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.

Three new board members are joining the Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation, further strengthening the bridge between YRMC outreach efforts and community health and healing. The Foundation has helped to strengthen such outreach since its conception in 1999. “We are pleased to welcome individuals who are so deeply committed to our community’s health and prosperity,” said Board of Directors Chair Dave Barrett. All three of these new members personify an exemplary life of service: Mary Mallory, Arabinda K. Pani, MD and Pierre R. Tibi, MD. Mary Mallory serves on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and has extensive board experience at both the local and state level. Dr. Pani is YRMC’s Chief of Staff and has served as a YRMC Emergency Department physician since 2009. He is widely regarded for his integrity, dedication, and leadership throughout the YRMC organization. Dr. Tibi is a philanthropist and fundraiser who was instrumental in establishing the James Family Heart Center. A longtime supporter of the Foundation, he has sponsored and organized the annual Crawfest event which benefits YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program. These new members join existing board members: President and CEO John Amos, Dave Barrett, Douglas Bristol, YRMC Foundation Executive Director Robbie Nicol, Harvey Skoog and William Sonsin. The Gift of Giving All board members serve as volunteers, generously donating their time and expertise to raising funds for the YRMC Foundation. One hundred percent of these funds go directly to the community—to helping those in need within western Yavapai County. There are various ways to give to the YRMC Foundation. For example cash, securities or real estate, made outright or through a will or trust. Or maybe a donation in memory of a loved one. Donors can even specify how they want their gifts to be used. Perhaps a YRMC program or service which has directly impacted them or a loved one. Or to honor a personal commitment to education or the advancement of medical technology. The Foundation has many available funds.​ To learn more about the YRMC Foundation, please contact (928) 771–5169 or foundation@yrmc.org or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

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.

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.

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.

Spring is in the air and we are digging in the dirt here at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen! Growing vegetables, fruits and herbs in a backyard garden can be a never-ending source of joy, learning, and of course, delicious food. However, gardening in a high desert environment can also be challenging, so we asked Daniel Blake, local owner of Living Soils, Inc. to share some helpful tips and tricks. Daniel has more than 40 years of experience designing gardens and teaching people around the world how to grow their own food. In our newest episode of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, Daniel walks us through the steps of building a sturdy raised garden bed; irrigating so your vegetables can thrive in summer’s heat; and most importantly, building healthy soil.  Daniel uses native dirt to fill his garden beds, which he fortifies with minerals and organic matter to build a strong, nutrient-rich base for seeds and plants. Daniel explains, “When you build healthy, nutrient rich soil that naturally holds onto moisture and feeds your plants, those plants resist pests and provide more nutrients to you when you eat them.  So much depends on the soil.” Daniel offers mentoring services and classes for novice and experienced gardeners alike.  He also has tips on building a compost pile, growing food from seeds, and much more posted at livingsoilsinc.com. Once you’ve harvested or stocked up on the best produce spring has to offer, try this beautiful herb and green salad dressed with a light and bright dressing.  It’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate the flavors of spring! You can check out all of our videos and easy, delicious, nutrient-packed recipes at yrmchealthconnect.org. Remember to follow me on Facebook too, where I share what I’m making at home, using seasonal produce from my own garden and local farms. Until next time, plant something good to eat, and I’ll see you soon!