May • June 2018 ourhealthrichmond.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
www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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FEATURES MAY • JUNE 2018
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OUTSTANDING NURSES
A celebration of 17 nursing professionals in the Richmond community 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 5 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! #OurHealthRVA
In honor of Men’s Health Month in June, physicians in the Richmond community share their insight on important screenings all men should have plus much more! www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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DEPARTMENTS MAY • JUNE 2018
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The Pulse | People. Places. News to Know.
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Calendar | Things to Do in Richmond during May and June for your
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Health Scene | Happenings. Who’s Who. Trending.
Aging Well | Wisdom. Dignity. Support.
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Holistic & Natural Medicine | Humor. Search. Check.
Mind, Body and Soul
Richmond residents sprinted towards a good cause during the HCA Virginia Sports Med 5K in support of FeedMore, Central Virginia’s core hunger-relief organization dedicated to providing neighbors in need with healthy meals and hope for a better tomorrow.
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. ichmond integrative and functional medicine doctor Aaron R Hartman, MD discusses 12 easy, natural ways to get and stay healthy this summer.
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64 - Carytown Farmers Market Provides Opportunity to Support Local Farmers and Your Health
Volunteer Spotlight | Heroes. Champions. Community Minded
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Q&A on Health | Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
66 - Summer Foods: Summer time is here and so are healthy fruits and vegetables that you can use for our three featured recipes!
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Health A-Z | Insight. Awareness. Mindfulness for the 29 - Reasons to Smile at Every Age: Richmond dental care specialists provide important information in our guide to overall oral health.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
Health Observances | Educate. Eradicate. Victory. 70 - May is 6-12 is Root Canal Awareness Week: A local . endodontist dispels myths surrounding pain associated with treatment.
Whole Family.
36 - Medicine the Way it Used to Be: Concierge Medicine practices like PartnersMD in Richmond are providing patients with more access to their doctors and longer, more thorough visits.
Food and Fitness | Nutrition. Exercise. Prevention. 63 - How a Common Spice Fights Inflammation
J. im Pyle helps bring smiles and happiness to residents at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond with his jokes and trivia games and by listening to them share their many life stories.
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. espite care is helping provide much needed support for R caregivers, including Timothy Ray of Colonial Heights, who is balancing everyday life with meeting the needs of his mother.
72 - June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month: . A staggering 5.7 million people live with Alzheimer’s . today, and the number is projected to rise to 14 million by 2050.
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Funny Bone | Spot the Seven Differences
www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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MAY • JUNE 2018
OURHEALTH’S EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PARTNER
PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-AT-LARGE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ACCOUNTING MANAGER ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY
McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Fields Hungate Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Lisa Spinelli Laura Bower Katie Bradtke
CONTRIBUTING RICHMOND MEDICAL EXPERTS
Kara K. Beatty MD Katie Bradtke, MS, LAT, ATC Beth Du, MD Ken Henry, PhD, AuD Nathan Langer, MD
CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL Catherine Brown EXPERTS & WRITERS Brandy Centolanza Rich Ellis Laurel Herman Tina Joyce Jennifer Lamont Michelle McLees Rick Piester Meagan Vickery ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Cindy Morris-Scruggs Senior Media Account Executive P: 804.300.0650 F: 540.387.6483 cmscruggs@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are $19.95 per year. To receive OurHealth Richmond via U.S. Mail, please contact Jenny Hungate at jenny@ourhealthvirginia.com
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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 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 | ourhealthlynchburg.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcharlottesville.com | Advertising rates upon request.
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The Pulse
INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS
Promotions and Moves New CEO Joins Daily Planet Beth Merchent has been named the new CEO of Daily Planet in Richmond. Merchent takes the helm following the retirement of Peter Prizzio, who served in the role 15 years. Merchent comes to Daily Planet from Bon Secours Richmond where she was the Vice President of Community Health Services. In her role at Bon Secours, she worked together in support of St. Joseph’s Outreach Clinic and to fund the medical respite program at Daily Planet. More Information: www.dailyplanetva.org Beth Merchent
Recognitions Johnston-Willis Hospital Recognized for Higher Quality in Maternity Care Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has recognized HCA Virginia’s Johnston-Willis Hospital with a Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.
Announcements New Medicare Cards Went into Effect April 1st Virginians are now receiving new Medicare cards via mail featuring unique Medicare Beneficiary Identification Numbers (MBI). This is part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) from 2015, which requires the removal of Social Security Numbers (SSN) from all Medicare cards by April 2019. New cards will have MBI instead of SSN. There will be a national transition period between April 2018 and April 2019 where both the MBI and the SSN will be accepted. Virginians are among the first to receive these cards. More Information: https://go.cms.gov/2ElyEwW
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
“We are proud to be recognized by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for maternity care set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program,” says Zach McCluskey, CEO of Johnston-Willis Hospital. “This designation is a testament of our commitment to providing high quality maternity care in our community.” Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. More Information: www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction
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OurHealth Richmond ON YOUR TABLET OR SMARTPHONE
The Pulse
Announcements
Founder of Richmond Moms Blog and Tinker Talks, Christina Tinker, and Richmond writer Catherine Brown are collaborating on a book project to help those affected by eating disorders. Both Tinker and Brown are among the 60 percent of people who have recovered from eating disorders. They, along with others who have recovered, will share their stories to bring hope and peace to those seeking recovery. The authors will donate a portion of the book’s proceeds to the National Eating Disorders Association. Tinker and Brown are currently seeking submissions from those affected by eating disorders, both recovered sufferers themselves and the friends and family who have been affected. Contributors can submit their stories by visiting www.bit.ly/2v8LxdP. More Information: Contact Catherine Brown at 804.347.7256 or info@writehappy.net
Roberta C. Bogaev, MD, FACC, FACP
• NEWS TO KNOW
Richmond Writers Collecting Eating Disorder Recovery Stories To Spread Hope
Robert A. Lancey, MD, MBA
Promotions and Moves
Bon Secours Names Chiefs of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Bon Secours Virginia Health System has named Roberta C. Bogaev, MD, FACC, FACP, chief cardiologist and Robert A. Lancey, MD, MBA, chief cardiac surgeon of the Bon Secours Heart and Vascular program across Virginia. The positions align cardiovascular services in Richmond and Hampton Roads. “I am excited to have Dr. Bogaev’s and Dr. Lancey’s leadership as we align cardiovascular services across Bon Secours Virginia to increase access to care and provide better outcomes for our patients,” says Toni R. Ardabell, CEO, Bon Secours Virginia. More Information: www.bonsecours.com/richmond
www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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The Pulse
• NEWS TO KNOW
Nayef Abouzaki, MD
Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD
Tanya Baca, CNM
Woon Chow, MD, PhD
Linsday Culver, NP
Lisa Feldman, MD, PhD Robert Ferguson, MD VCU Health Neurosurgery Richmond | 804.828.9165 www.vuchealth.org
VCU Health | Pauley Heart Cardiothoracic Surgery Richmond | Stony Point 804.828.2775 www.vuchealth.org
Hernan Gatuslao, MD
Mark Gentz, DO
Lisa Hall, PA-C
Jordan Hylton, DO
Rahul Jasti, MD, MPH
Mohit Jindal, MD
Lydia Johnson, MD
Layla Kamal, MD
Brian Le, MD
Kandace McGuire, MD Anish Patel, MD
Jessica Randolph, MD
Masey Ross, MD
Silvia Salgado, MD
VCU Health | Pauley Heart Cardiology Richmond | 804.628.4327 www.vcuhealth.org
VCU Health Pathology Richmond | 804.828.9746 www.vcuhealth.org
Primary Health Group – Chippenham Richmond | 804.560.0490 www.Phg-chippenham.com
VCU Health Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Henrico | Richmond 804.828.3060 www.vcuhealth.org
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VCU Health Urology, Surgery Richmond | Stony Point 804.828.9331 www.vcuhealth.org
Bon Secours Internal Medicine of Ashland Richmond | 804.798.9208 www.bonsecours.com
VCU Health OB/GYN and Women’s Primary Care Richmond | Stony Point 804.828.4409 www.vcuhealth.org
VCU Health I VCU Massey Cancer Center Chief of Breast Surgery Richmond | 804.828.5116 www.vcuhealth.org
VA Complete Care for Women Richmond | 804.320.4967 www.vacompletecare.com
VCU Health Radiology Richmond | 800.762.6161 www.vcuhealth.org
VCU Health The N.O.W. Center Sports Medicine Henrico | 804.828.0713 www.vcuhealthnow center.org
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
Barbara Baynard, NP
Advanced Surgical Partners of Virginia Richmond | 804.360.0600 www.Advancedsurgical partnersofva.com
Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Midlothian | 804.330.4021 www.RichmondGastro.com
VCU Health Ophthalmology Richmond | Stony Point 804.828.9315 www.vcuhealth.org
Jennifer Blomgren, NP Parham Road Family Medicine Richmond | 804.262.2333 www.bonsecours.com
Bon Secours Neurology Clinic at Memorial Regional Mechanicsville | 804.325.8720 www.bonsecours.com
VCU Health Dermatology Stony Point | 804.828.9361 www.vcuhealth.org
VCU Massey Cancer Center Oncology/Hematology Downtown Richmond Stony Point | 804.828.5116 www.vcuhealth.org
Elijah Brisbone
Executive Director The Towers Richmond | 804.320.1412 www.rui.net/the-towers
Bon Secours Infectious Disease Specialists Midlothian | 804.423.5050 www.bonsecours.com
VCU Health Nephrology Richmond | Stony Point 804.828.2161 www.vcuhealth.org
VCU Health Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Richmond | 804.828.2161 www.vcuhealth.org
Elise Sideris, MD
VCU Health Geriatrics Richmond | 804.254.3500 www.vcuhealth.org
Kanwar Sidhu, MD
VCU Health Addiction Medicine Psychiatry Richmond | 804.828.2000 www.vcuhealth.org
MAKE SURE TO JOIN THE OURHEALTH COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Advanced Surgical Partners of Virginia Richmond | 804.360.0600 www.Advancedsurgical partnersofva.com
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Nathaniel Sann, FNP-BC
Rafael Vega, MD
VCU Health Neurosurgery Richmond | 804.828.9165 www.vcuhealth.org
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The Pulse
• NEWS TO KNOW
Announcements
Recognitions
Richmond Author Releases Book Promoting Strategies to Improve Population Health
Henrico Doctors’ Hospitals Recognized for Excellence in Nursing
A new book written by Susan Dubuque encourages healthcare marketers to use their skills in new ways to help people make positive lifestyle changes. Dubuque is a nationally recognized behavioral marketing expert and principal of ND&P, a marketing agency based in Richmond. Written for the healthcare industry, the book, Gearing Up for Population Health: Marketing for Change, features decades of insights from Dubuque, a Richmond resident who has consulted healthcare marketers since the agency’s founding in 1984. “Historically, hospital and health system marketing has concentrated on promoting the utilization of medical services in the fee-forservice environment,” Dubuque says. “But the trend toward population health is shifting the focus to helping people make better choices that improve their health and wellness. Marketers are ideally suited to be a catalyst for this type of change. After all, every successful marketing campaign involves change — specifically, changing the way someone thinks, feels or behaves.”
HCA Virginia’s Henrico Doctors’ Hospitals have earned three 2017 Unit of Distinction (UOD) Awards in an annual program that recognizes and rewards exemplary nursing units at HCA Healthcare affiliate facilities. 5 East at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital and the Medical Care Unit at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital were recognized as Unit Winners, and 3 East at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital was recognized with Honorable Mention. The “Unit of Distinction” designation is achieved through measurable, exemplary performance in the strategic areas of Advocacy and Leadership, Consistency in Nursing Practice and Operations, and Leveraging Scale to Drive Performance. During 2017, 820 HCA Nursing units participated in the program. An important component of the program is the company’s sponsorship of nurses to obtain national certification through programs accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties. This year, more than 1,100 HCA-affiliated nurses expanded their professional knowledge and advanced their individual and professional skills to earn certification. More Information: www.hcavirginia.com
Population health is a term used in healthcare to describe the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of outcomes within a group. These groups can include geographic locations, ethnic groups, employee groups or others. More Information: To order a print or digital copy of the publication, visit www.shsmd.org/populationhealth.
Recognitions Virginia Urology Designated a UroLift® Center of Excellence
Kinloch Nelson, MD
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Virginia Urology in Richmond with urologist Kinloch Nelson, MD has been designated as a UroLift® Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Nelson has demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and has achieved a high level of training, experience, and competence with the UroLift® System. Dr. Nelson is the first urologist in Richmond and second in the state of Virginia to receive this designation. More Information: www.uro.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
The Pulse • NEWS TO KNOW
Announcements Richmond Memory Care Community Hosting Contest and Luncheon to Celebrate Women Living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia The Pearl at Watkins Centre, A Phoenix Senior Living Community specializing in Memory Care, in partnership with OurHealth Richmond magazine and the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, is hosting a contest to recognize women who have made a difference in the lives of women in honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June. If you have a woman in your life with any stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia that has helped you, mentored you, supported you, or inspired you, please visit https://thepearlatwatkins.typeform.com/ to/StLYxQ and nominate her by completing a brief nomination form by June 15, 2018. You and your nominee will be invited to a special inaugural Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show event for lunch on Saturday, June 30th, 2 pm at The Pearl at Watkins Centre to be inducted as charter members of the Phoenix Women’s Club, which celebrates women who rise and recognize other women who have made a difference in the lives of others. For every nomination received between now and June 15, 2018, The Pearl at Watkins Centre will donate $1 to the local Alzheimer’s Association. More Information: www.phoenixsrliving.com
For More of The Pulse Visit: ourhealthrichmond.com Do you have health-related news to share for The Pulse? Send to Stephen McClintic Jr. via email at steve@ourhealthvirginia.com.
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MAY & JUNE
CALENDAR
INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS
5.4 SOUTHSIDE SPEEDWAY First
Responders Night Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
SPRING PLANTFEST
All plants offer a variety of health benefits, and your collection can never have enough! Take in the beauty of spring while shopping the area’s largest plant sale with more than 40 vendors selling plants ranging from well-known favorites to rare exotics. Also enjoy live music, a festive atmosphere and a chance to speak with the area’s extension agents to have all your gardening questions answered. All proceeds benefit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s education mission. Free | 4 pm – 7 pm (open extended hours on 5/4 and 5/5) Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | 1800 Lakeside Avenue | Richmond More information: w www.lewisginter.org
5.5
Come out to Southside Speedway, better known as “The Toughest Short Track in the South”, to celebrate first responders and all they do for our community to save and protect lives while enjoying a night of racing under the lights. The region’s finest first responders will be at the front ticket entrance for a pre-race fan meet & greet at 6:45 pm, then just before the race, and emergency vehicles will circle the track for a parade, complete with sirens! All first responders receive a discounted $14 admission ticket. $14 (for first responders with official badge or ID); $16 all others | 6 pm Southside Speedway 12800 Genito Road | Midlothian More information: w www.southsidespeedway.net
BODY WORLDS:
Animals Inside and Out
Embark on an anatomical safari and explore the intricate biology, zoology and physiology of the world’s most spectacular creatures at the “Body Worlds: Animals Inside and Out” exhibition at the Science Museum of Virginia. Featuring more than 100 models, the exhibition is divided into six areas by biological systems – locomotive, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary/reproductive – giving guests the unique opportunity to explore what lies beneath the surface of various species – both familiar and rare – using the amazing science of plastination. The exhibition runs from May 5th –September 3rd. $22.50 for adults (special pricing available for seniors, children and groups) | 9:30 am – 5 pm (extended hours available) Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street Richmond More information: w www.smv.org and w www.bodyworlds.com
5.5 Tri-Cities Spring
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR
Enjoy the outdoors and celebrate good health while meeting local health organizations, accessing complimentary health screenings, and taking part in fun for all ages including art activities with Lamb Center for Arts and Healing, yoga with YOGA ONE Petersburg, and spinal screenings and chair massages with Chiropractic Centers of Virginia. Free | 10 am Petersburg Public Library 201 West Washington Street Petersburg More information: lindsey.colligan@namicentralvirginia.org
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
Calendar
RVA Nurses Women’s
HEART HEALTH LUNCHEON
• MAY & JUNE
Just in time for Mother’s Day and the kick-off of National Women’s Health Week! Enjoy a delicious, heart-healthy lunch and hear the stories of local women whose lives have been touched by heart disease, as well as learn from local healthcare professionals ways to prevent heart disease. $35 | 11:30 am The Dominion Club 6000 Dominion Club Drive | Glen Allen More information: heart@rvanurses.com
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5.18
Filthy 5K-ish MUD RUN
It’s not just a trail run with rugged terrain – as if the roots, rocks, and uneven ground aren’t tough enough! Be prepared to trudge through the James River, rock hop across the dry way, and climb, crawl, and leap over other natural obstacles along the course. Plus, sign-up your dog to participate in the Dog Wave and bring out your favorite canine! $40 (through 5/18; $45 day of race) | 6 pm Browns Island | 5th & Tredegar Street | Richmond More information: w www.bit.ly/2JHVbY2
5.27 STAND UP
Paddle Board Yoga
Paddle boarding yoga offers a unique opportunity to enjoy two fun and healthful activities on calm, pristine waters. You’ll be welcomed to the course with an easy introduction to basic paddling strokes and balancing techniques while expert instructors guide you step by step through yoga postures, basic breathing techniques and other essential yoga principles. Prerequisites include Introduction to Stand-Up Paddleboarding or basic skills and comfort on a stand-up paddleboard. Minimum age: 12. $25 | 5:30 pm – 7 pm Tucker Park at Maidens Loop | 1300 Maidens Road | Goochland More information: w www.bit.ly/2HuDbzT www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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Calendar
• MAY & JUNE
ASHLAND
STRAWBERRY FAIRE
Held on the streets of Randolph-Macon College, The Faire is a celebration to promote the community and to celebrate the strawberry harvest. Vendors will be on hand selling arts, crafts, plants and antiques, and of course, lots of delicious strawberries will be available to enjoy! Proceeds from the Faire provide scholarships and grants to local non-profit groups. Free | 10 am – Midnight Randolph-Macon College | 114 College Avenue | Ashland More information: w www.ashlandstrawberryfaire.com
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. Participants of all levels are welcome and will be celebrated, and winners will be recognized with some truly unique rewards. Proceeds will benefit the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation and Kids Run RVA. $25 | 7 pm Deep Run Park 9900 Ridgefield Parkway | Henrico More information: w www.bit.ly/2HiPphq
6.7 ZERO WASTE Store Tours
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ORTHOPAEDIC SEMINAR
Join Southside Regional Medical Center’s team of orthopaedic specialists to learn how you can live pain free. The Orthopaedic Seminar is designed to help you better understand your condition and learn about options for relief as well as guide you through the complexities of conditions like arthritis while helping you discover what treatment options like joint replacement entails. Free | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Southside Regional Medical Center, A/B Classroom 200 Medical Park Boulevard | Petersburg More information: w www.bit.ly/2EFTruZ
For More Events Visit: ourhealthrichmond.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.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
Are you interested in purchasing more mindfully and reducing your waste? Whether you’re on a journey to reduce the amount of trash your household contributes to the landfill, you want to live more minimally, or you think packaging is for the birds, reducing your waste has many benefits to your health, community, environment and your wallet. Learn more and put your interest into practice with Erica Wells, Registered Dietitian and local champion of the waste reduction lifestyle as she shows you the ins and outs of shopping waste free. Free | 7 pm Ellwood Thompson | 4 North Thompson Street | Richmond More information: w www.bit.ly/2JG7h3W
6.23 2018 Richmond VEGFEST
The Richmond VegFest is an opportunity for you to learn more about the vegetarian lifestyle and the many healthy and human aspects of a vegan diet. Sample delicious food, see cooking demonstrations, hear from speakers and live bands and browse the more than 100 vendors that will be on-site. Free parking but carpooling is recommended as spaces fill up! Take the 7-Day VegPledge today by visiting www.vegweek.com. FREE | Noon – 6 pm Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park 4308 Hermitage Road | Richmond More information: w www.veggiefest.org
Health Scene
Health Scene HAPPENINGS • WHO’S WHO • TRENDING photos | KATIE BRADTKE
• HCA VIRGINIA SPORTS MED 5K
HCA Virginia Sports Med 5K On Saturday, March 24th, participants gathered at the starting line to kick off the HCA Virginia Sports Med 5K, sponsored by HCA Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals. The event was in recognition of National Athletic Training Month and National Nutrition Month with all proceeds benefiting FeedMore in Richmond, Central Virginia’s core hunger-relief organization dedicated to providing neighbors in need with healthy meals and hope for a better tomorrow. Following the race, participants, families and friends enjoyed delicious food, live music and an array of activities all in support of a great cause for our community.
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1 The top three male finishers: 1st place: Nick Davis, 2nd place: Matthew Pangle and 3rd place: Jason Linzi. 2 Steve Butler, PT and Andrew Mcglamery, PTA massage runners’ calves following the hilly 5K course. 3 The top three female finishers: 1st place: Lisa Wilhelm, 2nd place: Erin Depula and 3rd place: Emily Berger. 4 Team members enjoying live music, food trucks, treats and vendor giveaways following the race. 5 5K participants kicking off the race. 6 More than 3000 food items were collected from 5K participants and Chesterfield County Public Schools. 7 HCA Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals’ CEO Greg Lowe and his son approach the finish line. 8 The Matoaca Sports Medicine class providing free face painting. 9 Steve Butler, PT leads 5K participants in a warm-up. 10 HCA Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals’ CEO Greg Lowe with his sons, Douglas Cutter, MD, sports medicine physician and Hunter Durvin, director of sports medicine. 11 HCA VA Sports Medicine physician Jennifer Hopp, MD and her husband James and daughter Eloise. 12 Several athletic trainers, physical therapists, strength and conditioning specialists and volunteers pose post-race. www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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VOLUNTEER
Spotlight HEROES • CHAMPIONS • COMMUNITY-MINDED
VOLUNTEER BRINGS
SMILES AND HAPPINESS TO VETERANS words | BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Every week for the past nine years, Jim Pyle has been a familiar friend who residents at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond look forward to seeing. Located on the campus of McGuire VA Medical Center and named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients, Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center provides quality care to veterans across the commonwealth. Pyle visits the Center on Thursdays, engaging with the residents, telling them jokes, playing trivia games with them, and hearing their life stories. “I enjoy helping people who can’t get out much,” Pyle says. “I decided to volunteer because I felt that it would be nice for residents to see a new face once in a while.” Those at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center feel fortunate to have Pyle as a volunteer. “Jim is absolutely fantastic,” says Mandy Fisher, Director of Activities. “He’s extremely dedicated to our residents and they absolutely love him. It’s a packed house when he visits, especially when he hosts his trivia sessions. There’s standing room only. He visits with some of the residents individually and even takes them out occasionally. He has also attended a couple of outings with us. The residents and staff look forward to his visits and his genuine, kind nature.” After retiring as a chemical engineer a dozen years ago, Pyle started volunteering at Pamplin Historic Park in Petersburg where he dedicated his time for three years. Wanting to have a more direct impact on the lives of others, he sought out Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center. “I’ve always been interested in the military 22
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
and in military history,” says Pyle. “Volunteering at Sitter & Barfoot sounded like a fun way to contribute.” Pyle spends time in a group setting each week with the residents, making them laugh with his jokes and trivia. Then he likes to visit with some of the veterans individually in their rooms, chatting with them and listening as they share their life history. “They are such fabulous people,” Pyle says. “I really enjoy hearing about their experiences in the military and what they’ve been through, or what they love about Christmastime. My goal is always to get them to smile and laugh and find something to be happy about. They really appreciate it.” When he is not at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center, Pyle enjoys bicycling, geocaching, traveling, and spending time dining out with friends as well as his wife of 48 years, Lois. Pyle considers himself lucky to get to spend time with the residents at Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center, and feels they help him more than he helps them. “I’ve been there nine years,” he says. “During the time I’ve been there, we’ve lost a few veterans, and that’s been a great loss to me. Volunteering at Sitter and Barfoot makes me feel good. Every time one of the veterans smiles or laughs or thanks me for visiting, I get great satisfaction knowing I’ve made a difference to them even if it’s just a tiny bit.”
ON THE WEB
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Questions. Answers. Knowledge. Does alcohol kill brain cells?
What is the role of an athletic trainer?
Alcohol can lead to altered communication between brain cells by damaging dendrites, the part of the neuron that sends messages between cells. It can also affect functions of brain cells indirectly by causing organ system failure and vitamin deficiency. People can present with different symptoms, depending on the area of the brain that is affected.
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are allied healthcare providers who specialize in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of both acute and chronic injuries and other medical conditions. They can be found in settings from high school, collegiate, and professional athletics to NASA and even companies such as Amazon.
Kara K. Beatty MD
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services PC Richmond | 804.272.0114 www.centerforneurorehabservices.org
ALLIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS who specialize in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of both acute and chronic injuries and other medical conditions.
The HCA Virginia Sports Medicine team provides ATCs to 10 Chesterfield County Public Schools in Richmond as well as a few of the Tri-Cities: Hopewell, Prince George, and Colonial Heights High Schools. ATCs collaborate with physicians to provide a variety of services including injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitative care to those they serve.
Katie Bradtke, MS, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer, Manchester High School Midlothian | 804.560.6500 www.hcahealthcare.com
I’m starting my own small medical practice. What do I need to know about health insurance for my employees? While it’s not a requirement for small business owners (under 50 employees) to offer health insurance to their employees, at many times it’s a necessary benefit in order to attract and keep the best talent. There are many strategies a business owner can implement to provide coverage while controlling the company’s costs. Offering multiple plans, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible option, and incorporating critical illness plans all help with your strategy. Also, there are great tax benefits to both the company and the employees by offering health insurance benefits. Business owners can call health insurance carriers directly to request rates and options. However, allowing a qualified health insurance agent to do that work for you can truly be invaluable. Your agent will do the legwork and shop various insurance carriers so you can focus on your company.
Meagan Vickery
Account Executive, Group Health Insurance Virginia Farm Bureau Richmond | 804.382.1274 www.vafb.com/quote
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Q A ON HEALTH • Knowledge
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Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
The new version of the shingle vaccine, Shingrix, offers approximately
97 PERCENT PROTECTION to patients in their fifties and sixties, and approximately
91 PERCENT
PROTECTION to patients in their seventies to eighties.
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Should everyone get the shingles vaccine?
Does hearing loss affect memory?
Can deodorant cause cancer?
I encourage my patients to get the shingles vaccine. Shingles (herpes zoster) occurs when the chickenpox virus, which had been dormant in persons who have had this disease, reawakens. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this viral infection affects one million people in the U.S. each year. One in three adults will experience shingles in their lifetime.
According to a new study by hearing experts at Johns Hopkins University, adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than older adults whose hearing is normal. Numerous other studies including those conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have proven that significant hearing loss may accelerate a decline in brain function.
There remains no scientific evidence to link any common deodorant use to cancer. A few years ago there were concerns that the aluminum salts used as an antiperspirant by blocking sweat glands would allow harmful toxins to build up and these would interact with the cosmetic molecules called parabens. These molecules are structurally similar to estrogen, which many breast cancers utilize for their growth and it was this cluster of observations which caused concerns about deodorant to spread. Fortunately for all of our noses, these concerns have not been shown to be true. What has been shown to prevent cancer, in addition to proper screening like mammography and colonoscopies, is consistent cardiovascular exercise, healthy eating choices and limiting alcohol intake.
Characterized by a blistery, painful rash, the pain from shingles can last for months to years, otherwise known as postherpetic neuralgia. As of October 2017, a new version of the shingle vaccine, Shingrix, is available and is more effective than the previous version, Zostavax. Shingrix offers approximately 97 percent protection to patients in their fifties and sixties, and approximately 91 percent protection to patients in their seventies to eighties. It can also reduce the risk of post herpetic neuralgia by 86 percent. The CDC recommends patients receive the Shingrix vaccine starting at age 50.
Beth Du, MD
Associated Internists Bon Secours Virginia Health System Richmond | 804.288.3079 www.bonsecoursmedicalgroup.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Richmond
Unfortunately, only 15 percent of those who need a hearing aid get one, leaving the problem of cognitive decline and its consequences untreated. Hearing loss should not be considered an inconsequential part of aging. If you or someone you love suspect that you have hearing loss, you should consider getting a comprehensive hearing test by an audiologist who can discuss options to address the hearing loss, including hearing aids.
Ken Henry, PhD, AuD Live Better Hearing Richmond | 804.977.0474 www.livebetterhearing.com
Nathan Langer, MD Virginia Cancer Institute Richmond | 804.330.7990 www.vacancer.com
Q A ON HEALTH • Knowledge
www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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Health
A-Z
INSIGHT • AWARENESS • MINDFULNESS
words | JENNIFER LAMONT
Keeping our teeth healthy helps us, well… keep them. Everyone wants a nice, healthy-looking smile. After all, our smile is usually the first thing others notice. From babyhood to our golden years, good oral hygiene makes it possible to keep more teeth and stay healthier overall. One of the primary roles of dental health professionals in the Richmond area and beyond is to help their patients maintain healthier mouths in different ways, 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.
Periodontists are Experts in the Treatment of Oral Inflammation Chris Richardson, DMD, MS, board-certified periodontist at Richardson-Overstreet-Glazier, Ltd. in Richmond, sees patients who have gum-related diseases. That includes missing or broken teeth, root surface exposure and gum disease (including gingivitis, and more seriously, periodontitis). Specializing in dental implants, gum disease management and both soft tissue and bone grafting, Dr. Richardson says a significant portion of the population has gum disease.
GUM DISEASE
is a disease process that ULTIMATELY ENDS IN TOOTH LOSS. Treatment of gum disease and long-term management can tremendously reduce the incidence of tooth loss and will maintain healthy gums over time. - Chris Richardson, DMD, MS -
“It’s a disease process that ultimately ends in tooth loss. Treatment of gum disease and longterm management can tremendously reduce the incidence of tooth loss and will maintain healthy gums over time,” says Dr. Richardson. www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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Health A-Z
• INSIGHT One of the treatments he performs for missing or damaged teeth is dental implants. Replacing a tooth with an implant recreates the smile and functional capacity. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
Graham Gardner, DDS An orthodontist with Gardner Orthodontics in Richmond.
While many insurance companies don’t cover the cost, implants are designed to last a lifetime. Depending on age and circumstance, they may be a better alternative over less permanent options, like bridges and dentures, which must be replaced periodically and may not be covered by insurance.
Endodontists are Teeth Savers Endodontists are specialists in diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures related to the interior of the tooth. The ability to remove the pulp without removing the entire tooth is the reason that endodontists are considered teeth savers.
Holly Lewis, DMD, MS A pediatric dentist with Sparkle Dentistry in Hanover and Short Pump.
Tina O. Ressler, DDS A general dentist at Virginia Family Dentistry in Short Pump.
At Commonwealth Endodontics in Richmond, Ronald Vranas, DDS, MS, says that the most common symptoms leading to a root canal is extreme sensitivity to hot or cold, unprovoked pain or pressure pain, and is usually related to cavities, trauma, cracks or neglect. “While an inflamed or infected tooth can cause tremendous pain and is a good indicator of a problem that needs to be addressed, there are other times when a root canal is needed and the patient has no symptoms at all. This makes it extremely important to see your general dentist on a regular basis so any issues can be found before they do become painful,” says Dr. Vranas. While the last thing people want to hear is that they need a root canal, the procedure is usually straightforward, painless and necessary to relieve discomfort and save the tooth. For those patients apprehensive about the procedure, Dr. Vranas’ practice offers many types of services to help them manage their anxiety. Sometimes, patients with additional needs require I.V. sedation. “For these patients,” says Dr. Vranas, “we are the only endodontic practice in metro Richmond with an endodontist certified to provide this type of sedation.” FAST FACT: Commonwealth Endodontics treats many veterans, and six out of their seven endodontists have had previous military experience.
Cosmetic Dentists Give You that Smile You’ve Always Wanted Chris R. Richardson, DMD, MS A board-certified periodontist at Richardson-OverstreetGlazier, Ltd. in Richmond.
Ronald Vranas, DDS, MS An endodontist with Commonwealth Endodontics in the West End and Southside of Richmond.
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A beautiful smile can make a person look healthier, happier and younger. It starts with whiter teeth but is much more than that. Through various treatments, cosmetic dentistry enhances the teeth and mouth aesthetic by reshaping and restoring teeth, lengthening them or closing spaces in between. It can also improve the functionality of teeth, which then improves oral hygiene. And while that’s important, patients usually undergo cosmetic procedures to feel better about their smile and themselves. “A beautiful smile goes a long way to improving a person’s self-esteem and social interactions. I garner a huge amount of satisfaction when a person that I’ve treated comes back to me with obvious personal growth that started with a smile transformation,” says Tina O. Ressler, DDS, at Virginia Family Dentistry in Short Pump. Part of her overall treatment plan is educating her patients on good oral hygiene and proper diet to reach optimal oral health. She says, “beautiful restorations will only last in a healthy mouth that has good support,” meaning the tissues surrounding the teeth are as healthy as they can be.
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Health A-Z
Preventive dentistry begins with the first tooth. Pediatric dentists offer a first-line defense against oral decay by guiding their patients through dental growth and development from early infancy through the teenage years. “Early detection makes a huge difference in a child’s oral and overall health,” says Holly Lewis, DMD, MS, at Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond. Pediatric dentists “…provide both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare for children…we’re able to educate the patient, as well as parent, about oral hygiene and diet. This sets them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles,” says Dr. Lewis. It’s important for children and their parents to establish a routine of brushing and flossing, and also get kids comfortable with going to the dentist. If untreated, oral decay can have serious implications for a child’s long-term health and wellbeing, including “lower than ideal body weight and lost time in school,” she adds. Studies show dental diseases in children cause challenged cognitive development, reduced selfesteem, poor growth, and underweight, diminished sleep and learning ability, and a higher risk of hospitalization.
Reasons to Smile at Every Age
Pediatric Dentists Are as Important as Pediatricians
•
Some of the services Virginia Family Dentistry provides are porcelain whitening, porcelain veneers and crowns, restoration and gum recontouring. Severely receding gums lose their defense against bacteria and trauma. In these cases, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an increasingly popular option.
Studies show
DENTAL DISEASES
IN CHILDREN
cause challenged cognitive development, reduced self-esteem, poor growth, and underweight, diminished sleep and learning ability, and A HIGHER RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION. - Holly Lewis, DMD, MS -
Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry treats patients as young as age one and children through adolescence, including patients with special healthcare needs. They perform routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, aesthetic crowns and extractions. They use the latest technology
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Health A-Z
• INSIGHT
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:
A GO TO THE DENTIST TWICE A YEAR. Exams and thorough cleanings will help prevent problems before they occur.
B
and child-appropriate entertainment like ceiling-mounted TVs to make the experience comfortable and fun.
Orthodontists Straighten Teeth and Improve Your Health Specially trained to correct irregularities of the teeth, bite and jaw, orthodontics has come a long way from the “metal mouth” days of silver braces. Orthodontists treat patients to properly align bites, reduce crowding and straighten teeth. Making these corrections can improve a patient’s oral and overall health by reducing the risks for cracking, dental caries and tooth loss. Further, aligning a misaligned bite into the proper position can alleviate headaches, TMJ and sinus problems. That’s probably why an increasing number of orthodontic patients are well past their teen years. At Gardner Orthodontics in Richmond, Wm. Graham Gardner, DDS says patients are never too old to get the smile they’ve always wanted. Forty percent of their patients are adults, including their oldest patient who is 96 years old. Gardner Orthodontics specializes in Invisalign® and are a top one percent provider, treating a wide range of cases including patients who were told previously that they’re not a candidate for the clear aligners. EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
FLOSS EVERY DAY, if not after every meal to dislodge food.
C
Wm. Graham Gardner, DDS with Gardner Orthodontics in Richmond Holly Lewis DMD, MS with Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Tina O. Ressler, DDS with Virginia Family Dentistry in Short Pump Chris R. Richardson DMD, MS with Richardson-Overstreet-Glazier, Ltd. in Richmond Ronald Vranas, DDS, MS with Commonwealth Endodontics in the West End and Southside of Richmond
BRUSH TWICE A DAY MINIMUM, for at least two minutes each time.
D
SOURCES 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)
To really get teeth clean, USE A WATER FLOSSER every night right before bedtime.
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KNOW YOUR
ORAL HEALTH SPECIALTIES:
A Resource Guide
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 of 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 age-related 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. www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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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.
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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Health A-Z
ASK THE EXPERT
•
JEFF LAUGHLIN, DDS, MPH
Ask the Expert
PEDIATRIC DENTIST WITH VIRGINIA FAMILY DENTISTRY www.VAdentist.com
Q:
Why should children first visit the dentist at age one?
It is important at a very early age to get your child used to visiting the pediatric dentist. At the “Age 1” dental visit we are able to establish a longstanding relationship that will help ensure good oral health and prevent dental decay before it begins. At the same time, this visit will allow us to get to know your child in order to provide individualized care and proper guidance in order to reduce the need for dental treatment and unnecessary anxiety at an older age.
Q:
What is a dental home?
Q:
Why do baby teeth matter?
Baby teeth are essential to the overall health and well-being of your child. A healthy mouth allows your child to eat and grow properly, get the rest they need to concentrate and succeed in school, and interact with other children without embarrassment. It is important to prevent dental decay in baby teeth that can lead to pain or impact the development of their adult teeth.
The “dental home” at Virginia Family Dentistry provides a central place for your family and child to interact with a community of caregivers both inside and outside of the office walls. Being a multi-specialty practice that includes not just the pediatric dentist, but also other general dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, and endodontists, your child can establish a “dental home” that provides the best in comprehensive care. This “team approach” creates the ability to address within a single practice a myriad of oral conditions in your child as they arise.
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Health
A-Z
INSIGHT • AWARENESS • MINDFULNESS
Medicine
2.0:
Why Concierge Medicine Is Here to Stay words |JENNIFER LAMONT
You know the feeling… you spend an hour in the waiting room at your doctor’s office and, once with the doctor, the visit only lasts a few minutes. It’s frustrating. With only eight minutes on average to spend with each patient, your doctor doesn’t have time to delve deeply into the root causes of what ails you. There’s no time to talk about preventive care or really get to know you as a patient. The average practice has an annual roster of around 3,000 patients. Due to dwindling insurance reimbursements, they have to see patients in a revolving door pattern about every nine to 15 minutes. Doctors only spend
27 PERCENT
of their day face-to-face with patients. Much of the rest of their day is spent on data entry.
It’s also clerical work that’s stealing patient time. Regulatory and administrative tasks dictate the bulk of the physician’s day. In fact, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that doctors only spend 27 percent of their day face-to-face with patients. Much of the rest of their day is spent on data entry. It’s just as frustrating for physicians as it is for patients.
Concierge Medicine is Like Medicine Used to Be. With an average of
8 minutes
to spend with each patient doctors don’t have time to delve deeply into the root causes of what ails you.
Decades ago, it was normal practice to make house calls to patients who were too sick to leave. Medical bag in tow, the doctor would dispense care, medication and preventive advice. It was expected that the physician would actually know the patient and his history on a personal level. Many physicians and patients are opting to bring this level of care back today with concierge medicine. The concept is catching on throughout Virginia and the U.S. as more doctors realize the traditional model of healthcare delivery doesn’t work for them, or their patients. Known as membership or retainer-based care, concierge care charges a membership fee, which patients can pay monthly, quarterly or annually. This fee entitles the patient to quick – sometimes instant – access to their doctor, along with longer, more thorough visits. The
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Health A-Z •
concept of concierge care focuses on longevity, wellness and preventive measures while giving patients accelerated, higher quality healthcare.
Medicine 2.0: Why Concierge Medicine is Here to Stay
Because concierge doctors only take on around 600 or so patients annually and aren’t as dependent on insurance plans, they naturally have more time to spend on each patient. Many concierge practices also offer specialized services as part of the membership, such as free wellness events and access to health coaches and dieticians.
Concierge patients are willing to pay for extra services, which, depending on the type of membership and fees, can include: Zero wait time to see the doctor and frequent visits Direct phone number to the doctor, 24/7 Extended time during the visit, sometimes up to an hour or more Highly personalized, in-depth treatment plans with the doctor managing more aspects of care Improved chronic disease management and preventive care, instead of reactive care Virtual care over phone, email or video when you don’t want to go in to the office
Why Concierge Medicine Works for Both Patient and Doctor. This delivery model produces a forward-thinking approach and gives patients more control of their own care, says James Mumper, MD, Chief Medical Officer at PartnerMD, a concierge practice in Richmond. He explains that having more time for communication and being able to dig deeper into symptoms is one of the biggest advantages in concierge care. “There’s more time to review patient history, identify trends… and there’s simply more time to think about the big picture, to preventing health concerns altogether or catching them early, when treatments are more effective.” As part of their membership fees, PartnerMD also offers sessions with a certified health coach to help members implement lifestyle changes recommended by their physician. Patients receive personal action plans to help them maintain healthy habits to improve their overall wellbeing, as well as treat medical conditions.
“There’s more time to review patient history, identify trends… and there’s simply more time to think about the big picture, to preventing health concerns altogether or catching them early, when treatments are more effective.” James Mumper, MD Chief Medical Officer at PartnerMD, a concierge practice in Richmond.
Concierge medicine doesn’t just give patients access to quick, personalized care. It gives doctors some much needed breathing room. Concierge physicians report higher job satisfaction because they have time to put their knowledge and expertise to work on each patient. Stepping out of the revolving door reduces physician burnout and decision fatigue. Concierge doctors also report higher patient retention rates due to overall satisfaction. So, the idea of concierge medicine is accelerating as medicine as an industry evolves. At the same time, consumers are becoming more proactive about their health. As out-of-pocket medical costs keep increasing while insurance coverage decreases, people realize having insurance doesn’t guarantee adequate care or a cost savings.
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Health A-Z
• INSIGHT
How Much Does Concierge Medicine Really Cost? It’s true that concierge medicine isn’t accessible to everyone. But as new delivery models and innovative practices evolve, it’s reaching more affordable markets. Believed by opponents to represent a “two-tiered” healthcare model that leaves many without care, concierge medicine doesn’t have to be elite medicine meant only for the wealthy. Practices do vary widely in price points depending on services and location so there are certainly some that charge upwards of $25,000 per year. However, about two-thirds charge less than $135 a month on average, according to Concierge Medicine Today, a trade publication that runs a research collective for the industry. Their research shows most concierge prices fall between $1,200 and $3,000 annually.
According to Concierge Medicine Today, a trade publication that runs a research collective for the industry, about
two-thirds
of concierge doctors charge less than $135 a month.
Their research shows
most concierge prices fall between
$1,200 and $3,000 annually.
Some concierge practices will work with insurance, but
even if a practice takes your insurance, insurance carriers will not pay for membership fees. Carriers will pay for patient services they already cover.
One version of concierge care is direct primary care (DPC), which offers a kind of ‘concierge-lite’ type of care. Insurance is completely out of the picture and membership fees are typically much lower. Most members pay under $100 while paying discounted fees for procedures and services. In both types of practices, patients’ monthly fees are the same regardless of how many times they go in for a visit. Dr. Mumper points out that not all of PartnerMD’s patient members are wealthy or upper middle class. “We have members who are teachers, police officers, blue collar workers, or living on a fixed income… Most patients tell us the fee is no more than their average cable bill.” Some concierge practices will work with insurance and some will not. Even if a practice takes your insurance, insurance carriers will not pay for membership fees. Carriers will pay for patient services they already cover. If they don’t, many concierge practices will offer services at reduced prices. As more doctors – and patients – begin to choose some form of concierge or direct primary care model, the costs are trending downward while the health benefits for many patients are rising. Especially for patients on a high-deductible plan, who are aging or have chronic health problems and need to see the doctor more frequently. For them, the benefits of their membership outweigh the costs. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR James Mumper, MD, Chief Medical Officer at PartnerMD in Richmond.
SOURCES Annals of Internal Medicine (www.annals.org) Concierge Medicine Today (www.conciergemedicinetoday.org)
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Health A-Z • Medicine 2.0: Why Concierge Medicine is Here to Stay
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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 Richmond 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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Features
• INSPIRING
Stacie Booth, BSN, RN, CMSRN Henrico Doctors’ Hospital Forest Campus | Richmond
Becky Andrews, FNP, CORLN Richmond ENT | Richmond
Gratified to Serve Others Becky Andrews feared going to the doctor as a child until she met a nurse practitioner who was especially friendly and considerate to her. “She was so kind and caring and I didn’t mind going in the office when I saw her,” Andrews says. “In high school, I shadowed several different people whose professions interested me. The people that were happiest and had the most job satisfaction were nurses.” That’s what steered Andrews toward a career in nursing. She is a family nurse practitioner and certified Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Nurse (CORLN) with Richmond ENT. “The best thing about my job is that it is never boring,” she says. “I have had many unique patient encounters but one that I will always remember is the day a man had a heart attack in the parking lot of our office building. It was a typical morning and we were all getting our day started when a woman came to the front desk stating that her husband was in the car and he was not well.” Andrews and a team of healthcare professionals were able to effectively perform CPR on the man and save him prior to the arrival of additional help. “My husband often tells me I am lucky to have a job that I love and he is right,” Andrews says. “I couldn’t be happier doing what I do.”
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Jenna Brand, MS, RN, CPNP Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU | Richmond
Committed to Life Long Learning
Inspired to Provide Exceptional Care
“The relationship between science, assisting others with leading healthier lives, and caring for people in their time of need inspired me to obtain my BSN,” says Stacie Booth, who currently works as the nurse manager of the Short Stay Unit at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital-Forest.
Jenna Brand, a Registered Nurse and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Urology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, ended up becoming a nurse thanks to her younger sister.
“Healthcare is constantly evolving and it is our responsibility as nurses to commit to life-long learning,” she says. “Our profession must be capable of adapting our practices to provide evidence-based interventions that will provide optimal outcomes for patients and families.” Booth enjoys making a difference in the lives of the patients she encounters and their loved ones every day. “Rendering education, sprinkled with compassion and understanding, can cultivate positive, trusting connections between nurses and their patients,” Booth explains. “Most people are scared when they are in the hospital. Taking the time to familiarize patients about their conditions, individualizing care plans to include patient preferences, and frequently, just listening can make all the difference to a patient.” Recently, a newly diagnosed cancer patient commented to me, ‘Thank you so much for making a scary situation less frightening.’ Knowing that I helped her, even in the smallest way, is an invaluable reward in itself.”
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“The birth of my only sibling inspired me to become a nurse,” says Brand. “I was 20 years old when my mom had my sister. I remember my mom’s OB handing me scrubs and saying, “You’re coming into the OR with us.’” She found her interactions with the healthcare professionals who helped deliver her sister inspirational. “It was absolutely amazing, and I knew this was a field that I wanted to be a part of,” Brand says. Brand also loves all her encounters with her patients. “It’s pretty impossible to pick one patient encounter that is unique because they are all unique,” she says. “No two patients are the same so the care of every patient I see is truly individualized. Every child and family’s needs are different, and the only way to provide the best care is to listen to their concerns and get to know them. It’s beyond what you can learn in books or a classroom.”
Features • Outstanding Nurses
Debi Erick, PhD (c), MSN, PHN, RN, CNE Bryant & Stratton College North Chesterfield
A Nurse Who is Always On Call Debi Erick was inspired to be a nurse by a lady named Roberta Blake, a nurse from her childhood whose kindness and commitment to caring was always on display. “Roberta was willing to help others anywhere, anytime,” says Erick. “I wanted to be just like her.” Erick has been a registered nurse since 1981. She is currently the nursing program director at Bryant & Stratton College. Erick has worked in many capacities as a nurse, allowing her to experience how important caring is no matter where she is, just like she learned from her mentor. “One day on my way to the hospital to supervise nursing students, I came upon a fatal accident,” Erick says. “Even though the young man had passed, I continued CPR until the ambulance came. They [paramedics] continued life support until we arrived at the hospital, and 29 lives were changed because of the young man’s donated organs.” The accident delayed Erick in getting to the hospital for her nursing student rotation. While Erick’s students waited for her at a closed lobby entrance, a man with his laboring wife rushed up. One of Erick’s students rushed to get a doctor while another helped deliver the baby outside the lobby doors. The grateful parents named their baby girl after the nursing student who delivered her. “If I had not been delayed, my students would not have been waiting for me in that area of the hospital,” Erick says. “Nursing is a 24/7 commitment, and we are always on call to help.”
Tiffany Carter-Ellis, LPN Parham Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | Richmond
Cathy Harrison, CRNA LCH Anesthesia Services, LLC Midlothian
Blessed with the Gifts of Compassion and Humility
Always Striving for Excellence in Patient Care
“One of the most rewarding experiences in my career was when I first graduated nursing school,” says Tiffany Carter-Ellis. “I had a patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was paralyzed from the waist down. When I first met her, she refused to talk with anyone. One day I stayed late. I got her in her wheelchair, dressed her and combed her hair and took her outside for fresh air. When it was time to go back inside, she looked at me, and said ‘Thank you.’ It just made me cry because of how much it meant to her.”
“As a senior in high school, I had the opportunity to shadow an anesthesiologist for a day at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, NC and decided then that I wanted to become a certified nurse anesthetist,” says Cathy Harrison.
Carter-Ellis went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse with Parham Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. She was named LPN of the Year for VCU Health System in 2008, Employee of Month for Parham Health and Rehabilitation in 2015, and Employee of Year for Parham Health and Rehabilitation Center this year. “Becoming a nurse has been one of the best decisions in my life,” she says. “God has blessed me with the gifts of compassion and humility and I’m truly grateful. Some of the experiences I’ve had have touched me in many ways and have made me a better person. Every day is a new day and an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Harrison has practiced anesthesia in the Richmond area for 40 years. She is also a retired Navy Captain who provided anesthesia for the military. Harrison is currently the owner/president of LCH Anesthesia Services, LLC, providing moderate sedation for local dental practices and working with several other anesthesia groups. “There are many individuals who have neglected their oral health for fear of going to a dentist,” says Harrison. “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to provide, safe, high quality, economic anesthesia care in the office setting. It is so rewarding to know that I can make them feel safe and comfortable and know that I am by their side, monitoring their vital signs and administering their medication the entire time that they are in my care.” Harrison loves working in healthcare. “Nursing is the greatest profession,” she says. “We have come a long way since Florence Nightingale and we continue to strive for professional excellence and a holistic approach to patient care.”
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Features
• INSPIRING
Beth Hill, RN Virginia Cancer Institute Richmond
Crystal Holbrook-Gazoni, RN The Pediatric Connection Richmond
Honored to Assist Others in Their Fight Against Cancer
Early Age Experiences in Caring Inspired Her to Become a Nurse
As a child at the dinner table, Beth Hill was always fascinated by the tales her mother would share about her work day as a nurse. Hill followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse as well. She is an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse and works as a physician nurse at the Virginia Cancer Institute.
Crystal Holbrook-Gazoni’s grandmother worked in a hospital cafeteria and would bring her to work with her beginning when Holbrook-Gazoni was in middle school.
“Nursing is not an easy job but it is so fulfilling,” Hill says. “There are so many areas of nursing that if a nurse becomes bored, you can easily switch to another area.” Hill has experience as a nurse in various settings, including work as a nurse in the ER, labor and delivery, postpartum, psychiatric, post-surgical, ICU, geriatric, and gynecology. “Nursing is not all blood, sweat, and tears,” she says. “There is a lot of happiness and laughter and enjoying getting to know the patients.” Hill can’t imagine working anywhere but in the nursing profession. “I love being a nurse, and feel it is my life calling,” she says. “Oncology patients are a special population. I feel honored to assist them in their struggle against cancer.”
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“I was a ‘candy striper’ working alongside the nurses to help patients and experienced firsthand the difference nurses make in their patients’ lives,” says Holbrook-Gazoni. “This helped me realize what my grandmother already knew, that I had a passion for nursing.” Holbrook-Gazoni is a Registered Nurse with a specialty in Pediatric Nursing as well as experience with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She works for The Pediatric Connection. “Working alongside a family to educate them on the proper care for their medically fragile child and building a relationship with them as the child grows is incredibly rewarding,” says Holbrook-Gazoni. There is nothing else she would rather do. “In my opinion, nursing is all about helping people, most especially the patient and the family,” she says. “It provides the opportunity to support people both physically and emotionally through providing the care they need to thrive. Being able to help make a difference in the lives of children every day is the most rewarding career I could ever imagine, and I could never see myself doing anything else.”
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Kenneth Jones, LPN Encompass Home Health Richmond
An Advocate for Care for Everyone “I was inspired to become a nurse because of all the good work that they perform in various areas of medicine,” says Kenneth Jones, who has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for 24 years. “Nurses are on the front line of care for patients and their family members. I have always wanted to be able to help someone in need. Having a medical need is a critical part of one’s life.” Jones works at Encompass Home Health, where he is assigned to work with the residents at Heritage Oaks Senior Living in Richmond as the Diabetic Program Manager. He’s racked up several awards and recognitions through the years for his dedication to the nursing profession, including Good Humanitarian, Employee of the Year, Employee of the Month, Most Endearing Caregiver and Most Loved by Patients. Being recognized as an Outstanding Nurse is one more that he’s humbled and so appreciative to receive, but it’s the reward of doing a job he so loves that’s truly most important to him, especially when it comes to advocating for preventative care for everyone. “My vision and passion for nursing is to see that preventative care is a priority,” says Jones. “This care should also be affordable and lead to having universal healthcare so that all people are equally cared for and can live long and happy lives.”
Features • Outstanding Nurses
Becky Kelley, LPN Virginia Women’s Center Richmond
Fortunate to Help Bring New Lives in the World “Even when I was a little girl, I knew that I wanted to be a nurse,” says Becky Kelley. “I have always loved taking care of others.” Kelley gets to take care of women every day as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Virginia Women’s Center. She will never forget one memorable experience that occurred on the job. “Not too long ago, we had a mom-to-be come in for one of her weekly checks,” Kelley says. “She was due any day and thought she might be in labor. The doctor checked her, but the patient didn’t have any typical signs that labor was imminent. So, she went on her way.” The patient later returned to the office in actual labor and ended up delivering her baby in the office because there was no time to get her to the hospital. “Now that was an exciting day at work,” says Kelley. “Most pregnancies have a happy ending – a happy baby and a healthy mother. But, that’s not always the case. I’ve also helped to care for women after they’ve lost their babies and my heart breaks for them. I just consider myself lucky to be a small part of their care through the highs and lows of life.”
Tenia Reyes, RN, BSN, MBA, CCRN Retreat Doctors’ Hospital Richmond
Emily Koon, RN, BSN, CCRN, Clin IV Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center | Mechanicsville
Putting the Golden Rule into Practice for Her Patients “While I was in high school, my mom was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 lung cancer,” says Emily Koon. “She’s the person who inspired me to be a nurse.” Koon is a Registered Nurse in the Critical Care Unit at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center. “I challenge myself to be the nurse that I would want to have if I were the patient,” says Koon. “I see nursing as a profession of knowledge, trust, and care. I see the impact a nurse has on the patient and the families that are in some of the scariest situations they can find themselves in. While in my mind I’m just doing my job, I always try and remember the importance of the impact I can have on the patient and their family just by being there for them when they are sick and scared.” Her patients are grateful for her care. “I have been so touched by the kind words and deeds of those I’ve cared for,” Koon says. “Several patients over the years have given me little mementos, mostly angels, and they say that’s how they viewed me while I was taking care of them; an angel sent to protect and heal them. What a reaffirmation this is for me of what a nurse is supposed to be.”
Empowered to be a Voice for Others Tenia Reyes has served 34 years as a nurse, both in the military and as a civilian nurse. She currently works as the nursing supervisor at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital in the critical care unit. Reyes credits her grandmother for her becoming a nurse. “She worked as a nurse aide in a small Alabama town and it was always her dream to become a nurse,” she says. “It wasn’t possible for her but she instilled in me that same desire.” Reyes was a nurse during the start of the AIDS epidemic. “It was a time when everyone was afraid to even be in the same room with AIDS patients,” she says. “I worked with a young man named Jay. The fact that I would come in his room and hold his hand made him cry. Everyone he knew and loved had shunned him except his partner.” Moments like these are the reason why Reyes knew she chose the right field. “Nursing is a holistic method of caring for the whole of the patient – not just the physical – but also the mental, emotional, financial, spiritual and cultural,” she says. “It helps us to recognize our humanity, our strengths and weaknesses. It empowers us to be your patient’s voice when they can’t be heard.”
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Features
• INSPIRING
MaryAnn Roberts, MS, FNP-C JenCare Senior Medical Center Richmond
Her Mother and Volunteering Encouraged Her to Follow a Path into Nursing MaryAnn Roberts’ mother was a nurse who often expressed joy about her work. “Her stories of patient care are what prompted me to explore the profession as an avenue to help people,” says Roberts. Roberts is an Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner at JenCare Senior Medical Center. “In nursing school, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a local free clinic,” Roberts says. “Working closely with physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners made me want to further pursue my education to more deeply equip myself to serve people. As a nurse practitioner serving elderly patients, many of whom are living with multiple and major health challenges, I truly feel blessed.” Roberts is proud to be a part of the nursing profession. “As I’ve delved deeper into nursing, I’ve been happy to discover that being a nurse is not just about generic caring and listening, she explains. “It is extremely hard work paired with evidence-based medical knowledge that always is evolving. That being said, it’s vital to understand that the highest quality of care is only attainable when medical providers meet patients where they are, coming alongside them, seeing them as a human and providing reasonable goal setting to achieve their health needs. Nurses, in all forms, are the best advocates in patient care.”
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Hannah Sadek, AGACNP VCU Health | Richmond
Mandi Stattelman, LPN Beaufront Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | Richmond
Driven to Deliver Best Outcomes for Her Patients
Nursing is a Calling for Her, Not a Job
As an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with the VCU Health Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, “I manage trauma and surgical patients in multiple environments including the trauma bay, the ICU, the general and progressive care wards, as well as in the outpatient clinic for follow up,” says Hannah Sadek. “I follow trauma and surgery patients across the care continuum.”
Mandi Stattelman has been in the nursing profession for 14 years. She is the Unit Manager of a long-term care unit at Beaufront Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.
Nursing is a profession she has always considered for herself. “I always wanted to be in the medical field,” she says. “I have always enjoyed direct patient care, working extensively with patients and families, and collaborating with a team to ensure best outcomes.” One of Sadek’s patients, who was burned in a horrific motor vehicle collision, will be honored at this year’s Annual Trauma Shining Knight Gala. “This event is held yearly to recognize an extraordinary trauma patient who survived despite incurring devastating injuries, as well as honor those healthcare providers and ancillary staff who made a difference in the patients care no matter how big or small,” Sadek explains. “I am humbled to say that myself and the team of providers who contributed to this patient’s success are being honored at this event.”
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“I like to take a holistic approach to caring for my families,” she says. “It is a blessing to make sure they receive the proper care that they want and deserve.” Early on in her career, Stattelman was working at an assisted living facility when a water heater exploded and a fire started. “We were able to get all the residents out safely,” she says, “At such an early stage in my career, I proved to myself that I was committed to my patients and their safety. It truly showed me that I was in the right profession.” She feels the same way about her patients at Beaufront Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. “My goal is to provide my residents with a safe, home-like environment, with trust, caring, and love,” she says. “The nursing profession is not a job or even a career, it is truly a calling.”
Features •
OUTSTANDING Jenna Washington, RN Henrico Doctors’ Hospital – The Women’s Hospital Nursery Richmond
Donna Wilson, RN VCU Massey Cancer Center Richmond
Inspired from a Young Age to Care for Others
The Role of a Healer Has Always Appealed to Her
Jenna Washington began her nursing career in 2013 at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in the OBGYN Specialty Unit. “Since I was a little girl, I have always cared for others,” she says. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to translate that passion for caring into a career. In 2016, I decided to follow my passion and move to the Mother Baby Unit to care for moms and their newborns.”
“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a healer,” says Donna Wilson. “As a child, I would bandage my siblings, my dolls, and my dog. I wanted to be a doctor as a child but once I became old enough to investigate my options, I decided the role of a nurse appealed to me more.”
Washington is thrilled to be recognized as an outstanding nurse, just one of the honors she’s been awarded this year. She was also elected as the Chair of the Mother Baby Unit Practice Council and received the ‘Breastfeeding Star’ award that her unit gives to nurses who excel at assisting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding for newborn patients. But more important that awards, she relishes in being a part of bringing a new life into the world. “I have cared for and comforted mothers who have had high risk pregnancies with unfortunate outcomes on the OBGYN unit, and now have been able to care for them a second time on the Mother Baby Unit, sharing in their joy of welcoming their new little one,” she says. “There is no greater reward than being able to experience such a precious moment with these mothers.”
NURSES
for passionately and selflessly dedicating their lives to patients care.
Wilson is an Adult Oncology Registered Nurse and works as an Oncology Patient Nurse Navigator at VCU Massey Cancer Center. “I work with the breast cancer patient population at VCU Massey’s downtown campus and I travel to our satellite clinics,” she says. There was a time, though, when she was both a wife and nurse when her husband was diagnosed with a type of cancer called cholangiocarcinoma in 2001. “Being an experienced oncology nurse, I knew he was terminal,” Wilson says. “I also understood how important it was that we understood the disease, the treatment options, and, most importantly, we remained hopeful and positive. We trusted our treatment team and savored our time together. Never in denial, always with hope and thankful each day he woke up. In that time, I wasn’t the nurse who was performing needle sticks, wound care, and medication administration. I was the nurse who was being the patient advocate.”
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Outstanding Nurses
OurHealth Richmond magazine would like to give a special thanks to all the
And How to Negotiate Medical Bills words | JENNIFER LAMONT
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Features •
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 Health Grades to see how a doctor or hospital rates but, beyond that, specific medical costs remain somewhat of a veiled mystery.
Five Ways to Find Out How Much You’re Really Paying for Healthcare
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, especially hospitals 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 the Richmond area, insurance premiums across the individual marketplace were set to increase an average of 50 percent in 2018, according to Virginia’s Bureau of Insurance. For many residents, insurance coverage is now a cost they can’t afford. 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 costs and make informed decisions. It can even save you hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars. But where should you start?
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Features
• INSPIRING
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.
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www.HealthcareBlueBook.com
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www.FairHealthConsumer.org
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www.ClearHealthCosts.com
D
www.NewChoiceHealth.com
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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.
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.
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Start with your insurance company, if you’re insured. 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.
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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 “Fair Price” for any medical service or procedure from a database of medical payment data and customizes it to your geographic area. 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.
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Features
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•
Choose the right facility. A colonoscopy at one facility can cost you 600% 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.
Five Ways to Find Out How Much You’re Really Paying for Healthcare
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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-ofnetwork 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. 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 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.
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Look for—and ask for—discounts. 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. 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 back a little control of your healthcare finances.
ON THE WEB
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 the Richmond area,
insurance premiums were set to increase an average of
50 PERCENT
in 2018, according to Virginia’s Bureau of Insurance.
More at ourhealthrichmond.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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It’s a sobering reality… Men in the U.S. die five years earlier than women. They also die of heart disease more often, and at an earlier age. Why? One of the main reasons—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. 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 after age forty. 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.
Feeling okay is not the same as being healthy.
Getting a yearly physical and knowing your test result numbers can help you stay fit. Regular screenings help you ward off the major health concerns men face, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity. Have an open discussion with your doctor to determine your healthiest numbers. According to Darren S. Witte, MD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Medical Director at VCU Health, here are the basic, but extremely important, numbers a physical exam will screen you for: Blood pressure Cholesterol Glucose CBC (Complete Blood Count) Basic biometrics like weight and BMI Going further, Dr. Witte says men in their forties should also be screened for these other health risks: PROSTATE CANCER. Although the American Cancer Society recommends screenings at age 50 for men with average risk, Dr. Witte has seen more younger men get diagnosed with prostate cancer, even without heightened risk factors such as family history. He says screening should be on an individualized basis, but he personally believes it should start at forty. “I’ve found some prostate cancers in men as young as 42 years old. The only reason they came to the doctor was because their wives made them. Their PSA [prostate-specific antigen test] was a little abnormal but they had no symptoms,” says Dr. Witte. 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.
“I’ve found some prostate cancers in men as young as 42 years old. The only reason they came to the doctor was because their wives made them. Their PSA [prostate-specific antigen test] was a little abnormal but they had no symptoms.” Darren S. Witte, MD Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Medical Director at VCU Health in Richmond.
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• INSPIRING
DEPRESSION. This is a health risk that can be difficult for men to talk about. “These mood disorders go on longer than they need to,” says Dr. Witte. “If you won’t ask, they won’t tell, so we primary doctors have to be alert to this.” STDS. Sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, are on the rise throughout the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Dr. Witte says that HIV is only part of the equation. These other diseases, along with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), are a significant health concern for men in Richmond. HPV is being blamed for the rising rates of oral cancer in men throughout Virginia and around the nation.
“In some cases a dental visit can save a patient’s life. Especially for men, who seem to be just as reluctant to visit the dentist as they
Even if you’re just going to the doctor to get a Viagra or Cialis prescription, it’s a good time to screen for underlying medical conditions, explains Dr. Witte. This is especially if you’ve missed a few physicals. Many of these conditions will lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) down the road.
are their primary doctor.” Misha Ghazarian, DDS A general dentist with Virginia Family Dentistry in Midlothian.
Outside the scope of a physical, there are other screenings to detect medical conditions and assess your overall health. Other types of doctors will often diagnose what a physical doesn’t discover.
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.
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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.
Many eye care practices now offer laser retinal scans in place of eye drops, but computerized scans are not a substitute for traditional dilation. Full dilation with drops allows the doctor to see dynamic views of the entire retina, whereas a laser scan has limitations. Daniel Greene, MD A cornea specialist and ophthalmologist at Richmond Eye Associates in Richmond.
“Research shows people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease, so your mouth can tell you if you are at an increased risk,” says Misha Ghazarian, DDS, of Virginia Family Dentistry in Midlothian. In some cases, Dr. Ghazarian says, a dental visit can save a patient’s life. Especially for men, who seem to be just as reluctant to visit the dentist as they are their primary doctor. His office routinely takes blood pressure readings on every patient and sends them back to their primary doctor if the numbers are high. If a patient hasn’t been to their primary doctor recently, this can be a life saver.
B
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 conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, thyroid conditions and other autoimmune diseases. In fact, an ophthalmologist can often detect these conditions first, in their earliest stages. Through dilation, the retina gives the doctor a close-up view of blood vessels and nerves without having to do surgery. That glimpse can discover health conditions before they’re symptomatic. According to Daniel Greene, MD, cornea specialist and ophthalmologist at Richmond Eye Associates, many types of diseases including “several autoimmune conditions that can cause inflammation of the ocular tissues, known as uveitis, are often first detected and diagnosed by an ophthalmologist.”
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THE SITTINGRISING TEST
• Men, the Doctor is Ready to See You Now
Getting a comprehensive, baseline eye exam by age forty is important, even if you don’t feel your vision has changed. In addition to eye exams, one of the most important things you can do, says Dr. Greene, is to get vaccinated against shingles (herpes zoster virus). “Many people are unaware of the potential for devastating eye problems caused by this virus. Corneal complications [like permanent vision problems] from shingles are unfortunately not rare,” he says. The CDC recommends it for anyone age 60 and older but it’s approved for people as young as 50.
Features
Many eye care practices now offer laser retinal scans in place of eye drops, but computerized scans are not a substitute for traditional dilation. Full dilation with drops allows the doctor to see dynamic views of the entire retina, whereas a laser scan has limitations, says Dr. Greene. So, although a small inconvenience, always opt for dilation during your eye exams.
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.
Although not exactly scientific, the following self-assessment can enlighten you on how fit you are. More than that, it’s supposed to be an accurate barometer of your life span.
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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. 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.
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.
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.
HAND
1 point
KNEE
1 point
FOREARM
1 point
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. EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Misha Ghazarian, DDS with Virginia Family Dentistry in Midlothian Daniel Greene, MD with Richmond Eye Associates in Richmond Darren S. Witte, MD with VCU Health in Richmond
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HAND ON KNEE OR THIGH
1 point
SIDE OF LEG
1 point
Sources: Dr. Claudio Gil Araujo, ST Graphics
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Aging Well WISDOM • DIGNITY • SUPPORT
RESPITE CARE Provides Caregivers a
CHANCE TO
REFRESH words |CATHERINE BROWN
According to recent research, more than 65 million people provide unpaid care to In today’s fast paced world in which we balance work, life and family responsibilities, the additional obligations of caring for a loved one can be extremely challenging. According to survey statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, caregivers often pay a steep price for their “labor of love.” For example:
54 PERCENT Of caregivers said their HEALTH HAS GOTTEN WORSE due to caregiving, which has affected their ability to give care.
35 PERCENT Of caregivers have DIFFICULTY FINDING TIME FOR THEMSELVES.
29 PERCENT Of caregivers experience EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS from their role.
29 PERCENT Of caregivers have DIFFICULTY BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY responsibilities.
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relatives. Caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care, with a quarter of those spending 41 hours a week or more caring for relatives.
Effects of Caregiving Because it is so all-encompassing, caregiving is stressful and can have a severe impact on a caregiver’s health. Caregivers, for instance, are less likely to exercise and eat healthfully. In addition, they are more likely to skip their own doctor’s appointments and overlook their own health concerns. Caregivers also tend to spend less time interacting with their peers socially. Timothy Ray of Colonial Heights first moved in with his mother to care for her after her knee surgery. Although he originally planned to stay for just a few months, he has now been caring for his mother for almost eleven years. “When you take care of someone, it becomes your entire focus,” he says. “My social life is my cell phone and computer screen.”
Caregiver Fatigue Many caregivers, particularly those caring for relatives who need constant medical care and supervision, suffer from caregiver fatigue or burnout because of the nearconstant 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.
Respite Care To help caregivers avoid burnout, River View on the Appomattox Health and Rehab Center in Hopewell provides short-term respite care in addition to long-term care and rehabilitation services. Respite care offers caregivers the assurance that their relatives are being well taken care of while they are on vacation, traveling for work, or just taking much-needed time to meet their own needs. “We give one-on-one care to a resident,” explains Hope Brown, Certified
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Aging Well
When loved ones are left in respite care, River View staff provides regular updates to family members. They call if any issue needs to be addressed, and they call to report on good news, too. “We let them know their loved ones are safe,” explains Brown. Ray has appreciated the way River View staff members have connected with his mother, who is now much less communicative and dynamic than she once was. “She was welcomed into the group even if when she was first hesitant to participate,” he says. “The dietician asked her what she likes and does not like, and the nurses and CNAs spoke to her with real concern. That gives you a sense of security that you can take a break and let people take care of her.” Respite care helps Ray appreciate his role as caregiver and helps him feel appreciated in return. “When I come back, I’m not taken for granted,” he says. “My mother is happy to be back home, and I feel appreciated.” The time away helps to reaffirm Ray’s bond with his mother, but it also helps him gain a new perspective. “I’m tempted to see her in terms of loss,” he says. “When I get away and come back, I realize it’s not just about what I have lost.” Rather, Ray feels a renewed sense of purpose as his mother’s caregiver. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Hope Brown, CNA, River View on the Appomattox.
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Respite Care Provides Caregivers a Chance to Refresh
Ray has used respite care for his mother a couple of times to conduct travel for work. As a writer, he can work from home much of the time, but at times he needs to interact face-to-face with colleagues. “Respite care gives you the opportunity to let someone else carry the load for a while and for you to take care of what you need to do,” Ray explains. “I finished in two days what I couldn’t do in months and spent time reconnecting with friends and colleagues.” That time away energized Ray and helped him regain a sense of who he is outside of caregiving. “Reestablishing my professional identity enables me to provide better care,” he says.
•
Nursing Assistant (CNA) at River View. “We make sure they get a bath and get fed – anything to make it easy on the family.”
65 MILLION Number of people who PROVIDE UNPAID CARE TO RELATIVES
24.4 HOURS Average number of HOURS PER WEEK CAREGIVERS SPEND PROVIDING CARE
41 HOURS Additional number of HOURS PER WEEK A PORTION OF CAREGIVERS SPEND CARING FOR RELATIVES
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Holistic Natural Health OBSERVE • PROGRESSIVE • OPEN-MINDED
Easy,
Natural Ways TO GET HEALTHY
This Summer words JENNIFER LAMONT
As temps 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.
“People who suffer from carbohydrate intolerance and diabetes would benefit from a low carbohydrate diet to control their glucose levels.” Aaron N. Hartman, MD Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine in Midlothian
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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 healthy diet and adequate hydration complement proper sleep hygiene and ‘sun-sense’ 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. Most 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 Richmond’s population 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 eliminating refined sugar is necessary for both diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
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Holistic Natural Health
Aaron N. Hartman, MD, at Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine in Midlothian, says that people who suffer from carbohydrate intolerance and diabetes would benefit from a low carbohydrate diet to control their glucose levels. Here are three easy ways to reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet:
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.
•
TIP 2: Switch 3 for 3.
12 Easy, Natural Ways to Get Healthy This Summer
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. 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. If you need a little extra support, Dr. Hartman adds that certain supplements can help support healthy blood sugar levels. These are the top five nutrients he recommends, in order of importance: B-Complex | Fish oil (Omega-3) | Probiotics | A good multivitamin | Vitamin D Additionally, the best whole food sources for fish oil are wild, deep-water fatty fish including salmon, cod and sardines. Good probiotic sources are raw sauerkraut, kefir, fermented vegetables, kimchi and kombucha. The best source for vitamin D is the sun. While some foods, including egg yolks, beef liver and fatty fish, contain some vitamin D, they’re not adequate sources.
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.
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.
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.
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. www.OurHealthRichmond.com
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Holistic Natural Health
• PROGRESSIVE
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 (sleep-wake) 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
GETTING ACTIVE
suppresses melatonin production. Decreased melatonin not only impairs sleep, but impairs overall health as well.
This Summer
TIP 9: Exercise.
Even activity as little as a daily 20-minute walk, promotes deeper, more restful sleep at night.
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. “It’s required for almost everything: bone health, cardiovascular health, neurologic function and detoxification,” says Dr. Hartman. He recommends magnesium glycinate for general supplementation. You can also get magnesium from whole food sources including lightly steamed spinach and Swiss chard. Avocados, almonds and dark chocolate 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. 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. “Low vitamin D is associated with an increased risk of breast, colon, prostate and ovarian cancer, as well as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So we need it,” says Dr. Hartman.
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Holistic Natural Health
But he cautions that 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 time of day and the area where you live also dictates how much vitamin D the sun radiates. In the Richmond 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.
12 Easy, Natural Ways to Get Healthy This Summer
On the other hand, someone with darker skin takes much longer, somewhere around 140 minutes, to make that same 20,000 units of vitamin D, says Dr. Hartman. He adds that it’s difficult for most adults and even kids these days to get that amount. Also, we don’t make as much vitamin D as we get older.
is required for almost everything: BONE HEALTH, CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH, NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION AND DETOXIFICATION.
•
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 (say 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.
MAGNESIUM
- Aaron N. Hartman, MD -
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. Dr. Hartman says that, at that time, it’s best to start wear 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.
Playing outside for several minutes each day will keep us healthier than shying away from the sun and staying indoors. 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. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Aaron N. Hartman, MD, MAR, FAAFP, DABFM, DABIM, DAIHM, IFMCP with Richmond Integrative and Functional Medicine in Midlothian.
SOURCES
LOW
VITAMIN D is associated with
AN INCREASED RISK OF BREAST, COLON, PROSTATE AND OVARIAN CANCER, as well as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. - Aaron N. Hartman, MD -
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
Food Fitness NUTRITION • EXERCISE • PREVENTION
•
FIGHTS
A -L
UR
EL
INFLAMMATION HER M AN -
words | LAUREL HERMAN
CHICKEN TAGINE MISE EN PLACE: (Everything in Place) You will need a tagine or large sauté pan with a cover and a smaller pan for the water and honey.
INGREDIENTS: 1
large onion, roughly chopped
There is a lot of hype about the spice turmeric, with good reason. Hidden in the deep yellow-orange roots of turmeric is the compound curcumin, which is the real hero because it fights inflammation. Thanks to increasing awareness of its medicinal properties, turmeric has left the spice cabinet in the past few years and become one of the hottest supplements on the market.
4
cloves garlic, chopped
3
lbs. chicken, mixed boneless skinless thighs with a chicken breast cut into 1 to 2-inch cubes
3
tablespoons ground cinnamon plus two cinnamon sticks
3
tablespoons ground ginger
On its own, the root tastes unpleasant. It is too bitter to season a dish by itself without the other spices that are present in curries and spicy foods. The healing properties of the curcumin in turmeric are activated by adding black pepper. Mixed with spices like cinnamon and ginger, turmeric quietly sings its song of healing like an instrument in an orchestra.
3
teaspoons ground turmeric
The recipe at right also features cinnamon and ginger. There are many varieties of cinnamon, but the highest-quality one is Ceylon cinnamon, which is softer that the other types and milder in taste. One common mistake that people make when something is considered healthy is to overuse it. Cinnamon is known to balance blood sugar levels, but some varieties contain high levels of coumarin, which can cause liver damage when taken in large quantities. Ceylon has low levels and is considered the safest cinnamon to use. Ginger is everyone’s favorite spice and is used for everything from treating tummy issues to preventing heart disease and strokes. In traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine, ginger is warming, specifically working on the lungs and stimulating digestive enzymes. I would suggest using these spices liberally in this recipe. The use of local honey is also suggested. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Laurel Herman is an organics food chef, instructor, and author. She is also the owner of The Blissed Out Chef in Richmond.
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2
teaspoons Celtic sea salt
1
cup water
1
tablespoon honey
1
teaspoon black pepper
2
tablespoons ghee
1
tablespoon olive oil
Chopped cilantro for garnish
DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, combine all of the spices and toss the chicken until it is well-coated. Heat the tagine on medium to low. Add the ghee and olive oil. Brown the chicken on each side for about 3 to 4 minutes, then remove to a plate. While the chicken is cooking, add the cinnamon sticks, honey, and water in a small saucepan. Bring this to a boil, then shut the heat off. Continue to brown the rest of the chicken and set it aside. Now, add the onion and garlic and sauté. Return the chicken and add the apricots, sweet potato, water with honey, and cinnamon stick. Cover the tagine and cook on low for about an hour. The meat will fall apart, and the apricots will melt in your mouth. If you’re using a Le Creuset tagine, only use low heat. Plate and garnish with cilantro. www.OurHealthRichmond.com
How a Common Spice Fights Inflammation
HOW A COMMON SPICE
Food Fitness NUTRITION • EXERCISE • PREVENTION
Carytown Market
Provides Opportunity to Support Local Farmers and Your Health
5 Benefits of
LOCAL PRODUCE A
FLAVORFUL: Local produce is picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor.
B
MORE NUTRITIOUS: Local produce contains more nutrients.
C
VARIES DIET: People are more likely to eat a broader diet because they are exposed to unique varieties.
D
TEACHES KIDS: Farmer’s markets provide an excellent opportunity to teach kids to eat healthier.
E
TALK TO THE SOURCE: You get to hear firsthand from the farmer about the agricultural practices they follow.
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words | CATHERINE BROWN
When you spend a weekend morning shopping at the local farmers’ market, not only are you supporting local farmers, you are also benefiting your health.
Richmond Farmers’ Markets Richmond is fortunate to have several farmers’ markets, including the South of the James Market, the Ashland Farmers Market and the Brandermill Green Market, among others. This year, the Carytown Farmers Market, which had previously been held on Cary Street, is expanding and will take place at the nearby Richmond Kickers’ City Stadium. The Market is held every Sunday from 11 am – 3 pm, beginning April 22nd and continuing through October. The Carytown Farmers Market includes stands from local farmers selling produce, but it also hosts local artists selling handmade goods. Founder Patrick Warner says, “My vision is for the Carytown Farmers Market to become an outlet for the amazing talents of local people in our area. Together, we can create an event that the community can rely on each week for fun activities, real food and a variety or art.”
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Food Fitness
Health Benefits of Local Produce
•
When you shop at a farmers’ market, you are making good choices for your health. Local produce tastes better than fruits and vegetables that have traveled far to the grocery store. Rather than being harvested early before embarking on a journey across the country, local produce is picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor. When food tastes better, people are more likely to eat the fruits and vegetables that provide the vitamins and minerals that help fight diseases and sustain energy.
Carytown Market
Did you know? Researchers from Montclair State University found that broccoli that traveled across the country has half the vitamin C content than when it is provided locally.
Farmers’ Markets Offer More Variety People are also more likely to eat a broader diet when they shop at farmers’ markets because they are exposed to unique varieties of fruits and vegetables. Shoppers can find produce that is too fragile to travel long distances and thus can’t be found in the grocery store. Farmers’ markets also provide an excellent opportunity to teach kids to eat healthfully and foster their interest in cooking. At the market, parents can encourage kids to pick out the strangest looking fruit or vegetable they can find. Then, at home, they can research ways to prepare it. Kids are much more likely to try different foods if they have played a role in buying and preparing them. Warner, who grows some of his own food at home, likes talking to farmers at his market: “Instead of reading a label, you get to hear firsthand from the farmer about the agricultural practices they follow. The concept of whole health is more than just knowing nutritional facts about your food; it’s about understanding techniques to providing wholesome food.”
The Carytown Farmers Market 3201 Maplewood Avenue | Richmond, VA 23221 (located at City Stadium)
c 804.241.1562 | w www.carytownmarket.com Open Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm beginning April 22nd through October
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Patrick Warner, founder of the Carytown Market.
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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 also 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.
Challenge Yourself: Eat by the
CHECK OUT our Grilled Tequila-Lime Chicken with Grilled Asparagus recipe for a homemade marinade that is also excellent on lean pork and fish.
RAINBOW
Serve Up Healthy Summer Sides
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.
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.
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.
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). HERE’S TO A HAPPY, GRILLING SEASON – the healthy way!
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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 Contains a high concentration of Potassium
E 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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HEALTH OBSERVANCES
MAY 6TH - 12TH | ROOT CANAL AWARENESS WEEK
DO YOU
SUFFER WITH TOOTH PAIN? An Endodontist Can Help You Get to the Root of the Problem words |TINA JOYCE
Root Canal Awareness Week is a national effort to raise awareness of the
Commonwealth Endodontics West End Office: 3107 Hungary Spring Road, Richmond, VA 23228 Southside Office: 2312 Robious Station Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113
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804.501.0501 www.cwendo.com Office@cwendo.com
OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Friday 7 AM – 5 PM MEDICAL PROVIDERS: Harold Martinez, DDS | Ronald Vranas, DDS | Madelyn Morris, DDS | Steven Barbieri, DDS | Timothy Finkler, DDS Michael Morris, DDS | Stephen Schroeder, DDS SPECIALTIES/SERVICES: Root Canal Therapy, Endodontic Retreatment, Endodontic Microsurgery, Management of Cracked Teeth and Dental Trauma, CBCT Imaging, Nitrous Oxide, Oral Anxiolysis, Conscious Sedation, General Anesthesia
role that endodontists play in dental health and to teach the public that root canals should not be feared. Dr. Michael Morris, with Commonwealth Endodontics, dispels the myths surrounding this dental treatment and encourages patients who need a root canal to seek treatment. Tooth pain can be intolerable – and ongoing – if not treated promptly. Routine checkups with your general dentist is an important component of good oral care. This allows your dentist to evaluate your teeth and detect conditions, such as cavities and decay, before they extend into the pulpal tissue. Once the decay has reached the pulpal tissue, a patient may experience inflammation, pain or sensitivity to cold or heat. Most patients will see their general dentist for an evaluation of their pain or their general dentist will detect conditions that lead to the need for root canal treatment during their checkups. The general dentist will refer their patient to an endodontist, a root canal specialist, if they feel that the treatment is complicated or needs the expertise of a specialist. A root canal allows an endodontist to alleviate tooth pain while preserving the tooth.
“Artificial teeth cannot replace the look or function of a natural tooth so it’s important to consider root canal treatment as an option,“ explains Dr. Morris.
Common conditions leading to referral to an endodontist are irreversible pulpitis (extreme and lengthy sensitivity to hot or cold), pulpal necrosis (death of pulpal tissue), and trauma (such as a chipped or broken tooth exposing a nerve). During a root canal, an endodontist uses local anesthetic to numb the infected area and drill a small hole in the tooth. Then, he or she removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the canal with a material called gutta percha. Afterward, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
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A
B
An endodontist drills a small hole in the tooth.
An endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp.
D
An endodontist fills and seals the canal with a material called gutta percha.
E
A dentist completes the process by capping your tooth with a crown.
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An endodontist uses local anesthetic to numb the infected area.
C
HEALTH OBSERVANCES
DURING A ROOT CANAL
Do You Suffer with Tooth Pain?
Root Canal Myth: “Root canal treatment is not painful; with modern technology and anesthetics you won’t experience any more pain than you would if you had a filling done. Endodontists are experts in pain management and most cases can be treated quickly and comfortably,” assures Dr. Morris. Prevention is always the best option. Fortunately, the development and improvements in root canal therapy allow patients to preserve many of their natural teeth, even after trauma or infection. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Michael Morris, DDS, an endodontist with Commonwealth Endodontics in Richmond.
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HEALTH OBSERVANCES
JUNE | ALZHEIMER’S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
NEW
Understanding of
“The 36-Hour Day” words | RICK PIESTER
The Pearl at Watkins Centre p
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650 Watkins Centre Parkway Midlothian, VA 23113 804.893.0067 www.phoenixsrliving.com/ senior-living/va/midlothian/thepearl-at-watkins-centre/
OFFICE HOURS: Open 24/7 SERVICES: Offering expert professionals who provide compassionate care for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the various forms of dementia in a state-of-the-art facility with spacious living quarters and restaurant level cuisine. The National Wellness Institute’s Six Dimensions of Wellness form the foundation of the day-to-day interactions and strategically crafted programs. The Pearl at Watkins Centre encourages residents and their families to grow in the following areas: physical wellness, cognitive wellness, social wellness, emotional, occupational wellness (sense of purpose) and spiritual wellness.
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The story goes that a Seattle husband was explaining the rigors of being the caregiver for his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the progressive, thus-far-incurable disorder of the brain that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills. “Living with my wife,” he said, “is like living a 36-hour day.” That comparison is one that immediately resonates with anyone who loves or provides care for someone with Alzheimer’s or any other one of a general category of brain diseases — dementia — that cause decreases in the ability to think and remember. It hints at the energy, creativity, and compassion needed to properly care for a person with dementia and give that person’s life meaning and purpose. Medicine is becoming more adept at recognizing various forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s — a staggering 5.7 million people live with Alzheimer’s today, and the number is projected to rise to 14 million by 2050. In response, the medical community is preparing itself to care for increasing numbers of people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, as high as one in every six of us when we reach the age of 80. We’re seeing the emergence of a new specialty — the Dementia Certified Practitioner. Under a program developed by The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, professionals who seek the specialty must already hold a current license or certification in a related healthcare profession, and complete specialized training in the area of dementia care. In addition, they must continue to seek educational opportunities related to dementia care.
HEALTH OBSERVANCES
In the Richmond area, facilities such as The Pearl at Watkins Centre in Midlothian are staffed by Dementia Certified Practitioners to provide compassionate care for people who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
•
According to Executive Director Penny Roth, Dementia Certified Practitioners learn to look at the world through a resident’s eyes. Dementia Certified Practitioners are trained to engage residents through knowledge of what an individual’s life was like before diagnosis, what their life work had been and how they experience daily life as a person living with dementia.
New Understanding of “The 36-Hour Day”
“We’re trained to engage residents where they are — in their time, and not in our time; our specialized approach to the nuances of memory care help our residents thrive in daily life,” Roth notes. The Pearl at Watkins Centre, a new flagship community of Phoenix Senior Living (PSL), is the premier specialist in memory care dedicated to serving seniors with memory loss. A founding philosophy of PSL is that every senior can live a purposeful life – no matter his or her stage of dementia. Specialty care and programming at The Pearl is based on the National Wellness Institute’s Six Dimensions of Wellness are integral to meeting the unique needs of every resident. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
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Penny Roth, facility executive director with The Pearl at Watkins Center in Midlothian.
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National Wellness Institute’s
Six Dimensions of Wellness: At Phoenix Senior Living we assist every resident in living life to the fullest. Our residents’ programs, events and personalized care plans are deeply rooted and centered on promoting the Six Dimensions Of Wellness. Our Live, Love, Learn program cultivates a sense of purposeful living in each resident based on his or her unique gifts and life experience. We are making a difference in the lives of seniors and families every day.
The Pearl at Watkins Centre
Certified Dementia Practitioners are trained to cultivate a sense of purpose through all six dimensions.
A Phoenix Senior Living Community Specializing in Memory Care
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Funny BONE HUMOR • SEARCH • CHECK
pot the Differences Can you spot the SEVEN differences between the two cartoons?
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