healthbeat | Fall 2014 by huntregional

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FALL 2014 | VOL. 6, NO. 2

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EDITORIAL

Alicia Wittkopf - Executive Editor Chelbie Birdwell - Design Editor Kim Cartier - Photographer

I chose Hunt Regional Stroke survivor Kristian Hass shares her rehab experience and reveals why she chose Hunt Regional Medical Center to help her heal.

WHAT’S THE STORY? Welcome to the new look of healthbeat! Have you got a story or feedback for the team? REACH US AT contact@huntregional.org

STAFF HMHD Board Chair - Ron Wensel HRH Foundation Chair - Roselyn Lane HRH CEO - Richard Carter HRH Foundation Director - Alicia Wittkopf

DISTRIBUTION For inquiries or questions regarding distribution please contact: 903.408.1064

ONLINE Follow us at: www.huntregional.org www.facebook.com/huntregional www.twitter.com/hunt_regional

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LYMPHEDEMA THERAPY

Learn about Hunt Regional Medical Center’s certified lymphedema therapists

PLUS DON’T MISS ALL THIS

7 P11 A LONG WALK HOME An inside look at the inpatient rehab services offered in Greenville

12 P14 A SURGEON’S CHOICE Dr. Steven Brancheau experiences Hunt Regional from the perspective of a patient as he undergoes a total hip replacement.

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A Lasting Legacy: Morgan Scholarship winners

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Spotlight on Health: The importance of men’s health

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Friend of the Foundation: Honoring Dee Hilton

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Upcoming Events: What not to miss this summer

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Director’s Notes: Foundation updates from

Alicia Wittkopf

welcome

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WELCOME MESSAGE FROMTHE CEO

t is that time of year when summer draws to a close and we find ourselves winding down from the thrill of spending more time with family and friends. It is our hope that as you savor the last bit of the summer heat, you will also take some time to focus on your health. I would like to encourage the men of Hunt County to lead the charge in making wellness a priority for you and your family. Research has shown that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Early detection and screening are the keys to increasing survival rates. The question of

screening is a personal and complex one. It’s important for each man to talk with his doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for him. If you do not have a primary care physician, visit our newly designed website where you will find tools to help you locate a doctor right where you live. This is an exciting time in the history of Hunt Regional Healthcare. As we move into a new era and expand our reach, we will continue to constantly look for ways to improve healthcare in

Hunt County and surrounding communities.

Richard Carter Chief Executive Officer

healthbeat: the pulse of health in northeast texas

ublished by Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation in partnership with Hunt Regional Healthcare, healthbeat is a publication for friends and supporters of the Foundation. The goal of the publication is to increase awareness of healthcare advances, opportunities and challenges in the area. Staff members of the strategic marketing & communications department are responsible for the production of healthbeat. All material in this publication is the property of the publisher and is not intended for purposes of medical diagnosis or prescription. Please discuss your health with your doctor if you are considering a medical treatment, therapy or procedure. Stories may not be reprinted or copied without written permission from the publisher. Some photos may include models and may not represent actual patients or situations. Unless otherwise noted, the physicians featured in healthbeat have been granted staff privileges at one or both Hunt Regional Healthcare hospitals but may not be employees or agents of the hospitals or the hospital district. Reader letters, suggestions and questions are welcome. Please call 903.408.1064 or write Editor, Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications, Hunt Regional Medical Center, P.O. Drawer 1059, Greenville, Texas 75403-1059. If you receive multiple copies of healthbeat, need to change your mailing address, or wish to be removed from our mailing list, please write to the address above and enclose a copy of the mailing label from your publication. This publication is neither printed nor distributed at taxpayer expense.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Each year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across one’s lifespan, particularly against pertussis (whooping cough), which is very contagious and can cause serious illness—especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.About half of babies younger than 1 year of age who get whooping cough end up in the hospital, and some even die from the disease. SOURCE: CDC.ORG

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KRISTIAN HASS REFLECTS ON HER JOURNEY WITH THE HUNT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER REHAB DEPARTMENT

I chose Hunt Regional TO HELP ME HEAL BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL

feature Kristian Hass is no stranger to health scares. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy as a young child, she has beat the odds more than once. “Have you ever heard of the teenagers you see on the football field that die young? That’s what I have,” said Kristian. “I’m actually old with the disease. I’m a walking miracle for lots of reasons.”

Starting over

A stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain either becomes clogged or bursts. When this happens, the nerve cells in the affected part of the brain can’t function. As a result, whatever body part those nerve cells control can become impaired as well. A stroke affects different people in different ways, causing problems with speech, movement, memory, or a combination. In addition to impairment on the left side of her body, Kristian now faced the challenge of learning to walk, talk and even swallow again. When she arrived at the emergency room at Hunt “Basically when you have a stroke, you have to Regional Medical Center at Greenville in November relearn everything. I had a swallowing disability, so I had of 2013, Kristian thought her pacemaker had gone off, to do rehab for speech and for swallowing because you signaling a cardiac event. Emergency department physician can choke,” says Kristian, adding that in the process, she Dr. R. Lynn Rae, instantly knew that something else was learned a lot of about strokes and recovery. happening inside her body. “In group therapy, it was really Instead of a pacemaker alert, he good for me to see the other people believed that Kristian had experienced a who had succeeded. For me, I really seizure and ordered a CT scan. What he “In that one month that needed that to say, ‘Oh look, I’m not found came as a surprise. going to be an invalid,’” says Kristian. I was up on the seventh “He came in and very respectfully Although Kristian began her floor, I learned more told me, ‘I found something on your cat rehabilitation at Baylor, a problem scan,’” recalls Kristian. The “something” with insurance coverage forced her about myself and came inside Kristian was a tumor. to leave her Baylor rehab team. She to a place where I could explored many options including Pate Patients in the metroplex often Rehabilitation in Anna. Ultimately, wait weeks for an appointment with a actually walk again,”” she chose to return home to Hunt specialist. Knowing the critical nature of Regional Medical Center. KRISTIAN HASS her situation, Dr. Rae transferred Kristian to Baylor University Medical Center in downtown Dallas by ambulance. “He wanted me to go through the ER so that I could get right in with the best neurosurgeon in Dallas rather than waiting weeks for an appointment,” Kristian had spent three months in rehab at Baylor, said Kristian, who got right in with neurosurgeon Dr. Sam yet she still had a long way to go when she arrived Finn and began forming a plan for surgical removal of the at the seventh floor inpatient unit of Hunt Regional’s tumor. rehabilitation department. Although she was now able During the process, Kristian learned that the tumor—a to talk and swallow, she was still unable to walk and was non-cancerous meningioma—may have been present since extremely weak. childhood and only recently grew large enough to cause “It takes a couple of weeks to lose your body mass, a problem. In addition to the seizure, the tumor had also but it takes months to get it back. After laying in bed for been pressing on Kristian’s optic nerve, causing vision so long, a lot of my muscles were just really, really tired,” problems. says Kristian, telling of how she lost 40 pounds while on a “I had been watching the TV saying, what does the feeding tube. score say?” says Kristian. “I give so much credit to the seventh floor team, “My whole family wears glasses and I just chalked it up because I was there for a shorter period of time, but that’s to that magic age, over 40, and thought, oh its my time,” where learning how to walk and getting my body back she said. happened,” said Kristian. After the surgery, Kristian stayed in the hospital for a “In that one month that I was up on the seventh floor, couple more weeks before being discharged. Because she I learned more about myself and came to a place where I was walking and talking, her doctors at Baylor determined could actually walk again,” she said. that she was well enough to go home. But just shortly Kristian’s extensive rehab therapy team included after arriving home, Kristian suffered a stroke sending everyone from doctors, physical therapists, occupational her back to the Hunt Regional ER where she was quickly therapists, techs, student therapists in training and even transferred to Baylor once more, for continuity of care Hunt Regional’s lymphedema specialist. As an employee at with her specialist. Frustrated and facing a long recovery, Hunt Regional in the outpatient registration department, Kristian and her husband once again set out to continue Kristian believes that part of her healing was being back treatment with her original team. home among her friends, family and co-workers.

A scary discovery

The seventh floor

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feature “There’s a group of people up there that are all really lymphedema specialist, Jennifer Killough. Lymphedema is good friends and they’re a really good support group. the inability of the lymphatic system to transport fluid. When you’re walking down the hallway, they may not Following Kristian’s stroke, the left side of her body even have anything to do with your therapy and they’re experienced swelling and pain. Lymphedema therapy serves encouraging you,” said Kristian, adding that she never felt patients through therapy sessions using a technique called embarrassed about her extensive assistance needs, even manual lymph drainage that moves lymph fluid. during the difficult times she needed to be fed, taken to the After just one month of treatment, Kristian was ready restroom or bathed. to make another trip, but this time it wouldn’t be by “They never once made me feel ambulance. This time, she would be going less than respected. When I needed home. “I think that as a young help with something that was kind of person, for me, it’s scary. embarrassing, I never had to worry about running into someone in the You don’t know if you’re hallway,” she said. going to be able to go “They were great encouragers,” Although Kristian’s inpatient treatment she said. back to being the same has been completed, she is still focused on Because Kristian had already healing and has added water aerobics and wife, the same mother, regained her speech ability, most medical massage therapy to her regimen. of her therapy at Hunt Regional the same employee.” Now back at home with her husband was focused on walking and doing and daughter, she says it will take some time KRISTIAN HASS everyday tasks. to get back to her old way of life. “You have to learn to trust “I think that as a young person, for me, yourself again. When you have to learn to walk, it’s not like it’s scary.You don’t know if you’re going to be able to go a child who is born without limbs and has to learn how to back to being the same wife, the same mother, the same survive. It’s actually watching everyone walk around and employee,” she said. going, ‘why can’t I do that?’” remembers Kristian. In addition to praising her rehab team, Kristian also “It’s very frustrating as an adult,” she said. plans to give back and has donated her wheelchair back to In addition to traditional therapy tactics, Kristian’s the rehab department to help somebody in need. team also used games to help with building strength and to “I never used it one time. If I can pay it forward to encourage the rehab patients to work together. someone who might need it, then I’m really glad that they’ll “You get to know the other patients on the floor and be able to use it,” says Kristian. you would be humbled by them because sometimes it would be an amputee or someone older than you and I WANT TO KNOW MORE? would think, ‘I don’t have it that bad, what am I complaining about?’” said Kristian. ONLINE: www.huntregional.org An important part of Kristian’s recovery was the use CALL: 903.408.1886 of lymphedema treatment with Hunt Regional’s certified

Life after rehab

Inside a stroke Stroke warning signs may be temporary.They may go away after a few hours.They may even go away in a few minutes. But regardless of how long the symptoms last, it is essential that anyone experiencing the symptoms of stroke seek immediate medical help. The main symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden dimness or loss of vision, sudden severe headache with no apparent cause, loss of speech, problems talking, or problems understanding speech and unexplained dizziness or falls, especially if some of the other symptoms are present.

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A LONGWALK HOME REHAB PATIENT REGAINS USE OF LEGS Judging by the wide smile on Amelia Bowen’s face, nobody would guess that she spent over three months in a hospital room. Yet some might argue that it is her positive outlook that has brought her this far. A patient at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Bowen spent 105 days in the rehabilitation unit learning to walk again—a miraculous recovery, following what should have been a fatal accident. July 1, 2013 started like a normal day for Bowen. But in a terrifying twist while traveling down Highway 34 in Greenville, life as she knew it changed. “I was waiting to turn and I looked in the rearview mirror. I saw this truck coming and I knew he was not going to stop,” said Bowen. “I thought, oh my God, he is going to hit me,” Bowen recalls. The truck did hit her, twisting the car around and causing multiple other vehicles to collide. The accident broke both of her legs and left her clinging to life. Initially, she was transported by helicopter to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where she underwent surgery to stabilize her condition.

“My leg almost came off completely. It only had a little bit hanging on,” said Bowen, adding that one of her legs was broken completely to her hip. “The foot was dangling and they sewed it back; it was awful” she said. After 10 days, Bowen was ready to be closer to home and was transported back to Hunt Regional to receive therapy. She had to learn to walk again. “I had to learn everything. It took four people the first day to move me from the bed to the chair,” said Bowen. Although a large focus of her recovery was regaining the use of her legs, Bowen also faced a new challenge: learning to use only two limbs. “I had to learn how to do everything with my arms because I couldn’t do anything with my legs,” said Bowen. Everyday tasks became much more difficult as the strength required of her arms drastically increased. Over her 3-month stay, Bowen gradually regained the use of her legs through daily therapy with the Hunt Regional rehab staff. Now able to stand and even walk

several steps, Bowen will continue her treatment through home health therapy. Grateful to the people who have helped her, Bowen also gives thanks to God. “Thank you Jesus, these people have been wonderful,” she said. “I am telling you, this is the best place. The Lord put me in a good place.”

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The rehabilitation center at Hunt Regional Medical Center provides high quality, innovative care to hospital inpatients and through its outpatient clinic. To learn more, call 903-408-1886.

A special touch:

HUNT REGIONAL LYMPHEMEDA SPECIALISTS HELP PATIENTS CONTROL PAIN THROUGH THERAPY

ymphedema is the inability of the lymphatic system to transport fluid. Lymphedema can develop immediately after surgery or years later and causes swelling in the limbs or legs. The signs of lymphedema can be easily identified through daily functions. For example, in women, signs include heaviness, aching, and squeezing in the limbs. Also shirts, watches, and rings may not fit. Jennifer Killough, PT, CLT, Hunt Regional Medical Center’s lymphedema therapist, serves patients through therapy sessions using a technique called manual lymph drainage (MLD) that moves lymph fluid. Treatments for lymphedema include manual lymph drainage (MLD), graduated compression garments, therapeutic exercises, and meticulous skin care. The lymphedema staff at HRMC also includes certified mastectomy garment fitters. The goal of all treatments is to control swelling in the affected areas. Though there is no cure for lymphedema, not treating it can lead to more medical problems. Tips to living with and preventing lymphedema include protecting your skin, avoiding tight jewelry and clothing, practicing healthy nutrition and exercise and always wearing compression garments when traveling or flying. For more information, contact 903-408-1886.

The goal of rehabilitation after a stroke is to enable an individual who has experienced a stroke to reach the highest possible level of recovery. 10% of all stroke survivors recover almost completely. SOURCE:WWW.NINDS.NIH.GOV

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real health

Spotlight on health: THE IMPORTANCE OF ELIMINATING JOB STRESS

A healthy balance between work and home is important, not only for mental wellness, but for physical wellness as well. Particularly when you realize that the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime. Learn more about how your job relates to your health.

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ork stress should not be confused with work challenges. Challenge is positive; it energizes us psychologically and physically, and it motivates us to learn new skills and get better at our jobs.You can meet a challenge, and when you do, you feel good about yourself. Job stress is different. Stress is what happens when demands cannot be met, when there’s no time for relaxation and when there’s no sense of accomplishment. What to do about job stress? Sometimes we don’t have much choice. A particular job may simply be too demanding or beyond our capabilities. If this is the case, we may need to step back and ask if the compensation we get is worth the stress, if there are any alternatives and how to get ourselves moving in that direction.

It’s not a frivolous problem as job stress can lead to poor health and even injury. Signs and symptoms of stress can include anxiety, back pain, constipation or diarrhea, depression, fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, problems with relationships, shortness of breath, stiff neck, upset stomach and weight gain or loss. The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your stress. Start by letting go of the things you have no control over and take action to control the things you can. Work to resolve conflicts with other people. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and don’t be afraid to seek help from others including friends, family or professionals. Another great tip is to make sure you are involved in activities outside of work like group sports, social outings, exercise programs and hobbies.

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(IT COULD BE YOURS) Email us at contact@huntregional.org to place your ad.

A lasting legacy:

R. IRVIN MORGAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

hree local high school seniors were honored at a May 27 luncheon as recipients of the R. Irvin Morgan Scholarship. The R. Irvin Morgan Scholarship honors the late Dr. Morgan who was the longstanding chief of pathology at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville. Pictured from left to right are Richard Carter, Hunt Regional Healthcare CEO; Dr.

Leah Madsen; $1500 scholarship recipient Joseph Donald Webb II of Wolfe City High School; Mrs. June Morgan, wife of Dr. Morgan; $2500 scholarship recipient Colleen Nicole Ellison of Bland High School; and Dr. Moushira Ebrahim, chair of the scholarship committee. Not pictured is $1000 scholarship recipient Alyssa Brooke Busby of Lone Oak High School. Funded by Hunt Regional Healthcare medical staff in conjunction with the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation, the R. Irvin Morgan Scholarship is awarded annually to graduating Hunt County high school seniors pursuing a college degree and career in the field of medicine. For more information about the award or the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation, call 903-408-1068.

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real health

Spotlight on safety: BICYCLING TIPS FOR SAFE FAMILY FUN Purchasing a helmet is not enough. Parents must make sure that the helmet is worn correctly every time their child goes for a ride. Wearing the right helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.

icycling can combine exercise, transportation and fun all into one activity. But, even if you’re just going for a quick spin, it’s important to play it safe. That’s especially true for children. According to the American Medical Association, 20 percent of children participating in sports activities are injured every year, with a quarter of these injuries considered serious. By knowing the causes, prevention and treatment of sports injuries, you can help make athletic participation a positive experience for your child. Experts say to start by picking the right bike for your child. Make sure it’s the right size, not “one they can grow into.” The bike should match the child’s abilities and should preferably not have slippery plastic pedals. Look for rubber treated pedals or metal pedals with serrated edges. One of the basic bike safety rules involves wearing a helmet. Many places mandate by law that children wear helmets when they ride. But regardless of age, helmets are considered an essential safety device for bike riders because they can prevent serious head injury, even death. The

foam inside a helmet absorbs the impact of a fall. Make sure you try the helmet on for size before purchasing. It should fit securely and also have a strong strap and buckle, since the strap has to hold the helmet onto your head if you do fall and hit the ground. For children’s helmets, adjustable inner pads can be used to ensure a snug fit that can be adjusted as the child grows. If you fall and are taken to the hospital, bring the helmet with you. The emergency personnel will want to look at the helmet for any scrapes or dents to help them examine your head and look for any hidden potential injuries. In addition, if you should fall and hit the helmet, replace it at once. Any impact can crush the protective foam. Even if it doesn’t look damaged, it will still be less able to absorb future impacts. You should also replace a helmet if straps or buckles are worn. It is a good idea to replace a helmet on a regular basis because of wear and tear to the protective foam. Parents should stress all safety rules to their children when they go out riding. Since children learn by example, it is important for parents to make sure they follow the safety rules themselves.

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feature Dr. Steven Brancheau has long been a pillar of the Greenville community.With deep local roots and a three-decade-old practice, his reputation as one of the top podiatrists in the area holds weight throughout Hunt County. So when he found himself on the other side of the scalpel, in need of a total hip replacement, his decision to trust local orthopaedic specialist Dr. David Liao was not his only option, but it was his first choice.

who actually started receiving treatment for hip pain approximately three years prior to having the surgery. Non-surgical intervention and injections by Dr. Liao temporarily eased the pain and bought Dr. Brancheau additional time. But after a couple of years of treatment, the clock was up. Total hip joint replacement involves surgical removal of the diseased ball and socket and replacement with a metal or ceramic ball and stem inserted into the femur bone and an artificial plastic or ceramic cup socket. In the case of Dr. Brancheau, his actual surgery would involve sawing the bone before replacing the ball with metal and capping it with a porcelain cup. “The thing about porcelain is, it breaks easier than some of the metal components.You don’t want to be jumping off stuff. But it’s more forgiving and it lasts longer. Becoming a surgeon is not an easy road. Nor is it There is less friction too and that increases the life of the a short one. When Steven Brancheau implant,” said Dr. Brancheau, who as a arrived in Mesquite, Texas for his first young, healthy patient held a positive year of surgical residency, he already had prognosis for recovery after surgery. eight years of education under his belt. “It’s one of those things where you After receiving a Bachelor of Science weigh the benefits and risks and if it “I could have gone degree from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, hurts bad enough for long enough, it’s Ohio, Brancheau spent an additional four anywhere I wanted to time,” said Dr. Brancheau. years at the Ohio College of Podiatric “Just like my patients; when they’re go. But I didn’t want Medicine in Cleveland. ready, they’ll let me know,” he said. “I did my first year of residency in to go anywhere. I felt And so, on April 30, Dr. Brancheau Mesquite and then I finished my residency found himself on the other side of the comfortable here.” program in Seattle, Washington,” said scalpel. Dr. Brancheau, whose wife, Denise, is a STEVEN P. BRANCHEAU, D.P.M. retired R.N. “When we went up to Seattle, I planned on coming back to Texas for a lot of reasons. Mostly family, but I really liked Having practiced medicine in the area,” he said. hospitals across the country, Dr. Brancheau knew firsthand the number of qualified After shopping for a small town in close proximity to surgeons at his disposal. a large city, Dr. Brancheau found Greenville and decided to open his practice in the growing community. Now the “A lot of people asked me, ‘Are you going to Dallas?’ I director of Hunt Regional’s podiatry residency program, had other doctors that said, ‘You need to go see this guy in Dr. Brancheau facilitates hands-on surgical training for Chicago,” said Dr. Brancheau. what is quickly being recognized as one of the up-and“I could have gone anywhere I wanted to go. But I coming programs in the state. At his private practice, Dr. didn’t want to go anywhere. I felt comfortable here,” he Brancheau’s office focuses on reconstructive forefoot, said. rearfoot and ankle surgery. Not least among those reasons is a close relationship “We see a significant amount of trauma. We also spend with Dr. Liao, whose practice is located in the building first a significant amount of our time doing diabetic care, both built by Dr. Brancheau in 1984. surgical and non-surgical,” said Dr. Brancheau. “Our practice has grown over the years. I’ve been in “This is the first place I ever practiced when I finished Sulphur Springs almost as long as Greenville. We have an my residency in ’82 and I’ve been here since,” he said. office there and we opened an office in Rockwall relatively recently,” said Brancheau, adding that by “recently” he means seven years ago. “Time flies. I consider this my new office. We built the office that doctor Liao is in and I was in there 20 years. Joints can be damaged by falls, injuries, arthritis or That’s the first building I built,” said Brancheau, who has any number of causes. However sometimes, it is simply quite literally built his practice from the ground up and is years of use that causes the joint to wear away. For now in a newer facility a short parking lot away, which he Dr. Brancheau, there was no single event leading to his built 10 years ago. decision to have total hip replacement surgery. Instead, it As colleagues at Hunt Regional Healthcare, Dr. was a gradual deterioration of the hip joint over time. Brancheau and Dr. Liao have worked together closely for “It was just time to do it. It had been bothering me roughly 20 years. for a significant amount of time,” said Dr. Brancheau,

Building a practice

A surgeon’s choice

Making the call

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DR. STEVEN BRANCHEAU GOES INSIDE HIS DECISION TO STAY IN GREENVILLE FOR TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

I chose Hunt Regional TO HELP ME WALK INTO THE FUTURE BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL

feature “I think he is an excellent surgeon. I’ve actually passion lies outdoors on his farm and ranch. And watched him work and I’ve seen literally dozens of while he is happy to experience an end to the pain orthopedic specialists work over the years,” said that plagued him before surgery, he is anxious to Dr. Brancheau. get back in the saddle once again. “I knew that he was the guy,” he said. “He has worked with his tractor and trailer, but can’t ride a horse yet,” said his wife, Denise. Denise Brancheau, Dr. Brancheau’s wife, adds that it wasn’t just Dr. Liao that made them feel “That’s kind of bad, but I’ll get there,” added Dr. comfortable—it was the Brancheau, who says his quality of whole team. life is already considerably better. “It wasn’t just the doctor, “It wasn’t just the doctor, As a physician and surgeon, Dr. we felt comfortable with the Brancheau’s outlook on his own we felt comfortable with scrub nurses and the whole surgery offers a unique perspective the scrub nurses and the on what it is like to be a patient. staff,” she said. whole staff.” “I went to radiology and “It wasn’t hard for me to make the lab. They treated me just the decision knowing that the people DENISE BRANCHEAU like they do everybody else I work with—every day, day in and and it was easy. I felt that day out, for years and years—were everything was explained well,” said Dr. Brancheau. on the other side of the desk,” said Dr. Brancheau. “Right from check-in, it was all very seamless,” “If it’s good enough for the patients I operate he said. on, then its okay by me.”

Back in the saddle By day, Dr. Brancheau’s area of expertise focuses on the human body. But at home, his

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? ONLINE: www.huntregional.org CALL: 903.408.1886

PODIATRY RESIDENTS RECEIVE AWARD

our residents from Hunt Regional’s podiatry residency program presented their research at the Texas Podiatric Medical Association annual meeting held April 1112 in Bandera, Texas. Each year, the association hosts residents from top podiatry programs including Scott & White, John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Kingwood Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, among others. At the conference, residents are asked to present real-life podiatry cases to doctors from across the state as they compete for the award for best case

presentation. Hunt Regional thirdyear residents Dr. Matt Britt and Dr. Katie Freeland were awarded the top prize among all programs for their presentation, earning a certificate of achievement and a $500 cash award. Javier LaFontaine, education director for TPMA, presented the award. The team’s case presentation outlined the surgical correction of a severe deformity to the foot. The correction was made by utilizing a bone graft, as well as through the use of plastic surgery techniques. The duo supported their plan of action with literature and educational research in the field of podiatry.

The Podiatry Residency Program at Hunt Regional Medical Center is under the direction of Steven P. Brancheau, D.P.M and is part of the Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation’s statewide network. To learn more, visit www. huntregional.org.

How does it work: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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: Why did my doctor order a dental evaluation before my surgery? What do my teeth have to do with my hip? : Although infections after hip replacement are not common, an infection can occur if bacteria enters your bloodstream. Because bacteria can enter the bloodstream during dental procedures, major dental procedures (such as tooth extractions and periodontal work) should be completed before your hip replacement surgery. Routine cleaning of your teeth should be delayed for several weeks after surgery.

About 180,000 total hip replacement procedures are performed annually. Of those, about 60 percent of the procedures in the US are performed on women. SOURCE: AHRQ

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Spotlight on health:

BRINGING MEN’S HEALTH TO THE CONVERSATION

It is important that men pay attention to their health. Many of the major health risks that men face, including colon cancer and heart disease, can be treated and sometimes even prevented with early diagnosis. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. 16 / healthbeat /

omen’s health is a prevalent topic in the news. But equally as important is men’s health and educating the men in our community about prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States and the number two cancer killer. Age is the biggest risk when it comes to prostate cancer. The older a man gets, the more likely he might develop it. African Americans males have a higher risk in all age groups. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that prostate cancer among African Americans is the highest known rate in the world. Family history also seems to play a part, with a higher then average risk for those whose father, brother or son has had the disease, according to NCI. Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years. By the time symptoms occur, the disease may have spread beyond the prostate. When symptoms do occur,

they can affect your urinary system and other areas, and may include: frequent urination, especially at night, inability to urinate, trouble starting or holding back urination, a weak or interrupted flow of urine, painful or burning urination, blood in the urine or semen, painful ejaculation and frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. These can be symptoms of cancer, but more often they are symptoms of noncancerous conditions. It is important to check with a doctor. Finding the cancer isn’t always easy, although there are multiple tests used for screening. Discuss with your doctor what would be the best path for you as you age. The American Cancer Society recommends men talk with their doctors about the desirability of regular screenings for prostate cancer beginning at age 50, or earlier if there are risk factors present, including African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer. For an inclusive list of men’s health topics including online risk assessments and other tools, visit www.huntregional.org/menshealth.

A FRIEND INDEED DEE HILTON HONOREDAT GALA

ore than $132,000 was raised at the Ninth Annual Laughter is the Best Medicine Comedy Gala, hosted by the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation March 29. A crowd of more than 370 packed the ballroom in the Sam Rayburn Student Center at Texas A&M CommerceUniversity to hear headlining comedienne Jeanne Robertson and show their support for healthcare in Hunt County. In addition to the highly applauded comedic entertainment, the evening’s paramount moment was the annual presentation of the Harold Curtis Friend of the Foundation Award to philanthropist and former board chair, W.D. “Dee” Hilton, Jr. The award was presented by Leah Curtis, daughter of the late Harold Curtis, who spent more than 50 years serving as the hospital’s legal counsel and who devoted countless hours to helping create the foundation that would contribute to changing the lives of area patients and their families through access to better healthcare in their communities. Shortly after his death in 2006, an award was created to honor those who have followed his path by dedicating their time, talent and financial resources to meet the needs of others through the foundation. “Dee Hilton is the embodiment of a friend of the foundation,” said Alicia Wittkopf,

executive director of the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation. “Having served the organization as past board chair, his service to the foundation and our community is immeasurable,” said Wittkopf. Hilton’s selection as this year’s recipient is especially poignant, as he shared a special relationship with the award’s namesake. “When I was 12 and 13 years old, Harold was my Sunday school teacher,” said Hilton, recalling Curtis’s work as his father’s attorney from the late 50s until Curtis’s death. Both Hilton and Curtis served as board members for the Greenville Board of Development. The pair also worked together through multiple hospital bond elections and were both strong advocates for the expansion of healthcare in the area. “Most importantly to me, Harold was a role model of service to our community,” said Hilton. Hilton served on the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees as vice-chair when the foundation reactivated in 2004. He became board chair in 2007 and was responsible for spearheading the “Help on Wheels” campaign, which made mobile mammography in Hunt County a reality.

“The response of the foundation board and the medical community to the challenge of providing the mobile mammography coach for our citizens is meeting a need that will save lives for many years,” said Hilton. Hilton says he is humbled by the award and its representation of five decades of service by Harold Curtis. “There are several others I would have chosen if it had been my decision,” said Hilton. Past award recipients include Zach Wilson, Wyman Williams, Nita “Tubby” Adkisson, Jack Finney, Scott Weaver, Cullen Family Foundation, Hospital Auxiliary Groups, Mary Rich Lynch, Ron and Julia Wensel, Janeen Cunningham, Don Bolin, Dr. and Mrs. James Sandin and Norma Mitchell.

In memoriam:

HUNT REGIONAL HEALTHCARE REMEMBERS THE FRIENDS WE LOVE AND MISS

Sharon Mitchell - Patient Care Assistant Troy Samples - Facilities Homer Horton, Jr. - Retired Administrator

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More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65 and 97 percent in men 50 years of age and older. Overall, one in seven men will have prostate cancer during his lifetime. Early detection is the key to saving lives. SOURCE: ZEROCANCER.ORG

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events

season events this

CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HEALTHCARE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

AUGUST 3

NATIONAL KIDS DAY National KidsDay was created in 1994 by KidsPeace to encourage adults—parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbors, teachers, and other caregivers—to spend more meaningful time with children. Take time this year to celebrate!

SEPTEMBER 1-30

PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Every 18 minutes another American man dies from prostate cancer. That’s a little more than 80 deaths per day and an estimated 29,480 will perish this year (enough to fill a baseball stadium). Overall, one in seven men will have prostate cancer during his lifetime. Early detection is the key to saving lives. SEPTEMBER 1-30

OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH SEPTEMBER 1-30

NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Despite the progress in childhood cancer research, about one in five children continues to die and cancer remains the #1 leading cause of childhood death from disease. More than 40,000 children and adolescents currently are being treated for childhood cancer. Learn more about research and funding at the website below. MORE INFORMATION: www.curesearch.org

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but some may have an increased risk. One in 71 women will develop the disease in her lifetime. Early detection increases survival rate. If caught early, there is more than a 90% survival rate. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from all gynecologic cancers.Talk to your doctor about the importance of screening and early detection.

featured event

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

BRAS FOR THE CAUSE Brazinga! It’s time once again for Bras for the Cause! Join volunteers and community members as they party for a good cause. Hundreds of bras will be on display throughout downtown Greenville with the awards ceremony taking place at Landon Winery. Come vote for your favorite entry and help support women and men fighting breast cancer in Hunt County! ENTER A BRA: www.brasforthecausegreenville.com FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 903.408.1068 & Fitness Day USA is a national health and fitness event for fami-

MORE INFORMATION: www.whyteal.org SEPTEMBER 27

FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY The 18th annual Family Health

lies, set for Saturday, September 27, 2014. (always on the last Saturday in September.) The event’s purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity.

OCTOBER 1-31

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. That same year, the first national toll-free hotline began In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress.

HUNT REGIONAL HEALTHCARE CELEBRATED THE GROUNDBREAKING OF HUNT REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTER AT COMMERCE AT THE HOME OF JALINNA AND DAN JONES. THE NEW CENTER WILL PROVIDE QUICKER AND MORE CONVENIENT ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF COMMERCE AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

Notes

FROM FOUNDATION DIRECTOR ALICIA WITTKOPF

his summer, my husband and I took advantage of the not-so-sweltering heat and walked three to four miles each evening. With fall’s arrival and as our daughters went back to school, we found ourselves overwhelmed with activities—choir practice, volleyball, robotics, one-act play, band, news crew and the list goes on! It seems as though we always have somewhere to be and unfortunately, that means our healthy routine had a very short lifespan.

Recently, our family had a very serious conversation about priorities. We all agreed good health is in the top three and committed to taking action. Since our family meeting, we now review our busy schedules in advance and plan for our meals ahead of time. We have found there are many things we want to be able to do, but cannot if we wish to continue to support our priority of healthy living. Saying no is hard, but we are learning to do it for our health. I hope you do the same.

Alicia A. Wittkopf, Director Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation

Hunt Regional Healthcare

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