Celebrating 20 years of athletic training SUMMER 2018
SOURCE
UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS Summer 2018 SEPTEMBER
IN THIS ISSUE Your community hospital............................................................3 News & advancements...............................................................4 Meet two of our newest surgeons...............................................6 Beyond the walls of the hospital.................................................7 A special hospital for women and children..................................8 Keeping athletes game-ready...................................................12 Friday night injury clinic.............................................................13 Responding to the challenge of growth.....................................14 New guidelines for first colonoscopy.........................................17
HealthWorks Farmer’s Market/ Huntsville Hospital · Thursdays Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Suicide Prevention Month 11 SPEAK Suicide Awareness and Prevention Parent Town Hall (256) 265-8077 14 Center for Lung Health Breathe Easy Support Group (256) 265-7071 18 Retirement Lifestyle Expo. VBC
Senior Horizons........................................................................18
OCTOBER
Out and about in our community with the Foundation...............20
HealthWorks Farmer’s Market/ Huntsville Hospital · Thursdays
Huntsville Classic and Claws for a Cause highlights..................20 Miracle Bash & Swim for Melissa recap....................................23
Madison Wellness Center turns 15 Join for $15 during October only. Breast Cancer Awareness Month 7 Madison Street Festival 12 Center for Lung Health Breathe Easy Support Group (256) 265-7071 20 15th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run benefiting the Breast Centers NOVEMBER
On the Cover: Huntsville Hospital Sports Center is celebrating its 20 year of providing athletic training services to high schools, colleges and professional teams. For the cover photo, we used a drone camera to capture this colorful birds-eye view of our certified athletic trainers with some of the athletes and coaches who benefit from the Sports Center program. th
6-9 Fall $5 Sale Huntsville Hospital Twickenham Walkway 18 BMW Brunch, benefiting The Caring House ON-GOING EVENTS
All rights reserved. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Articles in this magazine are written by Huntsville Hospital professionals who strive to present reliable, up-to-date information, but no publication can replace the care and advice of medical professionals. Contact your physician when considering and choosing health care treatments. For more information on the editorial content of Source, please call Huntsville Hospital Public Relations at (256) 265-8317 or Huntsville Hospital Foundation at (256) 265-8077. Please contact us if you wish to have your name removed from the list to receive fundraising requests or other mailings supporting Huntsville Hospital Foundation in the future.
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Dance with Parkinson’s Mondays · 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (256) 426-9209 For a complete list of blood drives, health screenings, support groups and other community events, visit huntsvillehospital.org/events
Your Community Hospital If there’s a word that describes our community right now, the word is more. More people, more jobs, and certainly more traffic. All of us realize that with such growth comes more challenges. At Huntsville Hospital Health System we’re committed to meeting the challenges of more patients in our community and region. Providing quality health care is our mission today and always will be. That’s why we’re engaged in exciting initiatives and cooperative efforts that we believe will help us better serve our patients and meet the increasing demands of a growing community. Here’s a quick look at some of these efforts.
David Spillers, CEO
More IT for better care Information Technology is critical to everything we do. It impacts the quality of care and service that we provide every day. By the end of 2018 we will introduce a new electronic medical record for our operations at the main campus, Women & Children’s and Madison. It is a massive undertaking to build and deploy a new computer system, but it will be worth it. More parking Construction of a 600-car parking garage is underway on the campus of Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. The parking deck will extend across Lowell Drive and connect to the existing garage on that campus. We will do our best to limit the inconvenience that may occur during the construction.
OUR MISSION Provide high quality care and services that will improve the health of those we serve. OUR VISION To be one of the best health systems in America and consistently strive to provide clinical and service excellence. OUR VALUES Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Accountability, Compassion and Safety
More physicians As of June 30, we had 811 physicians on the Huntsville Hospital Medical Staff. In addition, we welcomed 22 new physicians to the Medical Staff in July alone. More emergency care We recognize that wait times in the Emergency Department are impacted by many factors, including trauma patients who are transported to the hospital by ambulance or helicopter. To help with our non-trauma patients, we have opened additional beds and secured more physician coverage in the peak times. We appreciate your patience as we seek to better serve you. More regional cooperation Working together in today’s complex healthcare environment is essential. Huntsville Hospital Health System was created to provide care to all of North Alabama and southern Tennessee. Our Health System has relationships with providers in all the areas we serve. We all benefit from the relationships we have put in place in these communities. In October, Marshall Medical Centers will become an integrated member of our system. We are excited to have them join us. More private patient rooms and more operating rooms By early next year we expect to begin construction on a new Bed Tower on the main campus across from the fountain on Gallatin Street. This is one of the largest projects we have ever done and one of the most significant in our history. This expansion will add 72 private rooms for our patients, as well as 24 new operating rooms. We are making substantial investments in facilities, technology and staff to take care of this region. The steps we are taking now will have a significant positive impact on patient care in our community and region for decades to come. We will keep you informed on the progress of these exciting initiatives.
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NEWS & ADVANCEMENTS Huntsville gynecologic oncologist Tyler Kirby, MD, is chairing a new statewide task force that’s working to improve outcomes for gynecologic cancer patients. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey formed the Study Commission on Gynecologic Cancers earlier this year.
Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children is getting its own parking deck. The new garage on Lowell Drive will have an additional 600 parking spaces for visitors, hospital employees and medical staff. Construction started in early August and is expected to take about a year. Lowell Drive will be permanently closed to through traffic, but drivers will still be able to access the medical office buildings on Lowell.
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Christopher M. Rush is the new vice president of Huntsville Hospital Health System’s Physicians Network, which includes more than 30 primary care and specialty medical offices.
Kyle Buchanan has been named Vice President of Operations for Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, following the retirement of Paula Lucas. Buchanan previously headed up Huntsville Hospital Health System’s population health effort.
Did you know your hospital gift shop purchases can improve patient care? This year, the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary donated $282,383 from shop sales to fund new equipment and services for Huntsville Hospital and Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. The list includes patient beds, dialysis machines, an MRI-compatible wheelchair, blanket warmers for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a life-like pediatric patient simulator that will allow pediatric ICU staff to practice critical care scenarios. Huntsville Hospital Foundation helps the Auxiliary identify needs and facilitates the equipment purchases. Above, Auxiliary members and pediatric ICU staff pose with Hal, the new pediatric critical care patient simulator. Below, Auxiliary members present Huntsville Hospital Foundation President Candy Burnett with a check for more than $280,000.
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MEET TWO OF OUR NEWEST SURGEONS Huntsville Hospital attracts some of the best and brightest physicians from across the United States. Among the 54 talented new physicians who joined our medical staff this summer are neurosurgeon Stephen E. Sandwell, MD, and pediatric surgeon Zaria Murrell, MD. Dr. Murrell was drawn by the opportunity to work with one of her mentors, James Gilbert, MD, who until recently had been the region’s only pediatric surgeon. With Dr. Murrell on board, Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children can now serve many more young patients in North Alabama and southern Tennessee. “It was really because of Dr. Gilbert’s encouragement that I became a pediatric surgeon,” said Dr. Murrell. “I’m just thrilled to be able to work with him and return to Huntsville.” A native of Queens, New York, Dr. Murrell had a thriving general surgery practice for seven years here in the Rocket City and filled in for Dr. Gilbert during his vacations. Dr. Gilbert saw that she had a knack with kids and encouraged her to consider changing her specialty to pediatric surgery. So, at age 40, Dr. Murrell moved to Ohio to start a fellowship in fetal surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She went on to complete two more pediatric fellowships, in vascular malformations and pediatric surgery. Dr. Murrell spent the past five years as an assistant professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, teaching surgical techniques to surgical residents and pediatric surgical fellows. She was also on the medical staff of Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville.
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Neurosurgeon Stephen E. Sandwell, MD, and Pediatric surgeon Zaria Murrell, MD
The path to becoming a neurosurgeon is a long one – four years of medical school followed by seven years of specialized residency training. Dr. Sandwell joined the Spine & Neuro Center at Huntsville Hospital after completing medical school at the University of Louisville and a neurosurgery residency program at the University of Rochester in New York. He specializes in spine surgery for cervical, thoracic and lumbar conditions, as well as cranial and peripheral nerve treatments plus spine and brain trauma. Before becoming a physician, Dr. Sandwell spent six years as a physician assistant at a neurosurgery clinic in Kentucky. “I learned that I was good working with my hands, and that I really liked seeing patients recover from different types of spine and brain surgery,” he said. “The long journey to become a neurosurgeon is not time lost. It’s time used to become better at your chosen profession.” A California native, Dr. Sandwell has been discovering why the Rocket City receives so many national accolades. U.S. News & World Report ranked Huntsville No. 7 on its 2018 Best Places to Live list based on quality of life, affordability and the strength of the job market. “My wife and I are really excited to be here,” Dr. Sandwell said. “We’re looking to settle down and make Huntsville our home.”
Here’s a closer look at this year’s Jean Wessel Templeton Community Health Initiative grant recipients: The ARC of Madison County $16,500 to provide gap coverage for health needs within the disabled population CASA of Madison County $50,000 to support the Safety Net program, which allows homebound seniors to age in place safely Community Free Clinic $100,000 to continue providing medical care to uninsured individuals Community Free Dental Clinic $40,000 to continue providing free dental care to low-income, uninsured adults First Stop $8,500 to provide first aid, dental and optical needs to unsheltered and underserved individuals HEALS $80,000 to provide medical, dental and optometry care at school to underserved elementary-age children and their siblings New Hope Children’s Clinic $75,000 to provide access to affordable and comprehensive health care to children in southeast Madison County Rock Steady Boxing $30,000 to support a non-contact boxing program that has proven clinically effective in delaying the progression of Parkinson’s disease Village of Promise $10,000 to support the Infant University program for at-risk children WellStone Behavioral Health $90,000 to expand behavioral health outpatient services to clients ages three to 18 at local schools
Huntsville Hospital’s Jean Wessel Templeton Community Health Initiative (CHI) held its 2018-19 grant awards ceremony in June. Pictured from left to right are, top row: Health Care Authority board member Beth Richardson; Shotsie Platt, Community Free Clinic; Cindy Williamson, New Hope Children’s Clinic; Valerie Hampton, Village of Promise; Mike Gordon, First Stop; Julia Nabors, Community Free Dental Clinic; and CHI Project Coordinator John Simms. Bottom row: Anna Rodes, CASA of Madison County; Heather Mason, HEALS; Jasmine Davis, WellStone Behavioral Health; Becky Pillsbury, The Arc of Madison County; and Carolyn Rhodes, Rock Steady Boxing.
BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE HOSPITAL This year’s 10 grant recipients of Huntsville Hospital’s Jean Wessel Templeton Community Health Initiative (CHI) will share $500,000 to help improve lives through education, prevention and early detection of disease. Since its founding in 1996, CHI has awarded $10.3 million to 48 different nonprofit agencies that are working to keep Madison County healthy. The Community Free Clinic has been one of the biggest beneficiaries, receiving more than $1.75 million. Located a short walk from Huntsville Hospital, the clinic offers free medical care to homeless and uninsured residents. Volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals from the hospital provide much of the care. “We couldn’t do what we do without the Community Health Initiative,” said Angela Caires, DNP, RN, a nurse practitioner at the clinic. “The heart of our clinic is Huntsville Hospital, and the wonderful volunteers who show up night after night to serve the patients in our community.” A volunteer committee from a cross-section of the community selects the agencies which demonstrate the greatest ability to make a difference in our community. The committee is chaired by Beth Richardson, a member of the hospital’s governing board, the Health Care Authority. The 2018-19 grant recipients were recognized during a June 21 ceremony at the Madison County Health Department. Source | Summer 2018
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Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children has the region’s largest team of physician specialists dedicated to pediatric and adult female patients. The team includes (from left to right) maternal fetal medicine specialist Dr. Margaret Carter, neonatologist Dr. Lee Morris, breast imaging radiologist Dr. Libby Shadinger, pediatric hospitalist Dr. Lorie Dawson, gynecologic oncologist Dr. David Engle, pediatric surgeon Dr. James Gilbert, pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Jennifer Cox, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Linnea Larson-Williams, pediatric radiologist Tangayi Githu, OB-GYN Dr. Whitney Dunham and pediatric critical care specialist Dr. Susan Morris.
UNIQUE SERVICES OFFERED FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN Lauderdale County resident Laura Beth Cole felt something wasn’t quite right with her daughter Mallory. She was much smaller than her classmates but had a voracious appetite. She seemed to constantly be thirsty and frequently had the urge to urinate. 8 huntsvillehospital.org
This spring Cole took Mallory to a pediatrician, who discovered her blood glucose was 363 – more than triple the normal fasting level. He diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes and sent her immediately to Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children to be seen by Linnea Larson-Williams, MD, the region’s only pediatric endocrinologist.
Pediatric endocrinology is one of the 20-plus medical specialties at Women & Children that are not found at any other hospital in North Alabama. Other specialty areas include pediatric surgery, pediatric audiology, Pediatric ER, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, maternal fetal medicine, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, gynecologic oncology surgery, OB-GYN Emergency Department, and the state’s only St. Jude Affiliate Clinic for treatment of childhood cancers. Dr. Larson-Williams and the rest of the hospital team that worked with Mallory – nurses, a diabetes educator and diabetes nutritionist – helped get her blood sugar under control and patiently answered the family’s many questions. “They made us realize that Mallory can absolutely have a normal life,” said Cole, a former labor and delivery nurse. “They also empowered her to feel confident about living with diabetes. By the time she left the hospital, she was giving her own insulin shots and calculating her dosages.” With her blood sugar level under control, Mallory feels better than she has in months. She recently started seventh grade at Brooks High School in Killen. “Diabetes changes the entire family,” Cole said. “But thanks to Dr. Larson-Williams and her team, we’re on a really good path.” Thousands of families across the region have been touched by the unique specialty care provided by Women & Children. Here are some other examples:
ST. JUDE AFFILIATE CLINIC Last summer, Ardmore resident Pam Emerson didn’t even know there was a St. Jude Affiliate Clinic in Huntsville. Now, St. Jude’s local physicians and nurses are among the most important people in her life: They are treating Emerson’s daughter, Natalee, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia – a type of childhood cancer. Pediatric hematologistoncologist Jennifer Cox, MD, is the clinic’s medical director. “During our first visit with Dr. Cox, she said, ‘I’ve treated hundreds of kids with this. It’s just a bump in the road,’” said Emerson. “After that I remember thinking, ‘OK, we can do this.’” On July 24, 2017, Emerson drove Natalee to the Pediatric ER at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children because of a high fever. After reviewing the results of a blood test, emergency physician Mark Eich, MD, felt it might be cancer. By the next day, the Ardmore High School student was in Memphis to start treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children is the only hospital in North Alabama to offer these services: Antepartum unit Child Life specialists with music therapy and Arts in Medicine Gynecologic oncology (surgery and Adult ICU) Kids Care pediatric and neonatal transport ambulance Level III Neonatal ICU Maternal fetal medicine OB-GYN Emergency Department OB hospitalists Pediatric audiology Pediatric cardiology Pediatric endocrinology Pediatric ER Pediatric gastroenterology Pediatric hospitalists Pediatric ICU (including pediatric intensivists) Pediatric neurology Pediatric occupational and speech therapy Pediatric orthopedic medicine
Natalee now visits St. Jude’s Huntsville clinic every Tuesday for chemotherapy. She is about a third of the way through her 120-week treatment regimen.
Pediatric pulmonology
The Huntsville clinic is the only St. Jude facility in Alabama, and one of just eight in the United States. Emerson said having world-class pediatric cancer treatment available right down the road has made all the difference for her family.
Pediatric surgery
“Lots of families that don’t have a clinic nearby have to move to Memphis while their child is being treated,” she said. “Because of St. Jude in Huntsville, my husband can still work, we can still go to our church and just try to be as normal as possible.”
Pediatric radiology St. Jude Affiliate Clinic (pediatric hematology/ oncology)
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Margaret F. Carter, MD, and Maternal Fetal Medicine staff with Michelle Newberry Epling and her twin daughters, Charlotte and Abby.
Pediatric endocrinologist Linnea Larson-Williams, MD, talks with Mallory Cole about her diagnosis and how to live with diabetes.
MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE
PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY
Madison resident Michelle Newberry Epling says she has Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist Margaret F. Carter, MD, to thank for her twin daughters.
Bright lights, unusual sounds and strange people – the hospital can be a scary and overwhelming place for any child. Pediatric neurologist Kimberly Limbo, MD, is thankful for the many ways her patients are made to feel more comfortable when they come to Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children for tests.
Dr. Carter specializes in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies; Epling was referred to her because the twins shared the same placenta, a situation that can lead to complications. When a routine lab test showed unusually high levels of protein in Epling’s urine, Dr. Carter became concerned that she was developing preeclampsia – pregnancy-related high blood pressure that can be fatal to both mother and baby if left untreated. Dr. Carter called Epling and urged her to go to Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children for further evaluation. “That call may have saved my life and the babies’ lives,” Epling said, “When I got to the hospital, my blood pressure was through the roof.” Epling was admitted to the Antepartum Unit – the only one in the region – for the remainder of her pregnancy. Identical twins Charlotte and Abby were delivered by Cesarean-section on May 22, 2015. They’re now three years old and doing great. “I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Carter and her entire practice,” said Epling. “They really became an extension of our family.”
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“These tests and procedures are necessary, but we don’t want to cause distress to the child or the parents,” she said. “Having a team specialized in taking care of children with tools like the MRI video goggles make a difference.” MRI video goggles allow children to watch their favorite movie while having an MRI scan to take detailed pictures of the inside of their body. Children must be still during the scan, which can last several minutes, so keeping them calm and occupied is essential. The pediatric imaging department with the support of the child life specialists has a host of kid-friendly toys like the video goggles and a Touch2Play computer in addition to comfort measures like heavy blankets. In the hands of pediatric-trained staff and child life specialists, these tools can make the hospital less scary. When children are relaxed and cooperative, tests are more accurate and provide better results for medical treatment.
We are excited to welcome cardiologists
KAUFMANN, REDDY AND VALTOS
Gautam Reddy, MD
Michael Kaufmann, MD
Josh Valtos, MD
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KEEPING THEM GAME READY
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SPORTS TRAINING Huntsville Hospital Sports Center provides athletic training services for these local high schools, colleges and professional sports teams: Alabama A&M University Bob Jones High Columbia High Grissom High Hazel Green High Huntsville Havoc Huntsville High James Clemens High Jemison High Lee High New Hope High Oakwood University Scottsboro High Sparkman High St. John Paul II Catholic High 12 huntsvillehospital.org
This year marks the 20th anniversary of a unique partnership between Huntsville Hospital and local sports teams. The hospital’s Sports Center sports medicine program has been providing certified, licensed athletic trainers for area high schools, universities and professional teams since 1998. Sports medicine physicians at The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) are partners in the program, and well-known orthopedic surgeon John Greco, MD, serves as the medical director. “Both Huntsville Hospital and TOC have a mission to keep the community healthy, and athletes are a big part of that,” said Dr. Greco. “We’re proud that Sports Center is now the most comprehensive, hospital-based athletic training program in Alabama.” Huntsville Hospital Sports Center employs more than 30 certified athletic trainers (ATCs) who are on the sidelines for every game, practice and summer conditioning session at their assigned school. They evaluate and treat sports injuries, direct preventive care and injury rehabilitation efforts, perform pre-season sports physicals to make sure players are healthy enough to compete, and much more. Most public high schools in Huntsville, Madison County and the city of Madison are part of the Sports Center team, along with Scottsboro High in Jackson County and one private school, St. Pope John Paul II Catholic High. The program also serves Alabama A&M University, Oakwood University and the Huntsville Havoc. We asked Huntsville City Schools Athletics Director Scott Stapler, Hazel Green High Volleyball Coach Coco Hughes and Bob Jones High Athletics Director Tom Runnion for their impressions of Sports Center’s athletic training services. Here’s what they had to say:
Huntsville Hospital Sports Center works with hundreds of local high school and college athletes, including (pictured left to right) Bob Jones High wrestler Zaderian Toney; Scottsboro High track and field athlete Anna Carlson; Alabama A&M University basketball player Aubriana Bonner; James Clemens High soccer player Julia Reis; St. John Paul II Catholic High soccer player Matthew Coakley; Jemison High basketball player Tony Toney; New Hope High softball player Savanna Ginn; Hazel Green High softball player Catherine Crabb; and Grissom High baseball player Wes Widner.
Q. How has your school benefited from your relationship with Sports Center? Runnion: Having two athletic trainers at our school on a daily basis is invaluable. Meeting the needs of our studentathletes has always been the primary concern of our athletic trainers, and it shows. Getting our student-athletes immediate care when they’re injured and supporting them with treatment keeps our teams competing at the highest level possible. Q: There are lots of bumps and bruises during a high school sports season. For coaches and parents, how comforting is it to have a certified athletic trainer on the sidelines for all games and practices? Runnion: It’s extremely comforting. Knowing that we have medical professionals caring for our student-athletes takes the decision of when to return to action out of the coaches’ hands. Our parents feel at ease as well knowing they don’t have to run to the emergency room every time their son or daughter has a minor injury.
Q: Talk about a situation where your Sports Center athletic trainer went above and beyond for you or your players. Hughes: My volleyball players weren’t eating correctly and weren’t taking in enough fluids. Our athletic trainer, Naeka Patterson, had a nutrition specialist from Huntsville Hospital come talk to my players about nutrition and how to fuel the body properly, including how much fluid they should be taking in daily with the activities we go through. We still have the handout the nutritionist gave us, and it’s passed down to every new member we get. Q: What else would you like the community to know about the Sports Center program? Stapler: The biggest thing that I think the community needs to know is how dedicated these athletic trainers are. They become a part of the teams they work with. They build relationships with the players and coaches. They totally buy in to that program and school. Their job goes unnoticed many times but is extremely important, and the hours they put in show their dedication.
FRIDAY NIGHT INJURY CLINIC The hard hits that echo through high school football stadiums across North Alabama this time of year can sometimes lead to injuries. Athletes with broken bones, sprained ligaments and other problems can go directly from the field to Huntsville Hospital Sports Center’s Friday Night Injury Clinic for fast treatment without an appointment. Located inside the Pediatric Emergency Room at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, the clinic is staffed by a physician from TOC Sports plus a certified athletic trainer from Huntsville Hospital Sports Center. “It’s a fast track orthopedic evaluation and assessment so players and parents don’t have to wait until the next Monday to be seen,” said Sports Center Program Manager Michael Stevenson, ATC. “We can take X-rays, provide treatment and help get the player an appointment with a specialist if necessary. We’ve been offering this service to the community for about 15 years.” The clinic is open every Friday night from late August to late October and is for any athlete with an acute sports injury. While most of the patients are football players, Stevenson said the clinic has also treated a number of cheerleaders. Source | Summer 2018
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RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE MADISON EXPANDING SERVICES Since opening six years ago, Madison Hospital has grown into one of the most trusted resources in one of the fastest-growing communities in Alabama. This year, the hospital expects to perform a record 4,000 surgeries, deliver 1,500 babies and treat 55,000 patients in the Emergency Department. Hospital leaders have responded to the growing patient demands by adding an array of new services. Here’s a closer look.
LEVEL II NURSERY A few months before Raven Moore became pregnant with her son Hunter, Madison Hospital’s well-baby nursery was reclassified to a Level II “special care” nursery. So when Hunter arrived unexpectedly – nearly two months early – neonatologists cared for him in the nursery until he was well enough to go home. “I wasn’t able to be at the nursery every second of every day, but they made me feel like I was with the way they communicated with me,” said Moore. Level II is an intermediate step between a well-baby nursery and Neonatal ICU, allowing Madison Hospital’s nursing staff and neonatologists to care for infants born up to eight weeks premature as well as those with moderate health problems.
Pediatrician Stephanie Israel, MD, examines a baby in Madison Hospital’s Level II nursery. Madison Hospital is Baby-Friendly certified. 14 huntsvillehospital.org
The new center will double our capacity and allow us to serve more patients. -Kate Marquez, RN, Surgery and Endoscopy Director
ENDOSCOPY CENTER
ER FAST TRACK
IMPROVED IMAGING
When renovations finish, all outpatient colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal scope procedures will be performed in a new 10,000-squarefoot Endoscopy Center inside the Madison Medical I building near the hospital’s Balch Road entrance.
Harvest resident Jonathan Lewis was cleaning an HVAC line in his attic when his foot accidentally broke through the ceiling. He fell about 10 feet and landed in the living room. He knew immediately something was wrong, and went to Madison Hospital emergency room.
Madison Hospital is now offering modified barium swallow tests overseen by a radiologist and speech pathologist.
The center will include four modern endoscopy suites, nine pre-op bays where patients are prepped for their procedure, and eight recovery bays. The two existing endoscopy suites inside Madison Hospital will be converted into operating rooms and also used for inpatient endoscopy procedures when needed. “The new center will double our capacity and allow us to serve more patients,” said Madison Hospital Surgery and Endoscopy Director Kate Marquez, RN. Madison Hospital Manager of Support Services James Baker, right, inspects the future Outpatient Endoscopy Center site with Roy Waldrop from the Robins & Morton construction firm.
The emergency physician diagnosed Lewis with a deep tissue bruise in his heel. The whole process took just over an hour in the new Fast Track. Madison Hospital launched the Fast Track area this spring to speed up the assessment, treatment and discharge of patients with less severe injuries and illnesses. “I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was seen,” said Lewis, an Army veteran who works as a defense consultant. “When I got home, my wife said she wasn’t expecting to see me for a couple more hours.” Fast Track patient Jonathan Lewis in front of the Madison ER.
This simple and quick test helps diagnose swallowing difficulties that might cause a stroke or pneumonia patient to choke at mealtime. Depending on the results, the speech pathologist may recommend dietary changes to prevent choking and aspiration of food and liquid into the lungs. “We want to make sure that nothing is going down the airway,” said radiologist Roderick M. Zalamea, MD. “If there is some type of swallowing dysfunction, we’re looking for the underlying cause. I know patients in Madison are really pleased that this test is now available closer to home.” Katerina Puzinauskas, speech pathologist, conducts a modified barium swallow test in Madison Hospital’s Imaging Department.
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New beginnings start here. More couples trust our caring staff for their special delivery. And with two convenient locations to serve growing families, we’re ready to offer you a friendly tour at the location that best meets your needs. Visit our websites to learn more or call (256) 265-7296 to schedule a personal tour with a labor and delivery nurse. Giving babies the best start possible.
hhwomenandchildren.org
madisonALhospital.org
Huntsville Hospital Digestive Disease Center gastroenterologist Rami Hawari, MD, (pictured right) says medical evidence “clearly supports” regular colon cancer screenings starting at age 45.
NEW GUIDELINES FOR FIRST COLONOSCOPY For years, Americans have been told they could generally wait until age 50 to have a colonoscopy. That may be changing. Citing a rise in the number of young adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) now recommends regular screenings starting at age 45. Those at higher risk of colorectal cancer – due to family history of the disease and other factors – should see their physician to determine when a colonoscopy is needed. Huntsville Hospital Digestive Disease Center gastroenterologist Rami Hawari, MD, said it used to be rare to see someone under age 50 with colorectal cancer. However, the incidence rate for Americans between 20 and 49 years old has been steadily climbing since about 1990. “The data clearly supports starting colon cancer screenings at age 45,” said Dr. Hawari, who is also a member of the hospital’s Cancer Committee. “ACS should be applauded for being the first to recommend the change.”
The American Cancer Society now recommends regular screenings starting at age 45.
The hospital supports a National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable initiative to increase the colorectal cancer screening rate to 80 percent by the end of 2018. Currently, only about 60 percent of eligible adults bother to get screened. That needs to change. A routine colonoscopy can often detect colorectal cancer in the early stages when it is more treatable. “Early detection is key,” said Dr. Hawari. Source | Summer 2018
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FOR MEMBERS OF
SENIOR HORIZONS
SAVE THE DATE September 11 Lunch Bunch · 11 a.m. PoBoy Factory, 815 Andrew Jackson Way 18 Retirement Lifestyles Expo · 9 a.m. Von Braun Center
October 9 Lunch Bunch · 11 a.m. Mellow Mushroom, 2230 Cecil Ashburn Drive 16 Tasty Tuesday Luncheon · 11:30 a.m. TARCOG programs for senior adults. Speaker: Amber Williams, LBSW, Top of Alabama Regional Council of Government, Aging and Disability Resource Center Trinity UMC, 607 Airport Road
November 13 Lunch Bunch · 11 a.m. Conner’s, 345 Bridge Street Call (256) 265-7950 for reservations. Huntsville Hospital Senior Horizons huntsvillehospital.org/senior-horizons sharon.darty@hhsys.org 18 huntsvillehospital.org
Senior Horizons members learn about vein disease from Heart Center cardiologist Michael Ridner, MD, FACC, at July’s Tasty Tuesday luncheon.
Tasty Tuesdays are held quarterly at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Road. Come early for free blood pressure checks! Guest speakers are local health professionals who educate Senior Horizons members about medical issues affecting our community, such as the effects of sun exposure to our skin, the opioid epidemic, and how to read lab reports. Join us for our next Tasty Tuesday on October 16 as we discuss information on six different programs benefiting senior adults during TARCOG’s open enrollment period. Advance reservation and payment is required (see below for payment details). Please call to reserve your seat.
Senior Horizons has new office hours! Monday and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 12:45 p.m. - 2 p.m. Please note that payments for Senior Horizons events and membership are no longer received at the Senior Horizons office. If you wish to make your payment in person, please visit the cashier on the first floor of Huntsville Hospital, just outside of the “C” Elevators. If you wish to mail your payment, please make checks payable to “Senior Horizons” and mail to: Huntsville Hospital Senior Horizons, 101 Sivley Road, Huntsville, AL 35801.
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OUT AND ABOUT
in OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE FOUNDATION
Boots and Mary Lynne Wright, Madison Hospital president, celebrate the 30th anniversary event with Classic Co-chairman Beth Richardson and her husband Rodney.
Concert goers enjoyed a fantastic performance from four-time Grammy Award winner and Muscle Shoals native Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit.
The 30th annual Huntsville Classic raised a record $430,000 in net proceeds thanks to the support of generous sponsors, concert goers, dinner guests and golfers. More than 5,100 guests joined Huntsville Hospital Foundation on May 10 for the Huntsville Classic dinner and concert, featuring Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Then, 243 golfers turned out for the Huntsville Classic Golf Tournament, May 12 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove. Proceeds will provide a second Kids Care pediatric transport ambulance, and lifesaving equipment, to transport critically ill children and newborns from across North Alabama to Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.
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The Huntsville Classic would not be possible without the generosity of our Founding and Platinum Sponsors: Ron Poteat (Regions Bank), Huntsville Hospital COO Jeff Samz, Classic Co-chairmen Scott Moore (Hexagon) and Beth Richardson, Mitch Coley (Robins & Morton), and Dave King (Dynetics).
Dr. Rich Randall, president of the hospital’s Medical Staff, and his wife Jayne.
Scott Moore (back) and Beth Richardson (right), with members of Raytheon’s Highlands course runner-up golf team: Reamer Argo, Kevin Byrnes, Donna Lowen and Brad Dahlke.
Andrea Landers, Mimi Little, Foundation Board of Trustees Treasurer Jason Landers and David Little (Keel Point) at the Huntsville Classic Dinner.
Team Hexagon is ready to tee off at the 30th annual Huntsville Classic Golf Tournament: Scott Moore, Scott Roark, Jim Kaplan and Larry Eakes. A special thank you to Founding Sponsor Hexagon for supporting the Classic for 30 years! Source | Summer 2018
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Thank you to our Gold Sponsors! Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Alabama Mr. and Mrs. Peyton McNully Spine & Neuro Physicians
Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Development Council hosted Claws for a Cause on June 2 to benefit the Huntsville Hospital Neurological ICU. The event raised more than $15,000, providing new patient chairs and communication boards for the unit. The chairs will increase patient mobility, and the boards are essential tools in helping patients verbalize their needs and symptoms. Thank you to all event sponsors, attendees and volunteers for your support! Top: Sarah Trice and Development Council member Tyce Hudson greet guests at the registration table. Bottom: Emma Grace Scullen, Chandlar Wirick and Christian Lloyd partake in the crawfish spread, provided by New Orleans Lunchbox.
The 2nd annual Say No To Obesity 4K raised $21,903 for the Foundation’s Obesity Prevention Fund. Pictured left: Race director Nisha Mailapur sisters with sister Elena Stand Up for Kids Comedy Show Rocket City Broadcasting and Stand Up Live supported the hospital’s Music Therapy program. Pictured right: Kevin Daniels, Music Therapist Krysee Wright, Leeann Foster, Buzz Stephens, comedian Dan Whitehurst, Marsha Seymour and “Casio” Matt Mitchell Battle of the Beards, hosted by The Bearded Villains of North Alabama, raised $2,000 for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund. The Swing “Fore” Children with Cancer Golf Tournament raised $38,033 in net proceeds for the Dr. Frank Crim Compassion Fund for Children with Cancer. Pictured left: Trey Bentley, Phil Bentley, Kyle Yokley, Russell Yokley and Talitha Yokley 22 huntsvillehospital.org
More than 750 attendees and swimmers joined Huntsville Hospital Foundation for the 13th annual Miracle Bash on August 3, and Swim for Melissa on August 4. Both events benefited the Foundation’s Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, raising money to provide a new Voyager Isolette and ventilator for Huntsville Hospital’s newest Kids Care Critical Care Transport ambulance. This innovative equipment will ensure that babies on board – some born as early as 23 weeks – have access to the most up-to-date medical technology while being transported to the Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children Regional Neonatal ICU from area hospitals. A special thank you to the 2018 Miracle Bash Hostess Committee! Front row (L-R): Ashley Sharp, Anna Ford, Brooke Harriman, Co-chairman Molli Kirby, Katherine Hanback, Amy George, Chairman Andrea Landers, Kate Nuwayhid, Kristen Osborne and Hollie Harriman. Back row (L-R): Tiphani Gay, Jaci Knuble, Leigh Wright, Kelly McElroy, Jodi Schwartz, Hillary Harris, Meredith Miller, Melissa Lowe, Leslie Rice and Sarah Pfieffer.
Kyrel and Kyle Buchanan, vice president of Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.
Members of the Fancy Fins swim team make a big splash for tiny babies by participating in the 13th annual Swim for Melissa.
Drs. Matthew and Stephanie Israel with Marie and Dr. Bill Schneider.
NICU “graduate” Reece Carroll, captain of Reece’s River Ratz swim team, swims laps at Swim for Melissa.
Thank you to the 2018 Swim for Melissa Committee! Pictured left to right: Ashley Gray, Traci Lang, Amy and Chris George, Chris Baldridge, Amber Keith, Brooke McGee, Missy Logan and Veronica Cram.
Foundation Board Vice-Chairman Chris Hanback and his wife Katherine, Melissa’s Fund Founders Chris and Amy George, Foundation Board Treasurer John Jeffery and his wife Leslie.
A special thank you to our 2018 major sponsors! Source | Summer 2018
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SOURCE
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TREATMENT
that stands up A strong back is essential to doing all the things you enjoy. Being active again can come from a balanced treatment approach designed by our rehab specialists, physicians and nurses. With a custom treatment plan you are one step closer to getting back to your life.
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