Peony Pincher

WITH KRISTA EHRET

Ok, here’s the thing. Everyone has their own opinion on the whole organic food debate. Some think it’s a sham for food companies to get more money; others find it essential for everything in their kitchen to be organic. So I can’t clear up any misconceptions or doubts you may have about the system. I’m so far from an agricultural expert, but I may help motivate and guide you in your organic journey. Here are a few facts about organic produce:

The “USDA Certified Organic” label is mandated, unlike many of our food labels. If it has that seal, it has grown ingredients according to the standard set in place. Such as soil quality, pesticide use, additives, and animal raising practices. *

Humans weren’t meant to ingest toxic pesticides. Yes, maybe we shall evolve into chemical-dissolving machines, but such is not the case currently. The problem is, many of our crops are laden with pesticides, which are absorbed through the skin of the fruit or veggie. So, when we’re washing our apples to “clean them,” there goes Round-Up® into our systems. Yes, wind can carry pesticides from one farm to another. So, if there is an organic crop near a non-organic crop, those foods could become compromised.

Organic farms often do still use pesticides to protect their crops from natural predators. The difference is organic farmers are required to “use biological or botanical pesticides such as neem- and citrus-based materials, and synthetic materials included on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.” *** These laws do vary from state to state.

“Organic” does not equal “healthy.” You still need to look at the ingredients. USDA Organic produce cannot be Genetically Modified Organic. GMO foods are a whole topic in and of themselves, but at this point, I steer clear of them.

Now that we’ve cleared up a few things, back to the show. Every year, the Environmental Working Group lists the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15”. The Dirty Dozen is a list of the produce with the most pesticides, and the Clean 15 have the least amounts of pesticides.

These lists are extremely helpful for those of us who want to eat as clean as possible but can’t afford to buy everything organic.

DIRTY DOZEN IN 2021

1. Strawberries 2. Spinach 3. Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens 4. Nectarines 5. Apples 6. Grapes 7. Cherries 8. Peaches 9. Pears 10. Bell & Hot Peppers 11. Celery 12. Tomatoes Notice a trend here? The majority of them have soft skin, perfect for nibbling and perfect for absorbing those pesticides. If you can only buy certain produce organic or local, start with these.

CLEAN 15 IN 2021

1. Avocados 2. Sweet Corn (still buy organic if trying to avoid GMO) 3. Pineapple 4. Onions 5. Papaya 6. Sweet Peas (frozen) 7. Eggplant 8. Asparagus 9. Broccoli 10. Cabbage 11. Kiwi 12. Cauliflower 13. Mushrooms 14. Honeydew Melon 15. Cantaloupe

So, one last bit of knowledge to lay on you. When thinking about reducing your toxic load, you also have to consider the products that stem from these crops; strawberry jams, applesauce, tomato sauces, ketchup, raisins. I buy all of these organic. I can make this sacrifice financially because it gives me peace of mind, especially since half of these things are going into the kids more than myself. Making good decisions starts with educating.

KRISTA EHRET peonypincher.com From intimate dinner parties to huge annual events, Krista believes we can always find an excuse to celebrate. With a background in interior and event design, she loves bringing people together in a beautiful and welcoming environment.

(615) 716-9388 | 2001 Mallory Lane, Suite 105 | Franklin, TN 37067 | coolspringssurgicalassociates.com

Both doctors are board-certified ophthalmologists and have over forty-five years of combined ocular and surgical experience. With the use of cutting-edge technology and years of experience, Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert aim to serve Williamson County and its surrounding areas by providing top-notch care when it comes to your eye health.

Dr. Porter has performed over 25,000 cataract surgeries and thousands of LASIK procedures Lasik procedures, along with giving his time to provide eye exams and surgeries for patients who are unable to afford eye care. Dr. Weikert has also performed 25,000+ cataract surgeries and has just recently returned to the private sector after many years with Vanderbilt. He is returning to being the Team Ophthalmologist for the Tennessee Titans for the 21st year and has just completed being Team Ophthalmologist for the Nashville Predators.

In addition to Cataract Surgery, he specializes in patients with glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and caring for the general health of the eye. Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert take pride in their work and believe in helping their patients achieve optimal ocular health.

Oftentimes, patients think that a vision test is suitable for an eye exam, but research shows that it is not enough. Patients need to have a routine eye exam so doctors can evaluate the eyes and help prevent life-altering diseases such as glaucoma that can cause blindness. Our eyes allow us to watch our kids and grandchildren grow up, and our eyes give us the freedom to be independent humans and see the world for all that it has to offer.

Whether you need Cataract or Lasik correction, have diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert’s goal is to improve ocular outcomes while providing a warm and friendly environment for patients.

Williamson Medical Center (WMC) has been a cornerstone of the community for more than sixty years since opening in 1958. They have always existed to meet the health care needs of the communities they serve. The vision for Williamson Medical Center was, and still is, to be the preferred provider of healthcare services to the residents of Williamson County, and the acute care center of excellence for the surrounding region.

Today, the hospital is a nationally recognized regional medical center offering an array of specialized services with the ability to treat and heal the most complex medical conditions. The 260,000 square foot, 203bed hospital’s expansive medical campus also includes, among other things: • 22 state-of-the-art operating rooms; • The Tuner-Dugas Breast Health Center; • An award-winning Obstetrics and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); • Comprehensive emergency services for both adult and pediatric patients; • A limited-stay children’s unit; • Outpatient imaging services and; • An orthopaedic center of excellence at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee.

The hospital’s medical providers consist of more than 825 highly skilled board-certified physicians who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to our region, supported by a staff of over 1,900 employees, making us one of the largest employers in Williamson County.

The number of patients treated annually include: • Surgical Cases – 13,000+ • ER Visits (Adult and Pediatric) – 48,500+ • Patients Treated – 159,000+

PATIENT SERVICES PROVIDED Williamson Medical Center offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, 24-hour emergency care, preventive health screenings and services offered by than 825 providers representing over 70 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Our campus also houses Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center and the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee.

Williamson Medical Center is a leading provider of surgical services in the region. With over fifteen years as a leader in minimally invasive robotic surgery, we are proud to offer patients advanced, minimally invasive procedures to treat even the most complex conditions. Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform many types of procedures with more precision, flexibility and control compared to traditional technique and allowing for less pain and a quicker recovery for patients. Williamson Medical offers robotic-assisted procedures in the following specialties: • General Surgery • Gynecology • Gynecology Oncology • Urology • Urology/Gynecology

With their highly trained nurses, boardcertified cardiologists, state-of-the-art technology, and gold-standard procedures, our cardiology center has the ability to quickly diagnose the cause of your condition and provide the best treatment possible. Their state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab within their emergency department and Chest Pain Center ensures those suffering a heart attack have the best chance for survival, and fewer post-heart attack risks.The Emergency Services are supported by the most advanced diagnostics and acute medical care, including interventional cardiology, so you do not have to worry about being transferred to another hospital further from home. They also offer a 12-week cardiac rehab program to help cardiac patients learn to live and continue to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

WMC EMS employs more than 140 paramedics, EMTs and support personnel and operates 16 advanced life support ambulances. WMC EMS has been providing emergency medical services and related aid through a comprehensive county EMS systems approach since 1972. Williamson Medical Center EMS is now a four-time recipient of the annual “Star of Life” award for Tennessee EMS Region Five, is a multi-year recipient of the American Heart Association: Mission Lifeline recognition, and was most recently named the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association 2020 ALS Service of the Year.

WHAT MAKES WMC DIFFERENT? A dedication to personalized, timely and informative care, along with a continued commitment to quality is what sets them apart. Williamson Medical Center has a reputation for compassionate care with a personal touch. Physicians, nurses and staff at the hospital work seamlessly to ensure patients receive exceptional care in a welcoming environment where patients are supported and treated like family. Specialized staff such as Breast Health Navigators and Hospitalists further support our patients with warmth and consistency throughout treatment and recovery. The hospital is often the first in the area to obtain the latest in new technologies supporting advanced care close to home. A few of these investments include: • Genius 3D Mammography • Upright stereotactic biopsy equipment • Lab Ortho Vision • State-of-the-art Laboratory Services Technologies such as Bactec Blood Culture Instrumentation and Vein Viewer • MAKO Robotic Surgery • Da Vinci® X and Xi Surgical Systems • 3.0 Tesla wide bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system Williamson Medical Center also remains grounded to its roots with a commitment to the communities they serve. This commitment is exemplified in a variety of ways including: • Operating EMS services for the county, provide coverage at all county high school home football games and emergency medical training for Fire & Rescue first responders. • Supplying dedicated athletic trainers and physicians for each of the Williamson County high school athletic programs. • Providing instructors for two Williamson County schools who teach first responder courses to high school students. • Our dedication to countless hours of community health education. • Employing the physician and nurse practitioner at the Franklin and Fairview health departments. • Providing 200+ free mammograms for an underserved population of women.

The medical staff has grown to more than 825 highly skilled, board-certified physicians who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to our region, supported by a staff of approximately 1,900 employees. Those individuals not only provide medical care to our community, but they live here, shop and do business in the community and are raising their families right here as well. Their mission and vision have flourished in large part because of the support received from health professionals who appreciate the significance of having quality healthcare services accessible and close to home.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES The hospital is nationally and state recognized—ranking in the top ten percent of hospitals nationwide for patient safety in Spinal Fusion and Major Orthopaedic Surgery and for Medical Excellence in Heart Attack Treatment and Major Orthopaedic Surgery. Williamson Medical is also ranked #1 in the market for Medical Excellence in Heart Attack Treatment and is listed among the best hospitals in the Women’s Choice Awards for Breast Center, Obstetrics, Heart Care and Patient Safety. The awards place their Obstetrics in the top 17% of nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals offering those services, and place the Breast Centers, Heart Care and Patient Safety in the top 8%.

Specifically, most recent awards include (please look at their website for the most current list of awards –some of the below are outdated): • Recognized among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation, region and state in Patient Safety and Medical Excellence in Major Orthopaedic Surgery and top 100 in the nation for Patient Safety for Spinal Fusion for 2020 by CareChex® • Recognized as #1 in the market for Medical Excellence in Heart Attack Treatment for 2020 by CareChex® • Recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics, Breast Centers, Heart Care and Patient Safety by the Women’s Choice Award®, placing the regional health system among the top U.S. hospitals in the categories awarded. • Tennessee Department of Health BEST for Babies Award. • Williamson Medical Center EMS Awards • A four-time recipient of the annual “Star of Life” award for Tennessee EMS Region Five recognizing exceptional front-line care. • A multi-year recipient of the American Heart Association: Mission Lifeline recognition. • Named the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association 2020 ALS Service of the Year Accreditations: • Williamson Medical Center’s dedication to quality and standards of excellence has earned the hospital full accreditation by The Joint Commission.

Additional accreditations include: • The Patient Blood Management Certification from The Joint Commission and AABB based on AABB Standards for a Patient Blood Management Program to help hospitals establish a comprehensive patient blood management program (one of four hospitals in the nation to achieve this status). • Medical Center’s Laboratory by the College of American Pathologists. • Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. • Mammography by the American College of Radiology. • Breast Health Center by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. • Diabetes education by the American Diabetes Association. • The Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). • WMC EMS is the first and only 911 ground EMS provider in Tennessee and one of six systems across the country authorized to carry and administer pre-hospital blood products.

4321 CAROTHERS PARKWAY FRANKLIN, TN | 37067 GENERAL: 615.435.5000 WILLIAMSONMEDICALCENTER.ORG WITH WILLIAMSON MEDICAL CENTER

From the Field to Everyday Life, Sports Medicine Providers ARE HERE FOR YOU

Sports medicine is a broad field, and there’s often confusion about what injuries and treatments are available to patients or when you should visit a sports medicine specialist. Contrary to popular belief, sports medicine specialists don’t exclusively treat high school, college or professional athletes. From weekend warriors to marathoners, all active individuals can benefit from sports medicine specialists to treat injuries and keep them moving throughout their lives.

At Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, sports medicine is a comprehensive discipline that ranges from evaluating athletes on the sidelines to treating chronic conditions all year long. In partnership with Williamson Medical Center, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee is the official sports medicine provider for Williamson County Schools.

“You’ll often find our Bone and Joint Institute team on the sidelines of local athletic events,” said Scott Arthur, M.D., sports medicine specialist at Bone and Joint Institute. “We have an athletic training program that serves our county, and our physicians also provide services to a few private high schools in the area.” For athletic injuries and everyday ailments alike, sometimes surgery is the best route to helping patients get back to doing what they love. Most sports medicine surgeries are arthroscopic, a minimally invasive procedure used to treat injuries and common ailments such as torn rotator cuffs or ligament damage.

To continue each patient’s path to recovery, Bone and Joint Institute also houses a rehabilitation services department that provides physical and occupational therapy for acute injuries, chronic conditions and post-operative care. With offices in Franklin, Nolensville and Thompson’s Station (Tollgate), community members can find a clinic close to home. Throughout the entire injury process, therapists and physicians communicate and collaborate to offer patients comprehensive, personalized care.

Rehabilitation Services treats patients ranging from young kids all the way through adulthood, creating a fun, dynamic environment for patients of all ages to heal.

“Sometimes your hardest workers could be your elderly patients, and their effort motivates young kids,” said Dave Kempfert, Director of Rehabilitation Services. “Patients seeing other patients’ progress is inspiring,” Kempfert says, and helps patients develop a positive point of view. “Sometimes patients with similar injuries will come in—whether for a total knee replacement or ligament reconstruction—and one patient will look across and see the other and ask, ‘What did you have done? You look like you are doing great.’ And the other patient will say, ‘I was you four weeks ago.’”

Growth is a priority at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, with clinics now open in Thompson’s Station and Nolensville in addition to its flagship location right off

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of I-65 in Franklin. Each clinic contains an orthopaedic urgent care and physical therapy space staffed by experienced mid-level providers and therapists often living in the communities they serve.

Orthopaedic urgent care clinics are open extended hours to accommodate injuries that occur outside of regular business hours. At both orthopaedic urgent care locations, patients are able to walk in, schedule an appointment online, or call for a same-day appointment. Bone and Joint Institute also offers an After-Hours Injury clinic at their Franklin location for life’s unexpected injuries, open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“As part of our strategic plan, our goal is to serve the communities where our patients work and live through orthopaedic urgent care and physical therapy clinics,” said Darren Harris, CEO. “We will continue to expand that business model with centers that feature expanded hours and physician extenders. We’re always looking to add new providers and services to Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee so that patients can get their care all in one place. As we move forward, we always keep in mind the mission of Bone and Joint Institute: improve the lives we serve through patient-centered, orthopaedic care.”

For more information, contact Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee at 615.791.2630 or visit their website at BoneAndJointTN.org.

August 6–14, 2021

lliamsoncountyfair.org

BENEFITTING FRANKLIN NOON ROTARY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

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SPECIALTY ICE CREAM CIGARS SONGWRITER PRESENTATION

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CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT VINTAGE CAR SHOW KIDS ZONE FOOD VENDORS DEMONSTRATION STAGE CRAFT VENDORS MARKET

New Permanent BLOOD PROGRAM

Williamson Medical Center (WMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has been permanently authorized by the Tennessee Department of Health EMS Board to carry and administer pre-hospital blood products. WMC EMS is one of six systems across the country and the first and only 911 ground EMS provider in Tennessee authorized to carry and administer pre-hospital blood products. The permanent authorization follows the completion of a successful two-year blood products administration trial.

“This program is representative of Williamson Medical Center’s commitment to innovative investments supporting best-in-class quality care for the community we serve,” said Phil Mazzuca, Williamson Medical Center CEO. “We are proud of our exceptional EMS team their work to continually set the bar for emergency care in Tennessee.” The operation of the program requires a stand-alone emergency vehicle equipped with a military-rated blood storage cooler to support emergency responders treating patients in urgent need of blood. A detailed quality control system including daily protocols ensures blood is stored properly and utilized before it expires.

The WMC EMS team participated in training for the program with three levels of licensure completed for advanced EMTs, paramedics and critical care paramedics who are approved to safely administer blood and are re-credentialed every six months. In addition, the WMC EMS team conducted outreach education about the program for the countywide emergency system to drive awareness of the program and availability of blood for critical need.

Blood utilized by the WMC EMS team comes

from Blood Assurance, the blood bank serving the Williamson County community. Local blood donations made through Blood Assurance remain in the community to serve local patients.

As the Williamson County primary 911 emergency medical provider, WMC EMS employs more than 170 paramedics, EMTs and support personnel and operates 16 advanced life support ambulances. WMC EMS has been providing emergency medical services and related aid through a comprehensive county EMS systems approach since 1972.

For more information about Williamson Medical Center comprehensive emergency services, visit williamsonmedicalcenter.org/ medical-services/emergency-services/.

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A Dietitian's Guide to a HEALTHY HEART

When setting out on a new diet regimen, many people focus on what it will mean for them on the scale. However, what you eat can have a bigger impact on more than just your waistline. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease in the United States is the leading cause of death for both men and women. A balanced diet can help prevent and reverse the effects of the disease. Registered Dietitian, Lisa Mathews, M.S. R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E., with Williamson Medical Center, shares her expert knowledge on the leading causes of heart disease, foods to avoid and the best diets for a heart-healthy life.

According to Mathews, there are two key areas to watch when focusing on your heart health. “I tell my patients that to keep their heart in check they want to make sure they are watching their sodium and their saturated fat intake,” said Mathews. “A diet rich in saturated fat and high in sodium can cause elevated blood pressure as well as high cholesterol, both of which can lead to the risk of developing heart disease.” If you’re concerned about your heart health or if heart disease runs in your family, Mathews says one of the most important things you can do is make your diet a priority by watching what you eat.

“You want to make sure you’re eating foods as close to nature as possible—that means limiting processed and prepackaged foods,” she said. “You also want to avoid the consumption of trans fats. If you see the word ‘hydrogenated’ on the ingredient label, that means hydrogen was added to a liquid oil to make it solid. Consuming these fats increases your LDL (bad) cholesterol, decreases your HDL (good) cholesterol, and increases your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.”

Mathews goes on to share that people should be wary of items that tout their products as ‘heart healthy’ and reminds you to read the label. “To be able to make certain claims, food companies have to follow established guidelines to prevent false advertising. However, even if the label says ‘healthy’ or ‘high fiber,’ it still doesn’t mean that it’s the best for you,” she explained. “Take chips, for example,” she said. “The bag might say that it’s made with flax seeds or it is multi-grain, but when you read the label on the back, it’s the exact same nutritional value as a regular chip. You have to be a savvy shopper, and that means being aware that a whole-grain label doesn’t always equate to healthy.”

Knowing what to avoid is half the challenge though, you also need to know what foods will help you reach your heart-healthy goals.

“The best types of heart-healthy diets are going to consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables loaded with antioxidants, lean meats and fish, healthy fats, and whole grains,” she said.

LISA MATHEWS M.S., R.D.N, L.D.N., C.D.E. Lisa is an outpatient nutrition education coordinator with Williamson Medical Center. She is also a certified fitness trainer and speaks in the community about health and wellness. You can reach her office at 615.435.5580.

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Williamson Medical Center Named Among THE BEST MATERNITY HOSPITALS

Williamson Medical Center (WMC) has been named to Newsweek’s 2021 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have provided excellent care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey.

WMC was one of only four Tennessee hospitals to receive the distinction. Nationally, only 217 hospitals across 36 states were designated as 2021 Best Maternity Hospitals.

“To be included among this elite group of hospitals is an honor that underscores both our commitment to our patients and their families as well as our commitment to safety,” said Phil Mazzuca, Williamson Medical Center CEO. “We are proud of our OB, NICU, and maternity departments and the level of care they routinely provide to our patients.”

Newsweek’s 2021 Best Maternity Hospitals list is powered by data gathered by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that reports on the safety and quality performance of U.S. health care facilities. Hospitals named to the list must meet Leapfrog’s exacting standards for excellence in maternity care, which include: • Low rates of C-section, episiotomy and early elective deliveries; • Performing newborn bilirubin screenings; • Practicing blood clot prevention protocols for mothers who deliver via

C-section; and • Demonstrating a commitment to safety through the fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital

Safety Grade.

For additional information on WMC’s awardwinning obstetric and maternity services, visit williamsonmedicalcenter.org/OB.

“To be included among this elite group of hospitals is an honor that underscores both our commitment to our patients and their families as well as our commitment to safety,”