New Family Medicine Doctor Joins YRMC PhysicianCare
Alan J. Schenne, DO, is the newest physician to join the YRMC PhysicianCare Family Medicine team at 1050 Gail Gardner Way, Suite 300 in Prescott. Dr. Schenne earned his medical degree from Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa. He trained in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) at Garden City Osteopathic Hospital in Garden City, Michigan. Dr. Schenne is fellowship trained in OMM from Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Dr. Schenne is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (928) 717-5232. YRMC PhysicianCare accepts most insurance plans including Medicare. For more information, visit YRMC PhysicianCare.
When Life Gives You Tomatoes…
It happens every year – we anxiously wait to enjoy the tomatoes we planted in June, and then suddenly, they all seem to ripen at once! Fresh, just-off-the-vine tomatoes are delicious (and perhaps best) with just a pinch of salt, or in a simple salad layered with fresh basil and olive oil. However, when tomatoes start showing up by the bushel, it’s time to get creative! Tomatoes can be turned into chutney, soup, salsa, or fresh, bright tomato juice. They can be canned, of course, simmered into sauce, and dried or roasted for future use. There are even recipes out there for savory tomato tarte tartin, (a classic French pastry traditionally made with apples), and tomato sorbet! Tomatoes are technically a fruit (a giant berry), so why not try a few as dessert? When life gives me tomatoes, I like to roast them with rosemary and garlic or, I grab a box grater and turn them into a fresh, bright sauce. Roasted and sauced tomatoes freeze well in quart size plastic bags. Savor them sometime in the middle of January, when summer seems very far away! Check out my Quick-Roasted Tomatoes and Simple Fresh Tomato Sauce on this segment from Sandy and Friends! Tomatoes are also incredibly nutritious! They are packed with vitamin C and other nutrients, including an important phytochemical called lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, probably best known for its cancer-fighting abilities. Because of their lycopene content, tomatoes are one of the few foods that are more nutritious when they are cooked. Cooking breaks down tomato cell walls and changes the shape of lycopene, making it easier to absorb. Eating a little fat with your cooked tomatoes also helps you absorb more lycopene. No wonder olive oil and tomatoes go so well together! For the tastiest and most nutritious tomatoes, grow your own (tomatoes are easy to grow in big pots on a sunny patio) or sample some of the juicy, sweet varieties available at the Prescott Farmers Market. If you purchase tomatoes in a supermarket, choose tiny grape or cherry tomatoes, which are tastier and more nutritious than larger types. Also look for tomatoes that are dark red, brown or even purple. And choose organic whenever possible. Many studies show that organic tomatoes pack more phytochemicals than conventionally grown varieties. Most importantly, be sure to enjoy tomatoes that are ripe and ready to eat now! After all, winter will be here soon!
A Power Hitter Heals … With an Assist from YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services
Legend has it the first Louisville Slugger® was built by teenager Bud Hillerich in his father’s woodworking shop to help a major league baseball player who was in a hitting slump. More than a century later another innovator – engineer Martin Martinez – added to the bat’s folklore by applying computerized simulation to build a better baseball bat through his company’s Impact Sports Division. “I have a need to build things,” said Martinez, President and Founder of Engineering Science Analysis Corporation (ESA) in Tempe, Arizona. “Engineers have a tendency to talk themselves out of doing things. There’s always lots that can go wrong. You need to analyze, test and move forward.” In addition to the Louisville Slugger®, Martinez and the ESA team worked on golf clubs to enlarge the “sweet spot” and perhaps improve many a golfer’s swing. ESA also was hired by the Department of Homeland Security to develop the Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device (SQUID). Used by numerous law enforcement agencies, SQUID helps prevent or halt dangerous high-speed car chases by spreading tentacles of fabric straps over the street. The straps tighten around a speeding car’s undercarriage and bring it to an immediate stop. Innovative thinking, hard work and a positive attitude have factored into Martinez’s success. All of these no doubt played a role in his recovery from a complicated ankle fracture that happened while Martinez was renovating his family’s Prescott home. Martinez – who divides his time between Prescott and Tempe – needed two surgeries on the ankle. He selected Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Physical Rehabilitation Services for the important physical therapy that would ultimately get him back on his feet. “YRMC Physical Rehabilitation was the right pick,” Martinez said. “My therapists always explained why we were doing certain therapies. They also gave me targets. That’s important to me. You need to measure progress to monitor how you’re doing.” Goal setting is key to the individualized patient care plans created by the Physical Rehabilitation team. Located at both the YRMC Wellness Center in Prescott and the YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Center in Prescott Valley, Physical Rehabilitation Services offers a comprehensive menu of services under one roof. Those services include: Neurological Rehabilitation Occupational Medicine Occupational Therapy Orthopedic Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Speech Therapy Women’s Services “Physical Rehabilitation programs associated with medical centers like YRMC care for people with injuries and illnesses at all levels,” said Rich Tenney, PT, DPT, PRC, Senior Therapist at YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services. “Our patients benefit because we can call on experts from throughout YRMC to help them.” The first phase of Martinez’s therapy plan focused on expanding range of motion. During therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant Deb Cashen noticed Martinez was retaining fluid in his ankle, a problem some people experience after surgery. YRMC Occupational Therapist Donna Hannah, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, who is certified in lymphedema care, was called in for a consultation. She recommended special ankle wraps that reduced Martinez’s swelling in approximately three weeks. Soon Martinez was undergoing physical therapy two times a week for up to 45 minutes a session with Rich Tenney, a YRMC Physical Therapist. This individualized attention may have given Martinez the knowledge and confidence to pursue exercise independently between therapy sessions. He even built a rocker board, like the one used during his therapy sessions, to work on balance and strength. Martinez’s therapy plan also included the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, originally developed by NASA so astronauts could experience weightlessness before space travel. YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services has the area’s only AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill. “Martin benefited from the AlterG,” said Tenney. “The equipment took away any weight-bearing pain so he could exercise in comfort and gain strength.” Today, Martinez and wife Kathy continue to renovate their Prescott home. Martinez recently installed flagstone in the house and is adding “the gingerbread stuff” to warm up the home’s exterior. Martinez still churns with ideas and energy, just as he did when he updated the Louisville Slugger. And the recovery from his injury? That’s a home run with the help of YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services. Visit YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services online or contact us at either location: YRMC Wellness Center 930 Division Street Prescott, Arizona 86301 (928) 771-5131 YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Center 3262 North Windsong Drive Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314 (928) 759-5940
Watch Patient Blood Management: For the People
On Thursday, September 28th, 2017, Yavapai Regional Medical Center invites you to watch Patient Blood Management: For the People – the latest in a series of informative presentations on the emerging science of Patient Blood Management. This exclusive presentation features experts in the field of Patient Blood Management and will include an informative roundtable discussion hosted by Dr. Pierre Tibi, Medical Director of the Patient Blood Management Program at YRMC and The James Family Heart Center at YRMC West. You can follow this conversation and learn more about Patient Blood Management by: Joining YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Facebook Group Page Following YRMC on Twitter at @YRMCquadcities At 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 28th – when Patient Blood Management: For the People takes place – you can get involved by watching a live stream of the event on: YRMCHealthConnect.org/pbm YRMC’s Facebook Page The expert speakers for this year’s event and their topics include: A Program for the People Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, Yavapai Regional Medical Center How You Benefit from Patient Blood Management at Yavapai Regional Medical Center Larry Burns, Chief Operating Officer, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Patient Blood Management: Where We Have Been, Lessons Learned and What Lies Ahead Alejandro Chapa, MD, Chairman, Transfusion Review Committee, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Patient Blood Management: Primary Care Providers and Patient Readiness Anthony Torres, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Orthopedics and Patient Blood Management: A Joint Effort Spencer Schuenman, MD, Medical Director, Orthopedic Trauma, Yavapai Regional Medical Center The Right Thing to Do: The Role of Ethics in Patient Blood Management Jill Logan, RN, Director, Ethics, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott, Arizona Why I Travelled to Yavapai Regional Medical Center for Care: A Patient Interview Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott, Arizona Ask the Experts: A Panel Discussion with the Speakers Moderated by Pierre R. Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Patient Blood Management and the James Family Heart Center, Yavapai Regional Medical Center
Taco Time at Mortimer Farms
It’s summertime! That means that the gardens at Mortimer Farms in Dewey are brimming with fresh produce like strawberries, zucchini, summer squash, potatoes and onions. Rita Carey Rubin, Registered Dietician, Diabetes Educator and host of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen stopped by Mortimer’s for a tour and an al fresco cooking session with owner, Sharla Mortimer. Sharla and her husband Gary both have a rich background in farming and ranching, so when the property became available seven years ago, they were thrilled to make it their own. With a passion for educating the public, Mortimer Farms offers a variety of ways that visitors of all ages can learn first-hand how farm fresh produce really makes a difference. “There’s nothing like fresh vegetables, period,” says Sharla, “And when you get kids to come out and see it and dig it up and play in the dirt and enjoy that, and then go home and eat that same food that they just picked, it is just such a wonderful experience. It really gives them a connection and appreciation for where their food comes from.” Take a look at the tour of Mortimer Farms, and Rita and Sharla’s cooking demonstration: Rita and Sharla picked produce right out of the garden and prepared vegetarian tacos with Charred Tomato Salsa. Sharla showed Rita how to grill Mortimer’s grass-fed beef for another take on a family-friendly taco meal. Mock Mojitos featuring fresh strawberries from Mortimer’s you-pick strawberry patch rounded out the meal. You can download the recipes here: Charred Tomato-Tomatillo Salsa Strawberry Mock Mojitos To learn more about cooking simple, fresh and delicious meals, along with all of Rita’s downloadable recipes, check out Your Healthy Kitchen at yrmchealthconnect.org. You can also follow Rita on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where Rita shares what she is making in her kitchen at home, as well as insider tips, recipes and great links to interesting news, websites, and videos about healthy food, cooking and gardening. Your Healthy Kitchen is one of the many ways that Yavapai Regional Medical Center, your local not-for-profit healthcare provider, supports health education and wellness for the residents of western Yavapai County.
YRMC and Meals On Wheels: Partnering for Good Health and Nutrition
By Kristen Dicker. Malnutrition is a growing concern for the elderly of our community. Additionally, as baby boomers age they’re facing more medical challenges making it important for them to stay healthy and out of the hospital as much as possible. How do our diets impact our health? Eating poorly – or not enough of the required daily nutrients – may be tied to poor health outcomes. It can contribute to falls, poor wound healing and longer recovery after a hospital stay. People are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital if they have inadequate nutrition during their recovery. Malnutrition can come from a poor diet: not eating fresh, well-balanced meals or eating junk food. Lack of essential nutrients can decrease your hunger for healthy food, which makes your body suffer. However, once nutrition needs are met, the body’s desire for more nutrients may increase. Prescott Meals On Wheels is part of a solution to help heal those in need as well as to get them back to a healthier nutrition path. Each day at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), a tent card is placed on the meal tray of every adult patient. The tent card alerts patients to the Prescott Meals On Wheels program. “We believe the tray tents are one measure that raises awareness of the program and assists in the success of the Prescott Meals on Wheels outreach,” said Jeanne Briggs, Director of Nutrition Services at YRMC. “We also encourage our YRMC Patient Care offices to have informational pamphlets available for their patients in order to reach a wider audience.” Bert Ijams, Prescott Meals On Wheels Executive Director, is passionate about this program. It’s designed to help recently discharged adult hospital patients “receive a hot and healthy meal, a wellness check and social interaction once a day for as long as they need or want the service.” Ms. Ijams said, “These three things combined help a person live independently, with a sense of safety, for as long as they possibly can.” The wellness check is critical to ensure the individual has some kind of attention in case an emergency arises that family members may not be available to identify. In these cases, drivers report back immediately to Prescott Meals On Wheels, so family and emergency services may be contacted. The social aspect is also important to improving health outcomes. Loneliness and isolation are common feelings the elderly and recovering adults experience, especially right after leaving the hospital. Participating in the Prescott Meals On Wheels program is easy. According to Ms. Ijams, the program helps adults, 18 years or older, who are “unable to access food in some way or have some level of cognitive or physical impairment that makes them unable to prepare the food.” The response to the Prescott Meals On Wheels program has been positive, according to YRMC’s Ms. Briggs. “This is an opportunity for members of our community to have some help in their recovery when they leave the hospital and beyond,” she said. Ms. Ijams added, “What YRMC does each day to get the tray tents out to each patient is a massive outreach project.” Prescott Meals On Wheels serves the city of Prescott. Other independent programs are located in Chino Valley, Mayer, Prescott Valley and Yarnell (928-427-6347).
Family Resource Center Hosts Free Car Seat Program
The Family Resource Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center has continued its partnership with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to offer a free car seat distribution program to families in Yavapai County. YRMC’s Family Resource Center has provided services via the Healthy Families program for over 25 years, offering parents and children free home visits from highly trained support specialists. The program includes information on healthy pregnancy and bonding with one’s baby, along with learning ways to promote language, motor, and social/emotional development, linkage to community resources, and supporting the family through many of life’s stressors. Thanks to the Governor’s Office grant, YRMC’s Family Resource Center team has been able to offer free safety seats and supporting education to help keep children safe inside their family’s vehicles too. Recipients do not need to be YRMC patients or currently enrolled in Family Resource Center services to receive a car seat. Families need a vehicle with working seat belts (if your vehicle’s seat belts do not lock, you may qualify to have your seat belts repaired free of charge at your local dealership –call your dealership for more details). Families are assisted with car seat installation by a certified technician, who reviews the installation with them, assuring that the seat will be properly re-installed should it be moved from the vehicle or require re-installation. The education and installations are conducted by nationally certified Child Passenger Safety technicians, are customized to your vehicle, seat, and child, and are available in English and Spanish. Children often can be injured in automotive accidents by seemingly minor details such as straps not being the right tension or coats in the car seat impairing the seat’s ability to protect the child. On Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, YRMC’s Family Resource Center will host a car seat distribution event in the parking lot of the YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Building (3262 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley), with additional seats and technicians on hand to provide the car seats, installations, and educational services to families in our community. These will include infant, convertible, and booster car seats. Seats will be provided on a first come, first serve basis until supplies run out. Please bring the vehicle(s), child (or children), and caregiver(s) who will be using the seat(s) the most in order to help assure the best seat and installation custom to your child and vehicle. If multiple parents/grandparents/caregivers will be involved with transporting children in the car seat, they are all encouraged to attend this event so they can learn firsthand about the seat and the safety considerations. Please plan on the actual installation and safety education component to take approximately 20-25 minutes on average per car seat. Keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle is one of the most important jobs that parents have. YRMC’s Family Resource Center and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety continue to work to make it easier for many of our families in the Quad City area. For more information about the car seat distribution program, please call Lina First at the YRMC Family Resource Center at (928) 442-8861.
The New Face of YRMC’s Community Outreach
Cadu Medina may well be the new, friendlier face of marketing. After four years in the San Francisco office of Young & Rubicam – a global advertising agency – Medina and his family re-located to Prescott, where his wife had spent her childhood. Here, the 40-something Medina launched Craf2m, a marketing strategy and coaching firm. “Becoming a marketing coach changed everything for me—in business and in every other way,” Medina said. “To reframe an expression, ‘It’s not just business. It’s personal.’” This was the kind of experience and passion Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) wanted to assist with the development of its new blog, YRMC HealthConnect. The blog – recently re-designed by a multi-disciplinary team, including craf2m – has a new look and more mobile friendly features. It’s also connecting people throughout the community to YRMC in more significant ways. YRMC: A Content Marketing Leader What does a blog like YRMC HealthConnect offer that other forms of community outreach channels do not? According to Medina, it’s the opportunity to engage with readers through stories. “Content marketing,” as it’s called, is effective because it allows organizations to develop more personal, deeper and meaningful relationships with their customers. “The marketing industry walked away from this for a while,” Medina said. “Marketers were talking at their customers rather than talking with them. Content marketing has changed this. We listen to our customers, refine our message to give customers what they want, and ultimately provide them a better product or service. What impressed me about YRMC is that their team gets this. That’s why I was so excited to be part of this project.” YRMC’s Social Media Brings Community Together The YRMC content marketing strategy gives readers the opportunity to subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect and receive new content directly on their smart phones or tablets. In fact, 60 percent of blog content is viewed on mobile devices. From YRMC HealthConnect, readers can also connect to YRMC’s Facebook communities: Yavapai Regional Medical Center YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen Ponderosa Pediatrics My Health Mascot, home of Wellby the Yavabear YRMC’s vast social media network also includes: YRMC’s YouTube Channel YRMC Quad Cities on Twitter “We knew the content marketing approach would be very compatible with YRMC’s relationship with our community,” said Kenneth Boush, YRMC’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “Because of that, YRMC HealthConnect has quickly become a destination for people in our community. We deliver up-to-date, rich content on the blog. There are interesting patient profiles and features on new, innovative YRMC services. Lots of readers explore YRMC’s popular nutrition program, Your Healthy Kitchen, on HealthConnect. Our readers also learn about new doctors in the community and check out our calendar of healthcare presentations from top medical experts. And let’s face it, it’s just lots of fun.” The community agrees. In May, page views on YRMC HealthConnect shot up 129 percent from April. And what stories were people reading on YRMC HealthConnect? The most popular were: Valvular Heart Disease: A Quiet and Dangerous Disorder Heart Pillow Encourages Heart-to-Heart Conversations What’s Cooking? Good Food and Good Health in Your Healthy Kitchen! Randy Meyers Embraces a Heart-Healthy Journey Subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect so you can join the conversation and stay connected to YRMC.
New Breast Surgeon Joins YRMC PhysicianCare
Breast surgeon Michael G. Macon, MD, has joined Yavapai Regional Medical Center PhysicianCare at 7700 E. Florentine Road in Prescott Valley. Dr. Macon graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, Dr. Macon completed residency training in General Surgery at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. After his residency training he served in the U.S. Army in operations Just Cause and Desert Storm. Dr. Macon is a Certified Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and belongs to the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Macon enjoys motorcycle and bike riding as well as being a grandfather. Dr. Macon is currently accepting new patients. Call (928) 442-8740 to schedule an appointment. YRMC PhysicianCare is pleased to accept most insurance plans including Medicare.
Northern Arizona Suns Go Pink for The BreastCare Center at YRMC
On Friday, March 3, the Northern Arizona Suns and The BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) team up to support excellent breast care programs for our community. The Northern Arizona Suns will take to the court in pink jerseys to Share the Care as they take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The game starts at 7:00 pm at the Prescott Valley Event Center. The doors open at 6:00 pm. Join the fun and the first 1,000 people will receive a pink ribbon courtesy of The BreastCare Center at YRMC. After the game, you’ll have the chance to take home a player’s pink jersey when the Northern Arizona Suns auction them off. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer screening through the YRMC Community BreastCare Fund as well as other individual services to support women throughout our community. Pull on a pink shirt, head to the game and Share the Care! Purchase tickets online or at the Prescott Valley Event Center box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TAVR Turns Nine Months Old!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program has been up and running since November 2016, and is making a positive difference for local patients. Initially, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the program for high risk patients. “These were patients in their upper 80s with multiple medical comorbidities, like severe renal failure, previous open heart surgeries and at very high risk,” said Jose Torres, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. TAVR Open to More People The FDA has now approved TAVR for patients who are at moderate risk. “These are patients in their late 70s and early 80s,” said Dr. Torres. “They have some comorbidities—early kidney dysfunction, some heart failure, or some past open heart surgeries.” Although everyone wants to have a less invasive procedure these days, the minimally invasive TAVR procedure is not intended for younger patients. “The younger, lower risk patients usually need a mechanical valve, which may require a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass,” Dr. Torres said. “At this time, the life expectancy of transcatheter valves is not comparable to mechanical valves in younger, healthier patients.” TAVR: Heal at Home TAVR is helping keep local residents home instead of going to Phoenix, which is a good thing for patients and their families. “Prior to starting up our valve clinic, we were sending out about 20 patients a year to Phoenix to get the transcatheter valves. So, it is definitely a good procedure to have in the community,” explained Dr. Torres. “We do have an older community. A lot of patients are a little bit sicker and their health isn’t as great as it used to be. Driving to Phoenix is just a big hassle for them.” Local Dewey resident and recent TAVR patient Linda Thompson likes that she can have her healthcare closer to home. “I would not have gone to Phoenix if they didn’t have TAVR up here; it’s just too hard on my family and once you have trust in your doctors up here, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” she said. TAVR Changed Linda’s Life Linda had open heart surgery two years ago and developed valvular stenosis after it. She was on oxygen and could barely walk up a flight of stairs or participate in activities she enjoyed, such as playing Bunco with her friends and working in her garden. Because of her complications, Linda was not a good candidate for a repeat open heart surgery—it was too risky for her health. However, after TAVR, Linda said, “The doctors were very confident and very caring and told me there was hardly any risk with it. I had no pain from it at all. Right after it, I felt like a healthy person again.” Dr. Torres said, “The YRMC administration and cardiovascular physicians are very focused on developing a service line to help the community, whether it is from coronary artery disease, aortic valve disease, or mitral valve disease, so we are pushing ourselves and the institution to be on the forefront of structural heart disease.”
Family History of Heart Disease? A Healthy Lifestyle Changes Genes to Reduce Your Risk
By Rita Carey-Rubin. If you have a family history of heart disease, here’s some good news: a healthy diet and lifestyle can actually influence your genes and reduce your risk of disease. According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can turn off disease-causing genes, and may cut your risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in half. Scientists at the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed data from four large studies involving over 55,000 people. They developed a lifestyle score based on whether people smoked; if they ate a diet featuring fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains and nuts; if they exercised at least once a week; and whether or not they were obese. Lifestyle scores were then compared to a genetic score based on 50 genes associated with heart disease. What these researchers discovered was remarkable. People who inherited the genes for CVD from their parents had double the risk of developing heart disease; but a healthy lifestyle cut their risk in half. Conversely, people with ‘good’ genes (no family history of CVD), lowered their genetic protection and doubled their risk of disease if they smoked, had a poor diet, were inactive and/or obese. Thanks to advances in genetic research, scientists can now observe the direct effects that diet, exercise, stress, and other lifestyle habits have on our genetic code – the unique cellular operating system we inherit from our parents. In 2008, Dr. Dean Ornish demonstrated how healthy lifestyle choices influence cancer-causing genes in a small population of men with early stage prostate cancer. Ornish and his team analyzed the effects of a plant-based diet, regular exercise, stress management and peer and family support on 500 genes known to either promote or protect against prostate cancer. Remarkably, healthy habits turned off the genes that stimulate cancer growth, and turned on genes that help the body to stop cancer in its tracks. Other studies have demonstrated that healthy lifestyle choices can also turn off genes that promote inflammation, weight gain, obesity, and even depression. In spite of advances in medicine, CVD is still the number one killer of adults in the United States, and people with a family history are doubly at risk. However, research is proving that the lifestyle choices we make everyday can influence the genes we inherit, and possibly change the course of disease. Each month, at the YRMC Pendleton Center in Prescott, the Reversing Heart Disease Support Group meets to explore the diet and lifestyle strategies that Dr. Ornish and other prominent physicians recommend for preventing, treating and reversing cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 3-4 pm and is free to anyone in the community. For more information, call Rita Carey Rubin at 928-771-5794.
YRMC and Meals On Wheels: Partnering for Good Health and Nutrition
By Kristen Dicker. Malnutrition is a growing concern for the elderly of our community. Additionally, as baby boomers age they’re facing more medical challenges making it important for them to stay healthy and out of the hospital as much as possible. How do our diets impact our health? Eating poorly – or not enough of the required daily nutrients – may be tied to poor health outcomes. It can contribute to falls, poor wound healing and longer recovery after a hospital stay. People are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital if they have inadequate nutrition during their recovery. Malnutrition can come from a poor diet: not eating fresh, well-balanced meals or eating junk food. Lack of essential nutrients can decrease your hunger for healthy food, which makes your body suffer. However, once nutrition needs are met, the body’s desire for more nutrients may increase. Prescott Meals On Wheels is part of a solution to help heal those in need as well as to get them back to a healthier nutrition path. Each day at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), a tent card is placed on the meal tray of every adult patient. The tent card alerts patients to the Prescott Meals On Wheels program. “We believe the tray tents are one measure that raises awareness of the program and assists in the success of the Prescott Meals on Wheels outreach,” said Jeanne Briggs, Director of Nutrition Services at YRMC. “We also encourage our YRMC Patient Care offices to have informational pamphlets available for their patients in order to reach a wider audience.” Bert Ijams, Prescott Meals On Wheels Executive Director, is passionate about this program. It’s designed to help recently discharged adult hospital patients “receive a hot and healthy meal, a wellness check and social interaction once a day for as long as they need or want the service.” Ms. Ijams said, “These three things combined help a person live independently, with a sense of safety, for as long as they possibly can.” The wellness check is critical to ensure the individual has some kind of attention in case an emergency arises that family members may not be available to identify. In these cases, drivers report back immediately to Prescott Meals On Wheels, so family and emergency services may be contacted. The social aspect is also important to improving health outcomes. Loneliness and isolation are common feelings the elderly and recovering adults experience, especially right after leaving the hospital. Participating in the Prescott Meals On Wheels program is easy. According to Ms. Ijams, the program helps adults, 18 years or older, who are “unable to access food in some way or have some level of cognitive or physical impairment that makes them unable to prepare the food.” The response to the Prescott Meals On Wheels program has been positive, according to YRMC’s Ms. Briggs. “This is an opportunity for members of our community to have some help in their recovery when they leave the hospital and beyond,” she said. Ms. Ijams added, “What YRMC does each day to get the tray tents out to each patient is a massive outreach project.” Prescott Meals On Wheels serves the city of Prescott. Other independent programs are located in Chino Valley, Mayer, Prescott Valley and Yarnell (928-427-6347).
Good News from the WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center is pleased to share this story about the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit. Our thanks to YRMC HealthConnect contributors Laura Norman, Executive Director of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation, and Cindy Brown, Development Manager of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation. Community support and donations have made something vital happen. We can’t wait to share the one-month outcome data from the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit! Here it is, ‘by the numbers’: At the end of exactly four weeks of operations, the CSU has served 160 patients. The highest volume we have seen in a 24-hour period was 13. One big surprise in the utilization data so far: weekends have been slower than weekdays. But the numbers don’t tell it all. Who are the people who have come to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, reaching out a hand for help? “The most common presenting issues have been intoxication, or suicidal thoughts, or a combination of both,” explained Shawn Hatch, LCSW, CCS, AADC, Chief Clinical Officer of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic. It may be difficult for some of us to understand what a crisis means, and how darkness and pain may be overwhelming those who come to the CSU. Here is one story of how we made a difference to a western Yavapai County resident who had not previously been served by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic: When a woman in her 30s entered the CSU, she was experiencing severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts. She lacked sleep, and she had not taken prescribed medication. She voiced her concerns and uncertainty about being at CSU, at which point staff reassured her repeatedly that she was in a safe place. Ultimately she voiced that she felt better knowing there is a place like this. She now knows where to go should this happen again. This is powerful testimony to the value that CSU has in our local continuum of health and mental health care. Thank you for your support of this critical work. If you are a part of a congregation or civic group that would like to have someone from the Clinic come and speak on this life-saving program, please email Cindy Brown. Take a virtual tour of the Crisis Stabilization Unit: Feel free to share with family and friends! Questions? Contact us: West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation 3343 N. Windsong Dr. Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (928) 445-5211 ext., 3634
YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride
If you’ve spent any time at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, you’ve probably heard the sound of a hand bell throughout the halls twice a day. The bell heralds the arrival of the snack cart, and the ringer is a member of the snack cart volunteer team, serving hot coffee, juices, fruit, yogurt and other goodies to visitors and staff at the hospital. On any given morning, you might be served by YRMC volunteers John Peters and Richard McBride. The duo often resembles a comedy team more than hospital volunteers. Employees and visitors who purchase snacks from the cart can’t help but join in the banter and good-natured teasing. But don’t let the lightheartedness fool you. They take their job very seriously. “A big philosophy we have is that we go the extra mile,” says Peters, “Let’s say that you have a nurse caring for a patient in one of the rooms in ICU. I know one nurse in particular who always wants a bag of cheddar popcorn and a string cheese. I’ll get her badge from her, ring it up and take it back there to her station.” Peters and McBride are particularly proud of their dedication. “Our record for uninterrupted service is 79 weeks without missing a day,” says Peters. A snowstorm prevented the volunteers from coming in on the 80th day. When asked why this dedication is so important, Peters responds, ”I really can’t explain it. I’m sure it’s this way for all the other volunteers. It’s just a sense of good feeling that you’re providing a service.” Peters describes the camaraderie and friendship as an added bonus to volunteering at YRMC, including getting to know the staff and fellow volunteers, learning about their families, grandchildren and travels. As McBride picks up the hand bell and starts down the hall to ring their arrival, Peters sums it up this way, “Volunteering is a wonderful experience. Period. It’s the only way to explain it.” The YRMC Volunteer Services Department welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the snack cart as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information, call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678
Volunteer Spotlight: Don Packard, PAWS Pet Therapy Program
Anyone who owns a dog or other pet knows the calming effect they can have. When we pet our animal friends, stress and worry often seem to melt away. Scientific studies have now proven this to be true. Pets can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. In addition, petting an animal can release endorphins that have a calming effect and can enhance healing. In keeping with our Vision of treating the whole patient — body, mind and spirit — Yavapai Regional Medical Center offers visits from specially trained therapy animals through the Pets Are Warm Support (PAWS) program. YRMC accepts dogs who are certified through Pet Partners, a national organization that evaluates and tests all animals to ensure that their health, skills and aptitude meet rigorous standards. Visits from PAWS pets can reduce boredom, increase socialization and communication, and provide comfort, especially for those patients who are missing their own pets at home. PAWS program volunteer Don Packard brings Sailor, his beautiful Australian Shepherd, to YRMC every Tuesday. “Of course I’m giving back, but there’s more to it than that,” says Packard, “It gives me satisfaction seeing these folks who don’t get to see dogs. It does their heart good, and it does mine too.” Patients aren’t the only people who enjoy the therapy pets at YRMC. The staff looks forward to their regularly scheduled visits as well. “He’s a therapy dog for everybody,” says Packard, “The staff really likes him too. He’s well known. ‘It’s Tuesday and Sailor’s here!’ That’s what they say.” You can take a preliminary quiz to see if your dog may have the right temperament to be a therapy dog at petpartners.org. If you’re a patient at YRMC and would like to arrange a PAWS visit, check with your caregiver first, then call Volunteer Services. In Prescott, the phone number is (928) 771-5678. In Prescott Valley, call (928) 442-8678. YRMC Volunteer Services welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the PAWS program as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678
Watch Patient Blood Management: For the People
On Thursday, September 28th, 2017, Yavapai Regional Medical Center invites you to watch Patient Blood Management: For the People – the latest in a series of informative presentations on the emerging science of Patient Blood Management. This exclusive presentation features experts in the field of Patient Blood Management and will include an informative roundtable discussion hosted by Dr. Pierre Tibi, Medical Director of the Patient Blood Management Program at YRMC and The James Family Heart Center at YRMC West. You can follow this conversation and learn more about Patient Blood Management by: Joining YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Facebook Group Page Following YRMC on Twitter at @YRMCquadcities At 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 28th – when Patient Blood Management: For the People takes place – you can get involved by watching a live stream of the event on: YRMCHealthConnect.org/pbm YRMC’s Facebook Page The expert speakers for this year’s event and their topics include: A Program for the People Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, Yavapai Regional Medical Center How You Benefit from Patient Blood Management at Yavapai Regional Medical Center Larry Burns, Chief Operating Officer, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Patient Blood Management: Where We Have Been, Lessons Learned and What Lies Ahead Alejandro Chapa, MD, Chairman, Transfusion Review Committee, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Patient Blood Management: Primary Care Providers and Patient Readiness Anthony Torres, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Orthopedics and Patient Blood Management: A Joint Effort Spencer Schuenman, MD, Medical Director, Orthopedic Trauma, Yavapai Regional Medical Center The Right Thing to Do: The Role of Ethics in Patient Blood Management Jill Logan, RN, Director, Ethics, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott, Arizona Why I Travelled to Yavapai Regional Medical Center for Care: A Patient Interview Dale Black, Coordinator, Patient Blood Management, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott, Arizona Ask the Experts: A Panel Discussion with the Speakers Moderated by Pierre R. Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Patient Blood Management and the James Family Heart Center, Yavapai Regional Medical Center
Reducing the Need for Blood Product Transfusions
Imagine you’re scheduled for joint replacement surgery. Would you prefer that your orthopaedic surgeon use safe and effective medical and surgical techniques that are designed to prevent anemia, decrease bleeding and improve the outcome of your procedure? And what if you had an unexpected hospitalization? Would you want the hospital to honor your wishes regarding the transfusion of blood products? The answer to both questions is no doubt yes. That’s why Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has employed a leading-edge practice called Patient Blood Management (PBM) since 2012. PBM reduces the need for blood transfusions and preserves the availability of blood, which can be in short supply. Blood transfusions are necessary at times, but they do carry risks, including: increased rates of infection; complications to the kidneys, lungs and heart; and higher complication rates. “Some people are surprised that YRMC – a regional healthcare system in Arizona – is regarded as a worldwide leader on PBM,” said Dale Black, Coordinator of Patient Blood Management at YRMC. “But, once they meet YRMC’s forward-thinking leadership and excellent medical team, they understand.” PBM was introduced to YRMC by accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon Pierre Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director of The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. A renowned PBM leader, Dr. Tibi is president-elect of the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM). This international organization includes physicians and other healthcare providers dedicated to promoting effective PBM strategies. YRMC operates the only PBM program in Arizona recognized by SABM. What does that mean to YRMC patients undergoing heart, orthopaedic and other surgeries who want to utilize PBM strategies? It’s good news, according to Spencer Schuenman, DO, of Granite Orthopaedics and a member of YRMC’s Orthopaedic Surgical Services, which has been recognized for exceptional quality by leading U.S. quality assessment organizations. Dr. Schuenman began applying PBM principles in 2013. “In the first three years I used PBM, I performed 1,385 procedures,” he said. “The first year, I only used four units of red blood cells. The second year, I only used one unit. And in 2016, I did not use any red blood cells. These statistics speak for themselves regarding the effectiveness of PBM in helping ensure the best patient outcomes.” For planned procedures, the PBM process begins before patients are hospitalized. They work in partnership with their respective physician to prepare for surgery. The doctor and patient discuss when to temporarily discontinue prescriptions, such as blood thinners or over-the-counter medications like aspirin. The physician may recommend diet changes as well as prescribe iron and vitamin supplements. These steps can boost the red blood cell count for people with anemia or help prevent the condition while they’re hospitalized. YRMC healthcare professionals at all stages of care – from the operating suite to the patient bedside – employ PBM strategies to reduce blood transfusions. Those may include: following meticulous surgical techniques that reduce bleeding; minimizing the frequency as well as the volume of blood draws; salvaging blood lost during and after surgery to wash, filter and re-infuse with red blood cells before returning it to the respective patient; and utilizing special machines and medications to reduce the need for blood transfusion. PBM can also play a role in controlling healthcare costs. Blood transfusions are the most commonly billed hospital procedure at an annual cost of $10-15 billion nationwide. The average cost of a single unit of blood is $1,500. Want to learn more about PBM? Contact YRMC’s Dale Black at (928) 771-5109. Also, check out YRMC’s website and Doctors and Patients: The Patient Blood Management Collaboration, an annual symposium sponsored by YRMC. The symposium brings together medical leaders from throughout the world to present and discuss the latest science on PBM. In 2016, the symposium became a global event as people worldwide joined the symposium’s first ever live stream.
Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You?
Jack took up smoking in high school, quickly accelerating to a pack-a-day habit. It was his own high school-age children who finally convinced him to quit for good. A smoke-free decade later, Jack feels healthy but he worries about the possibility of lung cancer due to his 34 years of smoking. “This isn’t uncommon,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “People who have a history of smoking and current smokers worry about a lung cancer diagnosis.” People like Jack were the motivation for YRMC’s recently launched Lung Cancer Screening and Care program. The comprehensive program includes lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The screenings produce detailed images of the lungs and may reveal extremely small nodules—an indication of lung cancer in its early stages. LDCT is available at the Imaging Services Department at YRMC East in Prescott Valley, Prescott Valley Medical Imaging and Prescott Medical Imaging. “It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of lung cancers could be cured if they were discovered at this early stage,” Sterling said. “LDCT is for people before they begin to experience symptoms.” Who should consider LDCT? YRMC recommends speaking to your healthcare provider about LDCT if you have concerns about your smoking history and if you are: 55 to 77 years old A current smoker A former smoker who quit in the last 15 years Someone who has a smoking history of at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years If the results of your screening are normal, you’ll undergo another LDCT in 12 months. If the screening detects potential cancerous nodules, YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program includes top medical professionals. These radiologists and pulmonologists as well as a procedural pulmonologist and cardiothoracic surgeon collaborate to diagnose and treat lung cancer. YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program also includes a clinical navigator who is available to assist and support people at all phases of the program. To find out if LDCT is right for you, speak to your physician. Visit our website for information on Lung Cancer Screening and Care at YRMC or call our clinical navigator at (928) 771-5454. Also, check out the free Respiratory Wellness Classes YRMC offers for people throughout our communities.
The Power of PET-CT
Imaging technology that both measures how quickly a tumor is growing and pinpoints its exact location is now available in Yavapai County at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) East in Prescott Valley. “This is the most advanced imaging technology of its kind available,” said Mary Sterling, YRMC’s Director of Imaging Services. Top Technology The “Time-of-Flight” (TOF) technology, as it’s called, combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) in a single imaging unit. The job of the PET scan is to detect molecular activity within the body for diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The CT scan precisely locates the cancer. A remodeled area adjacent to Imaging Services on the first floor of YRMC East in Prescott Valley will house the new PET/CT unit. It will include a room with comfortable chairs and blankets, where patients can relax before exams. “PET is a nuclear medicine procedure,” said Sterling. “This means patients receive a small amount of radiation called a radioisotope before exams. They need a comfortable place to relax for an hour before the procedure. This helps us to get the best scan possible.” PET-CT Helps Cancer Patients During its first year at YRMC East, the PET-CT technology will be used to: Diagnose and stage all types of cancers. Monitor treatment progress in patients who have undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy. To learn more about YRMC’s comprehensive imaging program, visit Imaging Services, The BreastCare Center at YRMC, Prescott Medical Imaging and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging.
When Life Gives You Tomatoes…
It happens every year – we anxiously wait to enjoy the tomatoes we planted in June, and then suddenly, they all seem to ripen at once! Fresh, just-off-the-vine tomatoes are delicious (and perhaps best) with just a pinch of salt, or in a simple salad layered with fresh basil and olive oil. However, when tomatoes start showing up by the bushel, it’s time to get creative! Tomatoes can be turned into chutney, soup, salsa, or fresh, bright tomato juice. They can be canned, of course, simmered into sauce, and dried or roasted for future use. There are even recipes out there for savory tomato tarte tartin, (a classic French pastry traditionally made with apples), and tomato sorbet! Tomatoes are technically a fruit (a giant berry), so why not try a few as dessert? When life gives me tomatoes, I like to roast them with rosemary and garlic or, I grab a box grater and turn them into a fresh, bright sauce. Roasted and sauced tomatoes freeze well in quart size plastic bags. Savor them sometime in the middle of January, when summer seems very far away! Check out my Quick-Roasted Tomatoes and Simple Fresh Tomato Sauce on this segment from Sandy and Friends! Tomatoes are also incredibly nutritious! They are packed with vitamin C and other nutrients, including an important phytochemical called lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, probably best known for its cancer-fighting abilities. Because of their lycopene content, tomatoes are one of the few foods that are more nutritious when they are cooked. Cooking breaks down tomato cell walls and changes the shape of lycopene, making it easier to absorb. Eating a little fat with your cooked tomatoes also helps you absorb more lycopene. No wonder olive oil and tomatoes go so well together! For the tastiest and most nutritious tomatoes, grow your own (tomatoes are easy to grow in big pots on a sunny patio) or sample some of the juicy, sweet varieties available at the Prescott Farmers Market. If you purchase tomatoes in a supermarket, choose tiny grape or cherry tomatoes, which are tastier and more nutritious than larger types. Also look for tomatoes that are dark red, brown or even purple. And choose organic whenever possible. Many studies show that organic tomatoes pack more phytochemicals than conventionally grown varieties. Most importantly, be sure to enjoy tomatoes that are ripe and ready to eat now! After all, winter will be here soon!
Taco Time at Mortimer Farms
It’s summertime! That means that the gardens at Mortimer Farms in Dewey are brimming with fresh produce like strawberries, zucchini, summer squash, potatoes and onions. Rita Carey Rubin, Registered Dietician, Diabetes Educator and host of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen stopped by Mortimer’s for a tour and an al fresco cooking session with owner, Sharla Mortimer. Sharla and her husband Gary both have a rich background in farming and ranching, so when the property became available seven years ago, they were thrilled to make it their own. With a passion for educating the public, Mortimer Farms offers a variety of ways that visitors of all ages can learn first-hand how farm fresh produce really makes a difference. “There’s nothing like fresh vegetables, period,” says Sharla, “And when you get kids to come out and see it and dig it up and play in the dirt and enjoy that, and then go home and eat that same food that they just picked, it is just such a wonderful experience. It really gives them a connection and appreciation for where their food comes from.” Take a look at the tour of Mortimer Farms, and Rita and Sharla’s cooking demonstration: Rita and Sharla picked produce right out of the garden and prepared vegetarian tacos with Charred Tomato Salsa. Sharla showed Rita how to grill Mortimer’s grass-fed beef for another take on a family-friendly taco meal. Mock Mojitos featuring fresh strawberries from Mortimer’s you-pick strawberry patch rounded out the meal. You can download the recipes here: Charred Tomato-Tomatillo Salsa Strawberry Mock Mojitos To learn more about cooking simple, fresh and delicious meals, along with all of Rita’s downloadable recipes, check out Your Healthy Kitchen at yrmchealthconnect.org. You can also follow Rita on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, where Rita shares what she is making in her kitchen at home, as well as insider tips, recipes and great links to interesting news, websites, and videos about healthy food, cooking and gardening. Your Healthy Kitchen is one of the many ways that Yavapai Regional Medical Center, your local not-for-profit healthcare provider, supports health education and wellness for the residents of western Yavapai County.