CHILTON COUNTY
Compassionate Care In Your Community www.heartsouthpc.com
Our goal is improving your heart’s health. We do this with advanced diagnostic methods and compassionate care. Put your heart in our hands and together we will achieve our goal.
SHELBY OFFICE • 205-633-5775
C. Dale Elliott, M.D., FACC
Cliff R. Vance, M.D.
SELMA OFFICE • 866-663-5775
John D. McBrayer, M.D., FACC
David S. Fieno, M.D.
Mark L. Mullens, M.D., FACC
Neeraj Mehta, M.D., FACC
Gregory D. Chapman, M.D., FACC
J. Hudson Segrest, M.D.
Munish K. Goyal, M.D., FACC
William B. Hillegass, M.D., M.P.H.
CLANTON OFFICE • 866-663-5775 SYLACAUGA OFFICE • 256-249-1855
St. Vincent’s Orthopedics, PC Full-Service Orthopedics in One Location.
David P. Adkison, M.D.
Thomas L. P. Johnson, M.D.
Knee & Shoulder
General Orthopedics; Knee, Hip & Shoulder
Eli J. Hurowitz, M.D.
David M. Ostrowski, M.D.
Foot & Ankle
Hand, Wrist & Upper Extremity
Edward U. Kissel, M.D. General Orthopedics; Knee, Hip & Shoulder
J. Todd Smith, M.D.
General Orthopedics; Orthopedic Spine
Table of conTenTs picking up steam
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Runs gaining popularity in Chilton County
helping with pain
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Chiropractor has first-hand knowledge
OptiOns abOund
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Arthritis sufferers have many avenues for relief
gOlden years
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Planned unit will benefit local seniors
avOid the bug
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Tips for escaping cold/flu season
health calendar Stay up-to-date on local events of interest
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CHILTON COUNTY
PUBLISHER Tim Prince EDITORIAL Stephen Dawkins, managing editor Emily Beckett, writer Drew Granthum, writer Jon Goering, photographer MARKETING Alan Brown, sales manager Zack Bates, marketing consultant Kim McCulla, marketing consultant Brandy Clackley, marketing consultant CUSTOMER SERVICE Laura Atkins, customer service PRESSROOM & MAILROOM Jimmy Ruff, production manager Scott Mims, mailroom manager Malinda Nance, mailroom manager Michael Turner, press operator Jimmy Huett, press maintenance
picking up steam Runs gaining popularity in Chilton County
Story by Drew Granthum, File photos
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or the longest time, Chilton County has been known for three particular things; peaches, pageants and football, in that order.
If a current trend holds, you may be adding running to that aforementioned trifecta. It seems that more and more 5K races are popping up all over the county, from the prestigious Peach Run every June, to
the Jingle Bell walk/run in December. Running is coming back in style, and Chilton County seems to be a hotspot for people looking to race competitively or just get in shape. “I am not sure that running has become Starting gun: The Peach Run, above, and the Jingle Bell Run, left, are just two of the running events held in Chilton County each year. 5
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On the run: Competitors come from across the region for the Peach Run, above, which is hosted by Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness; while the Jingle Bell Run, below, is paired with the Arthritis Walk to offer fun for all.
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more popular, but races have definitely increased in popularity,” said Lori Patterson of Cornerstone Fitness. “I love that competing in a healthy activity seems to be becoming a phenomenon.” Patterson, who is also the organizer for the Peach Run, said she felt reviving the Peach Run after a hiatus could prove to be a hit. “I just remember it from when I was a little girl,” she said. “It was big in the ’80s and kind of died out. I wanted to bring it back.” Patterson said there were several alternatives for those looking for help working up to a 5K distance. “We (Cornerstone) do a 5K accountability group on Mondays,” she said. “You can download a running app, or meet with a trainer. Usually, people will stick with it if they are in a group.” Dr. Ann Lebeck of Lemak Sports Medicine said in addition to the widely known fact that running helps with weight loss, there are several more benefits that people often don’t know about. “It improves cardio health, and obviously loses weight,” she said. “It also helps with bone density. Bone reacts to weight being put on it. Lebeck said she gives every future runner the same walk through. “The first thing is knowing goals,” she said. “No. 2, I want to look at their feet [to help with shoe selection]. Third, starting slow, being sure to warm up and cool down. If they want to run a 5k, start out about 25 percent of that distance.” Lebeck also said that shoe choice is crucial; what may be good for one runner isn’t necessarily good for another. “Shoes are only good for 300 miles,” she said. “Be sure to log mileage. How old your shoes are, we gauge by mileage.” Lebeck stressed the importance of pace and being sure to rotate the direction of a runner’s normal path. “Start slow,” she said. “You put a lot of stress on your knees by running the same way.” Patterson encouraged runners to work out other parts of the body, not just the legs. “Make sure you incorporate strength training or cross training to avoid overuse injuries and stress injuries,” she said. For more information about the races held around the county, check out the list below. Peach Run •Held every year during the Peach Festvial, hosted by Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness •2012 5k winner: Fed Yarenko, 23:26 •Contact: Lori Patterson (205) 280-6450 DOttie Day 5k •First event was in July 2012, hosted by the Chilton County Humane Society •2012 winner: Lucas Culpepper, 23:08 •Contact: Scott Missildine (205) 755-0744 Jingle Bell Walk/Run •Held in December •Contact: Anna Blanche Young (205) 979-5700 Viking Run •First event to be held during Thorsby Swedish Festival in October •Contact: Tracia Bussey (205)-217-0978 7
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helping peopl Chiropractor has first-hand knowledge Story and photo by Stephen Dawkins
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r. Rana Watson can help people suffering from simple muscle, neck and back pain, headaches or an injury. Watson, a new chiropractor in Clanton, has all the necessary education and experience, but she has another advantage when treating patients: an interest in mountain biking has provided Watson with plenty of first-hand knowledge of aches and pains and the benefits of chiropractic care for athletic performance. Watson was named the 2011 Alabama Mountain Bike Champion in the female age 30-39 class. She raced in several competitions sponsored by About Time Events and accumulated enough points to earn the title. She still loves to ride, but Watson is spending more time these days helping people—from athletes like herself to those just looking for relief from pain. Watson is practicing out of Below Chiropractic Clinic. She offers instrument adjustment in addition to traditional hand adjustment. Watson also is a certified SpiderTech therapist, offering the Kinesio tape that is popular with
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ple with pain
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Ribbon cutting: The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon cutting at Dr. Rana Watson’s chiropractic practice on Aug. 9. professional athletes. “It allows for a full range of motion, but it gives you an artificial form of support and stability, unlike the old-school athletic tape,” Watson said. Watson also offers a full range of painrelieving gels and all-natural supplements for pain management and ideal health. Consultations are free. Chiropractic candidates include athletes looking for peak performance, injury prevention or injury rehab; neck, back, shoulder, arm, hip and ankle pain; headache sufferers; those suffering from an injury; or those suffering from asthma and sinus infections, carpal tunnel symptoms or arthritis.
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“We can usually help 80-90 percent of these people,” Watson said. Watson is a second-generation chiropractor, who grew up attending seminars with her mother, who practices outside Atlanta. “It was a pretty good experience growing up in that clinical setting,” she said. Watson earned bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from Life University in Marietta, Ga., and attended Cleveland Chiropractic College. She has worked at Cleveland Chiropractic in Kansas City and Health Star in Montgomery. Watson relocated to Clanton because she was looking for a small-town envi-
ronment and went to working three days a week to enjoy more time with her family. An opportunity to partner with Steven Below turned out to be the perfect fit for everyone involved. Below still works out of the office, on Second Avenue South, a couple of days a week, by appointment only. Below and Watson strive to make their services affordable, and Watson encouraged people to consider the value of chiropractic treatment when making decisions. “Try chiro first, drugs second and surgery last,” Watson said. “Try your most cost-effective solution first.”
Options abound for arthritis sufferers
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rthritis affects millions of people and can be a debilitating condition that impacts a person’s mobility and quality of life. The March 2010 issue of Arthritis Care & Research revealed that 18.7 percent of Americans and 16.9 percent of Canadians suffer from some type of arthritis. The word “arthritis” refers to more than 100 separate medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis-related joint problems cause pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures. Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the most basic daily tasks, including walking, climbing stairs, using a computer keyboard, cutting food, or brushing teeth. Arthritis has no cure, though medications and physical therapy may be prescribed to help manage pain and improve mobility. There are many different medicines that may be used to treat arthritis.
Here is a look at some of the most common. tOPical Pain RelieVeRS These drugs are applied to areas of concern and are absorbed by the body to relieve pain. They are generally effective for people who have mild symptoms in just a few areas of the body. anti-inflammatORy Pain RelieVeRS These pain medicines may be over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are common painkillers, as are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. Prescription doses may be helpful for more painful symptoms. naRcOtic Pain RelieVeRS For pain that is not controlled by NSAIDS and other methods, arthritis sufferers may be prescribed narcotic drugs that are more potent. While effective, narcotic drugs are addictive. They also may cause side effects, including constipation.
ly when taken orally—can result in a number of side effects, including weight gain and acne breakouts. Doctors try to avoid these problems by injecting the steroid into the affected joint or trying other medications in combination with steroids to keep the dose of steroids as low as possible.
antiDePReSSantS Some doctors prescribe antidepressants to relieve pain. It is not fully understood how the medications affect the body’s interpretation of pain, but the role of these drugs on brain chemicals may be the connection. Drowsiness and dry mouth may occur from these drugs.
DiSeaSe-mODifying antiRheumatic DRugS These drugs are often used for diseases of the autoimmune system, especially rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These medications work by interfering with or suppressing the immune system that attacks its own joints in people with these conditions.
SteROiDS For a variety of reasons, steroids are very useful at reducing inflammation in the body. But prolonged use—especial-
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SOMETIMES THE BREAKS JUST DON’T GO YOUR WAY…
NOT TO WORRY! We have a team of highly specialized physicians to help provide solutions to get you back to your active lifestyle.
W W W. L E M A K S
Our physicians at Lemak Sports Medicine, a center of excellence in orthopedic surgery, specialize in all areas of orthopedics and primary care sports medicine.
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s a leader in the sports medicine and orthopedics field, our focus is redefining health and wellness for athletes, active professionals and youth. We believe that the whole body cannot be healthy unless each part is healthy. With this as our guiding philosophy, we continue to deliver an outstanding health care experiences.
LEMAK SPORTS MEDICINE: COMMITTED TO IMPROVING LIFE AFTER INJURY.
DR. MIKE PATTERSON currently oversees our Alabaster location has been instrumental in the care of athletes since he started practicing in 2000. He specializes in Sports Medicine Orthopedics and operates at Shelby Baptist Medical Center and the Shelby Ambulatory Surgery Center. Dr. Patterson is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Larry Lemak, and together they have been involved in the care and rehabilitation of collegiate, professional and high school athletes. Dr. Patterson is involved with the community as a member of the Pelham Rotary Club and several Chambers of Commerce, and serves as the team physician for many local high schools.
DR. ANN LEBECK is a primary care non-operative physician at Lemak Sports Medicine Alabaster. She is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and has spent a great deal of her training with collegiate and high school athletes as well as the weekend warriors. Dr. Lebeck is an active member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Lebeck is often on the sidelines providing medical coverage to local high school athletes and volunteering her time at large athletic events.
831 1st Street North | Alabaster, AL 35007 | 205.358.9120 HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday through Friday | 8AM - 5PM 1320 Woodfin Lane | Clanton, AL 35045 HOURS OF OPERATION Mondays 1:30 – 5 PM We accept the following insurances: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, U.S. Department of Labor, Workman’s Compensation, Healthsprings and Viva Healthcare.
KS P O RTS.CO M
Golden years
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Planned unit will benefit local seniors Story by Emily Beckett, Photos by Jon Goering
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senior care unit expected to open at Chilton Medical Center in December will provide more healthcare options for local seniors. Golden Care is a short-term program for people ages 65 and older who need specialized care and treatment plans. People ages 55–64 may be admitted on a case-by-case basis with approval from a psychiatrist. It is a nine-bed unit comprised of single-patient rooms designed to help senior adults maximize their levels of independence and functioning. Janet Driskell, Golden Care program director, said she hopes to gradually expand the unit to 13 beds by adding one new bed a year. “We’re still planning on progressing,” Driskell said. “We’re really excited. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the other community agencies as well that are having to refer family members outside of the county.”
Dr. Douglas C. Clark Dr. Jason K. Dickerson
Dr. Seth Williams
In progress: When finished, each single-patient room in the Golden Care wing at CMC will have a bed, nightstand, bathroom, wall hangings and ample space for visitors and chairs. Opposite page: The nurses’ station is located at the center of the facility, directly across from the group activity room. 15 Wellness
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The group activity room is where patients will be able to socialize with each other and participate in group counseling sessions. Janet Driskell (opposite page, above) is the Golden Care program director at Chilton Medical Center. Tommie Crouch (opposite page, below) is a licensed social worker who will assist patients in therapy and counseling. Each patient room will have a window, bed, bathroom and space for walking or chairs for visitors. The unit also has an enclosed outdoor patio and a group activity area across from the nurses’ station. The unit will remain locked at all times to ensure patient security, but family visitation is allowed. To be admitted to Golden Care, patients must have a primary psychiatric diagnosis or specific behavioral issues, such as dementia (Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s diseases), depression, anxiety and emotional difficulties associated with aging. Medical issues cannot be the primary focus of care. “Between 8 and 15 percent of people that live within the community suffer from depression,” Driskell said. “Thirty percent of persons who are elderly that reside in nursing homes or those types of settings suffer from depression as well, and depression sometimes gets mistaken for dementia.” Driskell said the average length of stay for someone in Golden Care is about 14 days. The unit will offer individual, group, recreational and family therapies, living skills groups and medication management services. The unit is primarily a Medicare based program, but staff are working toward expanding the program to all insurances
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that the hospital accepts, Driskell said. Also a part of Golden Care is Turning Point, an outpatient center designed to be a step-down program for people ages 50 or older who are discharging from inpatient services but still need support as they adjust to leaving full-time care. “It’s also very appropriate for residents in the community that may have become shut-ins or have mental illness or anxiety issues, and they need a place that is elder specific,” Driskell said. Turning Point is a therapeutic
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program in a comfortable environment, and licensed therapists hold interactive group sessions daily. A board-certified psychiatrist regularly consults with patients and staff to monitor patients’ treatment in the program. In addition, the multidisciplinary treatment team provides assessments, care planning, individual therapy, art therapy, family involvement, psychiatric services, nursing assessments and continued care and discharge planning.
Tommie Crouch, a licensed social worker, will run Turning Point, in which patients participate in the program three hours a day, up to five days a week, in the morning. Lunch and snacks are provided, as well as transportation if needed. “I think those programs are very beneficial, and I think they’re very needed in the community,” Driskell said. For more information, call Janet Driskell at (205) 755-2500.
Avoid succumbing to cold/flu season W
inter’s arrival coincides with the arrival of other things as well. The holiday season. Snow days from school. Weekends spent skiing and snowboarding with family and friends. While each of those things is something to look forward to, one thing also synonymous with winter is never welcomed with open arms. Cold and flu season impacts nearly every household each winter, forcing kids and adults alike to put life on hold as they rest and recover. To many people, flu shots are enough to keep them going strong through cold and flu season, but not everyone has access to flu shots. Even those who do might still get colds if they don’t take steps to stay healthy when the mercury drops. This winter, people wanting to avoid the worst of cold and flu season can take several precautions to reduce their risks of getting a cold or the flu. Around the house People can take several steps to make their homes safer and warmer, which should help them reduce their risk of cold and flu. Winterizing a home is perhaps the best thing a homeowner can do to make a home safer and warmer. Install storm windows and caulk around doors and windows to keep warm
air in the home and prevent cold air from coming in. If winter has yet to arrive, inspect the heating system. If winter has already arrived, schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Make sure the system is working properly and is clean and ready for the winter that lies ahead. Ideally, the heating system should be serviced by a professional to ensure the ventilation is working properly. Homeowners with functioning fireplaces in their homes should have the fireplace inspected and cleaned before using it for the first time. AddressIng AttIre Winter weather should never catch adults or children off-guard with regards to their wardrobe. Once cold weather arrives, dress appropriately whenever leaving the home to reduce the risk of cold and flu. Appropriate attire includes wearing outdoor clothing, such as winter coats, scarves, gloves or mittens, and wool ski hats. Those who live in areas with heavy snowfall should also wear waterproof boots whenever going outside. It’s also important to dress in layers throughout the winter. Doing so provides extra insulation, and layers trap air effectively, ensuring that all that warm air produced by your body won’t escape but will stick around and keep you
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warm. PrePAre for emergencIes If a winter weather emergency arrives, cold and flu won’t shut down and stop working just because schools close or power outages occur. In fact, during an emergency the chances are strong that families will be stuck inside for extended periods of time. When locked indoors for long periods of time, cold and flu viruses can spread easily. Men and women should prepare for such a scenario by having an air filter on hand to ensure air quality remains clean and healthy. In addition, stock up on items such as soup or cold and cough medicine to ensure that anyone who succumbs to cold and flu during a weather emergency will have remedies at their disposal should they be confined to the home. Parents of infant children should keep extra formula
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and diapers on hand and be sure there are extra batteries around the house should the power go out. For infants on medication, consult the child’s physician before cold and flu season and devise a plan of caring for a sick child should a weather emergency occur. get outsIde And exercIse Staying indoors all winter might seem like a great way to avoid cold and flu, but it might actually make adults and children more susceptible. Staying indoors could be trapping you indoors with stagnant air where cold and flu germs are floating around. Stay inside during weather emergencies, but be sure to get outside in the fresh air and exercise when the weather allows. Regularly working out boosts the body’s immune system, which helps ward off cold and flu.
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HEALTH briEfs fLu cLInIcs BeIng gIVen At heALth dePt.
The Chilton County Health Department is holding flu clinics again this year, clinic supervisor Ludean Hicks said. The first clinic was held Wednesday. Others are scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 3. They’ll be held from 8-11 a.m. and from 1-3 p.m. at the health department. Shots will cost $15 for those who don’t have Medicaid or Medicare, Hicks said. Hicks said those who plan to use alternative forms of payment should bring their Medicare number or Medicaid card. Everyone older than 6 months of age is encouraged to get the vaccine, except for those who have experienced negative reactions in the past. Only shots will be available, not the mist vaccine, Hicks said. Hicks encouraged those who are interested in receiving the vaccine to call ahead and make an appointment. offIcIALs cAutIon ABout West nILe
There have been no diagnosed cases of West Nile virus in Chilton County yet, and local residents can take steps to make sure they aren’t the first. Alabama has seen 12 confirmed human cases of the virus, according to a Depart-
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ment of Public Health press release. Nine of the cases were in males, while three were in females. The ages range from 42 to 73. About 1 in 5 people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). cmc WeLcomes dr. BInKerd
A new employee at Chilton Medical Center could be the catalyst for eliminating the need to send patients to other hospitals for surgical treatment. Jon E. Binkerd, M.D., joined the CMC staff this month and is specializing in general surgery, both emergency and elective. Binkerd, 43, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from UAB in 2002. He completed the Rural Medical Scholars Program in 2003 and earned a master’s in health education from the University of Alabama. Binkerd graduated from the UAB School of Medicine in 2007 and completed his general surgery residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
HEALTH CALENDAr oct. 2 | retIred educAtors fLu cLInIc
The Chilton County Retired Educators will sponsor a Flu Clinic. The clinic will be at the YMCA on Ollie Avenue in Clanton. It will be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. You must provide your PEEHIP insurance card. Call Nancy Shannon at 755-0195 for more information.
oct. 4 | 8th AnnuAL cAre net BAnQuet
The Eighth Annual fundraising banquet for Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Chilton County will be held at the Jemison Municipal Complex from 7-8:30 p.m. It is free to attend and will be hosted by Wayne Hughes. The theme is Bridges of Hope, Psalm 119:114. Christian artist Deidra Hughes will provide special music. oct. 10 | senIor connectIon VArIetY shoW
The Second Annual Senior Connection Variety Show will be at the First United Methodist Church Activity Center from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be fun, food and magical entertainment. For more information, call (205) 755-9032. Post-ABortIVe BIBLe studY
Care Net will be hosting a
post-abortive Bible study for ladies called “Forgiven and Set Free.� There is no charge to attend, and classes will be held on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call Care Net at 205-755-6767. eAc food drIVe
Gentiva Hospice and Associated Foods are teaming up to assist the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center in a food drive. Anyone can help by stopping by Associated Foods to donate $5 toward this cause. For more information, call Kara Hunt at 205-294-0923. senIor exercIse cLAsses
Senior Connection holds weekly exercise classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Clanton Recreation Center. For more information, call 755-9032. AgIng, dIsABILItY resource center
The Aging and Disability Resource Center assists those 55 and older with disabilities. The center is able to locate the following resources: dental and hearing, medication assistance, nutrition assistance and more. Call 1-866-570-2998 to schedule an appointment. A representative is available every second and fourth Tuesday. The ADRC is located at Chilton Medical Center.
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you’re coming home
to be with family
Chilton
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