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New Services, Programs and Expansions Sheltering Arms Launches New Brand Sheltering Arms, a 130-year-old Richmond healthcare provider that operates two inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals and 10 outpatient clinics across the greater Richmond area, announces the launch of its new brand.

Sheltering Arms is moving forward, growing and innovating to provide the best care for our patients, and we want our logo to reflect that.

Mary Zweifel, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms’ new logo mirrors the highly innovative healthcare the nonprofit provides. “We are on the cutting edge of physical rehabilitation, combining advanced technology with a holistic approach to care. This recipe gives people the best possible chance for success following illness or injury,” Zweifel adds. While there is a clear tie-in to its well-known logo—the iconic purple tree—the new logo modernizes the look while adding the patient-centric human element that is so central to the history and legacy of Sheltering Arms. The rebrand starts an exciting year for Sheltering Arms. In June, the doors of Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, will open in east Goochland at the intersection of 288 and Broad Street. The brand new state-of-the-science, 114-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility will combine advanced research, training and innovative transdisciplinary rehabilitative care.

More information: To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals (in Mechanicsville and Midlothian) and 10 outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, call 877.56.REHAB or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

New Technologies New Treatment Option for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain HCA Virginia’s Parham Doctors’ Hospital is the first in Virginia to offer a new approach that provides relief for patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP). The Intracept procedure, performed by Daniel Martin, MD, a spine interventionist who practices at Parham Doctors’ Hospital, is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure which targets a nerve located in the spine. It is indicated for patients who have experienced chronic low back pain for at least six months and have not responded to at least six months of conservative care. During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a specialized probe into the vertebrae and uses radiofrequency energy or heat to disable the nerve, rendering it unable to transmit pain signals. The procedure takes approximately 60-90 minutes and does not involve an implant nor change the structure of the spine.

We are pleased to offer a new option for patients suffering from debilitating chronic low back pain that have failed conservative therapy.

Daniel Martin, MD

The Intracept procedure is supported by two randomized control trials with over 350 patients enrolling in the trials. One trial demonstrated a highly significant difference in pain reduction at three months for patients that received the Intracept procedure compared to patients that received standard care. In the other trial, patients who received the Intracept procedure reported a 53 percent decrease in pain at year two follow up appointments. “I’m excited that the comprehensive spine program at Parham Doctors’ is the first in the Commonwealth to offer this new treatment for patients in our region,” says Ryan Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of Henrico Doctors’ Hospitals.

John “J.D.” Morris, CPO will see patients in the new Richmond location.

New Facilities and Relocations Virginia Prosthetics Expands to Richmond Market Virginia Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. has opened a new patient-treatment facility in Richmond—its 15th location in Virginia—and first in the Richmond metro area. The new office is located at 10710 Midlothian Turnpike in The Fairfax Building, Suite 116 in Richmond. “Our service area stretches from far Southwest Virginia to Central Virginia, and has grown continuously since our founding in Roanoke in 1966,” explains J. Douglas Call, CP, President of Virginia Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. “Choosing Richmond as our newest location is a natural continuation of that growth, and driven in part by patient demand as well as Richmond’s positive business climate. We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to help area patients live a life without limitations using the latest orthotic and prosthetic technology and advice of skilled practitioners.” John “J.D.” Morris, CPO, is the certified prosthetist and orthotist serving patients in the new Richmond location. He joined the company in 2011 after practicing in the Shenandoah Valley for a number of years, and most recently treated patients at Virginia Prosthetics’ Harrisonburg and Charlottesville locations. Morris earned a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, completed his orthotic and prosthetic education in the Prosthetics and Orthotics program at California State University, and served in the U.S. Navy. Founded in Roanoke in 1966, Virginia Prosthetics and Orthotics is Virginia’s oldest and largest orthotic and prosthetic provider.

Supporters of Virginia's proposed tobacco control legislation.

Community Health and Policy Virginia Lawmakers Propose Tobacco Control Legislation At the recent Tobacco Control Policy Press Conference, Virginia lawmakers and public health organizations introduced three tobacco control bills to protect the health of our community—specifically Virginia’s youth—from tobacco addiction and tobacco-related disease and death. Delegate Patrick Hope provided an overview of the three proposed bills: tobacco tax (HB 1120), tobacco retail licensing (HB 1283) and flavored tobacco ban (HB 1119). The Virginia cigarette tax is currently $0.30 per pack, the second lowest in the country and well-below the national average of $1.81. Hope recommends increasing the cigarette tax in Virginia by $1.50 and adding a 39 percent wholesale tax on other tobacco products to save lives and provide revenue toward cessation initiatives. A significant increase has proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent children from smoking and to encourage cessation among adults. Currently, Virginia does not have a system to accurately identify tobacco retailers in Virginia. HB 1283 would create a comprehensive list of tobacco retailers in the Commonwealth allowing for better enforcement and merchant education to prevent tobacco sales to youth who are already victims of the tobacco industry.

Laws that penalize underage youth are difficult to enforce and raise the possibility of selective enforcement against people of color, LGBTQ youth, youth with disabilities and boys who are more likely to smoke, because they have been targeted via advertising and product placement by the tobacco industry.

The third bill would ban flavored tobacco and exceeds President Trump’s plan which prohibits fruity and sweet flavors in electronic cigarettes by also exempting menthol and flavored liquids for open tank systems. Pediatrician and Director for the Medical Society of Virginia, Harry Gewanter, MD, expressed his concerns about how the tobacco industry targets youth with flavored and menthol products.

The first tobacco product used by over 80 percent of youth will be a flavored one and if menthol cigarettes are left on the market, kids will likely shift to using those.

Harry Gewanter, MD

Delegate Cliff Hayes, Senator Jennifer Boysko, Senator Adam Ebbin and Richard Szucs, MD also gave remarks expressing their support of the bills to protect the health of all Virginians. The bills are also supported by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Medical Society of Virginia, Tobacco21.org and Tobacco Free Alliance of Virginia.

More information: Visit www.virginiageneralassembly.gov to easily track proposed tobacco bills

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New Partnerships, Ventures and Acquisitions Care Advantage and Team Nurse Unite Through Acquisition Care Advantage, a leading provider of home healthcare services in the Mid-Atlantic and a BelHealth Investment Partners (“BelHealth”) portfolio company, announces the acquisition of Team Nurse Inc. and its affiliated entities (“Team Nurse”). Headquartered in South Boston, Team Nurse was founded in 2000 and currently operates 17 locations throughout Virginia. The Company provides both in-home personal care and skilled home health services and maintains a staff of over 400 caregivers. The business was founded by Steve Mize, a Virginia-based entrepreneur who has a long-standing relationship with Care Advantage stemming from a purchase of two Care Advantage branches in 2000. Team Nurse’s rural locations dove-tail neatly into Care Advantage’s existing footprint. The result of which means a more comprehensive offering in terms of service and geographic coverage to all Virginian’s. The acquisition brings Care Advantage’s total number of branches to over 40 and are located throughout Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C. The Company services a mix of private-pay and Medicaid patients, as well as offers personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and companionship. In addition, Care Advantage also provides “skilled” services by licensed nurses and therapists through it’s All About Care and Paradise companies. With our teams combined, we will further our position as one of the largest home health providers in the state of Virginia,” says Tim Hanold, CEO of Care Advantage. “We now have a service area of 90% of the state and provide a full continuum of care to our patients.”

High clinical integrity, quality home care services, and deep local relationships are without question attributes we share. We are excited to become part of the Care Advantage family to continually provide exceptional levels of care.

Steve Mize, founder of Team Nurse

More information: Visit www.careadvantageinc.com.

New Facilities and Relocations

New Pediatric Practice Now Accepting Patients in Richmond Bon Secours’ newest pediatric practice—Bon Secours Pediatrics of Richmond at Reynolds Crossing—located at 7001 Forest Avenue, Suite 103, Richmond, has opened. The new Bon Secours practice offers comprehensive pediatric care for patients from birth through college age. In addition to providing primary care, the practice is equipped to see patients dealing with behavioral issues as well as chronic medical issues including asthma, allergies, and obesity. More information: Visit www.bonsecours.com/richmond, or call 804.285.6811.

CORRECTION In the 2019 Best Bedside Manner Awards recognition, found in the November/December issue of OurHealth Magazine for Richmond, there was an error in the specialty Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology).

The provider placing third in Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology) is George S. Tarasidis, MD of Virginia Ear Nose and Throat. Dr. Tarasidis sees patients at both the Midlothian and Prince George locations. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.virginiaent.com or call 804.484.3700.

For More of The Pulse Visit: www.ourhealthrichmond.com

Do you have health-related news to share for The Pulse? Send to Stephen McClintic Jr. via email at steve@ourhealthvirginia.com.

Kelsey Blazar, NP Bon Secours Pediatrics of Mechanicsville Mechanicsville |804.730.4690 www.bonsecours.com/ richmond

William B. Eggleston, MD Blackstone Family Practice Center Blackstone|434.292.7261 www.bonsecours.com/ richmond

Nicholas Schey, MD Bon Secours Pediatrics of Mechanicsville Mechanicsville |804.730.4690 www.bonsecours.com/ richmond

Angela Thomas, PT, OCS Women’s Health Physical Therapy and Men’s Pelvic Health Richmond | 804.282.3500 www.obgyn-physicaltherapy.com

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