Best Practices 4th Quarter 2015

Medical Community News and Information

Fourth Quarter 2015 www.BestPracticesMD.com

CONTENTS

Fourth Quarter 2015

PUBLISHER/CHAIRMAN Rick Clapp

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

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Contributing Writers Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Kelly Groce Victor Kumar-Misir, M.D. Susan Neuhalfen

ART Creative Director Brandon A. Rowan

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Letter From the Medical Director 7 The Price of Freedom Features 6 Medical Trivia

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12 13 14 15

Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Photography/Editing Mary Alys Cherry Patty Kane

ADVERTISING Director of Advertising Patty Kane Account Executives Shannon Alexander Debbie Salisbury Becky Sheehy

25th Annual Reindeer Run Fennelly Anderson Recognized at NAEA Breast Cancer: The Numbers, Prevention Guidelines and Stories Memorial Hermann’s New CEO for Pearland Hospital Kelsey-Seybold Welcoming ENT Specialist Dr. Weinstock Memorial Hermann Welcomes New ER Physicians Javier Rios, M.D. Joins Houston Methodist St. John Hospital Bay Area Regional Medical Center: World Class Medical Care Models Show Off Slimmer Bodies in Hospital Style Show Memorial Hermann System CEO Dan Wolterman to Retire MD Anderson, UTMB Collaborate on League City Campus

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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

From the Medical Director

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

LIBERIUS

LIBERTAS

The Romans, in the first millennium BCE, having established political hegemony over the culturally diverse peoples of Eurasia and the Mediterranean, created a universal governance language – LATIN. Many Latin words have persisted in the contemporary English lexicon, especially in relation to law, government, science and medicine, e.g., the Latin word developed to label the concept of ‘freedom’ was “LIBERTAS” – which today survives in English as liberty, liberation, liberal, etc.

LIBERI

Like the Greeks before them, the Romans were particularly adept at observing and labeling primal human, personal and social traits in their Latin terminology.

Interestingly, the Latin word designated for ‘children’ was ‘LIBERI’ – because they observed that the only relatively free humans were children, as the price of growing up was the loss of freedom. All societies demand conformity to imposed rules and regulations, with varying degrees of restrictiveness – from theocracies and totalitarian regimes to more liberal and malleable democracies:

Politics – liberal and conservative, right, left and centrist.

• Religion – theology and morality, beliefs and practices.

• Institutional – boards, professions, associations, corporations.

• Culture – values, traditions, rituals, ceremony.

• Ethnicity – food, fun, fashion, dress, music, dance.

Nowhere is the price of conformity for the individual more life-threatening or life-giving than in the highly regulated political and institutional healthcare delivery system, where consumers pay the price: • Payers – coverage and restrictions, delays, and denials.

• Regulations – licensure, specialty protocols, documentation.

• Insurance – uninsured, network restrictions, bureaucracy.

• Communication – multilingual services, inter-physician connectivity.

• Expense – self-pay, premiums, deductions, co-pays, membership.

In any and all medical situations Best Practices are simply those that will get the best clinical outcome.

•

Interestingly, the Latin word designated for ‘book’ (written pages of information) is ‘LIBER’, and for a collection of books is ‘LIBERIUS’, preserved in the English word ‘library’.

Both are also derivatives of the Latin word for freedom, reflecting the Roman view that knowledge is not only power, but freedom.

In antiquity, the Roman general Marc Anthony gave the famous 200,000-volume library in Pergamum (present day Turkey) as a wedding gift to his wife Cleopatra, knowing how she revered her own extensive library in Alexandria.

In 1800, President John Adams appropriated $5,000 to create the Library of Congress, purchasing 740 volumes and three maps, which were stored in the US Capitol. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson gave Congress the authority to establish its rules and regulations. Widely read, Jefferson held that the power of the intellect could shape a free and democratic society, and that knowledge is power.

When the 3,000-volume library, along with the Capitol, was burnt by the British in 1814, Jefferson’s own personal library of 6,487 volumes, in several languages, was used to re-create the Library of Congress in 1815, with twice its previous number.

The repository of knowledge has evolved from papyrus to paper, and from cuneiform tablets to computer tablets, and now the revolutionary global Internet digital library is poised to encompass the entire world’s knowledge, true and false, good and bad, right and wrong, yet available to all.

Nowhere is the freedom of knowledge exercised in the professional, political and public media more corrupted and contaminated, and therefore dangerous to

LETTER

health and survival, than in the electronic global medical library of texts, articles, videos, etc. – so regularly accessed, and variously believed.

While available medical information is increasingly promising to empower the individual to gather critical clinical information, make diagnoses and monitor healthcare, the individual is caught up in the morass of misguided misinformation competing with credible certified data.

Therefore, when consulting the global medical library, it is advisable to consider the price of knowledge: • Promotional – for a drug, institution, caregiver, service.

• Reliability – large, double-blind, multi-ethnic studies.

• Inclusivity – studies include your race, age, gender, ethnicity.

• Commercialism – profit, prestige, power driven.

• Experience – time-tested, with proven safety and effectiveness.

Patients and physicians alike, every day, pay the price of conformity in navigating the complex healthcare delivery system’s rules and regulations, as well as in exercising critical appraisal of the vast medical literature, in order to achieve Best Practices.

Victor KumarMisir, 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. 2015 All rights reserved.

Fourth Quarter 2015 | www.BestPracticesMD.com|

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M E D I C A L

T R I V I A

1. Milk Thistle is good to take for which of your organs?

2. What tool do doctors use to look inside ears?

3. Turkey contains ______ that makes us feel tired.

A. Kidneys

A. Stethoscope

A. Tryptophan

B. Liver

B. Ophthalmoscope

B. Glycine

C. Heart

C. Otoscope

C. Asparagine

D. Brain

D. Patella Hammer

D. Phenyalanine

4. Which of the following causes muscle cramping?

6. What is the easiest and least expensive way to cure depression?

A. Dehydration

5. What is the name of the only bone in the human body not connected to another?

B. Excercise

A. Femur

B. Medication

C. Low amounts of potassium, calcium, and other minerals

B. Hyoid

C. Excercise

C. Fibula

D. None of the above

D. All of the above

D. Mandible

A. Therapist

ANSWERS: 1. B, 2. C, 3. A, 4. D, 5. B, 6. C

25th Annual Reindeer Run on tap Dec. 5 Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

invites the community to join in the festivities at the 25th Annual Reindeer Run Kids K and 5K Run & Walk. More than 500 runners and walkers are expected to lace up on Saturday, Dec. 5, to complete the 3.1 mile course that winds through the scenic Nassau Bay waterfront community.

At the finish line, race participants and their families can enjoy holiday music, crafts, photos with Santa and a “snow zone.” A variety of food trucks will be on hand, offering food and drinks for purchase. Houston Methodist St. John Hospital will also host several health and wellness tents offering free massages, blood pressure and BMI checks and “Ask the Doc” -- featuring primary care physicians and orthopedic surgeons on hand to answer your questions.

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Register online at www.active.com or in person at the administration suite of Houston Methodist St. John Hospital through Dec. 3 only. Race day registration will be held from 7 a.m. to 7:45 with the Kids K beginning at 8 a.m. Race fees are $15 for Kids K (ages 10 and under) and $30 for the 5K Run & Walk, which includes entry into the chip-timed race and long sleeve t-shirt.

Packet pickup will be held at 2035 Space Park Drive (West Building) in the West Conference Room on the following dates: • Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m.

• Dec. 4, 6-8 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-7 p.m.

For more information, call 281.333.8865.

DOCTORAL

DIGITS

Krystyna Fennelly and Nancy Anderson Recognized as Top Marketing Experts in United States and Canada

11,000

R

eal Estate Agents

and Marketing Specialists, Krystyna Fennelly and Nancy Anderson, Recognized as One of the United States’ and Canada’s Top 500 Marketing Experts by the National Association of Expert Advisors.

North America’s top association for real estate professionals will honor Krystyna Fennelly and Nancy Anderson with an award at the 2015 installment of its annual Exponential Growth Summit, to be held in Dallas in late October.

The National Association of Expert Advisors [NAEA] is proud to announce that Krystyna Fennelly and Nancy Anderson of FennellyAnderson Real Estate Partners, have been selected as one of the United States’ and Canada’s Top 500 Marketing Experts. This is a huge honor considering there are more than 1.2 million agents practicing real estate between the two countries.

They will be given an award and recognized at a special ceremony in front of more than 600 real estate agents, experts and industry insiders.

As a successful real estate team, Krystyna and Nancy understand that selling a home is more than a transaction; it’s the fulfillment of someone’s lifelong dream. By being marketing experts, Krystyna and Nancy are able to help home sellers get more money for their home and home buyers get access to a larger

number of homes to choose from so they get the best home for their needs.

More importantly, they are able to provide a selling or buying process that gives clients a more diverse suite of offerings, additional financial benefits and an overall more enjoyable experience. The NAEA is proud to associate itself with Krystyna and Nancy and considers them professionals among professionals in the real estate industry.

The NAEA was formed in 2011 and is a North American real estate association that provides real estate agents who are truly serious about delivering the absolute best real estate experience to each of their clients, with tools, strategies and systems to establish themselves and operate their businesses as true expert advisors in the real estate process.

Fennelly-Anderson Real Estate Partners is affiliated with Bay Area Elite Properties, located at 2900 E. NASA Pkwy, Ste 290 in Seabrook.

Contact them by calling 281-532-6610.

To contact NAEA Media Relations, call 972-668-5090, email media@naea. com or visit NAEA.com

70,000,000 70,000,000 people worldwide stutter, that’s 1 in every 100 people.

Stuttering is more common in boys than girls and is usually recovered by the age of 8.

40%

40% of the American population is Vitamin D difficient. Vitamin D is essential to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. The sun is the best way to get the proper amount of Vitamin D. Fourth Quarter 2015 | www.BestPracticesMD.com|

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Beta Sigma Phi members from left, Nancy Cobbs, Beryl Hill, Penny Linton, Joyce Wilkerson, Jo Ann Luttgeharm, Peggy Fisher and Mary Jane Kugle with blankets they lovingly create for Houston Methodist St. John patients.

Blankets for breast cancer patients deliver faith, hope and love Sorority Sisters Share Warmth and Comfort

By Susan Neuhalfen

T

he Xi Lambda Rho Chapter of the Clear Creek Bay Area City Council for the Beta Sigma Phil Sorority has been generously serving our community since 1968, but this year the sorority’s service committee decided it wanted to do something a little more memorable.

Jo Ann Luttgeharm is one of the newest members of the sorority and along with Penny Linton is co-chair of the service committee. The ladies had the idea to do something “hands on” that the committee could do as a group. With Penny being a first class seamstress, the original idea was to create colorful pillowcases for chronically ill patients at a local

hospital, but when Jo Ann called Houston Methodist St. John Hospital to discuss the idea, she spoke with Denise Thomas in Guest Services, who had an even better idea for the group.

“I had called other hospitals but I was so impressed with Denise, and her enthusiasm was contagious,” said Luttgeharm smiling from ear to ear.

“Since many of the senior patients get cold in the hospital, she suggested we make fleece throws that would not require sewing.”

In fact, a volunteer group who makes the fleece throws for breast cancer patients was meeting that week and the sorority members were invited to join them for the day. Coordinated by Tamara CoyTremant, the project manager for Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, the group was made up of the breast cancer patients’ friends, family members and other volunteers including 17 members of the

sorority service committee. They already had their pink and white fabrics picked out and the group created their first blankets for breast cancer patients. The ladies of Beta Sigma Phi felt privileged to be included since several of their members are breast cancer survivors themselves.

As an added touch, the blankets were embroidered with the hospital logo as well as the words “Faith, Hope and Love” Beta Sigma Phi. The ladies were then invited to make a formal presentation of the blankets to Houston Methodist St. John Hospital CEO Dan Newman.

“What I love is that the blankets are a gift to the patients as a reminder that along with the hospital staff, the community also cares about them,” said Lutttgeharm. “The hospital has been so supportive throughout this process and it’s made the whole experience worthwhile.”

In addition to the blankets made for the breast cancer patients, the ladies have made additional blankets for other patients. Along with other volunteer groups at the hospital, Coy-Tremant reports that over 200 blankets have been made so far this year for women with breast cancer, men and women with cancer and comfort blankets for their infants in need.

“We are very grateful to Beta Sigma Phi for taking on this project,” said CoyTremant. “It’s been a great fit all around to have them here.”

Joyce Wilkerson, a member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1964, echoes the sentiment based on this experience as well as her many years with the sorority.

“Everyone is passionate about it,” said Wilkerson. “It’s the joy of doing what we do that keeps our organization going.”

Estimated New Female Breast Cancer Cases and Deaths by Age, US, 2013* Age (Yrs)

In Situ Cases

Invasive Cases

Deaths

In Situ Cancer

<40

1,900

10,980

1,020

<50

15,650

48,910

4,780

50-64

26,770

84,210

11,970

65+

22,220

99,220

22,870

All ages

64,640

232,340

39,620

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a spectrum of abnormal breast changes that start in the cells lining the breast ducts.

DCIS is considered a noninvasive form of breast cancer because the abnormal cells have not grown beyond the layer of cells where they originated.

*American Cancer Society, Surveillance and Health Services Research, 2013

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American Cancer Society Guidelines for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.

UTMB Offers ‘Sunday Screenings’ - Free Mammograms for Community Women Mammogram program for uninsured Galveston County residents

U

TMB Health and The Ruth Kempner Endowment for Breast Cancer Screening are partnering to provide free screening mammograms for uninsured women in our community. The Susan G. Komen foundation has stated that a significant number of uninsured women in Galveston County are not receiving their annual screening mammograms. In an effort to reach these uninsured women, UTMB Health is bringing the mobile mammography van to churches in Galveston County.

The screenings are being offered at: Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church Sunday, Oct. 18 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3602 Sealy Street Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 762-0088 Rising Star Church Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

302 Oak Street Texas City, Texas 77591 (409) 739-5502

Although these events are being hosted at local churches, uninsured program participants do not need to be members of these church congregations in order to receive a free screening mammogram. However, participants need to PRE REGISTER for the program and have to meet the following eligibility criteria: • • • •

• • • •

•

•

•

Adopt a physically active lifestyle.

Legal resident of Galveston County Between 40-64 years old Uninsured Participants cannot have mammogram coverage through Medicaid and/or Medicare Not pregnant Have not received a mammogram in the past 12 months No personal history of breast cancer in the past 5 years No current breast pain, breast discharge, or palpable breast abnormalities Must complete and sign the application and consent forms

If you have any questions about this program or application, please contact Ida Hernandez at UTMB, at (832) 505-1721.

Invasive Cancer Most breast cancers are invasive, or infiltrating. These cancers have broken through the ductal or glandular walls where they originated and grown into surrounding breast tissue.

The prognosis (forecast or outcome) of invasive breast cancer is strongly influenced by the stage of the disease – that is, the extent or spread of the cancer when it is first diagnosed.

• Be as lean as possible throughout life without being underweight.

Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are currently overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight has health benefits and is a good place to start.

Engage in regular physical activity and limit consumption of high-calorie foods and beverages as key strategies for maintaining a healthy weight.

•

• •

• Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week.

Children and adolescents should engage in at least 1 hour of moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity each day, with vigorous-intensity activity occurring at least 3 days each week.

Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, or other forms of screen-based entertainment.

Doing some physical activity above usual activities, no matter what the level of activity, can have many health benefits.

Consume a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods.

• • •

• Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Limit consumption of processed meat and red meat.

Eat at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day.

Choose whole grains instead of refined-grain products.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.

• Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men.

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Kelsey-Seybold welcoming ENT specialist Dr.Weinstock Ear, Nose and Throat specialist Dr. Etan Weinstock has joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Clear Lake, which is part of Houston’s premier community-based multi-specialty physician group for more than 60 years. His clinical interests are, thyroid, parathyroid surgery, otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.

Before joining Kelsey-Seybold, Dr. Weinstock served as chief of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at LBJ Hospital in Houston.

In that role, he established a comprehensive Head and Neck Cancer Center where patient survival from these malignancies exceeded national norms. He held a joint appointment as an assistant professor for The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and in the Department of Oncology.

He also has trained in advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and served as a general surgery intern at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

“Patients should be the primary decision maker in their care. My role is to educate patients about available options and assist them in determining which is best for them, considering all aspects of their condition and life. I’m a strong advocate for individualized patient care. No one person completely fits the ‘textbook’ and no one particular standardized management usually fits the patient,” Dr. Weinstock said.

Dr. Weinstock is seeing patients at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Clear Lake at 1010 South Ponds Drive in Webster and at the Main Campus at 2727 W. Holcombe Blvd. in Houston.

In his spare time, Dr. Weinstock enjoys playing guitar, photography, cycling and yoga.

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Memorial Hermann announces CEO for new Pearland hospital

M

emorial Hermann has named Mario Garner, Ed.D., as the first senior vice president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital, which is expected to open early next year.

Garner, who was recently named the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year by the American College of Healthcare Executives, joined Memorial Hermann in August.

“We’re excited to have someone with Mario’s experience and background to build and lead the team at Memorial Hermann’s newest hospital in Pearland,” says, at Memorial Hermann Regional President Erin Asprec.

“Mario is a proven leader not just in healthcare but also in the community.”

Prior to accepting this role, Garner served as the inaugural president and CEO of the New Orleans East Hospital in New Orleans. Garner joined the New Orleans East Hospital in August 2013 while the campus was still under construction. During his tenure,

“The 64-bed hospital is scheduled to open in early 2016.”

Garner successfully recruited hospital leadership, staff and physicians to re-establish a full-service inpatient hospital to an area severely damaged

by Hurricane Katrina.

“I’m grateful for my experience in New Orleans as it taught me a great deal about rebuilding both a hospital and community,” says Garner. “I’m now sincerely honored to be able to serve the community of Pearland and excited for the growth that lies ahead. This is a chance to make a real difference because we’re not just building a hospital; we also have the opportunity to build a culture of service in our community.”

Prior to his leadership role at New Orleans East Hospital, Garner served as chief operating officer at HCA Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Ga. Garner held the same position for the Regional Medical Center of Acadiana in Lafayette, La. A native of Lake Charles, La., he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Louisiana State University, a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Tulane University and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Houston.

Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital is currently under construction on the southbound side of Highway 288 near FM 518. The 64-bed hospital is scheduled to open in early 2016 and will feature an intensive care unit, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, medical/surgical units, and women’s and neonatology services.

For the latest construction updates at Memorial Hermann, visit Memorial Hermann’s Breaking New Ground website: www. breakingnewgroundproject.org

Memorial Hermann Welcomes New ER Physicians

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital recently welcomed several new physicians to its emergency center -- one of the busiest in the Memorial Hermann System. The South Belt area hospital operates a Level III Trauma Center as well as an emergency STEMI team and emergency stroke team. In addition, Memorial Hermann Southeast and the Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Pearland have the ability to transfer and receive patients through Life Flight. The new doctors are, from left, Alex Garbino, M.D., PhD; Oscar Martinez, M.D.; Sofia Farooqi, DO; Dianna Bryan, M.D.; Nadim Islam, M.D., medical director, Memorial Hermann Southeast; Abdulla Kudrath, M.D.; Dien Bui, M.D.; Paul Sheehan, M.D., medical director, Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Pearland; and Samar Yusuf, DO, assistant medical director Memorial Hermann Southeast.

Javier Rios, M.D. Joins Nationally Ranked Group at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

J

avier Rios, M.D., a fellowshiptrained physician specializing in nonsurgical orthopedics and sports medicine, is joining the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

Rios has cared for athletes and others with acute and chronic conditions and injuries in the Greater Bay Area for more than six years.

His clinical expertise includes diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound-guided injections for joint disorders as well as casting and splinting non-surgical fractures.

“Joining the Houston Methodist St. John team gives me the opportunity to work with

an elite organization that has a national reputation for leading medicine,” Rios said.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I can utilize my skills and Houston Methodist resources to provide excellent care to my patients.”

Rios is board certified in family medicine and fellowship trained in primary care sports medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He will join Drs. Edward Lee, Jason Leaseburg and Kenneth First and see patients at 2020 NASA Parkway, Suite 230 in Nassau Bay. “For nearly 30 years, our skilled and experienced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physicians have delivered the latest orthopedic techniques and treatments to St. John Hospital patients,” said Dan Newman, CEO at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

“Their commitment to the highest level of patient care has helped us rank among the country’s best in this specialty.”

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Bay Area Regional Medical Center brings world-class medical care to the region

By Rod Evans

W

hen it opened its doors

in July 2014, the gleaming Bay Area Regional Medical Center facility ushered in a new era in healthcare for residents of the Bay Area who would no longer have to make the trek into Houston’s Texas Medical Center (TMC) to receive the highest quality medical care.

Located at 200 Blossom Street in Webster, BARMC was designed to present a wide range of medical and wellness services in a calm, soothing and esthetically pleasing environment.

The facility offers some of the latest technology for physicians on its medical staff in order to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques.

BARMC has approximately 400 physicians on its medical staff and more than 500 employees dedicated to providing exceptional care.

But even though the hospital opened just a little over a year ago, officials are already looking to expand the facilities and services offered to meet the rising demand for tier-one medical treatment.

“We’re being received very well in the community in terms of growth and demand,” said BARMC CEO Tim Schmidt. “We’re doing nearly 400 surgeries per month in our four main operating rooms and a hybrid operating room, so expanding our facilities is very much needed to handle that volume and growth that we’re seeing.”

Schmidt said since the hospital opened it has expanded its Emergency Department from its original configuration with 11 beds to 23 beds, has added a second CT scan machine and is currently in the midst of Phase Two of an overall construction plan that will increase bed capacity from 104 to 181. Work is also scheduled to outfit an additional catherization lab and five operating rooms. Phase One of the project cost about $190 million, while the price tag for Phase Two is about $16 million. Schmidt says Phase Two construction is targeted to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Not only is the hospital upgrading and expanding its facilities, it’s also in the process of adding to its already extensive

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list of services and program offerings.

“We’ve partnered with UTHealth for our cardiovascular surgical program,” Schmidt said. “We have a great electrophysiology program led by a group of physicians from the Texas Medical Center who are interested in bringing that technology out to the Bay Area and we’re doing a tremendous amount of that work.”

One of the physicians helping to lead the cardiovascular program is Dipsu Patel, an interventional cardiologist who has been on staff since the hospital opened.

He says the ability to perform complex procedures like electrophysiology, which deals with electrical abnormalities of the heart such as arrhythmia, sets the hospital apart from others in the region.

Unique Procedure

“We offer a suite of different modalities that we can use to intervene on the heart, from cutting plaques out to burning plaque away,” Patel. “We’ve started doing ablations, which makes us quite unique because it is not being done in hospitals outside the (Texas) Medical Center. UTMB (Galveston) does a few per year, but we’ve already done in the past six months more than UTMB would do in a year.”

Patel says few hospitals are willing to make the financial investment necessary to purchase the equipment needed to perform the atrial fibrillation (ablation) procedure, but Bay Area Regional officials decided to make just such an investment in order to bring an even greater variety of treatment options to patients.

“There are a lot of hospitals in the area, so it’s not like we’re the only hospital in the Webster/Clear Lake area, but we’re unique in some of the things we do,” Patel said. “Ablation is not done anywhere else in the area and it gives our patients greater choice.”

Patel believes that BARMC is providing a crucial service to the Bay Area region because it now offers the type of services

once reserved for TMC institutions only much closer to home.

“We’re bringing together in a central location doctors that practice in the area and the facilities are just outstanding.

It looks beautiful. I’ve not had a patient come away with a negative experience because the hospital staff prides itself on patient service and is very geared toward serving the community and its patients,” Patel said.

A key element of the Phase Two construction effort will be the opening of a new Women’s Center, complete with an eight-bed neonatal intensive care unit, in 2016. Schmidt said the center will include an eight-bed labor, delivery, recovery, post partum room, and a 14-bed post partum unit.

The hospital’s recently launched bariatric program is already making great strides toward improving the health and quality of life for those patients struggling with excessive weight and the issues that can be exacerbated by carrying extra pounds. In fact, the hospital hosted its first Bariatric Fashion Show on Oct. 1.

The show featured patients who have experienced bariatric surgeries and want to show how the results have been life changing for them. Schmidt says many bariatric program patients no longer have to take diabetic or blood pressure medications and the procedures have proven to be a wonderful option for many who once gave up on the idea of losing weight and improving their health.

“We’ve experienced people having to drive down to the Texas Medical Center to receive these services, but they will no longer have to travel that far to get the same high quality care,” Schmidt said.

“Bay Area Houston is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and hospital and bed demand is increasing. There are other facilities in the area and they’re doing a good job, but they are older facilities. This gives residents a more modern facility in which to receive these services.”

Carla and David Towson wear big smiles after telling the Bay Area Regional Medical Center fashion show audience that each lost 100 pounds and would be parents next spring.

Bay Area Regional Medical Center officials at the style show included, from left, Dr. Rizwan Chaudhry, Dr. Dennis Tang, CEO Tim Schmidt, Dr. Kathi McCree, Dr.Ken Hollis and Board Chairman Dr. Michael Lyons.

Models show off slimmer bodies in hospital style show Photos and story by Mary Alys Cherry

A

fashion show at a hospital? Not something you think of, but never say never.

Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster actually hosted a fashion show in its lobby Oct. 1 that had the audience smiling, cheering and clapping as the 11 smiling models – 6 women and 5 men -- came down the runway.

While most audiences are used to very skinny models, these were not. In fact, many had lost around 100 pounds in the past year. A few still had more pounds to go. But all were proud of what they had accomplished and strutted down the runway – just like the skinny models do – after showing the audience their slacks before weight loss surgery and tossing them aside.

The event was put on by the Bay Area Metabolic & Weight Loss Institute, one of the hospital’s departments which partnered with Lavish hair salon, Sofia fashions and Theorem entertainment to put on the fall fashion show. Members of its medical staff who made it all possible included Dr. Garrett Peel, Dr. Kenneth Hollis, Dr. Rizwan Chaudhry and Dr. Audencio Alanis.

Happiest story of the night involved Carla and David Towson, who loss 100 and 106 pounds, respectively. Carla was told by doctors she would probably never be able to have children because of her weight and was surprised to recently find out she was pregnant and expecting next spring.

The Beaumont couple beamed as the announcement was made and the audience squealed with delight.

Besides the Towsons, three other models topped the century mark, two losing 120 pounds and one 118 pounds. Two more came close, losing 95 and 96 pounds and working to make it to 100. The others lost 85, 75, 60 and 53 pounds – no doubt leaving many in the audience jealous.

Hospital staff members welcoming the style show crowd to Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster included, Renee Lindamood, Nacole Beasley, Senior Vice President Santiago Mendoza and Cara Slaughter.

Mary Forbes, Becky Sheehy and Sophia Martin, from left, enjoy the Oct. 1 Bay Area Regional Medical Center fashion show

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Memorial Hermann System CEO Dan Wolterman to retire System board has begun search for new leader

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s part of a long-term

succession plan implemented more than a year ago, Memorial Hermann Health System President and CEO Dan Wolterman has announced his intention to retire in the second half of 2016.

The Memorial Hermann Health System Board and executive leadership have engaged Spencer Stuart, a leading executive search firm, to conduct a national search for Wolterman’s successor.

The board will consider both internal and external candidates.

“It has been a great honor to lead one of most respected health care systems in the nation,” Wolterman said. “It has been particularly gratifying and a privilege to work with a group of incredible employees and physicians that are among the best in the country. But it has always been my desire to retire at 60 to travel with my wife, Lori, spend more time with our family and enjoy the next chapter of our lives.”

Wolterman joined Memorial Hermann in 1999 and was promoted to CEO in 2002.

His tenure as CEO has seen Memorial Hermann achieve year-over-year doubledigit growth, ascend to the largest not-for-profit health system in Southeast Texas and one of the largest in the country, while expanding to 13 hospitals with nearly 24,000 employees and 5,000 affiliated physicians, and become the country’s busiest Level 1 trauma center.

He also oversaw the launch of the Memorial Hermann Accountable Care Organization, the country’s most successful Medicare shared-savings program in each of the last two years.

This success is a direct result of Dan’s insistence upon transforming Memorial Hermann from a hospital-centric system to one that is based on patient-centered care anchored by key and essential services in the community that are unique to Memorial Hermann.

“Unfortunately, we knew this day was coming for some time now,” said Will Williams, chairman of the Memorial Hermann Health System board. “So in the interest of a smooth transition, the board and executive leadership began the succession planning to accommodate

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“It’s been a privilege to work for an organization that advocates for safe, high-quality care for everyone.”

Dan’s wishes to retire when he turns 60 in July.

“The complexity and size of an organization like Memorial Hermann – along with the dynamics of being in a large and diverse city like Houston – demands a thoughtful and thorough selection process,” Williams continued.

“That process takes time, and is the primary reason why we are announcing Dan’s plans to retire now. In the meantime, Dan will continue to serve in his role until, and for some time after, his successor is identified, to ensure a seamless transition to the next generation of leadership at Memorial Hermann.”

In 2006, Wolterman initiated Memorial Hermann’s quest to become a High Reliability Organization – where zero error is the standard – and transformed the system’s cultural approach to quality, patient safety and infection control. Now, Memorial Hermann is known across the country for its exceptional quality and safety protocols and outcomes.

Known for his passion for creating solutions to increase access to care for the underserved and uninsured, Wolterman spearheaded the creation of the Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation. The Community Benefit Corporation has been instrumental in building collaboration with other healthcare providers, government, business leaders and community stakeholders in identifying and delivering viable solutions to address the access to health care problem in the Greater Houston community.

“It’s been a privilege to work for an organization that advocates for safe, high-quality care for everyone,” said Wolterman. “I’m grateful to have had this platform to campaign for change and betterment when it comes to access to quality care. I am incredibly proud of where we have come as a system. Even as I transition over the next year, our mission to expand access to care within the Houston community will continue to be a top priority.”

In an effort to improve access to health care, Memorial Hermann recently announced its largest multiconstruction project in its history. These projects include the construction of new hospitals in the booming communities of Pearland and Cypress, and expansions to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Memorial Hermann Katy. In addition, Memorial Hermann recently announced its first urgent care facility and its seventh Convenient Care Center.

“With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare, Dan is a trusted and influential leader in this industry,” said Williams. “An asset to this organization, the City of Houston and healthcare across our nation, Dan truly inspires everyone with his tireless work to help create solutions for the uninsured and underserved in communities across our network.”

MD Anderson, UTMB to collaborate on League City campus

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wo medical giants

– the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston -- have signed a first-ever clinical collaboration agreement to provide care for cancer victims on UTMB’s League City campus.

The agreement, which has been approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, includes MD Anderson leasing land to construct an outpatient cancer center on the UTMB League City campus.

This new construction will become part of MD Anderson’s Houston-area network, which includes four clinical care centers and currently serves nearly 16,000 patients each year. The approximately 135,000 squarefoot facility will complement UTMB’s inpatient facility on the campus. The new facility will be less than eight miles from MD Anderson’s Bay Area location in Nassau Bay, which offers medical, radiation and surgical oncology; infusion therapy; pain management; nutrition and other support services.

The agreement marks the first time local UT System institutions have joined to provide clinical care. The collaboration will ensure patients in the region have convenient access to comprehensive, high- quality and centralized cancer care.

The new outpatient center is projected to open by 2018.

“We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with a UT System sister institution,” said Donna K. Sollenberger, executive vice president and CEO of UTMB Health.

“Together with the services that we provide, this collaboration further expands the excellent health care services that will be available at the League City Campus.”

“MD Anderson in the Bay Area was our first center to provide both medical oncology and radiation services in the community, and it has played a vital role in advancing the quality of cancer care throughout this growing region,” said Thomas Burke, M.D., executive vice president, MD Anderson Cancer Network®. “With UTMB, we have a collaborator who shares our vision and mission for enhancing care and access to research, and we expect our momentum to grow and expand rapidly by working together.”

The new facility will offer patients expanded access to both institutions’ advanced health care services.

MD Anderson brings internationally recognized expertise in cancer care and clinical research while UTMB Health has invested in its League City Campus and surrounding clinics to make its extensive network of primary and specialty care providers available throughout the region.

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