Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Greenville, SC Permit No. 374
800 North Fant Street • Anderson, SC 29621 www.anmedhealth.org
Fall 2018
New nursing career pathways change lives Grant gives uninsured more access to health care
‘Tis the season for pain-free food
Introducing E-Visits Feel better fast
@
AnMed Health now offers the convenience of E-Visits. Just answer a few questions and you’ll quickly get a treatment plan. From colds to fevers to back pain, AnMed Health is making medical care convenient, wherever you are, whenever you need it. All for only $20. Visit www.AnMedHealth.org/E-Visits to feel better fast!
Minimally invasive procedure relieves the pain of acid reflux
FROM THE CEO
CONTENTS
4 New nursing career pathways change lives 6 Grant gives uninsured more access to health care 8 ‘Tis the season for pain-free food 10 Ask the Doc: Plan your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit 11 3D mammography: Saving lives 12 Personal care gives lung nodule patient peace of mind 13 Reel relief: Injections help fisherman with knee pain 14 News Briefs 15 Visions: Foundation News
Something Burning? It doesn’t have to be you.
Greg Hill, who used to suffer from chronic acid reflux, can now enjoy foods that were previously off limits before undergoing the TIF procedure by Dr. Paul Frassinelli. Special thanks to Mellow Mushroom and CocoBon Chocolatier for serving as photo shoot locations. ON THE COVER:
Getting the holiday turkey just right can be a challenge. But that’s the only reason you should have to miss out on your favorite foods. If chronic heartburn and acid reflux cause you to miss out on the turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie, AnMed Health Piedmont Surgical Associates can help. Dr. Paul Frassinelli performs the incisionless TIF procedure, usually outpatient, restoring the body’s natural protection against reflux. It also allows you to enjoy the holidays the way they should be…with no burning.
Inside
ANMED HEALTH Inside AnMed Health is published quarterly for AnMed Health staff, friends and the community. CONTACT
Marketing Department 864.512.3703
Dr. Frassinelli
MISSION To passionately blend the art of caring with the science of medicine to optimize the health of our patients, staff and community. VISION To be recognized and celebrated as the gold standard for health care quality and community health improvement.
No Pills. No Incisions. Quick Recovery. To find out if you’re a candidate, visit www.AnMedHealth.org/Reflux or call 864.512.7222.
800 North Fant Street • Anderson, SC 29621 864.512.1000 • www.anmedhealth.org
AnMed Health’s giving spirit THIS TIME OF YEAR IS FOR REFLECTION AND GIVING THANKS. It’s an opportunity for us as a health care system to take stock of what we’ve done and what we’ll continue to do for the good of the community. I’m thankful to be part of such a selfless, generous and thoughtful team of professionals who deeply care for everyone they serve and truly reflect AnMed Health’s slogan, “We’re in this together,” because we really are. There was an abundance of milestones in 2018 that we can reflect upon to see how AnMed Health benefits the community, primarily because of our teammates’ and volunteers’ willingness to give. For example, employee donations to the AnMed Health Foundation and the United Way exceeded the fundraising goals for a combined total of about $623,000. That will have a tremendous and long-lasting impact on the community. Our volunteers were just as generous. In recognition of its 60th anniversary, the AnMed Health Auxiliary gave $60,000 to the AnMed Health MUSC medical student education fund to assist with training our talented students. As the only branch campus of the MUSC School of Medicine, AnMed Health provides students with the opportunity to work alongside our physicians and prepare to give the top-notch medical care that our community needs and deserves. Educating them in Anderson is especially important because many will stay here, giving back to the community in more ways than we can imagine. AnMed Health also partnered with Tri-County Technical College to launch a patient care technician (PCT) training program. The PCT program helps nursing assistants (NAs) broaden their care-giving skills, earn a certification at no cost to them, and boost their professional growth and livelihood. It also adds needed career opportunities for the community. In addition to giving our medical students and nursing assistants a helping hand, AnMed Health also focused on a life-changing initiative for one of the most vulnerable populations regarding health care, the uninsured. Thanks to a $450,000, Duke Endowment Access Health grant, more of the uninsured can receive primary care access and case management when they don’t qualify for other similar programs already in place. Through the combination of Access Health, Piedmont Health Partners and South Carolina’s Healthy Outcomes Plan, a multitude of professionals work together to reduce the uninsured’s need for emergency care. Instead of waiting for them to arrive in the emergency room, the partnerships are taking health care to them. That improves their quality of life and enables them to spend more time at home and work. If we continue to focus on serving our patients and our community, then we will continue to fulfill our mission and vision. This year’s examples reflect our efforts and give us much to be thankful for and even more to be hopeful for when the calendar turns over to 2019. Being in the midst of the holiday season, I wish you and yours a joyous time together and a prosperous new year.
Bill Manson Inside ANMED HEALTH 3
New nursing career pathways change lives
“It really changed the way that I take care of my patients after I finished that class.” – Monica Bolden, PCT program graduate
WHEN MONICA BOLDEN speaks about the
new AnMed Health Patient Care Technician (PCT) program, she is enthusiastic. She has wanted to become a nurse for some time, but life happened, and her plans were put on hold. In March 2018, Bolden joined AnMed Health as a nursing assistant, but without state certification, Bolden found herself limited on the patient services in which she could assist. The new, grantfunded PCT program at AnMed Health opened the door to Bolden’s dream. “It was a good program. I got a lot of positive things out of it,” Bolden said. She was in the first group of nursing assistants to go through the new PCT program. “It really changed the way that I take care of my patients after I finished that class.” Previously, Bolden was enrolled in a nursing assistant class but could not afford to pay for the state board-certification portion. When she learned about the AnMed Health grant-funded program, Bolden enrolled. The PCT program enables nursing assistants to receive state certification, which provides the opportunity to receive more experience and earn more pay. AnMed Health has partnered with Tri-County Technical College to launch the PCT program. The six-week program provides five weeks of classroom instruction and one week of hands-on training. The PCT program was first rolled out to currently employed AnMed Health nursing assistants but is now offered externally. It targets individuals seeking a career in nursing or health care. “This new program supports AnMed Health’s efforts to create a path to grow future nurses and allow education for the nursing assistive staff,” said Shaunda Trotter, vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer. “A well-trained nursing assistant can better support the staff nurse, which improves efforts to maximize value for our patients and reduce inefficiencies across the continuum of care.” While the PCT program paves the way for nursing assistants to pursue a nursing career,
4 Inside ANMED HEALTH
Monica Bolden was one of the first graduates of the patient care technician program, which enables nursing assistants to expand their care-giving skills and professional opportunities.
a newly minted AnMed Health scholarship pilot program will help practicing nurses with an associate degree obtain a Bachelor of Science degree (BSN) from Anderson University. The tuition-paid program targets current AnMed Health nurses and nurses who graduated from Tri-County Technical College. To qualify for the tuition-assisted program, the new or existing AnMed Health employee must have graduated from Tri-County Technical College. The new or existing employee must qualify and be admitted to Anderson University, consistently obtaining a grade-point average (GPA) of no less than 2.75, and remain in good standing with both AnMed Health and Anderson University. The new or existing employee must be willing to sign the AnMed Health Education Advancement Agreement. Applications are being accepted for the BSN curriculum that will require 28 – 34 credit hours offered online by Anderson University. Tuition payments will be made directly to Anderson University throughout the academic year. Applicants selected for the program will be responsible for their application fee, books and technology fee. To apply, candidates must fill out an AnMed Health employment application. A nursing committee has been set up to screen, approve, and vote on applicants who will be accepted into the program. “We are a Magnet facility. We promote nursing education. We require nurses to sign a contract when they are hired stating that they’ll acquire their BSN. We feel that this new program is our way to support that process,” Trotter said. Both the AnMed Health scholarship pilot program and grant-funded PCT program undoubtedly change lives. Bolden’s life changed after going through the PCT program and receiving her state certification as a nursing assistant. “I plan to stay at AnMed Health. I want to be a nurse here,” she said.
Inside ANMED HEALTH 5
Grant gives uninsured more access to health care WHEN UNINSURED PEOPLE have
chronic conditions – behavioral health, hypertension, diabetes, COPD – affordable and continuous health care can be out of reach. Yet, they still need individualized care to treat re-occurring symptoms that can lead to expensive and life-threatening situations. Lacking the ability to pay out-ofpocket, many of them turn to so-called free care provided by the emergency department (ED). That dilemma leads to costly care for the health system and only temporary respite for the patient. “The ED is the most expensive place to receive primary care,” said Michael Cunningham, AnMed Health’s vice president of community health partnerships. “They’re set up to treat trauma and emergencies. Someone may have chronic conditions, and that is where they’ve gone in the past to receive their care, but that doesn’t serve them well. It doesn’t serve the ED well.” One in six South Carolinians have no health insurance, according to the S. C. Hospital Association. In Anderson County, that statistic translates to 32,500 uninsured. AnMed Health has partnered with the state to address the issue. Since 2014, AnMed Health has worked to improve health care services for the uninsured Halee Evans through South Carolina’s Healthy Outcomes Plan (HOP). AnMed Health’s local HOP initiative is called the Anderson Access to Care Coalition and is made up of a number of partners meeting the needs of the uninsured. HOP’s aim is to minimize the number of ED visits the uninsured make seeking routine, non-life threatening medical care. The plan is also designed to reduce
6 Inside ANMED HEALTH
repeat ED admissions for those with chronic conditions by arranging case management and regular treatments through other services. Since it began in Anderson County, the HOP program has assisted over 1,000 participants. Unfortunately, not everyone in need qualifies for HOP. Part of the HOP criteria, for example, requires that someone has at least two ED visits a year. Those who don’t are excluded from the state plan. More recently, two important developments have dramatically improved the community’s ability to meet the needs of those without health insurance. First, in 2016, AnMed Health launched Piedmont Health Partners (PHP) – a Population Health Management Company that includes a network of providers and other staff. PHP uses a number of resources to manage the complex needs of thousands of patients, working to improve their health outcomes as well as lowering the cost of their care. PHP now partners with AnMed Health to bring those same resources to those receiving services under the HOP initiative. The second development came earlier this year and is the result of a $450,000 grant from the Duke Endowment to the AnMed Health Foundation, also with the purpose of improving access to services for the uninsured. The Duke Endowment’s Access Health grant allows for a wider cross section of the uninsured to be served with a specific focus on primary care access as well as case management for participants. Now, if an uninsured Anderson County resident doesn’t qualify for HOP, the Access Health program, funded by The Duke Endowment, may fill the gap. Ultimately, the community now has a tremendous set of tools to assist the uninsured, which include PHP, HOP and Access Health. Access Health funding and Piedmont Health Partners’ resources will allow
The Duke Endowment Access Health grant helps fund primary and preventive care, helping the uninsured avoid the emergency department.
“Hopefully, those we are serving will eventually find insurance, but if they don’t, they will be healthier because they know how to manage their condition better...” – Halee Evans, Access Health coordinator
for social workers, nurses, CMAs and other health professionals to provide the appropriate care at the appropriate time for participants who would not have had access to due to being uninsured. Besides the care management and navigation, patients will also have access to a dedicated 24/7 help line. “We want to help them navigate the
things that ultimately impact their health, although those things may not be health related,” said Halee Evans, access health coordinator. “From the first assessment, they know they have a chronic disease, but they don’t know much about managing it properly. What we have found mostly is that they need someone to call on with questions. They need more
hands-on care until they become more educated about it.” With the new partnerships and resources now in place, the goal is to enroll an additional 850 participants into the Access Health program within the next 18 months. “Hopefully, those we are serving will eventually find insurance, but if they
don’t, they will be healthier because they know how to manage their condition better and they learn about resources available to them that they didn’t know about before Access Health,” Evans said. “We can help them navigate that, prepare them for visits, and get them the care they need. That lowers the cost of health care for all of us.”
Inside ANMED HEALTH 7
‘Tis the season for pain-free food FROM HALLOWEEN TO CHRISTMAS, an abundance of chocolate
Having undergone the minimally invasive TIF procedure, Greg Hill can now enjoy foods that he used to have to skip due to chronic acid reflux.
8 Inside ANMED HEALTH
is all around. In holidays past, Greg Hill had to pass on all of it. He suffered from severe, chronic acid reflux, and for millions of people like him, acid reflux was more than a temporary annoyance. “Chocolates were just out,” he said. “There was no way I could eat that stuff. It would have put me in the hospital.” Although he avoided chocolate, he had to eat, and there’s a lot to choose from during the holidays. “Typically, if I wanted it, I would eat it, but the holidays were really like every other day of the year,” he said. “I would just suffer and deal with it, but I would still stay away from chocolate.” Hill, an active 47-year-old, first remembers dealing with acid reflux as a teenager. Over the years, it got worse and worse. By adulthood, he was taking two prescription drugs in addition to over-the-counter heartburn medications. On particularly bad days, he would swallow baking soda to relieve the pain. “It was unbearable. It really truly was,” Hill said. “Even with the medicine.” Experiencing occasional heartburn is normal, but men and women who experience heartburn more than twice a week may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mild sufferers experience heartburn and reflux on occasion, usually after a heavy meal or when eating greasy, acidic food. Patients with severe GERD, like Hill, experience symptoms several times a week or even daily. Reflux made him not want to eat. It also made him nauseated, which made it even harder to eat. “It was all the time a constant burning and pain, like with tomato-based stuff – a taco or spaghetti – but chocolate was the big thing,” he said. “In the end, it didn’t matter what I ate.” Concerned for his health, Hill started researching options online. That’s when he learned about the TIF procedure for GERD. Dr. Paul Frassinelli offers it at AnMed Health Piedmont Surgical Associates. GERD is a chronic condition where the gastroesophageal valve allows stomach acid to wash back (or reflux) into the esophagus. The acid irritates the esophagus causing heartburn and damaging the esophagus over time. While heartburn medicine relieves Dr. Paul Frassinelli the burning, it can’t stop reflux from occurring. TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) is an outpatient procedure that repairs the valve that causes reflux. TIF is a minimally invasive procedure that needs no incisions, so it leaves no scars. It has a faster recovery time and fewer complications than conventional reflux surgery. Dr. Frassinelli has followed the progress of reflux surgeries over
the course of his 20-year career. Of all the developments he’s seen, he believes TIF is the most promising. “A lot of patients who would have undergone traditional surgery would be good candidates for this less invasive procedure,” Dr. Frassinelli said. The best candidates for TIF are healthy adults – like Hill – who battle chronic, uncontrolled reflux. For those patients, TIF relieves the pain of acid reflux without exposing them to the risks that come with the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. These drugs, also called PPIs, are the most common medicines to treat acid reflux and are now being linked to serious health problems later in life. Studies have linked the long-term use of PPIs to osteoporosis, increased risk of dementia and kidney disease, Dr. Frassinelli said. PPIs also interfere with patients’ ability to take some heart medicines. Studies also show that the TIF procedure can reduce patients’ dependency on medication. Seventy-five percent of patients are completely off daily medicine after three years. With TIF, patients are often in and out of the hospital the same day and can go back to regular activity within a week. For patients like Hill, TIF is changing the quality of everyday life. In addition to eating, former GERD sufferers can enjoy a restful night’s sleep. “I would have to sit up in a reclined position to sleep because of the burning and stuff coming up into my throat” he said. “I can actually lay down now.” Just a few weeks out from surgery, he was eating normally and rediscovering what it’s like to eat chocolate, pain-free. “If I want a candy bar or a piece of cake, I’ll eat it,” Hill said. “There’s no fear anymore. It was always in the back of my head. Now that I have relief, I’ll eat all that stuff.” To learn more about the TIF procedure, visit www.AnMedHealth.org/Reflux, or call AnMed Health Piedmont Surgical Associates, 864.512.7222, to schedule an appointment.
Inside ANMED HEALTH 9
ASK THE DOC
NEWS BRIEFS
Plan for your health with your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
“It can make all the difference.”
Are you getting the most out of your Medicare? Many Medicare patients don’t know that Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy.
detailed exam of the breast tissue. It gives smaller images for the radiologist to read, and it helps them see things that may not be detected with the traditional breast cancer screening methods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 3D mammography in 2011. It captures multiple cuts of the breast at different angles. The images are brought together to create a clear 3D reconstruction of the breast. The radiologist is then able to review the reconstruction, similar to turning pages of a book. “It allows us to see the breast tissue layer by layer. It eliminates callbacks by 40 percent,” said Rebecca Watt, AnMed Health radiology technologist. A callback occurs when the mammogram picks up something suspicious and additional imaging or a biopsy is requested by the physician. Fewer than 10 percent of the women called back for additional testing are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The 3D mammogram costs a little more than the traditional breast cancer screening. Women are encouraged to call their insurance provider to find out if it is covered. For Allison, it was covered by insurance. Even if it was not covered by insurance, Allison said she would have paid the additional cost. “It can make all the difference,” she said. Allison underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment. She will take Anastrozole/Arimidex – a hormone-based chemotherapy – daily for five years to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. Today, Allison is a breast cancer survivor. She can’t express enough how happy she is that the 3D mammography caught her breast cancer. “I was in good hands from the time this started to the time it ended, and I had everything done at AnMed Health,” she said.
Pattie Allison, breast cancer survivor
Preventive services, including screenings, vaccinations, lab tests and exams can find health problems early – when they are most treatable – and can keep you from getting certain diseases. Preventive services also include programs for health monitoring, counseling and education to help you take care of your own health. Medicare pays 100 percent of the cost for this visit with no out-of-pocket expense to you. Dr. David Kyle, who is board certified in family medicine, recommends wellness visits to all of his Medicare patients.
Q: What is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit? A: As a Medicare patient, you’re allowed a comprehensive Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) every 12 months. This visit helps your doctor identify any health risks you may have and allows us to work with you to develop a plan to address your health care needs. The goal of a Medicare Wellness Visit is to help you reach your goals in getting or staying healthy. Q: What is covered during a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit? A: During the visit, your health care provider will work with you to: • Complete a comprehensive review of your medical and family health history. • Check your height, weight and blood pressure. • Review your current medicines. • Schedule recommended shots and screenings. • Advise you on personal medical issues and treatment options. Q: How is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit different from a regular exam? A: The annual Medicare Wellness Visit is designed to allow you and your 10 Inside ANMED HEALTH
provider to focus on health promotion and prevention planning, including education and counseling about preventive services. This visit is different from a physical, hands-on exam. Because of this, it is difficult to thoroughly address new or chronic conditions or problems during this visit, so your provider may ask you to schedule a separate visit to appropriately address those issues.
and medical suppliers regularly involved in your care. • A copy of your advanced directive and/ or power of attorney for health care, if you have one.
Q: What should I bring to my Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
A: To schedule your AWV, contact your primary care provider. If you need a primary care provider, please call AnMed Health Wellness Connect at 864.512.3748 or visit www.AnMedHealth.org/Find-A-Physician.
A: Most importantly, bring a list of all medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter meds, vitamins, supplements and herbs. If possible, you should also bring the following: • All of your at-home, biological measurements that you monitor, such as blood pressure and blood sugar. • A list of any immunizations you have had. • Copies of any preventive screening exams such as mammograms and colonoscopies. • A list of past medical problems and surgical history. • Copies of any lab work or diagnostic tests performed. • Your family health history in as much detail as possible. • A list of current health care providers
You may be asked to fill out a health risk assessment before your visit. Q: How do I schedule my Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
Pattie Allison credits 3D mammography with detecting a tiny malignancy.
3D mammography: Saving lives
Dr. David L. Kyle
AnMed Health Cornerstone Family Medicine 801 E. Greenville Street Anderson, South Carolina 29621 864.261.8000
To nearly every woman Pattie Allison meets, she sings the praises of the three-dimensional (3D) mammogram she received at AnMed Health in March 2018. Allison believes that 3D mammography saved her life. A tiny malignancy was detected when the radiologist studied the images of her 3D mammogram. “I have a history of having very dense breasts and fibrocystic breast disease. This malignancy would not have been
found without the 3D. It was behind all that density; there would be no way to see it,” she said. Fibrocystic breasts are described as lumpy due to small masses or cysts. This condition affects more than 60 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 50 years old, often occurring after menopause. A lumpy or dense breast is hard to see through. It’s like looking through a frosted glass. The 3D mammogram is a more
To learn more about 3D mammography, visit www.AnMedHealth.org/3D, or call 864.512.5400 to schedule an appointment.
Inside ANMED HEALTH 11
“It’s given me a peace of mind. It makes me feel very comfortable.” – James Cantrell, patient
Reel relief Injections help fisherman with knee pain
After receiving knee injections, Wallace Heard can enjoy pier fishing again, a favorite pastime that he had nearly given up.
The new lung nodule program helps James Cantrell navigate through a stressful journey.
Personal care gives lung nodule patient peace of mind Sharp pain in his chest sent James Cantrell to the emergency room in August 2018. He first thought that something was happening with his heart. As it turned out, there were three small spots on the lower lobe of his right lung. On September 12, the 65-year-old Anderson retiree and father of three grown children underwent surgery at AnMed Health to remove the tumors. Cantrell’s journey has become less stressful because of the new AnMed Health Lung Nodule Program. At every turn, a navigator and doctor have been with him. “I’m getting all of the information that I need. It’s given me a peace of mind. It makes me feel very comfortable,” Cantrell said. When a CT scan or X-ray finds an abnormality, a navigator gets involved in coordinating and setting up appointments and other medical care which can speed up the process of obtaining the diagnosis. “The goals of the program are to maximize early detection of lung cancer with minimally invasive procedures
12 Inside ANMED HEALTH
and to assist referring providers with ongoing lung nodule monitoring,” said Dr. Abhijit Raval, medical director of interventional pulmonology and pulmonary vascular disease. Before the nodule program, it could take four or more weeks for the patient to move to the next level of care. Medical specialists may request more tests, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety for the patient while awaiting the outcome of the additional analyses. “This platform will be used to provide a multidisciplinary approach to organized care in a timely fashion,” Dr. Raval said. “The lung nodule program provides patients with suspected or identified lung nodules the most effective testing, tools and resources.” A lung nodule is a small, round or ovalshaped growth in the lung, usually found incidentally on a chest X-ray or CT scan. Lung nodules often cause no symptoms; therefore, they typically go undetected for a long time. While more than 90 percent of lung nodules are benign or not cancerous, some nodules may be an early stage of lung cancer or signs of cancer somewhere else in the body.
Dr. Abhijit Raval
Early detection of lung cancer is crucial to achieving the best outcomes. Cantrell received a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer following the surgery. As a heavy smoker, Cantrell is using medications to gradually wean himself from cigarettes and preparing for the next phase of his journey with the help, support and encouragement of his lung nodule program doctors and navigator. “She listens to me and seems to be concerned. I even called her on the weekend for help. Words can’t explain how good she’s made me feel being there when I needed her,” Cantrell said.
Wallace Heard has had knee pain all of his life. He first noticed it as a teen, but as he headed into his 50s, the symptoms of aging knees intensified. The Pickens man had spent his work time training bus drivers and his free time fishing and playing with his young granddaughter. When the medications stopped working, he was no longer able to fully enjoy those interests. That was until he found relief at AnMed Health Cannon Orthopaedics. “I was about 15 when it first started, but in the last five years it got worse,” the 52-year-old said. “It was bone on bone. It was a sharp, stabbing pain. I really don’t have words to describe it.” Heard is an assistant transportation supervisor for Pickens County Schools, where he trains bus drivers, which requires walking, crawling and climbing. He also fills in as a driver. Training and driving puts pressure on his knees for hours at a time. “It’s a lot of up and down, a lot of moving,” he said of the training. “Driving a bus, you’re just sitting in one position, not being able to stretch your legs out a lot.” The average age for a knee replacement is about 68, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Heard said he wanted to avoid surgery because of his age, his responsibilities and the expense. “Keeping up with the normalcy of a daily routine had a lot to do with the decision,” he said. “Plus, no one
really wants to have surgery if it can be avoided or put off.” Part of his normal life was crappie fishing at Lake Russell in Calhoun Falls. “I love fishing. It’s my number one thing, but it got down to just about nil,” he said. “I had to stop because of how much it hurt to walk to the pier.” After missing out on too many fishing trips, the outdoorsman sought out options beyond oral medications. When he learned about Dr. Tyler Stone, a family medicine physician with specialized training in non-surgical orthopaedics and sports medicine, Heard scheduled a visit. “He put hope into me as far as not having to have a knee replacement right away,” he said. In treating Heard for osteoarthritis, Dr. Stone determined that Heard would benefit from hyaluronic acid – commonly referred to as gel shots. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the joints and helps prevent bones from grinding together. “It’s what our Dr. Tyler Stone joints make,” Dr. Stone said. “It acts as a lubrication for our joints and gives them cushioning. It’s not going to fix the knee, but it prolongs the surgery and helps the
patient have a better quality of life.” Depending on each individual’s unique situation, Dr. Stone treats joint pain using a variety of solutions: steroids, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. In some procedures, Dr. Stone may use ultrasoundguided injections. “Ultrasound ensures the accuracy of certain injections when anatomic landmarks are difficult to palpate, like hip and shoulder joints. Ultrasound is not needed for knees in most cases,” he said. Dr. Stone completed his family medicine residency at AnMed Health. After residency, Dr. Stone chose to continue training through AnMed Health’s sports medicine fellowship program. “We worked at Clemson University and some high schools and got a lot of hands-on training with athletes and non-athletes as well, and that’s really what I wanted,” the Piedmont native and former Clemson football player said. “I’ve always been a sports guy. I really wanted to come back to AnMed Health because I’m from here.” Dr. Stone’s specialties have significantly helped patients like Heard. After completing his course of injections, Heard said his knees had improved so much that he was going on fishing trips again. “We’re planning one for next week. This will be the first trip since the injections,” he said in October. “I’m just so glad to find someone to help me with my knees. It’s been great.”
Inside ANMED HEALTH 13
Visions
COMMUNITY SERVICE
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S
Because of contributions to the AnMed Health Foundation, hopelessness is replaced with promise. Thanks to all of our donors and supporters for improving the life and health of your community.
“It does give you a great peace of mind to have that done and know it is set.” – Donna Abercrombie, donor
AnMed Health joined local companies to construct two homes for families in Anderson through the Habitat for Humanity annual executive build. Dozens of AnMed Health teammates volunteered over two days to help with tasks such as hanging siding, hammering nails and applying caulk. A recipient of one of the homes was an AnMed Health teammate, who also gave sweat equity on the build.
In September, AnMed Health, in partnership with Saint Mary’s of the Angels Catholic Church, hosted the sixth annual Hispanic Health Fair. Third-year medical students and attending physicians provided services such as blood pressure readings, cholesterol checks, foot exams and body measurements. Dr. Gabrielle Cannick of Oakwood Dental and The Anderson Lions Club provided dental and eye exams, respectively. The health fair is held during Hispanic Heritage Month and helps to reinforce the messages of health and wellness to the local Hispanic community.
Dr. and Mrs. Abercrombie
AnMed Health Foundation offers free estate planning service to donors
The AnMed Health Young PROs employee resource group collected 94 backpacks filled with school supplies for students at McCants Middle School. The backpacks were filled and donated during the summer for students who didn’t have the necessary supplies to start the new school year. McCants is AnMed Health’s business in education partner. The Young PROs engages young professionals at AnMed Health through leadership development, community involvement and social connection.
14 Inside ANMED HEALTH
Dr. Stoney Abercrombie and his wife, Donna, have reached the stage in their life when they are thinking about what will happen to the assets they have acquired during their lifetime. “If you live long enough, you’re going to accumulate some wealth. When you leave, the question is where it is going to go, who’s going to get it and how much taxes are you going to pay,” Dr. Abercrombie said. Dr. Abercrombie is the Medical
University of South Carolina (MUSC) AnMed Health Campus dean for third and fourth-year clinical training in Anderson. He is also founder and chairman of Volunteers in Medical Missions, a global organization that provides medical care to people in rural parts of the world, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the AnMed Health Foundation. “I’ve worked hard for that money, and we want it utilized the way we want it utilized,” Dr. Abercrombie said.
Charitable giving has always been a part of their lives, and they want it to continue when they are no longer here. In addition to their family, Dr. Abercrombie and his wife plan to include the AnMed Health Foundation in their estate planning. As a result, they will become members of the Jennie Gilmer Legacy Society. They will join other charitable-minded and forward-thinking individuals who have committed to support the future and overall health of the community through a planned gift to the AnMed Health Foundation. The Foundation has partnered with Thompson & Associates to provide donors with a free estate planning consultation. “Our goal is to help our donors make decisions so what happens to their assets after death is what they intended and the organizations that they supported throughout their life continue to receive their valuable support,” said Tim Self, AnMed Health Foundation executive director. By supporting charities posthumously, the estate planning will help donors, like Dr. Abercrombie and his wife, set up tax-saving measures to prevent loved ones from bearing the burden of exorbitant taxes from money willed to them. “They give you all the tools and information. You take that to your lawyer and estate planner to execute,” Dr. Abercrombie said. Dr. Abercrombie and his wife were aware of tax-saving measures, but Thompson & Associates helped them expand their knowledge. “It does give you a great peace of mind to have that done and know it is set,” Mrs. Abercrombie said. You can visit the website at www.anmedhealthfoundation.org, click on “How to Give” and then “Planned Giving” to find in-depth information about the ways you can give a legacy gift to the AnMed Health Foundation or call 864.512.3477.
About The AnMed Health Foundation: Established in 1985 and re-organized in 2012 as an independent organization, the AnMed Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides fundraising support for community programs and initiatives at AnMed Health. The Foundation welcomes donations from individuals, families and corporations to further our mission and to ensure that AnMed Health can continue to provide services that improve the health and lives of the people in our community.
Inside ANMED HEALTH 15