Adena News and Press Releases

Adena Health System today hosted a live, international surgery simulcast to Germany and sites across the United States. Dr. Brian S. Cohen, an Adena orthopaedic surgeon and chair of Adena Bone and Joint, performed the surgery where he installed a state-of-the-art reverse shoulder implant in a 72-year old patient.  Dr. Cohen is the first surgeon in the U.S. to implant the Arthrex Reverse Universe device into a patient since the implant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 31, 2013.

Dr. Cohen, a respected orthopaedic surgeon, also teaches surgical orthopaedic techniques to other physicians. In addition, he contributed to the actual design of the new implant. “When I first saw the Arthrex Reverse Universe about five years ago, there were certain things that I felt – from doing the procedure – that were missing from the implant which were essential,” said Dr. Cohen. “Some of those changes have been implemented.”

The new device is more cost effective, and uses technology not previously available in reverse shoulder implants. This technology is expected to provide a better, longer lasting bond over time. Of his contributions, Dr. Cohen added, “It is nice when people take stock in what you believe is important in helping your patients have a successful outcome, and then to implement them into a prosthesis.”

Reverse shoulder implant surgery is intended to replace the ball and socket of the rotator cuff, giving the patient better range of motion. Following reverse shoulder implant surgery, the part of the human shoulder which once held the socket now holds the ball and vice versa. By reversing the components of the shoulder, the patient’s mobility is greatly improved and most often leads to a better quality of life after surgery.

The patient suffered a torn rotator cuff injury several years ago and had an extensive course of traditional treatments for pain and mobility. Over time, the tear evolved to the point it had become debilitating and impacted his quality of life. Reverse shoulder implant surgery is often necessary when a patient suffers a rotator cuff injury or joint degeneration.

Learn more about Adena Bone and Joint.

When you or a loved one are faced with an emergent or elective surgery, it can be a scary time and you likely have many questions. We live in an age where we can find information about nearly anything, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to look or what to ask. While Google or WebMD offer information on many topics, your health care provider and the team of medical professionals in your physician’s office know you best, and should be your primary source when questions arise.

I have been a registered nurse at Adena Health System for nine years, and currently serve as the patient navigator for patients undergoing total joint replacement at Adena Bone and Joint.  Patient navigators are becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare industry and are helping to improve medical outcomes, patient satisfaction and reduce missed appointments. Two years ago, Adena Health System realized the benefit of “navigation” to patients and started the patient navigator program.

As a total joint replacement patient navigator my role is to help patients “navigate” through the healthcare system from the time they decide to have surgery, until after they are no longer under the care of the surgeon. When Dr. Eric Schiffman explains the role of the navigator to our patients, he says the patient navigator is their “lifeline” throughout the joint replacement journey. This is so true in the sense that the navigator guides the patient through every step of the surgical and rehabilitative process.

Seeing the benefit of navigation for patients through the joint replacement process, and in areas of family practice, Adena has recently added navigators to physician practices throughout the Health System. Navigators are assisting patients with the questions that come up related to their treatment plan, helping patients manage chronic diseases like diabetes, and preparing them for testing or upcoming surgeries.

Adena embraces and encourages best practices when it comes to patient-centered care. We have a team of close-to-home experts to help answer your health-related questions and will guide you through the process of achieving or maintaining better health.

If you have a question about Total Joint Replacement or would like to make an appointment, call Adena Bone and Joint at (740) 779-4598. For more information on Adena Bone and Joint, please visit our webpage.

- Michelle Hendershot, RN, BSN

Adena Health System has changed hospital billing statements to give patients itemized detail of charges for services. Recognizing the statements have been a common source of frustration for our patients, the new bills are being utilized immediately.

“This is what our patients have been asking for,” said Adena President and CEO Mark Shuter. “With itemized billing, we expect more accurate billing all of the time. In addition, patients can now see exactly for what they are being charged.”

Previously, Adena statements simply showed the total amount due and listed payment options such as cash, check or credit card. With the former statement, recipients often had questions about their charges.

The new bill offers an itemized summary list of charges, includes dates of service, and the total charge for the visit or hospital stay. Adena anticipates with the itemized statement, patients will have fewer billing questions and will be more likely to make prompt payment, resulting in fewer accounts going to collections.

The online registration deadline for the 2012 Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has been extended to Sunday, June 9.  Teams have until midnight to register.

The tournament, hosted by Adena Sports Medicine, will be held June 22 and 23 on the campus of Ohio University – Chillicothe. There will be licensed officials on all courts and participation is open to everyone six years and older, with divisions for experienced players as well as the new Mini Macker division for players as young as six years old.    

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Adena Health Foundation’s Sports Medicine Fund.  The Fund benefits area schools and communities in the purchase of medical equipment used to treat sports injuries, scholarships to academically high-achieving high school senior athletes in the region, and other outreach activities.

To register a team for the Gus Macker 2012 tournament, visit www.macker.com.

Organizers also welcome volunteers and Gusbusters to assist with this year’s tournament. If you would like to participate, call (740) 253-5863, email gusmacker@adena.org or register online.

Now that spring has arrived and we are heading into summer, patients and visitors can look forward to a more pleasant experience at the Adena Cancer Center, as work is moving forward on the Healing Garden.  The garden has always been a planned part of the center grounds, and after much effort, construction and landscaping are underway.

“It is very exciting to finally move forward with the Healing Garden,” commented Jeff Webb, construction manager.  Several considerations had to be taken into account for the safety, convenience and pleasure of the patients.  While a gravel walk way at first seemed appealing, to accommodate the safety of wheelchairs, a flat concrete path has been included.  Also, there have to be some limitations in the plantings, as certain fragrances or odors from plants may affect patients. 

Healing Gardens have recently shown great promise in patient experience and even improved patient outcomes for those with chronic illness.  Upon learning of the benefit of peaceful, natural surroundings to patients, Adena has made the Healing Garden at the Cancer Center a priority.  The one-third acre plot of land adjacent to the center will provide serene views of colorful flowers and plants and the surrounding hillside.  Patients seated inside, even those seated at infusion stations can enjoy the beautiful, calming view, or they may choose to stroll outside and enjoy the natural setting.

The work will be completed in two phases. The first phase is under way and includes the addition of concrete pathways and the installation of a few pergola structures for shade and landscaping. The second phase will involve the completion of the landscaping.

The Healing Garden is made possible in part through the generous discounted or in-kind donations of area contractor and landscapers, material suppliers and design professionals, including:

• Coppel Coal
• Detillion Landscaping
• Eastern Avenue Lumber
• Hanson Aggregates & Concrete
• Gary Gillum Construction
• Melvin Stone
• MKSK Landscape Architects
• Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center
• Pritchard Land Surveying

Additionally, proceeds from this year’s plant sale, sponsored by the Women’s Board of Adena Regional Medical Center will help fund the garden.

“It’s been a nice project,” commented Webb. “Nothing too complicated with it.”  And that lack of complication and simple nature is what patients can enjoy while undergoing their treatment and recovery at Adena Cancer Center.

Learn more about cancer care at Adena.

Kevin M. Murphy has joined Adena Health System as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He has more than 22 years of experience as a CFO in the health care industry.

Murphy most recently served as Senior Vice President & CFO for Hurley Medical Center, located in Flint, MI. There he led efforts to affect financial turnaround, yielding positive operating margins following five proceeding years of loss. Murphy also served as Vice President of Finance/CFO for the Middletown Regional Health System, located in Middletown, OH. He represented the hospital in negotiations with Premier Health Partners, resulting in a joint-operating agreement that provided Middletown with an $80 million equity infusion. Murphy was also the responsible executive overseeing the development of the health system’s 2007 Atrium Medical Center development project.

“Kevin brings a strong background in health care financial management to Adena,” said Adena President and CEO Mark Shuter. “I’m confident he has the expertise to assist Adena in financially navigating today’s changing health care climate, while offering the maximum potential for future success.”

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Anselm College (Manchester, NH); a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Business Administration from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife plan to make their home in Chillicothe.

Two local athlete/scholars have been named Adena Sports Medicine’s male and female Athletes of the Year, for the 2012-13 school year. This was the inaugural year for the program, designed to honor senior male and female high school athletes in our region. Each winner will receive a $2,000 Adena Athlete of the Year scholarship, and their respective schools will each receive $500 toward their athletic program.

	Wes Beam, a senior at Zane Trace High School, was named male Athlete of the Year. He maintained a 3.993 GPA while participating in three varsity sports, serving his school, church, and community and working part-time. As one of Wes’ references stated, “He is one of the most respectful, honest, and genuine students I have ever worked with.”
	Hannah Spohn, a senior at Oak Hill High School, was named female Athlete of the Year.  Hannah maintained a 4.0 GPA during her high school career, playing three varsity sports, serving her community and working part-time. One of Hannah’s references said, “Hannah is always willing to give her time unselfishly to help others. She has a genuine concern for the well-being of people.”

Local high school senior athletes are eligible for the Athlete of the Year contest by being voted Adena Sports Medicine’s Athlete of the Month (AOM). The contest runs from October through May, and senior athletes are nominated by their athletic directors and coaches. The contest is open to seniors who demonstrate outstanding grades, athletic skill, leadership qualities and a proven dedication to their community. The AOM is selected based on votes cast on Adena’s Facebook page. A committee of local athletic trainers, physical therapists and a sports medicine physician selected the monthly finalists. The Committee also evaluated the criteria of each month’s male and female winners and selected the Athletes of the Year.

Adena Sports Medicine provides a variety of services to the youth of our region including: safety training for coaches by local athletic trainers and therapists; pre-season sports physicals; and athletic training to area high schools to help prevent injuries, keep athletes safe and ensure maximum recovery should an injury occur.

For more information about the Athlete of the Year program, visit www.adena.org/athlete.

Heather Braden, RN was recently awarded Adena Health System’s first-ever DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing, for her care of pediatric patients. A nurse for six years, Braden works at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe in the Women and Children’s Unit. She was among 11 Adena nurses nominated for the award.

The DAISY Award was created by the family of Patrick Barnes, a 34-year old man whose family was overwhelmed by the level of compassion and care his nurses provided during his 8-week hospitalization for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which ultimately took his life. To honor the nurses who cared for Patrick, his family founded DAISY an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, and created the award as a way to thank nurses around the country who go the extra mile. This is the first year Adena has presented the DAISY Award.

Heather was nominated by her manager, Sarah Fallow, RN. “Heather saw that our pediatric patients were struggling with food and what they wanted to eat,” said Fallow. “She worked with Dietary to create a kid-friendly menu that the patients could use to choose any meal. This allowed sick children to eat what sounds good to them. She is frequently mentioned in patient satisfaction surveys as the ‘extra something’ that makes her patients’ stay special.”

Heather has worked at Adena for two years. “I did not expect this at all,” she said. “I have awesome co-workers, awesome managers and definitely couldn’t have done it without them. It’s what I love to do. I love kids. I love nursing and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Receiving the award won’t change anything for Heather. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and providing for my patients, giving them what they need. And if they need anything else, I’m going to push for that too.”

Jeyanthi Ramanarayanan, MD, a board-certified Oncologist/Hematologist has joined the staff of the Adena Cancer Center. Dr. Ramanarayanan specializes in the treatment of many types of cancers, blood disorders and soft tissue tumors. With a research background and experience, she has a specific interest in treating cancers of the breast and lymphoma.

Dr. Ramanarayanan elected to specialize in Oncology during her residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New Jersey. “I was fascinated by innovative curative therapies emerging in the field of oncology for leukemia,” she said. “Training in the field of oncology has enabled me to practice evidence-based medicine and make a meaningful difference in caring for cancer patients.” Dr. Ramanarayanan also cites the importance of offering compassionate care for patients during their course of illness and treatment as being extremely gratifying for her.

Dr. Ramanarayanan attended medical school in India, and performed her internship and residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Jersey City, NJ. She completed a Clinical Fellowship in Hematology at the University of Buffalo’s Erie County Medical Center, and performed a Clinical Fellowship in Oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.  Dr. Ramanarayanan is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology.

Excited to be at Adena, Dr. Ramanarayanan moved to southern Ohio to be closer to her family.

Learn more about Cancer Care at Adena.