GCHL Magazine Summer 2019

Gulf Coast SUMMER 2019

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F B A P T I S T H E A LT H C A R E

HEALTHY LIVING WHAT’S YOUR

EMERGENCY? When to Visit the ER, Urgent Care, Walk-in and PCP

Addiction is

a Family Disease Support Beyond Treatment is Available

Tennis Elbow

Can Happen to anyone Apply the PRICE Method

Trust Your Gut Get GERD Relief

Personalized Women’s Care for You and the GENERATIONS TO COME

TO FIND THE LATEST NEWS, VISIT GULFCOASTHEALTHYLIVING.ORG

Gulf Coast

GCHL STAFF President and Chief Executive Officer MARK FAULKNER

HEALTHY LIVING

At Baptist Health Care, we aim to tailor our services to each individual, and we continue to increase our areas of specialty to meet our communities’ evolving needs.

In this edition of Gulf Coast Healthy Living, we learn different stories from current mothers and moms-to-be about the personalized care of Baptist Women’s Services and why moms choose us (Pages 12 and 13). Dealing with an unexpected health issue can be scary, and that’s why we explain the differences in our care services so you know when to choose an ER, urgent care center, walk-in care or a primary care office (Pages 4 and 5).

Lakeview Center tells us how addiction recovery is more than just a treatment plan and reveals how families can receive and offer more support (Pages 6 and 7). Since gut health is so vital to overall wellness, we give signs of unhealthy digestion, such as GERD, and provide details on a noninvasive procedure that may help offer heartburn relief (Pages 10 and 11). Tennis elbow can happen to anyone. Andrews Institute is here to educate you on the PRICE method and provide relief (Pages 8 and 9). Stay well this summer with outdoor heat tips (Page 14) and remain hydrated with infused water recipes (Page 3). Take time to enjoy this season by setting aside quality time for family, friends and yourself.

Have a great summer!

Marketing Director CANDY MCGUYRE Editor and Writer MANDY FERNANDEZ Writer LORI ZAVADA Designer KAY FOGOS Web Developers ROBERT BURR RYAN WILSON

CO N T EN TS 3 Healthy Habits Wellness Tips and Trends

4 What’s Your Emergency?

When to Visit the ER, Urgent Care and More

6 Addiction is a Family Disease

Support Beyond Treatment is Available

8 Tennis Elbow Can Happen to Anyone

10 Trust Your Gut Get GERD Under Control

12 Personalized Women’s Care

For You and the Generations to Come

14 Summer Health

Tips on Outdoor Wellness

Baptist Health Care 1300 West Moreno St. Pensacola, FL 32501 This is Volume 8, Issue 3 © 2019 by Baptist Health Care. All rights reserved.

Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the

15 In the News

professional.

Noteworthy People, Projects and Awards

Subscripton changes?

Apply the PRICE Method and Seek Relief

Learn more on Pages 12 -13.

Mark Faulkner President and Chief Executive Officer Baptist Health Care

SUMMER 2019

is published by:

guidance of a health care

Since every mother and baby is different, Baptist Women Services is tailored to each mom and her family.

2

Gulf Coast Healthy Living

Sign up for our e-newsletter at GulfCoastHealthyLiving.org.

EMAIL: bhcmarketingcommunications @bhcpns.org PHONE: 850.434.4854

brought to you by

HEALTHY HABITS DON’T GET DEHYDRATED!

TRY INFUSED WATER TO REHYDRATE

Dehydration can happen when an individual loses more fluid than he or she takes in.

Hydration is essential for normal body functions, like proper digestion, joint health and toxin elimination. Dehydration could lead to a variety of health concerns. Here are five signs of dehydration to know. Be sure to seek medical attention if needed:

As you heat up this summer, try one of these refreshing combinations of infused water until you develop your own favorite:

• Dark urine or no urination. Normal urine should be a pale yellow color, similar to apple juice. Darker color is a sign of dehydration, and no urination could be a severe issue.

• Lightheaded or dizzy feelings. Lack of water can lead to one feeling like he or she may pass out or feeling confused.

• Skin doesn’t bounce back. Take the pinch skin test for hydration. If it moves back slowly, this could indicate mild to moderate dehydration. If the skin seems to stick together, this could be a sign of severe dehydration.

• Strawberry Lemon – Fill a half gallon container with 15 washed, sliced fresh strawberries. Add in one sliced lemon (with rind on). Fill with water. Stir gently. Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight.

• Cucumber Mint – Slice one cucumber. Place eight fresh mint leaves and cucumber in a half gallon container. Fill with water. Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight.

• Watermelon Basil – Slice two cups of watermelon into fine pieces (without rind). Add 15 leaves of basil and diced watermelon into a gallon size container. Fill with water.

Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight.

Experiment with your own flavor combinations to find out what you like best.

• Rapid heartbeat and breathing. If pulse and breathing do not slow down after cooling down from a workout or being outside, this could cause blood flow disruption and may have serious effects on the body.

• Chills and fever. When the body is lacking fluids, it can’t maintain body temperature and could lead to hyperthermia and fever-like symptoms, including chills.

TIPS FOR FLAVORING INFUSED WATER Here are helpful things to know when it comes to flavoring and savoring infused water:

HELLO HYDRATION!

1. Certain fruits and herbs will flavor water immediately,

Avoid getting dehydrated by following these three quick tips:

like cucumbers, citrus fruits, melons and mint. Others, like apples, cinnamon, rosemary and ginger, will need to soak overnight to produce flavors.

1. Carry a reusable water bottle. Have it around you to remind you to drink water.

2. To keep sipping infused water all day, refill your water

2. Flavor your water so it’s not plain and boring. See next column of recipes for infused water.

3. If you don’t drink the water within 24 hours, consider

3. Eat more water-filled foods with your meals like watermelon, tomatoes, leafy greens and cantaloupe.

container when it’s half full. It will be weaker than the first drink but still flavorful. removing or straining out the solid pieces of fruit to avoid it being mushy or bitter. The remaining infused water should be good for up to three days to drink.

To learn more health and wellness tips, contact My Healthy Blueprint at 850.469.6903.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

3

WHAT’S YOUR

EMERGENCY? When to Visit the ER, Urgent Care, Walk-in and Primary Care Physician

A gash in the leg will be evaluated and treated differently than severe chest pains. Both may feel like a medical emergency at the time, but understanding where to go for the particular medical situation will be crucial to the care received. Baptist Health Care offers options that include hospital-based emergency rooms (ER), urgent care centers, walk-in clinics and physician offices. Understanding the core differences can help with making an informed health decision when an emergency arises. Remember that some medical conditions are time critical, so seeking care at the most appropriate place first is extremely important.

4

SUMMER 2019

Hospital ER Hospital ERs, like Baptist, Gulf Breeze and Jay hospitals, have 24-hour medical care year round. ERs are designed to treat the most critical patients first – those with lifethreatening injuries or illnesses, such as heart attacks, strokes and accidents. ERs use a triage system to evaluate patient situations and place the most severe cases first. People with less threatening conditions may find themselves waiting longer periods to be seen since it’s not a first-come, first-served process. ERs are not designed to treat routine illnesses, like colds and coughs, or provide follow-up care. They are in place to offer more comprehensive services, and are staffed with specialized physicians and nurses who are highly trained in dealing with emergencies. Since it may be difficult for patients to know the severity of their situation, the ER will determine that and triage care accordingly.

Urgent Care Urgent care centers, like Baptist Urgent Care – Airport and Baptist Urgent Care – Nine Mile, are available for prompt care of minor illnesses and injuries. This could include cuts, broken bones, allergic reactions, burns, flu symptoms, animal bites and more. Baptist urgent care centers see patients on a first-come, first-served basis as triage allows. Typically there is at least one medical doctor on site in the clinic, or on call if needed.

They offer extended hours to fit a busy schedule and offer care seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Baptist Urgent Care – Airport is also open on all major holidays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At Baptist urgent care centers, there are two options for a patient to make an appointment – online at EasySchedule.com or callahead care at 850.208.6130. If a person visits Baptist Urgent Care with a serious, life-threatening condition, the attending provider can make an ER referral for the individual and help transfer them to the closest or preferred hospital ER. Baptist Urgent Care locations do not have the capabilities to adequately treat life threatening injuries or illness like the ER can other than initial assessment and triage treatment.

Walk-in Care Baptist Walk-in Care is offered in Pensacola, Pace and Navarre. Walk-in clinics differ from urgent care because providers there typically treat more common illnesses like sore throat, cough, sprains, bruises, mild fevers, skin rashes, seasonal allergies and more. Individuals can walk in and expect to see a health care provider that same day without an appointment, but it may not be as quickly as an urgent care center. Walk-in care is designed to be convenient, affordable and efficient. These clinics are most often staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Typically walk-in care focuses on cases that require less advanced medical attention needed than urgent care centers. If you want to visit a walk-in care clinic for a same-day appointment, use EasySchedule.com to find available times and book the availability that meets your needs.

WALK-IN CARE

URGENT CARE

*HOSPITAL/ ER

SUNBURN

MODERATE BURN

SEVERE BURN

SPRAINS & BRUISES

MINOR INJURIES

MAJOR BREAKS & HEAD INJURIES

MILD FEVER COLD & COUGH

MODERATE FEVER / VOMITING

SEVERE FEVER POISONING

SEASONAL ALLERGIES

ASTHMA SHORT BREATH

CHEST PAIN

ALL-OVER BODY RASH

RASH WITH ANAPHYLAXIS

Primary Care Physician If the medical situation is non-life threatening, the first call a patient can make should be to his or her primary care physician (PCP). Having a PCP helps individuals establish a medical home where wellness and medical history can be recorded and monitored. This is a proactive approach to health rather than waiting or reacting to a dire medical need. The best time to look for a PCP is when you don’t need one. Baptist offers EasySchedule.com to help people find one of our more than 200 specialized, convenient providers throughout Northwest Florida. If a PCP is not available when needed, that’s when a phone call or visit to a walk-in care or an urgent care center may be necessary.

Baptist Urgent Care clinics can also assist with finding a PCP upon completion of an urgent care visit if the patient wants help finding one.

“At Baptist Health Care, we all work together to provide the best MILD SKIN RASH possible care to the patients we see, whether we meet them in the ER, urgent care center or a primary care physician’s office,” said Drew Stringfellow, service line director of primary care, urgent care and emergency care. “We offer multiple ways to receive care and convenient locations to help you choose what works best for you.”

The next time you’re faced with an emergency situation, ask if it’s life-threatening or if it warrants a visit to an urgent care center or same-day walk-in clinic. Establish a relationship with a PCP to help you make ongoing sound health and wellness decisions if and when a serious illness or injury may occur.

Visit eBaptistHealthCare.org to learn more about available emergency services and clinics.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

5

Addiction is

a Family Disease Support Beyond Treatment is Available for Everyone Involved The Friary, an addiction treatment center in Santa Rosa County, offers a free support group called Developing Continuing Care that brings together clients who have been through the Friary’s treatment program. The group shares access to resources, comfort and fellowship while they manage their lifelong recoveries. It also can offer support to people who are new to the recovery treatment process and show them that recovery is possible. Developing Continuing Care is offered weekly, and it can be utilized as a part of a recovery plan for as long as needed.

Just because a person completed an addiction treatment plan doesn’t mean the journey to recovery has ended. The urge for addiction doesn’t just disappear, and families of loved ones who struggle aren’t miraculously refreshed and hopeful. There are many layers to recovery that affect a host of people who often need additional resources beyond an inpatient or outpatient program. People who come to The Friary at Lakeview Center find much more than a serene treatment facility.

The family component of the Friary programs makes the treatment facility quite unique. The Friary has operated for more than four decades and is dedicated to individuals and families regardless of how long recovery takes, even in the face of several relapses.

Thousands of clients have completed treatment plans and continue to take advantage of the following resources:

Amy Gokey, LMHC, executive director, The Friary

6

SUMMER 2019

Post-Treatment Support for Clients One of the first realities that clients and loved ones must accept is that recovery doesn’t end after 30 days of treatment. For some, recovery may not end after the second or even third treatment plan is completed.

Recovery is a lifelong journey, and a support plan for relapse should be integrated into the recovery plan as a part of the process. People recovering from addiction learn to tap into their inner strength the longer they abstain from a substance. They also learn resiliency skills and increase their insight into how they manage stressful events so they can feel confident in handling difficult situations.

Support for Loved Ones Family members and other loved ones also experience stress and fear during the recovery process. Often a heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of loved ones who take the first step to seek help. Watching the cycle of addiction is taxing, and they also need a person or group to lean on who understands those struggles and is there to provide guidance and support. Addiction is known as a

family disease in part due to the effects on the family members who live with or have relationships with the people struggling with addiction. Family members are offered two types of support at The Friary.

The first provision is a Family Counseling Day, where family members meet their loved ones at the facility and go through an entire day of clinical counseling together learning about addiction, boundary-setting and the effects on the family system.

There is no extra charge for this service.

The second provision is another free support group for the family once their loved one has completed treatment at The Friary. The group meets weekly and can be used by family members who continue to need a resource or point-of-contact to help them process the changes that come with recovery. They discuss how to manage the potential relapse of a loved one and how to manage personal stress. The meetings are a great place to meet fellow family members who are experiencing the same life journey.

Regardless of how daunting addiction may seem, it is a treatable disease. If you need help, reach out to The Friary team at 850.932.9375 or learn more at TheFriary.org.

Visit TheFriary.org or call 850.932.9375 to learn more.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

7

TENNIS ELBOW CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. Apply the

PRICE METHOD and Seek Relief.

A carpenter, an airport baggage lifter and a competitive tennis player may all feel the same reoccurring pain commonly known as “tennis elbow.” This painful lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) condition occurs when individuals make the same repetitive wrist and arm motions on a daily basis.

This is known as an overuse injury. Individuals experiencing tennis elbow may find it difficult to turn doorknobs, shake hands, grip objects and play tennis.

Tennis elbow symptoms most often occur on the outer side of a person’s elbow. Then the pain may radiate to the forearm and wrist.

“Many of the tennis elbow patients I see do not actually play tennis,” said Brett Kindle, M.D., CAQSM, RMSK, a non-surgical sports medicine specialist at Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. “In fact, only 10% of affected tennis elbow individuals regularly play the sport. My patients include airport employees, construction personnel and trade workers like painters, plumbers and butchers. These individuals do repetitive lifting and gripping with tools and objects that can cause damage over time. Pain most often starts off mild, but it can slowly worsen over time.”

Treatment for tennis elbow starts with rest, ice, antiinflammatory medications, tennis elbow strap and physical therapy. Individuals can also try the PRICE method for injury relief. PRICE stands for protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.

8

SUMMER 2019

P rotection

Protect the injured area from further harm.

R est Avoid exercise and reduce daily physical activity.

I ce Apply ice to affected area for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours.

C ompression

Use elastic compression bandages to help limit swelling.

E levation Keep the injured area raised above the heart.

If tennis elbow pain strengthens and symptoms persist, then an examination with a physician is recommended.

Elbow and wrist stretching exercises can be incorporated into a normal routine.

If the condition warrants immediate treatment, then alternatives like prolotherapy, plateletrich plasma (PRP) injections Regardless of your or surgical debridement, a condition, there are micro-invasive technique, exercises or a sport can be discussed with a that you can safely do physician.

A physician referral can be made to an Andrews Institute sports medicine specialist like Dr. Kindle, who and enjoy at any age. can perform a Each case is different, but musculoskeletal with nearly every patient, ultrasound. This imaging option uses an options to still be active and exercise are ultrasound machine to look through skin at the possible. underlying soft tissues. It helps to diagnose “Regardless of your condition, there are various conditions, such as tennis elbow, right exercises or a sport that you can safely there at the point of care during a patient’s do and enjoy at any age,” said Dr. Kindle. office visit. There is no wait time or review of “We don’t just see athletes. At Andrews results that would result in a delay.

Institute, we help anyone who moves, “With a musculoskeletal ultrasound available even children beginning at age 5. Our goal in my office, I’m able to dynamically interact is to help people live healthy, active and with the patient and long lives.” move the injured Andrews We don’t just see athletes. At or painful area to Institute Andrews Institute, we help confirm the affliction is here to and see the severity anyone who moves, even educate of the injury by children beginning at age 5. you in how looking directly at it Our goal is to help people live to apply through the skin,” healthy, active and long lives. the PRICE said Dr. Kindle. “This method diagnostic imaging and provide option we offer helps relief so you don’t pay the price of being make a more accurate diagnosis in addition to permanently injured or forced to be the physical exam I perform on patients.” inactive for a long period.

When PRICE therapy does not work and more attention to the affected tennis elbow is needed, individuals can look at other prevention and treatment options.

Brett Kindle, M.D., CAQSM, RMSK, was named to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Sport Science Committee. The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the recognized leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States. As one of 16 experts within their respective areas of sport science named to the USTA Sport Science Committee, Dr. Kindle will play a vital role in producing, evaluating and disseminating sport science and sports medicine information relevant to tennis.

He, along with other physicians at Andrews Institute, is also the official sports medicine provider for the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola, Florida.

For more information on tennis elbow and other sports injuries, call Andrews Institute at 850.916.8700.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

9

Trust Your Gut Get

GERD

UNDER CONTROL

Following our gut is something we do every day, but we may avoid listening to our gut when it comes to gut health.

Have you had feelings of heartburn (burning in the chest), regurgitation of food that causes acid tastes in the throat, trouble swallowing, unexplained cough or abdominal or chest pain after eating? These signs could be an indication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in the United States with nearly 60 million cases in America per month. It occurs when the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus and throat. More specifically, GERD is a weak or relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that is located at the junction between the stomach and the esophagus. The stomach contents pass through the LES and create heartburn. This reflux, or backflow of stomach acid, causes the typical and bothersome GERD symptoms.

10

SUMMER 2019

GERD’s disruption in healthy digestion can interrupt vital nutrients being delivered to the body that help maintain immunity and proper brain function. The health of the GI tract is directly related to the health of other systems in the body both physically and mentally. When the gut isn’t working as it should, people can be more prone to illness and infection because of that immunity interference.

When to see a doctor about GERD Occasional heartburn may happen to anyone, especially after eating a restaurant meal or party foods. How do you know when symptoms become more severe and it may be time to see a doctor about GERD? “If a person is experiencing heartburn more than once weekly, having difficulty swallowing or if over- thecounter medication no longer helps, it is time to talk with your doctor,” said Carol Morris, D.O., board-certified gastroenterologist with Baptist Medical Group – Gastroenterology.

Baptist Medical Group – Gastroenterology offers a full scope of digestive health services including diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the esophagus, bowel, liver, pancreas and stomach. Specific services include treatment for: • Heartburn • Ulcers • Persistent nausea and vomiting • Difficulty swallowing • Constipation • Bleeding from the bowel • Abdominal pain • Persistent diarrhea • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) • Crohn’s disease They also offer the following procedures: • Colonoscopy • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Carol Morris, D.O. Board-Certified Gastroenterologist Baptist Medical Group – Gastroenterology

How GERD is typically treated Treatment of GERD usually begins with an avoidance of foods or behaviors that cause the LES to leak. Eating chocolate, drinking caffeine or alcohol and consuming late night snacks make a person with a leaky valve more prone to reflux.

Other foods known to cause heartburn if GERD exists include tomatoes, citrus fruits, garlic, cheese, red meats and carbonated beverages. Avoidance of these foods and drinks can help improve symptoms.

After or in conjunction with dietary and behavior modifications, medications can be used to help patients.

Over-the-counter drugs like Tums, Rolaids and Maalox can help buffer or decrease stomach acid. Some medicines may aid in relief of the symptoms but they do not fully correct the problem or prevent GERD.

If Surgery is needed If none of the noninvasive treatments relieve the symptoms or protect the lining of the esophagus, then surgical treatment options can be considered. Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is a procedure offered at Baptist Health Care for patients with gastroesophageal reflux and small hiatal hernias.

“With TIF, I can put the herniated stomach back down into the correct position and restore the pressure in the valve needed to prevent reflux without any skin incisions,” said Marc S. Saunders, D.O., FACS, surgeon at Baptist Medical Group – Surgery. “If patients do not wish to stay on medication longterm, the TIF procedure is an option that can be discussed.”

Marc S. Saunders, D.O., FACS Board-Certified General Surgeon Baptist Medical Group – Surgery

Dr. Saunders is now performing the TIF procedure to relieve GERD.

TIF is performed under general anesthesia and requires just one or two days in the hospital since no incisions are made.

Patients are discharged on a liquid diet for one to two weeks, followed by a soft diet for several weeks.

Talk to your doctor about treatment options. Trust your gut and take care of it.

For more information on gut health, GERD and the TIF procedure, call Baptist Medical Group at 850.437.8600 or visit BaptistMedicalGroup.org.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

11

Personalized Women’s Care

for you and the GENERATIONS TO COME As no two people are alike, every mother and baby experience is different. Some women want health education and support every step of the way during a pregnancy. Others want the opportunity to choose their own labor and delivery path, only receiving assistance when they ask for it. That’s why Baptist Health Care Women Services is tailored to each individual mom and her family.

Some moms, like Heather, want a detailed, very involved experience and sign up for the multiple class offerings available.

“My husband and I attended the Childbirth Experience and Breastfeeding classes to help us prepare for our experiences into parenthood,” said Heather. “We learned so much that we didn’t know and built relationships with other expecting parents and the instructors.”

Heather with daughter Amelia

Baptist offers an intimate, safe birthing experience with Moms like Jessica prefer team members Baptist Women Services a more flexible approach who are trained offers options and encourages and do not wish to be to support both women to select a birth plan overwhelmed with too natural labors much information until it is that’s right for them. The team and labors with happening. will help moms adjust it as epidural pain they go along.

“I enjoy talking to my care management. The team about what is to come, family-centered but I decided to take more maternity care of a care-free approach with my pregnancy and approach means that needs are focused on not overthink the process,” said Jessica. “I want mother, baby and family. Both mom and baby to experience everything first hand but be free are cared for as a couplet by the same nurse in to reach out when I need help or guidance, and I the mother’s room to help facilitate parenting feel supported at Baptist to do that.” skills and promote family bonding. This style helps build confidence in parents, especially in Some new mom experiences don’t go as new mothers before they leave the hospital. planned. Shelby had a challenging labor with her first pregnancy that resulted in a long process and a C-section with her son Tommy.

“The labor and delivery staff were very attentive and made me feel comfortable and safe during a difficult labor,” said Shelby. “My OB/GYN physician, Erika Schneider, M.D., went above and beyond for me. Dr. Schneider was always cheerful and supportive during my birthing experience.”

Jessica

12

SUMMER 2019

“The staff was accommodating with my birth plan and available for questions and assistance with anything I needed during my stay at Baptist Hospital,” said Shelby. “In addition the hospital delivered my prescriptions to my room prior to my discharge through their bedside delivery program, making it convenient and allowing me to focus solely on my baby.”

Baptist Women Services offers options and encourages women to select a birth plan that’s right for them. The team will help moms adjust it as they go along.

“The care provided to expecting mothers and families is so personalized,” said Heather. “Every step of the way, we felt that care. I never felt like I was just another delivery. In fact we felt we were the only people there.”

At Baptist, mothers and their families should feel at home. That’s why the room is set up to mimic the home you may be returning to when you leave, with mother and baby in a cozy environment to ease into day and nighttime routines.

The family-centered care goal is to obtain the best possible healthy outcomes for all members of both the family and individual. A postpartum nurse will help new mothers and newborns to ensure that all care and comfort is met, and a lactation consultant will assist with breastfeeding immediately after delivery.

I enjoy talking to my care team about what is to come, but I decided to take more of a care-free approach with my pregnancy and not overthink the process. I want to experience everything first hand but be free to reach out when I need help or guidance, and I feel supported at Baptist to do that.

Sweet and surprising bonds can also form between the OB/GYN and the mother.

Jenn received a recommendation for Dr. Schneider from her former physician in Gainesville after she moved to Pensacola.

“I tracked down Dr. Schneider after my former OB/ GYN recommended her,” said Jenn. “We clicked right away, both personally and professionally. She has been a foster parent and adopted children from FamiliesFirst Network just as my family and I were starting the process to adopt our second child. Dr. Schneider was just as excited about our adoption plans as she was with our pregnancy and has walked alongside us with both additions. She is an excellent physician, very responsive, and she

The care provided to expecting mothers and families is so personalized. Every step of the way, we felt that care. I never felt like I was just another delivery. In fact we felt we were the only people there.

Jessica celebrates our successes with us along the way.”

Heather said her OB/GYN physician, Regina McCutcheon, M.D., MPH, was not on call during her labor but came to be with her and stayed until it was time to deliver her baby.

Shelby with son Tommy

“Dr. McCutechon had spent her entire day in the clinic and then came to the hospital to check on me,” said Heather. “She was not on call and not required to be there, but she slept in the room next to me until it was time for me to start pushing at 3 a.m. She wanted to ensure she would deliver my baby, and I am forever grateful for that. I could not imagine going through this journey without her!”

Let Baptist give you the personalized care you deserve, caring for you and your generations to come.

Heather

Jenn Visit Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN at one of these convenient locations: Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN 3417 North 12th Ave., Pensacola, Fla. Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN, Pace Baptist Medical Park – Pace, 3874 Highway 90, Pace, Fla. Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN, Gulf Breeze 1118 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Suite 101, Gulf Breeze, Fla. Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN, Jay 14114 Alabama Street, Jay, Fla. Regina McCutcheon, M.D., MPH Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN

Erika Schneider, M.D. Baptist Medical Group – Ladies First OB/GYN

For more information about women’s health at Baptist Health Care, call 850.432.7310 or visit eBaptistHealthCare.org/womenshealth.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

13

Stay

COOL WELL THIS SUMMER

During the summer months, people may become overheated easily and could suffer from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. The air is more humid, and it can often surprise individuals who are not prepared to stay cool.

Signs of heat exhaustion may develop suddenly or gradually over a period of time, especially with prolonged exposure to heat during work or exercise.

HEAT EXHAUSTION SIGNS INCLUDE: • Cool, moist skin with • Weak, rapid pulse goose bumps when in • Decreased urine the heat output

“Find a place to cool down, rest and drink cool fluids,” said Ellis. “If symptoms are severe, such as those associated with heat stroke, then you should seek emergency treatment immediately.”

WAYS TO PREVENT HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE:

• Faintness

• Muscle cramps

• Dizziness

• Drink plenty of water. Follow hydration tips and see water infusion recipes on Page 3.

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing.

• Headache

• Take precautions against becoming sunburned.

• Heavy sweating More severe and even deadly is a heat stroke.

SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE ARE: • Hot, dry skin or profuse • Very high body temperature sweating • Loss of consciousness • Confusion, altered mental status and slurred speech

• Seizures

“Prepare yourself to manage the heat if you know you will be exposed to hot weather or a hot environment,” said Sherri Ellis, MSN, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner at Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Perdido. “Be mindful of the hottest parts of the day and how you can stay cool when you’re out and about during that period.”

If you suspect you have a case of heat exhaustion, find a space with cooler temperatures, such as in the shade or in an air conditioned area.

• Use caution with certain medications and sun exposure.

Some medicine can affect the body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat. Talk to your doctor about any concerns and prolonged sun exposure if you are taking medication.

• On a hot day, never sit in a parked car or leave any person or animal in a parked car without running the air conditioning.

Vehicles can rise in temperature in just minutes.

• Try not to schedule exercise or outdoor, strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.). Instead do these in the early mornings or late evenings.

• Limit time outside until your body is more conditioned to the heat. It can take a few weeks for you to adjust to heat if you’re not used to it, so keep activity outside to a minimum until you are more comfortable, especially if you’re a person prone to heat exhaustion.

Don’t get overheated and miss out on fun happening this month. Stay cool so you can be well this summer.

For more information about Baptist Health Care, visit eBaptistHealthCare.org.

14

Sherri Ellis, MSN, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-C

SUMMER 2019

in the news PEOPLE, PROJECTS AND PRAISE

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE NAMED TO BECKER’S 150 TOP PLACES TO WORK IN HEALTHCARE LIST

BAPTIST HEART & VASCULAR INSTITUTE PASSES MILESTONE IN STRUCTURAL HEART PROCEDURES

Baptist Health Care is the only health system in Northwest Florida and one of only six in the entire state to be named to the Becker’s Healthcare 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2019 list. The list highlights hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that promote diversity within the workplace, employee engagement and professional growth.

Companies on the list also offer above average personal benefits and career opportunities, encourage professional development and promote leadership from within. Other attributes of those named include positive work/life balance, wellness programs, competitive vacation packages and support of volunteerism and community outreach.

The Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute (BHVI) recently celebrated a milestone in patient care provided by its structural heart program. The team has performed more than 500 structural heart procedures since the program began in 2014. Structural heart procedures use leading-edge technologies to treat a variety of ailments including heart valve disorders, atrial fibrillation, aortic stenosis, heart failure, angina and others. BHVI has led the way among Northwest Florida hospitals by being the first to offer these and other highly specialized lifesaving therapies for heart disease:

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE PROVIDES $15,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR EMT STUDENTS AT PSC Baptist Health Care has provided $15,000 in scholarship funds for Pensacola State College (PSC) students who are enrolled in the emergency medical technician (EMT) program. The presentation was made by Baptist leaders Jennifer Grove, vice president of external relations, and Drew Stringfellow, director of primary, urgent and emergency care. The gift is a three-year commitment to fund five $1,000 scholarships each year. The need-based scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, other materials and program-specific equipment listed in the syllabus.

• TAVR

• World’s smallest heart pump

• MitraClip

• Transmyocardial revascularization • World’s smallest pacemaker (TMR) laser procedure BHVI is also the first in the area to fully staff its cath lab with registered cardiovascular invasive specialists and registered cardiac electrophysiology specialists. The Baptist cardiac care unit, which is dedicated to specialized pre and post-operative care for heart patients, is the first of its kind in the Southeast.

BHVI physicians see patients in the offices of Cardiology Consultants in locations that include Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Fort Walton, Foley, Milton and Perdido.

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE

HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS Join us at these upcoming wellness seminars to learn more about health so you can continue an active, quality life.

Our Aging Digestive Tract – Getting Older, But Wiser Fri., July 26, 11:30 a.m. lunch; noon to 1 p.m. seminar Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion 1020 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Conference Room B New Advancements in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Thurs., Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m. lunch; noon to 1 p.m. seminar Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile, 9400 University Parkway Azalea Room Hernia: Causes and Treatments Fri., Aug. 23, 11:30 a.m. lunch; noon to 1 p.m. seminar Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion 1020 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Conference Room B Seminars fill up quickly so reservations are required. Call 850.469.7897 and let us reserve your seat today.

SEE W H AT EL S E WE’RE U P TO.

GULF COAST HEALTHY LIVING

15

Baptist Health Care Baptist Health Care P.O. Box 17500 P.O. Box 17500 Pensacola, FL 32522-7500 Pensacola, FL 32522-7500

A HEART FOR LIFE GET BACK TO THE THINGS YOU LOVE

TM

B A PT I ST H E A RT & VA S C U L A R I N ST I T U T E

8 5 0.48 4.6500 e BAPT I ST HEA LTH CAR E.ORG BAPTIST HEART & VASCULAR INSTITUTE CARDIOLOGY CONSULTANTS 850.484.6500 • e BAPTISTHEALTHCARE.ORG/HEART 16 SUMMER 2019