HEALTHYliving FALL 2019
WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS
health Published by Washington Newsmedia, LLC
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fitness
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recreation
Numbness? Cramping and weakness in your legs could be a blocked artery. Do you suffer from leg pain while walking or lying down? Have you noticed discoloration or wounds on your feet or legs? These could be signs of blocked blood flow, also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). About one in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD.* While smoking and/or diabetes are the main risk factors, those who suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease are also at risk. Left untreated, PAD could cause serious health issues, such as heart attack or stroke. Board-certified general surgeon, Ronald Locke, M.D., can help you learn more about PAD and treatment options available. Same-day appointments are often available.
Ronald Locke, M.D. Board-Certified in General and Vascular Surgery
310 S. McCaskey Road Williamston, NC 27892
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PUBLISHER
HEALTHYliving WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS
Ashley Vansant EDITORIAL
Maggie Potter Judy Van Dorp Travis Roberson Vail Stewart Rumley ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
David D. Singleton
4 BRAIN EXERCISES FOR SENIORS
6 TIPS FOR LIVING WITH LOW VISION
MARKETING & SALES
Cecilia Prokos Amy Whitaker Scott Williamson
8 MASSAGE BOOSTS QUALITY OF LIFE
DISTRIBUTION
Sylvester Rogers ART DIRECTION
Elizabeth Reed
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BEAUFORT COUNTY HEADING TOWARD A DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY FUTURE
HOW TO GIVE BACK TO SENIORS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
P.O. Box 1788 Washington, NC 27889 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DECREASES FALL-INJURY RISK
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252-946-2144 HEALTHYliving is published four times a year by Washington Newsmedia, LLC. Copyright 2019 Washington Newsmedia, LLC
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORY
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Brain exercises for seniors
M JUDY VAN DORP
ost people think that memory loss is a natural part of aging — not so, according to an article in Science Daily: “Memory loss is not a part of normal aging, new research finds.” That is good news for those who have what some people call “senior moments.” Taking a proactive role in maintaining the strength and vitality of the mind and body will keep muscles, as well as the brain, fit. Even if you don’t exercise regularly, just keeping an active lifestyle can be one key to brain and body health. According to research, regular physical exercise can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50% and regular brain exercises can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 70%, according to Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention. In addition, studies have shown that women from the ages of 40 to 60 who exercise regularly have a dramatic reduction in memory loss and cognitive decline. Even formal cognitive training has benefits. According to an active trial from Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly, healthy adults over 65 who
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participated in memory training, reasoning training and or/ speed training, improved mental skills and the improvements persisted 10 years after the training was completed. To see benefits to the body and mind from physical exercise, one should work up to one hour per day, three days per week. However, you will see benefits to the brain and body with any activity that gets your heart pumping and your muscles moving, such as brisk or treadmill walking bike riding, water exercise, dance or cardio classes. Any activity that engages the brain, such as a favorite hobby, computer games or puzzles, will provide benefits to cognitive function. Experimenting with music has many benefits for the brain as well. There are thousands of YouTube videos to teach yourself to play any instrument. Signing up for a class to learn how to play an instrument might seem somewhat daunting, but the best time to do it is now. Let go of any expectations and judgments and just have fun. The act of learning something new and utilizing your abstract thought process is the important part of the brain exercise. Reading is a wonderful way to keep learning. The local library has literally thousands of books that one can check out or download to a phone, computer or tablet. It is just that easy to learn. Reading the daily newspaper is another way to engage the brain. Get together with friends to form a book club and experience new books to discuss and debate the ideas you have formed from the novels. Writing is considered to be another brain exercise. Start small by keeping a journal and then, if you like, move on to writing short stories or write about your life. Learning a new language is a fun and challenging brain exercise. Combine language lessons with researching the country’s culture. Even if you don’t plan to travel to that destination, just the experience of this activity can be fun and useful in the future. Think of the brain as another muscle that needs exercise to stay strong and healthy. Challenge the brain and body with exercises to prevent a plateau and boredom. Look to your community for activities you might like to try that are interesting and fun. Community activities with friends can keep your mind and body engaged and feeling strong. Judy Van Dorp is the director of the Vidant Wellness Center in Washington. For any questions on this topic or others, you can contact her at 252-975-4236. ■
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Tips for living with low vision
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isual impairment affects people of all ages and all walks of life. The American Foundation for the Blind defines visual impairment, often referred to as “low vision,” as any vision problem that is severe enough to affect an individual’s ability to carry out the tasks of everyday living. Millions of people have some degree of visual impairment that requires corrective lenses, and some still struggle even while wearing glasses or contact lenses. People with low vision can experience difficulty performing daily activities, such as cooking, shopping, reading, watching television and more. Some practical solutions can help people address changes in their vision. • Use more light. After about age 60, many people require additional light to perform most indoor tasks as well as outdoor activities. After age 60, the pupil no longer opens as widely as it once did, which affects the amount of light that reaches the retina, where vision processing occurs. Brighten areas of the kitchen, garage, crafting table and other areas where fine details are examined. • Rely on darker contrasts. Contrasting colors can make it easier to see edges and lines of demarcation. For example, use a dark tablecloth and white dishes to see table settings and food more clearly. • Label items. Bold-colored labels or those of different shapes can help set items apart when reading containers or boxes becomes challenging. • Use filters and shields. Certain devices, such as lens filters and shields, can reduce glare and improve vision. Individuals also can invest in shields for their computers or tablet screens to reduce glare. • Choose “large print” formats. At local booksellers, seek books that are available in large print. This makes it easier to enjoy reading. • Switch bulbs at home. The eye care resource All About Vision suggests swapping fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs with warm-toned LED bulbs. These bulbs emit less blue light and can be more comforting with reduced glare. • Invest in adaptive devices. Large-button phones with speed dial, large-print calendars, watches that speak the time and digital home assistant devices also can help men and women overcome vision loss. Low vision impacts daily living, but there are ways to counter the effects of impaired vision. ■
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Massage boosts quality of life
M MAGGIE POTTER
assage therapy is not just a luxury anymore. People of all ages are benefiting from the physical and mental aspects provided by therapeutic massage. More and more seniors are seeking relief from therapeutic massage to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Therapeutic massage is a non-invasive therapy many seniors have turned to in an attempt to keep living their life to the fullest. Seniors, who continue to try and live healthy active lifestyles, sometimes encounter pain and stiffness during activities. Massage has proven to help combat many of the symptoms of joint damage such as arthritis. Joint issues frequently impair a person’s attempts to stay active. Massage can relieve the pain and help to free up the joints, so you can get back to physical activities faster. Massage can also help increase flexibility and decrease some of the inflammation associated with damaged tissues. Massage can have an amazing impact on pain located in the neck, shoulders and low back. As the body becomes more flexible, it responds better to the physical demands of activity. With less damaged soft tissue, activities not only become less painful but can even become enjoyable again. It is no secret that one of the big
challenges that seniors face is trying to stay active and happy when the body might not respond the way it once did. This can often promote a negative mental mindset. The mental benefits of therapeutic massage are just as important as the physical ones. As pain decreases, you are physically and mentally more able to do things that you have been accustomed to doing. These activities, such as yard work, exercise, chores around the house, driving to town or even walking in a store, could be made easier with the benefits of massage. As you are able to do more, you feel a sense of accomplishment that, mentally, can give you a boost. If you are moving more pain free, you are able to improve quality of life by doing what is still important, even if that is simply holding your grandbaby. Getting back to what you love to do is important. Massage can be a key component in helping to fight the negative aspects of the aging process. If it is an hourlong massage where you can relax and let your stress drift away, or even a 30-minute massage that gives the body time to recharge and boost your energy for the rest of the day, the benefits of massage cannot be overstated. Maggie Potter is a licensed massage therapist with Market Street Massage, located at 141 N. Market St., Washington. She can be reached at 252-946-8989. â–
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Beaufort County heading toward a dementia-friendly future BY VAIL STEWART RUMLEY
It really is a grassroots effort to be more inclusive and involve aging people and their caregivers in the community as long as possible. — MARY ELLEN FOREMAN
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idant Beaufort Hospital is leading the way into a future where life is easier to navigate for those suffering from dementia and their caregivers. With the leadership of Vidant Beaufort Manager Mary Ellen Foreman, a dementia-friendly task force has been assembled, its membership drawn from the community, including representatives from doctors’ offices, businesses, hospice services and local government agencies. “North Carolina is actually encouraging communities to do this,” Foreman said. “The projected population of people 85 and older (in Beaufort County) is expected to increase between now and 2037 something like 90%.” Foreman recognized the need for more dementia-friendly environments, not only because of her own family experience with the disease, but in signs displayed by aging patients at the hospital. “I’m just noticing our aging population, seeing patients — we have a large population that has dementia,” Foreman said. “It can be scary in the hospital when you’re confused.” Drawing on the example set by Outer Banks Hospital, which in 2017 became the first dementia-friendly hospital in the state, she set about making changes to provide comfort to those suffering from dementia. The first part is education and awareness, followed by environmental change, she said. “When we did training at the hospital, there were so many people whose lives had been touched by this,” Foreman said.
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Training is provided by the Mid-East Commission Area Agency on Aging and covers how businesses and medical facilities can be more inclusive and keep those with dementia and their caregivers involved in the community. At the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, Vidant Internal Medicine and Vidant’s Rheumatology Department, 100% of the staff took part in the training, Foreman said. The goal is to remove the stigma associated with dementia; the first step is in considering pathways, signage and lighting that would make a place more accessible and easy to navigate for those with dementia. For the hospital, the environmental changes started with a simple sign: a purple seahorse placed on the doors of patients with dementia. The seahorse sign is symbolic in several ways: purple is the color nationally associated with Alzheimer’s, and the translation of the word seahorse is taken from the Latin hippocampus, which is also part of the brain responsible for memory. Placement of a seahorse sign on a door means staff is aware the patient may have
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special needs and can hange their approach accordingly. “You can see somebody in a wheel chair and see that they need help, but you can’t look at someone and see that they have dementia and may need help,” Foreman said. Vidant Beaufort used money raised by the hospital’s annual Lights of Love campaign to stock “dementia boxes” placed around the hospital, containing items known to bring comfort to those with dementia: busy blankets to hold and occupy hands, stuffed animals and dolls. There are quieter places for patients to wait; some employ music and activities, such as crossword puzzles, to do as they’re waiting to see a medical professional. Foreman is encouraging businesses and entities to take part in the training to help spread awareness and make the landscape an easier place for Beaufort County’s aging population to navigate and live comfortably. “It really is a grassroots effort to be more inclusive and involve aging people and their caregivers in the community as long as possible,” Foreman said. ■
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How to give back to seniors in your community
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he strongest communities tend to be those in which members make a concerted effort to give as much as they get. Giving back to one’s community can foster strong relationships with fellow residents and ensure that everyone, including the less fortunate, is in a position to live happy, healthy lives. Certain people in a community may be more vulnerable to issues that can adversely affect quality of life than others. For example, the National Institute on Aging notes that, as men and women age, many are alone more often than when they were younger, leaving them vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. Such feelings can prove very harmful to their health, potentially contributing to
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problems such as depression, cognitive decline and heart disease. Volunteering to help the aging members of one’s community is a great way to give back, and such efforts can prove rewarding for both seniors and the volunteers who lend them a hand. • Pull an extra chair up to the dinner table. Many a meaningful connection has been made and maintained over the dinner table. Breaking bread with a senior from your community is a great way to foster such connections and provide an avenue for social interaction for seniors. Seniors who live alone might not enjoy cooking for one each night, but they might jump at the chance to eat dinner with a neighbor and even help prepare the meal. Invite a senior over once per week, encouraging them to share stories about their lives as well as how the community has developed over the years. • Help seniors manage their finances. Many seniors
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struggle to manage their finances, as laws regarding taxes and investing are subject to routine changes. A little help in this area can go a long way for seniors. Adults who want to help but don’t know where to begin can do the legwork for their aging neighbors. Contact agencies such as AARP to determine if there are any financial assistance programs that can help seniors effectively manage their money and take advantage of age-specific perks, such as programs that may help seniors lower their energy costs. • Offer to help around the house. Seniors who reside in single-family homes may not be able to keep up with routine home maintenance. Neighbors who want to help can offer to mow the lawn, tend to the landscaping and tidy up inside. Keep an eye open for other issues, such as clogged gutters, that can be fixed easily but prove costly if they go ignored. Helping aging neighbors is a great way to give back and build strong communities. ■
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Physical activity decreases fall-injury risk
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TRAVIS ROGERSON
quick look at demographic trends shows a growing population of older adults in our society. In 2016, Americans aged 65 and older made up 13% of our population. This percentage has only grown since and is expected to increase to 19% over the next decade. That equates to more than 72-million individuals over 65 years of age by the year 2030. Due to this trend, much thought and preparation moving forward will be devoted to helping our aging population maintain functional ability and physical independence. Considering one in four individuals in this age range experience a fall each year, alarm bells should be ringing. The implications of a projected 18-million older adults with a fall incident each year by 2030 are substantial and will greatly affect our public health landscape. Recently, the American College of Sports Medicine published official pronouncements on a range of physical activity-related topics. One such pronouncement was “Physical Activity, Injurious Falls and Physical Function in Aging: An Umbrella Review.” In this review, the Aging Subcommittee of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, convened by an office of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, focused on the effects of physical activity on fall-related injuries and functional ability. Through an extensive analyzation of the most current and relevant systematic reviews and metaanalyses, the PAGAC identified evidence to support the many benefits of physical activity. The PAGAC examined the relationship between physical activity and risk of injury due to a fall. The evidence concludes that multicomponent physical activity significantly reduced the risk of fall-related injuries by 32% to 40%. Also, the risk of fall-related bone fractures decreased by 40% to 60%
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among older adults participating in multicomponent activity within their community or home settings. A multicomponent physical activity routine includes a combination of various activity types such as aerobic, muscular strengthening, balance and flexibility. Just as common diet recommendations revolve around a balanced selection of healthy choices, it comes as no surprise that a healthy activity profile includes a balanced mix of activity types. The more diverse the activity types are that you participate in, the better prepared you will be for the many movements daily life requires. The most convincing evidence discovered in the review relates to the greater benefits of multi-component activity in comparison to single-component activity. Furthermore, some research suggested the use of low-intensity walking as a primary activity type may not be sufficient to reduce the risk of fall-related injury or bone fracture in older age. While this does not mean that low-intensity walking is a poor activity choice, it is safe to say that walking should not be your only activity choice. Some programs, such as the Lifestyle-integrated functional exercise (LiFE) intervention, have been created to encourage incorporation of different activities during your daily tasks to help prevent falls. One example the LiFE program recommends to improve balance is by standing on one leg while you do such common chores as heating food in the microwave
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or brushing your teeth. Another is to put the heel of one foot directly in front of the toe of the other while standing for more balance work. These activities can be assisted by using support from the hands on the counter when needed. Others include bending your knees instead of your back to pull clothes out of drawers and using slightly less hand support on rails when climbing stairs to increase strength. Participants in the LiFE program significantly improved balance, strength and functional performance, according to the review. Falls are already the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related admissions to the hospital for older adults. Despite the overwhelming evidence that physical activity can greatly decrease fall risks and improve physical function capabilities, only 27% of older adults meet aerobic activity recommendations. If nothing else, try expanding the number of activities you participate in by at least one type. Dance. Cycle. Garden. Participate in sports. Turn part of your daily walk into a high knee march or side-stepping, if you can safely do so. The possibilities are endless. Increase your activity choices to decrease your fall-related injury chances! Travis Rogerson is an exercise programming supervisor at Vidant Wellness Center in Washington. He can be reached at 252-9754136. â–
stay active 1 in 2 women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis Take control of your bone health, talk to your provider about getting screened today.
252.946.2137 | easternrad.com
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MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORY
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GastroenteroloGy Vidant Gastroenterology-Washington 608 East 12th Street, Washington
252-946-1573
www.VidantHealth.com
Home HealtH & Hospice Breast surGery Vidant Breast Clinic - Washington 615 E. 12th Street, Washington, NC
252-946-0181
www.VidantHealth.com
cardioloGy Vidant Cardiology
608 E. 12th Street, Washington
252-758-3211
Vidant Home Health and Hospice 1211 Highland Drive, Washington
1-252-847-2000
www.VidantHealth.com
www.VidantHealth.com
Hospitals Vidant Beaufort Hospital-Washington
Family medicine Vidant Family Medicine–Aurora 151 3rd Street, Aurora
252-322-4021
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628 East 12th Street, Washington
252-975-4100
www.VidantHealth.com
internal medicine Vidant Internal Medicine-Washington 1380 Cowell Farm Road, Washington
Vidant Multispecialty Clinic - Belhaven & 24/7 Care
252-946-2101
www.VidantHealth.com
598 W. Old County Road, Belhaven
252-943-0600
www.VidantHealth.com/Belhaven
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Vidant Family Medicine–Chocowinity 740 Bragaw Lane, Chocowinity
252-946-9562
www.VidantHealth.com
Vidant Family Medicine– Washington 501 West 15th Street, Washington
252-975-2667
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Eastern Radiologists Washington 630 E. 11th Street, Washington, NC 27889 252-946-2137 easternrad.com Early morning and Saturday Appointments Available for X-ray and Mammography
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MaMMograPhy
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Eastern Radiologists Breast Imaging Center 2101 W. Arlington Blvd., Suite 100 Greenville, NC 27834 252-752-5000 easternrad.com M-F 8 am-5 pm, Tues. ‘til 7 pm, Sat. 8 am-4 pm Offering Hologic 3D Mammography ™, 3D™ Breast Biopsy, Breast Ultrasound and MRI All your Breast Imaging needs in one location Rivertrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Vidant Women’s Care-Washington
Joyful Healing. Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Offered 7 days a week. Specialized Wound Treatment. 250 Lovers Lane, Washington 252-975-1636
1204 Brown Street, Washington
252-974-9204 or 252-946-6544 www.VidantHealth.com Now scheduling 3D Mammography
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oNcology Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center 1209 Brown Street, Washington
252-975-4308
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orthoPedics Vidant Orthopedics-Washington 1207 Highland Drive, Washington
252-946-6513
Neurosurgery
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Vidant Neurosurgery - Greenville
Vidant Pain Management Center - Greenville
252-847-1550
1-866-910-5222
2325 Stantonsburg Road, Greenville, NC
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2010-A W. Arlington Blvd., Greenville
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Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy
Vidant Rheumatology-Washington
252-946-4113
252-948-4990
www.tayloeshospitalpharmacy.com
628 East 12th Street, Washington
608 E. 12th Street, Washington
252-974-7500
www.VidantHealth.com
sUrgery
PUlmonology Vidant Pulmonology
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rheUmatology
Pharmacy 601 E. 12th Street, Washington
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Vidant General Surgery-Washington 615 E. 12th Street, Washington
252-946-0181
www.VidantHealth.com
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Urology radiology
Vidant Urology-Washington 1202 Brown Street, Washington
252-946-0136
www.VidantHealth.com
Wellness/Fitness Eastern Radiologists Washington 630 E. 11th Street, Washington, NC 27889 252-946-2137 easternrad.com Early morning and Sat. Appointments Available
Eastern Radiologists Greenville MRI 2101 W. Arlington Blvd., Suite 110 Greenville, NC 27834 252-752-5000 easternrad.com M-F 7 am - 9 pm S/S 8 am - 8 pm
Eastern Radiologists Interventional Radiology 2101 W. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27834 252-754-5253 easternrad.com M-F 7:45 am - 4 pm
Vidant Wellness Center
1375 Cowell Farm Road, Washington
252-975-4236
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Women’s care Vidant Women’s Care-Washington Gynecology and Primary Care
1204 Brown Street, Washington
252-946-6544
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Vidant Women’s Care-Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology
1210 Brown Street, Washington
252-975-1188
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Being well is for everyone And we bring it to you
Being a true system of care means more than simply providing health care services. It means bringing better health and wellness directly to you. At Vidant Beaufort Hospital our goal isn’t just to treat disease, but to prevent it in the first place. From community health-fairs and cancer detection screenings to health education and support groups we’re making community wellness our commitment to you. With specialty services like gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics, outpatient rehabilitation and urology we have the experts to care for you, right here, close to home. Call toll free 855-MYVIDANT (855-698-4326) to make an appointment. VidantHealth.com