1. science
2. medicine
3. surgery

Improving quality of life through safe, effective weight loss
Weighing Options
Fall 2014
Vol. 5, No. 3
◆
2 Diabetes Management
Program Renews National
Recognition
Diabetes and Weight
Management Expo
3 Meet the Staff:
Stephanie Johnson
We’ve Moved
New Program Benefits
4 Healthy Eats:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Introducing Our Cleveland Clinic-trained
Bariatric Surgeon
Meet Dr. Onyeka Nwokocha at an upcoming Bariatric Basics seminar.
T
he Blount Memorial Weight Management Center
is proud to welcome Dr. Onyeka Nwokocha to
our multidisciplinary team of weight loss professionals. His office is conveniently located in the Weight
Management Center on the main Blount Memorial Hospital campus in Maryville.
Nwokocha is a Cleveland Clinic-trained bariatric
surgeon with expertise in the latest surgical weight loss
procedures. He received his bachelor’s degree from the
University of North Carolina in Charlotte and a medical
degree from Howard College of Medicine in Washington,
D.C. Nwokocha completed a surgical residency at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as a
bariatric/minimally invasive surgical fellowship at the
Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston, Fla. ◆
Choose your date, and register today.
Learn about bariatric surgery at one of our free informational seminars.
Is bariatric surgery right
for you? You’ll never know
unless you do your research,
ask questions and meet with
a bariatric surgeon. Take the
first step by attending a free,
no-obligation Bariatric Basics
seminar at Blount Memorial.
Blount Memorial bariatric
surgeon Dr. Onyeka
Nwokocha will discuss the
surgical and laparoscopic
treatments of obesity
including gastric sleeve and
bypass procedures. You’ll
also have the chance to
learn more about the Weight
Management Center’s
Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery Accreditation
and Quality Improvement
Program (MBSAQIP)
accredited center.
TO REGISTER: Call
865-977-4673 or
866-300-8644.
Bariatric Basics 2014 Calendar
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m.
Comfort Inn, 2811 Decatur
Pike, Athens
Thursday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m.
East Tennessee Medical
Group community room,
266 Joule St., Alcoa
Thursday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m.
Blount Memorial Hospital
auditorium, 907 E. Lamar
Alexander Pkwy., Maryville
Surgical Weight Loss Support Groups
Weight Management Center
www.blountmemorial.org
B
lount Memorial welcomes all
post-operative bariatric patients
to attend the Weight Management Center’s Bariatric Support Group.
Whether your procedure was performed
at Blount Memorial or another facility,
we are here for you. ◆
2014-15 Bariatric Support Group Schedule
The Bariatric Support Group meets on the first
Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Blount
Memorial Hospital auditorium located on the
ground floor. The remaining 2014 Bariatric Support
Groups will meet Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
2
Weighing Options
Fall 2014
Diabetes Management Program
Renews National Recognition
Need help managing your diabetes?
Education program meets rigorous American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards
T
he Blount Memorial Diabetes Management Center’s selfmanagement education program has earned continued ADA
Recognition for its high-quality patient services. The renewal
certifies Blount Memorial’s program for an additional four years.
“It makes me very proud that we can provide the best quality
of diabetes care to the residents of Blount County,” says program coordinator Dawn Hollaway. “With the dramatic increase
in the number of individuals being diagnosed with diabetes, it is
more important than ever that people attend an outpatient diabetes education program to achieve their optimal health goals
and lower their risk for complications.”
The ADA Recognition effort started in 1986, and is a voluntary process that assures approved education programs have
met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs that achieve Recognition status have
a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide
state-of-the-art information about diabetes management.
The Blount Memorial Diabetes Management Center includes
two registered nurses and three registered dietitians, all of
whom are certified diabetes educators (CDE). Achieving CDE
credentials requires meeting rigorous eligibility standards in
order to demonstrate specialized knowledge in the field of diabetes education and promote quality of care for people with
diabetes. Certified diabetes educators must renew their certifications every five years. ◆
If you have diabetes, participating in the
diabetes education program at Blount
Memorial can equip you with the information
you need to manage your condition, reduce
the risk of complications and improve quality
of life. A physician referral is required. For
more information, call 865-977-5767.
Could you have diabetes?
Tennessee typically ranks among the top
five states in the nation for the highest
rates of diabetes. Early symptoms, which
often go unnoticed or are attributed to
other causes include: fatigue, excessive
thirst, rapid weight loss, blurred vision,
swollen gums, and tingling hands and feet.
In fact, many people are not diagnosed
with diabetes until they receive treatment
for one of its life-threatening complications,
such as heart disease, stroke, kidney
disease, blindness, nerve disease or
amputation.
If you notice any possible diabetes signs or
symptoms, contact your doctor. The earlier
you are diagnosed, the sooner you can
begin managing your condition to improve
quality of life and avoid complications.
Want to learn about the local resources and latest tools
available to take control of your diabetes or weight? Then,
join us at the upcoming Diabetes and Weight Management
Expo. Free blood glucose meters will be distributed, and
everyone who attends will be entered into a door prize drawing.
S AV E T H E D AT E
Register today for the free Diabetes and
Weight Management Expo.
When: Monday, Nov. 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Airport Hilton, Alcoa
Cost: Free, however, participants are invited to
make a $5 donation to the Blount Memorial
Diabetes Management Center’s fund for
underserved and uninsured patients.
Register: For more information or to register, call
865-977-5767.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect:
• helpful diabetes and weight management information and
tools
• healthy cooking demonstration by executive chef
Jeff Counts
• presentation by Blount Memorial bariatric surgeon
Dr. Onyeka Nwokocha
• more than 20 vendors displaying diabetes- and weight
management-related products and services
• the opportunity to speak with representatives from multiple
hospital departments, physician offices, local community
agencies and pharmaceutical companies
3
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Fall 2014
M E E T T H E S TA F F
n Educational Background: associate’s degree,
nursing, William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Ill.;
bachelor’s degree, nursing, Ohio University, Athens,
Ohio.
Stephanie Johnson
registered nurse and
metabolic and bariatric
surgery coordinator
n Role: In her multifaceted role as metabolic and
bariatric surgery coordinator, Johnson works
with patients, our bariatric surgeon or the Weight
Management Center, as well as other members of
the Blount Memorial staff. Her specific responsibilities
include helping ensure a smooth journey for patients
as they progress through the bariatric surgery
process and guaranteeing that the center maintains
MBSAQIP accreditation. In addition, Johnson
facilitates staff education related to important topics
such as patient safety and bariatric sensitivity;
provides patient education; and leads post-operative
support group meetings.
“I'm honored to fill the role of bariatric
coordinator at Blount Memorial. One
of the greatest blessings of this role
happens during the support groups
when patients share their ‘non-scale’
victories. Bariatric surgery truly is a
life-altering event, so it's about much
more than just a number on the scale.
Sometimes the victory is being able
to feel a hip bone or paint toenails for
the first time in decades. Other times,
it's about being able to get off of a
prescription medication. I'm extremely
proud of all my patients, and appreciate
each story I am privileged to hear.”
—Stephanie Johnson
We’ve Moved
New Program Benefits
Visit the Weight Management Center
in our new location.
Patient-centered support services help ensure
long-term success.
T
o better serve our patients, the Weight
Management Center has relocated to
the third floor of the Blount Memorial
Physician Office Building. If you’ve visited
us in the past, we’re in the same building,
but have changed floors.
To find us, enter the main hospital
campus through the Emergency, Cancer
Care and Outpatient entrance. Park for
free in either the Guest Parking lot or the
Guest Parking Garage, and enter the hospital through the covered portico entrance
marked Outpatient Services and Physician
Office Building. Walk straight through the
lobby, and turn right at the Atrium Café.
You will be facing the Physician Office
Building elevators. Take the elevator to the
third floor. Turn left and left again. Our
office is at the end of the hallway. ◆
Send Us Your Questions
If you have a health question related
to weight management, e-mail
[email protected]. One of our
weight management experts will personally
answer each question.
A
s a Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery Accreditation and
Quality Improvement Program
(MBSAQIP) accredited center,
Blount Memorial offers a proven path to safe, long-term weight loss. The first step on this path is an
initial consultation with our onsite Cleveland Clinic-trained bariatric
surgeon Dr. Onyeka Nwokocha.
The $450 program fee for our program covers several additional key
steps required for bariatric surgery success including:
• a pre-surgery education class
• a post-surgery nutrition class
• informative program and educational materials
• expert help in navigating the health insurance authorization process
• collecting required medical records
• personal nutrition consults
• a pre-surgery psychological evaluation
• four post-surgery exercise consults with a personal trainer
• a 12-month Blount Memorial Wellness Centers membership
• monthly support groups
• smoking cessation resources
For more information or to schedule an initial consultation with
Dr. Nwokocha, call the Weight Management Center at 865-977-4673
or toll-free at 866-300-8644. ◆
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
Weight Management Center
P A I D
KNOXVILLE, TN
907 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
PERMIT NO. 582
Maryville, TN 37804-5016
www.blountmemorial.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Weighing Options
Improving quality of life through safe, effective weight loss
4
Weighing Options
Fall 2014
Healthy Eats
A delicious and nutritious recipe from the Weight
Management Center
This quick-fix fall soup from www.eatingwell.com is
recommended by Weight Management Center registered
dietitian and certified diabetes educator Heather Pierce.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Warm up and fill up the fall with a piping hot bowl of hearty
chicken tortilla soup. Since canned varieties and the version
typically served at Mexican restaurants can be high in salt and
fats, make your own soup at home using this healthy recipe.
Makes three to four servings.
Ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or 3 to 4 thighs)
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 (14.5 ounce) cans low sodium chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup chunky salsa
Baked tortilla chips (optional)
1/2 cup shredded 2 percent cheese (optional)
Reduced fat sour cream (optional)
Directions
1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chicken in the oil
for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the chopped onion, and cook until softened. Season
with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add the garlic, cumin and chili powder, and stir together.
Then, add the chicken broth, corn, black beans, lemon juice
and salsa.
4. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Ladle equal portions into three or four small soup bowls.
6. (Optional) Garnish with a few baked tortilla chips, and/or
shredded cheese and sour cream.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Stay up-to-date on the latest Weight Management Center
events, upcoming programs and any weather cancellations by
following Blount Memorial on Twitter at @blount_memorial
and visiting the hospital’s Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/blountmemorial.