HealthMattersDo You Have What It Takes to Quit Smoking?

Simple Solutions for Problem Skin

Here for You in Case of

EMERGENCYSee page 6.

winter 2009

AMC

AMC: Leading the Surgical Revolution for Faster RecoveriesLearn about video-assisted thoracic surgery on page 4.

Find help on page 3.

Learn more on page 10.

two Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.comtwo

w i n t e r 2 0 0 9

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDear Friends, Happy New Year to all! It is hard to believe that winter is here and

another year is upon us. This is such a busy time for everyone, and Augusta Medical Center is no exception. The winter publication of Health Matters is an action-packed edition with many interesting topics that continue to demonstrate AMC’s commitment to offering the community outstanding medical care close to home. Recently, the AMC Board of Directors, medical staff, and leadership team have been collaborating on a strategic plan focused on broadening our service capabilities to provide our community with needed medical care and services close to home. During the months to come, you will read about our plans to enhance the breadth and depth of our services to assure that you can be cared for in your local community medical center.

In this issue you will learn about new minimally invasive approaches to thoracic surgery now being offered at AMC. Known as “VATS,” or video-assisted thoracic surgery, this procedure offers numerous benefits, including a shorter hospital stay and a more rapid recovery.

We have also highlighted the service capabilities of our emergency department. We have outstanding physicians and staff that always stand on the ready to care for our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On an annual basis, there are approximately 60,000 visits to the emergency department! This requires us to be exceptionally proficient through extremely well-trained staff that are continually attuned to your needs.

We are very excited about one of our newest services: cosmetic dermatology. The article on “Satisfying Solutions for Your Skin” highlights many of our new treatment capabilities for common conditions and skin problems. These services are often needed by many people, regardless of age or gender. Dr. Kristen Savola, who brings a wealth of experience and technical capability in skin care, also serves as medical director for La-Vie Medi Spa. We are delighted to have Dr. Savola at AMC.

Next, read about the people of our community who continue to volunteer their time, in the interest of community service, to make sure AMC is effectively fulfilling its mission. Meet Dr. Mick Andersen, retired orthopedic surgeon, chairperson of the AMC Planning Committee, and key AHC board member. Dr. Andersen has been absolutely essential in leading our strategic planning endeavors and is always focused on how AMC can continue to evolve to more effectively serve our community. And let’s not forget our volunteer chaplains, who generously give of their time to provide a healing and spiritual component to the care we provide at AMC.

Finally, you will read about Augusta Medical Center’s plans to become a smoke-free campus in 2009. We are excited about this endeavor because AMC is all about health and well-being. Being a leader in improving the health status of the community requires us to be introspective, beginning with our own behaviors as a medical center and assuring we stand for the right thing: promoting good health. We know this road will be difficult, but we also believe this is the right move at the right time. As always, we plan to approach the smoke-free campus in a supportive way to all who frequent this campus: employees, patients, and visitors. We look forward to developing a strong sense of team as we unite in this common purpose in setting a good example for our community.

Yes, AMC is an organization on the move. And you will see more to come in the spring edition of Health Matters. Happy New Year, and stay warm and healthy!

Best wishes,Mary N. Mannix FACHEPresident and Chief Executive OfficerAugusta Medical Center

Augusta Medical CenterAMC Health Matters is published by Augusta Medical Center. The articles in this publication should not be considered specific medical advice, as each individual circumstance

is different. Entire publication © Augusta Medical Center 2009. All rights reserved. For more information or to be removed from this mailing list, please call (540) 332-4969.

Augusta Medical Center will become a tobacco-free campus in August 2009 and has already begun spreading the word to help employees and visitors prepare for this change in policy.

All types of tobacco, including smokeless varieties, will not be allowed on AMC’s entire campus. This means smoking will no longer be permitted in personal vehicles or in buildings located on AMC-owned or rented land.

“As a healthcare organization, we want to set a good example for the community and allow our patients, visitors, and employees to breathe clean air by eliminating secondhand smoke,” says Dana Breeding, RN, BSN, CTTS, health educator at AMC. “Having a tobacco-free campus also will be a great way to serve as a safe haven for those who are trying to quit.”

For more information about smoking cessation, contact Dana Breeding at (540) 332-4988 or the Community Wellness Office at (540) 332-4190.

ON THE COVER: Brooke Cason, RN, a nurse in Augusta Medical Center’s emergency department, visits her co-workers’ babies.

Tobacco FreeAMC to Become

Special photography on location by Kevin Blackburn Photography–Waynesboro

Dana Breeding, RN, BSN, CTTS, health educator at AMC

letter from the ceo

age 50

The GIFTThat Keeps on Giving

Augusta Medical Center threeage 50threeage 50threeage 50age 50age 50age 50

Classes meet weekly for six weeks in the spring, fall, and winter, with participants utilizing the instructor’s knowledge and the support of classmates to help them beat their addiction.

A WORTHWHILE JOURNEY“Courses like GIFT that combine

teaching with listening to others’ experiences are great ways to approach

tobacco cessation,” says Matt Hoy, PA, hospitalist at AMC. “Students form a support network for one another, and the class becomes something they enjoy.”

A health educator covers a variety of topics throughout the course, such as examining why one smokes, triggers to smoke, and how to deal with stress. The third session is designated as “Quit Day.” Students plan which cessation strategy to follow prior to the beginning of each course, and for added support, a health educator works with each student’s physician to determine the most appropriate method of quitting, whether it’s nicotine replacement therapy or medication.

“When a person is ready to quit, it may take several tries to be successful,” says Dana Breeding, RN, BSN, CTTS, health educator at AMC. “Giving up tobacco is a journey.”

SUCCESS STORYIt’s a journey Richard Livick knows well. After briefl y quitting a few

times, the avid golfer tried several tobacco cessation programs in an attempt to give up the habit for good. When those efforts didn’t work, he tried GIFT.

“I liked the group aspect of the program,” says Richard. “It helped me to listen to other people’s struggles. I quit near the end of the program, and now that I have more energy, I can go out, play a par-3 course, and walk the entire way.”

For more information about GIFT, call (540) 332-4190.

Tobacco FreeAMC to Become

The most important gift you can give yourself is a healthy lifestyle, and at Augusta Medical Center, the Gain Independence from Tobacco (GIFT) program helps tobacco users achieve the goal of freedom from addiction.

438,000438,000438,000

90%90%30%30%

30003000

For further proof of the harmful effects of tobacco, check out the following statistics from the American Cancer Society.

✽ Tobacco use is responsible for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States.

✽ Tobacco use causes 438,000 premature deaths each year.

✽ Tobacco use is linked with 14 types of cancer.

✽ Smoking accounts for nearly 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths.

✽ Secondhand smoke is responsible for 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year.

✽ Smokers who quit before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

It’s never too late to quit smoking, and once you do, the health benefits begin almost immediately.

Within eight hours after smoking cessation, carbon monoxide in the body drops and oxygen levels return to normal. Lung capacity increases after three to four days, making breathing easier. After two weeks, the body is purged of nicotine. Within three months, improved blood flow and lung function make physical activity less tiring.

Matt Hoy, PA, hospitalist at AMC

Richard Livick, GIFT participant

fourfour

✽ VATS:

Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

.The Next Level of Thoracic Care

The medical field has made huge advances in the past 20 years, and surgery is no exception. Thanks to new technology and equipment, many major procedures—such as thoracic surgery—can now be performed on a minimally invasive basis.

“In traditional open-chest surgery, the physician makes a long incision in between a patient’s ribs—usually extending from the back to the side—to access the chest cavity. Then, in order to reach the organs inside the chest cavity, the surgeon has to move the ribs out of the way by cutting them or spreading them apart,” says Douglas W. McKibbin, MD, FACS, general surgeon on staff at Augusta Medical Center. “This method is very invasive, and recovery is often painful and can take many weeks. For this reason, most surgeons

and patients prefer video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) if at all possible.”

WHAT IS VATS?VATS is a minimally invasive procedure that enables physicians

to examine the inside of the chest cavity after making only very small incisions. During the procedure, the surgeon uses a tiny video camera attached to the end of an endoscope—a pencil-sized tubular probe—to capture images of the body’s internal structures. These images are then transmitted to a viewing screen in the operating room, which the physician watches to move the scope in the surgical site in the body.

Compared to traditional open-chest surgery, VATS offers patients many benefits, including:• less blood loss• less postoperative pain• less scarring• reduced risk of infection• shorter hospital stay• more rapid recovery and return to work

“After a VATS procedure, most patients are able to return home within two days, and many are back to their usual activities in about

Each year, more than 1 million chest surgeries are performed in the United States. Thanks to new video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) techniques offered at Augusta Medical Center,

recovering from a chest surgery is now easier than ever.

✽.

Augusta Medical Center fi ve

one week,” says Dr. McKibbin. “This is a huge improvement over open-chest surgery, which usually requires a one-week stay in the hospital and then four to six weeks of recovery at home.”

WHEN IS VATS USED?Almost all thoracic procedures can be performed using a

minimally invasive technique. If you need thoracic surgery at AMC, VATS will almost always be considered first. However, there are a few procedures that are best performed using an open surgical technique. Your surgeon will carefully evaluate your medical condition to determine which method is best for you.

Some of the most common VATS procedures include:• Blebectomy. A bleb is a fluid-filled blister on the lung. If the bleb ruptures, it can create a hole and cause the lung to begin to collapse. In a blebectomy, the surgeon removes the bleb and then seals off the healthy portion of the lung with a special medical staple.• Drainage of pleural effusions. A pleural effusion is the build-up of excess fluid in the mediastinum—the area between the outside of the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity. Using VATS, this fluid can be drained and analyzed for possible causes for the build-up, such as infection, cancer, heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney disease.• Lobectomy. In a lobectomy, surgeons remove a large section of the lung. Lobectomies are the most common treatment for lung cancer.• Lung biopsy. In a lung biopsy, surgeons remove a small sample of lung tissue to examine it for the presence of lung diseases such as infectious or interstitial lung disease, a group of

disorders that may cause scarring of the lungs, difficulty breathing, and trouble getting enough oxygen into the bloodstream.• Mediastinal, pericardial, and thymus procedures. VATS can be used to examine the mediastinum, the pericardium (the area surrounding the heart), and the thymus (a small organ in the chest that helps with immune system development early in life). Surgery is often employed to remove masses close to the outside edges of the lung to test them for cancer.• Wedge resection. A wedge resection is the surgical removal of a wedge-shaped portion from one or both of the lungs. It is often performed to diagnose or treat small nodules in the lungs.

“The field of VATS has changed the way we perform thoracic surgery,” says Dr. McKibbin. “At AMC, our surgeons and staff are highly trained, and the hospital has invested in the latest equipment for VATS procedures, so patients can be sure they are receiving the highest level of surgical care available. It’s just one more way we are showing our commitment to providing our community with the best care possible.”

For more information about surgical procedures performed at Augusta Medical Center, visit www.augustamed.com.

“After a VATS procedure, most patients are able to return home within two days, and many are back

to their usual activities in about one week.

This is a huge improvement over open-chest surgery, which usually requires

a one-week stay in the hospital and then four to six weeks of recovery at home.”

—Douglas W. McKibbin, MD, FACS

Douglas W. McKibbin, MD, FACS

AUGUSTA SURGERY

Drs. Caulkins, McKibbin & Ranzini, Inc.Douglas W. McKibbin, MD, FACSJoseph L. Ranzini, MD, FACS

Augusta Medical CenterMedical Office Building70 Medical Center Circle, Suite 308Fishersville(540) 932-5909(540) 332-5909www.augustasurgery.org

Shenandoah Valley Surgical Associates, Inc.Donald C. Carmichael, MD

Augusta Medical CenterMedical Office Building70 Medical Center Circle, Suite 213Fishersville(540) 932-5999(540) 332-5999

sixsix Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

When Phil Floyd, a resident of Staunton, Va., slipped on a set of stairs while gardening one afternoon, he felt panicked as his spouse called 911. Within a few minutes, paramedics were on the scene and rushed Phil to the emergency department (ED) at Augusta Medical Center, where

the staff calmed his anxieties.

✽YOUR GUIDE TO

Emergency Care

✽✽✽✽

✽✽

✽✽✽✽✽✽

✽✽

YOUR✽✽✽

Safety First If you ever need care in Augusta Medical Center’s emergency

department (ED), you may notice the following patient safety initiatives in action:• Patient identification process. Anytime a patient is transferred from one area to another, an ED associate asks the patient his or her name and date of birth to ensure that we are providing the right patient with the right care.• Security staff. Specially trained personnel are available in the waiting room of the ED to provide our staff and patients with a safe, orderly, and confidential setting. • Specialized equipment. Staff in the ED uses safety equipment such as the MaxiLite, which helps lift patients from their cars safely, and the MaxiSlide, which has slick material that helps staff transport patients easily from one stretcher to another.

Phil Floyd, patient seen in AMC’s

emergency room

sevenAugusta Medical Center

Phil received immediate care for what turned out to be an injury to the deep muscle tissue in his leg and credits the ED staff with changing his perception of emergency care.

“From the minute I arrived at the ED until I was discharged from the hospital, I received personalized, attentive care,” says Phil, manager of adult clinical support services for Rockbridge Area Community Services. “While other emergency departments I have visited have been chaotic, the ED at AMC is well organized and the staff are fully engaged in caring for each patient.”

If you need care during an emergency, read on for a rundown of what you may experience at AMC.

WHAT TO EXPECTWhen you arrive at the AMC ED, a registered nurse and

information clerk will immediately see you. To help ensure that patients with the most urgent conditions receive care as quickly as possible, the registered nurse takes you to an evaluation room to check your vital signs, electronically document a brief history of your illness or injury, and determine the severity of your symptoms.

“As soon as the patient walks in the door, we take his or her name, date of birth, and chief complaint,” says Donna Hurst, clinical resource manager at AMC. “We then determine whether the patient’s situation is emergent, urgent, or non-emergent and see patients with the most serious illnesses or injuries first.”

continued on page 8

YOUR GUIDE TO

Above: Donna Hurst, RN, BSN, clinical resource nurse in

AMC’s emergency department

Phil Floyd, patient seen in AMC’s

emergency room

“I take comfort knowing that Augusta Medical Center provides top-of-the-line

emergency care close to home.”—Phil Floyd, AMC patient and manager of adult clinical support services

for Rockbridge Area Community Services

eighteight Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

CARE IN THE FAST LANEIf the nurse determines your illness or injury is minor but still

requires urgent care, you will be treated in the Fast Track area. Located within the ED, Fast Track is an urgent-care unit staffed by nurse practitioners under the supervision of ED physicians.

“Fast Track service is available for patients daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” says Lisa Edwards, RN, clinical coordinator of the ED at AMC. “With Fast Track, patients receive the same quality of care available through the ED, with shorter wait times.”

USEFUL RESOURCES Patients whose conditions may worsen rapidly are taken into an

emergency room (ER), while those with less urgent conditions return to the waiting room and are called after those with severe illnesses or injuries have been treated.

“If a patient doesn’t immediately go back into the ER, our waiting rooms are equipped with televisions that have educational shows they can watch while they wait,” says Julie Hite, clerical supervisor at AMC’s emergency department. “In addition, we have a financial counselor available in the waiting area to go over any questions the patient may have about insurance coverage, medical co-pays, and finding medications at a decreased cost.”

Julie Hite, clerical supervisor at AMC’s emergency department

How You Can Help Since emergencies can strike at any time, it is crucial to be prepared. To speed along your visit, make sure to have these important items with you on your trip to the emergency department: all insurance and other medical cards an updated list of any medications you take, including over-the-counter products such as vitamins, herbs, diet pills, and smoking-cessation medications knowledge of your medical history and any allergies you have

Above: Lisa Edwards, RN, clinical coordinator of AMC’s emergency department

Julie Hite, clerical supervisor at emergency department

Augusta Medical Center

Above: Lisa Edwards, RN, Above: Lisa Edwards, RN, clinical coordinator of AMC’s emergency department

nineAugusta Medical Center

EMERGENCY CARE When you arrive in the ER, you’re thoroughly evaluated, and tests,

laboratory exams, and therapies are performed as necessary. Following diagnosis, you receive appropriate treatment and education on your condition.

AMC’s board-certified emergency physicians and experienced emergency nurses are trained to handle an array of injuries and illnesses, and they treat each patient with individualized care. One way they do this is by using computerized medical records to gain a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health history.

“You may see our physicians on the computer accessing electronic medical records of past ER visits, hospitalizations, and any lab test results that may be on file,” says Scott Just, MD, medical director of the emergency department at AMC. “This takes a little time, but it helps us address the current health problem more fully and ensure that the patient receives the safest, highest-quality care.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing an emergency, call 911 or visit the emergency department at Augusta Medical Center.

Julie Hite, clerical supervisor at AMC’s emergency department

Scott Just, MD, medical director of AMC’s emergency department

tenten Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

Dealing with skin problems—and searching for products or treatments to resolve them—can be frustrating. Fortunately, advances in skin care treatments, particularly in laser therapy, can help you tackle even the most persistent problems.

Many men and women in the United States suffer from skin conditions that can lead to feelings of embarrassment, depression, or annoyance. Problems can range from pigmentation conditions such as photo damage and melasma to more significant damage from acne scarring or wrinkles.

A new, exciting solution for problem skin is a laser known as Fraxel. Fraxel can help eliminate several skin issues and provide patients of all ages with healthier, younger-looking skin.

“Fraxel is a wonderful, safe, noninvasive way to rejuvenate the skin by stimulating the

Satisfying Solutionsfor Your Skin

Do you experience unpredictable

fl are-ups of rosacea?

Environmental or circumstantial factors

may make your rosacea worse, so try

avoiding the following:

• alcohol

• extreme heat and extreme cold

• spicy foods

• wind

People suffering from rosacea also

should try to select facial cleansers

or moisturizers made especially for

sensitive skin.

elevenAugusta Medical Center

production of new collagen,” says Kristen Savola, MD, dermatologist, director of La Vie Medi-Spa, a center for skin health and aesthetic dermatology at Augusta Medical Center. “The reason that we’re so excited about this particular laser is because of the way it resurfaces the skin. In the past, lasers were traumatic to the skin, but fortunately, we don’t have to worry about that at all when we use Fraxel.”

TIRED OF ROSACEA?Rosacea is a long-term condition that

causes red flushes, enlarged blood vessels, and red bumps on facial skin. While rosacea can affect many people, it’s found most often in light-skinned people of European descent. Approximately 14 million people in the United States have rosacea.

While there is no cure for rosacea, it can be controlled and treated effectively. A vascular laser, also known as a VBeam, is the gold standard in laser treatment for the redness and broken blood vessels that are associated with rosacea. Therapy with a VBeam typically requires two to four treatments and is painless. The same laser also is useful for treating spider veins in legs and hemangioma, which is a common type of birthmark.

“VBeam treatment is very safe, and patients can enjoy long-lasting results,” Dr. Savola says. “After a consultation with the patient, I usually suggest topical creams to treat rosacea, but if those don’t work, therapy with the VBeam is extremely effective.”

LASER HAIR REMOVALBoth men and women can suffer from

unwanted or excess body hair. For women especially, excess hair can be a source of embarrassment and irritation. Many people devote considerable amounts of time and money trying different methods of hair removal.

“If someone is looking at hair removal options, I strongly recommend laser hair removal,” Dr. Savola says. “It usually only requires three to five treatments, and patients will be very satisfied with how effectively it removes unwanted hair.”

Laser hair removal is painless and reliable—providing results that are both immediate and long-lasting. While it generally works best for people with dark hair and light skin, patients should consult with Dr. Savola to select a therapy that will work best for them.

Laser therapy is an effective method for treating a variety of troublesome skin problems. Therapies may even be combined to treat several conditions simultaneously, and each treatment is safe and provides enduring results.

“Each laser therapy service offered here will give patients the change they want with minimal disruption to their lifestyles,” says Dr. Savola. “These therapies can resolve a large variety of skin problems and, in many cases, change the lives of patients who have tried everything else available to them.”

Are you experiencing skin problems? If so, talk with your physician. You can make an appointment at La Vie Medi-Spa and Cosmetic Center at AMC by calling (540) 213-2536.

Say Goodbye to Unwanted Hair

For some people, laser hair removal may not be the ideal solution. Fortunately, there’s a broad array of options available to help eliminate unwanted body or facial hair.

One of the newest and most exciting options available is Vaniqa, a prescription cream that’s been shown to reduce hair growth. Vaniqa can either be used alone or to complement your current depilatory cream.

“We offer Vaniqa because of how safe and effective it’s been proven to be,” explains Kristen Savola, MD, dermatologist, director of La Vie Medi-Spa, a center for skin health and aesthetic dermatology at Augusta Medical Center. “It should be applied twice daily and can be used virtually anywhere on the body.”

Another popular hair removal option available at La Vie Medi-Spa is waxing.

“Sometimes it’s hard for patients to choose what type of hair removal is best for them,” says Dr. Savola. “In a consultation with me, we can go over all the options and decide together what’s best for your skin and hair type, as well as what best suits your personal preferences.”

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. IPL can also correct brown pigmentation spots, sunspots, and redness.

“IPL is a light-source treatment that’s safe, effective, and provides lasting results,” says Kristen Savola, MD, dermatologist, director of La Vie Medi-Spa, a center for skin health and aesthetic dermatology at Augusta Medical Center. “This is a wonderful solution for super-ficial problems such as skin discoloration. There’s minimal downtime associated with this treatment, and most people are able to go right back to work.”

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

It is effective at treating sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a therapy that essentially performs a photofacial.

Do you experience unpredictable

fl are-ups of rosacea?

Environmental or circumstantial factors

may make your rosacea worse, so try

avoiding the following:

• alcohol

• extreme heat and extreme cold

• spicy foods

• wind

People suffering from rosacea also

should try to select facial cleansers

or moisturizers made especially for

sensitive skin.

Kristen Savola, MD, dermatologist and director of La Vie Medi-Spa

twelvetwelve Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

Planning for Augusta Medical Center’s Future

“The Planning Committee began almost 20 years ago, working to establish a new medical center for our community,” says Mick Andersen, MD, retired orthopedic surgeon formerly on staff at AMC and chairperson of the Planning Committee. “Since AMC opened 14 years ago, we have continued to expand at a rate that no one anticipated. You might not think of a long-term committee as being continually busy and dynamic, but for the Planning Committee at AMC, this has been an exciting journey.”

PROVIDING A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVEThe Planning Committee consists of a diverse group of

volunteers from across the community, including people with business, financial, and medical backgrounds, as well as community leaders. In addition, administrative members from AMC are involved, including Kathleen Heatwole, vice president of planning, development, and marketing at AMC.

“The administrators serve with us on this committee to help organize and execute our plans,” Dr. Andersen says. “All decisions are analyzed first in committees and then referred back to the Board of Directors for final approval. This method ensures that all proposals are carefully reviewed and prepared by knowledgeable and experienced people who are committed to overseeing the completion of each project.”

LOOKING FORWARDThe Planning Committee holds regular monthly meetings but

may meet more frequently if additional planning is necessary. As the executive leadership of AMC transitions to new President and CEO Mary Mannix, the Planning Committee has been in overdrive preparing for the future of the medical center.

“We are doing a comprehensive, strategic review for the medical center using outside consultants,” Dr. Andersen says. “We are looking at every aspect of our organization, including the maintenance and growth of our facilities, integration of physician groups into AMC, recruitment of new physicians, the addition of new service lines, and improvement of current services. With a new CEO, we feel it is the appropriate time to review the mission and plans for AMC moving forward.”

For more information about Augusta Medical Center, visit www.augustamed.com.

“I find serving on the Planning

Committee to be a fulfilling

activity. I am honored to offer

input alongside a group of

dedicated and successful people

who are continually working to

improve our community’s health

care. After 14 years of driving

up to Augusta Medical Center,

I still have a feeling of awe when

I turn the corner and see the

wonderful medical facility this

community has worked together

to create and sustain.”

—Mick Andersen, MD, retired orthopedic surgeon formerly on staff at AMC and chairperson of AMC’s

Planning Committee

Mick Andersen, MD, retired orthopedic surgeon formerly on staff at AMC and chairperson of AMC’s Planning Committee

Augusta Medical Center has served the Shenandoah Valley since 1994. Years before the medical center’s inception, members of the Planning Committee were taking active roles in preparing for the future of AMC, and their work continues today as a division of the Board of Directors.

thirteenAugusta Medical Center

A Gift to the Community

During a health crisis, medical care often is only part of the equation needed for healing. Fortunately, eight volunteers representing six different faith traditions work through the AHC Chaplaincy Program to provide for patients’ spiritual needs.

“Many times, people who don’t have a church home come to the hospital and feel they would benefit from the presence of a minister,” explains Rev. Debbie Brown, volunteer chaplain. “Especially in instances of a family emergency, it is important just to be there for patients and families to help keep everything together.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCEThe Chaplaincy Program at AMC is unique because it allows

volunteers the freedom to serve where their gifts are needed. Some volunteer clergy members work closely with associates in specific units of the hospital, and many carry emergency pagers so patients can access them in times of need.

“We want to be available to people who may need counsel and support after a difficult diagnosis,” says Rev. Jim Harris, volunteer chaplain. “We can help fill a need in the community through being there for our neighbors when they most need support.”

For more information about the Chaplaincy Program, visit www.augustamed.com, click on “About AMC” in the left toolbar, then “Chaplains.”

Augusta Health Care, Inc. Chaplaincy Program’s dedicated pastoral volunteers provide local families with care that transcends treating physical injury or illness.

Pillars of the CommunityPillars of the CommunityPillars of the CommunityPillars of the Community

Whether they are the pastors of your churches, your next-door

neighbors, or your friends, the volunteer chaplains who donate their

time at Augusta Medical Center bring a sense of hometown caring to

your hospital.

AMC volunteer clergy include:

Rev. Thomas Arner

Rev. Debbie Brown

Rev. Jim Harris

Rev. Bob Johnson

Deacon Jim Kledzik

Rev. Robert Spellman

Rev. Joseph Walker

“This hospital is part of our community and part of our lives,” says

Mark Westebbe, AHC Chaplaincy Program coordinator. “Our chaplains

are immensely generous with their time. We work together to provide

healing and hope to our neighbors. It’s an honor to work with such

dedicated individuals.”

fourteenfourteen Augusta Medical Center www.augustamed.com

DOCTORS ANSWER Your QUESTIONSIn this special feature, three doctors on staff at Augusta Medical Center answer your questions about

sleep apnea, hormone replacement therapy, and glaucoma.

Q:Q: My husband snores quite loudly. A friend told me that snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea, and how can I know if my spouse has it?

(Michael Plautz, MD, is an otolaryngologist—a physician specializing in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat problems—at Augusta Medical Center.)A. Sleep apnea is a dis-order in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while a person is sleeping. The condition occurs in two main types—obstruc-tive or central sleep apnea, although some patients

have a combination of both, which is called complex sleep apnea.With obstructive sleep apnea, your throat muscles relax as you

sleep, causing you to temporarily stop breathing. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, occurs when your brain isn’t correctly sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive sleepiness during the daytime, loud snoring, observed breathing cessation during sleep, abrupt awakenings during the night with shortness of breath, waking up with a headache, and difficulty falling asleep.

Your husband should speak with a physician if his snoring is loud enough to disturb your sleep, he has shortness of breath that wakes him up, or he suffers excessive daytime drowsiness. While his condition might not be sleep apnea, his physician can recommend whether he should have a sleep study to determine the cause of his problem.

Q: Q: I’m going through menopause, and hot flashes and mood swings are beginning to take a toll on me. Is hormone replacement therapy safe, and could it help?

(Dennis Merski, DO, is an OB/GYN on staff at Augusta Medical Center.)A. Hormone replace-ment therapy (HRT) is used to supplement the body’s estrogen and progesterone levels. Because the ovaries pro-duce both hormones, when a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries often no lon-ger produce adequate amounts of these hormones.

With this decline in hormone production, many women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and other uncomfortable symptoms. HRT has been shown to help alleviate such symptoms, reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and colon cancers, and improve some women’s sense of well-being.

On the other hand, studies have indicated that women taking HRT may be at an increased risk for endometrial cancer, blood clots, stroke, and heart disease. HRT also is not recommended for women who have or have had breast or endometrial cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood clots, a history of stroke, or liver disease.

Whether or not you would benefit from HRT is a decision best made by you and your OB/GYN, based on several factors related to your health. If you choose HRT, the generally accepted recommendation is to use a low dose for as short a time as possible.

QUESTIONS?

fi fteenAugusta Medical Center

and the ANSWER is…

11How long after a person stops smoking does it usually take for the body to rid itself of nicotine?

Frequent or loud snoring is often a sign of what condition?

Here’s a hint: The answers are in this issue!

If you know the answer to either of the above questions, send your answer(s) to Vicki Kirby, Media and Communications Director, at 78 Medical Center Drive, Fishersville, VA, 22939. Participants with correct responses will be entered in a special drawing.

Q: My grandmother had glaucoma, and my ophthalmologist says I may develop the condition as well. What exactly is glaucoma, and who is at risk for it?

(Roxanne Woel, MD, is an ophthalmologist on staff at Augusta Medical Center.)A. Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve related to eye pres-sure that can lead to peripheral vision loss and blindness if not treated. Early on, glaucoma causes no symptoms, so I

tell my patients it is very much like high blood pressure—you might feel fine, but over time, both conditions can silently begin to cause serious problems in the body.

The top risk factor for glaucoma is age, as the disease is most common in adults over age 50 and likelihood of developing the condition increases with each decade of a person’s life. Other risk factors include race—African Americans are three to six times more likely to develop glaucoma—and a family history of the disease.

Glaucoma tends not to cause any symptoms until the very late stages, when patients start to notice blurry vision or even blindness. The condition affects peripheral vision first, which is the vision that allows us to see on either side of us when we are looking straight ahead.

How often you need an eye exam depends on your age and health. Generally, people between the ages of 20 and 39 should be seen every three to five years, those between the ages of 40 and 55 every two to four years, and those older than 55 on an annual basis. Your ophthalmologist can check the pressure in your eyes, take detailed pictures of the size, shape, and thickness of your optic nerve, and order sophisticated peripheral vision tests if necessary. Then he or she will continue to monitor your eyes for the development or progression of glaucoma.

To find an Augusta Medical Center physician to meet your health needs, visit www.augustamed.com and select “Physicians.”

2Frequent or loud snoring is often a sign of 2Frequent or loud snoring is often a sign of what condition? 2what condition?

Augusta Health Care, Inc.78 Medical Center DrivePO Box 1000Fishersville, VA 22939

www.augustamed.com

Nonprofi t OrganizationUS Postage

Lynchburg, VAPermit No. 830

PAID

An Escape That’s Close to Home

DO YOU STRIVE to look your best? Are you looking for ways to fi ght the signs of aging? Or, do you simply deserve some pampering?

Look no further. Trust La Vie Medi-Spa Center for Skin Health and Aesthetic Dermatology for all your image enhancement needs. From Botox to body treatments… From Restylane and other dermal fi llers to relaxing massage… From laser skin resurfacing to laser hair removal…From correct facial treatments to custom blended mineral make-up…

Whatever your desire, Kristen Savola, MD, and her professionally qualifi ed staff are here to help because we understand that self-image matters.

Call (540) 213-2546 or (540) 213-2531 for more information and to schedule an appointment.