Partners NE WS F R O M LMH HE A LTH F O U NDATI ON
Winter 2020
LMH Health West Campus now open
Rendering of a DNA strand
© ISTOCKPHOTO
Genetic testing, preventive care at LMH Health change the course of local family’s lives
© 2020 PULSE DESIGN GROUP
The LMH Health West Campus, located near Rock Chalk Park in northwest Lawrence, officially opened on September 14. The new campus is a regional destination for world-class healthcare across many outpatient services, including surgery,
Genetic testing and preventative cancer screening at LMH Health changed the course of several lives of one local family. Last year, Cindy Fritzel visited LMH Health for a routine
orthopedics, women’s health and family medicine. We are grateful to our donors who helped make this possible.
3D mammogram and a cancerous tumor was identified. Because her father was also battling cancer at the time, Fritzel’s oncologist, Dr. Sherri Soule, encouraged her to do genetic testing. The results of the test would determine the best treatment for her breast cancer. The result came back positive for BRCA-2, a gene that increases the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers, as well as recurrence of cancer over a lifetime. The BRCA-2 gene led Fritzel’s LMH Health care team to recommend a double mastectomy, rather than a lumpectomy or radiation treatment. Fritzel’s positive BRCA-2 result led her parents, her daughters and her brother to participate in genetic testing. Her father, two daughters and brother were also positive for the gene. Fritzel’s daughters began their preventative testing, including mammograms, which are recommended for women starting at age 40. —continued inside
“Genetic testing changed everything. It saved lives in my immediate family.” —Cindy Fritzel
Donor funds bring latest da Vinci surgical technology to LMH Health 2020 B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S Becki Dick president
Mark Gonzales vice president
Cathy Shenoy treasurer
Jeff Weinberg s e c r e ta r y
Jason Hoover pa s t p r e s i d e n t
Jane Blocher Daryl Craft Lindy Eakin Barb Heeb Ernesto Hodison
©2020 INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
Joseph Hurla Russell Johnson ex officio , lmh health
Thanks to the generous gifts from community donors, LMH Health is now president and ceo
home to now home to two da Vinci Xi robots, the most advanced da Vinci
Derek Kwan
Surgical System to date. We’re proud to be among the leading health systems
Danny Lewis
using da Vinci Surgical Systems. From minor surgery to complex cases, our team has performed thousands
Devon Mihesuah
of robotic-assisted procedures with unmatched precision since 2012,
Dr. Lida Osbern
including general surgery, oncological, gastrointestinal, urological and
Jan Pollard ex officio , lmh
gynecological surgeries. health volunteers
da Vinci surgery is minimally invasive – requiring very small incisions while
Dr. Luis Salazar
enhancing the surgeon’s vantage point and range of motion. This leads to
Dan Schriner
benefits for patients including:
Livia Sexton Dr. Mike Thompson
•
Shorter recovery periods with less post-operative discomfort
•
Reduced blood loss during surgery and minimal post-operative scarring
•
Enhanced clinical outcomes through enhanced visualization and
Gail Vick Larry McElwain ex officio , lmh health
surgical dexterity • board of trustees
Faster return to work and regular activities Combining da Vinci surgical technology with our team’s expertise and
state-of-the-art operating suites is one of many ways LMH Health is creating a healthier community. We deliver a patient-centered approach to care,
PA R T N E R S 316 Maine Street • Lawrence KS 66044 (785) 505-5005 Stories: Courtney Bernard LMH Health Foundation team: Amy Addington, Courtney Bernard, Erica Hill, Earl Reineman, Rebecca Smith
© 2020 LMH Health Foundation
with the comfort and convenience of staying close to home. For a full list of da Vinci procedures our surgeons perform, visit lmh.org/davinci.
Hearts of Gold–at Home raises over $55,000 for patient-centered technology We are grateful to everyone who joined us virtually for Hearts of Gold–at Home on October 17, hosted by KU Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self and Brian Hanni, the voice of the Jayhawks! You helped make it a joyful evening even when we couldn’t be together. “We are pleased to announce that you helped us meet our goal and raise over $55,000,” says LMH Health Foundation president Becki Dick. “Event proceeds will support the LMH Health patient-centered technology initiative, including the purchase of new robotic surgery equipment and a second cath lab.” If you missed the show, you can watch it now on the LMH Health YouTube channel. Thank you for strengthening your nonprofit community hospital and clinics, which is more important now than ever before. Our hosts Bill Self and Brian Hanni
Genetic testing —continued
But at 34, her daughter Becca
“This coordinated approach is the
discovered she had the same breast
absolute best way to minimize invasive-
cancer as Fritzel. Becca underwent
ness and number of procedures,” says
a double mastectomy exactly two
Dr. Soule. “LMH Health offers basically
months after her mother did.
everything related to cancer care, but
“It was the genetic testing that changed everything,”
at a more coordinated, efficient and
Fritzel says. “It saved lives in my immediate family.”
personal level than other hospitals.”
Fritzel was impressed by how quickly her personal LMH Health care team was assembled. Within six days, Fritzel had met with every provider she needed to
Fritzel had experienced cancer care Dr. Soule
at a larger, Kansas City-area hospital while accompanying her father for
complete her treatment, from her oncologist to her
treatments, but found her own experience at LMH Health to
breast surgeon.
be very personal and comfortable.
“Having cancer is such a whirlwind, but my
“We went to many appointments in Kansas City where
appointments were set up so quickly and I didn’t have to
there are 50 people in the waiting room,” Fritzel says.
worry where I’d go or what I’d do,” she says. “The process
“The intimacy at LMH Health was amazing, compared to
at LMH Health was convenient and the physicians are an
larger hospitals. It was very comforting to have all these
intimate group. That made everything easier.” Dr. Soule believes that the coordination of care and “group approach” to oncology is a point of excellence at the LMH Health cancer center. All providers who treat cancer
strong, knowledgeable female physicians in my corner. They knew how to be empathetic as well as brilliant.” The LMH Health cancer center is home to physicians trained at NCI-designated cancer centers, as well as
meet weekly to discuss cases and patients and ensure that everyone agrees on the treatment plans.
—continued on back
LMH Health offers innovative healthcare for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. By being part of the LMH Health family as a patient or a donor, you help make it possible for us to provide more than $25 million in charitable care each year.
Welcome, Dr. Hawasli Jennifer Hawasli, MD, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and her fellowship in Oncological Breast Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Hawasli focuses mostly on breast cancer, but also sees patients with benign breast disease and patients at higher risk of breast cancer to make sure it can be caught early when still very treatable. She says the comprehensive care and tools LMH Health offers for oncology patients is just one reason she recommends Lawrence Breast Specialists. Dr. Hawasli
“My philosophy of care is truly about giving my patients power over their diagnosis. I want my patients to know about the disease, how we treat it and outcomes from those treatments.”
Dr. Hawasli is an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Association of Women Surgeons and American College of Surgeons.
Genetic testing —continued multidisciplinary care teams and strong regional partnerships. Cancer patients at LMH Health have access to exceptional clinic trials, genetic research, comprehensive support programs, lifelong survivorship resources and a cancer prevention program.
“ Our team offers a personal touch that makes our center feel like home.”
“We essentially offer everything here that they offer in Kansas City, but with more personalized care,” says Dr. Soule. “We get to know the patients and their families better, and we get things done more efficiently.”
The center’s oncologists and hematologists
—Dr. Soule
have extensive experience in treating a wide range of cancer types, including breast cancer, prostate
cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer and kidney cancer, as well as lymphoma, leukemia and other blood diseases. In 2020, LMH Health received official accreditation from the Commission on Cancer. Only 25 percent of hospitals in the United States have achieved this status, and LMH Health joins just 11 other hospitals in Kansas with the distinguished accreditation. “The Commission on Cancer accreditation is a testament to the high-quality care that LMH Health offers its cancer patients,” Dr. Soule says. “It’s based on the work we’ve been doing here for years.” LMH Health has the providers, technology and facilities to provide healthcare that’s not only exceptional for a community hospital — it’s among the best anywhere, according to Dr. Soule. “LMH Health is a regional destination for progressive, integrated hematology and oncology care,” she says. “Our team offers a personal touch that makes our center feel like home.”
Falling Forward Foundation increases grant amounts in response to pandemic Falling Forward Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization based in Lawrence that provides grants to rehab centers allowing patients to continue their therapy after insurance runs out and recover to their full potential. The foundation, which helps support LMH Health patients, is increasing their grants by 50% through 2021. Founder Sam Porritt expressed concern about the strains the pandemic is placing on our community. “In the months ahead, it appears that even greater numbers of Americans will need rehab — both non-COVID-19 patients who may have delayed their therapy due to concerns of exposing themselves to the virus as well as COVID-19 survivors who have significant, multi-system impairment,” Porritt says. “Yet fewer Americans have health insurance than ever before. The situation could be very challenging. We want to do our part to help as many people as possible.” For more information about Falling Forward Foundation, please visit fallingforward.org.