VIRTUALLY SURGERY Next Her Act - Gwinnett Medical Center Home · maintenance and improvement in...

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HerHerNextAct

After a courageous battle with breast cancer, CHRISTINA APPLEGATE has a new role: survivor

SUMMER 2010 $2.95

NEW FACILITY AT GMC–LAWRENCEVILLEpage 6

When diet and exercise aren’t enough

VIRTUALLY SCARLESS SURGERY

Making a difference in cancer care

HEALTHY LIVING FOR THE GWINNETT COMMUNITY

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SPECIALTransform Your Life—for GoodIf you’ve tried everything and still can’t lose weight, consider surgery from one of metro Atlanta’s best.

DEPARTMENTS2 Phil’s Feature Take a

minute to remember the signs of stroke.

54 Out of the White Coat Two physicians share an affinity for climbing mountains.

56 PrimeTime Health Seniors, get tips on living a long and healthy life.

FEATURES 3 Play Ball!

Find out why the Gwinnett Braves are ecstatic to have GMC looking after the health of its players.

6 Expanding HealthcareThe Gwinnett Physicians Center is now open, bringing imaging technology, women’s services and more to Lawrenceville.

10 Ready ... Set ... Get Motivated!Give your health an overhaul with this plan for long-term success.

16 Having Reservations?Restaurants are a minefield of nutri-tion no-nos. But they are navigable—with a helping of common sense.

18 Stressing StressAnxiety isn’t just a mental problem. Find out how it physically affects your body from head to toe.

30 Adults at PlayWant a surefire way to induce relaxation? Tap your inner child and go out and play.

35 In Good HandsCarpal tunnel syndrome can make almost any task painful. Get a grasp on the condition and find relief.

38 Think AgainSix thoughts that may sound innocent could actually mean heart attack. Learn when to listen to your body.

42 No KiddingHumor columnist Dave Barry had a colonoscopy—and lived to tell about it! Read his story.

46 Giving Is Great MedicineIt’s better to give than receive. But did you know that donating time or money can benefit your health, too?

50 Virtually Scarless SurgeryDiscover how GMC is leading the way in minimally invasive surgery—and how you benefit.

52 Donors Make the DifferenceMeet three benefactors who are helping GMC transform the future of cancer care.

SECOND ACTAs Christina Applegate knows, a diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating and daunting. But it also can lead to a sense of renewal when it’s all over. Read about her experience and how you can persevere.

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Summertime in Gwinnett brings warm weather, extra sunshine, vacations and kids getting out of school. But the month of May brings a reminder of

an important health concern that is too often overlooked: stroke.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and we want you to spread the word of the warning signs of stroke. Gwinnett Medical Center is committed to providing the highest possible quality of stroke care. In particular, this is evident in our Joint Commission certification as a primary stroke center. Further, GMC–Duluth’s Glancy Rehabilitation Center earned the stroke specialty program accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

As the first and only hospital system in Georgia to have a fully accredited continuum of acute stroke care programs, GMC is proud to offer:

• Stroke alert process for treating stroke patients in the emergency department and in our acute care hospitals.

• Stroke research studies that offer investigational stroke study medications through Marshall Nash, M.D., chief stroke study investigator.

• Dedicated stroke units at the Center for Neuroscience in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth.So before you forget about all your worries and get ready to enjoy a carefree

summer, take a minute to remember the warning signs of stroke: sudden numbness or weakness; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; sudden dimness or loss of vision; sudden dizziness or loss of balance; and sudden severe headache.

Having this dedicated focus on treating stroke is just another way we’re transforming healthcare. To learn more, call our stroke clinical nurse specialist, Susan Gaunt, R.N., M.S., CCRN, CNRN, at 678-312-1687.

Philip R. Wolfe, FACHEPresident and CEO

Know StrokeSummer is a great time to learn about this important health concern

Phil’s Feature

Gwinnett Medical center

President and chief executive Officer

Philip R. Wolfe

Gwinnett Health System Board of directors

Jock Connell; Jayaprakash Desai, M.D.; Willard C. Hearin, M.D.;

Carolyn Hill; Chung H. Lee; Tom Martin; Miles H. Mason III, M.D.; David

McCleskey, Chairman; Edward Radford, Ph.D.; Manfred Sandler, M.D.,

Vice Chairman; Wayne Sikes; Kathryn P. Willis

Vim & Vigor Managing editor

Kyle Brogdon

Vim & Vigor assistant Managing editor

Aaron McKevitt

editorial Board

Kelli Massey

Keyonda Noel

Andrea Wehrmann

PrOductiOnV.P./Strategic Content: Beth Tomkiw

Editor-in-Chief: Shelley Flannery

Editors: Sam Mittelsteadt, Matt Morgan, Amanda Myers,

Jill Schildhouse, Tom Weede, Julie Wlodychak

Copy Editor: Cindy Hutchinson

Managing Art Director: Adele Mulford

Art Directors: Lisa Altomare, Monya Mollohan, Kay Morrow,

Tami Rodgers, Keith Whitney

Senior Production Manager: Laura Marlowe

Ancillary Production Manager: Angela Liedtke

Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine

Production Technology Specialists: Julie Chan, Sonia Washington

V.P./Business Intelligence Group: Patrick Kehoe

Postal Affairs & Logistics Director: Joseph Abeyta

V.P./Sales & Product Development: Chad Rose, 888-626-8779

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Account Managers: Robyn LaMont, Barbara Mohr,

Andrea Parsons, Paul Peterson, Todd Speranzo

advertiSinG SaleS advertising Sales repre sentatives

New York: Phil Titolo, Publisher, 212-626-6835

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Mail Order: RB Advertising Reps Inc., 914-769-0051

adMiniStratiOn Vim & Vigor Founder: J. Barry Johnson

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Vim & Vigor,TM Summer 2010, Volume 26, Number 2, Georgia Region 2 is published quarterly by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014, 602-395-5850. Vim & VigorTM is published for the purpose of disseminating health-related information for the well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & VigorTM is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Vim & VigorTM does not accept advertising promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright © 2010 by McMurry. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $4 for one year (4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For subscriptions and address changes, write: Circulation Manager, Vim & Vigor,TM McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014.

Gwinnett Medical Center678-312-1000

1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30046

gwinnettmedicalcenter.org

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from Gwinnett Medical Center, please call 888-626-8779.

Vim & Vigor • S U M M E R 2 0 1 02

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The Gwinnett Braves trust their health to Gwinnett Medical Center.

When the Gwinnett Braves moved to Georgia in spring 2009, the team had its choice of a plethora of healthcare

providers in the metro Atlanta market.“There are a lot more options here than back in

Virginia,” says Samantha Dunn, corporate sales manager for the G-Braves, comparing being in Gwinnett with Richmond, Va., the team’s previous home. “So we thought finding a healthcare partner would be a tough decision.”

But when the organization discovered that the No. 1 sports medicine hospital in Georgia was Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth, the choice became easy.

“It didn’t take much research to find that the hospital right here in our community was actually the best in the state for sports medicine,” Dunn says. “We were ecstatic because we thought we would have to travel inside the perimeter for the type of care our athletes require. The decision was a no-brainer from there.”

Long History of sports MedicineFor more than 65 years, Gwinnett Medical Center has treated athletes from all levels of play throughout metro Atlanta. GMC’s sports medicine program has helped athletes of all ages and abilities prevent

injuries, heal and manage pain. No matter what your game, GMC’s goal is to get you back to it quickly.

Helping GMC achieve this goal are some of the most renowned and well-educated fellowship-trained physicians and specialists in the nation. These expert physicians treat a wide variety of sports injuries, including:

• Achilles tendinitis • Pulled muscles • Concussions • Tennis and golf elbows• Groin pain • Ankle sprains• Shin splints • Shoulder injuries• Lower-back pain • Runner’s knees

“We could not be happier with our partnership with Gwinnett Medical Center,” Dunn says. “We are so blessed to have the latest technology and the most advanced treatments in the Southeast, as well as a staff that includes some of the country’s most renowned, well-trained physicians right here in Gwinnett.”

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Win FREE Baseball TicketsHave a touching, interesting or comical story about your children’s sports injuries and recovery? Share with us on

Facebook at facebook.com/gwinnettmedical. You could win four Home Plate Club tickets and a parking

pass to a Gwinnett Braves home game.

TM

GMC and Gwinnett Braves team up for a second season

PlayBall!

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Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth’s experts understand that dieting and exercise alone aren’t the answer for everyone. They also know about the difficulties

that come with keeping the weight off. The physicians and staff at GMC–Duluth’s Center for Surgical Weight Management thoroughly believe in the benefits of bariatric surgery.

As a bariatrics leader among metro Atlanta hospitals, the comprehensive weight-management program at GMC–Duluth can assist patients in achieving significant weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and improvement in obesity-related medical conditions.

The program includes informational seminars, surgery-specific educational sessions, nutritional counseling, psychological assessment, physical activity classes, surgical planning and long-term support and follow-up care.

ConsiderationsWeight-management—or bariatric—surgery is a treat-ment for morbid obesity. Candidates for weight-loss surgery must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above or have a BMI of 35 to 39 with health-related problems that are known to improve with weight loss.

“Morbid obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and the number of Americans who are obese is increasing,” says Robert Richard, M.D., FACS, GMC–Duluth’s medical director of bariatrics.

“Bariatric surgery is the most efficient way to defeat the impact of obesity and the conditions associated with it: diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis and other conditions brought on by obesity,” Dr. Richard adds. “Bariatric surgery requires a complete change of lifestyle, but the benefits of the surgery are worth all the work.”

Meet GMC’s Weight-Loss Surgeonrobert richard, M.d., FaCs, is a board-

certified surgeon who has performed

bariatric surgical procedures for more

than a decade. dr. richard attended

Cornell University and albert einstein

College of Medicine. He fulfilled his surgical, laparoscopic and

bariatric training at Harvard University’s prestigious Beth israel

deaconess Medical Center. after training, dr. richard served at

the Blanchfield army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Robert Richard, M.D., FACS

Making the case for surgical weight management

GOODTransform

Your Life—

for


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What’s in It for Me?Weight-loss surgery can help you with:

• �Lower occurrence of sleep apnea so you can breathe and

sleep better

• Increased self-image as you look and feel better

• Decreased depression

• Slowed premature aging and disease

• �Resolved or improved blood pressure and blood sugar

problems

• Decreased acid reflux and urinary incontinence

• Reduced stress on weight-bearing joints

• Lower risk for heart disease and cancer

• �Decreased menstrual irregularities or complications

during pregnancy

• Increased activity levels

• Improved job performance

Types of Bariatric ProceduresGastric banding. This type of surgery involves placing an

adjustable silicone elastic band around the upper part of the

stomach to restrict food passage. The small pouch created by

this surgery causes patients to feel full. Gastric band surgery

takes about an hour and can be done on an outpatient basis.

Gastric bypass. This surgery involves creating a small

stomach pouch to curb overeating. In the Roux-en-Y gastric

procedure, bypasses of the small intestine are created to

cause the body to absorb fewer food nutrients. Roux-

en-Y gastric bypass can be performed laparoscopically or

traditionally through a short incision. The gastric bypass

procedure takes less than two hours and requires a one-

to two-day hospital stay.

Gastric sleeve resection. This is one of the newest

weight-loss surgeries available. Gastric sleeve surgery

involves the laparoscopic removal of 60 percent of the

stomach, giving it the shape of a sleeve or tube. Weight loss

occurs from reducing the size of the stomach and from the

reduction of the hormone ghrelin. Lowering the amount

of ghrelin decreases hunger, reducing your desire to eat.

This surgery is ideal as a stand-alone procedure.

If weight loss falls short of expected goals despite

best efforts, then a gastric bypass can be performed as a

second-stage surgery later to help the patient continue

weight loss. The sleeve gastrectomy takes less than two

hours and requires a one- to two-day hospital stay.

When�considering�if�bariatric�surgery�is�right�for�you,�it�is�important�to�remember:

• Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery.• Bariatric surgery does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or surgical removal.• Patients must commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which are keys to the success of bariatric surgery.• Problems after surgery are rare, but corrective procedures may be required.

Bariatric�surgery�is�often�seen�as�the�last�resort�for�people�who�have�been�unable�to�lose�weight�through�diet� and� exercise.� If� you’ve� tried� everything� else,�it� might� be� time� to� consider� weight-management�surgery�at�GMC–Duluth.�

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FREE Information Session

Attend a FREE session on weight-loss surgery and ask questions of Harvard-trained surgeon Robert Richard, M.D.,

FACS. Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/bariatrics for details. Or, to speak to someone now, call program manager

Debra Proulx at 678-312-6836.

5Vim & Vigor • S U M M E R 2 0 1 0

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HealtHcareExpanding

New building brings imaging technology, women’s servicesand more to Lawrenceville


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The imaging center will also replace its 15-year-old unit with a new, state-of-the-art Siemens Magnetom Essenza 1.5T. While the new unit will be dedicated to serving outpatients, the other remaining unit, less than a year old, will continue to serve inpatients, emergency patients, observation patients and over-flow outpatients as needed.

This Siemens Magnetom Essenza 1.5T MRI unit is capable of producing enhanced images and faster scan times, creating a more concrete diagnosis and enhanced patient experience. It will also feature a breast coil, enabling GMC–Lawrenceville to perform breast MRI scans.

“The breast MRI technology will be a great benefit to GMC,” says Cindy Snyder, manager of oncology services and cancer risk counselor at GMC–Lawrenceville. “We perform a significant number of mammograms a year, and there are women at high risk for breast cancer who will benefit from the additional imaging with the MRI.”

GMC is exploring additional options for the GPC ground floor, including the possibility of an outpatient surgery center. >

In its continuing mission to transform healthcare, Gwinnett Medical Center has opened the Gwinnett Physicians Center (GPC) medical office building. The four-story, 130,000-square-foot multipurpose addition to GMC’s impressive list of facili-ties is adjacent to the Gwinnett Women’s

Pavilion on the GMC–Lawrenceville campus.All-digital imaging services, cancer care, outpatient

surgery and physicians offices are just a few of the specialties planned for this expansion.

The LaTesT in imaging TechnoLogyThe ground floor of the Gwinnett Physicians Center will be home to an all-digital imaging center that will feature PET/CT and MRI services to the community.

Because it received certificate of need approval, GMC can now expand its diagnostic imaging services through the purchase of a Siemens Biograph PET/CT unit. When the new imaging center opens, GMC–Lawrenceville will be able to provide this much-needed technology throughout the week—not just the three days a week currently served by a mobile PET provider—thereby expanding services to a growing Gwinnett population.

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Be the First to KnowKeep up with developments at the new

Gwinnett Physicians Center. Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.

The Gwinnett Physicians Center will be home to all-digital imaging services, cancer care, outpatient surgery and physicians offices.

HealtHcareExpanding

Vim & Vigor • S U M M E R 2 0 1 0 7


Clyde and Sandra Strickland have a passion for

healthcare in Gwinnett. In 2007, the Stricklands made

the lead gift of $1 million to help bring open heart

services to Gwinnett Medical Center. Their gift was

instrumental in building community support and showing

Georgia that GMC had what it needed to make open

heart surgery a reality in Gwinnett.

Now, with open heart on the way, the Stricklands have

recently contributed $500,000 toward the construction

of a new imaging center to prevent and treat breast

cancer. The Sandra J. Strickland Diagnostic Center is

named after Sandra, a breast cancer survivor of more

than 30 years.

“God has blessed us beyond proportion,” Clyde says,

“and, because of this, we believe we should give what

we’ve been blessed with back to the community.”

In 1972, the Stricklands founded Metro Waterproofing

with only a $100 ladder and a $1,400 pickup truck.

Today, the company has transformed into the largest

waterproofing business in the Southeast.

“Life is not about how much we do,

but about how much love we put into it,”

Clyde says. “It is our desire that our money

speak of all God has given us. One of our

favorite verses sums up our passion and

devotion to Gwinnett Medical Center:

‘Command them to do good, to be rich

in good deeds, and to be generous and

willing to share,’ from 1 Timothy 6:18.”

The Sandra J. Strickland Diagnostic

Center is scheduled to open later this year.

GENEROUS GIFT HELPS FOUND THE SANDRA J. STRICKLAND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE FOR WOMENA comprehensive breast health imaging center, featuring The Marion Allison Webb Center for Screening Mammography and the new Sandra J. Strickland Diagnostic Center (see sidebar), will be on the second fl oor of the Gwinnett Physicians Center.

Services will include screening and diagnostic mam mography, ultrasound, bone density screening, stereotactic biopsies, fi ne needle aspirations and core biopsies.

In addition, the second fl oor will include:

• A patient navigator to assist patients in their battle against cancer.

• A retail shop offering wigs, prosthetics and other specialty needs for women.

• A resource center with reading material related to breast cancer, including the Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook, which is given to each woman diagnosed with breast cancer at GMC (funded through The Sport of Giving).

• Enrollment in clinical trials for eligible patients.• Genetic testing and counseling.

SPECIALTIES AND PHYSICIANSThe Gwinnett Physicians Center will also house practices for a number of physicians, many of whom opened their new offi ces in early 2010. Physicians groups representing oncology, general surgery, pulmonology, urology and cardiology have signed leases in the building.

Most of the specialty services are scheduled to open later this year.

Clyde and Sandra Strickland’s $500,000 gift has laid the foundation for a new imaging center to prevent and treat breast cancer.

Vim & Vigor · S U M M E R 2 0 1 08


Minimally invasive surgery means maximum results.

THE BIGGEST THING IN ATLANTA IS SMALL.

Surgery shouldn’t bring your life to an extended halt. That’s why Gwinnett Medical Center is dedicated to the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Our doctors and their advancements in single-incision laparoscopic surgery ensure patients get back to their normal lives quicker, with less pain—and in most cases with tiny, almost unnoticeable scars.

Our physicians and specialists are so well-respected that Gwinnett Medical Center has become the leading training center in the nation for single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

Along with our minimally invasive techniques, two award-winning hospitals in Lawrenceville and Duluth, and cutting-edge

imaging and rehabilitation facilities, this has made us one of the most renowned hospitals in the country.

This is why the biggest things in medicine are happening here—and that’s how we’re transforming healthcare.

For a physician referral, call 678-312-5000 or visit us on the Web at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.

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Gwinnett County and one of a few surgeons in Georgia to successfully perform minimally invasive left colon surgery.

Practical aPPlicationTraditionally, surgeons would have to make an 8-inch incision across the abdomen for the standard colectomy procedure. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery, however, requires an incision of less than an inch on the navel, which makes the post-surgery scar virtually invisible.

“One particular patient came in with colon cancer,” says Debbie Walker, RNFA, a surgical assistant at GMC–Lawrenceville. “Dr. Schmidt was able to use the SILS technique to remove the cancer through a 2-centimeter incision below her bellybutton.”

The quicker patients can get moving, the faster the recovery time is for them, adds Nancy Stockwell, R.N., clinical manager at GMC–Lawrenceville. “This decreases postoperative complications, which leads to a decrease in the overall length of their stay,” she says. “Technology makes a significant impact on the quality of care GMC provides. Simply put, the minimally invasive technique is a highly effective surgical option we can now offer to our community.”

Gwinnett Medical Center has estab-lished itself as a national leader in minimally invasive surgery advancements. James Elsey, M.D., has

led this charge at GMC–Lawrenceville through his leadership and by performing more single-incision laparoscopic procedures than any other physician in the Southeast. In 2009, Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth added minimally invasive robotic surgery with its da Vinci Surgical System.

Now, David Schmidt, M.D., is using single-incision laparoscopic surgery, or SILS, to fight colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Dr. Schmidt is the first surgeon in

GMC is a national leader in surgery that boasts quicker recovery and less pain

VirtuallyScarlessSurgery

“Technology makes a significant impact

on the quality of care GMC provides.”


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How GMC Is Leading the WayGwinnett Medical Center is taking the lead in new

technologies and procedures that truly transform

healthcare for patients.

Since the start of the single-incision laparoscopic

surgery program, GMC’s physicians have performed

more than 400 minimally invasive surgeries, including

the largest variety of those surgeries in the country.

GMC has presented with Harvard Medical School on

the single-incision laparoscopic surgery initiative at the

American College of Surgeons Conference.

GMC also serves as a training facility for this surgery

technique, hosting physicians from around the nation

who want to learn the ins and outs of single-incision

laparoscopic surgery. One of those physicians, Jeffrey

Libbey, M.D., of Lexington Medical Center in Columbia,

S.C., has taken the training from GMC’s James Elsey, M.D.,

and is now performing the procedure on his patients.

“Single-incision surgery represents the next step in

advancement in the field of surgery,” Dr. Libbey says.

The next frontier for GMC is to expand single-

incision laparoscopic surgery to improve other types of

surgery. This includes the addition of minimally invasive

techniques to the bariatric, obstetric and thoracic

programs at GMC–Lawrenceville and GMC–Duluth.

Debbie Comer, R.N., who is a part of many single-

incision laparoscopic surgery teams at Gwinnett Medical

Center, agrees that GMC’s leadership in this surgery

is a tremendous benefit for patients undergoing

surgery and is proud that GMC is leading the way in

transforming the way hospitals perform surgery.

“We are ahead of the curve all the way around,”

Comer says.

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Better Surgeries for You

Discover more about single-incision laparoscopic surgery at Gwinnett Medical Center. Visit

gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/sils.

David Schmidt, M.D., performs single-incision laparoscopic surgery with the help of assistant Debbie Walker, RNFA.

ThE BENEfITs CONTINuEAdditional benefits include virtually no scarring, reduced risk of infection and considerably less post-surgery pain. Many doctors even say that patients often don’t need the pain medications prescribed to them.

Minimally invasive surgery also enables adequate lymph node retrieval, which has proved to be an important part of a complete cancer surgery. With this procedure, nearby lymph nodes can be removed and carefully examined for the presence of cancer cells to determine whether the cancer has spread.

Ultimately, single-incision laparoscopic surgery is directly affecting the quality of life for patients.

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Endowments and other gifts help transform the future

of cancer care at GMCO

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Pledge a Gift TodayHelp transform healthcare in Gwinnett. Visit

gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/foundation or call 678-312-8500.

Gwinnett County residents have always had a passion for improving quality of life for their community. When it comes to healthcare,

that enthusiasm and dedication are overwhelming. To date, more than $10 million has been donated to the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation to bring advanced cardiac care and improved cancer services to Gwinnett Medical Center. Many people and organizations have given their time and treasure to help transform healthcare in Gwinnett.

AN ONgOINg NEEdAs Gwinnett Medical Center continues to grow to meet the needs of the community, capital and operating budgets must meet the demands of innovation and technology. Endowments and donations make this vision a reality, providing GMC with a competitive edge and helping to maintain and enhance the quality of the GMC experience.

To continue to excel in transforming healthcare, the GMC Foundation must re-emphasize the critical need for endowments to support the people working at Gwinnett Medical Center–Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth and all other facilities and services in which they work and heal.

DonorsMake the Difference


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Barbara Howard created a $100,000 endowment to help GMC continue providing expert, compassionate cancer care.

Bruce E. Carter, DMD, and Sheila Stevens received Distinguished Service Awards for their extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to GMC and the Gwinnett community.

$100,000 EndowmEntBarbara Howard has been a faithful donor and volunteer for many years. Her service to the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation’s board of directors has also been instrumental. Recently, Howard created a $100,000 endowment for the Foundation’s future. “Expert as well as compassionate care for cancer patients is most important, not only for our loved ones but for all persons everywhere who are inflicted with this dreaded disease,” she says.

“I know Gwinnett Medical Center will excel in their efforts in the new cancer care facility [on the GMC–Lawrenceville campus] to not only achieve but exceed the needs of their patients,” Howard continues. “This gift is in memory of my husband, Henry, who lost his battle in 2004, and in hope for all who continue to fight this enemy of all mankind.”

Extraordinary dEdicationAt the fourth annual Gwinnett Medical Center Cancer Survivors Celebration, Bruce E. Carter, DMD, and Sheila Stevens were presented Distinguished Service Awards by Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation board member Carolyn Hill. This award is bestowed to individuals who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to GMC and the Gwinnett community.

Established in 2000, the Distinguished Service Award serves as a tribute to exemplary Foundation volunteers who have donated their wealth, work and wisdom to better the community. Dr. Carter founded the Brighter Smiles for Brighter Futures program, which allows dentists to raise funds for cancer care by exchanging professional tooth bleaching for a donation to the GMC Foundation. Since 2004, the program has contributed more than $615,000 to help fund cancer treatment programs for Gwinnett Medical Center.

Through The Sport of Giving, Stevens has helped raise more than $1.1 million to add new breast cancer-related services and technology to the Gwinnett community, as well as to purchase and distribute breast cancer treatment handbooks for newly diagnosed patients at GMC. Stevens created The Sport of Giving as a tennis tournament (originally named VolleyFest) at Sugarloaf Country Club. It has grown over the years to include RunFest, which is a 5K road race, and SwingFest, a golf event at a variety of neighborhoods and venues. Stevens recently announced that The Sport of Giving will soon become a national event.

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I t’s not a coincidence that two Gwinnett Medical Center physicians spend most of their free time kicking back reading about mountaineering—or rather kicking

back on top of a mountain. Vascular surgeon Charles Moomey, M.D., and orthopedic surgeon Todd Zeigler, M.D., met during a medical staff conference in New York. Dr. Zeigler had been an avid mountaineer for years, but Dr. Moomey had just found a new love for the sport through colleagues he had worked with in the operating room. During the conference, Dr. Moomey saw a photo of Dr. Zeigler atop a mountain, and a friendship developed between the two physicians who share a common love for mountaineering.

“Climbing a mountain is like a vacation. We never talk about work. It’s a great escape,” says Dr. Moomey, who has been in Gwinnett since 2001 and lives in Suwanee with his wife, GMC nurse Michelle Moomey, R.N., and their three kids.

Dr. Zeigler says many parallels can be drawn between his work in the operating room and the special skills he needs for climbing a mountain. “The focus, preparation, equipment and risk management are all skills derived from surgery but are also required for mountaineering,” Dr. Zeigler says.

Drs. Moomey and Zeigler now travel the world together, hiking terrain that most people are only able to see in photographs. These two physicians are taking challenges and pushing themselves to great heights, in and out of the white coat.

Going to Great Heights

Out Of the White Coat

Charles Moomey, M.D., with wife Michelle and two of their children

Two physicians

share an affinity for mountain climbing

A shared passion for mountain climbing takes GMC surgeons Todd Zeigler, M.D., left, and Charles Moomey, M.D., to Torreys Peak in Colorado.


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Q & ACharles Moomey, M.D. Todd Zeigler, M.D.

1 When I was a

child I dreamed

of becoming a

musician. 2My first job was

as a grill cook

at Steak ’n

Shake.

3I realized I wanted to

be a doctor when I woke

up in the back seat

of a car on my way

to freshman college

orientation.

4

5 6

7 8

9 10

If I weren’t a

doctor I would

be a biomedical

engineer.

To unwind after

a long day I read

mountaineering

books.

My favorite

thing about

Gwinnett is the

current state

of growth.

My favorite

restaurant is

Chops.

When I really

get away, I like to

stand on top of

mountains.

Right now I

am reading

Kilimanjaro. The best health tip

I give patients is do

things now to affect

the next 20 years

of your life.

1If I weren’t a

doctor I would

be a lot more

relaxed .

To unwind after

a long day I go

to the rock

climbing gym.

23

Right now on my

iPod I’m listening

to Pearl Jam.

4 My inspiration

is helping

my patients

get back to

their lives.

5My favorite thing

about Gwinnett

is Gwinnett

Medical Center.6My favorite

restaurant is

Moe’s. 7When I really get

away, I like to end

up on top of a

big mountain.8My favorite

medical television

show is ER.

9Right now

I am reading

Conditioning

for Climbing.10

The best health

tip I give patients

is to get out and

be active.

Vim & Vigor · S U M M E R 2 0 1 0 55

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Gwinnett Medical Center’s PrimeTime Health can put you on the path to healthy aging. With a good diet, plenty of exercise, positive lifestyle

habits and strong social support, seniors can look forward to personal fulfillment and a long, healthy life.

Meal Deal• Eat a low-sodium, low-fat diet. Nutrition plays an increasingly important role in how well you age. Getting plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber can reduce your age-related risks of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and other chronic diseases.

Get MovinG• Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. Regular exercise can prevent or delay diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It can also perk up your mood and help fight depression.

MinD PowerYour state of mind has powerful effects on your body. Take action to protect or improve your memory and mental sharpness.• Challenge your intellect on a daily basis. Read, learn a new musical instrument or language, do crossword puzzles or play strategy games with others.

• Assist your memory. Write down dates, names and other important information that you easily forget. Use routine and repetition. For example, keep daily items such as keys and eyeglasses in a specific place.• Seek help if you think you might have depression. Depression is a common yet treatable cause of cognitive decline. If you find that a physical condition or disability is making your depressed mood worse, get the medical treatment you need.

think PositivelyPositive thinking may also help you live a longer, happier life. Take steps to harness the power of positive thinking in your daily life.• Create positive expectations of yourself, your health and life in general. When you catch yourself using negative self-talk or predicting a bad result, stop. Reframe your thought into a positive one.• Open yourself to humor, friendship and love. Go out of your way to find reasons to laugh and to spend time with people you enjoy.• Appeal to a higher power, if it suits you. Your individual sense of spiritual wellness can help you through personal trials and enhance your joy in living.

age wellFollow these tips to live a long and healthy life

PrimeTime HealtH

Ca

ll

Join for FREE. Enjoy the Benefits

As a member of PrimeTime Health, you can take advantage of free, low-cost or discounted

services and activities designed for adults ages 50 and older. Membership is FREE.

To enroll, call 678-312-5000.


FdVVSU1080_56_PrimeTime.indd 56 3/11/10 11:38:31 AM

Gwinnett Medical Center1000 Medical Center Blvd.Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDVim & Vigor

Lawrenceville • Duluth

For more than 65 years, we’ve treated athletes from all levels of play throughout metro Atlanta. Both our Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Program have helped athletes of all ages and abilities prevent injury, heal and manage pain. No matter your game, our plan is to get you back to it quicker.

Our lineup is led by some of the most respected, fellowship-trained and well-educated physicians and specialists in the nation. It also includes two award-winning hospitals and numerous conveniently located surgical imaging and rehabilitation facilities—all working together to transform healthcare every day.

For a physician referral to our Sports Medicine Program, call

678-312-5000 or visit us on the Web at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/sports.

#1 Sports Medicine Program in Georgia.The MVPs of Sports Medicine.

In Duluth: Pleasant Hill and Howell Ferry roads.

TM

GMC is the offi cialhealthcare provider of the

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