Fall 2012 1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116 • Phone: 901.516.3700 • www.methodisthealth.org

connectionHEALTH & WELLNESS

Dear Neighbors:

As the CEO for Methodist South and Methodist North, I have spent countless hours on I-240 dashing back and forth between the two hospitals for the last three years. While I love the challenge of being the on-site CEO at two locations and I’m proud of what we’ve

accomplished, Gary Shorb, CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and I have found an innovative approach to provide on-site leadership focus at each hospital by adding a seasoned healthcare executive to the MLH leadership team.

James L. “Jay” Robinson, III, PsyD, will join Methodist on Sept. 17, and will serve as the on-site full time CEO for Methodist South. I will continue to have oversight responsibility for both North and South hospitals.

Dr. Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a PsyD from the Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology, which is associated with The College of William and Mary, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University. He joined the Veterans Administration system in 1992 as a clinical psychologist and has moved through the VA leadership ranks in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia before taking on the CEO position at the Memphis VA Medical Center in 2009.

I believe that having Dr. Robinson at South with his 20 years of experience can only hasten our journey to become the preferred hospital for our community and physicians.

Sincerely,

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHECEO/Administrator

Be treated well

A Message to the Community from the Hospital CEO

You’re Invited to Methodist South’s Annual Fall Health FairSATURDAY, SEPT. 29

Methodist South is once again preparing for its annual health fair on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Begin the day at 8:30 a.m. by taking the two-mile health walk in the neighborhood around the hospital. Anyone who participates will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last. Then attend the health fair between 9 a.m. and noon. Visit with the more than 40 vendors, such as the Books From Birth and YMCA Abused Women’s Services. They will have pertinent health information for the entire community.

Games for the children will include a basketball toss and moon bounce games. Nutritious food will be served between 10 and 11:30 a.m. It is also a good time to have your blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol checked.

One of the local radio stations will be broadcasting live and will give away great prizes, so mark your calendar for Sept. 29 and come to the fair.

Methodist South and North Receive CMS Innovation Grant

Methodist South and North, in partnership with UT Health Science Center, received a grant to improve medication adherence and effective medication usage among high-risk patients. The $2,997,865 grant was awarded from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare’s Innovation Center and will provide funding to support Project SAFEMED over the next three years.

The project will serve vulnerable adults age 20 to 64 and seniors 65+ insured by Medicaid and/or Medicare who have

multiple chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and chronic lung disease. Through teams of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, pharmacy technicians and licensed practical outreach nurses, the program will work with primary care physicians and local pharmacies to provide comprehensive medication management. Their goal is to make sure each medication is appropriate, effective for the medical condition, safe to use with

other medications and able to be taken by the patient as intended.

“The team will work to ensure that patients have the awareness, knowledge, skills and resources to safely take medications that provide the best possible health outcomes,” says Michael Ugwueke, CEO.

Hiring and training for these new positions is ongoing and the project is set to begin January 2013.

Be treated well

Be Ready for a Fresh Start

For the second year, the Whitehaven Farmers Market is open for business every Monday from 1 to 6 p.m. It is located off Elvis Presley Blvd. and Wesley Drive across from Methodist South Hospital.

The community can shop for local fresh picked fruits and vegetables along with candy apples, preserves, herbal teas and much more.

“Many of the items are picked that morning so they contain a high content of vitamins and minerals,” says Linda Smith, market manager. “We have vendors that accept the vouchers that the senior citizens receive each summer and we have a farmer who accepts EBT cards now, too.”

When it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, the market is the perfect place to locate some fabulous food finds for everyone in the family. The market will close for the season on Oct. 29 but will reopen in April 2013. WHITEHAVEN

FARMERS MARKETMONDAYS, 1 TO 6 P.M.

THROUGH OCT. 29

Breastfeeding for the Long Term: Overcoming the Obstacles

www.methodisthealth.org

Babies were born to be breastfed. Mother’s milk offers the most complete form of nutrition for your baby, is easier to digest than formula, helps strengthen your baby’s immune system and may even reduce the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and asthma later in life.

The benefits extend to mom, too, by lowering her risk of breast and ovarian cancer and helping her lose pregnancy weight. It can also help families save time (no bottles to make in the middle of the night) and money, as well as protect the environment by reducing waste.

But today’s mothers, unlike our ancestors, have a choice – and many new mothers are opting not to breastfeed their babies. Only 73.8% of babies born in the U.S. are ever breastfed, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, and only 41.5% are breastfed through 6 months.

Bumps in the RoadRecognizing the roadblocks on the path to successful breastfeeding and learning a few tips to overcome them can help new mothers persevere.

Pain. Breastfeeding can be likened to an art for many women. Discomfort and soreness are common while mother and baby perfect the process. Poor latch-on and positioning may cause nipple pain, and engorgement can lead to uncomfortable fullness. Make sure your baby’s mouth is open wide with as much of the areola in his or her mouth as possible. Allow your baby to nurse frequently. Rubbing pure lanolin or breast milk on nipples can soothe pain.

Returning to work. For many new mothers, it’s easier than ever to continue breastfeeding after returning to work thanks to effective breast pumps. But it still requires commitment, organization and some special arrangements. Take as much time off as possible after your baby is born so that breastfeeding is well-established by the end of your leave. Introduce bottles of expressed breast milk early (when baby is 4 to 6 weeks old) and regularly. And talk to your employer about reserving a private place for you to pump throughout the day and how you will make up time spent pumping.

Low milk supply. If you suspect you are not producing enough milk for your baby, consider letting him or her nurse often and for as long as he or she desires. Offer both breasts at each feeding, switching when sucking and swallowing slow down. Avoid supplemental meals of formula or cereal, as this will further diminish your milk supply. You may also want to talk to a lactation consultant to help identify any problems.

Lack of support. Whether it’s an uneducated grandmother or a resistant employer, lack of support can doom any well-meaning mother. But there are many resources to give you the encouragement you need to succeed. Start by taking a breastfeeding class before your baby is born so you know what to expect. Later, a lactation consultant can be invaluable in helping you overcome obstacles, and a breastfeeding support group may provide encouragement.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSES WE PROVIDE FOR EXPECTANT AND

NEW MOTHERS, CALL DENISE NUGENT AT 901.516.3475.

This publication is for general information only and does not replace the advice of your doctor or other healthcare provider. If you have medical questions, please consult your medical professional. Websites not belonging to this organization are provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 BlueSpire Strategic Marketing | bluespiremarketing.com

In This Issue

You’re Invited to Methodist South’s Annual Fall Health Fair

Methodist South and North Receive CMS Innovation Grant

Breastfeeding for the Long Term: Overcoming the Obstacles

What Our Patients Are Saying about Methodist South

1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116

I would like to take a moment to praise your hospital staff. My son underwent bypass surgery at Methodist Hospital South. Every single employee that I came in contact with was professional, informative and genuinely caring. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes out to all for the care that my son received.

Please recognize and acknowledge the exceptional and outstanding performance of the emergency room, second and third floors.

I would recommend Methodist Hospital South to anyone seeking excellent care. Again, I would like to thank all medical personnel mentioned above for outstanding work.