MEDSTAR SOUTHERN HOSPITAL CENTER Summer | 2015

Creating A Mission Fund National Recognition For Stroke Care World Class Heart and Vascular Care Stephen Decatur Middle School Robotic Students Supporting Women Technology With Breast Cancer At Work Tidbits

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Message from the

President 4

Christine Wray, FACHE, President, MedStar Dear Neighbor, Hospital Center

What makes a hospital great? reimbursement and support for nurses pursuing a bachelor’s or After over 30 years working in the master’s degree in nursing. health care industry, I have learned Finally, an active relationship that hospitals that consistently 7503 Surratts Road, Clinton, MD 20735 with the community is an often 301-868-8000 or TTY 301-877-4473 provide high-quality, safe patient overlooked key to the best care are built on a culture of hospitals. We’ve been working in Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE collaboration among physicians, partnership with the community President and Chief Executive Officer, MedStar Health nurses and other associates, and through our advisory task force, the community. made up of community leaders M. Joy Drass, MD from the county health department, Executive Vice President and Chief The first pillar of any hospital is local government, faith-based Operating Officer, MedStar Health its medical staff. Great hospitals groups, businesses, and community attract superstar doctors. We Christine Wray, FACHE activists. We have also conducted President, MedStar Southern Maryland have been strengthening our a community health assessment Hospital Center and Senior Vice team of physicians by recruiting to get a better understanding President, MedStar Health world-class experts at the top of of the health needs of the their respective fields. Recently, Richard Ardery region’s residents. Vice President, Marketing, Philanthropy, 1 2 3 4 many specialist physicians from and Community Relations institutions such as the MedStar We are fortunate to work with Count Us In Heart & Vascular Institute and such an enthusiastically engaged Design: Erin Glynn, Graphic Designer Heavenly View Principal’s Office One-Stop Shopping MedStar group of physicians, nurses, and Photo Credits: Ryan Smith Photography Hospital have opened offices community members. With their Like an air traffic controller The students at Stephen If you live in Brandywine Over the past two years, in a busy airport, Heavenly Decatur Middle School or Waldorf, Maryland, you more than 500 doctors, in Clinton. support, we can realize our vision Health is published as a community Warrick manages hospital in Clinton, Maryland, had probably have seen the large nurses, and associates at to become bigger and better. room availability with a fundraiser to support building under construction MedStar Southern Maryland It is often said that while physicians service for the friends and patrons of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital an office full of large women with breast cancer. on Brandywine Road. It is Hospital Center donated chart the course, nurses sail the Together, we are creating the next Center. It in no way seeks to diagnose computer monitors called Their principal, Barry Cyrus, MedStar Health’s newest their own money to create ship. Indeed, no hospital can great hospital. or treat illness or serve as a substitute “bed boards.” Using real- presented a check for $550 addition to its distributed a mission fund. They raised provide great care without a for professional medical care. Please see time information, the bed to breast surgeon Katerina care delivery network-a nearly $100,000 and dedicated, professional, and caring Kindest regards, your physician if you have a boards display the status Tsiapali, MD, the director of modern 60,000–square- are using the monies for health problem. of each room: occupied, the Breast Health Program at foot medical office complex patients lacking resources group of nurses and associates empty, ready for cleaning, MedStar Southern Maryland that is slated to open in or family support. For aboard. To ensure that our nurses On the cover: Frederick P. Beavers, or patient preparing to Hospital Center. The monies about nine months. It’s more information about receive the support they deserve, MD, FACHE, Vascular Surgeon, Chair go home. This technology will be used to help start a a one-stop ambulatory the mission fund, see we have introduced enhanced Christine Wray, FACHE of the Department of Surgery, MedStar allows physicians and breast cancer support group. center with a wide range the story on page 8. Southern Maryland Hospital Center continuing education opportunities, President, MedStar Southern Maryland nurses to more rapidly serve For more information, see of specialty medical and patients who need to be the story on page 12. surgical services on site. Hospital Center including our hospital-funded “RN admitted into the hospital. to BSN” program that offers tuition Senior Vice President, MedStar Health

2 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER 2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 3 Get the facts about vascular disease Vascular Care from one of the region’s top vascular surgeons.

hen a blood vessel improvement in the quality of life in a Whole blockage occurs in for many patients.” the brain or the heart, it causes a stroke or Peripheral vascular disease Wa heart attack. But fatty plaque Gravity, combined with the legs’ New Vein buildup in the blood vessels is distance from the heart, makes not restricted to heart and brain. the lower extremities (legs and It can occur anywhere in the feet) prime places for vascular nearly 100,000 miles of blood disease. One in 20 Americans age vessels that make up the body’s 50 or older has peripheral arterial vascular system. disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Life- and limb-threatening With every heartbeat, the body’s Vascular disease can cause a National Recognition for arteries carry oxygen-rich blood variety of symptoms in the legs, MedStar Southern Maryland from the heart out to the body’s including cramp-like pain with Hospital Center’s Stroke Center cells, and veins bring the depleted walking or exercise that stops at For the second year in a row, blood back to the heart for rest; leg pain at night; numbness, MedStar Southern Maryland recirculation. Over time, blood tingling, or weakness in the Hospital Center has been vessels tend to weaken, stiffen, legs; burning or aching pain in awarded the American Heart and narrow, reducing circulation the feet or toes while resting; a Association’s Gold Plus Quality and becoming susceptible to sore on a leg or foot that will not Achievement Award and blockages and rupture. This age- heal; changes in the temperature Target: Stroke Honor Roll for related risk is often made worse or color of legs or feet; and the Get With The Guidelines by other common risk factors, varicose veins. among them high blood pressure, -Stroke program. These diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, To treat vascular disease, lifestyle national recognitions, the and lifestyle choices such as changes are key. “Number one is latest in a string of awards for smoking, poor diet, and lack quitting smoking,” said Dr. Beavers. the Stroke Center, signify that of exercise. Losing weight, getting regular the hospital has consistently exercise, and lowering cholesterol delivered quality stroke care According to the Centers for and blood pressure numbers will in accordance with evidence- Disease Control and Prevention, help, as will taking medication as based core medical standards nearly half of all Americans have prescribed to help manage high and quality measures. at least one of the three most cholesterol, high blood pressure, The hospital’s Gold Plus award important risk factors for heart and diabetes. Vascular surgeon and vascular disease: high blood indicates that the Stroke Center has met specific quality pressure, high cholesterol, and For more severe cases, a surgical Frederick Beavers, MD, achievement measures for smoking. Vascular disease can take procedure may be recommended. the diagnosis and treatment in the operating room with nurses several forms-from stroke and Fortunately, there are a range of stroke patients at a set Christine Young, RN, and aneurysm to varicose veins and of minimally invasive options level for two consecutive kidney failure-and can be life- available in addition to open Lorna Macabulos, RN 12-month periods. or limb-threatening. procedures. “Minimally invasive approaches are generally less Ranked among the top “In some ways, vascular disease is physically stressful for patients, stroke programs in Maryland, similar to cancer because it is often with less operating time, and no MedStar Southern Maryland present in more than one place in operations at all in some cases,” Hospital’s Stroke Center has a the body,” said MedStar Heart & said Dr. Beavers. long history of award-winning Vascular Institute vascular surgeon performance in stroke care. Frederick Beavers, MD, FACC, Please call 301-877-7353 to make It remains the only certified who recently opened an office in an appointment with Dr. Beavers. Primary Stroke Center in Clinton. “The good news is that For more information, visit Prince George’s County. treatment can lead to an MedStarSouthernMaryland.org.

4 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER 2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 5 A painful problem tough recovery,” said Dr. Sandhu. “That’s not The human spine is made up of 24 small bones, the case with minimally invasive options.” called vertebrae, which run the length of the back. The vertebrae are separated by gel-like Dr. Sandhu performs minimally invasive lumbar cushions called spinal discs, which absorb the fusion in one of two ways. In a transforaminal lumbar shock of movement, help to hold the vertebrae in interbody fusion, he makes a small incision about place, and make the spine’s flexibility possible. one inch long in the back. In other cases, Dr. Sandhu uses a side approach called an extreme lateral Sometimes, one of the vertebrae can slip out of interbody fusion, avoiding the patient’s abdomen and place, a condition called spondylolisthesis. Rather accessing the spine through a muscle alongside it. than resting on a spinal disc, the slipped vertebra may sit on the bone beneath it. As the misaligned To reach the spine, Dr. Sandhu opens a small area bones begin to press on the in the muscle using a series of dilators, creating spinal nerves, they can cause a channel in the muscle severe pain, weakness, or rather than slicing through it. numbness in the back and legs. Throughout the procedure, he Spondylolisthesis can result uses an operating microscope, from changes to the spine endoscopes, special from aging, trauma, or from The surgery instruments, and guidewires, congenital abnormalities. Age while rapid x-rays provide is the most common risk factor. high-definition guidance. can be life altering. Conservative treatments for A faster recovery spondylolisthesis can include With minimally invasive spine anti-inflammatory drugs, You can go from surgeries like those Dr. Sandhu physical therapy, steroid performs at MedStar Southern injections, and epidural blocks. Maryland Hospital Center, If these options do not relieve being a person who patients can expect a much the patient’s pain, or if the easier recovery. Patients who pain gets progressively worse, undergo minimally invasive surgery is recommended. cannot stand or walk lumbar fusion have a lower risk of infection and much less A strong solution blood loss, which means that Just as its name implies, very far to being a they often do not need post- lumbar spinal fusion stabilizes operative blood transfusions. the lower spine and relieves They generally require less Neurosurgeon pain by fusing together two person who can do pain medication, and most Faheem Sandhu, MD, PhD, or more lumbar vertebrae. patients are able to go home in the operating room at Dr. Sandhu gains access to the from the hospital rather than spine and removes the bony things without pain to a rehabilitation center. MedStar Southern Maryland top of the slipping vertebra, Hospital Center relieving the pressure on the Once recovery is complete, spinal nerves inside. Next, and have a normal which can take as little as six to he prepares a bone graft eight weeks, patients can begin and places a cage between to resume normal activities. the bones that need to be lifestyle. A Firm Foundation joined. Using x-ray guidance, “The surgery can be life he then places screws and altering. You can go from being Neurosurgeon Faheem Sandhu, MD, PhD, brings minimally rods to help stabilize the a person who cannot stand or walk very far to being a person invasive lumbar spinal fusion to Southern Maryland. spine. As the graft heals, the bone will grow over the who can do things without vertebrae and fuse them, thereby stabilizing the pain and have a normal lifestyle,” said Dr. Sandhu. “It’s a very helpful surgery for people with this he surgical procedure debilitating back and leg pain while professor of neurosurgery and patient’s back. Dr. Sandhu completes all of these condition, and it changes their lives for the better.” called “spinal fusion” is increasing a patient’s mobility. director of spinal surgery at steps using minimally invasive techniques. both vivid and potentially MedStar Georgetown University To arrange a consultation with Dr. Sandhu, MedStar Southern Maryland “The traditional approach to spine surgery misleading. Although Hospital, is now performing please call 301-856-2323. For more information Tit may sound like it would Hospital Center is expanding its minimally invasive lumbar spinal requires significant collateral damage to the about minimally invasive spine surgery, please clinical capabilities in neuroscience. back muscles and soft tissues, which has led to immobilize a person, spinal fusion fusion surgery at MedStar Southern go to MedStarSouthernMaryland.org. is actually designed to relieve Faheem Sandhu, MD, PhD, Maryland Hospital Center. the idea that back surgery necessitates a long,

6 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER 2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 7 Count Us In. needs are very different, we also Doctors, nurses, and associates provide baby clothing and supplies at MedStar Southern Maryland for new moms who lack resources. Hospital Center have joined together and generously donated Shortly after creating the emergency over $95,000 of their own money clothing closet, we were able to to create an emergency clothing assist our first patient. When the closet for patients in need. patient, who has few resources, was offered some clothing, she asked, The emergency clothing closet “Are you sure you want to give this grew out of an existing need at our to me?” Thanks to the generosity hospital. Occasionally patients who of the men and women who work lacked resources or family support at MedStar Southern Maryland were being discharged without Hospital Center, we were able to proper clothing. Rather than have say a resounding “yes”- and send our patients leave the hospital in a this patient home with dignity. paper gown, nurses, caseworkers, and patient advocates would Generous members of the scramble to find usable clothing community have expressed an from the lost and found, or chip in interest in supporting our patients their own money to buy clothing. by making a donation to this fund. If you would like to help support Now with an emergency clothing this fund by making a gift, please closet available, if we discover a call Richard Ardery, Vice President patient in need, we can request a of Marketing, Philanthropy and sweatshirt and pants, underwear, Community Relations, at socks, and basic footwear in a 301-877-5700 or email variety of sizes. And although their [email protected]. World Class Cardiac Care MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center is proud to welcome renowned interventional cardiologist Mun K. Hong, MD, FACC, to the team.

hat are the qualities 2008 book Acute Coronary of an outstanding Syndrome: Multidisciplinary and physician leader? Pathway-Based Approach. A strong reputation Wand respect from colleagues. Although he has spent much An energetic mind eager to take of his career in New York City, on new challenges. A wealth of Dr. Hong has a strong connection experience and finely honed skill to the Washington, D.C. area. in one’s medical specialty. And He earned his medical degree perhaps most important of all, a and completed his residency at deep commitment to providing Johns Hopkins and completed the best care for patients and fellowships in cardiology and inspiring others to do the same. interventional cardiology at MedStar Georgetown University Meet Mun K. Hong, MD, FACC, Hospital and MedStar Washington a shining example of a physician Hospital Center, respectively. Interventional cardiologist leader and the new chair of MedStar Mun Hong, MD, in Southern Maryland Hospital “I am happy to have the Center’s cardiology department. opportunity to focus on clinical the catheterization lab work at MedStar Southern at MedStar Southern Dr. Hong has spent most of his Maryland Hospital Center, and I Maryland Hospital Center career practicing in Manhattan’s welcome the challenge of leading top university medical centers. this department as it focuses on a Before joining MedStar, Dr. cooperative approach to patient- Hong served as director of the centered care,” Dr. Hong said. “I am cardiac catheterization lab and confident that we can deliver on interventional cardiology for nine our promises and provide a high years at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s quality of care and quality of life Hospital in Manhattan and the for patients in southern Maryland.” previous seven years as Cornell Hospital’s director of cardiovascular To make an appointment with intervention and research. Dr. Hong, call 301-877-5677. For more information about A prolific researcher, Dr. Hong MedStar Health Heart & has published over 100 articles Vascular Institute, please visit in peer-reviewed medical MedStarHeartInstitute.org. journals and co-edited the

10 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER 2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 11 hile many school-aged kids might be cancer awareness day, and the students and staff dug When it came time to find a recipient for the donation, In 2013, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center spending the day thinking about their into their pockets to make donations during lunch. it was important to Stephen Decatur Middle School’s opened the MedStar Breast Health Program, a state-of- friends or passing this week’s vocabulary To motivate the students, school Principal Barry Cyrus students and staff that the gift would have an impact the-art facility led by noted breast surgical oncologist test, the students at Stephen Decatur announced he would contribute an additional 25% in in their community. School officials contacted MedStar Katerina Tsiapali, MD. WMiddle School in Clinton, Maryland, raised a total matching funds. Southern Maryland Hospital Center, and the hospital’s of $550 and donated it to support the MedStar philanthropy team found a fitting way to honor the Additional donations to help fund the breast cancer Breast Health Program at MedStar Southern Maryland At the end of the two-day collection period, the students’ community-minded generosity: the funds support group are being collected now. For more Hospital Center. Stephen Decatur Middle School community had have been designated to help pay the costs of a breast information, or to find out how you can contribute, contributed $550 to help in the fight against cancer support group through the MedStar Breast please call Richard Ardery, Vice President of Marketing, The school added the fundraiser to its existing breast cancer. Health Program. Philanthropy and Community Relations at tradition of wearing pink on a designated breast 301-877-5700 or e-mail [email protected].

12 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER 2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 13 > The Future of Surgery MEDSTAR SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOSPITAL CENTER RESOURCE GUIDE Is Here For more details on these programs and others, please call the phone numbers listed or visit our website: MedStarSouthernMaryland.org

SUPPORT GROUPS CLASSES Car Seat Safety Check—Free! Third Saturday of every month. Breastfeeding Support Group— Breastfeeding Class Not offered during the months of Free! First Saturday of every month December, January, and February. Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hospital Library (ground floor) Colony South Hotel (parking lot) (excluding holidays) Registration required. Registration required. Recreation area of 2 North 301-877-5740 301-877-5740 301-877-5740 The First Year of Life Free Screenings Diabetes Support Group—Free! Third Saturday of every month MedStar Southern Maryland Fourth Thursday of every month from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hospital Center offers periodic (November and December moved Hospital Library (ground floor) free screenings at the Waldorf to third Thursday because of Registration required. Screening Center for a variety of holidays) 301-877-5740 medical conditions. from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 301-374-9098 Hospital Library (ground floor) Prenatal Childbirth Class 301-877-5560 Second Saturday of every month Hospital Volunteer Program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MedStar Southern Maryland Prostate Cancer Support Hospital Library (ground floor) Hospital Center volunteers make Group—Free! Registration required. a difference every day helping Second Tuesday of every month 301-877-5740 to support the health of our from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. community. Please call Hospital Library (ground floor) 301-877-4553 for more 301-877-5556 or visit OTHER PROGRAMS information about volunteer One of the newest additions to the operating MedStarSouthernMaryland.org opportunities. room at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital for more information. Ask the Doctor Lecture Series— Center is a surgical robot named da Vinci. Free! Mall Walkers Program—Free! Named after the Renaissance artist Leonardo NAMI/Mental Health Support Learn the latest information on St. Charles Towne Center da Vinci, it’s the latest robotic technology that Group for Family Members and a host of medical topics by Supervised, all-weather walking enables doctors to operate through just a few Caregivers—Free! attending a lecture series with FREE blood pressure small incisions. First Tuesday of every month featuring some of the top medical monitoring. from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and surgical specialists in the 301-374-9098 The system, featuring a 3D high-definition Hospital Library (ground floor) Washington, D.C., area. vision system, consists of a surgeon’s console 301-877-5700 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Women and Newborns and patient-side cart with four interactive Both location and topic change Center Tours—Free! robotic arms that bend and rotate. Stroke Support Group—Free! regularly. Hospital Solarium (first floor) Last Thursday of every month 301-877-5700 or visit 301-877-5740 or visit from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. MedStarSouthernMaryland.org MedStarSouthernMaryland.org Hospital Library (ground floor) for more information. for more information. Registration required. 301-877-5858 Blood Pressure Screenings—Free! Every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Hospital Solarium

14 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | SUMMER2015 SUMMER 2015 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 15 7503 Surratts Road Clinton, MD 20735

Top Doctor Specializing in both otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery, Seema Pai, MD, MPH, offers a unique mix of medical, surgical, and aesthetic expertise. long with southern University. She completed a Maryland’s continued residency in otolaryngology at growth comes a growing Montefiore Medical Center in need for medical services, New York City and a fellowship in Aparticularly in subspecialties facial plastic and reconstructive like ear, nose and throat surgery at Commonwealth (otolaryngology). Recognizing this University Medical Center and need, MedStar Southern Maryland McGuire VA Medical Center. Hospital Center is proud to introduce Seema Pai, MD, MPH, Dr. Pai treats patients with a full to our community. range of ear, nose and throat problems using minimally invasive Dr. Pai is on the medical staff techniques whenever possible, at MedStar Southern Maryland with a focus on nasal disorders and Hospital Center and is an attending nasal surgeries. She also specializes physician at MedStar Washington in facial plastic and reconstructive Hospital Center’s nationally ranked surgery, with particular interests Department of Otolaryngology - in functional rhinoplasty, facial Head & Neck Surgery. She earned rejuvenation, facial fractures, and her medical degree from the reconstruction after Mohs skin University of Toledo College of cancer surgery. Medicine and a master’s degree in public health from Columbia For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 301-877-0891.