Best Practices 2nd Quarter 2014

Medical Community News and Information

Second Quarter 2014

www.BestPracticesMD.com

Hours of Sitting What’s Your Cancer Risk?

Go RED for Women Luncheon The Importance of Your Medical Card

PREVITY CLINIC Brings Top Notch Surgeons and Innovative Procedures to Clear Lake and Pasadena

CONTENTS

Second Quarter 2014

PUBLISHER/CHAIRMAN Rick Clapp President Santiago Mendoza Jr.

EDITORIAL Editor Mary Alys Cherry Medical Director Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D.

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Contributing Writers Cristina Checka, M.D. Mary Alys Cherry Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D. Betha Merit

ART Creative Director Brandon A. Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Photography/Editing Brian Stewart Santiago Mendoza, Jr.

ADVERTISING Director of Advertising Patty Kane

Letter From the Medical Director 7 Plasma Intelligence Exchange: π Tech - Today’s Imminent Challenge Features 8 Friendswood Fire Department Paramedic Awarded High Honor 9 Lift, Firm and Tighten Facial Skin - Without Surgery 10 Go Red for Women: Hundreds Join Fight Against Heart Disease 12 Previty Clinic Brings Innovation to Clear Lake and Pasadena 14 There is None Like You: The Importance of Your Medical Card 16 Mark E. Skellenger, M.D., F.A.C.S., R.V.T., R.V.P.I. 18 St. John Hospital Now Part of Houston Methodist 20 Hours of Sitting: What’s Your Cancer Risk?

22 UTMB Research Discovery Could Potentially Slow Alzheimer’s 6 |www.BestPracticesMD.com |Second Quarter 2014

Account Executives Shannon Alexander Patty Bederka Santiago Mendoza Jr. Debbie Salisbury

PHONE: 281.474.5875 FAX: 281.474.1443 www.BestPracticesMD.com Best Practices Quarterly is trademarked and produced by Medical Best Practices Group, LLC. Best Practices Quarterly is not responsible for facts as presented by authors and advertisers. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced in part or whole by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Advertising rates are available upon request.

Best Practices Quarterly P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 R.Clapp@Baygroupmedia.com

By Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D. | imeddrs.vm@gmail.com

From the Medical Director

LETTER

PLASMA INTELLIGENCE EXCHANGE

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π Tech - Today’s Imminent Challenge

n 1450, Johannes Gutenberg invented the revolutionary printing press, which replaced labor-intensive handwritten documentation, and enabled widespread dissemination of knowledge to the global population.

The emergence of the portable, personal tele-computer now integrated with cloud voice/video/data/ text technology, now enables instant information access, global communication and tele-conferencing connectivity.

Like Gutenberg’s printing press, this capability represents a major revolution in the history of information management, and is already altering the geopolitical, socio-economic landscape of the planet, and has the potential for vastly improving healthcare delivery today.

The human body comprises an ultracoordinated diversity of cells immersed in a sea of biochemicals (like blood corpuscles in plasma), to which each cell selectively absorbs and processes then responds and adds to the sea – a biochemical exchange.

So too, humanity comprises a coordinated diversity of individual psyches, immersed in a sea of knowledge, to which each psyche selectively absorbs and processes, then responds and adds to the sea – an intelligence exchange.

Global web- and cloud-based Plasma Intelligence is the new and improved sea of human knowledge that is rapidly replacing the passive book format with active net-applications. π tech provides the Information Management Technology that interactively facilitates the human-intellect/globalintelligence interface, thereby creating an all-inclusive Plasma Intelligence Exchange (π). This new capability has historic implications for health care delivery.

The practice of modern medicine is an informed, decision-making process, whereby medical decisions are only as good as the information gathered from the patient by multilingual communication, and from past medical records by connectivity. π tech applications are poised to create a quantum leap in enhancing accuracy and adequacy when acquiring both acute and biographic information, as well as in coordinating clinical communication, connectivity and conferencing within the local medical diaspora, and with the

global medical literature. π tech has the exceptional potential for meeting the lofty goal of health-carefor-all, regardless of language, literacy, location or level of income.

Better communication + better connectivity = better care + better cost. π tech – Plasma Intelligence Exchange – enables several patient applications. For example: π tech empowers the average person with instant access to intelligible medical knowledge that heretofore has only been the prerogative of educational institutions and professionals. π tech enables self-care by way of multilingual self-assessment, triage and treatment of simple conditions. π tech enables intelligent communication and knowledgeable discussion with healthcare providers regarding more complex situations. π tech enables the patient to become an active participant in his/her own healthcare, in intelligent partnership with health care providers. It engenders patient satisfaction and faster, better care.

Some π tech Plasma Intelligence Exchange innovations being developed are: A passive virtual medical library of clinical information, in text, audio and video clip formats, available, accessible and affordable by all, anytime, anywhere, any language.

An active personal medical records library of text, audio and video medical records, where the patient, physician, consultant, laboratory and providers all input information into an internationally standardized, classified database in both summary and extension details formats.

A selective patient-centered database that can be instantly accessed by, or transmitted to providers and consultants, instantly on demand, anytime, anywhere, globally, with patient permission and with built-in data privacy, confidentiality and security.

A portable personal cumulative biographic library of significant family, past, social and immunization history, instantly available on demand, to save time and avoid mistakes. This is absolutely essential for travelers or

displaced populations, following natural or other disasters, as well as for continuity of care within the collective medical expertise in diaspora.

A reactive virtual robo-medical assistant that interviews the patient by a simple audio phone call or smart phone, anywhere, anytime, any language, any condition, then instantly creates a series of medical records in a variety of responsive formats (triage, patient language, physician narrative in several languages).

These can then be securely transmitted to appropriate responders, including paramedics in an ambulance.

For example: A French-speaking patient visiting Mexico, who develops an acute illness, can make a simple phone call, and have a medical robo-history taken in French. Several reports are then generated – one in French that is transmitted to the patient on site, and to the patient’s primary care physician in Quebec, another narrative in English to a volunteer tourist English-speaking physician, and one in Spanish to the local Mexican emergency department.

An interactive virtual tele-conferencing application with an audio-visual composite of the patient, the consultants, the virtual clinical library, and the patient’s personal medical biographic database, for a multi-specialty conference, collectively evaluating the patient and patient database, for a consensus/ management response to a complex case.

This avoids costly delays, duplication and digressions that plague today’s sequential consultation practice.

Emerging π tech Plasma Intelligence Exchange innovations enable fast, costeffective health care delivery to all, avoid delays and duplication, and empower the contemporary conscientious healthcare consumer to intelligently navigate the complex medical diaspora, and chart a personalized course to best practices.

Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D., is an international physician, who has spent the past 40 years integrating trans-lingual, cross-cultural healthcare delivery with emerging information-management technologies, with input from physician executives of national academies of medicine in over 30 countries. He has been a media spokesman and key-note speaker in several countries, including the Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research (SIETAR). email: imeddrs.vm@gmail.com © Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D. 2014 All rights reserved.

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The Southeast Rockets are victorious in the 2nd Annual Cricket Cup Match

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or the second year in a row, Memorial Hermann put on a Cricket Cup Match benefitting the Memorial Hermann Medical Missions Fund.

Exhibition matches were played Saturday by physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southwest, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, and Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital.

With the seventh game of the day, the Southeast Rockets defeated the Sugar Land Super Docs for the championship. “The winner in this tournament is not only Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, but also Memorial Hermann Medical Mission and the AADA also which provides very important services to community of Houston and around U.S.,”

said Dr. Nishith Majmundar the captain of the winning team.

The Memorial Hermann Medical Missions Fund at Memorial Hermann Foundation was founded in 1999 to serve as a liaison between the resources of Memorial Hermann and underserved residents of The Southeast Rockets; with Dr. Nishith Majmundar as the Memorial global communities and during Hermann Southeast Hospital Team Captain. Team members include: Drs. natural disasters in the United Syed Hasan, Aslam Loya, Nileshbhai Vyas, Naveed Saqib, Ainsley Bulgin, Sumit Trivedi, Sibtain Ali, SriNaveen Surapaneni, Omkar Dave, Sapan Bhatt, Mukesh States. Its goal is to assist those Patel, Shariq Rauf, Mohammad Ahmed, and Vipul Patel. who suffer from inadequate medical, dental, and general For more information, visit www.memohealth support. In 2012, the rialhermann.org/give-volunteer/medicalFoundation funded medical mission trips to such countries as Botswana, Cambodia, Ethio- missions or contact Janet Mayo, Division of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, 713-338-6555 pia, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, and Suriname. or Janet.Mayo@memorialhermann.org.

Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department Paramedic Awarded High Honor in the Nation’s Capital

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he American Ambulance Association has presented Lisa Camp, paramedic of the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department, the Star of Life Award -- the highest honor an Emergency Medical Services worker can receive.

The American Ambulance Association (AAA) represents organizations serving more than 75% of the U.S. population with emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services. Each year it hosts the Stars of Life event in Washington, D.C. to publicly recognize and celebrate the achievements of its members. Jimmy Johnson, AAA president, stated “Everyday, across the country, the men and women of EMS are serving their communities by providing vital medical care in emergency situations. Anytime someone dials 911 there are a number of highly trained professionals that respond and arrive to deliver excellent emergency medical and pre-hospital care.”

Past Stars of Life have included heroic individuals involved with the response to September 11th, Hurricane Katrina and Sandy, and other National Disasters.

“However,” Johnson notes, “all of our stars have performed a duty equally important to the communities they serve and hold the event to honor their

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everyday efforts.”

Lisa Camp was recognized due to her support of the citizens of the State of Texas and the country through her leadership in pre-hospital care and community wide emergency response.

She gives much of her time to the EMS community and Medics across the country. She has been at the forefront in the areas of patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education, and training. Lisa Camp’s Emergency Medical Services are using cutting edge technologies to help

their patients recover as fully as possible from emergencies. An example is, Lisa noted a lag time in cardiac patients getting into the Cardiac Catheterization labs. Lisa attacked this challenge head on and her response was for the medics to start double-lumen Intravenous catheters in the field, administration of Heparin and plavix and to send 12-Lead ECGs via telemetry.

Lisa Camp has served as a mentor, supporter and advocate for EMS throughout the country. She encourages her medics to be active in the community and assists in bimonthly free childhood immunization clinics, community CPR, and a multitude of other safety and injury prevention activities.

While in the nation’s capital, Lisa joined her fellow Class of 2014 Stars of Life for three days of education and recognition on Capital Hill. In addition, Lisa met with members of congress, and key congressional aides to discuss legislative issues critical to all Emergency Medical Services professionals. “We are very proud of Lisa for receiving this high honor,” says Friendswood EMS Assistant Chief Roy Hunter, “ she has devoted her time, talent and strength to improving the community she serves and lives.”

DOCTORAL

Lift, Firm and Tighten Facial Skin – Without Surgery

DIGITS

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hen you look in the mirror, does your face look tired?

As skin ages, it begins to “mature” and relax, gradually looking and feeling less firm.

After age 30, one of the first signs of aging may be a lowered eyebrow line or sagging skin on the eyelids.

There is now a new solution for loose, sagging skin with no surgery required. Ultherapy® is the perfect solution! If you’re a TV viewer, you’ve probably seen Ultherapy® featured on The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Good Morning, America or The Doctors. Last year, Barbara Walters featured Ultherapy during a segment called “The Cutting Edge” on 20/20.

Ultherapy is a new, non-surgical procedure that uses tried-and-true ultrasound technology to gradually lift, strengthen, and tone the skin on the face and neck. In about 90 minutes, you’ll be

61 percent

wanting to stay ahead of the aging game.

The cost of Ultherapy is between $800 and $4,000, depending on geographic location, and the extent of the treatment.

For a non-surgical treatment that can last for three years – with no risks, no scars, and no downtime – Ultheraphy is an amazing value!

Over 61% of the population in the United States need some sort of vision correction. Healthy Vision Month (May) is designed to elevate vision as a health priority for the nation by promoting the importance of early detection and treatment, as well as the use of proper eye safety practices.

232,670 on your way to a fresh new look, with no downtime at all. You’ll enjoy tighter, firmer, better-fitting skin for up to three years, without the risks of traditional surgical lifts.

Ultheraphy treats the same deep foundation of the facial soft tissue that is addressed in cosmetic procedures.

This new treatment targets the collagen under the skin through the use of noninvasive, tried-and-true ultrasound.

Collagen is a natural protein that gives skin its youthfulness by keeping it firmed and toned. As skin ages, collagen loses its strength and the ability to stand up to the effects of gravity on the skin.

Ultherapy jump starts a repair process that strengthens existing collagen and produces fresh, new collagen.

While Ultherapy is not a replacement for a surgical face lift, there are many patients looking for smoother, tighter skin but are not ready for surgery – mentally, financially, or logistically. Ultherapy is even an option for younger people

Ultherapy is the only FDA-approved treatment for lifting facial soft tissue, and is appropriate for both women and men. Ultherapy is only available through physicians with expertise in facial cosmetic procedures. Dr. Swet Chaudhari is a boardcertified plastic surgeon and one of the busiest providers of Ultherapy in the south Houston area. For more info, visit Dr. Chaudhari’s practice at www.suncoastplasticsurgery.net.

In 2014, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer. The best advice about diet and activity to possibly reduce the risk of breast cancer is to get regular physical activity, reduce your lifetime weight gain, and avoid or limit your alcohol intake.

6th Dr. Chaudhari is a board-certified plastic surgeon and was recently voted by the readers of the Journal Newspaper as the Best Plastic Surgeon in Pearland and Friendswood.

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States overall and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression.

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Behind every good party is a good committee, as was the case at the Go Red For Women Luncheon.

Lending a hand were, from left, Jill Williams Lammers, Tama Brantley, Brandy Gates, Laurie Dahse, Darcy Whatley and Chairman Bonnie Benkula.

Hundreds join fight against heart disease BAY AREA MEN AND WOMEN opened both their hearts and their pocketbooks to help the fight against heart disease at this year’s Go Red for Women Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City.

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nd, what a great party it was with KTRK 13’s Sonia Azad as emcee and motivational speaker Theresa Behenna entertaining on the piano and drawing big applause.

Luncheon Chairman Bonnie Benkula joined her fellow Circle of Red members -- Jacqueline Carey, Laurie Dahse, Dr. Susan Gaskill, Brandy Gates, Dr. Linda Goodrum, Carol Horany, Jill Williams Lammers, Cheryl Maultsby, Donna Dr. Michael Lyons Mittendorf, and his wife, Loraine, Kristi Nations from left, arrive at the Go Red for and Jeanette Women benefit Walker – in luncheon at South welcoming Shore Harbour Resort with her the crowd to mother, Maria Garza; join the fight and Anita Sybesma. to eliminate the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease. Each donated $1,000 to the American Heart Association.

Bay Area Regional Medical Center employees Santiago Mendoza Jr., Cynthia A.Villarreal, Karen Crowder, Susan White, Jennifer Ord and Dr. Michael Lyons. BARMC was the top sponsor for the 2014 Go Red for Women Luncheon.

As had the 2013-14 Men Go Red members – Earl Armstrong, Dr. Patrick Brigg, Jason Demers, Matthew Emory, Friend of Heart, John Gay, Dr. Markus Giacomuzzi, Monzer Hourani, Richard Lammers, Dr. Michael Lyons, Santiago Mendoza Jr., chair of 2013-2014 Men Go Red. But the Go Red Luncheon wouldn’t be complete without the annual “Battle of Physicians” when three local doctors compete for the title, “2014 Heart Throb,” circulating in the audience, collecting votes. When the competitors were

Dr. Mark Skellenger and his wife, Kila, enjoy the Go Red for Women, which was held in the South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom.

Go Red for Women Luncheon Chairman Bonnie Benkula, right, thanks Brandy Gates, from left, UTMB director of development and Katie Pryor, American Heart Association corporate development director, for all their help with the annual heart benefit.

first introduced Dr. Walter O’Hara, a heart surgeon, was back at the hospital operating, so his wife stood in for him as Taso Miugouis and Shane Sigg were introduced. Later he was able to join the crowd and actually emerged the winner.

Some of the attendees were Dr. Mark Skellenger and his wife, Kila; Clear Lake Shores Councilwoman Amanda Booren, who came with her mother, Karen Booren; Loraine and Dr. Michael Lyons, Darcy Whatley, Tama Brantley, Maria Garza, Anita Sybesma, Jennifer Ord, Karen Crowder, Katie Pryor,

Lisa Sigg and Dr. Shane Sigg, one of the competitors for “2014 Heart Throb.”

Susan White, Cynthia A. Villarreal and Matthew Emory.

Nancy Suarez, Sandy Adams, Trisha Barita, Betty Phillips, Teri Southard, Monique Spence and Ashley Holguin assisted Bonnie with arrangements.

The new Bay Area Regional Medical Center on Highway 3 in Webster was the major City Goes Red for the second year.

Now, if you’re one who plans ahead, write this down: 2015 Chair Susan White has already set the date for next year’s Go Red For Women Luncheon – Friday, Feb. 20 at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Matthew Emory, right, stops to talk Santiago Mendoza Jr. on arrival at the luncheon.

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Luxurious Environment. Cutting Edge Surgery.

Previty Clinic Brings Top Notch Surgeons and Innovative Procedures to Clear Lake and Pasadena AS YOU STEP into the well-appointed Previty Clinic, you are welcomed by beautiful art glass, calming colors that ease your senses and high-end furnishings you would expect in a five star hotel.

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owever, you aren’t in a hotel but a surgeon’s office. Gone are the days of a dark, chairlined waiting rooms with glass windows and feeling the staff is hiding from you.

Previty Clinic is changing the landscape of waiting rooms and welcoming patients with a hotel-lobby feel, staff to greet and sit with you and best of all, a coffee bar. This beauty and attention to detail support the quote you see on the wall,

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“The needs of the patient come first.”

Spoken by Dr. W. Mayo, Founder of the world renowned Mayo Clinic, and the cornerstone for President and CEO, Dr. Garrett K. Peel’s philosophy and approach to patient care.

Indeed, Dr. Peel, whose experience includes training at Mayo Clinic, has assembled a team of highly-trained surgeons and friendly staff in a beautiful patient-first environment. Previty Clinic specializes in technologically advanced, minimally-invasive treatments for a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heartburn, colon problems, veins, weight management and general surgery.

“We provide innovative surgical

treatments and we navigate our patients through every step of the process,” says Elliot Maness, MD. “Our patients are our priority. We even give patients our cell phone numbers so they can easily reach us after surgery,” says, Garrett K. Peel, MD, MHS.

What Hospital Stay?

Large incisions result in pain and trauma to the body and can result in longer hospital stays. Previty Clinic strives to reduce recovery times through the minimally invasive surgery techniques they offer. Surgeries that would traditionally require large incisions, for example a colon cancer and ventral abdominal wall hernias, are now performed with small incisions, no more than 1 or 2 inches. Patients experience shorter recovery times and are able to return to their daily lives and activities as soon as possible.

“Our average length of stay following a colon cancer is three days,” says Garrett K. Peel, MD, MHS. “With the traditional open procedure patients would stay in the hospital seven to fourteen days, so we’re able to reduce that stay significantly and get patients back to daily life.”

Goodbye Breast Cancer!

At Previty Clinic’s Breast Cancer Institute the goal is to diagnose and treat breast cancer within 14 days. Dr. Peel and Dr. Palafox are two of the few physicians in the country who can perform skin and nipple-areolar complex sparing mastectomies. With a small incision this cutting edge breast cancer surgery leaves the skin and nipple intact with immediate reconstruction. “For the right patient traditional mastectomies are no longer the only treatment option for breast cancer and are quickly becoming a thing of the past,” says Maria Palafox, MD. “It is truly a blessing to see a woman be able to maintain her skin and nipple and have immediate reconstruction, as well as a healthy attitude to battle her cancer and win,” Dr. Peel says.

Another innovative treatment for breast cancer patients is the breast conservation surgery or lumpectomy and partial breast radiation. This surgery removes the breast cancer and through a catheter placed in the lumpectomy cavity, radiation is delivered to the targeted area rather than the entire breast. This innovative procedure cuts radiation time from six to eight weeks to only five days.

Clinic is a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss that includes nutritionists, psychologists and fellowship-trained surgeons. The Clinic specializes in the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies and gastric band procedures.

“Patients lives are changed when they are able to lose 60 to 120 pounds and reduce their risks for future health problems and many times cure their diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea,” says Dr. Peel.

They’re So Vein Veins are important but not all are evidently needed. Patients with restless leg syndrome, spider veins, bulging veins, swollen legs, painful adenitis; color changes and most all large and chronic non-healing leg wounds, should be evaluated for venous insufficiency. It could be the root of your vein problems.

The Vein Institute at Previty offers the latest Venefit procedure, a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency ablation to collapse and close enlarged leg veins. After the vein is sealed and shut, blood then reroutes

itself naturally to healthy veins. “Vein problems are an epidemic in this country,” says Dr. Peel. “We have treated the symptoms and not the root of the problem for many years until now.”

The vein procedure is performed in the comfort of Previty Clinic and only takes 15 to 20 minutes. “Patients are able to return to work the same day and continue with their daily life activities immediately,” says Dr. Peel. It’s quick and convenient and cures many of these debilitating symptoms for patients.”

You Know You Want to Call Them This fresh approach to patient care is gaining popularity within the Pasadena and Clear Lake communities. Previty Clinic is excited to expand its service area to provide highly trained surgeons and the technologically advanced procedures that they are known for at the new Bay Area Regional Medical Center, scheduled to open in July 2014.

For more information visit www. prevityclinic.com or call (281) 487-3313.

SHHH… Hemorrhoids The ugly word no one wants to talk about but many people deal with hemorrhoids. Previty Clinic is one of the busiest hemorrhoid centers in the country with offering the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, a minimally invasive approach to treating internal hemorrhoids. Additionally, Dr. Peel is leading the way in innovation with recent travels to Rome to be the first American surgeon trained in a new minimally invasive procedure for fecal incontinence that is currently in FDA approval.

“We are able to perform an incisionless surgery that cures bleeding internal hemorrhoids and with the new innovations coming we are going to be able to help a lot of patients who suffer with fecal incontinence,” says Dr. Peel. “It is exciting for me as a surgeon to be able to provide patients with a procedure that was previously not even an option for them.”

Fresh Start The Fresh Start Program at Previty

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There is None Like You: The Importance of Your Medical Card

By Cristina Checka, M.D.

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t’s an increasingly common trend in medical news: when a celebrity receives a health scare or a life-changing diagnosis, awareness about that type of health issue is increased nationwide. That these events are able to help build awareness around particular health issues is, undoubtedly, a positive thing.

But what the general public must remember during these periods of increased exposure is that we are all different; our bodies function and respond in ways that are never exactly the same as someone else.

Last autumn, Amy Robach, a host on Good Morning America, underwent an on-air screening mammogram, and the result was something she never saw coming—breast cancer. At age 40, she is young, healthy and fit, and described having “very little family history;” not the characteristics commonly associated with someone at risk for breast cancer.

This public diagnosis brought national attention to the topic of mammograms

in younger women, and the discussion will now be heightened on the heels of a newly-published study examining screening mammograms in 90,000 Canadian women over more than 20 years. Women may feel increasingly conflicted or

incorporate an individual woman’s risk, including her medical and family history.

This is why having a full “medical report card,” (a complete and current list of your medical history) is important.

We are fortunate that

“Screening recommendations should be personalized and should incorporate an individual woman’s risk, including her medical and family history.” confused about what screening recommendations to follow.

The decision about what age (and at what interval) a woman should begin annual screening mammography is complex, so it’s important not to base one’s decision about screening practices on a single celebrity story, or on a single research study. Screening recommendations should be personalized and should

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Robach was able – and willing – to share the story of her diagnosis and emotional journey with us.

It’s an important story for us to hear, but it’s equally important that it be taken in context. When celebrities take their personal health issues public, it’s easy for people to think that what happened to them or what treatment they are undergoing applies to the masses – a potentially dangerous ssumption. What methods work for one person, or how one person’s body responds to a health issue, is not necessarily the same for anyone else.

If seeing or reading about Robach’s story – or the Canadian study – triggered questions or concerns, that’s good, and I encourage women to bring those up with their doctor so that a personalized decision can be made about what is best for them. Should it make them think? Yes. Should it encourage them to have conversations with their doctor? Absolutely.

But without having her full medical report card, we cannot assume that these situations universally apply to all women. I want stories like Robach’s to inspire women to think about their own health, and if a woman’s medical history indicates that she should begin screenings in her 40s, then an individualized imaging plan can be discussed and devised.

Detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage, when a woman is asymptomatic and feeling good is, of course, the optimal scenario. So if a younger patient approaches me about breast screening, I say, “yes, I want to see you,” but with the understanding that all decisions should be individualized to you and based on your full medical report card.

Dr. Checka is a breast surgical oncologist at the MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area. To learn more about her and the services offered at the regional care center, visit www.

MDAnderson.org/BayArea.

Mark E. Skellenger, M.D., F.A.C.S., R.V.T., R.V.P.I Cosmetic Vein Centers of Houston Is Top Vein Center for Galveston/Houston Area Since 2002

By Betha Merit

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r. Mark Skellenger has performed over 3,000 ELT’s or Endovenous Laser Treatments, the modern treatment for bulging varicose veins in the leg. Why do we start with that shocking amount of experience? Because, Dr. Skellenger is a proven, respected leader with advice and information for anyone seeking treatment for varicose veins. He introduced the new endovenous techniques which many others have copied, and has been performing ELT longer than any physician in Houston and Galveston.

A native Houstonian, Dr. Skellenger graduated from Baylor College of

Medicine in 1976 and trained in Vascular Surgery under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, Cardiovascular Surgeon and pioneer in the field. He remains a clinical faculty member in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery in the Texas Medical Center. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons since 1984, and board certified in Vascular Surgery since 1983.

Varicose veins are seen as large knotted,

bulging veins on the thighs, lower legs, and around the ankles. They are the sign of reverse blood flow in the veins.

Valves inside the vein no longer work properly and allow blood to fall back into the legs when sitting or standing.

This reverse flow leads to high pressure in the veins causing the veins to dilate and become varicose veins. Up to 80 million Americans are affected by varicose veins, which can be a result of heredity or pregnancy. “Varicose veins are a circulation problem causing significant pain, swelling, itching, blood clots, and even ulcers,” says Dr. Skellenger.

The revolutionary ELT treatment is The staff at the performed in The Cosmetic Vein Cosmetic Vein Centers of Houston Centers of Texas pictured from left, clinic, is nonJessica, Janee, Dr. invasive, requires Skellenger, Kila Skellenger, and Misty. no anesthesia, and has no down time. “It’s the most modern operation in vascular surgery,” explains Dr. Skellenger. “While vein stripping had a six-week recovery time and was major surgery, ELT can be performed in the office and corrects the varicose vein cause by correcting the abnormal reverse blood flow in the leg. Laser surgery actually improves the circulation in the leg, without the need for general anesthesia or stitches.”

Another procedure, Microphlebectomy, which removes the unsightly bulging veins through very small openings, may be performed in combination with ELT. It also requires no general anesthesia and patients can drive home and resume normal activities the same day. ELT is

“Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas is a state-of-the-art facility where no expense has been spared with regard to technology, equipment, and patient comfort.”

Spider veins before and after treatment at the Cosmetic Vein Centers of Houston.

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FDA approved, and Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas is a soonto-be accredited vein center, of which there are seven in the U.S, through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

Dr. Skellenger offers this advice:

AVOID VEIN CENTERS WHERE: • • • • •

The physician is not a surgeon You are told you need at least two operations on each leg, especially when only one leg bothers you You do not see the physician in the work-up of your problem You are sent to a different facility for the operation, especially if you have not seen the doctor You have spider veins and are told the VNUS procedure will prevent them.

Dr. Skellenger is also an expert in the treatment of spider veins of the legs and face, with the most lasting results. Kila Skellenger, R.N., B.S.N., works alongside Dr. Skellenger.

“You’ll be happy you walked into this office,” says Kila. “I wore only long skirts for many years due to unsightly veins.

After being treated by Dr. Skellenger, I was able to wear short skirts.

Celebrating their 12th anniversary in April, Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas is a state-of-the-art facility where no expense has been spared with regard to technology, equipment, and patient comfort. “By having a beautiful office it sets the stage as a clinic of excellence,” says Dr. Skellenger. The highly trained staff is a well-oiled machine in patient care, and patients feel completely at ease in the serene surroundings.

Additionally, as their name implies, Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas offers more than expert medical vein treatment. They are also the home to Laser Technique Medical Spa. Laser Technique Medical Spa is run by Janee’ Wimberly, medical aesthetician and certified laser technician, and is a full service medical spa offering laser hair removal, eMatrix, IPL Photofacial, Vibradermabrasion, chemical peels, tattoo removal and more. They have FDA approved services and certified technicians. www.mylasertechnique.com. 713.702.8115.

In fact, Janee’ and her partner, Scott Cronan, run the Education Program at Texas Laser Source, which trains doctors, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, nurses and future technicians, through their certified program. So once again, you get the most expert care at Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas. “They are the trainers,” says Dr. Skellenger, in referring to Janee’ and staff. www.texaslasersource.com.

Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas is located at 445 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, Texas 77058. Call Jessica for an appointment at 281.990.VEIN (8346). Their website is www. cosmeticveincenters.com.

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St. John Hospital Now Part of Houston Methodist

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t. John Hospital in Nassau Bay has a new name and new owners.

The medical facility which formerly was called Christus St. John Hospital is now known as Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

With 170 acute-care beds, more than 400 physicians on staff and almost 700 associates, St. John -- Clear Lake’s only “A” rated hospital by The Leapfrog Group -- provides a broad spectrum of adult, pediatric, medical, surgical and obstetrical care, as well as numerous ambulatory services.

With the transfer of majority ownership now complete, both St. John Hospital and Christus St. Catherine Hospital officially joined Houston Methodist Feb. 3. Under this new agreement, the Nassau Bay hospital will continue providing comprehensive care to the greater Clear Lake area.

Houston Methodist St. Catherine is being repurposed to a long term acute care hospital to complement the services Houston Methodist already offers the West Houston/Katy community.

Under this agreement, Houston Methodist has retained Christus Continuing Care, a division of Christus Health, to manage Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital.

“I cannot emphasize enough what a good fit the two organizations are for each other,” said Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “This brings together two faith based organizations that share common missions and values.

We are especially excited about the opportunity to expand our services to the Clear Lake area, and to work with Christus to open our first continuing care facility.”

Houston Methodist has 15,000 employees caring for patients in seven hospitals, stand-alone emergency departments, imaging centers, physical therapy clinics and a top ranked research institute.

Houston Methodist Hospital is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s “Best Hospitals” and is ranked No. 1 in Texas. Fortune has listed Houston Methodist as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America for nine consecutive years.

“We are delighted that St. Catherine and St. John will continue providing high quality, compassionate care to the Katy and Clear Lake communities as part of a faith-based system,” said Ernie Sadau, president and CEO of Christus Health. “This completed transition creates a new, innovative partnership, and ensures that Gulf Coast residents will have access to a full continuum of care right in their own backyard.”

The partners will work together to find new opportunities to

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serve, innovate and enhance the health care provided throughout the Gulf Coast area. In addition, the Christus Foundation for Healthcare will continue serving the Houston community through its clinics, school-based centers and services for the poor and underserved, which are not part of the transition.

facility’s history actually dates back four decades.

In 1972, Space Center Memorial Hospital opened outside of Houston to serve the 55,000 community members who lived near the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center “to return to the people of our country the benefits in the form of health service dividends produced from space exploration.”

Unfortunately, the facility was closed in September 1974, only 13 months after it opened, by the Federal Housing Administration because the hospital was behind in

“This partnership will be a benefit to the entire community.”

“We welcome the Christus employees to the Houston Methodist family,” Boom said. “Through this business process it became very clear: Christus employees are wholeheartedly dedicated to their patients and their care.

This partnership will be a benefit to the entire community.”

The Nassau Bay medical

mortgage payments. It was unoccupied until the federal government took it over and it became a U.S. Public Health Service Hospital.

In 1981, Congress passed an administration bill -- part of President Reagan’s budgetcutting proposals -- that closed eight Public Health Service hospitals in the United States.

The Houston-based Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Health Care Systems was selected by the federal government to assume control

of the Nassau Bay facility.

The government chose the Sisters of Charity because of their reputation for providing quality care. The Sisters purchased the facility for $1.

On Dec. 9, 1981, Christus St. John Hospital treated its first patient. The founding sisters of the hospital -- Sister Clare Marie, Sister Frances Therese and Sister Edwin Berry -- worked night and day to build St. John Hospital into the quality health care facility it is today. The hospital opened to serve the needs of the community, merchant marines and workers for the Department of Defense, as well as Vietnamese and American shrimpers.

In 1982, the hospital was one of the first hospitals to have a layman, rather than a member of the congregation, as administrator. Over the years, Christus St. John Hospital, located across from Johnson Space Center, has been under contract with

NASA for provision of the medication kits for the Space Shuttle and for physiological testing for the space program.

A $9 million expansion that was completed in 1989 introduced the concept of suites in the Center for New Life, enlarged the emergency department and improved diagnostic imaging capabilities.

On Jan. 23, 1998, the hospital unveiled its new street name and address.

Hospital Boulevard was renamed St. John Drive in an official proclamation from the mayor. The hospital’s founding sisters were forever memorialized in the new street address, since the “3” in 18300 was chosen to represent the three sisters.

Today, St. John, which was named a Top Performer™ by The Joint Commission, also operates six sports medicine clinics and two outpatient laboratory and imaging clinics.

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real culprit isn’t the TV. It’s the time they spend sitting when they’re binge watching.

“Cut back on TV, video game and computer screen time, and you’ll be more likely to engage in active behavior,” Basen-Engquist said.

Choose an active-play video game that’ll boost the heart rate or watch a favorite show while riding an exercise bike.

Choose an active leisure activity “Relax with an activity that doesn’t require sitting,” Basen-Engquist said. “Take a fun dance class, work in the garden or walk around the neighborhood. You’ll burn about 140 extra calories per day to help you maintain a healthy weight.”

Use technology Most email providers will allow people to schedule an alert to remind themselves to move every hour.

There’s an app for everything, including ones

MD ANDERSON EXPERT shares the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle and simple ways to increase daily activity

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ost people spend the day sitting behind a desk. They commute home to relax, sit and watch TV, read a book, or play computer games.

Most Americans easily spend more than 8 hours of their day sitting.

And sitting for several hours a day puts one’s health at risk – even if they exercise regularly.

“Extended sitting raises your risk for colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancers, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” said Karen BasenEngquist, Ph.D., professor of Behavioral Science at MD Anderson. It also increases risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Luckily, reducing sitting time can be simple.

“At least once an hour, get up and move. Stand while you’re on the phone or walk around the house during TV commercial breaks,” BasenEngquist said. “A few minutes of light activity throughout the day can add up and help lower your cancer risks.”

Basen-Engquist shares more tips to reduce prolonged sitting.

Cut back on screen time Put down the remote.

Research shows that for every hour of television a person watches after age 25, their life expectancy goes down by almost 22 minutes. But the

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that remind people to take a get-up-and-move break. Some apps also provide tools to track physical activity. Then, they use charts and graphs to display activity over time.

Knowing the steps taken, or not taken, during the day can be useful. Basen-Engquist uses a pedometer and tries to get at least 500 steps an hour.

Build activity into the day “Even short spurts of moderate to vigorous physical activity can get your heart pumping and improve your health,” Basen-Engquist said.

“So, build activity into the day.”

Park at the far end of the parking lot, take the stairs, or walk while on the phone.

Tidying the house also can limit couch time.

Reduce sitting at work Most adults sit at their job, but there are simple ways to move more without them disrupting their work. Have a walking meeting, stand during seminars, or perform desk exercises. Ask co-workers to join in taking laps around the office during lunch.

Change the work environment. Office equipment, like standing and treadmill desks, are gaining popularity.

“Working from an upright position uses more muscles, expends more energy and burns more calories than sitting,” Basen-Engquist said.

Get regular exercise

“Put down the remote. Research shows that for every hour of television a person watches after age 25, their life expectancy goes down by almost 22 minutes.”

Cutting back on sitting time is good for one’s health. But regular exercise is still needed to further reduce cancer risks.

Aim for two and a half hours of moderate physical activity or an hour and a half of vigorous physical activity each week.

For additional tips on health and exercise, visit www. mdanderson.org/focused.

To learn more about the MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area, visit www. mdanderson.org/bayarea.

you can potentially stop the spread of tau-related dementia. The trick is to remove the toxic oligomeric tau without also removing the normal, functional tau protein.

Researchers at UTMB did just that and their findings, just published in the Journal of Neuroscience, demonstrated that treatment with their tau oligomerspecific monoclonal antibody, called TOMA, in experiments involving a rodent model of tauopathy (tau-related dementia) improved locomotor function and performance on memory tests.

The TOMA antibody sticks to the oligomeric tau so it can no longer interfere with cell-to-cell communication, but leaves the native tau protein intact.

“Scientists believe that if you can get rid of this toxic oligomeric tau protein, you can potentially stop the spread of tau-related dementia.”

UTMB researchers discover a way to potentially slow down Alzheimer’s RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH at Galveston have discovered a way to potentially halt the progression of dementia caused by accumulation of a protein known as tau.

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ormally, tau protein is involved in microtubule formation, which acts as a brain cell’s transportation system for carrying nutrients in and waste out. In the absence of tau protein, brain cells become dysfunctional and eventually die.

In many forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by multiple concussions, the tau protein starts behaving badly and instead of performing its normal cellular functions, it begins accumulating and

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interfering with cell-to-cell communications.

Without the ability of brain cells to receive signals, they become severely dysfunctional and if enough of them die in a given area of the brain, the result is cognitive impairment, which means difficulty in planning tasks and remembering things. This accumulation of tau results in the formation of tau oligomers (oligo- meaning “many”), the toxic form of tau protein.

Scientists believe that if you can get rid of this toxic oligomeric tau protein,

“This is significant because this research describes a very promising vaccination strategy for Alzheimer’s disease, which could prevent memory loss from occurring later in life. No safety concerns were detected in mice receiving this treatment, but more research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of immunization in other animals and in humans,” said UTMB neurology professor Rakez Kayed, member of the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development and senior author of this study.

Recently, this group also found the TOMA antibody effective in halting the spread of toxic tau aggregates in a paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Diseases.

Diana Castillo-Carranza, postdoctoral scientist in the Kayed lab and lead author of both studies, said, “New evidence suggests that in Alzheimer’s disease the pathology is spread through the brain from one area to another by oligomeric tau. Here we are showing that TOMA antibody has the ability to protect the brain from tau toxic aggregates.” Other authors of this study included Julia Gerson, Marcos Guerrero-Munoz, Urmi Sengupta, Julia Gerson, Gurpreet Singh, D. Mark Estes, Alan Barrett, Kelly Dineley, George Jackson and Cristian A. LasagnaReeves.

This work was supported by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, the Cullen Family Trust for Health Care and the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.