A Quarterly Publication

February 2019

VACCINE PROTECTIONOffers Peace of Mind

@nd MORE

COMMITMENTOur Continued Commitment To Invest In Our Community

NEW TREATMENT FORProstate Cancer

COMPASSIONThrough a Mother’s Eyes

MemorialHealthcare.org

OWOSSO

Pictured (l-r) Heather Cole, RN; Dr. Ronald Bishop; and Bethany Lawrence, RN

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Dear Friends,

Welcome to More@Memorial, Memorial Healthcare’s community news publication. We’re proud to offer you this quarterly insert to keep you informed of the latest advancements at our hospital, health and wellness news and special events.

In this issue you’ll learn about our continued commitment to invest in our community with the building of a new $25M facility on our main campus in Owosso, hear from a mother about the compassionate care her son received during a recent surgical procedure, meet our new providers, learn about a new memory clinic being offered for patients with dementia, and become familiar with SpaceOAR, an innovative system for men choosing to undergo radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

I want to thank you for taking an active role in your health! I hope you enjoy More@Memorial!

More@Memorial is published quarterly by Memorial Healthcare to provide the community with health, wellness, and safety information; however, it does not replace the advice of your physician. You should always consult your physician regarding any medical concerns and before making any changes in your lifestyle, physical activities, or treatment plan.

For more information, please contact:Vicki McKay Editor in Chief Director, Business Development (989) 729-4514

Many Memorial Healthcare programs and services are supported by grants from the Memorial Healthcare Foundation which are made possible through the generous gifts of our donors.

Memory Clinic Offers Multidisciplinary Approach . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Our Continued Commitment To Invest In Our Community . . . . 3

SpaceOAR Offers New Treatment for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . . . . 4

Compassion Through a Mother’s Eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Meet Our New Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

AccuVax® Offers Peace of Mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Memorial Healthcare: It’s Worth the Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Memorial Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

INSIDE this Issue:

Sincerely,

Message from OurPRESIDENT & CHIEF ExECuTIvE OFFICER

2 Photography: Michael D-L Jordan/David-Lorne Photographic

Brian L. Long, FACHEPresident and CEOMemorial Healthcare

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lzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease for patients and families, robbing a person of their memories, personality and relationships with the ones they

love. With the help of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neurosciences has opened a multidisciplinary memory disorders clinic to help support patients and their families in our community. This clinic is designed to offer the latest in information, treatments and supports for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Dr. Cara Leahy, a neurologist at Memorial Healthcare, is a leader in developing this multidisciplinary approach for Alzheimer’s disease. She, along with her team of clinical pharmacists, nurses and home health professionals, meet with each patient and their families during this memory clinic appointment. The goal is to provide care and treatment that extends beyond the medicines and to improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

If you know of someone who might benefit from this caring, passionate and dedicated approach to patient care, please have them contact their primary care physician to learn if they might qualify for this unique clinic.

For more information about our neurology services, visit us online at www.MemorialHealthcare.org/service/neurology/

DR. CARA LEAHY, NEUROLOGISTMEMORIAL HEALTHCARE INSTITUTE FOR NEUROSCIENCES AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS818 W. King StreetOwosso, MI 48867(989) 723-1390

OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY

Last summer we were thrilled to announce the development of a $25 million 85,000 square foot facility that will be home to two of our growing clinical service lines, the Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neurosciences and Multiple Sclerosis, and our orthopedic practice, Mid Michigan Orthopedics. In addition to these two services, this facility will also be home to a new Community Wellness Center that will offer resident’s access to full service medically based wellness programs including cardio, aquatics, resistance training, nutrition education, programmatic exercise and much more.

The decision to build this state-of-the-art facility was in direct response to our extensive master facility plan and the vision and commitment of our providers, the growth potential and new advances in research and treatment options.

Groundbreaking for this new facility will occur in spring 2019, with an expected completion date in spring 2020.

For updates on this exciting project, visit our website at www.MemorialHealthcare.org.

MEMORY CLINIC OFFERS MUTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

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Pictured (l-r) Dr. Cara Leahy; Kim Murphy, Receptionist; and Stephanie Johnson, Medical Assistant

SPACEOAR OFFERS NEW TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER

DR. TAREK PACHABOARD CERTIFIED UROLOGIST

emorial Healthcare is just 1 of 3 rural hospitals in the State of Michigan to offer an innovative system for men choosing to undergo

radiation therapy for prostate cancer. SpaceOAR hydrogel acts as a protective spacer between the prostate and the rectum and has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of side effects from radiation treatment, which can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

WHAT IS SPACEOAR?SpaceOAR hydrogel is an absorbable hydrogel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and the rectum, protecting the rectum from radiation exposure during prostate radiation therapy.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE SPACEOAR HYDROGEL?The prostate and rectum are very close and are only naturally separated by a small space. Due to this closeness, prostate radiation therapy can accidentally cause damage to the rectum. SpaceOAR temporarily moves the rectal wall away from the prostate during radiotherapy.

IS IT SAFE?SpaceOAR hydrogel is made of two liquids that when combined form a soft, gel-like synthetic material that is mostly made of water. Because of its water content, it is called a hydrogel. Studies have shown that the material is biocompatible and can be used safely in the body.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE AND HOW LONG WILL IT STAY IN MY BODY?Patients who choose the new gel technique receive a local or general anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The gel is injected as a liquid and then solidifies, remaining in place for three months during prostate radiotherapy. It then liquefies, is absorbed by the body and cleared in the patient’s urine.

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For More InformationFor additional information on SpaceOAR, contact Dr. Tarek Pacha, Memorial Healthcare urology - Owosso at (989) 723-2299. You can also learn more at www.MemorialHealthcare.org.

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Photography: Michael D-L Jordan/David-Lorne Photographic

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Without SpaceOAR, radiation may reach the rectal wall.

SpaceOAR helps protect the rectal wall from radiation

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Gryphyn spent two weeks recovering at home; most of it spent playing with his drone, says his mom. Gryphyn is now fully recovered and back to being an active 12-year-old at Owosso Middle School. “He feels great! We’re so thankful to Dr. Testa and the team at Memorial Healthcare. They were amazing!”

For more information about surgical options available at Memorial Healthcare, visit www.MemorialHealthcare.org.

hen their 11-year-old son Gryphyn complained of stomach pains, vickie and Ron Purdy, of Owosso,

scheduled an appointment for him to see his primary care provider, Dr. David Huff in Ovid. After an examination and tests, Gryphyn was referred to surgeon Joseph E. Testa of Memorial Surgical Associates for a consultation. “My son was suffering so I knew we had to do something,” said vickie, who is a special needs parapro at Emerson Elementary in Owosso and middle school cheerleading coach.

“At our appointment with Dr. Testa, he reviewed and explained Gryphon’s scans and stated that it could be his appendix. Dr. Testa recommended surgery to further explore what was causing his pain. This was on a Monday and surgery was scheduled for that Friday, November 30 – his 12th birthday. I made a comment to Gryphyn that he was going to have quite a memory of his 12th birthday,” vickie says with a smile.

Gryphyn prepared. Mom and Dad prepared. Surgery is a big deal. “On the day of his surgery the nurses teased him about it being his birthday. Gryphyn just smiled. When Dr. Testa arrived he had a beautifully wrapped birthday present for Gryphyn! I couldn’t believe it! It was so thoughtful. Dr. Testa said, ‘Well, I couldn’t show up on your birthday without a present!’ There were probably 20 people watching him open his present – which was a drone he could control with his phone. The whole experience really made Gryphyn and his father and I feel more at ease with such a scary event. I knew that Gryphyn was in good hands with someone so thoughtful, compassionate, and kind.”

After surgery, Dr. Testa met with Gryphon’s parents. “Dr. Testa had taken pictures in the operating room and took the time to explain what he had found, which was an enlarged appendix. I was still in awe that Dr. Testa gave Gryphyn a birthday present. I thanked him again and asked why he had done that. His response? ‘I’d want someone to do that for my son.’ I was so touched, and relieved with a successful surgery, that I shared our amazing experience on Facebook. I even posted a picture of Gryphyn and Dr. Testa with his present.”

COMPASSION THROUGH A MOTHER’S EYES

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“I knew that Gryphyn was in good hands with someone so thoughtful, compassionate, and kind.”

— Vickie Purdy

DR. JOSEPH E. TESTA, GENERAL SURGEONMEMORIAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES818 W. King Street, Suite 201Owosso, MI 48867(989) 723-3168

OwossoMemorial Healthcare

Emergency Department826 W. King

State Road - OwossoMemorial Urgent Care239 N. State Rd.

Stat

e Rd

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Perry Memorial Urgent Care3337 W. Britton Rd.

Durand MemorialUrgent Care9099 E. Lansing Rd.

Morrice Byron

Gaines

Laingsburg

New Lothrop

Corunna

Oakley

Flint

Lansing

Shaftsburg

Okemos

Elsie

Ovid

Henderson

LennonSwartzCreek

HaslettWilliamston

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Suzanne Hall is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse who specializes in palliative care medicine. Suzanne holds a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program from Saginaw valley State university and received a postgraduate certificate from the university of Colorado at Denver in Palliative Care.

Suzanne is an integral member of Memorial Healthcare’s robust“Perspectives” Palliative Care program. The program offers aninterdisciplinary approach to specialized medical and nursingcare for people with life-limiting illnesses. Perspectives focuseson providing relief from symptoms which offers enhancedquality of life and can be provided along with curative treatment.

Memorial Healthcare is currently accepting provider referrals tothe Perspectives program.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:(989) 721-5213

ACCUVAX® OFFERS PEACE OF MIND Memorial Healthcare is the first hospital in the State of Michigan to implement the innovative Accuvax® Management System in 13 of its ambulatory care practices. This state-of-the-art vaccine management system ensures patients only receive vaccines at their optimal potency and maximum integrity and automates vaccine monitoring and handling

By replacing conventional vaccine refrigerators and freezers with Accuvax, Memorial is ensuring vaccines are being stored at an ideal temperature. Integrity is maintained for effective immunizations because of its unique door-less design and built in battery backup for unplanned power outages. In addition, the on-going amount of effort to protect and manage vaccines can be time consuming. With the systems inventory management tools Memorial’s practice processes are streamlined which gives our providers and staff the peach of mind that we are putting our patients first.

MEET OUR NEW PROVIDERSPlease join us in welcoming the following new providers to our Medical Staff:

MID-MICHIGAN ORTHOPEDICS 113 E. Williams Street, Owosso(989) 725-6101

SUZANNE HALL, MSN, FNP-BC, CWOCN PALLIATIVE CARE SPECIALIST

Tammy Woods, MD, recently joined Mid Michigan Orthopedics as a fellowship trained orthopedic hand surgeon. Dr. Woods received her medical degree from Michigan State university College of Human Medicine and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at Henry Ford Health System. She completed an additional year of special training in surgery of the hand at uPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Woods has expertise in carpal tunnel, fracture repairs of the hand and wrist, trigger finger, tendon repair, soft tissue masses, arthritis and more.

Dr. Woods is currently accepting new patients with most insurances and is excited to provide quality care to the residents of Owosso and surrounding communities.

TAMMY WOODS, MD ORTHOPEDIC HAND SURGEON

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Photography: Michael D-L Jordan/David-Lorne Photographic

OwossoMemorial Healthcare

Emergency Department826 W. King

State Road - OwossoMemorial Urgent Care239 N. State Rd.

Stat

e Rd

.

Perry Memorial Urgent Care3337 W. Britton Rd.

Durand MemorialUrgent Care9099 E. Lansing Rd.

Morrice Byron

Gaines

Laingsburg

New Lothrop

Corunna

Oakley

Flint

Lansing

Shaftsburg

Okemos

Elsie

Ovid

Henderson

LennonSwartzCreek

HaslettWilliamston

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88Average wait time – door to room

MINUTES 1717Average wait time – door to doctor

MINUTESNumber of patients seen in 2018:

28,266 28,266

EVERY SECOND COUNTS IN AN EMERGENCYMemorial Healthcare understands that every second counts in an emergency. With low wait times, our patients are often seen quicker than a patient who travels to a metropolitan emergency department.

URGENT CARE LOCATIONS

MEMORIAL URGENT CARE – STATE ROAD 239 N. State Road, Owosso

Monday - Friday, 6 pm - 9 pmSaturday - Sunday, 10 am - 2 pm

MEMORIAL URGENT CARE – PERRY 3337 W. Britton Road, Perry

Monday – Friday, 6 pm - 9 pmSaturday – Sunday, 10 am - 2 pm

MEMORIAL URGENT CARE – DURAND 9099 E. Lansing Rd., Suite BDurand

Open 7 Days a Week 10 am - 8 pm

“The two employees who performed my MRI were absolutely wonderful and professional. My first visit ever with the hospital this past month, driving from the west side of Lansing, I was extremely pleased with the facility, staff, service, and ease of use. I will highly recommend your institution to my friends and plan on using Memorial Healthcare in Owosso whenever I am able to.”

— Satisfied Patient

MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE: IT’S WORTH THE DRIVE

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COMMUNITYEvents

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Social LinksBecome our friend on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and watch our videos on YouTube!

Lab Receives CAP Accreditation

Memorial Healthcare is pleased to announce their recent accreditation from the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for their laboratory. During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

Joint Commission Accreditation

Memorial Healthcare was recently re-accredited by the Joint Commission for a three year period. This accreditation assures Memorial complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and is committed to continually improving patient care.

Heart Health Class - FREEWednesday, February 13 (held the 2nd Wednesday of each month)11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Memorial Healthcare Community Wellness, Nutrition and Diabetes Center317 S. Elm Street, Owosso

Contact (989) 729-4700 to register

Grocery Store Tour - FREETuesday, February 193:00 pm – 4:30 pm

vG’s Grocery1341 N. M-52, Owosso

Contact (989) 729-4700 to register

“Shake the Salt” Low Sodium Cooking Class - FREEMonday, February 261:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Memorial Healthcare Community Wellness, Nutrition and Diabetes Center317 S. Elm Street, Owosso

Contact (989) 729-4700 to register

Visit our website at MemorialHealthcare.org for an up-to-date listing of programs and class offerings!