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NEA Clinic welcomes Baptist to Northeast Arkansas
NEA Clinic welcomes Baptist Memorial Health Care as our new partner in ownership of NEA Baptist, formerly NEA Medical Center. Together the clinic and the hospital will offer Northeast Arkansas an even higher level of health care.
www.neabaptist.com
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NEA Health magazine benefits the programs of
NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation has a mission to help change lives through the programs and services it supports in Northeast Arkansas. The Foundation, through the generous gifts of our community, touches every community member and every corner of Northeast Arkansas.
Thanks to all of our advertisers! PUBLICATION OFFICE
NEA Clinic and Baptist Partnership Official
On The Cover
NEA Clinic CEO Jim Boswell (left) speaks with David Hogan (right) executive vice president and COO of Baptist Memorial Health Care, and Stephen C. Reynolds (center) president and CEO of BMHC.
1835 Grant Ave., Jonesboro, AR 72401 h_acebo@neaclinic.com www.neaclinic.com Holly Acebo, Editor/Executive Director NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation Director of Marketing NEA Clinic, NEA Baptist Christy Appleton, Director NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation Nicole Frakes, Graphic Design NEA Health is published bi-annually for the purpose of conveying health-related information for the well-being of residents of Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. The information contained in NEA Health is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
Stephen C. Reynolds (left) president and CEO of BMHC speaks with Anthony White, MD.
Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by phoning 870-9345101 or by writing in care of this publication to: PO Box 1960, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72403. You may also e-mail h_acebo@neaclinic.com and put “NEA Health” in the subject line. Copyright© 2007 NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording and any information storage retrieval system, without written permission from NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation.
1. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007 www.neacfoundation.org
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CONTENTS
from the editor A
20+
pages of advice from doctors and health professionals you know and trust.
4 Heel Pain
- Dr. Christopher Rowlett 5 Carotid Artery Stenting
- Dr. DV Patel & Dr. Anthony White
s the time of year changes and we lose more daylight, try to find something to keep you motivated to stay active and exercising.
Set a goal – even if it is the end of a long day and you would rather go home, fit in a few minutes of exercise. I was in and out of the Wellness Center in less than 30 minutes the other day. The way I look at it, I ran a couple miles and did some crunches and I was further ahead than if I would have headed home and not stopped. My heart rate was up and I was able to run faster for a shorter period of time because I knew time was short and so was my energy level. My point is to stick to your routine even when it is the last thing you want to be doing. My motivation (besides my husband) is my Nike iPod attachment that tracks my runs and my times. That way, I can see how many days I have missed exercising – it’s a good wake up call! I can also set goals for the number of miles I want to reach each week or month. I’m not a gadget person, but this is definitely a motivator. New Years is right around the corner and with that comes time for a new resolution. Make it your priority to improve your health in 2008. NEA Clinic Wellness Center has a new nutrition program that you can check out online at www.neaclinicwellness.com. The free demo is eye opening and can educate even the most cautious eaters about proper nutrition. Try it, you may like it!
6 Sleep Disorders
- Dr. David R. Nichols 8 Cataract Surgery
- Dr. F. Joseph George 10 Football Injuries
- Dr. Jason Brandt 12 Hot Flashes
- Dr. Charles L. Barker 14 Back Pain
- Dr. Rebecca Barrett-Tuck 16 Tendonitis & Bursitis
- Dr. Thomas Day 19 NEA Baptist
- Jim Boswell, CEO NEA Clinic Check out the cover story – NEA Clinic has announced its new partner, Baptist Health Care, in the ownership of NEA Baptist. Congratulations to the Physicians and Administration of NEA Clinic – a dream has become a reality by bringing a partner with shared mission and vision of the future of health care in Northeast Arkansas. Duck season is upon us, and Duck Classic, the largest fundraiser for NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation, is in full force. Thanks to the many landowners, hunters, sponsors and donors! Check out our website duckclassic.com for photos and results of the hunt!
22 Child Related Sports Injuries
- Terry Womble, MPT 24 Family Health
- Dr. Kenneth Dill 26 Health, Wellness &
Environmental Studies School
29
In Review NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation
Have a Healthy & Blessed Day! 34 Healthy Eating
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Light
Providing
for Northeast Arkansas
hope
education awareness understanding information inspiration support
M edicine A ssistance Pr o g r a m
For giving opportunities, contact us at 870-934-5101 www.neacfoundation.org 3. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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Heel Pain eel pain is one of the most common ailments seen by Podiatrists. It is often severe enough for patients to alter their daily lives to cope with the pain. It can cause pain in other joints of the body due to the alteration in one’s walking pattern. This is especially worrisome if the heel pain continues on for months. When it becomes a chronic problem, the pain causes the body to adapt to a new gait pattern which could cause early arthritic changes. There are several types of heel pain, each with its own specific cause. The pain can come from the bottom of the heel, the side of the heel, or even from the back of the heel.
what your doctor finds upon examination of your foot. Some may need anti-inflammatory medication or orthotics. Only a very small percentage of patients need surgery.
Pain on the bottom of the heel is usually from one of three causes: plantar fascitis, a contusion commonly known as a stone bruise, or a heel spur.
A heel spur is a bony protrusion that extends out from you heel bone. This is likely due to chronic plantar fascitis but it, too, can be the cause of heel pain. These can be treated with special orthotics which are made by cushioning the area or by cutting the center out of a cushion below the painful area to decrease the amount of weight that the spur has to carry.
H
When the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue which helps hold your arch up, becomes inflamed where it connects to your heel bone, this is called plantar fascitis. There are many causes for inflammation of the plantar fascia. Any type of activity or change in activity which would stress the fascia can cause inflammation. Some examples are running, jumping, taking an awkward step while walking, beginning a new exercise program, carrying a heavy load or even weight gains. Plantar fascitis is usually more painful during your first few steps out of bed in the morning and decreases after walking for a while. Treatment varies according to
◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Heel Pain
A contusion, or a stone bruise, is a deep bruise on the bottom of the heel caused by stepping on a hard object. A stone bruise can be painful with every step that you take. These are usually relieved with rest and wearing a shoe or insert with soft cushioning. If the pain continues to increase, see a doctor right away to make sure there is not a fracture.
Pain on the side of the heel is usually caused by the compression of a nerve or sometimes from inflammation of one of the many tendons which cross the area. These problems usually require specialized diagnostic testing. Treatment of the pain is varied from rest and physical therapy to surgery. One of the most common causes of pain from the back of the heel is a Haglund’s deformity. Haglund’s deformity is the name given to extra bone at the back of the heel. In patients with Haglund’s deformity, the extra bone irritates the Achilles tendon and causes pain. If this continues over long periods it can cause damage to the Achilles tendon, creating a chronic condition which can weaken the Achilles tendon. Treatment for this condition includes modification to shoe gear, orthotics, and surgery. As you can see, there are many different types of heel pain with many different causes. If your heel hurts and it is causing you to decrease your activity level, see a doctor and find the cause of the pain. I would be more than happy to get you back on your feet and out of pain.
Christopher Rowlett, DPM Podiatry NEA Clinic – 870.932.6637 4. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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No scars! No long hospital stays! Carotid Artery Stenting: the minimally invasive solution for reducing the risk of stroke
D D.V. Patel, MD, Anthony White, MD
r. Anthony White and Dr. D.V. Patel with NEA Clinic Cardiology recently announced their entry into the advanced field of carotid artery stenting (CAS) - a new interventional procedure for patients diagnosed with carotid artery disease (CAD). A landmark clinical study has proven that carotid stenting is a safe and equally effective alternative to open surgery for the treatment of CAD.
Carotid artery disease is caused by fatty deposits, called plaque, that build up in the carotid artery feeding the brain. The threat is that plaque can flake off and travel into the brain, or that the artery will develop a clot that restricts blood flow to the brain. Both are dangerous conditions that can lead to stroke. Until recently, the only way to treat carotid artery disease was an invasive procedure called endarterectomy. The surgeon cuts into the diseased carotid artery, located in the neck, and scrapes away the blockage. However, not all patients are right for an endarterctomy. For example, those with health conditions like diabetes or heart failure may present a higher risk. Even under the most ideal circumstances, any open surgery can be risky. For this reason, doctors and hospitals are always researching new alternatives.
body’s major arteries to the carotid artery in the neck. A fine, flexible “guidewire” is then used to feed the filter through the catheter’s channel. He filter is positioned at a point just above the blockage. By manipulating the guidewire, the cardiologist opens the filter basket, which helps to establish protection to the brain while maintaining blood flow. Next, an expandable balloon is delivered across the same guidewire to the exact same lesion location. Expanding the balloon to a precise diameter compresses the lesion and dilates the vessel in preparation for the stent. After withdrawing the balloon, the stent is delivered over the wire and positioned inside the blockage. When using a self-expanding stent, the surgeon simply withdraws a sleeve from around the stent allowing it to automatically spring into position - reinforcing the dilated vessel to help restore normal blood flow and discouraging new plaque buildup. Lastly, a second balloon is delivered across the same guidewire to postdilate the stent, ensuring solid apposition within the vessel wall. The EPD is collapsed, grasping particles that may have broken free during the procedure, and withdrawn along with the guidewire and catheter.
... patients can return to normal life activities much sooner ...
CAS is a minimally invasive procedure. It doesn’t leave a scar or require an extended hospital stay. As a result, patients can return to normal life activities much sooner than they might be able to after an endarterectomy.
CAS is being investigated in a For patients diagnosed with CAD, NEA large study called Clinic Cardiology now offers such an SAPPHIRE. The results are alternative: carotid artery stenting with very encouraging. Thirty days distal embolic protection. This following their procedure, technique is very similar to the stenting CAS patients were less likely procedures used today for coronary and than endarterectomy peripheral artery diseases. A patients to suffer stroke, stent is a small, metal mesh tube ◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Carotid artery stent heart attack or death. that the cardiologist implants in The overall rate of complications for CAS patients was 4.8 percent, an artery at the point of the blockage - or lesion - essentially creating compared to 9.6 percent for the endarterectomy group. a scaffold that props open the artery to help restore normal blood flow. Unlike coronary stenting, however, CAS also requires a small filter-like device that is delivered just above - or “downstream” - from the vessel’s obstruction. This embolic protection device (EPD) catches debris that might flake off during the actual stenting procedure. The filter helps prevent debris from entering the blood flow to the brain, which could cause a stroke.
Based on the extraordinary success of the SAPPHIRE trial, Dr. White and Dr. Patel have chosen to offer this exciting new procedure to their patients at NEA Baptist. A vascular team that is fully trained in diagnosis, treatment and management administers it - as well as follow-up services for patients with carotid artery disease. They are absolutely committed to the highest quality of compassionate care for you and your loved one.
A small incision is normally made just below the patient’s groin, accessing the leg’s femoral artery. Guided by a video monitor, the cardiologist steers a narrow, hollow tube, called a catheter, through the
You can learn more by calling NEA Clinic Cardiology at (870) 935-4150.
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SPARASOMNIAS LEEP TERROR J
ohn and Sue are sitting in their living room for a moment of quiet and relaxation watching their favorite TV program. About an hour ago, their 9 year old daughter Andrea went to bed, and they are confident that by now she is asleep. Suddenly, the peaceful moments are abruptly shattered by a loud, blood-curdling scream coming from Andrea’s bedroom. John and Sue, their hearts pounding, rush to the bedroom and discover Andrea sitting bolt upright in her bed with a blank stare, her eyes wide with terror, skin flushed and sweating profusely, and her chest heaving with a pounding heart and rapid breathing. It is like she is looking right past her distraught parents. Sue, without pausing, rushes to console her as John looks on in disbelief. But the effort proves to be fruitless, and even seems to aggravate the situation. After what seems a lifetime, Andrea appears to awaken but is confused and mumbling nonsense. After 15 very uncomfortable minutes, she recognizes her mother, and Sue’s efforts to calm her daughter finally meet with success. When asked, Andrea cannot remember anything about the episode and remains shaken for several more minutes. So…what was that? Andrea and her family just experienced a sleep disorder known as a sleep terror. It is one of several disorders of arousals that arise out of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM).The other disorders of arousal are confusional arousals, sleep walking and a specialized form of arousal known as sleep eating disorder. Sleep terror, is unquestionably, the most dramatic of the arousal disorders as this example clearly demonstrates. These arousal disorders of sleep are part of a group of sleep disorders known as parasomnias. This group is defined as unpleasant or undesirable behavior or experience that occur predominantly or exclusively during a sleep period. Although once thought to be associated with psychiatric disorders, newer research has shown that parasomnias are due to a large number of completely different conditions, most of which are diagnosable and treatable. They are also both more common than previously thought, and are not as limited to the pediatric age group. Parasomnias are categorized as primary (disorders of the sleep states) and secondary (organ system disorders that appear during sleep). Those associated with sleep are further classified
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as to the sleep state of origin: NREM sleep, rapid eye movement sleep (REM), or miscellaneous (those not respecting sleep states). The very presence of parasomnias is a good example of how wakefulness, NREM and REM sleep are not always mutually exclusive. They represent complex interactions of our brain cells that are controlled by numerous chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. Just as Murphy’s Law would predict, what can go wrong will go wrong. Parasomnias represent a “blend” of wakefulness and sleep (either REM or NREM sleep) and therefore what is witnessed appears like someone “half asleep” and doing strange things for the situation. In technical terms this is called state dissociation with wake and sleep overlapping. In the overlap status the patient can accomplish many complex activities common to wakefulness but is usually unaware of what is being done and gives the outward appearance of being “sleepy”. I will use the rest of this article to discuss the other NREM parasomnias with emphasis on the clinical features, aggravating factors and their treatment. Those that arise out of REM sleep and those that do not respect sleep stages will be the subject of a future article. A confusional arousal is seen in up to up to 17% of children and can occur in up to 4% of adults. It is characterized by movements in bed, sometimes a thrashing about and may be accompanied by a vocalization or inconsolable crying. The event is mostly seen during the NREM slow wave sleep (Stages 3 and 4) and therefore is most common in the first third of the sleep period. It is often precipitated when attempting to awaken the child from sleep, especially the early portion of sleep and may persist for 15 minutes or longer. During this arousal the individual is disoriented, has slow speech, diminished mentation, and often amnesia for the event. Behavior can be very complex and on occasions even violent or resistive in nature. The individual may appear to be awake but is still very much asleep. A similar condition can occur with the morning awakening and has been called sleep inertia or “sleep drunkenness”. These are the individuals we all know as impossible to get up and get going. This may well be a variant of the confusional arousal. Another arousal disorder arising out of NREM sleep is sleepwalking. This like sleep terror can be very dramatic
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depending on the distance traveled and the mood of the individual. 45% when one parent has been affected and 60% when both have It often starts with the individual sitting up in bed, and then drifting been sleepwalkers. All of the arousals are more common during sleep off around the room, house or even outdoors. At times it may start deprivation, but are also more common with hyperthyroidism, with a bolt of activity or a mad dash. The sleep walker may leave the migraine headaches, encephalitis, head injury, and strokes. Sleep house and engage in activities like driving equipment or disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and other forms of sleep automobiles with obvious risks. There can be violent behavior related breathing disorders can make them more likely. Other especially in older male children and adults. Reports have been factors capable of bringing them on are travel, febrile illnesses, sleep made of individuals walking through windows with resulting harm in unfamiliar surroundings, certain medications, and physical and from falls or cuts. The sleepwalker is unaware and if awakened will emotional stress. be confused and sometimes combative with the person attempting to wake them. Because these episodes arise from slow wave NREM In general, the course in children improves with age and may be sleep they appear in the early portion of the sleep period. These gone by adulthood, although some may persist. Persistence into episodes may terminate with the individual returning to bed and to adolescence adds the prospects of some social embarrassment when sleep or may terminate in inappropriate places. The sleepwalking overnight sleep guests are more common. Treatment is often can be associated with loud shouting, or inappropriate activities like supportive in nature. Creating a safe sleep environment with locks moving furniture, urinating in a waste basket, etc. This can occur in on doors and windows, hiding vehicle keys and dangerous tools is children in up to 17% and often with the peak of ages 8-12. There important. Maintenance of good sleep hygiene with adequate sleep is no sexual difference except for violent behavior being more duration and consistency helps to reduce the occurrence. Diagnosis common in adult men. The adult and treatment of any precipitating sleep occurrence rate is up to 4%. Many of the disorder or medical condition can be children who sleep walk had episodes of useful. At times there are medications that confusional arousals at an earlier age. can be used to lower the severity or ...most of the parasomnias offer, frequency of the events. Clonazepam has on the one hand, frightening A unique form of sleep walking is a specialized been useful in sleep terrors, and dopaminergic experiences, but, on the other, form of arousal known as sleep-related eating agents have been helpful in the sleep-related disorder. This is a condition that results in an very interesting examples of the eating disorder. awakening from NREM sleep during which fine line that exists between the individual moves from the bedroom to the These arousals like most of the parasomnias wake and sleep states. kitchen or other place of food storage. The offer, on the one hand, frightening activity could be as simple as eating a candy experiences, but, on the other, very bar or as complex as preparing a meal and eating it. At times, interesting examples of the fine line that exists between wake and individuals may return to their bedroom where the food is sleep states. The conditions can invade each others territory with consumed leaving evidence of the sleep behavior. Individuals have some strange outcomes. Many people are baffled, embarrassed or no recall of the event and often only become aware when finding the frightened by their occurrence and often think them too strange to kitchen mess or the food wrappers in the bedroom. It is often very even talk about. No matter how strange a behavior is, it is very likely disturbing to the individual because of the associated weight gains some form of described, or yet to be and the embarrassment and strangeness of the behavior. described, form of a parasomnia. Don’t hesitate to discuss the problem with your This group of arousal disorder share some common predisposing physician or seek consultation with a sleep and precipitating conditions. Genetic factors and familial tendencies specialist to learn more about it for your appear to play a role. This is especially true in sleep walking. The rate own peace of mind. of children being affected is 22% when neither parent has a history,
◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Sleep Problems
David R. Nichols, MD Sleep Medicine NEA Clinic – 870.935.4150 7. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Presbyopia
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE? Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses for Cataract Surgery AcrySof ReSTOR, ReZoom, & Crystalens
A
cataract is the eye’s “natural lens” that becomes cloudy, most commonly with age, and causes a decrease in acceptable vision, either at far (driving) or near (reading). Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are “artificial lenses” that replace the eye’s cloudy natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery. IOLs have been around since the mid 1960s, although the first one was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. Until recently, all IOLs were monofocal (single vision) in nature, meaning that they provided clear vision at one distance only. For example, if a traditional monofocal IOL resulted in clear far vision after cataract surgery, one would still require glasses or contact lenses for clear intermediate (computer) or near (reading) vision. The FDA has approved certain PresbyopiaCorrecting IOLs only within the last few years. These are categorized as Multifocal (AcrySof ReSTOR & ReZoom) & Accommodative (Crystalens). Each of these IOLs has advantages
8. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
depending upon one’s specific visual needs. This means, that for the first time, someone undergoing cataract surgery will have the opportunity to see clearly at all distances-far, intermediate, and near without glasses. However, it must be emphasized that the goal is to make one less dependent on glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery so that most activities can be performed without difficulty. Under some conditions, one still may require “weak” prescription glasses for certain activities e.g. night driving or reading fine print. Some patients experience glare or halos around light at night. This “night glare” is usually well tolerated. It should be stressed that not everyone is a good candidate for these “upgraded” IOLs. If there is too much astigmatism prior to cataract surgery, the vision postoperatively would not be satisfactory at any distance without the use of glasses. Therefore, this person would not be a good candidate for any of the present PresbyopiaCorrecting IOLs. With advancing technology, patients with significant astigmatism may someday be candidates.
ARE YOU A CANDIDAT
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PRESBYOPIA-CORRECTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What is presbyopia? Presbyopia is the normal, age-related loss of near focusing ability. “Arms too short”- has to push reading material further away in effort to see clearly. Usually becomes noticeable around age 40, requiring some type of vision correction. 2. Why would I want a Presbyopia-Correcting IOL for cataract surgery? Certain individuals would like to be able to see clearly at all distances (far, intermediate, near) after cataract surgery without the use of glasses. The AcrySof ReSTOR, ReZoom, and the Crystalens give one the opportunity to achieve at least some independence from glasses. Most patients achieve complete independence. 3. Are Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs more expensive?
Realistic expectations are of the utmost importance. The goal is to make one less dependent on glasses or contact lenses, although approximately 80% of patients who underwent cataract surgery with the Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs reported that they are totally independent of their glasses. Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs are available at our office-NEA Clinic Eye Center. Are You a Candidate? Call us for a consultation.
F. Joseph George, MD NEA Clinic Eye Center 870. 932.0485
ATE?
Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs are more expensive because of the incurred cost by companies to develop and produce them, and also because of the additional surgical skill required for the procedure. Costs vary depending on which IOL is used. Your ophthalmologist will advise you as to which IOL would be the best suited for your particular visual requirements. In general, Medicare, Medicaid, and virtually all health insurance companies will cover the basic costs of cataract surgery, and the cost of a monofocal (single vision) IOL, but not the full cost of a Presbyopia-Correcting IOL. 4. Why won’t Medicare or health insurance cover the full cost of Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs? Medicare does not consider a Presbyopia-Correcting IOL to be medically necessary. Use of these IOLs is considered an elective refractive procedure, a “luxury”, just as LASIK is a refractive procedure, also not covered by health insurance. 5. Can my local ophthalmologist perform PresbyopiaCorrecting surgery? Your ophthalmologist should be a well trained, experienced, board certified eye surgeon. He will be able to determine which IOL is best suited for your particular needs. 9. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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uring Football season players are sometimes injured. Many read about an injury to a player and wonder exactly what happened and, more importantly, when can the player return to action. Because, after all, your fantasy football team’s season may hang in the balance! I will count down my top 10 football injuries.
D
Shoulder Separation: The partial or complete separation of two parts of the shoulder, the collarbone and the end of the shoulder blade (the acromion). Treatment depends on amount of separation between bones. For lower grades of injury a player may miss just a practice or two. Higher grades of injury may cause a player to miss weeks. The highest grades require season ending surgery. Shoulder Dislocation: Occurs when the humeral head (top of the arm) is knocked out of its joint. Think Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. This injury requires a physician to put the shoulder back in place. Recurrence in younger athletes is common especially in football. Players can resume play when pain and strength return. Surgery can be performed after the season to lessen recurrence. Clavicle Fracture: A broken collarbone is usually caused by falling on an outstretched arm or by direct contact to the collarbone or to the shoulder. The collarbone is
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one of the most commonly broken bones. Minimally displaced fractures can be treated in a sling. More severe displacement may benefit from surgical treatment. Players often miss at least 6 or more weeks. Wrist Fracture: A break of the bones just above the wrist (radius and ulna) is more common in younger football players as their bones and open growth plates are less able to handle the injury. Players can return in their casts often in about 2 weeks. Obviously, a cast affects a quarterback or receiver more than a lineman. ACL rupture: An anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injury is a tear in one of the knee ligaments that joins the upper leg bone with the lower leg bone. The ACL keeps the knee stable. A ruptured ACL requires surgery to fully repair. It cannot heal on its own. Months of physical therapy may follow to strengthen the knee. Players are usually out at least 6 months. Full recovery takes close to a year. Meniscus Tear: This rubbery tissue acts as a shock absorber between the upper and lower leg bones and stabilizes the knee joint by evenly distributing the load across the knee. A tear to the meniscus can interfere with how your knee works. Depending on the severity of the tear, treatment ranges from rest and ice to surgery. If surgery is limited to trimming away a portion of the
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meniscus, players are back in 2-3 weeks. If the surgeon is able to repair the meniscus, then the player is out 3 months. MCL tear: This ligament connects the thighbone to the lower leg bone along the inside of the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. Depending on severity, most players are out 3-6 weeks. A hinged knee brace along with crutches and physical therapy are used in treatment. Ankle Sprain/Ankle Fracture: Sprains involve injuring the ligaments around the ankle, usually the outside or lateral ligaments. Depending on severity, a player may miss 3-6 weeks. A broken or fractured ankle bone may cause a player to miss 6 weeks or longer. Some breaks require surgery and end the season for the athlete. Turf Toe: This is an irritation of the joint at the base of the big toe. It usually happens when the toe is forcefully jammed against the ground or bent backward. Ice and elevation of the foot will help in the treatment of turf toe. It sounds like something you get from working in the yard barefooted, but this is a very difficult injury for players. A study at the University of Arkansas a number of years ago showed players missed more days with turf toe than ankle sprains. Time off can vary from a few days to the whole season. Cervical Sprain/fracture: Stretching or tearing of the portion of the spine contained within the neck. Severity of the injury will determine the treatment method. Sprains and strains are basically “whiplash” type injuries. They are treated with ice then heat. Soft collars, medicines, and therapy can help relieve symptoms. Players return as comfort allows. Fractures are the most severe and potentially long lasting injury on the list. Fractures that displace can cause injury to the spinal cord resulting in paralysis. Great care must be taken in moving a player with a possible neck injury. Obviously, a fractured bone in the neck makes it a season ending injury. Just like any top 10, your favorite injury may not be included. But hopefully, this gives you insight into the world of orthopedic sports medicine. Football is not the only way to have these injuries, so if you have had an injury, please seek medical attention.
Jason Brandt, MD Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine NEA Clinic – 870.932.6637
The plan your business needs for the retirement your staff wants. The best employees go where the best benefits are. That’s why choosing the right retirement plan for your company is so important. At Regions Morgan Keegan Trust, we understand that. So we work hard to design a specific plan tailored for your unique business. That means listening to what your needs are before we develop your plan. Then, it means partnering with investment managers who know how to grow your money and your employees’ money. Talk to one of our retirement services professionals today. To learn more about our retirement services, call Brent Westbrook at 800-445-4903.
© 2007 Regions Morgan Keegan Trust. Investment services are provided through Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation and a member NYSE and SIPC. Trust services are provided through Regions Morgan Keegan Trust, a trade name for the Trust Division of Regions Bank. Securities sold through Morgan Keegan and Regions Morgan Keegan Trust are not FDIC–insured, not guaranteed by Regions Bank and may lose value.
11. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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Q
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What is a Hot Flash?
A sudden, unexpected, intense general warmth beginning in the chest and spreading to the neck and face. The flush and heat are followed by sweating, which is a natural reaction to lower body temperature. The sweating can then lead to chills.
A
Q
Who will have Hot Flashes?
A
When will I have Hot Flashes?
Most women who have their ovaries removed surgically will have immediate hot flashes. The majority of women experience menopause (no menstrual cycles for 1 year) on average at age 51, which is the most likely time to have hot flashes. Improvement often occurs in a few months and has been reported to resolve in up to 85% in 5 years. For unknown reasons, as many as 15% of women will have hot flashes for years after they experience menopause.
A
Q A
Can I treat hot flashes with herbal substances?
The benefits from herbal remedy as a more “natural” treatment were described by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists in their patient education handbook “Herbal Products for Menopause.” Some of the limited information on this topic includes:
A
Soy Products taken for a long time and in large amounts may relieve some hot flashes.
More than half of the women in the United States will have recognizable, significant hot flashes. AfricanAmerican women are more likely to have hot flashes and Asian-American women are less likely to have them.
Q
Q
What is a simple treatment for hot flashes? An individual can dress in layers and can lower the ambient room temperature to cope with physical changes in body temperature.
12. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
Black Cohosh studies show mixed results of how well hot flashes are relieved. Side effects include upset stomach and low blood pressure. Wild Yam has not been proven to relieve symptoms of menopause. Dong Quai, a Chinese herbal medicine, when used alone, does not seem to be effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause. As a side effect, some women become sensitive to the sun and others have changes in the amount of time it takes blood to clot. Evening Primrose has not been proven to relieve symptoms of menopause. Ginseng has not been proven to relieve symptoms of menopause.
Q
What treatment has been proven to reduce hot flashes?
Taking estrogen will dramatically decrease hot flashes in up to 95% of menopausal women. Side effects, as well as the relief, increase with each estrogen dose. Estrogen is not prescribed for individuals with cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, uterine cancer, venous thromboembolic events or active liver ailment. Progesterone should always be taken with estrogen if the uterus has not been surgically removed.
A
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Studies comparing the rate of adverse effects occurring in patients taking estrogen and patients taking estrogen and progesterone show an increased rate of coronary heart disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism and invasive breast cancer in patients taking both estrogen and progesterone. Because of these real risks, patients will want to use the lowest dose of hormone for the shortest possible time to control their menopausal symptoms.
Q A
Are their other prescription drugs for hot flashes that have been studied? Other hormonal prescription treatment is summarized by Grady’s article in the November 2006 Issue of the New England Journal of Medicine:
Fluoxetine (Prozac) has not demonstrated improvement in hot flashes. Paroxetine (Paxil) shows a 25% improvement in hot flashes (over a placebo) Venlafaxine (Effexor) has not demonstrated improvement in hot flashes (over a placebo) Ladies with concerns regarding taking hormone replacement may be very interested in non-hormone treatment but must understand that this is an off-label treatment based on limited research not approved by the DEA for the treatment of hot flashes. Off Label Treatments that may be of interest to Breast Cancer Survivors:
Progesterone taken orally demonstrates a 48% improvement in hot flashes or one-half the benefit of estrogen. Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness, depression, breast tenderness, and uterine bleeding.
Fluoxetine (Prozac) demonstrates a 24% improvement in hot flashes (over a placebo)
Gabapentin (Neurontin) demonstrated a 23% improvement in hot flashes.
Venlafaxine (Effexor) demonstrates a 34% improvement in hot flashes (over a placebo)
Clonidine studies show a mixed result of both positive improvement and no improvement of hot flashes.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) demonstrates a 31% improvement in hot flashes.
Paroxetine (Paxil) demonstrates a 30% improvement in hot flashes (over a placebo)
Off-Label Prescriptions (not approved by DEA for treatment of hot flashes): Citalopram (Celexa) has not demonstrated improvement in hot flashes.
◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Hot Flash, Menopause Charles L. Barker, MD, PhD, FACOG Obstetrics & Gynecology NEA Clinic – 870.972.8788 13. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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Oh, my achi ng back!
B
ack pain is one of the most common problems for which people seek medical advice, and is second only to the common cold as a reason for missed work. At least 75 to 80 percent of people will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Fortunately 90% of these episodes will resolve in as little as four weeks, and more than 50% in just a few days. Only 5% of people will require surgery.
W hy me, W hy now? The causes of low back pain are varied. The most common causes by far are sprains and strains caused by injury to muscles and ligaments as a result of a fall, an accident, improper lifting, jerking motions or excessive impact. Swelling, muscle spasm, stiffness, inflammation and pain result. Sometimes the person is unaware of the injury until hours later when the pain begins. Poor posture is likewise a common cause of chronic back pain. In our current world we spend hours in front of a computer, in a vehicle, sitting at a desk, or in front of the TV. It is important for the health of our spine that we look for ways to relieve the stress on the low back. Adjust your desk to the proper height, use your lumbar support or substitute a rolled towel, get a proper chair, and be sure that you stand or walk once each hour. Poor muscle tone and poor physical conditioning result in weakness of the core muscles of the body that support the trunk and spine. Without that critical muscular support, stress on the joints, ligaments and discs occurs and result in back pain.
S truc tu r a l a bno rma li ties Less frequently, a structural abnormality results in back pain. Causes include injury, congenital abnormalities, degenerative problems, tumors, and infections. Disc herniations may occur as a result of an acute injury or as a result of wear over time. Even the pain that results with a disc herniation may resolve with conservative treatment, but if the pain is severe, persistent, or associated with neurological deficit (numbness or weakness), surgery may be required. Spinal stenosis results when overgrowth of arthritic joints, thickening of associated ligaments, and spurring of vertebral endplates with or without disc abnormalities combine to cause pressure on traversing nerves or spinal cord. Progressive difficulty walking and the accompanying pain often responds very well to surgical treatment even in the elderly. Spondylolysthesis occurs when the vertebra are not properly aligned. This may be a congenital condition or due to degenerative facet joint disease or rarely due to injury. Pain may be controlled with conservative treatment and physical
Way s To Impr o ve Back Hea lth
1. Get fit.
Begin a daily exercise program to target general conditioning and core strengthening.
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in this country and is a major factor in chronic back pain. Obesity is commonly linked to poor conditioning and sedentary lifestyle.
2. Lose weight.
You may be surprised to find that smoking is also a factor in low back pain. Statistically smokers have a higher incidence of back pain. Smoking also weakens tissues therefore resulting in higher rates of disc herniation and degeneration.
4. Improve your posture. 5. Most importantly, see your doctor.
14. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
Combine exercise with healthier eating habits for gradual weight loss.
3. Stop smoking.
Many techniques and medicines are available to help the motivated person.
The proper tests (MRI, CT, Bone Scan or Bone Densometry) will allow your doctor to determine if you (along with help from your healthcare professionals) can take control of your pain, or if you have a serious problem that might require surgery or other treatment.
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◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Back Pain
conditioning, but depending on the severity, may require spinal fusion. Spinal tumors usually require surgical removal, and, if benign, results are generally excellent. Malignant tumors may require surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Infection of the spine is a serious problem that usually requires prolonged antibiotic treatment. Surgical debridement is sometimes needed as well. Spinal fractures frequently may be treated in a brace. Severe traumatic fractures with instability, however, will need stabilization and reconstruction. Minor osteoporotic fractures will heal spontaneously, but treatment for osteoporosis should be optimized. Fractures with severe or prolonged pain respond well to vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (placement of bone cement into a fractured vertebra).
Some thi ng mus t be do ne!!! Back pain can be so severe that a person is driven to desperation. So what can be done? When a large disc rupture has occurred, or the patient is suffering from severe stenosis or spinal instability, the proper surgical procedure can be a lifesaver for the patient and an extremely rewarding experience for the surgeon. In many cases, however, the doctor is powerless without the patient’s assistance and commitment. That person himself must take the steps necessary to improve his or her own back health. In most cases less than 30 minutes a day, as well as strong motivation to accomplish what is required for a healthier back, is all that is needed. The road may not be easy but the benefits are worthwhile.
"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster. Your life will never be the same." - Og Mandino
G e t M o v i n g! If you want to get in shape, make it your business to move around more. This means that you need to make a conscious effort to make “action-enhancing” decisions. Here are a few suggestions for getting on the move:
• Take the stairs, not the elevator or escalator. • After lunch, take a walk with a friend instead of sitting around the lunch table gabbing. • Mow your lawn, and stop waiting for someone else to take care of it. • Plant flowers. • Play hide and seek with your kids. • Take your dog for a walk.
Rebecca Barrett-Tuck, MD Neurosurgery NEA Clinic – 870.972.1112
The main point here is to move around more than your norm. If you’re living a sedentary life, now’s the time to break the pattern. Once you do, you’ll feel your energy start to increase—and you’ll be glad you did. 15. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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e all experience occasional aches and pains, sometimes after exercise or work, and sometimes for no apparent reason. Everyone from your boss to your Aunt Mable will have an explanation for your symptoms, and often they will tell you that it’s probably tendonitis or bursitis. But what does this really mean?
W
Tendonitis & Bursitis What is a tendon?
What does –itis mean?
A tendon, sometimes called a leader, is a tough sinewy cord that connects muscle to bone. Tendons and muscles work together to exert a pulling force. Some tendons are easy to see and feel, such as the ones on the back of your hand or the top of your foot, and the bicep tendon in front of your elbow. (Make a muscle with your upper arm, and feel in the crease of your elbow. That cord you feel is your bicep tendon)
The suffix –itis is used to denote pain and inflammation in whatever body part that precedes it. In other words, bursitis means inflammation of a bursa, tendonitis denotes inflammation of a tendon.
What is a bursa? A bursa is a normally flat fluid filled sac that rests at the point where skin or a tendon slides across bone. Healthy bursae create a smooth and almost frictionless gliding surface, thereby allowing painless movement of joints. There is a bursa sac under the skin over the tip of you elbow and also in front of your kneecap. (The bursa sac lets your skin easily move around over the tip of your elbow and in front of your knee).
What causes tendonitis and bursitis? Both of these problems are most commonly caused by repetitive stress or overuse of the affected area. Everyday leisure activities (yard work, gardening, painting), sports (running, golf, basketball, tennis), and even your job (typing, poor mechanics with your desk and work area, repetitive lifting or grasping) can all be the cause. With tendonitis, chronic overuse of a muscle/tendon unit can lead to a microscopic tear in the tendon, which will then become painful, and any further use of that area can worsen the pain. With bursitis, the bursa will become inflamed and swollen, and any movement of the affected limb can be painful. Additionally, you may also have an aching discomfort even when resting or trying to sleep.
What areas are affected? Tennis elbow is a type of tendonitis that is quite common (and frequently not caused by tennis) that leads to pain at the lateral (outside) part of the elbow, especially with lifting or grasping objects. Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) will cause pain in the front of he knee just below the kneecap (patella). It is common in basketball and volleyball players. Achilles tendonitis is common in runners and causes pain just behind the ankle in the achilles tendon.
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◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: Tendonitis, Bursitis
Bursitis commonly occurs in the hip and shoulder. Hip bursitis creates pain over the “hip bone” (the prominence that you feel on the side of your hip), and the discomfort can radiate down the outside part of the thigh toward the knee. Shoulder bursitis will cause pain with lifting the arm overhead or behind you, and is commonly felt in the upper arm and shoulder area. Both problems will cause pain even when resting or trying to sleep. Bursitis can also occur in front of the knee (prepatellar bursitis) or behind the elbow (olecranon bursitis) and these two areas commonly will swell and develop a collection of fluid. Bursitis here is most often related to minor injury (e.g., a fall) or repetitive compression, such as with kneeling down or resting the elbow while driving.
Treatment Initial treatment consists of resting the affected area, using medication such as advil or aleve as needed, and then slowly returning to regular activities as the pain improves. If the problem won’t go away, then you should seek medical attention, either with your primary care physician or your orthopedic surgeon. You and your physician can then determine what the next step in treatment should be, with options being prescription medication, physical therapy, steroid (cortisone) shots, or even surgery.
Prevention For athletes, warming up and stretching beforehand will definitely help prevent a problem. If you have a big project to do at home (e.g., you have to spread a load of dirt, or paint the ceiling in your house), it’s best
to break the work up in small increments with rest or other activity in between. In other words, don’t try to go out and shovel dirt for 8 hours straight, especially if you are not accustomed to physical work. At the office, make sure your work area is comfortable and that you aren’t straining to use your computer or the telephone. If you have a concern, your employer should help make sure that your area is as ergonomic as possible. If you do start to develop some nagging discomfort, try to pinpoint what may be causing it so that you can minimize the chances of it becoming a chronic (and thus harder to treat) problem.
Why does an orthopedic surgeon treat these problems? Your orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in both the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including problems affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. As such, if you are suffering from tendonitis or bursitis, he or she should be able to efficiently diagnose your problem, explain the condition, and then develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Thomas Day, MD Orthopedic Surgery NEA Clinic – 870.932.6637
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Cover Story
Partnership. W
ebster defines a partnership as “an alliance or association between two entities that is setup to accomplish a business objective or goal of the owners”. The partnership that NEA Clinic and Baptist Memorial Health Care recently announced is a partnership between two healthcare providers that have come together to serve the healthcare needs of our region. One provider, a large nationally recognized multispecialty medical group practice and the other is one of the country’s most highly successful non-profit healthcare delivery systems and the regions largest hospital system. In healthcare, we don’t normally see a physician group practice and a hospital system come together as partners…in fact our research indicates that there are only three other similar partnerships in the country. But why? Some believe that physicians and hospitals cannot structure a partnership that is mutually beneficial to both partners and is long-term sustainable since they are both seeking out the same revenue stream and therefore conflict will inevitably ensue. It is true that in today’s healthcare industry, providers (both physicians and hospitals) are experiencing declining revenue in their core business yet expenses continue to increase year over year. All the while providers are seeing indigent or uncompensated care climb to historical levels. This “shrinking” of the margin has created the conflict between providers, as each strives to maintain and grow their business. At NEA Clinic, we understand the competitive environment, however, we believe that physicians and hospitals make natural business partners if each can
... we believe that physicians and hospitals make natural business partners... Jim Boswell, CEO NEA Clinic
18. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
overcome their fears and focus on the patient. We believe that by doing so physicians & hospitals will find ways to improve and expand patient care and services for the benefit of both partners, the patients, and the community. We understand that conflicts will arise, however, as business partners it is our goal and commitment to each other to do what’s best for the partnership and to share equally in the benefits of its success. We believe that the bottom line will take care of itself if we take care of the patient and community. Since 1977 when NEA Clinic was formed the physicians at NEA have been making decisions in this manner and it has proven very successful. The partnership between NEA Clinic and Baptist brings long-term stability. It brings access to growth capital for expansion in technology and services. And most importantly, it brings a commitment to maintain the highest level of quality care. These two partners are very much alike and thus value each other’s strengths and contributions to the partnership. Sharing the same vision and commitment to excellence is the glue that binds the partners. At NEA Clinic we have the highest regard for Baptist and, the demonstrated quality care they provide and for the commitment to the communities they serve. We are so proud to have been able to structure a partnership that meets the business objectives of both organizations and thus being able to attract Baptist to join our community. We feel it speaks volumes about the northeast Arkansas region, about the quality care provided at our hospital, and about the visionary leadership our doctors provide. As we journey into this new relationship, I’m reminded of a quote from a friend and a innovative leader in healthcare “This is a business of taking care of people, if you do that, it’s a good business.” Denny Shelton, CEO Triad Hospitals, Inc. The partnership between NEA Clinic and Baptist is one that is very powerful and is already gaining national attention for its uniqueness. To us…it’s very simple, take care of the patient and the patient will take care of you.
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“We know that NEA Clinic is one of the finest groups of physicians and colleagues that exists in our country today. We think that partnering with a group like NEA Clinic gives us that opportunity to work together and benefit from each others expertise to carry out this mission going in to the future.” Stephen C. Reynolds, CEO of BMHC
Baptist looks forward to partnership with NEA Clinic
O
n Nov. 5, 2007, Baptist Memorial Health Care and NEA made their partnership official. In reality, the partnership began long before that. Baptist's roots in Arkansas date back to 1912 when it was founded by the Southern Baptist conventions of Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. Baptist has a long history of providing highquality care in the tri-state area. Under the leadership of Joseph Powell, president emeritus and CEO of Baptist from 19801994, Baptist grew from one hospital in downtown Memphis to a multi-hospital system spanning Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. Now, the Baptist system includes 15 hospitals, and we are proud to have brought high-level services to the tristate area.
Pictured: Doug Forman, Jonesboro Mayor, Jim Boswell, CEO NEA Clinic, Robert Taylor, MD, president of NEA Clinic, Stephen C. Reynolds, CEO of BMHC, Lucinda McDaniel, Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce chairperson, Bob Harrison System Board of Directors, BMHC member.
2006, Baptist provided nearly $370 million in community benefit through charity care, health fairs, educational initiatives, screenings, patient education classes and much more. The numerous community initiatives Baptist supports include health care for the homeless, adopta-school programs and nursing scholarships. Through community health fairs, we are able to provide free screenings, aid early detection of health issues and help community members make informed choices about their health. For example, at a 2006 health fair in Union County, Mississippi, more than 600 residents had access to screenings for health concerns such as heart disease, cholesterol, blood pressure and osteoporosis. Taking care of the community means being visible in the community, listening to and exploring new ways of meeting community needs and realizing that our role as a health care provider means ministering to patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We look forward to beginning our journey with this hospital and this community.
However, our strong tradition of care and service extends way beyond patient rooms. Corporate citizenship is something we take very seriously. In
“This partnership involving NEA Clinic and Baptist Memorial Health Care will result in a significant step toward our long term goal of a very high quality and efficient integrated healthcare delivery system for this area.” Robert Taylor, MD, president NEA Clinic 19. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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Eat Your Apples & Onions A
pples and onions topped the list of a cancer prevention study. Here’s why: Apples and onions are sources for quercetin, one of the most beneficial of flavenols, and could play a role in preventing and reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer, a study has found. All participants in the study experienced reduced risk, however, smokers who consumed foods rich in flavenols experienced a significantly greater reduction. Researchers tracked the food intake and health outcomes for 183,518 participants in the Multiethnic Cohort Study for eight years. The study evaluated the food consumption of participants and calculated the flavenol intake (for quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin). The study determined that flavenol intake does have an impact on the risk for developing pancreatic cancer. Smokers
with the lowest intake of flavenols presented with the most pancreatic cancer, researchers say. It was also determined that women in the study had the highest flavenol intake (when compared with men), and 70 percent of the intake came from quercetin, which is linked to apple and onion consumption. Flavenols are found in many plants and found in high concentrations in apples, onions, tea, berries, kale and broccoli. Quercetin is most plentiful in apples and onions. The research was originally published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
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20. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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DOC+FINDER 870.935.NEAC ANESTHESIOLOGY
HOSPITALIST
Alfonso Aquino, M.D. Oksana Redko, M.D. 3024 Stadium, Jonesboro (870) 972-7390
Robert B. White, M.D. Brock F. Harris, M.D. Brian McGee, M.D. Kara Kooper, M.D. 3024 Stadium, Jonesboro (870) 897-8462
CARDIOLOGY Anthony T. White, M.D. Michael L. Isaacson, M.D. Robert D. Taylor, M.D. Eumar T. Tagupa, M.D. D.V. Patel, M.D. Margaret Cooper, A.P.N. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
FAMILY PRACTICE Jonesboro J. Timothy Dow, M.D. Douglas L. Maglothin, M.D. Joe McGrath, M.D. James Murrey, M.D. Kristi Statler, M.D. Windover Clinic & Urgent Care 1111 Windover, Jonesboro (870) 935-5432 Michael E. Crawley, M.D. Michael E. Tedder, M.D. Arnold E. Gilliam, M.D. Stadium Clinic & Urgent Care 3003 Apache, Jonesboro (870) 931-8800 Craig A. McDaniel, M.D. Troy A. Vines, M.D. W. Scott Hoke, M.D. Randy Carlton, M.D. Nathan Turney, M.D. Woodsprings Clinic & Urgent Care 2205 W. Parker, Jonesboro (870) 933-9250 Tim Shown, D.O. Melissa Yawn, M.D. Jeffery Barber, D.O. Hilltop Clinic & Urgent Care 4901 E. Johnson, Jonesboro (870) 932-8222
CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGERY James A. Ameika, M.D. Deborah Fairchild, A.P.N 3100 Apache, Suite B4, Jonesboro (870) 972-8030 Michael Raborn, M.D. 3100 Apache, Suite B3, Jonesboro (870) 219-7685 Reginald Barnes, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
DERMATOLOGY James Towry, D.O. 3100 Apache, Suite B3,Jonesboro (870) 934-3530
EMERGENCY MEDICINE Brewer Rhodes, M.D. Michael Tomlinson, M.D. Daron Merryman, M.D. 3024 Stadium, Jonesboro (870) 972-7251
ENDOCRINOLOGY Kevin D. Ganong, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150 Diabetes Center Bilinda Norman, R.N.P. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
Osceola Jerry R. Biggerstaff, M.D. Ken Dill, M.D. Debbie Wilhite, A.P.N. 616 W. Keiser, Osceola (870) 563-5888
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Trumann Alison Richardson, M.D. Nathan Turney, M.D. Brannon Treece, M.D. Trumann Clinic 305 W. Main, Trumann (870) 483-6131
K. Bruce Jones, M.D. Russell D. Degges, M.D. John A. Johnson, III, M.D. James Cunningham, M.D. 800 S. Church, Suite 104, Jonesboro (870) 932-4875
Lake City Kristi Statler, M.D. Sarah Hogon, A.P.N. 208 Cobean, Lake City (870) 237-4100 Cherokee Village Brad Bibb, M.D. 51 Choctaw Trace, Cherokee Village (870) 856-2862 Paragould Wade Falwell, M.D. Kasey Holder, M.D. 4700 West Kingshighway, Paragould (870) 240-8402
Michael D. Hightower, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
GENERAL SURGERY
HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Ronald J. Blachly, M.D. D. Allen Nixon, Jr., M.D. Carroll D. Scroggin, Jr., M.D. Stacia Gallion, A.P.N. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
INTERNAL MEDICINE Ray H. Hall, Jr., M.D. Stephen O. Woodruff, M.D. Brannon Treece, M.D. Kristy Wilson, A.P.N. Katie Threlkeld, A.P.N. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
NEPHROLOGY Michael G. Mackey, M.D. Angie Fowler, A.P.N. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150 Dialysis Center 3005 Middlefield, Jonesboro (870) 934-5705
NEUROLOGY Kenneth Chan, D.O. Bing Behrens, M.D. Yuanyuan Long, Ph.D.,M.D. 3100 Apache, Suite A, Jonesboro (870) 935-8388
NEUROSURGERY Robert Abraham, M.D. 3100 Apache, Suite A, Jonesboro (870) 935-8388 Kenneth Tonymon, M.D. Rebecca Barrett-Tuck, M.D. Jeffrey Kornblum, M.D. 1118 Windover, Jonesboro (870) 972-1112
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY Charles L. Barker, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.O.G. Mark C. Stripling, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Charles C. Dunn, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Norbert Delacey, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Michael Hong, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Lorna Layton, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. 3104 Apache, Jonesboro (870) 972-8788
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Melissa Yawn, M.D. Jeffery Barber, D.O. 4901 E. Johnson, Jonesboro (870) 910-6024
OPHTHALMOLOGY Joseph George, M.D. James Cullins, O.D. 416 E. Washington, Suite B, Jonesboro (870) 932-0485
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY Henry Stroope, M.D. Jason Brandt, M.D. Thomas Day, M.D. 1007 Windover, Jonesboro (870) 932-6637
OTOLARYNGOLOGY (ENT) Bryan Lansford, M.D. Linda Farris, A.P.N. 3100 Apache, Suite B2, Jonesboro (870) 934-3484 Hearing Center Amy Stein, Au.D., CCC-A 3100 Apache, Suite B2, Jonesboro (870) 934-3484
PAIN MANAGEMENT Raymond Greaser, M.D. 3005 Apache, Jonesboro (870) 933-7471
PEDIATRICS Brannon Treece, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150 *All NEA Clinic Family Practice physicians see children as well.
PHYSICAL THERAPY Jeff Ramsey, P.T. Terry Womble, M.P.T. 1007 Windover, Jonesboro (870) 336-1530
PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY W. Tomasz Majewski, M.D. 3100 Apache, Suite B3, Jonesboro (870) 934-5600
PODIATRY Chris Rowlett, D.P.M 1007 Windover, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
PULMONOLOGY William Hubbard, M.D. Meredith Walker, M.D. Patrick Savage, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
RADIOLOGY Jeffrey S. Mullen, M.D. 3100 Apache, Jonesboro (870) 934-3533 John K. Phillips, M.D. Gregory Lewis, M.D. 3024 Stadium, Jonesboro (870) 972-7000
RHEUMATOLOGY Beata Majewski, M.D. Leslie McCasland, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
SLEEP MEDICINE David Nichols, M.D. 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro (870) 935-4150
SPECIALTY CLINIC Pocahontas, (870) 932-9541
WELLNESS CENTER 2617 Phillips, Jonesboro (870) 932-1898
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Stadium Clinic (870) 931-8800 Hilltop Clinic (870) 934-3539
Woodsprings Clinic (870) 910-0012 Windover Clinic (870) 935-9585
Visit our web site at: www.neaclinic.com
Late Night Clinic (870) 910-6040
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Child-Related Sports Injuries F
all is here, the kids are back in school, and fall sports are in full-swing. It’s a great time of the year for sports fans everywhere.
It is estimated that more than 30-million children participate in organized sports in the United States, and when considering informal recreational activities, that number surely increases dramatically. Participation in sports activities definitely has numerous advantages such as improving physical fitness, coordination, self-discipline, and self-esteem. However, growth in overall sports participation has also contributed to an increase in sports related injuries. According to a 2002 study by the Centers for Disease Control, 1.9 million children under the age of 15 were treated in emergency rooms secondary to sports related injuries. In another survey by the National Safe Kids Campaign, it was found that one of every three children who have participated in organized sports has experienced injury. This becomes even more significant when you consider that nearly 75-percent of American households with children between the ages of 5-14 report having at least one child participating in organized sporting activities. Sports injuries are impossible to predict, and in many cases may be inevitable, but there are prevention strategies that we as parents can provide to help reduce the risk. Some common strategies may include: • Make sure to enroll your child in organized sports through schools, community clubs, and recreation departments that are properly staffed and maintained. Any organized team activity should demonstrate commitment to injury prevention. Coaches should be trained in first aid and CPR, and most area schools now staff athletic trainers to assist with sporting events and practices. • Make sure your child has, and consistently uses, proper gear for his or her particular sport. • Make warming up and cooling down part of your child’s routine before and after sports participation. Warming up with stretching and light jogging can help to minimize the change of muscle strains or other soft-tissue injuries. • Make sure your child has access to water and/or sports drinks while playing or practicing. Encourage them to drink frequently during the day to stay properly hydrated. Nonetheless, even when taking all the necessary precautions – warming up, wearing protective gear, not playing through pain – injuries can and do still occur. Therefore it is important to know what some of the most common injuries are, and how to go about treating them. 22. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
• Sprains are probably the most common of all sports injuries. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, a tough, fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint and works to prevent excessive movement at that joint. Ankle sprains are the most common injury in the United States, and often occur during sports or recreational activities. • Strains are injuries to either a muscle or a tendon. A muscle is a contractile tissue composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by a nerve contract and produce movement. A tendon is a tough, fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. • Repetitive Motion Injuries result from overuse of muscles and tendons. These injuries, such as stress fractures (hairline fracture of the bone that has been subjected to repeated stress) and tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) don’t always show up on x-rays, but do cause pain and discomfort. • Heat-Related Illnesses include dehydration (deficit in body fluids), heat exhaustion (nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy perspiration, normal or low body temperature, weak pulse, dilated pupils, disorientation, and fainting spells), and heat stroke (headache, dizziness, confusion, hot, dry skin due to lack of perspiration and greatly increased body temperature). Heat injuries are always dangerous and can be fatal. Heat related injuries are a particular problem for children because children perspire less than adults and require a higher core body temperature to trigger the sweating mechanism. • Growth Plate Injuries are also common among childhood injuries. The growth plate is the area of developing tissue at the end of the long bones in growing children and adolescents. When growth is complete, usually sometime in adolescence, the growth plate becomes solid bone. The long bones of the body include: bones of the hand (metacarpals and phalanges), bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), the bone of the upper leg (femur), the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), and the foot bones (metatarsals and phalanges). If any of these bones are injured in a child, it is very important to seek professional help from an orthopedic surgeon, which is a doctor specializing in bone and joint injuries.
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American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): www.apta.org American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): www.aaos.org American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): www.aap.org American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM): www.amssm.org American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM): www.sportsmed.org National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF): www.nyssf.org www.NEAHealth.com
If your child experiences a sports injury, early and effective treatment is crucial for optimal outcomes. For simple injuries not requiring professional medical intervention, the best immediate treatment is easy to remember: RICE.
Rest: Reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours.
Ice: For 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times per day; use a cold pack, ice bag, or plastic bag filled with crushed ice on the injured area.
For overuse injuries, the philosophy is similar. If your child begins complaining of pain, this is the body’s way of saying there’s a problem. Have the child examined by a doctor who can then determine whether it is necessary to see a sports medicine specialist. A doctor can usually diagnose many of these conditions by taking a medical history, examining the child, and ordering some routine tests. It is very important to get overuse injuries diagnosed and treated to prevent them from developing into larger chronic problems. The doctor may advise the child to temporarily modify or eliminate an activity to limit stress on the body. In some cases, the child may not be able to resume the sport without risking further injury. Because overuse injuries are characterized by swelling, the doctor may prescribe rest, medications to help reduce inflammation, and physical therapy.
C
ompression: Compression of an injured ankle, knee or wrist may help reduce swelling. These include bandages such as elastic wraps, special boots, air casts, and splints.
E
levation: Keep the injured area elevated above the heart. Use a pillow to help elevate the injured limb. For acute injuries, many pediatric sports medicine specialists usually take a “better safe than sorry” approach. If an injury appears to affect basic functioning in any way — for example, if your child can’t bend a finger, is limping, or has had a change in consciousness — first aid should be administered immediately. A doctor should then see the child. If the injury seems to be more serious, it’s important to take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Your physical therapist can design an individual treatment plan to help your child return to his/her maximum activity level -mentally and physically- through structured strengthening and flexibility training. They also provide education to prevent future injuries by teaching your child proper techniques to play safe and smart. Terry Womble, MPT Physical Therapy NEA Clinic – 870.336.1530
We’ve Got You Covered! NEA PremierCare serves employers, patients, and other healthcare consumers by promoting access to high quality, cost effective health services.
provides access to:
• NEA Clinic • The Surgical Hospital of Jonesboro • Independent Physicians • NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital
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To find out if your health plan is in-network, please call us at (870) 932-0023 23. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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Family Healt T
he evolutionary advantage of storing fat for times of famine helped perpetuate the human species. Now, in an era of an abundance of food available and a decreased need to expend energy to stay alive, more of the population is becoming overweight. With school season in progress, now is a great time to establish healthy family patterns of food consumption and physical activity. This can start with caregivers realizing the way they act and the food choices they make have a profound effect on their children’s food choices as well as their interest in physical activity. Most overweight children don’t have a hormone imbalance. Children with a hormone imbalance grow slower than other children. They often have other symptoms, too, like tiredness, constipation or dry skin. If your child has these symptoms, talk with your doctor. Childhood obesity has become increasingly common over the past 20 years. It is now considered a nationwide health epidemic and many states are enacting new legislature to combat this serious problem. Today, about 1 out of 7 American children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. Overweight and obesity in children are problems for many reasons: Being overweight can have a profound, negative effect on selfesteem.
snacks are loaded with fats and sugars and are marketed to children and adolescents. Switching to only water or diet drinks can have a big impact on decreasing daily caloric intake. It is important for parents to educate their children about reading food labels and the nutrition facts in order to make better food choices to prevent overconsumption of calories. Over time, this pattern of choosing well can be habitual as it becomes part of the subconscious.
Working with your family physician or pediatrician Ask your child’s doctor to calculate and plot his or her BMI every year. Ask your doctor if there has been any inappropriate weight gain and, if so, ask your doctor for recommendations on how to deal with it.
General measures Let your child’s appetite determine how much he or she eats. Don’t demand a “clean plate.”
Obesity that begins in childhood often continues into adulthood...
Obesity that begins in childhood often continues into adulthood, leading to increased risks for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious medical conditions including the metabolic syndrome. Type 2 diabetes was once considered a disease of adults only but now is becoming a problem of the pediatric age group (those less than 18 years of age). The consumption of sugar has increased 23% since 1970 and is a major contributor to the US increase in obesity. Soft drinks and
Don’t use food as a reward or punishment. Talk with your child about making healthy choices, not about weight or appearance. Eat together as a family more, and try to eat out less. When families do not eat meals together, they tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried food and soft drinks.
Creating a more active family Limit time spent online, watching television, and playing video games to a maximum of two hours per day for children over age 2. [Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised that children younger than 2 years of age should not watch television at all.] Use an exercise machine, such as a treadmill or stationery bike, while watching television.
◆ www.neahealth.com keyword: low obesity ◆ NEACCF Center For Healthy Children 24. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
www.neacfoundation.org/chc
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lth Chat Take active vacations—go hiking or ride bicycles. Whenever possible, walk instead of drive, for errands such as going to the grocery store or post office.
Eating better as a family Drink more water. Limit soft drinks and fruit juice to 4 oz. per day for children under 2 and less than 6 oz. for children over 2. Put a clear limit on high calorie snacks such as potato chips, granola bars, and cookies. Eat more vegetables and fresh fruits and keep healthy snacks available in the house.
Making the best of fast food Sometimes you just don’t have any other option but fast food. In these situations, follow these suggestions to keep the total calorie count from getting out of hand: Order grilled chicken or fish instead of fried meats and beef. Skip french fries altogether. Drink water, diet soda, or skim milk instead of regular, sugarsweetened soda. Choose a regular-sized drink instead of a large. Have yogurt and fruit for a desert instead of ice cream or fried pies Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing problem in today’s society and has achieved the status of a “public health crisis”. It has significant impact on a child’s physical and psychological health and can lead to serious health issues in adulthood. Strategies primarily focused on behavioral modifications can impact a
child’s long term ability to adequately manage the intake and expenditure of energy. Decreasing sedentary behavior and encouraging free play have been shown to be more effective strategies than forced exercise or a major reduction of food intake in obese children. It is very important to realize that these behaviors are shaped early in childhood so they are a reflection of caregivers to a large extent. Both parents and teachers can have a major impact on an obese child’s life and long term health through the skillful encouragement of healthy behaviors.
Kenneth Dill, MD Family Medicine - Osceola NEA Clinic – 870.563.5888
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ducating the whole child for a healthier tomorrow” is the motto at the newly established Health/Wellness & Environmental Studies magnet school in Jonesboro. And with the support of numerous local experts, including physicians and staff from NEA Clinic and NEA Baptist, the newly established school is well on its way to creating that healthier tomorrow.
“E
reading has to do with the environment and health.”
As part of the recently implemented magnet school system at Jonesboro Public Schools, this health-themed elementary school is often misunderstood. Like its siblings in the Microsociety, Math & Science, Visual & Performing Arts and International Studies magnet schools throughout the district, the school’s title gives people the impression that it teaches students more about the topic in its name than the usual reading, writing and arithmetic required in elementary school curriculum.
The lunch menu at this time is the same as at other schools in the district, but the school does offer one additional fresh fruit and vegetable each day. Hiller said a goal for the school is to create a menu that involves less processed food and more fresh items, whole wheat breads, etc. The cost to do that would be about $20,000-$30,000 per year, and funding for that is not available at this time, she explained. However, with the addition of a $6 million grant for the magnet school system, this campus will be able to add some exciting features.
That’s not so, says Tracie Hiller, principal at the Health/Wellness & Environmental Studies school in which 462 students are currently enrolled. Teachers still follow all the required lessons that other schools do, but they are able to incorporate lessons about their magnet school theme into those studies.
“We’re going to begin a ‘garden to kitchen’ program,” Hiller said. “Kids will grow vegetables, harvest them, and we’ll have guest cooks come in and show them how to prepare those items. We also have plans for a greenhouse.”
“In math, we’re going to be looking at the length of things in our environment or parts of the body,” Hiller explained. “A lot of our
26. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
The school also incorporates more physical activity, healthy foods and hands-on lessons about food and nature. Each day starts off with 10-15 minutes of exercise such as Tae Bo, hip hop aerobics — something to get the children up and moving and get their bodies warmed up.
The Bio Earth Lab is another hands-on experience where students grow potatoes, study leaf collections and participate in a recycling program.
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Hiller noted that the current level of interest in society about health and environmental sensitivity has been a big factor in the school’s success. While many parents simply want their kids to be aware, some have a more vested interest.
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“I see parents who are concerned about their own health, who say ‘I don’t have a healthy lifestyle, but I want my kids to have a healthy lifestyle,’” Hiller said.
“I see parents who are concerned about their own health, who say ‘I don’t have a healthy lifestyle, but I want my kids to have a healthy lifestyle,’” Hiller said. Before the Jonesboro elementary schools transitioned to the magnet structure, students and parents were able to decide which magnet they wanted to attend. A good deal of attention was given to the interests of each child, Hiller said, and it seems many of the children in her school have an existing curiosity about health and nature. Some students are interested in the medical field and may want to pursue a career as a doctor or nurse. Students have already had numerous visits from guest speakers such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists and dentists from around the Jonesboro area. Topics have included everything from cardiology to phlebotomy. Little Docs is a program specifically tailored to meet the needs of students with a medical interest. Starting next semester, students in this group will meet once a month after school with a professional from a specific medical field who will tell them about that career and provide a more in-depth look at the work involved. They will get to see real samples of work such as x-rays to enhance the experience, Hiller said. Physical activity has been a major component of the school already, with teachers participating in a semester-long “Biggest Loser” competition to see who can lose the most weight. Students are doing a “Magic Mile Club” in which they pick a place in the world that they want to “walk to” and then use the honor system to keep track of their steps each day to “get there.” Currently, the children are walking to Athens, Greece, which is 5,872 miles. Hiller said NEA Clinic sponsored pedometers for the students so they can keep track of their steps more accurately and get a better idea of how many steps they actually take each day.
The school is also beginning a Junior Marathon, with the help of NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation’s Center for Healthy Children, in which the children keep track of their miles over the course of several weeks until they reach 26 miles. In this case, though, the kids will also complete 26 math problems and read 26 books or chapters (depending on grade level) during the marathon.
Hiller says kids are enjoying the school not only because of their interest in health or the environment, but also because of the opportunity for them to be active throughout the day. “We try to apply movement into everyday actions,” she said. “They’re not just stuck behind a desk all day while they’re learning.” With regard to the environmental studies, Hiller says the school is not just for “environmental wackos.” “We’re not ‘in your face trying to protect the environment,’ but we’re trying to make some wiser choices in our school,” she said. “We wanted them to love the environment first before we start teaching them how to protect it. We’ve started off slowly, building up the level of teaching about the environment.” In Hiller’s opinion, the magnet school concept has done a lot for teachers as well as students. “Teachers who were on the edge of burnout now have this breath of fresh air, a new level of excitement, and they are excited about teaching again,” Hiller said. About 85 percent of teachers in the district were placed in their first choice of magnet school, and all of the teachers at the Health/Wellness & Environmental Studies school requested it as their first choice, which according to Hiller indicates that teachers are particularly dedicated to teaching in this structure. Regardless of one’s opinion of the magnet school system, Hiller thinks many people can benefit from the current choices. “If your child has an interest in the medical field or in being healthy, or just in the environment, they’re gonna want to come here,” she said.
Tracie Hiller and student
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Forty Pounds & Counting... And at age 32, she is well on her way to doing a triathlon – something she didn’t think she’d work up to until age 50.
T
hat’s how much weight one Jonesboro woman has lost since she decided to start running to get fit last January.
Summer’s advice for others who are wanting to run but don’t know how to start is to start off slowly.
That woman is Summer Power, and with the help of some local running groups, she has learned how to become a runner and how to dramatically improve her endurance and increase the distance she can run or walk. And now, she’s even training to compete in a triathlon!
“Don’t set your goals too high, because if you do you won’t be able to achieve them. It is important to set goals, though, and write them down. Start off with a walk/run.”
Every year, particularly around January 1st, millions of people vow to be healthier or lose weight in the coming year.
By walk/run, Summer is referring to the method of walking for a few minutes, then running for a slightly shorter period, then walking again. Gradually, the running should increase and the walking decrease until the person can run for several minutes without interruption.
In Summer’s case, she had previously participated in the Ridge Riders Athletic Club (RRAC) running and walking events, but she had always walked everything. “This year, I decided I wanted to start running,” Summer said. “I started in January doing a 2-miler with RRAC, I really learned a lot.” Wanting to go farther with her goals, Summer took advantage of a program that was new to Jonesboro last year. The Women Can Run walking/running clinic was a 10week program open to all women in the area who wanted to improve their walking or running abilities. The program trained them to get started, gradually increase their distances, and enabled them to complete the graduation event, which was a 5K (3.1 miles) at the end of the clinic on May 12 in Conway. The clinic is just one of many across the state that are part of the Women Run Arkansas Running/Walking Club. Women from all over the state joined together in the final event in Conway to celebrate and show off their success. Aside from making friends and feeling good about completing the event, Summer said the Women Can Run clinic taught her many things about becoming a better runner. “I was still doing a lot of walking when I started, and I feel that it taught me a lot about the breathing techniques and other things that you have to watch out for as a runner,” she said. “Learning to pace yourself is something I learned from that. Being able 28. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
to run for a longer distance is really what I got out of it – increased endurance.” And learning those things in a group setting was beneficial, too. “I found it very enjoyable to be in a group,” Summer said. “It’s encouraging to do it in a group, a good motivator. If you really get into the running, people get to know you and are really encouraging.” Since completing the program in May, Summer has continued to improve her running. She participated in the Fergus Snoddy Half Marathon and was able to run 7 miles before she had to start walking.
“When I started off I would walk for 2-3 minutes, run for 1 minute, the I would work it up so the running time would equal the walk time and then go from there,” Summer explained. She also recommends programs such as the Women Can Run walking and running clinic to novice runners. “I definitely plan to do it again. It was very well organized and a lot of fun. I think it’s a positive way to get women more involved in running.”
Running regularly has made her feel better on a day-to-day basis.
Women Can Run is for women who always wanted to walk or run but didn’t know how to get started. Last spring dozens of local women joined the “Women Can Run” walking and running clinic here in Jonesboro.
“It actually give me more energy. It makes my day easier if I get to do it,” said Summer, who usually tries to get some exercise in the morning.
Free to all participants, the Jonesboro clinic was co-organized and sponsored by Gearhead Outfitters and NEA Clinic Wellness Center.
“I just realized in September that I love running. I don’t know how to explain it, but when I run it’s sort of exhilarating. It’s that ‘runner’s high’ people talk about,” she said.
For more information and to stay posted on future events, www. neaclinicwellness.com.
Summer also explained that her normally weak ankles have improved since she began running. She believes running has strengthened her ankles and has prevented her from getting injured the way she used to.
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NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation ... Giving back to the community of Northeast Arkansas
IN
REVIEW
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NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation ... Giving back to the community of Northeast Arkansas
Letter from the Director A
s the leaves begin to turn, the football games are in full swing, and the hunters begin to prepare for the upcoming hunting seasons; we begin to prepare ourselves for the colder weather and family holidays that are “right around the corner.”
This “season” in the life of our Charitable Foundation is filled with activities surrounding our annual fundraiser – The 5th Annual Duck Classic. The anticipation of the dinner, banquet, and hunt is exciting. It’s amazing to witness the generosity of the landowners who donate their land and blinds for the hunt, the sponsors who graciously help us make this happen, and the teams of hunters who prepare for this extraordinary event! It takes many volunteers working many hours to produce one of the largest fundraisers in the area. We who live here in Northeast Arkansas are so proud of our beautiful heritage; and it is thrilling to showcase our waterfowl and timberlands.
AT THE NET FOR HOPE TENNIS TOURNAMENT
WINNERS
Women’s 4.0 - 1st Place Missy McKee & Lindsey Yawn
HopeCircle, Center for Healthy Children, Medicine Assistance, and Wellness Works! (the four programs sponsored by the Charitable Foundation) are all working at capacity to serve the patients, children, and many family members who receive the services free of charge. The original program that was started in 2001, is the Medicine Assistance Program. Since that time, we have assisted patients with acquiring over $31 million of medications. We are very pleased to report that 892 children have been involved in our Center For Healthy Children since its inception in February 2006. 275 children have been through the program and 617 participated in the Junior Marathon. We estimate that about 40 people are touched each day through HopeCircle. As incredible as it sounds, we believe we have touched over 52,000 lives during the five years the program has been in existence. Our newest program that began in October, 2006, has served over 100 patients at this time. Serving the people of Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas is why we exist. Educating and serving the community to improve the quality of life for all is our mission. We are proud of these programs and the staff who work them to make a difference in our community. We are introducing a new component to our Charitable Foundation this year. You will read about The NEA Legacy Society in this issue of NEAHealth. Because we want to ensure the benefits of our programs for future patients in years to come, we have structured a giving program with many different opportunities and ways to contribute to the Charitable Foundation. We provide all our programs free of charge, so we totally rely on the generosity of the community to assist us in this cause. Please take this opportunity to become acquainted with this program and feel free to contact us for more information.
Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season and new year!
Christy Appleton Director, NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation
2nd place Jean Cox & Carol Jones
Women’s 3.5- 1st Place Alyssa Caparas & Ariel Clark
Women’s 3.0- 1st Place Alyssa Stephens & Mandy Turley
2nd place Melanie Roddy & Andrea Simpson
Men’s 3.5- 1st Place Joe Carter & Jimmy Brown
2nd place Denny & Guido Morongiu
Men’s 3.0- 1st Place Keith Chitmon & Steve Bowen
2nd place Lando Bass & Matt Powell
Happy Birthday Center for Healthy Children! Over the past two years - we've helped over 300 overweight kids and their families learn about proper nutrition and regular exercise for a healthy lifestyle.
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NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation ... Giving back to the community of Northeast Arkansas
At the Net for Hope
magine sitting in a doctor’s office and being told that you have diabetes or heart disease or cancer. What do you do next? So many people feel lost and don’t know what to do.
I
Tennis Tournament in Celebration of Hope Week For Celebration of Hope Week, the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation organized a tennis tournament to raise funds for the resource center - specifically to purchase wigs and books for the HopeCircle library. We could not have done it without the generosity of Gary Jones, the Director of Tennis at the Jonesboro Country Club, who donated his centre and his time to organize and manage the tournament draw. Thirty-seven players participated in mens’ and womens’ doubles, and $875 was raised for the HopeCircle Resource Center. A special thanks goes out to Gary and all who participated in this Celebration of Hope event!
hat is why NEA Clinic physicians teamed up with the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation to form Wellness Works!. They wanted to make that next step available to their patients.
T
Gary Jones, Hope is the foundation and theme of our Director of Tennis, HopeCircle program. Located at 311 E. Matthews, Jonesboro Country Club in the NEA Clinic - Matthews Clinic, this resource center provides support and “hope” to patients and family members alike. Anyone who is facing a catastrophic illness is invited to stop in (no appointments necessary) and talk with a staff member or volunteer about their situation. The resource center has hats, scarves, wigs, a lending library, computer with internet access, and comfortable seating to just “rest” for a minute. This space is uniquely designed to promote healing and comfort for those who need it.
Ask your doctor about
www.neacfoundation.org
NEACCF HopeCircle & The Sun To Host
“The Triumph of the Human Spirit” NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation’s HopeCircle and The Sun will host the fifth annual “Triumph of the Human Spirit” March 3rd at the Holiday Inn. The event will honor community heroes - individuals who have exemplified Hope and the” Triumph of the Human Spirit” in the way they have dealt with adversity and made a positive impact on the lives of those they encounter. Mattie Stepanek said, “Some people do not plan to make a positive difference in the world. But, some tragedy happens in their life, or in the life of a family member or friend… They find themselves in a position where they can somehow be a source of inspiration, a source of strength, a source of resources, or even a source of security for others who are in need.”
Their impact has been felt by many and is acknowledged and celebrated by their selection as one of our community heroes. Past honorees include: 2004 – Mary Katherine Berry, Fred & Susan Cathcart, Lou Anne Clements, Dr. Faye Cox, Shirley Crawford, Penny Downing (deceased), Diane Holmes, Jane McDaniel, Angela Schmidt, Steven Wright; 2005 – Becky Bownfield, Shana Cochran, Dr. & Mrs. Bill Eddington, Lindsay Jones, Melinda Knight, Joyce Morgan, Ryan Morgan, Brad Pollard, Rebecca Simmons, Terry Lee Sullivan,; 2006 – Adrienne Fulgham, Ann Henley (deceased), Clayton Mitchell, Becky Reid, Brandon Rollins, Tim Rook, Margaret Scott, Jay Simmons, Damron Thomas, Rev. Emil Williams; 2007 – Jerry
Bookout (deceased), Sister Judith Dalesandro, Jim Huston, Julie Isaacson, Rhonda Jones, Kim McNabb (deceased), Russell Patton III, Dr. Bascom Raney (deceased), Bob Riley, Rozene Whitby. This year’s honorees will be selected by a committee composed of community leaders and past honorees. Nominations will be accepted until January 16th. Contact HopeCircle, 9345214, for details on how to nominate someone to be honored as a community hero. Diana Davis will emcee Triumph of the Human Spirit, March 3, with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and can be purchased from HopeCircle or The Sun.
“Triumph of the Human Spirit” honorees are “those people”. They have dealt with illnesses, tragedies and accidents (their own and others) in manners that have encouraged and inspired family, friends and strangers. 31. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation ... Giving back to the community of Northeast Arkansas
Celebration of Hope Week Highlights Importance of Hope Hope flourished, spread rapidly and gently blew through our entire community during the second annual Celebration of Hope Week. And, smiles were in abundance as individuals, organizations, businesses, schools and churches used the week to highlight the importance of Hope in every area of our lives. Each participant was able to take the general idea of Celebrating Hope and adapt it in a way that fitted them or their organization. Individuals shared their talents, creating visual reminders of Hope. Businesses used the week as an opportunity to give back, hosting speakers, programs and blood drives, donating a percentage of sales, providing free eye exams & glasses, collecting food or other items for non-profits. Young students created hopeful art, the City Youth Choir shared their voices and teenagers baked cookies for fire fighters and encouraged recycling efforts. The events varied but the results were the same – providing Hope – for those who gave and for those who received. Celebration of Hope Week was spearheaded by the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation’s HopeCircle and based on the premise that Hope is vital to our well being and should be celebrated intentionally. Co-chairs Christy Appleton, NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation Director and Dawn Layer, Families Inc. Public Relations Coordinator, worked with all areas of the community to ensure that for one week we were made aware of the importance of Hope and took the time to share that Hope with others.
Celebration of Hope Week reminded us: “There are 3 essential things in life: Something to do Something to love Something to hope for.” Joseph Addison
www.neafoundation.org
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NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation ... Giving back to the community of Northeast Arkansas
Join the
N E A L EG A C Y S O C I E T Y Giving Now = Giving Forever The NEA Legacy Society is for the perpetual benefit of the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation. As a non-profit, 501(c) 3 entity, our Foundation exists to improve the health of our community every day. We currently provide to the community – free of charge – four programs: HopeCircle, Center for Healthy Children, Medicine Assistance Program, Wellness Works!, as well as sponsoring several scholarships. Even though the community is very generous in supporting our fundraising
Ways to Participate You may make tax-advantaged donations to The Legacy Society in several ways. Donors will be recognized at a yearly recognition event in the following ways: ❑ Immediate Contribution $1,000 to $4,999 Circle of Love $5,000 to $9,999 Circle of Health $10,000 to $24,999 Circle of Wellness $25,000 to $49,999 Circle of Hope $50,000 and above Circle of Charity ❑ Endowments Establish an endowment (minimum $10,000) designating the NEACCF as beneficiary. You may take up to three years to fully fund the endowment; additional contributions may be made at any time. Once the endowment is fully funded, the NEACCF will receive yearly contributions
events which support these programs, the challenges constantly increase as we continue to touch more lives. We invite you to become a member of the NEA Legacy Society by making a donation of at least $1,000 per year to the Foundation. This society will ensure that these programs provided by the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation, have the funds they need to continue year after year. in perpetuity. Charitable endowments benefiting the NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation will be held by and invested through the Arkansas Community Foundation, of which the Craighead County Community Foundation is an affiliate. ❑ Estate Planning You may establish a Lifetime Annuity that would provide you and/or your spouse guaranteed, tax-advantaged income for the rest of your lives, as well as other tax benefits. At your death(s), the remainder of the annuity would be added to the NEACCF’s endowment Fund. ❑ Planned Giving You may make a Planned Gift by naming The NEA Legacy Society as a beneficiary in your will, living trust, other estateplanning documents and/or life insurance contracts.
Start Today ❑ ❑ ❑
I would like to make a donation to the NEACCF for: $ ____________________ My check is enclosed. I will commit to establishing an endowment for the NEA Legacy Society. Please contact me at the number listed below. I have included the NEACCF in my will or estate-planning documents. Please keep me informed about the on-going programs of the Foundation.
Name: Address:
________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone:____________________
Signature ______________________________________________________ Date:____________
MAIL THIS TO US AT PO BOX 1960, JONESBORO, AR 72403 33. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
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11/20/07
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Pumpkin Pie Less fat and lighter than the traditional Pumpkin Pie.
h Crust • • • • • •
1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon butter 3 tablespoons canola oil 1-2 tablespoons ice water
Filling • • • • • • • • • •
1 cup canned pumpkin puree 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups evaporated fat-free milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt
1. Crust: Stir together flour, granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, swirling the pan, until the butter is light brown, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. Stir in oil. Slowly stir the butter-oil mixture into the dry ingredients with a fork until the dough is crumbly. Gradually stir in ice water, adding just enough so that the dough will hold together. Press the dough into a flattened disk. 2. Place two sheets of plastic wrap on the work surface, overlapping them. Place the dough in the center and cover with 2 more overlapping sheets of plastic wrap. Roll the dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Remove the top sheets and invert the dough over a 9-inch pie plate. Remove the remaining plastic wrap. Fold the edges under at the rim and crimp. Chill the pastry while you prepare the filling. 3. Filling: Position rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 425°F. Whisk together pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Rub through a sieve into pumpkin mixture and whisk. 4. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and bake for 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350° and bake 35 to 40 minutes longer until the filling is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover the edges with foil if they are browning too quickly. Cool on a rack. 34. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
Strawberry Spinach Salad • 1/2 cup vegetable oil • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 pound of spinach, rinsed, trimmed and torn • 1 pint fresh strawberries • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill weed • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds Combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight fitting lid and seal tightly. Shake to blend. Toss the spinach, strawberries, dill weed and sesame seeds in a bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe from
“Rendezvous on the Ridge” cookbook by the Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro. To order this cookbook visit www.jajonesboro.org
07- Fall NEA Health copy
11/26/07
10:43 AM
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The Lowdown on Potassium Potassium helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and helps balance the fluids in the body. Most nutritionists recommend getting about 3,500 mg of potassium per day. Getting enough potassium is essential for good health. Too much potassium can cause nausea and other problems. Here is a list of potassium-rich foods from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
HOLIDAY CIDER! • 1 gallon of Apple Cider • whole cloves • whole all spice • cinnamon sticks Put whole cloves and all spice in a tea ball. Combine ingredients in a large pot and boil until mulled.
Studies show that ciders are rich in antioxidants.
h
Food
Measure
mg
• Tomato paste (canned, unsalted)
1 cup
2,657
• Orange juice (frozen concentrate)
6 fl. Oz can
1,436
• White beans (canned)
1 cup
1,189
• Dates, deglet noor
1 cup
1,168
• Raisins
1 cup
1,086
• Baked potato (with skin)
1 potato
1,081
• Trail mix (tropical)
1 cup
993
• Lima beans
1 cup
955
• Marinara sauce (for pasta)
1 cup
940
• Cooked spinach
1 cup
839
• Iceberg lettuce
1 head
760
• Canned pork and beans
1 cup
746
• Cooked lentils (dried)
1 cup
731
• Baked sweet potato
1 potato
694
• Banana
1 medium
422
35. NEA HEALTH • Winter 2007
11/28/07
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l
The Surgical Hospital of Jonesboro RGB Mechanical Contractors The Sun Gardner Law Firm Suddenlink The Outdoor Channel Ericksson Associates
Thank You Sponsors!
NovaSys Tate General Contractors Cahoon Steiling Studios Healthsouth Rehab Insurance Network Barton's Coldwell Banker Southern Home Healthcare
2007 Duck Classic is a fundraiser to benefit NEA Clinic Charitable Foundation's HopeCircle, Medicine Assistance Program Center for Healthy Children and Wellness Works!
www.DuckClassic.com
Bancorp South Pinnacle Health Group Medical Dev. Assoc. Edward Jones Marble Slab Creamery Cornerstone Insurance Wilcoxson’s Kids Place ESPN
870.934.5101 www.neacfoundation.org
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11/21/07
10:57 AM
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07- Fall NEA Health copy
11/15/07
4:50 PM
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There’s Nothing Quite Like A Day At The Mall The Mall at Turtle Creek is a great pl ace to check out the l atest fashions, hang out with friends and fa mily, and just enjoy shopping at it’s finest.
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