For over a decade, the Italian restaurant chain Olive Garden boasted the slogan “When You’re Here, You’re Family”. Those words are now becoming synonymous with the Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus Clinic.

Since opening the doors on their new location inside the Adena Health & Wellness Center on the Adena Regional Medical Center campus in December 2017, the providers, residents and caregivers working in the clinic have created an environment of caring that is exceeding patient and visitor expectations. Just ask Heather Oates of South Bloomingville following a recent visit with her seven-year old daughter. 

“I could not have picked a better doctor’s office. I love it,” she exclaimed. “All my experiences with them have been amazing. Right from the very beginning, they made us feel like we were family.” 

Heather was particularly won over by the way in which the staff took special care of her daughter, Madelyn, who has been in-and-out of hospitals since she was nine months old. Madelyn was in need of a blood draw and having had the procedure done many times before, she was none too thrilled about being stuck with a needle yet again. That was before Medical Assistant Richelle Johnson was able to ease Madelyn’s concerns thus creating a special bond that has since gone beyond that visit.

“Madelyn needed to leave the clinic and have her blood drawn in the Lab in another building, but she didn’t want to go unless Richelle could go with her,” Heather explained. “Sure enough, Richelle met us there and sat with us the entire time and even held her hand. Richelle walked her through the entire process and Madelyn never cried. Now she loves coming here and can’t wait to come back knowing she’ll see Richelle and everyone.”

She added, “I have worked in health care myself for 15 years and I have never seen another Emergency Room, Urgent Care or doctor’s office that has treated my children the way this office has. They cared about Madelyn and her feelings as well as my concerns. The fact that they made my child comfortable is what means a lot to me.”

Since that visit, the Oates family has returned to the Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus Clinic, this last time just so Madelyn could share lunch with Richelle and the staff.

As the region’s primary health care provider, Adena iscommitted to meeting the needs of the communities we serve by providing high quality, compassionate, close-to-home care. Our more than 3,000 caregivers take care of our friends, relatives and neighbors; building and strengthening trust with our patients with every encounter.

The Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus clinic provides a full spectrum of primary care for patients of all ages – from newborns to seniors. Located at 4461 State Route 159, Suite A, the clinic is openMonday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  They accept Medicaid and most forms of insurance and offer financial assistance for patients without health insurance. For more information or to schedule you or your family’s next appointment, clickhereor call 740-779-4900.

Adena Health System is expanding its Women’s Health Services program. As part of the Health System’s strategy to expand the availability of close-to-home health care for people throughout Adena’s service region, Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn, located in Chillicothe, has joined Adena Health System.

 On June 1, 2018, Dr. Jennifer Regan; Dr. Richard Villarreal; and Amy Barrows, DNP, CNP, became members of the Adena Medical Group of providers. Additionally, Dr. Rebecca Pareja will begin practicing at Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn later this summer.

 “I’m excited to have the team from Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn join us in expanding Adena’s Women’s Health services,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Patients throughout our region expect and deserve to have their health care needs met, without having to travel long distances for care. Drs. Regan and Villarreal have been taking care of patients in our region for many years, along with being very active community partners.”

 Graham added, “The addition of Premier Women’s Health is an exciting demonstration of Adena’s partnership commitment to build strong relationships with health care providers in its seven-county service region. Whether the entity wants to join the Adena network, or remain independent, the overall goal is to be sure patients in south central Ohio have the best possible access to the care they need, without having to leave their communities.”

 “This management team, under the direction of Adena’s new CEO Jeff Graham, has proven to be very patient oriented,” said Dr. Richard Villarreal. “This has long been Dr. Regan's and my philosophy. With this new way of thinking at Adena, it made sense for us to come home. I truly believe our patients and our community will benefit from all of the changes we will have for them.”

 Adena’s Women’s Health Services program offers a wide range of services including: wellness and prevention programs; comprehensive breast care; obstetrics; gynecology; gynecological surgery, including robot-assisted, minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery; and more. Adena Ob/Gyn also has a robust midwifery program; accredited ultrasound technicians; and a women’s centering program that offers a support system for mothers-to-be and new moms facing social difficulties.

 “Adena Ob/Gyn, with its seven physicians and five certified nurse midwives, welcomes Dr. Regan, Dr. Villarreal, and Amy Barrows, DNP, CNP,” said Dr. Emiley Blake, lead physician with Adena Ob/Gyn and Adena Health System’s Women’s Health Services program. “Adena’s established Ob/Gyn service line has a great depth of experience in providing health care access to the women of our region. Joining together will further enhance Adena’s women’s health services for our patients.”

Current patients of Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn should not notice any change in the care they receive. Drs. Regan, Villarreal and staff will continue to see patients at Premier’s current Blackwater Road office location. However, patients will enjoy a more convenient experience when delivering their babies and when having gynecologic surgeries, each being performed at Adena Regional Medical Center, in Chillicothe. Previously, Premier Women’s Health Ob/Gyn patients had to travel to Columbus to deliver their babies, and to Circleville for surgeries.

For some kids, reading during the summer can feel a lot like homework. However, Adena Community Health and the public library systems across Highland, Pike and Ross counties are working to make reading fun for children this summer. 

The Healthy Kids Summer Fun Challenge is a reading program that rewards kids for not only reading, but also staying active. Each child is asked to read a certain number of books, while also completing various physical challenges that encourage kids to put down their devices, unplug video games and get moving. These physical challenges are then documented in an exercise log provided by Adena. 

Upon completion of their reading assignments and exercise log, participants will be entered into a drawing for a new bike or IPod. Special gifts and goodies will also be provided throughout the course of the program. 

“The goal is to engage all participants in at least eight healthy activities over the course of the summer, including reduced use of cell phones and IPads and more time being outside and active,” explained Kim Jones, Adena Director of Community Health Advancement.

Now in its fifth year, Adena is proud to continue this partnership with the local libraries. The program reached 2,100 kids last year and organizers are hoping to engage 2,500 children this time around. “The libraries are a fantastic partner during the summer months and a great outlet to reach the kids in our service areas,” said Jones. 

For more information and registration dates on the Healthy Kids Summer Fun Challenge, contact any participating library: Highland County District Library,Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library

Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has achieved the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2018. ARMC, previously a Silver performer, is now one of only 37 hospitals in the U.S. to achieve Gold Performance status this year.

Award recipients must demonstrate sustained achievement in the ACTION Registry for eight consecutive quarters. ARMC and other recipients have performed at the top level of standards for specific performance measures.

“As a Gold Performance Award recipient, Adena has shown it is a leader in implementing top-level standards of care and protocols for its patients,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, Chair of the ACTION Registry and Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center. “By meeting the requirements set forth in the Registry, and establishing a culture of providing guideline-recommended therapy, Adena is saving lives and improving outcomes for heart attack patients.”

The Award recognizes Adena’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. It also signifies that ARMC has reached an aggressive goal in assuring patients being treated for heart attack receive a standard of care that is outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

Earlier this year, ARMC was named a Watson Health national Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital for superior heart care. Full participation in the Registry engages hospitals in a robust continuing quality improvement process. This is accomplished using data to drive improvements, adhering to the latest fast changing cardiology guideline recommendations, and achieving a top-level quality of care for heart attack patients.

“Adena Regional Medical Center continues to add to its growing list of achievements, demonstrating the high standard of heart care available in our region for the people who live here,” said Jeff Graham, Adena President and CEO. “This recognition reflects the commitment of our cardiovascular providers and staff, toward quality, safety and top-rated heart health care for patients living in south central Ohio.”

The Center for Disease Control estimates more than 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include: administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge; rapid timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked heart artery; smoking cessation counseling; cardiac rehabilitation; and more.

Adena Pike Medical Center (APMC) will soon begin offering support advocacy services to patients reporting to its Emergency Department after suffering any form of assault, trauma or violence. Beginning in June, Adena advocates will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide care, support and aid to these patients.  

 “Advocacy is about motivating change within a community,” said Nicole Bullock, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “Drawing attention to such an important need within our community is at times hard to face, but it is very much needed. By expanding our victim advocate services to Pike County, we can better serve the region by providing all avenues of support and resources.”

Since 2016, Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates have provided services to women, children and men who have experienced interpersonal violence as the result of sexual and domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and hate crimes.

 Within the last year, the program has served more than 230 victims at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe (Ross County). This includes 12 human trafficking victims and 160 sexual assault patients, of which more than 100 were children. More than 40 percent of patients seen for advocacy services at Adena in 2017 arrived from a surrounding county. 

“Our goal is to provide survivors of interpersonal violence a safe place to seek the medical treatment they need, while being emotionally supported,” said Heather Welshimer, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “We hope to support survivors who come to the hospital and educate them on the local resources that are available to them in Pike County.” 

 Trauma-informed services provided include: hospital and medical advocacy; resource linkage; referral to safety services, including safety planning and shelter placement. In addition, the program offers free peer-to-peer support groups, community education and an after-care advocate who is available to help individuals during any point of their healing process.

“We hope that by being available at APMC, it enable our advocates to serve the community and to allow those who are victimized to feel empowered; along with letting them know that their voice is being heard,” stated Bullock. 

For more information on Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program or to learn more about volunteer opportunities call 740-779-8207 or email survivoradvocates@adena.org. 

The school year has wrapped up across our region, and many students will spend the summer working, playing, or contemplating career goals. Those who have participated in the United Way of Ross County’s Map Your Future program have a head start on career exploration, many getting that experience from Adena Health System caregivers.

“I learned that even if we’re just middle schoolers, thinking about our future is important,” said one Unioto Middle School participant.

Map Your Future is a program intended to help youth in grades seven through 12 explore potential career choices. This is accomplished by visiting local businesses, and getting a taste of jobs that may interest them. Adena Health System is among several businesses in the community that host the students throughout the academic year.

“Adena and its caregivers are committed to nurturing the development of our community’s children, as we work to create healthy and thriving communities,” said Adena’s Director of Community Health Advancement Kim Jones. “We have many caregivers who are excited to share their passion for caring for others, and the career possibilities it offers young people who want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Map Your Future is funded by donations from participating organizations, and primarily through a Community Connectors grant, awarded to the United Way of Ross County from the Ohio Department of Education.

An Adena High School junior who job-shadowed an Adena Radiology staff member had this to say about the experience. “My experience was very helpful. I got to see some really cool X-rays and get a feel for what the job is like. I also got to ask questions, and talk about colleges with some of the workers. It was a great experience and I’m glad that I could go.”

The United Way’s most recent In-kind Hours Report shows since January 2017:

·   920 students in grades six through nine have toured Adena locations as part of their career exploration;

·   488 students at various levels of middle and high school have participated in presentations by caregivers, who introduced the students to health care careers in a classroom setting; and 

·   Six students shadowed Adena caregivers in the areas of Nursing, Physical Therapy, Radiology, and Construction/Engineering/Architecture to learn more about specific jobs.

In the report, which covers the 13 months between Jan. 1, 2017 and Feb. 28, 2018, the United Way estimates Adena caregivers provided 2,124 mentoring hours, which it values at $105,152.

“It’s pretty amazing when we stop and look at these figures,” said Gina Benson, United Way of Ross County’s Map Your Future Coordinator. “We become so involved in the tasks, it is good to stop and reflect on these numbers and the impact Adena Health System has had on our community and our youth through career exploration. Adena Health System is always reported as one of our success stories each time I do our grant reporting.”

In addition to Adena Health System, other Ross County partners for Map Your Future include: Kenworth; Ohio University-Chillicothe; Pickaway-Ross Career Technology Center; Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library; Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Lifting Up Jesus Church; Ross County Heroin Partnership Project; NAACP-Ross County Unit; Chillicothe City School; Union Scioto Schools; Huntington Schools; and Adena Schools.

 To learn more about the Map Your Future program, go to www.unitedwayross.org or to volunteer, visit www.volunteerross.org. To learn more about Adena and its services, visit www.adena.org.

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 businesses creditworthiness.

 Each year, the Health System presents its strategies, market trends and financial situation for evaluation and rating of Adena’s credit strength. The rating issued is closely watched by investors and potential investors; and is similar to an individual’s credit score.

 “We are extremely pleased with Moody’s evaluation and affirmation of Adena’s strategy and financial position,” said Chief Financial Officer Lisa Carlson. “Adena’s strong 2017 performance, and the organization’s positive momentum has given Moody’s credit analysts confidence in our financial position and leadership. The rating also indicates we can support future growth and expand our place in the service area.”

 Moody’s Investors Service currently has an overall negative outlook on the health care industry. Adena’s growth and positive performance is unusual in the current climate. The raters were complimentary of the System’s new leadership, identifying how strategies under our new team will support volume growth and sustain a leading market position. It said, “New management team members are quickly executing improvement strategies, and will provide stability and direction.”

 “Adena’s strategy of building its physician base of medical expertise, to provide care throughout our seven-county primary region is key to Adena’s growth, and keeping care close to home for our patients,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “This affirmation tells us we are not only doing what’s best for our patients and the communities we serve, but we are on the right track for continued success.”

 According to the Moody’s report, Adena’s key strengths are: its market share; 2017 performance and momentum; and a strong balance sheet, with adequate cash and reasonable levels of debt. Weaknesses identified include the economic fundamentals of Adena’s service area, which includes a high exposure to the Ohio Medicaid program; low population growth; and relatively high levels of unemployment.

At the forefront of their field, Adena Interventional Pain Management physicians Mark Malinowski, DO and Andrew Porter, DO are now the first in central and southern Ohio to offer their patients the latest solution in treating chronic pain, and restoring people’s lives.

The StimRouter ®, by Bioness, is the first FDA-cleared minimally-invasive neuromodulation device designed to treat chronic pain of a peripheral nerve origin. The StimRouter can be used to treat pain throughout the body, including but not limited to:

• Post-surgery pain (knee, back, etc.)
• Post-stroke shoulder pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Amputation pain
• Neuromas
• Neuralgia (excluding cranial facial)
• Carpal Tunnel

“This is the modern way to treat pain,” explained Dr. Porter. “The StimRouter gives us the ability to care for a patient who before was untreatable. Up until now, patients suffering from chronic pain would be put on pills and their pain would linger. Now those patients can have a treatment that works for them.”

A StimRouter implant requires no hospital stay, no need to go under general anesthesia, and is usually completed in approximately 30 minutes. The treatment is designed to reduce pain by specifically targeting the affected peripheral nerve by delivering gentle stimulating pulses that disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. StimRouter is intended to be a cost-effective and long-term alternative to prescription opioids. The StimRouter implant procedure requires use of only local anesthesia and is performed with only 1-2 small incisions. Following surgery, the patient wears a small, externally-worn patch that generates power to the implanted lead. Patients control the system using a wireless, handheld programming device.

"The opioid epidemic continues to impact people across the world in high numbers,” said Todd Cushman, President and CEO of Bioness. "As clinicians and patients continue to look for effective and sustainable ways to treat and manage pain (without the use of opioid medication), it is rewarding to see patients thrive with our StimRouter technology."

Unlike oral pain medications that circulate throughout a patient’s entire body, the StimRouter targets the precise area where a patient feels pain, without the common prescription drug side effects. Therapies like opioids have a reduced effect over time and are not sustainable long-term.

The StimRouter also does not have to be a permanent therapy. The small lead can be easily removed if the patient decides to pursue a different treatment.

“It’s a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure,” said Dr. Malinowski. “The StimRouter can help patients with their recovery when they may not be symptom-free after months of physical therapy. It is a viable alternative to opiates and other treatments.”

He added, “The StimRouter can be used for chronic joint pain. Previously, pain therapies around joints were always challenging because the joint moves in different directions, which would cause the therapy to lose its effectiveness over time. With this device, we can capture chronicle pain in and around joints whether or not the joints have been replaced.”

“We’re happy to be able to provide this safe and effective alternative to get our patients back to the activities they enjoy,” said Dr. Porter. “The StimRouter is a durable and elegantly placed device that meets a need for chronic pain patients, who to this point have been underserved.”

Adena’s Interventional Pain Management Department was founded with the goal of helping people return to normal, productive living. Its pain medicine doctors are experts at diagnosing the cause of pain and helping to eliminate it. For more information, visit adena.org/painmanagement or call 740-779-4598.

After this long winter, spring is finally here. However, springtime can also mean seasonal allergies start to flare.

While typically not life-threatening, environmental allergies can make you feel miserable, interrupt your daily activities and can even lead to secondary respiratory infections.

Adena Health System is here to help you stop suffering. According to Dr. Dana Esham, Allergist/Immunologist with Adena ENT & Allergy, it’s best to not let your allergies get out of control before you do something about them. “So often I have people tell me they have allergies, but they ‘just live with it,’” she said. “There’s no need to live with it!”

It’s not necessary to suffer with itchy eyes, nasal congestion and those other symptoms that come with allergies. Dr. Esham recommends early treatment. “It’s much easier to control allergy symptoms if you get them before your nasal passages are aggravated and swollen,” she said.

As with all allergies, avoidance of the allergen is the most effective. But because that’s not always realist, medication and allergy shots can help control your symptoms.

Patients often self-treat allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications that may help with some of the symptoms, but they generally don’t make much of an impact in helping the person feel completely better.

Skin testing is necessary to find out if there is something the patient can avoid to keep from having an allergic reaction, especially if the patient is asthmatic. Gone are the days of multiple shot skin tests to determine what the patient is allergic to. Today, allergy testing is mainly done with bristle-like instruments that expose the patient’s skin to various allergens.

That’s right, no needles! “We’re basically lightly scratching the skin, and if you’re allergic to it, you’re going to get a hive,” said Dr. Esham.

 Adena ENT & Allergy also offers allergy shots. “Allergy shots are a great alternative for those who wish to avoid medications or medications are not helping,” noted Dr. Esham.

 Don’t let allergies stop you from enjoying all the wonderful outdoor experiences this spring has to offer.

 Schedule your appointment by calling 740-779-4393 or visit adena.org/appointment.

How Much Do You Know About Seasonal Allergies? Click here to take our simple 9-question quiz to learn more.  

May is recognized National Stroke Month. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers 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.

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

What is a stroke?

A stroke is essentially a brain attack that occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off, causing a 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.

Stroke 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.

Just ask 89-year old Wendell Schaller, an Adena stroke patient.

“I was getting up to use the restroom when I felt my right side go limp,” explained Schaller. “I was able to reach for my cellphone and call my daughter for help. She called 9-1-1 and within minutes an ambulance was here to take me to the emergency room.”

Upon arriving to Adena’s Emergency Department, which is recognized as a Primary Stroke Center, Schaller was given a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), or more commonly known as a “clot buster.”

According to the American Stroke Association, tPA is a medication that dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain tissue. tPA has been approved to treat brain attacks and ischemic strokes, like Schaller’s, within the first three hours of stroke onset. If given promptly, symptoms resolve or show major improvement in stroke symptoms for one-in-three patients who receive tPA in time. 

Because of his stroke, Schaller lost mobility in his right arm and leg, and experienced symptoms of facial droop and speech impairment. By acting fast, Schaller qualified for the clot buster treatment. He says it “saved his life.”

“The clot buster saved my life in more ways than one,” he said. “Not only am I alive today, I’m able to do all the things I was doing before the stroke.”

In just three short months, with minor home-based therapy and rehab, Schaller now has all feeling back in his right side. He is able to walk, cook and even drive again. Schaller is also able to continue to care for his wife Ruth, and play Bridge with his friends every Sunday night.

Stroke Risk Factors

Anyone can have a stroke, at any age, at any time. 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. Mr. Schaller is a great example of this.

For the majority of his life, Schaller served time as a U.S. Marine and worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “I have always had a healthy lifestyle,” he said. “Throughout my career, I was always active and ate healthy. However, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are both risk factors for a stroke. You can look healthy, feel healthy, but still have some underlining issues and not even know it.”

Medical Risk Factors:

-       High Blood Pressure

-       High Cholesterol

-       Heart Disease

 Life Style Risk Factors:

-   Tobacco Use

-    Physical Activity

-    Diet

Recognizing and Responding to Stroke

“My advice to everyone is to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and get help as soon as possible,” explained Schaller. “I knew when my right side was going numb, that I was indeed having a stroke.”

Recognize: What are Symptoms of a Stroke?

-       Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, particularly on one side

-       Confusion, trouble speaking

-       Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of coordination

-       Sever headache with unknown cause

Respond: What to do if you expect stroke?

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.

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.

Adena Regional Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center. As a Primary Stroke Center, Adena has an established protocol to provide the best results for patients arriving during or shortly after the onset of a stroke, greatly reducing their chance of disability. As a Primary Stroke Center, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards and meet additional requirements. These include: advanced imaging capabilities; 24/7 availability of specialized treatments; and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients. 

Led by Adena Neurologist Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, Adena’s Stroke Team has seen its tPA treatments triple since first being named a Primary Stroke Center in 2014.

When a stroke patient arrives in the Emergency Department, Adena’s goal is to ensure a provider sees the patient within 10 minutes. Tests and scans will be completed, with results read within 45 minutes.

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. 

Adena Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department is distributing a take-home kit that includes naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, to patients being treated for an opioid overdose.

This new naloxone distribution program is made possible through a supplemental grant that was awarded to the Ross County Health District from the Ohio Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The funds are intended to establish a Narcan ER Program. Adena’s ER is now distributing the free naloxone kits to consenting patients prior to discharge.

“This is another step forward by Adena to reduce the drug overdose death rates in our region,” said Dr. John Gabis, a primary care provider with Adena Family Medicine and chair of the Heroin Partnership Project (HPP). Gabis also serves as Ross County Coroner. “This program demonstrates Adena’s continued commitment to fight the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths. Naloxone distribution and the work of our Emergency Department’s Post Overdose Response Team are examples of Adena’s collaboration with our community and the HPP.”

 In 2017, Adena’s Emergency Department treated 251 people who overdosed. Today’s patients will now have greater access to this life-saving tool.

Each Narcan kit includes two nasal dosage containers that can be administered to those experiencing an unintentional or intentional overdose. In many cases, Narcan will reverse the life-threatening effects of opioids. Educational materials are also included in the kit and include information related to the signs of an opioid overdose, how to respond to a suspected overdose, and community resources that are available to addicts and their loved ones.

 “Evidence-based research shows that patients who overdose are more likely to overdose again,” Dr. Gabis added. “Saving a life affected by opioid use disorder starts with naloxone after an overdose. We want to be proactive in eliminating barriers that would normally prevent drug overdose patients and their family and friends from quick access to naloxone.”

 Dr. Gabis noted, Narcan does not take the place of emergency medical care, and 911 should be called when it is used. “Current efforts throughout Ross County have already reduced the overdose death rate by 25 percent. By instituting a program such as this in our Emergency Department, we can help to further save those needing help until treatment.”

 Adena’s Narcan distribution program comes on the heels of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams’ recommendation that more Americans know how to use naloxone, and keep it within reach to save lives.   

Think back to your senior year of high school. Were you excited about what the future held? Or were you lost wondering what would come next? For six Chillicothe High School seniors, a look into their own future is happening now.

Concluding its second year, the AIM Program, a unique partnership between Adena Health System and Chillicothe High School, graduated its Class of 2018 this week.

AIM Program Class of 2018: Andrew Benson; Chelsea Crabtree; Kyelle Corcoran; Brittany Harper; Calvin King and Rylee Putnam.

The AIM Program started as a way to engage students with an interest in medicine and to encourage them to one day practice medicine in their hometown.

Each month, students in the program visited one of six Adena clinics and specialty services including: Palliative Care, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Internal Medicine and Oncology. Students spent their mornings working alongside providers at the hospital or in a clinic setting, while in the afternoons they would come together for hands-on lessons in Adena’s PACCAR Medical Education Center’s Simulation Lab.

“I always tell the students I am envious of them for the opportunity they have been given,” said Dustin Weaver, Chillicothe High School Principal. “I am very thankful for Adena Health System in making this partnership possible and successful.” 

The program’s 2018 graduates are grateful for the chance to learn about something that interests them in an environment that gives them greater learning opportunities.

“The AIM Program has proven that I want to pursue something in the medical field,” said Benson. “It has given me invaluable experiences that will give me an advantage in my future endeavors. By going through the rotations, I have gained knowledge of medicine that I previously did not have. I have now found specific areas that spark my interest. The AIM Program has helped guide my career and passions.”

Adena Health System had a new arrival in its Women & Children’s Center today, but it wasn’t the Unit’s typical delivery. Hospital leaders and guests cut the ribbon, officially opening its new Adena Baby Centered (ABC) Closet.

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The ABC Closet will serve as a motivational incentive for mothers involved in Adena’s nationally-acclaimed Centering Pregnancy and Baby-Centered Recovery programs. Participants can earn rewards that can be redeemed for needed or wanted items for their children and themselves. The moms-to-be will earn rewards by: attending weekly group meetings, having negative drug screens, completing program assessments, and staying on-track with their scheduled doctor appointments.

“We have had the idea to offer an incentive-based baby item program for the women in our programs for a while, and we are so excited it has finally become a reality,” said Donna Collier-Stepp, Adena Women and Children’s Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor. “Sometimes meeting the need for just the bare essentials can make such a meaningful impact in these women and babies’ lives.”

Construction of the ABC Closet was made possible by a grant from Molina Healthcare of Ohio. The grant helped remodel an existing space and provided all of the needed shelving and storage. Molina also generously donated 1,000 diapers as a gift from its Diaper Bank.

“At Molina, we know that new moms face many challenges, and getting access to quality health care or enough diapers should never be one of them,” said TaKeysha Cheney, director of community engagement for Molina Healthcare. “We are grateful to have partners like Adena Health System to make it easier for women to get the care and support they need.”

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Adena’s ABC Closet has been gracious filled by donations from employees, grants and other gifts. However, the need to continuously replenish items is always there. If area businesses, churches, organizations or individuals would like to help fill the ABC Closet, Adena’s Women & Children’s Center accepts items such as diapers (newborn-size 2), new or gently used baby clothing (newborn-12 months), wipes and other baby essentials.

Started in 2104, Adena’s Centering Pregnancy Program is open to all pregnant women to share experiences, learn about their pregnancy and newborn ca

re, and to interact with providers, enabling the health care providers to be more involved in their care plan.

Adena’s Baby-Centered Recovery program was founded in 2012, and helps women move beyond opiate dependence by encouraging social supports, linking clients to community services and providing education about pregnancy and addiction. Medically-assisted treatment is offered, including a plan for the participant’s detox following the birth of her infant. Since it began, Adena’s Baby-Centered Recovery program has served more than 100 opiate-addicted women, who have given birth to healthy babies with minimal opiate exposure.

If you are, or know a pregnant mom-to-be in need of assistance, and would like more information about Adena’s Centering Pregnancy Program or Baby-Centered Recovery Program, call (740) 703-71038(image)

Adena Family Medicine-Greenfield is offering free, walk-in, sports physicals for middle school athletes.

Adena providers and expert clinicians will evaluate the student athlete’s general health, current fitness level and discuss any existing injuries or conditions that might increase the risk of injury.

When:         Saturday, May 12

                    7:45-9 a.m.

Where:        1075 North Washington Street

                    Greenfield, OH 45123

Sport physicals are available to students going into the 7^th and 8^th grades next school year who live in the Greenfield, Bainbridge, Leesburg and Washington Court House areas.

No registration is required. Students will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.

This free service is provided by Adena’s Certified Athletic Trainers as part of their continued support and care of area student athletes.

For more information, call 937-981-9444. 

When you need to see a health care provider quickly, you shouldn’t have to travel far or wait long. Now, you don’t have to.

Adena Health Center–Jackson is proud to offer walk-in appointments. That’s right, no appointment is needed. The walk-in clinic is conveniently located and offers extended hours and shorter wait times.

Walk-in Clinic Hours:          Monday–Thursday

                                           8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Where:                               1000 Veterans Drive

                                           Jackson, OH 45640

Conditions treated include common cold, flu, strep throat, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, ear infections pink eye, sprains & strains, immunizations, minor cuts and physicals.

For more information, visit adena.org/walkin or call 740-395-8050.

Future improvements scheduled for 2018 and 2019 include upgrading hot water boilers and HVAC air compressor to higher efficiency units as they come due for replacement.

Over the past week, we have heard a lot about former First Lady Barbara Bush making the decision to pass away on her own terms. She wanted to be surrounded by her loved ones and as she did in life, ended her days in a peaceful, love-filled environment.

 You may recall, just days before her death, at the age of 92, Mrs. Bush made the decision with her doctors to no longer seek life-saving medical treatment, and instead preferred to receive “comfort care.”

 While there are many viewpoints on what it means to stop fighting or continue to treat terminal illness, the conversation has sparked interest in the concept of comfort care.

 Commonly thought of in cases where people are suffering through long battles with cancer and other diseases, comfort care usually refers to Palliative Care. This is a medical specialty that focuses on managing a patients’ symptoms vs. managing the disease or illness; and keeping the patient comfortable in their last stages of life.

 According to reports, Mrs. Bush was hospitalized multiple times in the past year, battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure.

 Comfort care is not just for those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. According to Palliative Care Specialist at Adena Regional Medical Center, Dr. Richard Greeno, “Providers engage in comfort care with all patients from the moment they see them – as the ultimate goal in treatment is to make patients more comfortable.”

 In a situation like Mrs. Bush experienced, comfort care is when a patient decides it is time to stop treating the disease, and time to start focusing on treating the symptoms and being more comfortable.

 When treatments are no longer working, and the patient is ready, physicians often suggest comfort care. If the patient and their family is ready, the provider will focus on keeping them comfortable on the final leg of life’s journey.

 “We work with the patient and their family to determine what option is right for them before making any decisions,” added Dr. Greeno.

 It is common that patients will choose this option when they are experiencing side effects that cause them more issues and discomfort than the disease itself.

 “I would rather have two weeks of being myself, reminiscing on the good times with family and friends, than six months of vomiting in the bathroom and sleeping away my final days,” explained Dr. Greeno. “At this point in life, there are medicines that can do things to you, but not necessarily for you. That is when comfort care can become the best option.”

 Mrs. Bush’s death has inspired a national discussion among families and health care providers to discuss, define and document end of life wishes, and to consider and honor all alternatives.

 The Palliative Care team at Adena recognizes this can be a challenging decision for patients and families.

 “The first thing I do as a physician is sit down with the patient and family members to explain from a medical stand point, that we cannot stop death,” said Dr. Greeno. “Patients who choose comfort care, like Mrs. Bush, are not giving up. However, modern medicine is not always going to win the fight over certain diseases, especially when the human body is too tired.”

 Sometimes, continuing to fight can cause more damage to the human body then helping it. “I explain to families that we are most definitely not giving up. We are just redirecting the fight to the symptoms, and not the disease,” he said.

 A spokeswoman said former President George H.W. Bush held his wife’s hand all day, and was by her side when she passed.

 “This is an example of how death should be,” said Dr. Greeno. “No one should ever die in pain or in fear. If I can help eliminate pain and fear in my patients, I consider that a victory.”

 Even though we all ultimately face death, this topic is one that many people avoid talking about.

 What if you were involved in an accident, or had a serious health condition where you could no longer speak for yourself? Who would make your health care choices? Would they even know what you would want?

 To get these often difficult conversations started, and to help families plan for those end-of-life decisions, Adena’s Palliative Care Team and Chaplain Rev. Paul Ray will host “The Talk,” a free program to help families initiate end-of-life health care decisions. The Talk will be held on from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 28 at Walnut St. United Methodist Church, located at 16 S. Walnut Street in Chillicothe.

Adena Health System’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates and Nurse Examiners are building on the powerful #MeToo and #Time’sUp movements to recognize National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and to continue to empower women, children and men, who have experienced sexual violence to speak up.

Over the last year, Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor program has served more than 230 victims at Adena Regional Medical Center. This includes 12 human trafficking victims and 160 sexual assault patients, of which more than 100 were children.

Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor caregivers and community members will once again be coming together for the 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Walk and Vigil.

When:              Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m.

Where:             Ross County Court House

                        2 N. Paint Street, Chillicothe

Attendees will meet outside the Ross County Court House for the reading of the annual proclamation, written by Mayor Luke Feeney and delivered by first lady Stacy M. Brooks, declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the city of Chillicothe, with special messages from Adena Sexual Assault Advocates and Nurse Examiners, County Prosecutor Matthew Schmidt and the Child Protection Center regarding sexual assault in Ross County and the importance of community support.

The group will then march to Yoctangee Park, where 160 flowers will be released into the pond each representing a different sexual assault survivor Adena treated in 2017.

For more information on the event, visit Adena’s official Facebook page. 

Connection is the Opposite of Addiction. There are many local resources available to addicts and families wishing to connect; and people and organizations that are ready to help.

Join us for Addiction: Understanding Local Support and Resources, a free, community-focused discussion on the health crisis of opioid addiction; and the help that is available in our region. 

Hear from representatives from Adena Health System who will share how it is fast becoming a catalyst in saving lives, while fighting addiction. Also hear from experts about medication-assisted treatment; ambulatory detox options; and how the City of Chillicothe and Ross County are taking a proactive approach in reaching addicts and families following an overdose. 

When: Thursday, April 26, 2018 

             6 - 8 p.m. 

Where: PACCAR Medical Education Center 

            446 Hospital Road 

             Chillicothe, OH 45601

The event is free, but participants are asked to register at adena.org/events or call (740) 779-8664. Light refreshments will be available.

This month, Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates and Nurse Examiners  are building on the powerful #MeToo and #Time’sUp movements to recognize National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and to continue to empower women, children and men, who have experienced sexual violence to speak up.

The group offers survivors comprehensive advocacy services starting in the Emergency Department, while also providing trauma informed services, medical advocacy, resource linkage and referral and safety services, and shelter placement.

Starting April 19^th the group will be offering Helping Other Women (HOW), a peer-to-peer support group for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The group will be meet the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Carver Community Center from 6-8 p.m.

“Advocacy is about motivating change within a community,” said Nicole Bullock, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “Drawing attention to such an important need within our community is at times hard to face, but it is very much needed.

Advocates Now Serving Highland County

Within the last year, Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate and Nurse Examiner programs have served more than 230 victims at Adena Regional Medical Center. This includes 12 human trafficking victims and 160 sexual assault patients, of which more than 100 were children.

More than 40 percent of patients seen for advocacy services at Adena in 2017 arrived from a surrounding county.

Beginning in April, Adena Greenfield Medical Center (AGMC) offers support advocacy services to patients reporting to its Emergency Department after suffering any form of assault, trauma or violence. Adena advocates will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide care, support and aid to these patients. 

“We hope that by being available at AGMC, it enable our advocates to serve the community and to allow those who are victimized to feel empowered; along with letting them know that their voice is being heard,” stated Bullock.

“Our goal is to provide survivors of interpersonal violence a safe place to seek the medical treatment they need, while being emotionally supported,” said Heather Welshimer, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “We hope to support survivors who come to the hospital and educate them on the local resources that are available to them in Highland County.”

To kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the advocates hosted a meet-and-greet in the AGMC ED to begin building relationships with staff, leadership and other caregivers they will be working with on a daily basis.

Get Involved at the 2018 Walk and Vigil

Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor caregivers and the community will come together on April 28 at 10 a.m. in downtown Chillicothe to host the 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Walk and Vigil.

Attendees will meet outside the Ross County Court House for the reading of the annual proclamation, written by Mayor Luke Feeny and delivered by first lady Stacy M.Brooks,  declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the city of Chillicothe,  with special messages from Adena Sexual Assault Advocates and Nurse Examiners, County Porsucre Matt Schmidts, and guest from the Chid Protection Center regarding sexual assault in Ross County and the importance of community support. 

The group will then march to Yoctangee Park, where 160 flowers will be released into the pond each representing a different sexual assault survivor Adena treated in 2017.

For more event details visit our Facebook page.

How You Can Help

Did you know you do not have to be an advocate or nurse to help victims?

You can make a difference and assist survivors by becoming a volunteer survivor advocate or donating to the Adena Health Foundation’s Survivor Support Fund.

By taking action and being a voice for these victims when they feel they have no voice has a huge impact. By lending a helping hand, while it may be just in listening to their story or providing resources you become an asset in their recovery.

Your monetary gift or in-kind donation to the Survivor Support Fund will help us provide much needed services to our patients. To make a donation, visit ADENA.ORG/FOUNDATION or make checks payable to Adena Health Foundation Survivor Support Fund and mail to 9 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH, 45601.

For more information on Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program or to learn more about volunteer opportunities call 740-779-8207 or email survivoradvocates@adena.org

We understand patients have choices when it comes to their health care needs, especially when those needs include surgery. At Adena, our goal is to help make those decisions easier for you and your family by offering the latest in surgical advancements, and care that is close to where you live.

But you don’t have to take just our word.

Since Adena Health System began its Robotic Surgery Program in October 2012, it has transformed from an upstart to becoming nationally recognized as an “Epicenter of Excellence.” Adena is just only one of five hospitals in Ohio to receive this distinction.

Adena is capable of performing 26 types of robotic surgeries. We also recently became the first in the region to offer robot-assisted orthopedic surgery for total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements.

Meet Paul

Paul Blankenship loves to play guitar. But it was another instrument that helped him get back on stage fast. The state-of-the-art da Vinci surgical system allowed his doctor to perform complex prostate surgery through just three tiny incisions. As Paul can confirm, the results were incredible. “There was very little scarring. And there was so little pain; I didn’t even have to use my medication.” Most importantly, Paul was back at work and playing his gigs in just a few weeks. “Why should you have to go to Columbus, Cleveland or anywhere else to get this kind of technology when it is available right here,” Paul said. “This is local, this is home. I would definitely recommend robotic surgery for anyone considering it.”  

Meet Nicole

When Nicole Alexander found out she needed gallbladder surgery, she wanted a solution that would get her back to her family and active lifestyle quickly. The surgeons at Adena offered her minimally-invasive surgery using the da Vinci surgical robot, and Nicole was back on her feet fast.  “I went in for my procedure at 1 p.m. and I was home walking around by 8,” Nicole recalled. In a matter of days, she was ready to resume her busy life with her family and workouts at the gym. “Instead of five incisions with a traditional laparoscopy there was only one, and the scar wasn’t even an inch long,” Nicole added. “And now, I can hardly see it at all.”

Here are the top six reasons to choose Adena and its surgeons for your robot-assisted surgery:

1. Care close to home. While you used to have to travel to other parts of the state to get this procedure, you can now benefit from the most advanced surgical techniques right here at home.

2. Familiar faces. Many of the surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and other caregivers at Adena grew up as your neighbors and friends here in south central Ohio. They are community members caring for their community.

3. Patient satisfaction. Patients rank Adena among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationally for satisfaction- and that score is climbing. In addition to your surgeon, you will be cared for by our hospitalists, physicians who devote all of their time to caring for our hospital patients. They ensure your needs are met, your questions are answered and your care is coordinated at all times.

4. Experience and expertise. Our surgeons performed more than 10,000 inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures last year. This type of experience, combined with the intensive training Adena surgeons receive, specifically on the da Vinci and Mako Surgical Systems means you can have peace of mind.

5. A full spectrum of care. From office visits to the OR to your hospital room, Adena can offer you and your family all the health care services you will need to stay healthy. Our doctors, nurses and other caregivers pride themselves on treating you like a person, not just a patient. You and your best health are their highest priority.

6. Latest Technology. Our robot-assisted general surgery or orthopedic surgery options provide unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally-invasive approach to many complex surgical procedures.

For more information on Adena’s minimally-invasive surgical options, call 877-779-7585 or visit adena.org/robot.

Adena Greenfield Medical Center (AGMC) will soon begin offering support advocacy services to patients reporting to its Emergency Department after suffering any form of assault, trauma or violence. Beginning in April, Adena advocates will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide care, support and aid to these patients.  

 “Advocacy is about motivating change within a community,” said Nicole Bullock, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “Drawing attention to such an important need within our community is at times hard to face, but it is very much needed. By expanding our victim advocate services to Highland County, we can better serve the region by providing all avenues of support and resources.”

Since 2016, Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates have provided services to women, children and men who have experienced interpersonal violence as the result of sexual and domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and hate crimes.

 Within the last year, the program has served more than 230 victims at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe (Ross County). This includes 12 human trafficking victims and 160 sexual assault patients, of which more than 100 were children. More than 40 percent of patients seen for advocacy services at Adena in 2017 arrived from a surrounding county.

“Our goal is to provide survivors of interpersonal violence a safe place to seek the medical treatment they need, while being emotionally supported,” said Heather Welshimer, Adena Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program Coordinator. “We hope to support survivors who come to the hospital and educate them on the local resources that are available to them in Highland County.”

 Trauma-informed services provided include: hospital and medical advocacy; resource linkage; referral to safety services, including safety planning and shelter placement. In addition, the program offers free peer-to-peer support groups, community education and an after-care advocate who is available to help individuals during any point of their healing process.

“We hope that by being available at AGMC, it enable our advocates to serve the community and to allow those who are victimized to feel empowered; along with letting them know that their voice is being heard,” stated Bullock.

For more information on Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Program or to learn more about volunteer opportunities call 740-779-8207 or email survivoradvocates@adena.org. 

Adena Health System is proud to announce that Adena Home Health has again been named to the Top 100 of the 2017 HomeCare Elite, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. For 12 years, HomeCare Elite has identified the top 25 percent of agencies; and highlighted the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. This marks the second consecutive year in which Adena Home Health has earned this distinction.

“Every day, Adena Home Health caregivers bring the highest quality of care and compassion into the homes of patients in the areas we serve,” said Deborah Hanson, director of Adena Home Care. “This distinction confirms the commitment our exceptional clinicians, support staff and leadership have towards helping the people of our community live healthier lives.”

More than 9,000 agencies were considered in the ranking, with 2,268 being recognized on the 2017 HomeCare Elite winners list. The top agencies are selected based on an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, best practices implementation, patient experience (HHCAHPS), quality improvement and consistency, and financial health.

The ranking is developed by ABILITY Network, a leading information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare; and sponsored by DecisionHealth, publisher of: Home Health Line, The Complete Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual.

“The team at Adena Home Health has demonstrated an impressive ability to deliver great patient care,” said Christine Lang, senior director for ABILITY Network. “This is due to the skill and dedication of their clinical professionals, as well as the proficiency and efforts of their quality team tracking, measuring and interpreting the data that supports the delivery of care. Together, they have earned this recognition as one of the top 100 home care agencies in the country.”

To be considered as a HomeCare Elite agency, the entity must be Medicare-certified, and have data for at least three outcomes in Home Health Compare.

“Congratulations to Adena and those leading agencies that earned a spot on the list of the top 100 HomeCare Elite,” said Marci Heydt, senior content manager for DecisionHealth. “Adena Home Health and its peers have worked hard to improve quality outcomes, which is increasingly difficult as home health agencies faced increased regulatory burdens each year.”

The entire list of 2017 HomeCare Elite agencies can be downloaded by visiting the ABILITY Network website atabilitynetwork.com/homecare-elite.

Accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Health Care, Adena Home Health offers patients and their families a single resource for all in-home medical care needs. Adena Home Health serves patients in Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties. For more information, call 740-779-4692 or visit adena.org/homecare.

It is estimated that one in every eight women will develop breast cancer within herlifetime. 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 better, more accurate breast cancer detection and now Adena Regional Medical Center is the first in the region to offer this option to patients.

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.

“With tomosynthesis there are severalbenefits to the patient,” said Adena Radiologist Bang Huynh, MD. “Because of its clinically proven increase in accuracy, tomosynthesis can help reduce false positive recalls for additional imaging, decreasing the patient’s stress and worry of the unknown, while increasing cancer detection rates.” Tomosynthesisis proven to reduce unnecessary callbacks by 20-40% and increase breast cancer detection rate by 30-40% compared to conventional mammography.

What to Expect?

The process of a 3D mammogram is the same as a conventional 2D exam. The technologist will position the patient, compress the breast, and take images from different angles. There is no additional compression required with the 3D mammogram, and it only takes a few extra seconds. The appointment itself only takes around 15 minutes.

Is a 3D Mammography Exam Right for Me?

Breast density varies among women. Today, 40-50% of women aged 40-74 have dense breast 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 a growing number of private insurers.

Mammograms require an order from a provider. If you have an order from your provider, contact Adena Central Scheduling at 740-779-7711 to schedule your mammogram. If you do not have a primary care provider, call 740-779-FIND (3463) or visit adena.org/find to get established with one today.

Back and neck pain are among today’s most common health problems. In fact, most people experience back and/or neck pain at some point in their lives. Normal aging and some physically demanding occupations often cause discs to wear out. Bad posture and poor movement can also speed up this process.

As the discs in our backs and necks age, they can bulge and compress spinal nerves. As a result, approximately 1.1 million patients a year, in the United States, seek relief from symptomatic cervical disc disease. This condition can significantly affect a person’s ability to sleep, work, drive, exercise and perform many other critical functions of daily life.

 Relief for many of these patients has come from neck fusion surgery that has been around since the 1960s. Now surgeons, like Adena Spine Center’s James Fleming Jr., MD are offering patients a new option for a pain-free life.

 Patients who have tired nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy and steroid injections, but are still having back or neck pain due to herniated or bulging discs may benefit from Adena’s Mobi-C artificial disc replacement procedure.

“I would definitely recommend this procedure to anyone; and looking back on my experience, I would have done it sooner,” said Jennifer Swain, an Adena Surgical Technician who suffered from a bulging disc in her neck. “Here I am almost a year out and I have no problems. To be pain free when you wake up from surgery, back to work with no limitations, and to have full range of motion still in my neck - it is awesome.”

Swain’s path towards artificial disc replacement began when she woke up one morning with what she thought was just a stiff neck. Days later, the pain increased to where she was losing function in her right arm, limiting even simple tasks like brushing her hair and teeth and driving. X-ray results showed the bulging disc. As an operating room scrub tech, Jennifer’s first assumption was this meant fusion surgery.

“I’m thinking, ‘I am 35. I don’t want to have my neck fused. I’m way too young for this,’” she said. “I didn’t want to opt for fusion surgery and have to be turning like a mannequin.”

That’s when Dr. Fleming presented the Mobi-C Cervical Disc as an alternative to spine fusion and told Swain she was the perfect candidate.

 “It is the right thing to do for our patients,” explained Dr. Fleming. “Artificial disc replacement shows promise with alleviating pain and lessening the chances of future problems at adjacent levels of the spine. With disc fusion, patients lose range of motion because two bones are being fused together. With artificial disc replacement, patients retain their range of motion and that natural space between vertebrae by replacing the diseased disc with an artificial one. Mobi-C is the first cervical disc prosthesis the FDA has approved for both one and two-level indications.”

 “I have been in the operating room with Dr. Fleming on many occasions and I have confidence in him,” Jennifer added. “I trusted what he was telling me.

Jennifer has been so pleased with her results she has since assisted on two more of Dr. Fleming’s Mobi-C procedures. She even speaks with patients prior to their surgeries to ease any of their fears.

Adena is only Health System in the region to offer the Mobi-C Cervical Disc procedure as a treatment option for patients.  If you or a loved one has had back or neck pain for more than a few weeks, a spine assessment can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan. To learn what you expect with an assessment, go to www.adena.org/spineassessment. If you are ready to schedule an assessment, call the Adena Spine Center at 740-779-7100. 

As National Heart Health Month comes to a close, Adena Health System wants to encourage you to continue to care for your heart all year long.

“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Ross County due to the general lifestyle of our region,” explained Adena Cardiologist Bruce Chen, MD. “What may be accepted as ‘normal’ such as an unhealthy weight and sedentary lifestyle is actually very unhealthy. It is up to us as a community to work together to change that.”

When it comes to heart health, small changes can go a long way. Here are five small steps Dr. Chen recommends taking to prevent heart disease.

1. 1.     Quit Smoking

 “Smoking is the greatest risk factor when it comes to your heart’s health,” Dr. Chen said. “While quitting is very difficult, it is possible. The first step is deciding to quit. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about nicotine replacement and medications.”

1. Routine Wellness Visits  

“Seeing your doctor regularly and modifying your lifestyle and risk factors can make a huge positive impact on your health,” he explained. “During regular checkups, patients are screened for blood pressure, cholesterol levels and illnesses such as diabetes, all serious problems that can have a great impact on the heart if untreated.”

1. Healthy Diet

 “Balanced diets can decrease your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol and help you maintain a healthy weight. All of these factors decrease your risk for heart disease, heart attack and other diseases.” said Dr. Chen.  

A well balanced diet includes eating several servings of the following:

• Fruits (berries)
• Vegetables (dark greens)
• Lean meats (poultry and fish)
• Beans
• Low fat dairy
• Nuts (almonds and walnuts)
• Unsaturated fats high in omega 3s such as extra virgin olive oil and avocados. 

“Don’t forget to be careful with your portion sizes and practice mindful eating,” he added. “Remember to chew slowly and not to rush through your meal or mindlessly eat while watching TV.

Avoid processed foods such as:

• Cookies
• Cakes
• Fried foods
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Lunch meats
• Hot dogs
• Chips

 “Gradual changes in your diet are important to long-term success and making these changes with your family or friends can be helpful.”  

1. Stay Active 

“Any physical activity improves your heart health through decreasing inflammatory factors in your body and improving conditioning of your heart and body,” he said. “Depending on your age and medical condition, you should discuss types and intensity of exercise with your PCP. Try to find a physical activity that you like and do it with your co-workers, friends and family. You can start with simply walking 30 minutes a day. If you have difficulty walking, consider swimming, a stationary bike or arm exercises. “

1. 5.     Eliminate Stressors

“Stress negatively affects health in multiple ways including increasing inflammatory components in your body that can lead to heart disease,” explained Dr. Chen. “Routine exercise and healthy diet can reduce stress. Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises can also help with reducing stress. Identifying the stressors in your life and discussing it with friends and family can also help.”

Those who have a premature family history of coronary artery disease (males younger than 55 or females younger than 65 in their family), smokers and diabetics are at higher risk for heart dieses.

To find out if you are at risk, take Adena’s Health Risk Assessment at adena.org/findout

When Chillicothe Papa John’s pizza owner Kamran Zarbakhsh was traveling home from visiting family overseas, the emergency room was the last place he expected his journey to end.

The night of his homecoming, Kamran was in a deep sleep when a strange feeling suddenly awaked him. “It felt as if I had a water balloon stuck in my throat,” he explained. “I started spitting up blood and mucus and knew I needed to get to the emergency room as soon as possible.”

Luckily for Kamran and his wife, Dawn, the Adena Regional Medical Center Emergency Department was the answer for the close-to-home care they need, “Since Adena is so close for us, I was able to drive Kamran to the emergency room rather than waiting on an ambulance,” said Dawn. “It is amazing being able to receive expert care so close to home. If we had to go to Columbus, my husband probably would have not made it and for that I am so thankful.”

Kamran was seen by a provider within minutes of arriving to the Emergency Department. “They got him registered and in a private room before I was even able to park the car,” explained Dawn. “Having a private room made everything a lot less stressful.”

After doing multiple tests and a chest x-ray, Kamran was diagnosed with Epiglottis.

This potentially life-threatening condition occurs when the epiglottis, a small cartilage "lid" that covers your windpipe, swells and blocks the flow of air into your lungs.

While on his trip, Kamran forgot to take his C-PAP machine, which caused the swelling. Doctors also said his immune system was weakened from traveling and the combination of dry air and pressure from the plane ride had a played a factor in his condition too.

“While at Adena I had two amazing doctors,” explained Kamran.

“The doctors who cared for my husband had different bedside manners,” said Dawn. “One was very funny and personable, while the other was very intelligent and business-like. The combination of both was very satisfying and I made me feel 100% confident in their care.” 

As business owners, Kamran and Dawn know how important customer service and teamwork are to the success of a business. “Every time we have visited Adena, there always seems to be a great sense of teamwork,” said Dawn. “The staff is always engaging in pleasant conversation with us and one another, and continuously creating a positive atmosphere. That is something we always look for when choosing a business, whether it be deciding where to have dinner or choosing our doctor’s office. We are so grateful to have such a great health system, so close to home. ” 

When Steve Deffenbaugh went in for what he thought would be a simple cardiac stress test leading up to an anticipated surgery, his life suddenly changed.

Steve had been experiencing hip and knee pain for quite some time and was seeking clearance from his doctor to have hip surgery. “Along with taking care of my diabetes, my hip and my knee, I thought that it wouldn’t hurt to get my heart looked at too,” he said.  

“After completing the stress test, the nurse asked me to lie on the table so she could get some final images of my heart,” he explained. “Once she got what she needed, I sat up and underwent cardiac arrest, or what most people refer to as a heart attack. Immediately an entire team of nurses came in and began assessing me. It wasn’t too long until they had to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on me. For a short period of time I was dead.”

Steve was taken to Adena’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) right away, where he was first stabilized and then diagnosed with Triple Vessel Coronary Disease. According to Cardiologist Dr. Bruce Chen, this is when all three different coronary arteries are blocked. The coronary arteries are essential because they supply blood to the heart.

Adena Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Randall Miller immediately took Steve into surgery having just finishing another operation.

At the time, Steve’s wife, Leah, was working when she received a call from Adena Cardiopulmonary. “When they told me what was happening I instantly went into shock.”

As soon as Leah arrived at the hospital, a cardiac nurse was waiting for her to escort her to the clinic so that doctors could explain what was going on. “To me, this was going above and beyond the expectations of any caregiver and it meant so much to me.”

Dr. Chen met with Leah and carefully explained in detail what the next steps were and what her husband’s care plan was. “I can not say enough good things about Dr. Chen,” she said. “Not only did the care team take great care of Steve, but they cared about me as family member as well.”

After Steve was out of triple by-pass surgery, he was sent back to ICU, where he spent a few days recovering before being transferred to another inpatient unit. “The outpour of care from everyone while we were on the inpatient unit was overwhelming,” said Leah.

“To thank one person wouldn’t be enough,” said Steve. “From the doctors, to the kitchen staff and housekeepers, every staff member had an impact on my care and our experience. Adena came together as a team and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and taken care of.”

After giving him plenty of time to heal, Steve was directed to complete 12 weeks of cardiac rehab. “Adena’s Cardiac Rehab staff were wonderful,” he explained. “They built up my confidence and built me up in more ways than one, making me feel comfortable working and walking again.”

He added, “I am a so thankful and lucky that Adena offers the heart services they do right here close to home. If I had to be stabilized and transferred to Columbus, I probably would not have survived. I knew I was in the hands of very skilled and competent professionals.”

As a cardiac rehab graduate, Steve has now lost 35 pounds and is able to function as he did before. He and Leah now cook heart healthy recipes together and are excited for spring to begin walking together outside. Leah has even scheduled a heart test herself to ensure her heart is healthy. “We are now so grateful for each and every day and we have Adena to thank for that,” she said.

Adena Health System is nationally ranked as top 50 cardiovascular hospital by IBM Watson Health, the only hospital in central Ohio with this designation.

Adena offers a full-line of top-rated cardiovascular services for a variety of heart health needs. Services range from managing a chronic heart condition; testing for heart disease; minimally-invasive services, such as catheterization; cardiac rehabilitation; and a highly-successful open heart surgery program. To learn more, visit adena.org/heart.

Adena Health System is pleased to announce the expansion of its surgical robotics program at Adena Regional Medical Center. Recently, Adena completed the purchase and installation of the new da Vinci X and da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems. Adena’s Robotic Surgery Program began in Oct. 2012 with a single da Vinci Si Surgical System. The introduction of robot-assisted surgery has transformed Adena’s program from an upstart to a nationally-recognized “Epicenter of Excellence.” Adena is only one of five hospitals in Ohio to receive this distinction.

“It has always been Adena Health System’s focus to offer the latest surgical advances to patients in our region, enabling them to stay close to home and family while receiving the best care,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Adena’s robotic surgery program has been a huge success, with our patients experiencing good outcomes. By upgrading our original surgical robot and adding a second, we are making sure our surgeons have the latest technology and are able to meet our communities’ need for minimally-invasive surgery that will get them back on their feet sooner than traditional methods.”

Today, Adena surgeons perform 25 types of robot-assisted surgeries, compared to only seven just five years ago. Adena’s Robotic Surgery Program is now supported by 10 surgeons who have performed more than 2,000 robot-assisted surgeries since the program began in late 2012.

“The da Vinci X and Xi Systems are the latest generation of robots, and allow us to perform more complex procedures, such as: anti-reflux, small bowel and colon, and hernia surgeries, all in a minimally-invasive fashion,” said Adena General Surgeon Dr. Bill Sever. “More than 90-percent of the operations I do are performed robotically, drastically decreasing a patient’s need for a hospital stay.”

The da Vinci Surgical Systems enable a surgeon to perform extremely precise procedures, using small incisions, in areas of the body that are difficult for the human hand to reach. Robotic instruments can rotate 360 degrees and provide greater mobility than a surgeon's own hands. However, the surgeon is in complete control of the instruments throughout the procedure.

The newer da Vinci X and Xi Systems are designed with the goal of further advancing the technology being used in minimally-invasive surgery. Today’s systems offer versatile access to the anatomy, better visual definition for the surgeon to see inside the body, due to an advanced endoscope and thinner, longer arms that extend operative reach. These new features can be used for a wide spectrum of minimally-invasive procedures including: hepatobiliary (liver plus the gallbladder, bile ducts, or bile), colorectal (colon and bowels), thoracic (chest cavity/heart and lungs), gynecology (female reproductive anatomy), urology (male reproductive anatomy, male/female bladder treatment) and general surgery.

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 better, more accurate breast cancer detection and now Adena Regional Medical Center is the first in the region to offer this option to patients.

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.

“With tomosynthesis there are several benefits to the patient,” said Adena Radiologist Bang Huynh, MD. “Because of its clinically proven increase in accuracy, tomosynthesis can help reduce false positive recalls for additional imaging, decreasing the patient’s stress and worry of the unknown, while increasing cancer detection rates.” Tomosynthesis is proven to reduce unnecessary callbacks by 20-40% and increase breast cancer detection rate by 30-40% compared to conventional mammography.

What to Expect?

The process of a 3D mammogram is the same as a conventional 2D exam. The technologist will position the patient, compress the breast, and take images from different angles. There is no additional compression required with the 3D mammogram, and it only takes a few extra seconds. The appointment itself only takes around 15 minutes.

Is a 3D Mammography Exam Right for Me?

Breast density varies among women. Today, 40-50% of women aged 40-74 have dense breast 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 a growing number of private insurers.

Mammograms require an order from a provider. If you have an order from your provider, contact Adena Central Scheduling at 740-779-7711 to schedule your mammogram. If you do not have a primary care provider, call 740-779-FIND (3463) or visit adena.org/find to get established with one today.

Adena Family Medicine – Washington Court House is proud to welcome Primary Care providers Xequiel (Zeke) Hernandez, MD and Christina Walsh, CNP to their care team.

Dr. Hernandez has been a practicing family medicine physician for five years coming to Adena following his family medicine residency at Hunterdon Family Medicine Residency Program in Flemington, NJ.

“I chose this career path because family medicine allows you to practice medicine at all aspects a patient’s life,” said Dr. Hernandez, a medical graduate of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Camden, NJ.

Certified Nurse Practitioner Christina Walsh began her career in medicine eight years ago as a pharmacy tech and nursing assistant before earning her nursing degree and furthering her education to be a family nurse practitioner.

“Family practice allows me to get to know not only my specific patient, but build a relationship with their family as well,” she explained. “I really enjoy working with all age groups and getting to know my patients. It is rewarding to build a relationship with them and educate them about how to live a healthier lifestyle."

Both providers are now accepting new patients at Adena Health Center - Washington Court House, located at 308 Highland Avenue. To schedule an appointment, call 740-333-4950.

Ddena Regional Medical Center has earned a 4-Star Hospital Rating according to the consumer-oriented website Hospital Compare.

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 performance measure information related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgery and other conditions. These results are organized by: General Information, Survey of Patient’s Experiences, Timely & Effective Care, Complications, Readmissions & Deaths, Use of Medical Imaging and Payment & Value of Care.

“Adena Regional Medical Center’s recognition as a 4-Star hospital by Hospital Compare has significant 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, President and CEO. “This distinction 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.”

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.

Breastfeeding Matters: Expectant mothers should attend this class approximately two months prior to the baby’s due date. Classes are led by a Certified Lactation Consultant.

Teen Class - "Baby Bumps": This class will educate, encourage and guide teens through a healthy pregnancy. They will have information to help them through their birthing process and recovery. Classes are one-on-one, times are flexible and set-up to meet the teen's needs. Class is recommended for ages 13 and up.

For more information on any of Adena’s upcoming classes and to register, visit www.adena.org/events. 

Click here to sign up. 

As a new year begins, Adena Health System urges you to make healthy living part of your 2018 resolutions. Although made with the best of intentions, most New Year's resolutions don’t make it to February. Instead of major life overhauls that set you up for disappointment, Adena suggests planning manageable and positive lifestyle changes for the New Year.  

People who make realistic resolutions are more likely to keep those promises throughout the year. Adena offers these healthy recommendations to help you and your family start the year off on the right foot and reach your goals.

• Start small. Make promises that you can keep. Rather than make a resolution to exercise every day, aim to get to the gym three days a week. Instead of overhauling your entire diet, try replacing sugary treats with healthier options, like fruit.
• Take a gradual approach. Making lifestyle changes may take time. Don't expect miracles overnight. Try replacing one unhealthy behavior at a time.
• Don't go it alone. Talking about your resolutions and finding support can help you reach your goals. Try forming a group or take a class with others who have common goals. Having support and being able to talk about your struggles and progress can make sticking to your resolutions less overwhelming.
• Give yourself a break. No matter how hard people try, no one achieves perfection. Don't give up on your resolutions if you make a mistake or have a setback. Move beyond your slip-up and get back on track.
• Ask for help. If you feel like you need help to achieve your goal, seek the support of a health care professional. Adena is always here to provide close-to-home and convenient care. To find a location and provider near you call 740-779-FIND or visit www.adena.org/find.

Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of an overwhelming goal on Jan. 1, can help you reach whatever it is you strive for. Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.

Think about the last time you had heartburn. Chances are it was after you overindulged and ate spicy or greasy foods. While easy to dismiss, heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux and long-term effects can lead to much larger health issues if left untreated. If you are experiencing heartburn more than once a week, it may be time to talk to your doctor.

Adena Health System now offers a new breakthrough procedure to effectively treat patients suffering from chronic regurgitation of acid from the stomach into the lower esophagus known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Undiagnosed the long-term effects of GERD can result in what is known as Barrett's esophagus, where tissue in the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus) is replaced by tissue similar to the intestinal lining. Barrett's esophagus is also associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. 

Adena’s new Medtronic Barrx radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment effectively treats Barrett’s esophagus by removing precancerous cells with heat. Clinical studies show the system reduces the risk of Barrett’s esophagus progressing to esophageal cancer by more than 90 percent.

“Acid reflex disease is a common disorder affecting 25 to 35 percent of the U.S. population,” said Adena Gastroenterology Specialist Waheed Gul. “Within that 10 to 20 percent of patients with acid reflex develop Barrett’s. In the past, our patients with Barrett’s esophagus had to travel to Columbus and other nearby metropolitan cities for treatment, which was big hassle for them. Now this treatment is provided here at Adena close to their homes.”

Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the United States. Those who have heartburn, drink alcohol and eat a heavy diet of spicy and fatty foods are higher risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus and getting esophageal cancer.

Many patients with Barrett’s esophagus experience no symptoms because their GERD medication relieves those symptoms. The key to surviving esophageal cancer is early detection and treatment of Barrett’s esophagus. Adena’s Barrx RFA system reduces the risk of Barrett’s esophagus progressing to esophageal cancer.

“Barrett’s esophagus progresses from no dysplasia to low grade, high grade dysplasia and then cancer. EGD or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in those patients with above risk factors can detect Barrett’s esophagus in early stages and thus can subsequently eradicate it with RFA thus preventing cancer,” said Dr. Gul.  

The Medtronic Barrx RFA system works by the physician inserting a sizing balloon into the esophagus to measure its diameter. Next, a correctly-sized ablation balloon is inserted into the esophagus and then inflated in the area of the Barrett’s tissue. A very thin layer of the diseased esophagus is removed with heat, a rapids burst of radiofrequency energy for less than one second. This outpatient procedure is done in less than 30 minutes.

“A large sum of our patients in our region have risk factors for Barrett’s - long standing acid reflex disease, male, white race, age over 50 years, central obesity and hiatal hernia - so early detection and eradication is very important to the well-being of our patients,” Dr. Gul explained.

To learn more about Adena’s New RFA system or to schedule an appointment, call Adena Gastroenterology at 740-779-8530. 

Due to the level 3 snow emergency in Pike County: Waverly Health Center (with exception of lab), Adena Family Medicine – Waverly, Adena Family Medicine – Piketon, and Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village will be closed today, Jan. 8, 2018. Offices are expected to reopen as usual tomorrow. 

Adena Health System welcomes its first baby of the New Year. The infant, a girl, arrived on Jan. 1, 2018 at 4:25 a.m. Nova Reign Chaney is the daughter of Caleb and Kristen Chaney of Chillicothe, OH. The newborn weighed-in at 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and she is 20.5 inches long.

 “We knew there was a chance we could have her on New Year’s Day, but it was a little past my due date so you never know for sure,” explained Kristen. “It was a nice little surprise.”

Per tradition, Adena’s 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 Chaney Family.

In 2017, Adena Health System experienced its share of strategic change and growth that has ultimately laid a foundation for its future and its care for the people of Chillicothe, Ross County, and nine additional counties throughout south central and southern Ohio.

Amongst the most significant for the Health System was the selection of Jeff Graham as the Adena’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in June. Graham returned to Adena after most recently serving as President and CEO of Mercy Health’s East Market in the Cincinnati area. Graham was previously with Adena Health System from 1999-2012 in roles including: CEO & Administrator for Adena Greenfield Medical Center; Chief Operating Officer; and Chief Strategy Officer.

“Adena is unique in its position as an independent health system, and the opportunities for continued success are endless,” said Graham. “Moving into 2018, we will be focused in strategic areas to achieve growth and continue to be part of the fabric of the communities we serve. This includes how we can work with others through partnerships to give patients the greatest access to quality care and strengthening our network of providers.”  

He added, “We have also heard our patients and community members loud and clear and we are continuing to make meaningful and marked improvements in our Emergency Department throughput time. We want Adena to be top-of-mind and the patients’ first choice when they have a health care need.”

A look back on Adena’s community-focused care includes expanded services throughout the region and growth, giving patients state-of-the-art care and keeping them close to their homes.

In 2017, Adena Regional Medical Center was named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health. The study identified the top U.S. hospitals for inpatient cardiovascular services, based on hospital performance metrics that identify the highest performing cardiovascular service lines in the nation. The national recognition came on the heels of Adena preforming its 1,000^th open heart surgery.

Just shy of its fifth year anniversary, Adena’s Robotic Surgery Program reached a milestone of its own this year completing its 2,000^th surgery. Since the program began in October 2012, it has transformed from an upstart to becoming nationally recognized as an “Epicenter of Excellence”, one of only four in Ohio. When it began, Adena used robot-assisted surgery for only eight types of surgeries. Today, Adena is capable of performing 26 types of robotic surgeries using the daVinci Surgical System. In 2018, plans to further expand and upgrade the Health System’s daVinci technology will provide even greater levels of care.

More recently the Health System has expanded its Robotic Surgery Program becoming the first in the region to offer robot-assisted orthopedic surgery. A new set of Stryker’s Mako Systems now gives Adena’s orthopedic surgeons the option to offer robot-assisted total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements.

Leading with cutting-edge technology was a theme for Adena’s Bone & Joint Center (ABJC) in 2017, as Adena became the first in Ohio to utilize the ClearEdge toolkit as a way of caring for high school athletes who have head injuries. The system incorporates balance and cognitive tests tracking symptoms related to concussions. Adena’s work with local high school student-athletes grew during the year as well; expanding its athletic training services to Huntington (Ross County) and McClain (Highland County) High Schools increasing the Health System’s coverage to 11 area schools. The program, now in its 16^th year, is free to the school districts.

Making health care as convenient as possible is part of creating a health system that always put the needs of the patients first. In 2017, ABJC and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) partnered to expand orthopedic and pulmonary services in the region, as ABJC providers began seeing patients at FCMH, located in Washington Court House.

New locations opened too throughout the region such as Adena Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Adena Rehabilitation – Hillsboro, Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village and Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus were added in 2017.

Recognizing the important role Adena plays in building healthy and thriving communities, the Health System hosted an Opiate Summit in March to engage local, state and federal representatives in achieving next steps to solve the community’s addiction crisis. Adena also continued its successful free community Walk With a Doc program, conducted their successful Diabetes Expos series in Jackson County for the first time ever as well as hosted physician-led community speaking engagements monthly on various health topics affecting the region.   

Among the other patient-focused initiatives this year, Adena Health System’s Laboratory underwent a pricing structure change where now more than 80 percent of Adena’s Lab prices are below the state average helping patients better manage higher deductible health care plans.

Adena’s accountable care organization (ACO), the Adena Healthcare Collaborative LLC, received its Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) results for Performance Year 2016, earning a near perfect score for overall quality of 96.49 percent. As a result, Adena’s ACO saved taxpayers more than $9.4 million over the course of 2016, by providing quality care and oversight of a Medicare-covered patient population that includes 9,012 people in our region.

Adena Health System earned its share of recognition throughout the calendar year as well. In March, Adena was named a Becker's Hospital Review "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” for a second consecutive year. In July,Adena was awarded accreditation from The Joint Commission for an additional three-year period and earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation, a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. The Health System was also recognized nationally as one of just 10 hospitals nationwide for innovative approaches that are impacting lives in local communities. This special acknowledgement was in recognition of Adena’s Centering Pregnancy and Baby-Centered Recovery Programs, which received the “Program of Excellence” award for their work with moms-to-be who are addicted to opiates.

As a teaching hospital, Adena’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program achieved a major milestone in 2017. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) awarded initial accreditation to Adena’s Emergency Medicine (EM) Residency Program. This means all four of Adena’s GME programs – Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and the Transitional Year Internship Program – have now earned ACGME accreditation status. Today, Adena have 51 residents in the GME program, up from six residents just five years ago.

As Adena Health System looks ahead to 2018, its ongoing commitment to providing quality care to patients and families near their homes and where they work will continue to take shape. The summer of 2018 will see the completion of Phase 1 of Adena Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) Emergency Department expansion and renovation project nearly tripling the size to 59,000 square feet providing all private rooms, more exam areas and shorter overall wait times. This project is the result of listening to the community and best meeting their care needs in the fastest, most efficient and caring way when they need it most. Since August, changes implemented at ARMC’s Emergency Department have already resulted in patients seeing providers sooner and faster testing results.

“Our primary focus in the coming year and moving forward is for Adena Health System to be the primary health care destination for people who live here,” said Graham. “Building and strengthening trust with our patients and communities with every encounter.” 

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 2, Adena Urgent Care - Western Avenue and Adena Urgent Care - Waverly will open earlier and close later, so patients and families can receive quick and convenient care at hours that best fit busy lifestyles, no appointment needed.

The two urgent cares located at 55 Centennial Boulevard, Chillicothe and 12340 State Route 104, Waverly, respectively will now be open seven days a week from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. with registration beginning as early as 8:30 a.m.

Adena’s Clinic at Walmart, located at 85 River Trace Lane, Chillicothe, is also changing its hours effective Jan. 2. The walk-in clinic will now be open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Adena Urgent Cares accept walk-in patients with illness or minor injuries that do not constitute an emergency. These commonly include coughs, flu-like symptoms, sprains, mild stomach pain and simple cuts or burns. 

Before you head outside to shovel the snow off your sidewalk or driveway this weekend, heed some safety advice so you don't slip on the ice and land in the ER.

It's important to pay attention and take extra precautions while getting around. Even if snow has been cleared from sidewalks, parking lots and other public areas, there could still be patches of ice.

There are some steps you can take to prevent slips or avoid serious falls during winter.

• Choose the right shoes. Avoid wearing boots or shoes with smooth leather or plastic soles and heels. Footwear made of non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles provide some traction on snow and ice, and will reduce the risk of falling.
• See and be seen. It's important to stay warm on winter days, but don't let hats and scarves prevent you from hearing and seeing what's around you. Choose brightly colored or reflective outerwear to help ensure you are visible to drivers. It's also important to wear sunglasses to reduce glare and avoid potential hazards. If you do slip, a heavy or bulky coat will help break your fall.
• Proceed with caution. It's a good idea to assume that any surfaces that look dark and wet are icy. Dew and water vapor tends to freeze on hard surfaces, creating a thin and invisible layer of ice. To avoid these slick areas, stay in designated walkways whenever possible. It's not a good idea to opt for shortcuts through areas that haven't been cleared of snow or ice. If necessary, walk on grassy edges along icy hills or sidewalks to avoid falling.
• Stay balanced. Bending slightly and walking flat-footed with your arms out to your sides can help you avoid falling. Be mindful of heavy bags that could cause you to lose your balance. Try to lighten your load and keep your arms free. It's also a good idea to keep your hands out of your pockets so you can break your fall if you slip.
• Take your time. Walk slowly and with shorter steps in slippery conditions. This will give you more time to react and prevent a fall-related injury. Use hand railings and be extra careful getting in and out of cars or other vehicles.

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 Allison Dailey, Adena Psychiatrist.

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,” 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 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.

Take the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Quiz

As many as 20 percent of Americans get the winter blues when days grow shorter. But up to six percent of the population experiences the serious mood change during winter months called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This type of depression goes away in the spring, but comes back year after year.

Unlike the winter blues, SAD is a medical condition directly related to the lack of daylight. It's more common in women and in northern parts of the country, where there's less sunshine and winter is more desolate.

If you notice you feel depressed when the seasons change, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Take this quiz to learn more.

https://adena.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Search/40,SeasonalAffectiveDisQuiz

Adena’s Family Medicine – Main Campus is now open at the north entrance of Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe. The clinic is part of Adena’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, where physician residents training in the GME Family Medicine program deliver quality patient care. The new clinic is conveniently located inside the Adena Health & Wellness Center at 4461 State Route 159, Suite A. The facility is located immediately on the right after entering the Adena campus from State Route 159.

 “Having our Family Medicine Residency Clinic located in its own location creates an environment that mirrors what residents are likely to experience in their future practices,” said Dr. Edward Onusko, Family Medicine Residency Program Director. “Our residents will be actively involved in managing the practice, which includes continually finding ways to better serve our patients.”

 While a teaching environment for the physician residents, Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus clinic provides a full spectrum of primary care for patients of all ages – from newborns to seniors. The clinic is staffed by family care physician residents, attending physicians with decades of experience are onsite to provide oversight and advice to those physicians in training. Every patient has the benefit of having both a physician resident and an attending physician, giving patients twice the level of care in one visit.

The newly-renovated clinic also offers patients better access to primary care, with onsite parking and ease of access in and out of the facility and Adena’s campus. The clinic also includes space for physicians to hold group meetings, and areas for group education sessions for patients with similar health care needs, such as managing diabetes.

The clinic will host a free open house on Dec. 13 from 3-6 p.m. for the community to tour the new facility, and meet the physicians and staff. The first 100 people to attend the open house will also receive a special giveaway item.

Adena Family Medicine – Main Campus Clinic accepts most insurance and Medicaid. To schedule an appointment, patients may call 740-779-4900.

Adena Health System and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) are pleased to partner in providing patients in Fayette County with expanded pulmonary services. Adena pulmonologists will now see patients at FCMH, which is located in Washington Court House. Since August 2017, Adena and FCMH have collaborated to increase other medical services in the region, beginning with orthopedics.

Adena’s highly experienced Pulmonology team is committed to delivering the most advanced and innovative care and treatment to patients in the System’s western region (Fayette and Highland Counties). Patients will be able to see a pulmonologist within or near their hometown of Washington Court House for various pulmonary diseases and sleep conditions, including: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer diagnosis and more.

“It is most advantageous to patients to receive the care they need, in a setting that is close to home,” said Adena Health System’s Chief Physician Executive and Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Fortney. “By partnering with Fayette County Memorial Hospital, Adena is able to provide patients in and around Fayette County with high quality, specialty care for pulmonary illness and disease. We are excited to provide patients with the care they need, without having to travel to metropolitan areas.”

“Fayette County Memorial Hospital and Adena Bone and Joint Center teamed up recently, and we are already seeing great success and positive patient outcomes,” added FCMH President and CEO Mike Diener. “Using a similar model, we are excited to be able to expand services for our patients to include much-needed pulmonary care and treatment.”

 Existing FCMH patients will be given the option to smoothly transition to an Adena pulmonologist on the FCMH campus. Adena Pulmonary Specialists Rajinish Jesudoss, MD; Nickolas Fouladpour, MD; and Haval M. Saadlla, MD, will see patients in Suite 106 of FCMH’s Medical Arts Building #1.

Adena Pulmonology accepts most insurance, including MediGold. To schedule an appointment with Adena Pulmonology at FCMH, patients or referring providers may call (740) 779-8700.

Adena Medical Group is pleased to welcome Primary Care Provider Robert Makishi, MD to Adena-Chillicothe Family Physicians.

 A native of Akron, Dr. Makishi earned his medical degree at The Ohio State University. He completed his residency at the Chesterfield Family Medicine Residency Program in Richmond, Virginia.

 “Throughout my residency, I really enjoyed all of the clinical areas and learning about every aspect of care,” Dr. Makishi said. “Because of this, I chose to specialize in primary care. Since being at Adena, I have enjoyed seeing patients of all ages and providing services for all types of health care needs.”

 Dr. Makishi is now accepting new patients at Adena-Chillicothe Family Physicians, located at 60 Capital Drive, Chillicothe. To schedule an appointment, call 740-779-4100.

For the first time ever, Adena Regional Medical Center, located in Chillicothe, has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health.

IBM Watson Health recently released its annual 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2018 study, conducted by Truven Health Analytics, which is now part of IBM Watson Health. The study identifies the top U.S. hospitals for inpatient cardiovascular services, based on hospital performance metrics that identify the highest performing cardiovascular service lines in the nation.

“To be listed among the nation’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals, along with our recent achievement of performing Adena’s 1,000th open heart surgery case, are exciting testaments to the talent and dedication of our cardiovascular providers and staff,” said Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham. “Our tremendous cardiovascular team, along with many providers and caregivers throughout the organization have helped us achieve this important milestone and gain national recognition.”

Adena Chief Physician Executive & Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Fortney added, “This is clear evidence that we have high quality providers in our Cardiovascular service line. We were in competition with more than 400 like-size community hospitals, and were one of the few selected to the Top 50 in the nation from that category.”

Adena Health System has full-line of top-rated cardiovascular services for our communities and patients, offering care for a variety of heart health needs. These services range from managing a chronic heart condition; testing for heart disease; minimally-invasive services, such as catheterization; cardiac rehabilitation; and a highly-successful open heart surgery program.

“This will help to make patients in our region more aware of what we offer right here in Chillicothe,” Graham added. “It should also reinforce to those in our community that they don’t need to travel away from home, and their family support system to receive great heart care.”

The Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study measures achievements in key performance areas, including: risk-adjusted inpatient mortality, risk-adjusted complications, percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, wage- and severity-adjusted average cost per case and, new this year, CMS 30-day episode payment measures. The study has been conducted annually since 1999.

According to the researchers, if all cardiovascular providers in the U.S. performed at the level of Adena and the other 49 winners: 

• Nearly 8,900 additional lives could be saved
• Nearly 3,700 more bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication-free
• More than $1.4 billion could be saved

To determine the 50 top U.S. hospitals for heart care, IBM Watson Health researchers analyzed 2015 and 2016 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data, 2016 Medicare cost reports and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016 data. More information about this study, and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at 100tophospitals.com.

Since 1993, the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program has used independent and objective research to guide hospital and health system performance. Organizations do not apply or pay for this honor, nor are paid to promote their award. Award-winning hospitals and health systems prove that better care is possible and provide an example for other organizations to follow across the industry. The 100 Top Hospitals award winners demonstrate top performance on both how patients are cared for under clinical measures and how the hospital performs as an efficient business.

Adena Health System is now the only hospital in south central Ohio to offer patients a robot-assisted orthopedic surgery option. A new set of Stryker’s Mako Systems is giving Adena’s orthopedic surgeons the option to offer robot-assisted total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements.

The Mako System is highly-advanced robotic technology that transforms how joint replacement surgery is performed. It gives surgeons and patients a more predictable joint replacement experience, enabling the surgeon to create a personalized surgical plan, based on the patient’s unique anatomy. The Mako System also allows physicians to virtually modify the plan during surgery and assists the surgeon with bone cuts.

Adena Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen recently performed the System’s first four operations using the new orthopedic surgical robot.

“With the Mako System, I am able to deliver a personalized surgical experience based on a patient’s specific diagnosis and anatomy. Using CT technology, Mako creates a virtual 3D model of the area requiring surgery, which allows me to create a detailed surgical plan before ever entering the operating room,” Dr. Cohen added. “In surgery, I can guide the robotic-arm to execute the plan, and make any needed adjustments. I’m excited we are now able to offer this advanced technology to our patients in the region, giving them state-of-the-art care, and keeping them close to home.”

In a robotic-arm assisted partial knee procedure, the doctor can selectively target only the part of the knee that is damaged by osteoarthritis. This allows the surgeon to resurface the diseased portion of the knee, while sparing the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding the joint. Studies have shown robotic-arm assisted partial knee replacement to be two to three times more accurate than manual partial knee replacement procedures.

As baby boomers continue to age, the demand for joint replacement is expected to rise over the next decade. By 2030, total knee replacements in the U.S. are expected to increase by 673 percent, while primary total hip replacements are estimated to increase by 174 percent.

For more information on Adena’s Mako robot-assisted orthopedic surgery program, visit www.adena.org/mako. 

In Ross County, the rate of death for people with lung cancer is much higher than the rate for Ohio, and startlingly 44% higher than the U.S. rate? Part of this imbalance might be explained by the percentage of smokers in the area, which is again higher than state and national percentages.

November is designated as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on lung health. 

Entering its fourth 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 Nov. 2014, almost 3,000 people have been screened. Of those, 32 have been diagnosed with lung cancer, including Lewis Robinson, 76, of Pike County. 

Finding out results can be scary for some but Robinson, said “It is better to find out now than not at all.”

While visiting Adena Regional Medical Center, Robinson, age 76, overheard a nurse discussing the free lung cancer screening program with another patient. “My father died of lung cancer,” he said. “Since the disease runs in my family I thought, 'Well the screening is free, I should sign-up'.”

The no-cost lung cancer screening is done with a simple, painless, low dose, non-invasive CT scan, and is targeted to people at high risk for lung cancer. The screening identifies tumors or lesions, which may need medical attention.

Not only did lung cancer run in Robinson’s family, Robinson worked as a painter for most of his life and was a regular smoker, putting him at high risk for developing lung cancer.

“I was very impressed with how quick Adena got me in for my CT scan, and how fast the appointment actually went,” Robinson said. “After the screening, the nurse called me within two days, wanting to set-up an appointment to discuss my results.”

The screening showed, Robinson had Stage 1 lung cancer and Stage 3 kidney failure. He asmits this is something he would have never known without the testing. “I was referred by the care team to Dr. Alex Wilson, a Radiation Oncologist, at the Adena Cancer Center,” he said. “At first, I was nervous and scared of the unknown or what was to come. After the first round of radiation, I was relieved at how simple it was and I  was even able to go back to work that same day.”   

Robinson completed five short rounds of painless radiation therapy, which he says, “saved his life.”

“The treatment I received at the Adena Cancer Center was great,” he added. “The staff always made me feel extremely comfortable and the facility was very nice. Dr. Wilson was exceptional. I couldn’t have asked for a better doctor.”

Today, Robinson is currently cancer free and has quit smoking. He enjoys chopping wood, relaxing at home, spending time with family and golfing. All things he said he wouldn’t be able to enjoy if he had waited to get screened, or if he had never been screened.

“I am so thankful I found out I had cancer in the earlier stages,” Robinson explained. “If I would have waited, the cancer would have taken over my body. My kidneys would have failed and I would not live the life I am today. Adena saved my life.”

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.

 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 survival in the event of a lung cancer diagnosis. To schedule a free lung cancer screening with Adena, call (740) 542-LUNG (5864).

Have you experienced pain or discomfort while coughing or exercising? With this discomfort, have you felt nauseous, tired or have had a lack of appetite? These symptoms can be common with many health issues, but they can also be symptoms of a hernia; as can groin pain or a bulge under the skin.

However, some patients have no symptoms at all, which is why it is important to talk to a health care provider and have a screening. Adena General Surgeon Dr. Bill Sever, an expert in robot-assisted surgery, will hold a Saturday morning information session, where he will share information about robot-assisted surgery for treatment of hernias.

When:            Saturday, Nov. 18

                        9–11 a.m.

Where:          Adena Health Center – Circleville

                       140 Morris Road

                        Circleville, OH  43113

Following Dr. Sever’s presentation, he will offer free, private screenings for those who are interested. Complimentary coffee and donuts will be served.

If you would like to learn more, reserve your spot today at www.adena.org/events or call 740-779-8664.

Adena’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates will host a six-week, peer-to-peer women’s support group for victims of sexual and domestic violence. There is no charge to participate in the program, called “Helping Other Women” (HOW).  

HOW is as a safe place for women to come and share personal issues, experiences and struggles in dealing with sexual assault or domestic violence. The program is also intended to teach women skills and techniques to help them cope and grow as individuals.

When:             Tuesdays - Nov. 14 through Dec. 19

                       6-8 p.m.

Where:           Carver Community Center

                       165 W. 4^th St.

                       Chillicothe, OH  45601

Each week focuses on a different topic. HOW schedule and topics:

• Nov. 14: Meeting Our Threshold - The Long Term Effects of Trauma
• Nov. 21: What Does Safety Mean? - Finding a Safe Space in an Unsafe World
• Nov. 28: Believing Survivors - The Impacts of Rape Culture and Re-Victimization
• Dec. 5:   Paths to Healing
• Dec. 12: Surviving to Thriving to Advocating
• Dec. 19: Self-expression Project

Registration in encouraged, but not required. Those interested can sign-up by sending an e-mail to survivoradvocates@adena.org. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

CIRCLEVILLE (Nov. 6, 2017) – Adena Family Medicine – Circleville is pleased to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Cordial. A primary care provider, Dr. Cordial is a Pickaway County native.

“I grew up here, and I’m a graduate of Logan Elm High School,” she said. “I know the culture here, I know the people here and I am very excited to be back to care for them.”

From age five, Dr. Cordial knew one day she would be a doctor. “I was always interested in science and medicine. However, I had no idea what that looked like until I was 17 and began volunteering as an EMT for the Clearcreek Township Fire Department,” she said.

Dr. Cordial earned her medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, and completed her residency at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. As a primary care physician, she is seeing patients of all ages.

“I am fascinated with the idea that at some point I can take care of three to four generations of a family at once,” said Dr. Cordial. “I am already seeing grandparents, parents and children of families here at Adena Family Medicine – Circleville.”

Dr. Cordial also focuses on preventative care with her patients. “Educating patients is one of the most important jobs a family physician has,” she added. “I believe creating manageable goals for my patients is the key to seeing success in their health, and ensuring they understand the importance of those goals in helping them to develop lifestyle changes and better habits.”

Dr. Cordial is now accepting new patients at Adena Family Medicine – Circleville, located at 140 Morris Road, Circleville. To schedule an appointment call 740-420-3000.

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

Adena Health System is pleased to welcome Spine Specialist Matthew Santiago, MD to Adena Spine Center. Fellowship-trained at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Santiago is specializing in non-surgical approaches to treat patients suffering from spine, neck and back issues. These include physical therapy techniques, medication and spine interventions.

Prior to embarking on a medical career, Dr. Santiago was a student of Art and Design. While volunteering as an EMT with a local fire department, he realized his passion for Medicine, and his joy in helping others and made the switch to study Medicine.

A New York native, Dr. Santiago sees practicing in Chillicothe and south central Ohio as a natural fit for him. “While I was completing my fellowship in Cleveland, I ended up falling in love with Ohio,” said Dr. Santiago. “Coming from an area (of New York) with socio-economic challenges, I can relate to many people living in Appalachia. Here at Adena, I hope to serve patients in need of my care, and to have a positive impact on the community as a whole.”

Dr. Santiago earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. He then served his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital/Moss Rehabilitation in Philadelphia, PA, before being accepting a spine fellowship with Cleveland Clinic.

About 90 percent of all back pain can be successfully treated without surgery using treatments such as: such as physical therapy, pain management, injections and sports rehabilitation.

Dr. Santiago is now accepting new patients. To learn more about Adena Spine Center’s services, visit www.adena.org/spine. To schedule an appointment, with Dr. Santiago or one of Adena’s spine specialists, call 740-779-7100.

Avoiding the flu this season takes one simple step, getting an influenza vaccine. The flu is caused by one of several strains of influenza virus that infect the nose, throat and lungs.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), now is the time for everyone six months and older to get a flu shot. People are advised to get a flu vaccine before flu begins spreading in the community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu. CDC recommends people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Though vaccines are still beneficial later and are offered throughout the flu season.

 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:

• Adena Health Center Circleville, 140 Morris Rd, Circleville

            Mon.-Fri. 2-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.;

• 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.

No appointment is needed.

Visit www.adena.org/locations for office hours and locations.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize those who have fought the disease. The month also provides an opportunity to remind people of the value of early detection, through mammography.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 13 percent of women born in the United States will develop breast cancer at some time in their lives. A mammogram is one of the most reliable ways to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable.

The Adena Cancer Center recommends women with normal risk for breast cancer begin having annual mammograms at age 40, as the risk for developing breast cancer increases with age. 

Adena Health System offers digital mammograms at five locations:

·       Adena Regional Medical Center, 272 Hospital Road, Chillicothe;

        Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

·       Adena Greenfield Medical Center, 550 Mirabeau Street, Greenfield;

        Tues. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

·       Adena Health Center – Western Avenue, 55 Centennial Blvd, Chillicothe;

        Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

·       Adena Health Center – Waverly, 12340 State Route 104, Waverly; 

        Mon., Wed. & Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

·       Adena Health Center – Jackson, 1000 Veterans Blvd, Jackson;

        Tues. & Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call your doctor’s office for a referral. If you need a primary care provider, call 740-779-FIND or visit adena.org/FIND to get established with a doctor at a time and location that is convenient for you.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor and remember all those who have fought the disease. 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.

That reality started for Brenda Williams after getting the results of her breast biopsy. Once Brenda was diagnosed with breast cancer, her thoughts immediately went to spending more time with her family.

“The thought of spending less time with my three grandchildren was devastating,” Williams said. “One of the reasons why I chose the Adena Cancer Center for my treatment was because it was close to home, allowing me to spend more time with them.”

It was winter 2016 when Williams was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. She was directed by her doctor to have a mastectomy removing her left breast, in which 29 lymph nodes were also removed.

Williams remained positive while going through her recovery and thankful that her treatment was near her Pike County residence. “It was a great relief that I didn’t have to travel far to get the quality help and care I received,” she explained. “The Adena physicians and staff are so knowledgeable and gave me hope. I am so thankful for them.”

When patients like Brenda first arrive at the Adena Cancer Center they are greeted by a nurse navigator who coordinates their care with Adena’s expert surgeons, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist to review their medical and family history, biopsy and mammogram results to develop a specialized treatment plan. Adena Cancer Center caregivers are quick to say they don’t just treat cancer, they treat YOUR cancer.

Williams added, “The Adena Cancer Center is a new facility with the latest equipment just like those in Columbus.”

Certified by the American College of Surgeons, the Adena Cancer Center is ever growing, expanding their number of physicians, specialties and types of treatments making it possible for nearly every cancer patient in south central Ohio to stay close to home for care.

“Wanting more time with my grandchildren was my only wish and Adena gave me that,” Williams exclaimed.

As a survivor, she now tries to maintain a healthier lifestyle; including watching what she eats and riding at least 10 miles a day on the stationary bike her husband bought her.

To hear Brenda’s story in her own words, click here.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women with normal risk for breast cancer start getting annual mammograms at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor about their own personal risk factors.

Adena Health System offers digital mammograms at five locations giving our patients the fastest and most accurate results possible: Adena Regional Medical Center, Adena Greenfield Medical Center, Adena Health Center – Western Avenue in Chillicothe, Adena Health Center –  Jackson and Adena Health Center –  Waverly.

For more information on the Adena Cancer Center, visit www.adena.org/cancer  or call 740-542-303.

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

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

The flu, also called seasonal influenza, is caused by one of several strains of influenza virus that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu makes life miserable for about a week or two and can even be deadly for some. In past seasons, about 85% of flu-associated pediatric deaths occurred in children who had not gotten a flu vaccine that season.

“The flu shot is the best protection we have against this very significant virus that can be deadly”, says Primary Care Provider Dr. Elizabeth Cordial with Adena Family Medicine – Circleville. “Children are especially susceptible to the flu due to their immune systems still developing. Even in its worse years, the flu shot is still 20% effective, so why risk it.”

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 and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

“While washing your hands does help in preventing the spread of the flu, those who work in high populated areas such as schools, hospitals and supermarkets are all highly vulnerable to getting the flu,” added Dr. Cordial. “Since the flu is an airborne virus that is spread by contact with droplets sneezed or coughed from an infected person, no amount of hand washing can prevent you from breathing in the virus.”

A flu vaccine is most important for children six months to 59 months and adults ages 50 and older

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,” Cordial said. “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,” explained Cordial. “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:

• Adena Health Center Circleville, 140 Morris Rd, Circleville; Mon.-Fri. 2-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.;
• 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, Mon. – Fri.  9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and

No appointment is needed.

Visit www.adena.org/locations for office hours and locations.

Adena Health System celebrated its 1,000^th heart surgery on October 5 – a triple bypass that saved the life of 65 year-old, Ross County resident Bob Peters. 

A week earlier, Bob had been experiencing chest pain. Even simple tasks like taking out the trash caused him to become tired with a loss of strength. Following a suggestion from his wife, Debbie, he came to Adena to visit Dr. Shashikant Patel, his regular cardiologist. At that time Bob was instructed to get a cardiac catheterization which was performed by Dr. Bruce Chen. Tests used to visualize the vessels revealed he had blockage in his coronary arteries up to 95 percent. After consulting with his doctors, a triple bypass surgery was conducted by Dr. Randall Miller that saved Bob’s life.

“I take the doctors at their word and it is a good thing I did,” said Bob. “They knew there was severe blockage and had they not done the full heart catheterization I wouldn’t be here today. I couldn’t have picked a better crew from the start of this process all the way through. Everyone we have been in contact with from the doctors to nurse to everyone involved has been phenomenal.”   

Open heart surgery became available at Adena in 2006. Cardiothoracic surgeons Drs. Miller and Jack Baker came to the Health System and have built the open heart program into what it is today. Between the two of them, they have been involved in all 1,000 procedures at Adena. But both are very quick to credit all the various departments, units and caregivers involved in every step of the process for the level of quality and care Adena provides that has made this milestone possible.

“Adena Cardiology takes a team-based approach to our patient care,” said Dr. Miller. “From start to finish, there are so many caregivers involved throughout the entire Health System that affect the patient’s outcome and experience. This accomplishment is a credit to everyone and something the whole group can be proud of.”   

He added, “You can look at this achievement as just caring for 1,000 patients, but also think about all the family members as well that come to Adena for a week or longer with them and what it means to everyone involved that there is quality cardiology care close to their homes. If we didn’t have this, people would be traveling long distances and in some cases you don’t have that kind of time.”

“The hospital and Board of Trustees have always been so supportive of our team’s efforts to get us to this point,” explained Dr. Baker. “In these situations, time is muscle, so it is valuable for our patients and their families that we can offer convenient care at the same level of quality as places in Columbus and other larger cities.”

“Today, Adena Health System has a thriving open heart program where achieving this impressive milestone reflects the high quality of cardiac care available to the communities we are privilege to serve throughout south central Ohio,” President & CEO Jeff Graham said. “It is also representative of the compassionate care provided by our physicians, nursing and caregivers.”

The Peters family has a long history of trusting Adena for their care. Bob jokes that Labor & Delivery is the only unit he hasn’t been on.

“We were very confident with doctors Miller and Baker,” explained Debbie. “Everyone told us that they were the best.”

Adena Health System offers a comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular program that includes Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Noninvasive Imagining, Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehab. For more information, call 740-779-4570 or visit www.adena.org/heart.  

Adena Health System wants to help those with diabetes to live a healthier life. Diabetes is a serious health condition in our community, but with proper education and planning patients can improve their health.

Adena is hosting a free Community Diabetes Expo offering many opportunities to learn about making better health choices for adults and children living with diabetes.

Join us:         

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PACCAR Medical Education Center; 446 Hospital Road Chillicothe, OH 45601

According to the 2016 Ross County Community Health Needs Assessment, almost 30 percent of Ross County residents are considered overweight and nearly 36 percent are obese and are impacted by related issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Adena’s free diabetes education program will give participants the strategies and education they need to control diabetes, and to limit its impact on their future health. Guests will hear from experts and special guest, former Pittsburgh Steeler and diabetic Kendal Simmons, about ways to tackle diabetes and how to make healthier habits and lifestyle choices.

Lessons include: exercise and movement; well-being; and healthy eating; as well as The Cooking Caravan, an exciting educational experience for the whole family, featuring kids and audience members as sous chefs and judges in a chef’s square off and culinary competition. There will also be cooking demonstrations and samples of diabetic-friendly foods and recipes, with light, diabetic-friendly snacks included.

The Expo is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to pre-register by calling 740-779-8664 or going to www.adena.org/events.

Adena Health System is pleased to announce Family Medicine and Primary Care provider Dr. Tri Le is expanding his role, joining the team of dedicated wound care providers within Adena Greenfield Medical Center’s (AGMC) Wound Care Department.

The addition of Dr. Le to Adena’s Wound Care service offers patients living in or near Highland County greater access to monitoring and treatment of chronic wounds. Wound Care is necessary for patients suffering from arterial, diabetic and venous ulcers; pressure sores; and traumatic wounds, including burns. By expanding this service to AGMC, patients have access to a vital service without to time and expense related to traveling for care in Chillicothe or elsewhere. 

“The Adena Wound Care team has served patients in the Highland County area for more than a decade,” said Kris Donley, RN, WCC. “With the addition of Dr. Le, we can now offer patients the benefit of a full clinic, offering a level of care that sets Adena apart from many of the surrounding health care options.”

Adena Wound Care physicians and nurses work with health care professionals, including dieticians and diabetic educators, using a multidisciplinary approach to develop appropriate treatment plans for patients with chronic wounds related to diabetes.

Dr. Le earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and completed his Family Medicine Residency at The Ohio State University.

If you or a loved one is experiencing wounds that do not heal within 30 days, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Le by calling call (937) 981-9232. Dr. Le is also accepting new patients at his home clinic, Adena Family Medicine – Circleville. Patients interested in making an appointment at the Circleville facility may call (740) 420-3000.

Adena Health System has announced Adena Home Care has received three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Accreditation includes services provided by: Adena Home Infusion; Durable Medical Equipment (DME); and Respiratory.

“Patients and their families have many choices when it comes to accessing home health care services,” said Jeff Graham, Adena President & CEO. “Accreditation by one of the country’s toughest surveyors should assure our patients that Adena’s home health services are among the best in the nation.”

Achieving accreditation is a process where health care organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

Adena Home Care underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey conducted over two days this summer. During its review, a team of ACHC surveyors inspected Adena’s home care facility; reviewed personnel files; accompanied staff on visits to patient homes; observed pharmacy sterile compounding; reviewed patient records and billing audits; conducted interviews with staff; and reviewed policies.

This accreditation comes after Adena Home Health and Hospice received accredited status in 2015. “All three Home Care service lines are now fully accredited, a significant achievement given ACHC’s high standards,” stated Debi Hanson, Director of Adena Home Care. “This accreditation recognizes our standards of care go ‘the extra mile’ to assure quality in the services and products we provide for our patients and community.”

ACHC is a non-profit accreditation organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence for 30 years. ACHC offers nationally-recognized accreditation services for home health, hospice, and private duty agencies.

Adena Home Care offers patients and their families a single resource for all in-home medical care needs. Designed to assist people with health problems who have difficulty leaving their homes to obtain care, Adena Home Care serves patients in Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties. For more information or to request service, call (740) 779-4692.

Adena Health System has unveiled a new, easier-to-navigate online bill pay system for its patients. The updated web page, located at http://www.adena.org/paymybill gives users instant, online access to make payment for services. Previously, patients had only direct online access to pay Adena-specific charges, though they may see contracted providers or use contracted services during a visit. As with many U.S. hospitals and health systems, these contracted providers and companies charge for their services separately.

 “By creating a single place for our patients that links them to all of the providers and groups that deliver services at Adena, we hope to make the bill paying experience one that is less confusing and easier to navigate,” said Adena’s Chief Financial Officer Lisa Carlson. “The improvement of our payment page is just one part of our long-term project to significantly improve the processes and technology we are using for patient billing.”

Adena is undergoing a full-scale analysis and fix to its Revenue Cycle. In health care, the Revenue Cycle touches every aspect of a patient’s visit to a clinic, for a surgery or a hospitalization, from the point of registration to payment for services. 

On the newly-designed bill payment page, patients can see images of statements matching those they may receive after a hospital or doctor’s office visit. Statement links include: Adena hospital charges; Adena Medical Group professional charges; and those from contracted providers and services delivering care at Adena facilities. These contracted providers and services include: hospitalists (Apogee), Emergency Department providers (Schumacher Group/Team Health), radiologists (Columbus Radiology), anesthesiologists, lab/pathologists (CORPATH), Home Care, and Hospice.

Adena began its Revenue Cycle improvement project in January 2017. Improvement work will be ongoing and patients will notice improvements, such as this new, bill pay technology.

You don’t have to look hard to see some type of discussion about athletes and concussions these days. Turn on your local news; read about it in a national publication, there is even a movie starring Will Smith featuring athletes and concussions. With the fall sports season already in full swing at area high schools, the Adena Sports Medicine team wants to reassure our community’s student-athletes and their parents that when an injury does occur, we are here to help.

The number of reported sports-related concussions in children and teens has doubled in the past 10 years. The average middle and high school athlete recovers within 10 days of their injury. However, in some cases it can take up to a year. Recovery is slower in young athletes because their brains are still developing. 

 “Having multiple concussions in an athlete’s career definitely puts a player at risk for long-term cognitive effects,” said new Adena Sports Medicine physician Dr. Oludare Ogunsola “The younger the athlete, the more vulnerable the brain is to a concussion. While there is no set number, more than a couple in season raises significant concern for further participation.”

 As a former college athlete himself, Dr. Ogunsola, wants to remind everyone that major injuries can occur in any sport, not just football.

 “I was inspired to choose a career in sports medicine after injuring my knee while playing soccer in college,” he said. “I tore my ACL, which put me out for the rest of my college career. Due to this, I was able to turn my injury into something positive and I hope to help other athletes and patients do the same.”

Dr. Ogunsola earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- School of Osteopathic Medicine. After completing his residency at Houston Healthcare in Warner Robins, GA, he completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at NOVA Southeastern University in Miami.

Joining Dr. Ogunsola as another new addition to Adena’s Sports Medicine team is Dr. Eric Liu. Dr. Liu earned his Medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica and during his residency and fellowship worked with many athletes and patients with dealing with concussions.

“Players are taught to hit hard and head on,” said Dr. Liu. “The sports industry tries to compensate that by creating better helmets or more protective equipment, which does not help the overall issue. It is similar to how making a better airbag will not prevent car accidents. It all comes down to playing smart and that is what I always try to stress with my patients.”

 Dr. Liu also wants to remind those who have experienced a head injury and parents the importance of rest. “You have to not only rest your body, but your brain too,” he added. “Resting your brain can include reducing visualization such as not looking at smartphones or watching TV while recovering. This is important for parents to enforce while student-athletes are at home recovering.”  

In addition to two new Sports Medicine doctors, Adena now is on the cutting edge in terms of concussion technology. With the implementation of ClearEdge, Adena becomes the first health systems in the nation to adopt this new innovative head injury technology that will allow physicians to manage concussions in a far more efficient manner. 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.

 Adena now also offers Saturday Morning Injury Clinics at the Adena Bone and Joint Center for all fall sport athletes playing in Adena’s 10-county service area (Adams, Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton).

 Whether you are an athlete or not, Adena Sports Medicine can be your first line of treatment when it comes to dealing with any orthopedic injuries of the bones, ligaments and tendons as well as concussions. Both doctors Ogunsola and Liu are currently accepting new patients.

To schedule an appointment, call 740-779-4598 or visit adena.org/FIND and to learn more about concussion treatment at Adena email concussion@adena.org or call 740-779-8943.

Adena Bone and Joint Center is pleased to welcome two sports medicine physicians to its team. Sports Medicine can be a patient’s first line of treatment when it comes to dealing with orthopedic injuries of the bones, ligaments or tendons. Joining Adena’s team of Sports Medicine providers are Dr. Oludare Ogunsola (oh-gun-sole-uh) and Dr. Eric Liu (loo).  

A former college athlete, Dr. Ogunsola knows firsthand what it is like to be a patient with a sports-related injury, something that led him to a career in sports medicine.

“During my freshman year soccer season, I tore my ACL,” he said. “At the time I was injured, I was able to get to know my orthopedic doctor and saw firsthand what the occupation entailed. I could tell he really loved what he did, and he enjoyed working with young athletes. From this, I was able to turn my injury into something positive. Now, as a physician, I am hoping to help other athletes and patients do the same.”

Dr. Ogunsola earned his medical degree from New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine’s School of Medicine and Dentistry. He went on to complete his residency at Houston Healthcare, located in Warner Robins, GA, and completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Nova Southeastern University, located in Miami, FL.

Dr. Eric Liu, earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine, located in Dominica. During his residency and fellowship there, he worked with many athletes, thriving on the complexity of sports injuries.

“While I have always had an interest in sports, I have also always been very problem-focused, and driven to find answers,” Dr. Liu explained. “I chose to specialize in Sports Medicine because working with patients with these types of injuries is like solving a puzzle.”

In addition to seeing patients at ABJC, Dr. Liu was also recently named the team physician for McClain High School in Greenfield, where he will be available to care for high school athletes who become injured during play. Drs. Ogunsola and Liu are currently accepting new patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, call 740-779-4598.

Back in the year 2000, only about 1,000 surgeries world-wide were done robotically. Since then, this number has skyrocketed, impacting patients not only nationally, but locally as well.

Just shy of its fifth year anniversary, Adena’s Robotic Surgery Program has reached a milestone completing its 2,000 surgery. Since the program began in October 2012, it has transformed from an upstart to becoming nationally recognized as an “Epicenter of Excellence”, one of four in Ohio.

“The support from our colleagues and administration is very humbling,” said Robotic Surgeon Dr. Bill Sever. “To hit the 2,000 milestone is very gratifying and cements the organizational and community benefits of our program.”

“Physician leaders in Adena’s surgical division have demonstrated very strong support in the development and growth of the robotic surgery program,” said Carolyn Wallin, System Director Surgical Services. “Our program is currently supported by nine surgeons, with an additional robotically trained general surgeon joining Adena in September.”

The da Vinci Surgical System enables a surgeon to perform extremely precise procedures, using small incisions, in areas of the body that are difficult for the human hand to reach. Although robotic instruments can rotate 360 degrees, providing greater mobility than a surgeon's own hands, the surgeon is in complete control of the instruments while dissecting and suturing.

In 2012, Adena used robot-assisted surgery for only eight types of surgeries. Today Adena is capable of performing 26 types of surgeries.

Carla Campbell of Waverly underwent a complete hysterectomy through Adena Robotic Surgery. “The surgery itself only took a little over an hour,” said Campbell. “I would highly recommend having robotic surgery through Adena to anyone needing the procedures offered, because it was faster, easier and I was up walking that very same day. I am so glad I chose to follow-through with robotic surgery over traditional surgery.”

Visit adena.org/robot or call 877-779-7585 for more information.

The Adena Health Foundation has awarded scholarships to 62 area students pursuing degrees in the health care field. In total, $78,000 in scholarship monies have been awarded for the 2017-18 academic year.

“The Adena Health Foundation is proud to support the education needs of those in our community who are pursuing or advancing careers in the health care sciences,” said Foundation Executive Director Sheila Buckley. “By investing in the development of current and future health care professionals, Adena is ensuring people throughout our service region have access to highly-skilled and trained caregivers to meet their overall health care needs.”

The Scholarship Fund is made possible in large part by generous annual donations from the Adena Women’s Board and Adena’s Volunteer Advisory Council. Since Adena’s Health Care Scholarship program was established in 2002, $716,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded. 

Students from the following counties were awarded scholarships: Ross County (33 students); Highland County (8); Jackson County (5); Pickaway County (3); Pike County (3); Scioto County (3); Fayette County (2); Hocking County (2); Adams County (1); Athens County (1); and Gallia County (1). Among those awarded, 11 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.

Learning you have diabetes can be intimidating, but there are things you can do to manage your condition to live a long and healthy life – and Adena can help.

Dr. Gianina Usera has joined Adena Endocrinology and Diabetes Care, specializing in medical care and treatment related to Type I and Type II diabetes, hormone and thyroid disorders, as well as Osteoporosis and calcium disorders.

Dr. Usera can help you with every level of your diabetes care and will be with you every step of the way to answer questions, give suggestions and track your progress. Her primary focus of care is education.

“I believe patient education is the key to wellness,” Dr. Usera explained. “I try to always describe a patient’s care plan in terms they can understand and fit into their everyday lives.”

Dr. Usera also puts a lot of effort into building close relationships her patients. “I want my patients to know that I am always there for them,” she said. “Whether they are a new patient or one I have been seeing for a while, I put an emphasis into following up and checking on how they are doing.”

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Usera earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She served her residency at Yale New Haven Health’s Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. Dr. Usera also managed the care of patients with diabetes and hormone disorders at Long Island Jewish Hospital, located in New York. 

For more information about diabetes treatment or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Usera, call 740-779-8268 or visit www.adena.org/diabetes. 

As parents start preparing to send their children back to the classroom, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it's a good time to remember that vaccines play an important role in keeping kids healthy.

Make sure your child is up-to-date on immunizations and fully protected from diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), the agency advises.

"Parents should know that vaccines protect children from many serious illnesses that come from infectious diseases. The risk of being harmed by vaccines is much smaller than the risk of these serious illnesses," said Marion Gruber, FDA’s director of the Office of Vaccines Research and Review.

Most vaccine side effects, such as soreness at the injection site or a mild fever, are minor and temporary.

When getting your child vaccinated, review the vaccine information sheets, Gruber suggested. By law, health care professionals must provide the documents, which outline the benefits and risks of a vaccine, Gruber said.

Before your child is vaccinated, inform your health care provider of any health conditions or concerns.

For more information about vaccines, or to schedule an appointment with Adena Pediatrics, call 740-779-4300.

What if you were involved in an accident, or had a catastrophic health event where you could no longer speak for yourself? Who would make your health care choices? Would they even know what you would want?

To help families eliminate this heart-wrenching process, Adena Health System’s Palliative Care Team will host “The Talk,” a free seminar to empower families to initiate end-of-life health care decisions. The two-hour program will be held on Thursday, August 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Carlisle Building, located at 9 South Paint Street, Chillicothe.

This community program is the result of conversations among many families, who when faced with making tough family medical choices simply did not know what their loved ones would have wanted. The program is intended to serve as a starting point to get these often difficult conversations started.

“We want to stimulate the thought process of what you would want if something like this happened, and you were in a situation where your family had to make decisions for you,” said Dr. Richard Greeno of Adena’s Palliative Care Department. “By having a discussion about your wishes with your family now, you immediately take the burden off of them to have to decide, and maybe second guess your wishes.”

Adena Health System has once again made it possible for kids to enjoy a FREE Rides Day at the Ross County Fair on Monday, August 7.

As well as free rides, kids and their families are invited to participate in Adena’s Healthy Kids Day, which will take place at 10 a.m. at the Bandstands on the Ross County Fairgrounds. Kids will partake in several free activities that will demonstrate and teach lessons related to nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle choices.

The activities and lessons will be:

Nutrition:

• What’s Your Plate Look like?: Test your knowledge and play the interactive MyPlate game to learn more about healthy eating.
• Healthy Eating & You: Learn more about the foods around you. Identify and learn how to use vegetables and fruits.
• Join the Chefs: Join the chefs from the Cooking Caravan in a fun, interactive Battle of the Chefs template. *Starts at 11 a.m.

Activities:

• Bike. Spin. Art: A fun, creative way to learn the importance of physical exercise.
• Express Yourself: Come and make a pin button and draw a design on a template.
• Being Active is Fun!: Join the YMCA and participate in a fun and exciting set of physical activities that you can do at home

Lifestyle:

• Make Your Own Headband: Learn about internet and body safety
• Stomp out Bullying: Learn about specific patterns, prevention and more.
• Map Your Future: Grab a career and strike a pose with our fun photo booth.

Each child will have the opportunity to complete each station. Those who complete all stations will receive a special giveaway.

Adena Health System would like to thank the following partners for making this year’s Healthy Kids Day one of a kind; The Ohio State University, the Chillicothe Public Library, Child Protection Center of Ross County, Map Your Future and the Ross County YMCA. 

Adena Health System’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Graham is now on board and ready to lead the organization.

Graham returns to Adena after more than five years away. He most recently served as President and CEO of Mercy Health’s East Market in the Cincinnati area. Graham was previously with Adena Health System from 2002-2012 in roles including: CEO & Administrator for Adena Greenfield Medical Center; Chief Operating Officer; and Chief Strategy Officer.

In June 2017, Adena’s Board of Trustees selected Graham to take on the President and CEO job, which had been open since October 2016. Long-time Adena pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Fortney served in an interim CEO role since that time.

With Graham’s return, patients and the community can expect him to hit the ground running, immediately taking on several issues that are known to create frustration for patients. These include: accurate and timely billing; availability of appointment times (access) for some primary care and specialty services; Emergency Department wait times; and community visibility. 

“I want Adena to be the health care provider of choice for people in our region,” said Graham. “We have good providers, the same technology as many larger systems, and caring and compassionate staff – many are our friends and neighbors.” He added, “To make Adena top-of-mind for health care for people living in our communities, it is important they have a good experience with every encounter, every time. I know we can make that happen.”

A native of Portsmouth (Scioto County), Graham earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Findlay, and a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He and wife, Brenda, are excited to be back in Chillicothe near friends and family, including three grandchildren.

I am excited to welcome and introduce you to Adena Health System.(image) Adena is an independent, not-for-profit hospital and health care system, serving people living in 12 counties throughout south central and southern Ohio. Adena’s caregivers live and work in the communities we serve. We are your friends and neighbors; and we are committed to treat you like family.

Adena provides our patients with safe, quality health care, performed by knowledgeable, compassionate and caring providers and staff.

With three acute care hospitals (Chillicothe, Greenfield and Waverly) and in 21 clinic locations throughout our service region, we want to be your health care provider of choice. At any Adena location, you can expect to receive appropriate, consistent treatment that is based on our commitment to deliver high quality, professional and compassionate care to every patient, every time.

Adena has many specialty services, primary care, and rehabilitation; along with up-to-date lab, imaging and testing services to make sure you have access to convenient, close-to-home care when you need it.

Thank you for trusting your health care to us. I am confident Adena and its caregivers will deliver the quality care you need and expect, with the respect you want and deserve.

Sincerely,

Jeff Graham

President & CEO

Adena Health System

Adena Bone & Joint Center (ABJC) and Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) will soon partner to expand current Orthopedic services in the region. ABJC providers will begin seeing patients at FCMH, located in Washington Court House, beginning August 1, 2017.

“Patients expect to receive the care they need in a setting that is close to home,” said Adena Health System’s Interim President and CEO Dr. John Fortney. “Patients in and around Fayette County have a need for orthopedic services, and with FCMH, Adena is excited to have an opportunity to provide them with quality care from some of the best specialists in this field.” 

“FCMH and ABJC teamed up many years ago, having great success and patient outcomes,” added FCMH President and CEO Mike Diener. “We look forward to meeting and exceeding the needs of our community through this orthopedic venture.”

Since April 2014, FCMH has collaborated with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) for Orthopedics. A partnership that has yielded a solid foundation to its Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Program, though experiencing a growing demographic need for general orthopedics. The partnership between FCMH and OSUWMC will end July 31, 2017.

Existing patients will be offered the option to transition to an Adena Bone and Joint Center physician, or to remain with their current physician at a different location. Beginning August 1, ABJC orthopedic specialists Brian Cohen, MD; Karen Evans, MD; Neil Ghany, MD; and Jason Foster, MD, ATC, will see patients on the FCMH campus, operating from FCMH’s Medical Arts Building #1, in Suite 201. ABJC accepts most insurance, including MediGold. For an appointment, patients may call (740) 779-4598.

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography has again awarded Adena’s Cardiopulmonary Services a three-year accreditation in the area of Adult Transthoracic. This accreditation means Adena Cardiopulmonary has undergone an intensive application and review process; and has been found to be compliant with the published standards, demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in echocardiography.

The accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement. It applies to six Adena locations including: Cardiopulmonary Services at Adena Regional Medical Center; Adena Pike Medical Center; Adena Greenfield Medical Center; Adena Health Center-Jackson; Adena Health Center-Waverly; and Adena Health Center Western Avenue.

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed closely by stroke, which is the fourth highest cause of death. According to the Ross County Community Health Needs Assessment, more than six present of Ross County residents suffer each day from cardiovascular disease, which higher than the state and national average.

There are many factors based on echocardiography that contribute to an accurate diagnosis and a positive patient outcome. These include: the training and experience of the sonographer performing the procedure; the type of equipment used; and the quality assessment metrics each facility is required to measure.

IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensure quality patient care, promote health care and support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation. To date, the IAC accrediting divisions have granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Adena Health System has partnered with the Chillicothe Farmers Market to continue our vision of creating healthy, thriving communities. Through this relationship Adena Community Health has made it possible for more families in our community to access healthy locally grown food. 

Those who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are encouraged to bring their Ohio Direction card to the Chillicothe Farmers Market and they will be eligible to scan at least $10 in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) tokens and also receive additional $10 in Fruit and Veggies Perks tokens. 

“After completing the 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment, we discovered there was a high demand for nutrition information and resources,” said Kim Jones, Director of Community Health Outreach. 

 “The goal of this program is to assist with eliminating the cost barriers of healthy eating and hopefully drive people to a new place, where they can get these healthy food options, while also promoting and supporting healthy eating and local business.”

This year, Adena Dieticians have also created healthy recipe cookbooks that include meals with ingredients available at the farmer’s market.

“We are giving the community not only the resources, but giving them information on how to prepare the food is just as important.” 

In addition to this offer, Adena is also offering a $15 “Fresh Food Rx” for those with chronic illness and in need of financial support. 

“Patents in need will be given a Fresh Food Rx coupon from their physician or nurse navigator, which can be exchanged for tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market,” added Jones. “This is our way of supporting those patients with chronic diseases and illnesses, who may not qualify for SNAP, but still need some extra support.”

The Chillicothe Famer’s Market is located in the parking lot of the Ross County Service Center, 475 Western Avenue and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. May – October. To receive tokens, participants need to bring their Ohio Direction Card to the market tent the day of the event.

Your family’s health and wellness is our top priority. Providing you and your loved ones with quality care in a timely manner is essential.

To improve your wait time in our clinic, all Adena Pediatrics after hours and Saturday visits will now be scheduled appointments opposed to walk in. Same-day appointments must also be called in no later than 7 p.m. After hours should be used for minor injury and/or illness. These changes will still allow for same-day access to the clinic, while being mindful of our patient’s schedules.

“We value the opportunity to see our patients on their schedule, which includes hours that are outside of routine business hours,” explained Brooke Lyons Adena Pediatrics Clinic Manager. “We do not want to sacrifice this service we offer our patients, but rather make the services more convenient for them. We’ve received numerous patient comments that they appreciate the after hours, but the wait time associated with our walk in clinic was extensive at times.”

Effective now, Adena Pediatrics has new hours of operation.

Normal Business Hours:             Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekday After Hours Clinic:       Monday-Friday, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekend Clinic Hours:               Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The changes in times and appointment procedure were a result of reviewing the data, which included the fact that the majority of Adena Pediatrics after hours patients were seen between 5-7 p.m. and considering the patient feedback, the clinic opted to utilize a scheduled model. This allows Pediatrics’ patients the same-day access they are accustom to, while allowing the clinic to utilize the schedule to reduce wait times for patients. This will also allow the clinic the opportunity to prioritize when a patient is seen based on illness.

“The care that Adena Pediatrics has always provided will remain unchanged, despite the earlier closure time daily,” Lyons said. “We still plan to accommodate the same-day appointments as we always have, just scheduled. In fact, a same-day appointment can be requested up until the phones are shut off at 7 p.m. Any Pediatric patient of Adena Medical Group is able to utilize our after hours service for acute issues, but would still be required to call our main number and request an appointment. Patients should still contact their primary care provider first during routine business hours.”

To schedule an appointment with Adena Pediatrics, call 740-779-4300 and for more information visit www.adena.org/locations/department.dT/adena-pediatrics. 

Thank you for allowing us to care for your family!

The Adena Cancer Center is pleased to welcome Medical Oncologist Jeffery Rose, MD.

As a practicing Oncologist of eight years, Dr. Rose provides many services specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma and blood disorders.

“I knew I wanted to interact directly with patients and help people overcome difficult times and what better field to get the chance to do that in than oncology” said Dr. Rose. “The evolution of science, technology, medicine and treatment options is another factor that drove me to become an oncologist.”

After earning his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completing his Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at the University of Iowa, Dr. Rose worked as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital, where he focused on research in gastrointestinal and colon cancer.

Dr. Rose enjoys using his academic background to provide patient education on topics such as the importance of screenings and living a healthy lifestyle. Along with being very passionate about new cancer treatments and medicine, he is extremely passionate about the relationships he builds with patients and families while providing care.

“The relationships you build as a physician is such a unique experience, in the sense that it is almost like a family,” he explained. “I try to help my patients balance life and cherish family while coping with the challenges of cancer.”

Patty Williams, a former patient of Dr. Rose agrees, “Dr. Rose treated my colon cancer six years ago at OSU. He is a wonderful and caring doctor. I am very happy to see someone of his caliber joining the Cancer Center. A huge plus for Adena!”

She added, “I had no idea what I was facing and Dr. Rose really helped me to overcome my fears. I will definitely recommend him to anyone facing cancer.”   

Dr. Rose is looking forward to working with the rest of the Adena Cancer Center team and admires Adena’s multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

“Working with a team and administrative staff that was supportive and caring was very important to me,” he said. “After visiting the Adena Cancer Center, I was extremely impressed with the state-of-the-art facility and the quality of care provided. Being from Grand Island, Nebraska, the Midwest is home and in many ways Chillicothe is similar to my hometown.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Rose, call 740-542-3030.

Adena Bone & Joint Center (ABJC) Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen recently hosted four German orthopedic surgeons, and two German representatives of Arthrex, a major orthopedic device supplier.

The group was in Chillicothe to gain insight into Dr. Cohen’s techniques for shoulder surgeries - watching and learning during 16 procedures. The surgeons, all practicing for several years, were happy for the opportunity to learn new techniques that they plan to take back to their hospitals and clinics in Berlin and Munich.

“We want to see the experience of Dr. Cohen and compare to our experience,” said Dr. Olaf Loreach, a Berlin-based orthopedic surgeon in private practice. “It’s pretty much the same surgery of course. But there is always a small difference, which you can learn. Small hints you may use to improve in your own practice.”

ABJC hosts visiting surgeons about once or twice a month at Adena Regional Medical Center, with most visitors being from the U.S. Though international visitors, like this group, visit as well. Most are from Europe, though some have visited from as far away as New Zealand. A recent change is now enabling visiting surgeons to get a better, up-close view of what’s going on in the operating room.

“As long as they are credentialed appropriately, they can scrub-in to observe and get a closer view,” said Dr. Cohen. “Working on the shoulder, like a hip, is like working within a hole – as opposed to the knee, where the incision is wide open. So working within that hole, we found observers were missing some of the nuances of the surgery that you don’t really get when you are two rows back. They like to be up in the fray and see what’s going on.”

Before flying home to Germany, the group was headed to Chicago for a few days to also learn from Dr. Tony Romeo, Dr. Cohen’s former professor and mentor.

For more information about Adena Bone & Joint’s services, or any Adena service, visit www.adena.org.

The Adena Cancer Center is pleased to welcome Medical Oncologist Jeffery Rose, MD.

As a practicing Oncologist of eight years, Dr. Rose provides many services specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma and blood disorders.

 “I knew I wanted to interact directly with patients and help people overcome difficult times and what better field to get the chance to do that in than oncology” said Rose. “The evolution of science, technology, medicine and treatment options is another factor that drove me to become an oncologist.”

After earning his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completing his Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at the University of Iowa, Dr. Rose worked as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital, where he focused on research in gastrointestinal and colon cancer.

Dr. Rose enjoys using his academic background to provide patient education on topics such as the importance of screenings and living a healthy lifestyle. Along with being very passionate about new cancer treatments and medicine, he is extremely passionate about the relationships he builds with patients and families while providing care.

“The relationships you build as a physician is such a unique experience, in the sense that it is almost like a family,” he explained “I try to help my patients balance life and cherish family while coping with the challenges of cancer.”  

Dr. Rose is looking forward to working with the rest of the Adena Cancer Center team and admires Adena’s multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

“Working with a team and administrative staff that was supportive and caring was very important to me,” he said “After visiting the Cancer Center, I was extremely impressed with the state-of-the-art facility and the quality of care provided. Being from Grand Island, Nebraska, the Midwest is home and in many ways Chillicothe is similar to my hometown.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rose, call 740-542-3030.

Adena Health System’s Board of Trustees has selected Jeffrey J. Graham as the System’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Since October 2016, the Board has been involved in an extensive, national search to find the right person to lead Adena Health System in the coming years. In total, more than 300 people applied for the position. 

“We had a number of highly-qualified candidates for this important job,” said Board Chairman Steve Burkhardt. “But in the end, the person who was the right fit turned out to be someone that many of us know and trust. Jeff has a solid record as a health care leader in the industry, and a rich and positive history with Adena. He and his family know our patients, our caregivers and our communities very well, and I’m confident he will do a great job. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, in addition to congratulating Jeff on his new position, I also want to thank our other candidates for their interest and participation in this process.” 

For just over five years, Graham has been President and CEO of Mercy Health’s East Market in the Cincinnati area. There, he successfully developed and implemented a strategic growth plan for the market. His many accomplishments there include:

• Mercy Health’s East Market is the market share leader among five competing health systems;
• Driving a culture of customer service;
• Making community connections to bridge the health care needs of the service area;
• Successfully merging two hospital executive and physician management teams into a single East Market Executive Team;
• Consistently being recognized nationally for quality, and in 2015, being listed among Truven Health’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the U.S.;
• Driving a physician-led model of care and service line strategy; and
• Successfully leading the development of multiple service line growth and implementation plans.

Graham previously served Adena Health System from 2002-2012 in roles including: CEO & Administrator for Adena Greenfield Medical Center; Chief Operating Officer; and Chief Strategy Officer. He and his family have deep roots in southern and south central Ohio, and are anxious to return to Chillicothe.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to return to Adena as its next President and CEO,” said Graham. “Adena is unique in its position as an independent health system, and the opportunities for continued success are endless. As health care continues to evolve, it’s important that we stay ahead of the ball. I am committed to doing what is right for our patients, our caregivers and our community; by making sure Adena offers them the quality of care and service they expect and deserve, when they need it.”

A native of Portsmouth, OH, Graham earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Findlay, and a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He is scheduled to re-join Adena in his new role as Adena’s President and CEO on Monday, July 31, 2017. 

To most mothers, the experience of bringing a new baby into the world is considered one of the best days of their lives. While it is truly a day families will never forget it doesn’t always have a happy ending.

 There's no joyful celebration for families of the 20 babies delivered at Adena Health System each year who are stillborn or pass shortly after birth.

 Caregivers at Adena have partnered with Touching Little Lives (TLL), a state-wide group committed to making and distributing handmade items free of charge to preemie and needy newborns. They also work to to bring a touch of light into these dark moments in an event of a still born baby.

 Danielle Steiner, Adena Float Pool PCA, worked in the Women & Children’s Department for a few months, where she saw and experienced everything that happens behind the scenes when a new mother loses her child.

 The challenges and heartbreaks Steiner saw families suffer through laid heavy on her heart and she wanted to do something special for them.

 When Steiner delivered her daughter, who was premature, she received a special hat and blanket from TLL.

 “Shortly after I had my daughter and learned about Touching Little Lives, I saw on the news where a woman donated her wedding dress to a similar cause,“ said Steiner. “That is when I knew exactly what I could do for mothers who had lost an infant.”

 Steiner donated her wedding dress, valued at over $1,000 to TLL, to be made into  gowns for babies delivered at Adena Health System. “I wanted the babies to look like angels,” she added.

 Linda Marshall, Chairperson of TLL, transformed Steiner’s dress into six beautifully detailed baby angel gowns that will be given to families who have lost a child. “Very often these babies are much too small for anything but doll clothing,” said Marshall. “What should have been a happy time becomes a painful shopping trip to find something special enough and small enough to lay the precious baby.”

 “Without you, we would not have had the opportunity to have pictures of our beautiful little girl in any type of beautiful outfit,” said a patient who has benefited from TLL’s generous gift. “It meant so much to us that people we didn't even know had provided the hospital with this tiny little outfit that truly changed our world.”

 TLL has met once a month at Adena  for 15 years. Becky Dumm, Laboratory Information Specialist and leader of Adena’s TLL work group is looking for volunteers to join her and the rest of the TLL group. Dumm has donated her time and has made over 1,000 quilt tops for families. “There are no specific time requirements or skill requirements to volunteer,” she said. Most of our supplies are generously donated so there is no monetary commitment either.”  

“Volunteers can attend work group meetings which meet at various times during each month or they can work independently from home and drop off items at the meeting,” added Marshall. “There is always something for everyone to help with, no matter how little or how much time they want to give.”

 If you are interested in volunteering and joining Adena’s TLL chapter please contact Becky Dumm at rdumm@adena.org. For more information visit www.touchinglittlelives.org.

Adena Health System Interim President and CEO Dr. John Fortney is pleased to announce Lisa Carlson has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective today.

Carlson joined Adena in fall 2016 as a contracted interim CFO. A career health care financial expert, she has led Adena’s positive financial results over the past two quarters. Carlson is also credited with quickly identifying opportunities for improvement within Adena’s Revenue Cycle (the administrative and clinical functions that contribute to the capture, management and collection of patient service revenue). In a short time, she has taken decisive action and, with a team of hospital finance consultants working with Adena finance managers, is undertaking a long-term project to fix the much talked about “billing issues” that many Adena patients have experienced.

 “I’m thrilled that Lisa has agreed to stay on as our permanent Chief Financial Officer,” said Dr. Fortney. “Lisa has a breadth of expertise in health care finance, and demonstrates a strong ability to lead her team to get positive results.”

 In addition to identifying and executing a plan to get to the root of “billing issues,” Carlson is also credited with developing the plan to acquire bond financing to support not only Adena’s Emergency Department expansion project, but to also refinance existing debt at a much lower interest rate. These lower interest rates will save the Health System over $14 million over the course of the life of the 30-year bonds.

Prior to joining Tatum™ as a consultant in 2013, Carlson served in the role of CFO at Sanford Health, a large rural integrated delivery system covering North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Previously, she served as CFO for a large North Dakota physician group, and served in various other health care finance roles including: Controller; Vice President-Business Decision Support; Assistant Administrator for Finance; and Financial Planning Manager. Carlson earned her degree in Accounting from Minnesota State University, and certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), as well as certification of clinical leadership from the College of St. Thomas Clinical Leadership Academy.

 Dr. Fortney added, “I am fully confident that the improvements Lisa and her team are making will be long lasting; and will result in a better and easier billing experience for our patients, as well as in Adena’s abilities to meet the health care needs of our community.”

While typically not life-threatening, environmental allergies can make you feel miserable, interrupt your daily activities and ca(image) n even lead to secondary respiratory infections.

Adena Health System is here to help you stop suffering. Adena Allergist and Immunologist Dana Esham, MD is now accepting new patients.

Dr. Esham is specially trained in pediatric Allergy and Immunology, but enjoys seeing patients of all ages. 

As a board-certified allergist, Dr. Esham looks at the whole picture. From your family history to your overall health, she will create an individualized treatment plan that is best for you.

Easier than ever before, patients visiting Dr. Esham can now take a simple test to identify as many as 40 different allergies at once. “Our skin tests involve scratching the skin with different allergens using a plastic applicator,” explained Dr. Esham.

That’s right; needles are not necessary anymore!

“If you are allergic to dust mites then a dust mite cover can improve symptoms and decrease medication use,” she added. “If you are exposed to allergens during activities such as gardening or mowing then wearing a mask and showering afterward can be very helpful.”

Adena ENT and Allergy also offers allergy shots. “Allergy shots are a great alternative for those who wish to avoid medications or medications are not helping,” noted Dr. Esham.

Don’t let allergies stop you from enjoying all the wonderful experiences this spring and summer has to offer.

Schedule an appointment with Adena and Dr. Esham today by calling 740-779-4393 or visit www.adena.org/appointment.

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Do you remember your senior year of high school? Were you excited about what the future held? Or were you lost wondering what would come next? For six high school seniors, a look into their own future is happening now.

It’s called the AIM Program, a unique partnership between Adena Health System and Chillicothe High School. The program gives students with an interest in medicine a first-hand opportunity to experience their future careers.

Each month, students in the program visited one of six Adena clinics and specialty services including: Palliative Care, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, and Oncology.

The students spent the morning in the hospital or a clinic, then in the afternoon came together for a hands-on lesson in Adena’s PACCAR Medical Education Center’s Simulation Lab. Between their monthly trips to Adena, the students keep journals about what they are learning and various other assignments.

The program’s creator, Tracy Coats, RN, wanted to find a way to engage children with an interest in medicine as a way to encourage them to stay in their hometown. “I was talking with Dr. Lois Jetty, of Adena Pediatrics, a couple of years ago about what we could do to help bring more physicians to town, even ways to bring kids back and show them this is a great place to practice,” said Coats. “Adena and Chillicothe City Schools were willing to do something outside the box, and this is just the right fit.”

To participate in the AIM Program, as student must be accepted into this competitive honors course. Students are required to be a member of the National Honor Society, and must submit an essay about their interest in a career in Medicine.

“Chillicothe High School is expanding the walls of educational opportunity beyond our building,” said CHS Principal Dr. Jeff Fisher. “It’s one thing to talk to students about opportunities, but it’s another to let them see what’s happening in the real world.”

The program’s first group of six honor students is especially grateful for the chance to learn about something that interests them in an environment that gives them greater learning opportunities.

“I’ve always wanted to be in Medicine, and this gave me exposure to several specialties,” said CHS Senior Gabriella Lapurga. “I could be thinking I want to do Dermatology now, but going through this, I’m learning about other specialties and may find something that interests me even more.”

AIM participant Zach Ayres added, “The AIM Program inspired me not only to become a doctor and work in the field of Medicine, but to do so right here in Chillicothe at Adena Health System.”

Adena is already working to build on the first-year success of the AIM Program and wishes its first class of graduates much success in their future careers.  

2017 AIM Program Class 

Zach Ayres

Megan Coats

Gabby Lap

Maggie McCorkle

Sydney Tackett

Adam West

Since it was announced in October 2016, activity around Adena Regional Medical Center’s new expansion and renovation project has been full steam ahead. Every aspect of the project is being carefully planned out and thoroughly executed as construction crews and Adena staff work to deliver a state-of-the-art ER to the region.

“When the Emergency Department project came to the Adena Board of Trustees, the first question we asked was, ‘Can we afford this?’” said Steve Burkhardt, Adena Board of Trustee Chair. “Then the next question was, ‘Can we afford not to do this?’ And the answer was, ‘No, we can’t.”

Adena Interim President & CEO Dr. John Fortney echoes those sentiments, “Keeping our eye on the need and opportunities for improvement, we have made growing and enhancing our emergency care a priority. As a pediatrician in this region for more than 30 years, I know when a child is ill or injured, parents want to get that child under a provider’s care as quickly as possible. The same goes for our adult community. When time is of the essence, and emergency care is necessary, you want to be able to rely on your hometown Emergency Department to make sure you or your loved one gets the fastest, most comprehensive care available. This project, to grow, update and modernize our facility, will give patients the benefit of being cared for faster, in an environment that is conducive to comprehensive emergency care - close to home.”

In all, Adena’s new Emergency Department is not only long overdue, but will be an all-in-one center, nearly tripling in size. Adena’s current Emergency Department encompasses 16,500 square feet, and is separated into two areas for care. The new facility will be nearly 60,000 square feet, will include private rooms, specific areas for triage and observation, six additional treatment rooms and 32 more patient care areas. With more space and better flow, patients will see a provider sooner; and staff will be more efficient in managing each the care of each patient.

Danis Construction Vice President Dustin Rohrbach puts into perspective the scope of a project this size. “To put all of this together, you will see about 400 truckloads of concrete coming in for the project. Inside all of that concrete we have 200 tons of steel that gets buried inside for reinforcement. In addition, if we were to take all of the wires we lay for this project end-to-end it would run north of Columbus - about 80 miles from here. We will also top out at about 100 craftspeople in the field. That is the magnitude of the project.”

Danis and Adena have a long history together that spans over numerous projects to create the best facilities for patient care to south central Ohio.  

“We (Danis) have been a part of the 10-year transition to this campus, and executing the vision of Adena,” Rohrbach added. “That vision, to deliver care, healing and education. The care started with the northeast expansion, and is capped off by this Emergency Department expansion. The healing came when we finished the Adena Cancer Center (in 2011), and the education with the PACCAR Medical Education Center (2008). These facilities rival any across the state of Ohio.”

Over the next several months, people throughout our patients and community can expect to see aspects of the Emergency Department structure go up as the facility’s concrete super structure is poured. Phase I of the project, which includes the clinical area of the Emergency Department is expected to be complete by spring 2018, with Phase II being the lobby area and main entrance being completed around June 2019.

Be sure to check www.adena.org/ER for the latest project updates, parking information, photos and much more. 

CHILLICOTHE (May 25, 2017) – Adena Health System is pleased to welcome primary care physician Matthew Studebaker, MD to Adena Health Center – (image) Hillsboro. Since opening its doors almost one year ago, the Hillsboro clinic has been committed to continually expanding their services to provide close to home care to the people of Highland County.

Now accepting new patients of all ages, Dr. Studebaker provides a number of services and treatments for chronic medical conditions including diabetes and COPD, as well as annual wellness checks and physicals.

After earning his medical degree from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine and Public Health and completing his Family Practice Residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Dr. Studebaker opened his own private practice in Brookville, Ohio, where he provided primary care services to families and individuals for 14 years. He now looks forward to his new position with Adena.

“Working in a rural area like my boyhood home is important to me because I know high quality care is needed,” he explained. “I am also eager to be part of a network like Adena Health System because I now have a team of support and resources and yet, I can still be in a small, community focused practice.”

Among the other benefits of practicing in this region is the personal relationship Dr. Studebaker looks to have with his patients and their families, “I believe listening to patients concerns and taking all variables into consideration, is a skill that I focus on and feel that I do quite well.”

A Hillsboro resident with his wife and three daughters, Dr. Studebaker is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Ohio State Medical Society.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Studebaker, call 937-393-7630

Adena Health System is pleased to announce it is expanding its Sports Medicine and Orthopedic services in Highland County. In June, four physicians with Adena Bone & Joint Center (ABJC) will begin delivering care at Adena’s new health center in Hillsboro, providing services in the areas of: Sports Medicine; Hand, Spine and Orthopedic Surgery. 

“Adena has a long-time commitment in delivering close-to-home care for our patients in and near Highland County,” said ABJC Clinic Director Sandy Zickafoose. “Over the past 10 years, our Sports Medicine and Orthopedic specialists have delivered safe, quality care, and advanced surgical procedures in sports arthroscopy and total joint replacement to patients in the region. With the recent opening of Adena-Hillsboro Health Center, we will continue to provide these important services to our patients, and also expand our services to include rehabilitation and care from the area’s top spine and hand specialists.”

Spine Surgeon Dr. James Fleming, Jr. will see patients at Adena Hillsboro beginning June 16, 2017. Dr. Fleming is board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery, with concentration on spine and neck surgery and treatment. Dr. Fleming is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. He performed his internship at University Hospitals in Cleveland, his residency at Cleveland Clinic, and his fellowship at Weill Medical College of Cornell University’s Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, NY.

Hand Surgeon Dr. Roger Wiltfong will see patients at Adena Hillsboro beginning June 6, 2017. Dr. Wiltfong is a graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, and served his internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus. Dr. Wiltfong performed his fellowship in hand surgery with the Hand Fellowship Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, located in Erie, PA. 

Effective June 5, 2017, Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Bradley Strauch will begin seeing patients in Adena’s Hillsboro facility, with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen seeing patients there effective, June 28, 2017.

Drs. Cohen and Strauch have provided comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine care for patients in Highland County for nearly 10 years. The duo will transfer care for their established patients in Highland County, with the ability to see new patients in Hillsboro as well.

Drs. Cohen and Strauch wish to thank patients and staff with whom they’ve worked in the region for the past 10 years, and are excited to continue seeing patients in a location that is convenient and close-to-home. The team also works closely with local school athletic trainers to provide quality care and treatment for student athletes.

“Adena is committed to delivering quality care for our patients in the communities in which they live,” said Adena’s Interim President & CEO Dr. John Fortney. “We have a responsibility to the people in the region we serve to deliver comprehensive care, by highly-skilled and seasoned professionals. These are physicians who know the community and the people they are here to help. By expanding our services within our new Hillsboro location, we can assure patients have a one-stop option for primary and specialty care in Highland County.”

In addition to adding Adena Bone & Joint Center’s Sports Medicine, Hand, Spine and Orthopedic surgery services to Adena-Hillsboro Health Center, Adena will also soon add on-site MRI to the facility’s line of imaging services. Additionally, Rehabilitation services including Occupational and Physical Therapy, will also be established in Hillsboro for the convenience of our patients.

Adena’s Hillsboro Health Center is located at 160 Roberts Lane, Hillsboro, OH  45133. Services within the Health Center include: family medicine, urgent care, orthopedics, dermatology, laboratory services, imaging, referrals to specialists and more. Patients who would like to schedule with Adena Bone & Joint Center providers in Hillsboro may call (937) 393-7665 or 1-877-779-4598.

Chillicothe City Council has agreed to issue bonds that will enable Adena Health System to refinance current debt, at a lower interest rate, and to fund much of Adena Regional Medical Center’s $36 million Emergency Department expansion and renovation project.

“Adena’s financial health is the best it’s been in a number of years,” said Adena’s Chief Financial Officer Lisa Carlson. “By being able to refinance our debt at today’s low rates, while rolling-in the Emergency Department project, the Health System will see an overall savings of $11-13 million over the life of the 30-year bonds.”

Seen as a good risk, rating agencies, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), each recently affirmed Adena’s A ratings. These ratings tell potential bond purchasers that Adena Health System is a good financial risk for them. Moody’s affirmed Adena’s “A3 and stable” rating, and S&P affirmed its “A- and stable” rating.

Bond agencies consider several primary factors when considering these ratings, including: an organization’s financial health (cash and debt levels), “track record” of the operating margin results, organizational strategy, market position, competitive threats, regulatory threats and management.

Because Adena is tax-exempt, when utilizing a bond selling process to acquire funding, there are steps that must be taken before taking the bonds to market. In this common, yet complex process, Adena must have an “issuer.” This is typically a government entity; and in this case, the City of Chillicothe will serve in this role. While a government entity must approve being used as a conduit issuer of tax-exempt bonds, neither the City, nor its residents have any obligation in terms of repayment. 

“We want to express our gratitude to the members of Chillicothe City Council for its decision to issue the bonds that will help Adena save on interest charges for current debt, and to fund a much-needed upgrade to our current Emergency Department at Adena Regional Medical Center,” said Adena’s Interim President & CEO Dr. John Fortney. “This project has been a long time coming, and it will finally give people in our community a facility that meets their expectations; and gives our caregivers the space and technology they need to see patients faster, and provide comprehensive care in a single location within the hospital.”

Adena’s bond underwriter, Cain Brothers, will soon issue a Preliminary Official Statement (POS) to notify potential investors that the bonds are available for purchase. Investor presentations will take place to answer any question from potential bond buyers, then the bonds will be sold and the selling documents closed. This is expected to be complete by mid-June.

Adena Health System has been recognized nationally as one of just 10 hospitals nationwide for their innovative approach impacting lives in local communities.

This special acknowledgement was in recognition of Adena’s Centering Pregnancy and Baby-Centered Recovery Programs, which received the “Program of Excellence” award along with 2,500 through the Hospital Charitable Services Awards, a national program sponsored by Atlanta-based Jackson Healthcare.  

Adena’s Centering Pregnancy Program is open to all pregnant women, while the Baby-Centered Recovery Program is for women with opiate dependence. Ronald Lopez, MD and Lee Parks, DO co-directors of the programs are on hand to supervise, give advice and to meet one-on-one monthly with the women in the Baby-Centered Recovery Group. 

Started in 2014, Adena’s Centering Pregnancy Program is available for pregnant women to come together to share experiences, learn and interact with providers allowing Adena to be more involved in their care plan.

The Centering Pregnancy group meets for six two-hour sessions during a woman’s pregnancy. Adena Certified Nurse Midwives and other health care providers meet with women to discuss their pregnancy and health concerns as well as participate in interactive learning actives with other mothers due at the same time.

In addition, Adena offers a Baby-Centered Recovery program, for women with opiate dependence that strives to help women move beyond their opiate dependence by encouraging social supports, linking clients to community services and providing education about pregnancy and addiction. Medically assisted treatment is offered as well as a plan for participant’s detox after infant’s birth.

Since the Baby-Centered Recovery program began in 2012, the Adena Women and Children’s Department has helped serve almost 100 newborn babies born with opiate exposure. 

“Compared to women who dropped out of the Baby- Centered Recovery Program those who completed it were more likely to breastfeed, while their infants had higher gestational ages, better birth weights and almost no involvement with children services,” said Donna Collier-Stepp, Adena Women and Children’s Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor. 

On average, about 65% of opiate dependent mothers will have babies who withdraw after delivery.

“Because of our medication management, only 35-38% of mothers who completed our program have babies who(experience withdrawal symptoms,” Collier-Stepp explained. 

Not only is Adena helping lower this average, but a large part of the program is educating new mothers on neonatal abstinence syndrome and how to care for addicted babies once they return home. 

Collier-Stepp added, “If a baby withdrawals, they could spend up to two weeks in the special care nursery in the hospital, where as here, since our withdrawal rates are lower, a baby may only have to stay for five days.”

Adena OB/GYN has also implemented a process to ensure mothers who are opiate dependent can see a provider without a referral.

Adena Women and Children’s programs have previously been nationally recognized by U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) as a model other communities should replicate. 

If you are or know a pregnant mother in need of assistance and would like more information about Adena’s Centering Pregnancy Program or Baby Centered recovery Program call (740) 703-7103.

For a second consecutive year, Adena Health System will continue its partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) to showcase the importance of traffic and motorcycle safety, and how it relates to the overall health of our region.

The ODPS’s Ross County Safe Communities uses local partnerships, like the one with Adena, to deliver traffic safety messages and programs throughout the year.

As summer kicks off and families hit the road for vacations, Ross County Safe Communities and Adena are reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. In hopes of saving lives through increased seat belt use and to help keep you and your family safe, the national seat belt campaign will take place May 22nd through June 4th, concurrent with one of the busiest travel and holiday weekends of the year.

“One of the safest choices drivers or passengers can make is to buckle up,” said Paige Farmer Ross County Safe Communities Program Coordinator. “The national seat belt use rate in 2016 was 88.5 percent meaning we can improve. An estimated 37 million people still don’t buckle up. We hope by continuing this partnership we can help raise awareness on the benefits of always wearing a seat belt and the potentially fatal consequences of not buckling up.” 

On May 26th, Ross County Safe Communities will be part of a Click it or Ticket kickoff event outside the Yoctangee Park Entrance, (intersection of Paint Street and Main Street) during the Feast of the Flowering Moon Festival. Ross County Safe Communities will be set up all day, giving everyone a chance to win prizes and receive other promotional items. From 5-6 p.m., a special guest from the Ohio State Highway Patrol will discuss the importance of seat belt and motorcycle safety. Attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $25 Speedway gift card.

For more information on Ross County Safe Communities, contact Paige Farmer at 740-779-8594 or pfarmer2@adena.org.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 26.

Download Scholarship Application

Every year in March, Adena Health Foundation announces the availability of new scholarship guidelines and the application form. Since 2002, scholarships totaling $442,000 have been awarded to qualified students who wish to enter healthcare professions from our 12-county service region. Our only expectations are:

1. Recipients are obliged to do well in school, graduate and practice faithfully their professions.
2. Recipients are asked to first consider Adena Health System as your employer of choice.
3. Recipients are asked to begin giving to the Scholarship Fund at such time in the future as you are able.

Today, the future of these students is in our hands; tomorrow, our lives may be in their hands.

Scholarships are made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Volunteer Advisory Council of Adena and The Women’s Board of Adena. Additional scholarship funds are made possible by generous contributions to the following endowments and funds:

• Dr. James R. Manchester Memorial Endowment for Imaging Technology Education
• Gordon F. Streicher Memorial Scholarship Endowment for Medical Laboratory Technology
• Healthcare Scholarships Endowment (includes the Reginald C. Blue Fund bequest)
• Volunteer Scholarships Fund
• PACCAR Medical Education Center Scholarship Endowment Fund
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church/William Nolan Endowment
• Stephen Fleischer Scholarship Endowment
• Junior Civic League Scholarship Endowment
• Eagles Aerie 600/Herbie Retherford Memorial Scholarship Endowment
• Soon Phil Choice Memorial Scholarship Endowment for Radiology Technology & Nursing
• Beth Ann Elliot Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Athlete of the Year Scholarship (Sports Medicine)

Adena Cardiology is now offering atrial fibrillation (AFib) Cryo Ablation, a first for the area. Cryo Ablation is a freezing technique used to treat AFib, an irregular heartbeat that can increase a person’s stroke risk five-fold. AFib can also lead to blood clots, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Adena Electrophysiologist Dr. John Keller said symptoms of AFib can vary. “You may feel fluttering, you may feel racing – but some people have more general symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath,” he said. “There are a lot of people who don’t have the definite sense that their heart is out of rhythm. They just feel bad and experience many nonspecific symptoms to go along with that.” 

According to the American Heart Association, 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib, which occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly, altering how blood moves into the ventricles. Ablation is often a good option for patients who have been working with a doctor for treatment, and have not been successful in controlling AFib with medications. 

After a year of planning, intensive training and performing the procedure many times at hospitals across the nation, Dr. Keller and his team are now offering AFib Cryo Ablation at Adena Regional Medical Center. The procedure is minimally-invasive and performed with general anesthesia.

“We have many patients with this condition,” Dr. Keller added. “After sending a lot of patients to Columbus for a similar procedure, we wanted treatment to be more convenient for them - keeping them close to home.”

During the procedure, a cryo balloon is delivered to the heart through a vein in the patient’s groin. Once in the left atria, the physician inflates the balloon and sends a liquid refrigerant into it. This freezes the wall of the pulmonary vein to make an electrical disconnection. 

“The idea is to cause scarring in the heart, that will electrically disconnect one part of the heart from the other,” said Dr. Keller. “The process of freezing and thawing creates disruption of the tissues and eventually leads to a scar. A scar can’t conduct electricity, and that’s what we want.”

Aside from its goal to stop AFib, the procedure does not cause any change in how the heart functions. 

Dr. Keller will host a free talk on Heart Health and AFib on Thursday, April 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Carlisle Building, located at 9 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe. Space is limited, so call today at (740) 779-8664 or register online at www.eventbrite.com and search “afib”. To make an appointment with Dr. Keller, call Adena Cardiology at (740) 779-4570.

“A lot of doctors treat head to toe; we kind of start at the toe and work up!”

That’s how two of Adena’s newest providers, Dr. Eric Storts and Certified Nurse Practitioner Courtney Thornsberry, describe their work in the Adena Bone and Joint Center. As caregivers with Adena Podiatry, Dr. Storts and Courtney work with patients to meet their foot care, and overall wellness needs.

Both natives of Portsmouth, Ohio, Dr. Storts graduated from The Ohio State University and Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his residency at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, where he focused on reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and limb salvage. Before going into private practice, Dr. Storts completed a one-year fellowship in Atlanta, focused on pediatric and adult foot and ankle surgery.

Thornsberry earned her degree in Nursing from Shawnee State University. She went on to receive her Masters as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Cincinnati, and has cared for patients throughout southern Ohio. Thornsberry has an extensive background in intensive and critical care. Serving Podiatry patients is a way she is tying all of her training and experience together.

“I’m in a position now to really get to know my patients,” said Thornsberry. “With Adena Podiatry we work hard to get to know our patients, their families and their support systems. This helps us to work as a team in meeting their care needs, and to provide them with education so that everyone understands what is involved in the patient’s care.”

She adds, “Our appointments are typically 30 minutes long. We spend that time talking to patients about things like diabetes management and we really educate them on issues that could arise, and work to prevent those issues from occurring. But if they do have complications, we are here for them.”

During each visit, Adena’s podiatry caregivers give a comprehensive diabetic foot exam. They check for problems like loss of sensation, wounds, ulcerations, blood flow problems, or issues of the nail.

Dr. Storts joins Adena coming from a private practice orthopedic group in Connecticut. There, he performed comprehensive surgery for all foot and ankle conditions, traumatic injuries, and deformity correction. He also treated lower extremity complications resulting from diabetes.

Part of Thornsberry’s education helps patients understand her role in their care. She knows the confusion patients may have when they see a nurse practitioner versus a doctor. Both diagnose, treat, and manage various health conditions, perform in-office procedures, and prescribe medications. The differences come in advanced levels of training and education. But patients should rest assured they are receiving the same level of quality and top-rated care when seeing an Adena nurse practitioner.

“Having nurse practitioners in Podiatry is a new wave over the last several years,” Thornsberry explained. “We do a lot of diabetic foot care, nail checks, wound care and follow-ups. This allows our physicians to focus on the surgeries and their more involved cases.”

Thornsberry jokes that patients often tell her they understand that podiatry and foot care might not be the most glamorous job, but they are always very quick to add that they are so thankful for what she and all of the caregivers with Adena Podiatry do for them.

“People don’t realize how disabling not having the proper foot or nail care can be,” she said. “I’ve had many patients tell me that without our help, they would not have been able to walk.”

To learn more about diabetic foot care, or to schedule an appointment with Adena Podiatry, contact the Adena Bone and Joint Center at 740-779-4598.

According to the American Heart Association, 2.7 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF). AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. 

A normally functioning heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. But in atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles. The risk to people living with AFib, especially if it goes untreated, can be a five times risk for stoke.

 Dr. John Keller, Adena Cardiology’s Board-certified Electrophysiologist said symptoms of AFib can vary. “You can feel fluttering, you can feel racing – but some people have more general symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath. There are a lot of people who don’t have the definite sense that their heart is out of rhythm. They just feel bad, and experience many nonspecific symptoms that go along with that.”

 For people with symptoms, Dr. Keller recommends the first step is to see your primary care provider (PCP) to get an actual diagnosis using an electrical recording of the heart’s rhythm, and work with a cardiologist if AFib is suspected.

 “AFib is a very common problem that usually requires medicines, blood thinners; and in the last several years there’s a treatment called an ablation to help treat it,” said Dr. Keller.

 Now for the first time, patients in our region can stay close to home, having the AFib Cryo Ablation procedure performed in Chillicothe. “We have many patients with this problem,” Dr. Keller said. “After sending a lot of patients to Columbus, we thought it would be nice, and more convenient, to keep them close to home.”

 After a lot of planning, intensive training and performing the procedure at hospitals in Pittsburgh, Columbus and San Diego, Dr. Keller and his team are now offering AFib Cryo Ablation at Adena Regional Medical Center. “The idea is to cause scarring in the heart, that will electrically disconnect one part of the heart from the other,” said Dr. Keller. “We’re trying to disconnect from the rest of the heart, the area of the heart where the AFib is happening.”

 Ablation is often a good option for patients who have been working with a cardiologist for treatment, and have not been successful in controlling their AFib with medications. The procedure is minimally-invasive and done with general anesthesia.

 A cryoballoon is delivered to the heart through a vein in the patient’s groin. Once in the left atria, the physician inflates the balloon and sends a liquid refrigerant into it. This freezes the wall of the pulmonary vein to make that electrical disconnection.

 “The process of freezing and thawing creates disruption of the tissues and eventually leads to a scar,” explained Dr. Keller. “A scar can’t conduct electricity, and that’s what we want.”

 The procedure and the freezing process don’t cause any change in how the heart functions, the scarring keeps the electricity in the heart from traveling the wrong way. This is what causes arrhythmia.

 One of the first patients to have the procedure performed at Adena has a family history of AFib and stroke. Having lost a sibling to stroke, the patient was anxious to have the cryoablation to control AFib symptoms, and ultimately the risk of stroke.

 Dr. Keller will host a free talk on Heart Health and AFib on Thursday, April 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Carlisle Building, located at 9 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe. If you or a loved one has a concern or need for more information about heart health and AFib, register now by calling (740) 779-4570 or register online at www.eventbrite.com/afibadena.

Adena Health System announces today that it has added Family Health Care at Bristol Village to its primary care network. The clinic will now operate under the name Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village.

Located at 621 E. 5^th Street, Waverly, Adena Family Medicine physician David R. Kessler, MD and Certified Nurse Practitioner Heather Howard will be seeing patients at the new location.

“We are very excited to welcome Bristol Village into Adena Health System,” said Dr. John Fortney, Adena’s Interim President and CEO. “This acquisition supports Adena’s strategy to expand primary care access throughout our region.” 

Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village will offer comprehensive care for every member of the family, from newborns to great grandparents. The facility 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, 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.

Adena System Director of Primary Care Brooke Burns added, “Patients visiting Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village will now have the benefits of shared electronic medical records, including Lab and X-ray results, as well as the advantages of being more closely aligned with nearby Adena Pike Medical Center and Adena Health Center –Waverly. Patients will also have direct access to Adena’s ancillary and specialty services that are offered at these facilities.” 

Hours of operation for Adena Family Medicine – Bristol Village will be: Monday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Wednesday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Adena Health System is pleased to welcome Podiatrist Eric Storts, DPM to the Adena Bone and Joint Center.

A Portsmouth native, Dr. Storts joins Adena coming from a private practice orthopedic group in Connecticut. There, he performed comprehensive surgery for all foot and ankle conditions, traumatic injuries, and deformity correction. He also treated lower extremity complications resulting from diabetes.

Dr. Storts graduated from The Ohio State University and Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his residency at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, where he focused on reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and limb salvage. Before going into private practice, Dr. Storts completed a one-year fellowship in Atlanta, focused on pediatric and adult foot and ankle surgery.

Dr. Storts has authored several scholarly publications in academic journals, and has lectured on topics related to foot and ankle surgery. He is board qualified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. Dr. Storts is an associate member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

The Adena Bone and Joint Center is committed to meeting the expanding needs of the community by offering accessible, quality care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Storts, or any member of Adena’s Podiatry team, call 740-779-4598.

Adena Health System’s Laboratory has undergone a pricing structure change to make costs more in line with the today’s marketplace, and more affordable for patients. 

“We know that many of today’s patients are managing higher deductible health care plans,” said Adena’s Interim President and CEO Dr. John Fortney. “With this in mind, we took a close look at where we could make price changes in our Lab services to give our patients more for their health care dollar. The study has allowed us to make some significant reductions in price for many of the most common lab tests. Effective immediately, more than 80 percent of Adena’s Lab prices are now below the state average.” 

In addition to more customer-friendly pricing, patients who use Adena’s Lab for testing will get the advantage of having results faster and available sooner. With Adena’s in-house Laboratory, test results are reviewed by the referring providers, then put right into the patient’s Adena electronic medical record. This can be viewed by the patient by logging onto their personal page within the System’s Patient Portal.

Here are a few examples of Adena’s new lab pricing structure, as compared to the Ohio Average Price. 

Test                                                                New Adena Price                  Ohio Avg. Price

Blood Draw                                                                 $10.50                         $19.00

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) blood test                    $34.97                         $111.00

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) blood test   $50.37                         $173.00

In compliance with state law, hospital pricing on areas such as Laboratory, Emergency Department, X-Ray and Radiology, and more can be found on our billing page. Patients who want to view their Patient Portal page should contact their primary care provider to sign-up for access.

Adena Health System today hosted an Opiate Summit to engage local, state and federal representatives in achieving next steps to solve the community’s addiction crisis. In attendance were city, county, state and federal leaders (or their representatives); law enforcement; several state agencies; physicians; and area mental health and addiction leaders.

The Summit, led by Adena’s Interim President & CEO Dr. John Fortney, and Primary Care Physician, Dr. John Gabis, who also serves as Ross County Coroner and Co-chair of the Heroin Partnership Project, provided education about where Ross County has been in its opiate addiction battle, the community’s change efforts so far, and what is needed to take the next steps. 

“We’ve done a lot of work and now we are stuck,” said Dr. Gabis. “We have people working hard to save lives, but we have a glaring gap and that’s treatment. Our greatest chance to impact the life of the addict is when that person is at the bottom. We need to have treatment options for them that are immediately available.”

The barrier created by the lack of area detox and treatment programs comes as the result of the need for funding and collaboration with experienced partners. Dr. Gabis and Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMH) Interim Executive Director Penny Dehner explained the limitations of current funding sources, including the current uncertainty of available Medicaid funding, which has put the brakes on the possible entry of experienced and reputable treatment providers into the local marketplace.

“Right now, we’re not able to reach the people who need the treatment,” Dehner said. 

In addition to the lack of treatment options, the region is having extreme difficulty in attracting psychiatrists to the area. Currently, ADAMH is using telemedicine to deliver psychiatric services to its patients. Adena has just one full-time psychiatrist practicing right now, and is searching to fill at least two full-time positions. 

“We’re collaborating and we’re organized. We need your help to take the next steps,” Dr. Gabis urged the representatives and government leaders. “We need you to advocate for us, and to help give us the boost we need. We want to show the state and nation that we are the region that solved this problem, and this is how it’s done.”

Adena Health System has been re-certified as a primary stroke center, earning The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The designations represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations. 

“When minutes make the difference between life and death, or long-term health effects, Adena’s designation as a Primary Stroke Center should assure our community that we have the staff, skill and resources to give every patient experiencing a stroke, the greatest opportunity for a positive outcome,” said Adena’s Interim President and CEO Dr. John Fortney.

Led by Adena Neurologist Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, Adena’s Stroke Team has seen its Stroke Alert cases double, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatments triple since first being named a Primary Stroke Center in 2014. With its re-certification, and receiving the Commission’s Gold Seal, Adena joins an elite group of health care organizations focused on highly-specialized stroke care.

As a Primary Stroke Center, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards and meet additional requirements, including those related to advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients. 

Adena underwent a rigorous on-site review in December 2016. Joint Commission experts evaluated the program’s compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, and found Adena has “Thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients having a complex stroke condition.” Joint Commission President and CEO Dr. Mark R. Chassin added, “Certification is a voluntary process, and The Joint Commission commends Adena for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of its care for the community it serves.”

Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United State. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Adena Health System is bringing its popular forum, A Diabetes Community Expo: Empowering You to Live Well, to Jackson. Diabetes is a serious health condition in the community, but with proper education and planning patients can improve their health.

To help those with diabetes live a healthier life, Adena’s Diabetes Expo offers great tips and information for those living with the disease – and those who care for them. The Expo is free and open to all.  

Join us:          Saturday, Mar. 11, 2017

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

YMCA of Jackson

594 E. Main St.

Jackson, OH

Jackson County has seen an increase of diabetes among people in the community. In Ohio’s most recent (2015) County Health Rankings Report, Jackson County is listed among the state’s least healthy, ranking 83^rd among Ohio’s 88 counties. More than 12.7 percent of Jackson County residents are now diagnosed with diabetes, compared to a state average of 8.1 percent. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects an estimated 23.6 million people in the United States, and is the 7th leading cause of death.

Adena’s free diabetes education program will give participants the strategies and education they need to control diabetes, and to limit its impact on their future health. Expo guests will hear from experts about the importance of managing diabetes, and making new habits for healthier living. Lessons include: affordable ways to grocery shop for a diabetic diet; the power of exercise over diabetes; a pharmacy question and answer session; and knowing how to prevent long-term complications. There will be cooking demonstrations and samples of diabetic-friendly foods and recipes, along with a light, diabetic-friendly breakfast also included.

The Expo is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to pre-register to help us know how many will be joining us for breakfast, taste testing, and cooking demonstrations. To register call 740-542-EXPO (3976) or go to adena.org/meded.

Adena Health System has selected Danis Building Construction Co., based in Dayton, as general contractor for construction of Adena Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) new Emergency Department. In addition, DesignGroup, located in Columbus, is serving as the project’s architectural firm.

The Hospital announced plans in October 2016 for a $36.1 million expansion and renovation project to modernize and expand its outdated Emergency Department. Now underway, the project will nearly triple the size of ARMC’s current Emergency Department, taking it from 16,500 square feet to 59,000 square feet of new clinical and waiting space.

“This project is the result of listening to our community, and understanding what they want in their hometown Emergency Department,” said Nick Alexander, ARMC Vice President. “We looked for building partners with expertise in healthcare industry projects, and proven track records of success. Danis and DesignGroup understand the needs of our patients, our providers and the communities we serve. We are excited to work with these experts in creating a more efficient and comfortable Emergency Department for our patients and caregivers.”

The current ARMC Emergency Department was last renovated 28 years ago. Since then, requirements for patient privacy have been implemented, technology advancements require space for new equipment, and the number of patients, providers and caregivers has also increased; factors all contributing to the need to grow and meet today’s volume of patients using this service. Plans for the new department will help Adena’s Emergency Department serve patients in the fastest, most efficient and caring way.

“For more than 20 years, DesignGroup has helped Adena Health System plan and grow its campuses to serve local communities,” said DesignGroup CEO Sherm Moreland. “Our team is grateful to contribute our planning, architectural and interior design services on this Best in Class emergency department expansion.” 

“Building value for clients is our utmost priority,” said John Danis, CEO of Danis Business Construction. “We place clients’ needs first; always demonstrating the highest level of honesty and integrity, providing quality and attention to detail, and standing behind our work. Adena’s commitment to excellence in health care mirrors this model. It’s an honor to partner on this exciting and transformative expansion project.” 

Adena’s Emergency Department expansion and renovation project is expected to be complete in 2018.

Becker's Hospital Review has released its 2017 edition of the "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare | 2017.” Adena Health System is again among the organizations the healthcare-centric publication says are, “committed to fulfilling missions, creating outstanding cultures and offering competitive benefits to their employees.” Adena was selected previously to Becker’s 2016 list of 150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare. 

“At Adena, we work to not only provide the best quality care we can for our patients, but to also make sure our caregivers have a satisfying work life as well,” said Adena’s Interim President and CEO Dr. John Fortney. “Receiving recognition at a national level for our efforts to provide caregivers with a positive work experience, competitive pay and benefits, and programs that promote personal and career growth is a welcome compliment. However, caring for the needs of our Adena family, by offering quality healthcare, retirement and life- and career-enhancing benefits is just the right thing to do. We know that healthy and satisfied caregivers are the key to making sure our patients receive the best care and have the best experience possible when they come to any Adena facility.” 

The Becker's Hospital Review accepted nominations for this list and developed an editorial review process to include organizations that have gone above and beyond to make their hospitals, health systems and companies great places to work. The "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare" list features both healthcare provider organizations and other healthcare-specific companies.

According to Becker’s, the organizations included in its Top 150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare | 2017 “encourage professional development among their employees and promote tomorrow's leaders.” Many of the organizations, like Adena, have employee recognition programs, mentorships and offer competitive benefits. The organizations also coordinate employee and family outings, volunteering opportunities, and provide community support. 

The full list can be read here: http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/150-great-places-to-work-in-healthcare-2017.html?utm_source=PR&utm_campaign=GPTW2017&utm_medium=Org