OurHealth Richmond Jun/Jul 2016 Edition

Part III: Primary Care Series | How to in Healthcare Series: The Undergraduate Years | Healthier Summer BBQ

table of contents |june • july 2016

MEDI•CABU•LARY.....................10 Local experts define health related terms

JUST ASK!.......................................12 Healthcare questions answered by local professionals

NEW & NOTEWORTHY.............14 A listing of new physicians, providers, locations and upcoming events in greater Richmond

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[ men’s health ]

Interesting facts and tidbits about health

Be healthy. Age healthy.

THE ANATOMY CHALLENGE..................................19

Despite popular opinion, men need to take care of themselves. This may sound like a common sense statement, but it’s not one that often resonates.

HEALTH POINTS.........................16

How much do you know about Our Anatomy?

In this issue, test your knowledge when it comes to MEDICAL SPECIALTIES

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New Nutrition. New Kitchen. New You! Healthier Summer BBQ Better for you summer BBQ recipes: grilled steak, cole slaw and baked beans

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

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[series: part 3]

The Bridge to Better Health Starts with Primary Care FIT BITS!........................................47 Get to the ‘CORE’ of your workout!

hello, HEALTH!..............................48 Capturing the spirit of those working in healthcare and of people leading healthy lives through photos.

A CLOSER LOOK.......................... 50 Images reflecting the landscape of healthcare in Richmond * PLUS * A chance to win prizes!

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[new series: part 2]

How to in Healthcare A year-long series focusing on how to prepare your child for a career in healthcare. This issue: The Undergraduate Options

www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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june • july 2016

read this edition of

on your tablet or smartphone

OURHEALTH’S EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PARTNER PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-AT-LARGE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION PROJECT COORDINATOR AND FITNESS EXPERT ACCOUNTING MANAGER CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGN COPY EDITOR PROJECT MANAGER | HR METRICS ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY

McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Fields Hungate Deidre Wilkes Laura Bower Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Bobbi Hoffman Heidi J. H. McClintic Shawn Sprouse

CONTRIBUTING RICHMOND MEDICAL EXPERTS Tracey Adler, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT Rashida Gray, MD Farah-Dale Morris PT, DPT David Miller, Sr., MD Thomas Waldrop, DDS, MS CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL Geri Aston EXPERTS & WRITERS Rich Ellis Jennifer Hellier Steve McClintic, Jr. Jaime Smiley Deidre Wilkes ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Rob Robb Account Manager P: 804.539.3955 F: 540.387.6483 rob@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS To receive OurHealth Richmond via U.S. Mail, please contact Deidre Wilkes via email at deidre@ourhealthvirginia.com or at 540.387.6482

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click on the magazine cover to view the digital edition!

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 © 2016 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Richmond is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 3420 Pump Road, #314 • Richmond, VA 23233 • P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483 MAIN: ourhealthvirginia.com | ourhealthswva.com | ourhealthlbss.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcville.com | Advertising rates upon request.

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

LOCAL EXPERTS D E F I N E H E A LT H R E L AT E D T E R M S

What is Delirium?

Delirium is distinct from the dementia disorders, which may include many of the same symptoms, but the symptoms gradually develop and worsen over months to years.

— Rashida Gray, MD

Delirium, (also known as encephalopathy), can be diagnosed in persons of any age, although more commonly in the senior population.

This is a medical condition characterized by fluctuating agitation or sleepiness, confusion, disorientation, poor memory or psychosis. These symptoms are typically acute in onset and out of character for the patient. Delirium is distinct from the dementia disorders, which may include many of the above symptoms, but the symptoms gradually develop and worsen over months to years.

Many patients with delirium will improve and return to their previous functioning. A diagnosis of delirium is typically made in the hospital setting, because it is the brain’s response to a wide variety of medical illnesses or medications.

The treatment of delirium may include calming medications, but really hinges upon the treatment of any and all underlying medical conditions and may also include the removal of certain medications.

Although delirium typically reverses fully, it is a medical condition requiring attention, because if left untreated, it may significantly increase the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Rashida Gray, MD

Bon Secours Behavioral Health Group Richmond | 804.287.7788 www.bonsecours.com

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What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?

What is Vestibular Therapy?

Trigger point dry needling utilizes a solid filaform needle. No substances are injected, therefore the technique is called ‘dry needling’.

Dizziness, nausea and a loss of balance: those are just a few of the symptoms that can occur as a result of impairments to the vestibular system, the network of small fluid-filled canals inside the ears.

Vestibular function helps regulate balance and spatial awareness. If you’ve ever walked along an unlit beach at night, it’s the vestibular system that helps you navigate that landscape.

Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots in a taut band of a muscle.

Trigger points may cause pain locally or refer pain to other areas and cause dysfunction of normal movement patterns.

Specific evaluation, palpation, and treatment of trigger points may reduce pain and restore function.

Physical therapists performing this procedure have advanced training and certification in the use of trigger point dry needling.

Tracey Adler, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT

Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Inc. Richmond | 804.285.0148 www.orthopedicptinc.com

When an infection, autoimmune disease or trauma damages the vestibular system, a person can suffer a loss of balance, persistent dizziness, nausea, gaze instability or blurred vision.

A physical therapist can offer relief through vestibular therapy.

Treatment techniques are based on the cause of vestibular damage and may include exercises such as gaze stabilization, balance and strength training, and movement techniques aimed at reducing dizziness. The goal is to help patients feel confident on their feet again.

Farah-Dale Morris, PT, DPT Tidewater Physical Therapy Midlothian | 804.858.0220 www.tpti.com

H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED

BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS

Often, patients who opt

to have surgery sooner

experience better results. The

more debilitated a patient

When should I talk to my doctor about knee replacement surgery?

What can I expect from Root Planing and Scaling Procedures?

The short answer to the question is that you should talk to your doctor about knee replacement when you have failed conservative treatment and the knee arthritis negatively interferes with your quality of life to the point you are willing to accept the risks of surgery for the 96 percent chance of getting better. Conservative care can include oral medications, injections, therapy and bracing. Often, patients who opt to have surgery sooner experience better results. The more debilitated a patient becomes from arthritis prior to surgery, the more difficult the recovery process may be. Only the patient knows the right time to have surgery, but it is never too early to talk to your doctor about what options for treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, are available.

The goal of periodontal therapy is to eliminate periodontal disease. The aim of scaling and root planning is to eliminate periodontal bacteria and local factors above and below the gum line. This results in resolution of inflammation, creating a healthy oral environment. If periodontal disease is moderate to advanced, these procedures are performed with local anesthetics. In addition, sedation techniques can be employed in the apprehensive patient. Hand and ultrasonic instruments are used to reduce bacterial organisms and remove calculus. These procedures are usually done in one appointment or in two appointments in close proximity. Often either systemic or locally delivered antibiotics are prescribed depending on severity and type of periodontal disease being treated. Discomfort may be experienced following treatment for up to 48 hours. This can be controlled with over-the-counter analgesics. Healing after treatment is assessed at a reevaluation appointment four to six weeks after treatment. Depending on results, the patient may or may not be advised to proceed to some form of surgical treatment.

David Miller, Sr., MD

OrthoVirginia Richmond | 804.320.1339 www.orthovirginia.com

becomes from arthritis prior to surgery, the more difficult the

recovery process may be.

— David W. Miller, Sr., MD

Thomas Waldrop, DDS, MS VCU Dental Care Periodontics Richmond | 804.828.9190 www.vcudentalcare.com

My mom has been in the hospital and the doctor is recommending that she goes to a nursing home for therapy before coming home. How much and what kind of therapy should we expect for her from a nursing home?

Nursing homes, or skilled nursing centers, offer a variety of therapy to patients. These centers typically offer services for short-term patients who will be returning home as well as services to patients who live in the center. The amount of therapy a patient receives depends on how much is needed, and may be several hours a day.

Occupational therapy works with patients on safely and efficiently bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, meal preparation, and any other daily tasks needed. Physical therapy works on moving around in the bed, going from sitting to standing, walking, and determining the safest device to use, if any, while walking.

Speech therapy works on eating and swallowing, memory, and language.

Each nursing home or skilled nursing center is different so be sure to ask how many days a week therapy is offered and if they have the therapy equipment to maximize recovery. It is also important to ask if they perform home visits to prepare you and your mom for discharge. These things will lead to a better chance of having success once returning home.

Jaime Smiley

Clinical Education Coordinator LifeWorks Rehab Centers Greater Richmond Area | 540.989.3618 www.lifeworksrehab.com

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NEW

NOTEWORTHY

NEW PHYSICIANS, P R O V I D E R S , L O C AT I O N S AND UPCOMING EVENTS

VCU Study Finds Marriage Protects Against Risk

for Developing Alcohol Use Disorders

Marriage is causally related to a significant reduction in risk for development of alcohol use disorders, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and Lund University in Sweden.

The study, which is titled, “Effect of Marriage on Risk for Onset of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Longitudinal and Co-Relative Analysis in a Swedish National Sample,” scientifically confirms the common observation that alcoholism is bad for marriages and that marriage might help protect against alcohol use problems. It was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry on May 16.

“With this study, we were trying to determine if marriage influences individuals’ future risks for alcohol use disorders,” says first author Kenneth Kendler, MD, professor of psychiatry and human and molecular genetics in the Department of Psychiatry, VCU School of Medicine. “The answer is yes, and actually quite profoundly.”

First marriage resulted in a 59 percent reduction in risk of alcoholism in males and a 73 percent reduction in risk for females. In both sexes, the protective effect of marriage was significantly stronger in those with versus those without a family history of alcohol use disorder. “It is the person who is most

vulnerable to the risk of alcoholism from a genetic background who might be the most sensitive to the protective effects of marriage,” says Dr. Kendler.

More than 3.2 million individuals born in Sweden between 1960 and 1990 were involved in the study, which was limited to people who were single at the onset of the study and who had no personal history of alcoholism. The correlative design of the study supported the conclusion of the causal effect of marriage on the development of alcoholism.

The study also found the inverse association to be true: Marriage to a spouse with a history of alcohol use problems is associated with an increased risk for alcohol use disorder..

“While being married to a spouse who now or in the future stays free of alcohol problems is quite protective, marrying someone who now or in the future develops alcohol problems is the opposite,” according to Dr. Kendler. “It is considerably worse than being single.”

The results could help in the development of effective social treatments to combat the disease. “This study is part of forming a strong scientific base for understanding how important social influences can be on alcohol use disorder, says Dr. Kendler.”

HCA Virginia Hospitals Rank Among Safest in the United States HCA Virginia Hospitals have been recognized in the spring 2016 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries and infections.

New Hospital Safety Scores, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide and provide the most complete picture of patient safety in the U.S. healthcare system recently were announced by The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog.

Henrico Doctors’, John Randolph Medical Center, and Retreat Doctors’ all received an A ranking, and were among 798 hospitals in the country to earn this honor.

For the aspiring BBQ Master...

Healthier Summer BBQ Recipes

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“This recognition is a reflection of our continued commitment to our patients and all who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for those we serve,” says Ann Latstetter,” chief nursing officer, HCA Capital Division. “We are proud of our hospitals for earning this honor and we strive every day to continue meeting these nationally recognized standards.”

To see HCA Virginia hospitals’ full scores, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

Save the Date!

Mahta Alattar, MD

VCU Health Neurology Richmond | 804.828.9350 Neurology.vcu.edu

Toni Ardabell, CEO

Bon Secours Virginia Health System Richmond | 804.359.9355 virginia.bonsecours.com

Charmaine Elliott, MD Kensington VCU Women’s Health Hatcher, OD at Stony Point General Internal Medicine Richmond | 804.560.8900 www.vcuhealth.org

Virginia Eye Institute Richmond | 804.287.4200 www.vaeye.com

Community Health Fair and Blood Drive

When:

Where:

Thursday, August 4th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bryant & Stratton College 8141 Hull Street Road North Chesterfield

Interested in participating? Contact Robert Lacy, RN at ri.lacy.robert@ bryantstratton.edu.

For more information on Bryant & Stratton College, visit www.bryanstratton.edu.

Virginia Home for Boys and Girls

Youth Triathlon Hannah Lee, MD

VCU Health at Mayland Court Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Richmond | 804.527.4540 www.vcuhealth.org

David Mohrman, OD

Virginia Eye Institute Richmond | 804.287.4200 www.vaeye.com

Christopher Thomas, MD

When: Saturday, August 20th Start Time: 6:30 a.m.

Where: 8716 West Broad Street Henrico

Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists Richmond | 804.282.2685 www.vacardio.com

Sponsor a child for only $60! [tax deductible!]

For more information visit www.vhbg.org and go to fundraising events.

Area Physicians Collect Sports Equipment to Combat Childhood Obesity Advanced Orthopaedics and Ortho On-Call host their third annual AdvanceItUp! (AIU!) collection of gently-used sports equipment. AIU! is a community initiative designed to increase recreation options and active living at home and outside the home for area kids who do not have access to usable sports equipment. The public is encouraged to donate items that they no longer use and that are still in good condition.

The donations will benefit deserving children in the area through the partnerships and programs of RVA U-Turn Sports and the Henrico Police Athletic League.

Advanced Orthopaedics and Ortho On-Call have collected thousands of pieces of equipment during the first three years of the program. Logan Ferguson, Relationship Manager with Advanced Orthopaedics shares “We have always had a heart for keeping area youth active. With so many of our physicians and staff volunteering to reach kids in the community as

team doctors, non-profit board members and mentors, the AdvanceItUp! initiative adds a more tangible dimension to that service, helping to make a difference in the lives of area kids.”

Donations for the 2016 AdvanceItUp! program will be accepted from June 1 through June 30, 2016, at the following collection points: • Ortho On-Call – 804.440.487 Midlothian: 15564 Westchester Commons Way, Midlothian, VA 23113 Westbury: 8901 D, Three Chopt Road, Richmond, VA 23225 Chester: 12200 Branders Creek Drive, Chester, VA 23831 • Advanced Orthopaedics – 804.270.1305 West End Location: 7858 Shrader Road, Richmond, VA 23294 Southside Location: 13801 St. Francis Blvd, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23114 Additional details including a list of needed equipment are available on the program’s web page www.AdvancedOrtho.me/AdvanceItUp.

www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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TI P S , T I D B I T S A ND MO R E TO IN F O R M A ND ENT ERTA I N YO U

men’s health week

JUNE 13-19 The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Did you know: • Women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men.

One or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence

MORE THAN DOUBLE a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation.

• In 1920, women lived, on average one year longer than men. Now, men, on average, die almost five years earlier than women.

• Men die at higher rates than women from the top ten causes of death.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Playing in the Pool:

Don’t Forget to

HYDRATE Hydration is important before, during and after swimming. Kids aged 9-12 years old should drink 3-8 fluid ounces of water every 20 minutes. For adolescents, the recommendation is 32-48 fluid ounces every hour.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

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adolescents: 32-48 fluid oz every hour

230 PEOPLE

on average go the emergency room

EVERY DAY with fireworkskids: 3-8 fluid oz every hour

related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

Source: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

7th Annual

Run

7.4 on 7/4

Brandermill 7.4K

Run through the roads and paved trails of Brandermill on a moderately hilly course. What a great way to start off the fourth of July!

All race proceeds will benefit Connor’s Heroes, a local pediatric non-profit that provides assistance to children and their families while they are undergoing cancer treatments. They work directly with families to address specific needs such as providing gas cards, parking garage vouchers, cleaning or lawn services, shopping services, babysitting, companionship, and more.

Date: Monday, July 4, 2016

Time: 7:30 a.m.

Location: Clover Hill High School 13301 Kelly Green Drive Midlothian, VA For more information and to register, go to www.raceit.com or www.rrrc.org.

Jack & Abby 5K Race for the NICU Bring the entire family out to support families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by participating in a 5K Run/Walk/Stroller and 1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run. Jack and Abby Smith would have celebrated their 7th birthdays this June.

Celebrate their memory and help other babies who are in the NICU fighting for their lives.

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2016 Time: 8 a.m.

Location: Innsbrook North Shore Commons Parking Lot 4951 Lake Brook Drive Glen Allen, VA 23060 For more information and to register, go to www.jackandabby.org

To learn more about Connor’s Heroes, visit www.connorsheroes.org.

Take it ‘outside’!

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, children who spend more time outside exposed to daylight may reduce their risk of developing nearsightedness.

HARD FACT: The enamel on teeth are the body’s hardest substance.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

Anatomy

the

CHALLENGE

How much do you know about medical

specialties?

Complete the word search below. Next, match the correct word with the correct specialty description.

[ medical specialties ]

WORD SEARCH audiology

optometry

cardiology

orthopaedic

dermatology

primary care

gastroenterology

urology

Branch of medicine concerned with the sense of hearing:

Branch of medicine concerned with disorders of the stomach and intestines:

Branch of medicine concerned with the diseases and abnormalities of the heart:

Medical care by a physician who is the patient's first contact with the health care system:

Branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of skin disorders:

Branch of medicine concerned with the function and disorders of the urinary system:

Branch of medicine concerned with visual defects and prescribing corrective lenses:

Branch of medicine concerned with injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal systems:

For answers, visit OurHealth Richmond's Facebook page at www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

Be Healthy.

Age Healthy. words | STEVE McCLINTIC, JR.

June is Men’s Health Month. But it’s not the only month men should do their health justice.

Despite popular opinion, men need to take care of themselves.

This may sound like a common sense statement. But it’s not one that often resonates. For many men, taking care of their health, which includes getting regular check-ups, is about half as important to them as it is for women. This isn’t an opinion. It’s a fact: according to the National Institute of Health, men go the doctor 50 percent less than women.

Men aren’t immune to the many common and unfortunate healthrelated issues that anyone can develop. Men can get the cold. Men can get the flu. Men can get diabetes. Men can get cancer.

And men can prevent many of these health conditions from occurring if they take better care of themselves.

In the following pages of OurHealth Richmond is the OurHealth Men’s Chart for Healthy Aging. This chart is 100 percent important. Read it. Embrace it. Engage it. This information may be the difference in helping you live your fullest and happiest life.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MEN’S PELVIC PAIN

Orthopedic Physical Therapy Richmond | 804.285.0148 www.orthopedicptinc.com

Lydia Morris, PT

A physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction, may help reduce pain and discomfort and calm chronically irritated muscles with treatment. Trigger Point Dry Needling eliminates taut bands in muscles that perpetuate and cause pain.

Bowel and bladder habits may have changed with chronic pain, so muscle re-education is helpful in correcting incoordination of muscles.

Treatment with manual therapy focuses on targeting painful pelvic floor muscles and corrects muscle imbalances of hips, back, pelvis, and address myofascial trigger points.

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome accounts for 90-95% of non-bacterial “prostatitis”.

Usually, symptoms last longer than six months and may vary in degree of discomfort. The pain may be felt in the back, hips, and/or pelvis. The patient may experience pain with sitting, urinary frequency, urgency, constant pressure, burning, and interference with sexual function.

MEN’S Drs. Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry Richmond | 804.288.5324 www.brsdentistry.cocm

Robert LeNoir, DDS

Maintaining regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings is important for many reasons. Two of the most common medical issues we face as we age are diabetes and heart disease.

Studies have shown that periodontal disease (gum disease) can exacerbate both of these conditions.

Also, we need to maintain a healthy dentition to maintain a healthy diet. Routine dental exams will screen for conditions such as abscesses, decay, fractured teeth, or clenching and grinding, all of which may result in tooth pain or loss if ignored.

Good oral health is vital to good systemic health, so see your dentist at least twice a year to insure your dental and overall health!

CHART FOR HEALTHY AGING DENTAL

GASTROENTEROLOGY

with

OurHealth

Virginia Urology | Richmond | 804.288.0339 | www.uro.com

Michael Franks, MD

Prostate Cancer is a common cancer found in men. A digital rectal exam and the PSA blood test are necessary for clinical evaluation of prostate cancer. It is recommended that men ages 40-50 talk to a urologist about their risk of developing prostate cancer and get a baseline exam and PSA test. African American men and those with a family history are at increased risk and should be followed regularly.

American Urologic Association guidelines also feel men 5569 should have a prostate exam & PSA test every two years, with a PSA >3 ng/dl being abnormal. Lastly, only those men with good health and 10-year life expectancy should consider screening evaluation.

MEN>Age Healthy. BE Healthy.

Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Mechanicsville | 804.559.6194 www.RichmondGastro.com

S. Mubashir A. Shah, MD

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Most men should be screened for colorectal cancer at age 50 and every 10 years thereafter. African Americans need early screening at age 45. Proper screening may prevent cancer because we often find polyps before they turn into cancer. A screening colonoscopy offers the most thorough and complete examination of the entire colon and is the only screening option that allows us to immediately biopsy/remove polyps completely.

We offer a painless colonoscopy experience for our patients. Please call us to learn more about this important screening test.

UROLOGY

Our New Kitchen,

New Nutrition, New You series focuses on helping you get healthier in the kitchen — one ingredient at a time. In each edition of OurHealth, we suggest small changes in your food preparation and grocery shopping habits that can make a big, positive impact

2016 Nutrition Series

on your overall nutrition and health. Our goal is to present you with ideas you can use and build upon and will help you create a healthier kitchen — and life — by year’s end.

NEW KITCHEN, NEW

48% of people grill year-round.

words | JENNIFER HELLIER AND TRICIA FOLEY, MS, RD

NUTRITION, In this edition’s segment of our New Kitchen, New Nutrition, New You series, we have a few tasty, alternate recipes for you to try with your favorite grilling foods.

MAKING BBQ BETTER (AND HEALTHIER) There is not much in the world better than sitting outside on a golden, summer evening with friends, a cold beverage and a plate piled high with steak hot off the grill, barbecue baked beans and fresh coleslaw. The bold essence of a steak contrasts the cool, sweet crunch of coleslaw, and baked beans top it all off with salty-sweet savory flavor.

This combination is a summertime masterpiece and you are the artist. But as every great artist knows, even a masterpiece has room for improvement. Give these recipes a try! You will be amazed how swapping out a few ingredients will make your grilled foods healthier and just as scrumptious!

NEW

YOU

steak on the grill Unhealthy Recipe: Skirt Steak

Healthy Swap: Flank Steak

(SERVING SIZE: 4 OZ. OF STEAK. YIELD: 6)

(SERVING SIZE: 4 OZ. OF STEAK. YIELD: 6)

Ingedients:

Ingedients:

11/2 lb skirt steak

swap for this

11/2 lb flank steak

½ cup vegetable oil

swap for this

6 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup soy sauce

swap for this

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

2

tablespoons lime juice

2

tablespoons lime juice

11/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

11/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1

tablespoon Dijon mustard

1

tablespoon Dijon mustard

2

cloves garlic, minced

2

cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon black pepper, ground

½ teaspoon black pepper, ground

directions:

directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix all wet ingredients as well as mustard, garlic and black pepper.

2. Place meat in a shallow glass dish, pour marinade over the steak coating thoroughly.

Nutrition Facts per Serving with Marinade: • 363 calories • 27 grams fat (4 grams saturated) • 2 grams carbohydrate • 28 grams protein • 225.5 milligrams sodium

1. In a medium bowl, mix all wet ingredients as well as mustard, garlic and black pepper.

2. Place meat in a shallow glass dish, pour marinade over the steak coating thoroughly.

Nutrition Facts per Serving with Marinade: • 308 calories • 20 grams fat (2 grams saturated) • 2 grams carbohydrate • 28 grams protein • 143 milligrams sodium

3. Cover, and refrigerate for six hours.

3. Cover, and refrigerate for six hours.

4. Heat grill to medium-high.

4. Heat grill to medium-high.

5. Oil the grill grate, then place steaks on the grill, discard the marinade.

5. Oil the grill grate, then place steaks on the grill, discard the marinade.

6. Grill meat for five minutes on each side or to desired doneness.

6. Grill meat for five minutes on each side or to desired doneness.

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

baked beans Unhealthy Recipe: Baked Beans

Healthy Alternative: Baked Beans

(YIELD: 6 SERVINGS)

(YIELD: 6 SERVINGS)

Ingedients:

Ingedients:

6

tablespoons ketchup

swap for this

6

tablespoons BBQ sauce

swap for this

1

large onion diced

1

(15 ounce) can “no salt added” tomato sauce

2

tablespoons apple cider vinegar (with the mother)

1

large onion diced

13/4 cup water 6

tablespoons brown sugar

½ teaspoon dry mustard

swap for this

swap for this

1

tablespoon molasses

2

tablespoons local honey

2

teaspoons minced garlic

½ teaspoon salt 1

tablespoon cumin powder

11/4 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon onion powder 1½ (15.8 ounce) cans pinto beans

swap for this

1½ (15.8 ounce) cans low sodium

pinto beans

directions:

directions:

1. Drain and rinse the beans.

1. Drain and rinse the beans.

2. Lightly grease a four-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

2. Lightly grease a four-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

3. Add all ingredients.

3. Add all ingredients.

4. Cover and cook on high seven hours or until beans are soft.

4. Cover and cook on high seven hours or until beans are soft.

5. Turn off the crockpot, keeping the lid closed, let sit 1 hour.

5. Turn off the crockpot, keeping the lid closed, let sit 1 hour.

6. Serve immediately, or transfer to a container and refrigerate for up to four days.

6. Serve immediately, or transfer to a container and refrigerate for up to four days.

7. If reheating, add a little water (up to 1/2 cup for the entire recipe) and stir, then heat.

7. If reheating, add a little water (up to 1/2 cup for the entire recipe) and stir, then heat.

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

• 173 calories

• 0 grams fat

• 133 calories

• .03 grams fat

• 37.3 grams carbohydrate

• 6 grams protein

• 25 grams carbohydrate

• 8.3 grams protein

• 7 grams fiber • 18 grams sugar

• 427 milligrams sodium

• 7 grams fiber • 5 grams sugar

• 246.8 milligrams sodium

TOP 3

SUMMER SALADS

69%

potato salad

36% cole slaw

34%

macaroni salad www.OurHealthRichmond.com

27

cole slaw vs. cabbage salad Unhealthy Recipe: Cole Slaw

Healthy Alternative: Cabbage Salad

(YIELD: 6 SERVINGS)

(YIELD: 6 SERVINGS)

Ingedients:

Ingedients: swap for this

3 cups shredded cabbage

1½ cups shredded purple cabbage 1½ cup shredded green cabbage

½ cup shredded carrot

½ cup shredded carrot swap for this

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup green pepper, diced ¼ cup red pepper, diced ¼ cup red onion, diced

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

swap for this

¼ cup apple cider vinegar with the mother

2 tablespoons sugar

swap for this

2 tablespoons local honey

½ teaspoon celery seed Salt and pepper to taste

directions:

directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and carrots.

1. Combine all vegetables and in a separate bowl mix the vinegar and honey.

2. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, celery seed, sugar, salt and pepper to make dressing.

2. Then drizzle mixture over the bowl of vegetables and mix well.

3. Toss dressing over cabbage mixture and allow chilling. Serve in large bowl.

Nutrition Facts per Serving: • 177.5 calories • 14.5 grams carbohydrate • 4 grams sugar

• 13.3 grams fat (2.1 grams saturated fat) • 117 mg sodium

3. Allow to chill and serve in large bowl.

Nutrition Facts per Serving: • 56 calories

• 0 grams protein

• 14 grams carbohydrate

• 0 grams fat

• 5.6 grams of sugar

• negligible sodium

• 0 grams protein

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthrichmond.com

28

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

series

the 2016 OurHealth Richmond Primary Care Series: an issue-by-issue overview

+++ january

| february

KNOW YOUR CARE: understanding your health and how to maintain it

+++ march

| april

DO YOUR CARE:

SHARE

taking action with your health

YOUR

care

Primary care physicians are our partners on the road to good health.

They urge us to get our vaccinations and preventive health screenings. They’re the ones reminding us to eat healthy and exercise.

+++

words | GERI ASTON

You’re healthy and you know it and you’re proud to show it!

But sometimes it’s easier to get on and stay on the path to good health when we have company on the journey. Then once we’ve adopted a healthy lifestyle, we can set a good example for others and perhaps inspire them to join us.

This article, the third in a yearlong OurHealth Richmond series about primary care, focuses on “sharing your care.” With the advice of local primary care physicians, we’ll provide ideas for how you can work healthy practices into your daily life and possibly motivate others to do the same.

Setting your sites on eating right “One of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle is eating right”, says Daphne Bryan, MD, a family physician at Bon Secours Bermuda Crossroads Primary Care in Chester. Dr. Bryan recommends that patients avoid eating white starchy foods and sweets on a daily basis. Some examples of foods to steer away from are breads, white rice, crackers, chips, cakes, candies and cookies.

+++ june

| july

SHARE YOUR CARE: setting good examples for others to learn and live by

+++ +++ august

| september

INSPIRE YOUR CARE:

keeping creative with fresh care ideas

+++ october

| november

MEASURE YOUR CARE:

tracking your efforts to ensure you’re on the right path

+++ december

CELEBRATE YOUR CARE: rejoicing the rewards realized from taking good care of yourself

People should have at least seven servings of fruit and vegetables each day. To fit that into your eating plan, try eating two types of vegetables at lunch and at dinner and have fruit for snacks, Dr. Bryan suggests. Another tip is to avoid eating foods with more than one major ingredient. “Meats, fish, fruit and vegetables only have one ingredient; however, Oreos have a lot more than one,” she says.

To make healthy eating easier, patients can try cooking larger portions and putting single portions in containers for lunch the next day or freezing them for quick dinner another day, Dr. Bryan adds.

Bon Secours has weight-loss resources for employees and the community, Dr. Bryan says. It has two board-certified bariatric medicine specialists in the Richmond area and three in Hampton Roads. These physicians are trained to help with total wellness.

Daphne Bryan, MD is a physician with Bon Secours Bermuda Crossroads Primary Care in Chester.

Dr. Bryan is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Bryan assists patients with weight loss by coaching them in making important lifestyle changes and using medication for appetite suppression when needed.

“Sometimes it’s not the addition of medicine that is needed for weight loss, but instead removing medications that cause weight gain,” she says. “I will soon be adding a more aggressive approach to weight loss called the “New Directions” program. These Share Your Care When it Comes to programs are available to employees, as well as our patients at large.”

Traditional Screenings

Cancer screenings Once you reach age 50, doctors recommend several cancer screenings. If you have a family history of early cancers, your physician might suggest screening before 50. Knowing your family history and sharing it with other family members enables you and your family to be proactive about getting screened and making lifestyle choices that could affect whether or not cancer develops.

Getting recommended screenings is one way to set a good example for others.

“Telling your family and friends that your colonoscopy wasn’t too bad might help someone get one and prevent a colon cancer,” Dr. Klecan says.

Breast cancer (women) • 40-49—Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

• 50-64—Starting at age 50, get screened every two years.

• 65 and older—Get screened every two years through age 74. Age 75 and older, ask your doctor or nurse if you need to be screened.

Cervical cancer (women) • 18-39—Get a Pap test every three years if you are 21 or older and have a cervix. If you are 30 or older, you can get a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test together every five years.

• 40-49—Get a Pap test and HPV test together every five years if you have a cervix.

• 50-64 —Get a Pap test and HPV test together every five years if you have a cervix.

• 65 and older—Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to get a Pap test.

— Traditional Screenings, continued on page 33

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Once you’ve adopted healthy eating habits, it can be fun encourage the same in others. “You could make a healthy, tasty meal for a friend or family member and then ask that person to help make the menu for the next time,” says Megan Lemay, MD, a primary care physician and assistant professor of medicine in general internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

Exercising for the body and mind Getting enough physical activity is just as important as eating right. The recommended amount of exercise for the average adult is at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity. As a rule of thumb, moderate activity means exercise you can do while carrying on a conversation without losing your breath.

Exercise helps to improve conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, anxiety and depression, Dr. Bryan notes. She suggests that anyone who has been sedentary and is planning to start exercising talk to his or her primary care doctor about a safe way to get started.

Walking is one of the best exercises.

It’s free and is good for people in any age group. Walking is just one option, though. Find something you like to do that doesn’t involve sitting.

Dr. Bryan suggests joining a local gym. Facilities with indoor pools are particularly helpful for people who have arthritis or other disabilities that make exercise painful because water takes away the pressure on the joints.

Exercise not only helps people feel better physically, but mentally, too. “It’s a great way to manage stress”, Dr. Bryan says. She also suggests trying yoga and studying relaxation techniques. There are many helpful sources online that teach meditation.

Making exercise social, not just for your own health and enjoyment, but to motivate others who might need an extra nudge.

“You could think about inviting that family member on a walk, hike, or swim and letting them decide the next outdoor activity to enjoy,” Dr. Lemay says. “It’s motivating to feel that you have some control over the healthy changes in your life.”

For people with children, family activities help you physically and mentally while you model healthy behavior for your kids. Walking, biking or hiking together encourages healthy habits that can last for a lifetime.

— Traditional Screenings, continued from page 32

Colorectal cancer (men and women) • 40-49—You might be screened if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps or if you have risk factors, such as a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.

• 50-64 —Starting at age 50, get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor or nurse about which screening test is best for you and how often you need it.

• 65 and older—Get screened for colorectal cancer through age 75.

Lung cancer (men and women) • 50-64 —Starting at age 55, get an annual screening if you have a 30 packyear smoking history* and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

• 65 and older—Get screened through age 80.

Prostate cancer (Men) • 50-64 —Men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor starting at age 50, or younger for African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer in a close relative younger than age 65. Prostate examinations are no longer routinely done on men with no symptoms.

• 65 and older—Talk with your doctor about prostate cancer screening.

Source: National Institutes of Health, www.nih.gov. *Smoking history pack-year – A way to measure the amount a person has smoked over a long period of time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked. For example, one pack-year is equal to smoking one pack per day for one year, or two packs per day for half a year.

Aging doesn’t change the recommended activity level of 150 minutes a week. Elderly people benefit physically and mentally from exercise also. The intensity of activity might be lower though, and sometimes disability gets in the way.

Dig into your health roots Knowing your family history and sharing it with other family members enables you and your family to be proactive about making lifestyle choices that could affect whether some illnesses with a hereditary component develop.

“Family members share genes, lifestyles and environments that may influence health and risk of chronic disease”, says John Strazzullo, MD, a family physician at Patient First in Richmond. Having a family member with a chronic disease or serious condition, such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, may mean you have increased risk of developing that disease, too.

John Strazzullo, MD is a family medicine provider with Patient First in Richmond. Dr. Strazzullo is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

www.OurHealthRichmond.com

33

“It’s motivating to feel that you have some control over the healthy changes in your life.”

– Megan Lemay, MD,

Assistant Professor of Medicine i General Internal Medicine at VCU.

“If your doctor understands your family history, he or she is better able have a discussion with you about lifestyle choices and appropriate screening tests”, Dr. Strazzullo says. This discussion might help you make any needed changes that could lessen your chance of developing a chronic illness and encourage you to get appropriate testing in order to detect a cancer at an early, curable stage.

“It can also aid the physician in detecting an inheritable disease before a patient suffers health problems due to the condition,” Dr. Strazzullo says. For example, thrombophilia, an increased tendency to form dangerous blood clots that can break loose and lodge in your lungs, can be inherited, he notes.

A complete family history is important for all family members, even if they are not biologically related, Dr. Strazzullo says. That’s because family members often share social and environmental exposures that may influence health risks, such as poor diet, smoking, or exposure to toxins, such a lead in drinking water.

Dr. Strazzullo offers these tips for compiling a useful family health history record: • Talk to family members about health history and update the record from time to time.

Megan Lemay, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in General Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Lemay is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

• Record the names of your close relatives from both sides of the family for three generations (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews).

• List all diseases and conditions the individual is diagnosed with and age at diagnosis.

• Include the age and cause of death of deceased family members.

Modeling Healthy Choices

Living a healthy lifestyle involves more than going to the doctor, taking your medicine and exercising. Everyday choices impact our health, and making good choices can inspire friends and loved ones to do the same.

34

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

Driving safely: You can set a good example by wearing your seatbelt, not texting or talking on the phone while driving and not drinking and driving.

Limiting screen time: Balancing screen time with time outside is not just good for kids, but also for adults. If you are asking your tween to limit video games, you shouldn’t be stuck on your iPad. Not smoking: Studies show that children whose parents smoke are more likely to take up the habit.

Primary care doctors can help smokers who want to quit. Nicotine replacement products such as lozenges, gum, patches and inhalers make it easier.

Your success might encourage others. If you’re a smoker and you quit, it might just be contagious,.

Get some shut-eye Adequate sleep is an essential, but often overlooked, part of a healthy lifestyle. Everyone needs at least seven hours of “good” sleep a night, says Daphne Bryan, MD, a family physician at Bon Secours Bermuda Crossroads Primary Care in Chester.

“I say ‘good’ sleep because if a person has sleep apnea, although they are sleeping, they are not getting proper oxygen while they sleep,” she says. “This is linked to many health conditions. To name a few: obesity, hypertension and frequent headaches.”

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly, and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. If you think you might have sleep apnea, the Mayo Clinic recommends you see your doctor. Treatment can ease your symptoms and may help prevent other problems.

Hesitant to Schedule Your Prostate Exam?

We Understand.

If you are a male between the ages of 40 and 70, it’s time to stop putting off this simple, potentially lifesaving checkup. African American males or those with a family history of prostate cancer should have a conversation with your doctor to determine when screening is appropriate for you.

Make the decision to schedule your exam today, call (804) 330-9105 or visit uro.com.

Expert contributors • Daphne Bryan, MD is a family physician at Bon Secours Bermuda Crossroads Primary Care in Chester.

• Megan Lemay, MD is a primary care physician and assistant professor of medicine in general internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

• John Strazzullo, MD is a family physician at Patient First in Richmond.

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthrichmond.com

www.OurHealthRichmond.com

35

ADVANCED DEGREE?

CERTIFICATE?

DIPLOMA?

BACHELOR’S ASSOCIATE DEGREE?

ADVANCED DEGREE?

CERTIFICATE?

DIPLOMA?

36

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

the 2016

OurHealth Richmond

HOW TO IN HEALTHCARE SERIES:

HOW TO IN

words | RICH ELLIS

THE

an issue-by-issue overview

HEALTHCARE part SERIES

2

UNDERGRADUATE

S?

OPTIONS

OurHealth’s four-part healthcare education series is a step-by-step guide for those interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Part I of OurHealth magazine’s four-part series — “How to in Healthcare: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pursuing a Career in Medicine” — examined how students can begin preparing for a healthcare career as early as high school. It appeared in the March/April 2016 issue of OurHealth magazine’s Richmond edition and focused on building a foundation for success and making high school curriculum count.

Part II looks at how students and their families can evaluate and choose the right undergraduate school to best prepare them for a healthcare profession and how to achieve success as an undergrad.

Both clinical and nonclinical healthcare career paths offer a myriad of choices when it comes to deciding what type of healthcare professional a student wants to become. That career decision in turn dictates a specific undergraduate path and its associated educational requirements.

Students pursuing additional education after high school for a healthcare career can choose to earn a certificate, diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree. Each opens the door to employment in a number of healthcare careers. (See page 42 for additional information about healthcare careers and healthcare-related programs.)

part one

Preparing for a Career in Healthcare as Early as High School |

march

april

part two

Choosing The Right Undergraduate School For Your Healthcare Specialty |

june

july

part three

Entering Graduate School and Residency/Fellowship/ Clinical Training august

|

september

part four

Insight on How to Find the Right Job in One’s Field of Specialty october

|

november

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL The following is an overview of the types of healthcare and healthcare-related certificates, diplomas and degrees available to students after high school, including the general time to complete or graduate as a full time student.

CERTIFICATES

Certificate programs — primarily offered at community colleges or technical schools — provide professional training in a specific field or occupation, such as certified nursing assistant, dental assistant or home health aide.

Certifications can usually be earned in 12 months or less.

DIPLOMAS

Diplomas are similar to certificates, but diploma programs are more in-depth and require hands-on experience gained on the job. It usually takes one to two years to earn a diploma. Available career choices for diploma holders include medical assistant, nursing assistant and pharmacy technician.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

An associate degree is a two-year degree offered primarily by community colleges and technical schools but also by some four-year colleges and universities. This degree is often transferable to a four-year bachelor’s degree program and serves as the first two years. Healthcare careers that require an associate degree include dental hygienist, medical office manager and paramedic.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded by four-year colleges and universities and are required for students pursuing additional education at the graduate level, such as medical school. Dieticians, athletic trainers and anesthesia technicians are healthcare professions that require a bachelor’s degree.

38

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

Bryant & Stratton College, with a campus in Richmond, is an example of an institution that offers students a variety of choices when it comes to their healthcare education and future careers.

Bryant & Stratton is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to confer diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees.

“In the area of healthcare, we offer a bachelor’s degree in health services administration; an associate degree in health services administration, medical assisting, medical administrative assistant and medical reimbursement and coding; and diplomas in health services assistant and medical office assistant,” says Beth Murphy, Bryant & Stratton campus director.

A wide variety of career opportunities are available to students who successfully complete a healthcare-focused education.

For example, students pursuing an associate degree in Bryant & Stratton’s nursing program could find themselves ready to begin work in their new career in less than two years by completing the 20-month associate degree program and sitting for the National Counsel Licensure Examination, a national exam required for nurses to be licensed.

And for students considering a career in nursing, the future has never looked brighter —much the same as it does for many healthcare careers.

“We have a shortage of nurses in Virginia and a shortage of nurse educators globally,” says Debi Erick, Bryant & Stratton College’s program director of nursing. “As a result, there are so many opportunities in nursing in Virginia, with some employers offering $5,000 and $10,000 sign-on bonuses to our nursing graduates. Career advancement in nursing comes through education, work experience and certification. Bryant & Stratton College offers all three, and we encourage our nursing graduates to continue their nursing education by attending graduate school.”

Community colleges can also be an attractive option for students pursuing healthcare-related degrees.

With campuses in Midlothian, Chester, and a Nursing Education Center in Richmond, John Tyler Community College, for example, offers options for students contemplating a healthcare career, including associate degrees in nursing, emergency medical services, and even funeral services.

“Students who are interested in nursing initially enroll in either the career studies certificate, allied health preparation, pre-nursing; or the associate of applied science degree, general studies, pre-BSN (bachelor of science in nursing),” explains Johanna Weiss, dean of mathematics, natural and health sciences at JTCC. “The career studies certificate is geared toward students who are taking the prerequisite courses and then plan to apply to the associate of applied science in nursing

program at JTCC. Because the BSN is becoming the expectation for registered nurses, most of our students enroll in the pre-BSN program.”

More than 90 percent of JTCC graduates express an intention to continue their education by pursuing the BSN degree, Weiss notes.

Other healthcare-focused options at JTCC include an emergency medical services program, consisting of several different career studies certificates; the AAS in funeral services — one of only two funeral service programs in Virginia; premed-focused studies and more. With the variety of degrees and study tracks available, students can find that choosing the one that’s right for them can be just as challenging as selecting which school to attend.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL Deciding on a school is a decision based on equal parts emotion and facts. The easy part of that decision might be whether the student is pursuing a certificate or diploma or has plans to attend graduate school — factors that can help narrow the pool before other factors are considered.

Johanna Weiss, PhD is Dean of Mathematics, Natural and Health Sciences at John Tyler Community College in Chester.

Bryant & Stratton’s Murphy believes the first step toward selecting a school is finding the right program of study.

“The area of healthcare is very broad,” says Murphy, “and it’s important that students explore the many options in the field. Students should look at an institution’s outcomes. Are the graduates getting jobs? Are the graduates passing the exams necessary for certification or licensure? Next, what company does the institution keep? What accreditations does it have and what employer partnerships exist?

Finally, does the institution meet the student where they are? For example, at Bryant & Stratton College, we have a child-minding center because we know many of our students have children.

We also offer day, evening and online classes because we know many of our students work.”

Some students already have plans to attend graduate school even before they enroll in an undergraduate program. For these students, it’s beneficial to determine what the path to graduate school looks like at the undergraduate schools they’re considering, to seek guidance from the schools, and to factor this information into their decision-making process.

“Faculty can help undergrad students design their curriculum to help them to be in the best possible position for www.OurHealthRichmond.com

39

acceptance into a graduate program,” says Cecil Drain, dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia campus. “By doing so, they will save time and money by only taking courses that will help them in the acceptance process. It is key that they get to know about the program and profession, as well as the faculty getting to know them.”

Drain thinks it is advantageous for students to earn their undergraduate degree at a school where graduate and professional programs also exist, the way they do at VCU.

Cecil Drain, PhD is Dean of School of Allied Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“A student must put the time in to study and apply knowledge. Many of our students are balancing family, jobs and school.

Students need to carve out time outside of the classroom to study.”

–– Beth Murphy, Bryant & Stratton College

Cost is another important consideration when it comes to choosing an undergraduate school, with in-state schools usually offering significant cost savings to students.

Cost information is readily available on each school’s website.

Costs vary widely between community colleges and public and private institutions, says Weiss of JTCC. Community colleges offer affordable, high-quality programs that attract a large number of highly qualified applicants, many of whom are recent high school graduates or career switchers returning to school after many years away. At JTCC, students pursuing an associate degree through a three-year program would need 97 credits at $150 per credit for a total tuition bill of almost $15,000.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND STUDENT LOANS Scholarships are usually merit-based. This means they are given to prospective recipients based on desired qualities such as athletic ability, academic achievement or involvement in a certain extracurricular activity. Scholarships can also be based on particular traits, like ancestral background or group affiliation.

Grants tend to be need-based and are available to students based

on criterion such as family income. The federal and state governments are the primary sources of grants. One of the most well-known federal grants is the Pell Grant. State-funded grants ordinarily go to students pursuing an education in their home state.

Beth Murphy is the Richmond Campus Director at Bryant & Stratton College in Richmond.

Student loans, borrowed by the student or parent, can be subsidized or unsubsidized, but both types need to be repaid. A subsidized loan does not accrue interest until the student ends his or her education, by graduating or withdrawing. Repayment begins about six months later. An unsubsidized loan begins to accrue interest as soon as the loan is disbursed and also must be repaid starting six months after graduation.

Both grants and scholarships usually have some sort of requirements, such as maintaining a certain GPA, in order for students

to continue to receive funding. It’s important that recipients understand these requirements so they do not find themselves without the aid they expected.

40

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

HEALTHCARE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE AN

HEALTHCARE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE AN

The following is a list of healthcare positions that require an associate degree through an accredited two-year college or trade school.

The following is a list of healthcare positions that require a four year bachelor degree at an accredited college or university.

JOB TITLE

JOB TITLE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR DEGREE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dental Hygienist Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Dispensing Optician Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician Histologist Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Office Manager Medical Transcriptionist Nuclear Medicine Technologist Occupational Therapy Assistant Paramedic Physical Therapy Assistant Radiation Therapist Radiologic Technician Registered Nurse (RN) Respiratory Therapist Surgical Technologist Ultrasound Technician

42

• Anesthesia Technician • Athletic Trainer • Certified Nursing Home Administrator • Dental Laboratory Technician • Dietician • Exercise Physiologist • Health Educator • Kinesiotherapist • Medical and Health Services Manager • Occupational Health and Safety Specialist • Recreational Therapist • Speech-Language Pathologist

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

HEALTHCARE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE AN

ADVANCED EDUCATION AND DESIGNATIONS

The following is a list of healthcare positions that require a four-year bachelor degree in order to apply to a master degree program or go to a post graduate school, such as medical or dental school. These positions require advanced level degrees and can take up to ten years, depending on the position, degree, licensure or certification, internship and residency requirements.

JOB TITLE • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) • Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) • Doctor of Optometry (OD) • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) • Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) • Medical Doctori (MD) • Mental Health Counselor • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) • Nurse Practitioner (NP) • Pharmacist (PharmD) • Physician Assistant (PA)

Oftentimes those tuition costs can be defrayed by financial aid — something students should research and consider. A breakdown of the different types of financial aid available to students appears in the sidebar, “Differences between scholarships, grants and student loans.”

SUCCESS FACTORS Many factors contribute to a student’s success in undergraduate school, including the course load they take, their school-work balance if they’re working while enrolled, the grades they achieve and their communication with school faculty.

“First, the student must be in the right program. Students who do not enjoy math are not going to like most of the healthcare programs,” Murphy advises. “Students also need to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Whether they are formal opportunities, such as an internship experience or exam prep sessions, or informal opportunities, such as networking with instructors, there are so many opportunities for our students to improve, practice their craft, gain experience and develop support systems.”

Debi Erick, PhD, is the Program Director for Nursing at Bryant & Stratton College in Richmond.

At the same time, Erick says it’s important that Bryant & Stratton’s adult learners feel connected and respected in order to be successful in their higher education efforts and maintain the balance required by the different roles they assume.

“I always encourage our nursing students to become active in our National Student Nurses Association organization on campus,” Erick says. “This is a professional organization in which students get to interact with other nursing students from around the world.

“We also understand the need for our adult learners to continue earning a living and supporting their families while they attend our programs,” Erick adds. “To this end, we schedule classes in the daytime, evenings, weekends and online to offer the working adult flexibility in their school schedule. Our RN-BSN program, for example, can be completed entirely online if that’s what the working nurse needs.”

In Drain’s opinion, the quality of program in eyes of graduates and in national rankings, the job opportunities that await them after graduation and the cost and opportunity for scholarships and financial aid are also important success factors.

Students who find academic success by completing their designated course of study — whether it’s earning a certificate, diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree — and then begin a healthcare career shouldn’t assume that their education is over.

Healthcare professionals often return to school to further their career opportunities by earning an advanced degree, which for many means entering graduate or medical school.

NEXT IN OUR SERIES Part III of OurHealth magazine’s four-part series, “How to in Healthcare,” examines the steps necessary to prepare for graduate school, on-the-job clinical training through a residency and/or fellowship training. Watch for Part III in the August/ September edition. www.OurHealthRichmond.com

43

HEALTHCARE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE

HEALTHCARE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE

The following is a list of healthcare positions that can be obtained through completion of a certificate program at a community college or technical/trade school:

The following is a list of healthcare positions that can be obtained through completion of a diploma program at a community college, technical/trade school or hospital.

JOB TITLE

JOB TITLE

NON-DEGREE CERTIFICATES

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

NON-DEGREE DIPLOMAS

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).................four to twelve weeks

Cardiology Technologist........................................one to two years

Dental Assistant...................................................... one year or less

Health Care Documentation Specialist.....10 months to two years

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)........................... ten weeks

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).............................one to two years

Home Health Aide................................................... one year or less

Medical Assistant.........................................................nine months

Medical Coding Specialist....................................... one year or less

Medical Office Professional...................................one to two years

Medical Administrative Assistant.......... eight months to one year

Nursing Assistant...................................................one to two years

Medical Massage Therapist....................................one to two years

Ophthalmic Medical Technician...................... three to six months

Medical Receptionist............................................... one year or less

Pharmacy Technician.............................................one to two years

Patient Care Technician..............................................eight months Phlebotomist........................................................... one year or less Surgical Technologist..........................................................one year

EXPERT

CONTRIBUTORS • Johanna Weiss, PhD, John Tyler Community College in Chester • Cecil Drain, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University • Debi Erick, PhD, Bryant & Stratton College in Richmond • Beth Murphy, Bryant & Stratton College in Richmond

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthrichmond.com

44

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond

A HEALTHCARE STUDENT’S

PERSPECTIVE

Natalie Farnen is a student at Bryant & Stratton College and will graduate in December with an associate degree in nursing. When it came time to choose a career, there were countless reasons behind her decision to study nursing, but perhaps the strongest reason was her mother.

“She recently retired as a nurse, and throughout her 30-plus years as a nurse and years of caring for my grandparents, I gained such meaningful insight into excellent bedside manner, patience, comfort and, most of all, compassion,” Farnen explains.

When it came time to choose an institution that would provide her with the education she needed to pursue a nursing career, Farnen had a head start: She had already earned a bachelor’s degree in health science. After graduating with her associate degree in nursing, she plans to continue her education by obtaining a master’s degree in nursing. Farnen was originally enrolled in a nursing program in California, but a job change that brought her husband to Virginia led to her searching for a school here.

“I already had an idea of what kind of college I wanted to be a part of,” Farnen offers. “I wanted a school that knew who I was as a person, and one that would help me achieve my career goals. Bryant & Stratton definitely hit those marks and created an atmosphere filled with positivity. I live in Norfolk, and my commute to school is about an hour and 45

minutes. I could have easily selected a school in my city, but none of those colleges supported what I was looking for.”

As she reflects on the time she’s spent at Bryant & Stratton and looks to the future, Farnen says her experience in the RN program has been very rewarding and memorable.

“There’s never a dull moment in nursing,” she says. “My fellow classmates are like my family — my sisters. From the countless hours of studying together and the many interesting clinical/ simulation lab moments, we developed such a strong bond. My professors are incredibly educated, each with different specialties in nursing, and each is an amazing mentor to every nursing student here. My experience at Bryant & Stratton has been nothing but positive. The staff here always welcomes current and prospective students with warm smiles and always tries to find time to get to know you.”

Those mentors should serve Farnen well with her aspirations of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner and a nurse educator.

www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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FITBITS

H EA LT H A ND F I T NES S O N THE GO

get to the ‘CORE’ of your workout words | DEIDRE WILKES

It’s the new ‘buzzword’ – work your ‘core’.

Everybody is talking about it, there are classes devoted to it, people talk about it in the gym – I want to work my ‘core’. But, where is that mysterious body part, and how exactly am I supposed to ‘work it’?

Your ‘core’ is the midsection of the body and it involves all the muscles in that area including the front, back and sides.

These muscles work as stabilizers for the entire body. Core training is simply doing specific exercises to develop and strengthen these stabilizer muscles.

So, why is this type of exercise getting so much attention these days? Simple – Americans are getting more and more

sedentary. Prolonged sitting and no exercise weakens the muscles in your midsection. This can lead to problems like low back pain and protruding waistlines.

Okay, so that explains it, now ‘how’ do I accomplish it?

The good news is that core training is for everyone! And, better yet, there are a variety of group core classes that take the guesswork out of selecting exercises and are fun! Plus, most classes dedicated to core workouts are generally only 30 to 45 minutes, so there isn’t a big time commitment!

Find a Core Class: Midlothian Athletic Club • Richmond www.macrichmond.com

ACAC

• Short Pump/Midlothian www.acac.com

Yoga Source

• Richmond www.yogarichmond.com

YMCA of Greater Richmond

• Richmond Area www.ymcarichmond.org * membership and/or class fees may be required

Deidre Wilkes, AFAA, ACSM, Certified Personal Trainer

Deidre is a certified personal trainer with more than 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. She is the resident fitness specialist for OurHealth Greater Richmond

Intensity:

moderate www.OurHealthRichmond.com

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Bon Air Elementary School PTA 8th Annual 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run ‘In the Books’!

The 8th Annual Bon Air 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, hosted by the Bon Air Elementary School PTA, took place this spring. Many students who participated in the school’s running club showed off their hard work with a fun race experience!

With just under 400 runners completing the 5K, the event showcased overwhelming support from students, parents, teachers, and school administration, in addition to tremendous community involvement that included James River Family Dentistry as principal race sponsor and PatientFirst sponsoring the 1 Mile Fun Run. The challenging 5K race starts and ends on the school grounds, winding through several picturesque residential roads in between. The course also featured many spectators who cheered for participants as they made their way towards the finish.

All race proceeds and sponsorship funds benefit the Bon Air Elementary School PTA.

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Post the correct answer on our Facebook page by JULY 25th for a chance to WIN a Free Magazine Subscription!

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