connect LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
New year, new you
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Resolve to be healthy in 2010
Heart of the matter Bone up on osteoporosis
Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence
Winter 2010
Academic success fostered at LMH
Become an organ/tissue donor. Give blood. Complete Advance Directives. Talk to your family and let them know how you feel about important health decisions.
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Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your home and vehicles. Having an adequate supply of first aid supplies in easy reach will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice.
Drink more water. We need water to flush out toxins, keep our tissues hydrated, and keep our energy up. Have a big glass of water before and after every meal. Also have one mid morning and one mid afternoon. Make a point to take a drink from every water fountain you pass.
Volunteer. LMH has many options for you to contribute your time and talents. Talk to us about your interests and time requirements and we will do our best to match you with an opportunity to make a difference. Visit www.lmh.org for a listing of volunteer opportunities or call the Volunteer Services office at 785-505-3141. Lighten up — don’t take things so seriously. Stress can contribute to symptoms of illness. Taking even 5 to 15 minutes for yourself each day to relax can help you stay mentally and physically healthy.
Begin immediately. If you are waiting for a more convenient time to make lifestyle changes, it won’t happen. Now is as good as any time. If you start now, you’ll have a jump on a healthier and more satisfying life.
www.lmh.org
Claire Hinrichsen, the fourth of five children, always knew she wanted to work in the medical field. The question was, where. In 2005, Claire, who was then a sophomore at Perry-Lecompton High School, began volunteering at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. “While working at LMH, I had the opportunity to volunteer in many different departments, from Escort to Medical Records and Radiology,” Claire says. Claire Hinrichsen The variety offered her the opportunity to try out a lot of different jobs and she used the chance to talk to people in the department about their expertise. She also enjoyed the opportunity to learn from the more mature volunteers. Now a junior at the University of Kansas majoring in human biology with a psychology concentration, Claire credits the hospital with helping her realize her dream of becoming a physician. LMH not only helped Claire chart her professional path, they also invested in her education.When she was a senior in high school, Claire was one of three recipients of the Auxiliary Scholarship. She was chosen from among her peers for her academic performance, extracurricular and community involvement, and her desire to pursue a medical career. The $1,000 scholarship, renewable for four years, has helped her purchase books and enroll in an independent study in a psychology lab. In addition to working, Claire continues to volunteer at LMH and is appreciative of the support in choosing a career and the financial assistance. “I love volunteering at LMH. It is rewarding to see how patients benefit from the extra help volunteers provide and is a great way to give back to the community,” she says.
For your calendar Annual Meeting of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Date: Thursday, January 21 Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m. (program begins at 5:15 p.m.) Location: The Oread, 1200 Oread Avenue Please join us in celebrating LMH Endowment Association’s 40th year. For details, call 785-505-3317.
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Bone up on Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. These fractures often have devastating consequences in the senior population. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women over the age of 50 will experience a fracture caused by osteoporosis, as will one in five men. The risks associated with poor bone health are high. The Department of Health and Human Services provides these compelling reasons we should all be concerned
osteoporosis about bone health. The outlook for persons experiencing a hip fracture is alarming: • 20 percent of hip fracture patients may require long-term nursing home care. • 50 percent never regain their ability to walk independently. • Up to 20 percent die within one year due to complications of the fracture or accompanying surgery. • Approximately 33 percent of people are totally dependent following hip fracture.
Introducing Lawrence’s Healthy Bones Program Lawrence is now home to the “Healthy Bones Program,” a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to helping members of our community maximize bone health through optimization of bone mass, maintenance of bone mass and prevention of bone loss. The team is dedicated to increasing community awareness and assisting area physicians in the fight against osteoporosis. Members of the core multi-disciplinary team include: Douglass Stull, MD—orthopedic surgeon Marc Scarbrough, MD—hospitalist Sherri Vaughn, MD—primary care physician Anne Van Garsse, MD—pediatrician Sherri Quick, MD—physiatrist/acute rehab Karen Shumate, RN, MS—VP, Clinical Services
Stephanie Porto, Pharm D—pharmacist Jaye Cole, OTR—director, Kreider Physical Therapy/Rehab Shelley Terrell, RN, MBA—director, Post Surgical Unit Linda Gall, RN, MSN, ACM—director, Case Management Ramona Hamilton, RN, MSN, ARNP—Post Surgical Unit
Nationally recognized bone expert visits Lawrence Nationally recognized bone expert Richard Dell, MD, recently visited Lawrence to kick off the Healthy Bones Program. In addition to an educational session for physicians and clinical professionals, he also presented a free community education class, which was open to the public. In his presentation, Dr. Dell addressed many of the common issues associated with bone health. Participants learned how to protect their bones, prevent bone loss and how medications and vitamins can affect long-term bone health. He also discussed important screening recommendations, impact exercises and answered questions about how to broach the subject of healthy bones with your physician.
If you would like more information about the Healthy Bones Program, call 785-505-6373.
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Though the effects of this disease are frequently suffered later in life, young people can’t postpone awareness about this disease. According to Lawrence orthopedic surgeon Douglass Stull, MD, “Up to 90 percent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys. But nine out of 10 teenage girls and almost seven out of 10 teenage boys don’t get enough calcium in their daily diets.” Though osteoporosis is devastating, the good news is that for most people it is preventable. The following recommendations will assist you and your family in building and maintaining strong and healthy bones. DAILY CALCIUM REQUIREMENTS Age Milligrams per day 1-3 ......................500 4-8 ......................800 9-18....................1300 19-50..................1000 51+ ....................1200
Get enough calcium Calcium can be found in many foods. In addition to dairy foods, try almonds, calcium-fortified foods, corn tortillas, green vegetables, salmon or fortified juices to ensure you are getting enough of the important mineral. Remember that calcium requirements are greatest between the ages of nine and 18. For calcium-rich snack options that kids will even love, visit us at lmh.org. Get enough Vitamin D Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium. It is important to spend twenty minutes in the sunlight a day. It is this sun exposure that activates the Vitamin D that is necessary to help us absorb calcium. Eggs, fatty fish, cereal and fortified milk are also good sources of Vitamin D.
Healthy Bones www.lmh.org
Heart of the matter Changes benefit local cardiac patients
Lawrence Memorial Hospital recently partnered with four cardiologists in practice at the Lawrence office of Cardiovascular Consultants, P.A. to form a hospital-affiliated practice known as Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. Though there has been a lot of change lately, patients can expect a seamless transition. Here is what patients can look forward to from the new Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. A convenient new location Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence is now located inside the 4th Street Health Plaza, adjacent to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The new location offers convenient parking, a comfortable waiting room and quick access to the hospital and many other physician practices. Outstanding physicians Lawrence Memorial Hospital is pleased to partner with these Lawrencebased physicians. The hospital and Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence are committed to delivering the best health care to the community. “We are pleased to partner with these outstanding local physicians who are respected by their patients and their peers,” says Gene Meyer, LMH president and CEO. The following physicians serve Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence:
Open House!
John Hiebert, MD | Dr. Hiebert specializes in clinical cardiology and has been practicing in Lawrence since 1988. Michael Zabel, MD | Dr. Zabel has been practicing cardiology since 1995. He specializes in clinical cardiology including pacemaker follow-up and echocardiography. He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease. Michael Hajdu, MD | Dr. Hajdu has been providing clinical cardiology, pacemaker follow-up and echocardiography services in Lawrence since 2003. He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease. Roger Dreiling, MD | Dr. Dreiling has been practicing cardiology since 1984 and joined the Lawrence team in 2008. He specializes in clinical cardiology, interventional cardiology and treatment of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. Dr. Dreiling is serving as the medical director for the practice. Tapas Ghose, MD | Dr. Ghose is the newest member of the team. He joined the group in December and is providing interventional cardiology, peripheral intervention and clinical cardiology services. Dr. Ghose is board-eligible in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
Commitment to the community The team members of the new practice are pleased to be caring for the cardiovascular needs of our community
and they look forward to expansion of cardiac services in the future. Interventional cardiologist Roger Dreiling, MD, reflects on the team’s continued commitment to provide outstanding care. “Every day we work very hard to provide the best in service and cardiac care. We don’t want patients to come to us because we are the closest or most convenient,” he notes. “We want the community to use our services because we are the best.” Service line The physicians at Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence encourage everyone to live a heart-healthy lifestyle to minimize the chance of ever needing to visit their office. But they are honored to be there for those who require exceptional cardiac care. They will be providing the same diagnostic and treatment services as always, including echo, stress echo, myocardial perfusion stress studies, Holter monitoring, rhythm event monitoring, ankle-brachial index studies, tilt table testing, and pacemaker follow up and programming, as well as other related cardiac services. For more information, call the office at 785-841-3636 or visit us online at lmh.org.
Wednesday, February 24
Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence will host an Open House for the community on Wednesday, February 24, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a ribbon cutting with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, tours, refreshments and giveaways.
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www.lmh.org
New year, new you! R E S O LV E T O B E H E A LT H Y IN 2010
Making New Year’s resolutions has become an annual tradition. If you are like millions of Americans, one or more of your resolutions will pertain to your health. Lawrence Memorial Hospital offers these suggestions to help make 2010 healthier and happier for you, your family and community. See your health care provider for an annual physical and make sure your family gets routine health screenings. Immunizations, along with screenings for early detection or prevention of disease, can keep you healthy and improve your quality of life. Talk to your doctor about the screenings that you and your family need. If you don’t have a primary care provider, check out the Physician Directory online at www.lmh.org.
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Learn the risk factors for heart disease, the leading cause of death. Visit www.lmh.org/hearthealth to learn more about cardiac services at LMH, including the LMH Heart Center, Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence, the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program and more.
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Enroll in a health improvement or education class. Call LMH ConnectCare at 785-749-5800 or go online to www.lmh.org and click “Classes and Programs.”
Don’t do it alone. Find a friend, family member or co-worker with similar goals. Exercise together and share successes and failures. LMH’s Fit for Life program is a great way to get started. Call LMH Kreider Rehabilitation Services at 785-505-2712 for more information. m
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Looking for a health improvement class? Visit www.lmh.org and click “Classes and Programs.”
“The signs are there. Don’t ignore them.” One patient’s story A year ago, 39-year-old Scott Carter was a busy, active man who worked hard to support his family. He loved spending time with them and being outdoors. The last thing on his mind was a heart attack. But last fall the Topeka resident began suffering from discomfort in the chest and found himself feeling more exhausted than usual. Scott had recently passed a physical for life insurance with flying colors and is not overweight. So, he dismissed the symptoms and attributed it to growing older and a poor diet. After three to four months of symptoms, Scott allowed his wife and friends to convince him to visit his primary care physician, Steven Thomsen, MD, in Lawrence. The appointment didn’t go as planned. To Scott’s surprise Dr. Thomsen informed him that he had an abnormal EKG and needed to go directly to the Emergency Department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. It took a bit of convincing, but finally Scott agreed to go. At the hospital, non-invasive cardiac testing determined that he had a blockage in one of the three major arteries to his heart. It was strongly recommended that he have an emergency heart catheterization and soon after discussing the upcoming procedure with interventional cardiologist Roger Dreiling, MD, Scott went into cardiac arrest. The hospital medical team quickly resuscitated him and he was rushed to the catheterization lab (cath lab) where he emergently received two coronary stents, stopping his heart attack in its tracks. Time is muscle when it comes to heart care. And LMH exceeds national
Roger Dreiling, MD, is part of the medical team that Scott Carter credits with saving his life.
guidelines when it comes to treating patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). LMH’s “door to balloon” time is averaging 52 minutes, ranking it first among 982 similiarly sized hospitals. The American College of Cardiology’s national benchmark is 90 minutes. On December 15, there was a case where the “door to balloon” was met in 31 minutes. From his primary care physician, Dr. Thomsen, to Dr. Dreiling and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Scott is thankful for the outstanding care he received and believes that if he wasn’t in the hospital during his heart attack, he wouldn’t be here to tell the story. The man who “wouldn’t go to the doctor or the hospital unless he was dying,” recommends that people adopt a different outlook on health care. He wants everyone to be in tune with what their bodies are trying to tell them. “The signs are there. Don’t ignore them, because it is always better to be safe than sorry,” he notes.
Heart attack warning signs According to the American Heart Association, some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: C H E S T D I S C O M F O R T | Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. The intensity of the pain does not correlate with the severity of the problem. D I S CO M F O RT I N OT H E R A R E A S O F T H E U P P E R B O DY | Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. S H O R T N E S S O F B R E AT H | This can be experienced with or without chest discomfort. O T H E R S I G N S | Other warning signals may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. If you or someone you know experiences these signs, call 911 and get help immediately.
Visit www.lmh.org/hearthealth for info about the cardiology program at LMH.
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According to Shelley Terrell, director of the Post-Surgical Unit at LMH and a member of the Healthy Bones Team, “Most people living in our region don’t get enough of the right kind of sunlight to meet Vitamin D requirements. So it is important to talk to your physician about your Vitamin D intake and osteoporosis screening recommendations.” Perform weight-bearing exercises Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, dancing, climbing stairs and weightlifting, performed three to four times a week, will help to make bones stronger. Strengthening and balance exercises may help you avoid falls and decrease the chance of breaking a bone. People of any age or fitness level can do some sort of exercise. If you are a man over age 40, a woman over age 50, or have a chronic health condition, check with your doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Smokers are at greater risk of osteoporosis. Smoking slows your body’s production of estrogen, a substance that protects the bones. It is also important to note that too much alcohol can increase your risk of falling and breaking a bone. Get a DXA scan A DEXA scan, otherwise know as a bone density test, is recommended for women over the age of 65. This noninvasive and pain-free scan uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. Talk to your physician about a DEXA scan. Knowledge is often the key to a healthy lifestyle. For more information and to find out if you are at risk for osteoporosis, take our osteoporosis risk assessment at lmh.org.
Community’s newest urologist brings cutting-edge procedures Carol Harmsen of Lawrence can sum up the cure for her kidney stones in three words: Dr. Doug Klingler. Her ordeal began a few months ago when, stricken with intense pain in her side, she made her way to the LMH emergency department. What she believed was a bad urinary tract infection was, in fact, a large kidney stone. “I was referred to Lawrence Urology, where it was suggested I see a doctor who specializes in some new techniques,” Carol says. “He proposed a way to remove the stone that would Carol Harmsen be more successful than medication or ultrasound, but would still offer a somewhat easy recovery.” The procedure was percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a technique whereby large or difficult stones are removed through a puncture in the back or flank area. The doctor was Doug Klingler, MD, who relocated from Dallas in 2007 to work in Lawrence with Michael Well, MD, and Jon Heeb, MD, at Lawrence Urology. “Percutaneous nephrolithotomy replaces the need for a patient to have multiple minor surgeries, or in some severe cases, an open surgical procedure,” Dr. Klingler says. Dr. Klingler also specializes in Interstem, a sacral nerve stimulation that treats patients with overactive bladder or retention problems. Cutting-edge techniques like these are an enhancement to the thriving urology practice, which sees about 20 to 30 patients per day. According to Dr. Klingler, more advancements are on the way. “Researchers are trying to find newer ways to diagnose urologic cancers earlier, and with less invasive procedures,” he Doug Klingler, MD says. “There are a number of tumor markers being looked at, especially for bladder and prostate cancer, to help us figure out who is at highest risk and hopefully avoid unnecessary testing for those at low risk.” Outside of work, Dr. Klingler enjoys sports and spending time with his wife and children. He says he and his family love the pace of Lawrence, and have been very happy with their decision to move here. Carol, for one, is ecstatic that Dr. Klingler is here to stay. Now, fully recovered and a self-proclaimed spokesperson for the benefits of drinking water, she visits him as part of her thorough follow-up plan. “He is personable, understanding, puts you at ease, and explains things clearly,” she says. “I was so grateful for what he did, I just wanted to hug him. In fact, I did.”
Become a member of the LMH community! Gifts of time and resources are welcome.
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325 Maine Street Lawrence, KS 66044
Healthy Heart Fair!
Saturday, February 13, 2010 To sign up, call
• 7:30–10 a.m. Blood Draws | 8–10:30 a.m. Screenings and Exhibits • Price: $20 for full lipid panel if registered by February 5 ($25 at the door) • Screenings may include blood pressure, body mass index, waist measurement and fingerstick glucose
DocTalk After growing up in Lawrence, Dr. Imber is familiar with the community and is excited about her return. “It is great to become a part of the medical community in Lawrence,” she says. Dr. Imber and her husband, Michael Pulsinelli, love the friendly feel of Lawrence and appreciate that there is always plenty to do in town. With the arrival of a daughter, Alice Pulsinelli, they knew that Lawrence would be a great place to raise a family and be close to relatives. “We are very happy to be back here,” Dr. Imber says, “especially with our daughter.”
and ask for the health fair specialist
Tapas J. Ghose, MD Dr. Ghose has joined Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2002, Dr. Ghose completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, Mass. Returning to the Midwest, he completed his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he also served as chief fellow. He remained in Kansas City for his fellowship in interventional cardiology at Mid-America Heart Institute.
Molly Imber, MD Dr. Imber, a graduate of Lawrence High School, has returned to Lawrence as part of the Internal Medical Group, PA. She recently completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City where she also received her medical degree. Dr. Imber is a cum laude graduate of Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
785-505-6179
Dr. Ghose is board-certified in internal medicine and board-eligible in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, vascular medicine and endovascular medicine. He is an active member of the American College of Cardiology. Having trained as an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Ghose performs general cardiology in addition to nuclear cardiology and coronary and peripheral vascular interventions. His special interests include both structural heart disease with an emphasis on congenital heart disease interventions and vascular disease. Dr. Ghose is from Topeka and graduated from Topeka West High School. Outside of medicine, he enjoys participating in league soccer competitions, photography and SCUBA diving. Dr. Ghose and his wife met in Lawrence while attending KU and are excited to be back here close to family.
connect is published by Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The information in this newsletter is intended to educate readers about subjects pertinent to their health and is not a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. To have your name added to or removed from this mailing list, please call 785-505-3315. Gene Meyer | President and CEO, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Editorial Board | Kathy Clausing Willis, Sherri Vaughn, MD, Janice Early-Weas, Heather Ackerly
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Lawrence Memorial Hospital • 325 Maine Street • Lawrence, KS 66044 • 785-505-5000 • www.lmh.org