SPRING 2017
SOURCE
SPRING 2017
UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS MAY
IN THIS ISSUE Employee of the year.......................................................................................... 4 Five years and growing...................................................................................... 5 One hundred TAVRs and counting............................................................... 6 News & Advancements ..................................................................................... 7 A chance to SPEAK out...................................................................................... 8 The new fingerprint...........................................................................................10 When duty calls, off the clock.......................................................................11 Making a network: Saving stroke victims ...............................................12 Delivering more...................................................................................................14
HealthWorks Farmer’s Market every Thursday in May 20 Relay for Life Downtown Huntsville JUNE HealthWorks Farmer’s Market every Thursday in June 3 Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Claws for a Cause Crawfish boil and cornhole tournament at Campus No. 805 6 Huntsville Hospital Heart Center Blood Drive 6, 13, 20, 27 Free Bariatric Information Session at the HH Center for Surgical Weight Loss JULY
A commitment to care......................................................................................15
HealthWorks Farmer’s Market every Thursday in July
Next level athletics.............................................................................................16
6, 11, 18, 25 Free Bariatric Information Session at the HH Center for Surgical Weight Loss
Out and about in our community................................................................18 Senior Horizons Happenings........................................................................20
14 Logistics Center Blood Drive 27 HH Childhood Development Center 50th Anniversary
On the Cover:
AUGUST
During pregnancy, a complication brought Whitney Norwood to the new OB Emergency Department. Months later, her newborn son needed the specialized care of the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Read their story on page 14 to learn how Whitney, her son Decker and the rest of the Norwood family are doing thanks in part to the specialized, regional services available at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.
HealthWorks Farmer’s Market every Thursday in August
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.
For a complete list of blood drives, health screenings, support groups and other community events, visit huntsvillehospital.org/events
1, 8, 15, 22 Free Bariatric Information Session at the HH Center for Surgical Weight Loss 8 Patient Accounting Blood Drive in Research Park
Your Community Hospital With a new administration and a new agenda in Washington, there were many people who believed that the first quarter of 2017 would see an overhaul of the legislation governing our nation’s health care system. But, as we all know, things look very similar after the Republican-led Congress failed to pass the American Health Care Act as a replacement for Obamacare. As a result, the obvious question is—what now? Your guess is probably as good as mine. And since I’m writing this article a few weeks before you read it, I will definitely punt it. Predicting what Washington will do is like forecasting the weather. The best thing to do is just wait and see. David Spillers, CEO
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
Closer to home, our state continues to wrestle with the future of Medicaid, a program that is largely dependent on federal funding. The Alabama Legislature and state Medicaid officials will determine whether the new regional care organization (RCO) approach will begin later this year in October. We believe that this approach gives the best chance to improve the health of Medicaid patients while helping develop a more effective and efficient delivery system for the state. In the coming months we’ll continue to discuss the issues that challenge our health care system nationally and locally. Just as importantly, we will also share the many positive steps that we are taking and the investments we are making to improve the health care services delivered in our community and region. Whether we are introducing advanced technology and treatment methods in our facilities, building the community’s first inpatient hospice unit, adding more hospital beds at Madison Hospital, or serving the homeless population from our Mobile Medical Unit, our goal is improving lives through quality health care. This is the heart of our mission. We welcome your feedback on how we can do that even better. It is our privilege to care for you and your family. Have a great spring.
Source | Spring 2017
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EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR As a member of Huntsville Hospital’s IT Help Desk team, Austin Lemley spends his days answering employees’ sometimes frantic calls about computer, phone and printer problems. He has the perfect personality for the job – calm, reassuring, friendly. The self-described “computer nerd” is so good at what he does that he was recently named the hospital’s 2016 Employee of the Year, edging out 11 other excellent nominees. “I certainly wasn’t expecting it,” Austin said. “After the award presentation, I had to kind of gather myself. There are just so many good people in the organization.” Austin joined the hospital in March 2012 and has become a vital part of the IT Help Desk, which provides support for Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital, Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children and Helen Keller 4 huntsvillehospital.org
Hospital in Sheffield. His boss, IT Help Desk Coordinator Mike Stewart, called Austin “a mentor and leader” of the team. “He is highly organized and focused on delivering top-notch customer service. I am proud to see Austin receive the recognition he so deserves, “ said Stewart. Austin worked in IT phone support for Gateway computers while attending Mississippi State University in the early 2000s. He later transferred to Athens State University and earned a degree in computer science. When he isn’t at his computer screen, Austin can often be found riding his bicycle. He likes to bike-commute from his south Huntsville home to the hospital when the weather is nice.
Looking over plans for fifth floor construction are Manager of Plant Operations James Baker, Director of Nursing Unit Gina Turner, Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright and Glenn Cooper from Plant Operations.
GREEN LIGHT, GO. Madison Hospital has been given permission by state health officials to add 30 new inpatient beds. Construction is expected to get under way this summer. Once completed, Madison Hospital will have 90 medical-surgical and ICU beds, up from 60 today. The fifth floor will be transformed into 17 private rooms for medicalsurgical patients as well as an eightbed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Five other patient beds OK’d by the state are earmarked for the fourth floor. Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright said 60 beds is no longer enough to meet the health care needs of Madison and surrounding areas. “We’ve grown tremendously and gotten to the point where we need to expand so we can accommodate more patients,” Wright said.
5 YEARS AND GROWING Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright said the hospital’s growth in just five years has exceeded even her own lofty expectations. The staff is on track to deliver 1,000 babies and perform 3,600 surgeries in 2017. The ER is about to undergo its fourth expansion since 2012. The state has OK’d construction of 30 new rooms for medical-surgical and intensive care patients. “We’re honestly ahead of where I thought we would be after five years, and that’s a testament to this community,” said Wright. “They were very vocal about wanting a hospital of their own, and they have supported us from the get-go.” Since opening on Feb. 28, 2012, Madison Hospital has become an indispensable resource for thousands of families in Madison, Monrovia, Harvest and surrounding areas. Its presence has also influenced many of the area’s leading medical practices to
open offices on the hospital campus or nearby. They include General Surgeons: Drs. Downy, Hunt, Schreeder and Zelickson, OB/GYN Associates, Heart Center, Clinic for Women, Huntsville Hospital Lung Center, North Alabama ENT, Huntsville Hospital Digestive Disease Center and North Alabama Hospitalists. The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) opened its Madison location while the hospital was still under construction. The hospital’s success has mirrored that of Madison itself. The most recent Census estimate put Madison’s population at 46,952, making it the 10th-largest city in Alabama. Despite all the growth, Madison Hospital remains firmly committed to friendly, family-centered care. “From nurses to environmental services, we’re all about customer service,” said Wright. “We really try to treat patients and visitors like they are our own family.” Source | Spring 2017
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ONE HUNDRED TAVRS AND COUNTING
Huntsville Hospital has joined a growing fraternity of U.S. hospitals to have performed 100 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The hospital’s multidisciplinary Heart Valve Team reached the TAVR century mark on March 2 and has completed several more procedures since then. While TAVR is considered a minimally-invasive procedure, it’s performed in a Cath Lab hybrid room that can quickly be converted into an operating room if needed. The team includes about 20 cardiac care professionals who are either scrubbed in or on standby. Along with interventional cardiologists and a cardiothoracic surgeon, the team includes cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiovascular techs, physician assistant, certified nurse anesthetist, radiology technologist, registered nurses, perfusionist, scrub assistant and cardiac sonographer. The TAVR procedure is intended for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at medium to high risk for traditional open-heart valve replacement surgery. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011, TAVR allows physicians to replace a damaged aortic valve without opening the patient’s chest. In most cases, a long, thin catheter mounted with the replacement valve – typically made from the heart sac of a cow – is carefully guided through the femoral artery toward the heart.
The replacement heart valve goes through a crimping machine (top right) to make it small enough to fit inside the femoral artery. Above, an enlarged image of the valve.
Huntsville Hospital’s Heart Valve Team Interventional cardiologists Michael Butler, MD Mihir Kanitkar, MD
Huntsville Hospital performed its first TAVR on Aug. 12, 2014.
Josh Krasnow, MD
A recent University of Colorado Hospital analysis of more than 40,000 TAVR cases concluded that patients generally have better outcomes at hospitals that perform the procedure in higher volumes. Out of approximately 400 U.S. hospitals that offer TAVR, the median volume of cases performed is 80.
Alex Vasquez, MD
With 105 cases under its belt and counting, Huntsville Hospital’s volumes are in the upper half of hospitals with TAVR programs.
Cardiothoracic surgeons Aaron Hoffman, MD Shaf Holden, MD Imaging cardiologists
In the early days of the program, the procedure took 2-3 hours and most patients spent a full day recovering in ICU before moving to a regular room.
Sean Groark, MD
Case No. 100 took just 55 minutes and is an example of how improved proficiency is a benefit to patients.
Heart Valve Program Coordinator
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Michael Ridner, MD
Katherine Meier, RN
TENNESSEE DOCTORS’ OFFICE JOINS HH PHYSICIAN NETWORK Fayetteville Medical Associates, one of the oldest medical practices in southern Tennessee, is now part of the Huntsville Hospital Physician Network. The busy office provides family practice, internal medicine and pediatric care just a few steps from Fayetteville’s historic courthouse square. It has been serving residents of Lincoln County, Tenn., since 1909. The new name of the practice is HH Physician Care - Fayetteville Medical Associates.
HELPING VISITORS FIND THEIR WAY.
PEDIATRIC HOSPITALISTS ON THE JOB 24/7
New color-coded flooring and wall treatments are being used to guide people to the most popular destinations on the first floor: red for Food Services; yellow for Surgery Waiting; blue for Medical Records, Endoscopy and the South Tower elevators; green for the busy central guest elevators.
Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children is the first in North Alabama to have at least one pediatric hospitalist on duty around the clock.
The new rubber flooring is easier on joints and muscles, more sound and slip resistant, and does not require daily waxing.
Our pediatric hospitalists are highly trained, hospital-based pediatricians who oversee the care of sick or injured children, as well as healthy newborns, during their hospital stay. The hospitalist stays in contact with the child’s primary care physician to ensure the best possible care from admission to discharge and follow-ups. Many primary care physicians no longer make hospital rounds and rely on hospitalist programs to care for their hospitalized patients. Women & Children employs nine board-certified pediatric hospitalists and eight certified nurse practitioners to provide 24/7 coverage.
HOSPICE INPATIENT FACILITY OPENING FALL 2017
Source | Spring 2017
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A CHANCE TO SPEAK OUT TALKING ABOUT TEEN SUICIDE During her long career as a Huntsville City Schools teacher and administrator, Amelia Ragland encountered many students who were drifting down a dangerous path of depression. And she felt ill-equipped to help them.
SPEAK stands for Suicide Prevention, Empowerment, Awareness and Knowledge, and it aims to bring the taboo subject of youth suicide out of the shadows with the goal of saving lives.
“We were never educated professionally on how to deal with those situations other than, ‘Call the school counselor,’” said Ragland.
In January, SPEAK hosted its first public event for school counselors, social workers, nurses and school resource officers.
Some teens saw suicide as their only way out. Ragland knows of one high school student who took her own life and half a dozen others who attempted suicide or were hospitalized for psychiatric problems. Then in May 2015, her own son Matt – a former University of Alabama wide receiver – committed suicide in Chattanooga. “Matt’s death took the whole family to our knees,” Ragland said. “It’s a pain no parent should ever have to experience.” Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Alabama children 10-14 years old, behind only car wrecks. Nationwide, about 100 young people kill themselves every week. Ragland says the only way to reverse that alarming trend is by confronting the issue head-on. That’s why she is volunteering with SPEAK, a new youth suicide awareness and prevention campaign. The collaborative effort involves Huntsville Hospital, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, local school systems, local medical professionals, Wellstone Behavioral Health, Crisis Services of North Alabama and several other organizations that work with children.
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The program’s suicide prevention and awareness message has now spread to dozens of public schools in Huntsville, Madison and Madison County. Crisis Services educators are providing classroom instruction to high school and middle school students, as well as training for K-12 teachers. So far more than 800 students and 500 teachers have completed the training, which is being paid for by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. The program aims to reach hundreds more children between seventh and 12th grades next school year. The Jason Flatt Act requires Alabama teachers, counselors and administrators to receive annual training to recognize the warning signs of a child who may be contemplating suicide. An app is also being developed to reinforce the SPEAK message. Facilitated by a small group of area leaders in Leadership 30, the app will give teens, teachers, parents, grandparents and others on-the-go access to a wealth of suicide prevention resources and tools. “What SPEAK is doing is absolutely critical,” said Ragland, who serves on the program’s task force. “To me, it’s as critical as breast cancer awareness and maybe even more because it can save children. I can’t think of anything more valuable.”
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry says the warning signs of suicide might include: Another task force member, child and adolescent psychiatrist Aparna Vuppala, MD, said most youth suicides can be prevented if teens, parents, teachers and school counselors know what to look for and where to turn for help. “A child’s death is the worst thing a family can experience, and suicide is so preventable,” Dr. Vuppala said. “If we can help just one family not have to go through that, it will be worth it.”
Change in eating and sleeping habits Withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities Violent actions, rebellious behavior or running away Drug and alcohol use Unusual neglect of personal appearance Marked personality change Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in quality of school work Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches and fatigue Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
Huntsville Hospital Foundation is funding the SPEAK program thanks to the Huntsville Classic, grants and donations from the community.
Not tolerating praise or rewards If you or someone you know is experiencing some of these, call Lifelines at 800-273-8255 or HELPline at (256) 716-1000 for help.
June 3, 2017 ² 4-8pm S.R. Butler Green at Campus 805 Source | Spring 2017
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THE NEW FINGERPRINT Did you know the vein pattern of your palms is different from every other person on the planet?
Those subtle variations make for a one-of-a-kind biological marker that Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital are now using to help prevent medical insurance fraud and patient identification errors. Since the program began in January 2017, more than 4,000 patients have scanned their palms upon registration for the assurance of their identity while at Huntsville Hospital. The unique infrared image of blood flowing through the veins is linked to the patient’s electronic medical record. The palm readers are being used at several locations – including Main Admitting, downtown Medical Mall Registration, the Heart Institute and Madison Hospital – with more locations to be added.
registration manager. “We’ve been really pleased with the results so far, and so have our patients.” Ford said veins are a more secure biological marker than fingerprints, which leave ridged impressions that can be lifted from any smooth surface. Vein patterns, by contrast, cannot be copied because they are under the skin. And even identical twins who may have similar fingerprints have different vein structures. Along with reducing the odds of a patient identification error, vein scans make it harder to get away with medical identity theft and insurance fraud. Say someone comes to the hospital and tries to pass off a stolen ID or insurance card as his own. If that person or the theft victim is in the hospital’s database, the system would alert the registrar that the palm image and ID do not match.
Here’s how it works. When a patient checks in, the registrar has them place their palm on the reader for a few seconds until it captures an image of the vein structure. The scan uses “The system is going to prompt the registrar to dig a little infrared light that is harmless and invisible. The registrar also deeper and ask some more questions,” said Ford. puts a copy of the patient’s driver’s license or other photo ID He sees the hospital eventually using vein scanners to verify in their electronic medical record. the names of trauma patients who are unconscious and not If the person becomes a Huntsville Hospital patient again carrying identification. later, they would have another palm scan. That image would “If we put their hand on the scanner and they are in our be compared against a database of vein patterns already on database, the system will pull up their blood type and entire file to quickly retrieve the correct electronic medical record. medical history,” Ford said. “It’s considered to be a nearly 100 percent reliable way to positively identify someone,” said Hans Ford, the hospital’s 10 huntsvillehospital.org
WHEN DUTY CALLS, OFF THE CLOCK Registered nurses Win Bailey and Stephanie Barton are both proficient in CPR, but until recently neither had encountered a life-and-death situation outside the hospital. The co-workers in Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit had their training put to the test in dramatic fashion – and passed with flying colors. On Jan. 25, 2017, Barton happened across a serious crash and stopped to see if she could help. She performed CPR on the badly-injured driver until paramedics arrived, possibly saving the man’s life. Bailey was also in the right place at just the right time to save a life. On Dec. 23, 2016, her father-in-law suffered a major cardiac event and collapsed on the front porch of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn. She started mouthto-mouth resuscitation while a security officer from the distillery performed chest compressions. “I’d always wondered if my skills would kick in during an emergency outside the hospital,” said Bailey, who also teaches Basic Life Support classes at the hospital’s Corporate University. “When he collapsed, I had about one second to think, ‘OK, this is real.’ Then it was like my body went into auto pilot.”
“As bad as he looked, I was sure he was either going to die or have neurological deficits,” said Bailey. “But he survived and is going to be fine. I honestly believe God put everyone in the right place that day to save him.” Barton was driving on Slaughter Road when she came across a vehicle that had just skidded off the roadway into a bank of trees. She performed CPR on the injured driver, John Morrison, in a roadside ditch. Like Win Bailey, it was the first time she had put her life support training to use outside the hospital.
“This was someone’s father, someone’s husband, I needed to make sure I kept a heart rate and kept him breathing.” Stephanie Barton She drove away before emergency personnel could get her name, prompting a WHNT-TV Channel 19 news report about the “unknown angel” who stopped to help a stranger in trouble. Mr. Morrison spent several days in Huntsville Hospital’s ICU but was discharged and is expected to make a full recovery. His children, Carmen and Colin Morrison, said they will be forever grateful to Barton.
She said her father-in-law, James Bailey, stopped breathing at one point. Another distillery visitor who knew CPR jumped in to help with chest compressions while she went to find an automated external “Your expertise and knowledge kept our defibrillator (AED). She used the device father here with us,” they said. to shock Mr. Bailey’s heart back into rhythm; paramedics defibrillated him twice more on the emergency helicopter ride to Vanderbilt University Medical Pictured above: Registered nurses Stephanie Barton (left) and Win Bailey Center. are co-workers at the Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children Pediatric ICU. Source | Spring 2017
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MAKING A NETWORK SAVING STROKE VICTIMS: A YEAR IN REVIEW The North Alabama Neuro-Stroke Network was conceived with a lofty goal: bring timely, skilled stroke care to emergency rooms across the region. A year later, there’s no doubt the growing telemedicine program – now in six hospitals and counting – is saving lives. Just ask Ann Ivey and her husband, Larry Ivey. When Ann Ivey suffered a stroke at home in May 2016, relatives drove her to the nearest emergency room – Marshall Medical Center South in Boaz. After relaying Ivey’s health information to the network and ordering a CT scan of her brain, ER staff wheeled a highdefinition video camera system into the exam room. Seconds later, Neuro-Stroke Network Medical Director Amit Arora, MD, appeared on the screen. Even though he was 40 miles away at Huntsville Hospital, Dr. Arora could see Ivey in real time and ask questions. “We talked to him just like he was standing in the room with us,” Larry Ivey recalled. Ann Ivey (in white) at home in Marshall County with her husband Larry, son Matt Ivey, daughter Courtney Easterwood and grandson Bryce. Photo courtesy Marshall Medical Center.
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After reviewing Ann Ivey’s CT scans and witnessing her slurred speech, facial drooping and impaired limb movement – all classic stroke signs – Dr. Arora had a Marshall Medical Center ER physician give her the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The powerful clot-dissolving
medication can greatly increase the odds of a good outcome if given within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Thirty minutes after getting the tPA, Ivey had regained movement in her left arm and leg. She was home three days later. “It was a miracle,” Larry Ivey said. “The Stroke Network is really something. It needs to be in as many hospitals as possible.” Currently, the network includes six hospitals – Marshall Medical South in Boaz, Marshall Medical North in Guntersville, Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Decatur and Parkway campuses, Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield and Madison Hospital. Athens-Limestone Hospital, Cullman Regional Medical Center and Russellville Hospital are expected to join in the coming weeks. All the network hospitals are publicly owned not-for-profits, and together they account for 62.3 percent of the state-licensed acute care hospital beds in North Alabama. Before the Neuro-Stroke Network launched in early 2016, most hospitals in North Alabama transferred suspected stroke patients to Huntsville Hospital because it has the region’s largest team of neurologists and the only Neurological Intensive Care Unit.
“It was a miracle, the Stroke Network is really something. It needs to be in as many hospitals as possible.” Larry Ivey With so many hospitals now part of the network, emergency transfers are no longer a given – especially for ischemic stroke patients. An ischemic stroke develops when an artery supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot. About 80 percent of all stroke cases, including Ann Ivey’s, are this type. Training provided by team members of the Neuro-Stroke Network insures that emergency room staffs of network hospitals are prepared to care for potential stroke patients. The training includes the latest evidence-based guidelines and focuses on the initial stroke assessment and the ordering of a CT brain scan. The scan provides detailed images of any blood clots, damage or bleeding inside the brain. Stroke Coordinator Jill Newman, CRNP, and Katie Carpenter, Network administrator, recently led a symposium on the Neuro-Stroke Network that was attended by staff and representatives from eight hospitals in the region. If a network hospital does not have a neurologist available, a neurologist on Huntsville Hospital’s medical staff will examine the patient remotely – day or night – using the “teleneurology” system. The video technology allows the neurologist to see and talk to the patient in real time, review their CT scan images
and collaborate with emergency room staff on a treatment plan. While many stroke patients are still transferred to Huntsville, some are good candidates to be treated in their local hospital where it’s easier for friends and family to visit. “We’re trying to elevate stroke care across the region,” said Dr. Arora. “The goal is to standardize stroke care no matter where a patient is located.” Ann Ivey credits the Neuro-Stroke Network, and the clot-busting tPA drug, for a quick recovery from her stroke last year. She is in a unique position to know. Ivey also had a stroke in 2015, before the network existed. That time, there was no neurologist immediately available to order tPA. Ivey wound up hospitalized for 10 days and spent another three weeks at a rehab facility in Gadsden. Getting back to pre-stroke mobility levels took several months more, and her speech never quite returned to normal. Following her latest stroke, Ivey was walking normally within a week and able to return to one of her favorite activities, writing. She recently finished work on her second book. “The Stroke Network is such a blessing,” said Larry Ivey. “It’s something that we’ll always be grateful for.”
Know the symptoms. Act F.A.S.T. Face droops on one side Arm drifts downward when raised Speech is slurred Time-call 911 immediately Adults 65 and older face the highest risk of stroke, but it can occur at any age. 5 warning signs of stroke: 1. Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of the body) 2. Sudden confusion, difficulty getting words out, slurring of speech 3. Sudden change in vision in one or both eyes 4. Sudden difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination 5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, family history of cerebrovascular disease, past brain trauma, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, poor diet habits, alcohol use, high cholesterol and illegal drug use. Source | Spring 2017
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DELIVERING MORE SPECIALIZED MATERNITY CARE
OUR COMMITMENT
Letting their young son be the first person to meet the newest member of their family was important to Whitney and Jason Norwood, who were expecting the birth of their second son in April. They knew their six-year-old, Camden, was unsure of how he felt about a new baby brother, but they thought he’d feel better once he saw his brother for the first time.
Every year more than 4,000 babies are born at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children—more than any other hospital in Alabama—and 1,000 newborns are cared for in the region’s only Level III Neonatal ICU.
“I told him the minute his brother was born that he would be excited and love him,” said Whitney. “But I think he was a little anxious because I was sick during my pregnancy, and that worried him.” Whitney struggled with a pregnancy condition known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance. In her first trimester, the illness brought her to the OB Emergency Department (OB ED) at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. Since she had struggled with the same condition during her first pregnancy, a trip to the hospital for treatment was not a surprise. However the new OB ED, which had opened the month before Whitney’s visit, was a welcome update to a familiar routine. “Opening the OB ED is exciting because it offers women 24/7 access to immediate evaluation by a board certified obstetrician,” said Jade LeCroix, nursing unit director of Labor & Delivery and the OB ED. “We want all our moms to have uneventful, easy pregnancies. But if something happens, we’re here.” 14 huntsvillehospital.org
Unfortunately, a visit to the OB ED wasn’t the only unexpected turn for Whitney during pregnancy. After learning that the baby was in a breech position and that her amniotic fluid was low, her physician, Dr. Karen Raiford with Tennessee Valley Ob-GYN Associates, scheduled Whitney for a cesarean section. Not knowing exactly what to expect, she and Jason were understandably nervous. “This was my first C-section so it was an unknown, a major surgery,” said Whitney. “I really appreciated that the nurse I met when I checked in to the hospital was the same nurse that prepped me for surgery, went into the OR with me and stayed with me in recovery, too. It was comforting to have the same people with you during the whole process.” When her newborn son Decker was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for respiratory distress immediately after delivery. Whitney told her nurse how important it was to their family that Camden be the first person to “meet” his baby brother. With a little coordination between the nurse and the NICU team, Camden made a special visit to the NICU to see his new baby brother. “I had the chance to ask Camden how he felt after meeting Decker for the first time” said Whitney. “He was all smiles and told me that he loved him.”
“We’re proud to be a leader in maternity services in our state, but we realize it’s not about the numbers – it’s about the moms,” said Paula Woodfin Lucas, vice president of Women & Children Services. “Being a hospital that specializes in women’s and children’s health means that families are at the center of everything we do. We don’t lose sight of that.” –
A dedicated baby nurse is at the bedside within one hour after delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) to monitor baby’s condition, give the first bath, offer breastfeeding support and encourage skin-to-skin bonding
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Newly renovated post-anesthesia care unit offering private, spacious rooms for moms recovering from C-section delivery and their support person
– A team of international board certified lactation consultants available to moms who choose to breastfeed – North Alabama’s only full-time Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians specializing in high risk pregnancies – North Alabama’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – North Alabama’s only OB emergency department providing 24/7 access to board certified obstetricians
Pictured at one of the weekly events are Lifesaver Club officers Loren Lochner, president Shaun Vance and Michelle Falcon.
A COMMITMENT TO CARE The Lifesaver Club, Huntsville
Hospital’s employee giving club, was established by Huntsville Hospital Foundation in 1989 to encourage advocacy and raise funds in support of the hospital’s equipment and program needs. Today, almost 5,000 employees support the club with biweekly payroll donations – a true testament to the spirit of caring and generosity demonstrated every day by the hospital staff. Thanks to generous staff donations, uniform sales and special initiatives,the Lifesaver Club raises close to $1 million annually, and has provided funding for critically needed technology and clinical programs, and also an employee assistance fund that supports employees who have suffered a catastrophic emergency. Club members have also fully funded
several large initiatives including the ICU Waiting Area, where family members of critically ill patients can gather comfortably while waiting to visit their loved one. The waiting area includes sleeper chairs, lockers, and even shower facilities for those who stay overnight. Employees also funded a Simulation Lab, complete with patient manikins and computer technology, that is utilized daily by nursing and other clinical professionals to learn best practices in patient care.
Each year in April, the Lifesaver Club Steering Committee hosts a membership campaign to recruit new donors, and to increase awareness about the importance of philanthropy to the hospital. The campaign also features weekly competitions designed to increase employee morale and team spirit for the campaign.
The Lifesaver Club made a 5-year commitment to support the Foundation’s inpatient hospice capital campaign, and is funding a beautiful courtyard to be enjoyed by terminally ill patients and their families. And this year, club members are funding a very practical, but important, initiative: the purchase of patient bed mattresses. Source | Spring 2017
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NEXT LEVEL ATHLETICS D1 Sports Training in Huntsville’s Jones Valley stands out as different in a sea of members-only gyms. D1 Huntsville calls itself “The Place for the Athlete” with good reason. The recently renovated facility on Bailey Cove Road specializes in athletic-based training including strength, agility, injury prevention, weight loss and general fitness, as well as sport-specific instruction. Several high school football, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading teams rely on D1 to stay in peak physical condition. Huntsville Havoc players are regulars. Emerging athletes as young as seven follow proven, age-appropriate training sessions, while many adults are drawn to D1’s high energy, boot camp-style workouts.
AREA HIGH SCHOOLS UTILIZING D1 SPORTS TRAINING Bob Jones High softball Buckhorn High volleyball Grissom High volleyball Grissom High men’s and women’s soccer Hazel Green High cheerleading Hazel Green High volleyball Huntsville High men’s and women’s soccer Lee High football St. John Paul II Catholic High volleyball PRO TEAMS AND CLUBS Huntsville Havoc Hockey Huntsville Rowing Club
A D1 adult membership now comes with unlimited use of Huntsville Hospital Wellness Centers. Locations include Jones Valley, Madison and downtown Huntsville. Individual adult memberships average about $100 a month. For more information, call (256) 880-1717.
“We cater to all ages and skill levels, and those who want to be trained like an athlete,” said Whitney Cunningham, Huntsville Hospital’s general manager for the D1 facility. The affiliation between the hospital and D1 means more cooperation between D1’s speed and strength coaches and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center, which provides certified athletic trainers and sports medicine services for dozens of high school sports teams at their schools and games. Most high schools in Madison County are part of the program, including Bob Jones, Columbia, Grissom, Hazel Green, Huntsville, James Clemens, Jemison, Lee, New Hope, Sparkman and St. John Paul II Catholic. “When a team or an individual athlete trains at D1, we are involved from a sports medicine standpoint,” said Huntsville Hospital Sports Center program manager and certified athletic trainer Michael Stevenson. Take the Grissom High volleyball team working out at D1 on a warm afternoon in late March. Grissom’s Huntsville Hospital Sports Center athletic trainer and D1 staff collaborated on an offseason workout program to improve the players’ core strength and flexibility – keys to staying healthy during competition. Injuries still happen, of course. Let’s say a Grissom volleyball player rolls an ankle during practice. She would be treated in D1’s recently expanded physical therapy area, which is provided and staffed by Huntsville Hospital. TOC Sports is also involved at D1. “This is another example of how the hospital is providing comprehensive sports medicine services for the community,” Stevenson said. The Huntsville D1 location, which boasts a 60-yard indoor turf field, was one of the first in the country when it opened in January 2008. San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, a Limestone County native, was an early proponent and former co-owner of the facility. The D1 franchise now operates in more than 40 cities across the U.S. D1 Huntsville recently wrapped up a major renovation. Upgrades include more room for physical therapy, two industrial-size fans to cool the workout areas, new flooring and LED lighting. “It gives us a more user-friendly space,” said Cunningham. Source | Spring 2017
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OUT AND ABOUT
in OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE FOUNDATION Madison Hospital celebrated its 5th birthday with a big part and guests toasting “Cheers to 5 Years” at Campus 805 in February. Proceeds from the event will provide equipment for the hospital’s Surgery Department. Madison Hospital has experienced tremendous growth since opening in 2012, and thanks in part to generous Huntsville Hospital Foundation donors, the hospital has the latest in technology to care for patients from the Madison community.
Top left, Senator Bill Holtzclaw and his wife Pam. Above, Madison Hospital president Mary Lynne Wright (second from right) with her husband, Boots, and daughters Merrill and Savannah.
Foundation Trustees Sean Kelly (left) and Chairman David Nast (right) with their wives Lee Nast and Belle Kelly
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Representing Presenting Sponsor, Window World: Jennifer and Clay Stewart, Melissa Edwards, Joshua Edwards and Mike Edwards
Millennium Society funding has supported the following departments and programs: Neonatal ICU Breast Center Pathology Lab Radiology Women’s Surgery Pediatric Audiology Breast Center Women’s & Children’s Services Robin Lanier Stewart Memorial Fund Gynecologic Oncology Research Stem Cell Transplant program Pediatric Surgery Dialysis Unit Inpatient Hospice capital campaign Emergency Department Cardiovascular Surgery Mobile Homeless Clinic
WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY MAKE A DIFFERENCE In 1895, the Huntsville Hospital Infirmary was established by the Ladies of the United Charities, a small group of progressive women determined to provide quality health care in Huntsville. Women have played an integral role in Huntsville Hospital’s success ever since and today, 122 years later, another group of women is determined to keep that legacy alive. The Millennium Society, established by Huntsville Hospital Foundation in 2004, is a group of women who supports Huntsville Hospital with generous donations. Each year, more than 100 women join together to make a difference in the lives of patients and in doing so, continue a tradition of generosity and caring that has been a hallmark of the hospital’s success. The Society’s mission is to raise funds that will provide lifesaving equipment and programs for the hospital. The concept is simple but profound: women, representing all segments of the community, donate $1,000 to the Foundation each year, pool their tax-deductible contributions and fund equipment and innovative hospital programs. Membership is open to all women interested in supporting the advancement of health care in Madison County. Today, women control 60% of the nation’s wealth, and they have become the most powerful voice in philanthropy. How fitting that, women are joining together to raise the level of health care in their community and in doing so, are continuing that progressive legacy established so long ago. For more information about the Millennium Society, please contact Candy Burnett at (256) 265-8077.
Millennium Society members and their guests enjoyed the 2017 luncheon at Gorham’s Bluff at Burritt on the Mountain. Top left: Billie Grosser and Founding member Kathy Chan. Top middle: Helen Vaughn and Dr. Aruna Arora. Above: Celeste Childs, Ann Laue and Janice Johnson. Bottom left: Cathy Scholl and Ashley Mitchell. Bottom right: Elise Goodson, Rosalie Smith and Shirley Hale.
Source | Spring 2017
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SAVE THE DATE
FOR MEMBERS OF
SENIOR
MAY 10
TASTY TUESDAY
Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Cotton Row (American) 100 South Side Square, 35801
Tuesday, June 6, 11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall 11 a.m. – Blood Pressure Checks 11:30 a.m. – Catered Box Lunches from Jason’s Deli
18 Picnic at Green Mountain Pavilion 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. JUNE 6
Tasty Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.
Peggy Cole, a Dispute Resolution Counselor with the Better
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Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Phil Sandoval’s (Mexican) 6125 University Drive, 35816
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Ragtime (musical), 2 p.m. Lee High School 2500 Meridian Street, 35810
Business Bureau, will identify scams affecting consumers in North Alabama and offer tips to avoid becoming a victim. Ryan Petraszewsky, Information Technology Security Officer for the Huntsville Hospital System, will address data privacy, passwords, phishing and other internet pitfalls.
LOCAL OUTINGS
JULY 11
Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Connors (American) Bridge Street, 35806
Summer Picnic May 18 (Thursday) 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cost: $5 Location: Green Mountain Pavilion, Madison Co. Nature Trail
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German Biergarten, 4:30-7:30 p.m. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Celebrate early summer with a picnic, fellowship and games. Catering will be provided by Ted’s Bar-B-Q
AUGUST 1
Huntsville Museum of Art Tour of Audubon Exhibit, 10 a.m.
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Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Public House (American) 3310 Memorial Parkway, 35802
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Tasty Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.
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Day Trip to Chattanooga, TN
Ragtime, Independent Musical Productions June 18 (Sunday) 2 p.m. Location: Lee High School Theater, 2500 Meridian Street, NE Cost: $17 (reservations limited) At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing and anything is possible. This Tony Award-winning musical is set in the volatile melting pot of turn of the century New York, and is comprised of three American tales of characters united by courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future.
SEPTEMBER
German Biergarten July 20 (Thursday) 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center Saturn V Hall, Davidson Center for Space Exploration Cost: Free plus the cost of food and beverages
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Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Four Leaves (Asian) 7044 University Drive, 35806
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Senior Expo, VBC South Hall Complimentary Health Screenings by Huntsville Hospital
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Huntsville Botanical Garden Scarecrow Trail 10 a.m. - Noon
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Fall Picnic, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Green Mountain Pavilion,35803
Call (256) 265-7950 for reservations. Huntsville Hospital Senior Horizons 101 Sivley Road · Huntsville , AL 35801 www.huntsvillehospital.org/senior-horizons sharon.darty@hhsys.org 20 huntsvillehospital.org
Enjoy the festive atmosphere of a German Biergarten, featuring authentic German cuisine, beverages and music. Note: Those making reservations with Senior Horizons will receive instructions to gather at a central location and carpool. Huntsville Museum of Art Audubon Exhibition August 1 (Tuesday) 10 – 11 a.m. Location: Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street, 35801 Cost: $7 Join Senior Horizons members as we enjoy a docent-led tour of prints from American artist John James Audubon. Audubon achieved worldwide fame in the 1840s with his large scale folio of prints, The Birds of North America. This exhibition, organized by the Huntsville Museum of Art, presents 24 beautifully framed original Audubon prints, lent from a major regional collection and in Huntsville for a limited time.
HORIZONS Huntsville Botanical Garden Scarecrow Trail September 22 (Friday) 10 a.m. – 12 (noon) Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, 35805 Cost: $10 (HBG members free) plus the cost of lunch Enjoy the first day of Autumn by strolling through the Scarecrow Trail at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Themed displays each year, top the last, with the community creating wonderful interpretations of scarecrows throughout the Garden. Senior Horizons members will meet at the Guest Center. Afterwards we will have lunch in the café. Fall Picnic September 27 (Wednesday) 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cost: $10 Location: Green Mountain Pavilion, Madison County Nature Trail Celebrate a beautiful fall day with a picnic, fellowship and games. We will enjoy burgers and sides from Bubba’s Silver Spoon catering.
DAY TRIPS Chattanooga, TN Dates: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Deadline: July 31 (reservations are limited) Cost: $89 This trip is back by popular demand. Experience Chattanooga’s great adventures by bus, rail, boat and carousel. During the morning, we will board a locomotive for a ride through the Hiwassee River Gorge on the Tennessee Valley Railroad. After lunch passengers will board the Chattanooga Duck to enjoy a narrated tour in an authentic, renovated WWII amphibious landing craft (Coast Guard approved) for unforgettable views of Chattanooga’s Riverfront and Maclellan Island. Finally, we will take a ride on the restored 1894 carousel in Coolidge Park for an old-fashioned experience with 52 whimsical hand carved animals, a calliope band organ, and ornate, gold leaf benches. The cost of the trip includes activities, transportation, lunch, bottled water and all gratuities.
DESTINATION TRAVEL
with Collette Vacations
Important Note: Prices include round trip air fare from Huntsville, air taxes and fees/surcharges and transfers. A $250 deposit is required to initiate the reservation process. Travelers have seven days to withdraw their reservation to receive a full refund. Prices are subject to increase prior to the time travelers make full payment. Cancellation insurance is available. Reservations are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Reflections of Italy – Tour # 764712 Dates: November 9-17, 2017 (9 days) Deadline for deposit: May 4, 2017 Cost: $3,699 (double) Final payment due: September 7, 2017 Highlights: Rome, Colosseum, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Chianti Winery, Venice, Murano Island, Milan Southern Charm Holiday – Tour # 764717 Dates: December 3-8, 2017 (6 days) Deadline for deposit: May 30, 2017 Cost: $2,629 (double) Final payment due: October 1, 2017 Highlights: Historic Charleston, Boone Hall Plantation or Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, James Island County Park Holiday Display, Savannah, Andrew Low House, Jekyll Island, Christmas Caroling Spotlight on San Antonio Holiday – Tour # 782318 Dates: November 30-December 4, 2017 Deadline for deposit: June 22, 2017 Cost: $2,179 (double) Final payment due: September 29, 2017 Highlights: The River Walk (Paseo del Rio), Mission San Jose, The Alamo, LBJ Ranch, Fredericksburg, El Mercado and Olive Orchard
All Senior Horizons trips and local outings are open only to its members. For information on becoming a member, or to learn more about trips and outings, call the Senior Horizons office at (256) 265-7950. Trips and activities fill quickly. Please make reservations early!
Source | Spring 2017
21
OUT AND ABOUT WITH
SENIOR HORIZONS
4 DAYS IN NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
Margaret Jones, Diane Bowman, Peggy Winkles and Ann Parent at Red Bay
Natchez, Bellingrath and Biloxi travelers.
Marian and John Furno enjoying dinner and a play at Red Bay
Ray and Beryl Cutts at Longwood.
Lil Wood, Mary Evelyn French, Martha Andrzejewski and Shirley Fugit.
Pat and Beta McIngvale at Stanton Hall.
Quent and Dee Parsons celebrating
Sylvia and Bobby Barnes enjoying Belllingrath Gardens.
their 50th anniversary on the trip.
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SOURCE 101 Sivley Road, Huntsville, AL 35801
WOMEN & CHILDREN OFFERS THE REGION’S ONLY – OB Emergency Department – Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians – Level III Neonatal ICU – Pediatric ER and Pediatric ICU
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #40