Martin Memorial in 2008: Year in Review

As 2008 prepares to sink slowly into the sunset, now is a fine time to reflect on the things that have happened to us in the past year – for better or worse.

Recently I read an article on cnn.com that highlighted its top health stories of 2008, and it made me think back to what might be the top stories at Martin Memorial in the year gone by. Being the official Season of Lists of the Top Things That Happened in the Last Year, I came up with – ta da! – a list of some of our own health highlights from 2008.

1. Mark Robitaille named president and chief executive officer. In October, Martin Memorial welcomed a new president and CEO for the first time in 19 years. Robitaille served as the health system’s senior vice president and chief operating officer since 1991 and started his career here in 1976. He took over for Richmond Harman, who retired after 30-plus years at Martin Memorial.

2. Total Cancer Care comes to Martin Memorial. In January we announced our partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center on an exciting new research program that could help revolutionize the way cancer is treated. This collaboration will develop a new research initiative to improve cancer prevention and treatment by using molecular technology to enhance the ability to diagnose and treat patients.

3. Martin Memorial announces off-site emergency department coming to St. Lucie West. The Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West, scheduled to open Fall 2009, will meet the critical medical services shortage currently facing residents of western St. Lucie County by bringing them timely emergency care close to home. The emergency center will be open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, but will not provide inpatient beds.

4. The 500th open-heart surgery is performed at the Frances Langford Heart Center. In October, surgeons reached the milestone on a woman in her 50s. It took a little more than two years to reach the mark after opening in August 2006 and in that time hundreds of lives have been saved at the Frances Langford Heart Center.

5. Martin Memorial goes tobacco free. We joined hundreds of other health care providers across the country by prohibiting the use of tobacco on any Martin Memorial property starting Oct. 1.

There are plenty of other things that could fit on this list as well. The Martin Memorial Foundation continued to raise funding critical to our mission of providing access to health care, with the 14th-annual Chrysanthemum Ball leading the charge. We continue our battle to build a hospital at Tradition. And Martin Memorial was a key member of the Life Sciences Initiative of Martin County, which is working to bring life sciences research to the county.

It’s been a fascinating year, but there’s much more to come in 2009. And you can continue to read all about it right here.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Health Information at Your Fingertips

For those of us born in the Generation X era, we’ve watched computer technology go from the joys of Pong when we got our first Atari to using our phones to access the entire spectrum of information available on the Internet.

Some of us have grasped the technology with a little more fervor than others. Some folks still prefer to get their news and information from newspaper, TV and radio. Others simply log on and search the Web for whatever they need. Some of us are somewhere in the middle.

I fit into that third group. I grew up on newspapers and while I kind of understand technology, it can be pretty intimidating. At the same time, I appreciate the things it has to offer as – especially when it comes to finding information. And because everyone gets their information in different ways and different places, Martin Memorial wanted to help people access health care topics any time they wanted in a variety of ways.

So in November 2007, Martin Memorial started offering a variety of multimedia formats that deliver news, notes and resources not only on what’s happening in the health system, but also the world of health in general.

We started with this blog, Martin Memorial Housecall. Since that time, we’ve had thousands of visitors to the site and written on topics ranging from cancer and heart disease to how to train for a 5K run.

In December 2007, we launched Martin Memorial Healthcast, a podcast that touches on a wide range of health issues. That’s included tips on how to reach fitness and nutritional goals, as well as how Martin Memorial is partnering in revolutionary cancer care research.

In April 2008, Martin Memorial’s MDoc TV hit the Internet. The videocast is produced in a TV news-like segment and features health issues as well as information on how to improve your health from physicians. You can also see MDoc TV episodes by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

We’ve learned a lot in the last year and hope our readers, listeners and viewers have too. There’ll be more to come in 2009 but we hope you’ll continue to check out what’s happening in health through our blog, podcasts and videocasts.

Stay tuned.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Stretching Your Limits for 5K Training

Housecall is featuring an eight-week training program that will get you ready to run a 5K race by February. The program was prepared last year by Susan Hastings, co-owner of Fleet Feet of Stuart running store, and it was so good we wanted to present it again.

Her goal is to get you excited about running in the third-annual “Fleet Feet Run for Your Heart 5K.” The run takes place Feb. 7, 2009 and proceeds will benefit the Frances Langford Heart Center at Martin Memorial.

We’ll post the program two weeks at a time and a new version will come out every other week. So lace up your running shoes and prepare to follow along. And we'll see you on race day!

Okay, you’ve been training for two weeks now and if you’ve followed the schedule you are well on your way.

Several things can make your life easier as you continue on your quest to add running or walking to your lifestyle. I’ll talk about stretching on this blog, because it’s an important aspect of helping you remain injury free. I’ll explain a few basic stretches that will focus on the main muscles you use when running. Do each of these three stretches three times each and hold each stretch for 30 seconds – it’s as simple as that.

Calves: Stand facing a wall with your arms slightly bent in front of you on the wall, feet hip-width apart and toes pointing forward. Bring one leg forward with the knee slightly bent and lean into the wall a little. Hold the leg in back straight, with heel on the ground and knee straight, for 30 seconds. Then bend the knee slightly (you should feel the lower part of you calf stretching now) and hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat with this leg. Do this three times.

Quadriceps: Start where you can hold onto something with one hand and bend one leg behind you and grab your ankle. Your leg should be bent behind you with you holding it up as close to your rear end as possible. The most critical thing is to be sure your knees are even, the bent one is as far back as the one you’re standing on, and it is not flared out.

Hamstrings: Take one leg and raise it in front of you and place your heel on a raised object such as a bench or car bumper. Keep your knee straight as you bend forward, trying to get your forehead as close as you can to your knee. This is a very slow movement, so lean as far forward as you can and hold the stretch for 30 seconds.

Stretching should be done after the muscles have warmed up so it’s never good to jump out of bed and go straight to stretching. In a perfect world you should walk or slow jog for a little, stop and stretch, and then continue on, stretching again when you finish. In the real world you should at least stretch when you return from your run or walk. The least you should do is take an extra 15 minutes and stretch when you finish.

Now for the next two weeks of your training:

Week 3 – Alternately jog/walk, varying the segments between 200 and 400 yards, for a total of 1 1/2 miles. Same workout for all three days.
Week 4 – Alternately jog/walk, but walk only half the distance for each jog. Vary the segments between 1/4 and 1/2 mile for a total of 1 3/4 miles. Same workout for all three days.

Have fun with it!

--Susan Hastings

Make a Splash and Heal Your Body

Is gravity pulling you down? Try getting in the water.

The stress of everyday life can lead to illness and injury. It is so important that we find ways to relax and allow the body to heal. Each step into the water is a step closer to a healing journey. Water allows for so much movement and freedom that land sometimes doesn’t.

I find that I am always drawn back to the water whether it is where I live or where I work. I want to be in or close to the water. Our bodies consist of 70 percent water, so it is no wonder that this medium can offer so much.

I am amazed at every aquatic therapy session how much physically and emotionally individuals benefit. The warmth of the pool at the outpatient rehabilitation facility at South Stuart and the small pool at Treasure Coast Medical Pavilion are set at 89 to 92 degrees.

The constant contact with the warm flow of the water soothes the parasympathetic nervous system and is calming. The hydrostatic pressure of the water acts like embolism stockings and assists in overall circulation, cardiac output and renal function. The buoyancy of the water lifts your body into a gentle support which unloads the joints, relieving such conditions as arthritis.

Where there is pain there is guarding of the musculature and tension. Guarding creates limitation of movement or an inability to relax enough for your body to rejuvenate. Aquatic therapy invites the body to move with greater ease and relaxation, allowing for healing to take place and relieving pain.

In addition to relaxing, there are many ways to produce resistance for strengthening in the water. Increasing the surface area, such as opening the hand or holding onto a buoyant device, can increase the resistance using the waters principles. Increasing the speed of a movement which creates turbulence can also increase the difficulty.

If you are in discomfort, are having a hard time moving freely or are just seeking a wonderful experience, try getting in to the pool at Martin Memorial.

--Tara Anstensen
Physical Therapy Assistant

Program Promotes Healing Through Music

The holidays are quickly approaching. There are deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, family things and more. All of these worries compile into a tremendous mountain of stress for most of us in our day-to-day lives, especially for me – until the morning of Dec. 9.

I was having a challenging morning, but all that melted away when I entered the lobby of the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center. Angelic sights and sounds filled the room. Two young girls, Hannah and Kaila Geissinger, were sharing with us their musical talents on the harp, viola and keyboard.

I watched as the room began to fill with cancer patients and their caregivers, volunteers, associates, nurses and medical staff. I counted 20 people at one point and we all shared a song and a joyful moment. I even saw some folks tearing up, including myself.

After a couple of songs the crowd quietly went on to their day, smiling and a bit more reflective as a new audience took their seats. My entire day was rejuvenated, which is my hope for others encountering the Healing Arts Program at Martin Memorial.

Martin Memorial has partnered with the Arts Council of Martin County to bring music therapy into the main lobbies of the Medical Center, Hospital South and the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center for three weeks in December.

The Arts Council of Martin County made arrangements with many local musicians, both students and professionals, to share their time and talents with visitors, patients and caregivers. Audiences can expect a variety of performances, including vocalists and carolers, as well as instrumental accompaniment, including piano, violin and cello ensembles.

If you need a break from your stresses, or you are coming to visit a patient, please feel welcome to enjoy this therapeutic atmosphere. Release your tensions, be soothed by the music and share your joy with your friends and family. I know I did last Tuesday.

The music will be available at select locations through Dec. 22. That includes:

• Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., in the main lobby of Martin Memorial Hospital South, 2100 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon, in the main lobby of the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, 501 E. Osceola St., Stuart
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5-7 p.m. in the main lobby of the Martin Memorial Medical Center, 200 S.E. Hospital Ave., Stuart

--Tori Savard
Community Outreach/Events Coordinator

How to Train for a 5K – the Sequel!

Martin Memorial Housecall is a little more than a year old and in that time one thing we haven’t done is include any re-runs. Until now.

Starting today, we’ll be featuring an eight-week training program that will get you ready to run a 5K race by February. The program was prepared last year by Susan Hastings, co-owner of Fleet Feet of Stuart running store, and it was so good we wanted to present it again.

Her goal is to get you excited about running in the third-annual “Fleet Feet Run for Your Heart 5K.” The run takes place Feb. 7, 2009 and proceeds will benefit the Frances Langford Heart Center at Martin Memorial.

We'll post the program two weeks at a time and a new version will come out every other week. So lace up your running shoes and prepare to follow along. And we'll see you on race day!

Believe it or not, even if you’ve never run a step in your life without being chased, you can complete a 5K with this eight-week training program. I have to give credit where credit is due: Cliff Held, one of our friends/customers, created this for us and we have used it in our beginning running classes with great success. I’ll give you the steps to succeed, you just have to take them.

Over the next few weeks, in addition to giving you your training schedule, I’ll talk a little about stretching, eating right and hydrating – all things that help you start and continue a healthy running regimen. If you don’t start properly it can be difficult and discouraging.

You won’t necessarily love it the first time you run but stick with it – the sense of accomplishment makes it worth it and you’ll be surprised that you start looking forward to your next one. If you follow this program I’ll get you to the start and across the finish line in a healthy, positive and enjoyable way.

Believe it or not, the average ‘runner’ runs three miles, three times a week and that’s great for cardiovascular health. You don’t need to have a marathon in your future (although you could!), you just have to want to hit the road.

Of course, being the owner of Fleet Feet Stuart, I do have to mention that it’s important as you start your training in the right way to have the proper footwear. If you don’t, you risk injuries such as shin splints, knee pain, plantar fasciitis (if you don’t know what it is consider yourself lucky), and many other aches and pains that could possibly be alleviated with the proper shoes.

Now let’s get to the training…and please email me at susan@fleetfeetstuart.com if you have any questions.

Week 1 – Alternately jog/walk (eight of each for a total of 16) 100-yard segments for a total of 1 mile. Do this same workout three times the first week.
Week 2 – Alternately jog/walk (five of each for a total of 10) 200-yard segments for a total of 1 ¼ miles. Same workout, three times the second week.

Get in your car, clock off your mile and get started. You can do a rough estimate of your 100- and 200-yard segments. The most important thing is to stick to your mileage for the designated week and don’t try to go too fast; just run at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

Get your friends, family and co-workers to join you. Some people are morning runners, some prefer night. Whatever it is, put it on your calendar like any other appointment and show up on time!

Happy running!

--Susan Hastings

For Holiday Fitness, Just Keep Going

You heard it. When I asked some of our fitness center members how they coped with the holidays and the usual holiday weight gain, they said just keep going to the gym!

We all know this time of year test our willpower with all the extra goodies that surround us at the office, parties and in our home.

Here are some helpful suggestions you can use to keep yourself from gaining the extra holiday weight.

• Keep going to the fitness center as much as possible. There will be some interruptions in your normal schedule but this should not be an excuse to abandon your commitment to fitness until January 2009.
• An abbreviated workout is still better than none at all. Aim for 30 minutes instead of an hour most days of the week.
• Exercise provides structure. Routines help us stay on track with our food intake.
• Exercise while shopping. Park as far away as possible, take the stairs instead of the escalator. Make a few extra laps around the mall – you might catch a sale you missed the first time around!
• Sign up for personal training. If you commit to taking lessons and have an appointment to exercise, you’ll be sure to be there.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you overindulge at a party or skip a couple of workouts, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track and resume your exercise routine.
• Eat breakfast. Listen to your mother! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not having a healthy breakfast will lead to overeating later.
• Bring a healthy dish. If you are going to a pot luck gathering, bring a healthy dish or appetizer. You’ll know there will be at least one safe dish.
  

The holidays should be a time of maintenance. Don’t try to lose weight, just strive to maintain your pre-holiday weight.

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician
Hospital South Health and Fitness

Giving to Charity is Gift That Keeps Giving

Ah, holiday shopping. If you look forward to this annual ritual about as much as a root canal, I hear you. After all, does your sister really want that dust-collector that you’ll pay too much for at the last minute out of desperation? And you know you will.

Why not do something different? This year, why not consider making a gift to your favorite charity in someone’s honor?

There are a lot of advantages to this strategy. You can do it in your jammies in front of the computer. Your sis will be happy you thought so highly of her. You’ll look like a stand-up guy/gal in front of your whole family. You’ll stick to your budget. It won’t make you fat. You’ll be helping others who need it. But most of all, instead of that buy-buy-buy pressure, you’ll get to feel something that people are always talking about this time of year. Real, honest-to-God joy.

Bottom line, it feels really good to give.

It’s a tough time right now for many people, around the world and right here at home. Philanthropy is what fuels the organizations that help. Right here at Martin Memorial, gifts from our community literally save lives every day. Know someone who’s been a patient at the Frances Langford Heart Center or Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center? These services are only here because of people just like you who made a gift.

So save yourself a bit of sanity (you’ll need it) and save your sister some dusting while you’re at it. I promise, it’ll feel great.

--Kelly DeGregorio
Director of Development, Martin Memorial Foundation

BRCA Testing Can Raise Cancer Awareness

Now that there is an increased awareness of genetic testing, I would like to touch on some of the benefits of BRCA testing. The two genes involved in the increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers, BRCA1 and BRCA2, can be tested for a mutation, or an abnormality, that causes the gene not to function.

These genes normally act as tumor suppressors, keeping cells in check and preventing them from developing into cancer. Some may wonder why they should pursue this testing if they have a personal and/or family history suggestive of a BRCA mutation.

Increased screening and medical management options are among the benefits. Starting mammograms at 25, instead of 35 to 40 may catch an abnormality early. Having transvaginal ultrasounds and CA-125 blood testing may find an ovarian cancer before it’s able to metastasize.

Having a preventative mastectomy decreases breast cancer risk by 90 percent and a preventative surgical removal of the ovaries reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 96 percent.

If a person has already had breast or ovarian cancer, these screenings and prevention options are just as important. There is an increased risk of a second breast cancer or ovarian cancer following breast cancer in people with a BRCA mutation. This information is also helpful for family members, since first degree relatives have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the same mutation. Second degree relatives are not out of the woods either and may also have inherited a mutation.

Also, for all the men out there, you’re not without risk because men have BRCA genes too. Besides increasing your risk for male breast and prostate cancers, these mutations may be passed on to your children.

Being aware of a mutation can help detect cancer early and maybe prevent it from occurring at all. Awareness can bring about empowerment.

If you have a strong personal and/or family history of cancer, speak to your doctor or call me at (772) 223-5945, ext. 1669 for further information.

--Lindsay Mattino, RN, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator and
Genetics Nurse Educator

A Reason for Thanks: Cancer Rates, Deaths Drop

Here’s something to be thankful for: a recent report suggests that the rate of new cancer diagnoses and deaths related to the disease have dropped for the first time.

Overall cancer death rates have been dropping recently, but this is the first time researchers have noted that the number of new cases fell as well. Cancer rates for men and women both were down, including the most common forms (lung, colorectal and prostate for men; breast and colorectal for women).

In an article on CNN.com, a physician from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas noted that the results of the report could indicate that advancements in treatment, as well as increased efforts at preventing cancer and detecting it earlier through screenings, are becoming more effective.

But the fight is far from over. While the rates may have dropped overall, some types of cancer have gone up, such as liver cancer. And while preventative tactics – such as quitting smoking – and catching cancer earlier seem to be working, not everyone is able to accomplish those goals.

It’s important that people have access to and utilize screening tests such as mammograms for breast cancer, prostate exams for men, or colonoscopies to detect colon cancer. At the same time, modification of risk factors that people can control may help continue to reduce the rates of cancer across the United States.

It’s a good start. But there’s still a lot of work to do.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Give Thanks But Don’t Overindulge

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s time to give thanks for what we have, spend time with those we love, and resist the urge to overindulge. If you want to avoid the creeping weight gain that often accompanies the holiday season, here is a little food for thought.

A Wall Street Journal article entitled “Bulging Waist Carries Risk” described a study that followed 360,000 men and women in nine European countries for about a decade. Researchers tracked the participants’ body mass index, or BMI, as well as their waist circumference and the ratio of their waist and hip measurements.

Researchers discovered that even patients with a normal BMI had an increased risk of death if they had a large waist. Among study participants, normal weight males with waists measuring 40 inches or greater were more than twice as likely to die as those with waists of 34 inches or less; normal weight females who had waists of 35 inches or greater were 79 percent more likely to die than those with waists measuring 28 inches or less.

Researchers also found that for each two-inch increase in waist size in participants with any BMI score, the risk of death increased by 17 percent for men and 13 percent for women. Similar results were found when researchers compared waist-to-hip ratios. Yikes! That is sobering news. I can hear the tape measures snapping open, so here are some tips to keep your waistline from expanding this holiday season:

• Make a commitment to yourself not to gain weight. While this sounds logical, making a formal commitment (writing it down where you can see it) will help you to keep your goal in sight.
• Stick to your usual exercise plan. If this means “none” for some of you, this is a good time to get out and take a walk. Most people will attend parties and gatherings complete with food and drink; exercise is a great way to burn extra calories.
• Keep your portions small and avoid going back for seconds. Many celebrations will center around food – that’s OK, just don’t go overboard.
• Weigh yourself and take a waist measurement weekly. This will help to keep you focused.
• Remember the true reason for this season. Give thanks for all of the good things, both big and small, in your life. Spend time with people you love. Focus on the joy the season brings, rather than the sweets and treats that are everywhere.

--Rosemarie Lembo James, RD, CNSD, LD/N
Clinical Director of Nutrition Services

For Diabetics, Holidays Can Be A Challenge

Here we are again. The holiday season is here with its colorful decorations, its never-ending shopping, abundance of parties and especially and abundance of food! We will roll into our cars the day of Thanksgiving feeling as stuffed as the turkey we just ate.

It is a difficult time for everyone in trying to stay healthy, particularly for people who have health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes.

Diabetics have to be especially careful as they are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease like heart attack or stroke. It is the leading cause if death among people with diabetes. I know someone who just found out that she has diabetes and she really has to be careful of her diet, which is a very big challenge during the holidays.

At Martin Memorial Health Systems we have a program that helps people manage their diabetes. Our program coordinator, Maureen Daniello, R.N., C.D.E., answers some of my questions on diabetes and its link to heart disease:

What does it means if I have diabetes?
Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin and/or the cells in the body aren’t using the insulin properly. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starving for energy.

What’s the connection between diabetes and heart disease?
High blood pressure levels damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease. High blood glucose levels over time can lead to increased deposits of fatty materials on the inside of the blood vessel walls, which can affect blood flow, increasing the chance of clogging and hardening of the blood vessels. Because diabetes increases the levels of cholesterol and fat in your blood, more than 75 percent of people with uncontrolled diabetes die from some form of heart disease.

What are the risk factors?
Family history is an important one, especially if one or more members of your family had a heart attack at an early age. You can’t change your family history, but you can control the other risk factors for heart disease.

What are the medical conditions you have to be aware of?
Elevated waist circumference; elevated levels of triglycerides; low level of good cholesterol (HDL); elevated blood pressure levels; elevated fasting blood glucose levels.

What should people do to stay healthy and control their diabetes?
See a registered dietitian. Increase fiber in your diet by looking for oat bran, oatmeal, whole grain breads and cereals, or dried beans. Also, cut down on saturated fat like meats, poultry skin, butter or dairy products with fat. Reach and maintain a healthy body weight. One of the most important things you can do is the three E’s: Exercise, exercise, exercis. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

If you smoke: quit!
Keep track of your ABC’s: A stands for A1c, have an A1c test at least twice a year; B is for blood pressure, the target is to be below 130/80 mm; C is for cholesterol, have it checked at least once a year.

If you think you may need assistance controlling your diabetes, click here to find out how the diabetes education program at Martin Memorial can help.

--Sophie Sawicki
Marketing Representative

Learning New Ways to Find Balance

Vestibular (inner ear) disorders can cause imbalance, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, anxiety and other symptoms with potentially devastating effects on a person's day-to-day functioning, risk of falling, ability to work, relationships with family and friends and quality of life.

On top of everything else, these disorders are often “invisible,” making it difficult for others to understand how disabling they can be. Diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders may not always be clear-cut, but there are effective testing procedures and treatments available, as well as medical professionals and clinicians who are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of balance disorders.

For instance, computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) is a series of tests performed by an audiologist that measures how well you are able to maintain balance under different conditions. The benefits of CDP are well documented in clinical literature and Martin Memorial utilizes the state-of-the-art Neurocom SMART EquiTest Balance System for all CDP testing.

During testing, you as the patient are asked to stand as steady as possible on a platform inside a visual enclosure. The platform has sensors that measure how well you maintain your balance as the walls of the enclosure and the platform surface moves.

Some tests are designed to mimic different conditions encountered in every day life, while others are used to determine the source of the balance problem. Test results help provide a better understanding of the cause of your balance problems, which in turn allows physicians and therapists to focus on the abnormal system and to design effective treatment programs that can maximize functional abilities and minimize disruptive symptoms.

If you think you might be having problems with your balance, take the balance self-test at www.balanceandmobility.com. Then give us a call at the Raub Rehabilitation Center in Stuart at (772) 223-4936, for more information or to schedule an evaluation.

--Michele P. Phillips, Au.D., CCC-A
Audiologist

Beat Goes on at Frances Langford Heart Center

Let me share with you a story that starts with Hope At Every Turn, becomes Hope is a Heartbeat Away and continues with The Beat Goes On.

Martin Memorial has been a beacon of hope within our community for many years. Those within this community will tell you how Martin Memorial has provided the much-needed health care services that the community demanded, thus providing Hope at Every Turn.

In August 2006, Hope became a Heartbeat Away. The Frances Langford Heart Center opened its doors to the Treasure Coast. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. The feeling was overwhelming. The Ocala Heart Institute at Martin Memorial Health Systems team was in place to provide adult cardiac surgery. Two interventional cardiologists were ready to perform angioplasty and/or stent placement. And like shoppers looking for a bargain on the day after Thanksgiving, people were lining up to receive such services that were once only available a great distance away from home.

Hope is a heartbeat away. There are many stories to tell and many lives saved. I can tell you about the 40 year old that had no prior cardiac risk factors that was taken urgently to the operating room for bypass surgery; the life saved after a traumatic knife stabbing; the young mother who had a valve replacement; the dissecting aneurysm that was repaired; the young girl experiencing a heart attack that coded several times and was successfully treated. The stories go on. For these individuals treated at The Frances Langford Heart Center, Hope was a Heartbeat Away.

The beat goes on. The Frances Langford Heart Center continues to thrive. This past month the Ocala Heart Institute at Martin Memorial Health Systems surpassed 500 adult cardiac surgeries at the Frances Langford Heart Center. The number of cardiac interventions since inception has exceeded 1,400. Martin Memorial’s Frances Langford Heart Center is a welcomed addition to the health system and will continue to provide a much-needed service to this community.

--Melissa Zinderman, RN
Cardiovascular Patient Educator

Making Plans for a Healthy Holiday

Since the holidays are just around the corner, it is important to stick with your exercise regimen. Before the holidays sneak up, get your plan started now. Many people put their exercise routines on hold from Thanksgiving to New Year's and return with a 10-pound weight gain.

All of us get busy this time of year with family, parties and shopping. Also, since our climate is the best in the country during the winter months, many of us have company from “up north.”

Scheduling your exercise should be as important as keeping a doctor’s appointment. I teach a cardio/sculpt class at Martin Memorial Health and Fitness Center three times per week and I have a very dedicated group of people that attend faithfully. I asked them for their tips about how they stay focused during the holiday season. Here’s what they had to say:

• Schedule all appointments so they do not conflict with their workout schedules. This includes doctor appointments, hair and nail, golf, etc.
• “Even when we have company, they sleep in while we exercise at the fitness center.
• Make exercise a priority.
• Make healthy food choices at parties.
• If you go overboard at a party with food and drink, make sure you are right back at the fitness center the next day working extra hard to work it off.
• Even an abbreviated workout is better than none at all.
  

Let’s make this holiday season different! Let’s all continue our workout regimens so that we feel healthy, look healthy and our clothes still fit on January 2, 2009!

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician
Hospital South Health and Fitness

November Brings Lung Cancer Awareness

It’s November! That means that soon we’ll be stuffing our faces with turkey, stuffing and pie. The mention of November brings about visions of falling leaves (if you’re up north) and the impending holidays.

But November isn’t only the month containing a gluttonous rampage (Thanksgiving), it’s also National Lung Cancer Awareness month. In the wake of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, lung cancer is not to be forgotten and for good reason – it’s the No. 1 cancer killer among men and women.

It’s also a cancer that carries a very real social stigma because it is often tied to smoking, and advocacy is lacking in the lung cancer arena. As the lung cancer navigator at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, I face some very difficult situations with my patients, who are often offered few solutions due to lack of resources specifically for lung cancer.

But advancements in treatment and detection are hopefully getting better. I recently read an article on msnbc.com that reports on a study conducted that found 26 genes that may promote the development of lung cancer if they’re damaged. As the Associated Press reports, “It’s a step to developing new treatments that can be tailored to specific patients.”

I’m delighted to see such advances taking place to combat this devastating disease. New clinical trials for lung cancer will be opening right here at Martin Memorial in late November. Hopefully, with the passing of the days in our 11th month, there will be an increased awareness of the challenges lung cancer patients face and the need for a louder voice when it comes to the funding, research and advocacy.

Also remember that I’m available for patients with newly diagnosed or suspected lung cancer at (772) 223-5945, ext. 1669.

--Lindsay Mattino, RN, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator

Study: Diabetes Rates Surge in South

By now most people know that diabetes is a problem in the United States. They know that obesity rates are climbing and that Type 2 diabetes – which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the cases – is often linked to being overweight.

Most people know that diet and exercise can reduce those levels. They know that diabetes can lead to countless health problems, including heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disease.

And yet, a report this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the rate of new diabetes cases nearly doubled in the United States over the past decade. In West Virginia, which saw the highest rates, roughly 13 out of every 1,000 adults were diagnosed with the disease. In Minnesota, which was lowest in the study, five of every 1,000 had diabetes.

The study did a state-by-state review of new diagnoses, which revealed that southern states saw the greatest surge in new cases. That included Florida, which had the third highest number of annual new cases from 2005-07 with approximately 139,000.

Unfortunately, this is nothing new. The rate of diabetes, in particular Type 2, continues to grow. That’s why people who are most at risk – people who are overweight, sedentary, have a family history or genetic predisposition such as race – need to monitor themselves.

After reading the study results and knowing that I have a family history for diabetes, I took this test on the American Diabetes Association’s Web site. My risk currently is low, though I need to lose some weight. But as the ADA notes, there are nearly 24 million Americans with diabetes and nearly a quarter are unaware they have the disease.

Studies like this should be a wakeup call. Take this quick, easy test to see if you’re at risk. If you are, talk to your doctor and work to modify your lifestyle as necessary, rather than become another statistic in the next study.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

New Baby Brings New Fitness Challenges

For years, I fought the battle of the bulge through hours of working out: long sessions on the StairMaster, lifting weights, maybe doing the occasional sit-up. The workouts weren’t always a model of efficiency – I was single for much of that time and even when I got married, my wife often joined me at the gym. That meant plenty of time for leisurely workouts, chatting with fellow gym rats or reading complimentary magazines between sets.

So while I usually continued to eat too much, I figured I would be OK if I continued sweating. And even if I wasn’t gaining weight, at least I was holding the line.

But that’s all beginning to change now.

About two weeks ago, I became a new dad. And since kids aren’t particularly self-sufficient upon birth, I’m trying to be a responsible father and help my wife take care of our son during this particularly challenging (and time-consuming) moment. All of which has meant exercise has been as non-existent as sleep.

I mentioned this to Lani Kee, manager of the Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing. She sent me this article found on MedicineNet.com in reply, which seems to hit exactly the points I’m experiencing. The first two paragraphs summed it up:

“Parents and exercise are not usually words you see in the same sentence. From the moment you step on the physical and emotional roller coaster known as parenthood, your needs often must come second to the needs of your children. Exercising, as a parent, becomes a much more difficult task.

“This is true whether you’re in the throes of sleep-deprivation with a newborn or stay busy driving your children from school to soccer practice, tennis matches, and piano lessons. Even people who had a strong commitment to exercise before having children will struggle to find consistent time to stay fit once they become parents.”

So how can I break that cycle? The article provides eight tips, which range from being active all day to defining your priorities and seeking support groups that can free you up to work out. It also notes that simply getting exercise is critical – it’s quality, not quantity that counts.

That is essentially the message from fitness guidelines recently announced by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The New York Times’ article about the guidelines has a segment about the importance of finding time to exercise, even if you don’t have much to spare. The article even provides an example of how you can accomplish that goal.

I’ll be working on that tonight when I get home – in-between diaper changes and burpings.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Last Stop for Sleep Apnea Freight Train

For years my husband thought the freight train sound I make when I sleep was just noise – loud noise that kept him awake all night. He never imagined that loud snoring could be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea literally stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, often for a minute or longer and as many as hundreds of times during a single night.

Sick and tired of feeling nauseous and exhausted all day, I had a sleep study conducted at the Martin Memorial Sleep Disorders Center and was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Based on the results of the study, my doctor recommended a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to help me breathe properly during sleep. The machine features a mask that is placed over the nose and pushes air through the airway with enough pressure to prevent apneas from occurring.

Using the machine took a few weeks to get used to, but now it’s part of my nightly routine. I have been using a CPAP for over a month and I can’t believe the results. Not only has it eliminated the snoring completely, I wake up feeling rested without headaches and nausea. I can’t recall the last time I slept through the night before using the CPAP and now my husband and I both get a good night’s sleep. More importantly, I don’t lose valuable oxygen during the night that can lead to serious health issues, such as high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease or memory problems.

I want to thank the staff at Martin Memorial Sleep Disorders Center for giving my husband and me some much needed peace and quiet!

--Landy Tiffany
Marketing Coordinator

Halloween Brings Scary Treats

Boo! It is that time of year again. I think you know where I am going with this. We are heading into the most frightening holiday of the year. HALLOWEEN!

I am not afraid of those adorable little goblins that will be ringing my doorbell on Oct. 31. I am more frightened about my willpower.

Those cute little “snack-sized” Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers – and we cannot forget my favorite, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They are so innocent. How could one serving size (and who can stop at one?) be so frightening? Well, I am here to report the cold hard facts about what you need to do the burn off those innocent mini sized candy treats.

--10 pieces of candy corn is equal to 70 calories. You will need to do 30 push-ups and 3 minutes of mountain climbers.

--One mini Tootsie Roll equals 30 calories. Try 30 squats and 30 ab crunches.

--A 2-ounce candy bar equals 280 calories. Ride a bike at 10 mph for 40 minutes.

Remember to plan ahead and limit yourself to only one candy bar. A 3.14 ounce bag of M&M’s is 440 calories (about 4.5 miles of walking at a moderate pace.) These calories contain 19 grams of fat and 56.5 grams of sugar. If you take in too much sugar, your ability to burn fat shuts down.

When the trick or treaters come knocking on my door this Halloween, I will not be handing out king sized candy bars. I do my best to buy candy at the last minute. I also buy things I do not like. I have never been a big fan of sweet tarts, nerds, or sour patch gummies. My goal is to NOT eat the candy before the trick or treaters arrive at my home.

So before you take a bite of that snickers bar, remember the price of each piece. Is it worth it?

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician, Group Exercise Instructor

Is the Economy Making You Sick?

Keeping track of the news recently is enough to make anyone feel sick to their stomach. Watching the roller-coaster stock market is enough to give you a headache. And for people who are watching their investments dry up and blow away, it can be downright depressing.

Literally.

As the United States’ and the global markets continue their freefall, it has led some people to speculate on the effect it has on people’s overall health.

The World Health Organization announced on Thursday that the financial crisis could lead people with mental health issues to have an even more difficult time coping with them. The WHO suggests that people who suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder could be vulnerable to the gloomy news coming from the financial markets, increasing anxiety over whether they will have a job or resources.

In her New York Times health column, Well, reporter Tara Parker-Pope writes that the evidence is somewhat mixed on how economic downturns affect people’s health. In fact, there can actually be benefits to difficult financial times – for instance, people tend to spend more time with their families, which can potentially enhance their children’s health. And more people are cooking from scratch rather than eating prepared foods because of the latter’s higher costs, which can have a positive impact on their health.

One of the biggest issues, Parker-Pope writes, is the effect a financial downturn has on access to health care. People losing jobs also means people losing health care benefits. That can affect preventative care as well as treatment for illnesses. With nearly 50 million Americans already uninsured, those are the kind of numbers that can make you sick.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Officer

New Month Brings New Opportunities

Oct. 1 is usually an interesting time here at Martin Memorial.

It’s the beginning of the new fiscal year, which means it’s something of a new start for the health system. Fall is in the air – according to the calendar at least – which means the snowbird season is just around the corner. And that means the holiday season isn’t far behind.

But this Oct. 1 also brings a couple of additional reasons to be excited.

First and foremost is the beginning of a new era. Oct. 1 marks the first day of Mark Robitaille’s tenure as president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial. Mark, who has served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the health system since 1991, was named to the position in September by the Martin Memorial Board of Directors.

Mark assumes the role as Martin Memorial is poised to continue building on the growth and accomplishments it has achieved in recent years. The health system is seeking to build a new hospital in the Tradition development and will open the Emergency Center at St. Lucie West in August 2009 to provide access to much-needed health care in western St. Lucie County.

Martin Memorial has also worked closely with institutions such as the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and Moffitt Cancer Center to develop clinical medical trials, as well as the Martin County Life Sciences Initiative to bring new opportunities in the burgeoning field of bioscience research. Mark has been at the forefront of these efforts and will continue to ensure that Martin Memorial is a valued partner in bringing medical research to the region.

Martin Memorial is also on the forefront of another health initiative on the Treasure Coast. Starting Oct. 1, the entire health system will be tobacco free. That means tobacco use is not permitted at any Martin Memorial facility – inside or out – by patients, Associates, physicians, volunteers, visitors or vendors.

Each year, tobacco use is linked to tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. Diseases related to smoking, including heart disease and cancer, are the most preventable causes of death around the world. That’s why numerous hospitals and healthcare providers across the state and the country have instituted smoke-free workplaces. Two other area hospitals – St. Lucie Medical Center and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center – are also planning to go tobacco free by Jan. 1, 2009.

Patients who smoke can consult their physician on whether a smoking cessation product – such as nicotine gum or patches – would be a viable alternative. Nicotine replacement products are available at the outpatient pharmacies at both Martin Memorial hospitals.

The Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing also offers an outstanding smoking cessation program, called Living Tobacco Free, for anyone who wishes to quit.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Health News You Can’t Always Use

Part of my job is sitting at the computer, tooling around the Internet looking to see what’s going on in the world of health.

Some days, the reports and information that hit the news are downright fascinating. Like this blurb that appeared on MSNBC.com today.

“Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman said swimming in Australian Outback waterfalls may promote fertility and might have contributed to her unexpected pregnancy over the past year.”

Seriously? Swimming around in magical Aussie waterfalls helps you get pregnant? Glad to see Hollywood once again is solving the mysteries of the scientific universe.

Here’s another one that showed up on NPR.org.

“Researchers are calling for warning labels on energy drinks. The drinks contain substantial amounts of caffeine, which could lead to symptoms associated with a caffeine overdose, including heart palpitations and insomnia. The energy drinks are marketed to adolescents, who haven’t developed a tolerance to caffeine.”

Does it come as anything of a shock to people that energy drinks contain caffeine? Lots of it? And really, will a warning label do much to convince people – especially kids – that they better not do it? People are still smoking cigarettes, right?

And finally, some good news for those exercisers who sweat a lot while they’re working out: you may have less chance of having exercise-induced asthma. According to a study that appeared in September issue of the journal Chest, researchers indicate that people who sweat less are at higher risk for exercise-induced asthma.

So don’t be afraid to drip on that treadmill – just make sure you clean it off when you’re done.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Patients Provide Helping Hand to Patient

Every now and then we get messages from Associates around the health system that offer insight into the basic goodness and compassion of people. This is one that I received this week from Linda Fretwell, manager of the physician offices at our Palm City location.

I thought it was something worth sharing.

“I have an interesting story from the Palm City Medicenter. A father came in with his two small children recently. After the children were seen he informed the patient services representative that he did not have any money to make his $20 per each child co-pay and asked if he could be billed. The PSR of course did her duty and told him we do take credit cards, checks and so forth, but the father maintained that he would pay the bill when it came.

“After he left, two other patients sitting in the waiting room came to the window and said ‘We want to pay the co-pays for those two young children.’ Each patient paid one of the co-pays. They did not want the father to know who they were, they did not want any information about them relayed to the father, they just wanted to make his co-pays for him.

“The office coordinator later called the father to let him know that two people had made his co-pays for him. He wanted their names so he could thank them, but she told him they did not want to be identified. She just said Merry early Christmas.

“This just touched my heart. There really are so many good people out there.”

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Making a Commitment to Healthy Living

OK, so I haven’t blogged in a long time. I have been asked several times to commit, but always find an excuse to postpone it. As with most things in life, you must want it, need it, have to have it, in order to commit to it. IT can be anything, from eating right, balancing a check book, proposing to the one you love or simply remembering to say thank you. As the Cardiovascular Patient Educator of the Frances Langford Heart Center I am committed to educating patients, nurses, our community and most importantly our children.

According to the American Heart Association, the rise in childhood obesity has become an epidemic that is sweeping the nation. This generation is the first in history to be expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. Obesity can lead to diabetes, hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia.

Research and time have proven that education can prevent and reduce many disease processes. Our goal is to prevent heart disease through education. Our children need to be active, eat healthy and maintain an ideal body weight. The number of obese, inactive diabetic children is on the rise which can lead to heart disease.

As a parent I find myself allowing my children to eat unhealthy, play hours of video games and not educating them on the need to prevent the above mentioned life threatening disease processes. Like many parents we do this out of convenience. Do we ever take a moment to realize that this convenience may ultimately harm them? I am the parent, as such, I provide nourishment, activity and daily schedules for my children.

What can I do to change this? I have cleaned out my pantry. Good healthy snacks have replaced the “junk” food. Video games and TV are limited to 30 minutes a day. My children are actively involved in sports, spend more time outdoors and are benefiting from leading a healthy lifestyle.

Sure my children were very sad, cranky and upset for several days. Their snack cakes were gone, they couldn’t finish their video game or sit on the couch for hours. Now, they make smart choices, because I am providing only healthy choices. It’s amazing how simple it is to recondition a young one. Our entire family has benefited from this lifestyle change.

As for educating other children, I recently visited Mrs. Sanchez’s fourth grade class at Crystal Lake Elementary. They’re studying anatomy and physiology this semester. I provided the series on the cardiovascular system. As a bonus, I challenged each student to keep their heart strong, eat right, be active, and maintain an ideal body weight.

I am hopeful that these smart, enthusiastic children will go home and encourage their parents to commit to making a lifestyle change in order to prevent heart disease.

--Melissa Zinderman, RN
Cardiovascular Patient Educator
Frances Langford Heart Center

Robitaille named President and CEO

Mark E. Robitaille, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Martin Memorial since 1991, has played a key role in the health system’s growth over the past two decades. This fall, that role will become even more significant.

Today, the Martin Memorial Health Systems Board of Directors announced that Robitaille will take the reins as president and chief executive officer of the health system on Oct. 1, 2008. He will replace Richmond M. Harman, who is retiring after serving as president and CEO since 1989. (Read full press release here).

“I am excited and honored to be taking on this new role,” Robitaille (pictured at left) said. “Martin Memorial holds a special place in this community and I am dedicated to continuing that legacy of care.”

Following Harman’s announcement earlier this year that he intended to retire, the executive committee of the board of directors engaged a succession planning consultant from the firm Witt/Kieffer to find an ideal candidate to replace him. The search process included extensive interviews with key Martin Memorial constituents, including medical staff physicians, community members and health system personnel.

“We were committed to finding the person we felt would best lead Martin Memorial,” said George H. Rittersbach Jr., M.D., chairman of the board of directors. “Mark brings a vast amount of experience, vision and familiarity with Martin Memorial and the community. We believe that Mark has all the tools necessary to provide new direction and leadership for Martin Memorial.”

Robitaille will succeed Richmond Harman, who came to Martin Memorial in 1975. He served as an assistant administrator until 1984 when he was named chief operating officer, and became president and chief executive officer in 1989.

“Once the Martin Memorial Board of Directors made its decision that Mark was the best person for the job, the board and I recognized that now is the time for me to step aside and allow him to begin moving forward,” Harman said. “I love this organization. I’ve devoted myself to it for three decades and I feel comfortable that it is in good hands with Mark at the helm. He has innovative ideas and a passion for health care that will continue to make Martin Memorial a place in which we can all take tremendous pride.”

--Scott Samples

Public Information Coordinator

Include health care in your storm planning

With three tropical storms lurking in the Atlantic Ocean like burglars casing a house, people are starting to get a little nervous. And after going through Tropical Storm Fay and watching Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast, residents of the Treasure Coast should be well prepared.

Of course there are some among us – and I know from experience – who wait until the very last minute to prepare. Often when we wait until the last minute, we tend to overlook things. Unfortunately, one of the things that can be overlooked is one of the most important: our health.

Recently I got an email from the Florida Hospital Association, which raised the point that people need to prepare more than just their homes for an impending storm. While stocking up on food and water, they suggested that people also gather necessary healthcare-related items that will be needed when a storm hits.

One of the recommendations was to create a personal health record, which can include a current list of prescriptions, immunizations and other health information. It can also include your medical history, past diagnoses and treatments that you’ve undergone.

And because paper records can be bulky and tough to carry around – not to mention prone to being destroyed during a storm – they suggest creating an electronic version of your personal health records. An electronic record would give healthcare providers all the information needed to properly treat you if necessary.

So be prepared as the storms churn our way. Gather your medical information, as well as prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that you use now, while you still have the opportunity.

To find out more visit www.floridahealthfinder.gov. This site, created by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, has information on how you can use personal health records as part of your hurricane preparedness plan.

--Scott Samples
Public information coordinator

Grateful Patient Provides $500,000 Gift

Like many patients who receive treatment at the Martin Memorial Wound Medicine Center, David Smythe was impressed with the care he received.

But Smythe, who splits time between Stuart and Summit, N.J., was so impressed he wanted to give something back to the wound medicine center. So he made a gift of $500,000 as a gesture of gratitude to the staff who helped him through the healing process.

“The people over there, I don’t know if you’ll find people like them anywhere,” Smythe said. “You could see that they just wanted to help people. They wanted to take care of you and they did.”

Smythe has long understood the value of customer service. In 1958 he purchased an American Motor Corp. franchise in Summit and eight years later opened Smythe Volvo there. Today, the Smythe Volvo Organization is celebrating 50 years in the automobile sales industry and is one of the largest Volvo dealerships in the United States.

Smythe began receiving treatment at the wound medicine center in October 2007, going three times a week. The center – which has been named a national award winner as a wound medicine center of excellence – provides a multidisciplinary program of treatment and support for the management of acute and chronic wounds. Since problem wounds are often associated with underlying medical conditions, the program is designed to integrate wound care with ongoing health care.

This fall the center will move from its current location to a larger office at 314 Hospital Ave. It will also come with a new name – the David L. Smythe Wound Medicine Center at Martin Memorial.

“We are extremely grateful to David for this generous gift,” said Arthur M. “Rusty” Brink Jr., vice president and chief philanthropic officer of Martin Memorial. “He has recognized the value of quality health care in our community and the importance of philanthropy in ensuring that those resources are available to our residents.”

--Scott Samples

Public Information Coordinator

Tips to Beat Back-to-School Blues

I remember when I was in middle school we used to sprint from the school grounds singing Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” at the end of each school year, happily awaiting the adventures of summer. Those were the days.

Then we grew up and most of us became parents. Now, this past summer, our kids were singing their version of “School’s Out.” We spend a glorious and laborious summer with the kids at home and then anticipate the fall and the newness of the school year.

For working parents, along with the newness is the added stress of re-entry shock: alarm clocks, schedules, homework, packing lunches, after-school activities, pick-ups and drop-offs, work deadlines and more.

Coping with the stress of the back-to-school adjustment can be overwhelming. How can a working parent survive this time and stay resilient? The trick is to manage your time by practicing behaviors and finding activities that blend your life roles. In other words, keep the things that are important in the forefront and keep your work/life balance in check.
If you and your children are feeling the shock of back-to-school and you have to split your time with your work and family, try some of these ideas and see if your re-entry shock is minimized.

Blending Your Life Roles:

1. Invite family to help with work projects: not just kids;, but parents and other elders
2. Take family members to conferences with you
3. Videotape your workplace, include greetings from co-workers, and watch the video with your family
4. Display your family pictures and family artwork in your work space
5. Hold family meetings when everyone shares what they did that was good at their “work” that day
6. Help your children develop and maintain a positive attitude about work
7. Explain what you do in language they can understand
8. Point out benefits that come to them from your working
9. Resist the temptation to always blame your crankiness or tiredness on work
10. Let them know that work can be stimulating, uplifting, and satisfying

When work takes you away from home:

1. Leave surprise notes for your loved ones under pillows, in sock drawers, in briefcases
2. Communicate in creative ways from work or on the road
3. Leave voice mail and email messages
4. Buy two identical books written at your child’s age level; schedule reading time by phone each night
5. Remember special events and phone immediately to hear the details
6. Send postcards from every place you travel

--Lani Kee
Manager, Center for Health and Healing

Cancer Claims Life of “My Cancer” Blogger

I don’t cry. I firmly believe in the man credo of keeping those tears deep in the ducts where they belong, except of course when something truly miraculous happens – like the birth of your child or the Chicago Cubs finally winning a World Series (it will happen).

But on Saturday I happened by npr.org and found devastating news. Leroy Sievers, a former journalist and producer of ABC News’ “Nightline,” had died after battling cancer for several years.

Sievers, whose blog “My Cancer” on npr.org chronicled his battle against the disease five days a week, had created a tight-knit community of people living with the disease, their friends and family, and anyone who’s ever known someone with cancer.

As I scrolled through the hundreds of comments offering condolences to Sievers’ wife – and to each other – I felt the tears well up. I’d never met Sievers but felt as if I’d known him for years. His honest, forthright discussion about what it was like to have cancer were often touching, always insightful and full of hope – not just for himself but for everyone who read the blog. It was a must-read for anyone affected by the disease.

I was surprised by the emotional reaction his death inflicted on me. But it was his ability to connect with readers, to use his words to relate to the experience of living with cancer that made him so unique.

His voice will be missed. But for those of us fortunate enough to have followed him on his journey through “Cancer World,” he will certainly not be forgotten.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Learning New Ways to Satisfy Customers

One of the most pressing issues healthcare organizations face today is improving customer satisfaction. Exceptional customer service used to be a “nice to have,” but has rapidly become a “must have” for providers striving to remain competitive. To achieve success, organizations must link together the many facets of customer satisfaction. For healthcare providers like Martin Memorial, our “customers” are our patients, their families, visitors, volunteers, physicians, Associates and other departments within our hospital.

Remembering our STAR values (Service, Trust, Accountability and Respect) as part of what we do each and every day will ensure that we are striving for a “patient’s first” philosophy. Our Customer STAR Training Initiative at Martin Memorial is working to do just that. This program is providing our Associates with the tools, knowledge and motivation to exceed the needs of our customers to continuously improve our patient satisfaction. This takes sustained effort, hard work and extraordinary organizational energy. But for those organizations that achieve improved customer satisfaction scores, improved Associate satisfaction and a better reputation in the community, the journey is well worth the effort.

This training consists of a half-day session and five follow-up sessions that Associates attend. One of the components of this training is a service model called GVALHI, which stands for Greet, Value, Ask, Listen, Help and Invite. Associates will have the opportunity to learn more about each of these important steps to service. Exceptional service comes from the head and the heart and we will continue to provide this service with compassion, pride and a caring spirit.

To date, 1,064 of our associates have been through this training with 100 more currently in attendance. As we have grown through these sessions, we’ve learned that it’s not just about customer service, but about human relationships and how each of us truly makes a difference with each choice we make. What makes each session so unique, is the shared experiences brought by each participant. No matter the level of customer service experience, everyone can contribute and take away something positive with them.

--Barbara Hilton
Office Coordinator, Learning and Organizational Development

Exercising Gets to the Core of the Matter

If you have heard any advice when it comes to exercise, this line may sound familiar: “You have to strengthen your core.”

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), defines the core as the trunk or link between the upper and lower extremities. The trunk is made up of the spine, the pelvic girdle, and the rib cage.

Many of the exercises that we teach at the Martin Memorial Health and Fitness Centers originated from rehabilitation. Many of these core exercises were intended for treatment of low back pain and injury.

“Pull in your belly button!” Fitness trainers are constantly reminding people to do this while exercising and throughout the day to support the lower back. If you keep your core drawn in (your belly button tucked), it will put your body in proper alignment.

Some of the best core exercises are known as planks, bridges, and side bridges. These exercises can be very challenging. For example, a plank is a held or starting push-up position. Try holding that pose for 30 seconds. Do you feel your abdominals and “glute” muscles tighten to keep your back from arching? That’s a core exercise! This type of training is a sure-fire way to “fire up” your abdominals much more than the traditional “crunch.”

Once you conquer the plank for 60 seconds, try placing your hands on a stability ball. There are many options to continually challenge the core. BOSU balance training, stability balls, pilates and yoga all focus on core training.

Here’s something to think about. I was just cutting up a pineapple from my neighbor’s garden and we had a “light bulb” moment. The pineapple core is the strongest part of the fruit. Now it makes sense that our own bodies need to be their strongest at the core.

But here is something else to think about: Do not eat the core of the pineapple. It’s really “hard core.”

--Jane Reynolds, ACSM HFI
Health and Fitness Technician, Group Exercise Instructor

New Cancer Clincal Trials Available

A new clinical trial for patients with non-resectable stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer is set to accrue patients at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center. The trial is provided by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).

Currently, standard radiation for this diagnosis is given five times a week for six weeks. The experimental portion of radiation therapy will be carried out over seven and a half weeks at a higher dose. Patients will receive chemotherapy at the same time as radiation, followed by two more cycles of chemotherapy when radiation is completed. Since these stages of lung cancer are likely to be treated with radiation and chemotherapy rather than surgery, better control of lung cancer tumors is needed.

To qualify for the trial, patients must be diagnosed with stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer that has not been surgically resected. Patients must not have had chemotherapy or prior chest/neck radiotherapy for their present cancer. Also, patients must not have had an invasive cancer, unless they are disease free for three years prior to this diagnosis.

There are many other inclusion/exclusion criteria for this study. To find out if you or a patient qualifies for this trial, or for information on other clinical trials, please contact the research department at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at (772) 223-5945, ext. 1669.

Along with this new trial, there are additional trials available for lung cancer including a vaccine trial for stage IB-IIIA, surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer patients.

--Lindsay Mattino, RN
Clinical Research Coordinator, Genetics Nurse Educator

Slacker Salvation: Exercise in a Pill

Planning to lose some weight? Forget about going to the gym. Don’t worry about going for a jog. Settle into that couch and get comfortable, because science is coming to the rescue.

The good news came out on Thursday. Finally, scientists claimed, there is a drug that could replicate the benefits of exercise without actually having to do the work. Not only did test subjects burn more calories and have less fat, they could exercise longer (but why would they need to?)

“We have exercise in a pill,” one of the study authors said in an Associated Press story.

That sound you hear is the chorus of millions of weary exercisers swan-diving into their easy chairs, a bucket of the Colonel’s fried chicken tucked under one arm.

But of course, nothing’s that simple – the tests had only been performed on mice and scientists warn that the results may not be replicated in humans. Still, the notion that exercise could become an afterthought is encouraging to people who spend hours on treadmills or lifting weights to stay in shape.

For now, exercise and a good diet are the best way to maintain your weight. But for all of us slackers who’d rather pop a pill than do a push up to get in shape, here’s hoping those researchers keep up the good work.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Giving People a Hand with Therapy

We take for granted the use of our hands in our everyday lives. But when we have a hand injury or a disease that can cause the need for surgery, it can have a serious impact on how we function. It can affect the way we care for our personal needs, perform our jobs and participate in exercise activities.

I came to know the difference, first hand, by seeing an occupational therapist. An occupational therapist can help you maximize the recovery from your injury or surgery so you can return to your normal activities.

Following hand and finger surgery by Dr. Robert Forster, I have been receiving hand therapy by Gina McGucken, OTR, twice a week at the Martin Memorial Raub Rehabilitation Center, located at the Smithfield Plaza in Stuart.

After an application of nice, warm Paraffin heat on my hand, she proceeds to massage and mobilize my fingers. I feel like a child again when she has me doing very elementary movements like taking small blocks with Velcro off wood and moving them to the table, and back. But amazingly these activities assist in gaining mobility of the stiff joints. At the end of my treatment session, I get to ice the fingers and have a compression wrap applied to assist with the swelling.

I do understand the term “no pain, no gain” and after three weeks, my fingers are back to the computer again and soon, I’ll be back in the garden.

Here are a few of the types of conditions that an OT can treat:

• Fractures
• Tennis and golfer’s elbow
• Tendinitis of wrists, fingers, and thumbs
• Ligament injuries
• Crush injuries
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Compression syndromes (Carpal Tunnel)
• Nerve injuries
• Tendon injuries
• Fibromyalgia
• Amputations and reconstructive surgery
• Arthritis
• Burns
• Scars
• Wound care

--Debbie North
Lead Marketing Representative

Making an Investment in Your Health

You may have heard this on the news recently, but apparently we’re in something of an economic slowdown. Depending on which talking head pundit you’re listening to, we may already be in a recession.

So as this confluence of bad economic news continues to grow (job losses, high energy costs, housing foreclosures and so on), people are looking for ways to save money. From the government bureaucracies to the mom and pop stores all the way down to you and me, people are going through their budgets to find out where they can cut spending.

Health care is a particularly hot topic in this election year, with an estimated 47 million or so Americans going without insurance. Medicare and Medicaid costs are through the roof, critically impacting federal and state budgets.

All of which made this report from an organization called Trust for America’s Health interesting. The not-for-profit organization’s report suggests that “a small strategic investment in disease prevention could result in significant savings in U.S. health care costs.”

What does that mean? Essentially, the organization believes that spending just $10 on each person in a community-based program that is proven to do things like increase physical activity, improve nutritional habits or stop tobacco use would provide a savings nationally in excess of $16 billion annually within a half-decade.

That, they say, would be a return on investment of $5.60 for every dollar spent.

By educating the public through preventative programs, researchers have seen drops in the rates of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, as well as some forms of cancer and other ailments. Results usually can be seen within two to five years of implementation.

If this plan was put into action tomorrow, Florida would see a tremendous benefit overall – the report indicates this state alone could save $1 billion in potential annual savings. Only California ($1.7 billion) and New York ($1.3 billion) would see more.

The likelihood of getting each person in the country to participate is about as unlikely as a unanimous winner in a presidential election. But it is an interesting premise – and one that doesn’t need a government mandate.

There are plenty of resources offering information on nutrition, fitness activities or quitting smoking (including the Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing). Think of it as an investment in health care that could save you money down the road.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

Breaking Diet Rules, Paying the Price

Sometimes half the fun of knowing the rules is breaking them.

In theory, I know the rules of healthy, nutritious eating: get plenty of fruits and vegetables, low on the carbs and fats, sugar’s a no-no, moderate alcohol consumption, reasonable portion sizes. In theory, you should get at least moderate exercise a few times each week, more if possible. In theory, I know that those rules should extend to vacation.

In theory.

But the rules went out the window when my wife and I went to my native Alaska earlier this month for a 10-day hiatus. I didn’t intentionally kick the rules to the side of the road, it just kind of happened.

And how could it not? There was salmon and beer-battered halibut. There were cinnamon rolls at Gwin’s Lodge – a tradition since childhood, shown below – and apple fritters from The Moose is Loose bakery, which was a new find. There was a mandatory trip to Sourdough Sal’s and the biggest Reuben this side of the Yukon. There was moose sausage and mom’s famous tacos (which have been called burritos by some infidels, but the inarguable fact is that they are big and laden with caloric goodness).

To top it off, there was little exercise to be found. We went on a couple short hikes, but the biggest heart-rate boost came from the fear of stumbling across the “rogue bears” that were rumored to be near.

Predictably, the results were not good. I have yet to torture a scale by getting on one, but judging the way my clothes are fitting (or not fitting) post-vacation would indicate I’ve gained some weight.

So consider this just one more warning as you make your way through summer plans – sometimes the rules are there for a reason. Here are a few suggestions that may help you lead a healthier vacation lifestyle.

Hope you have better luck than me.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator

The Power of Prevention

According to a survey published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a few years back, Americans have never felt more vulnerable. We are more fearful of unpredictable, mainly random events such as terrorist attacks, anthrax exposure, West Nile virus, violence and crime and other uncontrollable threats such as a plane crash than we are of largely preventable life-threatening diseases.

The risks of illness or death from chronic disease, however, are far greater. While many Americans are aware of the seriousness of chronic illness, most of us have not changed our lifestyles sufficiently to reduce their risk of death or illness.

The top five chronic diseases – heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes – cause more than two thirds of all deaths each year. This epidemic is not limited to older adults: a third of the years of potential life lost before age 65 are due to chronic disease.

The number of deaths alone fails to convey the full picture of the toll of chronic disease. More than 125 million Americans live with chronic conditions, with millions of cases diagnosed each year. These disabling conditions (such as arthritis, stroke and diabetes) cause major limitations in activity for one of every 10 Americans. And almost everyone is adversely affected by chronic disease in one way or another – through the death of a loved one; a family member’s struggle with lifelong illness, disability or compromised quality of life; or the huge personal and societal financial burden brought on by chronic disease.

We cannot afford to ignore the urgency of chronic disease. Although this epidemic is the most common and costly of all health problems, it is also the most preventable. Access to high-quality and affordable prevention measures (including screening and appropriate follow-up) is essential if we are to saves lives and reduce medical care costs.

Three modifiable health-damaging behaviors – tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits – are responsible for much of our chronic disease. That’s why Martin Memorial has put resources in place to help fight these diseases:

Effective Oct. 1, we will be a smoke-free campus. To assist our patients and Associates, we are conducting more than our typical offering of cessation classes for day and evening availability.

We have comprehensive weight-management and diabetes-education programs.

We have on-site fitness centers.

We will be conducting biometric screenings (blood pressure, glucose, BMI and cholesterol) for our Associates during our benefits open-enrollment period in the summer and fall.

Our health promotion team is working with our cafeteria vendor for healthy menu options.

We have youth weight-management classes.

We conduct resilience workshops.

These are key ingredients for helping to create a healthier, prevention-centric mindset and will provide impact toward a better quality workforce and community.

-- Lani Kee, MS
Manager, Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing
and Treasure Coast Health and Fitness Center

Look Mom! I'm a Digital Star!

Not too long ago, my eight-year-old daughter Evie and I had check-up appointments with our physicians. I was feeling great, but had recently developed a slight pain in my right hand. I let my physician, Dr. Glaspey, know and he ordered an x-ray of my hand to see if there might be any sign of arthritis. The next day I took Evie to her pediatric physician, Dr. Laguerre. Because my daughter is especially tall for her age (thanks to my 6’6” husband!), Dr. Laguerre ordered a bone-age study to make sure she was growing at the correct rate. I learned that bone age is measured through an x-ray. As a result, Evie and I found ourselves scheduled for hand x-rays at the Martin Memorial Diagnostic Center. This was going to be a great field trip for us! It was quite challenging trying to explain to her how an x-ray works (how does it work?!). She felt less nervous knowing that mommy was going to be getting the exact same thing done to her hand.

Everyone was so friendly at the Diagnostic Center. While there, I learned that virtually all of the diagnostic tests at Martin Memorial had become “digital” through a system called PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). That means almost all imaging test results are viewed by the radiologists via computer on large flat screens. Gone are the days of big films hanging in front of light boxes with physicians peering close to get a better look. The change from films to digital is equivalent to the revolutionary change of snail mail to email! Martin Memorial Diagnostic Images can now be shared and diagnosed “real time” by physicians from one end of the Treasure Coast to the other.

As I was leaving, the front desk informed me that I could get a copy of our x-rays burned to a CD. The learning experience continued as our family viewed the digital images on our home computer. The image clarity and detail were amazing! The next day, my daughter loaded up the CD’s in her backpack and brought them to her second grade class for show and tell. When she came home, she proudly recounted how her entire class huddled around her teacher’s desk to get a closer look at what the latest in diagnostic imaging technology has to offer…an amazing digital picture of her very own bones!

--Jenny Flaugh
Marketing Representative

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much Understanding Heart Failure is Key!

A couple weeks ago I wrote a blog about Tim Russert’s death from a heart attack. What are the odds that another celebrity would die of heart failure about a week later? Tim Russert died of coronary thrombosis, which is the rupture of a cholesterol plaque in an artery. George Carlin was a comedian/actor who burned the candle at both ends. He had a heart attack at the age of 41, which may have been precipitated by his admitted drug use. On June 22, the 71 year-old went to the hospital with chest pain and passed away from heart failure. I wanted to know more – What is heart failure?

I talked to Dr. Amy Eversole, Cardiologist at Stuart Cardiology; she explained that there are different types of heart failures:

Systolic heart failure is when the heart is not contracting well; therefore, the heart cannot pump with the necessary force to push enough blood into circulation. This is the most common type of heart failure.

Diastolic heart failure is when the muscle of the heart is very thick and does not relax well, preventing blood from filling the heart.

Heart failure has many causes; it can be the last stage of heart diseases or circulation diseases. The weak pump action of the heart means that less blood is sent to the kidneys; they respond by retaining water and salt which increases fluid buildup in the body and causes widespread damage. The most common causes of heart failure are hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease.

Other common causes of heart failure are:
Damage after a heart attack
Valvular heart disease
Myocarditis
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease
Obesity
Congenital heart disease
Cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats
Excess alcohol consumption
A diet high in salt

The signs and symptoms of heart failure are:
Shortness of breath or exertion occurring at rest
Swelling in legs and abdomen
Difficulty sleeping
Palpitations
Decreased urine production
Nausea and vomiting

People who survive heart failure need to be followed closely by a physician or cardiologist. They usually have to control their blood pressure through medication such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin and beta blockers to improve blood circulation and control body fluid.

Cardiologists recommend the following:
Eliminate smoking and alcohol consumption as both decrease the pumping efficiency of the heart
Avoid foods high in salt and restrict your fluid intake
One of the most important things you can do for the health of your heart is to EXERCISE!

-- Sophie Sawicki

Marketing Representative

CPAP Means No More Night Train

So it took me a while, but I went back to the Martin Memorial Sleep Disorders Center to have the second part of my sleep study conducted. This time was to see if a CPAP machine would help increase my oxygen level and reduce the loud snoring while I slept.

I have to admit that I was afraid to try the mask. I’m not sure if it was me or the mask, but I felt like I looked like something out of a late-night horror movie. I definitely wouldn’t wear it in front of my grandchildren.

Feeling the air pressure through my nose seemed difficult to adjust to at first, but I was surprised at how quickly I was able to fall asleep with the machine running. It was very quiet and compact and easy to maneuver – I did move around until I got comfortable and I didn’t even notice the flexibility of the air hose.

The technician monitored my sleep and breathing, and adjusted the pressure while I slept. I can’t say that I woke up feeling refreshed because the tech woke me up at 5:30 a.m., which is earlier than normal for me.

However, the test results showed that my oxygen level was steady at 95 to 97 percent. When the original study was conducted without the CPAP machine, my oxygen level dropped to 69 percent. It also showed that there were no abnormal respiratory events scored, which was a great improvement from 18 times per hour as indicated in the first study.

And the best news of all, according to my husband, is that there was no significant snoring noted. The freight train may have come to a stop.

The next step is to see my physician and get a prescription for a CPAP machine to use at home. My husband said he doesn’t care what I look like wearing the mask because hopefully without my snoring, he will be able to sleep and won’t see me anyway. We are both looking forward to a better night’s sleep in a week or so. Wish me luck!

--Landy Tiffany
Marketing Coordinator

Martin Memorial Kicking Butts

I smoked for the first time when I was 16 years old. Some friends and I got together at a park, passed around some Swisher Sweets cigars and lit up. It was pretty easy really, especially since you didn’t have to inhale.

I loved it – the smell of it, holding it, the feeling of being an adult. The cigars became a staple of our weekend hijinks, driving around town in my buddy’s car, smoking Swisher Sweets and being quite cool – literally. We rolled the windows down so we wouldn’t smell like smoke, which became a challenge in the chilly Alaska winters.

The cigars eventually gave way to Marlboros and that quickly became a daily habit rather than one reserved for weekends. By the time I was 24 I’d been trying to quit off and on for eight years and finally, after convincing myself I had some sort of throat cancer, I decided to quit for good. Cold turkey.

That’s essentially what Martin Memorial will be doing on Oct. 1. On that day, tobacco use will be prohibited on any Martin Memorial campus, including not just the hospitals but any other location as well. The policy includes Martin Memorial Associates, patients, physicians, visitors, volunteers, vendors and anyone else who comes to a Martin Memorial facility.

But we’re not the only healthcare provider doing this: St. Lucie Medical Center will go smoke free beginning Nov. 20 and approximately 30 other hospitals across the state already have similar policies in place.

The message it promotes is simple: tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with an estimated one in every five deaths linked to smoking each year. As healthcare providers, it’s counterintuitive to our mission to have people smoking at our facilities.

Martin Memorial does have smoking cessation programs available that can help people quit. And while it’s not an easy habit to break, quitting can help you live a longer, healthier life.

--Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator