St. Luke's HealthBeat Fall 2011

Inside St. Luke’s Birth Care Three families share their special deliveries PAGE 4

Cancer fighting duo Wellness program provides support PAGE 2

Heart surgery

Minimally invasive procedure speeds recovery PAGE 10

What’s Inside 1

Health Clips

Health news you can use.

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2 - 3

Mother, daughter bound by love and fight against cancer

Cook Cancer Wellness Program lends support.

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Inside St. Luke’s Birth Care

Three families share their special deliveries.

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The long road home

A Delhi family makes the best out of a NICU stay.

Double the fun

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Twins complete Mount Vernon couple’s family.

6 - 7 St. Luke’s smallest

NICU graduate

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Surprise cancer diagnosis

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Heart valve surgery

Minimally invasive heart surgery offers faster recovery and less scarring.

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Ask the expert

What is a Hospitalist?

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For your health

Timely health and medical news.

10 - 11 St. Luke’s

healthbeat Vol. 16 No. 4 fall 2011 healthbeat magazine is produced locally by St. Luke’s Marketing Communications for the community and friends of St. Luke’s Hospital.

P.O. Box 3026 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3026 319/369-7395

Born weighing only 13 ounces Landen Eastburn is now a thriving six year old.

Hysterectomy may have saved Stanwood woman’s life.

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Cover

Juliet and Willa Olinger of Mount Vernon.

stlukescr.org

Missed the last issue?

All stories from Healthbeat, summer 2011, are available at stlukescr.org.

Connect with St. Luke’s at stlukescr.org

Health Clips

St. Luke’s expanding to Hiawatha St. Luke’s is expanding its network of care with the addition of a Hiawatha Campus, to be located in the former Floor Trader building at 1001 N. Center Point Road, Hiawatha. Construction began on the 20,200 square foot facility last month with construction slated for completion in late April 2012. The outpatient medical facility will offer urgent care, internal medicine, imaging services, laboratory and outpatient physical and occupational therapy.

“We are delighted to extend our outpatient services to the Hiawatha area,” said John Sheehan, St. Luke’s executive vice president and COO. “We are moving our Urgent Care from the C Avenue/Boyson Road location to Hiawatha to allow our busy C Avenue primary care clinic to expand with additional providers. We are also moving St. Luke’s Internal Medicine to Hiawatha as well as adding complementary services such as lab and imaging for patient convenience.”

Heart checkup St. Luke’s Heart Check is a series of five tests, which assess your heart, vascular and stroke health. The cost for all five tests plus a consultation with a St. Luke’s heart care expert is $195. A comprehensive blood test is also available for $40. All testing is done in one convenient appointment at St. Luke’s, including your results consultation.

Visit stlukescr.org/heartcheck to learn more or call 319/369-8129 to schedule your appointment.

ST. LUKE’S

U.S. News & World Report names

St. Luke’s a high performing hospital St. Luke’s Hospital has been recognized as one of America’s high-performing hospitals in five specialties in the U.S. News & World Report 2011-12 edition. St. Luke’s was recognized as a "high-performing" hospital in: • • • • •

Cardiology & Heart Surgery Gastroenterology Geriatrics Pulmonology Urology

In each of these specialties, categories including patient survival rates, advanced technologies, patient volume, nurse staffing and patient services were measured, and St. Luke’s consistently

received marks of ‘high,’ ‘highest,’ and ‘better than expected.’

The 2011-12 rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

“We are pleased to receive this important recognition from U.S. News and World Report,” said Ted Townsend, St. Luke’s president and CEO. “Being ranked among the best hospitals in the country is the result of the hard work and an excellent team at St. Luke’s dedicated to delivering the highest quality care to our patients.”

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 | 1

Cook Cancer Wellness Program lends support

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osalyn Clauson, Marion, and Rita Packingham, Cedar Rapids, are about as close as a mother and daughter can be.

“I just love her so much and don't know what I would ever do without her,” said Packingham. “When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, I was devastated. It was so traumatic for me. It’s my mom and I want her to be with me forever. I didn’t ever want my mom to be associated with the word cancer.”

“I found a lump in my right breast during a self-exam,” said Clauson. “It was a shock because breast cancer doesn’t run in my family.”

Clauson went on to have a mastectomy at St. Luke’s and underwent chemotherapy.

Today she is cancer free.

Rosalyn Clauson and Rita Packingham enjoy a walk at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids.

Mother and daughter bound by love and

fight against cancer 2

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“Rita didn’t really know it but during that time she was a tremendous help to me,” recalls Clauson. “We would go for walks and talk. She was such a great support person and I was very grateful. It was a scary time.”

“My being there for her was automatic,” said Packingham. “She’s always been there for me – why wouldn’t I do the same for her?”

Support beyond treatment Another support to Clauson following her breast cancer diagnosis was St. Luke’s Cook Cancer Wellness Program.

“It’s a wonderful program,” said Clauson.

“I was one of the Cook Cancer Wellness Program’s first patients. I used the exercise specialist and worked with a dietitian. It helped me a lot with some of the issues I was working on. I still return about once a month.”

St. Luke’s Cook Cancer Wellness Program assists cancer survivors by improving their quality of life through physical, nutritional and psychosocial support. The Cook Cancer Wellness services are provided free of charge to any cancer patient, at any point during or after treatment. Last year the Cook Cancer Wellness Program supported nearly 200 cancer survivors.

Since Packingham was her mom’s “rock” during her cancer fight it was only fitting for her mom to repay the favor when her daughter was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last July.

“I had surgery to remove the cancer and thyroid replacement therapy,” said Packingham.

“Even though my treatment was over I still needed additional help. My mom suggested I try the Cook Cancer Wellness Program.”

“I kept telling her about the fabulous staff and the support you receive from just being around other cancer survivors,” said Clauson. “Eventually she took my advice and started going.”

The services available at the Cook Cancer Wellness Program include an exercise specialist, dietitian, sex therapist, psychologist and spiritual support.

“I’m so glad I did because I was amazed by everyone who worked there,” said Packingham. “Each person I worked with at the Cook Cancer Wellness Program was warm and caring. Going there reminded me that just because you are done with treatment doesn’t mean the issues you cope with related to your cancer diagnosis are over.”

“I really believe in the program,” said Packingham. “It’s a wonderful resource for anyone who may be trying to improve your mind, body and spirit. I believe there’s something relevant for both individuals going through treatment and someone like me – a cancer survivor.”

To learn more about St. Luke’s Cook Cancer Wellness Program log on to stlukescr.org.

“It’s never too late for someone to start using the Cook Cancer Wellness Program,” said Clauson. “It’s amazing the services that are available to you whether you are newly diagnosed or 12 years out like me.”

Community Cancer Center of Iowa Right choice. Right now.

Cedar Rapids’ physician-led Community Cancer Center is now welcoming patients.

The newly created Community Cancer Center of Iowa, began after a group of local cancer experts from multiple specialties identified a need to improve the care of cancer patients through better coordination among healthcare providers. Support grew and today more than 200 doctors, including Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C. (PCI) and St. Luke’s Hospital have come together to form the only community cancer center where collaboration among doctors drives patient-centered care.

Doctors at the Community Cancer Center of Iowa are already working together and developing individualized and comprehensive treatment plans for each patient. These plans may include surgery, chemotherapy, a combination of treatments or surveillance. The healthcare team is committed to meeting the needs and expectations of patients by offering comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, psychological support, supportive care and long-term, follow-up care. The Center is already operating and will eventually reside in the new Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Medical Pavilion.

“If you look at the care of a patient with cancer it involves so much of the healthcare system,” said Thomas Warren, MD, Community Cancer Center of Iowa physician leader and PCI medical oncologist. “We believe cancer care is not about a place and it’s not about technology. It’s about the providers of the care community working in a coordinated manner, providing each patient the right treatment at the right time.”

“Referring patients to supportive services is a perfect example of the depth and scope of services provided by the Community Cancer Center of Iowa,” said Dr. Warren. “The collaboration among healthcare providers doesn’t end once treatment concludes – there are many supportive services available to patients, for as long as they want.”

Thomas Warren, MD, Community Cancer Center of Iowa physician leader & Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C. medical oncologist

To learn more about the Community Cancer Center of Iowa call 319/369-7836 or log on to communitycancercenter.org.

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 | 3

Inside Birth St. Luke’s Care

The long road home

Making the best out of a NICU stay

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he Feldman family never dreamed they’d have a baby who spent nearly 100 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Tiffany Feldman didn’t have any problems with the delivery of her first son, Lance. But her second son had other plans.

“I remember waking up that morning thinking something just didn’t feel right,” said Tiffany. “I was feeling some cramping and decided to play it safe and drive to St. Luke’s.”

It wasn’t a quick drive either because the Feldman’s live in Delhi.

He weighed in at just two pounds, nine ounces and 14 inches tall. He was born 13 weeks early.

Tremendous support “It was a scary time,” said Jeremy Feldman, Jamison’s dad.

“I remember that first day so vividly and everyone we met. Jamison was immediately transferred to the NICU and the staff was so good about explaining everything to us. The doctors and nurses made a very difficult time a little easier.”

“If there was something wrong with the baby “From that day forward I traveled to I knew St. Luke’s is where I wanted to be,” St. Luke’s every day,” recalls Tiffany. said Tiffany.

“I arrived around 9 a.m. and left around When she arrived at St. Luke’s Birth Care 5 p.m. to be home at night with Lance Center nurses quickly determined Tiffany and Jeremy. It was hard but you do was in labor. She soon delivered Jamison. what you have to do.”

“We had tremendous support from our families and from the St. Luke’s NICU team,” said Jeremy. “They became our extended family.”

“Jamison had difficulty breathing on his own,” said Andrew Nordine, MD, St. Luke’s neonatologist. “His biggest problem was he would at times forget to breathe and needed vigorous stimulation to get him to take breaths. It was a maturity issue, which is common for preemies.”

“There would be times we were set to go home and Jamison would have a breathing spell and it would delay his release from the NICU,” Tiffany said.

Andrew Nordine, MD, St. Luke’s NICU neonatologist

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St. ison in

Jam

Luke’s

NICU

Happy homecoming But the day the Feldmans had been waiting for finally arrived, on May 1, 2011, Jamison was sent home. He had gained five pounds since birth and was eating and breathing on his own.

“It was a great day,” Jeremy said. “We had fears of going it alone at home without the fantastic NICU staff but they prepared us for what to expect when Jamison came home and there have been no issues.”

“I can’t begin to describe what the NICU staff did for us,” said Tiffany. “They are miracle workers, great people and are still a great comfort to us. I can’t imagine going anywhere else for NICU care.”

For a personal tour of St. Luke’s Newborn Intensive Care call 319/369-8129 or take a video tour at stlukescr.org.

Double the fun

Twins complete couple’s family

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cott Olinger and Courtenay BakerOlinger wanted to expand their family of four.

“Scott and I loved being parents to Milo and Violet,” said Baker-Olinger. “I didn’t have any issues with conceiving them but when we decided to try for a third child I had trouble getting pregnant.”

The Olingers sought help from Sunny Zhang, MD, PhD, OB-GYN Associates, P.C. “If a couple already has one or two children and never had any issues getting pregnant it can come as a surprise when they experience difficulties getting pregnant,” said Dr. Zhang. “But it’s actually quite common. I met with Courtenay and Scott and we came up with a plan to help them achieve their goal of having a successful pregnancy.”

Courtenay and Scott went through two rounds of fertility treatments and much to their surprise and delight – not only were they pregnant but they learned they were expecting twins!

“It was a shock at first,” said Olinger.

“I definitely had to sit down when that news was delivered. But once we had a chance to absorb the news – we were very excited.”

“Dr. Zhang had informed us the chance of having multiples increases when fertility drugs are used,” said Baker-Olinger.

“So we knew it could happen.”

“Years ago, most twins came as a surprise,” said Dr. Zhang. “Now, thanks to ultrasound technology most women know about a multiple pregnancy early and they are better prepared as a result.”

Twins’ birthday Courtenay had a brief period of bed rest leading up to the twins’ birth and when the time came for their arrival everything went according to plan.

With just two pushes Juliet Diana came into the world weighing 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and nine minutes later, Willa Caroline came into the world weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces.

“We really know how lucky we are,” said Baker-Olinger. “It was a very easy delivery.”

Sunny Zhang, MD, PhD, OB-GYN Associates, P.C.

“The delivery was a whirlwind but through it all the doctors and nurses were excellent,” said Olinger. “There was a large team standing by assisting with the delivery, caring for the babies and taking care of Courtenay. I couldn’t have been more pleased and confident in what was being done for my family.”

Juliet, Milo, Violet and Willa Olinger.

“We had excellent nursing care at St. Luke’s,” said Baker-Olinger. “The rooms are nice and the lactation consultants were a help to me. I had nursed before but obviously not twins, so I learned some tips for handling that new challenge.”

Happy home “As you can imagine it has been somewhat chaotic since we returned home,” said Olinger. “But Milo and Violet could not be more proud of their new sisters.”

“April 18, 2011, was so much more than the twins’ birthday,” said Baker-Olinger.

“It was the completion of our family and we are grateful to the staff at St. Luke’s Birth Care Center for their expert hands and caring hearts.”

St. Luke’s offers Cedar Rapids’ only freestanding Birth Care Center, with the region's most advanced facilities to care for newborns.

To take a free, personal tour call 319/369-7264 or register online at stlukescr.org.

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 |

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Inside Birth St. Luke’s Care

Life after the NICU Catching up with Cedar Rapids’ tiniest baby

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ooking at Landen Eastburn you would never guess he once weighed a mere 13 ounces, which is a little bigger than a soda can. His father’s wedding ring once fit easily around Landen’s thigh.

Today Landen is a robust six-year-old who loves sleeping in his Thomas the Train bed, jumping on the trampoline and playing with big brother Nolan.

“Landen is all boy,” said Paige Eastburn, Landen’s mom. “He started kindergarten this year and is doing well. We have been on quite a journey with Landen and are proud of all he’s accomplished in his short life.”

Born March 9, 2005, Landen arrived 15 weeks early. His mom, Paige, was just 25 weeks along (40 weeks is full term) in her pregnancy when severe pain in her side and head sent her to St. Luke’s Emergency Room.

“I remember initially doctors weren’t able to detect Landen’s heartbeat because it was so faint,” recalls Paige.

“I tried to prepare myself that Landen wouldn’t be born alive. An ultrasound further revealed there was no amniotic fluid and doctors determined Landen was physically the size of a 21-week-old baby because he had stopped growing.”

Doctors also discovered Paige had extremely high blood pressure. Her life and Landen’s were in danger. Paige had an emergency C-section.

“I just remember feeling so helpless,” said David Eastburn, Landen’s dad.

“That was my wife and son and there wasn’t anything I could do to help them.

When I first saw Landen I thought how could something this small live? He didn’t look like a baby and when he cried he sounded like a little kitten.”

The Eastburns at their Walford home. Landen shows off a St. Luke’s advertisement of him celebrating his first birthday.

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Micro-preemie Weighing only 13 ounces at birth Landen was considered a micro-preemie, which is a premature baby weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces or younger than 26 weeks gestation at birth. To date, Landen is the smallest baby born in Cedar Rapids and according to the Tiniest Babies Registry he is listed as the 83rd smallest baby to survive in the world.

“I will never forget how incredibly tiny Landen was,” said Scott Nau, MD, St. Luke’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and St. Luke’s Pediatrics. “He was the smallest baby St. Luke’s had ever seen by five or six ounces. I remember those early days with Landen as a scary time.

Just getting him to eat 37 calories a day was huge because with a baby that tiny – nutrition was salvation and it helped him to grow.”

“I remember we brought up our other son, Nolan, to see Landen in the NICU shortly after he was born because we didn’t know if he was going to make it,” said Paige. “He pressed his face up against Landen’s bed and just stared at his brother. It was a perfect moment.”

Living miracle “Landen is a living miracle,” said David.

“All of the things that doctors watched for never developed. He’s our fighter, a very strong-willed, little boy.”

“When Landen started doubling and tripling his weight during his NICU

stay – that’s when we started feeling better about his chances for survival,” said Dr. Nau. Landen spent 133 days in St. Luke’s NICU. He has been in and out of St. Luke’s for various health reasons over the years but lately those hospital visits are much less common.

“Landen is much like any other little boy his age,” said Paige. “However he has some troubles eating. It’s a pretty common problem with micro-preemies because they spent so much time with a nasogastric tube (NG), which is used for feeding and administering medications.”

“We are good buddies,” said Dr. Nau. “I’ve seen Landen a lot over the years but as he gets older I’m seeing him less and less. He is making great progress developmentally.”

“Dr. Nau always said when Landen turned five we would really be able to see how Landen would do developmentally and he was right. Landen is doing phenomenally well. He’s really starting to come out of his shell. It’s fun to watch.”

Inside Birth St. Luke’s Care

Special Deliveries Join us as we meet three families and the doctors who helped welcome their special deliveries.

Watch it on demand at stlukescr.org

“It’s amazing to look at the scrapbooks and mementos from when he was born,” said Paige. “To think this was Landen just six years ago and look how far he has come!”

For a personal tour of our birth suites or Newborn Intensive Care Unit call 319/369-8129 or take a video tour at stlukescr.org.

“We are so grateful for the expert care we received at St. Luke’s,” said David.

“Many of the doctors and nurses are like extended family to us. We have been through so much and traveled so far on this journey and are thankful Landen not only survived but has thrived thanks to excellent care.”

“ I’ve seen Landen a lot over the years but as he gets older I’m seeing him less and less.”

Scott Nau, MD, St. Luke’s NICU and Cedar Rapids Pediatrics

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 |

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Surprise cancer diagnosis Hysterectomy may have saved life

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ast spring Verna First was experiencing a lot of pain, discomfort and cramping. The 46-year-old chalked her symptoms up to early menopause.

difficulty for her, Verna and I decided it had become a quality-of-life and health problem for her.”

“I thought it was something I was just going to have to grin and bear,” said First.

“It wasn’t until I was talking with a coworker that I realized what I was experiencing was not normal. I was having these intense symptoms and I decided I should get some help.”

First consulted with Jerry Rozeboom, MD, OB-GYN Associates, P.C and he determined she was a candidate for a hysterectomy. The surgery seemed like the perfect option to obtain the relief she was seeking.

“Verna had multiple fibroids in her uterus,” said Dr. Rozeboom. “These fibroids were causing a fair amount of

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. As many as three out of four women have fibroids during their lives but most are unaware because they often cause no symptoms. Typically they only require treatment if a woman expresses discomfort or other worrisome symptoms.

Robotic surgery

St. Luke’s performs more robotic gynecological procedures than any other hospital in Iowa. In addition, St. Luke’s is one of only a handful of Robotic Epicenters in the Midwest – surgeons travel from across the country to St. Luke’s to receive training on the 8

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“Robotic surgery is a wonderful advancement,” said Dr. Rozeboom. “It allows surgeons to perform almost all gynecological surgeries that had been previously done through a big incision, to be done with smaller incisions, less than the size of a dime. Robotic surgery decreases blood loss, surgical complications and improves the recovery time dramatically. Instead of a six-to-eight-week recovery the patient is looking at a two-week recovery.”

“I opted for a robotic hysterectomy,” said First. “After talking it over with Dr. Rozeboom it seemed like the best option, which would allow me to return to work quickly, recover faster and have the least amount of pain.”

Rare cancer found

First had her surgery in April and stayed only one night in a private room at St. Luke’s.

After an uneventful surgery First wasn’t prepared for the phone call she received shortly after her hysterectomy.

Iowa’s robotic leader When you choose St. Luke’s for your robotic gynecological procedure, you’re choosing robotic skill that is unmatched in the state.

“The nurses were excellent,” said First.

“Everyone was so helpful and kept what little pain I had under control. The surgery itself went really well. I was back to work in less than a week and returned to light exercise two weeks after surgery.”

surgical robot from Dr. Jerry Rozeboom, OB-GYN Associates, P.C. and St. Luke’s robotic team.

If you are considering robotic surgery – get a second opinion and speak with a surgeon to find out if robotic surgery is for you. Go to our website stlukescr.org/ robotics, fill out a web consult form and a specialist will be in touch to discuss your case.

“Dr. Rozeboom’s office called and told me I needed to come in and see him,” recalls First.

“One of Verna’s uterine fibroids came back as a relatively rare cancer of a fibroid,” said Dr. Rozeboom. “We determined Verna had endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), which is a cancerous, fibroid-like tumor.”

ESS is one of the rarest types of uterine cancer, which accounts for less than one percent of cancers of the reproductive organs. ESS tends to occur in women who are younger than the average age for uterine cancer. Uterine cancer usually occurs in women who are past menopause; ESS is more often seen in premenopausal women in their 40s and 50s.

“As you can imagine this news came as quite a shock,” said First. “Dr. Rozeboom said it was early stage cancer and recommended we have another surgery to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. Doing this would remove the cancer and any areas where it might have spread.”

“ESS is very rare,” said Dr. Rozeboom. “This type of cancer tends to be very slow growing and tends to not metastasize outside of the uterus very quickly.”

First had a second robotic surgery – this time Dr. Rozeboom removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

“It turned out it was a very good thing I had this surgery because this cancer would have kept growing,” First said. “My cancer was in the very beginning stages and probably a lot of the problems I experienced before I saw Dr. Rozeboom were symptoms of this cancer.”

Both surgeries removed First’s cancer and she requires no further treatment. Her doctors recommend she have a chest x-ray or CT scan every six months for the next couple of years to make sure there isn’t a reoccurrence of ESS. “I feel so fortunate to have sought help and that this cancer was found early,” said First. “The care they provide and the work they do at St. Luke’s is second to none. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

To watch a robotic surgery or to learn more log on to stlukescr.org/robotics.

Verna fishing and catching tadpoles with grandaughters Lexus and Aubrey.

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 |

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Minimally invasive heart valve surgery

Faster recovery, less pain, smaller scar onna Martensen learned she had a heart murmur five years ago during an annual exam. Since then she has been under the care of a cardiologist who noted her condition was worsening.

D

stopped for a period of time so the surgeon may repair or replace the valve. In order to open the chest, the sternum, or breastbone, is cut in half and spread apart.

“My cardiologist recently referred me to Dr. Barnett,” said Martensen. “He recommended I have surgery to correct the problem. My brother-in-laws both had heart surgery years ago and just from their experience I knew I was probably in for quite an extensive surgery.”

In May, Mark Barnett, MD, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C. cardiothoracic surgeon began performing a minimally invasive heart valve surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital. The surgery is specifically used in mitral valve repair or replacement and aortic valve replacement.

In adults, heart murmurs most often are caused by heart valve disease. When heart valves become damaged or diseased, they may not function properly.

When one of the heart valves narrows, the heart muscle must work harder. If one or more valves don’t work properly, the diseased valve or valves may need to be surgically repaired or replaced.

New surgical approach

Traditionally, repair or replacement of heart valves has involved open-heart surgery, which means the chest is opened in the operating room and the heart is

“This is a new approach to a surgery I have been doing for some time,” said Dr. Barnett. “Several years ago I started performing valve surgery through a smaller incision in the middle of the sternum.

This new technique avoids a sternal incision. The incision is only three to four inches in length. I also make two additional, smaller incisions.”

Martensen. “He explained to me what I should expect and it sounded like the recovery would be much faster than I was anticipating.”

“With this minimally invasive approach patients report reduced pain, decreased blood loss, lower chance of infection, better cosmetic appearance and faster recovery,” said Dr. Barnett. “In fact the recovery time is dramatically better. The patient’s hospital stay is reduced and they return to full strength sooner. Overall patients are much happier with this minimally invasive surgery.”

The Anamosa resident had her surgery in late June and stayed five days in a private room at St. Luke’s.

“I was very happy this minimally invasive valve surgery was available to me,” said

“When I met with Dr. Barnett he told me I was a candidate for this new minimally invasive heart valve surgery,” said

“ I feel very fortunate to offer this procedure to patients in and around Cedar Rapids. We expect to have equal or better results than our traditional open-heart surgeries.”

Mark Barnett, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon, Physicians’ Clinics of Iowa, P.C.

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Martensen. “I can’t say enough positive things about the surgery. As far as I’m concerned it’s a lot easier recovery than what I saw with my brothers-in-law after their surgeries.”

Dr. Barnett anticipates using this approach on most heart valve surgery patients. The minimally invasive technique takes as long to perform as traditional open-heart surgery. However the patient’s hospital stay is reduced by one to two days.

“I feel very fortunate to offer this procedure to patients in and around Cedar Rapids,” said Dr. Barnett. “We expect to have equal or better results than our traditional open-heart surgeries. We are proud of the success and quality of the open-heart surgery program at St. Luke’s.”

Speedy recovery After surgery Martensen participated in cardiac rehabilitation at Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa. Rehab also contributed to her speedy recovery and after just six weeks off she was able to return to work.

“I would definitely recommend this surgery,” Martensen said. “You only have three small incisions, recover quickly and are back to your old self in no time. It’s really amazing surgery as far as I’m concerned. If you have to have this surgery – this is the way to go.”

To learn more about minimally invasive heart valve surgery call St. Luke’s Surgical Services at 319/369-8996.

Donna Martensen exercising in Cardiac Rehab at Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa.

Advantages of minimally invasive heart valve surgery may include: • Less blood loss • Lower risk of infection • Reduced trauma and pain • Shorter hospital stay

• Faster recovery and return to normal activities • Smaller incision, less scarring

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 | 11

Ask the expert What is a hospitalist? provide coordinated, evidenced-based, compassionate care. Delays in patient care are minimized because the hospitalist has flexibility during the day or night to respond to the needs of the patient, family or nurses.

“St. Luke’s adult and pediatric hospitalists are in contact with each patient’s family doctor,” said Dr. Reittinger. “A hospitalist coordinates hospital care, including ordering diagnostic tests and establishing a treatment plan.”

Constant communication

Tracy Reittinger, MD, St. Luke’s Hospitalist’s medical director

W

hen you have heart troubles you see a cardiologist. When you have a baby you see an obstetrician. And when you are in the hospital you see a hospitalist.

pediatric hospitalist program caring for hospitalized children.

“A hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in taking care of hospitalized patients in partnership with the individual’s family doctor,” said Tracy Reittinger, MD, St. Luke’s Hospitalist’s medical director.

“Our hospitalist team works roundthe-clock. Our main goal is to provide the right care at the right time for each patient. We want to help patients recover and return home as soon as possible.”

The hospitalized patient population has a greater degree of illness than they have had in the past,” said Dr. Reittinger.

“Hospitalists have expertise in caring for very complex patients. A hospitalist has specialized training to deal with these more difficult cases and are able to diagnose, treat and identify potential problems.”

St. Luke’s was the first hospital in Cedar Rapids to use hospitalists. There is also a

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Caring for complex illnesses

Hospitalists also arrange any specialty care the patient may need and work together with those specialists to

When the patient is released from St. Luke’s, the patient’s family doctor gets all of the medical records from the hospital stay and the patient returns to their care. The hospitalist team arranges for close follow-up once the patient is discharged to ensure the ongoing treatment plan continues, even after the patient leaves the hospital. The hospitalist team also calls the patient at home to ensure the patient understands any new medications they may have been prescribed, talks about any follow-up appointments they may have and makes sure the patient continues to improve.

“We want to alleviate any fears the family may have,” said Dr. Reittinger. “We communicate with the patient and their family so they always know what is happening with their care. We treat each patient as we would a family member – it’s our goal and it’s the mission of St. Luke’s Hospital.”

To learn more about the hospitalist program at St. Luke’s call 319/368-5970 or log on to stlukescr.org.

For your health Building Your Individual Brand Tuesday, Oct. 25 • 7 p.m.

Whether your student athlete is aspiring to go pro, earn a college scholarship, or simply enjoy a healthy athletic lifestyle, they can brand themselves for success! Dream big and join the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders hockey head coach and general manager for inside tips from the sports world. Students will learn how to start building a competitive edge on foundations like being a good teammate, exuding professionalism, being dependable, leading through work ethic - and being a little uncommon.

This event is open to students and their parents; attendees will also score pointers from St. Luke’s Sports Medicine on avoiding (and identifying) injuries and maintaining top physical health through the rigors of organized sports.

Footnotes on Diabetes

Relieving Back Pain

Tuesday, Nov. 15 • 6 p.m. program

Thursday, Nov. 10 • 6:30 p.m.

As many as 25 percent of American adults may have prediabetes and most do not know it. Often, a simple foot exam can reveal the first signs of diabetes. Attend this program to receive a free foot screening, learn how you can reduce your risk of developing diabetes, diminish the impact the disease has on your overall health, and minimize your risk of diabetes-related amputation.

Occasional or chronic back pain can make it hard to enjoy life and keep up with your everyday routine.

Attend this program with Stanley Matthew, MD, to learn about various causes of back pain, and options you may have for relieving your pain.

Free screenings will be offered by Dr. Eugene Nassif and the staff of Foot and Ankle Specialists of Iowa and are available by appointment – call early, space is limited.

Classes are held at St. Luke’s Hospital, 3rd Floor Nassif Heart Center Classrooms. To register for these free events, go to stlukescr.org, click on Classes & Events or call 319/369-8068.

St. Luke’s healthbeat | fall 2011 | 13

1026 A Avenue NE P.O. Box 3026 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3026

healthbeat St. Luke’s

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 healthbeat magazine, please call us at 319/369-7395 or e-mail stlukes@crstlukes.com. © 2011 by St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA

Get the best check of your life.

Have you had a mammogram this year? If you’re a woman over 40, you should have a mammogram every year.

It’s the best way to check for breast cancer.

For a walk-in mammogram, simply bring your doctor’s order to: St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health 2996 7th Ave., Marion

Call to schedule an appointment at: St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health 855 A Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids 319/369-8129

Breast and Bone Health stlukesearlydetection.com

PINK in the RINK Friday, Oct. 7 7:05 p.m.

Cedar Rapids Ice Arena

Join the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders as they donate $2 from every ticket purchased to St. Luke’s Spirit Fund, which provides financial assistance to women dealing with cancer.

For tickets, call 319/261-GOAL or visit ridertownusa.com/tickets.

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