June • July 2018 ourhealthroanokenrv.com
NURSES OUTSTANDING Celebrating
LOCAL NURSES for making the
TRUE DIFFERENCE in
HEALTHCARE
PLUS:
NATURAL HEALTH:
TIPS FOR TAKING ON
SUMMER HEAT
REASONS TO SMILE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ORAL
HEALTH SERVICES
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FEATURES JUNE • JULY 2018
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OUTSTANDING NURSES
A celebration of 13 nursing professionals in the Roanoke & New River Valley communities who were nominated by colleagues, family members and friends for their excellence and commitment in everything they do.
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UNCOVERING THE COSTS OF MEDICAL CARE Six ways to find out how much you are really paying for healthcare – plus how to negotiate your medical bills!
MEN ON A HEALTHY MISSION
JOIN THE OurHealth Community ON Social Media! Write us, tweet us, or tag us today! #OurHealthRNRV
In honor of Men’s Health Month in June, physicians in the Roanoke & New River Valley communities share their insight on important screenings all men should have plus much more! www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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DEPARTMENTS JUNE • JULY 2018
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The Pulse | People. Places. News to Know.
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Calendar | Things to Do in Roanoke & New River
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Q&A on Health | Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Holistic & Natural Medicine | Observe. Progressive. Open-Minded. Michael Arthur, MD, IFMCP of The Center for Ultra Health in Roanoke shares his expertise on easy, natural ways to get healthy this summer.
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Food and Fitness | Nutrition. Exercise. Prevention. Summer Foods: Summer time is nearly here and so are healthy fruits and vegetables that you can use for our delicious featured recipes!
Community Minded From here to Zambia, Gil Harrington gives back to honor her daughter, Morgan Harrington and help Save The Next Girl.
Whole Family.
37 - Reasons to Smile at Every Age: Roanoke & New River Valleys dental care specialists provide important information in our guide to overall oral health.
Health Scene | Happenings. Who’s Who. Trending.
Volunteer Spotlight | Heroes. Champions.
Health A-Z | Insight. Awareness. Mindfulness for the 33 - Free, Fun & Life-Saving: Why Kids Need the Y Splash Program
Valleys during June and July for your Mind, Body and Soul
The 2018 Docs Rock Fashion Show benefiting the Bradley Free Clinic featured prominent area physicians and dentists taking to the fashion runway.
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Aging Well | Wisdom. Dignity. Support.
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Funny Bone | Spot the Seven Differences
Why a place for mom and dad makes an amazing difference in their health and happiness
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june • july 2018 PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEBMASTER ACCOUNTING MANAGER ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY GUEST PHOTOGRAPHERS
McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Hungate Kim Wood Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Heidi McClintic Laura Bower Sunny Wasiela / Sunnyography David Amos Bob Crawford Narik Page
CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS
Nathan Gay, PT, DPT, CMP Lesli Mace, PA-C Corey Meador, MS, CCC-SLP, CDP, CADDCT Barbara Moore, MD Richard Ruble, CPO Brian E. Wood, DO, DFAPA
CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL Catherine Brown EXPERTS & WRITERS Brandy Centolanza Jennifer Lamont Michelle McLees
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Kim Wood | P: 540.798.2504 kimwood@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are $19.95 per year. To receive OurHealth via U.S. Mail, please contact Jenny Hungate at jenny@ourhealthvirginia.com
@ourhealthSWVA
COMMENTS/FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS We welcome your feedback. Please send all comments and/or questions to the following: U.S. Mail: McClintic Media, Inc., ATTN: Steve McClintic, Jr., President/ Publisher/Editor: 303 S. Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Ext. 1 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth websites (websites listed below) and social media updates and emails is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical or health advice of an individual’s physician or healthcare provider as it relates to individual situations. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF YOUR DOCTOR. All matters concerning physical and mental health should be supervised by a health practitioner knowledgeable in treating that particular condition. The publisher does not directly or indirectly dispense medical advice and does not assume any responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves. The publisher has taken reasonable precaution in preparing this publication, however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright © 2018 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Roanoke and New River Valleys is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 303 S. Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483. MAIN: ourhealthvirginia.com | ourhealthroanokenrv.com | ourhealthlynchburg.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcharlottesville.com | Advertising rates upon request.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
The Pulse INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS words | OURHEALTH STAFF WRITER
New People Friendship Health Appoints New Administrators Friendship Health has announced the selection of Chad Isabelle as its new administrator for their Rehab South facility and Chuck Flynn as its new administrator for their Assisted Living facility.
Nathaniel L. Bishop, MD
Recognitions Jefferson College President Receives VHHA Meritorious Service Award Jefferson College of Health Sciences president Nathaniel L. Bishop, MD has been honored with the Meritorious Service Award by The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA). The Meritorious Service Award honors people other than chief executive officers affiliated with member institutions who have a history of making significant contributions to the healthcare field – on both a state and local level – through commitment to service and leadership. Dr. Bishop was nominated by Steve Arner, Carilion Clinic COO and president and CEO of Carilion Medical Center, for his many years of service as president of Jefferson College, as well as his time with Carilion as a vice president. Arner has also elected to the 2018-2019 VHHA Board of Directors. For More Information: www.jchs.edu
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“Our team is very excited about the leadership Chad will bring to Friendship with his focus on residents,” says Ben Higgins, director of operations of Friendship Health. “We are equally as excited about the passion Chuck brings along with his experience from throughout his career,” says Higgins. Friendship opened its first building in 1966 and has grown steadily since offering award-winning care, innovative treatments, diverse living accommodations, specialized rehab and therapy services, and most recently, The Feinour Center – Adult Medical Day Center. This has created a worldclass community where the needs of active adults and rehabilitation patients of all ages are met within a caring community. For More Information: www.friendship.us
CORRECTION: Rising Stars in Healthcare article (page 48) of the April/May 2018 edition: Tyler Manee’s feature had the following errors: “Family Nurse Practitioner” was inadvertently listed and his title, “Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist” was misspelled. The digital edition reflects the corrections and can be viewed here: www.bit.ly/2qq4S5u
Yasmeen Adams, NP
Carilion Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Roanoke | 540.526.2273 www.CarilionClinic.org
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Holly Borkert, CNM
Carilion Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Blacksburg | 540.961.1058 www.CarilionClinic.org
Cheryl Carter
Andrea Chamczuk, MD
Marketing Director Carilion Clinic Neurosurgery Carriage Hill Assisted Living Roanoke | 540.224.5170 & Memory Care Community www.CarilionClinic.org Bedford | 540.586.5982 www.carriagehillretirement.com
The Pulse
CONTINUED...
Douglas Dalton, II, PA
Chuck Flynn
Chelsea Greenspan, PA Amber Hall, CNM
Carilion Clinic Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Roanoke | 540.510.6200 www.CarilionClinic.org
Assisted Living Administrator Friendship Living Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Tazewell | 276.988.8850 Www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Clinic Cardiothoracic Surgery Roanoke | 540.853.0100 www.CarilionClinic.org
Patrick Ketchersid, PA Mary Riley, NP Carilion Clinic Orthopaedic Surgery Blacksburg | 540.510.6200 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Children’s Child Development Roanoke | 540.224.4520 www.CarilionClinic.org
Chantelle Drake, NP Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Christiansburg | 540.731.4578 www.CarilionClinic.org
• NEWS TO KNOW
Fay Crawshaw, PA
Olivia Ferguson, PA
Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics Christiansburg | 540.510.6200 www.CarilionClinic.org
Samuel Jackson, PA Carilion Clinic Cardiothoracic Surgery Roanoke | 540.853.0100 www.CarilionClinic.org
Aashit Shah, MD, Chief Ryleigh Smith, NP Carilion Clinic Neurology Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Children’s Pediatric Neurology Roanoke | 540.985.8454 www.CarilionClinic.org
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The Pulse
• NEWS TO KNOW
Fundraisers LewisGale Physicians Present Donations to Ronald McDonald House Doctors and staff at LewisGale Physicians in Salem recently made the lives of some very special guests at Roanoke’s Ronald McDonald House a little brighter with their donation of toys, snacks, supplies, and funds. Nancy Howell Agee
Recognitions Carilion Clinic president and CEO Sworn in as the American Hospital Association’s 2018 Board Chair On Sunday, May 6, 2018, Carilion Clinic president and CEO Nancy Howell Agee was officially inducted as the American Hospital Association’s board chair. The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of healthcare provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The association includes nearly 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. As chair, Agee is charged with advocating for hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide, as well as for consumers and patients, focusing on access, value and affordability of care. Agee was selected as the chair-elect designate in July of 2016, serving as chair-elect starting in January 2017, and beginning her one-year term as chair this January. Already in her time as board chair, she has worked to push the AHA’s Value initiative, meeting with key players in the industry, policymakers and the Trump Administration to work on improving affordability. For More Information: www.carilionclinic.org
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“For several weeks [this spring], the LewisGale Physicians team collected donations from our physicians and staff to benefit children staying at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Michelle Peery, director of operations at LewisGale Physicians. “As part of a team-building activity, we wanted to work together to benefit a local organization and everyone agreed Roanoke’s Ronald McDonald House was a natural fit.” LewisGale Physicians has raised close to $10,000 for the local non-profit. Part of the funds went toward the purchase of toys and snacks to stock the House’s new “Magic Room” used by children staying at the House, with the remaining funds earmarked for supplies and the House’s daily operations. “The Magic Room is where children go to select a toy that is theirs to keep both while they’re at the Ronald McDonald House and when they return home,” says Anna Semonco, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia. “The toys help relieve children’s fear and anxiety during what is understandably a stressful time, and help bring them happiness during their stay here. We can’t thank LewisGale Physicians enough for their generous donation of both time and money, and for their ongoing commitment to helping children and a local non-profit organization.” For More Information: www.lgphysicians.com
Photo (from left to right): Savanna Bowling, LewisGale Physicians; James Taylor, DO, LewisGale Physicians; Anna Semonco, Ronald McDonald House; Stuart Trinkle, Ronald McDonald House Board; Heather Cullen, Ronald McDonald House Board
Recognitions Local Agent Named 2018 Professional Agent of the Year Carla Jean Marks, President of the Marks-Tiller Insurance Agency in Roanoke has been named the 2018 Professional Agent of the Year by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). “Carla is a small town, Main Street agent, the very backbone of PIA,” said Kevin P. Kowar, Association Executive of PIA of Virginia and DC.” PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all types of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. For More Information: www.pianet.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
The Pulse • NEWS TO KNOW
D. Russ Villier, DMD & Eugenia Larrowe, DDS
Relocations News and Notes Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Installs Solar Power System Carilion New River Valley Medical Center (CNRV) has installed a solar array to supplement its energy needs. The system is expected to generate 17 percent of the hospital’s annual electricity, saving an estimated $1.5 billion over 20 years and significantly reducing the facility’s carbon footprint. The project was supported by The U.S. Department of Agriculture with a $500,000 grant from the Rural Energy for America Program. “We are so excited about our investment in solar energy,” says Nancy Howell Agee, president and CEO of Carilion Clinic. “It not only reduces operational costs and our carbon footprint, but the savings will ultimately help to reduce healthcare costs for our community.”
Cross, Lavinder, Quinn & Park Family Dentistry announces the following changes: D. Russ Villier, DMD now practices full-time, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, at the Vinton office, located at 224 W. Virginia Avenue, Vinton. Eugenia Larrowe, DDS now practices part-time in the Daleville office, located at 175 Market Ridge Lane, Daleville. For More Information: www.dentistroanoke.com
CNRV creates its own solar electricity and purchases services from Staunton-based solar company Secure Futures, LLC, which finances, owns, operates and maintains the array. The panels were installed on leased, actively managed farmland adjacent to the hospital. The property doubles as a sheep pasture, which also increases the economic output of the land. Including battery storage, the CNRV solar power system represents the first use of clean energy for backup power by a hospital in the state. The “nanogrid,” an on-site electrical grid including both power and storage, will power essential hospital functions in the event of a blackout. CNRV is also the first hospital in the state to utilize a single-axis solar tracking system, which allows panels to tilt from east to west throughout the day, following the journey of the sun to maximize efficiency. CNRV is expecting its carbon footprint to be reduced by an average of 3.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, ultimately saving the same amount of energy that would power 200 households for a year. “This is part of Carilion’s system-wide sustainability initiative,” said Bill Flattery, vice president of Carilion’s Western Region. “We are committed to decreasing our impact on the environment and improving the health of the communities that we serve. I’m proud that our teams at CNRV are taking that commitment to heart.” For More Information: www.carilionclinic.org
For More of The Pulse Visit:
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com Do you have health-related news to share for The Pulse? Send to Stephen McClintic Jr. via email at steve@ourhealthvirginia.com. www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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JUNE & JULY
CALENDAR
INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS
6.2 ALL DAY
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER
Stop by the Mill Mountain Discovery Center for a family friendly, environmental education program guaranteed to teach families how to get their hands dirty and make the neighborhood beautiful. Suitable for all ages, the program teaches participants how to make wildflower seed bombs with native wildflower seeds that they can then take home and plant.
$8 | Anytime between 11 am – 3 pm Mill Mountain Discovery Center | 2000 J P Fishburn Parkway | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2G5WFbE
6.6: THE BIG RUN
Last year, 12,000 runners across the country participated in the first-ever Fleet Feet nationwide 5K, The Big Run, on Global Running Day. For 2018, The Big Run is back and bigger than ever. The Big Run Roanoke 5K race takes place on the Tinker Greenway, starting and ending at Fallon Park. Participants of all levels are welcome and winners will be recognized with some truly unique rewards. Proceeds will benefit Project Forward, a local non-profit with the mission to allow the citizens of Roanoke access to good shoes and a means to move, ultimately creating a happier and healthier community.
$30 | Race starts at 6:30 pm Fallon Park | 2116 Dale Avenue SE | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2oVJMgo
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FREE | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Christiansburg Recreation Center 1600 North Franklin Street Christiansburg More Information: Pre-register at c 540.382.2349 or w www.bit.ly/2rAUNDo
6.19: STAND UP PADDLEBOARD YOGA
That's right folks, we said stand up paddleboard AND yoga! Participants will experience the ultimate combination of balance and focus in a new setting while still practicing classic yoga poses and techniques. All equipment is provided. Prior Yoga experience is not necessary, but extremely beneficial. Participants must be able to swim. Ages 18 and older or 10 and older with an adult are welcome.
$25 | 6 pm – 8 pm Carvins Cove Natural Reserve-Boat Landing 9744 Reservoir Road | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2jLOvfS
6.9: 2018
CLAYTOR LAKE FESTIVAL
• JUNE & JULY
Join us the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm for a onehour wellness workshop presented by one of Carilion Clinic's Community Health Educators. Attendees will learn the skills needed to make healthy eating and regular physical activity a part of their lifestyle.
Calendar
6.7: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY is the Key to Living Well
Kick off the summer season with the 21st Annual Claytor Lake Beach Festival. Enjoy a slew of family friendly activities including: arts and crafts, food vendors, sports, live entertainment, fireworks at dusk, and more.
Parking is $10 or $5 plus five cans of food for donation per vehicle | 10 am – 9 pm Claytor Lake State Park 6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive | Dublin More Information: c 540.980.7363 or w www.bit.ly/2Ibb0Wk
6.30: SHAKE, BAKE AND
SPROUT CHILDREN’S EVENT Check out Vinton Farmers Market fun and educational activities for children, including hands-on container garden, child's cooking, and fun exercise and movement. Entertainment by Knuckleheadz Kid Hop.
Free | 11 am – 1 pm Downtown Vinton 204 W Lee Avenue | Vinton More Information: c 540.983.0613 or w www.bit.ly/2rCkEe8
GOAT YOGA
Goat Yoga offers the many therapeutic benefits of yoga with animals in a light-hearted, fun, beginners yoga class with adorable miniature goats. Step outside of your everyday routine, have fun, and remind yourself to not take life so seriously. Expect to experience lots of smiles and giggles and you will be given the opportunity after the class to feed and cuddle with the goats. Pre-registration is required and participants must sign a waiver. Ages 10 and older are welcome.
$22 | 1 pm – 2 pm The BARN at Autumn Ridge | 190 Autumn Ridge Lane | Lexington More Information: w www.bit.ly/2Kejpc9 www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Calendar
• JUNE & JULY
DON'T MISS
7.4: FOUR ON THE FOURTH 4-MILER
The HomeTown Bank's Four on the 4th presented by Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke is a family friendly event open to all ages, men, women, children, walkers, strollers, joggers, and fitness enthusiast. It includes a 4-Mile Run/Walk followed by a half mile Kids Fun Run. The race starts and finishes near the Wells Fargo Plaza in Downtown Roanoke. Proceeds will benefit the Healthy Lifestyles programming provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia.
Race Registration: $30 | Kids Fun Run: FREE Race starts at 8 am | Kids Fun Run starts at 9 am Wells Fargo Plaza | 10 South Jefferson Street | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2oyxuJK
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7.6
HEALTH WALKS AND TALKS:
HIKING TO THE STAR
Carilion Clinic Community Health & Outreach offers free guided health walks and talks to the community led by our health educators. You must be 18 or older to participate. If under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required, simply show up.
FREE | 9 am Mill Mountain Star Trailhead 1209-1269 Riverland Road, SE | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2ryKP5F
7.12 FISHBURN YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE Roanoke Parks and Recreation is teaming up with East Coasters Bike Shop to present Roanoke's sixth annual FREE mountain biking race series. The Fishburn Youth Mountain Biking Race Series is aimed at novice racers from ages two to 14. Riders will compete on a short, spectator friendly course against kids of their own age and skill level.
FREE | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Fishburn Park | 2304 Brambleton Avenue SW | Roanoke More Information: w www.bit.ly/2jKPWeG
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
7.20: Alzheimer's Association
Caregiver Support Group Conducted by trained facilitators, this group is a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to develop a support system, exchange practical information, talk through issues and ways of coping, share feelings and learn about community resources.
FREE | 3 pm – 4 pm Warm Hearth Village Center-Woodland Studio 2387 Warm Hearth Drive | Blacksburg More Information: c Heather Gearhart at 540.443.3448
FRESH FROM
THE MARKET
Have you been to the farmers market, or are you harvesting your own produce? Learn how to transform that fresh seasonal produce into satisfying dishes. Cuisine courses include a full meal including snacks and appetizers.
$65 | 6 pm – 8:30 pm Gourmet Pantry | 401 S. Main Street | Blacksburg More Information: c 540.951.1995 or w www.bit.ly/2jOCupS
For More Events Visit: OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com Do you have an event that our readers simply must know about? Tell us about it by emailing Stephen McClintic Jr. at steve@ourhealthvirginia.com. Please submit your information at least three months in advance to be considered for publication in the magazine. www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Health Scene HAPPENINGS • WHO’S WHO • TRENDING photos | DAVID AMOS, BOB CRAWFORD, NARIK PAGE
2018 Docs Rock Fashion Benefiting the Bradley Free Clinic Docs Rock Fashion returned to the Roanoke Country Club on Saturday, April 14th as more than 300 supporters of the Bradley Free Clinic gathered to have a good time while showing their support. The event featured prominent area physicians and dentists taking to the fashion runway. Silent and live auctions were conducted before the fashion show. Johnson Orthodontics was the Diamond sponsor and the fashion show was emceed by WDBJ’s Neesey Payne and Q99’s David Page.
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1 New Focus Media’s Tommy Page and Haley Toyota’s Chuck Baker. 2 Dr. Andrew Fintel. 3 Ben and Tina Genaro of Roanoke. 4 Dr. Carolyn Clark and Dr. David Points. 5 Dr. Barry Wolfe. 6 Emcees’ David Page of Q99 and Neesy Payne of WDBJ7. 7 Dr. Lucian Grove and Tammy Grove. 8 Sahaan Casteno and Meyha Swaroop. 9 Dr. Aimee Conlee. 10 Dr. Dominque Dempah. 11 Dr. Julie Joseph. 12 Dr. Evan Johnson and Dr. Amanda Johnson. 13 The staff of Johnson Orthodontics, the event’s Diamond level sponsor (from left): Jennifer Decker, Brooke Loritsch, Erica Louthian, Valerie Lester, Ona Zwart, Michelle Ferguson, Brittany Stoots, Melissa Sutler, and Diane Grigg. 14 Dr. Julie Joseph. 15 Allie Dunleavy, Dr. Aimee Conlee, Michelle Musser, Brad Dunleavy, Dr. David Prior.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
VOLUNTEER
Spotlight HEROES • CHAMPIONS • COMMUNITY-MINDED
From Here to Zambia, Gil Harrington Gives Back to
HONOR
HER DAUGHTER and Help Save the Next Girl
words |CATHERINE BROWN
In 2009, Gil and Dan Harrington experienced the crushing horror and devastation of having their 20-year-old daughter Morgan go missing after a concert in Charlottesville. 101 days later, her remains were found. In their determination to honor Morgan’s memory, the Harringtons devoted themselves to helping others. When talking about her commitment to charitable work, Gil Harrington asserts, “We can’t let evil win.”
Help Save the Next Girl: Gil and Dan’s Quest to Spread Love and Action Their determination to persevere in the face of hate has led Gil and Dan to honor their daughter through several organizations that serve other people in need. One such organization, Help Save the Next Girl, grew organically out of a Charlottesville press conference that took place shortly after Morgan went missing. The Harringtons were fiercely determined to help save other girls from predatory violence and to prevent other families from having to experience the anguish they faced. Gil, who serves as president of Help Save the Next Girl, works toward three goals: A educating middle, high school and college students about violence and the ways they can protect one another; B providing victim outreach by helping victims’ families spread the word about a missing person, sitting with them in court and helping pay for funerals; and C lobbying for new laws that enhance safety. As of now, Help Save the Next Girl has lobbied for the passage of many safety-related bills involving education on sexual
Pictured Above: Dr. Daniel Harrington and Gil Harrington with Help Save the Next Girl supporters at the Dogwood Festival in Vinton.
violence, DNA collection and reporting of crime. When talking about her advocacy role, Gil says, “I’m surprised that’s another place Morgan has taken me.”
How Help Save the Next Girl is Waking Up Law Enforcement, Kids and the Media Help Save the Next Girl partners with Roanoke and Radford Police Departments as well as the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and currently has 76 chapters in schools as far away as Oregon and California. Volunteers include people who knew Morgan, like her former professor and vice president of the organization, Jane Lillian Vance, and friends of other women who have gone missing. The organization presents safety summits that focus on promoting personal safety and preventing violence. “We’ve got to wake these kids up and keep them safe,” Gil says. Help Save the Next Girl recently hosted an event for Missing Persons Day. This event enabled families with missing persons to talk to law enforcement officials, provide DNA samples and share their struggles with one another. Area church staff members were also available for family members who needed spiritual support. The organization also works to improve relationships between victims and the media. In the past, Gil explains, there has been shame associated with rape and murder. People tend to assume the victim is somehow bad, in part because it helps them assuage fears that their loved ones could become victims. At times, that shame has kept victims’ families from talking openly to the media and sharing stories that could help cases to be solved. “We had to be the face of www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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VOLUNTEER Spotlight • HEROES
this kind of crime,” Gil says, “because we needed to collaborate with the media to find the serial killer who had killed our daughter.”
From Here to Zambia and Beyond: Morgan’s Legacy of Love The Harringtons’ efforts to spread love in the face of tragedy have extended far beyond their Roanoke home. Both Gil, an oncology nurse, and Dan, a psychiatrist and Dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, are caregivers. They instilled the desire to give back in both Morgan and her brother, Alex, who has volunteered with children involved in domestic violence cases and with Camp Easterseals. Thirteen years ago, Gil took her first trip to Zambia with OMNI, Orphan Medical Network International. This June will be the fifteenth time she will have traveled there to provide healthcare to the tribal regions near the OMNI School. The school serves 250 orphans in grades one through nine, and in 2012, the Harringtons honored Morgan by creating a threeclassroom building named the Morgan Harrington Educational Wing. Most of the funding came from the Morgan Harrington Memorial Golf Tournament, organized by Morgan’s close friend Erin Cole. The two friends had been planning to travel to Zambia with the medical team after graduating from college. “From ashes you can make cinderblocks, and with cinderblocks you can build,” Gil says. “We took Morgan’s ashes and mixed them into the school foundation.” Morgan wanted to become a teacher, so it was meaningful for Gil and Dan to honor her that way. “If you can accept the blessing of it,” Gil says, “Morgan will be fundamental in educating hundreds more kids than she would be otherwise.”
Close to Home, Morgan’s Scholarship is “Sending Healers into the Community”
Top Photo: Gil and Morgan in 2009, 9 months before her death. Bottom Photo: Erin Cole, a friend of Morgan with Morgan's mother, Gil Harrington standing in front of the OMNI school in Zambia, Africa.
Morgan is also helping students close to home through the Morgan Dana Harrington Scholarship Fund at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Morgan had worked at the school with her father for a summer, and her experience there influenced her decision to pursue education. When talking about how the need-based scholarship both honors Morgan and gives back, Gil says, “In direct response to our injury, we are sending healers into the community. That’s how you neutralize evil.” In her tragically shortened life, Morgan profoundly impacted her world, leaving many devastated and saddened by her loss. As Morgan lives through and guides Gil and Dan in their efforts to spread love and help those in need, she continues to make the world a better place.
ON THE WEB
More at OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
ANGIOEDEMA can happen to people of all ages, sex and race. Food reactions are most common in children. Events related to medications, such as antihypertensive ACE inhibitors, is a common culprit occurring typically in an older population.
What is Angioedema? Angioedema is commonly mistaken as a dermatological condition due to its outward appearance and dramatic swelling. Some have described this swelling event as giant hives. It most commonly occurs around the lips and eyes. The hands, feet, genitals, tongue and even the airway can also be affected; the latter requires immediate medical attention. However, angioedema is actually an immune condition that could afflict 10 percent of the population in their lifetime. The more common form of angioedema is an allergic reaction to external triggers such as food, medication and insect stings. There are also forms related to autoimmune disease or genetic disorders. Angioedema is swelling of the deep tissue of the skin, submucosa of the mouth, throat or even the gastrointestinal track. Symptoms of tingling or a burning sensation is common. It is not strongly associated with itching like urticarial (hives). Angioedema can be associated with hives but the two can present independent of the other. Abdominal pain can occur when the gastrointestinal track swells. The treatment of an allergic angioedema event is antihistamines and epinephrine must be utilized when breathing is affected. After an event of angioedema you should consult your primary care physician and/or an allergist/immunologist.
What types of conditions can be treated with dry needling? Dry needling (Trigger Point Dry Needling) uses fine gauge needles inserted into muscle tissue to deactivate “hot spots”, known as trigger points, in the muscle. Dry needling can be effective in treating headache, neck and shoulder pain, tennis elbow, hip and knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and other conditions that have muscle injury or spasm as a contributing factor. Dry needling can also be used to help sports enthusiasts optimize their muscle performance by treating non-painful trigger points that inhibit normal muscle function. Dry needling is most effective as a part of a comprehensive manual therapy and corrective exercise program that not only releases trigger points, but also specifically re-educates the affected muscles to fire properly in functional patterns.
Nate Gay, PT, DPT, CMP
Primary Solutions Physical Therapy Vinton | 540.529.9381 www.primarysolutionspt.com
What is Salpingectomy? Salpingectomy means the surgical removal of a Fallopian tube. The term arises from the other medical name for the tubes, which is salpinx, meaning trumpet. This describes the shape of the tubes, which are narrow at their attachment to the uterus and fan out into a large bell at the end. This enables the egg to be swept off of the ovary at ovulation to travel down the tube. The tubes are important for conception since this is where sperm usually fertilize the egg. The tubes are so small and narrow that they cannot be felt on pelvic exam or seen on ultrasound. Its inner lining has tiny, delicate hairs that help move the egg, or the embryo after it is fertilized, toward the uterus. It can be damaged easily by sexually transmitted infections, especially gonorrhea or chlamydia. This can cause an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo attaches and grows inside the tube instead of the uterus, which is life-threatening for the mother. Damaged, scarred tubes can also cause infertility. Most women have no symptoms from scarred or damaged tubes. Salpingectomy is sometimes done to remove a tube that contains an ectopic pregnancy, if it cannot be repaired. A partial salpingectomy, which is removal of a small part in the middle of the tube, is one to provide permanent contraception in women who do not want to have more children. It is also often done at the time of a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) if the ovaries are also being removed.
Lesli Mace, PA-C
LewisGale Physicians – Dermatology Roanoke | 540.265.1604 www.lgphysicians.com
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Barbara Moore, MD
Moore & Stockstill, PC Roanoke | 540.904.7710 www.mooreandstockstill.com
Q A ON HEALTH • Knowledge
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Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
A young person with no medical illnesses or stressors typically
uses about
10 PERCENT of his/her brain’s capacity at any given point in time. In medicine we refer to the other 90 percent as “reserve capacity.”
Can dehydration contribute to the onset of dementia? Not exactly – but it can reveal the underlying process of dementia. A young person with no medical illnesses or stressors typically uses about 10 percent of his/her brain’s capacity at any given point in time. In medicine we refer to the other 90 percent as “reserve capacity.” What it doesn’t mean is that it will stay that way over one’s lifespan or that there aren’t other factors that will increase that need for brain capacity when we are under stress or ill. So, if we think about a car that might be capable of running 100 mph, we wouldn’t want to run it at its capacity all the time. If we did, it would probably fail. As a car gets older, its maximum capacity may decrease and we are typically running it closer to its capacity when we drive it on the highway. Additionally if it is a little bit low on oil or has a weak part, it may totally fail if we operate it anywhere near its capacity. In many ways our brain functions very similarly. Many cases of dementia are detected when the brain fails to accommodate whatever capacity is needed. When an aging brain is operating closer to its capacity and it is stressed by a slowly degenerative brain disease like dementia along with medical stressors like acute illnesses, extreme emotional upset or dehydration, it may become unable to meet demands and fails, uncovering an underlying disease of the brain, dementia. Brian E. Wood, DO, DFAPA LewisGale Physicians Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Salem | 540.772.3490 www.lgphysicians.com
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Are residents in a memory care facility grouped by cognitive level and if yes, how are cognitive levels determined? There are instances when memory care residents are grouped by cognitive level, though it varies by facility. There are a myriad of ways to determine cognitive level through assessments, such as the Global Deterioration Scale or Allen Cognitive Scale, and are completed through an interview with interdisciplinary teams. We are able to conclude through these assessments the individual’s needs for care. At Friendship, we place memory care residents together with similar functioning level and abilities. Activities are setup for these groups that are determined from the participants’ functioning level. For those with early or middle stage Alzheimer's, they may participate in life skill activities with which the individual is familiar. This could spark a memory and may even lead to conversation or increased engagement. The goal from here is to build a schedule that will help maintain the individual’s current level of function while trying to slow their cognitive decline for a better quality of life.
Corey Meador, MS, CCC-SLP, CDP, CADDCT Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer Friendship Health Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
What is a K-Level? A K-level is a classification of the functional level of the amputee that is based on the potential activity level that a patient is at or will ultimately be able to reach. This classification was originated by Medicare and is somewhat subjective being based only on visual observation, which is not always optimal. A testing process has been developed called the Amputee Mobility Predictor that takes the subjectivity out of the equation and provides the necessary documentation needed that will match the function level with the available corresponding prosthetic componentry, which the patient’s insurance will then cover. This test is performed by a qualified physical therapist and can be completed in about 30 minutes.
Richard Ruble, CPO
Excel Prosthetics and Orthotics Roanoke | 540.982.0205 www.excel-prosthetics.com
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INSIGHT • AWARENESS • MINDFULNESS
FREE, FUN &
WHY KIDS NEED THE
Y SPLASH PROGRAM words |CATHERINE BROWN
offered to Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Salem City school students, his mother Bishnu was nervous. She had never learned to swim as a child, and she
lb -A
When second-grader Albin Rai was about to participate in the Y Splash program
in Ra i-
was worried he would drown or take in too much water. Albin was eager to learn, though. “He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, Mommy. There will be teachers. It will be fine,’” Bishnu says.
Kids Learn Life-Saving Swim Skills in Just a Few Days Albin is among the more than 2000 schoolchildren served each year by the YMCA’s Y Splash Program, which is provided free for all second graders in Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem City Schools. The program consists of three days of classroom instruction on pool safety, boating safety and beach and waterpark safety. The students are then transported to the Kirk or Salem Family YMCA branches for in-pool swim lessons to reinforce what they have learned in the classroom at school about pool safety. The Y Splash program began with a collaborative partnership with Salem City Schools just over 20 years ago. In 2014, the Y made a commitment as part of their strategic plan to keep every child in the Roanoke Valley safe in and around the water. The program expanded to Roanoke City Schools to begin this process and Roanoke County Schools followed in participation shortly after. According to Sam Hughes, aquatics director at the Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Roanoke, “75 percent of students in the Roanoke City Schools are identified as non-swimmers, which means they are unable to get back to safety when in water over their heads.” That statistic is frightening given that drowning is the second-leading cause for death among children ages one to fourteen. Among African-American boys, drowning is the number one preventable cause of death.
75 PERCENT of students in the Roanoke City Schools
ARE IDENTIFIED AS NON-SWIMMERS, which means they are unable to get back to safety when in water over their heads. This statistic is frightening given that
DROWNING IS THE SECOND-LEADING CAUSE FOR DEATH among children ages one to fourteen.
Among African-American boys,
DROWNING
IS THE NUMBER ONE
The Perfect Age to Teach Kids to Swim
preventable cause of death.
Hughes explains that second grade is a perfect time for students to work on their swimming because they are old enough to learn and have endurance. “When they get older,” Hughes says, “they get into their heads that they can’t swim and automatically think they can’t do it.” www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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w Ho
Help K n You eep Ca
At seven or eight, the kids are young enough to want to participate and are interested in developing swimming skills.
Ki ds Sa f fe
Drowning? rom
Once students complete the three-day lessons, there is a follow-up program for those kids who need more time to build confidence in the water. These “non-swimmers” are invited back to participate in eight free evening or after-school group lessons. “In the fall, about 50 percent of the Roanoke City School students came back to work on their swimming skills,” explains Hughes. The YMCA tries to eliminate any barriers to participation; for the after-school program, for instance, the students are transported by bus to the YMCA, where they receive a snack and then participate in swimming instruction and free play in the pool.
Albin was one such student who returned to the Kirk Family YMCA for the after-school program. He enjoyed it so much that now Bishnu brings him and his little sister, Ashna, to weekly swimming lessons with Hughes; they have even become members of the YMCA. “Now he loves to swim,” Bishnu says. “He picks up on everything so quickly, and he loves to go.” Bishnu is delighted that both Albin and Ashna are becoming comfortable in the water and are learning to swim. “They both used to get upset whenever their faces got wet in the bathtub,” Bishnu says, “but now they are happy in the water.”
Why All Kids Need Swimming Lessons Lifelong swimmer and Y Splash Volunteer Theron Whiteneck enjoys helping with Y Splash because of the many benefits it offers. “It introduces young people to the joy of the water and helps them to not feel fearful,” he says. “It’s not just for those who have access to a pool. It doesn’t matter if they’re rich or poor or what school they go to, they are exposed to water safety and swimming.” For both Hughes and Whiteneck, swimming has always played a central role in their lives. Their passion for swimming – combined with the joy on the faces of kids who wouldn’t otherwise learn how to swim – makes their participation in Y Splash rewarding. “I was born and raised here, and swimming was a big part of my life growing up,” Hughes says. “Being able to help second graders in my hometown and making a difference in my community is so important.” Hughes’ passion for teaching swimming has certainly impacted Albin and Ashna. Each week, they ask their mother to bring them to class early to have extra time in the water. “Please, mommy, I want to be a swimmer,” Albin has said to his mother before participating in lessons. Thanks to Y Splash and Hughes, he is now. EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Sam Hughes, Aquatics Director with Kirk Family YMCA Bishnu Monger, Mother of Albin Rai, Y Splash Participant a -S
m
Hu gh e s -
Theron Whiteneck, Volunteer with the Y Splash Program
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INSIGHT • AWARENESS • MINDFULNESS
An Insider’s Guide to Better Oral and Overall Health words | JENNIFER LAMONT
Everyone wants a beautiful, healthy-looking smile. After all, our smile is usually the first thing others notice about us. But a healthy mouth is more than just aesthetics. From infancy to our golden years, keeping our teeth healthy helps us, well… keep them. More importantly, good oral hygiene also helps us stay healthier overall. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, meaning dental professionals can tell a lot about a patient’s overall health by assessing the state of that person’s oral health. One of the primary roles of dental health professionals in the Roanoke and New River Valley area and beyond is to help their patients maintain healthier mouths, with specialized techniques and treatments. Learn here firsthand what several local practitioners say about oral health, some of the diagnostic and treatment options they provide, and an overview of all oral health specialties.
Family Dentists are Preventive Pros
The
MOUTH
IS THE GATEWAY TO THE REST OF THE BODY, meaning dental professionals can tell a lot about a patient’s overall health.
The main dental health provider to people of all ages, general dentists are the first stop for patients in getting overall oral healthcare. Trained in a wide variety of services, general dentists diagnose, treat and coordinate care for everyone in the family. Because they often www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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see poor oral health associated with systemic health issues, they focus much of their care on prevention. Stopping oral disease in its tracks with diagnostics and teeth cleanings, they educate patients on how to improve the health of their mouths. The effect on overall health is oftentimes far-reaching.
60% It is estimated that
60 PERCENT
OF ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 40 ARE MISSING AT LEAST ONE TOOTH (other than wisdom teeth). Dental implants can improve chewing function and quality of life.
According to Michele Mills, DMD at Mills & Shannon Dentistry in Salem, several things can be discovered during dental exams. “An oral cancer exam is done twice a year in our office. We have also noted calcifications in the carotid arteries on routine dental radiographs. A head and neck exam can reveal swellings or nodules that can be anything from an inflamed lymph node to cancer,” says Dr. Mills. When it comes to prevention and oral health, brushing and flossing must be done correctly to effectively rid the mouth of bacteria. A toothbrush alone will not reach debris and bacteria in between the teeth. Fluoride varnish treatments at each cleaning visit can great reduce the number of cavities in adult patients. Dr. Mills recommends getting them twice a year.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Treat Complex Problems Trained in emergency medicine, general surgery and anesthesiology, oral surgeons are uniquely equipped to administer both all levels of sedation, including general anesthesia. They routinely
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Health A-Z
But, perhaps the work most gratifying to Dr. Parulis as an oral surgeon is treating children with cleft lip and palate, and other facial anomalies, “There are no words to describe the happiness of a child whose life has been improved by what we do for them,” he says.
Periodontists are Experts in the Treatment of Oral Inflammation Fernando Mogrovejo, DDS, MS, board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon at New River Periodontics and Dental Implant Center in Blacksburg, specializes in dental implant placements, gum disease management, bone and tissue grafting, and crown lengthening to reduce “gummy” smiles.
70%
Reasons to Smile at Every Age
At Roanoke Oral Surgery in Roanoke, Albert W. Parulis, DMD, is a board-certified oral surgeon who performs surgical tooth extractions including wisdom teeth, tissue grafting, dental implants, cleft surgery and craniofacial surgery. Oral surgery, says Dr. Parulis, can improve a person’s health. “It is estimated that 85 percent of the adult population does not have adequate space for the normal eruption of third molars. Early removal has been proven to decrease morbidity. It is also estimated that 60 percent of adults over the age of 40 are missing at least one tooth (other than wisdom teeth). Dental implants can improve chewing function and quality of life.”
•
diagnose and treat conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. That includes removing disease, aligning the jaw, replacing missing teeth, and rebuilding bone and gum tissue.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
GUM DISEASE IS SO PREVALENT in Virginia that nearly
70 PERCENT
OF ALL PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 65 HAVE PERIODONTITIS, the most severe form.
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Darcy Amacher, DDS Darcy Amacher DDS in Christiansburg
Michele Mills, DMD Mills & Shannon Dentistry in Salem
Patients need to see a periodontist, says Dr. Mogrovejo, when they “notice gum inflammation manifested as bleeding while brushing or flossing, a change in gum color from pink to red/ bright red, or receding gums. These are all reasons to seek periodontal therapy.” Gum disease leads to broken and missing teeth. Dr. Mogrovejo replaces missing teeth with aesthetic and functional implants to create a balanced, healthier smile. Gum disease is so prevalent in Virginia that nearly 70 percent of all people over the age of 65 have periodontitis, the most severe form, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of all Virginians and people throughout the U.S. have some level of gum disease. “Periodontal therapy helps to eliminate periodontitis,” continues Dr. Mogrovejo. “Periodontitis is a multifactorial, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that does not stay localized to the facial bones and gums. On the contrary, through systemic circulation this inflammation is spread throughout the whole body. During chronic inflammatory conditions the whole-body system is affected.” He adds that when gums are red or bleeding, it’s because of an underlying issue. “It’s similar to when there is a problem with your liver and the skin turns yellow.”
Pediatric Dentists Are as Important as Pediatricians
Fernando Mogrovejo, DDS, MS New River Periodontics and Dental Implant Center in Blacksburg
Albert W. Parulis, DMD Roanoke Oral Surgery in Roanoke
Preventive dentistry begins with the first tooth. Pediatric dentists offer a first-line defense against oral decay by guiding their young patients through dental growth and development from early infancy through the teenage years. Darcy Amacher, DDS, and Ryan Reopelle, DDS, of Darcy Amacher, DDS, in Christiansburg, treat infants as young as a few days old to up to 18 years of age. Because baby teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay as soon as they appear, “… good oral health is an essential part of a child’s overall health, yet it’s often overlooked in young children,” says Dr. Amacher. “Children’s early oral health habits can affect their later dental development. Pediatric dentists can help establish healthy habits and create a positive experience at the dentist that will last a lifetime.” The important thing to remember also, notes Dr. Reopelle, is that children are “not small adults.” Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training in how to treat children specifically and make them comfortable. He recommends that “parents monitor intake of juice, candy, sweets and no bottles of milk” for younger children. “For teenagers, it is important to note that Powerade and Gatorade have a lot of sugar,” he adds.
Follow a Simple Routine for Better Oral Health To protect both oral and overall health, good oral hygiene is important at every stage of life. To have a reason to smile at every age, the routine is simple: Ryan Reopelle, DDS Darcy Amacher DDS in Christiansburg
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A
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Go to the dentist twice a year. Comprehensive exams and thorough cleanings will help prevent problems before they occur.
Health A-Z
B
Floss every day, if not after every meal, to dislodge food and bacteria.
• Reasons to Smile at Every Age
C
Brush twice a day minimum, for at least two minutes each time. Use a 45° angle and brush all the surfaces.
D
To really get teeth clean, use a water flosser every night before bedtime. This gets rid of debris and bacteria that both regular flossing and brushing miss.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Darcy Amacher, DDS with Darcy Amacher DDS in Christiansburg Michele Mills, DMD with Mills & Shannon Dentistry in Salem Fernando Mogrovejo, DDS, MS with New River Periodontics and Dental Implant Center in Blacksburg Albert W. Parulis, DMD with Roanoke Oral Surgery in Roanoke Ryan Reopelle, DDS with Darcy Amacher DDS in Christiansburg
SOURCES American Academy of Periodontology (www.perio.org) American Dental Association (www.ada.org) Dental Care (www.dentalcare.com) Dental Plans (www.dentalplans.com) National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
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OURHEALTH ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS WEBSITE AT www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Health A-Z
KNOW YOUR ORAL HEALTH SPECIALTIES: A Resource Guide
• Reasons to Smile at Every Age
ENDODONTICS: Endodontists are dentists who specialize in maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy — procedures, involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth, called the pulp. All dentists are trained in diagnosis and endodontic therapy; however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat, requiring a referral to an endodontic specialist.
DENTISTRY – COSMETIC: From subtle changes to major repairs, a cosmetic dentist performs a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing, including reshaping teeth, closing spaces, restoring worn or short teeth or altering the length teeth. Common procedures used include bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers, reshaping and contouring and implants, to name a few.
DENTISTRY – GENERAL: General dentists are the main providers of dental care to people of all ages. Unlike specialists, who are mostly focused on a particular aspect of dental practice, general dentists provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health, including, but not limited to preventative care, restorative services and cosmetic procedures.
DENTISTRY – GERIATRIC: Geriatric dentistry, or Geriodontics, is the delivery of dental care to older adults involving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems associated with normal aging and agerelated diseases as part of an interdisciplinary team with other healthcare professionals. Geriatric dentistry is a crucial part of health maintenance for the elderly and medically compromised individuals. On average, people above the age of 65 are expected to suffer from one or more chronic medical conditions that require consideration before initiating any dental treatment.
DENTISTRY – PEDIATRIC: Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood. Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first six months of life. By age six or seven years old, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. Today, Early Childhood Caries (ECC) – which is characterized by the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth – is five times more common in children than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.
DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE: Not to be confused with sleep dentistry, which refers to the use of sedation in order to perform dental work, Dental Sleep Medicine is a branch of specialty dentistry that focuses on the craniofacial and physiological connection with sleep breathing disorders. Snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), bruxism, and OSA are chief concerns for dentists, who are poised at chairside to quickly identify risk factors for these specific sleep disorders. www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons focus on treating problems related to the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaws (the upper jaw is referred to as the maxilla). While they sometimes work in a hospital, their practices are more often located in comfortable office settings. You may be referred to one of these specialists by your general dentist for a complex tooth extraction. Or, your orthodontist may send you for an examination if he or she suspects a problem with the alignment of your jaws. It isn’t necessary to have an oral and maxillofacial surgeon perform every type of oral surgery; many dentists are experts for the more common procedures, such as simple extractions. However, for complex treatments that may require more invasive procedures or deeper levels of sedation, these specialists may be recommended.
ORTHODONTICS: Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Crooked teeth and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder and back pain. Teeth that are crooked or not in the right place can also detract from one's appearance. The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
PERIODONTICS: Periodontists are the dental professionals who focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, as well as other structures that support the teeth. Among other things, they can recognize and treat the early stages of gum inflammation before it gets out of hand; perform minor surgery to resolve complicated cases of periodontitis (severe gum disease); use lasers or gum grafting techniques to restore the appearance of a smile; and even place dental implants in the jaw, when a tooth can’t be saved.
PROSTHODONTICS: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty primarily concerned with the restoration and replacement of lost or damaged teeth. Sometimes called the “architects of the smile,” prosthodontists are highly trained specialists with a unique understanding of all the elements that go into a beautiful, functional and natural-looking smile—not just the teeth, but also the gums, lips, and facial features.
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ASK THE EXPERT
•
GAVIN AARON, DDS, MS
Q: What is a periodontist? A periodontist is a dental specialist that focuses on the supporting structures around the teeth: the gums and the supporting bone. Three years of additional training beyond the four years of dental school are required to become a periodontist. I am a board-certified periodontist, which is an extra distinction awarded after passing a series of rigorous written and oral exams by the American Board of Periodontology. It ensures that I am proficient in all aspects of soft tissue physiology and wound healing. In other words, if you want to see an expert that solely specializes in gum and jawbone, see a periodontist!
Q: What is the most common treatment you perform? Gum grafting, or soft tissue grafting. A gum graft is a procedure where soft tissue is transplanted from one area of the mouth to another in order to correct receding gums. While it sounds complicated and invasive, the surgery is actually very straight-forward and minimal. Often, the entire appointment takes only about an hour and is performed using numbing medicine. I gain a lot of fulfillment from providing this service because the results have a cosmetic benefit and can last a lifetime.
Q: How do I know if I need gum grafting? Studies have shown that most adults have at least one area of gum recession. So where to begin? I would rely on your general dentist’s judgment. They are trained to recognize when to refer and when to monitor recession. On the other hand, I have many patients who contact my office directly. Either way is fine. In general, it’s not how much root is showing, it’s how thick or thin the gum tissue is at the base of the recession. A tooth that has only a little root showing may require treatment more than a tooth with more root showing because the gum at the base is very thin. More information is available on my website www.periohub.com!
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Reasons to Smile at Every Age
AARON PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS Roanoke | c 540.562.3166 | w www.periohub.com
ASK THE EXPERT
MISTY D. LENK, DDS, MS LENK ORTHODONTICS Daleville | c 540.966.3990 | w www.lenkbraces.com
| f Lenk-Orthodontics
Q: Can you be too old for braces?
Q: How important is it to see an orthodontist for teeth straightening?
No way! While adult teeth sometimes move a little slower than children’s teeth, adults can benefit from orthodontics just as much and sometimes even more than children! Any healthy adult who does not present with active periodontal disease (a disease associated with the loss of bone and gum from around the teeth) can use braces or clear tray aligners to either restore or perfect their smile. Lenk Orthodontics serves adults ranging from 18 to 75 years of age. Some of our adult patients require revisional treatment. Revisional treatment is needed when a patient has had braces when they were younger, but were not given fixed retainers or stopped wearing a removable retainer, allowing teeth to relapse over time. We also work with many general dentists and dental specialists not only to create beautiful smiles, but also to restore entire mouths to healthy and normal functions!
Orthodontists receive two - four more years of specialized education than regular dentists in order not only to be able help kids with their growth and development, but also to make overall dental treatments more efficient, effective, affordable, and successful! The alignment and bite of teeth are very important to a person’s overall health and aesthetics. They impact one’s ability to speak and eat. They impact jaw function. They affect smile aesthetics. The alignment of teeth and the establishment of a normal bite also changes the appearance of the lips, jawline, chin, profile, and overall face. Almost every person can benefit from orthodontic treatment at some level. The great news is that you don’t have to be a teenager or even have metal rings or braces glued to your teeth to reap the benefits that orthodontics has to offer!
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Q: How can I guarantee that my teeth stay straight after my care is complete? Lenk Orthodontics provides all patients with retainers and ensures that they understand that active retention is a lifelong necessity. Given that teeth can move for the rest of a person’s life, Lenk Orthodontics follows “the standard of care” by providing fixed or permanent retainers to patients who qualify for this service. Every patient receives removable retainers (sometimes two sets). In addition, our patients are patients for life. We do not remove braces and have patients call if and when they need us. We put every patient on a recall schedule, meaning that we call them at predefined times even after care has been completed. The goal is to monitor and guide their continued development, to ensure that their permanent retainers are secure and clean, to ensure that their removable retainers are still well-fitting and active, and to catch up (because we love our patients and miss them when their care is complete!)
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FINTEL FAMILY DENTISTRY 6220 Peters Creek Road | Roanoke | 540.366.3999 | www.fintelfamilydentistry.com | f f Office Hours: Monday – Thursday from 8AM to 5PM
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ANNOUNCING FINTEL FAMILY DENTISTRY!
Reasons to Smile at Every Age
After over 38 years in the Roanoke community, Dr. Kyle Fitzgerald announced his plans for retirement in late 2017. With a shared commitment to exemplary dentistry and service, the office of D. Kyle Fitzgerald, DDS has been happily transitioned over to Stephen Fintel, DDS, owner of Fintel Family Dentistry. A Roanoke native, Dr. Fintel completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Mary Washington, then dental school at VCU followed by a General Practice Residency at Carilion Clinic. With exceptional service, Dr. Fintel’s team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, quality dental care that you deserve. You will experience all that modern dentistry has to offer, including a comprehensive list of general, restorative and cosmetic dental services to meet the needs of the whole family. Some of the services provided include: » » » » »
STEPHEN FINTEL, DDS
Cleanings & Exams Dental Implants Porcelain Veneers Root Canal Treatment Dentures & Partials
» » » »
Teeth Whitening Tooth Colored Fillings Porcelain Crowns Additional General & Cosmetic Services
Fintel Family Dentistry Dr. Stephen Fintel
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words |BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Meet this year’s selection of men and women who are making a difference in nursing. Chances are we’ve all met them – nurses who’ve made a doctors’ appointment, a trip to the emergency room, or a hospital stay just a bit more bearable thanks to their smiles and soothing ways. This year’s honorees for Outstanding Nurses in the Roanoke and New River Valleys have been nominated by their peers, managers, family or friends for going the extra mile in their commitment to helping patients in their time of need. Whether it’s holding a hand, offering a hug, lending an ear, or simply sharing in the joys and fears of a patient, these nurses shine on in their profession and beyond.
“These nurses
SHINE
on in their profession and beyond.”
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Alesia Bellamente, RN LewisGale Medical Center Out Patient Infusion Center | Roanoke
Caring for the Whole Human Being: Body, Mind and Spirit “I come from a family of nurses, which started with my grandfather, believe it or not,” says Alesia Bellamente. “He was what was referred to as a ‘Male Nurse’ in the 1920s. My mother and her sister were nurses for more than 40 years. Currently, a sister, a cousin and now a niece have pursued, or are pursuing nursing as a career.” Bellamente has been a Registered Nurse for more than three decades. She worked as a Respiratory Therapy Technician while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from West Texas State University. “Over the course of the many years of my career, I have had the great opportunity to experience and learn from many different specialties as an RN,” she says. “I look back and recognize that there have been many great people helping me along the way. I credit directors, managers, colleagues, housekeeping staff and office workers, but most of all I give thanks for the patients who allowed me to share my gift of nursing with them.” Currently, Bellamente works in the Outpatient Infusion Center at LewisGale Medical Center. “Many of our patients face end of life decisions and treatments,” she says. “I consider myself very lucky to often be able to have the time to listen to, laugh with and many times cry with our patients. This is truly unique these days. My vision for nursing is and always will be to put the care of patients first. That means caring for the whole human being: body, mind and spirit.”
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Catherine Bond, LPN
LewisGale Physicians | Salem
Embracing the Role of Teacher and Student Each Day Catherine Bond loved hearing her grandmother talk about caring for her patients when she worked as a nurse so much that Bond went on to join the nursing profession as well. Bond is a Licensed Practical Nurse and works in the Electrophysiology – Cardiology office of Stephan Vivian, MD for LewisGale Physicians. “Each of my patient experiences, whether it was good or bad, has left an impression on me and how I practice,” Bond says. “I have learned patience and understanding, to listen to what someone is saying with their body language in addition to their words, and to not take things personally, particularly if the patient or family member is irate or upset. I’ve found patients will tell me the best news in the world regarding what is going on in their lives. I also have had patients learn that they don’t have much longer to live.” Bond feels nurses and patients can both learn a lot from each other. “As nurses, we are teachers and students every day,” says Bond. “The learning doesn’t stop with graduation. We keep providing education to our patients every time we have contact with them. I believe every patient can be taught about his or her disease process and his or her lives can be improved. And I believe each and every nurse can continue to learn. There is always new knowledge available that we can pass along to our patients.”
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Molly Camper, NP
Carilion Clinic | Roanoke
Serving the Patients and Family in Times of Need Molly Camper first became interested in the medical field while working as a receptionist at a family practice office during high school. “I loved the interaction with the patients during their visits so much that I decided to become a nurse,” Camper says. Since 2015, Camper has been a Nurse Practitioner. She works at Carilion Clinic’s Outpatient Cardiology Clinic. Camper used to work in a Coronary Care Unit and recalls one incident in which a patient was brought into the emergency department in cardiac arrest. He recovered, and his two teenage children were later recognized with helping to save his life by performing CPR prior to the arrival of medical professionals. “For me, it was an amazing journey to be a part of this family,” Camper says. “Every time I remember this patient and his family, I am quickly reminded of how nurses are utilized at such critical times of patients’ lives. The patient himself obviously needed medical care but his family quickly became patients as well for the emotional trauma they had endured. This particular scenario is exactly why I wanted to be in nursing as the science behind nursing and the emotional aspect of nursing were all incorporated into a successful patient experience.”
Features • Outstanding Nurses
Katherine Colver, RN
LewisGale Medical Center | Salem
Caring for People in Their Most Vulnerable Time of Need Katherine Colver celebrated her fourth year as a nurse this year. She is a Progressive Care floor nurse at LewisGale Hospital in Salem. The Progressive Care Unit focuses on patients with cardiac issues. “What appealed to me the most about nursing was being able to help someone in their most vulnerable state,” Colver says. “With that great responsibility comes great rewards. I really enjoy knowing that at the end of the day I had a small part in, hopefully, improving my patient’s quality of life or caring for them to the end with dignity.” Even the little things matter when it comes to nursing. “On one busy day, I was taking care of a nice lady who was stable but her hair was almost completely matted to her head, just absolutely tangled,” says Colver. “While discussing the patient with another nurse, she suggested that we do something about her hair, because what woman wants to have matted hair? Armed with shampoo and conditioner we purchased from the grocery store across the street, the next couple of hours were spent taking turns washing and brushing out the patient’s hair. The patient was so proud of her new clean, braided hair, she showed everyone and was so excited for her family to visit. I will never forget this day, or how she beamed whenever I came into the room and kept touching her freshly washed braid.”
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Kay Kostura, RN
LewisGale Pavilion | Salem
Kim Manning, RN
Carilion Clinic | Roanoke
An Advocate for the Advancement of Nursing
Her Life is Enriched by Caring for Others
“What I love about nursing is the opportunity to impact the patient and their family in so many ways: their immediate physical needs, their immediate emotional needs, and in helping to prepare for future needs,” says Kay Kostura.
“I became a nurse for many reasons,” says Kim Manning. “I was a member of the Red Cross Club in high school, which piqued my interest. I chose this profession because I wanted to be able to help people and make a difference. I wanted a career I would be proud to acknowledge and know that I would always be in a position of demand. At that time, I had no idea how rewarding a profession I had chosen.”
Kostura has been in the nursing profession for 34 years. She is currently a Behavioral Health Nurse and a Clinical Educator at LewisGale Pavilion. She is a recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award and was also recognized as Mental Health America's Volunteer of the Year and the March of Dimes Behavioral Health Nurse of the Year. ‘I think as nurses look to the future, we have to not only advocate for our patients but also for the advancement of the nursing practice,” Kostura says. “We need to utilize shared governance principles to help direct our profession. Nurses must have a commitment to ongoing education and incorporating evidence-based practice into day-to-day practice. We have to do that to maintain our role in a changing healthcare system. Nurses provide care for their patients, educate their patients, advocate for their patients and their families, and help facilitate the many facets of interdisciplinary care.”
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Manning is a Clinical Nurse with the Surgical Progressive Care Unit at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Throughout her career, she’s cared for patients with cancer, dementia, and other ailments. “One of my fondest memories is of a patient that I cared for on several different occasions over a span of time,” she says. “This patient had throat cancer and had a laryngectomy. I always wondered what his voice would have been like. I feel it would have been raspy and soft. He was so upbeat and always had a smile for me.” The patient’s cancer progressed and Manning was also his nurse at the time of his death. “I attended his viewing and enjoyed seeing him in family pictures prior to his diagnosis,” she says. “This experience was fulfilling in the fact that I feel I impacted his quality of life and he enriched my life.”
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Renee Markey, RN
Carilion Clinic Interventional Radiology Roanoke
Proud to Care for People Throughout Their Time of Need Renee Markey has been a nurse since 1984 and has spent her entire career with Carilion Clinic. She currently works at Carilion Clinic Interventional Radiology. “I came at age 18 as a student nurse to Roanoke Memorial School of Professional Nursing,” Markey says. “For as long as I can remember, I have always had a knack of ‘making things better.’ Nursing was a perfect opportunity to put that skill to use.” In her current role as an Interventional Radiology Nurse Navigator, “Patient education and communication is very important to me,” Markey says. “I am guiding my patients through a surgery process that can often feel overwhelming. The surgery process becomes easier if the patient and their family receive proper preoperative and postoperative education.” Markey is proud to be a nurse. “In this rewarding career, you will meet many people, hear lots of stories, see many things, and cry and laugh with many patients and their families,” she says.
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Misty McAllister, RN Virginia Veterans Care Center Roanoke
Thankful to Serve Our Veterans As a child, Misty McAllister would visit her grandmother when she worked as a nurse in an emergency department. “I remember hiding behind the nursing station from time to time,” says McAllister. “She inspired me and stirred in me a passion for helping others. I enjoy the spontaneity of the nursing field. No day is ever the same. Nursing is continually evolving.” McAllister, a Registered Nurse, is a Nursing Supervisor at Virginia Veterans Care Center. “I work closely with the Director of Nursing and supervise the nursing staff,” she says. “I believe building relationships with staff is imperative. We each have a role to play in our residents' care and ensuring they receive the best care available.” McAllister especially enjoys caring for patients who are veterans. “When a new veteran is admitted, I always like to thank them for their service,” she says. “These are men and women who fought for their country and deserve the best care we can give them. Thanking them for their service is important to me. One day, I was surprised when a family member thanked me for my service. Of course, I responded by saying I'm not a veteran. He wanted to thank me for my nursing service. I had never thought of being thanked for being a nurse and doing what I love.”
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Michelle Moses, RN
LewisGale Hospital Alleghany Low Moor
Proud to be a Part of the Patient Transformation Process “I was inspired to become a nurse after the birth of my first daughter,” says Michelle Moses. “She was born sick and was immediately transported to a NICU an hour away in another hospital. As soon as I arrived in the NICU, I learned right away that she was being treated by caring, compassionate nurses. I realized during that time that I wanted to be there for a person in need and to provide the knowledgeable, compassionate care just like what was provided to our family during our time of need.” Moses has been a Registered Nurse since 2012. She works as a Behavioral Health RN for the Senior Transitions Unit at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. “Many of the patients that arrive at Behavioral Health feel like they have no one who cares about their well-being,” says Moses. “After working six years on the Senior Transitions Unit, I have seen time and time again the transformation that takes place when a patient sees that they have someone who cares about their well-being. So many of our patients come in with just the clothes on their backs or sometimes just a hospital gown. Our unit provides a clothes closet for the patients and we provide a couple of outfits for them to wear. The appreciation the patients express when they are provided something as basic as an outfit of gently used clothing always makes my heart smile.”
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Susan O’Malley, RN Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community’s Assisted Living and Memory Support Center | Roanoke
Appreciates All Aspects of Being a Nurse “When I was growing up, my doctor’s office nurse was kind, warm and compassionate, and I wanted to be like her,” says Susan O’Malley. O’Malley has been a Registered Nurse for 36 years. She is currently the Administrator at Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community’s Assisted Living and Memory Support Center in Roanoke. O’Malley appreciates both the light and heavy moments that come with life as a nurse. “I’ve built some very close relationships with residents and families through the years and it's a blessing to be able to have those relationships,” O’Malley says. “I’m grateful to be trusted with their loved ones’ care at that point in their lives.” She especially enjoys caring for older patients. “I think that geriatrics is an important part of nursing,” she says. “Our elderly residents have so many comorbidities, so much that they need to have taken care of health-wise, it requires critical thinking skills to ensure they get the best care they can receive. Nursing is such a rewarding, but hard, field. Physically and emotionally, it is both draining and equally rewarding. I’ve worked in many different areas of healthcare during my years as an RN and I can’t think of a better one to be in than geriatric care.”
Features • Outstanding Nurses
Heather Pennington, RN Express Family Urgent Care Roanoke
Fortunate to Have Been Mentored by Phenomenal Nurses Heather Pennington decided to become a nurse following a surgical procedure in 2004. “I was in a good deal of pain and I was only able to lay in the fetal position on my side with my eyes clenched closed,” Pennington says. “The RN taking care of me was crouched down beside me with my hand in hers, and I remember her explaining what was happening and saying ‘I'm so sorry you are hurting. We are doing everything we can to make it easier on you.’ It wasn't until that moment that it occurred to me that I wanted to be that nurse for someone. I wanted to put patients at ease the way she was trying to do for me. I will always remember her caring demeanor.” Pennington went on to become a Registered Nurse herself and now works as the Office Manager at Express Family Care in Roanoke. She is honored to be recognized for her contributions as a nurse. “This nomination has been a welcomed and appreciated one,” she says. “I have had the unique opportunity to have a very blended role of managing and helping develop an up and coming hybrid style practice that has fused together primary care and urgent care into one. I enjoy working closely with my staff and my presence remains in the patient care setting as well. I have been lucky to have been mentored throughout my career by some phenomenal professionals.”
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OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valleys magazine would like to give a special thanks to all the
OUTSTANDING
NURSES
for passionately and selflessly dedicating their lives to patient care.
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Gamellia Richardson, RN
The Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth | Blacksburg
Sandra Sayre, RN
Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital | Roanoke
Making a Difference in Each Patient’s Life
Passionate about Community Health and Safety
Gamellia Richardson started out her nursing career as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Sandra Sayre’s first memory of a nurse is when she had her tonsils removed as a young child.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field,” she says. “When I became a CNA and did clinicals in a nursing home back in North Carolina, something just clicked with me and the residents. I knew then that this was my calling and I pursued looking into nursing.”
“I called her ‘my pretty nurse’ because I was too little to remember her name,” Sayre says. “I was mesmerized by her hat, her white uniform, and her white shoes. She looked like an angel. I was really scared. She made me feel better and I wanted to be like her.”
Today, Richardson is a Director of Nursing of the Level 2 Assisted Living/ Memory Care at the Kroontje Health Care Center in Blacksburg.
Sayre has been a nurse for more than 30 years. In 2016, she became the Senior Director for the Carilion Clinic Cardiovascular Institute, Surgery Division.
“There are lots of stories that I can talk about over my nursing career,” Richardson says. “The one that stands out to me the most would be the patient that didn’t want anyone to help him bathe until I stepped into the room and talked to him about all the reasons why we should. We laughed during that bath time and he said that was the best bath he had out of all his hospital stays. This gentleman after years of waiting for a kidney transplant has since passed away. He was a good man and always asked about our family as I did his. Who would of thought that a simple bath in the hospital would have led to a friendship?” Despite the challenges, Richardson enjoys the nursing profession. “It has its happiness, sadness, and rewards,” she says. “I love what I do. I enjoy making a difference in a patient’s life.”
“I am also passionate about community health and safety,” she says. “I am a full-time member of the Vinton First Aid Crew. I am proud to work alongside my son, who currently is serving as Assistant Chief, and his wife.” Additionally, Sayre was involved in a mission trip to Africa after a phone call came in to one of the nurses in the Vascular Intensive Care Unit asking if Carilion did any free surgeries on infants with hydrocephalus. “Within a few hours, Carilion administration had accepted a twin boy from Korah, Ethiopia for brain surgery,” Sayre says. “A missionary was arranging for his travel to the United States. After our team fell in love with Baby Judah, we took a small medical team back to his home in Ethiopia.” She credits her parents for her nurturing nature. “They were excellent examples to me of how we should volunteer in our communities and be involved in our children’s lives,” Sayre says.
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Features • 6 Ways to Lower Your Medical Bills
And Why You’re Paying So Much for Healthcare words | JENNIFER LAMONT
We comparison shop online for everything these days, looking for the best prices and diligently reading reviews. That is, for everything but medical care. We may go to healthgrades.com to see how a doctor or hospital rates, but, beyond that, specific medical costs remain somewhat of a veiled mystery. With changing healthcare policies, dwindling insurance plans, substantial price disparities and an opaque pricing system involving multiple players, it’s nearly impossible to figure out how pricing for medical procedures are set.
Why Healthcare Costs Are So High In 1960, average healthcare spending per person was $151 per year. In 2016, that number was $10,348 per person, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE SOARING DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS: Astronomical prescription drug prices Increasing insurance premiums Fewer health plan options with high-deductible plans becoming the new normal Excessive markups and pricing disparity by some providers Unhealthy lifestyles and chronic diseases A general focus on reactive medicine instead of preventive care
These factors contribute to bigger per-person spending and deeper out-of-pocket costs for patients. In several areas of Virginia, insurance premiums across the individual marketplace were set to increase an average of 50 percent in 2018, according to Virginia’s Bureau of Insurance.
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ONLINE TOOLS The following free online tools give you an idea of what the customary charge is so you can make informed decisions about your own healthcare.
A
www.HealthcareBlueBook.com
B
Beyond rising premium costs, more people are starting to question how much a procedure is going to be, or how much they’ll pay after insurance adjustments. Numbers remain difficult to nail down, until the bills come in the mail later. And it doesn’t matter if you have insurance. You’re still paying more because we’re all paying more – as that $10k cost per person keeps rising. Compounding the pricing issue is the fact that providers and payers bargain ferociously to set prices, and those prices vary with extreme differentials. A provider can charge what they want while insurance companies can pay wildly varying reimbursements for the exact same procedures. The good news is that insurers aren’t the only ones who can negotiate with healthcare providers. You can too. Knowing costs before you visit the doctor or have a procedure done can help you compare prices and make informed decisions. It can even save you hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars. But where should you start? First, go online. Second, hone your negotiating skills. To help you do both, here are five tools to help you understand and navigate your medical bills.
www.FairHealthConsumer.org
C
www.ClearHealthCosts.com
How to Research Healthcare Prices Online As consumers become more price-savvy and advocates push for price transparency in healthcare, website tools have popped up in the last decade to provide pricing comparisons. Coming from insurers, paid claims, government agencies, web companies and medical providers, these sites strive to give you estimates of fair market pricing, while burning off a bit of the pricing fog.
1
Start with your insurance company, if you’re insured.
D
www.NewChoiceHealth.com
Some carriers have estimator tools on their sites so you can compare fees across providers and facilities in your area. For example, Aetna’s Member Payment Estimator® lets you compare costs for up to 10 providers for the same procedure.
2
Find the “Fair Price” with www.HealthcareBlueBook.com. This free online tool offers consumers a chance to look up fair market cash prices as well as the quality rankings of medical providers and facilities nationwide. The site calculates the
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Features •
“Fair Price” for any medical service or procedure from a database of medical payment data and customizes it to your geographic area.
6 Ways to Lower Your Medical Bills
At the very least, these sites give you an idea of what the usual and customary charge is so you can make informed decisions about your own healthcare. Other sites include Medicare payment data and medical codes from the national billing system so you can search for a specific procedure by exact code. Some of these include: www.FairHealthConsumer.org | www.ClearHealthCosts.com | www.NewChoiceHealth.com Arming yourself with a little pricing knowledge will help you avoid the shock of unexpected bills showing up afterwards. Once you’ve done your online homework, discuss all prices with your insurance company, providers and facilities before going in for any procedure. Keep in mind, doctors usually don’t know how much you’re being charged. So, it’s important for you to find out up front. Start by asking for costs from everyone involved in your care. Many times, they will be estimates. But knowing the usual and customary charge in your area lets you know if you’re being overcharged.
3
Choose the right facility. A colonoscopy at one facility can cost you 600 percent more at another facility down the block. Shiny and new doesn’t always equate to better when it comes to hospitals and other facilities. Choose a facility within your plan’s network to save money, but don’t hesitate to ask whether a procedure can be done somewhere cheaper – if it rates high on quality.
4
With insurance or without, always question tests and referrals. Kaiser Health News recently reported in their “Bill of the Month” feature on a woman who was charged $17,850 for a urinalysis she thought was “routine” after her surgery. She ended up settling the bill for $5,000 because her insurance company refused to pay the lab, saying it was an out-of-network claim. Had she questioned what the test was for, whether it was in her network and how much it cost, the bill would have been around $100.
In 1960, the
average healthcare spending per person was
$151 PER YEAR. In 2016, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the
average healthcare spending per person was
$10,348 PER YEAR. In several areas of Virginia,
insurance premiums were set to increase an average of
50 PERCENT
in 2018, according to Virginia’s Bureau of Insurance.
Also, Healthcare Bluebook recommends that you question referrals. If other doctors and facilities are involved in your procedure, don’t blindly trust that their services are covered just
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because your doctor referred you to them. Doctors refer to colleagues or facilities that are close by, known to them, or trusted. They usually don’t know how much you’re being charged or what’s covered. Always check to make sure the referral is covered by your insurance and get costs up front if you’re self-paying.
5
Look for—and ask for—discounts.
Review the bill for
OVERCHARGES, odd-sounding items that seem obscure or need explanation,
and outright
MISTAKES. According to groups like Medical Billing Advocates of America, as much as
80 - 90%
of medical bills contain errors of some kind.
Many providers offer discounts for paying cash up front, either before or after the procedure. Paying the bill in full vs. monthly payments will usually earn you a bigger discount. If you’re paying out of pocket, ask for rates more in line with what insurance companies pay. And regardless of your income bracket, you may still qualify for financial assistance programs.
6
Request itemized bills. Make sure to ask for itemized bills, rather than the summary of charges which isn’t as detailed. Review the bill for overcharges, odd-sounding items that seem obscure or need explanation, and outright mistakes. According to groups like Medical Billing Advocates of America, as much as 80 to 90 percent of medical bills contain errors of some kind. While medical pricing transparency doesn’t exactly exist for consumers, it does empower you to get as informed as possible about your own healthcare. Just asking questions can save you money. Opening up the conversation with your doctor and other providers will help take a little back a little control of your healthcare finances.
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Local health. Anywhere you go. OurHealth magazine is Southwest Virginia’s only resource entirely dedicated to delivering information about local healthcare services and healthy living topics. Pick up our print edition at more than 900 locations throughout the area or get the digital edition by visiting
OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com .
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Men, The Doctor
Will See you Now Screenings Men Should Schedule During Men’s Health Month in June words | JENNIFER LAMONT
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By the time Paul N.* saw the doctor, he had already had three heart attacks over the last several months. That came as quite a surprise to the 55-year-old attorney; he had no idea. The only symptoms he’d experienced were a few cases of indigestion. He popped antacids and cut back on spicy foods to fix the problem. He didn’t go to the doctor until he started feeling extreme fatigue during the day. Like Paul’s heart attacks, over 50 percent of all myocardial infarctions are silent. Meaning the symptoms are so mild and brief, the person doesn’t even realize it’s happening. But the damage to the heart is still significant. While silent heart attacks and other serious illnesses happen to both men and women, men are more likely to die from them. In fact, men die an average of five years earlier than women. The reasons are both biological and cultural, but there is one that’s completely preventable. One of the main factors – which wives everywhere can attest to – is that men just don’t go to the doctor enough. Some men don’t go ever. They may feel fine. But feeling okay is not the same as being healthy. As Paul describes it, he felt “pretty much okay, except for the occasional heartburn.” According to Joseph Baum, MD, at Carilion Clinic in Floyd, men aren’t as inclined to go to the doctor, especially if they don’t feel pain. But “men must be proactive about their health and especially their weight,” says Dr. Baum.
Feeling okay is not the same as being healthy.
Because even proactive, healthy men suffer medical issues, all men need to go to the doctor at least once a year, even if they feel fine. June is Men’s Health Month and there is no better time to take charge of your wellbeing.
Men’s Top Health Risks: Know Your Numbers Men face certain health risks, especially as they age. Going to the doctor and asking what screenings you need this year is a proactive first step, especially if you haven’t been to the doctor in some time. Getting a yearly physical and knowing your test result numbers can help you stay healthier and keep weight off. Regular screenings can also help ward off some of the major health concerns men face. For men in their forties and beyond, the top risks included heart disease, prostate and colorectal cancer, and diabetes.
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Dr. Baum advises that men know their family histories. Additionally, he says, men tend to suffer from higher LDL “bad” cholesterol levels than women. Estrogen is said to have protective effects by reducing LDL cholesterol in women while raising their good, HDL, cholesterol levels. So, it’s vitally important to know your numbers. Dr. Baum recommends that men know their lab result numbers for the following screenings:
“You cannot be complacent about your weight. I use the analogy with my patients that if you had a brand new pickup truck, the last thing you’d want to do is pack a bunch of cement blocks on the back of that and haul it around for no good reason. ” Joseph Baum, MD Carilion Clinic in Floyd
Blood pressure. Blood pressure goals can vary somewhat based on a patient’s individual health, but new guidelines established by The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association lowers the normal ranges to 120/80 mm Hg in an attempt to detect and manage the condition earlier. Blood glucose level and/or hemoglobin A1c level. Fasting blood sugar levels should be between 70 to 99 mg/dL. A glucose test reveals your current blood glucose levels at the moment. The A1c test measures how much of your hemoglobin is glycated, or ‘covered’ in sugar, and gives you a picture of your levels over the last three months. A normal A1c should be less than 5.7 percent. Cholesterol (lipid) levels. Because lipid levels are determined by individual risk for cardiovascular disease, age and other factors, your physician can help you calculate your risks and make appropriate recommendations. Basic biometrics, such as height, weight and BMI (body mass index). These serve as a guide for determining if a patient is overweight or obese and helps your physician to determine a healthy weight for your height. “You cannot be complacent about your weight,” says Dr. Baum. “I use the analogy with my patients that if you had a brand new pickup truck, the last thing you’d want to do is pack a bunch of cement blocks on the back of that and haul it around for no good reason.” Basic biometrics, such as height, weight and BMI (body mass index). “Generally, we would want to do a blood count to make sure he wasn’t anemic or have anything happening in the blood, like leukemia,” says Dr. Baum. Making sure your immunizations are up-to-date is important as well, he notes. As we get older, immunizations wear out and become ineffective, including tetanus and MMR vaccines. Adults should also ask their doctors about herpes zoster (shingles) if they’re over 60, a tetanus booster, hepatitis A, and the flu and pneumonia vaccines. The CDC can give you a complete list.
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When it comes to other screenings not typically covered by a physical, Dr. Baum recommends that men pay attention to their individual risk, especially family history, and what their experiences are. He says care should be individualized according to the patient’s needs, rather than treating everyone by the same standard. Other screenings men should discuss with their doctor during Men’s Health Month, include:
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PROSTATE CANCER The American Cancer Society recommends screenings at age 50 for men with average risk, but there is currently debate over how often men should get screened and at what age. Patients should discuss the potential risks and benefits of prostate screening depending on their own risk factors and family history with their physicians.
Features •
SNORING Snoring is more than inconvenient noise. It can signify undiagnosed sleep apnea. Associated with diabetes, heart disease, mood disorders and accidental trauma, sleep apnea causes chronic sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep also creates a higher risk for both mood disorders and accidental traumas like work accidents or falling asleep at the wheel.
Men, the Doctor Will See you Now
DEPRESSION AND MOOD DISORDERS According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Association, about six million men suffer from depression in the U.S., but are far less likely than women to seek help for it. STDS Sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, are on the rise throughout the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Along with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), they’re a significant health concern for men in Roanoke and the surrounding area. HPV is being blamed for the rising rates of oral cancer in men throughout Virginia and around the nation. Outside the scope of a regular doctor’s visit, there are other ways to assess your overall health.
BEYOND A PHYSICAL:
3 Surprising Ways to Tell How Healthy You Are Visits to the dentist or eye doctor can oftentimes discover undiagnosed medical issues.
1
DENTAL CHECKUPS REVEAL MORE THAN YOUR LACK OF FLOSSING. If you are showing signs of periodontal disease, you may be at risk for much more than bad breath. An infection of the soft tissues of the mouth, periodontal disease can cause bleeding or swollen gums, loose teeth, pain while chewing, or a change in your bite. Worse, it’s associated with a number of serious illnesses. According to Sandra Wilson, DDS, at Blue Ridge Dental Group in Vinton, the correlation “is too strong to be ignored. Inflammation is the key – bacteria that cause periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory process that can lead to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. A recent study showed that participants who visited the dentist regularly had a lower risk for stroke, even after adjusting for other variables such as smoking
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Features
• INSPIRING
status, education, diabetes incidence, and body mass index. The relationship between gum health and diabetic control is also very clear – that same inflammation that we see in the gums can make it tougher for diabetics to control their blood sugar, causing symptoms to worsen.”
“High cholesterol can be seen in the cornea as well as disease of the retina. Hypertension is often picked up in patients not realizing this was poorly controlled or even an issue for them.” Richard R. Johnson, MD LewisGale Physicians Ophthalmology in Salem
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Unfortunately, men are as unlikely to visit the dentist as they are their regular doctors. According to the American Dental Association, they are also less likely to brush their teeth effectively, and are statistically more likely to have untreated dental conditions. “I find that female patients tend to come in more regularly and in greater number than my male patients. It isn’t just anecdotal; there’s plenty of research to back that up,” says Dr. Wilson. She adds because men don’t go as often, a major concern for them is oral cancer. Because “they’re twice as likely than women to be affected, it’s imperative to seek regular dental care, which includes screenings for oral cancer.”
2
YOUR EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO YOUR HEALTH.
Aside from eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts, a comprehensive eye exam can also detect several types of serious medical conditions. In fact, ophthalmologists can often detect these conditions first, in their earliest stages. Through dilation, the retina gives the doctor a close-up view of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue without having to do surgery. According to Richard R. Johnson, MD, at LewisGale Physicians – Ophthalmology in Salem, “comprehensive eye exams by a trained medical doctor can aid in the diagnosis and early treatment of many medical disorders.”
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Features
Oral and ocular health are important indicators of overall health. Screenings not only help save a patient’s teeth and vision, they can ward off systemic, chronic illness before it takes hold. This next test, while not exactly scientific, is a self-assessment that can also enlighten you as to how fit you are. More than that, it’s supposed to be an accurate barometer of your life span.
3
THE SIMPLE TEST THAT CAN PREDICT HOW LONG YOU’LL LIVE. According to a study conducted by Brazilian physician Claudio Gil Araujo, the simple act of sitting and rising can reveal a person’s longevity. Published in the European Journal of Cardiology, 2,000 people were asked to perform the Sitting-Rising Test (SRT), a measure of flexibility and muscle strength.
Men, the Doctor Will See you Now
Because these findings are often related to systemic disease, catching these symptoms early and involving an internist, cardiologist, or sometimes a neurologist, can be “life-changing or even lifesaving,” says Dr. Johnson. He goes on to add that patients need to get yearly eye exams by an ophthalmologist if they’re diabetic, have vascular disease, or over 50 years old.
•
The main ones, he says, are diabetes and hypertension, and patients may not even realize they have either of these conditions. “High cholesterol can be seen in the cornea as well as disease of the retina. Hypertension is often picked up in patients not realizing this was poorly controlled or even an issue for them. Symptoms of diabetes or vascular disease can present as blurry vision or a sudden decrease in vision. Other times, the peripheral vision is affected.”
“I find that female patients tend to come in more regularly and in greater number than my male patients. It isn’t just anecdotal; there’s plenty of research to back that up.” Sandra Wilson, DDS Blue Ridge Dental Group in Vinton
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THE SITTINGRISING TEST
3
A depiction of the sitting-rising test (SRT), which involves standing, sitting, and then rising back in a smooth motion without relying on the use of hands or any other external help. The test is an indication of a person’s physical fitness, including components such as balance, muscle composition, muscle strength and flexibility.
The study found that participants of all ages who could perform the test without using their hands or losing balance lived longer than the participants who had trouble getting up or down. Given ten points at the start, you lower yourself to the ground and then rise again. You lose points if you must use your hands, knees, arms or legs on the way down or back up again (see illustration). More points deducted equate to fewer years of life. The message from the study is clear: Maintaining muscle strength, flexibility and balance is a key to living a longer, active and healthier life. It’s up to you. You must eat a natural, whole diet and exercise to live your healthiest life. And you must go to the doctor. *Paul N's name changed for anonymity.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Joseph D. Baum, MD with Carilion Clinic in Floyd Richard R. Johnson, MD with LewisGale Physicians – Ophthalmology in Salem Sarah K. Wilson, DDS with Blue Ridge Dental Group in Vinton
SCORING:
The test is scored using a 10-point scale. Movements of sitting and standing are scored on a scale of 1-5, and one point is subtracted if a limb is used for support. (examples listed below) Half a point is subtracted for the loss of balance.
SOURCES American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org) American Psychological Association (www.apa.org) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
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HAND
- 1 point
KNEE
- 1 point
HAND ON KNEE OR THIGH
- 1 point
FOREARM
- 1 point
SIDE OF LEG
- 1 point
Sources: Dr. Claudio Gil Araujo, ST Graphics
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OURHEALTH ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS WEBSITE AT www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Holistic Natural Health OBSERVE • PROGRESSIVE • OPEN-MINDED
Easy,
Natural Ways TO GET HEALTHY
This Summer words | JENNIFER LAMONT
As temperatures warm up, the summer sun casts a brighter light on our health and wellbeing. Shedding the winter clothes, and perhaps a little winter weight, we move outdoors to enjoy life and all that summer offers. Being as healthy as possible during the summer makes it easier to tolerate the heat and just have more fun. And if you’re suffering from chronic conditions, it will help you to better manage them if you adopt a few healthy habits. A natural, healthy diet and adequate hydration complement proper sleep hygiene and ‘sunsense’ this season. These 12 habits are easy, natural ways to improve your diet, sleep and skin, while protecting your overall health during the summer and all year long. The natural foundation of our health begins with the food we eat. Physicians recommend eating a whole food diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates.
So, Drop the Sugar. In Virginia, one out of every 11 adults has diabetes, and one out of every three is pre-diabetic, according to the Virginia Department of Health. More than ten percent of the population in Roanoke and the surrounding area has diagnosed diabetes, while 30 percent are obese. It doesn’t help that in the hotter, thirstier days of summer people tend to consume more sugary drinks on top of the unhealthy amounts of sugar already present in their diet. Reducing or, even better, eliminating refined sugar is necessary for both diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
“Avoid blue light exposure in the four hours before bedtime, or invest into blue blocker sunglasses if they can’t avoid all the sources of blue light in their environment.” Michael Arthur, MD, IFMCP The Center for Ultra Health in Roanoke
Michael Arthur, MD, IFMCP, at The Center for Ultra Health in Roanoke, says the approach to overall health and controlling blood sugar is “multifaceted with an emphasis first and foremost on foods and movement. Most diabetics and pre-diabetics will benefit from reducing www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Holistic Natural Health
• PROGRESSIVE
or eliminating all white foods in their diet, including white potatoes of any kind, white flour, white rice, cow’s milk (it contains an inflammatory Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1), and sugars.” Here are three easy ways to eat a healthier diet and less sugar over the summer:
TIP 1: Make healthy substitutions. Exchange sugary beverages, including sports drinks, with plain water and unsweetened drinks. Pay attention to labels on food and drinks. Sugar has at least 61 different names used in food labeling and some of them are tricky.
TIP 2: Switch 3 for 3. Replace 3 servings of grains, potatoes or cereal each day with 3 servings of water-based vegetables and berries, like dark leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers and blueberries.
TIP 3: Break up with breads.
STAYING HYDRATED This Summer
A good rule of thumb for most people is to drink about half of their body weight in ounces. Another easy way to remember is to drink at least one cup every hour.
Reduce or cut out simple, refined carbs including processed bread, sweets and cereals. Up your intake of protein and healthy fats. Talk to your doctor to find out how much protein is right for you.
Doing even one of these steps each day will help you reign in sugar intake, and may even help you drop weight over the summer. Consistent movement and exercise is also key to getting healthy and supporting health blood sugar levels. “It’s better to exercise for 10 minutes a day, for six days a week than for one hour, one day a week. Build gradually up to 30 minutes a day, most days of the week,” says Dr. Arthur. He also says that while diet and exercise are the most important aspects for supporting healthy blood glucose levels, there are some supplements that can improve insulin sensitivity. But, he cautions, they are supplements for a reason. “They are meant to ‘supplement’ the hard work of lifestyle changes and are most useful when used in conjunction with changes to diet and exercise,” he says. Research backs up the following supplements when used to improve blood sugar and insulin levels:
A
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID: Studies show that alpha-lipoic acid improves insulin sensitivity and helps turn glucose into fuel for the body.
B
CINNAMON: Studies show that participants with Type 2 diabetes taking a high dose of cinnamon lowered their A1c from 8.9 percent to 8.0 percent. A normal A1c level is below 5.7.
C
GTF (GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE FACTOR) CHROMIUM: This nutrient acts as a physiological enhancer of insulin and helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins more efficiently.
Stay Hydrated to Stay Healthy – and Younger. Not only is it damaging to your skin, studies show chronic dehydration can actually lead to diabetes and other chronic conditions like heart disease and obesity. Dehydration, which isn’t always obvious, can turn into an acute emergency in the summer. Symptoms can sneak up on a person even if they don’t feel thirsty. Further, staying hydrated aids in weight loss while improving cognition, physical performance and immune function. It wards off wrinkles and premature aging inside and out. 74
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Holistic Natural Health
Further, staying hydrated aids in weight loss while improving cognition, physical performance and immune function. It wards off wrinkles and premature aging inside and out.
TIP 4: Find your optimal amount.
•
Drink enough water for your body weight. A good rule of thumb for most people is to drink about half of their body weight in ounces. For example, a 160-pound person would drink 80 ounces, or 10 cups. Another easy way to remember is to drink at least one cup every hour.
12 Easy, Natural Ways to Get Healthy This Summer
TIP 5: Replenish water stores. Drink more water to replace lost water through exercise, perspiration and heat from the sun. Even if you’re indoors or not exercising, your water needs go up in the summer.
Sleep More. Really. It’s tough to resist staying up later on longer summer days. But quality sleep is imperative for both physical and mental health. Practicing good sleep habits helps keep your hormones and circadian (sleepwake) cycles balanced, which keeps you healthier. Sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and obesity.
TIP 6: Entrain your brain. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. This creates harmony in your sleep-wake cycle and makes it easier for you to fall asleep and wake up in the morning feeling refreshed.
TIP 7: Soak up the light. Enjoy the sunlight of summer days. As we get older, our bodies make less melatonin. Getting enough exposure to natural light during the day increases melatonin production at night and promotes a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
TIP 8: Let go of your digital device. Resist the urge to be on phones or tablets at least two hours before bed. Many studies, including a recent one from Harvard, found that blue light emitted from digital screens suppresses melatonin production. Decreased melatonin not only impairs sleep, but impairs overall health as well.
Dr. Arthur advises his patients to avoid blue light exposure in the four hours before bedtime, or invest into blue blocker sunglasses if they can’t avoid all the sources of blue light in their environment.
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Holistic Natural Health
• PROGRESSIVE
TIP 9: Exercise.
Even activity as little as a daily 20-minute walk, promotes deeper, more restful sleep at night.
TIP 10: Try magnesium for a little extra help. If
you’re having trouble sleeping, magnesium can help you not only fall asleep, but stay asleep. Studies show supplementation improves sleep in elderly patients.
Beyond that, magnesium plays a central role in the body because it’s necessary for so many diverse functions. Magnesium-glycinate and magnesium-citrate are usually the most easily absorbed forms. You can also get magnesium from whole food sources including lightly steamed spinach and Swiss chard. Avocados, almonds and dark chocolate (in small amounts) are other good sources.
Sun-sense: Myths and Must-Dos. The sun is not the enemy. In fact, you need it. It’s where you get your main source of vitamin D, which is immensely important to your health. The UVB rays from sunlight convert cholesterol found in your skin into vitamin D.
GETTING ACTIVE This Summer
Even activity as little as a daily 20-minute walk, promotes deeper, more restful sleep at night.
However, as the general public has been taught to be afraid of the sun and wear UVB-blocking sunscreens, mass populations are now deficient in vitamin D. That translates to many healthcompromised individuals since every organ system in the human body requires vitamin D to function well. But balance is key. Letting the sun burn your skin causes DNA damage and increases your risk for skin cancer. Good ‘sun-sense’ means being smart about your exposure and making optimal vitamin D levels without the risk:
TIP 11: The sun that’s right for you.
Making enough vitamin D depends on a few different factors, including the color of your skin and how much is exposed, time of day and where you live.
The lighter your skin, the less time in the sun you need. For example, pale skin only requires 15 to 20 minutes with full body exposure (for example, shorts and tank top and no sunscreen) to make 20,000 units of vitamin D. If the sun is high in the sky, it may not even take that long. On the other hand, someone with darker skin takes much longer. Also, we don’t make as much vitamin D as we get older. The time of day and the area where you live also dictates how much vitamin D the sun radiates. In the Roanoke and surrounding area, you can only get vitamin D from the sun during part of the year. So, a vitamin D3 supplement and vitamin D-rich foods can help you get your levels up. There are also apps like D-Minder and others, which can tell you when to go outside and make vitamin D according to your exact location.
TIP 12: Protect your DNA. Once
you’ve started burning or turning red, your mechanism for converting vitamin D has shut off. At that point, you’re just creating DNA damage and upping your risk for melanoma. At that time, it’s best to start wearing protective clothing. And, when it comes to sunscreens, the least ideal option are ones that block UVB, but not UVA. UVB is what helps you make vitamin D. UVA just causes skin damage, aging and an increased risk for melanoma.
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• 12 Easy, Natural Ways to Get Healthy This Summer
Getting outdoors, drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet makes summer all the more fun – and all the more healthy. And with so many chronic illnesses on the rise, these natural health tips will help protect your health during the summer and all year long.
Holistic Natural Health
Playing outside for several minutes each day – without getting burned – will keep us healthier than shying away from the sun and staying indoors.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Michael Arthur, MD, IFMCP with The Center for Ultra Health in Roanoke
SOURCES American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) Harvard Health Publishing (www.health.harvard.edu) National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Virginia Department of Health (www.vdh.virginia.gov)
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Food Fitness NUTRITION • EXERCISE • PREVENTION
A FRESH TAKE ON
Summer
Grilling words | MICHELLE MCLEES, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends substituting chicken or fish for red meats since both have less cholesterol and saturated fat. Fattier fish, such as salmon and trout, also are high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Firmer fish, like swordfish and tuna, hold up well and taste delicious on the grill.
Don’t Let Marinades Spoil Your Health! Grillers need to pay close attention to the marinade. Many pre-bottled marinades and barbecue sauces are high in sodium and added sugars like high-fructose corn syrup. An alternative to store bought marinades is to make your own with heart-healthy olive oil, spices, balsamic vinegar or lemon or lime juice. No need to add any salt. CHECK OUT our Grilled Tequila-Lime Chicken with Grilled Asparagus recipe for a homemade marinade that is also excellent on lean pork and fish on page 81.
Serve Up Healthy Summer Sides In-season fresh fruits and vegetables, with their bright acidic flavors can become an ideal heart-healthy side or entrée during the summer when people crave something fresh and light to beat the heat. Look for vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables to assure you’re getting a full range of nutritious offerings. Try to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables like strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, kale, carrots and beets. Fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored are rich in phytochemicals, powerful disease-fighting substances. Portions are also important during a cookout. People may be relaxed at a family cookout, but they shouldn’t fill their plate with just cuts of meat, bread and potato chips. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, one-quarter protein and one-quarter grain (preferably whole).
Challenge Yourself: Eat by the
RAINBOW Try to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables like strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, kale, carrots and beets. Fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored are rich in phytochemicals, powerful disease-fighting substances.
HERE’S TO A HAPPY, GRILLING SEASON – the healthy way! www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Grilled
Tequila-Lime Chicken with Grilled Asparagus
A little dip in tequila brings mega flavor to these boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you have mezcal on hand, consider substituting it for the tequila for a similar yet smokier touch.
INGREDIENTS: (4 Servings)
DIRECTIONS:
1/4
cup tequila
2
teaspoons lime zest
A
1/2
cup fresh lime juice (about 4 to 6 limes)
2
cloves garlic (minced)
Into a small bowl, add tequila, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce. Add chicken into a large Ziploc bag along with the marinade. Seal the bag, place in the refrigerator, and let marinate anywhere from two to 12 hours.
1
tablespoon minced canned chipotle pepper
B
2
tablespoons adobo sauce
To cook, prepare the grill to medium-high heat. Coat the grates with nonstick cooking spray before lighting grill.
1 1/2
lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
C
3
bunches asparagus spears, ends removed
Snap the bottom inch off each asparagus and discard ends. Add asparagus to a large dish, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and oil. Mix to combine.
1/4
teaspoon salt
1/2
teaspoon pepper (divided)
D
2
tablespoon canola oil
Remove chicken from marinade, discarding the marinade and wiping most of it off the chicken. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place on the grill; cook until chicken is done, about eight to 12 minutes and registering 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
E
Add asparagus to the grill, placing asparagus spears in the opposite direction of the grates (or alternatively, use a grilling basket). Grill until tender, about seven minutes.
F
Serve the asparagus with the reserved chicken.
COOKING TIPS: When alcohol is the part of a marinade, be careful when cooking. On the grill or on the stovetop, there can be a potential flare up from the residual alcohol. Keep it healthy. Consider making extra of this dish to create an easy lunch for a few days. Simply chop it up and mix into couscous for a salad, incorporating a variety of ingredients like chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Don’t soak meat too long (more than 24 hours) in marinades with a large amount of citrus, like this one. Otherwise, the meat can begin to breakdown and turn mushy.
NUTRITION FACTS: Calories 337, Total Fat 12.2 g, Saturated Fat 1.6 g, Trans Fat 0.0 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8 g, Monounsaturated Fat 5.7 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Sodium 500 mg, Total Carbohydrate 14.6 g, Dietary Fiber 7.0 g, Sugars 6.7 g, Protein 43.6 g Recipe copyright © 2016 American Heart Association. This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Simple Cooking with Heart ® Program. For more simple, quick and affordable recipes, visit heart.org/simplecooking.
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Creamy
Spinach Feta Dip
This recipe is almost guaranteed to make any spinach “disliker” change his or her mind for sure.
INGREDIENTS: (6 Servings)
DIRECTIONS:
10.5
oz frozen, chopped, packaged spinach
1/2
cup fat-free yogurt
A
Cook spinach according to package directions and drain in colander (press with fork to drain completely).
1/2
cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2
cup fat-free feta cheese (crumbled)
B
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate for one hour and serve with pita slices.
1
teaspoon garlic (minced, from jar)
1/3
cup fresh, chopped parsley or dill
NUTRITION FACTS: Calories 54.2, Total Fat 0.4 g, Saturated Fat 0.0 g, Trans Fat 0.0 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g, Cholesterol 0.0 mg, Sodium 1.3 mg, Potassium 0.0 mg, Total Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Dietary Fiber 2.3 g, Sugars 9.9 g, Added Sugars 0.0 g, Protein 0.8 g. Calcium 0.0 mg
OR 2 tsp dried parsley or dill 1/2
teaspoon black pepper
6
whole-wheat pitas (quartered)
Recipe copyright © 2016 American Heart Association. This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Simple Cooking with Heart ® Program. For more simple, quick and affordable recipes, visit heart.org/simplecooking.
5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPINACH A Healthy source of FIBER
B Loaded with POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANTS
C Packed full of VITAMINS
D
E
Contains a high concentration of Potassium
Helps boosts your METABOLISM
Source: Livestrong
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Strawberry
Lemonade Italian Ice
This fruit-centric, healthy dessert is a great frozen treat that can be made without the use of an ice cream machine.
INGREDIENTS: (6 Servings)
DIRECTIONS:
1 1/2
lbs. ripe strawberries (stemmed, halved)
3
tablespoons lemon juice
A
2
tablespoons granulated sugar
Trim and remove the stem from each strawberry; cut each one in half. Add strawberries into the bowl of a food processor or a powerful blender.
5
cups ice
B
In a small bowl, add lemon juice and sugar. Mix together until sugar is mostly dissolved. Add into the food processor or blender; blend until strawberries are pureed.
C
Add in all the ice; puree until mixture is entirely smooth and all the ice has been blended.
D
Pour into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish and freeze for 30 minutes. Use a spoon to scrape along the edge of the dish, pushing those outer frozen chunks into the middle of the dish. Use back of the spoon to spread Italian ice into an even layer. Freeze another 30 minutes and repeat process. Lastly, freeze for 1 more hour.
E
Remove from freezer and use a spoon to scoop Italian ice into cups to serve.
COOKING TIPS: Any fruit you desire can be substituted for the strawberries, like 1 1/2 pounds mango, peaches, or pineapple. Keep it healthy. The riper and sweeter the strawberries are, the less sugar that will be needed. Taste a strawberry and slowly decrease the amount of sugar depending on the berry’s sweetness. If the Italian ice doesn’t get eaten all at once, spoon it into a large Ziploc bag and place flat in the freezer. To eat, let it thaw on the counter for at least 15 minutes. Break it up with a spoon to return it to the Italian ice consistency.
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NUTRITION FACTS: Calories 54.2, Total Fat 0.4 g, Saturated Fat 0.0 g, Trans Fat 0.0 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g, Cholesterol 0.0 mg, Sodium 1.3 mg, Potassium 0.0 mg, Total Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Dietary Fiber 2.3 g, Sugars 9.9 g, Added Sugars 0.0 g, Protein 0.8 g. Calcium 0.0 mg Recipe copyright © 2016 American Heart Association. This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Simple Cooking with Heart ® Program. For more simple, quick and affordable recipes, visit heart.org/simplecooking.
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Aging Well WISDOM • DIGNITY • SUPPORT
Why a Place for Mom and Dad
MAKES AN AMAZING DIFFERENCE IN THEIR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS words |CATHERINE BROWN
Pictured above: David and Linda Hunter, residents at Carrington Cottages Memory Care.
After living in the same house for over forty years, David and Linda Hunter, ages 77 and 71, moved into Carrington Cottages in Daleville earlier this year. Linda suffers from dementia, and, over time, the amount of energy required to take care of themselves and their home became too much. “I had to go up three flights of stairs just to do laundry,” David says, “and I was getting frazzled.” The Hunters researched several memory care centers before moving in and ultimately decided on Carrington Cottages, which opened in January of 2017. “It was the nicest and newest place, and the people were so friendly,” David says. The biggest selling point, though, was the fact that both David and Linda could move into the memory care center together. The couple have been married for nearly 46 years, and David did not feel comfortable with having Linda live in a care center without him. “I wouldn’t have put Linda in a facility if I could not be there with her,” David says. “I would have hired someone to come help at the house.”
“They watch out for each other. David guides Linda and helps her get ready for bed, and it helps that he knows what she likes.
Safer, Happier and Healthier in Care Homes: It Means Everything for Couples to Stay Together
For each of the couples
Many caregivers, particularly those caring for relatives who need constant medical care and supervision, suffer from caregiver fatigue or burnout because of the near-constant demands of caregiving. The need to balance many different roles – that of caregiver with being an employee, spouse and parent – can also be overwhelming. “You fit your life into the nooks and crannies of someone else’s life,” Ray says.
suffer from dementia,
Respite Care
living there, the wives and the husbands are very helpful.” Pam Orange Certified Nursing Assistant at Carrington Cottages
Being able to stay with Linda has been ideal because David knows she is getting the care she needs, and he is not overwhelmed by the tasks that need to be done each day. David doesn’t enjoy cooking, so feeding Linda and himself at home had become an onerous chore. David
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Aging Well
• WISDOM
loves that Carrington Cottages prepares good, nutritious meals; that way he and Linda both eat well with minimal effort. In addition, the nurses take care of administering Linda’s medicines, so David no longer worries about making sure she takes her medicine at the appropriate time. Although he appreciates the many benefits Carrington Cottages offers, perhaps his favorite is the laundry facility. “The laundry room is right next door, so it’s only five steps away,” David says. “The Carrington Cottage Memory Care neighborhoods allow for a more intimate, home-like environment.” Susan Thomas Executive Director of Carrington Cottages
Pam Orange, Certified Nursing Assistant at Carrington Cottages, says the facility has several couples residing there. “It is very helpful for them to both be there,” Orange says. “They watch out for each other. David guides Linda and helps her get ready for bed, and it helps that he knows what she likes.” For each of the couples living there, the wives suffer from dementia, and as Orange explains, the husbands are very helpful. “They are so generous with their patience and tolerance,” Orange says.
“Neighborhoods” at Carrington Cottages Make It Feel Like Home Carrington Cottages strives to create an environment similar to what residents experienced at home. The facility is divided into neighborhoods named after towns in Botetourt County. “That division of neighborhoods allows for a more intimate, home-like environment,” says Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Carrington Cottages. Because David has a car, he has the freedom to leave Carrington Cottages to go to the American Legion events he enjoys attending. “I love to be around a lot of people,” David says, “and this gives me more freedom to do that.” David also enjoys shopping for clothes for him and Linda when he goes out. “David is a snazzy dresser,” Thomas says. Knowing that Linda is being well cared for by Carrington staff enables him to enjoy these activities without worrying about her. When he is not there, Linda can interact with the other residents and the relatives and church friends who visit her. Both spouses stay busy at Carrington, with plenty of time to engage in fun activities, including bingo, trivia, exercise, music, balloon volleyball, bowling, and Bible study. “The activities are very invigorating,” says David. “Some residents are in wheelchairs, but that doesn’t stop them.” Linda, a retired elementary schoolteacher, loves to sing. Before she developed dementia, she played flute and piano, and was very active in church choir. At Carrington, she is happy to have the chance to sing during church services. “I love to sing, and I enjoy singing with other people,” Linda says. The opportunity to stay together at Carrington Cottages enables Linda and David and other couples like them to enjoy participating in the activities they love—with the people they love—in a safe and caring environment. “Memory care is changing for the better,” Orange says, and the Hunters are a testament to its many benefits. EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS David and Linda Hunter, residents Pam Orange, CNA with Carrington Cottages Memory Care Susan Thomas, Executive Director with Carrington Cottages Memory Care
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