the area.

“We have to spread into the communities around us so that we have larger numbers of patients and we continue to be able to do the number of procedures necessary to stay proficient,” Korth said.

Chief Operating Officer Scott Williams added, “Tennessee Heart offers the kind of service I’m used to seeing in a much larger metropolitan area. I’ve only been here since March, but I’m extremely impressed with the quality of care and service they provide.”

Tennessee Heart provides care for uninsured and indigent patients referred by the Cumberland County Health Department. Little noted transportation was a significant issue for patients who were indigent, and the outlying clinics are also a benefit for those patients.

While office visits are the primary use of the facility at this time, Little says there could be an expansion of services to include cardiac testing and other services.

Tennessee Heart will make appointments for patients who call directly.

A referral is not necessary.

Call (931) 372-0405 or (888) 391-0048.

Crossville Medical Oncology offers cancer, blood treatment David C. Tabor, MD, with Crossville Medical Oncology, has been providing comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders for Cumberland County and surrounding areas for 13 years.

“We continue to offer cutting-edge cancer treatment in spite of the current economic environment,” Tabor said.

Dr. Tabor specializes in both oncology and hematology. Hematology is a specialty concentration of internal medicine

that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, such as lymphoma and leukemia. Dr. Tabor’s other specialty, oncology, includes the treatment and management of cancer, including chemotherapy.

“Each patient is provided care that is tailored to his or her specific needs,” Tabor said.

Office manager Carol Sparts added, “Dr. Tabor wants our patients to feel that they are coming to visit old friends when they come to our office. Our top-notch

staff, along with Dr. Tabor, is dedicated to treating our patients like members of our own family.”

He is a member of the Cumberland Medical Association, American Medical Association and Tennessee Medical Association.

Crossville Medical Oncology is at 49 Cleveland St., Suite 340, and is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 707-8808.

LINK

shape, size and performance of your heart.

“The good news is that detecting and treating sleep apnea can improve your heart health and other clinical outcomes,” Morgenthaler says.

The primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure therapy. CPAP therapy keeps your airway open by providing a stream of air through a mask that you wear during sleep.

Treating sleep apnea with CPAP therapy improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of heart disease. It can even reverse the changes to the shape and

size of the heart that can be caused by sleep apnea.

Excess body weight is the leading risk factor for sleep apnea, and loud snoring is a common symptom. Other warning signs for sleep apnea include choking or gasping during sleep, and daytime fatigue or sleepiness. Visit stopsnoringpledge.org to pledge to “Stop the Snore” by talking to a doctor about your risk for sleep apnea.

“Treatment of sleep apnea can be life-changing and potentially life-saving,” Morgenthaler says.

For more information, visit projecthealthysleep.org.

• Continued from 2E oxygen in your blood and cause dangerous surges in your blood pressure. This stress triggers your body to respond in ways that may promote heart disease.

Sleep apnea may be far more common than you think. Between 30 percent and 40 percent of adults with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea. The rate of sleep apnea soars to 80 percent among people with high blood pressure that do not respond to treatment with medications.

Research even shows that sleep apnea can affect the

Dr. Kristine Soly knows that lifestyle changes can often effect dramatic changes in a person’s health and management of chronic disease. That’s why she offers holistic medical and cardiology care.

“Ninety percent of what ails us, or what could ail us, is prevented, ameliorated or cured with lifestyle changes alone,” said Soly, who is board certified in cardiology, internal medicine and holistic medicine. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and has served as president of the Philadelphia Academy of Cardiology.

Soly received her medical degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1970. She completed her residency in internal medicine there and practiced internal medicine in Springfield, MA, where she also served as an emergency room physician.

She returned to The Medical College of PA and completed a fellowship in cardiology, staying on for two years to set up and serve as the director of its non-invasive cardiac laboratory.

She began to have an interest in holistic medicine around the time Dr. Dean Ornish published the Lifestyle Heart Trial, which tracked cardiac patients who received conventional medical care and those prescribed lifestyle changes in diet, smoking cessation, stress management and exercise. The study showed patients in

the lifestyle change group had 82 percent regression while those in the conventional group, who had been treated with drugs and procedures, showed progression of 53 percent.

The lifestyle group also had significant decreases in chest pain while the conventional group had increased chest pain.

“It isn’t that they both worked,” Soly explained.

“One really worked and one really didn’t. The way we were taught, the way I was taught, and the way all physicians are taught, this conventional management of coronary artery disease simply doesn’t work.”

Other studies have produced the same results.

Soly has been in private practice for 30 years, offering holistic cardiology and now functional medicine. Her practice is grounded on building a strong doctor-patient relationship where there is adequate time allowed for communication and education.

The Holistic Cardiology Learning Center, at 917 Hillcrest Dr. in Crossville, offers seminars and information outreach services, helping local residents to take charge of their own health. Many of these sessions are offered free of charge. Soly offers these free seminars the third Saturday of each month at Art Circle Public LIbrary, 3 East St., in Cumberland Conference Room. The seminars begin at 2 p.m.

CT. Her office visits are arranged so she can spend as much time as necessary with her patients, with ini-

tial visits scheduled for as long as two hours. She also offers 45-minute follow-up visits.

Twelve-week workshops offer information on weight loss and stamping out chronic disease.

Patients meet for 90 minutes each week to take part in the FirstLine Therapy program that explores eating healthfully, exercising regularly and developing a relaxation technique.

The next workshop begins September 2015. The fee covers everything except supplements. Soly offers an extensive array of supplements that are reasonably priced. She’s found these supplements not only work, but to be safer than prescription medications.

“Taken exactly as prescribed, prescription medications are the fourth leading cause of death in this country,” Soly said.

“The only thing more prevalent are heart attacks, strokes and cancer.”

Soly works to make access to care as convenient as possible for patients, offering distance consultations by phone, Skype or FaceTime. These are usually sought by patients who do not need a physical exam and are seeking a holistic approach to their medical issues.

To learn more about Soly and the Holistic Learning Center, visit www.drsoly.com. There, you can find a wealth of education materials free of charge as well as various programs available for purchase.

SISTER

visits and have access to the cardiac rehab facility.

In stage 3, rehab patients aren’t hooked up to all the monitors but the nursing staff is still available for them.

“It’s a wonderful thing for people to utilize to continue their exercise,” said Ragsdale, who encourages those who have graduated from the cardiac rehab program to continue their exercise regimen and take advantage of the stage 3 program.

“I want women to see that they can have cardiac, or pulmonary, issues.

But, they can live a nor-

mal life and there is hope,” said Ragsdale, whose support group is truly a heartfelt venture. “They are not alone.”

For more information about Ladies Day Out, contact founder Lois Ragsdale at (931) 248-1490 or by email at lorag@frontiernet.net.

• Continued from 5E Ragsdale’s idea to create a group dedicated to the fellowship of cardiac and pulmonary patients. The group has now grown to around 40 members who meet once a month for lunch. They have different speakers and demonstrations every month, but generally, each month a different lady will tell her survival story.

“Even though we all have issues, our stories are different,” Ragsdale said and she further explained that all the ladies benefit from sharing their stories.

“You would not believe the camaraderie that has developed between the ladies who actively come to the luncheons. They care about each other. I honestly love these ladies.”

Ladies Day Out support group meets for its luncheons on the second Monday of every month at the 5th Street Marketplace Café at 12:30 p.m. and is open to any lady with cardiac or pulmonary issues who would like to be a part of the group.

Ladies Day Out provides a community of survivors that relishes their time together and friendship.

The group’s sisterhood is offered freely and comes with the added benefit of being able to share stories, concerns, joys and burdens.

Lois Ragsdale still attends cardiac rehab regularly and maintains a close relationship with the staff. “They have a wonderful program,” she said affectionately.

The cardiac rehab program is now offered in three stages. When a patient has a cardiac issue that is stage 1; when you go through cardiac rehab that is stage 2; and when you have graduated the rehab program they now have a program called stage 3. Stage 3 allows rehab alumni to purchase punch cards for a minimal fee that includes 25

Read to know!

Vincent B.

Longobardo, DPM NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Dr. Longobardo offers patients quality service and attention from a talented and caring staff. He is concerned with your needs.

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Health • 7E

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

W

Family Features

hat makes a healthy and satisfying snack for children? A well-balanced snack with good nutrition can help kids grow and provide them with the proper support and energy needed for school, sports and other daily

activities. Parents have the best intentions when looking for nutritious options for their children, but chal­lenges related to lack of access or knowledge of nutritious foods have contributed to an alarming trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity rates in the U.S. have more than doubled in the past 30 years, with over one-third of children currently overweight or obese.

Kids and snacking

A number of factors contribute to obesity rates, with snacking as a major culprit. While parents need to consider what they provide their children for three main meals a day, what they eat in between is equally important.

Research by DuPont Nutrition & Health shows that children eat two to three snacks each day. Other studies confirm that American kids are consuming more than 700 calories in afternoon and eve­ning snacks alone. Aside from the fact that these calories make up a substantial part of the total daily recommended caloric intake for children, most of the snacks commonly consumed by kids are high in saturated fats or simple sugars in the form of salty snacks, candy and beverages — such as fruit drinks — according to a University of North Carolina study.

Parents face many practical challenges in providing healthful snack options to kids who are on-the-go and may not have access to refrigeration or re-heating capabilities. This often leads to snacks which lack the essential vitamins, minerals and protein a growing body needs. While snacking is essential to give kids the energy they need for the day, it’s important to provide snacks that con­tribute to daily intake goals of nutrients to support healthy growth and development.

“For many parents, the primary reason for giving snacks to children is to stave off hunger until their next meal,” said Megan DeStefano, Global Strategic Marketing at DuPont Nutrition & Health.

“When choosing a snack, parents should avoid those high in carbohydrates, such as simple sugars, since they tend to leave children feeling unsatisfied quickly and often craving additional unhealthy snacks.”

Understanding better snacks

It’s important for parents to know what to look for in a snack. For example, protein helps kids feel full longer, which may support weight management. In fact, numerous studies have confirmed that protein is more satisfying than either carbohydrates or fat. And lean proteins, such as soy, can meet needs to support growth and devel­opment without contributing to fat or cholesterol intake.

It’s challenging for parents to determine what snacks are best. DeStefano shares some tips on healthful ingredients parents should look for in snack foods.

Protein packs a powerful punch Vegetable proteins are a great way to consume protein without increasing the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in your child’s diet. If you are considering vegetable proteins, try soy protein. Soy protein snack options can be found in a variety of tasty products such as ready-to-drink beverages, bars, cereals and dairy alternatives. Soy protein is also the only widely avail­able vegetable protein that provides all the essential amino acids in the proper amounts that are needed to support growth and development of children.

Parents can also rest easy knowing that soy protein delivers cardiovascular benefits as well. According to clinical research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition conducted in both children and adults, soy protein has been shown to help reduce LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, increase HDL, also known as “good” cholesterol, and decrease triglyceride levels. Just 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Find a fiber-filled option Fiber is another important ingredient to look for when looking for healthy snack options.

Many kids are falling behind on their fiber intake. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children only consume half the amount of fiber that is recommended. For proper digestive health, it is recommended that children get 25–31 grams of dietary fiber per day. Snacking provides another opportu­nity to help kids to meet this goal. Including a fiber-rich food can also eliminate cravings for additional snacks.

Snacking doesn’t have to be bad for your child’s health. There are several options that are tasty while delivering a healthy dose of cardiovascular or digestive benefits. With so many great possi­bilities, parents should continue to offer healthy snack options, with greater nutrient density to their children to help them stay energized throughout the day, while satisfying their hunger and taste. For more ways to get your family to make smarter snacking decisions, visit www.danisco.com.

8E • Health

www.crossville-chronicle.com • Friday, February 27, 2015