Otsego Health & Life Winter 2011 issue

THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE

from OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

TAKE THE HINT!

YOUR BODY’S CLUES TO ILLNESS

NPS AND PAS PROs YOU CAN TRUST

WAYS TO BEAT

HOLIDAY STRESS

LIFE AFTER

HEART SURGERY

5 POP

REMEDIES WHICH 4ONES REALLY WORK? / DECEMBER 2010

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health&life

Contents

THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE from OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

OTSEGO STAFF

CEO THOMAS R . LEMON

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president, board of directors MARY SANDERS

marketing coordinator KIMBERLY RULEY

health&life

WINTER 2011

marketing & foundation director CHRISTIE PERDUE

foundation coordinator KIM BIDDINGER

WAINSCOT STAFF

3 Better care Fad or fact? These 5 ballyhooed remedies are all the rage, but do they really live up to their claims?

4 Your body Take the hint Small signs can indicate possible future disease.

editor in chief

Here’s what to do.

RITA GUARNA

6 Clinical update senior editor TIMOTHY KELLEY

assistant editor KRISTIN COLELLA

Healthcare pros you can trust Nurse practitioners and physician assistants administer quality healthcare to patients of all ages.

7 Healthy living

A heart’s comeback Cardiac rehabilitation helps patients make

editorial intern

a safe return to an active life.

DIANE SZULECKI

8 Prevention Quick tips for a stress-free season Put more pep in your Otsego Health & Life is published by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645, in association with Otsego Memorial Hospital. This is Volume 2, Issue 4. © 2010 by Otsego Memorial Hospital. All rights reserved.

Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

step with these 6 surprising solutions.

10 Health Online Winning plaudits for quality Otsego Memorial named a “most wired” hospital for 2010 .

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Better Care

Fad

or fact?

THESE 5 BALLYHOOED REMEDIES ARE ALL THE RAGE, BUT DO THEY REALLY LIVE UP TO THEIR CLAIMS?

1. Probiotic yogurts What they are: While all yogurts are made

with active cultures, those labeled probiotic contain additional strains of “good” bacteria. Some varieties, such as Dannon’s Activia, claim to regulate the digestive system; others, such as Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt, also claim to boost the immune system.

Do they work? Maybe. Research results have been mixed. “Most studies haven’t shown strong benefits, though some have suggested that the yogurts help prevent antibioticassociated diarrhea and may relieve constipation,” says gastroenterologist Josh Korzenik, M.D., co-director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “We still have a lot to learn.”

ALAMY; ISTOCK; JUPITER IMAGES

2. Colon cleanses What they are: Centered on the theory that toxic waste can build up in the colon, these cleanses are intended to empty the colon of its contents to promote wellness.

They’re available in a variety of forms, including laxatives, teas, enemas and colonic irrigation, a procedure in which water is injected into the rectum through a tube to flush out fluids and waste.

Do they work? No. “There’s no good scientific research showing that colon cleanses bring therapeutic benefit,” says gastroenterologist Gerald Friedman, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. That’s likely because the colon naturally cleans itself of impurities.

3. Neti pots What they are: Looking like a cross between a teapot and Aladdin’s lamp, a neti pot supposedly works magic in relieving congestion, facial pain and pressure. To use, fill the pot with lukewarm water and 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt, then tilt your head and pour the solution into one nostril at a time, letting the fluid flow through the nasal cavity into the other nostril.

Do they work? Yes. Says Alexander Chiu, M.D., associate professor of otorhinolaryngology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia: “The saline solution helps thin out mucus and cleanse the nasal passages, relieving congestion and helping with overall sinus health.”

4. Ear candling What it is: A long cone made of waxed cloth is inserted into a person’s ear, then lit at the opposite end. Proponents say the heat creates a vacuum effect that removes excess debris and earwax.

Does it work? No. “There’s no scientific evidence showing that it’s effective,” says otolaryngologist Tom Abelson, M.D., medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health Center in Beachwood, Ohio.

“And there have been reports of ear candling causing injuries, since the melted wax can scar the eardrum.”

5. Antibacterial hand gels What they are: These absorbable gels, such as Purell’s

Instant Hand Sanitizer, are marketed as an effective way to disinfect your hands when soap and water are not available.

Do they work? Yes. As long as alcohol is an active ingredient, antibacterial hand gels are just as effective in killing germs as soap and water, says William Schaffner, M.D., chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. “They’re an excellent option if you don’t have access to a sink,” he says. ■

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Take the

HINT YOUR BODY MAY BE WARNING YOU OF ILLNESS. HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Give yourself a good once-over—notice any quirks? Doctors say small imperfections could signal an underlying issue. But which oddities call for professional attention? Experts offer guidance on becoming your own diagnostic sleuth.

Clue: EARLOBE CREASES It could mean: Heart disease Back in 1991, a study in The American Journal of Medicine found that participants with a diagonal crease in at least one earlobe were more likely to die from heart disease than those whose earlobes did not bear creases. The report caught national attention at the time, but studies reported since then have produced mixed results.

One possible explanation for the link is a lack of elastin, which contributes to hardening of the arteries, but the connection may simply be due to the fact that earlobe creases are more common later in life, says Andres Mesa, M.D., a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston. “Whenever you age you’re prone to have more hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other complications,” he adds.

What to do: Get regular checkups. “Earlobe creases can serve as a reminder that you’re getting older and you should pay more attention to heart-disease risk factors,” says Dr. Mesa.

Clue: DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES It could mean: Allergies “When you have significant hay fever you experience a change in blood flow to the nose and sinuses,” says James Li, M.D., allergist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “As the blood expands in some of the veins in the face, it can appear as a dark or bluish tint under the eyes.”

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MASTERFILE

What to do: If your dark circles are accompanied by other hay-fever symptoms (sneezing, coughing, congestion), consider purchasing an over-the-counter antihistamine or seeing your doctor for an allergy test.

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Your Body

by Kristin Colella

Clue: THIN THIGHS or A THICK NECK It could mean: Heart disease

What to do: “If you see a marked color change in all

A study in the British Medical Journal found that subjects with a thigh circumference of less than 60 centimeters had a greatly increased risk of developing heart disease and dying prematurely. “The link may be due to these patients having low muscle mass,” says Dr. Mesa, which may lead to insulin sensitivity and a risk of metabolic syndrome.

Meanwhile, research from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Study found that a wider neck—a circumference of more than 34.2 centimeters in women or 40.5 centimeters in men— increased heart-disease risk factors. “The theory is that wide necks have more deposits of fat,” says Dr. Mesa.

a physician,” says Dr. McDonald. But don’t panic—

What to do: Data are still too preliminary to prompt a response, says Dr. Mesa. “More research is needed, but I think measuring waist circumference has really proven itself.” A waist circumference greater than 88 centimeters in women and 102 centimeters in men has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. If you exceed these limits, see your doctor about healthy ways to slim down.

Clue: DISCOLORED NAILS It could mean: Diabetes Yellow nails can be a symptom of this disease, says dermatologist Michel McDonald, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, though the reason for this is not yet confirmed.

of your nails, it’s a good idea to get checked out by this discoloration may be due to fungus or aging.

Clue: PALE NAILS It could mean: Anemia Press on your nails and take note of their color: While most people’s nails will turn immediately back to pink, an anemic’s may remain white for a moment or two. “When you are anemic you don’t have the blood rushing back as quickly into the capillaries,” says Rebecca Kazin, M.D., head of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology and Cosmetic Center at Green Spring Station in Lutherville, Maryland.

“But if you are this anemic you would likely have other symptoms, such as fatigue and a tendency to bruise easily.”

What to do: Speak to your doctor, says Dr. Kazin.

Clue: MALE BALDNESS It could mean: Heart disease In a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found a link between male baldness and an increased risk of this condition. Risk was greatest in men with extensive vertex baldness (on the crown of the head).

What to do: “If you have baldness, it doesn’t mean you’ll have heart disease,” says Dr. Mesa.

“But it might be a good idea to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked.” ■

4 well-known body warnings: TRUTH OR HYPE? PHYSICIANS ASSESS THE VALIDITY OF THESE “TROUBLE SIGNS” Apple-shaped bodies are linked with greater heart-disease risks than pear-shaped bodies.

“Excess fat around the waist is a different kind of fat than that around the hips, and is associated with greater heartdisease risk factors,” says Andy Kates, M.D., director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

TRUE

Skin tags can signal colon polyps.

“There’s been insufficient evidence to extrapolate a link,” says gastroenterologist Eric Esrailian, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles.

HYPE

Too much vitamin A can cause excessively dry lips.

“An excess of vitamin A can shut down your oil glands, so monitor your intake and don’t have more than 5,000 IUs a day,” says dermatologist Michel McDonald, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

TRUE

White mouth corners can indicate a yeast infection.

Yeast infections don’t just occur in your intimate regions; your mouth can be infected by a pesky yeast called Candida, says Dr. McDonald. Because this sort of infection will not likely affect other areas of the body, you can treat it with a topical medication from your dermatologist.

TRUE

O T S E G O H E A LT H & L I F E

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Clinical Update

Healthcare pros

you can trust

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants administer quality care to patients of all ages

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charles ortiz

Mid-level providers, such as Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), are licensed practitioners who provide high-quality, cost-effective care.

They’re key members of the Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) healthcare team who can work in all medical and surgical specialties. Mid-levels work as a team with the physician and can offer patients services that will not only expedite their care, but also enhance their experience. OMH Medical Group and MedCare Walk-In Clinic mid-level providers offer a wide range of services, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and counseling on preventative care.

Mid-level providers all go through rigorous schooling, training and certification programs before they are able to practice, and must pursue continuing education credits in order to maintain their certifications. OMH Medical Group and Emergency Department mid-level providers are among more than 175,000 physician assistants and nurse practitioners currently in practice in the United States, according to 2008 estimates from the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.

“We are highly competent healthcare professionals who provide top-notch patient care in an attentive fashion,” says Alicia Williams, PA-C, OMH MedCare Walk-In Clinic.

“We work closely with the physicians on staff and can see patients who may not be able to get an appointment with their

primary care physician right away.”

Physician assistants, a type of mid-level provider, are able to choose specialties or practice in primary care settings.

They work collaboratively with physicians and not only perform physical exams and diagnose and treat illnesses, but also can assist with surgery, write prescriptions and counsel on preventative care.

Nurse practitioners, another type of mid-level provider, can also choose to focus their training in a variety of specialty areas, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and geriatrics. Working in collaboration with the physicians builds trust and mutual respect between the providers, allowing the mid-level providers to feel comfortable asking for a second opinion when it is needed, and to know they will get the answers they require to provide appropriate care for their patients.

“Family nurse practitioners look at the big picture when it comes to their patients’ healthcare by evaluating the whole system, and bring a holistic approach to care,” said Kathleen Pawlanta, FNP, OMH Family Practice. “We work very closely with our patients to assess the entire situation and create a plan of action.”

Though they work together to facilitate care, physicians and mid-level providers look at patients through slightly different lenses, which means that patient care is being provided from two perspectives.

“I believe that collaboratively, my nursing perspective can be just as beneficial to the physician in the office as the physician perspective is to me,” said Pam Lynch, ANP, OMH Internal Medicine. “This results in a truly comprehensive approach to patient care, and in my opinion offers one of the best approaches to primary healthcare.”

Because mid-level providers can work in a variety of specialties, patients may have an appointment with a mid-level provider at the Family Practice or Internal Medicine office, or somewhere more specialized like OMH N’Orthopedics. In an orthopedic setting, physician assistants like Kellie Mumford, PA-C, of OMH N’Orthopedics assist with surgery in the operating room and help patients with their pre- and postoperative care appointments.

“I chose orthopedics as my specialty because I felt I stood a good chance of making people feel better right away,” says Mumford. “You can see great results almost immediately in this field.”

Mid-level providers such as Williams, Pawlanta, Lynch and Munford help busy OMH physicians and offices run smoothly by alleviating patient load and providing highquality healthcare services to every patient they see. n

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Healthy Living

A heart’s COMEBACK cardiac rehabilitation helps patients make a safe return to an active life

Cardiac rehab is helping heart patient Ludwig Putz get back to his routine.

Introducing—or re-introducing—physical activity is a key aspect of cardiac rehabilitation. When Putz was able to climb the 60 steps leading up to his house from the lake without having to stop to take a breath, he realized his hard work, though at times frustrating, had been worth it.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is a continuum of care,” says Schmidlin. “We work closely with our patients’ physicians, and we’re often the people who catch problems, symptoms or changes that need to be addressed by their doctor.”

Of course, exercise is a main focus of patients in cardiac rehab, but nutrition and mental health are important too. After a heart attack or heart surgery, many patients have to revamp their diet completely—a daunting task when undertaken alone. But the staff at OMH Cardiac Rehab offers support, making sure their patients leave well equipped with information to help them make the right dietary choices.

“We’ve definitely changed our diet at home, with less red meat, less fat, more greens,” says Putz. “The educational part of the program is top-notch—it opens your eyes to what you’ve been doing wrong and need to change.”

On graduating from the OMH program, Putz plans to resume his exercise routine at a local gym. But he says he highly recommends the OMH Cardiac Rehab program to anyone who has had a cardiac event or intervention. n The OMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is open 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Denise Schmidlin, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitiaton, may be reached at 989-731-7866.

To learn more about the program or other services offered in the OMH Rehabilitation Services Department, please visit myOMH.org, or call the OMH Information Hotline at 989-731-OMH1.

O T S E G O H E A LT H & L I F E

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charles ortiz

GAYLORD RESIDENT LUDWIG PUTZ DOESN’T look like a heart patient. A former runner, he appears to be in better shape than many people decades younger. But he recently underwent a quadruple bypass operation to bypass blocked arteries in his heart. After the procedure, his cardiac surgeon recommended cardiac rehabilitation.

The American Heart Association defines cardiac rehabilitation, or rehab, as a professionally supervised program to help people recover from heart attacks, heart surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures such as stenting and angioplasty. These programs provide education and counseling services to help heart patients increase physical fitness, address cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of future heart problems.

At Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) in Gaylord, cardiac rehab includes specialized one-on-one exercise therapy following a cardiac episode, and education to address all aspects of rehabilitation. These services are offered to patients in a tiered structure—they’re required after a procedure, then they’re offered on a pay-as-you go system for patients who have completed the required phase. It’s a flexible schedule that works for the patient. All aspects of a patient’s health are taken into account by Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified registered nurses and exercise specialists. Diet, exercise and mental health are all monitored and discussed to help return a patient to his or her daily routine.

“Any cardiac event is traumatic to the patient’s body,” says Denise Schmidlin, Director of OMH Cardiac Rehab.

“Cardiac events can affect mood and appetite and interrupt sleep. We help the patient—and his or her family—adapt and adjust to these changes. At the end of rehab, we hope to see an improvement in all three of these areas.”

OMH’s Cardiac Rehab program has helped Putz make great strides to get back to his normal routine, and he says he owes his success to the high-quality care given by the OMH Cardiac Rehab staff.

“The staff is very attentive,” says Putz. “They’re constantly monitoring to make certain that I stay within my appropriate maximum heart rate.”

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PREVENTION

QUICK TIPS for a stress-free season PUT MORE PEP IN YOUR STEP WITH THESE 6 SURPRISING SOLUTIONS

The aggravation of traveling, the holiday to-do list, the parties, the shopping, the mall traffic, plus our own perfectionist expectations—no wonder so many of us secretly dread this “jubilant” season. But instead of dipping into the eggnog for a little tension relief, try these 6 good-for-you tricks—they’ll help you keep up the holidays’ hectic pace with a smile.

Chew gum to perk up. Sounds silly,

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doesn’t it? But popping a piece of chewing gum can actually help you stay alert. In a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, subjects performed four different tasks at once, including math and memory problems, and investigators found that the participants had a 67 percent uptick in performance and their alertness increased significantly when they chewed gum. “The repetitive, rhythmic action of chewing gum helps your mind to focus on the task at hand,” says Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies for Serenity (Skirt!, 2008). Bonus tip: Choose peppermint- or cinnamon-flavored gum— in a study done at West Virginia’s Wheeling Jesuit University, those scents helped subjects stay more alert and less frustrated during their morning commute.

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Sentimental? No, it’s scientific. Harvard researchers asked participants to keep a mood journal, then sent them a bundle of fresh-cut flowers. After only a few days of living with the bouquets, subjects reported feeling less negative, less anxious and less depressed. This floral effect carried over in other places as well—participants said they experienced a surprising boost at work, feeling happier, more enthusiastic and more energetic. “Some people think that we learn to love flowers because we associate them with Valentine’s Day, celebrations and so on,” says lead researcher Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School. “But we think it’s actually evolutionary—humans are predisposed to respond pleasurably to things in nature that signal safety and security. Flowering plants represent potential sources of food and the future availability of fruits and honey.”

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Sip java to ease muscle pain. You spent all day going from store to store hunting down the perfect gift for Uncle Ed—no wonder your calves are killing you. To shush the soreness, try a simple cup of coffee. In a study published in The Journal of Pain, volunteers took either caffeine or a placebo and performed two different thigh exercises. The caffeine users had almost a 50 percent reduction in pain after exercise compared with the placebo group—that’s almost double the relief you’d get from most pain relievers (including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen). Study author Patrick J. O’Connor, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology at the University of Georgia, says caffeine appears to block the body’s receptors for adenosine, a chemical that carries information from the pain nerves to the brain.

(Remember, we said “a” cup, not nine; too much coffee can trigger insomnia, nervousness, muscle tremors and a fast or irregular heartbeat, warns the Mayo Clinic.)

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Eat oatmeal to tame tension. In which basement box is that holiday wreath— and where, by the way, did you misplace your wits? Maybe it’s time to calm those frazzled nerves with an old-fashioned bowl of hot oatmeal. Oatmeal is high in complex carbohydrates, which—according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study— help raise serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that helps transmit impulses between the nerve cells, and its effects include improving your mood and relaxing your brain.

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Have a clementine to keep your cool. It turns

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out vitamin C does a lot more than boost the body’s immune system and ward off scurvy. In a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology, subjects were exposed to a surefire stressor—speaking in public while doing complex math problems. Researchers found that subjects who got a mega dose of C had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress, as well as lower blood pressure than those who didn’t get the vitamin. Those given the vitamin also described feeling less stressed than those who didn’t. The fatfree, easy-to-peel clementine gives you 300 percent of your daily C—at just 40 calories. (Other Crich foods include red peppers, papaya, kiwi and broccoli.)

Have a turkey-andcheese sandwich on whole wheat to fall asleep faster. The holiday to-do

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list is endless and you can’t turn your mind off to catch some Zs—but the last thing you need is to be sleepy tomorrow. This snack may help you skip some of that tossing and turning.

Turkey contains the amino acid tr yptophan, which the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters that slow down the brain and relax the system. Whole-wheat bread helps your body absorb the tryptophan, while the calcium in the cheese helps the brain use and process it. “Try a small snack at least one hour before bedtime to help quiet your nervous system so you can drift off,” says author Hanley. ■

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Health Online

Winning plaudits for quality OTSEGO MEMORIAL NAMED A ‘MOST WIRED’ HOSPITAL FOR 2010

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medication orders at the bedside through bar coding or radio-frequency identification, up from 49 percent in 2009 and from 23 percent five years ago.

• Additionally, Most Wired hospitals have made improvements when it comes to sharing information during care transitions. For example, new medication lists are electronically delivered to caregivers and patients 94 percent of the time when a patient is transferred within the hospital, 98 percent at discharge and 86 percent when transferred to another care setting.

“The survey results highlight that continued progress is being made but the full potential of health IT has not been met,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Hospitals embrace health IT and recognize the many benefits it can provide to patients, but even Most Wired hospitals face barriers to adoption. We have asked that the federal government stimulate greater adoption by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments more widely available to hospitals and physicians so more hospitals can move in this direction.”

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2010 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corporation and CHIME (the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives). The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com. ■ For more information about Otsego Memorial Hospital, please visit myOMH.org.

CHARLES ORTIZ

OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (OMH) HAS BEEN recognized as one of the nation’s “most wired’ hospitals, according to the results of the 2010 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

“OMH is dedicated to providing the best patient care possible by increasing quality and patient safety through the use of technology,” says Tim Hella, Chief Information Officer at OMH. “With ongoing upgrades and enhancements to our leading-edge technology, we have made high-quality advances in not only our clinical areas, but our financial and administrative areas as well.”

In 2008 and 2009, OMH was listed among Most Wired–Small & Rural Hospitals; however, for 2010, OMH has been ranked among the Most Wired, a category that includes hospitals of all sizes that have made great strides in improving and enhancing healthcare information technology to better serve patients. OMH was the only hospital in northern Michigan to be named to the Most Wired list for 2010, and one of only four in Michigan.

“It is a great honor for Otsego Memorial Hospital to be named to a Most Wired list for the third year in a row,” says Hella.

The Most Wired Survey was redesigned this year to reflect two years of work with an advisory group aimed at continual improvement. This year’s survey reflects a new structure and methodology with an increased use of analytics and reporting.

The new analytic structure is being used to stratify hospitals based on progress in adoption, implementation and use of information technology in four areas: Infrastructure, Business and Administrative Management, Clinical Quality and Safety (Inpatient/Outpatient Hospital), and Care Continuum (Ambulatory/Physician/Community). Participating organizations will be identified as Foundational, Core, Advanced, Expert or Leader in each of four focus areas for use of IT. The Most Wired designation reflects organizations whose responses reflect “Core” development.

This year’s survey reveals continued progress for hospitals in patient safety initiatives: • Fifty-one percent of medication orders were done electronically by physicians at Most Wired hospitals, up from 49 percent last year.

• More than half (55 percent) of Most Wired hospitals match WINTER 2011

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Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation Quarterly Gift Registry All names listed have generously supported the Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation in the third quarter of 2010 (7/1/2010 - 9/30/2010).

The OMH Foundation is grateful for their support and dedication to quality local healthcare.

Staff and Employee Circle of Friends Shirlee Andrews Anonymous Sarah Authier Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bartlett Susan Bennett Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd “Skip” Berry Esther Bessette Mrs. Brittany Beyers Amy Bilyea Connie Bisson Dennis and Laurie Black Mr. and Mrs. Ken Blust Geri Boadway Patty Bonner Mr. Dennis Borowiak and Mrs. Maureen Borowiak Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Bragg Faith Brinkman Romeo and Carolyn Buclay Lonny G. Burns Nichole Butcher Donna Chandler Donna Clark Sheryl Cody Matt and Maria Coger Don and Mary Beth Cook Mrs. Twilla L. Coon Ruth A. Coons Mr. and Mrs. Brett Crandell Jessica Crane Nicole Cryderman Mr. and Mrs. R. Dale Mr. and Mrs. Jon Deming Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dennis Mrs. Marguerite Duncan Marlene Dzwik Linda D. Eastwood Gregory Ehle Amy Ellison Mrs. Julie Ellison Stephanie Fahler Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Fogle Catherine Foust Cynthia Francis Vicki L. Garlitz Mr. and Mrs. Dan Glomski Ms. Lori Gonzalez Elizabeth Goodrich Cindy Gordon Justine Gorman Allison Gougeon Mr. and Mrs. Danny Griffith (Cindy) Suzanne Griswold Howard and Chris Grosser Mr. and Mrs. Todd Harding Suzanne Hardy Amelia Harmon Mr. Timothy Hella Jennifer Henderson Marlene Hinchliffe Steven Holman Ms. Christine A. Hoogerhyde Ms. Rhonda Howard Ms. Sharon Jann Ms. Beverly Johnson Kelly Joles Greg and Dawn Jones Mrs. Kathleen Jones Linda Kaufmann Beatriz F. Kelly Jeanie C. Kelsey Ms. Kristina Klepadlo John and Linda Kremkow Peg Kretchmar Ms. Kathy Kucharek Kevin and Amanda LaBarge Tiffanie LaHaie Della Lambert Jill LaMotte Andrew Lanway

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Ms. Pamela Lynch Mrs. Lisa Mackowiak Ann Mahan Ashley Manns Cynthia Marcenaro Lisa Mason Monica McClure Mrs. Gloria McDonald Mrs. Melissa Meadows Kathleen Mecomber Donna Meredith Linda T. Mesler Amy Monarch Charlene M. Morris Linda and Pete Morris Mr. Steven A. Moulding Shelley Mousseau Mr. and Mrs. Douglas F. Mowery Kellie Mumford Ms. Danielle Mundt Mrs. Pamela R. Nemeth Sharon A. Oliverson Mr. and Mrs. Brian Olsen (Heather) Sandra and Robert Oltersdorf Michael O’Neill Nicole Owens Andrea and Mike Parke and Family Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Kathleen Pawlanta, FNP John and Mollie Peterson Robert and Marlene Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Michael Piper Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Prebenda Jessica Price Tamyra Purgiel Mrs. Teresa Raithel John and Marilyn Record Joanne Reichert Margaaret Rempe Bobbie Jo Repar Betsy Rich-Czarnik Allison Robbins Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Roberts Kelly Roberts-Zielinski Mr. and Mrs. Rosenburg Jay Ruddy Kimberly Taylor Ruley Juanita Sarzynski Ms. Catherine Schalau Mac Scribner Rick Shaw Ms. Mary R. Shelson Julie and Lucas Shepherd Mike and Trista Sitz Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Smith Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Spyhalski (Eileen) Ms. Mary Steele Darlene Stroyan Mr. Donald Suddon Diane Suttles Amy Szymanski Ms. Sharon Taylor Brian and Tami Techel Tamula Techel Lisa Thackeray Nicholas Thaxton Mrs. Kalynn Thayer Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Thomas (DiAnne) Maryann Thurston Neil Tomes Mr. David B. Trimbath Kaarina M. Veihl Ms. Jennifer Vogel Julia Vultaggio Kevin Wahr Mr. and Mrs. Jack Warren Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Watson Theresa M. Weber

Amy Wells Kathy Wilcox Beth Wilson Mrs. Theresa Wood Deborah Worm Mr. and Mrs. Dan Yale (Karen) Staff and Employee Good Samaritan Society Bonnie J. Byram Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Corby (Cindy) Tad and Kay De Luca Paul Hagan David Kramp Doug and Nancy Kussrow Mike and Barb Miller Mr. and Mrs. Ralph D. Pardo Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pudvan Kenneth and Nancy Ragan Ronald and Kathy Respecki Brad, Laura and Ryan Sincock Frank Stroyan Cynthia A. Tallent Staff and Employee Cornerstone Society Mr. and Mrs. Michael Burke (Nancy) Dave and Diane Fisher Bob and Skip Kasprzak Tom and Jean Lemon Michael and Christie Perdue Hippocrates Society This society recognizes all gifts from physicians and those made in their honor.

Anonymous Dr. and Mrs. Collazo John and Wendy Frye Dr. Peter and Mrs. Amy Handley Janelle Hendrian, DO Changxin Li Dr. Robert and Mrs. Dawn Mee John and Mitch Moffat Kasey and Wendi Nelson Dr. Medina H. Shaltry Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Wisniewski Honorariums In Honor Of Dr. Steven Wisniewski James C. Forbes Cornerstone Society This Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to the OMH Foundation.

Mr. and Mrs. R. David Briney Mr. and Mrs. Glen A. Catt Cosmetic Skin and Laser Center Jim and Jan Cotant The Easton Ville Gang Eugene and Barbara Fleming Gaylord Eye Care Center -Dr. Ronald Mead -Dr. Peter Opperman -Dr. Robert Slezak Keith H. Gornick Family Chester and Cynthia Janssens

Edward and Barbara Kakenmaster Scott and Janice Lampert Mr. and Mrs. William J. Muzyl Otsego Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Rally For A Cure Golf Outing Mary MacGregor Sanders Karl and Laverne Scheiterlein Charles and Sheila Simpson Sklarczyk Seed Farm Jeffrey and Lynne Smetzer Dale J. and Marlene A. Smith Carolyn and Jon Study The Hees Family Foundation Thomas and Mary Tomaski Trailing For Triumph Van Elslander Family Foundation/Art Van Furniture Marcus and Sharon Wegmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Athel E. Williams Good Samaritan Society This Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $500-$999 to the OMH Foundation.

Jean Appleton Gale and Belva Parker Eugene and Betsy Sanders Doug and Carol Schubert Leo and Sylvia R. Schuster Fred and Shirley Smith Circle of Friends This Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $50-$499 to the OMH Foundation.

Ryan Allen Jack and Ginny Anderson Michele A. Andrews J.T. Aude Harry and Shirley Becker Gregg and Rhonda Behnke Sandra Blake Mary Darlene Borowiak Pamela M. Broomall Mr. Michel A. Cameron Sharon Carlson Catt Development Tricia and Jerry Coger Jean Corpe Darrell D. Darling Flowers By Evelyn Cynthia Forman Sara and Jimmy Freeman Dr. David M. Gast and Dr. Patricia A. Duley Todd and Anne Gregory Dr. David and Mrs. Laura Hansmann Paul and Betty Hartmann Dianna Hlywa Doris Hoffman JDB Energy, LLC Marvin and Nancy Kelso Dr. William and Mrs. Nicole Koenig Ellen Kozlowski Mr. and Mrs. Tom Krzemien Ladies of the Country Club Constance Lynch John and Judy Martenson mBank Pamela McClintic Pauline McCoy Herman L. Miller

Betsy Mullen Judy R. Nizzola Northern Energy, Inc. Robert and Barbara Olson Rosemary Paradowski M.L. Petoskey Albert and Diane Quaal Roger M. Rasmussen Mr. and Mrs. James J. Reinhardt Carol Ross James Roth Diane Schaffer Elsie Schrader Cawley Tom and Jan Seidel Patricia J. Sides Judy Smith Smith Realty Group Valarie Snell George and Dee Stasevich Judy Stelmas Richard and Susan Straith Donna J. Theisen Amber D. Theriault Treetops Resort Stacy Vizinia Tom and Ann Wagar Anita Ware Honorariums / Memorials 2010 Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation proudly lists the gifts made in honor or memory of others. May they each be honored through the Hospital’s healing mission.

Honorariums In Honor of Eugene Fleming Gregg and Rhonda Behnke In Honor of Linda Johnson Amber D. Theriault Memorials In Memory of Michael Murphy Jack and Ginny Anderson In Memory of Eugene Sanders Mr. and Mrs. R. David Briney Mary MacGregor Sanders Dale J. and Marlene A. Smith In Memory of Scott Martin Ekonen Martin and Elizabeth Ekonen In Memory of Victoria S. Mattmiller Betty and Dale Mattmiller In Memory of Karen Cindy Anonymous In Memory of Neal Beatty Dale J. and Marlene A. Smith In Memory of Vicky Switalski Vallmer Susie Switalski

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