just months after joint replacement surgery

68 Pages·2012·22.34 MB·English

Martha Jefferson
magazıne
SUMMER 2012
Back in
the Saddle
just months
after joint
replacement
surgery
PLUS: A Successful Year with Sentara
Fighting Hospital Infections | Weight-Loss Surgery Helps Shed 100+ Pounds
{ PRESIDENT’S LETTER }
Celebrating Successes
That Strengthen the
Martha Jefferson
Magazine, established Caring Tradition
February 2006, is a
publication of
Martha Jefferson
Health Services,
a community
healthcare system
including Martha
W
Jefferson Hospital
and Martha Jefferson
Medical Services. hen I think back over the happenings of the past year, I am impressed, proud and humbled
Questions or by what Martha Jefferson Hospital has been able to accomplish as an organization. Last June
comments regarding
we finalized our merger with Sentara Healthcare, and in August we opened the doors to our
any material in this
publication should be new hospital. Doing just one of those things in a single year would have been quite a feat, but
directed to the Office both? Wow. Stepping back to reflect for a moment, it’s clear to me that not only have we been able to provide our
of Public Relations,
patients with enhanced services, more advanced technologies and improved clinical outcomes, but we’ve also
500 Martha
Jefferson Drive, been able to strengthen our Caring Tradition. The past year has been one filled with many changes, but our staff,
Charlottesville, our physicians and the community have all pulled together and embraced the journey each step of the way. For
VA 22911.
that, I thank each and every one of you, as that teamwork was so crucial for us to succeed in our efforts.
A key component of this past year’s successes was our partnership with Sentara. Looking to the future, prior
MARTHA to the merger, I was confident that joining forces with a healthcare system — especially one with the expertise
JEFFERSON
HOSPITAL and knowledge of Sentara — was the right move to make. As we have worked together over the past months on
PRESIDENT integration efforts surrounding quality and patient safety initiatives, I am now more certain than ever before that
Jim Haden
Sentara was the best pick for us. (For more information on the benefits of our merger to date, see page 32).
EDITORS Beyond the merger’s tangible benefits for our patients, Sentara’s culture has also been welcoming and sensi-
Michael Cordell tive. The organization’s leadership understands Martha Jefferson’s special Caring Tradition and has encouraged us
Jenn Downs to continue to ensure that our unique environment thrives, despite the changes taking place. And just as we are
learning from Sentara, they have been eager to learn a few things from us as well, specifically about how we strive
CONTRIBUTORS
Diane DiCarlo to make a visit to Martha Jefferson the best it can possibly be for every person who walks through our doors.
Karen Doss Bowman The second major change for our organization was the move to our new facility. For patients, our hospital
Cathy Link
hopefully has provided an increased sense of healing — with private rooms, bright colors covering the walls and
Lauri Wilson
enhanced amenities. Our new hospital offers increased patient safety features, more space for new equipment
PHOTOGRAPHY and a layout that provides more efficiencies. However, it’s also a place where people can continue to see the
Frank Crocker caregivers and physicians they have come to trust. We may have a new building, but we’re still the same Martha
Luca DiCecco
Jefferson. As we look to the future, it is my hope that our new hospital will be a blessing to this community for
Jack Looney
Kristin Moore many years to come, just as Dr. J. Hamilton Browning, one of our founding physicians, hoped for in 1906.
John Robinson Despite the flurry of activity, a new facility, new processes and new partners, Martha Jefferson remains true
Doug Rogers
to its tradition. I am proud of the organization for being forward-looking, making decisions that ultimately will
Andrew Shurtleff
help us better weather the inevitable changes in the healthcare landscape that are headed toward all hospitals
DESIGN and medical staffs. I am continually amazed at how our employees and caregivers continue to go the extra mile to
Picante Creative make our patients — and each other — feel comfortable when they are with us. And last, but certainly not least,
I am happy to see — and fully believe — that our organization has become even stronger, thanks to the diligent
planning, hard work and unwavering dedication of our staff and community in preparation for the dawn of this
win ner of new era at Martha Jefferson.
James E. Haden
President
C O N T E N T S
s u m m e r 2 0 1 2
page
34
f e a t u r e s
18
Infection Prevention
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of
Martha Jefferson Hospital and learn
about all the technology and procedures
that help ensure a clean, safe experience
for patients, visitors and staff.
26
Back in the Saddle
Whether it’s an achy hip, injured knee or
torn shoulder, find out how surgery can
help you get back to the daily activities
that are important to you.
34
Two Paths, One Goal …
Find out how weight-loss surgery can
help you achieve dramatic results and feel
your best. Two patients share their
success stories and the different paths
they traveled back to a normal life.
On the Cover
26
32
Calendar Pull-Out

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summer 2012 | www.marthajefferson.org | Martha Jefferson |
C O N T E N T S
s u m m e r 2 0 1 2
d e p a r t m e n t s
{ PRESIDENT’S LETTER } Inside Cover
3
{ THE BEST MEDICINE }
Nothing Says ‘I Love You’ Quite Like a Boll Weevil
4
{ PRAISEWORTHY }
5
{ NEW FACES }
6
{ THE CARING TRADITION }
Music to Soothe the Soul: Martha Jefferson Creates a
Harmonious Environment to Help Patients Heal
8
{ CAREGIVERS }
The Doctor’s Orders Never Looked so Good
12
{ COMMUNITY }
Access for All: Innovative New Program Offers
Affordable Primary Care for Low-Income Patients
16
24
16
{ HEALTH & WELLNESS } 6
Steer Clear of the Summertime Blues
24
{ EAT WELL, LIVE WELL }
Fueling an Active Life 46
50
{ PHILANTHROPY }
Annual Leadership Donor Recognition
64
{ BOARD PERSPECTIVE }
The Pursuit of Excellence: A Common
Theme at Martha Jefferson
18

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| Martha Jefferson | www.marthajefferson.org
{ THE BEST MEDICINE }
Nothing Says ‘I Love You’
Quite Like a Boll Weevil
BY MICHAEL CORDELL
A
nniversaries can be tricky things. First of all, and in bad. In sickness and in health. Through pieces of
there’s the ongoing pressure-filled challenge paper and boll weevils.
of buying the appropriate gift. For example, in That’s how Martha Jefferson’s first year as part of the
April 2011 I celebrated my first-year wedding Sentara Healthcare system has gone. We remain a community
anniversary. Having read that the traditional hospital that prides itself on its Caring Tradition, its quality
medical outcomes and its commitment to the Central Virginia
gift for one’s first anniversary is paper, I gave
area. But our partnership with Sentara has provided us with
my wife a piece of paper. And from that I
new colleagues, best practices and impressive resources that
quickly learned two things: first, that my
enable us to pursue our mission even more effectively. In
wife has quite a good arm on her, and
other words, Sentara hasn’t changed who we are;
second, that a balled-up piece of paper
they’ve helped make us even better.
can, in fact, cause pain when thrown
I wish I could say the same thing for the
hard enough. experiences I’ve had working with Hollywood.
But given that it was our first anniversary I’ve had the good fortune to have sold three
— not to mention the fact that she knew screenplays to Hollywood studios, and it’s
she wasn’t getting a Rhodes Scholar when truly an amazing creative process. For
she married me — she was patient, paper example, studios might pay money for a
projectile notwithstanding. She told me dramatic script about a boy and a dog, then
I probably shouldn’t take the traditional immediately ask for a rewrite to “tweak”
themes quite so literally. So this past April, just a few things. “Instead of a dog, can
before our second anniversary (for which you make it a monkey? Because everybody
the traditional gift is cotton), she suggested loves monkeys,” they might say. “And
that rather than simply giving her a bag of instead of a boy, make it Angelina Jolie.
cotton balls, I should instead try to think And instead of a drama, turn it into a funny
of something that associated cotton with musical. With a car chase. And a superhero.
love, something that associated cotton with Other than that, don’t change a thing — we
desire. So I gave her a boll weevil. love it exactly as it’s written.”
Strike two. So needless to say, I’m very glad Sentara
This theme (anniversaries, not boll weevils) takes a different approach, although I wouldn’t
is especially appropriate this time of year for have objected if they’d asked us to get a monkey
Martha Jefferson because on June 1 we celebrated (Hollywood is right about that — who doesn’t love
our first-year anniversary as a part of Sentara Healthcare a monkey?). Sentara understands Martha Jefferson’s
(see article, page 32). unique values and knows why they decided to partner with
Fortunately, anniversaries are about more than just Martha Jefferson in the first place, and they haven’t tried
exchanging gifts. They provide an opportunity to reflect on to change what makes us who we are. And best of all —
one’s partnership and to think about the reasons you got especially for me — they didn’t expect a present on our
together in the first place. You don’t enter into a healthy anniversary.
marriage thinking that it’s going to dramatically change who Speaking of which, I’ve decided it’s not too early to
you are as a person — to change what you value or how you start coming up with an appropriate gift for my wedding
look at the world. No, a good marriage shouldn’t make you anniversary next year. So if you have any suggestions, feel free
fundamentally different, but it can easily make you better. to send them my way at [email protected]. I recently
And that’s what a good partnership should do. It should looked online and saw that the theme for the third-year
make you better, without changing what made your partner anniversary is leather. Good grief. Tell me that doesn’t have
want to team up with you in the first place. In good times disaster written all over it.

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summer 2012 | www.marthajefferson.org | Martha Jefferson |
{ PRAISEWORTHY }
A w a r d s
W
e are proud to print the following
excerpts of letters received from patients
regarding recent healthcare experiences
at Martha Jefferson Hospital. These
letters remain anonymous, as Martha
Jefferson takes great strides to protect
the privacy of community members.
I can’t thank the sleep staff enough for their
professionalism, their courteousness and their
over-the-top preparation and technical ability. They
made me feel at home in what was a very pleasant
atmosphere. They were all first-rate individuals
Radiation Oncology Celebrates 20 Years
who were caring and concerned. I am now looking
forward to the CPAP (continuous positive airway Martha Jefferson is proud to recognize the 20th anniversary of the
pressure) and a new life. — March 2012 Radiation Oncology Department at the hospital. The first Radiation
Oncology patient was treated in September 1992 in the Cardwell
My 9-year-old daughter had a tonsillectomy at Center at the Locust Avenue location, and over the past 20 years the
Martha Jefferson in February. It was our first time at department has expanded and become one of the most advanced
the new hospital, and we were all nervous — espe- centers in the region. Among many other accomplishments, during
cially mom! Like most people, I don’t often take the that time Martha Jefferson began treating patients with brain tumors
time to compliment excellent customer service, but using the cutting-edge technique of stereotactic radio surgery;
our experience was more than noteworthy. From implemented on-board imaging with cone beam CT; began offering
Respiratory Gating; and in 2010 was the first hospital in the United
the moment we entered the hospital, everyone
States to purchase two Varian Truebeam Linear Accelerators, the
— and I mean everyone — we encountered was
most sophisticated technology available for radiation therapy.
friendly and helpful and went out of their way to
Congratulations to our physicians and staff for their many
make our stay was as pleasant as possible. One of
accomplishments and all their years of hard work.
the things that impressed me the most was that
we were guided everywhere, instead of having
someone just tell us where to go. I am proud to
Martha Jefferson Takes the Lead
have an outstanding hospital like Martha Jefferson
in my community. — March 2012 in Preventing Falls
Thank you for the referral to Dr. Jacob Young Martha Jefferson Hospital was
last week. The consultation was like nothing I have recently recognized by ADVANCE
for Nurses for the work the hos-
ever experienced. He was thorough in his physical
pital has done to prevent patient
exam, as well as his understanding of my history
falls. In 2010, Martha Jefferson
and current circumstances. He went far and above
established an interdisciplinary
what I would expect from a surgical consultation in
Falls Team and assigned the
terms of both time spent with me and in discussing
group with identifying strategies
the healing process. He did not encourage surgery
that could be used to reduce falls.
at this point, but should I need surgery in the future, The team conducted extensive research, and as a result, evidence-
I am completely confident in his ability and trust in based strategies were put in place — strategies that have yielded
his genuine motivation to want to help people. noteworthy successes. Since the creation of the Falls Team, the fall
— April 2012 rate at Martha Jefferson has decreased by 80 percent. Congratula-
tions to everyone involved in making our hospital as safe as
possible for our patients.
@
Have an experience at Martha Jefferson you would like to share? Email your thoughts to [email protected].

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| Martha Jefferson | www.marthajefferson.org | summer 2012
{ NEW FACES }
Martha in Motion
Martha Jefferson is pleased to wel-
Encourages Employees
come the following new physicians
to Move!
into the hospital community.
Martha in Motion, a three-month pedom- To get connected with one of our physicians, or
eter program that encouraged employees for more information on any doctors at Martha
to get moving, concluded with many
Jefferson, please call Health Connection at
successes. Employees were surveyed
[phone] or 1-888-652-6663. The physician
upon completion, with many reporting
referral line is a free service that can help you
that the initiative indeed had encouraged
them to walk more. Many participants Joe Connor, wellness coordina- find a physician who fits your individual needs.
tor at Martha Jefferson, presents
said they had more energy as a result of
the Most Improved Award to
the program, and some even reported
Linda Evans, a member of the Dr. Brian Conway
that Martha in Motion had helped them Health Connection team. During
get motivated to start a regular exercise the nine-week program, Evans Ophthalmology
program. increased her weekly step
Retina Care of Virginia
average by 20,000 steps.
Medical School:
Georgetown University School
of Medicine (Washington, DC)
Residency: Johns Hopkins Hospital
Silvester Receives Leadership Award (Baltimore, MD)
Fellowship: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Congratulations are in order to Janet Silvester, director
(Miami, FL)
of pharmacy services. Silvester recently was selected as
the recipient of the American Society of Health-System
Dr. Dana Porter
Pharmacists (ASHP) Award for Distinguished Leader-
Obstetrics/Gynecology
ship. Silvester has been a wonderful addition to the
OB/GYN Associates
Martha Jefferson team for more than 30 years, and we
Medical School:
congratulate her on her continued success. Michigan State University
(East Lansing, MI)
Residency: William Beaumont
Facebook Feedback Hospital (Royal Oak, MI)
Clinical Interests: Adolescent gynecology, uter-
To all the nurses on Cornell 3, a big ine and ovarian pathology, high-risk obstetrics,
“thank you” for the care you gave my “LIKE” and menopause
aunt after her surgery. All the laughs, MARTHA JEFFERSON Personal Interests: Spending time with my
support and encouragement meant ON FACEBOOK daughter, yoga, reading and walking my dog
a lot. You all are a wonderful group
and get updates
of nurses.
and insights on the
latest health news,
Just had surgery at Martha Jefferson treatments and
Hospital and am glad the homey feel technologies at our Martha Jefferson Hospital extends its
is still there! The staff was wonderful. new hospital. condolences to the family of the following
Thank you!
physician who recently passed away. The
work she did will always be appreciated and
I had surgery at Martha Jefferson Hospital on Tuesday. Dr Willms was my
surgeon. I had the BEST experience. The nurses were wonderful, and the remembered by those at Martha Jefferson
staff was GREAT! The whole experience was more than I expected. I just Hospital and by the individuals and families
love Martha Jefferson Hospital!
whose lives she touched.
Dr. Patricia Andrews

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summer 2012 | www.marthajefferson.org | Martha Jefferson |
{ THE CARING TRADITION }
MUSIC
TO
SOOTHE

THE
SOUL
Martha Jefferson Creates a Harmonious Environment to Help Patients Heal
F
or most people, music can be a truly
moving experience. While each per-
son has his or her own favorite musi-
cal styles, artists and pieces, music
often has the power to pull us out of
our everyday reality, set our minds
free from worry, and let us unwind
and relax. And as it turns out, music
can have significant benefits in a
hospital setting as well, and can even
help with the healing process.
At Martha Jefferson, quality care of course includes
providing patients with access to leading-edge technology,
an elite team of physicians and a highly skilled nursing staff.
But beyond the ever-important clinical arena, we also know
that soothing the mind and spirit can be just as important
as healing the body, and sometimes that extra dimension
of care can make all the difference in helping a patient

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| Martha Jefferson | www.marthajefferson.org | summer 2012
feel better. With that in mind, Martha Jef- relaxing and appealing to the senses.”
ferson makes continual efforts to bring Whether in a group setting such
the power of music into the hospital’s as the infusion center, or in a private
healing environment, helping patients patient room session, music has shown
to push aside stress and pain and giving to be an effective way to soothe
even the sickest patients something posi- patients and provide them with a new
tive and nurturing on which to focus. sense of calm.
“Music is therapy for many people,” “At Martha Jefferson, it’s our goal
said Martha Hunter, director of guest to put the patient first, always provid-
services. “It’s often very useful in helping ing patient-centered care,” said Hunter.
them recover from a stressful time, an “Music is just another tool we can offer
illness or even pain.” to patients who may be in need. It’s
As part of Martha Jefferson’s initia- been amazing to see how patients re-
tive to create a musical setting for pa- spond, and how quickly they can relax In addition to playing music in
tients, volunteer musicians — including and start to feel better about being in patient rooms, volunteers also
share their healing music in
a variety of pianists, a flutist and vocal the hospital.”
the lobby. Don Danilek plays
artists — are scheduled to come in daily Logan agrees, adding that beyond each Thursday and Sunday.
to share their music in the main lobby. giving patients a sense of ease, music
In addition, the hospital recently added actually can improve certain medical
in-room, one-on-one visits with volunteer conditions.
CARE TO SHARE YOUR MUSIC?
music therapists as a special service to “Intentionally applied music, live
our patients. or recorded, has been shown to signifi- Volunteers are still needed to
“Typically, I provide harp music for cantly release tension, reduce stress, share their music at Martha
patients undergoing chemotherapy, as decrease anxiety and help control pain,” Jefferson with patients and their
well as for their visitors,” said Harmon said Logan. “In particular, music allows families and visitors.
Logan, a board-certified music therapist patients to reconnect to their past, to If you are interested in sharing
who volunteers at Martha Jefferson to specific events and times in their lives your talent or would like more
share her talents. “I have found that the when music was meaningful. Music is a information, please contact Martha
harp, an ancient instrument found in wonderful healing accompaniment for Hunter at [phone].
many cultures, is especially soothing, our life journeys.”
Martha Jefferson Employee Gives the Gift of Music
Without fail, every morning around 7:30 a.m. the
lobby of Martha Jefferson Hospital is filled with
the beautiful sound of piano music. Michael Van
Ornum, an employee in the hospital pharmacy
and the artist behind the gorgeous sound, says
that performing for patients, visitors and staff —
outside his regular work hours — is just part of
his daily routine.
“Playing the piano, or any instrument, is a
means of expressing that which words cannot
convey,” said Van Ornum. “The music I play is
imaginatively gathered from the hearts and souls
of the people working at Martha Jefferson and
reflected back, so the beauty and joy of life can be
heard by all.”
Van Ornum has been coming in 30 minutes
early for work to play in the lobby since the
beginning of the year.
“If a staff person pauses for a moment to
listen, or a patient forgets themselves in an
arpeggio, then for that brief moment the cares of
the world and the stresses of the day are lifted,”
reflected Van Ornum. “I can’t think of a better
place for this to happen than a hospital. As a care-
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{ CAREGIVERS }

The Doctor’s Orders
Never Looked So Good

Online Process Will Ensure Safe, Coordinated Care

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| Martha Jefferson | www.marthajefferson.org | summer 2012