UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids LiveWell Fall 2023

ELEVATING HEART AND VASCULAR CARE SINCE 1978

St. Luke’s $25 million Nassif Heart & Vascular Center expansion project is progressing on schedule. It will consolidate and enhance our capabilities within the existing space and build upon an already strong foundation as the leader

This fall, we will open a second Electrophysiology (EP) Lab, to provide more:

• Pacemakers

• Implantable defibrillators

• Ablation procedures to correct heart rhythm (Afib) This is a growing need, as more patients require St. Luke's expertise in this area.

In 2024, we’ll add a third Vascular and Interventional Radiology (IR) Lab, for more:

• Imaging and biopsies

• Treatment for aneurysms (ballooning vessels)

• Revascularization (restoring blood flow to blocked vessels)

Also in 2024, we’ll add a special hybrid operating room for structural heart, a specialty of cardiology that cares for patients who:

• Have defects and disorders of the heart’s structure

• Need valve repair/ replacement

St. Luke’s was the first in Cedar Rapids to perform these minimally invasive procedures via catheter instead of open heart surgery.

When you need heart care, trust the experienced team at Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital.

Visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart to learn more and follow our expansion progress.

ST. LUKE’S MARION ER OPENING NEXT SUMMER

Construction is underway on the new St. Luke’s Marion ER at 3301 Armar Drive.

This new location will be crucial to the Marion community as well as Northeast Cedar Rapids and surrounding Eastern Linn County communities to receive fast emergency care when time is critical.

St. Luke’s Marion ER will be open 24/7 and staffed by board certified emergency medicine providers along with nurses, patient care technicians and other healthcare professionals.

• Technology and equipment to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than an urgent care offers

ST. LUKE’S RECEIVES MAGNET® REDESIGNATION FOR A FOURTH TIME

St. Luke’s Hospital has once again achieved Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), signifying successful implementation of the national Magnet standards for nursing excellence. This is the fourth time St. Luke’s has received this national recognition, which is considered the gold standard for nursing and patient care excellence. St. Luke’s is one of only four hospitals in Iowa that has achieved Magnet status.

Only about 2% of hospitals have received this designation four times and less than 10% of registered hospitals have earned Magnet status. St. Luke’s is the only hospital in Cedar Rapids to have earned this prestigious honor. St. Luke’s earned its first Magnet designation in 2009.

“I am extraordinarily proud of our team,” said Carmen Kleinsmith, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s senior vice president and chief nurse executive. “This recognition further validates the exceptional care our nurses deliver every day at St. Luke’s, together with our many healthcare team members across every part of our organization."

• 12 private treatment rooms

• Advanced imaging for diagnostics and testing including CT, X-ray and ultrasound

• On-site laboratory and pharmacy

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL NAMED TO THE 2023 100 TOP HOSPITALS LIST

St. Luke’s Hospital has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by PINC AI™. According to PINC AI, being recognized as a top performing hospital reflects excellence in leadership and governance from every person in the organization.

This is the ninth time St. Luke’s has been recognized with this honor. Hospitals do not apply or pay to participate in the studies, nor do winners pay to promote their award – this honor is based on performance.

The award evaluates nearly 3,000 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the U.S. The annual list recognizes excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience, and financial health.

St. Luke's has earned this honor in 2023, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2005 and 2004.

Learn more at pinc-ai.com/100-top-hospitals.

The St. Luke’s Marion ER will feature:

The new St. Luke’s Marion ER will be 10,000 square feet, and opens summer 2024.

Todd Finley’s heart stopped beating for eight minutes last spring. Thankfully, the lifesaving actions from St. Luke’s ER and

“I think about that day a lot and I am so grateful,” shared Finley. “I am truly lucky I don’t have any lasting issues from my cardiac

Last April, Finley’s day started like any other day. The 45-year-old Cedar Rapids man was going through his morning exercise

“I passed it off thinking it was indigestion,” explained Finley. “I stopped working out, took a shower and it didn’t go away. Next my arms went numb, and my hands started cramping almost folding in. It was weird. I remember thinking, ‘I am in trouble.’ I got dressed and my stepson was home sick for the day. I went into his room and said, ‘Reese, you’re going to have to drive me to the emergency room. I think I am having a heart attack.’”

“I was working triage that day,” recalled Chris Barkalow, St. Luke’s LifeGuard flight paramedic. “I had just walked a patient to a room and was coming out of triage when I noticed Todd checking in to ER registration. The next thing I know, he wasn’t there any longer. I went around to assess what happened and he was down. He had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. I started

Barkalow called for assistance and Finley was transferred to a

Todd Finley and Hank at Wanatee Park in Marion. Finley is grateful to the St. Luke’s ER and heart teams after experiencing cardiac arrest and a heart attack last spring.

“Chris Barkalow saved Todd’s life,” said Julie Beard, DO, St. Luke’s ER. “Todd had what we call a witnessed arrest, meaning someone saw him go down and started CPR immediately. If he had been alone, he probably would not be here today. He also received advanced medical care immediately. We have a protocol and cardiac guidelines we follow for patients like Todd. Everyone has a role, and we all know what to do. We train often and our team was ready. They moved quickly.”

The ER and heart teams moved so fast the blocked artery that caused Finley’s cardiac arrest was opened and blood flow was restored to his heart in just 57 minutes.

Working Against the Clock

“Minutes matter when it comes to opening blocked heart arteries,” said Ankur Vyas, MD, St. Luke’s Heart Care cardiologist. “When a heart artery is 100-percent blocked, like it was for Todd, that portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen. It starts dying. The longer the blood flow is interrupted, more muscle dies. This is permanent. The sooner we open the blocked artery, the less long-term damage there will be to the heart muscle. The national guideline for restoring blood flow to the heart is 90 minutes or less.”

“I don’t remember much from that day,” shared Finley. “I remember waking up in the ER and having the weirdest sensation of not being able to move and hearing the doctors and nurses. I was in and out of consciousness. I remember them telling me I had a heart attack and they put in a stent. The next thing I remember, I was waking up in the ICU and I had a tube in my throat.”

“Most people who have heart attacks do not have cardiac arrest,” explained Dr. Vyas. “Todd had both. He had an acute complete blockage of one of his arteries that supplies blood flow to the heart, and it happened suddenly, which caused cardiac arrest.”

Listen to Your Body

“Looking back, I had that same tightness the day before my heart attack when I was working out,” shared Finley. “I stopped, it went away and I felt fine. I thought there’s no way I am having a heart

attack. I’m too young. I am fit, I mostly watch what I eat, and I see my doctor every year. My advice for anyone reading this is listen to your body. Don’t be in denial. Heart attacks can happen to anyone. I should have listened to my body the day before and went to the doctor. Thankfully, I finally did note the warning signs and went to St. Luke’s just in time.”

“This is a good story,” shared Dr. Beard. “Todd is a young person whose life was saved. He listened to those warning signs, and he came to St. Luke’s.”

“When I was in the ICU, Chris and Dr. Beard visited me and it was great to thank them in person,” shared Finley. "I let them know how grateful I am. I am truly thankful for the team at St. Luke’s and everyone along the way who has helped me recover. I am alive today thanks to their care.”

Heart Attack Signs

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. This can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath. This often accompanies chest discomfort, but it can also occur beforehand.

Other symptoms may include breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling weak, nauseous, or lightheaded.

Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital

St. Luke’s has once again earned the Chest Pain Center Accreditation with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and Resuscitation from the American College of Cardiology. This accreditation is based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. St. Luke’s is the only hospital in Cedar Rapids with this designation.

Julie Beard, DO ER

LIVING WITH HEART FAILURE — IT'S NOT A DEATH SENTENCE

“I couldn’t breathe,” said 60-year-old Mary McConnell of Monticello. “I stepped outside to get something from the garage, and I struggled to take a breath. I went right back in, sat down and asked my husband to take me to the hospital.”

Last fall, McConnell went to UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center Emergency Department and was later transported to the Nassif Heart & Vascular Center at St. Luke’s Hospital. Upon arrival, she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

“Mrs. McConnell was hypoxic (low on oxygen) and in respiratory failure due

to what we believed was heart failure,” said St. Luke’s Cardiologist Arpit Sothwal, MD. “She had all the classic signs and symptoms – difficulty breathing, chest pain, trouble sleeping, fluid around her lungs, weight gain and lower extremity edema (water retention in the legs).”

Due to clinically suspected congestive heart failure, Dr. Sothwal started McConnell on medication to reduce the extra fluid in her body, which eliminated approximately 30 liters of excess water, and stabilized her condition. During her hospital stay, she had an echocardiogram, which confirmed his suspicion. Her heart was functioning at only 20%. Normal heart

pumping function is 55-60% (measured as ejection fraction, or the percent of blood leaving the heart with every beat).

Heart Function Restored

“To determine the cause of heart failure, we first rule out a heart blockage,” explained Dr. Sothwal. “We performed a coronary angiogram (a diagnostic heart procedure used to check blood flow), and she did not have any obstruction in her arteries. That meant she did not need any stents or open heart surgery. On the basis of further testing and clinical evaluation, her heart failure was due to uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).”

Cardiologist Arpit Sothwal, MD, conducts an exam on Mary McConnell, who is being treated at St. Luke’s Heart Failure Clinic. Advanced medical therapy has improved her heart function and allows her to conduct her normal activities, despite her heart failure diagnosis.

Left untreated, high blood pressure gradually weakens the heart muscle until it can no longer effectively pump blood throughout the body. That is when a person receives a heart failure diagnosis. Advancements in heart care have allowed people to live with the condition.

“Heart failure is not a death sentence,” said Dr. Sothwal. “It may require surgery or an implanted device to improve heart pumping function, but Mrs. McConnell was lucky. We were able to treat her heart failure with advanced medical therapy. Until we knew the optimal dosage, we had her wear an external defibrillator, called LifeVest, to prevent sudden cardiac death. Fortunately, she responded well to the medicine, and her heart function improved to the normal range.”

Looking back, McConnell said she didn’t attribute trouble breathing to a heart problem. “I thought it might have been my lungs, or because I had gained weight. I thought I was tired because I wasn’t sleeping well at night. It was so frustrating. I kept thinking, ‘I used to be able to do A, B and C,’ but I wasn’t even able to accomplish ‘A’ before I got tired.”

Because McConnell sought care right away, and received treatment early, she was able to return to her normal activities, including gardening, canning and caring for her family of 17 children. Dr. Sothwal said the key to preventing permanent heart damage is to be aware of risk factors and go to the emergency department immediately if you have symptoms of heart failure.

Heart Failure Risk Factors Heart Failure Symptoms

Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Diabetes

Obesity

Lack of exercise

Smoking, vaping and tobacco use

Excessive alcohol

Family history of heart failure

Other heart conditions

Unexplained shortness of breath with exertion

Trouble breathing while laying down

Unexplained fatigue or weakness

St. Luke’s Prioritizes Heart Failure Treatment

Since being hospitalized, McConnell regularly sees Dr. Sothwal and his team through the Heart Failure Clinic at St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic. This special long-term program closely follows patients diagnosed with heart failure to monitor medications and prevent recurrent heartfailure-related hospitalizations.

Heart failure is a top initiative for both St. Luke’s and UnityPoint Health as a whole, to educate more people about the condition, treat it earlier, and ultimately prolong and improve heart failure patients’ quality of life.

“I feel better than I have in a long time,” McConnell reported. "I’m really happy with the results and the care I received from Dr. Sothwal. He was very attentive and had a plan right away. I just had this confidence that God was working through him to make everything OK.”

St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital and has been expanding and advancing heart and vascular care since 1978. Learn more and follow our $25 million expansion progress at unitypoint.org/cr-heart

Arpit Sothwal, FACC, MD Cardiologist

ST. LUKE'S TINIEST

Looking at him today it might be hard to imagine Landen Eastburn weighed just 13 ounces at birth. The Walford teen turned 18 earlier this year and his parents marvel at how far he has come since he was born.

In March 2005, severe head and side pain sent Paige Eastburn, Landen’s mom, to St. Luke’s ER. She was diagnosed with preeclampsia, which is persistent high blood pressure during pregnancy. Landen was delivered early, via C-section after doctors determined Paige and Landen’s lives were in danger. He was immediately rushed to St. Luke’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“Looking back, I remember being so excited to be pregnant,” recalled Paige. “And then you start having complications, but you usually don’t think, ‘is this child going to be, okay?’ You just think I must get through it and then everything will be fine, and we’ll go home. But we couldn’t go home. I was glad we were close to St. Luke’s, and it all worked out.”

“Landen was growth restricted,” recalled Dennis Rosenblum, MD, St. Luke’s NICU. “He was born at 25 weeks gestation and was small for a 25-week baby.

David, Landen and Paige Eastburn at their home in Walford. Landen is St. Luke’s tiniest surviving baby. He celebrated his 18th birthday earlier this year.

Landen in St. Luke’s NICU shortly after he was born in 2005. He weighed just 13 ounces at birth.

TINIEST BABY ALL GROWN UP!

His size was the equivalent of a 22-to-23-week baby. He is the smallest baby I have cared for during my 30 years as a neonatologist.”

“The doctors told my parents I had a 2% chance of survival when I was born,” shared Landen.

“I remember seeing him right after he was born,” said David Eastburn, Landen’s dad. “He was so tiny. I recall thinking there is no way he will live. As a guy, you just want to fix things and I remember thinking, ‘what can I do to make it better?’ But there wasn’t much I could do. I just had to turn it over to the doctors and God.”

Cedar Rapids’ Smallest Baby

“When he was born, he was listed as the 52nd smallest infant to survive in the world and on the Tiniest Baby Registry,” said Dr. Rosenblum. “One of the things I remember most about Landen is that he seemed super resilient. Even though he was so small he tolerated everything well and just grew and grew. He had his ups and downs but gradually improved. It took about two months, but we were able to wean him off the ventilator. He initially went home on oxygen but that was to be expected.”

St. Luke’s NICU has the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and technology to support even the tiniest babies like

Landen. St. Luke’s NICU is the only Level III Maternal and Neonatal Center in Cedar Rapids as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It cares for full-term babies as well as very low birth weight babies. This means except in rare occasions, a baby should not have to be transferred out of Cedar Rapids if born at St. Luke’s. In fact, St. Luke’s accepts transfers from surrounding hospitals in Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa.

Landen spent just over four months in St. Luke’s NICU. The family was grateful for the care they received.

“We still get messages from some of St. Luke’s NICU staff,” said Paige. “They were great. They sat with me when we were in the NICU and talked me through some of the things I didn’t understand. And they celebrated everything. Every milestone for Landen and it was so encouraging to us.”

“They were a wonderful group,” David said. “They are excellent in what they do, and they were very caring. “

Even today, 18 years later, Landen still holds the record for the smallest surviving baby born in Cedar Rapids. He enjoys hearing the story of his birth but is glad the hospital stays are behind him.

“I am a sophomore in high school,” shared Landen. “I am homeschooled. I don’t like math, but I like science. I am pretty good at typing and recently started a job. It’s cool. I got a first paycheck and I have a bank card. I like to play video games, listen to music, hang out with friends, go bowling, swimming and am very involved in youth group at my church.”

Blessed & Grateful

“We’re just thankful,” explained David. “He should have a whole lot more health issues than he does considering where he started and everything he’s been through. At the time, it seemed never ending but what Landen has faced has been relatively minor compared to what he could be facing. He’s doing outstanding. We feel fortunate he’s done as well as he has.”

“We are blessed and grateful,” remarked Paige. “I remember before we had kids someone said to us, ‘the days are long, but the years are short.’ This is true but at times when we were in our day-to-day after Landen was born there was fear and uncertainty and the days seemed long. There were some big valleys but through it all we had faith.”

Find out why three out of four moms choose St. Luke’s Birth Care to deliver their baby. Our experienced labor and delivery nurses and NICU team are ready to provide expert care. To schedule your tour of St. Luke’s Birth Care Center, call (319) 369-8129.

Dennis Rosenblum, MD Neonatologist

25% OF PEOPLE HAVE A HOLE IN THEIR HEART. SOMETIMES IT’S SERIOUS.

Hiking and cooking were out of the question for Lisa Swanson during a spring break trip with her family in 2022. She didn’t have the energy to keep up with her grandchildren, but that was nothing new. She has struggled with shortness of breath and fatigue all her life, but it was getting worse. It wasn’t until she collapsed at the end of last year when she decided to see a doctor.

“I thought the lack of energy and being out of breath were normal – that’s just how my body was,” Swanson said. “Then one day at home, I had a fainting spell and hit my head on a door, so my husband said, ‘we’re going to get you checked out!’”

Swanson’s primary care provider referred her to Laila Payvandi, MD, cardiologist at St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic.

“When a patient experiences a passing-out episode, the initial workup investigates potential cardiac and non-cardiac causes,” explained Dr. Payvandi. “I ordered an EKG, a heart ultrasound, a stress test, a brain MRI and had her wear a heart monitor for 14 days. We discovered Mrs. Swanson had a structural problem with her heart. On further investigation, I determined she had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a hole in the wall between the top two chambers of the heart.”

Mary Swanson resumed her passion for genealogy and was able to join her grandchildren on hikes since St. Luke’s Heart Care repaired a congenital hole in her heart via catheter last year.

An antique pair of shoes adorns Mary Swanson’s room of historical mementos.

Hole in Heart Meant to Close after Birth

Everyone is born with a PFO. It allows for normal blood circulation during fetal development. Typically, the PFO closes after birth when the lungs take over. However, in about 25% of people, the PFO remains open. In most cases, it does not cause symptoms or heart issues, but after Swanson’s diagnosis, Dr. Payvandi believed it was more serious. She consulted Richard Kettelkamp, DO, structural cardiologist and medical director at St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic.

“We determined Mrs. Swanson’s PFO was abnormally large and likely contributed to a mini-stroke and caused her other symptoms,” Dr. Kettelkamp reported. “She didn’t have any narrowed arteries or blockages, no irregular heart rhythms or diseased arteries in her brain that would otherwise explain what she experienced.

“In normal circumstances, blood travels through the heart in one direction, from the right side to the left, through the lungs,” he continued. “In Mrs. Swanson’s case, there was bi-directional flow between the upper chambers of the heart. Blood from the lungs was recirculating through her heart instead of being pumped to the rest of the body. In addition, she had a rightto-left shunt, which means the blood was bypassing the lungs. Since the lungs act as a filter, if there is debris present, it can be pumped to the brain and cause a stroke.”

Same-day Procedure Repairs Hole in Heart

Dr. Kettelkamp is one of St. Luke’s cardiologists who specializes in structural heart issues. He recommended a PFO closure for Swanson to address the blood flow issue and prevent future clots. While the closure can be performed surgically, it is typically done through catheters from the groin. Dr. Kettelkamp was the first in Cedar Rapids to use the technique, introducing it in 2006.

During a PFO closure, the cardiologist inserts an ultrasound device through one catheter for visibility during the procedure. Through another catheter, he deploys an umbrella-type device that is pulled through the opening and released to close the hole. A PFO repair is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 90 minutes, and the patient returns home the same day. It eliminates the patient’s symptoms and significantly improves their quality of life.

Swanson was able to resume the things she enjoyed right after the procedure, including her love of genealogy research. She could also add more active hobbies she was previously unable to sustain.

“After the procedure, I can’t tell you how much better I felt,” Swanson shared. “It was immediate – like someone gave me a shot in the arm. This year, I was able to hike during our family trip. I’m no longer out of breath, I have energy and I feel great!”

Her advice to others: “Get checked out. The cardiologists at St. Luke’s are lightyears beyond everyone else with their technology and resources. They are top-drawer.”

Drs. Payvandi and Kettelkamp concur about being proactive.

“If you have shortness of breath and find you can’t do the things you used to do, don’t pass it off as ‘getting older,’” Dr. Kettelkamp advised. “Go through the paces and investigate to make sure it’s not something else. Mention it to your primary care provider and be your own advocate.”

Visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart to see why St. Luke’s stands out for heart and vascular care and learn how we’re expanding our specialized services for you. To connect with a cardiology provider, call (319) 364-7101.

WHEN EXERCISE LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF OPEN HEART SURGERY NEED

When Steve Mathers felt out of breath doing his usual three-to-five-mile, daily walks he mentioned it to Emily Fitzpatrick his nurse practitioner at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine — Hiawatha. Fitzpatrick encouraged Mathers to allow her to investigate his symptoms and they are both glad they did. It likely saved his life. He needed heart bypass surgery after cardiologists found a significant blockage in his heart.

Scan the QR code to watch his story and learn more about his journey from heart trouble to recovery and appreciation.

A NEW MOM’S BREAST CANCER JOURNEY: A STORY OF SELF-ADVOCACY

Early last year, Jennifer Lundin of Atkins, was coming off two years of nursing her son and kept getting mastitis, which is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes causes an infection. It’s common in breastfeeding women, and Lundin’s doctor would prescribe antibiotics, which would help with the symptoms temporarily, until one day Lundin noticed a change.

“I woke up one day and felt a lump,” shared Lundin. “I was also having some breast pain. I noticed the lump was getting quite large and on June 7 I noticed some dimpling under my breast.”

Lundin’s primary care provider referred her for a mammogram. Lundin went to St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health where she had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy over the course of seven or eight hours all on the same day. After the testing was complete, her suspicion was confirmed. Lundin, just 35-years-old at the time, had stage 3B breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes.

Jennifer Lundin believes in advocating for yourself when you suspect a health issue. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 after discovering a lump in her breast when she was breastfeeding.

Coordinated Care at the Nassif Community Cancer Center

During Lundin’s long day of testing at St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health, one person was with her through it all — Mona Cook, BSN, RN, CBCN, breast cancer care coordinator at the Nassif Community Cancer Center. A care coordinator is a patient’s constant point of contact throughout the cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Cook sat down with Lundin and walked through all the information she would need to know.

“I thank Mona,” said Lundin. “Because in that moment, I wasn’t alone. I had her there to walk me through the process. She also set up everything with my surgeons and oncologist.”

Exceptional Care Makes You Feel Like You Matter

Before she could have surgery, Lundin needed chemotherapy to shrink her tumor. She saw Rasa Buntinas, MD, oncologist at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Hematology and Oncology, who recommended 18 rounds of chemo.

“Dr. Buntinas provides exceptional care,” said Lundin. “She’s always been able to answer my questions and put my mind at ease. And her team in the infusion room — everyone was so empathetic. They’d welcome me with a hug and sit down and talk with me. I couldn’t have made it through all of that without them.”

In December, after chemotherapy shrank the cancer, Lundin had her surgery performed by Kerri Nowell, MD, surgeon at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa.

“I didn’t feel like just another patient," shared Lundin. "I felt like she genuinely cared, and she blew me away with her bedside manner.”

Following surgery was 28 sessions of radiation treatment with Nick Loudas, MD, and the team at St. Luke’s Nassif Radiation Center.

“They were amazing,” said Lundin. “The first day I didn’t know what to expect. They explained everything and radiation was by far the easiest part of my treatment. I give kudos to the team for that. You walk in there every day, and they smile and call you by name. You feel like you matter.”

Support Services to Compliment Treatment

The team at the Nassif Community Cancer Center is committed to treating the entire person, not just the cancer. The center offers support services ranging from nutrition and social work to exercise and integrative wellness programs. Lundin was able to use just about every support service and appreciates how they continue when treatment is over.

“The dietitians answered a lot of my questions early on about my diet, and the social workers always check in. Even now that I’m out of active treatment, they still reach out to see how I’m doing,” shared Lundin. “And Matt [Schmitz, cancer exercise specialist] has been wonderful. Any time you need to see him he makes time for you.”

Advocate for Yourself

As a young cancer patient, Lundin is passionate about sharing her story because she wants others to know breast cancer can happen to women under 40, and that these women should advocate for themselves if they have symptoms or concerns.

“For younger women, there’s a common theme and it’s, ‘You’re too young for breast cancer,’” she said. “I keep hearing the same story from women I’ve connected with and if I can tell them anything, it’s to advocate for yourself, because no one else can do that for you. There’s no harm in getting a test to put your mind at ease.”

Facing a Cancer Diagnosis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, or any type of cancer, the Nassif Community Cancer is here for you. For more information on our extensive offering of support services, call (319) 558-4876 or visit communitycancercenter.org

GET YOUR ANNUAL SCREENING MAMMOGRAM

It’s recommended women start with a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35-40, then begin annual screening mammograms at age 40, or sooner if there’s a family history of breast cancer. To schedule your mammogram, talk to your healthcare provider or call (319) 369-7216 to schedule your mammogram at one of St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health’s three convenient locations. St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health also offers walk-in mammograms Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., with a doctor’s order.

WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO BE SEEN IN THE ER?

When you have a medical emergency, every minute counts. St. Luke’s ER team is specially trained to respond quickly and efficiently to any health care emergency. However, ERs do not operate on a first come, first serve basis but rather on the level of seriousness of the illness or injury.

Like most ERs, St. Luke’s uses a triage system, which is an assessment process to help the medical team determine the urgent need for treatment. In addition to a patient’s symptoms and vital signs St. Luke’s triage team is also trained to consider how a patient looks – whether they have signs of a serious illness or injury.

“If you come in and we have objective data you are not doing well, your oxygen is low, your blood pressure's low, your heart rate's low or fast, or your mental status is out of the ordinary, then you will be seen right

away,” said Ryan Sundermann, MD, St. Luke’s ER medical director.

They also go by complaint and certain symptoms require immediate attention.

“Not all chest pains are a heart attack, but we do not know this for sure without running tests,” explained Dr. Sundermann. “Tests take resources and time. Until we have a diagnosis, we must treat each instance seriously because if the chest pain does become a heart attack, it’s an emergency.”

There are other factors, which may add to wait times in the ER.

“We are also caring for individuals who struggle with access to medical care,” shared Dr. Sundermann. “Even small things can become emergencies for these patients. Maybe someone can’t see their family doctor because

WHEN YOU SHOULD GO TO THE ER

• Symptoms of a heart attack: chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath

• Profuse bleeding or blood loss that continues even after direct pressure

• Severe abdominal pain

• Sudden dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination, balance or vision problems, which are signs of stroke

the office is too far, or they do not have transportation to go to an urgent care or it’s after hours and the ER is their only option.”

Opening Next Summer –St. Luke’s Marion ER

St. Luke’s ER team is constantly working on improving efficiencies and wait times, while still providing exceptional care. UnityPoint Health is also working to help more people access care.

“UnityPoint Clinic has expanded Urgent Care and Express care hours,” Dr. Sundermann said. “St. Luke’s is also building an ER in Marion so we can increase access to ER care. It’s set to open next summer. We know it is frustrating to wait. And we do not want people to leave without being seen because we know they’re at risk of having a health concern, and we do not want that.”

Call

• High fever and vomiting that continues nonstop for several hours

• Signs of meningitis: (adults) severe headaches, neck/joint pain and stiffness, vomiting, high temperature, sensitivity to light; (babies/small children) high-pitched whimpering/crying, lethargy, fussiness, restlessness, high fever, vomiting, cold extremities, refusing food, pale or blotchy skin

• Injuries occurring from an accident or fall: intense back or neck pain, obvious compound fractures and/or dislocations of bones, deep cuts and severe burns

Ryan Sundermann, MD ER medical director

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT NAMES ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL AMONG THE BEST IN IOWA

St. Luke’s Hospital is among the nation’s Best Regional Hospitals, according to U.S. News and World Report. St. Luke’s is ranked fourth best hospital in Iowa in the U.S. News & World Report 202324 edition. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings assists patients and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them.

St. Luke’s was also ranked high performing in seven adult procedures and conditions: heart bypass surgery, heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery and hip and knee replacement.

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures and conditions; only 12% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals ranking. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.

To see the list, visit bit.ly/BestList23.

FREE PARENTING PROGRAM

Temper tantrums, aggressive behavior, not listening to parents, bedtime and sleeping issues — these are some of the issues parents will learn to deal with by participating in a parenting program offered through St. Luke’s. It’s called TIES, which stands for Teaching Interventions to Empower and Strengthen Families.

TIES is a FREE early intervention program targeting children five years and under. During the program parents actively practice the skills they are learning. It’s staffed by both professionals and parents who have completed the program with their own children.

There is no cost to families to participate, adult family members pay with their time.

To learn more or to sign up, contact Teresa Daubitz, TIES program coordinator at (319) 558-4861 or teresa.daubitz@unitypoint.org.

REDUCING YOUR RISK FOR DIABETES

November is National Diabetes Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and celebrating advancements, like continuous glucose monitoring, which allows people with diabetes more freedom in their daily lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 37 million Americans have diabetes and about 96 million more are prediabetic. While they may not notice symptoms, people with prediabetes have increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision problems and nerve damage.

Early screening and care can reduce the risks of and complications from diabetes by up to 75%. Adults age 35 and older should be screened at their yearly physical. The American Diabetes Association offers a 60-second screening tool at diabetes.org/diabetes/risk-test for anyone who has an immediate family member who has diabetes, carries excess weight in their midsection or was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).

Tips for preventing or delaying diabetes:

• Move more. Strive for 20 minutes of activity per day to raise your heart rate.

• Change your diet Add more fruits and vegetables and decrease processed foods.

• Lose weight. Even a 7% decrease can make a difference.

Check with your primary care provider about being tested for diabetes or find a doctor at unitypoint.org/providers. For more information about diabetes, call UnityPoint Clinic –Endocrinology, Diabetes Care and Healthy Living Clinic at (319) 298-2200.

TRUST CONFIDENCE EXPERIENCE

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ST. LUKE'S TREATS THE MOST HEART PATIENTS IN CEDAR RAPIDS

When it comes to your heart, experience matters. That’s why more people trust St. Luke’s for heart and vascular care. For more than 44 years, St. Luke’s Hospital has led the way in expanding our community’s access to the most advanced, specialized cardiovascular services available.

Our latest endeavor, the $25 million expansion of our nationally recognized Nassif Heart & Vascular Center, will meet the growing need for St. Luke’s cutting-edge heart and vascular care.

When you need heart care, trust the experienced team at Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital.

Visit unitypoint.org/cr-heart to learn more and follow our progress.