Fall 2022
CEDAR RAPIDS
DON’T MISS WARNING SIGNS
Breast Self-Check Leads to Cancer Diagnosis
LOVE OF GAMING RESTORED
Innovation Lab Creation for Teen with Spinal Cord Injury
BUMPY BEGINNING
Premature Birth Leads to Happily Ever After
ASK THE EXPERT
Why Join UnityPoint Health?
$25M HEART AND VASCULAR EXPANSION UNDERWAY
unitypoint.org
WHAT’S INSIDE 1
Health Clips Health news you can use.
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Breast Self-Check Leads to Cancer Diagnosis A Cedar Rapids woman’s personal journey and simple message for others.
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$25M Heart and Vascular Expansion Underway
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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is the best prevention. Women should have regular mammograms beginning at age 40, or earlier if recommended by their healthcare provider.
Cardiac Shock Survivor
Some individuals have no signs of breast cancer. Others will have different symptoms that you should know.
Love of Gaming Restored
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New lump in the breast or armpit
St. Luke’s innovation lab creates a special adaptive device for an Eastern Iowa teen with a spinal cord injury.
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Breast thickening or swelling
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Dimpling or irritation of the breast skin
“Happily Ever After”
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Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or anywhere on the breast
St. Luke’s Birth Care and NICU teams surround a Dubuque family with care after their baby’s premature birth.
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Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
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Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
Ask the Expert
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Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
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Pain in any area of the breast
Why join UnityPoint Health®?
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CANCER
Investment supports the hospital’s innovation and commitment to advancements in cardiovascular care.
A unique heart procedure saves a man's life.
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WARNING SIGNS OF BREAST
For Your Health Timely health and medical news.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your UnityPoint Health provider right away.
Fall 2022
St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health offers walk-in mammograms at three locations in the Cedar Rapids metro area to make breast cancer prevention easier for busy women. By simply walking in, you can receive a mammogram at a time that's convenient for you with a doctor's order. Preference is given to patients with appointments. Walk-ins are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LiveWell magazine is produced by UnityPoint Health®.
For more information, call (319) 369-7216.
P.O. Box 3026 | Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 (319) 369-7395 | unitypoint.org Copyright® 2022 UnityPoint Health. All Rights Reserved® ℠trademarks of UnityPoint Health.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HEALTH CLIPS ST. LUKE’S FIRST TO OFFER ROBOT-ASSISTED LUNG BIOPSY St. Luke’s Hospital is now offering patients a new, minimally invasive option for lung biopsies using a robot-assisted surgical tool. It allows physicians to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lung and potentially diagnose lung cancer earlier. St. Luke’s is the first hospital in Cedar Rapids with this robotic technology. The Ion Endoluminal Robotic Bronchoscopy System features an ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter that allows navigation far into the peripheral lung, and provides stability and precision needed for biopsy compared to manual techniques. Ion is equipped with a small camera, which gives doctors real-time video of the lungs. Once the suspicious lung nodule is reached, the catheter locks in place. A flexible biopsy needle then passes through the catheter to collect tissue. “The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance of survival,” said Hamad Azam, MD, UnityPoint Clinic® – Multi-Specialty pulmonologist. “We are proud to offer this potentially lifesaving technology, which will help us offer the best possible patient care.” The Ion system is designed to fit easily into a bronchoscopy suite and integrate with existing technologies in St. Luke’s operating rooms.
NEW TOOL TO FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER A new PET/CT imaging agent aids clinicians in determining extent of disease in men with prostate cancer. The prostate cancer imaging agent is called Illuccix injection and it’s available at St. Luke’s. “We’re very excited to be able to offer this highly anticipated PET agent,” said Sarah Pauley, MD, PhD, medical director and radiation safety officer, Radiology Consultants of Iowa, PLC. “It is expected to transform imaging of, and ultimately treatment for, prostate cancer.”
NEW UNITYPOINT CLINIC IN MARION NOW OPEN Our newest UnityPoint Clinic is now open, and providers are welcoming new patients. UnityPoint Clinic – Tower Terrace, located at 3731 Irish Drive in Marion, across from the YMCA opened Aug 1.
Illuccix is used for PET/CT imaging of prostatespecific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive lesions in patients who have prostate cancer with suspected metastasis, are candidates for initial therapy and there is suspected recurrence based on elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Tower Terrace family medicine providers at the new clinic include Olivia Rowland, ARNP, Cassi Zimmerman, DNP, and Erica Craw, PA. Pediatric providers are Dinah Conti, MD, and Andrea Childs, DNP.
It is anticipated that PSMA PET/CT imaging will replace body CT and bone scans. PSMA PET/CT imaging has been included in the latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for prostate cancer.
UnityPoint Health is committed to improving the health of the people and communities we serve by making it easier for them to keep their health on point. The new clinic in Marion is the 17th primary care location in the UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids region.
The imaging product received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in December 2021.
The new 11,500-square-foot facility offers family medicine and pediatric services. Patients can be seen for routine visits such as wellness exams and vaccinations as well as for non-emergent, acute illnesses.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Appointments at UnityPoint Clinic – Tower Terrace can be scheduled by calling (319) 206-7370.
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CANCER
BREAST SELFCHECK LEADS TO CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Nicole Knoll is cancer free after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
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In April 2021, Nicole Knoll of Cedar Rapids was doing her monthly breast self-check when she felt a hard spot, about the size of a dime. “I immediately realized, this was a shift,” said Knoll. “It was unusual and different, and I just had this feeling. It was then that I called my doctor and she checked the area of concern.” At 35, Knoll was five years below the recommended age to begin annual screening mammograms. She was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound at St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health. “I was nervous about how things were going to work. They told me everything that was going to happen before it happened,” said Knoll of the team at Breast and Bone Health. “They kept me in the loop the whole time I was there. I really, really appreciated that.” It was determined the spot Knoll felt was a type of benign cyst. However, another questionable area was found during the ultrasound and Knoll was referred for a breast MRI, followed by a biopsy. This particular spot was a stage two lobular carcinoma, a spider web-shaped cancer that likely would have gone undetected had Knoll not been proactive and went to her doctor at the first sign of a change. “We encourage women of any age to know how their breasts normally look and feel,” said Therese Michels, manager of St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health. “Women should do self-breast exams at home, and if they feel a lump or something concerning, they should reach out to their provider for further evaluation.”
Coordinated Care at the Nassif Community Cancer Center During the diagnosis process, Knoll met Mona Cook, breast cancer care coordinator at the Nassif Community Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids. A care coordinator is a patient’s constant point of contact throughout the cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. “Mona explained everything and answered my questions,” recalled Knoll. “She walked my husband and I through a breast cancer book and circled and highlighted things that pertained specifically to me. It was nice to have her as a resource throughout treatment to call or email anytime.” Care coordinators also assess needs and set up referrals within the care team, including social workers, dietitians, an exercise specialist and more. Cook connected Knoll with Matt Schmitz, cancer exercise specialist, and Barb Lorenz, oncology social worker. “Matt gave me exercises to do during chemo that weren’t too extreme, but just enough to keep me moving,” shared Knoll. “Barb would stop by during chemo and ask how I was doing. It was really nice to know I could talk to her if anything difficult was going on.” Knoll also used some of the integrative wellness services at the Community Cancer Center, including acupuncture and Reiki.
Don’t Dismiss Warning Signs Knoll, who is now cancer free following her treatment, has a simple message for other women who read her story: Know your body. “Know what’s not normal for you,” she said. “It’s easy to dismiss things. Don’t be afraid to go in and get checked out. Early diagnosis was key for me. I don’t like to think about what would have happened if I waited a year from now.”
Therese Michels, St. Luke's Breast & Bone Health manager
Facing a Cancer Diagnosis? If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, or any type of cancer, the Nassif Community Cancer Center is here for you. For more information on our extensive offering of support services, call (319) 558-4876 or visit communitycancercenter.org.
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HEART AND VASCULAR
Investment Focus The multi-million-dollar expansion will consolidate and enhance St. Luke’s heart and vascular capabilities into one comprehensive center, building upon an already strong foundation as the leader of heart and vascular services in Eastern Iowa. The investment and expansion will focus on several areas: A second electrophysiology (EP) lab will be added to the Nassif Heart Center. EP procedures correct issues with the heart’s rhythm. This expansion will allow for anticipated growth for these procedures and ensure St. Luke’s heart team is able to build upon its strong expertise in this field of cardiovascular care.
$25M HEART AND VASCULAR EXPANSION UNDERWAY As part of its commitment as a leader in providing the most comprehensive and cutting-edge heart care to Eastern Iowans, St. Luke’s Hospital is investing $25 million in expanding its Heart and Vascular services within the Nassif Heart Center to support the innovation and expertise of the largest group of cardiovascular providers and continue to offer the most advanced heart care in Cedar Rapids. With over 40 years of leading heart care advancements, St. Luke’s was Cedar Rapids’ first hospital to pioneer open heart surgery in 1978 and has been a leader in bringing the latest and most advanced procedures to the community for better patient care and outcomes. This tradition of innovation and medical firsts will continue for UnityPoint Health’s 32 cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and advanced practice providers who, along with area vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, offer the most comprehensive heart and vascular services in general cardiology, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, structural cardiology, vascular procedures, and cardiothoracic surgery.
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Relocating and expanding St. Luke’s Vascular and Interventional Radiology Labs. By expanding the hospital’s lab capacity and technology, the heart and vascular team will be able to better serve Eastern Iowans. This expansion will also include dedicated space for pre- and post-op needs, providing optimal coordination and experience for patients. Building a dedicated cardiovascular hybrid operating room (OR), which will allow for more complex, advanced cardiovascular procedures at St. Luke’s. The new hybrid OR will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support St. Luke’s multi-disciplinary team of cardiovascular specialists in expanding capabilities and improving patient outcomes. An example of a procedure performed in a cardiovascular hybrid operating room is transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which is a procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve. St. Luke’s was the first to bring this procedure to Cedar Rapids in 2016 and is the first and only hospital in the state that has earned TAVR certification from the American College of Cardiology. The team recently surpassed its 400th TAVR.
Representing the largest and most experienced heart and vascular team in the area are St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic Cardiologists (L-R) Drs. Li, McMahon, Sothwal, Karrowni, Al Darazi, Atay, Wagdy, Kettelkamp, Farid and Vyas; Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Vascular Surgeons Drs. Kray and Lawrence (front row, right); St. Luke’s Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Weide (back row); and Radiology Consultants of Iowa Interventional Radiologist Dr. Schmall (back row, right).
Largest Heart Center in Cedar Rapids St. Luke’s Nassif Heart Center originally opened in 2000 and, at 98,000 square feet, is the largest and most comprehensive heart center in the area. Two years ago, St. Luke’s invested $5 million in equipment upgrades and renovations to patient rooms. “St. Luke’s Heart Care is a long-time leader and innovator in offering complex, specialized cardiovascular care in Eastern Iowa,” said Richard Kettelkamp, DO, St. Luke’s Heart Care interventional cardiologist and medical director of cardiovascular services. “Our heart team is proud of this reputation, takes pride in this distinction and considers it our responsibility to continue to offer the area’s most advanced cardiac care. We have long been known as Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital and this expansion will continue our legacy and commitment to providing exceptional patient care and innovation.” “Vascular surgery has also experienced a rapid increase in innovations in recent years,” shared David Lawrence, MD, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa vascular and endovascular surgeon. “St. Luke’s new hybrid OR will allow us to combine traditional and minimally invasive surgery in a single setting to be most efficient in the care of the patient.”
Advanced Heart Treatments Offered at St. Luke’s Over the last 40 years St. Luke’s has been a pioneer introducing the latest heart procedures. Some of the advanced heart procedures introduced and offered at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids include: • Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) (2017) Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is used to treat patients with carotid artery disease who are at increased risk for open surgery. • Watchman for Afib (2017) An alternative to open heart surgery, this device helps prevent clots from forming in the heart. • MitraClip for Mitral Valve Repair (2021) Catheter-inserted device used to correct mitral regurgitation (a leaking mitral valve) and doesn’t require open heart surgery. • Cardiac ablation procedures These minimally invasive procedures use heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold (cryoablation) to block the abnormal electrical signals that cause arrhythmia. This helps restore a normal heartbeat— sometimes permanently.
“Our expansion signifies our commitment to our patients and community in continuing to offer complex, specialized cardiovascular care,” said Michelle Niermann, UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids president and CEO. “We’ve offered exceptional, advanced cardiovascular care for over 40 years, and this is our response to the growing number of patients seeking heart care and needing St. Luke’s unique expertise for advanced heart procedures.”
The expansion will take place within the current Nassif Heart Center at St. Luke’s Hospital and construction is underway.
St. Luke’s has been recognized as a Fortune/IBM Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital six times and is recognized by the American College of Cardiology for “Platinum” performance for Chest Pain and earned the Chest Pain Accreditation.
Learn why St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital at unitypoint.org/facts-matter or call (319) 364-7101 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced cardiologists.
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HEART AND VASCULAR
Doug Shaffer has a passion for photography, a hobby he resumed after a serious heart condition nearly took his life. St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular team implanted a pacemaker-defibrillator to improve his heart pump function and performed a unique mitral valve replacement procedure to stop a ‘torrential’ leak.
DETERIORATING HEART AND ‘TORRENTIAL’ VALVE LEAK REQUIRE TEAM APPROACH Doug Shaffer is lucky to be alive. He and his wife, Janell, agree on that point. While they joke it’s because of Doug’s stubbornness, they truly believe it was the actions from St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular team that saved his life. Seven years ago, Doug began seeing Keith Kopec, MD, St. Luke’s cardiologist, because he was feeling tired and weak. “Doug has one of the most complicated histories of any patient I’ve cared for,” shared Dr. Kopec. “He
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was initially found to have sleep apnea, and he had a lot of premature heartbeats weakening his heart. “He didn’t have any blockages in his heart arteries, so we put him on a medication to suppress the skipped beats,” Dr. Kopec continued. “He did pretty well for about four and a half years, but in late 2020, he had progressive, widespread weakness and weight loss. We repeated an echocardiogram and found his heart was pumping very poorly – much worse than when I initially met him – and his mitral valve was leaking badly.”
Keith Kopec, MD Cardiologist
Surrounded with Care To address the serious nature of Doug’s worsening heart condition, Dr. Kopec assembled specialists from St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular team, including an electrophysiologist, Weiwei Li, MD, PhD, who diagnoses and treats heart rhythm problems. He also involved an interventional and structural heart physician to consider treatment for Doug’s mitral valve (the valve that connects the upper left chamber of the heart to the lower left chamber). Their first goal was to regulate Doug’s heartbeat. To do that, Dr. Li implanted a pacemaker-defibrillator to improve pump function and monitor and shock his heart if it went into a life-threatening rhythm. However, Doug’s mitral valve was still severely leaking, causing blood to backup into his lungs. He was unable to recall what happened next. “He felt terrible and couldn’t eat,” Janell recounted. “It just got worse and worse.”
MitraClip Procedure Only at St. Luke’s Doug had what the cardiologists considered a torrentially leaking mitral valve. He wasn’t a candidate for open-heart surgery because of the risk, so their only option was the MitraClip procedure. The MitraClip attaches to the two leaflets of the mitral valve, helping them close more completely and reduce the amount of blood flowing backward into the lungs. It is delivered to the heart via catheter through a vein in the groin. St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular team introduced MitraClip to Cedar Rapids in 2021 and is the only hospital in the area performing the procedure.
“Despite the pacemaker and mitral valve clip, Doug still had advanced heart failure symptoms,” explained Dr. Kopec. “He remained on various medications, including a continuous IV infusion until I weaned him off it earlier this year.”
Best Heart Doctors in Cedar Rapids Today, Doug says he feels good. He participated in Cardiac Rehab and is back to his usual daily activities, including his hobby of photography. Reflecting on the situation, Doug and Janell are thankful for the care he received and are grateful to St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular team for everything they did. “The hospital was amazing. We have some of the best heart doctors right here in Cedar Rapids,” Doug said. “No one needs to go out-of-town; they can get all their heart care at St. Luke’s. They saved my life for sure.” To see why St. Luke’s stands out for heart and vascular care and learn more about Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital, visit unitypoint.org/facts-matter or call (319) 364-7101 to connect with a cardiology provider.
The hospital was amazing. We have some of the best heart doctors right here in Cedar Rapids.
MitraClip is typically reserved for patients who are stable, is pre-scheduled, and patients would generally go home the following day. Doug was not well enough to make the decision for himself. “The ICU let us bring in all of Doug’s brothers, their wives and his daughter and son-in-law,” said Janell, “The cardiologist answered all our questions and went through every detail, helping us understand. It was a family decision to move forward; we all knew Doug may not survive.” The procedure was risky and extremely complicated. It took the heart team more than three hours to complete, but they were able to successfully clip the mitral valve and decrease the leak from torrential to mild.
WATCH A MITRACLIP We invite you inside St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular Center as our cardiologists perform a MitraClip, and hear from one of our heart experts to learn who would benefit from this procedure.
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PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
From left: Rose Hedges, Dan Wolfe and Nick Dodds worked together in the generate innovation lab at St. Luke’s to create an adaptive keyboard for Lotus Friedman to use for playing video games after a spinal cord injury left her unable to fully use her hands.
THE LOVE OF GAMING RESTORED THANKS TO INNOVATION LAB Lotus Friedman, 13, is once again able to play her favorite video game thanks to her team of caregivers at St. Luke’s Hospital. “I started explaining to everyone who was taking care of me that there’s this video game I liked to play every single day before my accident and how I couldn’t do that anymore because I play on a PC, which uses a keyboard and mouse,” shared Lotus Friedman. “Since my fingers are paralyzed, I really couldn’t do any of
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that, so my care team came up with ideas and put together keyboard prototypes.” Lotus was involved in a serious accident on January 18 in Dubuque during her fifth time skiing. Her parents Phil and Billie Friedman had been happy to see their daughter enjoying a new sport. “The day of my accident we wanted to try this jump,” explained Lotus. “I went off the ramp too fast, did a flip and my skis popped off. I did not mean to do a flip,
and I landed chin-down. I knew something was broken and thought I was in shock and figured it was why I couldn’t move. I was conscious for everything.” “She never lost sensation,” said Billie. “But there was no movement from the waist down and in her fingers. Her abs and pelvis have kicked back in and one of her fingers has regained movement since her accident.”
Spinal Cord Injury Lotus was initially transported to UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital in Dubuque and airlifted to another hospital where she had surgery. Lotus sustained an acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Her C5 vertebra was shattered in the accident and replaced with titanium. She is paralyzed from her waist down. After surgery, Lotus eventually began treatment at St. Luke’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) where she worked for nearly eight hours a day, five days a week with a team of physical, occupational and recreational therapists.
“I’ve been in awe of Lotus and the way she is handling the accident,” shared Billie. “She has been pretty incredible. Watching her zip into the innovation lab at St. Luke’s and say to Rose and Nick, ‘I have an idea that we need to work on,’ has been amazing.” “It’s satisfying to work with our team members and patients to help make their lives better,” shared Hedges. “We are here as a resource to our nurses, techs, doctors and patients and work with them to create innovative tools that improve their quality of life.”
“Lotus has come a long way since her accident,” shared Billie. “She had very little movement when she first arrived at St. Luke’s, but she slowly regained use of her arms and other areas that initially lost movement.” “Lotus is an amazing young lady who worked hard every day,” shared Laura Decker, St. Luke’s PMR senior physical therapist. “There were days she didn’t feel well but she did everything we asked her to do plus more. At the end of her stay at St. Luke’s, Lotus was able to use her arms to move, feed herself, get ready for the day, and even play video games.”
Innovation Lab Creation One of St. Luke’s PMR patient care technicians, Dan Wolfe, learned Lotus loved playing a certain video game. He went to the generate innovation lab at St. Luke’s and connected with Rose Hedges and Nick Dodds to create an adaptive keyboard for Lotus so she could game again. The innovation lab is an open-access medical technology and learning lab. It’s a partnership with Boston-based MakerHealth and is the first hands-on fabrication lab of its kind in the Midwest. During the pandemic, generate shifted its focus to cloth masks, face shields and other associated items. Work at generate pivoted back to its original intent, which is to encourage and enable innovation at the hospital bedside and in UnityPoint Clinics. “We worked on Lotus’ gaming keyboard for about four weeks,” said Hedges. “Since Lotus doesn’t have fine motor skills, it was adapted to use her gross motor skills with larger buttons that correlate to something on the keyboard.” “It’s been a little bittersweet to have this device,” shared Lotus. “I don’t get to enjoy gaming like I used to yet and it’s something I am relearning, but I am thankful to have this device and the opportunity to do something I haven’t been able to do in a really long time. Even making the device was fun because I would go to the innovation lab and hang out with everyone there and just get away from being in the hospital for a time.”
New Normal Lotus spent over 60 days at St. Luke’s. Her hard work and recovery continue. Part of her recreational therapy is playing her favorite video games using her adaptive keyboard made especially for her at St. Luke’s. “Recovery takes time,” explained Decker. “For all patients, we hope they return to their previous functional level. Because of the nature of the injury to the spinal cord or brain, some patients might not be able to get back to previous function but patients can get back to a meaningful and purposeful new normal despite their catastrophic event.” “Lotus recently went to a concert and dressed up for it,” shared Billie. “She used an adaptive tool from a care package sent by Rose and Nick from generate that helped her apply mascara. She had a great time, and it’s one of the ways she’s slowly learning how to live in her new normal.” To learn more about St. Luke’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or the generate lab at St. Luke’s, visit unitypoint.org.
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NICU
NICU STAY LEADS TO “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” The Tuthills are finally living their “happily ever after.” There was a time last year when the Dubuque couple felt they weren’t going to see their happy ending. Megan’s pregnancy was extremely difficult. “I had severe nausea and vomiting my entire pregnancy,” explained Megan. “I actually had my appendix removed when I was three months pregnant. Then I caught COVID at six months along. I had to get IV transfusions twice during my pregnancy because I was so dehydrated from vomiting. It was a miserable pregnancy.” And Megan’s job as an elementary school teacher during a pandemic was stressful at times. False labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, sent her to the hospital midway through her pregnancy. “They sent me home and told me it was false labor,” shared Megan. “But when the pains started again two weeks later, I thought the same thing would happen. My husband, Jason, was in the basement with his son Cameron, and I told them I was going to the hospital to get checked, just to be safe. I figured I just had a bad stomach ache.” Megan arrived at UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital in Dubuque. The birthing team quickly determined it wasn’t false labor Megan was experiencing this time, she was dilated two centimeters. At that point, Megan was 33 weeks pregnant. Over 39 weeks is considered full term. From left Megan, Julian, Jason and Cameron Tuthill at the couple’s wedding in May. Photo credit: Tamara Hanson Photography
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“The team at Finley identified Megan was at high-risk to deliver a premature infant,” explained Krista Husemann, ARNP, St. Luke’s Neonatology. “The best way to ensure preterm infants benefit the most from
neonatal care is to transfer the mother with the baby still in utero, if possible, to a hospital with a higher level of NICU care like St. Luke’s.”
During that time, I was always bracing, waiting for something to be wrong but he just needed to learn how to eat, breathe and grow.”
St. Luke’s is the only hospital in the Cedar Rapids area designated as a Level III Maternal and Neonatal Center, as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
“During his stay in the NICU, Julian received therapy from St. Luke’s physical and speech therapists to aid with movement, developmental outcome, and improved feedings,” said McCormick. “Our developmental care team worked to meet Julian’s comfort needs, to help him feel secure and develop normal sleep patterns, and to decrease stimulation to help him be healthy and grow appropriately.”
“Our NICU outreach team works closely with other hospitals in Eastern Iowa to provide not only transfer services for infants as young as 22-23 weeks gestation, but also educational training to help ensure the best care for infants throughout the area,” said Husemann. “We also provide specialized training, for nurses and medical clinicians, at facilities that do not normally care for premature infants.” “I called Jason, explained what was happening and told him I was going to St. Luke’s in an ambulance,” recalled Megan. “He drove our car and followed the ambulance. We didn’t know where the hospital was or anything about the doctors. It was my first child and there were a lot of new things at once. It was all pretty scary and crazy.”
Early Delivery Once the Tuthills arrived at the hospital, St. Luke’s experienced birth care team surrounded the family with comfort and care. “Everyone was so calm and reassuring,” recalled Megan. “The staff were all really great talking to us and explaining what was happening.”
“We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House Family Room at St. Luke’s, which was so helpful since we live in Dubuque,” said Megan. “There were times during our lengthy stay I didn’t think we were ever going to leave the NICU. I appreciate everything that was done for us, but we were ready to go home.” As Julian approaches his second birthday in January, Megan and Jason are grateful for his care at St. Luke’s. And that’s not the only thing the family is celebrating; the couple was married in May with both boys taking part in the wedding. The Tuthills’ bumpy beginning turned into “happily ever after,” thanks to the teams at St. Luke’s Birth Care and NICU. St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Baby Hospital. Three out of four babies born in Cedar Rapids are born at St. Luke’s. To schedule your personal meeting and virtual tour of St. Luke’s Birth Care Center, call (319) 369-8129.
Efforts were made to slow down Megan’s labor, but Julian had other plans. He was born about 24 hours after Megan arrived at St. Luke’s, on January 10, 2021, weighing just over four pounds. “Julian was born at 33 weeks plus one day gestation after his mother went into preterm labor,” explained Maureen McCormick, PA, St. Luke’s Neonatology. “He had respiratory distress after delivery and was placed on CPAP to support his breathing. He received IV fluids and given antibiotics due to concern for possible infection. Infants born at that gestation are unable to eat by breast or bottle. They require IV nutrition and can eventually receive feedings by a nasal or oral gastric tube. Learning to eat by mouth is a difficult process for premature babies due to lack of energy and the need to learn coordination of their suck, swallow and breathe pattern.”
Life in the NICU “I wasn’t able to see Julian right away, but Jason was able to follow him to the NICU after he was born,” said Megan. “The nurses were amazing and sweet. They really cared about me. I felt like I mattered, too, and it wasn’t all about the baby. Julian’s birth was a blur. He ended up staying in the NICU for 40 days.
Room Service St. Luke’s offers new moms and their support person room service. It’s part of St. Luke’s commitment to providing easier, more personalized care. Room service allows patients to choose from a menu available in their rooms during room service hours and features a range of options. Those who deliver outside of those hours will have access to sack lunches and microwaveable food options at the Center.
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ASK THE EXPERT
“Whenever I meet someone who is remotely interested in nursing, I get so excited and try not to overwhelm them with my desire to make sure they become a nurse,” joked Lunsford. “These last few years have been difficult, but nursing is such a rewarding career. It allows you to really look somebody in the eyes, be with them in their most vulnerable moment and make a difference. I’m thankful to have a career with these opportunities.” Lunsford also appreciates UnityPoint Health and its work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Bonnie Lunsford, RN St. Luke's ER
WHY JOIN UNITYPOINT HEALTH? In her early 30s with three children, Bonnie Lunsford, RN, started to pursue a passion sparked in high school. “I had an incredible anatomy teacher who taught the subject so well that many students went on to pursue careers in healthcare,” explained Lunsford. “She had a great way of making the content come alive and I studied hard. It made me want to become a nurse.” Lunsford’s goal of becoming a nurse took a bit of detour when she married and had kids shortly after high school. Her family devoted 12 years to mission work mostly out west. “A friend of mine was finishing her bachelor’s degree and suggested I pursue the nursing degree I always wanted,” shared Lunsford. “She said, ‘what if you start taking one class at a time?’ My first class was Greek mythology and had nothing to do with healthcare, but it helped me realize I could do it.
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I could go to college and become a nurse.” Lunsford’s family moved to Iowa in 2004. She enrolled in a local college that accepted her college credits and found a job at St. Luke’s as an ER patient care tech. The position provided health insurance and an income while she completed her nursing degree as a non-traditional student. “I always thought I would be a pediatric nurse because I love kids,” shared Lunsford. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to like working in the ER but in hindsight it’s the perfect job for me. I work with children every shift. I am able to help them and their families when they are in the middle of a crisis and need extra support.” Lunsford completed her nursing degree in 2006 and recently earned her master’s thanks to support from UnityPoint Health. She continues to love her job as an ER nurse at St. Luke’s.
“I have the privilege of being on St. Luke’s DEI committee,” said Lunsford. “I am grateful for the work that aims to help people from different nationalities and sexual preferences feel included. This work is not just around our patients and families but there’s also a large focus on making sure our team members feel safe and welcome.” Supporting, encouraging and putting people first is at the core of the culture at UnityPoint Health. “I think about all the things I’ve done to get where I am,” said Lunsford. “St. Luke’s and UnityPoint Health have played a huge part in providing steppingstones for my career and supporting me as I’ve moved through all these different seasons.” Make a real difference every day. Find endless opportunities to elevate your career at UnityPoint Health. Balance work and life with many schedule options. Build a family away from home. Learn how at bit.ly/CareerUPH.
FOR YOUR HEALTH NINE SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN Thanks to increased education more women know heart attacks are the leading cause of death for not only men but women too. Heart attack risks are the same for both sexes, but women’s bodies often respond differently than men’s during a heart attack. St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital and has been a proud sponsor of the Eastern Iowa American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women awareness campaign since it started. This sustained partnership highlights the impact of heart disease on women and educates them how to recognize their sometimes unique symptoms of a heart attack, which can be different from a man’s warning signs. Signs of a heart attack in women: Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort Lower chest discomfort Back pain Unusual fatigue Unusual shortness of breath Dizziness Nausea
All women need to take these warning signs seriously and call 911 or go to St. Luke’s ER immediately.
GET VACCINATED Children six months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Although children have significantly lower risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19, both can still occur. We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated. As a reminder, COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness and death. UnityPoint Health continues to urge all eligible individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as those ages 12+ to receive their booster. To schedule an appointment, please call your primary health care provider. If you don’t have a doctor, visit bit.ly/RequestUPH or scan the QR code.
ONLY MAGNET HOSPITAL FOR NURSING IN CEDAR RAPIDS St. Luke’s Hospital has a history of nursing excellence and has earned Magnet® recognition three times from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), signifying successful implementation of the national Magnet standards for nursing excellence. St. Luke’s is pursuing redesignation for the fourth time later this year. St. Luke’s is one of 591 Magnet organizations worldwide. Less than 10 percent of registered hospitals in the U.S. have earned this recognition. St. Luke’s was Magnet-designated in 2009 and received its first redesignation in 2014. The Magnet program was formed in 1990 based on findings from a 1983 study conducted by the American Academy of Nursing’s Task Force on Nursing Practice in Hospitals, which identified characteristics that created an environment conducive to attracting and retaining well-qualified nurses who promote quality care. These characteristics became the framework for the Magnet nursing excellence program. Magnet is a road map for nursing excellence, based on evidence and research. It is a voluntary credentialing program for hospitals and is considered the gold standard in patient care. According to ANCC, Magnet hospitals consistently outperform non-Magnet organizations with better patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction rates. Magnet-recognized hospitals also report increased nurse retention and job satisfaction. St. Luke’s is the only hospital in Cedar Rapids and one of only four in Iowa to be recognized as a Magnet Nursing Excellence organization. Scan the QR code to learn more about nursing at St. Luke’s.
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1026 A Avenue NE | P.O. Box 3026 | Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3026
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Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cedar Rapids, IA Permit No. 91 We apologize for mailing problems such as duplicate copies. If you have questions or concerns about LiveWell magazine, please call (319) 369-7395 or email stlukescr@unitypoint.org.
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We’re expanding our Nassif Heart and Vascular Center! The $25 million project will consolidate and enhance St. Luke’s heart and vascular capabilities and build on our already-strong foundation as Cedar Rapids’ Heart Hospital. The longest-tenured program in the area, St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular Care has led the way for more than 40 years, pioneering open heart surgery in 1978 and continually introducing the latest and most advanced procedures to the community for better patient care and outcomes.
To learn more about the expansion project and see why St. Luke’s stands out for heart and vascular care, visit unitypoint.org/facts-matter or call (319) 364-7101 to connect with a cardiology provider.
