volume 4, issue 4 Women’s Health Issue INSIDE: Reese Witherspoon: A Passion to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness Welcome Dr. Slomiany Putting People First ADVANCED IMAGING FREE e-Newsletter Stressed? “I’m sold on Dr. Horn and Bluegrass Community Hospital!” – Cindy Shryock Visit: www.BluegrassCommunityHospital.com B L U E G R A S S C O M M U N I T Y H O S P I TA L Making Communities Healthier in the Bluegrass Region A Message from the CEO Tommy Haggard, CEO Bluegrass Community Hospital Today Is The Day Have you had your annual mammogram? It’s an important, even life-saving question for women over 40. Unfortunately, a recent study showed that 50 percent of women who have insurance that covers a mammogram have NOT had an annual breast cancer screening. Fifty percent! And that number is no doubt even higher for women without health insurance. We all need to do better. As Reese Witherspoon says in her interview, early detection is the key to preventing breast cancer. And an annual mammogram for women over 40 is the best tool we have for early detection. It’s time to stop making excuses and start taking action. Make today the day you schedule your mammogram. Encourage your wife, your sister, your aunt, your mother, your daughter and your female friends and neighbors to do the same. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the women we love. Source: WebMD Health News New Online Health Programs Sign up today for My Health NewsletterTM, our hospital’s FREE customizable e-newsletter. Readers who subscribe will have access to: • My Health NewsletterTM – monthly e-mail with selected articles on the topics you choose. • My Baby ExpectationsTM – monthly e-mail newsletter that steps soon-to-be new parents through preparation, delivery and baby’s first year, timed to their due date. • My Health AssessmentsTM - appraisals designed to increase awareness of your health status. • My Health RemindersTM – timely reminders of all recommended health screenings and exams. For your FREE subscription to My Health Newsletter, visit our website at: www.bluegrasscommunityhospital.com Anyone Is Susceptible Reese Witherspoon Talks About Her Passion To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness Reese Witherspoon is on a mission. As the Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation for Women, the Academy Award®-winning actress is determined to help women become more knowledgeable about breast cancer and the importance of early detection in fighting the disease. Why have you become so involved in the fight against breast cancer? I was never naïve about breast cancer, but when I learned that a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the U.S., that really put it all into perspective. As a woman, a mother, and a daughter, I find that statistic terrifying. Women close to me have battled the disease and are now soldiers in the greater fight against it. But the moment I heard “every three minutes,” I felt vulnerable and scared as I realized that anyone is susceptible. The only way for me to ease my fears was to take action. I needed to educate myself and others on this disease. As (continued on page 3) the Honorary Chair for the Avon Foundation, I had resources What else did you learn? at my fingertips. I had access to an entire organization that We have to banish the myth that young women are not at is dedicated to giving back to women and educating people. risk for breast cancer. In my work with the Avon Foundation, So I started asking, “What do I need to know?” I’ve met young survivors who were diagnosed in their 20s, an age when most women are graduating from college and What did you learn? I found out the most important fact in breast cancer: Early detection saves lives. According to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, there is a 97 percent five-year survival rate when breast cancer is caught before it spreads to just starting their lives as full adults. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam by a health professional at least once every three years and women 40 and older should have an exam every year. other parts of the body. When breast cancer first develops, Any final thoughts? there are usually no symptoms, which is why women need to I am passionate about fighting this devastating disease. I perform self-exams regularly and contact their doctor upon fight for my mother, myself, my children and future generations noticing even the smallest change. Of course talking about of women, so one day we will not have to be afraid of breast breast cancer and breast health is a personal thing. I, too, am cancer. I began my fight by learning important first steps in a private person but encourage all women to break through breast cancer detection, and will not end my fight until every their reservations and talk to their doctors and physicians. woman can stand together saying we are breast cancer free. Interview Source: CNN Online Find out more about your specific risk for breast cancer, and for a link to an online risk assessment tool. Visit our website at: www.BluegrassCommunityHospital.com BGCH Medical Staff Directory CARDIOLOGY Bluegrass Cardiology Scott Monnin, MD (502) 875-9885 GENERAL SURGERY Versailles General Surgery Beatrix Slomiany, MD (859) 879-2419 Central Kentucky Medical Group William Childers, MD C. Dale Goodin, MD (859) 873-9843 ORTHOPEDICS Links Orthopedics Jon Sanchez, MD (859) 873-2113 Lexington Clinic David Keedy, MD (859) 258-4691 Capital Surgical Clinic Bryan Shouse, MD Steven Vallance, MD Timothy Bowling, MD (859) 873-8301 NEPHROLOGY BlueGrass Renal Care Ziad William Sara, MD (859) 263-1717 Rebound Orthopedics Joseph Dobner, MD John Lyon, MD Dana Soucy, MD (502) 875-1766 FAMILY PRACTICE Paragon Family Practice Arlys Solien, MD (859) 879-6440 Versailles Family Medicine Brian Smith, MD Tonya Coburn, PA-C Elizabeth Geddes, PA-C Jenna Daniel, PA-C (859) 879-0111 Woodford Family Physicians Rob Hutchinson, MD Steve Vogelsang, MD (859) 873-9188 GENERAL DENTISTRY Elvidge & Lasheen DMD Kevin Elvidge, DMD David Lasheen, DMD (859) 873-5913 Georgetown General Surgery Associates Danielle Dietz, MD (502) 867-4955 Kentucky Kidney and Hypertension Sadiq Ahmed, MD (859) 873-1303 Gastroenterology Care Center Daniell Hill, MD (859) 879-2451 OB/GYN Women’s Care of the Bluegrass Steve Hall, MD EJ Horn, MD Angela Saxsena, MD Mark Wainwright, MD Katie Isaac, ARNP, CNM (859) 873-2229 INTERNAL MEDICINE Anderson Family Healthcare Michele Welling, MD (859) 873-1303 OPHTHALMOLOGY Frankfort Eye Care Irfan Ansari, MD (859) 879-0014 GASTROENTEROLOGY Bluegrass Gastroenterology Associates Mark Hughes, MD (502) 875-7000 OTOLARYNGOLOGY (ENT) William Parell, MD (859) 278 0494 Jan Weisberg, MD (502) 227-9911 PAIN MANAGEMENT Cardinal Hill Pain Institute William Witt, MD Brian Robbins, PA-C (859) 367-7246 Commonwealth Specialists of Kentucky Richard Lingreen, MD (502) 352-2530 UROLOGY Commonwealth Urology Fred Hadley, MD (859) 277-2280 To see a listing of the hospital-based physicians who are on our medical staff, including anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, hospitalists, radiologists, and pathologists, visit our website at www.bluegrassdoclink.com. Beatrix A. Slomiany, MD is joining Versailles General Surgery at Bluegrass Community Hospital Dr. Slomiany received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. She completed her internship and residency in General Surgery at the University of Louisville. Dr. Slomiany is Board Eligible in general surgery and is an active member of the Kentucky Medical Association and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Slomiany provides General Surgical procedures as well as advanced surgical care for: • Diverticular Disease • Colon Cancer • Breast Disease & Breast Cancer • Inguinal & Abdominal Hernia • Tumors, nodules, & masses • Skin Cancers • Screenings for Colon, Breast, & Skin Cancer Putting People First: OUR THREE COMMITMENTS TO PATIENT CARE Kathy Russell, CNO Bluegrass Community Hospital 1) We Make You Feel Like You’re The Only Person In Our Care. First and foremost, our care is guided by the needs of our patients and their families. We deliver personal service that’s friendly, attentive, thoughtful and compassionate. 2) We Treat You Like A Person, Not A Number. We take the time to listen to our patients and their families, provide them with the best information, encourage their participation in the process and, whenever possible, honor their choices. 3) We Take Care of You Like Family. As a community hospital, we believe it is a privilege to care for our friends, neighbors and fellow citizens. Caring for others is not only our profession, it’s also an expression of the pride we take in our community. Understanding The Advanced Imaging Technologies Available To Your Physician MRI … CT scan … Ultrasound. Your physician and healthcare team have many options available when it comes to advanced medical imaging that can detect and diagnose disease at an earlier and more treatable stage. Here’s a quick recap of the four most common imaging technologies and when they are used. X-RAY An X-ray is the oldest and most frequently used of the medical imaging technologies. This quick and painless procedure is primarily used to examine bones for fractures, infections, arthritis, osteoarthritis and cancer. It’s also used to check for lung infections, an enlarged heart, blocked blood vessels and problems in the digestive tract. CT SCAN A CT scan is a series of X-rays that are taken at different angles. It creates a cross-section image of the body like a slice of bread. A CT scan is often used in trauma situations, such as an automobile accident, to check for internal injuries and bleeding. It’s also used to locate tumors, infections, blood clots, and fractures and to detect and monitor cancer and heart disease. MRI An MRI produces images by using a magnetic field and radio waves. For many tissues, an MRI produces a clearer and more detailed image than a CT scan. For example, it’s an excellent tool for capturing detailed images of soft tissue, such as the brain, heart, blood vessels, muscle, tendons, ligaments, nerves and internal organs. ULTRASOUND This technology uses sound waves to create images. Ultrasound is used to examine soft tissues that do not show up well on X-rays. It’s also used during pregnancy to avoid unnecessary exposure of the fetus to X-rays. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound that shows the heart at work, particularly the opening and closing of the valves. For more information, call or visit us online at: www.BluegrassCommunityHospital.com Source: Mayo Clinic ? d e s s e r St It May Be More Serious Than You Think The holidays are just around the corner. If you’re like most people, you may find yourself feeling a bit stressed out during this time of year. So what is stress? In simple terms, stress is your body’s reaction to having to deal with more than you are used to. Stress is often caused by major life events: divorce, losing a job, experiencing the death of a loved one, even having family members visit during the holidays. The more serious the event is, the greater the stress. A little bit of stress every now and then is perfectly normal. But high levels of continuous stress can lead to a number of health problems, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease – just to name a few. Common Effects of Stress On Your Body On Your Mood On Your Behavior Headache Anxiety Overeating or Undereating Muscle Tension or Pain Restlessness Angry Outbursts Chest Pain Lack of Motivation or Focus Drug or Alcohol Abuse Fatigue Irritability or Anger Tobacco Use Change in Sex Drive Sadness or Depression Social Withdrawal Upset Stomach Sleep Problems *Source: Mayo Clinic If you think you’ve been living with long-term stress, see your family physi- cian to find out if the stress is caused by a medical condition. Your physician can also recommend ways to manage your stress. Regular moderate exercise may be the single best approach to dealing with stress. Relaxation skills, such as meditation or yoga, are helpful. A number of prescription medications may also be considered. But the most important step is to seek help. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying life, and the holidays, with more zest and confidence. Are you under too much stress? Find out today. Just go to our website at: www.BluegrassCommunityHospital.com for a link to an online stress test. T H A T ’ S M Y H O S P I T A L “I’m sold on Dr. Horn and Bluegrass Community Hospital!” As a real estate agent with Rector Hayden Realtors, Cindy Shryock (right) keeps a busy schedule. So busy, in fact, that Cindy kept putting off surgery recommended by Dr. E.J. Horn (left), a gynecologist with Bluegrass Community Hospital. “There’s a history of cancer in my family,” explains Cindy. “My mother died of cancer at the age of 56. Dr. Horn had already removed some benign tumors and had suggested a surgery that would significantly reduce my risk for a particular type of cancer. But I kept putting it off because of my busy schedule.” – Cindy Shryock What finally convinced Cindy to have the surgery was finding out she could have it performed at Bluegrass Community Hospital. “Sometimes we forget that we have this great hospital right here in our community. When Dr. Horn told me I could have the procedure done at Bluegrass, I knew it was the perfect fit! I like being close to home, and I know this hospital. After all, it’s the place where my children were born. I just feel more comfortable here. The room was beautiful and the staff took great care of me. Now, more than ever, I’m sold on Bluegrass Community Hospital.” Have You Reached Your Medical Insurance Deductible? Looking for a way to maximize your health insurance? Check to see if you have reached your medical insurance deductible this year. A medical deductible is the amount you are billed for medical care before your start to receive benefits from your insurance company. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you pay the first $1,000 in medical care. After that, the insurance company starts to pay a certain amount, for example, 80 percent. In this case, you pay the remaining 20 percent, not including co-pays. Most medical insurance plans use the calendar year (January – December). With the end of the year approaching, many people have reached or are about to reach their medical deductible. If that’s the case for you, consider scheduling any necessary health appointments in 2011 instead of waiting until next year. For example, suppose you have an annual physical exam scheduled early in 2012. If you keep the appointment, you will have to pay the new deductible for 2012. But if you move the appointment to 2011, most of the costs will be covered by your health insurance because you’ve already met your deductible for the year. Contact your health insurance provider to find out where you stand with your medical deductible. www.BluegrassCommunityHospital.com O C T O B E R 2 0 11 B L U E G R A S S C O M M U N I T Y H O S P I TA L HealthPoint is published as a community service by Bluegrass Community Hospital. It in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. For individual guidance, consult your physician. For more information about Bluegrass Community Hospital or anything in this publication, please call 859-873-3111. Bluegrass Community Hospital 360 Amsden Ave. Versailles, KY 40383 Important News and Helpful Advice for a Healthier Life inside: Women’s Health Issue Reese Witherspoon Welcome Dr. Slomiany Putting People First Cindy Shryock’s Story Understanding Advanced Imaging Options Stressed?