Carilion Clinic Living - Spring 2012

Carilion Clinic

Inspiring Better Health | CarilionClinic.org | Spring 2012

Drugs Known as ‘Bath Salts’ Pose Growing Danger

Commuting by BikeIt’s Taking OffNew Heart Treatments Approved

CarilionClinic.org | Spring 2012 1

Carilion Clinic

7 Drug Alert Bath salts are a growing danger.

12 In Case of Accident Living near a trauma center could saveyour life.

14 Your Baby When a newborn needs intensive care.

17 Doctor Q & A An interview with Dr. Janet Osborne.

18 Heart Valve Disease New treatments are saving lives.

20 Commuting by Bike It’s doubled over the past 10 years.

25 Quality Care Look for the Gold Seal of Approval™.

26 Live Theatre Audiences are applauding.

29 Heart Failure Prolonging life for the sickest patients.

President’s Message 3 Exercise can improve your quality of life.

Healthy Lifestyles 5 Tips from Carilion Clinic medical professionals.

Community Benefit8 Making a difference in southwest Virginia.

New Physicians30 New doctors across our region.

Better Living32 Your health calendar.

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Spring 2012

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Carilion Clinic

Inspiring Better Health | CarilionClinic.org | Spring 2012

Drugs Known as ‘Bath Salts’ Pose Growing Danger

Commuting by BikeIt’s Taking O�New Heart Treatments Approved

On Our CoverMichelle Scarfe, a pediatricspeech and languagepathologist with theRoanoke City Schools, is anavid bicycler who oftencommutes 3 miles from herRoanoke home to work.

2 Spring 2012 | CarilionClinic.org

CARILION CLINICPRESIDENT AND CEONancy Howell Agee

CARILION CLINIC 1906 BELLEVIEw AVE.P.O. BOx 13367ROANOKE, VA 24033540-981-7000

CARILION CLINIC LIVING IS PRODUCED BYSTRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT:

VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT Shirley Holland

DIRECTOR OF MARKETINGMike Dame

EDITOR Maureen Robb

LEAD DESIGNERDavid Porter

DESIGNERSTaryn Anderson, John Cornthwait

CONTRIBUTING wRITERSKaren Doss Bowman, Mary Brewer, Allison Buth,Lois Caliri, Jay Conley, Laura Markowski, Wendy Maxey, Otesa Middleton Miles, David Perry,Matthew Sams, Erica Stacy

PHOTOGRAPHERDarryle Arnold

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERDavid Hungate

PRINTINGChocklett Press

CARILIONCLINIC.ORG | 800-422-8482

Carilion Clinic is a not-for-profit health care organizationserving nearly one million people in Virginia through amulti-specialty physician group, advanced primary carepractices, hospitals, and outpatient centers. Led by clini-cal teams with a shared philosophy that puts the patientfirst, Carilion is committed to improving outcomes forevery patient while advancing the quality of care throughmedical education and research.

Copyright 2012 by Carilion Clinic. No part of this publication maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means withoutwritten permission from Carilion Clinic. Articles in this publicationare written by journalists or authors who strive to present reliable,up-to-date health information. However, personal decisions regard-ing health, finance, exercise and other matters should be madeonly after consultation with the reader's physician or professionaladvisor. All editorial rights reserved. Opinions expressed hereinmay or may not reflect the views of Carilion Clinic.

If you would like to be added to or removed from the mailing listfor Carilion Clinic Living, please call 800-422-8482, email us at [email protected], or write to us at Strategic Development,711 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24016.

Karen Doss Bowman is awriter who contributesto health care publica-tions, including the University of Virginia’sVim & Vigor. A native ofBassett, Va., she nowlives in Bridgewater.

Lois Caliri is a formeraward-winning businesswriter for The RoanokeTimes and editor ofSoundings Trade Only, amagazine covering themarine industry.

Jay Conley has been a re-porter for newspapers in-cluding The RoanokeTimes, a staff writer forRandolph College inLynchburg, and a writerfor national publicationssuch as U.S. News & WorldReport.

David Hungate is anaward-winning photog-rapher who has workedin television news andwhose Roanoke-basedcommercial photogra-phy business takes himto photo shoots aroundthe United States.

Otesa Middleton Mileshas been a medical re-porter for Dow JonesNewswires, a featureswriter for the RichmondTimes-Dispatch, and aKnight-Wallace Journal-ism Fellow. She lives inRichmond.

David Perry is assistantdirector of the WesternVirginia Land Trust and afreelance writer whosearticles have appearedin The Roanoker, BlueRidge Country, and othermagazines. He is a na-tive of Blacksburg.

Our Contributors

President’s MessageWe all know we should exercise regularly. But for many, it’s a challenge tofit the recommended 30 minutes a day into a busy schedule. As you canread in our cover story, a growing number of people in our region aresolving that problem by commuting by bike. See page 20 for their sto-ries—and for practical tips that might work for you.In this issue we also discuss treatments for advanced cases of heart

failure and heart valve disease. New treatments are being introducedfor both, and our physicians are enthusiastic about the lives they willsave. The stories appear on pages 18 and 29.For those who enjoy the theatre, there is good news indeed. Theatre

companies are opening across our region, and their repertoire is eclec-tic. From classic dramas to edgy contemporary plays, there is some-thing for everyone. Together, they engage our imaginations, open ourminds to new possibilities, and add to the vibrancy of our community.

wARM REGARDS,

NANCY HOwELL AGEEPRESIDENT AND CEOCARILION CLINIC

AN INVITATION FROM THE PRESIDENTIf you live in the Roanoke Valley, Carilion Clinic and New Horizons Healthcare invite you to take part in asurvey. The survey will assess the community’s healthcare needs and help determine barriers and access tocare. Please take the survey online at inspired.cc/rvhs orby phone at 540-981-7079 through March 31, 2012.


Advanced Heart Care is Here,In Your CommunitySetting new standards in cardiac careWhen it comes to heart disease, every second counts. For more than 30 years, Carilion Clinic’s heart care team has been leading the way in cardiac care and open heart surgery. Our specialists and surgeons o#er the most advanced techniques available to patients and treat heart attack patients 30 minutes faster than the national average.

So when you or a loved one needs heart care, there is no reason to travel far for treatment. You can get the care you need, right here at home.

Inspiring better health.™CarilionClinic.org | 800-422-8482

Left to Right: Carl Musser, M.D., Joann Journigan, M.D., and Peter Mikhail, M.D., are part of the largest group of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in southwest Virginia.

Choose Your SplurgesThe workplace can be tempting

for those trying to live a healthylifestyle. Candy jars are often filledwith easy-to-grab sugary treats, andco-workers often celebrate specialoccasions with unhealthy foods.Unnecessary calories can quicklyadd up, leaving you with unwantedpounds. But instead of celebrating

every birthday or promotion with food, choose a fewspecial occasions throughout the year to indulge—andkeep your healthy lifestyle on track. — Rebekah McKelvey, R.N., Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, Rocky Mount

Get the Most Out of Your Medicine 1. Take all doses of an antibiotic,

even if the infection is getting better. 2. Side effects are common to all

medicines. Tell your doctor or phar-macist about any side effects youmay have. Some can be managed ormay go away over time.3. NEVER stop taking your medi-

cine without talking to your doctor.— Paul Bisbee, pharmacist, Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington

Tips from our Medical Professionals

Healthy Lifestyles


Healthy Lifestyles

Fight Fat with Muscle Unfortunately our metabolic rate

drops 8 to 12 percent per decadeafter the age of 30. The good news isyou can fight age-related weightgain and fat with fire... muscle fire,that is. Resistance training as littleas twice a week helps build leanmuscle tissue, the critical elementof your body composition that helps

fight fat by burning more calories at rest and duringexercise!— Allison Bowersock, program director, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Roanoke

Dental Health for KidsCheese is one of the healthiest

snacks for your child’s teeth. Alongwith providing much-needed cal-cium, cheese helps to fight cavities,especially when eaten as a snack orafter a meal. Eating cheese also pro-tects enamel by reducing plaqueloads in the mouth and neutralizingacids on teeth, while the calcium

and phosphorous in cheese re-mineralize enamel.— Michelle J. Anderson, D.M.D., Carilion Clinic Dental Care, Roanoke

Get MovingThe human body was meant to

move. For thousands of years hu-mans hunted, gathered, thenfarmed. Now we sit at desks anddrive everywhere. My health tip is toincrease how much you move. Ihave one patient who has three kidsand works from home. She simplywalks up and down a flight of stairs

in her house for five minutes three or four times perday! Find a way to move your body more and see howgreat you can feel.— Sarah Bradford, M.D., Carilion Clinic Family & Obstetric Medicine, Christiansburg

Be Alert to Sleep Apnea Many people may think sleep

apnea affects only overweight mid-dle-age men. But women and chil-dren may be affected as well.Regardless of age or gender, thetriad of loud snoring, apneas wit-nessed by the bed partner, plus ex-cessive daytime sleepiness shouldraise a strong suspicion for sleep

apnea. Untreated, it may predispose you to hyperten-sion, heart disease including arrhythmias and heart at-tacks, stroke, diabetes mellitus, obesity, andsusceptibility to auto accidents due to sleepiness whiledriving. — William S. Elias, M.D.,

Carilion Clinic Sleep Center, Roanoke

Resources to Keep You HealthyNurse LineOur physician referral and health information service is here to help. Call us at 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482, or email us at [email protected].

“well Said” Speaker’s BureauIf you’d like a speaker on a health topic for your community group or workplace,call 540-224-4961 or visit CarilionClinic.org/speakers.

Community Health ScreeningsHealth screenings are available at little or no cost. Call 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482, or email us at [email protected].

website Tailored for YouCheck out these features at CarilionClinic.org:

• Easy-to-use physician finder• Interactive maps to help you find your way to our locations• Health and wellness content, including an A-Z library• A community health education and events calendar

News BlogKeep up with the latest news, photos, videos, and more at Carilion Clinic’s news blog. Visit newsblog.CarilionClinic.org.

Social MediaStay connected through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn:

facebook.com/carilionclinictwitter.com/carilionclinicyoutube.com/carilioncliniclinkedin.com/companies/carilion-clinic

PublicationsPick up a copy of Carilion Clinic Living at magazine racks throughout our facilities,or access the digital edition at CarilionClinic.org/publications, where you can alsoread past issues of our publications. For health tips and news about upcominghealth screenings events, subscribe to Living’smonthly e-newsletter atCarilionClinic.org/living.

Support Groups Support groups are available for a wide range of health needs, including gynecologic and breast cancer. Learn more at CarilionClinic.org/support.

Children’s Health For the latest news and perspectives on children’s health care, read Close toHome, a blog by Dr. Alice Ackerman, chair of the Department of Pediatrics atCarilion Clinic.


Giving to CarilionClinic Foundation Be part of improving thehealth and vitality ofcommunities in westernVirginia. Make a gift atCarilionClinic.org/giving.


BATH SALTS:

Is your teenager getting high on new drugs called bathsalts? If so, you both could be in for a nasty surprise.Across the country, people are experimenting with

new stimulant drugs that resemble bath salts, hencethe name. The psychoactive chemicals, which come inpowder and crystal forms, are snorted, smoked, or in-jected. But as with LSD, the results can be unpre-dictable. Some people turn violent; others becomesuicidal.Until recently, the stimulants were sold in conven-

ience stores and head shops under names like IvoryWave and Vanilla Sky. They may still be available onthe Internet. According to the U.S. Drug EnforcementAdministration, the drugs cause disorientation, para-noia, and violent episodes, similar to the effects of LSDor methamphetamines. Bath salts are a growing problem in Virginia. John H. Burton, M.D., chair of the Department of

Emergency Medicine at Carilion Clinic, first encoun-tered cases of the drugs last year. He was at CarilionTazewell Community Hospital when two young menwere brought in by police in separate incidents. Bothdisplayed the same bizarre behavior. Both had takenbath salts.

He soon learned from the ER staff in Tazewell thatthey’d seen a number of recent patients suffering fromsimilar hallucinogenic effects. Carilion Giles CommunityHospital reported the same.“They were difficult cases to manage,” Dr. Burton

says, recalling how one of the disoriented men tried toattack a police officer in the emergency room. Similarcases have become common in hospitals across thecountry, despite efforts by authorities to ban bath salts. Virginia and 36 other states enacted laws last year

that either prohibit or limit the sale and possession ofbath salts. In October, the DEA banned three syntheticstimulants found in them: mephedrone, methylene-dioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and methylone.The bans come as the American Association of Poison

Control Centers reports a dramatic increase in thenumber of calls regarding exposures to bath salts, upfrom 303 calls in 2010 to more than 5,600 as of November 2011.Roanoke Commonwealth’s Attorney Donald Caldwell

says he is not aware of any significant criminal casesrelated to bath salts so far.

For more information, visit 1.usa.gov/salts andbit.ly/saltfacts.

By Jay Conley

The Growing Danger

inspired.cc

2011 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

YOUR STORIES,OUR INSPIRATION

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LOOK WHO’S INSPIREDFrom the top: Bill Whitmer, Dreama Poore, and Sally Slaubaugh with her daughter, Jadyn Jones.

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Stated another way, for every dollar of tax exemption in 2010, Carilion provided

INSPIREDEXPONENTIALLY

COMMUNITY BENEFIT: $145.7 MILLION TAX EXEMPTION:

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COMMUNITY BENEFIT

$145.7 Million

UNCOMPENSATED CARE: $117.9 MILLION (CHARITY CARE: $63M)

EDUCATION: $21.9 MILLIONCOMMUNITY OUTREACH: $5.2 MILLIONRESEARCH: $.7 MILLION

Other ways Carilion Clinic gives back:

· Carilion is the largest employer in the region, providing jobs for nearly 11,000 residents and a payroll totaling $623 million.

· Despite being tax exempt, Carilion paid more than $760,000 in real estate, meals, and other taxes.

· Employees contributed more than $500,000 to area United Ways in our annual workplace giving campaign.

· Other jobs and taxes were generated in the region through the $2 million renovation of Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital, the opening of a new RAC Xpress fitness center, and an Aetna office with more than 20 employees in downtown Roanoke.

· Students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences filled 150 units in the newly renovated Patrick Henry Hotel, bringing new life to downtown Roanoke, while stimulating the local economy.


PUTTING CARDIAC ARREST ON ICE

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Medical News

But about 25 percent of Americans now live fartherfrom the nearest trauma center than they did 20 yearsago because hospitals have closedhundreds of trauma units.“Bad things happen every day,”

says Kinga Powers, M.D., Ph.D., atrauma surgeon at Carilion RoanokeMemorial Hospital. She speaks fromexperience. On a recent day, fourchildren were admitted to the hospi-tal’s trauma center due to separateaccidents. Three were able to gohome later. One was not. Dr. Powers, who moved to

Roanoke from Boston in November, is one of severalhighly skilled trauma physicians to join Carilion Clinicin recent months. Together, they bring considerable ex-pertise to Carilion’s Level I Trauma Center—the onlyone in southwest Virginia.

Levels of ExpertiseTrauma centers in Virginia are ranked as Level I, II or

III, with Level I being the highest. There are only fivesuch trauma centers in the state. A Level I designationmeans a center offers the most comprehensive emer-gency services and specialists. Roanoke Memorial’strauma center, now in its 30th year, was Virginia’s firstLevel I center. Research shows that Level I centers reduce the risk

of death from injury by 25 percent compared withtreatment at standard hospitals.

when

Every Minute

Counts

By Wendy Maxey

The trauma center at Roanoke Memorialoffers the highest level of emergency care to1.5 million people in southwest Virginia.

Even a few minutes can mean the difference betweenlife and death if you’re hurt in an accident.

Kinga Powers, M.D.


As a Level I trauma center, Caril-ion Clinic must maintain an exten-sive staff of specialists—fromneurosurgeons to orthopaedic sur-geons. These specialists must alsobe available around the clock, sevendays a week. And the center mustoffer a surgery residency program,sponsor educational outreach on in-jury prevention, and participate indisaster preparedness.Recently Carilion Clinic and three

local ophthalmologists also agreedto collaborate to provide eye care totrauma center patients. Under theagreement, Vistar Eye Center, EyeCare & Surgery, and Blue Ridge EyeCenter will provide 24/7, on-callservice for the trauma center, alongwith other types of eye care foremergency, urgent care, and hospi-talized patients.

New Trauma PhysiciansCarilion

Clinic’s newesttrauma doctorswere recruitedfor their specificexpertise. Dr.Powers, for ex-ample, is atrauma, general,and bariatricsurgeon who didher residency at the University ofToronto. She then completed a fel-lowship in advanced minimally in-vasive surgery at Harvard Medical Center. She alsoserves as an assistant professor atVirginia Tech Carilion School ofMedicine.John Ferrara, M.D., is a surgeon

who completed his residency intrauma and general surgery at OhioState University. He also serves as

program director for the CarilionClinic Department of Surgery.Mark Hamill,

M.D., sectionchief of surgicalcritical care,specializes intrauma and crit-ical care surgery. Hecompleted hisresidency at theMedical Univer-sity of SouthCarolina and a fellowship in surgi-cal critical care at the University ofTexas Southwestern Medical Center. Kelly Hyde, M.D., is a trauma

surgeon who received his medicaldegree from the University of Texasand completed his residency at Car-ilion Clinic.

(For more information on each newtrauma physician, see pages 30 and31.)

when Accidents Happen“People don’t expect trauma; it

just happens to them,” says AndiWright, program director of traumaservices. “But asa top-tiertrauma center,we are trainedat the highestlevel to help in-jured people inour community.”Trauma re-

sponse teams atRoanoke Memo-rial include alltypes of specialists. “We involvespeech therapists, rehab specialists,physician assistants, case man-agers, social workers, surgeons ofmany specialties, you name it,”

Wright says. A multidisciplinary ap-proach ensures that several keyspecialists work with trauma pa-tients from admission to follow-up. Carilion Clinic’s trauma center

also serves a large rural area. Pa-tients from all over southwest Vir-ginia are transported to RoanokeMemorial from smaller medical cen-ters not equipped to treat their in-juries. “Our regional trauma system is

set up to get an injured patient theright treatment as quickly as possi-ble,” says Christopher Baker, M.D.,chair of the Department of Surgery.

Local Trauma CasesCarilion Clinic’s traumacenter treats about 2,200patients a year — most dueto motor vehicle crashes andfalls. About 37 percent arereferred by other hospitalsand medical centers in theregion. Of the patients treated lastyear:· 66 percent were male · 29 percent had multiple

injuries, most often injuriesto the spine and ribs

· 23 percent were 64 or olderThe center saw an average of37 patients daily, mostbetween 4 p.m. andmidnight.

John Ferrara, M.D.

Mark Hamill, M.D.

Kelly Hyde, M.D.


Saving aBaby’s Lıfe

By Mary Brewer

wHEN A DELIVERYRequires Intensive Care

Specialty Care

When Alyson Crater became preg-nant, she never expected her baby tobe born prematurely. But after Alysonwas diagnosed with placenta pre-via—which can cause abnormalbleeding —the baby had to be deliv-ered more than two months early. Evangeline Jaye Crater entered

this world at only 3 pounds, 8ounces, lacking fully developedlungs.“I was admitted to the hospital

early because I was having bleedingand contractions for a week,”Alyson says. “I knew if I had thebaby then, she was going to go tothe NICU.” Evangeline in fact spent almost

six weeks in Carilion Clinic’sNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, orNICU.Alyson’s experience is not un-

usual. Nearly 13 percent of babiesborn in the United States each yearrequire care in a NICU. Many fac-tors account for this, but “very lowbirth weight accounts for a majorityof our admissions,” says ManuelPeregrino, M.D., Carilion Clinic sec-tion chief of neonatology. Babieswith inherited disorders and infec-tions also often need intensive care.“While all expectant mothers hope

for the best, there can be peace ofmind knowing you are delivering ina hospital with a NICU, and thathighly specialized pediatricians areonly a floor away,” says Alice D.Ackerman, M.D., chair of the De-partment of Pediatrics.

Third Largest NICU in Virginia“We have a treasure here in the

Roanoke Valley in our NICU,” saysDr. Peregrino. “We are the thirdlargest NICU in all of Virginia, with60 beds. We have the advancedtechnology that people with high-risk pregnancies need right here inthe Valley. Newborns can becomehigh risk in a heartbeat, but we’reready.” The NICU, which cares for about

Alyson Crater holds her daughter Evangeline, who was born weighing only3 pounds, 8 ounces.

High-Risk PregnanciesWomen with high-risk pregnancies may be referred to amaternal-fetal medicine specialist, who will work with theirobstetrician. Such specialists include obstetricians whospecialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of high-risk expectant mothers and their unborn babies.In southwest Virginia, Carilion Clinic provides the only maternal-fetal medicine program. Two physician specialists and twocertified genetic counselors work closely with a patient’sobstetrician, the staff of the NICU, and other medical specialiststo provide full-spectrum care.


(continued on next page)


700 babies each year, is located inCarilion Clinic Children’s Hospitalat Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hos-pital. Eighteen other hospitals insouthwest Virginia send motherswith complicated pregnancies toRoanoke Memorial—or their criti-cally ill babies to the NICU for life-saving technology.“The staff is amazing,” says Dr.

Peregrino. “The nurses alone havetremendous credentials—somehave over 30 years of NICU experi-ence.” Also caring for the infantsare neonatologists, pediatric andsurgical subspecialists, pharma-cists, speech therapists, occupa-tional and physical therapists,registered dietitians, respiratorytherapists, social workers, andother highly specialized staff. “Theyprovide the highest quality care forthese infants and their families,” Dr.Peregrino says.While in the NICU, babies are

cared for with the most advancedtechnology to regulate their bodytemperature, blood pressure, heartrate, and oxygen levels. Because ba-bies are not able to adapt as well asadults to temperature changes, avariety of methods are used forkeeping them warm, including radi-ant warmers and isolettes. A new ambulance especially for

children is also operated by CarilionClinic Children’s Hospital. Fundedby a gift of $350,000 from Children’s

Miracle NetworkHospitals, it servesas a neonatal andpediatric mobile in-tensive care unitand transports criti-cal young patientsfrom other hospitalsin the region to theChildren’s Hospital.

Caring Staff“The NICU is staffed with some of

the most caring and amazing peopleI’ve ever met,” Alyson says of herexperience. “The nurses, nursepractitioners, and doctors not onlyprovided the best health care, butwere a source of great comfort tous. I can’t say enough about theRoanoke Memorial NICU. They tookEvangeline from a frail baby withmonitors, IVs, and breathing tubesto my sweet and strong little angel.”Evan, as mom Alyson calls her, is

now at home and doing well.Alyson was also so impressed by

and grateful for the care she andEvan received that she has beenraising money for the NICU, so thatother families in the region whoneed such care can get it. “My hopeis to raise enough money to buypreemie gowns and supplies for thebabies and gas cards and food forparents who have to come from outof town,” she says.“Even from the very beginning, it

was a fabulous experience,” Alysonnotes. “When the doctor explainedwhat to expect and what we coulddo to help her, they gave my hus-band and me lots and lots of infor-mation. “When Evan was born, all the

nurses and doctors were availablefor support at all times. My experi-ence was amazing.”

when Pregnancies BecomeHigh RiskThese are some of thefactors that can increase thechances of a baby beingadmitted to a NICU: • Mother younger than 16, or

older than 40• In utero drug or alcohol

exposure• Mother with diabetes or

high blood pressure, orsexually transmitteddiseases

• A multiple pregnancy(twins, triplets, etc.)

• Breech birth • Premature birth • Birth weight of less than 5

pounds, 8 ounces or over 8pounds, 13 ounces

• Birth defects• Respiratory distress

including rapid breathing,grunting, or apnea(stopping breathing)

• Infections such as herpes,Group B streptococcus,chlamydia

• Seizures• Hypoglycemia (low blood

sugar)• Need for extra oxygen or

monitoring, intravenous (IV)therapy, or medications

• Need for special treatmentor procedures such as ablood transfusion

Kara Dickinson (right), a parent educator inthe Carilion Clinic NICU, reviews health careinformation with Keisha and Todd Agnew,new parents of Kannon.


Q & A with Dr. Janet Osborne,Gynecologic Oncologist

Janet Osborne, M.D., of Carilion Clinic GynecologicOncology, treats women with gynecologic cancerssuch as ovarian or uterine cancer.

Q. Why did you choose to become a gynecologic oncologist?A. In this field, I’m taking care of women at a time in their lives where

they’re often faced with fear and crisis, and I’m able to help waylay some ofthose fears and get them through. Many times, I’m able to give happy news— that the surgery we did turned out not to be cancer or turned out to bevery early. Other times, we have to give news that is less than ideal. But asa gynecologic oncologist, I’m there for their entire journey. So we not onlydo their surgery, but we see them afterward for follow-ups and overseetheir chemotherapy. Q. What exactly is gynecologic oncology? And how do you help women?A. We first do general training in OB/GYN and then we do three extra

years of fellowship training that gives us the expertise we need for moreadvanced surgical problems. We’re also trained in the comprehensive,overall treatment with chemotherapy, and working with the radiation on-cologists for those patients where radiation is part of their treatment. Soit’s a very comprehensive care of women with any of the gynecologic can-cers.Q. How does your practice benefit women in southwest Virginia?A. We are able to do minimally invasive cancer surgeries. We have the

technology here to do the robotic, or da Vinci-type systems, so patientswho have uterine cancer often have their surgery and go home the nextday, which means quicker recoveries.We’re also part of a national gynecologic oncology group that is responsi-

ble for all the major clinical trials that essentially become the standard ofcare for treatment of these cancers. So patients who are under our carehave access to the same trials they would if they wanted to travel some-where far like Duke, Sloan-Kettering in New York, MD Anderson [in Texas],or the Mayo Clinic. Q. How would you describe your experience here so far? (Dr. Osborne

joined Carilion Clinic in April 2011.)A. I’ve been able to join a really great team. My colleague, Dr. Dennis

Scribner, is an amazing partner and has made such a big impact in thiscommunity. Our nurse practitioner, a key person on our team, helps usoversee our patients with chemotherapy and some of their post-surgicalcare. We have excellent oncology nurses. I’ve been really fortunate to walkinto an environment that’s already been built and be part of the next gen-eration of changes that we’re trying to bring here.

For more information on Dr. Osborne or Carilion Clinic Gynecologic Oncologyat 1 Riverside Circle in Roanoke, call 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482.

To watch a video of theinterview with

Dr. Osborne, scan this code.

By Matthew Sams

Carilion ClinicBrings AdvancedHeart ValveTreatments to Region


Specialty Care

To care for such patients, Carilion Clinic is launchingan advanced valve care program. It will offer new, mini-mally invasive procedures and shorter recovery timesfor some of the region’s sickest heart patients. As part of the program, a “hybrid” operating room

that includes a catheterization lab and advanced imag-ing equipment will be used. This will allow differentspecialists such as interventional cardiologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventionalradiologists, and others to work together in one room toperform the new minimally invasive procedures. As aresult, some patients who would have required open-heart surgery in the past will be able to be treated via acatheterization procedure instead.

Cutting-Edge TreatmentOne new procedure to be offered is Transcatheter

Aortic Valve Implantation, or TAVI. It is intended for pa-tients who are too high-risk for open-heart surgery, and

it must be performed in a hybrid operating room. Carilion Clinic has been selected by Edwards Life-

sciences, maker of the SAPIEN transcatheter heartvalve, to offer this new, advanced procedure to helpthose with a severely narrowed aortic valve. This condi-tion can lead to loss of independent living, heart fail-ure, chest pain, heart attack, and death. During the procedure, a special heart valve made of

cow tissue and stainless steel is passed through an ar-tery in the leg up to the heart using a tube, orcatheter. Special imaging equipment helps guide thevalve into place. “It may sound simple,” says interventional cardiolo-

gist Timothy C. Ball, M.D., Ph.D., “but the surgery ischallenging, and there are significant risks. However,TAVI offers a survival advantage for those patients whohave no other options.” The procedure takes up to twohours to perform and will be available later this spring.


By Erica Stacy


Each year almost 5 million people in the United States learn they have heart valve disease. Left untreated, it maylead to heart failure, stroke, or even sudden death.

Valve Clinic OpensAs part of the new program, a

Valve Clinic has opened to evaluateand manage advanced heartvalve disease patients — many ofwhom can be treated medicallyand without intervention. “The Valve Clinic will provide a

multidisciplinary clinic where cardi-ologists (interventional, imaging,and medical) as well as a surgeoncan evaluate a patient with heartvalve disease and determine the

best strategy for management,” sayscardiac surgeon Joseph Rowe III,M.D. “That approach may be sur-gery, cardiology/surgery hybrid in-tervention, or medical treatment.” The medical director of the clinic

is Jacek Slowikowski, M.D., a cardi-ologist whose specialties includeechocardiography and nuclear car-diology. “The clinic will provide patients in

southwest Virginia with a state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment plan, where before these patients

had few options,” Dr. Rowe says.“This situation has been frustratingto patients, families, and theirphysicians.”“TAVI in particular is an exciting

new technology that would havebeen considered a futuristic, SciFifantasy only a few years ago,” addsDavid Sane, M.D., Carilion Clinicsection chief of cardiology. “Today itis a reality: Working together, inter-ventional cardiologists and CT sur-geons can implant a valve using acatheter! TAVI is one of the mostrevolutionary developments in car-diology in the past decade.”

Initially, the Valve Clinic will be openone day a week. Expansion will bebased on patient demand. For moreinformation, call 540-266-6000 or800-422-8482.

A red heart glows from atop Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital duringAmerican Heart Month in February.

Heart valve disease can bepresent at birth or may becaused by infections, heartattacks, heart disease, ordamage from an accident orinjury.

If a heart valve doesn’t closeproperly, blood may leakback into the heart chamber,and the valve can thickenand not function properly.This can make a heart workharder and affect its abilityto pump blood.

Warning signs of heart valvedisease include:

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness or dizziness

• Chest discomfort

• Palpitations

• Swelling in the ankles,feet, or abdomen

• Rapid weight gain

• Passing out

The hybrid operating room will allow a variety of medical specialists to work together in one location to treat patients.



Have you ever thought of commuting by bike? If so,you have company.

More and more people across southwest Virginia aredonning bicycle helmets and strapping on backpacksfor an energizing ride to work.

“There’s no doubt Roanoke is seeing anincrease in the amount of people com-muting by bike,” says Pete Eshelman, di-rector of outdoor branding for theRoanoke Regional Partnership. “Justwalk around town and take note of allthe bicycles in front of businesses. Itwasn’t like this five years ago.”

In fact the whole region is becoming abicycle hot spot, Eshelman says. Ac-cording to the U.S. Census Bureau’s2010 American Community Survey, bi-cycle commuting in the region has dou-bled in the past 10 years.

Jeremy Holmes, program directorof Roanoke-based Ride Solutions,is pleased. Ride Solutions pro-motes alternative transporta-tion, including commutingby bike, and it offers awealth of informationsuch as bicycle routemaps, information

By David Perry

Regional Interest

Commuting by BikeIt’s Taking Off


on gear, and instructional videos.Ride Solutions, sponsored by the

Roanoke Valley-Alleghany RegionalCommission and the New River Val-ley Planning District Commission,also offers a Guaranteed Ride Homeprogram for registered bike com-muters. If they have an emergencyor encounter bad weather, the pro-gram pays for a free ride home upto four times a year.

Civic and Corporate BackingAll types of bicycling are taking

off in southwest Virginia—recre-ational biking on weekends, com-muting, and racing. Mirroring anational trend, the region is seeingan increase in bike lanes and agrowth in public awareness of bicy-cling.There is an interplay between

supply and demand, Holmes says.

“A certain mass of people triggersthe justification to put the infra-structure in,” he says. “Then, whenyou put that bike lane in, more peo-ple feel safe and come out and useit.”Gas prices are also seen as a

motivator. According toGasBuddy.com, local gasolineprices have more than doubledsince the fall of 2008.The city of Roanoke in particular

has taken steps to become more bi-cycle-friendly by creating newgreenways and other amenities.Roanoke was recently recognized asa Bicycle Friendly Community atthe bronze level by the League ofAmerican Bicyclists. This year it willapply for a higher level of recogni-tion, says Clifford Nottingham III,M.D., of Carilion Clinic.Dr. Nottingham, an avid bicyclist

Left: Professor George Simmons, 69, commutes by bike fromhis Blacksburg home to Virginia Tech. Top: Simmons in hisoffice on campus.

Clifford Nottingham III, M.D.

Regional Interest

and a member of the city’s BicycleAdvisory Committee, also chairs aCarilion Clinic committee on biking.Carilion, the region’s largest em-ployer, plans to apply for the desig-nation of Bicycle Friendly Businessfrom the League of American Bicy-clists. Its Riverside campus, for in-stance, provides bike racks andaccess to bike trails along theRoanoke River.In both cases, gaining recognition

for being bicycle-friendly will helpdiscourage driving and promotesafer bicycling, says Dr. Notting-ham. “We also think Roanoke wouldbecome more attractive to potentialemployees,” he says.

Changing Habits in BlacksburgGeorge Simmons is a Virginia

Tech biology professor who sevenyears ago was motivated to give bikecommuting a try by a colleague whopedaled to work.Says Simmons, “I’d go by him in

that big Silverado I was driving,

which got about eight miles to thegallon, and I would think, ‘Why amI driving this stupid truck to gonowhere? Why don’t I get a bicycle?’”He also wanted to help reduce the

country’s dependence on foreign oil.Shortly thereafter, Simmons’ sonsent him a mountain bike.“I started riding it, and I promised

myself if I stuck with it for a yearthat I’d buy myself something nice,”Simmons says. Soon he was com-muting to work at Virginia Tech andriding all over town. “I sold mytruck. I got to the point I wasn’tdriving it any more.”He also claims to be healthier and

take more of an interest in thingson his route to work.“Blacksburg is a very bicycle-re-

ceptive community, and it seems tobe getting better,” says Simmons,who now serves on a town greenwayand bikeway committee. “If you in-vest in greenways, people will seethis as an upscale community andwant to move here.”

Commuting by Bus and BikeBeth Lohman is another member

of the Blacksburg biking committeewho commutes from the New RiverValley to her job with the VirginiaDepartment of Environmental Qual-ity in Roanoke. Her husband alsoworks there.“We take turns telecommuting

from home—him three days a weekand me two days a week,” she says.On the other days, they take theSmart Way bus from Blacksburg toSalem and then ride their bikes theremaining 4.5 miles to their officeon Peters Creek Road.Their savings have been substan-

tial. “Since we started commutingby bike and bus in 2008, we havesaved over $5,000 in fuel and main-tenance costs,” Lohman says.“That’s a conservative number.”Lohman also enjoys her trip. “I

have had overwhelmingly good ex-periences riding to work,” she says.“When I signal to change lanes onRoute 419, most people yield and

Left: Beth Lohman of Blacksburg rides the Smart waybus to Roanoke and then pedals her bike 4.5 miles toher office. Below: Lohman at her job at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.


let me move over to get to the left-turn lane. When I’m stopped at thetraffic light at the I-81 southboundexit ramp, guys on motorcycles willpull up next to me and chat. I had agood chat about gardens one morn-ing.”“I try to make eye contact with

people, smile, and wave,” she says.“That seems to go a long ways withfolks.”As for appearances at work,

Lohman typically leaves a few setsof clothes at the office, along withsoap, shampoo, and deodorant. “Icycle wearing just regular old cottonshorts or pants and typically abreathable shirt with a screamingyellow reflective vest,” she says.“In the spring and fall, I can ride

casually enough so that I don’t per-spire too much. In the heat of thesummer, when it’s 75 degrees and98 percent humidity at 7:15 a.m., Ihave access to a shower at my officeso I can freshen up.”

Lexington RidersAndy Hunter, owner of the Lex-

ington Bicycle Shop in RockbridgeCounty, says that while bicyclecommuting isn’t necessarily in-creasing in the town of 7,000, it hasalways been around.“When you have a small town,

and you have colleges, you’re goingto have a certain percentage of ad-ministration, faculty, and studentsthat are going to ride their bicyclesto school for convenience,” Huntersays.The small-town nature of Lexing-

ton also contributes to a relaxed bi-cycling experience. “We don’t havethat big, four-lane divided boule-vard,” Hunter says. “Main Streetright in front of my shop is 25 milesan hour, if that. Such environments

have always been more conduciveto cycling than the higher-speed,busier roads.”

From Roanoke County to Down-townJamie Helmer can’t shower at the

office yet, but her employer is work-ing on it. “We have locker roomsand men’s and women’s bath-rooms,” she says of her job site atNorfolk Southern’s downtownRoanoke shops. “They’re in theprocess of building showers.”Helmer commutes about six miles

from the Hollins area for severalreasons. “The downtown parking

situation isn’t ideal, so I feel like I’mwalking halfway to work anyway,”she says. “I’d like to get a workoutin, and this pretty much guaranteesit. Once you’re out the door, youknow you have to get to work andyou have to get home.”And while her 12 miles a day

don’t go far in terms of savingmoney or helping the planet, “I’m afirm believer that every little bit

If You Can’t CommuteNot all bicycle enthusiasts choose to bike to work. Some enjoyriding on the region’s winding rural roads in the evenings and onweekends.Consider Jay Turner, owner of J.M. Turner & Co. generalcontractors of Roanoke. He bikes frequently to stay in shape.After joining the Marine reserves, where he lost 40 pounds,Turner vowed never to gain back the weight. He says Roanoke isgreat for cycling because you can go out your front door and bein the country in minutes.Or Nancy Galli, proprietor of Nancy’s Candy Co. in Meadows ofDan. She rides about 70 miles a week from spring through fall. “Iride and soak up the outdoors,” she says. “Riding is such apleasure that it really improves my stress level and puts a smileon my face.”Glen Johnson of Roanoke, who is retired, gets in an average of100 miles a week. “During the week I ride the Parkway, southwestRoanoke County, and the Roanoke Greenway,” he says. “Onweekends we’ll throw the bikes in the car and hit the countryroads in Botetourt, Craig, and Giles counties.” The main reason herides? “Because it’s fun!”


Jamie Helmer enjoys her bikecommute from the Hollins areato her job at Norfolk Southern

in Roanoke.

helps,” says Helmer.Her route along Plantation Road

in northeast Roanoke does bringher into proximity with truck traffic.“It makes you a little nervous some-times,” she says. But weather ismostly a non-factor. “Weather does-n’t really bother me, although if it’sicy, chances are I’m probably notgoing to ride.”Helmer, who has been commuting

by bike for three years, findsRoanoke to be tolerant of cyclists.“There hasn’t been any rudeness,”she says. “People have been quiteaccommodating for the most part.”Her advice to those considering

bicycle commuting? “I’d encourage

people to give it a shot,” she says.“The hardest thing is the first time.Once you do it and you know youcan do it, the rest is easy.”

Easing BarriersOf course safety is paramount.

But, says Holmes of Ride Solutions,“drivers are more scared of you as acyclist than you are of them. Theydon't know what you’re going to do.”Holmes, who commutes by bike

about 2.5 miles each way in a suit,says many obstacles can be over-come. Weather, for instance, is apoor excuse not to ride, he says. “Itrains all the time in Portland [Ore-gon], and yet about 6 percent of theresidents there bike to work.”Also, just because you drive on a

certain road doesn’t mean youshould bike on it, he says. “If you’re concerned about biking on Brandon

Avenue (a busy thoroughfare inRoanoke), you can go over to Wind-sor.”“If you’re interested, people here

would love to help,” he says.“There’s a ton of support available.“We’re at the cusp of making

biking a thing normal people do.”

Regional Interest

wowing the worldThe world is taking notice ofAaron Dykstra, owner of Six-Eleven Bicycle Company ofRoanoke. Dykstra’s handmade bicycleshave been featured inpublications across Europe andAsia, and he has built bikes forcustomers in Indonesia,Singapore, Hong Kong, andEurope, as well as throughoutthe United States. He hasreceived two best-of-show

awards at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. “I want to create something that has value,” says Dykstra, notingthat the majority of bikes made today are mass-manufactured ata handful of factories in Taiwan. “I believe that the integrity of thecraftsman translates into the integrity of the product. And thatvery rarely happens on a foreign manufacturing line.” Dykstra, a Roanoke native who has lived in New York andChicago, returned home with his wife Michelle in 2008. Theystarted Six-Eleven in their basement and have since relocated itto downtown Roanoke.Why does he hand-build bikes? Because he loves it. And, he says:“We need more quality in our lives.”

Resources

Ride Solutionswww.ridesolutions.org

Go Green NRVwww.gogreennrv.com

Roanoke Outside.comwww.roanokeoutside.com

Roanoke Cycling Organizationwww.roanokecycling.org

Blue Ridge Bicycle Clubwww.brbcva.org

New River Valley BicycleAssociationwww.nrvbike.org

Blacksburg Bike Co-opwww.bikeblacksburg.org

Bike Shopswww.roanokeoutside.com/stores/bikes


Jeremy Holmes of Ride Solutions.

Five specialty care programs at Carilion Roanoke Memo-rial Hospital have been awarded national certification andthe “Gold Seal of Approval™” by The Joint Commission.The hospital’s heart failure and acute myocardial in-

farction, or heart attack,programs were awardedtheir first disease-specificcare certification lastyear. Programs for hipand knee joint replace-ment and stroke weregranted renewed certifica-tion.The recognition means

that Carilion RoanokeMemorial Hospital meets the highest national stan-dards in treating these conditions. The Joint Commis-sion, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is thenation’s leading accrediting body in health care. To earn national certification, hospitals must un-

dergo stringent on-site reviews. Disease-specific certifi-cation is awarded for two years for:

• Compliance with national standards;• Effective use of evidence-based clinical practice

guidelines; and• An organized approach to performance measurement

and improvement activities.Joint Commission sur-

veyors examine medicalprotocols, safety proce-dures, and overall qualityof care.“Our entire team was

proud to share their sto-ries and experiences withthe Joint Commission,”says Cindy Smith, R.N.,director of Cardiothoracic

and Vascular Services at Roanoke Memorial. “We arefocused on providing quality care to every patient, everyday.”

All Carilion Clinic hospitals are accredited by The JointCommission. In addition, The Joint Commission awardsdisease-specific certifications to those hospitals thatmeet stringent criteria.

By Laura Markowski

“We are focused on providing qualitycare to every patient, every day.” — Cindy Smith, R.N.,

Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular ServicesCarilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Earning the GoldCarilion Clinic Recognized for the Highest Standard of Care


Regional Interest

From classic dramas to edgy contemporary plays, southwestVirginia’s theatre companies are staging it all. “There’s something for everybody,” says Ginger Poole, Mill Moun-

tain Theatre’s managing director and director of education. “It’s aperk of living in our area, and it’s exciting to see new theatre compa-nies popping up and having sustainable seasons. It’s a testament towhat this region can do.” Mill Mountain, with an annual budget of $1.2 million, will produce

three to five shows in 2012. It is temporarily staging productions atthe 125-seat Waldron Stage theatre at 20 Church St.while its 345-seat venue at Roanoke’s Center in theSquare is renovated. Mill Mountain’s conservatory alsooffers year-round classes in theatre and dance to chil-dren and adults.“In today’s economy, it puts a smile on my face that a

large group of people are still willing to support live the-atre in this area,” Poole says.Indeed, live theatre is getting more attention all over the

region, says Michael Anthony Williams, co-founder andproducing artistic director of the Actors Theater of Blacks-burg. “The scene is growing,” he says.Williams, a professional actor who has a role in Steven

Spielberg’s upcoming movie, Lincoln, moved to the area toteach at Virginia Tech four years ago. The Actors Theatreproduces “edgy professional scripts,” he says, along withoriginal scripts featuring professional artists from aroundthe country. It also provides acting lessons through itsconservatory and youth summer camps.The Actors Theater of Blacksburg plans to produce three shows in

2012.

There’s never been a better time toenjoy a night out at the theatre.

F O R T H EL O V E O F

THEATRE

L to R: Scenes from the Roanoke Children’s Theatre production of A Year withFrog and Toad; the New River Stage production of Once Upon a Mattress; and

the Gamut Theatre production of The Lover by Harold Pinter.


F O R T H EL O V E O F

THEATREF O R T H EL O V E O F

THEATREBy Otesa Middleton Miles

In a recent survey, residentsof the region said they seekthese elements in arts andcultural events: • Not just entertainment, buteducational engagement foradults and their children andgrandchildren • More arts and cultural eventsfor children • More visual art • Opportunities forprofessional and cliententertainment • Variety in offerings• More international exposureand events that showcasedifferent cultures

SOURCE: THE CENTER FOR THE ARTSAT VIRGINIA TECH.



Also focusing on original works isStudio Roanoke, which produceseight shows annually for an inti-mate audience of about 50 people.“Our focus is on original, edgier,less traditional work,” says Ben R.Williams, the general manager. Stu-dio Roanoke also hosts a combina-tion of stage readings and livemusic. With numerous opportunities

available to see live performances,Kathy Guy, managing producing di-rector of Gamut Theatre, calls thetheatre scene “thriving.” “Roanoke is experiencing a ren-

aissance in the arts,” says Guy,whose shows are performed at vari-ous venues, including the 130-seatJune M. McBroom Theater in thenew Community High School of Arts& Academics downtown. “For a cityof this size, it’s really got a lot ofcreative energy.”Jeanne Truesdell, treasurer of

New River Stage in Blacksburg,says her group is a true communitytheatre that even has a partial vol-unteer orchestra for some perform-ances. “Everybody does it becausethey love theatre. They donate all oftheir time,” she says. New River Stage offers both adult

and children’s theatre productions,summer theatre camps, and after-school workshops for children.

Young actors are always the focusat the Roanoke Children’s Theatre,which stages four major produc-tions a year featuring professionaland amateur child actors. The the-atre also offers programs andclasses for area schools—and a theatre school for budding actingtalents. The Children’s Theatre, located at

the Taubman Museum of Art inRoanoke, teaches 700 students in-house and around the region annually and has a youth board ofdirectors. “Most of our plays arebased on books,” says Pat Wilhelms,the theatre’s artistic director. “It’s away to bring the [school] curriculumalive.” Then there is the Barter Theatre

of Abingdon, where during the De-pression, playwrights such as NoelCoward, Tennessee Williams, andThornton Wilder accepted Virginiaham in lieu of royalties. The theatreis also known for an illustrious ros-ter of actors who later went on tofame and fortune, including Gre-gory Peck, Patricia Neal, ErnestBorgnine, Hume Cronyn, and KevinSpacey. Today the theatre attractsmore than 140,000 patrons a yearfrom many states.Truly, southwest Virginia theatre

lovers never had it so good.

where to Find Live Theatre

Mill Mountain TheatreRoanokewww.millmountain.org

Studio Roanokewww.studioroanoke.org

Hollins TheatreRoanokewww.hollins.edu/theatre

ShowtimersRoanokewww.showtimers.org

Actors Theater of BlacksburgPerformances at the Jefferson Center,Roanoke and at the Lyric Theatre,Blacksburgwww.actorstheaterofblacksburg.org

Gamut Theatre Salemwww.gamuttheatre.com

Roanoke Children’s Theatre At the Taubman Museum of Artwww.roanokechildrenstheatre.org

Attic ProductionsFincastlewww.atticproductions.info

New River StageBlacksburgwww.newriverstage.com

Summer Musical EnterpriseVirginia Tech Blacksburg www.civic.bev.net/sme

Barter TheatreAbingdonwww.bartertheatre.com

Knights and ladies dance in a scenefrom Once Upon a Mattress, producedby the New River Stage.


Heart failure patients in southwest Virginia nowhave a new treatment option. Carilion Clinic has been approved to implant

a device that can prolong the lives of advancedheart failure patients by several years. Carilionwill be one of only two sites in Virginia im-planting the device that do not do heart trans-plants. The other is in Richmond.The device, called HeartMate II, is a mechan-

ical pump that circulates blood throughoutthe body. Implanted in the patient’s chest or abdomen, the device takesover the pumping function of the left ventricle, the main pumping chamberof the heart. “From a cardiovascular standpoint, the device takes over the function of

the heart and gives patients a normal cardiac output,” cardiologistStephen Phillips, M.D., says. “Many patients can have a pretty normalfunctional status in terms of going back to work and doing the things theyenjoy.”“Being able to offer HeartMate in Roanoke is going to mean peace of

mind for area patients because they’ll be closer to their implant facility,”says Shayna Haga, R.N., HeartMate coordinator for Carilion Clinic. The device will be available for two types of patients. Those who are on

the waiting list for a heart transplant may receive the device as “a bridge totransplant,” says cardiothoracic surgeon Scott Arnold, M.D. Transplantcandidates will then be referred to the University of Virginia or other re-gional transplant centers. Patients who are not candidates for heart transplants due to age or other

medical conditions may be given the device as “destination therapy,” po-tentially prolonging life expectancy and improving quality of life. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, for instance, has received an

implant as destination therapy. HeartMate II, a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD), is manufactured by

Thoratec Corp. Thoratec research suggests that most patients can expectHeartMate II to last at least five years.“This new treatment represents ongoing progress in the development of

our heart failure program,” says Dr. Arnold. “We remain committed to pro-viding the best and most advanced therapies in cardiac care to our com-munity.”

For more information, call 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482.

New Treatment Approved for Advanced HeartFailureBy Karen Doss Bowman

HeartMate II

Physicians

New Physicians Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Joins Carilion Clinic OtolaryngologyWilliam P. Magdycz, M.D., an oto-laryngologist and head and necksurgeon, has joined CarilionClinic. He has particular interestsand expertise in head and neckcancer surgery, thyroid, subster-nal goiter and parathyroid sur-

gery, and vocal cord paralysis.Dr. Magdycz comes to Carilion from the Naval

Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va., where he wasthe attending surgeon of Head and Neck SurgicalOncology and residency program director of the De-partment of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery.He also served as assistant professor of surgery atthe Uniformed Services University School of Medi-cine, where he earned his M.D. degree.He completed his residency in otolaryngology/head

and neck surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Cen-ter and a fellowship in head and neck oncologic, cra-nial base, and microvascular reconstruction surgeryat Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is certi-fied by the American Board of Otolaryngology andthe National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Magdycz has lectured on a range of topics, in-

cluding head and neck cancer; injury and traumaon the battlefield; hyperthyroidism; skin cancer riskand prevention; and sinusitis vs. migraine. His pub-lications include papers on tongue reconstructionand Graves disease. As a colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, Dr.

Magdycz was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2007 asthe theater surgical consultant, and he has volun-teered for 11 non-military medical missions to Haitisince 1996. Dr. Magdycz practices at 1 Riverside Circle in

Roanoke and can be reached at 540-581-0180.

William P. Magdycz, M.D.


Pediatric Endocrinologist Joins Carilion ClinicErica B. Reynolds, M.D., a specialistin pediatric medicine and pediatricendocrinology, has joined CarilionClinic.Dr. Reynolds comes to Carilion

from Cincinnati Children’s Hos-pital Medical Center, where shecompleted a fellowship in pedi-

atric endocrinology. She earned her M.D. degreefrom Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk andher master’s in medical education degree from theUniversity of Cincinnati. She completed her pedi-atric residency at Wake Forest University BaptistMedical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., where shealso served as clinical instructor of pediatrics.She has a clinical interest in patients with Types 1

and 2 diabetes and disorders of the pituitary, thy-roid, growth, puberty, and sexual development. She

also has an interest in international medical volun-teering and has worked at medical clinics inGuatemala, Haiti, and the West Bank of Israel.While at Wake Forest, she was honored for her ex-emplary commitment to patient care.Dr. Reynolds has published research on heart

rates in obese patients with sleep apnea and physi-cal activity among overweight Latino children. Hermost current research is in fatty liver disease inyouth with Type 2 diabetes. She also has a strong interest in medical educa-

tion and will be serving as director of the third-yearmedical student clerkship in pediatrics for the Vir-ginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She practices pediatric endocrinology at 102 High-

land Ave. in Roanoke (540-224-4545) and sees gen-eral pediatric patients at 4040 Postal Drive inRoanoke (540-772-4453).

Erica B. Reynolds, M.D.

Daliborka Danelisen, D.O.PsychiatryEducation: University of North Carolina at GreensboroMedical Degree: Edward Via Virginia College of OsteopathicMedicineResidency: Virginia Commonwealth University2900 Lamb Circle, Christiansburg, VA, 24073 540-731-7311

Jennifer K. Rypel, D.M.D.DentistryEducation: The University of Alabama at BirminghamMedical Degree: University of Alabama School of DentistryResidency: St. John’s Mercy Medical Center2017 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7128

Eric Hong-Wen Chen, M.D.Family MedicineEducation: College of William and MaryMedical Degree: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillResidency: MAHEC-Hendersonville Rural Family Medicine Fellowship: Family medicine with obstetrics, University ofUtah and Community Health Centers2145 Mount Pleasant Blvd., Roanoke, VA 24014540-427-9200

Kinga A. Powers, M.D., Ph.D.Trauma, General and Bariatric SurgeryEducation: University of TorontoMedical Degree: Queens UniversityResidency: University of TorontoFellowship: Advanced minimally invasive surgery, Beth IsraelDeaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical Center1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-224-5170

Ricardo Riegodedios, M.D.Radiology Education: University of South CarolinaMedical Degree: University of South CarolinaResidency: Naval Medical Center – Portsmouth 1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7000

John J. Ferrara, M.D.Trauma and General SurgeryEducation: St. Louis UniversityMedical Degree: St. Louis UniversityResidency: The Ohio State University 3 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016540-224-5170

Kelly V. Hyde, M.D. Trauma Surgery Education: Texas TechMedical Degree: University of Texas Residency: Carilion Clinic 3 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016540-224-5170

Corey Heitz, M.D.Emergency Medicine Education: University of North Carolina, WilmingtonMedical Degree: Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolResidency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical CenterFellowship: Faculty and academic development, BoonshoftSchool of Medicine – Wright State University1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7000

Mark E. Hamill, M.D.Trauma and Critical Care Surgery Education: Long Island University – C.W. Post CampusMedical Degree: State University of New York Upstate MedicalUniversity’s College of MedicineResidency: Medical University of South CarolinaFellowship: Surgical critical care, University of Texas –Southwestern Medical Center3 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016540-224-5170



Better Living

Your Calendar for Better HealthSpring 2012SMOKE-FREE

Noon – 1 p.m.Bedford Memorial HospitalPlease call 540-587-3308to register.

wOMEN’S LIFESTYLE ExPO 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.New River Valley Mall,ChristiansburgPlease call 540-731-2000for more information.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING/HEALTH FAIR(12-hour fast required) 8 – 10 a.m.Berkshire Health andRehab, Vinton$15Please call 540-266-6000to register.

GIRL TALK A discussion of issues sur-rounding puberty for girlsages 9-12 and parents/caregivers6 – 9 p.m.Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital$5 per personPlease call 800-422-8482to register.

MAMMOGRAMS/GYNECOLOGY SCREENINGS 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.Carilion Giles CommunityHospital$20Please call 800-422-8482to register.

BOY TALK A discussion of issues surrounding puberty forboys ages 9-12 and parents/caregivers6 – 9 p.m.Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital$5 per personPlease call 800-422-8482to register.

wOMEN’S HEALTH UNIVERSITY All about back health11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Jefferson Center, Roanoke$15 (includes lunch)Please call 540-266-6000to register.

PHYSICIANS ON FOOT8:30 a.m.Tanglewood MallFor more information,call 540-266-6000 or visit CarilionClinic.org/walk-ing.

March

12

April

14

April

19

May

3

May

2

April

23

April

28

EverySaturday

GET FIT FOR HEALTHIf you’re looking for ways toimprove your health, theCarilion Clinic Fit Rx MedicalMembership Program may befor you. It includes:

• A 60-day membership for $60

• Full access to the Roanokeand Botetourt Athletic Clubsand the new RAC Xpress indowntown Roanoke

• Two fitness consults

• An individualized fitness planto follow

• Weekly one-on-one trainingsessions with a certifiedpersonal trainer

For more information, visit carilionfitness.com.

For more events, classes, and screenings, visit CarilionClinic.org/calendar or call 540-266-6000.

For UrgenciesTHAT AREN’TEmergencies

When life happens, VelocityCare is here for you.VelocityCare is your community choice for urgent care services. Bridging the gap between primarycare and the emergency room, VelocityCare will soon be open seven days a week, with extendedhours for your convenience. Appointments are not required. And if you need a referral, VelocityCarewill be the only urgent care service in southwest Virginia with direct access to Carilion Clinic’scomprehensive network of primary and specialty care physicians.

For more information, visit VelocityCareByCarilion.com or call 540-266-6800.

CARILION CLINICP.O. BOx 13727ROANOKE, VA 24036-3727

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDROANOKE, VA

PERMIT NO. 247

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Carilion Clinic Living - Spring 2012

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