Osteoporosis Prevention: Calcium and Beyond for Healthy Bones
Osteoporosis is a silent disease that affects millions. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that nearly half of American adults over age 50 are at risk of osteoporotic fractures in the hip, spine or wrist. This includes 50% of women and one in four men. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do to keep your bones healthy and strong. Bone is living tissue (just like your muscles, skin, and hair), which goes through regular periods of building up and breaking down. However, bones typically reach peak density and strength by the third decade of life. After age forty, bones start to break down more than they build up. Women take a big hit and lose bone density rapidly during and up to 10 years after menopause, while men lose bone more gradually over time. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to protect your bones at any age. Enjoying meals filled with bone-building nutrients is a great place to start. Calcium and vitamin D are important, but so are a host of other vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals – those health-protecting compounds that give plants their color and taste. Some nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, and protein become part of the architecture of bones, while vitamins C, E, and phytochemicals slow the breakdown of bones via anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium, vitamin K is required for protein synthesis, and potassium appears to reduce the loss of minerals from bone by maintaining a healthy body pH. Physical activity is also important, as it stimulates bones to become denser and stronger, while also improving balance and muscle strength. After all, the stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall and break a bone. Join me here, at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Your Healthy Kitchen, to learn more about the links between diet, lifestyle and strong bones plus how to make a delicious bone-friendly breakfast burrito! Recipe: Scrambled Tofu with Mediterranean Flavors The best advice for preventing osteoporosis is to build strong bones from an early age, with nutrient dense foods and plenty of physical activity. However, there is a lot you can do throughout your life to give your bones a healthy edge. Enjoy delicious meals packed with bone-friendly nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phytochemicals and vitamins E, C and K. A Mediterranean-style diet is a great place to start. Know your vitamin D status and talk to your doctor about supplements if your blood levels are low. Surprisingly, many people are vitamin D deficient — even those who love the outdoor life in the sunny Southwest! Get into a healthy routine of regular physical activity that includes strength building exercises. Walking, dancing, hiking, jogging, playing tennis, and other activities that are weight-bearing seem to be best for building bone density and strength. Strong muscles also stimulate the build up of bone while improving balance and reducing your risk of falls. Know your risks and talk to your doctor about assessing your bone status and strength. A history of smoking, excessive alcohol use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, genetics, medications, and some chronic health conditions can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. Remember to check out all of our informative cooking tutorials and recipes at yrmchealhconnect.org. Our nutrient-packed recipes are created or curated for ease of preparation, affordability, and delicious taste! You’ll find plenty of ideas there for meals and snacks that protect and build healthy bones. You can also follow me on Facebook, at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I regularly post photos and videos of the meals I make at home, plus share links to my favorite food and gardening destinations on the web.
We Can Do This
COVID-19 admissions are increasing at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and in nearly every case, over 99 percent, the person admitted was unvaccinated. Whatever we do, we don’t want to lose another life when a simple shot could have saved it. And we don’t want to jeopardize whatever normalcy we recently regained, like reconnecting with friends and family. If you haven’t received your vaccine, we are still offering them FREE at the locations listed below. If you are still undecided about the vaccine the best possible source of information is your doctor. Not politicians, not the media, not Joe Schmo with a social media account. Your doctor knows your medical condition and history and is best qualified to advise you. Doctors can also suggest reliable sources where you can research the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. It’s true a lot of unreliable information is floating around out there, including all kinds of myths about the vaccine. Everything from vaccines make you magnetic, they make you infertile, they rewrite your DNA, they contain a secret chip so the government can track you. In this article doctors debunk those myths. Community First As we begin to see COVID-19 infection rates increase once again, officials say the outbreak is now a more localized crisis in communities where people haven’t rolled up their sleeves. Communities, unfortunately, such as ours. Let’s do it. “We can minimize the local resurgence of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated,” said William Lockwood, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, Yavapai Regional Medical Group. “In unvaccinated communities where people are gathering without masks and social distancing we will witness surges, hospitalizations and untimely deaths. We don’t want to go backwards just as life is returning to normal. The vaccine is proving safe and effective, with benefits far outweighing any potential risks.” Get Your FREE Vaccine Vaccines are free at the following Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) vaccination sites. An appointment is necessary. You can schedule your appointment online by visiting www.yrmcvax.org. If you have a YRMC CareConnect Patient Portal account, you can schedule it here. Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 101 Prescott Valley, Arizona (928) 442-8710 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 474 N. State Route 89 Chino Valley, Arizona (928) 636-5680 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 202 Prescott Valley, Arizona (928) 442-8710 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Internal Medicine Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 3120 Clearwater Drive Prescott, Arizona (928) 771-3704 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Occupational Medicine Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 1050 Gail Gardner Way, Suite 100 Prescott, Arizona (928) 777-0700 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Ponderosa Pediatrics Offering the Pfizer vaccine; ages 12 through 18 only 2120 Centerpointe West Drive Prescott, Arizona (928) 778-4581
Must-Know Self-Defense Tips (With Demonstrations) for Seniors
Fear of the dark isn’t unique to kids. Recent research shows that nearly half of older adults don’t want to leave their homes at night. The reason: Concern they could be robbed, assaulted or worse. In fact, two-thirds of seniors are convinced that they someday will become crime victims. “Fear of crime contributes to loneliness and isolation among older people,” says Jill Potter, RN, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR, CRP, Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “That isn’t good for our bodies or our brains. It’s important for people to be physically active and socially engaged as they age.” A sixth-degree black belt in two different martial arts styles, Potter understands that knowing self-defense techniques gives people the confidence they need to get out and enjoy life. She teaches “Self-Defense for Seniors” through YRMC’s Preventive Medicine and Wellness. While in-person classes are on break, you can sample Potter’s self-defense techniques during this Healthy Conversations video. Awareness and Prevention Your best defense against crime, as Potter emphasizes, is awareness, awareness, awareness. Here are tips from Potter on how to put awareness into action in a variety of situations: Walking – Whether you’re out for exercise or meeting friends for dinner, walk with confidence and scan the environment as you move (this means not talking on your phone or texting). Parking – When you arrive at your destination, make a mental note or take a photo of where you parked. If you arrive in the late afternoon or evening, park in an area that will be well lit when you return. Returning to your vehicle – Prepare before you head to your car: Do I have my keys ready so I don’t have to dig through my purse or pockets? Is my dominant arm free? Do I feel comfortable? “That gut check is really important,” Potter says. “Trust your instincts. If something feels off, go back to the store or restaurant and ask if an employee can walk with to your car. Most businesses will be glad to do this.” Responding to a Threat If you are threatened, rule number one, according to Potter, is not to panic. That’s a tall order. However, Potter steps through how most people – no matter their strength or age – can manage dicey situations. With the help of fifth-degree black belt, Dave Hagen – a fellow member of Prescott Family Karate – Potter demonstrates two types of techniques during this Healthy Conversations presentation. They are: Friendly – For a situation that is uncomfortable but not extremely threatening. Non-friendly – For a truly threatening situation. “Everyone deserves to feel secure,” emphasizes Potter. “Sharing strategies that increase confidence and safety are the goals of this Healthy Conversations presentation and the ‘Self-Defense for Seniors’ class.” Check out Healthy Conversations for other topics and subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect for monthly summaries of healthcare news from Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
YRMC Foundation Honors Granville Community for Many Years of Generous Support
The Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation honored Universal Homes and Prescott Valley’s Granville community for 22 years of generous support during a private ceremony at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center at the east campus in Prescott Valley on Tuesday, April 27. Joe Contadino, Founder and President of Universal Homes, and John Amos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, during the unveiling of the commemorative display at YRMC east in Prescott Valley. During the ceremony, a commemorative display was unveiled bearing a special message for hospital patients and guests that reads, “Our Granville community welcomes you to this place of healing and health. Together may we all enjoy health, peace and happiness.” Among those attending the event was Joe Contadino, Owner and President of Universal Homes, along with key members of his team and members of the YRMC Foundation and Dignity Health, YRMC leadership. Speaking on behalf of YRMC was Chief Executive Officer and Foundation board member John Amos. In his remarks, Mr. Amos recounted how instrumental Mr. Contadino was to the establishment of the Prescott Valley campus and how his continued support has contributed to its continued growth. Mr. Contadino and Universal Homes was a lead donor in the YRMC Foundation’s $8 million capital campaign to help fund the Medical Center’s construction. Since opening in 2006, the support of Universal Homes and our community has enabled the continued expansion of campus programs and services including the Breast Care Center, Family Birthing Center, Infusion Center, Advanced Wound Care services, and the Vein Center. Universal’s support of the YRMC Foundation continues today. Just as it has for many years, with every new Granville home sold, Universal Homes makes a donation to the YRMC Foundation in the name of the new homeowner. In closing, John Amos stated, “We are extremely grateful to Joe for his vision, his strong sense of community, and for his concern and commitment to the health and well-being of others.” To learn more about the YRMC Foundation, please contact the Foundation office at (928) 771-5686, via email at foundation@yrmc.org, or visit yrmcfoundation.org.
YRMC’s New Health and Wellness Center: Smart and Patient Friendly
“Smart buildings” use technology to share information between the building’s systems. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), for example, know what’s happening with the security and lighting systems. And the other way around, too. So, what would you call a building that uses both smart digital solutions and low-tech patient friendly features? The team at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) calls it the Health and Wellness Center. Due to open in late 2021 on the campus of YRMC West, the Health and Wellness Center is both smart and accessible to all. “Patient accessibility and convenience are key to every discussion surrounding the construction of the Health and Wellness Center,” says Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “This has led us to very sophisticated and intuitive technology. At the same time, we’re incorporating features that people who are not comfortable with technology can use.” An App or a Paper Map—You Choose To understand how this something-for-everyone strategy works, let’s look at the patient registration process. “You will be able to register for your appointment within our system if you have a smart phone, flip phone or even no phone,” says Michael Forry, Director of Construction at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. People with smart phones can download an app before they arrive at the Health and Wellness Center. Using the app, they’ll complete their registration forms online. They’ll also access a digital map for step-by-step directions to their destination. No smart phone? Head to a kiosk for an easy registration process. And, with the push of a button, you can print a map to your provider’s office. The Health and Wellness Center, due to open late in 2021 at YRMC West in Prescott, has something for everyone: digital registration (and the traditional option), convenient parking adjacent to your provider, healthy dining and more. Patient Friendly Parking Registration kiosks will be available on all three levels of the building. For example, patients visiting Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Cardiology (YRMG) can park on the second floor of the parking garage. They can then head across a skybridge to registration, and next to YRMG Cardiology on the same floor. “It’s a very patient friendly set up,” Forry says. “The enclosed skybridge links every level of the parking structure to the Health and Wellness Center.” The parking structure was also designed without ramps so patients and visitors won’t have an uphill climb to reach their destination. This will be especially helpful to people who have mobility issues. Convenience Continues When developing the Health and Wellness Center, YRMC’s leadership combined specialty, diagnostic and therapeutic services for patient convenience. The following services and YRMG clinics are currently slated to be part of the new facility when it opens: 1st floor Laboratory Services Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation Services Respiratory Therapy Pre-Operative Office YRMG Vascular Surgery YRMG Orthopedic Surgery 2nd floor Cardiac Imaging Services YRMG Cardiology Preventive Medicine and Wellness 3rd floor YRMG Neurology YRMG Oncology Pharmacy Infusion Therapy (This is in addition to the current Infusion Therapy location at YRMC East in Prescott Valley.) Beyond Zoom! The Health and Wellness Center includes a state-of-the-art teleconferencing system for secure, virtual communication among providers. “We’ve created a world-class clinical collaboration space,” Forry says. “It will support communication between the providers on the two YRMC campuses, between our providers and doctors at Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, or with a medical team on the other side of the globe.” On the Lighter Side The Bistro restaurant – located on the first floor of the Health and Wellness Center – will serve grab-and-go meals, a variety of salads, delicious smoothies and other healthy options. Diners will be able to enjoy their selections under an outdoor patio with a covered canopy. The Health and Wellness Center incorporates several other outdoor spaces. Weather permitting, Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation therapists may work with individual patients and host stretching or other low-impact classes under a 4,500-square-foot covered deck. YRMC-sponsored community events will take place in that same area. “We’re also creating an outdoor walking area with gradual inclines that are designed especially for physical therapists to work with patients,” Forry adds. “This will be located between the Health and Wellness Center and Prescott Medical Imaging.” Community Spaces The first floor of the Health and Wellness Center includes these community-focused features: A demonstration kitchen for YRMC’s cooking classes – A fully equipped kitchen will serve as a set for YRMC’s online cooking show, Your Healthy Kitchen. Heart healthy cooking and diabetes friendly food-prep classes may also take place in the demonstration kitchen. A community room for health education presentations – This community education room includes partitions to divide the area into smaller classrooms. “We’re creating usable space throughout the building,” Forry says. “That even includes the main lobby which can be incorporated into the community room for even larger events.” Green Construction The Health and Wellness Center is using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) construction industry standards. LEED assures that a project is designed, constructed and can be maintained in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. “YRMC’s leadership took this approach because of their desire to be good neighbors and good stewards of our resources,” notes Forry. “It was a huge commitment. It was the right thing to do for our community.” It’s also in keeping with YRMC’s “smart” approach to the entire project. Want more news about the Health and Wellness Center and other YRMC happenings? 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DEXA: Are Your Bones Healthy?
Osteoporosis is called a silent disease because it’s often not detected until a bone fracture occurs. But your body may be talking to you long before that happens. Loss of height over time and back pain may be signs of bone loss. “Osteopenia is the beginning of osteoporosis,” says Sierra-Amber Mabry, RT, Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “Osteoporosis causes low bone mass and makes you more susceptible to spontaneous, non-trauma fractures.” An estimated 10 million Americans, 80 percent of them women, suffer from osteoporosis. An additional 44 million Americans have osteopenia, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. How DEXA Works Screening for bone density – how strong your bones are – is the only way to determine if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia. The imaging experts at PMI in Prescott and the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, YRMC East in Prescott Valley use advanced dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technology to: Measure bone density and loss Assess risk for bone fractures Screen for osteoporosis, osteopenia and other bone-related health problems YRMC’s imaging facilities use Hologic equipment which scans your hip bones and lower spine, or your forearms. These exams are painless and use a much lower level of radiation than standard X-rays. “The radiation from a DEXA scan is lower than the amount of radiation you receive in a single day from background radiation sources like the sun and the environment,” says Mabry. Getting Ready for Your DEXA A DEXA scan takes a total of 20 minutes from the changing room to the exam room. During the exam, you lie on your back as the scanner passes over your body. Your radiologic technologist will place a sponge block under your knees to alleviate lower-back discomfort. “Unlike an MRI or a CT scan, DEXA scans are open,” Mabry explains. “The DEXA X-ray table doesn’t have an enclosed tube, which can make some people feel claustrophobic.” If you’re scheduled for a DEXA, Mabry recommends that you: Bring the DEXA order from your provider Wear comfortable clothing Leave your jewelry at home Don’t take calcium pills for 24 hours prior to your scan “We’ll ask you to change into a gown for your DEXA exam,” Mabry says. “The purpose of this is to ensure we have uniformity for every exam so that we don’t have to repeat your scan. It also saves you time if you arrive in clothing you can change in and out of quickly.” Understanding your DXA Scan Results Your DEXA scan results are sent to your physician within 24-48 hours after the exam. Your results are available to you within 72 hours on YRMC Care Connect, YRMC’s patient portal. DEXA scan results are presented as a “T-score” and fall into the following ranges: +1.0 to -1.0 = normal bone density -1.0 and -2.5 = osteopenia or low bone density -2.5 or below = osteoporosis “Lots of people don’t know that osteopenia and osteoporosis are treatable,” Mabry says. “Your doctor can give you medication and your bone density can improve. This means you’ll be less likely to suffer a non-trauma fracture in the future.” You can also speak to your physician about other ways to improve your bone health, including: Consuming a calcium-rich diet Taking calcium and vitamin D Doing weight-bearing exercises (walking, jogging or light aerobics, for example) Giving up smoking Avoiding alcohol or consuming alcohol in moderation For more information about the DEXA exam, visit PMI’s website or the Breast Care Center’s web community. To find out if you should undergo a DEXA scan, speak to your physician.
Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives: Teaching People to Cook and Eat Well for Life
Earlier this year, I joined a group of physicians, dieticians, public health professionals, chefs, and research scientists who gathered virtually at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Napa Valley, California for the 17th Annual Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives Conference. For three full days we were treated to intriguing presentations by the best nutrition researchers in the country; entertaining cooking demonstrations by CIA-trained chefs; and inspirational discussions about creating a nationwide healthcare system that teaches people how to cook and eat well for life. Why all the fuss about teaching people how to eat? According to Dr. David Eisenberg, Director of Culinary Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, studies suggest that 20% of all premature deaths are preventable with a diet featuring prominent portions of vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, whole grains and beans. In other words, if Americans ate delicious plant-forward meals more often, fewer premature deaths from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes might occur. A plant forward meal packed with fiber, nutrients, and flavor! Multiple presentations at the conference featured members of The Teaching Kitchens Collaborative, a diverse group of health-focused chefs and food-focused healthcare providers who help physicians, schools, YMCAs, health departments, and others plan and produce cooking demonstrations in a variety of community settings. Their goal: show as many people as possible how to affordably cook and eat well at home. Other presenters shared a wealth of knowledge on cutting edge nutrition research and the negative effects of childhood food insecurity on lifelong health and well being. In this latest video from YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, I share highlights from the conference plus intriguing research that might inspire all of us to eat more fermented foods! New evidence suggests that two or more daily servings of fermented foods (including sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, kefir, and more), may reduce inflammation and prevent chronic disease by supporting the microbiome, or the collection of bacteria that live on and within us. Tempeh Sloppy Joes Recipe For more information on the connections between your health and the microbiome, check out The Good Gut, Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long Term Health, by Erica and Justin Sonnenburg, PhDs. Although the topic is complex, the Sonnenburgs present the links between our health and the health of our bacterial buddies in a friendly, easy to read fashion. You can learn more about Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives and the upcoming 2022 conference live in Napa Valley at healthykitchens.org and the Teaching Kitchens Collaborative at teachingkitchens.org. Be sure to check out all of our entertaining and informative health, nutrition and cooking videos at yrmchealthconnect.org. Simply click on the blog and Your Healthy Kitchen to explore the wide variety of foods and flavors featured there! Follow me on Facebook too, at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I share photos and videos of the meals I make at home, review new food products, and share some of my favorite food and health related sites on the web.
Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound Takes Major Leap Forward
Remember when television migrated from analog to digital in 2009 and a few years later made the leap to high-definition television? With each generation, the images were crisper, the colors more vibrant, the monitors sleeker. The world of diagnostic ultrasound is having a similar moment, thanks to high-definition imaging technology like the Hologic SuperSonic™ MACH 30 Breast Ultrasound. This is good news for patients of the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI), where the technology was recently introduced. “It’s very stressful to be called back for additional testing after a screening mammography,” says Kathi Hoffer, Imaging Operations Manager at the Breast Care Center. “But the availability of this state-of-the-art diagnostic technology – and our excellent imaging team – reassures our patients that we will get the most accurate results.” Some physicians are also recommending the Hologic breast ultrasound to screen patients who are at high risk for breast cancer. More Details, Less Time Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body. How is the Hologic breast ultrasound different? First, it was designed specifically for breast tissue. It takes this a step further with an option to “customize” the exam according to the patient’s breast tissue. “If the woman has fatty breast tissue, dense breast tissue or cysts, for example, the Hologic breast ultrasound has specific modes for each of those,” explains Hoffer. “This allows the ultrasound technologist to gather images with exceptional clarity and detail for the radiologist to interpret.” The Hologic breast ultrasound images are also enhanced by a specially designed transducer, the handheld device used by the ultrasound technologist. Traditional ultrasound transducers pick up soundwaves from a single direction. The Hologic’s transducer records soundwaves from multiple angles. Ultrasound technologists and patients both benefit from the Hologic’s new touchpad. The device is user friendly and reduces the amount of time the exam takes. A Consistent Image Ensuring the availability of the Hologic breast ultrasound at both the Breast Care Center and PMI is part of YRMC’s commitment to imaging continuity. “It’s important that women undergo their annual breast screenings and any related breast studies at the same center,” Hoffer says. “If you’re using different equipment, it’s difficult to tell if changes in the breast tissue are related to the machine or the mass that’s being studied.” Brought to You by the YRMC Foundation The Hologic breast ultrasound technology was funded by a generous donation from the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation. “The YRMC Foundation is honored to make this state-of-the-art diagnostic tool available to patients of the Breast Care Center and Prescott Medical Imaging,” says Dave Barrett, Chairman, YRMC Foundation Board of Trustees. “This gift demonstrates how important YRMC Foundation donors are to expanding and improving healthcare throughout our community.” For more information about Hologic breast ultrasound and other breast imaging services, speak to your physician. You may also contact the Breast Care Center or Prescott Medical Imaging at (928) 771-7577.
Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound Takes Major Leap Forward
Remember when television migrated from analog to digital in 2009 and a few years later made the leap to high-definition television? With each generation, the images were crisper, the colors more vibrant, the monitors sleeker. The world of diagnostic ultrasound is having a similar moment, thanks to high-definition imaging technology like the Hologic SuperSonic™ MACH 30 Breast Ultrasound. This is good news for patients of the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI), where the technology was recently introduced. “It’s very stressful to be called back for additional testing after a screening mammography,” says Kathi Hoffer, Imaging Operations Manager at the Breast Care Center. “But the availability of this state-of-the-art diagnostic technology – and our excellent imaging team – reassures our patients that we will get the most accurate results.” Some physicians are also recommending the Hologic breast ultrasound to screen patients who are at high risk for breast cancer. More Details, Less Time Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body. How is the Hologic breast ultrasound different? First, it was designed specifically for breast tissue. It takes this a step further with an option to “customize” the exam according to the patient’s breast tissue. “If the woman has fatty breast tissue, dense breast tissue or cysts, for example, the Hologic breast ultrasound has specific modes for each of those,” explains Hoffer. “This allows the ultrasound technologist to gather images with exceptional clarity and detail for the radiologist to interpret.” The Hologic breast ultrasound images are also enhanced by a specially designed transducer, the handheld device used by the ultrasound technologist. Traditional ultrasound transducers pick up soundwaves from a single direction. The Hologic’s transducer records soundwaves from multiple angles. Ultrasound technologists and patients both benefit from the Hologic’s new touchpad. The device is user friendly and reduces the amount of time the exam takes. A Consistent Image Ensuring the availability of the Hologic breast ultrasound at both the Breast Care Center and PMI is part of YRMC’s commitment to imaging continuity. “It’s important that women undergo their annual breast screenings and any related breast studies at the same center,” Hoffer says. “If you’re using different equipment, it’s difficult to tell if changes in the breast tissue are related to the machine or the mass that’s being studied.” Brought to You by the YRMC Foundation The Hologic breast ultrasound technology was funded by a generous donation from the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation. “The YRMC Foundation is honored to make this state-of-the-art diagnostic tool available to patients of the Breast Care Center and Prescott Medical Imaging,” says Dave Barrett, Chairman, YRMC Foundation Board of Trustees. “This gift demonstrates how important YRMC Foundation donors are to expanding and improving healthcare throughout our community.” For more information about Hologic breast ultrasound and other breast imaging services, speak to your physician. You may also contact the Breast Care Center or Prescott Medical Imaging at (928) 771-7577.
Angels Among Us: Honoring Toni and Helping Women Battling Breast Cancer
The song “Angels Among Us,” by the band Alabama, declares that angels grace the earth “to show us how to live, to teach us how to give.” For Will Aldaco, those words were inspired by his wife, Toni, who lost her life to breast cancer in 2002. “Toni taught me how to live and taught us how to give,” says Will, owner of Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant in Prescott. “She had a great spirit.” During their last conversation before her passing, Toni encouraged her husband to “change, do something different.” In 2003, Will did just that. He traveled to Prescott Valley from the Midwest to visit his brother. Will liked the area so much that he never left. Will Aldaco displays the angel’s wings that are on display at Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant in memory of his late wife, Toni. A New Home in Prescott Valley From the beginning, Will embraced the community by helping neighbors in need and supporting community organizations. He took that a step further in 2017 after purchasing the Pine Cone Inn in Prescott. The Mexican food menu, live music and sprawling dance floor soon made Los Pinos popular with locals and visitors. Will generously opened the restaurant for fundraising events to support charitable organizations and worthy causes. Still, he wanted to do more for a cause very special to him. “I began talking to friends about what we could do to help women being treated for breast cancer,” Will says. “They have so many needs. It can be overwhelming to women, who are also focused on getting well, and their families, too.” Remembering Toni and Supporting the Breast Care Center at YRMC Those conversations led to the “Remembering Toni” event in 2018 and the 2020 event, “Remembering Angels: A Toni Aldaco Initiative to Benefit the Breast Care Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center.” The most recent fundraiser was co-sponsored by the YRMC Foundation, the Breast Care Center at YRMC, Los Pinos Restaurant and the Summit 4X4 Club. The two events together raised approximately $55,000 to support patients of the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, YRMC. The funds help patients focus on healing by providing, for example: Discounted wigs at the Wig Wam in Prescott Post-surgical bras House cleaning services Lodging Transportation to treatment Vouchers for groceries and gas All of the funds raised have remained in the community with 100 percent of the donations going to patients battling breast cancer. Get October 16, 2021 on Your Calendar! Look for another “Remembering Toni” event at Los Pinos on October 16, 2021, to coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “When you’re blessed, you need to bless other people,” Will says. “It makes our world, and our community, a little better.” Clearly, Will has been inspired by his angel, Toni. To learn more about “Remembering Toni” 2021 – which will benefit the YRMC Foundation’s Breast Care Center Fund – subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect and follow YRMC on Facebook.
YRMC Foundation Honors Granville Community for Many Years of Generous Support
The Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation honored Universal Homes and Prescott Valley’s Granville community for 22 years of generous support during a private ceremony at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center at the east campus in Prescott Valley on Tuesday, April 27. Joe Contadino, Founder and President of Universal Homes, and John Amos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, during the unveiling of the commemorative display at YRMC east in Prescott Valley. During the ceremony, a commemorative display was unveiled bearing a special message for hospital patients and guests that reads, “Our Granville community welcomes you to this place of healing and health. Together may we all enjoy health, peace and happiness.” Among those attending the event was Joe Contadino, Owner and President of Universal Homes, along with key members of his team and members of the YRMC Foundation and Dignity Health, YRMC leadership. Speaking on behalf of YRMC was Chief Executive Officer and Foundation board member John Amos. In his remarks, Mr. Amos recounted how instrumental Mr. Contadino was to the establishment of the Prescott Valley campus and how his continued support has contributed to its continued growth. Mr. Contadino and Universal Homes was a lead donor in the YRMC Foundation’s $8 million capital campaign to help fund the Medical Center’s construction. Since opening in 2006, the support of Universal Homes and our community has enabled the continued expansion of campus programs and services including the Breast Care Center, Family Birthing Center, Infusion Center, Advanced Wound Care services, and the Vein Center. Universal’s support of the YRMC Foundation continues today. Just as it has for many years, with every new Granville home sold, Universal Homes makes a donation to the YRMC Foundation in the name of the new homeowner. In closing, John Amos stated, “We are extremely grateful to Joe for his vision, his strong sense of community, and for his concern and commitment to the health and well-being of others.” To learn more about the YRMC Foundation, please contact the Foundation office at (928) 771-5686, via email at foundation@yrmc.org, or visit yrmcfoundation.org.
Dave Barrett on Choosing the YRMC Foundation
Dave Barrett’s ties to the Quad-Cities run deep. He’s the third generation Barrett to provide Yavapai County residents warmth and comfort through propane delivery to local homes and businesses. Barrett Propane is about business and community. As the company’s website states, “We live here, we work here and we participate in our community. You’ll see us at local events, local businesses, in our schools and on our ball fields. So when you choose us, you’re choosing the community as well.” That’s the kind of commitment that Barrett has shown the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation for years. Barrett not only gives generously to support the YRMC Foundation, he also serves as Chair of its Board of Directors. Recently, Barrett shared his thoughts on leading the YRMC Foundation Board of Directors during the pandemic, the Dignity Health-Yavapai Regional Medical Center affiliation and the story behind those pink Barrett Propane trucks. Why do you personally support the YRMC Foundation? My support for the YRMC Foundation originates from two places: personal experience and a desire to support local healthcare. The personal experience goes back 20 years ago, when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Getting that diagnosis was one of the most frightening moments of our lives together. At the time, the coordinated care my wife needed wasn’t available in our community. That’s why when the BreastCare Center at YRMC opened in 2011, we jumped at the chance to support it. I bought a new Barrett Propane truck, had it painted pink and – with the hospital and Foundation’s permission – placed the BreastCare Center logo on it. For the last nine years, for every gallon pumped through the pink truck we give a penny to the BreastCare Center at YRMC. Those pennies add up. In total, we’ve given about $40,000 to support the work of the BreastCare Center. That’s my personal story. But I’m also motivated to support the YRMC Foundation because of its impact on all of us. I recognize that the availability of excellent healthcare is tied to the quality of life we enjoy in our community. What will you remember most about serving as Chair of the YRMC Foundation Board of Directors during the COVID-19 pandemic? Like most people, my memories of the pandemic will be linked to stories of sadness, loss and isolation. However, as Chair of the YRMC Foundation, I will also cherish memories of hope. I’ll remember the Dignity Health, YRMC team and the community rallying around the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. The perseverance of our doctors, nurses and staff during extraordinarily difficult circumstances will continue to impress me. And the truckloads of donated food, bags of PPE, and the monetary gifts to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund will always be appreciated. These are hopeful memories that I’ll treasure. What would you like people to know about the relatively new affiliation between the YRMC Foundation and Dignity Health/CommonSpirit? First, it’s important to mention that the Foundation team and I have been very impressed with the leadership and staff of the Dignity Health/CommonSpirit philanthropy organization. We’ve been welcomed and treated as an important member of the organization. Even this early in the process, we have tapped into enormous fundraising resources and a network of 80-plus Dignity Health/CommonSpirit foundation members. We’re looking forward to building a partnership with Dignity Health/CommonSpirit. What will remain the same for YRMC Foundation supporters even after the affiliation between the Foundation and Dignity Health/CommonSpirit? There are three important aspects of giving to the YRMC Foundation that will not change with the affiliation. First, all donations to the YRMC Foundation will remain in our community. Those gifts are invested in programs and services that advance the health of our local community. Second, 100% of donated funds will continue going to the programs or services you designate. And third, if you wish to do so, you may direct your gifts to any of the YRMC Foundation’s 17 restricted funds. For more information about the YRMC Foundation, visit us at YRMCFoundation.org or contact us at (928) 771-5686 or foundation@YRMC.org.
Exploring the Gut/Heart Connection with YRMC Cardiologist Phillip Tran, DO
If you have ever had a ‘gut feeling’ about something, you’ve sensed a connection that science is proving true: your gut communicates with the rest of your body. Specifically, research shows that the gut microbiome, or the collection of bacteria that live in the digestive tract, influences a host of bodily functions, including cholesterol metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure, and more. Recent studies suggest that an imbalance in the number and diversity of gut bacteria may even contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a group of conditions that includes atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. As we learn more about the important role the gut microbiome plays in preserving health and triggering disease, a whole new box of tools for treating and preventing CVD may result. The Gut Microbiome Our bodies host trillions of bacteria that live on and within us, with the largest concentration of bacteria found in the lower digestive tract. These tiny organisms maintain the health of the lining of gut, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system, and can trigger or reduce inflammation throughout the body. Research suggests that the number, diversity, and balance of different families of bacteria have a direct influence on cardiovascular health. Phillip Tran, DO, Cardiologist at Yavapai Regional Medical Group, is enthusiastic about these discoveries. “We know there are several known and common risk factors for CVD, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity. Abnormal gut flora is now being considered another major risk factor. This may open up exciting new modalities for treating and preventing CVD.” Inflammation Inflammation results from a complex series of immune reactions in the body that can be triggered by a host of conditions. Dr. Tran states, “Chronic inflammation is a root cause of cardiovascular disease. An important factor in reducing inflammation in the body appears to be maintaining a healthy population of the bacteria that protect and feed the lining of the gut.” When bacterial populations are healthy and diverse, the lining of the gut, which prevents pro-inflammatory, disease-causing substances from entering the body, remains intact. However, when bacterial populations shift, either through dietary changes, stress, medications, or other causes, the gut lining itself can become damaged and inflamed, thus allowing disease-causing substances to enter the blood stream. This condition, often called leaky gut, may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and TMAO Some of the most interesting medical research done in the last few years relates to the discovery of a potential link between gut bacteria, diet, increased CVD risk, and a chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide, or TMAO. Dr. Tran describes the connection. “TMA, or trimethylamine, is produced by certain gut bacteria when people regularly consume red meats. TMA is converted to TMAO in the liver, and research suggests that TMAO may increase inflammation in atherosclerotic plaque, decrease the elimination of cholesterol from the body, and indirectly promote increased cholesterol production. Foam cells, which are the cholesterol-filled cells found in plaque, may also increase in number and size under the influence of TMAO.” Several studies from the US and Europe have demonstrated that blood levels of TMAO are often linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Higher levels of TMAO have also been measured in people suffering from heart failure. Keeping in mind that these correlations do not prove that TMAO causes cardiovascular disease, researchers continue to study this intriguing connection. Prebiotics and Probiotics Several studies have shown that food and supplement-based pre and probiotics may reduce total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and inflammation. Prebiotics are plant fibers that feed the health-promoting bacteria living in the gut. These fibers may be one of the reasons why a high fiber, plant-based diet is strongly linked with better blood cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and reduced CVD risk. Probiotics include beneficial bacteria, yeasts and fungi, many of which are produced from the fermentation of a variety of foods. Probiotics can be taken as supplements or eaten as a natural part of fermented foods. Some common, probiotic-rich fermented foods include yogurt (dairy or plant based), sauerkraut, kimchi (a spicy Korean condiment), kefir, and kombucha (a type of fermented tea). Dr. Tran thinks we need more research to clarify and prove the benefits of taking probiotic supplements to prevent or treat CVD. He states, “Although many studies suggest that probiotics can favorably alter serum lipids, some human studies examining the benefits of probiotics on serum lipids have shown conflicting results.” Many researchers concur, stating that the science is new and will take time to determine what types and blends of probiotics might be therapeutic for certain conditions, and in what form probiotic supplements should be consumed for the best outcomes. Steps to Improve Gut and Cardiovascular Health Dr. Tran suggests the following steps to improve the health of your gut and possibly reduce your risk of CVD. Maintain healthy intestinal flora by eating a diet rich in high fiber, plant based foods, and by regularly consuming healthy fermented foods. Take antibiotics with caution and care as they kill all bacteria and can promote the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Supplement with prebiotics and probiotics whenever you take antibiotics. If you have cardiovascular disease, talk to your cardiologist about the potential benefits of pre and probiotics. While the science is not yet clear, boosting a healthy population of gut bacteria may reduce inflammatory processes that trigger cardiovascular conditions.
Women with Diabetes Have a Greater Risk of Heart Disease than Men
If you are a woman with diabetes, your risk of developing (and dying from) heart disease may be greater than you think. Diabetes seems to erase, or even reverse the protective effect of female gender against cardiovascular disease and heart attack, making women with diabetes significantly more susceptible than men with diabetes. While the reasons for this are not entirely clear, researchers and healthcare providers agree that women with diabetes need more careful prevention, treatment and tracking to protect their cardiovascular health. Women are Frequently Diagnosed with Diabetes at a More Advanced Stage Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase the risk of a number of health concerns in men and women, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and neuropathy (nerve damage). The longer someone has diabetes, especially with poor glucose control, the greater the risk of complications. Similarly, the longer someone has prediabetes, when glucose levels are above normal, but not yet in diabetes range, the greater the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that more than 90% of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it and that women tend to have undiagnosed prediabetes for a longer period of time than men. Additional research suggests that men and women can have elevated blood sugar or insulin levels (a sign of impaired glucose tolerance) for up to 20 years before they are actually diagnosed with diabetes, and that women are often diagnosed with diabetes at a later stage than men. Women Have Different Responses to Disease and Medical Treatment Diabetes may be more damaging to the vascular system in females than in males, at any age. A study following a group of children and adolescents with well-controlled type 1 diabetes discovered that girls were more likely to have heart abnormalities and other indicators of early cardiovascular disease than boys. Indeed, research indicates that women and girls are more susceptible to the cellular and vascular damage caused by elevated blood glucose and low-grade inflammation, a chronic side effect of diabetes. Women may also not respond as well to medical treatment for cardiovascular disease. For example, data suggests that some medications, including those used to reduce blood clotting, may not be as effective in preventing heart attacks in women compared with men. Sub-optimal treatment may be a consequence of women historically being under represented in the clinical trials used to determine the effectiveness and proper dosage of drugs. There may even be disparities in healthcare for women when compared to men. Data indicate that women may be less likely to have their cardiac risk factors assessed by physicians, and are typically not treated as aggressively as men. Most critically, women with diabetes are more likely to die as the result of a heart attack than men. This could be partially due to the fact that women are typically diagnosed with heart disease at a later and more debilitated age, but other factors may also come into play. For example, research from a Scottish study suggests that the blood levels of troponin, a heart muscle protein, that when detected in the blood signals a heart attack, are often lower in women having a heart attack than men. Consequently, a woman having a heart attack may not receive appropriate emergency treatment. In addition, women may not experience classic heart attack symptoms, including pain in the chest, arms, back and jaw, heartburn and shortness of breath. The most common symptom of heart attack women may experience is unusual fatigue. In fact, in one study, women reported deep fatigue and disturbed sleep as much as a month or two before a heart attack. During a heart attack, only about one in eight women report chest pain, and tend to describe it as pressure, aching, or tightness rather than pain. Know Your Risks of Prediabetes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Considering all of the risks of cardiovascular disease for women with diabetes, researchers encourage women and their healthcare providers to take extra care and precautions; catching prediabetes, diabetes and signs of cardiovascular disease at their earliest possible stages. Women at risk for prediabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease include those who: Currently have or have had gestational diabetes Smoke Are inactive Carry extra abdominal fat Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) Experience chronic stress Eat a poor diet Have periodontal disease Have a family history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease Some symptoms of diabetes or prediabetes are: Fatigue Depression and mood changes Increased cravings for sweets Sudden weight gain or weight loss Chronic vaginal yeast infections Chronic urinary tract infections Increased hunger, thirst and urination Sexual dysfunction If you have prediabetes or diabetes, check out the services and resources offered at the YRMC Pendleton Center. The Pendleton Center offers excellent classes and individualized counseling for people with prediabetes and diabetes and also has an adult fitness program, featuring a complete gym and large variety of exercise classes designed for people at all levels of fitness, flexibility and strength. Our education and fitness programs are designed to help anyone achieve good blood sugar control and improved fitness, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. For more information, call 928-771-5794.
We Can Do This
COVID-19 admissions are increasing at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and in nearly every case, over 99 percent, the person admitted was unvaccinated. Whatever we do, we don’t want to lose another life when a simple shot could have saved it. And we don’t want to jeopardize whatever normalcy we recently regained, like reconnecting with friends and family. If you haven’t received your vaccine, we are still offering them FREE at the locations listed below. If you are still undecided about the vaccine the best possible source of information is your doctor. Not politicians, not the media, not Joe Schmo with a social media account. Your doctor knows your medical condition and history and is best qualified to advise you. Doctors can also suggest reliable sources where you can research the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. It’s true a lot of unreliable information is floating around out there, including all kinds of myths about the vaccine. Everything from vaccines make you magnetic, they make you infertile, they rewrite your DNA, they contain a secret chip so the government can track you. In this article doctors debunk those myths. Community First As we begin to see COVID-19 infection rates increase once again, officials say the outbreak is now a more localized crisis in communities where people haven’t rolled up their sleeves. Communities, unfortunately, such as ours. Let’s do it. “We can minimize the local resurgence of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated,” said William Lockwood, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, Yavapai Regional Medical Group. “In unvaccinated communities where people are gathering without masks and social distancing we will witness surges, hospitalizations and untimely deaths. We don’t want to go backwards just as life is returning to normal. The vaccine is proving safe and effective, with benefits far outweighing any potential risks.” Get Your FREE Vaccine Vaccines are free at the following Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) vaccination sites. An appointment is necessary. You can schedule your appointment online by visiting www.yrmcvax.org. If you have a YRMC CareConnect Patient Portal account, you can schedule it here. Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 101 Prescott Valley, Arizona (928) 442-8710 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 474 N. State Route 89 Chino Valley, Arizona (928) 636-5680 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 202 Prescott Valley, Arizona (928) 442-8710 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Internal Medicine Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 3120 Clearwater Drive Prescott, Arizona (928) 771-3704 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Occupational Medicine Offering the Moderna vaccine; 18 years of age and older 1050 Gail Gardner Way, Suite 100 Prescott, Arizona (928) 777-0700 Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Ponderosa Pediatrics Offering the Pfizer vaccine; ages 12 through 18 only 2120 Centerpointe West Drive Prescott, Arizona (928) 778-4581
Dave Barrett on Choosing the YRMC Foundation
Dave Barrett’s ties to the Quad-Cities run deep. He’s the third generation Barrett to provide Yavapai County residents warmth and comfort through propane delivery to local homes and businesses. Barrett Propane is about business and community. As the company’s website states, “We live here, we work here and we participate in our community. You’ll see us at local events, local businesses, in our schools and on our ball fields. So when you choose us, you’re choosing the community as well.” That’s the kind of commitment that Barrett has shown the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation for years. Barrett not only gives generously to support the YRMC Foundation, he also serves as Chair of its Board of Directors. Recently, Barrett shared his thoughts on leading the YRMC Foundation Board of Directors during the pandemic, the Dignity Health-Yavapai Regional Medical Center affiliation and the story behind those pink Barrett Propane trucks. Why do you personally support the YRMC Foundation? My support for the YRMC Foundation originates from two places: personal experience and a desire to support local healthcare. The personal experience goes back 20 years ago, when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Getting that diagnosis was one of the most frightening moments of our lives together. At the time, the coordinated care my wife needed wasn’t available in our community. That’s why when the BreastCare Center at YRMC opened in 2011, we jumped at the chance to support it. I bought a new Barrett Propane truck, had it painted pink and – with the hospital and Foundation’s permission – placed the BreastCare Center logo on it. For the last nine years, for every gallon pumped through the pink truck we give a penny to the BreastCare Center at YRMC. Those pennies add up. In total, we’ve given about $40,000 to support the work of the BreastCare Center. That’s my personal story. But I’m also motivated to support the YRMC Foundation because of its impact on all of us. I recognize that the availability of excellent healthcare is tied to the quality of life we enjoy in our community. What will you remember most about serving as Chair of the YRMC Foundation Board of Directors during the COVID-19 pandemic? Like most people, my memories of the pandemic will be linked to stories of sadness, loss and isolation. However, as Chair of the YRMC Foundation, I will also cherish memories of hope. I’ll remember the Dignity Health, YRMC team and the community rallying around the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. The perseverance of our doctors, nurses and staff during extraordinarily difficult circumstances will continue to impress me. And the truckloads of donated food, bags of PPE, and the monetary gifts to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund will always be appreciated. These are hopeful memories that I’ll treasure. What would you like people to know about the relatively new affiliation between the YRMC Foundation and Dignity Health/CommonSpirit? First, it’s important to mention that the Foundation team and I have been very impressed with the leadership and staff of the Dignity Health/CommonSpirit philanthropy organization. We’ve been welcomed and treated as an important member of the organization. Even this early in the process, we have tapped into enormous fundraising resources and a network of 80-plus Dignity Health/CommonSpirit foundation members. We’re looking forward to building a partnership with Dignity Health/CommonSpirit. What will remain the same for YRMC Foundation supporters even after the affiliation between the Foundation and Dignity Health/CommonSpirit? There are three important aspects of giving to the YRMC Foundation that will not change with the affiliation. First, all donations to the YRMC Foundation will remain in our community. Those gifts are invested in programs and services that advance the health of our local community. Second, 100% of donated funds will continue going to the programs or services you designate. And third, if you wish to do so, you may direct your gifts to any of the YRMC Foundation’s 17 restricted funds. For more information about the YRMC Foundation, visit us at YRMCFoundation.org or contact us at (928) 771-5686 or foundation@YRMC.org.
YRMC 2020 Volunteers of the Year: Service, Friendship, Family
There are as many reasons to volunteer as there are volunteers. Some who step up are looking for added meaning to their lives. Some are hoping to find new friends. Some wish to continue using the skills they developed during their professional careers. Some want to feel like they are part of a larger effort. And some simply want to give back. Described as “the cream of the crop” by Nancy Thomes, Director of Volunteer Services, YRMC volunteers enhance the patient experience and provide much needed support to YRMC staff and physicians. They work in a myriad of ways across the hospital to keep things running smoothly. Recently, YRMC Volunteer Services named its choices for the 2020 Volunteers of the Year. An annual tradition, it celebrates three deserving volunteers whose service to the hospital, its patients and the community at large embodies the Mission and Vision of YRMC. While the top picks for 2020 have a wide range of reasons for volunteering, they share one impressive trait: a true passion for the work they do. Tom Hubbard – West Campus 2020 Volunteer of the Year Hubbard was not new to volunteering when he joined YRMC. He had previously volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Lions Club. In 2012, his wife died after a long illness. “After a while, I decided that I could either sit at home doing nothing or get out and get busy. I got on with the Emergency Department at YRMC,” Hubbard says. He has been a volunteer at YRMC for 8 years and has logged more than 4,000 hours. Hubbard had continued his involvement with the Lions newspaper recycling project as well, collecting newspaper from around town and making sure the shredded documents from YRMC are bagged and out to the curb for pick up each week. “As COVID 19 restrictions started lifting and we started to re-open some of the volunteer service areas, Tom was first to say, ‘put me where you need me,’” Thomes recalls. “We were so grateful. He is now supporting the Information Desk, which is where we had the greatest need.” “I like this job because I’m up and moving all the time,” says Hubbard. “I get to the various departments and see lots of people. We help with registration, get authorization for early visitors, log people coming and going, and deliver flowers and other items to the patients. But I especially like helping the patients and visitors feel comfortable.” Hubbard’s fellow volunteers look forward to their shifts together. Comments include: If the afternoon volunteers are running late, he stays at the desk longer to ensure things progress as smoothly as possible. He is always the first to offer to fill in if there is a shift that isn’t covered. Tom is a can-do, proactive person who treats patients like his own family members. He is a great teacher, willing to share his knowledge. Tom is a great partner. Beyond the superb effort, his humor makes the shift seem too short. Hubbard chuckles at the comment about his sense of humor and casually describes the camaraderie he has with his fellow volunteers. “I’m very copasetic with the people I work with. We have a lot of fun,” he says. “I guess I have to admit, even though I’m 83 years old, I have a case of arrested adolescence.” With his signature humility, Hubbard reflects on what this recognition means. “I feel very proud, but I have to say that the notoriety makes me uncomfortable,” he says. “I just enjoy working with the patients, visitors and the staff. I don’t have any family here in the area – they’re all out of state, so I consider the folks I work with as part of my family. It’s very rewarding on so many levels.” Micki Freshour – East Campus 2020 Volunteer of the Year “I’m a natural caregiver and I’m very compassionate,” Freshour states. “I naturally take people under my wing, like a mother figure. That’s why I needed to be in a volunteer job where I could work one-on-one with patients. The Breast Care Center was a perfect fit. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Like Hubbard, Freshour is a long-time volunteer. Prior to her work at YRMC, she spent 14 years volunteering at a hospital in California and 11 years at a hospice in Arizona. She has been with the YRMC Breast Care Center since January, 2014 and has given more than 1,500 hours. “My job is to bring the patients back, show them the dressing area and keep them company while they’re waiting,” Freshour explains. “When they’re finished with their procedure, I cut their wrist band off and walk them out. Then I clean and sanitize everything and prepare the room for the next patient.” “But really, the main thing I do is help our patients feel comfortable. It can be stressful for our patients, particularly those who are having biopsies. I explain what they can expect and try to comfort them.” The added companionship and reassurance that Freshour offers helps to make the Breast Care Center patient experience brighter and easier. Her fellow volunteers and staff are grateful for the role she plays during her volunteer shifts. Comments include: Micki is very comforting to our patients. Micki goes above and beyond. She will not leave until all the patients have left, even though it is after her scheduled time frame. She is joyful and happy to help. Micki keeps things flowing smoothly. We love having her, she makes our days easier. She is a hard worker, she is compassionate, a pleasure to work with and a valued member of our team. Freshour was blindsided by the award. “Nancy called me and asked me to come to the West Campus because they needed some photos taken. It seemed odd, but I agreed,” Freshour recalls. “I met her in the lobby with two other volunteers, then we went into a conference room. Oh my goodness, there were whistles, balloons, yelling and screaming. And I couldn’t figure out why! When they introduced Tom Hubbard as the West Campus Volunteer of the Year, I thought, ‘Well, that is so nice. It’s like something you always dream of!’ But it still didn’t register why I was there.” “Then when they said my name, I just cried, I was so humbled. It’s so special, I can’t put it into words. I couldn’t wait to get my pin on my badge. I’m so proud of it!” “When people say that it’s ‘just’ volunteering, I immediately disagree,” Freshour continues. “The staff and patients count on me. I always say that I do get paid, but the payment I get is not monetary – It’s emotional. And that’s better than gold.” Carol Shepherd – Sandy Zinn Martin 2020 Award Winner “Carol embodies the spirit of this award. Like Sandy Zinn Martin, the former volunteer for whom this award was named, Carol is quick to extend support and assistance to other volunteers,” says Thomes. “Whether it’s taking meals over after a volunteer has had a procedure, offering to take in a volunteer’s dog after a volunteer injury, picking up volunteers for social gatherings, or regular calls to check in, she is always ready with a meaningful and timely offer.” Shepherd’s response to this generous description? “Well, I just do these things – it’s in my nature!” “It’s my way of giving back,” she continues. “I have so many things to be grateful for, both in my working career and my personal life. I’ve always worked with the public, so this is a natural thing for me. Volunteering is just a part of me. I love helping people, showing compassion, and offering a gentle word or gentle touch to our patients and visitors. I get more out of it than they do.” Shepherd has been volunteering at YRMC for three years, working in the Cath Lab, Registration, and as an Escort at the Front Desk. “You get to know the people you work with. They become family,” Shepherd says. “If I don’t see someone for a couple of weeks, I get concerned and will check in or ask about them. We’re a source of emotional support for each other when we have personal issues.” In true form, Shepherd initiated ‘Thursday Night Hamburger Nights’ with her fellow volunteers. On Thursday evenings, they’d meet for a burger and socializing, which led to taking turns hosting everyone in their homes, not to mention lasting friendships. “Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, and they’re always there for you,” she continues. “In fact, my husband said yesterday, ‘Two days a week, you’re up at 7 AM and out the door with a smile on your face!’ Well, those are the days I volunteer at YRMC.” There are even more YRMC friendships on the horizon for Shepherd. She explains: “A few days ago, a fellow volunteer handed me a nice card congratulating me on the Sandy Zinn Martin award. She said that she had gotten the same award in a previous year and said with a smile, ‘Welcome to our Club!’” “So now I’m determined to track down all the other recipients so that we can all celebrate together!” To learn more about becoming a volunteer at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, visit yrmc.org. Or you can call Volunteer Services in Prescott at (928) 771-5678, or in Prescott Valley at (928) 442-8683.
YRMC’s Kim Haugen Named PV Chamber of Commerce 2020 Volunteer of the Year
Photo: Kim Haugen, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce 2020 Volunteer of the Year (center) with Frank Almendarez, YRMC East Chief Administrative Officer (left) and Chris Graff, Chair of the PV Chamber of Commerce (right). After working in corporate management in Illinois, Kim Haugen moved to Prescott and became a Medical Transcriptionist. She enjoyed working from home and appreciated the flexibility the job offered. However, Haugen sometimes felt like she was missing out on regular interaction with others. Eleven years ago, after some thoughtful consideration, she decided to volunteer once a week with the PAWS (Pets are Warm Support) pet visitation program at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) with her then two-year-old Bouvier dog, Dirk. “Joining PAWS at YRMC was one of most worthwhile things I have ever done,” says Haugen. “There’s nothing like that connection between a dog and a person. He has touched so many lives. People have even recognized him on the street!” Dirk is now 13 years old and no longer joins Haugen at YRMC. “When Dirk could no longer walk, I requested a different job on Thursdays,” Haugen continues. “It was important to me to keep seeing the other YRMC volunteers, management and staff who had become my friends.” She started delivering the mail each Thursday, and over the years has tackled positions as varied as stocking supplies in the Family Birthing Center and Nutrition Department, helping with the ‘Pet Partners’ certification process, working as an Escort and serving at the Information Desk. She has become a well-respected volunteer throughout the hospital, known for her dedication and hard work. Victoria Spears, YRMC East Volunteer Services Manager, wanted to give Haugen special recognition for all she has done for YRMC. She submitted a nomination to the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce for their Volunteer of the Year Award. “Kim constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty,” states Spears. “When she sees a need, Kim is the first one to offer to fill it. She displays all the qualities of a valuable volunteer, exemplifying the spirit of cooperation. She is respected not only by the other volunteers but by staff as well.” The Chamber chooses one recipient each year for their Norm Pariseau Volunteer of the Year Award. Pariseau was a longtime member of the Prescott Valley Early Bird Lions and was Board Chairman of the Prescott Valley Chamber. Each year, the winner exemplifies Pariseau’s commitment to the community and generosity of spirit. Haugen won the award. “Kim not only works hard and does an excellent job, but she truly loves to serve YRMC and our community and this is very apparent when you see her in action,” says Spears. Haugen was not expecting the honor. “This certainly surprised the heck out of me!” admits Haugen. “It’s very humbling. There are so many wonderful, deserving volunteers. And I was chosen not only from YRMC, but from all over Prescott Valley. It’s so exciting.” Haugen continues, “I like to think of this as an honor not only for me, but for YRMC – for the way they have cared for the community, not only during the pandemic, but over the years. I felt that the award was as much for the hospital as for me, and this was the Chamber’s way of thanking the hospital through me.” “Volunteering makes you feel like you are helping the community. It’s so nice to give back, to feel like you’re making a difference in someone’s life,” says Haugen. “And even behind the scenes – helping make the staff’s job easier. That’s a good feeling. You’re giving the workers a chance for more quality time with their patients.” Haugen’s beloved dog Dirk was, in many ways, responsible for bringing her to YRMC and launching her years-long commitment to the hospital. It’s nice to know that while Dirk has ‘retired’ from volunteering, he has a little brother named Sebastian. Haugen is happy to report that Sebastian may begin visiting YRMC patients through the PAWS Program in the not too distant future! To learn more about becoming a volunteer at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, visit yrmc.org. Or, you can call Volunteer Services in Prescott at (928) 771-5678, or in Prescott Valley at (928) 442-8678.
Your Blood, Your Call
Patient Blood Management (PBM) is a multi-disciplinary approach to maximizing your own blood health and supply. Often this is most crucial during surgery. When large amounts of blood are lost in surgery, it is often possible to get the blood you need by electing to use your own blood. Not blood from a donor, not blood limited by type. And not blood straining the nation’s precious blood supply. (This is especially important during COVID-19 when national blood banks have experienced a drop in donations, which in turn reduces blood supply and drives up blood costs.) The decision is yours—the YRMC PBM program hinges on informed consent. Meaning you have the right to be informed of your choices. Then you have the right to choose to optimize and/or use your own blood (captured and reinfused during surgery), receive someone else’s blood, or receive a combination of both when necessary. It’s your blood, your call. Based on your decision, a team of medical professionals will assess your blood management needs and develop a clinically sound, evidence-based plan of care during your hospital stay. This plan marshals pharmaceuticals, technology and medical techniques to decrease blood loss and enhance blood cell production—which reduces or eliminates the need for a blood transfusion. Progressive Leadership Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has the only officially recognized PBM program in Arizona and one of the relatively few in the nation. When it comes to PBM, your local hospital is doing some of the highest caliber work in the country and even the world. That’s why YRMC hosts an annual PBM Symposium in Prescott, an event viewed internationally and presented by some of the world’s leading PBM experts. How did this happen? “We owe our PBM program to progressive leaders and top-notch medical professionals at our hospital,” said PBM Program Coordinator Dale Black. The program started in 2012 after Black and Pierre Tibi, MD broached the subject with hospital administrators. “It never would have happened without leadership’s forward-thinking mindset and ongoing commitment over the past eight years,” Black said. “In less than a decade we’ve become part of a worldwide initiative that uses evidence-based science to achieve better patient outcomes using blood management principles.” Today Dr. Tibi is a leading authority on PBM and serves as the Medical Director of the YRMC PBM Program and The James Family Heart Center. Better Outcomes While blood transfusions remain a vital life-saving procedure, growing evidence shows that patients who maximize their own blood supply benefit from: lower infection rates. less anemia. fewer kidney, lung and heart complications. less exposure to viruses and other blood-borne disease. shorter hospital stays. all-around better surgical outcomes. A Continuum of Care YRMC’s PBM program provides you with care and support before, during and after surgery. Presurgical measures center on optimizing red blood cell mass to prevent anemia. This may involve iron therapy, a vitamin regime, nutritional support and medication management. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) may be administered via a shot to stimulate the production of additional red blood cells. Surgical techniques may include removing a calculated amount of blood, adding non-blood expanders, and reinfusing red cells back to the patient. Or they may include cell-salvage, collecting blood lost during surgery—then washing, filtering and reinfusing red blood cells back to the patient. Hemostatic agents may be used to promote rapid blood coagulation. Postsurgical procedures include detecting and mitigating bleeding, minimizing the frequency and volume of blood draws, nutritional support, and continued iron therapy, possibly in conjunction with ESA administration if appropriate. The next time you are scheduled for surgery at YRMC, be sure to ask about Patient Blood Management, or PBM. For more information you can also contact Dale Black directly at dblack2@yrmc.org or (928) 771-5109. You can also visit the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management and download their Patient Guide.
YRMC: Your Destination for Heart Care and Patient Blood Management
What does the phrase “destination healthcare” bring to mind? For a growing number of people in Arizona and the southwest it means heart care, patient blood management or both of these specialized programs, provided by Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). Cardiac specialists from the James Family Heart Center and leaders from YRMC’s Patient Blood Management program (PBM) joined a live-stream event on October 17, 2019 at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center to speak about both of these innovative programs. Over 600 participated in “YRMC – Your Destination for Cardiac Care and Blood Management” at Yavapai College and the live-stream the event online. YRMC – Your Destination for Cardiac Care and Blood Management featured exceptional cardiac specialists: a Cardiologist, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and a Structural and Interventional Cardiologist. Patient Blood Management experts also took part in the event. Together, these professionals highlighted the services, technology and teamwork that are the hallmark of YRMC’s Heart Program and Patient Blood Management Program. “Neither of these programs existed 12 years ago,” said Pierre Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director of YRMC’s James Family Heart Center and Patient Blood Management Program. “Today, there is no other community hospital in Arizona or the southwest that offers what YRMC does. We are now a destination program for Cardiac Care and PBM.” Defining PBM Until recently, prestigious organizations like the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), all mentioned blood transfusions in their PBM definitions. “They focused on thresholds for blood transfusion,” said Dr. Tibi, SABM’s Immediate Past President. “Today, the SABM definition states that PBM is a patient-centered approach that aims to improve patient outcomes.” At YRMC, this is accomplished by: Involving the patient in decision making Identifying anemia and other conditions early Managing conditions that can affect blood count Minimizing blood loss during hospitalization Embracing PBM tactics throughout the organization “We focus on taking care of the entire patient and keeping the patient as safe as possible before, during and after a procedure,” said Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, YRMC. “And one way to keep patients safe is to not subject them to possibly unnecessary blood transfusions.” YRMC: What Your Heart Needs John Amos, President and CEO, YRMC, recalled the beginning of YRMC’s heart services, which launched in 2004 with a single Cardiac Catheterization Lab at YRMC West in Prescott. “Even then, we envisioned a heart program that would bring together the latest services, exceptional specialists, unparalleled technology and compassionate caregivers,” said Amos. YRMC took a major step toward that goal in 2007 when Dr. Tibi – a highly regarded Cardiothoracic Surgeon from Phoenix – joined YRMC. Dr. Tibi brought open heart surgery to the community, launched YRMC’s Heart Program and introduced PBM. Under Dr. Tibi’s leadership, YRMC’s thriving, comprehensive Heart Program has grown to feature these services and exceptional cardiac specialists: Structural Heart Disease Services – Soundos Moualla, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Structural and Interventional Cardiologist, YRMC PhysicianCare, Prescott Mitral Valve Repair with MitraClip Paravalvular Leak Closure (PVL) Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) WATCHMAN™/Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Electrophysiology Services – Nisha Tung-Takher, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, YRMC PhysicianCare, Prescott Curative Management and Ablation Procedures for Cardiac Arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardia) Device Implantations (pacemakers and defibrillators) Remote Monitoring (pacemakers, defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy, CRT) Heart Failure Management Care with Compassion YRMC’s Heart Program and PBM Program combine science and service, according to George Rizk, MD, Invasive Cardiovascular Medicine, YRMC PhysicianCare in Prescott. “YRMC is doing what’s best for patients,” said Dr. Rizk, who presented during the live-stream event. “If you deliver the most scientifically advanced services without putting the patient’s interest first, you don’t get too far. YRMC’s team has a passion for helping patients.” One way that YRMC does what’s best for patients was described by Elizabeth Black, YRMC’s Patient Blood Management, Data Manager. In the tradition of healthcare and acronyms, she called it “KTBITP” or “keeping the blood in the patient.” Less than a decade ago, Black noted, blood transfusion was the most common procedure performed in U.S. hospitals. While some blood transfusions are deemed medically necessary, she said, they all come with risks. Those risks include increased infection rates, medical complications (kidney, lung and heart), and higher death rates. PBM strategies combine evidence-based medicine with good clinical practice to maximize the patient’s blood health and reduce exposure to risks associated with transfusion. A Field of Dreams Dr. Rizk remembers the opening of YRMC’s first Cath Lab as a “field of dreams” moment. “We thought: If we build it, they will come,” he said. “And, if you build it well, they will never leave.” These statements are even more relevant today as YRMC’s Heart and PBM Programs emerge as destination programs. To learn more about YRMC – Your Destination for Cardiac Care and Blood Management check out YRMC HealthConnect. For information about YRMC’s Heart Program and PBM Program, visit our website.
DEXA: Are Your Bones Healthy?
Osteoporosis is called a silent disease because it’s often not detected until a bone fracture occurs. But your body may be talking to you long before that happens. Loss of height over time and back pain may be signs of bone loss. “Osteopenia is the beginning of osteoporosis,” says Sierra-Amber Mabry, RT, Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI) at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “Osteoporosis causes low bone mass and makes you more susceptible to spontaneous, non-trauma fractures.” An estimated 10 million Americans, 80 percent of them women, suffer from osteoporosis. An additional 44 million Americans have osteopenia, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. How DEXA Works Screening for bone density – how strong your bones are – is the only way to determine if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia. The imaging experts at PMI in Prescott and the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, YRMC East in Prescott Valley use advanced dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technology to: Measure bone density and loss Assess risk for bone fractures Screen for osteoporosis, osteopenia and other bone-related health problems YRMC’s imaging facilities use Hologic equipment which scans your hip bones and lower spine, or your forearms. These exams are painless and use a much lower level of radiation than standard X-rays. “The radiation from a DEXA scan is lower than the amount of radiation you receive in a single day from background radiation sources like the sun and the environment,” says Mabry. Getting Ready for Your DEXA A DEXA scan takes a total of 20 minutes from the changing room to the exam room. During the exam, you lie on your back as the scanner passes over your body. Your radiologic technologist will place a sponge block under your knees to alleviate lower-back discomfort. “Unlike an MRI or a CT scan, DEXA scans are open,” Mabry explains. “The DEXA X-ray table doesn’t have an enclosed tube, which can make some people feel claustrophobic.” If you’re scheduled for a DEXA, Mabry recommends that you: Bring the DEXA order from your provider Wear comfortable clothing Leave your jewelry at home Don’t take calcium pills for 24 hours prior to your scan “We’ll ask you to change into a gown for your DEXA exam,” Mabry says. “The purpose of this is to ensure we have uniformity for every exam so that we don’t have to repeat your scan. It also saves you time if you arrive in clothing you can change in and out of quickly.” Understanding your DXA Scan Results Your DEXA scan results are sent to your physician within 24-48 hours after the exam. Your results are available to you within 72 hours on YRMC Care Connect, YRMC’s patient portal. DEXA scan results are presented as a “T-score” and fall into the following ranges: +1.0 to -1.0 = normal bone density -1.0 and -2.5 = osteopenia or low bone density -2.5 or below = osteoporosis “Lots of people don’t know that osteopenia and osteoporosis are treatable,” Mabry says. “Your doctor can give you medication and your bone density can improve. This means you’ll be less likely to suffer a non-trauma fracture in the future.” You can also speak to your physician about other ways to improve your bone health, including: Consuming a calcium-rich diet Taking calcium and vitamin D Doing weight-bearing exercises (walking, jogging or light aerobics, for example) Giving up smoking Avoiding alcohol or consuming alcohol in moderation For more information about the DEXA exam, visit PMI’s website or the Breast Care Center’s web community. To find out if you should undergo a DEXA scan, speak to your physician.
Is Interventional Radiology Right for You?
Medical innovation moves forward at a rapid pace, with continuing technological advances and an ever-increasing understanding of health and the human body. Interventional Radiology may be one of the best examples of this phenomena. Thanks to this highly specialized medical field, procedures that once required surgery, a hospital stay, and extensive recovery time are now being performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques. In fact, most of the procedures are performed without an incision. Interventional Radiology (IR) combines the use of advanced imaging such ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans and MRI to guide the treatment of a variety of conditions. Interventional Radiologists are board-certified physicians who are trained in both radiology and minimally invasive therapies. They treat conditions in virtually every organ system, including: Blood vessels Nervous system Reproductive system Gastrointestinal tract Liver Urinary tract Cardiovascular disease Cancer Dialysis access Back pain Leg pain and swelling Dr. Matthew Dicker is a Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist with Yavapai Regional Medical Center. He emphasizes that a team approach delivers the best care for his patients. “Taking care of each patient starts with our office staff and administrative staff at the hospital. A great group of nurses and technologists help before, during and after each procedure,” Dicker says. “And of course, collaboration with the hospitalists and vascular surgeons as well as primary care providers creates the best possible 360-degree care for the patients in our community.” Dicker explains that Interventional Radiologists are consultants to virtually all of the specialties and subspecialties at YRMC, in addition to performing procedures specific to each. “Having the expertise to perform these procedures and having the facilities and support staff to perform them is a great benefit to the Quad Cities,” says Dicker. “The hassle of driving to Phoenix or elsewhere is no longer necessary.” As with the practice of medicine in general, Interventional Radiology continues to keep pace with ever-developing research and technology. “New and different ways to treat disease are happening almost daily,” Dicker notes. “We strive to perform the newest treatments safer than before. For instance, opening blockages in the leg arteries is being performed with access through the ankle as opposed to the groin where it had been typically performed, which significantly decrease the risk of bleeding while having the same excellent results.” “We are excited to introduce intravascular lithotripsy to break up plaque in the arteries that causes blockages,” he continues. “It uses the same technology that has been used for years to break up kidney stones.” Interventional Radiology allows for a quicker recovery time, less pain, reduced cost and a lower risk of complications. If you are a candidate for surgery, talk to your healthcare provider to see if an Interventional Radiology procedure makes sense for you as an alternative. “It is rewarding when a procedure is successful, a patient is happy with the results, and they are surprised that it was done without an incision with very little if any pain,” says Dicker. Click here to learn more about YRMC Imaging Services.
Osteoporosis Prevention: Calcium and Beyond for Healthy Bones
Osteoporosis is a silent disease that affects millions. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that nearly half of American adults over age 50 are at risk of osteoporotic fractures in the hip, spine or wrist. This includes 50% of women and one in four men. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do to keep your bones healthy and strong. Bone is living tissue (just like your muscles, skin, and hair), which goes through regular periods of building up and breaking down. However, bones typically reach peak density and strength by the third decade of life. After age forty, bones start to break down more than they build up. Women take a big hit and lose bone density rapidly during and up to 10 years after menopause, while men lose bone more gradually over time. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to protect your bones at any age. Enjoying meals filled with bone-building nutrients is a great place to start. Calcium and vitamin D are important, but so are a host of other vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals – those health-protecting compounds that give plants their color and taste. Some nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, and protein become part of the architecture of bones, while vitamins C, E, and phytochemicals slow the breakdown of bones via anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium, vitamin K is required for protein synthesis, and potassium appears to reduce the loss of minerals from bone by maintaining a healthy body pH. Physical activity is also important, as it stimulates bones to become denser and stronger, while also improving balance and muscle strength. After all, the stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall and break a bone. Join me here, at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Your Healthy Kitchen, to learn more about the links between diet, lifestyle and strong bones plus how to make a delicious bone-friendly breakfast burrito! Recipe: Scrambled Tofu with Mediterranean Flavors The best advice for preventing osteoporosis is to build strong bones from an early age, with nutrient dense foods and plenty of physical activity. However, there is a lot you can do throughout your life to give your bones a healthy edge. Enjoy delicious meals packed with bone-friendly nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phytochemicals and vitamins E, C and K. A Mediterranean-style diet is a great place to start. Know your vitamin D status and talk to your doctor about supplements if your blood levels are low. Surprisingly, many people are vitamin D deficient — even those who love the outdoor life in the sunny Southwest! Get into a healthy routine of regular physical activity that includes strength building exercises. Walking, dancing, hiking, jogging, playing tennis, and other activities that are weight-bearing seem to be best for building bone density and strength. Strong muscles also stimulate the build up of bone while improving balance and reducing your risk of falls. Know your risks and talk to your doctor about assessing your bone status and strength. A history of smoking, excessive alcohol use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, genetics, medications, and some chronic health conditions can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. Remember to check out all of our informative cooking tutorials and recipes at yrmchealhconnect.org. Our nutrient-packed recipes are created or curated for ease of preparation, affordability, and delicious taste! You’ll find plenty of ideas there for meals and snacks that protect and build healthy bones. You can also follow me on Facebook, at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I regularly post photos and videos of the meals I make at home, plus share links to my favorite food and gardening destinations on the web.
Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives: Teaching People to Cook and Eat Well for Life
Earlier this year, I joined a group of physicians, dieticians, public health professionals, chefs, and research scientists who gathered virtually at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Napa Valley, California for the 17th Annual Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives Conference. For three full days we were treated to intriguing presentations by the best nutrition researchers in the country; entertaining cooking demonstrations by CIA-trained chefs; and inspirational discussions about creating a nationwide healthcare system that teaches people how to cook and eat well for life. Why all the fuss about teaching people how to eat? According to Dr. David Eisenberg, Director of Culinary Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, studies suggest that 20% of all premature deaths are preventable with a diet featuring prominent portions of vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, whole grains and beans. In other words, if Americans ate delicious plant-forward meals more often, fewer premature deaths from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes might occur. A plant forward meal packed with fiber, nutrients, and flavor! Multiple presentations at the conference featured members of The Teaching Kitchens Collaborative, a diverse group of health-focused chefs and food-focused healthcare providers who help physicians, schools, YMCAs, health departments, and others plan and produce cooking demonstrations in a variety of community settings. Their goal: show as many people as possible how to affordably cook and eat well at home. Other presenters shared a wealth of knowledge on cutting edge nutrition research and the negative effects of childhood food insecurity on lifelong health and well being. In this latest video from YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, I share highlights from the conference plus intriguing research that might inspire all of us to eat more fermented foods! New evidence suggests that two or more daily servings of fermented foods (including sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, kefir, and more), may reduce inflammation and prevent chronic disease by supporting the microbiome, or the collection of bacteria that live on and within us. Tempeh Sloppy Joes Recipe For more information on the connections between your health and the microbiome, check out The Good Gut, Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long Term Health, by Erica and Justin Sonnenburg, PhDs. Although the topic is complex, the Sonnenburgs present the links between our health and the health of our bacterial buddies in a friendly, easy to read fashion. You can learn more about Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives and the upcoming 2022 conference live in Napa Valley at healthykitchens.org and the Teaching Kitchens Collaborative at teachingkitchens.org. Be sure to check out all of our entertaining and informative health, nutrition and cooking videos at yrmchealthconnect.org. Simply click on the blog and Your Healthy Kitchen to explore the wide variety of foods and flavors featured there! Follow me on Facebook too, at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where I share photos and videos of the meals I make at home, review new food products, and share some of my favorite food and health related sites on the web.