Health for Life - May/June 2010

A PUBLICATION OF HENRY MEDICAL CENTER May/June 2010 www.henrymedical.com

TO HEALING Inside:

Family of Care Breathing Easy

COVER STORY

MAY/JUNE 2010

Need a Physician?

Call 678-604-1017 or visit www.henrymedical.com.

contents 2 HAITI TO HEALING ON THE COVER: Emellia Borgela

8 BREATHING EASY

Health for Life is intended to provide general health information only. It should not be used to self-diagnose or as a substitute for advice by a physician or other healthcare professional.

10 FAMILY OF CARE

For questions or comments about Health for Life, please call or write the Henry Medical Center Marketing Department, 1133 Eagle’s Landing Parkway, Stockbridge, GA 30281, 678-604-1026.

12 HMC NEWS

HENRY MEDICAL CENTER Charles Scott

Jeff Cooper

President and C.E.O.

Vice President of Operations

Donna M. Braddy

Michelle A. Nunnally

Director of Marketing, Public Relations, Community Education and Volunteer Services

Public Relations Specialist

13 FOUNDATION

family of care Winner of 3 Gold marketing awards by the Georgia Hospital Association’s Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations Society for 2009.

Visit us at www.henrymedical.com Published by do! design Doug Oakes

Leigh Delozier

Creative Director

Writer

Afton Brown

Michie Turpin Katie Snyder

Designer

haiti to healing

Photographers Health for Life, May/june 2010. Published bi-monthly by do! design. All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies.

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FEATURE STORY

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breathing easy HEALTH FOR LIFE

MAY/JUN 2010

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Real Heroes

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healing The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that leveled parts of Haiti on January 12, 2010, affected more lives than can be counted. As news reports chronicled the devastation, help arrived from around the world. Little did the staff of Henry Medical Center know that they would play a role in one woman’s journey back to health.

Emellia Borgela

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Real Heroes

mellia Borgela is a Haitian businesswoman with a husband and three children. They were home when the quake struck, and Borgella’s husband and 15-year-old daughter made it safely outside. Borgela and her sons – ages 7 and 10 – were on the second floor, and she made a split-second decision that saved their lives. She grabbed her boys and jumped out the window. Other family members and neighbors who ran downstairs to escape were killed when the apartment building collapsed around them.

“If I had not jumped out we would have died,” she says. Neither boy was hurt from the jump, but the impact of the landing broke both of Borgela’s legs. The left leg break was a compound fracture, leaving the bone exposed through her skin.

Borgela was later taken to the U.S. Navy’s hospital ship, Comfort, when it arrived in the Port-au-Prince harbor. She traveled to the States alone, severely injured, and unable to speak or understand a word of English. Navy surgeons repaired the compound fracture and placed an external fixator on Borgela’s leg.

She arrived at Dobbins Air Force Base and was brought to Henry Medical Center for care.

Plastic surgeon Lawrence Gross, M.D. was called to complete skin and muscle flap grafts for Borgela. Once he began his examination he realized that more care was needed. “There was a space – a gap – between the bones in her leg,” he says. Philip Ploska, M.D. was in the Surgery Department at the time.

He performed a bone graft procedure on Borgela so Dr. Gross could complete the muscle and skin closures.

Then Borgela’s long road to recovery began, but she found plenty of new friends and helpers along the way. Many of those supporters work at Henry Medical Center, including Roosevelt Pouland and sisters Ketlie Adelson and Evelyne Berthold. All three are originally from Haiti and were invaluable during Borgela’s stay.

“The day I came in and heard about her, I went right to her room and the nurses’ station to tell them I could help,” says Adelson, an Environmental Services employee. “She was very scared and didn’t have anyone who could help her because she couldn’t speak English. She cried when I started to leave that day.”

Adelson and Berthold spent much of their time visiting with Borgela and sitting with her before or after their work shifts or on their days off. “When we came in the room you could tell she felt more confident,” Adelson says. “She knew we could help her understand the doctors and nurses.”

“She was very modest and you could tell she didn’t want a lot of attention for herself,” says Berthold, a patient care assistant. “She was glad for everything people did, but we knew she was very worried about her family back in Haiti.”

Physicians, staff members, and people from the community pitched in to help make Borgela’s time in the States a bit better. “The hospital community wanted to help Emellia,” Adelson says. “They brought food, stopped by to visit, bought things to send to her family, and collected money for phone cards.”

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“

When you hear about this kind of tragedy you want to be available to help.

”

- Ketlie Adelson

“She was able to talk to her family every week,” Berthold says. “That helped, but her kids just wanted her to come back home.” Borgela wanted the same thing herself but knew she couldn’t return to Haiti until she was completely mobile. She left Henry Medical Center and spent several weeks in rehabilitation at Southern Crescent Hospital for Specialty Care, a long-term care facility in Riverdale.

Myrlene Adolphe, RN, BS became her primary communicator at that point. Her job as a clinical liaison is to work between patients and their healthcare providers; she was the perfect connection for Borgela because she too was born in Haiti. “I’ve been in the United States since I was a little girl,” Adolphe says. “But when I learned of her I asked if I could be her liaison since I still speak the language.”

Adelson, Berthold, and others stayed in touch with Borgela even when she was discharged from the hospital. “People called her every day,” Adolphe says.

Orthopedic surgeon Jenkins Bush, M.D. also treated Borgela in the operating room. After further diagnostic testing, Dr. Bush found she had a second

Emellia Borgela

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Roosevelt Pouland

Real Heroes

fracture that needed to be fixed. Later, he removed Borgela’s external fixator.

She then faced several weeks of not being able to put weight on that foot before beginning additional therapy.

Dr. Bush was touched by Borgela's personal story. "Emellia is a wonderful person. It's one thing to see the tragedy on television, but another to have a person in front of you who needs help," remarks Dr. Bush.

In addition to taking care Borgela's medical needs, Dr. Bush and his staff purchased international phone cards to help lift her spirits.

No matter how long the process takes, Borgela is grateful to be here and to have received such excellent care.

She says with certainty that, “If I was still in Haiti I would have lost my leg.”

When she returns home to her family and friends, Borgela will leave many Henry County heroes behind.

“There’s really been an outpouring from the hospital community,” Dr. Gross says.

“It’s been very nice to see so many people pull together to help.”

“My mother raised me to think that anything you have, you must share with somebody,” Berthold adds. “When I heard the news I knew I had to do something. When something like that happens, everybody should help.”

Lawrence Gross, M.D.

Evelyne Berthold

Philip Ploska, M.D.

though you don’t know “ Even the people, you’re affected by the situation. It might be me or my family.

”

- Evelyne Berthold Emellia Borgela

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Ketlie Adelson

Jenkins Bush, M.D.

Hal Dayhuff

I

Breathing Easy

t started as a simple cough — nothing that Hal Dayhuff of Stockbridge thought he needed to worry about. But the cough persisted and worsened over the next couple of months until Dayhuff finally agreed with his wife Barbara to see a doctor.

“She kept wanting me to get it checked out but I wouldn’t listen,” Dayhuff says. By the time December rolled around, “I decided I wasn’t doing so well on my own.”

Dayhuff scheduled a visit with his regular physician, Heidi Chun, M.D. “I was hacking, hacking, hacking,” Dayhuff says.

“I couldn’t say three or four words without coughing. As soon as Dr. Chun saw me she said, ‘You need to be in the hospital – now.’

I just kept my mouth shut and saidOK.” Dr. Chun contacted Henry Medical Center and Dayhuff was immediately admitted. “I was whisked to a floor in a heartbeat,” Dayhuff says.

Once he arrived in his room, Dayhuff says the hospital staff “were like a covey of quail around me” with all the attention they gave. Test results confirmed pneumonia.

The prospect of being in the hospital for several days and the severity of his illness made Dayhuff nervous, especially since it was only his second hospitalization in 43 years.

Jerrie Johnson Marcia Rankin

He soon learned that his new friends at Henry Medical Center made the experience much more comfortable.

“I’ve never been so well cared for,” Dayhuff says. “The nurses, doctors, technicians, lab personnel, food service personnel – they were fantastic.”

Although everyone treated Dayhuff with care and respect, he makes a point to mention Rachel Douglass, RN and patient care assistant Joyce Campbell by name. “I knew whenever they were on duty because they were always in there checking on me. “I don’t know how many patients they were responsible for, but I’m certain they got the same treatment,” he adds. “You could tell those ladies were just that way.”

Nurse manager Jerrie Johnson, RN, agrees that these employees and the others in her unit help make Henry Medical Center special. “They’re so good at their jobs. They can walk in a room and see the difference in a patient from one day to the next.”

“The most important thing with patients like Mr. Dayhuff is that our staff can tell when they’re anxious,” Johnson adds. “We do whatever we can to alleviate anxiety for the patient.

When we show that we listen to what they’re saying and that we care about the total wellbeing of the patient and the family, it builds their confidence in us.”

Dayhuff wholeheartedly agrees,

Barbara Johnson

and shares an example of how small things made a big difference.

The Food Service staff listened to his requests. “They kept bringing coffee with my meals,” he says. “I don’t drink coffee so I asked if they could bring orange juice or lemonade instead. The lady made a note of it right then and I didn’t see any more coffee.”

That level of caring is what Johnson stresses to her staff. “You have to love taking care of people and seeing them get better. It’s important to see a patient restored and able to go home.”

The physicians and staff did their jobs, and Dayhuff went home after seven days. He still can’t do quite everything as before, but is happy with his progress. “I get tired and that’s hard for me. I just need to learn how to pace myself. I’m also obeying Dr. Wife,” he adds with a laugh.

Whenever he has the chance, Dayhuff is quick to spread the word about the care he received at Henry Medical Center. “Knowing who you are and that you’re not just a number is so critical these days,” he says. “You can tell when someone knows who you are – and the people at Henry Medical Center do.

“People ask how I’m doing and I say that the Henry Medical Center staff and doctors have kept me alive.”

Laurie Taylor

Joyce Campbell

Hal Dayhuff

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Martha Pierce J.L. Pierce and Martha Pierce

“

of

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Care

I came to Henry Medical Center because it’s home.

- Martha Pierce

Willie E. Landrum II, M.D. Mohsin Hisamud-Din, M.D. Kevin Goodlow, M.D.

”

hat would you do if you were two hours from home, feeling worse by the minute, and knew you needed to see a doctor? If you’re longtime McDonough resident Martha Pierce, you cut your trip short and drive back to Henry Medical Center.

Pierce and her husband spend much of their time at their second home in Waverly Hall, Ga. She started battling a sore throat on Thursday night and says it worsened to the point of her barely being able to breathe by lunchtime on Saturday.

“I knew I had to do something,” she says. “It was time to find somebody who knew what was going on. But we didn’t know anybody at the hospital in Columbus so we packed up and came home.”

Pierce reached Henry Medical Center Emergency Department around 4:30 p.m. “They told me I was low on air in my blood so they hooked me right up to an oxygen tank and sent me for x-rays.”

Physicians initially thought Pierce was suffering heart failure, but later confirmed severe bronchitis.

“They asked if I’d ever smoked and I told them I tried it but that was all.”

The diagnosis surprised Pierce a bit but she trusted their judgment.

She was also pleasantly surprised by the level of care she received once she was admitted to a room. “My daughter used to work here so before I thought everybody might be so nice to me because of her,” she laughs.

“Now I know it’s because they treat everybody that way.”

One of Henry Medical Center’s hospitalists, Mohsin Hisamud-Din, M.D. oversaw Pierce’s stay, and she can’t say enough good things about his care and the hospitalist program.

“I didn’t know what a hospitalist was, but I think it’s a good idea to have

someone check on you since you’re regular doctor can’t do it,” she says.

“Dr. Din helped explain everything and was great.” A hospitalist is a physician who works from the hospital and helps coordinate patients’ care, Dr. Din explains. “There are usually many active and complex issues with each patient,” he says. “We keep the patient informed about their diagnosis, the tests they need, and how everything fits together. It’s our job to try and coordinate everything and help it go smoothly.”

With two nurses and two pharmacists in her immediate family, Pierce realizes their expectations might be a bit higher than usual. She hasn’t been disappointed in any of her experiences with Henry Medical Center.

“I’ve been several times to Henry and have never had any problems.”

Once again, hospitalists like Dr. Din help ensure patients don’t run into problems, or that the ones they have are resolved. “Healthcare can be so complex,” he says. “People embrace the concept of hospitalist care once they know that we’re available to talk with them and help them navigate through things. They’re also supportive when they realize our job is to communicate with staff here and their regular doctor, so everyone stays informed.”

“Patients like Mrs. Pierce like to feel they’re part of the process,” Dr. Din adds. “They want to know what doctors are doing to them or what they might do, and what it all means. That’s what a hospitalist is for.”

Pierce went home on Tuesday after her weekend admission. She uses oxygen and says a nebulizer also helps.

“I still get hoarse and can’t talk too much at once, or sometimes it’s hard to hear what I’m saying,” she says. “But at least I’m not like I was before I went to the hospital.”

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FOUNDATIONNEWS

may/june 2010 HMCNEWS Piedmont Healthcare and Henry Medical Center sign Letter Of Intent to continue affiliation discussions Piedmont Healthcare and Henry Medical Center have signed a Letter of Intent to pursue an affiliation and continue discussions that would serve to develop a Definitive Agreement delineating the relationship. Both organizations seek long-term sustainability in the changing marketplace.

Charles F. Scott, president and CEO of Henry Medical Center, stated, “Our combined Boards also decided to explore other options about the exact nature and scope of the relationship that would provide for a stronger integration between our two organizations, as we move forward in partnering with Piedmont to continue to deliver high quality cost-effective healthcare to the citizens of Henry County and surrounding areas.”

“We are eager to continue our discussions with Henry Medical Center to explore how, together, we can best serve the needs of the local community,” said R. Timothy Stack, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “Especially given the recent legislative activity at the state and national levels, it is even more important for hospitals and healthcare organizations to evaluate ways we can work together in an increasingly challenging environment.”

Gregory A. Hurst, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Piedmont Healthcare, added, “Piedmont’s business model is built on a philosophy of providing high quality clinical care and compassionate caring in a cost-effective manner. We welcome the opportunity to share our experience with Henry.”

Henry Medical Center Announces New Director of Women & Infants Services

Pat McAfee, RN, BSN, Director of Women & Infants Services

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Henry Medical Center recently named Pat McAfee, RN, BSN Director of Women & Infants Services. McAfee is a 21-year employee of Henry Medical Center. She has been a member of the American Nurses Association since 1992, selected as Henry Medical Center’s first ever Georgia Hospital Association’s G.R.E.A.T. Ambassador in 2004, serves as a committee member on the hospital’s March of Dimes team, sits on the Advisory Board for First Steps and is a volunteer coordinator for Postpartum Support International for the state of Georgia.

New Program Recognizes Henry Medical Center Nurses Who Provide Extraordinary Care Nurses at Henry Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award for going above expectations and consistently demonstrating excellence through clinical expertise, extraordinary service, and compassionate care to patients and their families.

DAISY Award nomination boxes have been placed around Henry Medic al Center. Patients, their families, physicians, and others are encouraged to nominate nurses who they feel are outstanding providers of care at HMC. Nomination forms are also available online at www.henrymedical.com. The DAISY Award at Henry Medical Center is sponsored by the Auxiliary. http://www.daisyfoundation.org/behospital.htm

Henry Medical Center’s Laurel Park Named a “Top Nursing Home in America” Henry Medical Center’s Laurel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility recently was named a “Top Nursing Home in America” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. The Consumers’ Research Council of America, a Washington, D.C. based research organization, provides consumers’ information guides for professional services throughout America.

30th Annual Garden Party The ‘Hollywood Hits Henry’ themed evening had guests walking the red carpet as the Henry Medical Center Foundation hosted its 30th Annual Garden Party on May 1 at Eagle’s Landing Country Club. Attendees were treated like celebrities as they arrive at 6:30 P.M. to a photo opportunity against a commemorative, movie premiere-style backdrop. Dinner was served in a giant tent under the stars with live music by the Atlanta Beat.

Photographed left to right are: Kerry Arnold, Cindy Arnold, Nate Tracy, Shellie Tracy, Charles Scott (HMC President and CEO), Sheri Willis, Jeff Cooper (HMC VP of Operations), Dana Clark, Bill Clark, Vickie Loper, Kendall Loper, Julia Kelley, Beau Kelley, Gaye Burton, Keith Sweat, Patti Brown, and Adam Stanfield (HMCF Executive Director). Not Pictured are: Sam and Debbie Lorenzo, Gene and Dody Morris, Dale and Kathy Rutledge, and Jerry and Ginger Moates.

Corporate Honor Roll Member of the Month Southern Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC The Corporate Honor Roll Member of the Month is Southern Orthopaedic Specialists located in a newly renovated office at 915 Eagle’s Landing Parkway in Stockbridge. To ensure patients receive the best treatment and care available, the physician of Southern Othopaedic Specialists are fellowship trained in specialty othopaedics. To learn more about the physicians and services offered at Southern OrthopaedicSpecialists, please visit their website at www.sos-atlanta.com.

HEALTH FOR LIFE

MAY/JUN 2010 page 13

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEBANON JUNCTION, KY PERMIT #622

Visit www.henrymedical.com to register for most classes or for more information.

Support Groups

For more information about support groups, please call 678-604-1040.

Al-Anon

Crohn’s & Colitis

Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wed, 8:00–10:00 pm and Sat, 7:00–8:00 pm.

Meets in the Foundation Education Center.

Third Tues at 7:00 pm.

Ala Teen

Cancer Education/ Support

Fibromyalgia Support Group

Call 678-604-1040 for more information.

Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Last Thurs of every month from 7:00–8:30 pm.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA)

Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wed and Sat, 7:00–9:00 pm.

Call 678-604-1040 for more information.

Georgia Losing for Life Weight Loss Surgery

Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wed from 8:00–9:00 pm.

Diabetes Support Group Meets in the Foundation Education Center.

Pre-registration required.

Third Tues at 6:00 pm.

Call 678-604-5106 for more info.

Diabetes SelfManagement

The six-week course is designed to offer support and education to those affected by arthritis.

Two-day classes are held each month.

CPR and First Aid

Evening Seminar Series

Rescue techniques are taught by the American Heart Association guidelines.

Call 678-604-1040 to register.

Offers classes on lung and heart disease, cancer and healthy cooking.

Post-Partum Support

Call 678-604-1054 for registration, dates and times.

Meets in the 4th floor Loss Surgery Group classroom of the North Tower. Meets Fourth Tues, Every Wed, at 8:30 am.

6:30–7:30 pm.

Call 678-209-4739 for more information.

Lupus Support

Sisters By Choice

Stroke Resources

Meets second Sat each month, 11:00 am–1:00 pm.

For women diagnosed with breast cancer. Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Second Tues at 7:30 pm.

Call 678-604-1040 for more info.

Southside Weight

Narcotics Anonymous Southern Crescent Meets every Fri from Parents of Multiples

8:00–9:00 pm in the Meets the second Sat of each Foundation Education Center month, 11 am - Noon in the and every Sun from 5:30– Foundation Education Center. 6:30 pm in the Executive Dining Room.

Classes Arthritis Foundation Self Help Program

Grief Recovery

Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Fourth Thurs from 7:30–9:00 pm.

For more information about classes, please call 678-604-1040.

Get Moving Again For hip and knee surgery patients. Meets the last Saturday of the month.

Health Fairs Free screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, bone density, prostate and many other services.

On-Site Health Related classes Henry Medical Center offers customized on-site health related classes that can be conducted at your business, school, or organization.

Planning for your Final Healthcare Learn how you and your family can discuss and plan in advance for health care at the end of life. Call 678-604-1054.

Look Good Feel Better This program is designed to help women undergoing cancer treatment to regain self-confidence and control over their lives.

Meets in the Foundation Education Center monthly from 10:00 am–12:00 pm. Call 770-631-0625 for dates and to register.