Adena News and Press Releases

(image) When making a health care decision for yourself or your family, quality of care and peace of mind are important factors. Choosing where to receive that care also plays a big role in the decision that goes into the care you or your loved one will receive. Knowing that your hospital provides patient-centered care, with demonstrated success can give you the confidence you need.

Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Chillicothe has recently been recognized as a Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission in the areas of Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement and in the area of Perinatal Care. Having met The Joint Commission’s stringent quality standards for its Gold Seal of Approval® in each area, ARMC is a close-to home option for that peace of mind, and can provide comfort that the health care decisions you are making are the right ones.

Perinatal Care Certification

“Adena is committed to delivering excellent care to those living in our communities,” said Dr. Richard Villarreal, medical director, Adena Women and Children’s division. “As one of just four facilities in Ohio to receive this certification, we continually demonstrate our commitment to quality, and in delivering the best outcomes for our patients.”

Perinatal Care Certification recognizes the efforts of ARMC’s Women and Children’s program to achieve integrated, coordinated, patient-centered care for clinically uncomplicated pregnancies and births. The certification uses standards, guidelines and The Joint Commission’s perinatal care core performance measures to manage and monitor the aspects of perinatal care that are critical to improve and maintain the health of newborns and their mothers. The achievement is the result of ARMC’s continued compliance within its performance standards, and is a symbol of the quality reflected in a health care organization’s commitment to provide safe and quality care for newborns and their mothers.

Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification

Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification, in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, focuses on the entire patient experience, as related to total hip and knee replacement. This includes the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation, intraoperative treatment, post-surgery hospitalization, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visits with the orthopedic surgeon. In each of these areas, ARMC has met the Joint Commission’s compliance standards, including fully integrated multidisciplinary collaborations, streamlined clinical pathways, patient optimization through shared decision-making and accelerated patient care through best practice approaches.

“Achieving this level of certification places Adena Regional Medical Center among only five other hospitals in Ohio, while being the only one in the central and south central region,” said Dr. Brian Cohen, Orthopedic Surgeon and medical director, Adena Bone and Joint Center. “As an advanced certified program, patients can expect the highest level of care and quality, and have an active role in their care. We are producing better outcomes and faster recoveries getting patients on their feet and home faster.”   

For more information about Adena’s Centers of Excellence visit www.adena.org. To schedule an appointment, call Adena Women and Children’s Center at 740-779-7201 and the Adena Bone and Joint Center at 740-779-4598. 

Adena Cancer Center is one of 10 oncology practices in the nation to receive Improving the Delivery of Cancer Care in Medically Underserved Communities Grant Program funds from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The three-year grant, provided by ASCO’s Foundation, will support training and participation.

“This will enable Adena Cancer Center’s operations to significantly enhance clinical outcomes and quality of care over the course of the grant period,” said Alex Wilson, M.D. Adena Cancer Center Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist. “Being part of a select group of oncology programs selected by the ASCO will provide us with opportunities to network with like facilities regarding disparities in care, and how we can work together to create action plans to minimize these disparities. These collaborations will ultimately provide us with the tools and information we need to further standardize cancer care to national benchmarks.”

Adena Cancer Center will benefit from the educational opportunities and guidance of national experts in oncology care in driving improvement projects over the life of the three-year grant, benefiting patients and families in southern and south central Ohio. Grant partners will assist Adena in identifying key issues, and putting together successful action plans to prepare the Cancer Center for its application for Quality Oncology Practice Intuitive (QOPI) accreditation.

Other recipients of the Improving the Delivery of Cancer Care in Medically Underserved Communities grant include:

• Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute (Hartford, Connecticut);
• Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wisconsin);
• New York Presbyterian Hospital (Flushing, New York);
• Parkland Health and Hospital System (Dallas, Texas);
• Sidney Health Center Cancer Care (Sidney, Montana);
• Sweetwater Regional Cancer Center (Rock Springs, Wyoming);
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (El Paso, Texas);
• West Cancer Center and Research Institute (Memphis, Tennessee); and
• Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (San Francisco, California).

 For more information about Adena Cancer Center, call 740-542-3030 or visit adena.org/cancer.

Adena Health System made great strides in 2019 building upon its vision of making access to medical specialists and high-quality care achievable for every person living in its nine-county service area. Among its 2019 achievements was a commitment by the Adena Board of Trustees and System leadership in making a $70 million dollar investment in a new Orthopedics and Robotic Surgery Center. The five-story addition will house Adena Bone & Joint Center (ABJC) specialties and Adena’s robotic surgery program and is scheduled to open in summer 2021.

“The quality of Adena specialties and services continues to attract the attention of national health care organizations,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Our people are doing great work in achieving quality metrics that put us in competition with some of the best health care organizations in Ohio and the nation. People don’t have to leave our region to get great care and good results.”

Adena continues to enhance how it delivers care to patients throughout the region, achieving numerous industry accolades and announcements of future growth. These include:

• Adena Regional Medical Center becoming one of five Centers of Excellence in Ohio, earning The Joint Commission’s (TJC) Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement;
• ARMC’s Women and Children’s program also received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal in the area of Perinatal Care, one of only three other entities in Ohio;
• Adena Regional Medical Center is named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019 by Healthgrades®; 
• Adena Pike Medical Center earns a 5-Star Hospital Rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
• Being named a Gallup Great Workplace, one of just 36 organizations in the world to receive this distinction in 2019; 
• Introduction of its first-ever mobile 3D mammography unit that is taking mammography services to patients in more areas of the region than ever; 
• Expanding care in Pickaway County, opening its second location in Circleville, a specialty clinic giving hometown care for specialties such as cardiology, OB/GYN, urology and more;
• Announcing plans for an Urgent Care facility in Circleville, opening in March 2020;
• Adena Greenfield and Pike Medical Centers are recognized with 2019 Performance Leadership Awards for Excellence in Rural Health Care;
• Adena Regional Medical Center’s Stroke Program earns the American Heart and American Stroke Associations’ Gold Quality Achievement Award; and
• The addition of Adena Health Center – Woodlands, formerly Pixelle Family Medical Center, to its primary care and pharmacy networks beginning in January 2020.

Partnerships with health care organizations, within and outside the region, has continued and expanded in 2019, with a focus on keeping care close to home for people living in south central and southern Ohio. Hospitals located in the southern Ohio region are an important part of the continuum of care for patients and an economic engine for their communities.

According to Graham, “The success and strength of local hospitals is critical for immediate access to care and it is our vision to support the outlying regions in keeping the access available where people live in our region.” 

Through its partnership efforts, Adena continues to expand access to care and services to people of all ages. “We are excited to grow our successful partnership with Nationwide Children’s to offer families close-to-home access to pediatric specialty care that will help to avoid disruption of family life,” said Graham. “We have also recently added Adena Oncology to the new Cancer Care Clinic located within Fayette County Memorial Hospital, in Washington Court House, giving patients battling cancer the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment in their hometown.”

As Adena continued to grow its partnership strategy in 2019, other successful growth and affiliations achieved include:

• Opening its second Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) location for specialty services, increasing the list of specialties offered on the FCMH campus to eight;
• Partnering with the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center to offer a fully-accredited Psychiatry Residency Program through Adena’s Graduate Medical Education Program;  
• Collaborating with Hopewell Health Centers and the Chillicothe City School District, Adena and its partners open the Mount Logan Community Clinic, a new primary care clinic to serve people living on Chillicothe’s east side; and
• Adena Family Medicine - Ironmen Clinic opens within Jackson Middle School to meet the health care needs of Jackson City Schools students and staff. This is Adena’s first ever school-based health care clinic.

For more about Adena Health System visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

(image) “It takes a village.' 

That’s a statement that Ellis Frazier, MD, a family physician at Adena Family Practice – Piketon, truly takes to heart. But he’s not content to sit back and let others do all the hard work.

Frazier has been serving Adena patients in Piketon for 10 years. In addition to his work, he began quietly volunteering at a food pantry in Pike County a couple of years ago. 

“I saw some people on fixed budgets who were coming in every week. It really showed me a need,” he says. “Families are in need of food and also items like diapers, toilet paper, and toothpaste—especially at the end of the month when their resources have started to run out.”

Although Frazier can’t be on-site as much as he would like, he’s been instrumental in  keeping the pantry stocked with non-perishable foods by serving as a collection point and encouraging his co-workers and even his patients at Adena to donate. “I have one patient who is an extreme couponer,” he says. “She got me 50 huge bags of toiletries.”

Frazier’s service mindset is nothing new. He went to medical school at the University of Kentucky as part of the National Health Service Corps, which provides student loans that physicians can “repay” after medical school by working in underserved communities. Frazier fulfilled part of his obligation in Nebraska before moving back to Ohio, where he had completed his family practice residency at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. 

Frazier is also a lifetime board member of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, and an active member of the Ross County AIDS Task Force to promote HIV education and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

“I like to help out the underdog,” Frazier says. “I think it’s important to stand up and say, ‘This is what I see on behalf of my patients.’”

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) welcomed its official New Year’s Baby early this morning.

Kristine Rice, 26 of Amanda, OH arrived at ARMC in spontaneous, active labor at approximately 7 p.m. on New Year’s Day. At 4:01 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, Rice and Austin Ross welcomed their second daughter, Laira Emelia Ross.

With a due date of January 13, Rice never thought it possible to be the parent of a New Year’s baby. “The baby was due on January 13, but I was scheduled to be induced on Monday, January 6,” said Rice. “My mom thought the baby would come between December 27 and 31. She thought she was going to be a 2019 baby; and I kept telling her, ‘No, she’s not coming yet. Give it time. She’s going to be a 2020 baby.’ I just didn’t know when.”

Rice shared that she began going into pre-term labor at 32 weeks. Over the past month and a half, she had three false alarms where she was treated to stop labor, giving the baby time to mature. Each time, Rice was sent home once labor stopped.

“That’s what happened last night,” she added. “I thought I was going to be discharged because I couldn’t feel the contractions anymore. I figured I was going to go home again, and actually thought about eating something. Then they checked and told me I was dilated to a six (centimeters) and still in labor. It worked out. It really did!”

Even arriving almost two weeks early, Laira weighed in at 7 lbs, 6 ounces, and is 20.5 inches long.

As it does each year, the Adena Women’s Board provides a gift basket for the first baby of the New Year, born as the result of spontaneous labor/birth. Included is a collection of garments, infant care supplies, toys and gift cards to mark the occasion. The family expressed its appreciation for the thoughtful gift.

“I think it’s sweet,” said Rice. “I’ve never had a hospital do that before. It was really nice of them.”(image)

Rice also praised the care she’s received from her caregivers on ARMC’s Women and Children’s unit. “I delivered my first daughter at another hospital, and their bedside manner was not very good. But these guys (nurses and labor and delivery team) have been very good to me. Especially the midwife who delivered her (the baby), Molly. She was phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

ARMC’s Women and Children’s program is now a Center for Excellence in Perinatal Care as certified by The Joint Commission. The achievement is the result of ARMC’s commitment in fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety, and quality of care for newborns and their mothers. For more information about Adena’s Women and Children’s program visit www.adena.org/women.

(image) Adena Health System today announced it is now offering online check-in at its three Urgent Care, and two Walk-In locations. The addition of a new, online reservation system called Clockwise MD gives patients the opportunity to skip the wait in selected waiting rooms. Adena is the first heath system in the region to introduce this technology to its patients.

The system works similar to “call-ahead seating” at a restaurant. It enables the patient to take their place in line by going to www.adena.org/urgentcare and registering from their Smartphone or computer. Patients may also choose an approximate visit time, which is convenient for them, to hold their place in line for Adena Urgent Care locations in Chillicothe, Hillsboro and Waverly; and the Walk-In clinics in Chillicothe and Jackson. Current wait times for each location will also be displayed on the website.

“Our goal is to improve the overall patient experience by allowing our patients to reserve a spot in line, get real-time status updates about wait times, and to view their position in the queue,” said Jessica Matheny, Adena’s director of Urgent Care Services. “As much as the technology will benefit our patients, there is also value in this for our clinic staff, giving them an improved ability to gauge how many patients to expect, plan better, get patients in faster, and reduce those wait times.”

How it works:

• Visit www.adena.org/urgentcare and click on “Reserve Your Spot.” Select an available time, complete the required fields and hit “submit.”
• Patients will receive text messages confirming their reservation as well as status updates.
• When the patient arrives, they will use a tablet to check-in, confirming their arrival. Front desk staff will assist patients in completing their registration for treatment and billing.
• A monitor will show each patient’s current position in a virtual queue that shows the clinic’s rate of progress in seeing patients.

Patients can still choose to walk in without a reservation at Adena Urgent Care and Walk-In locations. Walk-in patients will be added to the queue grouping upon registration and will also see their place represented on the monitor in the clinic.

For more information, visit www.adena.org/urgentcare

(image) Starting a fitness program can be one of the best things you can do for your health.

Exercising daily can provide a way for you to share an activity with your family and friends. At the same time, it helps you establish healthy habits. 

Daily exercise can help prevent conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor lifestyle habits that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life. It can also can help delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases linked to aging.

However, the difficulty with any exercise program can be where to start. Adena Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Juanito Savaille offers some tips to help get you active this spring.

Where to Start? 

According Dr. Savaille, the first thing you should do before beginning any kind of exercise program is to consult with a doctor to help set up realistic goals and to prevent injury, especially those who have never exercised or engaged in much physical activity.

“Simply walking can increase your heart rate and breathing, which makes it easier for you to perform daily living activities,” he said. “For some patients, 20 minutes of low-moderate exercise is enough. Ideally, you should try to get a minimum of 30 minutes of low-moderate exercise, such as walking, three or more days per week. The exercise can be continuous for 30 minutes or broken into three 10-minute intervals throughout the day.”

Staying Fit the Old Fashioned Way

Certainly, modern devices can make life easier and more convenient, but they also can make you less active. There are a number of ways though to get active besides just walking or jogging.

Maybe it's time to dust off the old push lawnmower or try changing the channels by hand instead of using a remote. Try taking the stairs each day instead of the elevator or park at the farthest corner of the parking lot. Even bursts of activity like this can improve blood pressure and blood sugar control and also put off depression.

Dr. Savaille also recommends gardening, swimming, bicycling, yoga and dancing.

Am I Too Old to Exercise?

One myth is as we get older we should limit our physical activities because it can add wear and tear on the body and possibly cause injury. Not true. A reduction in physical activity can actually be more harmful than not getting any physical exercise. Lack of physical activity or decreased physical activity can lead to worsening of medical conditions. “For older individuals it’s recommended to start with low intensity and go slow,” said Dr. Savaille. “It is important to note that the body’s thirst response diminishes as you get older. Therefore, it is important to ensure you are drinking plenty of water before, during and after you exercise. Drinking four 16-ounce bottles of water per day is what I recommend my patients.”

Should Exercising Hurt?

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can cause muscle soreness and achy joints, especially for beginners. Dr. Savaille recommends always warming up before exercising. “Exercising should never cause severe pain,” he said. “If you do experience severe pain, stop exercising. If any injury does occur or you have any symptoms such as chest pain, feeling faint, dizziness, nausea or palpitations, stop exercising and call your health care provider immediately.”

You can also perform the R.I.C.E. Therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) to help, but if pain does not improve after two days notify your doctor.  

What Should I Wear?

Wearing proper clothing and footwear is important when exercising to prevent injuries. Improper shoes can damage or injure your feet, ankles, knees and hips. Clothes should fit comfortably and let you move freely. 

“Athletic shoes/sneakers are best for exercising,” Dr. Savaille recommends. “It is also important to have shoes that fit well and provide great support for your feet. Diabetic sneakers/shoes should be worn at all times for individuals with diabetes. Wear materials that allow air to circulate and dress appropriately based on the weather for outdoor activities.”

Remember, staying active has many health benefits and can even reduce stress and improve sleep, However, anyone with symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain, lightheadedness/dizziness or anyone who suffers from a medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or lung disease should consult with a doctor before participating in a fitness plan. 

Dr. Savaille is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call Adena Internal Medicine at 740-779-4700. For more tips on how to start on your fitness journey, visit adena.org/library. 

(image) Also known as a PCP, a primary care provider should be your first point of contact for your medical and health care needs and is one of the most important relationships you can have. PCPs provide preventive health services, diagnose, treat and manage chronic diseases and can help you navigate and coordinate your whole spectrum of care.

Adena’s primary care physicians build a personal relationship with you to educate, diagnose and treat basic health needs, including physicals, immunizations, health screenings and disease prevention.

In a day and age when personal connections with health care providers continue to become more challenging, Adena primary care physicians are taking steps to increase your access to them and in turn for you to receive the most personal care possible. 

Four Reasons You Should Have a Primary Care Provider:

 1.    Faster Appointments

Did you know those already established with a primary care provider have better access to appointments and can possibly even access same day appointments? At Adena, we know your health and time are both important. Our primary care locations offer a wide range of office hours to help accommodate busy schedules. 

 2.    Free Annual Wellness Visits

Most of the time when we see our patients, it’s about illnesses, disease or aches and pains. During a Wellness Visit, we will concentrate on making sure you are up-to-date on your screenings and discuss lifestyle and health habits. And did you know that it’s free with most insurance plans? Contact your insurance provider to determine whether your plan includes a free annual wellness exam.

Whether you’re a new or existing patient, it’s easy to schedule your wellness visit at Adena. Here’s what you can expect at your appointment:

• Review your medical and family history
• Take height, weight, blood pressure and other routine measurements
• Look for potential cognitive impairment
• Go over your health risk assessment and develop a personalized prevention plan
• Develop a list of risk factors, treatment options and screening schedule

 3.    Preventive Care

Your PCP can help you reduce or eliminate your risk of developing cancer, diabetes and other diseases before they ever surface.As part of monitoring your ongoing wellness, Adena offers an array of screenings and preventive measures to keep you healthy and reduce your chances of developing a chronic disease.

Your primary care physician should perform the following preventive health measures regularly:

• Blood pressure should be checked at every visit to a primary care physician.
• Cholesterol should be checked every five years.
• Body mass index (BMI) should be measured annually for those who are overweight or suffer from eating disorders.
• Sexually transmitted infections should be screened for annually for all individuals who are sexually active (note: screening for sexually transmitted infections can typically be included in a women’s wellness exam). 

 4.    Save Money and Time

Because emergency and urgent care visits are unscheduled, it is almost impossible to predict your wait time. Urgent care visits can also be costly. You could be paying over twice as much for an urgent care visit. By seeing a PCP regularly, patients are more likely to manage issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes which can help avoid costly prescriptions. Patients who see a primary care doctor regularly are less likely to be hospitalized or have surgery.

Don’t have a primary care provider? Call 740-779-FIND (3463) or visit adena.org/find to get established with an Adena primary care provider today at a location that is convenient to you. 

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Healthy lifestyle decisions can go a long way toward the best management of your diabetes

Dr. Kirk Tucker, Adena Health System’s Chief Clinical Officer, Head of Clinical Operations and a practicing internist specializing in adults with chronic illness, says there are ways to lower your medication expenses. Tucker has helped many patients reduce their need for insulin, and he has Type 1 diabetes, so he speaks from personal experience.

Although he is a diabetes patient himself, his advice is specific to those with Type 2. That’s because, according to Tucker, they may sound alike but are two completely different diseases. Type 2 is vastly more common representing about 98 percent of his patients.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and usually begins in childhood. The immune system attacks the pancreas’ ability to make insulin. Type 2 is currently classified as a metabolic disease and traditionally presents itself in mid to late adulthood although Tucker is seeing it more in obese children. Type 2 is progressive insulin resistance caused by the pancreas needing to make more and more insulin to keep up with the body’s glucose levels, which are often high because of poor diet choices and inactivity. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the demand.

The Medication Roadmap

Tucker explains that there are three distinct treatment options: 1) injectable medication, 2) oral medication, and 3) diet and lifestyle.

When a new patient comes to Tucker, he needs to know how out of control is the diabetes. To figure that out he measures hemoglobin A1C levels, a type of diabetes control assessment. To avoid complications of high blood sugar, a person needs a reading that’s a minimum of seven. If the initial reading is close to seven, Tucker starts with a long discussion about diet and lifestyle. In contrast, if it’s in the teens, that person requires immediate medication (oral, injectable, or both) to lower the numbers. Ideally, those with the higher readings will eventually get their numbers closer to seven.

Choices

Tucker is adamant that diet and lifestyle should always be the first option for everyone even before they reach an official diabetes diagnosis. Good health practices reduce a person’s chances of ever getting the disease.

When Tucker’s diet and lifestyle discussions are taken seriously, patients whose hemoglobin A1C readings are closer to 7, have the chance to wean themselves off medication entirely.

In regard to diet and exercise, Tucker takes a three-pronged approach: sugar, carbohydrates and exercise.

On Sugar.

“I explain that sugar is now a poison. You must stop eating it. No more donuts, sweet tea, soda, or candy,” says Tucker. “I start with the obvious early on because I don’t want to shock folks.”

This means if you have an M&M habit every afternoon or a mid-morning pastry, it’s time to end those practices and replace it with something that provides nutritional value. Plus, the less you eat sugar, the less you will crave it.

On Carbohydrates.

Most people get their carbohydrates, which your body converts into sugar, from breads (including cakes and muffins), pastas, and starchy vegetables like potatoes. Tucker suggests you don’t have to quit entirely, but portion control is paramount. He points out that bread is a vehicle to carry food to your mouth, so don’t use it.

Tucker advises eating your starchy vegetable last. Always try and fill up on your protein and vegetables. Only then, if you’re still hungry, eat your potato.

On Exercise.

“Exercising 30 minutes each day is as good as getting a shot of insulin,” Tucker saves.

Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise can be anything from riding a stationary bike to walking in the neighborhood. Ultimately, Tucker wants his patients to lose weight, but to do so in a sustainable, healthy manner.

Tucker acknowledges the price of insulin is driven by a complex system of politics and economics. Lifestyle change, he points out, is free.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Emphasis should always be on prevention,” Tucker says.

To schedule an appointment with an internist, call Adena Internal Medicine at 740-779-4700.

(image) A pair of recent Adena Health Foundation events supporting the Health System’s critical access hospitals in Greenfield and Waverly proved to be undeniable successes. Annual events for Adena Greenfield and Pike Medical Centers raised funds that will support the financial needs for continued growth of hospital services at both facilities.

The first annual Adena Greenfield Medical Center Autumn Gala, held in October, saw a near sellout attendance just shy of 200 people pack the Orpheum Theater in Hillsboro. Over $29,000 was generated during this signature event will be allocated toward clinical equipment to support new specialty services at AGMC. Specifically, surgical equipment for expansion of General Surgery, Urology and the addition of Podiatry and OB/GYN services.(image)

(image) The 36th Annual Adena Pike Medical Center Festival of Trees, held at the Twin Lakes Resort in Piketon in November, saw similar milestones reached as a crowd of over 200 attendees raised over $19,000 during the event’s grand auction of fully decorated Christmas trees and other handcrafted items.(image)

“Each year these events continue to grow and showcase just how special and generous our donors and supporters of the communities in Greenfield and Waverly truly are,” said Rebekah Clevenger, Foundation Development Director, Community. “With both events reaching record attendance numbers, we are able to make significant impacts towards the care we deliver for these communities we serve.”

The Adena Health Foundation thanks all its donors, volunteers and sponsors who helped make these events so memorable and successful.    

To learn more about how you can support Adena Greenfield and Pike Medical Centers’ continued growth, visit adena.org/givenow.

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Perinatal Care. This certification designates ARMC’s Women and Children’s program as a Center for Excellence in Perinatal Care, as it joins only three other entities in Ohio to achieve this level of excellence. The achievement is the result of ARMC’s continuous compliance within its performance standards, and is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality care for newborns and their mothers. 

The certification recognizes ARMC’s efforts to achieve integrated, coordinated, patient-centered care for clinically uncomplicated pregnancies and births. The certification uses standards, guidelines and The Joint Commission’s perinatal care core performance measures for managing and monitoring aspects of perinatal care that are critical to improving and maintaining the health of newborns and their mothers.

“Adena is committed to delivering excellence in the care we provide to those living in our communities,” said Dr. Richard Villarreal, medical director, Adena Women and Children’s division. “Being one of just four facilities in Ohio to receive this certification shows our commitment to quality as we provide the best outcomes to our patients.”

Certification is the result of a rigorous, two-day onsite review by a team of Joint Commission reviewers who evaluated compliance within related certification standards. These include: quality and safety metrics; protocols and procedures; and use of evidence-based practice guidelines. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews with patients and caregivers.

“Perinatal Care Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive for The Joint Commission. “We commend Adena Regional Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes, and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for newborns and their mothers.”

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Adena Women and Children’s Center, call 740-779-7201 or visit www.adena.org.

(image) Adena Health System announces today that it has added Pixelle Family Medical Center to its primary care and pharmacy networks. Effective, January 1, 2020, the facility will operate under the name Adena Health Center – Woodlands.

Located at 311 Caldwell Street, Chillicothe, Adena Health Center – Woodlands will offer primary care, laboratory services, and a retail pharmacy to current Pixelle Specialty Solutions employees, plant retirees. For the first time, the clinic will also be open to the public. All current clinic providers and staff are being retained, and each will make the transition to Adena.

“Adena Health Center – Woodlands supports our strategy to make access to health care convenient for people living and working in the communities we serve,” said Jeff Graham, Adena President & CEO. “The clinic will maintain a convenient health care option for plant workers and retirees, as well as those living and working in Chillicothe’s downtown area and east end. Facing closure, and the potential loss of hometown services, the Adena Board of Trustees supported this acquisition as a solution to deliver care for those who dedicate their careers to our local community and economy.”  

Adena Health Center – Woodlands will offer comprehensive care for every member of the family, from newborns to great grandparents. The health center will offer a full array of primary care services including: well-baby/child check-ups; back-to-school and sports physicals; yearly wellness exams; immunizations; chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular conditions; care for acute conditions, such as sports injuries, flu and strep throat; and screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, hypertension and more.

Patients visiting Adena Health Center – Woodlands will also have direct access to Adena’s ancillary services that are offered at the facility, such as laboratory services and Adena’s mobile mammography unit as well as a retail pharmacy that will open in late Spring 2020. In addition, patients will have the benefit of being more closely aligned with other nearby Adena facilities for coordination of medical records, laboratory and X-ray results. Adena Health Center – Woodlands will accept all forms of insurance currently accepted by the Health System.

Hours of operation for Adena Family Medicine – Woodlands are: Monday and Wednesday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

For more about Adena Health System, visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

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Each year, the need among children in our community grows greater; and each year through its Coats for Kids drive, Adena Health System caregivers step up to meet that need. This year, more than 1,200 local children are receiving brand new coats, thanks to the generosity of Adena caregivers.

Celebrating its 11^th year, Adena’s Coats for Kids program has become well-known throughout the region. This year, coats were purchased for elementary-aged children from 28 schools, located in: Hocking, Jackson, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties. Students supported by the program are identified by teachers, principals, bus drivers and others who may know of a family’s financial situation, or notice that a child who may not have proper clothing to handle the cold.

Having been involved with this program since it began, my heart is always full when I see the response from our caregivers who ensure that no child goes without,” said Adena Health Foundation’s Robin Berno. “Having a warm coat this time of year gives students, their teachers and parents one less thing to worry about.”

Since the Health System began collecting coats in 2007, Adena caregivers have provided nearly 12,200 coats to area children through the program. New coats are collected, sorted and delivered to schools by caregivers, volunteers and their families.

For more about Adena Health System visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

H.E. Beau Bowman, III has been named new Executive Director for the Adena Health Foundation.

Beau has more than 13 years of experience leading foundation operations for rural health systems in Georgia and Mississippi. His focus on philanthropic growth and relationship building resulted in growing endowments, increasing estate and annual gift planning, caregiver and external giving, capital campaigns and more.

With Beau’s expertise, he will be effective in engaging the Foundation within our communities, to create beneficial partnerships that will help Adena advance the health care needs of patients in its nine county service region.

Beau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He also has a certificate in Healthcare Philanthropy Management from the University of Wisconsin’s Warton College of Business.

(image) Holidays bring joy — and food anxiety. How to cook, how to serve, and, finally, how much? In an era when we all seem to be on a diet, do you give in and make everything Grandma did?

Today’s goal is not to re-create a Norman Rockwell painting, but to make a festive meal you will be happy to serve on Thanksgiving Day. The biggest change: If you don’t need to present the whole turkey for carving at the table, cook a turkey breast instead.

Cooking times

If you start with a fresh turkey breast, you don’t have to worry about thawing it in time to cook for dinner. It will probably come with directions and a pop-up timer, but here are the basics: A 5-pound to 6-pound turkey breast roasted at 325 °F will cook in about two hours. Basting with butter or oil isn’t necessary. You’ll remove the skin before slicing and serving, because that's where most of the fat is. 

The breast will supply about 3 pounds of solid white meat. A 3-ounce serving — about the size of a deck of cards — contains 115 calories, 26 grams protein, less than a gram of fat, 71 mg cholesterol, no carbohydrate or fiber, and 44 mg sodium.

Here’s the skinny on other holiday favorites:

Gravy. A turkey breast won’t provide a lot of juice, so add some nonfat chicken broth. To thicken, start with a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch dissolved in a half cup of cold water. Stir it with a whisk. Add chopped mushrooms for a giblet texture.

Vegetables. Instead of adding things to your vegetables, let them be themselves. Steam the beans and use fresh-cut veggies as an appetizer tray, maybe with a little low-fat dip. Plain sweet potatoes — hold the marshmallows, please — add color to your plate.

Dessert. Skip the big pies and do a tray of mini-tarts or petit fours from a bakery or the freezer. 

Talking turkey

The great plate debate. Consider using 8-inch plates and leaving Grandma’s 10-inch china in the cupboard. Smaller plates will help people choose smaller portions without having to think about it.

Fuss less. Cleanup is easier with throwaway foil roasting pans. Aluminum foil makes a perfect cover to keep your turkey breast from over-browning and your outside-the-bird stuffing from drying out.

Plan your menu. Shoot for quality, not quantity. You don’t need more food than your family and guests will eat or more leftovers than you can enjoy. As you plan the menu, ask what they’d miss if it weren’t there.

(image) Adena Sports Medicine and the Adena Health Foundation are again teaming up to offer Adena’s High School Athlete of the Month. The program recognizes student-athletes who go above and beyond and display leadership, not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. 

High school seniors who have made a considerable effort to maintain a higher grade point average and perform community service, all while reaching high levels of athletic accomplishment are eligible for nomination.

One female and one male winner will be announced each month based on the number of votes received through Adena’s Facebook page. Adena’s High School Athlete of the Month runs from October through April of the school year.

Each Athlete of the Month winner will receive a special award and a donation of $500 will be made to their respective high school. Winners will also be eligible for the Adena Sports Medicine Athlete of the Year and a $3,000 scholarship.

Program Rules:

• Open to high school senior athletes in the following counties: Adams, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.
• Athletic directors, coaches, school administrators, and parents nominate players each month and the selection committee chooses up to four male and four female finalists. Nominations must be received by the 20th of each month to be eligible for the upcoming month's contest.
• Votes are casted through Adena's Facebook page to determine one male and one female winner from chosen finalists each month. The voting period will be from the 1st to the 7th of each month.
• The Athlete of the Year will receive a scholarship to the university of their choice. In addition, a donation and plaque will be given to their high school athletic program in their honor.

Visit adena.org/athlete-of-the-month to learn more and access the nomination form and application.

(image) Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis, affects millions of people in the United States. The loss of protective cartilage around joints can cause severe pain, stiffness, swelling, limited range of motion and other symptoms that affect one's mobility and quality of life.

Dr. Troy Thompson, a non-operative orthopedics and sports medicine doctor at Adena Bone and Joint Center, says the earliest symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the joint with activity. When the pain is persistent or limiting your activity, it's advisable to get it checked out by a physician. With an early diagnosis, the doctor and patient can work together to possibly stave off further complications.

While arthritis is a multifaceted disease with different causes, Thompson explains that like many diseases, osteoarthritis is predominantly affected by lifestyle, occupation, physical activity and exercise, with nutrition being "a major underlying variable." The progression of osteoarthritis is dependent on all these variables, he notes.

When osteoarthritis is suspected or diagnosed, Thompson says there are multiple preventive therapies that can slow the onset of the disease. Nutrition, he stresses, might be the most important preventive therapy.

"We have to realize that what makes food good for us is that it provides us with the macro and micronutrients that we need," he explains. "Our body requires proper nutrition to repair itself from the daily stress of life to slow the wear and tear."

"We have gotten away from how important nutrition is for our body," he says. "We look at food more for stress relief and enjoyment versus really what food was designed for — to help our bodies with the repair processes, rebuild tissues, and lead to better wellness."

Proper sleep is also important. Much of the recovery and repair of muscles and joints aided by nutrition occurs when we sleep by the regeneration of repair hormones such as growth hormone, Thompson says.

Exercise and physical therapy are also key modalities in preventive treatment. The key there, he adds, is finding the right exercises that work the arthritic joint in a healthy manner without causing it further distress.

"Physical therapy and exercise for an arthritic joint is very important so the muscles around the joint function as a natural brace to support the joint," he says. "We refer to this as 'unloading of the joint,' so the muscle is doing more of the work than the joint."

Bracing is another treatment modality that can help to stabilize the joint to improve function, decrease pain, and increase activity.

Thompson incorporates supplements into his patients' treatment, but he cautions that how a supplement is consumed can have a significant impact on their effectiveness. He emphasizes three factors affect how supplements work: the time of day taken, the dosage, and what the supplement is taken with. Regarding dosage, the amounts that are beneficial are typically higher than the recommended dosage on the label, he adds. Also, the type of foods consumed with the supplement can affect their absorption.

"Supplements do work, they're just very complicated in how they work,'' he says. "I encourage patients to look into supplements, do their own research, and always look at the three factors when taking a new supplement."

Common treatments include modification of activities and work; although not always straightforward and commonly underestimated, can help tremendously with treatment and prevention. Prescription ointments and creams can help with flares for arthritic joints. Traditional arthritis medications, typically consisting of oral anti-inflammatory drugs, can be used to establish baseline relief, improve stiffness, and to serve for “breakthrough" pain.

More aggressive treatments may be necessary at times. Thompson explains there are four primary types of injections: Short acting steroid injections; time-release steroid injections; visco-supplementation, to replace the body's natural joint lubricant; and Ortho-biologic injections, including platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections. For last treatment options there are nerve pain block procedures and of course surgery when indicated.

"People do not fit in boxes,'' he says. "We have standards of care guidelines, research and medical literature to help guide us, but every person is an individual and, thus, their treatments need to be adjusted accordingly."

To schedule an appointment, call Adena Bone & Joint at 740-779-4570.

(image) Back Pain is a topic that Kory Lambert knows well. The onset of back pain most frequently occurs between 30 and 60 years old, and can be triggered by a variety of ailments — muscle strains, herniated discs, accidents and degenerative diseases, just to name a few. Smoking and being overweight can also cause back pain, and hormones may play a role.

But can you predict your chances of experiencing back pain? Lambert, a physical therapist with Adena Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, says yes.

Persons among a population with a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the normal range have a 2.8 percent risk of developing back pain at some point in their lives, according to Lambert. That risk increases exponentially with an increased BMI. The classification and risks are as follows:

• Overweight: 5.2 percent
• Obese: 7.7 percent
• Morbid: 11.6 percent

Carrying around extra weight makes you more vulnerable to injury. As your weight increases, it changes the biomechanics and natural alignment of your spinal column. A larger belly increases the curvature of your lower back’s C-curve. Consequently, that changes the lengths of muscles around the spine and puts additional strain on the spine, as well as the hips and knees, making those joints more susceptible to injury. According to Lambert, being overweight is waiting for the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“That phrase is so literal in this topic,” he says. “You might be overweight and not feeling any pain… currently. But it’s likely going to hit you. The question is, when?”

PREVENTION

Beyond the obvious – namely, stopping smoking and losing weight in a sustained, healthy manner – there are other things you can do to lower your risk of developing back pain.

Mind Your Seat. Sitting occupations tend to decrease the spine’s lower C-curve causing flexion-based tissue strain. In addition to a good, supportive chair, get up every 45 minutes and walk around the office. Try performing gentle, hands-on-the-hips backbends to counteract the C-curve slump created while sitting.

Regular Activity. Look for small ways to incorporate movement into your daily routine. Take the stairs, park further away from the store or office. Work on a program of core strengthening to build a better foundation.

Opposite Day, Every Day. Counter-balance repetitive forces of any regular activity. Golfers should work on flexibility by swinging clubs the opposite direction of their natural swing (this does not mean you should actually play golf this way). If you sit often, stand and move. If you’re bent over, do a backbend stretch. Lambert’s advice is to seek symmetry in movement: right-left, front-back.

Lift Properly. Avoid straining your back by using a wide base of support and keeping the weight as close to your body as possible. Try and maintain your spine’s natural S-curve. “Stick your butt out and maintain abdominal support,” says Lambert.

If you do injure yourself or develop back pain, seek therapy quickly. Ideally, you should take a holistic approach to healing with a therapeutic path to rehabilitation, not just a quick fix.

Adena Health System offers a variety of physical therapy services and specialties across its multiple locations throughout south central Ohio. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.adena.org/services/page.dT/physical-therapy. 

(image) The Holidays can be stressful. Shopping, social events, debt and other pressures can lead to anxiety. Missing loved ones and stewing about past events can also contribute. This change from your everyday routine can cause you to neglect good nutrition. And, you are more likely to skip exercise. Together, these factors can lead to Holiday Blues.

Will your holiday be blue?

During the holidays, you may feel lonely, sad, angry and have poor sleep. Even if you’re not prone to depression, you may have other symptoms, such as headaches, tension, and fatigue. It’s also easy to eat and drink too much.

It’s also common to feel a holiday letdown after the holidays are over. Hectic holidays can leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. You may feel a sense of loss or frustration. That can turn into the blues.

“Holiday schedules can be very busy, but it is important to take time for self-care and quality time with family,” explained Adena Psychiatrist Allison Dailey, MD.

Don’t confuse holiday blues with clinical depression. Clinical depression is a disorder that may need to be relieved with medicine. The holiday blues could need something as simple as a good listener. Clinical depression, however, can be triggered in a number of ways at or just after the holidays.

There is also a tendency to link the holiday blues with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called depression with seasonal pattern. SAD, however, is a diagnosable problem linked to fewer hours of sunlight during the winter. People with the holiday blues also can also have SAD. But, the two are not directly related. People with SAD have symptoms of major depression throughout the fall and winter.

“The Holliday blues usually occur during the holiday season and often improve after the stress of the holidays has passed,” Dr. Dailey said. “Where Seasonal Affective Disorder usually starts in the late fall and can continue well into February and March.”  

Keeping the blues away

People tend to lose sleep during the holidays and end up shortchanging themselves. Lack of sleep can cause cloudy thinking, and irritability. It can also hamper your ability to deal with everyday stress.

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and getting some exercise can ease the blues. Also, make an effort to stay positive.

“Staying active and eating healthy are two ways to maintain mental health during the winter months,” said Dr. Dailey. “Get outside for fresh air regularly, even in the winter months, and maintain healthy and regular sleep/wake cycles.”

Tips to ease the blues

If you have the holiday blues, try these tips:

• Have a heart-to-heart with a friend.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Stick within your normal routine as much as you can.
• Set a realistic budget and then stick to it.
• Set realistic goals and expectations.
• Do not label the season as a time to cure past problems.
• Don’t be afraid to say no. That means don’t go to parties when you don’t really have time. Don’t take on events that will crowd your time. Don’t overextend yourself.
• Find time for yourself.
• Enjoy free holiday activities.
• Try to celebrate the holidays in a different way.

The holiday blues can be quite common, but if you are feeling especially down—for example, your sleep or your appetite is affected—contact Adena at (740) 779-7500 for help and guidance. If you are thinking about suicide, call 911 or your health care provider right away.

Adena Regional Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The certification, in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, focuses on the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative, hospitalization, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

“Achieving this level of certification places Adena Regional Medical Center among only five other hospitals in Ohio, while being the only one in the central and south central region,” said Brian Cohen, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director, Adena Bone and Joint Center. “As an advanced certified program, patients can expect the highest level of care and quality where they have an active role in their care producing better outcomes and faster recoveries getting them on their feet and home faster.”

Adena Regional Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on August 19and 20. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including fully integrated multidisciplinary collaborations, streamlined clinical pathways, patient optimization through shared decision-making and accelerated patient care through best practice approaches. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews. 

“Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” added Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Adena Regional Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for orthopedic patients.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Adena Bone and Joint, call 740-779-4598 or visit www.adena.org.

Never smoking or quitting smoking have been proven to reduce the incidence of lung cancer, but the greatest chance to survive lung cancer is by catching it early. This can be accomplished with a simple lung cancer screening.

Entering its fifth year, Adena Health System’s free lung cancer screening program has become a national model for excellence – and is saving lives. Since it began in November 2014, nearly 3,000 people have been screened for the disease. Of those, 83 have been diagnosed with lung cancer, one was diagnosed with breast cancer, and other patients have been found to have heart aneurysms, tumors and other conditions they may not have known about until it was too late, thanks to the free CT scan.

“For decades, we have known that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, yet people still do it,” said Adena Radiation Oncologist Dr. Greg Thompson. “The goal of the screening is to prevent more people from dying, by catching cancer in the early stages when it is more treatable. Many people will not have any symptoms of lung cancer, especially in the early stages, making it harder to detect and treat. That’s why a lung cancer screening is so important.”

The no-cost lung cancer screening is a simple, painless, low dose, non-invasive CT scan. The test easily identifies tumors or lesions that may need medical attention.

Those eligible for the free screening are:

• Between 55-74 years old;
• Have 30 or more “pack years” of smoking in their past (a pack year = 1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs a day for 15 years, 3 packs a day for 10 years, etc.);
• A current smoker or someone who has quit smoking in the past 15 years.

If you or a loved one falls into this recommended group, please consider setting up a lung cancer screening. Like a mammogram, people in the above groups are recommended to have a lung screen each year for the greatest chance of survival in the event of a lung cancer diagnosis. 

Adena’s free lung cancer screenings are available year round. A special Lung Cancer Awareness Month event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Adena Regional Medical Center.

Patients meeting the screening criteria, or those who are due for a follow-up screening, may schedule an appointment for this specific event, or a date and time that works with their schedule. Please register by calling (740) 542-LUNG (5864).

Throughout the growing season, medical providers with Adena Health System have been prescribing fresh fruit and vegetables to patients in Ross County who face barriers when it comes to eating healthy. The program, known as Food Rx, helps to eliminate the cost barriers of healthy eating, and drives patients to fresh food options, while supporting local farmers.

Food Rx was initially adopted by Adena providers in 2017, and traditionally ran through the summer months. However, thanks to community support, the Chillicothe Farmers Market will now be operating during the winter within the former Mount Logan Elementary School building at 841 E. Main St., Chillicothe. With this news, Adena will continue offering its Food Rx program to patients through the winter months.

“The Food Rx program has been extremely popular among Adena’s patient population,” said Kim Jones, director of Adena Community Health Advancement. “The availability of fresh produce in the winter months will enable our patients to continue developing those healthy eating changes they have established through the summer, making it an all year habit.”

Patients who qualify, and are “prescribed” a Food Rx receive a $15 coupon to use at a participating local farmer’s market. These patients include those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.

In addition, people who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are encouraged to bring their Ohio Direction card to the Chillicothe Farmers Market. SNAP recipients are eligible to scan at least $10 in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) tokens, while also receiving $10 in Fruit and Veggies Perks tokens.

Patients in Ross County who are interested in the Food Rx program should ask their primary care provider for a coupon. Those who do not have a primary care provider, should call 740-779-FIND (3463) to become established with a PCP today.

The Chillicothe Famers Market, located inside the former Mount Logan Elementary School, will be open on Saturdays throughout November – April. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. – Noon. 

For more about Adena Health System, visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

(image) Adena Health System broke ground today on its new Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery Center. Behind ceremonial shovels, local business, community and Adena leaders gathered on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center to celebrate the start of the $70-million investment.

Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham expressed the significance of the new center in providing the more than 400,000 people in its nine-county service region with greater nearby access to orthopedic treatment, and minimally-invasive surgical care.

“This building represents another tool in keeping care close to home, and Adena being able to keep people with their families while they are receiving the care they need,” Graham said. “It also prevents people from having to disrupt their lives when seeking a higher level of care. This facility, and what it will provide, will accomplish just that. In their time of need, we want Adena to be top of mind for people living in south central and southern Ohio, and for them to recognize Adena as their first choice for care every time.”(image)

“Studies show that a specialty hospital has better patient outcomes, better patient experiences, fewer complications and better employee engagement,” explained Brian Cohen, M.D., Medical Director, Adena Bone & Joint Center. “This structure will do all that and more. It is the future, and will be what keeps Adena and this region strong. It will change health care in the area.”

General Surgeon W. Bill Sever, M.D. added, “This is a great day for Adena, one that Brian and I have talked about for a long time to help drive not only better patient outcomes, but financial stability for our region. I think after we get this new Center built, this will really become a beacon of patient safety around the state and even the Midwest. I want to thank our community as well, which has entrusted us to take care of them when they need us most. I think our growth is a tribute to how that trust has developed.”

“The success and enthusiasm of Drs. Cohen and Sever, and the success of Adena’s Orthopedic and Surgery Programs has made this the right time for the largest infrastructure investment in Adena’s history,” said Virginia Wetterson, Chair, Adena Board of Trustees. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the extraordinary growth Adena has experienced and the positive differ

Project highlights include:ences it is making in the lives of our patients.”(image)

• 111,000 square feet of space
• At five stories, represents tallest health care structure on Adena Regional Medical Center’s campus;
• 80 clinical exam suites;
• Clinical operations for orthopedics, neurology, podiatry, sports medicine, spine;
• Six operating rooms built to accommodate robotic technology;
• Orthopedic and General Surgery robotic systems;
• 20-bed inpatient recovery unit;
• 22 pre- and post-recovery bays; and
• Multi-level, adjacent parking structure to add 300 parking spaces.  

The Adena Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery Center is slated to open in 2021

(image) Listening with the intent to understand is a valuable life skill. Listening to your body is a developed skill on which your life may depend.

When it comes to cancer, the body tends to initially whisper when something is wrong. That soft voice of alarm comes in many forms – a strange and persistent ache, excessive fatigue, bio-screening numbers that are outside of a normal range, or any change that is different from your body’s normal functionality.

Kelly Bee has honed her ability to heed her body’s warnings. It’s a skill that, for her, came with a steep price.

Delaying. Stalling. Procrastinating.

A person with an average risk for colorectal cancer should start undergoing colonoscopy screenings at age 50. When Bee turned 50, she decided to put it off a year. During that time, she noticed her bowel habits had changed.

Bee was 51 in July 2016 when she had bloodwork done. Her hemoglobin count was low, but not to a level that caused alarm. Normal levels range from 11 to 14, and Bee's was 10.4.

Her physician recommended that in addition to a colonoscopy, she also have an upper endoscopy, known as an EGD, to detect and identify any digestive issues. An endoscopy involves inserting a thin scope down the patient’s throat, and for reasons Bee has difficulty explaining, that made her nervous.

“I got a little scared and ended up talking myself out of both procedures,” says Bee, a manager

at the Adena Regional Medical Center Gift Shop.

More Signs

Six months later, in January 2017, the director of Bee’s department was diagnosed with cancer. The director was a relatively young woman and the diagnosis was unexpected. She died five months later.

“We were emotionally stunned. I worked with her for 20 years. It was devastating,” recalls Bee.

Her co-worker’s death was a wakeup call of sorts for Bee. She had begun to notice she grew easily tired and winded, and would feel dizzy upon standing. She decided to get her bloodwork done again and learned her count had dropped to seven.

With her fatigue, low hemoglobin count and digestive symptoms, Bee thought she had blood issues and believed that taking iron tablets would end her troubles. Meanwhile, her colonoscopy and EGD were scheduled for August. Bee was again considering canceling her appointments. She had broken her ankle falling on her basement steps and was unable to bear weight on it for four weeks.

“I thought, ‘How can I prep for a colonoscopy while not bearing weight?’” Bee asks. “The physician who did my bloodwork was an oncologist at the cancer center. And cancer still never crossed my mind!”

Her sister, Kim Pullins, a nurse practitioner and former Adena employee, recognized there might be a more serious health problem. She pointed out to Bee that weak bones, along with her other symptoms, indicated she could possibly have cancer.

Bee maintained her denial.

Time to Listen

With Pullins’ insistence, Bee finally underwent a colonoscopy and an EGD in late September 2017. Bee acknowledges the EGD was no big deal and that she had no reason to be fearful of it.

The colonoscopy revealed a malignant polyp and her medical team went into immediate action. Bee was wheeled from the colonoscopy to a CT scan, which showed two malignant lymph nodes. Fortunately for her, the malignancies were contained to her bowel.

Bee was, however, terrified. In October, her cancer team removed the entire right side of her colon and 18 lymph nodes. As a precautionary measure she went through six chemotherapy treatments over a three-month period.

Today, Bee is cancer-free, but she wishes she had heeded the early indicators.

Recognizing that her treatment may have been much less invasive if she had an initial colonoscopy, she urges everyone to pay attention to their bodies and not rationalize the warning signs.

“I just attributed my symptoms to bad eating and coffee,” Bee says. “You just take your body for granted. Don’t do that. Your body talks. Listen to it.”

It is that time of year…flu season. Influenza not only makes you feel miserable, it can also be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. You have the power to protect your children, your family and yourself this flu season with an immunization.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine each year. For the best protection, get a flu vaccine by the end of October. The influenza vaccine can reduce the need for doctor visits, missed work and school due to the flu, and can prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Adena Health System offers many flu shot clinics, making it easy for you and your family to get this important vaccine. You can get a flu vaccine at your primary care provider, urgent care or walk-in clinics, your local health department, pharmacy, school or workplace.

Simple Ways to Keep the Flu Away

1. Get the shot: You can avoid influenza this season by taking one simple step - get a flu shot.

2. Wash your hands: Protect yourself and others against flu by doing simple things like washing your hands for at least 20 seconds throughout the day, and especially before eating. 

3. Cover your cough: Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing to help prevent the spread the influenza virus. 

Where to Receive a Flu Vaccine

Adena is offering flu clinics, with no appointment needed, at all of its Urgent Care and Walk-In locations in Chillicothe, Circleville, Hillsboro, Jackson and Waverly.

Flu vaccinations are also offered by appointment at any of Adena’s Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatric locations.   

Most of the time, your insurance company will cover the cost of a yearly flu shot. If you wish to schedule a visit for an influenza vaccination, contact your health care provider’s office, or call 740-779-FIND (3463) for help in finding a provider who will see you at an Adena location that is convenient for you. 

For more information on the flu and flu clinic locations and hours, visit adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

(image) Adena Health System will expand its service to the Circleville community with the addition of an Urgent Care facility on the city’s south side. The 5,000 square-foot facility will be located within an existing space in Circleville Plaza at 166 Summit Ave., Circleville. 

“Adena is committed to making care convenient for people living and working in our nine-county service region,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “For more than 10 years, Adena has offered primary and specialty care services to our patients in Circleville, and throughout Pickaway County. The addition of this Urgent Care facility will give people in the community easy access for care, when they need it, at a location that will offer conveniences they have never experienced in an urgent care setting.”

Patients seeking services at Adena Urgent Care – Circleville will have the ability to skip the waiting room experience using a new, convenient service that will enable a person to sign-in from home or elsewhere. After signing in online, the patient can continue working or resting in the comfort of home until they are notified that it is time to come in to be seen by a provider. Traditional walk-in service will also be available.

Initial services to be offered at Adena Urgent Care – Circleville include: (image)

• Acute care for illnesses like flu, colds, cough, strep throat and more;
• Sprains, strains and minor fractures;
• Sports physicals;
• Outpatient laboratory services; and
• X-ray and mobile 3D mammograms.

Adena Urgent Care – Circleville is scheduled to open in February 2020.

Primary and specialty care services will continue to be offered at Adena Health Center – Circleville, located at 140 Morris Road; and Adena Specialty Clinic – Circleville, located at 798 N. Court Street. To make an appointment with a provider serving Circleville and Pickaway County, call 779-FIND (3463).

(image) Here’s a reason to cheer! Did you know being a sports fan can be a slam dunk for your health? According to Adena Sports Medicine Orthopedic Specialist Jason Foster, MD whether you win or lose when you root for your home team your health can come out on top.

“Even if you are not an athlete, there are many reasons you can remain active and healthy, both physically and mentally, from the sidelines,” says Dr. Foster.

For example, sports fans can experience:

• Escape - You get a temporary distraction from problems in your everyday life. Forget about your everyday stressors and focus on the fun of game.
• Stress relief - Watching a game gives you a rush that can actually help you relax.
• Friendship - Watching sports and having similar hobbies with those around you can make you feel more connected.
• Happiness - Even if you’re reeling from your team’s loss, being a fan can bring you pleasure, which may buffer against depression.

“Your favorite players are at the top of their game and there’s no reason you can’t be too,” Dr. Foster explains.

Here are some ways being a sports fan can inspire healthier habits in your life:

• Join a sports league or toss a ball with your kids. Increasing your physical activity can help you lose weight, prevent disease and keep your mind sharp.
• Do exercises, stretch or ride a stationary bike while watching your team play on TV.
• Listen to games while walking, running, cycling, mowing the lawn or doing yard work.
• At your next tailgate party, try offering healthier food options.

Whether you are an athlete or not, Adena Sports Medicine is your first line of treatment when it comes to dealing with orthopedic injuries of the bones, ligaments and tendons. From sprains and strains to fractures and arthritis, Adena Bone & Joint offers a multidisciplinary team of experts to help you feel better. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Adena Sports Medicine, call 740-779-4598 or visit www.adena.org/sportsmedicine.

(image) Earlier this month, members of the Cigar Band of Chillicothe presented a check in the amount of $2,000 to the Adena Health Foundation. This marked the eighth consecutive year the club has made a donation to our Foundation’s Cancer Fund. 

The donation comes from the club’s Annual Bike Night For Mike. The group organizes this event each year in honor of Mike Porter, a former club member and Adena patient who passed away due to cancer. The Cigar Band, which is heavily involved in supporting local charities, non-profit organizations and community events, meets monthly for fellowship and cigar education.

Photo caption (L-R): Adena Health Foundation Development Director for Caregivers and Patients Robin Berno; Cancer Center Medical Oncology Manager Heidi Bell; Cigar Band representative Todd Snider and Adena Health Foundation Development Director for Community Rebekah Clevenger.

(image) Adena Mammography is hitting the road with the introduction of its first-ever mobile 3D mammography unit. The mobile unit brings this important imaging service to the communities where our patients live, allowing women to skip the typical travel and wait times associated with getting a mammogram. 3D mammography services through the new mobile unit began this week.

“We are extremely excited to deliver 3D mammography technology to patients in more areas of our region,” said Jamie Kelley, Adena Radiology Operations Manager. “The mobile aspect offers women in the region greater access to get their screening at a location that is convenient to where they work and live.”

It is estimated that one in every eight women will develop breast cancer within her lifetime. That is why early and accurate detection is critical to survival. 3D Mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, is a clinically proven innovative screening technology that allows for more accurate breast cancer detection. Adena is one of the first in south central Ohio to offer this 3D technology, which is providing women with a higher level of imaging than the traditional equipment of the past.

Conventional mammograms provide doctors with a two-dimensional image of the three-dimensional breast. Overlapping layers of tissue can sometimes create unclear results, unnecessary callbacks, or worse, cancer can be missed. 3D mammography is the only mammogram proven superior for dense breasts compared to conventional mammograms.(image)

Tomosynthesis provides a series of breast images, allowing radiologists to better evaluate breast tissue, layer by layer. The result is improved visualization of abnormalities that are no longer hidden by overlapping tissue. Tomosynthesis is accurate for women of all ages, with both dense and non-dense breasts. It is also covered and paid for by Medicare, and the majority of private insurers.

Adena is a self-requesting mammography facility. You do not need to have a written order from your provider to get a screening mammogram. If you would like to schedule your 3D mammogram at an Adena facility, or with the new mobile unit, please call Central Scheduling at 740-779-7711. The mobile 3D mammography unit is also available to area employers. If you would like to have the unit visit your place of business, call 740-637-7190.

(image) Your guide through a high-risk pregnancy and to a healthy outcome for you and baby

The romantic idea of pregnancy goes a little like this: Get pregnant, bask in the glow of motherhood-to-come for nine months, go into labor and have a baby. Like most romantic ideas, reality is much different.

All pregnancies involve some level of risk, some more than others. A high-risk pregnancy can be diagnosed when any condition is present that threatens the life of the mother or fetus.

The United States has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related maternal mortality of all industrialized nations, and the rate has doubled over the last two decades, making it the only developed nation in the world whose rate is increasing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 50,000 women each year endure dangerous or life-threatening conditions during pregnancy.

These numbers don’t include women who are not pregnant but may be at risk of developing a high-risk pregnancy.

Experts agree that better health care can prevent or alleviate many pregnancy related complications.

Determining a High-Risk Pregnancy

A high-risk pregnancy can occur at any point during gestation. You don’t need to be initially diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy to be at risk of developing one, but pre-existing conditions or engaging in certain behaviors can increase your likelihood of such a diagnosis.

“A pregnancy can be labeled as high-risk due to pre-existing conditions,” explains Molly Shoemaker, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) with Adena OB/GYN.

Pre-existing conditions can include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, age – teenagers and women 35 years and older are most susceptible – tobacco use or substance abuse, or a history of preterm delivery. A pregnancy can become high risk as it progresses due to variables such as a mother carrying multiple fetuses; having a genetic disorder, gestational diabetes or preeclampsia; or going into pre-term labor.

“Due to the many different variants with high-risk pregnancies, it’s hard to say that one trimester is higher risk than another,” Shoemaker says. “As the pregnancy progresses, the monitoring and treatments for that pregnancy may be adjusted to better fit its needs and outcomes.”

Navigating a High-Risk Pregnancy

Every pregnancy requires a high level of care and attention, but a high-risk pregnancy raises the level of care needed and the necessity for the mother to take the initiative to be involved in her care.

Shoemaker advises women to ask questions, research their condition and meet with all potential caregivers — genetic counselors, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, pediatric specialists and anyone else who will be part of your health care team for your diagnosis. At your first prenatal appointment, openly discuss your plan of care.

“Patients should always be involved and comfortable with their plan of care,” urges Shoemaker.

After the first appointment, the general breakdown of your trimesters looks something like this:

First trimester: Your provider will obtain your history and physical. Prenatal lab work will be collected and you will get an ultrasound. Genetic screening will be offered.

Second trimester: A second ultrasound (anatomy scan) will be performed, and a glucose tolerance test will be administered to screen for gestational diabetes. RhoGAM will be given to Rh-negative patients and the Tdap vaccine will be offered.

Third trimester: You will become monitored more closely and see your provider every two weeks until 36 weeks of gestation, when you will be seen weekly.

At any time during this period, if your pregnancy is diagnosed as high risk, you may see the provider more frequently to monitor your and your baby's health and development.

Shoemaker emphasizes that not all variables can be controlled. However, if you are diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy or potential for a high-risk pregnancy, there are actions you can take to help yourself. Preconception care helps to promote the healthiest pregnancy outcome possible.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Adena Women's Health OB/GYN at 740-779-7201 (Chillicothe Campus) or 740-642-4400 (Blackwater Road).

(image) Proper self-care and support from Adena will keep your blood pressure in check

When considering health, many people wait for external symptoms or unusual feelings before addressing their concerns. However, when it comesto insidious conditions such as hypertension,one must be aware and proactive with theirlifestyle choices ahead of time.

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is excessively high. This can lead to other health problems including an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and death.

What makes hypertension so dangerous is its frequently complete lack of symptoms — the disease is often dubbed “the silent killer.” So, what is the threshold for blood pressure before having to worry about hypertension?

Dr. Kerry Bellew, a family physician with Adena Chillicothe Family Physicians, says the guidelines that define hypertension differ from year to year, but he specifies that most physicians follow the JNC8 guidelines.

Those state that blood pressure of 140/90 and above is labelled as uncontrolled hypertension (150/90 for people 60 years and older). Severely elevated blood pressure will be considered a hypertensive urgency, and if it goes as far as causing organ damage or failure, it will be classified a hypertensive emergency.

Hypertension can be initiated by several things, but those causes are not always clear. Secondary hypertension indicates that high blood pressure is the consequence of another medical condition, usually one that affects the kidneys, arteries or endocrine system. Primary hypertension, which is most common in adults, has no clear cause but is often attributed to genetics, poor diet, aging, stress and lack of exercise.

Dr. Bellew says high blood pressure has more acute causes, one of them being undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. It is also advisable to pay attention to blood pressure during pregnancy, as inadequate blood flow means less vitamins and nutrients supplied to the fetus.

As made clear by this extensive list, hypertension goes hand in hand with many medical conditions. The circumstances may seem grim, but one can mitigate the risks inherent with hypertension by making some simple lifestyle modifications.

When it comes to keeping blood pressure in check, it should come as no surprise that several health-centric lifestyle decisions can drastically affect your numbers. The first and most notable factor is weight. Blood pressure and body weight are often related, so increasing your weight will increase your blood pressure and vice versa. Being overweight often leads to sleep apnea which can further increase blood pressure. Dr. Bellew points out that losing 10 to 20 pounds can drop your blood pressure as much as 10 to 20 points.

Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are also great contributors to lowering blood pressure. Dr. Bellew recommends moderate exercise, starting at 30 minutes, four to five times a week.

On top of eating healthy, limiting sodium intake is crucial to maintaining proper blood pressure. Sodium’s effect on blood pressure varies from person to person, but a low-sodium diet is generally recommended. Reading food labels and avoiding processed foods are great ways to start.

Drinking alcohol and smoking also increase blood pressure. Moderating alcohol intake is advised, while quitting smoking altogether is highly recommended.

Limiting caffeine intake will also have positive changes on blood pressure. Aside from external factors, one’s mental state can also influence blood pressure.

Managing stress by establishing moderate expectations, avoiding stressful triggers and taking time each day to relax are just a few ways to reduce stress. The more lifestyle modifications you make, the better you’ll be in the long run.

Making significant lifestyle changes is usually not easy, but getting support can help. Adena Health System provides high quality hypertension treatment at locations across south central Ohio. Adena works with patients to control their blood pressure through lifestyle changes and prescription medications, if necessary.

Adena has several specialists onboard that can cover most needs, but before reaching out, it’s best to know what you can do for yourself. Hypertension is a serious condition that affects millions of lives, and making the adjustments toward healthier living is the first step toward better wellness.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kerry Bellew, call 740-779-4100.

(image) After being closed for more than one year, patients and visitors to Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) will soon be able to utilize the hospital’s West Entrance and parking area. The newly remodeled area will reopen on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019 for public viewing, and operations will begin in the space on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The entrance and a nearby parking lot closed in August 2018 as the second phase of ARMC’s Emergency Department expansion began. With renovations now complete, patients will arrive (image) to find a central registration/check-in area for services including radiology, cardiopulmonary and more. Visitors can enjoy the convenience of a new café and quiet space in a new waiting area near the Adena Retail Pharmacy. The renovations have also allowed for additional Emergency Department patient care areas.

The three-phase project will continue with additional renovations including: behavioral health rooms; new imaging space (CT and x-ray); break rooms; and other support space to enhance Emergency Department operations. The entire project is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

To learn more about Adena and its services, visit adena.org.

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(image) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has awarded $1 million to health providers and others that are part of the Hope Partnership Project (HPP). The Partnership and its members are dedicated to mitigating the effects of the opioid crisis on individuals and families in southern Ohio.

The Ross Community Opioid Response Program (Ross CORP) is a consortium of HPP members that include: Adena Health System; Friel and Associates; Hope Partnership Project; Ohio University – Chillicothe; and the Ross County Health District. The $1 million award was issued by HRSA to Adena Health System, which will be the fiscal agent and coordinator of the grant funds, and will oversee its execution.

“Past and current efforts to reduce opioid deaths in Ross County are making a positive impact. However, there are still areas of deep need. Especially when it comes to prevention and developing nearby treatment and recovery services to support those who need them,” said Adena Physician Dr. John Gabis, a founding and current member of the Hope Partnership Project. “This award is an asset that will help the consortium create solutions that will make a positive impact on people’s lives and on our communities.”

The funds will enable the consortium to focus existing, collaborative efforts to make a broader and deeper impact in Ross County, which ranks in the top 75^th risk percentile in Ohio for overdose indicators. The funds will cover expenses needed for programming and services over a three-year period of performance.

This HRSA award was among nearly $400 million recently given to various communities and entities across the U.S. to combat the nation’s opioid crisis. The funding supports HHS’s Five-Point Opioid Strategy, which was introduced in 2017. Five Ohio groups were each awarded $1 million from the HRSA for use in battling the opioid crisis. Additionally, Ross CORP was among just 80 rural awards given in the U.S.

“Health centers and behavioral health providers are on the front lines of the fight against the opioid crisis and substance abuse, especially in rural communities,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “With our evidence-based strategy, HHS is working to support local communities in fighting back against substance abuse, and our united efforts are yielding results.”

In 2018, Ross County’s overdose death rate was 44.84 per 100,000 people, higher than each of Ohio’s largest urban counties. The goal of Ross CORP is to strengthen our rural community’s capacity to change the skyrocketing trend in years of potential life lost by targeting more integrated and comprehensive substance use disorder/opioid use disorder (SUD/OUD) prevention, treatment and recovery support.

To meet this goal, Ross CORP identified the following steps in its grant request:

• Victim assessment/treatment referral tracking for rapid response;
• Service navigation outside the traditional health care settings;
• Harm reduction efforts;
• Strategic plan for recovery support;
• Training outside the school setting;
• Primary care physician training;
• Family-centered recovery services;
• Enlisting mental health professionals for integrated substance abuse treatment;
• Increasing workforce capacity with peer recovery supporters and community health workers;
• Identify, implement, and strengthen evidence-based and promising practice models;
• Advocate policy to remove barriers and reduce harm;
• Increase community engagement for active support of those impacted;
• Collect, analyze, and communicate data for informed implementation and measurable outcomes; and
• Launch the Ross County Peer Center.

(image) More than 90 kayakers made their way down the water during the fourth annual Paint Creek Palooza this summer on their way to raising a record amount for the Adena Health Foundation’s Athlete of the Month Scholarship Fund.

Hosted by Adena Sports Medicine and Water's Edge Canoe Livery, the six-mile trip down the scenic Paint Creek allowed participants to float at their own pace, or compete in non-mandatory pit stop challenges for a chance to win prizes. Through support from event donors and participants, this year’s Paint Creek Palooza raised a record-high total of $9,000.(image)

The Foundation’s Athlete of the Month Scholarship Fund awards outstanding high school male and female senior athletes, who excel in athletics as well as exemplify a commitment to academics and their communities.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s event a record breaking success! We look forward to even more joining us next year making it even bigger and better.

(image) Fayette County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer or a hematologic disorder will soon be able to receive oncology and hematology services close to home. Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) and Adena Health System are extending their collaborative relationship for the development of the FCMH Cancer Care Clinic scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2019.

Located in Medical Arts Building 2, 1510 Columbus Avenue, the 3,000 square foot space will be home to four infusion chairs and one bed. Patients will be able to receive chemotherapy and supportive infusions or injections five days a week.

“The relationship will allow us to utilize Adena Cancer Center’s expertise in determining an individualized treatment plan for every patient,” said FCMH CEO Mike Diener. “We will collaborate with their weekly Tumor Board - a team of experts from various fields including pathology and radiology – to discuss the best treatment plan for each patient.” The specialized Tumor Boards focus on breast, lung, head & neck and colorectal cancers.

“According to the Ohio Department of Health, Fayette County can expect around 200 new invasive cancer cases annually – most notably cancer of the breast, lung, colon and prostate. A diagnosis of cancer can be scary. Our goal is to provide local, professional treatments, and to ease the burden of traveling out of town for care. This is just another way of furthering our mission of improving the health of our community by providing high-quality patient care and education,” Diener added. “This venture also aligns with our Adena affiliation goals of keeping care close to home, coordinating resources to provide cost-effective medical care, and developing on-site outpatient clinics to create better and quicker access to care.”

“Cancer care is changing and many treatments require frequent visits for many months or years,” explained Alex Wilson, M.D. Adena Cancer Center Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist. “Having chemotherapy and immunotherapy infusion closer to home will benefit many patients who require these longer treatments. It would also be easier for patients in the FCMH service area to complete recommended follow-ups with an oncologist, as Dr. Mani will be close by and readily available. We are excited about this relationship with FCMH and the Washington Court House community.

FCMH and Adena are also pleased to announce the leadership team for the clinic. Beth Harper, CNP, has been named the Oncology Leader. Harper has nearly 30 years nursing experience, including outpatient services, birthing center and oncology care. She has been a Certified Nurse Practitioner for FCMH Medical & Surgical Associates since 2017.

Adena Health System’s Dr. Shylaja Mani will serve as the clinic’s on-site Medical Oncologist. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and her Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at The Ohio State University. The clinic will be staffed with Harper, Dr. Mani, one registered nurse, one licensed practical nurse and one scheduler. “Beth & Dr. Mani’s passion and experience in oncology will serve our patients and community well as we introduce this new service line,” said Diener.

Diener advised that an open house will be held prior to the official opening of the clinic. The public will be invited to tour the facility and meet the staff. For more information about the new FCMH Cancer Care Clinic, please call Tammie Wilson, FCMH Chief Nursing Officer at 740-333-2715.

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Adena Health System President and CEO Jeff Graham today announced plans to expand Adena’s current partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The expansion of a more than eight-year affiliation between the organizations includes plans to develop a comprehensive, pediatric care model, creating a destination center for health care that will enhance the delivery of Nationwide Children’s pediatric specialty care in Chillicothe. The organizations have been working together since 2011 to care for children in south central and southern Ohio.

“We look forward to working with Adena to expand the quality of pediatric specialty care in the region, and increasing access to pediatric care for families in and around Ross County,” said Darrell Mosby, vice president of regional development at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Expansion of the current partnership comes from Adena and Nationwide Children’s common goal, to give children and families in the south central and southern Ohio region greater access to close-to-home, advanced pediatric care.

“When a child is ill, families often struggle when they must travel far from home for that specialty care,” said Graham. “Over the years, Adena’s partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital has helped area children get the expanded level of care they need, without having to leave our community. By deepening our partnership for pediatric specialty care in Chillicothe, we will create new possibilities for the care of our region’s children.”

The long-time association between Adena and Nationwide Children’s has been beneficial in connecting local patients and providers with collaborating specialists at Nationwide Children’s. Accomplishments resulting from the existing partnership include:

• Education programs for Adena providers and staff;
• Neonatal consulting, ambassador support, and training for Adena’s Level II nursery;
• Partners for Kids, an Accountable Care Organization collaborating with Adena Pediatrics to ensure quality of care for children enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care;
• Onsite pediatric cardiology, hematology, and oncology;
• Direct connect lines for transport of newborn/nursery and Emergency Department services; and
• Pediatric patient education materials.

To learn more about Adena and its services, visit adena.org.

Top Photo caption (L-R): Ty McBee, Adena VP, Business Strategy; Kristyn Wasylik, NCH Regional Development; Darrell Mosby, NCH VP, Regional Development; Jeff Graham, Adena President & CEO and Dr. Sathish Jetty, Adena Pediatrics.

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center’s Stroke Program has earned the American Heart and American Stroke Associations’ Gold Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes a hospital’s 24-month performance in treating stroke, and its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive treatment that is based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines that are supported by the latest scientific evidence.

The hospital, which is nationally recognized as a Primary Stroke Center, is seen as having processes in place to ensure patients arriving at the hospital, with stroke-like symptoms, are evaluated and treated as quickly as possible.

“People can rest assured that when time matters most Adena’s Primary Stroke Center will deliver high-quality stroke care for those living in our communities and region,” said Neurologist Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, who leads Adena’s Stroke Program. “As a recipient of this award, our patients can trust that our team at Adena is committed to ensuring our patients receive the most appropriate stroke treatment available that is based on the latest scientific evidence.”

To earn the award, hospitals must meet specific quality achievement measures, including evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments that are aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines in speeding recovery and reducing death and disability. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

For more information on stroke care at Adena, visit adena.org/stroke.

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(image) The Adena Health Foundation has awarded scholarships to 77 area students pursuing degrees in the health care field. In total, $111,300 in scholarship funds have been awarded for the 2019-20 academic year.

The Scholarship Fund is made possible in large part by generous annual donations from the Adena Women’s Board and Volunteer Advisory Council. Since the Foundation’s Health Care Scholarship program was established in 2002, $926,300 in scholarship funds have been awarded to local students.

Students from the following counties were awarded scholarships: Athens (2), Fairfield (1), Fayette (4), Highland (7), Jackson (9), Pickaway (5), Pike (11), Ross (36) and Scioto (2). Among those recipients, 44 were new scholars and 21 Adena caregivers received scholarship funds to further their health care careers.

Students working toward health care degrees may apply for Adena Health Care Scholarship funds in the spring of each year. Information and application forms are available to download at www.adena.org/foundation.

For more about Adena Health System, visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

(image) Spending time outdoors can improve overall health and wellness, but if not careful, it can increase your risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and yet it is one of the most preventable. Anyone can get skin cancer, but those with light skin, freckles and moles are at greater risk.

Londonderry resident Melinda Oney’s battle with melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, began in 2017. That was the last summer she would play outside with her daughter without fearing the sun.

“For years, I had noticed a very dark mole on my lower back, which progressively got worse,” she explained. “Since it was on my back and I couldn’t see it every day, it was out of sight and out of mind.”

During an appointment with her primary care doctor, Melinda randomly thought to have her doctor look at the mole on her back. Upon seeing the mole, her doctor immediately referred her to get a biopsy; which the results came back as malignant.

“At first, I was very scared and ashamed,” she admitted. “I was upset with myself, because I could have taken action and had this removed years ago before it became cancerous. As someone who grew up in the 80’s, I spent a majority of my time in tanning beds. I wish someone would have told me to never set foot in one.”

Three weeks after the diagnosis, Melinda had her malignant melanoma surgically removed. Due to her diagnosis, she is now more prompt to stay up-to-date on all of her health care screenings and appointments; and she is encouraging others to do the same.

Protecting your skin is important all year round, not just during the summer months. Luckily, there are ways you can shield your skin from the suns damaging rays, while still enjoying the great outdoor activities.

Simple things such as staying in the shade, wearing a hat and of course using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher will protect your skin and reduce your risk of cancer.

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your skin, an irregular shaped mole or a new growth. For more information visit adena.org/library.

(image) Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time in a woman’s life. Mothers can spend every moment of their pregnancy planning and preparing to welcome their newest member of the family, but before that big day arrives, moms need to remember to continue to care for their own health as well in the process. Adena Women’s Health provider Dr. Catherine Neal advises her patients on how to optimize their health before, during and after pregnancy.

Here are five tips Dr. Neal suggests you can do to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

1.     Take Prenatal Vitamins

The concept behind prenatal vitamins is that some of a women’s nutritional and vitamin needs increase with pregnancy. Though, according to Dr. Neal, the most vital time to take prenatal vitamins is actually three months before you plan on getting pregnant.

“Prenatal vitamins are essentially multivitamins filled with folic acid and iron, which is known to be important in supporting a healthy pregnancy,” she explains.

While there are many types of vitamins on the market, Dr. Neal believes there is not one brand that is superior to another. It is important to remember that prenatal vitamins are a supplement to a healthy diet for expectant moms. Prenatal vitamins are not a replacement for a healthy diet.

2.     Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration is always important, and during pregnancy it is critical. According to Dr. Neal drinking water is essential during the third trimester as dehydration can actually release a special chemical in the brain, causing false contractions. 

3.     Choose Healthy Snacks

The famous saying about pregnancy is that you’re eating for two. And while you might not actually need that many more calories when you’re expecting, your nutritional needs do increase.

“The average woman only needs to consume 300 more calories than she normally would while pregnant and only 500 more if breastfeeding,” said Dr. Neal.

She also recommends expectant mothers to eat fresh veggies, especially greens, nuts and whole grains. While fruits are very healthy and make great snacks, Dr. Neal advises to be mindful of how much fruit is consumed due to the amount of natural sugar they can contain. She says, many varieties of soft cheese are also safe to eat if pasteurized in the United States.

4.     Get Vaccinated

Vaccines help protect you and your baby against diseases. When you get vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself, but you are protecting your baby too.

According to Dr. Neal, the two most important vaccines to get while expecting are Tdap (to help protect against whopping cough) and the flu shot.

Whooping cough can be serious for anyone, but for your newborn, it can be life-threatening. Catching the flu also increases your chances for serious problems for your developing baby, including premature labor and delivery. It is also safe to get vaccinated while breastfeeding.

5.     Stay Active

Staying active during pregnancy can be challenging, but similar to eating healthy and staying hydrated, remaining physically active while pregnant is just as important to you and your baby’s health. There are many benefits to staying active such as decreased weight gain, improved sleep and increased energy.

“When it comes to physical activity, women should maintain the same routine they had before pregnancy, just not as intense,” suggests Dr. Neal. “A good rule of thumb, is to be able to still carry on a conversation while working out. If you are finding yourself out of breath or not able to speak, you should modify your workouts to lower the intensity.”

Dr. Neal warns women to be extra cautious of falling risks when running or participating in any aerobic type of exercises, as this could be hazardous to mom and baby.

Dr. Neal also cautions new mothers on turning to social media or the Internet for medical advice.

“If you have a question and are seeking medical advice, it is very important to contact your provider,” she said. “Building a close knit relationship with your provider is one of the best things you can do to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.”

For more information on Women’s Health Services or to schedule an appointment with Adena, contact Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN at 740-779-7201 or Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN – Premier at 740-642-4400.

(image) Most people have gallstones and do not even know it.  That is the most common presentation.  No symptoms.  However, if you know you have gallstones, chances are you are familiar with the abdominal pain and discomfort associated with gallbladder disease. When symptoms of gallstones occur, they are often called an "attack" because they occur suddenly. Some gallstones are small enough to be passed without symptoms or attacks. If there is significant pain or discomfort, surgery may be needed.

As a general surgeon who sees on average at least 10 patients with gallbladder disease or gallstones per week, Adena Health System’s Dr. Brandon Keys advises patients undergoing these types of attacks to seek medical attention sooner rather than later. 

“If you are experiencing gallstone symptoms, it’s best to see a surgeon as soon as possible,” he suggests. “Even if there is no need for surgery in the beginning, it is beneficial to get established with a surgeon should future attacks occur. The physician-patient relationship would be established and any future occurrences would allow us to get right to the heart of the matter – helping the patient feel better.”

Symptoms:

Usually, gallstones can lead to pain in the upper right abdomen and commonly occurs when foods that are high in fat are consumed.

According to Keys, symptoms of gallstones can vary. “For patients that are diabetic, or even women typically over the age of 40, they may believe they are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack,” he explains. “However, if it is confirmed that the patient is not undergoing a heart attack and if there are indeed stones, then I would regard it as a gallbladder attack.”

Other symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dark urine
• Stomach pain
• Burping
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion

Treatment:

The most common treatment for gallstones is gallbladder surgery, also called a cholecystectomy, during which your entire gallbladder is removed. Keys claims the vast majority of gallbladder surgeries performed today are done minimally invasively, which allows surgeons to perform procedures, like your cholecystectomy, using smaller incisions.

Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include:

• Less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery
• Fewer post-operative complications and infections

Adena offers robot-assisted surgery, which Dr. Keys utilizes in the majority of his gallbladder procedures.

“Typically, gallbladder surgery takes about 45-60 minutes,” says Keys. “Recovery time can vary, but usually the overwhelming majority of my patients tell me they feel back to 100% within a week, without any need for pain medication beyond Tylenol or Ibuprofen.”

If you have questions about gallstones or gallbladder disease, call 740-779-4550 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Keys. For more information on gallbladder surgery and other robotic-assisted surgery options at Adena, visit adena.org/surgery.

(image) Patient/physician relationships make a difference in health care.

“There’s someone for everyone,” touts the old adage. That certainly applies to the patient/physician relationship.

Physicians dedicate their lives to helping others. They hold valuable knowledge about conditions, diseases, medical resources and treatments. But they, just like their patients, are human. And being human means some personalities and relationships click more naturally than others. For patients diagnosed with a potentially terminal disease, like cancer, that relationship often reaches a new level of importance.

Woman to Woman

When Penny Hutchinson describes her experience being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer, certain words stand out: at first fearful and overwhelmed, then comforted and, ultimately, cared for.

For Hutchinson, having a positive, trusting relationship with her physician played a crucial role in her battle with breast cancer. Her initial feelings upon being diagnosed were eased during her first visit with her general surgeon, Dr. Christin Spahn of Adena Surgical.

Like Hutchinson, Spahn is a woman. This was a welcome situation for a woman about to go through one of the greatest challenges of her life.

“I haven’t seen very many female physicians in my life, but I feel so much more comfortable with a female,” Hutchinson says. “I feel that they are more in tune with what is going on in my mind and body.”

A Missed Mammogram

Hutchinson’s reason for being in Spahn’s office started much earlier. She skipped a mammogram in 2017, then in late spring of 2018 she caught a nasty virus that landed her in the doctor’s office. The physician wanted to do a CT scan of her chest.

“My primary care physician had been bugging me to schedule a mammogram,” Hutchinson recalls. “So I figured, I’ll be there anyways, might as well do the mammogram, too, and get it over with.”

A 3D mammogram discovered a lump in her breast, and on top of the anxiety of suddenly knowing she may have cancer, she was almost immediately burdened with various appointments — a surgeon, oncologist, a radiation oncologist.

“It was all very overwhelming,” she says.

Getting Started

Hutchinson wasn’t familiar with any of the surgeons she had the option of choosing, but Spahn’s compassionate style helped put her at ease during their first appointment.

Spahn acknowledges how overwhelming and scary a cancer diagnosis can be, and she takes it upon herself to be supportive and empathetic.

“For any new patient, I give everyone the time they need, which is often not just the allotted time,” Spahn says. “I sit down and explain the basics. I draw pictures. We talk about all of the potential options, the specific type of treatment for the patient — even if the patient isn't a candidate, so they understand why they weren't a candidate. These are life-altering decisions that can’t be made in the span of 10 minutes.”

It was obvious to Hutchinson she was going to be in good, caring hands.

“Once I met Dr. Spahn, I was so glad that she was going to be my surgeon,” Hutchinson says.

A Difficult Time

Hutchinson’s surgery with Spahn was scheduled to happen within a week of that first visit. Unfortunately, Spahn was unable to perform the surgery on the scheduled date because of a death in the family. Hutchinson's spirits, which had been so lifted by her interaction with Spahn, were no longer high.

“My heart sank,” recalls Hutchinson, who opted to have another surgeon do the initial lumpectomy.

When the pathology report returned, Spahn wanted to do a second surgery as a precautionary measure. Hutchinson thought this was very caring on Spahn's part, and she followed through with undergoing the second procedure.

Follow-Up

Following surgery, breast cancer patients are seen every six months for follow-up exams. The patient does not necessarily meet with her surgeon for these appointments, but Spahn offered Hutchinson the option of seeing her for the exams.

Spahn offers this to all of her patients as a way of providing convenience for routine follow-ups.

“Many times, a patient doesn’t want to see the oncologist and surgeon for the same thing,” Spahn says. “I gave Penny the option. I provide that option for all my patients. Everyone is different. I just care that the follow-up gets done.”

For Hutchinson, this was another example of Spahn’s compassionate and caring approach.

The Word on Cancer

For persons who are facing the challenge of a cancer diagnosis, Hutchinson advises: “Keep a positive attitude and remember there is always someone to talk to — and there is always hope! Don’t give up.”

While Hutchinson’s story has a happy ending, a cancer diagnosis and the events that followed would have ideally been avoided completely. She advocates that every woman get an annual mammogram. Regular mammograms don’t prevent cancer, but they do help with early detection, which increases the probability of a full recovery.

For more information on Adena Surgery, visit adena.org/surgery or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Spahn, call at 740-779-4550.

(image) Ignorance may be bliss, but in the case of penicillin allergies, what you don’t know may be causing you unnecessary health care hassles, risks, and stress. In the case of penicillin being incorrectly listed on people’s lists of allergies — and they are unknowingly not allergic to the antibiotic — this information is contributing to the rise in pharmaceutical prices and the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microbes. It also increases the likelihood patients will experience undesirable side effects caused by taking penicillin alternatives.

If your medical record says you’re allergic to penicillin, it’s time to get tested. Why? Because there’s a good chance you’re not.

BY THE NUMBERS

Dr. Dana Esham, Adena Allergy and Immunology, says 10 percent of people have penicillin on their allergy list, but nine out of 10 people are not actually allergic.

How does this happen? People are typically diagnosed with penicillin allergies when they are children. A child is prescribed penicillin to treat an infection, and if a rash develops — a common occurrence — penicillin is added to the child’s list of allergies. It is, however, impossible to know with absolute certainty the rash was caused by the penicillin. It could be the infection itself that caused the rash.

“There’s more to consider,” Esham says. “Immune systems change, and with penicillin it’s very likely you will lose that allergy. Up to 50 percent of kids lose a penicillin allergy over five years and 90 percent will lose it over the course of 10 years.”

ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP

Allergy societies have been encouraging as many people as possible to get tested and potentially get penicillin removed from their allergy lists.

Doing so has benefits across the board. Penicillin is more affordable and has fewer side effects than many other antibiotics. Plus, studies have shown that individuals with penicillin allergies have longer hospital stays and don’t do as well in the hospital as their nonallergic counterparts. This translates to better health outcomes, fewer hassles and lower medical bills.

“If penicillin is not on your allergy list, it gives us more options to treat the infection,” Esham says.

If you go to the hospital with an acute infection that can be helped with penicillin, but the antibiotic is on your allergy list, Esham may be called in to conduct a penicillin allergy test. She often gets referrals from hospitals in efforts to help a patient avoid a hospital stay.

BE PROACTIVE

But why wait until you have an acute infection before getting tested? It would be more useful to and convenient for you to get tested as an outpatient. Penicillin allergies are stressful to patients and make medical care more complicated, costly and risky.

Confirming a penicillin allergy requires a test that takes about two hours. It starts with a two-step skin test, then progresses to graded oral challenges of amoxicillin, all while you’re under observation. If there is any level of reaction the test is aborted, and you know you’re truly allergic.

“Of all the challenges and tests we do, this one is very safe and accurate,” Esham says. “I've tested a range from infancy to the elderly. It’s a relief and delight when they discover they are not allergic. It’s fun to give good news.”

Check your health care plan because getting tested for a penicillin allergy may be covered even if you have a high deductible.

“We all need to be more aware and responsible with our health care,” Esham says. “Physicians can help you with understanding. Get tested.”

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dana Esham, call 740-779-4393.

Adena Health System Sports Medicine is proud to announce its 2018-2019 male and female Athlete of the Year scholarship recipients. This year’s winners were Kieran Place of Zane Trace High School and Molly Smith of Wellston High School.

(image) As Adena’s Male Athlete of the Year, Kieran Place completed his high school athletic and academic career with numerous stellar achievements. Place led the Scioto Valley Conference in sacks this past season for the Pioneer football team and was a leader on and off the field. In the classroom, he carried a 3.9 GPA. His future plans include seeking admission into the United States Service Academy.

Adena’s Female Athlete of the Year Molly Smith finished her high school athletic and academic (image) career with an impressive list of accomplishments. She earned five varsity letters competing in volleyball and softball. Over the past two years, Smith received Academic All-Conference honors in both sports as well. Smith graduated with a 3.99 GPA and proved to be a positive role model on the field, court and in the classroom.

As Adena’s Athletes of the Year, Place and Smith will each receive a $3,000 scholarship. In addition, a donation of $500 will be made in their names to each of their respective school’s athletic departments. The Adena Sports Medicine Athlete of the Year Scholarship is funded by the Adena Health Foundation.

Congratulations to Kieran and Molly and to all our 2018-2019 Adena Athletes of the Month winners. For more information about the Adena Athlete of the Month program, visit www.adena.org/athlete

For more about Adena Health System, visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

(image) Most men are more comfortable talking about their golf game than their health. But is your health up to par? Or does it prevent you from doing the summer activities that you love? June is National Men’s Health Awareness Month, and the perfect time to be the most valuable player in your health care routine. 

Adena Health System wants to remind men about the importance of getting screened for colon, prostate and lung cancers. These are the three most common cancers treated at the Adena Cancer Center, and knowing what you can do to help prevent them could save your life.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable. So, why is it still the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States? Typically, people are afraid, embarrassed or anxious about the test prep, and avoid testing, which if found early, can be treated successfully. The number one way to prevent colon cancer is to have a colonoscopy.

During this test, the doctor will examine your colon. He or she is looking for signs of cancer and small growths (polyps) that can become cancerous over time. These polyps can be removed during the test before they turn into cancer. 

Men with a personal or family history of colon cancer, or those with risk factors can be more likely to have this cancer.High-risk factors include: being overweight; eating a diet mostly of high-fat foods; smoking; and being inactive. People with normal risk factors should have their first colonoscopy at age 50. Those with family history or high risk factors are encouraged to work with their primary care provider in deciding when to have their first screening.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading type of cancer in men treated at the Adena Cancer Center. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men.

Men who are older, African American, or have a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk of developing the disease. If you notice symptoms be sure to talk to your doctor immediately. Symptoms for prostate cancer can include: trouble urinating; erectile dysfunction; pain in the lower back, hips or thighs; and blood in the urine or semen.

Even without symptoms, men between the ages of 40 and 75 should talk with their provider about prostate cancer screening.

Lung Cancer

Compared with men who have never smoked, men who smoke are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer.Additionally, the rate of death by lung cancer for people in Ross County is higher than the lung cancer death rate for the state of Ohio, and startlingly 44 percent higher than the U.S. rate of death due to lung cancer. 

Never smoking or quitting smoking have been proven to reduce the incidence of lung cancer. But the greatest chance to survive lung cancer is by catching it early. This can be accomplished with a simple lung cancer screening.

Adena Health System offers free lung cancer screening. This program has become a national model for excellence. Since it began in Nov. 2014, more than 55 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer. The no-cost lung cancer screening is a simple, painless, low dose, non-invasive CT scan. The test easily identifies tumors or lesions that may need medical attention. 

Those eligible for the free screening are: between 55-74 years old; have 30 or more “pack years” of smoking in their past (a pack year=1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs a day for 15 years, 3 packs a day for 10 years, etc.); a current smoker or someone who has quit smoking in the past 15 years.Men in this group are recommended to have a lung screen each year for the greatest chance of survival in the event of a lung cancer diagnosis. 

To learn more about these or other men’s health screenings, visit adena.org/cancer or call 740-542-3030.

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Whether you are attending a local fireworks celebration, summer concert or you are at the race track, the summer months are filled with outside activities that include loud noises. Did you know these noises could potentially lead to hearing damage, and even permanent hearing loss? Adena Audiologist Rachel Maynard explains how you can protect your ears, and avoid noise-induced hearing loss.

What is noise-induced hearing loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss is exactly what it sounds like. It is hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises. This can also include prolonged exposure to lower-level loud sounds, such as a factory noise, where a worker is exposed routinely over a period of time; or a single instance of exposure to a very loud noise, such as a firecracker or gunshot. 

“This type of hearing loss generally has a distinctive pattern in the high pitch range of hearing, which helps us to identify noise exposure as the cause,” explained Maynard.  

Maynard has seen multiple patients with permanent hearing loss caused by a single exposure to guns or fireworks. However, hearing loss caused by factory machinery is the most common type of hearing loss she sees in her Chillicothe office. 

“Many of the other causes like concerts, lawn mowers or construction tend to be things that do not cause hearing loss all at once, but more likely occur when someone has had multiple instances - or years worth of this exposure,” she said. 

Signs and Symptoms: 

The main symptom of noise-induced hearing loss is trouble hearing voices or sounds at a normal level. You may suspect noise-induced hearing loss if you have any of the following:

• Trouble hearing soft or faint sounds;
• Normal conversation may sound muffled or unclear; and/or
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears.

Maynard added, “Typically, people will complain that voices are muffled, or it seems as if everyone is mumbling. Patients may also notice that they do not understand speech as well when there are background noises present in the environment, or if the person speaking is not facing them.”

When to seek medical treatment:

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A person should seek medical attention any time he or she has concerns about their hearing, or if they experience ringing in the ears. It is critical for a person who notices a sudden change in hearing to be medically evaluated as soon as possible.

Maynard suggests starting with an evaluation by your primary care provider. They can check for any physical causes, and can then refer you to an Audiology specialist if needed. The audiologist will complete a formal hearing test, will analyze your results, and discuss treatment options that may be necessary. 

Treatment Options:

According to Maynard, hearing aids are the most often recommended option to help patients regain their hearing. Other options may be available depending on the condition of the ear drum or how long ago the incident occurred. This is why it is so important that a patient be evaluated as soon as possible. 

Prevention: 

Remember, it only takes one exposure to a sound to cause permanent damage. 

“Consistency is key,” said Maynard. “A general rule of thumb is that if a noise is loud enough that you have to shout to be heard over it, hearing protection should be used.”  

There are many hearing protection devices available, from small in-the-ear devices to larger earmuff products.  

Maynard recommends wearing hearing protection when: 

• Attending music concerts;
• Riding a motorcycle;
• Operating factory machinery;
• Shooting guns;
• Setting off fireworks;
• Working construction;
• Using a chain saw or other power tools;
• Watching truck pulls at fairs; and 
• Going to the race track.

At Adena, our experienced audiologists are trained to work with adults and children. In addition to focusing on hearing loss, Adena offers services to help patients select and be fitted for hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and/or hearing protective devices, such as swim plugs.To schedule an appointment with an Adena audiologist, call 740-779-HEAR (4327) or visit adena.org/appointment

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Vice President Karen Jenkins has announced that starting June 17 the hospital has begun free parking lot shuttle services. Two ADA-compliant shuttles are available to the public and employees with designated shuttle stops located throughout the campus’ parking lots and at entrances to the hospital, Medical Office Building and Health Pavilion.  

“As Adena continues to grow we have faced a long-time challenge on our Chillicothe campus with parking,” said Jenkins. “We are continuously monitoring and evaluating our parking situation; looking for the most effective and sensible approaches. Adding shuttle services at this time will not only make finding a parking space easier for our patients, visitors and employees, but it will also get you from your car to our entrances, and back, in the fastest and most convenient way.”

The new shuttle service runs Monday – Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Each vehicle is able to carry up to 14 people; and makes stops at each designated location approximately every 15 minutes. Complimentary valet services are also still available Monday – Friday at many of the hospital’s main entrances.   (image)

As the new shuttle service begins, visitors will also notice a few more parking changes in the coming months around the ARMC campus. The hospital’s new West Entrance, and the adjoining visitor parking lot is scheduled to open in late August/early September. This addition will give patients and visitors an additional 80 parking spaces. 

The opening of these new spaces will be important because later this summer, Adena will break ground on its recently announced Orthopedic and Robotics Center, which will include a parking structure that will add approximately 300 new spaces. Construction of the new Orthopedic and Robotics Center will result in the closure of the parking lot located to the west of the Medical Office Building.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation during times of construction and growth,” Jenkins added. “Having parking lots that are full is a great sign that people are coming to us for their care.”

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Between carpools, conference calls, cooking dinner, and spending time with the family, personal health often takes a back seat to everyday life. While family always comes first, caring for yourself is one of the best ways you can care for others. 

Don’t let heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions sneak up on you. Instead, prevent them by seeing your doctor for a yearly well-woman checkup.

At your checkup, your doctor will likely suggest health screenings. These tests can help spot potentially deadly conditions before they become life-threatening. Here are six screenings that can help you stay healthy.

1. Blood pressure

Nearly half of all Americans older than age 20 have chronic high blood pressure—130/80 mmHg or greater. Getting your blood pressure checked yearly, and changing your lifestyle or using medication, if necessary, can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease.

2. Cholesterol

This simple blood test—after an overnight fast—measures levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol and LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. These fats in your blood can affect your risk for heart disease and stroke.

3. Pap test

This test, as part of a pelvic exam, takes a sample of cells from the cervix to check for cervical cancer. Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap test every three years, or once a year based on their risk factors. From ages 30 to 65, you should get screened every three to five years. Cervical cancer and the beginning stages of the disease are treatable if caught early.

4. Mammogram

This breast X-ray can find breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages. Women should start talking with their doctor about mammogram screenings at the age of 40. It is recommended to get screened once a year until age 49. If you’re between ages 50 and 74, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening every two years.

5. Blood glucose

This simple blood test helps detect type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, which can increase the risk for heart disease and other complications. It’s recommended for adults ages 40 to 70 who are overweight.

6. Colonoscopy

During this test, the doctor will examine your colon, looking for signs of cancer and small growths that can become cancerous over time, which can be removed during the test. Experts recommend getting a colonoscopy starting at age 50.

Throughout the varying life stages, you can count on our experienced physicians to help you prevent illness and disease, keeping you healthy for you and your family. 

Adena offers a wide range of services including wellness and prevention programs, comprehensive breast care, obstetrics, gynecology and gynecological surgery including new robotically-assisted minimally invasive surgery, nutrition counseling, pelvic rehabilitation, urodynamics, oncology and cardiology services, and more. 

For more information, call Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN at 740-779-7201 or Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN- Blackwater Road at 740-642-4400.

 (image) Adena Pike Medical Center (APMC), in partnership with The Recovery Council, is set to begin a medically-assisted inpatient detoxification pilot program. This will be the first program of its kind in the region to help individuals with opioid addiction.

APMC’s inpatient medical-stabilization service will begin later this month, with patients being admitted to the hospital through The Recovery Council, a Waverly-based treatment facility. While at the hospital, patients will have access to medication to ease withdrawal, which often includes intense flu-like symptoms. The average hospital stay is expected to be three to five days, APMC leaders said. Following detox, patients return to The Recovery Council for further treatment.

“Adena and The Recovery Council identified the need for a medical detox program in the community,” said Dave Zanni, APMC Senior Operations Executive Officer. “Currently, patients with opioid use disorder have had to detox in jail, or if being helped by The Recovery Council, have had to travel pretty far away, sometimes across state lines, for medically-assisted detox. With APMC now a resource for The Recovery Council, their clients will be medically monitored appropriately while going through detox.”

In many instances, patients have co-morbid diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure that need to be monitored while they go through the detox process. Through APMC’s inpatient setting, those patients can receive the medical attention they need.

“We want to help people manage their symptoms, so we can set them up for success,” explained Lometa Smith, MSN, RN, APMC director of Nursing. “When someone is going through a substance detox that is one of the things that turns them back to their addiction because of the symptoms they experience when they are not using.”

APMC will not perform substance abuse therapy while patients are in the care of the hospital, only manage the medical symptoms of the patients. Once a patient is medically cleared, the hospital will contact The Recovery Council, which will return the patient back to their facility.

The APMC staff has gone through extensive training to prepare for this new service. In addition to clinical education, two patients in recovery visited the hospital to speak with staff, providing intimate details and understanding of what it is like to go through the detox process.

“We understand that we may have some patients that will need more than one detox admission,” Smith said. “Statistically, most clients are not successful their first time through. This population has a stigma around them and I think in the medical field we can become very jaded to that - especially when you are seeing clients multiple times through the facility. We want to make sure our caregivers understand and have compassion for these individuals; and to help them understand that someone does care for them, and we are here to support them.”

The focus of APMC’s program is narrow during this early pilot phase. The hospital is exclusively working with The Recovery Council. Long-term plans for the program include opening the service up to other referring treatment centers, self-referred patients and expanding the program to Adena’s other critical access hospital in Greenfield. Possibilities for extending the inpatient detox to patients battling substances other than opioids is being considered as well.

The program will begin with one patient its first week, with the goal of expanding up to five over time.

“We’re a little nervous and a little excited,” Smith added. “We want to make sure we are setting the patients up for success, as well as our caregivers.”

For more about Adena Health System, visit us at adena.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

 Chillicothe Famers Market

475 Western Avenue

Chillicothe, OH

 Open: Saturdays from 8 a.m. - Noon

May – October

Way Farms Waverly Market

403 E. Emmitt Avenue

Waverly, OH

 Open: Weekdays from 3 - 8 p.m.

Saturdays 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sundays Noon - 6 p.m.

For the second time in a week, Adena Health System has received positive news from a nationwide credit rating agency. S&P Global Ratings has assigned Adena its A- long-term rating for 2019 revenue bonds to be issued; and has also affirmed its A- long-term rating on Adena’s existing debt, with a stable outlook.

 S&P noted its ratings “reflect Adena’s volume and revenue growth over the last few years. This growth reflects the focus of the System’s management team on developing Adena as a regional referral center by strengthening its brand, growing its medical staff, and expanding its local and regional partnerships.”

 “We are pleased with S&P Global’s assessment of Adena’s financial position,” said Chief Financial Officer Lisa Carlson. “It’s affirmation of the System’s strategic and financial journey assures us; and should be a sign to our communities and region that Adena is in a good position to provide close-to-home, safe and quality care for our patients now and in the future.”

The series 2019 revenue bonds total approximately $85 million, and includes approximately a $65 million of new money that will be used to fund construction of a major expansion of the Adena Regional Medical Center’s Chillicothe campus. The new hospital addition will house the orthopedic service line as well as robot-assisted surgery, a 20-bed inpatient unit, clinic offices, rehabilitation services, and six operating rooms. 300 additional parking spaces will be added, adjacent to the building, in a multi-parking deck. Investor discussions are currently underway with potential bond buyers, with the sale of bonds expected to begin in June. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin later this year, with opening set for 2021. 

Last week, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed its A3 rating with a stable outlook for the Health System.

Moody’s Investors Service has affirmed Adena Health System’s A3 rating with a stable outlook. Moody’s Investors Service is a New York-based, nationally-prominent company that ranks the creditworthiness of a business. 

Each year, Health System leaders present the strategies, market trends and financial situation for evaluation, which is followed by the publishing of a rating of credit strength. This year, New York came to Chillicothe with representatives of Moody’s wanting to see Adena’s operations first hand.

“Adena is somewhat of a financial anomaly in today’s health care industry, and the New York-based bond raters wanted to see for themselves what we are doing well to drive our success,” said Chief Financial Officer Lisa Carlson. “They were impressed with our strategic plan, operations and financial performance. Reaffirming an A3 rating with a stable outlook speaks to our strong performance since 2017. It also confirms that we are strategically headed in the right direction for continued success.”

The rating issued is closely watched by investors and potential investors; and is similar to an individual’s credit score. In a news release announcing the rating and outlook, Moody’s states, “The A3 rating reflects Moody’s view that Adena Health will show solid revenue growth as management’s strategy of targeted physician recruitment will continue to capture volumes. We expect Adena will maintain solid operating margins, while newly-recruited physicians ramp up volumes and the system expands its footprint throughout the region.”

The stable outlook reflects Moody’s view that, “Adena will maintain solid operating cash flow margins while sustaining solid revenue growth,” the report said. “The outlook reflects Moody’s expectation that Adena will strengthen its leading market position in the system’s broad nine-county service area.”

“While it’s common for an organization to adopt new strategies each year, we are maintaining our focus on giving our patients the health care services they need, close to home,” said President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Through partnerships with other independent health care providers and businesses in the region, and by recruiting physicians to serve patients across our nine-county service area, we expect to continue to see positive results with a high quality of patient care and satisfaction.”

According to the Moody’s report, Adena’s key strengths are: it’s multi-year trend of strengthened margins; considerable enterprise growth; further growth in liquidity and debt coverage; and the continued trend of management stability and execution of strategies. Moody’s listed Adena’s most pronounced challenge coming from the demographics of the region that includes a large number of governmental payers that could limit improvements in margin.

To learn more about Adena and its services, visit www.adena.org.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. It only takes 12 minutes for a pea-size portion of the brain to die during a stroke. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the risk for permanent disability and death.

(image) However, did you know that more than 80 percent of strokes are preventable?

Strokes can be one of the most devastating emergency conditions that can strike. But they don’t have to be. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke, and getting care quickly gives you the best possibility of restoring full health. 

Adena Regional Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has an established protocol that provides best results for patients to greatly reduce chances of disability. In 2017, more than 180 stroke patients were treated by Adena Health System’s Neurologists.

When a stroke patient arrives in the emergency room, Adena’s goal is to ensure a provider sees the patient within 10 minutes. Tests and scan will be done and results will be read within 45 minutes. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is essentially a brain attack that occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off and causes lack of oxygen to brain tissue. 

When brain cells do not get oxygen, they die, It’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. A delay in treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or even death.

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Risk Factors? 

Anyone can have a stroke, at any age, at any time. However, there are certain things that can increase your chances of having a stroke. The best way to protect yourself or a loved one from a stroke is to understand the risks. 

Medical Risk Factors:

• High Blood Pressure:  High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. It occurs when the pressure of the blood in your arteries and other blood vessels is too high. There are often no symptoms of high blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked often, and if you have high blood pressure, lowering your blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medicine can lower your risk for stroke.
• High Cholesterol: If we take in more cholesterol than our bodies can use, extra cholesterol can build up in the arteries, including those in the brain. This can lead to narrowing of the arteries, causing a stroke or other problems. A blood test can tell your doctor if you have high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (a related kind of fat) in your blood.
• Heart Disease: Coronary artery disease can increase your risk of stroke. This is a result of plaque build-up in the arteries, which can block the flow of oxygen to the brain. Other heart conditions, such as heart valve defects, and enlarged heart chambers, can cause blood clots that may break loose and cause a stroke.

 Life Style Risk Factors: 

• Tobacco Use: Smoking, along with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes, tops the list as a primary risk factor for heart disease. In fact, smoking is the single most preventable stroke risk.
• Physical Activity:  Not getting up and moving can increase your risk of becoming overweight, developing high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Going on a brisk walk, taking the stairs and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day can decrease your riskfor cardiovascular disease or stroke. 
• Diet:A heart-healthy diet can reduce your chance of stroke.A heart-healthy and well-balanced diet includes eating more servings of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and lean meats; while eating less servings of processed foods including fried foods, lunch meats, chips and cookies. 

How can I prevent a stroke? 

Most strokes can be prevented by keeping medical conditions under control and making positive lifestyle changes. Once these factors have been identified, it is best to work with your health care provider to establish how you can reduce your risk. A good place to start is to know your ABCS of heart health: 

• Aspirin: Aspirin may help lower your risk for stroke.
• Blood Pressure: Control your blood pressure.
• Cholesterol: Control your cholesterol.
• Smoking: Quit smoking or don’t start.

Recognize and Respond 

 Recognize: What are Symptoms of a Stroke? 

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, particularly on one side
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding 
• Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of coordination
• Sever headache with unknown cause 

Respond: What to do if you expect stroke?

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Knowing your risk factors is only half the battle. Strokes can happen suddenly, anytime and anywhere. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. 

• F- Face 

            Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

• A- Arms

           Ask the person to raise both arms, Does one arm drift downward?

• S- Speech

           Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred? 

• T-Time 

            If you see any of these signs call 9-1-1 right away.

Strokes can come on suddenly and progress rapidly, causing permanent disability if not treated quickly. If a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of a stroke, it might be tempting to drive him or her to the emergency department. However, calling 9-1-1 is your loved one’s best chance for survival. 

Stroke Treatment at Adena Health System 

Adena understands that like our patients, every stroke is different. Adena offers many therapy and recovery options for those who have survived a stroke. (image)

Adena’s Stroke Team includes: neurologists, emergency physicians, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation experts, hospitalists and radiology and lab technicians. Whether you or a loved one is in need of physical, occupational or speech therapy, Adena’s dedicated team of providers is here for you. 

Thanks to telemedicine, Adena’s neurologists can also videoconference with physicians at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center when a second opinion is needed. 

To learn more about Adena’s Neurology and Stroke Services, visit adena.org/stroke or call 740-779-4589.

(image) When Pearl Hall, 68, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was not surprised. Having gone seven years without having a mammogram and knowing cancer ran in her family, Pearl knew the odds of being cancer free were not in her favor. 

After years of not getting screened, Pearl’s husband actually convinced her to schedule an appointment. “I have no excuses for why I put it off, other than life just happened,” she said. 

The Hocking Hills resident was diagnosed with breast cancer after having an abnormal screening. The screening came back showing a small tumor. “After the biopsy results came back malignant, the doctor told me we could remove it right away and that’s what we did,” she explained. 

If put off any longer, her cancer could have grown or spread to other parts of her body increasing the chance for the need of chemo or radiation. “I was so blessed to catch my cancer when I did and to have the option to remove it,” she said. “I was also blessed to have such a supportive team of experts at the Adena Cancer Center and in Adena Surgery.” (image)

As a result of her successful double mastectomy,a risk-reducing surgery for women at very high risk for getting breast cancer, Pearl is now a proud cancer survivor of four years. She praises Adena General Surgeon Dr. Christin Spahn for the expert and compassionate care she was given. “Dr. Spahn is one of a kind,” she exclaimed. “She made me feel so comfortable and put me at ease. By just the touch of her hand, I knew I was going to be okay.”

Pearl added, “Not only was she knowledgeable, comforting and informative, she was fun. Going to see her for follow-ups was like going to visit a dear friend. Her humor and personality are what got me through the hard times.”

 As a cancer survivor, Pearl’s advice is to not put off mammograms and screenings because early detection could save your life. The Adena Cancer Center recommends that women with normal risk for breast cancer start getting annual mammograms at age 40. 

Adena offers 3D digital mammograms at five locations including Chillicothe, Jackson, Greenfield and Waverly, giving patients the fastest and most accurate results possible. 

(image) To schedule a mammogram with Adena Radiology, call 740-779-7711 or for more information visit adena.org/cancer.  

Dr. Christin Spahn and Adena’s team of general surgeons provide a variety of surgical services offering patient experiences just like Pearl’s. For more information on Adena Surgery, visit adena.org/surgery. 

(image) Adena Health System President and CEO Jeff Graham today announced plans to construct a five-story Orthopedic and Robotics Center on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC), located in Chillicothe. The project, currently in the design phase, represents a $70-million investment in providing the south central and southern Ohio region with greater nearby access to orthopedic treatment and minimally-invasive surgical care.

“Since ARMC opened more than 45 years ago, we have grown our services as more patients across south central Ohio have entrusted us with their care,” said Graham. “In recent years, we have developed a great need for additional operating rooms and inpatient space to accommodate the new technology in robotic surgical procedures. The new center will meet the needs of our rapidly growing orthopedic service line and robotic surgery program, and will become a “destination center for care.” Our investment will also enable other specialties to grow as a result of this project.”

The current ARMC facility opened in January 1974. The hospital was constructed with six operating rooms, efficient for the needs of the time. The new center will include at least six operating rooms to meet the specific technological and space needs for current and future orthopedic and robot-assisted surgeries.

(image) Patients will immediately notice a focus on hospitality and a concierge service atmosphere when they arrive at the new Ortho / Robotic Center, which will include a parking structure that will add approximately 300 new spaces. The aesthetics of the public areas will be something patients have not seen in the region before, and the center will be designed to provide a calming, positive experience for patients, visitors and staff.

Funding for the project will come from the sale of bonds. The Ross County Commissioners have agreed to facilitate bonds that will allow Adena to begin this project. Bonds will be sold to investors to support the cost of the project and to refinance some existing infrastructure debt at today’s low interest rates. Bond underwriter, Cain Brothers, will soon release a Preliminary Official Statement (POS) to notify potential investors that the bonds are available for purchase. Investor presentations will take place to answer any questions from potential bond buyers, then the bonds will be sold and the bond purchase documents closed. Completion is expected by July 1, 2019.

 Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the new center opening in 2021.

(image) Having surgery at any age can bring with it lots of emotions. For younger patients at Adena Regional Medical Center, those anxieties and fears are being driven away, literally. 

Adena Surgery now offers remote control cars to pediatric patients for a special ride as they head into surgery. The bright red cars can be operated by both the young driver as well as by a hand-held remote controlled by an Adena employee.

Adena currently has two surgery transport cars, one for the hospital’s Main Operating Room and a second in the Adena Pavilion Surgery Center. The cars are used to take kids to procedures such as tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, the insertion of ear tubes and dental cases.

The idea to bring this concept to Adena came from Anesthesia Manager Deb Park. Park had seen a video on YouTube, where this was being done at a hospital in Oklahoma, to make the hospital less intimidating to children. Similar programs are also being done at hospitals in Buffalo and San Diego. 

“I saw the video and thought ‘we could do this’,” Park explained. “We had a staff meeting and everyone was on board with the idea. The Anesthesia Department even donated the money to purchase the cars. I got to see the first case go back using them and I had tears in my eyes. The young girl was so excited. I’ve even seen some kids jump right out of their bed and get in the car.”

For the mother of four-year-old patient Katelin Davis seeing her daughter in good spirits ahead of her dental surgery helped her as well. “It was a lot easier on us knowing she wasn't upset heading to surgery,” Amanda Davis said. “I was nervous because she gets upset easy about things like this. Seeing her smiling and laughing was a huge relief. She has told everyone that she got to drive a Mercedes to the dentist room, and she got her picture taken while she did it. It really helped her cope with it all.”

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Since Adena has introduced the surgery transport cars, doctors have been noticing the positive effects it is having on their young patients.

"The red car has been a wonderful addition for our pediatric patients,” said Dr. Eileen Martinez, who performed Katelin’s surgery. “It makes them excited to come back to the operating room when they generally have separation fear and anxiety coming back. I'm thankful for the purchase, and always enjoy watching the kiddos enter riding in style!"

(image) Adena CRNA David Kohn agrees, “When it’s time for a child to be taken back for their procedure, it’s often difficult for the child to separate from their parents. As nurse anesthetists, we always do our best to make that transition easier; and the offer to ride in a ‘Mercedes’ to the operating room can really go a long way in putting a smile on the child’s face at a challenging moment.”

Missy Brenner, Adena Manager for Medical Staff Services and Provider Enrollment can attest to the impact the surgery transport car had with her family, including grandson, Cooper. “This is absolutely wonderful from the perspective of a patient’s family. This group provided an extra touch to make the transition for a three-year-old boy having a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Not only did he love driving the car, it made that separation and anxiety of the transfer easier for my daughter and son-in-law. I’m so, so proud of my Adena family.”

“The pediatric patients I've seen have really enjoyed the little red car,” commented Anesthesiologist Dr. Jacqueline Graham. “It seems to be an interesting and fun way to head to the operating room on a day that can sometimes be fraught with uncertainty and apprehension for the kiddos (and their parents). I've witnessed more giggles and laughter rolling down the hallways with the little red car, and it is a joy to see.”

With any surgery, it is often the road to recovery that is discussed. But for these young Adena patients, the road to the operating room is the one they’ll remember.

(image) Adena Family Medicine - Ironmen Clinic is officially open to meet the health care needs of Jackson City Schools students and staff. Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham, members of Adena’s leadership team, and representatives of Jackson City Schools officially cut the ribbon on Adena’s first ever school-based health care clinic during a Tuesday evening program.

The school-based primary care clinic is intended to meet the health care needs of local students, while helping the district achieve its attendance and academic performance expectations.

Growing research shows that the link between a healthy child and a successful educational experience go hand in hand. But too often, some children don’t get the health care services they need, and their grades and/or behavior in school can be impacted. 

“This partnership, and the resulting clinic within Jackson Middle School, came about to fill a gap in care for children in this community,” said Graham. “Adena is committed to making sure students, families and workers throughout our nine-county region have close, convenient access to health care. By opening this clinic on school grounds, we can be assured that students in the district have access to quality health care, when and where they need it.”

Jackson City Schools includes three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. All are within one to five minutes of each other. The District provides transportation to any child who needs to get to the clinic, which offers everything available in a primary care or pediatric office. 

Though encouraged to do so, parents do not have to be present for their child to see an Adena provider in the school clinic. Nor do parents or guardians have to worry about transportation barriers, missing work, or other issues that might otherwise prohibit their child from receiving needed care. For parents or guardians unable to be present for their child’s clinic appointment, processes are in place to get their consent for treatment, and to keep them informed and active in their child’s care.

All visits are billed to the student’s insurance. The cost of a visit is the same as any other clinic visit at Adena, and dependent on the complexity of the visit and the procedures performed. No child will be turned away due to lack of insurance or the family’s ability to pay.

Adena-employed nurse practitioners are operating the Ironmen Clinic, and provide services consistent with primary care, including:

·       Treatment of acute illness such as ear/sinus infection, cold, flu, cough, sore throat;

·       Chronic disease management including diabetes and asthma;

·       Behavioral health treatment such as anxiety, depression and ADHD/ADD;

·       Comprehensive annual wellness exams & sports physicals;

·       Immunizations and disease prevention;

·       On-site testing for blood sugar, strep throat, flu, hearing, vision and more;

·       Lab specimen collection (including blood draws); and

·       Reproductive health needs.

In addition to the students, district staff are also able to utilize the clinic’s services for their primary care needs.

The Ironmen clinic is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:15 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Wednesdays from 7:15 a.m. – 11 a.m. When school is not in session, the clinic’s nurse practitioners will be available for appointments at Adena Family Medicine and Pediatrics - Jackson.

Summer Hours at the clinic at Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7 a.m.- 12 p.m.

(image) Adena Health System has been named a Gallup Great Workplace. A four-time Gallup Great Workplace Award winner, Adena is one of just 40 organizations in the world to receive this distinction in 2019.

“Being recognized as a Gallup Great Workplace among a handful of global organizations is a big achievement; and sustaining that level of employee engagement for consecutive years is what sets us apart,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Having engaged employees is a foundation for delivering outstanding quality care with an exceptional patient experience, and a major driver in what leads people to choose Adena over other health care choices they have. I couldn’t be more proud of the work being done at all our facilities. Engaged caregivers have been the catalyst in Adena Regional Medical Center being named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019 by Healthgrades, a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital by IBM Watson Health and a 4-Star Hospital by Hospital Compare, as well as Adena Pike Medical Center earning a 5-Star Hospital Rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.”

According to Gallup, about 15 percent of workers worldwide show up engaged and ready to maximize their performance each day. However, a few exceptional organizations, like Adena Health System, have more than 70 percent of their workforce ready to exceed expectations.

The Gallup Great Workplace Award honors those organizations that realize exceptional performance by creating outstanding workplace cultures. Gallup's rigorous criteria ensure award winners represent some of the world's best workplaces.

To be considered for the award, organizations must meet the following minimum criteria:

·        Administer Gallup's Q12 employee engagement survey;

·        Receive a high, qualifying response rate; and

·        Receive a qualifying score that places them in the upper echelon of organizations in Gallup's global database.

“Adena has cultivated a culture of employee engagement, development and service excellence,” said Faitha Shelton, Interim Chief People Services Officer. “Being recognized as a multi-year Gallup Great Workplace places us in a unique class. We are not only looked at as a top health care provider, but as an organization where employees feel valued, which translates into better patient care.”  

 As a result of its engagement efforts, in 2018, Adena retained more than 92 percent of its overall workforce. The Health System also had a 2018 physician retention rate of nearly 96 percent.

Gallup Great Workplace Award winners represent a wide range of industries and countries, and set a high standard for what the world's employers can achieve. In addition to being a 2019 Gallup Great Workplace Award winner, Adena Health System earned the honor in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

To learn more about the 2019 Gallup Great Workplace Award, visit http://on.gallup.com/2HWtpst.

To learn about career opportunities and how to join our team, visit adena.org/careers. 

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Adena Health System Chief Operating Officer Katherine Edrington has announced that Karen Jenkins has been named the new Vice President of Adena Regional Medical Center. “Karen is a highly respected leader, and I am happy she is joining our leadership team at such a critical time for the hospital,” said Edrington. “Anyone who has worked with Karen knows her as an effective communicator and collaborator. She also takes pride in improving the delivery of our care and patient satisfaction, making her the right choice for this position.”

Jenkins began her career at Adena in 2002 as a Speech Pathologist. Through the years, her career has advanced into larger leadership roles most recently as Director of Rehabilitation and Radiology Services. In 2018, she moved into the role of Interim Vice President for the hospital.

“I am thrilled to take on this expanded responsibility and further advance the hospital,” said Jenkins. “As Ross County’s largest employer, we have a responsibility to our community to provide the best in close-to-home care, making Adena the first choice in health care for people in our region.”

In her role as VP, Jenkins oversees the daily operations of the 225-bed hospital, which is also home to advanced surgical suites, specialized inpatient units, cardiac care, orthopedic care, Women and Children’s Center, along with many physician practices and specialty areas. Situated on the facility’s campus is a new, state-of-the-art emergency department; primary care and specialty services located in the Medical Office Building and Health Pavilion; and the Adena Cancer Center. 

Jenkins enters the position at a time when the hospital is experiencing significant growth. A $36 million Emergency Department renovation and expansion project nears completion by year’s end. Adena Regional Medical Center was also named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019 by Healthgrades™. The hospital has also been given a 4-star rating for quality by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid.

A native of Loudonville, OH, Jenkins received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Disorders from Marshall University. She went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Morehead State University.

(image) As the health care industry continues to evolve, and the baby boomer population gets older, the demand for medical professionals has steadily increased. The result in many areas is a national shortage of trained medical personnel. One area where workers are in demand is the Medical Assistant(MA) field, where thousands of trained workers are needed.

Medical Assistants are often the first caregiver a patient encounters on their way from the waiting room to an examination room. These health care professionals are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties, such as assisting physicians during a patient examination, taking patient vital signs, entering and updating patient records, scheduling appointments and much more.

Adena, like many health care operations, has been challenged to find a substantial number of qualified MAs to fill openings in many of its outpatient clinics. To help address the shortage of MAs in the region,Adena Health System and Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center’s Ohio Technical Center (PRCTC) partnered to offer a six-month program to Adena employees who wished advance their careers by earning an MA certification.

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Mary Richards, 39, and Starr Patrick, 42, were each working at Adena as Patient Access Representatives (Registrars) when they heard about the MA education program. 

“I’ve always had an interest in Medicine, but never thought I could do it - especially at this age,” Mary said. “Between raising kids, working, and life in general, I thought I would never have the time to go back to school. With some encouragement from my family, co-workers and my boss, I decided to go for it.”

“I’ve always wanted to take care of people,” added Starr, whose background already included nursing school. “When this program opened up, I told myself I was going to give school one last try. This class was better for me than others I have taken because it allowed me to not only learn, but I got a high-quality, hands-on experience in a small classroom setting, which made it easy to ask questions and get answers.”

The MA Program was customized by PRCTC and offered free of charge through Learning and Organizational Development Department to help employees who are looking to further their education and expand their skills. Both Mary and Starr agreed that not having to pay a penny out of pocket was a great motivator in registering; and was a huge benefit of being an Adena employee. Classes were offered in the evenings on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center, making it easy and convenient to balance the women’s daily job duties and classes.

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“I always put my education on the backburner because I wanted to have the finances to support my children’s education first,” explained Mary. “This gave me the opportunity to do something for myself, and do what I wanted to do.” 

Mary and Starr are now both working at Adena as full-time MAs. They each say they are more financially successful than they had been in their previous roles. The pair is also enjoying every minute of their new jobs, and seeing a positive change in their personal lives as well. 

“I feel so rewarded,” said Starr. “It is so nice to be on a consistent schedule, and for once in my life, I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing. Working with the providers has been a great experience so far, and I’m excited to continue this journey.”

Mary added, “I am proud to show my children that no matter your age you can achieve your dreams. I am a prime example that you are never too old to reach for the stars. If you apply yourself and work hard, you can do anything.” 

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Adena and PRCTC have been selected by Ohio’s Talent Development Network as a 2019 Innovative Project Award Winner. This award was introduced in 2012 to recognize partners for unique and innovative ways they address customer needs and for identifying business challenges, solutions and outcomes in their workforce communities that positively impact talent development. 

For more about Adena and PRCTC’s MA Program or other course offerings, visit www.pickawayross.com. To learn more about career options at Adena Health System visit www.adena.org/careers. 

(image) Adena Health announced today it will be a Platinum sponsor of the 2019 Buck Fifty Race to be held in Chillicothe, April 12-13, 2019. Adena becomes the event’s first-ever sponsor at this level in the race’s three-year history.     

“We are excited to expand our partnership with The Buck Fifty, and to be a proud supporter of an event that is making our region a destination for people from across the country,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “We have seen the growth of The Buck Fifty every year; and fully support its efforts toward health and wellness, and its work in fighting the opioid epidemic and drug abuse in our communities through the Drug Free Clubs of America Program.”

The Buck Fifty is a 150-mile overnight relay race through scenic southern Ohio. The race is designed for five and 10-person teams to challenge themselves running through four state and national parks, country roads and historic Chillicothe. One hundred percent of the profits from the race stay local, going directly to sponsor every high school student in Ross County who would like to participate in the Drug Free Clubs of America Program.

In addition to Adena Health’s Platinum sponsorship, it will be providing health care providers at several checkpoints throughout the race to ensure the health and safety of participants.

“We are humbly grateful for Adena’s support for The Buck Fifty,” said Race Director Dave Huggins. “With Adena as our flagship Platinum sponsor, this will not only help us grow our race, but will help to support more than 2,000 members of Drug Free Clubs of America. We are changing the future of our region together, as a team. We are closing in on year three of The Buck Fifty, and I truly believe we are just getting started in what we can accomplish.”

For more information on The Buck Fifty, and to register for the race, visit www.thebuckfifty.com.   

To learn more about services offered at Adena Health Center-Waverly or to schedule an appointment call 740-941-5150 or visit adena.org. 

Colonoscopy among reasons cited for decline in colorectal cancer deaths

(image) The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimated more than 140,000 people in the United States would be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, and that more than 50,000 people would die from the disease.

While those figures may be scary to some people, increased awareness of colorectal cancer, and an emphasis on preventive screenings are credited with reducing colorectal cancer deaths by 35 percent between 1991 and 2009, according to Dr. Vamsi Koduri, MD, a hematology and oncology specialist at the Adena Cancer Center.

Advancements in screening technology and providers being more adept at performing screening colonoscopies have also helped lower the mortality rate of the nation’s second leading cause of cancer death, Koduri says. Colorectal cancer represents, on average, 8.1 percent of new cancer cases and 8.3 percent of deaths by cancer each year, according to NCI.

The screening colonoscopy is among the most valuable tools in preventing colorectal cancer. With the patient sedated, the procedure takes about an hour and involves a lighted tube with a camera inserted into the colon. There, the camera enables doctors to look for polyps and other aberrations that may be signs of pre-cancer or cancer.

Any polyps found are removed and sent for testing to determine if they are cancerous.

The invasive nature of a colonoscopy might make the procedure less-than ideal for some patients, but endoscopic surveillance has been a breakthrough in the early detection of colon cancer. The survival rate for persons diagnosed with Stage 1 colorectal cancer is 80 to 95 percent, Koduri says. That rate drops to 55 to 80 percent for Stage 2, 40 percent for Stage 3, and 10 percent for Stage 4, he adds.

“Early detection significantly increases the chances of survival,” Koduri says. “Screening via colonoscopy is a tool for early detection of possible malignancies and leads to higher cure rates and better overall outcomes.”

Koduri notes a 54-year-old patient of his was recently diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer during a screening colonoscopy. The patient is doing well after undergoing surgery to remove a 3.5 centimeter mass from his ascending colon.

“He had no evidence of lymph node disease, a CT test showed no evidence, he had no symptoms,” Koduri says. “He underwent screening colonoscopy and the mass was incidentally found.”

Masses that are non-obstructing and cause no abdominal pain, constipation or gastrointestinal bleeding are among the most threatening of tumors because they cause few or no symptoms. Without a colonoscopy to detect it, the tumor can grow and cancer can spread.

For persons with no family history of colorectal cancer, and have no symptoms related to the disease, screening colonoscopy should begin at age 50. If no malignancies, polyps or other abnormalities are found, the procedure should be performed every 10 years thereafter, Koduri says.

If polyps are found, patients are usually advised to undergo a colonoscopy every three to five years, even if the growths are not cancerous.

Twenty-five percent of people with colorectal cancer have a family history of the disease, so the recommended age screenings should begin is markedly different for these individuals. In this case, screening colonoscopy should begin 10 years prior to the youngest age at which an immediate family member – a mother or father, for example – was diagnosed with the disease. If your father was diagnosed with cancer at 50 years old, you should undergo your first colonoscopy at 40 and every 10 years thereafter.

Persons with a family history of the disease should also undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years. A sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy but does not travel beyond the lower part of the colon.

If you have yet to undergo a colonoscopy, be aware of changes in bowel movements and stool composition that may be warning signs. A sudden onset of unexplained abdominal pain or constipation, or stools that are darker than normal in color, can also be indicative of colorectal cancer, Koduri says.

Additionally, craving ice or clay can be the result of an iron deficiency, which can be caused by a GI bleed, he adds.

Koduri emphasizes that other possible causes of rectal bleeding, such as hemorrhoids, be eliminated before undergoing a colonoscopy.

“People might think the bleeding from the rectum is evidence of a lower GI bleed, and this can lead to unnecessary screening or unnecessary procedures. It’s very important to rule this out as a possible cause,” he says.

To schedule your screening today, talk to your primary care physician or call Adena Surgical at 740-779-4550 or Adena Gastro at 740-779-8530. For more information on colon cancer visit adena.org/coloncancer. 

(image) Adena Health System has partnered with the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to offer a fully-accredited Psychiatry Residency Program through its Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program. This is the only behavioral health residency program in the region. 

“The overall objective of the partnership and training program is to develop highly-skilled psychiatrists, and to supply talented providers who have been specially trained in the region,” said Dr. Nathan Shiflett, Adena’s GME Psychiatry Residency Program Director. “Our end goal is to retain these providers to continue practicing psychiatry services locally, helping to meet the region’s demand for behavioral health services.”  

According to the Ross County 2016 Health Needs Assessment, top health issues for people in the county include: obesity, lung cancer, addiction, depression, and anxiety. Each of these conditions can be supported through psychiatry and behavioral health services. The necessity for behavioral health and psychiatry resources is not just a local need, but is a state and national area of need. In 2017, 2.5 million Ohioans accessed mental health or substance abuse prevention, treatment or support services through the Ohio Department of Mental Health Services. 

“The partnership between Adena and the VA for a Psychiatry Residency Program is an opportunity to better serve the mental health needs of our community,” said Dr. Allison Dailey, Director of Adena Psychiatric Services. “This will allow for increased access to high quality care for our patients, in addition to the opportunity to recruit and retain psychiatrists who understand our community and our patients.”

The four-year program begins in July 2019. The 12 residents will then complete rotations at the Chillicothe VA, the Adena Counseling Center and Adena Regional Medical Center. 

“The new partnership between the Chillicothe VA and Adena Health System will give psychiatry residents a new, diverse and integrative experience that will open our education to richer more complex clinical experiences,” said Chillicothe VA’s Chief Resident Dr. Heather Theibert. “The partnership will better prepare us for the new, comprehensive world of Medicine.”

For more information about Adena’s Graduate Medical Education Program, visit www.adena.org/GME.

(image) Adena Pike Medical Center (APMC) has earned a 5-Star Hospital Rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS released its Overall Hospital Quality Star ratings to the consumer-oriented website Hospital Compare. According to Hospital Compare, APMC is one of just three critical access hospitals in Ohio and one of 27 critical access hospitals in the nation to receive a 5-star rating.

Hospital Compare provides information on how well hospitals provide recommended care to their patients. This information can help consumers make informed decisions about where to go for health care. Hospital Compare allows consumers to select multiple hospitals, and directly compare their performance measures. 

CMS looks at 64 measures that fall into seven groups: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care and efficient use of medical imaging. A hospital's rating is calculated using only as many measures for which data is available.

“Adena Pike Medical Center’s acknowledgment as a 5-star hospital has substantial impact when we talk about Adena being top-of-mind and the first choice for health care for patients and their families,” said Jeff Graham, Adena President and CEO. “This rating sets us apart from other health systems and hospitals in the region, and is a testament to the quality of services our physicians and caregivers provide.”

“We are proud to be among the nation’s top hospitals,” said Dave Zanni, APMC Senior Operations Executive Officer. “This has been a joint effort of our frontline staff, leadership, and the community. This 5-star rating is evidence that patients and families can come here and be treated effectively, timely and receive superior care and excellent service.” 

Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of Medicare and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA). The HQA was a public-private collaboration established in December 2002 to promote reporting on hospital quality of care. HQA consists of organizations that represent consumers, hospitals, providers, employers, accrediting organizations and federal agencies. The HQA effort was intended to make it easier for consumers to make informed health care decisions and to support efforts to improve quality in U.S. hospitals.

To access the Hospital Compare website, visit www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare.

(image) Adena Health System is proud to welcome Dr. Arnold Good as its new Chief of Cardiology. Dr. Good brings with him, more than 30 years of experience in Interventional Cardiology, most recently at OhioHealth’s Grant Medical Center.

“I was at a point in my career, and my personal life, where I was looking for the opportunity to make an impact,” said Dr. Good. “I hope to bring some of my knowledge, skill and experience to this community; as well as delivering new services and technology to Adena, so patients in south central Ohio will not need to travel outside the region for the high-quality care they deserve.”

In his new role, Dr. Good will provide leadership and expertise for Adena’s Cardiology service line, with a focus toward new initiatives. He will also work with caregivers, leaders and other disciplines across the Health System to identify and implement evidenced-based practices, facilitate mentoring and provider development strategies.

“This is a great next step for me,” Dr. Good added. “I believe Adena is also ready to take the next step in its medical story, and I am very thankful and excited to be a part of that.”

Eager to begin his new role, Dr. Good looks forward to building relationships within the community, Adena Health System, and forming bonds with his patients.

For more information about Adena’s Heart and Vascular Services visit adena.org/heart.

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center, located in Chillicothe, has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019 by Healthgrades™.

The distinction places the hospital in the top five percent of more than 4,500 U.S. hospitals that are assessed for superior clinical performance by Healthgrades™, the nation’s leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.

“We understand patients have a choice when it comes to where they go for health care,” said Adena’s President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Adena’s staff and providers are committed to delivering outstanding, quality health care for our friends and neighbors living in south central Ohio, and helping our patients stay close to their homes and families. This level of recognition from Healthgrades™ should give people even more confidence that the services being provided at Adena are among the best found any place in the U.S.”

Adena Health System has a strong quality and safety program that continues to improve and evolve. The results are making a positive impact for patients, and have led to several national-level recognitions over the past few years. Adena was the only rural hospital in Ohio to be named among Healthgrades™ America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019. 

“The Healthgrades America’s 250 Best Hospital Award is a tool that consumers can use to identify the best hospitals for their care needs,” said Brad Bowman, Chief Medical Officer at Healthgrades™. “We commend recipient hospitals for showing their dedication to patients by delivering exceptional clinical outcomes.” 

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Recipients of the Healthgrades™ America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award are recognized for overall clinical excellence across a broad spectrum of care. Over the 2019 study period (2015 through 2017), Adena and other recognized hospitals showed superior performance in clinical outcomes for patients across at least 21 of the 32 most common inpatient conditions and procedures — as measured by objective performance data (risk-adjusted mortality and in-hospital complications).

The complete list of 2019 recipients can be viewed at https://www.healthgrades.com/quality/americas-best-hospitals-for-2019

(image) The partnership between Adena Health System and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) continues to grow, with the opening of a second Adena clinic within FCMH.

Even before executing an October 2018 affiliation agreement, Adena and FCMH have collaborated to increase access to specialty care for patients in the region. The partnership started with Orthopedics and Sports Medicine providers seeing patients at FCMH in August 2017; and the addition of Adena Pulmonology in November 2017.

Adena has now opened a second clinic inside FCMH, broadening the list of Adena providers who will be practicing there, delivering close-to-home care for patients living in the Fayette County area.

“Our common goal with the Adena/FCMH affiliation is to expand the availability of health care services in our region, and to keep quality care in or near the patient’s hometown,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Adena’s partnership vision includes working with our region’s health care partners to enable patients to be cared for locally while aligning and reducing the cost for care. The Adena/FCMH partnership continues to be a win-win for everyone.”

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The new Adena specialty clinic is now open inside Suite 310 of FCMH’s Medical Arts Building #2. Specialty care being provided in the new clinic include: Cardiology, Dermatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Ob/Gyn, and Urology. Adena providers will see patients and will perform some office procedures in the new space. The new Adena Specialty Clinic is located at 1510 Columbus Avenue, Washington Court House.

Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Pulmonology will continue to operate from its current FCMH location, which is inside Suite 106 of Medical Arts Building #1, located at 1450 Columbus Avenue, Washington Court House.

Patients wishing to be cared for by an Adena specialist, at an FCMH facility, may schedule an appointment by calling 740-333-4970, or by visiting adena.org.

Adena heart health programs aim to stop problems before they start

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In the United States, about one in every four deaths is related to heart disease, which annually claims about 610,000 lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the state of Ohio, approximately 27,000 people died from heart disease in 2014, the most recent year for which CDC stats are available. Ohio ranked 12th in the nation for heart disease-related deaths that year.

According to a 2015 study conducted by the Ohio Department of Health, approximately 835,000 adults in the state have been diagnosed with a form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, coronary heart disease or stroke.

It’s because of these statistics that heart health is taken so seriously at Adena Health System. There are numerous preventive measures that individuals can take to prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease, and Adena offers assistance to get you on the right path to heart health.

Beverly Tolle, a nurse practitioner with Adena Internal Medicine, says many of the preventive measures people can take are simple processes that provide significant benefits to the body. These steps are behavioral changes that can prevent cardiovascular disease, and help increase individual measures of health and wellness.

One of the best ways to improve heart health is through weight loss and exercise, Tolle says. Losing weight reduces the strain placed on the heart, which can cause complications such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. (image)

“High blood pressure and cholesterol, those are the big things,” Tolle says. 

To keep on top of those levels, Tolle says it’s a good idea for people to have regular wellness checkups to ensure their numbers are in a safe zone. If there is an issue, it’s important for people to see their physician as soon as possible to address the concerns.

When blood pressure is high, it narrows the blood vessels, making it harder for the heart to pump blood through them. High levels of cholesterol also cause the heart to work harder and often lead to the blood vessel blockages that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

“There are many things that can weaken the heart,” she says. “It’s like any other muscle… trying to pump against high blood pressure is not good for the heart.”

When it comes to food choices, it’s important to pay attention to sodium levels. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure. Tolle also warns foods that are often listed as low-fat typically have higher sodium levels.

“When fat is taken out, it’s often replaced with sodium for flavor,” she says. “That’s bad for your blood pressure and heart.”

Other simple practices that can help people reduce the risk of developing heart disease include smoking cessation, getting the proper amount of sleep, staying hydrated and getting plenty of cardio-related exercise.

“Walking is a terrific exercise,” she says. “It’s such a good thing for you. It doesn’t require a gym and can be done by practically everyone. The act of moving is beneficial, but you want to keep up a pace that you’re a little winded. Walking the dog is not always helpful if that dog is stopping every few feet.”

Tolle says it’s important for people to regularly check on their heart health to ensure any concerns do not become problems that can lead to heart attack or cardiovascular disease.

“For many people, it’s not a problem until it’s a problem,” she says. “Once you have a problem, it’s too late for many people.”

Because heart health is so important, Tolle says Adena offers a number of programs to help people get on the right track. Nutritionists can work with you to develop sensible diet plans that contribute to weight loss and help you meet your health and wellness goals.

There’s also a smoking cessation program few people seem to know about. The program provides several guidelines to help successfully quit the addictive habit. According to information on Adena's website, the benefits of quitting smoking can be seen as soon as 20 minutes after quitting.

Additionally, Adena provides a rehab program to benefit people who have cardiac concerns. The cardiac rehab program is aimed at those who have already experienced a heart attack, providing guidance in preventing a second heart attack. Individuals who participate in the rehab program are assigned nurses who assist them with questions and tailor the programs to meet their individual needs.

For more information on these or any of Adena’s heart health and cardiovascular services, visit www.adena.org/heart

Doctors break down Emergency Room and Urgent Care visit guidelines

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The name “emergency room” should be self-explanatory. However, in many cases, people use the ER when they should go to a clinic or urgent care facility.

Dr. Jeremy Parsons and Sally Lawton, certified nurse practitioner, offer their thoughts on Adena Health System urgent care providers, and where to go and when.

Why do so many people use the ER for non-emergencies when they can simply visit an urgent care center or a clinic and get checked out?

PARSONS: Convenience is the main factor. The ER is open 24/7. Urgent care (or a clinic) is open limited hours, so they go to the ER. Either they do not have a primary care provider, they cannot get in to see their PCP, or they do not want to wait for an appointment.

Can you compare the services received in an ER or an urgent care facility?

P:Urgent care is intended to care for and manage lower acuity/ severity health concerns. Our urgent care facilities are staffed by a physician or mid-level provider, or a combination of both at the Western Avenue branch. We handle smaller injuries and illnesses, such as ear infections, sinus infections, colds and sprains/strains, rashes, minor abdominal pain, urinary tract infections, pregnancy testing, mild headaches and minor lacerations.

Our urgent care facilities provide basic ancillaries including X-ray, urine dipstick testing, rapid strep, rapid flu, RSV and urine pregnancy testing. However, unlike the ER we do not offer CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound or serum labs. We do, unfortunately, receive patients on a regular basis who present with complex complaints such as severe abdominal pain or chest pain, hoping to have labs or additional testing performed. If a patient feels ill enough that they believe they need serum labs or additional ancillaries beyond what we can offer, an ER visit is recommended.

The ER is structured to handle more severe medical conditions/ situations, such as trauma, difficulty breathing, chest pain, abdominal pain, stroke, head injuries, eye injuries, high blood sugar/blood pressure with headaches or dizziness, complicated lacerations and potentially fatal illnesses, such as pneumonia, shortness of breath in children that may not be best managed on an outpatient/home basis.

What are the strong points and the weakness of each?

P:The ER has more resources to evaluate and treat a patient, such as lab, imaging and specialty consults if needed. The weakness of the ER directly correlates to their higher acuity of patients received, in that the wait may be longer. In urgent care, only basic testing is performed if necessary. I see this as a strong point. This structure is what should allow for quick visits in an hour or less.

Is it more of a convenience factor, the thinking that “It’s an ER, they have to see me?"

LAWTON:At urgent care, even if they present with an issue that cannot be handled there, they will be evaluated and advised to go to the ER if needed.

Do the people who do not really need to see an ER doctor clog up the system and make it difficult for those who really need an ER doctor?

P:I do believe this. Some patients will be okay to wait and be seen in urgent care or by their PCP in the next 24 to 48 hours, but they go to the ER to be seen.

L:Most of the time this occurs for three reasons: 1) They did not believe their issue was that serious. 2) They did not want to wait at the ER regardless of how mild/serious the problem. 3) They believe they can get into the ER quicker by coming to urgent care and being transferred.

What are your thoughts on urgent care centers?

P:There are multiple benefits to urgent cares over ERs. One such benefit is private insurance co-pays are generally less for UC than ER, as well as the overall cost. Most urgent cares have a “turn-around time” goal, which is usually to complete a patient visit in under one hour.

How do we get the word out about these urgent care centers? Are people afraid to use them or not sure they are “as good” as an ER?

P:Urgent cares are staffed with licensed physicians and midlevel providers, same as the ER. All patients will receive great care at either facility.

Can you get prescriptions from doctors in urgent care and/or ER?

P:Yes. However, it is the provider’s discretion if and what medications are prescribed.

What do you do if you get sick on a weekend?

L:If it is a simple cold or stomach bug, urgent care or a clinic are great places to go. Check online for hours of operation. If your condition feels more serious or it is after hours for urgent care, please go to the emergency room.

URGENT CARE FACILITIES

ADENA URGENT CARE - WESTERN AVENUE

740-779-4000

Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

55 Centennial Boulevard

Chillicothe, OH 45601

ADENA URGENT CARE - HILLSBORO

937-393-7630

Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

160 Roberts Lane

Hillsboro, OH 45133

ADENA URGENT CARE - WAVERLY

740-941-5100

Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

12340 State Route 104

Waverly, OH 45690

CLINICS

THE CLINIC AT WALMART - CHILLICOTHE

740-779-8979

Monday through Saturday - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday - 12-5 p.m.

85 River Trace Lane

Chillicothe, OH 45601

ADENA FAMILY MEDICINE - CIRCLEVILLE WALK-IN CLINIC

740-420-3000

Monday through Friday - 2 to 8 p.m.

Saturday - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday - Closed

140 Morris Road

Circleville, OH 43113

ADENA HEALTH CENTER - JACKSON

740-395-8080

Monday through Saturday - 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

1000 Veterans Drive

Jackson, OH 45640

New Adena thoracic surgeon saves patients a long trip away from home

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The diagnosis was not what worried Karen Grow, 67. It was the treatment that was the cause of her concern.

Grow, who lived in Chillicothe for 40 years before moving to Waverly, had been diagnosed at Adena Cancer Center with thymoma, a type of cancer that grows in the chest. Her tumor was small but located under the chest bone. To remove it, her physician told her a surgery would be required. That is crack open the chest, followed by three months of recovery.  

Thankfully, Grow had a local option that was minimally invasive and would significantly reduce her recovery time. Kevin Radecki, MD,a thoracic surgeon who specializes in cancers of the lung and chest, had just joined Adena medical staff. Using the da Vinci XI robot, Radecki could perform the surgery through three small incisions next to Grow’s pectoral muscle. The procedure could be performed in less than an hour, and would require only 10 days of recovery. 

“The very next morning after coming home, I swept, did laundry, and made my bed,” says Grow, who just a week after surgery was busy crocheting scarves for local cancer patients and nursing home residents. 

Robotic Precision 

Radecki joined Adena’s team in December 2018. It’s addition has made a huge difference for patients. No longer do they need to travel to Columbus for state-of-the-art cancer surgery. Specializing in surgeries using the da Vinci robotic system, Dr. Radecki performs most procedures through just a few small incisions. This type of surgery, known as minimally invasive, has huge advantages to patients. Typically, patients lose less blood, have shorter hospital stays, and recover faster, Radecki says. 

“It’s still an operation, but a lot less invasive,” he adds. “The pain is less, mobility comes back quicker, recovery is a lot faster for even a lung cancer resection. Basically, getting back to your baseline is quicker.”

Adena now has five robotic surgical systems, including the most sophisticated model of the da Vinci—the da Vinci XI. This surgical system not only benefits the patient, it allows the surgeon to be much more precise. 

Sitting at a console beside the patient, the surgeon can view the surgical site in three-dimensions with magnification 10 times greater than the human eye. The surgical robot is also more flexible. Unlike the human wrist, the da Vinci surgical arms can rotate 360 degrees, giving the surgeon access to parts of the body unreachable with traditional surgery. The da Vinci also has built-in tremor control to neutralize any extraneous movements that might be made by the surgeon. Combined, these features mean surgeons can perform procedures within 1 millimeter of accuracy; standard surgery has an acceptable margin of error of 3-5 mm. 

Big-City Care

Prior to joining Adena, Radecki was treating patients in Columbus. He hadn’t thought a rural area could provide the level of services available in a larger city. But when colleagues recommended he look south, he was pleasantly surprised. 

“I was impressed with the resources Adena provides for the nine counties surrounding it,” Radecki says. “Adena has its own cancer center, and is part of huge network of clinical trials that occur anywhere in the world, so patients can stay here to receive the most advanced treatments. It surprised me, and has been very rewarding to be able to help patients stay close to home for treatment."

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Mary Alice Cisco began her career at Pike Community Hospital (since named Adena Pike Medical Center) more than 60 years ago and has been a part of the facility’s heart and soul ever since. After all that time caring for the well-being of others, one would think a person couldn’t possibly do more, but for anyone that knows Mary Alice, her latest act of generosity and devotion to the hospital was not surprising at all.

The Adena Pike Medical Center Foundation Board has been working to raise funds to support the renovation of an inpatient room to one specifically for Hospice patients and their families. The room will include a pull out couch, microwave, refrigerator, table and chairs and overall more space than the average patient room giving family members a place to gather and visit with their loved ones during their stay at the hospital.

“At our last Board meeting we were discussing our fundraising goals and brainstorming ways to raise money, so this project could continue and be everything we hoped for,” explained Rebekah Clevenger, Adena Health Foundation Development Director. “We really didn’t know how we were going to come up with the needed funds at this time, but with construction continuing we knew it had to be done.”

According to Clevenger, it was at that moment when Mary Alice, who sits on the Board at age 92, spoke up and said “I’ll do it.” And like that, as she has done for so many years, Mary Alice was there to support the hospital she loves in whatever it needed.      

Mary Alice recently presented a check in the amount of $15,000 to the APMC Board of Trustees and Foundation Board for the completion of the new Hospice Room.

“I never dreamed that when I started here, I would still be here 60 years later,” said Mary Alice. “While I am planning on working as long as I can, I’m not sure how much time that really is. I wanted to give back to the community in another way that let my legacy live on. I want families to be comfortable while their loved ones are staying here and have the best experience possible. This is my second home and I’ve always wanted to give back to this hospital as it has given so much to me.”

Once completed, APMC’s new Hospice Room will be adorned with signage honoring Mary Alice’s donation and her many years of devotion and service to the hospital.

For more about Adena Health System and its services, visit adena.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @adenamedical.

Dietitians get honest about the necessary steps to create lasting lifestyle changes

(image) Jill Hopkins doesn’t like to use the D-word.

“We don’t like to call it a diet because a diet is temporary,” says Hopkins, a registered dietitian with Adena Health System. “We prefer to call it a lifestyle change.”

Whatever term you use to describe the foods you cut out in an effort to lose weight, Hopkins and fellow Adena dietitian Paulina Giba are eager to offer tips for healthy living.

“It all starts with avoiding temptation,” Giba says. “Don’t overindulge.”

TAKING THE STEP

Avoiding overindulgence can be particularly challenging in the winter months, especially during the holidays, but Hopkins has a solution that should leave most satisfied.

“We’re not going to tell you to skip the mashed potatoes and gravy at Christmas dinner, but instead of taking two or three scoops just take one scoop of potatoes and then fill your plate with vegetables,”

Hopkins says. “It’s important to get into the habit of smaller portion sizes.”

“All things in moderation,” Giba adds.

 Those ready to dive into a lifestyle change will want to start by reducing the amount of foods high in animal fat. Bacon,sausage, bologna and other processedmeats, as well as red meats such as beefand lamb, should be limited.

Plant-based foods, as well as animal-based foods containing healthy fats — salmon and trout, for example — are all healthy additions. Gobbling up these plant-based foods and healthy fats not only improves your chances of dropping a few pounds, you’ll also likely see your cholesterol levels decline.

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of preparing a salmon dinner with a side of broccoli and a few slices of avocado every day. There may be times when fast food is unavoidable. When that does happen, Giba and Hopkins remind you to eat smart and pay close attention to the menu.

“If you can avoid fast food, then more power to you,” Hopkins says. “When we’re working with our clients and the (fast food) topic comes up, we encourage them to look at the menu and see if there is an option with grilled chicken. That is a much better choice than a bacon double cheeseburger.

“It seems like many more people today grew up on fast food than they did 35 years ago. There are many people who have never even tasted Brussels sprouts. We need to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables like they did two generations ago.”

WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Habitual unhealthy eating is universally bad and can lead to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But coming up with a healthy lifestyle change that works for you can be more complex than it may seem.

“What works for one person may not work for another,” Hopkins says. “What we really like to do is have a 60-minute, one-on-one session with our clients to get into the specifics of what they are trying to achieve, and their current eating habits. Everyone is different, so that’s why there isn’t just one answer.”

While everyone is unique, anyone can benefit from putting down the burger and fries and picking up carrots, celery, apples, oranges and bananas.

“It is really important to eat more fruits and vegetables,” Giba says. “Reducing the foods that are high in sodium and replacing them with plant-based foods will make you feel better and give you more energy.”

HOW TO GET STARTED

So you’re ready to begin your new lifestyle and want the assistance and guidance of an Adena dietitian — good decision.

To get started you’ll need a referral from your physician. Once the referral has been obtained, fax it to Adena’s Scheduling Office at (740) 779-4462. 

There are eight dietitians in the Chillicothe region, serving Chillicothe, Greenfield and Waverly. Hopkins says the initial 60-minute, one-on-one visit will be used to discuss eating habits and health history and to devise a plan for the client to reach their desired goals. Follow-up visits will be used to track progress. Click here for more informartion. 

(image) Discomfort, minor pain and fatigue could be symptoms of almost any illness, but what about cancer?

After years of not going to the doctor, Angela McKibben of Zaleski, OH, decided to finally schedule an appointment after experiencing what she thought were only symptoms of constipation. Angela’s health care provider suggested an abdominal CT scan to get a better idea of what might be going on. 

Going into her appointment without any worries, she was of the mindset a CT scan was just normal protocol resulting in some medication to help relieve her problems. It wasn’t until a nurse suggested she bring a loved one with her to review her CT results that she began to worry. “When they asked me to bring someone with me to my follow-up appointment, I didn’t know what to expect. But I knew the results could not be good,” she said. 

Angela’s results showed a tumor in her cervix and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer. Shocked, scared and uncertain of what he future looked like, she turned to the Adena Cancer Center for help. 

After discussing her treatment plan and options with her physicians and nurse navigator, Angela decided to undergo a debulking surgery, in which the affected lymph nodes, left ovary and fallopian tube were removed. Providers then took a biopsy of the bladder, which tested positive. Due to the cancer being so advanced and spreading to the lymph nodes in the pelvic area and the tumor attaching to her bladder, a hysterectomy was not suggested. 

After recovering from surgery, Angela completed six weeks of treatment which consisted of 30 treatments of external beam radiation, six treatments of chemo, and 5 treatments of internal radiation. “Being able to complete chemo and radiation so close to home has been so convenient and Dr. Wilson, Dr. Rose and the rest of the staff have been so caring and good to me,” said Angela. 

If there is anything Angela wants women to gain from her experience, it is to get your Pap smear. “Women are always taking care of others, but sometimes we need to stop and remember to take care of ourselves,” she stated. “Life happens and everyone gets busy, but slow down, know and listen to your body. Seeing your gynecologist before your health gets out of hand could save your life.”

Angela is now in her second round of chemo at Adena and focusing on living life, raising her grandson and staying healthy. 

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Through proper screenings, it can be detected early and even prevented. 

Adena Women’s Health provider Dr. Kristen Colwell recommends women over 21, who are sexually active should get tested every three years, depending on your risk factors.

“Up to eighty percent of abnormal Pap smears that are positive for high-risk HPV maybe high-grade precancerous changes,” explained Dr. Colwell. “Through proper screenings, it can be detected early and even prevented.” 

She added, “Cervical cancer is asymptomatic meaning just like in Angela’s case, there are usually no symptoms. Symptoms such as constipation, minor lower pelvic pain are very vague and not too specific. This is why getting your yearly pelvic exam is so important.”

If you have questions about cervical cancer, HPV or to schedule a screening, contact Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN at 740-779-7201 or Adena Women’s Health OB/GYN- Premier at 740-642-4400. 

What is norovirus? 

Norovirus is a serious gastrointestinal illness that causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines. This inflammation leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Norovirus is extremely contagious (easy to spread) from one person to another. Norovirus is not related to the flu (influenza), even though it is sometimes called the stomach flu. Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime. 

Norovirus causes approximately 21 million illnesses each year. It is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks related to food in the United States. Symptoms start between 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and can last anywhere from one to three days. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or stomach pain. Dehydration is a big concern for people with norovirus, especially in the elderly and the very young, and a major reason for people being hospitalized. People are most contagious when they are actively sick and for the first few days after getting over the illness. 

How serious is norovirus? 

Norovirus is a serious illness that makes people feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea. Most people get better within one to two days. Norovirus can be very serious among young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses, and can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization, and even death. 

How does norovirus spread? 

It generally spreads when infected food service workers touch food without washing their hands well or at all. Norovirus spreads from: 

• Person-to-person (e.g., shaking hands, sharing food or eating from the same utensils, or caring for someone who is ill with norovirus). 
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. 
• Eating contaminated food or water. 
• Not washing hands before preparing food or eating, or after using the bathroom or changing diapers. 

 Why is norovirus so contagious? 

Norovirus spreads so easily because it can be in your feces (poop) before you start feeling sick, and it can stay for two weeks or longer after you’re feeling better. Combine that with people not doing a great job of washing their hands and you have big potential for spreading this virus. Norovirus can spread quickly in closed places such as daycares, nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships.

How can you protect yourself from norovirus? 

• Wash your hands often and well. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially before preparing or eating food, using the restroom or changing diapers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not a substitute for washing with soap and water. 
• Use precautions in the kitchen. Always wash fruits and vegetables and cook food thoroughly before eating. 
• Do not prepare food if you are sick. People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover from their illness. 
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces thoroughly. After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a 1:10 solution by mixing 1/4 cup of bleach to 2 1/4 cups of water. Bleach is very caustic and emits potentially lethal fumes, so it should never be used full strength; mix in a well-ventilated area and use caution to prevent splashing. 
• Wash laundry thoroughly. Immediately remove and wash clothing or items that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle soiled items carefully. Wash laundry with detergent for the longest cycle time available and then machine dry. 

 Is there treatment for norovirus? 

There is no vaccine to prevent infection with norovirus. There is no specific drug available to treat people with norovirus illness. Antibiotics will not help you if you are sick from the virus. This is because antibiotics fight against bacteria, not viruses. 

Hydration is key for infected individuals. They must drink plenty of fluids to replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, hospitalization is required for intravenous fluids (fluids given in your vein). The best thing to do is contact your doctor, treat symptoms (especially dehydration), and stay home. If you suspect you have norovirus, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 

 Provided by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology 

(image) Adena Health System, in collaboration with Hopewell Health Centers and the Chillicothe City School District (CCSD), revealed plans today for a new primary care clinic to serve people living on Chillicothe’s east side. The new clinic will be housed within the Mount Logan Elementary School / Early Childhood Center, located at 841 E. Main Street, Chillicothe.

The clinic, a collaboration between the three entities, will offer care for minor acute and long-term primary care needs. It will serve the school-based population, as well as people of all ages living in the surrounding neighborhoods.

“One agency cannot take care of everything, and what you’re seeing today is a combination of education and health care coming together,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Adena’s strategy around partnerships is all about keeping care close to home. This partnership will give access to primary care for people living in this community. In our research, we looked at the needs of the community, and the data showed a lack of access to health care in the area. This clinic will be a start in meeting the health care needs of the children and adults of the neighborhood.”

The collaboration between Adena, Hopewell Health and CCSD is expected to meet the growing health care needs of people in the area east of Bridge Street and west of Route 35, giving them a new option for close-to-home primary care services. The availability of space within the property will enable the clinic and health care services to grow to meet future needs if necessary.

Determined to keep the school as a neighborhood hub, CCSD came up with the concept to lease space within the school building to house a clinic; coming to Adena to help develop a plan.

“We came to realize as board members and as a district that by keeping the building open, we could not only have an impact on kids, we could have an impact on the community,” School Board President Steve Mullins said. “The first group we knew we wanted to partner with was Adena Health System. They have been a great partner of ours through the years, and they provide so many services for our kids. You can ride through town on any given day and see the impact Adena has on our community.”

Soon after Adena and CCSD began working on a plan, Hopewell Health Centers was brought to the table for its expertise in providing high quality, community-based health care. Hopewell Health with operate the clinic, serving as its primary clinic service provider. Adena will support the project by renovating the old band room into a running health clinic, which will also serve as an education venue for Adena’s Graduate Medical Education residents. The experiences they will be involved with at the clinic will give them valuable hands-on training in administering community-based health care. Additionally, advocates with Adena’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocacy Services will be housed within the facility.

The value of the three-way partnership, and what each partner brings to the table was clearly recognized during the Thursday morning event.

“What this project is about is partnerships,” said Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney. “This is a project that doesn’t happen if there are egos involved. Working together is the only way this type of thing happens. It’s such a neat thing to see this partnership grow. What’s coming together in this building is to benefit the education and health of our children, and it is our future.”

CCS Superintendent Debbie Swinehart also noted the importance of partnerships in doing what is needed for our community’s children and families. Now more than ever, schools are taking on more responsibility for more than just the education of the children it serves. This project is coming at just the right time for the district. 

“This partnership comes at a time when our kids come to school every day with really intense needs that are way beyond our area of expertise as teachers,” said Swinehart. “Over the last couple of years we’ve been fortunate to partner with some agencies to address our kids emotional, social and mental health needs; and the medical area is the piece we needed to close-in on for our students. This partnership helps us to meet a need that we’re not currently able to meet. I think our kids are really going to benefit from this, and it’s really going to help our teachers who worry a lot about our kids.”

Construction to remodel the space will begin soon, with the clinic set to open later this summer.

(image) Adena Health System welcomes its first baby of the New Year. The infant, a girl, arrived on Jan. 1, 2019 at 4:52 a.m. Brynlee Shepherd is the daughter of David Shepherd and Tracy Schoolcraft of Waverly, OH. The newborn weighed-in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and she is 20.25 inches long. 

“We rang in 2019 watching the ball drop in the Adena’s Women’s & Children Center, and patiently awaiting Brynlee’s arrival,” said Schoolcraft. “We are excited for Brynlee to meet her one-year old big brother, who was also born here on Thanksgiving in 2017.” 

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Per tradition, the New Year’s Baby was presented with a basket of baby items, gift cards and toys, donated by the Adena Women’s Board. 

Congratulations to the family.

Created by members of the community to meet the health care needs of its people, Adena Health System successfully continues that mission throughout south-central Ohio. In 2018, Adena launched a successful strategy to expand the availability of close-to-home care through enhancing its services and providing more specialty care throughout the region; as well as through partnerships with independent physicians, hospitals and businesses located within its nine-county service region. 

In addition to its partnership strategy, Adena continued to enhance the experiences of its patients and staff, with numerous stand-out achievements throughout the year. These include:

Business Achievements:

• Adena Medical Group celebrated its 20th anniversary, and has grown from the integration of a couple of practices under the Adena umbrella to a robust group of more than 250 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. In 2018, Adena retained more than 97 percent of its providers and hired 58 new providers to create greater access to care across the region;  
• Adena Health System was one of just 39 organizations worldwide to receive the 2018 Gallup Great Workplace Award, showing the commitment you have for the work you do in serving our patients across the region;
• Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) opened a brand new, $36 million, 59,000-square foot Emergency Department that enhances emergency care for those living in the region. Since opening in August, patients are seeing a provider 14% faster; 
• Within its first month, ARMC’s new ED was the scene of a Code Yellow on Aug. 29 when 24 prisoners and guards from the Ross Correctional Institute were exposed to an unknown substance. The incident, which garnered national attention, brought caregivers and the community together to get through the large-scale emergency without a single life lost;
• Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the System’s A3 rating with a stable outlook, citing Adena’s strong 2017 performance, and the organization’s positive momentum;
• Continued work to streamline and improve the billing process, making progress by providing charge estimates at the time of service to eliminate billing surprises. Patients are also receiving statements for service appropriately 20 days faster than historically, and with greater accuracy; and 
• Leadership Rounding has enabled leaders from across the Health System to meet with frontline caregivers to learn what’s working in their areas, and opportunities that the leaders can help them overcome. These rounds are making a difference in the work experience of our caregivers and the patient experience;

Clinical Achievements:

• Adena Regional Medical Center named by IBM Watson Health as one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the U.S.;
• In February, after just four months of implementation, more than 100 Orthopedic robot-assisted surgeries for total hip and total and partial knee replacements were performed;
• Adena Regional Medical Center earned a 4-Star rating for quality by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid. ARMC was the only 4-Star hospital in the region, and ahead of some of the biggest hospitals in Columbus and Cincinnati;  
• Adena Home Health was named to the Top 100 by HomeCare Elite, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States;
• ARMC achieved the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2018. Previously a Silver performer, ARMC became one of only 37 hospitals in the U.S. to achieve Gold Performance status for the year;
• ARMC, a Primary Stroke Center, also earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines® Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award, which recognizes the hospital’s commitment to provide stroke patients with treatment that is based on nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines that are based on the latest scientific evidence;
• Adena Health Center – Jackson was named the “2018 Readers’ Choice for Best Medical Facility” by the readers of the Jackson County Times-Journal;
• Adena Greenfield and Adena Regional Medical Centers’ Laboratories each received two-year accreditation from the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for the high quality of work being done;

Partnerships:

• Adena expanded our Women’s Health Services program, welcoming the physicians, APPs and staff of Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn, giving patients the care they need near family and loved ones;
• Dr. Stephen Owen joined the Family Medicine team at Adena Health Center – Jackson;
• Adena opened its second clinic on the grounds of an area employer. YUSA, located in Washington Court House, is a Japanese-owned company that makes auto parts, and has a workforce of 451 company employees and 83 contracted employees. Adena opened its first onsite workplace clinic in Piketon at Fluor BWXT in 2011;
• Adena Health and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) signed an affiliation agreement, accenting our commitment to partnerships with other health care providers in the region to enhance access to quality care and treatment. The partnership has gotten off to a great start, and is giving patients a close-to-home options for their care. Patients can now schedule an appointment with an Adena specialist on the FCMH campus in Washington Court House

The Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Emergency Department (ED) has always been a symbol of healing and care for our community members in their time of need. Now, thanks to the special talents of Bernie Evans and Ed Wolfe, and with thanks to Adena’s Corporate Church members, the ARMC ED Family Prayer Room is adorned with two beautifully handcrafted pieces offering emotional and spiritual support.

The Family Prayer Room was officially dedicated on Dec. 19 during a ceremony planned by Adena Chaplains Paul Ray and Bruce Hines. While this space has been in use since the new ED opened in July, the room now includes a stained glass cross art piece made by Evans, and a kneeling prayer alter, crafted by Wolfe. Both pieces are one-of-a-kind works, specifically made for Adena’s ED Family Prayer Room.

“When we were designing this new Emergency Department, there were of course, a lot of things we needed to include to take care of patients. But one thing that was missing in our old ED was an appropriate place to take care of the family members of those most injured or ill and the dying,” said President and CEO Jeff Graham. “The serenity of this space is evident as soon as you walk in the door. It’s important for families to have a place to gather and support one another; now this is possible because of the care and compassion of those people within the churches that formed Adena more than 120 years ago.”

Adena’s nine Corporate Churches raised more than $46 thousand dollars to support the Adena Health Foundation’s ED Capital Campaign “Give to Growth,” which included naming sponsorship of the Family Prayer Room.

“So many times before this room we would be locked in to nothing more than a broom closet, trying to serve entire families,” explained Hines. “This new space gives our staff another tool to work with families, and we are just so appreciative. This is one of those rooms you hate to use, but are sure glad it is here when you do.”

Wolfe, who estimates spending close to 50 hours crafting the kneeling prayer alter added, “I was up at the Cleveland Clinic a while ago, and I was walking around trying to find a chapel where I could kneel down. I walked around forever and couldn’t find a space. I finally ended up just finding a corner of the lobby and praying on a chair. When Bruce approached me about doing a kneeling alter for the Family Prayer Room, I thought about that time I was looking for a place to pray, so how could I say ‘no?’”

(image) The holiday season is here, and the best time for you to give the perfect gift that doesn’t even cost a thing – your time. The gift of volunteering not only helps give back to your community, but also is its own reward for you.

While volunteering may be top of mind for some this time of year, it is a priority every day for Adena Regional Medical Center volunteer Bob Imboden. Bob has been a volunteer at Adena for almost 15 years. After losing his wife to a terminal illness, he wanted to give back to Adena for the care and support his family received during his wife’s time in and out of the hospital.

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“The caregivers and doctors at Adena were so good to my wife that I felt I needed to give back to the hospital and somehow give to them what they had given to her,” he said. “I enjoy volunteering very much. Every day is a new experience and I go home feeling like I have accomplished something.”

Adena Volunteers play an essential role in the success of the health system. They are often the first caregivers people see when they arrive and the last they see when they leave. But volunteer opportunities at Adena are not limited to those just at the front desks, but include a wide variety open to anyone from age 14 and older. 

“More people should volunteer,” said Bob. “Especially those who are retired. It gets you off the couch, out of the house and you get to meet so many wonderful people.”

Whether a student wanting to earn valuable experience or gain new job skills or someone who may be retired and wanting to make new friends, Adena Volunteer Services has a place for you. 

How to Volunteer at Adena? 

• Be able to give four hours a month
• Be at least 14 years old
• Be willing to work in a medical environment
• Are dependable, friendly and outgoing

To learn more about Adena volunteer opportunities, call 740-779-7526 or visit adena.org/volunteer 

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Parents don’t vibrate like a bouncy seat or rock back and forth like a swing. How they naturally move with an infant does offer a level of comfort to a newborn that only a parent can provide. That is until now.  

4moms, a rapidly growing company that uses robotics and other technology to design and transform baby gear. The company recently donated five mamaRoos to the Adena Women and Children’s Center. A mamaRoo is the only infant seat with five unique motions that mimic the natural movements parents make to comfort their baby.

“Having the mamaRoos will give us additional resources for soothing a baby that is more irritable,” said Tasha Turner, nurse manager Women and Children’s Pediatrics/Nursery. “This not only helps our babies be more comfortable, but will also give our moms and families peace of mind knowing their baby is more relaxed in the Nursey.”

The donation of the five mamaRoos was the result of a program the company held last month where former patients, staff and the public were encouraged to nominate their favorite nursey, explaining why that particular nursery was deserving of the gift. From nearly 7,000 nominations, Adena was selected to receive the unique, baby-comforting seats.

Nearly 60 passionate stories about the Adena Women and Children’s Center and Level II nursery were shared. Some of the nominations read as follows:(image)  

Nearly 60 passionate stories about the Adena Women and Children’s Center and Level II nursery were shared. Some of the nominations read as follows: 

“I have had both my baby deliveries at this hospital, and I wouldn’t pick another place to go. I have been touched by all the amazing staff, nurses, and doctors. You couldn’t pick a better place to welcome a little one.”

“I feel that Adena has the best Labor and Delivery department. I have had four babies there and have had wonderful experiences every time. With my last baby, I ended up hemorrhaging and they took matters into their own hands, and knew just what to do to save me. I couldn’t thank them enough for their wonderful staff and how hard they work and the dedication put into their job.”

“I have personally seen the blood, sweat, and tears that the Adena labor and delivery nurses put into their work. They are a Level II nursery that cares for a very large number of drug-addicted babies. These babies are fussier than most non-addicted babies. A donation would help to soothe and comfort these babies. Those nurses see many babies in some very sad situations and they give those babies the love, care, and attention that they deserve.”

“Very compassionate nurses taking care of babies born preterm or addicted from mother on drugs. Our area has been hit hard with addiction, and these nurses continue to work hard to get the mother help and to care for babies during the withdrawal phase. This is a blessing to have this Level II Nursey in our area. They deserve to be recognized for a job well done.”

“The nursery staff works very hard each and every day and hold each other accountable for all of their success. They always do what is best for our patients and are so compassionate and caring for the mothers of our patients. Working beside these girls has been the best pleasure.”

(image) Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Medication Management and Opioid (MMO) Support Team as a “best practice” site for the hospital’s innovative Baby Centered Recovery Program. ARMC is one of just 27 hospitals in the nation to earn this distinction, and the only one in Ohio.

“To be nationally recognized is a great honor, as displaying best practices is what every group strives for,” saidDonna Collier-Stepp, Program Coordinator. We are proud to be instrumental in helping others develop similar programs in the U.S. that will also make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies.”

Adena’s Baby Centered Recovery Program, under the medical direction of Dr. Ronald Lopez and Dr. Leroy Parks, works to help women move beyond their opiate dependence by encouraging social support, linking participants to community services and providing education about pregnancy and addiction. Medically-assisted treatment is offered, as well as a plan for the participant’s detox after her infant’s birth.

Program coordinators, Collier-Stepp and Peggie Marcum participated in interviews with CMS, which led to the Baby Centered Recovery Program being selected for inclusion in CMS’s MMO Change Package. These packages share proven strategies and interventions to improve the management of pain and opioid use in patients nationwide.

Since Adena’s Baby Centered Recovery program began in 2012, Adena Women and Children’s Center has helped more than 200 opioid-addicted mothers. The program has earned other national distinctions, being named a “Program of Excellence” by the Hospital Charitable Services Awards, and was recognized on Capitol Hill, identified as a model that other communities should replicate.

(image) Adena Pike Medical Center (APMC), specifically its Nutrition Services Department, was recently recognized by the Pioneer Center for being an Outstanding Partner for its work with the organization’s Employment Connections Program. As a part of the Ross County Board of Development Disabilities, the Pioneer Center works to improve the quality of life for individuals who have a developmental disability.

Through the Employment Connections Program, Adena hired Pioneer Center student Kaitlyn Brown in January 2018 as a Service Attendant in APMC’s cafeteria. Adena is among twenty area businesses that work closely in the program with the Pioneer Center.

“We assist our individuals with life goals,” said Art Nickels, Pioneer Center Employment Connections Coordinator. “One of those may be to find a job. To help with this we utilize agencies and coordinate with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. These agencies and service providers help students, like Kaitlyn, with applications, resumes, interviews, interest inventories and career discoveries.”

Nickels added, “Beyond that we also work with these agencies to provide job coaching, ongoing supports such as transportation and job save services. After all this we continue to provide ongoing suppoport for the rest of their life working with employers, like Adena, to help facilitate new trainings and ongoing support as needed.”

As a Service Attendant, Kaitlyn assists with prepping and serving meals for patients, visitors and employees as well as stocking inventory and cleaning. She is also currently being trained to run the cash register.

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“Kaitlyn is our department sunshine and has been a breath of fresh air for all of us,” said Heather Dalton, APMC Nutrition and Safety Manager. “She is always happy, cheerful and always smiling. She is constantly telling jokes and is a great asset to our team. Since adding Kaitlyn, we have seen an increase in the morale of our department. We are thankful for this award and recognition, but are even more appreciative of the experiences we have had since working with Kaitlyn. While this program gives us the opportunity to teach her, she is actually the one teaching us and we learn from her every day.”

 Pictured L-R: Heather Dalton, Kaitlyn Brown, Dusti Thompson, April Freeland and Andrew Bauer

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Each year, the need for warm coats among children in our community grows greater; and each year, Adena Health System caregivers step up to meet that need. This year, more than 1,000 local children were presented as being in need of a winter coat to Adena’s annual Coats for Kids drive. Thanks to the generosity of Adena caregivers every child on the list received a brand-new coat to keep them warm this winter, including one very appreciative Tiffin Elementary 5th grade student. 

“The student came into my office and thanked me about half a dozen times for the coat,” said Heather Schaeffer, the school’s secretary. “He asked me where it came from and I explained to him that a very nice person from Adena bought it for him. He then hugged me and asked that I pass the hug on and thank the person who bought it.”

Wrapping up its 10th year, Adena’s Coats for Kids program has become well-known throughout the region. This year, coats were purchased for elementary children at 21 schools in Highland, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties. Students recieving coats are identified by teachers, principals, bus drivers and others who may know of a family’s financial situation, or might notice a child not having proper clothing to handle the cold. 

“I do not know what we would do without the generosity of Adena,” said Schaeffer. “So many students are impacted by this cause. We see a lot of students in coats from prior years that are now too small, coats that aren’t warm enough, or there are some who simply do not have a coat at all. Not only does this help the child, this helps the entire family. The money saved on a new coat could be used for a family meal or the child’s Christmas.”

“Being my first year organizing this program, it has opened my eyes to the needs of our children in our local and surrounding areas,” said Stephanie Draise, Adena Revenue Cycle Team Lead. “Our caregivers have the most compassionate and loving hearts I have ever seen, and are always willing to go above and beyond-not just for their patients,-but for their communities as well.”

Since the Health System began collecting coats in 2007, Adena caregivers have provided nearly 11,000 coats to children through the program. Coats are collected, sorted and delivered by caregivers, volunteers and their families. 

Adena Health System initiates action plan to address drug addiction and overdose

(image) Adena Health System’s Dr. John Gabis has a unique perspective of the opioid and addition crisis running wildly throughout the UnitedStates. As a family doctor, Gabis hastreated patients for addiction and substanceabuse disorder. His aim is to helppatients live a full and enjoyable life, freefrom chemical dependence.

But Gabis also has another view of addiction and abuse — an end view, so to speak. As the Ross County Coroner, Gabis sees the final results of what happens when treatment doesn’t result in lasting sobriety. Across the south central Ohio areas that Chillicothe-based Adena serves, addiction to alcohol and opioids has been a critical issue for Gabis and the community. 

In Ohio, there has been a significant number of overdose-related deaths. According to a 2016 report from the Ohio Department of Health (the most recent year for which data was compiled) there were 4,050 overdose–related deaths in Ohio, a 32.8 percent increase from 2015. In the past several years Ross County saw an increase in the number of overdose-related deaths, although Gabis says those numbers have somewhat declined.

Despite the statistical dip, Gabis says the concern is still very high as he and many others attempt to battle multiple forms of addiction.

Ohio, along with West Virginia and Pennsylvania, have been among the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.

“There’s a lot of substance abuse in this region,” says Gabis, who notes that people have attempted to self-medicate physical, emotional and mental pain that stems from various traumas. If people are unable to address those traumas in healthy ways, Gabis says they “figure out a way to make that trauma go away or be less.”

Gabis describes addiction as akin to a form of demonic possession. Addicts lose their will while in the grips of their addiction.

“Once you have a dependency, your brain changes and you become like a person possessed with an evil spirit or a demon,” he says. “Whenever your brain is hijacked by these substances, you look like who you are, but your brain is not who you are.”

When the opioid epidemic began to raise its head about a decade ago in the Chillicothe area, Gabis says community stakeholders banded together to have the resources available to fight the scourge of addiction. He says they wanted to focus on the prevention of drug abuse, as well as prevention education.

Gabis points to a number of initiatives that have been undertaken by Adena and other stakeholders in this battle. In the emergency department at Adena Health System, an Emergency Department PORT (Post Overdose Response Team) was established. That team works to save the life of the person who has overdosed on an opioid or other substance. When that person is released from Adena, there is a community port that follows up with the patient.

The community team also visits addresses where overdoses have occurred, and provides resources to the residents of those homes to help those suffering from addiction, he says.

Another key initiative is the use of Narcan, an FDA-approved medication used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. Gabis says patients treated for opioid abuse disorder and patients who have previously overdosed on opioids are provided two doses of Narcan as an emergency precaution. Gabis says giving those doses is “about harm reduction.” The hope is a family member or friend will be available to administer the lifesaving treatment in time.

With the increased abuse of opioid prescription medications, Gabis says Adena and the State of Ohio have changed guidelines for prescribing painkillers. Doctors are prescribing the lowest dose necessary to alleviate the pain, and are also prescribing shorter dosing rounds.

As both a doctor and county coroner, Gabis says working with addiction and patients who have overdosed can be distressing.

“These are preventable deaths and it can be heartbreaking to work with,” he says. That being said, he believes there is always hope for recovery.

“When we help someone stay alive, there’s hope for tomorrow,” he says. “They can step up to be the parent, son or daughter and citizen that they were meant to be.”

with Dr. Wael Haidar, Adena Infectious Disease Specialist

What is 'the flu?'

The flu is a virus composed of two different influenza viruses, Influenza A and Influenza B. Influenza A is further separated into multiple different variants including avian flu (H7N9), swine flu (H3N2) and H1N2. The flu has proteins on its surface that change frequently and mutate into new strains. That happens frequently in Influenza A and less frequently in Influenza B, hence the different types of flu that appear every year.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of flu vary significantly from one patient to the other. Most likely, symptoms include upper respiratory infection including runny nose, sinus pressure, sore throat and generalized aches and pains with fatigue and sometimes low-grade fever. Other cases can vary widely, from meningitis (infection of the brain lining) to pneumonia and even gastroenteritis or diarrhea.

How is the flu spread?

The flu gets spread from one person to the other through respiratory secretions of infected persons. In other words, coughing and sneezing will transmit the flu virus to the environment. Droplets are typically airborne for about three to six feet. Beyond that the virus is too heavy and falls to the ground. The flu can live outside the body for several hours on hard surfaces, which essentially means that if somebody coughs or sneezes the flu virus droplets on a hard surface and few hours later somebody else touches that surface, they would be prone to contracting the virus.

When are you contagious?

Usually the person is contagious when they are still shedding the virus through their respiratory secretions. We likely shed the virus for about 24 to 48 hours before we feel ill, and this shedding continues for about three days while we feel ill. Studies show that the average duration of shedding of the virus is about five days. During that time the person is contagious.

Who should be immunized?

Immunization is recommended for every person older than six months. There are very specific circumstances where immunization is not recommended and sometimes it is actually contraindicated. Previously, patients with severe egg allergies could not receive the flu vaccine due to a component in the way we grow the virus. But most newly developed vaccines are well-tolerated, even in patients with egg allergies.

Can you get the flu from a vaccination?

No. The vaccine by itself is a modified and dead virus. That means the virus cannot replicate and spread in your body and give you the actual infection. Keep in mind that how the vaccine works is by stimulating your immune system to recognize the flu virus and be ready to fight it. So that immune response sometimes can make us feel tired, weak, achy and even a little sick.

Sometimes patients also confuse the flu with the common cold. Patients get the flu vaccine and get the common cold during the same season, thinking “the vaccine didn’t help,” which is not true since it was a totally different virus that gave them the common cold.

Who is at high risk or low risk for the flu?

The flu can affect everybody and anybody. Those more prone to severe infections are very young children with weak immune systems, older patients who are more prone to infections, and patients who have an immunosuppressant status. Immunosuppressed patients include patients who are taking immunosuppressive therapy for illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease or lupus. Patients who are HIV positive are also more vulnerable to severe infections.

Why does flu seem to be a bigger problem in the winter?

Influenza A is usually more seasonal then Influenza B. The virus thrives during cold and dry weather. What we have seen is that during hot and humid weather, the virus is less affecting and does not get transmitted easily. Keep in mind that in the winter season, kids are back to school and they have more contact with each other in closer surroundings, making them even more prone.

What are the best ways to treat the flu?

The best way is not to treat the flu. The best way is to prevent the flu. Over 200,000 people are admitted to hospitals in the U.S. every year because of the flu virus. Prevention can save lives and can save hospital admissions. Preventing the flu can save the health care industry billions of dollars per year. That is not including wages lost due to time off of work when someone is sick. But even under the best circumstances, people still get infected with the flu virus, and we have ways to treat it. Usually, we reserve treatment to patients with severe complications, or patients at high risk for complications. We have multiple medications to choose from, but the most commonly used one is oseltamivir (Tamiflu). This medication is most effective when given early during the onset of symptoms, preferably within the first 48 hours.

If you have never had a flu shot should you get one?

Yes. Everybody should get the flu vaccine even if they have never had it before. There is something called herd immunity. If everybody receives the flu vaccine the whole society, the whole community and the whole population become more immune. I strongly recommend for everyone to get the flu shot.

Healthy diet and understanding your A1C level are steps toward managing diabetes

(image) A diagnosis of diabetes can be frightening, but it’s not the end of the world. Especially if you regularly test your A1C level.

Dr. Gianina Usera specializes in endocrinology at Adena Health System.

“Diabetes awareness is very important,” Usera says. “Here in Ohio, there are 1.3 million people diagnosed with diabetes. Every year, 70,000 more are diagnosed. One of the most dangerous things is ignorance.”

MONITOR THE SITUATION

Usera notes that Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and involves insulin resistance. With that in mind, she focused on the importance of testing Type 2 patients for their A1C levels — the measurement of glycated hemoglobin — every three months. In layman’s terms, it’s a blood test that indicates a person's blood glucose concentration over the roughly three-month lifespan of a red blood cell.

This reading gives doctors a better idea how a patient is managing his or her glucose, or blood sugar levels. The lower the A1C number, the lower the blood sugar and the better for the patient.

The range varies, depending on weight and other health issues. According to the American Diabetes Association, an A1C level of 5.6 and lower is considered normal. Between 5.7 and 6.4 signals prediabetes. Over 6.5 is considered Type 2 diabetes.

Exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day, “something that makes you sweat,” does help lower that number, Usera says. Diet helps, as well.

“A well-balanced, healthy diet and daily exercise are still two of the main ways we recommend to help manage a patient’s diabetes,” Usera says.

PREVENTION IS KEY

By keeping A1C lower, patients can realize health benefits, including preventing the progression of diabetes-related complications. These may include blindness caused by retinal hemorrhages, kidney disease, damage to nerves in extremities (neuropathy), and an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

Eating habits play a key role, she says.

“If a patient’s diet is mostly carbohydrates like pasta, rice and bread, plus sugary drinks, regular soda or juice, this would be considered a poor diet,” she says.

Such a diet would increase one’s risk of developing diabetes or result in poor glycemic control for someone with diabetes, she says. She recommends whole grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables along with daily exercise.

TAKING ACTION

It is possible for those who are diagnosed with diabetes to lower their A1C through diet and exercise. Some may not need to go on diabetes medication, some may need to test their blood sugars daily and some may not. It varies.

“Keeping a sugar log can help the patients and their medical providers identify patterns and areas where adjustment or attention is needed,” Usera says.

Some people can successfully lower their A1C from Type 2 to pre-diabetes numbers.

“This means their sugar range is no longer in the diabetes range, and they have been able to reverse their disease to a certain degree by making lifestyle modifications and being compliant with their medications,” Usera says.

While carbohydrates can increase blood sugar levels, they should not be avoided entirely.

“Carbohydrates are not evil, and are actually a big part of where we get our energy,” Usera says. “Healthy carbs include fruits, some vegetables and whole grains. An important factor to eating carbs is the amount and portions eaten throughout a day.

“Again, maintaining a balance is key. It is possible to live a normal and healthy life with diabetes.”

For more information, visit adena.org/diabetes.

Antibiotics can save lives, but they aren’t always the answer when you are sick. 

Did you know Antibiotic resistance harmfully impacts the health of millions of hospitalized patients every year? 

As flu and cold season is in full swing, Adena Heath System Pharmacist Ken Knipp is encouraging patients to be antibiotics aware. 

“Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria such as strep throat or urinary tract infections.” Knipp said. “Viral illnesses such as the common cold or the flu cannot be treated with antibiotics.”

During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and throughout the year, Adena promotes Be Antibiotics Aware, an educational effort lead by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to raise awareness about the importance of safe antibiotic use.

The Be Antibiotics Aware initiative educates the public about when antibiotics are needed, when they are not, how to take antibiotics appropriately, and potential side effects of antibiotics.

Common viral infections that don't benefit from antibiotic treatment include:

• Cold
• Flu (influenza)
• Bronchitis
• Most coughs
• Some ear infections
• Some sinus infections
• Stomach flu

 Taking an antibiotic for a viral infection:

• Won't cure the infection
• Won't keep other people from getting sick
• Won't help you or your child feel better
• May cause unnecessary and harmful side effects
• Promotes antibiotic resistance

 Patients are encouraged to:

• Know the facts about antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could still hurt you.
• If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. It's tempting to stop taking an antibiotic as soon as you feel better. But the full treatment is necessary to kill the disease causing bacteria. Failure to take an antibiotic as prescribed can result in the need to resume treatment later and may promote the spread of the bacteria. 
• Do your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy by cleaning hands, covering coughs, staying home when sick, and getting recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

When you are feeling sick, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about the best way to feel better.

Click here for more information on Be Antibiotics Aware call the Adena Regional Medical Center Pharmacy at 740-779-8760.

(image) Nina French remembers smoking her first cigarette at the young age of only 16. “I would sneak around and steal cigarettes from my mother’s purse because back then it was the cool thing to do,” she said. 

Today, she has a different outlook on smoking. The 68-year-old Chillicothe resident was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in June of 2018.“I was going to have surgery and I was diagnosed with anemia,” she explained. “To help get my levels up to where I could undergo surgery, my doctor advised me to see a Hematologist at the Adena Cancer Center. During my first visit the doctor asked me if I was a smoker and suggested I get a lung cancer screening.” 

The no cost lung cancer screening provides a simple, painless, low dose, non-invasive CT scan for people at high risk for lung cancer and identifies tumors or lesions, which may need medical attention.

Nina’s lung cancer screening results came back showing Stage 3 cancer. “The results were not a shock to me, as I knew the risks of smoking. However, I never wanted to know or face the reality that I could possibly have cancer. I am very grateful for the lung cancer screening program and all the Adena Cancer Center staff,” she said. “It was a godsend and didn’t cost me a penny.”

Nina is not only grateful for finding out she had cancer when she did, but also for the time Adena has given her to spend with her 15 grandchildren. “If it weren’t for the screening, I would still be smoking and could even be dead.”  

Entering its fifth year, Adena Health System’s free lung cancer screening program has become a national model for excellence. Since it began in Nov. 2014, 55 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer. 

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“A lot of my friends who smoke, say they rather not know because finding out results can be scary,” explained Nina. “I want my story to be an example to others and encourage my friends and family to stop smoking and get screened.”

According to Adena Radiation Oncologist Dr. Greg Thompson quitting smoking helps decrease you risk of lung cancer, but it is better to not start smoking at all.  

“We have known for decades now that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and yet people still do it,” said Dr. Thompson. “The goal of the screening is to prevent more people from dying by catching cancer in the early stages when it is more treatable. In most cases people will not have any symptoms of lung cancer, especially in the early stages, therefore making it harder to detect and treat.”

Candidates for Adena’s free lung cancer screening include: 

• Between the ages of 55-74
• Quit smoking fewer than 15 years ago and 
• Have 30 “pack years” of smoking in their recent or distant past. A “pack year” is calculated by taking the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day and multiplying it by the number of years the person smoked. Therefore, a two-pack a day smoker, who smoked for 15 years is considered a 30-pack year smoker and should be tested.

 According to Dr. Thompson, Nina is now in “surveillance mode”, where her last CT scan showed her lymph nodes were no longer affected by cancer and her tumor was shrinking. She will continue to take a maintenance drug for a year in hopes to soon be cancer free. 

If you or a loved one falls into this recommended group, please consider setting up a lung cancer screening. Like a mammogram, people in this group are recommended to have a lung screen each year for the greatest chance of survivalin the event of a lung cancer diagnosis. 

To schedule a free lung cancer screening with Adena, call 740-542-LUNG (5864). 

To find out if you are at risk, visit adena.org/findout. 

Adena Health System is excited to have five of its caregivers up for the 2018 Ohio Nurse of the Year Awards in their respective areas. The March of Dimes’ Nurse of the Year Awards is a state-wide event that brings together the health care community to recognize nursing excellence and achievements in research, education, quality patient care, innovation and leadership. Eighteen awards will be presented at a ceremony on Nov. 2 to the most outstanding nurse within each category.

Nurses are nominated by peers, nurse managers, supervisors or even the families they have impacted, then each application is carefully reviewed and scored by a committee of Chief Nursing Officers and other nurse leaders from the health care community.

Adena’s Ohio Nurse of the Year Finalists

• Lee Holdren: Nursing Student of the Year Graduate Level

• Jennifer Mace: Rising Star Award

• Kayleigh Roberts: Critical Care Nurse of the Year

• Cynthia Roe: Hospice Nurse of the Year

• Ashley Swiger: Case Management/Managed Care Nurse of the Year

 For more about Adena Health System and its services, visit adena.orgor follow us on Facebook, Instagram,or Twitter @adenamedical.

While this month may be the time when breast cancer is at the forefront, it is a reality every day for our patients, providers, staff and volunteers at the Adena Cancer Center. Five breast cancer survivors shared this reality and gave praise to the Adena Cancer Center for the quality of care they received throughout the stages of their treatment

(image) Rebecca Crabtree, South Salem 

“When I walk in the doors of the Adena Cancer Center I feel like I belong here. Even when I come to just get blood work done I am greeted with hugs. The team is wonderful and made me have a comfortable and wonderful experience. In the twelve weeks I was here, I never felt like a number. The staff truly made me feel brave.” 

  (image) Sherry Howard, Chillicothe 

“The whole team at Adena is wonderful. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else for treatment. My Nurse Navigator was there every step of the way. The providers are excellent at explaining everything and helping me understand. My friends and family wanted me to choose other hospitals for my care. I chose Adena because it is close to home and more convenient for my family and me. Of course, I want the best treatment possible and I get that at Adena every step of the way.” 

 (image) Charla Mathuews, Chillicothe 

“I actually was the one who told my doctor I wanted to go to the Adena Cancer Center for treatment. The care and education I received there put my mind at ease and they made me feel like I was going to be okay.” 

 (image) Samantha Mullins, Waverly 

“As crazy as it sounds, getting radiation treatment at Adena was fun. The staff and I would sing and dance during treatments and they were always telling me jokes to make me laugh. Dr. Thompson was amazing. He was very insightful and intuitive. Even when I would tell him I was fine, he knew I wasn’t. He made me feel comfortable and helped me open up.” 

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Barbara Needham, Lancaster 

“Since I am a Pharmacist, I was very scared when I was first diagnosed because I knew how all the medications could affect me. I’m used to counseling cancer patients, but it’s so different when you become the patient yourself. The providers at the Adena Cancer Center taught me to take it day by day and helped put my clinical mind at ease. I never felt alone. I would recommend the Adena Cancer Center to anyone.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that women with normal risk for breast cancer start getting annual mammograms at age 40. Talk to your primary care physician to schedule yours today or call 740-779-7711. 

(image) As school sports activities increase for area students during the fall, so do sports-related injuries that result in visits to urgent cares, emergency departments and provider offices. Among the many injures athletes suffer, perhaps none has earned as much national attention as concussions. 

According to Adena Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Bradley Strauch, football and soccer are the two fall sports with the highest risk for concussion. One local athlete has already experience two concussions himself, Zane Trace High School football player Etheridge Games understands the importance of proper assessment and treatment when dealing with brain health, and the healing needed to return to action. 

Games’ first concussion, ironically didn’t actually occur on the field. The high school senior experienced his first head injury as the driver in a serious car accident. “Even though my concussion wasn’t sports related, my coaches and athletic trainer followed the basic concussion protocol,” explained Games. “Once I passed that, I was allowed to return to action.” 

Having played football for many years, Games is well educated on concussion prevention and the seriousness of head injuries. However, the tailback says his second concussion wasn’t preventable. “Coaches can teach you how to use proper hitting techniques to help prevent injuries, but when you’re the one getting hit, it’s kind of unavoidable, as football is such a physical sport,” he said. 

“The concussion protocol is a lot different now than it was when I had my first incident,” stated Games. “Before, I just had to take a series of tests and drills; and if I passed I could play. Now they make you do a lot more before releasing you, and they make you see a doctor.” 

After Games’ on-field collision, he was observed by the school’s athletic trainer who recommended he go to Adena’s Saturday Morning Injury Clinic, where he could be seen by a specialist. 

“I was very pleased with the care I received at Adena’s injury clinic; and Dr. Strauch, my athletic trainer and the rest of their team did a very good job assessing me and helping me get back in the game,” he said. “I was able to get in and out and seen by the doctor in a lot less time than if I would have gone somewhere else. No high school kid wants to spend their Saturday in a waiting room.”

“The Ohio High School Athletic Association recommends athletes progress through a return to play program (RTP) before being released to full game play,” explained Dr. Strauch. “The RTP process is a five-step technique spread out over five days. It is usually overseen by the school’s athletic trainer, or in a situation where there is no athletic trainer, a coach or parent. Each step should take 24 hours to ensure no return of symptoms. Sometimes athletes will feel fine after they have rested but adding back exertional activity can cause their symptoms to return.”

Strauch explains there are many risks of returning to play too soon, or while still symptomatic, including: 

• A greater risk for a second concussion; 
• Second impact syndrome that can result in abnormal brain blood flow, which can result in permanent disability or death if another head injury is sustained while still recovering from a current concussion;
• Increase in the severity of current symptoms, which could prolong total healing time; and
• Greater risk of additional injury, such as an ACL tear, due to alteration in balance.

Along with the RTP process, Adena providers monitor head injuries on athletes like Games with the brain health toolkit known as ClearEdge. ClearEdge provides clinicians a suite of tests and assessments to establish baselines and track brain health and wellness over time. The toolkit is comprised of separate tests for cognitive efficiency, balance assessment and symptoms tracking.

“This testing lets us continue to measure, assess and compare brain damage over the course of the student’s athletic career, allowing us to know exactly when the player is ready to get back in the game,” stated Dr. Strauch. 

After being seen and observed by physicians and his athletic trainer, Games was able to get back on the field in just two weeks. 

The Adena Bone and Joint Center’s Saturday Morning Injury Clinic is available during the fall to all student athleteswho may encounter an injury. ClearEdge testing is available to all athletes at any time, and is highly recommended prior to any sustained head injury to establish a baseline reading.  

                           Where: Adena Bone and Joint Center

                           Adena Health Pavilion 

                            4437 State Route 159                                                                                                 

                            Suite G15 Chillicothe, OH                                                           

                           When:   Every Saturday                                                                                                 

                           August 25 - October 27                                                                                                       

                           9 - 11 a.m.

For more information about Adena Sports Medicine’s Saturday Morning Injury Clinic, call 740-779-4598. 

 If you have any questions about an injury, call the Adena Sports Medicine hotline at 740-779-8943 or email adenasportsmed@adena.org. 

The 35th Annual Festival of Trees brings the community together for an evening of fun and fellowship while raising money for Adena Health Foundation’s Pike Fund, which supports the health care and equipment needs of Adena Pike Medical Center and its patients. The theme for this year’s Festival of Trees is Christmas Through Your Eyes. 

Proceeds from this year’s event will assist in the purchase of a LUCAS device for the Adena Pike Medical Center Emergency Department. LUCAS is a portable device that delivers automated chest compressions to victims of cardiac arrest, thereby reducing the need for manual compressions which can be energy consuming and operator intensive.

This year’s event is Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Glenn Center at Bristol Village. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the Grand Auction.

Tickets for the event are $40 per person. To purchase tickets, contact Ruth Ross, Adena Executive Event Coordinator at 740-779-8664 or rross@adena.org. Cash, credit card and check accepted.

We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting holiday event.

It’s that time of year again…flu season. The flu makes you feel miserable but did you know the flu can also be dangerous, especially for children.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that since 2010, 26,000 children younger than the age of five have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of the flu. You have the power to protect your children, your family and yourself this flu season by getting vaccinated and making sure everyone in your family six months and older gets their vaccine too.

Simple Ways to Keep the Flu Away 

1. Get the shot: You can avoid the flu this season by taking one simple step- get a flu shot.

2. Wash your hands:You can also protect yourself and others against the flu by doing simple things like washing your hands for at least 20 seconds before eating. 

3. Cover your cough:Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing can help prevent the spread the influenza virus. 

What’s True About the Flu 

Unfortunately, some people think that getting a flu vaccine is too much trouble, costs too much, or they are sure that a flu shot will make them sick or make them more likely to catch the flu.

Don't believe the rumors you hear. The flu shot cannot give you even a mild case of influenza. The vaccine does not contain a form of the flu virus that can give you the flu. The injected form of the vaccine is made from pieces of dead flu virus cells. After receiving the vaccine, some people have mild flu-like symptoms. This is not the same thing as having the flu. When you get the flu vaccine, your body reacts and makes antibodies that provide immunity against the virus.

It is completely normal for some people to feel a little crummy a day or two after having the shot. This is actually good news, because it means the shot is working. What is happening is your body is creating immunoglobulins, which protect your body against diseases and your immune system will remember the flu virus and be prepared to attack it if it does enter your body in another way.

Cold vs. Flu 

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. 

The viruses are spread the same way and with both, fever, coughing, runny nose and sore throat are all common. However, with the flu people tend to have more body aches, fatigue and overall just feel worse than one would who has the common cold.  

It is important to note that neither the flu nor the common cold can be treated with an antibiotic. It is always a good idea for those who are experiencing these symptoms to still contact their primary care provider because if caught early enough the symptoms can be mild through supportive care such as taking Tylenol and drinking plenty of fluids.

 When, Where and How Can I Get Vaccinated? 

Adena Health System offers many flu shot clinics, making it easy for you and your family to get vaccinated. Most of the time, your insurance company will cover the cost of a yearly flu shot. If you wish to schedule a visit for a flu vaccination, please contact your doctor’s office, or call 740-779-FIND to get established with a doctor at a time and location that is convenient for you. 

 At this time, Adena is offering walk-in flu clinics at the following locations:

• The Clinic at Walmart, 85 River Trace Lane, Chillicothe

            Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 12-5 p.m.

• Adena Regional Medical Center Pharmacy, 272 Hospital Road, Chillicothe 

            Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• Adena Urgent Care – Western Ave, 55 Centennial Blvd, Chillicothe

            Sunday – Saturday 8:00am – 9:00pm

• Adena Health Center Circleville, 140 Morris Rd, Circleville

           Mon.-Fri. 2-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Adena Urgent Care – Hillsboro, 160 Roberts Lane, Hillsboro

            Sunday – Saturday 8:00am – 8:00pm

• Adena Urgent Care – Waverly, 12340 St Rt 104, Waverly

           Sunday – Saturday 8:00am – 8:00pm

 No appointment is needed.

Trick or treat, give me something good to eat,” goes the childhood chant. But the trick for many parents is finding treats children will eat that don’t compromise their health.

A small amount of Halloween candy isn’t going to make or break a child’s weight or a parent’s dental bill. The problem is that for many families, it’s not just one night of candy but months’ worth of candy.

Excess calories play a role in children’s obesity and other health issues. While sugar and candy are only part of the problem, doing what you can to limit or avoid overload is worth the effort.

The suggestions that follow can help you make this holiday a bit healthier and safer. 

Keep Them Safe

• Feed your children a meal or snack before they head out. That will help keep them from munching on the treats they collect as they go door-to-door. Tell your children it’s important that you inspect their goodies at home before they pop anything into their mouths.
• Discard all homemade candy or baked goods when your kids get home. Parents of toddlers should remove choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, and the like.
• Inspect commercially wrapped treats for indications of tampering. Look for an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.
• Read ingredient labels with extra care if your child has food allergies.

Keep Them Healthy

Some treats are healthier than others. To focus on those:

• Read labels with an eye toward lower fat, calories, sugar, sodium, and trans fat totals.
• Consider alternatives to candy. Choices to consider include single servings of:

                 -Breakfast cereal
                 -Fruit rolls
                 -Mini boxes of raisins
                 -Microwave popcorn
                 -Pretzels
                 -Peanuts
                 -Trail mix
                - Juice boxes
                 -Ginger snaps
                 -Graham crackers
                 -Vanilla wafers or animal crackers

Tricks for Treats

Assuming you’re going to let your children keep some of the candy they collect these suggestions can help moderate their intake:

• Set a portion size for each child. Encourage them to take one piece of candy at each house and limit the size of their candy bag. Let them know how much they’re allowed to eat each day and when they can eat it.
• Implement a “buy back” program. Let your children choose several of their favorite candies to enjoy. Then “buy” the rest of the candy in exchange for a special sleepover, toy, book, or other treat. This allows your children to enjoy some of their candy without going overboard.
• When your child asks for some candy, pair it with something healthy like a banana, apple, or nuts.

Children love the excitement of dressing up and trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Helping them do so without overindulging on handfuls of unhealthy candy doesn’t have to get in the way of their fun.

Avoiding your regular mammogram can have serious, life-changing consequences

Who would know better than a mammographer about the importance of getting regular checkups for breast cancer? Marsha Baisden worked as a mammographer for eight years, and during that time encouraged women to get their regular screenings. She also heard too often the common reasons many women find to avoid them: being too busy, not having high risk factors, or putting family members’ needs before their own.

These are the reasons Baisden, who is today the regional site director at Adena Health Center in Jackson, Ohio, lists as the reasons she avoided mammograms. She has been with Adena since 1994 and worked as a mammographer until 2001, when she was promoted to a management position. The clinic at which she works offers mammogram services twice each week, so it could not have been easier for her to get the recommended annual checkup.

“I just wasn’t compliant,” Baisden says. “Every once in a while I’d do the right thing, but everything else in my life was a priority. As for risk factors, I wasn’t as fit as I should have been and had taken birth control. But I wasn’t worried. Life was good.”

PLAYING ROULETTE

Baisden’s rather indifferent approach to mammograms continued even after one of her screenings revealed a questionable area that required a biopsy. When the biopsy revealed nothing of any concern she went right back to her non-compliant ways.

Then, in 2016, she found a lump in her left breast. The initially dime-sized cyst grew to the width of a quarter within one month. Her nipple inverted, and she had dimpling on the skin. Without having been to the doctor, Baisden knew exactly what was going on. 

“I was scared, really scared,” she says. “But instead of facing it I waited four more months before seeking medical treatment. I had a family vacation planned and paid for. I put off reality until I got back from our trip.”

THE WAITING GAME

After returning from vacation, Baisden went in for a mammogram and was biopsied the next day. They were, as Baisden puts it, 99.9 percent sure it was breast cancer. They just weren’t sure what kind.

It turned out to be invasive ductal carcinoma, a very common form of breast cancer. Baisden’s hormone receptors — estrogen, progesterone and HER2 — were all positive, indicating the cancer was being nurtured by hormones; and hormone-fed invasive ductal carcinoma grows and spreads quickly.

“The hormone is a fertilizer,” Baisden says. The good news was that half of women with a positive HER2 are cancer-free after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The question was how would she respond to the treatment?

Baisden was facing 30 rounds of radiation, more than four months of chemotherapy and a year of chemo with Herceptin. She also opted for a complete mastectomy of both breasts because the lump in her left one had grown so massive.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Baisden doesn’t hide her self-recrimination.

“I really screwed up,” she says. “If I had gone sooner, I could have had a lumpectomy instead of a bilateral mastectomy. No one in the health system would know better to get a mammogram than me. I played with fire and have no excuses. I felt guilty and horrible.”

The members of the medical team that treated Baisden did their best to fill her with a positive attitude during a trying time in her life. They pointed out the important thing was she was coming for treatment. And, precancerous cells of a completely different type were found in her right breast after the mastectomy.

Had she not opted to remove both breasts she could have at the very least faced treatments all over again in about four or five years.

Still, removing both breasts was a difficult and emotional process for Baisden, who decided against reconstruction.

Ultimately, the treatments eliminated the cancer from Baisden's body, and her prognosis is good with a mere five percent chance of reoccurrence.

“I’m okay with how I am now,” she says. “It’s taken me a lot to get to this point. I’m changed personally. I’m thankful every day for the little things.”

Life is precious, and yours is worth an annual or biannual screening. This gives doctors the ability to assess changes in breast tissue, which is critical for detecting cancer early. You are never too busy to protect what you cherish, both for yourself and for your loved ones.

Baisden’s journey is a message to all women who are 40 years and older. “Quit making excuses. Go, take care of yourself. Get your mammogram.”