Cedars-Sinai Fall 2018

CEDARS-SINAI NEWS | LIFE | HEALTH | L.A.

FIT TO GIVE

Convenient care keeps a volunteer active near and far

VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2 | FALL 2018

THE FAMILY DOCTOR

An internist gains inspiration from her grandmother’s relationship with her physician

MIND–BODY–SPIRIT MEDICINE Integrative health takes a holistic—and sciencebased—approach

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Laura Grunberger SENIOR EDITOR

Sarah Spivack LaRosa ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Cassie Tomlin DESIGN

DISTINC_ CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Bonar Connie Sommer Carrie St. Michel Stephanie Stephens EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK

John E. Jenrette, MD

VICE PRESIDENT, PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK

Julie Reback Spencer

VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC INTEGRATION, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK

Mary Clare Lingel

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Pattie Cuen

Cedars-Sinai is published three times a year. To subscribe or unsubscribe, contact us at: Senior Editor 6500 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1900 Los Angeles, CA 90048 PHONE 310–423–1842 EMAIL groupeditorial@cshs.org MAIL

© 2018 by Cedars-Sinai. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s medical assessment and medical judgment. Always consult first with your physician regarding anything related to your personal health.

Cedars-Sinai does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

For further information about this policy, contact the public civil rights coordinator at 310-423-7972.

This publication is printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

CEDARS-SINAI NEWS | LIFE | HEALTH | L.A.

VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2 | FALL 2018

HERE & NOW

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THE FAMILY DOCTOR

An internist gains inspiration from her grandmother’s relationship with her physician.

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NEWS FEED

PREPARE & PREVENT

Stories from the Cedars-Sinai landscape

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MIND-BODY-SPIRIT MEDICINE

LIFE & HEALTH

Integrative health takes a holistic—and science-based—approach.

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FIT TO GIVE

Convenient care keeps a volunteer active near and far.

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AT-A-GLANCE

Mammograms, kids’ sports injuries and more

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NEWS FEED

STORIES FROM THE CEDARS-SINAI LANDSCAPE LOS ANGELES

More than 400 survivors shared their stories at Cedars-Sinai’s 32nd annual Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon at the Skirball Cultural Center.

THOUSAND OAKS

Cedars-Sinai physical therapists provide on-the-field assistance to children attending the Los Angeles #Rams summer camps.

INGLEWOOD

Cedars-Sinai pharmacists partnered with local barbershops to provide blood pressure tests and consultations—resulting in better hair and better heart health.

SANTA MONICA

After spending four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Ruchna Raposo’s twins, Shivan and Kaira, are now 2 years old and thriving. She recently made a generous donation to support the NICU. #cedarsgratitude

WEST HOLLYWOOD

The Cedars-Sinai chaplaincy hosted an iftar meal to commemorate breaking the fast during Ramadan.

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TORRANCE

Steve Baker, a stroke patient at Torrance Memorial Medical Center — a Cedars-Sinai affiliate—was diagnosed by a neurologist in the telestroke program, which offers patients in Torrance 24/7 access to stroke specialists. Steve and his wife, Namele, are back to traveling and spending time with their family.

SANTA CLARITA

Tanner Martin was born with a rare neurological disease and underwent three surgeries at Cedars-Sinai before his third birthday. He’s now walking and just started preschool.

KNOXVILLE, TN

Researcher Lisa Thomas, who studies inflammatory bowel disease, is a valuable teammate inside and outside the lab: She was recently inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

BALDWIN HILLS

Through the Journey of Yourself (JOY) program, patients facing cancer take lessons at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy with the world-famous choreographer.

BAKERSFIELD

Six years after an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis, patient Lance McCullah still coaches varsity football at Bakersfield High School. McCullah says Cedars-Sinai staff are the reason he makes the long trips for treatment, and hopes data his doctors collect about his disease will benefit future ALS patients.

WEST L.A.

Cancer survivors and their quilting group made and delivered 50 blankets for patients undergoing infusions at The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute.

FOLLOW US @CEDARSSINAI

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PREPARE & PREVENT

MIND–BODY–SPIRIT MEDICINE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO OPTIMAL HEALTH

article by Carrie St. Michel photo by Brooke Irish

When you see me...

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“I’ll make it a point to address every aspect of your health, not just the physical. I look at the whole picture, and that includes your mental and emotional health and your spiritual wellbeing. Our overarching goal is to maximize wellness and do all we can to prevent illness and disease.”

JANET WHITE, MD Medical Director, Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program

“We’ll explore your relationship with food to see if you have any dietary habits to adjust. If you do, we’ll try to figure out the underlying cause. The next step is creating a plan that’s customized to your personal situation with the goal of reinforcing good habits, and preventing or treating chronic disease with diet and nutrition.”

NECHAMA ROSEN, RDN Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program

“We’ll review all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as your vitamins, herbs and other supplements.

I have a lot of experience with supplements, so I can answer any questions about what you’re currently taking or about those you’ve considered taking. I also will carefully assess the potential for harmful interactions between your medications and supplements, and ensure you’re using everything correctly.”

PAM TARLOW, PharmD Clinical Pharmacist, Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program

“We’ll talk about lifestyle factors—your diet and exercise habits and how you deal with stress—and how they may be connected to a health problem you’re having. I’m not going to just treat your symptoms; I want to determine the underlying cause and treat that. Then we can develop a personalized strategy to optimize your health over the course of your entire life.”

STEPHEN MEENEGHAN, ND, LAc Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist, Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program

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W

hen are you the happiest? Is anything stressful going on in your life? Are you sleeping well?

Doctors in the growing field of integrative medicine prioritize these types of questions to better understand their patients’ unique circumstances and how lifestyle factors may affect their health. Integrative medicine is a hybrid specialty that introduces holistic, natural, less invasive approaches into conventional, Western methods of care.

The Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program is research-driven, using treatments and techniques backed by scientific evidence. The program also provides access to Cedars-Sinai’s more than 2,000 physicians and its vast network of specialized facilities.

GOALS AND TOOLS

“Integrative medicine brings together the best of both worlds. Our goal is to complement—not replace—conventional care. In fact, we work closely with patients’ other doctors, especially Cedars-Sinai specialists and primary care providers, since we share the same medical records,” explains Stephen Meeneghan, ND, LAc, a board-certified naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist with the CedarsSinai Integrative Health Program. “Integrative medicine just gives us more tools to help patients achieve optimal health.”

Some of those tools already may be part of your life.

For example, are you among the 14 million Americans who have been treated with acupuncture? Or are you one of the 170 million U.S. adults who take dietary supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals or herbs)? Both of these therapies are used in integrative medicine. The Integrative Health Program’s team has worked extensively with supplement companies and not only knows which brands are best but also can offer most products at a discount.

Other integrative medicine treatments include biofeedback, clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling.

While the field mirrors conventional medicine in many ways—such as a shared commitment to safe, scientifically supported treatments—integrative medicine has its own unique approach to care.

“One of integrative medicine’s core principles is a focus on lifestyle and prevention, and how an optimal lifestyle can prevent some illnesses and diseases,” says Janet White, MD, medical director of Cedars-Sinai’s Integrative Health Program. Her team includes a registered dietitian/ nutritionist and a clinical pharmacist.

“Another core principle of integrative medicine is that patient-centered care is customized to meet each individual’s unique circumstances and needs,” White says.

“We also take a whole-person approach that looks at all of the factors affecting health—not just the physical, but also social, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.”

Is Integrative Medicine Right for You? While virtually everyone could benefit from integrative medicine’s focus on prevention and achieving optimal health, common conditions that respond well to this approach include: ANXIETY CANCER CHRONIC PAIN DEPRESSION DIABETES FATIGUE FIBROMYALGIA GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

HEADACHES HEART DISEASE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MENSTRUAL DISORDERS NAUSEA SLEEP DISORDERS STRESS STROKE

For more information about the Cedars-Sinai Integrative Health Program, call 310-423-8200, email groupintegrativehealth@cshs.org or visit cedars-sinai.org/integrativehealth

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LIFE & HEALTH

FIT TO

GIVE Judy Sosebee’s physician helps keep her headaches at bay so she can keep giving back—from Playa Vista to Peru.

article by Cassie Tomlin photos by Ted Catanzaro

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udy Sosebee fondly remembers the week all of her fingers ached, rubbed raw from fitting shoes on hundreds of schoolchildren in rural Peru.

“Not 100, not 200, but hundreds of little kids stepping on my hands while they sprinted off to play,” she says with a laugh.

Sosebee made the trip through her job at the shoe giant TOMS. The voyage was entirely in character for the curious, philanthropically minded executive assistant.

She actively seeks new adventures and opportunities at the office and volunteering across L.A. Between 4 a.m. circuit-training workouts, full workdays that seep into nights and spur-of-the-moment beach barbecues with her fiancé, Michael, she tirelessly gives back—harvesting surplus fruit for food pantries and serving meals at shelters in her “downtime.”

With her jam-packed schedule, Sosebee doesn’t have time to be sidelined by the migraines that can strike unexpectedly and destroy her day. That’s why the active Westsider was thrilled last fall when she found Joanne Belgarde, MD, whose Cedars-Sinai office is within walking distance of TOMS’ Playa Vista headquarters.

“Knowing that my doctor is right there makes all the difference,” Sosebee says. “Whether I simply want her to check if something is normal or I need a test, she’s just down the street.”

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OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Sosebee made her first appointment with Belgarde, a primary care physician, as soon as Cedars-Sinai opened its facilities at Runway Playa Vista. Sosebee has suffered from migraines since childhood, and her new doctor says they could be worsening as she enters the early stages of menopause.

“As women get older, the hormones that typically regulate our menstrual cycles begin to decline. During this transition, cycles become irregular and sleep is disrupted, which can trigger these episodes,” Belgarde says.

“Headaches a normal person experiences are magnified in a migraine sufferer. Unfortunately, with menopause, there are limited options to prevent them.”

Sosebee’s migraines can appear either once every few months or daily but, regardless of their frequency, they take a toll she can’t afford.

“It feels like someone hit you in the head with a bat so hard that you can’t see,” she says of the attacks, which can be triggered at work, at home, or while she’s out and about. “Your whole body hurts, and you just want to crawl up in a dark place and go to sleep.”

In fact, Belgarde says the best initial therapy is to take migraine-specific medication and to retreat to a dark, quiet room and lie down. But such rest usually isn’t possible for Sosebee, especially while she’s on a deadline

When Judy isn’t at TOMS (left), she’s giving back by volunteering for local community service organizations (right). Dr. Joanne Belgarde (center) helps Judy keep her headaches at bay so she can stay active.

JOANNE BELGARDE, MD

Belgarde completed her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Georgetown University Hospital in 2011, then joined Cedars-Sinai as an internist. She and her husband have twin boys, and the family enjoys outdoor activities like flying kites in Westchester parks near their home. A first-generation college graduate whose parents are Haitian immigrants, she was born and raised in Los Angeles.

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“ Judy made me laugh, and she was super excited to find out we are right across from her office.”

Joanne Belgarde, MD Playa Vista

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for one of the three executives she supports. So Belgarde prescribed injections of Imitrex, which helps sufferers who can’t get relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. When Sosebee needs it, the injection subdues her symptoms so she can stay productive.

“Without it, I’d be taking an Uber home and crawling into bed,” Sosebee says.

THE RIGHT FIT

Sosebee sought out her position at TOMS five years ago so she could contribute to its inspiring mission. For every pair of shoes the company sells, it gives a new pair to a child in need. Since 2006, the organization has donated more than 86 million pairs of shoes in more than 87 countries, including some close to home, like those donated to the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Participating in local community service helped Sosebee develop an exceptional sense of compassion and urgency. She credits 13 years of working for the Los Angeles City Council with opening her eyes to the challenges facing people who are homeless.

Now, with a doctor so close to help with her migraines, she has more time and energy to stay connected, serving dinners at a Westside shelter for those who are chronically homeless or planning work dinners in a big outdoor space at TOMS. It was at a company-organized health fair in this courtyard that Sosebee first met Belgarde. Sosebee was immediately attracted to the doctor’s friendly personality, and the feeling was mutual.

“She was so vibrant and boisterous,” Belgarde says of their first meeting. “She made me laugh, and she was

super excited to find out we are right across from her office.” During visits, the two radiate the chumminess of old friends, with a rapport that runs deep.

COMMUNITY MINDED

Sosebee’s commitment to her health mirrors her devotion to the wellbeing of others—Belgarde calls her a responsible and engaged patient. For small questions, the two communicate via My CS-Link™, an online tool that also allows Sosebee to view her medical records and book appointments without calling. She says this efficiency encourages her to check in when she’s not feeling well, and frees her to focus on the more enjoyable aspects of life.

These days, Sosebee has become more health-focused, paying closer attention to diet and fitness. The selfavowed “foodie” says her new doctor encourages her to eat better in a way that’s not pushy. Sosebee still loves to check out restaurants so she can challenge herself to recreate the dishes in her own kitchen, and she and Michael grill octopus and shuck oysters—but not too often, because she’s conscious of keeping her cholesterol down.

She also has started taking vitamin B12 supplements to correct a deficiency, and her intense early-morning exercise routine gives her more energy and helps her sleep.

Sosebee is grateful that she’s healthy enough to make another shoe-giving trip this fall, this time to Paraguay.

And she’ll keep seeking out people and groups that need support, because she has energy to give.

“At some point in my life, I might need help,” she says.

“You can always find little ways to assist.” •

Employer Health Fairs Judy Sosebee met her primary care physician at a health fair hosted at her workplace. Cedars-Sinai partners with employers to spread the news that high-quality care is close to the office. With primary and specialty care locations from Silicon Beach to the Inland Empire, Cedars-Sinai is making it easier for Angelenos to stay on top of their health.

Joanne Belgarde, MD, Sosebee’s physician, sees firsthand the benefits of meeting future patients in the neighborhoods where they live and work. “We do our part to keep the people in our community healthy by going out and letting them know we are here for them,” she says.

Employers can call Cedars-Sinai’s Network Development Office at 310-385-3308 to arrange a health fair.

OB-GYN SERVICES AVAILABLE Women in Playa Vista and nearby communities can now access Cedars-Sinai obstetrics and gynecology care right in their neighborhood. The OB-GYN offices join primary care, pediatrics and urgent care at Runway Playa Vista, providing care for patients through all stages of their lives.

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HERE & NOW

THE

FAMILY DOCTOR

by Connie Sommer photo by Rachael Porter

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“ My goal was always to come back to Southern California.

This is where my home is—with my family.”

rowing up in the San Fernando Valley, Lorie Kavafyan, now a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), loved spending time with her grandmother, whom she called Yaya. And Yaya loved visiting her doctors.

So Kavafyan found herself in many medical offices.

Yaya suffered from diabetes, and she experienced many of the disease’s complications. But no matter how ill she felt, a doctor’s visit would always cheer her up.

“She’d walk out of there feeling like a million bucks,” Kavafyan says. “We used to joke it was like therapy for her, it made her so happy.”

Today, Kavafyan is a newly minted internist, practicing at the Cedars-Sinai offices in North Hollywood. She says her grandmother particularly appreciated her own internist, and observing that relationship was one reason Kavafyan chose her career.

“I want to be the person for my patients that my grandmother’s doctor was for her,” she says.

Kavafyan knows she’s succeeding when patients refer friends and family members to her. And they do—almost daily, she walks into an exam room to find a spouse, child, co-worker or friend of one of her existing patients.

“It makes me feel like I have been accepted into their family,” she says.

“It is gratifying when, even after I have to deliver an unpleasant diagnosis, a patient comes back to me for medical guidance,” she says. “That’s my favorite part of the job, seeing that my patients trust me and value my judgment.”

Kavafyan’s life has been filled with caring, lasting relationships. She grew up in the Granada Hills area of Los Angeles, amid an extended Armenian family. Her parents emigrated from Turkey before she was born and opened a sandwich shop in Woodland Hills. Her grandmother lived with them and cared for her and her younger sister while their parents worked. On Saturday evenings, Yaya held court as 30-plus aunts, uncles and cousins descended on the Kavafyan house to fill the table with traditional dishes such as mantee—the dumplings that were Yaya’s favorite specialty—Armenian pizza known as lahmajun, and fattoush salad.

Kavafyan’s schooling was equally close-knit. From kindergarten through 12th grade, she attended AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School—an Armenian school in Canoga Park, where she learned and played with the same 70 kids for 13 years. “You grow up with everyone kind of being your family member,” she recalls.

Starting college at UCLA “was a big adjustment,” Kavafyan says. “Each class is, like, 200 students.” One benefit, though, was meeting people with radically different backgrounds from her own.

When she was ready to pursue her medical degree, she chose an osteopathic school in Arizona. Osteopathy adopts all the advances of modern medicine, but takes a more holistic approach, Kavafyan explains. “The belief,” she says, “is that all parts of the body work together and influence each other, so we treat the whole person as opposed to a single symptom.”

Two months before she graduated, Kavafyan learned she’d landed a residency at Cedars-Sinai. She raced to tell Yaya, who was ecstatic to have her grandchild returning home. But a month later, with Kavafyan still in Arizona, Yaya died. The graduation ceremony became a bittersweet occasion—in Kavafyan’s graduation photos, her mother and aunts wear their black mourning clothes.

Their spirits lifted when Kavafyan returned to Los Angeles for her residency, which she completed in June 2017. “My goal was always to come back to Southern California,” she says. “This is where my home is—with my family.”

Her childhood network continues to enrich her life: Her husband, whom she married in January 2018, attended AGBU with her for two years. During her residency, they reconnected at the house of a mutual friend.

Memories of her grandmother’s care still inspire visits with her own patients. Kavafyan says that, even during the hardest moments, “if Yaya’s doctor would come in, speak to her in Armenian, hold her hand, her face would just change. She would smile and say, ‘I’m good. I’m good.’” • CEDARS-SINAI.ORG

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AT-A-GLANCE

Score at Summer Injury Prevention

In Los Angeles County, kids ages 6 to 17 get a big “kick” out of soccer, which is followed in popularity by swimming, basketball, baseball and running. While more time engaged in sports builds good health, it also means more opportunities for injury.

Advice from Carlos A. Uquillas, MD, and Natasha Trentacosta, MD, pediatric sports medicine and orthopaedics experts at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, will help your kids play safer and score higher.

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Beware of Overuse Injuries

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Females’ Sports Injuries Are Different

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Understand the Basics

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If You See Something, Do Something

Playing sports year-round leaves little downtime for recovery and letting the body’s overstressed tissues heal. Because many kids specialize in a sport early on, certain muscle groups become vulnerable to overuse injuries. This can make younger children prone to longterm problems, such as Little League elbow or shoulder.

Female adolescent athletes are more likely to experience knee injuries than young males, in part because of differences in neuromuscular structures and a resulting stiffer knee motion during athletic maneuvers.

For instance, females tend to land differently—with the knee falling to the center instead of outward. Correct training can improve pivoting, jumping and landing to protect against injury.

Parents, coaches and young athletes can prevent injury by educating themselves about body mechanics and the importance of conditioning, proper nutrition, protective gear and rest. A new study from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine cited fatigue as a major cause of knee injuries in adolescent athletes.

Seek medical attention sooner rather than later if there’s swelling or a noticeable deformity of a joint such as the knee or elbow. Do the same if a knee “locks” or catches in one position. Ice the joint, rest and use anti-inflammatory medications, and if a sprain or strain doesn’t improve in a week or two, head to a sports medicine or orthopaedic specialist.

Skaters Rule, Dude Young Angelenos played more than two sports on average during the past year, according to the LA84 Foundation Youth Sports Survey.

While most children try traditional sports, skateboarders might be the most passionate athletes.

Those who skate had the highest “participation frequency,” hopping on their boards an average of 90 times a year. Tackle football was a distant second, at 60 times per year.

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From Homelessness to Healing Though the number of people experiencing homelessness recently decreased for the first time in four years, more than 50,000 are still living and sleeping in parks, on sidewalks and in shelters throughout Los Angeles County. Cedars-Sinai is committed to serving the homeless population through grants to community organizations that fund medical exams, mental health counseling and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals across the Southland.

$695K 5,500

Make your appointment at least one month before your trip. These personalized services are available for a $75 consultation fee, and vaccines are offered at competitive prices (most health insurance plans do not cover travel vaccines). Plus, our Beverly Hills location is one of only three offices in Los Angeles County offering yellow fever vaccinations. Bon voyage!

people are homeless in the neighborhood of Marina Del Rey Hospital, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai. In a pilot project, a dedicated emergency department navigator will help homeless patients find medical care and integrated services.

Learn more: Email csmntravel@cshs.org or call our Beverly Hills and Culver City offices at 310-385-3534.

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organizations serving the needs of the homeless population with support from Cedars-Sinai in 2018

New Directions for Veterans patients treated last year by two Cedars-Sinai–funded counselors for addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health concerns

Cedars-Sinai can help you stay safe and healthy during international travel.

If you’re heading to certain countries in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, getting vaccinations and other preventive health measures can help you stay healthy while you’re abroad.

Clinical pharmacists at Travel Consultation and Immunization Services will evaluate your needs and offer advice about health precautions associated with your destinations.

committed by Cedars-Sinai this year to organizations that help support homeless women, men and families

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Prepare for Healthy Travels

“A significant factor contributing to homelessness in our community is lack of access to mental health resources, especially for vulnerable populations,” says John Maceri, executive director of The People Concern, a social service agency specializing in problems of homelessness and domestic violence. “It is through Cedars-Sinai’s partnership with our agency and their commitment to improving mental health for underserved individuals that we are able to provide these lifesaving services.”

For more information about Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to the health of our communities, visit cedars-sinai.edu/Community-Benefit

Top 10 in U.S. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2018–2019” named Cedars-Sinai one of the country’s best hospitals. The medical center’s high-quality, patient-centered care helped it place No. 8 overall, No. 3 in California and No. 2 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The health system ranked nationally in a dozen specialties, including No. 3 in both cardiology/heart surgery and gastroenterology/GI surgery. Cedars-Sinai also made the publication’s Honor Roll, recognition earned by just 20 of nearly 5,000 institutions.

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AT-A-GLANCE

Mammograms Demystified

illustration by Janice Chang Revised mammogram guidelines, competing headlines and providers who offer varying recommendations have left many women wondering how to best manage their breast health. Cedars-Sinai surgical oncologist and breast cancer risk-assessment specialist Nimmi Kapoor, MD, clears up the confusion.

The Current Guidelines

The American Cancer Society changed guidelines for mammograms in 2015 to recommend that women start the scans annually no later than age 45. After age 55, some women can switch to getting tested every other year. The guidelines reflect concern that earlier screening can lead to false positives, anxiety, unnecessary tests and overtreatment of cancers that would never become life-threatening.

Starting at 45 Is OK, but 40 Is Safer

“Studies show that starting screening at 40 prevents deaths,” Kapoor says. “Don’t be scared of finding something alarming. Instead, work with your doctor to make sure you’re not overtreated.” Less invasive measures can be tailored to fit women who aren’t at high risk for an aggressive form of cancer.

Cancer Risk Is Personal

“There is no such thing as one size fits all,” Kapoor says. Factors from age and ethnicity to hormone usage and menstrual history all impact a woman’s odds of getting breast cancer. “We have computer programs that sort out dozens of factors to calculate risk,” she says.

Understanding your personal risk will help guide decisions about the best screening plan for you.

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SCREEN TESTS

Additional American Cancer Society screening guidelines for those at average risk:

COLON AND RECTAL CANCER

WHO? Everyone WHAT? Stool-based test or a colonoscopy WHEN? S tart at age 45 and continue through at least age 75.

CERVICAL CANCER

WHO? W omen WHAT? P ap and HPV tests WHEN? A ge 21–29: Pap every 3 years Age 30–65: Pap and HPV every 5 years Age 65+: If cervical-cancer tests have been normal for 10 years, no more testing is needed.

PROSTATE CANCER

WHO? M en WHAT? P rostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test with or without a rectal exam WHEN? It depends. Talk to a healthcare provider about the pros and cons of starting at age 50 (45 for African-Americans).

Frequency depends on PSA levels.

New Physicians PRIMARY CARE NITIN KAPUR, MD, MPH SANTA MONICA 1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-423-8828

JOHN MOLITORIS, MD CULVER CITY 10458 Culver Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232 310-423-4464

MARVIN S. MINA, MD BEVERLY HILLS 8767 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-423-0881

VARINTHREJ (VEE) PITIŞ, MD BEVERLY HILLS 8767 Wilshire Blvd., 3rd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211 323-423-3277

SPECIALISTS SADEEA ABBASI, MD, PhD GASTROENTEROLOGY SANTA MONICA/MARINA DEL REY 1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-453-1871

YULIAN KHAGI, MD ONCOLOGY SAN FERNANDO VALLEY 16133 Ventura Blvd., Suite 470 Encino, CA 91436 818-981-3818

NAVYASH GUPTA, MD VASCULAR SURGERY BEVERLY HILLS 99 N. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 307 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-423-7040

JEREMY LORBER, MD HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY BEVERLY HILLS 9090 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-888-8680

ERIKA JONES, MD CARDIOLOGY BEVERLY HILLS 8501 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-385-3496

DEENA MIDANI, MD GASTROENTEROLOGY BEVERLY HILLS 8536 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 202 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-423-8200

ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Integrative Health Program providers p. 4 8820 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 110 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-423-8200 groupintegrativehealth@cshs.org Also available in Playa Vista Joanne P. Belgarde, MD p. 8 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd., 3rd Floor Playa Vista, CA 90094 424-315-2490 Lorie Kavafyan, DO p. 12 12660 Riverside Drive, Suite 215 North Hollywood, CA 91607 818-487-0040

Natasha E. Trentacosta, MD p. 14 2020 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 400 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-829-2663 Also available near Cedars-Sinai’s main campus Carlos A. Uquillas, MD p. 14 6801 Park Terrace Drive, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-665-7200 Also available near Cedars-Sinai’s main campus Nimmi S. Kapoor, MD p. 16 18133 Ventura Blvd., 2nd Floor Tarzana, CA 91356 818-480-7269

Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 to schedule an appointment.

Give Your Insurance Coverage a Checkup Cedars-Sinai contracts with more than 100 types of insurance, including Medicare and individual and family plans—whether or not you use Covered California. Make sure your health plan includes coverage for Cedars-Sinai during one of the upcoming open enrollment periods.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Oct. 15–Dec. 7, 2018 Covered California and Individual and Family Plan Open Enrollment: Oct. 15, 2018–Jan. 15, 2019 Learn more: cedars-sinai.org/insurance 1-800-CEDARS-1 (available 24/7 to make an appointment or ask questions regarding coverage) https://www.healthforcalifornia. com/covered-california-enrollment/ open-enrollment

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THE EXPERTS YOU TRUST, NOW IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. L.A.’s best doctors are closer than ever, with locations in more than 20 communities in the greater Los Angeles area. So whether you’re in need of a simple checkup or more specialized care, Cedars-Sinai is close by for you and your family.

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SPECIALTY CARE

1-800-CEDARS-1

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URGENT CARE

cedars-sinai.org

Most insurance plans accepted.

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EMERGENCY CARE

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PRIMARY CARE