hb contents
W INTER 2019/2020
inside...
EDITORIAL
Lisa Hill - Executive Editor Chelbie Birdwell - Design Editor Joe & Emily Shipman - Photography
WHAT’S THE STORY?
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Welcome to the new look of healthbeat! Have you got a story or feedback for the team?
Meet Peggy Thompson
REACH US AT contact@huntregional.org
Hear from one of the first patients to undergo Stryker Mako roboticarm assisted surgery at Hunt Regional Medical Center
STAFF HRH Foundation Chair - Beth McBride HRH CEO - Richard Carter HRH Foundation Director - Lisa Hill
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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08 P08 DIRECT ACCESS THERAPY Patients can now receive physical therapy at Hunt Regional Medical Center without a physician referral
PLUS DON’T MISS ALL THIS
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P12 OUTSMARTING CANCER
P20 THE END OF A NURSING ERA
Local woman Charmaina Bowers talks colonoscopies and her decision to be proactive about her health
Hunt Regional Chief Nursing Officer Debby Clack reflects on her career and looks forward to retirement after 30 years
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Stryker Mako: Comparing surgery results
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Hunt Regional Welcomes: Meet our new providers
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Maternity Expansion: A closer look at postpartum care
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Upcoming Events: What not to miss this season
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Director’s Notes: Foundation updates from Lisa Hill
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO inter is upon us, bringing with it family, food, fellowship, and the flu! Our urgent care facility and emergency departments have already treated many flu cases. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of developing flu complications, such as those 65 and older, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February, so now is the time to protect yourself and your family. If you don’t have a primary care provider, visit our website to find one that fits your needs. In 2019, Hunt Regional Healthcare welcomed several new providers. We are particularly proud of the expansion of our orthopedic services,
chiefly the addition of Stryker Mako roboticarm assisted knee replacement surgery. Our new orthopedic surgeon, Michael Johnson, leads our sports medicine program and has experience treating adults and students across East Texas. Whether you are looking for a family medicine practitioner, a specialist, or a surgeon, we have someone on our team who can help. Finally, our chief nursing officer, Debby Clack, is retiring after 30 years. I have been fortunate to work with Debby for many of those years. She has been a guiding force for our nursing staff, serving as a mentor and friend for both new and veteran nurses. I am thankful for her leadership to our medical center, the commitment to excellence she has
demonstrated to all, her friendship, steadfast manner and the role model she has provided for all to follow. Debby, we will miss you.
Richard Carter Chief Executive Officer
healthbeat: the pulse of health in northeast texas
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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 Hunt Regional Healthcare facilities but may not be employees or agents of the hospital or the hospital district. Reader letters, suggestions and questions are welcome. Please call 903.408.1066 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.
The flu shot doesn't just protect you, it also protects those in vulnerable populations, such as babies, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. Last season took the greatest toll on adults over 65. About 58 percent of hospitalizations occurred in that age group.
SOURCE: CDC.GOV
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“I realized,I’ve got to take care of myself this time.” For close to a decade, knee pain has simply been a part of PeggyThompson’s way of life. Powering through other health concerns, shoulder surgery, and becoming a caregiver for her daughter, Peggy made little time to take care of herself. But with the help of Dr. David Liao and Stryker Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery, she has finally said goodbye to bad knees. Growth and change Country living comes with its fair share of walking. But slowly, Peggy Thompson’s daily treks across her property were catching up to her. Arthritic pain in her knees plagued her for years, but she had managed the pain with cortisone shots and rooster comb injections—a substance taken from rooster cartilage that can provide temporary relief from pain. But after a while, the injections stopped working. Her knees were giving out more frequently, resulting in multiple falls. “I tried cortisone shots and they never did help. Truly, not for very long. I suffered because I was not going back to adding more pain with the shots. I didn’t want to keep putting that stuff in my body,” said Peggy. Her cartilage was gone and what was left was boneon-bone knees that would pop when she walked, requiring the use of braces to relieve her around-theclock pain. It was a rough time for Peggy; both her daughter and her daughter-in-law were sick. As many people do, she put off taking care of herself to take care of her family.
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“I didn't have time to do anything about it, because my daughter was sick,” recalls Peggy. Peggy and her daughter lived on the same property in Bailey, north of Greenville. Walking back and forth between their houses multiple times a day became increasingly laborious. But still, she pushed through the pain. When her daughter passed away, Peggy knew it was time to make a change. “I realized, I’ve got to take care of myself this time,” said Peggy. “I took care of everybody else. It's time to get some of the pain gone,” she said.
Help from a robot After the failed injections and unsuccessful treatment from other physicians, Peggy was referred by a friend to orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Liao. “When he took the x-rays, he said ‘which one? They’re both gone,’” said Peggy, who says both of her knees were in such poor condition that it was difficult to decide which to leg to address first. Based on the severity of the arthritis in her knees, she would require total knee replacements in both
PeggyThompson Stryker Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Knee Replacement BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
WE KNOW BA feature
knees to remove the diseased bone and cartilage, starting with her left knee.
As it happened, Hunt Regional Medical Center was rolling out a new approach to knee replacement: Stryker Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery, which combines the precision accuracy of robotic-arm technology with the expertise of a surgeon. Robotic-arm assisted surgery isn’t new. In fact, Dr. Liao had already performed many robotic surgeries in the metroplex. However, it was only recently purchased by Hunt Regional Medical Center, making the hospital the first in the area to offer the cuttingedge procedure. During surgery, the surgeon guides the roboticarm and selectively targets only the damaged part of the knee. This helps spare the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding the knee joint. Surgeons who work with the Mako system receive training directly from Stryker. Studies have shown robotic-arm assisted knee replacement to be two to three times more accurate than manual knee replacement procedures. The technique also leads to a reduced need for postoperative pain medication and physical therapy. In turn, patients experience a speedier recovery process, without the need for lengthy or risky pain
management.
When asked if she had any reservations about undergoing a robot-assisted procedure rather than a traditional knee replacement, Peggy said she had heard from other people who had successful surgeries with help from a robot.
“I wasn’t worried. I prayed about it and I felt calm,” said Peggy.
The Mako difference With her preoperative scans complete, and a 3-D model of her knee rendered by the Mako system, Peggy's personalized surgical plan was in place. In July 2019, she checked in for her first knee replacement, hopeful that when she checked out, her constant pain would be a thing of the past. But her new mobility came much sooner than discharge; it came the very same night as her surgery. “I woke up after surgery and walked that evening. I liked it so much that I walked a lot,” said Peggy. “I wanted to do more,” she said. Peggy had a nerve and spinal block during her
The Truett and Margaret Crim Maternity Center had 18 nur Center director Lori Woodford says it is the first time The moms and babies shown here are nine out of the 18 service line. Bottom Left to Right: Shelby Cassidy, PCA; Rac Shelly Goines, RN. Top Left to Right: Brandi Martin, RN; Ka 6 / healthbeat /
ABIES
surgery—a pain management method where the anesthesiologist places medication directly around the nerve to block the pain before it starts. The blocks help patients recover faster by requiring less medication, leading to fewer complications. As her inpatient recovery sped along, Peggy says what stuck out to her most about her stay was the kindness of the nurses and aides. “Everyone was so nice. The aides that came and helped me walk, they were great,” said Peggy.
feature granted. After surgery, Peggy underwent just three weeks of at-home physical therapy with Hunt Regional Home Care, where she says her therapist Josh helped her get back to doing the activities she enjoys. “We clicked. He was respectful, but he was always pushing me to do a bit more,” said Peggy, who knows from personal experience just how important physical therapy is to the rehabilitation process.
“He was respectful,but he was always pushing me to do a bit more.” “My son stayed the first night in the hospital with me. He told me that everyone took great care of me,” she said.
“You've got to do the therapy. I have two metal shoulders, so I know what you’ve got to do,” said Peggy.
After seeing how quickly she was advancing, and hearing straight from Peggy that she wasn’t having any pain, Dr. Liao decided she was ready to be discharged just a few short days later.
Peggy says that the claims surrounding robotic-arm assisted surgery—less medication, less therapy, and less pain—were true for her.
Still, Peggy's family wasn’t sure if she would be able to go straight home without a caregiver. To ensure a successful transition, the hospital helped her understand the clearance requirements for her temporary walker, and with a little work—and the removal of a few interior doors—her son prepared her house for her homecoming.
Healthy at home
“They gave me a prescription for pain medicine, and I still have one of those left. I only took them when I was doing therapy,” she said. Peggy is so pleased with the outcome of her surgery, she has already scheduled her second knee replacement surgery—on her right knee—following the busy holiday season. “Mako did a good job! I wouldn't be doing the second one if it wasn't a good experience," she said.
rses and aides give birth within a year time frame. Women's On any given day you can find Peggy working in her yard, something she couldn’t her experienced the phenomenon. in her career thatdo before. she With has new knee, she is able to be more involved with her who church delivered year from the women and infants and get in andbabies out of her carlast with ease— seemingly simple tasks that she doesn’t take for chel Matthews, RN; Kassi Peprah, RN; Kristen Anderson, RN; atie Seale, RN; Jordan Barabas, RN; Amanda McClendon, RN. LEARN MORE ABOUT US
ONLINE: www.huntregional.org/betterknees CALL: 903.408.5000
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real health
Spotlight on therapy:
PT NOW AVAILABLE WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S REFERAL
Direct access to physical therapy is now a reality in Texas, thanks to HB 29. With the bill, Texas becomes the 49th state to allow direct access to physical therapy. 8 / healthbeat /
T
exans who need physical therapy for an injury or pain management can now schedule directly with their physical therapist without having to first go see a physician or receive a referral from another healthcare provider. Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed a new bill which allows Texans to seek the treatment they need without the delay and expense of having to see a physician first. Patients can now come directly to their physical therapist without waiting for an appointment and paying for an office visit with their primary care physician or orthopedist just to be told they need physical therapy. Patients can be treated for 10-15 days without a referral, depending on
the training received by their physical therapist. If the therapist determines that the patient will require a longer course of treatment than two weeks, patients can visit their physician and receive a referral for more extensive treatment. Hunt Regional’s physical therapists are trained in helping each patient restore his or her function and mobility. We do this by first performing a thorough evaluation and then developing a physical therapy program tailored to a patient’s current state of mobility and rehabilitation goals. Our outpatient clinic is located at Hunt Regional Medical Center. To learn more about your therapy options, call 903-408-1886 or visit www.huntregional. org/rehab.
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STRYKER MAKO ROBOTIC-ARM ASSISTED SURGERY
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unt Regional Medical Center in Greenville is the first in Northeast Texas to offer Stryker Mako roboticarm assisted knee surgery, an advancement that transforms the way total and partial knee replacements are performed. Orthopedic surgeons at Hunt Regional Medical Center who utilize the robotic-arm receive training directly from Stryker. Before surgery, the surgeon creates a personalized surgical plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased knee joint is taken. The CT scan is uploaded into
the Mako software, where a 3D model of the knee is created. The 3D model is used to pre-plan and assist the surgeon in performing the joint replacement procedure. In the operating room, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm and the Mako System helps the surgeon stay within the boundaries that were defined when the personalized pre-operative plan was created. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. It is common for patients to first try medication and other conservative
Types of 3 Arthritis The most common cause of chronic knee pain is arthritis. There are many types of arthritis. Most knee pain is caused by three types: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
treatments to relieve knee pain. If you haven’t experienced adequate improvement with other treatments, you may be a candidate for knee replacement. To learn more about knee surgery options at Hunt Regional, visit huntregional.org/betterknees.
The Mako difference COMPARING ROBOTIC-ARM ASSISTED SURGERY RESULTS
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n clinical trials, the Mako surgical technique resulted in quicker recovery, where 9 out of 10 patients were walking without an aid, such as a cane or walker, three weeks after surgery. 91% of patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied 5 years after surgery.
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Osteoarthritis With osteoarthritis, the cushioning cartilage at the end of the femur may have worn down, making walking painful as bone rubs against bone.
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Rheumatoid arthritis With rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes called inflammatory arthritis, a person’s immune system attacks the joints with uncontrolled inflammation, potentially causing joint erosion.
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Post-traumatic arthritis With post-traumatic arthritis, a less common form of arthritis, a broken or fractured bone extends into the joint space, causing the surface to become uneven. Over time, friction causes the joint to break down and become arthritic.
Patients also had a shorter hospital stay and less pain in the days and weeks following surgery. Patients surveyed 6 months after surgery reported lower pain scores than those who received a conventional joint replacement. / healthbeat / 9
real health
Spotlight on resolutions: A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW CHANCE FOR HEALTH
Each new year, we make resolutions to change our lifestyle or drop bad habits. Now is the perfect time to start planning for great health in the coming year, starting with scheduling your annual check-up. 10 / healthbeat /
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ake 2020 your healthiest year yet! Add these tips to your resolution list to boost your health and well-being! 1. Make an appointment for a checkup or screening. Regular medical exams can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of infection. It may seem simple, but handwashing is the easiest way to prevent illness. Handwashing involves five simple steps–wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. 3. Make healthy food choices. A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. It also includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. 4. Get active! Start small–try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking farther away from your destination. Consider indoor walking if the weather is cold. Adults should get at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity. 5. Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Adults need seven or more hours per night.
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THE 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS 11
12 Stitches Sewing Visit Urgent Care for all your holiday slip-ups!
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8 Hours Sleeping
Snoring? Restless legs? Our sleep center can help!
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11 Tests Running
10 Days of Healing
Hunt Regional Lab Solutions You can receive 2 weeks of offers direct access testing! PT without a referral.
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7 Babies Growing
6 Cakes Baking
We are home to the area's Keep diabetes in check with only Level III NICU. our self-management center.
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4 Chambers pumping 3-d Mammogramming
Our cath lab offers 24/7 around-the-clock coverage.
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We're the first in NTX to use ProFound AI tech.
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9 Pounds for Losing Start the new year with a bariatric surgery consult.
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5 Children Sneezing Ask your primary care provider about flu shots.
2 2 Feet-a-Dancing
Our podiatry program offers complete foot care.
1 1 Healthy Family And a happy and healthy New Year for all!
learn more about our complete line of services at huntregional.org. / healthbeat / 11
Charmaina Bowers Gastroenterology & Screening Colonoscopy BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
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“The problem is it comes on really slowly, so people don't realize it until they have it. Because once it comes, it's not good.” Charmaina Bowers knows first-hand that colon cancer doesn’t care if you’re young or old or if you're a man or a woman. She also knows there is only one way to know for sure if the silent cancer is hiding inside your body before its too late. Family history
fated to face the same battle.
It’s hard to imagine losing both parents within a short time frame. When that loss came as the result of the same illness, it was even more shocking for Charmaina Bowers.
Because of her family history, she decided to be proactive about her health, asking her primary care provider, Aspen Ingle, FNP-C, for a referral. It was through that referral that she met gastroenterologist Vivian Ebrahim, MD.
Colon cancer has been a part of Charmaina's reality for more than a decade. As a young woman, both her parents were diagnosed—and ultimately died as a result of the disease—within just a few years of each other. “Both my parents died at age 59 from colon cancer. My dad fought cancer for eight months before he passed; my mom, only two weeks,” recalls Charmaina. Even though she is only 42 and wasn’t experiencing any symptoms, Charmaina knew that the odds were not in her favor. She lived in fear, certain she was
Results you can't get at home Gastroenterologists treat the esophagus, the stomach, the colon, and everything in between. Among the most common procedures they perform are screening colonoscopies and polyp removal. With training from the Cleveland Clinic and Baylor University Medical Center, Dr. Ebrahim is an expert in diseases of the colon and passionate about reducing the number of colon cancer cases in our area. Partnering with Khaldun Khatib, MD, PHD, at Hunt / healthbeat / 13
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“It was very easy,I only wish I would have done it sooner.” Regional Medical Partners Gastroenterology, Dr. Ebrahim has made it part of her mission to educate the public about the 90% reduction in cancer risk that follows a colonoscopy. “It’s extremely prevalent, especially in our area and it is one of the preventable cancers. The problem is it comes on really slowly, so people don't realize it until they have it. Because once it comes, it's not good,” says Dr. Ebrahim, explaining that the quick 20-30 minute procedure is all it takes to prevent this type of cancer. The recent popularity of at-home testing kits may have patients wondering if a colonoscopy is necessary. The concern, says Dr. Ebrahim, is that the
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tests are good at detecting but not at preventing—a critical and potentially deadly drawback when early detection is important. “When you have advanced polyps that are the precancerous type, or colon cancer that can shed DNA, the at-home test detects that in the stool. It can check for larger polyps, but not necessarily all the types of polyps we see,” says Dr. Ebrahim. “Instead of waiting to detect a cancer or waiting to detect a polyp, a colonoscopy can keep you from worrying about it for several years,” she said. When Charmaina met Dr. Ebrahim, she says she immediately felt at ease.
feature “I met Dr. Ebrahim in February 2019. I thought she was amazing. She was so friendly and made me feel so comfortable,” said Charmaina. “I had heard good things, and I liked that she is local,” she said. Despite her age, Dr. Ebrahim agreed that due to her high-risk background Charmaina should have a screening colonoscopy.
A pleasant surprise Just the word colonoscopy brings a shudder to many people. Often, the fear comes from a misconception about the preparation required for the procedure. “In years past, the prep used to be four liters of a very salty, not palatable solution,” said Dr. Ebrahim.
polyps were found and removed, reassuring Charmaina that she had made the right choice. “It was very easy, I only wish I would have done it sooner,” she said.
Putting a plan in place Charmaina knows there are a lot of people counting on her, including her husband, Kevin, their four kids, and the children at Brookland Learning Center, where she has worked for over 10 years and is affectionately known as Mrs. Maina. Those same people are the reason she has chosen to no longer live in fear. “My family has been awesome and so supportive. They want me to be around a lot longer,” she said.
“For the first time,I feel like colon cancer will not get me...” “We have changed the prep and have come so far in the past few years. Now it is just two small bottles and it doesn't cause cramping,” she said. In March, Charmaina arrived at Hunt Regional Medical Center for her colonoscopy. Much to her surprise, the entire experience was a fast, easy process she wasn’t expecting. “It was very pleasant. The staff was amazing; I felt like they knew how nervous I was,” said Charmaina, adding that she was in and out and ready to go home before she even knew the procedure had started. “It was so fast I couldn't even tell I had anything done when I woke up,” she said.
Together with Dr. Ebrahim, Charmaina now has a plan in place to follow-up regularly to monitor her colon health—a plan to make sure she never battles colon cancer the way her parents did. Charmaina says she is thankful to have a doctor on her team to make sure this never happens to her. All she has to do is follow the doctor’s orders. “For the first time, I feel like colon cancer will not get me and I will see 60!” said Charmaina.
LEARN MORE ONLINE: www.huntregional.org/gastroenterology CALL: 903.408.7980
During the colonoscopy, a handful of precancerous / healthbeat / 15
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Myths &
COLON HEALTH
Three
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Facts
WHY & WHEN TO BEGIN SCREENING olorectal cancer is the number two killer cancer in the United States. It is also preventable in most cases. 136,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, and yet one in three adults are not screened. During a colonoscopy, a camera is passed through the large intestine to look for polyps. Polyps are small growths that live inside the colon. They can either be benign or they can be precancerous. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy, they are removed and sent to a pathologist. The size of the polyps, the number of polyps, and other factors determine the frequency of colonoscopies. In most cases, you return every 10 years. In the case of
multiple polyps, patients may see a doctor more frequently, such as every five years. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends screening for colon and rectal cancer beginning at age 50 if you don’t have health problems or risk factors that make you more likely to develop colon cancer. If you are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age or more often. In fact, AfricanAmericans should start screening at age 45. You have increased risk factors for colorectal cancer if you are male, are African American, someone in your family has had polyps or colorectal cancer, have a
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MYTH: I’m not having symptoms, so I don’t need screening. FACT: Symptoms may be a sign that you already have advanced-stage cancer. Colonoscopies detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps, so you can stop cancer before it starts.
personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, have a genetic disorder that increases the risk of colorectal cancer, or have other factors, such as being overweight or a history of smoking.
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FACT: Screening colonoscopies are fully covered by most insurance plans. If a polyp is found during your procedure, it can often be removed during the colonoscopy without additional costs or treatments. However, if you use an at-home test first, your colonoscopy may not be covered as it will no longer be considered a “screening” colonoscopy. Instead, it will be considered a diagnostic colonoscopy, which is not covered by some insurance plans.
To learn more, visit huntregional.org/ gastroenterology.
Find a specialist
LOCATE TRAINED HEALTHCARE EXPERTS NEARYOU
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astroenterologists treat and manage disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. These include conditions involving the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon.
MYTH: I can’t afford a colonoscopy.
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MYTH: At-home screening tests are good enough. FACT: A colonoscopy allows your doctor to see the whole colon and has a 95% detection rate for cancer and precancerous polyps. At-home tests are more likely to detect cancer once it has already developed.
Other specialties found at Hunt Regional include urology, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, wound care, and more. Hunt Regional’s medical staff includes experts for your healthcare needs. Visit www.huntregional.org/ourdoctors to find a primary care physician or specialist near you. / healthbeat / 17
Hunt Regional Faces of 2019 Richard Selvaggi, MD Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Hobbies: Running and travel Interests: I attend First Presbyterian and have special interest in theoretical and rotational environmental physics.
Thomas Selvaggi, MD Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Hometown: Commerce About: He's a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. He's active in his church, loves to travel, and has four children.
Brian Weber, PA-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, traveling Growing Up: My father was in the Air Force so we moved around a lot. I joined the Army and continued traveling.
Sarah Lay, MD Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Westlake Hobbies: CrossFit, hiking, running, camping, and reading Family: Husband - Waymon; Children Rachael, Waymon, Haley, Cole, Noah
Brittany Fuller, PA-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Westlake Hometown: Mt. Pleasant Family: Brittany married her high school sweetheart and they have two kids. They attend FBC Terrell.
Rebecca Thomas, FNP-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Westlake Hobbies: Traveling, swimming, and reading a good book. Family: Husband, Tyler, 2-year-old son, Ryder, and another son arriving in March
From primary care physicians and nurse practitioners, to sports medicine and other specialists, get to know the healthcare providers who joined our medical staff in 2019. Visit us online for contact information and to find a provider:
www.huntregional.org/ourdoctors
2019
Lawrence Young, PA-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Fun Fact: He has served in the US Coast Guard. Family: He is married and has three children.
Keri Goodwin, FNP-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Hobbies: Watching my three sons play sports, watching the Texas Longhorns, and road trips Free Time: Watching The Office, cooking, playing board games
Stephanie Slough, FNP-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Live Oak Hometown: Commerce Family: Stephanie has four children. She looks forward to serving her community.
Christopher Witherspoon, MD Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Greenville Hometown: Waco Interests: College sports fanatic, cooking, travel, and live music Family: Wife, Heather, is a graphic designer
Beth Nelson, FNP-C Hunt Regional Medical Partners Family Practice at Greenville Special Interests: Member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, she and her husband teach a Sunday School class for college kids Family: Four grown kids and five grandkids
Michael Johnson, MD Hunt Regional Medical Partners Orthopedics & Sports Medicine About Me: Previously had an orthopedic practice in Mt. Pleasant Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, rodeos Family: Wife, Michele, and two sons
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“I always wanted to be a nurse.Honestly, I think it is just something God built into me from birth.” Chief Nursing Officer Debby Clack reflects back on her nursing journey as she prepares for retirement after a a 30-year career. A calling If it seems difficult for an organization to put into words the impact an employee has had over 30 years, it may be even more difficult for that employee to articulate the sum of an entire career in just a few words. After three decades of service to Hunt Regional Healthcare, Chief Nursing Officer Debby Clack retired in December, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate care and uncompromising standards. Over her career, Debby has witnessed the growth and change of Hunt Regional as it expanded and added new service lines. She says she believes it was a calling that made her first get into the nursing field. “I always wanted to be a nurse. Honestly, I think it is just something God built into me from birth,” said Debby. “I am lucky enough to have followed His direction, and so I've enjoyed every minute,” she said.
Taking pride in healthcare advancements Over the course of 30 years, she has held many 20 / healthbeat /
roles, first starting as a staff nurse for almost every department then serving as home health director for 15 years. She has spent the last 11 years as chief nursing officer, overseeing nursing administration, ensuring the highest level of patient care, and helping make strategic decisions for the future of Hunt Regional. “Opening and growing home health was a great joy. The services we provide to the surrounding community, in the comfort of their own homes, are exceptional,” said Debby. “Patients and their families are always impressed by the level of professionalism and caring our home health staff provides,” she said. Making sure that close to 1,400 employees within a healthcare group work together can be a challenge. When she accepted the CNO role, Debby said one of her biggest goals was to build a collaborative relationship between nursing and all other hospital departments. “I've been blessed with a leadership group that worked to make it happen. It's been wonderful seeing
Debby Clack,MS,RN Chief Nursing Officer BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
/ healthbeat / 13
feature that develop,” said Debby. Another project that Debby recounts with pride is the development of Hunt Regional’s diabetes selfmanagement program. The program started over 15 years ago and continues to provide coaching to patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. “Although it’s not a big service compared to some larger departments, this program gives individuals the opportunity to truly change their lives for the better and take control of their own health,” said Debby. “Our program is unique in the personal instruction it gives patients and the vast experience our team has in tailoring the program to each patient's needs,” she said. Debby has worked closely with directors from each department, working to develop programs that benefit the growing Hunt County population. She says she takes pride each time a program experiences a pivotal advancement. Among those programs is the Truett and Margaret Crim Maternity Center, which is home to the area’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and transport team. “Our neonatologist Dr. Asif Khattak's amazing work to establish our NICU and add the transport team
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has been a joy to see, and I'm so happy I got to be a small part of it. Our NICU staff—the nursing staff, the physicians, and nurse practitioners—are second to none, and the care we are privileged to provide is a great convenience for the families of those NICU babies,” said Debby. “As a Level III NICU, we stand alone in our marketplace in offering first-class NICU services to our tiniest citizens, and although I really have nothing to do with those accomplishments personally, I'm very proud of all of the staff in our Women's Center and NICU for their tireless work,” she said.
Growth and change Since Debby began in 1989, Citizens General Hospital has undergone multiple changes, including an affiliation with Presbyterian Healthcare System, before becoming Hunt Regional Healthcare in 2008. Now, it is home to a state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab, inpatient dialysis services, advanced equipment and procedures in the operating room, and even a surgical robot. “I think it is always a surprise to visitors or new employees and physicians when they see the level of technology that we have here, which is fun,” said Debby.
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Debby says she is grateful for those moments and thankful she has been able to watch the hospital develop a reputation for quality, compassion, and excellence—particularly in the area of inpatient care.
for me and beneficial to others,” said Debby.
“The thing I most treasure is that people say they can tell we are happy to be here at work, because it's not ‘just a job.’ Patients can tell that our physicians and staff really care, and we often have patients say we make them feel special,” said Debby.
As for the future of healthcare in Hunt County, Debby says she hopes to see Hunt Regional continue to grow and flourish as it carries out its mission to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves.
“Before any of that, though, I plan to just breathe for a minute and enjoy a little R&R,” she said.
“Patients can tell that our physicians and staff really care.” “There is nothing more important than that passion when helping people recover, and nothing makes me happier,” she said.
Looking forward to the future Although retirement is sure to be much different from the fast-paced daily challenges of a hospital, Debby says that with eight grandchildren, she won’t be bored any time soon. “I'm not a person who can sit at home, so I am sure God has things for me to do that will be enjoyable
“I believe that we are in a great location to be an independent and very successful center of clinical excellence, ready to serve our growing population with the healthcare they need right here where they live,” said Debby. “I look forward to watching that happen,” she said.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US ONLINE: www.huntregional.org/aboutus CALL: 903.408.5000
/ healthbeat / 23
recipe
Gingerbread Cookies Cinnamon and cloves flavor these diabetic-friendly holiday cookies which have just 73 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
¼ cup butter, softened
1. In a large bowl, combine butter and vegetable oil spread; beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and cloves. Beat until well mixed, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in molasses and egg. (Mixture will look curdled.) Add all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour, beating just until combined. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill the dough for 2 to 3 hours or until easy to handle.
¼ cup 50% to 70% vegetable oil spread ½ cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ cup full-flavor molasses ¼ cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, or 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour
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2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough, half at a time, to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2- to 3-inch gingerbread person cookie cutter, cut out shapes; reroll scraps as necessary. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes or until edges are firm and centers are set. Cool on cookie sheets on wire racks for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks; cool. SERVINGS PER RECIPES: 36 (3-INCH) Cookies SERVING SIZE: 1 (3-INCH) Cookie NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: Calories: 73, Protein: 1 gm, Carbohydrate: 12 gm, Total Fat: 2 gm (Saturated Fat: 1 gm), Cholesterol; 3 mg, Sodium: 73 mg DIABETIC EXCHANGES: Other Carb(d.e): 1
real health
Spotlight on diabetes: NUTRITION TIPS FOR HEALTHY HOLIDAY EATING
Enjoying a healthy holiday doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of the things you love. Even if you're one of the 30 million Americans living with diabetes.
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f you’re like many Americans, many of your holiday plans revolve around food. You can maintain your blood sugar levels and enjoy the holiday parties and family gatherings along with everyone else. Focus on finding a balance with these helpful tips. Don’t skip breakfast. Don’t “save your appetite.” A small breakfast may help to decrease your appetite at lunch. Go for a small breakfast with protein and fiber i.e. egg, whole wheat toast, or a small piece of fruit. Skip the sweetened drinks. Go for water with fresh-squeezed lemon or lime, unsweet tea or a sugar-free drink. Have one balanced plate and try to avoid seconds. If seconds are a must, go for non-starchy vegetables. Divide your
plate up into ½ non-starchy vegetables (green beans, salad, asparagus), ¼ plate starch (potato, stuffing, beans, peas), and ¼ plate lean protein (turkey, chicken, ham). Lighten up old recipes. Swap sour cream/mayo for plain Greek yogurt, decrease sugar by ½ or more with unsweetened applesauce, and choose low-fat dairy products in place of full-fat options. Have dessert as a snack. Wait 2-3 hours after lunch to have dessert instead of adding it on right after lunch and opt for a smaller portion. Call the Diabetes Self-Management Center at Hunt Regional Medical Center to gain the skills needed to manage your diabetes. Call 903-408-5130 to learn more or visit www.huntregional.org/diabetes. / healthbeat / 25
WE KNOW BA
The Truett and Margaret Crim Maternity Center had 18 nur Center director Lori Woodford says it is the first time The moms and babies shown here are nine out of the 18 service line. Bottom Left to Right: Shelby Cassidy, PCA; Rac Shelly Goines, RN. Top Left to Right: Brandi Martin, RN; Ka
ABIES
rses and aides in her career who delivered chel Matthews, atie Seale, RN;
give birth within a year time frame. Women's that she has experienced the phenomenon. babies last year from the women and infants RN; Kassi Peprah, RN; Kristen Anderson, RN; Jordan Barabas, RN; Amanda McClendon, RN.
real health
Spotlight on maternity: A LOOK INSIDE THE EXPANDED MATERNITY CENTER The newly remodeled fifth floor at Hunt Regional Medical Center is now home to postpartum patients and our well-baby nursery. The private postdelivery rooms are a beautiful space for new families. 28 / healthbeat /
T
o make room for the everexpanding labor and delivery population, the postpartum unit at Hunt Regional Medical Center is now located on the fifth floor. Labor and delivery patients, NICU patients, and antepartum patients are still cared for in the third floor women's center area, while the well-baby nursery and postpartum patients are housed in the newly remodeled fifth floor space. Hunt Regional Medical Center practices the model of “couplet care� for mothers and newborns. After delivery, babies stay in the room with their mothers and are cared for by specially trained mother and baby nurses. If medical reasons prevent a newborn from rooming in with their mother, a newborn nursery is located on the same
floor where babies can be cared for. As a result of the move, there are now additional labor and delivery overflow rooms on the third floor. Our Level III neonatal intensive care unit is still located on the third floor where our smallest patients are cared for by dedicated NICU nurses. There are also additional rooms, as volume allows, to accommodate NICU parents who need to stay overnight. The area's only Level III NICU provides care for babies born prematurely or who have medical complications. The Truett & Margaret Crim Maternity Center also has state-of-the art operating suites to handle cesarean deliveries (C-sections). Learn more about our at services at www.huntregional.org/maternity.
IN MEMORIAM:
HUNT REGIONAL HEALTHCARE REMEMBERS THE FRIENDS WE LOVE AND MISS
PAM HIDLER - FORMER EMPLOYEE DR. PETER GRAY - RETIRED PHYSICIAN / healthbeat / 29
events
season events this
CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HEALTHCARE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
JANUARY
BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION MONTH Not all birth defects can be prevented. But a woman can increase her own chance of having a healthy baby by taking a vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and by
of cancer. Regular screening can help catch precancerous cell changes early and prevent the development of cervical cancer. FIND A PHYSICIAN: www.huntregional.org/ourdoctors FEBRUARY
AMERICAN HEART MONTH February is American Heart Month. Hunt Regional offers a full range of diagnostic services and treatment including a cath lab, imaging, rehab, nutrition consults, telemetry monitoring, and more. MORE INFORMATION: www.huntregional.org/cardiacservices MARCH
seeking pre-natal care. Should your baby need advanced care after birth, the Truett & Margaret Crim Maternity Center at Hunt Regional is home to the area’s only Level III NICU.
COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
LEARN MORE: www.huntregional.org/maternitycenter
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020
SAVE THE DATE Save the date for the Fifteenth Annual Music is the Best Medicine Gala, hosted by the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation. The event will be held at Innovation First International in Greenville. Join us Friday, April 3 for a night of dinner, dancing, and fundraising. Visit the gala website in the spring for more information about our signature event. READ MORE: www.musicisthebestmedicinegala.org FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 903.408.1064
the United States. Colonoscopies are more accurate than at-home tests and are covered by most insurances. LEARN MORE: www.huntregional.org/gastro
JANUARY
MARCH 8-14
CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer for women worldwide, but because it develops over time, it is also one of the most preventable types
featured event
PULMONARY REHAB WEEK Colorectal cancer affects both men and women in almost equal numbers and is the second leading cause of cancer death in
Our pulmonary rehab program, part of the Mary Rich-Lynch Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, offers inpatient and outpatient care to help patients with conditions affecting both the
heart and lungs, such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and other cardiopulmonary disorders. MORE INFORMATION: www.huntregional.org/cardiacrehab
Notes
FROM FOUNDATION DIRECTOR LISA HILL
D
uring this season of giving, I am so happy to recognize everyone who gave so generously of their time, talent, and monetary support to the 2019 Bras for the Cause. As you can see in the photo above, a record $1,042,656 has now been raised through Bras for the Cause. All of the money raised is used to assist cancer patients in Hunt County which makes Bras for the Cause unique. Event proceeds have funded the Tubby Adkisson Mobile Mammography Coach, purchased vein finders and a germ-zapping robot, and helped add 4D CT scanning in the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center. Money raised also provides free mastectomy bras, garments, and prostheses for breast cancer patients and supports the free FitSteps program for all cancer patients. This year our Brallywood theme brought out some of the most elaborate bra creations imaginable! If you missed “Bra-lociraptor,” “They’re Boobs, Ed,” “Braws,” or the “Brallywood Hills” then you really missed out. Keep an eye out
for the 2020 event date and theme and get involved. I’d also like to mention how much I appreciate the Hunt Regional staff who donated food and money to our 2019 Thanksgiving food drive. Because of their generosity we were able to provide meals, including a turkey, to area families who need a little help this year. Of course, most healthcare employees are drawn to their profession because of an innate desire to help others. I am fortunate to witness many of these acts of generosity daily. To help recognize our staff who go above and beyond we have implemented a “People Make the Difference” campaign to share these stories. If you visiting Hunt Regional Medical Center, or if you “like” us on Facebook, watch for our spotlight on these individuals and departments. Special thanks also goes to our foundation board for funding the construction of our new Code Brew coffee shop, proudly serving Starbucks coffee! Located in the West Wing
lobby, this new option for your favorite Starbucks beverage is open from 7-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. A portion of the proceeds from Code Brew will be returned to the foundation each year making this the gift that keeps on giving! Yours in continued good health,
Lisa Hill, Director Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation / healthbeat / 31
