July25 14 by Daniel Pearson

AUGUSTA

FREE T AKE-H OME C OPY!

recipe feature PAGE 7

HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

JULY 25, 2014

LIFE

As we observe the Medical Examiner’s 8th anniversary this month, here are 8 little things that can help make every day count. CREATE A TO-DO LIST AND STICK TO IT Creating a realistic to-do list of the most important elements of a daily schedule is the map for your day, and sticking to it will keep you on course. Doing so provides a tangible reference verifying what you’ve accomplished. When you see what you have accomplished, it provides incentive to keep moving forward. CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE Whether it is reading a few pages from the Bible, a book of poetry, or some other favorite book, stretching or meditating, develop a morning routine that is enjoyable and meaningful. Start the day off on a positive note and stick to it consistently. This does not need to be a lengthy or time-consuming event. FINISH WHAT YOU START Finishing something can become one of the most fulfilling achievements daily. This is especially true for a major project with a considerable time investment. With focus and purpose, maybe something that you’ve just dabbled at for some time can finally be Please see 8 THINGS page 2

WHAT IS ONE LIFE WORTH?

ll men may very well be created equal, as America’s founding fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence, but no one can say that every life is equal, nor that every death is equal. Statistically, more than 370,000 babies are born every day worldwide, about 11,000 of them in the United States alone. Meanwhile, more than 150,000 people die earthwide every day, nearly 7,000 of them in this country. Some of those brand new lives come to nothing. Some grow up to mean quite a lot. Many of those thousands of daily deaths are barely noticed, even if they occur by the thousands, such as by heart disease or traffic accidents. On the other hand, a single lost life can create a nationwide or even global uproar. Let just one baby die in a hot car and people will take note far and wide. Congress has been holding hearings over 13 deaths caused by perceived lapses at General Motors. Most people, however, slip away unobserved by the world at large, yet their deaths leave quite a gaping hole in the lives of those who knew them. I’ve just experienced one of those deaths. In the early morning hours of July 10, someone I knew and loved died after a brief illness. Her name was Mary Sargent. She was a very private person, so if you’re an obituary reader don’t wonder why you don’t remember seeing that name. There was no obituary. She was very specific about not wanting one, and was amused (not in a good way) by the extremely long and windy obituaries that sometimes run in the Augusta Chronicle. She was a client of mine up to the very end who also grew to be a good friend. She was the editor of a newsletter that I produced for roughly the past 21 years. A little more than 24 hours before her death, we were going over plans for the newsletter’s next issue. She was also the author

of seven published books, books represented by agents and sold to New York publishing houses like McKay and Bantam Books (in other words, not self-published), books for which she was receiving regular royalties even recently. Oh, and did I mention she would have been 102 this coming January? Her mind on a bad day was, I promise you, sharper than yours and mine put together. I can also assure you that she was living a full life (just slightly age-adjusted), making a positive impact upon people’s lives, and contributing to the community literally to her last day. Mary Sargent was, in my mind, the embodiment of what this newspaper stands for, and I thought of her often as I chose topics for articles. The cover of every issue promises “health, medicine, wellness.” Not immortality. No one of earth’s billions — not even Dr. Oz — has yet has created a regimen of diet, exercise and healthy habits to cheat death. Barring some miracle of divine intervention, we’re all going to follow Mary Sargent into that deepest sleep. But living a healthful lifestyle, as she did, can go a long way toward infusing quality into whatever time we have ahead. If it’s just life we’re after, well, people in comas and in prison cells have that. They are alive, but it’s not a life you or I would want. Mary Sargent, on the other hand, was really living until the very end. I’ll give you one simple example: through the courtesy of the owners of Funsville, she rode one of their carousels not long ago, up and down and around and around on a painted pony. Her good health made that possible at age 99. Even if I live as long as she did, I don’t think I will ever again know another person more than a century old upon the news of whose death I will honestly say, “I didn’t see that coming.” + + — by Daniel Pearson See also: Editor’s Note on page 6

Cool down with

HOT SUMMER SAVINGS!

1216 BROAD ST • 706-722-4653

SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!

WWW.IUISCRUBS.COM

INTERNATIONAL UNIFORM

★★★★★

25% OFF

HOURS: MON - FRI 9 - 6, SAT. 10 - 4.

HOME OF THE WORLD FAMOUS $19.95 SCRUB SET

ANY ONE REGULARLY PRICED ITEM Must present this ad. Expires 8-06-14. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Not valid with $19.95 scrub set or on sale or clearance merchandise or prior purchases. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

FACEBOOK.COM/INTERNATIONALUNIFORM

INSULIN

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

University leads the way in patient care quality in the CSRA.

Why work anywhere else?

Healthgrades.com Five-Star Ratings University Hospital

JULY 25, 2014

8 THINGS… from page 1 completed with some direct and undivided attention. PAY IT FORWARD Doing a little good for someone else, even a complete stranger, can Because not every problem in life can be fixed by medicine make a big impact. It doesn’t have to cost a dime. Give someone a compliment, or do something nice for a random stranger and you will notice how much better you feel about life in general. PUT FEAR IN ITS PLACE Doubts and uncertainties and endless what-ifs can paralyze progress and action if we let it. Every life can be a non-stop adventure if we don’t let too many unnecessary worries creep in.

NEVER STOP LEARNING Make a goal to learn something new every day. It does not matter how significant or insignificant it might seem to be. Sticking to this goal adds a substantial amount of value to each day. The most Five-Star Ratings earned by any other area hospital.

LIVE EACH DAY WITH A PURPOSE Whether that day’s purpose is personal or professional, take the time to identify it. Some people write it down in a highly visible place to serve as a constant reminder.

NOW HIRING. Visit www.UniversityHealth.org/jobs to apply.

DON’T LEAVE IMPORTANT MATTERS UNSAID We all have many valuable windows of opportunity to say important things that need to be said. Take advantage of these opportunities; they can unexpectedly and permanently vanish in an instant.

Check out our new column on pet health! See page 10!

— Adapted from internet sources

PET VET

2283 WRIGHTSBORO RD (AT JOHNS RD)

DR. DAVID DOYLE, JR

706-733-3373 GADERM.COM

• ACNE • SKIN CANCER SURGERY • MOLE REMOVAL

TELL US YOUR MEDICAL STORY. SEE PAGE 6.

• PSORIASIS • RASHES • WARTS • ITCH RELIEF

We welcome Chris Thompson PA-C to our practice, welcoming new and established patients.

JULY 25, 2014

HOBBY LOBBY & HISTORY

ike the majority of healthcare providers, I was intensely disappointed by the Supreme Court’s ruling last month in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. Regardless of the direction June’s decision takes our country and the precedent it sets, the immediate impact on women across the United States directly hurts our already ailing healthcare system. However, in reading articles and opinion editorials from many sources, there was one key theme I felt remained vastly underrepresented. The historical perspective of employer-provided health insurance in the U.S. is likely unknown to most Americans and is, in my opinion, a key element in the flaws of the case. The history of health insurance in the United States is a longer and more complicated account than I will present to you today. However, the biggest shift towards the system in place today came during the 1940’s. During the first part of the decade, our country struggled to transition from an economic depression to a wartime economy. In an effort to combat inflation, the federal government enacted a freeze on wages. Thus, employers were unable to increase pay to attract an increasingly scarce labor force. However, the government ruled that this wage freeze did not apply to fringe benefits — things like life and health insurance. Hence, to attract employees, a company could now offer health plans. Additionally, a union labor

force much stronger than today’s was able to effectively lobby for these plans as well. A second, equally influential decision came in 1954 when the federal government further incentivized the growth of employer-sponsored health insurance. This time, the federal government enacted the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, which granted fringe benefits an exemption from taxation. To many of us today, this seems so innate that we can’t imagine it any other way. However, even today, many other countries pay taxes on various fringe benefits because their governments classify these as taxable income. Imagine being in the shoes of a 1954 worker. Low-income individuals fell into a 20% tax bracket, but your employer gives you the following proposition: He is willing to increase your salary by $1,000 or to increase the value of your benefits by $1,000. For the increase in salary, you would be forced to pay a 20% penalty: an additional $200 in taxes, netting only $800. However, if you took the increase in your benefits package, you would be netting the full $1,000. As you might imagine, fringe benefits grew spectacularly over the coming years. Thus, an employer doesn’t offer health insurance to its employees out of kindness of heart or a sense of corporate benevolence. Rather, it is a form of wages, just like salary. Additionally, as a wage, it is subject to regulations.

The federal government deemed that some forms of contraception — which is used for numerous purposes pertaining to women’s health, including many that have no connection with conception — be part of the minimum health care package that all employers offer. In fact, one could call it part of the “minimum wage of health benefits.” One would not expect any organization, including Hobby Lobby, to get away with paying its employees less than minimum wage because of the religious beliefs of its founder. Tearing down the wall separating church and state health benefits sets a dangerous precedent. I fear what this decision means for the future of employer-sponsored health insurance. Will the next employer’s religion and its rules for feminine modesty be used to challenge insurance coverage for mammograms? What if another employer’s religion requires a vow of poverty? Will that employer use this ruling to further lower the minimum wage? What is the next thing an employer might be able to withhold from you and me in the name of religious freedom? That’s the risk we take if we choose to forget the pages of history. If we don’t take note (and action) now, we may see this failure to protect basic health care expand in the years ahead. Ross Everett is a medical student at the Medical College of Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011. Currently, he is taking a year of leave from medical school to pursue a Master of Public Health degree in Health Systems and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. Please contact him at wideeyedwhitecoat@gmail.com

SEE PAGE SIX

What’s your story?

Send your submissions for Medicine in the First Person to the Augusta Medical Examiner via e-mail: info@AugustaRx.com or to PO Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903-0397. (The Medical Examiner reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any submission at its sole discretion.)

MEDICAL EXAMINER www.AugustaRx.com

The Medical Examiner’s mission: to provide information on topics of health and wellness of interest to general readers, to offer information to assist readers in wisely choosing their healthcare providers, and to serve as a central source of news within every part of the Augusta medical community. Submit editorial content to graphicadv@knology.net Direct editorial and advertising inquiries to: Daniel R. Pearson, Publisher & Editor E-mail: Dan@AugustaRx.com Augusta Medical Examiner photography: H + D Photography www.handdphoto.com AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER P.O. Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903-0397

(706) 860-5455 www.AugustaRx.com • E-mail: graphicadv@knology.net Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and their respective institutions. Neither the Augusta Medical Examiner, Pearson Graphic 365 Inc., or its agents or employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for informational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. © 2014 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.

THE MONEY DOCTOR: FISCAL HEALTH 6X PER YEAR

STUDENT ALERT

BEST UNIFORM PRICES IN TOWN!

D E E T N A GUAR 1010 DRUID PARK AVENUE 706.739.0700 • MON-FRI: 9:30-6, SAT: 9:30-3

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER

COME BY FOR A FREE GIFT WITH YOUR PURCHASE!

HARTLEY’S UNIFORMS

Nearly all of us — even doctors and nurses — are sometimes patients. Perhaps you were recently injured playing your favorite sport, or years ago you somehow got hurt without even leaving your favorite recliner. Maybe you were diagnosed with a dreaded disease, mugged in a dark and lonely parking lot, or you stubbed your toe in the safety of your own bedroom. On the other hand, perhaps you needed medical attention 5,000 miles from home. Whatever your medical experience, we’d like to hear your story for our Medicine in the First Person feature. It can be frightening or funny, ordinary or extraordinary, just a few paragraphs long or quite a lengthy tale, bylined or anonymous. We’ll publish your encounters with the medical profession as often as we receive them. +

AUGUSTA

by Ross Everett

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

There’s always more good reading online. WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM/NEWS

JUNE WAS LANE COURTESY MONTH

Do you have good manners? Unless we are cocooned inside an automobile and the relative anonymity it affords. In that scenario plenty of people who wouldn’t dream of being et’s say you’re walking rude to someone in a hospital down a long hospital hallway or a Kroger aisle will hallway, and you’re in a big hurry. You need refuse to move over into the to be someplace stat. Walking right lane. Why? rapidly, you come up behind “I’m going the speed limit. two or three people walking Why should I have to move?” down the same hallway. They’re says one. not slow; they’re walking at a “I’m already going 10 mph normal pace, but you’ve got an over the speed limit. I’m in the urgent situation awaiting you fast lane and I’m going fast,” ahead. You say, “Excuse me,” says another. “Let them move.” and try to get around. Yes, there are plenty of people who are normally kind, The people ahead of you sweet, meek, mild-mannered, glance over their shoulders generous, loving and courteous, — they heard you, they know but when it comes you’re there — but to the left lane, the they don’t move out so-called fast lane, of your way. they wouldn’t move “Pardon me,” you out of the way for say again. “If I could Jesus Christ himself. get past...” They try to live by Again, they The Golden Rule continue to ignore every day – except you. You have no when it comes to the choice but to follow left lane. them down the “I view myself hallway. Then one Translation: as kind of a rolling of them says to you, just be courteous. speed bump,” says “We’re not walking another left lane habitué. “I’m slowly, so we’re not going to slowing down these speeders move.” and making the highways safer I think we would all agree for all of us.” these people are rude. They That is very noble of you. aren’t showing manners or There’s just one problem with simple courtesy. You and I your reasoning. Well, ok, let’s be probably would never act like honest. There are several. that. Unless...

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

1. You are breaking the law. Out of the 50 states, exactly 50 of them have some law on the books that discourages people from traveling in the left lane on multi-lane roads and highways. It’s not that you’re never allowed in the left lane, just that you should only use it when necessary, like for passing, then get back over. Here in Georgia, it’s not just a matter of a simple traffic citation: earlier this year the offense of not moving over was upgraded to a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and a year in prison. The law, incidentally, was written by a state senator (Rep. Bill Hitchens) who was a Georgia state trooper for 33 years and is the former head of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Think he knows what he’s talking about? 2. You are not making the roads safer. Here’s what the National Motorists Association (NMA) has to say about it: “There is no good reason to remain in the left lane if a faster vehicle wishes to pass you. It only creates friction and makes our roads more dangerous.” They go on to add this: “people driving substantially slower than the flow of traffic [regardless of their speed or the posted limit - ours] are just as likely to cause accidents as people driving substantially faster than the flow of traffic.

4 KEY BENEFITS OF LANE COURTESY A capsule summary from the National Motorists Association “When drivers choose to block the left lane, whether intentionally or not, they are making the roads less safe and efficient for everyone. Here are some of the benefits you and the other drivers on the road will notice if you keep the left lane open for passing: 1) You’re Less Likely To Be In An Accident By not obstructing other drivers, traffic is able to flow more smoothly. When traffic flows smoothly, there is less tailgating, less weaving in-and-out of traffic, and therefore fewer accidents. 2) You’ll Get Better Gas Mileage Lane courtesy promotes the smooth flow of traffic and helps drivers maintain an even pace. Vehicles use the most gas when accelerating. Less braking followed by acceleration will improve fuel economy. 3) You’ll Get To Your Destination Faster Yielding to faster traffic reduces congestion. When traffic is flowing smoothly, highway capacity can be utilized to the fullest extent. 4) You Will Not Have To Deal With Road Rage There’s little doubt that “left lane hogs” are a source of irritation for many drivers. The courteous act of moving to the right can eliminate driver stress and conflict. FOR MORE INFO: http://www.motorists.org/lane-courtesy/ + [This] is not a theory. It has been proven by the numbers... Teaching drivers to keep right when driving slower than the flow of traffic will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and eliminate many of the aggravations that cause road rage. It’s a free and easy fix that will benefit all road users. There simply isn’t a good excuse not to practice lane courtesy.” 3. You are, in a word, rude. As we already established, you wouldn’t do this in a Kroger aisle. Did you notice that the National Motorists Association uses the word “courtesy”

when discussing this issue? Even though they are vocal advocates on this issue, they say the solution doesn’t lie in writing tickets, issuing fines, or throwing people in jail. The solution lies in educating drivers to employ a little civility, to employ lane courtesy. Another definition of lane courtesy is something often seen on roadside signs: “Slower traffic keep right.” + Editor’s note: This article originally appeared (just last week, in fact) on the Medical Examiner blog at www.AugustaRx.com/news

Advertise in the +

I WONDER IF I CAN TAKE UP TO 24 MONTHS TO PAY?*

MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Reach Augusta’s multi-billion dollar medical community — and thousand of patients — twice each month.

*YES YOU CAN! (with apologies to the Weinbergers)

To take 24 months to pay, simply advertise for 24 months! Shorter and longer terms available!

For info, call 706.860.5455 or visit AugustaRx.com

VISIT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER BLOG — WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM/NEWS — THIS WEEK AND EVERY WEEK, THERE’S SOMETHING NEW & INTERESTING EVERY DAY

JULY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

“CHURCH CHAT”

I LOVE MONDAY

PSA OF THE WEEK

THE HUMP DAY HIATUS

MUSIC THERAPY

THE ONLINE ISSUE DROPS ETC.

PET THERAPY

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT CARELESS LOVE

n the haunted lateness of night, when even vampires fear to venture forth, I comb the ancient labyrinth of YouTube seeking semi-lost treasures. One such gem from 50 years ago sprang forth. It is near-perfect for teaching our young ladies the pain and irresponsibility of indiscriminate sexuality. Clearly it points out the pains of premarital sex and subsequent illegitimate birth. How quaintly prophetic is wisdom from half a century gone. In case you haven’t noticed, I love Delta Blues. The music and cadence stirs realness in my heart. The primordial slow beat is soothing and inspiring. The lyrics memorialize true feelings: some good, some bad, some delightful, some hurtful. They delineate social trends. Point out faults of our social mores. So I give you Odetta’s lyrics of Careless Love. (To fully appreciate it, go on YouTube and search for Odetta, Careless Love.)

AUGUSTA

Love, oh love, Careless Love See what love has done to me. Once I wore my apron low Could not keep that man away from my door

Now my apron string won’t tie (Got knocked up, what you think about that?) He walks down the street Passes my door right on by Hate to see that evenin’ sun go down That’s about the time My man left this town. If I’m feeling tomorrow like I’m feeling today Gonna pack my clothes and make my get away. If it wasn’t for her diamond rings Drag my man around this town by her aprons strings If it wasn’t for that powder and her store bought hair (Everybody knows that’s a wig) That man of mine would not have gone nowhere Got the St Louis Blues My man got a heart like a rock in Tennessee Or else he would not have gone so far from me Take me back to St. Louis That’s where I belong If you don’t believe I’m leaving Count the days I’m gone. Odetta laments a man who took advantage of her youthful sexuality and as soon as she was pregnant, he walked on by. She is hurt by the other woman’s store-bought sexual FREE T AKE-H OME C OPY!

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

JULY 25, 2014

This newspaper is delivered to more than

500 private practice doctor’s offices and to 14 area hospitals.

We’re Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper

Clinically proven. Doctor recommended.

t s e B amenities and the betrayal of the man she thought was hers. Odetta documents the now forgotten rule that if an unmarried girl gets pregnant, it is a shameful and hurtful situation for her and her family. The sperm donor must be a man and marry her and rear the child as a family, voluntarily or out of respect (or fear) of the girl’s father and his trusty shotgun. (Therefore, the quaint term, shotgun wedding.) Or she had to leave town … to have the child and put him up for adoption. But nowadays, political correctness burdens the public with her medical bills, a place for her to live, food stamps, WIC, etc. The single mother is almost idolized. The sperm donor is ignored and devoid of responsibility. I once saw a very pregnant single-motherto-be giving a speech at a high school graduation. Is that setting a dreadful example or what? (When I was in school a

+ I

married teacher who become obviously pregnant was not allowed to teach until after the delivery.) But back to Odetta. Her highly skilled and hauntingly delivered lyrical style holds audiences captive. She need not strut around the stage like Mick Jagger (who by the way, covered Odetta’s Careless Love). Nor twerking a near-naked butt before a national audience like Miley Cyrus. Nor set off piles of pyrotechnics like Great White (who set a night club on fire and killed several people). Nor does she need the backup of numerous tractor-trailer loads of ear-splitting amps and speakers like Led Zeppelin. Nor does she make sexual gestures or stroke private parts like Michael Jackson. No, Odetta and Ed Alstrom on a lone piano can thoroughly entertain while telling us good morals and self-respect needs to be

•

EDITOR’S NOTE: Odetta’s accompanist on the aforementioned YouTube video, Ed Alstrom, is the organist and music director at Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey. By one-in-a-million odds, that happens to be the church where Mary Sargent’s funeral was held last week (see page 1). Bad Billy Laveau is a retired MD with a pointed sense of humor. Bad Billy speaks and entertains at public and private events for audiences not subject to cardiac seizure secondary to overwhelming laughter and glee BadBilly@knology. net or 706-306-9397

NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY?

•

HOUSE CALL PHYSICIANS YOUR HOME OR HOTEL • 24/7

M.E.

THE AUGUSTA MEDICAL EXAMINER AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER

e n i c i d ME

reinvented in our society. Her Careless Love video should be played every day in every high school in the county and maybe, just maybe, we could rear a new generation of selfrespecting and responsible adults. Odetta, may you rest in peace. If you have watched Odetta perform Careless Love on YouTube and you are not moved by her, shame on you. You must write a letter to the Governor explaining why your moral fiber is in question. +

706-294-3691 •

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Like this newspaper? The best way to support the Medical Examiner is by supporting our advertisers.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

•

+6 M E DIC I N E

I N

T H E

F I R ST

P E R S ON

Handicaps handicap G

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

reat efforts have been made to include handicapped people into society. Recently handicapped myself, I have begun to notice obstacles that were not apparent to me before my life-changing event. These are things that are normally trivialized or passed over until one is forced to confront them on a daily basis. In the world of the handicapped individual, all that’s reported to glitter in support of the handicapped adaptive effort is not gold. In my case, a hip-replacement surgery went awry, leaving me partially paralyzed in my left ankle and foot. As a result, I’m in pain all the time (something many

Quite often unnecessarily so. people never really think about when they see a handicapped person ambulating along). This also causes weakness, fatigue and instability on that side of my body. I now get around with a leg brace and a walker, and I thank God for both. Some of the things I’ve encountered on the journey to adapt to my new reality are as follows: 1. Parking lots are BIG! That’s not a complaint, just an observation. They need to be big. The issue arises with

the poor condition of many parking facilities. The surface may have uneven pavement or be ridden with potholes and cracks. Or it may have a layer of loose gravel, rocks, or lumpy or exposed aggregate. A person in a wheelchair might be able to navigate uneven terrain, but people using a walker, crutches or a cane will find this a boneshaking, harrowing trip hazard. It’s especially dismaying to see at government offices where they need to transact mandatory business, like the Lumpkin Road Tag Office and the uptown Veterans Administration hospital. 2. Parking spaces labeled for the handicapped are

inconsistent. Some places have larger handicapped parking slots, which is cool. Others have diagonal lines in a small area on the driver’s side, with no provision for the handicapped passenger. Others have a small accommodation for the handicapped passenger, but make no provision for the handicapped driver. Still others are just regular (although front row) parking spaces, which is great for giving the handicapped individual closer access to the building, but presents a huge difficulty for people who need to get their wheelchairs, walkers, canes or crutches out of their vehicles while trying to steady or balance themselves between their car and another one parked too close on one side or the other. These problems can all be noted at the uptown Veterans Administration (VA) in Augusta and other places. 3. Similar to the plight above is the inconsistent size of restroom stalls.

They might seem spacious to a non-handicapped individual, but most could not possibly accommodate a person in a wheelchair. Some can barely accommodate a person using a walker. Some of the toilets themselves don’t meet the handicapped regulation standard of 17” to 21” inches tall. Entrance doors into the bathroom are often too heavy, and the internal configuration of restrooms is often not conducive to people in wheelchairs. Once inside, the person and their wheelchair can quickly become stuck in an unmanageable position. This is the case at the uptown VA and at Masters 7 Cinema on Washington Rd. These are just a few of the challenges I’ve encountered as a recently handicapped individual. I hope this article serves as an eye opener into what may need to be addressed to resolve these issues. + — by Cynthia E. Williams

WE’RE BEGGING YOU We’re never too proud to beg. What we’re begging for is Medicine in the First Person stories. With your help, we’d like to make this a feature in every issue of the Medical Examiner. After all, everybody has a story of something health- or medicine-related, and lots of people have many stories. Send your interesting (or even semi-interesting) stories to the Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903 or e-mail to Dan@AugustaRx.com. Thanks!

“The cause was a mystery for a long time.” “And that’s when I fell.” nearest hospital “He doesn’t remember a thing.” “The was 30 miles away.” “I was a battlefield medic.” “He was just two when he died.”

“OUCH!”

“It was a terrible tragedy.” “She saved “I sure learned my lesson.” “I retired from medicine my life.” “It seemed like a miracle.” seven years ago.” “We had triplets.” “It was my first year “I thought, ‘Well, this is it’.” NOTHING SEEMED of medical school.” “They took me to the hospital by helicopter.” TO HELP, UNTIL. . “It took 48 stitches.”

ambulance crashed.” “Now THAT hurt!” “The “My leg was broken “I’m not supposed to be alive.”

“This was on my third day in Afghanistan.” in three places.” “I lost 23 pounds.” “Turned out it was just indigestion.” “At first I thought it was something I ate.” “The smoke detector woke me up.”

Everybody has a story. Tell us yours. Here’s our “No Rules Rules.” We’ll publish your name and city, or keep you anonymous. Your choice. Length? Up to you. Subject? It can be a monumental medical event or just a stubbed toe. It can make us laugh or make us cry. One thing we’re not interested in, however: please, no tirades against a certain doctor or hospital. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

“

The illiterate are not those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. — Alvin Toffler

“

JULY 25, 2014

Southern Girl Eats Clean

Refreshing and Healthy Piña Colada Popsicles

Daniel Village Barber Shop 736-7230

This sign describes us perfectly. Except for the shave part. Oh, and the two bits part too.

Head to toe service: Jerry will shine your shoes while we cut your hair. www.danielvillagebarbershop.com

We’re on Wrightsboro Rd. at Ohio Avenue.

Medical Complex

76 Circle K former Smile Gas

Highland Ave.

DANIEL VILLAGE BARBER SHOP

Ohio Ave.

Piña Colada Popsicles

Wrightsboro Road

Daniel Field

Augusta Mall

Tue - Fri: 9:00 - 6:00; Saturday: 9:00 - 3:00

Directions: • Place all ingredients into a high speed blender. • Blend for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until smooth. • Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place the stick into the mold • Freeze until hardened, approximately 8 hours. • Remove from freezer and run warm water over molds to loosen.

• Remove popsicles from molds and serve immediately.

Call. Or write.

Reach the Medical Examiner at 706.860.5455 or via e-mail: Dan@AugustaRx.com

IMPORTANT GROOMING NOTE: We’re closed the week of July 4.

Alisa Rhinehart writes the blog www.southerngirleatsclean.com She is a working wife and mother living in Evans, Georgia. Visit her blog for more recipes and information on clean eating. +

Looking for a sign that you should advertise in the Medical Examiner? How about this?

Voted “BEST BARBER SHOP” in Augusta Magazine many times!

2522 Wrightsboro Road

In the summertime, what could be better than a cool and refreshing popsicle? Popsicles bring back memories of childhood for me. As a child, my favorite flavor popsicle was banana. Every time my mom would go to Ballenger’s market in the summertime, she would allow me to get a banana popsicle. I can remember riding back home with her and licking on my popsicle, racing to eat it before it melted. Most of the time, more of it ended up on my shirt than in my stomach due to the heat in upstate South Carolina in July. No air conditioning in cars back then! I still love popsicles even as an adult, but I don’t like all the artificial sugars, flavors and ingredients in most of the popsicles you purchase at the supermarket these days. Even the so-called “Fruit bars” are loaded with excess sugars and artificial ingredients. Some are labeled “sugar free” and you can guess what that means: artificial sweeteners such as Splenda or Aspartame. Not so good if you are trying to eat a healthy, clean diet. Here is a super-simple, healthy and clean popsicle recipe you can whip up in about 5 minutes. Literally 5 minutes. Your children will love them and I can bet you will too. Enjoy the summer, my friends. Eat well, laugh often, and love much! Transport yourself back to childhood and treat yourself to some popsicles. Healthy, clean and refreshing Pina Colada popsicles!

What you‘ll need: • 1 cup of organic light coconut milk • 1 cup of organic pineapple chunks • 1 organic banana, sliced • 2 tsp. of maple syrup or honey • 2 Tbsp. of organic fresh coconut (Optional) • Special equipment: Popsicle molds

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

10% OFF WITH THIS AD NOW THRU JULY 31 DOWNTOWN AIKEN 125 LAURENS STREET or LA PAVILION 110 PLEASANT HOME RD (Next to the Antique Market)

VISIT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER BLOG DAILY • www.AugustaRx.com/news •

OUR REMAINING SUMMER SCHEDULE: AUGUST

AUGUST

FRIDAY

We’ll return to our usual 1st and 3rd Fridays in September.

P harmacy 411

OUR NEWSSTANDS Medical locations: • Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Ctr, 15th St., Main Entrance • Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Uptown Div., Wrightsboro Rd., main lobby • Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Rd, ER Lobby Entrance • Eisenhower Hospital, Main Lobby, Fort Gordon • George C. Wilson Drive (by medical center Waffle House and mail boxes) • GHSU Hospital, 1120 15th Street, South & West Entrances • GHSU Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Main Entrance • GHSU Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Parking Deck entrance • GHSU Hospital, Emergency Room, Harper Street, Main Entrance • GHSU Children’s Medical Center, Harper Street, Main Lobby • GHSU, Laney-Walker Boulevard transit stop, Augusta • Select Specialty Hospital, Walton Way, Main entrance lobby • Trinity Hospital, Wrightsboro Road, main lobby by elevators • Trinity Hospital Home Health, Daniel Village, main lobby • University Health Federal Credit Union/ University Hospital Human Resources, 1402 Walton Way, Main Lobby • University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way, Emergency Room lobby area • University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way, Outside Brown & Radiology/Day Surgery • University Hospital - Columbia County, 465 N. Belair Road, Main Lobby • University Hospital Prompt Care, 3121 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta

Around town: • Barney’s Pharmacy, 2604 Peach Orchard Rd. • Birth Control Source, 1944 Walton Way • GRU Summerville Student Bookstore • Blue Sky Kitchen, 990 Broad Street • Columbia County Library, main branch lobby, Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans • Enterprise Mill (North Tower), 1450 Greene Street, Augusta • Daniel Village Barber Shop, Wrightsboro Road at Ohio Ave. • Hartley’s Uniforms, 1010 Druid Park Ave, Augusta • International Uniforms, 1216 Broad Street, Augusta • Marshall Family Y, Belair Rd, Evans • Mellow Mushroom, 12th and Broad Streets, Augusta • Parks Pharmacy, Georgia Avenue, North Augusta • Southside Family Y, Tobacco Road, Augusta • Surrey Center, Surrey Center Pharmacy, Highland Avenue, Augusta • Top-Notch Car Wash, 512 N. Belair Road, Evans • Wild Wing Cafe, 3035 Washington Road, Augusta

Plus... 500+ doctors offices throughout the area for staff and waiting rooms, as well as many nurses stations and waiting rooms of area hospitals.

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Very little if anything about healthcare is inexpensive, and that includes medicine. Tiny pills can command large prices. Over-the-counter medications may be less expensive, but are they also less effective? Find the answers to lots of your drug store questions in this column written by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson exclusively for the Medical Examiner.

BLOOD PRESSURE: CHECKING AT HOME CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

ou probably see your physician anywhere from once a year up to a few times a year. Does that mean your blood pressure should only be checked a few times a year? No. Blood pressure, like blood sugar in diabetics, should be checked often. By doing this you can detect small changes in your blood pressure. These changes can be either increases and decreases. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is called the silent killer due to its lack of symptoms until the damage is done. Low blood pressure can lead to serious problems also. Just like a diabetic should routinely test their blood sugar at home, so should a person with risks of blood pressure problems check their blood pressure on a regular basis. Whether this means you purchase a home blood pressure monitor or utilize a machine available for public use at local big box or grocery stores or your local pharmacy is up to you. Make sure that the machine utilized gives consistent readings for you and that the machine’s readings seem to go hand in hand with the readings you get from your doctor’s visits. I would try to stick with a single machine all the time, since different machines can give different readings. Is purchasing a blood pressure monitor the right choice for you? Yes, if you feel testing at home is the right choice. Look for one of the fully automatic monitors if you are going to be doing self-testing, since pumping up the cuff can case a false high reading. Choose an upper arm model of monitor if possible: the wrist models are very sensitive to hand and wrist position and can also give false readings. This is especially true of people with high blood pressure and those with risk factors. Athletes who just want to check their blood pressure may be able to utilize a more compact wrist model. Regardless of the model used, be sure to check their pressure regularly and keep a log of the blood pressure, pulse and a

We love our customers. But our job is to help you feel so good that we won’t see you as often as we’d like.

ARKS

HARMACY

Hometown. Not big box.

437 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC

803-279-7450 parkspharmacy.com

date/time entry. The reason for keeping a close watch on blood pressure isn’t just to monitor, well, blood pressure. Kidney problems can show up as an increase in blood pressure due to increased fluid volume. The opposite can occur with dehydration, as this can lead to low fluid volume, low blood pressure, and a correspondingly higher risk of fall and injury. Electrolyte disturbances also go along with dehydration, and this can be harmful. If the potassium level deviates from its normal level by too much it can cause an irregular heartbeat and possible cardiac arrest. Other diseases, including the previously mentioned diabetes, can cause blood pressure problems. Medications that you take can cause your blood pressure to deviate either way. The same is true of unusual changes in activity level from your normal level. This can be a good thing, but needs to be monitored for an unusually large or rapid change. My father just recently started taking a medicine with hypertension as a possible side effect — and he has high blood pressure already. As my mother was checking his BP she was able to detect a dangerously low blood pressure cause by potassium overload due to dehydration and kidney problems. He was taken to the hospital and recovered, but had they hesitated and not checked his blood pressure when he started acting abnormally, it could have been too late. So keep a check of blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as normal behavior patterns. Let your physician know if any of these start to change unexpectedly. + Questions about this article or suggestions for future columns can be sent to us at cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net Written for the Medical Examiner by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson (cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net )

William E. Durrett, Jr., M.D. Pain Management, Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine www.aikenpain.com / email: thepaincenter@aikenneuro.com

P / 803.642.6500 F / 803.649.7551 410 University Parkway, Suite 2360 Aiken, SC 29801

440 Society Hill Drive Suite 201 Aiken, SC 29803

Boardwalk to Bark Place Kennnel & Daycare welcoming dogs 40 lbs and under 5873 Huntington Drive Grovetown, Georgia (706) 840-3141 (706) 556-8127 www.boardwalktobarkplace.com

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

DON’T LICK THE BEATERS Useful food facts from dietetic interns with University Hospital’s Augusta Area Dietetic Internship Program

Summertime Food Safety

ummertime calls for fun in the sun, whether you prefer a picnic, cookout, or chilling at the lake. We often enjoy food during these summer outings, but fun can quickly turn to misery if sickness arises from improper food handling. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), food-borne diseases make 48 million people sick every year. 128,000 of them wind up at the hospital, and 3,000 wind up at the funeral home. The most frequent culprit is salmonella. Signs and symptoms of food-borne illnesses vary depending on the cause, but most share similar symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal cramping and nausea. Once the food containing the microbe is eaten, there is a delay before the symptoms begin that can range from a few hours to days . Because of this time lapse, it is nearly impossible to determine which microbe is responsible for an illness without lab testing. Most people don’t seek medical attention, and of those who do, many are not tested; therefore, a large number of food-borne illness cases go undiagnosed. To avoid food-borne illness, always practice safe food handling, whether at the lake for the day, on a camping trip, or in your own backyard. When transporting perishable food, store items in a cooler packed with plenty of ice or ice packs. A full cooler keeps its cool longer than a half-empty one. Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight and avoid opening unnecessarily. Pack

drinks in a different cooler since it may be opened more frequently throughout the day. Be sure to cook food to proper safe internal temperatures. Don’t guess: use a food thermometer. Poultry, casseroles and leftovers should be cooked to 165°F, ground meats to 160°F, fresh beef, pork, ham, veal and lamb and most seafood to 145°F. Leave food out unrefrigerated for minimal amounts of time (two hours or less), and promptly store leftovers in a refrigerator or cooler packed with plenty of ice. Avoid cross contamination, one of the leading causes of food-borne illness. Keep raw meats, seafood and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods like fruits and vegetables. Use separate coolers for raw and ready-to-eat foods. Prepare ready-to-eat foods before handling uncooked meat, and only prepare an amount of food you are able to keep properly chilled. Wash surfaces that come into contact with raw meat before using them for any other foods. This includes cutting boards, plates and utensils, and your hands. Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce comes in contact with a variety of surfaces and many people handle it before it reaches your kitchen. If clean water is not available at your location, bring water and soap from home. Always marinate raw food in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. If you want to use the marinade as a sauce on the food once it has been cooked, save some for that

purpose before adding the raw meat. After meat is cooked, use a fresh clean platter and clean utensils. Keep your summertime feast fun and enjoyable by following these food safety tips: • Cook foods to the proper internal temperatures. • Store food promptly and properly. • Wash hands and cooking surfaces frequently. • Wash fruits and vegetables. • Prevent cross contamination, and pack lots of ice in your food coolers. + — by Nancy Teston, Dietetic Intern

GET THE CARE YOU NEED FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS

“He that can have Patience can have what he will.” — Benjamin Franklin

Overhead Door Company of Augusta-Aiken 706-736-8478 803-642-7269

+ 10

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

NEW

FEAT

PET VET

U RE

CAN OUR PET CARNIVORES EAT RAW MEAT? Food poisoning isn’t only a human problem: our fourlegged friends are also at risk if they eat foods that are contaminated with diseasecausing bacteria. Two of these bacteria—Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes — are particularly dangerous to both pets and humans. Here is one way to avoid them—and why. Knowing the Risk to Your Pet Raw pet food consists primarily of meat, bones, and organs that haven’t been cooked, and therefore are more likely than cooked food to contain organisms that can make your dog or cat sick. Moreover, raw food can make you sick as well if you don’t handle it properly. The US Food

and Drug Agency does not believe feeding raw pet foods to animals is consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks. The FDA recommends cooking of raw meat and poultry to kill harmful bacteria before you give the food to your pets. According to the FDA, people who choose a raw diet for their pets often point out that feral dogs and cats catch prey and eat it raw all the time. But who knows how many of those animals get sick or die as a result. Since sick feral animals are rarely taken to a veterinarian when they’re ill, there’s no way to know. Symptoms of salmonellosis in animals include:

AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 8TH ANNIVERSARY

Looking back through the years with a few photos from the Medical Examiner scrapbook

• Vomiting • Diarrhea (which may be bloody) • Fever • Loss of appetite • Decreased activity level Listeria bacteria are commonly found in uncooked meats, vegetables and unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses. Unlike most bacteria, Listeria like cold temperatures and can grow and spread in the refrigerator. So if you refrigerate Listeria-contaminated food, the germs not only multiply at the cool temperature, they could contaminate your refrigerator and spread to other foods there, increasing the likelihood that you and your family members would be exposed to Listeria and get sick. Raw Foods Can Also Affect Human Health Consumers also run the risk of getting sick if they handle contaminated pet foods and accidentally transfer the bacteria to their mouths. If you’re going to handle raw foods, says the FDA, you need to pay particular attention to

basic hygienic practices. Wash your hands and anything else that comes into contact with the raw food with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Feeding raw food to a pet also increases the risk of contaminating food contact surfaces and other places. “Even if the dog or cat doesn’t get sick, they can become carriers of Salmonella and transfer the bacteria to their surroundings, and then people can get the disease from contact with the infected environment,” says an FDA expert. Once Salmonella gets established in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, the animal can shed the bacteria when it has a bowel movement, and the contamination will continue to spread. In short, says the FDA, feeding raw foods to pets increases the risk that both the pet and the people around the pet will encounter bacteria that cause foodborne illness, particularly if the products are not carefully handled and fed.” + — Source: fda.gov

Looking for Likes in all the right places.

Please Like us at facebook.com/AugustaRx

CALLING ALL

DOCTORS +

Our Professional Directory (p. 15) is an efficient and extremely cost-effective way to keep your name and contact information in front of potential patients all year long in Augusta’s only independent mass-distribution publication dedicated to health, wellness and medicine. CALL US - 706.860.5455 - TO GET LISTED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!

In this undated photograph (circa 1948), two members of the Medical Examiner’s editorial/research department take break to play kickball before resuming their duties near our Augusta world headquarters. Note the Medical Examiner logo on their stylish uniforms. +

READ THE MEDICAL EXAMINER — AND MUCH MORE — AT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER BLOG (www.AugustaRx.com/news)

JULY 25, 2014

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

From the Bookshelf The blog spot – Posted July 20, 2014 by Andrew Morton MD at kevinmd.com

TRASHING THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH The Dalai Lama has once been quoted as saying, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” In a nutshell, the Hippocratic Oath can be summarized in this one phrase: “Primum non nocere – above all, do no harm.” Amongst my many tattoos is that exact phrase and assuming I have a mirror or am feeling extra limber I look at it daily. It’s my mantra, my motto for daily living, and in general just a really good idea. The first concept of the Oath is to respect those who taught us and teach future generations what we know. That’s pretty straightforward: Share your knowledge. As a physician, it is my duty to teach. Most of what I do on a daily basis is teaching others. I teach patients about diet and nutrition. I teach about lifestyle choices. I teach about disease and disease prevention. I teach about medications and how they work. I teach nurse practitioner students and I teach medical students the hallowed art of my profession. One would think that education and the dissemination of medical knowledge would be simple. However starting in the 1500s with royal grants given by Queen Elizabeth the concept of intellectual property was born. This idea really took off with the British Statute of Anne in 1710 and the Statute of Monopolies in 1623, which are the origins of copyrights and patents respectively. Now it seems that just about everything medical is copyrighted, trademarked or patented, and usually marked up in price about 300% of what it’s really worth. One day I found a medical supply catalog on my desk. It was big and bulky and reminded me some of the old Sears catalogs my parents used to get in the mail near Christmas that I would scour for things that I thought I wanted but could never afford. I flipped though this particular catalog and my eyes landed on the crash carts. A crash cart is a wheeled cart that stores medicine and equipment used in medical emergencies. If I need to intubate someone because they have stopped breathing or shock their heart back into rhythm that’s the cart I go for. The price tags on these particular models were in the range of a thousand to two thousand dollars each. After all, they were made of high-grade steel with rolling wheels and a five-year warranty. Oddly to me, they also looked not so vaguely familiar. Also on my desk was a sale flyer for a local hardware store. They were selling a high grade steel tool box on wheels with a fiveyear warranty that looked familiar, no, exactly like, the “crash cart” that was in the other magazine. These were on sale for about forty dollars. When our office finally did buy a new “crash cart” box, it sold at a sporting goods store for about fifteen dollars. It was plastic but had a nice carrying handle. It also fits spinner-baits and assorted lures very nicely. If the most basic and fundamental principles of medical knowledge were being discovered today, they would most certainly be restricted to the point of unavailability. Everything from medications to medical equipment, DNA, and even amino acids and their subsequent proteins are patented now. Peer-reviewed medical journals in theory allow the exchange of new information and clinical research. However, even this is not free. The lack of adequate, and free, information will soon frustrate anyone trying to do research using PubMed. Expensive association fees or journal subscriptions ensure that someone is restricting widespread use, and probably making a profit on, the exchange of medical information. If there’s a buck to be made with intellectual property then [someone is] after it. +

The life you save...

— excerpted from Morton’s book, The Demise of Medicine Speaking of blogs, the Medical Examiner’s blog may be found at www.AugustaRx.com/news.

A quick glimpse at tonight’s TV programming will tell you why this is a popular book. Virtually every night of the week, reality shows and crime dramas present to us the everexpanding frontiers of forensic medicine. It’s a wonder anyone ever gets away with murder anymore. But it hasn’t always been that way. Medical investigative writer Douglas Starr unveils the story of a serial killer who terrorized the French countryside during the 1890s. Joseph Vacher’s name may not share the same infamy as Jack the Ripper, but his crime spree was just as heinous. Vacher roamed the back roads of rural France, killing up to a dozen people, many of them shepherds — hence the book’s title. His reign of terror may have lasted longer than the three years it did had it not been for the pioneering forensic work of Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne, head of the Institute of Legal Medicine in Lyons, France. These two men, Vacher and Lacassagne, are the central characters in this book that will probably hook you

from its opening pages —if forensic medicine is of interest to you. As one reviewer noted, if Vacher was France’s Jack the Ripper, this whole book is CSI: Rural France. But if this book is a TV show, it’s definitely cable: the graphic detail of the crimes Vacher committed might be too much for some readers, but it makes the vital need for people like Dr. Lacassagne (and his modern-day counterparts) all the more apparent and their work all the more appreciated. Those Lacassagne colleagues of today are still using some of the techniques that were just beginning to be explored

in the 1890s: microscopic examination of hair and fibers; matching blood types found at crime scenes to potential suspects; identifying guns used in crimes by what we now call ballistics; analysis of wounds and blood spatter patterns; and one of the earliest cases where profiling was employed to identify general traits of the person for whom investigators were hunting. Vacher’s terrible work is also examined at length: Starr looks into the age-old nature versus nurture question, examining whether Vacher’s psychopathic acts were the result of a genetic heritage, or the result of a violent and abusive upbringing. Starr intimately introduces readers to the victims and their families, telling the stories of the impact their untimely deaths had on the victims’ friends and family. It’s a thoroughly researched and compelling book to read. +

The Killer of Little Shepherds—A True Crime Story - And The Birth of Forensic Science, by Douglas Starr, 336 pages, published in 2011 by Vintage.

Research News The beat goes on Here at Medical Examiner world headquarters, it has always been a matter of wonder that our bodies produce electricty. Our hearts naturally contain pacemaker cells that control the electrical signal that regularly triggers each of the billions of times our hearts beat over a lifetime. When things go haywire, patients are sometimes fitted with an electronic pacemaker to monitor the heart and jump in whenever the heart’s own pacemaker cells misfire. Pacemakers are pretty reliable, but they do have a limited lifespan, and replacing them carries risks. With that in mind, heart researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles wondered why other heart cells couldn’t be recruited as pacemaker cells. They offered them money, expensive trips, everything they could think of, but in the end, the team turned to a gene called TBX18. It’s the genetic key

to the natural formation of pacemaker cells. They injected this gene into the hearts of pigs, and — voila! — with 48 hours the heart cells near the injection site had become pacemaker cells. They hope to begin testing this gene therapy in humans within three years. If they’re as successful as they expect to be, electronic pacemakers may soon be a thing of the past. And now, the SmartBandage If you’ve ever been a hospital patient awakened in the middle of the night so a nurse can check your basic vital signs, you might like to know that researchers in Taipei have developed a bandage that monitors all your vitals continually. A project called Bioscope has developed the high-tech bandage. Think of something that looks like a compression sleeve that can be pulled over your arm. The Bioscope sleeve has sensor modules 3D-printed onto it, allowing the sleeve

to measure heart rate, body temperature, movement, and even body sounds, like heartbeat and respiration. The bandage can transmit the data wirelessly to a computer. The team envisions the bandage as a simple way to do continuous monitoring in the hospital setting, and to monitor patients after they leave the hospital. Try to remember to get some sleep Cramming for a test? Burning the midnight oil to do so? You’re taking one step forward and one step back, say sleep researchers. Sleep deprivation, already considered a public health epidemic, can also lead to errors in memory, says a study published online this week in the journal Psychological Science. The memory lapses — mixing up details of matters study subjects had learned prior to sleep loss — occurred after 24 hours of being awake, but also among those who got five or fewer hours of sleep. +

+ 12

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS +

by Dan Pearson

Free? What gave Then why was that He was expecting a free him the idea we gentleman so upset? procedure for his wife. would do that?

Did that Lasik procedure Yes, nurse. go well, doctor? Perfectly.

Someone told him we offered “free wife eye.”

The Mystery Word for this issue: NINILUS

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

20 21 22 ACROSS 1. Former Augusta 23 24 25 District Attorney 26 27 28 6. Shatter 11. Fat meas. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 14. River in Paris 36 37 38 15. Craze 16. Operated 39 40 41 42 17. Late 18th century 43 44 movement in arts & literature 45 46 47 48 49 50 19. One-time Ch. 12 anchor 51 52 53 20. It might be red-hot 21. Join metals with high heat 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 23. Kerry’s department 61 62 63 24. South American country 64 65 66 26. Inhibitor lead-in 28. Happy by Daniel R. Pearson © 2014 All rights reserved. Built in part with software from www.crauswords.com 29. Leader of a certain army 32. Excited; eager 31. Milk DOWN 33. Ernie of the PGA 33. Cookie makers? 1. Area abbrev. 36. Thinner 34. Cut of meat 2. Speedwagon intro 37. Doctoral associate 35. Police team 3. Intention 39. Organ of hearing 38. Defamatory 4. Apathy in a situation that 40. 27th US President (and a 41. Move through the air calls for a response former Augusta visitor) 43. Campus org. 5. Seaport in NW Italy 42. Minor details 45. What a person might donate 6. Look happy 43. Steps for scaling a wall or 46. Summerville library 7. Shortened name for a 62-A fence 47. Corpulent 8. Black bird of South America 44. Curved 48. _______ Creek 9. Sib 45. Process of mountain 49. Curve 10. Farmhaus offering formation 50. Muslim messiah 11. Main Street Augusta? 48. Mr. Brown 53. Flower holder 12. Passover bread 51. Concrete reinforcement 56. On, upon or above prefix 13. Bury 52. By mouth 57. RN colleague 18. Make lace 54. Command to a horse 58. The “A” of IPA 55. Sadness; gloom; depression 22. Mr. Floyd 59. Permit 23. Echolocation 61. Donkey 60. Sick 24. Brain wave letters 62. Singer Fiona 25. Lara of Tomb Raider 63. Now illegal means of 26. _____ nurse settling disputes 27. A of 1-D 64. Born 28. Dull finish 65. Rule of _____ (in burns) 30. CBS’ Dave 66. Plant fiber Solution p. 14

All Mystery Word finders will be eligible to win by random drawing. We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM Click on “READER CONTESTS”

? I

— Eleanor Roosevelt (1884—1962)

DIRECTIONS: Recreate a timeless nugget of wisdom by using the letters in each vertical column to fill the boxes above them. Once any letter is used, cross it out in the lower half of the puzzle. Letters may be used only once. Black squares indicate spaces between words, and words may extend onto a second line. Solution on page 14.

X A M I N E R

5 8 7

2 1 3 6 3 7 2

7 1

U D O K U

5 9 1 4 5

DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.

Use the letters provided at bottom to create words to solve the puzzle. All the listed letters following 1 are the 1st letters of each word; the letters following 2 are 2nd letters of each word, and so on. Try solving words with letter clues or numbers with minimal choices listed. A sample is shown. Solution on page 14.

T 3

1 2 3 4 5 T 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

7 1

U S 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 W U 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

K 1 2 3 4

1 2

1.LOSSAWWWINGY 2.OOOOATUEFSH 3.CNNMRTTAU 4.OKTTTED 5.KITE 6.REIN 7.FMG 8.EU 9.LS

SAMPLE:

1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =

L 1

O 2

V 3

E 4

I 1

S 2

B 1

L 2

I 3

N 4

D 5

WORDS NUMBER

Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

THE MYSTERY WORD

JULY 25, 2014

13 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

nurse was questioning a new patient: “Are you on any special diets?” “Yes,” said the patient. “I drink Slim Fast twice a day, but it’s not working. In fact, I’ve gained several pounds since I started. “That happens sometimes,” the nurse said. “Do you think that skipping meals to drink a shake makes you so hungry that maybe you overeat later?” The patient looked puzzled. “Skipping meals?” A ventriloquist is touring comedy clubs and one night he’s doing a show in a small town in Georgia. With his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual routine of dumb blonde jokes when a blonde woman in the audience stands up and starts shouting. “I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes!” she said angrily. “What makes you think you can stereotype women in that way? What does the color of a person’s hair have to do with her worth as a human being? What possible connection could there be between hair color and intelligence? It’s idiots like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as people. All because you and your lowly kind

continue to perpetuate discrimination against women in general and blondes in particular. I don’t appreciate having my intelligence insulted by a total stranger!” Embarrassed, the ventriloquist begins to apologize. “Ma’am, I am so...” “You stay out of this, mister!” shouted the woman, pointing angrily at the ventriloquist. “I’m talking to that little twit sitting on your knee!” The sweet little old lady had been waiting patiently in her doctor’s waiting room for nearly two hours when she finally gave up, rose slowly and walked to the sign-in window. “Could you please do me a small favor?” she asked the receptionist. “Certainly,” the receptionist replied. “Please tell the doctor I’ve gone home to die a natural death.” A man rushed into the doctor’s office and shouted, “Doctor! I think I’m shrinking!!” “Now, now, slow down,” the doctor calmly responded. “Be a little patient.” Sign in an optometrist’s window: If you don’t see what you want, you’ve come to the right place. Patient: Doctor, I have a problem. Psychiatrist: Tell me about it. Patient: Well, I like mashed potatoes. Psychiatrist: There’s nothing abnormal about that. I happen to like mashed potatoes myself. Patient: That’s wonderful, doctor. Would you like to come over and see my collection some time? +

Why subscribe to the Medical Examiner? Because no one should have to make a trip to the doctor or the hospital just to read Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper.

+ +

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER

The Patient’s Perspective by Marcia Ribble

he letter of the law? The spirit of the law? Who gets to decide? In every doctorpatient relationship there comes a time (or times) when many patients take over their own health care decisions. They do their own decisionmaking and take the action(s) they deem to be appropriate, prudent, and/or necessary. For the most part patients do what they are instructed to do by their doctors. This is sensible because they are paying the doctor for a level of expertise they personally do not have. However, there are times and cases when the patient needs to take over for the doctor, relying on common sense and the experiences of their own bodies to make decisions for themselves. 1984. I had had extensive abdominal surgery with a hysterectomy and lots of reconstructive surgery, and I went home with a bladder tube extending through my belly skin. I was to clamp and unclamp the tube to teach my bladder to urinate again. After a few days at home, I was managing pretty well. Not allowed to drive yet, I needed to go to the store to get milk for my children. I called four or five different people asking them to help. They all had reasons, good ones for the most part, for why they couldn’t help. I can’t recall why I thought I needed to take out the tube, but I did take it out and I did drive to the store for a couple of gallons of milk. I’m not sure if my judgment was accurate, but now, 30 years later, my bladder function is good. 2014. I am in what is called a uni-boot, a slightly flexible cast on both lower legs. There is gauze over that and then a large, wide ace bandage. Their purpose is to help several open wounds heal and to compress my legs to reduce

Talk is cheap. Not talking can be deadly.

swelling. The one on my right leg was appropriately tight, but not too tight. The one on my left leg was so tight it would pinch my skin if I moved it to get up or sit down. Because I am normally pretty compliant, I withstood the discomfort for almost the whole week until my next appointment. But then one night I’d had enough. I had an appointment with the doctor the following morning, but that suddenly was too far off. I took off the ace bandage which was not the problem because it still hurt. I took off the gauze, but that didn’t solve the problem either. So I took a really heavy duty pair of scissors and cut down several inches of the top of the cast in several places until the pressure was relieved. It might have been as many as three or four inches, but it stopped hurting and I could move my leg comfortably. When I saw the doctor the next morning, the casts had both been removed so I could get new ones, but I told her what I’d done. She laughed when she realized I’d waited almost the whole week before taking action to relieve the discomfort. And that was that. + Marcia Ribble received her PhD in English at Michigan State and retired from the University of Cincinnati. She taught writing at the college level and loves giving voice to people who have been silenced. She is now teaching again at Virginia College in Augusta. She can be reached with comments, suggestions, etc., at marciaribble@hotmail.com.

By popular demand we’re making at-cost subscriptions available for the convenience of our readers. If you live beyond the Aiken-Augusta area or miss issues between doctor’s appointments — don’t you hate it when that happens? — we’ll command your mail carrier to bring every issue to your house! NAME ADDRESS CITY

STATE

ZIP

Choose ____ six months for $20; or ____ one year for $36. Mail this completed form with payment to Augusta Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta GA 30903-0397

TO OUR READERS AND OUR ADVERTISERS

+ 14

JULY 25, 2014

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED The Mystery Word in our last issue was: ULTRASOUND

EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC.

Sterling Road, located off Stevens Creek at Riverwatch Pkwy. $850/mo. Call 678467-7187.

WEST AUGUSTA Luxury 3 bdrm, 2 bath townhouse. Garage, quiet neighborhood off Pleasant Home Road. $795/mo. Call 706228-4655.

FOR SALE: GORGEOUS, immaculate, never occupied townhome located mins from Medical District. 2 bed, 2 bath, master en suite, walk-in closets, office. 1450 sq ft. hardwood floors throughout, fabulous upgrades, custom kitchen and baths. Floor to ceiling windows, fenced yard. Partially furnished! 120k OBO. 803-507-6621.

6.7.8

...cleverly hidden (near the top) in the p. 7 ad for ROLY POLY Congratulations to A. GUTHRIE, who scores a coveted Scrubs of Evans gift card, 2 movie passes courtesy of Health Center Credit Union, and a $20 Wild Wing Cafe gift certificate. Want to find your name here next issue? The new Mystery Word is on page 12. Start looking!

The Celebrated MYSTERY WORD CONTEST ...wherein we hide (with fiendish cleverness) a simple word. All you have to do is unscramble the word (found on page 12), then be the first to find it concealed within one of our ads. Click in to the contest link at www.AugustaRx.com and enter. If we pick you in our random drawing of correct entries you’ll score our goodie package! SEVEN SIMPLE RULES: 1. Unscramble and find the designated word hidden within one of the ads in this issue. 2. Visit the Reader Contests page at www.AugustaRx.com. 3. Tell us what you found and where you found it. 4. If you’re right and you’re the one we pick at random, you win. (Winners within the past six months are ineligible.) 5. Prizes awarded to winners may vary from issue to issue. 6. A photo ID may be required to claim some prizes. 7. Other entrants may win a lesser prize at the sole discretion of the publisher.

The new scrambled Mystery Word is found on page 12

1BR/1BA FURNISHED CONDO Pristine. Quiet. Historic. Across from GRU-Summerville. Includes w/d and more. $950. 706-738-5606. Photos at www.coolcondoforrent.wordpress.com GOOD LOCATION 2 bedroom 1 bath home, with office for rent. Close to Summerville and medical complex of GRU. Recently renovated, hardwood floors, fenced yard, washer/dryer hookups, and new central heat and air. Pet friendly. $575 per month. Lease plus negotiable deposit. Call 706 -733-1591 9 am to 9 pm.

7x2

ROOMMATE WANTED! 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath house with pool, 2 minutes from colleges. Perfect for medical or grad students. $425+share utils. 706.993.6082 WEST AUGUSTA House for rent. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1500 sqft, 1-car garage, 3024

Augustagahomesearch.com Foreclosures • Rentals • MLS Roman Realty 706-564-5885

SERVICES BIBLE BY PHONE - Free daily Bible readings; for Spiritual Encouragement and Growth. Call 706-855-WORD (9673) FULL-SERVICE MOVER Anthony’s Professional Moving, 28 years serving the CSRA moving hospital equipment, offices, homes, apartments, etc. Estimates are FREE. Call 706.860.3726 or 706.814.8141

HOUSE CLEANING Your house, apartment, rental move-outs. Thorough, dependable. Weekly, or whatever schedule you prefer. References. 706.267.9947 NOTICE! ATTENTION! If any current or past employer has failed to pay you min. wage or time and a half overtime pay, you may be entitled to an order from US Federal Court awarding you twice the amount of your unpaid wages plus atty. fees. For info, call Arthur H. Shealy, Attorney at Law, 803-278-5149, 1010 Plantation Rd, North Augusta SC 29841. You may be entitled to a similar award for unpaid wages if your employer required you to perform duties during your lunch hour, before clocking in, or after clocking out. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Ridiculously affordable and highly visible advertising available through the pages of Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper, aka the Augusta Medical Examiner. Have you heard of it or seen a copy? Rates can be reviewed at AugustaRx.com. Questions? Send an e from the site, or call the publisher directly: Dan Pearson at 706.860.5455. E: Dan@AugustaRx.com

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER!

SENDING US A CLASSIFIED? WHAT’S YOUR DRUG OF CHOICE? USE THE FORM BELOW AND MAIL IT IN, OR GO TO WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM AND PLACE & PAY CONVENIENTLY AND SAFELY ONLINE. THANKS!

THE PUZZLE SOLVED C

(OURS IS COFFEE)

M A

A S

M A

Augusta Medical Examiner Classifieds

G A

.75

1.00

1.25

1.50

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.50

2.75

3.00

3.25

3.50

3.75

4.00

4.25

4.50

4.75

5.00

5.50

O W

QUOTATION QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: Page 12: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” — Eleanor Roosevelt

AD COPY (one word per line; phone numbers MUST include the area code): .50

SEE PAGE 12

In case we need to contact you. These numbers will not appear in the ad.

.25

M A

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FORM Name Address Work number (if applicable) ( ) Home phone ( ) Category of ad (leave blank if unsure):

M A

The Sudoku Solution 7

5.25

5.75

6.00

6.25

6.50

6.75

7.00

7.25

7.50

7.75

8.00

8.25

8.50

8.75

9.00

COFFEE IS GOOD MEDICINE

(Copy this form or continue on additional sheet if more space needed.)

Send this form with payment to:

AUGUSTA MEDICAL EXAMINER, PO BOX 397, AUGUSTA, GA 30903-0397 Total ad cost by number of words as shown above: $

WORDS BY NUMBER “Not getting what you want is

VISIT DRUGOFCHOICECOFFEE.COM

sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama

Thanks for reading!

www.AugustaRx.com

Multiply by number of times ad to run: x Total submitted: $

The Augusta Medical Examiner publishes on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. Your ad should reach us no later than 7 days prior to our publication date.

JULY 25, 2014

15 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Downsizing: Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers by Kathy Crist That Civil War sword. Firstedition books. The vintage jewelry. Truckstop plates from all 50 states. Grandpa’s farm tools. Grandma’s Crist china set. Heirlooms or have-to-go’s? It all depends on your point of view. Whether older adults face downsizing from their homes because of retirement, finances, health, death of a spouse or coaxing from family, letting go of longtime belongings can be a daunting roadblock. Seniors may resist while their families persist. For older adults, decades of memories are typically built

around their home. Also, one’s personal identity can be closely tied to a home and belongings. Navigating the downsizing process for seniors involves recognizing the emotions and transitioning from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Ways to help seniors tackle downsizing include the following: • Plan for the reduced space Realtors or apartment managers can help with the square footage of the rooms in the new home. Use this to gauge which essentials will fit. • Recruit family and friends Every bit of help makes the process more manageable. Downsizing is often the perfect time to make legacy gifts of special belongings to children, grandchildren, friends and others.

• Start small Reducing years’ worth of belongings can feel overwhelming. Start with the room that is least used in the home and work on a closet or drawers first. Once this room is decluttered or packed up, you can use it to temporarily store items that will not be moved to the new home. • Create sorting categories. Set up piles for keep, toss, to give away and donate. Relocation experts advise to only handle the item once. • Sell, donate or recycle. A “moving sale” attracts more buyers than a yard sale. Consider donating items to charities, and for certain antiques and memorabilia, check with museums, schools and libraries. We offer these suggestions for family caregivers helping an

aging loved one downsize: 1. Communicate openly. If possible, start talking early about the eventual realities of needing to reduce clutter and limit items to fit into the new home. Offer reassurance that the move will prove to be beneficial in the long run (e.g., less household maintenance, lower utility costs, little or no yard work, etc.). 2. Show respect. Many possessions of older loved ones are handed down for generations. What may seem like a pile of junk to others may hold priceless significance to the elderly. Avoid the “let us get rid of all this for you” approach to helping older loved ones downsize.

3. Practice patience. Allow the senior time to process decisions. Many older folks deal with limited hearing and slowed thinking and reflexes. Stay calm if the downsizing process takes longer than you’d like. Preserving the relationship with your aging loved one is one cherished possession that can’t be replaced. + Right at Home of the CSRA offers in-home companionship and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Right at Home is locally owned and directly employs and supervises all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. To learn more about Right at Home, go to www.csra. rightathome.net or call 803-278-0250.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICS

ALLERGY Tesneem K. Chaudhary, MD Allergy & Asthma Center 3685 Wheeler Road, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555

DRUG REHAB

CHIROPRACTIC Poppell Chiropractic Clinic 1106-A Furys Lane Martinez 30907 706-210-2875 Most insurance plans accepted

DENTISTRY Dr. Judson S. Hickey Periodontist 2315-B Central Ave Augusta 30904 706-739-0071

Karen L. Carter, MD 1303 D’Antignac St, Suite 2100 Augusta 30901 706-396-0600 www.augustadevelopmentalspecialists.com

Steven L. Wilson, DMD Family Dentistry 4059 Columbia Road Martinez 30907 706-863-9445

DERMATOLOGY Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center 2283 Wrightsboro Rd. (at Johns Road) Augusta 30904 706-733-3373 www.GaDerm.com

Ideal Image 339 Fury’s Ferry Rd Martinez 30907 1-800-BE-IDEAL • www.idealimage.com Schedule a FREE Consultation

MEDICAL MASSAGE

Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta 30909 706-733-1935

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Group & Benefits Consultants Inc. 3515 Wheeler Rd, Bldg. C Augusta 30909 706-733-3459 Floss ‘em or lose ‘em! www.groupandbenefits.com

Jason H. Lee, DMD 116 Davis Road Augusta 30907 706-860-4048

LASER SERVICES

FAMILY MEDICINE Urgent MD Augusta: 706-922-6300 Grovetown: 706-434-3500 Thomson: 706-595-7825 Primary Care Rates

HOSPICE Alliance Hospice 3685 Old Petersburg Rd. Suite 145 Augusta 30907 706-447-2461

Medical Massage Stuart Farnell L.M.T. 803-646-1846 jsfarnell@att.net www.FarnellClinic.com

OPHTHALMOLOGY Roger M. Smith, M.D. 820 St. Sebastian Way Suite 5-A Augusta 30901 706-724-3339

OPTICIAN

PHARMACY

Parks Pharmacy 437 Georgia Ave. N. Augusta 29841 803-279-7450 www.parkspharmacy.com

SENIOR LIVING Augusta Gardens Senior Living Community 3725 Wheeler Road Augusta 30909 SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY 706-868-6500 www.augustagardenscommunity.com

SLEEP MEDICINE Sleep Institute of Augusta Bashir Chaudhary, MD 3685 Wheeler Rd, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555

VEIN CARE

Murphy & Robinson Phil Harris 1571 Walton Way Augusta 30904 706-737-2020

...PHARMACY

O P T I C I A N S

Vein Specialists of Augusta G. Lionel Zumbro, Jr., MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI 501 Blackburn Dr, Martinez 30907 706-854-8340 www.VeinsAugusta.com

WEIGHT LOSS

PHC Weight Loss & Wellness Centers Medical Center West Pharmacy 246B Bobby Jones Expwy 465 North Belair Road Martinez: 706-868-5332 Evans 30809 Thomson: 706-597-8667 706-854-2424 Medical Services of America www.medicalcenterwestpharmacy.com www.phcweightloss.com Hospice 4314-E Belair Frontage Rd. If you’d like your medical practice listed in the Professional Directory, Augusta 30909 call the Medical Examiner at 706.860.5455 706-447-2626

+ 16

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

JULY 25, 2014

Lost in the maze? Why enter in the first place?

We know the way. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • COMPLIANCE • WELLNESS • CONSULTING • EXCHANGES • PARTNERSHIPS • TECHNOLOGY

RUSSELL T. HEAD, CBC, CSA-PARTNER • 706-733-3459 • E: RTHEAD@GANDBC.COM • WWW.GROUPANDBENEFITS.COM