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spring 2007 $2.95
HEALTHY LIVING FOR THE GWINNETT COMMUNITY
PICTUREPERFECTA LOOK INTO THE GRAND OPENING OF GMC – DULUTHPAGE 4
CHRONIC PAINWHAT YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD DO IF YOU SUFFER PAGE 54
GMC HELPS LOCAL TEEN DANCE AGAINPAGE 52
HOW MEREDITH VIEIRA STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN CAREGIVING AND CARING FOR HERSELF
TodayLive for
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vim & vigor1spring 2007
Does Cancer Run in Your Family?A cancer diagnosis in the family can have a ripple effect, from worry about your loved one’s future to concerns about your own health down the road. For patients worried that they’re at higher risk of developing cancer because of heredity, Gwinnett Medical Center offers risk assessment counseling and genetic testing.
Cindy Snyder, R.N., MSN, FNP-C, Gwinnett Medical Center’s cancer risk counselor, says there are red flags that warn family members that they should seek genetic counseling for cancer risk.
“Anytime there is breast or colon cancer before age 50 in your family, it’s a good idea to have your risk factors examined by a cancer specialist,” Snyder says. Other warning signs include ovarian cancer at any age, male breast cancer, multiple primary cancers, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, and a family history of a known cancer gene mutation, she adds.
If you’re interested in a cancer risk assessment, ask your primary care physician about
a referral for counseling and possible genetic testing
using a simple blood test.More information
on cancer risk assess-ments is available
by calling Snyder at (678) 442-3235.
Making
Gradethe
A cancer diagnosis brings patients face to face
with fear—and the need for the best medical
treatment available.
But here’s some reassuring news:
Gwinnett Medical Center’s cancer pro-
gram has landed top scores from the Commission on
Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. The
CoC granted the cancer program a three-year Approval
with Commendation last fall. In fact, Gwinnett’s cancer
program received eight out of nine possible com-
mendations as part of the CoC’s rigorous evaluation
and performance review, making it eligible for the
Outstanding Achievement Award. Recipients of the
award will be announced this spring.
For patients, the CoC’s stamp of approval means
top-quality cancer care from a nationally recognized
program is available on their home turf. Areas included
in this scope are cancer committee leadership, cancer
data management, clinical services, research, commu-
nity outreach and quality improvement.
Raising the BarThe CoC is dedicated to improving survival rates and
quality of life for cancer patients by standard-setting,
prevention, research, education and the monitoring
of comprehensive, quality care. The approv-
als program sets quality-of-care standards
for cancer programs and reviews them to
ensure they conform to these standards.
Approval is granted only to facilities
that voluntarily commit to provide the
highest level of quality cancer care and
undergo this rigorous evaluation and
performance review. To maintain
approval, facilities with CoC-approved
programs must undergo an on-site
review every three years.
For more information about the CoC,
visit www.facs.org/cancer/index.html. ■
GMC’s cancer programlands top scores in
a rigorous national performance review
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vim & vigor 2 spring 2007
p h i l ’ s f e at u r e
Ending one era to start anew
If you were driving in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill and
Howell Ferry roads on the morning of Oct. 18, 2006,
you may have seen a curious and wondrous sight: a
steady wave of ambulances plying through traffic
toward our brand new hospital, Gwinnett Medical
Center – Duluth.
The only thing comparable to this rare event was
when Button Gwinnett Hospital closed and Gwinnett
Medical Center opened in Lawrenceville—just over 22
years ago.
That October day last year marked the end of an
era and the beginning of a new one—the closing of
Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital and the official opening of GMC – Duluth.
This bittersweet time was filled with nostalgia and flooded with memories
of the community action that made Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital a real-
ity more than 60 years ago, and the years of loving care Glancy’s staff gave
in return.
“We’ve been here a long time,” says Cathie Dowd, who’d been a nurse
at Joan Glancy since 1975. “It’s like leaving the home you were born in.” But
those memories would have to be put on pause—we had patients to move.
Months of planning became a flurry of action packed into one day. It all
started at 6:30 a.m., when the chaplain and a crowd said prayers as part of
the opening of Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. Thirty-nine patients were
at Joan Glancy at 7 a.m. that morning, and by 2 p.m. they all were resting
comfortably in the first all-digital hospital in north Atlanta.
From the smiles on the faces of patients, visitors and staff, I’d say it was
all worth it. The legacy of Joan Glancy is alive and well at Gwinnett Medical
Center – Duluth, and the years of serving our community with top-notch
care just got a major technology upgrade.
It’s not every day that you open a new hospital. And as exciting and satis-
fying as it was, most of us are quite content to return to a more normal hum
of activity at our beautiful new hospital.
Now we turn our attention to the new patient
tower at GMC in Lawrenceville …
Sincerely,
Philip R. Wolfe
President and CEO
Gwinnett Health System
GWINNETT MEDICAL CENTERPresident and Chief Executive OfficerPhilip R. WolfeGwinnett Health System Board of DirectorsWayne Sikes, Chairman; Steven Boyd; Jayaprakash Desai, M.D.; Joseph C. Finley, M.D.; Willard Hearin, M.D.; Carolyn Hill; Tommy Hughes; Eric Kreimer; Chung H. Lee, J.D.; Miles H. Mason III, M.D.; David McClesky; Edward Radford; Marc Unterman, M.D.; Kathryn Parsons Willis; Philip R. WolfeMedical Staff OfficersPresident, Miles H. Mason III, M.D.Vice President, Scott Schorr, M.D.Secretary, Richard Delgado, M.D.Anesthesia, Chris Hosfeld, M.D.Emergency Medicine, Kent Cohen, M.D.Medicine, Paul Weinberg, M.D.OB/GYN, Joseph Pohl, M.D.Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Asif Taufiq, DDSOrthopedic Surgery, Gary Levengood, M.D.Pathology, Robert Siegel, M.D.Pediatrics, Neill Videlefsky, M.D.Psychiatry, Steven Lee, M.D.Radiology, Jon Siegel, M.D.Surgery, James Majors, M.D.Vim & Vigor Regional EditorPaula MartinEditorial BoardKyle Brogdon, Kathy Cochran, Ginger PowellEditorial AdviserJohn RiddleClinical Contributing EditorsRichard Reisman, M.D.; Cindy Snyder, R.N., MSN, FNP-C
PRODUCTIONEditor in Chief, Stephanie ConnerSenior Editors, Jeff Ficker, Matt Morgan, Kari RedfieldEditors, Andrea Decker, Shelley FlanneryManaging Executive Editors, Steven Beschloss,
Leigh FlaytonCopy Editor, Cindy HutchinsonV.P./Creative Services, Beth TomkiwSenior Art Director, Susan M. KnightArt Directors, Lisa Altomare, Laura Butler, Kay MorrowGraphic Designer, Tami Rodgers Production Manager, Laura MarloweImaging Specialist, Dane NordinePrep Specialist, Julie Fong Circulation Director, Joseph AbeytaV.P./Sales and Product Development, Chad Rose,
888-626-8779V.P./Strategic Marketing, Heather BurgettStrategic Marketing Team, Brady Andreas, Robyn LaMont,
Barbara Mohr
ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Sales RepresentativesNew York, Phil Titolo, Publisher, (212) 626-6835Phoenix, Soliteir Jaeger, Associate Publisher, 888-626-8779Chicago, Tom Meehan, (312) 726-7800Mail Order, Bernbach Advertising Reps, (914) 769-0051
ADMINISTRATION Vim & Vigor Founder, J. Barry JohnsonChairman, Preston V. McMurry Jr.President/Chief Executive Officer, Christopher McMurryPresident/Custom Media, Fred Petrovsky
Vim & Vigor,™ Spring 2007, Volume 23, Number 1. Georgia Region 2is published quarterly by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014, (602) 395-5850. Vim & Vigor™ is published for the purpose of disseminating health-related information for the well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & Vigor™ is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Vim & Vigor™ does not accept advertising promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright © 2007 by McMurry. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $4 for one year (4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For subscriptions and address changes, write: Circulation Manager, Vim & Vigor,™ McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014.
Gwinnett Medical Center(678) 442-4321
1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30045gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
If you prefer not to receive Vim & Vigor™ from Gwinnett Medical Center, please call 888-626-8779.
InsideSee the move in pictures on pages 4-7.
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1Making the Grade GMC’s cancer
program has landed a three-year
stamp of approval from the Commission
on Cancer. Find out what the commendation
means for you.
4Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth One hospital closes its doors and another
begins its service to the community: Check
out a pictorial timeline that captures the
celebration, emotion and hard work that
made the grand opening a success.
8The Way to a Patient’s Heart Meet
Gwinnett Medical Center’s queen of
customer satisfaction, and discover how she
developed her plan to benefit you.
18Head to Toe Exploratory
surgery used to be standard when
doctors wanted to peek inside you to make
a diagnosis. But today, imaging technology
lets doctors see everything from head to toe
without even touching a scalpel.
22Catch It Early Because of improved
cancer screening technology, colorec-
tal cancer is more preventable than ever. Find
out how doctors can catch the disease before
it even begins.
34For Women Only Some women
may find certain health conditions
unmentionable—even with their doctors.
Read about three conditions that women
should never hush up about.
38Get ’Em While They’re Young Heart disease is the
leading cause of death in the U.S.
and often starts with obesity and
diabetes in childhood. Here are
five real-world ways to make your
home a heart-healthy one for you
and your kids.
46It’s Good to Give When you
donate to Gwinnett Medical Center,
you’ll be giving the gift of better health to
others. Learn more about the emotional and
financial benefits that come from making
a contribution.
50People Who Make a Difference The Foundation’s
Keystone Leadership welcomes three new
members for their significant gifts to the
Legacy Campaign for Gwinnett Medical
Center – Duluth. Read their stories.
52Back on Her Toes Again After a
well-known dancer broke her neck
in a serious auto accident, she feared she may
never perform again. Thanks to GMC, her
future stayed bright.
54Pain, Pain, Go Away Chronic
pain strikes millions of Americans.
Are you one of them? Seek help from the
experts at the GHS Pain Management Center.
56New LandscapeTake a look at the
enhancements to GMC’s
campus in the past six
months, and see how the
hospital can serve all of your
healthcare needs.
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY GWENDOLEN CATES
contents S P R I N G 2 0 0 7
In This Issue2 Phil’s Feature9 Seniority10 Appetite for Health 12 A Healthy Dose
Cover FeatureSticking with It. Meredith Vieira delivers more than just the morning news. As a successful journalist, mother of three and caregiver for her husband, she is an inspiration to all. Page 26.
FeaturesFeatures
vim & vigor3spring 2007
page 54
page 4
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Gwinnett Medical GGwwininnneettt t MMeeddiiccaall Center – Duluth
vim & vigor 4 spring 2007
In pictures: The making of a new hospital
In a whirlwind lasting two weeks in October 2006, Joan
Glancy Memorial Hospital closed its doors and Gwinnett
Medical Center – Duluth opened. In these pages you’ll see
some of the celebration, some of the emotion and a lot of
the hard work that made it happen.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006The grand opening celebration kicks off in
black-tie style, as community leaders and donors
gather to celebrate and tour GMC – Duluth.
Clarence Whitfield, CEC, CFE, GMC, corporate chef, shows off an ice sculpture and a sample of dishes available through GMC – Duluth’s room service for patients.
Richard and Peggy Tucker, Legacy Campaign donors, arrive at the grand opening celebration. The Legacy Campaign has raised more than $2 million to support building and equipping the new hospital.
Gwinnett County Commission chair Charles Bannister toasts the new hospital: “To the reality of knowing the very best of healthcare is available right here in our own community, and the comfort of knowing our families and friends will benefit from it for years to come.”
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Center – DuluthGwinnett Medical CCeentnteerr –– DDululuthuth
vim & vigor5spring 2007
Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006Gwinnett County gets a sneak peek at
Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth
during the Community Open House.
Jim and Billie Ellis of Duluth, for whom the chapel and serenity garden are named, have a seat while Jim has his picture drawn. Caricature artists were on hand to portray children and adults alike as doctors or nurses at the new hospital.
The crowd gathers to see the opening festivities and get a tour of their new hospital.
From left, Wayne Sikes, chair, GHS board; Phil Wolfe, GHS president and CEO; Kathryn Willis, GHS board member; Lea Bay, GMC – Duluth administrator; and Scott Schorr, M.D., vice president of medical staff; cut the ribbon.
The ribbon is cut, the balloons are released, and Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth is a reality!
continued on page 6
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vim & vigor 6 spring 2007
PHOTO: R.J. GRIFFINWednesday, Oct. 18, 2006
6:45 a.m. General surgeon Miles H. Mason III, M.D., president of the Gwinnett Hospital System medical staff, sits with Doris Owens of Bethlehem, Ga., before going to scrub for the first elective surgical procedure performed at GMC – Duluth.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006
Monday, Oct. 16, 2006Getting ready …
GMC – Duluth’s new, fully integrated operating rooms are ready to go.
The grand opening events are over, patients are coming, and GMC – Duluth’s Howard Atrium Lobby is empty for probably the very last time.
Moving Day is here.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY R.J. GRIFFIN
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vim & vigor7spring 2007
6:30 a.m. After a prayer of dedication, Lynne Mouchet, chaplain (from left), joins Lea Bay, GMC – Duluth administrator, and Miles H. Mason III, M.D., president of the GHS medical staff, to officially walk through the doors and open for business.
7 a.m. The EMERGENCY letters are added to the new sign at GMC – Duluth as the ER opens …
… and the ER closes at Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital as the letters are taken from the old hospital.
8:30 a.m. While the lobby at Joan Glancy has emptied (left), Lea Bay leads a warp-speed meeting at the GMC – Duluth Command Center to get the patient move started.
10 a.m. There were 39 patients waiting to be transferred that morning, and Rojeanne Gray was ready to move. Here, she chats with chaplain Bob Duvall while patiently waiting for her escort from Priority EMS.
11 a.m. At the same time patients were moving, the opposite end of Joan Glancy was being used as a loading dock. Equipment was transferred for weeks after the patient move, filling up many trucks just like this one.
11:10 a.m. Melissa Whitt, patient access manager (right), sits with Dixon Marlow, president and CEO of Priority EMS, who beams a map on the wall to track the progress of his four ambulances en route to and from GMC – Duluth. The company utilized GPS technology to keep tabs on the position of every patient at all times.
11:15 a.m. Rojeanne Gray has her ride. She is escorted out of Joan Glancy …
11: 18 a.m. … takes a ride on the Priority EMS ambulance …
11: 22 a.m. … arrives at Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth …11: 30 a.m. … and is attended to by her new nurse on the fourth floor. All patients were in their rooms shortly after 1 p.m.
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vim & vigor 8 spring 2007
to make customer satisfaction and
quality improvement a way of life.
“I got great feedback from every-
one,” Allen says. “My knowledge and
experience with both public and
private healthcare environments
have been beneficial in focusing on
where to put our initial efforts. My
first targets were theme areas that
are general across all our facilities.”
Allen says she likes providing
staff members with clear goals and
incentives, and she tries to main-
tain a physical presence. “I don’t
want to be in the office,” she says.
“I want to be out and about, where
people can see me and come to me
with questions.”
She reaps a great sense of per-
sonal satisfaction from her new
position. “I used to talk about qual-
ity and customer service,” she says.
“Now I can take what I know and
make a difference!” ■
QC L I N I C A L Q U A L I T Y S E R I E S
Alfreda Allen, Gwinnett Medical Center director of customer satisfaction
The Alfreda File◆ born in Gulfport, Miss., but grew up in
Tallahassee, Fla.◆ married to a graphic artist specializing in
animation and compositing◆ has a 3-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter◆ is an avid reader and owns 70 Stephen King
books◆ takes children to cultural events◆ has a Master of Health Services Administration
degree◆ favorite quote: “It’s the soft stuff that gets the
hard results.” —Quint Studer
“I want our staff members to think, If the patient
were my mom, how would I want her treated?”
HEARTThe Way to
a Patient’sMeet the mastermind behind
GMC’s customer satisfaction
Alfreda Allen is a modern-day
explorer. This corporate trail-
blazer trudges through unfa-
miliar territory until she finds her
unmarked destination, where she
can make things better. It’s her forte.
Corporate trailblazing might
daunt some, but not Allen. For five
months, she has served as Gwinnett
Medical Center’s director of cus-
tomer satisfaction, a new position
designed to help staff members
sharpen their focus on customer
service. She knows from experience
that happy, satisfied staff members
are linked to happy, satisfied patients
and customers.
BackgroundAllen came to GMC from South
Bend, Ind., where she was a regional
service manager for Press Ganey,
a highly respected vendor of satis-
faction measurement and improve-
ment services. While there, she
managed a nine-member team of
consultants for five states, including
Georgia. She also mastered skills
that prepared her for her current
work to improve the experiences of
GMC patients.
“I’m really enjoying the hands-on
side of quality improvement,” she
says. “In my previous job, I dealt
with the theoretical side. Now I can
be a true resource for improvement
and put action behind theory.”
Allen got a hefty dose of health-
care experience early in her career at
Memorial Health University Medical
Center and Georgia Gastroenterology
Group, both in Savannah. She
earned her Master of Health
Services Administration degree
at Armstrong Atlantic State
University in Savannah.
“Alfreda is proficient in
attaining patient and cus-
tomer excellence,” says John
Zedick, GMC’s vice president
of quality resources.
Plans in PlaceHere’s a secret to her success:
Allen studied the GMC land-
scape before she developed
priorities and a plan. Her first
wise step was to turn to her
co-workers for input on how
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Principal Underwriter ...$20,000Underwriter ................ $15,000Benefactor ................. $10,000
Platinum Patron ............ $5,000Gold Patron ................ $2,500Silver Patron ................. $1,000
Individual Reservations
Patron Levels
For ticket and sponsorship information or to donate an item to the silent auction, please contact the Foundation offi ce at (678) 442-4634.
Tickets ..................... $200 each
Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett PlaceBLACK TIE
Havana Nights
THE 15th ANNUAL BALL & SILENT AUCTION
Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation cordially invites you to
Saturday,
May 5, 20076 p.m.
FdVVSP0780_49_BallAd.indd 49FdVVSP0780_49_BallAd.indd 49 12/26/06 12:53:52 PM12/26/06 12:53:52 PM
Kathryn’s strong ties with the
hospital system were formed
when she was a young girl
growing up in Duluth. At
that time Gwinnett’s first hospital,
Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital, was
funded and built by local residents.
Her parents, Calvin and Kate Parsons,
were key players in the creation of this
hospital for the citizens of Duluth,
and continued to be strong advocates
for healthcare throughout their lives.
In fact, Kathryn’s mother served as
Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital’s first
board chair.
Kathryn continues her family’s
wonderful legacy by giving her time
and resources to ensure that Gwinnett Medical Center
remains a top-quality healthcare facility. She has served
on the hospital system board since 1990 and has served
Cumulative gifts to the GMC Foundation of $10,000 or more are permanently recognized on the donor recognition displays at Gwinnett Medical Center and Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.
Kathryn Parsons Willis
PEOPLE
vim & vigor 50 spring 2007
Duluth residents Kathryn Parsons Willis and Jim and Jeanine Gullett
are the newest members of the Foundation’s Keystone Leadership.
The Keystone Leadership recognizes donors whose cumulative
gifts to Gwinnett Medical Center equal $100,000 or more. These
individuals recently made significant gifts to the Legacy Campaign for
Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.
and about mingling with others,
we could bring the flu home and
infect our loved ones, and because
they depend on us for care, keep-
ing us flu-free is considered really
important as well.”
5. See your doctor regularly.
To keep an eye on your own health,
make sure to get an annual physical.
“The last place you want to spend
time is another doctor’s office,” Mintz
admits, “but taking the time for a
checkup once a year could save you
countless hours in doctors’ offices
later. Small problems that go unde-
tected and untreated can turn into
big problems that threaten your life.”
6. Inject humor. A good dose
of laughter can help, too, according
to Vieira. She told WebMD, “Humor
has also gotten us through some
tough times.”
“Humor and levity are defi-
nitely important,” Mintz agrees.
“So much of the caregiving exper-
ience is affected by your attitude.
You need to step back and see the
humor even in difficult situations.
It’s good, if possible, to laugh with
your care recipient.” ■
Sticking With It continued from page 33
Who Make a
on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 1993. As
one of the organizers of the Foundation’s Annual Ball &
Auction that began in 1992, she has helped raise several
million dollars to enhance healthcare throughout the
Gwinnett community. Because of her extraordinary
service, she was recognized with the Foundation’s first
Distinguished Service Award in 2000.
Most recently, Kathryn made a significant dona -
tion to Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. She named
the Physician & Staff Education Center and a guest
retreat in memory of her parents, who inspired her
philanthropic spirit.
“The staff and physicians exemplify a loyalty to
the system and a love of their patients that you don’t
find in most hospitals today,” Kathryn says. “I really
believe that the spirit and love that permeated Joan
Glancy for 65 years will carry through to Gwinnett
Medical Center – Duluth. I have always dreamed of a
new hospital in Duluth, but never dreamed it would be
the state-of the-art facility that it has turned out to be.”
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Golfers Tee It Up for the 9th Annual Dr. Miles H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf TournamentPresenting Sponsor: Stanford Private Wealth Management
On Nov. 21, 2006, more than 250 golfers participated in the 9th annual Dr. Miles
H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, raising more than $75,000 to purchase
equipment for Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth.
The 2006 tournament was dedicated to Elizabeth Deal Mason, who passed
away Sept. 17, 2006. She was the spouse of the tournament’s namesake, Dr. Miles
H. Mason Jr. Her love, support and encouragement directly contributed to the
success of her husband’s extensive medical practice.
Thanks to all sponsors and volunteers who helped make the tournament
such a success.
Jim Ellis and Mike Hayes take time out of their busy schedules each year to participate in the Dr. Miles H. Mason Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament.
vim & vigor51spring 2007
Jim and Jeanine Gullett
DIFFERENCE Keystone Leadership’s newest members leave a legacy
the newest members of
the Foundation’s Keystone
Leadership.
“Providing quality services
requires quality facilities and
the latest equipment,” Jeanine
says. “We are pleased to play a
part in doing this. By honoring
our children with our gift, we
hope to encourage them, as well
as others, to be active person-
ally, emotionally and financially
in providing the best possible
healthcare for our community.
Quality healthcare provides the inspiration for the
creation of a desirable environment for community
development. Its accessibility is critical to the future of
our children and the citizens of Gwinnett.” ■
Jim and Jeanine Gullett have a long history of being
active in business, community, and recreational
projects and affairs. From running the family’s
full-service car wash to winning seven world
championship titles in horse shows, they have shared
a life full of success.
The Gulletts have been supportive of Gwinnett
Medical Center for many years. Jeanine served on the
hospital board from 1981 to 1990, serving as chair her
final term. She went on to serve as the first president of the
Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
The Gulletts recently donated more than $80,000
to the new Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. They
named the fourth-floor family lounge in memory of
their late son, Michael Gullett, and the fourth-floor
guest retreat in honor of their other two children,
Patricia Gullett Tisma and Ronnie Gullett. With
this recent gift, their cumulative giving makes them
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BALLET PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD CALMES
The staff and physicians at GMC knew they had done their job well when they received an autographed photo of Jones (above), with the message, “Thanks for getting me back on my toes.”
This photograph of Whitney Sue Jones was taken in July 2006, just seven months after an accident left her with several broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken bones in her foot, six fractures in her hip and a broken neck.
toesbackon her
againvim & vigor 52 spring 2007
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vim & vigor53spring 2007
On Dec. 18, 2005,
Whitney Sue Jones’
life took a drastic
turn. When the well-
known dancer for
the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre was
on the way home from school, the
car she and a friend were riding in
hydroplaned, and the passenger side,
where Jones was seated, was struck
by oncoming traffic. The vehicle was
so severely damaged that Jones had
to be cut out of the car before she was
rushed to Gwinnett Medical Center’s
Trauma Center.
“I woke up from a state of shock,
in a room full of family and friends,
but they had some difficult news for
me,” Jones recalls.
The impact of the crash was so
great that it crushed the left side of
her body against the center console.
The result was several broken ribs,
a punctured lung, broken bones in
her foot, six fractures in her hip and—
the most serious of all—a broken
bone in the vertebra called C2. While
relieved to have survived, Jones was
scared that she would never dance
again. Before the accident, several
Atlanta-area and national ballet
companies were anticipating her
upcoming auditions.
Treatment BeginsThe broken C2 bone in her neck pre-
sented a difficult decision between
surgery and a halo, a metal frame
that screws into the head to provide
support for the core of the neck and
body to encourage bones to fuse
back together.
With a recommendation from
neurosurgeon Charles Wood, M.D.,
and feedback from her family, Jones
opted for the halo and hoped for the
best. The statistics were on her side:
Ninety percent of vertebrae
patients Jones’ age have had
success with the halo. That’s
why her family, friends and
treatment team were optimistic
about her chances.
During her two-week stay
in the hospital she underwent
several surgeries performed by
trauma surgeon Barry Renz,
M.D., and orthopedic surgeon
Darrell Scales, M.D. All the
while, her dance instructor at
the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre,
Lisa Shepherd, was with her
every step of the way through
treatment and recovery.
“The level of care was
amazing—doctors jumped
through hoops, even coming in
on their days off to check on her,”
Shepherd says.
The following months with the
halo were challenging, but “Whitney
Sue never let her situation dampen
her spirit,” Shepherd says. “Her
positive nature kept her motivated,
and she focused on looking forward
to the day she could dance again.”
Overcoming ChallengesFour months after the accident,
Jones returned to Gwinnett Medical
Center and received some unfortu-
nate news. Her bones had not fused
back together with the halo, so on
March 28 she underwent success-
ful neck surgery. Jones was placed
in a neck brace, and in a few weeks
she returned to the studio to begin
with the basics of dance. Since then,
her progress has been nothing short
of amazing.
“The accident produced a level of
maturity in her dance that was not
present before,” Shepherd says. Less
than two months after her surgery,
Jones danced in a recital, an emo-
tional performance that brought
many audience members to tears.
Today, Whitney Sue Jones is a
busy college student who takes
classes at her studio and teaches
young ballet dancers. But her
dream of dancing professionally is
still within reach, and she intends
to audition for companies in spring
2008. She’ll also be featured in the
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s spring
performance of Daphne and Chloe,
in the role of Chloe, from March 9
to 11 at the Gwinnett Performing
Arts Center.
“I want to use this year for
recovery, for transition and for an
opportunity to come back a stronger
dancer than I ever was before,” Jones
says. “I am grateful to my treatment
team at Gwinnett Medical Center
for the level of care I received over
the past year.” ■
A nearly tragic accident and a ballet dancer’s dramatic return to the spotlight
Whitney Sue Jones had a special visit from Misty, a dog involved with the pet therapy program, during her two-week stay at Gwinnett Medical Center. With Jones’ permission, Misty delivered a good luck kiss before she headed home on the road to recovery.
FdVVSP0780_52-3_whitney.indd 53FdVVSP0780_52-3_whitney.indd 53 12/26/06 12:58:19 PM12/26/06 12:58:19 PM
vim & vigor 54 spring 2007
With millions of nerve
endings in the human
body, it’s no surprise
that we feel pain in
millions of ways. Acute pain often
comes from injuries that heal and
are forgotten. But other pains are
not so forgiving.
Chronic pain ranges from back
pain, headaches, arthritis, pain
from nerve injury, cancer pain,
fibromyalgia and ear infections to
psychogenic pain—pain that is not
due to past injury or any visible
sign of damage inside or outside
the nervous system.
If you have chronic pain, you
have plenty of company. Between
15 percent and 33 percent of the
U.S. population—about 70 million
people—suffer from persistent pain.
Chronic pain costs about $100 billion
a year in medical costs, lost work-
days and workers’ compensation. It
also disables more people than heart
disease or cancer.
At the SourceThe first step in treating chronic
pain is finding its cause. This often
is difficult.
“We can help many chronic
pain patients if they understand
the causes of pain and the things
we can do to untangle what the
pain has done,” says Richard
Reisman, M.D., medical director
of the Gwinnett Hospital System
Pain Management Center. “Any
treatment a pain management
physician proposes could result in
improvement and complication.
Treatments may be adjusted over
time as we monitor how patients
respond to different approaches.
Patients should expect to invest
time in their treatment processes.”
If pain is your constant compan-
ion, the Pain Management Center
can help you manage it. You need
help learning how to keep pain at
tolerable levels, even if you may
always have some pain. Physicians
who specialize in pain manage-
ment can be your best resource and
support. Your physician should:◆ understand your overall
condition◆ communicate effectively◆ be knowledgeable about
chronic pain◆ put you at ease◆ be a good listener and
encourage your questions◆ be open with you when
you disagree◆ have a positive approach to
life and to your condition◆ be available to talk to your
family ■
A Range of TreatmentsA hospital-based pain management pro-
gram is an excellent option for compre-
hensive treatment provided by clinicians
and physicians who specialize in pain
management. Programs should offer a
range of treatments, including:
◆ steroid injections
◆ nerve blocks
◆ radio-frequency procedures
◆ assessment of surgical options
◆ biofeedback training
◆ group therapy
◆ counseling for patients and their
families
◆ occupational therapy
◆ regional anesthesia
◆ physical therapy
◆ relaxation training and stress
management
◆ education on pain management
techniques and medications
Where to find help when suffering is a constant companion
Go AwayPain, Pain,
FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 54FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 54 12/26/06 12:37:29 PM12/26/06 12:37:29 PM
A Staff of ExpertsPain experts at the GHS Pain Management Center include:
Steven R. Lee, M.D.
Richard Reisman, M.D., medical director
Stephanie Smith, M.D.
Jorge Alvear, M.D.
Guru Setty, M.D.
Christopher Hosfeld, M.D.
vim & vigor55spring 2007
No Pain, Your Gain
The Pain Management Center is located at 575 Professional Drive in
Lawrenceville. For more information, call (678) 442-5200.
FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 55FdVVSP0780_54-5_pain.indd 55 12/26/06 12:39:52 PM12/26/06 12:39:52 PM
New
Land
scap
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vim & vigor 56 spring 2007
Your
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gwinnettmedicalcenter.org©2006 Gwinnett Hospital System gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
The one that practices at Gwinnett Medical Center.
Same coat. Same stethoscope. But they’re totally different.
So which doctor is best for you?
Located on Howell Ferry Roadbetween Pleasant Hill Road andPeachtree Industrial Boulevard
Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth. Now Open.When it comes to finding the doctor that’s right for you, look to Gwinnett Medical Center.
Our new Duluth location is the first hospital in north Atlanta to combine all-digital,
leading-edge technology with the doctors you already know and trust, in a wide range
of specialties. And it’s all delivered with exceptional care, in utmost comfort. The kind
you’d expect from hospitals that ranked among the top 5% in the nation for
clinical excellence in 2006. So when it comes to choosing the best doctors for
your family, choose the ones that practice here. Gwinnett Medical Center.
Gwinnett Medical Center1000 Medical Center Blvd.Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Non-Profit Org.US Postage
PAIDMcMurry
FdVVSP0780_C4.indd 56FdVVSP0780_C4.indd 56 12/26/06 12:42:01 PM12/26/06 12:42:01 PM