1. science
2. medicine
3. surgery

Fall 2014
“A really good kept secret”
Over the past several years, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical
Center has been a home away from home of sorts for Debra Dunning of
Ashmore. From routine clinic visits to more complex hospital procedures,
Dunning has received medical care in nearly every major area of the hospital.
“It’s a one-on-one experience from the time you walk through the door to
the time you walk out,” she said. “There’s always somebody who has your
back, and you’re not just a number.”
Continued on Page 2
FEATURE STORY
“A really good kept secret”
Continued from front
FMC, where she stayed for eight days.
Dunning moved to the area when she was 10 years old. Her
family physician at the time was Dr. James Acklin. After his
retirement, she began seeing Dr. Leland Phipps in the Paris
Family Medical Center. Years later, Dr. Phipps became the
family physician for her children and now provides care for
her grandson. Dunning herself has had three surgeries at the
hospital.
“The nursing staff took great care of me,” she said. “My pain
was managed perfectly and I never felt alone. I had an ostomy
bag which was very new to me, but the nurses made me feel
very comfortable with it. I never had one complication with
the bag.”
“To me, Dr. Phipps is the definition of a family doctor. He
can’t ever retire,” Dunning said, laughingly.
During her hospital stay, Dunning met with Dawn Welch,
RN, case manager and utilization review coordinator at
PCH/FMC. As a case manager, Welch works as an advocate
for patients and their families to facilitate a care plan from
admission to discharge.
One of her most recent experiences at PCH/FMC occurred
in October 2013 when she suffered a
“I feel [Dawn] is a friend to this day,” Duntear to the inner and outer meniscus “It’s a one-on-one expe- ning said. “If I had any questions, I feel I
of her right knee. Dr. Phipps and Dr. rience from the time you could go to her. Not only would she anJohn Rowe, orthopedic surgeon at walk through the door to swer my professional questions, but she
PCH/FMC, collaborated on a treatthe time you walk out.” would answer my personal questions as
ment plan for Dunning, which ultiwell.”
mately involved surgery. Her knee
surgery was followed by physical therapy at the hospital’s re- In February 2014, Dunning underwent a third surgery–a
“reversal” to remove the ostomy bag and return her colon
habilitation services department.
back to normal. Following surgery, she spent six days on the
“Dr. Rowe was awesome from the first time I met him,” Dun- medical/surgical unit.
ning said. “He made me feel very comfortable. I then had
“Once again I had excellent care from every aspect,” she said.
physical therapy and the staff was awesome.”
“Both times I was discharged from the hospital it was very
Five days after knee surgery, Dunning suffered a ruptured co- quick and not drawn out.”
lon, which was unrelated to her knee surgery. She was taken
to the PCH/FMC emergency department where it was deter- Based on her past experiences, Dunning said she would defimined she needed surgery, which was performed by Dr. John nitely return to Paris Community Hospital for herself and
her family’s healthcare needs.
Nadeau, general surgeon.
“I was sitting in my office and got a horrible stomach ache,”
she recalled. “The ER department took care of me wonderfully. They did a CAT scan and within two hours Dr. Nadeau
figured out my problem. My colon had ruptured and I needed surgery, which we did the next day.”
Her colon surgery involved an ostomy, which is a surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of
body wastes. After the surgery, Dunning was admitted to the medical/surgical unit at PCH/
“I highly recommend Paris Hospital,” she said. “I think it’s
a really good kept
secret.”
History
New sleep lab
opens at PCH/FMC
Is bedtime more like awake time for you? Do you find yourself
tossing and turning and unable to get a good night’s sleep?
According to the Institute of Medicine, as many as 70 million
American adults suffer from a chronic sleep disorder that hinders their daily functioning and adversely affects their health
and longevity.
PCH/FMC’s new sleep lab can help diagnose common sleep
disorders. Such problems may include trouble falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at the wrong times, too much sleep,
or abnormal behaviors during sleep. Sleep problems vary from
person to person and in their severity, and may be the result of
snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, restless leg
syndrome, or some other type of condition. Good sleep is necessary for optimal health and can affect hormone levels, mood,
weight, and more.
Paris Hospital, a private facility
built in 1916, marked our beginning. Ground was broken for
the current Paris Community
Hospital in 1968. These photos
represent a look back at our
nearly 100-year history.
(Top) Nursing staff provide care
for newborn babies in the hospital’s nursery.
(Middle) Dr. Jerry Ingalls attends to a child in the hospital’s
emergency department.
(Bottom) A nurse performs a
blood pressure check.
The PCH/FMC sleep lab opened July 30 in the hospital’s medical/surgical wing. Sleep studies are performed two days a week
with each study lasting a minimum of six hours. Additional
testing days will be added in the future as needed.
Bruce Scott, polysomnographic technologist at PCH/FMC,
performs the sleep studies
under supervision from Dr.
Anand Bhuptani, medical
director for the program.
Dr. Bhuptani is a pulmonologist who is board certified in sleep medicine by
the American Board of
Sleep Medicine.
“Dr. Bhuptani saw the need for a sleep lab in Paris based on
the number of local residents who were seeking sleep-related
services at his clinic in Terre Haute. He, in turn, partnered with
us to offer these services within our community,” said Oliver
Smith, PCH/FMC president and CEO.
Each modernly equipped sleeping room at PCH/FMC includes
a 42-inch flat screen TV, cable, Wifi, a queen-size bed with luxury bedding, recliner chair, fans, and a personal shower and
restroom. Patients spend the night at the hospital and resume
their normal daily routine when they awaken the next morning.
A referral from a healthcare provider is needed to participate
in a sleep study. Sleep study results are sent directly to the patient’s provider for follow-up. If you think you could benefit
from a sleep study, consult your primary care provider.
For more information about sleep services at PCH/FMC, call
217-465-CARE (2273).
Sleep Facts
• Snoring is the primary cause of sleep disruption for approximately 90 million American adults.
• American adults average 6.9 hours of sleep per night,
slightly less than the 7 to 9 hours recommended by many
sleep experts.
• Thirty-six percent of Americans drive drowsy or fall
asleep while driving.
• Twenty-five percent of American adults say they don’t
get the minimum amount of sleep to be alert the next day.
Source: National Sleep Foundation
Our Mission: To provide excellent patient care and promote wellness throughout our communities.
Gynecological surgery
treats the female reproductive system and includes
hysterectomies, D&Cs,
endometrial ablations,
and hysteroscopies.
Orthopedic surgery
treats conditions of the
muscles, joints, bones,
and connective tissues.
Podiatric surgery
treats conditions of
the foot, ankle, and
related structures of
the leg.
Gastrointestinal
(GI) surgery involves the
upper GI tract (stomach,
mouth, esophagus & duodenum) and lower GI tract
(small intestine, large
intestine & anus).
COMING SOON:
Urogynecology and
reconstructive pelvic
surgery treats women
with disorders arising
from pelvic floor
dysfunction, which
Paris Community Hospital offers both inpatient
pertains to the recand outpatient surgery performed by on-staff and
tum, uterus, vagina,
visiting physicians. This includes general surgery,
and bladder.
which focuses on the abdominal organs, including
Urologic
surgery
treatments for appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder,
focuses on the male
stomach, and intestines. For more information
and female urinary
about our surgical services, call 217-465-2606,
tract system, as well
Ext. 725.
as the male reproductive
system.
Surgical Services
at PCH
ENT surgery focuses on
diseases and disorders of
the ear, nose, throat, and
related structures of
the head and neck.
Ophthalmologic surgery
is performed on the eye to
repair retinal defects, remove
cataracts, and more.
Less radiation with new CT
The PCH Radiology Department recently installed a new,
64-slice, state-of-the-art CT (computed technology/CAT
scan) machine. This new technology offers many benefits
for both physicians and patients.
Most importantly, the new scanner will drastically reduce
the amount of radiation exposure patients receive when
being tested. Each patient will receive only as much radiation as he needs to produce successful imaging, based on
his age, height, and weight. Radiation exposure may be
reduced by as much as 60%.
The new, FDA-approved CT
will also enhance the patient
experience by offering significantly quicker scans, a more
open feel, and calming LED
mood lighting.
The addition of this machine
will allow for expanded imaging services, including dental, vascular, and bone density.
TO
NEWS
KNOW
A lot is happening at PCH/FMC. Here are some brief news
items to help keep you informed:
Welcome Dr. Sodvadiya
PCH/FMC welcomes Kumar Sodvadiya, MD,
as a full-time family practice physician in the
Paris Family Medical Center. Dr. Sodvadiya
earned his medical degree at Surat Municipal
Institute of Medical Education and Research in
Surat, India. He completed his medical residency in 2014 at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center in Omaha, where he also participated in the Norfolk Rural
Track Training Program. For an appointment, call 217-463-1946.
DAISY Award Recognizes Outstanding Nurse
Tiffany Sallee, LPN, received the DAISY Award in May for extraordinary nursing achievement. The DAISY Award is a national
recognition that honors nurses who
go above and beyond the call of duty
to give their patients the best care
possible. To nominate a PCH/FMC
nurse for the DAISY Award, visit
ParisCommunityHospital.com and
click on the Employee Recognition
link.
PCH/FMC Welcomes Specialist Physicians
PCH/FMC welcomes the following visiting specialist physicians: Syed Hussain, MD, vascular surgeon,
Christie Clinic; and Derek Wall, MD, general surgeon,
Carle Physicians Group.
Thank Your Nurse Practitioners
PCH/FMC encourages everyone to thank their nurse
practitioners (NPs) for the valuable service they provide to
the community during National Nurse Practitioner Week,
November 9-15. According to the American Association of
Nurse Practitioners, more than 18 percent of NPs practice
in rural settings with populations of less than 25,000. Nurse
practitioners seeing patients at PCH/FMC include: Susan
Arp, FNP-C; Debbie Griffin, FNP-C , CDE; Angela Hamilton, FNP-C ; Danielle Ireland, FNP-C; Tiffany Turner,
FNP-C; Samantha Volstorf, FNP-C; and Crystal White,
FNP-C. These nurse practitioners, as well as Crystal
Woods, FNP-C, are the primary providers in the PCH/
FMC EZ Care weekend, walk-in clinic.
Employee Spotlight
Dawn Welch, RN, CCM
Position: Case Manager & Utilization Review Coordinator
Years at PCH/FMC: 8
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite TV Show/Movie: Investigation Discovery channel
Hobbies: Gardening, pets
As case manager at PCH/FMC, Dawn works as an advocate for patients and their families to facilitate a care plan from hospital admission to discharge.
“Case management is important because you are able to give the patients the tools they need to be successful,” she said. “Having been
a field nurse, I can see what the person might need at home more
readily.”
Dawn is nationally recognized as a certified case manager (CCM)
by the Commission for Case Manager Certification, which is considered the “gold standard” of case manager certifications. The CCM
credential signifies that she has the expertise, knowledge, and professional experience to provide the right services to patients with serious or complex medical conditions, and/or catastrophic injuries and
illnesses.
Dawn attended Lakeview School of Nursing and has 28 years of nursing experience.
Calendar of Events
September 19
An adult AED/CPR class will be
offered from 8:30am to 12:30pm
in Conference Room B. The cost
is $25. Call 217-465-2606, Ext.
320.
October 4
Join us for Movie Night in the
park, a free community appreciation event at Twin Lakes Park
in Paris, sponsored by PCH/FMC.
A family movie will be shown
on a large screen at dusk. Free
popcorn and drinks will be available. Bring your own lawn chairs
and blankets.
Oct. 13 to Dec. 1
An eight-week series of free
classes called “Healing Pathways: After a Loss” will meet
Mondays, October 13—December 1, from 6 to 7:30pm in Conference Room B. These classes
give attendees the opportunity
to share feelings of grief and
loss with other people who
have had similar experiences.
To register, call 217-465-2606,
Ext. 290.
Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
721 East Court Street
Paris, IL 61944
PAID
Decatur IL
Permit No 180
(217) 465-4141
ParisCommunityHospital.com
October 19
The PCH/FMC Nursing Foundation will sponsor its first annual
Harvest Hustle 5K/One-Mile
FUN Run at 2pm at Mill Creek
Park in Marshall, Ill. Early
registration is available through
October 3 using a printable form
at ParisCommunityHospital.
Com/FunRun. For more information, contact Leslie Brown at
[email protected].
November 5
A free program, “More Bang
for Your Buck: Feeding Your
Family for Less,” will take place
at 6pm in the PCH/FMC Visiting
Specialty Clinic. This event is
open to the public, but may be
of particular interest to individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The featured speaker will be
Mary Liz Wright, University of
Illinois Extension nutrition and
wellness educator. Register by
October 31. Call 217-465-2606,
Ext. 228.
Healthcare Providers
Family Practice
Leland Phipps, MD
Rahat Sheikh, MD
Kumar Sodvadiya, MD
General Practice
M. Bert Akerman, MD
Mert Guinto, MD
General Surgery
John Nadeau, DO
Oliver Smith
President & CEO
Internal Medicine
Radiology
Reid Sutton, MD
Bruce Houle, DO
Orthopedics/Sports Medicine
Family Nurse Practitioners
Angela Hamilton, FNP-C
John Rowe, MD
Susan Arp, FNP-C
Debbie Griffin, FNP-C, CDE
Danielle Ireland, FNP-C
Tiffany Turner, FNP-C
Samantha Volstorf, FNP-C
Crystal White, FNP-C
Crystal Woods, FNP-C (EZ Care)
Pathologist
Asuncion U. DeWitt, MD
Podiatry
Philip Holloway, DPM
Leighsa Cornwell
Community Health/
Disease Mgmt. Coordinator
Erin Frank
Public Relations/
Marketing Manager
Mike Harrison
Public Relations/
Marketing Associate
The information contained in Quarterly Check-Up is intended to inform and educate about subjects pertinent to health and should not be
a substitute for consultation with a healthcare provider.